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CURRENT AFFAIRS
JAN-DEC 2023
CONTENTS
CURRENT AFFAIRS JAN-2023
L.I N 2
CURRENT AFFAIRS FEB-2023
CURRENT AFFAIRS MAR-2023
TA 69
127
CURRENT AFFAIRS APR-2023
O R 184
P
CURRENT AFFAIRS MAY-2023 214
C
CURRENT AFFAIRS JUN-2023 248
SS
CURRENT AFFAIRS JUL-2023 279
CURRENT AFFAIRS AUG-2023 310
CURRENT AFFAIRS SEP-2023 345
CURRENT AFFAIRS OCT-2023 387
CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV-2023 420
CURRENT AFFAIRS DEC-2023 461
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CURRENT AFFAIRS JAN-2023
About:
National Anti-Doping Agency
● CARA is a statutory body of Ministry of
● NADA India to host Inclusion Conclave to Women & Child Development, Government of
sharpen focus on athletes with disabilities on India.
2nd December 2022 ● Role: CARA is designated as the Central
Key highlights: Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions
in accordance with the provisions of the
● It hosts an Inclusion Conclave for the first Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption,
time to sharpen the focus on anti-doping
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1993, ratified by Government of India in 2003.
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education and processes for athletes with ● Function: CARA primarily deals with adoption
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disabilities. of orphan, abandoned and surrendered
A
● NADA India has already developed children through its associated /recognised
T
comprehensive modules on anti-doping adoption agencies.
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education & awareness in Universal Design of ● In India, a child can be placed with a family
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Learning (UDL) for athletes with disabilities. under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance
P
● UDL is a multi-modal framework to improve Act 1956, Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 and
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and optimize teaching and learning for all Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.
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persons using sign language visual ● The mandatory registration of Child Care
representation, transcribed subtitles and Institutions (CCIs) and linking to CARA has
content audio. been provided in Juvenile Justice (Care and
Functions of NADA: Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
● Implement the Anti-Doping Code to achieve Remittances Grow 5% in 2022

compliance by all sports organizations in the
Country. ● According to the World Bank Migration and
● Coordinate dope testing program through all Development report, remittances to low- and
participating stakeholders. middle-income countries (LMICs) growing an
● Promote anti-doping research and education estimated 5% to $626 billion.
to inculcate the value of dope free sports.
Key global findings:
● Adopt best practice standards and quality
systems to enable effective implementation ● Top five recipient countries are India,Mexico,
and continual improvement of the program. China, Philippines, and Egypt.
● Downside risks in remittance include further
Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) deterioration in war in Ukraine,
volatility in oil prices and currency exchange
● Recently, CARA organised 10 State Orientation rates, and downturn in major high-income
Programmes, and Interactive meets with more countries.
than 700 Prospective Adoptive Parents and
Adoptive Parents. Key findings related to India
2
● Remittance flows will rise 12% to reach$100 another, have evolved in response to their
billion this year and are expected to account for environments and contribute to giving us a
3% of its GDP. sense of identity and continuity…”
● US surpassed UAE as top source country. ● According to an official document by UNESCO,
● Remittance flows were enhanced by wage hikes ‘intangible cultural heritage’ includes “oral
and a strong labor market in US andother OECD traditions, performing arts, social practices,
countries. rituals, festive events, knowledge and
● Share of remittances from US, UK, practices concerning nature and the universe
andSingapore increased while share from 5 or the knowledge and skills to produce
GulfCooperation Council (GCC) countries traditional crafts.”
(SaudiArabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and ● It ascribes importance to “the wealth of
Qatar)dropped. knowledge and skills that is transmitted
through it from one generation to the next,”
Baguette which necessitates their preservation. The
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document states that the safeguarding of an
● Baguette — the staple French bread — was
inscribed into the UN’s list of intangible
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ICH means ensuring that it “remains an active
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part of life for today’s generations that they
A
cultural heritage (ICH) recently. can hand on to tomorrow.”
About:
R T
●
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The baguette is a long and thin loaf made of
flour, water, salt and yeast, and is consumed
Horticulture
Programme
ClusterDevelopment
as a staple in France.
C
SS
● Some believe that it was invented by August ● Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Zang, a baker and an entrepreneur from launched the Horticulture Cluster
Vienna in 1839, who introduced the world to Development Programme(CDP) program, to
the taste of crusty bread with softer insides, enhance global competitiveness of
using a steam oven. It gained its official name horticulture sector.
in 1920.
About:
● The history of the bread is uncertain, some
also believe that Napoleon Bonaparte, the ● National Horticulture Board is the Nodal
French military leader, ordered thin sticks of Agency for its implementation.55 clusters
bread for consumption by his soldiers as they have been identified.
could be carried from one place to another ● CDP will leverage geographical specialisation
more conveniently. of horticulture clusters and promote
● UNESCO, the international body which aims at integrated and market-led development of
promoting peace and cooperation among pre-production, production, post-harvest,
nations through education, arts, sciences and logistics, branding etc.
culture, recognized the “Artisanal know-how ● India is second-largest producer of
and culture of baguette bread” as a world horticulture crops, accounting for
cultural heritage. approximately 12% of world’s production of
fruits and vegetables.
What is intangible cultural heritage according to
● CDP aims to improve exports of targeted
UNESCO?
crops by about 20% and create
● UNESCO defines “intangible” as “expressions
that have been passed from one generation to
3
cluster-specific brands to enhance ● Adoption Awareness Month is about

competitiveness. spreading adoption awareness amongst the
stakeholders and the waiting families desiring
Zombie virus to adopt. Through the adoption process,
CARA is dedicated to ensuring the long-term
● European researchers have recently revived rehabilitation of children.
13 “zombie viruses'' from Russia’s Siberian ● CARA is reviewing all adoption cases, long
permafrost. pending in the courts and ensuring that they
● The study posted on bioRxiv revealed that one are quickly transferred to the office of the
of these viruses, Pandoravirusyedoma, is District Magistrate and concluded by issuance
more than 48,500 years old. Other viruses are of Adoption Order by the District Magistrate
also tens of thousands of years old. within two months.
Zombie virus: ● New Regulations also stipulate children to be
placed in their own socio-cultural environment
● Zombie virus is the term given to a virus that
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so that both the child and the family quickly
●
is frozen in ice and therefore dormant.
It does not mean that it is a virus that will turn ●
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adjust with each other.
Children with mental and physical disabilities
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you into a zombie, like those in horror movies are now being identified and cared for by the
and shows. However, in sync with the analogy,
these viruses are ‘undead’ like the fictional
R T CMO in every district.
under certain circumstances.
PO
zombie, and can come back alive and active Delimitation Commission Empowered to
Redraw Jammu and Kashmir Constituencies
●
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According to the scientists, their work actually
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should be "extrapolated to show that the ● The Centre told the Supreme Court that a
danger is real." delimitation commission formed to redraw
● This is because these viruses could the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha
potentially revive and become active once constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir was
again due to the rising global warming. empowered to do so.
● The ice currently trapping them can melt,
About:
releasing these infectious viruses into the
atmosphere. ● The Supreme Court reserved its judgment on
the plea challenging the delimitation exercise
Central Adoption Resource Authority undertaken in the Union Territory of Jammu
andKashmir.
● Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) ● Plea challenged that delimitation exercise
organises 200 special Social media violates Article 170 which provides that the
campaigns, 10 State Orientation Programmes, next delimitation in the country will be taken
and Interactive meets with more than 700 up after 2026.
Prospective Adoptive Parents and Adoptive ● In response, centre stated that Delimitation
Parents. exercise for J&K could not wait till 2026 since
About: idea was to give immediate democracy to
newest UnionTerritory (UT).
● Adoption Awareness Month was celebrated in ● The Election Commission of India further
the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Daman submitted that there is a bar on judicial
& Diu, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh interference, under Article 329(a) of the
and Madhya Pradesh. Constitution of India, regarding the validity of
4
any law relating to the delimitation of ● The US, the UK, Japan, South Korea, France,
constituencies. Germany and Australia are some key
● Supreme Court in Meghraj Kothari vs members of the WA. Prominent non-members
Delimitation Commission had held that once include China and Israel. India will take over
order is published in the Gazette of India, such from Ireland.
an order cannot be agitated before a Court of ● India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA)
Law. in 2017 and became its 42nd member.
● MECR are voluntary and non-binding
Delimitation Commission:
agreements. It prevents proliferation of
● Delimitation is the act of redrawing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) which
boundaries of Lok Sabha and Assembly Seats includes nuclear, radiological, chemical,
to represent changes in population. biological or other weapon.
● It provides equal representation for equal
population segments, and fair division of B-21 Raider
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geographical areas, so that no political party
●
has an advantage.
It is done by DC and their orders cannot be
●
L.I
RecentlyNorthrop Grumman Corp rolled out
its new B-21 "Raider" jet, the first of a new
A
questioned before any court. fleet of long-range stealth nuclear bombers
● Earlier, DC were set up in 1952, 1963,
1973,and 2002.It is done on basis of
R T for the United States Air Force.
About:
preceding Census.
PO ● B-21 Raider will employ cutting-edge stealth
C technologies to carry out nuclear missions
SS
Wassenaar Arrangement
and long-range bombing.
● India will assume the chairmanship of the ● Each aircraft costing about $2 billion or Rs
Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), a multilateral 1624 Crore to be built.The B-21 Raider will be
technology control agreement, on 1 January a subsonic aircraft.
2023, for a period of one year. ● The aircraft average speed of 563 miles per
hour.
About:
● The B-21 Raider, which takes its name from
● Wassenaar Arrangement is a multilateral the 1942 Doolittle Raid over Tokyo, will be
export control regime (MECR) that works to slightly smaller than the B-2 to increase its
promote transparency and responsibility range.
intransfers of conventional arms and dual-use ● Other changes likely include advanced
goods and technologies through regular materials used in coatings to make the
exchanges of information among its bomber harder to detect, new ways to control
members. electronic emissions.
● The Wassenaar Arrangement came into being ● So, the bomber could spoof adversary radars
in 1996 and has 42 members. The WA and disguise itself as another object, and use
operates on a voluntary basis and decisions of new propulsion technologies.
are made by consensus.
Modernisation:
● The WA maintains lists of technologies which
are of interest. Tier 1 denotes a list of basic ● The bomber is part of the Pentagon's efforts
items while Tier 2 denotes Sensitive or Very to modernise all three legs of its nuclear triad,
Sensitive Technologies. which includes silo-launched nuclear ballistic
missiles and submarine-launched warheads,
5
as it shifts from the counterterrorism the decades has been a treasure trove for
campaigns of recent decades to meet China's dinosaur fossils.
rapid military modernisation.
About:
● The U.S Air Force plans to build 100 that can
deploy either nuclear weapons or ● Natovenator is part of the dinosaur group
conventional bombs and can be used with or called theropods – sharing traits including
without a human crew. bipedalism – best known for large
meat-eaters including Tyrannosaurus,
RBI to Launch First Pilot of Retail Digital Tarbosaurus and Giganotosaurus.
Rupee ● But the theropods, many of which were
feathered, branched out in unusual directions
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will be with examples such as long-clawed ground
launching the first pilot of its retail digital sloth-like Therizinosaurus, ostrich-like
rupee recently. Struthiomimus, termite-eating Mononykus and
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the entire bird lineage.
I
Key highlights:
● As per an official statement, the Central Bank
●
L.
Natovenator measured about 18 inches (45
cm) long, with a skull about 3 inches (7 cm)
A
Digital Currency (CBDC-R) introduced on long. Its front limbs appeared somewhat
December 1, 2022, on a pilot basis for the
Indian market.
R T flattened, perhaps as an adaptation for
paddling and swimming.
●
PO
nitially, four banks will be involved in
controlled launch of digital currency namely,
● The streamlining of its body is shown by ribs
that point toward the tail, as in diving birds, an
C
SBI, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, and IDFC First Bank arrangement that reduces drag in the water
SS
inMumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and and allows efficient swimming.
Bhubaneswar cities.
● These banks will issue digital tokens in the
same denominations as papercurrency, which
can be used to make and receive Ministry of Culture organises international
payments.This is an Indirect model of CBDC. conference on the contributions of J C Bose
● Retail e-rupee will be an electronic version of
● Ministry of Culture has recently organised
cash and primarily meant for retail an international conference on the
transactions. contributions of J C Bose: A Satyagrahi
● It will be potentially available for use by all i.e., Scientist” on his 164th birth anniversary.
private sector, non-financial consumers and
businesses. About:
● It will provide access to safe money for ● Jagadish Chandra Bose (30 November 1858 –
payment and settlement, as it will be a direct 23 November 1937) was an Indian physicist
liability of the central bank. and plant physiologist.
● CBDC or Digital rupee is a legal tender issued ● He graduated from Cambridge University.
by RBI in digital form. ● In 1917 he established Bose Institute
-Asia’sfirst modern research center devoted to
NatovenatorPolydontus interdisciplinary studies.
● He taught Satyendra Nath Bose,
● Natovenatorpolydontus's Well-preserved MeghnadSaha, P C Mahalanobis etc. who
remains – a skeleton about 70% complete –
were unearthed in the Gobi Desert, which over
6
went on to become famous scientists of management of all the activities proposed

India. under the project.
● With French and Indian technical and financial
Scientific Contributions:
support, the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership
● He discovered wireless communication and will facilitate partnership activities for
was named Father of Radio Science interested natural parks of the Indo-Pacific
byInstitute of Electrical and region. These activities include biodiversity
ElectronicsEngineering. conservation, wildlife management and
● He invented the crescograph to measure plant engagement with local communities.
growth and carried out important workin
Kaziranga National Park:
understanding plant neurobiology.
● He demonstrated plants response to ● It is a national park in the state of Assam,
heat,cold, light, noise and other external India.
stimuli. ● It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
● He is recognised for path-breaking work on ● The sanctuary hosts two-thirds of the world’s
●
millimeter range wavelength microwaves.
He was the first Asian to be awarded a
USpatent in 1904 and first Asian, along I N
great one-horned rhinoceroses. Rhinos are
.
listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red list of
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Threatened Species.
withRamanujam, to become fellows of the
RoyalSociety in 1920.
●
TATigers: Kaziranga is home to the highest

density of tigers among protected areas in the
O
Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity R world, and was declared a Tiger Reserve in
2006
Conservation
C P ● Fauna: The park is home to large breeding

populations of elephants, wild water buffalo,
SS
● Artificial highlands where animals can escape and swamp deer
during floods; 200+ anti-poaching camps;
alternate livelihood training for local
communities — these measures at the
Kaziranga National Park in Assam will form India prioritises engaging Lusophone world
the cornerstone of an Indo-French initiative. to tap potential
About: ● India is organising the International
Lusophone Festival in Goa.
● The Kaziranga project is a part of a larger
Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity AboutLusophone:
Conservation (APFBC) for which the Agence
● It seeks to further India’s connection with the
Française de Développement (AFD) has
Lusophone world.
committed funding of €80.2 million for a
● The Portuguese rule over Velha Goa (or Old
10-year period, between 2014-2024.
Goa) started in 1510 and lasted till1961.
● The project conceptualised the reforestation
Lusophone (World Portuguese-speaking
of 33,500 hectares of land and the training of
countries) is spread across nine countries
10,000 community members in alternate
across four continents.
livelihoods by 2024.
● Portuguese is the most spoken language in
● APFBC Society was created by State
the Southern Hemisphere.
Government of Assam as a Special Purpose
● In 1996, Community of Portuguese Language
Vehicle (SPV) registered under the Societies
Countries (CPLP), also known
Registration Act, 1860.
as Lusophone Commonwealth was formed.
● The Society has the mandate for planning,
implementation, monitoring, coordination and
7
● CPLP is a multilateral forum with 9 member ● ‘Chicago Convention’ established the core
states and 32 associate observers (India is principles permitting international transport by
associate observer). air, and led to the creation of the specialized
agency which has overseen it ever since – the
India Lusophone relations
International Civil Aviation Organization
● In 2014. Goa organized the 3rd Lusofonia (ICAO).
Games involving athletes fromLusophone ● ICAO develops standards for global air
World. transport and assists its 192 Member States
● Six-fold rise in India’s trade with CPLP in sharing the world’s skies to their
countries in the last decade. socio-economic benefit.
● India offers training to all CPLP member
states, except Portugal, under theITEC and First Loss Default Guarantee
IAFS frameworks.
● Two months after the Reserve Bank issued
guidelines on digital lending, banks,
International Civil Aviation Organisation
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non-banking financial companies and fintech
● India is among the top 50 countries with best
aviation safety in the latest International Civil
L.I
players are still awaiting clarity on many
aspects, including the First Loss Default
Aviation Organisation (ICAO)rankings and the
major breakthrough will help domestic airlines
TAGuarantee (FLDG) system.
R
About:
in international expansion.
Key highlights:
PO ● First Loan Default Guarantee (FLDG) is a

lending model serviced between
●
C
In the rankings by the ICAO, India is now at the digital-lending fintechs, and their partner
SS
48th position, a "quantum leap" from the banks and NBFCs.
102nd rank it had in 2018. The rankings are ● Under these agreements, the fintech
for 187 countries and assessments were done originates a loan and promises to
at different points of time. compensate the partners up to a pre-decided
● Under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit percentage in case customers fail to repay.
Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring The bank/NBFC partners lend through the
Approach, an ICAO Coordinated Validation fintech but from their own books.
Mission (ICVM) was undertaken from ● FLDG helps expand the customer base of
November 9 to 16. traditional lenders but relies on the fintech’s
● The rankings are topped by Singapore with a underwriting capabilities.
score of 99.69 per cent. It is followed by the ● A report by an RBI-constituted working group
UAE at the second position and the Republic on digital lending has laid down risks of FLDG
of Korea is at the third place. agreements with unregulated entities.
● With a score of 49 per cent each, India and ● The other concern is that FLDG costs are
Georgia are at the 48th position. Neighboring often passed on to customers.
Pakistan is at the 100th spot with a score of
70.39 per cent. Oceansat-3
What is ICAO? ● PM Narendra Modi has recently shared the
● Located in Montreal, CanadaICAO is funded first satellite images of Gujarat and Arabian
and directed by 193 national governments to Sea sent by the newly launched Oceansat-3
support their diplomacy and cooperation in air satellite from space.
transport as signatory states to the Chicago About:
Convention (1944).
8
● ISRO’s PSLV-C54 rocket launched the ● Nine species of owls, ten birds of prey, 11
Oceansat-3 along with eight nano satellites, species of woodpeckers and many other
including the Bhutan-SAT, from Sriharikota. species were documented. For rare and
● Oceansat-3 is the third in its set of ocean uncommon birds, participants took
satellites that are part of India’s ocean photographs and tried to record their sounds.
observation programme. ● This survey reconfirmed that the landscape of
● It is a multi-sensor observation satellite, which Kanger Valley can potentially host species
is expected to operate till 2027. that are found in the Himalayas, north-east,
● The Oceansat-3 is envisaged to observe
eastern and western ghats.
ocean colour data, sea surface temperature
(SST) and wind vector data to use in AboutKanger Valley National Park:
oceanography, climatic and meteorological
applications. It also supports value-added ● It is located in the state of Chhattisgarh. The
products such as potential fishing zones. name of KangerGhati National Park is derived
● Oceansat-3, in tandem with Oceansat-2, will from the Kangar river, which flows in its
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improve the receptivity of ocean colour length.
measurements to every 24 hour and wind
vector measurements to every 12 hour and
●
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Kanger Valley got the status of a national park
in the year 1982.
help predict cyclones better. ●
TAKanger Valley National Park is a typical mixed

humid deciduous type of forest, in which the
Kanger Valley National Park
O R Sal, Saugaun, teak and bamboo trees are

available in abundance.
●
C P
Around 200 bird species were documented
during the Kanger Valley Bird Survey in state’s
● The most popular species in this area
is Bastar Maina (The state bird of
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first-ever systematic inter-state bird survey. Chattisgarh). Bastar Maina, is a type of Hill
Key findings: maina (grunculaDhariosoa), which is capable
of emulating the human voices.
● This was Kanger Valley’s first such bird survey ● This National Park is home to three
that involved forest personnel, bird guides and exceptional caves – famous for their amazing
citizen birdwatchers of India. geological structures of Kutumbasar, Kailash
● Across 11 states, 70 birdwatchers carried out and Dandak- Stellagmites and Stalactites.
bird documentation exercise over a period of National Park is known for the presence
three days from November 25 to 27. of underground limestone caves with
● This survey was organised by the forest dripstone and flowstone.
department of Kanger Valley National Park ● Tirathgarh Waterfall is located in Kanger
and birders from Chhattisgarh in collaboration Valley National Park.
with Birds and Wildlife of Chhattisgarh and
Bird Count India.
Smuggling in India Report 2021-22
● Spot-bellied eagle-owl by Subhadra Devi;
white-bellied woodpecker (the largest ● The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI),
woodpecker in peninsular India), Malabar published Smuggling in India Report 2021-22
Trogon, pied wheatear by Kalyani Kapdi; on the occasion of its 65th Foundation Day
velvet-fronted nuthatch by Sonu Arora; celebrated at New Delhi.
northern lapwing by Jageshwar Verma; Indian
Key highlights of Report:
wolf by JueeKhopkar; and kangerdhara
by Mittal Gala were among some documented
species.
9
● Record number of seizures of heroin ● Use of computer devices has decreased

(including Mundra port seizure), gold and of (post-COVID) in rural areas.
cocaine, among other contraband. ● Likelihood of a digital payment by richest 60
● Myanmar became the main transit corridor for percent is four times more than poorest 40
smuggling of goldsince pandemic (replacing percent.
Middle East) due to disruption ininternational ● Maharashtra has highest internet penetration,
air traffic. while Bihar has the lowest.
● Narcotics smuggling also changed from
Recommendations to bridge digital divide:
passenger route to cargoroute because of
pandemic and political changes in ● Improve internet availability in rural and
Afghanistan. hard-to-reach areas through
● Increased Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) communitynetworks and public Wi-Fi/ internet
Seizure withBangladesh, Myanmar being used access points.
as staging points to push FICN intoIndia. ● Government needs to improve affordability by
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● Increasing challenge due to sophisticated investing in digital infrastructure,bringing a
concealment and extraction methods used by
smuggling syndicates.
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strong regulatory framework and lowering
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taxes on computers and phones.
● Use of cryptocurrency, dark net and physical
smuggling of foreign currency due to
●
TAConduct digital literacy camps, especially in

rural India, and digitize panchayats
disruption in traditional hawala settlements
act as other challenges.
O R andschools.
C P
Contraventions of Foreign Trade Policy and
Free Trade Agreements by misusing schemes
Inflation Reduction Act 2022
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like Merchandise Exports from India. ● While EU countries welcome the new
● Scheme / Service Exports from India Scheme, commitment to energy transition, they fear the
Advance Authorisation scheme etc. $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will
unfairly disadvantage their companies relative
India Inequality Report 2022 to rivals in the United States.
About:
● According to ‘India Inequality Report 2022:
Digital Divide’, Indian women are 15 per cent ● The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is a
less likely to own a mobile phone and 33 per landmark United States federal law which
cent less likely to use mobile internet services aims to curb inflation by reducing the deficit,
than men. lowering prescription drug prices, and
● The Oxfam India's Report analyses the investing into domestic energy production
primary data from Centre for Monitoring while promoting clean energy.
Indian Economy’s (CMIE) household survey ● It is a reduced version of the Biden
held from Jan 2018 to Dec 2021. administration’s proposed Build Back Better
Act.
Key highlights of report
● At the end of a decade, according to
● 61 percent of men owned mobile phones in Democrats, the U.S. will realize a deficit
2021, compared to just 31 percent women. reduction of more than $300 billion while
● Only 31 percent of rural population uses lowering inflation, investing in energy
Internet compared to 67 percent of their urban production, and reducing healthcare costs. Of
counterparts. the $737 billion in revenue raised, the
10
legislation calls for $222 billion from a 15% appropriate IP offices by paying only the
corporate minimum tax. statutory fees.
● The legislation stands to be the single largest ● The scheme of SIPP aims to promote
investment in climate and energy in the U.S. to awareness and adoption of Intellectual
date. Property Rights amongst Start-Ups. Scheme
is inclined to nurture and mentor innovative
Why Europe is concerned?
and emerging technologies among Start-Ups
● The 27 EU countries are worried their and assist them in protecting and
companies will be cut off from U.S. tax credits commercialize it by providing them access to
for components used in renewable energy high-quality IP services and resources.
technologies like electric cars, offered under
Criteria for application:
the new law on condition they are made in
North America. ● Any Start-Up certified by the Start-up
● EU countries consider that some 200 billion Certification Board as having an innovative
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euros ($207 billion) of the U.S. subsidies are business.
tied to locally produced content provisions
that potentially violate World Trade
●
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For this purpose, Start-up means an entity,
incorporated or registered in India not prior to
●
Organization (WTO) rules.
Not only do the tax breaks put European
TAseven years (in the case of Startups in the
Biotechnology sector, the period shall be up to
companies at a disadvantage to U.S. rivals,
O
but EU state aid rules in their current form R ten years), with annual turnover not exceeding
INR 25 crores in any preceding financial year,
C P
prevent member countries from offering
similarly generous tax breaks to companies
working towards innovation, development,
deployment or commercialization of new
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looking to set up factories. products, processes or services driven by
technology or intellectual property.
● provided that such entity is not formed by
splitting up, or reconstruction, of a business
Startups Intellectual Property Protection already in existence.
Scheme ● provided also that an entity shall cease to be a
● Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently Start-up if its turnover for the previous
announced that IP facilitator charges have financial years has exceeded INR 25 crore or it
increased by almost 50 percent for patent has completed 7 years from the date of
filing under theStartups Intellectual Property incorporation/registration.
Protection (SIPP) scheme. ● provided further that a Start-up shall be
● For patents, the fee for application and filing eligible for availing the benefits of this
has been increased to INR 15K from INR 10K. scheme only after it has obtained certification
For trademarks and designs, the fee has been from the Start-up Certification Board.
increased to INR 3K from INR 2K.
Sindhuja-I
About:
● Researchers at IIT Madras have developed
● SIPP scheme launched by Government of and deployed a system that could generate
India, facilitates the start-ups to file electricity using energy from seawaves.
applications for patents, designs and ● The system, called asSindhuja-I, was deployed
trademarks through registered facilitators in by the researchers about six kilometres from
11
the coast of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, where ● They are a rich source of micronutrients and
the sea has a depth of about 20 metres. contain 7-12% protein, 2-5% fat, 65-75%
● Sindhuja-I can currently produce 100 watts of carbohydrates and 15-20% dietary fibre.
energy. It will be scaled up to produce one ● With the advent of the Green Revolution
megawatt of energy in the next three years. (emphasis on wheat and rice) millets were
reduced to a marginal fodder crop.
Significance:
● However, India still accounts for 20% of the
● Seawater stores tidal, wave and ocean globe’s millet production.
thermal energy.
● Tidal energy is caused by gravitational eSanjeevani
interaction between Earth, Sun, and Moon.
● Wave energy is caused by wind blowing ● eSanjeevani,(National Telemedicine Service)
across ocean’s surface. has crossed 8 crore teleconsultations.
● Ocean thermal energy is caused by About:
N
temperature differences (thermal gradients)
between ocean surface waters and deep
oceanwaters.
●
L.I
It is a national telemedicine service providing
an alternative to the conventional physical
● Advantages are No pollution, Renewable,
Higher available energy densities, Predictable ●
TAconsultations via digital platform.
It is an e-health initiative of Union Ministry of
and Less volatile in comparison to some other
REsources.
O R Health and Family WelfareThis initiative is the
world’s largest government owned
●
C P
Disadvantages are High Initial Cost, Threat to
Marine Life and Navigation, Location ●
telemedicine platform.
eSanjeevani is a part Ayushman Bharat Digital
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dependent and risk of damage from natural Health Mission.
forces.
It comprises two Verticals
Opening Ceremony of the International Year ● eSanjeevani Ayushman Bharat-Health and

of Millets 2023 Wellness Centers’ (HWCs): bridge rural-urban
digital health divide by providing assisted
● The Prime Minister Narendra Modi teleconsultations toe beneficiaries of
congratulated the UN Food and Agriculture AyushmanBharat Scheme.
Organization for the launch of the IYM and ● eSanjeevaniOPD: caters to citizens in both
reiterated the need to make millets a food rural and urban alike.
choice for the future”.
About: Curbing terror in Afghanistan, enhancing

connectivity key to India-Central Asia
● India’s proposal to declare 2023 as the IYM security
was adopted by the UN in 2021.
● The IYM 2023 will raise awareness about the ● Curbing terrorism and terrorist financing in
importance of millets in food security and Afghanistan, and the use of trade and
nutrition. connectivity routes via Iran are key to regional
● Millets, popularly known as Nutri-cereals, are a security said India as National Security
diverse family of small-grained cereals Advisor Ajit Doval chaired the
(Poaceae family) which includes Sorghum, first India-Central Asia meeting of NSAs and
pearl millet, finger millet, etc. and are Secretaries of Security Councils in Delhi.
indigenous to various parts of India.
12
About: ● The Paris club has also called upon the Global
north and south to take a similar haircut in
● India’s relations with the region have gained
restructuring of Sri Lankan debt. So, far no
slowly since CARsgained independence in the
official proposal has been made by Paris club
1990s.
to China or India.
● Earlier in January this year, Prime Minister
● The Paris Club is an informal group of creditor
hosted the firstIndia-Central Asia Summit in a
nations whose objective is to find workable
virtual format.
solutions to payment problems faced by
● Importance of CARSecurity: Religious
debtor nations.
extremism, fundamentalism, drug trafficking
● The Paris Club has 22 permanent members,
pose challenges to these societies and to
including most of the western European and
regional stability.
Scandinavian nations, the United States, the
● Economic: All the countries are rich in
United Kingdom, and Japan.
minerals like Uranium, gold,gas, etc. and
● The group is organized around the principles
well-endowed with hydroelectric resources.
N
that each debtor nation be treated case by
I
● Cultural: India shares historic linkages through
.
case, with consensus, conditionality, solidarity,
L
the Silk Route from 3rd century BC to 15th
and comparability of treatment.
A
century AD through which Buddhismspread in
● The Paris Club stresses the informal nature of
T
the region.
its existence. As an informal group, it has no
Initiatives to enhance the cooperation:
O R official statutes and no formal inception date,

although its first meeting with a debtor nation
P
● India’s Connect Central Asia (CAA) policy of was in 1956, with Argentina.
C
2012 is a broad-based framework involving
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political, economic, security and cultural
India Development Report
connections.
● India is developing the International North ● The World Bank recently lifted its growth
South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and has forecast for India’s economy this year to 6.9%,
become a member of the after having downgraded it to 6.5% in October,
AshgabatAgreement. 2022, citing resilience in economic activity
● Announced “Joint Working Groups” (JWGs) on despite a deteriorating external environment.
Afghanistan and the Chabahar port project at ● It was released by World Bank.India
the first India-Central Asia Summit In January Development Report titled ‘Navigating the
2022. Storm’.
● India is part of the
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Key highlights:
(TAPI) pipeline. ● It revised the GDP forecast considering the
strong upturn in the July to September quarter
Paris Club of 2022-23, when it grew 3% despite
inflationary pressures and tighter financing
● Paris Club creditor nations are proposing a
conditions, “driven by strong private
10-year moratorium on Sri Lankan debt and
consumption and investment”.
another 15 years of debt restructuring as a
● The government’s focus on bolstering capital
formula to resolve the Sri Lankan debt crisis.
expenditure also supported domestic demand
About: in the first half of 2022-23.
● It expects the Indian economy to grow at a
slightly slower 6.6% in 2023-24 as a
13
challenging external environment and ● The model is trained to predict what will come
faltering global growth will affect its next, and that is why one can technically have
economic outlook through different channels. a conversation’ with ChatGPT.
● The report said that while a one percentage ● It is based on Generative Pre-trained
point decline in growth in the United States is Transformer 3 (GPT 3).
associated with a 0.4 percentage point ● It is a kind of computer language model that
decline in India’s growth, the effect is around relies on deep learning techniques to produce
1.5 times larger for other emerging human-like text based on inputs.
economies, and the result is similar for growth
spillovers from the EU and China. Centre told Google to prohibit publishing
● It cautions about trade-offs between trying to online betting ads
limit the adverse impact of global spillovers
on growth and the available policy space. ● The Information and Broadcasting Ministry
● The RBI’s gradual withdrawal of liquidity and has asked Google to comply with its advisory
to refrain from publishing or broadcasting
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policy rate hikes have been aimed at
anchoring inflation expectations. However,
this has increased borrowing costs, which
L.I
advertisements of online betting platforms or
any surrogate product depicting them.
along with elevated input prices have
potentially constrained private investment.
TA
About:
● RBI’s management of short-term volatility in
O
exchange rates has contributed to a decline in R
● The latest guideline was issued by the
Ministry in October after it noted violations of
high level.
C P
reserves, though they are still at a relatively a previous advisory in June 13, 2022, as some
online offshore betting platforms had started
SS
● A widening goods trade deficit, driven by using news websites as a surrogate product
rising imports and softening exports, has to advertise betting platforms on television
expanded India’s current account deficit to channels.
2.8% of GDP in Q2 this year from 1.5% in the ● The Consumer Affairs Department had also
first quarter. informed the Ministry that online betting
● The adoption of several regulatory and policy platforms were advertising themselves as
measures—including introduction of a new professional sports blogs, sports news
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and creation websites, etc. while providing an indicative list
of the new National Reconstruction Company of online betting platforms which were using
Limited—facilitated an improvement in news for surrogate advertising.
financial sector metrics over the past five ● In view of the Guidelines for Prevention of
years. Misleading Advertisements and
Endorsements for Misleading
ChatGPT Advertisements-2022 under the Consumer
Protection Act, read with the Advertising Code
● ChatGPT is a ‘conversational’ AI and will under the Cable TV Network Regulation Act,
answer queries just like a human. advertisements of the news websites that
● It has been created by the company OpenAI. were in fact surrogate promotions, did not
appear to be in strict conformity with the laws.
Features:
● It can answer follow-up questions; can also Betting and gambling:
admit its mistakes; challenge incorrect
premises and reject inappropriate requests.
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● Betting and gambling, illegal in most parts of ● Indian law recognizes the right of a woman to
the country, pose significant financial and choose to terminate her pregnancy even at an
socio-economic risk for the consumers, advanced stage.
especially youth and children, the advisory
states. India’s Growth Forecast by World Bank
● These advertisements on online betting are
misleading and have the effect of promoting ● The World Bank recently lifted its growth
this largely prohibited activity. forecast for India’s economy this year to 6.9%,
after having downgraded it to 6.5% in October,
citing resilience in economic activity despite a
Delhi HC allows woman to terminate
deteriorating external environment.
33-week pregnancy
About:
● The Delhi High Court allowed a 26-year-old
woman to medically terminate her pregnancy ● The Bank said it revised the GDP forecast
after she moved the court claiming “cerebral
N
considering the strong upturn in the July to
abnormality” of the foetus, saying her mental
and physical health and the child’s wellbeing
.I
September quarter of 2022-23, when it grew
L
6.3% despite inflationary pressures and tighter
A
tilted “its mind in favour” of her plea. financing conditions, “driven by strong private
● The Court has observed that, it has clearly
been able to gauge the mental trauma
R
●
T consumption and investment”.
The government’s focus on bolstering capital
PO
affecting the parents, their economic and
social conditions, as also, the fact that the
expenditure also supported domestic demand
in the first half of 2022-23.
C
Petitioner is taking a cautious and ● High frequency indicators indicate continued
SS
well-informed decision, while seeking robust growth of domestic demand at the
termination of pregnancy. She has understood start of Q3 (October to December quarter).
as to what termination of pregnancy entails at ● India’s economy has been remarkably resilient
such an advanced stage. to the deteriorating external environment, and
strong macroeconomic fundamentals have
Background:
placed it in good stead compared to other
● Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, emerging market economies.
1971 permits termination of pregnancy up to ● The Bank expects the Indian economy to grow
24 weeks beyond which termination is at a slightly slower 6.6% in 2023-24 as a
permitted only in case “substantial fetal challenging external environment and
abnormalities”. faltering global growth will affect its
● Recently, the Supreme Court had extended the economic outlook through different channels.
right to safe and legal abortion up to 24 weeks ● The report said that while a one percentage
of pregnancy to all women in the country, point decline in growth in the United States is
regardless of marital status. associated with a 0.4 percentage point
● Medical Board is constituted by the decline in India’s growth, the effect is around
State/Union Territories to decide if a 1.5 times larger for other emerging
pregnancy may be terminated after 24 weeks. economies, and the result is similar for growth
● Termination of pregnancy has been a matter spillovers from the EU and China.
of debate due to ethical and moral
perspective.
15
● It is the only tripartite U.N. agency, that brings

Big industries don’t observe uniform labour together governments, employers and
standards in India. workers’ representatives of 187-member
● The Asia Pacific Regional Meeting of the States.
International LabourOrganisation(APRM of
ILO), representatives of workers and Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy
employers from India highlighted the Report
employment situation in the country.
● The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the
Key findings: Reserve Bank of India on December 7
increased the repo rate by 35 basis points
● While employers hailed the Union
(bps) to 6.25%, and the Standing Deposit
government’s steps to “help” workers and
Facility stands raised to 6%.
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
during the pandemic, the workers’ side said Key highlights:
●
big industry do not follow labour practices in
India.
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and the
●
L.I N
Inflation is expected to be 6.7% this year, with
CPI inflation for the first quarter of 2023-24
All IndiaOrganisation of Employers (AIOE), an
TAprojected at 5% and the second quarter at

5.4% on the assumption of a normal
R
allied body of the Federation of Indian
monsoon.
O
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI),
● The focus on inflation control continues and
P
presented their views a day after international
there will be no let-up in our efforts to bring
C
trade unions attacked the Centre’s labour
down inflation, first below 6% and then closer
SS
policies at the meeting.
to the 4% target, the Governor said.
About ILO: ● The central bank’s key committee also
marginally lowered the GDP projection to 6.8%
● Based in Geneva, Switzerland, The
for 2022-23, with the third quarter registering
International Labour Organization (ILO) is the
4.4% growth.
United Nations agency for the world of work.
● The rupee has appreciated by 3.2% in real
● It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of
terms even as several other currencies have
Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect
dropped.
the belief that universal and lasting peace can
● The terminal rate for the U.S. Fed is anyone’s
be accomplished only if it is based on social
guess, but it cannot be the case that their
justice. In 1946, the ILO became a specialized
monetary tightening will continue endlessly.
agency of the newly formed United Nations.
When it stops, the tide will turn, Mr. Das said.
● Its mandate is to advance social and
● PMI for Manufacturing and Services also
economic justice through setting international
expanded in November. Both manufacturing
labour standards.
and Services PMIs in November are among
● ILO’s mandate as the basis for peace is
the highest in the world.
expressed today as Decent Work for all.
● Construction activity is picking up after the
● It is also a member of the United Nations
monsoon as shown by high growth of steel
Development Group (UNDP), a coalition of UN
and cement output, he said.
organization aimed at helping meet the
Sustainable Development Goals.
● The ILO has 187 member states: 186 out of
193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands.
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● Reduced the period of application for

PathoDetect kit registration of MSCS from 4 months to 3
● PathoDetect™ kit’, by Pune based Mylab, months.
India’s first indigenous TB Detection kit, has ● Maximum of 21 directors with at least one
received approval from the Central Drugs ScheduledCaste or Scheduled Tribe member
Standard Control Organisation, TB Expert and two women members.
Committee and the ICMR. ● Establish Cooperative Election Authority to
bring electoral reforms in cooperative sector.
Advantages ● It will include Chairperson, Vice-chairperson
● Single test can detect tuberculosis and and up to 3 members appointed by Central
multidrug-resistance (against Isoniazid and Government.
Rifampicin). ● Central Government to appoint one or
● Kit is more automated and reduces the need moreCooperative Ombudsman to inquire into
for high expertise to run the test. members complaints.
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● Establishment of Co-operative
I
● Kit can be stored at Indian room temperature.
.
● Low cost and do not require special Rehabilitation,Reconstruction and
infrastructure for operations.
A L
Development Fund for revival of sick the
Multi-State Cooperative Societies.
Multi-State Cooperative Societies
R T
Election Deposit
O
(Amendment) Bill 2022
●
P
The government introduced the Multi-State
C
● The state Assembly polls in Himachal
Pradesh and Gujarat have concluded. As with
SS
Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022,
which proposes merger of “any cooperative all elections, while there will be candidates
society” into an existing multi-state who will rake in huge victory margins, there
cooperative society. will also be contestants who will lose their
security deposit – an indicator of clear
About: rejection at the hands of the voters.
● The Centre has proposed this amendment About:
through Section 6 of the Bill, introduced in Lok
Sabha by Minister of State for Cooperation B L ● An election security deposit is an amount that
Verma. is to be deposited with the Returning Officer
● The Bill also seeks to establish a “cooperative when a candidate files their nomination.
election authority” to bring “electoral reforms” ● This is to be submitted either in cash, or a
in the cooperative sector. For this, the receipt must be enclosed with the nomination
government has proposed to substitute paper, showing that the said sum has been
Section 45 of the 2002 Act. deposited on the candidate’s behalf in the
● As per the proposed amendment, the Reserve Bank of India or in a Government
authority will consist of a chairperson, a Treasury.
vice-chairperson and a maximum of three ● The main purpose of this practice is to ensure
members to be appointed by the Centre. that only genuinely intending candidates end
up filing the nomination to be a part of the
Key highlights of bill electoral process.
Is the amount same for all elections?
17
● No, it depends on the particular election being Corporation (IFSC) (IICC) and NSE IFSC
conducted, and the Representation of the Clearing Corporation (NICCL).
People Act of 1951 mentions different ● Amongst the six institutions, CCIL is
amounts depending on the level of election: supervised by the RBI; ICCL, MCXCCL, and
● in the case of an election from a NSCCL are supervised by SEBI; IICC and
Parliamentary constituency, meaning a Lok NICCL are supervised by the International
Sabha and Rajya Sabha seat, the amount is Rs Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA).
25,000 and Rs 12,500 for a Scheduled Caste ● Reason for derecognition: Essentially, the
(SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidate. European regulators want to scrutinize the
● in the case of an election from an Assembly clearing parties or the European banks in
or Council constituency, meaning at the level India. But the Indian financial regulators such
of legislative bodies in the states, it is Rs as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the
10,000 and Rs 5,000 for an SC/ST candidate. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
● even in the case of Presidential and believe that this is a jurisdictional overreach.
N
Vice-Presidential elections, a deposit of Rs
15,000 is to be made.
.I
9thWorld Ayurveda Congress 2022
L
A
● 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) was
European Securities and Markets Authority
● European Securities and Markets Authority
R T inaugurated at Panaji, Goa recently.
O
Key highlights:
(ESMA) on October 31 derecognised six
2023.
C P
Indian clearing houses with effect from May 1, ● The 9th WAC aims to showcase the efficacy
and strength of the AYUSH systems of
SS
medicine at the Global level.
About:
● To provide a global platform for all the
● The European Securities and Markets stakeholders, including industry leaders,
Authority is an independent European Union practitioners, traditional healers,
Authority located in Paris. educationists, students, medicine
● ESMA replaced the Committee of European manufacturers, growers of medicinal plants
Securities Regulators on 1 January 2011. and marketing strategists, for networking and
● It is one of the three new European engaging in intellectual exchange to
Supervisory Authorities set up within the strengthen the Ayurveda sector, envision its
European System of Financial Supervisors. future, and facilitate interaction between
professionals and consumers to boost
Key highlgihts:
Ayurveda commerce.
● Once the derecognition comes into effect, the
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani,
six clearing houses will not be able to provide
Siddha and Homoeopathy) sector:
services to clearing members and trading
venues established in the European Union. ● The market size of AYUSH (Ayurveda,
● The six institutions in ESMA’s list are The Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and
Clearing Corporation of India (CCIL), Indian Homoeopathy) sector in the country has
Clearing Corporation (ICCL), Multi Commodity grown from USD 3 billion in 2014 to over
Exchange Clearing (MCXCCL), NSE Clearing USD 18 billion now, clocking a
(NSCCL), India International Clearing phenomenal growth of six times.
18
● During 2014-2020, the AYUSH industry

grew 17 per cent year-on-year while the SpaceTech InnovationNetwork (SpIN)
Ayurveda market is predicted to grow at ● Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
15 per cent CAGR from 2021-2026. has signed an MoU with Social Alpha to
launch SpaceTech InnovationNetwork (SpIN).
Razorpay
About:
● Razorpay Becomes India’s first payment
● SpIN will be India’s first dedicated platform for
gateway to support credit cards on UPI.
innovation, curation, and venture development
● This offering is in line with the National
for the space entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the
● It has launched its first innovation challenge.
Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest innovation
● Selected start-ups and innovators will be able
in the digital space.
to access both Social Alpha’s and ISRO's
About: infrastructure and resources.
● Now, with RuPay credit cards being enabled

on UPI, Razorpay merchants can begin
.I N
It will primarily focus in three distinct innovation
L
categories:
accepting credit card payments on UPI, with
minimal changes to their existing setup.
TA● Geospatial Technologies and Downstream
R
Applications,
● This disruption is made possible in
O
● Enabling Technologies for Space &
partnership with Axis bank, which shares
P
Mobility,
Razorpay’s focus on catering to the
C
● Aerospace Materials, Sensors, and
ever-evolving needs of merchants and
SS
Avionics.
delivering greater convenience.
Key highlights: Mission Shakti

● No need to carry credit cards for payments, ● The Ministry has formulated ‘Mission Shakti’,
strengthen digital payments and boost India’s an Integrated Women Empowerment
credit penetration. Programme, as Umbrella Scheme for the
● Currently, only 6% Indians have access to Safety, Security and Empowerment of Women
credit card. for implementation during the 15th Finance
● In a similar development, RBI will introduce Commission period.
‘single-block-and-multiple debits feature on
UPI platform. Key objectives:
● Under this, customer will create payment ● strengthening interventions for safety,
mandate against a merchant by blocking ● security and empowerment of women in a
funds in their bank account for specific mission mode through institutional and
purposes which can be debited, whenever ● convergence mechanism for greater
needed. efficiency,
● Improve ease of making payments for online ● effectiveness and financial prudence.
shopping, build trust among customers.
Structure of this scheme:
● The Umbrella Scheme of Mission Shakti has
two sub-schemes namely
19
1. "Sambal" for safety and security of reservation in public services and posts, in
women and addition to the existing quotas applicable in
2. "Samarthya" for empowerment of the state. The beneficiaries need to be women
women. with a domicile certificate of Uttarakhand.
● Under 'Samarthya' sub- scheme, a new ● The reservation will be applicable for posts in
component i.e. Hub for Empowerment of local authorities, Uttarakhand co-operative
Women (HEW) has been included with the aim committees in which the holding of the state
to facilitate inter-sectoral convergence of government is not less than 51 per cent of
schemes and programs meant for women at share capital, board or corporation or legal
the Central, State/ UT and District levels for body established by any central or
creating an environment in which women are Uttarakhand State Act which is under the
able to realize their full potential. ownership or control of the state government,
● The support under the HEW provides for and any educational institution under the
guiding, linking and hand holding women to ownership and control of the state
N
various institutional and schematic set ups for government or which receives grants in aid
their empowerment and development
including access to healthcare, quality ●
.I
from the state government.
L
If enough women are not available to fill the
education, career and vocational counseling/
training, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship,
TAreserved seats, they wil be filled with qualified
male candidates in the order of proficiency.
backward and forward linkages, health and
O
safety for workers, social security and digital R
World Malaria Report 2022
level across the country. P

literacy at districts/ Blocks/ Gram Panchayats
C ● Each year, WHO’s World malaria report offers
SS
in-depth information on the latest trends in
malaria control and elimination at global,
Uttarakhand Public Services (Horizontal
regional and country levels.
Reservation for Women) Bill, 2022
● The report highlights progress towards global
● The Uttarakhand Assembly on November 30 targets and describes opportunities and
passed a Bill to provide 30 per cent horizontal challenges for curbing and eliminating the
reservation to local women in state disease.
government services. This comes weeks after
About:
the Supreme Court lifted an Uttarakhand High
Court stay on a 2006 order of the government, ● This year’s report includes 3 new sections on:
providing the same benefit. (1) global and regional initiatives
launched in 2021 and 2022;
What does the Bill say?
(2) global malaria surveillance and
● In the Bill’s statement of objects and reasons, country-level case studies on
the government says that due to surveillance systems
Uttarakhand’s geographical structure, people assessments; and
living in remote areas lead a difficult life, (3) research and development.
especially the women. Because of this, their ● The report also includes an expanded section
standard of living is below the women of other on threats to malaria control, with a focus on
states. Also, women have very little the declining effectiveness of
representation in the state’s public services. insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
● The Bill proposes to plug these gaps by
Key highlights of the report:
providing women with 30 per cent horizontal
20
● Despite continued impact of COVID-19, 2011-2020), which had 20 global biodiversity

malaria cases and deaths remained stable in targets, divided under five goals, with a
2021. deadline of 2020.
● There were an estimated 247 million cases ● Strategic Goal A: Initiating action to
and 619 000 malaria deaths globally in 2021. address the underlying causes of
● India accounted for 79% of cases and about biodiversity loss.
83% of all malaria deaths in WHO South-East ● Strategic Goal B: Taking action now to
AsiaRegion. decrease the direct pressures on
● Malaria is caused by parasites that are biodiversity.
transmitted to people through infected female ● Strategic Goal C: Continuing direct action
Anopheles Mosquitoes. to safeguard and, where necessary,
● 5 parasite species cause malaria in humans, restore biodiversity and ecosystem
and 2 of these P. falciparum (most prevalent services.
in African continent) and P. vivax (prevalent ● Strategic Goal D: Efforts to ensure the
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outside of sub-Saharan Africa)– pose greatest continued provision of ecosystem
threat.
L.Iservices and to ensure access to these

services, especially for the poor who most
Aichi Targets
TA directly depend on them.

● Strategic Goal E: Enhanced support
● Delegates from 196 countries — Parties to the
O
United Nations Convention on Biological
R mechanisms for: capacity-building; the
generation, use and sharing of knowledge;
C P
Diversity (CBD) — are meeting in Montreal,
Canada from December 7-21 with the aim to
and access to the necessary financial and
other resources.
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hammer out a new global agreement on
halting environmental loss.
Heat-Resistant Variety of Wheat
About:
● The wheat varieties DBW187 and DBW222
● Many of the 24 conservation targets under have been found superior over HD-3086 as far
discussion at the 15th Conference of the as heat tolerance is concerned.
Parties (COP15) aim to avoid past mistakes
About:
and improve on the world’s last set of
conservation goals — the Aichi Biodiversity ● During the crop season 2021-22, the varieties
Targets that expired in 2020. namely DBW187 and DBW222 have shown
● No single country met all 20 Aichi Targets heat tolerance with yield gain of 3.6% and
within its own borders, according to a 5.4%, respectively as compared to HD-3086.
September 2020 UN assessment. ● The Government aims to promote the use of
heat-resistant varieties amongst the farmers
Aichi Targets:
through public and private partnership and
● The Aichi Targets, adopted during the 2010 providing seed directly to the farmers.
CBD summit in Nagoya, located in Japan’s ● To promote the use of these varieties, the
Aichi prefecture, included goals such as Indian Institute of Wheat and Barely Research
reducing deforestation by at least half during (IIWBR), Karnal under ICAR has signed 250
the coming decade and curbing pollution so Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) for DBW
that it no longer harmed ecosystems. 187 and 191 MoAs for DBW 222 with private
● The Aichi Biodiversity Targets laid out a companies for seed production.
10-year plan (Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
21
● The ICAR-IIWBR Karnal has initiated a specific

research project entitled “Breeding high Kochi-Muziris Biennale
yielding wheat genotypes for stress ● The 5th edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale
conditions of warmer regions of India” on heat opens on December 12, 2022, displaying
tolerant varieties. works of over 90 artists from across the globe
● Besides, ICAR-IIWBR Karnal is also in varied media.
collaborating with International Maize and
Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Background:
Mexico on development of climate resilient ● The Kochi Muziris Biennale was founded in
wheat varieties. 2011 by Kerala-born, Mumbai-based
artists Bose Krishnamachari and RiyasKomu.
Air-Breathing Scramjet Engine ● It aims to “create a platform that will introduce
contemporary, global visual art theory and
● The Indian Space Research Organisation’s
practice to India”.
(ISRO) successfully conducted the hot test of
scramjet engine.
About:
About:
●
L.I N
An international large-scale showcase of art
● In an air-breathing scramjet engine, air from
TAthat takes place every two years at a
R
particular site, biennales are usually
the atmosphere is rammed into the engine’s
non-commercial enterprises – unlike art fairs
of more than Mach two.
PO
combustion chamber at a supersonic speed
– that centre around a curatorial theme.
C
● The theme for 2022: “In Our Views Flow Ink
SS
Key findings about the process: and Fire”.
● One of the most prestigious and oldest
● In the chamber, the air mixes with the fuel to
biennales in the world, the Venice Biennale
ignite a supersonic combustion but the
was established through a resolution by the
cruiser’s flight will be at a hypersonic speed of
city council in 1893 to celebrate national
Mach six to seven.
artistic talent.
● So, it is called supersonic combustion ramjet
● In 2009, a global Biennale Foundation was
or Scramjet.
established with an “aim to create a platform
● Air from the atmosphere was then rammed
for dialogue, networking, and knowledge
into the scramjet engine’s combustion
sharing among contemporary art biennials
chamber at a supersonic speed.
around the world”. It lists a directory of over
● The air mixed with the atomised fuel, the fuel
200 biennales that are held at present.
was ignited and the scramjet engine revved
into action. Significance of art biennales
Benefits: ● Though most biennales do not allow for direct
purchase of art, an invitation and participation
● Mastering the air-breathing scramjet
in the global showcase is often viewed as a
technology will lead to the development of
validation of an artist’s work, and an assertion
hypersonic missiles, faster civilian air
that they are being noticed.
transportation and facilities for putting
● Frequented by the powerful and important in
satellites into orbit at a low cost.
art, a Biennale participation can open
opportunities for future museum exhibitions,
gallery representation and acquisitions.
22
About:
Mahakavi Subramanian Bharathiyar
● This toolkit will bridge knowledge gaps
● Tamil Nadu Chief Minister virtually between policy making and program
inaugurated the statue of Mahakavi implementation for gender-responsive urban
Subramanian Bharathiyar at the renovated mobility and public space in India.
house of Bharathiyar at Varanasi. ● It details four-pillar implementation
About: framework for urban bodies.
● Mahakavi Subramanian Bharathiyar was a Need for gender-responsive urban mobility:

Tamil writer, poet, Indian independence ● Women are amongst the biggest users of
activist, journalist,social reformer and public transport acrossIndian cities.
polyglot. ● On average, 45.4% women walked to work
● He was bestowed the title “Bharathi” for his compared to 27.4%men.
excellence in poetry. ● Lower income groups have higher usage of
I N
● Bharathiyar fought for the emancipation of public transport.
women, against child marriage, vehemently
opposed the caste system.
●
L.
Urban mobility systems are often not
A
designed to account for gender-based
Sister Nivedita inspired Bharathi to recognise
T
● differences in mobility patterns.
R
the privileges of women and the emancipation ● Lack of safe public transport deters women
of women exercised Bharathi’s mind.
O
from accessing promising opportunities.
P
Notable works: ● It also deters women from stepping out,
C
creating a vicious cycle that lowers their
SS
● Bharathi joined as Assistant Editor of the presence in public spaces.
Swadesamitran a Tamil daily in 1904.
● In1907, he started editing the Tamil weekly
IND-INDO CORPAT
India and the English newspaper
BalaBharatham with M.P.T. Acharya. ● The 39th edition of India-Indonesia
● He assisted Aurobindo in the Arya journal and Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT)
later Karma Yogi in Pondicherry. between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian
● Three of his greatest works namely, Navy is being conducted from 08 – 19
KuyilPattu, PanchaliSapatham and Kannan December 2022.
Pattu were composed during 1912
Key highlights:
● He also translated Vedic hymns, Patanjali’s
Yoga Sutra and Bhagavat Gita to Tamil. ● Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an
indigenously built Missile Corvette
World Bank’s Flagship Gender Toolkit participated in the pre-deployment briefing at
Belawan, Indonesia.
● A Gender Toolkit based on “Enabling gender ● The CORPAT will be executed along the
responsive urban mobility and public spaces” International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)
was launched by Greater Chennai Corporation from 15 to 16 December 2022 and will
Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi at a conclude with a debrief at Port Blair.
session conducted by the World Bank and the ● Along with INS Karmuk, L-58 (indigenously
Chennai Urban Metropolitan Transport built Landing Craft Utility vessel) and Dornier
Authority. Maritime Patrol Aircraft will be participating in
the CORPAT.
23
● CORPATs help build understanding and ● Endemic to Uttarakhand.

interoperability between navies, and facilitate ● Oil extracted from leaves possesses strong
institution of measures to prevent and antioxidants and can be natural substitute for
suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) synthetic antioxidants in pharmaceutical
fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, industries.
armed robbery and piracy. ● As per IUCN Red list it comes under the
● It helps to enhance the operational synergy by category of Critically Endangered.
exchange of information for prevention of
Fritillaria Cirrhosa (Vulnerable)
smuggling, illegal immigration and for
conduct of Search and Rescue (SAR) ● Used in treatment of bronchial disorders
operations at sea. and pneumonia.
● As part of Government of India’s vision ● As per IUCN Red list it comes under the
SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the category of Vulnerable.
Region), Indian Navy has been proactively
Dactylorhiza Hatagirea (Endangered)
N
engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean
Region (IOR) to enhance maritime security in
the region.
●
L.I Used in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and other

alternative systems of medicine to cure
International Organization Of Securities

TA●
fever, coughetc.
As per IUCN Red list it comes under the
Commissions
O R category ofEndangered.
C P
SEBI bars Alternative Investment Funds from
raising capital from non-compliant Foreign
Arth-Ganga
SS
Investor(FI). ● PM Modi first introduced the concept during
the first National Ganga Council meeting in
Key highlights:
Kanpur in 2019, where he urged for a shift
● FI must be a resident of country whose from NamamiGange, the Union Government’s
market regulator is a signatory to either flagship project to clean the Ganga, to the
IOSCOmultilateral MoU or has signed bilateral model of Arth-Ganga.
MoU with SEBI.
About:
● IOSCO is an international body that brings
together world’s securities regulators and sets ● Arth-Ganga focuses on the sustainable
global standards for securities sector. development of the Ganga and its surrounding
● It regulates more than 95% of world’s areas, by focusing on economic activities
securities markets. related to the river.
● It works with G20 and Financial Stability Board ● At its core, the Arth-Ganga model seeks to use
on global regulatory reform agenda. economics to bridge people with the river.
● SEBI is a member of IOSCO Board, the ● During his keynote address, Asok Kumar
governing and standard-setting body. stated that it “strives to contribute at least 3%
of the GDP from the Ganga Basin itself,” and
Himalayan medicinal plant species added that the Arth Ganga project’s
interventions are in accordance with India’s
● Three Himalayan medicinal plant species commitments towards the UN sustainable
have made it to IUCN Red List. development goals.
Meizotropispellita (Critically Endangered) ● Therefore Arth-Ganga concept can be
summarised as a river-people connection
24
through the economic bridge to ensure the ● The decision to postpone these rallies has
sustainability of these activities under been taken by the Nepalese government as it
“NamamiGange”, the flagship programme of is of the opinion that this new form of entry
the Government to clean Ganga and its into the Indian military is not covered under
tributaries. the Tripartite Agreement signed between
Nepal, Indian and UK governments in 1947,
What are the “six vertical” features of Arth
soon after Indian independence.
Ganga?
● As per the terms of this agreement four
● Under Arth Ganga, the government is working regiments of Gorkha soldiers – 2nd, 6th, 7th
on six verticals. and 10th – were transferred to the British
● The first is Zero Budget Natural Farming, Army while the rest – 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and
which involves chemical-free farming on 10 9th – remained with the Indian Army.
km on either side of the river, and the ● A new Gorkha Regiment, the 11th Gorkha
promotion of cow dung as fertiliser through Rifles, was raised by India soon after
N
the Gobardhan scheme. Independence.
● The Monetization and Reuse of Sludge and
Wastewater is the second, which seeks to
●
L.I
The agreement also provides for the terms
and conditions of the Nepal-domiciled Gorkha
reuse treated water for irrigation, industries
and revenue generation for Urban Local
TAsoldiers in the Indian Army and for their
post-retirement benefits and pensions.
●
Bodies (ULBs).
O
Arth Ganga will also involve Livelihood R
Horn of Africa
P
Generation Opportunities, by creating haats
C
where people can sell local products, ● The World Meteorological Organization
SS
medicinal plants and ayurveda. (WMO) has said that a fifth consecutive failed
● The fourth is to increase public participation rainy season is expected to deepen the
by increasing synergies between the drought crisis faced in the Horn of Africa as
stakeholders involved with the river. the worst drought in more than 40 years looks
● This model also wants to promote the cultural almost certain to persist.
heritage and tourism of Ganga and its About:
surroundings, through boat tourism, adventure
sports and by conducting yoga activities. ● It constitutes the peninsula of northeast
● Lastly, the model seeks to promote Africa and is the easternmost extension of the
institutional building by empowering local African continent separating the Gulf of Aden
administration for improved water from Indian Ocean.
governance. ● Generally, it consists of Djibouti, Eritrea,
Ethiopia, and Somalia.
● Surrounded by the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and
Gorkhas in Indian Army
Indian Ocean.
● Nepal has postponed the recruitment rallies ● It is made up of a wedge of land that is cut
which were to be held in that country to recruit north to south by two great geographical
Gorkha soldiers for the Indian Army under the features: Nile Valley and Great Rift Valley.
Agnipath scheme. ● Between these two features are high plateaus
and rugged volcanic mountains.
About:
● West of the White Nile River spans the Sahara
Desert.
25
capabilities in new fields of technologies not

Seti River only for India but also for the global markets.
● Nepal has formally awarded the West-Seti
Hydropower Project and Seti River Project Small Cells
(SR6)—joint storage projects totalling 1200
● To expedite the roll-out of 5G, telecom
MW—to India’s National Hydro Power
operators in the country will leverage street
Corporation (NHPC) on August 18.
furniture such as poles, advertisement
About: hoardings and bus shelters for deploying
low-power base stations called ‘small cells’
● The projects will be a storage system that
that will help bring the network closer to the
produces power all year round. Through its
consumers.
national grid, India will receive the power,
either for its own use or for export. About:
● Seti (meaning white river), also known as Seti
N
● Small cells are needed for deploying 5G as
I
Gandaki, is a Western Nepal river which
.
opposed to earlier generations such as 4G,
originates at Annapurna Massif.
● This includes the 750 MW West Seti
A L
because of the frequency. The higher the
frequency, the lower the wavelength, which
T
Hydropower Project and 450 MW Seti River
means that the distance they travel is less.
R
Hydropower Project.
● Small cells are low-powered radio access
It cuts through the Mahabharat range before
O
●
nodes or base stations that have a coverage
P
joining the Trishuli River as a left bank
range from a few meters up to a few hundred
C
tributary near Devghat area.
meters. They are portable, easy to deploy and
SS
help provide localised coverage.
50 percent of India’s energy production will ● As per the TRAI paper, small cells provide
be met by non-fossil fuel by 2030 coverage for very short distances and
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that therefore they are installed in a large number
by 2030, 50 percent of India’s energy — even more than 200 per square kilometer —
production will be met by non-fossil fuel, and for good geographical coverage to provide
by 2070 it plans ‘Net Zero’. highly reliable and high-capacity broadband.
About: Parliament must examine age of consent

● PM Modi said that a silent revolution is taking issue
shape in India with rising demand for electric
● Chief Justice of India appealed to Parliament
vehicles (EV).
to have a relook at the issue of age of consent
● Prime Minister was addressing a function at
under the Protection of Children from Sexual
Gandhinagar to mark on the completion of 40
Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 as it posed
years of Suzuki Motor Corp in India.
difficulties for judges examining cases of
● Meanwhile, Suzuki Motor Corporation
consensual sex involving adolescents.
president Toshihiro Suzuki has announced the
setting up of a new company, Suzuki R&D About:
Centre India, a wholly-owned arm of Suzuki
● CJI referred to ‘India analysis of Judgements
Japan.
of Special Courts in West Bengal, Assam and
● He said the Japanese company aims to
Maharashtra - Romantic Cases under POCSO
strengthen its R&D competitiveness and
26
Act Study’ by Enfold Proactive Health Trust ● This is a pre-requisite for release of funds as
and UNICEF-India. per revised procedure guidelines of Ministry of
● As per this study, one in every four cases Finance. The challenge exists because this is
under POCSO Act constituted romantic cases. the first year of implementation.
● 93.8% cases ended with acquittals. ● The first step is to identify the beneficiaries
● In 46.6% cases, girl was between 16 to 18 and Volunteer Teachers. Survey of
years. beneficiaries and Volunteer Teachers (VTs)
are being conducted by States/UTs using
POCSO Act:
schools as the base. The volunteer teachers
● POCSO Act is a special act to protect children are trained to carry out the learning modules
(any person below age of 18 years) from in online mode.
offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment ● Various workshops are being conducted by
and pornography. States/UTs. At national level, the content is
● In 2019, it was amended to impose stringent driven by the Cell for National Centre for
N
punishment for sexual crimes against Literacy (CNCL) at National Council of
●
children.
It provides for establishment of Special ●
L.I
Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
The teaching and learning material is
Courts for trials for early disposal of cases.
TAavailable on DIKSHA portal developed by

NCERT. The sample assessment modules
New India Literacy Programme
O R have also been made available on DIKSHA.
C P
Government has announced a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme namely, “New India
UN-Water Summit on Groundwater
SS
Literacy Programme” (NILP) for ● The UN-Water Summit on Groundwater take
implementation during five years from place recently at UNESCO HQ, Paris.
2022-23 to 2026-27. ● Summit was organised by UN-Water, UNESCO
● The programme aims to cover a target of 5.00 and International GroundwaterResources
crore learners during the five years under Assessment Centre (IGRAC) to bring attention
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy to groundwater at highest international level.
component.
About:
The programme has five objectives:
● Summit will mark the completion of
(i) Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible”
(ii) Critical Life Skills, campaign run by UN-Water throughout 2022.
(iii) Vocational Skills Development, ● Summit uses UN World Water Development
(iv) Basic Education and Report 2022 as a baseline and SDG6 Global
(v) Continuing Education. Acceleration Framework (GAF) to define
actions towards more responsible and
Key highlights:
sustainable use and protection of this vital
● The major challenge faced by the Government natural resource.
while implementing the NILP presently is the ● In 2020, five pillars of SDG 6 GAF released
opening and mapping of all Bank Accounts of namely data and information,capacity
Single Nodal Agencies (SNAs) and development, innovation, finance and
Implementing Agencies (IAs) in all States with governance.
Public Financial Management System
Recommendations by Report to promote GW
(PFMS).
27
● Improve exploration, monitoring and analysis ● At least 20% of these WBC are atypical– as
of GW resources to manage they accumulate in the bone marrow, they
● them by identifying how much GW we can crowd out “good” WBCs and hence weaken
extract, where and when. the immune system.
● Protect Aquifers recharge areas from ● These unhealthy cells can also accumulate in
pollution. other parts of the body like the liver, spleen
● Ensuring groundwater access to all, helping to and lymph nodes.
achieve SDG. ● While found in both children and adults,
T-ALL’s incidence decreases with age.
Base Editing
Energy Conservation (Amendment)Bill 2022
● For the first time, a new gene editing
technology called base editing was used to ● Parliament of India passed the Energy
modify immune cells and successfully treat a Conservation (Amendment) Bill -2022
teen with treatment-resistant leukemia. recently.
● Bases are the language of life. Just as letters
in the alphabet spell out words that carry
.I N
About Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill
2022:
L
A
meaning, the billions of bases in our DNA
spell out the instruction manual for our body.
About:
●
R T The Energy Conservation (Amendment)

Bill-2022 amends the Energy Conservation Act
PO
Base Editing treatment is a modification of
2001.
C
Salient features of the amendments:
chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR, T-cell
SS
therapy. But instead of using the CRISPR gene ● The Bill amends the Energy Conservation Act,
editing technique to modify the patient’s 2001 to empower the central government to
immune cells, the clinicians used the more specify a carbon credit trading scheme.
precise base editing technique to alter donor ● Designated consumers may be required to
immune cells. meet a proportion of their energy needs from
● Those edited cells are given to the patient to non-fossil sources.
rapidly find and destroy T-cells in the body, ● The Energy Conservation Code for buildings
including leukemic T-cells. will also apply to office and residential
● Base editing is an even more precise gene buildings with a connected load of 100
editing technique than CRISPR and has fewer kilowatt or above.
risks of unwanted effects on the ● Energy consumption standards will be
chromosomes and thus less risk of side specified for vehicles and ships.
effects.
Provisions of the Energy Conservation Act-2001:
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL):
● Energy Efficiency Norms: Empowers the
● T-ALL affects the stem cells in the bone Centre to specify norms and standards of
marrow that produce a particular kind of white energy efficiency for appliances, industrial
blood cells (WBC) called T lymphocytes (T equipment and buildings with a connected
cells). load over 100 kiloWatts (kW) or a contractual
● These cells provide a person immunity by demand of more than 15 kilovolt-amperes
killing cells carrying infections, activating (kVA).
other immune cells, and regulating the ● Energy Trading: The Government can issue
immune response. energy savings certificates to those industries
28
which consume less than their maximum

allotted energy. Punjab’s sacrilege Bills
● Bureau Of Energy Efficiency: The act ● Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called
established this statutory body (Under on Union Home Minister Amit Shah last week,
Ministry of Power) helps in policy and seeking his intervention in getting the
programs ,which will increase the President’s assent on two sacrilege Bills
conservation and efficient use of energy in passed by the erstwhile Congress government
India. in 2018.
About:
L1 frequency
● The Punjab Assembly had unanimously
● To promote the use of ‘NAVigation with the
passed The Indian Penal Code (Punjab
Indian Constellation’ (NavIC), the Indian
Amendment) Bill, and The Code of Criminal
version of GPS, the Indian Space Research
Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill in 2018.
Organisation (ISRO) will introduce the L1
I N
● It stipulates punishment upto life
.
frequency in all its future satellites.
imprisonment for injury, damage or sacrilege
Key objectives:
A L
to Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagwat Gita, Holy
Quran and Holy Bible with the intention to hurt
● It aims to promote civilian use of NAVigation
with the Indian Constellation(NavIC) and thus,
R
● T the religious feelings of the people.
The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment)
PO
the next satellites, starting from NVS-01
onwards, will have an L1 band for civilian
Bill, 2018, seeks to amend the IPC by inserting
C
Section 295AA.
navigational use.
SS
● Under the existing Section 295 A [Deliberate
● NVS-01 satellite is set to replace one of ISRO’s
and malicious acts, intended to outrage
seven navigational satellites currently in
religious feelings of any class by insulting its
space.
religion or religious beliefs], a convict can be
● L1 frequency is most commonly used
awarded a maximum of three years’
frequencies in Global Positioning
imprisonment with or without fine.
System(GPS).
● It will increase use of regional navigation What is the Governor’s function in passing a Bill?
system in wearable devices and personal
● Under Article 200, the Governor may grant
trackers.
assent, withhold assent return for
● NaVIC currently broadcasts its Signal-in-space
reconsideration by the Legislature orreserve
in 2 frequency bands: L5 and S band.
for the consideration of the President any Bill
About: passed by the State legislature and presented
to him for assent.
● NavIC or Indian Regional Navigation Satellite
● There is no timeframe fixed in the Constitution
System (IRNSS), is ISRO's constellation of 7
for any of these functions.
satellites that is akin to US’s GPS, European
● The Constitution makes it mandatory that the
Union’s Galileo,Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite
Governor should reserve for the President’s
System and Russia’s GLONASS, and can be
consideration if, in his opinion a Bill that “so
used to track location.
derogates from the powers of the High Court
● NaVIC offers two services: Standard Position
as to endanger the position which that Court
Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted
is by this Constitution designed to fill”.
Service (RS) for strategic users like military.
29
● Meteors come from leftover comet particles

Pradhan Mantri AdiAdarsh Gram Yojna and bits from asteroids. When these objects
● Ministry of Tribal Affairs has revamped the come around the Sun, they leave a dusty trail
existing Scheme of ‘Special Central behind them.
Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to ● Every year Earth passes through these debris
TSS) with nomenclature ‘Pradhan Mantri Adi trails, which allows the bits to collide with our
Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAAGY)’, for atmosphere where they disintegrate to create
implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26. fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.
● The Geminids are unique because unlike most
About: meteor showers, they originate not from a
● Under PMAAGY, Ministry of Tribal Affairs aims comet, but from an asteroid, the 3200
to develop 36,428 villages with at least 50% Phaethon.
tribal population and 500 Scheduled Tribes ● The 3200 Phaethon was discovered on
(STs) into model tribal villages. October 11, 1983. It is named after the Greek
N
mythology character Phaethon, son of the Sun
I
● PMAAGY is modified version of ‘Special
.
Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme’ and God Helios. It takes 1.4 years to complete one
will be implemented during 2021-22 to
2025-26. ●
A L
round of the Sun.
As the 3200 Phaethon moves close to the Sun
● Objective of PMAAGY is to achieve integrated
socio-economic development of selected
R T while orbiting it, the rocks on its surface heat
up and break off. When the Earth passes
PO
villages through convergence approach. through the trail of this debris, the Geminids
are caused.
Main Components of Scheme are:
C
SS
● Preparing Village Development Plan. UK, France, and UAE support for India's
● Maximizing coverage of individual / family permanent membership at UNSC
benefit schemes of Central / State
● The UK, France, and UAE have extended their
Governments.
support for India's permanent membership at
● Improving infrastructure in vital sectors like
the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
health, education, connectivity etc.
● India is holding the presidency of United
Nations Security Council for the month of
December 2022.
About United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
Geminids Meteor Shower ● The United Nations Charter established six
● The Geminids will peak around December main organs of the United Nations, including
13-14, when, with a clear sky and away from the UN Security Council (UNSC).
bright city lights, you can watch scores of ● UNSC has the primary responsibility for the
meteors streak across the sky. maintenance of international peace and
security.
About: ● Under the Charter of the United Nations, all
● Meteors are usually fragments of comets. As Member States are obligated to comply with
they enter the Earth’s atmosphere at high Council decisions.
speed, they burn up, creating a spectacular ● The Security Council takes the lead in
“shower”. determining the existence of a threat to the
peace or act of aggression.
30
● The Security Council has permanent cosmic rays, and radiative and photochemical
residence at the United Nations Headquarters phenomena.
in New York City. ● It covers the chemistry, dynamics and energy
balance of both neutral and charged particles.
Environment Education,Awareness and
Training The New Delhi International Arbitration
Centre (Amendment) Bill, 2022
● Environment Education, Awareness and
Training (EEAT)is a Central Sector scheme ● The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre
implemented by Ministry of Environment, (Amendment) Bill, 2022 passed by the
Forest and ClimateChange. Parliament recently.
Key highlights: About International Arbitration
● It aims is to promote environmental ● It is a means of settling international
awareness and mobilize students’
N
commercial and business disputes through
●
participation forenvironment conservation.
National Green Corps (NGC) Programme - ●
L.I
arbitrators where parties opt for a private
dispute resolution procedure instead of going
A
more than 1 lakh Eco-clubs have been formed to court.
inschools and colleges to educate students
and to spread awareness on environmental
●
R T Availing international arbitration can be

optional, but it could also be made
●
issues.
PO
National Nature Camping Programme (NNCP)
compulsory by inserting a ‘mandatory
arbitration clause.
C
-organization of field visits/ nature camps ● Arbitration awards are more widely and readily
SS
indifferent Protected Areas/ Nature Parks/ enforceable due to Convention on the
Tiger Reserves of the country for students Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign
were supported. ● Arbitral Awards 1958 (New York Convention)
and through Bilateral Investment treaties.
Aeronomy Studies
Key features of the bill:
● Union Minister of State (Independent Charge)
● Manner of conduct of arbitration and other
Science & Technology informed that ISRO has
forms of alternative dispute resolution will be
taken initiatives for feasibility studies on
specified by Central government.
missions to Venus as well as Aeronomy
● Allows government to provide for removing
studies.
any difficulties in implementation up to five
About: years from date of commencement of the Act.
● Arbitration is a form of Alternative Dispute
● The term “aeronomy,” coined and introduced Resolution (ADR).
about 60 years ago, refers to the scientific ● Advantage of ADR: Lower costs, greater
study of the upper atmospheric regions of the flexibility of process, higher confidentiality,
Earth and other solar system bodies. greater likelihood of settlement, choice of
● It includes the distribution of temperature, forum,choice of solutions etc.
density, and chemical constituents, and the
chemical reactions that occur.
● It also includes the studies of aurora, airglow,
the ionosphere, Van Allen radiation belts,
31
Key highlights of report:

Agni-V Missile
● Arctic continues to warm more than twice as
● India has successfully conducted night trials fast as rest of globe.
of nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni V. ● 2022 sea ice extent is well below long-term
About: average. It is also impacting albedo of region,
thereby inducing the melting.
● It is a surface-to-surface Nuclear Capable ● Mean sea surface temperatures continue to
Ballistic missile.It can carry both nuclear and show warming trends leading to a boom in
traditional weapons. phytoplankton-driven production of organic
● Agni-V, with a range of over 5,000 km, is matter in oceans.
India’s longest-range ballistic missile and can ● Persistent summer sea ice due to cooler
reach most parts of China, making it the surface waters and north windsat Chukchi
mainstay of India’s triad to deliver nuclear Sea.
weapons. ● Increasing maritime ship traffic in Arctic.
●
●
It is a 17-meter long missile with two-meter
diameter.
It has been indigenously developed by
●
L.I N
Precipitation has increased across all
seasons since 1950’s.
A
● Variability in Tundra greenness possibly due
T
Defence Research and Development to wildfires and extreme weather events.
R
Organisation (DRDO).
Agni-V is the most advanced missile in the
O
●
Youth Co:Lab
P
Agni series featuring many new technologies,
C
including the very high accuracy Ring Laser ● On December 15th 2022 the 5th edition of
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Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) Youth Co:Lab Has been launched.
and Micro Navigation System (MINS) which
About:
improves the accuracy of the missile.
● With the Agni-V, India joins an elite club of ● Youth Co:Lab is an initiative launched in 2019
countries like US, Russia, the UK, France and by UNDP India in partnership with Atal
China, which boast Inter-Continental Ballistic Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog.
Missile (ICBM) capabilities. ● Youth Co:Lab was co-created in 2017 by
UNDP and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab.
Arctic Report Card 2022 ● It is a multi-dimensional and multi-level
response to tackle the challenges young
● National Oceanic and Atmospheric people face by positioning youth at the
Administration (NOAA) has released the forefront in finding solutions to global
Arctic Report Card 2022 recently. challenges tackling Sustainable Development
About: Goals (SDGs).
● It aims to establish a common agenda for
● Since 2006 the report annually by this Asia-Pacific countries to invest in and
American scientific and regulatory agency. empower youth to accelerate implementation
● The Arctic Report Card is a timely and of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
peer-reviewed source for clear, reliable and through leadership, social innovation, and
concise environmental information on the entrepreneurship.
current state of different components of the ● The Youth Co:Lab initiative, till date, has been
Arctic environmental system relative to implemented in 28 countries and territories,
historical records. reaching over 200,000 participants, benefitting
32
more than 11,000 young social entrepreneurs manipulating and identifying microscopic
and supporting over 1,240 social enterprises. marine fossils.
● Through Youth Co: Lab, 30 early-stage
About:
start-ups would be supported by the
springboard programme, and the best would ● It is a robot capable of sorting, manipulating
be provided a seed grant for scaling up their and identifying microscopic marine fossils
start-up. that will make easier to study oceans and
climate.
OPS vs. NPS debate ● Forabot has an accuracy rate of 79 per cent
for identifying forams, which is better than
● Recently, decision taken by several state most trained humans.
governments to revert to old pension scheme ● Forams or Foraminifera are very simple
(OPS) from the new pension scheme micro-organisms that secrete a tiny shell.
(NPS)has highlighted need to think about a ● They existed in oceans for more than 100
suitable pensions system in India.
N
million years.
About: ●
L.I
Currently, Forabot is capable of identifying six
different types of foram and processing 27
● Under OPS, pension to government employees
at Centre and states was fixed at 50% of last ●
TAforams per hour.
The robot’s AI uses images to identify the type
drawn basic pay and Employees werenot
O
required to contribute to their pensions.
R of foram and sorts it accordingly. It has the
potential to be a valuable piece of research
●
C P
NPS is a contributory pension scheme under
which both employees and the Government
equipment, allowing student ‘foram pickers’ to
spend their time learning more advanced
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make contributions. skills.
● Inadequacy in India’s pension architecture
● At least 85% of current workers are not
Circumstantial evidence enough to hold
members of any pension scheme.
public servant guilty of graft by Supreme
● Of all elderly, around 57% receive no income
Court
support.
● System for old age income support entailed ● Circumstantial evidence is enough to hold a
11.5% of public expenditure, and state public servant guilty under the Prevention of
governments bear more than 60%. Corruption Act (PCA) when direct evidence is
● Important considerations for introducing absent, said the Supreme Court.
pension reform: absence of a country-wide
social security system, ageing population,low About:
per-capita income and social change on ● The ruling held that direct evidence of
account of breakdown of traditional family demand or acceptance of bribe is not
support system. necessary to convict a public servant under
thePrevention of Corruption Act (POCA), 1988.
Forabot ● Ruling allows courts to draw inferential
deduction of guilt of a public servant
● The researchers at North Carolina State underSection 7 and Section 13 of POCA.
University, USA have developed and ● Section 7 provides for punishment in case of
demonstrated a robot capable of sorting, gratification other than legal remuneration
from public servant.
33
● Section 13 defines the criminal misconduct by ● ‘Ashtadhyayi’, or ‘Eight Chapters’, an ancient

a public servant. text written by the scholar Panini towards the
● The POCA was amended in 2018 and seek end of the 4th century BC.
conformity with the United NationsConvention ● It is a linguistics text that set the standard for
Against Corruption (UNCAC). how Sanskrit was meant to be written and
spoken.
Features of POCA:
● It delves deep into the language’s phonetics,
● Bribe is termed ‘undue advantage’, defined as syntax and grammar, and also offers a
gratification other than legal remuneration. ‘language machine’, where one can feed in the
● Giving a bribe is an offense, except when one root and suffix of any Sanskrit word, and get
is forced to give a bribe. But it should be grammatically correct words and sentences in
reported within seven days. return.
● The trial in cases of bribe and corruption ● Panini’s grammar, which built on the work of
should be completed by the special judge many earlier grammarians, effectively
N
within two years. stabilised the Sanskrit language.
● In case of delays, the reasons for the same
must be recorded and the total trial time must
●
L.I
The Ashtadhyayi laid down more than 4,000
grammatical rules.
●
not exceed four years.
Police officers cannot begin a probe without
●
TALater Indian grammars such as the

Mahabhasya of Patanjali (2nd century BC)
prior approval of the relevant authority.
O R and the Kashika Vritti of Jayaditya and

Vamana (7th century AD), were mostly
Panini, the father of linguistics
C P commentaries on Panini.
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● A grammatical problem that has defeated UN Recognises Namami Gange', among top
Sanskrit scholars since the 5th Century BC
10 World Restoration Flagship programmes
has finally been solved by Rishi Rajpopat, an
Indian PhD student at the University of ● The United Nations has recognised the
Cambridge NamamiGange initiative to rejuvenate India’s
sacred River Ganga as one of the top 10 World
About Panini, the ‘father of linguistics’:
Restoration Flagships to revive the natural
● Panini probably lived in the 4th century BC, the world.
age of the conquests of Alexander and the
Key highlights:
founding of the Mauryan Empire, even though
he has also been dated to the 6th century BC, ● According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti,
the age of The Buddha and Mahavira. NamamiGange was selected from over 150
● Panini taught a “metarule” in the event of a such initiatives from 70 countries across the
conflict between two rules of equal globe.
● strength. ● They were selected under the banner of the
● He likely lived in Salatura (Gandhara), which United Nations Decade on Ecosystem
today would lie in north-west Pakistan, and Restoration, a global movement coordinated
was probably associated with the great by the United Nations Environment
university at Taksasila, which also produced Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations
Kautilya and Charaka, the ancient Indian Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
masters of statecraft and medicine ● NamamiGange is an Integrated Conservation
respectively. Mission, started in 2014 with twin objectives
of effective abatement of pollution,
34
conservation, and rejuvenation of the National

River Ganga. Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2022-23
● Referred to as the World Restoration ● The Reserve Bank will issue two tranches of
Flagships, they are the first examples oflarge Sovereign Gold Bonds(SGB), which will open
scale and long-term ecosystem restoration in for public subscription in December and
any country or region. March.
● They embody the 10 Restoration Principles of ● Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) 2022-23-Series
the UN Decade. III will open for subscription during the
● Initiatives now become eligible to receive December 19-December 23 period and the
United Nations-backed promotion,advice or 2022-23-Series IV during March 06-10, 2023.
funding.
About:
WheeboxIndia Skills Report 2023 ● SGB Scheme was launched in 2015 under the
Gold Monetisation Scheme.
● India’s employable talent has risen in the past
I N
● SGBs are issued by the RBI on behalf of the
.
one year, according to The Wheebox India
government.
L
Skills Report 2023.
● The SGBs will be sold through Scheduled
Key highlights:
TACommercial banks (except Small Finance
R
Banks, Payment Banks and Regional Rural
● According to the report, India’s employable
Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India
PO
workforce has increased from 46.2 per cent to
50.3 per cent which means that 50.3 per cent
Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of India
C
Limited (CCIL), designated post offices, and
people were found to be employable as
SS
stock exchanges -- NSE and BSE.
compared to the last year’s data.
● 52.8 % of women workforce are employable, Features of SGBs:
higher than the 47.2 % of employable
● 1 gram as a basic unit of denomination.
● Although, little over 33% of women were
● Fixed Interest Rate of 2.5% per annum payable
working, the ratio of men to women indicates
semi-annually on the nominal value.
that more men are employed than women.
● 8 years tenor with exit option in 5th, 6th and
● Significant skills gap in the fields of data
7th year.
science, cloud computing, healthcare,
● Tradable on Stock Exchanges.
andfinance.
● Can be used as collateral for loans etc.
● Soft- skills such as adaptability & flexibility,
problem-solving, stress management, etc. will
become non-negotiable for every job position. Plasma Waters technology
Government Initiatives for Skill Development: ● SamunnatiAgro Solutions India Private

Limited, one of the largest Agri Enterprises in
● National Policy on Skill Development and India, has signed a cooperation agreement
Entrepreneurship, 2015. with Plasma Waters, a US-based water-tech
● Skill India Mission 2015. company to bring the latest water technology
● PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana for recognition and to India.
standardisation of Skills.
● SANKALP and STRIVE initiatives to boost Skill About:
India Mission. ● Plasma Waters’ continuous-flow cold plasma
technology turns water into plasma-activated
35
water (PAW), a natural microbicide and growth

enhancer. Kerala’s products listed under GI Tag
Significance ● Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on

products that have a specific geographical
● PAW provides a natural alternative that can origin and possess qualities or a reputation
replace the impact of pesticides. that are due to that origin.
● It can boost plant growth, resist disease, and ● They are part of Paris Convention for
provide stress tolerance levels. Protection of Industrial Property.
● It also enhances the crop’s longevity after ● In India, GI registration is administered by
harvest resulting in reducing food wastage Geographical Indications of Goods
from farm to plate. (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Listed products granted GI:

Goa celebrate Liberation Day
AttappadyAttukombuAvara (Beans)
● President DroupadiMurmuconveyed her
greetings to the nation on December 19,
marking Goa Liberation Day.
●
●
L.I N
It is mainly cultivated in Attappady (Palakkad).
It has higher anthocyanin (imparts violet
A
● The day is celebrated annually to mark the colour) which is helpful against
success of ‘Operation Vijay’ undertaken by the
Indian armed forces to defeat Portuguese
R T cardiovascular diseases along with its

antidiabetic properties.
PO
colonial forces and liberate Goa in 1961. ● It may contain high calcium, protein, and fiber
content.
C
Operation Vijay:
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AttappadyThuvara (Redgram):
● Operation Vijay - a 36-hour military operation
(started on December 18, 1961 and concluded ● Seeds are bigger and heavier.
on December 19, 1961), was about the ● Rich in protein, carbohydrate, fiber, calcium
liberation of the Portuguese territories of Goa, and magnesium.
Daman and Diu.
● This was possibly the Indian armed forces' OnattukaraEllu (Sesame):
first tri-service operation. ● Relatively higher antioxidant and unsaturated
● The Indian Air Force bombed the Portuguese fat (beneficial for heart patients).
airbase at Dabolim while the army advanced
from the north and east into Goa. Kanthalloor-VattavadaVeluthulli (Garlic):
● The Indian Navy was tasked with preventing ● Cultivated in Idukki and contains high amount
hostile action by Portuguese warships, of sulfides, flavonoids, and proteins.
securing access to Mormugao Harbour, and ● Rich in allicin which is effective against
securing the Anjadip Island off the coast of microbial infections, blood sugar, cancer, etc.
Karwar.
● By the evening of December 19, 1961, Kodungallur Pottuvellari(Snap melon):
Portuguese Governor General Vassalo De ● Cultivated in Kodungallur and parts of
Silva had signed the surrender document after Ernakulam. Harvested in summer.
Indian armed forces (led by the army and ● Contains high amount of Vitamin C, calcium,
backed by the air force and navy) had magnesium, fibre and fat content.
outnumbered and outgunned the Portuguese.
36
Pangaea millions of years, rather than its

ICRISAT intern awarded for developing northern counterpart Laurasia.
bio-insecticide from ‘ramphal’ leaves ● Mammals are warm-blooded animals with
● A Research intern at the International Crops hair and vertebrates.
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Modern mammals consist of three sub groups:
(ICRISAT) recently won the prize for
developing a cost-effective bio-insecticide Monotremes:
from the leaves of bullock’s heart tree ● Primitive mammals that lay large eggs and
(Annona reticulata), popularly known as have a common opening for urogenital and
Ramphal. digestive systems.
About Bullock’s Heart Tree: ● Include platypus and echidna of Australia.
● Bullock heart tree’s extracts have traditionally Marsupials:

been used to cure conditions including ● Mammals whose young are born incompletely
●
dysentery and pediculosis (louse infestation)
Extracts from its leaves may be useful against
three destructive pests — Pod borer, Green
L.I N
developed. They develop inside a pouch on
mother’s belly.
A
● Mostly found in Australia and New Guinea,
T
peach aphid and fall armyworm — with a e.g.- tree kangaroo, macropods etc.
R
mortality rate of 78-88 per cent, the research
Placentals:
O
claimed. All these pests are known for
P
incurring crop losses to farmers.
● They carry foetus until a late stage of
C
● It is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen
development.
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tree in the plant family Annonaceae and part
● Comprise majority of mammals including
of the Annonas group.
humans.
● It is best known for its fruit, called custard
apple, a common name shared with fruits of
several other species in the same genus: Raksmey Karpo Apricot
A.cherimola and A. squamosa. ● Ladakh got its first ever Geographical
International Crops Research Institute for the Indication (GI) Tag to its Rakats Karpo
Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Apricot. The coveted GI tag certification for
twenty years.
● ICRISAT is a non-profit agricultural research
organization. About:
● It was founded in 1972 by a consortium of ● Raksmey Karpo Apricot is one of the nine
organizations convened by the Ford and the items recently registered in the GI tag lists.
Rockefeller Foundations. ● Although, Ladakh grows more than thirty
● Its charter was signed by the Food and types of Apricots, but Rakats Karpo variety is
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United unique to the region.
Nations Development Programme (UNDP). ● This Ladakh exclusive variety is matchless in
sweetness and colorful with white Kernel.
Modern Mammals ● Apricot is also being promoted under One
District One Product for Kargil.
● According to new research, mammals may
have evolved in Gondwana, the southern What is Geographical Indication Tag?
landmass formed from the supercontinent
37
● A Geographical Indication is a sign used on ● Further, as polymorphisms are inheritable

products that have a specific geographical from parents to children, DNAfingerprinting is
origin and possess qualities or a reputation the basis of paternity testing, in case of
that are due to that origin. dispute.
● Geographical indications are typically used for
agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and FIFA World Cup 2022
spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial
products. ● Argentina won its third World Cup title by
● TheGeographical Indications of Goods beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after
(Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks a 3-3 draw.
to provide for the registration and better About:
protection of geographical indications relating
to goods in India. ● The Football World Cup is an international
● This GI tag is valid for a period of 10 years soccer tournament held every four years to
N
following which it can be renewed. determine the best national soccer team in
Central Forensic Science Laboratory ●
L.I
the world.
The first official World Cup was played in
● The bones recovered by Delhi Police from a ●

TAUruguay 1930.
The tournament is the first to be held in the
forest area in Mehrauli in south Delhi
O
belonged to Shraddha Walkar. Central
R Arab world and only the second to take place
in Asia, after Japan and South Korea
C P
Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) has
conveyed this to the police, citing a DNA ●
joint-hosted the event in 2002.
This edition will be the last to feature just 32
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match of tissues found in the bones with the teams, with the tournament being expanded
samples collected from Shraddha's father and from 2026 inwards in order to feature 48
brother. nations.
● 2026 World cup edition will be hosted by 16
About DNA fingerprinting:
cities in three North American countries:
● DNA fingerprinting is a laboratory technique Canada, Mexico and the United States.
used to determine the probable identity of a ● The winner of the FIFA World Cup 2022 will
person based on the nucleotide sequences of take home $42 million, which is Rs 3.47 billion
certain regions of human DNA,called in prize money. The runner-up is likely to get
repetitive DNA, that are unique to individuals. $30 million, which is Rs 2.48 billion.
● These repetitive DNAnormally do not code for
any proteins, but they forma large portion of Surety Bond Insurance
human genome.
● They show a high degree of polymorphism ● Union Minister for Road Transport and
(variation at genetic level that arises due to Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari launched one of
mutations) that form the basis of India’s first-ever Surety Bond Insurance
DNAfingerprinting. product from Bajaj Allianz.
● Since DNA from every tissue (such as blood, About:
hair-follicle, skin, bone, saliva,sperm etc.),
from an individual shows same degree of ● Surety bond can be defined in its simplest
polymorphism, they become a very useful form as a written agreement to guarantee
identification tool in forensic applications. compliance, payment, or performance of an
38
act. Surety is a unique type of insurance ● The product will also help in reducing the
because it involves a three-party agreement. contractors’ debts to a large extent thus
addressing their financial worries. The
The three parties in a surety agreement are:
product will facilitate the growth of upcoming
● Principal: The party that purchases the bond infrastructure projects in the country.
and undertakes an obligation to perform an
act as promised. 25th Eastern Zonal Council meeting
● Surety: The insurance company or surety
company that guarantees the obligation will ● Union Home and Cooperation Minister
be performed. If the principal fails to perform presided over the 25th Eastern Zonal Council
the act as promised, the surety is meeting in Kolkata recently.
contractually liable for losses sustained. About:
● Obligee: The party who requires, and often
receives the benefit of the surety bond. For ● He highlighted the near-end of Left-Wing
Extremism in India’s Eastern region, and need
N
most surety bonds, the obligee is a local, state
or federal government organization.
L.I
to accelerate campaign against drugs with the
help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
A
Significance: ● Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade
● Surety Bond Insurance will act as a security
arrangement for infrastructure projects and
R T involving the cultivation, manufacture,
distribution and sale of substances which are
principal.
PO
will insulate the contractor as well as the
●
subject to drug prohibition laws.
India is highly vulnerable to drug trafficking as
●
C
The product will cater to the requirements of a it is wedged between two largest sources of
SS
diversified group of contractors, many of illicit drugs in South Asia, i.e., GoldenCrescent
whom are operating in today’s increasingly (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) and Golden
volatile environment. Triangle (Myanmar, Thailand and Laos).
● The Surety Bond Insurance is a risk transfer ● Challenges in curbing Drug-Trafficking: Rough
tool for the Principal and shields the Principal terrain, strong ethnic unity with
from the losses that may arise in case the people-to-people ties going beyond borders,
contractor fails to perform their contractual poor coordination among centre-state
obligation. agencies, unemployment, lack of education,
● The product gives the principal a contract of promotion of drug culture via. movies etc.
guarantee that contractual terms and other ● Five Zonal Councils were set up under States
business deals will be concluded in Reorganisation Act, 1956.
accordance with the mutually agreed terms. In ● Northern: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K,
case the contractor doesn’t fulfil the Punjab, Rajasthan, NCT of Delhi And UT of
contractual terms, the Principal can raise a Chandigarh.
claim on the surety bond and recover the ● Central: Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar
losses they have incurred. Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
● Unlike a bank guarantee, the Surety Bond ● Eastern: Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West
Insurance does not require large collateral Bengal.
from the contractor thus freeing up significant ● Western: Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Daman &
funds for the contractor, which they can utilize Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
for the growth of the business. ● Southern:Telangana, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
39
● Last year, 136 countries had agreed on a plan

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity to redistribute tax rights across jurisdictions
Framework and enforce a minimum tax rate of 15% on
● The 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the large multinational corporations.
UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) About:
adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework (GBF. The framework ● Agreement on Global Minimum Tax (GMT)
has 23 targets that the world needs to achieve was drawn up under Inclusive Framework on
by 2030. Base Erosion and Profit Sharing (BEPS) from
● The targets are ambitious, considering that Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
biodiversity is in a poor state. In 2020, the Development (OECD) and G20.
world had failed to meet the last set of ● Framework provides two-pillar solution to
targets, the Aichi Targets. Countries would address tax challenges arising from
need to ensure success this time round. digitalisation of economy.
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● It is joined by 142 countries, including India to
About:
● The framework has 23 targets that the world
L.I
reform international taxation rules and stop
governments racing to cut taxes in a bid to
needs to achieve by 2030.
TAattract companies.
R
● The countries will monitor and report every Two pillars
five years or less on a large set of indicators
related to progress.
PO ● Pillar One: Applied to around 100 biggest and

most profitable MNEs (global turnover above
C
● The Global Environment Facility has been
20 billion euros and profitability above 10%), it
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requested to establish a Special Trust Fund to
support the implementation of the Global reallocates part of their profits to places
Biodiversity Framework (“GBF Fund”). where they sell products or provide services.
● Pillar Two: Applied to larger MNEs, i.e.,
Key provisions: companies with over EUR 750 million of
● Countries committed to protecting 30% of annual revenue, it subjects them to global
land and 30% of coastal and marine areas by minimum corporate tax of 15% from 2023.
2030, fulfilling the deal’s highest-profile goal, Significance of Global Minimum Tax:
known as 30-by-30.
● The deal also aspires to restore 30% of ● Expected to generate around $150 billion in
degraded lands and waters throughout the new global tax revenues annually.
decade, up from an earlier aim of 20%. ● Tax havens would no longer exist since taxes
● And the world will strive to prevent destroying avoided in haven would be collected at home.
intact landscapes and areas with a lot of ● Boost global economy by levelling the playing
species, bringing those losses “close to zero field for businesses.
by 2030”.
Rupee Trade Settlement Mechanism
Minimum Tax on Big Businesses ● India's rupee trade settlement (RTS)
● Members of the European Union agreed in mechanism, a means of using rupees instead
principle to implement a minimum tax of 15% of dollars and other big currencies for
on big businesses. international transactions, is attracting
interest from more countries.
40
● Tajikistan, Cuba, Luxembourg and Sudan have ● Instead, astronomers concluded that a
begun talking to India about using the significant fraction of their volume should be
mechanism. made of materials that are lighter than rock
● It has already been used by Russia following but heavier than hydrogen or helium.
the imposition of sanctions on Moscow over
About Exoplanet:
the Ukraine war.
● Exoplanet is a planet outside the Solar
About:
System.
● RTS mechanism uses rupees instead of ● The first confirmation of detection of
dollars and other big currencies for exoplanets occurred in 1992. More than 4,400
international transactions. exoplanets have been discovered till now.
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) set up the ● Exoplanets are very hard to see directly with
mechanism in July. telescopes.
● Internationalisation of Rupee is a process of ● They are hidden by the bright glare of the
N
increasing rupee acceptance (credibility) stars they orbit. So, astronomers use other
across the world through its:
1. increased use in invoicing and settlement
.I
ways to detect and study exoplanets such as
L
looking at the effects these planets have on
of cross-border transactions.
2. freedom for non-residents to hold financial
TAthe stars they orbit.
assets/liabilities or tradable balance in

rupee.
O R
Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022
C P
Benefits of Internationalisation of Rupee
● Parliament passed the Energy Conservation
(Amendment) Bill, 2022 which empowered the
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● Reduced Foreign Exchange Reserves required Government to establish carbon markets in
forBalance of Payment Stability. India and specify a carbon credit trading
● Reduced Vulnerability to External Shocks scheme.
andCurrency Risks, increasing bargaining Carbon Markets:
power of IndianEnterprises.
● Lower Transaction Costs and Facilitate Trade ● These are trading systems in which carbon
with countries facing sanctions or short of credits are sold and bought.
dollars. ● One tradable carbon credit equals one tonne
of carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of
a different greenhouse gas reduced,
Water Worlds
sequestered or avoided.
● Astronomers found evidence that two ● Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides for
exoplanetsKepler-138c and Kepler-138d carbon markets to fulfill NDC targets.
orbiting a red dwarf star are ‘water worlds’,
Types Carbon Markets:
where water makes up a large fraction of
entire planet. ● Voluntary markets: Carbon credits here are
called Verified Emission Reductions (VER).
About:
A corporation looking to compensate for its
● These worlds, located in a planetary system unavoidable GHG emissions purchases
218 light-years away in constellation Lyra, are carbon credits from an entity engaged in
unlike any planets found in our solar system. projects that reduce, remove, capture, or avoid
● Water wasn't detected directly at Kepler-138c emissions.
andKepler-138d.
41
● Compliance markets: Set up by policies at the manufacturing units thereby generating

government level, they mostly operate under a employment and capability build up within
principle of a ‘cap-and-trade” system. the country.
Issues with the Bill
India to build 1,700-km frontier highway
● Lack of clarity on the trading mechanism-
whether it will be akin to the cap-and-trade ● Recently, India and Chinatroops clashed along
schemes. theYangtze river in Tawang Sector in
● No clarity on whether certificates under Arunachal Pradesh.
already existing schemes would also be About:
interchangeable and tradable, i.e., Renewable
Energy Certificates etc. ● There are certain areas along the LAC in
theTawang Sector that are areas of differing
perception and Chinareportedly has been
ARNALA
building infrastructure on its side.
● The ARNALA ship is inducted into the Indian
Navy recently.
●
L.I N
It is part of the Chinese Salami Slicing tactic
or Cabbage strategy.
A
● It is a strategy of acquiring new territories, at
T
About:
the expense of its neighbors, under this China
● The ARNALA ship is built under ASW SWC
Project.
O R tests the other claimants through aggressive

actions,then back off when it meets
●
C P
Arnala class of ships will replace the Abhay
class ASW Ships of the Indian Navy and are
significant resistance.
SS
Significance:
designed to undertake anti-submarine
operations in coastal waters and ● In this context,the government will construct
Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) NH-913 new frontier highway inArunachal
including subsurface surveillance in littoral Pradesh within the next five years.
waters. ● It will boost seamless movement of defense
● The ship has been named Arnala to signify the forces and equipment to the border.
strategic maritime importance accorded to ● It will also cater to developmental needs and
the island of Arnala by the great Maratha well-being of people living in border areas.
warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
ASW SWC Project: The Universal Postal Union
● It is the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow ● The Union Cabinet has approved the
Water Craft project under which many ratification of amendments to the Constitution
ships are being built for the Indian Navy of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) as
● The ASW SWC ships will be capable of contained in the Eleventh Additional Protocol
detecting and neutralizing various to the Constitution signed during the 27th
underwater threats. Congress of the Universal Postal Union held at
● ASW SWC ships have a displacement of Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) from 9-27 August,
900 tons with a maximum speed of 25 2021.
knots and an endurance of 1800 NM. About:
● These ships will have over 80% indigenous
content, ensuring that large-scale defense ● The approval enables the Department of
production is executed by Indian Posts, Government of India to have the
42
“Instrument of Ratification” signed by the trains, which help IR serve its freight
Hon’ble President of India and have the same customers better.
deposited with the Director General of the
International Bureau of the Universal Postal Quantum Communication
Union.
● The Quantum Communication Lab was
● This would fulfil the obligations arising from inaugurated at Centre for Development of
Article 25 and 30 of the UPU Constitution Telematics (C-DOT). The indigenously
which provides for ratification of the developed Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
amendments to the Constitution adopted by a solution by C-DOT was also unveiled which
Congress as soon as possible by the member can support a distance of more than 100
countries. kilometers on standard optical fiber.
● The Universal Postal Union (UPU) established About:
by the Treaty of Bern of 1874, is a specialized
● Quantum Technologies can broadly be divided
N
agency of the United Nations (UN) that
coordinates postal policies among member
nations, in addition to the worldwide postal
L.I
into four verticals viz. Quantum Computing,
Quantum Communications, Quantum Sensors
A
system. The UPU's headquarters are located and Quantum Materials.
in Bern, Switzerland.
R
●
T Quantum Technologies are based upon
phenomena exhibited by microscopic
Long haul trains
PO particles (like photons, electrons, atoms
C
etc.) which are quite distinct from the way
● Indian Railways has successfully operated
SS
normal macroscopic objects behave.
two long haul freight trains “Trishul” and
“Garuda” for the first time over South-Central Centre for Development of Telematics:
Railway (SCR).
● Centre for Development of Telematics
About: (C-DOT), a premier telecom research &
development organization under Department
● Long haul trains, which are twice or multiple
of Telecommunications, Government of India,
times longer than the normal composition of
is leading the effort in the Quantum
freight trains, provide a very effective solution
Communications vertical of NM-QTA. C-DOT
to the problem of capacity constraints in
has developed Product in one of the most
critical sections.
promising applications of Quantum
● Trishul is SCR’s first long haul comprising of
Communications viz. Quantum Key
three freight trains, i.e., 177 wagons.
Distribution (QKD) and is continuing to pursue
● SCR is a one of the five major freight loading
research in this area.
railways on IR. Bulk of SCR’s freight traffic
moves in certain arterial routes such as ● Development of QKD solution will address the
Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada-Gudur-Renigunta, threat that rapid advancement in Quantum
Balharshah-Kazipet-Vijayawada, Computing poses to the security of the data
Kazipet-Secunderabad-Wadi, being transported by the current
Vijayawada-Guntur-Guntakal sections. communication infrastructure.
● Saving of path across congested routes,
● C-DOT is actively looking to collaborate with
quicker transit time, maximizing throughput of
other national & international institutes and
critical sections, saving in crews are the major
organizations working in the area of Quantum
operational benefits of running long haul
43
Communications to synergize efforts in this ● It is located in northeastern region of Tripura.

nascent field. ‘Unakoti’ literally translates as “one less than a
crore”.
UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage ● It provides evidence of ancient Saiva worship
Sites in Tripura from 8th-9th centuries CE.
● Famous for its colossal rock cut panels
● Gujarat’s Vadnagar town, iconic Sun Temple at depicting Hindu deities.
Modhera, and rock cut sculptures of Unakoti ● Images found at Unakoti can be classified into
in Tripura have been added to the list. rock-cut images and loose sculptures.
● UNESCO tentative list is an inventory of those ● Famous figures and sculptures include
properties which each State Party intends to Unkotiswara Kala Bhairav, Gangadhara,
consider for nomination. depictions of Bodhisattvas, chaturmukha
Vadnagar town: linga and one Eka-mukalinga etc.
● Streamlet at Unakoti forms three kundas, a
N
● Vadnagar is a municipality under Mehsana big part of the annual Ashokashtomi Mela
●
district of Gujarat.
It is a multi-layered and multi-cultural
L.I
Centre sounds Covid alert, asks states to
mercantile settlement with its history
stretching back to nearly 8th Century BCE.
A
track positive samples
T
● It is an L-shaped town with Sharmishtha Lake
located on its north-eastern edge.
O R
● Union Health Ministry has directed all states
and UTs to ramp up genome sequencing as
●
crossed each other.
C P
At Vadnagar, two major ancient trade routes sudden surge in COVID cases in countries
likeJapan, USA, China etc. pose a threat of
SS
another wave of COVID pandemic.
Sun Temple at Modhera And its adjoining
monuments: Key highlights:
● Located on left bank of the river Pushpavati, a ● Genome sequencing means deciphering the
tributary of river Rupan in Mehsana district of exact order of basepairs in an individual.
Gujarat. ● A genome is an organism’s complete set of
● Built in Maru-gurjara architectural style of 11th DNA.
century (under patronage of Solanki dynasty). ● It includes all chromosomes, which houses
● It consists of main temple shrine DNA, and genes (specific sections of
(garbhagriha), a hall (gadhamandapa), an DNA).
outer hall or assembly ● Genome sequencing to track variants will be
● hall (Sabha Mandapa or ranga mantapa) and done through IndianSARS-CoV-2 Genomics
a sacred pool (Kunda), which is now called Consortium (INSACOG) network.
Ramakunda. It built with bright yellow ● It is a consortium of National Laboratories to
sandstone. monitor the genomic variations in SARS-CoV-2
● Sculptures features include life-sized figures (virus that causes COVID-19) aiding
belonging to three groups of deities: understanding of how virus spreads and
Adityas,Lokapalas, and Devis. evolves, provides information to aid public
health response etc.
Rock cut sculptures andReliefs of ● It is jointly initiated by Union Health Ministry
Unakoti,Unakoti Range of Health, andDepartment of Biotechnology
with Council for Scientific &
44
IndustrialResearch and Indian Council of among the world’s top climate change think
Medical Research. tanks.
International Financial Services Centres Urban 20 (U20) Summit

Authority
● Under the G20, the Ministry of Housing and
● The International Financial Services Centres Urban Affairs is organizing the Urban 20 event
Authority (IFSCA) and the Council on Energy, in Ahmedabad.
Environment and Water (CEEW) have signed a
About:
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for
mutual assistance and cooperation in the area ● It is a city diplomacy initiative launched on
of sustainable finance. December 12, 2017, at the One Planet Summit
in Paris.
About IFSCA
● Urban-20 (U20) provides a platform for cities
N
● The IFSCA is a statutory authority established from G20 countries to facilitate discussions
under the International Financial Services
Centres Authority Act, 2019 (“IFSCA Act”) with
L.I
on various important issues of urban
development including climate change, social
a mandate to develop and regulate the
financial products, financial services, and
TAinclusion, sustainable mobility, and affordable
housing, and propose collective solutions.
financial institutions in the International
O
Financial Services Centres (‘IFSC’).
R
● C40 Cities (C40) and United Cities and Local
Governments (UCLG) convene the U20 under
●
C P
GIFT-IFSC is the maiden IFSC in India. The
IFSCA aims to develop a strong global
the leadership of a Chair city that rotates
annually, based in the G20 host country.
SS
connect and focus on the needs of the Indian ● The U20 2023 Cycle will be chaired by the City
economy as well as to serve as an of Ahmedabad.
international financial platform for the entire ● Ahmedabad will showcase its unique urban
region. development and climate change initiatives
and rich culture and heritage to the
About CEEW participants.
● The Council on Energy, Environment and
Water (CEEW) is one of Asia’s leading Environmental-Social-Governance
not-for-profit policy research institutions.
● The Council uses data, integrated analysis, ● Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs has
and strategic outreach to explain – and launched a programme to create Impact
change – the use, reuse, and misuse of Leaders in the areas of
resources. It prides itself on the independence Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG).
of its high-quality research, develops About:
partnerships with public and private
institutions, and engages with the wider ● IICA is an autonomous institution under the
public. aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
● In 2021, CEEW once again featured ● The event was attended by 50 budding ESG
extensively across ten categories in the 2020 Professionals who are senior corporate
Global Go To Think Tank Index Report. The officials enrolled in the programme across the
Council has also been consistently ranked globe.
● ESG (Environmental, social, and corporate
governance) is a term that has been coined to
45
refer to specific data designed to be used by generation of astronomers were trained at this
investors for evaluating the material risk that telescope as well.
the organization is taking on based on the ● The telescope in the observatory is under the
externalities it is generating.Broadly the ESG Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an
can be categorised as follows: institute of the Department of Science and
1. Environmental aspect: Data is reported Technology (DST)
on climate change, greenhouse gas
Who is Vainu Bappu?
emissions, biodiversity loss,
deforestation, pollution, energy ● He was an Indian astronomer who helped to
efficiency and water management. establish several astronomical institutions in
2. Social aspect: Data is reported on India including the Vainu Bappu
employee safety and health, working Observatory which is named after him.
conditions, diversity, equity, and ● He has played a significant role in astronomy
inclusion, conflicts and humanitarian with major discoveries like the presence of
N
crises and is relevant in risk and return rings around the planet Uranus, a new satellite
assessments directly through results
in enhancing (or destroying) customer
.I
of Uranus, and the presence of an atmosphere
L
around Ganymede which is a satellite of
satisfaction
engagement.
and employee
TAJupiter.
3. Governance aspect: Data is reported
O
on corporate governance such as R
Palm- leaf manuscript
P
preventing bribery, corruption, diversity
C
of Board of Directors, executive
● First palm leaf manuscript museum was
inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
SS
compensation, cybersecurity and
About:
privacy practices, management
structure, executive pay, diversity in ● Palm-leaf manuscripts are one of humanity’s
leadership, manner in which the most ancient and widespread technologies
leadership responds to and interacts for transmitting and preserving knowledge in
with shareholders, audits, internal written form.
controls, and shareholder rights. ● They are produced from two main types of
palms: palmyra and talipot.
Vainu Bappu Observatory ● Palmyra leaf is rather thick and inflexible and
tends to get brittle over time.
● Stellar discoveries of the 40-inch telescope at ● Talipot is thinner and more flexible and has
the Vainu Bappu Observatory in Kavalur excellent durability, reportedly lasting as long
highlighted at 50-year celebration made as 600 years.
recently. ● They include many unique sources on Indian,
About Vainu Bappu Observatory: Nepalese, and Southeast Asian culture and
religion.
● Vainu Bappu Observatory is considered one of
the most renowned observatories in India it Galleries:
is Located on Javadi Hills at Kavalur, Tamil ● The first gallery ‘History of Writing’ is an
Nadu introduction to the evolution of writing,
● The 40-inch telescope was installed in 1972 particularly in Kerala, and introduces visitors
and started producing important astronomical to the Marayur cave paintings and engravings
discoveries soon after. More than a
46
and the stamps and seals used in Harappa, making artifacts of distinctive look and
through their replicas. beauty.
● The other galleries are ‘Land and people’,
‘Administration’, ‘War and peace’, ‘Education Global economy in steep slowdown
and health’, ‘Economy’, ‘Art and culture’, amid
the Mathilakam records (a collection of 3,000 ● A report by World Bank said the/at the world
cadjan manuscript rolls possessed by Sri is in its “steepest slowdown” since 1970 and
Padmanabhaswamy Temple). 685 million people could be living in
extreme poverty by the end of 2022.
● This would make 2022 the second-worst year
Dokra Metal Crafts
for poverty reduction in the past two decades,
● Bengal village Lalbazar on the boundary with after 2020.
Jharkhand is becoming a hub for Dokra
Key highlights:
metalcraft.
N
● The “2022 in Nine Charts” report said that 7
I
About Dokra Metal Crafts:
.
per cent of the world’s population-roughly 574
● Dhokra is a form of ancient bell metal craft
practiced by the Ojha metal smiths living in
A L
million—will be in extreme poverty in 2030. It
is shorter than the global goal of 3 per cent
states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha,
West Bengal and Telangana.
R
●
T set earlier by the World Bank.
World’s three largest economies—United
●
PO
However, the style and also the workmanship
of this artisan community varies in different
States, China, andEuro area—slowing sharply;
increasing recession risks over next year.
states.
C ● 60% of world’s poorest countries are either in
SS
● Dhokra or Dokra, is also known as bell metal debt distress or at risk of it.
craft.Its documented history is about 5,000 ● It hurts critical investments in economic
years old. reform, health,climate action, or education -
● Making dokra art is a difficult process. Each among other key development priorities.
figurine takes about a month to make. ● 2nd worst year for poverty reduction with 685
● Dokra artifacts are mainly made in brass and million people estimated to be living in
are highly unique wherein the pieces do not extreme poverty by2022-end.
have any form of joints. The whole object is ● Drastic rise in food insecurity around the
fully handcrafted. globe.
● The traditional designs are considered highly ● 733 million people currently have no access to
aesthetic in nature and a collector’s delight. electricity and by 2030, 670 million people will
remain without it.
About the process:
● Global energy markets are in continuous
● There are many processes involved, for which shock leading to fuel prices soaring.
seven to eight varieties of clay is required, ● Learning poverty rate in low- and
apart from other raw material. middle-income countries may have risen to
● The method of making Dokra is done by 70% in 2022.
combining the metallurgical skills with that of
the lost wax technique. TVS-2M Nuclear Fuel
● The handicrafts are known for combining the
metallurgical skills with wax technique for ● Russia has supplied first batches of TVS-2M
nuclear fuel to India for Kudankulam Nuclear
PowerPlant.
47
● TVS-2M contains mixed Uranium-Gadolinium ● Illegal transactions like buying drugs in Dark
oxide with Uranium enrichments, but web; its mining is energy intensive; vulnerable
withoutBurnable Absorbers Rods (BARs). to hacks, etc.
● BARs contain neutron-absorbing material that
is inserted into guide tubes of a pressurized Gelbots
water reactor.
● Recently, John Hopkins University scientists
Significance of TVS- 2M: built a soft robot named Gelbots.
● More efficient and more vibration-resistant About:
due to rigidity of a fuel bundle.
● Increased uranium capacity- one TVS-2M ● Gelbots are made out of gelatin, capable of
assembly contains 7.6% more fuel material as moving without requiring an extra power
compared to earlier fuel. source because of the way their shape,
● Efficiently operated in an 18-months fuel dimensions and patterning of gel are
N
cycle. designed and are reportedly a significant
Private Cryptocurrencies ●
L.I
advance in the world of soft robotics.
They are created by 3D printing and would be
● Reserve Bank Governor warned that the next

TAeasy for mass production.
R
Principle:
financial crisis can be triggered by private
cryptocurrencies, if such
instruments are allowed to grow.
PO speculative ● The gels swell or shrink in response to
temperature.
●
C
The Governor has been staunchly opposed to ● This property can be strategically manipulated
SS
such instruments and the RBI has gone till the to move robots forward and backwards on flat
Supreme Court with its contention. surfaces or to have them crawl in certain
directions with an undulating, wave-like
Key highlights:
motion.
● Recent crash of cryptocurrency exchange
Potential application areas:
FTX, one of biggest financial frauds in US
history, illustrate the threat posed by such ● They can be used to create smart structures.
instruments. ● Even they can be used for moving on surfaces
● Cryptocurrency is a digital, encrypted, and through the human body to deliver targeted
decentralized medium of exchange. medicines.
● Cryptocurrencies run on a distributed public ● They could also be deployed as marine robots,
ledger called blockchain, a record of all patrolling and monitoring the ocean’s surface.
transactions updated and held by currency ● Gelbots can be trained to crawl in response to
holders. variations in human biomarkers and
biochemical.
Advantages:
● Protected from inflation; keeps transaction tartup India Seed Fund Scheme
record accurate and up-to-date;
decentralisation helps the currency monopoly ● Minister of State for Commerce and
free etc. Industry recently informed that a total of 126
incubators have been approved and they have
Concerns:
48
selected 656 startups supported under About

the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS).
● Google, was slapped with a fine of Rs 1,338
About: crore by CCI after being found guilty of
anti-competitive behaviour in the Android
● The scheme aims to provide financial
mobile application ecosystem
assistance to startups for proof of concept,
● It refers to a wide range of business practices
prototype development, product trials, market
in which a firm or group of firms may engage
entry and commercialization.
to restrict inter-firm competition to maintain or
● The SISFS has been approved for a period of
increase their relative market position and
four years starting from April 1, 2021 with a
profits without necessarily providing goods
corpus of Rs 945 crore.
and services at a lower cost or of higher
● As per provisions under the SISFS, the
quality.
government has constituted an experts
advisory committee (EAC) which is About:
N
responsible for the overall execution and
I
● The Competition Commission of India
●
monitoring.
The EAC evaluates and selects incubators for
L.
(CCI) was established in March 2009 by the
A
Government of India under the Competition
funds under the scheme. These incubators
T
Act, 2002 for the administration,
shall select the startups based on certain
R
implementation, and enforcement of the Act.
parameters outlined in the scheme guidelines.
O
● The Commission consists of one Chairperson
P
Eligibility conditions for startups: and six Memberswho shall be appointed by
C
the Central Government.
● A startup, recognized by Department for
SS
● It is a quasi-judicial body which gives opinions
Promotion of Industry and Internal
to statutory authorities and also deals with
Trade(DPIIT), incorporated not more than 2
other cases.
years ago at the time of application.
● The Chairperson and other Members shall be
● Startups should not have received more than
whole-time Members.
Rs.10 lakh of monetary support under any
other Central or State Government scheme.
● Individual entrepreneurs are not eligible to The Great Lakes
apply for support under the scheme. Only ● Recently, it has been observed that by 2100,
DPIIT-recognized startups can apply for this even the Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan,
scheme. Huron, Erie, and Ontario — might approach
● Shareholding by Indian promoters in the acidity at around the same rate as the oceans.
startup should be at least 51% at the time of ● Researchers hope the data from the Lake
application to the incubator for the scheme. Huron project would add to scientific
information on the subject.
Key highlights:
Google moves NCLAT over CCI fine on
‘dominance’ ● Scientists are building a sensor network to
detect the trends in the water chemistry of
● Google has approached the National
Lake Huron, one of the five Great Lakes of
Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)
North America.
challenging the Competition Commission of
● It is the first step towards developing a
India (CCI) order on unfair business practices.
system that would be capable of measuring
49
the carbon dioxide and pH levels of the Great NASA missions would return these samples
Lakes over several years, the report said. to Earth.
● It is known that the increase in atmospheric
carbon dioxide has caused the world’s oceans Social Stock Exchange
to turn more acidic.
● The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)
About Great Lakes: received in-principle approval from market
● The Great Lakes, five interconnected bodies of regulator Securities Exchange Board of India
water straddling the US-Canada border that (SEBI), to set up a Social Stock Exchange
drain into the Gulf of St Lawrence in the North (SSE) as a separate segment of the NSE.
Atlantic through the St Lawrence River, are the ● As earlier Union Finance Minister, in her Union
largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. Budget speech of 2019-20, had proposed
● The US-Canada border passes through Lakes creation of a Social Stock Exchange.
Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario; Lake Idea of SSE was floated in Budget speech
N
Michigan lies entirely in the US.
I
2019-20.
● Lakes Michigan and Huron are sometimes
considered as a single water body; taken ●
L.
Following this, government issued a
A
together, they are the world’s largest notification declaring a new security ‘zero
freshwater lake by surface area. By itself, Lake
Huron is the world’s third largest freshwater
R T coupon zero principal (ZCZP)’ under
theSecurities Contracts (Regulation) Act,
PO
lake, after Lake Superior and Lake Victoria.
●
1956.
ZCZP can be publicly or privately issued by
C NPO upon registering with SSE of NSE.
SS
NASA’s Perseverance mission
● Earlier, in July 2022, SEBI also notified rules
● NASA’s Perseverance mission dropped its first for SSE.
cache of precious rock samples on the sands
Benefits of SSE:
of Mars, leaving behind a record of material
that a future mission could bring back ● Enables public participation in social causes
to Earth. through equity route.
● Provides additional capital to improve lives of
About:
underserved.
● Perseverance aims to look for signs of past ● Leverage private sector participation thus
microbial life, prepare for future human complementing government efforts for
exploration and collect samples of rock and developmental goals.
regolith (broken rock and soil) for possible ● Brings together social enterprises and impact
return to Earth. investors on a common platform.
● Recently, Perseverance placed a titanium tube ● Enable fund-raising as well as information on
containing a rock sample on the surface of operations and financials through
Mars. standardized reporting.
● Igneous rock sample was collected from Mars
Jezero Crater called South Séítah. Policies on Facial Recognition Technology
● Samples are being placed at a location called
“Three Forks,” first such sample depot on ● The policies of the Government are aimed at
another world. ensuring an Open, Safe and Trusted and
● Depot will serve as a backup if Perseverance Accountable Internet for its users.
can’t deliver its samples and subsequent
50
About: ● The government has discontinued thePradhan

Mantri Garib Kalyan AnnaYojana (PMGKAY).
● Section 43A of the Information Technology
● It provides additional 5 kg of free foodgrains
Act, 2000 provides that a body corporate
per month to NFSAbeneficiaries.
which possesses or deals or handles any
sensitive personal data or information in a Impact:
computer resource owned or controlled or
● Lower food grain stock: The combined food
operated by it is liable to compensate an
grain stock in 2022 stood at 305.69 Lakh
affected person for causing wrongful loss or
Metric Tonne(LMT), lower than 2021
wrongful gain to any person due to negligence
(591.56LMT).
in implementing and maintaining reasonable
● Increased economic cost for rice: Economic
security practices and procedures.
Cost consists of Acquisition Cost (MSP+
● Government, in exercise of its powers under
Procurement IncidentalCost) and Distribution
the said section, has prescribed the rules
Cost.
regarding sensitive personal data or
information as well as the reasonable security
practices and procedures to be complied with.
.I N
Significance:
●
L
Ensure nationwide uniformity and effective
A
● As per these, sensitive personal data or
implementation of NFSA.
T
information includes biometric information,
● Remove financial burden from the poorest of
R
and biometrics include technologies that
poor beneficiaries.
O
measure and analyse facial patterns.
● NFSA 2013, provides food and nutritional
P
● The reasonable security practices and
security to beneficiary households,divided
C
procedure include implementation of the
SS
international standard IS/ISO/IEC 27001 or under two categories.
Government-approved codes of best practices
for data protection, and a comprehensive Union Government launches right to repair
documented information security programme portal
and information security policies that contain
● Food and Consumer Affairs Minister launched
managerial, technical, operational and
a host of new initiatives, including the right to
physical security control measures that are
repair portal and an NTH mobile app and
commensurate with the information assets
opened new premises
being protected with the nature of business.
of National Consumer Helpline center in
● Thus, law to regulate facial recognition
the national capital.
technology and manage data related to such
● A memorandum of understanding was also
technology is in place.
signed between the Consumer Affairs
Department and IIT (BHU), Varanasi as well
Govt To Provide Free Foodgrains To 81.35 launched a capacity building programme of
Crore Beneficiaries Under NFSA consumer commissions.
● The Central government will provide free Key highlights:
foodgrains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries
under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) ● On the portal, manufacturers would share
for one year from January 1, 2023. manual of product details with customers so
that they could either repair by self, by third
About: parties, rather than depend on original
manufacturers.
51
● Initially, mobile phones, electronics, consumer rapid intensification has a name:

durables, automobile and farming equipments bombogenesis.
would be covered. ● As the winds blow, the rotation of the Earth
● Right to Repair movement calls for companies creates a cyclonic effect. The direction is
to make spare parts, tools and information on counterclockwise in the Northern
how to repair devices available to customers Hemisphere.
and repair shops to increase lifespan of
Formation:
products and to keep them from ending up in
landfills. ● A bomb cyclone is formed when the air of
● Right to Repair has been recognised in many different air masses (cold, dry) comes
countries including US, UK and European together.
Union. ● As the warm air rises, it creates a cloud
system lowering air pressure and forming into
Significance of developing a framework on right
a storm circulating counterclockwise around
to repair in India:
N
the low-pressure area.
● Empower consumers and product buyers in
the local market.
L.I
Characteristics:
● Address issue of ‘planned obsolescence.e.,
devices are designed specifically to last a
●
TAThe bomb cyclone will be characterised by

cold winds, which are also expected to pick
●
limited amount of time and to be replaced.
O
Harmonize trade between original equipment R up, and wind chill temperatures could drop to
dangerous lows far below zero — enough to
sellers.
C P
manufacturers and the third-party buyers and cause frostbite within minutes.
SS
● The dangerous storm is expected to hit
● Developing sustainable consumption of everyone east of the Rockies — around
products and reduction in e-waste. two-thirds of the country.
● Catalysing employment generation through
Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) by Tel Tsaf
allowing third-party repairs.
● Recently, nearly 5200 BCE, or 7,200 years old
Bomb Cyclone cotton fibres, dyed in blue and other colours,
werefound in Tel Tsaf (Israel).
In US Bomb cyclone continues to batter as death
toll mounts to 34. About:
● Storms can form when a mass of ● In the Indus Valley, the ancient known
low-pressure air meets a high-pressure mass. evidence for cotton fiber are threads used to
The air flows from high pressure to low, string copperheads in 6000-5500 BCE in
creating winds. Mehrgarh.
● Situated in Jordan Valley, Tel Tsaf was a Late
About: Neolithic Settlement.
● What defines a bomb cyclone is how rapidly A number of other discoveries are also made at
the pressure drops in the low-pressure mass Tel Tsaf such as:
— by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
● This quickly increases the pressure difference, ● Grain Silo for ritual food storage; social
or gradient, between the two air masses, beer drinking;
making the winds stronger. This process of ● beads from modern-day Anatolia,
52
● Romania, Egypt, and other parts of Africa; ● In 2021-22, India imported 14.1 million tonnes
● pottery from Iraq, Syria, and Armenia; of edible oils (around 2/3rd ofIndia’s
● the earliest copper and metal in the Middle consumption).
East.
Dark Patterns
Self-reliance in edible oils need of hour, GM
● Recently, it is been found that some Internet
mustard to pave way
¬based firms have been tricking users into
● Self-reliance or ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in edible oils agreeing to certain conditions or clicking a
is the need of the hour for India and it is in the few links.
public interest for the welfare of farmers and
About Dark Patterns:
consumers that the decision to approve
Genetically Modified mustard is taken to a ● It is a user interface that has been crafted to
logical conclusion. trick or manipulate users into making
N
choices that are detrimental to their interests.
I
About:
.
● The term ‘Dark Patterns’ was coined by user
● GM technology is a disruptive technology that
involves inserting DNA into the genome of an ●
A L
experience designer Harry Brignull in 2010.
Dark patterns endanger the experience of
organism, giving it new or different
characteristics.
R T internet users and make them more
vulnerable to financial and data exploitation
●
PO
Purpose: To bring targeted change within the
crop variety like change in growth or ●
by BigTech firms.
Dark patterns confuse users, introduce online
C
resistance to a particular disease. obstacles, make simple tasks
SS
● GM Mustard DMH 11 is made time-consuming, have users sign up for
throughBarnase-Barstar System, a hybrid seed unwanted services or products and force
production system used in self-pollinated them to pay more money or share more
crops, increasing the crop yield and its personal information than they intended.
adaptation - also known as hybridvigouror ● In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission
heterosis. (FTC) has taken note of dark patterns and the
● This system has been successfully deployed risks they pose. In a report released in
in countries like Canada, Australia September, 2022, the regulatory body listed
andAmerica for many decades. over 30 dark patterns.
● The toxicity, allergenicity, compositional ● The FTC report outlined its legal action
analysis, field trials, and environmental safety against Amazon in 2014, for a supposedly
studies show that it is safe for cultivation, for free children’s app that fooled its young users
food and feed use. into making in-app purchases that their
● GM Mustard DMH 11 has been developed by parents had to pay later for.
the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of
CropPlants (CGMCP) at Delhi University. IMD predicts, severe cold wave conditions to
Significance:
continue in Northern India
● India Meteorological Department (IMD) has
● To increase domestic production and
forecast that cold wave to severe cold wave
productivity (approximately 28% higher
conditions will continue over north Rajasthan
yield),Reduce import of edible oils in the
while isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana,
country.
53
Chandigarh and Delhi will experience cold ● For Ethical Imagery, the “Eight Quick Steps
wave conditions for next few days. toEthical Imagery” from UNICEF can help in
promoting child rights.
About:
Issues involved
● Cold wave, sometimes known as a cold snap
or deep freeze, is a weather event involving a ● Child’s physical safety, e.g., photo shows what
cooling of the air, or the invasion of very cold they look like and can reveal their current
air, over a large area. location, thus facilitating
kidnapping,fundraising activities etc.
Weather situation behind Cold Wave in India:
● Violates Child’s right to consent to howtheir
● Build up of a ridge (an extended area of image is used.
relatively high atmospheric pressure) in the jet ● Oppressive uses of child’s image by evildoers.
stream over northwest Asia.
Future privacy invasions.
● Formation of surface high-pressure center
over north and Central India. ● NCPCR was constituted as a statutory body
●
●
Movement of cold air masses in response to
steering by upper-level winds.
Extensive snow covers over Northwest I N
under Commission for Protection of
.
ChildRights (CPCR) Act, 2005 to protect child
L
rights and related matters in country.
●
Himalayas.
Triggering mechanism like strong westerly
●
TAIt is mandated to monitor proper and effective

implementation of Protection ofChildren from
waves approaching northwest India to
O
enhance winds for transport cold air R Sexual Offences (POCSO)Act, 2012; Right to
Free and CompulsoryEducation (RTE) Act,
●
southeastward.
C P
Studies highlight that cold waves are favored
2009.
SS
by La-Nina over most parts of India as Patriot System
compared to El-Nino with cold waves confined
to northwest India. ● U.S.A recently announced that it would send
● Government has notified ‘cold wave’ as a its most advanced ground-based defense
disaster and National Disaster Management battery (Patriot system) to Kyiv.
Authority (NDMA) in 2021 issued guidelines About Patriot system:
and action plans on cold wave.
● The Patriot is one of the most sought-after
NCPCR warns NGOs against depiction of defense systems and has been deployed in 18
vulnerable children for fundraising countries, including the U.S.
● Initially developed as a system to intercept
● The practice of civil society organisations high-flying aircraft by Raytheon Technologies,
using representative visuals for fundraising the Patriot was modified in the 1980s to focus
activities concerning development issues on other threats such as ballistic missiles.
such as malnutrition now faces new scrutiny ● The programme’s roots can be traced back to
with the National Commission for Protection the 1960s when the Pentagon was looking to
of Child Rights (NCPCR) issuing a directive to replace the HAWK and Nike-Hercules air
NGOs to not depict vulnerable children. defence systems.
● Currently, Patriot batteries can defend against
About:
ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, jets
● Showcasing minor children in such a way is and “other threats”, but it doesn’t offer
violation of Child Rights and Juvenile protection against low-flying small drones.
Justice (Care and Protection of Children)Act, ● A mobile Patriot system includes a control
2015. centre, a radar station to detect threats,
54
missile launchers to take out those threats ● This would threaten the existence of species
and other support vehicles. like the Arctic fox or the walrus.
● It can launch different types of interceptor ● Moreover, it might also cause the
missiles: The older PAC-1 and PAC-2 overpopulation of seals, which could
interceptors used a blast-fragmentation endanger the existence of crustaceans and
warhead, while the newer PAC-3 missile has a fish that are an important food source for
more advanced hit-to-kill technology. local human populations as well as other
● The Patriot system’s radar has a range of Arctic wildlife.
over 150 km and it can track over 50 potential ● The polar bear is classified as “vulnerable” on
targets at the same time. the IUCN Red List.
Polar bears in key Canada region dying Trademark vs Strong Trademark

● Polar bears in Canada’s Western Hudson Bay, ● The Delhi High Court, in the case of Hamdard
an inland sea connected to the Arctic Ocean, National Foundation (India) vs Sadar
N
are dying at a fast rate, according to a new Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., restrained Sadar
government survey, the Associated Press
reported on.
.I
Laboratories from manufacturing and selling
L
beverages under the impugned trademark
● It also revealed that females and younger
polar bears are the worst affected. ●
TA‘DilAfza’.
The court observed that the trademark
About:
O R ‘RoohAfza’ is prima facie a strong mark

requiring a high degree of protection as it has
●
C P
At the time of the survey, conducted by air in
2021, researchers calculated that there were
acquired immense goodwill.
SS
About trademark:
618 bears left in Western Hudson Bay — the
region includes Churchill, the town that is ● A trademark is a distinctive sign or indicator
known as ’the Polar Bear Capital of the World’. used by a business organisation to distinguish
● When the last survey took place in 2016, there its products or services from those of other
were 842 bears in the area. entities.
● According to the researchers, Western ● It serves as a badge of origin exclusively
Hudson Bay has witnessed a drop of around identifying a particular business as a source
50% in the population of polar bears since the of goods or services.
1980s. ● Trademark infringement is the unauthorised
usage of a sign that is identical or deceptively
Importance of polar bears:
similar to a registered trademark.
● Polar bears are one of the most significant
What is a strong trademark?
predators in the Arctic region and they keep
biological populations in balance. ● A mark is said to be strong when it is
● The big kills made by them serve as a food well-known and has acquired a high degree of
resource for scavengers like Arctic foxes and goodwill.
Arctic birds. ● The degree of the protection of any trademark
● If polar bears aren’t able to hunt animals like changes with the strength of the mark; the
seals, it can severely impact the food chain stronger the mark, the higher the requirement
and health of the ecosystem. to protect it.
● Researchers have also found that once polar
bears can’t find seals to eat, they would
quickly move to kill and survive on other
creatures in the Arctic region.
55
● They are produced from two main types of

AVGC sector palms: palmyra and talipot.
● The Government has said that the Animation, ● Palmyra leaf is rather thick and inflexible and
Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) tends to get brittle over time.
sector has the potential to provide ● Talipot is thinner and more flexible and has
employment to over 20 lakh people in the excellent durability, reportedly lasting as long
coming 10 years. as 600 years.
● They include many unique sources on Indian,
About:
Nepalese, and Southeast Asian culture and
● AVGC sector has potential to provide religion.
employment to over 20 lakh people and
witness around17% growth rate in coming 10 Galleries:
years. ● The first gallery ‘History of Writing’ is an
● Centre has also designated audio-visual
introduction to the evolution of writing,
services as one of the 12 ChampionService
N
particularly in Kerala, and introduces visitors
I
Sectors.
Challenges to AVGC Sector:
L.
to the Marayur cave paintings and engravings
and the stamps and seals used in Harappa,
● Lack of authentic data on employment,
●
TAthrough their replicas.
The other galleries are ‘Land and people’,
R
industry size etc.;
‘Administration’, ‘War and peace’, ‘Education
O
● Inadequate training infrastructure;
and health’, ‘Economy’, ‘Art and culture’, amid
P
● Absence of AVGC academic reference point in
the Mathilakam records (a collection of 3,000
C
India etc.
cadjan manuscript rolls possessed by Sri
SS
Recommendations of Task Force Padmanabhaswamy Temple).
● Launch ‘Create in India’ campaign with
exclusive focus on content ‘For Indiaand For Dokra Metal Crafts
World’.
● Establish National Centre of Excellence for ● Bengal village Lalbazar on the boundary with
AVGC sector which could help inskilling, Jharkhand is becoming a hub for Dokra
education etc. metalcraft.
● Establish AVGC Accelerators and Innovation
About Dokra Metal Crafts:
hubs in academic institutions onlines of Atal
Tinkering Labs. ● Dhokra is a form of ancient bell metal craft
● Establish Special incentives for women practiced by the Ojha metal smiths living in
entrepreneurs in AVGC sector. states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha,
West Bengal and Telangana.
Palm- leaf manuscript ● However, the style and also the workmanship
of this artisan community varies in different
● First palm leaf manuscript museum was
states.
inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
● Dhokra or Dokra, is also known as bell metal
About: craft.Its documented history is about 5,000
years old.
● Palm-leaf manuscripts are one of humanity’s
● Making dokra art is a difficult process. Each
most ancient and widespread technologies
figurine takes about a month to make.
for transmitting and preserving knowledge in
written form.
56
● Dokra artifacts are mainly made in brass and ● 2nd worst year for poverty reduction with 685
are highly unique wherein the pieces do not million people estimated to be living in
have any form of joints. The whole object is extreme poverty by 2022-end.
fully handcrafted. ● Drastic rise in food insecurity around the
● The traditional designs are considered highly globe.
aesthetic in nature and a collector’s delight. ● 733 million people currently have no access to
electricity and by 2030, 670 million people will
About the process:
remain without it.
● There are many processes involved, for which ● Global energy markets are in continuous
seven to eight varieties of clay is required, shock leading to fuel prices soaring.
apart from other raw material. ● Learning poverty rate in low- and
● The method of making Dokra is done by middle-income countries may have risen to
combining the metallurgical skills with that of 70% in 2022.
the lost wax technique.
N
● The handicrafts are known for combining the TVS-2M Nuclear Fuel
metallurgical skills with wax technique for
making artifacts of distinctive look and ●
L.I
Russia has supplied first batches of TVS-2M
A
beauty. nuclear fuel to India for Kudankulam Nuclear
Global economy in steep slowdown

R
●
T Power Plant.
TVS-2M contains mixed Uranium-Gadolinium
●
PO
A report by World Bank said the/at the world
oxide with Uranium enrichments, but without
Burnable Absorbers Rods (BARs).
C
is in its “steepest slowdown” since 1970 and ● BARs contain neutron-absorbing material that
SS
685 million people could be living in is inserted into guide tubes of a pressurized
extreme poverty by the end of 2022. water reactor.
● This would make 2022 the second-worst year
Significance of TVS- 2M:
for poverty reduction in the past two decades,
after 2020. ● More efficient and more vibration-resistant
due to rigidity of a fuel bundle.
Key highlights:
● Increased uranium capacity- one TVS-2M
● The “2022 in Nine Charts” report said that 7 assembly contains 7.6% more fuel material as
per cent of the world’s population-roughly 574 compared to earlier fuel.
million—will be in extreme poverty in 2030. It ● Efficiently operated in an 18-months fuel
is shorter than the global goal of 3 per cent cycle.
set earlier by the World Bank.
● World’s three largest economies—United Private Cryptocurrencies
States, China, and Euro area—slowing sharply;
increasing recession risks over next year. ● Reserve Bank Governor warned that the next
● 60% of world’s poorest countries are either in financial crisis can be triggered by private
debt distress or at risk of it. cryptocurrencies, if such speculative
● It hurts critical investments in economic instruments are allowed to grow.
reform, health, climate action, or education - ● The Governor has been staunchly opposed to
among other key development priorities. such instruments and the RBI has gone till the
Supreme Court with its contention.
Key highlights:
57
● Recent crash of cryptocurrency exchange Potential application areas:

FTX, one of biggest financial frauds in US
● They can be used to create smart structures.
history, illustrate the threat posed by such
● Even they can be used for moving on surfaces
instruments.
through the human body to deliver targeted
● Cryptocurrency is a digital, encrypted, and
medicines.
decentralized medium of exchange.
● They could also be deployed as marine robots,
● Cryptocurrencies run on a distributed public
patrolling and monitoring the ocean’s surface.
ledger called blockchain, a record of all
● Gelbots can be trained to crawl in response to
transactions updated and held by currency
variations in human biomarkers and
holders.
biochemical.
Advantages:
● Protected from inflation; keeps transaction National Capital Region Transport
record accurate and up-to-date; Corporation
N
decentralisation helps the currency monopoly
I
● The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
free etc.
.
(TRAI) has today released recommendations
L
on ’Spectrum Requirements of National
A
Concerns:
T
Capital Region Transport Corporation
● Illegal transactions like buying drugs in Dark
R
(NCRTC) for Train Control System for RRTS
web; its mining is energy intensive; vulnerable
O
Corridors’.
to hacks, etc.
P
● Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
C
had sought TRAI to furnish its:
SS
Gelbots 1. Recommendations on administrative
assignment of spectrum to NCRTC and
● Recently, John Hopkins University scientists the quantum, pricing/ charging thereof
built a soft robot named Gelbots. and any other terms and conditions, for
About: separate spectrum requirements of
NCRTC in 700 MHz band;
● Gelbots are made out of gelatin, capable of 2. Any other recommendations deemed fit
moving without requiring an extra power for the purpose, including assignment of
source because of the way their shape, the same spectrum for other RRTS / Metro
dimensions and patterning of gel are rail network pan-India.
designed and are reportedly a significant
advance in the world of soft robotics. The salient features of these Recommendations
● They are created by 3D printing and would be are as follows:
easy for mass production. 1. 5 MHz (paired) spectrum in 700 MHz band
Principle: be assigned to NCRTC for use in RRTS
corridors along the railway tracks. The
● The gels swell or shrink in response to frequency spectrum to be assigned to
temperature. NCRTC, shall be adjacent to the frequency
● This property can be strategically manipulated spectrum assigned to Indian Railways in
to move robots forward and backwards on flat 700 MHz band.
surfaces or to have them crawl in certain 2. The frequency spectrum assigned to
directions with an undulating, wave-like NCRTC may also be assigned to other
motion. RRTS/ Metro rail networks, which are
58
geographically separated and not likely to ● Setting up a dedicated commission by State

cause any interference to one another. government to gather data on backwardness
3. To ascertain the feasibility of assigning of OBCs in every local body,
the same frequency spectrum (assigned ● Specifying the proportion of reservation in
to NCRTC and other RRTS/ Metro rail light of commission’s proposals
network) to the telecom service providers ● Ensuring that such reservation does not
on non-interference basis, a field trial may exceed 50% of total seats reserved for
be conducted involving the Ministry of SC/ST/OBC together.
Railways and the telecom service ● Constitution of India provides for reservation
providers, under the supervision of DoT. for SCs and STs in local bodies as per their
4. To ascertain feasibility of RAN sharing, a population.
field trial of RAN sharing through MOCN ● State governments are allowed to make
may be conducted by the Ministry of decisions on reservation for OBCs.
Railways involving IR and NCRTC, under
N
the supervision of DoT. G20 Digital Innovation Alliance
5. A separate category of Permission/
License for Captive Non-Public Network ●
L.I
As part of India’s G20 presidency, Union
A
for Railway Networks (CNPN-R) may be Minister for Electronics and Information
created. However, the permission/
licensing regime for CNPN-R may be kept
R T Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday
launched the “Stay Safe Online” campaign and
O
very simple and light touch. the “G20 Digital Innovation Alliance”
C P
Immediately notify UP civic polls without
(G20-DIA).
SS
About:
OBC quota, orders Allahabad high court
● To identify, recognize, and enable the adoption
● While setting aside UP government’s of innovative and impactful digital
notification reserving seats for OBCs in technologies developed by start-ups, from
upcoming Urban Local Body (ULBs) Elections, G20 nations as well as the invited
HC directed that State government to notify non-member nations,
elections immediately without reservation for ● It can address the needs of humanity in the
OBC. six critically important sectors i.e Agri-tech,
Health-tech, Ed-tech, Fin-tech, Secured Digital
About:
Infrastructure, and Circular Economy.
● This direction is guided by provisions of ● Startup products in these six sectors enabled
Article 243-U of Constitution which mandates through Digital Public Goods Infrastructure
that election to constitute a municipality shall can create a global population-scale impact
be completed before expiry of its duration. and reduce the digital divide and enable
● HC held that until “triple test conditions” as sustainable, and inclusive
mandated by Supreme Court in K. techno-socio-economic development.
● Krishnamurthy v. Union of India (2010) is ● This summit which will be held in
fulfilled, no reservation for Backward Class Bangalore on the sidelines of the Digital
shall be provided in ULBs polls. Economy Working Group (DEWG) meeting will
be a multi-day program where top nominated
Triple test conditions are:
startups from each of the theme areas from
all of the G20 countries and the non-member
invited countries will showcase their solutions
59
to the global community of investors, employer, even those with just one employee,
mentors, corporates, and other government enroll their staff into a pension scheme and
stakeholders. contribute towards it.
● This will create cutting-edge digital
solutions in the six themes that bridge the International Organization of Securities
digital divide between different segments of Commissions
humanity and advance the world economy.
● Sebi proposed a framework for index
UK-Like pension scheme for gig workers providers, aimed at improving transparency
and accountability in governance and
● India’s pension fund regulator has administration of the financial benchmarks or
recommended the federal government indices in the domestic securities market.
introduce a UK-like pension scheme for the
Key highlights:
country’s gig workers, a move aimed at
bringing about 90 per cent of the overall In the stock market, an index is essentially a
N
●
●
workforce into the pension fold.
The Pension Fund Regulatory and
.I
method of measuring a change in value of a
L
group of securities forming part of such an
A
Development Authority (PFRDA), which index.
manages over $102 billion in assets, has
proposed that workers at food and cab
●
R T It performs several functions such as

assisting the investors in understanding the
O
aggregators be automatically enrolled into the health of the market and also enabling them
National Pension Scheme (NPS).
C P to study the market sentiment, enabling

performance measurement and
SS
About:
benchmarking.
● The PFRDA regulates the NPS, India’s ● The proposed regulation shall be applicable to
voluntary retirement savings scheme that was index providers (both domestic and foreign) if
started in 2004 and now has 16.7 million the users of the index/products based on
subscribers, including from the government index are located in India, the markets
and private sectors as well as from parts of regulator said.
the unorganised sector. ● Under the framework, the index providers
● The PFRDA has recommended that employers offering indices for use in India will be
deduct a part of their payouts to gig workers’ required to register with Sebi for obtaining
and contribute that to the NPS scheme. authorization for introduction of indices in the
● India’s informal or unorganised sector country.
employs about 90% of the country’s ● The markets regulator said the index provider
workforce, depriving them of social security shall be a legal entity incorporated under
benefits. Companies Act in the country of origin and
● The number of gig workers, a large chunk of should have a minimum net worth of Rs 25
whom are delivery and sales personnel, is crore.
expected to reach 9.9 million in 2022-23, up ● The index provider will have to constitute an
about 45% from 2019-20, according to a oversight committee for reviewing existing
report by think-tank NITI Aayog released in index design. The committee will also review
June. any proposed changes to benchmark
● The PFRDA’s recommendation to bring these methodology.
workers into the pension fold replicates UK’s ● The regulations said the index provider must
pension system that mandates every have policies and procedures to manage
60
conflicts of interest and to protect the sub-surface oceans, paving the way for more
integrity and independence of various exotic future missions involving submersible
functions performed in connection with vehicles — some of which have already been
determination of indices. put forward.
● In case an index provider is engaged in any
other activity, the activity of index provider in Road accidents in India- 2021 report
general and the benchmark determination
process in particular must be completely ● The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
ring-fenced to prevent sharing or leakage of (MoRTH) has released a report revealing the
any sensitive information. number of road accidents that occurred in
● Index provider must document and make 2021 in India.
available publicly, the methodology for index ● The report released is titled “Road accidents
calculation. in India- 2021”.
Key highlights:
N
Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer
● The ESA has announced that the Jupiter Icy
●
L.I
As per the 2021 data, a total of 19,748 road
accidents were reported due to loss of control
A
Moons Explorer (Juice) mission will be by the vehicle driver across the country.
celebrated at an event in Toulouse, France, on
20 January next year.
●
R T The main reasons for the mishap included

high speed and distraction or misjudgement
About:
PO of a turn by the driver. The accidents killed

9,150 and injured 19,077 people.
●
C
Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) will ● Road accidents decreased by 8.1 % and
SS
be Europe’s first dedicated robotic mission to injuries decreased by 14.8 % in 2021
Jupiter. Juice is due to reach the planet in July compared to 2019.
2031 after performing an incredible flight path ● Fatalities, however, on accounts of road
through the Solar System. accidents increased by 1.9 percent in 2021
● The mission will enter into orbit around corresponding to the same period in 2019.
Jupiter and perform numerous flybys of its ● In 2020, there is an unprecedented decrease
large icy moons: Europa, Ganymede and in accidents, fatalities, and injuries due to the
Callisto. COVID-19 pandemic.
● After four years of moon flybys, Juice will then ● Uttar Pradesh accounted for the largest share
enter into orbit around Ganymede, the largest of fatalities at 13.8% followed by Tamil Nadu
moon in the Solar System — becoming the (10%).
first spacecraft ever to reach orbit around the
moon of another planet. Measures can be taken:
● The icy moons of Jupiter are interesting as ● The Road Safety Programme - funded by the
they are all believed to host oceans of liquid World Bank for capacity building of states.
water beneath their frozen surfaces. Europa, ● Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD)
in particular, is regarded as one of the most system for analysis of road accidents data to
likely abodes in the Solar System for enhance road safety.
extra-terrestrial life. ● National Road Safety Board under Motor
● Juice will be equipped with ten scientific Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
instruments including ice-penetrating radar to
study the internal oceans. This use of radar is
a practical first step in mapping the
61
IAF successfully test fires extended range Ethylene glycol

version of Brahmos missile
● At least 18 children died in Uzbekistan’s
● The Indian Air Force (IAF) Thursday Samarkand allegedly after consuming
successfully test fired the Extended Range India-manufactured syrup due to ethylene
Version of Brahmos Air Launched missile glycol.
against a ship target from a frontline
About ethylene glycol:
SU-30MKI aircraft.
● Ethylene glycol is a colorless and odorless
Key highlights:
alcoholic compound that can be fatal if
● The missile achieved the desired mission consumed.
objectives in the Bay of Bengal region. With ● The sweet-tasting ethylene glycol is a syrupy
this, IAF has achieved a significant capability or viscous liquid at room temperature.
boost to carry out precision strikes from ● It is mostly used as an automotive antifreeze
●
SU-30MKI aircraft against land or sea
targets over very long ranges.
The capability of striking the targets located ●
L.I N
and as a raw material for manufacturing
polyester fibers.
It is also found in several products such
at around 350 kilometers compared to around
TAas hydraulic brake fluids, stamp pad inks,
R
290 kilometers for the initial version. ballpoint pens, solvents, paints, cosmetics
and plastics.
O
● The first test of the initial version of the
P
Brahmos Air Launched Cruise Missile ● Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are
C
was conducted in 2017. adulterants that are sometimes illegally used
SS
as solvents in liquid drugs.
What are Brahmos missiles? ● Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol may be
● Brahmos is a joint venture between used by pharma companies as an alternative
the Defence Research and Development to non-toxic solvents such as glycerine or
Organisation of India and NPOM of Russia. It propylene glycol to cut costs.
is named after the rivers Brahmaputra and
Moskva. Israel’s controversial law
● It is a two-stage, solid propellant engine in the
first stage and a liquid ramjet in the second. ● Israel’s parliament approved divisive
● It can be launched from land, air, and sea and legislation, paving the way for the return of
multi a capability missile with pinpoint Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister.
accuracy that works both day and night About:
irrespective of the weather conditions.
● It operates on the "Fire and Forgets" principle ● Israeli lawmakers also passed legislation that
it does not require further guidance after allows anyone convicted of offenses but not
launch. given a custodial sentence to serve as a
● These are called “standoff range weapons”,e minister.
fired from a range far enough to allow the ● It clears the way for Aryeh Deri, leader of the
attacker to evade defensive counter-fire. ultra-Orthodox Shas party, to serve as a
minister despite a conviction for tax fraud.
● After hours of debate, 63 of the 120
parliamentarians voted in favor and 55
against the amendments.
62
Why are the amendments so contentious? ● Train surveillance: Capture and transmit
videos of public and trackside areas, driver
● Smotrich is an ardent supporter of settlement
cabs etc.
expansion in the occupied West Bank. He
would also get power over the West Bank Recommendations from TRAI:
administration and with it, the lives of many
● Spectrum Allocation: Assign 5 MHz (paired)
Palestinians.
spectrum in 700 MHz band to NCRTC for use
● Deri was expected to serve as finance
in RRTS corridors and to other RRTS/Metro
minister in two years, in a rotation with
which are geographically separated with no
Smotrich.
likely interference.
● Israel’s Supreme Court said it would hear an
● License Requirement: Separate category of
appeal against Deri’s appointment by a group
Permission/ License for Captive Non-Public
of scientists, academics and former
Network for Railway Networks (CNPN-R) may
diplomats called “Democracy’s Bastion.”
be created with a simple and light touch.
● The Knesset also voted to expand the powers
of the national security minister over the
police, a portfolio set to be handed to Itamar
L.I N
Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope
A
Ben Gvir, another far-right figure. He has a ● Astronomers and scientists at the Indian
T
long history of incendiary rhetoric against Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), along with their
R
Arabs. international collaborators, while studying the
O
● Netanyahu agreed with his far-right coalition Omega Centauri, which is the most massive
P
partners to make the changes to secure their globular cluster system in our galaxy, have
C
backing for his new government. found that hot stars and white dwarfs emitted
SS
less ultraviolet radiation than expected.
Spectrum Requirements of National Capital
Region Transport Corporation About:
● The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ● The team detected strange hot stars in the
(TRAI) has today released recommendations cluster using the Ultraviolet Imaging
on ’Spectrum Requirements of National Telescope (UVIT) images on AstroSat (India’s
Capital Region Transport Corporation first dedicated space observatory, which has
(NCRTC) for Train Control System for RRTS been operating since 2015).
Corridors’. ● The team found that these hot stars emitted
much less ultraviolet radiation than expected
NCRTC requires spectrum in four areas, i.e. from theoretical models and, in comparison
with stars of another globular cluster, M13,
● Train radio: Communication between trains
having similar overall properties.
and tracks for signalling and traffic
● The IIA team combined the data from UVIT
management.
with archival data from other telescopes like
● Train positioning: High-precision information
Hubble Space Telescope and Gaia and used
on train position, motion parameters
diagnostic plots called color-magnitude
(e.g.speed) etc.
diagrams (CMDs) to separate stars in various
● Train remote control: Data communication
evolutionary phases.
between a locomotive and a ground-based
● The team investigated this anomaly further by
system.
simulating the distribution of the HB stars in
the Far Ultraviolet(FUV) — optical CMD.
63
● The cluster was found to consist of at least ● Local bodies may expedite process of
five populations of stars with varying ages notifying their bye-laws by incorporating PWM
and chemical compositions, including those Rules.
formed with significantly high content of
helium. Pralay Missile
● In a major boost to the striking capabilities of
No action plan by MoEF&CC to handle plastic
the Indian armed forces against China, the
waste
defense ministry has cleared a proposal to
● The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & purchase 120 Pralay missiles for the Indian
Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has mechanisms Air Force and Army.
to assess the generation of plastic waste, but ● These missiles will be a part of India’s future
none for its collection and safe disposal, Rocket force.
found a compliance audit by the Comptroller
About the missile:
and Auditor General (CAG) of India December
21, 2022.
About:
●
L.I N
Pralay is a surface-to-surface missile (SSM)
with a range of 150-500 kilometers. It can
A
carry a warhead of anywhere between
● Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules,
2016, provides statutory framework for plastic
R
●
T 350-700 kilograms.
The missile has a quasi-ballistic trajectory, a
PO
waste management in an environmentally
sound manner throughout the country.
trajectory where the missile flies lower than a
ballistic trajectory and maintains high speed
C throughout the flight. The missile is also
SS
Key findings capable of maneuvering during the flight. It
● PWM Rules, 2016, could not be implemented increases the chances of the missile
effectively due to a lack of an action plan by successfully penetrating enemy defenses.
the MoEF&CC. ● Pralay will primarily be used to hit targets like
● No uniform framework to implement Extended ammunition dumps, petrol, oil and lubricants
Producer’s Responsibility (EPR). depots (POL), command and control nodes,
● Delay in taking initiatives for elimination of air bases, and hardened targets.
Single Use Plastic. ● Pralay’s high terminal velocity will enable it to
● Absence of guidelines and standards for take out hardened targets.
monitoring of plastic pollution. ● The missile comes in a canisterised
● No uniform method for assessment of plastic configuration.
waste generation within a state.
Haemophilia B
Measures can be taken:
● U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc. said its
● A system for effective data collection in
experimental gene therapy for the treatment
relation to generation, collection anddisposal
of hemophilia B, a rare inherited blood
of plastic waste.
disorder, met its main goal in a late-stage
● Carry out a comprehensive assessment of
study.
quantity of plastic waste being generated and
collect data according to parameters like About:
population size,geographical size of area etc.
● Data from the study showed that a single
dose of the therapy was superior to the
64
current standard of care in helping reduce the ● Create opportunities for

bleeding rate in patients with moderately investment,promotion of start-ups.
severe to severe forms of hemophilia B.
Key features of ECTA:
● The disorder hampers the body’s ability to
make a blood-clotting protein called factor IX. ● India will benefit from preferential market
● Pfizer’s therapy, fidanacogeneelaparvovec, is access provided by Australia on 100% of its
designed to help patients produce factor IX tariff lines, including all labor-intensive sectors
themselves after a one-time treatment, as of export interest to India, such asGems and
opposed to current treatments, which focus Jewellery, Textiles, leather,footwear etc.
on regular infusions of the protein. ● Australia has offered wide ranging
● The drugmaker licensed its hemophilia B gene commitments in several services sub-sectors
therapy from Roche’s Spark Therapeutics unit like IT, ITES, Health, Education.
in 2014 for a $20-million upfront payment. ● A separate Annex on Pharmaceutical
Products which will enable fast-track approval
Hemophilia B:
N
for patented, generic and biosimilar
● Hemophilia B, once known as Christmas
disease, is an inherited bleeding disorder.
.I
medicines.
L
● It happens when a gene that helps blood clot
mutates or changes.
A
Enhancing Coking Coal Production
T
● People with hemophilia B don’t have the usual
O
amount of a blood protein that helps blood R
● Recently Ministry of Coal has identified more
Blocks to Enhance Coking Coal Production.
● P
clot. This protein is a clotting factor.
C
Hemophilia B is a rare inherited bleeding
About:
SS
disorder. ● Coal is a fossil fuel and is the altered remains
of prehistoric vegetation that originally
India Australia Economic and Cooperation accumulated in swamps and peat bogs.
● The quality of each coal deposit is determined
Trade Agreement
by: varying types of vegetation from which the
● The India-Australia Economic Cooperation coal originated; depths of burial; temperatures
and Trade Agreement has come into effect and pressures at those depths; and length of
recently. time the coal has been forming in the deposit.
● ECTA provides an institutional mechanism to ● Coking coal is a high-quality coal that is low in
encourage and improve trade between two impurities and has a high carbon
countries and covers almost all tariff lines content, which makes it ideal for use in the
dealt by India and Australia. metallurgical process.
● After India-UAE Comprehensive ● Coking coal is used to produce coke, which is
EconomicPartnership Agreement, ECTA will a porous, solid carbon material that is used as
be the a fuel and a reducing agent in the production
second trade agreement for India that will be of iron and steel.
operationalised this year. ● Largest coal-producing countries in the
world: China (3.7 billion tonnes), India (783
ETCA is expected to:
million tonnes), United States (640 million
● Raise bilateral trade to USD 45-50 billion in tonnes), Indonesia (616 million tonnes).
next five years.
● Create an additional employment of at least
10 lakhs jobs in India.
65
About:
Mytellastrigata
● Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage
● Fishermen of Pulicat and Ennore are worried (CCUS), the technology for decarbonising
over the spread of an invasive species of carbon dioxide (CO2) from high polluting
mussel that is a threat to the prawns of both sectors such as steel, cement, oil, gas,
waterbodies. petrochemicals, chemicals and fertilisers, has
About: a critical role to play for the country to cut
about 750 mtpa of carbon capture by 2050.
● Known as kakashi among the fishermen, the ● CCUS encompasses technologies to remove
marine biologists identified these species CO2 from the atmosphere, followed by
as Mytella Strigata or Charru mussels which recycling the CO2 for utilization and
are Native to South America. determining safe and permanent storage
● These mussels have invaded tidal wetlands in options.
several parts of the world, including
N
Need of CCUS
I
Vembanad in Kerala. This is spreading due to
the discharge of ballast waters from ships
visiting the ports of Kattupalli.
●
L.
India is the 3rd largest emitter of CO2 in the
A
world.
After Cyclone Vardah in December 2016, the
T
● ● Help country to halve CO2 emissions by 2050
R
mussels began to intensify and spread far and to achieve net zero by2070.
north towards the Pulicat waters.
O
● Convert captured CO2 to green urea, building
P
● Human interference in the wetlands, pollution materials etc., thus contributing to circular
C
and nature’s actions have triggered the rapid economy.
SS
spread of the species. ● Ensure sustainable development and growth
● Threats: These mussels spread like a carpet in India, particularly for production of clean
over the river bottoms and thus preventing products and energy.
prawns from grazing or burying themselves in
the sediment. Policy recommendations:
● Its spread is wiping out the locally prevalent ● CCUS policy should be carbon credits or
yellow clams and green mussels. incentives based, to promote CCUSsector
through tax and cash credits.
Carbon capture utilisation and storage policy ● Set up National Decarbonisation Fund for
framework transition of Indian industry to alow carbon
economy.
● Niti Aayog launches the carbon capture
utilisation and storage (CCUS) policy
framework and its Deployment Mechanism in In-camera proceedings
India. ● Supreme Court has rejected a plea for
● The report titled ‘Carbon Capture, Utilisation, in-camera hearing in a rape case.
and Storage Policy Framework and its
Deployment Mechanism in India’ explores the About:
importance of the technology as an emission ● In-camera proceedings are private, unlike
reduction strategy to achieve deep open court proceedings.
decarbonization from the hard-to-abate ● These are conducted as per court’s discretion
sectors. in sensitive matters to ensure protection and
privacy of parties involved.
66
● Proceedings are held through video pension schemes, and scholarships for
conferencing or in closed chambers, and children, among others.
public and press are excluded.
● These are conducted at family courts in cases State of Global Water Resources 2021
of matrimonial disputes, including judicial
separation, impotence etc. ● WMO has published its first State of Global
● Also conducted during deposition of Water Resources report in order to assess the
witnesses of terrorist activities as per court’s effects of climate, environmental and societal
discretion to protect them and maintain change on the Earth’s water resources.
national security. ● The aim of this annual stocktake is to support
the monitoring and management of global
freshwater resources in an era of growing
United Nations Development Programme
demand and limited supplies.
● The United Nations Development Programme
Key findings of the report:
(UNDP) is helping the people working in the
waste segregation industry in India to move
into formal economy, by helping them access
●
.I N
With increased melting of glaciers, annual
L
glacier run-offincreases at first, until a turning
A
government welfare programmes. point, often called“peak water”, is reached,
About:
R
●
T upon which run-off declines.
74% of all natural disasters between 2001 and
●
PO
As part of the initiative, it would distribute the
‘Jan Dhan’ account kits to waste segregation ●
2018 were water related.
3.6 billion people face inadequate access to
C
workers during her first visit to the country, on water at least a month per year. It is expected
SS
December 1. to reach 5 billion by 2050.
● The opening of the ‘Jan Dhan’ accounts has ● Continued melting of glaciers shows a clear
been facilitated through the UNDP’s plastic trend towards an acceleration of mass loss on
waste management programme. multidecadal timescales.
● The waste management promotes the
Recommendations:
collection, segregation, and recycling of all
plastics to move towards a circular economy ● Invest in filling the capacity gap in collecting
for the same. data at the national level.
● This is done at ’Swachhta Kendra’ or material ● Increase sharing of hydrological data at the
recovery facilities. international level.
● The plastic collected and processed so far ● Development of end-to-end drought and flood
has already crossed 1,38,000 metric tonnes. early warning systems.
● The programme also ensures the well-being ● Working together as a global hydrological
and financial inclusion of the ‘SafaiSathis’ or community on developing annual State of
waste-pickers, by linking them to the social Global Water Resources etc.
protection schemes.
● According to the UN agency, a key objective of TRAI released recommendations on
the programme is to help move the sector ‘Licensing Framework for Establishing and
from informal to formal. Operating
● This is done by linking them to social
protection schemes like the ‘Jan Dhan’ ● The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
accounts, Aadhar cards, ‘Ayushman Bharat’, (TRAI) on November 29, 2022, released
recommendations on the ‘Licensing
67
Framework for Establishing and Operating

Satellite Earth Station Gateway (SESG). AIIMS server hack
About: ● The servers of the AIIMS are hacked for the

seventh day in a row after a ransomware
● SESG, also known as Gateway Hub, acts as a attack damaged hospitals’ online operation.
bridge between space-based communication
network and terrestrial communication About:
network. ● It is feared that data of 3-4 crore patients’
● It houses the equipment that convert Radio could have been compromised.
Frequency (RF) signal to an Internet Protocol ● FIR is initiated under Section 385 IPC for
(IP) signal for terrestrial connectivity. extortion and Section 66/66F of Information
Salient features of these recommendations are Technology (IT) Act for cyber terrorism.
as follows: ● The hackers are suspected to be from China
or North Korea.
N
● Separate Satellite Earth Station Gateway
I
● Ransomware is a type of malware (malicious
(SESG) License under Section 4 of the Indian
Telegraph Act. The SESG License will not form
L.
software) which blocks access to the
system or encrypts the data.
part of the Unified License (UL). The Service
Area for the SESG License shall be at National
TA
Ransomware cases in India
●
Level.
O
The SESG Licensee may establish, maintain, R
● According to Indian Computer Emergency
P
Response Team (CERT-In), India witnessed
and work SESGs anywhere within the territory
C
a 51% rise in ransomware incidents in first
of India for all types of satellite systems for
SS
half of FY-2022.
which the Government has given permission. ● This was largely due to ransomwares like
● The SESG Licensee may provide Djvu, Phobos, Hive etc.
satellite-based resources to any entity, which ● In terms of sectors, the IT industry was most
holds a license/ permission granted by DoT or affected, followed by manufacturing
the Ministry of Information and finance.
& Broadcasting (MIS) and is permitted to use
satellite media for the provision of services Mechanism to deal such cyber-attacks:
under its license/ permission. ● National Critical Information Infrastructure
● The SESG Licensee may establish SESGs in Protection Centre (NCIIPC)- for taking all
respect of one or more Government approved measures to protect CII.
satellite systems ● CERT-In, for responding to computer security
● The SESG license shall be valid for a period incidents.
of 20 years from the effective date of the
license with a provision of renewal for 10
years.
68
CURRENT AFFAIRS FEB-2023
emphasised on encouraging research,

50 centrally protected monuments ‘missing’ scholarship among the youth and making
● As many as 50 of India’s 3,693 centrally history more appealing. The Prime Minister also
protected monuments are missing, according to discussed ways to make the PM-Sangrahalaya
a submission made in Parliament by the more popular among youngsters.
Ministry of Culture. About Nehru Memorial Museum & Library Society
About: (NMML):
● Finding is part of a submission made byMinistry ● The Nehru Memorial Museum & Library
of Culture (MoC) to a Parliamentary (NMML) is an autonomous institution under
N
the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
I
Standing Committee for a report titled ‘Issues
.
Relating to Untraceable Monuments and ● It was established in 1964 in the memory of
●
Protection of Monuments in India’.
As per Archaeological Survey of India
A L
First Prime Minister (PM) of India, Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 - 1964).
(ASI),these
untraceable
monuments have become
R
●
T It is located in the Teen Murti House, Delhi (the

official residence of the first PM).
O
due to rapid urbanisation, submergence by ● Administration:Prime Minister of India is the
C P
reservoirs/dams, difficulties in tracing
in remote locations, non-availability of their ●
President of the NMML.
It is responsible for all the key decisions
SS
proper location etc. regarding the functioning of the memorial.
● ASI, an attached office of MoC, is in charge of ● Units:It has four major constituents namely –
protection and maintenance of CPMs which
have been declared so under provisions 1. Memorial Museum,
ofAncient Monuments and Archaeological Sites 2. Library on modern India,
And Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. 3. Centre for Contemporary Studies
and
Recommendations by Standing Committee: 4. Nehru Planetarium.
● Physical survey of all CPMs must mandatorily
be carried out by ASI from time Wassenaar Arrangement
to time.
● India will assume the chairmanship of the
● Thorough assessment of security requirements
plenary of the Wassenaar Arrangement from 1st
and budgetary allocation required for the same.
January for one year.
● Involving Local Panchayats and police in
safeguarding monuments. About:
● Use satellite imagery to try and trace
monuments which are untraceable at present. ● The 42-member Wassenaar Arrangement is a is
a voluntary Multilateral Export
ControlRegime(MECR)that monitors transfers
2nd Annual General Meeting of Nehru
of conventional weapons and dual-use goods.
Memorial Museum & Library Society ● India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement in
● The Prime Minister has chaired the Annual December 2017 as its 42nd participating state.
General Meeting of Nehru Memorial Museum &
Library Society (NMML) Society where he
69
● MECR are voluntary and non-binding ● Brazil is divided into five primary geographic
agreements. It prevents proliferation of areas: The Southern Highlands, the Norther
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) which Guiana, Brazilian Highlands central and east,
includes nuclear, radiological,chemical, the massive Amazon River Basin, Pantanal
biological or other weapon. wetland areas of the southwest.
● Guiana Highlands:The Guiana Highlands
Other MECR includes:
composed mainly of flat-topped mountains
● NuclearSupplierGroup (NSG),1975: Prevents extending in a roughly east-to-west direction
nuclear proliferation by implementing across the north of the country.
guidelines for nuclear and nuclear-related ● Guiana has approximately a territorial extension
exports. India is not a member. of 214,970 square kilometers. They are home to
● AustraliaGroup, 1985: Ensures that exports do Brazil ‘s highest point. The Guiana Highlands
not contribute to development of chemical or feature plunging waterfalls and deep waterfalls.
biological weapons.India is a member.
● MissileTechnologyControlRegime(MTCR),
1987: Prevent proliferation of missile and
unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of
delivering WMD.India is a member.
.I N
Blockchain to be used to push farm exports
L
A
● India’s natural farming could soon get a
● Zangger Committee,1971: Formed following
T
technological push through blockchain, as the
coming into force of Nuclear Non-Proliferation
R
government plans to use the technology across
Treaty(NPT). It maintains a Trigger List of all export-driven crops to increase the country’s
member.
O
nuclear-related strategic goods.India is not a
P
food shipments and incentivise farmers to take
up chemical-free processes.
C
SS
● The Niti Aayog has launched a pilot project in
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh
government on apple farming, to ensure quality
● The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has
production while also monitoring the produce
congratulated Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on
across the entire storage and supply chain.
assuming office as the President of Brazil.
About:
About:
● India ranks second in fruits and vegetable
● Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world
production in the world,after China, but its share
and the largest in Latin America.
in global fruits and vegetable market is just1%.
● To the north, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana,
● Lack of quality produce and traceability has
Suriname, and French Guiana; to the south,
hampered India’s foodexports apart from
Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay;
disincentivising growers.
● To the east, the Atlantic Ocean; And to the west,
● Blockchain will help bridge this gap by removing
Peru and Bolivia.
redundant processes,ensuring quality control
● The capital of Brazil is Brasilia.
and monitoring produce across entire
● Brazil occupies almost half of the South
storageand supply chain.
American territory.
● IoT sensors will be used to generate crop data
● Brazil has borders with all South American
and its storage,distribution of grown crops to
countries except Chile and Ecuador. The most
food processing companies, supply
important cities in Brazil are São Paulo and Rio
ofprocessed food to wholesalers and retailers
de Janeiro.
and its storage.
Landforms of Brazil: ● Other opportunities of using blockchain
technology in agricultureSelf-executing smart
contracts: Especially in agricultural
70
insurance,green bonds, and traceability, moist

together with automated payments. forests, deserts and shrublands.
● Threats: Horn poaching for medicinal
Lumpi-ProVacInd value,habitat loss.
● Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Kalasa-Banduri Nala project

has developed Lumpi-ProVacInd vaccine
forLumpy Skin Disease (LSD). ● Karnataka’s decision to go ahead with a water
diversion project on river Mahadayi has
About:
escalated its long-standing dispute on the issue
● Vaccine has been jointly developed by ICAR’s with neighbouring Goa.
National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) at
About:
Hisar,Haryana and Indian Veterinary Research
Institute (IVRI) at Izatnagar, UP. ● Karnataka Chief Minister informed that the
● It is a homologous, live attenuated vaccine to government had received clearance from the
N
protect cattle against LSD virus. Centre for two Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)
● LSD is a viral disease, caused by Capripoxvirus,
that affects cattle. It does not affect humans. ●
L.I
on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala on the Mahadayi.
Goa immediately raised a red flag, announcing
● It is genetically related to goatpox and
sheeppox virus family.
TA that it would take an all-party delegation to
Prime Minister and meet other Union ministers
● It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such
O
as certain species of flies and mosquitoes,
R●
to block the project.
Karnataka has dug in its heels, with Water
orticks.
C P Resources Minister Govind Karjol Monday

announcing that tenders for the project would
SS
Not One Rhino Poached in Assam in 2022 be floated soon and work begin within a month.
● Assam Chief Minister has informed that not a Key findings:

single one-horned rhino in Assam was poached ● The KalasaBanduri Nala project aims to divert
in 2022. water from Mahadayi to satisfy the drinking
● Assam recorded zero poaching of water needs of Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot and
Rhinocerosfor the first time in nearly 45 years in Gadag districts.
2022. ● Though the project was first proposed in the
About Rhinoceros early 1980s, it has remained on paper owing to
a dispute between Karnataka, Goa and
● There are 5 species of rhinos in the world: Maharashtra.
● White rhino, Black rhino, Sumatran rhino,Greater
one horned rhino and Javan rhino. What did the Tribunal say?
Sumatran, Javan and Black rhinos are listed as ● A Tribunal was set up by the UPA government in
critically endangered. November 2010.
● White rhino is near threatened; andGreater ● The Tribunal in 2018 awarded 13.42 TMC water
one-horned rhino (Indian rhino)is vulnerable. from Mahadayi river basin to Karnataka, 1.33
● Javan and Indian rhinos have only one TMC to Maharashtra and 24 TMC to Goa.
horn,whereas all other rhino species have two ● In Karnataka’s share, 5.5 TMC was to meet
horns. drinking water needs and 8.02 TMC was for
● Rhino horn is made up of keratin – protein hydro-electricity generation.
which forms the basis of our hair and nails. ● Of the 5.5 TMC, 3.8 TMC was to be diverted to
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical Malaprabha basin through Kalasa and Banduri
grasslands,savannas and shrublands, tropical Nalas (canals).
71
● This was notified by the Central government in About:

February 2020.
● The day remembers as the birth anniversary
of French educator Louis Braille, who invented
South Asian black carbon aerosols the Braille language in the year 1809.
● A study has found that, black carbon aerosols ● Louis Braille developed the Braille system by
have indirectly affected the mass gain of the modifying Charles Barbie’s Night Write system.
Tibetan Plateau glaciers by changing long-range ● The first Braille system was published in 1829 -
water vapour transport from the South Asian and was adopted by the National Institute for
monsoon region. Blind Youth.
● It is observed to raise awareness about the
About: importance of Braille as a means of
● Black carbon aerosols are produced by the communication in the full realisation of the
incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and human rights of the visually impaired and
biomass, and are characterised by strong light partially sighted people.
● The day was recognised in 2019 by the United
N
absorption.
● The South Asia region adjacent to the Tibetan
Plateau has among the highest levels of black ●
L.I
Nations.
The Braille system, which is based on a series
A
carbon emission in the world. of raised dots that can be read with the
T
● Many studies have emphasised black carbon fingertips, has given millions of people who are
R
aerosols from South Asia can be transported blind or visually impaired the ability to read and
O
across the Himalayas to the inland region of the write, and has greatly increased their
P
Tibetan Plateau. independence and ability to participate fully in
C
● Black carbon deposition in snow reduces the society.
SS
albedo of surfaces -- a measure of how much of
Sun’s radiations are reflected -- which may Domestic Systemically Important Banks
accelerate the melting of glaciers and snow
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that, State
cover, thus changing the hydrological process
Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank
and water resources in the region.
continue to be identified as Domestic
● Black carbon aerosols in South Asia heat up
Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs), under
the middle and upper atmosphere, thus
the same bucketing structure as in the 2021 list
increasing the North–South temperature
of D-SIBs.
gradient.
● Accordingly, the convective activity in South About:
Asia is enhanced, which causes convergence of
● D-SIBs are those interconnected entities, whose
water vapour in South Asia. Meanwhile, black
failure can impact the whole ofthe financial
carbon also increases the number of cloud
system and create instability i.e., they are ‘too
condensation nuclei in the atmosphere.
big to fail’.
● These changes in meteorological conditions
● Concept of D-SIBs was adopted in aftermath of
caused by black carbon aerosols make more
2008 financial crisis.
water vapour form precipitation in South Asia,
● D-SIBs are designated on basis of their Size;
and the northward transport to the Tibetan
Interconnectedness; Lack of readilyavailable
Plateau was weakened.
substitutes or financial institution infrastructure;
and Complexity.
World Braille Day ● RBI first issued the framework for dealing with
● Every year on January 4is being observed D-SIBs in 2014.
asWorld Braille Day. ● D-SIBs framework requires RBI to disclose the
names of banks designated as D-SIBs starting
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from 2015 and place these banks inappropriate Infrastructure and Network Development”
buckets depending upon their Systemic (BIND) at a cost of ₹2,539.61 crore
Importance Scores (SISs).
About:
● Based on bucket in which D-SIB is placed,
additional common equity (CE) requirement has ● The “Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network
to be applied to it. Development” scheme of the Ministry is the
● CE Tier 1 requirement for SBI is 0.60% of Risk vehicle for providing financial support to Prasar
Weighted Assets, while it is 0.20% for ICICI Bharati for expenses related to expansion and
Bank and HDFC Bank. upgradation of its broadcasting infrastructure,
● Similarly, in case a foreign bank having branch content development and civil work related to
presence in India is a Global Systemically the organization.
Important Bank (G-SIB). It has to ● The BIND scheme will enable the public
maintainadditional CET1 capital surcharge in broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation
India as applicable by rules concerning G-SIB. of its facilities with better infrastructure which
will widen its reach, including in the LWE, border
Dieback Disease
● Dieback disease hits neem trees in Telangana ● I N
and strategic areas and provide high quality
.
content to the viewers.
L
Another major priority area of the scheme is the
again.
TA development of high-quality content for both

domestic and international audience and
R
About:
ensuring availability of diverse content to the
●
PO
The dieback disease affects leaves, twigs and
the inflorescence of neem trees of all ages and
viewers by upgradation of capacity of DTH
platform to accommodate more channels.
C
it causes almost 100% loss of fruit production ● Purchase of OB vans and digital upgradation of
SS
in severely infected trees. DD and AIR Studios to make them HD ready will
● The disease posing a threat to the neem trees be also be done as part of the project.
has been identified as twig blight and dieback ● At present, Doordarshan operates 36 TV
disease and it has reappeared in the state this channels including 28 regional channels and All
year on a massive scale. India Radio operates more than 500
● The dieback disease was first reported in the broadcasting centres.
country during the 1990s near Dehradun in ● The Scheme will increase coverage of AIR FM
Uttarakhand, while it was first noticed in transmitters in the country to 66% by
Telangana in 2019. geographical area and 80% by population up
● The dieback disease is mainly caused by the from 59% and 68% respectively.
fungi Phomopsis azadirachtae. ● The Scheme also envisages free distribution of
● Neem shows antibacterial, antifungal, and other over 8 lakh DD Free Dish STBs to people living
versatile properties, but it does not exempt the in remote, tribal, LWE and border areas.
neem trees from being attacked by pests and
diseases. Draft National Medical Commission
(Amendment) Bill,2022
Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network
Development (BIND) Scheme ● Draft bill seeks to amend the existing National
Medical Commission(NMC) Act, 2019.
● The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
approved the proposal for infrastructure About National Medical Council:
development of Prasar Bharati i.e. All India ● NMC is the apex medical education regulator,
Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) as under constituted by National Medical Commission
Central Sector Scheme “Broadcasting Act, 2019, to:
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1. Improve access to quality and affordable ● Between 1920-40, Jews migration to Palestine
medical education. grew because of persecution inEurope.
2. Ensure availability of adequate and high ● In 1947, UN voted to split Palestine into a
quality medical professionals across India. separate Jewish and Arab state.
3. Promote equitable and universal healthcare. ● Rejected by Arab states, it led to the declaration
of state of Israel in 1948 and the
firstArab-Israeli war.
Key highlights of draft bill:
● At ceasefire, Jordan occupied West Bank, Egypt
● Introducing a fifth autonomous body, namely occupied Gaza and Jerusalem wasdivided
Board ofExaminations in Medical Science between Israel and Jordan.
(BEMS), under NMC. ● In 1967, six-day war started between Arabs and
● BEMS will take over the functions of National Israel.
Board ofExaminations.
● It will conduct National EXIT Test or NExT, a India, Austria sign pact to curb illegal
common exam forPostgraduate Medical migration
Education admission and a licentiateexam for
medical Graduates (both who have foreign as
well Indiandegree).
●
L.I N
India signed a ‘Comprehensive Migration and
Mobility Partnership Agreement’ (MMPA) with
● It will accredit medical institutions for diploma,
diplomate andpostgraduate fellowship, and
TA Austria for migration and mobility of Indian
students and professionals.
●
super-speciality fellowships etc.
O
Limiting court cases, filed by medical R● In addition, the agreement will regulate multiple
entry visas for professionals and student
colleges/institutions
P
againstNMC/central
C
government to Delhi High Court only.
exchange programmes, and will be reviewed
regularly by a Joint Working Group (JWG).
SS
About:
UN seeks top court opinion on Israeli
occupation ● Austria is Mountainous landlocked country
ofsouth-central Europe.
● The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) ● It is bordered by Czech Republic (north),
ended 2022 by passing a resolution that asked Hungary (east),Slovenia (south), Switzerland
the body’s highest court, the International Court and Liechtenstein(west), and Germany
of Justice (ICJ), to render its opinion on the (north-west).
legal consequences of Israel’s prolonged
Geographical features
occupation of Palestinian land.
● 2/3rd of total area is covered by woods and
About:
meadows.
● UNGA resolution (India abstained from voting) ● Major river: Danube River system is main
also asks ICJ on Israel’s measures aimed at: watershedbetween Black Sea and North Sea.
● Altering of demographic composition, character ● Highest Point: Grossglockner.
and status of Holy City ofJerusalem.
● Adoption of related discriminatory legislation National Green Hydrogen Mission
and measures.
● The Union Cabinet, approved National Green
Israel-Palestine Conflict Hydrogen Mission.
● It dates back to early 20th century with Jews About:
claiming Palestinian land as ancestralproperty
while Arabs being the majority. ● Development of green hydrogen production
capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric
74
Tonne) per annum with an associated

renewable energy capacity addition of about Virovore
125 GW in the country. ● Recently, a microbiologist from the University of
Key findings: Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States found the
first known organism that eats viruses.
● India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is
likely to reach at least 5 MMT per annum, with About Virovore:
an associated renewable energy capacity ● The organisms which eat viruses are called
addition of about 125 GW. virovore.
● The targets by 2030 are likely to bring in over ● It has been identified as an actual species of
Rs. 8 lakh crore investments and create over 6 protist that feasts on viruses.
lakh jobs. ● These virus-eating species of protists which are
● Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions their kingdom on the tree of life and are not an
are expected to be averted by 2030. animal, plants, or fungi are now classified as
● The Mission will facilitate demand creation, Virovores.
●
production, utilization and export of Green
Hydrogen.
Under the Strategic Interventions for Green
●
L.I N
It is a species of Halteria; microscopic ciliates
that populate freshwater worldwide.
A
● The microbe Halteria is a common genus of
Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT), two
T
protists known to flit about as its hair-like cilia
distinct financial incentive mechanisms –
R
propel it through the water.
targeting domestic manufacturing of They’re made up of nucleic acids, nitrogen, and
O
●
electrolysers and production of Green Hydrogen
P
phosphorus. It can eat huge numbers of
– will be provided under the Mission. infectious chloroviruses that share their aquatic
●
C
The Mission will also support pilot projects in
SS
habitat.
emerging end-use sectors and production ● These organisms can sustain themselves with
pathways. viruses, consuming many and growing in size.
● Regions capable of supporting large scale ● The new findings may change our
production and/or utilization of Hydrogen will understanding of the role viruses play in the
be identified and developed as Green Hydrogen food chain at a microscopic level.
Hubs.
Benefits: National Single Window System
● creation of export opportunities for Green ● National Single Window System, NSWS Portal
Hydrogen and its derivatives; for various Central, State, and UT clearances
● Decarbonisation of industrial, mobility and has hit a new milestone by crossing 75
energy sectors; thousand approvals.
● reduction in dependence on imported fossil
About:
fuels and feedstock;
● development of indigenous manufacturing ● The National Single Window System (NSWS)
capabilities; creation of employment is a digital platform to guide you in identifying
opportunities; and development of cutting-edge and applying for approvals according to your
technologies. business requirements.
● The portal hosts applications for approvals
from 26 Central Departments and 19 State
Governments. These approvals can be applied
through NSWS.
● NSWS is providing a single interface to apply for
all G2B clearances from various Ministries and
75
Departments as well as eliminating duplication control of Malaria, Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis,

of work by auto-populating form fields across Kala-azar, etc.
different approvals based on single investor
profile. Y20 Summit
● The platform is built to serve as an advisory tool
to identify approvals based on user input and is ● Youth Affairs and Sports Minister will launch
to be used for guidance purpose only. the themes of the Y20 summit, logo, and
● The NSWS initiative is an epitome of the ’Whole website in New Delhi in the curtain raiser event
of Government’ approach with different Central of Y20 Summit India.
ministries/departments, states and UTs coming About:
together to facilitate investor related clearances
on a single portal, with transparency and ● The Y20 is the official youth engagement group
accountability, enhancing ease of doing for the G20 (Group of 20), the forum for the
business exponentially. world’s largest and most advanced economies.
● The Y20 is a process which brings together
N
young leaders from across the globe, to discuss
I
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare review
elimination of Kala-Azar
L.
and debate global challenges and agree policy
recommendations they would like to see G20
● Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare,
chairs a high-level meeting with State ●
TA leaders take forward.
The list of policy recommendations is known as
Governments to review elimination of Kala-Azar
from the country by 2023.
O R a communiqué, which is announced publicly at

the Y20 Summit and presented to world leaders
About:
C P ●
as part of the official G20 summit.
India is hosting the Y20 summit for the first
SS
● As per MoHFW, there has been a 98.7 percent time.
decline in cases of Kala-azar from 44,533 in ● In Youth 20 Engagement Group, India’s key
2007 to 834 in 2022 in India. focus is to bring young leaders from all across
● Kala-azar (Black Fever Disease) is a Neglected the globe together and discuss ideas for a
Tropical Disease (NTD) caused by a protozoan better tomorrow and draft an agenda for action.
parasite of genus Leishmania andspread by ● The activities to be undertaken by Y20 during
infected female sandfly bites. India’s presidency will focus on global youth
● In India, Leishmania donovani is the only leadership and partnership. In a run-up to the
parasite causing the disease. final Youth-20 Summit, for the next eight
● It is considered as the second deadliest months, there will be Pre summits on the five
parasitic killer in world after Malaria. Y20 themes along with various discussions and
● It is endemic in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, seminars at different Universities across the
and West Bengal. country.
● India contributes 11.5 percent of total cases
reported globally. Lithium mining
● It is a treatable and curable disease.
Anti-leishmanial medicines are available for ● India has identified two lithium mines and one
treatment. copper mine in Argentina for a possible
acquisition or long-term lease.
Measures taken by the government so far: ● KABIL, a joint venture formed through the
● National Kala Azar Elimination Programme was participation of National Aluminium Company
launched to control thisdisease. (Nalco), Hindustan Copper (HCL) and MECL,
● National Vector Borne Disease Control aims to ensure consistent supply of critical and
Programme (NVBDCP) for preventionand strategic minerals in the domestic market.
76
Mining process ● It includes under its ambit Non-Scheduled

Primary Co-operative Banks with deposit size
● Lithium is found in cedemine rock formation
of₹50 crore and above.
and in brine form, which is called salar in Latin
America. The other alternative is its liquid form.
● Argentina, Chile and Bolivia forms Lithium Sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF4)
Triangle. ● Recently, Scientists from the Institute of Nano
● In South America, lithium is typically extracted Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an
from the salt flats by pumping brine into ponds autonomous institute of the Department of
and processing the lithium salts that crystallise Science and Technology (DST), have introduced
once the water has evaporated. a new electrolyte called (NaBF4) which can help
● Australia is top lithium producer globally. make electrochemical ammonia synthesis more
● It requires time and investment to set up, but efficient.
thereafter, the production is cheaper than the
hard-rock mining practiced in Australia. Sodium tetrafluoroborate
N
● Sodium tetrafluoroborate is an inorganic
Reserve Bank –
Scheme(RB- IOS)
IntegratedOmbudsman
●
.I
compound with formula NaBF4.
L
It is a salt that forms colorless or white
● As per Annual Report of Ombudsman Schemes
TA water-soluble rhombic crystals and is soluble in

water but less soluble in organic solvents.
R
2021-22, the volume of complaints
O
receivedunder RBIombudsman schemes rises Key findings:
P
9.39 percent.
● The electrochemical ammonia synthesis is
About:
C largely limited by the poor solubility of nitrogen
SS
(N2) in the aqueous electrolyte environment as
● Originated in Sweden an ombudsman is
well as the competitive hydrogen evolution
an official of the government who deals
reaction.
with complaints made by ordinary
● Scientists have introduced a
citizens against public organizations.
new electrolyte called (NaBF4), which not only
● It refers to an officer appointed by
acts as an N2 carrier in the medium but also
the Legislature to handle complaints against
works as a full-fledged “co-catalyst” along with
a service or administrative authority.
active material transition metal-doped
Key highlights: nanocarbon (MnN4) to deliver high-yield of
ammonia (NH3) at absolutely ambient
● RB-IOS aims to provide cost-effective grievance experimental conditions
redressal mechanism to customers for ● This new aqueous electrolyte can help make
deficiency in certain banking services. electrochemical ammonia synthesis more
● It integrates existing three Ombudsman efficient will be useful for industries producing
schemes of RBI namely, Banking green energy or hydrogen.
OmbudsmanScheme, 2006; Ombudsman
Scheme for Non-Banking Financial Companies,
2018; andOmbudsman Scheme for Digital SagolKangjei
Transactions, 2019. ● Union Home Minister inaugurated of a
● It adopts ‘One Nation One Ombudsman’ 122-foot-tall statue of a polo player astride a
approach by making RBI Ombudsman Manipur Pony in Imphal, a project that has been
mechanismjurisdiction neutral.
in the works for several years now.
77
● It is believed that SagolKangjei, the modern-day of Mera (September / October) and ends in the
Polo game originated in Manipur. month of Ingen (June / July ).
About: Centre puts on hold tourist activities at Jain
religious site in Jharkhand
● SagolKangjei is the name of the game of polo
played in Manipur. Sagol means pony / ● The Union government ordered a stay on all
horse, kang means a ball or round object, ecotourism activities at Sammed Shikhar, a holy
and jei is a stick used for hitting. site of the Jain community in Jharkhand’s
● Polo has, for time immemorial, been a game Giridih district, and directed the state
patronised by the royalty and the upper crust of government to strictly enforce an existing ban
society, not only in India but abroad. on sale of liquor, other intoxicants and meat in
● However, in the state of Manipur, it has always the Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary area.
been a game for the common man. It is a seven
About:
- a - side game, the players mounted on ponies.
N
● According to a renowned Sanskrit scholar, ● Earlier in 2019, the Parasnath Sanctuary was
Pandit Sharma, Manipuri polo goes back to the
year 3100 B.C. Other Manipuri scholars trace
.I
notified as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), which
L
allows conditional development workand
the game chronologically to many centuries
before Christ (2000 - 1500 B.C.), while some ●
TA eco-tourism in the area.
Sammed Shikhar is the biggest pilgrimage
●
place it around 34 A.D.
O
According to Kangjeiron Purana, which is really R destinations for both sects of Jainism — the
Digambaras and the Svetambaras.
C P
the history of hockey in the state, polo was first
played in Manipur, and therefore, it got the
● According to Jainism, out of twenty-four
Tirthankaras or Spiritual Guru of Jainism,
SS
name SagolKangjei - sagol (horse) and kangjei ( twenty have found their Salvation orNirvana or
hockey ). Moksya here.
● Manipuri polo symbolises the immense cultural ● The reference of the temple and the hill is found
heritage of the state, and great efforts have on the holy textbook Jnatradharmakatha, of
been put made to raise the standard of this Jainism.
popular game. ● Santhal call the hills as ‘Marang Buru’ i.e., the
● The prominent patrons of the game were King hill of the deity and celebrate a hunting festival
Kyamba and King Khagemba (1597-1672 A.D.), on the full moon day in Baisakh.
and King Chandra Kirti (1850 - 1886 A.D.). ● At 1365 m Parasnath is the highest mountain
● There are no goal posts in this game. Goal lines peak in the state of Jharkhand.
determine the end of the two boundaries of the
rectangular field. The ball (kangdrum) is white in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite
colour. To score a goal the ball must cross the
line. ● It is the world’s first ‘satellite-based two-way
● The traditional attire consists of a chin - strap capable messaging solution’ for premium
(khadangchet) and a turban, for protecting the smartphones recently announced by the
head. Leg - guards (khongyom) are worn below Qualcomm and Iridium.
the knee. Since no shoes are worn, the players About:
use khumit - khang.
● A leash of thick leather is held by the index ● It offers truly global coverage from pole to pole
finger of the left hand. This is a seasonal game, and can support two-way messaging– for a
and is played in the Manipuri month variety of purposes such as emergencies or
78
recreation in remote, rural and offshore ● Resolution 1990 made provision for the
locations or no internet connectivity areas. deployment of 4,200 Ethiopian troops to provide
● To send SMS via satellite, you will need a clear security and protect civilians under imminent
sky and time to set up a connection between threat of violence in the disputed border region.
your phone and the satellite. Once the
What is United Nations Peacekeeping Mission?
connection is set up, you can start sending SMS
messages. ● When the UN Security Council approved the
● According to 9to5Google report, users can send deployment of UN military observers to the
only 160-character messages using the Middle East in 1948, the UN Peacekeeping
Qualcomm’s satellite connectivity feature. Forces were established.
● Users can type their own messages and choose ● This Peacekeeping operation is policing and
the recipient from your phone’s contact book peacebuilding actions carried out by the UN to
which isn’t possible with iPhone 14. Apple bring order and stability to war-torn nations.
allows you to send limited responses to ● The UN Peacekeepers are known as ’Blue
N
emergency services. Helmets’ or ‘Blue Berets’.
● Beyond smartphones, Snapdragon Satellite can
expand to other devices, including laptops,
●
.I
Peacekeepers are the military personnel of the
L
UN that work alongside the UN Police and
tablets, vehicles and IoT.
TA civilian colleagues to promote “stability,

security, and peace processes”.
R
Limitation:
● The United Nations Charter authorises the
●
●
High Latency and cost,
PO
It is not available in low end phones.
United Nations Security Council to take
collective action to maintain international peace
C and security.
SS
United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei ● The UN Peacekeeping force is supplemented by
personnel from member nations. They are
● India deploys a women-only platoon of added to the force on a volunteer basis.
peacekeepers to the UN Mission in Abyei on the
border of Sudan and South Sudan as part of the
RBI to auction green bonds in 2 tranches
Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim
Security Force, Abyei (UNISFA). ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will auction
₹16,000 crore of sovereign green bonds (SGrBs)
Key highlights:
in two tranches.
● The Indian contingent, which consists of two ● The RBI will auction 5-year and 10-year green
officers and 25 other ranks, will work as a bonds worth ₹4,000 crore each on 25th January
platoon in an engagement and specialise in and on 9thFebruary, and this would be a uniform
community outreach in addition to carrying out price auction.
numerous security-related duties.
About Green bonds:
● This time India is deploying the largest single
unit of female Blue Helmets in a UN mission ● Green bonds are issued by companies,
since 2007. countries and multilateral organisations
to exclusively fund projects that have positive
About UNISFA:
environmental or climate benefits and provide
● It was established by the UN Security Council in investors with fixed income payments.
response to the critical situation in the Abyei
area of Sudan by resolution 1990 of 27 June
2011.
79
● The projects can include renewable energy, About SPRINT Scheme:

clean transportation and green buildings,
● ‘SPRINT’ Scheme is an initiative to promote
among others.
development of niche defence technologies by
Example of Green Bonds: domestic companies.
● The task of development of this technology is
● The World Bank is a major issuer of green one of the 75 challenges that have been
bonds and issued $14.4 billion of green bonds introduced by the Indian Navy under Azadi ka
between 2008 and 2020. Amrit Mahotsav last year.
● These funds have been used to support 111 ● To achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, Naval
projects around the world, largely in renewable Innovation and IndigenisationOrganisation
energy and efficiency (33%), clean (NIIO), in conjunction with the Defence
transportation (27%), and agriculture and land Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims to induct at
use (15%). least 75 new indigenous
● By the end of 2020, 24 national governments technologies/products into the Indian Navy till
august 2023.
N
had issued Sovereign Green, Social and
Sustainability bonds totalling a cumulative $111
billion.
●
L.I
This collaborative project
named SPRINT {Supporting Pole-Vaulting in
is
A
R&D through Innovations for Defence
T
Excellence (iDEX), NIIO and Technology
Astro Tourism
R
Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC)}.
O
● Minister of State for Culture Inaugurates Astro ● It was launched by Prime Minister in July, 2022.
P
Tourism – A Sky Gazing event at Delhi’s India ● It will transform Navy from a ‘Buyer’s Navy’ to a
C
‘Builder’s Navy.
Gate.
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About: Joshimath crisis
● National Council of Science Museums in ● The Uttarakhand government banned
association with Nehru Memorial Museum and construction work in and around Joshimath
Library organised Astro Tourism. over land subsidence that has resulted in
● The programme will continue for few days with cracks in 561 homes there leading to protests
various activities. by panicked locals.
● The Astro Tourism event includes various
About:
activities like Astro Talks by expert
Astronomers, an Exhibition on Astronomy, ● Joshimath, at an altitude of 1890 metres is a
Storytelling related to celestial objects, an town in the Garwhalhimalayas, and an
Experience of using the telescope to see the important waystation on both the pilgrim and
craters of the Moon, Astronomy Activities, a trekking circuits.
Photographic Panel Exhibition, and ● It is bounded by the Karmanasa and Dhaknala
Astro-Photography. streams on the west and the east.
● The Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers on the
● This three-day programme will be a great
south and the north.
learning experience for children of all age
● The first instance of subsidence in Joshmiath
groups.
was reported in 1976 Mishra Commission
report.
SPRINT Initiative
Natural factors for subsidence:
● Indian Navy signs agreement for autonomous
armed boat swarms under SPRINT Initiative.
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● Joshimath almost sits on the VaikritaThurst

(VT), a tectonic fault line and is also very close G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion
to main geological fault lines, Main Central ● The first G20 meeting for global partnership for
Thrust (MCT), and Pandukeshwar Thrust (PT). financial inclusion, starting in Kolkata.
● It falls in Zone V of the Seismic Zonation Map.
● The area around it is covered with a thick layer About:
of overburden material making it vulnerable to ● It will focus on topics like digital financial
sinking. inclusion, reducing remittance costs, and
● High snowfall and highly weathered gneissic finance for the SME sector.
rocks makes the area prone to landslides. ● The symposiums will deliberate on unlocking
● The impact of extreme rainfall events impacting the digital financial inclusion infrastructure and
the stability of the slope. the policy perspective, as India has
revolutionised the digital payments mechanism.
International Kite Festival 2023 ● Many G20 countries are interested in adopting
India’s digital financial inclusion infrastructure.
N
● The International Kite Festival 2023 started in
I
● The G20 meet will emphasise the discussion on
.
Ahmedabad recently.
L
reducing the high costs of remittances for
● The festival is being organized by Gujarat
A
workers outside India. 12 international speakers
Tourism on the G20 theme of ‘One Earth, One
T
will attend the G20 meeting.
Family, One Future. Apart from Ahmedabad, the
R
● Institutions like NABARD will highlight the rural
International Kite festival will also be organized
area coverage of innovative financial products
O
in Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Dwarka, Somnath,
P
and services.
Dhordo, and Kevadia.
C
SS
About: New Umbrella Entity (NUE) network
● Ahmedabad first hosted the International Kite ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is said to have
Festival on the occasion of Uttarayan in 1989. put on hold licensing of the New Umbrella Entity
● Apart from Ahmedabad, the International Kite (NUE) network, a fintech institution planned as
festival will also be organized in Surat, a rival to National Payments Corporation of
Vadodara, Rajkot, Dwarka, Somnath, Dhordo, India (NPCI).
and Kevadia. ● Six groupings, which included Facebook,
● After a gap of 2 years, skies over the Sabarmati Google, Amazon, Flipkart and others, had
River in Ahmedabad will be adorned with applied for NUE licences.
colorful unique Kites.
● More than 800 kite flyers from across India and About:
the world will participate and display their ● As envisaged by the RBI, an NUE will be a
unique creations in this Festival. non-profit entity that will set-up, manage and
● This year, kite enthusiasts from different operate new payment systems, especially in the
countries will fly Kites at the same time retail space such as ATMs, white-label
attempting to create a Guinness World Record PoS; Aadhaar-based payments and remittance
for the maximum number of kite flyers. services.
● A special Parade by international and national ● In addition to this, they will develop new
kite flyers, a theme pavilion displaying the payment methods, standards and technologies
history of kites, and workshops on making and as well as operate clearing and settlement
flying kites are among the major attractions of systems.
the festival this year. ● The entity formed shall be a company
incorporated in India under the Companies Act,
2013. Currently, the umbrella entity for providing
81
retail payments systems is NPCI, which is a 3. Pigs eating infected pig meat or meat
non-profit entity, owned by banks. products.
● A promoter will hold at least 25% and up to 40% 4. Biological vectors - ticks of the species
of the operator. Only those entities that are Ornithodoros.
owned and controlled by Indian citizens with at
least three years of experience in the payments Digital television receivers
segment can become promoters of NUEs.
● Foreign companies can own a maximum of ● The Bureau of Indian Standards has published
25%, so are teaming up with local players. three significant Indian Standards in the area of
● According to the RBI guidelines, the entity will Electronics.
have minimum paid-up capital of Rs 500 About:
crore, with no single promoter group holding
over 40 per cent investment in the capital. ● The first standard is Indian Standard for digital
television receivers with built in satellite tuners.
African Swine Fever ● Bureau of Indian standards, through its
N
technical Committee has published an Indian
● The district administration of Damoh in Madhya
Pradesh has killed 700 pigs in the last two
.I
Standard IS 18112:2022 Specification for
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television with built in satellite tuners.
days amid fear of African Swine Fever in the
area.
●
TA TVs manufactured as per this Indian standard

would enable reception of Free-To-Air TV and
About:
O R Radio channels just by connecting a dish

antenna with LNB mounted on a suitable place,
●
C P
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly infectious
and fatal haemorrhagic disease of pigs that is ●
at roof top/side wall of the building.
The second standard is Indian Standard for USB
SS
caused by a complex DNA virus of the Type C receptacles, plug and cables. Bureau of
genus Asfivirus and Asfarviridae African suids Indian standards has published Indian standard
family. IS/IEC 62680-1-3:2022 USB Type-C® Cable and
● The disease is among the most devastating pig Connector Specification. This Indian standard is
diseases worldwide including Africa. Although adoption of existing International standard IEC
the disease was first reported in the 19th 62680-1- 3:2022.
century, it has continued to spread in Africa and ● This standard provides requirements for USB
other parts of the world. Type-C port, plug and cables for use in various
● It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa but has electronic devices like mobile phone, laptop,
spread to many other regions of the world, notebook etc.
including Asia and Europe. ● This standard would provide common charging
● It is not known to affect human beings. solutions for the smartphones and other
● There is no cure or precaution available for the electronic devices sold in the country.
infection and no approved vaccine So the only ● This would facilitate in reduction in number of
way to stop it spreading is by culling the charger per consumer as consumers will no
animals. longer need to buy different chargers every time
● African Swine Fever can be spread through: they buy a new device.
1. Direct contact with infected pigs, faeces ● This would help in achieving Government of
or body fluid India’s mission to reduce e-waste and move
2. Indirect contact via fomites such as towards sustainable development.
equipment, vehicles or people who work ● The third Standard is Indian Standards for Video
with pigs between pig farms with Surveillance Systems.
ineffective biosecurity. ● Bureau of Indian Standards, through its
technical committee on Alarms and Electronic
82
Security Systems has developed a series of ● 40% of water bodies have lost quality for
Indian Standard (IS 16910) on Video survival of aquatic animals.
Surveillance Systems for use in Security ● Reasons for decline include massive
Applications. infrastructure development, expansion of
housing plans, exploitation of water without
Gujarat’s Harappan sites reveal death rituals of alternative strategy etc.
5,000 years ago ● Wetlands are lands transitional between
terrestrial and aquatic systems where water
● Excavations began at Juna Khatiya village, table is usually at or near surface, or land is
about 30km from Lakhpat in Kutch district, and covered by shallow water.
archaeologists found rows of graves with ● India is a Contracting Parties to Ramsar
skeletal remains, ceramic pots, plates and Convention (adopted in 1971) that provides
vases, beaded jewellery, and animal bones that framework for conservation and wise use of
piqued their interest. wetlands and their resources.
● These are from 3,200 BCE to 2,600 BCE, ● India has around 2.2 lakh big wetlands and 75
N
predating Dholavira—a Unesco world heritage wetlands are part of Ramsar Wetland Sites.
site—and several other Harappan sites in the
state.
.I
Tamil Nadu has maximum no. of Ramsar sites
L
(14), followed by UP (10).
Key findings:
●
TA Recently, Conference of the Contracting Parties

to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
● Other sites like Dholavira have a cemetery in
O
and around the town, but nomajor habitation
R (COP14) adopted the Wuhan Declaration,
calling for:
●
has been discovered here.
C P
Site demonstrates transition from earth-mound
● Practical actions to promote conservation,
restoration, management as well as wise and
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burials to stone graves. sustainable use of wetlands worldwide.
● Pottery have features and style similar to those ● Committing additional resources to better
excavated from earlyHarappan sites in Sindh implement convention’s strategic plan and take
and Balochistan. more impact-oriented action up to 2030.
● Pebbles of local rock, basalt, etc were used for
construction, and claywas used to bind them Ozone Layer
together.
● The Earth’s protective ozone layer is on track to
Major burial practises of Indus Valley Civilization: recover within four decades, closing an ozone
● Although varied across sites, there were three hole that was first noticed in the 1980s.
known types of burial customs: complete burial, Key findings:
fractional burial and urn burial.
● Most common burial method was placing body ● The findings of the scientific assessment, which
with head towards north in a simple pit or brick is published every four years, follow the
chamber. Montreal Protocol in 1987, which banned the
production and consumption of chemicals that
Wetland International Report eat away at the planet’s ozone layer.
● The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere
● A study Wetland International (WI), a protects the Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet
non-government global organisation radiation, which is linked to skin cancer, eye
headquartered in Netherlands, said that India cataracts, compromised immune systems and
lost 2 out of 5 wetlands in last 3 decades. agricultural land damage.
● Scientists said the recovery is gradual and will
take many years. If current policies remain in
83
place, the ozone layer is expected to recover to in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh and
1980 levels — before the appearance of the Guwahati in Assam.
ozone hole — by 2040, and will return to normal ● The MV Ganga Vilas vessel is 62 meters in
in the Arctic by 2045. Additionally, Antarctica length, 12 meters in width. It has three decks,
could experience normal levels by 2066. 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36
● Scientists and environmental groups have long tourists, with all the amenities to provide a
lauded the global ban of ozone-depleting memorable and luxurious experience for the
chemicals as one of the most critical tourists.
environmental achievements to date, and it ● The ship is equipped with pollution-free
could set a precedent for broader regulation of mechanisms and noise control technologies.
climate-warming emissions. ● The maiden voyage of MV Ganga Vilas will
● Scientists said that global emissions of the witness 32 tourists from Switzerland relishing
banned chemical chlorofluorocarbon-11, or the Varanasi to Dibrugarh journey.
CFC-11, which was used as a refrigerant and in ● The expected date of arrival of MV Ganga Vilas
insulating foams, have declined since 2018 in Dibrugarh is on 1st of March, 2023.
N
after increasing unexpectedly for several years.
● A large portion of the unexpected CFC-11
emissions originated from eastern China.
L.I
● The report also found that the ozone-depleting
chemical chlorine declined 11.5% in the
TA
Earth Radiation BudgetSatellite
stratosphere since it peaked in 1993, while
O
bromine declined 14.5% since it peaked in 1999.
R● The National Aeronautics and Space
●
C P
Scientists also warned that efforts to artificially
cool the Earth by injecting aerosols into the
Administration said that the US Department of
Defence confirmed the 5,400-pound (2,420
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upper atmosphere to reflect sunlight could thin kilograms) satellite had reentered over the
the ozone layer, and cautioned that further Bering Sea.
research into emerging technologies like
About:
geoengineering is necessary.
● The Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS)
MV Ganga Vilas was launched in 1984 aboard the space shuttle
Challenger.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the ● It was the part of NASA’s three-satellite Earth
world’s longest river cruise ‘MV Ganga Vilas’ Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) mission.
from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on 13th of ● It carried instruments to measure Earth’s
January. radiative energy budget and stratospheric
About: constituents, including ozone.
● Energy budget, balance between amount of
● The luxury cruise will cover a distance of more energy from Sun that Earth absorbs or radiates,
than 3,200 kilometers across 27 river systems is an important indicator of climate health.
in five States in India and Bangladesh. ● Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II
● The MV Ganga Vilas cruise is curated to bring (SAGE II) on ERBS collected important data that
out the best of the country to be showcased to confirmed ozone layer was declining on a global
the world. scale.
● The 51 days cruise is planned with visits to 50
tourist spots including World Heritage Sights, Nickel Alloy Coatings
National Parks, river Ghats, and major cities like
Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata ● Scientists at the Centre for Engineered Coatings
at International Advanced Research Centre for
84
Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), an

autonomous Research and Development Centre VSHORAD missile systems
of the Department of Science and Technology ● The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed
(DST), Govt. of India, has developed a lab-scale by Defence Minister accorded Acceptance of
process to deposit novel nanostructured Nickel Necessity (AoN) to critical procurements for the
alloy coatings. defence forces, including that of the VSHORAD
About: (IR Homing) missile system.
● A new method of deposition of Nickel alloy About:

coatings on high-performance materials in ● The DAC also approved procurement of the
engineering applications can replace HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers
environmentally toxic chrome coatings. and associated support equipment for the
● The coatings obtained are also highly indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH)
corrosion-resistant and useful for the plastic with the Army and the Brahmos Launcher and
ware industry. Fire Control System (FCS) for the Shivalik class
● The process uses pulsed current electroplating,
which is environmentally benign with high
production capacity.
L.I N
of ships and Next Generation Missile Vessels
(NGMVs) for the Navy.
A
● The AoN is the first step in the long and
● They have used electric current in the form of
T
complex defence procurement process. Not all
pulses of duration of a few milliseconds for
R
AoNs accorded necessarily materialise into a
electroplating purpose. final order.
●
PO
The process consists of environment-friendly
electrolyte consisting of nickel and tungsten
● The three capital acquisition proposals—two of
the Army and one of the Navyand will be
C
ions that is the source of strengthening
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procured under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
elemental tungsten (W) and nickel (Ni). ● The ministry added that procurement of
● The pulsed current is applied between the VSHORAD, as a robust and quickly deployable
components to be coated, acting as cathode system, will strengthen India’s air defence
and non-consumable anode. capabilities.
Benefits: ● Aside from the VSHORAD missile systems, the
DAC also gave its approval to procure the
● The pulsed current effect was used for HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers
nano-crystalline coatings wherein high and associated support equipment for their
instantaneous current density for a very small integration to the Army’s ALHs as part of their
duration resulted in a high rate of nucleation. weaponization process.
● The coatings were virtually porosity free, crack
free with minimal hydrogen uptake. World Spice Congress
● The use of pulsed current resulted in the
nano-crystallization of nickel tungsten alloy ● 14thedition of the World Spice Congress (WSC)
coatings with high hardness (700-1200 HV) and to be held in Mumbai from 16-18 February
wear resistance. 2023.
● The coatings were extremely
About:
corrosion-resistant and could withstand up to
700 hrs of salt spray. ● Since its inception in 1990, the WSC could
● The coatings can withstand temperatures up to successfully bring together the global
500°C without thermal softening and can perspectives in the spice sector to its ambient
improve the life of die components by at least ranging from the traditional food and beverages
two times than conventional chrome plating.
85
to the most advanced examinations for how to generate text that is similar to human
nutraceuticals and nootropics. conversation.
● The WSC is organized by the Spices Board with Key findings:
active participation of Spice Trade Associations
● First, the researchers first asked the chatbot to
in India like the Indian Spice & Foodstuff
create a phishing email impersonating a
Exporters’ Association –Mumbai, Indian Pepper
hosting company.
and Spice Trade Association –Kochi, Indian
● ChatGPT provided output, even though it
Chamber of Commerce-Kolkata and Federation
warned the researchers that the content might
of Indian Spice Stakeholders - Unjha, Gujarat.
violate its content policy.
The business sessions of WSC 2023 will focus on ● The researchers then asked ChatGPT to create
topics such as: an iteration of the same mail, but one that
asked users to download a malicious Excel file,
● India - The Spice Bowl for Global Market
instead of clicking on a link.
● Perspectives on addressing Food safety &
● Just like before, ChatGPT provided satisfactory
N
Quality Requirements for Spices
I
output, despite generating a warning notice.
.
(Presentation/Panel Discussion with Regulatory
● ChatGPT also created a malicious VBA (Visual
L
Authorities);
Basic for Application) code. While the initial
A
● Strengthening Global Spice Trade-Country
output was barely workable, the researchers
T
Perspective & Opportunities
finally got basic but usable malicious code after
R
● Crops & Markets - Forecasts & Trends
multiple iterations.
O
● Spice Market outlook by International Spice
P
Trade Associations
SBI Ecowrap study on Gini Coefficient
The event will have:
C
SS
● SBI EcowrapS analysed the impact of share of
● Awards Nights – Distribution of the prestigious Rice and wheatprocurement on Gini Coefficient
Awards for excellence in export of spices for 20 and 9 States respectively.
● Spice Experience Zone
● Authentic Indian Experiences– Cultural, Culinary About:
● Tech Talk Sessions and Product Launches ● Gini coefficient is a statistical measure to gauge
the rich-poor income orwealth divide.
ChatGPT ● It ranges from 0 (or 0%) to 1 (or 100%) with
which 0 representsperfect equality, and 1
● As per researchers, ChatGPT and other AI tools
represents perfect inequality.
could be used to generate phishing emails and
● Values over 1 are theoretically possible due to
malicious code easily and at a much larger
negative income or wealth.
scale.
● A general rise in Gini Coefficient indicates that
About: government policies arenot inclusive and may
be benefiting rich as much as or even more
● ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) thanpoor.
is a chatbot launched by OpenAI in November ● Gini figure below 0.40 is generally considered to
2022. It is built on top of OpenAI’s GPT-3 family be within tolerable limits.
of large language models.
● It is a type of artificial intelligence that can
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI)
understand and generate natural language text.
● It is trained on large amounts of text data and ● Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI)is a
uses an algorithm called a transformer to learn cutting-edge technological advancement that
utilises machine learning and artificial
86
intelligence to create new forms of media, such ● It shall be open to the Bench at any stage of
as text, audio, video, and animation. consideration of the curative petition to ask a
senior counsel to assist it as amicus curiae.
Application:
● In the event of the Bench holding at any stage
● It can craft sales, marketing, and brand that the petition is without any merit and
messaging. vexatious, it may impose exemplary costs on
● GitHub, Copilot6 and ChatGPT1 can generate the petitioner.
code and help with developer productivity.
● It can sift through numerous legal research
National Clean Air ProgrammeReport
materials and produce a pertinent, specific,
andactionable summary. ● A progress report on National Clean Air
● It will help health professionals with their Programme(NCAP) from Centre for Research
medical diagnosis. on Energy and Clean Air (CREA),an independent
● It will also help to create and simulate complex research organisation has published their report
engineering, design, and architecture.
recently.
Curative Petition
.I N
Key highlights:
L
● The Supreme Court told the Centre it cannot
decide its curative plea seeking an additional Rs
●
TA The reportindicated that:

1. Only 49 of 131 cities recorded an
7,844 crore from the successor firms of Union
Carbide Corporation
O
(UCC) for giving R improvement in air quality in FY 21-22.
2. Less than 50% utilisation of total funds
gas tragedy.
C P
compensation to the victims of the 1984 Bhopal released under NCAP.
3. Only 37 cities completed source
SS
apportionment studies (list out and
About: quantifymajor sources of pollution in a
● The concept of curative petition originated from city) which were supposed to be
the case of Rupa Ashok Hurra Vs. Ashok Hurra. completed in 2020.
● A curative petition, is the final and last option About NCAP:
for the people to acquire justice as mentioned
and promised by the Constitution of India. ● Started in 2019, it is a time-bound, national level
● A curative petition may be filed after a review strategy from CentralGovernment to tackle air
plea against the final conviction is dismissed. pollution problem across country in a
● It is meant to ensure there is no miscarriage of comprehensivemanner.
justice, and to prevent abuse of process. ● It aims a 40% reduction in Particulate Matter
● A curative petition must be first circulated to a (PM) concentrations by 2026 (base year 2017)
bench of the three senior-most judges, and the in 131 cities.
judges who passed the concerned judgment, if ● City-specific action plans are prepared to
available. regulate PM2.5 and PM10.
● Only when a majority of the judges conclude ● Progress is monitored by PRANA portal (Portal
that the matter needs hearing should it be listed for Regulation of Air-pollution in
— as far as possible, before the same Bench. Non-Attainment cities).
● A curative petition is usually decided by judges ● Delhi continued to be most polluted city in 2022
in chamber, unless a specific request for an (for PM2.5) based on Central Pollution Control
open-court hearing is allowed. Board (CPCB) data.
87
Key Projections:
Polyethylene Terephthalate
● Global GDP Growth projected 1.7% in 2023
● Researchers from the University of Cambridge, -third-weakest pace since 1993,overshadowed
the United Kingdom have developed a system only by 2009 and 2020global recessions.India is
that can transform polyethylene terephthalate expected to grow at 6.6% in 2023.
(PET)plastic waste and greenhouse gases into ● Reasons for slowdown are elevated
sustainable fuels and other valuable products – Inflation,higher interest rates, reduced
using just the energy from the sun. investment and
About: disruptions caused by Russia-Ukraine war.
● Any additional adverse shocks could pushthe
● Conversion of greenhouse gases like carbon global economy into recession.
dioxide and plastics — two of the biggest ● Recession is a significant, pervasive,
threats facing the natural world — into andpersistent decline in economic activity –at
value-added products, driven by solar energy, is least for two consecutive quarters ofnegative
●
an important step in the transition to a more
sustainable, circular economy, the study said.
However, it is challenging to convert the two
●
L I N
GDP for most analysis.
.
EMDEs are facing a multi-year period ofslow
A
growth driven by heavy debt burdensand weak
T
simultaneously in an integrated process. investment.
R
● The researchers developed an integrated ● This may threaten progress on
reactor with two separate compartments: One
O
broaderdevelopment and climate goals
P
for plastic and one for greenhouse gases. The inEMDEs.
C
reactor uses a light absorber based on ● Small states - countries with 1.5 millionpeople
SS
perovskite — a promising alternative to silicon or fewer - are more vulnerablebecause of their
for next-generation solar cells. reliance on external tradeand financing, limited
● The team designed different catalysts, which diversification,elevated debt, and susceptibility
were integrated into the light absorber. By tonatural disaster.
changing the catalyst, the researchers could ● Steps needed for EMDEs include
then change the end product. moreinvestment to create jobs and
● Tests of the reactor under normal temperature increaseoutput, greater debt transparency,
and pressure conditions showed the reactor strongercooperation to increase cross-border
could efficiently convert polyethylene tradeetc.
terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles and CO2 into
different carbon-based fuels such as CO,
Viscose Fibre
syngas or formate, in addition to glycolic acid.
● The reactor produced these products at a rate ● The Association of Man-made Fibre Industry of
that is also much higher than conventional India (AMFII) has appealed to the Union Finance
photocatalytic CO2 reduction processes. Ministry to accept the recommendations of the
Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)
Global Economic Prospects Report on levy of anti-dumping duty (ADD) on imports
of Viscose Staple Fibre from Indonesia.
● Global Economic Prospects reportissued
bi-annual basis examinesglobal economic About:
developments andprospects, with a special ● Viscose is a type of rayon originally known as
focus on emergingmarkets and developing artificial silk, in the late 19th century, the term
economies (EMDEs). “rayon” came into effect in 1924.
88
● The name “viscose” derived from the way this

fibre is manufactured; a viscous organic liquid
used to make both rayon and cellophane.
● Viscose is the generalised term for a
regenerated manufactured fibre, made from Plastic Waste Recycle Report
cellulose, obtained by the viscose process. ● According to the report, India generates around
● As a manufactured regenerated cellulose fibre, 3.4 million tonnes (MT) of plastic waste only 30
it is neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or per cent of it is recycled.
silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester) ● The report has been prepared in association
– it falls somewhere in between. with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and
● Viscose is a low-cost fabric, which is popular Praxis Global Alliance.
thanks to its myriad of qualities.
● It is versatile, Highly absorbent and Inexpensive
fibre. ● India produces 3.4 million tonnes of plastic
waste in a year, only 30 percent of it is recycled.
N
● It can be found in cotton end uses, as well as
luxurious velvet’s and taffeta’s. Viscose can
also be found in feminine hygiene products, as
L.I
Rest of plastic waste is sent to landfills
oraquatic dumps.
A
well as tire cords. ● Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu together
T
contribute 38 percent to total plastic waste
R
generated in India.
C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Comet
O
● 94% of recycled plastic waste is shredded in
P
● Discovered by Palomar Observatory, USA the India using mechanical recycling method.
C
Comet willappear for the first time in 50,000 ● Impact of plastic waste: Greenhouse gas
SS
emissions i.e., carbon dioxide, methane;
years recently.
Contamination of entire food chain due to
About: presence ofmicroplastics; Threats to animals
especially marine species etc.
● Comets are frozen leftovers from formation of
solar system(4.6 billion years ago) composed Measures can be taken:
of dust, rock, and ices. ● The landfill and incineration taxes must be
● They range from a few miles to tens of miles levied in India to encourage recycling.
wide, but as they orbit closer to the Sun, they ● Authorise ‘pay-as-you-throw’ system, which
heat up and spew gases and dust into a requires citizens to pay a variable rate per
glowing head that can be larger than a planet. kilogram for a bag of mixed garbage.
● Billions of comets are orbiting our Sun in Kuiper ● Regulate entire life cycle of plastic bags from
Belt (calledshort-period comets) and even more manufacturing, imports to disposal.
distant Oort Cloud(called long-period comets).
● Comets actually have two separate tails. One Identification of Minorities
looks white and is made of dust.
● Recently Union government told supreme court
● This dust tail traces a broad, gently curving path
that it has held meetings with all state
behind the comet.
governments and union territories and other
● The other tail is bluish and is made up of
stakeholders on the matter of identification of
electrically charged gas molecules, or ions. The minorities. 24 states and UTs have submitted
ion tail always points directly away from the their views, while 6 are yet to do so.
Sun.
About:
89
● Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and services continued to rise rapidly and reached
Zorastrians (Parsis) have been notified as about $160 billion in 2021.
minority communities under Section 2 (c) of the ● While welcoming this increase, the Ministers
National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, recognized that for economies of their size,
1992. significant potential remains unfulfilled and
● As per the Census 2011, the percentage of expressed their mutual desire to further
minorities in the country is about 19.3 of the enhance engagement with the goal of
total population of the country. The population continuing to increase and diversify bilateral
of Muslims are 14.2%; Christians 2.3%; Sikhs trade.
1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%, Jains 0.4% and Parsis ● The Ministers highlighted the work undertaken
0.006%. through the TPF working groups since the 12th
● The Central Government decides who gets the TPF Ministerial.
minority community status in India. ● They reiterated the importance to India and the
● It is done under the National Commission for United States of specific trade issues
Minorities Act, 1992. enumerated in the 2021 TPF Joint Statement
N
Only those belonging to the communities and directed that work be maintained to
I
●
notified under Section 2(c) of the 1992 law are
regarded as minority citizens.
L.
advance those issues towards resolution, with
regular stock-taking of progress by the
● The central government has notified only six
communities as having the minority status at
TA Ministers and their senior officials.
the national level. Five of them were declared
O
minority communities in October 1993 Muslims,
RMegaraptor
P
Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis. In
C
January 2014, the Centre added Jains to the
● Scientists have found the remains of four
species of dinosaurs, including a megaraptor, in
SS
list. an inhospitable valley in Chilean Patagonia that
● States generally don’t have their separate lists has emerged over the past decade as an
of the minority communities. But there are important fossil deposit.
exceptions. For example, Maharashtra has ● The fossils were found in Cerro Guido, in
notified Jews as a minority community in the southern Chile’s Las Chinas valley near the
state. border with Argentina, and taken to a laboratory
in 2021.
India US Trade PolicyForum ● The researchers said they belong to dinosaurs
that have not previously been identified in the
● India and the United States held the 13th area.
Ministerial-level meeting of India – United
About Megaraptor:
States Trade Policy Forum (TPF) in Washington,
DC recently. ● Megaraptor was a large theropod of the
● Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry and Cretaceous Period, 84 to 65 mya.
the U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador ● Megaraptors possessed strong arms that
co-chaired the meeting. wielded sickle-like claws that could inflict fatal
wounds on prey, along with a more lightly built
Key highlights:
skull and jaws studded with smaller teeth.
● The Ministers underlined the significance of the ● They also had air-filled, bird-like bones.
TPF in forging robust bilateral trade ties and ● Megaraptor was about 25–26 feet (7.5–8
enhancing the bilateral economic relationship to meters) long.
benefit working people in both countries. They ● Incomplete Megaraptor remains were found in
appreciated that bilateral trade in goods and 1996 in Northwest Patagonia, Argentina, by
90
paleontologist Fernando E. Novas. Novas

named it in 1998. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
● Researchers in India are working on developing
Basmati Rice an affordable treatment for a rare and incurable
genetic disorder called Duchenne Muscular
● For the first time in the country, Food Safety and
Dystrophy.
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has
specified the identity standards for Basmati About:
Rice.
● Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the
About: most common and fatal type of muscular
dystrophy, marked by progressive muscle
● As per these standards, Basmati rice shall
degeneration and weakness due to alterations
possess natural fragrance characteristic of
of a protein called "dystrophin" that helps keep
basmati rice and be free from artificial
muscle cells intact.
colouring, polishing agents and artificial
● The condition is predominantly seen in boys,
N
fragrances.
I
but in rare cases, it can also affect girls.
● It was issued to Brown Basmati Rice, Milled
Basmati Rice, Parboiled Brown Basmati Rice
●
L.
The current therapeutic options available to
A
treat DMD are minimal and highly expensive
and Milled Parboiled Basmati Rice.
T
treatment with costs shooting up to Rs 2-3
● The standards are aimed at establishing fair
R
crore per child a year and are mostly imported
practices in the trade of Basmati rice and
from abroad, accelerating dosing costs and
O
protect consumer interest, both domestically
P
and globally. These standards will be enforced
putting them out of reach for most families.
According to scientists, muscle weakness is the
C
●
w.e.f 1st August, 2023.
SS
principal symptom of DMD.
Significance: ● It can begin as early as age 2 or 3, first affecting
the proximal muscles (those close to the core
● Basmati rice is a premium variety of rice of the body) and later affecting the distal limb
cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of the muscles (those close to the extremities).
Indian sub-continent and is universally known ● Usually, the lower external muscles are affected
for its long grain size, fluffy texture and unique before the upper external muscles. The affected
inherent aroma and flavour. child might have difficulty jumping, running, and
● Agro-climatic conditions of the specific walking.
geographical areas where Basmati rice is ● Other symptoms include enlargement of calves,
grown; as well as the method of harvesting, a waddling gait, and lumbar lordosis (an inward
processing and ageing of the rice contributes to curve of the spine).
the uniqueness of Basmati rice.
● Due to its unique quality attributes, Basmati is a
Ram Setu
widely consumed variety of rice both
domestically and globally and India accounts ● The Supreme Court granted four weeks to the
for two thirds of its global supply. Union government to respond to MP
● Being a premium quality rice and fetching a Subramanian Swamy’s plea seeking national
price higher than the non-basmati varieties, heritage status for Ram Setu.
Basmati rice is prone to various types of
adulteration for economic gains which may About Ram Setu:
include, among others, undeclared blending of
other non-basmati varieties of rice. ● Ram Setu, also known as Adam’s bridge, is a
chain of limestone shoals between Pamban
Island or Rameswaram Island, off the
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south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar ● The NCLT shall consist of a President and such
Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. number of Judicial and Technical Members as
● Recently, Tamil Nadu assembly also passed a may be required.
resolution urging Centre to resume work on ● It is not limited or bound by the rules laid down
Sethusamudram Ship Canal project (SSCP). in the Code of Civil Procedure and is guided by
● National heritage status is sought in the the principles of natural justice, subject to the
backdrop of SSCP that envisages dredging of a other provisions of this Act and of any rules that
ship channel across the Palk Straits between are made by the Central Government.
India and Sri Lanka. ● The NCLT can enforce any order that it gives in
● Two channels were suggested - one across the same manner as a court would enforce it.
Adam’s Bridge and another through Palk Bay. ● NCLT has the power to scrutinize its own
● SC, in 2007, had stayed the work for project and orders.
Centre was also willing to explore another route ● The tribunal has the power to regulate their own
to SSCP without damaging Ram Setu. procedure.
N
● National Company Law Tribunal is
I
Significance:
.
the adjudicating authority for the insolvency
● Reduce steaming distances between east and
west coasts of India.
A L
resolution process of companies and limited
liability partnerships under the Insolvency and
● Strengthen national security by improving
navigation for Indian coast guards and naval
R T Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
ships.
PO Sweden discovers biggest rare earths deposit

in EU
C
Concerns:
SS
● Would destroy natural barrier between Bay of ● Sweden’s state-owned mining company LKAB
Bengal and Palk Bay. has said it has discovered Europe’s largest
● Oil and marine pollution associated with deposit of rare earth elements (REE). The
shipping traffic will aggravate ecological stress discovery bolsters the continent’s ambition to
in region. rely less on imported raw materials needed for
the green transition.
National Company Law Tribunal About:
● National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) allows ● REE are a set of seventeen metallic elements -
ownership transfer of Jet Airways to fifteen lanthanides on periodic table plus
Jalan-Kalrock consortium recently. scandium and yttrium.
● They are necessary components for critical
About:
sectors, like, cellular telephones, electric
● It is a quasi-judicial authority incorporated vehicles, defense applications like guidance
for dealing with corporate disputes that are of systems, lasers, etc.
civil nature arising under the Companies ● REE shares some common properties such as
Act,2013. high luster, high electrical conductivity etc. as
● It was established on 1 June 2016 under well as some distinguishing properties, present
the Companies Act,2013. in few REE, such as luminescence, magnetism
● NCLT was formed based on the etc.
recommendation of the Balakrishna Eradi ● Also, Heavy REE (higher atomic weights) are
committee on law relating to the insolvency and less common as compared to Light REE.
the winding up of companies.
92
● Although REE are fairly distributed across observation of halos in other galaxies is
different geographies, the extraction of REE is extremely difficult.
most challenging part, because of complex
Stellar halo:
processing and intensive environmental effects.
● At present more than 80% of the world’s rare ● It is the visible portion of a galactic halo.
earths processing capacity is in China. ● It is composed of globular clusters and field
● India produces only 1% of global output despite stars which have high space velocities that can
having around 6% of world’s reserves take them far out of the galactic disk.
● Stellar halos may hold some of the best
Astronomers discover Milky Way galaxy’s preserved fossils of the formation history of
most-distant stars galaxies.
● Astronomers have detected in the stellar halo

Credit Default Swaps
that represents the Milky Way’s outer limits a
group of stars more distant from Earth than any ● Regulator SEBI allowed alternative investment
known within our own galaxy - almost halfway
to a neighbouring galaxy.
.I N
funds (AIFs) to participate in the Credit Default
L
Swaps (CDS) market as protection buyers and
A
sellers in a bid to facilitate deepening of the
T
About:
domestic corporate bond segment.
● The researchers said these 208 stars inhabit
O
the most remote reaches of the Milky Way’s
RAbout:
C P
halo, a spherical stellar cloud dominated by the
mysterious invisible substance called dark
● The new norms, which will come into force with
immediate effect, allow business entities to
SS
matter that makes itself known only through its hedge risks associated with the bonds market.
gravitational influence.
● The furthest of them is 1.08 million light years ● CDS is a specific kind of counter-party
from Earth. A light year is the distance light agreement which allows the transfer of third
travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion party credit risk from one party to another.
km). ● Under the new norm, Category-I and Category-II
● The stars that populate the outskirts of the AIFs can buy CDS on underlying investment in
galactic halo can be viewed as stellar orphans, debt securities only for the purpose of hedging,
probably originating in smaller galaxies that while Category-III AIFs can purchase CDS for
later collided with the larger Milky Way. hedging or otherwise, within permissible
leverage, the Securities and Exchange Board of
Galactic halo:
India (SEBI).
● Galactic halo is a nearly spherical volume of ● AIF refers to any privately pooled investment
thinly scattered stars, globular clusters of stars, fund, (whether from Indian or foreign sources),
and tenuous gas observed surrounding spiral in form of a trust or a company or a body
galaxies, including the Milky Way. corporate or a Limited Liability Partnership
● Galactic halo is dominated by invisible dark (LLP).
matter, whose presence is only measurable ● CDS is a financial derivative that allows an
through the gravity that it exerts. investor to swap or offset their credit risk with
● Only about 1% of a galaxy’s stellar mass resides that of another investor.
in its halo, and due to this low luminosity, the ● In this buyer pays an ongoing premium. In
exchange, seller agrees to pay security’s value
and interest payments if a default occurs.
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● CDS is used for speculation, hedging or as a

form of arbitrage. Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation
Novel spray that could prevent COVID-19 ● A meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint Working Group
infection developed on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime
held recently.
● Researchers have created new molecules that
can be sprayed into the nose to block the About:
SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering the lungs and
● The program is being hosted by the
causing infection.
Government of India in New Delhi and features
● The COVID-19 virus enters the body through the
participation from Bangladesh, Bhutan,
lungs when people breathe, resulting in illness.
Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Key findings: ● The working group on counter terror deals with
a few key realms of policy. These include “six
Researchers have created thin, thread-like
N
●
I
Sub-Groups on
.
strands of molecules called supramolecular
L
filaments capable of blocking the virus in its (a) Intelligence Sharing
A
tracks.
T
● The key to this approach is the way that (b) Legal and Law Enforcement
the filaments carry a receptor
O
angiotensin converting enzyme-2, or ACE2.
called
R(c) Countering Radicalization and Terrorism
P
● ACE2 provides the entry point for the (d) Anti- Money Laundering and Combating the
C
coronavirus to hook into and infect a wide range Financing of Terrorism
SS
of human cells. (e) Human Trafficking and
● The team’s newly developed filament, called
fACE2, serves as a decoy binding site for the (f) Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and
virus, with each filament offering several Precursor Chemicals.
receptors for the COVID-19 spike protein to Background:
attach to, and silences ACE2’s biological
functions to avoid potential side effects ● BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for
Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
ACE2 protein: Cooperation, is a regional grouping of 7
● It is a protein on the surface of many cell types member states which first began meeting in
and tissues including the lungs, heart, blood 1997.
vessels, kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract. ● Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand
● It is an enzyme that generates small proteins – launched the grouping by signing the Bangkok
by cutting up the larger protein angiotensinogen Declaration.
– that then go on to regulate functions in the ● According to BIMSTEC, cooperation “initially
cell. focused on six sectors in 1997 (trade,
● ACE2 is present in all people but the quantity technology, energy, transport, tourism, and
can vary among individuals and in different fisheries) and expanded in 2008 to incorporate
tissues and cells. agriculture, public health, poverty alleviation,
● It is present in epithelial cells, which line certain counter-terrorism, environment, culture,
tissues and create protective barriers. people-to-people contact, and climate change."
94
Salween River in eastern Myanmar and in

1200-yr-old miniature stupas found in neighboring Thailand.
Nalanda district ● The vast majority of Karen are Buddhists (over
● Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has two thirds), although large numbers converted
discovered two 1200-year-old miniature votive to Christianity during British rule and constitute
stupas during landscaping activities near Sarai about 30 per cent among the Karen.
Tila mound on the premises of ‘Nalanda ● Their total population has been estimated at
Mahavihara’ a world heritage site around 4 million.
in Nalanda district. ● Language: The languages of the Karen are
generally considered to be of the Tibeto-Burman
About: family and the main dialects are Pwo and Sgaw.
● The stupas, carved from stone, depict Buddha ● In Karen society women are often considered
figures. inferior or subservient to men and both women
● These are forms of the stupas, with their and men are encouraged to adhere to strict
N
gender roles.
I
distinctive domelike drum, originating in eight
cylindrical structures in which the Buddha’s
relics were placed after his death.
L.
World Social Report 2023
● The stupa shape has become associated with
●
TA It is a flagship publication of Department of
R
the Buddhist goal of release from the cycles of
Economic and Social Affairs ofUnited Nations
O
suffering and rebirth.
Secretariat.
P
● The larger ones at Bodhgaya were probably
● Report builds on framework of Madrid
C
given by visiting kings, while smaller stupas
International Plan of Action onAgeing (MIPAA)
SS
such as this one were offered by monks and lay
and explores social and economic opportunities
pilgrims.
andchallenges that population ageing presents.
● In addition to the drum, this stupa has a tiered
● MIPAA was adopted at second World Assembly
base and is crowned with a series of stylized
on Ageing in April 2002.
umbrellas that symbolize royalty and divine
status. Key findings:
● Beginning in the 7th century CE in India, small
● Number of persons aged 65 years or older is
miniature terracotta stupas became popular as
expected to double over nextthree decades
votive offerings.
surpassing 1.6 billion in 2050 (accounting for
more than16% of global population).
Karen ethnic people ● Northern Africa and Western Asia and
● Recently, airstrikes by Myanmar’s military on sub-Saharan Africa are expectedto experience
two villages inhabited largely by ethnic Karen fastest growth.
killed five civilians. ● Poverty levels at older ages are typically higher
among women, due tolower levels of
About: participation in formal labour markets, shorter
● The Karen are a large and dispersed ethnic workingcareers and lower wages compared to
group of Southeast Asia. men.
● They trace their origins to the Gobi Desert, Recommendation:
Mongolia, or Tibet.
● Karen settled in Burma/Myanmar’s southern
Irrawaddy Delta area and in the hills along the
95
● To promote labour market participation,

increase productivity, upholdgood health and Geospatial Hackathon
prevent poverty throughout people’s lifetimes. ● Union Minister of State Science & Technology
● Policies to reduce inequality and promote Dr Jitendra Singh said, StartUps in new
economic security at older ages in a fiscally emerging technologies are key to India’s future
sustainable manner. economy.
About:
Financial Services Institutions Bureau
● Geospatial Hackathon aims to create interest in
● Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB)
geospatial tech and specifically build solutions
recommended MDs for Bank of Baroda and
leveraging maps and satellite data for solving
Bank of India.
India’s problems.
About: ● The Department of Science and
Technology(DST) under the Minister of Science
N
● FSIB is established under Department of
I
& Technology in partnership with IIIT
.
Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance:
Hyderabad and Microsoft has launched this
● To recommending whole-time directors and
non-executive chairpersons on Boards of
A L
Hackathon.
T
● The Geospatial Hackathon will be divided into 2
financialservices institutions.
R
parts,
● Advising on certain other matters relating to
1. The National Science & Technology
FSIB replaced Banks Board Bureau.

PO
personnel management in these institutions.
Entrepreneurship Development Board and
C
IIIT Hyderabad brings the Startup
SS
Composition of FSIB: Challenge as part of this Hackathon
intending to promote the use of geospatial
● Chairperson to be nominated by Central technologies in solving real-world
Government. problems and fostering innovation in the
● Ex officio members: Secretary in charge of DFS, Indian geospatial ecosystem
Department of Public Enterprises, 2. The Research Challenge is specific to
Chairpersonof IRDAI, Deputy Governor of RBI. the problem statements given by DST
● Several part-time members with subject matter (Survey of India).) is proposing a
knowledge. Geospatial Data Processing, Solution
Primary role of FSIB: development, and Servicing Challenge to
foster the adoption of geospatial
● To identify manpower capabilities and ensure technologies and to promote innovation in
proper selection of talent for senior positions at India’s Geospatial ecosystem.
financial institutions owned by the government.
● It is entrusted with making recommendations
National Digital University
for the appointment of full-time directors and
non-executive chairman of state-run financial ● UGC chief recently revealed the framework of
services institutions. the Nat-ional Digital University (NDU), as
● The final decision on the FSIB envisioned under the National Education Policy,
recommendation would be taken by the 2020.
Appointments Committee of the How will the university be structured?
Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.
● The university will offer exclusively online
courses from its partner institutes, which could
96
be both private and public universities, so far as southern Nepal and in the state of Uttar
they follow the NDU’s model. Pradesh in India.
● The institution will function under a ● Tharu in Nepal officially numbered about 1.5
hub-and-spoke model, which is where one million and those in India about 170,000.
product is delivered to various stakeholders ● They speak various dialects of Tharu, a
from a central location. language of the Indo-Aryan subgroup of the
● In this model, courses are to be made Indo-Iranian group of the Indo-European family,
accessible to students from one portal. and they are largely Indian in culture.
● In this case, it is the Study Webs of ● Most Tharu practice agriculture, raise cattle,
Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds hunt, fish, and collect forest products.
(SWAYAM) portal of the government. ● Although they are Hindu, the Tharu use their
● The students can opt for certificate, diploma, own traditional ritual specialists in addition to
ordegree courses. the Hindu Brahman priests.
● Each Tahru village is governed by a council and
How will academic credit be granted?
a headman.
● Students will be granted the liberty to sign up
for whichever courses they like, which, in
essence, means that they will be free to design
.I N
VarunaExercise
L
A
st
their own curriculum. ● The 21 Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise
● Courses will hold a certain number of credits,
and students will be eligible for a degree from a
R T between India and France – Exercise Varuna
commenced on the Western Seaboard recently.
PO
particular institute when they have accumulated
50% of the credits of a programme from the
About:
institute concerned.
C ● It is the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India
SS
● In case the student earns credits from multiple and France.
institutions and crosses the credit threshold, ● This bilateral exercise between the two navies
the degree awarded will be by NDU. was initiated in 1993.
● NDU will also be connected with the Academic ● It was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has
Bank of Credits, which means that students will become a hallmark of India France strategic
have the option of earning credits from multiple bilateral relationship.
institutions and will have multiple exit points ● This edition will witness the participation of
throughout the course. Based on the same, they indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS
can be awarded certificates, diplomas, or Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg,
degrees. maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier,
integral helicopters and MiG29K fighter aircraft.
Tharu people ● The French Navy will be represented by the
aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, frigates FS
● Forest department, NABARD to give Forbin and Provence, support vessel FS Marne
skill-development training to Tharu people. and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.
● Forest officials of the Katarniaghat division say ● Units of both navies will endeavour to hone their
a plan is in the works for the financial inclusion war-fighting skills in maritime theatre, enhance
of the Tharu groups that live near the their inter-operability to undertake
Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) and are multi-discipline operations in the maritime
much affected by human-wildlife conflicts. domain and demonstrate their ability as an
integrated force to promote peace, security and
About:
stability in the region.
● They are an ethnic group indigenous to the Terai
region of the Himalayan foothills, located in
97
name of the project, capital outlay, completion

Wagner Group of Mercenaries period and its economic justification to the
● The leader of the Wagner Group of mercenaries expenditure department of the Union finance
is using the Russian assault on the Donetsk ministry.
town of Soledar to “elevate his political stature ● The loan provided under the scheme will be
and indirectly criticize the conventional Russian over and above the normal borrowing ceiling
military,” according to an update published by allowed to the States.
the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). ● Scheme allocation will be used for PM Gati
Shakti related and other productive capital
About: investmentof the States.
● The Wagner Group also known as PMC ● The scheme also includes ₹ 5,000 crore
Wagneris a Russian paramilitary organization. interest-free loans which would be provided
● It is variously described as a private military to incentivise states to undertake privatization
company (PMC), a network of mercenaries, or or disinvestment of state public sector
a de facto private army of Russian enterprises and asset monetisation.
●
President Vladimir Putin.
The group operates beyond the law in Russia,
.I N
Solitary Wave
L
A
where private military contractors are officially
● A research team from the Indian Institute of
T
forbidden.
Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous institute
R
● The group came to global prominence during
of the Department of Science and Technology
the war in Donbas in Ukraine, where it
O
(DST), has recently identified and reported the
P
aided separatist forces of the
solitary waves in the Martian magnetosphere.
self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People’s
C
SS
Republics from 2014 to 2015. About:
● Today there are thought to be some 10,000
● Solitary waves are the distinct electric field
Wagner Group members.
fluctuations (bipolar or monopolar) that follow
● The U.S. government has called Wagner a
constant amplitude-phase relations.
“proxy force” of Russia’s defense ministry.
● Their shape and size are less affected during
their propagation. The magnitude and duration
Special Assistance to States for Capital of these pulses are found to be 1-25
Investment Scheme milivolt/meter and 0.2–1.7 milliseconds,
● The Union Government will give an additional respectively.
₹2,000 crore to States under the Special ● These pulses are dominantly seen in the dawn
Assistance for Capital Investment scheme to and afternoon-dusk sectors at an altitude of
incentivise them to scrap old vehicles and also 1000–3500 km around the Mars.
provide tax concessions to individuals for it. ● The dominant occurrence of solitary waves in
the dawn and dusk sector is still a mystery and
About: needs further investigation. Through
simulations, it is found that the spatial extent of
● The government in 2022-23 Budget had
these structures is very small (30-330 meters).
introduced the ‘Special Assistance to States for
● As these waves are known to be responsible for
Capital Investment’ scheme with an outlay of
the plasma energization and its transport in
₹1.05 lakh crore.
Earth’s magnetosphere, the team is further
● Under the scheme, financial assistance is being
exploring their role in the particle dynamics in
provided to State Governments in the form of
the Martian magnetosphere and whether such
50-year interest free loan for capital projects.
waves play any role in the loss of atmospheric
● To avail the benefit for investments made this
ions on the Mars.
fiscal, states will have to submit details like
98
problems ranging from nearby solar systems to

National Coal Index the edge of the observable universe.
● Coal Ministry Offered relaxation in Revision of ● Atomic hydrogen is the basic fuel required for
Performance Bank Guarantee and extended Bid star formation in a galaxy. When hot ionised gas
due date for Commercial Coal Block auction from the surrounding medium of a galaxy falls
upto January 30. onto the universe, the gas cools and forms
● The Ministry of Coal had launched the sixth atomic hydrogen. This then becomes molecular
round and second attempt of fifth round of hydrogen and eventually leads to the formation
commercial coal mines’ auction for 141 coal of stars.
mines. ● Understanding the evolution of galaxies over
cosmic time requires tracing the evolution of
About: neutral gas at different cosmological periods.
● The National Coal Index (NCI) is a price index ● Atomic hydrogen emits radio waves of 21 cm
which reflects the change of price level of coal wavelength, meaning the wavelength is a direct
N
tracer of the atomic gas content in nearby and
I
on a particular month relative to the fixed base
.
year. distant galaxies.
● The base year for the NCI is FY 2017-18.
The concept and design of the Index as well as
●
A L
However, this radio signal is feeble and nearly
impossible to detect the emission from a
T
●
distant galaxy using current telescopes due to
R
the Representative Prices have been developed
by the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. their limited sensitivity.
●
PO
It has been rolled out since 4thJune 2020.
Mayan Civilization
C
● The aim is to have an index that will truly reflect
SS
the market price of coal.
● Researchers discovered the ruins of a large
Benefits: Mayan town buried beneath the rainforest while
surveying northern Guatemala from the air.
● For taxation purpose, the Coal Index will be the
base indicator. Key highlights:
● For future calculation of upfront amount and
● The region, which is close to the Mexican
intrinsic value of mine, this Index will be helpful.
border and spans an enormous 650 square
● For calculation of annual escalation (monthly
miles, is known as the Mirador-Calakmul Karst
payment), this index can be basis.
Basin.
● Archaeologists estimate that the city, which
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope would have existed 2,000 years ago, would have
● A radio signal originating from atomic hydrogen been made up of approximately 1,000
in an extremely distant galaxy was detected by settlements connected by 110 miles of
the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) causeways.
located in Pune. ● The navigable causeways (cleared, raised beds
● The findings have been published in the used as highways) were 110 miles long, making
scientific journal Monthly Notices of the Royal it relatively easy for inhabitants of the
Astronomical Society. civilisation to travel to nearby settlements.
● The discovery was made using LiDAR (light
About: detection and ranging) by a team of researchers
● GMRT is a low-frequency radio telescope that from several American universities as well as
helps investigate various radio astrophysical collaborators from France and Guatemala.
99
About Mayan Civilization: ● The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all
year long.
● The Maya are probably the best-known of the
● Permafrost can be found on land and below the
classical civilizations of Mesoamerica.
ocean floor.
Originating in the Yucatán around 2600 B.C.,
they rose to prominence around A.D.
● The Maya were noted as well for elaborate and State Finance Study Report 2022-23
highly decorated ceremonial architecture, ● It is an annual publication by Reserve Bank
including temple-pyramids, palaces and India (RBI) that provides information, analysis
observatories, all built without metal tools. and an assessmentof finances of State
● They were also skilled farmers, clearing large governments for 2022-23.
sections of tropical rain forest and, where ● Theme of this year’s Report is “Capital
groundwater was scarce, building sizeable Formation in India - The Role of States”.
underground reservoirs for the storage of
rainwater. Key findings of report:
● The Maya were equally skilled as weavers and
potters, and cleared routes through jungles and
●
.I N
State’s Gross fiscal deficit (GFD) is budgeted to
L
decline to 3.4 percent of GDP in2022-23 from
A
swamps to foster extensive trade networks with 4.1 percent in 2020-21.
T
distant peoples. ● GFD is excess of total expenditure including
Yakutsk city
O R loans net of recovery overrevenue receipts

(including external grants) and non-debt capital
●
C P
Temperatures plunged to minus 50 degrees
●
receipts.
States’ debt is budgeted to ease to 29.5 percent
SS
Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit) recently in Russia’s
of GDP in 2022-23 as against 31.1 percent in
Yakutsk during an abnormally long cold snap in
2020-21.
the Siberian city known as the coldest on earth.
● In 2022-23, states have budgeted higher capital
About Yakutsk city: outlay than in previous three years.
● Yakutsk city is located 5,000 km (3,100 miles) Recommendation:
east of Moscow on the permafrost of the
● Increase allocations of capital expenditure for
Russian Far East.
sectors like health, education etc.
● Yakutsk is the capital city of the Sakha
● Create a capex buffer fund during good times to
Republic, Russia.
smoothen and maintain expenditure quality and
● The city is about 450 km to the south of the
flows through economic cycle.
Arctic Circle.
● Strengthen timely devolution mechanism to
● The temperature often drops below minus 40.
local bodies through State Finance
● While Yakutsk holds the record as the world’s
Commissions.
coldest city, it is also the one with the greatest
variation in temperature.
ISRO pushing Venus mission ‘Shukrayaan’ to
What is permafrost? 2031
● Permafrost is any ground that remains ● ISRO stated that it is yet to receive approval
completely frozen—32°F (0°C) or colder—for at from Indian government forVenus mission, as a
least two years straight. result mission may be delayed until 2031.
● Permafrost is made of a combination of soil,
rocks and sand that are held together by ice.
100
● In 2031, Earth and Venus would be aligned in become so terminally illthat they are not in a
manner that it wouldrequire minimum amount position to say that treatment must stop.
of propellant for spacecraft to enter Venusorbit. ● AMD or Living Will is a legal document that
specifies type of medical care thatan individual
About:
does or does not want in the event they are
● Venus is second planet from Sun and sixth in unable tocommunicate their wishes.
solar system in size and mass. ● Guidelines lack utility as in India a person is
● Shukrayaan I will be an orbiter mission. Its anyway free to refuse invasivetreatment and
scientific payloads includehigh-resolution accept death.
synthetic aperture radar and ground-penetrating ● Legislature is much more endowed with skills
radar. and sources of knowledge toenact a relevant
● Mission is expected to study Venus’s geological law.
and volcanic activity,emissions on ground, wind ● In 2018, SC upheld legality of passive
speed, cloud cover, and other euthanasia and laid down procedure forliving
N
planetarycharacteristics from an elliptical orbit. wills in India.Euthanasia is practice of ending
● Other mission to Venus are Venera program
(Russia); Akatsuki project (Japan); VERITAS i.e.,
L.I
life of a patient to limit the patient’s suffering.
Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR,

Topography, and Spectroscopy, Mariner 2 and
A
Etalin hydropower project
T
Magellan (NASA); EnVision mission (Europe)
etc.
O R● The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has
asked the Arunachal Pradesh government to file
Mission Challenges:
C P a fresh proposal for forest diversion and the

construction of the Etalin hydroelectric project
SS
● Venus has crushing air pressure at its surface, (EHEP).
whichis 90 times more than Earth’s, and About:
● Its atmosphere is highly toxic and filledwith
Sulphuric Acid that causes a powerful ● Due to non-compliance to conditions stipulated
greenhouse effect. by the FAC and the overwhelming
pushback against the project in the region.
● The FAC made the recommendations for which
Constitution Bench questions utility of an
the top agenda was the deliberation and
advanced medical directive in India
discussion of the diversion of 1165.66 hectares
● A Constitution Bench questioned the utility of of forest land for construction of the 3,097 MW
executing an advanced medical directive in power plant in Dibang Valley District.
India when a person is anyway free to refuse
About Etalin Hydroelectric Project (EHEP):
invasive treatment and accept death.
● A five-judge Bench led by Justice K.M. Joseph ● It is a 3,097 MW hydropower project planned in
also queried when such an directive should be the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.
implemented. ● It is one of the largest hydropower projects
proposed in the country in terms of installed
Key highlights:
capacity.
● Hearing the petition seeking modification of its ● EHEP is proposed to be developed as
guidelines for Living Will, laiddown in Common a combination of two run-of-the-river schemes.
Cause v Union of India (2018), SC stated: ● The project involves the construction of
● Advance Medical Directive (AMD) can be concrete gravity dams on the Tangon and
applied only in narrow area where patients Dririverswhich are tributaries of Dibang river.
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● The project area falls under the “richest ● General Resources Account on
bio-geographical province of the Himalayan non-concessional terms (market-based interest
zone” and “one of the mega biodiversity rates).
hotspots of the world”. ● Concessional financial support (currently at
● The project area is dominated by indigenous zero interest rates) through Poverty Reduction
population belonging to Idu-Mishmi tribes. and Growth Trust, which is bettertailored to
needs of low-income countries.
Idu-Mishmi Tribe:
● Resilience and Sustainability Trust to help
● They are the lone inhabitant tribe of Dibang low-income and vulnerable middle-income
Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh. countries.
● The Idu-Mishmi is a major sub-tribe of the
● The Securities and Exchange Board of India
Mishmi group.
(Sebi) gave details of a proposed framework for
● They are of mongoloid race and have a
shifting to a new payments system for
distinctive dialect of Tibeto-Burman language.
secondary market trades.
Backing Sri Lanka, India sends financing

assurances to IMF
●
L.I N
The move is primarily aimed at safeguarding
investors from potential misuse of their funds
A
by brokers.
● India sent financing assurances to the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), becoming
R T
Application Supported by Blocked Amount:
O
the first of Sri Lanka’s creditors to officially back ● The mechanism has been developed by SEBI to
P
the crisis-hit island nation’s debt restructuring apply for IPOs, Rights and Debts Issues, FPS
C
programme. and more.
SS
● It entails that the amount to be paid for
Key highlights: subscribing to the shares does not get debited
● The financing assurances from creditors is from the investor’s account until the shares
critical for Sri Lanka to get the $2.9billion loan have been allotted by the company.
from IMF to put its economy on track. ● Investors can apply for ASBA and have the bank
● It is facing multiple challenges such as block out the application money until the shares
shortage of dollars, runaway inflation and a get allotted to the investor.
steep recession. ● This system will provide the authorization of the
● India, Japan, and China are Sri Lanka’s three investor to subscribe only when the application
largest bilateral lenders. is selected for the issue.
● IMF was established (in 1944) to provide ● This blocking is carried out by Self-Certified
emergency financing to countries hit by crises Syndicate Banks (SCSB).
and help them to stabilize their economies. ● Upon the approval of the issue to the investor,
● Unlike development banks, IMF does not lend the funds are paid accordingly.
for specific projects. It also provides
precautionary financing to help prevent crises. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope helps
● Crises can occur due to domestic or/and detect atomic hydrogen from far-away galaxy
external factors and can take many different
● Astronomers from McGill University (Canada)
forms such as Balance of Payment issue,illiquid
and Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bengaluru
or insolvent financial institutions, excessive
used data from GMRT to detect a radio signal
deficits and debt etc.
originating fromatomic hydrogen in an
Lending instruments of IMF include: extremely distant galaxy at redshift z=1.29.
102
Key highlights: specific set of conditions attached. It is a part

of the Ambedkar Rural Housing Scheme of
● Redshift represents signal’s wavelength change
Karnataka.
depending on the object’slocation and
● The government offers free registration of
movement.
Hakku Patra land in the beneficiary’s name. But,
● A greater value of z indicates a farther object.
any house built on the Hakku Patra land should
● Atomic hydrogen is the basic fuel required for
be used as the beneficiary’s house and not for
star formation in a galaxy.
rental purposes.
● When hot ionised gas from surrounding
medium of a galaxy falls ontouniverse, gas Benefits of Hakku Patra:
cools and forms atomic hydrogen.
● Hakku Patra, like every legal property document,
● This then becomes molecular hydrogen and
offers a great set of benefits.
eventually leads to formation ofstars.
● It makes you the legitimate owner of your land
● Detection was made possible by gravitational
or property by giving an up-to-date and official
lensing phenomenon.
N
record of who owns the land. The individual
About GMRT:
.I
does not have to research as the government
L
issues the document.
A
● It is an instrument for studying astrophysical
● It is a state-guaranteed document.
T
phenomena, ranging fromnearby Solar system
● Hakku Patra registration resolves all types of
R
to edge of observable Universe, at low
disputes regarding the ownership or rights over
O
radiofrequencies.
the land.
P
● It is operated by National Centre of Radio
● The document helps in preventing any
C
Astrophysics (NCRA), which is partof Tata
encroachment via trespassing on the
SS
Institute of Fundamental Research.
boundaries.
Hakku Patra
Advance Authorization Scheme
● The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi
● The Directorate General of Foreign Trade
distributed title deeds (hakkupatra) to the
(DGFT) has notified the amended rules for
eligible beneficiaries of newly declared revenue
calculation of Composition Fee under Advance
villages of Karnataka and laid the foundation
Authorization Scheme (AAS).
stone for a National Highway project in
● It will help automate entire Export Obligation
Malkhed, Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
extension process with minimal human
About Hakku Patra: intervention and lead to ease of doing business.
● Hakku Patra in Kannada means “Claim Letter”. About:

The word ‘Hakku’ means “the right”, and ‘Patra’
● AAS is a duty exemption scheme issued by
means a “paper” or “document”. Hakku Patra is
Government of India under Foreign Trade
a legal document that states an individual’s
Policy2015-2020.
rightful inheritance of a property.
● Advance Authorisation covers manufacturer
● It is issued to the nation’s underprivileged
exporters or merchant exporters tied to
section, including scheduled castes, scheduled
supporting manufacturer(s).
tribes, urban slum dwellers, handicapped, and
● It exempts payment of import duties on raw
other disadvantaged populations.
materials/inputs required for
● In most cases, the land on which the Hakku
manufacturingproducts for export.
Patra is issued is government-owned with a
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● It allows duty free import of inputs, which are

physically incorporated in an export product. Fourth Industrial Revolution
● It additionally allows packaging material, fuel, ● The World Economic Forum (WEF) has chosen
oil, catalyst which is consumed / utilized Hyderabad for establishing its Center for the
inproduction of export product. Fourth Industrial Revolution focused on
● DGFT provides a sector-wise list of Standard healthcare and life sciences.
Input-Output Norms (SION) under which the
exporters may choose to apply. About:
● Alternatively, exporters may apply for their own ● The C4IR Telangana will be an autonomous,
ad-hoc norms in cases where the SION does not non-profit organisation and the only such of
suit the exporter. World Economic Forum in India with a thematic
focus on healthcare and life sciences,
International Energy Agency Industries.
● Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR)
● The lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in China is
I N
will be setup in collaboration with World
.
set to boost global oil demand this year to a
Economic Forum (WEF), anautonomous
L
new record high, the International Energy
organization based in Geneva, Switzerland.
A
Agency (IEA) said while price cap sanctions on
C4IR will be the 18th centre in WEF’s fourth IR
T
●
Russia could dent supply.
R
network,spanning four continents, and it will
About: focus on lifesciences and healthcare.
●
PO
IEA is an international intergovernmental
● Industry 4.0 is a collective termfor converging
C
technologies which blurs the
organization based in Paris that
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distinctionbetween physical, digital and
was established in 1974.
biological realms.
● Aimed to maintain the stability of the
● Industry 4.0 builds upon Industry 3.0 which
international oil supply.
waslargely based on use of electronics and
● It was founded in response to the 1973 oil
informationtechnology.
crisis, in which the supply chain for oil
temporarily broke down. Significance of Industry 4.0:
● IEA operates within the broader framework of
● Impacting advances inScience and Technology
the Organization for Economic Co-Operation
as well as processes of businesses.
and Development (OECD).
● As of 2022, the IEA has 31 member Concerns:
nations.India became an associate member of
● There are also chances of job loss,
IEA in 2017.
increasedinequalities, Privacy and Security
● According to the IEA, a member country must
concerns etc
maintain "crude oil and/or product reserves
equivalent to 90 days of the previous year’s net
imports, to which the government has International North–South Transport Corridor
immediate access (even if it does not own them ● Recently Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
directly) and could be used to address Waterways, conducted a workshop on the
disruptions to global oil supply". ‘Linking Chabahar Port with INSTC’ in Mumbai.
About:
104
● The International North–South Transport ● Fenthion has been listed in Annex III of the
Corridor (INSTC) is a multi-modal transportation Rotterdam convention which aims to reduce
route linking the Indian Ocean and the Persian risks from hazardous chemicals in agriculture.
Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran and onward to
Key facts about Red-Billed Quelea:
northern Europe via St. Petersburg in Russia.
● INSTC (International North-South Transport ● It is a small, short-tailed weaver with a mottled
Corridor) is India’s vision and initiative to reduce back and a yellow or reddish bill.
the time taken for EXIM shipments to reach ● Large flocks are resident and nomadic in arid
Russia, Europe and enter the central Asian savanna, grassland, and cultivated areas.
markets. Successful activation of the corridor ● It has been categorized under Least Concerned
will help connect India to Russia and Central category as per IUCN.
Asian countries.
● The Chabahar Port, located in Iran, is the
commercial transit centre for the region,
New Plateau in the Western Ghats
N
especially Central Asia.
● The strategic location of Chabahar has a great
advantage for developing it as a transshipment
●
.I
Researchers have discovered a rare low-altitude
L
basalt plateau in the Western Ghats that could
●
hub.
The Port’s deep draft of 16 m is suitable for
TA offer new insights into surviving climate
change.
●
handling large shipment vessels.
O
The Port lies close to some of the busiest trade RKey highlights:
C P
routes in the world. The region comes under the
Asia-Europe, Asia-Asia trade route, which
● The plateau has a widespread flora with 76
species of plants and shrubs from 24 different
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carries large cargo volumes. families discovered so far.
● It is one of the four global biodiversity hotspots
Red-Billed Quelea Birds in India and can prove to be a repository of
information for species interactions.
● Experts have cautioned that the Kenyan ● Researchers believe that the plateau can help
government’s effort to exterminate the study the effects of climate change on species
red-billed quelea birds that have infested farms survival.
will have unintended negative consequences for ● The plateau was discovered in Manjare village
other raptors and wild species. of Maharashtra’s Thane district and is the
fourth type of plateau to be identified in the
Key highlights: region; the previous three are laterites at high
and low altitudes and basalt at high altitudes.
● Kenya’s government began to kill up to 6 million
red-billed quelea birds, the world’s most About Plateaus:
populous bird species which are also known as
● Plateaus are dominant landscapes in Western
‘feathered locusts’.
Ghats. They are classified as a type of rocky
● The preferred method for eradicating pests in
outcrop.
Africa has been to spray fenthion, which is ● Rocky outcrops are geological features that
an organophosphate pesticide, but scientists protrude above the surface of surrounding land.
have noted that the substance is toxic to people ● They are formed by weathering that happens at
and other non-target organisms. different rates, causing the less weathered rock
to remain exposed.
105
● They are found on all continents, in most

climate zones and vegetation types. Eurasian Region
● Severalcountries includingJapan, South
Chargesheets need not be put in public Korea,Australia etc. havetaken
domain initiativessuggesting a growingfocus over
betterrelationship betweenEuropean and
● The Supreme Court held the state is not obliged Asiancountries.
to provide the public free access to
chargesheets by uploading them on police or About:
government websites.
● Geographically represented by Eurasian Plate,
● A Bench of Justices M.R. Shah and C.T.
covering most of Europe andAsia, there is a lack
Ravikumar declared chargesheets to be "private
of an agreed international understanding of
documents".
whatconstitutes the region
● The Supreme Court said that the chargesheet
filed by investigating agencies in a criminal New dynamics in the Eurasian region:
N
case in court is not a public document which
could be directed to be put in public domain by
uploading it on a website and also it cannot be
●
L.I
As Russia and China unveiled a Eurasian
alliance this led to strengthening ofWestern
A
revealed under Right to Information Act. alliance in Europe.
T
● It also provided the basis for a new kind of
R
About Chargesheet: alliance between China’s EastAsian neighbours
O
and Russia’s West European neighbours
● As per Section 173 of Code of Criminal
P
(throughinitiatives like QUAD, AUKUS etc).
Procedure (CrPC), a charge sheet is a report
C
generated by police officers after investigating a Significance of Eurasia for India:
SS
case.
● It contains all the stringent records right from ● Region is richly endowed with commodities
the commencement of investigation procedure such as crude oil, natural gas,cotton, gold,
of lodging an FIR to till the completion of copper, aluminium, and iron.
investigation and preparation of final report. ● It is strategically positioned as an access point
● It contains the names of the people brought in between Europe and Asia.
the custody, the charges they are brought in for ● Apart from checking Chinese influence, it will
and the identity of the accusers. help India to overcome hostilealliances in the
● Once the charge sheet has been submitted to a region.
court of law, prosecution proceedings against
the accused begin. United Nations General Assembly
● It is to be filed within 60 days from the date of
● The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
arrest of the accused in cases triable by lower
adopted a resolution titled ‘Education for
courts and 90 days in cases triable by Court of
Democracy’ that reaffirms the right of everyone
Sessions.
to education.
● If the charge sheet is not filed within the
prescribed time mentioned above, the accused Key highlights:
has a right to default bail.
● The resolution, which was co-sponsored by
● A charge sheet is distinct from the First
India, recognises that "education for all"
Information Report (FIR).
contributes to the strengthening of democracy.
● Resolution encouraged Member States and
other stakeholders to integrate education for
democracy into their education standards.
106
● Further, resolution also highlighted that states within an egg — among 256 newly discovered
should work with relevant stakeholders to eggs from the Narmada Valley.
close digital divides. ● The discovery suggests that Titanosaurs — one
of the largest dinosaurs to have roamed the
About United Nations General Assembly:
Earth — displayed a notable reproductive trait
● UNGA was established in 1945 under Charter of unique to modern-day birds.
UN.
Key highlights:
● It is the chief policy making body of
theorganisation. ● This region falls between the easternmost
● Each of the 193 Member States of UN has an Lametta exposures at Jabalpur in the upper
equal vote. Narmada Valley (central India) and Balasinor in
the west in the lower Narmada Valley (western
Atal Bhujal Yojana central India), according to the document.
● Lametta exposure is a sedimentary rock
● The third meeting of the National Level Steering formation known for its dinosaur fossils. These
N
Committee (NLSC) of the Atal Bhujal Yojana
I
sedimentary rocks are mostly exposed along
was held at New Delhi recently.
●
L.
the Narmada Valley.
The fossil records here are largely concealed by
A
About:
Deccan volcanic flows, which prevents their
● Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) is being
implemented as a Central Sector Scheme since
R●T removal by erosion.
Fossilised eggs provide clues on reproductive
Panchayats of 229
PO
April, 2020 in 8220 water stressed Gram
administrative
biology, nesting behaviour and parental care.
C
blocks/Talukas in 80 districts of seven States, Titanosaur:
SS
viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya ● Titanosaur belong to the sauropod group.
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar ● It is a humongous plant-eating lizard with a long
Pradesh for five-year period (2020-25). neck and tail.
● The Committee directed the States to expedite ● A recently discovered 20-meter Ninjatitan
convergence for the implementation of the Zapata may be the oldest titanosaur to be ever
interventions proposed under Water Security discovered.
Plans ● It was found in the Neuquen province of
● One of the key aspects of ATAL JAL is to bring southwest Argentina in 2014.
in behavioral changes in the community, from ● It may have lived approximately 140 million
the prevailing attitude of consumption to years ago at the initial stages of the Cretaceous
conservation & smart water management period.
● The sustainability of the drinking water sources
are to be given utmost priority while taking up Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
interventions under this scheme
● The importance of continued engagement with ● President of India confer the Pradhan Mantri
the community with a focus on the aim that the Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2023 to 11 children at
Water Security Plans (WSPs) are to be owned an Award ceremony in Delhi today.
by the Communities. ● Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
Titanosaur awardees on the 24th of January.
● Minister of Women and Child Development will
● Recently, a group of Indian researchers found also interact with the children and congratulate
rare cases of fossilised dinosaur eggs — an egg
107
them for their exemplary performances in their census “violated the basic structure of the
respective categories on the same day. Constitution”.
● The apex court refused to entertain the
About Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar:
petitions and asked the petitioners to
● It is given under two categories. approachthe high court.
● Bal Shakti Puraskar: This award is given by the About Caste Census
Government of India every year to recognize
● Caste Census is the caste-wise tabulation of
exceptional achievements of children in various
population in the censusexercise.
fields namely innovation, scholastic
● Caste was included as a parameter in Census
achievements, social service, arts & culture,
data only during the 1931 Census.
sports and bravery.
● Ever since independence, the Census had only
1. Eligibility criteria: A child who is the data related to SC and ST populations.
an Indian Citizenand residing in ● Caste Census is under the administrative
India and is between 5-18 years of control of Ministry of Home Affairs.
age.
2. Award: The award consists of a
medal, a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000,
●
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Earlier in 2011 attempt was made towards
Caste Census by conducting the Socio
Economic and Caste Census (SECC).
book vouchers worth Rs.10,000, a
certificate and a citation.
●
TA Rohini Commission was another attempt by

categorization within OBCs for better targeted
3. It was started in 1996 as the
O
National Child Award for Exceptional R service delivery.
C
as Bal Shakti Puraskar. P
Achievement, and renamed in 2018 Nepal says it’s making efforts to activate
SAARC
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● Bal Kalyan Puraskar: This is given as
recognition to Individuals and Institutions, who ● Recently, Nepal said that it was making efforts
have made an outstanding contribution towards to activate the eight-member regional
service for children in the field of child grouping SAARC, which has not been very
development, child protection and child welfare. effective since 2016.
● The Nepal Government Official further said that,
● Eligibility criteria: An individual who is an Indian South Asian Association for Regional
Citizen residing in India and should have Cooperation (SAARC) could not be made
attained the age of 18 years or above (as of effective due to the lack of consensus among
31st August of the respective year). S/he all member states.
should have worked for the cause of children
for not less than 7 years. About:
● The last biennial summit took place
Supreme Court declines to entertain petitions inKathmandu in 2014.
against caste-based census in Bihar ● The 2016 SAARC Summit was to be held
inPakistan.
● The Bihar government had recently initiated the
● But after the terrorist attack on an IndianArmy
caste survey which aims tocompile data on
camp in Uri in 2016, India did not
each family digitally through a mobile
participate.
application from thepanchayat to the district
● The summit was called off afterBangladesh,
level.
Bhutan and Afghanistanalso declined to
● However, pleas were submitted to quash the
participate.
notification on the ground thatthe caste-based
Importance of revival of SAARC:
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● Reviving SAARC is crucial to countering ● Fuel efficiency,

thecommon socio-economic ● a higher specific impulse,
challengesprevalent in South Asia. ● rating and unlimited energy density.
● India’s most potent countermeasure indealing
with the challenge from China. Bombay HC quashes write-off of Yes Bank’s
● There is no real alternative as BIMSTECcannot AT1 bonds
replace SAARC for reasons such aslack of a
common identity and history amongall ● The Bombay High Court on Friday quashed a
BIMSTEC members. decision taken by the Yes Bank Administrator
● Critical for Regional cooperation in SouthAsia on March 14, 2020 to write off Additional Tier 1
as it is one of the least integrated regions (AT-1) bonds noting the Administrator did not
in the world in terms of trade have the authority to take such a decision.
andpeople-to-people contact. ● Yes Bank had written off AT-1 bonds worth Rs
● SAARC can help in the creation of mutualtrust 8,415 crore as part of the bailout in March
and peace within the region. 2020.
New NASA Nuclear Rocket Plan Aims to Get to

Mars in Just 45 Days ●
L.I N
About AT1 Bonds
AT1 bonds are a type of perpetual bonds having
● As part of the NASA Innovative Advanced

TA maturity of 100 years and offerrelatively higher
rates.
Concepts (NIAC) program for 2023, NASA
O
selected a nuclear concept for Phase I
R● They are considered quasi-equity instruments
with a larger risk of investment.
C P
development. This new class of bimodal
nuclear propulsion system uses a "wave rotor
● They were introduced under Basel accord and
banks issue them to shore up their core capital
SS
topping cycle" and could reduce transit times to base to meet the Basel-III norms.
Mars to just 45 days. ● In India, banks must maintain capital at a
minimum ratio of 11.5% of their risk-weighted
About Bimodal nuclear propulsion:
asset.
● Bimodal nuclear propulsion is a two-part ● Of this, 9.5% needs to be in Tier-1 capital and
system that includes; Nuclear Thermal and 2% in Tier-2.
Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NTP /NEP). ● If the capital ratios of the issuer fall below a
● It uses a wave rotor topping cycle. certain percentage or in the event of an
institutional failure, the rules allow the issuerto
How will nuclear propulsion work?
stop paying interest or even write down these
● The Nuclear Thermal system includes a nuclear bonds, as happened in the Yes Bank case.
reactor that will heat liquid hydrogen (LH2)
propellant and turn it into ionised hydrogen gas Planet Parade
(plasma) that will then be channelled through a
nozzle to generate thrust. ● Venus and Saturn will come very close to each
other and the beautiful scene will be visible
● Nuclear Electric Propulsion depends on a through a binocular or even to the naked eye.
nuclear reactor to provide electricity to a
Hall-Effect thruster (ion engine), which will About:
generate an electromagnetic field that will ● The phenomenon that is known as ‘planet
ionise and accelerate an inert gas to create parade’ wherein the planets Mercury, Venus,
thrust. Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn was visible to the
Advantages: naked eye from Earth.
109
● The planetary meet up, also known as a About:

conjunction, makes the two planets appear
close together or even touching in the Earth’s ● It is a quasi-judicial authority incorporated
night sky. for dealing with corporate disputes that are of
● Despite being millions of kilometers apart, the civil nature arising under the Companies
planets seem to occupy the same space in the Act,2013.
night sky because of their alignment. ● It was established on 1 June 2016 under
● Just after sunset in the west, a conjunction the Companies Act,2013.
of Venus and Saturn were 0.4 degrees apart as ● NCLT was formed based on the
seen from earth. recommendation of the Balakrishna Eradi
committee on law relating to the insolvency and
Param Vir Chakra the winding up of companies.
● The NCLT shall consist of a President and such
● Recently Prime Minister of India named the 21 number of Judicial and Technical Members as
largest unnamed islands of the Andaman & may be required.
N
Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra
I
● It is not limited or bound by the rules laid down
awardees.
L.
in the Code of Civil Procedure and is guided by
A
About Param Vir Chakra: the principles of natural justice, subject to the
T
other provisions of this Act and of any rules that
R
● It is India's highest military decoration awarded are made by the Central Government.
for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice
O
● The NCLT can enforce any order that it gives in
P
in the presence of the enemy. the same manner as a court would enforce it.
C
● The Param Vir Chakra was introduced on ● NCLT has the power to scrutinize its own
SS
January 26, 1950, on the first Republic Day orders.
with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947. ● The tribunal has the power to regulate their own
● Literally, Param Vir Chakra means 'Wheel (or procedure.
Cross) of the Ultimate Brave'. ● National Company Law Tribunal is
● It can be awarded posthumously. the adjudicating authority for the insolvency
● It is similar to the British Victoria Cross, US resolution process of companies and limited
Medal of Honor, or French Legion of Honor or liability partnerships under the Insolvency and
Russian Cross of St. George. Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
Design and other features:
Sweden discovers biggest rare earths deposit
● The medal was designed by Mrs. Savitri
in EU
Khanolkar.
● The medal is cast in bronze and circular in ● Sweden’s state-owned mining company LKAB
shape. has said it has discovered Europe’s largest
● In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state deposit of rare earth elements (REE). The
emblem, surrounded by four replicas of Indra's discovery bolsters the continent’s ambition to
Vajra, flanked by the sword of Shivaji. rely less on imported raw materials needed for
the green transition.
National Company Law Tribunal About:
● National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) allows ● REE are a set of seventeen metallic elements -
ownership transfer of Jet Airways to fifteen lanthanides on periodic table plus
Jalan-Kalrock consortium recently. scandium and yttrium.
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● They are necessary components for critical ● Galactic halo is a nearly spherical volume of
sectors, like, cellular telephones, electric thinly scattered stars, globular clusters of stars,
vehicles, defense applications like guidance and tenuous gas observed surrounding spiral
systems, lasers, etc. galaxies, including the Milky Way.
● REE shares some common properties such as ● Galactic halo is dominated by invisible dark
high luster, high electrical conductivity etc. as matter, whose presence is only measurable
well as some distinguishing properties, present through the gravity that it exerts.
in few REE, such as luminescence, magnetism ● Only about 1% of a galaxy’s stellar mass resides
etc. in its halo, and due to this low luminosity, the
● Also, Heavy REE (higher atomic weights) are observation of halos in other galaxies is
less common as compared to Light REE. extremely difficult.
● Although REE are fairly distributed across
Stellar halo:
different geographies, the extraction of REE is
most challenging part, because of complex ● It is the visible portion of a galactic halo.
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processing and intensive environmental effects. ● It is composed of globular clusters and field
● At present more than 80% of the world’s rare
earths processing capacity is in China.
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stars which have high space velocities that can
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take them far out of the galactic disk.
● India produces only 1% of global output despite
having around 6% of world’s reserves
●
TA Stellar halos may hold some of the best

preserved fossils of the formation history of
Astronomers discover Milky Way galaxy’s

O R galaxies.
most-distant stars
C P Credit Default Swaps
SS
● Astronomers have detected in the stellar halo ● Regulator SEBI allowed alternative investment
that represents the Milky Way’s outer limits a funds (AIFs) to participate in the Credit Default
group of stars more distant from Earth than any Swaps (CDS) market as protection buyers and
known within our own galaxy - almost halfway sellers in a bid to facilitate deepening of the
to a neighbouring galaxy. domestic corporate bond segment.
About: About:
● The researchers said these 208 stars inhabit ● The new norms, which will come into force with
the most remote reaches of the Milky Way’s immediate effect, allow business entities to
halo, a spherical stellar cloud dominated by the hedge risks associated with the bonds market.
mysterious invisible substance called dark
matter that makes itself known only through its ● CDS is a specific kind of counter-party
gravitational influence. agreement which allows the transfer of third
● The furthest of them is 1.08 million light years party credit risk from one party to another.
from Earth. A light year is the distance light ● Under the new norm, Category-I and Category-II
travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion AIFs can buy CDS on underlying investment in
km). debt securities only for the purpose of hedging,
● The stars that populate the outskirts of the while Category-III AIFs can purchase CDS for
galactic halo can be viewed as stellar orphans, hedging or otherwise, within permissible
probably originating in smaller galaxies that leverage, the Securities and Exchange Board of
later collided with the larger Milky Way. India (SEBI).
● AIF refers to any privately pooled investment
Galactic halo:
fund, (whether from Indian or foreign sources),
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in form of a trust or a company or a body

corporate or a Limited Liability Partnership 13th National Voters’ Day
(LLP). ● Election Commission of India is celebrating 13th
● CDS is a financial derivative that allows an National Voters’ Day on 25th January 2023.
investor to swap or offset their credit risk with
that of another investor. About:
● In this buyer pays an ongoing premium. In ● The theme for this year’s NVD, ‘Nothing Like
exchange, seller agrees to pay security’s value Voting, I Vote for Sure’ is dedicated to voters
and interest payments if a default occurs. which conveys individual’s feeling and
● CDS is used for speculation, hedging or as a aspiration towards participation in the electoral
form of arbitrage. process through power of their vote.
● The logo is designed to showcase festivity and
ChatGPT inclusivity of the electoral process.
● Ashoka Chakra in the background represents
● ChatGPT (Generative Pre-Trained Transformer)
is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot
launched in November 2022 byOpenAI, which
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the largest democracy of the world, whereas the
.
inked finger represents participation of each
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and every voter of the country.
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can comprehend and generate natural language
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● The tick mark in the logo stands for informed
or human text.
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decision making by the voter.
About:
●
PO
It can respond to user queries with summarized
Background:
C
information in short and simple sentences. ● Since 2011, National Voters’ Day has been
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OpenAI is a leading research laboratory based celebrated on January 25 every year, all across
in San Francisco in USA. the country to mark the foundation day of the
● GPT is a kind of computer language model that Election Commission of India, i.e. 25th January
relies on deep learning techniques to produce 1950.
human-like text based on inputs. ● The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to
● It is trained on large amounts of text data and create electoral awareness amongst citizens
uses an algorithm known as Transformer to and encourage them to participate in the
learn how to generate text that issimilar to electoral process.
human conversation. ● Dedicated to the voters of the country, the
National Voters’ Day is also used to facilitate
Key concern: enrolment of voters, specially the newly eligible
young voters. New voters are felicitated and
● Potential automation and scaling of ChatGPT
handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card
may industrialise creation and personalisation
(EPIC) in the NVD functions held across the
of malicious web pages, highlytargeted
country.
phishing campaigns, and social engineering
reliant scams.
● It will allow people with less or no skills in Assam’s Charaideo Maidams
coding to launch cyberattacks. ● Assam Chief Minister recently announced that
● It would be difficult to distinguish between A.I the central government has decided to put forth
generated content and one’s original work. the name of Assam’s Charaideomoidams burial
sites for addition to United Nations Educational,
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Scientific and Cultural Organization’s ● Following these quakes, the Dutch government
(UNESCO) World Heritage Sites list. had earlier said that it would shutter the field in
response to local protests.
About:
● In Groningen, the ground subsiding has been
● Presently, there are 40 UNESCOWHS in India: 32 caused by extraction alone over several years.
cultural (none inthe northeast), 7 natural, and ● Such extraction causes rocks to contract - as
1mixed type. the pores get to hold fewer and fewer
● Maidams are the burial mounds ofAhom kings, hydrocarbons over time.
queens and nobles.
● Though Maidams are found in alldistricts of Switzerland First to Adopt WTO Fisheries Deal
Upper Assam,Charaideo, first capital of
Ahomswas necropolis of almost allAhom ● Switzerland is first WTO member to formally
Royals. accept new Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
● Maidam consists of three majorfeatures: About:
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1. A vault or chamber (to keepmortal
remains).
2. A hemispherical earthenmound covering
●
L.I
It is the first WTO agreement to focus on
environment and only secondagreement
the chamberwith a brick structurefor
annual offeringover it. ●
TA reached at WTO since its inception.
It was adopted at WTO’s 12th Ministerial
3. An octagonal boundary wallhaving an
arched gateway on itswest.
O R●
Conference held in Geneva.
Acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members
C P
Their sizes vary from a modestmound to a
are needed for Agreement tocome into effect.
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hillock, dependingupon the power, status and Key features of this agreement:
resources of the person buried. ● Prohibits subsidies to illegal, unreported and
unregulated (IUU) fishing,and bans subsidies for
Groningen gas field fishing overfished stocks and for fishing on
unregulatedhigh seas.
● The Netherlands remains convinced of the need
Recognizes needs of developing and
to close production at Groningen, once one
least-developed countries (LDCs)
of Europe’s largest gas fields, by October
andestablishes a Fund to provide technical
following earthquake risks which made it
assistance and capacity building tohelp them
dangerous to keep operating.
implement the Agreement.
About: ● No prohibition on a WTO Member regarding
subsidy to its vessel or operator as long as it is
● The Groningen gas field is natural in Groningen
not carrying out IUU.
province in the northeastern part of the
● No prohibition on subsidies that are
Netherlands.
implemented to rebuild stock to a biologically
● It is the largest natural gas field in Europe.
sustainable level.
● This region of Groningen in the Netherlands has
a gas field that began operations in 1963.
● During the 1980s, the area saw numerous Derivatives Trading in Commodities
earthquakes - minor enough to avoid large ● The Securities and Exchange Board of India
damage but big enough for local buildings to (SEBI) regulator suspended futures trading of
develop cracks. the seven agricultural commodities recently.
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About: ● Funded by the Department of Science and

Technology (DST), the indigenous mobile
● On December 20, 2021 the capital markets
operating system wants to cater to the
regulator suspended futures trading in seven
approximately 100 crore mobile phone users in
commodities, viz., wheat, paddy (non basmati),
India.
moong, chana, soyabean and its derivatives,
mustard seed and its derivatives, and palm oil About:
and its derivatives on the exchanges.
● BharOS is a mobile operating system similar to
● The SEBI order allowed the squaring of
Android or iOS; it is based on an AOSP (Android
contracts but said no new contract would be
Open Source Project) operating system and
allowed in these commodities.
does not use any Google apps or services.
● Of the seven commodities, chana and mustard
● It would support Native Over The Air
seed were already banned at the time. The
(NOTA) updates as well as No Default
trading was initially suspended for a year, but in
Apps (NDA).
December 2022, the ban was extended for
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● It has a minimalistic home screen with the
I
another year, i.e., until December 20, 2023.
About Derivatives Trading:

L.
Indian flag, a list of app categories, and a
selection of apps that have passed the OS’s
● The derivatives are short-term financial
●
TA trust and security standards.
It will employ the Private App Store Services
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contracts that are bought and sold in the
(PASS) system to examine and curate apps that
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market.
are safe for users.
P
● Profits are made in the derivatives trade by
● These systems enable smartphone users to
C
predicting the price movements of the asset
interact with their devices and access their
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that underlies the contract.
features while also ensuring their safety.
● The derivatives trade can be in futures and
● Current status: The current version of BharOS
options. In a futures contract, a supplier
includes third-party apps such as DuckDuckGo
pledges to sell a certain quantity at a fixed price
and Signal by default.
at a future date. An option is a derivative
contract which gives the buyer (the owner or
holder of the option) the right, but not the States fall short of targets to improve forest
obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset. cover
● Farmers can put fixed amounts of their ● India is lagging behind in the targets to increase
products, which fit the quality standards of the the number and quality of tree- and forest-cover
exchange, to be sold at a fixed price — almost plantations set in the Green India Mission,
like price insurance. according to a recent data accessed via the
● These contracts can be exited by either the Right To Information Act.
producer or the trader by paying a margin price
About Green India Mission:
to the exchange.
● National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is one
BharOS software of the eight Missions under the National Action
Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
● The new mobile operating system called ● GIM was launched in the year 2014 as
BharOS was developed by the IIT a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Madras-incubated company JandK Operations ● The Mission has clear targets for different
Private Limited launched recently. forest types and ecosystems.
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● Activities under Green India Mission will be ● Puga and Chumathang in eastern Ladakh are
implemented under convergence with Mahatma the most promising geothermal sites.
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee ● Other sites include Cambay in Gujarat, Tattapani
Act (MGNREGA), Compensatory Afforestation in Chattisgarh, Khammam in Telangana &
Fund Management and Planning Authority Ratnagiri in Maharasthra.
(CAMPA) and the National Afforestation ● Total geothermal power potential is estimated
Programme (NAP). to be 10 gigawatt (GW).
Key objectives:
UNDP India launches campaign to drive
● Increased forest/tree cover on 5 million
hectares (mha) of forest/non-forest lands and ● The United Nations Development Programme
improved quality of forest cover on another 5 (UNDP) started a campaign to drive an inclusive
mha (a total of 10 mha). circular economy as part of its initiative to
● Improved ecosystem services including promote sustainability.
biodiversity, hydrological services and carbon Key highlights:
●
sequestration as a result of treatment of 10
mha.
Increased forest-based livelihood income of
●
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It is launched in partnership with Hindustan
Unilever Limited (HUL) and willfocus on:
about 3 million households living in and around
the forests.
●
TA End-to-end management of plastic waste by

promoting segregation of wasteat source and
● Enhanced annual CO2 sequestration by 50 to 60
million tonnes in the year 2020.
O R●
collection of segregated waste.
Setting up Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
C P
ONGC to map India’s geothermal resources
or Swachhata Kendras forrecycling all kinds of
plastic waste along the value chain.
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● Social Inclusion of 20,000 Safai Saathis or
● ONGC plans to map the geothermal energy waste pickers through access togovernment
sources of India in search of clean energy. welfare schemes and linkages etc.
● Building capacities of Urban Local Bodies for
Key highlights:
adopting MRFs model forplastic and dry waste
● Move comes at a time when India has set an management.
ambitious target of 500 GW of installed ● Initiative is a scale-up of existing partnership
renewable energy capacity by 2030 and net zero under UNDP’s flagship PlasticWaste
carbon emission by 2070. Management Programme to develop a
● Geothermal energy is an energy source that is sustainable model for plasticwaste
stored in the form of heat beneath earth’s management in India.
surface. ● It promotes collection, segregation, and
Magma in inner layer of earth heats nearby recycling of all plastics to move towardsa
rocks and underground aquifers, as a result circular economy.
hot water is released through geysers,
hotsprings, steam vents,underwater M1 Abrams tanks
hydrothermal
vents, and mud pots. ● United States President Joe Biden announced
● Hot water and steam can be piped up through on Wednesday that he will send 31
underground wells and used to generate state-of-the-art M1 Abrams battle tanks to
electricity in a power plant. Ukraine to help its troops push back Russian
● As per preliminary investigations undertaken by forces. It is more powerful than many Soviet-era
Geological Survey of India, there are around 300 tanks.
geothermal hot springs in India.
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About M1 Abrams tanks:

Doomsday Clock
● It is the United States main battle tank.
● The first M1 tank was manufactured by General ● Atomic scientists reset the “Doomsday
Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in 1978 and Clock” moving its hands to 90 seconds to
was delivered to the US Army in 1980. midnight - closer than ever before to the threat
● It was named in honor to General of annihilation.
Abrams, commander of US forces during the About Doomsday Clock:
Vietnam War.
● The export version of the Abrams is used by the ● The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic timepiece
armies of Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Poland, showing how close the world is to ending.
and Saudi Arabia. Midnight marks the theoretical point of
annihilation.
Key features: ● Apocalyptic threats could arise from political
● It uses a powerful and complex turbine tensions, weapons, technology, climate change
or pandemic illness.
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engine that produces 1,500 horsepower and
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● The hands of the clock are moved closer to or
.
requires four persons to operate.
L
● It is one of the heaviest tanks in service at further away from midnight based on the
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nearly 62 metric tons. scientists’ reading of existential threats at a
T
● The M1 tanks have a maximum speed of 45 particular time.
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● Armement: The Abrams is armed with a 120 ● A Chicago-based non-profit organization called
the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists updates
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mm main gun and .50 caliber and 7.62 mm
P
machine guns. the time annually based on information
regarding catastrophic risks to the planet and
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● It can destroy tank-size targets at a range of 2
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km while firing on the move. humanity.
● The clock was created in 1947 by a group of
atomic scientists, including Albert Einstein, who
Advertising Standards Council of India issues
had worked on the Manhattan Project to
new disclaimernorms for TV, digital ads develop the world’s first nuclear weapons
● Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) during World War Two.
updated its Guidelines for Disclaimers made
inadvertisements. Monument Mitra Scheme.
About: ● The government will hand over around 1,000
● ASCI is a voluntary, self-regulatory organization monuments under the control of the
comprising members from marketing,creative, Archaeological Survey of India to the private
media, and allied companies in India. sector for their upkeep under the Monument
● ASCI has had disclaimer guidelines since 2016. Mitra Scheme.
Key highlights of new guidelines: About:
● Use of disclaimer should be kept to a minimum ● Under the scheme, monument amenities will be
and avoid long and complex format. revamped by the private sector.
● Duration and readability of a disclaimer should ● Corporate entities will take over these
be clear to consumers. monuments as part of their Corporate Social
● There should not be more than one disclaimer Responsibility.
in a single frame of an ad. ● The government has set the target to hand over
500 sites under the revamped Monument Mitra
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Scheme by the end of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav ● Restoring open forest and grassland
on15thAugust 2023 ecosystems in India.
● The scheme will help India in showcasing the ● Conserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystem
best of its culture and tradition to all the senior services like water security, carbon
dignitaries and VVIPs coming to the country sequestration etc.
from all across the world. ● Enhanced livelihood opportunities for local
● The government is also preparing a digital community through eco-development
museum, on a G20 Orchestra, on a book of and ecotourism activities.
poems, on exhibitions to bring the 5000 years
old Indian culture in front of G20 delegates. World Economic situation and prospects 2023
report
South Africa inks MoU to send 12 cheetahs to
● The UN World Economic Situation and
Kuno National Park
Prospects 2023 report predicted global growth
● 12 Cheetah from South Africa is expected to to moderately pick up to 2.7 percent in 2024, as
arrive by February-March 2023. Earlier in
September 2022, KNP had received eight
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some macroeconomic headwinds are expected
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to begin to subside next year.
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cheetahs from Namibia.
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Key highlights
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About:
● It is produced by United Nations Department of
●
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Project Cheetah, approved by Supreme Court in
2020, aims to reintroduce at least 50
Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), in
partnership with UN Conference on Trade and
cheetahs over next five years.
C Development and five UN regional economic
SS
● It is world’s first inter-continental large wild commissions.
carnivore translocation project. ● COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine
● National Tiger Conservation Authority is nodal battered world economy in 2022.
agency authorized for funding and ● World output growth is projected to decelerate
supervision of project. from an estimated 3.0 percent in 2022 to 1.9
percent in 2023.
About Cheetah:
Recommendations
● Cheetah is a keystone species (organism that
helps define an entire ecosystem) of dry ● Reallocation and reprioritization of public
forests, expenditures.
scrub forests, and savannahs. ● Strengthening social protection systems.
● It is the only large wild mammalian species that ● Strategic public investments in education,
went extinct from India. Protected under health, digital infrastructure etc.
Appendix 1 of CITES.
● IUCN status: African Cheetah (Vulnerable) and T+1 settlement
Asiatic Cheetah (Critically
endangered). ● Indian stock markets are embarking on a
● Major Cheetah range countries: Namibia, shorter settlement cycle or T+1 regime for the
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, final list of large stocks from January,
Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya in Africa, and Iran ● A move that will help reduce margin
and India in Asia. requirements for clients and boost retail
investment.
Significance of Cheetah restoration
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About: treatment, due diligence, credit enhancement

and valuation etc.
● T+1 (trade plus one) means that market
● Discussion paper aims to develop a strong and
trade-related settlements will need to be cleared
robust securitisation market in India, while
within one day of the actual transactions taking
facilitating simpler securitisation structures.
place.
● Securitisation involves pooling of loans and
● Earlier, trades on the Indian stock exchanges
then selling them to a Special Purpose Entity
are settled in two working days after the
(SPE) which then issues securities backed by
transaction is done (T+2).
loan pool.
● The stock exchanges — NSE and BSE — in
● Currently, there is no corresponding mechanism
November 2021 in a joint statement announced
for Securitisation of Stressed Asset (SSA)
that they will implement the T+1 settlement
through SPE route.
cycle in a phased manner, starting February 25,
● SSA is a financial structure whereby an
2022, with the bottom 100 stocks in terms of
originator of NPAs sells these to a SPE that
market value.
N
funds such an acquisition by issuing
I
● Thereafter, 500 stocks were added based on the
.
securitisation notes.
L
same market value criteria from the last Friday
● In turn, SPE appoints a servicing entity to
A
of March and so on every following month.
manage stressed assets, typically with a fee
T
● From January 27 onwards, all trades in the
structure that incentivises them to maximize
R
equity cash segment (including Futures and
recoveries on underlying loans.
O
Options on stocks) will be conducted on a T+1
● Till now, Securitisation is allowed only in case of
P
basis.
standard assets while lenders have to largely
Benefits of T+1:
C rely on Asset Reconstruction Companies
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(ARCs) for bad assets under SARFAESI Act,
● Better liquidity with investors;
2002.
● Faster rolling of funds and stocks;
● Decreases unsettled trade exposure to clearing
NASA adds another asteroid target for the
corporation by 50%;
● Reduces capital blocked to cover risk of trades trojan explorer Lucy mission
etc. ● NASA announced that it is adding a new target
for the Lucy mission as the spacecraft goes on
RBI releases discussion paper on the its more than 6-billion-kilometre-long journey to
‘Securitization of Stressed Assets Framework’ study the Jupiter trojan asteroids.
● The RBI has released a discussion paper on the About:

Securitisation of Stressed Assets Framework
● The new target is a small main-belt asteroid and
(SSAF), inviting comments from stakeholders.
Lucy will get an up-close view of it to conduct
Key highlights: an engineering test of the spacecraft’s
asteroid-tracking navigation system.
● The Discussion paper broadly covers 9 relevant
● The asteroid, labelled (152830) 1999 VD57 was
areas of the framework, including asset
not a target earlier because it is extremely
universe, asset eligibility, minimum risk
small. At just around 700 metres in size, 1999
retention, a regulatory framework for special
VD57 will be the smallest main belt asteroid
purpose entity and resolution manager, access
ever visited by a spacecraft, according to NASA.
to finance for resolution manager, capital
● The asteroid is closer in size to the asteroids
visited by the DART mission and the OSIRIS-REx
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mission than the previously visited main belt ● For the first time, in AISHE 2020-21, higher
asteroids. educational institutions have filled data using
entirely online data collection platform through
Trojan Asteroids:
the Web Data Capture Format (DCF) developed
● Asteroids sharing an orbit with a planet, but by Department of Higher Education through the
which are located at the leading (L4) and National Informatics Centre (NIC).
trailing (L5) Lagrangian points, are known as ● The total number of Universities/University like
Trojan asteroids. institutions registered is 1,113, Colleges 43,796
● These asteroids occupy a stable Lagrangian and Standalone Institutions 11,296.
point in a planet’s orbit around the Sun. ● Number of Universities has increased by 70,
● Trojan Asteroids are some of the oldest number of colleges has increased by 1,453, in
remnants from the formation of our solar 2020-21 over 2019-20.
system 5 billion years ago. ● Enrollment in higher education increases to
● There are currently over 4,800 known Trojan 4.14 crore, crossing the 4 crore mark for first
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asteroids associated with Jupiter. time; increase of 7.5% from 2019-20 and 21%
● They orbit the Sun in two loose groups: one
group leading ahead of Jupiter in its orbit, the ●
L.I
from 2014-15.
Female enrollment reaches 2 crore mark,
other trailing behind at the same distance from
the Sun as Jupiter. ●
TA increase of 13 Lakh from 2019-20.
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has
● Due to the combined gravitational influences of
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the Sun and Jupiter, these Trojan asteroids have R improved from previous year for all social
groups.
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been trapped on stable orbits (around what is
C
known as the Lagrange Points) for billions of
● Enrollment in Distance Education has increased
by 7% in 2020-21 from 2019-20.
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years. ● Gender Parity Index (GPI) has increased from 1
in 2017-18 to 1.05 in 2020-21Total number of
All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) faculty/teachers increases by 47,914 from
2020-2021 2019-20.
● The Ministry of Education, Government of India India issues notice to Pakistan to modify Indus
has released All India Survey on Higher
Waters Treaty
Education (AISHE) 2020-2021.
● India has informed Pakistan of its intent to
About:
amend the 62-year-old Indus Waters Treaty for
● The Ministry has been conducting All India management of cross-border rivers because
Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) since 2011, the Pakistani side’s “intransigence” in handling
covering all higher educational institutions disputes has raised questions about the
located in Indian Territory and imparting higher integrity of the pact, people familiar with the
education in the country. matter.
● The survey collects detailed information on
About:
different parameters such as student
enrollment, teacher’s data, infrastructural ● IWT, water sharing treaty, signed in 1960 by
information, financial information etc. India and Pakistan with WB as athird-party
guarantor.
Key findings:
● It delimits the rights and obligations of both
countries concerning the use of waters on
Indus River System.
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● It allocates Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, scaleplants to help electricity grids ensure a
Chenab) to Pakistan and Eastern Rivers (Ravi, reliable supply of renewable energy.
Beas, Sutlej) to India.
Significance of BESS
● Maximum area of Indus Basin is in Pakistan
followed by India, China and Afghanistan. ● Ensures peak-time power supply.
● Round-the-clock power to overcome
Key highlights:
intermittent nature of renewable energy.
● India issued the notice in view of Pakistan’s non ● Less requirement of expensive transmission
compliance in resolving disputes over and distribution network upgrades.
Kishenganga (on Kishenganga River, tributary of ● Faster responses for balancing grid (voltage
Jhelum) and Ratle hydropower projects (on and frequency regulation) than coal-firedpower
Chenab River), both in Jammu and Kashmir. plants.
● India is allowed to construct hydroelectric
Issues with BESS
power facilities on tributaries of Jhelum and
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Chenab rivers with certain restrictions under Absence of Time-of-Day (ToD) pricing structure
I
●
●
IWT, 1960.
Dispute redressal mechanism provided under
L.
in India hampering investment. Under
ToD, cost of electricity depends on time of day.
●
Article IX of IWT is a graded mechanism.
It’s a 3-level mechanism.
●
TA Low mineral reserve of Lithium cobalt.
● World Bank’s (WB) role is largely procedural and
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limited to designating neutral experts (NE) or R
●
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chair of court of arbitration (CoA).
India has invoked Article XII (3) of treaty i.e., a
SCO Film Festival 2023
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● The five-dayof SCO Film Festival opened in
provision to amend Treaty.
Mumbai recently.
● Treaty can be amended or terminated only with
duly ratified treaty between two countries. About SCO
● Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
IEEFA projects exponential growth of battery formed in 2001 is the world’s largest regional
storage assets in India organization in terms of geographic scope and
● A new report has projected exponential growth population.
in India’s Battery Energy Storage System ● It covering approximately 60% of the area of
(BESS). Eurasia, 40% of the world population, and more
than 30% of global GDP.
About: ● India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the
● BESS are rechargeable batteries that can store
member nations.
energy from different sources and discharge it
when needed. About SCO Film Festival
● It consists of one or more batteries and can be
used to balance the electric grid, provide ● It is being organized by the National Film
backup power, and improve grid stability. Development Corporation, a Public Sector
● Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in mobile Undertaking of the Ministry of Information and
phones and electric cars, are currently Broadcasting, in association with the SCO
dominant storage technology for large Council of Heads of States.
● It aims to build cinematic partnerships, have an
exchange of programmes, nurture young
120
filmmaking talent and act as a bridge between liquid form, and which is located in the
the cultures of the Shanghai Cooperation. immediate vicinity of the star due to its low
● As part of the SCO Film Festival in India, it is luminosity.
endeavoured to showcase selected films from ● Planet b has a mass slightly higher than Earth’s,
the Members, Observer States and Dialogue is the closer of the two and its year lasts only
partners States. 10 days.
● Planet c is about a third more massive than
● Recently Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and
Earth and takes about 20 days to orbit the star.
Waterways inaugurated The National Logistics
● The two planets were discovered using
Portal (marine) in New Delhi.
the radial velocity (RV) method.
About:
Radial Velocity method:
● The National Logistic Portal (marine) (NLP) is a
● This method is based on the detection of
project of national importance, as envisaged by
variations in the velocity of the central star, due
the Ministry of Ports Shipping Waterways and
N
to the changing direction of the gravitational
●
the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
It is a one-stop platform aimed at connecting all
L.I
pull from an unseen exoplanet as it orbits the
star.
A
the stakeholders of the logistics community
T
using IT, to improve efficiency and transparency
Constitution Bench questions utility of an
R
by reducing costs and time delays and
advanced medical directive in India
O
achieving easier, faster, and more competitive
C P
offerings of services, to promote the growth of
the logistics sector and thereby improve trade.
● A Constitution Bench questioned the utility of
executing an advanced medical directive in
SS
● NLP will be a single window for all trade India when a person is anyway free to refuse
processes of the logistics sector spread across invasive treatment and accept death.
the country covering all modes of transport in ● A five-judge Bench led by Justice K.M. Joseph
the waterways, roadways, and airways along also queried when such an directive should be
with an E-marketplace to provide a seamless implemented.
end-to-end logistic service coverage.
● NLP Is a one stop marketplace where all logistic Key highlights:
stakeholders are integrated for easier, speedier ● Hearing the petition seeking modification of its
& competitive services thereby promoting trade guidelines for Living Will, laid down in Common
and growth. Cause v Union of India (2018), SC stated:
● Advance Medical Directive (AMD) can be
GJ 1002 b and c applied only in narrow area where patients
become so terminally ill that they are not in a
● Recently an international group of researchers
position to say that treatment must stop.
has discovered the presence of two planets
● AMD or Living Will is a legal document that
with masses comparable to that of the Earth in
specifies type of medical care that an individual
orbit around the star GJ 1002.
does or does not want in the event they are
About GJ 1002 b and c: unable to communicate their wishes.
● Guidelines lack utility as in India a person is
● The two new planets are named, GJ 1002 b and
anyway free to refuse invasive treatment and
GJ 1002 c.
accept death.
● These planets lie in so-called habitable
zones, within which water could be found in
121
● Legislature is much more endowed with skills ● They are the lone inhabitant tribe of Dibang
and sources of knowledge to enact a relevant Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh.
law. ● The Idu-Mishmi is a major sub-tribe of the
● In 2018, SC upheld legality of passive Mishmi group.
euthanasia and laid down procedure for living ● They are of mongoloid race and have a
wills in India. Euthanasia is practice of ending distinctive dialect of Tibeto-Burman language.
life of a patient to limit the patient’s suffering.
Backing Sri Lanka, India sends financing
Etalin hydropower project assurances to IMF
● The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has ● India sent financing assurances to the
asked the Arunachal Pradesh government to file International Monetary Fund (IMF), becoming
a fresh proposal for forest diversion and the the first of Sri Lanka’s creditors to officially back
construction of the Etalin hydroelectric project the crisis-hit island nation’s debt restructuring
(EHEP). programme.
About:
.I N
Key highlights:
L
A
● Due to non-compliance to conditions stipulated ● The financing assurances from creditors is
by the FAC and the overwhelming
pushback against the project in the region.
R T critical for Sri Lanka to get the $2.9 billion loan

from IMF to put its economy on track.
●
PO
The FAC made the recommendations for which
the top agenda was the deliberation and
● It is facing multiple challenges such as
shortage of dollars, runaway inflation and a
C
discussion of the diversion of 1165.66 hectares steep recession.
SS
of forest land for construction of the 3,097 MW ● India, Japan, and China are Sri Lanka’s three
power plant in Dibang Valley District. largest bilateral lenders.
● IMF was established (in 1944) to provide
About Etalin Hydroelectric Project (EHEP):
emergency financing to countries hit by crises
● It is a 3,097 MW hydropower project planned in and help them to stabilize their economies.
the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. ● Unlike development banks, IMF does not lend
● It is one of the largest hydropower projects for specific projects. It also provides
proposed in the country in terms of installed precautionary financing to help prevent crises.
capacity. ● Crises can occur due to domestic or/and
● EHEP is proposed to be developed as external factors and can take many different
a combination of two run-of-the-river schemes. forms such as Balance of Payment issue,
● The project involves the construction of illiquid or insolvent financial institutions,
concrete gravity dams on the Tangon and excessive deficits and debt etc.
Dririverswhich are tributaries of Dibang river.
Lending instruments of IMF include:
● The project area falls under the “richest
bio-geographical province of the Himalayan ● General Resources Account on
zone” and “one of the mega biodiversity non-concessional terms (market-based interest
hotspots of the world”. rates).
● The project area is dominated by indigenous ● Concessional financial support (currently at
population belonging to Idu-Mishmi tribes. zero interest rates) through Poverty Reduction
and Growth Trust, which is better tailored to
Idu-Mishmi Tribe:
needs of low-income countries.
122
● Resilience and Sustainability Trust to help shifting to a new payments system for
low-income and vulnerable middle-income secondary market trades.
countries. ● The move is primarily aimed at safeguarding
investors from potential misuse of their funds
World Economic Forum mooted for Artificial by brokers.
Intelligence can help Fight Wildfires Application Supported by Blocked Amount:
● The average annual global cost of wildfires is ● The mechanism has been developed by SEBI to
around USD 50 billion, the World Economic apply for IPOs, Rights and Debts Issues, FPS
Forum as it pitched for use of artificial and more.
intelligence in fighting them and containing ● It entails that the amount to be paid for
carbon emissions caused by such tragedies. subscribing to the shares does not get debited
Key highlights: from the investor’s account until the shares
have been allotted by the company.
Launched in January 2022, FireAId project
N
● ● Investors can apply for ASBA and have the bank
(using AI system) aims to allow better
prediction of wildfires and more efficient use of
.I
block out the application money until the shares
L
get allotted to the investor.
A
resources during firefighting operations. ● This system will provide the authorization of the
● FireAId predictions reduced both response time
and risk to firefighters.
R T investor to subscribe only when the application
is selected for the issue.
●
PO
AI was used to develop a digital twin for fire
management, which helped firefighters in
● This blocking is carried out by Self-Certified
Syndicate Banks (SCSB).
C
testing hypotheses of intervention measures ● Upon the approval of the issue to the investor,
SS
and observing their outcomes in simulations. the funds are paid accordingly.
● A digital twin is a virtual representation of an
object or system, is updated from real-time Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope helps
data, and uses simulation, machine learning
detect atomic hydrogen from far-away galaxy
and reasoning to help decision-making.
● Astronomers from McGill University (Canada)
Role of AI and machine learning in combating
and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
wildfires:
used data from GMRT to detect a radio signal
● Refinements in AI, real-time maps for wildfire originating from atomic hydrogen in an
prediction and risk mapping. extremely distant galaxy at redshift z=1.29.
● Sensors with inbuilt AI can collect acoustic
Key highlights:
information or operate as smoke detectors for
alerting authorities. ● Redshift represents signal’s wavelength change
● Digital simulations can better plan efficient depending on the object’s location and
responses based on predicted outcomes. movement.
● UAVs can provide live images and help ● A greater value of z indicates a farther object.
firefighters plan their response. ● Atomic hydrogen is the basic fuel required for
star formation in a galaxy.
Application Supported by Blocked Amount ● When hot ionised gas from surrounding
system medium of a galaxy falls onto universe, gas
cools and forms atomic hydrogen.
● The Securities and Exchange Board of India ● This then becomes molecular hydrogen and
(Sebi) gave details of a proposed framework for eventually leads to formation of stars.
123
● Detection was made possible by gravitational ● When the voter scans his/her constituency
lensing phenomenon. card in the presence of the Presiding Officer at
the station, their respective constituency and
About GMRT:
candidate list will appear on the RVM display.
● It is an instrument for studying astrophysical ● As for counting the votes, the electronic system
phenomena, ranging from nearby Solar system will also count and store the votes for each
to edge of observable Universe, at low radio candidate in a constituency.
frequencies.
What is the EC’s proposal for RVMs?
● It is operated by National Centre of Radio
Astrophysics (NCRA), which is part of Tata ● In its 2015 order on a plea seeking voting
Institute of Fundamental Research. opportunities for domestic migrants, the
Supreme Court directed the EC to explore
Remote Electronic Voting Machines remote voting options.
● A committee of the poll panel had considered
● The Election Commission of India (ECI) said on
N
remote voting options such as proxy voting,
December 28 that it was ready to pilot remote
voting for domestic migrants through newly
.I
postal ballots, Internet voting, and early voting
L
but did not recommend any of these methods
A
devised remote electronic voting machines citing various reasons.
(RVMs) so that the voter does not have to travel
to their home State or district to cast their vote.
R
●
T The EC has now come up with a prototype for a
Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting
How significant is the migrant vote?
PO Machine (RVM) for migrant voting, a modified

version of the existing EVM model.
●
C
EC has admitted that the absence of a central
SS
database for migrants poses a problem on the Vibrant Village Programme
issue of remote voting.
● However, the EC recognises that ● Union Home Minister said that borders can be
“migration-based disenfranchisement is indeed permanently secured only when border villages
not an option in the age of technological are populated by patriotic citizens who are
advancement.” concerned for the country.
● As per the 2011 census, 45.36 crore Indians
About:
(37% of the population) were internal migrants,
settled in a place different from that of their ● Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) has
registered residence. been announced in the Finance Minister’s
● Expressing concerns about a stagnating Budget Speech 2022.
electoral participation, the EC says that ● VVP is aiming at enhancing infrastructure in
while 67.4% of the eligible 91.2 crore Indians villages along India's border with China, in
voted in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, about states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and
one-third or close to 30 crore voters did not cast Arunachal Pradesh.
their vote. ● Activities under the VVP include building
infrastructure such as housing, tourist centres,
About remote voting:
road connectivity, providing decentralised
● The RVMs will have the same security system renewable energy, direct-to-home access for
and voting experience as the EVM, with Doordarshan and educational channels, and
the modification of an electronic ballot display support for livelihood generation.
with candidates and symbols instead of a fixed ● The programme envisages coverage of border
ballot paper sheet. villages on Northern border having sparse
124
population, limited connectivity and served on the basis of an “assurance of

infrastructure, which often get left out from the reciprocity.”
development gains.
● Convergence of existing schemes is proposed King Penguins
under VVP. The villages on the Northern border
to be covered under VVP are being finalised. ● A 2018 study found that global warming was on
track to wipe out 70% of the world's king
penguins by the end of the century.
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
About:
● India and Saudi Arabia are in talks to sign a
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to ● They are the 2nd largest penguin species.
obtain formal assistance from each other in ● They live on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands.
investigations related to criminal cases. Major colonies are found on Crozet, Prince
Edward Island, Kerguelen Island, Heard Island,
About:
South Georgia and Macquarie Island.
● Saudi Arabia is only among a dozen other
countries that does not have either an MLAT or
●
L.I N
King penguins don't make a nest and they carry
their egg around with them at all times on top of
A
any other bilateral agreement with India to their feet by taking turns.
●
facilitate such investigations.
India has so far signed MLATs with 45
R
●
T According to IUCN it is under the category

of Least Concern.
with Italy and Germany.
PO
countries, and is also in talks to finalise MLATs ● Threats: Climate change, habitat shifting and
southward shifting of the Antarctic Polar Front.
●
C
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs
SS
(MHA), an MLAT is “a mechanism whereby Financial Stability Report
countries cooperate with one another in order
to provide and obtain formal assistance in ● Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
prevention, suppression, investigation and released its biannual Financial Stability Report.
prosecution of crime to ensure that the ● As per the report, asset quality of the banking
criminals do not escape or sabotage the due system has improved with Gross
process of law for want of evidence available in Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio declining
different countries.” to the lowest in 7 years.
Significance: About:
● The signing of the treaty would help in getting a ● FSR is a bi-annual report that reflects risks to
conviction for an accused in a court of law, financial stability and the resilience of
based on evidence gathered through the mutual Indianfinancial system (Global FSR is released
agreement. by IMF).
● MLATs are used to send a formal request for ● With inputs from all financial sector regulators,
investigation in foreign countries for collection it reflects overall evaluation of Sub
of evidence, examination of witness and Committeeof Financial Stability and
execution of orders of attachment and Development Council.
confiscation of assets. Key highlights
● According to the MHA, in countries which are
not covered by any bilateral or multilateral treaty ● Gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio of
or agreement or international convention, the scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) fell to
summons, notices and judicial processes are aseven-year low of 5.0% and net NPA have
125
dropped to ten-year low of 1.3% in September ● He topped his class for both degrees and at 22,
2022. he was appointed as a lecturer at Calcutta
● Buoyant demand for bank credit and early signs University, along with astrophysicist
of a revival in investment cycle. MeghnadSaha.
● He was awarded Padma Vibhushan, one of the
Significance:
highest civilian awards in the country, by the
● Reading the FSR tells us how robust or Indian government in 1954 and five years later,
vulnerable our financial system — especially our was appointed as National Professor.
banking system — is to the changes in the
Research and findings:
economy.
● As a corollary, it also tells us whether and to ● While teaching Planck’s formula for the
what extent will our banks and other lending distribution of energy from black body radiation,
institutions (such as Non-Banking Finance Bose began questioning the way particles were
Companies and Housing Finances Companies) counted — his basic argument was that one
N
be able to support future growth. photon of light is not distinguishable from
● For instance, if the FSR reveals that the
percentage of NPAs or bad loans in the banking
L.I
another of the same colour — and came up with
his own derivation, instead of relying on
system is high and also shows that the
government fiscal deficit is also high then it
TA classical
predecessors.
electrodynamics like his
means that not only will the banks struggle to
O
function effectively (and fund future growth) but R● Bose first sent his findings, recorded in a paper
titled Planck’s Law and the Hypothesis of Light
C P
also that if banks were to falter then the
government may find it tough to bail them out.
Quanta, to a famous science journal called The
Philosophical Magazine. However, the paper
SS
was rejected. Bose didn’t lose hope and made
Satyendra Nath Bose the bold decision of sending his research to
Einstein.
● The 129th birth anniversary of Satyendra Nath ● The publication of the paper completely
Bose has been celebrated recently. changed the Indian physicist’s life and career.
About: He was soon granted study leave from his
university for two years and allowed to visit
● Born on January 1, 1894, he grew up and Europe.
studied in Kolkata, where he solidified his ● During his trip, Bose got an opportunity to meet
position as an exemplary academician. other famous scientists of that era, such as
● His father, an accountant in the Executive Paul Langevin and Madame Curie.
Engineering Department of the East Indian ● He also joined the laboratory of Maurice de
Railways, gave him an arithmetic problem to Broglie where he learnt techniques of X-ray
solve every day before going to work, spectroscopy and crystallography, the branch of
encouraging Bose’s interest in mathematics. science that deals with the arrangement of
● By the age of 15, he began pursuing a Bachelor atoms in crystalline solids.
of Science degree at the Presidency College,
and later finished his MSc in Mixed
Mathematics in 1915.
126
CURRENT AFFAIRS MAR-2023
● Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs

PM CARES Fund is a public charitable trust, and Minister of Finance, Government of
not controlled by government of India India are ex-officio Trustees of the Fund.
● The Centre has informed the Delhi High Court ● The Trust Deed of the Fund gives the Chairman
that PM CARES Fund is set up as a public of the Board of Trustees, i.e. the Prime Minister,
charitable trust and is not created under the the power to nominate three Trustees to the
Constitution or any law made by the Parliament Board of Trustees.
or the state, in a plea seeking to declare the
fund a ‘state’ under Article 12 of the Digital infrastructure can add 60-100 bps to
Constitution to ensure transparency in its GDP growth
functioning.
About PM CARES Fund:

●
.I N
According to the Survey, payments made
L
through UPI accounted for over half of all digital
● The Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and
TA transactions in India in FY22 (2021-22).

Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM
O
CARES Fund) was created on 28 March 2020,
RAbout:
P
● Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) are solutions
following the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
C
and systems that enable the provision of
● It was created for combating, and containment
SS
essential society-wide functions andservices in
and relief efforts against the coronavirus
public and private sectors.
outbreak and similar pandemic like situations in
● This includes digital forms of identification and
the future.
verification, civil registration, payment (digital
● It has been registered as a Public Charitable
transactions and money transfers),
Trust.
dataexchange, and information systems.
Objectives to establish the fund: ● DPI was introduced in India in 2009 when
Aadhaar was first launched.
● To provide assistance and relief to all the
● Digital public goods (DPGs) are types of
affected persons in the event of any calamity,
open-source software, models and standards
disaster, public health emergency or any other
that countries can use to operationalise
emergency of any kind that may be either
theirDPI. Examples of DPGs include India Stack,
natural or man-made.
UPI, Aadhaar etc.
● Creation as well as upgradation of any
pharmaceutical facilities, funding a research, Significance of DPI growth:
creation or upgradation of any necessary
● Economic Survey 2022-23 highlights following
infrastructure, healthcare support or any other
benefits from DPI growth:
kind of support.
● Development of digital payment ecosystem
Composition of the Trust: through UPI.
● Payments made through UPI accounted for over
● Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the
half of all digital transactions in India in FY22.
PM CARES Fund.
● Easier access to e-government services through
initiatives such as UMANG, GeM, e-NAM etc.
127
● Better resource management due to sharing of Economic Partnership Agreement, CEPA by

open-source e-governance applications through Indian Exporters.
platforms like OpenForge.
About:
● Overcoming language barrier with National
Language Translation Mission i.e., Bhashini. ● India-UAE CEPA is the first deep and full free
● Filip to technological development through trade Agreement (FTA) signed by India with any
information collation and sharing such as country in the past decade.
National AI portal. ● It officially entered into force in May 2022.
● It covers Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Trade
Radioactive capsule in Services, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT),
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)measures,
● Authorities recovered a tiny radioactive capsule, Dispute Settlement etc.
smaller than a coin, lost in Australia’s vast ● India has already signed a CEPA with Japan and
Outback. South Korea.
About:
● The Caesium-137 capsule lost in transit more ●
L.I N
Significance of CEPA:
Expected to increase total value of bilateral
than two weeks ago was discovered when a
vehicle equipped with specialist detection
TA trade in goods to over US$100 billion and trade
in services to over US$ 15 billion withinfive
equipment picked up the radiation, despite
O
travelling at around 70 km/h, according to
R●
years.
Eliminated duties for 90% of India’s exports to
●
C P
officials from the state of Western Australia.
The search team then used portable detection
UAE, covering sectors such as gems and
SS
jewellery, textiles, leather, etc.
equipment to find the capsule, which was ● Exports benefiting from India-UAE free trade
located about 2 metres from the side of the pact accounted for about 60% of India’s total
road in a remote area far from any community. non-oil shipments to UAE.
● The radioactive capsule was part of a gauge
used to measure the density of iron ore feed
Lab-grown diamonds
from Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri mine.
● Located in the northern reaches of Western ● During Budget speech, Union Finance Minister
Australia, the recently opened mine is one of the announced the government’s move to focus on
most advanced in the world, with a high degree lab-grown diamonds. “Customs duty on the
of automation. seeds used in lab-grown diamond
manufacturing will be reduced”, announced the
Caution:
finance minister. She also announced a grant to
● To stay at least five metres (16.5 feet) away if IITs to facilitate the growth of LGDs in India.
they spotted the capsule, because exposure
What are lab-grown diamonds?
could cause radiation burns or radiation
sickness. However, driving past it was believed ● Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are
to be relatively low risk, akin to taking an X-ray. produced using specific technology which
mimics the geological processes that grow
India-UAE Comprehensive Economic natural diamonds.
Partnership Agreement ● They are not the same as “diamond simulants”
– LGDs are chemically, physically and optically
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the
utilisation of India-UAE Comprehensive
128
diamond and thus are difficult to identify as

“lab-grown.” NASA’s Perseverance rover
● While materials such as Moissanite, Cubic ● NASA announced that its Perseverance Rover,
Zirconia (CZ), White Sapphire, YAG, etc. are nicknamed Percy, has completed the first
“diamond simulants” that simply attempt to “sample depot on another world” by dropping
“look” like a diamond, they lack the sparkle and the tenth and final sample tube.
durability of a diamond and are thus easily ● The tube will be part of a depot that will be
identifiable. considered for the return to Earth as part of the
● However, differentiating between an LGD and an Mars Sample Return Campaign.
Earth Mined Diamond is hard, with advanced
equipment required for the purpose. About:
Process of producing the LGDs: ● NASA’s Perseverance is a Mars rover that is

about 3 metres long, 2.7 metres wide, and 2.2
● There are multiple ways in which LGDs can be metres tall. It is about the size of a car, but
N
produced.
I
weighs only about 1,025 kilograms with all
● High pressure, high temperature” (HPHT)
method ●
L.
instruments on board.
Since it has to operate independently on the
1. It is the most common and cheapest
method.
TA surface of a plant that is millions of kilometres
R
away, it has parts that are analogous – similar
2. In this method, extremely heavy to those found in animals that help them adapt
PO
presses that can produce up to 730,000
psi of pressure under extremely high
and survive.
C
temperatures of at least 1500 celsius are When did the Perseverance rover launch?
SS
applied. ● Perseverance on an Atlas V-541 rocket from
3. Usually, graphite is used as the “diamond Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air
seed” and when subjected to these Force Station in Florida on July 30, 2020. It
extreme conditions, the relatively landed on the surface of Mars on February 18,
inexpensive form of carbon turns into one 2021 along with the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.
of the most expensive carbon forms. ● Perseverance is looking for signs of life on the
● Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and red planet. Previous missions run by the
explosive formation create what is known as American space agency have discovered
detonation nanodiamonds. evidence that Mars once had running water
before it turned into a frozen desert.
Application of Lab-grown diamonds: ● Mars had warmer surface environments that
● Used for industrial purposes, in machines and could have supported microbial life in its earlier
tools and their hardness and extra strength history.
make them ideal for use as cutters. ● Perseverance aims to take the next logical step
● Pure synthetic diamonds are used and find out one of the most important
in electronics as a heat spreader for high-power questions in the field of astrobiology—whether
laser diodes, laser arrays and high-power there are signs of past microbial life on Mars.
transistors.
129
Supreme Court seeks Centre’s stand on having Upper Bhadra Irrigation Project
statutory body for elephants
● Union Finance Minister recently announced a
● The Supreme Court asked the Centre whether it grant of ₹5300 crore for the Upper Bhadra
intended to have a statutory authority for Irrigation Project in the poll-bound Karnataka.
protecting elephants similar to the lines of the
About Upper Bhadra Project:
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
and sought a reply in this regard within four ● It is a major lift irrigation Scheme under
weeks. implementation in the central region of
Karnataka State.
Background:
● It aims to provide sustainable irrigation facility
● In 2010, the ‘Gajah report’ from ElephantTask in kharif season.
Force made a slew of recommendations to ● It also proposes to recharge ground water
protect and preserve the elephant population, tables and provide drinking water by filling 367
I N
including the: tanks with six tmcft water in drought-prone
● Constitution of a statutory NationalElephant
Conservation Authority(NECA) on the lines of ●
L.
taluks.
It is planned to irrigate an extent of 2,25,515
National TigerConservation Authority (NTCA).
TA hectares by micro irrigation in drought-prone
R
districts of Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Tumkur
About Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus):
and Davangere.
●
PO
It is a keystone species playing a critical role in ● It envisages lifting upto 17.40 TMC of water in
C
sustenance of wildlife and biodiversity. first stage from Tunga river to existing Bhadra
SS
● It is listed: reservoir and lifting 29.90 TMC of water in
● IUCN Status: EndangeredIn Appendix I of the second stage from Bhadra reservoir to Tunnel
Convention of the Migratory species. near Ajjampura, in Tungabhadra sub-basin of
● In Schedule I of the Wild Life(Protection) Act, Krishna basin.
1972. ● In 2022, Central government gave national
● More than 60 % of the population ofAsian project statusto “Upper Bhadra Project”.
elephants is found in India.
Tungabhadra River:
Measure taken by the government for Elephant
● It is a sacred river in southern India that flows
safety:
through the states of Karnataka, Andhra
● Project Elephant, a centrally sponsored scheme Pradesh and Telengana.
launched in 1992 for management of wildlife ● The ancient name of the river was Pampa.
and its habitats in the country. ● It is formed by the confluence of two rivers, the
● In 2010, it was declared India’s National Tunga River and the Bhadra
Heritage Animal. ● Both Tunga & Bhadra Rivers are originated on
● Approval to 33 Elephant Reserves by Centre the eastern slops of the Western Ghats.
with a total area of nearly 80,000
sq km. India, U.S. step up strategic partnership with
● In 2022, Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) was set technology initiative
up in Uttar Pradesh.
● India and the U.S.launched a program to
enhance their strategic partnership with
delegations led by the National Security Advisor
130
(NSA) Ajit Doval and his American counterpart,

Jake Sullivan, meeting in Washington for the New START Treaty
inaugural dialogue of the Initiative on Critical ● The United States has accused Russia of not
and Emerging Technologies (iCET). complying with the New START treaty.
About: ● The news comes amid growing tensions
between the two nations in the backdrop of the
● The two sides announced a set of programs Ukraine war.
whose aim is to increase the depth and scope ● The state department said Russia suspended
of bilateral cooperation in cutting edge inspections and cancelled talks but stopped
technology, including in the defence sector. short of accusing Moscow of expanding
● The iCET seeks to build supply chains which nuclear warheads beyond agreed limits.
increase co-production and co-development
between the countries and increase linkages About New START Treaty:
between the countries’ start-up ecosystems, ● The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New
N
both governments said in their statements
I
START), is an agreement between the U.S.
describing the dialogue.
●
L.
andRussia that sets limits on strategic arms.
It has set central limits on strategic offensive
A
iCET aims to:
arms and both sides are obligated to maintain
● Position two countries as trusted technology
partners by building technology value
R T thoselimits for as long as the treaty remains in
force.
co-production of items. O
chains and support the co-development and
P
● It includes strategic nuclear warheads,
C
launchers and heavy bombers.
● Address regulatory restrictions, export controls
SS
● Signed in 2010, New START caps to 1,550 the
and mobility barriers through a number of nuclear warheads that can be
standing mechanism. deployedby Russia and US. In 2021 it was
● During inaugural dialogue of iCET, two sides extended till 2026.
announced a set of programs to increase
bilateral cooperation: Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Initiatives
1. Strengthen Innovation ecosystem. announced in Budget 2023-24
2. Promote Defense Innovation and
Technology Cooperation. ● During the Budget speech Union finance
3. Build Resilient Semiconductor Supply Minister announced multiple schemes towards
Chains. Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
Key benefits: Key initiatives announced are:
● Ease export barriers to India in critical areas ● PM PRANAM (Prime Minister Programme for
such as High-Performance Computing. Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and
● Strengthen linkages between the startup Amelioration of Mother Earth): This programme
ecosystems of India and USA. will seek to incentivise states and union
● Foster an open, accessible, and secure territories to promote alternative fertilisers and
technology ecosystem, based on mutual trust the balanced use of chemical fertilisers.
and confidence. ● Bhartiya PrakritikKheti Bio-Input Resource
Centres: Under this10,000 Bio-Input Resource
Centres will be set up, creating a national-level
distributed micro-fertiliser and
131
pesticide manufacturing network.This will ● Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) will
impact over 1 crore farmers over the next three be made available for 2 years up to March
years. 2025.
● Agriculture Accelerator Fund: The Fund will aim ● It will offer a 7.5% interest rate and will have the
at bringing innovative and affordable benefit of a partial withdrawal option.
solutions for challenges faced by farmers.It will Deposit facility up to Rs.2 lakh in the name of
also bring in modern technologies to transform women or girls for a tenor of 2 years.
agricultural practices, and increase productivity
About Small Saving Schemes (SSSs)
and profitability."
● Cotton crop productivity enhancement: Union ● SSSs are investment tools administered by the
government will adopt a cluster-based government to encourage residents to save for
approach to enhance the cotton crop.To the long term.
enhance the productivity of extra-long staple ● All the money pooled from different SSSs goes
cotton, the government will adopt a to the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF),
N
cluster-based and value chain approach established in 1999 within the Public Account
through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
.I
of India.
L
A
Types of Small Saving Schemes:
Fairy robot
● Researchers at Tampere University have
R
●
T Postal deposits: Savings account, recurring
deposits, time deposits and monthly income
O
developed a Dandelion seed-inspired flying scheme.
these pollinators.
C P
robot that can potentially stand in for some of ● Savings certificates: National Small Savings
Certificate and Kisan Vikas Patra.
SS
About: ● Social security schemes: Public Provident Fund
(PPF), Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS),
● The Flying Aero-robots based on the Light and Sukanya Samridhi Account Scheme.
Responsive Materials Assembly, FAIRY robot, is
a tiny lightweight robot that relies on wind to Significance of Small Saving Schemes:
float in the air. ● Offering slightly higher interest rates compared
● Interestingly, the robot can be controlled with a to bank deposits.
light source such as a laser beam or an LED. ● Some SSSs have income tax benefits and
● This means that the researchers could apply assured returns.
light to the robot to change its shape, allowing it ● Funds are channelized to the government in
to adapt to the wind’s direction. order to finance a part of their expenditure.
● This light beam can also be used to control
take-off and landing.
India issues notice to Pakistan to modify Indus
● As a result, the researchers were able to
stimulate the actuator's bristles to open or
Waters Treaty
close by using visible light. ● India has informed Pakistan of its intent to
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate management of cross-border rivers because
the Pakistani side’s “intransigence” in handling
● In Budget 2023 speech, Union Finance Minister
disputes has raised questions about the
announced a small savings scheme for women.
integrity of the pact, people familiar with the
matter.
132
About: ● It consists of one or more batteries and can be

used to balance the electric grid, provide
● IWT, water sharing treaty, signed in 1960 by
backup power, and improve grid stability.
India and Pakistan with WB as athird-party
● Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in mobile
guarantor.
phones and electric cars, are currently
dominant storage technology for large scale
countries concerning the use of waters on
plants to help electricity grids ensure a reliable
Indus River System.
supply of renewable energy.
● It allocates Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum,
Chenab) to Pakistan and Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Significance of BESS
● Ensures peak-time power supply.
followed by India, China and Afghanistan.
Key highlights: ● Less requirement of expensive transmission
N
and distribution network upgrades.
.I
● India issued the notice in view of Pakistan’s non
● Faster responses for balancing grid (voltage
L
compliance in resolving disputes over
and frequency regulation) than coal-fired power
A
Kishenganga (on Kishenganga River, tributary of
plants.
T
Jhelum) and Ratle hydropower projects (on
R
Chenab River), both in Jammu and Kashmir. Issues with BESS
O
● Absence of Time-of-Day (ToD) pricing structure
P
C
Chenab rivers with certain restrictions under
SS
IWT, 1960.
● Low mineral reserve of Lithium cobalt.
● Dispute redressal mechanism provided under
● It’s a 3-level mechanism. SCO Film Festival 2023
● World Bank’s (WB) role is largely procedural and ● The five-day of SCO Film Festival opened in
limited to designating neutral experts (NE) or Mumbai recently.
● India has invoked Article XII (3) of treaty i.e., a About SCO
● Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
formed in 2001 is the world’s largest regional
duly ratified treaty between two countries.
organization in terms of geographic scope and
population.
IEEFA projects exponential growth of battery ● It covering approximately 60% of the area of
storage assets in India Eurasia, 40% of the world population, and more
● A new report has projected exponential growth than 30% of global GDP.
in India’s Battery Energy Storage System ● India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan,
(BESS). Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the
member nations.
About:
About SCO Film Festival
energy from different sources and discharge it ● It is being organized by the National Film
when needed. Development Corporation, a Public Sector
133
Undertaking of the Ministry of Information and About GJ 1002 b and c:

Broadcasting, in association with the SCO
● The two new planets are named, GJ 1002 b and
Council of Heads of States.
GJ 1002 c.
filmmaking talent and act as a bridge between
liquid form, and which is located in the
the cultures of the Shanghai Cooperation.
immediate vicinity of the star due to its low
● As part of the SCO Film Festival in India, it is
luminosity.
endeavoured to showcase selected films from
● Planet b has a mass slightly higher than Earth’s,
the Members, Observer States and Dialogue
is the closer of the two and its year lasts only
partners States.
10 days.
● Recently Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and ● Planet c is about a third more massive than
Waterways inaugurated The National Logistics Earth and takes about 20 days to orbit the star.
Portal (marine) in New Delhi. ● The two planets were discovered using
About:
L.I N
the radial velocity (RV) method.
A
● The National Logistic Portal (marine) (NLP) is a
T
project of national importance, as envisaged by ● This method is based on the detection of
R
the Ministry of Ports Shipping Waterways and variations in the velocity of the central star, due
O
the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. to the changing direction of the gravitational
P
● It is a one-stop platform aimed at connecting all pull from an unseen exoplanet as it orbits the
C
the stakeholders of the logistics community star.
SS
by reducing costs and time delays and Voluntary Settlement Scheme
offerings of services, to promote the growth of ● The Union Budget highlighted the seriousness
the logistics sector and thereby improve trade. of pendency in courts and the need for quick
● NLP will be a single window for all trade dispute resolution by announcing a “voluntary
settlement scheme with standardised terms” to
processes of the logistics sector spread across
amicably end commercial/contractual disputes
the country covering all modes of transport in
concerning government undertakings in which
the waterways, roadways, and airways along
arbitral awards are under challenge.
with an E-marketplace to provide a seamless ● The budget 2023-24 has proposed a scheme for
end-to-end logistic service coverage. settling contractual dispute named Vivad se
● NLP Is a one stop marketplace where all logistic Vishwas II (Settling Contractual Disputes).
stakeholders are integrated for easier, speedier
& competitive services thereby promoting trade About Voluntary settlement scheme:
and growth. ● It is introduced to settle contractual disputes of
government and government undertakings;
GJ 1002 b and c wherein arbitral award is under challenge in a
court.
● Recently an international group of researchers ● This will be done by offering graded settlement
has discovered the presence of two planets terms depending on pendency level of the
with masses comparable to that of the Earth in dispute.
orbit around the star GJ 1002.
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● Under the scheme, voluntary option is given to

the private sector to come into the scheme or UNEP-managed CITES database reveals red
not. sanders
Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme: ● The CITES trade database has recorded 28

incidents of Red Sanders confiscation, seizure,
● A direct tax scheme introduced by the and specimen from the wild being exported
Government of India in 2020 for settling from India, a factsheet prepared by TRAFFIC.
disputes between taxpayers and the income tax
department. About:
● It aims to minimize tax-related litigation.
● TRAFFIC was established in 1976 by WWF and
● Under this scheme, an individual taxpayer can
IUCN as a wildlife trade monitoring
claim full waiver on interest and penalty on the
network to undertake data collection,
full and final settlement of the disputed tax
recommendations on wildlife trade.
amount.
● CITES (the Convention on International Trade in
N
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is
Museum Grant Scheme
● The union Minister of Culture informed Lok
L.
an
I international agreement
governments, whose aim is to ensure that
between
A
international trade in specimen of wild animals
sabha about Museum Grant Scheme (MGS).
T
and plants, does not threaten the survival of the
R
About Museum Grant Scheme: species.
● This scheme was launched in 2013.
PO
The Ministry of Culture provides financial
Key highlights of the factsheet:
C
●
● The CITES Trade Database recorded 28
SS
assistance under the Scheme to the State
incidents of Red Sanders illegal trade seizure.
Governments and Societies, Autonomous
China remains the largest importer.
bodies, Local Bodies and Trusts registered
● It highlights the threats of rampant illegal
under the Societies Act 1860, for setting up new
logging and smuggling of trees especially in
Museums.
Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore & Kurnool districts in
● Aim: To strengthen and modernize the existing
Andhra Pradesh.
museums at the Regional, State and District
levels. About Red Sanders
● The scheme also aims to develop at least 1
Central / State Government Museum located in ● Red Sanders is a flora-species that is endemic
the State Capital each year. to a distinct tract of forests in Eastern Ghats.
● It is a very slow-growing tree species that
Components of the scheme: attains maturity after 25 – 40 years.
● It is fire-hardy and resistant to droughts.
● Establishment and Development of District and
● It is locally known as Yerra Chandanam, Rakta
Regional Museums:
Chandanam.
● Under this component museums have been
● It is exploited for the extraction of Santalin (a
classified into two categories:
red pigment used as dye and colorant in food),
● Financial assistance under this component is
medicine, cosmetics.
provided to existing renowned museums of the
● It is also a good raw material for musical
Central or State Government located in the
instruments and luxury furniture.
Capital cities.
● The maximum financial assistance under this
component is limited to Rs. 15 Crore per
museum.
135
Mahindra Bank to enable acceptance of

World Wetlands Day RBI-issued Digital Rupee.
● The State Governments and Union Territory About:
administrations celebrated World Wetlands Day
(WWD) at all 75 Ramsar sites this year with over ● RBI launched Central Bank Digital Currency
200 events. (CBDC) or e-Rupee (e₹-R) in 2022 for retail
● The National Flag was hoisted at the Ramsar markets in a pilot mode.
Sites. ● It is in the form of a digital token that represents
● Over 50 activities were held with student legal tender.
engagement in which drawing competition, quiz ● RBI classifies it into two broad categories:
competition, exposure activities, and bird Retail and Wholesale.
watching were organized. ● Wholesale CBDC is designed for restricted
access to select financial institutions.
Key highlights: ● It has the potential to transform the settlement
● World Wetlands Day is observed on systems used by banks in the government
2nd February every year all over the world
to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar ●
I N
securities (G-Sec) segment, capital market, etc.
.
The retail e-rupee (e₹-R) is an electronic version
L
of cash meant for retail transactions.
A
Convention on Wetlands of International
e₹-R is issued in the same denominations as
T
Importance in 1971. ●
paper currency and coins, and is distributed
R
● India is a party to the Convention since
through the intermediaries, that is banks.
O
1982 and has so far declared 75 wetlands as
● Has features of physical cash like trust, safety
P
Ramsar sites covering 23 states and Union
and settlement finality.
C
Territories.
● Transactions can be both Person to Person
SS
● At present, the state of Tamil Nadu has a
maximum number of Ramsar sites (14), (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M).
followed by UP which has 10 numbers of ● Payments to merchants can be made using QR
Ramsar sites. codes.
● The 2023 theme for World Wetlands Day ● It reduces cost of management of physical
is Wetland Restoration. cash.
● The theme of 2023 highlights the urgent need
to prioritize wetland restoration. It is a call on an Medium-Density Amorphous Ice
entire generation to take proactive action for
wetlands, by investing financial, human and ● Recently, scientists have fashioned a previously
political capital to save the wetlands from unknown form of ice – one that might exist on
disappearing and to revive and restore those our solar system’s icy moons.
that have been degraded. About:
● India has the largest network of Ramsar Sites in
Asia, making these sites a critical ecological ● The researchers said they employed a process
network for the conservation of global called ball milling to vigorously shake ordinary
biological diversity and supporting human ice together with steel balls in a container
well-being. cooled to minus-328 degrees Fahrenheit
(minus-200 degrees Celsius).
● This yielded what they called “medium-density
Reliance Retail becomes first retailer to accept
amorphous ice,” or MDA, which looked like a
payments via Digital Rupee fine white powder.
● Reliance Retail has partnered with Innoviti ● Ordinary ice is crystalline in nature, with water
Technologies, ICICI Bank and Kotak molecules – two hydrogen atoms and one
oxygen atom, or H2O – arranged in a regular
136
pattern. Amorphous ice’s water molecules are 20% ethanol blending was advanced to 2025
in a disorganized form resembling a liquid. (from 2030).
● Virtually all ice on Earth exists in its familiar
crystalline form – think of the ice cubes in your Significance:
lemonade. But amorphous ice is by far the most ● Less polluting fuel and offers equivalent
common form of water in space. efficiency at lower cost than petrol.
● Scientists have identified 20 different forms of ● Achieving energy security, lowering crude oil
crystalline ice and three forms of amorphous
import bill and transitioning to a lowcarbon
ice – one low density (discovered in the 1930s),
economy.
one high density (discovered in the 1980s) and
● Enable local enterprises and farmers to
the new one in between.
● Amorphous ice on Earth may be confined to the participate in energy economy.
atmosphere’s frigid upper reaches.
● The researchers hypothesize that the type of Yuva Sangam Portal
forces they brought to bear on ordinary ice in
● TheYuva Sangam registration portal was
N
the laboratory might exist on ice moons like
Jupiter’s Europa or Saturn’s Enceladus.
●
L.I
launched in New Delhi.
The Yuva Sangam is an initiative of Prime
A
Minister Narendra Modi to build close ties
PM rolls out E20 fuel in 15 cities
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching E20
R T between the youth of the North East Region and
rest of India under the spirit of Ek Bharat
PO
fuel and flagging off Green Mobility Rally on the
occasion of India Energy Week 2023 in ●
Shreshtha Bharat.
Under the initiative over 20 thousand youth will
Bengaluru.
C travel across the country and gain a unique
SS
About: opportunity of cross-cultural learning.
● E20 fuel, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol,
About:
was launched 2 year ahead of target and will be
rolled out across country in a phased manner. ● It is an initiative of the Prime Minister of India.
● IEW, under Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, ● The main aim of this portal is to build close ties
aims to showcase India’s rising prowess as an between the youth of the North East Region and
energy transition powerhouse. the rest of India under the spirit of Ek Bharat
● An ethanol blend is a blended motor fuel Shreshtha Bharat.
containing ethyl alcohol that is at least 99% ● Over 20000 youth will travel across India and
pure, derived from agricultural products, and gain a unique opportunity for cross-cultural
blended exclusively with gasoline. learning.
● Apart from sugarcane-based raw materials, ● This Cultural Exchange Program will also allow
ethanol production from surplus rice youth to celebrate the ancient culture and
with Food Corporation of India and Maize is natural diversity of India.
also allowed. ● The youth of 18 years to 30 years will get an
● Government has been implementing Ethanol opportunity to see different states of the
Blended Petrol Programme wherein country, to understand their art, culture and
OMCs sell petrol blended with ethanol up to languages.
10%.
● Target of achieving average 10% blending was Turkey, Syria earthquake highlights
achieved in June, 2022 and target of
● A major earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on
February 6, killing more than 3,800 people and
137
flattening thousands of buildings as rescuers venom-induced toxicity, more prominently in

dug with bare hands for survivors. dermonecrosis (local effects).
● Dozens of nations pledged aid after the ● Some CTXs are also responsible
7.8-magnitude quake, which hit as people were for depolarizing neurons and heart
still sleeping and amid freezing weather that muscle membranes, thereby contributing to
has hampered emergency efforts. cardiac failures frequently observed in
cobra-envenomed victims. Consequently, they
About:
are also known as cardiotoxins (CdTx).
● Magnitude is related to amount of seismic ● Interestingly, the proportion of cobra venom
energy released at hypocenter of earthquake. CTXs varies dramatically across
● Richter Scale, Moment Magnitude scale etc are different cobra species.
used to measure magnitude. ● Usually, venoms from African spitting cobras
● Region where earthquake has struck lies along have a higher proportion of CTXs than the
a seismic fault line called Anatolia tectonic Asiatic cobra ones, indicating geographical
N
block that runs through northern,central, and variation in snake venom composition.
●
eastern Turkey.
Seismicity in this region is a result of
L.I
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
interactions between African, Eurasian, and
Arabian plates. ●
TA The Union Budget has announced Rs 2,516

● Arabian plate is known to be pushing
O
northward, which results in a slight westward R crore for computerisation of 63,000 Primary
Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) over the
located.
C P
movement for Anatolian plate, whereTurkey is next five years, with the aim of bringing greater
transparency and accountability in their
SS
● One of the largest strike-slip earthquakes to operations and enabling them to diversify their
occur in recent times, it struck along East business and undertake more activities.
Anatolian Fault Zone. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS):
● Strike-slip faults are vertical (or nearly vertical)
fractures where blocks have ● PACS are village level cooperative credit
mostly moved horizontally. societies that serve as the last link in a
● In these faults, two plates move parallel but in three-tier cooperative credit structure headed by
opposite direction from one another. the State Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state
level. Credit from the SCBs is transferred to the
district central cooperative banks, or DCCBs,
Cytotoxins
that operate at the district level.
● Recently, scientists have traced the ● The DCCBs work with PACS, which deal directly
mechanisms of the toxic action of cobra with farmers.
venom. ● Since these are cooperative bodies, individual
farmers are members of the PACS, and
Key highlights:
office-bearers are elected from within them. A
● The Cytotoxins (CTXs) are an essential class of village can have multiple PACS.
the non-enzymatic three-finger toxin family and ● PACS are involved in short term lending — or
are ubiquitously present in cobra venoms. what is known as crop loan. At the start of the
● These low-molecular-mass toxins, contributing cropping cycle, farmers avail credit to finance
to about 40 to 60% of the cobra venom their requirement of seeds, fertilisers etc.
proteome, play a significant role in cobra ● Banks extend this credit at 7 per cent interest,
of which 3 per cent is subsidised by the Centre,
138
and 2 per cent by the state government.

Effectively, farmers avail the crop loans at 2 per NITI Aayog proposes setting up separate
cent interest only. central board for vocational education
● The NITI Aayog has proposed setting up a
NISAR Mission separate central board for recognition
of vocational education, on the lines of an
● An Earth-observation satellite, called NISAR
education board such as the central board of
(NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), got a
secondary education.
send-off ceremony at the American space
agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in About:
Southern California.
● The suggestions are part of a report in which
● The SUV-size satellite will be shipped to India in
the Aayog proposed a seven-pronged strategy
a special cargo container flight later this month
to transform more than 15,000 ITIs in India.
for a possible launch in 2024 from Satish
● It also suggested conducting national
Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh.
About:
I N
centralised examinations for admission to
.
Industrial Training Institute (ITIs) to streamline
L
the system and ensure transparency.
A
● NISAR is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
T
● NITI Aayog’s report titled Industrial Training
observatory jointly developed by NASA and
R
Institutes (ITIs)” “Transforming had
ISRO.
recommended to set up separate board for
●
kilograms.
PO
It is an SUV-size satellite weighing 2,800
VEon lines of an education board such as
C
CentralBoard of Secondary Education.
● It consists of both L-band and S-band synthetic
SS
● It will ensure better credibility and recognition of
aperture radar (SAR) instruments, which makes
institutes providing vocational education(VE).
it a dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
● Credit framework implemented throughBoard
● NISAR will be the first satellite mission to use
will facilitate equivalence and mobility between
two different radar frequencies (L-band and
general and VE andenable lifelong learning.
S-band) to measure changes in our planet’s
● VE refers to training in skills and teaching of
surface.
knowledge related to a specific trade,
● SAR is capable of penetrating clouds and can
occupation or vocation.
collect data day and night regardless of the
weather conditions. Significance:
● NASA has provided the L-band radar, GPS, a
● To make students work ready upon graduation
high-capacity solid-state recorder to store data,
by providing practical education
and a payload data subsystem. ISRO has
in professional environment.
provided the S-band radar, the GSLV launch
● To help people move forward in their careers.
system, and spacecraft.
● The programs are often shorter and more
● It also consists of a large 39-foot stationary
flexible than college or university programs.
antenna reflector made of a gold-plated wire
mesh which will be used to focus “the radar
signals emitted and received by the IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom Expert Program
upward-facing feed on the instrument structure. ● The Secretary (Telecom), Government of India
launched the ‘IEEE C-DOT Certified Telecom
Expert Program (ICCTEP).
139
● It was collaborated by IEEE (Institute of

Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and C-DOT 50 years of establishment of full diplomatic
(Centre for Development of Telematics) to bring relations between India and Qatar
learning in the areas of Telecom including 5G, ● This year marks 50 years of establishment of
Cyber Security and Quantum Communication to full diplomatic relations between India and
bridge the skill gap. Qatar.
About: Key areas of engagement
● ICCTEP is a concrete step in furtherance of ● India’s bilateral trade with Qatar in 2021-22 was
wide-ranging collaboration between C-DOT and US$ 15.03 billion.
IEEE. ● Qatar’s exports to India include LNG, LPG,
● This platform will offer specially-tailored chemicals and petrochemicals, fertilisers,
certification program that aims at providing plastics etc.
quality learning in diverse areas of Telecom. ● India’s exports to Qatar include cereals, copper
N
● The key focus is on building skills that would
I
articles, iron and steel articles, fruits, spices etc.
accelerate the participation of students,
academia, technologists, industry, start-ups and
●
L.
India-Qatar Start-up bridge is a joint initiative to
link the start-up ecosystems of two countries
other relevant stakeholders in developing
globally-competitive Telecom technologies and
TA as well as helping theireconomies mutually.
R
● India regularly participates in biennial Doha
solutions. International Maritime Defence Exhibition and
●
on 5G and beyond.
PO
The first program launched on the platform is Conference (DIMDEX) in Qatar.
C
● Za’ir-Al-Bahr (Roar of Sea) is naval exercise
● The aim of this collaboration is to jointly create
SS
between Indian and Qatar Navy.
telecommunication courses, promote and train ● Over 8 lakhs Indian nationals residing in Qatar.
students and professionals, create jobs They comprise largest expatriate community in
opportunities, and bridge the digital divide. Qatar and are engagedin professions like
● IEEE Blended Learning Program (BLP) aims to medicine, engineering etc.
upskill young professionals in Wireless, Optical,
Broadcasting, Telecom Validation & Security.
Hittite Empire
● IEEE is the world’s largest technical
professional organization dedicated to ● By studying juniper timbers, researchers from
advancing technology for the benefit of Cornell University & Cyprus Institute found that
humanity. IEEE and its members inspire a global series of droughts may have precipitated
community through its highly cited publications, empire’s collapse.
conferences, technology standards, and
About:
professional & educational activities.
● Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) ● The Hittites were an ancient group of
is the premier R&D centre of the Department of Indo-Europeans who moved into Asia Minor and
Telecommunications, Ministry of formed an empire at Hattusa in Anatolia
Communications, Government of India. (modern Turkey) around 1600 BCE.
● C-DOT has indigenously designed various ● The Hittite language was a member of the
cutting-edge Telecom technologies including Anatolian branch of the Indo-European
4G/5G, Disaster Management, Cyber Security language family.
and Quantum Communications.
140
● The Hittite economy was based on agriculture, businesses, in the contractual arrangements
with the main crops being emmer wheat and which sustain the wage-price momentum, and
barley. in the tax system’.
● Although their civilization thrived during the ● Core inflation is the change in the costs of
Bronze Age, the Hittites were the forerunners of goods and services but does not include those
the Iron Age and were manufacturing iron from the food and energy sectors.
artifacts from as early as the 14th century BCE. ● Food and energy prices are exempt from this
● The Hittites were famous for their skill in calculation because their prices can be too
building and using chariots. volatile or fluctuate wildly.
Hittite empire: Why it is important?
● Between 1400 and 1200 B.C.E. the Hittites ● Core inflation is used to determine the impact
established one of the great empires of of rising prices on consumer income.
the ancient Middle East. ● If the increase in the price index is due to
N
● The Hittite Empire reached great heights during temporary shocks that could soon reverse
the mid-1300s BCE, when it spread across Asia
Minor, into the northern Levant and Upper
.I
themselves, it may not require any monetary
L
policy action.
●
Mesopotamia.
The Hittite empire, with its capital
●
TA To deal with such situations, many central

banks use measures of core inflation that are
at Bogazköy (also called as Hattusas), was
O
the chief power and cultural force in Western R designed to
movements.
filter the transitory price
●
Asia from 1400 to 1200 BC.
C P
The head of the Hittite state was the king, but
● Core inflation by eliminating the volatile
components from the headline helps in
SS
other officials exercised independent identifying the underlying trend in headline
authority over various branches of the inflation and is believed to predict future
government. inflation better.
● Core inflation is a convenient guide to help the
Core Inflation central bank achieve its objective of controlling
total inflation.
● S&P Global Ratings on February 7 said core
inflation in India has been declining
Jupiter Moons
sequentially, and an elevated 6.25% policy rate
limits the need for further rate hikes. ● Jupiter, with 92 moons, beats Saturn to become
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased planet with most moons.
the short-term lending rate by 225 basis points ● The observations were led by astronomer Scott
since May last year to contain inflation, mostly Sheppard of Carnegie Institution for Science,
driven by external factors, especially global who has spearheaded the discoveries after
supply chain disruption, following accidentally discovering a plethora of previously
the Russia-Ukraine war outbreak. unknown Jovian moons during a hunt for the
mysterious hypothetical Planet Nine in the outer
About Core inflation:
Solar System. The details and confirmation of
● The term core inflation was coined by Eckstein the new moons have been published quietly by
(1981) who defined it as ‘the trend increase of the Minor Planet Center (MPC).
the cost of factors of production’ that
About:
‘originates in the long-term expectations of
inflation in the minds of households and
141
● Jupiter is home to first moons discovered in our Hindu faith. Among Reangs followers of
solar system, functions like a mini solar system. Vaishnavism are found in good numbers.
● Jupiter’s four largest moons are called Galilean
satellites: Lo, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
● Lo is most volcanically active body in solar
system. Agnikul Cosmos
● Europa’s surface is mostly water ice. ● Chennai-based space tech start-up
● Ganymede is largest moon in solar system and Agnikul-Cosmos, has successfully conducted
is only moon known to have its own internally the flight acceptance test for its 3D printed
generated magnetic field. rocket engine “Agnilet”.
● Callisto’s surface is extremely heavily cratered
and ancient. About:
● Unlike other rocket engines, Agnilet was built in
Bru Tribe a single step, eliminating thousands of
● Over 14,000 Brus displaced from Mizoram have
been registered to vote in Tripura since their
● I N
parts that are typically assembled in a
.
conventional rocket engine.
L
It is a semi-cryogenic engine, which uses a
A
rehabilitation process began in April 2021
T
mixture of liquid kerosene at room temperature
R
About: and super cold liquid oxygen as fuel.
During the test, it generated sea level thrust of 6
O
●
● Bru or Reang is a community indigenous
P
kilo Newton.
to Northeast India, living mostly in Tripura,
C
● Agnilet Engine will power the company’s launch
Mizoram and Assam. In Tripura, they are
SS
vehicle, Agnibaan, which is capable of
recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal
carrying payloads of up to 100kg to a low-earth
Group.
orbit.
● In Tripura, they are recognised as a Particularly
● Launch of Agniban will be the second by a
Vulnerable Tribal Group.
private firm - after Hyderabad-based Skyroot
● They belong to Indo-Mongoloid racial stock.
Aerospace’s Viksram-S, which took place in
Their languages have an affinity with
November 2022.
Austro-Asiatic groups under the Tibeto-Burman
● Earlier Agnikul also unveiled India’s first
family.
privately designed and operated rocket
● Ethnically they are divided into 2 major clans
launchpad and mission control centre located
namely Meska and Molsoi.
at Sriharikota.
● Their language is known as “Kaubru” which has
a tonal effect on the Kuki language though
broadly it is the Kok-Borok dialect. Climate Inequality Report 2023
● Occupation: They are still a nomadic tribe and a ● According to the Climate Inequality Report
large number among them maintain their 2023, the gap between the carbon emissions of
livelihood involving Hilltop Jhum Cultivation and the rich and the poor within a country, however,
other food gathering activities. is higher than the difference in overall
● They believe in spirits and the existence of a emissions among countries.
soul. ● Report, by World Inequality Lab, aims to shed
● By religion they are Hindus and most of their light on various dimensions of climate
deities are akin to gods and goddesses of the inequality and suggest pathways to tackle
climate inequalities.
142
Key Highlights of the report research and disseminate data on Quality

Infrastructure.
● Top 10% of global carbon emitters generate
● It measures the relative development of
almost half of all greenhouse gas emissions.
countries’ quality infrastructure.
● Difference between carbon emissions of the
● A formula calculates a score for each country
rich and poor within a country is now greater
based on its position in the sub-rankings
than differences in emissions between
for metrology, standards and accreditation.
countries.
● Climate Change aggravates low agricultural Key facts about the Quality Council of India
productivity in poorer countries, as well as
● It was established in 1997 jointly by the
water scarcity and security.
Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal
● Carbon budgets required to eradicate poverty
Trade (DPIIT), the Ministry of Commerce &
remain relatively limited compared with global
Industry, and the Indian industry.
top emitters’ footprints.
● It is registered as a non-profit organization
N
Suggested pathways: under the Societies Registration Act XXI of
● Significant resources should be invested in
●
.I
1860.
L
It is operated through the constituent Boards of
A
production and collection of climate inequality
QCI, primarily the National Accreditation Board
T
statistics in all countries.
for Certification Bodies (NABCB), and the
R
● Step-up efforts to honor climate finance
National Accreditation Board for Testing &
O
pledges and further increase international
Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
P
development aid.
C
● Windfall taxes on excess profits could help to
SS
fund low-carbon investment. Free Float in Stocks
● Developing countries also need to reform their ● Index provider MSCI said it has cut the free-float
domestic tax systems to redistribute more from designations of four securities of Adani group, a
the wealthy. move which analysts have warned could impact
their index weightings.
Global Quality Infrastructure Index 2021 ● MSCI has reduced the free floats of Adani
Enterprises, Adani Total Gas, Adani
● India’s national accreditation system under the
Transmission and ACC.
Quality Council of India (QCI) has been ranked
5th in the world in the recent Global Quality About:
Infrastructure Index (GQII) 2021.
● Free-float refers to those shares which are
● The GQII ranks the 184 economies in the world
readily available for trading in the stock market.
on the basis of the quality infrastructure (QI).
● It generally excludes promoters’ holding,
● India’s overall QI system ranking continues to be
government / strategic holding and other
in the Top 10 at the 10th position, with the
locked-in shares, which will not come to the
standardization system (under BIS) at 9th and
market for trading in the normal course.
the metrology system (under NPL-CSIR) at the
● Any listed company has to ensure that at least
21st position in the world.
25% of its shareholding is with the public at
About GQII: large. Shares held by non-promoters — be it
retail investors, mutual funds, foreign portfolio
● The GQII is an initiative of the independent
investors (FPIs), and insurance companies —
consulting firms Mesopartner and Analyticar to
are called public float or public shareholding.
143
● Free float is generally defined as the number of

outstanding shares minus the number of shares Article 105 of Constitution
that are restricted from trading. ● Protesting against the expunction of parts of
● This restriction comes from the fact that these his speech on the motion of thanks on the
shares belong strategic investors who do not President’s Address, Leader of Opposition in
usually negotiate their holdings. Rajya Sabha has argued that MPs have freedom
● MSCI calculates free float-adjusted of speech, and that he did not make any
market-capitalization for each security. personal allegations in the House.
● It is calculated by multiplying an equity’s share
price to number of shares available in the What does Article 105 say?
market. ● Article 105 of the Constitution deals with
● Rather than using all of the shares (both active “powers, privileges, etc of the Houses of
and inactive shares), the free-float method Parliament and of the members and
excludes locked-in shares, such as those held committees thereof”, and has four clauses.
N
by insiders, promoters, and governments.
Kilonova ●
L.I
“(1) Subject to the provisions of this
● Researchers have confirmed the detection of a
TA Constitution and to the rules and standing
R
orders regulating the procedure of Parliament,
star system that will one day end in a kilonova.
there shall be freedom of speech in Parliament.
O
● The newly found star system has been labelled
P
● (2) No member of Parliament shall be liable to
CPD-29 2176 and is located about 11,400
C
any proceedings in any court in respect of
light-years from the earth.
SS
anything said or any vote given by him in
● CPD-29 2176 is currently a neutron star and a
Parliament or any committee thereof, and no
star orbiting each other.
person shall be so liable in respect of the
AboutKilonova: publication by or under the authority of either
House of Parliament of any report, paper, votes
● A kilonova is a cosmic event that occurs when a
or proceedings.
neutron star smashes into another neutron star
● (3) In other respects, the powers, privileges and
or a black hole.
immunities of each House of Parliament, and of
● It releases heavy metals like gold, silver, and
the members and the committees of each
selenium into outer space at tremendous
House, shall be such as may from time to time
velocities, as well as radiation.
be defined by Parliament by law, and, until so
● A kilonova radiation also accompanies
defined, shall be those of that House and of its
a gamma-ray burst, one of the most energetic
members and committees immediately before
cosmic events ever known.
the coming into force of section 15 of the
What is a Neutron star? Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act,
1978.
● The stars which are formed when a massive
● (4) The provisions of clauses (1), (2) and (3)
star runs out of fuel and collapses are called
shall apply in relation to persons who by virtue
neutron stars
of this Constitution have the right to speak in,
● The very central region of the star – the core –
and otherwise to take part in the proceedings
collapses, crushing together every proton and
of, a House of Parliament or any committee
electron into a neutron.
thereof as they apply in relation to members of
Parliament.”
144
Key objectives:
Lithium reserves found in Jammu and Kashmir
● It aims to protect 30 percent of global ocean by
● The government said, lithium reserves have 2030 2030.
been found for the first time in the country in ● It supported Kunming-Montreal Global
Jammu and Kashmir. Biodiversity Framework,“Our Ocean, Our Future,
● India has discovered first lithium reserves in Our Responsibility” Call for Action andOcean
igneous rocks located in Margalla-Alla Patna Conservation Pledge.
region of Karnataka’s Mandya District. ● It was jointly hosted by Host First Nations
About: (Musqueam, Squamish andTsleil-Waututh)
together with International Union for
● Lithium, referred as white gold, is first of alkalis Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Canadian Parks
in periodic table. It’s anon-ferrous metal. and Wilderness Society (CPWS),Government of
● It is lightest solid metal. It is extracted from Canada and Province of British Columbia.
either brines or mined rocks. It ● MPA is a section of ocean where a government
I N
has lowest density of all metals. has placed limits on human activity.
Significance of Lithium: ●
L.
Currently, an estimated 7.65% of ocean is
A
covered by MPAs.
T
● Key component of rechargeable batteries (used ● Important MPAs (coastal or marine) of India are
R
in EVs) and energy storage solutions. as given in image.
Lithium oxide is used in special glasses and
O
● ● They are notified as either ‘national parks’ or
P
glass ceramics. ‘wildlife sanctuaries’ under Wildlife (Protection)
C
● Critical mineral for energy transition, and Act, 1972.
SS
net-zero emissions will require higher reliance
lithium. Electricity Market Report 2023
Fifth international marine protected areas ● The International Energy Agency’s Electricity
congress held Market Report 2023 offers a deep analysis of
recent policies, trends and market
● The fifth International Marine Protected Areas developments.
Congress (IMPAC5) will conclude today in
Vancouver. Key highlights of the report:
About: ● World electricity demand remained resilient in

2022 amid global energy crisis triggered by
● IMPAC is a global conference primarily focused Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
on protecting and conserving sustainable ● Renewables and nuclear energy will dominate
marine life in oceans. growth of global electricity supply over next
● The congresses are held jointly by the three years, meeting more than 90% of
International Union for the Conservation of additional demand.
Nature and the host country’s government.
● This year, various experts and marine biologists Highlights about India:
from around the world gathered in Vancouver to ● Demand growth to rise close to 5.6% on
attend the week-long event and share average per year during 2023-2025.
knowledge on means to preserve the ocean for ● Gas-fired output fell by 36% in 2022 due to
the future. higher imported gas prices.
145
● Because of higher coal-fired generation, total ● They contributed to the design and
power generation CO2 emissions rise by 8% construction of the satellite built
from 2022 levels by 2025, despite falling CO2 by Chennai-based startup Space Kidz India.
intensity. ● The girls received training both online and, in
some cases, in-person.
NSE Indices launches sub-category ● Experiment materials were sent to these girls
benchmarks for AIFs and they were guided on how to use it.
● “SpaceKidz developed basic and simple
● NSE indices launched sub-category level experiments that students can learn and
benchmarks under Nifty Alternative Investment assemble with the simultaneous support of
Fund (AIF) Benchmark. their science teachers.
About: ● Objective: It aims to measure various health
data like temperature and reset count from 75
● The Nifty AIF benchmarks have been created in student experiments installed inside the
line with the SEBI guidelines, for each of the
N
satellite.
three AIF categories (Cat I, Cat II, and Cat III)
based on performance data for the period
L.I
Developments of Border Infrastructure
A
ended March 31, 2022, said NSE.
● AIF is any fund established in India which is a
privately pooled investment vehicle that collect
R
●
T The Minister of External Affairs recently

provided a briefing to the parliament regarding
O
funds from investors, both Indian or foreign, for the government’s projects on border
investing.
C P ●
infrastructure and connectivity.
The report was released in the wake of an
SS
Types of categories official Security Conference report that
● Category I: Mainly invests in start-ups, SMEs, or said Indian forces have lost access to 26 of 65
any other sector which Government consider patrolling points along the LAC since 2020.
economically and socially viable.
Key highlights regarding Border Infrastructure
● Category II: These include private equity funds
Developments?
or debt funds for which no specific incentive or
concessions are given by government or any ● Multi-Pronged Approach:To improve
other Regulator. connectivity to the Line of Actual Control
● Category III: AIF such as hedge funds or funds (LAC) through roads, bridges and tunnels.
that trade to make short-term returns or such ● Improving cross-border connectivity to
other funds which are open-ended and for neighbouring countries through highways,
which no specific incentives or concessions are bridges, inland waterways, railroads, electricity
given by government or any other Regulator. lines and fuel pipelines.
● Modernising and constructing Integrated Check
AzaadiSAT-2 Posts (ICPs) at all the border crossings to
smooth trade, and funding and constructing
● The successful launch of small satellite launch infrastructure projects in neighboring countries.
vehicle (SSLV-D2) from Satish Dhawan Space
Centre in Sriharikota recently. Neighbourhood Projects:
About AzaadiSAT-2: ● Nepal:South Asia’s first cross-border petroleum

products pipeline Motihari -Amlekhgunj
● It has been developed by about 750 girl Pipeline.The Mahakali motorable bridge over
students across India. the Mahakali River connecting Dharchula (India)
146
with Darchula (Nepal), under Indian grant ● The glittering expanse of Tansa Lake is an
assistance. eye-catching spectacle and a perennial source
● Bangladesh:MaitriSetu, High Speed Diesel of water to wild life in the sanctuary.
pipeline with Bangladesh that will reduce petrol
Vegetation:
prices and road congestion.
● Myanmar:Sittwe port project, Kaladan ● The Sanctuary has Southern Tropical Moist
Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP). Deciduous Forest, with a few patches of
● Bhutan:Dry port in Pasakha bordering West Evergreen forest.
Bengal is being developed under an Indian
government grant. Flora:
What is the Importance of Border Infrastructure? ● It consists of trees like Kalamb, Bibla, Khair,
Hed, Teak, and Bamboo.
● India faces long-standing territorial and
boundary disputes with China and Fauna:
N
Pakistan and porous borders along difficult
I
● The forest in the sanctuary provide ideal
●
terrain.
Despite border wars and conflicts, the state of
L.
conditions of harbourage to a variety of birds
and animals.
infrastructure at India’s borders is inadequate
and borders are manned by different military,
●
TA There are aprroximate 54 species of animals
R
and 200 species of birds do exist in the
para-military, and police forces, lacking in sanctuary. Major wild animals are Panther,
●
coordination.
PO
Smugglers, drug traffickers, and terrorists often
Barking deer, Mouse deer, Hyena, Wild boar etc..
C
take advantage of poor surveillance and
SS
Operation Dost
infrastructure at borders.
● India has launched ‘Operation Dost’ to extend
Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary assistance to Turkey and Syria, the nations hit
by an intense 7.9-magnitude earthquake and
● The first-ever bird survey in Tansa Wildlife subsequent aftershocks.
Sanctuary was conducted and the recorded 186 ● A field hospital set up by the Indian Army in
species of birds respectively. Hatay province of Turkey has become
● The survey coincided with the 53rd anniversary operational with surgical and emergency wards
of the sanctuary located in Shahapur tehsil of to provide succour to the affected people days.
Thane district on Sunday.
● The sanctuary also has two lakes—Tansa and About:
Modak Sagar—that supply water to Mumbai. ● It is an ongoing search and rescue mission
While the sanctuary is spread over 338 sq km, initiated by the Government of India to help
the Tansa lake is spread over 19 sq km. Syria and Turkey, after they witnessed a
About: massive earthquake that left thousands dead,
injured and trapped under the rubble.
● The wildlife sanctuary at Tansa in Thana district ● Under operation dost, India has sent search and
comprises the catchment area of Tansa Lake rescue teams, mainly teams of the National
and the surrounding forests of Shahapur, Disaster Response Force (NDRF),
Khardi, Vaitarna and East Wada Ranges in materials, medicines, medical equipment and
Shahapur tahsil of Thana district. consumables to Turkey and Syria.
147
● The NDRF teams comprise dog squad,

medicines, blankets, four wheelers. India submits papers on consumer protection
● The Indian Army’s team of medical in e-commerce, digital public infrastructure
specialists is providing relief to the injured at ● India has submitted two papers on e-commerce
a field hospital set up in Turkey’s Hatay. The at the WTO, one on collaborating on consumer
hospital is running with medical, surgical and protection and the other on role of digital public
emergency wards. infrastructure.
● This would provide an “alternative paradigm’’ to
Christ the Redeemer statue discussions at the multilateral forum currently
dominated by a group of countries in a
● The 100-foot statue of Jesus Christ towering
plurilateral mode on rule-making in
over Rio de Janeiro was hit by lightning recently.
e-commerce.
About Christ the Redeemer statue:
About:
N
● It is located at the summit of Mount
I
● India has argued that since e-commerce sector
.
Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil.
has implications on developing and poor
● It depicts Christ standing with his arms crossed
and looking at the city.
A L
nations, it should be discussed in amultilateral
T
setting.
● It was completed in 1931 and stands 98 feet
R
● In 1998, WTO established work programme on
(30 metres) tall.
O
e-commerce to comprehensively examine all
● Its horizontally outstretched arms span 92 feet
P
trade-related issues relating to this.
(28 metres).
C
● It instructed WTO bodies (including Council on
● It is made of reinforced concrete and is
SS
Trade in Goods, Council on Trade in Services
the largest Art Deco-style sculpture in the world.
etc) to explore relationship between existing
Art Deco: WTO agreements and e-commerce.
● It also agreed for a moratorium on e-commerce
● Art Deco, also called style moderne, is which entails that members should not impose
a movement in the decorative arts customs duties on electronic transmissions
and architecture that originated in (encompasses software, emails, digital music,
the 1920s and developed into a major style movies, videogames etc).
in western Europe and the United States during
the 1930s. Two papers submitted by India:
● It is a modern art style that attempts to infuse
● Consumer protection paper emphasised on
functional objects with artistic touches.
need to jointly address several new challenges
● This movement is different from the fine
and issues relating to misleading advertising,
arts (painting and sculpture), where the art
online payment security, data protection,
object has no practical purpose or use beyond
dispute resolution etc.
providing interesting viewing.
● DPI paper outlined key challenges which limit
● Art Deco works are symmetrical, geometric,
adoption of e-commerce and presented an
streamlined, often simple, and pleasing to the
approach to overcome the challenge of digital
eye.
divide.
148
Bhashini Mission Aadi Mahotsav

● Centre-run National Language Translation ● Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will
Mission, better known as Mission Bhashini’s inaugurate the national Aadi Mahotsav on at
capabilities have been integrated with the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to make digital Delhi.
payments through the UPI 123 Pay available in
About:
more than 20 local Indian languages.
● It is an annual Tribal Festival that was started in
About:
the year 2017.
● Bhashini Mission is a local language translation ● It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tribal
mission that aims to break the barrier between Affairs, Government of India & Tribal
various Indian tongues by using available Cooperative Marketing Development Federation
technology. of India (TRIFED).
I N
● BHASHINI4 aims to build a National Public ● It aimed to familiarise the people with the rich
●
Digital Platform for languages.
This government platform aims to make
L.
and diverse craft, and the culture of the tribal
communities, in one place.
Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language ●
TA Theme: “A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal
R
Processing (NLP) resources available in the Crafts, Culture and Commerce”, which
public domain to be used by — Indian MSMEs, represents the basic ethos of tribal life.
PO
startups an and individual innovators.
Key facts About TRIFED
C
● This will help developers to offer all Indians
SS
easy access to the internet and digital services ● TRIFED was established in 1987 under
in their native languages. the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, of
● This online platform also has a separate 1984.
‘Bhasadaan’ section which allows individuals to ● It is a national-level apex organization
contribute to multiple crowdsourcing initiatives functioning under the administrative control of
and it is also accessible via respective Android the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
and iOS apps. ● Objectives of the Organisation: Socio-economic
● UPI 123 Pay is an instant payment system development of tribal people in the country by
which will allow users to make UPI transactions way of marketing development of tribal
without an internet connection. products.
● The organisation assists tribal people in
UPI 123 Pay:
exploring and creating opportunities to market
● It is an instant payment system which will allow the developed products in national and
users to make UPI transactions without an international markets on a sustainable basis.
internet connection. ● Under the TRIBES Indiabrand, the sourced
● It was launched by the National Payments handcrafted products from the tribal people are
Corporation of India (NPCI) sold.
● Transactions through UPI 123Pay can be done
through IVR (interactive voice response) based Indian Council of Historical Research
payment solution, missed call, sound-based
technology, and payment app. ● Union Education Minister recently said that in
Lok Sabha, the Indian Council of Historical
Research (ICHR) has not launched any project
149
to rewrite Indian history and is only “filling outbreak of Marburg disease, saying the
gaps.” Ebola-related virus is responsible for at least
nine deaths in the tiny Western African country.
About the
About:
● Established as an autonomous organization
ICHR comes under the Ministry of Education, ● Marburg virus disease (MVD) is a rare but
Government of India. severe hemorrhagic fever which affects both
● It was established in 1972 by an Administrative people and non-human primates. MVD is
Order. caused by the Marburg virus, a genetically
● ICHR was registered under the Societies unique zoonotic (or, animal-borne) RNA virus of
Registration Act (Act XXI of 1860) as a literary the filovirus family. The six species of Ebola
and charitable society. virus are the only other known members of the
● The ICHR is based in Delhi, with regional filovirus family.
centersinBengaluru (Karnataka), ● Marburg virus was first recognized in 1967,
N
Pune(Maharashtra),and Guwahati (Assam). when outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever occurred
● The ICHR receives
the Department of
grants-in-aid from
Higher Education,
L.I
simultaneously in laboratories in Marburg and
Frankfurt, Germany and in Belgrade, Yugoslavia
grants-in-aid from various Indian states, private
donations, and the proceeds of revenues from ●
TA (now Serbia).
The reservoir host of Marburg virus is the
●
the sale of publications of the ICHR.
O
ICHR disburses funds for carrying out research R●
African fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus.
Fruit bats infected with Marburg virus do not
C P
to Indian as well as foreign scholars on their
applications for fellowships, grants, and ●
show obvious signs of illness.
Primates (including people) can become
SS
symposia, made to the ICHR or through the infected with Marburg virus, and may develop
Ministry of Human Resource Development. serious disease with high mortality.
● The average MVD case fatality rate is around
Key objectives:
50%.
● To bring historians together and provide a
Treatment:
forum for exchange of views between them;
● To give a national direction to an objective and ● There is no specific treatment for Marburg virus
scientific writing of history and to have rational disease.
presentation and interpretation of history; ● Supportive therapy, such as intravenous fluids,
● To promote, accelerate and coordinate research electrolyte replacement, supplemental oxygen,
in history with special emphasis on areas which as well as blood and blood products
have not received adequate attention so far; replacement, improves survival.
● To promote and coordinated a balanced
distribution of research effort over different Indonesian curbs on palm oil stokes inflation
areas; concerns
● To elicit support and recognition for historical
research from all concerned and ensure the ● International palm oil prices turned volatile a
necessary dissemination and use of results. day after Indonesia, the world’s largest exporter
of the commodity.
Marburg Disease About:
● The World Health Organization says that ● Indonesia, world’s biggest producer,exporter,
Equatorial Guinea has confirmed its first-ever and consumer of palm oil, isplanning to
150
suspend some export permits toreduce ● Mutual funds in India have a three-tiered
domestic cooking oil prices. structure – mutual fund, the trustees and the
● Palm oil is edible vegetable oil produced AMC.
frompalm fruit of ElaeisGuineensis (African oil ● Board of trustees or trustee company holds the
Palm) or Elaeis Oleifera (indigenous to property of the mutual fund in trust for the
Southand Central America). benefit of the unit holders.
● It is rich in Vitamin A and E with no transfatty ● They appoint an AMC to float schemes for the
acids. mutual fund and manage the funds mobilised
● Used in Detergent, lipstick, shampoo,chocolate, under various schemes.
bread, ice cream and bio diesel. ● They are also expected to exercise supervisory
● Indonesia and Malaysia together account for oversight over AMC and its activities so as to
almost 90% of global palm oil production. ensure that AMC acts in the interest of the
● Other major palm oil producers include unitholders.
Thailand, Colombia and Nigeria.
What has SEBI proposed?
N
● India is the biggest importer of palm oil,which
●
makes up 40% of its vegetable oil consumption.
India’s major palm oil growing states are
●
L.I
Sebi has recommended that the trustees will be
responsible for taking steps so that there are
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala
account for 98% of total production.
TA system-level checks in place to prevent
fraudulent transactions.
O R● Sebi has proposed that the trustees should take

help of audit, legal firms and merchant bankers
C P ●
for carrying out due diligence on their behalf.
Sebi has also recommended amending certain
SS
regulations for AMC and also include additional
clauses to enhance the role, responsibility and
accountability of the board of AMC.
● The markets regulator also proposed the
constitution of a ‘Unit Holder Protection
Committee’ (UHPC) by board of AMC.
● This will help in an independent review
mechanism for the decisions of AMC from the
perspective of the unit holders’ interest, across
SEBI proposed tightening responsibilities of all products and services.
mutual funds trustees
micro-LED
(SEBI) recently proposed to review the role and ● Recently various electronic companies are
accountability of trustees of mutual funds with showing their interest in MicroLED
an aim to protect unitholders’ interests. (mLED or µLED) display technology.
● Besides, the regulators also put forward some
About:
recommendations to enhance the
accountability of the board of asset ● microLED displays comprise several
management companies (AMC). microscopic LEDs, which self-illuminate
per display pixel- just like an OLED (Organic
Role of Trustees:
LED) panel does.
151
● mLED is as small as cutting a centimetre of hair ● IUCN Status: EndangeredIn Appendix I of the
into 200 smaller pieces. Convention of the Migratory species.
● Each of these mLEDs are semiconductors that ● In Schedule I of the Wild Life(Protection) Act,
receive electric signals. 1972.
● Once these mLEDs are gathered, they form a ● More than 60 % of the population ofAsian
module. Several modules arethen combined to elephants is found in India.
form screens.
Benefits of mLED: safety:
● Self-emissive and have better colour ● Project Elephant, a centrally sponsored scheme
reproduction and provide better viewing angles. launched in 1992 for management of wildlife
● Limitless scalability, as they are resolution-free, and its habitats in the country.
bezel-free, ratio-free, and even size-free. ● In 2010, it was declared India’s National
● More efficient and bright, more durable and with Heritage Animal.
N
higher colour gamut against LCD and OLED. ● Approval to 33 Elephant Reserves by Centre
Challenges:
L.I
sq km.
●
●
Higher manufacturing cost.
Market share for liquid crystal displays remains
●
TA In 2022, Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) was set

up in Uttar Pradesh.
sizable etc.
O RUpper Bhadra Irrigation Project
C P
Supreme Court seeks Centre’s stand on having
● Union Finance Minister recently announced a
SS
statutory body for elephants
grant of ₹5300 crore for the Upper Bhadra
● The Supreme Court asked the Centre whether it Irrigation Project in the poll-bound Karnataka.
intended to have a statutory authority for
protecting elephants similar to the lines of the
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) ● It is a major lift irrigation Scheme under
and sought a reply in this regard within four implementation in the central region of
weeks. Karnataka State.
● It aims to provide sustainable irrigation facility
Background:
in khariff season.
● In 2010, the ‘Gajah report’ from ElephantTask ● It also proposes to recharge ground water
Force made a slew of recommendations to tables and provide drinking water by filling 367
protect and preserve the elephant population, tanks with six tmcft water in drought-prone
including the: taluks.
● Constitution of a statutory NationalElephant ● It is planned to irrigate an extent of 2,25,515
Conservation Authority(NECA) on the lines of hectares by micro irrigation in drought-prone
National TigerConservation Authority (NTCA). districts of Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Tumkur
and Davangere.
About Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus): ● It envisages lifting upto 17.40 TMC of water in
● It is a keystone species playing a critical role in first stage from Tunga river to existing Bhadra
sustenance of wildlife and biodiversity. reservoir and lifting 29.90 TMC of water in
● It is listed: second stage from Bhadra reservoir to Tunnel
near Ajjampura, in Tungabhadra sub-basin of
Krishna basin.
152
● In 2022, Central government gave national ● During inaugural dialogue of iCET, two sides
project status to “Upper Bhadra Project”. announced a set of programs to increase
bilateral cooperation:
Tungabhadra River:
4. Strengthen Innovation ecosystem.
● It is a sacred river in southern India that flows 5. Promote Defense Innovation and
through the states of Karnataka, Andhra Technology Cooperation.
Pradesh and Telengana. 6. Build Resilient Semiconductor Supply
● The ancient name of the river was Pampa. Chains.
● It is formed by the confluence of two rivers, the
Key benefits:
Tunga River and the Bhadra
● Both Tunga & Bhadra Rivers are originated on ● Ease export barriers to India in critical areas
the eastern slops of the Western Ghats. such as High-Performance Computing.
● Strengthen linkages between the startup
India, U.S. step up strategic partnership with ecosystems of India and USA.
N
technology initiative ● Foster an open, accessible, and secure
● India and the U.S.launched a program to
L.I
technology ecosystem, based on mutual trust
and confidence.
A
enhance their strategic partnership with
delegations led by the National Security Advisor
R T
New START Treaty
O
Jake Sullivan, meeting in Washington for the
P
inaugural dialogue of the Initiative on Critical
● The United States has accused Russia of not
complying with the New START treaty.
C
and Emerging Technologies (iCET). ● The news comes amid growing tensions
SS
between the two nations in the backdrop of the
About:
Ukraine war.
● The two sides announced a set of programs ● The state department said Russia suspended
whose aim is to increase the depth and scope inspections and cancelled talks but stopped
of bilateral cooperation in cutting edge short of accusing Moscow of expanding
technology, including in the defence sector. nuclear warheads beyond agreed limits.
● The iCET seeks to build supply chains which
About New START Treaty:
increase co-production and co-development
between the countries and increase linkages ● The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New
between the countries’ start-up ecosystems, START), is an agreement between the U.S.
both governments said in their statements andRussia that sets limits on strategic arms.
describing the dialogue. ● It has set central limits on strategic offensive
arms and both sides are obligated to maintain
iCET aims to:
those limits for as long as the treaty remains in
● Position two countries as trusted technology force.
partners by building technology value ● It includes strategic nuclear warheads,
chains and support the co-development and launchers and heavy bombers.
co-production of items. ● Signed in 2010, New START caps to 1,550 the
● Address regulatory restrictions, export controls number of nuclear warheads that can be
and mobility barriers through a deployed by Russia and US. In 2021 it was
standing mechanism. extended till 2026.
153
a tiny lightweight robot that relies on wind to

Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Initiatives float in the air.
announced in Budget 2023-24 ● Interestingly, the robot can be controlled with a
● During the Budget speech Union finance light source such as a laser beam or an LED.
Minister announced multiple schemes towards ● This means that the researchers could apply
Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. light to the robot to change its shape, allowing it
to adapt to the wind’s direction.
Key initiatives announced are: ● This light beam can also be used to control
● PM PRANAM (Prime Minister Programme for take-off and landing.
Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and ● As a result, the researchers were able to
Amelioration of Mother Earth): This programme stimulate the actuator's bristles to open or
will seek to incentivise states and union close by using visible light.
territories to promote alternative fertilisers and
the balanced use of chemical fertilisers. Delimitation of Jammu and Kashmir seats
N
affirmed by SC
I
● Bhartiya PrakritikKheti Bio-Input Resource
Centres: Under this 10,000 Bio-Input Resource
Centres will be set up, creating a national-level
●
L.
The decision of the court came on a petition
A
filed by two Srinagar residents who had
T
challenged the March 6, 2020 order without
R
pesticide manufacturing network.This will
challenging the Presidential order bifurcating
impact over 1 crore farmers over the next three
years.
PO the state into two union territories or the J&K

Reorganisation Act.
C
● Agriculture Accelerator Fund: The Fund will aim
SS
at bringing innovative and affordable Petitioners had raised arguments that:
solutions for challenges faced by farmers.It will
● Only Election Commission of India was
also bring in modern technologies to transform
empowered to conduct delimitation exercise.
agricultural practices, and increase productivity
● Article 170 freezes delimitation exercise till the
and profitability."
first census after 2026.
● Cotton crop productivity enhancement: Union
● SC, while dismissing the challenges, stated that:
government will adopt a cluster-based
● J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 which created
approach to enhance the cotton crop.To
two new UTs, assigns role of readjustment of
enhance the productivity of extra-long staple
constituencies to Delimitation Commission
cotton, the government will adopt a
(DC) underDelimitation Act, 2002.
cluster-based and value chain approach
● Article 4 permits Parliament to incorporate such
through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
provisions made in accordance with Article 3
for formation of new States and UTs.
Fairy robot ● Article 239A and not Article 170 was applicable
● Researchers at Tampere University have to UTs.
developed a Dandelion seed-inspired flying About Delimitation Process:
robot that can potentially stand in for some of
these pollinators. ● Delimitation is process of fixing limits or
boundaries of territorial constituencies in a
About: country or a state with a legislative body.
● The Flying Aero-robots based on the Light ● Under Article 82, Parliament enacts a
Responsive Materials Assembly, FAIRY robot, is Delimitation Act after every Census establishing
a DC.
154
Under Article 170, States get divided into ● GSI is an attached office under Ministry of
territorial constituencies. Mines.
● It provides equal representation for equal
Key Highlights of the Draft Bill:
population segments, and fair division of
geographical areas, so that no political party ● Authorising Central Government to:Declare a
has an advantage. geo-heritage site to be of national importance.
● DC have been constituted in 1952, 1963, 1973 ● Acquire area under a geo-heritage site under
and 2002. provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and
● It is appointed by President and its orders have Transparency in Land Acquisition,Rehabilitation
force of law and cannot be challenged before and Resettlement Act, 2013.
any court. ● Declare area around each geo-heritage site as
prohibited area and regulated area.
Draft Bill vests powers entirely in Geological ● Penalties for destruction, removal, defacement,
Survey of India misuse of geo-heritage sites and geo relics.
● A draft Bill, aimed at protecting India’s

geological heritage that includes fossils,
.I N
Gaziantep castle
L
A
sedimentary rocks, natural structures, has ● 2,000-year-old Roman-era Gaziantep Castle, a
raised alarm in India’s geo-sciences and
palaeontology community.
R T historic site and tourist attraction in Turkey, has

suffered damages in the massive earthquake
●
PO
The draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics
(Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2022, while ●
that left a trail of destruction in the country.
Due to the powerful earthquake, the castle
C
deemed necessary by several researchers, broke into two parts and walls and the iron
SS
vests powers entirely in the Geological Survey railing also fell.
of India (GSI), a 170-year-old organisation that
About:
comes under the Ministry of Mines.
● Gaziantep castle is located on a hilltop in
Key highlights:
southern Turkey’s city of Gaziantep.
● It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
● Built by the Hittite Empire as an observation
● Geo-heritage sites are sites of rare and unique
point and later built into a main castle by the
geological and geomorphological significance
Roman Empire in the 2nd and 3rd century AD.
having geomorphological,mineralogical,
● The castle underwent further expansion and
petrological, paleontological, and stratigraphic
renovation under the Byzantine emperor
significance including caves, natural
Justinianus (called the “Architect of
rock-sculptures etc.
Castles”) between 527 and 565 AD.
● Geo-relics are any relic or material of geological
● The Ottomans repaired the castle over time, but
significance orinterest like sediments, rocks,
it got a second full overhaul by Egyptian Sultan
minerals, meteorites or fossils.
Qaitbay in 1481.
● GSI has declared 32 geo-heritage sites,
● The castle took its final shape in 2000 and has
including Fossil Parks (e.g., Siwalik Fossil Park,
been renovated many times.
Himachal Pradesh); Geological Marvels
(e.g.Lonar Lake, Maharashtra), Rock Features:
Monuments (e.g. Peninsular Gneiss, Karnataka)
● The castle has the shape of an irregular circle.
etc.
● It has 12 towers that house living quarters for
soldiers and various other chambers such as
155
stables, prison cells, storerooms for treasure Investor Education, Awareness and Protection
troves, or barracks for troops. and for administration of the IEPF fund.
● The walls are made from stone and span 1200 ● It has undertaken a wide gamut of activities to
meters in circumference. accelerate the pace of investor education
among the masses at large.
Aubrite meteorite ● It comes under Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
● Researchers have confirmed that a meteorite Investor Education Protection Fund (IEPF).
that crashed in two villages of Gujarat is a rare ● It has been established under Section 205C of
aubrite that originated from an extremely the Companies Act, 1956 by way of the
reduced differentiated parent body in our solar Companies (Amendment) Act, 1999.
system.
About: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
● Analysis has revealed that Diyodar meteorite of ● Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study
2022 (fell in Gujarat) was India’s first aubrite in
170 years.
.I N
in Science and Technology said that fluorescent
L
carbon nanomaterial-based immunosensor
A
● Aubrites, a type of meteorite, are coarse-grained from natural sources can help in the detection
igneous rocks formed in oxygen-poor
conditions;
R T of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

About:
●
PO
It containing a variety of exotic minerals that
are not found on Earth. (For example, mineral ● An immunosensor developed with fluorescent
C
heideite was first described in Basti meteorite. nanomaterial can help detect the Vascular
SS
● Around 90% of Diyodar meteorite was Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a signalling
composed of orthopyroxene. protein that promotes the growth of new blood
● Pyroxenes are silicates consisting of single vessels and is considered cancerous if found in
chains of silica tetrahedra. elevated levels in the blood.
● Orthopyroxenes are pyroxenes with a certain ● VEGF is a factor that promotes angiogenesis or
structure. formation of new blood vessels, which involves
● Pyroxenes such as diopside and jadeite have migration, growth,
been used as gems. and differentiation of endothelial cells that line
the inside wall of blood vessels.
Investor Education and Protection Fund ● It is upregulated in many tumors and hence
Authority gives indications of the probability of cancers.
● The dynamic interplay of nanotechnology and
● The Investor Education and Protection Fund immunoassay has unlocked an arena for
Authority (IEPFA), under the aegis of Ministry of developing next-generation techniques for
Corporate Affairs, will organise a State Level detecting such biomarkers, which can simplify
Conference on Financial Literacy in Amrit Kaal - the identification of cancer patients, especially
Empowering Investors in association with breast cancer.
the Department of Tourism in Aizawl, Mizoram. ● Such technique will ensure rapid point-of-care
About IEPF Authority: testing for the early detection of cancer.
● IEPF Authority has been established under

sub-section (5) of section 125 of Companies
Act, 2013 with the objective of promoting
156
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand

Custodial Deaths Report — over the failure to elect a Deputy Speaker.
● In between 2018 to 2022 the highest number of ● A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI)
custodial deaths have been reported in Gujarat responses on a PIL that contends that not
at 80, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) electing a Deputy Speaker to the 17th (present)
informed the Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha, which was constituted on June 19,
● This is followed by Maharashtra (76), Uttar 2019, is “against the letter and spirit of the
Pradesh (41), Tamil Nadu (40) and Bihar (38). Constitution”.
● Among UTs, highest incidents were reported ● The post has been lying vacant in the five state
from Delhi followed by Jammu and Kashmir. Assemblies as well, which were constituted
between four years and almost one year ago,
About: the plea states.
● Custodial violence primarily refers to violence in Constitutional provisions related to Deputy
police custody and judicial custody. Besides speaker
●
death, rape and torture are two other forms of
custodial violence.
However, the term custodial violence has not
●
L.I N
Article 93: Lok Sabha shall choose two
members of House to be respectively Speaker
been defined under any law.
TA and
Deputy Speaker.
Causes for Custodial Deaths:
O R● As office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker

becomes vacant, House shall choose another
P
● Traditional habit of using force by police,
member.
C
● Prison overcrowding leads to violence between
● Article 95: While office of Speaker is vacant,
SS
prisoners or suicide,
● Deficiencies in basic services like medical duties of the office shall be performed by
facilities, food etc. Deputy Speaker or, if office of Deputy Speaker is
also vacant, by such member of Lok Sabha as
Constitutional safeguards include: President may appoint for purpose.
● Article 178: Corresponding position for Speaker
● Article 20: Right to protection against
and Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly of
conviction of offenses,
a state.
● Article 21: Right to life and liberty.
● Term of Office: It is upto5 years.
● Article 22: Right to protection against arrest
and detention in certain circumstance.
Global Sea-level Rise and Implications report
Statutory safeguards include
● According to a new report by the World
● Sections 330 & 331 of Indian Penal Code. Meteorological Organisation (WMO) - “Global
● Sections 25 & 26 of Indian Evidence Act. Sea-level Rise (SLR) and Implications” - India,
● Section 29 of Police Act, 1861 that were China, Bangladesh and the Netherlands face the
enacted to curb tendency of policemen to resort highest threat of sea-level rise globally.
to torture to extract confessions etc. ● Almost 11% of the global population (896
million) in the Low Elevation Coastal Zone,
Election of Deputy Speaker increasing to beyond 1 billion by 2050 and
associated development, coastal ecosystems
● The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre
face climate risks, including sea level rise.
and five states — Rajasthan, Uttarakhand,
157
Key findings: ● Brazil faces logistics issues in transporting

cane crops.
● India, China, Bangladesh and Netherlands face
● Ruling in European Union against
highest threat of SLR globally.
neonics-coated sugar beet seeds (neonics
● Global mean sea level increased by 0.20 metres
coating prevents insects from damaging crops)
from 1901 to 2018.
could result in lower yield.
● Almost 11% of global population (896 million
● Drought faces in Chinese province of Guangxi.
people) lived within Low Elevation Coastal Zone
in 2020, potentially increasing to beyond 1
billion people by 2050. Primary Agricultural Credit Society
Factors for SLR from 1971-2018 ● Union Cabinet approves establishment of new
Primary Agricultural Credit Society in 2 lakh
● Thermal Expansion (Warming of water causes panchayats in next five years.
volume of water to increase) responsible for
50% SLR. About:
●
●
Ice loss from glaciers lead to 22% SLR.
Loss of ice sheets contributes to 20% SLR. Rate
●
.I N
PACS are village level cooperative credit
L
societies that serve as the last link in a
A
of ice-sheet loss increased by a factor of four three-tier cooperative credit structure headed by
T
between 1992-1999 and 2010-2019. the State Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state
R
● Changes in land-water storage contributed to level.
O
8% SLR. ● Credit from the SCBs is transferred to the
C P
Sugar prices in the global market have surged
district central cooperative banks, or DCCBs,
that operate at the district level. The DCCBs
SS
to near six-year high work with PACS, which deal directly with
farmers.
● Surge in global sugar prices is due to fear of
● Since these are cooperative bodies, individual
lower production in few countries including
farmers are members of the PACS, and
India.
office-bearers are elected from within them. A
About: village can have multiple PACS.
● PACS are involved in short term lending — or
● The Indian government not allowing exports of what is known as crop loan. At the start of the
more than six milliontonnes (mt) for current cropping cycle, farmers avail credit to finance
season (October 2022- September 2023). their requirement of seeds, fertilisers etc.
● Sugar is an important agro-based industry that ● Banks extend this credit at 7 per cent interest,
impacts rural livelihood of 50 million sugarcane of which 3 per cent is subsidised by the Centre,
farmers and around 5 lakh workers directly and 2 per cent by the state government.
employed in sugar mills. Effectively, farmers avail the crop loans at 2 per
● India has emerged as world’s largest producer cent interest only.
and consumer of sugar as well as world’s 2nd
largest exporter of sugar in 2021-2022. Functions:
● Maharashtra is largest producer of sugar
● To provide short and medium-term purpose
followed by Uttar Pradesh in 2021- 2022.
loans to farmers for various agricultural
Factors for lower sugar production: purposes.
● To borrow adequate funds from central
● Excess rain affected sugarcane crops in financial agencies to help its members on time.
Maharashtra and Karnataka.
158
● Maintaining the supply of the hired light

machinery for agricultural purposes. Vibrant Villages Programme
● Provide marketing facilities to members that ● The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister,
could enhance the sale of their agricultural has approved Centrally Sponsored Scheme-
products in the market at reasonable prices. Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) for the
Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with
Governing Cadaver Organ Transplants financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore.
● The Union Ministry of Health and Family About:

Welfare said that the clause that people beyond
● VVP, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, will provide
65 years could not receive cadaver organ
funds for development of essential
transplants had been removed.
infrastructure and creation of livelihood
● Now, people beyond 65 years in need of an
opportunities along the northern land border.
organ donation will also be eligible to get one.
● VVP (approved for 2022-23 to 2025-26) will
● The government has decided to do away with a
clause in the National Organ and Tissue
Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) guidelines as
● I N
cover Himachal Pradesh(HP), Uttarakhand,
.
Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Ladakh.
L
Scheme will help in improving quality of life of
A
the clause violates the Right to Life.
T
people and reversing outmigration adding to
R
About Organ Transplantation in India: improved security of border.
● The primary
PO
legislation governing organ
transplantation in India is the Transplantation of
Key Features of the Scheme:
C
● Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by
Human Organs Act, passed in 1994.
SS
district administration with the help of Gram
● It provides a system to regulate the removal,
Panchayats.
storage, and transplantation of human organs
● Development of growth centres on Hub and
for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention
Spoke Model through promotion of social
of commercial dealings in human organs.
entrepreneurship, youth and women
● National Organ transplant program
empowerment etc.
is implemented by the Directorate General of
● Out of financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore,
Health Services, Government of India.
2500 crore rupees will be used for roads.
Key objectives: 100 % saturation of Central and state schemes
will be ensured.
● To organize a system of organ and Tissue
● No overlap with Border Area Development
procurement & distribution for transplantation.
Programme (BADP).
● To promote deceased organ and Tissue
● BADP aims to meet development needs of
donation.
people living in remote and inaccessible areas
● To train the required manpower.
situated near international border.
● To protect vulnerable poor from organ
trafficking.
● To monitor organ and tissue transplant Marine Spatial Planning framework
services and bring about policy and programme ● Puducherry has launched the country’s first
corrections/ changes whenever needed. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework as
part of a pact under the Indo-Norway Integrated
Ocean Initiative.
159
● The beta version of the MSP for the Union About:

Territory was put together in a collaborative
● A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of
exercise involving the Norwegian Environment
Earth’s magnetosphere.
Agency, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the
● These storms result from variations in the solar
National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR)
wind that produces significant changes in the
etc.
currents, plasmas, and fields in Earth’s
About: magnetosphere.
● The solar wind conditions that are effective for
● MSP Framework, part of apact under
creating geomagnetic storms are sustained (for
Indo-NorwayIntegrated Ocean Initiative,was
several hours) periods of the high-speed solar
launched to balance growth alongside
wind and a southward-directed solar wind
sustainable management of ocean resources
magnetic field (opposite the direction of Earth’s
and coastal environment preservation.
field) at the dayside of the magnetosphere.
● Framework is a collaboration
● The largest such storms are associated with
N
betweenNorwegian Environment Agency,
I
solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs), where a
Ministry of Earth Sciences, NationalCentre for
Coastal Research and UT of Puducherry.
L.
billion tons or so of plasma from the sun, with
A
its embedded magnetic field, arrives at Earth.
● MSP is a process of analysing and allocating
T
● While the storms create a beautiful aurora, they
spatial and temporal distribution of human
R
also can disrupt navigation systems such as
activities in marine areas to achieve ecological,
O
the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
economic, and social objectives.
P
and create harmful geomagnetic induced
● Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
C
currents (GICs) in the power grid and pipelines.
of UNESCO help countries by providing a
SS
step-by-step guide for ecosystem-based MSP.
Aerosols Pollution
Benefits of MSP
● A recent study has shown higher abundance of
● Ecological/Environmental benefits: sulphate aerosols in the preindustrial
Identification of biological and ecological atmosphere.
important areas, reduction of cumulative
effects of human activities on marine About:
ecosystems etc. ● Aerosols are minute particles suspended in the
● Economics benefits: Certainty of access to atmosphere. When these particles arelarge,
desirable areas for new privatesector they scatter and absorb sunlight.
investments, transparency in permit and ● Their scattering of sunlight can reduce visibility
licensing procedures etc. (haze) and redden sunrises and sunset.
● Social benefits: Improved opportunities for ● Aerosols interact both directly and indirectly
community participation,improved protection of with Earth’s radiation budget and climate.
cultural heritage etc. ● Three types of aerosols significantly affect the
Earth’s climate:
Geomagnetic storm 1. Volcanic aerosol (forms in stratosphere
after major volcanic eruptions).
● Recently a Geomagnetic Storm was sparked by
2. Desert Dust
solar wind which passed through a gap created
3. Human-made aerosols
in Earth’s magnetic field.
Key highlights:
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● The findings suggest that we are likely outlets dedicated to aggregating the latest fund
underestimating sulphate emissions from news.
inactive or non-eruptive volcanoes, probably
leading to inaccuracies in future climate FINDERs
projections, the study published in Geophysical
Research Letters noted. ● NASA-developed technology that can remotely
● Sulphate emissions can be traced back to detect the tiniest motions of the body caused
natural sources such as volcanoes and by basic processes necessary for life will be
industrial processes, including oil combustion, used by disaster relief teams in
traffic emissions and coal burning. earthquake-stricken Turkey.
● Sulphur dioxide, released from natural as well About:
as anthropogenic sources, reacts with water
vapour and other gases in the atmosphere to ● The devices, called FINDERs, for Finding
create sulphate aerosols. Individuals for Disaster Emergency Response,
N
● A higher abundance of sulphate aerosols in the use microwave radar sensors to find survivors
preindustrial atmosphere means anthropogenic
sulphate has a relatively small cooling effect.
L.I
underneath rubble or in avalanches by remotely
detecting their heartbeat and respiration.
● But if the preindustrial aerosol is minuscule, she
added, anthropogenic sulphate has a large
●
TA It was designed to detect a human heartbeat

buried beneath 30 feet of rubble.
cooling effect.
O R● The radar illuminates the rubble pile and

receives reflections back from a disaster site,
New Fund Offer
C P ●
including the victim.
FINDER looks for changes in the reflection that
SS
● After the Budget, fund houses have started a indicate movement and then checks to see if
number of equity new fund offers (NFO) to those movements can be attributed to human
boost market share and draw investors. heartbeats and respirations.
● It can distinguish human respiration from
About:
animals or mechanical movements.
● A new fund offer (NFO) refers to the initial sale
of fund shares issued by an investment Supreme Court seeks Centre’s stand on having
company to investors. statutory body for elephants
● Similar to an IPO in the stock market, NFOs are
intended to raise capital for the fund and attract ● The Supreme Court asked the Centre whether it
investors. intended to have a statutory authority for
● Even though NFOs are marketed, they are done protecting elephants similar to the lines of the
less aggressively so than IPOs, and target National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
certain select groups of investors. As a result, and sought a reply in this regard within four
new fund issues may be less noticeable to weeks.
individual investors than IPOs. Background:
● Investors should check an NFO’s expense ratio
and the performance of previous funds offered ● In 2010, the ‘Gajah report’ from Elephant Task
by the investment company before deciding to Force made a slew of recommendations to
invest in an NFO. protect and preserve the elephant population,
● Investors looking to research new fund including the:
launches can monitor the press releases of
various investment companies as well as news
161
● Constitution of a statutory National Elephant districts of Chikkamagalur, Chitradurga, Tumkur

Conservation Authority (NECA) on the lines of and Davangere.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). ● It envisages lifting upto17.40 TMC of water in
first stage from Tunga river to existing Bhadra
About Asian Elephants (Elephasmaximus):
reservoir and lifting 29.90 TMC of water in
● It is a keystone species playing a critical role in second stage from Bhadra reservoir to Tunnel
sustenance of wildlife and biodiversity. near Ajjampura, in Tungabhadra sub-basin of
● It is listed: Krishna basin.
● IUCN Status: Endangered In Appendix I of the ● In 2022, Central government gave national
Convention of the Migratory species. project statusto “Upper Bhadra Project”.
● In Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act,
Tungabhadra River:
1972.
● More than 60 % of the population of Asian ● It is a sacred river in southern India that flows
elephants is found in India. through the states of Karnataka, Andhra
N
Pradesh and Telengana.
I
safety:
●
●
L.
The ancient name of the river was Pampa.
It is formed by the confluence of two rivers, the
● Project Elephant, a centrally sponsored scheme
launched in 1992 for management of wildlife ●
TA Tunga River and the Bhadra
Both Tunga & Bhadra Rivers are originated on
●
and its habitats in the country.
O
In 2010, it was declared India’s National R the eastern slops of the Western Ghats.
●
Heritage Animal.
C P
Approval to 33 Elephant Reserves by Centre
India, U.S. step up strategic partnership with
SS
technology initiative
sq km. ● India and the U.S. launched a program to
● In 2022, Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) was set enhance their strategic partnership with
up in Uttar Pradesh. delegations led by the National Security Advisor
Jake Sullivan, meeting in Washington for the
Upper Bhadra Irrigation Project
inaugural dialogue of the Initiative on Critical
● Union Finance Minister recently announced a and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
grant of ₹5300 crore for the Upper Bhadra
About:
Irrigation Project in the poll-bound Karnataka.
● The two sides announced a set of programs
whose aim is to increase the depth and scope
● It is a major lift irrigation Scheme under of bilateral cooperation in cutting edge
implementation in the central region of technology, including in the defence sector.
Karnataka State. ● The iCET seeks to build supply chains which
● It aims to provide sustainable irrigation facility increase co-production and co-development
in khariff season. between the countries and increase linkages
● It also proposes to recharge ground water between the countries’ start-up ecosystems,
tables and provide drinking water by filling 367 both governments said in their statements
tanks with six tmcft water in drought-prone describing the dialogue.
taluks.
iCET aims to:
● It is planned to irrigate an extent of 2,25,515
hectares by micro irrigation in drought-prone
162
● Position two countries as trusted technology ● It includes strategic nuclear warheads,

partners by building technology value launchers and heavy bombers.
chains and support the co-development and ● Signed in 2010, New START caps to 1,550 the
co-production of items. number of nuclear warheads that can be
● Address regulatory restrictions, export controls deployed by Russia and US. In 2021 it was
and mobility barriers through a extended till 2026.
standing mechanism.
● During inaugural dialogue of iCET, two sides Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Initiatives
announced a set of programs to increase announced in Budget 2023-24
bilateral cooperation:
7. Strengthen Innovation ecosystem. ● During the Budget speech Union finance
8. Promote Defense Innovation and Minister announced multiple schemes towards
Technology Cooperation. Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
9. Build Resilient Semiconductor Supply Key initiatives announced are:
N
Chains.
Key benefits:
●
L.I
PM PRANAM (Prime Minister Programme for
Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and
A
● Ease export barriers to India in critical areas Amelioration of Mother Earth): This programme
●
such as High-Performance Computing.
Strengthen linkages between the startup
R T will seek to incentivise states and union
territories to promote alternative fertilisers and
●
ecosystems of India and USA.
PO
Foster an open, accessible, and secure ●
the balanced use of chemical fertilisers.
Bhartiya Prakritik Kheti Bio-Input Resource
C
technology ecosystem, based on mutual trust Centres: Under this10,000 Bio-Input Resource
SS
and confidence. Centres will be set up, creating a national-level
New START Treaty pesticide manufacturing network. This will
impact over 1 crore farmers over the next three
● The United States has accused Russia of not years.
complying with the New START treaty. ● Agriculture Accelerator Fund: The Fund will aim
● The news comes amid growing tensions at bringing innovative and affordable
between the two nations in the backdrop of the solutions for challenges faced by farmers. It will
Ukraine war. also bring in modern technologies to transform
● The state department said Russia suspended agricultural practices, and increase productivity
inspections and cancelled talks but stopped and profitability."
short of accusing Moscow of expanding ● Cotton crop productivity enhancement: Union
nuclear warheads beyond agreed limits. government will adopt a cluster-based
approach to enhance the cotton crop. To
About New START Treaty:
enhance the productivity of extra-long staple
● The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New cotton, the government will adopt a
START), is an agreement between the U.S. and cluster-based and value chain approach
Russia that sets limits on strategic arms. through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
● It has set central limits on strategic offensive
arms and both sides are obligated to maintain Fairy robot
those limits for as long as the treaty remains in
force. ● Researchers at Tampere University have
developed a Dandelion seed-inspired flying
163
robot that can potentially stand in for some of ● The total number of Universities/University like
these pollinators. institutions registered is 1,113, Colleges 43,796
and Standalone Institutions 11,296.
About:
● Number of Universities has increased by 70,
● The Flying Aero-robots based on the Light number of colleges has increased by 1,453, in
Responsive Materials Assembly, FAIRY robot, is 2020-21 over 2019-20.
a tiny lightweight robot that relies on wind to ● Enrollment in higher education increases to
float in the air. 4.14 crore, crossing the 4 crore mark for first
● Interestingly, the robot can be controlled with a time; increase of 7.5% from 2019-20 and 21%
light source such as a laser beam or an LED. from 2014-15.
● This means that the researchers could apply ● Female enrollment reaches 2 crore mark,
light to the robot to change its shape, allowing it increase of 13 Lakh from 2019-20.
to adapt to the wind’s direction. ● Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has
● This light beam can also be used to control improved from previous year for all social
N
take-off and landing. groups.
● As a result, the researchers were able to
stimulate the actuator's bristles to open or
●
L.I
Enrollment in Distance Education has increased
by 7% in 2020-21 from 2019-20.
close by using visible light. ●
TA Gender Parity Index (GPI) has increased from 1

in 2017-18 to 1.05 in 2020-21 Total number of
All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE)
2020-2021
O R faculty/teachers increases by 47,914 from
2019-20.
●
C P
The Ministry of Education, Government of India India issues notice to Pakistan to modify Indus
SS
has released All India Survey on Higher Waters Treaty
Education (AISHE) 2020-2021.
● India has informed Pakistan of its intent to
About:
● The Ministry has been conducting All India management of cross-border rivers because
Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) since 2011, the Pakistani side’s “intransigence” in handling
covering all higher educational institutions disputes has raised questions about the
located in Indian Territory and imparting higher integrity of the pact, people familiar with the
education in the country. matter.
● The survey collects detailed information on
About:
different parameters such as student
enrollment, teacher’s data, infrastructural ● IWT, water sharing treaty, signed in 1960 by
information, financial information etc. India and Pakistan with WB as a third-party
guarantor.
Key findings:
● For the first time, in AISHE 2020-21, higher countries concerning the use of waters on
educational institutions have filled data using Indus River System.
entirely online data collection platform through ● It allocates Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum,
the Web Data Capture Format (DCF) developed Chenab) to Pakistan and Eastern Rivers (Ravi,
by Department of Higher Education through the Beas, Sutlej) to India.
National Informatics Centre (NIC). ● Maximum area of Indus Basin is in Pakistan
followed by India, China and Afghanistan.
164
Key highlights: ● Less requirement of expensive transmission

and distribution network upgrades.
● India issued the notice in view of Pakistan’s non
● Faster responses for balancing grid (voltage
compliance in resolving disputes over
and frequency regulation) than coal-fired power
Kishenganga (on Kishenganga River, tributary of
plants.
Jhelum) and Ratle hydropower projects (on
Chenab River), both in Jammu and Kashmir. Issues with BESS
● Absence of Time-of-Day (ToD) pricing structure
IWT, 1960.
● Low mineral reserve of Lithium cobalt.
● It’s a 3-level mechanism. SCO Film Festival 2023
● World Bank’s (WB) role is largely procedural and ● The five-day of SCO Film Festival opened in
limited to designating neutral experts (NE) or
.I N
Mumbai recently.
L
About SCO
A
● India has invoked Article XII (3) of treaty i.e., a
T
provision to amend Treaty. ● Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
R
● Treaty can be amended or terminated only with formed in 2001 is the world’s largest regional
O
duly ratified treaty between two countries. organization in terms of geographic scope and
C P
IEEFA projects exponential growth of battery ●
population.
It covering approximately 60% of the area of
SS
storage assets in India Eurasia, 40% of the world population, and more
than 30% of global GDP.
● A new report has projected exponential growth
● India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan,
in India’s Battery Energy Storage System
(BESS).
member nations.
About:
About SCO Film Festival
● It is being organized by the National Film
energy from different sources and discharge it
Development Corporation, a Public Sector
when needed.
Undertaking of the Ministry of Information and
● It consists of one or more batteries and can be
Broadcasting, in association with the SCO
used to balance the electric grid, provide
backup power, and improve grid stability.
● Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in mobile
phones and electric cars, are currently
filmmaking talent and act as a bridge between
dominant storage technology for large scale
the cultures of the Shanghai Cooperation.
plants to help electricity grids ensure a reliable
● As part of the SCO Film Festival in India, it is
supply of renewable energy.
endeavoured to showcase selected films from
Significance of BESS the Members, Observer States and Dialogue
partners States.
● Ensures peak-time power supply.
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● Planet b has a mass slightly higher than Earth’s,

National Logistics Portal is the closer of the two and its year lasts only
● Recently Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and 10 days.
Waterways inaugurated The National Logistics ● Planet c is about a third more massive than
Portal (marine) in New Delhi. Earth and takes about 20 days to orbit the star.
● The two planets were discovered using
About: the radial velocity (RV) method.
● The National Logistic Portal (marine) (NLP) is a Radial Velocity method:
the Ministry of Ports Shipping Waterways and ● This method is based on the detection of
the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. variations in the velocity of the central star, due
● It is a one-stop platform aimed at connecting all to the changing direction of the gravitational
the stakeholders of the logistics community pull from an unseen exoplanet as it orbits the
using IT, to improve efficiency and transparency star.
I N
offerings of services, to promote the growth of
L.
North India's First Nuclear Power Plant
A
● Union Minister of State for Science and
the logistics sector and thereby improve trade.
● NLP will be a single window for all trade
R T Technology informed that North India's first
nuclear power plant will come up in Haryana in
PO
the village of Gorakhpur in Fatehabad district.
C
the waterways, roadways, and airways along About:
SS
with an E-marketplace to provide a seamless
end-to-end logistic service coverage. ● Gorakhpur Haryana AnuVidyut Pariyojana
● NLP Is a one stop marketplace where all logistic (GHAVP) will have two units of 700 MWe
stakeholders are integrated for easier, speedier capacity each of PressurisedHeavy Water
& competitive services thereby promoting trade Reactor (PHWR).
and growth. ● India’s 3-stage nuclear energy program,
envisioned by HomiBhabha, is based on a
closed nuclear fuel cycle.
GJ 1002 b and c
● Stage-I: PHWRs fuelled byNatural uranium
● Recently an international group of researchers would produce plutonium-239. Heavy
has discovered the presence of two planets water(D2O) is used as moderator and coolant in
with masses comparable to that of the Earth in PHWR.
orbit around the star GJ 1002. ● Stage-II: Fast Breeder Reactors Utilize
plutonium- 239 fuel from first stage and formed
About GJ 1002 b and c: uranium-238.
● The two new planets are named, GJ 1002 b and ● Stage-III: Advanced nuclear power systems for
GJ 1002 c. utilisation of thorium.
Nuclear energy production in India:
liquid form, and which is located in the ● India is currently on second stage of program.
immediate vicinity of the star due to its low ● India’s current nuclear power capacity of 6,780
luminosity. MW is expected to increase to22,480 MW by
2031.
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● Nuclear energy is fifth-largest source of ● Taiwan, South Korea and U.S. among others are
electricity for India. major players ofchip-making industry.
● Currently, global semiconductor industry is
Steps taken to increase nuclear power output:
valued at $500-$600 billion. InIndia, demand
● Atomic Energy Amendment Act 2015 allow would increase to $70-$80 billion by 2026.
public-sector companies to formjoint ventures
to build nuclear power plants. UN High Seas Treaty
● Resolution of issues relating to Civil Liability for
Nuclear Damage (CLND)Act 2010 and ● A new round of United Nations High Seas
establishment of an Indian Nuclear Insurance Treaty for conservation and sustainable use of
Pool. marine biological diversity of areas beyond
national jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in New York
recently.
AICTE approves technical curriculum to boost
semiconductors manufacture and design About United Nations High Seas Treaty:
● The All India Council for Technical Education

(AICTE) has launched a curriculum for two new
●
L.I N
It is known as the ‘Paris Agreement for the
Ocean’, and the treaty to deal with Biodiversity
programmes on design and manufacturing in
semiconductors.
TA Beyond National Jurisdictionhas been under
discussion for several years.
● The program curriculum designed for the
O
programme are B. Tech Electronics VLSI Design
R● The proposed treaty concerns the ocean
existing beyond the Exclusive Economic Zones
Circuit(IC) manufacturing.
C P
and Technology and Diploma in Integrated (EEZ) that lie from the coast of a country to
about 200 nautical miles into the sea (Countries
SS
● It provides variety of employment roles and have special rights for exploration till 200
salary incentives for students. nautical miles).
● The treaty was to be negotiated under the
Key findings: United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea
● VLSI (Very Large-Scale Integration) sector is a (UNCLOS) of 1982.
high-paying industry and immune to automation
Key facts about the United Nations Convention on
and it’ll create an environment
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
forSemiconductor ecosystem for setting and
scaling up. ● UNCLOS became effective on 16th November
● VLSI integrates hundreds of thousands of 1982.
transistors on a single silicon semiconductor ● It superseded the four Geneva Conventions of
microchip. April 1958, which respectively concerned the
● IC (also called chip or microchip) is a set of territorial sea and the contiguous zone, the
electronic circuits on one smallflat piece (or continental shelf, the high seas, fishing and
chip) which acts as fundamental building block conservation of living resources on the high
of all modernelectronic devices. seas.
● Semiconductor chips are materials that
conduct electricity more than aninsulator but G1-class Geomagnetic Storm
less than a pure conductor.
● They can be classified into small number of ● Recently, Solar wind passed through a
categories including memorychips, gapwhich occurred due to a crack in Earth's
microprocessors, and Integrated chips.
167
magnetic field sparking a G1-classgeomagnetic ● Investors in privately placed bonds usually

storm (GMS). include wealthy individuals and entities, mutual
fund providers, insurance companies, and
About:
banking and financial institutions.
● Crack occurred due to South-pointingmagnetic ● Unlike a public offering, private placements are
fields weakening Earth'sdefenses against solar exempt from having to file an offer
wind. document with the Securities and Exchange
● GMS is a disturbance in earth's magnetosphere, Board of India (SEBI) for comments.
which is the area around planet controlled by its ● A private placement may not involve any form
magnetic field. of general announcement, solicitation,
● Earth’s magnetosphere protects its inhabitants advertising, seminar, or meeting to publicize
from most of the particles emitted by sun. such an offering.
● It is caused by massive exchange of energy
Advantages:
from solar wind into space environment
N
surrounding the Earth. ● It is a cost and time-effective method of raising
● GMS are categorised between G1 and G5,the
latter being the strongest. ●
L.I
funds.
It can be structured to meet the needs of
Effect of GMS:
●
TA entrepreneurs and investors.
It has easier compliance formalities.
●
●
Formation of bright red auroras.
Disrupt navigation systems
O such as R
P
Indigenous-Automatic Train Supervision
GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) and
C ● The i-ATS (Indigenous-Automatic Train
SS
create harmful geomagnetic induced currents
(GICs) in power grid and pipelines. Supervision) system has been launched
● Damage satellite electronics and expose by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on its
astronauts and high-altitude pilots to increased first corridor.
levels of radiationEconomy ● India becomes the sixth country which has its
own ATS products after France, Germany,
Japan, Canada, and China.
Private Placements on bonds
About the i-ATS system:
● NHPC Limited has raised Rs 996 crore through
unsecured, redeemable, non-convertible, ● It is India’s first indigenously developed Train
non-cumulative and taxable 7.59 per cent AD Control and Supervision System.
series bonds on private placement basis. ● It is a computer-based system that will manage
● The bonds are proposed for listing at Wholesale train operations including basic functioning
Debt Market (WDM) segment of BSE and such as running and halting.
National Stock Exchange (NSE). ● The i-ATS has been jointly developed by the
DMRC and Bharat Electronics Limited
About:
(BEL) under the Government of India’s ‘Make in
● A private placement is a sale of bonds to select India’ and ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ initiatives for
investors and institutions instead of the open Metro Rail Transit Systems.
market. ● It will reduce the metro’s dependence on foreign
● Typically, a private placement is defined as an vendors for metro operations.
issuance of securities to less than 50 persons.
168
● The i-ATS technology has been developed to be ● It will also help protect the environment
flexible enough to work with different signaling because jute is a natural, biodegradable,
vendors’ systems with suitable changes. renewable & reusable fibre and hence fulfills all
● The development of i-ATS is a huge step sustainability parameters.
forward in CBTC (Communication Based Train
Control) based signaling system for the metro Nod to commercial release of nano-DAP
railways since the ATS is an essential
component of the CBTC signaling system. ● The agriculture ministry has approved
● With the launch of i-ATS, India became the sixth the commercial release of nano-diammonium
country with its own ATS products after France, phosphate, for reducing subsidies and the
Germany, Japan, Canada, and China. import dependence.
About:
Jute Packaging Act 1987
● Nano-DAP is a next-generation fertilizer
● Government of India approved Reservation
N
produced by IFFCO and Coromandel
norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging
of rice, wheat and sugar for the Jute Year
.I
International with nanoparticles of Nitrogen and
L
Phosphorus, the primary macronutrients for
A
2022-23. plants.
Key findings:
R
●
T A nanoparticle is a small particle that ranges
between 1 to 100 nanometres in size.
●
PO
The Mandatory norms provide for full
reservation for packaging of foodgrains and ●
In 2021, IFFCO launched Nano-Urea.
It is also planning to launch nano-potash,
C
20% reservation for packaging of sugar in jute nano-zinc and nano-copper fertilizers.
SS
bags, which will be a big boost for West Bengal.
Advantages of using Nano-DAP
● The Jute industry occupies an important place
in the national economy of India, particularly in ● Higher Use-Efficiency as a 500-ml bottle of
West Bengal where nearly 75 jute mills operate nano-DAP will have the same effectiveness as a
and provide livelihood to lakhs of workmen. bag of conventional soil nutrient.
● It will support 40 lakh farm families in the jute ● Reduced input cost to agriculture, helping to
sector. double the income of farmers.
● The decision will also help the jute sector in ● Improved agriculture sustainability through
Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, higher nutrient uptake, lower water
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. consumption and reduction in environmental
● The reservations norms under JPM Act provide losses.
for direct employment to 3.70 lakh workers and
protect the interest of approximately 40 lakh Concerns:
farm families in the jute sector. ● Increased nanoparticles in soil and crops from
● JPM Act, 1987 protects the interest of Jute continued nanoparticles use.
farmers, workers and persons engaged in jute ● Potential health hazard from nano-size particles
goods’ production. at higher concentrations.
● The reservation norms would further the
interest of domestic production of raw jute and
jute packaging material in India, thereby, making
India self-reliant in consonance with
Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
169
About:
Global assessment of soil carbon in
grasslands ● Open-pit mining, also known as opencast
mining, is a surface mining
● The first FAO Global assessment of Soil Carbon technique that extracts minerals from an open
in Grasslands measured report released pit in the ground.
recently. ● It is the most common method used worldwide
About: for mineral mining and does not require
extractive methods.
● It measured stocks of Soil Organic Carbon ● It is an appropriate extraction
(SOC) in both semi-natural and managed method when mineral or ore deposits are found
grasslands. relatively close to the earth's surface, which
● It was funded by FAO LEAP Partnership, a is overlain by relatively thin vegetation, topsoil,
multi-stakeholder initiative to improve and rock.
environmental sustainability of livestock sector. ● It uses a series of level surfaces or benches to
● SOC is carbon held within the soil that is
measurable. It helps in improving soil biological,
chemical, and physical properties,
L I N
reach the deposit, forming an open pit that
.
looks similar to an inverted pyramid.
A
● Open-pit mines undergo constant
T
water-holding capacity, and structural stability. expansion until all mineral resources are
R
● SOC is a cost-effective nature-based solution to exhausted.
O
mitigate effects of climate change by reducing ● Most of the world's annual output of copper,
P
atmospheric carbon dioxide. gold, and iron ore is from open-pit mining
C
● Other commodities produced from open-pit
Key highlights of Assessment
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mining include diamonds, molybdenum,
● Grasslands, contain approximately 20% of manganese, lead and zinc, uranium, and a
world’s SOC, have suffered losses because of variety of industrial minerals, such as borates,
human activities such as intensive livestock talc, etc.
grazing, agricultural activities etc. ● Open-pit mining has higher productivity, lower
● Most of world’s grasslands have a positive operating costs, and is relatively safer than
carbon balance, meaning land is stable or other mining methods.
well-maintained.
● However, negative carbon balance was found in Product Linked Incentive(PLI) for
East Asia, Central andSouth America, and Africa pharmaceutical
south of Equator.
● SOCs are not included in national climate plans ● Under Product Linked Incentive (PLI)scheme of
due to lack of incentives for farmers to improve Department for Pharmaceuticals, four
management practices and difficulty in pharmaceutical companies have received the
accurately monitoring SOC stocks. first tranche of incentives of up to ₹165.74
crore.
Open Pit Mining About:
● The search for at least 50 people missing since ● PLI schemes envisages to accomplish Atma
an open pit coal mine collapsed in northern Nirbhar Bharat vision by providing on average
China has been suspended following an 4-6% of production value as an incentive to
additional landslide at the gigantic facility. approved investors.
170
● PLI for pharmaceuticals was launched in 2021 ● The National Single Window System (NSWS)
for a period of six years. is a digital platform to guide you in identifying
● To enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities and applying for approvals according to your
and contributing to product diversification business requirements.
towards high value goods in pharmaceutical ● The portal hosts applications for approvals
sector, 3 different categories of products are from 26 Central Departments and 19 State
being supported under scheme, viz, Governments. These approvals can be applied
● Category 1: Biopharmaceuticals; Patented through NSWS.
● NSWS is providing a single interface to apply for
drugs or drugs nearing patent expiry; Cell based
all G2B clearances from various Ministries and
or gene therapy drugs etc.
Departments as well as eliminating duplication
● Category 2: Bulk drugs (except those 41 eligible
of work by auto-populating form fields across
products notified under “PLI Scheme for Bulk different approvals based on single investor
drugs). profile.
● Category 3: Drugs not covered under Category ● The platform is built to serve as an advisory tool
N
1 and Category 2 such as Repurposed drugs; to identify approvals based on user input and is
Auto immune drugs, anti-cancer drugs.
●
.I
to be used for guidance purpose only.
L
The NSWS initiative is an epitome of the ’Whole
Rhododendrons
TA of Government’ approach with different Central

ministries/departments, states and UTs coming
● As per Botanical Survey of India (BSI),
O
Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas are home to
R together to facilitate investor related clearances
on a single portal, with transparency and
rhododendrons found in India.
C P
more than one-third of all types of accountability, enhancing ease of doing
business exponentially.
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About:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare review
● Rhododendron, meaning rose tree in Greek, is a elimination of Kala-Azar
genus of flowering plants. It is native to
● Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare,
temperate regions of Asia, North America, and
chairs a high-level meeting with State
Europe.
Governments to review elimination of Kala-Azar
● It is considered an indicator species for climate from the country by 2023.
change.
● Habitat range: Subtropical and temperate to About:
subalpine and alpine ecosystems. ● As per MoHFW, there has been a 98.7 percent
● Health benefits: Prevention and treatment of decline in cases of Kala-azar from 44,533 in
diseases associated with heart, 2007 to 834 in 2022 in India.
dysentery,diarrhoea, etc. ● Kala-azar (Black Fever Disease) is a Neglected
Tropical Disease (NTD) caused by a protozoan
National Single Window System parasite of genus Leishmania and spread by
infected female sandfly bites.
● National Single Window System, NSWS Portal ● In India, Leishmania donovani is the only
for various Central, State, and UT clearances parasite causing the disease.
has hit a new milestone by crossing 75 ● It is considered as the second deadliest
thousand approvals. parasitic killer in world after Malaria.
About: ● It is endemic in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh,
and West Bengal.
171
● India contributes 11.5 percent of total cases seminars at different Universities across the
reported globally. country.
● It is a treatable and curable disease.
Anti-leishmanial medicines are available for Lithium mining
treatment.
● India has identified two lithium mines and one
Measures taken by the government so far: copper mine in Argentina for a possible
● National Kala Azar Elimination Programme was acquisition or long-term lease.
launched to control this disease. ● KABIL, a joint venture formed through the
● National Vector Borne Disease Control participation of National Aluminium Company
Programme (NVBDCP) for prevention and (Nalco), Hindustan Copper (HCL) and MECL,
control of Malaria, Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis, aims to ensure consistent supply of critical and
Kala-azar, etc. strategic minerals in the domestic market.
Mining process
Y20 Summit
N
● Lithium is found in cedemine rock formation
● Youth Affairs and Sports Minister will launch
the themes of the Y20 summit, logo, and
L.I
and in brine form, which is called salar in Latin
America. The other alternative is its liquid form.
website in New Delhi in the curtain raiser event
of Y20 Summit India.
●
TA Argentina, Chile and Bolivia forms Lithium

Triangle.
About:
O R● In South America, lithium is typically extracted

from the salt flats by pumping brine into ponds
●
C P
The Y20 is the official youth engagement group
for the G20 (Group of 20), the forum for the
and processing the lithium salts that crystallise
once the water has evaporated.
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world’s largest and most advanced economies. ● Australia is top lithium producer globally.
● The Y20 is a process which brings together ● It requires time and investment to set up, but
young leaders from across the globe, to discuss thereafter, the production is cheaper than the
and debate global challenges and agree policy hard-rock mining practiced in Australia.
recommendations they would like to see G20
leaders take forward. Reserve Bank – IntegratedOmbudsman
● The list of policy recommendations is known as Scheme(RB- IOS)
a communiqué, which is announced publicly at
the Y20 Summit and presented to world leaders ● As per Annual Report of Ombudsman Schemes
as part of the official G20 summit. 2021-22, the volume of complaints received
● India is hosting the Y20 summit for the first under RBI ombudsman schemes rises 9.39
time. percent.
● In Youth 20 Engagement Group, India’s key About:
focus is to bring young leaders from all across
the globe together and discuss ideas for a ● Originated in Sweden an ombudsman is
better tomorrow and draft an agenda for action. an official of the government who deals
● The activities to be undertaken by Y20 during with complaints made by ordinary
India’s presidency will focus on global youth citizens against public organizations.
leadership and partnership. In a run-up to the ● It refers to an officer appointed by
final Youth-20 Summit, for the next eight the Legislature to handle complaints against
months, there will be Pre summits on the five a service or administrative authority.
Y20 themes along with various discussions and
Key highlights:
172
● RB-IOS aims to provide cost-effective grievance ● This new aqueous electrolyte can help make
redressal mechanism to customers for electrochemical ammonia synthesis more
deficiency in certain banking services. efficient will be useful for industries producing
● It integrates existing three Ombudsman green energy or hydrogen.
schemes of RBI namely, Banking Ombudsman
Scheme, 2006; Ombudsman Scheme for Sansad Ratna Awards
Non-Banking Financial Companies, 2018; and
Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions, ● The Prime Minister of India recently
2019. congratulated fellow Members of Parliament
● It adopts ‘One Nation One Ombudsman’ who will be conferred the Sansad Ratna Awards
approach by making RBI Ombudsman 2023.
mechanism jurisdiction neutral.
● It includes under its ambit Non-Scheduled About Sansad Ratna Awards:
Primary Co-operative Banks with deposit size of ● The Sansad Ratna Awards were instituted in
₹50 crore and above. 2010, inspired by the teachings of former
Sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF4)
L.I N
President APJ Abdul Kalam, who launched the
first edition of the Award function in Chennai.
A
● Recently, Scientists from the Institute of Nano ● The Jury Committee has chosen a total of 13
T
Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an MPs and two parliamentary committees for the
R
autonomous institute of the Department of award, with a lifetime award being presented for
O
Science and Technology (DST), have introduced the first 2023 awards.
P
a new electrolyte called (NaBF4) which can help ● The jury committee comprises “eminent
C
make electrochemical ammonia synthesis more Parliamentarians and (members of) civil
SS
efficient. society”.
● The nominations were based on an MP’s
Sodium tetrafluoroborate
cumulative performance in Parliament, from the
● Sodium tetrafluoroborate is an inorganic beginning of the 17th Lok Sabha until the end of
compound with formula NaBF4. Winter Session 2022
● It is a salt that forms colorless or white ● Factors that the decision is based on
water-soluble rhombic crystals and is soluble in include questions asked, private members’ Bills
water but less soluble in organic solvents. introduced, debates initiated, attendance, funds
Key findings: utilised, etc.
● The performance data of the members have
● The electrochemical ammonia synthesis is been sourced from information provided by PRS
largely limited by the poor solubility of nitrogen Legislative Research.
(N2) in the aqueous electrolyte environment as
well as the competitive hydrogen evolution
reaction. Neuromorphic camera
● Scientists have introduced a ● Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science
new electrolyte called (NaBF4), which not only (IISc) have developed a novel technique that
acts as an N2 carrier in the medium but also
combines optical microscopy with a
works as a full-fledged “co-catalyst” along with
neuromorphic camera aided by machine
active material transition metal-doped
learning algorithms that can go beyond the
nanocarbon (MnN4) to deliver high-yield of
ammonia (NH3) at absolutely ambient diffraction limit of light and detect minute
experimental conditions objects.
173
About Neuromorphic camera: ● The river dolphin is smaller than other types of
saltwater dolphins, and the species has
● A neuromorphic camera mimics the way the
excellent hearing.
human retina converts light into electrical
● Pink dolphins must live in warm, shallow water
impulses.
areas because they have very little blubber.
How does it work? ● Unlike ocean-dwelling dolphins, pink
dolphins have a hump instead of a dorsal fin.
● In a typical camera, each pixel captures the
● Generally, these dolphins become more pink as
intensity of light falling on it for the entire
they age, which has led to the species
exposure time the camera focuses on the
becoming known as the ‘pink dolphin.’
object. All these pixels are pooled together to
● These animal species use echolocation which
reconstruct an image of the object.
lets the animal determine the size and shape of
● In neuromorphic cameras, each pixel operates
any surrounding item or object.
independently and asynchronously, generating
events or spikes only when there is a change in
N
ULTRASAT
I
the intensity of light falling on that pixel.
● This generates sparse and lower amounts of ●
L.
NASA will launch Israel’s first space telescope
A
data compared to traditional cameras, which mission, the Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy
T
capture every pixel value at a fixed rate, Satellite (ULTRASAT) in early 2026.
R
regardless of whether there is any change in the
About:
O
scene.
P
● This allows a neuromorphic camera to "sample" ● ULTRASAT is an ultraviolet observatory with a
C
the environment with much higher temporal large field of view, that will investigate the
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resolution because it is not limited by a frame secrets of short-duration events in the universe,
rate like normal cameras and also performs such as supernova explosions and mergers of
background suppression. neutron stars.
● Neuromorphic cameras have a very high ● It is planned to launch into a geostationary
dynamic range ( >120 dB) which means they orbit around Earth
can be used in different conditions ranging from ● NASA will provide the launch opportunity, Flight
a very low-light environment to very high-light Payload Adapter, and other launch-related
conditions. responsibilities for ULTRASAT.
Define geostationary orbit:
Pink Dolphin
● Satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO) circle
● Recently, two pink river dolphins, a mother and
Earth above the equator from west to east
her calf, were rescued from a Colombian river
following Earth’s rotation – taking 23 hours 56
where these mammals were trapped in shallow
minutes and 4 seconds – by travelling at the
water.
same rate as Earth.
About Pink Dolphin: ● This makes satellites in GEO appear to be
‘stationary’ over a fixed position.
● It is the Amazon River dolphin which is also
● To perfectly match Earth’s rotation, the speed of
known as the pink river dolphin or boto and
GEO satellites should be about 3 km per second
lives only in freshwater.
at an altitude of 35 786 km. This is much
● It is found throughout much of the Amazon and
farther from Earth’s surface compared to many
Orinoco river basins in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia,
satellites.
Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela.
174
● This particular orbit is used for meteorological application size for the subscription of ₹2 lakh
and communications satellites. are currently required for SSE.
● The geostationary orbit is a special case of the
geosynchronous orbit, which is any orbit with a CCR5 Delta 32
period equal to Earth’s rotation period.
● Recently, the man referred to as the "Dusseldorf
patient" became at least the third person to
Social Stock Exchange
have been “cured of HIV” after a bone marrow
● The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has transplant carrying a specific HIV-resistant
received final approval from the Securities and mutation.
Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to set up a
About CCR5 Delta 32:
Social Stock Exchange (SSE) as a separate
segment of the NSE. ● Cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5)
is a protein on the surface of white blood
About Social Stock Exchange:
cells that are involved in the immune system as
● SSE is a novel idea in India, and a stock
exchange of this kind is intended to benefit the ●
L.I N
it acts as a receptor for chemokines.
CCR5 is found in the cell membranes of many
A
private and non-profit sectors by directing more types of mammalian cells, including nerve cells
●
capital to them.
The SSE will function as a distinct division of
R●
T and white blood cells.
In humans, the CCR5 gene that encodes the
regulations.
PO
the current stock exchanges under the new CCR5 protein is located on the short (p) arm at
position 21 on chromosome 3.
C ● Role of CCR5: The role of CCR5 is to allow entry
SS
Who can list on SSE?
of chemokines into the cell—chemokines are
● Not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) and involved in signalling the body’s inflammation
for-profit social enterprises with social intent response to injuries.
and impact as their primary goal will be eligible
How does the mutation work in HIV patients?
to participate in the SSE.
● The social enterprises will have to engage in a ● Various mutations of the CCR5 gene are known
social activity out of 16 broad activities listed by that result in damage to the expressed
the regulator. The eligible activities include- receptor.
● Eradicating hunger poverty, malnutrition and ● One of the mutant forms of the gene is
inequality CCR5-delta 32, which results from the deletion
● Promoting healthcare, supporting education, of a particular sequence of 32 base pairs.
employability and livelihoods ● HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) mainly
● Gender equality empowerment of women attacks the CD4 immune cells in the human
LGBTQIA communities. body, thereby reducing a person’s ability to fight
● Supporting incubators of social enterprise. off secondary infections.
● Corporate foundations, political or religious ● The CCR5 receptors on the surface of the CD4
organisations or activities, professional or trade immune cells act as a doorway for HIV.
associations, infrastructure companies, and However, the CCR5-delta 32 mutation prevents
housing companies, except affordable housing, these receptors used by the HIV from forming
will not be eligible to be identified as social on the surface, effectively removing the
enterprises. doorway.
● According to Sebi's framework, a minimum
issue size of ₹1 crore and a minimum
175
under the Societies Act 1860, for setting up new

Voluntary Settlement Scheme Museums.
● The Union Budget highlighted the seriousness ● Aim: To strengthen and modernize the existing
of pendency in courts and the need for quick museums at the Regional, State and District
dispute resolution by announcing a “voluntary levels.
settlement scheme with standardised terms” to ● The scheme also aims to develop at least 1
amicably end commercial/contractual disputes Central / State Government Museum located in
concerning government undertakings in which the State Capital each year.
arbitral awards are under challenge. Components of the scheme:
● The budget 2023-24 has proposed a scheme for
settling contractual dispute named Vivad se ● Establishment and Development of District and
Vishwas II (Settling Contractual Disputes). Regional Museums:
● Under this component museums have been
About Voluntary settlement scheme: classified into two categories:
● It is introduced to settle contractual disputes of ● Financial assistance under this component is
government and government undertakings;
wherein arbitral award is under challenge in a
I N
provided to existing renowned museums of the
.
Central or State Government located in the
L
Capital cities.
A
court.
The maximum financial assistance under this
T
● This will be done by offering graded settlement ●
component is limited to Rs. 15 Crore per
R
terms depending on pendency level of the
museum.
O
dispute.
P
● Under the scheme, voluntary option is given to
C
the private sector to come into the scheme or UNEP-managed CITES database reveals red
SS
not. sanders
Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme: ● The CITES trade database has recorded 28
incidents of Red Sanders confiscation, seizure,
● A direct tax scheme introduced by the
and specimen from the wild being exported
Government of India in 2020 for settling
from India, a factsheet prepared by TRAFFIC.
disputes between taxpayers and the income tax
department. About:
● It aims to minimize tax-related litigation.
● Under this scheme, an individual taxpayer can ● TRAFFIC was established in 1976 by WWF and
claim full waiver on interest and penalty on the IUCN as a wildlife trade monitoring
full and final settlement of the disputed tax network to undertake data collection,
amount. recommendations on wildlife trade.
● CITES (the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is
Museum Grant Scheme
an international agreement between
● The union Minister of Culture informed Lok governments, whose aim is to ensure that
sabha about Museum Grant Scheme (MGS). international trade in specimen of wild animals
and plants, does not threaten the survival of the
About Museum Grant Scheme: species.
● This scheme was launched in 2013. Key highlights of the factsheet:
● The Ministry of Culture provides financial
assistance under the Scheme to the State ● The CITES Trade Database recorded 28
Governments and Societies, Autonomous incidents of Red Sanders illegal trade seizure.
bodies, Local Bodies and Trusts registered China remains the largest importer.
176
● It highlights the threats of rampant illegal ● The theme of 2023 highlights the urgent need
logging and smuggling of trees especially in to prioritize wetland restoration. It is a call on an
Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore & Kurnool districts in entire generation to take proactive action for
Andhra Pradesh. wetlands, by investing financial, human and
political capital to save the wetlands from
About Red Sanders disappearing and to revive and restore those
● Red Sanders is a flora-species that is endemic that have been degraded.
to a distinct tract of forests in Eastern Ghats. ● India has the largest network of Ramsar Sites in
● It is a very slow-growing tree species that Asia, making these sites a critical ecological
attains maturity after 25 – 40 years. network for the conservation of global
● It is fire-hardy and resistant to droughts. biological diversity and supporting human
● It is locally known as Yerra Chandanam, Rakta well-being.
Chandanam.
● It is exploited for the extraction of Santalin (a Reliance Retail becomes first retailer to accept
red pigment used as dye and colorant in food), payments via Digital Rupee
●
medicine, cosmetics.
It is also a good raw material for musical
instruments and luxury furniture.
●
L.I N
Reliance Retail has partnered with Innoviti
Technologies, ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra
TA Bank to enable acceptance of RBI-issued Digital

Rupee.
R
World Wetlands Day
O
About:
● The State Governments and Union Territory
C P
administrations celebrated World Wetlands Day
(WWD) at all 75 Ramsar sites this year with over
● RBI launched Central Bank Digital Currency
(CBDC) or e-Rupee (e₹-R) in 2022 for retail
SS
200 events. markets in a pilot mode.
● The National Flag was hoisted at the Ramsar ● It is in the form of a digital token that represents
Sites. legal tender.
● Over 50 activities were held with student ● RBI classifies it into two broad categories:
engagement in which drawing competition, quiz Retail and Wholesale.
competition, exposure activities, and bird ● Wholesale CBDC is designed for restricted
watching were organized. access to select financial institutions.
● It has the potential to transform the settlement
Key highlights:
systems used by banks in the government
● World Wetlands Day is observed on securities (G-Sec) segment, capital market, etc.
2nd February every year all over the world ● The retail e-rupee (e₹-R) is an electronic version
to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar of cash meant for retail transactions.
Convention on Wetlands of International ● e₹-R is issued in the same denominations as
Importance in 1971. paper currency and coins, and is distributed
● India is a party to the Convention since through the intermediaries, that is banks.
1982 and has so far declared 75 wetlands as ● Has features of physical cash like trust, safety
Ramsar sites covering 23 states and Union and settlement finality.
Territories. ● Transactions can be both Person to Person
● At present, the state of Tamil Nadu has a (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M).
maximum number of Ramsar sites (14), ● Payments to merchants can be made using QR
followed by UP which has 10 numbers of codes.
Ramsar sites. ● It reduces cost of management of physical
● The 2023 theme for World Wetlands Day cash.
is Wetland Restoration.
177
Deposit facility up to Rs.2 lakh in the name of

Medium-Density Amorphous Ice women or girls for a tenor of 2 years.
● Recently, scientists have fashioned a previously About Small Saving Schemes (SSSs)
unknown form of ice – one that might exist on
our solar system’s icy moons. ● SSSs are investment tools administered by the
government to encourage residents to save for
About:
the long term.
● The researchers said they employed a process ● All the money pooled from different SSSs goes
called ball milling to vigorously shake ordinary to the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF),
ice together with steel balls in a container established in 1999 within the Public Account
cooled to minus-328 degrees Fahrenheit of India.
(minus-200 degrees Celsius).
● This yielded what they called “medium-density Types of Small Saving Schemes:
amorphous ice,” or MDA, which looked like a ● Postal deposits: Savings account, recurring
fine white powder.
N
deposits, time deposits and monthly income
● Ordinary ice is crystalline in nature, with water
molecules – two hydrogen atoms and one
●
.I
scheme.
L
Savings certificates: National Small Savings
A
oxygen atom, or H2O – arranged in a regular
Certificate and Kisan Vikas Patra.
T
pattern. Amorphous ice’s water molecules are
● Social security schemes: Public Provident Fund
R
in a disorganized form resembling a liquid.
(PPF), Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS),
O
● Virtually all ice on Earth exists in its familiar
and Sukanya Samridhi Account Scheme.
P
crystalline form – think of the ice cubes in your
C
lemonade. But amorphous ice is by far the most Significance of Small Saving Schemes:
SS
common form of water in space.
● Scientists have identified 20 different forms of ● Offering slightly higher interest rates compared
crystalline ice and three forms of amorphous to bank deposits.
ice – one low density (discovered in the 1930s), ● Some SSSs have income tax benefits and
one high density (discovered in the 1980s) and assured returns.
the new one in between. ● Funds are channelized to the government in
● Amorphous ice on Earth may be confined to the order to finance a part of their expenditure.
atmosphere’s frigid upper reaches.
● The researchers hypothesize that the type of
India issues notice to Pakistan to modify Indus
forces they brought to bear on ordinary ice in
the laboratory might exist on ice moons like
Waters Treaty
Jupiter’s Europa or Saturn’s Enceladus. ● India has informed Pakistan of its intent to
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate management of cross-border rivers because
the Pakistani side’s “intransigence” in handling
● Union Finance Minister announced a small
disputes has raised questions about the
savings scheme for women.
integrity of the pact, people familiar with the
● Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) will
matter.
be made available for 2 years up to March
2025. About:
● It will offer a 7.5% interest rate and will have the
● IWT, water sharing treaty, signed in 1960 by
benefit of a partial withdrawal option.
India and Pakistan with WB as a third-party
guarantor.
178
● It delimits the rights and obligations of both ● Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in mobile
countries concerning the use of waters on phones and electric cars, are currently
Indus River System. dominant storage technology for large scale
● It allocates Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, plants to help electricity grids ensure a reliable
Chenab) to Pakistan and Eastern Rivers (Ravi, supply of renewable energy.
Significance of BESS
followed by India, China and Afghanistan. ● Ensures peak-time power supply.
Key highlights:
● India issued the notice in view of Pakistan’s non ● Less requirement of expensive transmission
compliance in resolving disputes over and distribution network upgrades.
Kishenganga (on Kishenganga River, tributary of ● Faster responses for balancing grid (voltage
Jhelum) and Ratle hydropower projects (on and frequency regulation) than coal-fired power
N
Chenab River), both in Jammu and Kashmir. plants.
L.I
Issues with BESS
IWT, 1960.
●
TA Absence of Time-of-Day (ToD) pricing structure

O
Article IX of IWT is a graded mechanism. R●
Low mineral reserve of Lithium cobalt.
●
●
It’s a 3-level mechanism.
C P
World Bank’s (WB) role is largely procedural and
SS
SCO Film Festival 2023
limited to designating neutral experts (NE) or
chair of court of arbitration (CoA). ● The five-day of SCO Film Festival opened in
● India has invoked Article XII (3) of treaty i.e., a Mumbai recently.
About SCO
duly ratified treaty between two countries. ● Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
formed in 2001 is the world’s largest regional
IEEFA projects exponential growth of battery organization in terms of geographic scope and
storage assets in India population.
● It covering approximately 60% of the area of
● A new report has projected exponential growth Eurasia, 40% of the world population, and more
in India’s Battery Energy Storage System than 30% of global GDP.
(BESS). ● India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan,
About:
member nations.
energy from different sources and discharge it About SCO Film Festival
when needed. ● It is being organized by the National Film
● It consists of one or more batteries and can be Development Corporation, a Public Sector
used to balance the electric grid, provide Undertaking of the Ministry of Information and
backup power, and improve grid stability. Broadcasting, in association with the SCO
179
● It aims to build cinematic partnerships, have an ● The two new planets are named, GJ 1002 b and
exchange of programmes, nurture young GJ 1002 c.
filmmaking talent and act as a bridge between ● These planets lie in so-called habitable
the cultures of the Shanghai Cooperation. zones, within which water could be found in
● As part of the SCO Film Festival in India, it is liquid form, and which is located in the
endeavoured to showcase selected films from immediate vicinity of the star due to its low
the Members, Observer States and Dialogue luminosity.
partners States. ● Planet b has a mass slightly higher than Earth’s,
is the closer of the two and its year lasts only
National Logistics Portal 10 days.
● Planet c is about a third more massive than
● Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Earth and takes about 20 days to orbit the star.
Waterways inaugurated The National Logistics ● The two planets were discovered using
Portal (marine) in New Delhi. the radial velocity (RV) method.
About:
● The National Logistic Portal (marine) (NLP) is a ●
L I N
.
This method is based on the detection of
the Ministry of Ports Shipping Waterways and
TA variations in the velocity of the central star, due
to the changing direction of the gravitational
●
the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
O
It is a one-stop platform aimed at connecting all
R pull from an unseen exoplanet as it orbits the
star.
C P
the stakeholders of the logistics community
SS
Justice G. Rohini Commission
achieving easier, faster, and more competitive ● The Justice G. Rohini-led commission for the
offerings of services, to promote the growth of sub-categorisation of other backward classes
the logistics sector and thereby improve trade. (OBCs) has now been given yet another
● NLP will be a single window for all trade extension in its tenure by the President.
About:
the waterways, roadways, and airways along ● This is the 14th extension in tenure that the
with an E-marketplace to provide a seamless commission has been given.
end-to-end logistic service coverage. ● The commission, formed in October 2017, was
● NLP Is a one stop marketplace where all logistic initially given 12 weeks to finish the task of
stakeholders are integrated for easier, speedier sub-categorising the nearly 3,000 castes within
& competitive services thereby promoting trade the OBC umbrella and recommend division of
and growth. the 27% OBC quota among them equitably.
● Initially, the government cited more time
GJ 1002 b and c required by the panel to gather information and
data and then it cited the pandemic.
● Recently an international group of researchers
has discovered the presence of two planets Terms of References:
with masses comparable to that of the Earth in 1. to examine the extent of inequitable distribution
orbit around the star GJ 1002. of benefits of reservation among the castes or
About GJ 1002 b and c: communities included in the broad category of
180
Other Backward Classes, with reference to such ● Anubhava Mantapa was one of the earliest
classes included in the Central List; Parliament in history of mankind.
2. to work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and ● Prabhudeva, a great Yogi of extraordinary
parameters in a scientific approach for achievement, was the President and Lord
sub-categorisation within such Other Backward Basava acted as the Prime Minister.
Classes; ● Problems tackled were of various natures
3. to take up the exercise of identifying the covering social, religious, spiritual, yogic
respective castes or communities or sub-castes psychological, economic, and literary spheres.
or synonyms in the Central List of Other ● Only difference between the present-day
Backward Classes and classifying them into parliament and Anubhava Mantapa is that
their respective sub-categories. members were not elected by people, but were
picked up or nominated by higher authorities of
What does Article 340 says?
Mantapa.
● The Article reads, “The President may, by order,
Lord Basaveshwara (1105-1167)
N
appoint a Commission consisting of such
persons as he thinks fit to investigate the
conditions of socially and educationally
●
L.I
He was a 12th century poet and born in
Karnataka.
backward classes within the territory of India
and the difficulties under which they labour and
●
TA Known for Socio-Religious Reforms, Anubhava

Mantapa, Vachana Literature and Lingayat
to make recommendations as to the steps that
O
should be taken by the Union or any State to R●
Movement in south India.
Basava Purana, written by Palkuriki Somanatha
condition...”
C P
remove such difficulties and to improve their in 13th-century, holds full account to
Basavanna’s life and ideas.
SS
● Who rejected gender and caste discrimination,
Earlier commissions:
superstitions and rituals. A strong promoter of
● First Backward Class Commission report, 1955 ahimsa (non-violence), he condemned human
proposed sub-categorization of OBCs into and animal sacrifices.
backward and extremely backward ● Basava Jayanthi is an annual event celebrated
communities. in his honour of birth.
● Mandal Commission report, 1979 proposed
sub-categorization in intermediate and Researchers find new way to improve storage
depressed backward classes. time of quantum information
● In 2015, National Commission for Backward
Classes proposed that OBCs division into; ● An international team of scientists has made a
Extremely Backward Classes (EBC-Group A), breakthrough in retaining the quantum
More Backward Classes (MBC-Group B), and coherence of quantum dot spin qubits.
Backward Classes (BC-Group C). Key highlights:
Anubhava Mantapa of LordBasaveshwara ● These technologies will alter a wide range of

enterprises and research initiatives, from
● Anubhava Mantapa was established by Lord information security to the search for novel
Basaveshwara to facilitate gathering for materials and chemicals, to measurements of
philosophy and experience. fundamental physical processes requiring exact
temporal synchronisation among the sensors.
About:
● Spin-photon interfaces are elementary building
blocks for quantum networks that allow
181
converting stationary quantum information leprosy is preventable and treatable, hence

(such as the quantum state of an ion or a people still suffering from it is a needless thing.
solid-state spin qubit) into light, namely
About Leprosy:
photons, that can be distributed over large
distances. ● Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that
may lead to severe disfiguring skin sores and
About Quantum coherence:
nerve damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas
● It deals with the idea that all objects have around your body.
wave-like properties. ● Also known as Hansen’s disease, it is a chronic
● It states that, if an object’s wave-like nature is bacterial infection that is caused by the
split in two, then the two waves may coherently Mycobacterium leprae bacteria. It affects the
interfere with each other in such a way as to skin and nervous system.
form a single state that is a superposition of the ● In extreme cases, it might also lead to
two states. blindness, paralysis, disfigurement of the nose,
N
● This concept of superposition is famously and chronic ulcers on the bottom of the feet.
represented by Schrödinger’s cat, which is both
dead and alive at the same time when in its
L.I
Economic Survey
●
coherent state inside a closed box.
It lies at the heart of quantum computing, in ●
TA Union Finance Minister recently tabled the

which a qubit is in a superposition of the “0”
and “1” states.
O R Economic Survey for 2022-23 in the Lok Sabha.
P
Key highlights:
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What is Quantum entanglement? ● Survey sees economy growing a tad: GDP
SS
● It means that aspects of one particle of an growth seen in a 6.1-6.8% range with a 6.5%
entangled pair depend on aspects of the other base case but set to regain the status of fastest
particle, no matter how far apart they are or growing major economy as the world slows
what lies between them. sharply.
● Like coherence, quantum entanglement also ● Multiple drivers supporting 6.5% growth and
plays an essential role in quantum lifting medium-term potential to 7-8%
technologies.
● Rebound in private consumption, buoyant
World Leprosy Day services
1. Increase in capacity utilisation
● The World Leprosy Day is observed on the last
2. Healthy corporate, bank balance sheets
Sunday of January every year.
3. Slowing inflation, recovery in credit cycle
About: 4. Recovery in private sector investment
5. Limited risk from China’s Covid surge;
● The World Health Organization (WHO) has
normalising supply chains
announced “Act Now. End Leprosy.” as its
6. Cessation of monetary tightening leading to
theme for this year’s World Leprosy Day.
return of capital flows
● The theme stresses three main points: one, that
elimination of leprosy is possible; two: that
● Some immediate risks
immediate action is required, that includes
1. Recession in advanced economies
resources and commitment; and third that
2. Ongoing monetary tightening in developed
markets
182
3. Still higher -than-normal commodity prices Key findings:

and slowing exports
● The newly-discovered fossils of Turnersuchus
4. Currency may weaken if current account
hingleyae represent the only complete
deficit widens
Thalattosuchian of its age and date back to the
5. Weakness in markets, uncertain monsoon
early Jurassic, Pliensbachian period, which was
about 185 million years ago.
● In the study, the researchers stated that the
● Policy Prescription
discovery of this new fossil helps fill a gap in
1. Continue with fiscal prudence
the fossil record and suggests that
2. Check on current account deficit
Thalattosuchians and other crocodile-like
3. Continue vigil on inflation
animals could have originated around 15 million
4. Aggressive monetisation and privatisation
years farther than Turnersuchus.
5. A critical minerals policy Incentivise states
● It is likely that they would have looked similar to
for reforms
the currently living gharial crocodiles.
N
6. Dismantle LIC – Licensing, Inspection &
I
● Gharial crocodiles are usually found in the
Compliance
7. Education and skilling to match industry
L.
major river systems of Northern India.
A
● But according to the researchers, though
requirements
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thalattosuchia' skulls looked similar to gharial
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crocodiles, they were constructed differently.
Turnersuchus hingley
●
PO
Paleontologists have uncovered a new
Pliensbachian period:
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Thalattosuchia—an ancient “cousin” of ● It occurred between 190.8 million and 182.7
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modern-day crocodile—which could be the million years ago during the Early Jurassic
oldest of its kind ever discovered. Period.
● The fossils uncovered on the Jurassic Coast in ● The stage’s name is derived from the village of
the United Kingdom include part of the head, Pliensbach, Germany.
backbone, and limbs of Turner Suchus hingley.
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CURRENT AFFAIRS APR-2023
● Surprise/Dummy checks to test the

# Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) professional efficiency and alertness of security
staff.
● The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
● Mock exercise to test the efficacy of
recently cited the security advisory issued on
Contingency Plans and operational
the basis of the threat perception, to the
preparedness of the various agencies.
opposition raised by the passengers about the
double metal-detector based checking at the
airports. # National Technology Centre for Ports,
Waterways and Coasts (NTCWPC)
About Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS):
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and
N
●
I
● It was initially set up as a Cell in the Directorate
.
Waterways will inaugurate the National
L
General of Civil Aviation in January 1978 on Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and
the recommendation of the Pande Committee.
A
Coasts (NTCWPC) at IIT Chennai.
T
● It was reorganized into an independent
About National Technology Centre for Ports,
R
department under the Ministry of Civil
Aviation on 1st April 1987. Waterways and Coasts (NTCWPC):
● The main responsibilities
PO of
include laying down standards and measures
BCAS ● It is being set up under the Shipping Ministrys
C
flagship Sagarmala Programme.
with respect to the security of civil
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● Location: It has been established in IIT –
flights at international and domestic airports in Discovery Campus at Chennai in Tamil Nadu at
India. the cost of ₹77 crore.
● Headquarters: New Delhi ● It works as the technology arm of the Ministry
● It has got four Regional Offices located at of Shipping and provides the needful
International airports i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata technological support to ports, IWAI and other
and Chennai. institutions.
Functions: ● Mandate: To develop cutting-edge technologies
and application products to provide solutions to
● Laying down Aviation Security Standards in various challenges faced by the Ports and
accordance with Annex 17 to the Chicago Shipping Sector.
Convention of International Civil Aviation ● It has world-class capabilities for undertaking
Organization (ICAO) for airport operators, airline 2D and 3D investigations of research and
operators, and their security agencies consultancy nature for the Port, Coastal, and
responsible for implementing AVSEC measures. Waterway sector across all disciplines.
● Monitoring the implementation of security
rules and regulations and carrying out survey of
#3 Integrated e-Gram Swaraj and GeM portal
security needs.
● Ensure that the persons implementing security ● The Prime Minister will inaugurate an integrated
controls are appropriately trained and possess e-GramSwaraj and GeM portal on National
all competencies required to perform their Panchayati Raj Day, 24th April.
duties.
● Planning and coordination of Aviation security The Objective of Integration:
matters.
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● The objective of e-Gram Swaraj–GeM ● It consists of two components: one being

Integration is to enable the Panchayats to the Mahal or the palace which was established
procure their goods and services through GeM by Akbar Shah II during 18th century and the
leveraging the e-Gram Swaraj platform. other being the entrance gate (Hathi Gate) that
● It will help the entire buyer-seller ecosystem to was developed during 19th century by Bahadur
flourish thereby giving a major boost to rural Shah Zafar II.
economy and entrepreneurship along with ● The Zafar Mahal complex also contains some
strengthening the Digital India Program. cenotaphs of the later Mughal Emperors.
● Salient features: ● The famous festival or the annual
● Existing User base of GeM of nearly 60,000 is procession known as Phulon ki Sair also starts
envisioned to increase to more than 3 lakhs in a from here and is a festival that had long ago
phased manner. been started by the Khawja Bhaktiyar Kaki
● Bringing transparency in procurement by himself as a protest against the British.
Panchayats by making the process digital.
● Encouragement of local vendors (Proprietors, # Operation Kaveri
N
Self Help groups, Cooperatives etc.) to register
on GeM as Panchayats procure largely from
such vendors.
●
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India recently launched Operation Kaveri to
evacuate its nationals from conflict-torn Sudan.
● Panchayats will have access to doorstep
delivery of quality-assured goods at
TA
About Operation Kaveri:
●
standardized and competitive rates.
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Major Capacity building being taken by The
R● It is a rescue operation being carried out by the
Indian Government to bring back Indian citizens
C P
Ministry of Panchayati Raj and GeM has also
trained and appointed business facilitators in all ●
stranded in Sudan.
According to the official data, the number of
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States for handholding of the Panchayat users. Indians in Sudan is around 4,000.
● As part of the operation, two C-130 aircraft and
#4 Zafar Mahal the navy ship INS Sumedha is on standby to
safely evacuate stranded Indians.
● The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set ● Why the need for evacuation? Sudan has
to initiate conservation works at Zafar Mahal in been witnessing deadly fighting
south Delhis Mehrauli. between the countrys army and a paramilitary
group, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces
About Zafar Mahal:
(RSF) that has reportedly left several hundreds
● This is the last structure built by the dead.
Mughals and served as a summer palace for ● Cause of fighting? It was triggered
the Mughal family. by disagreement over an internationally backed
● Location: It is located in Mehrauli village, which plan to form a new civilian government four
is in the Southern part of Delhi. years after the fall of autocrat Omar al-Bashir
● It was built in memory of the Hazrat Khwaja and two years after the military coup. Both
Qutubuddin Bakthiar Kaki, the renowned Sufi sides accuse the other of thwarting the
saint to whom almost all the Mughal Emperors transition.
were disciples.
● Zafar Mahal stands next to the Dargah of # Aptamers
Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.
● It was started by Emperor Akhbar Shah II and ● A team of researchers recently developed an
was finished by the last Mughal emperor, electronic biosensor based on DNA aptamers
Bahadur Shah Zafar, who also gave it the that can detect biomarkers in whole blood
present name of Zafar Mahal. samples without the use of reagents.
185
About Aptamers: ● To ensure that the benefits of integration are

equitably shared;
● They are short, single-stranded DNA or
● To coordinate foreign policy;
RNA (ssDNA or ssRNA) molecules that
can selectively bind to a specific target, Members:
including proteins, peptides, carbohydrates,
● It has 15 members; Antigua and Barbuda, The
small molecules, toxins, and even live cells.
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada,
● Aptamers assume a variety of shapes due to
Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts
their tendency to form helices and
and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the
single-stranded loops.
Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and
● They can be used as an antibody alternative in a
Tobago.
variety of therapeutic, diagnostic, and
● Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands,
target-binding applications.
the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos
● They can also be readily conjugated to gold
Islands have associate member status,
nanoparticles or quantum dots as a basis for
and Aruba, Colombia, the Dominican
point-of-care diagnostics.
● Aptamers have been successfully used for the
diagnosis and therapy of a broad spectrum of
●
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Republic, Mexico, Puerto
and Venezuela maintain observer status.
L
Rico,
The Chairmanship of the Community is rotated
A
pathogens including bacteria, parasites, and
every six months among the member countries
T
viruses.
Heads.
What is a Biomarker?
O R
P
● It is a biological molecule found in blood, other
C
body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal # Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023
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or abnormal process, or of a condition or
disease. ● India’s rank in the recently released World Banks
● A biomarker may be used to see how well the Logistics Performance Index 2023 has
body responds to a treatment for a disease or improved by six places.
condition. About Logistics Performance Index (LPI):
# CARICOM? ● It is released by World Bank.

● It is an interactive benchmarking tool created
● Indias External Affairs Minister co-chaired the to help countries identify the challenges and
4th India-CARICOM ministerial meeting with his opportunities they face in their performance on
Jamaican counterpart. trade logistics and what they can do to improve
their performance.
About CARICOM:
● It measures the ease of establishing reliable
● CARICOM, which stands for Caribbean supply chain connections and structural factors
Community, is the oldest surviving integration that make it possible, such as the quality of
movement in the developing world. logistics services, trade and transport-related
● It is an organization of Caribbean countries and infrastructure, as well as border controls.
dependencies originally established as the
Highlights of LPI 2023:
Caribbean Community and Commons Market in
1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas. ● The LPI 2023 allows for comparisons across
139 countries.
Main Purposes:
● The LPI 2023, for the first time, measures the
● Promote economic integration and speed of trade with indicators derived from big
cooperation among its members; datasets tracking shipments.
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● Singapore and Finland are the most efficient ● It was established as an international financial
and highest-ranked LPI countries as per the institution in 1977 through United Nations
2023 LPI. General Assembly Resolution.
● India is ranked 38 out of 139 countries, climbing ● Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
six places from the previous index. ● Membership: Currently, IFAD has 177 Member
● Two major factors for India’s jump in the index States, including India.
could be modernisation and ● The highest decision-making body is
digitalisation, which the report quotes as a the Governing Council which meets every three
reason for emerging economies like India to years.
leapfrog advanced countries.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
#5 International Fund for Agriculture

#1 Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Development (IFAD)
(CBAM)
● The Enhanced Linkages between Private Sector
and Small-Scale Producers (ELPS) initiative will
●
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The Indian Government will carry out a sectoral
L
analysis to see how the European Unions (EUs)
A
be set up with an aim of strengthening
proposed carbon border adjustment
T
developing nations agriculture and food
mechanism (CBAM) is set to affect the Indian
R
systems according to the IFAD President.
industry
O
● IFAD President recently said that IFAD will set
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up a new framework to facilitate cooperation About Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
C
between small agricultural producers in (CBAM):
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developing nations and businesses in Japan
and elsewhere ● It is a proposed European Union (EU) tariff on
carbon intensive products.
About International Fund for Agriculture ● Purpose: To put a fair price on the carbon
Development (IFAD): emitted during the production of carbon
intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to
● It is an international financial institution and a
encourage cleaner industrial production in
specialized agency of the United
non-EU countries.
Nations dedicated to eradicating poverty and
● The CBAM will ensure the carbon price of
hunger in rural areas of developing countries.
imports is equivalent to the carbon price of
● IFAD seeks to empower rural people to increase
domestic production.
their food security, improve the nutrition of their
● If implemented as planned, EU importers will
families and increase their incomes through
have to buy carbon certificates corresponding
funding of grants and low-interest loans to
to the carbon price that would have been paid in
several projects.
the EU, if the goods had been produced locally.
● Its projects and programmes are carried out
● The price of the certificates would be calculated
in remote and environmentally fragile locations,
according to the auction prices in the EU carbon
including least-developed countries and small
credit market.
island developing States.
● The amount of certificates required would be
● IFAD is the only multilateral development
defined yearly by the quantity of goods and the
institution that focuses exclusively on
embedded emissions in those goods imported
transforming rural economies and food
into the EU.
systems.
● Companies in countries with a domestic carbon
● It is a member of the United Nations
pricing regime equivalent to the EUs will be able
Development Group (UNDP).
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to export to the EU without buying CBAM

certificates. #3 Vault Managers
● CBAM will initially cover several specific ● The Securities and Exchange Board of India
products in some of the most carbon-intensive (SEBI) recently came out with a procedure for
sectors at risk of "carbon leakage": iron and vault managers to seek prior approval from the
steel (including some downstream products watchdog in case of a change in control.
such as nuts and bolts), cement, fertilizers,
aluminium, electricity and hydrogen. About Vault Managers:
● The vault manager is regulated as a SEBI
#2 Forensic Auditing intermediary for providing vaulting services
meant for gold deposited to create
● The National Stock Exchange of India recently
electronic gold receipts (EGRs).
came out with a framework to appoint forensic
● Obligations of the vault manager: Accepting
auditors for assignments relating to the
deposits, storage, and safekeeping of
auditing of trading members.
gold, creation as well as withdrawal of
About Forensic Auditing:
● It is an analysis and review of the financial
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EGR, grievance redressal, and periodic
reconciliation of physical gold with the
A
records of the depository.
records of a company or person to extract facts
●
which can be used in a court of law.
It is a speciality in the accounting industry, and
R T
Registering as a Vault Manager:
O
● Any person intending to carry on the business
most major accounting firms have a
P
as a vault manager can make an application to
department of forensic auditing.
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SEBI for a grant of a certificate of registration.
● Forensic audits require accounting and auditing
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● The applicant shall be a body corporate
procedures and expert knowledge about the
incorporated in India and shall have a minimum
legal framework of such an audit.
net worth of Rs 50 crore.
● Why Forensic Auditing? A forensic audit is
● Every certificate of registration granted will be
often conducted to prosecute a party for fraud,
valid unless it is suspended or cancelled by
embezzlement, or other financial crimes.
SEBI.
● In the process of a forensic audit, the auditor
may be called to serve as an expert Regulations:
witness during trial proceedings.
● Forensic audits could also involve situations ● The vault managers are required to have
that do not include financial fraud, such as systems for recording all transactions in
disputes related to bankruptcy filings, business electronic form pertaining to vaulting services.
closures, and divorces. ● They need to maintain the documents to ensure
● The forensic audit process is similar to a that gold is traceable; details of storage,
traditional financial audit — planning, gathering transfer and withdrawal of gold; purity, quantity
evidence, and writing a report — with the and weight of deposited gold; and creation and
additional step of a possible appearance in extinguishment of EGRs.
court. ● They need to preserve these records and
● Forensic audit vs Internal audit: documents for a minimum period of five years.
● Forensic auditing is “an examination of financial ● They need to abide by the code of conduct
records to find any illegal financial activity,” specified by the regulator.
while an internal audit is defined as ● The regulator has the right to undertake an
“an examination of a company’s accounts or inspection of the books of accounts, records,
activities by its own accountants or managers.” documents and deposits of gold of the vault
manager.
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● Recent reports emerged that for the first time,

the LockBit Ransomware was found to be
#4
targeting Mac devices.
Tea Mosquito bug
About LockBit Ransomware:
● Recently, the United Planters Association of
● It is malicious software designed to block user
Southern India (UPASI) said that the tea
access to computer systems in exchange for a
mosquito bug is affecting tea production in
ransom payment.
both low and high-elevation plantations.
● It was formerly known as “ABCD” ransomware,
About Tea Mosquito bug: but it has since grown into a unique threat
within the scope of extortion tools.
● It is also known by the name Helopeltis ● It is a subclass of ransomware known as a
theivora. crypto virus due to forming its ransom requests
● It is considered to be a serious pest of tea around financial payment in exchange for
which damage more in most shaded areas. decryption.
N
● The nymphs and adults of the Tea Mosquito
I
● It focuses mostly on enterprises and
.
Bug(TMB) suck the sap from tender leaves, government organizations rather than
buds and young shoots, which results in heavy
crop losses. ●
A Lindividuals.
It functions as ransomware-as-a-service
● After the formation of the PPC (Plant Protection
Code) of the Tea Board of India in 2014 many
R T (RaaS). Willing parties put a deposit down for

the use of custom for-hire attacks, and profit
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pesticides were removed from the approved list under an affiliate framework.
P
of PPC to produce Indian tea safe and free from
C
any harmful pesticides. How does LockBit ransomware work?
SS
● Currently, in the recent PPC version of 14, only
● It works as a self-spreading malware, not
seven pesticides are approved for use in South
requiring additional instructions once it has
India.
successfully infiltrated a single device with
Key Facts about Tea Cultivation access to an organisational intranet.
● It is also known to hide executable encryption
● It is grown in tropical and sub-tropical climates files by disguising them in the . PNG format,
● Soil: It requires deep and fertile well-drained thereby avoiding detection by system defences.
soil, rich in humus and organic matter. ● Attackers use phishing tactics and other social
● Tea bushes require a warm and moist frost-free engineering methods to impersonate trusted
climate all through the year. personnel or authorities to lure victims into
● Temperature: It requires 20°-30°C for its growth. sharing credentials.
● Rainfall: It needs 150-300 cm annual rainfall. ● Once it has gained access, the ransomware
● Major tea-producing states: Assam, West prepares the system to release its encryption
Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Himachal payload across as many devices as possible.
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra ● It then disables security programs and other
Pradesh and Tripura. infrastructures that could permit system data
recovery.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY #2
#1 Lyrid meteor
LockBit Ransomware ● The Lyrids meteor shower, one of the oldest

known meteor showers peaks in late April.
189
About Lyrid meteor: ● When found in high-intensity production areas,

such as prawn farms, white spot
● According to NASA the first recorded sighting
disease results in the rapid mortality of prawns.
of a Lyrid meteor shower goes back to 687 BC
● It has the potential to cause a significant
by the Chinese.
financial impact on the farmed prawn industry.
● It is best viewed in the Northern
Hemisphere during the dark hours. Causative Agent:
● Meteor showers are usually named after a star
● White spot syndrome virus, a large DNA
or constellation that is close to where the
virus assigned as the only member of the genus
meteors appear to originate in the sky.
Whispovirus (family Nimaviridae).
● The Lyrid shower gets its name from
● The virus is known to occur in fresh, brackish
the constellation Lyra.
and marine water.
● The last Lyrid outburst was in 1982 when 75
● All life stages are potentially susceptible, from
meteors per hour were recorded by observers in
eggs to broodstock.
Florida.
● The virus does not pose a risk to food safety or
What is Meteoroid, Meteor and Meteorite?
● It is an object in space that range in size from
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human health.
A
dust grains to small asteroids.
#4
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● When meteoroids enter Earths atmosphere (or
R
that of another planet, like Mars) at high speed ARTSENS Device?
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and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are
● Researchers at the Indian Institute of
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called meteors.
Technology-Madras (IIT-M) recently developed a
C
● When a meteoroid survives a trip through the
device called ARTSENS to assess the health
SS
atmosphere and hits the ground, its called a
and age of blood vessels and thereby provide
What is the significance of Meteors? early screening for cardiovascular diseases.
● It helps in understanding early conditions and About ARTSENS Device:
processes in the solar systems history.
● These include the age and composition of ● It is a novel, non-invasive device to assess the
different planetary building blocks, the health and age of blood vessels and thereby
temperatures achieved at the surfaces and provide early screening for cardiovascular
interiors of asteroids, and the degree to which diseases.
materials were shocked by impacts in the past. ● It has been developed by Healthcare
Technology Innovation Centre at IIT Madras.
● It is intended for regular medical check-ups,
even by non-experts, to evaluate and anticipate
#3
vascular health.
White Spot Disease ● It is powered by a proprietary non-imaging
probe and an intelligent computing platform.
● Over the past month, white spot disease has
affected over 100 acres of shrimp farming in What does ARTSENS do?
Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu.
● It can assess the effect of molecular and
About White Spot Disease: protein-level changes in the vessel wall caused
due to disease and ageing by measuring the
● It is a highly contagious viral
material property in a completely non-invasive
infection that affects crustaceans such
and accurate manner.
as prawns, yabbies and crabs.
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● The device comprises pressure cuffs to be ● It lies on the edge of Nanda Devi (7816 meters),
affixed at the upper arm and thighs and a probe which is the highest peak in India.
applied to the surface of the neck to detect the ● Zero Point of Pindari Glacier is situated at an
carotid artery. altitude of 3660 meters above sea level.
● It measures carotid arterial stiffness, aortic ● It is the source of the Pindari River, which meets
pulse wave velocity and central blood pressure, the Alakananda River at Karnaprayag in the
all three being important markers of Garhwal district.
cardiovascular health. ● On the right side of the Pindari Glacier lies the
Kafani Glacier.
Other major glaciers in Uttarakhand:
SPORTS
● Gangotri Glacier
#1
● Milam Glacier
Mirabai Chanu ● Satopanth Glacier
● Namik Glacier
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● Tokyo 2020 medalist Mirabai Chanu will lead a
six-person Indian team at the Asian
Weightlifting Championships 2023 in Jinju,
#2
L.I
A
South Korea, from May 3 to 13.
● The Indian weightlifters second qualifying
competition for the Olympic Games in Paris in
R●T
Piarosoma arunachalensis
Recently, researchers from Titli Trust, National
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2024 will be the continental championship, as
Centre for Biological Sciences and others have
P
per Olympics.com.
discovered a new moth from Talle Wildlife
C
● Based on their combined results (snatch +
Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.
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clean and jerk), the weightlifters taking part in
these qualifying events will be able to raise their About Piarosoma arunachalensis:
Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR).
● Mirabai Chanu placed second in the womens ● It is a moth species belonging to
49kg category at the World Weightlifting the genus Piarosoma.
Championships 2022 in Colombia in December. ● The moth is a Burnet moth and is largely
● Mirabai Chanu has won gold at the day-flying.
Commonwealth Games, a world championship, ● It belongs to the family Zygaenidae, which
and an Olympic silver medal, but her best includes Forester and Burnet moths.
continental finish to yet has been bronze at the ● Burnet and Foresters moths are brightly
2020 Asian Championships in Tashkent. coloured day-flying moths, often with clubbed
antennae.
MISCELLANEOUS ● Moths are highly diverse organisms and
scientists estimate there are 160,000 moth
#1
species in the world and about 12,000 species
Pindari Glacier? in India.
● Their colours are either dazzling or so
● A group of 14 trekkers, including 13 US
cryptic that easily camouflage with their
nationals, were recently stranded at Pindari
surroundings.
glacier after an avalanche hit Uttarakhands
Bageshwar district. Key Facts about the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary
About Pindari Glacier: ● It is a wildlife sanctuary as well as a
bio-diversity hotspot located in the state
● It is located in the Bageshwar district of
of Arunachal Pradesh.
Uttarakhand in the Kumaon Himalayas.
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● Rivers like Pange, Sipu, 100 Food Streets in 100 districts

Karing and Subansiri flow through this
● Recently, the Union Ministry of Health and
sanctuary.
Family Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry
● Flora: It comprises sub-tropical and alpine
of Housing & Urban Affairs has requested
forests.
states/UTs to develop 100 food streets in 100
● Fauna: Clouded leopard, Himalayan squirrel,
districts across the country.
Himalayan Black Bear etc.
About 100 Food Streets in 100 districts:
● This project aims to encourage safe and healthy
food practices among food businesses and
NATIONAL community members, thus, reducing foodborne
illnesses and improving overall health
#1
outcomes.
SUPREME Initiative ● Implementation: It will be implemented
N
through National Health Mission (NHM) in
I
● Recently, the Union Minister of Science and
.
convergence with the Ministry of Housing and
L
Technology launched the SUPREME initiative to Urban Affairs & with technical support
provide financial support for the upgradation
A
from Food Safety and Standards Authority of
T
and maintenance of analytical instrumentation India.
R
facilities (AIFs). ● The financial assistance for the initiative to
O
About SUPREME Initiative: States/UTs in the form of Rs.1 crore per food
P
street/district will be given to fill up critical
C
● The Support for Up-gradation Preventive Repair gaps.
SS
and Maintenance of Equipment (SUPREME), is a ● This assistance will be provided under National
first-of-its-kind programme by the government. Health Mission (NHM) in the ratio of 60:40 or
● It extends financial support for repair, 90: 10 with the condition that standard branding
upgradation, maintenance, retrofitting, or of these food streets will be done as per FSSAI
acquiring additional attachments to increase guidelines.
the functional capabilities of existing analytical
instrumentation facilities. #3
● Eligibility: Different facilities created under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India
projects/ Analytical instrumentation facilities (PM-SHRI) Scheme
(AIFs) created earlier from the support of DST,
only will be considered for the funding support ● A total of 6,448 schools from 28 states and
under this Scheme Union territories have been selected for
● Such facilities at institutions recognised by the upgradation under the Pradhan Mantri Schools
University Grants Commission (UGC) are for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme.
eligible to apply for grants under this initiative.
About Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India
● Duration: The duration of support will be for
(PM-SHRI) Scheme:
a period not exceeding 3 years.
● Funding Pattern: The funding pattern in the ● It is a Centrally Sponsored scheme announced
scheme would be 75:25 for all private and govt in 2022.
owned institutions (except for state-funded ● Objective: Development of more than 14500
institutions for which 100% funding would be schools across the country by strengthening
considered). selected existing schools being managed by
Central Government/ State/ UT Government/
#2
local bodies.
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● The duration of the scheme is from 2022-23 to About Unique Land Parcel Identification Number
2026-27, after which it shall be the (ULPIN):
responsibility of the States/UTs to continue to
● It is part of the Digital India Land Records
maintain the benchmarks achieved by these
Modernization Programme (DILRMP).
schools.
● ULPIN or Bhu-Aadhar is a 14-digit identification
Features: number accorded to a land parcel.
● It would uniquely identify every surveyed parcel
● The selected schools will act as exemplar
of land and prevent land fraud, especially in
schools showcasing all components of the
rural India, where land records are outdated and
National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) and
disputed.
offering mentorship to other schools in their
● The identification is based on the longitude and
vicinity.
latitude coordinates of the land parcel
● The PM SHRI Schools will be developed as
and depends on detailed
Green Schools, incorporating
surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps.
environment-friendly aspects.
● It aims to compile every detail pertaining to
● The pedagogy adopted in these schools will be
more experiential, holistic,
integrated, play/toy-based (particularly in the
●
L.I N
different properties from across the country.
ULPIN is a Single, Authoritative Source of Truth
A
for information on any parcel of land or
foundational years), inquiry-driven,
T
property to provide Integrated Land Services to
discovery-oriented, learner-centric,
R
the citizens as well as all stakeholders.
discussion-based, flexible and enjoyable.
O
● Various types of data relating to the landed
● The focus will be on the learning outcomes of
P
properties, which are currently under the
every child in every grade.
C
possession of different ministries and
● Assessment at all levels will be based on
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departments, too will be linked with the ULPIN.
conceptual understanding and application of
knowledge to real-life situations and will be Digital India Land Records Modernization
competency-based. Programme (DILRMP):
● Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local
● It is a central sector scheme being implemented
industry for enhancing employability and
by the Department of Land Resources under the
providing better employment opportunities will
Ministry of Rural Development.
be explored.
● Aim: It attempts to build upon the
● A School Quality Assessment Framework
commonalities that exist in the arena of land
(SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key
records in various States to develop an
performance indicators to measure outcomes.
appropriate Integrated Land Information
Quality evaluation of these schools at regular
Management System (ILIMS) across the
intervals will be undertaken to ensure the
country.
desired standards.
● The ILIMS integrates all the processes and
lands records databases with the banks,
financial institutions, circle rates, Registration
#4
Offices and other sectors.
Unique Land Parcel Identification Number ● Major components: Computerization of land
records, Survey/re-survey, Computerization of
● The Rural Development Ministry recently said Registration.
that Unique Land Parcel Identification Number
(ULPIN) has been adopted by 26 states and
union territories so far.
INTERNATIONAL
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#1 ● The Baltic sea connects to the Atlantic Ocean

through the Danish Straits.
T-14 Armata battle tank
● It is the largest expanse of brackish water in the
● Russia has recently begun using its new T-14 world. Its water salinity levels are lower than
Armata battle tanks to fire on Ukrainian that of the World Oceans due to the inflow of
positions fresh water from the surrounding land and the
sea’s shallowness.
About T-14 Armata battle tank: ● Surrounding Countries:
● It is a new Russian Main Battle Tank (MBT). Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Es
● It is designed by the Russian Defense Company tonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden.
Uralvagonzavod. ● Depth: Its depth averages 55 meters, and the
deepest part is approximately 459 meters
Features: below the sea’s surface.
● It has an unmanned turret, with crew remotely ● The Baltic Sea contains three major gulfs:
controlling the armaments from “an isolated the Gulf of Bothnia to the north, the Gulf of
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Finland to the east, and the Gulf of Riga slightly
I
armoured capsule located in the front of the
hull.
Maximum Speed: 75 km/h. ●
L.
to the south of that.
More than 250 rivers and streams empty their
A
●
waters into the Baltic Sea. Neva is the largest
T
● The tank has a maximum range of 500 km on
river that drains into the Baltic Sea.
R
internal fuel.
● It is operated by a crew of 3 men, including a ● Islands: It is home to over 20 islands and
●
commander, gunner and driver.
PO
It is one of the most protected MBTs in the
archipelagos. Gotland, located off the coast of
Sweden, is the largest island in the Baltic Sea.
C
world. It has newly-developed composite base
SS
What are the Baltic Nations?
armour made of steel, ceramics and other
materials. ● These are three countries of north-eastern
● The tank is armed with a 2A82 (or Europe, on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea.
2A82-1M) 125 mm smoothbore gun. ● Baltic Nations are Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
● It is capable of firing gun-launched anti-tank ● They are bounded on the west and north by the
guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary Baltic Sea, on the east by Russia, on the
projectiles. These missiles have a range of southeast by Belarus, and on the southwest
about 5 km and can also target low-flying by Poland and an exclave of Russia.
helicopters. #3
#2 United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)
Baltic Sea ● Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and
● Germany and Britain recently intercepted three the United Nations Capital Development Fund
Russian military reconnaissance aircraft over (UNCDF) recently launched a white paper aimed
the Baltic Sea. at making India a global leader in agritech
innovation.
About Baltic Sea:
About United Nations Capital Development Fund
● It is part of the North Atlantic Ocean, situated in (UNCDF):
Northern Europe.
● It extends northward from the latitude of ● It is the United Nations’ flagship catalytic
southern Denmark almost to the Arctic Circle financing entity for the world’s 46 Least
and separates the Scandinavian Peninsula from Developed Countries (LDCs).
the rest of continental Europe.
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● It is an autonomous, voluntarily funded UN ● The Earth Day 2023 theme: “ Invest In Our
organization, affiliated with the UN Planet”, is a continuation of the 2022 theme.
Development Programme (UNDP).
● Mandate: The original UNCDF mandate from
the UN General Assembly (UNGA) 1966 BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Resolution is to “assist developing countries in
the development of their economies by #1
supplementing existing sources of capital Manamadurai pottery
assistance by means of grants and loans”. The
mandate was modified in 1973 to serve first ● Recently, the Manamadurai pottery from the
and foremost but not exclusively the LDCs. state of Tamil Nadu earned a Geographical
● It is the only UN agency mandated to focus Indication (GI) tag.
primarily on the least developed countries About Manamadurai Pottery:
(LDCs),
● It works to invest and catalyse capital to ● Manamadurai in the Sivagangai district of Tamil
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support to LDCs in achieving the sustainable Nadu is known for pottery making.
growth and inclusiveness envisioned by the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and
●
●
L.I
How are these pots made?
The Vaigai River enriches the clay used for the
the Doha Programme of Action for the least
developed countries, 2022–2031. ●
TA Manamadurai pottery.
Pot making requires expertise as the bottom
● It provides investment capital and technical
O
support to both the public and the private
R●
has to be perfectly round.
The circumference of the pot and the neck
sectors.
C P should be proportionate so that the pot sits flat

on the ground.
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● The right proportion of mud, clay and heating
#4 makes this product very strong.
● The main raw materials for making these pots
World Earth Day are soil and water.
● World Earth Day is celebrated across the world ● The sand, collected from different places in the
on April 22 every year. district, is used for making pottery and dried for
two days. The particles of the mud get
About World Earth Day: separated by sieving.
● It is an annual event celebrated on April Geographical Indication Tag:
22 to raise awareness about environmental
issues and promote global efforts to protect the ● It is a sign used on products that have
Earth’s natural resources. a specific geographical origin and
● The first World Earth Day was held on April 22, possess qualities or a reputation that are due to
1970, in the United States. that origin.
● It was organized by a group of environmental ● This is typically used for agricultural products,
activists led by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts
was concerned about the negative impact of and industrial products.
industrialization and pollution on the ● The Geographical Indications of Goods
environment. (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999seeks to
● Since then, it has become a global provide for the registration and better protection
movement that encourages individuals and of geographical indications relating to goods in
communities to take action towards protecting India.
our planet.
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● This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which Features of Taam Ja Blue hole
it can be renewed.
● It is around 900 feet deep and scientists have
#2 dubbed it the second-deepest blue hole found
on the planet.
Eco Biotraps
● It has a nearly circular shape at its surface with
● Recently, in order to prevent the spread of steep sides that form a large conic structure
vector-borne infections in the city, the covered by biofilms, sediments, limestone, and
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) gypsum ledges.
announced to launch of a pilot project called ● It was found in the central portion of Chetumal
‘Eco Biotraps’. Bay, where submerged coastal karstic sinkholes
locally named ‘pozas’ have been reported.
About Eco Biotraps: ● A series of discontinuous terraces were
● Eco Biotraps is pegged as an eco-friendly trap detected at water depths, near the eastern and
with ‘attractants’ that attract female north-western walls of the blue hole before
developing steep and almost vertical slopes.
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mosquitoes and lay eggs in its water.
● Eco Biotraps are made from recycled
cardboard.
●
L.I
There is variation
salinity and temperature inside the blue hole.
in
A
● It consists of a small bag containing a mixture
●
of attractant and insecticide.
These traps are filled with water and placed in
R T
#2
O
mosquito-infested areas.
Mexican Giant Turtle
P
● The attractant and insecticide (Insect Growth
C
Regulator granules) in the trap bag are ● The Mexican Giant Turtle, also known as the
SS
immediately mixed with water. After which, the Red Eared Slider was recently found in West
attractant in the water attracts the female Bengal’s Howrah district.
mosquito to lay her eggs there.
About Mexican Giant Turtle:
● The insecticide present in the water destroys
the mosquito eggs. ● Mexican Giant Turtle, also called the Red Eared
Slider, is the most destructive among the seven
turtle species found in the world.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ● It is considered as one of the world’s 100 worst
invasive non-native species.
#1
● Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta elegans
Taam Ja Blue hole ● Distribution: They are native to the
south-eastern USA and Mexico but have found
● Recently, scientists have discovered a massive their way across the globe, including India,
blue hole off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula through the trade of exotic animals.
in Mexico.
Habitat:
About Blue Hole:
● It occurs in a wide variety of aquatic
● It is a type of underwater sinkhole or vertical habitats, but it prefers a mud bottom, plenty of
cave that is typically found in low-lying coastal aquatic plants, and abundant basking sites.
karst platform regions. ● It lives in both natural waters (including rivers,
● These are formed when limestone or other sloughs, and oxbow lakes) and human-made
carbonate rock is dissolved by slightly acidic waters (such as ditches, ponds, and reservoirs).
groundwater over a long period.
Features:
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● It is known for its bright red circular or oblong ● Solar flare-monitoring spacecraft reveals
spots near its ears. asteroid Phaethon’s comet-like behaviour
● The carapace (upper shell) is olive-brown with
numerous black and yellow lines.
● The exposed skin is dark green with narrow
black and yellow lines.
● It is primarily aquatic and will emerge from the #4
water for basking on rocks and logs. Zero Shadow Day
● Average Life Span: 20 to 30 years.
● Recently, Bengaluru experienced a ‘Zero
#3 Shadow Day’, when vertical objects appear to
3200 Phaethon cast no shadow.
● A new study conducted using NASA’s About Zero Shadow Day:

heliophysics observatories recently revealed ● It is a sub-solar point where the sun is directly
N
that the tail of the 3200 Phaethon asteroid is overhead at a particular latitude.
not made of dust at all, but is instead
composed of sodium gas.
●
L.I
When the sun is at the zenith (the highest point
in the sky) its rays will be hitting a particular
About 3200 Phaethon:
●
TA point exactly perpendicular to the surface.
This will make the shadow of a person exactly
● It is classified as an asteroid - the first to be
discovered via satellite.
O R under him, making it look like there are no

shadows.
P
● It was discovered on Oct. 11, 1983, using the
C
Infrared Astronomical Satellite, and named after When does it occur?
SS
the Greek myth of Phaethon, son of the sun god ● There are two zero shadow days every year in
Helios, due to its close approach to Sun. May and July/August, observed in places that
● It is blue in colour, which is rare for an asteroid. lie between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic
● It orbits the sun every 524 days (1.43 of Capricorn.
years), coming as close as 0.14 astronomical ● One falls during the Uttarayan (when the Sun
units (AU) and reaching as far as 2.40 AU from moves northwards), and the other is
the sun. during Dakshinayan (when the Sun moves
● Its orbit is highly elliptical. It completes a southwards).
rotation on its axis every 3.60 hours. ● It lasts for a small part of a second, but the
● Phaethon is about3 kilometers in diameter, effect can be seen for a minute to a
making it larger than 99% of asteroids. minute-and-a-half.
● Phaethon’s orbit is 02 AU from Earth’s orbit at
its closest point. This means that there is a
wide berth between this asteroid and Earth at SPORTS
all times.
#1
Mystery:
National Rifle Association of India
● While Phaethon looked like an asteroid – it
appeared to be the source of the annual ● Senior vice-president Kalikesh Narayan Singh
Geminid meteor shower. Deo took charge as National Rifle Association
● In 2021, scientists suggested that some of this of India (NRAI) president after ‘incumbent’
object’s comet-like behaviour might stem from Raninder Singh went on a “prolonged leave”.
sodium fizzing from its surface. ● The Sports Ministry had issued a directive that
heads of national sports federations (NSFs)
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cannot hold office for more than 12 years as per

the National Sports Code, following which
NATIONAL
Raninder, who was re-elected NRAI president in
September 2021, went on leave. #1
● The ministry had pointed out last month that
Raninder had completed 12 years as president Sanchi
-- from December 29, 2010 to Dec 29, 2022. ● Sanchi, a world heritage site located in Madhya
Pradesh, is all set to become India’s first solar
city.
MISCELLANEOUS
About Sanchi:
#1
Location:
Tughlaqabad Fort
● It is located in the Raisen district of Madhya
● Recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Pradesh.
N
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to remove ● It lies in an upland plateau region just west of
encroachments in the historic Tughlaqabad
Fort.
L.I
the Betwa River.
A
Importance:
T
About Tughlaqabad Fort:
● Sanchi is a religious place with historical and
● It was built by the Ghiyathu’d-Din
O
Tughluq (1321-25) who belongs to the Tughluq
R●
Archaeological significance.
It has India’s best-preserved group
●
dynasty.
C P
The fortified city was built in four years on the
of Buddhist monuments, collectively designated
a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.
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rocky terrain, as a defence mechanism.
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi:
Features
● The site of Sanchi comprises a group of
● It is in two parts, the citadel and palaces along Buddhist monuments (monolithic pillars,
the southern walls forming one unit and the city palaces, temples and monasteries), all in
to the north the other. different states of conservation, most of which
● The citadel is still intact, and the walls of date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C.
palaces can also be discerned. ● It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in
● The city portion is, however, in extreme ruins, existence and was a major Buddhist centre in
although one may make out the alignment of India until the 12th century A.D.
some of its streets. ● The most prominent stupa found here is the
● Across the main entrance from the south Sanchi Stupa, also known as the Great Stupa.
is Ghiyathu’d-Din’s tomb is located. ● Other remains at the site include several
● It is faced with red sandstone relieved by smaller stupas, an assembly hall (chaitya), an
marble, and with batter on the exterior, it is Ashokan pillar with inscriptions, and several
enclosed within high walls forming an irregular monasteries (4th–11th century CE).
pentagon.
● Ghiyathu’d-Din’s successor, Muhammad Key Facts about Sanchi Stupa:
Tughluq (1325-51), added the small fortress of ● It was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in
‘Adilabad on the hill south of Tughluqabad, with the third century BC.
which it shares the main characteristics of ● It enshrines religious relics or remains of the
construction. Buddha and his most revered disciples.
Structure:
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● It is enclosed by a massive stone railing pierced Gangetic Dolphin

by four gateways, which are
adorned with elaborate carvings (known ● Thickly knitted fishing gill nets have recently
as Sanchi sculpture). caused the death of another Gangetic
● The stupa itself consists of a base bearing a Dolphin in the Bhagirathi River.
hemispherical dome (anda), symbolizing the
About Gangetic Dolphin:
dome of heaven enclosing the earth.
● It is surmounted by a squared rail unit ● It is a freshwater species and one of the
(harmika) representing the world mountain, few river dolphins found in the world.
from which rises a mast (yashti), symbolizing ● It inhabits
the cosmic axis. the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaph
● The mast bears umbrellas (chatras) that uli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and
represent the various heavens (devaloka). Bangladesh.
● Common Names: Blind dolphin, Ganges
dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming
#2
Hemis Monastery ●
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dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin
Scientific name: Platanista gangetica
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● The Gangetic Dolphin has been recognized
Recently, delegates of G20 visited the Hemis
T
●
as India’s National Aquatic Animal.
Monastery in Leh and also witnessed the
famous Cham dance.
O RDescription:
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About Hemis Monastery: ● A long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky
●
C
It is a Buddhist monastery located in Leh City, body and large flippers are characteristics of
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● It belongs to the Drukpa lineage of Buddhism. the Ganges River dolphin.
● The monastery was first established in the 11th ● It feeds majorly on fishes and is are usually
century and later re-established in the 17th found in counter-current systems of the main
century by the Ladakhi King Sengge Namgyal. river channel.
● It is also famous for its 2-day religious ● Its eyes lack lens, and as a result, this species is
ceremony known as the Hemis Festival. also referred to as the "blind dolphin".
● This festival is celebrated in honour of ● They have a highly developed bio-sonar
Padmasambhava which is observed here in system that facilitates them to hunt for fish
● It is the biggest and very richly endowed even in murky waters.
monastery. ● Being a mammal, the Ganges River
Key Facts about the Drukpa Lineage Buddhism dolphin cannot breathe in the water and
must surface every 30-120 seconds. Because
● It was founded in the 12th century by Gyalwa of the sound it produces when breathing, the
Gotsangpa, a disciple of the famous Tibetan
animal is popularly referred to as the ‘Susu’.
master Phagmo Drupa.
● It is particularly prominent in Bhutan. Conservation status:
● This is known for its efforts to empower
women, and their nuns are allowed to receive ● IUCN: Endangered
the same level of training and education as their ● Wildlife (Protection) Act: Schedule-I
male counterparts. ● CITES: Appendix I
#3 #4
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Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project ● The first meeting of the Permanent Forum was
held in May 2002, with yearly sessions
● Central Empowered Committee (CEC), a fact
thereafter.
finding body appointed by the Supreme Court,
● It is one of three UN bodies that is mandated to
recently clarified that the Karnataka government
deal specifically with indigenous peoples’
can seek a diversion of the forest land under
issues.
the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for the
● The others are the Expert Mechanism on the
implementation of the Goa-Tamnar
Rights of Indigenous Peoplesand the Special
Transmission Project.
Rapporteur on the Rights of indigenous
About Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project: peoples.
● It is an Inter State Transmission System project Who are Indigenous Peoples?

envisaged by the Ministry of Power in 2015.
● Indigenous peoples have in common a
● Purpose: It was envisioned to create an
historical continuity with a given region before
additional source of power for the state of Goa,
colonization and a strong link to their lands.
N
which is currently dependent on the Western
I
● They maintain, at least in part, distinct social,
.
grid for its growing power requirements.
economic and political systems.
L
● The project involves laying a 400 KV
● They have distinct languages, cultures, beliefs
A
transmission line from Sangod in Goa to the
and knowledge systems.
T
Karnataka border to help meet Goa’s peak
● They are determined to maintain and develop
R
electricity demand.
their identity and distinct institutions and they
O
● This project is spread across the state of Goa,
form a non-dominant sector of society.
P
Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.
C
● It passes through the heavy dense forest of the
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Western Ghats in Goa & Karnataka.
#2
● Implementin Agency: Goa Tamnar Transmission
Project Limited (GTTPL), a special purpose North Sea summit
vehicle (SPV) incorporated for the
implementation. ● Recently, nine European countries during the
second North Sea summit have signed a
INTERNATIONAL declaration aimed at transforming the North
Sea into a green power plant
#1
About the North Sea Summit:
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues (UNPFII) ● It is the second summit which was held in the
city of Ostend.in
● Recently, the 22nd session of the United
● Participant countries: Belgium, Denmark,
Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous
France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg,
Issues was held in New York.
Netherlands Norway, and the United Kingdom
About UNPFII: ● Objective: To make the North Sea the largest
green energy centre in Europe by accelerating
● It is a high-level advisory body to the Economic
the deployment of offshore wind turbines.
and Social Council.
● The summit sets ambitious targets including
● It was established on 28 July 2000.
the production of at least 120 gigawatts (GW)
● Mandate: To deal with indigenous
of offshore wind energy in the North Sea by
issues related to economic and social
2030
development, culture, the
● The first summit in 2022 had Esbjerg
environment, education, health and human
Declaration which was held in Denmark.
rights.
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Key Facts about the North Sea ● The gum exudes from the cracks on the bark of
the tree under difficult conditions such as heat,
● It is the northeastern arm of the Atlantic
dryness, wounds, and diseases.
Ocean located between the British Isles and
● The gum flows naturally from the bark of the
the mainland of northwestern Europe. It is
trees in the form of a thick and rather frothy
bordered by
liquid and speedily concretes in the sun into
● The island of Great Britainto the southwest
tears.
and west.
● Period of harvesting/collection:The collection
● The Orkney and Shetland Islands are to the
of gum Arabic takes place at intervals during
northwest.
the dry season from November to May. During
● Norwayto the northeast, Denmark to
the rainy season, no gum is formed since the
the east.
trees are in full bloom.
● Germany and the Netherlands to the
southeast. Properties of Gum Arabic:
● Belgium and Franceto the south.
● It is a neutral or slightly acidic salt of a complex
#3
●
L I N
polysaccharide containing calcium, magnesium,
.
and potassium cations.
It is non-toxic, odourless, and has a bland taste
Gum Arabic
TA and it does not affect the odour, colour or taste

of the system in which it is used
● Sudan’s eruption into conflict has left
O
international consumer goods makers racing to
R●
●
It is somewhat yellowish in colour.
It is insoluble in oils and in most organic
P
shore up supplies of gum Arabic, one of the solvents, but usually dissolves completely in hot
C
country’s most sought-after products and a key or cold water forming a clear, mucilaginous
SS
ingredient in everything from fizzy drinks to solution.
candy and cosmetics. ● It yields L-arabinose, L-rhamnose, D-galactose
About Gum Arabic: and D-glucuronic acid after hydrolysis.
● It is used in many industries like Food,
● It is the natural gum exuded by various species pharmaceuticals, cosmetics
of Acacia trees.
● The main source of commercial gum Arabic
is Acacia Senegal L.willd.and Acacia seyal #4
trees.
Pygmy hog
Distribution:
● According to an article in the journal Science,
● The trees are native to North Africa and grow
mainly in the sub-Saharan or Sahel zone of African Swine Fever (ASF), the livestock illness
Africa and also in Australia, India and South that has decimated porcine populations across
America. Asia since its advent in China in 2018, could
● It is found in some parts of India mainly in deal a lethal blow to the pygmy hog.
the dry rocky hills of southeast Punjab, in
About Pygmy Hog:
the northern Aravalli hills and other drier parts
of Rajasthan and Gujarat. ● It is the smallest and rarest species of wild pig
● Major producing countries: Cameroon, Chad, in the world.
Mali, Nigeria and Sudan (market share of about ● It is one of the very few mammals that build its
70%). own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’.
Method of harvesting:
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● It is an indicator species as its presence reflects (NMIS) 2021-22: Summary for

the health of its primary habitat, tall and wet Policymakers.
grasslands.
About National Manufacturing Innovation Survey
● Habitat: It prefers undisturbed patches of (NMIS):
grassland dominated by early successional
riverine communities, typically comprising ● It is a joint study by the Department of
dense tall grass intermixed with a wide variety Science and Technology (DST) and the
of herbs, shrubs and young trees. United Nations Industrial Development
● Currently, the viable population of this pig in the Organization (UNIDO)
wild is in the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam. ● Aim of the survey: To evaluate the
innovation performance of manufacturing
Key facts about African swine fever firms in India.
● It is a highly contagious viral disease of ● It had two specific components:

domestic and wild pigs, whose mortality ● Firm-level survey: It captured data related to
N
rate can reach 100%.
I
types of innovations and innovative
●
●
The virus belongs to the Asfarviridae family.
Symptoms:Vomiting, Diarrhea, reddening or
L. measures taken by firms, including the
process of innovation, access to finance,
darkening of the skin, particularly ears and
snout, gummed up eyes etc.
TA resources, and information for innovation
etc.
● It can be spread through:
O
1. Direct contact with infected pigs, faeces R ● Sectorial System of Innovation (SSI)
survey: It mapped the manufacturing
or body fluid
C P innovation system and its enabling role in

achieving innovations in firms.
SS
2. Indirect contact via fomites such as
equipment, vehicles or people who work ● The SSI study measured the convergence or
with pigs between pig farms with divergence of current policy instruments in
ineffective biosecurity. select five key manufacturing sectors
3. Pigs eating infected pig meat or meat important to the Indian economy – textiles;
food & beverage; automotive; pharma; and
products.
ICT.
● It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africabut has
● The first National Innovation Survey was
spread to many other regions of the world,
held in 2011.
including Asia and Europe.
● It is not known to affect human beings. Key Facts about United Nations Industrial
● There is no cure or precaution availablefor the Development Organization
infection and no approved vaccine. ● It is a specialized agency of the United
Nationswith a unique mandate to promote
dynamize and accelerate industrial
BUSINESS & ECONOMY development.
● It provides support to its 171 Member States
#1
through four mandated functions:
National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 1. Technical cooperation
2. Action-oriented research and
● Recently, the secretary of the Department of policy-advisory services.
Science and Technology (Ministry of 3. Normative standards-related
Science & Technology) released the activities
“National Manufacturing Innovation Survey 4. Fostering partnerships for
knowledge and technology transfer.
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● India is a member of this organisation. ● It is an intergovernmental organization

● National Manufacturing Innovation Survey established in 1960 by the Stockholm
(NMIS) 2021-22 findings released, can help Convention.
enhance competitiveness of Indian ● Objective: Promotes free trade and economic
manufacturing integration between its members within Europe
and globally.
● EFTA currently has 4 member countries:
#2 Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
● The EFTA countries have developed one of
Anji Khad Bridge the largest networks of Free Trade Agreements
● All 96 cables on the first cable-stayed bridge (FTAs). These FTAs span over 60 countries and
in India, the Anji Khad bridge, have been fully territories, including the European Union (EU).
installed in a record time of 11 months. ● In contrast to the EU, EFTA is not a customs
union. This means that the individual EFTA
About Anji Khad Bridge: States are free to set their own customs tariffs
N
and arrange other foreign trade measures
I
● It is an under-construction rail bridge in Jammu
& Kashmir on the Indian Railways Jammu –
Baramulla rail line.
L.
vis-à-vis the non-EFTA States.
A
Governance Structure:
T
● It will connect the Union Territory
● EFTA’s highest governing body is the EFTA
R
of Kashmir with the rest of the country by train.
● It is constructed over the Anji River, a tributary Council. It generally meets 8 times a year at the
●
PO
of the Chenab River between Katra and Reasi.
Anji Khad Bridge will be the first cable-stayed
ambassadorial level and twice a year at the
ministerial level.
railway bridge in the country.
C ● The headquarters of the EFTA Secretariat is
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● It is an asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge located in Geneva. It assists the EFTA Council
balanced on the axis of a central pylon. in the management of relations between the 4
● The total length of the structure is 25 metres. EFTA States and deals with the negotiation and
● It stands at a height of 331 meters above the operation of EFTA’s FTAs.
river bed. ● EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA): It monitors
● The bridge has a single-line railway track and a compliance with European Economic Area
3.75-metre-wide service road. (EEA) rules in Iceland, Liechtenstein and
● The project is being executed by Konkan Norway.
Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) ● EFTA Court: It is based in Luxembourg and has
and Hindustan Construction Company. the competence and authority to settle internal
and external disputes regarding the
implementation, application or interpretation of
the EEA agreement.
#3 What is the European Economic Area (EEA)?
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) ● It consists of the Member States of

the European Union (EU) and three countries of
● India and the four-nation bloc EFTA recently the European Free Trade Association
discussed ways to resume negotiations for a (EFTA)(Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway,
free trade agreement with a view to excluding Switzerland).
strengthening economic ties between the two ● The Agreement on the EEA entered into
regions. force on 1 January 1994.
● It seeks to strengthen trade and economic
About European Free Trade Association (EFTA):
relations between the member countries.
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● It is principally concerned with the four others. About one-quarter of the

fundamental pillars of the internal market, world’s population has latent TB.
namely: the free movement of goods, people,
services and capital. #2
Sun halo
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ● Recently, the people of Uttar Pradesh’s

Prayagraj were graced by an awe-inspiring
#1
phenomenon called Sun Halo.
Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine
About Sun halo:
● The BCG vaccine, typically administered to
● It is an optical phenomenon that occurs due to
prevent tuberculosis, did not provide any
sunlight refracting millions of hexagonal ice
significant protection against Covid-19 infection
crystals suspended in the atmosphere.
to healthcare workers.
About Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine:

●
L I N
How it is formed?
.
When white light passes through unique
A
● It is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB)
hexagonal ice crystals found in upper-level
T
● The vaccine was developed by Calmette and
cirrus clouds, causing the halo to have colours.
R
Guerin and was first administered to human
● The clouds contain millions of tiny ice crystals,
O
beings in 1921.
which refract, split and even reflect the light to
P
● It is the most widely administered vaccine and
give an impression of a circular rainbow ring.
C
is usually a part of the routine newborn
● The crystals have to be oriented and positioned
SS
immunization schedule.
just so with respect to your eye, for the halo to
● BCG vaccine also offers protection against
appear.
non-tuberculous mycobacterial
● Light undergoes two refractions as it passes
infectionslike leprosy and Buruli ulcer.
through the ice crystals and the bending that
● It is often given to infants and small children.
occurs depends on the ice crystal’s diameter.
● It is rarely given to anyone over the age of
● The two refractions bend the light by 22
16 because there is little evidence it works very
degrees from its original point, producing a ring
well in adults.
of light around the Sun or the Moon.
Key facts about Tuberculosis (TB): ● The lunar halos are mostly colourless as
moonlight is not very bright.
● Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria ● In the case of the Sun, these colours are more
(Mycobacterium tuberculosis)that most noticeable and appear as bright as a rainbow.
often affect the lungs.
● It is curable and preventable disease. Two
kinds of tuberculosis infection:
#3
1. Latent TB-The bacteria remain in the
body in an inactive state. They cause Seamounts
no symptoms and are not
● Recently, in an astonishing discovery, scientists
contagious, but they can become have reported finding 19,325 new seamounts
active. after poring through new high-resolution data.
2. Active TB- The bacteria do cause
symptoms and can be transmitted to About Seamounts:
204
● It is an underwater mountain formed through 17th FIDE World Champion

volcanic activity.
● China’s Ding Liren made history by becoming
● These are recognised as hotspots for marine
the 17th FIDE World Champion in chess,
life. Like volcanoes on land, seamounts can
defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in the final game
be active, extinct or dormant volcanoes.
of the tiebreak here on Sunday.
● These are formed near mid-ocean ridges, where
the earth’s tectonic plates are moving apart, About:
allowing molten rock to rise to the seafloor.
● The planet’s two most-studied mid-ocean ridges ● Both Ding and Nepomniachtchi finished 7-7
are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific after exhilarating 14 classical games, taking the
Rise. match into the tie-breaker.
● Some seamounts have also been found ● In the tie-break, Ding Liren defeated Ian
near intraplate hotspots – regions of heavy Nepomniachtchi 2.5-1.5 in the 2023 FIDE World
volcanic activity within a plate – and oceanic Championship final, becoming the first Chinese
island chains with a volcanic and seismic male player to win the chess world
N
activity called island arcs. championship.
Significance of seamounts
●
L.I
This marks a historic moment as both the
men’s and women’s world champions in chess
A
are now from China.
● They provide information about the mantle’s
T
● After three draws in the tiebreaks, Ding
composition and how tectonic plates evolve.
R
emerged victorious in the fourth and final game,
● Oceanographers also study seamounts
O
clinching the title. In a tense and even position,
to understand their influence on how water
P
with just a minute on his clock, Ding declined a
circulates and absorbs heat and carbon dioxide.
C
threefold repetition and decided to play for a
● Seamounts are home to diverse biological
SS
win. In a nail-biting finish, with both players
communities. They are good places for life
under enormous pressure, the Chinese
because they can cause localised ocean
Grandmaster (GM) emerged victorious after 68
upwelling – the process by which nutrient-rich
moves.
water from deep within the ocean moves up to
the surface. MISCELLANEOUS
Key Facts about the Mid-Atlantic Ridge #1
● It is the largest geological feature on the Sukhna wildlife sanctuary
planet.
● It is a mostly underwater mountain range in the ● The recent judgment of the Supreme Court
Atlantic Ocean. modifying its June 2022 order related to the
● It is about 3 km in height above the ocean floor eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) will help the Haryana
and 1000 to 1500 km wide, has numerous and Punjab Forest departments, which are firm
transform faults and an axial rift valley along its to declare only 100 metres as ESZ of the
length. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.
● It separates the North American Plate from
the Eurasian Plate in the North Atlantic and Key highlights:
the South American Plate from the African Plate
in the South Atlantic ● The Union Territory of Chandigarh Forest and
Wildlife Department has declared its 2.0 to 2.75
km area as ESZ of the sanctuary, it expects a
SPORTS similar area of ESZ from Haryana and Punjab.
● Although the two states have only agreed to
#1 declare merely 100 metres of their area as ESZ,
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their proposals are pending before the Ministry can hold their office is three years or until they
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
(MoEFCC).
Government Control over TRAI:
● Supreme Court ruled that each national park
and wildlife sanctuary must have ● TRAI is not a completely independent telecom
an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of a minimum of 1 regulator.
km, measured from the demarcated boundary ● Under section 25 of the Act, it has the power to
of such protected forest. issue directions which are binding on TRAI.
● The TRAI is also funded by the Central
About Sukhna wildlife sanctuary Government.
● It is located in the Chandigarh Union Territory. Functions:
● It forms the part of Sukhna Lake catchment
● Making recommendations on various issues;
area falling in Shivalik hills. ● General administrative and regulatory functions;
● Fauna: Sambar deer, Barking deer, and wild ● Fixing tariffs and rates for telecom services;
N
boar, as well as several species of birds,
I
and
●
reptiles, and amphibians.
Flora: The sanctuary is characterized by a mix
●
L.
Any other functions entrusted by the Central
Government.
of forests, grasslands, and wetlands, with the
Sukhna Lake forming an important part of the
TA
ecosystem.
O R#2
C P National Green Hydrogen Mission
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NATIONAL ● Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways recently said that as per the
#1 National Hydrogen Mission of the country,
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Green Hydrogen/Ammonia bunkers and
refuelling facilities will be established in all
● The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India major ports by 2035.
(TRAI) recently announced to change the rules
regarding fake, promotional calls and SMS to About National Green Hydrogen Mission:
customers. ● It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4
About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India January 2022.
(TRAI): ● To make India a Global Hub for the production,
utilization and export of Green Hydrogen and its
● It is a regulatory body set up by the Government derivatives.
of India under section 3 of the Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. Types of Hydrogen based on Extraction Methods:
● It is the regulator of the telecommunications ● Grey Hydrogen: It is produced via coal or lignite
sector in India. gasification (black or brown), or via a process
Composition: called steam methane reformation (SMR) of
natural gas or methane (grey). These tend to
● It consists of a Chairperson and not more than be mostly carbon-intensive processes.
two full-time members, and not more than two ● Blue Hydrogen: It is produced via natural gas or
part-time members. coal gasification combined with carbon capture
● The chairperson and the members of TRAI storage (CCS) or carbon capture use (CCU)
are appointed by the Central technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
Government, and the duration for which they
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● Green Hydrogen: It is produced using ● The population is predominantly found in the

electrolysis of water with electricity generated Shivamogga, Davanagere and Mysuru districts
by renewable energy. The carbon intensity of Karnataka.
ultimately depends on the carbon neutrality of ● Their mother tongue was designated as
the source of electricity (i.e., the more ‘Vaagri’ by scholars.
renewable energy there is in the electricity fuel ● UNESCO has listed ‘Vaagri’ as one of
mix, the "greener" the hydrogen produced). the endangered languages.
● They have traditional medical knowledge that is
in demand in several African countries.
#3 ● The community resided in the dense jungles for
a long time and created its own plant and
Bihu Festival herb-based medicine systems.
● The state of Assam created history by entering
the Guinness World Records for “the largest
Bihu performance” at a single venue. INTERNATIONAL
About:
The grand event of the traditional dance was
#1
L.I N
Polavaram Project
A
●
T
held at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.
● The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently struck
R
● A total of 11,304 folk dancers presented Bihu
down the Public Interest Litigation (PIL),
Dance and over 2,500 drummers performed
O
challenging the Centre’s decision not to bear the
with the dancers in the presence of Assam CM
P
Rs 7,214 crore component of the Polavaram
Himanta Biswa Sarma at the event.
C
project.
● The Bihu performance set two world records,
SS
one for the largest dance, and the second About Polavaram Project:
record was for the largest musical instrument
● It is an under-construction multi-purpose
group.
irrigation project on the Godavari River in the
● The previous record for the largest traditional
Eluru District and East Godavari District in
dance was for 7,700 participants in China set in
Andhra Pradesh.
2015.
● The project has been accorded National project
status by the Union Government of India.
#4 Objectives:
Hakki-Pikki tribe ● Development of Irrigation, Hydropower and
drinking water facilities in East
● Thirty-one tribals belonging to ‘Hakki-Pikki’ are
Godavari, Vishakhapatnam, West Godavari and
stranded in Sudan, where violent clashes
Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh.
between a powerful paramilitary force and the
● The project envisages the generation of 960
country’s armed forces are going on.
MW of hydropower, drinking water supply to
About Hakki-Pikki tribe: a population of 28.50 lacks in 611 villages
● The ultimate irrigation potential of the project is
● They are a semi-nomadic tribal group belonging 4.368 lakh ha.
to the state of Karnataka. ● The project implements the Godavari-Krishna
● In Kannada, the word ‘Hakki’ stands for ‘bird’ link under the Interlinking of Rivers project.
and ‘Pikki’ stands for the verb ‘to catch’. ● It envisages the transfer of 80TMC of surplus
● The community is known as the ’bird Godavari water to river Krishna which will
catcher,’ which is their traditional occupation.
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be shared between Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka Gulf of Oman

and Maharashtra.
● Iran’s navy recently seized a Marshall
#2 Islands-flagged oil tanker with 24 Indian crew
members in the Gulf of Oman.
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
About Gulf of Oman:
● India recently announced that it will start
participating in the International Civil Aviation ● The Gulf of Oman or Sea of Oman, also known
Organisation’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and as the Gulf of Makran or Sea of Makran, forms
Reduction Scheme for International Aviation the only entrance to the Persian Gulf from
(CORSIA) and the Long-Term Aspirational Goals the Indian Ocean.
(LTAG) from 2027. ● It connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of
Hormuz, which then empties into the Persian
About International Civil Aviation Organisation
Gulf.
(ICAO):
● Bordering Countries: It is bordered
N
● ICAO is an intergovernmental specialized by Pakistan and Iran in the north, by the United
agency associated
Nations (UN).
with the United
L.I
Arab Emirates in the west and by Oman in the
south.
A
● It was established in 1947 by the Convention on ● The gulf is relatively shallow because of its
T
International Civil Aviation (1944) known origin as a fissure in the mountain spine now
R
as Chicago Convention. divided between Iran and Oman.
O
● Headquarters: Montreal, Canada ● The Gulf of Oman is about 320 km wide at its
P
widest point between Cape al-Hadd in Oman
Functions:
C
and Gwadar Bay on the Iran-Pakistan border. It
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● ICAO is dedicated to developing safe and narrows to 35 miles (56 km) at the Strait of
efficient international air transport for peaceful Hormuz.
purposes and ensuring a reasonable ● It is approximately 560 km long.
opportunity for every state to operate ● Some of the significant islands that are located
international airlines. in the Gulf of Oman include Sheytan Island, Al
● It sets standards and regulations necessary for Fahal Island, Dimaniyat Islands, and the Sawadi
aviation safety, security and facilitation, Islands.
efficiency, and economic development of air ● The major international shipping ports that are
transport as well as to improve the situated in the Gulf of Oman include Port Sultan
environmental performance of aviation. Qaboos Muttrah in Muscat, Oman; Chabahar
● It also serves as a clearinghouse for Port in Iran; the Port of Fujairah and Khor
cooperation and discussion on civil aviation Fakkan Container Terminal in the United Arab
issues among its 193 member states. Emirates.
● It also promotes regional and international ● Roughly one-third of the world’s oil is
agreements aimed at exported via the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf
liberalizing aviation markets. of Oman.
● It helps to establish legal standards to ensure
that the growth of aviation does
not compromise safety, and encourages the #4
development of other aspects of international
INS Tarkash
aviation law.
● INS Tarkash from the Indian Navy recently
#3
reached Port Sudan to help in the evacuation of
stranded Indians as part of “Operation Kaveri”.
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About INS Tarkash: ● The main objectives of the consortium are

to provide financial services, promote trade, and
● It is a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the
facilitate investment among the member states.
Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of
● The SCO IBC Council meets ad hoc upon the
weapons.
consensus of all of the parties at least once per
● Tarkash belongs to the Talwar class of guided
year.
missile frigates. These are modified Krivak III
● The Presidency of the Council is carried out on
class frigates built by Russia.
a rotational basis.
● It was built by the Yantar shipyard in
● It consists of major banks from the member
Kaliningrad, Russia.
countries, such as the Industrial and
● It was commissioned into Indian Navy service
Commercial Bank of China, the National Bank of
on 9 November 2012 at Kaliningrad and joined
Kazakhstan, and the Bank of Russia.
the Western Naval Command on 27 December
● The first meeting of the SCO Interbank
2012.
Association was held in Beijing on 21–22
Features: February 2006.
● It has a length of 124.8 m, a beam of 15.2 m,

and a draught of 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in).
L.I N
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
A
● Top Speed: 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph).
T
● It has been equipped with a weapon sensor that #1
R
enables it to address threats in all dimensions.
Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)
O
● It uses stealth technologies and a special hull
P
design to ensure a reduced radar cross-section. ● Recently, the Secretary of, the Ministry of Coal
C
● It can board one Ka-28 Helix-A antisubmarine chaired a meeting on the integration of the
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helicopter or one Ka-31 Helix-B airborne early Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) with
warning helicopter, the digital systems of the Ministry of Coal.
● It is also equipped with BrahMos
missiles instead of the Klub-N missiles, which
makes it different from the earlier flight of About Unified Logistics Interface Platform:
Talwar-class ships.
● It was launched in 2022 as a part of
the ’National Logistics Policy (NLP)’.
#5 ● It is designed for enhancing efficiency and
reducing the cost of logistics in India by
SCO Interbank Consortium (SCO IBC) creating a transparent, single-window
platform to provide real-time information to
● Recently, under the chairmanship of India, the
all stakeholders.
XIX Council Meeting of the Shanghai
● It was emphasized that the solution should
Cooperation Organisation Interbank Consortium
have visibility of multi-modal transport and
(SCO IBC) was held in Goa.
all the existing systems should be
About SCO Interbank Consortium: integrated with the ULIP system to create a
National Single Window Logistics Portal.
● It was established by the member countries of
● It will provide real-time monitoring of cargo
the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on 26
movement and ensure the confidentiality of
October 2005.
data with end-to-end encryption.
● It provides funding and bank services
● There are three key components of this
for investment projects sponsored by the
platform namely
governments of the SCO member states.
1. Integration with existing data
sources of ministries
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2. Data exchange with private players ● The strategies commonly used to front-run
3. Unified document reference in the trades are Buy-Buy-Sell (BBS) trading pattern
supply chain and the Sell-Sell-Buy (SSB) trading pattern.
What is Buy-Buy-Sell (BBS) trading pattern?
#2 World Development Report 2023 ● In this trade pattern, the alleged front-runner by
using the non-public information regarding an
● Recently, World Bank released the World
impending buy order of the big client places his
Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees,
buy order before the big client’s buy order.
and Societies
● As and when the big client places a buy order,
Key Highlights of the Reports: the price of the security rises and the alleged
front-runner sells the securities bought earlier.
● About 2.3 per cent of the world’s ● In this way, at the raised price the alleged
population—184 million people, including 37 front-runner makes a profit.
million refugees—live outside their country of
N
nationality. What is the Sell-Sell-Buy (SSB) trading pattern?
● It found that low-skilled Indians who migrated
to the United States tended to see a significant
●
L.I
In this trading pattern, the alleged front-runner
by using the non-public information regarding
A
gain in their income of around 500%.
an impending sell order of the big client places
● The gains for highly-skilled workers such as
engineers or doctors are much higher, however,
R●T his sell orders before the big client’s sell order.
When the big client places a sell order the price
O
low-skilled workers are also finding themselves
of the security falls which allows the alleged
P
having a multi-fold jump in their income.
front-runner to buy back the securities at a
C
● It categorised the migrants into four types –
lower price to meet his obligations which he
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Refugees with skills in demand, economic
had created earlier by selling securities.
migrants with skills that match with
demand, distressed migrants and
● India-US, India-Bangladesh and India- Gulf
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Cooperation Council have been considered
among the top migrant corridors. #1
Fabry Disease
#3 ● Recently, the Lysosomal Storage Disorders
Support Society sought the Union Ministry of
Front running in Trading
Health and Family Welfare’s immediate
● Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of intervention for the treatment of Fabry Disease
India barred five entities from the securities patients.
market and impounded illegal gains of Rs 2.44
About Fabry Disease:
crore made by them in a case pertaining to
front-running. ● It is a rare inherited disorder of
glycosphingolipid (fat) metabolism resulting
About Front Running in Trading:
from the absent or markedly deficient activity of
● It is an illegal practice in the stock the lysosomal enzyme, alpha-galactosidase A
market where an entity trades based on (α-Gal A).
advanced information from a broker or analyst ● It belongs to a group of diseases known
before the information has been made available as lysosomal storage disorders.
to its clients. ● This enzymatic deficiency is caused
● It is illegal in India. by alterations (mutations) in the
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α-galactosidase A (GLA) gene that instructs Machine Learning

cells to make the α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A)
● A team of researchers used machine
enzyme.
learning tools to recently confirm evidence
● Lysosomes function as the primary digestive
of a previously unknown planet outside our
tract of cells.
solar system.
● Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, burning or pain
in the hands or feet, extreme pain during About Machine Learning:
physical activity and heat or cold intolerance
etc. ● It is a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI)and
● The types of Fabry disease computer science which focuses on the use of
● Classic type:Symptoms of this type data and algorithms to imitate the way that
appears during childhood or the teenage years. humans learn, gradually improving its accuracy.
It may be noticeable as early as age two. ● It gives computers the capability to
● Late-onset/atypical type: People with late-onset learn without being explicitly programmed.
Fabry disease don’t have symptoms until they’re ● It enables computers to learn automatically
N
in their 30s or older. from past data.
● The first indication of a problem may be kidney
failure or heart disease.
●
L.I
Machine learning uses various algorithms
for building mathematical models and making
A
● Treatment: The patients are treated by predictions using historical data or information.
intravenously administered enzyme
replacement therapy (ERT) or Oral Chaperone
R T
Features of Machine learning:
O
Therapy ● It is a data driven technology. Large amount of
P
data generated by organizations on daily bases.
C
So, by notable relationships in data,
SS
#2 organizations makes better decisions.
● Machine can learn itself from past data and
Psychedelics automatically improve.
● From the given dataset it detects various
● Psychedelic substances have reinvigorated
patterns on data.
clinical and research interests, and have added
● It is similar to data mining because it is also
to psychiatry’s ever-expanding therapeutic
deals with the huge amount of data.
armamentarium.
About Psychedelics:
#4
● These are a group of drugs that alter
perception, mood, and thought processing while Quasars
a person is still clearly conscious.
● These are non-addictive and non-toxic. ● According to a new study Quasars the brightest
● The two most commonly used psychedelics and the most powerful objects in the universe -
are d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and have a violent origin story
● In India, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic About Quasars:
Substances Act 1985 prohibit the use of
psychedelic substances. ● The quasi-stellar radio sources (Quasars) were
● Ketamine a dissociative anaesthetic with first discovered six decades ago.
psychedelic properties is used under strict ● These are very luminous objects in faraway
medical supervision for anaesthesia and to galaxies that emit jets at radio frequencies.
treat treatment-resistant depression. ● They are located in supermassive black holes,
which sit in the centre of galaxies.
#3
211
● These are formed by the energy emitted by Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur district was recently
materials spiralling around a black hole right released into Achanakmar Tiger Reserve.
before being sucked into it.
About Achanakmar Tiger Reserve:
● Most quasars are larger than our solar system.
A quasar is approximately 1-kilo parsec in ● It is located in the Bilaspur district of
width. Chhattisgarh.
● When galaxies collide, it pushes the gas from ● It was declared a tiger reserve in 2009.
the outer reaches of the galaxies to the centre. ● It is a part of the huge Achanakmar-Amarkantak
● As the supermassive black hole gorges on the Biosphere Reserve.
gas, it releases ferocious fountains of energy in ● Maniyari River flows right from the centre of this
the form of radiation, leading to the quasar. reserve, which is the forest’s lifeline.
● It has a corridor connecting to Kanha and
Bandhavgarh Tiger reserves and plays a critical
role in the dispersal of tigers among these
reserves.
N
SPORTS
I
● Vegetation: Tropical deciduous forest.
Asia badminton Championships ●
L.
Flora: Sal, bija, saja, haldu, teak, tinsa, dhawara,
lendia, khamar and bamboo bloom here along
A
● Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty with over 600 species of medicinal plants.
broke a 58-year-old drought, becoming the first
Indians after Dinesh Khanna to be crowned
R
●
T Fauna: Wild fauna includes the tiger, leopard,
bison, flying squirrel, Indian giant squirrel,
O
champions at the Asia badminton chinkara, wild dog, hyena, sambar, chital and
P
Championships here. over 150 species of birds.
C
● The 2022 World Championships bronze ● The members of the Kondh tribe in Odisha’s
SS
medallists scripted a sensational comeback Nayagarh district have added one more event to
after an opening game reversal to edge past the their calendar of festivals and celebrations
Malaysian combination of Ong Yew Sin and Teo called Bihan Mela.
Ee Yi 21-16, 17-21, 19-21 in a nail-biting final to
accomplish a magnificent victory in the About Bihan Mela:
continental championship.
● It is known as the seed festival and the event is
● Khanna is the only Indian to claim the gold
participated by the farmers.
medal, having achieved the feat when he beat
● Preparations begin as soon as farmers have
Thailand’s Sangob Rattanusorn in the men’s
harvested Kharif crops, which include both
singles final in 1965 at Lucknow.
hybrid and indigenous varieties of paddy,
● India’s previous best performance in men’s
millets, maize and sorghum.
doubles at the Asia Championships was a
● Women are at the helm of this festival
bronze-medal finish by Dipu Ghosh and Raman
and carefully collect seeds of the
Ghosh in 1971.
indigenous varieties and store them in earthen
pots.
● On a designated day in December, they decorate
MISCELLANEOUS the pots with red and white motifs, place them
#1 in a bamboo basket and carry it on their head to
the village where the fair is being organised.
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve ● This was introduced to help farmers return to
● A tigress that had been captured after it killed their traditional ways of farming like mixed
two persons and injured another in cropping.
Key facts about the Kondh tribe
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● They are a tribal group found in the hills and ● These tribal people speak languages called Kui
jungles of Orissa in eastern India. They fall into and Kuvi.
two broad divisions. ● These belong to the Dravidian language family
● The Hill or Maliah Konds, who are numerically and have strong similarities to Telugu, Tamil,
the dominant group, inhabit the interior uplands and Kannada.
and have retained much of their original tribal ● The language has no script of its own, with the
culture. Oriya script used for writing Kui, and the Telugu
● The Plains Konds have had extended contact script used for Kuvi.
with the Oriya-speaking peoples of the lowlands
and have adopted many aspects of Hindu
religion and culture.
● They have several sub-tribes, for instance, the
Dongria, Kovi, Kuttia, Languli, Penga, and
Jharnia. Raj Konds etc.
L.I N
TA
O R
C P
SS
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CURRENT AFFAIRS MAY-2023
NATIONAL ● The recommendations made by the TRAI are

not binding on the Central Government.
#1
● Central Government has to mandatorily ask for
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recommendations from TRAI with respect to
the need and timing of new service providers
● The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the terms and conditions of the licence to
(TRAI) recently announced to change the rules be granted to the service provider.
regarding fake, promotional calls and SMS to ● TRAI also has the power to notify in the official
customers. gazette the rates at which telecommunication
About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India services are being provided in and outside
N
(TRAI): India.
● It is a regulatory body set up by the Government

●
L.I
The TRAI Act was amended in 2000,
establishing a Telecom Disputes Settlement
A
of India under section 3 of the Telecom and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
T
Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
R
● It is the regulator of the telecommunications #2
O
sector in India. Antiques repatriated to India
Composition:
C P ● Minister of State for Science and Technology,
SS
● It consists of a Chairperson and not more than recently announced that 231 stolen antiques
two full-time members, and not more than two have been repatriated to India in the last nine
part-time members. years.
● The chairperson and the members of TRAI are What is an antiquity?
appointed by the Central Government, and the
duration for which they can hold their office is ● The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972,
three years or until they attain the age of 65 implemented on April 1, 1976, defined
years, whichever is earlier. “antiquity” as “any coin, sculpture, painting,
epigraph or other work of art or craftsmanship;
Government Control over TRAI: any article, object or thing detached from a
● TRAI is not a completely independent telecom building or cave; any article, object or thing
regulator. illustrative of science, art, crafts, literature,
● Under section 25 of the Act, it has the power to religion, customs, morals or politics in bygone
issue directions which are binding on TRAI. ages; any article, object or thing of historical
● The TRAI is also funded by the Central interest” that “has been in existence for not less
Government. than one hundred years.”
● For “manuscript, record or other document
Functions: which is of scientific, historical, literary or
● Making recommendations on various issues; aesthetic value”, this duration is “not less than
● General administrative and regulatory functions; seventy-five years.”
● Fixing tariffs and rates for telecom services; What do Indian laws say?
and
● Any other functions entrusted by the Central ● In India, Item-67 of the Union List, Item-12 of the
Government. State List, and Item-40 of the Concurrent List of
214
the Constitution deal with the country’s ● The missiles, which use infrared imaging to
heritage. identify targets, are said to have a range of 40
● Before Independence, an Antiquities (Export kilometers (25 miles) and a maximum altitude
Control) Act had been passed in April 1947 to of 20 kilometers (12.4 miles).
ensure that “no antiquity could be exported
#4
without license.” In 1958, The Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Sites and National Green Hydrogen Mission
Remains Act was enacted.
● Then in 1971, Parliament saw an uproar over ● Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and
the theft of a bronze idol from Chamba and Waterways recently said that as per the
some important sandstone idols from other National Hydrogen Mission of the country,
places. Green Hydrogen/Ammonia bunkers and
● This, along with the UNESCO convention, refuelling facilities will be established in all
prompted the government to enact The major ports by 2035.
Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972 (AATA), About National Green Hydrogen Mission:
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implemented from April 1, 1976.
#3
●
L.I
It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4
January 2022.
A
IRIS-T Surface-Launched-Missile (SLM) system ● It aims to make India a Global Hub for the
● European Union and NATO members Estonia
R T production, utilization and export of Green

Hydrogen and its derivatives.
O
and Latvia will soon begin negotiations with
The mission outcomes projected by 2030 are:
P
Germany’s Diehl Defence for the purchase of
C
IRIS-T SLM air defence system. ● Development of green hydrogen production
SS
About IRIS-T Surface-Launched-Missile (SLM) capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric
system: Tonnes) per annum with an associated
renewable energy capacity addition of about
● It is the medium-range version of the IRIS-T SL 125 GW in the country;
air defense missile system designed and ● Over Rs. Eight lakh crore in total investments;
produced by the German company Diehl ● Creation of over Six lakh jobs;
Defense. ● Cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports over
● The system provides comprehensive 360° Rs. One lakh crore;
protection against aircraft, helicopters, cruise ● Abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual
missiles, and guided weapons. greenhouse gas emissions;
● It enables simultaneous engagement of
multiple targets from very short to Types of Hydrogen based on Extraction Methods:
medium-range within extremely brief reaction ● Grey Hydrogen: It is produced via coal or lignite
times. gasification (black or brown), or via a process
● It is suited for both mobile and stationary called steam methane reformation (SMR) of
deployment. natural gas or methane (grey). These tend to be
Features: mostly carbon-intensive processes.
● Blue Hydrogen: It is produced via natural gas or
● Each system comprises three vehicles: a coal gasification combined with carbon capture
missile launcher, a radar, and a fire-control storage (CCS) or carbon capture use (CCU)
radar, with integrated logistics and support. technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
● It is equipped with a radar with a range of 250 ● Green Hydrogen: It is produced using
kilometers (155 miles). electrolysis of water with electricity generated
by renewable energy. The carbon intensity
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ultimately depends on the carbon neutrality of ● Changes to your sleep schedule like jet lag, a
the source of electricity (i.e., the more new shift at work, or bad habits you picked up
renewable energy there is in the electricity fuel when you had other sleep problems.
mix, the “greener” the hydrogen produced).
#5
INTERNATIONAL
What is Insomnia?
#1
According to recent research, people who have
Vitamin K
insomnia are 69 per cent more likely to experience
a heart attack than those who don’t during an ● Canadian researchers have recently identified
average nine years of follow-up. how vitamin K helps prevent diabetes.
About Insomnia: About Vitamin K:
● It is a common sleep disorder that can make it ● It is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in two
N
hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep or cause forms.
you to wake up too early and not be able to get
back to sleep.
●
L.I
The main type is called phylloquinone, found in
green leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale,
A
● The condition can be short-term (acute) or can and spinach.
last a long time (chronic). It may also come and
go.
R
●
T The other type, menaquinones, are found in
some animal foods and fermented foods.
O
● Acute insomnia lasts from 1 night to a few Menaquinones can also be produced by
P
weeks. Insomnia is chronic when it happens at bacteria in the human body.
C
least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more. ● Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that
SS
● It affects women more than men and older are needed for blood clotting and the building of
people more than younger ones. bones.
● Insomnia may play a role in the development of ● Vitamin K is found throughout the body
chronic diseases, such as: obesity, diabetes, including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and
cardiovascular disease, depression. bone.
● It is broken down very quickly and excreted in
Types of Insomnia:
urine or stool. Because of this, it rarely reaches
● Primary insomnia: This means your sleep toxic levels in the body even with high intakes,
problems aren’t linked to any other health as may sometimes occur with other fat-soluble
condition or problem. vitamins.
● Secondary insomnia: This means you
havetrouble sleeping because of a health
condition (like asthma, depression, arthritis, #2
cancer, or heartburn); pain; medication; or
substance use (like alcohol). QUAD
Causes: ● The Prime Minister of India recently

participated in the third in-person Quad Leaders’
● Stress-related to big life events, like a job loss or Summit in Hiroshima, Japan
change, the death of a loved one etc.
● Things around you, like noise, light, or Key highlights:
temperature ● The Quad leaders unequivocally condemned
terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms
and manifestations including cross-border
terrorism.
216
● They also released the ORAN Security Report to alternative debt financing for nations in the
support industry investment in open, Indo-Pacific region.
interoperable and secure telecom platforms.
#3
Quad Investors’ Network has been launched as
a private sector-led platform to facilitate Wagner Group of mercenaries?
investments in strategic technologies.
● Russian President Vladimir recently
What is Quad? congratulated the Wagner mercenary group
and the national army on their claimed
● Known as the ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’
capture of the east Ukrainian city of
(QSD), the Quad is an informal strategic forum
Bakhmut.
comprising four nations, namely -- United States
of America (USA), India, Australia and Japan. About Wagner Group:
One of the primary objectives of the Quad is to
work for a free, open, prosperous and inclusive ● The Wagner Group also known as PMC
Indo-Pacific region. Wagner is a Russian paramilitary
N
organization.
I
● The group met for the first time in 2007 on the
.
sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian ● Origin: The group is believed to have been
Nations (Asean). It is considered an alliance of
maritime democracies, and the forum is
A Lfounded in 2014 by a Russian veteran of the
Chechen war who so admired Hitler he named
maintained by meetings, semi-regular summits,
information exchanges and military drills of all
R T the group after Richard Wagner, the führer’s
favorite composer.
O
the member countries. ● The skull is the symbol of the Wagner Group.
P
● The organization first came to the world’s
C
Formation of QUAD attention in 2014, fighting alongside
SS
Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas
● Since its establishment in 2007, the
region of eastern Ukraine.
representatives for the four-member nations
● The organization has also been active across
have met periodically. Japanese Prime Minister
Africa in recent years — Libya, Sudan,
Shinzo Abe was the first to pitch the idea for the
Mozambique, Mali and the Central African
formation of Quad in 2007.
Republic.
● In fact, its origins can be traced back to the
● Today there are thought to be some 10,000
evolution of Exercise Malabar and the 2004
Wagner Group members.
Tsunami when India conducted relief and
● The S. government has called Wagner a “proxy
rescue operations for itself and neighbouring
force” of Russia’s defense ministry.
countries and was later joined by the US, Japan
and Australia. Therefore, China issued formal What does the term ‘führer’ mean?
diplomatic protests to the members of the
Quad. ● Führer, also spelled Fuehrer means leader.
● It is a title used by Adolf Hitler to define his role
Principles of Quad of absolute authority.
● As early as July 1921 he had declared the
● The motive behind the Quad is to keep the
Führerprinzip (“leader principle”) to be the law
strategic sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of
of the Nazi Party.
any military or political influence.
● It is basically seen as a strategic grouping to #4
reduce Chinese domination. The core objective
of the Quad is to secure a rules-based global International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
order, freedom of navigation and a liberal ● India recently announced that it will start
trading system. The coalition also aims to offer participating in the International Civil Aviation
217
Organisation’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and ● It does not apply to domestic aviation. Under it,
Reduction Scheme for International Aviation aircraft operators will begin monitoring their
(CORSIA) and the Long-Term Aspirational Goals emissions from international flights and begin
(LTAG) from 2027. acquiring offsets for their emissions growth.
About International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO):
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
● ICAO is an intergovernmental specialized
#1
agency associated with the United Nations
(UN). Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)
● It was established in 1947 by the Convention on
International Civil Aviation (1944) known as ● Recently, the Secretary of, the Ministry of Coal
Chicago Convention. chaired a meeting on the integration of the
● Headquarters: Montreal, Canada Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) with
the digital systems of the Ministry of Coal.
N
Functions:
I
About Unified Logistics Interface Platform:
● ICAO is dedicated to developing safe and
efficient international air transport for peaceful ●
L.
It was launched in 2022 as a part of the
purposes and ensuring a
opportunity for every state to operate
reasonable
●
TA ‘National Logistics Policy (NLP)’.
It is designed for enhancing efficiency and
●
international airlines.
O
It sets standards and regulations necessary for R reducing the cost of logistics in India by
creating a transparent, single-window platform
C P
aviation safety, security and facilitation,
efficiency, and economic development of air
to provide real-time information to all
stakeholders.
SS
transport as well as to improve the ● It was emphasized that the solution should
environmental performance of aviation. have visibility of multi-modal transport and all
● It also serves as a clearinghouse for the existing systems should be integrated with
cooperation and discussion on civil aviation the ULIP system to create a National Single
issues among its 193 member states. Window Logistics Portal.
● It also promotes regional and international ● It will provide real-time monitoring of cargo
agreements aimed at liberalizing aviation movement and ensure the confidentiality of
markets. data with end-to-end encryption.
● It helps to establish legal standards to ensure ● There are three key components of this
that the growth of aviation does not platform namely
compromise safety, and encourages the ● Integration with existing data sources of
development of other aspects of international ministries
aviation law. ● Data exchange with private players
● Unified document reference in the supply chain.
What is Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme
for International Aviation (CORSIA)? #2
● It is a global market-based measure designed to Bond Yield?

offset international aviation CO2 emissions in ● Indian Government bond yields are set to open
order to stabilize the levels of such emissions. lower after the Reserve Bank of India’s move to
● Offsetting of CO2 emissions will be achieved withdraw the country’s highest value currency
through the acquisition and cancellation of notes.
emissions units from the global carbon market
by aeroplane operators. What is a Bond?
218
● A bond is a loan made by an investor to a ● It is an open-source network set up to enable

borrower for a set period of time in return for buyers and sellers to transact with each other
regular interest payments. irrespective of the e-commerce platform on
● The time from when the bond is issued to when which either of them are registered.
the borrower has agreed to pay the loan back is ● It will enable local commerce across segments,
called its ‘term to maturity’. such as mobility, grocery, food order and
● The bond issuer uses the money raised from delivery, hotel booking and travel, among others,
bonds to undertake various activities such as to be discovered and engaged by any
funding expansion projects, refinancing existing network-enabled application.
debt, undertaking welfare activities, etc. ● It is an initiative of the Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
What is Bond Yield?
(DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and
● It is the return an investor expects to receive Industry.
each year over its term to maturity. ● It comprises of buyer-side apps where
● It partially depends on coupon payments, which consumers can place orders, seller-side apps
N
that onboard merchants and display their
I
refer to the periodic interest income obtained as
●
a reward for holding bonds.
The bondholders receive the bond’s face value
L.
listings, and logistics platforms that handle
deliveries.
at the end of the bond’s life. However, one may
buy bonds at par value, discount (at a price
TA
Aim:
lower than par value) or premium (at a price
O
higher than par value) as they trade in the R● To promote open networks for all aspects of
exchange of goods and services over digital or
●
secondary market.
C P
Therefore, the prevailing market price of bonds ●
electronic networks.
To create new opportunities, curb digital
SS
also affects the bond yield. monopolies and by supporting micro, small and
medium enterprises and small traders and help
It is calculated by using the following formula:
them get on online platforms.
● Bond Yield= Coupon Amount/ Price ● It seeks to democratise digital or electronic
commerce, moving it from a platform-centric
Bond Yield vs. Price: model to an open-network.
● Price and yield are inversely related. Benefits:
● As the price of a bond goes up, its yield goes
down and as yield goes up, the price of the ● It offers small retailers an opportunity to
bond goes down. provide their services, and goods to buyers
across the country through an e-commerce
system.
#3 ● ONDC enables merchants to save their data to
Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)? build credit history and reach consumers.
● It is expected to digitise the entire value chain,
● The Union government is looking to formally promote inclusion of suppliers, derive
launch the Open Network for Digital Commerce efficiencies in logistics and enhance value for
(ONDC) this year to “democratise e-commerce” consumers.
and “to provide alternatives to proprietary ● ONDC protocols would standardize operations
e-commerce sites” like cataloguing, inventory management, order
management and order fulfilment.
About Open Network for Digital Commerce
(ONDC): #4
219
Front running in Trading ● A team of researchers used machine learning

tools to recently confirm evidence of a
● Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of
previously unknown planet outside our solar
India barred five entities from the securities
system.
market and impounded illegal gains of Rs 2.44
crore made by them in a case pertaining to About Machine Learning:
front-running.
● It is a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI)and
About Front Running in Trading: computer science which focuses on the use of
data and algorithms to imitate the way that
● It is an illegal practice in the stock market
humans learn, gradually improving its accuracy.
where an entity trades based on advanced
● It gives computers the capability to learn
information from a broker or analyst before the
without being explicitly programmed.
information has been made available to its
● It enables computers to learn automatically
clients.
from past data.
● It is illegal in India.
● Machine learning uses various algorithms for
N
● The strategies commonly used to front-run
I
building mathematical models and making
.
trades are Buy-Buy-Sell (BBS) trading pattern
predictions using historical data or information.
L
and the Sell-Sell-Buy (SSB) trading pattern.
A
Features of Machine learning:
What is Buy-Buy-Sell (BBS) trading pattern?
● In this trade pattern, the alleged front-runner by
R
●
T It is a data driven technology. Large amount of
data generated by organizations on daily bases.
O
using the non-public information regarding an
So, by notable relationships in data,
P
impending buy order of the big client places his
organizations makes better decisions.
C
buy order before the big client’s buy order.
● Machine can learn itself from past data and
SS
● As and when the big client places a buy order,
automatically improve.
the price of the security rises and the alleged
● From the given dataset it detects various
front-runner sells the securities bought earlier.
patterns on data.
● In this way, at the raised price the alleged
● It is similar to data mining because it is also
front-runner makes a profit.
deals with the huge amount of data.
What is the Sell-Sell-Buy (SSB) trading pattern?
● In this trading pattern, the alleged front-runner
#2
by using the non-public information regarding
an impending sell order of the big client places Sun halo
his sell orders before the big client’s sell order.
● Recently, the people of Uttar Pradesh’s
● When the big client places a sell order the price
Prayagraj were graced by an awe-inspiring
of the security falls which allows the alleged
phenomenon called Sun Halo.
front-runner to buy back the securities at a
lower price to meet his obligations which he About Sun halo:
had created earlier by selling securities.
● It is an optical phenomenon that occurs due to
sunlight refracting millions of hexagonal ice
crystals suspended in the atmosphere.
How it is formed?
#1
● When white light passes through unique
Machine Learning
hexagonal ice crystals found in upper-level
cirrus clouds, causing the halo to have colours.
220
● The clouds contain millions of tiny ice crystals, ● Laureus World Team of the Year
which refract, split and even reflect the light to ● Winner of 2023: Argentina Men’s Football Team
give an impression of a circular rainbow ring. ● Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year
● The crystals have to be oriented and positioned ● Winner of 2023: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
just so with respect to your eye, for the halo to ● Laureus World Comeback of the Year
appear. ● Winner of 2023: Christian Eriksen (Denmark)
● Light undergoes two refractions as it passes ● Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year
through the ice crystals and the bending that ● Winner of 2023: Eileen Gu (China)
occurs depends on the ice crystal’s diameter. ● Laureus Sport for Good
● The two refractions bend the light by 22 ● Winner of 2023: TEAMUP (Global)
degrees from its original point, producing a ring
Important Awardees:
of light around the Sun or the Moon.
● The lunar halos are mostly colourless as ● Roger Federer holds the record for winning the
moonlight is not very bright. most awards. The Swiss tennis player has won
● In the case of the Sun, these colours are more six awards, five for Sportsman of the Year and
N
noticeable and appear as bright as a rainbow.
I
one for Comeback of the Year.
●
L.
Serena Williams holds the record for winning
the most award by a female.
SPORTS ●
TA Lionel Messi – who led Argentina to the World

Cup in 2022 – became the first athlete to win
R
#1
the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and
Laureus World Sports Awards 2023
PO also pick up the Laureus World Team of the

Year Award in the same year i.e, 2023.
C
● Recently, the winners of the 2023 Laureus World
SS
Sports Awards were announced. The Awards MISCELLANEOUS
were held in person in Paris for the first time
#1
since 2020.
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve
About:
● A tigress that had been captured after it killed
● The awards are conferred annually to honour
two persons and injured another in
the greatest and most inspirational sporting
Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur district was recently
triumphs of the year and showcases the work
released into Achanakmar Tiger Reserve.
of Laureus Sport for Good.
● The first Laureus World Sports Award ceremony About Achanakmar Tiger Reserve:
took place on May 25, 2000.
● Location: It is located in the Bilaspur district of
● American golfer Tiger Woods was the first
Chhattisgarh.
winner of this award.
● It was declared a tiger reserve in 2009.
● It is often referred to as the sporting equivalent
● It is a part of the huge Achanakmar-Amarkantak
of the Oscars.
Biosphere Reserve.
Award Categories: ● Maniyari River flows right from the centre of this
reserve, which is the forest’s lifeline.
● Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
● It has a corridor connecting to Kanha and
● Winner of 2023: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Bandhavgarh Tiger reserves and plays a critical
● Lionel Messi became the first footballer to be
role in the dispersal of tigers among these
awarded the Sportsman of the Year (in 2020)
reserves.
● Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year
● Vegetation: Tropical deciduous forest.
● Winner of 2023: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
(Jamaica)
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● Flora: Sal, bija, saja, haldu, teak, tinsa, dhawara, ● The Minister of Environment, Forest and
lendia, khamar and bamboo bloom here along Climate Change and Labour and Employment
with over 600 species of medicinal plants. termed PCC as a boost for Atamnirbhar Bharat,
● Fauna: Wild fauna includes the tiger, leopard, adding that it will provide certification for the
bison, flying squirrel, Indian giant squirrel, purity of Pashmina products.
chinkara, wild dog, hyena, sambar, chital and ● The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
over 150 species of birds. (EPCH) collaborated with WII to establish a
Pashmina Certification Center (PCC) for its
#2
associated members involved in Pashmina
Bihan Mela Trade.
● The members of the Kondh tribe in Odisha’s Purpose of setting:

Nayagarh district have added one more event to
● To streamline the Pashmina Trade.
their calendar of festivals and celebrations
● To provide a one-stop testing facility to certify
called Bihan Mela.
genuine Pashmina Product free from any
About Bihan Mela:
● It is known as the seed festival and the event is ●
L.I N
prohibited fibres to the associated
manufacturers, exporters, and traders.
All the tested products will be labelled with a
A
participated by the farmers. traceable unique id tag with individual
● Preparations begin as soon as farmers have
harvested Kharif crops, which include both
R T e-certificates, enabling a seamless trade of

such products in national and international
O
hybrid and indigenous varieties of paddy, markets.
P
millets, maize and sorghum.
C
● Women are at the helm of this festival #2
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and carefully collect seeds of the
Operation Dhvast
indigenous varieties and store them in earthen
pots. ● Under Operation Dhvast, National Investigation
● On a designated day in December, they decorate Agency (NIA) recently arrested three in
the pots with red and white motifs, place them multi-state raids.
in a bamboo basket and carry it on their head to
About:
the village where the fair is being organised.
● This was introduced to help farmers return to ● The massive crackdown — codenamed
their traditional ways of farming like mixed ‘Operation Dhvast’ — had seen simultaneous,
cropping. day-long raids by NIA, Punjab police and
Haryana Police at 324 locations across Punjab,
Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan etc.
NATIONAL ● The NIA has arrested three persons in
connection with the multi-state raids conducted
#1
on in three cases relating to the nexus among
Pashmina Certification Centre terrorists, gangsters and drug dealers.
● The nexus has been linked to targeted killings,
● Recently, Union Minister inaugurated the extortion and terror funding of pro-Khalistan
Pashmina Certification Centre (PCC) at the outfits with earnings from smuggling of drugs
Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, and weapons.
Uttarakhand. ● NIA investigations have so far revealed that
About Pashmina Certification Centre: conspiracies were being hatched in jails of
different states and executed by an organized
network of operatives based abroad.
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#3 ● IIB was mandated to be market neutral and

provide independent and non judgmental
e-Malkhana.
analysis to all stakeholders.
● All the 23 police stations under the ● It acts as the Sole Repository and Analytics
Visakhapatnam Police Commissionerate are Body for the entire Insurance Sector in India.
likely to get e-Malkhana. ● All the registered Insurance Companies in India
are mandated to submit data under Life, Motor,
What is e-Malkhana? Health, Fire and Other Miscellaneous lines of
● e-Malkhana is a scientific way of storing Insurance business to IIB.
property and evidence recovered from crime ● It handles huge data and provides analytical
scene. insights and services to the stake holders
● The facility was first commissioned in July through web services and applications.
2021 at Narsipatnam Police Station (presently #5
in Anakapalli district).
● Need: According to police officers, earlier INS Mormugao
recovered properties and evidence used to be
stored in storerooms and it was difficult to find
them.
●
L.I N
The Indian Navy successfully carried out an
engagement of a sea-skimming supersonic
A
target using its latest indigenous guided missile
T
How it works? destroyer INS Mormugao.
● The property seized and evidences collected
O
from the crime scene can be stored in standard RAbout INS Mormugao:
P
● It is an indigenous guided missile destroyer of
size cardboard boxes, which will be numbered
C
the Indian Navy.
with other details. A dynamic QR code will be
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● It was named after the historic port city of Goa
generated and pasted on the box.
on the West coast. Mormugao coincidentally
● A dedicated website is also hosted and all
undertook her first sea sortie on December 19,
details pertaining to the case and property will
2021, when Goa celebrated 60 years of
be uploaded. All one has to do is to scan the
liberation from Portuguese rule.
code to get the details.
Features:
#4
● It measures 163 m in length, and 17 m in
Insurance Information Bureau of India
breadth.
● The Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB) ● Displacement: 7,400 tonnes
recently approached Cyberabad police stating ● The ship is propelled by four powerful Gas
that hackers from Russia encrypted their data Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG)
through ransomware attack. configuration.
● It is capable of achieving speeds in excess of
About Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB): 30 knots.
● IIB has been established by the insurance ● The ship has enhanced stealth features
regulator, Insurance Regulatory and resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section
Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in the (RCS).
year 2009, as a data repository and analytics ● The ship is fitted with a modern Surveillance
body. Radar which provides target data to the gunnery
● It was registered as an independent nonprofit weapon systems of the ship.
earning society on 21st November, 2012 under ● It is packed with sofisticated weapons and
the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act sensors such as Surface to Surface Missile and
2001. Surface to Air Missiles.
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● Its Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities are ● Perovskite crystals are found today in
provided by the indigenously-developed Rocket ultrasound machines, memory chips, and now –
Launchers, Torpedo Launchers and the ASW solar cells.
helicopters.
#2
● It is equipped to fight under nuclear, biological
and chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. Environment and Climate Sustainability Working
Group
INTERNATIONAL
● The Environment and Climate Sustainability
#1
Working Group (ECSWG) meeting under India’s
Tandem Solar Cells G20 Presidency is underway in Mumbai.
● A South Korean firm recently announced the About:
world’s first production line for
● The meeting is a critical step in fostering the
perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells.
efforts of the G20 countries, invitee countries,
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About Tandem Solar Cells: and international organizations towards a
● It consists of solar cells on top of each other.
There are several types of tandem cells that can
●
L.I
sustainable and resilient future.
On the first day of the meeting, a beach
A
●
clean-up campaign was organised at the Juhu
T
be grouped mainly depending on materials
Beach in Mumbai followed by the Ocean 20
R
used.
Dialogue aimed at promoting a sustainable and
● Tandem cells are stacks of p-n junctions, each
O
climate-resilient Blue Economy.
of which is formed from a semiconductor of
P
● The Ocean 20 platform, launched during the
different bandgap energy. Each responds to a
C
Indonesia Presidency Dialogue is aimed to
different section of the solar spectrum.
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advance ideation and action for ocean
● They are able to improve the efficiency of
solutions.
standard solar panels by splitting the light
● It aims to facilitate sustainability in the
spectrum and optimising the harvesting of
maritime domain, ocean governance, building
energy from each section into electricity.
capacities to facilitate sustainable ocean
What is Perovskite? practices and equitable distribution of benefits
from traditional and new blue economy sectors.
● A perovskite is a material that has the same
crystal structure as the mineral calcium #3
titanium oxide, the first-discovered perovskite
FIPIC Summit, 2023
crystal.
● Generally, perovskite compounds have a ● Recently, Prime minister of India meets with
chemical formula ABX3, where ‘A’ and ‘B’ Pacific Island nation leaders on sidelines of
represent cations and X is an anion that bonds FIPIC Summit in Papua New Guinea.
to both.
Key highlights:
● A large number of different elements can be
combined together to form perovskite ● The third forum for India-Pacific islands
structures. co-operation (FIPIC Summit), which was held
● Using this compositional flexibility, scientists today at Port Moresby was jointly hosted with
can design perovskite crystals to have a wide Papua New Guinea.
variety of physical, optical, and electrical ● Prime minister of India co- chaired the summit
characteristics. with PM of Papua New Guinea.
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● The discussions encompassed various areas of ● It is manufactured by Boeingand used by the

cooperation, including commerce, technology, United States Air Force.
healthcare, and climate change. ● It is used to destroy deeply entrenched enemy
bunkers such as those concealing a supply of
About FIPIC:
weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
● Forum for India-Pacific Islands cooperation
Features:
(FIPIC) is a multinational grouping for
cooperation between India and 14 Pacific ● The bomb is 20.5 feet long with a diameter of
Islands nations. 31.5 inches.
● It include 14 islands named- Cook Islands, Fiji, ● Weight: 14,000 kg
Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, ● The warhead case is made from a special
Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua high-performance steel alloy that can reportedly
New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. penetrate up to 200 feet of concrete.
● All Head of state/head of government of the ● MOP is carried by the B-2 Spirit bomber, which
above countries met in Suva, Fiji in November can carry two of the bombs at a time
●
2014 for the first time where the annual summit
was conceptualised.
The FIPIC initiative marks a serious effort to
●
L I N
The bomb is equipped with a delayed-action
.
fuse, allowing the warhead to survive the
impact, not detonating until the bomb has
expand India’s engagement in the Pacific
region.
TA stopped traveling underground.
R
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
● A major part of India’s engagement with these
PO
countries is through development assistance
under South-South Cooperation, mainly in
#1
C
capacity building (training, scholarships, National Productivity Council
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grant-in-aid and loan assistance) and ● For giving fresh impetus to deliverables under
community development projects. the flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
● In 2015, FIPIC Trade Office at Federation of Yojana(PMMSY), seven major field studies are
Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry being carried out by National Productivity
(FICCI) to promote Trade & Investment Council (NPC).
opportunities between India & Pacific Island
Countries. Key highlights:
#4 ● The NPC is conducting field studies in seven

areas such as best practices in fish marketing
GBU-57 system of Andhra Pradesh and dissemination
● The US Military recently posted pictures of a through workshop; agro-climatic zone-specific
powerful bomb called the GBU-57, designed to mapping of innovative fishing practices for
penetrate deep into the earth and destroy enhancing production and productivity in Upper
underground facilities. Gangetic Plain Region etc.
● It will help strengthen the mechanism of
About GBU-57: delivery of the central scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
● It is known as the “Massive Ordnance
Penetrator (MOP)”. National Productivity Council:
● It is a GPS-guided, earth-penetrating strike
weapon for use against hard and deeply buried ● It is an autonomous organization under the
targets. Department for Promotion of Industry and
● MOP is one of the most powerful non-nuclear Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce &
bombs in the world. Industry.
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● It was set up in 1958. ● It also works with public partners to support

privatisation, restructuring and improvement of
Objectives:
municipal services.
● To promote innovation-led productivity in a ● It prioritizes support for countries in Central and
sustained manner in all spheres of national West Asia, and North Africa.
economy through a holistic and inclusive ● It focuses on advancing developmental goals in
approach by addressing the triple bottom line – finance and policy reform.
Economic, Environmental and Social. ● The organization also promotes
● To propagate productivity consciousness and environmentally sustainable development and
culture amongst Govt., Business and Society. gender equality and promises to be fully
● To act as a total solution provider for Industry, transparent.
Services, and Agriculture sectors for ● Membership: It is publicly owned by
augmenting productivity through Training, shareholders in 69 countries. India became the
Consultancy and Research wherever needed EBRD’s 69th shareholder when it joined the
through alliances and partnerships. Bank in July 2018.
● It is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian
Productivity Organisation (APO),
Inter-Governmental Body of which the
an
#3
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Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)?
Government of India is a founding member.
●
TA The Securities and Exchange Board of India
R
(SEBI), recently proposed tightening rules for
O
alternative investment funds by restricting their
#2
P
ability to borrow for investments.
C
European Bank for Reconstruction and
About Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs):
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Development (EBRD)
● It is a special investment category that differs
● The European Bank for Reconstruction and
from conventional investment instruments.
Development (EBRD) recently pledged further
● AIF is any fund established in India which is a
support for war-torn Ukraine with plans to
privately pooled investment vehicle that collects
increase its capital by 3 billion-5 billion euros.
funds from sophisticated investors, both Indian
About European Bank for Reconstruction and or foreign, for investing.
Development (EBRD): ● It pools funds from investors and invests them
under different categories of investments as
● It is an international financial institution with the specified by the SEBI for the benefit of
mandate to promote transition towards a investors.
sustainable, open market economy and to ● These investment vehicles adhere to the SEBI
foster innovation. (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations,
● The EBRD was created in April 1991 to help 2012.
Eastern European and ex-Soviet countries ● AIFs can be formed as a company, Limited
transitioning into democracies by developing Liability Partnership (LLP), trust, etc.
free-market economies after the fall of ● It is an investment option for high rollers,
communism. including domestic and foreign investors in
● Headquarters: London India.
● It provides project financing mainly for private ● Generally, institutions and high net worth
enterprises, usually together with other individuals invest in AIF as it needs a high
commercial lending partners, in countries that investment amount.
are committed to, and apply, democratic
principles. Categories Of AIF:
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Category I AIFs: ● GDRs are certificates issued by a depository

bank, which purchases foreign company shares
● They can invest in start-ups, early stage
and deposits them in the account.
ventures, social ventures, SMEs and sectors
● GDRs are commonly used to raise capital from
which the government or regulators consider as
international investors through public stock
socially or economically desirable.
offerings or private placement.
● They include venture capital funds like angel
funds, SME Funds, social venture funds, Purpose:
infrastructure funds and such other AIFs as
● Indian companies can only get their shares
may be specified.
listed on foreign exchanges through Global
Category II AIFs: Depository Receipts (GDR).
● GDRs help Indian companies get foreign funds
● They are those which are not classified under
and gain access to international capital.
Category I or Category III.
● The depository bank is the intermediary that
● They do not undertake leverage or borrowing
acts as the custodian of the shares issued by
N
other than to meet day-to-day operational
I
the Indian company.
.
requirements and as permitted in the
● The depository bank can convert GDRs into
L
regulations.
shares and trade them on the domestic stock
A
● Various types of funds such as real estate
exchanges.
T
funds, debt funds, private equity funds, funds
● GDRs are instruments denominated in foreign
R
for distressed assets, etc. are registered as
currencies. The shares are denominated in the
O
Category II AIFs.
deposit receipt issuer’s local currency.
Category III AIFs:
C P ● The value of a GDR depends on the value of the

underlying share.
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● They are funds which employ complex or ● GDRs are issued to investors throughout the
diverse trading strategies and may employ country since they can be denominated as
leverage including through investment in listed multiple forms of freely convertible currency.
or unlisted derivatives hedge funds, PIPE Funds, ● Only companies with a three-year sound
etc. are registered as Category III AIFs. financial record can get access to GDRs.
● Category I and II AIFs are required to be close ● Thus, Indian companies should get clearance
ended and have a minimum tenure of three from the Ministry of Finance and Foreign
years. Category III AIFs may be open ended or Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to obtain
close ended. GDRs.
#4 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Global Depository Receipts (GDRs)? #1
● Tata Consumer Products recently said that it Himalayan Chandra Telescope
will delist its global depository receipts (GDRs)
from the London Stock Exchange and ● The Himalayan Chandra Telescope in Hanle
Luxembourg Stock Exchange. recently joined hands with 10 other global
observatories to observe the brightening of a
About Global Depository Receipts (GDRs)? blazar, one of the most powerful objects in the
● It is a foreign currency-denominated negotiable universe.
financial instrument issued by a depositary About Himalayan Chandra Telescope:
bank.
● It is a 2 meter optical-infrared telescope
named after Nobel laureate Subramaniam
Chandrasekhar.
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● Location: It is at the Indian Astronomical ● This series incorporates L1 band signals

Observatory (IAO) in Hanle near Leh in Ladakh. additionally to widen the services.
● It is currently the tenth highest optical ● For the first time, an indigenous atomic clock
telescope in the world, situated at an elevation will be flown in NVS-01.
of 4,500 meters.
#3
● The telescope remotely operated using a
dedicated satellite communication link from Septic Shock
the Centre for Research & Education in Science
& Technology (CREST), Indian Institute of ● Researchers have recently studied the role of
Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore. hydrocortisone in the management of adult
● Imaging instruments include a Faint Object patients with septic shock.
Spectrograph, a near infra-red and an optical About Septic shock:
CCD camera.
● It is a serious medical condition that can occur
What is a Blazer? when an infection in your body causes
N
extremely low blood pressure and organ failure
I
● It is a type of galaxy that is powered by a
.
humongous black hole and is among one of due to sepsis.
the brightest and most powerful objects in the
universe.
●
A LSeptic shock is life-threatening and requires

immediate medical treatment.
● They are known for emitting highly energetic
particles and radiation, including gamma rays,
R
●
●
T It’s the most severe stage of sepsis.
It occurs most often in the very old and the very
O
X-rays, and radio waves. young. It may also occur in people with
P
weakened immune systems.
C
#2 ● It is typically diagnosed when the signs of
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severe sepsis are present, along with low blood
NVS-01
pressure and signs of organ dysfunction.
● The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Risk factors for septic shock include:
is all set to launch the navigation satellite
‘NVS-01’ onboard its Geosynchronous Satellite ● Diabetes;
Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from Sriharikota in ● Diseases of the genitourinary system, biliary
Andhra Pradesh. system, or intestinal system;
● Diseases that weaken the immune system,
Key highlights:
such as AIDS;
● The GSLV-F12/NVS-01 mission is designed to ● Leukemia;
deploy the NVS-01 navigation satellite into a ● Heart failure;
geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). ● Kidney failure;
● Abnormal blood clotting;
About NVS-01:
#4
● It is the first in the series of second-generation
navigation satellites built by ISRO’s UR Rao Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
Satellite Centre in Bengaluru.
● Science and Technology Minister recently said
● At present, India uses its Navigation with Indian
that India is working on new technologies such
Constellation (NavIC) series of satellites for
as the small modular reactors.
civilian and defence navigation in the Indian
mainland and even 1500 kms beyond India’s About Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):
borders.
● NVS series of satellites will sustain and ● They are advanced nuclear reactors that have a
augment the NavIC with enhanced features. power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit,
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which is about one-third of the generating What is the Target Olympic Podium Scheme
capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. (TOPS)?
● SMRs, which can produce a large amount of
About:
low-carbon electricity, are:
● Small– physically a fraction of the size of a ● To improve India’s performance at Olympics
conventional nuclear power reactor. and Paralympics, the Ministry of Youth Affairs
● Modular – making it possible for systems and and Sports (MYAS) started the Target Olympic
components to be factory-assembled and Podium Scheme (TOPS) in September 2014.
transported as a unit to a location for ● This was revamped in April 2018 to establish a
installation. technical support team for managing the TOPS
● Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to athletes and providing holistic support.
generate heat to produce energy.
High Priority Sports:
Advantages:
● The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is
● Relatively small physical footprints; responsible for appointment of TOPS members
●
●
Reduced capital investment;
Can be factory-built unlike the conventional
nuclear reactors that are built on–site;
L I N
with emphasis on ensuring representation from
.
‘High-Priority’ sports (Archery, Badminton,
Boxing, Hockey, Shooting and Wrestling).
● Ability to be sited in locations not possible for
larger nuclear plants;
TA
Recent Success:
●
●
Provisions for incremental power additions;
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It also offer distinct safeguards, security and R● The TOPS sponsored athletes gained relative
success at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2018
●
nonproliferation advantages.
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They can be used for power generation, process ●
Commonwealth Games.
P V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik captured silver and
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heat, desalination, or other industrial uses. bronze in Badminton and Wrestling respectively
● SMRs can offer a carbon free, clean energy at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
alternative to fossil fuels. ● In the 2016 Paralympic Games, the TOPS
Athletes won 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze
demonstrating the effectiveness of the Scheme.
SPORTS ● In the Commonwealth Games, out of the 70
athletes who won medals at the, 47 of them
#1
were supported under the TOP Scheme.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Mission Olympic Cell:
● Olympian and World Championship silver
● The Mission Olympic Cell is a dedicated body
medallist archer Atanu Das has been
created to assist the athletes who are selected
re-introduced in the Target Olympic Podium
under the TOP Scheme.
Scheme (TOPS).
● The MOC is under the Chairmanship of the
● Other big names to be included in TOPS are rifle
Director General, Sports Authority of India (DG,
shooter Mehuli Ghosh and 15-year-old
SAI).
Tilottama Sen, who won bronze in 10m air rifle
event at International Shooting Sport Federation MISCELLANEOUS
World Cup 2023 held in Cairo, Egypt.
● A total of 27 new names were inducted in the #1
TOPS Core and Development lists which now Niti Pass
takes the total number of TOPS athletes to 270
(101 in Core, 169 in Development). ● Sources in the defence and security
establishment recently confirmed that the
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Chinese side has been realigning and building a extraordinary adaptations, has long eluded
new link road and helipads at Sarang, Poling scientific observations.
Jindu, which is opposite to India’s Niti Pass. ● It is believed to be endemic to this region.
About Niti Pass: Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary:
Location: ● Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is a vast
forest reserve located near Vishaka- patnam,
● It is an international high mountain pass at an
Andhra Pradesh.
elevation of 5.086m (16,686ft) located on the
● The name of the place referred to the local hill,
border of India and China.
Kambalakonda.
● It connects Uttarakhand and southern Tibet.
● The sanctuary has been under the Andhra
● It was an ancient trade route between India and
Pradesh Forest Department since 1970.
Tibet.
● Topography: It is considerably hilly with steep
● It has remained closed since the 1962 China
slopes.
Sino-Indian War.
N
Flora:
I
Key facts about Niti Valley:
● It is a remote valley located in the northernmost
●
L.
The forest cover in the sanctuary is mostly
considered as a dry evergreen forest mixed with
A
region of Garhwal Himalayas in Chamoli district
scrub and meadows.
●
of Uttarakhand.
The valley’s major river is the Dhauliganga
R
●
T One of the most stunning flowers found in the
region includes the Indian screw tree. Other
O
which flows south-southwest.
flowers and fruits like flowers of the Bush plum
P
● Due to high altitude at Niti Valley the winter
tree, Jungle berry bunches can be found all
C
season is hard. Due to that most residents
across the landscape.
SS
leave the Niti Valley during winter and come
back in April. Fauna:
● There are 24 villages in the Niti Valley. Majority
● Quite a few animals are extremely rare, these
of population belongs to members of the
animals include the Indian leopard, Indian
Bhotiya scheduled tribe.
pangolin, Madras treeshrew, Barking Deer,
● Niti, located at an elevation of 3,600 m, is the
Jackal etc.
most important village of the valley.
● Russel’s viper or Daboia russelii (Rare breed of
● Nestled within the Nanda Devi Biosphere
snake).
Reserve, Niti is the last village at the Indo-China
● Some uncommon birds include the Indian
border.
Golden oriole, Indian peafowl, Banded bay
#2 cuckoo.
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary
● Recently, the first-ever sighting of the elusive NATIONAL
Barkudia limbless skink has been reported
within the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary #1
boundaries in Visakhapatnam. Sengol
About New Species: ● A historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu ‘Sengol’
● The Visakhapatnam limbless skink will be installed at the new Parliament building
(Barkudiamelanosticta) a small reptile to be inaugurated by by Prime Minister
renowned for its unique limbless body and Narendra Modi on May 28.
About:
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Origin: About:
● It was used on August 14, 1947, by then Prime ● The benchmark assessment framework -
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru when the transfer of PARAKH, has been proposed by the NEP 2020.
power took place from the British. It was kept in ● It will function as a standard-setting body for
a museum in Allahabad. student assessment and evaluation for all
● The word Sengol is derived from the Tamil word school boards in the country and will put an end
‘Semmai’, meaning ‘righteousness’. It is a to the emphasis on rote learning.
civilisational practice from the Chola kingdom, ● The mandate of PARAKH is to work on bringing
which was among the leading kingdoms in the the school boards across the States and the
Indian sub-continent for centuries. Union Territories to a common platform.
● “As a first step, a workshop on PARAKH will act
Symbolic:
as a common platform for interaction of all
● According to Tamil tradition, a high priest concerned stakeholders in order to develop a
presents a sceptre to a newly crowned king as a holistic approach that ensures a fair
assessment system which promotes equity in
N
symbolic gesture of power transition.
● The one accorded the ‘sengol’ is expected to
impart a just and impartial rule. C
L.I
performance and equivalence in assessment of
students.
A
Rajagopalachari, the last Governor General of ● The aim is to establish a unified framework that
T
India, suggested that this tradition, observed by enables seamless transitions for students
R
the Chola dynasty, could serve as a significant moving between different boards or regions.
O
symbol of India’s freedom from British rule.
#3
Features:
C P Har Shikhar Tiranga (HST) Mission
SS
● The ‘Sengol’ was crafted by a renowned jeweller
● Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister flagged off
in Madras Vummidi Bangaru Chetty. This
Mission Har Shikhar Tiranga, from NIMAS,
impressive sceptre measures five feet in length
Dirang.
and features a ‘nandi’ bull at the top,
representing the concept of justice. About Har Shikhar Tiranga (HST) Mission:
#2 ● It is a unique expedition to hoist the national
flag on the highest point of every state of India
PARAKH
for the first time.
● The Ministry of Education organised a ● It is a campaign under the aegis of the Azadi Ka
workshop recently with the aim of unifying the Amrit Mahotsav to take the tricolour to all the
60 school examination boards operating in states of the country and hoist it on the
different States and union territories under one summits to mark the 75th year of independence
umbrella. and to commemorate India’s G20 presidentship.
● It is the brainchild of Colonel Jamwal who is a
Key highlights: veteran of more than 52 successful expeditions
● The workshop will study school assessments, and is the only Indian to have summited Mount
examination practices and equivalence of Everest three times and climbed the Seven
boards across the country. Summits, touching the highest points of the
● The main component of this plan is PARAKH or seven continents.
the National Assessment Centre which has ● The summit will begin from summiting Mt. Reo
been set up as an organisation under the Purgyil in Himachal Pradesh and end at Mt
National Council of Educational Research and Jongsong in Sikkim.
Training.
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● The lowest in terms of elevation will be ● All matters required to be decided by the
Someshwar Fort in Bihar which is around 800 NCCSA shall be decided by majority of votes of
m. the members present and voting.
● Highest climbable mountain in India: ● This means, that in effect, the decision of the
● The highest peak under Indian control is elected chief minister of Delhi can be overruled
Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) in Sikkim but is closed by the two senior bureaucrats.
for climbs.
#5
● The next is Nanda Devi (7,816 m) but it’s a
world heritage site and national biosphere Forum shopping
reserve.
● Thus the highest climbable mountain in India is ● CJI Chandrachud recently condemned ‘forum
Mt Kamet (7,756 m) in Uttarakhand. shopping’.
#4 What is practice of forum shopping?
Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi ● When litigants or lawyers attempt to
N
deliberately move their case to a particular
I
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2023
.
judge or Court where they think the judgment
L
● The President recently promulgated the could be more favourable, they are said to be
A
Government of National Capital Territory of “forum shopping.”
T
Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 to make a ● Lawyers think about which is the right forum to
R
fresh claim of power over the services in the approach as part of their litigation strategy.
O
capital. ● For example, one could directly approach the
P
Supreme Court via a public interest litigation
Key highlights:
C
case instead of the concerned High Court
SS
● The Supreme Court recently ruled that the Delhi because the issue could get more eyeballs.
Govt will have legislative and executive control However, an obvious effort to circumvent the
over administrative services in the National process or avoid a particular judge is frowned
Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD) except with upon.
regard to public order, police and land. ● The Supreme Court in its 1988 ruling in ‘Chetak
● Now, the Centre has brought the ordinance Construction Ltd. vs. Om Prakash’ said, “A
which nullifies the SC order. litigant cannot be permitted choice of the
forum,” and that every attempt at forum
About Government of National Capital Territory of
shopping “must be crushed with a heavy hand.”
Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023:
● Most common law countries use the “forum
● The ordinance seeks to establish for the first non-conveniens” principle to prevent forum
time the National Capital Civil Service Authority shopping, which gives the court discretionary
(NCCSA). powers to refuse to exercise its jurisdiction over
● NCCSA Composition: It will be headed by the a matter where another court, or forum, may
Chief Minister of Delhi, with the Chief Secretary more conveniently hear a case. Using this
and Principal Home Secretary of Delhi being the power, the court can dismiss a case in the
other two members. interests of justice and the parties while
allocating it to the appropriate bench.
Functions of NCCSA:
INTERNATIONAL
● It will make recommendations to the Lieutenant
Governor (LG) regarding transfer, posting, #1
vigilance and other incidental matters of all
ISO Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO)
Group ‘A’ officers and officers of DANICS
serving in the Government of NCTD.
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● India is hosting the 44th edition of the coveted ● Prime Minister recently concluded his visit to
annual ISO COPOLCO Plenary from 23-26 May Papua New Guinea where he co-hosted the first
2023 in New Delhi. Forum for India-Pacific Islands cooperation
(FIPIC) summit.
About Event:
About Papua New Guinea:
● This event is being organized by the Bureau of
Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards ● Location: It is an island country that lies in the
body of India. south-western Pacific.
● It is anticipated that the ISO COPOLCO Plenary ● It includes the eastern half of New Guinea (the
is an event that has a significant impact on the world’s second largest island) and many small
global economy and on the lives of people. offshore islands.
● ISO COPOLCO is reckoned as the major ● Neighbours: Indonesia to the west, Australia to
international event that brings together the south and Solomon Islands to the
representatives from ISO member countries to south-east.
discuss and develop strategies for accelerating ● Capital: Port Moresby
the development of standards for the world.
What is Committee on Consumer Policy?
●
●
.I N
Terrain: It is mainly mountainous but has
low-lying plains in southern New Guinea.
L
The islands that constitute Papua New Guinea
● It is a committee of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO)
TA were settled over a period of 40,000 years by
the mixture of peoples who are generally
responsible for promoting consumer interests
O
in the standardization process and for ensuring R referred to as Melanesians.
P
Language:
that standards are developed with the needs of
consumers in mind.
C ● English is the main language of government
SS
● COPOLCO members are ISO members. and commerce. In most everyday contexts the
most widely spoken language is Tok Pisin.
Objectives:
● Linguistically, it is the world’s most diverse
● To study means of helping consumers to country, with more than 800 languages.
benefit from standardization, and means of ● Religion: The majority of Papua New Guinea’s
improving consumer participation in national people are at least nominally Christian.
and international standardization.
Government:
● To provide a forum for the exchange of
information on the experience of consumer ● Papua New Guinea became self-governing on 1
participation in the development and December 1973 and achieved independence on
implementation of standards in the consumer 16 September 1975.
field. ● The country is a constitutional monarchy and a
● To advise ISO Council as to the consolidated member of the Commonwealth.
viewpoints of consumers on matters relevant to ● The British monarch, represented by a
ISO’s current and potential standardization and governor-general, is head of state, and the
conformity assessment work. Prime Minister is head of government.
● To advise ISO Council on the need for new or
What is Forum for India-Pacific Islands
revised policies or actions within ISO as they
cooperation (FIPIC)?
relate to consumers’ needs.
● It is a multinational grouping for cooperation
#2
between India and 14 Pacific Islands nations.
Papua New Guinea ● It include 14 islands named- Cook Islands, Fiji,
Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru,
233
Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Palau, Papua ● The United States recently announced the
New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. approval of a $285 million sale of a NASAMS air
● The FIPIC initiative marks a serious effort to defense system and related equipment to
expand India’s engagement in the Pacific Ukraine.
region.
About NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air
#3 Missile System):
76th World Health Assembly ● It is a medium-range ground-based air defense
system.
● Recently, Union Minister of Health and Family
● It is designed to engage air targets at low and
Welfare delivered the keynote address at a side
medium altitudes in all weather conditions.
event session on “Heal in India & Heal by India”
● It was designed and developed jointly by
at the 76th World Health Assembly, in Geneva.
Raytheon (United States) and Kongsberg
About the event: Defence & Aerospace (Norway).
● It is used by Norway, the United States, Canada,
N
● ‘Heal by India’ initiative is designed with an
I
Chile, Finland, Indonesia, Netherlands, Oman,
.
intent to increase health workforce mobility Qatar, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
from India to different parts of the world to
serve the world as per the Indian Philosophy of
●
A LIt is best suited to defend important stationary

assets, such as key military assets,
‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One
Family).
R●T infrastructure, or cities.

It has been integrated into the S. National
O
● ‘Heal in India’ initiative seeks to provide Capital Region’s air defense system since 2005.
P
“integrated and holistic treatment” to the world
C
in India and enhance patient mobility for access Features:
SS
to world class, affordable and quality healthcare
● It is the world’s first networked short- and
services”.
medium-range air defense system that could
World Health Organization (WHO) integrate with other equipment and air defense
systems.
● WHO is a specialized agency of the United ● It features an X-Band, 360-degree phased array
Nations responsible for international public air defense radar with a 75-kilometer
health. (approximately 47-mile) range to identify
● It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. targets.
● It was established in 7 April 1948, which is ● The NASAMS is armed with three launchers,
commemorated as World Health Day. each carrying up to six missiles.
● Work: the agency leads global efforts to expand ● The system can engage 72 targets
universal health coverage and direct and simultaneously in active and passive modes.
coordinate the world’s response to health ● It uses AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles,
emergencies. which have been modified for ground launch
● The World Health Assembly (WHA), composed and have an engagement range of about 30
of representatives from all 194 member states, kilometers.
serves as the agency’s supreme
decision-making body. BUSINESS & ECONOMY
● Funding: Voluntary donations from member
#1
states.
Legal Tender?
#4
● The Reserve Bank of India recently decided to
NASAMS
withdraw the ₹2000 denomination banknotes
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from circulation even as it reiterated that these ● Those that offer public mutual funds or ETFs
notes will continue to be legal tender. are also known as investment companies or
mutual fund companies.
About Legal Tender:
● SEBI is the Indian Capital Market Regulator
● It is a type of currency or medium of exchange. which governs and controls every AMC in India.
● It is money that is valid and acceptable for the
#3
settlement of debts which must be recognized
when issued. Machilipatnam Port
● Almost every country uses its national currency
● Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister will inaugurate
as legal tender.
the Machilipatnam port construction works at
● Creditors are lawfully responsible for accepting
Manginapudi in Krishna district.
legal tender for the repayment of debt that they
have availed. About Machilipatnam Port:
● Legal tender is constitutioned by a law that
specifies the object to be utilised as legal Location:
tender and the organisation that is
commissioned to create and issue the same to
the public such as the Reserve Bank of India.
●
L.I N
It is a proposed deep sea port on the coast of
Bay of Bengal.
It is located at Machilipatnam, the District
A
●
● In India, the authentic legal tender of the
T
Headquarters of Krishna district in Andhra
Reserve Bank of India consists of coins and
R
Pradesh.
notes. The creditors are supposed to accept ● The port is developed by the State Government
PO
them as a payment towards the debt. under the landlord model at a cost of Rs 5,156
crore.
C
#2
● The project is being implemented by
SS
Asset Management Companies (AMCs)? Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation
Limited (MPDCL), a special purpose vehicle
● Capital markets regulator the Securities and
floated by the State government.
Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently
● The port is expected to have a capacity of 35
proposed that asset management companies
million tonnes in phase one, with four berths,
(AMCs) should set up surveillance and internal
including three general berths and one for coal.
control systems for the deterrence of possible
● It would cater to exports of fertilizers, coal,
market abuse and fraudulent transactions.
cooking oil, containers, agricultural products,
About Asset Management Companies (AMCs): cement, granite, cement clinker, iron ore from
Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Telangana.
● It is a firm that invests the funds pooled from
individual investors in securities with the What is Landlord Port Model?
objective of optimal return for investors in
● In this model, the publicly governed port
exchange for a fee.
authority acts as a regulatory body and as
● AMC maintains the diversity of portfolio by
landlord while private companies carry out port
investing in both high-risk and low-risk
operations—mainly cargo-handling activities.
securities such as stock, debt, real- estate,
● Here, the port authority maintains ownership of
shares, bonds, pension funds, etc.
the port while the infrastructure is leased to
● Because they have a larger pool of resources
private firms that provide and maintain their
than the individual investor could access on
own superstructure and install their own
their own, AMCs provide investors with more
equipment to handle cargo.
diversification and investing options.
● In return, the landlord port gets a share of the
● AMCs are colloquially referred to as money
revenue from the private entity.
managers or money management firms.
235
#4 ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO)?

Mega Textile Park ● The European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace
Gas Orbiter (TGO) recently flashed an encoded
● New Mega Textile Park at Dhar district will
message to Earth from its orbit around Mars.
strengthen Make in India and will create new
job opportunities: PM Modi About ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO):
About: ● TGO is the first in a series of joint missions
between the European Space Agency (ESA) and
● The Parks will come up in Tamil Nadu,
Roscosmos, the Russian space agency.
Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya
● Goal: To gain a better understanding of
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
methane and other atmospheric gases that are
● It is under PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions
present in small concentrations (less than 1% of
and Apparel (PM MITRA) scheme.
the atmosphere) in the Martian atmosphere.
● It will offer the opportunity to create an
● The orbiter’s sensitivity to hydrogen has also
Integrated Textiles Value Chain right from
N
allowed it to search for water buried underneath
I
spinning, weaving, processing/dyeing and
.
shallow layers of Martian soil.
printing to garment manufacturing etc. at one
L
● It’s also meant to test technology for future
location and will reduce the logistics cost of the
A
missions.
Industry.
T
● It was launched in March 2016and began
● A Special Purpose Vehicle owned by the Centre
R
operations after entering Mars orbit on Oct. 19,
and State Government will be set up for each
O
2016.
park which will oversee the implementation of
P
● TGO carried the Schiaparelli lander with it to
the project.
C
Mars. However, it was crashed during landing.
SS
Funding: ● The spacecraft itself is a 3.2 meter by 2 meter
by 2 meter box, fitted with one antenna to
● The Central government’s budget outlay for the communicate with Earth and another to
scheme, which is ₹4,445 crore, is to be spent till communicate with spacecraft on the surface of
2027-28. Mars.
● Special purpose vehicles, with a 51% equity ● It is powered by a pair of solar arrays that
shareholding of the State government and 49% protrude from its sides like wings, along with
of the Centre, will be formed for each park. two small batteries to keep it running during
● The State governments will provide the land, be eclipses, when it doesn’t receive any sunlight.
part of the SPV, and give the required
clearances. #2
● The Central government will disburse
XPoSat
Development Capital Fund of ₹500 crore in two
tranches for each of the seven facilities. ● The Indian Space Research Organisation is
● This is for the creation of core and support collaborating with the Raman Research Institute
infrastructure. (RRI), Bengaluru to build the X-Ray Polarimeter
● It will also give a Competitive Incentive Support Satellite (XPoSat) that is scheduled to be
of ₹300 crore per park to be provided to the launched later this year.
manufacturing units.
What is the XPoSat mission?
● XPoSat will study various dynamics of bright
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY astronomical X-ray sources in extreme
conditions.
#1
● It has been billed as India’s first, and only the
world’s second polarimetry mission that is
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meant to study various dynamics of bright ● People in the initial days can experience
astronomical X-ray sources in extreme symptoms of fever, headache, vomiting, and
conditions. weakness.
● The other such major mission is NASA’s ● The virus can further cause brain infection
Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) that (encephalitis) or form the membranes around
was launched in 2021. the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
● In severe cases, patients can suffer from
How are X-Rays witnessed in space?
confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty
● X-rays have much higher energy and much speaking, and seizures.
shorter wavelengths, between 0.03 and 3
Treatment:
nanometers, so small that some x-rays are no
bigger than a single atom of many elements. ● There are no medications to prevent or treat
● The physical temperature of an object Powassan virus infection.
determines the wavelength of the radiation it ● Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain
emits. The hotter the object, the shorter the medications may relieve some symptoms.
●
wavelength of peak emission.
X-rays come from objects that are millions of
degrees Celsius — such as pulsars, galactic
#4
L.I N
Gomphonema rajaguruii
●
supernova remnants, and black holes.
Like all forms of light, X-rays consist of moving ●
TA Researchers at the Pune-based Agharkar

electric and magnetic waves. Usually, peaks
O
and valleys of these waves move in random R Research Institute (ARI) recently discovered a
new species named Gomphonema rajaguruii
P
directions. Polarised light is more organised from the northern Western Ghats.
C
with two types of waves vibrating in the same About Gomphonema rajaguruii:
SS
direction.
● It is a new freshwater diatom species.
#3 ● It was found in a semi-aquatic environment
Powassan Virus along the wet walls in Maharashtra’s popular hill
station, Mahabaleshwar in Satara District.
● A person in the US recently died from the rare ● It was named after a veteran geo-archaeologist
Powassan virus, marking the first fatal case in from the city, the late Professor S N Rajaguru.
the US this year. ● It is unique because it shows the characteristics
of two genus – Gomphonema and
About Powassan Virus Disease:
Gomphoneis.
● It is a rare, yet often serious disease that is
What are Diatoms?
spread by the bite of infected ticks.
● The Powassan virus, often called a ticking time ● It is a photosynthetic, single celled organism.
bomb, is named after Powassan, Ontario where ● They are a major group of algae and form one
it was first discovered in 1958. of the most common forms of phytoplankton.
● How do people get affected? ● They are found in almost every aquatic
● Not all ticks carry these viruses and not all environment including fresh and marine waters.
people bitten by a tick will get sick. ● Diatoms have cell walls made of silica, Each
● A tick needs to be attached to a person for a species has a distinct pattern of tiny holes in
certain length of time before it can cause the cell wall (frustule) through which they
disease. absorb nutrients and get rid of waste.
Symptoms:
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● Collectively, they are responsible for generating Competitions Under Khelo India:
up to 50% of the oxygen produced globally each
● Under this movement, the Khelo India Youth
year.
Games (KIYG), the Khelo India University Games
(KIUG) and the Khelo India Winter Games were
set up as annual national sports competitions
SPORTS
where youngsters, representing their states and
#1 universities, respectively, showcased their skills
and competed for medals.
Khelo India University Games 2023
Significance:
● Recently, the Prime Minister virtually
inaugurated the 3rd edition of Khelo India Reviving Traditional Sports:
University Games (KIUG) in Lucknow, Uttar
● Khelo India has played a crucial role in restoring
Pradesh, marking the beginning of a new era for
the prestige of India’s traditional sports.
sports in India.
● The government has provided scholarships to
What are Key Points about KIUG 2023?
● The mascot of the 3rd edition of Khelo India
L I N
promote and encourage indigenous sports such
.
as Gatka, Mallakhamb, Thang-ta, Kalaripayattu,
and Yogasan. This initiative has helped
University Games is named Jitu, which
represents Swamp Deer (Barasingha) - the state
TA preserve and popularise these traditional sports
among the youth.
●
animal of Uttar Pradesh.
O
The first edition was Khelo India University
RIntegration of Sports in Education:
C P
Games held in Odisha in 2020, the second
edition was held in Bangalore, Karnataka in
● Khelo India aligns with the proposal of the
National Educational Policy 2020 to incorporate
SS
2022 (shifted from 2021 to 2022 due to
sports as a subject within the curriculum and
Covid-19 pandemic).
the construction of the country’s first National
● The games will witness the participation of over
Sports University will further strengthen the
4750 athletes from more than 200 Universities
cause.
competing in 21 sports categories.
Competitions will take place in Varanasi, Empowering Women Athletes:
Lucknow, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and
● Khelo India has taken significant steps towards
Gorakhpur.
promoting women’s participation in sports
● The Prime Minister also emphasised that this
through initiatives like the Khelo India Women’s
interaction fosters a sense of unity, promoting
League.
the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’
● Organised in several cities, this league has
What is the Khelo India Programme? witnessed the active participation of
approximately 23,000 women athletes.
About:
MISCELLANEOUS
● Khelo India, which translates to ‘Let’s play India’,
was proposed by the government of India in #1
2017 to revive India’s sporting culture by
New Species of Gecko
engaging with children at the grassroots level.
● The initiative also focused on building better ● A team of researchers have identified a new
sporting infrastructure and academies across species of rock dwelling large-bodied gecko
the country for various sports. from the Pakkamalai hills.
● It is implemented by the Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports. Abour new Species:
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● The first ever sighting of this gecko and the new ● It is a device neutral and member centric
species has been named as application created to equip them to handle
Hemidactyluspakkamalaiensis, after the hill diverse House Business smartly by putting
where it was recorded. entire information regarding member contact
● It belongs to the genus Hemidactylus and it is details, rules of procedure, notices, bills,
havinglarge-body size (101–109 mm). starred/unstarred questions and answers,
● The new species is closely related to committee reports etc. in their hand held
graniticolus from which it can be distinguished devices/ tablets.
by its lower femoral pores count. ● Present Status:
● Till now, 21 State legislatures have signed
About Pakkamalai hills:
Memorandum of Understanding for
● It is located in Villupuram district of Tamilnadu implementation of the NeVA and the project has
near Gingee. been sanctioned for 17 Legislatures.
● It is a biodiversity-rich area and has large ● Among them, 9 Legislatures have already
mammals including leopards and sloth bears. become fully digital and are Live on NeVA
N
platform.
I
● It is an ecologically important area in the
Eastern Ghats. ●
L.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Parliamentary
Affairs.
T
#2
A
R
NATIONAL
Denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes
#1
PO ● Recently, A three-day national conclave on
C
National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes
SS
● Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is set to concluded in Hyderabad.
organize a two-day National Workshop on the About Denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic
National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) on 24th & tribes:
25th of May, 2023 in New Delhi.
● The De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic
About workshop: Tribes are the most neglected, marginalized and
● The objective of this move is to encourage the economically and socially deprived
legislatures of all states and union territories to communities.
move towards the NeVA platform and bring in ● Denotified tribes (DNTs) are communities that
transparency, accountability and were ‘notified’ as being ‘born criminal’ during
responsiveness in their conduct of house the British regime under a series of laws
business through the use of technology. starting with the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871
● It is the second workshop. The first workshop and 1947.
was organised in September 2018. ● These Acts were repealed by the Independent
lndian Government in l952, and these
What is National e-Vidhan Application? communities were “De-Notified”.
● These tribes somehow escaped the attention of
● National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is one of
our developmental framework and thus are
the 44 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) under
deprived of the support unlike Scheduled
the “Digital India Programme” of Government of
Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
India.
● Aim: to make the functioning of all the State Development and Welfare Board:
Legislatures paperless by transforming them
into ‘Digital House’.
239
● It has constituted by the ministry in 2019 on the One District One Product (ODOP) Initiative
recommendation of National Commission
● The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is
formed in 2017.
presenting Khelo India University Games (KIUG)
● The Board has been mandated to formulate and
winners with ‘One District One Product’ gifts.
implement welfare and development
programmes for these communities. About One District One Product (ODOP) Initiative:
Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs ● It was launched by the Ministry of Food
(SEED) Processing Industries in 2018.
● Objective: To help districts reach their full
● Aims to provide free competitive exam
potential, foster economic and socio-cultural
coaching, health insurance, housing assistance
growth, and create employment opportunities,
and livelihood initiatives at community level and
especially, in rural areas.
financial assistance for construction of houses
● The initiative aims to select, brand, and promote
will be provided to the members of
at least One Product from each District of the
DNT/NT/SNT Communities.
N
country for enabling holistic socioeconomic
I
● An amount of 200 crore has been allocated for
.
growth across all regions.
this scheme — to be spent over five years from
L
● ODOP Initiative aims to turn every district in
FY2021-22 to FY2025-26.
A
India, into an export hub through promotion of
● Nodal Ministry: Social Justice and
T
the product in which the district specialises.
Empowerment Ministry.
R
● The initiative plans to accomplish this by
O
#3 scaling manufacturing, supporting local
P
businesses, finding potential foreign
NITI Aayog Governing Council
C
customersand so on, thus helping to achieve
SS
● The Eighth meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
Council concluded at the new Convention ● The ODOP Initiative has identified a total of
Centre in Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. 1102 products from 761 districts across the
country.
About: ● This initiative is carried out with the ‘Districts as
● The Governing Council, which embodies NITI Exports Hub’ initiative by the Directorate
Aayog’s objectives of cooperative federalism, General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of
presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral Commerce.
and federal issues to accelerate the #5
implementation of the national development
agenda. Great Himalayan National Park
● Timeline: The First Meeting was held in
● Recently, An Interpretation Centre has been
February 2015, the Second Meeting in July
developed in the Sainj valley of the Great
2015, the Third Meeting in 2017 and the Fourth
Himalayan National Park (GHNP) at Sainj Ropa.
meeting in June 2018.
● Composition: The Governing Council of NITI About Great Himalayan National Park:
Aayog comprises the –
● It is located in Banjaar Sub-Division of Kullu
● Prime Minister of India, Chief Ministers of all
District of Himachal Pradesh in the far Western
the States and UTs with Legislatures and Lt.
Himalayas.
Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
● It spreads across a total area of 1171 sq km.
● four Union Ministers as ex-officio members and
● It was constituted in 1984 and was formally
● three Union Ministers as Special Invitees.
notified as a national park in 1999.
#4 ● GHNP was awarded UNESCO World Heritage
Site status in 2014.
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● Topography: The park is a stunning mix of lush ● There are many possible causes of MS,
coniferous forests, meadows, glaciers and including:
mountain peaks. ● Autoimmune disorders;
● Infectious agents, such as viruses;
Fauna:
● Environmental factors;
● Biodiversity surveys of GHNP in the past ● Genetic factors;
decade have identified 31 mammal species,
Signs and symptoms:
209 bird species, 12 reptile species, 9
amphibian species and 125 insect species. ● It vary widely between patients and depend on
● Animals like the bharal (blue sheep), common the location and severity of nerve fiber damage
leopard, snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, in the central nevous system.
Himalayan tahr, musk deer and serow. ● Some people have mild symptoms, such as
● Endangered western tragopan, lammergeiers, blurred vision and numbness, and tingling in the
Himalayan griffon vultures and golden eagles. limbs.
● In severe cases, a person may experience
N
Flora:
I
paralysis, vision loss, and mobility problems.
● GHNP boasts 832 plant species, representing
128 families and 427 genera and comprising
●
L.
Treatment: There’s no cure for multiple
sclerosis. However, there are treatments to help
26% of the total flora of Himachal Pradesh.
These include 794 angiosperm species, 11
TA speed the recovery from attacks, modify the
course of the disease and manage symptoms.
gymnosperm species (pines, conifers and
cypresses) and 27 fern species.
O R#2
●
C P
The boundaries of GHNP are also contiguous
with: the Pin Valley National Park in the
G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting
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● The three day Anti-Corruption Working Group
Trans-Himalaya range, the Rupi Bhabha Wildlife
meeting under the G20 India Presidency
Sanctuary in the Sutlej watershed and the
concluded recently at the Tehri, Uttarakhand.
Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary in Parvati valley.
About:
INTERNATIONAL
● Its primary goal is to prepare “comprehensive
#1
recommendations for consideration by leaders
Multiple Sclerosis on how the G20 could continue to make
practical and valuable contributions to
● As per the latest research, Epstein-Barr virus
international efforts to combat corruption”.
(EBV) can increase the risk of developing
● The ACWG has led the G20 anti-corruption
multiple sclerosis (MS).
efforts coordinating the collective and national
About Multiple Sclerosis: actions taken by its members.
● The ACWG actively works with the World Bank
● It is a chronic disease that affects the central Group, the OECD, the UNODC, the IMF, the FATF,
nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, as well as with the Business 20 (B20) and the
and optic nerves. Civil Society 20 (C20).
● In MS, the immune system attacks the
protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve #3
fibers and causes communication problems
Nato Plus
between your brain and the rest of your body.
● Eventually, the disease can cause permanent ● A US Congressional Committee recently
damage or deterioration of the nerve fibers. recommended strengthening Nato Plus by
including India in the five-member grouping.
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About Nato Plus: and southeast by Vietnam and to the southwest

by the Gulf of Thailand.
● It is a grouping of the North Atlantic Treaty
● The two dominant hydrological features of
Organization (NATO) and five countries,
Cambodia are the Mekong River and the Tonle
including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel,
Sap (Great Lake).
and South Korea.
● Topography: The Elephant Mountains and
● The group works toward boosting global
Cardamom Mountain of the southwest and
defence cooperation.
western regions; the Dangrek Mountains of the
● Advantages for India by becoming a member of
North adjoining of the Korat Plateau of Thailand
NATO Plus:
and Rattanakiri Plateau and Chhlong highlands
● India would gain access to seamless
on the east merging with the Central Highlands
intelligence sharing between these countries.
of Viet Nam.
● India would get access to the latest military
● Conservation and restoration of the ancient
technology without much of a time lag.
temples of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Preah
● It would further strengthen India’s defence
Vihar are being carried out under India’s
partnership with the United States.
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funding.
What is
(NATO)?
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
#5
L.I
● It is a transatlantic alliance of 31 like-minded
TA
Rice fortification
R
North American and European countries. ● India’s pilot studies on rice fortification showed
O
● It was established by the North Atlantic Treaty that nutritional anaemia could be reduced, with
P
(also called the Washington Treaty) on April 4, a significant drop in the prevalence of anaemia
C
1949. among schoolchildren, according to a United
SS
● Aim: To protect peace and to guarantee the Nations report.
territorial integrity, political independence and
About Rice fortification:
security of the member states.
● Fortification is the process of adding Fortified
#4
Rice Kernels (FRK), containing FSSAI prescribed
Cambodia micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) to
normal Rice in the ratio of 1:100 (Mixing 1 Kg of
● King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni, will
FRK with 100 Kg custom milled rice).
arrive in New Delhi this afternoon on a three day
● Fortified rice is nearly identical to traditional rice
visit to India.
in aroma, taste, and texture. This process is
● The visit marks the culmination of the
done in the rice mills at the time of milling of
celebrations of the 70th anniversary of
rice.
diplomatic relations between India and
● Fortification of rice is found to be a
Cambodia.
cost-effective and complementary strategy to
● This visit by the King of Cambodia is taking
increase vitamin and mineral content in diets
place after almost six decades, with the last
with low turnaround time (TAT) and a step
being that of the current King’s father in 1963.
towards nutritional security.
About Cambodia:
● Cambodia, country on the Indochinese Background:
mainland of Southeast Asia.
● On 15 August 2021, when Prime Minister on
● Its capital is Phnom Penh.
India announced that over 80 crore people will
● It is bordered to the west and northwest by
be fed rice fortified with iron and vitamins to
Thailand, to the northeast by Laos, to the east
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combat rising cases of anaemia and other for environment) which is conceived to
micronutrient deficiency diseases. conserve the planet earth through mindful
utilisation of natural resources and various
About Anemia:
other actions at individual and community
● Anemia is a problem of not having enough levels in the country.
healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry
Biodiversity Management Committees
oxygen to the body’s tissues.
● Symptoms: Possible symptoms of anemia ● As per the Biological Diversity Act 2002, BMCs
include Tiredness, Weakness, Shortness of are created for “promoting conservation,
breath, Irregular heartbeat, Chest pain, Cold sustainable use and documentation of
hands and feet etc. biological diversity” by local bodies across the
● Causes of anemia: Different types of anemia country.
have different causes. They include: ● BMCs have been constituted by the local bodies
● Iron deficiency anemia, Vitamin deficiency in the States and Union Territories and are
anemia, Anemia of inflammation, Sickle cell entrusted with preparation of the PBRs in
anemia, Hemolytic anemias, Aplastic anemia.
Prevention:
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consultation with local communities.
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)
● Many types of anemia can’t be prevented. But
eating a healthy diet might prevent iron
●
TA Led by India, mission LiFE is a global plan of

action that aims to save the planet from the
deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency
O
anemias. A healthy diet includes: Iron, Vitamin R●
disastrous consequences of climate change.
Vision: This mission envisions replacing the
B-12, Vitamin C, Folate etc.
C P prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy with a

circular economy.
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY
● Objective: To promote an environmentally
#1 conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and
deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and
People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) wasteful consumption’.
● Recently a national campaign for updation and #2
verification of People’s Biodiversity Register
was launched in Goa , marking a significant Angel Tax
step towards the documentation and
● The Finance Ministry recently exempted
preservation of India’s rich biological diversity.
investors from 21 countries from the levy of
What is People’s biodiversity register? angel tax for non-resident investment in
unlisted Indian startups.
● PBR serves as a comprehensive record of
various aspects of biodiversity, including the About Angel Tax:
conservation of habitats, preservation of land
● It is a tax levied on the capital raised via the
races, domesticated stocks and breeds of
issue of shares by unlisted companies if the
animals, micro-organisms, and the
share price of issued shares is seen in excess
accumulation of knowledge related to the area’s
of the fair market value of the company.
biological diversity.
● The excess funds raised at prices above fair
● So far, 2,67,608 PBRs have been prepared by
value is treated as income, on which tax is
Biodiversity Management Committees in
levied.
different states.
● Angel tax essentially derives its genesis from
● There is a plan to set up PBR in every village
section 56(2)(viib) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
across the country under Mission LiFE (lifestyle
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● The finance act, 2012 introduced section Port. Orthotropic Steel Decks are special steel
56(2)(viib) in the IT act which taxes any decks that enable a span (distance between
investment, received by any unlisted Indian two piers) that is up to three times longer than
company, valued above the fair market value by the norm.
treating it as income.
Reverse Circulation Drilling:
● Rate: It is levied at a rate of 30.9% on net
investments in excess of the fair market value. ● This is the first time this technology was used
● Objective: To deter the generation and use of in India. This is used for laying the pile
unaccounted money through subscription of foundation.
shares of a closely held company, at a value ● Usually, a vertical drilling method is used to lay
which is higher than fair market value. a pile foundation. This creates a lot of noise,
● In 2019, the Government announced an disturbing the surroundings. This was one of
exemption from the Angel Tax for startups on the major reasons for environmentalists to
fulfillment of certain conditions. These are, oppose the project. Instead, Reverse Circulation
● The startup should be recognized by the Technology has made a difference.
N
Department for Promotion of Industry and
I
● High Containment Crash Barriers: MMRDA
●
Internal Trade (DPIIT) as an eligible startup.
The aggregate amount of paid-up share capital
L.
plans to use these on the MTHL. These are
special crash barriers that will push the car
and share premium of the Startup cannot be
more than ₹25 crores. This amount does not
TA back on the road in case of a crash. Normal
crash barriers only take the impact of a crash.
include the money raised from Non-Resident
O
Indians (NRIs), Venture Capital Firms, and
R#4
●
specified companies.
C P
For angel investors, the amount of investment
Sakhalin-1 Project
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that exceeds the fair market value can be ● Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s subsidiary,
claimed for a 100% tax exemption. However, the ONGC Videsh, recently said that oil output from
investor must have a net worth of ₹2 crores or the Sakhalin-1 project in Russia had bounced
an income of more than ₹25 Lakh in the past 3 back to its plateau level of about 200,000
fiscal years. barrels per day (bpd) from zero.
#3 About Sakhalin-1 Project:
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) ● Location: The Sakhalin-1 oil and gas
development project is located in the Okhotsk
● The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Road, the Sea, off the north-eastern coast of Sakhalin
longest sea link in India, is nearing completion, Island in the Russian Far East.
and will likely be open to the public by ● It comprises three offshore fields namely
November 2023. Chayvo, Odoptu, and Arkutun-Dagi.
Key features MTHL ● It is operated by Exxon Neftegas (ENL), a
subsidiary of Exxon Mobil which holds a 30%
● It connects Mumbai to the mainland: participating interest. The other partners of the
● It starts from Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi project are the Japanese consortium Sakhalin
The 22-km-long sea link is the longest in the Oil and Gas Development Company (SODECO,
country and the tenth longest in the world. 30%), India’s state-owned ONGC Videsh (20%),
● The project cost is Rs 17,843 crore. and Russian oil company Rosneft (20%).
● Use of Orthotropic Steel Deck technology for ● The Sakhalin 1 project is estimated to hold
the first time in India: approximately 2.3 billion barrels of oil and 17.1
● The sea link passes through one of the busiest trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in recoverable reserves.
navigational channels leading to Nhava Sheva
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY #2

#1 Acinetobactor baumannii
KSS-III Batch-II Submarine ● A group of scientists recently discovered a new
antibiotic that can kill a deadly superbug called
● South Korea has recently come up with a
Acinetobacter baumannii.
special proposal to provide its advanced KSS-III
Batch-II submarine to India. About Acinetobactor baumannii:
About KSS-III Batch-II Submarine: ● Acinetobacter is a group of bacteria (germs)
commonly found in the environment, like in soil
● The KSS-III, the largest submarine to ever be
and water.
built by South Korea, is being developed in two
● While there are many types, the most common
phases, Batch-I and Batch-II.
cause of infections is Acinetobacter baumannii,
● It is a series of diesel-electric attack
which accounts for most Acinetobacter
submarines.
infections in humans.
N
● KSS-III Batch-II is an advanced version of its
I
● It is a Gram-negative bacteria that often
.
predecessor in terms of combat management
displays multidrug resistance.
●
systems, firepower, and sonar capabilities.
It is jointly developed by Daewoo Shipbuilding
●
A LIt can cause infections in the blood, urinary

tract, and lungs (pneumonia), or in wounds in
and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai
Heavy Industries (HHI).
R●T other parts of the body.

It can also “colonize” or live in a patient without
Features:
PO causing infections or symptoms, especially in

respiratory secretions (sputum) or open
●
C
The submarine will be 89 metres long, 9.6 wounds.
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metres wide, and have a displacement of ● These germs are frequent causes of
around 3,600 tonnes. hospital-acquired infections, especially in
● The Batch-II series will be equipped with intensive care units (ICUs).
lithium-ion batteries, which will reportedly make ● It is highly contagious.
it capable of cruising at higher speeds with a
greater period of underwater endurance, life Gram-Positive vs. Gram-Negative Bacteria:
expectancy, and durability.
● Gram-positive bacteria have cell walls made of
● Additionally, the submarines will be equipped
a thick layer of peptidoglycan.
with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)
● The cell walls of gram-negative bacteria contain
technology that will allow them to operate
only a thin layer of peptidoglycan, but they also
without access to atmospheric oxygen.
have an outer membrane that is absent in
● It will also be capable of carrying a crew of 50
gram-positive bacteria.
members.
● Gram staining is a technique that uses violet
● It can fire missiles such as Hyunmoo-4-4
dye to distinguish between gram-positive and
submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).
gram-negative bacteria.
● The submarines can attain a maximum
● If the bacteria are gram-positive, the thick,
operating speed of approximately 20 knots and
peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls will retain
cruising range of 10,000 nmi.
the dye and they will stain violet.
● The navigation aids on board the submarine
● If the bacteria are gram-negative, the dye will
include an inertial navigation system (INS) and
leak out of the thin peptidoglycan layer, and the
global positioning system (GPS).
bacteria will stain red.
245
#3 About Chytridiomycosis:
Spear Phishing ● It is an infectious disease that affects
amphibians, especially frogs worldwide.
● According to a recent report, as many as 53 per
● It is caused by either of two species of
cent of organisations studied in India were
amphibian chytrid fungus. They are called
victims of spear phishing in 2022.
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and
About Spear Phishing: Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans.
● It is an emerging disease that is significantly
● It is an email or electronic communications impacting amphibian populations across the
scam targeted towards a specific individual, globe.
organization or business. ● The disease has caused the decline or
● It is a targeted attempt to steal sensitive complete extinction of over 200 species of
information such as account credentials or frogs and other amphibians.
financial information from a specific victim,
often for malicious reasons. How chytrid fungus infects the frog?
● This is achieved by acquiring personal details
on the victim such as their friends, hometown,
employer, locations they frequent, and what
●
L.I N
Chytrid fungus is a waterborne fungus that
disperses into the environment in order to
A
search for a new host.
they have recently bought online.
T
● The fungus travels through water sources until
R
Working: it finds a new host, and enters through the skin.
O
● Chytrid infects frogs by reproducing in their
● A spear phishing email uses social engineering
P
skin.
techniques to urge the victim to click on a
C
● The single-celled fungus enters a skin cell,
malicious link or attachment.
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multiplies, and then breaks back out onto the
● Additionally, the email will blatantly ask the surface of the animal.
recipient to respond urgently, such as ● This damage to the skin affects the frog’s ability
transferring a specific sum of money or sending to balance water and salt levels and eventually
personal data such as a banking password. leads to death if infection levels are high
● Because the emails are written in a highly enough.
familiar tone and refer to personal information
about the recipient, victims mistakenly believe SPORTS
they know and trust the sender and respond to
#1
the request.
● Once the victim completes the intended action, Chennai Super Kings Beats Gujarat Titians in IPL
the attacker can steal the credentials of a 2023 final
targeted legitimate user and enter a network
● Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clinched their fifth
undetected.
Indian Premier League (IPL) title, equaling a
● This is the most successful form of acquiring
record with Mumbai Indians.
confidential information on the internet,
● They secured a five-wicket victory over the
accounting for 91% of attacks.
Gujarat Titans (GT) amidst a backdrop of
#4 fireworks and jubilant celebrations.
● CSK’s captain, Dhoni, received the IPL trophy
Chytridiomycosis
and subsequently handed it over to Rayudu and
● A recent multinational study has developed a Jadeja. Opting to bat first, the Gujarat Titans
method to detect all strains of managed to score 214 for four, with B Sai
Chytridiomycosis. Sudharsan playing an outstanding innings of 96
runs off 47 balls.
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● However, due to the rain interruption, CSK’s ● The temple is situated besides the Rudra Sagar
target was adjusted to 171 runs to be chased in lake.
15 overs. ● It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Lord
● Due to heavy rainfall, the final match scheduled Shiva.
for Sunday was postponed to the reserve day, ● Mahakaleshwar idol is Dakshina Mukhi, facing
which was Monday. south, unlike all the other Jyotirlingas.
● Ultimately, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) emerged ● The temple, which is spread over five levels,
victorious over the defending champions, sees a huge throng of devotees during the
utilizing the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method. In Maha Shivaratri festival.
a thrilling encounter at a packed Narendra Modi
Architecture:
Stadium, CSK successfully completed their task
on the final ball. ● The temple complex comes with a spacious
● This match holds significance as it potentially courtyard that is adorned with finest sculptures
marks the last appearance of the legendary that are believed to be influenced by Chalukya,
Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the T20 league. Maratha, and Bhumija styles of structural
MISCELLANEOUS
●
I N
design.
.
The foundation and platform are built of stones.
L
Most of the upper structure rests on the strong
#1
●
TA and well-designed pillars and plasters.
It is complete with impressive lingam
Mahakaleshwar Temple
O R●
sculptures of Mahakaleshwar.
The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya
P
● The Mahakal Lok corridor, located at Ujjain’s are installed in the west, north and east of the
C
Mahakaleshwar temple, recently experienced sanctum sanctorum.
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massive destruction caused by strong winds. ● The temple also houses a tank constructed in
About Mahakaleshwar Temple: the sarvatobhadra style.
● It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.

Location:
● It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the
state of Madhya Pradesh.
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CURRENT AFFAIRS JUN-2023
● The areal fauna at the park consists of common

The Hindu Current Affairs Week-1 hill myna, red jungle fowl, spotted owlet,
racket-tailed drongos, parrots etc.
NATIONAL
#2
#1
Abohar wildlife sanctuary
Kanger Valley National Park
● A recent blackbuck census by the Wildlife
● A rare Indian mouse deer or spotted Chevrotain
Institute of India stated that the blackbucks ‘are
was recently spotted in the Kanger Valley
on the verge of extinction in Punjab.
National Park in Chhattisgarh.
N
About Abohar wildlife sanctuary:
.I
About Kanger Valley National Park:
L
● It is located in the state of Punjab.
● Location: It is located in Jagdalpur in Bastar
A
● The entire area of Sanctuary is private or
district of Chhattisgarh state.
T
community-owned land of 13 Bishnoi villages.
● The National Park derives its name from the
R
● Flora: Albizia lebbeck, Acacia nilotica,
Kanger River, which flows centrally from the
O
Azadirachata indica, A. tortilis etc.
Northwest to the Southeast direction.
P
● Fauna: Wild Boar, Blue Fauna Bull, Porcupines,
● It got the status of a national park in the year
C
Hare, Jackal, etc.
1982.
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● Topography: It is noted for its highly Key facts about Blackbuck
heterogeneous land formations ranging from
low flat and gentle areas to steep slopes, ● It is the sole extant member of the genus
plateaus, valleys, and stream courses. Antilope found in India.
● It is home to three exceptional caves – famous ● It lives mainly in open grasslands or dry
for their amazing geological structures of deciduous forests.
Kutumbasar, Kailash and Dandak- Stellagmites ● The antelope is native to and found mainly in
and Stalactitees. India (with a small population in Nepal and
● National Park is known for the presence of Pakistan).
underground limestone caves with dripstone ● It is widespread in the states of Rajasthan,
and floston. The stalegmites and stalactite Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha,
formation is still increasing. and other areas throughout peninsular India.
● Tirathgarh Waterfall is located in Kanger Valley ● It has been declared as the state animal by the
National Park. governments of Punjab, Haryana and Andhra
● Vegetation: It is distinguished blend of mixed Pradesh.
moist deciduous type of forests with the Conservation status:
predominance of Sal, teak and bamboo.
● IUCN Red List: Least concerned.
Fauna: ● Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: Schedule I
● Major wild animals include tigers, mouse deer, ● CITES: Appendix III
leopards, wildcat, sambar, chital, barking deer, #3
langurs, jackals, rhesus macaque, flying squirrel
etc. Tele-Law Programme
248
● Recently, The Ministry of Law informed that the Deccan region but also the pride and identity of
Tele-Law programme achieved a new milestone the local indigenous pastoralist communities.
with 40 lakh beneficiaries across the country ● The coarse woolen blanket is famous for its
empowered with pre-litigation advice. durability and versatility.
● The tough gongadi usually lasts for more than a
About Tele-Law Programme:
decade and acquires this unique quality from
● The Tele-Law programme comes under the the craft of hand weaving.
Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and ● One of the unique natures of gongadi is that it
Justice and was launched in 2017. does not fade but grows darker in time.
● It is an e-interface mechanism to seek legal ● The indigenous Kuruma weavers say that
advice and consultation at a pre-litigation stage gongadi is so strong that you can lift a fully
with the aim of ‘Reaching the Unreached’. grown bull off the ground with it.
● The programme connects needy and ● The traditional gongadi is produced organically,
marginalised people in need of legal aid with without using any dyes either natural or
the Panel Lawyers via video synthetic. Sizing of the strings is done using the
N
paste of soaked and cooked tamarind seeds
I
conferencing/telephonic facilities available at
Common Service Centres (CSCs) situated at the
panchayat level. In addition, the service can
L.
also be accessed through the Tele-Law Mobile
App.
A
INTERNATIONAL
T
R
#1
● A Panel Lawyer is a practicing advocate
PO
selected by the Department of Justice and
CSC-eGovernance Services or registered on the
Heliopolis Memorial
C
Panel of State /District Legal Services Authority. ● Prime Minister of India will pay his respects at
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the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial in the
#4
Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo, Egypt.
Gongadi shawl
About Heliopolis Memorial:
● Recently, Telangana’s woollen gongadi shawls
has been refashioned into shoes for farmers by ● It is part of the larger Heliopolis Commonwealth
alumni of the National Institute of Design, War Graves Cemetery.
Ahmedabad. ● This memorial commemorates the memory of
3,727 Indian soldiers who died fighting in
About: various campaigns in Egypt and Palestine in the
● Gongadi, (known also as Kambal) is the First World War.
traditional woolen blanket woven by the ● The original Port Tewfik memorial was unveiled
indigenous Kuruma pastoralist communities in 1926 and was situated at the entrance to the
from wool of the indigenous Deccani sheep Suez Canal.
(known locally as Nalla gorrae) breed found in ● The memorial was destroyed in the
the Deccan Plateau region including the Indian Israeli-Egyptian War of 1967 by retreating
state of Telangana. Egyptian soldiers, and a new memorial was
● The famous blanket has once served the Indian erected in Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave
Armed Forces to beat harsh winters at the Cemetery in 1980.
borders. ● The Indian troops played a key role in securing
Features: the Suez Canal in Egypt and in Palestine, where
Indian cavalry participated in the Battle of Haifa
● The unique gongadi is not only the symbol of and also played a key role in Mesopotamia in
rich diverse traditional weaving culture of the
the First World War.
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● Port Tewfik is now known as Port Suez ● It will have a mission endurance of 120 minutes
and is capable of carrying 6.5 tonnes of
Key facts about Port Suez
weapons payload.
● It is located in Egypt along the northern ● It will be equipped with standoff weapon
coastline of the Gulf of Suez. systems. The weaponry will also include an
● The port and city mark the southern terminus of air-to-ground, long-range deep strike missile,
the Suez Canal, which runs north-south through SCALP.
Egypt from the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of
#3
Suez.
● The port serves vessels transporting general Belize
cargo, oil tankers, and both commercial and
● Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO)
private passenger vessels.
has certified Belize as a malaria-free country.
#2
About Belize:
GE’s F414 Engines
● Recently, the American multinational

●
L.I N
It is located on the northeast coast of Central
America and south of the Yucatán Peninsula.
corporation General Electric (GE) announced it
had signed an agreement with India’s
●
TA It has a land of mountains, swamps, and

tropical jungle.
state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)
O
to make GE’s F414 engines for Light Combat
R● It is bounded by Mexico to the north, Guatemala
to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to
Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2.
C P the east.
SS
About GE’s F414 Engines: Geographical features
● It is a turbofan engine which has been in use by ● The southern half of the country is dominated
the US Navy for more than 30 years. by the rugged Maya Mountains, a plateau of
● It is featured with advanced technology such as igneous rock cut by erosion into hills and
Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) valleys that stretch in a southwesterly to
— the latest aircraft ignition and engine control northeasterly direction.
system that controls engine performance ● The northern half of the country consists of
digitally. limestone lowlands and swamps less than 200
● Only eight nations have F414-powered aircraft feet (60 metres) above sea level.
in operation in the world. ● Along the coast of this country, there is Belize
Barrier Reef which is the second-largestbarrier
Key facts about LCA Mk2
reef in the world.
● It is an advanced version of Light Combat ● The reef reserve system was designated a
Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, which is being used by the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.
Indian Air Force (IAF).
#4
● It is capable of integrating all indigenous
weapon systems and a number of foreign GE F414 Fighter Jet Engine
armaments along with eight Beyond Visual
● The American multinational corporation General
Range Missiles (BVRMs).
Electric (GE) recently announced it had signed
● No other fighter aircraft of this class is capable
an agreement with India’s state-owned
of carrying eight BVR missiles simultaneously.
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Hindustan Aeronautics to jointly make GE F414 ● Recently, there has been an unprecedented rise
Fighter Jet Engines in India. in the prices of Cumin, commonly known as
jeera, in India.
About GE F414 Fighter Jet Engine:
Jeera (Cumin) cultivation
● It is a high-performance, two-spool, axial-flow
turbofan engine that is used to power a variety ● It is an aromatic seed that adds an extra punch
of military aircraft, including the F/A-18E/F of taste to Indian dishes.
● It is believed that Jeera is native to the
Super Hornet, the JAS 39 Gripen, and the Tejas
Mediterranean region, and it was well-known in
Mark II.
Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
● It is a derivative of the GE F404 engine, which
● Its oil is reported to have antibacterial activity
was developed in the 1970s. and is also used in veterinary medicines and
● It has been used by U.S. Navy aircraft for more various other industries.
than 30 years. ● Climatic condition required
● The F414 powers or is on order to power jets in ● It grows well in both tropical and sub-tropical
N
the S., Sweden, Australia, Kuwait, Brazil, South
I
climates, and it comes up well in all types of
Korea, India and Indonesia.
L.
soils, but well-drained sandy loam soils are best
suited.
A
Features:
● It is a highly weather-sensitive crop.
● It combines the proven reliability,
maintainability, and operability of its successful
R
●
T It requires a moderately cool and dry climate
without any humidity.
PO
F404 predecessor with advanced technologies ● It is a Rabi crop and is cultivated mainly in
Gujarat and Rajasthan.
C
to provide up to 35 percent more thrust.
● It is sown from October to November and
SS
● It’s simple, modular design is reliable and easy
harvested in February and March.
to maintain.
● It is the first fighter engine to use a Full Major producers of Jeera
Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC).
● India accounts for some 70% of the world’s
FADEC provides precise control of the engine’s
production of this seed spice.
performance, which improves fuel efficiency ● Other countries such as Syria, Turkey, UAE and
and reduces emissions. Iran make up the balance 30%.
● Is the first fighter engine to use an integrated
electronic engine instrumentation (IEE) system. #2
IEE provides real-time data on the engine’s PM KISAN App
performance, which helps pilots to make
informed decisions about engine operation. ● Recently, the PM-Kisan Mobile App with Face
● Its wide chord, high-pressure compressor (HPC) Authentication Feature was launched by Union
provides greater efficiency and lower emissions Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister.
than previous generation engines. PM KISAN App:
● The engine’s low-pressure turbine (LPT) is
● The newly launched application has the feature
designed for high efficiency and durability.
of face Authentication.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY ● From this app, farmers can complete e-KYC
remotely, sitting at home easily by scanning
#1 their face without OTP or fingerprint.
Jeera (Cumin) cultivation ● The app was designed and developed by the
National Informatics Centre in collaboration
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with the Ministry of Electronics and Information ● To compute the index, data between January
Technology. and December 2022 was used from the
Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and
Key facts about PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
Management System (CPGRAMS).
(PM-KISAN)
Key facts about CPGRAMS
● It is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding
from the Government of India. ● It is an online platform available to the citizens
● Objective: The scheme aims to supplement the 24x7 to lodge their grievances to the public
financial needs of the farmers in procuring authorities on any subject related to service
various inputs to ensure proper crop health and delivery.
appropriate yields commensurate with the ● It is a single portal connected to all the
anticipated farm income. Ministries/Departments of the Government of
India and States.
Benefits and Eligibility Conditions:
● Every Ministry and State have role-based
● Under the scheme, an income support of access to this system.
●
6,000/- per year in three equal instalments will
be provided to all land-holding farmer families.
The definition of family for the scheme is
●
L.I N
It is also accessible to the citizens through a
standalone mobile application.
husband, wife and minor children.
T
#4A
O RJoha rice
#3
C P ● Recently, scientists at the Institute of Advanced

Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an
SS
Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI) autonomous institute of the Department of
2022 Science and Technology, explored the
● Recently, the Union Minister of Public nutraceutical properties of aromatic Joha rice.
Grievances, and Pensions, launched the About Joha rice:
Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index
(GRAI) 2022. ● It is an indigenous rice of Assam.
● It is unique in aroma and grain characteristics
About Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index and distinct from other aromatic rice like
(GRAI) 2022: Basmati.
● It was conceptualised and designed by the ● It is grown in Sali/ Kharif season.
Department of Administrative Reforms and ● Major Joha varieties included in this are Kola
Public Grievances (DARPG), Govt. of India. Joha, Keteki Joha, Bokul Joha and Kunkuni
● Objective: To present an organisation-wise Joha.
comparative picture and provide valuable ● This rice is also rich in several antioxidants,
insights about strengths and areas of flavonoids, and phenolics.
improvement regarding the grievance redressal ● It has got Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
mechanism. A recent study revealed that;
● Eighty-nine Central Ministries and Departments
were assessed and ranked based on a ● This rice variety has two unsaturated fatty
comprehensive index in the dimensions of (1) acids,, linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic
Efficiency, (2) Feedback, (3) Domain and (4) (omega-3) acid.
Organisational Commitment and corresponding
12 indicators.
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● These essential fatty acids (which humans ● It will probe the physics near black-hole
cannot produce) can help maintain various horizons (from tests of general relativity to
physiological conditions. quantum gravity), help understand the nature of
● Omega-3 fatty acid prevents several metabolic dark matter, and the nature of dark energy and
diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular possible modifications of general relativity at
diseases, and cancer. cosmological scales.
● It has also proved to be effective in lowering ● Its low-frequency sensitivity will allow us to
blood glucose and preventing diabetes onset in detect intermediate-mass black holes.
diabetic rats.
#2
Lake Victoria
● Recently, a new scientific report published in the
#1 journal Nature shows that significant
precipitation changes and increasing extreme
Einstein Telescope
N
climate events affecting the large human
● CERN is helping build and realise the Einstein
Telescope, a massive subterranean
L.I
populations as well as endemic biodiversity of
Lake Victoria Basin.
A
gravitational wave detector that is expected to
be ten times as sensitive as the detectors so
far.
R●
T Heavy rains, wind storms, and floods threaten
O
the survival and water access of the
About Einstein Telescope:
P
communities living in the Lake Victoria Basin
C
● It is an advanced gravitational-wave (LVB), East Africa.
SS
observatory, currently in the planning stage. ● Nearly 40 million inhabitants are strongly
● It builds on the success of current, affected by extreme weather events such as
second-generation laser-interferometric regular flooding.
detectors Advanced Virgo and Advanced LIGO, ● The resultant massive flooding in lake-adjacent
whose breakthrough discoveries of merging areas displaced over 200,000 people in Kenya,
black holes (BHs) and neutron stars over the Uganda and Tanzania.
past 5 years have ushered scientists into the ● Lake Victoria and its surrounding wetlands and
new era of gravitational-wave astronomy. forests have faced extreme pressure and
● The Einstein Telescope will achieve a greatly degradation due to rapid population growth,
improved sensitivity by increasing the size of agricultural expansion, urbanisation and
the interferometer from the 3km arm length of industrialisation.
the Virgo detector to 10km, and by
About Lake Victoria:
implementing a series of new technologies.
● The expected sensitivity of the Einstein ● It is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake.
Telescope will be at least a factor of ten times ● Location: It is located in East Africa, bordered
that of Ligo. by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.
● It is also called Victoria Nyanza in Kenya,
Applications:
Nalubaale in Uganda, and Ukerewe in Tanzania.
● It will make it possible, for the first time, to ● It is a source of the White Nile River which flows
explore the Universe through gravitational northward and eventually joins the Blue Nile in
waves along its cosmic history up to the Sudan to form the Nile River.
cosmological dark ages, shedding light on open ● The lake supports the largest freshwater fishery
questions of fundamental physics and in the world, producing 1 million tons of fish per
cosmology.
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year and employing 200,000 people in of the body’s proteins, muscles, enzymes, and
supporting the livelihoods of 4 million people. neurotransmitters.
● It is an essential amino acid. This means your
#3
body cannot produce it, so you must get it from
Biodegradable Supercapacitor your diet.
● Recently, scientists at Gujarat Energy Research Functions:
and Management Institute (GERMI) have
developed the thinnest, lightweight and ● The body uses tryptophan to help make
biodegradable paper-based supercapacitor. melatonin and serotonin.
● About Biodegradable Supercapacitor: ● Melatonin helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle,
● A supercapacitor is an electrochemical charge and serotonin is thought to help regulate
storage device with a fast charging/discharging appetite, sleep, mood, and pain.
cycle, high power density and a longer lifecycle. ● The liver can also use tryptophan to produce
Features niacin (vitamin B3), which is needed for energy
N
metabolism and DNA production.
● This supercapacitor which can fully charge a
device within 10 seconds, has been developed
●
L.I
Tryptophan has been used in alternative
medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating
A
from seaweed (marine macroalgae). symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
● The device is of high tensile strength and
performance, as well as cost-effective,
R T syndrome (such as mood swings and

irritability), and to help people quit smoking.
O
according to the researchers.
P
● The product can be used in electronics, memory
C
backup systems, airbags, heavy machines,
SS
electric vehicles, etc.; hence, it holds a huge SPORTS
business prospect. #1
What is Seaweed? Intercontinental Cup 2023
● Seaweeds are macroalgae attached to rock or ● India lifted the Intercontinental Cup as it tamed
other substrata and are found in coastal areas. a young Lebanon side by two second-half goals
● They are classified as Chlorophyta(green), at the Kalinga Stadium.
Rhodophyta (red) and Phaeophyta (brown) ● India made a powerful shout for a penalty in the
based on their pigmentation. sixth minute when Ashique Kuruniyan went
● Among them, Chlorophyta holds more potential down inside the Lebanon box after being
components like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins tripped by the opposition defender Hussain
and bioactive compounds in the cell wall. Zain. The referee disregarded the call as India
● Green seaweed has a high amount of a renewed its search for the goal without much
particular type of cellulose in its cell wall. avail.
#4 MISCELLANEOUS
Tryptophan #1
● Researchers have recently discovered the Purana Qila
amino acid tryptophan in interstellar space.
● A recent round of excavations at the site of
About Tryptophan: Delhi’s Purana Qila or Old Fort has uncovered
● It is an amino acid needed for normal growth in evidence of the continuous history of the city
infants and for the production and maintenance since the pre-Mauryan era.
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About Purana Qila: ● The Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 will be
conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
Location:
About Gandhi Peace Prize:
● It is located on the South Eastern part of the
present city of New Delhi. ● It is an annual award instituted by the
● It is one of the oldest forts in Delhi and built on Government of India in 1995,
the banks of river Yamuna. ● It was instituted on the occasion of the 125th
Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as a
● The present citadel at Purana Qila started its
tribute to the ideals espoused by Mahatma
construction in the reign of Humayun and was
Gandhi.
completed by Sher Shah Suri (‘The Lion King’).
● The award is open to all persons regardless of
● The Qila was inspired by Jama Masjid, which nationality, race, language, caste, creed or
was established 15 years before the gender.
reconstruction of Qila. ● The award carries an amount of 1 crore, a
Architecture: citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional
● It is rectangular in shape and is spread over an

area of 1.5 kilometers.
●
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handicraft/handloom item.
.
The prize can be given to institutions,
individuals and organisations.
● Another amazing feature of the Purana Qila are ●
TA Recent awardees include Sultan Qaboos Bin

Said Al Said, Oman (2019) and Bangabandhu
R
the three gates that are a display of a happy
blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (2020), Bangladesh.
PO
architecture. – Bara Darwaza or the Big Gate Key facts about Gita Press
C
facing west, the Humayun Gate facing south,
● It was established in 1923, Gita Press is one of
SS
and the Talaqqi Gate, which is often referred to
as the forbidden gate. the world’s largest publishers, having published
41.7 crore books in 14 languages, including
● All of the gates are double-storeyed and
16.21 crore Shrimad Bhagvad Gita.
comprise of huge semi-circular bastions
● In recognition of its outstanding contribution
flanking either of their sides.
towards social, economic and political
● These bastions are equal in frequency, except transformation through non-violent and other
for in the westward wall, where they are built at Gandhian methods.
a distance of 73 meters from each other.
● The eastern and western walls of the Qila are
the tallest, which were specifically designed for #2
safeguarding the Kings residing within the
four-walls. Dugdh Sankalan Sathi App
● All the walls surrounding the Qila are 0.33 ● Recently, the Union Minister of Heavy Industries
meters thick and supported by bastions. unveiled the ground-breaking "Dugdh Sanakalan
Sathi Mobile App" at Mussorie, Uttarakhand.
The Hindu Current Affairs Week-2 About Dugdh Sankalan Sathi App:
● This is designed and developed by Rajasthan
NATIONAL Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), a
“Mini Ratna” Central Public Sector Enterprise
#1 under the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
Gandhi Peace Prize ● It aims to improve the quality of milk, foster
transparency among stakeholders, and
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streamline operations at the grassroots village ● The alcove of the natural arch has a maximum
level, including Milk Cooperative Societies. height and width of 7 metres and 15 metres,
● This will inform all services to milk producers in respectively.
English, Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu and other ● The natural arch and its surrounding area are a
languages storehouse of different primary sedimentary
structures like planner and cross-bedding along
Key features and benefits of the app include:
with occasional current ripples signifying high
● Increased transparency among stakeholders energy fluvial environment during
● Online monitoring of daily milk poured at Milk sedimentation.
Cooperative Societies ● Formation: Formation of the natural arch could
● Real-time milk price updates from the cloud be due to fault activities and the nature of
server, ensuring transparency and eliminating lithotype, which have enhanced the process of
human errors sub-aerial weathering over a long period.
● Direct beneficiary transfers of milk payments
and government subsidies to the milk
●
producers' bank accounts through the app
Push notifications for milk collection to the milk
producers' app
#4
L.I N
Nano Urea
●
TA Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd

(IFFCO) recently said it had signed an
#3
O R agreement with California-based Kapoor

Enterprises Inc to export liquid nano urea to the
P
India’s Biggest Natural Arch
US.
●
C
A team of the Geological Survey of India
SS
About Nano Urea:
recently discovered India’s biggest natural arch
during their survey of coal in Kenduadihi block ● It is a nanotechnology-based revolutionary
in Odisha’s Sundargarh district. Agri-input that provides nitrogen to plants.
● The state unit of the Geological Survey of India ● It is developed and patented by the Indian
(GSI) has proposed to declare the ‘Natural Arch’ Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
in the Kanika range of Sundargarh forest ● IFFCO Nano Urea is the only nano fertiliser
division, a Geo Heritage Site. approved by the Government of India and
● If it is done, it will be the biggest natural arch of included in the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO).
the country to have the Geo Heritage tag.
Features:
● Apart from the arch at Sundargarh, India has
two others- one at Tirumala hills in Tirupati and ● Compared to conventional urea prill, Nano Urea
another at Andaman and Nicobar. However, has a desirable particle size of about 20-50 nm
both of them are smaller compared to the one and more surface area (10,000 times over 1
in Sundargarh. mm urea prill) and the number of particles
(55,000 nitrogen particles over 1 mm urea prill).
About India’s Biggest Natural Arch:
● It contains 4.0 % total nitrogen (w/v).
● The Sundargarh natural arch, present in the
Benefits:
ferruginous sandstone of the Upper Kamthi
formation, dates back to about 184 to 160 ● It is produced by an energy-efficient,
million years in the lower to middle Jurassic environment-friendly production process with
age. less carbon footprints.
● It is an oval-shaped arch and has a length of 30 ● Increased availability to crop by more than
metres at the base and is 12 metres high. 80%,resulting in higher nutrient use efficiency.
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● It is expected to improve crop productivity, soil ● Overall, the Southern Asian region has achieved
health, and nutritional quality of produce and 63.4% gender parity, the second-lowest of the
address the "imbalanced and excessive use" of eight regions.
conventional fertiliser.
#2
INTERNATIONAL
Ancient Mayan city
#1
● Recently, a previously unknown ancient Mayan
Global Gender Gap Index city has been discovered in the jungles of
● India was ranked at 127 out of 146 countries in southern Mexico by anthropologists.
terms of gender parity — an improvement of About Ancient Maya city:
eight places from last year, according to the
recently published annual Gender Gap Report, ● It is located in the Balamku ecological reserve
2023. on the country's Yucatan Peninsula.
N
● This city has been named Ocomtun - meaning
I
About Global Gender Gap Index:
.
"stone column" in the Yucatec Maya language.
● Global Gender Gap Report is released annually
by the World Economic Forum (WEF) since
●
A LThis would have been an important centre for

the peninsula's central lowland region between
●
2006.
It measures gender parity in 146 countries and
R●
T 250 and 1000 AD.
The city includes large pyramid-like buildings,
PO
across four areas: economic participation and
opportunity, educational attainment, health and
stone columns, three plazas with "imposing
buildings" and other structures arranged in
C
survival and political empowerment. almost-concentric circles.
SS
● Highlights of Global Gender Gap Report 2023: ● It has a core area located on high ground
● India was ranked at 127 out of 146 countries in surrounded by extensive wetlands.
terms of gender parity, an improvement of eight Key Facts about Mayan Civilization
places from last year.
● According to the report, India had attained ● The Mayans are probably the best-known of the
parity in enrolment across all levels of classical civilizations of Mesoamerica.
education. ● Originating in the Yucatán peninsula around
● India had closed 64.3% of the overall gender 2600 B.C., they rose to prominence around A.D.
gap. However, it underlined that India had 250 in present-day southern Mexico,
reached only 36.7 % parity on economic Guatemala, northern Belize and western
participation and opportunity. Honduras.
● On political empowerment, India has registered ● Building on the inherited inventions and ideas of
25.3% parity, with women representing 15.1% of earlier civilizations, the Maya developed
parliamentarians — the highest for the country astronomy, calendrical systems and
since the inaugural report in 2006. hieroglyphic writing.
● The index ranked India’s neighbours Pakistan at ● They were also noted for elaborate and highly
142, Bangladesh at 59, China at 107, Nepal at decorated ceremonial architecture, including
116, Sri Lanka at 115 and Bhutan at 103. temple pyramids, palaces and observatories, all
● Iceland is the most gender-equal country in the built without metal tools.
world for the 14th consecutive year and the only ● They were also skilled farmers, clearing large
one to have closed more than 90% of its gender sections of tropical rainforest and, where
gap. groundwater was scarce, building sizable
257
underground reservoirs for the storage of ● The Canaries comprise the Spanish provincias
rainwater. (provinces) of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de
Tenerife.
#3
● These Islands were formed by volcanic
Titanic tourist submersible eruptions millions of years ago.
● Climatic condition: They have a subtropical
● Recently, the Titan, the vessel that went missing climate. Temperatures are warm and show little
in the area of the Titanic wreck in the North seasonal variation.
Atlantic. ● It has rich volcanic soils and mild temperatures
About Titanic tourist submersible: that support a wide variety of vegetation that
generally follows a zonal arrangement based on
● A submersible is a small boat or other craft, elevation.
designed especially for research and
exploration. What is an archipelago?
N
● It is more limited in its movement and how long ● An archipelago is a term used to describe a
●
it can stay underwater.
A submersible needs a mother ship that can
L.I
group or chain of islands that are closely
scattered in a body of water, such as a sea,
●
launch and recover it.
These are small, limited-range watercrafts ●
TA ocean, lake, or river.
These islands are typically formed through
designed for a set mission, that are built with
O
characteristics that allow them to operate in a
R geological processes such as volcanic activity,
tectonic movements, or the accumulation of
●
specific environment
C P
These vessels are typically able to be fully
sediment.
SS
submerged in water and cruise using their own BUSINESS & ECONOMY
power supply and air renewal system. #1
● While some submersibles are remotely
operated and essentially manually controlled or Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)
programmed robots, these usually operate ● Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) CEO
unmanned. recently pledged his support to the
● Vessels like the missing Titan are known as implementation of Energy Efficiency (EE)
human-occupied vehicles. projects in the State of Andhra Pradesh aimed
at mitigating the impact of climate change,
#4
especially in the MSME sector.
Canary Island About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):
● Recently, more than 30 migrants are feared ● EESL is promoted by the Ministry of Power,
dead after a small boat headed for Spain's Government of India, as a Joint Venture of four
Canary Islands sank. reputed public-sector undertakings NTPC
Limited, Power Finance Corporation Limited,
About Canary Island:
REC Limited and POWERGRID Corporation of
● It is an archipelago located in the Atlantic India Limited.
Ocean ● It is registered under the Companies Act, 1956
● It is about 1300 km South of mainland Spain on 10th December 2009.
and 115 km West of the African coast ● EESL was formed to create and sustain market
access to energy efficient technologies,
(Morocco).
particularly in public facilities like
258
municipalities, buildings, agriculture, industry Export Order (LEO) and the wider aspect of
etc. and to implement several schemes of the physical clearance which occurs on completion
Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power of logistics processes with the departure of the
and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, carrier with the goods.
Government of India.
● EESL is also leading the market-related
activities of the National Mission for Enhanced #3
Energy Efficiency (NMEEE).
Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
#2
● The Reserve Bank of India recently imposed ₹20
National Time Release Study (NTRS) 2023 report lakh monetary penalty on Manappuram Finance
for non-compliance with certain provisions of
● Recently, the chairman of the Central Board of
Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).
Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) along with
other Members of the Board released the About Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC):
N
National Time Release Study (NTRS) 2023
I
● An NBFC is a company registered under the
.
report.
L
Companies Act 1956engaged in the business of
About National Time Release Study (NTRS) 2023 loans and advances, acquisition of
report:
TA shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities
R
issued by the Government or local authority or
● It is a performance measurement tool.
other marketable securities of a like nature.
O
● It aims to present a quantitative measure of the
● They offer various banking services but do not
P
cargo release time at the Customs station.
have a banking license.
C
● It also measures the domestic clearance in
● They provide banking services like loans, credit
SS
case of imports and the arrival of the cargo at
facilities, TFCs, retirement planning, investing
the Customs station to the eventual departure
and stocking in the money market.
of the carrier in case of exports.
● Generally, these institutions are not allowed to
● The study included seaports, air cargo
take traditional demand deposits—readily
complexes (ACCs), inland container depot
available funds, such as those in checking or
(ICDs) and integrated check posts (ICPs) which
savings accounts—from the public.
handles the maximum per cent of bills of entry
● NBFCs also provide a wide range of monetary
in the country.
advice like chit-reserves and advances.
Highlights of the report
● It reaffirms the ‘Path to promptness’e.
#4
comprising advance filing of import documents
enabling pre-arrival processing, risk-based Prospect Theory
facilitation of cargo and benefits of trusted
client programme. ● Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT
● Cargoes wherein all the three features under the Madras) researchers recently devised a
Path to Promptness are combined, achieve the mathematical model on contract farming to
National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) predict farmers' delivery of commodities using
release time target across all port categories. a decision-theoretic framework based on the
● It has placed a much greater focus on the 'Prospect Theory.'
measurement of export release time. About Prospect Theory:
● It recognises the distinction between regulatory
clearance (also referred to as customs release), ● It is a psychology theory that describes how
which gets completed with the grant of Let people make decisions when presented with
259
alternatives that involve risk, probability, and ● Recently, scientists from Chile have discovered
uncertainty. a new species of duck-billed dinosaur in the far
● The theory was introduced by two south of Chile.
psychologists, Daniel Kahneman, and Amos
Tversky, to describe how humans make About Duck-billed dinosaur:
decisions when presented with several choices.
● It is a species of herbivorous dinosaur
● It holds that people make decisions based on
previously unknown in the southern
perceived losses or gains.
hemisphere.
● Prospect theory assumes that losses and gains
are valued differently, and thus individuals make ● These were slender-looking dinosaurs, which
decisions based on perceived gains instead of could easily adopt a bipedal and quadrupedal
perceived losses. Individuals are particularly posture to reach the vegetation at height and
averse to losing what they already have and ground level.
less concerned to gain. ● This type of duck-billed dinosaur was common
● Also known as the "loss-aversion" theory, the in North America, Asia and Europe during the
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general concept is that if two choices are put Cretaceous period.
before an individual, both equal, with one
presented in terms of potential gains and the
L.I
Key Facts about Cretaceous Period:
other in terms of possible losses, the former
option will be chosen.
●
TA The Cretaceous Period, in geologic time, is the
R
last of the three periods of the Mesozoic Era.
● For example, most people prefer winning $50 The Cretaceous began 145.0 million years ago
O
●
with certainty rather than taking a risky bet in
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and ended 66 million years ago.
which they can toss a coin and either win $100
C
● It followed the Jurassic Period and was
or nothing.
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succeeded by the Paleogene Period.
Applications:
#2
● The theory finds application in behavioural
finance and economics. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)
● It is used to evaluate various aspects of ● Recently, the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging
political decision-making in international Telescope (SUIT), a unique space telescope
relations. developed by Pune’s Inter-University Center for
Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) has been
delivered to the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO).
About Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)
● The telescope is one of the seven payloads on
Aditya-L1.
Features
● It is unique because it will provide full disk
images of the sun in 2000 to 4000 A
#1 wavelength range which has never been
obtained.
Duck-billed dinosaur ● It will allow us to record images in this
wavelength crucial for maintaining the Ozone
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and Oxygen content in the atmosphere of the Principles:

Earth.
● Peaceful Purposes: Consistent with the Outer
● It will also measure the UV radiation hazardous
Space Treaty, the Artemis Accords affirm that
for skin cancer.
cooperative activities should be exclusively for
● It will address fundamental questions such as
peaceful purposes and in accordance with
the existence of a higher-temperature
international law.
atmosphere above the cooler surface of the
● Transparency: Artemis Accords signatories are
Sun and the origin and variation of
committed to the broad dissemination of
near-ultraviolet radiation and high-energy solar
information regarding their respective national
flares.
space policies and space exploration plans in
● It will help in the measurement of solar
accordance with their national rules and
radiation from Hard X-ray to Infrared, as well as
regulations.
in-situ measurements of particles in the solar
● Interoperability: Interoperability enhances the
wind, including the Sun’s magnetic field at the
potential for space exploration that is safe and
L1 point.
robust among cooperating nations.
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It is expected to last five years.
I
●
.
● Emergency Assistance: Accords signatories
● Funding: ISRO funded the initial Rs 25 crore
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commit to taking all reasonable efforts to
required for the hardware, a small portion of the
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render necessary assistance to personnel in
overall project.
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outer space who are in distress and
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#3 acknowledge their obligations under the
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Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the
Artemis Accords
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Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects
C
● A top NASA official recently said that India Launched into Outer Space.
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needs to be a part of the Artemis team, which ● Registration of Space Objects: Appropriate
brings like-minded countries together on civil registration of space objects can help to
space exploration. mitigate the risk of harmful interference. The
Artemis Accords reinforce the importance of
About Artemis Accords: meeting the obligations under the Registration
● The Artemis Accords are a non-binding set of Convention.
principles designed to guide civil space ● Release of Scientific Data: Sharing scientific
exploration and use in the 21st century. data with the global community in a timely and
● These principles will help to ensure the transparent manner.
maintenance of a safe and predictable outer ● Protecting Heritage: Accords signatories intend
space environment. to preserve historically significant human or
● NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department robotics landing sites, artifacts, spacecraft etc.
of State, established the Artemis Accords in ● Space Resources: The utilization of space
2020, together with seven other founding resources should be done in a manner that
member nations. complies with the Outer Space Treaty, can
● Artemis Accords signatories as of May 30, benefit humankind and is critical to sustainable
2023: Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, operations.
Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Israel, Italy, ● Deconfliction of Activities: Artemis Accords
Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, signatories needs to provide notification of their
Nigeria, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, activities, including regarding the location and
Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, general nature of their operations, and
Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United coordinating with any relevant actor to avoid
Kingdom, and the United States. harmful interference. The area covered by the
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notification and coordination is referred to as a ● Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin took second
“safety zone.” with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton completing the
● Orbital Debris and Spacecraft Disposal: podium in Montreal.
Planning to mitigate for orbital debris, as well ● Pole-sitter Verstappen’s sixth win from eight
as disposing safely of spacecrafts, is critical to races this season extended his lead at the top
maintaining a safe environment in space and of the standings and continued his relentless
operating in space sustainably. march to a third successive world title.
● The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
#4
took fourth and fifth with Verstappen’s Red Bull
Monkeypox teammate Sergio Perez in sixth.
● Verstappen now takes a 69-point lead over the
● Recently, there has been an increase in reported Mexican to Red Bull’s home race in Austria next
cases of Monkeypox from some countries, month.
particularly in Southeast Asia and the Western
Pacific Region. MISCELLANEOUS
About Monkeypox:
● It is a viral disease that primarily spread to the
#1
L.I N
MQ-9B Predator Drone
A
human population through zoonotic spillovers,
T
with rodents and primates serving as potential ● The Defence Ministry recently accorded its
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reservoirs. approval to procure 30 MQ-9B Predator drones
O
● The first case in humans was reported in 1970 (SeaGuardian variant) from the US to crank up
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in the Democratic Republic of Congo. the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces.
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● Transmission: It can be transmitted between
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humans through close contact and exposure to About MQ-9B Predator Drone:
infected bodily fluids or lesions. ● The MQ-9B drone is a variant of the MQ-9
● Incubation period: The incubation period (the "Reaper", an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
period between exposure to an infection and capable of remotely controlled or autonomous
the appearance of the first symptoms) of
flight operations.
monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can
● These are high-altitude long-endurance drones
range from 5 to 21 days.
armed with strike missiles which can take out
● Symptoms: Common symptoms of mpox are a
skin rash or mucosal lesions, Fever, rash and enemy targets with high accuracy.
swollen lymph nodes which may lead to a range ● It was developed by General Atomics
of medical complications. Aeronautical Systems(GA-ASI), primarily for the
● There is no effective vaccine available for United States Air Force (USAF).
Monkeypox infection. ● The MQ-9B has two variants — SkyGuardian and
its sibling SeaGuardian.
● The Indian Navy has been operating the MQ-9B
SPORTS Sea Guardian since 2020.
#1 Features of MQ-9B SeaGuardian:

Max Verstappen wins Canadian Grand Prix ● It can carry up to 5,670 kg and has a fuel
● World champion Max Verstappen dominated capacity of 2,721 kg.
the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday to deliver ● The drone can operate at over 40,000 feet.
his Red Bull team’s 100th win in Formula One. ● The Predator also has a maximum endurance
of 40 hours, making it useful for long-hour
surveillance.
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● It can support land, maritime surveillance, ● The present form of OMSS comprises 3
anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, schemes as under:
strike, electronic warfare and expeditionary ● Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private
roles. traders through e-auction.
● It is also capable of automatic take-offs and ● Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private
landings. traders through e-auction by dedicated
● It can safely integrate into civil airspace, movement.
enabling joint forces and civil authorities to ● Sale of Raw Rice Grade ‘A’ to bulk
consumers/private traders through e-auction.
deliver real-time situational awareness
anywhere in the maritime domain -- day or
night.
#2
The Hindu Current Affairs Week-3 4th National Water Awards
NATIONAL ● The Vice President of India will confer upon the
#1
L.I N
fourth National Water Awards in New Delhi on
17th June 2023.
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Open Market Sale Scheme About the 4th National Water Awards:
● The Central Government recently discontinued
the sale of rice and wheat from the central pool
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●
T The first edition of the National Water Awards
was introduced by the Department of Water
State governments.
PO
under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) to Resources, River Development and Ganga
Rejuvenation in 2018.
C ● They have provided a good opportunity for
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About Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS):
start-ups as well as leading organizations to
● Under OMSS, the Food Corporation of India engage and deliberate with senior policymakers
(FCI) sells surplus stocks of wheat and rice at on how to adopt the best water resources
pre-determined prices through e-auction in the management practices in India.
open market. ● These awards have been instituted to recognize
● To enhance the supply of food grains, especially and encourage exemplary work and efforts
wheat, during the lean season and thereby made by States, Districts, individuals,
moderate the open market prices, specially in organizations, etc across the country in
the deficit regions. attaining the vision of a ‘Jal Samriddh Bharat’.
● The FCI conducts a weekly auction to conduct ● It covers 11 categories Best State’, ‘Best
this scheme in the open market using the District’, ‘Best Village Panchayat’, ‘Best Urban
platform of commodity exchange NCDEX Local Body’ etc.
(National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange ● The award winners in different categories will
Limited). be given a citation, trophy and cash prize.
● The State Governments/ Union Territory ● The cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rank
Administrations are also allowed to participate winners are Rs.2 lakhs, Rs.1.5 lakhs, and Rs.1
in the e-auction, if they require wheat and rice lakh, respectively.
outside the Targeted Public Distribution ● Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Scheme (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes
(OWS). #3
● The reserve price is fixed by the government. In Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary
the tenders floated by the FCI, the bidders
cannot quote less than the reserve price.
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● A male tiger was recently found dead inside the About Golden Jackal:
Ratapani Sanctuary.
● The golden jackal, also known as the common
About Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary: jackal, is a medium-sized wolf-like canid.
● Scientific Name: Canis aureus
Location:
● They are small compared to their close
● It stretches across 823 sq. km in the Raisen and relatives, wolves, and wild dogs.
Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Distribution:
● This rocky forest with an aquatic environment is
spread on Vindhya hills. ● They are widely distributed from North and East
● It runs parallel to the northern side of the Africa to southeastern Europe and South Asia,
Narmada River. Kolar River forms the western including Burma.
boundary of the Sanctuary. ● They are abundant in valleys and along rivers
● The sanctuary was first notified in 1976 and and their tributaries, canals, lakes, and
then extended in 1983. In the year 2008, it was seashores, but are rare in foothills and low
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declared as a Tiger Reserve. mountains.
● The Sanctuary has Bhimbetika, "a group of rock
shelters and rock paintings," which is one of the
●
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They are quite widespread across India. Right
from the Himalayan foothills, down to the
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‘‘World Heritage Sites’’ declared by UNESCO. Western Ghats, the Golden Jackal has a wide
T
● Landscape: It is rugged with hills, valleys, distribution.
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plateaus, and plains.
Features:
Flora:
PO ● It has long, pointed ears and long hair.
C
● The forest of this Sanctuary is of dry deciduous ● The coat of the animal is rather coarse and not
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and moist deciduous types. very long.
● About 55% of the area is covered by teak. The ● The tail is fluffy and long.
remaining mixed forests consist of various dry ● The coloration of their fur depends on the
deciduous species. season of year and region, varying from yellow
● Fauna: to pale gold with a brown tip.
● The regal striped cat is the apex predator, and ● They are monogamous, meaning they mate for
estimates suggest that 40 tigers roam these life.
forests. ● They are opportunistic omnivores that feed on
● Chinkara’ an endangered species, is also found both plants and meat.
in the Sanctuary. ● They are territorial animals that hunt in groups.
● It is also home to animals like Panther, Hyena, Their groups are known as packs.
Jackal, Indian Fox, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Small ● Golden jackals stay nocturnal if they live in an
Indian Civet, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Black Buck, area that humans inhabit. They remain under
Chausingha, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer etc. rocks for shelter during the day and come out at
night. However, in other areas, they may be
partly diurnal, meaning they are active during
#4 the day.
Golden Jackal
● Wildlife SOS and the Maharashtra Forest
Department recently rescued a Golden jackal
from a 25-feet-deep open, dry well in Waghale
village, located in the Junnar Range of Pune.
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hunger and malnutrition; raise their productivity

and incomes; and improve the quality of their
lives.
● IFAD seeks to empower rural people to increase
their food security, improve the nutrition of their
families and increase their incomes through
funding of grants and low-interest loans to
several projects.
● The IFAD assists vulnerable groups such as
smallholder farmers, pastoralists, foresters,
fishers and small-scale entrepreneurs in rural
areas by providing, among others, access to
INTERNATIONAL weather information, disaster preparedness,
social learning and technology transfer that
#1
enables farmers to feed growing populations
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and increase the climate resilience of rural
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International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD)
L.
farming systems.
A
● The International Fund of Agricultural
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Development (IFAD) recently lauded India for
#2
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reviving focus on millets and exporting 1.8
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million tonnes of wheat to 18 countries that Bangkok Vision 2030
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faced an acute shortage of food last year.
● According to the Secretary (East) in the Ministry
About International Fund
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for Agricultural of External Affairs (MEA), The Bay of Bengal
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Development (IFAD): Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit end
● It is an international financial institution and a
of this year will adopt a Bangkok Vision 2030.
specialised agency of the United Nations.
● It was established as an international financial About Bangkok Vision 2030:
institution in 1977 through United Nations
General Assembly Resolution 32/107 (15
December 1977) as one of the major outcomes ● Thailand presented “BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision
of the 1974 World Food Conference. 2030” aiming to build a Prosperous, Resilient,
● Headquarters: Rome, Italy and Open (PRO) BIMSTEC by 2030.
● It is a member of the United Nations ● The Vision sets a clear direction and priorities
Development Group. as well as a goal for BIMSTEC collaboration to
tackle challenges and seize opportunities for
Governance:
the coming decade.
● Its Governing Council, consisting of ● The document aims to further promote
representatives of more than 160 member BIMSTEC as a region of peace, stability, and
states, is the principal decision-making body. economic sustainability.
● Its 18-member Executive Board oversees daily ● The goals found in the vision are also in line
operations. with the United Nations’ Sustainable
Development Goals and Thailand’s
Functions:
bio-circular-green economic model.
● It focuses exclusively on rural poverty reduction,
Key facts about BIMSTEC
working with poor rural populations in
developing countries to eliminate poverty,
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● It is a regional organization that was ● Recently, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
established on 06 June 1997 with the signing of unveiled its highly anticipated Global Liveability
the Bangkok Declaration. Index 2023.
● Member countries: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar,
About Global Liveability Index 2023:
Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal
● The Chairmanship of BIMSTEC rotates ● The index quantifies the challenges presented
according to the alphabetical order of the to an individual’s lifestyle in 173 cities
English names of the Member States. worldwide.
● During the Third BIMSTEC Summit, the ● It was given considering five metrics:
Secretariat was established in Dhaka, healthcare, culture, environment, education, and
Bangladesh. stability.
● This ranking offers insights into the cities that
excel in providing an exceptional quality of life.
#3
Key highlights of the report
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International Energy Agency
I
● Top cities to live: Vienna (Austria), Copenhagen
● Recently, the executive director of the
International Energy Agency (IEA), said it would ●
L.
(Denmark), Melbourne and Sydney (Australia)
Bottom 3 Liveable cities: Algiers (Algeria),
review all its membership conditions for India’s
inclusion in the world’s premier energy ●
TA Tripoli (Libya) and Damascus (Syria)
From Asia, Japan’s Osaka was ranked number
monitoring organization.
O R●
10 in the rankings.
The index rose last year to reach a 15-year high
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About International Energy Agency:
as the world recovered from the pandemic.
●
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It is an autonomous inter-governmental ● The average index score is now 76.2 out of 100,
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organisation within the OECD framework. up from 73.2 a year ago.
● It works with governments and industry to ● Despite overall growth in the index score,
shape a secure and sustainable energy future stability saw a marginal decline.
for all. ● Those in Western Europe, in particular, have
● It was founded in 1974 to ensure the security of slipped in rankings due to increased instances
oil supplies. of workers’ strikes failing to “match gains”
● It was created in response to the 1973-1974 oil made by cities in Asia and the Middle East.
crisis when an oil embargo by major producers ● The cities which are plagued by ongoing civil
pushed prices to historic levels and exposed the unrest and military conflicts, amongst other
vulnerability of industrialised countries to issues, remained at the bottom of the list.
dependency on oil imports.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
● It consists of 31 member countries and eleven
association countries. #1
● A candidate country to the IEA must be a
Countervailing Duty (CVD)
member country of the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development ● The finance ministry is considering a proposal
(OECD). to impose a countervailing duty on steel
imports from China.
#4
About Countervailing duty (CVD):
Global Liveability Index 2023
● It is a specific form of duty that the government
imposes to protect domestic producers by
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countering the negative impact of import ● Distribution: Originally native to India, it is now
subsidies. recorded in nearly all the cotton-growing
● CVD is thus an import tax by the importing countries of the world.
country on imported products.
Description:
● The World Trade Organization (WTO) permits
the imposition of CVD by its member countries. ● The adults are small moths about 3/8 inch long
and are dark brownwith markings on the fore
Why is CVD imposed?
wing.
● Foreign governments sometimes provide ● The larval stage is the destructive and
subsidies to their producers to make their identifiable stage.
products cheaper and boost their demand in ● The larvae have distinctive pink bands and can
other countries. reach a length of ½ inches right before they
● To avoid flooding the market in the importing pupate.
country with these goods, the government of
Ecological Threat:
the importing country imposes CVD, charging a
●
specific amount on the import of such goods.
The duty nullifies and eliminates the price
advantage enjoyed by an imported product.
●
●
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Pink bollworms are major pests of cotton.
.
Adults only last for 2 weeks, but females will lay
200 or more eggs.
● The duty raises the price of the imported
product, bringing it closer to its true market
●
TA Adults lay eggs on cotton bolls; once hatched,

the larvae eat the seeds and damage the fibres
price
O R●
of the cotton, reducing the yield and quality.
When the larvae mature, they cut out the boll
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Who administers CVD in India?
and drop to the ground and cocoon near the soil
●
C
The countervailing measures in India are surface.
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administered by the Directorate General of ● It has also been observed to attack hibiscus,
Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD), in the okra, and hollyhock plants.
commerce and industry ministry’s department
of commerce.
● While the department of commerce #3
recommends the CVD, the department of
revenue in the finance ministry acts upon the Execution-only platform (EOP)
recommendation within three months and ● Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of
imposes such duties. India (SEBI) issued a circular, creating a new
#2 category of intermediaries called execution-only
platforms (EOPs).
Pink Bollworm
About Execution only platform (EOP)
● Pink bollworm – responsible for damaging
nearly 4 lakh acres of cotton in 2021 – has been ● It is a digital or online platform which facilitates
recently observed in certain fields within the transactions such as subscription, redemption
Bathinda and Mansa districts of Punjab. and switch transactions in direct plans of
schemes of mutual funds.
About Pink Bollworm: ● Till now, there was no specific framework
available for technology/digital platforms
● It is one of the most destructive pests of cotton.
(including platforms provided by Investment
● Scientific name: Pectinophora gossypiella
Advisers/Stock Brokers to non-clients) to
provide execution-only services in direct plans
of mutual fund schemes.
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● As per the new SEBI’s new guidelines, no entity luscious taste, high amount of pulp, shape, and
would be allowed to operate as an EOP without size.
obtaining registration from SEBI or the
What is a Geographical Indication Tag?
Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
● It is a sign used on products that have a
Categories of EOP:
specific geographical origin and possess
● The capital markets regulator has divided EOPs qualities or a reputation that are due to that
into two categories. origin.
● Category 1 EOPs: These would need to be ● This is typically used for agricultural products,
registered with AMFI, the mutual fund industry foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts
body. and industrial products.
● Under this category, the EOPs would act as an ● The Geographical Indications of Goods
agent of asset management companies (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to
(AMCs) and integrate their systems with AMCs provide for the registration and better protection
and/or Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs) of geographical indications relating to goods in
●
authorized by AMCs to facilitate transactions in
mutual funds.
These entities may act as an aggregator of the
●
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India.
.
This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which
it can be renewed.
transactions in direct plans of schemes of
mutual funds and provide services to investors
TA
●
or other intermediaries.
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Category 2 EOPs: These would need to be RSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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registered as a stock broker with SEBI and can #1
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operate as an agent of investors and operate Geminid meteor shower
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only through the platforms provided by the
stock exchanges. ● Recently, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe mission
has shed new light on the origin of the intense
Geminid meteor shower.
About the Geminid meteor shower:
#4 ● It peaks during mid-December each year and is
Ishad mango considered to be one of the best and most
reliable annual meteor showers.
● Recently, the delicious Ishad mango from Uttara ● Unlike most meteor showers that originate from
Kannada (Karnataka) has earned its comets, the Geminid stream appears to
much-awaited geological indicator (GI) tag. originate from an asteroid known as 3200
Phaethon.
About Ishad mango:
New findings
● It is grown predominantly around Ankola, is
tasty and contains a lot of pulp. ● The new findings have perplexed scientists as
● It is said that the mango variety has been asteroids are not typically influenced by the
cultivated for the last 400 years. Sun’s heat and should not leave behind a trail.
● It has two variants — Kari Ishad, which has thin ● Phaethon is an asteroid, but as it flies by the
skin, more pulp and is sweeter, and Bili Ishad, Sun, it seems to have some kind of
which has thick skin and less pulp and temperature-driven activity.
sweetness. ● The Parker data indicates that a powerful event
● The Kari Ishad is accepted as one of the finest such as a high-speed collision or a gaseous
quality mangoes due to its unique aroma,
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explosion likely caused the creation of the ● It measured the structure of Saturn’s
Geminid stream. atmosphere and rings, as well as how they
interact with the planet’s moons.
Key facts about the 3200 Phaethon
● It also discovered six named moons and
● It is classified as an asteroid- the first to be revealed Enceladus and Titan as promising
discovered via satellite. locations to search for extraterrestrial life.
● It was discovered on Oct. 11, 1983, using the
Infrared Astronomical Satellite, and named after
the Greek myth of Phaethon, son of the sun god #3
Helios, due to its close approach to Sun.
Mizoram parachute gecko
● It is blue in colour, which is rare for an asteroid.
● It orbits the sun every 524 days (1.43 years), ● Scientists recently discovered a new species of
coming as close as 0.14 astronomical units gliding geckos in Mizoram, named Mizoram
(AU) and reaching as far as 2.40 AU from the parachute gecko.
sun.
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About Mizoram parachute gecko:
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● Its orbit is highly elliptical. It completes a
●
rotation on its axis every 3.60 hours.
It is about 3 kilometres in diameter, making it
●
L.
It is a newly discovered species of gliding
geckos.
larger than 99% of asteroids. ●
TA The Mizoram parachute gecko, or Gekko
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mizoramensis, is one of the 14 geckos known
to take to the air.
#2
PO ● It is thought that the species evolved as a result

of being separated from its closest relative, G.
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Enceladus
popaensis, by the Arakan Mountains.
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● Recently, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft discovers
Features:
‘phosphorous on Saturn’s moon Enceladus.
● Unlike other gliding reptiles, which use the bone
About Enceladus:
to form their flying surfaces, these geckos have
● It is the second nearest of the major regular flaps of skin.
moons of Saturn and the brightest of all its ● When the lizards leap off a tall structure, air
moons. resistance pushes the flaps out to their full
● It was discovered in 1789 by the English extent, much like a parachute, slowing the
astronomer William Herschel and named for speed at which they fall.
one of the Giants (Gigantes) of Greek ● The skin flaps also help to break up their shape,
mythology. acting as a camouflage against predators.
● It is an active moon that hides a global ocean of ● Their specialised camouflage and body shape
liquid salty water beneath its crust. are shared by multiple species, making it hard
● Its icy surface is remarkably smooth in some to tell them apart from one another.
places, and bright white all over and it is the
most reflective body in the solar system.
#4
Key facts about the Cassini spacecraft
Zircon Missile
● The mission was launched by NASA in 1997
and orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017, circling ● The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy
the planet 294 times. recently announced that all new Russian navy
frigate and corvette class vessels would be
equipped with hypersonic Zircon missiles
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About Zircon Missile: win an International Cricket Council (ICC) world

title in all three formats.
● The 3M22 Zircon, or the SS-N-33, is a
manoeuvring anti-ship hypersonic cruise
missile developed in Russia.
● It can reach speeds of over 9,500 kilometres per
hour (6,000 miles per hour), around nine times MISCELLANEOUS
faster than the speed of sound.
● It’s a two-stage missile that uses solid fuel in #1
the first stage and a scramjet motor in the Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) 2023
second stage.
● It can accurately pinpoint targets at a range of ● Recently, the United Nations Development
more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles). Programme (UNDP) released the Gender Social
● Guidance System: Active and Passive Radar Norms Index (GSNI) 2023.
Seeker. About Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) 2023:
What is a hypersonic cruise missile?
● It is a type of missile that is designed to travel
●
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It quantifies biases against women, capturing
people’s attitudes toward women’s roles.
A
at extremely high speeds, typically over Mach 5 ● It tracked people’s attitudes towards women in
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(5 times the speed of sound). four dimensions: political, educational,
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● They are powered by rocket engines and are economic and physical integrity.
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typically equipped with guidance systems to Key points of GSNI 2023
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help them navigate to their targets.
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● They can manoeuvre mid-flight, making them ● The index, covering 85 per cent of the global
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harder to track and intercept. population, reveals that close to 9 out of 10
men and women hold fundamental biases
against women.
● Nearly 90% of people still hold at least one bias
against women and 25 per cent of people
SPORTS believe it is justified for a man to beat his wife.
#1 ● Countries with greater bias in gender social
norms also show a lower presence of women in
ICC World Test Championship Final 2023 parliament.
● Indigenous women, migrant women and women
● Australia clinched the title of World Test
with disabilities have meagre political
Champions in a commanding fashion, securing
representation, demonstrating how overlapping
a resounding 209-run victory over India in the
biases can further reduce opportunities for
thrilling WTC Final at The Oval.
women.
● Travis Head and Steve Smith’s remarkable
● The recent increase in education achievements
centuries in the first innings laid the foundation
has not translated into better economic
for Australia’s early control of the Test.
outcomes and opportunities for women.
● Despite India’s valiant response, the match
extended to a fifth day, but they fell short of an
extraordinary record chase, ultimately being The Hindu Current Affairs Week-4
bowled out for 234.
● Australia scripted history on June 11 as they
became the first men’s team in world cricket to NATIONAL
#1
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Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary ● Location: It is located within suburban region of

Mumbai, Maharashtra. The park covers about
● Following the pre-monsoon sign survey in the
20% of Mumbai’s geographical area.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, a prey density of
● It is popularly known as “Krishnagiri Upvan” or
46 animals per sq. km was recorded in the
“Borivali National Park”.
sanctuary.
● The 2400-year-old Kanheri caves are sculpted
About Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: out of the rocky cliff that lies within the park.
● Flora: Kadamba, Teak, Karanj, Shisham, and
● It is located between the Hirakud Dam species of acacia, Ziziphus, euphorbias etc, are
(Mahanadi River) and the Reservoir in the state found in this National Park.
of Odisha. ● Fauna: Chital, Rhesus macaque, Bonnet
● It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985. macaque, Black-naped, Bengal Tiger etc.
● It finds a special mention because of noted
freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai. Key facts about the Kanheri Caves:
● During his rebellion against the British Veer
● The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and
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Surendra Saimade his base at ‘Barapathara”
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rock-cut monuments cut into a massive basalt
.
located within the sanctuary.
outcrop in the forests of the Sanjay Gandhi
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● Fauna: The beautiful sanctuary is known for its
National Park.
A
easy sightings of animals particularly Indian
● The Kanheri caves comprise more than 110
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Bison, Wild Boars and Sambhar etc.
different rock-cut monolithic excavations and
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● Flora: It has a dry deciduous forest that attracts
are one of the largest single excavations in the
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a host of birds during the winters.
country.
What is Debrigarh 48 initiative?
C P ● These excavations were primarily undertaken

during the Hinayana phase of Buddhism but
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● The wildlife division had launched the also have several examples of the Mahayana
‘Debrigarh 48’ initiative to prevent villagers from stylistic architecture as well as a few printings
harming the wildlife and collect intelligence of the Vajrayana order.
from the periphery landscape through them. ● The name Kanheri is derived from ‘Kanhagiri’ in
Key facts about Hirakud Dam Prakrit and occurs in the Nasik inscription of the
Satavahana ruler Vasisthiputra Pulumavi.
● It is a composite structure of earth, concrete ● They contain Buddhist sculptures and relief
and masonry. It is the longest major earthen carvings, paintings and inscriptions, dating from
dam in India. the 1st century CE to the 10th century CE.
● It is one of the first major multipurpose river ● The earliest reference to Kanheri is ascribed to
valley projects started after India's Fa-Hein, who visited India during 399-411 CE.
independence and began operations in 1957.
#3
#2
Beki River
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
● The flood situation in Assam was recently
● A recently conducted ecological survey has worsened as nearly 1.20 lakh people in 20
found the presence of 18 highly protected districts have been affected by the deluge.
species in the alignment of Thane-Borivali Link
Road (TBLR) which involves constructing twin About:
tunnels under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park ● The water level of the Beki River is flowing
(SGNP). above the danger level mark at several places
About Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP): across Assam.
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About Beki River: Key facts about the Mahadayi River:

● The Beki river originates in Bhutan, and it is one ● Origin: Mahadayi River rises in the Western
of the right bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra Ghats from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in
river. Khanapur taluk of Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
● This river is also known as the Kurisu river in ● The river travels 35 km in Karnataka; 82 km in
Bhutan. Goa before joining the Arabian Sea at Panji
● A large portion of the Beki river flows in the (North Goa).
state of Assam and ultimately mix with Bay of ● Also called Mandovi in Goa, Mahadayi is a
Bengal. rain-fed river that is shared between Karnataka
● It flows through the Manas National Park. and Goa for their water needs.
● The river and its drainage channels flow through ● The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the
the plains of Assam for about 85 km and drain island of Chorao in the Mandovi River.
an area of 26,243 sq. km. approximately. ● Major Tributaries: Kalasa Nala, Banduri Nala,
● Beki river is rich in bio-diversities. It is the home Surla Nala, Haltar Nala, Poti Nala, Mahadayi
of a variety of food fishes’ species, ornamental Nala, Pansheer Nala, Bail Nala, Andher Nala.
fishes’ species, amphibians, reptiles, birds,
insects etc.
#5
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A
● Discharging a huge amount of water every year, Kedarnath Temple
T
the river turns dangerous during monsoon
● The Uttarakhand government recently decided
R
season.
to set up a high-level committee to probe
#4
PO allegations of a ₹ 1.25 billion scam in gold

plating the sanctum sanctorum of the
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Kalasa-Banduri Project
Kedarnath temple.
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● The Karnataka government recently submitted
About Kedarnath Temple:
a revised proposal to the National Wildlife
Board (NWD) and Ministry of Environment, ● It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.
Forest and Climate Change (MoEFC) for the ● Location: It is located at a height of 3,584
Kalasa-Banduri project. meters on the Garhwal Himalayan range near
the Mandakini river, in the Rudraprayag District
About Kalasa-Banduri Project:
of Uttarakhand.
● The project involves the construction of dams ● Kedarnath forms one of the four sites of the
and a canal system to divert water from the Chota Char DhamPilgrimage circuit, and is one
Mahadayi River, located in Goa, to the of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India.
Malaprabha River (a tributary of Krishna River) ● Who build it? It is said that the Pandavas
basin in Karnataka. constructed the Kedarnath Temple which was
● The main goal of the project is to meet the later reconstructed by Adi Shankaracharya in
drinking water needs of the districts of Belagavi, the 8th century A.D.
Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag in Karnataka.
Architecture:
● Though the project was first proposed in the
early 1980s, it has remained on paper owing to ● It has exquisite architecture and is built of
a dispute between Karnataka, Goa and extremely large but evenly shaped grey stone
Maharashtra. slabs.
● As per plans, barrages are to be built against ● The stone slabs are interlocked with each other
Kalasa and Banduri streams — tributaries of with the use of iron clamps.
Mahadayi — and water will be diverted towards ● No mortar has been used in the construction of
Karnataka’s parched districts. the temple.
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● There is a conical rock structure inside the potentially in the opposite direction to the
Kedarnath temple that is worshipped as the target.
Sadashiva form of Shiva.
#2
● A “Garba Griha” for worship and a Mandap for
pilgrims is placed inside the temple. Lab-Grown Diamonds
INTERNATIONAL ● Prime Minister recently gifted an eco-friendly
lab-grown 7.5-carat diamond, , to the US First
#1
Lady Jill Biden.
Sarmat Missile
About Lab-Grown Diamonds:
● Russian President recently said that, Russia's
● Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are
new generation of Sarmat intercontinental
produced using specific technology which
ballistic missiles, which are capable of carrying
mimics the geological processes that grow
10 or more nuclear warheads, would soon be
natural diamonds.
deployed for combat duty.
N
● The Diamond simulants such as Moissanite,
About Sarmat Missile:
The RS-28 Sarmat is Russia’s new generation
L.I
Cubic Zirconia (CZ), White Sapphire, YAG, and
others are used to make them look like natural
A
●
diamonds.
T
intercontinental ballistic missiles.
● How are LGDs produced? There are multiple
R
● It is named after the Sarmatian people of the
ways in which LGDs can be produced.
fourth and fifth century BC. It has also been
O
● High pressure, high temperature” (HPHT)
referred to in the West as the "Satan II".
P
method:
● It is capable of carrying 10 or more nuclear
C
● It is the most common and cheapest method.
warheads.
SS
● In this method, extremely heavy presses that
● It is designed and built by the Makeyev Rocket
can produce up to 730,000 psi of pressure
Design Bureau, Russia.
under extremely high temperatures of at least
Features: 1500 Celsius are applied.
● Usually, graphite is used as the “diamond seed”,
● It has a range of about 18,000 kilometres. and when subjected to these extreme
● It can travel at a maximum speed of conditions, the relatively inexpensive form of
25,500kph. carbon turns into one of the most expensive
● Propulsion: Three-stage, liquid-fuelled carbon forms.
● Launch weight: 208,100 kg ● Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and explosive
● It can carry a 10-ton payload and can load a formation create what is known as detonation
wide variety of warhead options. nanodiamonds.
● Sarmat can reportedly load up to 10 large
warheads, 16 smaller ones, a combination Application of Lab-grown diamonds:
of warheads and countermeasures, or
● Used for industrial purposes, in machines and
hypersonic boost-glide vehicles
tools and their hardness and extra strength
● While the RS-28 Sarmat can be launched
make them ideal for use as cutters.
much like a regular ICBM, it is thought to be
● Pure synthetic diamonds are used in electronics
also capable of what is called fractional
as a heat spreader for high-power laser diodes,
orbital bombardment.
laser arrays and high-power transistors.
● A fractional orbital bombardment means
firing an ICBM into a low orbit of the Earth –
much lower than a conventional firing –
#3
273
Mineral Security Partnership ● Location: Egypt is a transcontinental country

situated in northeastern Africa and the Sinai
● India was recently inducted into the Mineral
Peninsula in Western Asia (Middle East).
Security Partnership (MSP).
● Capital: Cairo
About Mineral Security Partnership: ● Boundaries: The country borders the
Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Gulf of
● It is an ambitious new initiative to bolster Suez and the Red Sea to the east.
critical mineral supply chains, announced by the ● It is bordered by Libya in the west, the
United States (US) and key partner countries in Palestinian territory (Gaza Strip) and Israel in
June 2022. the northeast, and Sudan in the south.
● The goal of the alliance is to ensure that critical ● It shares maritime borders with Cyprus, Turkey
minerals are produced, processed, and recycled and Greece in the Mediterranean Sea, and with
in a manner that supports the ability of Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.
countries to realise the full economic ● Independence: Modern Egypt became
development benefit of their geological
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independent in 1922.
●
endowments.
The focus of the grouping would be on the
●
L.I
Population: With 12 million inhabitants (2021),
Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab
A
supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt, world.
Nickel, Lithium and also the 17 “rare earth”
minerals.
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●
T Language: Spoken language is Modern
Standard Arabic; the colloquial language is the
What is a critical mineral?
PO ●
Egyptian-Arabic dialect (Masri).
Religion: Islam is the dominant religion in Egypt
●
C
There is no global definition of critical minerals, with an estimated 85-90% of the population is
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but essentially, they are mineral deposits with Sunni Muslim.
high economic vulnerability and high global ● Major rivers: The famous River Nile is the only
supply chain risk. river that flows in Egypt throughout the year.
● What are major critical minerals? Around 98% of the country's population resides
in the Nile River Valley.
#5
● The major critical minerals are Graphite, Lithium
and Cobalt. Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission
● They are used for making EV batteries and are
also critical for making semiconductors and ● The Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission
high-end electronics manufacturing. unanimously elected India as chair of the
● These minerals are also used in manufacturing Standing Committee on Integrated Pest
fighter jets, drones, radio sets and other critical Management (IPM) for the biennium 2023-24
equipment. during the 32nd Session held in Bangkok.
#4 About Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission:
Egypt ● It is an intergovernmental organization that

promotes cooperation among countries in the
● Indian Prime Minister recently arrived in Egypt's Asia-Pacific region to enhance plant health and
capital Cairo for the first state visit. plant protection.
● It was established in 1956 as a regional body
About Egypt:
approved by the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
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● Member Countries: The commission consists ● It is an independent, non-governmental

of 25 member countries, including India. international organisation with a membership of
167 national standard bodies.
Structure of the organization: ● Through its members, it brings together experts
● The Commission consists of representatives of to share knowledge and develop voluntary,
consensus-based, market-relevant International
all member countries and elects amongst them
Standards that support innovation and provide
a Chairperson who serves for a period of two
solutions to global challenges.
years.
● The Director-General of the Food and What is IEC?
Agriculture Organization appoints and provides
● The IEC is a global, not-for-profit membership
the secretariat that coordinates, organizes and organisation whose work underpins quality
follows up the work of the Commission. infrastructure and international trade in
● The Commission, according to its provisions electrical and electronic goods.
convenes at least once every two years and ● The IEC brings together more than 170
N
opens for participation to all member countries.
I
countries and provides a global, neutral and
● Objectives: The commission coordinates and
supports plant protection activities of its
L.
independent standardisation platform to 20 000
experts globally.
Members in Asia and the Pacific, with emphasis
on developing regional standards for
●
TA It administers 4 Conformity assessment

systems whose members certify that devices,
phytosanitary measures (RSPMs) etc.
O R systems, installations, services and people

work as required.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
C P
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#1
#2
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)
● BIS recently notified 31 Indian standards related
to Ayush, which includes 30 herbs and 1 ● Recently, the National Internet Exchange of
product (stainless steel neti pot). These India (NIXI) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day,
standards were recently published through a reaffirming its unwavering dedication towards
gazette notification. building India’s internet infrastructure.
About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): About the National Internet Exchange of India
(NIXI):
● BIS is the National Standards Body of India
established under the BIS Act 2016. ● It was established in 2003 as a not-for-profit
● Objective: Harmonious development of the organization under the Companies Act 2013.
activities of standardisation and quality ● It is tasked to increase Internet penetration and
assurance of goods and articles. adoption in India by facilitating the various
● It works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, infrastructure aspects to enable the Internet
Food & Public Distribution. ecosystem to be managed and used by the
● BIS represents India in International masses.
Organization for Standardization (ISO)and ● The four services which come under the NIXI:
International Electrotechnical Commission ● Setting IXPs, towards Building Internet
(IEC). Exchange Points
● .IN Registry towards building the .in domain
What is ISO? digital identity
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● Indian Registry for Internet Names and About X-57 Maxwell:

Numbers (IRINN) towards Internet Protocol
● It is an all-electric experimental aircraft
(IPv4 and IPv6) addresses adoption.
designed to demonstrate multiple leading-edge
● Data Centre services under NIXI-CSC towards
technologies.
data storage services.
● It is being designed and developed by NASA.
#3 ● Goal: To demonstrate that an all-electric
airplane can be more efficient, quieter and more
LEED Certification
environmentally friendly than airplanes powered
● According to the Green Business Certification by traditional gas piston engines.
Inc. India ranks first globally in LEED
Design:
Zero-certified green building projects
surpassing the US and China. ● It was made by modifying an Italian Texnam
P2006T light aircraft to be powered by an
About LEED Certification:
electric propulsion system.
N
● Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ● It will demonstrate the use of a high-power
is the world's most widely used green building
rating system in the world.
L.I
distributed electric propulsion system for use
on an aircraft, including a 460-volt battery to
A
● It is available for virtually all building types. power 14 motors and propellers.
T
● This certification provides a framework for ● The cruise motor controllers are critical
R
healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green components of the X-57’s powertrain, as they
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buildings, which offer environmental, social and convert the energy stored in the aircraft’s
P
governance benefits. lithium-ion batteries to power the motors that
C
● It is a globally recognized symbol of spin the electric propellers.
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sustainability achievement and leadership. ● The wing, which is being reduced to 42% of the
● To achieve LEED certification, a project earns original size to significantly reduce drag, will
points by adhering to prerequisites and credits feature wing-tip propellers to reduce the
that address carbon, energy, water, waste, wing-tip vortex at cruise.
transportation, materials, health and indoor
#2
environmental quality.
● Projects go through a verification and review Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System
process by GBCI and are awarded points that
● Recently, Larsen & Toubro and the Defence
correspond to a level of LEED certification:
Research and Development Organisation
Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points),
(DRDO) signed a contract for the realisation of
Gold (60-79 points) and Platinum (80+ points).
two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System
● This rating system is developed by the United
Modules for Kalvari Class of submarines of the
States Green Building Council (USGBC).
Indian Navy.
About Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System:
#1
● With the emergence of submarines, there was a
X-57 Maxwell problem finding satisfactory forms of
propulsion underwater.
● NASA's X-57 Maxwell all-electric aircraft project
● AIP is mostly implemented as an auxiliary
will soon conclude aircraft operational
source, with the traditional diesel engine
activities, with documentation and close-out
handling surface propulsion.
activities continuing for several months
● Most of these systems generate electricity,
afterwards.
which in turn drives an electric motor for
propulsion or recharges the boat’s batteries.
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● AIP allows longer submergence than a ● In these “quantum” states, matter behaves in
conventionally propelled submarine. A typical ways quite different from the solid, liquid, and
conventional power plant provides 3 megawatts gaseous states.
maximum, and an AIP source around 10 per ● Under frustrated quantum systems, where
cent of that. A nuclear submarine’s propulsion infinite possibilities result from the interaction
plant is much greater than 20 megawatts. of particles.
Key features of the AIP system: How it was formed?
● It allows the submarines to stay for longer ● Researchers used a bi-layer semiconducting
hours in water. The submarines need to come device.
to the surface of the water to charge their ● The top layer is electron-rich, and these
batteries. This is reduced by AIP System. electrons can move freely.
● It decreases the noise levels made by the ● The bottom layer is filled with “holes,” or places
submarines. This makes it hard to detect the that a roving electron can occupy.
submarines. ● Then the two layers are brought extremely close
● Types of AIP: Open-cycle systems, Closed-cycle
diesel engines, Closed-cycle steam turbines
Stirling cycle engines and Fuel cells.
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together. The machine is then triggered to
create a local imbalance resulting in electrons
not having enough holes to fill and this kicks off
What are the types of Submarines?
TA the novel state called the chiral Bose-liquid

state.
● Conventional or Diesel-electric submarine: They
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need atmospheric oxygen to run the diesel R● In this state, electrons can be frozen into
predictable patterns, making them resilient to
●
C P
generator which in turn charges the batteries.
Nuclear Submarine: It is a submarine powered
changes in spin (a defining characteristic of
subatomic particles) and even have electrons
SS
by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily synchronise their movements.
nuclear-armed. They have considerable ● It is very difficult to create such states of matter
performance advantages over conventional but going ahead may be used to fashion novel
submarines. digital encryption systems.
#3 #4
Chiral Bose-Liquid State Auroras
● According to recent research, the chiral ● Recently, an international team of researchers

Bose-liquid state may be an entirely new state revealed global observations of auroras
of matter. associated with carbon dioxide using satellites.
What is Chiral? About Auroras:
● The term chiral is from the Greek word for ● Formation: The sun is ejecting charged
‘hand’ which refers to anything which cannot be particles from its corona, creating solar wind.
superimposed on its own mirror image. When that wind slams into Earth's ionosphere,
the aurora is born.
About Chiral Bose-Liquid State: ● In the Northern Hemisphere, the phenomenon is
● Usually matter exists in solid, liquid or gas called the northern lights (aurora borealis),
forms. while in the Southern Hemisphere, it's called the
● At temperatures approaching absolute zero, or southern lights (aurora australis).
the world within the atom, things are very ● The hemispheric asymmetry of the aurora is
different. due in part to the sun's magnetic field
interfering with Earth's magnetic field.
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● The usually observed green and red auroras #1

happen between 100 kilometres and 250
kilometres above the surface of the planet due INS SUNAYNA
to an excited state of atomic oxygen. ● Recently, INS Sunayna visited Mombasa, Kenya
What is Carbon Dioxide Aurora? from 20-23 Jun 23 towards strengthening
bilateral ties with maritime neighbours on the
● When charged particles crash into the planet’s theme of the Ocean Ring of Yoga.
atmosphere, they interact with many different
atoms and molecules. Carbon dioxide is one of About INS SUNAYNA:
them.
● While the gas is known for acting as a ● It is a Saryu class Offshore Patrol Vessel which
greenhouse gas due to its presence in the was commissioned at Kochi.
lowest part of the atmosphere, trace parts of ● It is based under Southern Naval Command and
carbon dioxide also exist in the atmosphere at is built at Goa Shipyard Limited.
the edge of space. ● The warship is designed to undertake fleet
● When carbon dioxide molecules about 90
kilometres above Earth become excited during
an aurora, they emit infrared radiation.
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support operations, coastal and offshore
patrolling, ocean surveillance and monitoring of
Sea Lines of Communications and offshore
● This leads to more infrared radiation than is
typically observed in the planet’s atmosphere.
TA assets, and escort duties.
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● It can achieve speeds of 25 knots.
The ship also has an automatic power
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●
P
management system.
SPORTS
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● It is fitted with the latest Navigation,
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#1 Communication and Electronic Support
Systems.
FIFA U20 World Cup 2023 ● Other Sarayu class includes the INS Sumitra
● Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 to win its first Under-20 and INS Sumedha.
World Cup title held in Argentina. What is Passage Exercise (PASSEX)?
● The Celeste’s victory ends a streak of four
consecutive wins of European teams in the ● A Maritime Partnership Exercise was conducted
tournament. between the Indian Navy and Kenyan Navy.
● Luciano Rodríguez scored the winning goal in ● The crew of both the Indian and Kenya Navy
the 86th minute in a header from close range. conducted drills in Firefighting & Damage
More than 40,000 people, mostly cheering for Control, boarding exercises, asymmetric threat
Uruguay, attended the match at the Diego simulations and VBSS during the harbour
Maradona Stadium. phase.
● FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also
● A HADR capsule was also conducted onboard
present. France finished third, defeating South
for the Kenya Navy.
Korea 3-2 in the third-place playoff.
MISCELLANEOUS
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CURRENT AFFAIRS JUL-2023
National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

The Hindu Current Affairs Week-1
● Recently, the Prime Minister launched the National
NATIONAL Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and
distributed sickle cell genetic status cards to the
#1 beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau About the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination
Mission:
● Recently, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
has issued a ‘red alert’ directing the authorities to ● The Mission aims to address the pressing health
visit all tiger reserves.
About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau:
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challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly
among the tribal population, will mark a crucial
milestone in the Government’s ongoing efforts to
● It is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established
by the Government of India to combat organized
TA eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health
problem by 2047.
●
wildlife crime in the country.
O
It was constituted by amending the Wild Life
R●
●
Objectives of the Mission:
Provision of affordable and accessible care to all
P
(Protection) Act, 1972. SCD patients
C
● Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Environment and ● To ensure quality of care for SCD patients
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Forests. ● To reduce the prevalence of SCD
● Headquarter: New Delhi ● Health promotion- Awareness generation &
● Mandate: Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972it pre-marital genetic counselling
is mandated to ● Prevention: Universal screening and early detection
● To collect and collate intelligence related to ● Holistic Management & continuum of care:
organized wildlife crime activities and to Management of persons with sickle cell disease at
disseminate the same to State and other primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels;
enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to treatment facilities at tertiary health care facilities
apprehend the criminals. Patient support system Community adoption.
● To establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank.
About Sickle Cell disease:
● To assist foreign authorities and international
organization concerned to facilitate co-ordination ● Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood
and universal action for wildlife crime control. cell disorders that affect haemoglobin, the protein
● In capacity building of the wildlife crime that carries oxygen through the body.
enforcement agencies for scientific and professional ● The red blood cells are disc-shaped and flexible
investigation into wildlife crimes and assist State enough to move easily through the blood vessels. If
Governments to ensure success in prosecutions people have sickle cell disease, their red blood cells
related to wildlife crimes; are crescent or “sickle” shaped.
● It advises the Government of India on issues relating ● These cells do not bend or move easily and can
to wildlife crimes having national and international block blood flow to the rest of their body leading to
ramifications, relevant policy and laws. serious problems, including stroke, eye problems,
● It also assists and advises the Customs authorities infections, and episodes of pain called pain crises.
in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna ● As per the Census 2011, India has an 8.6% tribal
as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, population, which is 67.8 million across the Indian
CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item. states.
● The MoHFW tribal health expert committee report
#2
has listed sickle cell disease as one of the 10 special
279
problems in tribal heath that affect the tribal people ● National WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)
disproportionately, thus making this an important experts who appraise a section of villages on the
intervention. quality of services provided.
#3 #4
Water Mission Ordinance making power of the President
● Recently, the government’s ambitious ‘Har Ghar Jal’ ● The Delhi government recently urged the Supreme
initiative to provide all rural households in India with Court to quash the National Capital Territory of Delhi
potable water connections by 2024 under its (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023.
flagship Jal Jeevan Mission will likely to fall short of
its target, as per the survey reports. About Ordinance making power of the President:
About the Jal Jeevan Mission: ● Article 123 of the Indian Constitution grants the
President of India certain Lawmaking powers, i.e., to
● Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was launched in 2019 and Promulgate Ordinances when either of the two
is planned to have Functional Household Tap Houses of the Parliament is not in session, which
Connections (FHTC) installed in every rural makes it impossible for a single House to pass and
●
household, supplying each household with 55 litres
of water per person per day.
It comes under the Department of Drinking Water
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enact a law.
These Ordinances have the same effect as an Act of
Parliament.
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and Sanitation, Jal Shakti Ministry.
The fund ratio shared between the Centre and the
●
TA Ordinances may relate to any subject that the

Parliament has the power to make law, and would be
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State:
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for Himalayan (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and
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having the same limitations.
The Ordinances may have a retrospective effect and
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the North-Eastern States is 90:10; may modify or repeal any act of Parliament or other
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● for Union-Territories, it is 100:0; and ordinances. It may be used to amend a tax law, but it
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● For the rest of the states, it is 50:50. can never amend the Constitution.
● It is mainly concentrated on areas such as ● The President may withdraw an ordinance at any
substantial information, education, and time. However, he exercises his power with the
communication, focused on a community-based consent of the Council of Ministers headed by the
approach. President.
● This mission will also concentrate on source ● Following limitations exist on the Ordinance making
sustainability measures, such as recharge and reuse power,
through greywater management, water conservation, ● Legislature is not in session: The President can only
and rainwater harvesting. promulgate an Ordinance when either of the two
● As per the survey reports, Only 5% of the total, about Houses of Parliament is not in session.
one crore households out of nearly 19.5 crore ● Immediate action is required: The President cannot
households where work hasn’t even begun, are promulgate an Ordinance unless he is satisfied that
targeted under the scheme. there are circumstances that require taking
● There is a system of ‘certification’ wherein the gram ‘immediate action’.
panchayats in a village which district and block level ● Parliament should approve: Ordinances must be
authorities report as fully connected call a quorum, approved by Parliament within six weeks of
and upload a video attesting to the veracity of the reassembling or they shall cease to operate. The
claim. same will cease to operate if disapproved by either
House.
There are two mechanisms for independent verification: ● In various judicial pronouncements, the Supreme
● Independent audit agency that conducts a survey by Court has held that the President’s Ordinance
preparing a representative sample and interviewing making power is not beyond the scope of judicial
respondents on whether the installed water review.
connections are actually delivering water to their #5
satisfaction.
Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR)
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● An adult tiger was recently killed in Satpura Tiger ● They have three functioning hearts.
Reserve, allegedly by poachers who carried away its ● Two of the hearts work exclusively to move blood to
head. the gills, while the third pumps blood through the
rest of the body.
About Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR): ● Their blood is copper-based which is more efficient
● It is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya at transporting oxygen at low temperatures and
Pradesh. makes their blood blue in colour.
● It is located in the Satpura ranges of the Central ● They are solitary creatures excellent at camouflaging
Indian Landscape. and concealing themselves.
● It lies south of the river Narmada. ● They are about 90 percent muscle, and because they
● Satpura, basically meaning "Seven Folds", forms a lack bones, they can fit through very small spaces.
watershed between Narmada and Tapti Rivers. ● Their skin contains cells called chromatophores that
● Corridor: It has corridor connectivity with Pench allow the octopus to change colour and pattern.
National Park. ● They are found in every ocean of the world.
● The habitat is also an important testimony to human
evolution as it houses more than 50 rock shelters
which are almost 1500 to 10,000 years old. #2
●
●
Geological formations include the Deccan trap
series, Gondwanas and Metamorphic rocks.
Vegetation: Southern tropical moist deciduous
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India-France Maritime Partnership Exercise
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● Indian Naval ships INS Rana and INS Sumedha
forest, Southern tropical dry deciduous forest,
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undertook a Maritime Partnership Exercise with
Tropical riparian fringing forest, southern tropical
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French Navy ship FS Surcouf in the Bay of Bengal on
thorn forest, central Indian sun tropical hill forest, 30th June 2023.
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Dry and moist grassland.
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About India-France Maritime Partnership Exercise:
C ● INS Rana, a guided missile destroyer and INS
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INTERNATIONAL Sumedha, an indigenously built offshore patrol
#1 vessel were from the Indian Navy side.
● The French Navy’s La Fayette class frigate Surcouf
Octopus nursery participated in a variety of activities with Indian Navy
ships.
● Recently, marine scientists have discovered a new ● The Exercise included tactical manoeuvres,
Octopus nursery off the coast of Costa Rica. replenishment at sea approaches, air defence
About Octopus nursery: against fighter aircraft and cross deck helicopter
operations.
● The newly found nursery is almost two miles below ● Location: Bay of Bengal.
the surface of the Pacific Ocean. ● The Partnership Exercise signifies the strong
● This nursery belongs to the genus of Muusoctopus, navy-to-navy links, interoperability and strong bonds
and don’t have ink sacs - an organ found in most between Indian Navy and French Navy.
cephalopods.
Other Exercises with France:
Key facts about Octopus
● VARUNA: NAVAL EXERCISE
● It is a marine mollusc and a member of the class ● FRINJEX: MILITARY EXERCISE
Cephalopoda, more commonly called cephalopods. ● GARUDA: AIR FORCE EXERCISE
● Cephalopoda means “head foot” in Greek, and in this
class of organisms the head and feet are merged.
● A ring of eight equally-long arms surrounds the #3
head. They use their arms to "walk" on seafloor.
● The undersides of the arms are covered with suction Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
cups that are very sensitive to touch and taste.
● The sack-like body is perched atop the head, which ● Chinese Foreign Ministry recently said that the
has two complex and sensitive eyes, while the Chinese President will attend the virtual summit of
mouth is on the underside.
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the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) being ● Nord Security, home to NordVPN, NordLayer,
hosted by India. NordPass, and NordLocker, recently joined the
United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) community.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):
About United Nations Global Compact (UNGC):
● SCO is an intergovernmental organization founded
in Shanghai, China, on 15 June 2001 by the leaders ● UNGC is a call to companies everywhere to align
of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in
and Uzbekistan. the areas of human rights, labour, environment and
● Apart from Uzbekistan, the other five countries have anti-corruption.
been a part of the ‘Shanghai Five’ constituted in ● Launched in 2000, UNGC is the largest corporate
1996 by China to address border security issues with sustainability initiative in the world, with more than
four of its neighbours. 15,000 companies and 3,000 non-business
● The cooperation was renamed SCO after Uzbekistan signatories based in over 160 countries, and more
joined the organization in 2001. than 70 Local Networks.
● The SCO currently comprises eight Member States: ● This UN-led initiative promotes activities that
China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, contribute to sustainable development goals to
Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. create a better world.
● India and Pakistan became permanent members in
2017.
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The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact:
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The main objectives of the SCO are as follows: ● Derived from core United Nations conventions and
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declarations, the Ten Principles of the UN Global
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● Strengthening mutual trust, friendship and Compact are recognized and endorsed in numerous
neighbourly relations among the member states; intergovernmental resolutions and outcome
●
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Promoting effective cooperation in political, trade,
economic, scientific, technical, and cultural spheres ●
documents, including General Assembly resolutions.
Companies that join the compact are expected to
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as well as in the realm of educational, energy, integrate these principles into their corporate
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transport, tourism, environmental protection, and strategies, culture, and day-to-day operations.
other areas; ● Companies are also expected to advocate the
● Jointly maintaining and safeguarding peace, security principles publicly and communicate with
and stability in the region; and stakeholders on progress toward meeting the
● Fostering creation of democratic, fair and rational principles.
new international political and economic order. ● Any company that commits to upholding the
principles may join the compact, which is not legally
Structure: binding and is purely voluntary.
● The Heads of State Council (HSC) is the supreme The 10 principles for businesses, as stated on the UN
decision-making body in the SCO. It meets once a Global Compact’s website, are the following:
year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all
important matters of the organisation. Human Rights:
The organisation has two permanent bodies: ● Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect
the protection of internationally proclaimed human
● The SCO Secretariat based in Beijing. rights; and
● The Executive Committee of the Regional ● Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in
Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent. human rights abuses.
● RATS serves to promote cooperation of member
states against terrorism, separatism and extremism. Labour:
● The official working languages: Chinese and
Russian. ● Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom
of association and the effective recognition of the
#4 right to collective bargaining;
● Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and
What is the United Nations Global Compact compulsory labour;
● Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour;
and
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● Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in #1

respect of employment and occupation.
● Environment: Asian Development Bank (ADB)
● Principle 7: Businesses should support a ● The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently
precautionary approach to environmental approved USD 200 million additional financing for
challenges; the Rajasthan secondary towns development sector
● Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater project.
environmental responsibility; and
● Principle 9: encourage the development and About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption:
● It is a multilateral development bank established on
● Principle 10: Businesses should work against 19th December 1966.
corruption in all its forms, including extortion and ● Its primary mission is to "foster economic growth
bribery. and cooperation" among countries in the
Asia-Pacific Region.
#5
PEN Pinter Prize
● Recently, the British children’s writer and

●
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Functions:
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ADB assists members and partners by providing
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loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity
performance poet Michael Rosen has been awarded
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investments to promote social and economic
the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize 2023.
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development.
● It also provides financing to certain private sector
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About PEN Pinter Prize:
projects as well as public-private partnerships.
●
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It was established in 2009 in memory of
Nobel-Laureate playwright Harold Pinter.
● The ADB regularly facilitates policy dialogues and
provides advisory services.
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● The winner must be the author of a significant body ● They also useco-financing operations that tap
of plays, poetry, essays, or fiction of outstanding official, commercial, and export credit sources while
literary merit, written in English. providing assistance.
● It is given to a writer from the UK, Ireland and the
Commonwealth whose work is committed to a Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.
fearless exposition of truth about contemporary life. ● Members: From 31 members at its establishment in
● The prize is shared with an international writer of 1966, ADB has grown to encompass 68
courage selected by English PEN’s Writers at Risk members—of which 49 are from within Asia and the
Committee in association with the winner. Pacific and 19 outside.
● This half of the prize is awarded to someone who
has been persecuted for speaking out about their Control:
beliefs.
● Some of the previous award-winning writers are ● ADB is run by a board of governors, which represents
Malorie Blackman(2022), Tsitsi Dangarembga the member countries of the ADB.
(2021) Hanif Kureishi (2010), Salman Rushdie ● The ADB was modelled closely on the World Bank
(2014), and Lemn Sissay (2019). and has a similar weighted voting system where
votes are distributed in proportion to members'
Who is Michael Rosen? capital subscriptions.
● As of 2022, ADB's five largest shareholders are
● He is known for making poetry accessible to Japan and the United States (each with 15.6% of
children through his work and performances and total shares), the People's Republic of China (6.4%),
themes are often social, political and ethical. India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).
● In over 140 books, he has championed a way of ● Source of Funding: It relies on member
writing for children which reflects their everyday contributions, retained earnings from lending, and
worlds, using humour and wordplay to validate their the repayment of loans for the funding of the
imaginative ways of thinking. organization.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
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#2 ● The beneficiary or aggregator can be Farmers, rural

entrepreneurs, Cooperative Societies of Farmers,
Nano Urea Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and
● Recently, the Chemical and Fertilizer Minister said Panchayats.
Nine Nano Urea plants to be set up across the ● The govt. shall provide financial assistance on the
country by 2025. capital cost of machinery and equipment.
● The ministry is aiming to manufacture 44 crore ● Project proposal-based financial assistance will be
bottles of Nano Urea by the year 2025. extended for machines and equipment such as
● To achieve the target nine plants will be set up higher HP tractors, cutters, tedder, medium to large
across the country. balers, rakers, loaders, grabbers and tele-handlers.
● State Governments shall approve these projects
About Nano Urea: through project sanctioning committee.
● It is a nanotechnology-based revolutionary Agri-input Funding pattern:

that provides nitrogen to plants.
● It is developed and patented by the Indian Farmers ● The Centre and state governments will jointly
Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO). provide financial support of 65 per cent of the
project cost, while the industry as primary promoter
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● IFFCO Nano Urea is the only nano fertilizer approved
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by the Government of India and included in the of the project will contribute 25 per cent.
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Fertilizer Control Order (FCO). ● The remaining 10% will be contributed by beneficiary
or aggregator.
Features: ●
TA The land for storage of the collected paddy straw

will be arranged and prepared by the beneficiary as
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● Compared to conventional urea prill, Nano Urea has may be guided by the end use industry.
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a desirable particle size of about 20-50 nm and more
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surface area (10,000 times over 1 mm urea prill) and The Outcomes of the above interventions are:
number of particles (55,000 nitrogen particles over 1
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mm urea prill). ● Supplementing in-situ options: The initiative will
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● It contains 4.0 % total nitrogen (w/v). complement the ongoing efforts for paddy straw
● Merits of Nano Urea: management through in-situ methods.
● The urea absorption rate by crops is 80 percent in ● Reduction in stubble burning: It is estimated that
the case of Nano Urea whereas the traditional urea during the three-year duration of the interventions,
absorption rate is only 30 percent. approximately 1.5 million MT of surplus paddy straw
● Nano Urea is cost-effective and demonstrated an will be collected, which would have otherwise been
increase in crop yield. burnt in the fields.
● It is produced by an energy-efficient, ● Creation of biomass collection depots: Around 333
environment-friendly production process with less biomass collection depots with a capacity of 4,500
carbon footprints. MT will be established in the states of Punjab,
● It is also easy to store than urea bags. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
● Reduced air pollution: The project will significantly
#3 contribute to reducing air pollution caused by
stubble burning, leading to cleaner and healthier
Crop Residue Management environments.
● Job creation: The interventions are expected to
● Recently, The Government has revised the Crop
generate employment opportunities for
Residue Management guidelines enabling efficient
approximately 900,000 man-days.
ex-situ management of paddy straw generated in the
● Encouraging a robust supply chain: The
States of Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi.
establishment of a paddy straw supply chain will
About Crop Residue Management guidelines: facilitate its availability for various end-uses such as
power generation, heat generation, bio-CNG, etc., by
● As per the revised guidelines, techno-commercial power/bio-CNG/bio-ethanol producers.
pilot projects for Paddy Straw Supply Chain will be ● Stimulating investments: The development of a
established under the bilateral agreement between supply chain will attract new investments in the
the Beneficiary/Aggregator and Industries utilizing biomass-to-biofuel and energy sectors.
the paddy straw.
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#4 organisms that live under the sea without disturbing

the marine environment.
Industrial Park Rating System
About Belle Robot:
● Recently, Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT) successfully organized the ● It is an autonomous underwater robot designed to
National Workshop on Industrial Park Rating System collect DNA samples and film underwater without
in New Delhi. disrupting the delicate ecosystem it explores.
● Objective: By analysing DNA samples and video
About Industrial Park Rating System: footage collected by the robot, researchers aim to
● IPRS was launched by DPIIT in 2018 with the better understand the impact of human activities on
support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and marine life and develop targeted conservation
the Ministry of Electronics and Information strategies.
Technology (MeitY). Features:
● Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) is an extension
of the India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) platform ● Belle is silent, moves like a fish and doesn’t create a
which features more than 4,500 industrial parks. disruptive wake as she moves through her
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● It is a GIS-enabled database to facilitate investors to environment.
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identify their preferred location for investment.
It aims to rate the country’s industrial parks and
●
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It employs artificial intelligence (AI) to autonomously
manoeuvre and capture isolated e-DNA samples, as
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special economic zones (SEZ). well as high-resolution video footage.
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● It rates industrial parks across four pillars: internal ● Measuring just under a metre and weighing almost
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infrastructure and utilities, external infrastructure 10 kg out of the water, Belle is propelled by a silicone
and facilities, business support services, and fin with two cavities into which water is pumped in
●
environmental and safety management.
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Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones (SEZS) ●
cycles.
These cavities are filled and emptied with water
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are classified into 3 categories: Leaders, Challengers through a pump system that moves the fin back and
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and Aspirants. forth.
● This particular portal is integrated with the ● Additionally, its soft tail mimics the rising and falling
industry-based GIS system of the states and Union motion of a fish, creating no disturbance or
territories and plot-wise information in these are turbulence in the water, allowing it to blend
updated on a real-time basis. effortlessly with other marine creatures.
● Industrial Park Rating System Report 2.0
● Based on the findings of the pilot and review of the
global approaches, frameworks, and guidelines #2
DPIIT introduced ‘IPRS 2.0’ in Oct, 2021 as a key
LIGO Detectors
enabler for identifying additional measures to
enhance industrial competitiveness. ● Recently, Scientists have found evidence to suggest
● The Globally known frameworks were referred for that the universe is replete with low-frequency
developing the initial concept of IPRS 2.0 viz. the gravitational waves – ripples in the fabric of
International Guidelines for Industrial Park (IGIP) space-time, predicted by Albert Einstein’s General
developed by United Nations Industrial Development Theory of Relativity more than 100 years ago.
Organization (UNIDO) and the Eco-Industrial Park
(EIP) framework developed by UNIDO, World Bank. About Gravitational Waves:
● Gravitational waves were first detected in 2015 using

an experiment involving Laser Interferometer
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) detectors.
● But those waves were of high frequency and
#1
believed to have been produced by the merger of
Belle Robot two relatively small black holes that took place
about 1.3 billion years ago.
● Researchers in Switzerland recently developed a ● Scientists have been looking for low-frequency
new, autonomous fish robot named Belle, capable of gravitational waves for decades. They believed that
giving conservationists a clearer picture of the
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such ripples are perpetually rolling through space ● Recently, India became the 27th signatory to the
like background noise. Artemis Accords, a set of non-binding guidelines
● Pairs of supermassive black holes, sitting at the that underpin the Artemis programme, a U.S.-led
centre of galaxies, merge across the universe, project to return humans to the moon permanently.
generating gravitational waves. This breakthrough
provides enough data to suggest that there is a About Artemis Accord:
gravitational wave background which exists in our ● Artemis, named after the Greek Moon goddess,
universe. represents a comprehensive agreement drawn up by
● To discover low-frequency gravitational waves, the US to bring together nations that share a
scientists used entirely different technologies that common vision for civil space exploration.
were carried out by radio astronomers representing ● It serves as a framework for cooperation and
five different international teams, including Indian collaboration in space exploration, building upon the
Pulsar Timing Array (InPTA). foundation of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
● The researchers used six large radio telescopes ● The Artemis Accords were jointly launched by the
around the world, including the one in Pune, to study United States Department of State and NASA on
objects called pulsars, distant rapidly-rotating October 13, 2020, with seven partner countries, such
neutron stars that emit pulses of radiation, observed as Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, UAE, and the
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from the Earth as bright flashes of light.
.
UK.
● These bursts take place at exact intervals, and
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● The Accords have been signed by 26 countries as of
therefore scientists use pulsars as ‘cosmic clocks. June 23, including the original eight. These include
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● After examining 25 pulsars over 15 years, Scientists traditional US allies like Japan, Australia, the UK,
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have proposed that the observed inconsistencies France, and Canada, but also countries with
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were due to deformities caused in space-time by relatively less developed space programmes like
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gravitational waves. These irregularities showed Colombia, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Mexico.
consistent effects of the presence of gravitational
waves.
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About LIGO: ● peaceful exploration,
● full transparency in space activity,
● LIGO is an international network of laboratories that ● including public release of scientific data,
detect the ripples (gravitational waves) in space-time ● interoperability of systems to enhance safety and
produced by the movement of large celestial objects sustainability,
like stars and planets. ● emergency assistance to personnel in distress,
● These ripples were first postulated in Albert ● preserving outer space heritage,
Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which ● extracting and utilising space resources in
encapsulates our current understanding of how compliance with the Outer Space Treaty, and
gravitation works. ● The safe disposal of orbital debris.
● The LIGO detectors are sensitive to distance ● The Artemis programme includes plans for a base
changes that are several orders of magnitude on the lunar surface, multiple spacecraft to ferry
smaller than the length of a proton. humans and cargo, an orbiting space station, and a
● The experiment works by releasing light rays constellation of satellites to help with navigation and
simultaneously in both chambers. Usually, the light communication. The first Artemis crewed mission to
should return at the same time in both chambers. the moon’s surface is likely in 2026.
● However, if a gravitational wave passes through, one ● NASA is also keen to emphasise that the Artemis
chamber elongates while the other squishes, programme will take the first woman, and the “first
resulting in a phase difference in the returning light person of colour”, to the moon.
rays. Detecting this phase difference confirms the ● By joining the Artemis Accords, ISRO gains access
presence of a gravitational wave. to valuable technologies and opportunities for
scientific and technological advancements.
Collaboration with NASA would enable
#3 knowledge-sharing and technology transfer and
enhance India’s space exploration efforts.
Artemis Accord ● The joint mission to the International Space Station
(ISS) in 2024, coupled with the Gaganyaan human
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module flights, would set the stage for India to raise ● Recently, Indian wrestlers and Target Olympic
its space aspirations. Podium Scheme (TOPS) Athletes Vinesh Phogat and
Bajrang Punia are set to head out to Kyrgystan and
Hungary for international training camps.
#4 About Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS):
SIGHT Programme ● In order to improve India’s performance at Olympics
● Recently, the union Ministry of New and Renewable and Paralympics it was started the September 2014.
Energy (MNRE) has issued scheme guidelines for ● It is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth
implementation of strategic interventions for green Affairs and Sports which is an attempt to provide
hydrogen transition (SIGHT) programme. assistance to India’s top athletes.
● It was revamped in 2018 to include a technical
About SIGHT programme: support team to manage the TOPS athletes and
offer comprehensive assistance.
● It is a sub component under the National Green ● The Ministry prioritises the selection of TOPS
Hydrogen Mission. members, with an emphasis on ensuring
● Aim of the programme: representation from high-priority sports such as
● Component I: It aims at providing electrolyser
manufacturing incentives with a total outlay of INR
4440 crore ●
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Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Shooting, and
Wrestling.
Category: The sports persons are selected mainly in
● Component II: It focuses on green hydrogen
production with financial outlay of INR 13050 crore.
TA two categories namely; the Core Group and the

Development Group.
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● Implementing agency: The Solar Energy Corporation ● Out of Pocket Allowance’ of Rs 50,000 per month is
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of India (SECI) would be the implementing agency given to the selected Athletes in Core Group and Rs
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responsible for the scheme’s execution. 25,000 per month to athletes in Development Group
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for meeting contingent and miscellaneous
Key facts about National Green Hydrogen Mission
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expenses.
● It was launched in 2022, with the goal of making ● To provide assistance to athletes selected under the
India energy independent and decarbonising major Scheme, a dedicated body called the Mission
sectors of the economy. Olympic Cell was established.
● Benefits of this mission ● This body operates under the leadership of the
● India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is likely Director General of the Sports Authority of India.
to reach at least 5 MMT per annum, with an
MISCELLANEOUS
associated renewable energy capacity addition of
about 125 GW. #1
● The targets by 2030 are likely to bring in over Rs. 8
lakh crore investments. Leatherback Sea turtle
● Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are
expected to be averted by 2030. ● Recently, in a rare occurrence, a leatherback sea
turtle was seen after a gap of seven years in
What is the green hydrogen? Visakhapatnam.
● It is the gas produced by splitting water into About Leatherback Sea turtle:
hydrogen and oxygen using an electrolyser that may
be powered by electricity generated from renewable ● It is the largest turtle in the world.
energy sources. ● It is the only species of sea turtle that lack scales
and a hard shell.
● They are named for their tough rubbery skin and
have existed in their current form since the age of
SPORTS the dinosaurs.
● These turtles are highly migratory which can swim
#1
over 10,000 miles a year between nesting and
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) foraging grounds.
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● They are also accomplished divers with the deepest to maintain an ‘ever-evolving repository of data,
recorded dive reaching nearly 4,000 feet deeper than training and benchmark datasets, open models,
most marine mammals. tools and technologies.
● It has a unique thermoregulatory adaptation allows ● The contribution can be done in four ways -- Suno
them to maintain core body temperatures at India, Likho India, Bolo India and Dekho India --
extremely cold depths. where users have to type what they hear or have to
● Distribution: It is found in every ocean except the validate texts transcribed by others.
Arctic and Antarctic.
● They have the widest global distribution of any
reptile, with nesting mainly on tropical or subtropical #2
beaches.
National Chambal Sanctuary
Conservation status
● The National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh
● IUCN: Endangered will soon have a dolphin sanctuary area as well.
● CITES: Appendix I ● A proposal in this regard was recently sent to the
state government by the deputy conservator of
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The Hindu Current Affairs Week-2 forest (wildlife) of the National Chambal Sanctuary
NATIONAL
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project.
About National Chambal Sanctuary:

#1
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Bhashini Platform National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a
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5,400 sq. km tri-state protected riverine sanctuary
● Prime Minister recently pitched for sharing India's
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along 425 km length of the Chambal River and
AI-based language platform, Bhashini, with SCO
ravines.
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member countries to remove language barriers
● Location: It lies at the tri-junction of three states
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within the international grouping.
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
About Bhashini Platform: ● The main focus of the sanctuary is to protect the
critically endangered Gharial, Red-crowned roof
● Digital India BHASHINI, is India's Artificial turtle & endangered Ganges dolphin.
Intelligence (AI)-led language translation platform. ● Chambal supports the largest population of Gharials
● It seeks to enable easy access to the internet and in the wild.
digital services in Indian languages, including ● It is listed as an important bird area (IBA).
voice-based access, and help the creation of content ● Topography: The topography is full of ravines, hills &
in Indian languages. sandy beaches.
● It aims to make Artificial Intelligence and Natural ● Vegetation: It is part of the Kathiar-Gir dry deciduous
Language Processing (NLP) resources available in forest ecoregion.
the public domain to be used by -- Indian MSMEs,
startups and individual innovators. Other Fauna:
● This will help developers to offer all Indians easy
● Other animals which are also in the Threatened
access to the internet and digital services in their
category like mugger crocodile, smooth-coated
native languages.
otters, Striped Hyena & Indian wolfs are also found
● This online platform also has a separate ‘Bhasadaan’
here.
section which allows individuals to contribute to
● Chambal River support 8 out of 26 rare species of
multiple crowdsourcing initiatives, and it is also
turtle family like Indian narrow-headed soft-shell
accessible via respective Android and iOS apps.
turtle, three- striped roof turtle & crowned river turtle.
How does it work? ● Mammals are also seen, which include Sambhar
deer, Neel Gai (blue bull), Indian gazelle, Rhesus
● The project is available on this website: Monkey, Hanuman Langur, Indian grey & small Asian
https://www.bhashini.gov.in/en/ and it is aimed to mongoose, Bengal Fox etc.
build and develop an ecosystem where various
stakeholders like institutions, industry players, #3
research groups, academia and individuals can unite
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Nallamala Forest ● The script was first publicized in 1939 at the

Mayurbhanj State exhibition.
● While forest officials are attempting to ensure ● Murmu published over 150 books in Santhali in the
privacy and protection for tigers in the Nallamala Ol Chiki script, including novels, poetry, drama,
forest areas to safeguard their reproductive cycle. grammars, dictionaries and other information about
About Nallamala Forest: the language and script.
● Santhali is also written with the Latin, Odia, Bengali
● It is one of the largest stretches of undisturbed and Devanagari alphabets.
forest in South India, apart from the Western Ghats. ● Santhali language is spoken mainly in Jharkhand
and West Bengal states in northern India, and also in
Location: northwestern Bangladesh, eastern Nepal and
Bhutan.
● It is spread over five districts in the Indian states of
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Key facts about Hul Diwas
● It is located in Nallamala Hills, which is a part of the
Eastern Ghats. ● The Santhal rebellion or ‘Hul’ – literally, revolution –
● It lies south of the Krishna river. began in 1855 two years before the uprising of 1857.
The forest has a good tiger population, and a part of ● It was an “organised war against colonialism” led by
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the forest belongs to the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam the Santals, standing against the myriad forms of
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Tiger Reserve, the largest tiger reserve in the economic oppression
country. ● It was led by two brothers Sidhu and Kanhu.
Climate:
●
TA It saw the participation of as many as 32 caste and

communities rallying behind them.
● It has a warm to hot climate throughout the year,
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with summer especially hot and winters mostly cool
R#5
●
and dry.
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It gets most of its rain during the South West
Cannabis Medicine Project
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monsoon. ● Recently, Union Minister of State (Independent
● Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous. Charge) Science & Technology said that Jammu is
● Flora: It harbours endemic species like Andrographis going to pioneer India's first Cannabis Medicine
nallamalayana, Eriolaena lushingtonii, Crotalaria Project.
madurensis var, Dicliptera beddomei and premna About Cannabis Medicine Project:
hamitonii.
● Fauna: It is home to as many as 700 species of ● ‘Cannabis Research Project’ of CSIR-IIIM Jammu is a
animals besides tigers, leopards, such as black buck, first of its kind in India initiated under the leadership
wild hog, peacock, pangolin, Indian Python and King of Science & Technology Ministry in Private Public
Cobras and several rare bird species. Partnership with a Canadian firm, which has a great
potential to put substance of abuse for the good of
#4 mankind especially for patients suffering from
Ol Chiki script neuropathies, cancer and epilepsy, malignancies.
● This project of CSIR-IIIM is also important from the
● Recently, the Prime Minister India for saluting the perspective of Atma- Nirbhar Bharat as it will be able
immortal tribal revolutionaries on Hul Diwas used Ol to produce export quality drugs meant for different
Chiki script of Santhali language. kinds of neuropathies, diabetic pains etc.
● This project will explore the therapeutic properties of
About Ol Chiki script: Cannabis, a plant which is otherwise prohibited and
known for abuse.
● It was created in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu
(1905-1982), writer and teacher from what is Cannabis Cultivation:
Mayurbhanj State (now part of Odisha) in India as a
way to write Santhali a Munda language. ● Cannabis, weed, pot, and marijuana all refer to the
● Ol Chiki is also known as Ol Cemet', Ol Ciki, Ol or the same group of plants known for their relaxing and
Santhali alphabet. calming effects.
● It was created as a way to promote Santhali culture. ● Cannabis contains at least 120 trusted Source active
ingredients, or cannabinoids. The most abundant
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ones are cannabidiol (CBD) and meetings (Assembly, Council, 5 Committees, and 7
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Sub-Committees)
● Cannabidiol (CBD) - This is a psychoactive ● Assembly: It is the highest Governing Body of the
cannabinoid, yet it’s non-intoxicating and IMO. It consists of all Member States, and it meets
non-euphoric. once every two years in regular sessions. The
● THC- This is the main psychoactive compound in Assembly is responsible for approving the work
cannabis. program, voting the budget and electing the Council.
● Council: It is the Executive Organ of the IMO and is
INTERNATIONAL responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the
#1 work of the Organization.
● Committees: The five policy-making committees are
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) responsible for the development, review, updating,
and approval of the organization’s guidelines and
● India recently asked the International Maritime regulations.
Organisation (IMO) to focus on a realistic target to ● Funding: Funding for the IMO comes from
ensure that net zero carbon fuels occupy 5 per cent contributions by member states, as well as voluntary
of the Marine fuel mix by 2030, without any donations and commercial activities.
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additional checkpoints during this explorative and
take-off period.
About International Maritime Organisation (IMO):

#2
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Belarus
● IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations ●
TA Belarusian embassy in the Netherlands was
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which is responsible for measures to improve the reportedly vandalized recently.
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safety and security of international shipping and to
About Belarus:
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prevent pollution from ships.
● IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the
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● It is a landlocked country of eastern Europe.
safety, security and environmental performance of
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● Bordering countries: It borders Russia to the
international shipping. northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west,
● Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest.
the shipping industry that is fair and effective, ● The capital and largest city is Minsk.
universally adopted and universally implemented.
● It has an integral role in meeting the targets set out Languages:
in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, ● Spoken languages are Belarusian (official) 24%, but
seas and marine resources for sustainable 70% speak Russian (official).
development. ● Ethnic Belarusians, who speak a language closely
● Formation: It was established as the related to Russian and Ukrainian, make up more than
Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative three-quarters of the population.
Organization (IMCO) in 1948, became a specialized Relief:
agency of the United Nations in 1959 and was
renamed International Maritime Organization in ● Much of the country consists of flat lowlands
1982. separated by low level-topped hills and uplands.
● Membership: It currently has 174 Member States. ● About 40% of the country is forested; Białowieża
● Headquarters: London. Forest is one of the last and largest remaining parts
of the immense primeval forest that once stretched
Structure: across the European plain.
● The work of the IMO is carried out by the IMO Rivers:
Secretariat, Member States, IGOs, and NGOs.
● The daily operations of the IMO, including meeting ● The greater part of the republic lies in the basin of
coordination and preparation, is conducted by the the Dnieper—which flows across Belarus from north
IMO Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General and to south on its way to the Black Sea.
assisted by a staff of 300 international civil servants. ● The extreme southwestern corner of Belarus is
● The Member States, IGOs, and NGOs are drained by the Mukhavyets, a tributary of the Bug
represented at the IMO during the various IMO
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(Buh) River, which forms part of the border with residents, mostly children and elderly, being
Poland and flows to the Baltic Sea. hospitalised or requiring medical assistance.
● Climate: It has a cool continental climate moderated
by maritime influences from the Atlantic Ocean. About E. coli:
● Until it became independent in 1991, Belarus, ● Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a
formerly known as Belorussia or White Russia, was type of bacteria that can be found in the intestines of
the smallest of the three Slavic republics included in humans and animals.
the Soviet Union (the larger two being Russia and ● coli is a rod-shaped bacterium of the
Ukraine). Enterobacteriaceae family.
#3 ● While most strains of E. coli are harmless and even
beneficial, some strains can cause illness and
Long March 10 Rocket infections.
● Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhoea, while
● China recently carried out a trial test on the main others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory
engine of the Long March-10, a new carrier rocket illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.
designed for manned moon landing missions. ● Transmission: Pathogenic E. coli can be transmitted
to humans through contaminated food, water, or
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About Long March 10 Rocket:
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contact with faecal matter from infected individuals
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● It is China’s new carrier rocket designed for manned or animals.
moon landing missions. ● How does E. coli make you sick?
● The rocket will be capable of ferrying a crew module
along with a lunar lander to Earth-Moon transfer
●
TA The most familiar strains of E. coli that make you

sick do so by producing a toxin called Shiga.
orbit.
O R● This toxin damages the lining of your small intestine

and causes diarrhoea.
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Features: ● These strains of E. coli are also called Shiga
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toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
● It has a modular design, consisting of a service
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● The STEC that is most well-known and most often
capsule, a return capsule and an escape tower,
referred to is E. coli O157:H7, or just E. coli O157.
making it like a miniature space station on its own.
● The command module and living quarters form one Symptoms:
half, while the energy and the power modules form
the other half. ● Symptoms of an E. coli infection can vary depending
● The flexible approach allows for components to be on the specific strain and severity of the infection.
reused. ● Common symptoms include diarrhoea (which may
● The crew capsule has been designed for operations be bloody), abdominal pain and cramping, nausea,
in orbit around the Moon, as well as the Earth. The and sometimes fever.
crew module has a capacity of between four and ● In severe cases, E. coli infections can lead to
seven humans. haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a condition that
● The vehicle will use liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen can cause kidney failure and other complications,
and kerosene as propellants. especially in young children and the elderly.
● It will have a length of 92 meters, and will be able to
deliver a minimum of 27 tonnes to the Earth-Moon BUSINESS & ECONOMY
transfer orbit. #1
● There is also a configuration of the vehicle without a
booster that can ferry Taikonauts (Chinese word for World Investment Report 2023
astronaut) to the Tiangong space station.
● Recently, the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD) published its World
Investment Report 2023.
#4
Key findings:
E. coli
● India and ASEAN were the most buoyant recipients
● Burney, a small town in the US state of California, of the Foreign direct investment (FDI), with increases
recently witnessed rising cases of E. coli, with many of 10 and 5%, respectively.
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● FDI inflows were higher in developing countries ● It is a parasite that destroys plants, gardens, and
compared with those in developed economies. crops down to their molecular level.
● China, the second largest FDI host country in the ● Once a plant contracts the mosaic virus, the infected
world, saw a 5% increase. plant can then spread the virus to other plants and
● FDI in the Gulf region declined, but the number of even affect an entire harvest if left untreated.
project announcements increased by two thirds. ● It affects a wide variety of horticultural and
● Inflows in many smaller developing countries were vegetable crops — roses, beans, tobacco, tomatoes,
stagnant, and FDI to the least developed countries potatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, melons,
(LDCs) declined. and peppers.
● Much of the growth in international investment in
renewable energy has been concentrated in What is ToMV?
developed countries. ● It belongs to the Virgaviridae family and is closely
● The investment gap across all sectors of the related to the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).
Sustainable Development Goals has increased to ● It hosts include tomato, tobacco, peppers, and
more than $4 trillion per year from $2.5 trillion in certain ornamental plants.
2015. ● It spreads mainly through infected seeds, saplings,
● The largest gaps are in energy, water and transport agricultural tools.
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infrastructure.
.
● It would require only a few infected saplings for the
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Key facts about the United Nations Conference on virus to take over an entire field in a matter of days.
● It can remain dormant in weeds and plant remains
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Trade and Development
around the field, and come back later.
● It is a permanent inter-governmental body
established by the United Nations General Assembly
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in 1964. #3
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● It is responsible for dealing with development
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issues, particularly international trade. Rights Issue
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● Framing policies in various domains such as trade,
technology, finance, aid, and transport are the most ● Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) plans to raise capital
important priorities of UNCTAD. through rights issue of equity shares as part of a
● The Conference ordinarily meets once in four years. government's plan to infuse capital into three
● The second UNCTAD Conference took place in New state-owned fuel retailers to fund their net zero
Delhi, India in 1968. carbon emission projects.
● Members: 195 countries
About Rights Issue:
● Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
● Reports published by the UNCTAD: Trade and ● A rights issue is an invitation to existing
Development Report, The Least Developed Countries shareholders to purchase additional new shares in
Report and Commodities and Development Report the company.
etc. ● This type of issue gives existing shareholders
securities called rights.
● With the rights, the shareholder can purchase new
#2 shares at a discount to the market price on a stated
Mosaic Viruses future date.
● The company is giving shareholders a chance to
● Tomato growers in Maharashtra and Karnataka have increase their exposure to the stock at a discount
blamed two different mosaic viruses for the loss of price.
yields earlier this year. ● Until the date at which the new shares can be
● Tomato crop in Maharashtra was impacted by purchased, shareholders may trade the rights on the
attacks of the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), while market the same way that they would trade ordinary
in Karnataka and other South Indian states the shares.
farmers blaming tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) for ● The rights issued to a shareholder have value, thus
crop losses. compensating current shareholders for the future
dilution of their existing shares' value.
What is Mosaic virus? ● Dilution occurs because a right offering spreads a
company’s net profit over a larger number of shares.
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Thus, the company’s earnings per share, or EPS, ● It is presently at a point in space known as the
decreases as the allocated earnings result in share Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, approximately 1.5
dilution. million km beyond Earth’s orbit.
● Lagrange Point 2 is one of the five points in the
Why Issue a Rights Offering? orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system.
● Companies most commonly issue a right offering to ● It's the largest, most powerful infrared space
raise additional capital. telescope ever built.
● A company may need extra capital to meet its ● Objectives: It will examine every phase of cosmic
current financial obligations. history; from the Big Bang to the formation of
● Troubled companies typically use rights issues to galaxies, stars, and planets to the evolution of our
pay down debt, especially when they are unable to Solar System.
borrow more money. #2
Supermoon
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ● As per Scientists, the first supermoon of 2023, which
#1 will be seen in July, will appear brighter in the night
CH3+ molecule
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sky compared to any other full moon that has been
witnessed this year.
A
● Recently, the CH3+ molecule has been detected in About Supermoon:
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space for the first time by the James Webb Space
● A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is
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Telescope (JWST).
● Scientists found the fingerprints of the CH3+ closest to the Earth at the same time that the Moon
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molecule in light coming from a swirling disk of dust is full.
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and gas around a young star. ● As the Moon orbits the Earth, there is a point of time
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● The disk is in the Orion Nebula, 1,350 light years when the distance between the two is the least
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from Earth. (called the perigee when the average distance is
about 360,000 km from the Earth) and a point of
About CH3+ molecule: time when the distance is the most (called the
apogee when the distance is about 405,000 km from
● It is also known as methyl cation. the Earth).
● CH3+ is a very simple organic molecule, just one ● Now, when a full Moon appears at the point when
carbon atom and 3 hydrogen atoms. the distance between the Earth and the Moon is the
● It reacts with other molecules to form more complex least, not only does it appear to be brighter but it is
ones. also larger than a regular full moon.
● Its presence in space tells us that basic building ● The term "Supermoon" was coined by astrologer
blocks for life are out there. Richard Nolle in 1979, defining it as a special event
● It is an initiator of a lot of very interesting more when a full moon is within 90 percent of its closest
complex reactions point to Earth.
● In a typical year, there may be two to four full
What is the significance of this discovery?
supermoons and two to four new supermoons in a
● The discovery of methyl cation in a region where row.
planets that could eventually host life are forming
may help untangle this cosmic riddle and help
scientists better understand how and where in the #3
universe life could get started.
OpenKylin
Key facts about the James Webb Space Telescope
● China recently released its first open-source desktop
● This telescope was built in collaboration between operating system, named OpenKylin.
NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the
Canadian Space Agency and was launched in About OpenKylin:
December 2021.
● It is China's first open-source desktop operating
system (OS).
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● It is a Linux-based operating system built by a highland pastures of the Lahaul and Spiti district of
community of about 4,000 developers. Himachal Pradesh.
● OpenKylin users have access to the software’s lines
of code and can modify them as they wish, unlike About is Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR):
Microsoft and Apple, which keep the workings of ● PPR is a highly contagious viral disease of sheep
Windows and MacOS systems secret. and goats with high mortality.
What is an open-source operating system (OS)? ● It is caused by a virus of the family paramyxoviridae
and genus morbillivirus. It is closely related to other
members of the genus, including the rinderpest
virus, measles virus, and canine distemper virus.
● An Open-source OS is the OS in which source code
is visible publicly and editable. Symptoms:
● The generally known Operating Systems like
Microsoft’s Windows, Apple’s iOS and Mac OS, are ● PPRV causes disease with an array of clinical signs.
closed OS. It also causes immunosuppression, which makes
● Closed Operating Systems are built with numerous affected animals more likely to pick up other
codes and complex programming and that is called infections.
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● Clinical signs of PPR: Fever, Eye and nasal
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source code. This source code is kept secret by the
.
respective companies (owners) and inaccessible to discharges, Sores in the mouth, Diarrhoea,
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third parties. In the case of an Open-Source Listlessness, Respiratory signs (coughing and
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Operating system, everyone can access and edit the pneumonia), Abortion and death, with case fatality
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source code. rates as high as 90% (though more commonly
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around 20%).
Pros and Cons of Open-Source Operating Systems:
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Transmission:
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Pros:
● PPR is mainly spread during close contact when a
●
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Cost-efficient – Most of the Open-Source OS is free. susceptible animal inhales the virus from infected
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And some of them are available at a very cheap rate animals’ coughing and sneezing.
than the commercial closed products. ● Transmission can also occur indirectly through
● Reliable and efficient – Most of them are monitored contact with infected objects (fomites) such as feed
by thousands of eyes since the source code is troughs, bedding etc.
public. So, if there is any vulnerability or bugs, they ● Sources of PPRV include secretions from the eyes,
are fixed by the best developers around the world. nose, and mouth of infected animals, as well as their
● Flexibility- The greatest advantage is you can faeces.
customize it as per your need and there is creative ● Once introduced, the virus can infect up to 90
freedom. percent of an animal herd, and the disease kills
anywhere from 30 to 70 percent of infected animals.
Cons: ● The PPR virus does not infect humans.
● Security risk – Though the bugs are identified, there
is a risk of attacks as the source code is available to
the attackers.
● Complicated – It is not user-friendly as the closed
ones. You need to have the minimum technical
knowledge to use this software. SPORTS
● Lack of support – If you meet with the problem, then
there is no customer support to help you out. #1
#4 SAFF Championship 2023 Final: India wins 9th title
Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) ● The Indian men's football team emerged victorious
in a thrilling penalty shootout against Kuwait 5-4 in a
● An outbreak of a highly contagious animal disease, thrilling penalty shootout, securing the SAFF
Peste Des Petits Ruminants, has recently killed 60 Championship 2023 title.
sheep and goats and affected around 200 in the
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● The Indian men’s football team emerged victorious ● Based on the 15th Finance Commission
in a thrilling penalty shootout against Kuwait 5-4 in a recommendations, the Central Government has
thrilling penalty shootout, securing the SAFF allocated over one lakh 28 thousand crore rupees for
Championship 2023 title at Bengaluru’s Sree SDRF for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Kanteerava Stadium.
● Ranked 100th in the latest FIFA rankings, India
triumphed in their ninth SAFF Championship out of
14 editions. This victory marked their second The Hindu Current Affairs Week-3
consecutive triumph after winning the
Intercontinental Cup the previous month. NATIONAL
● India, serving as the hosts, remained undefeated
throughout the SAFF Championship 2023. #1
● The team was awarded a cash prize of USD 50,000, Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign
equivalent to INR 41 lakh.
● Recently, the Union government of India has
MISCELLANEOUS launched the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign,
#1 envisaged as a culminating event of the ‘Azadi Ka
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Amrit Mahotsav’ celebration of 75 years of Indian
State Disaster Response Fund
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Independence.
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● Recently, Home Minister approves release of Rs. About Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign:
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6,194 crore state disaster relief funds to 19 States.
● Under this campaign soil collected from different
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● The amount includes1,209.60 crore as Central share
of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to four parts of the country in August will be used to
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States (Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Telangana, Uttar develop a garden along the Kartavya Path in Delhi.
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Pradesh) for year 2022-23 and Rs.4,984.80 crore to ● Events have been planned at the panchayat, village,
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15 States (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, block, urban local body, and State and national
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Assam, Bihar etc.) levels, respectively.
● The release of funds will help States undertake relief ● The five-point agenda includes the installation of a
measures during the current Monsoon season. shilaphalakam (memorial plaque), as per
specifications, bearing the “names of those who
State Disaster Response Fund: have made the supreme sacrifice”.
● Work for the shilaphalakam may be executed
● The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
constituted under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), leveraging
Management Act, 2005. local materials and resources.
● It is the primary fund available with State ● ‘Vasudha Vandhan’ envisages every gram panchayat
Governments for responses to notified disasters. or village renewing “Mother Earth by planting 75
● Contribution: saplings of indigenous species and developing an
● The Central Government contributes 75% of SDRF Amrit Vatika”.
allocation for general category States/UTs and 90% ● ‘Veeron Ka Vandan’ will felicitate freedom fighters,
for special category States/UTs (NE States, Sikkim, and the families of deceased freedom fighters.
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and ● Young volunteers and others will collect soil from
Kashmir). every panchayat/village and bring it to the block,
● Disaster (s) covered under SDRF: Cyclone, drought, from where the ‘Mitti Kalash’ will be transported to
earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, Delhi.
avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, frost and cold ● In urban areas, events will be organised at local
waves. bodies, notified area councils, Cantonment Boards,
● Local Disaster: A State Government may use up to and town panchayats from August 9 and 15, and in
10 percent of the funds available under the SDRF for bigger municipalities and municipal corporations
providing immediate relief to the victims of natural from August 16 to 20.
disasters that they consider to be ‘disasters’ within ● The ‘Mitti Kalash’ are to be brought ceremoniously to
the local context in the State and which are not the larger municipalities/corporations and
included in the notified list of disasters of the transported to Kartavya Path.
Ministry of Home Affairs.
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● It is a seaport in the Sistan-Balochistan province of

Iran, on the Gulf of Oman, at the mouth of the Strait
#2 of Hormuz.
Kanwar Yatra ● Chabahar is a deep-water port with direct access to
the Indian Ocean that is outside the Hormuz Strait.
● Millions of devotees called Kanwariyas or kriyas ● It is Iran’s only seaport and consists of two separate
started their journey for the Kanwar Yatra 2023 ports called Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.
which commenced recently. ● It's geographic proximity to countries such as
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, as well as its status
About Kanwar Yatra: as a key transit center on the burgeoning
International North-South Transport Corridor, gives it
● It is an annual Hindu pilgrimage observed every year
the potential to develop into one of the most
by Lord Shiva devotees.
important commercial hubs in the region.
● It usually starts in the month of July or August,
commonly known as the month of Sawan, according Chabahar Project:
to the Hindu calendar.
● In May 2016, India signed a tripartite agreement with
What happens at Kanwar Yatra? Iran and Afghanistan to develop the Shahid Beheshti
● The yatra derives its name from the word ‘kanwar’,
meaning a bamboo pole to which containers of holy
●
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Terminal at Chabahar.
It is India's first foreign port project.
The deal agreement aims to establish an
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water are tied at opposite ends.
International Transport and Transit Corridor in
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● Millions of devotees called Kanwariyas or kriyas
Chabahar.
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travel to pilgrimage places like Haridwar, Gaumukh,
● The construction of the Chabahar Port and the
Gangotri in Uttarakhand, Sultanganj in Bihar,
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construction of a rail line from Chabahar Port to
Prayagraj, Ayodhya and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh,
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Zahedan are the major highlights of this project.
and return by carrying Ganga water in kanwars to
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● The idea was that the port would enable India to
seek the blessings of Shiva.
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bypass Pakistan and access Afghanistan, and
● The water is then offered to Shiva temples, including
ultimately Central Asia.
the 13 Jyotirlingas across India. The ritual is known
● Moreover, the port could serve as a hub for transit
as Jal Abhishek.
trade between India, Iran, and Afghanistan and
● During the whole journey, Kanwars have to make
provide an alternative route to the traditional Silk
sure that the earthen pots do not touch the ground.
Road that passes through China.
● While carrying the water, devotees walk barefoot,
and some complete the pilgrimage by lying flat on
the ground.
● They are clad in saffron clothing while undertaking #4
the journey. Many observe fasts during the
pilgrimage and restrict consumption of food, water Indravati Tiger Reserve
and salt ● Chhattisgarh Forest Department has arrested 39
persons for poaching in Indravati Tiger Reserve,
Bijapur, and sent them on judicial remand.
#3
About Indravati Tiger Reserve:
Chabahar Port
● Location: It is located in the Bijapur district of
● Prime Minister recently said the members of Chhattisgarh.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) can work ● The park derives its name from the Indravati River,
towards maximizing the utilization of the Chabahar which flows from east to west and forms the
Port following Iran's membership of the world's northern boundary of the reserve with the Indian
largest regional organization. state of Maharashtra.
● Indravati attained the status of a national park in
About Chabahar Port: 1981 and a tiger reserve in 1983 under Project Tiger.
● Topography: It mainly comprises of undulating hilly
terrain with altitudes ranging between 177 to 599 m
above sea level.
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● Vegetation: Three major forest types are recognized ● You must not have any children under the age of 18
in Indravati: Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest with who live with you or whom you are financially
Teak, Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest without Teak, supporting.
and Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest. ● In case the applicant is issued a visa, they must
● Flora: Some common species include teak, achar, enter the UK within six months of the date on which
karra, kullu, shisham, semal, haldu, arjun, bel and the visa was issued. Once in the UK, the applicant
Jamun. can:
● Study-for certain degree programs, such as
Fauna: post-graduation or research in sensitive subjects in
● It is home to one of the last populations of rare wild the UK, an additional certificate under the Academic
buffalo. Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) needs to be
● Major faunal species include tiger, leopard, striped applied before starting the course or research.
hyena, wolf, common mongoose, freshwater ● Work in most jobs.
crocodile, common monitor lizard, Indian bull frog, ● Be self-employed and set up a company - as long as
herons, white-necked stork, black-necked stork, your premises are rented, your equipment is not
white ibis, black ibis etc. worth more than £5,000 and you do not have any
employees.
INTERNATIONAL
#3
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JIMEX 2023
#1
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TA The Indian Navy is hosting the bilateral Japan-India
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UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Maritime Exercise 2023 (JIMEX 23), which takes
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place at/off Visakhapatnam.
● The British Government recently announced the
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opening of the second ballot of the Young
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Professional Scheme for Indian citizens.
About JIMEX 2023:
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● This edition marks the 11th anniversary of JIMEX,
About Young Professionals Scheme: since its inception in 2012.
● This exercise will witness the participation of INS
● It was conceived as part of an India-U.K. Migration Delhi, INS Kamorta, fleet tanker INS Shakti, a
and Mobility MoU signed in May 2021 and was submarine, maritime patrol aircraft P8I and Dornier,
announced in November at the G20 summit in Bali. ship-borne helicopters and fighter aircraft.
● It was formally launched in February 2023. ● The exercise will be conducted over six days in two
● It will permit up to 3,000 of their degree-holding phases.
citizens aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in ● A harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam comprising
each other’s countries for two years. professional, sports and social interactions.
● This scheme makes India the first visa-national ● The two navies will jointly hone their war fighting
country to benefit from the scheme. skills at sea and enhance their interoperability
through complex multi-discipline operations in the
Features of India Young Professionals Scheme visa:
surface, sub-surface and air domains.
● It allows Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years old ● JIMEX 23 provides an opportunity to learn from each
to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. other's best practices and facilitates operational
● It will enable candidates to enter the UK at any time interactions between IN and JMSDF to foster mutual
while their visa is valid and leave and return anytime cooperation and reaffirm their shared commitment
during their stay. towards maritime security in the region.
● A person must be selected in the India Young
What are the other Exercises between India and Japan?
Professionals Scheme ballot before they can apply
for a Young Professionals Scheme visa. ● Malabar: India and Japan with the United States and
● To be eligible for the India Young Professionals Australia participate in the naval war gaming
Scheme visa, exercise named Malabar.
● You have to be an Indian national aged between 18 ● SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force)
and 30 years. ● Dharma Guardian (Military Exercise)
● You must have a bachelor’s degree or above.
● You must have 2,530 pounds in savings.
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#4 ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently proposed to

move the banking system to an expected credit
Ambergris loss-based provisioning approach from an “incurred
● Recently, 9.5kg of ambergris was found in the loss” approach.
carcass of a sperm whale which was washed up on What is the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) regime?
a shore of the Canary Island of La Palm.
● Under this practice, a bank is required to estimate
About Ambergris: expected credit losses based on forward-looking
● It has long been recognized as one of nature’s most estimations rather than wait for credit losses to be
enigmatic phenomena. actually incurred before making corresponding loss
● Ambergris which means grey amber in French, is a provisions.
waxy substance that originates from the digestive ● As per the proposed framework, banks will need to
system of protected sperm whales. classify financial assets (primarily loans) as Stage 1,
● The freshly passed ambergris is a light yellowish 2, or 3, depending on their credit risk profile, with
substance. Stage 2 and 3 loans having higher provisions based
● Chemically, ambergris contains alkaloids, acids, and on the historical credit loss patterns observed by
banks.
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a specific compound called ambreine, which is
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similar to cholesterol. ● Thus, through ECL, banks can estimate the
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● It is a rare substance, which contributes to its high forward-looking probability of default for each loan,
and then by multiplying that probability by the likely
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demand and high price in the international market.
loss given default, the bank gets the percentage loss
It is used
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T that is expected to occur if the borrower defaults.
This will be in contrast to the existing approach of
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● To produce perfumes which have notes of musk. incurred loss provisioning, whereby step-up
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● While there are records of it being used to flavour provisions are made based on the time the account
food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco in some
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has remained in the Non-Performing Asser (NPA)
cultures in the past.
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category.
● There is a ban on the possession and trade of
ambergris in countries like the USA, Australia and Benefits of the ECL regime:
India.
● It will result in excess provisions as compared to a
BUSINESS & ECONOMY shortfall in provisions, as seen in the incurred loss
approach.
#1 ● It will further enhance the resilience of the banking
systemin line with globally accepted norms.
Expected Credit Loss (ECL) Framework
● Private sector lender ICICI Bank recently said the

bank is ready to move to an expected credit loss
(ECL) framework for provisioning. #2
Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Academy
What is a loan-loss provision? ● Recently, the Open Network for Digital Commerce
(ONDC) introduced the ONDC Academy.
● The RBI defines a loan loss provision as an expense
that banks set aside for defaulted loans. About ONDC Academy:
● Banks set aside a portion of the expected loan
repayments from all loans in their portfolio to cover
the losses either completely or partially. ● It is an initiative of Department for Promotion of
● In the event of a loss, instead of taking a loss in its Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) initiative to create
cash flows, the bank can use its loan loss reserves a facilitative model to help small retailers take
to cover the loss. advantage of digital commerce.
● The level of loan loss provision is determined based ● It was launched by ONDC in collaboration with NSE
on the level expected to protect the safety and Academy Ltd, a subsidiary of the National Stock
soundness of the bank. Exchange.
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● It is not an application, platform, intermediary, or ● It’s less common in girls, affecting about 1 in every
software but a set of specifications designed to 8,000. Boys usually have more severe symptoms
foster open, unbundled, and interoperable open than girls.
networks. ● People with FXS usually experience a range of
developmental and learning problems.
Benefits ● The disease is a chronic or lifelong condition. Only
● The academy is a repository of educational and some people with FXS are able to live independently.
informative textual and video content programmes ● The peculiar quality of this disease is that if it is
in multiple Indian languages. inherited by the father, then it will only affect the
● It will provide a curated learning experience daughter, but if it is inherited by the mother, then it
providing guidance and best practices for a can affect both genders.
successful e-commerce journey. What are the causes?
● Anyone without any knowledge of e-commerce can
learn how to make a seller app with a technology ● It is caused by a defect in the FMR1 gene located on
service provider to aggregate all sellers from a the X chromosome.
nearby marketplace to make these products ● The defect, or mutation, on the FMR1 gene prevents
available online. the gene from properly making a protein called the
● It would also enable certification issued by NSE
Academy to individuals completing an assessment
developed by the institute.
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fragile X mental retardation 1 protein.
This protein plays a role in the functioning of the
nervous system.
Key Facts about ONDC

●
TA The exact function of the protein is not fully

understood. A lack or shortage of this protein
● It is a Section 8 company, under the initiative of
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DPIIT with a mission to democratize digital
R●
causes the symptoms characteristic of FXS.
Treatment
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commerce. ● It cannot be cured. Treatment is aimed at helping
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● It develops and maintains the ONDC Protocol, an people with the condition learn key language and
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open technical standard similar to UPI, HTTP and social skills.
SMTP.
● It comprises of buyer-side apps where consumers
can place orders, seller-side apps that on board #2
merchants and display their listings, and logistics
platforms that handle deliveries. Software-Defined Radio Tactical
● Indian Navy has begun equipping its warships with

'Made in India' Software-Defined Radio.
What is a Software Defined Radio (SDR)?

● SDR is a radio communication system that employs
#1 reconfigurable software-based components for the
processing and conversion of digital signals.
Fragile X Syndrome ● Unlike traditional radio communication systems,
● To spread education and awareness among the these radio devices are highly flexible and versatile.
general public about the 'Fragile X Syndrome', every ● This is an emerging technology used to connect
year 'World Fragile X Awareness Day' is observed on ever-increasing wireless world.
July 22 across the globe. About Software-Defined Radio Tactical (SDR-Tac):
About Fragile X Syndrome: ● Equipped with several multimedia capabilities, the
● It is an inherited genetic disease passed down from indigenous SDR-Tac provides real-time voice, data
parents to children that causes intellectual and and video information.
developmental disabilities. ● It is built indigenously by the Navy’s Weapons and
● It is also known as Martin-Bell syndrome. Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment
● It is the most common hereditary cause of mental (WESEE).
disability in boys. It affects 1 in 4,000 boys.
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What does SDR-Tac do? ● This allows the DS-SAR to provide for all-weather
day and night coverage and is capable of imaging at
● SDR-Tac is a four-channel multi-mode, multi-band, 1m resolution at full polarimetry.
19-inch rack-mountable, ship-borne software-defined
radio system.
● It is intended to serve ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and
ship-to-air voice-data communication for #4
network-centric operations. Fluorine
● It supports the simultaneous operation of all four
channels covering V/UHF- and L-Band. ● Recently, scientists from the University of Oxford
● This SDR system houses multiple types of have come up with a new way to obtain fluorine
waveforms for narrow-band and wide-band atoms, used to manufacture important chemical
applications. compounds used in industry and research, in a much
● Each ship will act as a relay wherein the data can safer and less energy-intensive way.
jump from one ship to another.
● To transfer voice, data or video, the link device picks About Fluorine:
up the best-suited available network. It ensures that
● Fluorine comes from a calcium salt called calcium
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data reaches its destination.
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fluoride, or fluorspar.
●
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Fluorspar is mined and then treated with sulphuric
acid at a high temperature to release hydrogen
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#3 fluoride (HF).
PSLV-C56
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●
T Hydrogen fluoride is then made to react with other

compounds to create fluorochemicals.
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● Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation ● Fluorine is a highly reactive element used to make
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(ISRO) announced that the launch of the PSLV-C56 fluorochemicals,
● It is used to produce plastics, agrochemicals,
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carrying Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite will take place
lithium-ion batteries, and drugs.
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on July 30.
About PSLV-C56: Issues with hydrogen fluoride
● The PSLV-C56 carrying DS-SAR satellite along with ● A major downside of this process is that HF is an
six co-passengers will be launched from the Satish extremely poisonous and corrosive liquid that
Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. irritates the eyes and respiratory tract even at low
● It is configured in its core-alone mode, similar to that concentrations.
of C55. ● It also requires special transportation and storage
● It would launch DS-SAR, a 360 kg satellite into a ● Hydrogen fluoride spills have occurred numerous
Near-equatorial Orbit (NEO) at 5 degrees inclination times in the last decades, sometimes with fatal
and 535 km altitude. accidents and detrimental environmental effects.
What is The DS-SAR satellite? New procedure to obtain fluorine atoms
● It is developed under a partnership between DSTA ● To avoid HF and to make the extraction process
(representing the Government of Singapore) and ST requires less energy, the researchers took inspiration
Engineering. from how the human body makes bones and teeth:
● It will be used to support the satellite imagery through calcium phosphate biomineralization.
requirements of various agencies within the ● They ground fluorspar in a ball-mill with potassium
Government of Singapore. phosphate.
● ST Engineering will use it for multi-modal and higher ● While fluorine is very reactive, calcium atoms prefer
responsiveness imagery and geospatial services for phosphorus even more, so the milling created
their commercial customers. calcium phosphate and another compound with
● It carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload fluorine atoms. They called the latter Fluoromix.
developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). ● When Fluoromix was reacted with organic
compounds, it could create around 50
fluorochemicals with up to 98% yield.
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● It was originally built in 1853.

● The first train of the country passed through Byculla
SPORTS station almost one-and-a-half centuries ago.
#1 ● It has been restored to its original Gothic, heritage,
architectural glory.
England beats Spain to win dramatic Under-21 Euro
final
● England wins 2023 UEFA European Under-21
NATIONAL
Championship by Beating Spain at Batumi Arena,
Georgia #1
● England emerged victorious in the Under-21
European Championship final against Spain in National Dental Commission Bill, 2023
Georgia, securing their first title since 1984.
● The government recently introduced the National
● Curtis Jones’ decisive goal propelled England to a
Dental Commission Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha.
1-0 triumph, while James Trafford’s heroic penalty
save in the 99th minute preserved England’s flawless About National Dental Commission Bill, 2023:
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defensive record throughout the tournament.
● This victory adds to England’s recent successes at
various youth levels, cementing their reputation as a
●
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The Bill seeks to repeal the Dentists Act, of 1948.
The bill also aims to make dental education
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powerhouse in developing young talent. affordable and make quality oral healthcare
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accessible.
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● It seeks to replace the Dental Council of India with
the National Dental Commission (NDC).
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MISCELLANEOUS
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National Dental Commission (NDC):
#1
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UNESCO’s Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage award
dental education and the profession.
● Recently, the heritage Byculla Railway station which ● The new commission will also regulate fees for 50%
has been restored to its original glory, received the seats in private dental colleges.
UNESCO award.
Composition:
About UNESCO’s Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage award
● The composition of the NDC will be similar to that of
the National Medical Commission (NMC), which had
replaced the Medical Council of India.
● The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural ● The head office of the National Dental Commission
Heritage Conservation is supported by a partnership shall be at New Delhi and it will consist of a
between UNESCO and Ng Teng Fong Charitable chairperson; eight ex officio members; and 24
Foundation since 2021. part-time members.
● UNESCO introduced the new category, ‘Special ● They will be appointed by the central government.
Recognition for Sustainable Development’, in 2020, ● Members of NMC, health ministry, AIIMS, New Delhi
together with an updated set of Awards Criteria. will be among the eight ex-officio members.
● It is to acknowledge the role and contribution of ● Out of 24 part-time members, a total of 19 members
cultural heritage to sustainable development within will be appointed on rotational basis from amongst
the broader framework of the UN 2030 Agenda. the nominees of the states and union territories for
● Since 2000, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for two years.
Cultural Heritage Conservation have been ● Other five members who will be appointed for four
recognizing the achievement of the private sector years will include two dental faculties from any
and public-private initiatives in successfully central or state or autonomous government
conserving or restoring structures, places and institutes; three members who have special
properties of heritage value in the region. knowledge and professional experience in areas
including management, law, medical ethics, health
Key facts about Byculla Railway station
research, consumer or patient rights advocacy,
science and technology and economics.
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● According to Bill, the commission’s members will About National Commission for Protection of Child
declare their assets and liabilities at the time of Rights (NCPCR):
entering and demitting office and also declare all
professional and commercial engagements. ● NCPCR is a statutory body established by an Act of
Parliament, the Commission for Protection of Child
#2 Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
● It works under the aegis of the Ministry of Women
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Child Development.
● Over a third of hospitals empanelled under ● The Commission began operational on 5 March
Ayushman Bharat are inactive, official data showed, 2007.
in a worrying trend for the world’s largest health ● As defined by the commission, a child includes a
insurance scheme aiming for universal health person up to the age of 18 years.
coverage. ● Mandate: The Commission is mandated under
● Out of 27,000 hospitals empanelled for Ayushman section 13 of the CPCR Act, 2005 "to ensure that all
Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative
since its 2018 launch, only 18,783 remain active, the Mechanisms are in consonance with the Child
latest health ministry data showed. Rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution
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of India and the UN Convention on the Rights of the
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana:
● It is the world’s largest health insurance/ assurance

●
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Child."
The Commission is further mandated to monitor the
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proper and effective implementation of
scheme fully financed by the government.
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● Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
● The households included are based on the
R
(POCSO) Act, 2012.
deprivation and occupational criteria of ● Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)
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Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) Act, 2015.
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for rural and urban areas respectively. ● Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act,
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● It provides a cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year 2009.
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for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization
across public and private empanelled hospitals in Members:
India.
● It provides cashless access to health care services ● A chairperson who, is a person of eminence and has
for the beneficiary at the point of service, that is, the done outstanding work for promoting the welfare of
hospital. children.
● There is no restriction on the family size, age or ● Six members, out of which at least two are women,
gender. who are having experience in Education, Child
● Benefits of the scheme are portable across the Health, Juvenile justice, Elimination of child labour,
country i.e.; a beneficiary can visit any empanelled Child psychology or sociology Laws relating to
public or private hospital in India to avail cashless children.
treatment. ● The members are appointed by the Central
● The scheme being implemented by the National Government for a term of 3 years.
Health Authority.
#4
#3 Section 498A of IPC?
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights ● The High Court of Karnataka recently set aside the
(NCPCR) conviction of a 46-year-old man under Section 498A
● The National Commission for Protection of Child of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as the complaint was
Rights (NCPCR) recently wrote to the Manipur DGP, by his ‘second wife’, which would make the marriage
directing it to take cognizance and file an FIR against ‘null and void’.
three persons for posting photographs of a minor About Section 498A of IPC:
that they alleged was involved in an incident in
Manipur in which two women were paraded naked.
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● It deals with the criminal offense of "cruelty by international seabed beyond national jurisdiction, an
husband or relatives of husband" towards a married area that includes most of the world’s oceans.
woman. ● The ISA came into existence upon the entry into
● This section was introduced in 1983 as an force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the
amendment to the IPC to address the growing Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which codified
concern of domestic violence and harassment faced international law regarding territorial waters, sea
by married women in India. lanes, and ocean resources.
● Under Section 498-A IPC, a husband or his relatives ● Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica
can be sentenced to a jail term of three years for ● Members: As of May 2023, ISA has 169 Members,
subjecting the wife to cruelty. including 168 Member States and the European
● The section applies to married women only. Union.
● Section 498A of IPC reads as “Whoever, being the
husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, Functions:
subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished ● The ISA is responsible for granting licenses and
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to regulating activities related to the exploration and
three years and shall also be liable to fine”. exploitation of mineral resources in the international
seabed.
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For the purposes of this section, ‘cruelty’ means:
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● Its ensures that these activities are carried out in a
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● any wilful conduct which is of such a nature as is manner that protects the marine environment and
likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to promotes the equitable and efficient utilization of
cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health
(whether mental or physical) of the woman; or
TA resources.
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● harassment of the woman where such harassment Structure:
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is with a view to coercing her or any person related ● The supreme authority of the ISA is the assembly, in
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to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property which all ISA members are represented.
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or valuable security or is on account of failure by her ● The assembly sets general policies, establishes
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or any person related to her to meet such demand." budgets, and elects a 36-member council, which
● The term “cruelty” is comprehensive, encompassing serves as the ISA’s executive authority.
various forms of abuse that can be inflicted upon a ● The council approves contracts with private
married woman. corporations and government entities for exploration
● Bail under Section 498A: and mining in specified areas of the international
● Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, enacted in seabed.
1860, is a non-compoundable and cognizable ● The council oversees implementation of the seabed
offence. provisions of the UNCLOS and establishes
● Bail under Section 498A can only be granted by the provisional rules and procedures (subject to
Magistrate once a First Information Report (FIR) has approval by the assembly) by which the ISA
been registered by the police based on a complaint exercises its regulatory authority.
filed by the aggrieved party. ● The secretary-general of the ISA is nominated by the
council and is elected by the assembly to a four-year
term.
INTERNATIONAL
Key facts about the United Nations Convention on the
#1 Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
International Seabed Authority (ISA) ● UNCLOS, also called the Law of the Sea Convention
or the Law of the Sea Treaty, is an international
● The International Seabed Authority’s member agreement that establishes a legal framework for all
nations recently agreed on a two-year roadmap for marine and maritime activities.
the adoption of deep-sea mining regulations. ● It lays down a comprehensive regime of law and
About International Seabed Authority (ISA): order in the world’s oceans and seas, establishing
rules governing all uses of the oceans and their
● It is an international organization established in resources.
1994 to regulate mining and related activities in the ● UNCLOS became effective on 16th November 1982.
● UNCLOS covers a wide range of issues, including:
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● The definition of maritime zones, such as the Pan-African Parliament and the Economic, Social &
territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).
economic zone, and the continental shelf.
● The rights and responsibilities of coastal states and Strait of Hormuz
flag states. ● Iran recently made an attempt to seize two oil
● The conservation and management of marine tankers near the strategically significant Strait of
resources. Hormuz.
● The protection of the marine environment.
● The peaceful settlement of disputes. About Strait of Hormuz:
● Strait of Hormuz, also called Strait of Ormuz is a

channel linking the Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf
#2 of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
African Union ● The strait is 35 to 60 miles (55 to 95 km) wide and
separates Iran (north) from the Arabian Peninsula
● India’s G-20 Sherpa recently said that the Indian (south).
Prime Minister’s proposal to make the African Union ● It contains the islands of Qeshm (Qishm), Hormuz,
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a permanent member of the G-20 has received an and Hengām (Henjām).
overwhelming response from the grouping.
About African Union (AU):

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The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important
oil chokepoint because of the large volumes of oil
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that flow through the strait.
● The African Union (AU) is a continental body
consisting of the 55 member states that make up
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Key facts about Gulf of Oman:
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the countries of the African Continent. ● The Gulf of Oman or Sea of Oman, also known as
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● It was officially launched in 2002 and replaced its the Gulf of Makran or Sea of Makran, forms the only
predecessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), entrance to the Persian Gulf from the Indian Ocean.
which was founded in 1963.
C ● It connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of
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● Primary Objective: To promote unity, cooperation, Hormuz, which then empties into the Persian Gulf.
and development among African nations while ● Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Pakistan and
advancing the continent’s interests on the global Iran in the north, by the United Arab Emirates in the
stage. west and by Oman in the south.
● It aims to strengthen political, economic, and social ● The gulf is relatively shallow because of its origin as
integration among African countries, with a vision of a fissure in the mountain spine now divided between
achieving an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Iran and Oman.
Africa. ● The Gulf of Oman is about 320 km wide at its widest
● Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia point between Cape al-Hadd in Oman and Gwadar
Bay on the Iran-Pakistan border. It narrows to 35
Structure: miles (56 km) at the Strait of Hormuz.
● Assembly: It is the highest decision-making body, #3
consisting of the heads of state and government of
member countries. Aeolus Wind Satellite
● Executive Council: Made up of foreign affairs
ministers, handles policy matters and makes ● The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Aeolus wind
recommendations to the Assembly. satellite, after exceeding its planned life in orbit, is
● AU Commission: Headquartered in Addis Ababa, is making its way back to Earth.
the administrative arm responsible for implementing About Aeolus Wind Satellite:
the decisions of the Assembly and the Executive
Council. ● Aeolus is a satellite mission launched by the
● The Peace and Security Council: Responsible for European Space Agency (ESA) to study Earth’s winds
maintaining peace and security on the continent. and their influence on the planet’s climate and
● The AU structure promotes the participation of weather patterns.
African citizens and civil society through the ● The mission is named after Aeolus, the ruler of the
winds in Greek mythology.
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● Aeolus was launched on August 22, 2018, from the ● Climate: The climate is characterized by very cold,
Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. dry winters and wet, warm summers.
● It is a 1,360-kilogram satellite.
Currents:
Mission Objectives:
● The warm current of the Yellow Sea is a part of the
● The primary goal of the Aeolus mission is to Tsushima Current, which diverges near the western
measure global wind profiles from space. part of the Japanese island of Kyushu and flows at
● It aims to provide accurate and comprehensive data less than 0.5 mile (0.8 km) per hour northward into
on wind patterns in the Earth’s atmosphere to the middle of the sea.
improve weather forecasting, understand climate ● Along the continental coasts, southward-flowing
dynamics, and enhance our knowledge of the Earth’s currents prevail, which strengthen markedly in the
atmospheric circulation. winter monsoon period, when the water is cold,
● It is the first satellite mission to acquire profiles of turbid, and of low salinity.
Earth’s wind on a global scale.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Instrumentation:
#1
N
● Aeolus is equipped with a single instrument called
.I
the Atmospheric Laser Doppler Instrument US Federal Reserve Interest Hike
L
(ALADIN). ● The US Federal Reserve recently raised its
A
● ALADIN is a Doppler wind lidar, which stands for benchmark lending rate to the highest level since
T
Light Detection and Ranging, that will measure the 2001 to tackle above-target inflation.
R
winds sweeping around the planet.
About US Federal Reserve:
O
#4
P
● The United States Federal Reserve, commonly
Yellow Sea
C
referred to as the Federal Reserve or simply the Fed,
SS
● North Korea recently fired several cruise missiles is the central banking system of the United States.
into the Yellow Sea. ● It provides the country with a safe, flexible, and
stable monetary and financial system.
About Yellow Sea: ● The Federal Reserve System is composed of 12
regional Federal Reserve Banks that are each
● It is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean. responsible for a specific geographic area of the U.S.
Location: ● The Fed’s main duties include conducting national
monetary policy, supervising and regulating banks,
● The Yellow Sea is situated between mainland China maintaining financial stability, and providing banking
to the west and north, the Korean Peninsula to the services.
east, and the Shandong Peninsula and Liaodong
Peninsula to the south. Impacts of US Federal Reserve Interest Hike:
● It connects with the Bohai Sea to the northwest. ● The US Fed is the world’s most powerful central
● Size: Also referred to in China as Huang Hai and in bank.
North and South Korea as the West Sea, the Yellow ● When the Fed adjusts interest rates, the effects are
Sea is 870 kilometres long and 556 kilometres wide. felt worldwide, influencing both developed and
● Depth: It is one of the largest shallow areas of emerging economies.
continental shelf in the world with an average depth ● Conventional wisdom suggests that higher interest
of 44 metres and a maximum depth of 152 metres. rates in the US would make American assets more
● Inflow: Several major rivers, including the Yellow appealing to investors, potentially leading to capital
River and the Yangtze River, discharge into the outflows from emerging and riskier markets.
Yellow Sea, carrying significant amounts of ● In such a scenario, capital-intensive sectors, which
sediment and nutrients. heavily rely on Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs),
● Islands: The Yellow Sea is dotted with numerous could be the first to feel the impact.
islands, the largest of which include Jeju Island ● Higher US interest rates could lead to a tightening of
(South Korea), Shandong Peninsula islands (China), global liquidity, making borrowing more expensive
and Ganghwa Island (South Korea). for foreign investors.
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Possible impacts on the Indian Economy: ● The plant will consist of two ultra-supercritical
coal-fired units of 660MW capacity each.
● After a rate hike by the US Fed, the difference ● It will have a stack height of more than 275m.
between interest rates in US and India shrinks, which ● The design features a twin-flue steel-lined reinforced
affects the currency trade negatively. concrete chimney.
● Foreign investors will be tempted to withdraw from ● Both the units will be equipped with flue gas
the Indian market and invest in US assets, as the desulfurization (FGD) and dry bottom ash-handling
Dollar and the US Treasury yield become more systems to control emissions.
attractive in the US and the Indian market begins to ● Finance:
see capital outflow. ● It is being financed through a £1.3bn ($1.6bn) loan
● Thus, an interest rate hike in the US increases the from the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India.
relative returns on dollar investments, leading the US ● BIFPCL entered into a loan agreement with the EXIM
currency to strengthen. Bank of India in March 2017.
● This makes the rupee weaker, and it prompts RBI for
a rate hike in India. Contractors involved:
● So, when the US Fed increases rates, RBI also has to
increase interest rates here in India so that the ● BHEL was awarded an engineering, procurement,
and construction (EPC) contract worth £1.15bn
N
outflows of funds from the FIIs (Foreign Institutional
.I
Investors) can be curtailed to save guard the rupee. ($1.5bn) for the plant in July 2016.
L
● If the rupee falls significantly, the RBI may be forced ● BHEL subcontracted global technology company GE
for the supply of pressure part components for the
A
to sell some dollars to help shore up the domestic
project in May 2017.
T
currency. This depletes the domestic Forex reserve.
#2
O RSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (STPP)
C P #1
SS
● State-owned engineering firm Bharat Heavy STARFIRE Algorithm
Electricals recently announced the synchronisation
of 660-MW unit-2 of the 1,320-MW Maitree Super ● Recently, scientists at Raman Research Institute
Thermal Power Project (STPP) with the electricity (RRI), an autonomous institute of the Department of
grid in Bangladesh. Science and Technology, have developed an
algorithm called STARFIRE.
About Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (STPP):
About STARFIRE Algorithm:
Location:
● It is called as the Simulation of TerrestriAl Radio
● It is a 1,320MW coal-fired power station under Frequency Interference in oRbits around Earth
construction in Rampal, Bangladesh. (STARFIRE) algorithm.
● It is being developed on an 1,834-acre site on the
bank of Passur River, approximately 14km away Advantages of this model
from the Sundarbans.
● It is being developed by Bangladesh India Friendship ● It can estimate the Radio Frequency Interference
Power Company (BIFPCL), a 50:50 joint venture emitted by FM radio stations, Wi-Fi networks, mobile
between India’s state-run National Thermal Power towers, radar, satellites, and communication devices,
Corporation (NTPC) and Bangladesh Power and use this calculation for designing and
Development Board (BPDB). fine-tuning the antennas.
● The construction of the project commenced in April ● It is capable of estimating and mapping the
2017. unwanted Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) signals
● It will be one of the biggest coal-fired power plants in in space.
Bangladesh, along with the Payra Power Plant in ● It can help design instruments that are capable of
Pataukhali, which commenced test production in offering optimal operations in the presence of RFI
January 2020. and thereby, enriches the data obtained from the
future space-based Astronomy missions.
Plant make-up: ● This algorithm can also be handy in orbit selection
for future missions.
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● The scientists used information on the FM ● It is extracted from naturally occurring hematite, the
transmitter stations from six countries in the world. mineral form of iron(III) oxide, using a combination
Data from Canada (number of stations - 8,443), USA of sonication, centrifugation and vacuum-assisted
(28,072), Japan (Tokyo - 21), Australia (2,664), filtration.
Germany (2,500), and South Africa (1,731) were used ● It measures 3 atoms thick and has a more efficient
as inputs for developing this model. photocatalysis.
● It is ferromagnetic (the mechanism by which certain
What is Radio Frequency Interference? materials like iron form permanent magnets, or are
● It is the conduction or radiation of radio frequency attracted to magnets) like a common magnet.
energy that causes an electronic or electrical device ● It is capable of withstanding and acting as shield
to produce noise that typically interferes with the from high laser intensities
function of an adjacent device.
● It also refers to the disruption of the normal
functionality of a satellite due to the interference of #3
radio astronomy.
● This interference can disrupt and disturb the normal Hygroelectricity
functioning of electronic and electrical devices, and
N
● Researchers have successfully developed a
.I
thus it is important to limit it when possible. technology called hygroelectricity, which can
L
#2 generate electricity from humid air.
Hematene
TA
About Hygroelectricity:
R
● Researchers have come up with a new and highly ● Hygroelectricity is the generation of electricity from
O
efficient optical limiter using a novel 2D material, the humidity of the air.
P
‘hematene’. ● It is a type of renewable energy that has the potential
to be a major source of power in the future.
Key findings:
C
SS
How it works?
● Nanoflakes of a material called hematene extracted
from iron ore have been found capable of ● The key to harvesting electricity from humid air lies
withstanding and acting as shield from high laser in a tiny device comprising two electrodes and a thin
intensities. layer of material filled with nanopores.
● Hence it could be used to make devices called ● These nanopores, each less than 100 nanometres in
optical limiters that can protect sensitive optical diameter, allow water molecules from the air to pass
equipment from light-induced damage. through the device.
● Radiation from laser sources is highly concentrated ● As these molecules move from an upper chamber to
and powerful and can be detrimental to sensitive a lower chamber, they interact with the edges of the
equipment such as sensors, detectors, and other nanopores, leading to a buildup of electric charge
optical devices. imbalances between the chambers.
● When the input intensity increases optical limiters ● This process effectively transforms the device into a
control the amount of light that passes through, miniature battery, generating continuous electricity.
thereby preventing damage to the optical #4
component.
● These devices are often useful in laser technologies, Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission
military, telecommunications, aircrafts, and scientific
research in several ways. ● Months after the Double Asteroid Redirection Test
● They found that 2D nanoflakes of hematene is (Dart) mission crashed into asteroid Dimorphos, the
capable of withstanding very high laser intensities, Hubble telescope recently observed boulders
and they exhibited excellent optical limiting of green escaping out.
laser light (532 nm) while maintaining a high linear
About DART Mission:
transmission (about 87%) for low-intensity light.
● NASA’s DART mission was a spacecraft designed to
Key facts about Hematene:
test a method of deflecting an asteroid for planetary
defense, using the "kinetic impactor" technique (in
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simplest terms means smashing a thing into another #1

thing).
● DART was the first-ever space mission to Kargil Vijay Diwas
demonstrate asteroid deflection by kinetic impactor. ● The President and the Prime Minister recently paid
● The target of the spacecraft was a 160-meter-wide their tributes to the armed forces on Kargil Vijay
asteroid known as Dimorphos, which is a moonlet in Diwas, acknowledging their extraordinary valour and
orbit around the larger asteroid, Didymos. the victory achieved.
● It was launched in November 2021.
● DART spacecraft successfully collided with About Kargil Vijay Diwas:
Dimorphos on 26 September 2022, altering the
asteroid’s orbit by 33 minutes. ● It is celebrated on July 26 every year.
● It is the first-time humanity intentionally changed the ● The day commemorates the victory of the Indian
motion of a celestial object in space. armed forces in the Kargil War fought against
Pakistan.
● The day is observed to pay tribute and honour the
bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers in the war of
SPORTS 1999.
N
● The year 2023 marks the 24th anniversary of Kargil
I
#1
.
Vijay Diwas.
L
Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard has won 110th edition of
Key Facts about Kargil War:
A
the Tour de France
● Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard of the Jumbo-Visma,

Dutch professional bicycle racing team,has won
R
●
T It was fought between India and Pakistan at the Line

of Control (LoC)in the Kargil district of Jammu and
O
110th edition of the Tour de France for a second Kashmir.
P
straight year on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France. Surprise Attack:
C
● Vingegaard crossed the finish line after the 21-day
SS
race 7min 29sec ahead of Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, ● The Kargil War was an unexpected intrusion by
the champion in 2020 and 2021. Pakistani forces into Indian territory.
● Vingegaard’s winning margin (7 minutes and 29 ● They occupied key vantage points in the Kargil
seconds) was the largest since 2014. region, leading to intense military engagements.
● The tour covers 3,405 kilometres with eight ● Codename Operation Vijay: The Indian Army fought
mountain stages across five mountain ranges. bravely and recaptured the famous ‘Tiger Hill’ and
Vingegaard seized control of the race over two other important posts around under ‘Operation Vijay’
stages in the Alps. by evicting the Pakistani troops in the 1999 Kargil
War.
About the Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard ● High Altitude Warfare: It was fought at extreme
● Jonas Vingegaard Rasmussen (Danish); born 10 altitudes, with some of the battlegrounds reaching
December 1996) is a Danish professional cyclist heights of over 18,000 feet.
who rides for UCI WorldTeam Team Jumbo–Visma. ● Duration: It lasted for approximately three months.
● He won the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Tour de Armaments:
France. Vingegaard started as a youth rider for
various Danish teams, making his breakthrough as a ● The Indian Army employed heavy artillery, air power
senior rider as part of UCI Continental team as well as major infantry operations during the Kargil
ColoQuick–Cult in 2016. War.
● He was known as a physical specimen and broke ● In a first, the Indian side used the Bofors FH-77B
records in climbs, but still lacked major results on howitzers to shoot down enemy positions nested at
the road. As part of Team Jumbo–Visma, which he top of the mountains.
joined in 2019, he impressed at the Tour de Pologne ● Israel provided their Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
and rode as a domestique for Primož Roglič at the (UAVs) to India during the conflict.
Vuelta a España. ● Live on TV: It was the first ever war to be
broadcasted live on TV channels in India.
MISCELLANEOUS
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● The End of Conflict: The war came to an end on July

26, 1999, when India successfully pushed back the
Pakistani forces from the occupied positions.
● Casualties: As per official figures, around 500 Indian
soldiers laid down their lives while at least 1,000
Pakistani troops were also killed.
● It was the last war that happened between India and
Pakistan.
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CURRENT AFFAIRS AUG-2023
digital health records created and linked to

The Hindu Current Affairs Week-1 ABHA.
NATIONAL What is the National Health Authority (NHA)?
#1 ● It is the apex body responsible for
implementing AB PM-JAY.
Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS)
● It has been entrusted with the role of designing
N
● The National Health Authority (NHA) on Friday strategy, building technological infrastructure
announced extension of its Digital Health
Incentives Scheme (DHIS) under the Ayushman
L.I
and implementation of “National Digital Health
Mission '' to create a National Digital Health
Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) till December 31,
2023. ●
TA Eco-system.
It is the successor of the National Health
About Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS):
O R Agency, which has been functioning as a

registered society since 2018. Pursuant to
●
C
January, 2023 as part of the ABDM.
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The DHIS was launched with effect from 1st Cabinet decision for full functional autonomy,
National Health Agency was reconstituted as
SS
● The scheme aims to give a further boost to the National Health Authority in January 2019.
digital health transactions in the country under
Structure:
the ABDM.
● The incentives under this scheme would be ● An attached office of the Ministry of Health and
provided to hospitals and diagnostic labs and Family Welfare with full functional autonomy,
also to the providers of digital health solutions NHA is governed by a Governing Board chaired
such as Hospital/ Health Management by the Union Minister for Health and Family
Information System (HMIS) and Laboratory Welfare.
Management Information System (LMIS). ● It is headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
● Under the DHIS, the eligible health facilities and an officer of the rank of Secretary to the
digital solutions companies shall be able to Government of India, who manages its affairs.
earn financial incentives of up to Rs. 4 crores ● The CEO is the Ex-Office Member Secretary of
based on the number of digital health records the Governing Board.
they create and link to ABHA (Ayushman Bharat ● To implement the scheme at the State level,
Health Account). State Health Agencies (SHAs) in the form of a
society/trust have been set up by respective
Incentives would be provided to the following
States.
entities:
#2
● Health Facilities having 10 or more beds;
● Laboratory/radiology diagnostics centres; Samudrayaan Project
● Digital Solution Companies (entities providing
● Union Minister of Earth Sciences recently said
ABDM enabled digital solutions);
that India's ambitious Samudrayaan project is
● The incentives shall be provided on the basis of
the number of ABHA-linked transactions e., the
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set to send three personnel to a depth of 6000 ● It aims to develop technologies to harness
meters in a submersible vehicle. living and non-living resources from the deep
oceans.
About Samudrayaan Project:
● The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be
● It is India’s first manned mission to explore the the nodal Ministry implementing this
deep ocean. multi-institutional Mission.
● It is designed to study the deep ocean ● The estimated cost of the Mission will be 4077
resources and conduct biodiversity crores for a period of 5 years (2021-26) to be
assessments as well. implemented in a phase-wise manner.
● The mission will not disturb the ecosystem as
#3
the submersible is used solely for exploration
purposes. Sahakar 22
● The project is part of the larger Deep Ocean
● National Cooperative Development Corporation
Mission, which supports the Central
had earlier launched its own initiative named
Government’s Blue Economy policy.
N
Sahakar– 22, during FY 2017-18.
I
● The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is the
nodal ministry to implement
multi-institutional ambitious mission.
this
.
About Sahakar 22:
L
What is MATSYA 6000?
TA
R
This initiative of NCDC included the following:
● It is a manned submersible vehicle developed
O
by the National Institute of Ocean Technology
(NIOT), Chennai.
P
● FOCUS 222 – NCDC’s focused assistance for
Cooperatives in 222 Districts (including 117
●
C
It was developed under the Samudrayaan Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog);
SS
mission to facilitate humans in the deep ocean ● PACS HUB – Transformation of PACS and other
in exploring mineral resources. Coops as Apna Kisan Resource Centres;
● It is designed with the capability of operating in ● AENEC - Act East and North East Cooperatives;
the deep sea for 12 hours while in case of ● CEMtC - Centres of Excellence to Market
emergency, it can also operate up to 96 hours through Cooperatives;
with all the necessary measures for human ● SAHAKAR PRAGYA - Capacity Development
safety. through Laxmanrao Inamdar National Academy
● Expected to be launched in 2024-25, it would for Cooperative Research Development
make India only one among six countries (US, (LINAC).
Russia, Japan, France, and China) to have Key Facts about NCDC
piloted a crewed under-sea expedition beyond
5,000 metres. ● The National Cooperative Development
Corporation (NCDC) was established by an Act
Key Facts about Deep Ocean Mission: of Parliament in 1963 as a statutory
● It is a mission-mode project to support the Blue Corporation.
Economy Initiatives of the Government of India. ● Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Cooperation.
● It is a high-level multi-ministerial, Functions
multi-disciplinary programme for a better
understanding of the deep sea living and ● Planning, promoting and financing programmes
non-living resources of the Indian Ocean. for production, processing, marketing, storage,
● It will aid in India’s efforts to attain the Blue export and import of agricultural produce, food
Economy status. stuffs, certain other notified commodities e.g.,
fertilisers, insecticides, agricultural machinery,
lac, soap, kerosene oil, textile, rubber etc.,
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● Supply of consumer goods and collection, ● The 17 other countries that have eliminated
processing, marketing, storage and export of trachoma are: Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia,
minor forest produce through cooperatives, Ghana, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s
besides income generating stream of activities Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico,
such as poultry, dairy, fishery, sericulture, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia,
handloom etc. Togo and Vanuatu.
#4
Trachoma #5
● Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) BharatNet Project
announced that Iraq has now joined the league
● The Union Cabinet recently approved an
of 17 other countries that have eliminated
allotment of ₹1,39,579 crore for the next phase
trachoma.
of Bharat Net to make 5G network available to
● Iraq becomes the 50th country to be
remote areas of the country.
N
acknowledged by the United Nations health
agency for eliminating at least one neglected
tropical disease globally.
.I
About BharatNet Project:
LThe National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN),
A
●
About Trachoma:
T
launched in October 2011, was renamed the
R
Bharat Net Project in 2015.
● It is a disease of the eye caused by infection
● It is an ambitious project of the Government of
O
with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
India to provide broadband connectivity to all
P
● It is a public health problem in 42 countries, and
village panchayats in the country.
C
is responsible for the blindness or visual
● It aims to provide affordable broadband
SS
impairment of about 1.9 million people.
connectivity of 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps for all
● Blindness from trachoma is irreversible.
households and on-demand capacity to all
● It is a neglected tropical disease and the world’s
institutions to realize the vision of Digital India,
leading infectious cause of blindness.
in partnership with States and the private
How it spreads? sector.
● The objective is to facilitate the delivery of
● Infection spreads through personal contact (via
e-governance, e-health, e-education, e-banking,
hands, clothes, bedding or hard surfaces) and
Internet and other services to rural India.
by flies that have been in contact with discharge
● To achieve this, the existing fibres of PSUs
from the eyes or nose of an infected person.
(BSNL, Railtel and Power Grid) were utilised and
● With repeated episodes of infection over many
incremental fibre was laid to connect to Gram
years, the eyelashes may be drawn in so that
Panchayats wherever necessary.
they rub on the surface of the eye.
● The entire project is being funded by the
● This causes pain and may permanently damage
Universal service Obligation Fund (USOF), which
the cornea.
was set up to improve telecom services in rural
● To eliminate trachoma as a public health
and remote areas of the country.
problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy.
● The project is being executed by a Special
● The SAFE strategy includes: Surgery to treat the
Purpose Vehicle (SPV), namely Bharat
blinding stage (trachomatous trichiasis);
Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), which was
Antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly the
incorporated on 25.02.2012 under Indian
antibiotic azithromycin; Facial cleanliness and
Companies Act 1956.
Environmental improvement, particularly
improving access to water and sanitation. Key Facts about Universal Service Obligation Fund
(USOF):
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● It is a government fund established by the ● To be eligible for the India Young Professionals
Government of India to provide financial Scheme visa,
support for the expansion of ● You have to be an Indian national aged between
telecommunications and broadband services in 18 and 30 years.
rural and remote areas of the country. ● You must have a bachelor’s degree or above.
● The primary objective of USOF is to bridge the ● You must have 2,530 pounds in savings.
digital divide and ensure that telecom and ● You must not have any children under the age
internet services are accessible to all, especially of 18 who live with you or whom you are
in areas where private telecom operators may financially supporting.
find it economically unviable to operate due to ● In case the applicant is issued a visa, they must
high infrastructure costs and low population enter the UK within six months of the date on
density. which the visa was issued. Once in the UK, the
applicant can:
● Study-for certain degree programs, such as
INTERNATIONAL post-graduation or research in sensitive
N
subjects in the UK, an additional certificate
#1
UK-India Young Professionals Scheme
L.I
under the Academic Technology Approval
Scheme (ATAS) needs to be applied before
● The British Government recently announced the ●

TA starting the course or research.
Work in most jobs.
opening of the second ballot of the Young
O
Professional Scheme for Indian citizens.
R● Be self-employed and set up a company - as
long as your premises are rented, your
C P equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and

you do not have any employees.
SS
About Young Professionals Scheme:
#2
Maitree Super Thermal Power Project
● It was conceived as part of an India-U.K.
Migration and Mobility MoU signed in May 2021 State-owned engineering firm Bharat Heavy
and was announced in November at the G20 Electricals recently announced the synchronisation
summit in Bali. of 660-MW unit-2 of the 1,320-MW Maitree Super
● It was formally launched in February 2023. Thermal Power Project (STPP) with the electricity
● It will permit up to 3,000 of their degree-holding grid in Bangladesh.
citizens aged between 18 and 30 to live and
work in each other’s countries for two years.
● This scheme makes India the first visa-national About Maitree Super Thermal Power Project
country to benefit from the scheme. (STPP):
● Features of India Young Professionals Scheme
visa:
● It allows Indian citizens between 18 and 30 Location:
years old to live and work in the UK for up to 2
● It is a 1,320MW coal-fired power station under
years.
construction in Rampal, Bangladesh.
● It will enable candidates to enter the UK at any
● It is being developed on an 1,834-acre site on
time while their visa is valid and leave and
the bank of Passur River, approximately 14km
return anytime during their stay.
away from the Sundarbans.
● A person must be selected in the India Young
● It is being developed by Bangladesh India
Professionals Scheme ballot before they can
Friendship Power Company (BIFPCL), a 50:50
apply for a Young Professionals Scheme visa.
joint venture between India’s state-run National
313
Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and

Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
● Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) is a megacity,
● The construction of the project commenced in
the capital of the Southern state of Karnataka
April 2017.
and the fastest growing city in India.
● It will be one of the biggest coal-fired power
● Its population has grown from one million in
plants in Bangladesh, along with the Payra
1950 to over 16 million in 2023.
Power Plant in Pataukhali, which commenced
● It is commonly referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley
test production in January 2020.
of India’ because of its role as the nation’s
Plant make-up: leading information technology exporter,
● It is home to more than 30 government and
● The plant will consist of two ultra-supercritical
private museums that showcase the city’s rich
coal-fired units of 660MW capacity each.
history, art and culture.
● It will have a stack height of more than 275m.
● Most recently, South India’s first major private
● The design features a twin-flue steel-lined
art museum, the Museum of Art and
reinforced concrete chimney.
Photography (MAP), opened in February 2023.
● Both the units will be equipped with flue gas
desulfurization (FGD) and dry bottom
ash-handling systems to control emissions.
●
L.I N
Bengaluru’s distinction lies in being a rare city
where both North Indian (Hindustani) and South
A
Indian (Carnatic) classical music thrive.
T
#3 ● As the “Garden City of India”, Bangaluru has
R
many green spaces including two nationally
World Cities Culture Forum
O
recognised botanical gardens, Lal Bagh and
P
● Recently, Bengaluru has become the first Indian Cubbon Park that act as green lungs for the city.
C
city to become part of the World Cities Culture #4
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Forum (WCCF).
International Tiger Day 2023
● International Tiger Day is observed globally on
About World Cities Culture Forum: July 29 every year.
● It was founded in 2012 by Justine Simons OBE, About International Tiger Day:
London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture & the
Creative Industries.
● It is a global network of cities that share
● It is observed on July 29 each year.
research and intelligence, and explore the role
● It serves as a platform to raise awareness
of culture in future prosperity.
about the endangered tiger species.
● The network currently has 40 cities spanning
● It is celebrated worldwide to promote
six continents.
comprehensive efforts in safeguarding tigers
● Bengaluru being the latest addition is set to join
and their natural habitats, fostering harmonious
the league of cities like New York, London,
coexistence between humans and tigers.
Paris, Tokyo and Dubai among others.
● World cities culture summit hosted on a History of International Tiger Day:
rotating basis by city partners, an
● Global Tiger Day, commonly referred to as
unprecedented gathering of city leaders sharing
International Tiger Day, was first established in
ideas and knowledge about culture’s role in
2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit
public policy in a world city context.
by nations that are home to tigers.
Key facts about Bengaluru
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● 13 tiger range countries came together to

create Tx2 – the global goal to double the
● It is a simpler method of share sale through the
number of wild tigers by the year 2022.
exchange platform for listed companies.
● The 29th of July was chosen as International
● The mechanism was first introduced by India’s
Tiger Day because it represents the halfway
securities market regulator Sebi in 2012.
point between the first and last days of the
● Aim: To make it easier for promoters of
Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit and the ongoing
publicly-traded companies to cut their holdings
international campaign to rescue tigers.
and comply with the minimum public
Key Facts about Bengal Tiger: shareholding norms by June 2013.
● The method was largely adopted by listed
companies, both state-run and private, to
● Bengal tiger (subspecies Panthera tigris tigris) adhere to the Sebi order.
inhibits the forests, and wetlands of India, ● Later, the government started using this route to
Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. divest its shareholding in public sector
enterprises.
Features:
● It is distinguished from other tiger subspecies
●
L.I N
In an OFS, promoters of a company will dilute
their stake by selling their shares to retail
A
by its orange coat accented by prominent investors, companies, Foreign Institutional
T
brownish-to-black stripes; a rare white-coated Investors (FIIs) and Qualified Institutional
R
variant of the subspecies also exists. Buyers (QIBs) on an exchange platform.
O
● The largest male Bengal tigers can grow up to Features of Offer for sale
P
about 3.2 metres long (including a 1-metre-long
C
tail) and weigh nearly 295 kg. ● Unlike a follow-on public offering (FPO), where
SS
● Females are smaller, the largest ones companies can raise funds by issuing fresh
measuring about 2.7 metres long and weighing shares or promoters can sell their existing
as much as 181 kg. stakes, or both, the OFS mechanism is used
● They are solitary hunters, preying primarily on only when existing shares are put on the block.
ungulates(including deer and antelope), gaurs, ● Only promoters or shareholders holding more
and wild boars (Sus scrofa). than 10 per cent of the share capital in a
company can come up with such an issue.
Conservation Status: ● The mechanism is available to 200 top
● IUCN Red List: Endangered companies in terms of market capitalisation.
● Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972: ● In an OFS, a minimum of 25 per cent of the
Schedule-1 shares offered, are reserved for mutual funds
(MFs) and insurance companies.
● At any point, no single bidder other than these
BUSINESS & ECONOMY two institutional categories is allocated more
than 25 per cent of the size of the offering.
#1 ● A minimum of 10 per cent of the offer size is
reserved for retail investors.
Offer for Sale
● A seller can offer a discount to retail investors
● Recently, the government's 5.36% stake sale in either on the bid price or on the final allotment
Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) under price.
offer-for-sale (OFS) got an enthusiastic ● It is mandatory for the company to inform the
response from institutional investors. stock exchanges two banking days prior to the
OFS about its intention.
About Offer for Sale:
315
#2 Cherry Farming
Digital Payment Index ● The prolonged cold weather and rains have
devastated the cherry crop in the Kashmir
● As per Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Payments
Valley.
Index (RBI-DPI) , Digital payments across the
country registered a growth of 13.24% in a year
through March 2023.
About Cherry Farming:
About Digital Payment Index:

● Cherries are delicious and nutritious fruits that
belong to the genus Prunus.
● It is a delicate crop and extremely sensitive to
● It has been constructed by the RBI to measure
extreme weather conditions.
the extent of digitisation of payments across
● Having a very low shelf life, cherries cannot
the country.
N
sustain heavy rains or high temperatures.
I
● It is based on multiple parameters and reflects
.
● The Kashmir Valley contributes to 95 per cent
L
the expansion of various digital payment modes
of the total cherry production in India.
accurately.
A
● Eight cherry varieties grown in Kashmir include
T
● It is a first-of-its kind index to measure the
makhmali, siya, mishri, jaddi, Italy, dabal,
R
spread of digital payments across the country.
vishkan and stela.
● It contains five broad parameters that measure
PO
the deepening and penetration of digital
payments in the country over different time
Climate:
periods.
C ● It requires cool weather conditions with
SS
temperatures ranging between 15°C to 25°C
● Payment Enablers with a weight of 25%
during the growing season.
(Internet, mobile, Aadhaar, bank accounts,
● They also require a period of winter dormancy
participants, merchants)
with temperatures below 7°C to induce
● Payment Infrastructure – Demand-side factors
flowering.
weight 10% (Debit and credit cards, PPIs,
● Soil: The soil should be well-draining, rich in
Customers registered in mobile and internet
organic matter, and have a pH between 6.0 to
banking, FASTags),
7.5.
● Payment Infrastructure – Supply-side factors
● Planting: Cherry trees can be propagated by
weight 15% (Bank branches, BCs, ATMs, PoS
grafting onto rootstocks. The ideal time for
Terminals, QR Codes, Intermediaries),
planting is during the winter months from
● Payment Performance – weight 45% (Digital
December to February.
payment volumes, value, unique users, paper
● Intercropping: Some suitable intercropping
clearing, currency in circulation, cash
crops for cherry cultivation in India include
withdrawals) and
legumes, such as peas and beans, and leafy
● Consumer Centricity weight – 5% (awareness
vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce.
and education, declines, complaints, frauds,
● Fertilization: Fertilizers rich in nitrogen,
system downtime).
phosphorus, and potassium should be applied
● The base period of the index is March 2018.
in adequate amounts to promote healthy
● The index has been published on a semi-annual
growth and fruit development.
basis from March 2021 onwards with a lag of 4
● Harvesting: Cherries can be harvested when
months.
they reach maturity, usually in late May to early
#3 June.
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● Area of Cultivation: They are primarily grown in ● However, there will be no redemption from
the northern regions of India, particularly in the CDMDF in case their AUM reduces.
states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal ● The same applies to the specified schemes of
Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. new mutual funds or such new schemes from
the existing mutual funds.
#4
● The AMCs are also required to make a
Corporate Debt Market Development Fund contribution of 2 per cent of their specified
debt-oriented schemes’ AUM as a one-time
● Recently, the Union Finance Minister launched contribution.
the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund ● The initial contribution for this purpose will be
(CDMDF). based on the AUM as of December 31, 2022, in
About Corporate Debt Market Development Fund: the specified schemes of the mutual funds.
● It is a backstop facility for specified debt funds SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

during market dislocations. #1
N
● The fund is intended to provide liquidity support
●
in the event of a financial crisis.
It will be in the form of an alternative
●
L.I
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Union Health Minister recently said that India
A
investment fund (AIF), meant to instil
has started manufacturing 38 active
confidence among the participants in the
Corporate Bond Market during times of stress
R T pharmaceutical ingredients, or APIs, in the last

one and a half years.
O
● The fund has Rs 33,000-crore backstop facility
P
for Mutual Funds. About Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs):
C
● Of the Rs 33,000 crore, Rs 30,000 crore will
● APIs are the active components in a
SS
come from the government, while the balance
pharmaceutical drug that produces the required
Rs 3,000 crore will be contributed by the Asset
effect on the body to treat a condition.
Management Companies.
● APIs are produced by processing chemical
● Contributions to the fund can be done by the
compounds.
specified debt-oriented mutual fund schemes
● In a biologic drug, the active ingredient is known
and asset management companies of mutual
as a bulk process intermediate (BPI).
funds.
● In the context of drug development and
● This fund is guaranteed by the National Credit
manufacturing, APIs are the key active
Guarantee Trust Company (NCGTC) and the
components that interact with specific
backstop facility will be managed by SBI Mutual
receptors or target molecules in the body to
Fund.
bring about the desired physiological or
Who can invest? therapeutic response
● All drugs are made up of two core components:
● Specified debt-oriented mutual fund schemes
(1) Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API),
here are ‘open-ended debt oriented mutual fund
which is the central ingredient, and (2)
schemes, excluding the overnight funds and gilt
excipients.
funds and including conservative hybrid fund’.
● These specified debt-oriented schemes will #2
invest 25 basis points (0.25 per cent) of their
Indian Mini Satellite-1
asset under management (AUM) in CDMDF
units and will increase their contribution when ● Recently, the Indian Space Research
their AUM increases and review it every six Organisation (ISRO) announced that it began
months.
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transferring IMS-1 Satellite Bus technology to Key facts about NewSpace India Limited
Alpha Design Technologies.
● NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) NewSpace India
About Indian Mini Satellite-1: Limited headquartered in Bengaluru is a Central
Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).
● It was developed by the UR Rao Satellite Centre
● It is a commercial arm under Department of
of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Space (DoS), Government of India.
● It is a small satellite platform designed to
● It was incorporated in March 2019 and was set
enable low-cost access to space.
up to take high technology space-related
Features activities in India.
● Under the new space policy reforms announced
● The IMS-1 bus weighs about 100 kilograms and by the Government of India in June 2020, NSIL
can carry a 30-kilogram payload. is to undertake operational satellite missions on
● The solar arrays onboard generate 330 watts of a “demand-driven” model.
power. ● They are responsible to build, launch, own and
● It comes with four reaction wheels with a 1 operate the satellite and provide services to
Newton thruster that is good for pointing
accuracy with an accuracy threshold of 0.1
Degrees. #4
L.I N
customers.
● It was used in previous ISRO missions like

IMS-1, Youthsat and Microsat-2D.
TA
Rashba splitting
● It would enable low cost access to space by
O
providing dedicated platform for payloads for R● Using some 2-D carbides or nitrides of
transition metals, a team of scientists have
C P
earth imaging, ocean and atmospheric studies,
microwave remote sensing and space science
computationally designed a new composite
quantum material that exhibits an exotic
SS
missions with a quick turnaround time. quantum property called Rashba splitting, in
colossal scale, in a metallic environment.
#3 Key findings:
GSAT-24 ● Scientists focused their computational research

on 2-D quantum materials, which are materials
● Direct-to-home (DTH) company Tata Play is set with confined geometry in one of the directions.
to expand its bandwidth capacity by 50% by 2-D materials are important as they are easier
adding 24 new Ku-band transponders on the to assimilate in devices.
communication satellite GSAT-24. ● This material can help interfacing with other
About GSAT-24: substrates (2D substrates like graphene) in
spintronic devices like spin transistors, spin
● It was built by ISRO for NewSpace India Limited diodes, and spin filters that take advantage of
(NSIL) which was successfully placed into electron spin, a quantum property of electrons,
geostationary orbit by the Ariane 5 rocket. to achieve higher performance.
● It is a 24-Ku band communication satellite ● The team focused on creating composite 2-D
weighing 4,180 kg with pan-India coverage for quantum materials, which are quantum
meeting DTH application needs. materials exhibiting two apparently different
● It was the first demand driven communication quantum properties, but connected by the basic
satellite mission undertaken by NSIL post requirement of symmetries.
space sector reforms. ● In their study, by proper choice of materials
● It is configured on ISRO's proven I-3k Bus with a ingredients, the workers managed to
mission life of 15 years. demonstrate the existence of two distinct
quantum phenomena, - Rashba effect, (a
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momentum-dependent splitting of spin bands) logging, mining, and other forms of land
and nonlinear anomalous Hall effect, arising exploitation.
from anomalous velocity of the electrons, in the ● Their territory has been under threat from
same 2-D material. deforestation and resource extraction.
● With the 2D composite material designed
Key Facts about Amazon Rainforest
computationally, the scientists hope that the
challenges of manufacturing Janus MXenes in ● Amazon Rainforest is large tropical rainforest
the lab and at a large scale will be gradually occupying the drainage basin of the Amazon
overcome to bring benefits for devices, energy River and its tributaries in northern South
security, and the economy. America and covering an area of 2,300,000
square miles
● It comprises about 40 per cent of Brazil’s total
SPORTS area.
● It is bounded by the Guiana Highlands to the
#1
north, the Andes Mountains to the west, the
Gukesh D
● Gukesh D, a protege of five-time world chess
L.I N
Brazilian central plateau to the south, and the
Atlantic Ocean to the east.
A
champion Viswanathan Anand, will become the
top-ranked Indian in the International Chess
Federation (FIDE) monthly rating list for
R T
O
classical chess, surpassing Anand after 36
P
NATIONAL
years
C
● He will also break into the top 10 rankings for #1
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the first time, making him the third Indian to
achieve this feat. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
● He became the youngest player to defeat World ● Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has
No. 1 chess player, Magnus Carlsen. undergone a significant shift in prevalence in
● FIDE is the governing body of the sport of India, as per a recent study published in the
chess, and it regulates all international chess Lancet journal.
competitions. It’s constituted as a
non-governmental institution. About Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):
MISCELLANEOUS ● It is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions

that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
#1 ● These conditions cause inflammation and
Piripkura Tribe damage to the lining of the digestive tract,
leading to various symptoms and
● Recently, the last survivors of an Amazon complications.
rainforest tribe- Piripkura found in Brazil. ● The two main types of IBD are Crohn’s disease
About Piripkura Tribe: and ulcerative colitis.
● They are a nomadic tribe from the Mato Grasso Crohn’s disease:
region of Brazil. ● It can affect any part of the GI tract, from the
● The tribe is known for its isolation and efforts mouth to the anus, but most commonly involves
to maintain its traditional way of life. the end of the small intestine (ileum) and the
● These people have faced significant challenges beginning of the large intestine (colon).
due to encroachment on their land by illegal ● The inflammation in Crohn’s disease can extend
deep into the layers of the bowel tissue and
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may involve skip lesions (affected areas About Palm cockatoo:

separated by healthy ones).
● It is also known as the goliath cockatoo or great
#2 black cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black
parrot of the cockatoo family.
Kuno National Park
● It has a very large black beak and prominent red
● Ten people were recently arrested for their cheek patches.
alleged involvement in forest crimes, including
Distribution:
hunting and tree-cutting, near the Kuno National
Park (KNP). ● It is native to New Guinea, Aru Islands, and
Cape York Peninsula.
About Kuno National Park (KNP):
● They occur in rainforests, such as gallery
Location: forests, forest edges, eucalypt and paperbark
woodlands, monsoon woodlands, dense
● It is located in the Sheopur district in Madhya savannas and partly cleared areas.
Pradesh.
N
● They choose big trees for roosting and nesting.
I
● It is nestled near the Vindhyan Hills.
● It is named after the Kuno River (One of the
main tributaries of the Chambal River) that cuts .
Threats
L
A
● It is under threat by habitat loss through logging
T
across it.
and seasonal fires, which each year destroy
R
● Initially established as a wildlife sanctuary, it
their nest trees in significant numbers.
was only in 2018 that the government changed
●
its status into a national park.
PO
Kuno National Park was selected under ‘Action
Conservation status
C
Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’.
● IUCN: Least Concern
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● Vegetation: Kuno is primarily a grassland
region, though a few rocky outcrops are found
here too. #4
Flora: Dibang Multipurpose Project
● Kardhai, Salai, and Khair trees dominate the ● State-owned hydropower giant NHPC recently
forested area of Kuno National Park, which is inked an initial pact with RITES to construct
mostly mixed forest. railway siding for a 2,880 MW Dibang
● The park has a total of 123 tree species, 71 multipurpose project in Arunachal Pradesh.
shrub species, 32 exotic and climbing species,
and 34 bamboo and grass species.
● Fauna: The protected area of the forest is home About the Dibang Multipurpose Project:
to the jungle cat, Indian leopard, sloth bear,
Indian wolf, striped hyena, golden jackal, Bengal
fox and dhole, along with more than 120 bird ● It is a flood control and hydroelectric power
species. project planned to be developed on the Dibang
River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, in
#3 Arunachal Pradesh.
Palm cockatoo ● At 2,880 MW of installed capacity, it will be the
country’s biggest hydropower facility.
● Recently, six Palm cockatoos (Probosciger ● It is being developed by India’s state-run
aterrimus) birds– were rescued from Assam’s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
Cachar district by the police. (NHPC).
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Dibang hydroelectric plant makeup: #1

● The project envisages the construction of a U.N. World Food Programme (WFP)
278m-high and 375m-long concrete gravity
● Deputy executive director of the World Food
dam, which will be the highest dam structure in
Program recently said that United Nations has
the country.
been forced to cut food, cash payments and
● The dam will create a 43 km-long reservoir with
assistance to millions of people in many
a gross storage capacity of 3.85 billion cubic
countries because of “a crippling funding
metres.
crisis”.
● It includes six horseshoe-shaped head race
tunnels of length varying from 300m to 600m About U.N. World Food Programme (WFP):
with 9m diameter, an underground Power
House, and six horseshoe-shaped tail race ● It is a branch of the United Nations that deals
tunnels of length varying from 320m to 470m with hunger eradication and promotes food
with 9m diameter. security in the world.
● WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency
#5
●
L I N
and was established in 1961.
.
The organization’s work is guided by
Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to
Gene-edited Mustard
TA end hunger, achieve food security and improved

nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
● Recently, Indian scientists developed the first
O
ever Gene edited low-pungent mustard that is
R●
by 2030.
It operates in more than 120 countries, provides
P
pest and disease-resistant.
food assistance during emergencies and works
About Gene-edited Mustard:
C with communities to enhance nutrition and
SS
generate resilience.
● India’s most significant domestically-grown ● Funding: WFP is funded by voluntary donations
oilseed is rapeseed-mustard. from governments, corporates and private
Issues with Mustard seeds donors.
● It is a member of the United Nations
● Mustard seeds have high levels of Development Programme (UNDP).
glucosinolates, a group of sulphur and ● Headquarters: Rome, Italy
nitrogen-containing compounds contributing to ● It has been functioning in India since 1963.
the characteristic pungency of their oil and ● It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
meal. ● Report released by the WFP is Global Report on
● Rapeseed meal is unpalatable to poultry and Food Crisis which describes the scale of acute
pigs, while having to be mixed with fodder grass hunger in the world.
and water for giving to cattle and buffaloes.
● Besides reducing their feed intake, high #2
glucosinolates are also known to cause goiter Perseid Meteor Shower
(swelling of neck) and internal organ
abnormalities in livestock. ● The NASA All Sky Fireball Network is already
● The dry seeds from the normal mustard detecting the first meteors of this year’s Perseid
(Brassica juncea) cultivated in India contain meteor shower
120-130 parts per million (ppm or mg/kg) of
What is a Meteor Shower?
glucosinolates. This is as against the sub-30
ppm levels in canola seeds. ● A meteor is a space rock that comes into
Earth’s atmosphere.
INTERNATIONAL
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● As it falls, the air makes it really hot because of ● The export version of the Abrams is used by the
the friction. armies of Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Poland,
● The bright streak we see is not the rock itself, and Saudi Arabia.
but the hot air around it.
Features:
● When many space rocks hit the atmosphere
over Earth together, we call it a meteor shower. ● It uses a powerful and complex turbine
● These meteors travel at incredible speeds, enginethat produces 1,500 horsepower and
reaching tens of thousands of kilometers per requires four persons to operate.
hour before disintegrating due to the intense ● It is one of the heaviest tanks in service at
heat generated by friction with the atmosphere. nearly 62 metric tons.
● The M1 tanks have a maximum speed of 45.
About Perseid Meteor Shower:
● Armament: The Abrams is armed with a 120
● It is one of the most popular and well-known mm main gun and .50 caliber and 7.62 mm
meteor showers that occurs annually. machine guns.
● It usually takes place in August, specifically ● It can destroy tank-size targets at a range of 2
●
around August 11th to 13th, with its peak
occurring around August 12th.
These meteors are fast and bright, leaving trails
●
L I N
km while firing on the move.
.
In modern versions of the Abrams tank, there
are layers of depleted uranium armour which
of light and color behind them as they move
through the sky.
TA provides substantial protection to those inside.
R
#4
● During the Perseids, you can see around 50 to
●
100 meteors every hour.
PO
They usually show up when the weather is
Havana Syndrome
C
warm and the nights are comfortable for ● Recently, the Central government has told the
SS
watching the sky. Karnataka High Court that it will look into the
● The Perseids are special because they often matter of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ in India, in
generate fireballs. response to a Bengaluru resident’s recent
● Fireballs are big bursts of light and color that petition.
last longer than a regular shooting star. About Havana Syndrome:
● This happens because fireballs come from
larger pieces of material from comets. ● It refers to a set of mental health symptoms
that are said to be experienced by United States
#3 intelligence and embassy officials in various
M1 Abrams Tank countries.
● It is worth noting that in general, the word
● The United States has officially given the nod ‘syndrome’ simply means a set of symptoms.
for the delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine. ● It does not mean a unique medical condition,
but rather a set of symptoms that are usually
About M1 Abrams Tank:
experienced together whose origins may be
● It is the United States main battle tank. difficult to confirm.
● The first M1 tank was manufactured by General ● Symptoms: Such as hearing certain sounds
Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in 1978 and without any outside noise, nausea, vertigo and
was delivered to the US Army in 1980. headaches, memory loss and balance issues.
● It was named in honor to General Abrams,
Origin
commander of US forces during the Vietnam
War. ● As the name suggests, it traces its roots to
Cuba in late 2016.
322
● This was about a year after the US opened its ● The biggest contributor to India’s Forex reserves
embassy in the capital city of Havana after ties is foreign currency assets, followed by gold.
between the two countries were normalised in
Purpose:
2015.
● Some US intelligence officials and members of ● They are used to back liabilities on their own
the staff at the embassy began experiencing issued currency, support the exchange rate and
sudden bursts of pressure in their brains set monetary policy.
followed by persistent headaches, feelings of ● To ensure that RBI has backup funds if their
disorientation and insomnia. national currency rapidly devalues or becomes
● In India, the first such case was reported in altogether insolvent.
2021, when a US intelligence officer travelling to ● If the value of the Rupee decreases due to an
New Delhi with CIA director William Burns increase in the demand of the foreign currency,
reported symptoms of Havana Syndrome. then RBI sells the dollar in the Indian money
market so that depreciation of the Indian
currency can be checked.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
#1
●
L.I N
A country with a good stock of forex has a good
image at the international level because the
trading countries can be sure about their
Foreign Exchange Reserves
●
TA payments.
A good forex reserve helps in attracting foreign
● India’s Forex Reserves recently declined by $1.9
O
billion to $607.03 billion, its lowest level in
R trade and earns a good reputation with trading
partners.
P
nearly 3 months.
C
#2
SS
Derivatives
About Foreign Exchange Reserves:
● Foreign Exchange Reserves (also called Forex (SEBI) recently clarified that it was not looking
Reserves) are reserve assets held by a central to reduce retail participation in the derivatives
bank in foreign currencies. segment.
● These may include foreign currencies, bonds,
treasury bills, and other government securities.
● Reserves are denominated and expressed in the
About Derivatives:
US dollar, which is the international numeraire
for the purpose.
● RBI is the custodian of the Foreign exchange
● A derivative is a contract between two parties
reserves in India.
which derives its value/price from an underlying
● India’s foreign exchange reserves comprise of;
asset.
● Foreign currency assets (FCAs): These are
● The commonly used assets are stocks, bonds,
maintained in currencies like the US dollar, euro,
currencies, commodities and market indices.
pound sterling, Australian dollar and Japanese
● These instruments allow investors and traders
yen.
to speculate on the price movements of the
Gold underlying asset without owning it directly.
● The value of the underlying assets keeps
● SDR (Special Drawing Rights): This is the
changing according to market conditions. The
reserve currency with IMF.
basic principle behind entering into derivative
● RTP (Reserve Tranche Position): This is the
contracts is to earn profits by speculating on
reserve capital with IMF.
the value of the underlying asset in future.
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● Derivatives serve various purposes, including control of the Ministry of New and Renewable
hedging against risks, providing leverage, and Energy (MNRE).
facilitating price discovery. ● It is a Public Limited Government Company
established as a Non-Banking Financial
The most common types of derivatives are:
Institution (NBFC) in 1987.
● Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an ● IREDA has been notified as a “Public Financial
agreement between two parties to buy or sell an Institution” under Section 4 ‘A’ of the Companies
asset at a predetermined price on a specific Act, 1956, and registered as NBFC with the
future date. The underlying asset can be Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
commodities, financial instruments, or indices. ● IREDA is primarily engaged in promoting,
● Options Contracts: An options contract gives developing, and extending financial assistance
the holder the right, but not the obligation, to for setting up projects relating to new and
buy (call option) or sell (put option) an renewable sources of energy and energy
underlying asset at a specified price (strike efficiency/conservation.
price) on or before a predetermined expiration ● Motto: ENERGY FOR EVER
●
date.
Swaps: Swaps are agreements between two
parties to exchange cash flows based on ●
L.I N
Objectives:
To give financial support to specific projects
specific financial variables. Common types of
swaps include interest rate swaps, currency
TA and schemes for generating electricity and/ or
energy through new and renewable sources and
swaps, and commodity swaps. Swaps are often
O
used to manage interest rate risks, currency R●
conserving energy through energy efficiency.
To maintain its position as a leading
obligation.
C P
risks, or to change the nature of a debt organisation by providing efficient and effective
financing for renewable energy and energy
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● Forwards: Forwards are similar to futures efficiency/ conservation projects.
contracts but are not standardized or traded on ● Funding: IREDA generates its revenue through
exchanges. They are customized agreements the interest and principal repayments from the
between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a projects it finances, as well as by raising funds
specified price on a future date. from the market and through borrowings.
#3 #4
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Advisory Board on Banking and Financial Frauds
(IREDA)
● Recently, the Central Vigilance Commission
● The Indian Renewable Energy Development (CVC) has reconstituted the advisory board on
Agency (IREDA) recently signed a Banking and Financial Frauds (ABBFF).
performance-focused memorandum of
About Advisory Board on Banking and Financial
understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of New
Frauds:
and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
● It conducts the first level examination of bank
frauds before recommendations or references
About the Indian Renewable Energy Development are made to investigate by agencies such as the
Agency (IREDA): Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
● Composition: It consists of the Chairman and
four other members, and the tenure of the
● It is a Mini Ratna (Category–I) non-banking Chairman/ Members would be for two years.
financial institution under the administrative ● It has been empowered to examine the role of
officials/whole-time directors (including
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ex-officials/ex-whole-time directors) in public chargers for mobile phones, digital cameras,

sector banks, public sector insurance laptops, and other small electronic gadgets.
companies, and public sector financial ● It has high energy density, high efficiency, and
institutions in case of frauds amounting to ₹ 3 low operating temperature.
crore and above. ● They are also much safer to operate because
● The Central Vigilance Commission or the they deal with liquid fuel (methanol).
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can also ● The methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) at the
refer any case or technical matter to the board anode and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at
for its advice, the order stated. the cathode are the main processes that
● The board can also give inputs for policy determine the performance of DMFCs.
formulation related to fraud to the Reserve Bank ● Platinum is the most often used MOR catalyst.
of India and the Central Vigilance Commission. However, fundamental challenges such as slow
● It will ordinarily, within a month of receipt of the kinetics, high manufacturing costs (due mostly
initial reference, tender its advice as may be to the pricey Pt-based catalyst), and CO
requisitioned by ministries, departments, the poisoning of the Pt catalyst make
N
Central Vigilance Commission or the CBI. commercialization of DMFCs challenging.
●
L.I
Therefore, the search for an alternative
Pt-based catalyst that circumvents the above
#1
TA issues is one of the most pressing research

problems with respect to DMFCs.
R
Cobalt- Platinum Alloy ● Alloying Pt with other transition metals such as
●
O
Recently, researchers have found that an alloy
P
of Cobalt and Platinum when doped with
(Ru, Co, Ni, and Fe) is thought to be a useful
strategy for improving the catalytic
C
Manganese which act to be an effective performance and durability of Pt catalyst along
SS
catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) with reducing the amount of Pt being used in
that takes place at the anode of the direct the catalyst.
methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). #2
Worldcoin Project
Key findings: ● Recently, OpenAI CEO formally re-introduced
Worldcoin project of his that was eclipsed by
the popularity of ChatGPT.
● Researchers have synthesized a trimetallic
PtMnCo catalyst that displayed superior
catalytic activity and high CO tolerance when About Worldcoin Project:
compared to commercially available catalyst.
● The choice of Manganese (Mn) as a dopant
was based on its abundance and affordability
● It is an initiative to create a digital network in
and the multiple oxidation states it offers
which everyone can claim some kind of stake,
making it a good candidate for
and join the digital economy.
electro-catalysis.
● This venture runs on a simple model: allow your
Significance of DMFC eyes to be scanned in order to prove your
human uniqueness, and receive some crypto
● Among the different classes of fuel cells and an ID (called a World ID) in exchange.
proposed, DMFCs have long been considered ● Using a device called “Orb,” Worldcoin
an attractive alternate power source for small volunteers known as ‘Orb operators’ scan a
vehicles such as forklifts and as battery person’s iris pattern to collect their biometric
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data and help them get a World ID through the ● Since an array of processes modulates the
World app. degradation, the amount, size, and source of the
● With the app, scanned participants can collect a cfDNA can vary across a range as well.
cryptocurrency called Worldcoin [WLD] at ● This could occur together with a variety of
regular intervals or make transactions with their processes, including those required for normal
World ID where possible. development, those related to the development
● This process is called “proof of personhood” of certain cancers, and those associated with
and makes sure that people do not sign several other diseases.
themselves up multiple times in exchange for
Applications of cfDNA
crypto.
● Worldcoin claims it is building the “world’s ● One of the most widely used applications of
largest identity and financial public network” cfDNA has been in screening foetuses for
open to people worldwide. specific chromosomal abnormalities, an
● Worldcoin lists 18 locations — largely in Delhi, application known as non-invasive prenatal
Noida, and Bangalore — where Orb operators testing.
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are scanning people’s eyes.
I
● It is useful tool to understand human diseases
#3
L.
and to use the knowledge to improve diagnosis,
monitoring, and prognosis.
Cell-free DNA ●
TA It is useful in understanding why a body is

rejecting a transplanted organ.
R
● In the last two decades or so, since genome
● This could be used as a biomarker for
O
sequencing technologies started to become
neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease,
P
more accessible, scientists have really figured
neuronal tumours, stroke, traumatic brain injury.
C
out the application of the Cell-free DNA.
About Cell-free DNA:

SS #4
Dicraeosaurid dinosaur
● Recently, scientists from IIT-Roorkee and
● In the human body, most of the DNA in a
Geological Survey of India (GSI) have
genome is neatly packed inside cells with the
discovered the oldest fossil remains of
help of specific proteins, protecting it from
dicraeosaurid dinosaur in Jaisalmer.
being degraded.
● In a variety of scenarios, some fragments of About Dicraeosaurid dinosaur:
DNA are ‘released’ from their containers and are
● It is a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur
present outside the cell, in body fluids. These
species.
small fragments of nucleic acids are widely
● The remains are 167 million years old and
known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA).
belong to a new species, unknown to scientists
How they are generated/released? thus far.
● It has been named ‘Tharosaurus indicus’, the
first name referring to the ‘Thar desert’ where
● It can be generated and released from a cell in a the fossils were found, and the second after its
number of possible situations, including when a country of origin.
cell is dying and the nucleic acids become ● According to the scientists, fossils of
degraded. dicraeosaurid dinosaurs have been found
previously in North and South Americas, Africa
and China, but such fossils were not known
from India.
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● The rocks in which the fossils were found are ● The President’s Cup (for permanent keep and
dated to be around 167 million years old, which first presented by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s
makes this new Indian sauropod not only the first President, in 1956).
oldest known dicraeosaurid but also globally
MISCELLANEOUS
the oldest diplodocoid (broader group which
includes dicraeosaurids and other closely #1
related sauropods).
● Theories so far had suggested that the oldest UNMESHA AND UTKARSH Festivals
dicraeosaurid was from China (about 166-164 ● Recently, the President of India inaugurated
million years old). ‘Unmesha’ – International Literature Festival
and ‘Utkarsh’ – Festival of Folk and Tribal
Performing Arts at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
● These festivals were organised by Sahitya
Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi,
SPORTS
respectively, with the purpose of celebrating
#1
Durand Cup
L.I N
inclusivity and cultural diversity.
About UNMESHA:
● Recently, the union Ministry of Defence ●
TA It is India’s most inclusive and Asia’s largest
R
inaugurated the 132nd edition of Durand Cup in literature festival in terms of the number of
Kokrajhar. languages represented.
About Durand Cup:
PO ● More than 575 authors in 102 languages are

expected to participate in over 75 events in
C ‘Unmesha 2023’, and writers from 13 countries
SS
● It is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest
football tournament, in which top Indian football will participate in the festival.
clubs from across the country participate. ● This will be the second edition of ‘Unmesha’.
● The inaugural edition took place in Shimla in The first event was held in Shimla in June 2022.
1888, when it started off as an Army Cup, open
What is UTKARSH festival?
only to the British Indian Army troops in India.
● The tournament is named after its founder Sir ● It showcases the folk and tribal Performing Arts
Henry Mortimer Durand. ● It casts a spotlight on the treasure trove of
● It was begun as a football tournament for India’s folk and tribal heritage, endowing these
different departments and regiments of the expressive art forms with a resplendent stage
Armed forces of India and the princely states. to captivate and enthral.
● Since independence, the army’s presence is ● A poignant tribute to the nation’s cultural legacy,
maintained by the participation of several clubs ‘Utkarsh’ serves as a vital launchpad for
of different regiments of the Indian Armed traditional artists and performers to unfurl their
Forces as guest invitees. artistry, safeguarding the priceless heritage of
● The Durand Cup tournament is unique where in myriad communities.
the winning team walks away with three ● Amidst its vibrant canvas, ‘Utkarsh’ brings forth
trophies, a vivid tableau of cultural diversity, nurturing an
● The Durand Cup (a rolling trophy and the appreciation for indigenous arts and
original prize). underscoring their intrinsic value in an
● The Shimla Trophy (also a rolling trophy and increasingly interconnected world.
first given by the residents of Shimla in 1904).
#2
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Exercise Malabar used to develop a garden along the Kartavya

Path in Delhi.
● The 31st edition of the Malabar multilateral
● Events have been planned at the panchayat,
exercise will be held off Sydney from August
village, block, urban local body, and State and
11-21.
national levels, respectively.
About Exercise Malabar: ● The five-point agenda includes the installation
of a shilaphalakam (memorial plaque), as per
● It was started in 1992 as a bilateral naval specifications, bearing the “names of those who
exercise between India and US navy. have made the supreme sacrifice”.
● The first Malabar Exercise in the Bay of Bengal ● Work for the shilaphalakam may be executed
took place in 2007. through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
● It was expanded into a trilateral format with the Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA),
inclusion of Japan in 2015. leveraging local materials and resources.
● In 2020, the Australian Navy joined the Malabar ● ‘Vasudha Vandhan’ envisages every gram
Exercise, making it a quadrilateral naval panchayat or village renewing “Mother Earth by
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exercise. planting 75 saplings of indigenous species and
● The aim of the Malabar Exercise of India, the
US, Japan and Australia is to coordinate for a ●
L.I
developing an Amrit Vatika”.
‘Veeron Ka Vandan’ will felicitate freedom
A
free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. fighters, and the families of deceased freedom
T
● It takes place annually in the Indian Ocean and fighters.
R
Pacific Oceans alternatively. ● Young volunteers and others will collect soil
O
● This exercise includes a diverse range of from every panchayat/village and bring it to the
P
activities such as fighter combat operations block, from where the ‘Mitti Kalash’ will be
C
and maritime interdiction operations. transported to Delhi.
SS
Other Joint Maritime Exercises of India ● In urban areas, events will be organised at local
bodies, notified area councils, Cantonment
● IBSAMAR:It is a maritime exercise held by India, Boards, and town panchayats from August 9
South Africa, and Brazil. and 15, and in bigger municipalities and
● SIMBEX:India and Singapore. municipal corporations from August 16 to 20.
● SLINEX: India and Sri Lanka. ● The ‘Mitti Kalash’ are to be brought
ceremoniously to the larger
municipalities/corporations and transported to
Kartavya Path.
#2
NATIONAL
Bharat NCAP
#1
● Recently, the Union Minister of Road Transport
Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign
and Highways launched the Bharat New Car
● Recently, the Union government of India has Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) in New
launched the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign, Delhi.
envisaged as a culminating event of the ‘Azadi
About Bharat NCAP(New Car Assessment
Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebration of 75 years of
Programme):
Indian Independence.
● It is a significant step forward in the
About Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign:
government’s commitment to improving road
● Under this campaign soil collected from safety by raising the safety standards of motor
different parts of the country in August will be vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes in India.
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● The programme aims to provide a tool for car ● Section 4 of the Act says “there shall be
customers to make a comparative assessment constituted a Committee on Official language,
of the crash safety of motor vehicles available on a resolution to that effect being moved in
in the market. either House of Parliament with the previous
● Under this programme, car manufacturers can sanction of the President and passed by both
voluntarily offer their cars tested as per Houses”.
Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197. ● Under the provisions of the 1963 Act, the panel
● Based on the performance of the car in the submits its report to the President, who “shall
tests, the car will be awarded star ratings for [then] cause the report to be laid before each
Adult Occupants (AOP) and Child Occupants House of Parliament, and sent to all the State
(COP). Governments”.
● To receive a 5-star rating, a vehicle needs at ● The Committee is chaired by the Union Home
least 27 points in adult occupant protection and Minister, and has, in accordance with the
requires 41 points in child occupant protection. provisions of the 1963 Act.
● These protocols are in line with Global NCAP ● The committee consists of 30 members — 20
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norms when it comes to crash testing. MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 MPs from Rajya
● Three tests, including offset deformable barrier
frontal impact test, side impact test, and pole ●
L.I
Sabha.
The mandate of the Committee is to review the
side impact test -- would determine the
crashworthiness of the vehicles.
TA progress made in the use of Hindi for official
purposes, and to make recommendations to
● It would also mandate the installation of six
O
airbags, electronic stability control (ESC),
R increase the use of Hindi in official
communications.
C P
three-point seatbelts for every passenger,
improved emergency braking systems, etc.
● The first Report of the Committee was
submitted in 1987.
SS
● For Bharat NCAP, the frontal crash test will be
conducted at a speed of 64km/h. On the other
hand, the side and pole-side impact tests will be #4
done at 50km/h and 29km/h
● These norms will also be applicable for testing INS Trikand
and rating CNG and EVs based on their ● Indian Naval Ship INS Trikand received a warm
performance. welcome upon its arrival at Bandar Abbas, the
● Unlike Global NCAP, Bharat NCAP will give a port city of Iran recently.
unified rating for the vehicles, combining crash
test results for adults and children alike. About INS Trikand:
#3 ● It is a Talwar-class guided-missile frigate of the

Indian Navy.
Committee of Parliament on Official Language ● It is the third and final ship of the second batch
● Recently, the Union Home Minister chaired the of Talwar-class frigates ordered by the Indian
38th meeting of the Committee of Parliament Navy.
on Official Language. ● It was built by the Yantar shipyard in
Kaliningrad, Russia.
About Committee of Parliament on Official
Language: Commissioning:
● The Committee of Parliament on Official ● INS Trikand was commissioned into the Indian
Language was set up in 1976 under Section 4 Navy on June 29, 2013.
of The Official Languages Act, 1963.
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● The ship is named after the Trikand Fort, which conferencing calls, smartphone microphones,
is located near Porbandar, Gujarat. and off-the-shelf equipment and algorithms to
● It is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and launch ASCA attacks.
operates under the Western Naval Command ● The study found that when trained on
headquartered in Mumbai. keystrokes by a nearby phone, the classifier
achieved an accuracy of 95%, the highest
Features:
accuracy seen without the use of a language
● The ship is equipped with advanced sensors model.
and weapon systems.
Accuracy
● It features various anti-ship and anti-aircraft
missile systems, torpedoes, and a 100mm main ● When a deep learning model was trained on the
gun. data with default values, the model was able to
● It incorporates stealth technology, including acquire a meaningful interpretation of the data.
reduced radar cross-section, to enhance its ● On a MacBook Pro, which features a keyboard
survivability in hostile environments. identical in switch design to Apple’s models
● It is equipped with anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) capabilities, including ASW helicopters
and torpedo launchers, which make it effective
L.I N
from the last two years, the model was able to
achieve state-of-the-art accuracy with minimal
training data.
●
in countering underwater threats.
With a long reach and a state-of-the-art combat
●
TA Additionally, when the AI model was made to

recognise keystrokes using audio captured
suite, the ship is designed to undertake a wide
spectrum of naval operations.
O R through a smartphone microphone, it was able
to achieve 95% accuracy.
C P Implications
SS
INTERNATIONAL ● This form of hacking could expose sensitive
information like passwords and personal
#1
messages.
Acoustic Side Channel Attack
What are Side Channel Attacks (SCAs)?
● A research paper titled “A Practical Deep
● These are a method of hacking a cryptographic
Learning-Based Acoustic Side Channel Attack
algorithm based on the analysis of auxiliary
on Keyboards”, revealed that Artificial
systems used in the encryption method.
Intelligence (AI) can be used to decode
● These can be performed using a collection of
passwords by analysing the sound produced by
signals emitted by devices, including
keystrokes.
electromagnetic waves, power consumption,
mobile sensors as well as sound from
keyboards and printers to target devices.
About Acoustic Side Channel Attack: ● Once collected, these signals are used to
interpret signals that can be then used to
compromise the security of a device.
● This technique uses the sounds produced by
typing on a keyboard to determine what keys #2
are being pressed. Voyager 2 Spacecraft
● By analysing these unique sounds, hackers
equipped with the right tools can decode the ● NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft, currently in
precise letters and numbers being typed. interstellar space, is facing communication
● Researchers investigated the use of audio difficulties caused by an antenna misalignment.
recordings taken from Zoom video
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About Voyager 2 Spacecraft: who have a compromised immune system,

chronic lung disease, or congenital heart
● It is a space probe launched by NASA on
condition can get a more severe case of RSV.
August 20, 1977.
● A severe infection leads to pneumonia and
● It is part of the Voyager program, which also
bronchiolitis.
includes Voyager 1.
● Transmission: RSV spreads from person to
● Primary mission: To study the outer planets of
person through-
our solar system and their moons, and then
● The air by coughing and sneezing;
continue on an interstellar mission.
● Direct contact, such as kissing the face of a
● It is the second spacecraft to enter interstellar
child who has RSV;
space. On Dec. 10, 2018, the spacecraft joined
● Touching an object or surface with the virus on
its twin—Voyager 1—as the only human-made
it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
objects to enter the space between the stars.
before washing your hands;
● It carries a Golden Record, a phonograph record
● People who have an RSV infection are usually
containing sounds and images from Earth,
contagious for 3 to 8 days. But sometimes
intended to be a message to any potential
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infants and people with weakened immune
extraterrestrial civilizations it might encounter
in the future.
L.I
systems can continue to spread the virus for as
long as 4 weeks.
Firsts:
TA
R
● It is the only spacecraft to study all four of the #4
O
solar system’s giant planets at close range.
Tomahawk Missile
P
● It discovered a 14th moon at Jupiter.
C
● It was the first human-made object to fly past ● Australia recently finalised a deal to buy more
SS
Uranus. than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the
● At Uranus, Voyager 2 discovered 10 new moons United States.
and two new rings.
● It was the first human-made object to fly by About Tomahawk Missile
Neptune. ● It is a US-made long-range cruise missileused
● At Neptune, Voyager 2 discovered five moons, for deep land attack warfare.
four rings, and a “Great Dark Spot.” ● It can be launched from a ship or submarineand
can deliver its warhead precisely to a target at a
long range.
#3 ● It is used primarily by the U.S. and United
Kingdom navies.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Features:
● The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
recently approved the first vaccine that protects ● It is designed to fly at subsonic speed while
newborns from Respiratory Syncytial Virus maintaining a low altitude, making it difficult to
(RSV) detect on radar.
● It uses tailored guidance systems to manoeuvre
About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
while at such low elevations.
● It is a common respiratory virus. ● It has an accuracy of about 5 meters (16 feet).
● RSV is one of the most frequent causes of ● The 6-meter (18.4-foot-) long missile has a
childhood illness. range of up to 2,400 km(1,500 miles) and can
● It usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. travel as fast as 885 km (550 miles) per hour.
● Premature infants, babies younger than 6 ● Propulsion: It is powered by a solid propellant
months old, people over age 65, and people during its launch phase. Thereafter it is
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powered by a turbofan engine that does not ● It is cultivated worldwide in warmer climates
emit much heat, which makes infrared detection and is an important food crop in semiarid
difficult. tropical areas of Africa, Asia and Central
● It is capable of twisting and turning like a America.
radar-evading fighter plane. ● In India sorghum is known as jowar, cholam, or
● It can carry either conventional or nuclear Jonna. Different varieties of sorghum range in
payloads. colour from white and pale yellow to deep red,
purple and brown.
● Sorghum is especially valued in hot and arid
BUSINESS & ECONOMY regions for its resistance to drought and heat.
● It is tolerant to drought because of its root
#1 system.
Sorghum ● It performs better than maize during drought
and occupies areas unsuitable for maize in
● According to a new study, new sorghum stress-prone semiarid areas.
N
varieties developed by scientists from the It is tolerant of salinity and to some extent to
I
●
.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) waterlogging for a short period. It is sensitive to
can help meet the nutritional needs of mothers
and children in sub-Saharan Africa. ●
A Lfrost and to sustain flooding.
In recent years, there has been a shift in
Key findings:
R T sorghum production from the drier western

production areas to the wetter eastern.
●
PO
The new varieties are enhanced with both
provitamin A and non-provitamin A carotenoids.
●
C
These varieties also contain a more efficient #2
SS
phytase enzyme, a protein that breaks down
phytic acid. This improves the absorption of Assets Under Management
nutrients from the diet. ● Kotak Mahindra Group recently merged the
● The results show that sorghum made from the investment advisory business and alternate
strain of this new variety can produce 32 times fund management business that will have a
more provitamin A carotenoids than regular $18-billion cumulative assets under
sorghum varieties. management.
● New healthier sorghum varieties with significant
concentrations of provitamin A carotenoids About Assets Under Management:
increase mineral absorption.
● AUM is the total market value of investments a
● These sorghum lines also contained high
financial institution owns or manages on behalf
concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin,
of its clients.
carotenoids which are important for eye health
● These assets can include various types of
and brain development.
financial products, such as mutual funds, hedge
Key facts about Sorghum: funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), pension
funds, and other investment vehicles.
● It is also called great millet, Indian millet, milo, ● AUM can be calculated in different ways,
durra, or shallu, cereal grain plant of the grass depending on the firm’s discretion.
family (Poaceae) and its edible starchy seeds. ● The calculation is done on the basis of either
● The plant likely originated in Africa, where it is a the total capital that the firm handles or
major food crop. calculating the Individual client’s money.
● It is the fifth major staple cereal after wheat,
rice, maize and barley.
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● AUM fluctuates daily reflecting the variable ● Implementation: The NTTM has been approved
returns from stocks, mutual funds and change with an implementation period of four years
in prices of fixed investment. starting from FY 2020-21 till FY 2023-24. The
total outlay of the mission is INR 1480 Cr.
Importance of AUM:
● Target: The Mission has a target to take the
● AUM helps to build the market value of the firm. domestic market size of the technical textile
● It can be used as a market tool to attract sector to $ 40-50 Bn by the year 2024 with an
potential new customers. The higher a firm’s average growth rate of 15-20% per annum.
AUM is, the more likely people are to trust them
and invest with them.
● A fund’s management fees and expenses are #4
often calculated as a percentage of AUM.
Bhu-Vision
● Recently, a revolutionary IoT-based automated
#3 soil testing and agronomy advisory platform,
Technical Textiles
According to a recent research report, the
L I N
Bhu-Vision was officially launched at AICRP
.
(ICAR-IIRR), Hyderabad.
A
●
About Bhu-Vision:
T
global Technical Textile market size is expected
R
to reach USD 272.3 billion by 2030. ● It is also known as KRISHI-RASTAA Soil Testing
System.
About Technical Textiles:
PO ● It has been
ICAR-IIRR(Indian
jointly
Council
developed
of
by
Agricultural
C
● Technical Textiles are textile products that are
Research -Indian Institute of Rice Research) and
SS
manufactured primarily for their functionality
and use rather than aesthetic appeal. KrishiTantra.
● They are designed to have high levels of ● This system seamlessly conducts 12 key soil
physical, mechanical, thermal, and/or chemical parameter tests in just 30 minutes.
properties for use in specific applications within ● It provides quick and accurate results directly to
industrial sectors such as earthworks, farmers and stakeholders through a soil health
construction, civil engineering, transport, card on their mobile devices.
defense, medical, and healthcare.
Key facts about Indian Institute of Rice Research
Technical Textiles Mission in India:
● It was established as All India Coordinated Rice
● The Ministry of Textiles has launched NTTM to Improvement Project (AICRIP) by the Indian
increase the penetration level of technical Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1965.
textiles in India while leveraging the ● Headquarter: Hyderabad.
extraordinary growth rate of the sector.
Mandate
● The aim of the mission is to position India as a
global leader in Technical Textiles. ● Basic and strategic research for enhancing rice
productivity under irrigated ecosystem
The mission will comprise the following four
● Coordination of multi-location testing to
components:
develop location specific varieties and
● Research, Innovation and Development; technologies for various ecosystems.
● Promotion and Market Development; ● Dissemination of technologies, capacity
● Export Promotion; building and establishing linkages
● Education, Training, Skill Development;
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#1 ● It is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)

designed to detect mines.
Messier 57
● Named “Neerakshi” meaning “Eyes in the
● Recently, astronomers used the James Webb Water” is first of its kind in the country and is
Space Telescope to capture new image of expected to undergo user trials by the Indian
Messier 57, more popularly known as the Ring Navy, Coast Guard, and Army before a
Nebula. commercial launch.
● It is a collaboration of Kolkata-based warship
About Messier 57: maker Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
● The Ring Nebula is about 2,000 light-years away Engineers (GRSE) Ltd and MSME entity
in the constellation Lyra and was discovered in Aerospace Engineering Private Ltd (AEPL).
1779. ● The AUV, currently capable of mine detection, is
● The object is exceptionally bright and can be part of GRSE’s broader ambitions to create
spotted with moderately-sized telescopes. autonomous sea surface vehicles, sea-based
● It was born from a dying star that expelled its drones, and explore green propulsion
N
technologies.
I
outer layers into space, making it a planetary
●
nebula.
Planetary nebulae come in a variety of shapes
L.
Features:
and patterns, some that include delicate

glowing rings, wispy clouds and expanding
●
TA It can be used for a variety of functions ranging

from mine detection to mine disposal to
bubbles.
O R●
underwater survey,
It is a 2.1-metre long cylindrical unmanned
P
Key facts about James Webb Space Telescope vehicle about a foot in diameter and weighing
●
C
This telescope was built in collaboration around 45 kg.
SS
between NASA, the European Space Agency ● It has an endurance of nearly 4 hours, and is
(ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency and was capable of operating up to a depth of 300m.
launched in December 2021. #3
● It is presently at a point in space known as the
Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, approximately 1.5 Demon Particle
million km beyond Earth’s orbit.
● Scientists recently discovered a ‘demon particle’
● Lagrange Point 2 is one of the five points in the
that could lead to superconductors that
orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system.
conduct electricity at room temperature.
● It’s the largest, most powerful infrared space
telescope ever built. About Demon Particle:
● Objectives: It will examine every phase of
● The demon particle was first predicted by
cosmic history; from the Big Bang to the
theoretical physicist David Pines in 1956.
formation of galaxies, stars, and planets to the
● Pines theorised that electrons passing through
evolution of our Solar System.
a solid would exhibit unique behaviours and
#2 that these behaviours could lead to the
formation of a new type of particle that he
Neerakshi
called a “demon particle.”
● India recently launched ‘Neerakshi’- ● They are massless, chargeless, and transparent
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for mine to light.
detection. ● They are also able to form plasmons, which are
collective units of electrons that behave like
About Neerakshi: waves.
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● Plasmons are important in superconductivity, Primary Raynaud’s(or Raynaud’s disease):

and the discovery of demon particles could lead
● It happens without any other illness behind it.
to the development of new superconducting
● The symptoms are often mild.
materials that operate at room temperature.
● Secondary Raynaud’s (Raynaud’s syndrome,
What is Superconductivity? Raynaud’s phenomenon):
● It results from another illness.
● It’s often a condition that attacks your body’s
● It is a phenomenon whereby a charge moves connective tissues, like lupus or rheumatoid
through a material without resistance. arthritis.
● In theory, this allows electrical energy to be ● It’s less common, but it’s more likely to cause
transferred between two points with perfect serious health problems. This can include
efficiency, losing nothing to heat. things like skin sores and gangrene. These
● It was first discovered in 1911 by Dutch happen when cells and tissue in your toes and
physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes when he fingers die from lack of blood.
● In most people, lifestyle changes such as
N
observed the sudden drop in electrical
resistance of mercury at extremely low
temperatures.
L.I
staying warm keep symptoms under control,
but in severe cases, repeated attacks lead to
A
● Superconductivity is generally observed at very skin sores or gangrene (death and decay of
T
low temperatures, often close to absolute zero tissue).
R
(0 Kelvin or -273.15°C). ● The treatment depends on how serious the
O
condition is and whether it is the primary or
#4
P
secondary form.
C
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
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● The genetic causes of Raynaud’s phenomenon
was recently probed by researchers at Queen
Mary University of London’s Precision SPORTS
Healthcare Research Institute (PHURI) and
#1
Berlin’s Berlin Institute of Health (BIH).
World Archery Championship : India’s First Ever
About Raynaud’s Phenomenon:
Gold
● It is a condition that causes the blood vessels in
● The Prime Minister extended congratulations to
the extremities to narrow, restricting blood flow.
the Indian women’s compound team
● The episodes or “attacks” usually affect the
comprising Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Parneet
fingers and toes.
Kaur, and Aditi Gopichand Swami, for securing
● In rare cases, attacks occur in other areas such
India’s inaugural Gold medal at the World
as the ears or nose.
Archery Championship in Berlin.
● An attack usually happens from exposure to
● Aditi Gopichand Swami became the
cold or emotional stress.
youngest-ever senior world champion and the
● During a Raynaud’s attack, the arterioles and
first Indian to win an individual compound gold
capillaries in your fingers and toes tighten more
medal at the World Archery Championships at
than they should.
the age of 17.
● Types of Raynaud’s: This condition is named for
● World Archery is the international federation for
the French doctor who first identified it in 1862.
the Olympic and Paralympic sport of archery.
You may hear it called by many names. There
● The organization was founded in 1931 and is
are two types:
responsible for regulating and promoting
archery around the world.
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● World Archery is in the Olympic capital of mines will be auctioned in a scientific way to
Lausanne, Switzerland. give a boost to the local economy.
MISCELLANEOUS About Sapphire:
#1 ● The name SAPPHIRE is derived from the Latin
word ‘Saphirus’ and the Greek word ‘Sapherios’
Mylara cult
both the words mean blue.
● The recent discovery of two sculptures at ● The scientific name of sapphire is called
Basrur in the Udupi district of Karnataka has corundum. It is made up of aluminium oxide
proved that the ancient Mylara cult existed in (Al203) mineral.
the coastal region. ● Corundum comes in all types of colours like red,
pink, yellow, orange and violet.
Key findings: ● Distribution:
● The two sculptures resemble one belonging to ● Sapphire is found all over the world. Sri Lanka is
the 15th century A.D. and another to the 17th still a top source for natural sapphire.
●
century A.D.
It shows a royal hero sitting on the horse,
holding a sword and a bowl in his right and left
●
L.I N
In India the reserves/resources of corundum
are found in association with kyanite and
sillimanite in Assam, Meghalaya and
hands, respectively.
●
TA Maharashtra.
It occurs in syenites and ultrabasic rocks in
R
● But there is no Mylaladevi on the back of the
horse. The horse shown holding swords in their Telangana.
●
PO
right hand was found in another water body.
Basrur was a historic trading city of the
● The total reserves/resources of sapphire was
estimated at 450 kg, all of which is placed
Medieval period.
C under ‘Remaining Resources’ category and is
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● Trading guilds like Uhayadesi, Nanadesi and located in Jammu & Kashmir.
others actively participated in the trade. Uses:
About Mylara cult: ● Sapphire has emerged as a versatile material
● Mylara is a folk deity identified as a useful to a range of industries in many varied
manifestation of Lord Shiva. applications including LEDs, optical and Radio
● This deity, commonly known as Mailara in Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICS).
Karnataka and as Khandoba in Maharashtra, #2
has a plethora of other names as well, such as
Khanderao and Khandnatha. Sanchar Saathi portal
● This cult is prevalent in the southern part of
● In order to reduce cyber frauds performed
India, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra
through fraudulently acquired SIM cards, the
Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will
now require police verification for SIM dealers,
the enforcement move follows the launch of the
The Hindu Current Affairs Week-4 Sanchar Saathi portal.
NATIONAL About Sanchar Saathi portal:
#1 ● The portal aims to provide various reforms and

services related to mobile connections and
Sapphire telecommunications.
● In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor ● It has been developed by C-DoT under the
said that within the next year, the Sapphire Department of Tele-communications (DoT) to
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prevent frauds such as identity theft, forged Appearance:

KYC, banking frauds etc.
● It measures 16 inches (40.6 centimetres) in
● The portal allows mobile phone users to:
length and is yellowish-brown with scattered
● Check the connections registered on their
black blotches, a black belly and a vertical
names.
streak over its copper-coloured eye.
● Report fraudulent or unrequired connections.
● This is the third animal species to be named
● Block the mobile phones which are stolen/lost
after Ford. Earlier, an ant (Pheidole
● Check IMEI genuineness before buying a mobile
harrisonfordi) and a spider (Calponia
phone.
harrisonfordi) were named after him.
● The three reforms are being introduced as part
of the portal’s framework: Key facts about Andes mountain region
● CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register): It
enables the tracking and blocking of lost or ● It is also called the Andes, Spanish Cordillera de
stolen phones anywhere in the country. los Andes or Los Andes, mountain system of
● Know your mobile connections: It allows users South America.
N
to check the number of mobile connections ● The mountain range spans seven countries —
issued in their name by logging in using their
mobile number. This feature helps identify any
L.I
Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia,
Chile and Argentina.
A
unauthorized or unwanted connections, which ● It consist of a vast series of extremely high
T
can be blocked immediately. plateaus surmounted by even higher peaks that
R
● ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial form an unbroken rampart over a distance of
O
Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM some 8,900 kilometres
P
Subscriber Verification): This AI-based ● The highest peak of this range is Mount
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technology facilitates mobile connection Aconcagua(6,959 metres) on the border of
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analysis and includes features such as Argentina and Chile.
IMEI-based phone theft information messaging #4
to law enforcement agencies and the owner. It
also enables blocking of any number Defence Research and Development Organisation
associated with a particular IMEI and the (DRDO)
tracking of stolen mobile devices. ● The Central Government recently constituted a
● The portal and its reforms aim to enhance nine-member committee to overhaul the
transparency, security, and accountability in the Defence Research and Development
telecom sector. Organization (DRDO).
#3 About Defence Research and Development
Tachymenoides harrisonfordi Organisation (DRDO):
● Recently, researchers have named a recently

discovered species of snake after actor ● It is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence,
Harrison Ford. Govt of India, with a vision to empower India
About Tachymenoides harrisonfordi: with cutting-edge defence technologies and a
mission to achieve self-reliance in critical
● It was discovered in May 2022 by a team of defence technologies and systems.
researchers from the United States, Germany ● It is India’s largest research organisation.
and Peru. ● Formation: The organisation was formed in
● It was discovered in the Peruvian Andes 1958 from the amalgamation of the then
mountain region. already functioning Technical Development
Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and
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the Directorate of Technical Development & of about 4 mm per year, slightly above the
Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science global average.
Organisation (DSO).
● Headquarters: New Delhi. Key points of State of the Climate in the
● It has a network of laboratories engaged in South-West Pacific 2022 report:
developing defence technologies covering
● The sea level rise threatens low-lying islands
various fields, like aeronautics, armaments,
such as Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands, which
electronics, land combat engineering, life
could face devastating floods over time, leading
sciences, materials, missiles, and naval
systems. to the destruction of agricultural lands and
habitable areas.
Major Projects: ● The report also highlighted the occurrence of
● DRDO’s first project for the Indian military was marine heatwaves in a large area northeast of
in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Australia and south of Papua New Guinea over
Project Indigo. However, it received little a period of more than six months.
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● These heatwaves have had a significant impact
I
success and was therefore discontinued.
● Since being set up, DRDO has achieved many
successes in developing major systems and
L.
on marine life and the livelihoods of local
communities.
critical technologies like aircraft avionics, UAVs,
small arms, artillery systems, EW Systems,
●
TA Despite a decrease in the number of reported

disaster weather events compared to 2021, the
tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems,
O
command and control systems and missile R economic losses due to flooding and weather
events have increased.
●
systems.
C P
In 2016, It successfully tested its first About World Meteorological Organization
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indigenously developed heavy-duty drone,
● It is a specialized agency of the United Nations
Rustom 2, which is an unmanned armed
(UN).
combat vehicle developed on the lines of the
US’s Predator drone. ● It is the UN system’s authoritative voice on the
● DRDO co-developed INS Arihant, India’s first state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere,
nuclear ballistic missile submarine, which its interaction with the oceans, the climate it
became operational in 2018. produces, and the resulting distribution of water
● In March 2019, DRDO developed India’s first resources.
anti-satellite system that made India one of the ● It originated from the International
space superpowers. Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was
● DRDO has also developed several ballistic founded in 1873.
missiles under its Integrated Guided Missile ● Established in 1950, WMO became the
Development Programme, which includes specialized agency of the UN for meteorology
missiles like Prithvi, Trishul, Agni, Akash and (weather and climate), operational hydrology
Nag. and related geophysical sciences.
INTERNATIONAL ● Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
● Currently it has a membership of 191 countries.
#1
World Meteorological Organization

#2
● The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
has issued a stark warning, stating that sea Maitri Setu?
levels around Pacific Islands are rising at a rate
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● India-Bangladesh friendship bridge, the Maitri ● It is one of the world’s most advanced air
Setu, is all set to be functional soon. defence systems that can simultaneously track
numerous incoming objects.
About Maitri Setu:
● It was developed by the Almaz Central Design
● It has been built over the Feni River, which flows Bureau of Russia.
between the Indian boundary in Tripura and ● The system entered service in April 2007, and
Bangladesh. the first S-400 was deployed in combat in
● Length: It spans 1.9 kilometres joining Sabroom August 2007.
(in Tripura) with Ramgarh in Bangladesh. ● India signed a US$ 5.5 billion deal with Russia in
● The name ‘Maitri Setu’ symbolises growing October 2018 to acquire five S-400 systems.
bilateral relations and friendly ties between
Features:
India and Bangladesh.
● The construction of the bridge has been ● It is equipped with four different missiles that
overseen by National Highways and can engage enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles,
N
Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. and AWACS planes at 400 km and 250 km,
● It is a pre-stressed concrete bridge. It has a
single-span structure that allows for the smooth
L.I
medium-range at 120 km, and short-range at 40
km.
flow of traffic and cargo. ●
TA The system can simultaneously engage 36

targets.
Key Facts about Feni River:
O R● The system is a large complex of radars, control

systems and different types of missiles.
P
● It forms part of the India-Bangladesh border.
● The highly automated S-400 has radars that can
C
● Origin: It originates in the South Tripura district,
SS
passes through Sabroom town on the Indian pick up an incoming object up to 1,000
side, and meets the Bay of Bengal after it flows kilometres away, track several dozen incoming
into Bangladesh. objects simultaneously and distribute the
● Length: It is 116 kilometres in length from its targets to appropriate missile systems.
source to the Bay of Bengal. ● The command post detects, tracks and
● Tributaries: Some of the notable tributaries of identifies the target. Then, the tracked object is
the Feni River include the Muhuri River, Raidak taken over by manned anti-aircraft missile
River, Chandkhira River, Ryang River and systems of the complex, which launch the
Kushiyara River. counterattack.
#3 #4
S-400 Air Defence Missile System Gandhinagar Declaration
● Ukraine recently said it destroyed a Russian ● The WHO South-East Asia Region recently
S-400 anti-aircraft system on the Crimean committed to further accelerate efforts to end
peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. tuberculosis by 2030, with member countries
adopting the Gandhinagar Declaration.
About Gandhinagar Declaration:

About S-400 Air Defence Missile System:
● It was adopted at the end of the two-day
● The S-400 Triumf (NATO: SA-21 Growler) is a meeting held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, to follow
mobile, surface-to-air missile system. up on the progress made to end tuberculosis
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(TB) by the countries of the WHO South-East About Mera Bill Mera Adhikar Scheme:
Asia Region.
● It is a Goods and Services Tax (GST) invoice
● The Declaration calls for establishing high-level
incentive programme that offers cash
multisectoral commission reporting to the incentives for uploading invoices.
highest political level in each country for ● It would initially be introduced in the states of
synergy of efforts among various stakeholders Assam, Gujarat, and Haryana, as well as the UTs
and to monitor progress towards ending TB and of Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar
other priority diseases. Haveli.
● These high-level multisectoral commission on ● Aims to encourage customers to request a bill
TB could also help build responsive health whenever they make purchases.
systems and advance universal health coverage
How does the scheme work?
and health security.
● The declaration calls for ensuring appropriate ● All invoices issued by GST-registered suppliers
adoption and use of science and technology for to consumers will be eligible for the scheme.
N
equitable and human rights-based TB services ● A monthly and quarterly draw of lots will be
that are accessible to all, irrespective of any
social, cultural, or demographic divide, through
L.I
made, and winners will be eligible for cash
reward prizes beginning from Rs 10,000 to up to
A
an integrated, primary health care approach. Rs 1 crore.
T
● It emphasises on the allocation of necessary ● The minimum purchase value for the invoice to
R
resources to meet TB service coverage targets be considered for the lucky draw is Rs 200, and
O
individuals can upload a maximum of 25
and address social determinants to have a
P
invoices in a month.
multi-disease impact.
C
● The ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ mobile app will be
● The declaration calls on WHO to maintain TB as
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made available on both IOS and Android
a Flagship Priority Programme over the coming platforms.
years and provide leadership and technical ● The invoice uploaded on the app should have
support to countries for sustained and the GSTIN of the seller, invoice number, amount
accelerated approaches supported by research paid and tax amount.
and innovation.
● It calls upon all partners to enhance their
support to end TB and priority diseases in the #2
Region as per the UN Sustainable Development
Goals target 3.3 - End the epidemics of AIDS, Minimum Export Price
tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical ● The Central government of India may be
diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne considering a minimum export price (MEP) for
diseases, and other communicable diseases. a host of speciality rice, including the basmati
variety, to ensure that unscrupulous traders
BUSINESS & ECONOMY don’t ship excess quantities abroad.
#1
Mera Bill Mera Adhikar Scheme About Minimum Export Price:
● The Central Government is expected to launch
its awaited ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme
soon. ● It is the price below which an exporter is not
allowed to export the commodity from India.
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● It is imposed in view of the rising domestic ● The GMP system was first incorporated in India
retail/wholesale price or production disruptions in 1988 in Schedule M of the Drugs and
in the country. Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and the last
● It is a kind of quantitative restriction to trade. amendment was done in June 2005. WHO-GMP
● The government fixes MEP for the selected standards are now part of the revised Schedule
commodities to arrest domestic price rises and M.
augment domestic supply. ● There are around 10,500 manufacturing units in
● This is intended to be imposed for short India out of which around 8,500 falls under
durations and is removed when situations Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
change. category.
● The removal of MEP helps farmers/exporters ● The country has about 2,000 units in MSME
realise better and remunerative prices. category in the country having WHO-GMP
● MEP was first implemented on basmati rice in certification.
FY11 to deter exports and is typically
What are the new regulations?
implemented to contain surging domestic
N
prices because of production disruptions.
I
● Companies with a turnover of over Rs 250 crore
Legal backing
L.
will have to implement the revised GMP within
six months,
● As per section 5 of the Foreign Trade
(Development And Regulation) Act, 1992, the
●
TA Medium and small-scale enterprises with

turnover of less than Rs 250 crore will have to
Central Government may, from time to time,
O
formulate and announce, by notification in the R implement it within a year
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Official Gazette, the export and import policy
and may also, in the like manner, amend that SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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policy.
#1
#3
Equal Contrast Technique (ECT)
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards
● Recently, scientists developed a new
● Recently, the government of India has set a methodology, called Equal Contrast Technique
deadline for mandatory implementation of the
(ECT), to analyse Sun images in white light,
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for
which can help prevent temporal and latitudinal
pharmaceutical companies which were revised
variations in observations related to instrument
in 2018, bringing them on par with World Health
Organisation (WHO) standards. and sky conditions.
About GMP:
● Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is a Key points:
system for ensuring that products are
consistently produced and controlled according
to quality standards. ● It is known that there are large numbers of
● It is designed to minimize the risks involved in regions of weak magnetic field on the sun,
any pharmaceutical production that cannot be which vary with time.
eliminated through testing the final product. ● These can be studied using magnetograms and
● It covers all aspects of production; from the Ca-K line images of the sun, as there is a strong
starting materials, premises and equipment to
correlation between the magnetic field and the
the training and personal hygiene of staff.
Ca-K line intensity of the region on the Sun.
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● The magneto-grams are available for short ● A rare mosquito-borne virus, Eastern equine
periods, and the characteristics of the encephalitis, was recently reported in the US
instrument change with time. states of Alabama and New York.
● Ca-K line images have been available for a long
About Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus:
period at Kodaikanal Observatory (KO), for more
than 100 years, with no change in the optics of ● It is an extremely rare but serious and often
the instrument. fatal infection that causes encephalitis or
● Similarly, other observatories in the world, such inflammation of the brain.
as Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) have had ● EEE got its name because researchers first
this type of data for about 70 years. discovered the virus in horses (equines) in the
● Using the data obtained at Kodaikanal 1830s.
observatory, the scientists have shown that the ● The virus can affect how your brain and nerves
correlation between derived plage area (the function.
bright region in the sun’s chromosphere) from ● It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected
N
the Ca-K images and sunspot number is with EEE virus (EEEV).
excellent, even on a daily basis, over a period of
about 100 years for the first time.
●
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It can also infect a wide range of animals,
including mammals, birds, reptiles, and
Significance:
●
TA amphibians.
Fatality Rate: About 30% of people bitten by an
● This type of accurate analysis of the historical
O
time series of Ca-K images can be useful for R EEE-infected mosquito develop encephalitis and
die from the infection.
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reliable and accurate investigation of variations
Is EEE contagious?
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on the sun and the effect of this on the climatic
condition of the earth. ● It is not contagious. The virus can only spread
● It helps in understanding the dynamics of the to humans through an infected mosquito bite.
sun, solar cycle variations, dynamo processes ● It can’t spread from human to human or from
in the convection zone and resulting long-term horses (or other animals) to humans.
climatic variations on the earth.
Symptoms:
What is Magnetogram?
● EEEV infections in humans can vary in severity.
Many people infected with the virus do not
develop any symptoms (asymptomatic).
● It is an image taken by an instrument that can
● However, when symptoms do occur, they can
detect the strength and location of the
include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea,
magnetic fields on the Sun.
and various neurological symptoms such as
● In a magnetogram, grey areas indicate that
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which
there is no magnetic field, while black and white
can lead to seizures, coma, and, in some cases,
areas indicate regions where there is a strong
death.
magnetic field.
● Severe cases are more common in infants and
the elderly.
#2 Treatment:
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus ● There is no human vaccine for EEE or anti-viral
drugs for the treatment of EEE.
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● Supportive care is provided to manage estimate the approximate dust size and flux of
symptoms, especially in severe cases. charged levitated dust particles.
● The mission will provide valuable insights into
the lunar polar region and will help to pave the
#3 way for future human exploration of the Moon.
Lunar Polar Exploration Mission #4
● In a joint effort, the space agencies of India and SeamlessM4T

Japan are embarking on the Lunar Polar
● Meta, the technology company formerly known
Exploration Mission (LUPEX).
as Facebook, recently unveiled an advanced
About Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX): multilingual multimodal AI translation and
transcription model named ‘SeamlessM4T.’
● It is a collaborative venture between Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the About SeamlessM4T:
●
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The mission is scheduled to launch in 2025.
●
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SeamlessM4T, which stands for Massively
Multilingual and Multimodal Machine
A
● LUPEX will use a rover and lander to study the
Translation, is an advanced multilingual
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possibility of establishing a base on the Moon,
multimodal AI translation and transcription
R
the availability of water ice, and surface
model.
O
exploration technologies.
● It was developed by Meta, the technology
P
● JAXA and ISRO are developing the rover and
company formerly known as Facebook.
C
lander, respectively.
● SeamlessM4T is capable of performing various
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● The rover will carry not only the instruments of
tasks including speech-to-text,
ISRO and JAXA but also those of the US space
speech-to-speech, text-to-speech, and
agency NASA and the European Space Agency
text-to-text translations.
(ESA).
● Ahmedabad-based Physical Research SeamlessM4T supports:
Laboratory (PRL), an autonomous unit of the
● Speech recognition for nearly 100 languages;
Department of Space, has proposed multiple
● Speech-to-text translation for nearly 100 input
instruments in the LUPEX mission mainly to
and output languages;
carry out measurements on the surface and
● Speech-to-speech translation, supporting nearly
subsurface near the permanently shadowed
100 input languages and 36 (including English)
polar region of the Moon.
output languages;
● The objective of one of the proposed
● Text-to-text translation for nearly 100
instruments — Permittivity and Thermo-physical
languages;
investigation for Moon’s Aquatic Scout
● Text-to-speech translation, supporting nearly
(PRATHIMA) — is in-situ detection and
100 input languages and 35 (including English)
quantification of water-ice mixed with lunar
output languages;
surface and sub-surface soil using a
rover/lander platform. Other Features:
● The aim of another proposed instrument — the
Lunar Electrostatic Dust EXperiment (LEDEX) — ● SeamlessM4T brings together diverse spoken
is to detect the presence of charged dust data sources to provide a comprehensive
particles and to confirm the dust levitation multilingual and multimodal translation
process in the volatile-rich polar region, and to experience from a single model.
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● It performs the entire translation task in one go, ● The Pench Tiger Reserve recently introduced
unlike other large translation models that divide cycle safaris, allowing visitors to experience the
translation across different systems. beauty of nature on wheels.
● It has the ability to recognise when a speaker is
About Pench Tiger Reserve:
code-switching or when someone moves
between two or more languages in one ● Location: The Reserve is located in the southern
sentence. reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and
● It also recognises gender bias in languages, and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and
the model can quantify gender bias in continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a
translations. separate Sanctuary.
● It is named after the Pench River, which flows
from north to south through the Reserve.
SPORTS ● It comprises of the Indira Priyadarshini Pench
#1 National Park, the Pench Mowgli Sanctuary and
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a buffer.
Chess World Cup 2023: ●
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The area of the Pench Tiger Reserve and the
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surrounding area is the real story area of
A
● Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa
Rudyard Kipling’s famous “The Jungle Book”.
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wins over World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana in the
● Terrain: It is undulating, with most of the area
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tie-breaker round of the World Cup 2023, chess
tournament at Baku, Azerbaijan. covered by small hills and steep slopes on the
● Praggnanandhaa, the
PO
youngest
grandmaster and the youngest international
Indian
●
sides.
Vegetation: The undulating topography
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master is among the most promising talents in supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from a
the world of chess. moist, sheltered valley to an open,
● He achieved significant victories such as dry-deciduous forest.
winning the World Youth Chess Championship ● Flora: The reserve boasts a diverse range of
(under-18) in 2019 and emerging victorious in flora, including teak, saag, mahua, and various
the Asian Continental Chess Championship grasses and shrubs.
(open) in 2021.
● The World Cup 2023 is organised by the Fauna:
International Chess Federation (FIDE), the
governing body of chess in the world. ● The area is especially famous for large herds of
● It’s constituted as a non-governmental Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur (Indian Bison) and
institution. wild boar.
● FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne ● The key predator is the tiger, followed by
(Switzerland), but it was initially founded in leopard, wild dogs and wolf.
1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens Una ● There are over 325 species of resident and
Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”). migratory birds, including the Malabar Pied
Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Osprey, Grey Headed
MISCELLANEOUS
Fishing Eagle, White Eyed Buzzard, etc.
#1
Pench Tiger Reserve
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CURRENT AFFAIRS SEP-2023
playing field for both public and private sector

The Hindu Current Affairs Week-1 entities.
NATIONAL
Significance:
#1
● This will not only enhance the integration of
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) scheme renewable energy into the electricity grid but
also minimise wastage while optimising the
● Recently, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the utilisation of transmission networks.
Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, approved the ● This will reduce the need for costly
Scheme for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the
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infrastructure upgrades.
development of Battery Energy Storage
Systems (BESS).
●
L.I
The competitive bidding process approach will
foster healthy competition and encourage the
About Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS):
TA growth of a robust ecosystem for BESS,
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attracting significant investments and
● The approved scheme envisages the generating opportunities for associated
2030-31.
PO
development of 4,000 MWh of BESS projects by industries.
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● This scheme is designed to harness the
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Funding: potential of renewable energy sources such as
solar and wind power; the scheme aims to
● Financial support of up to 40% of the capital provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity
cost as budgetary support in the form of to the citizens.
Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided by the
union government. What is battery storage?
● The VGF shall be disbursed in five tranches ● Battery storage, or battery energy storage
linked with the various stages of systems (BESS), are devices that enable energy
implementation of BESS projects. from renewable, like solar and wind, to be
● By offering VGF support, the scheme targets stored and then released when the power is
achieving a Levelized Cost of Storage (LCoS) needed most.
ranging from Rs. 5.50-6.60 per kilowatt-hour
(kWh), making stored renewable energy a viable #2
option for managing peak power demand Satkosia Tiger Reserve
across the country.
● To ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach ● Highly decomposed carcasses of two elephants
the consumers, a minimum of 85% of the BESS were recently found in Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
project capacity will be made available to
About Satkosia Tiger Reserve:
Distribution Companies (Discoms).
● The selection of BESS developers for VGF ● Location: It is located in the heartland of Odisha
grants will be carried out through a transparent, and spread over four districts viz. Angul,
competitive bidding process, promoting a level Cuttack, Boudh and Nayagarh.
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● The river Mahanadi flows through the valleys in and the kin of personnel who have lost their
the middle of the Reserve. lives.
● The Reserve has an area of 1136.70 sq km with ● The first such centre will be established in Delhi
523.61 sq km as the core area. The area is also Cantonment.
a part of the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve. ● 'Naman' will house a Common Service Centre,
● Satkosia is the meeting point of two which will facilitate the veterans and their
bio-geographic regions of India: the Deccan relatives.
Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats. ● It will offer all government-to-customer services
● Landscape: The terrain is hilly, with moderate to and also facilitate the updating of pensioners'
steep slopes and narrow valleys. accounts on the SPARSH portal of veterans,
● Vegetation: The forest vegetation comprises next of kin and dependents.
North Indian tropical moist deciduous Forests
What is the SPARSH portal?
and Moist peninsular low-level sal.
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Flora:
● The main tree species is sal, which grows in

●
L.
It is being implemented by the Ministry of
A
Defence to meet the pension sanction and
gregarious formations.
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disbursement requirements for Armed Forces
● Other associate species are Asan (Terminalia
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viz. Army, Navy, Air Force and Defence Civilians.
alata), Dhaura (Anogeissus latifolia), Bamboo
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● The Defence Pensioner will be given a
(Dendrocalamus strictus), and Simal (Bombax
ceiba).
C P completely transparent view of his pension

account through this portal, which will capture
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Fauna: and maintain a complete history of events and
entitlements the pensioner right from the date
● The reserve has a low population of tiger,
of commencement of pension to the date of
leopard, elephant, spotted deer, sambar,
cessation of pension due to his/her last eligible
chowsingha, barking deer, bison, wild dog, sloth
beneficiary.
bear, jackal, giant squirrel and porcupine.
● This system will be administered by the
● It is the natural habitat of two endangered
Defence Accounts Department through the
species, viz., freshwater crocodile and the
Principal Controller of Defence Accounts
gharial.
(Pensions).
#3
Project Naman
#4
● The Indian Army recently launched 'Project
MQ-9B Predator Drone
Naman', which will entail establishing
facilitation and grievance redressal centres for ● India is in the final stages of drafting the Letter
veterans and the kin of personnel who have lost of Request (LoR) to send to the United States
their lives. government for the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B
Predator drones from General Atomics (GA).
About Project Naman:
About MQ-9B Predator Drone:
● The Project will entail establishing facilitation
and grievance redressal centres for veterans
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● The MQ-9B drone is a variant of the MQ-9 manage national data and processes for trading
"Reaper", an unmanned aerial vehicle carbon credits.
(UAV)capable of remotely controlled or
About National Carbon Registry:
autonomous flight operations.
● These are high-altitude, long-endurance drones ● This software has recently been accredited as a
armed with strike missiles that can take out digital public good (DPG).
enemy targets with high accuracy. ● As a DPG, the registry uses open-source code,
● It was developed by General Atomics which allows countries to replicate and adapt
Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), primarily for the the information to fit their own needs and
United States Air Force (USAF). contexts.
● The MQ-9B has two variants — SkyGuardian and ● The registry’s modules, software and technical
its sibling SeaGuardian. documentation can be reused and tailored by
● The Indian Navy has been operating the MQ-9B countries, which could potentially reduce
Sea Guardian since 2020. production costs and implementation timelines.
Features:
●
L.I N
The registry follows national and international
best practices, which include UNDP, the World
● It can carry up to 5,670 kg and has a fuel
capacity of 2,721 kg.
TA Bank, the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and
●
●
The drone can operate at over 40,000 feet.
O
The Predator also has a maximum endurance R the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD).
C P
of 40 hours, making it useful for long-hour
Key Facts about the United Nations Development
SS
surveillance.
Programme:
● It can support land, maritime surveillance,
anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, ● It is the United Nations' lead agency on
strike, electronic warfare and expeditionary international development.
roles. ● It works in 170 countries and territories to
● It is also capable of automatic take-offs and eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.
landings. ● It helps countries to develop policies, leadership
● It can safely integrate into civil airspace, skills, partnering abilities, and institutional
enabling joint forces and civil authorities to capabilities and to build resilience to achieve
deliver real-time situational awareness the Sustainable Development Goals.
anywhere in the maritime domain -- day or ● Its work is concentrated in three focus areas:
night. sustainable development, democratic
governance and peacebuilding, and climate and
disaster resilience.
#5
National Carbon Registry

INTERNATIONAL
● Recently, the United Nations Development
#1
Programme (UNDP) has developed open-source
software that allows countries to effectively Fujianvenator prodigiosus
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● Scientists recently said they unearthed in Fujian ● Recently, some unusual rocks containing
Province the fossil of a Jurassic Period distinctive greenish crystals were found in the
dinosaur they named Fujianvenator Erg Chech sand sea.
prodigiosus.
About Erg Chech 002:
● These are the rocks containing distinctive

About Fujianvenator prodigiosus: greenish crystals that turned out to be from
outer space, left over from the dawn of the
● Fujianvenator is a member of a grouping called
Solar System.
avialans that includes all birds and their closest
● They were all pieces of a meteorite known as
non-avian dinosaur relatives.
Erg Chech 002, which is the oldest volcanic rock
● Despite their modest beginnings, birds survived
ever found.
the asteroid strike 66 million years ago that
● It is known as an “ungrouped achondrite,” which
doomed their non-avian dinosaur comrades.
means their parent bodies and family
●
●
Features
Its lower leg bone - the tibia - was twice as long
●
L.I N
relationships are unknown.
Achondrites are rocks formed from melted
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as its thigh bone - the femur.
planetesimals, which are what we call solid
T
● Such dimensions are unique among theropods;
lumps in the cloud of gas and debris that
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it also had a long bony tail.
formed the Solar System.
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● The forelimb is generally built like a bird’s wing
● Erg Chech 002 contains a high abundance of
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but with three claws on the fingers, which are
absent from modern birds. So you can call it
lead-206 and lead-207, as well as relatively
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large amounts of undecayed uranium-238 and
wing.
uranium-235.
Key facts about the Jurassic Period ● Aluminium-26 was distributed quite unevenly
throughout the cloud of dust and gas which
● It is the second of three periods of the formed the solar system.
Mesozoic Era.
● Time period: Extending from 201.3 million to Key facts about Erg Chech
145 million years ago.
● It is a sandy region of the Sahara in western
● It immediately followed the Triassic
Algeria and northern Mali.
Period(251.9 million to 201.3 million years ago)
● It consists largely of shifting dunes.
and was succeeded by the Cretaceous Period
(145 million to 66 million years ago). #3
● It was a time of significant global change in
Zero Draft Plastic Pollution Treaty
continental configurations, oceanographic
patterns, and biological systems. ● The second meeting of the Intergovernmental
● During this period, the supercontinent Pangea Negotiating Committee (INC) concluded with
split apart, allowing for the eventual the member states mandating the INC
development of what is now the central Atlantic secretariat to develop a zero draft to end plastic
Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. pollution including in the marine environment.
#2 About Zero Draft Plastic Pollution Treaty:
Erg Chech 002
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● It is an international legally binding instrument About the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
to end plastic pollution including in the marine (ASEAN):
environment.
● It is a regional intergovernmental organisation
● The zero draft has 10 placeholders to discuss
of ten Southeast Asian countries.
issues like the preamble, definitions, principles
● It was established on 8 August 1967 in
and scope, in addition to the institutional
Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the
arrangements and the final provisions.
ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
● Member states such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and
● Member States: Indonesia, Malaysia,
China at INC-2 stressed the importance of
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos,
defining the scope of the legally binding
Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
instrument.
● It promotes intergovernmental cooperation and
● India had agreed with this proposal.
facilitates economic, political, security, military,
Plastic Pollution in India educational, and sociocultural integration
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between its members and other countries in
.
● As per reports from the Central Pollution
Asia.
Control Board, plastic waste accounts for 8% of
the overall solid waste, with Delhi being the
●
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Secretariat: The ASEAN Secretariat, located in
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Jakarta, Indonesia, and led by a
largest contributor, followed by Kolkata and
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secretary-general, coordinates the work of
Ahmedabad.
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ASEAN member states and their associated
● India produces more than 3 million tons of
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bodies.
plastic waste, but the recycling rate for the total
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● Functioning:
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plastic waste stands at just 30%.
● It is headed by a chair—a position that rotates
annually among member states.
● Important decisions are usually reached
through consultation and consensus guided by
the principles of non-interference in internal
affairs and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
What is the East Asia Summit?
● It is a unique Leaders-led forum of 18 countries

of the Asia-Pacific region formed to further the
objectives of regional peace, security and
prosperity.
● Established in 2005, EAS allows the principal
players in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss
#4 issues of common interest and concern in an
open and transparent manner at the highest
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
level.
● Prime Minister Modi recently arrived in ● The membership of EAS consists of ten ASEAN
Indonesia to attend the ASEAN-India and the Member States: Australia, China, India, Japan,
East Asia summits. New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the
Russian Federation and the USA.
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● EAS is an initiative of ASEAN and is based on

the premise of the centrality of ASEAN.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
#1
One-hour trade settlement

#5
● Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI),
Vibrio vulnificus which had in July announced it was working on
launching real-time settlement of trades, is now
● Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control
planning to implement one-hour settlement of
and Prevention issued a national health alert to
trades first.
warn doctors and clinicians to be on the lookout
for people infected with the flesh-eating About one-hour trade settlement:
bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.
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● In one-hour settlement, if an investor sells a
About Vibrio vulnificus
L.I
share, the money will be credited to their
account in an hour, and the buyer will get the
A
● It is a type of bacteria that can cause a fatal
shares in their demat account within an hour.
●
infection.
This infection can happen when a wound
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What is trade settlement?
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comes into contact with raw or undercooked
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seafood, its juices, or its drippings or salt water.
● Settlement is a two-way process that involves
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the transfer of funds and securities on the
● It eats away at the skin, muscles, nerves, fat
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settlement date.
and blood vessels around an infected wound.
● A trade settlement is said to be complete once
● In severe cases, it can lead to septicemia, which
purchased securities of a listed company are
is when the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
delivered to the buyer and the seller gets the
● It results in a septic shock, where blood
money.
pressure drops dangerously.
● The current cycle of T+1 means trade-related
● Signs and symptoms include:
settlements happen within a day or 24 hours of
● Watery diarrhoea is often accompanied by
the actual transactions.
stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
● The migration to the T+1 cycle came into effect
● For bloodstream infection: fever, chills,
in January 2023.
dangerously low blood pressure, and blistering
● India became the second country in the world to
skin lesions
start the T+1 settlement cycle in top-listed
● For wound infection: Fever, redness, pain,
securities after China.
swelling, warmth, discolouration, and discharge
(leaking fluids). What is a Demat Account?
● The only method available to avoid getting
infected with the bacteria is to avoid coming in ● A Demat Account or Dematerialised Account
contact with it. provides the facility of holding shares and
● It is advised to make sure any seafood you securities in an electronic format.
consume is well-cooked, avoid raw or ● During online trading, shares are bought and
undercooked oysters and clean your hands held in a Demat Account, thus facilitating easy
after handling any kind of seafood. trade for the users.
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● It holds all the investments an individual makes Project scoring

in shares, government securities,
● 50-60 points are certified as a 1-star GRIHA
exchange-traded funds, bonds and mutual
rated building,
funds in one place.
● 61-70 is a 2-star GRIHA rated building,
● 71-80 is a 3-star GRIHA rating building,
● 81-90 is a 4-star GRIHA rated building
#2
● 91-100 is a 5-star GRIHA rated building
GRIHA norms
● The Indian Army’s new Thal Sena Bhawan (TSB)

#3
is coming up with GRIHA-IV (Green Rating for
Integrated Habitat Assessment) norms. Urban Infrastructure Development Fund
About GRIHA norms: ● Officials from the Union Housing and Urban
● GRIHA is an acronym for Green Rating for

Integrated Habitat Assessment. GRIHA is a
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Affairs Ministry recently said the first tranche of
.
loans to fund ongoing projects in tier-2 and
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tier-3 cities - under the Urban Infrastructure
Sanskrit word meaning – ‘Abode’.
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Development Fund (UIDF) will likely be
● It is a rating tool that helps people assess the
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disbursed soon.
performance of their building against certain
nationally acceptable benchmarks.
PO About Urban Infrastructure Development Fund
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● It evaluates the environmental performance of a (UIDF):
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building holistically over its entire life cycle,
● UIDF is established through the use of priority
thereby providing a definitive standard for what
sector lending shortfall.
constitutes a ‘green building’.
● Purpose: The Fund will be used by public
● The rating system, based on accepted energy
agencies to create urban infrastructure in tier-2
and environmental principles, will seek to strike
and tier-3 cities.
a balance between the established practices
● The focus will be on basic services like
and emerging concepts, both national and
sewerage and Solid Waste Management, water
international.
supply and sanitation, construction and
● It is developed by TERI (The Energy and
improvement of drains/storm water drains, etc.,
Resources Institute).
and impact-oriented projects will be prioritised.
● This tool has been adopted by the Ministry of
● It is managed by the National Housing Bank.
New and Renewable Energy.
● The initial corpus for this Fund is ₹10,000 crore.
Criteria: ● It is established on the lines of the Rural
Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).
● It assesses a building out of 34 criteria and
● States will be encouraged to leverage resources
awards points on a scale of 100.
from the grants of the 15th Finance
● In order to qualify for GRIHA certification, a
Commission, as well as existing schemes, to
project must achieve at least 50 points.
adopt appropriate user charges while accessing
● Certain criteria / sub-criteria are mandatory and
the UIDF.
have to be complied with for the project to be at
● It currently covers 459 tier-2 cities and 580
all eligible for rating.
tier-3 cities.
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UIDF Loans: ● Recently, Koraput Kalajeera Rice,’ an aromatic

rice, has got Geographical Indications status.
● The interest rate on UIDF loans has been kept at
Bank Rate minus 1.5 per cent. About Koraput Kalajeera Rice:
● The loan (Principal) will be repayable in five
● The farmers of Koraput district in Odisha have
equal annual instalments within seven years
domesticated Kalajeera rice over generations.
from the date of the draw, including a
● It is known as the ‘Prince of Rice’ and is an
moratorium period of two years.
aromatic variety of rice.
● Interest will be payable on a quarterly basis.
● The ancestors of the present tribal
What are tier-2 and tier-3 cities? communities of Koraput district have
domesticated the rice in the region for
● The NHB, the nodal agency for the
thousands of years, contributing to the
implementation of the UIDF, defines tier-2 cities
conservation of the crop.
as those with a population of 50,000 to less
● It is popular among rice consumers for its black
than a lakh and tier-3 cities as those between
one lakh and less than a million as per the 2011
●
L.I N
colour, good aroma, taste and texture.
The ancient text explains that Kalajeera rice
A
census.
improves memory and controls diabetes.
Key Facts about Rural Infrastructure Development
Fund (RIDF):
R
●
T It is believed to increase haemoglobin levels
and the body's metabolism.
PO
The RIDF was set up by the Government in
● This fragrant grain has antispasmodic,
stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent
C
1995-96 to finance ongoing rural Infrastructure
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and sedative properties.
projects. ● The rice is grown in Koraput district’s Tolla,
● The Fund is maintained by the National Bank for Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda and Mohuli areas.
Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
● Contribution: Domestic commercial banks
contribute to the Fund to the extent of their
shortfall in stipulated priority sector lending to
agriculture. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
● Main Objective: To provide loans to State
#1
Governments and State-owned corporations to
enable them to complete ongoing rural Stump-tailed macaque
infrastructure projects.
● Repayment period: Loan to be repaid in equal ● Eight stump-tailed macaques were recently
annual instalments within seven years from the brought to the Delhi Zoo from the Aizawl
date of withdrawal, including a grace period of Zoological Park in Mizoram.
two years. About the stump-tailed macaque:
● The stump-tailed macaque, also called the bear

#4 macaque, is a species of Old-World monkey
found in South Asia.
Koraput Kalajeera Rice ● Scientific Name: Macaca arctoides
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● Habitat: They are found in tropical and Thar desert near the Jaisalmer Basin by the
subtropical evergreen forests. Geological Survey of India
Distribution: About Tharosaurus indicus:
● They are native to Cambodia, southwest China, ● It belongs to the family Dicraeosauridaeand
northeast India, Laos, Myanmar, northwest from the superfamily Diplodocoidea.
Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. ● These fossils are the first dicraeosaurid
● In India, it is found south of the Brahmaputra sauropods to have been found in India.
River, in the northeastern part of the country. ● It is 167 million years old and the oldest known
● Its range in India extends from Assam and diplodocoid fossils in the world.
Meghalaya to eastern Arunachal Pradesh, ● The scientists named the dinosaur Tharosaurus
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. indicus, with Tharo deriving from the Thar
desert, saurus from the Greek ‘sauros’, or lizard,
Features:
and indicus from its Indian origin.
● They have thick, long, dark brown fur covering
their bodies and short tails, which measure
●
L.I N
This family was unique: its members were
smaller and had shorter necks and tails
●
between 3.2 and 69 mm.
They have bright pink or red faces, which ●
TA compared to the other long-necked sauropods.
Sauropods first appeared on the earth during
darken to brown or nearly black as they age and
are exposed to sunlight.
O R the Jurassic period, about 200 million years
ago.
●
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Males are larger than females, measuring ● They were one of the most dominant clades of
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51.7-65cm long and weighing 9.7-10.2kg, while dinosaurs, surviving until the late Cretaceous
females measure 48.5-58.5cm and weigh period 65 million years ago when the dinosaurs
7.5-9.1kg. went extinct.
● Males have elongated canine teeth compared ● According to the scientists, fossils of
to females, which are important for establishing dicraeosaurid dinosaurs have been found
dominance within social groups. previously in North and South Americas, Africa
● They are known to eat fruits, leaves, seeds, and China, but such fossils were not known
insects, and small animals like frogs. from India.
● Like all macaques, this species has cheek
#3
pouches to store food for short periods of time.
● They travel quadrupedally, usually on the Kylinxia zhangi
ground, as they are not very agile in trees.
● Researchers have recently investigated a nearly
520 million-year-old fossil of Kylinxia zhangi
with a CT scanner and redescribed the animal.
#2
About Kylinxia zhangi:
Tharosaurus indicus
● It is an extinct arthropod that lived in the early
● In a paper published recently, scientists from IIT
Cambrian period, about 520 million years ago.
Roorkee have characterised dinosaur fossils
● The fossil of the species was uncovered near
from the Middle Jurassic period found in the
the town of Chengjiang in the Yunan Province of
southern China.
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● Kylinxia is among the 250 or so extremely ● Jointed Appendages: Arthropods have jointed
well-preserved fossil animals described from appendages (legs, antennae, claws, etc.) that
the region, which are together known as are attached to their body segments.
Cambrian Chengjiang biota. ● Bilateral Symmetry: They exhibit bilateral
symmetry, meaning their bodies are
Features:
symmetrical on both sides when divided along
● It had a segmented body with a head, thorax, a central axis.
and abdomen. ● Open Circulatory System: Arthropods typically
● Kylinxia sported three eyes on its head, along have an open circulatory system in which
with a pair of fearsome claws that was possibly blood-like fluid called hemolymph circulates in
used to catch prey. body cavities and directly bathes the internal
● It had a fused head shield, a segmented trunk, organs.
and jointed legs.
#4
● The creature had a head with six segments,
which is similar to modern insects.
.I
AG 365S
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A
What are Arthropods? ● Marut Drones recently secured type certification
T
approvals from the Director General of Civil
● They are invertebrates with jointed legs.
R
Aviation (DGCA) for its AG-365S kisan drone for
● They make up about 75% of all animals on
O
use in agriculture
Earth.
●
C P
They can be found in almost every habitat on
● Under the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
Rules-2021, drones equipped with a Unique
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Earth, from deep-sea hydrothermal vents to the
Identification Number (UIN) are permitted to
highest mountains.
operate in Indian airspace.
● Arthropods are divided into four major groups:
● By obtaining this certification, Marut Drones is
● insects;
now able to offer its agricultural drone
● myriapods (including centipedes and
technology to farmers across the country.
millipedes);
● arachnids (including spiders, mites and About AG 365S:
scorpions);
● It is a multi-utility agricultural drone in the small
● crustaceans (including slaters, prawns and
category (less than 25kg).
crabs).
● It has been designed and developed by Marut
They are characterised by several key features: Drones; an Indian drone technology company
based in Hyderabad.
● Exoskeleton: Arthropods have a hard
● Purpose: The made-in-India kisan drone – AG
exoskeleton made of chitin, a complex sugar.
365 has been developed particularly for
This exoskeleton serves as both protection and
agricultural purposes to reduce crop loss, lower
structural support for their bodies.
agrochemical usage, and better yield and profits
● Segmented Bodies: They have segmented
to the farmers.
bodies, which are divided into distinct regions,
● It is the first multi-utility agriculture
including the head, thorax, and abdomen in
small-category drone to receive the
insects. This segmentation allows for flexibility
DGCA-approved type certificate in India.
and specialisation of body parts.
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Features: ● It is a highly contagious disease.
● The AG-365S drone has the highest endurance Symptoms

of 22 minutes.
● It can cause an itchy, blister-like rash, among
● It is equipped with advanced obstacle and
other symptoms.
terrain sensors, which enables safe and smooth
● The rash first appears on the chest, back, and
operations even in rough and patchy terrains.
face and then spreads over the entire body.
● It is equipped with multiple payloads, and one
● The virus is spread by:
AG-365S can be used for spraying pesticides,
● Coming in contact with someone who has
granular spreaders and also for running RPTO
chickenpox.
drone training academies.
● Breathing air from an infected person who
sneezes or coughs.
● Coming in contact with fluids from an infected
child's eyes, nose or mouth.
●
L.I N
The incubation period of chickenpox is from 10
to 21 days
●
TA It can be serious, especially during pregnancy, in

babies, adolescents, adults, and people with
O R weakened immune systems (lowered ability to

fight germs and sickness).
C P
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#5 SPORTS
Varicella Zoster Virus #1
● Indian Council of Medical Research-National Asia Cup 2023
Institute of Virology scientists, have for the first
time in the country, found the presence of Clade ● India beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final of
9 variant of varicella-zoster virus (VZV). the Asia Cup 2023 on September 17, 2023 at
the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
About Varicella Zoster Virus: ● It was India’s eighth Asia Cup title overall, and
● Varicella-zoster is a herpes virus that causes their first since 2018. Sri Lanka won the toss
chickenpox, a common childhood illness. and elected to bat first. Sri Lanka bowled out for
● It is an exclusively human virus that belongs to just 50 runs, the lowest total in an Asia Cup
the α-herpesvirus family. final.
● It is present worldwide and is highly infectious. ● Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian
● Primary infection of this virus leads to acute bowlers, taking 6 wickets for 21 runs.
varicella or “chickenpox”. ● In reply, India chased down the target in just 6.1
● The infections can progress to the central overs without losing a wicket. Ishan Kishan
nervous system involvement and severe scored 23 runs off 18 balls, while Shubhman
complications. Gill scored 27 runs off 19 balls.
Key Facts about Chickenpox
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MISCELLANEOUS Ranga Agricultural University, Ragolu, has been

recently awarded the prestigious Dr MS
#1
Swaminathan Award.
Umiam Lake
About M S Swaminathan Award:
● The Meghalaya government recently adopted
● It was instituted in 2004 with the objective to
AI-enabled robotic technology to keep its tourist
recognise the lifetime contributions of eminent
hotspot, Umiam Lake, free of pollutants.
persons who have made great impacts and
About Umiam Lake: outstanding contributions to agricultural
research and development and to the overall
Location: food security and sustainability of agriculture,
● Umiam Lake, also known as Barapani Lake, is a with special reference to India.
lake in the state of Meghalaya 15 km (9.3 miles) ● It is named after the doyen of Indian Agriculture,
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S
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north of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.
●
●
It is encircled by lush green East Khasi hills.
It is one of the biggest artificial lakes in ●
L.I
Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai.
It is a biennial award constituted by the Retired
Meghalaya, spread over an area of 10 square
km,
TA Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Employees Association (RICAREA) and
History:
O R●
Nuziveedu Seeds Limited (NSL).
The award carries a Cash prize of Rs.2 lakhs
●
C P
The lake was formed after a dam was (Rupees Two Lakhs only), a Medal, and a
SS
constructed to generate hydroelectric power in Citation.
1965. ● The award is open to all, irrespective of his/her
● The dam was a part of northeast India’s first nationality.
hydel power project called the Umiam Umtru Who was M S Swaminathan?
Hydroelectric Power Project.
● Source of Water: The confluence of the two ● Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, often
streams, Umkhrah and Umshvrpi, form the Wah referred to as Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, is a
Ro-ro stream in the northwest of the town and renowned Indian agricultural scientist and
joins River Umiam, the main source of water for geneticist.
the lake. Green Revolution in India:
● The principal catchment area of the lake and
dam is spread over 220 square km, which ● He is often referred to as the "Father of the
includes Shillong and its adjoining areas. Green Revolution in India."
● It is a popular venue for water sports and ● His research and work in crop breeding,
adventure facilities. particularly for wheat and rice, led to the
development of high-yielding varieties that
significantly increased agricultural productivity.
#2 ● This Green Revolution helped India overcome
food shortages and played a crucial role in the
M S Swaminathan Award country's agricultural transformation.
● Dr P V Satyanarayana, Principal Scientist at the ● In recognition of his outstanding contributions,
Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N.G. he was awarded the first World Food Prize, the
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Ramon Magsaysay Award and many other Phanigiri artefacts

national and international honours.
● The Phanigiri artefacts, dating from 200
BCE-400 CE and discovered in 1942, are on
display at the New York Metropolitan Museum
The Hindu Current Affairs Week-2 of Art.
NATIONAL About Phanigiri artefacts:
#1 ● The Phanigiri Buddhist site is considered one of
Vidya Samiksha Kendra the most important finds in Buddhist
iconography in this millennium.
● Under the National Digital Education ● Phanigiri (meaning hillock of snake hood) is a
Architecture (NDEAR), the Ministry of Education small village in the state of Telangana.
is pushing States to open Vidya Samiksha
N
Key findings
I
Kendras (VSKs).
About Vidya Samiksha Kendra: ●
L.
The thoranas discovered at Phanigiri are very
A
important as they are among the first found
T
● Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSKs) is a data south of Sanchi.
R
repository which will have data from all ● The same thorana has a panel that shows both
O
schemes run by the Ministry of Education Mahayana and Hinayana schools of thought.
●
(MoE).
C P
The control rooms of these Kendras will collect
● There is evidence from Phanigiri that shows the
deification of Buddha, and we can date this
SS
data to track key performance indicators as well change. From a historical and spiritual identity,
as analyse data collated from govt schemes there is a transition to canonisation and ritual.
‘using AI & machine-learning.’ ● The monograph of the event has the image of
● This repository will include regularly updated the Buddha wearing what looks like a Roman
data from toga with folds carved in limestone.
● The PM-POSHAN mid-day meal programmes;
● Teacher training data from the National
Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ #3
Holistic Advancement portal;
● Textbook content from Digital Infrastructure for Anamalai Tiger Reserve
Knowledge Sharing; ● A study on the firefly species and their habitats
● School dropout and attendance-related data on in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) has
Unified District Information System for underscored the need to take proactive
Education (UDISE+); conservation measures to preserve their habitat
● Students learning outcomes from the National and safeguard the ecosystem.
Achievement Survey;
● Performance Grading Index, which evaluates Key points:
the school education system at the State/U.T.
● The study stressed the need to minimise the
level.
impact of artificial light on the communication
#2 and mating behaviours of fireflies.
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● Three species of fireflies — Asymmetrica Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal

humeralis, Abscondita genus (species Pradesh‘s East Siang district.
unknown) and Curtos sp — were identified. They
About D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary:
exhibited variation in size morphology but
shared similar types of habitat with overlapping ● Location: It is a protected area located in the
zones. East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
● The well-preserved core zone of the ATR serves ● This sanctuary was established in 1977 and
as a critical sanctuary for firefly activity, covers an area of around 190 square
especially during the crucial breeding season in kilometres.
April and May. ● It is named after the pioneer of modern
● As fireflies rely on bioluminescence for Arunachal, the late Daying Ering, who was a
communication and mating, artificial lights in famed Indian politician.
the buffer zone of the reserve may disrupt their ● Vegetation: It is located in a unique ecosystem
delicate synchronisation and mating behaviour. that comprises tropical evergreen,
Key facts about the Anamalai Tiger Reserve
●
L.I N
semi-evergreen, and deciduous forests.
It is also home to the Siang River, which is one
●
●
It is located in the state of Tamil Nadu.
It lies South of the Palakkad gap in the Southern ●
TA of the major rivers in Arunachal Pradesh.
Streams and channels intersect the whole
●
Western Ghats.
O
Vegetation: The Tiger Reserve supports diverse R Sanctuary. There are small to medium
waterbodies in the Sanctuary that provide good
C P
habitat types viz. Wet evergreen forests, nesting sites for birds.
SS
semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous, dry
Flora:
deciduous, dry thorn and shola forests.
● Flora: Around 2,500 species of angiosperms are ● About 80% of the Sanctuary is covered with
found in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, with grassland, and the rest is riverine forest patches
several species of Balsam, Crotalaria, Orchids with mixed bamboo and secondary forests.
and Kurinchi. ● The main grass species are Saccharum
● Fauna: Elephant, Indian Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, spontaneum, S. arundinaceum, and Neyraudia
Lion-tailed Macaque, Gaur, Nilgiri Langur, rennaudiana.
Sambar Deer, Sloth Bear Malabar
● It supports 6 indigenous people Malasar, Malai Fauna:
malasars, Kadars, Eravallars, Pulayars and ● It is home to buffalo, elephant, tiger, leopard cat,
Muduvars. barking deer, civet cat, sambar, jackal,
● The Parambikulam – Aliyar Project and ● Migratory birds like cranes, wild ducks, storks,
Amaravathy dam are housed in this Tiger and waterfowl from Siberia and Mongolia can
reserve, which plays a vital role in the regional be spotted every year.
economy by providing water and power.
#5
#4
Central Empowered Committee
D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary
● Recently, the Supreme Court of India hands over
● Two rescued wild animals, a Fishing Cat and a its green watchdog committee, the Central
Python, were recently released in the D. Ering
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Empowered Committee to the Ministry of ● Ethiopia recently announced that it has filled its
Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on
the Nile River.
About Central Empowered Committee:
About the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
● It was set up in 2002 (reconstituted in 2008) by
(GERD):
the Supreme Court.
● It served as a watchdog for issues pertaining to Location:
environmental conservation and compliance.
● The GERD, formerly known as the Millennium
● Recent changes: According to the Ministry of
Dam, is situated in the Benishangul-Gumuz
Environment, Forest and Climate Change
region of Ethiopia, near the border with Sudan.
notification, instead of an ad hoc body, CEC
● It is located on the Blue Nile, one of the main
should be instituted as a permanent statutory
tributaries of the Nile River.
body on environmental issues.
● Capacity: At 6.45 Gigawatts, the dam will be the
Composition of the new CEC
● It will have a chairman with experience of 25
L.I N
largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa when
completed.
years in the field of environment, forests and

wildlife or proven administrative experience of
A
Features:
T
R
● It is a roller-compacted concrete (RCC)
not less than 25 years in the central or state
O
gravity-type dam comprising two power
governments.
●
C P
Age limit 66 years and the level, not below the
●
stations, three spillways, and a saddle dam.
The main dam is 145m high and 1,780m long.
SS
rank of additional secretary.
● It will create a reservoir covering 1,875 square
● The member secretary will be a full-time serving
kilometres and contain 74 billion cubic metres
officer of the government not below the rank of
of water.
Deputy Inspector General of forests or director
● Dispute: Egypt and Sudan fear the massive
in the Government of India.
$4.2bn GERD will severely reduce the share of
● This person is required to have special
Nile water they receive and have repeatedly
knowledge in the field of environment, forests
asked Ethiopia to stop filling it until they have all
or wildlife, and experience of at least 12 years.
reached an agreement on how it should work.
● The three expert members will be one each
from the fields of the environment, forests and #2
wildlife with experience of at least 20 years.
● The members will be nominated by the Centre One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) Initiative
for a tenure of three years. ● A day-long conference on "Transnational Grid
Interconnections for One Sun, One World, One
Grid (OSOWOG)" was recently held in New Delhi.
INTERNATIONAL
About One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)
#1 Initiative:
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) ● The idea for the OSOWOG initiative was put
forth by the Prime Minister of India, at the First
Assembly of the International Solar Alliance
(ISA) in October 2018.
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● The initiative aims at connecting energy supply ● History: Though established as an autonomous
across borders. organisation, independently of the United
● Vision: It aims to connect different regional Nations through its own international treaty, the
grids through a common grid that will be used IAEA Statute, the IAEA reports to both the
to transfer renewable energy power and, thus, United Nations General Assembly and Security
realise the potential of renewable energy Council.
sources, especially solar energy. ● Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
● The project is being spearheaded by the
Functions:
governments of India and the UK in partnership
with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and ● The Agency works with its Member States and
the World Bank Group. multiple partners worldwide to promote the
● It will bring together a global coalition of safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear
national governments, international financial technologies.
and technical organisations, legislators, power ● It applies nuclear safeguards– consisting of
system operators and knowledge leaders to
accelerate the construction of the of the new
L.I N
monitoring, inspection, information analysis,
and other activities – to verify that nuclear
A
infrastructure needed for a world powered by activities remain peaceful and detect and deter
●
clean energy.
When will it be completed? The grid is expected
R T their diversion, including to weapons-related
purposes.
PO
to be set up over the next few years by the ISA.
Once operational, it will transport solar power to
● In particular,
comprehensive
the IAEA
safeguards
implements
agreements
different countries.
C
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mandated by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT), which serve as a first line of
defense against nuclear weapons proliferation.
#3 ● The IAEA assists its Member States and
promotes the exchange of scientific and
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
technical information between them.
● International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ● The IAEA enhances national, regional, and
recently warned of a potential threat to nuclear international capacities to respond to nuclear
safety due to a spike in fighting near Europe’s and radiological incidents, which is essential to
largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine. minimising their impact.
About the International Atomic Energy Agency

(IAEA):
#4
● It is the world's foremost intergovernmental
Hunga-Tonga volcano
forum for scientific and technical cooperation in
the nuclear field. ● A new study shows that the rock and ash
● It is widely known as the world's "Atoms for ejected during the Hunga-Tonga volcano
Peace and Development" organization within eruption collapsed vertically and directly into
the United Nations family. the ocean and travelled as an extremely
● It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses fast-moving and highly destructive underwater
of nuclear science and technology. debris flow.
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About Hunga-Tonga volcano: ● It includes buying and selling of securities of

short-term maturities of one year or less, such
● Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai is a volcanic
as treasury bills and commercial papers.
island in Tonga.
● It is used by many participants, including
● It is located about 30 km south of the
companies, to raise funds.
submarine volcano of Fonuafoʻou and 65 km
● The money market is considered a safe place to
north of Tongatapu, the country's main island.
invest due to the high liquidity of securities.
● The volcano is part of the highly active
Tonga–Kermadec Islands volcanic arc, a What is Call Money?
subduction zone extending from New Zealand
north-northeast to Fiji.
● The island arc is formed at the convergent ● Call money is also referred to as the money at
boundary where the Pacific Plate subducts call.
under the Indo-Australian Plate. ● It is a short-term loan that is due to be paid
I N
● It is along with the caldera rim of a much larger immediately in full as and when demanded by
submarine edifice in the western South Pacific
Ocean.
L.
the lender.
A
● Unliketerm loans, call money loan does not
T
● It has erupted regularly over the past few have a defined schedule of payment and
R
decades. maturity.
O
● Furthermore, the lender of the call money need
What is a volcano?
C P
It is an opening on the surface of a planet that
not provide prior notice to the borrower about
the repayment.
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allows material warmer than its surroundings to
About the Interbank Call Money Market:
escape from its interior.
● When this material escapes, it causes an
eruption, which can be explosive in nature.
● It is a short-term money market which allows
large financial institutions to borrow and lend
money at interbank rates, the rate of interest
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
that banks charge when they borrow funds from
#1 each other.
● The loans in the call money market are very
Interbank Call Money Market
short, usually lasting no longer than a week.
● The RBI is likely to launch the pilot of central ● These loans are often used to help banks meet
bank digital currency (CBDC) for transactions reserve requirements.
for interbank borrowing or call money market. ● It is not exclusively used by banks. Interbank
call money market customers can include other
What is Money Market? financial institutions, mutual funds, large
● The money market basically refers to a section corporations, and insurance companies.
of the financial market where financial #2
instruments with high liquidity and short-term
maturities are traded. Goa Roadmap for Tourism
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● In a unanimous decision, G20 leaders recently ● The G20 leaders recently expressed their
endorsed the significance of the ‘Goa Roadmap commitment to conduct discussions for having
for Tourism’ as a path towards achieving a "fully and well-functioning" dispute settlement
sustainable development goals (SDGs). system of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
by 2024.
About ‘Goa Roadmap for Tourism’:
About World Trade Organization (WTO)
● The ‘Goa Roadmap’, an outcome of India’s G20
Tourism Track, is a blueprint for sustainable ● WTO is an international organisation that
global tourism. promotes and regulates global trade among
● It is aligned with the theme of India’s G20 nations.
Presidency and underscores the role of tourism ● The WTO was established on January 1, 1995,
in society, the economy, and environmental by replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs
efforts. and Trade (GATT).
● The roadmap focuses on five interconnected ● Objective: Its main objective is to promote free
●
priorities. They are,
green tourism;
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and fair trade by eliminating barriers to trade,
L
such as tariffs and quotas, and by ensuring that
●
●
digitisation;
destination management;
TA trade disputes are resolved through a
transparent and predictable process.
●
●
skills development;
O
support for tourism micro, small, and RFunctions: The WTO is responsible for:
medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs);
C P ● setting the rules of international trade;
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● These priorities have been endorsed by all G20 ● negotiating and implementing trade
countries, emphasising their commitment to agreements;
achieving sustainable, resilient, and inclusive ● providing a forum for trade negotiations;
tourism. ● monitoring national trade policies;
● India’s vision of ‘Travel for LiFE’ (Lifestyle for ● The WTO also works closely with other
Environment) has been incorporated into the international organizations, such as the World
Goa roadmap. Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to
promote global economic development and
G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard:
reduce poverty.
● It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and
operates on a consensus-based
● It was launched by the Union Ministry of
decision-making process.
Tourism in collaboration with the United
Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). About WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism:
● The dashboard will serve as a global repository,
● The Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU)is
showcasing the best practices and case studies
the main WTO agreement on settling disputes.
of sustainable tourism practices and policies
● The General Council of WTO convenes as the
from G20 nations.
Dispute Settlement Body (DSB)to deal with
#3 disputes between WTO members.
WTO Dispute Settlement System The DSB has the authority to:
● establish dispute settlement panels;
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● refer matters to arbitration, adopt panel, ● Minimum: 1 gram of gold.

Appellate Body and arbitration reports; ● Maximum: 4 KG for individuals, 4 Kg for HUF
● maintain surveillance over the implementation and 20 Kg for trusts.
of recommendations and rulings contained in
such reports;
● authorise suspension of concessions in the #5
event of non-compliance with those
recommendations and rulings; Self Regulatory Organisation for fintech
● Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Governor asked fintech entities to form a
#4 Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO).
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme About Self-Regulatory Organisation:
N
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently ● It is a non-governmental organisation that sets
announced the issue price for the upcoming
Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Tranche 2.
L.I
and enforces rules and standards relating to the
conduct of entities in the industry (members).
About Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme:
●
TA Aim: Protecting the customer and promoting

ethics, equality, and professionalism.
● SGBs were introduced by the Government of
O R● These typically collaborate with all stakeholders
P
India in 2015 under the Gold Monetization in framing rules and regulations.
C
Scheme.
What are the functions of an SRO?
SS
● SGBs are government securities issued by the
RBI on behalf of the Government of India. ● The recognised SRO will serve as a two-way
● They are substitutes for holding physical gold. communication channel between its members
and the RBI.
Features:
● It will work towards establishing minimum
● SGBs are denominated in grams of gold with a benchmarks and standards and help instil
basic unit of 1 gram. professional and healthy market behaviour
● Investors have to pay the issue price in cash, among its members.
and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on ● These will impart training to the staff of its
maturity. members and others and will conduct
● Eligible Subscribers: The Bonds will be awareness programmes.
restricted for sale to resident Indian entities, ● It will establish a uniform grievance redressal
including individuals (in his capacity as an and dispute management framework across its
individual, or on behalf of the minor child, or members.
jointly with any other individual), HUFs, Trusts,
Universities and Charitable Institutions.
● Tenor: The tenor of the Bond will be for a period
of 8 years with an exit option in the 5th, 6th and
7th year, to be exercised on the interest
payment dates.
Investment Limit:
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Eligibility
● Any citizen of India engaged in research in any

field of science and technology up to the age of
45 years as reckoned on 31st December of the
year preceding the year of the Prize.
● Overseas citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of
Indian Origin (PIO) working in India are also
eligible.
● The Prize is awarded on the basis of
contributions made through work done
primarily in India during the five years preceding
the year of the Prize.
#2
#1
.I N
Nipah Virus
L
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards
●
TA The Kerala health department issued a health

alert in Kozhikode after two people who died
●
O
Recently, the Council of Scientific and Industrial
R due to “unnatural” deaths in the district were
suspected to have been infected with the Nipah
P
Research (CSIR) announced the list of
C
virus (NiV).
awardees for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar
SS
(SSB) awards for 2022.
About Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards: About Nipah Virus:

● The award is named after the founder Director
of the Council of Scientific & Industrial
Research (CSIR) India, the late Shanti Swarup ● Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness that is
Bhatnagar. transmitted from animals to humans.
● The Prize is given each year for outstanding ● The organism which causes Nipah Virus
contributions to science and technology. encephalitis is an RNA or Ribonucleic acid virus
of the family Paramyxoviridae, genus
Nature of the Prize Henipavirus, and is closely related to Hendra
virus.
● It carries a prize amount of Rs 5,00,000 (Rupees
● It was first broke out in Malaysia and Singapore
five lakh only).
in 1998 and 1999.
● It is given for notable and outstanding research,
● It first appeared in domestic pigs and has been
applied or fundamental in the following
found among several species of domestic
disciplines: (i) Biological Sciences, (ii) Chemical
animals, including dogs, cats, goats, horses and
Sciences, (iii) Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and
sheep.
Planetary Sciences, (iv) Engineering Sciences,
(v) Mathematical Sciences, (vi) Medical Transmission
Sciences and (vii) Physical Sciences.
● The disease spreads through fruit bats, or
‘flying foxes,’ of the genus Pteropus, who are
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natural reservoir hosts of the Nipah and Hendra ● Researchers at Imperial College London
viruses. genetically enhanced a gene expressed in the
● The virus is present in bat urine and, potentially, midgut of mosquitoes to secrete two
bat faeces, saliva, and birthing fluids. antimicrobial substances called magainin 2 and
melittin.
Symptoms
● They are detrimental to the Plasmodium
● Typically, the human infection presents as an parasite’s development in the midgut and also
encephalitic syndrome marked by fever, reduce the lifespan of female mosquitoes.
headache, drowsiness, disorientation, mental ● Computational modelling studies have
confusion, coma, and potentially death. suggested that this approach could significantly
● Treatment: There is no definitive treatment disrupt malaria transmission.
available for the virus.
#4
#3
Picoflare jets
Gene-drive technology
●
L.I N
Researchers studying the findings of the Solar
A
● Gene-drive technology has been used in Orbiter Aircraft, a joint mission by the European
T
outdoor but controlled conditions in India, Space Agency and the U.S. space agency NASA,
R
Brazil, and Panama to genetically manipulate recently announced that they have detected
O
mosquitoes. picoflare jets from the sun’s outer atmosphere.
About Gene-drive technology:
C P About Picoflare jets:
SS
● A gene drive is a type of genetic engineering ● These small-scale picoflare jets were observed
technique that modifies genes. within emissions from the coronal hole under
● This technology was conceived by Austin Burt, observation.
a professor at Imperial College London. ● They lasted only a few dozen seconds,
● This technique could be an effective way to scientists calculated that they provide enough
eradicate nuisance species, such as energy to supply a considerable fraction of
malaria-causing mosquitoes. solar winds.
● Under this technique, mosquitoes will ● These jets from the sun are named so because
selectively inherit some genes rather than the they carry approximately one-trillionth the
inheritance to follow the rules of Mendelian energy of the largest flares the sun is capable of
genetics. producing,
● In this, a protein cuts the mosquito’s DNA at a
Significance:
part that doesn’t encode a particular sequence
in the genome. ● The discovery is important because strong
● This triggers a natural mechanism in the cell gusts of solar winds, while creating beautiful
containing the DNA to repair it and forces the auroras in polar areas, are capable of disrupting
cell to incorporate a sequence called the drive the earth’s magnetic field as well as damaging
sequence into the damaged portion. electronics in satellites in space and in circuits
on the ground.
Recent development
Key facts about Solar Orbiter Aircraft
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● It was launched in 2020 and will take images of underwent a change and increased the engine
the Sun from closer than any spacecraft before. capacity to 990cc.
● It contains six remote-sensing instruments and ● Again in 2007, the rules were altered, limiting
four sets of in situ instruments. the engine capacity to 800 cc, which was again
changed to 1000 cc in 2012.
Objectives
● The championship sees multiple races around
● To observe the Sun’s 11-year cycle of rising and the world in a season that goes from March
subsiding magnetic activity. until November.
● To study the upper layer of its atmosphere, the ● The championship is run on Points basis.
corona. Points are won by each Rider (finishing 1st, 2nd,
3rd till the 15th position) and each Team (Team
Championship) and Constructor (Constructors’
SPORTS Championship).
I N
#1 Key Facts about MotoGP 2023:
MotoGP ●
L.
The 2023 season has 11 teams and 22 riders -
● The first-ever MotoGP Bharat Grand Prix is set ●

TA two riders from each team.
This season has 21 Grand Prix races in 2023
to take place at the Buddh International Circuit
in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
O R around the world. One of these locations this

season is India.
About the MotoGP:
C P Where is the Moto GP race in India?
SS
● The MotoGP, or Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing, ● Moto GP Bharat this year will be hosted at the
is the premier motorcycle championship in the Buddh International Circuit in Noida, Uttar
world. Pradesh.
● It is the oldest motorsport championship in the ● It is a five-kilometre-long track with a width of
world, with the first-ever annual competition 12 metres.
being held in 1949. ● This track has 16 corners, 8 being left-hand
● The governing body for MotoGP is the corners and 8 being right-hand corners.
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme ● The longest straight on this track is 1006
(FIM). metres.
Races: MISCELLANEOUS
● It is a non-stop race from start to finish, without #1
any pit stops.
● Each race lasts between 40 and 45 minutes Salem sago
over a distance of between 100 and 130 km, ● Recently, the Salem Starch and Sago
depending on the circuit. Manufacturers Service Industrial Cooperative
Engine Capacity: Society Ltd. (popularly called SAGOSERVE)
received a Geographical Indication Tag, or GI
● Earlier labelled to the “500 cc” category only, in Tag, for Salem sago.
2002, this oldest motorcycle championship
About Salem Sago:
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● Sago is derived from raw tapioca. ● The term “dark patterns” was coined in 2010 by
● It is in the form of small hard globules, or Harry Brignull, a user experience specialist.
pearls, and is pearl white in colour. ● These patterns are often used to encourage
● It is manufactured from the wet starch powder users to sign up for services, make purchases,
crushed from tapioca roots. or share personal information, among other
● The wet starch powder is used for producing things.
sago, and the dry powder has been used as a ● Dark patterns exploit cognitive biases and
raw material for industrial purposes. psychological principles to influence user
behaviour.
What is Tapioca?
● They can range from subtle and mildly
● It is a major horticulture crop cultivated on misleading to overtly aggressive tactics.
nearly 3 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu, producing ● There are 12 kinds of dark patterns: Friend
60 lakh tonnes of the crop. spam, forced continuity, disguised ads, confirm
shaming, bait and switch, hidden costs, roach
Climate and Soil
● Any well-drained soil, preferably red lateritic
L.I N
motel, privacy zuckering, misdirection, price
comparison prevention, trick questions, and
A
loamy soil. sneak into basket.
●
●
It thrives best in a tropical, warm, humid climate
Rainfall: Well-distributed rainfall of over 100 cm
R
●
T For Example: 'Confirm shaming' means using a
phrase, video, audio or any other means to
per annum.
PO create a sense of fear, shame, ridicule or guilt in

the mind of the user so as to nudge the user to
C
● This crop can be cultivated upto an elevation of
act in a certain way.
SS
1000 m.
#2
Indian oil sardine

● Recently, a team of scientists at the
NATIONAL
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research
#1 Institute here have decoded the complete
genome of the Indian oil sardine (Sardinella
Dark Patterns
longiceps).
● The Central Government recently sought public
About Indian oil sardine:
comments on the draft guidelines for the
prevention and regulation of “dark patterns” on ● It is a very important pelagic fish species.
the Internet. ● It contributes to about 15% of the total marine
fish production in India.
About Dark Patterns:
● Local names of oil sardine are, Mathi, Nalla
● Dark patterns are deceptive and manipulative mathi, Nei chala (Malayalam); Bhutai (Kannada),
user interface (UI) design techniques employed Tarli (Marathi and Hindi).
by websites, apps, and other digital platforms to
Distribution
trick or manipulate users into taking actions
they may not intend to take or to make
decisions that are not in their best interest.
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● It is distributed on the entire west coast from ● In addition, individuals can also use this card
Gujarat to Kerala and also on the Tamil Nadu, for making retail and e-commerce payments.
Andhra Pradesh and Orissa coasts in the east. ● It is powered by RuPay and National Common
● Highest abundance and large-scale shoaling are Mobility Card (NCMC) technology.
observed off Kerala and Karnataka coasts.
Key Facts about National Common Mobility Card
Significance (NCMC):
● The sardines are an ecologically important part ● NCMC feature enables the Bank’s customers to
of the marine ecosystem as they form an use their Debit Cards as travel cards for
intermediate link in the food web and serve as travelling on Metro Rail and Buses where this
prey for larger predators. facility is enabled.
● The genome assembly of the sardines is a ● The idea of NCMC was floated by the Nandan
valuable tool for studying how fish adapt to Nilekani committee set up by the Reserve Bank
climate change. of India (RBI).
● Indian oil sardine is a vital fisheries resource in
the Indian subcontinent, contributing
●
L.I N
NCMC is an initiative of the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs in India designed to promote
substantially, approximately 10%, to the total
marine fisheries industry in India.
TA cashless transactions and offer a unified
payment platform for commuters.
● One of the findings of the study is that Indian oil
O
sardines exist in two highly distinct stocks, one R●
●
It was launched on March 4, 2019.
It offers a unified contactless transport solution
C P
in the Indian waters and another in the Gulf of through the RuPay platform, developed by the
SS
Oman. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
● The researchers have identified the genes ● NCMC is an automatic fare collection system. It
involved in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated will turn smartphones into an inter-operable
fatty acids (PUFA) of the oil sardine, offering transport card that commuters can use
insights into the genomic mechanisms behind eventually to pay for Metro, bus and suburban
the high nutritional quality of the fish. railway services.
#4 What is a RuPay Card?
Nation First Transit Card ● It is an Indian domestic card scheme conceived

and launched by the National Payments
● State Bank of India has launched its ‘Nation
Corporation of India (NPCI).
First Transit Card’, a RuPay prepaid instrument
● RuPay is an affordable card and can be issued
under the National Common Mobility Card
as credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards.
(NCMC) that can be used nationwide.
● It works to enable electronic payment at all
About Nation First Transit Card: Indian banks and financial institutions.
● It aims to facilitate a seamless and convenient #5

customer commuting experience and ensure
Indo-Tibetan Border Police
easy digital ticketing fare payments in metro,
buses, water ferries, parking, etc., through a ● The Indo-Tibetan Border Police has decided to
single card. set up more border outposts and deploy newly
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recruited troops in the Arunachal Pradesh ● ITBP personnel undergo rigorous training in
sector of the Chinese frontier. high-altitude warfare and mountaineering to
operate effectively in challenging terrains.
About Indo-Tibetan Border Police:
● It is one of the Central Armed Police Forces of

India. INTERNATIONAL
● The ITBP is responsible for guarding the
#1
India-China border, stretching over 3,488 km
from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor
La in Arunachal Pradesh.
● Apart from this, the Force also has important ● Recently, the Prime Minister of India announced
roles in many internal security duties and the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe
operations against Left Wing Extremism in the mega economic corridor.
state of Chhattisgarh.
N
About the India-Middle East-Europe Economic
● ITBP also conducts relief and rescue operations
as 'First Responders' for natural calamities in
.I
Corridor:
L
A
the Himalayan region. ● The project includes India, the UAE, Saudi
History:
R T Arabia, the European Union, France, Italy,

Germany and the US.
●
O
It was raised in 1962 in the wake of the
P
● The project will aim to enable greater trade
among the involved countries, including energy
C
Sino-Indian War of 1962 for deployment along
products.
SS
India's border with China's Tibet Autonomous
Region. ● The IMEC comprises of an Eastern Corridor
● ITBP was initially raised under the CRPF Act. connecting India to the Gulf region and a
However, in 1992, parliament enacted the ITBPF Northern Corridor connecting the Gulf region to
Act and the rules there under were framed in Europe.
1994. ● It will include a railway and ship-rail transit
● In 2004, ITBP was declared as a full-fledged network and road transport routes.
central armed police force under the Ministry of ● The corridor will include a rail link as well as an
Home Affairs. electricity cable, a hydrogen pipeline and a
● Motto of the Force:“Shaurya-Dridhata-Karma high-speed data cable.
Nishtha” (Valour – Determination – Devotion to ● In the coming times, it will be a major medium
Duty). of economic integration between India, West
● Parent ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs. Asia and Europe.
● It is headed by a Director General under the ● The rail and shipping corridor is part of the
Ministry of Home Affairs. Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment
● Headquarters: New Delhi (PGII)
● Most of the ITBP’s Border Out Posts (BOPs) are Significance
located at altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to
18,800 ft where temperatures drop to minus 45 ● It would increase prosperity among the
degrees Celsius in extreme winters. countries involved through an increased flow of
energy and digital communications.
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● The project would help deal with the lack of ● It will also facilitate the development, adoption
infrastructure needed for growth in lower- and and implementation of internationally
middle-income nations. recognised standards, codes, sustainability
principles and regulations to incentivise
#2
biofuels adoption and trade.
Global Biofuels Alliance
What is Biofuel?
● Recently, the Prime Minister of India announced
● It is a fuel that is produced over a short time
the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance.
span from biomass rather than by the very slow
About Global Biofuels Alliance: natural processes involved in the formation of
fossil fuels, such as oil.
● It is an India-led Initiative to develop an alliance
of Governments, International organisations #3
and Industry to facilitate the adoption of
N
Morocco
I
biofuels.
● A total of 19 countries and 12 international ●
L.
Recently, a powerful earthquake of magnitude
A
organisations have so far agreed to join the 6.8 struck central Morocco, 72 kilometres
T
alliance, including both G20 members and southwest of Marrakesh.
R
non-member countries.
About Morocco:
O
● India, Brazil and the US is the founding
●
members of the alliance.
C P
This Alliance will be aimed at facilitating
● It is a mountainous country in western North
Africa that lies directly across the Strait of
SS
cooperation and intensifying the use of Gibraltar.
sustainable biofuels, including in the ● It retains much of its ancient architecture and
transportation sector. even more of its traditional customs.
● Morocco’s largest city and major Atlantic Ocean
Significance of the alliance
port is Casablanca, an industrial and
● It will place emphasis on strengthening commercial centre.
markets, facilitating global biofuels trade, ● Capital: Rabat
developing concrete policy lesson-sharing and ● It borders Algeria to the east and southeast, the
providing technical support for national biofuels Western Sahara to the south, the Atlantic Ocean
programs worldwide. to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the
● It will support worldwide development and north.
deployment of sustainable biofuels by offering ● It is the only African country with coastal
capacity-building exercises across the value exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the
chain, technical support for national programs Mediterranean Sea.
and promoting policy lessons-sharing. ● Two small Spanish enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla,
● It will facilitate mobilising a virtual marketplace are situated on the country’s northern coast.
to assist industries, countries, ecosystem ● Major mountain ranges: Atlas and Rif
players and key stakeholders in mapping ● Spoken Languages: Arabic and Amazigh
demand and supply, as well as connecting (Tamazight).
technology providers to end users. ● Religion: Predominantly Islam with a rich
Islamic heritage.
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● Political System: Morocco has a constitutional Purple Mountain Observatory under the Chinese
monarchy with two legislative houses. Academy of Sciences.
● Economy: The Moroccan economy remains
heavily dependent on the export of raw
materials. BUSINESS & ECONOMY
#4 #1
Wide Field Survey Telescope National Payments Corporation of India
● China is set to launch the Wide Field Survey ● Recently, the National Payments Corporation of
Telescope (WFST) in September. India (NPCI) unveiled several new products with
an aim to create an inclusive, resilient, and
About Wide Field Survey Telescope:
sustainable digital payments ecosystem.
● It is the largest time-domain survey facility in
N
Key points about new products:
I
the Northern Hemisphere.
Objectives:
●
L.
While Credit Line: It would enable
A
pre-sanctioned credit lines from banks via UPI.
● The core scientific objective is to explore and
monitor dynamic astronomical events and
R T
research.
PO
conduct time-domain astronomical observation
●
C
This will enable researchers to detect faint and
SS
distant celestial signals, including those from
galaxies beyond the Milky Way and galaxy
clusters.
● It will also seek out planets or their moons in
the Kuiper Belt and beyond. UPI LITE X
● It has set out to find and track 10 lakh solar
● It would facilitate offline payments, and UPI Tap
system objects for a comprehensive view of the
& Pay would enhance QR Code and Near Field
solar system and its evolution.
Communication (NFC) technology adoption for
● The telescope is located at the Lenghu
digital payment.
astronomical observation base in northwest
● In addition to the conventional Scan and Pay
China's Qinghai Province.
method, users now have the option to simply
● The base, which sits at an average altitude of
tap NFC-enabled QR codes at merchant
about 4,000 meters, offers optimal conditions
locations to complete their payments.
for stargazing due to its clear night skies, stable
atmospheric conditions, dry climate, and Hello UPI
minimal artificial light pollution.
● It is recognised as one of the best observatory ● Conversational Payments on UPI would enable
sites on the Eurasian continent. users to make voice-enabled UPI payments via
● The WFST project was launched in July 2019 UPI Apps, telecom calls, and IoT devices in
through a collaboration between the University Hindi and English and will soon be available in
of Science and Technology of China and the several other regional languages.
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● BillPay Connect: Conversational Bill Payments ● These are zero coupon securities and pay no
can be made across India through a interest. Instead, they are issued at a discount
nationalised number made available by Bharat and redeemed at the face value at maturity.
BillPay.
When were treasury bills introduced?
About National Payments Corporation of India:
● Treasury bills were first issued in India in 1917.
● It is an umbrella organisation for operating They are issued via auctions conducted by the
retail payments and settlement systems in Reserve Bank of India (RBI) at regular intervals.
India.
Who can buy it?
● It is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) ● Individuals, trusts, institutions and banks can
under the provisions of the Payment and purchase T-Bills. But they are usually held by
Settlement Systems Act, 2007, to create a financial institutions.
robust Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in
N
● They have a very important role in the financial
●
India.
It has been incorporated as a “Not for Profit” ●
L.I market beyond investment instruments.

Banks give treasury bills to the RBI to get
Company under the provisions of Section 25 of
the Companies Act 1956 (now Section 8 of the
TA●
money under repo.
Similarly, they can also keep it to fulfil their
●
Companies Act 2013).
O
It is promoted by ten major banks, including the R Statutory Liquid Ratio (SLR) requirements.
P
State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank,
C
How do T-bills work?
SS
Citibank, Bank of Baroda, and HSBC. ● Treasury bills are issued at a discount to the
● The regulatory board of the NPCI, original value, and the buyer gets the original
headquartered in Mumbai, includes nominees value upon maturity.
from the RBI along with nominees from ten core ● For example, a Rs 100 treasury bill can be
promoter banks. availed of at Rs 95, but the buyer is paid Rs 100
#2 on the maturity date. The return on treasury bills
depends on the liquidity position of the
Treasury Bills economy. When there is a liquidity crisis, the
returns are higher, and vice versa.
● Recently, the yields on Treasury Bills (T-Bills)
eased by up to seven basis points (bps) #3
following an improvement in liquidity in the
banking system. Competition Commission of India (CCI)
About Treasury Bills: ● The Competition Commission of India recently

released draft norms for the regulation of
● T-Bills are money market instruments. combinations that would help bring high-value
● These are short-term debt instruments issued mergers and acquisitions with substantial India
by the Government of India. operations, particularly those in the tech sector,
● Tenure: These are presently issued in three within the antitrust regulator’s ambit.
tenors, namely, 91 days, 182 days and 364 days.
About the Competition Commission of India (CCI):
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● CCI, a statutory body of the Government of India, ● It is a statutory body formed under an Act of
was established in March 2009 under the Parliament, i.e., the Insurance Regulatory and
Competition Act, 2002. Development Authority Act, 1999 (IRDAI Act
● The goal of CCI is to create and sustain fair 1999), for overall supervision and development
competition in the economy that will provide a ‘level of the Insurance sector in India.
playing field’ to the producers and make the ● It is also responsible for registering and/or
markets work for the welfare of consumers. licensing insurance, reinsurance companies and
● The priority of the Commission is to eliminate intermediaries according to the regulations.
practices having adverse effects on competition,
Entities regulated by IRDAI:
promote and sustain competition, protect the
interests of consumers, and ensure freedom of ● Life Insurance Companies - Both public and
trade in the markets of India. private sector Companies
● Mandate: To implement provisions of The ● General Insurance Companies - Both public and
Competition Act, 2002, which – private sector Companies. Among them, there
● prohibits anti-competitive agreements and abuse of
dominant position by enterprises;
.I N
are some standalone Health Insurance
L
Companies which offer health Insurance
A
● regulates mergers and acquisitions (M&A), which policies.
can have an adverse effect on competition within
India. Thus, deals beyond a certain threshold are
R
●
●T Re-Insurance Companies
Agency Channel
●
required to get clearance from CCI.
PO
It oversees the operations of big enterprises to Intermediaries which include the following:
C
ensure they are not abusing their ‘dominant
SS
● Corporate Agents
position’ or power by controlling supply, setting up ● Brokers
high purchase prices, or adopting practices that are ● Third-Party Administrators
unethical and may harm budding enterprises. ● Surveyors and Loss Assessors.
● Composition: ● Composition: It is a 10-member body- a
● It has the composition of a quasi-judicial body, chairman, five full-time members and four
with one chairperson and six additional part-time members appointed by the
members. Government of India.
● All members of the CCI are appointed by the ● To protect the interests of policyholders, the
Central Government. IRDAI was granted significant responsibilities,
#4 including:
● Efficiently conducting insurance business and
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority protecting the interests of the policyholders in
of India matters concerning assigning of policy,
nomination by policyholders, insurable interest,
● The Insurance Regulatory and Development
settlement of insurance claim, surrender value
Authority of India (IRDAI) is planning to unveil a
of the policy and other terms and conditions of
host of new measures, including 100 per cent
contracts of insurance.
cashless claim settlement in health coverage.
● Approving product terms and conditions offered
About the Insurance Regulatory and Development by various insurers.
Authority of India (IRDAI):
373
● Regulating investment of funds by insurance to the Sun, they spew out gases and dust, which
companies and maintaining a margin of form the tails that they are famous for.
solvency.
● Specifying financial reporting norms of
insurance companies. #2
● Ensuring insurance coverage is provided in the
rural areas and also to the vulnerable sections Caribbean false mussel
of society. ● A recent report from the Intergovernmental
● IRDAI’s Head Office is in Hyderabad. Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Services (IPBES) said that the spread of an
invasive species, the Caribbean false mussel
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (Mytilopsis sallei), is wiping out the native
clams and oysters in Kerala.
#1
Comet Nishimura
●
L I N
About the Caribbean false mussel:
.
It is originally from the Atlantic and Pacific
A
● Recently, NASA said that it seems like a good
coasts of South and Central America.
T
bet that Comet Nishimura could become visible
● It could have reached the Indian coast through
R
to the naked eye this week.
ballast waters (the seawater that ships carry
About Comet Nishimura:
PO inside for better stability) and later spread to
C
the estuaries through smaller fishing vessels.
● The comet was discovered in mid-August by
SS
● This invasive species has spread across
amateur astronaut Hideo Nishimura, who used
estuaries from Thiruvananthapuram to
30-second exposures with a standard digital
Kasaragod.
camera to see it.
● It has also started affecting the mussel
● Since then, the comet, officially called C/2023
aquaculture farms in Kerala.
P1 Nishimura, has increased in brightness as it
● It reproduces rapidly, is very tolerant, and can
went forward on its path in the inner solar
even survive in freshwater.
system.
● They grow in similar habitats where our
● The comet is angularly near the Sun, so even if
mussels grow and displace them massively.
it is visible, it will only be able to spot it early
● It can be found growing on hard surfaces such
before sunrise or late before sunset.
as logs, stones, shells, and artificial structures.
● The comet is currently located in the
constellation Leo. Key facts about IPBES
● It completes an orbit around the Sun once every
● It is an independent intergovernmental body.
435 years.
● It was established in Panama City in April 2012
● What are comets?
by 94 Governments.
● Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases,
● It aims to strengthen the science-policy
rock and dust that orbit the Sun.
interface for biodiversity and ecosystem
● They are leftovers from the formation of the
services for the conservation and sustainable
solar system.
use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being
● Typically, they range from a few kilometres to
and sustainable development.
tens of kilometres wide. But as they orbit closer
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● It is not a United Nations body. However, the Earth-like planet in the distant Kuiper Belt of our
United Nations Environment Programme solar system.
(UNEP) provides secretariat services to IPBES.
About Kuiper Belt:
● HQ – Bonn, Germany
● The Kuiper belt, also called the
Edgeworth-Kuiper belt, is a flat ring of small icy
#3 bodies that revolve around the Sun beyond the
orbit of the planet Neptune.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
● It is named after Gerard Kuiper, a
● NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Dutch-American astronomer who hypothesised
recently captured the image of India's the existence of such a region in the 1950s.
Chandrayaan-3 lander. ● There are millions of these icy objects,
collectively referred to as Kuiper Belt objects
About Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO): (KBOs) or trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), in
● It is a NASA spacecraft that was launched on
June 18, 2009. ●
L.I N
this belt.
The Kuiper Belt is a region of leftovers from the
● Primary Objective: To make a 3D map of the
Moon's surface from lunar polar orbit. ●
TA solar system's early history.
It is thought to be the source of most of the
● It has also been used to study the Moon's
O R observed short-period comets, particularly

those that orbit the Sun in less than 20 years.
P
geology, mineralogy, and environment.
● Composition: The Kuiper Belt is primarily
C
● It orbits the Moon in an eccentric polar mapping
SS
orbit. composed of small icy bodies, such as dwarf
● LRO is equipped with 7 science instruments, the planets, asteroids, and comets.
most well-known of which is a 195-millimeter Pluto:
(7.7-inch) telescope and camera system that
can see details up to 2.5 meters across. ● Pluto, once considered the ninth planet in our
● LRO is equipped with a laser altimeter that solar system, is one of the most well-known
produces 3D maps by shooting lasers at the Kuiper Belt objects.
surface and measuring reflection times. ● In 2006, the International Astronomical Union
● The spacecraft also carries two instruments (IAU) reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet, partly
suited to peering into dark craters to search for because of its location within the Kuiper Belt.
signs of water ice and a temperature instrument
that led to the discovery of the coldest place in
the solar system. SPORTS
#1
#4 Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund

for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS)
Kuiper Belt
● The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports
● Astronomers have recently found compelling
recently felicitated players under the Pandit
evidence suggesting the existence of an
Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for
Sportspersons (PDUNWFS) in New Delhi.
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About the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Lumpsum financial assistance, not exceeding
Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS): Rs. 2 lakh, may be provided to coaches and
support personnel and to the family members
● It was set up in March, 1982 with a view to
of deceased support personnel who are living in
assisting outstanding Sportspersons of
indigent circumstances.
yesteryear, living in indigent circumstances, who
had brought glory to the Country in sports. Eligibility:
● The scheme as revised in May, 2016 to provide
● The applicant must be a Serving or Retired
for lump sum ex-gratia assistance to
Sportsperson (including sports doctors, sports
outstanding Sportspersons of yesteryears.
psychologists, sports mentors,
● It extends to the whole of India.
physiotherapists, masseurs, coaches, support
● The scheme promotes the welfare of the
personnel, umpires, referees, and match
sportspersons generally in order to alleviate
officials).
distress among them and their dependents.
● The applicant must have represented India at a
I N
● The scheme can be administered to active
.
National or International Level sports
sportspersons individually or collectively as a
group.
●
A Lcompetition.
The Annual income of self/family of the
Benefits:
R T applicant (from all sources) must be less than

Rs. 4 LPA.
O
● Assistance to sportspersons living in indigent
● The applicant must qualify as one of the
●
circumstances:
C P
A lumpsum ex-gratia financial assistance
following.
SS
● Injured during the period of their training for
subject to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakh.
competitions and also during the competitions.
● Monthly pension of Rs. 5000/- to those
● Disabled as an after-effect of their strenuous
yesteryears meritorious sportspersons now
training or otherwise.
living in indigent circumstances.
● Living in indigent circumstances.
● Assistance for injuries sustained during training
● Dependent of a deceased sportsperson.
for and participation in Sports competitions: A
lumpsum ex-gratia financial assistance subject
to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakh.
MISCELLANEOUS
● Assistance to Families of deceased
Outstanding Sportspersons: A lumpsum ex- #1
gratia financial assistance, not exceeding Rs.
5.00 lakh in each case, may be provided to the “Bharat: The Mother of Democracy” Portal
families of deceased outstanding ● On the eve of the G20 leadership summit, the
sportspersons living in indigent circumstances. Ministry of Culture launched a portal of the
● Assistance for Medical Treatment: Financial mega exhibition—‘Bharat: The Mother of
assistance not exceeding Rs. 10 lakh may be Democracy’.
provided for medical treatment of an
outstanding sportsperson or of any of his/her About “Bharat: The Mother of Democracy” Portal:
family members living in indigent ● The portal showcases the content on the
circumstances. history of democracy in India, showcasing 7,000
● Assistance to coaches, support personnel,
umpires, referees and match officials:
376
years of democratic ethos starting from the government and secretary of state government
Sindhu-Saraswati civilisation to 2019. can order the detention of a person (including a
● It is available in 16 languages, including foreigner), in case of-
German, French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, 1. Smuggling;
Italian, Turkish, and Russian besides English 2. Abetting smuggling;
and Hindi. 3. Transport, concealing, storing;
● The portal is divided into five sections and 22 4. Harbouring persons involved in smuggling;
sub-sections starting from Sindhu-Saraswati 5. Dealing in smuggled goods;
Civilisation (6000-2000BCE), Mahajanapada ● Any order by the State government is to be
and Gantantra (7-8 BCE), Vijaynagar Empire forwarded to the Central government within 10
(14-16 century), and Mughal emperor Akbar days.
reign (1556-1605) to Constitution of India ● Grounds for detention are to be communicated
(1947) and Elections in Modern India (1952 within 5 days to detenu. Delay of up to 15 days
onwards). is allowed if the reason is given in writing.
● The website--
www.motherofdemocracyg20.com-- is curated
●
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The detaining authority requires to satisfy the
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courts and also the detenu that he has acted in
A
by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts accordance with the laws with due
(IGNCA).
R●
T consideration.
High Courts can examine detention orders prior
PO to execution. A detention order cannot be

challenged at pre execution stage on the
C grounds of delay in execution.
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NATIONAL ● The order can be executed anywhere in India,
similar to arrest warrants under the Code of
#1
Criminal Procedure, 1973.
Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention
Advisory Boards:
of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974
● Government should, within 5 weeks of the date
● The Madras High Court recently quashed a
of detention, make a reference to the Advisory
detention order issued under the Conservation
Board.
of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of
● Advisory Board to report within 11 weeks of the
Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974
detention order. If satisfied, the detention period
against a practising lawyer, ordering his release.
can be extended to one year.
About the COFEPOSA Act: ● If, in the opinion of the advisory board, there is
insufficient cause for detention, the order is
● It was passed by the Parliament on 13th
revoked, and the person is released.
December 1974, to provide for preventive
detention in certain cases for the purposes of Other Preventive Detention Laws in India:
conservation and augmentation of foreign
● National Security Act (NSA), 1980
exchange and prevention of smuggling
● Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of
activities and for matters connected therewith.
1967
● Power to make orders detaining certain
● Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
persons: The Central Government or the State
Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988
Government or any joint secretary of central
377
● Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance ● Buland Darwaza: This colossal gateway, also
of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 known as the "Gate of Magnificence," is an
● Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) iconic monument of Fatehpur Sikri. It was built
to commemorate Akbar's victorious campaign
in Gujarat and is a grand example of Mughal
#2 architecture.
● Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam: These are two
Fatehpur Sikri prominent buildings within the complex. The
● A 61-year-old French tourist recently died inside Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) was
the Fatehpur Sikri fort after she fell from a where Akbar held private meetings, while the
nine-feet-high platform following the collapse of Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) was for
a wooden railing. conducting public affairs.
● Panch Mahal: This five-storied palace is a
About Fatehpur Sikri: unique structure with open pavilions on each
● It is a city predominantly in red sandstone,
situated at a distance of 37 km from Agra, Uttar
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level. It served as a place for relaxation and
entertainment.
●
Pradesh.
It was founded in 1569 by the great Mughal
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emperor Akbar, and from 1571 to 1585,
O R#3
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Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Free Movement Regime
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Empire.
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● The Mughal capital was moved to Delhi in 1586 ● Manipur Chief Minister recently said that his
because of Fatehpur Sikri's inadequate water government has urged the Union Home Ministry
supply. to cancel the free movement regime along the
● It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage India-Myanmar border and complete its fencing.
site in 1986.
About Free Movement Regime:
Architecture:
● Under the FMR, all the hill tribes, whether they
● The structures in Fatehpur Sikri combine are citizens of India or Myanmar, can travel
elements of Persian, Indian, and Central Asian within 16 km on either side of the
styles. Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB).
● The structures are made primarily of red ● They can cross the border by producing a
sandstone, which gives the city its distinctive border pass with a one-year validity issued by
appearance. the competent authority and can stay up to two
● It is enclosed by an 11 km long fortification wall weeks per visit.
interspersed with numerous gateways. ● The FMR was implemented in 2018 as part of
the Central government’s Act East policy.
Notable buildings in the complex include: ● FMR is implemented by both governments for
● Jama Masjid:It is home to the Jama Masjid, one the people living along the IMB.
of the largest mosques in India. It is known for ● This helps locals to get more culturally
its imposing structure, graceful arches, and assimilated with trans-border villages through
intricately designed prayer hall. weddings, celebrating common festivals
together and trans-border trade.
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● It is a reflection of the physical, ethnic, de Fuca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca,

linguistic, cultural and fraternal linkages among North American, and Philippine Plates.
the trans-border villagers.
#5
Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB):
Jhelum River
● It runs for 1,643 km in the four states of
● The water level of Jhelum and its tributaries
Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal
have fallen drastically owing to dry weather
Pradesh.
conditions prevalent in Kashmir Valley.
● It runs from the tripoint with China in the north
to the tripoint with Bangladesh in the south. About Jhelum River:
● Assam Rifles is tasked with guarding the IMB.
● It is a river that flows in India and Pakistan.
● It is a tributary of the Indus River.
● The Jhelum (Vyeth in Kashmiri, Vetesta in
N
#4
I
Sanskrit and Hydaspes in Greek) is the main
Mt. Semeru volcano
L.
waterway of the Kashmir valley.
A
● It is the largest and most western of the five
● Recently, Mt. Semeru volcano in Indonesia’s
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rivers of Punjab and passes through the Jhelum
East Java province erupted.
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District in the North of Punjab province,
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About Mt. Semeru volcano: Pakistan.
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It is an active volcano in East Java, Indonesia. Course:
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● It is located in a subduction zone, where the
● Origin: It originates at the Verinag Spring at
Indo-Australia plate subducts under the Eurasia
Anantnag, at the foot of the Pir Panjal range in
plate.
the Kashmir Valley.
● It is the highest mountain on the island of Java.
● It then flows via Srinagar and Wular Lake prior
● The name "Semeru" is derived from Meru, the
to entering Pakistan.
central world mountain in Hinduism, or Sumeru,
● The river makes a deep, narrow gorge on its
the abode of gods.
way to Pakistan.
● Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where
● It joins the Chenab River near Trimmu, Pakistan.
the meeting of continental plates causes high
● Length: It has a total length of about 725 km
volcanic and seismic activity.
(450 mi).
Key points about the Pacific Ring of Fire
Major Tributaries:
● It, also known as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is
● The largest tributary of the Jhelum is the
a path along the Pacific Ocean
Kishenganga (Neelum) River, which joins near
characterised by active volcanoes and
Muzaffarabad and enters the Punjab province,
frequent earthquakes.
Pakistan.
● Its length is approximately 40,000
● Kunhar River is the second largest tributary of
kilometres.
the river, which connects Pakistan-occupied
● It traces boundaries between several
Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan on the Kohala
tectonic plates—including the Pacific, Juan
Bridge of Kanghan Valley.
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● Other tributaries include Sandran River, Bringi #1

River, Arapath River, Watlara River, Lidder River
Indo- European Languages
and Veshaw River.
● An unknown Indo-European language found on
a clay tablet inside a Hittite ritual text has been
#6 discovered during an excavation in Hattusa, the
ancient capital of the Hittite Empire.
Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
About Indo- European Languages:
● The Madhya Pradesh Government recently
announced the establishment of the ● The Indo-European Languages are a family of
"Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve”, marking related languages that today are widely spoken
the seventh tiger reserve in the state and the in the Americas, Europe, and also Western and
54th in the country. Southern Asia.
N
● The hypothesis that this was so was first
I
About Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve:
.
proposed by Sir William Jones, who noticed
● Location: It is spread across Sagar, Damoh and
Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
A Lsimilarities between four of the oldest
languages known in his time: Sanskrit, Latin,
● It is spread over an area of 2,339 square
kilometres.
R●T Greek, and Persian.
The common ancestral (reconstructed)
●
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It is the seventh tiger reserve in Madhya language is called Proto-Indo-European (PIE),
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Pradesh. which is no longer spoken.
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● It will encompass areas within the Nauradehi ● There is disagreement as to the geographic
Wildlife Sanctuary and Durgavati Wildlife location where it originated from, with Armenia
Sanctuary. and the area to the north or west of the Black
● A green corridor linking Panna Tiger Reserve Sea being prime examples of proposed
(PTR) with Durgavati will be developed for the candidates.
natural movement of the tiger to the new ● The Indo-European family of languages is the
reserve. second-oldest in the world, only behind the
● Rivers: Parts of the reserve fall under the Afroasiatic family (which includes the
Narmada and Yamuna River basins. languages of ancient Egypt and early Semitic
● The Singorgarh Fort is located within the languages).
reserve. ● It has the largest number of speakers of all
● Vegetation: Dry deciduous type language families as well as the widest
● Flora: The chief floral elements include Teak, dispersion around the world.
Saja, Dhaora, Ber, Amla, etc. ● The various subgroups of the Indo-European
● Fauna: Tiger, leopard, wolf, jackal, Indian fox, family include:
striped hyena, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, Sambhar, ● Indo-Iranian languages (includes Sanskrit, Hindi,
Black Buck, Barking deer, Common Langur Bengali, Persian)
Rhesus Macaque etc. ● Italic languages (including Latin and its
descendants, the Romance languages)
● Germanic languages
INTERNATIONAL ● Celtic languages
● Baltic languages
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● Slavic languages ● Conservation status

● Illyrian languages (extinct) ● IUCN: Critically Endangered
● Albanian language (and extinct cousins)
● Anatolian languages (extinct; most notable was
the language of the Hittites) #3
● Tocharian languages (extinct tongues of
Tocharians) I2U2 Group
● Greek language ● The I2U2 group recently announced a new joint
● Armenian language space venture that aims to create a "unique
● Some of the most commonly spoken space-based tool" for policymakers, institutions,
Indo-European Languages in the modern world and entrepreneurs.
are Spanish, English, Hindustani, Portuguese,
Russian, Punjabi, and Bengali. About the I2U2 Group:
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● It is a grouping of India, Israel, the United Arab
#2
L.I
Emirates, and the United States.
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Formation:
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Bolson tortoises
R
● The group was initially formed in October 2021
● Biologists are in a slow and steady race to help
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to deal with issues concerning infrastructure,
North America's largest and rarest Bolson
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transport, and maritime security in the region.
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tortoise species. ● Originally named the "International Forum for
SS
About Bolson tortoises: Economic Cooperation," it was also known as
the "West Asian Quad" at the time.
● It is the largest and rarest land reptile, as well as ● First virtual summit: The group held their first
the rarest of the six Gopherus species native to virtual summit in July 2022.
the North American Continent. ● This unique grouping of countries identifies
● Adult males are generally smaller than females bankable projects and initiatives to tackle some
in this species. of the greatest challenges, with a particular
● The tortoise is a land-dwelling reptile that focus on joint investments and new initiatives in
spends more than 95% of its time in a burrow water, energy, transportation, space, health,
that it constructs with its shovel-like front feet. food security, and technology.
● All foraging, nesting and mating activities take ● It aims to mobilise private sector capital and
place during the tortoise's active season from expertise to achieve a variety of goals, including
roughly April to October. modernising infrastructure, advancing
● The average life span of a Bolson tortoise is not low-carbon development pathways, and
known but probably lies upward of a century. improving public health.
Distribution:
● This species at present, is restricted to a BUSINESS & ECONOMY

relatively small area of the grasslands of
north-central Mexico in the states of Chihuahua, #1
Coahuila and Durango, where it exists in Kisan Rin Portal
disjunct sub-populations.
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● The Finance Minister and Agriculture Minister Hyderabad in connection with his role during
will inaugurate the 'Kisan Rin Portal' on the demonetisation period.
September 19.
About the Serious Fraud Investigation Office
About Kisan Rin Portal: (SFIO):
● The portal helps farmers avail of subsidised ● It is a corporate fraud investigating agency set
loans under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). up by the Government of India.
● It was developed in collaboration with multiple ● It is a multi-disciplinary organisation under the
government departments. Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
● It offers a comprehensive view of farmer data, ● It consists of experts in the fields of
loan disbursement specifics, interest accountancy, forensic auditing, law, information
subvention claims, and scheme utilisation technology, investigation, company law, capital
progress. market and taxation.
● It fosters seamless integration with banks for ● Objective: For detecting and prosecuting or
more focused and efficient agriculture credit.
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recommending for prosecution white-collar
crimes and frauds.
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Key Facts about the Kisan Credit Card (KCC):
● History: It was set up in 2003 on the basis of
● The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was
introduced in 1998 to issue KCC to farmers on
R T recommendations of the Naresh Chandra
Committee on corporate governance in the
O
the basis of their holdings for uniform adoption
P
backdrop of stock market scams, the failure of
non-financial banking companies and the
C
by the banks so that farmers may use them to
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readily purchase agriculture inputs such as phenomena of vanishing companies and
seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, etc and draw cash plantation companies.
for their production needs. ● Investigation into the affairs of a company is
● It was developed by NABARD (the National assigned to SFIO, where the Government is of
Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), the opinion that it is necessary to investigate
● The scheme was further extended for the the affairs of a company-
investment credit requirement of farmers, allied ● On receipt of a report of the Registrar or
and non-farm activities, in the year 2004. inspector under section 208 of the Companies
● The scheme was further revisited in 2012with a Act, 2013
view to simplify the scheme and facilitate the ● On intimation of a special resolution passed by
issue of Electronic Kisan Credit Cards. a company that its affairs are required to be
● Applicability: It is to be implemented by investigated
Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks ● In the public interest or on request from any
and Cooperatives. department of the Central Government or a
State Government
#3
#2
Gold exchange-traded funds
Serious Fraud Investigation Office SFIO
● Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) attracted
● The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) Rs 1,028 crore in August, making it the highest
recently arrested a chartered accountant in inflow in 16 months.
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About Gold exchange-traded funds: companies regarding loans and credit cards,
among others.
● These are commodity-based exchange-traded
● Their primary function is to gather data from
funds with an underlying asset as gold.
various sources, such as banks, financial
● These are passive investment instruments that
institutions, lenders, and other credit-granting
are based on gold prices and invest in gold
entities, and then compile this data into credit
bullion.
reports.
● Gold ETFs are units representing physical gold,
● Banks, non-banking financial institutions refer
which may be in paper or dematerialised form.
to the CIC's report and score to decide
● One unit of this und is equal to 1 gram of gold
borrowers' creditworthiness before granting a
and is backed by physical gold of very high
loan or issuing a credit card.
purity.
● CICs in India are licensed by the RBI and
● They are listed and traded on the National Stock
governed by the Credit Information Companies
Exchange of India (NSE) and Bombay Stock
Regulation Act, 2005 (CICRA)and various other
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Exchange Ltd. (BSE).
.
rules and regulations issued by the RBI.
● There is complete transparency on the holdings
L
● As per Section 15 of the CICRA, every Credit
of a Gold ETF due to its direct gold pricing.
A
Institution (like banks) should be a member of
What is an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)?
R●
T at least one CIC.
CICRA also stipulates that a CIC may seek and
O
● It is a collection of investments such as equities obtain information from its members only.
●
or bonds.
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It is a basket of securities that trades on an
● Thus, if a bank seeks information from a CIC, it
will get the information given by other
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exchange just like a stock does. institutions (to CIC) only.
● It can contain all types of investments, including ● At present, four credit information companies
stocks, commodities, or bonds. are given certificates of registration by the RBI.
● They have cheaper fees than other types of These companies are Credit Information Bureau
funds. (India) Limited (CIBIL), Equifax Credit
● These funds have much lower expenses as Information Services Private Limited, Experian
compared to physical gold investments. Credit Information Company of India Private
Limited and CRIF High Mark Credit Information
Services Private Limited.
#4
Credit Information Companies (CICs)

● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently
directed credit information companies (CICs) to #1
set out a common data quality index (DQI) for Pink diamond
commercial and microfinance segments.
● Recently, Western Australian scientists
About Credit Information Companies (CICs): unearthed a story behind the formation of pink
● CICs collect public data, credit transactions, diamonds, connecting it to the ancient
and payment histories of individuals and supercontinent Nuna, and the mysterious
383
geological activities it experienced over 1.3 ● An artificial reef is a manmade structure that
billion years ago. may mimic some of the characteristics of a
natural reef.
About Pink Diamond:
● These are engineering technology interventions
● Pink diamonds, also known as fancy pink used to rehabilitate and/or improve natural
diamonds, are some of the rarest and most habitats, increase productivity, and manage
coveted gemstones in the world. aquatic resources, including habitat
● Pink diamonds have uniquely bent crystalline enhancement (FAO, 2015).
structures. ● Materials used to construct artificial reefs have
● More than 90% of all the pink diamonds ever included rocks, cinder blocks, and even wood
found come from a single mine in the Kimberley and old tyres, which come in an infinite number
region of Western Australia. of shapes and styles.
● All diamonds are found in pipelike volcanoes or ● The projects are being implemented with the
in their eroded remnants. technical support of the Fisheries Survey of
How did they form?
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India (FSI) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries
Research Institute (CMFRI).
● Around 1.8 billion years ago, Western Australia
and Northern Australia collided in a cataclysmic
TA
Advantages of AR
●
event.
O
This impact is believed to have been the R●
●
It boosts marine biodiversity.
It encourages fish population growth.
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catalyst that transformed once-colourless ● It reduces pressure on natural reefs.
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diamonds into their pink variants.
What is the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
● Scientists found that at Argyle, diamonds
Yojana?
crystallised deep in Earth’s interior were brought
to the surface when a supercontinent, Nuna, ● It is a flagship scheme for focused and
began to break apart. sustainable development of the fisheries sector
● As continents break up, their edges stretch, in the country, with an estimated investment of
allowing small pockets of diamond-rich magma Rs. 20,050 crores for its implementation during
to rise to the surface. a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY
2024-25 in all States/Union Territories.
● What are the aims of the scheme?
#2 ● It aims at enhancing fish production by an
additional 70 lakh tonnes by 2024-25.
Artificial Reef (AR) ● Increasing fisheries export earnings to
● To promote sustainable practises, the Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25.
Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 732 ● Doubling the incomes of fishers and fish
artificial reef units for 10 coastal states as a farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from
sub-activity under the “Integrated Modern 20-25%.
Coastal Fishing Villages” of Pradhan Mantri ● Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Husbandry and Dairying
About Artificial Reefs (AR): #3
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VB_HmeY_H4907
● At the lowest point, nearly 11,000 metres below #4

the surface of the Pacific Ocean, a new virus
Foot and Mouth Disease
named vB_HmeY_H4907 has been discovered
on Earth. ● The Chandigarh administration recently
vaccinated over 21,000 livestock against foot
About VB_HmeY_H4907:
and mouth disease (FMD).
● It is a new virus discovered nearly 11,000
About the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD):
metres below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
● The virus has been understood as a ● It is a highly contagious viral disease that
Bacteriophage, which means ‘bacteria eater’. affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle,
● It infects halophilic bacteria (bacteria that sheep, goats, and pigs.
inhabit environments with high salt ● It is a transboundary animal disease (TAD) that
concentrations) from the genus Halomonas.
Such bacteria are generally found in deep-sea
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deeply affects the production of livestock and
disrupts regional and international trade in
A
hydrothermal vents. animals and animal products.
T
● The virus is actually very genetically similar to ● It is a disease of animals, not humans and is a
R
its host and is a lysogenic phage, meaning that different disease than hand, foot, and mouth
O
it inserts its genetic material into the bacteria disease, which is common in young children.
C
bacteria replicate at the same time.
P
but usually doesn’t kill it; instead, both virus and ● Causative agent: It is caused by the
foot-and-mouth disease virus, which is a
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member of the Picornaviridae family.
What are Bacteriophages?
Transmission:
● Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are
viruses that infect and replicate in bacterial ● It is primarily spread through direct contact
cells. between infected animals, as well as through
● They also infect the single-celled prokaryotic contaminated feed, equipment, vehicles,
organisms known as archaea. clothing, and the movement of infected
● They were discovered independently by animals.
Frederick W. Twort in Great Britain (1915) and ● It can be transmitted to humans in rare cases.
Félix d’Hérelle in France (1917). Human cases are typically mild and
● They are ubiquitous in the environment and are self-limiting, with symptoms similar to other
recognised as the most abundant biological viral illnesses.
agent on earth. ● Symptoms: Common symptoms in affected
● They are extremely diverse in size, morphology, animals include fever, blister-like sores on the
and genomic organisation. tongue, lips, and inside the mouth, as well as on
● Like all viruses, phages are simple organisms the hooves (hence the name "foot and mouth"
that consist of a core of genetic material disease), excessive salivation, lameness, and
(nucleic acid) surrounded by a protein capsid. reduced milk or meat production.
The nucleic acid may be either DNA or RNA and
may be double-stranded or single-stranded. Treatment:
385
● Vaccination is a common method of control for food and nutrition security and hunger
FMD in regions where the disease is endemic or eradication.
where there is a high risk of outbreaks. ● It is given in memory of the Nobel awardee and
● Vaccinated animals can still contract the virus, Green Revolution's chief architect Dr Norman
but the disease's severity is reduced. Borlaug.
● The award will honour an individual who is
working closely and directly “in the field” or at
SPORTS the production or processing level with farmers,
animal herders, fishers or others in rural
#1 communities in any discipline or enterprise
India Women’s Cricket Team Wins Gold Medal across the entire food production, processing,
and distribution chain.
● India emerged victorious against the ● The award diploma incorporates the image of
formidable Sri Lankan team, securing the gold Dr. Borlaug at work in the fields of Mexico and a
●
medal with a 19-run victory.
This triumph marks a significant milestone for ●
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cash prize of $10,000.
It is endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation and
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India, who had chosen not to participate in the will be presented every October in Des Moines,
T
two previous editions of the continental Games Iowa, by the World Food Prize Foundation.
R
that included cricket as a sport. ● Other Indian recipients: Aditi Mukherji (2012)
O
● India’s path to gold began with their impressive and Mahalingam Govindaraj (2022).
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batting performance. After winning the toss,
they chose to bat first and managed to reach a Contributions of Swati Nayak
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total of 116-7 in their allotted 20 overs. ● She introduced Sahbhagi Dhan’, a
● The key partnership of Smriti Mandhana, who drought-tolerant variety rice suitable for hilly
contributed with 46 runs, and Jemimah uplands, and ‘BINA Dhan-11’, which is
Rodrigues, who added 42, played a pivotal role flood-tolerant.
in setting up a competitive target for Sri Lanka. ● BINA-Dhan-11’, which contains a
submergence-tolerant Sub1 gene identified
from an indigenous land race of Odisha.
MISCELLANEOUS ● The Sub1 gene has been incorporated into
#1 many existing popular high-yielding varieties
such as ‘Samba Mahsuri’, ‘Swarna’ and ‘Ranjit’.
Norman E. Borlaug Award ● There are, likewise, other drought-tolerant
varieties, such as ‘DRR Dhan 42’ and ‘DRR Dhan
● Indian agriculture scientist Swati Nayak won the
44’.
prestigious Norman E. Borlaug Award for 2023.
About Norman E. Borlaug Award:
● The award recognises exceptional scientists

under 40 and someone who works in the field of
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CURRENT AFFAIRS OCT-2023
● It is an indicator species as its presence reflects the

The Hindu Current Affairs Week-1 health of its primary habitat, tall and wet grasslands.
● Habitat: It prefers undisturbed patches of grassland
NATIONAL dominated by early succession riverine
communities, typically comprising dense tall grass
#1
intermixed with a wide variety of herbs, shrubs and
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary young trees.
● Currently, the viable population of this pig in the wild
● Bihar is set to get a second tiger reserve in Kaimur is in the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
district (Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary) by the end of the
year or early 2024. Conservation status:
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About Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary: ● IUCN: Critically Endangered
● It is the largest sanctuarylocated in the Kaimur

●
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The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Key facts about Manas National Park
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District of Bihar.
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● It is nestled in the Vindhayachal hill ranges.
● The sanctuary forms a very important catchment for
theKav, Sone, and Durgawati river systems, with
important tributaries.
O R● It is located in the state of Assam. It is contiguous

with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.
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● It is connected with Chandraprabha Wildlife ● It is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage
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Sanctuary of UP, which again has links with Sanjay site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and
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Dubri Tiger Reserve and Panna landscape in Madhya a biosphere reserve.
Pradesh through stepping stone forests of Marihan, ● Flora: It contains some of the largest remaining
Sukrit, Chunar ranges and wildlife sanctuaries of grassland habitats in the sub-Himalayan grassland
Ranipur (UP). ecosystems.
● Vegetation: This region has a thick covering of ● Fauna: The Park is known for its rare and
mosaic prairie, tropical dry deciduous backwoods, endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam
and swampy bogs. roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy
● Fauna: The main animals found are Bengal tigers, hog.
Indian leopards, Indian boars, sloth bears, sambar ● The Manas River is a major tributary of Brahmaputra
deers, chitals, four-horned antelope and nilgais. River, which passes through the Manas National
● Flora: The plants found here include Salai Park.
(BoswelliaSerrata), Siddha, Indian Rosewood
(Sheesham), Jamun, Teak, Koraiya,Saal, and #3
Jheengarare some species of plant life.
Macrophages
#2
● Researchers detected senescent macrophages in
Pygmy hog the lung that not only remained but also supported
tumour growth in a recent Cancer Cell study.
● Recently, eighteen captive-bred pygmy hogs were
released in western Assam’s Manas National Park About Macrophages:
and Tiger Reserve.
● Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that
About Pygmy hog: plays an important role in the human immune
system.
● It is the smallest and rarest species of wild pig in the ● They are involved in the detection, phagocytosis, and
world. destruction of bacteria and other harmful
● It is one of the very few mammals that build its own organisms.
home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’.
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● The term macrophage is formed by the combination ● The BRO officials recently said that nearly 96 percent
of the Greek terms “makro” meaning big, and of the work on the strategically crucial Sela Tunnel is
“phagein” meaning eat. complete, and it is likely to be inaugurated by
● They are essential for the maintenance and defence year-end.
of host tissues, doing so by sensing and engulfing
particulate matter and, when necessary, initiating a About Sela Tunnel Project:
pro-inflammatory response. ● Location: It is located in the West Kameng district of
● They can modify themselves to form different Arunachal Pradesh.
structures in order to fight various different microbes ● Once completed, the Sela tunnel will be the world’s
and invaders. In this way, macrophages provide the longest bi-lane tunnel at an altitude above 13,000
first line of defense in protecting the host from feet.
infection. ● It will ensure all-weather connectivity between
● They are also involved in the development of Guwahati in Assam and Tawang in Arunachal
non-specific or innate immunity. Pradesh.
● Macrophages produce a variety of cytokines, which ● It is being excavated below the Sela Pass on the
are signaling molecules that communicate with NH-13 component of the Trans-Arunachal Highway
other cells of the immune system. Cytokines play a system.
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role in inflammation, tissue repair, and the adaptive
.
● It is being built by the Border Roads Organisation
immune response.
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(BRO)under Project Vartak and the tunnel’s
● They migrate to and circulate within almost every construction commenced on April 1, 2019.
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tissue, patrolling for pathogens or eliminating dead
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cells. Project Details:
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● Macrophages may have different names according
● Tunnel 1: This single-tube tunnel has a length of
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to where they function in the body. For example,
macrophages present in the brain are termed 980m.
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microglia and in the liver sinusoids, they are called
Kupffer cells.
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● Tunnel 2: This bi-lane tunnel has a length of 1555m.
It includes one escape tube for emergencies.
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● Roads: Approach to Tunnel 1 is 7100m, the road
What is Cellular Senescence? between the two tunnels is 1340m, and the
approach to Tunnel 2 is 340 m long.
● It refers to a state of stable cell cycle arrest in which
proliferating cells become resistant to Key Facts about Sela Pass:
growth-promoting stimuli, typically in response to
DNA damage. ● It is a high-altitude mountain pass located in the
● During this phase, the cell undergoes numerous Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
phenotypic and metabolic changes. ● Elevation: 4,170 meters above sea level
● Senescent cells accumulate during ageing and have ● It connects Tawang Valley to the rest of India.
been implicated in promoting a variety of age-related ● Open throughout the year, Sela Pass is managed by
diseases. the BRO.
● Cellular senescence can compromise tissue repair
and regeneration, thereby contributing towards
ageing.
● Removal of senescent cells can attenuate
age-related tissue dysfunction and extend the health
span.
● Senescence can also act as a potent anti-tumour
mechanism by preventing the proliferation of
potentially cancerous cells.
#4
#5
Sela Tunnel Project
Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
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● The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ● Its members now include 45 countries that represent
recently ordered notice to the State on a public three quarters of the world’s coral reefs.
interest litigation petition that sought a direction to ● India is also a member country of this initiative.
restrict the entry of outsiders and vehicles inside ● It is a global partnership between Nations and
Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. organizations which strives to preserve coral reefs
and related ecosystems around the world.
About Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: ● Its decisions are not binding on its members.
● Location: It is located in the Southern Western Ghats ● The work of ICRI is regularly acknowledged in United
in the Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nations documents, highlighting the Initiative’s
Nadu. important cooperation, collaboration and advocacy
● It was established as a Tiger Reseve in 1988. role within the international arena.
● This reserve is a mixture of three main sanctuaries: Objectives
Kalakad Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Sanctuary, and a
part of Kanyakumari Sanctuary. ● Encourage the adoption of best practice in
● Nestled between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the sustainable management of coral reefs and
Agastya Malai Hill Range forms the core area of the associated ecosystems
sanctuary and is part of one of the world’s 18
●
biodiversity hotspots.
The reserve is also known as the “River Sanctuary”,
with as many as 14 rivers originating from this Tiger
●
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Build capacity
.
Raise awareness at all levels on the plight of coral
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reefs around the world.
Reserve.
● Terrain: Undulating with several valleys and porous
rocks.
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#2
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United Nations Convention against Transnational
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Vegetation: Organised Crime
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● It varies from thorny shrub jungles to lush evergreen ● Recently, the union Minister of State for Home
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forests. Affairs participated in the two-day UN Convention
● In addition to forests, savannah woodlands, and against Transnational Organised Crime Ministerial
grasslands, there are tea and coffee plantations Conference at Palermo in Italy.
within the reserve.
● Flora: Important species include Sarcandra, About United Nations Convention against Transnational
Paphiopedulum, druryi, Hopea parviflora, Hopea Organised Crime:
utilis, Calophylum elatum, Cullenia exarillata, etc.
● It is a multinational treaty against transnational
● Fauna: Tiger, leopard, rusty spotted cat, wild dog,
organized crime that was established by the United
sloth bear, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer,
Nations in 2000.
mouse deer, nilgiri langur, slender loris, bonnet
● It is often known as the Palermo Convention.
macaque, lion tailed macaque, etc.
● The UNTOC has a total of 147 signatories and 190
parties to the convention.
● The Convention is further supplemented by three
INTERNATIONAL Protocols
● The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
#1 Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and
International Coral Reef Initiative Children;
● The Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by
● Recently, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Land, Sea and Air; and
said it would secure public and private investment to ● The Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and
help conserve and restore coral ecosystems. Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components
and Ammunition.
About International Coral Reef Initiative: ● India signed the UN Convention against
● It was launched in 1994 by Australia, France, Japan, Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its
Jamaica, the Philippines, Sweden, Britain and the three Protocols on December 12, 2002.
United States.
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● The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the ● Recently, a 300-year-old sycamore tree in England
nodal agency for all dealings with UNTOC. that was famous for its beauty and unique location
was cut down by a teenage boy.
#3
About Sycamore tree:
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) ● It was located in a dip between two hills, at a gap in
the Hadrian Wall – an old stone structure that is
● According to the Review of Maritime Transport 2023 close to the border between England and Scotland –
by the United Nations Conference on Trade and in Northumberland, northern England.
Development, in 2023, greenhouse gas (GHG) ● The ‘gaps’ are essentially channels, which were
emissions from international shipping were 20 “naturally chipped away by vast amounts of
percent higher than in the last 10 years. meltwater flowing beneath the ice sheets that once
Key highlights of the review: covered the area,” thousands of years ago.
● Features:
● Overall, the shipping industry contributes to over 80 ● This tree can become extremely tall as they mature
percent of the world’s trade volume and nearly three – reaching a height of up to 35 metres.
percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. ● They are commonly found in the UK and have leaves
● Containerised trade, which had declined by 3.7 per
cent in 2022, is expected to grow by 1.2 per cent in
2023 and grow further by three per cent between
●
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similar to that of a maple tree.
The bark is dark pink-grey, and smooth when young,
but becomes cracked and develops small plates
●
2024-2028.
Oil and gas trade volumes showed robust growth in ●
TA with age.
A sycamore can live for as long as 400 years.
2022, while tanker freight rates saw a strong revival
driven by geopolitical events.
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About the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD):
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Financial Stability Board (FSB)
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● The Financial Stability Board (FSB) is launching a
probe into the buildup of debt outside traditional
banks, as it seeks to limit hedge funds’ borrowing
● It is the UN’s leading institution dealing with trade and boost transparency.
and development.
● It is a permanent intergovernmental body About Financial Stability Board (FSB):
established by the United Nations General Assembly ● FSB was established by the G20 in 2009 in the wake
in 1964. of the financial crisis.
● It supports developing countries to access the ● Mandate: It was created expressly to coordinate at
benefits of a globalised economy more fairly and the international level the work of national financial
effectively. authorities and international standard-setting bodies
● It provides economic and trade analysis, facilitates and to develop and promote the implementation of
consensus-building and offers technical assistance effective regulatory, supervisory, and other financial
to help developing countries use trade, investment, sector policies in the interest of financial stability.
finance, and technology for inclusive and ● The FSB brings together national authorities
sustainable development. responsible for financial stability (central banks,
● Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland. supervisory authorities, and finance ministries),
● Reports published by the UNCTAD international organisations, and standard-setting
● Trade and Development Report bodies.
● World Investment Report ● The FSB operates by monitoring, analyzing, and
● The Least Developed Countries Report making recommendations on key aspects of the
#4 financial system. It assesses emerging issues that
could impact global financial stability.
Sycamore tree ● The FSB’s decisions are not legally binding on its
members.
● Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland.
● Members:
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● The FSB consists of 68 member institutions. It investors, and this enables the fund managers to
comprises several central banks, ministries of accumulate more funds from the institutional
finance, and supervisory and regulatory authorities investors
from 25 jurisdictions, as well as 10 international ● Strategic Fund: This fund is registered as an
organizations and six Regional Consultative Groups Alternative Fund II under the Securities and
(RCGs). Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in India. Strategic
● The board includes all G20 major economies. funds invest primarily in equity and equity- linked
● India is an active member of the FSB, having three instruments.
seats in its Plenary represented by the Secretary ● The funds are registered as Alternative Investment
(Dept of Economic Affairs), Deputy Governor-RBI, Fund (AIF) with the Securities and Exchange Board
and Chairman-SEBI. of India (SEBI).
Structure:
● The Plenary, which serves as the sole #2

decision-making body.
● The Steering Committee, which takes forward Chenab Bridge
operational work in between plenary meetings.
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● Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest steel arch rail
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● Three Standing Committees, each with specific but bridge situated in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi town,
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complementary responsibilities. is set to be developed as a tourist spot.
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY About Chenab Bridge:
#1
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National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
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● The 1.3-km-long bridge is located 359 metres above
● Recently, the National Investment and Infrastructure the Chenab riverbed.
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Fund has entered into a collaboration with Japan ● It is the highest single-arch railway bridge in the
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Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to unveil a world.
$600 million India-Japan Fund. ● It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail
Link project.
About National Investment and Infrastructure Fund:
Features:
● It is an investor-owned fund manager, anchored by
the Government of India (GoI) in collaboration with ● The arch consists of steel boxes. Concrete has been
leading global and domestic institutional investors. filled in the boxes to improve stability.
● It is India’s first-ever sovereign wealth fund (SWF) ● The bridge has been designed with a life span of 120
which was set up in the year 2015. years.
● It is an institution for enhancing infrastructure ● It has been designed to withstand high wind speeds
financing by investing in greenfield (new), brownfield of up to 266 Kmph.
(existing) and stalled projects. ● It is capable of withstanding the nation’s maximum
● The primary goal of setting up NIIF was to optimise intensity zone-V earthquake forces.
the economic impact largely through investing in
infrastructure-related projects. Key Facts about Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail
Link (USBRL) Project:
Types of NIIF Funds
● The USBRL Project involves the construction of a
● Master Fund: This fund primarily invests in railway line from Udhampur to Baramulla, joining the
infra-related projects such as roads, ports, airports, Kashmir valley with the Indian Railways network.
and power. Also, the master fund invests in ● Aim: To connect Kashmir to the rest of the country
well-established enterprises that are into a long-term and give a push to development in the valley.
agreement and are operating in a regulated ● Total Length: 272 km
environment with a good history. ● The project was declared a “National Project” in
● Fund of Funds: It looks to invest in funds managed 2002.
by the renowned fund managers having an excellent ● The project includes the construction of several
track record. The fund of funds invests as anchor bridges and tunnels along the route.
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● This project involves 38 tunnels (combined length of Kashmir’s Kathua district, has got the Geographical
119 Km), with the longest tunnel (T-49) having a Indication (GI) tag.
length of 12.75 Km and is the country’s longest
transportation tunnel. About Basohli Pashmina:
● There are 927 nos. of bridges (combined length of ● It is a hand-spun product known for extreme
13 Km), including the iconic Chenab Bridge. softness, fineness and light-weight, has insulating
● The project includes the Indian Railway’s first properties and extended life.
cable-stayed, bridge which is being constructed on ● Pashmina products include shawls for both men and
Anji Khad. women, mufflers, blankets and basket.
● Pashmina refers to a fine variant of spun cashmere
(the animal-hair fibre), that is derived from the downy
#3 undercoat of the Changthangi.
● It is obtained from a breed of mountain goats (Capra
National Turmeric Board hircus) found on the Changthang Plateau in Tibet
● Recently, the Government of India notified the and parts of Ladakh.
constitution of the National Turmeric Board. ● A traditional producer of pashmina wool in the
Ladakh region are a people known as the Changpa
About National Turmeric Board:
● It will focus on the development and growth of
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(nomadic people inhabit the Changthang plateau of
Tibet).
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turmeric and turmeric products in the country. Key facts about Geographical Indication Tag
● It will especially focus on capacity building and skill
development of turmeric growers for harnessing
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●
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geographical originand possess qualities or a
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greater benefits out of value addition.
reputation that are due to that origin.
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● The Board will also promote quality and food safety
standards and adherence to such standards. ● This is typically used for agricultural products,
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foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and
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Composition: industrial products.
● The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration
● The Board shall have a Chairperson, who will be and Protection) Act, 1999seeks to provide for the
appointed by the Central Government. registration and better protection of geographical
● It will have members from the Ministry of AYUSH, indications relating to goods in India.
Departments of Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture & ● This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it
Farmers Welfare, Commerce & Industry of the Union can be renewed.
Government, senior State Government
representatives from three states (on rotation basis). SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
● Select national/state institutions involved in
research, representatives of turmeric farmers and #1
exporters. Seamount
● It will have a Secretary to be appointed by the
Department of Commerce. ● Recently, two Indian scientists from the National
● The Ministry of Commerce will be the nodal Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and their team have
department providing funds and infrastructure for discovered an active submarine volcano (Crater
the NTB, which will look into increased demand, Seamount) in the Andaman Sea.
usage, production, research, market linkage, exports
and so on. About Seamount:
● It is an underwater mountain formed through

volcanic activity.
#4 ● These are recognised as hotspots for marine life.
Like volcanoes on land, seamounts can be active,
Basohli Pashmina extinct, or dormant volcanoes.
● Recently, Basohli Pashmina, a more than ● These are formed near mid-ocean ridges, where the
100-year-old traditional craft from Jammu and earth’s tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing
molten rock to rise to the seafloor.
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● The planet’s two most-studied mid-ocean ridges are ● It is a single portal connected to all the
the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise. Ministries/Departments of Government of India and
● Some seamounts have also been found near States.
intraplate hotspots—regions of heavy volcanic ● Every Ministry and States has role-based access to
activity within a plate—and oceanic island chains this system.
with volcanic and seismic activity called island arcs. ● It is also accessible to the citizens through
● These are formed when molten rock comes up from standalone mobile application downloadable
below the tectonic plate. through Google Play store and mobile application
integrated with UMANG.
Significance of seamounts ● The status of the grievance filed in CPGRAMS can be
● They provide information about the mantle’s tracked with the unique registration ID provided at
composition and how tectonic plates evolve. the time of registration of the complainant.
● These are helpful in understanding their influence on #3
how water circulates and absorbs heat and carbon
dioxide. Staghorn coral
● They are good places for life because they can
cause localised ocean upwelling, the process by ● A genome-wide survey of highly endangered
which nutrient-rich water from deep within the ocean
moves up to the surface.
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staghorn coral in the Caribbean has identified 10
.
genomic regions associated with resilience against
white band disease.
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#2
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About Staghorn coral:
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Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0
● It is one of the most important corals in the
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● Recently, the union Minister of State (Independent Caribbean.
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Charge) Science & Technology, MoS Personnel, ● It, along with elkhorn coral and star corals built
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Public Grievances, Pensions launched the Intelligent Caribbean coral reefs over the last 5,000 years.
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Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0 ● Staghorn coral can form dense groups called
“thickets” in very shallow water.
About Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) ● These provide important habitat for other reef
2.0: animals, especially fish.
● It is a public grievance portal and Automated Appearance
Analysis in Tree Dashboard portal of the Department
of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances ● Staghorn coral colonies are golden tan or pale brown
(DARPG). with white tips and they get their color from the
● It has been implemented by IIT Kanpur. algae that live within their tissue.
● Objectives: The Dashboard provides instant tabular ● These corals have antler-like branches and typically
analysis of Grievances Filed & Disposed, State-wise stem out from a central trunk and angle upward.
& District-wise Grievances Filed & Ministry-wise data. ● Each staghorn coral colony is made up of many
● It will also help the officials identify the root cause of individual polyps that grow together.
the grievance. ● These coral get food from photosynthetic algae that
● This portal will help the DARPG with creation of draft live inside the coral’s cells. They also feed by
letter for selected scheme/ministry and expedite the capturing plankton with their polyps’ tentacles.
grievance redressal process by the concerned
ministry/department. Distribution:
● It has been enabled with Artificial intelligence (AI) ● It is found typically in clear, shallow water (15–60
capacity. feet) on coral reefs throughout the Bahamas, Florida,
What is CPGRAMS? and the Caribbean.
● The northern extent of the range in the Atlantic
● Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Ocean is Palm Beach County, Florida, where it is
Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) is an online platform relatively rare.
available to the citizens 24x7 to lodge their ● They live in many coral reef habitats including spur
grievances to the public authorities on any subject and groove, bank reef, patch reef, and transitional
related to service delivery.
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reef habitats, as well as on limestone ridges, rapidly when breeding, when wanting to blend into
terraces, and hard bottom habitats. their surroundings, or when stressed.
● Distribution: They are found in freshwater bodies like
Lifespan & Reproduction rivers, ponds, and marshes in northern India, eastern
● These coral reaches reproductive maturity at about 7 Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, including
inches tall. the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, and Indus
● Staghorn coral is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, basins.
meaning each colony produces both eggs and ● Currently, there are about 25 recognized badis
sperm, but usually does not self-fertilize. species, out of which 15 have been reported from
● This coral sexually reproduces once per year after India.
the full moon in late summer by “broadcast ● They are predatory in nature, feeding on tiny
spawning” eggs and sperm into the water column. freshwater invertebrates.
● Fertilized eggs develop into larvae that settle on hard
surfaces and form new colonies.
● Diseases: It is particularly susceptible to white band SPORTS
and white plague
● Unsustainable Fishing Pressure #1
What is White band disease?

●
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Asian Games 2023
The 19th Asian Games (of 2022, held in 2023) came
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● It is a common tissue loss disease.
to a close at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre
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● Studies suggest that white band disease is caused
Stadium (also called Big Lotus) in China. Hockey
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by a communicable agent, however, a specific
pathogen has not yet been definitively identified. player PR Sreejesh was India’s flagbearer at the
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parade of athletes.
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#4
India’s Medals Tally:
Badis limaakumi
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● With 107 medals (28 gold, 38 silvers and 41 bronze),
A new fish species named ‘Badis limaakumi’, was India set a new benchmark for themselves at the
recently discovered in the Malak River in Nagaland. Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, the People’s
Republic of China.
About Badis limaakumi: ● At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, India
● It is a new badis fish species discovered in performed well and returned with 70 medals,
Nagaland. including a haul of 16 gold medals.
● It is locally known by many names, like “Tepdang” or ● It was the first time in Asian Games history that
“Akngashi (Chungli)” or “Aokngatsü (Mongsen)” or India’s medals tally crossed the three-figure mark. By
“Sempi” etc. doing so, they became the only fourth country after
● It appears black in its natural habitat but undergoes China (383), Japan (188) and the Republic of Korea
a remarkable color change when placed in an (190) to win 100 or more medals in a single edition
aquarium or different environments. of the Asian Games.
● Athletics turned out to be the most productive sport
Features: with a total of 29 medals – six gold, 14 silver and
nine bronze.
● It has a comparatively large and slender body.
● Absence of blotches on the sides and fins, as well as Hockey:
on the cleithrum.
● Large number of lateral-line scales. ● The India men’s hockey team won an Asian Games
gold and booked a Paris Olympics berth with a 5-1
Key Facts about Badis species: thrashing of Japan.
● It is a genus of small freshwater fish belonging to MISCELLANEOUS

the family Badidae.
● Fish from the Badis species are also called #1
Chameleon fish due to their ability to change colour Sastra Ramanujan Prize
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● Ruixiang Zhang, Assistant Professor, University of ● As they grow larger, they become more dangerous
California, Berkeley, USA will be awarded with the because glacial lakes are mostly dammed by
2023 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize for his outstanding unstable ice or sediment composed of loose rock
contributions in mathematics. and debris.
● In case the boundary around them breaks, huge
About Sastra Ramanujan Prize: amounts of water rush down the side of the
● The prize was instituted in the year 2005. mountains, which could cause flooding in the
● It is awarded every year by the SASTRA University on downstream areas. This is called glacial lake
its campus near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, on outburst floods or GLOF.
Ramanujan’s birth anniversary, December 22. ● It can be triggered by several reasons, including
● The prize is conferred annually to mathematicians earthquakes, extremely heavy rains and ice
from across the world who is less than 32 years of avalanches
age, working in an area influenced by the Srinivasa ● These lakes are also often found in steep,
Ramanujan. mountainous regions, which means landslides or ice
● The age limit is 32 years to commemorate the fact avalanches can sometimes fall directly into the lakes
that Ramanujan accomplished a phenomenal body and displace the water, causing it to over-top the
of work in this short span. natural dam and flood downstream
●
●
Cash prize: It carries a citation and an award of
$10,000.
This award has gained global repute ever since it ●
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Key facts about South Lhonak Lake
This lake in northern Sikkim is situated about 5,200
●
was instituted.
Other recipients: Manjul Bhargava and Akshay ●
TA metres above sea level.

It formed due to the melting of the glacier.
Venkatesh
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South Lhonak glacier, Sikkim Himalaya.
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Contribution of Ruixiang Zhang: ● It has become the largest and fastest-growing
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● He is a young mathematician whose fundamental glacial lake in the state, with a glacial retreat of
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work spans from analytic number theory, almost two kilometres in 46 years between 1962 and
combinatorics, and Euclidean Harmonic Analysis to 2008.
geometry. #2
● Building on his Princeton PhD thesis, Zhang in
collaboration with Shaoming Guo proved a Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary
multivariable generalisation of the main conjecture
in Vinogradov’s Mean Value Theorem. ● Two rare species of butterflies were recently found
● This work, which has appeared in Inventiones during a survey conducted by the Forest Department
Mathematicae in 2019, is considered a major in Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary.
achievement. About Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary:
● Location: It is located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

● Earlier, it was the hunting ground for the royal family
The Hindu Current Affairs Week-2 members of Holkars, as it had a huge population of
tigers, leopards, and deer.
NATIONAL ● Established in 1989, this sanctuary is spread over an
area of 5 square kilometres.
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● Landscape: Rolling hills, lush green forests, and
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood sparkling streams.
● The River Narmada graces the sanctuary with its
● Recently, a glacial lake outburst flood in the South presence.
Lhonak Lake of Sikkim killed ten people and many ● At the top of it is an ancient palace built by the
Army personnel are missing. Holkars in 1905, which was primarily used as a
hunting hut, also known as shikargah (hunting
About Glacial Lake Outburst Flood:Glacial lakes are
lodge).
large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or
● Flora: Among the many prominent plant species
beneath a melting glacier.
present in the sanctuary are Teak, Rinjha, Khair,
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Palash, Ghatbor, Saaja, Aster, Ber, Babool, Samal, ● The imposing figures of the Buddha, seated in
Chirol, Neem, Khajoor, Bekal, Bamboo, etc. meditation posture, and the stupa are the main
attraction for tourists at Bojjannakonda.
Fauna: ● On the top of the hill, there is a group of structural
● Major animal species found here include Black Buck, buildings and a vihara (monastery), which has been
Cheetals, Chinkara, Blue Bull, Striped Hyena, Wild reduced to ruins.
Boars, Porcupine, Fox, Jackal, and Bhedki (Barking ● To the west of Bojjannakonda, another hillock,
deer). Lingalakonda or Lingalametta, is present.
● It is famous for its many avifauna species, most of ● A number of monolithic and structural stupas can be
which migrate here during the winter season. seen on the top of this hillock.
● The Buddhist temple at Barabodur in Java has been
#3 constructed on the lines of the structures on
Lingalametta”.
Bojjannakonda ● The caves at Bojjannakonda and those in Takshasila
are similar.
● Recently, the Central government has sanctioned
● The word ‘Sangrama’ was in use at Takshasila but
7.30 crore rupees for taking up landscaping and
was never used in Andhra Pradesh. These two
development of tourist amenities at Bojjannakonda
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features suggest that Buddhist practices influenced
.
site.
Bojjannakonda in northern India,”
About Bojjannakonda:
#4
A L
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● It is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary
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● The site was excavated under the aegis of Alexander
Rim in 1906.
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● The Wildlife Division of the Andhra Pradesh Forest
● It was originally known as ‘Buddhuni konda’ (hill of
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Department is all set to prepare an inventory of land
the Buddha), but it came to be known as use and other activities adjacent to the Kolleru
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‘Bojjannakonda’ in the course of time. Wildlife Sanctuary for declaring it an eco-sensitive
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● Buddhist monks used to practice on the hill about zone (ESZ).
2,000 years ago.
● A gold coin belonging to the Samudra Gupta period, About Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary:
copper coins of the Chalukya king Kubja Vishnu
Vardhan, coins of Andhra Satavahanas and pottery ● Location: It is a significant wetland sanctuary
were discovered at the site. located in the West Godavari and Krishna districts of
the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Features ● It was established in November 1999, under the
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
● An interesting feature of this site is that it shows ● The sanctuary protects part of the Kolleru Lake
features of all the three phases of Buddhism: wetland, which gained Ramsar Convention for
Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. International importance in 2002.
● A figure of ‘Kalabhairava’ with the head of Lord ● It is a crucial wetland ecosystem and serves as a
Ganesha wearing conch shells and the statue of a stopover point for migratory birds.
Buddhist monk, ‘Harati’, have also been found at the ● Flora: The sanctuary’s flora includes various aquatic
site. plants, submerged macrophytes, and wetland
● There is a large double-storeyed cave on the hill. vegetation that provide essential food and shelter
● The rectangular cave has a doorway and is flanked for the diverse bird species.
by ‘dwarapalakas’ on either side. ● Fauna: Commonly found birds in the sanctuary are:
● There is a rock-cut stupa, standing on a square little egret, cattle egret, pied kingfisher, small blue
platform, at the centre of the cave. kingfisher, blackcapped kingfisher, pond heron, reef
● A series of rock-cut caves and monolithic structures heron, grey heron, night heron, etc.
standing on rock platforms are present on the
northern side of the hill. Key Facts about Kolleru Lake:
● The upper cave has a rectangular doorway flanked
by figures of the Buddha on either side. ● It is the largest freshwater lake in India.
● It is located in Andhra Pradesh between the Krishna
and Godavari deltas and covers an area of 308 km².
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● The lake serves as a natural flood-balancing ● There are different kinds of Panchnama prepared
reservoir for these two rivers. during an investigation, which are categorized as
● The lake is fed directly by water from the seasonal search, seizure, recovery, discovery, arrest, inquest,
Budameru and Tammileru streams, and is connected and test identification parade.
to the Krishna and Godavari systems by over 68 ● Out of these, some are a part of the mandatory
inflowing drains and channels. procedures laid down in different provisions of the
● It serves as a habitat for migratory birds. Cr.P.C and others are performed to the establish
● The lake was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in genuineness of the investigation.
November 1999 under India’s Wild Life (Protection)
Act, 1972, and designated a wetland of international Contents of Panchanama:
importance in November 2002 under the ● There is no guidance or prescription about the
international Ramsar Convention. contents of Panchanama under CrPC or any other
statute.
● The witnesses are called “Panchas”.
#5 ● It is to be noted that the Panchas are to be two or
more independent and respectable persons, e.
Panchnama persons who are not of disrepute.
● The Supreme Court recently ruled that ‘panchnamas’
would be deemed inadmissible in a court of law if
●
L.I N
If there are no eyewitnesses to an offence and the
case is totally based on circumstantial evidence,
then such a Panchanama is of immense value.
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they were prepared in a manner violative of Section
● The Panch (witness) can refresh his memories while
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162 CrPC.
giving evidence in the Court as per Section 159 of
About Panchnama:
O R the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
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● The word PANCHNAMA literally means “record of What is the need for the Panchanama?
observation by five people”.
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● A Panchnama is a document having legal bearings It is one of the essential parts of criminal as well as civil
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that records evidences and findings that an officer investigation procedures.
makes at the scene of an offence/crime. ● In criminal investigation, it is used to support
● However, it is not only the recordings at the scene of evidence of the investigation conducted at the crime
a crime; it can be anywhere that may be related to scene, seizure, if any from accused, identification of
the crime/offence and from where incriminating the accused, etc.
evidence is likely to be collected. ● In civil cases, it is used to show that the decree has
● The word Panchanama is not used as such or been executed by handing over possession of the
defined particularly anywhere in any book of law, but property as directed in the decree.
the same can be read into Section 100 under ● The provision of the Panchanama is made to
Chapter VII of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 convince the Court that the officer-in-charge has in
(Cr.P.C.), which mandates an Investigating Officer to fact carried out the investigation, search, or seizure
prepare PANCHNAMA. or has acted upon the directions of the Court if so
Reason behind the word “Panchanama”: directed.
● In the ancient judicial system in India, the justice INTERNATIONAL

system at the lowest rung, i.e., village level, which is #1
still the case in certain kinds of issues, was in the
form of Panch, which is a group of five elected Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development
learned members of the village who would preside
and decide over a dispute amongst the villagers. ● India has been elected president of the Asia-Pacific
● In the said system, the proceedings before the Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD)
Panch that were recorded on paper, were often General Conference (GC) for the third successive
called a Panchanama. term.
● From this practice, the word was adopted for a About Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting
document prepared by the investigating office noting Development:
facts and the proceeds of an investigation.
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● It was established in 1977 under the auspices of eclipse, resulting in a wave-like disturbance that has
UNESCO. the potential to disrupt GPS and other satellite
● The AIBD currently has 92 member organisations communications.
from across 44 countries, including 26 government
members (countries) represented by 48 The process
broadcasting authorities and broadcasters. ● The rockets will be positioned just outside the path
● It also has 44 affiliates (organisations) represented of annularity, where the Moon moves directly in front
by 28 countries and regions in Asia, Pacific, Europe, of the Sun. Each rocket will deploy four small
Africa, Arab States and North America. scientific instruments designed to record changes in
● India is one of the founding members of this electric and magnetic fields, density, and
organization. temperature.
● The Prasar Bharati, India’s public service ● NASA’s goal is to achieve the first-ever simultaneous
broadcaster, is the representative body of the measurements from multiple locations in the
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government ionosphere during a solar eclipse.
of India, at AIBD. ● Rockets can be launched precisely at the right
What is Prasar Bharati? moment and can investigate lower altitudes
inaccessible to satellites.
●
●
It is the Public Service Broadcaster of the country.
It is a statutory autonomous body established in
1997 under the Prasar Bharati Act.
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Sounding rockets were chosen by the team due to
their ability to pinpoint and measure specific regions
of space with great accuracy.
● Objective: To conduct public broadcasting services
intended to inform and entertain the public.
●
TA These rockets can also record changes occurring at

various altitudes as they ascend and descend from
● It comprises the Doordarshan Television Network
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and All India Radio, which were earlier media units of
R●
suborbital flights.
The rockets will gather data at altitudes ranging
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the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. from 45 to 200 miles (70 to 325 kilometres) above
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● Headquarter: New Delhi the Earth’s surface along their flight path.
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#3
#2 Burevestnik Missile
Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path ● President Vladimir V. Putin recently claimed that
mission Russia had successfully tested the Burevestnik
missile.
● NASA is set to launch a mission called APEP to
study how a solar eclipse affects the upper About Burevestnik Missile:
atmosphere.
● The Burevestnik, whose name translates as “storm
About Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse petrel”, is a ground-launched, low-flying cruise
Path (APEP) mission: missile that is not only capable of carrying a nuclear
warhead but is also nuclear-powered.
● The mission will involve launching of three rockets ● The Burevestnik is one of six strategic weapons that
equipped with scientific instruments. the Russian President introduced in a 2018 speech.
● Objective: To know how the upper atmosphere will ● It is code-named ‘SSC-X-9 Skyfall’ by NATO.
change during the eclipse, especially the moment ● In theory, the nuclear energy could let it fly around
when there would be a sudden reduction in light. the world several times before hitting its target.
● During an eclipse, the sudden drop in sunlight
causes changes in the ionosphere, creating waves Features:
that ripple through this atmospheric layer.
● It will measure changes in electric and magnetic ● It is powered by a small nuclear reactor, which heats
fields, density, and temperature. up air to propel the missile forward.
● This launch will take place at the White Sands ● Its nuclear propulsion gives the missile much longer
Missile Range in New Mexico, with a specific focus range than traditional turbojet or turbofan engines
on the ionosphere. that are limited by how much fuel they can carry.
● According to NASA, the ionosphere’s temperature ● It has a range of up to 14,000 miles (22000 km).
and density are projected to decrease during the
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● The missile is also designed to fly at low altitudes, allied deterrence and defense capabilities in the
much lower than a conventionally powered cruise Indo-Pacific.
missile, which would make it harder for air-defence ● The trilateral partnership, which builds on their
radar to detect. decades-long security cooperation, has two pillars.
● Pillar I revolves around the acquisition and
development of conventionally armed
#4 nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal
Australian Navy;
BlueWalker 3 satellite ● Pillar II calls for collaboration on advanced
capabilities that will involve technology and
● Recently, an international team of scientists have information sharing;
published a paper detailing the impact of the
prototype BlueWalker 3 satellite on astronomy. What is the submarine component?
About BlueWalker 3 satellite: ● It is designed to equip Australia with

nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
● It is a prototype satellite, part of a satellite ● In total, Australia will end up with eight of the new
constellation planned by its owner AST nuclear submarines, called SSN-AUKUS.
●
SpaceMobile.
It was one of the brightest objects in the night sky,
outshining all the brightest stars.
●
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Those submarines will be based on a British design
but have American technology or an American
combat system.
●
●
It was launched in September 2022.
It is the largest-ever commercial communications
●
TA The deal marks the first time the US has shared

nuclear propulsion technology with an ally other than
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array deployed in low-Earth orbit and is designed to the UK.
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communicate directly with cellular devices via 3GPP ● It will significantly enhance Australia’s undersea
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standard frequencies at 5G speeds. capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
● It uses wavelengths close to those that radio
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● These countries, however, made it clear that their
telescopes observe in, the satellite could also
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aim is not to arm the new submarines with nuclear
hamper radio astronomy. weapons. This is because Australia is a signatory to
the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), which
What is satellite constellation?
bans it from acquiring or deploying nuclear
● It is a group of artificial satellites working together weapons.
as a system.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
● Unlike a single satellite, a constellation can provide
permanent global or near-global coverage, such that #1
at any time everywhere on Earth at least one satellite
is visible. Yak churpi
● Satellites are typically placed in sets of
complementary orbital planes and connect to ● In a significant milestone for the northeastern state
globally distributed ground stations. They may also of Arunachal Pradesh, the unique and culturally
use inter-satellite communication. significant yak milk product, ‘Yak Churpi,’ has been
granted the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
#5
About Yak churpi:
AUKUS
● It is a dairy product made from the milk of the
● As part of the AUKUS initiative with Australia and the indigenous Arunachali yak breed.
US, the UK has given three UK businesses a 4 billion ● It is reared by tribal yak pastoralists known as
pound ($4.9 billion) contract to design and build an Brokpas who migrate along with their yaks to higher
attack submarine powered by nuclear energy. reaches (at an altitude of 10,000 ft and higher)
during summers and descent to mid-altitude
About AUKUS: mountainous regions during winters.
● These remarkable yaks are primarily found in the
● Established in 2021, the AUKUS is intended to be a
West Kameng and Tawang districts of the state.
strategic partnership among Australia, the United
● Churpi is a naturally fermented dairy product and
Kingdom (UK), and the United States to bolster their
rich in protein content.
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● It is an essential dietary staple for tribal Chungthang Dam

communities inhabiting the cold and mountainous
regions of Arunachal Pradesh. ● A major disaster took place in Sikkim recently, when
● It is often used as a vegetable substitute and is also the Chungthang Hydro-Dam was washed away by
incorporated into vegetable and meat curries and is flooding of the Teesta River.
commonly consumed with rice. About Chungthang Dam:
● This GI tag is going to serve the cause of yak
conservation and yak pastoralists’ socio-economic ● Chungthang Dam, also known as the Chungthang
upliftment. Hydroelectric Project, is a dam and hydroelectric
● Yaks are reared in high altitude areas in the power station located in Chungthang, a town in
Himalayan region but the Arunachali yaks are a Sikkim.
unique breed in respect to their body shape, size, ● It is an integral part of the 1200 MW mega Teesta
strain and weight. Stage III Hydro Electric Project, a major source of
● Arunachali yaks are also the only registered yak electricity for Sikkim and West Bengal.
breed in India ● It is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project, which
was commissioned in 2017.
● The dam had a gross height of 817 metres and a net
#2
PUSA-44
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head of 778 metres, which was used for power
.
generation.
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About Teesta Stage III Hydro Electric Project:
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● Recently, Punjab Chief Minister announced that the
● It is a 1,200 MW hydro power project.
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state will ban the cultivation of the PUSA-44 paddy
variety from next year onwards. ● It is located on the Teesta river/basin in Sikkim.
O
● It is a run-of-river project.
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About PUSA-44: ● The project’s construction commenced in 2008 and
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subsequently entered into commercial operation in
● It is a paddy variety which was developed in 1993 by
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2017.
the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
● By the end of 2010s, it had gained widespread #4
popularity among farmers across the Punjab,
covering approximately 70 to 80% of the area under Controller General of Accounts
paddy cultivation. ● The Central Government’s fiscal deficit in the first
● Farmers claim that PUSA-44 yields nearly 85 to 100 five months of 2023-24 touched 36 percent of the
mann (34 to 40 quintals) per acre, while other full-year target, according to the data released by the
varieties’ yield average is 28 to 30 quintals per acre. Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
Concerns ● bout the Controller General of Accounts (CGA):
● CGA, in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of
● It is a long-duration variety, taking around 160 days Finance, is the Principal Accounting Adviser to the
to mature. Government of India.
● This is around 35 to 40 days more than other ● It was established in October 1975 to administer
varieties, requiring 5-6 extra cycles of irrigation. matters pertaining to the departmentalisation of the
● With Punjab facing severe groundwater depletion accounts of the Union.
and the availability of short-duration paddy varieties,
the government aims to conserve one month of Functions:
irrigation water by banning the variety. ● CAG is responsible for establishing and managing a
● Moreover, this variety is also known to exacerbate technically sound management accounting system.
the long-running issue of stubble burning in the ● The Office of CGA prepares monthly and annual
state. analysis of expenditure, revenues, borrowings, and
● This variety generates around 2 per cent more various fiscal indicators for the Union Government.
stubble than short varieties, which becomes a ● It further formulates policies relating to general
significant concern when cultivated on a large scale. principles, forms, and procedures of accounting for
#3 the Central and State Governments.
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● It administers the process of payments, receipts, as telomeric rings—come from the capped ends of
and accounting in the Central Civil Ministries/ chromosomes, the telomeres.
Departments. ● Particularly in certain cancer cells, the ones from the
● Through its Internal Audit Units in the respective telomeres are regularly pinched off and joined
Ministries/Departments, it is responsible for together to form rings.
maintaining the requisite technical standards of ● The cell nucleus weeds out such DNA rings and
accounting in the departmentalized accounting deposits them, together with the plasmids coming
offices and for monitoring the financial performance from outside the cell, in the cell plasma.
and effectiveness of various programs, schemes, ● This proves that cells are capable of differentiating
and activities of the civil ministries. between DNA that is their own and still needed and
● It also administers banking arrangements for the DNA that is foreign or presumably no longer
disbursements of Government expenditures and the required, which they then eject from the nucleus.
collection of government receipts and interacts with ● In this way, the exclusome may have a protective
the Central Bank for the reconciliation of cash function, guarding the cell’s genetic integrity.
balances of the Union Government.
● CGA is also responsible for coordination and #2
monitoring the progress of the submission of Quantum Dots
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corrective/remedial action taken notes (ATNs) on
the recommendations contained in Public Accounts
Committee’s (PAC) reports as well as the
●
L.
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was recently
awarded to Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus, and
A
Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) reports through Alexei I. Ekimov recently for the discovery and
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its web based Audit Para Monitoring System synthesis of quantum dots.
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(APMS).
About Quantum Dots (QDs):
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● It also looks after the pensions of the Central
government employees.
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● Quantum dots, often referred to as “artificial atoms,”
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are semiconductor nanoparticles that have unique
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optical and electronic properties due to their small
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY size.
● They were first theorized in the 1970s and then
#1 successfully synthesized in the early 1980s.
Exclusome ● Many semiconductor substances can be used as
QDs, such as cadmium selenide, cadmium sulfide, or
● Researchers have recently identified a previously indium arsenide. Nanoparticles of these, or any
unknown compartment in mammalian cells named other semiconductor substance, have the properties
‘exclusome’. of a QD.
● The size and composition of the QDs can be
About Exclusome: controlled during synthesis, allowing scientists to
● It is a newly discovered organelle in mammalian tailor their properties for various applications.
cells. ● Optical Properties: One of the most notable features
● It is made up of DNA rings known as plasmids. of QDs is their tunable emission properties.
● It is located within the cell plasma. ● By controlling the size of the QD, researchers can
● This is peculiar because eukaryotic cells (cells with precisely tune the wavelength of light emitted or
nuclei) usually keep most of their DNA in the cell absorbed.
nucleus, where it is organized into chromosomes. ● They can be engineered to emit light across the
● Instead, in the exclusome, it is organized into entire visible spectrum and into the infrared and
plasmids -small, circular DNA strands that can ultraviolet ranges, offering a wide palette of colors
replicate independently of chromosomes and are for various applications.
usually found in bacteria and other microscopic ● The smallest quantum dots emit higher energy
organisms. waves and produce blue light, and the biggest dots
release lower energy waves, creating red light, with
What has the discovery revealed? the middle sizes creating the colours in between.
● Some of the plasmids that end up in the exclusome Applications:

originate from outside the cell, while others—known
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● Displays: They are used in display technology to Attosecond pulses:

enhance the color and efficiency of displays for TVs,
monitors, and other electronic devices. ● One of the most groundbreaking applications of
● Compared to organic luminescent materials used in attosecond science is the ability to create and
organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), QD-based manipulate extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and X-ray
materials have purer colors, a longer lifetime, lower pulses, which are vital for imaging ultrafast
manufacturing costs, and lower power consumption. processes at the atomic and molecular scale.
● Photovoltaics: QDs can be used in solar cells to ● These pulses are produced using high-intensity laser
enhance light absorption and energy conversion systems that generate attosecond bursts of light.
efficiency. ● With these attosecond pulses, scientists can
● Bio-medical applications: The small size of QDs “freeze” the motion of electrons within atoms and
allows them to go anywhere in the body, making molecules, providing a real-time view of electron
them suitable for different bio-medical applications movement during chemical reactions.
like medical imaging, biosensors, targeted drug ● The Attosecond pulses can be used to test the
delivery, etc. internal processes of matter and to identify different
● Quantum Computing: QDs are being investigated for events.
their potential role in quantum computing, as they #4
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can serve as qubits, the fundamental units of
quantum information.
.
R21/Matrix-M vaccine
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A
#3 ● The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently
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recommended a new vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, for the
Attosecond
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prevention of malaria in children.
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● This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded
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to three physicists for their research into attosecond
pulses of light. About:
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About Attosecond: ● The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine
recommended by the WHO, following the
● An attosecond is an astonishingly short unit of time, RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, which received a WHO
equivalent to one quintillionth of a second (1×10−18 recommendation in 2021.
of a second) or one-billionth of a nanosecond. ● WHO is now reviewing the vaccine for
● To put this into perspective, if a second were prequalification, which is the WHO stamp of
stretched to cover the entire age of the universe, approval, and will enable GAVI (a global vaccine
which is approximately 13.8 billion years, an alliance) and UNICEF to buy the vaccine from
attosecond would be just a fraction of a second. manufacturers.
● The fundamental significance of attoseconds in
physics lies in their ability to shed light on About the R21/Matrix-M Vaccine:
phenomena that were previously hidden from our
view. ● It is a new vaccine approved for the prevention of
● These extremely short time intervals are relevant in malaria in children.
the fields of ultrafast optics and laser physics, ● It was developed by the University of Oxford and the
particularly when studying the behavior of electrons Serum Institute of India with support from the
within atoms and molecules. European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials
Partnership (‘EDCTP’), the Wellcome Trust, and the
Applications: European Investment Bank (‘EIB’).
● It is the first malaria vaccine to reach the WHO’s
● Attosecond physics allows scientists to look at the target of 75% efficacy.
very smallest particles at the very shortest ● It has already been approved for use in Burkina Faso,
timescales. Ghana, and Nigeria.
● At this timescale, researchers can now capture the ● The vaccine will be rolled out in those African
dynamics of electrons within atoms and molecules, countries in early 2024 and will be available in
allowing them to witness the incredibly fast mid-2024 in other countries.
processes that govern chemical reactions and
electronic behavior. What is malaria?
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● It is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites FIDE:

that are transmitted to people through the bites of
infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. ● The International Chess Federation or World Chess
● There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in Federation, commonly referred to by FIDE, is an
humans, and 2 of these species, Plasmodium international organization (HQ: Lausanne
falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, pose the greatest (Switzerland); Founded 1924) that connects the
threat. various national chess federations and acts as the
● Malaria is common in tropical areas where it’s hot governing body of international chess competition. It
and humid. was
● Children under 5 years of age are the most ● FIDE was constituted as a non-governmental
vulnerable group affected by malaria. institution.
● It is the governing body of the sport of chess and
Symptoms: regulates all international chess competitions.
● It was recognized by the International Olympic
● The signs and symptoms of malaria are similar to flu Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in
symptoms. They include: 1999.
● Fever and sweating. ● It has 199 countries as affiliate members (including
● Chills that shake your whole body
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India), in the form of National Chess Federations
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● Headache and muscle aches.
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● Fatigue. MISCELLANEOUS
● Chest pain, breathing problems, and cough.
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● Diarrhoea,nausea and vomiting. #1
● As malaria gets worse, it can cause anemia and
jaundice.
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Autonomous Weaponised Boat Swarms
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● The most severe form of malaria, which may ● The Indian Navy has recently given accordance of
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progress to a coma, is known as cerebral malaria. necessity (AON) approval for 12 autonomous
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This type represents about 15% of deaths in children weaponised boat swarms, which have been
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and nearly 20% of adult deaths. developed by Pune-based Sagar Defence
Engineering.
Treatment: ● Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited has
● It is preventable and curable. With early treatment, emerged as the winner of the iDEX (Innovations for
most people with malaria will make a full recovery. Defence Excellence) DISC-7 program, particularly
● Some drugs are given in combination with other under the SPRINT framework.
drugs. The type of parasite will determine the type of ● The agreement between the Indian Navy and the
medication. organisation marks the 50th contract awarded under
the SPRINT program.
About Autonomous Weaponised Boat Swarms:
● These swarms are strategically designed for naval

SPORTS tactics, employing a coordinated deployment of
numerous small unmanned boats to overwhelm an
#1 adversary’s naval defenses.
FIDE World Junior Rapid Chess Championship 2023: ● They are equipped with a variety of weapons and
sensors that are capable of remote or autonomous
● The Prime Minister recently congratulated Raunak operation.
Sadhwani on his victory at the FIDE World Junior ● They are equipped with an integrated system
Rapid Chess Championship 2023 capable of executing a variety of naval and security
● The FIDE World Cup, established in 2000 by the missions, such as littoral/ODA Patrol, High-Speed
International Chess Federation (FIDE), encompasses Interdiction, Coastal Surveillance, Local Naval
various iterations. Defence, Constabulary Operations, C4ISR,
● The format includes 7 rounds of “mini-matches” with Medium-Sized Unmanned Surface Vessel, and
2 games each, followed by rapid and blitz tiebreaks Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).
if needed.
● The final consists of 4 games before tiebreaks. What is the SPRINT Initiative?
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● It is an initiative to promote the development of

niche defence technologies by domestic companies.
● The Naval Innovation and Indigenisation
Organisation (NIIO), in conjunction with the Defence
Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims to induct at least
75 new indigenous technologies/products into the
Indian Navy as a part of the Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav celebration.
● This collaborative project is named SPRINT -
Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX
(Innovations for Defence Excellence), NIIO and TDAC
(Technology Development Acceleration Cell).
● It was launched by the Prime Minister in July, 2022.
Key Facts about iDEX (Innovations for Defence

Excellence):
● It is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence #2
●
(MoD), launched in April 2018.
Aim: To achieve self-reliance and foster innovation
and technology development in Defence and
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Sanwariya Seth Temple
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A
● The Prime Minister recently offered prayers at the
Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs,
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Sanwariya Seth Temple in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.
start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and
●
academia.
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iDEX has partnered with leading incubators in the
RAbout Sanwariya Seth Temple:
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country to provide handholding, technical support, ● It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna,
specifically to his beloved child form known as
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and guidance to the winners of iDEX challenges.
“Sanwariya Seth” or “Shyam Seth.
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● iDEX will be funded and managed by a ‘Defence
Innovation Organization (DIO)’ which has been ● Location: It is located in the village of Mandaphia in
formed as a ‘not for profit companyas per Section 8 the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan.
of the Companies Act 2013 by the two founder ● It was built in 1840 A.D.
members, i.e. Defence Public Sector Undertakings
Architecture:
(DPSUs) - HAL & BEL.
● iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, ● The temple follows the traditional architecture of
carrying out all the required activities, while DIO will Rajasthan, known for its intricate carvings, domes,
provide high-level policy guidance to iDEX. and vibrant colors.
● Under iDEX, financial support is provided to ● The main structure of the temple is built using white
Start-ups/MSMEs/individual innovators and Partner marble.
Incubators through DIO. ● The temple is adorned with intricate carvings on the
walls, pillars, and ceilings. These carvings depict
scenes from Hindu mythology and various motifs.
● The temple features multiple domes that are
adorned with decorative elements.
● The temple has a prominent spire, or shikhar, which
is a tall, tapering structure that rises above the main
sanctum.
● In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, a black
stone idol of Lord Krishna is installed.
● The temple has spacious pillared halls that provide a
gathering space for devotees and visitors.

NATIONAL
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#1 About Goan cashew:
Curative Petition ● Cashew is one of the most important plantation

crops in India
● The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear curative ● Cashew was native to northeast Brazil in Latin
petitions filed by Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel America and was introduced to Goa by the
citing arithmetical errors in calculation of adjusted Portuguese in the 16th century (1570).
gross revenue (AGR) dues by the department of ● At the time of its introduction on Indian coasts,
telecommunications (DoT), in an open court. cashew was known mainly as a crop for
About Curative Petition: afforestation and soil conservation.
● In the state of Goa, it occupies the largest area
● It is the last resort to the highest court that can be among horticultural crops.
petitioned for redressal of grievances in court, and
its ruling is final. Climatic condition
● It is a way to ask the court to review and revise their ● Soil and climate: Well-drained deep sandy loam soils
own decision, and it is filed after a review petition is are the best for growing cashew. In general, all soils
dismissed or used. from sandy to laterite are well suited for this crop.
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● It is the final and last option for the people to acquire
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● It is very well adapted to Indian coastal area under
.
justice, as mentioned and promised by the hot humid conditions
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Constitution of India. ● Temperature: In the range of 20 to38 o C, relative
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● Objective: It is meant to ensure there is no humidity in the range of 60 to 95%.
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miscarriage of justice and to prevent abuse of ● Rain fall: Annual precipitation in the range of 2000 to
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process. 3500mm.
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Evolution: ● Extreme low temperature and frost are not
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conducive to raise cashew plantations.
● The concept of curative petition originated from the
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case of Rupa Ashok Hurra Vs. Ashok Hurra and
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another case (2002) where the following question #3
arose before the court of law: ‘whether an aggrieved
person is entitled to any relief against the final Lakhpati Didi Initiative
judgment/order of the Supreme Court, after the
dismissal of a review petition’. ● Prime Minister recently chaired a high-level meeting
● The court used the Latin maxim “actus curiae to review the progress made in realising his dream
neminem gravabit”, which means that an act of the of making 2 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in India.
court shall prejudice no one. About Lakhpati Didi Initiative:
● The maxim becomes applicable when the court is
under an obligation to undo a wrong done to a party ● It was announced by the Prime Minister in his
by the act of the court itself. Independence Day speech on August 15, 2023.
● This led to the creation of the concept of a curative ● To encourage women to start micro-enterprises
petition by the Supreme Court to prevent the within their villages.
miscarriage of justice and to prevent the abuse of ● Under the Lakhpati Didi Initiative, the government
process. aims to train two crore women.
● In this case, a five-judge constitution bench of the ● The programme is aimed at training women in
Supreme Court unanimously held that in order to self-help groups (SHGs) so that they can earn a
rectify gross miscarriage of justice, the court will sustainable income of at least Rs 1 lakh per annum
allow the curative petition filed by the victim. per household.
● The initiative has been initiated by DAY-NRLM,
wherein each SHG household is encouraged to take
#2 up multiple livelihood activities coupled with value
chain interventions, resulting in a sustainable
Goan cashew income of Rs 1 lakh or more per year.
● Under this scheme, women will be trained in various
● Recently, Goan cashew (kernel) got the geographical skills, such as plumbing, LED bulb making, drone
indication (GI) tag. operation and repair, and tailoring and weaving.
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● After completing the training, women will be About Dancing frogs:

provided with opportunities to earn income using
their skills. ● These are endemic to the Western Ghats.
● The ministry of rural development is adopting a ● Habitat: The species was found to prefer habitats in
whole-of-government approach for maximum impact areas with thick canopy cover of at least 70-80 per
through convergence to transform the rural economy cent
with the enabling of ‘Lakhpati Didis’. ● It belongs to the Micrixalus genus.
● It is also the fifth most threatened genus in the world
#4 with 92 per cent of its species in the threatened
category
Section 106 of the Indian Evidence Act
Behaviour
● The Supreme Court recently held that Section 106 of
the Evidence Act does not inherently impose a ● The dancing frogs that are found near the streams
burden on the accused but comes into play when the do a unique display to mate.
accused fails to provide any explanation regarding ● The males stretch up their hind legs one at a time
facts that should be within their knowledge. and wave their webbed toes in the air in a rapid
motion akin to a dance.
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About Section 106 of the Indian Evidence Act:
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● This is to attract mates as well as ward off
● Section 106 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, deals
with the burden of proof in cases where a fact is
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competition, probably preferred because their
mating calls are drowned out by the gurgling of the
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within the special knowledge of a person. streams.
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● This section applies to civil and criminal cases alike ● This act is called “foot flagging” and gives the
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and lays down an important principle of evidence. species their name.
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● The section states that when any fact is especially Ecological significance:
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within the knowledge of any person, the burden of
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proving that fact is upon that person. ● Frogs are valuable in the food chain and also provide
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● This means that if a fact is known to a particular other ecological services.
person and not to others, it is the responsibility of ● Threats: These species are threatened by invasive
that person to prove it in court. species like the mosquito fish, land use change,
● For example, in a case where the ownership of a variation in temperature and humidity, extreme
property is disputed, and the disputed property was weather events such as floods and excess rainfall,
in the possession of the defendant, the burden of infectious diseases, water pollution, light pollution,
proving that he acquired the property lawfully and and infrastructure projects.
has the right to possess it will be on the defendant.
● Similarly, in a criminal case where the accused is
alleged to have killed someone with a knife, the INTERNATIONAL
burden of proving that the accused used the knife to
commit the crime will be on the prosecution. #1
● The burden of proof under Section 106 is not
absolute, and the person who has the special Deception Island
knowledge of the fact is only required to prove it to
● The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
the extent that is reasonable in the circumstances.
● The person is not required to prove the fact beyond (NASA) recently posted a birds-eye-view picture of
all doubt, but only to the extent that a reasonable Deception island on its Instagram handle.
person would believe it to be true.
About Deception Island:
#5
● Deception Island is part of a line of islands called the
Dancing frogs South Shetland Islands, lying northwest of the
Antarctic Peninsula.
● According to the Wildlife Trust of India the dancing ● It is an active volcano.
frogs are the most threatened amphibian genus of ● Formation: It was formed by a massive volcanic
India.
eruption, which caused the central part of the
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volcano to collapse and allowed seawater to flood Features:

the center, or caldera.
● It has a unique landscape of barren volcanic slopes, ● It is a short and stocky diving seabird about 12
steaming beaches, and ash-layered glaciers that inches in length with a wingspan of 20-24 inches.
form a distinctive horseshoe-shaped opening to the ● It is black on its upper sides and white on its chest
sea through a narrow channel at Neptune’s Bellows. and belly.
● The island surrounds Port Foster, one of the safest ● Males and females look alike.
harbours in the Antarctic. ● It has bright orange webbed feet; a white face and
● It is one of the only places in the world where cheeks; and a large, triangular parrot-like bill that is
vessels can sail directly into the centre of a restless bright red and yellow.
volcano. ● They fly through the air like most birds, but they also
● It’s one of two active volcanoes around Antarctica, “fly” through the water, using their wings as paddles.
and it has erupted more than twenty times since the ● They are also speedy in the air. They flap their wings
19th century. up to 400 times a minute, speeding along in the air
● Three volcanic eruptions took place on the island at 55 miles an hour.
between 1967 – 1970, destroying the Chilean and ● Diet: Puffins eat small fish—such as sand eels and
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herring—which they hunt underwater.
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the British stations.
● At present, Argentina and Spain maintain summer
scientific stations there.
#3
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● It is now managed as part of the Antarctic treaty,
making it a protected area with restricted human
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Gaza Strip
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● Israel recently ordered a full siege of the Gaza Strip
visits and impacts.
and vowed to obliterate Hamas after its all-out
#2
PO offensive entered the next phase.
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Atlantic Puffin About Gaza Strip:
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● A hybrid species of Atlantic puffins that formed in ● The Gaza Strip is a self-governing Palestinian
the last century was recently discovered by territory located on the eastern coast of the
scientists. Mediterranean Sea.
● The territory takes its name from Gaza, its main city.
About Atlantic Puffin: ● It forms the smaller of the two Palestinian territories
● It is a species of small seabird in the auk family. — the other being the West Bank.
● It’s the only puffin species found in the Atlantic ● Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Israel to the
Ocean. north and east and Egypt to the south.
● Scientific Name: Fratercula arctica ● Size: It is a 41km (25-mile) long and 10km-wide
● Habitat: It is found on rocky coasts in the Northern territory.
Atlantic Ocean during the breeding season and on ● Climate: It has a temperate climate, with mild
the open ocean in the non-breeding season. winters, and dry, hot summer.
Geographical Range: Population:
● It is a migratory species, spending most of the time ● It is one of the most densely populated areas in the
traveling back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean, world. More than 2 million people live in the territory.
returning every breeding season to its native ● The population is predominantly Palestinian, with the
breeding areas. majority being Sunni Muslims.
● Sixty percent of the individuals inhabit the coast of History:
Iceland during the breeding season.
● It has also been found off the coast of Greenland, ● After Israel declared its statehood in 1948, Egypt
the United Kingdom, Eastern Canada, and the controlled the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades
Netherlands, as well as Ireland.
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● Israel then gained control of the Gaza Strip and the ● Scientists are conducting groundbreaking research
West Bank after its victory in the 1967 Six-Day War into the potential of watermeal, the world’s smallest
against its Arab neighbours. flowering plant, as a source of nutrition and oxygen
● For the next 38 years, Israel controlled the strip and for astronauts.
enabled the construction of 21 Jewish settlements.
● In 2005, under international and domestic pressure, About Watermeal:
Israel withdrew around 9,000 Israeli settlers and its ● Watermeal is an aquatic plant in the Araceae family.
military forces from the Gaza Strip, leaving the ● It is the smallest flowering plant in the world and
enclave to be governed by the internationally appears as small green seeds.
recognised Palestinian Authority, which also ● It is often referred to as “duckweed” because it is a
controlled parts of the occupied West Bank. favorite food of ducks.
#4 ● Distribution:
● It flourishes in temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) locations.
● They grow on the surface of lakes, ponds, and
● Sri Lanka set to take over chairmanship of Indian marshes.
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Ocean Rim Association during 23rd Council of
Ministers’ Meeting.
.
Features:
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About Indian Ocean Rim Association: ● It is a very tiny (less than 1 millimeter) light green,
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free-floating, rootless plant.
● It was established in 1997 as an intergovernmental
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● It is branchless and also has no leaves.
organisation of States on the rim of the Indian It consists of a single, oval, or spherical frond that
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●
Ocean. floats on the surface of still or slow-moving water
Member countries:
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bodies.
It also produces the world’s smallest fruit, called a
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● It has members from Africa, West Asia, South Asia, utricle.
Southeast Asia , Europe and Oceania. ● It is a nutritional powerhouse. It is a complete
● The Association’s membership has expanded to 23 protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential
member states and 11 dialogue partners. amino acids.
● Asia: India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, ● In some cases, watermeal can become invasive and
Maldives, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, form dense mats that cover the entire surface of a
United Arab Emirates and Yemen. water body.
● Africa: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia ,
South Africa, Tanzania, Comoros, Mauritius, BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Seychelles. #1
● Oceania: Australia.
● Europe: France SUGAM REC App
● Its apex body is the Council of Foreign Ministers
● Recently, REC Limited, the Maharatna Central Public
(COM) which meets annually.
Sector Enterprise launched a SUGAM REC mobile
● IORA has identified six priority areas namely: Trade application.
and Investment, Maritime Safety and Security,
Fisheries Management, Disaster Risk Management About SUGAM REC App:
and Blue Economy.
● It is exclusively for current and future investors in
● The secretariat is based in Ebène Mauritius and is
REC’s 54EC Capital Gain Tax Exemption Bonds.
overseen by a secretary-general who is appointed for
a three-year period. ● Investors will be able to download their e-bond
certificates, apply for fresh investment, download
#5 important forms related to updating of KYC, and also
connect with REC’s Investor Cell via call / email /
Watermeal
WhatsApp.
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What are 54EC bonds? ● The port has 26 berths and two single-point
moorings, which allow it to accommodate a wide
● These are also known as Capital gain bonds are range of vessels.
fixed income instruments which provide capital ● The port handles a wide variety of cargo, including
gains tax exemption under section 54EC to the containers, dry bulk, break bulk, liquid cargo, and
investors. automobiles.
● These bonds allow an assessee/investor to save #3
income tax on long-term capital gain by investing the
gains. Payments Infrastructure Development Fund Scheme
● The investment into these bonds has to be made ● Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently extended the
within 6 months from the date of long-term capital Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF)
gain. scheme by another two years and will include
beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma scheme.
● They have a fixed lock-in period of 5 years and can
be either held in Physical or Demat form. About Payments Infrastructure Development Fund
(PIDF) Scheme:
They are issued by various institutions managed by
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●
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the Government of India to finance specific capital ● It was first launched by the RBI in January 2021 for a
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projects. period of three years.
● Objective: Increasing the number of payment
● They are called 54EC bonds because the taxability
benefits of these bonds are mentioned under section ●
TA acceptance devices multifold in the country.

PIDF is a fund set up by the RBI, in consultation with
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54EC of the Income Tax Act, 1961. major authorised card networks, to facilitate the
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development of payment acceptance infrastructure
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in tier-3 to tier-6 cities and the north-eastern states
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#2 of India.
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● The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and
Mundra Port Ladakh will also be given special focus.
● Beneficiaries of the PM SVANidhi Scheme in Tier-1
● Mundra Port, the flagship facility of Adani Ports and
and 2 centres were later included in August 2021.
Special Economic Zone, recently completed 25 years
of operations. Funding:
About Mundra Port: ● The PIDF is funded by the RBI and the major
authorized card networks in India.
● The scheme provides financial assistance to banks
● It is the largest private port and the largest container and non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) for the
port in India. deployment of PoS terminals and other payment
● It is located on the north shores of the Gulf of Kutch, acceptance infrastructure in eligible regions.
near Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat.
#4
● It is a deep-draft, all-weather port.
● It is also a special economic zone (SEZ). Card-on-File Tokenisation
● As much as 33 per cent of India’s container traffic
flows through the port. ● Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed
● t is run by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone to introduce Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT).
Limited (APSEZ), which is India’s largest commercial
ports operator and accounts for nearly one-fourth of About Card-on-File Tokenisation:
the country’s cargo movement. ● Tokenisation refers to replacement of actual credit
Handling Capacity: and debit card details with an alternate code called
the “token”, which will be unique for a combination
● With a capacity of 260 MMT, the port handles over of card, token requestor and device.
155 MMT (FY 2022-23), which constitutes nearly ● This shall be unique for a combination of card, token
11% of India’s maritime cargo. requestor (i.e. the entity which accepts request from
the customer for tokenisation of a card and passes it
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on to the card network to issue a corresponding ● They have a highly developed bio-sonar system that
token) and the merchant (token requestor and facilitates them to hunt for fish even in murky
merchant may or may not be the same entity). waters.
● Advantage: A tokenised card transaction is ● Being a mammal, the Ganges River dolphin cannot
considered safer as the actual card details are not breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120
shared with the merchant during transaction seconds. Because of the sound it produces when
processing. breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the
● Customers who do not have the tokenisation facility
‘Susu’.
will have to key in their name, 16-digit card number,
expiry date and CVV each time they order something Conservation status:
online.
● IUCN: Endangered
What is Card-on-File transaction? ● Wildlife (Protection) Act: Schedule-I
● It is transaction where in cardholders authorizes ● CITES: Appendix I
merchants to store their payment information
#2
securely and bill cardholders’ stored accounts for
future purchases.
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Fischer – Tropsch (FT) process
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Researchers recently discovered previously unknown
self-sustained oscillations in the Fischer-Tropsch
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process that could someday allow for more efficient
#1
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Gangetic river dolphin About Fischer – Tropsch (FT) process:
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A recent publication by scientists and researchers
has revealed that 19 Gangetic river dolphins had
● FT process is the process where synthesis gas (H2
and CO) is converted into a mixture of hydrocarbons,
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been rescued from the irrigation canals of the oxygenates, water, and carbon dioxide.
Ganga-Ghagra basin in Uttar Pradesh between 2013 ● It was first developed in the 1920s and was named
and 2020. after its discoverers, Franz Fischer and Hans
Tropsch.
About Gangetic river dolphin:
● It involves the reaction of carbon monoxide (CO) and
● It is a freshwater species and one of the few river hydrogen (H2) gases. These gases are typically
dolphins found in the world. derived from various sources, including coal, natural
● Distribution: It inhabits the gas, or biomass, through the process of gasification.
Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu
FT process:
river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
● Common Names: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, ● Synthesis gas (syngas) is the feed material for a FT
Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, South process.
Asian River Dolphin ● The FT reaction is usually a catalytic reaction at high
● It has been recognized as India’s National Aquatic temperatures and high pressure and the typical
Animal. catalysts used are based on iron or cobalt.
● FT process is the catalytic polymerization and
Features:
hydrogenation of CO, which produces a synthetic
● It has a long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body crude oil (syncrude).
and large flippers. ● Syncrude is a multiphase mixture of hydrocarbons,
● It feeds majorly on fishes and is usually found in oxygenates, and water.
counter-current systems of the main river channel. ● The next step is the refining of the syncrude into
● Its eyes lack lens, and as a result, this species is also products that are traditionally produced from
referred to as the “blind dolphin”. conventional crude oil, such as transportation fuels
and petrochemicals.
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#3 How it works?
Protein binders ● When the NanoPtA comes in contact with

wastewater, the benzene rings and long alkyl chains
● Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of present in the molecule form multiple non-covalent
India (FSSAI) clarified that addition of protein interactions.
binders in milk and milk products are not permitted. ● Individual NanoPtA molecules connect together to
● This clarification came at a time when certain form tape-like structures that start emitting light,
players are adding protein binders to offer thicker which is the origin of its oxidising capacity.
texture in dairy products such as curd. ● The nanozyme can then degrade pollutants present
About Protein binders: in wastewater by oxidising them in the presence of
sunlight, thereby reducing the toxicity of wastewater.
● These are biological agents have emerged as an ● The team found that the nanozyme could degrade
important and required class of ingredients to even small (micromolar) quantities of common
manufacture a wide range of new food products, effluents like phenols and dyes within ten minutes
especially semi-solid or solid foods. when placed under sunlight.
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● These are known to affect the digestibility of the ● The researchers also found that the NanoPtA
protein bound and thus can affect the biological and
nutritive value of milk proteins.
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complex was quite stable, lasting for up to 75 days
at room temperature.
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● Protein binding also influences the bioavailability ● Applications: The nanozyme can also have
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and distribution of active compounds. applications in healthcare and could be a potentially
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useful diagnostic tool for neurological and
What is milk protein?
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neurodegenerative diseases.
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● It is a good source of essential amino acids.
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● They are easily digestible and do not contain any
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anti-nutritional factors like many plant-based
proteins.
Key facts about FSSAI
● It is a statutory body established under the Food

Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
● FSS Act, of 2006 consolidated various acts & orders
that had earlier handled food-related issues in
various Ministries and Departments.
● Nodal ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
#4 SPORTS
NanoPtA #1
● Recently, scientists at the Materials Research Centre Abu Dhabi Masters 2023
(MRC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have
developed a new type of enzyme mimetic called ● Unnati Hooda won the women’s singles title at Abu
Dhabi Masters 2023.
NanoPtA.
● This is her second BWF Super 100 World Tour title.
About NanoPtA: ● She became the youngest Indian to clinch a BWF
title last year at 14 years of age.
● The research team synthesised a
platinum-containing nanozyme called NanoPtA, Abu Dhabi Masters 2023:
which can be converted into powder form for ● Abu Dhabi Masters 2023 is the first-ever
industrial use. International badminton spectacle in the capital city.
● Venue: ADNEC Marina Hall, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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● It will take place under the esteemed patronage of ● While the bastions are equipped with several large
Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE and small openings for guns, the walls are
Badminton Federation, in partnership with 316 interspersed with windows and peepholes. These
Sports Services were used to spot the enemy from afar in the past
● A unique and eye-catching feature is a lone bastion,
MISCELLANEOUS
projecting out into the sea.
#1 ● It was built in the 17th century.
● This historic monument offers a superb view of the
Eumasia venefica Arabian Sea from its tall observation towers, which
● Researchers from the Zoology Department at St. were occupied by gigantic cannons till afew
Thomas College (Autonomous), Thrissur, have centuries ago.
discovered a new species of bagworm moth, Wizard ● Originally constructed by the rulers of the ancient
Bagworm, from near the Nariyampara falls in Idukki Kadampa Dynasty, the Fort changed hands over the
district. years to the Kolathiri Rajas, the Vijayanagara Empire,
Tipu Sultan and finally, the British East India
Company.
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● The most prominent structure inside the fort is the
.
About Eumasia venefica: observation tower built by Tipu Sultan.
● The new species has been named due to the
peculiar shape of its bag, which resembles a
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●
wizard’s hat.
It is the fourth species of this genus to be
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discovered from India.
PO The Hindu Current Affairs Week-4
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Features: NATIONAL
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● It has the clever camouflage employed to escape #1
predators.
● Larval cases of this species are found attached to Operation Nanhe Farishtey
rocks covered with lichens. ● Under Operation ‘Nanhe Faristey’, the Railway
● The cases attach to each other and form a lichen Protection Force (RPF) plays an important role in
covered colony. reuniting the children lost/separated due to several
● The larval bags look like a ‘witch’s hat’ because of a reasons from their family.
disc-like anterior and a tubular posterior part.
● It is not a polyphagous pest as its larvae only feed About Operation Nanhe Faristey:
on the algae and mosses on the rocks. ● It was launched on Indian Railways, and under this
#2 drive, Children in need of care & protection who
came into contact with Indian Railways were
Bekal Fort rescued and handed over to concerned authorities
before being restored to their families.
● The first public sector caravan park in Kerala to
come up at Bekal fort of Kerala. Key facts about the Railway Protection Force
About Bekal Fort: ● The history of the RPF dates back to 1882, when
various Railway companies appointed their own
● It is exquisitely designed and built with dark maroon guards for protection of Railway property.
laterite stones. ● It was declared a statutory force in 1957by an
● It is the largest and best preserved Fort in the whole enactment of Parliament and subsequently declared
of Kerala. as an armed force of the Union of India in the year
● The fort is endowed with impressive walls and 1985.
ramparts which are again interrupted by massive ● In 2003, the RPF partially took up the duties of
escorting passenger trains and access control at the
bastions.
railway stations”.
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● It is led by a director-general. ● It seeks to give elephants a permanent habitat while

● It is an armed force under the operational and also minimising property damage and human-animal
administrative control of the Union Ministry of conflict.
Railways. ● The reserve is part of an elephant corridor that
● It is tasked with protecting and securing railway connects Lemru (Korba), Badalkhol (Jashpur),
property, the passenger areas, and the passengers Tamorpingla (Surguja).
themselves. ● Elephant reserves in India- There are 33 notified
Elephant Reserves (ERs) in the country, spread over
#2 14 states.
Optoelectronics What is Project Elephant?
● A new Laboratory of Advance Synthesis and ● It was launched by the Government of India in 1992
Characterisation (LASC) in Gujarat is developing as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with following
LASC probe stations for universities in India and objectives:
abroad for the investigation of opto-electronic ● To protect elephants, their habitat & corridors
properties in a wide range of materials. ● To address issues of man-animal conflict
● Welfare of captive elephants
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About Optoelectronics:
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● Through the Project (being mainly implemented in
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● Optoelectronics is the study and application of 16 states, or UTs), the Ministry of Environment,
light-emitting or light-detecting devices. Forest and Climate Change, Government of India,
● It is widely considered a sub-discipline of photonics.
Photonics refers to the study and application of the
TA provides financial and technical support to major

elephant range states in the country.
●
physical science of light.
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Optoelectronics is a fast-emerging technology field
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that consists of applying electronic devices to Ruddy Shelduk
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sourcing, detection, and control of light.
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● It is largely based on semiconductor materials. ● The first batch of about 50 members of the Ruddy
These exhibit suitable bandgap energies for Shelduk, popularly known as ‘Surkhab’ birds, arrived
absorbing near-infrared and visible light, and their in Uttarakhand for a six month winter stay.
electric conductivity (albeit not perfect) is also
essential for such applications. About Ruddy Shelduk:
Examples of optoelectronic devices consist of: ● It (Tadorna ferruginea) belongs to the family
Anatidae under the order Anseriformes.
● Telecommunication laser ● In India it is known as the Brahminy duck.
● Optical fibre ● It is distributed in Europe, Asia, Indian Subcontinent
● Blue laser and a few pockets in Africa.
● LED traffic lights ● These ducks are migratory birds.
● Photodiodes ● They winter in the Indian Subcontinent, South India
● Solar cells and Southeast Asia.
● They inhabit large wetlands, salt lakes, crater lakes,
rivers with mud flats and shingle banks.
#3 ● It is a mainly nocturnal bird.
● It is omnivorous and feeds on grasses, the young
Lemru Elephant reserve shoots of plants, grain and water plants as well as
both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.
● The Union Coal Ministry has said that Coal India ● They are no sitting ducks; they scale the mighty
Limited’s (CIL) 40 coal blocks in and around the Himalayas when flying to India from the north
Lemru Elephant Corridor (LEC) will not be auctioned attaining heights of 6,800 metres.
at the request of the Chhattisgarh government.
#5
About Lemru Elephant reserve
Prosopis juliflora
● It is located in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh.
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● The National Security Guard (NSG) decided to take ● These extreme properties give it a wide range of
on the vilayati kikar (Prosopis juliflora) populating its uses in metallurgy and manufacturing.
Aravali hills campus, after it was found to be
responsible, among other reasons, for the depleting #2
water table. Montreux Convention
About Prosopis juliflora: ● The Turkish Ministry of National Defence recently
● It is a shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae, a announced that it will impose restrictions on the
kind of mesquite. passage of warships belonging to countries not
● It is native to Mexico, South America and the bordering the Black Sea within the framework of the
Caribbean. Montreux Convention.
● It is one of the most invasive species in arid and About the Montreux Convention:
semi-arid areas.
● It was brought to Delhi by the British in the 1920s, ● It is an agreement concerning the Dardanelles Strait
when the national capital was being built. and the Bosporus Strait, also known as the Turkish
● In India it is known locally by many names such as straits or the Black Sea straits.
Bellary jaali, seemai karuvelam, seemai jaali, gando The Turkish straits are the only maritime passage
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●
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baval, vilayati kikar. between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
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● It has a very wide ecological adaptability which can ● According to the 1936 Montreux Convention
grow on soils from sand dune to clay soil, and from Regarding the Regime of the Straits, often referred to
●
saline to alkaline soil type.
It can grow below 200 to above 1500 m above sea
TA simply as the Montreux Convention, Turkey has

control over the Turkish Straits.
level, and with a mean annual rainfall ranging from
50 to 1500 mm
O R● In the event of a war, the pact gives Turkey the right

to regulate the transit of naval warships and to block
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● It is considered as an Invasive plant. the straits for warships belonging to the countries
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● It is characterized by vigorous growth which helps involved in the conflict.
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them to outcompete indigenous plant species. ● Merchant vessels enjoy freedom of passage through
the Turkish Straits, while passages of vessels of war
INTERNATIONAL are subject to some restrictions that vary depending
#1 on whether these vessels belong to the Black Sea
littoral States or not.
Graphite ● Besides some general restrictions applicable to all,
vessels of war belonging to non-littoral States are
● Recently, China has unveiled plans to restrict exports subject to specific restrictions, such as those
of graphite—a mineral crucial to the manufacture of regarding maximum aggregate tonnage and duration
batteries for electric vehicles (EVs)—on national of stay in the Black Sea.
security grounds.
#3
About Graphite:
White Phosphorous Bombs
● It is an opaque, non-metallic carbon polymorph that
is blackish silver in colour and metallic to dull in ● Several photos, videos, and claims on social media
sheen. allege that Israeli forces are using white
● Since it resembles metal lead, it is also known phosphorous on the civilian population of Gaza.
colloquially as black lead or plumbago.
● It is formed by the metamorphosis of sediments About White Phosphorous Bombs:
containing carbonaceous material. ● White phosphorus is a waxy, yellowish-to-clear
● It is a naturally occurring form of crystalline carbon. chemical with a pungent, garlic-like odour.
● It is extremely soft, cleaves with very light pressure, ● It is a highly combustible chemical that burns
and has a very low specific gravity. quickly and brightly when exposed to air.
● In contrast, it is extremely resistant to heat and ● It is used in incendiary weapons by militaries around
nearly inert in contact with almost any other the world for a variety of purposes, such as
material. illuminating targets at night or to inflicting damage
on enemies.
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● It burns at a temperature of 800°C and ● During the process of subduction, however, the
spontaneously ignites at up to 1,300 degrees Celsius upper parts of the subducting plate are sometimes
when it is exposed to oxygen, and producing white, scraped off.
dense smoke, which is used by armies to create ● The researchers used geological data to reconstruct
smokescreens in sensitive zones. the movements of the current plates with computer
● White phosphorus can cause fast-moving and modelling, which hinted at a wide area potentially
widespread fires on the ground. vacated by a subducted plate.
● Once ignited, the substance is very difficult to put ● Using magnetic techniques, researchers determined
out, as it clings to many surfaces, including skin and the basalt from Borneo were relics of Pontus that
clothing. were left behind when this part of the plate
● Since it is a wax-like substance, it is very hard to subducted, some 85 million years ago.
remove and often lights up again when the
bandages are removed. #5
● White phosphorus munitions are not banned under International Big Cat Alliance
international law, but because of their incendiary
effects, their use is supposed to be tightly regulated. ● Tanzanian President recently conveyed approval to
join flagship Indian programmes like the
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Examples of White Phosphorous usage in wars:
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International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global
●
●
The British army used it in both World Wars.
US forces, after invading Iraq, used the chemical
L.
Biofuels Alliance (GBA).
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About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
weapon against insurgents in the city of Fallujah.
● Israel admitted that it used phosphorus shells during
the battle against Hezbollah during the 2006
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●
T It was launched by India on April 9, 2023, for the

conservation of seven big cats, namely Tiger, Lion,
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Lebanon War. Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma
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harbouring our planet.
#4
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● Membership: It is open to 97 ‘range’ countries, which
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Pontus Tectonic Plate contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well
as other interested nations, international
● A long-lost tectonic plate dubbed ‘Pontus’ was organizations, etc.
recently discovered by chance by scientists studying ● It will provide a platform for the member nations to
ancient rocks in Borneo. share knowledge and expertise and extend support
to recovery efforts in potential habitats.
About Pontus Tectonic Plate: ● Its major activities will include advocacy,
● It is a long-lost tectonic plate recently discovered in partnership, knowledge e-portal, capacity building,
the west Pacific Ocean. eco-tourism, partnerships between expert groups,
● It is believed that the massive tectonic plate was and finance tapping.
once about 15 million square miles in size, which ● IBCA will also assist existing species-specific
equates to approximately one quarter of the Pacific inter-governmental platforms to boost conservation
Ocean. efforts.
● It can be traced back as far as 160 million years, and ● After the first five years, which will be supported by
even more recently to around 20 million years back. India’s ‘total grant assistance’ of $100 million, the
● It was slowly subducted and lost over millions of IBCA is expected to sustain itself through
years, pulled down under a neighbouring plate by membership fees and contributions from bilateral
gravity. and multilateral institutions and the private sector.
How the discovery was made? Governance Structure:
● The subducting plate is actually denser than the ● A General Assembly consisting of all member
surrounding mantle, so gravity basically pulls the countries.
plate down into the mantle. ● A Council of at least seven but not more than 15
● A subducted plate leaves behind traces when it member countries elected by the General Assembly
‘sinks’ into Earth’s mantle – namely, fragments of for a term of 5 years, and a Secretariat.
rock hidden in mountain belts.
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● Upon the recommendation of the Council, the ● She provided the first comprehensive account of
General Assembly will appoint the IBCA Secretary women’s earnings and labour market participation
General for a specific term. through the centuries.
● Her research reveals the causes of change as well
BUSINESS & ECONOMY as the main sources of the remaining gender gap.
#1 ● She showed that female participation in the labour
market did not have an upward trend over a 200-year
White Goods period, but instead forms a U-shaped curve.
● The participation of married women decreased with
● The government recently tightened its oversight over the transition from an agrarian to an industrial
the selected applicants under the Production Linked society in the early nineteenth century, but then
Incentive for white goods. started to increase with the growth of the service
sector in the early twentieth century.
About White Goods:
● Goldin explained this pattern as the result of
● White goods are large home appliances such as structural change and evolving social norms
stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, regarding women’s responsibilities for home and
tumble driers, dishwashers, and air conditioners. family.
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● They are large consumer durables for the house ● Historically, much of the gender gap in earnings
●
which were traditionally available only in white.
Even though you can purchase them today in a wide
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could be explained by differences in education and
occupational choices.
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range of different colors, they continue being called ● However, Goldin has shown that the bulk of this
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white goods. earnings difference is now between men and women
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● White goods are known for their durability and in the same occupation, and that it largely arises
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longevity, as they are designed to withstand the with the birth of the first child.
● She highlighted the role played by marriage,
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demands of daily use.
● The term may also refer to white fabrics, especially parenthood, and contraceptive pills in women’s
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linen or cotton – articles such as curtains, towels, or education, career, and salary trajectories.
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sheets that historically used to be made of white
#3
cloth.
● In the beverage industry, white goods are colorless Udangudi Panangarupatti
spirits, such as vodka or gin.
● Recently, Udangudi ‘Panangkarupatti’ (palm jaggery/
#2 gur) from Tamil Nadu has received a Geographical
Indication (GI) tag.
2023 Economics Nobel Prize
About Udangudi Panangarupatti:
● US labour economist Claudia Goldin was recently
awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences ● The palm jaggery preparation procedure in this area
for her contributions to understanding women’s is traditional till date without inclusion of any
labor market outcomes. additional modern strategies.
About 2023 Economics Nobel Prize: Uniqueness:
● It has been awarded to economist Claudia Goldin for ● The karupatti prepared from the palm sap from the
advancing the understanding of women’s labour region around Udangudi in Tiruchendur taluk in
market outcomes. Thoothukudi district has some uniqueness.
● The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences is also known ● This is due to the presence of red sand dune soil
as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic found in the region.
Sciences. ● This soil holds less groundwater. The moisture
● Goldin is only the third woman to win the prize since content in the atmosphere is less because of the dry
it was first introduced in 1969. climatic condition, which leads to high sucrose
content, in turn adding taste.
Her Research:
● The region’s dry climate is also suitable for storage
of karupatti for a longer duration.
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● No chemical additives like Triple super phosphate North, and South), 26 Zonal Units, and 40 Regional
and phosphoric acid are used in its preparation. Units.
Key facts about Geographical Indication (GI) tag The main responsibilities of the DGGI are:
● It is a sign used on products that have a specific ● Intelligence gathering: The DGGI is responsible for
geographical origin and possess qualities or a gathering intelligence about potential violations of
reputation that are due to that origin. the GST law. This includes collecting information
● This is typically used for agricultural products, from various sources, such as GST returns, financial
foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and statements, and other documents.
industrial products. ● Investigation: The DGGI has the power to conduct
● The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration investigations into suspected cases of GST evasion
and Protection) Act, 1999seeks to provide for the or non-compliance. This may involve summoning
registration and better protection of geographical persons, examining records, and carrying out
indications relating to goods in India. searches and seizures.
● This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it ● Enforcement: The DGGI is responsible for enforcing
can be renewed. the provisions of the GST law. This includes taking
legal action against offenders, imposing penalties,
#4
Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI)
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and recovering any taxes or duties due.

● Reliance General Insurance Company (RGIC), a
subsidiary of Reliance Capital, recently received
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#1
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show cause notices amounting to nearly Rs 923
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crore from the Directorate General of GST
RDiverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP)
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Intelligence (DGGI). ● The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
(CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, is set to be part of the
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About Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI): Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership
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(DEEP).
● Erstwhile Directorate General of Central Excise
Intelligence (DGCEI), now renamed as Directorate About Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership
General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), is an apex (DEEP):
intelligence organization functioning under the
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, ● It is a ground-breaking integrated genomics and
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. epigenomics study to understand the genetics
● It is entrusted with the task of collection, collation, behind Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in
and dissemination of intelligence relating to the diverse populations, including South Asians.
evasion of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the ● The project is to uncover the effects of genomic and
duties of Central Excise and Service Tax on an all environmental diversity in disease risk observed in
India basis. people across the world, including those in Asia,
Africa and North and South America.
History: ● It is a five-year international project.
● Researchers will be studying individuals
● It was earlier known as the Directorate General of representing diverse genetic and environmental
Anti-Evasion (DGAE). contexts and learn which DNA methylation patterns
● It was established in 1979 as an independent wing contribute to their disease risk in each context
under the control of Directorate of Revenue ● The study will develop software and infrastructure
Intelligence, New Delhi with the Regional Units and conduct advanced statistical analyses to build
located at Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. new resources.
● It became a full-fledged Directorate in 1983, headed ● These new resources will sit alongside international
by a Director. health and genetics databases to look at trends in
● In 1988, the Directorate was upgraded to Directorate variation in DNA methylation.
General under a Director General.
● DGGI has been expanded since, and now it Significance of this initiative
comprises 04 offices of Director General (East, West,
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● This research will enable identification of

disease-causing mechanisms that are common
worldwide and those which are unique to particular
groups or regions.
● It will help with answering questions such as
whether medicines developed in one part of the
world will be effective for all.
● Ultimately the DEEP study hopes to enable targeted
interventions or treatments and reduce global health
disparity and inequity.
#3
#2 Hemochromatosis
Satellite Spectrum ● Recently, health experts revealed all about

Hemochromatosis or ‘bronze diabetes’.
● The Elon Musk vs Mukesh Ambani battle on whether
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to auction or allocate satellite spectrum has About Hemochromatosis:
attracted intervention from the Prime Minister’s
Office (PMO). ●
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It is an inherited condition where iron levels in the
body slowly build up over many years.
About Satellite Spectrum: ●
TA This health condition is primarily classified into two

types:
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● The Satellite or orbit spectrum is a segment of radio ● Hereditary hemochromatosis: It is driven by a
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spectrum made available when satellites are placed mutation in the HFE gene, resulting in individuals
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into orbit. being homozygous for the C282Y variant.
● This spectrum is part of the broader radio frequency
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● This genetic anomaly sets the stage for a lifelong
spectrum, which encompasses all electromagnetic
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struggle with excessive iron absorption within the
frequencies used for various wireless intestines.
communications and broadcasting purposes. ● Secondary hemochromatosis: It is typically caused
● This spectrum is a limited resource for every by external factors like frequent blood transfusions,
country, utilised by firms to implement satellite excessive iron supplementation, or certain medical
broadcasting, communication satellites, and conditions.
weather satellite services. ● The iron accumulation in secondary
● This spectrum is divided into many different hemochromatosis is often more rapid and can have
frequency bands. The choice of bands depends on a similar impact on organ function
many factors, including the specific applications. ● Symptoms of haemochromatosis usually start
● The frequency is an integral part of the satellite’s between the ages of 30 and 60.
construction and doesn’t change after launch. ● Common symptoms include: Feeling very tired all
● How does frequency impact the data transfer? the time (fatigue), weight loss, weakness and joint
● In simple terms, the frequency of a signal refers to pain etc
the number of times the underlying wave oscillates
per second. Treatment:
● The higher the frequency, the faster the waves
appear to move, and the more data can be ● Phlebotomy is the standard treatment for primary
transmitted per second. hemochromatosis.
● However, higher frequencies also mean shorter ● Iron toxicity can be reduced by removing red blood
wavelengths (that is, the length between the start cells, the body’s main mobilizer of iron.
and end of each wave), which can lead to a ● Phlebotomy is usually performed once or twice a
reduction in the strength of the signal over a week.
distance (called signal attenuation) and an #4
increased risk of signal interference.
Garumbatitan morellensis
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● Recently, scientists discovered a massive the record tally of 107 won by the able-bodied
long-necked dinosaur ‘titan’ in Spain and named it athletes in the Hangzhou Asian Games held from
Garumbatitan morellensis. September 23 to October 8.
● India ended at fifth place in the medals tally, a
About Garumbatitan morellensis: remarkable achievement in itself, below China (521
● It was a Titanosaur species, which is a subgroup of medals: 214 gold, 167 silver, 140 bronze), Iran (131:
sauropods. 44, 46, 41), Japan (150: 42, 49, 59) and Korea (103:
● It was the only lineage to survive until the 30, 33, 40).
dinosaur-killing asteroid struck around 66 million MISCELLANEOUS
years ago.
● These massive fossils, as per estimates, date back #1
to the Lower Cretaceous period (some 145 to 66
million years ago). Reticulated python
● These titans belonged to the sub-group ● Recently, a juvenile reticulated python was sighted
Somphospondyli. inside IIT Madras campus.
Key facts about Titanosaur species About Reticulated python:
● They lived from the Late Jurassic Epoch (163.5
million to 145 million years ago) to the end of the
●
●
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It is a member of the family Pythonidae.
These snakes come in a wide variety of color
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Cretaceous Period (145 million to 66 million years patterns, and many of the variations can be based
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ago). on their location.
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● Titanosaur fossils have been found on all continents ● It is a heavy-bodied, very long snake with a
except Antarctica and include some 40 species.
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proportionately large head.
● The group contains the largest terrestrial animals
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● Like most other python species, it has heat-sensing
known, some even approaching the size of modern pits.
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whales. ● The pits are deep and well-developed, located on the
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● Like other sauropods, titanosaurs were herbivorous front upper and lower labials and the lower rear
quadrupeds with long tails, long necks, and small labials.
heads. ● This species, despite its striking color patterns,
● Their bodies were stockier and their limbs produced camouflage well within its environment.
a wider stance than other sauropods. ● It’s an example of disruptive coloration, a type of
● They also possessed vertebrae with a camouflage where the animal’s pattern helps break
honeycomb-like internal structure and six sacral up the outlines of its body. This pattern helps this
vertebrae giant snake disappear into the brush and allows it to
SPORTS ambush its prey.
● Distribution: This species has a broad range across
#1 southeastern Asia, including the Nicobar Islands,
Myanmar, across to Indochina, Philippines, and
Asian Para Games 2023 Malaysia.
● Indian para athletes created history on Saturday as ● Habitat: These tropical snakes are classically
they ended their Hangzhou Asian Para Games associated with lowland rainforests and wetlands.
campaign with an unprecedented 111 medals, the
biggest haul for the country in any major
international multi-sport event.
● With 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze in their kitty,
the Indian para athletes won four medals more than
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CURRENT AFFAIRS NOV-2023
● Objective: To offer loans (both direct and

The Hindu Current Affairs Week-1 indirect) to MSMEs to help in addressing the
development and financial gaps in the
NATIONAL
ecosystem of MSMEs.
#1 ● It helps MSMEs in acquiring the funds they
require to grow the market, develop and
Technology Development Board commercialize their technologies and
● Recently, to bolster the Micro, Small, and innovative products.
Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector in India, the ● It was made responsible for administering the
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Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Small Industries Development Fund and
Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI) have formalized a Memorandum of
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National Equity Fund.
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#2
Understanding (MoU).
About the Technology Development Board:
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Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)
scheme
●
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It is a statutory body constituted under the
Technology Development Board Act, 1995.
● The Union Education Minister recently launched
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the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India
● It aims to promote the development and
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(PM SHRI) scheme in Odisha.
commercialization of indigenous technology
and the adaptation of imported technology for About the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India
wider application. (PM SHRI) scheme:
● The board consists of 11 Board members.
● It is a centrally sponsored scheme by the
● It provides equity capital or loans to industrial
Government of India, announced in 2022.
concerns and financial assistance to research
● Objective: Development of more than 14,500
and development institutions.
schools across the country by strengthening the
● The Fund has been receiving grants from the
existing schools among those managed by the
Government of India out of the cess collections
Central Government/State/UT
from the industrial concerns under the
Government/local bodies.
provisions of the Research and Development
● It will nurture students in such a way that they
Cess Act, 1986, as amended in 1995.
become engaged, productive, and contributing
Key Facts about Small Industries Development citizens, building an equitable, inclusive, and
Bank of India (SIDBI) plural society as envisaged by the National
Education Policy 2020.
● It was established under an Act of Parliament in ● The duration of the scheme is from 2022-23 to
1990. 2026-27, after which it shall be the
● It is the Principal Financial Institution engaged responsibility of the States/UTs to continue to
in the promotion, financing & development of maintain the benchmarks achieved by these
the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises schools.
(MSMEs) sector and the coordination of the ● The total cost of the project will be Rs 27360
functions of the various institutions engaged in crore spread over a period of 5 years, which
similar activities. includes the central share of Rs 18128 crore.
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● The selection of PM SHRI schools will be done About Southern Annular Mode:It is the north-south
through Challenge Mode, wherein schools movement of Southern Westerly Winds over
compete for support to become exemplary timescales of 10s to 100s of years.
schools.
● It is also known as the Antarctic Oscillation.
Features: ● They blow almost continuously in the mid- to
high-latitudes of the southern hemisphere.
● The selected schools will act as exemplary
● It is usually defined as the difference in the
schools, showcasing all components of the
zonal mean sea level pressure at 40°S
National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) and
(mid-latitudes) and 65°S (Antarctica).
offering mentorship to other schools in their
● Positive Southern Annular Mode
vicinity.
● In this mode, there is lower anomalous air
● The PM SHRI Schools will be developed as
pressure over Antarctica and higher anomalous
Green Schools, incorporating
air pressure over the mid-latitudes.
environment-friendly aspects.
● The belt of strong westerly winds strengthens
● The pedagogy adopted in these schools will be
and contracts towards Antarctica.
more experiential, holistic, integrated,
play/toy-based (particularly in the foundational
years), inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented,
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Negative Southern Annular Mode
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● In this mode, the belt of strong Southern
learner-centric, discussion-based, flexible, and
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Westerly Winds expands northwards towards
enjoyable.
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the equator, bringing cold, wet weather to
● The focus will be on the learning outcomes of
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Patagonia, glacier advance, and decreased
every child in every grade.
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Circumpolar Deep Water upwelling on the
● Assessment at all levels will be based on
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Antarctic Continental Shelf.
conceptual understanding and application of
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knowledge to real-life situations and will be Significance
competency-based.
● Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local ● The study contributes to advancing the
industry for enhancing employability and accuracy of wave predictions and can help
providing better employment opportunities will identify fair-weather windows.
be explored. ● It will benefit the fishing community and blue
● A School Quality Assessment Framework economy stakeholders such as shipping,
(SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key maritime boards and the oil industry for their
performance indicators to measure outcomes. multi-million dollar operations at sea.
A quality evaluation of these schools at regular #4
intervals will be undertaken to ensure the
desired standards. Deepor Beel
● The Assam Environment and Forest Minister
recently said the state government will simplify
#3 rules to allow water sports and tourism-related
Southern Annular Mode SAM activities in ‘Deepor Beel.
● Recently, the Indian National Centre for Ocean About Deepor Beel:
Information Services (INCOIS) discovered that ● It is a perennial freshwater lake located 10 km
the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), an southwest of Guwahati city, Assam.
important climate pattern, plays a pivotal role in ● It is a permanent freshwater wetland in a
shaping sea conditions across the Indian former channel of the Brahmaputra River.
Ocean.
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● It covers an area of 40.14 sq. km and varies in ● To document the reported successful
depth from approximately 4 m to 1 m therapeutic regimens for various disease
depending on the season (monsoon or dry conditions involving single drug/ Formulation/
season). Procedures for the purpose of education and
● Its basin is drained by a system of rivulets and academics.
hill streams that connect the neighbouring hills ● To identify interested Ayurveda practitioners for
and the forests to the river Brahmaputra collaboration in the creation of a database
through an outlet called the Khanajan. through applications and capacity building
● It was recognised as a Ramsar Site in 2002 and through training in research methods and good
as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) clinical practises.
in 2004. It is the only Ramsar site in the state of ● To undertake research for mainstreaming
Assam. pragmatic practises through scientific
● It is a staging site on migratory flyways, and validation and evidence-based appraisal
some of the largest concentrations of aquatic
Key Facts about Central Council for Research in
birds in Assam can be seen, especially in winter.
Ayurveda Sciences
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Some globally threatened birds are supported,
I
●
including the Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser and
Greater Adjutant Stork, and Baer's Pochard.
L.
A
● About 50 fish species and aquatic resources ● It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of
T
provide livelihood support to about 1,200 AYUSH, Govt. of India.
R
households residing in about 12 villages on the ● It is an apex body in India for undertaking,
O
fringes of the wetland. coordinating, formulating, developing, and
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● The Rani and Garbhanga hills, the habitat of the promoting research on scientific lines in
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Asiatic elephants on the southern side of the Ayurvedic sciences.
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beel, are part of this ecosystem. ● The research activities of the Council include
Medicinal Plant Research (Medico-Ethno
#5 Botanical Survey, Pharmacognosy, and Tissue
Culture), Drug Standardization, Pharmacological
AGNI Initiative
Research, Clinical Research, Literary Research &
● Recently, the Central Council for Research in Documentation and Tribal Health Care
Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, Research Programme.
launched the “Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya ● Headquarter: New Delhi
Initiative” (AGNI) for physicians practising in the
INTERNATIONAL
field of Ayurveda.
#1
About the AGNI Initiative:
Airglow
● Aim: To provide a platform for Ayurveda
practitioners to report their innovative practises ● NASA recently shared a picture taken from the
and experiences in various disease conditions, International Space Station showing the Earth's
along with promoting the culture of airglow outlining the planet's horizon with the
evidence-based practise among Ayurveda Moon above.
practitioners.
About Airglow:
Objectives of the Initiative
● Airglow is the natural “glowing” of the Earth’s
● To promote the culture of reporting atmosphere.
evidence-based practise among Ayurveda ● It happens all the time and across the whole
practitioners. globe.
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● The phenomenon is similar to auroras, but similar to leather. It provides "strong evidence"
where auroras are driven by high-energy for the earliest known "leathery" eggs.
particles originating from the solar wind,
#3
airglow is energized by ordinary, day-to-day
solar radiation. SATHEE
● Unlike the aurora, airglow does not exhibit
structures such as arcs and is emitted from the ● The Ministry of Education (MoE) recently said
entire sky at all latitudes at all times. they would write to all states to encourage
● There are three types of airglow: dayglow, aspirants to utilise the newly launched portal for
twilightglow, and nightglow. exam preparation, SATHEE (Self Assessment
● Each is the result of sunlight interacting with the Test and Help for Entrance Exams).
molecules in the atmosphere, but they have About the SATHEE (Self Assessment Test and
their own special way of forming. Help for Entrance Exams) Portal:
● The most common airglow colors are green,
red, and blue. However, other colors also occur. ● It is a new initiative by the Ministry of Education
N
to provide a free learning and assessment
#2 ●
L.I
platform for students.
It will help students gain access to training and
A
coaching for competitive examinations for free.
T
Qianlong Shouhu ● The platform aims to bridge the gap for
● Researchers in China recently discovered a
O
previously unknown dinosaur species named R students in society who are not able to afford
the costly entrance exam guidance and
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coaching.
‘Qianlong shouhu’ alongside dozens of its
C
● It will have preparation materials for students in
unhatched eggs.
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English, Hindi, and other regional languages of
● Alongside the adult specimens, the Chinese
India so that students can prepare for exams
researchers also uncovered around 50
like JEE and NEET.
fossilised eggs of the same species, spread out
● It will be useful for candidates who will be
across five different nests that contained the
preparing for CAT, GATE, UPSC, etc. It will also
skeletal remains of the embryos inside them.
allow candidates to gain experience in coaching
● The discoveries may represent the earliest
centres.
known fossil record of adult dinosaurs and their
● The platform will have videos made by the
associated egg nests.
faculty members of IITs and IISC to help
About Qianlong Shouhu: students prepare for the competitive
examinations. The videos would also help
● It belongs to a group of dinosaurs known as
students learn concepts and revise topics they
sauropodomorphs, which contains sauropods
are weak at.
and their ancestors.
● It makes use of an indigenously developed AI
● It lived in what is now China during the Early
programme called Prutor, which was developed
Jurassic epoch, between 200 and 193 million
by IIT-Kanpur.
years ago.
● The name of the new species roughly translates
to "a dragon in Guizhou that protects its
#4
embryos."
● It was a medium-sized sauropodomorph that Convention on International Trade in Endangered
measured roughly 20 feet in length and likely Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
weighed 1 tonne.
● Their eggs were elliptical in shape and relatively ● Trade in precious timber and sharks and
small. The eggshells may have had a texture conservation of elephants and big cats were
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among the many critical matters reviewed ● It will be launched and mounted on the exterior
during the 77th Meeting of the Standing of the Earth-orbiting International Space Station
Committee (SC77) of the CITES in Geneva (ISS).
recently. ● From the vantage point, it will look down at the
Earth and record the colourful light bands,
About the Convention on International Trade in
commonly known as airglow.
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
● The new NASA mission will try to understand
(CITES):
the combination of forces that drive the Space
● It is an international agreement between weather in the upper atmosphere.
governments that aims to ensure that ● It will measure the airglow at mesopause
international trade in wild animals and plants (about 85 to 87 km above the Earth’s surface),
does not threaten their survival. where the atmospheric temperatures dip to
● CITES was adopted in 1973 and entered into minus 100 degrees Celsius.
force in 1975. ● At this altitude, it is possible to capture the faint
● There are 184 member parties, and trade is airglow in the infrared bandwidth, which
N
appears to be the brightest, enabling easy
I
regulated in more than 38,000 species.
● Although CITES is legally binding on the
Parties– in other words, they have to implement ●
L.
detection.
It will be able to resolve waves at finer
the Convention–it does not take the place of
national laws.
TA horizontal scales than what satellites can
usually see at those altitudes, which is part of
● The CITES Secretariat is administered by the
O
United Nations Environment Programme R●
what makes the mission unique.
The health of the ionosphere, whose lower
●
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(UNEP) and is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
Representatives of CITES nations meet every
layers sit at the edge of space, is important for
maintaining seamless communication.
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two to three years at a Conference of the
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Parties (or COP) to review progress and adjust
the lists of protected species, which are #1
grouped into three categories with different
Equity funds
levels of protection
● According to a recent study, during the
#5
July-September quarter (Q2), active equity
Atmospheric Waves Experiment funds witnessed net inflows of about Rs 74,000
crore with fund managers, while passive equity
● NASA is set to launch the Atmospheric Waves
funds saw Rs 9,000 crore of inflows.
Experiment (AWE) to study ‘airglow’ to
understand space weather. About Equity Funds:
About the Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE): ● An equity fund is a mutual fund that invests
principally in stocks.
● It is a first-of-its-kind NASA experimental
● It can be actively or passively (index fund)
attempt aimed at studying the interactions
managed. Equity funds are also known as stock
between terrestrial and space weather.
funds.
● It is planned under NASA’s Heliophysics
● Stock mutual funds are principally categorised
Explorers Programme. This mission will study
according to company size, the investment style
the links between how waves in the lower layers
of the holdings in the portfolio, and geography.
of the atmosphere impact the upper
atmosphere and, thus, space weather. What are Active equity funds?
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● In this fund, the fund manager is ‘Active’ in ● Jurisdiction is provided for in international law
deciding whether to buy, hold, or sell the with regard to the establishment and use of
underlying securities and in-stock selection. artificial islands, installations, and structures;
● This fund relies on professional fund managers marine scientific research; and the protection
who manage investments. and preservation of the marine environment.
● Active funds adopt different strategies and ● Other rights and duties are provided for under
styles to create and manage the portfolio. international law.
● They are expected to generate better returns ● Other States have the right for their ships and
(alpha) than the benchmark index. aircraft to traverse the EEZ and its airspace and
● The risk and return in the fund will depend upon to lay cable and pipelines.
the strategy adopted.
What is Territorial Sea?
What are Passive equity funds?
● The territorial sea extends to a limit of 12
● These funds hold a portfolio that replicates a nautical miles from the baseline of a coastal
stated index or benchmark. State.
●
●
In a passive fund, the fund manager has a
passive role in the stock selection.
Buy, hold, or sell decisions are driven by the
●
L.I N
Within this zone, the coastal State exercises full
sovereignty over the air space above the sea
and over the seabed and subsoil.
benchmark index and the fund manager/dealer
merely needs to replicate the same with
●
TA A coastal State may legislate on matters

concerning the safety of navigation, the
minimal tracking error.
O R preservation of the environment, and the

prevention, reduction, and control of pollution
P
#2
without any obligation to make these rules
Exclusive Economic Zone
C compliant with international standards.
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● Resource use within the territorial sea is strictly
● Australian naval personnel allegedly sustained reserved for the coastal State.
minor injuries recently after “unsafe and
unprofessional” conduct by a Chinese warship #3
in international waters off Japan’s Exclusive
World Energy Employment 2023 report
Economic Zone (EEZ).
● Recently, the International Energy Association
About Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):
released the World Energy Employment 2023
● The concept of an exclusive economic zone report.
(EEZ) was adopted through the 1982 United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS). Key findings:
● EEZ, as defined under UNCLOS, is an area of the
● Global employment in the energy sector grew by
ocean extending up to 200 nautical miles (370
3.4 million over pre-pandemic levels to 67
km) immediately offshore from a country’s land
million in 2022.
coast in which that country retains exclusive
● “Clean energy sectors added 4.7 million jobs
rights to the exploration and exploitation of
globally over the same period and stand at 35
natural resources.
million.
● Under international law, within its defined EEZ, a
● Fossil fuel jobs recovered more slowly after
coastal nation has:
layoffs in 2020 and remain around 1.3 million
● Sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring,
below pre-pandemic employment levels, at 32
exploiting, conserving, and managing the
million.
natural resources of the seabed, subsoil, and
waters above it.
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● Job growth in the clean energy as well as fossil ● It selects stocks for its equity indexes that are
fuel sectors remained positive in India easily traded and have high liquidity, with
compared to pre-pandemic levels of 2019. companies having high free float getting more
● With this, the country saw the fourth-highest weightage.
number of new clean energy jobs being created ● It prefers stocks that have active investor
in the past three years. participation and are without owner restrictions.
● The report mentioned five major sectors of the ● Key facts about the MSCI India Index
energy industry that led to maximum job
● It is designed to measure the performance of
creation post-pandemic.
the large and mid-cap segments of the Indian
● These sectors were solar PV, wind, electric
market.
vehicles (EVs) and battery manufacturing, heat
● With 113 constituents, the index covers
pumps, and critical mineral
approximately 85% of the Indian equity
● These five sectors have employed around 9
universe.
million workers until Out of all the sectors, Solar
● The index is reviewed quarterly.
PV emerged as the largest, with around 4
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million jobs.
● On the other hand, the manufacturing of EVs
and their batteries was the largest source of
L.I
growth.
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#4
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MSCI Index
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● In a significant development, global index
provider MSCI has announced the inclusion of
nine stocks in its MSCI Global Standard Index, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
effective as of the close of November 30, 2023.
#1
About MSCI Index
Gambusia fish
● It is owned by the multinational investment
● Recently, various government and
management and financial services company
non-governmental organisations in Andhra
Morgan Stanley.
Pradesh, Odisha, and Punjab have released
● It is an investment research firm that provides
Gambusia fish into local water bodies to
stock indexes, portfolio risk and performance
address a mosquito menace.
analytics, and governance tools to institutional
investors and hedge funds.
● It is a leading provider of critical decision
About Gambusia fish:
support tools, including stock indexes, and
services for the global investment community.
● MSCI indices facilitate the construction and
monitoring of portfolios in a cohesive and ● It is known as mosquitofish and, is widely used
complete manner, avoiding benchmark misfits. as a biological agent for controlling mosquito
It has over 160,000 indices in its portfolio. larvae.
● MSCI has indexes for countries, regions, ● It is native to the waters of the south-eastern
emerging markets, developed markets, United States.
small-cap, all cap and even Islamic indexes.
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● It has been a part of mosquito-control ● Stars that become novas are nearly always too
strategies for over a century in various parts of faint before the eruption to be seen with the
the world, including India. unaided eye.
● A single full-grown fish eats about 100 to 300 ● Their sudden increase in luminosity, however, is
mosquito larvae per day. sometimes great enough to make them readily
● Also, it has been part of various malaria control visible in the nighttime sky.
strategies in India since 1928, including the ● To observers, such objects may appear to be
Urban Malaria Scheme. new stars; hence the name nova, from the Latin
● The International Union for Conservation of word for “new.”
Nature (IUCN) declares Gambusia one of the ● Studying novae is crucial to advancing our
100 worst invasive alien species in the world. knowledge about fundamental astrophysical
processes, including stellar evolution.
Key points about Malaria
#3
N
● It is a disease caused by the Plasmodium
●
parasite.
The parasite can be spread to humans through
●
L.I
New Frog Species
Recently, scientists have discovered a new
A
the bites of infected mosquitoes.
species of frog in Arunachal, named Nidirana
Transmission
R T noadihing.
O
● The plasmodium parasite is spread by female About the New Frog Species:
P
Anopheles mosquitoes, which are known as
● It is a new species of 'music frog' which is
C
"night-biting" mosquitoes because they most
named Nidirana noadihing.
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commonly bite between dusk and dawn.
● The new frog of the genus Nidirana is
#2 phenotypically distinct from its congeners by a
combination of morphological characters
Nova
● It is confirmed for the first time that the
● Astronomers have recently performed Nidirana genus has been found in India.
photometric and spectroscopic observations of ● The Nidirana species is known in Japan,
a recently discovered nova, known as AT Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
2023prq. ● Nidirana are known to inhabit swamps, ponds,
and paddy fields, and they often construct nests
to lay their eggs.
About Nova: ● The new species was named after the
Noa-Dihing River, which is near where the
specimens were discovered and collected.
● Nova is any of a class of exploding stars whose
luminosity temporarily increases from several
thousand to as much as 100,000 times its #4
normal level. Tantalum
● A nova reaches maximum luminosity within
hours after its outburst and may shine intensely ● Recently, a team of researchers from the Indian
for several days or occasionally for a few Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, found the
weeks, after which it slowly returns to its former presence of tantalum, a rare metal, in the Sutlej
level of luminosity. river sand in Punjab.
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About Tantalum: ● A composite consisting of tantalum carbide

(TaC) and graphite is one of the hardest
● It is a rare metal with the atomic number
materials known and is used on the cutting
73—the number of protons found in one atom
edges of high-speed machine tools.
of the element.
● The rare metal has been named after a Greek #5
mythological figure, Tantalus.
Sepsis
Properties
● Poor people and those with existing health
● It’s grey, heavy, very hard, and one of the most problems are much more likely to die from
corrosion-resistant metals in use today. sepsis, a recent study has found.
● It possesses high corrosion resistance because,
About Sepsis:
when exposed to air, it forms an oxide layer that
is extremely difficult to remove, even when it ● Sepsis is a serious condition that happens
interacts with strong and hot acid when the body’s immune system has an
N
environments. extreme response to an infection. The body’s
● When pure, tantalum is ductile, meaning it can
be stretched, pulled, or drawn into a thin wire or
L.I
reaction causes damage to its own tissues and
organs.
A
thread without breaking. ● Sepsis happens when an infection you already
T
● It is almost completely immune to chemical have triggers a chain reaction throughout your
R
attack at temperatures below 150°C and is body.
O
attacked only by hydrofluoric acid, acidic ● Infections that lead to sepsis most often start in
P
solutions containing the fluoride ion, and free the lung, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal
C
sulphur trioxide." tract.
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● It also has an extremely high melting point, ● It can affect anyone, but people who are older,
exceeded only by tungsten and rhenium. very young, pregnant, or have other health
● When it is placed in the midst of acids, it is problems are at higher risk.
incapable of taking any of them up. ● Common signs of sepsis include fever, fast
heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, and body
Applications
pain.
● It is most prominently used in the electronic ● Severe cases of sepsis can lead to septic
sector. shock, where your blood pressure drops to a
● The capacitors made from tantalum are dangerous level and multiple organs can fail.
capable of storing more electricity in smaller ● Sepsis is usually caused by bacterial infections
sizes without much leakage than any other type but may be the result of other infections such
of capacitor. as viruses, parasites, or fungi.
● This makes them ideal for use in portable ● Treatment for sepsis requires medical care. It
electronic devices such as smartphones, will include antimicrobials, intravenous fluids,
laptops, and digital cameras. and careful monitoring.
● As tantalum has a high melting point, it is
frequently used as a substitute for platinum,
which is more expensive. SPORTS
● The rare metal is also used to make
components for chemical plants, nuclear power #1
plants, aeroplanes and missiles. 37th National Games : Inaugurated
● It does not react with bodily fluids and is used
to make surgical equipment and implants, like ● The 37th National Games were officially
artificial joints inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at
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the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in and women officers and sailors, symbolising
Margao, Goa. gender neutrality and providing equal
● A roadmap was outlined that focuses on talent opportunity to all.
discovery, nurturing, and ultimately, achieving ● As many as 32 participants would endure the
podium finishes at the Olympics. challenges at sea, each one vying for the
● This includes initiatives like Khelo India and coveted title, as their vessels navigate through
Temperament for an Olympics Podium Finish the dynamic currents and strong winds of the
(TOPS), which provide scholarships and Arabian Sea.
world-class training to athletes. ● The race is being organised by Southern Naval
● The “MY Bharat” platform was also introduced Command under the aegis of the Indian Naval
which aimed at connecting the youth with Sailing Association, based at Naval
national schemes and opportunities, promoting Headquarters, New Delhi.
their potential and contributions to ● The event is coordinated by the Indian Navy’s
nation-building. Offshore Sailing Club based at ASW School,
● India’s aspiration to host the Youth Olympics in Kochi, and the Ocean Sailing Node based at INS
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2030 and the Olympics in 2036 were Mandovi, Goa.
articulated, backed by the nation’s growing
economy and infrastructure.
●
L.I
The Navy uses the race to enhance
risk-management abilities and technical skills,
MISCELLANEOUS
TA as well as instil a spirit of adventure among its

crew.
#1
O R#2
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Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race 2023
New Pamban Bridge
●
C
The Navy flagged off the second edition of the
SS
● The new Pamban Bridge is likely to be
Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race 2023 from
inaugurated by the Prime Minister in a few
Kochi to Goa in a ceremony held at Naval Base,
months.
Kochi, recently.
About the New Pamban Bridge:
About the Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race
2023: ● It is India’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge.
● It connects Rameswaram on Pamban Island to
Mandapam on the mainland in Tamil Nadu.
● The race features four 40-footer sailboats, INSV
Bridge Length:
Bulbul, INSV Neelkanth, INS Kadalpur, and INSV
Hariyal, promising an adventurous journey in the ● The total length of the bridge is 078 km.
Arabian Sea. ● It will have 99 spans with 18.3-meter-long
● Each sailboat has a crew of eight personnel girders. The navigational span will be 63
from three naval commands and a combined metres.
team from Andaman and Nicobar Command, ● It will replace the iconic Pamban Bridge, India's
including Delhi area. first sea bridge, which opened in 1914.
● The race will cover an approximate distance of ● The new bridge is being built parallel to the old
667km between the start point at Naval Base, Pamban Bridge by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.
Kochi, and Goa in about five days.
Features:
● The boats are expected to skillfully leverage the
winds and proceed to Goa without the use of ● The most unique feature of the new Pamban
engines. Bridge is its vertical lift facility. It will help boats
● The race is special from its previous edition as pass under the bridge smoothly.
it includes a mixed crew comprising both men
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● While the old bridge has the 'Scherzer' rolling lift ● It is making raw data from Indian cities
technology, in which the bridge opens up available on a single platform for academics,
horizontally to let ships pass through, the new researchers, and stakeholders to help
bridge will lift vertically upwards, remaining data-driven policymaking.
parallel to the deck. It will be done using ● Currently, 258 urban local bodies (ULB) have
sensors at each end. been on-boarded, and data for 150 cities is
● The vertical lift span will have available on the portal.
electromechanical control interlocked with the ● It provides data on a range of information for
train control system. several cities, including, for example, the total
● To allow for shipping traffic to pass under the diesel consumption and the number of samples
vertical lift section of the bridge, rail traffic tested for water quality.
would be stopped. The navigational span would
What is the Urban Outcomes Framework 2022?
move up vertically to create enough height for
boats to pass. ● It has been developed for the Ministry by the
● It will allow a full horizontal length of 72.5 National Institute of Urban Affairs and PwC
N
metres for navigation.
I
India.
● While the new Pamban Bridge is 3 metres
higher than the old bridge, it also has a
●
L.
It shifts the focus from the indices to the data
with a comprehensive list of indicators.
navigational air clearance of 22 metres above
mean sea level.
●
TA With this, data across 14 sectors is streamlined

to increase focus on data collection, and
● It has been designed for a double railway line
and future electrification as well.
O R disaggregated data can be analysed by domain

experts.
●
C P
Appearance: The amphibians have "irregularly
shaped and sized spots" on their eyelids and
● The initiative also provides the opportunity to
create new frameworks on open data.
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they have dark stripes around their moderately ● The 14 sectors are — demography, economy,
large eyes. Their pupils are gold-rimmed. Their education, energy, environment, finance,
irises are dark brown and have a golden governance, health, housing, mobility, planning,
spackle. safety and security, solid waste management,
and water and sanitation.
#2
Digital twin
NATIONAL
● Recently, the Survey of India (SoI) and Genesys
#1 International, a leading Indian mapping
company, announced a strategic tie-up for a
Amplifi 2.0 Portal
three-dimensional (3D) digital twin-mapping
● Recently, the Union Ministry of Housing and programme in India.
Urban Affairs launched the Amplifi 2.0 portal.
About Digital Twin:
About the Amplifi 2.0 Portal:
● It is a virtual depiction of a real-world entity, be
● Amplifi (Assessment and Monitoring Platform it a product, process, person or location,
for Liveable, Inclusive, and Future-Ready Urban capable of comprehending and gauging its
India) portal aims to provide data on Indian tangible counterparts.
cities. ● The twin digital copy will also help policymakers
understand how infrastructure will function in
different situations, such as high-footprint
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events, an increase in population, or natural ● Background: The origin of the word “deepfake”
disasters. can be traced back to 2017, when a Reddit user
● The strategic partnership aims to create digital with the username "deepfakes", posted explicit
twins of major cities and towns, leveraging videos of celebrities.
Genesys’ all-India highly accurate navigable
Working:
maps.
● The Genesys constellation of sensors and SOI's ● They are created by machine learning models,
recently launched Continuously Operating which use neural networks to manipulate
Reference Stations (CORS) network allow for images and videos.
real-time high-precision positioning data. ● To make a deepfake video of someone, a
creator would first train a neural network on
Key points about the Survey of India
many hours of real video footage of the person
● It was set up in 1767. to give it a realistic “understanding" of what he
● It is the National Survey and Mapping or she looks like from many angles and under
Organization of the country, under the different lighting.
●
Department of Science & Technology.
It is the oldest scientific department of the
Government of India.
●
L I N
Then they'd combine the trained network with
.
computer-graphics techniques to superimpose
a copy of the person onto a different actor.
● It bears a special responsibility to ensure that
the country's domain is explored and mapped
●
TA Deepfake technology is now being used for

nefarious purposes like scams and hoaxes,
suitably, provide base maps for expeditious and
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integrated development, and ensure that all R celebrity pornography, election manipulation,
social engineering, automated disinformation
C P
resources contribute with their full measure to
the progress, prosperity and security of our ●
attacks, identity theft, and financial fraud.
Deep fakes differ from other forms of false
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country now and for generations to come. information by being very difficult to identify as
false.
#4
#3
Suit for Specific Performance
Deepfakes
● The Supreme Court recently set aside the
● The Union Information Technology Minister
decree passed in a civil suit for specific
recently said the government will form
performance filed in 1999 for the enforcement
regulations to control the spread of deepfakes
of an agreement to sell executed in 1986.
on social media platforms, terming them a “new
threat to democracy."
About Deepfakes: About Suit for Specific Performance:
● Deepfakes are a compilation of artificial images ● Specific performance is a remedy developed by
and audio put together with machine-learning the principle of equity.
algorithms to spread misinformation and ● It is dealt with under Specific Relief Act, 1963.
replace a real person’s appearance, voice, or ● Parties to an agreement may insert a specific
both with similar artificial likenesses or voices. performance clause into the contract to protect
● The term "deepfake" combines the deep their interests in the event of a breach of
learning concept with something fake. contractby either party, especially when the
● It can create people who do not exist, and it can awarding of a monetary award may be deemed
fake real people saying and doing things they inadequate.
did not say or do. ● A party to a contract who is damaged because
the contract is breached by another party has
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the option to file a suit for specific performance, Symptoms

compelling him to perform his part of the
● Sudden onset of high-grade fever, prostration,
contract.
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and occasionally
● Before an equity court will compel specific
neurological & haemorrhagic manifestations.
performance, however, the contract must be
● Transmission: It is transmitted through the bite
one that can be specifically performed.
of ticks and bonnets, and black-faced langur
● Section 16(c) of the Act envisages that the
monkeys are highly susceptible to the infection.
plaintiff must plead and prove that he has
They play a significant role in the spread of the
performed or has always been ready and willing
virus in the human population.
to perform the essential terms of the contract
that are to be performed by him, other than Treatment
those terms whose performance of which has
been prevented or waived by the defendant. ● No specific treatment for KFD is available;
● As the law of specific performance is basically however, prompt symptomatic and supportive
founded on equity, considerations such as the therapy, including maintenance of hydration,
N
conduct of the plaintiff, the element of hardship hemodynamic stability, and management of
that may be caused to one of the parties, the
availability of adequate alternative relief, and
L.I
neurological symptoms, decreases morbidity
and mortality.
●
such other matters are taken into consideration.
It is a discretionary relief. It is typically enforced
TA
by a court when money cannot adequately
O
compensate the injured party and when the
RINTERNATIONAL
#1
value.
C P
contractual obligation is unique or difficult to
International Organisation for Migration
SS
● In our country, most of the specific performance
suits relate to sales of immovable properties ● The International Organisation for Migration
and, to some extent, the transfer of shares. recently said 662 illegal migrants were rescued
off the coast of Libya.
#5
About the International Organisation for Migration
Kyasanur Forest Disease (IOM):
● Recently, a study by the Indian Council for
● Established in 1951, IOM is the leading
Medical Research and the National Institute of
inter-governmental organization in the field of
Virology has for the first time, confirmed the
presence of the Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) migration.
virus in two more districts of Karnataka. ● The IOM defines the term migrant as: “a person
who moves away from his or her place of usual
About Kyasanur Forest Disease: residence, whether within a country or across
● It is a zoonotic disease. an international border, temporarily or
● The disease was first reported in Kyasanur permanently, and for a variety of reasons.”
Forest of Karnataka, in 1957, hence it is known ● It offers, at the request of States, its support to
as Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD). migrants but also to internally displaced
● It is also known as “monkey disease/monkey persons, refugees and other uprooted people in
fever” because of its association with monkey the four broad areas of migration and
deaths. development, facilitating migration, regulating
● This virus has spread along the entire stretch of migration and addressing forced migration.
the Western Ghats region, which also includes
Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa. IOM works to ensure
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● the orderly and humane management of conservation of tropical forests and the
migration expansion and diversification of international
● to promote international cooperation on trade in tropical timber from sustainably
migration issues managed and legally harvested forests.
● to assist in the search for practical solutions to ● It was established under the International
the challenges of migration Tropical Timber Agreement 1983 (ITTA 1983),
● to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants negotiated under the auspices of the UN
in need, including refugees and internally Conference on Trade and Development.
displaced people. ● It facilitates funding for forestry projects in
tropical timber-producing countries.
#2
● All projects are funded by voluntary
International Tropical Timber Council contributions from governments.
● Members: 75 countries (including India)
● Recently, the 59th International Tropical Timber ● Its members manage about 80 percent of the
Council (ITTC) concluded on November 17,
N
world's tropical forests and are responsible for
2023, with major decisions.
About the International Tropical Timber Council: ●
L.I
90 percent of the global tropical timber trade.
Headquarters: Yokohama, Japan
● It is the governing body of the International

TA
●
Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).
O
It meets at least once a year to discuss a
R#3
P
wide-ranging agenda aimed at promoting
C
sustainable tropical forest management and the
Shan State
SS
● Myanmar is concerned about the conflict in
trade of sustainably produced tropical timber.
northern Shan State, which has affected
Major decisions in 59th ITTC Mandalay-based traders.
● The countries agreed to endorse eight projects About Shan State:

related to sustainable forest management and
● It is a state in Myanmar.
related objectives.
● It borders China to the north, Laos to the east,
● The session also approved and adopted a
Thailand to the south, and five administrative
budget of $7.1 million for the coming financial
divisions of Myanmar to the west.
year 2024-25.
● The largest of the 14 administrative divisions by
● The council also approved a trial measure that
land area, Shan State covers 155,800 km2,
will allow ineligible members to submit project
almost a quarter of the total area of Myanmar.
proposals and concept notes.
● The state gets its name from the Burmese
● Members who have fallen behind on their
name for the Tai people: “Shan people”.
financial contributions and are thus ineligible
● The Shan constitutes the majority among
will be allowed to submit one project and
several ethnic groups that inhabit the area. The
concept note for every two years of arrears
Shan are Theravada Buddhists and have their
paid.
own written language and literature.
Key facts about the International Tropical Timber ● The Thanlwin River (also known as the
Organisation Salween/Namkhong) cuts across the state,
which is also home to Inle Lake, the
● It is an intergovernmental organisation second-largest natural expanse of water in
promoting the sustainable management and Myanmar.
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● Shan is largely rural, with only three cities of ● Silica crystals generated by this process ascend
significant size: Lashio, Kengtung, and the and blend into the mantle, impacting the overall
capital, Taunggyi. composition.
● Shan State, with its many ethnic groups, is ● These modifications in the liquid metallic layer
home to several armed ethnic armies. could potentially result in reduced density and
● While the military government has signed altered seismic characteristics, aligning with
ceasefire agreements with most groups, vast anomalies detected by seismologists.
areas of the state, especially those easts of the
#5
Thanlwin River, remain outside the central
government’s control and in recent years have Psyche Mission
come under heavy ethnic-Han-Chinese
economic and political influence. Other areas ● A NASA experiment on the Psyche spacecraft
are under the control of military groups, such as has beamed back a near-infrared laser that
the Shan State Army. contains test data from almost 16 million
kilometres away.
#4
E prime layer
L.I N
About the Psyche Mission:
● Recently, a study by an international team of

●
TA It is a NASA mission that will explore a

140-mile-wide (225-kilometer) metallic asteroid
researchers revealed the formation of a new
O
enigmatic layer – E prime layer at the outermost
R●
called 16 Psyche.
The spacecraft will enter the 16 Psyche
part of Earth's core.
C P asteroid's orbit in 2029 and spend two years

mapping the asteroid’s topography, scanning
SS
About E prime layer:
the surface, taking pictures, and more, with the
● It was believed that a material exchange aim of gaining information about its makeup as
between the core and mantle is small. well as learning how metal core asteroids and
● But the experiments revealed that when water planets are formed.
reaches the core-mantle boundary, it reacts with ● The objectives of the mission include
silicon in the core, forming silica. determining the age of regions on the asteroid,
studying its formation, characterizing its
How did this layer develop?
topography, and studying dips in the asteroid's
● This latest research suggests that tectonic gravity. Through the mission, scientists also
plates carrying surface water have transported hope to explore an unknown building block of
it deep into the Earth over billions of years. planet formation: iron cores.
● Upon reaching the core-mantle boundary about ● It will also be the first time that a spacecraft will
1,800 miles below the surface, this water study a world made not of rocks and ice but of
initiates significant chemical changes, metal.
influencing the core's structure. ● With the Psyche mission, scientists have a
● Scientists have observed that subducted water chance to study how terrestrial planets were
reacts chemically with core materials under formed without having to carve up the Earth.
high pressure.
16 Psyche:
● This reaction leads to the formation of a
hydrogen-rich, silicon-depleted layer at the outer ● It is currently orbiting the Sun between Mars
core, resembling a film-like structure. and Jupiter.
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● It was discovered in 1852 by the Italian #2

astronomer Annibale de Gasparis.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
● It is made up of gold, silver, and nickel deposits,
making it metal-rich. ● The Union Finance and Corporate Affairs
● According to NASA, it could be worth more than Minister recently said women entrepreneurs are
Earth's economy put together. accorded first priority under the Centre's
● The outer surface of this asteroid is nickel-rich, flagship Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana scheme.
which resembles an early planet's core. About Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY):
● It is also one of the biggest asteroids in our
solar system-279-km across at its widest point. ● It is a flagship scheme of the Government of
India to extend affordable credit to micro and
small enterprises.
● Mudra schemes are designed to bring
BUSINESS & ECONOMY enterprises into the formal financial system or
#1 to “fund the unfunded”.
Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI), 2023

●
L.I N
It enables a small borrower to borrow from all
Public Sector Banks such as PSU Banks,
Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks,
A
● The Global Talent Competitiveness Index has
Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Micro
T
seen India fall sharply from rank 83 ten years
Finance Institutions (MFI), and Non Banking
R
ago to rank 103 in its latest report out recently.
Finance Companies (NBFC) for loans upto Rs
PO
About Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI): 10 lakhs for non-farm income-generating
activities.
C
● It measures how countries grow, attract, and
● Eligibility: Any Indian citizen who has a business
SS
retain talent.
● It is an annual benchmarking report published plan for a non-farm sector income-generating
by the prestigious chain of business schools, activity such as manufacturing, processing,
INSEAD. trading, or the service sector and whose credit
● It provides a unique resource for need is less than Rs 10 lakh can approach
decision-makers to understand the global talent either a bank, MFI, or NBFC for availing of Micro
competitiveness picture and develop strategies Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd.
to boost their economies. (MUDRA) loans under PMMY.
● The index uses two sub-indices: input and ● Types of loans provided: Under the aegis of
output. PMMY, MUDRA has already created the
● The input measures regulatory and business following products
environments, as well as steps being taken to ● Shishu: covering loans up to 50,000/-
foster talent and retain it. ● Kishor: covering loans above 50,000/- and up to
● The output side evaluates the quality of talent. 5 lakh
● Tarun: covering loans above 5 lakh and up to 10
Highlights of GTCI 2023: lakh
● The 10th edition of the report covers 134 #3
countries around the world across all income
groups. Risk weight
● Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States ● Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
are among the top three countries on the index. increased the cost of funds for banks and
● Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) by
Australia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom increasing the risk weight of such loans.
make up the rest of the Top 10.
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● The Reserve Bank of India has raised the risk ● It has been designed to reduce risks for
weight on consumer credit by banks and NBFCs investors participating in the market.
to 125%, compared to 100% earlier. ● It is not meant for taking fresh positions or
orders, but only to cancel the pending
About Risk weight:
orders.
● It is every rupee lent by the bank is a cost or has ● This platform will be available to trading
an implication on its capital position. members supporting internet-based trading
● Risk-weighted assets: These are used to (IBT) and Security Trading through Wireless
determine the minimum amount of capital a Technology (STWT) for their investors.
bank must hold in relation to the risk profile of However, it will not be accessible for algo
its lending activities and other assets. trading and institutional clients.
● The Reserve Bank of India decided in April 1992 ● It has been jointly developed by all the stock
to introduce a risk-asset ratio system for banks exchanges – BSE, NSE, NCDEX, MCX and
(including foreign banks) in India as a capital Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE)
adequacy measure in line with the Capital
How will this platform work?
Adequacy Norms prescribed by the Basel
Committee.
L.
●
I NStock exchanges can also monitor
parameters like connectivity, order flow, and
A
Impacts
social media posts, and Suo moto initiate
● Lower the risk weight, lower the rate of
interest. Therefore, risk weights impact
R T the enablement of the IRRA service if
needed, irrespective of any such request by
pricing of loans.
PO
borrowers indirectly and are felt through the
●
the trading member.
This service shall be enabled by the
●
C
The increase in risk weights by the RBI will exchanges, Suo moto, only in case of
SS
elevate funding costs for NBFCs and impact disruption of trading services of trading
capital requirements. member across all the exchanges, where
the trading member is a member
#4 ● On invocation, after basic checks, the
Investor Risk Reduction Access platform platform downloads trades of the trading
member from all the trading venues and
● Recently, the chairperson of the Securities sends SMS/email to investors using internet
and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) trading or wireless technology, along with a
launched the Investor Risk Reduction link to access IRRA.
Access platform. ● Once the trading member is migrated to the
About the Investor Risk Reduction Access IRRA platform, the investors of the affected
Platform: trading member will be enabled to access
the IRRA platform through a secure login
● It has been developed to reduce risks faced system using their Unique Client Code
by investors in the eventuality of technical (UCC) or investor’s PAN number.
glitches at the trading member’s end at both
the primary site and disaster recovery site. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
● Its purpose is to provide investors with an #1
opportunity to square off/close their open
positions and cancel pending orders using Rheumatoid Arthritis
the IRRA platform in case of technical ● According to a new observational study,
glitches or unforeseen outages that render anti-rheumatic medicines used to treat
the trading member’s site inaccessible. rheumatoid arthritis may help reduce the
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development of autoimmune thyroid ● The new species of dinosaur was a small

disease. carnivorous animal about the size of a
modern-day seriema bird, or about 60-90 cm
About Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):
(2-3 feet) tall.
● It is an autoimmune and inflammatory ● It was a very fast reptile that ran across the
disease, which means that your immune ancient dunes.
system attacks healthy cells in your body by ● The fossilized dinosaur "trackways", were
mistake, causing inflammation (painful first found in the 1980s by Italian priest and
swelling) in the affected parts of the body. palaeontologist Giuseppe Leonardi
● RA mainly attacks the joints, usually many ● It lived during the early Cretaceous period.
joints at once. RA commonly affects joints
in the hands, wrists, and knees. What is the Cretaceous Period?
● In a joint with RA, the lining of the joint
becomes inflamed, causing damage to joint ● In geologic time, it is the last of the three
tissue. This tissue damage can cause periods of the Mesozoic Era.
N
● It began 145.0 million years ago and ended
I
long-lasting or chronic pain, unsteadiness
(lack of
(misshapenness).
balance), and deformity
L. 66 million years ago; it followed the

Jurassic Period and was succeeded by the
● RA can also affect other tissues throughout
the body and cause problems in organs
TA Paleogene Period (the first of the two
periods into which the Tertiary Period was
●
such as the lungs, heart, and eyes.
O
Cause: RA is the result of an immune R ●
divided).
The Cretaceous is the longest period of the
C P
response in which the body’s immune
system attacks its own healthy cells. The
Phanerozoic Eon.
SS
● The Cretaceous Period began with Earth’s
specific causes of RA are unknown, but land assembled essentially into two
some factors can increase the risk of continents, Laurasia in the north and
developing the disease.
Gondwana in the south.
Treatment: ● These were almost completely separated by
the equatorial Tethys seaway, and the
● RA can be effectively treated and managed
various segments of Laurasia and
with medication(s) and self-management
Gondwana had already started to rift apart.
strategies.
● Treatment for RA usually includes the use of #3
medications that slow the disease and
prevent joint deformity, called Amaterasu
disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
● Scientists recently detected the most
(DMARDs).
powerful cosmic ray seen in more than
#2 three decades, which has been named
‘Amaterasu’.
Farlowichnus rapidus
About Amaterasu:
● Recently, Brazil's geological service
announced a new species of dinosaur, ● It is one of the highest-energy cosmic rays
Farlowichnus rapidus, that lived in the ever detected.
desert during the early Cretaceous period. ● It has been named Amaterasu after the
Japanese sun goddess.
About Farlowichnus rapidus:
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● It has an energy exceeding 240 exa-electron in one’s organs, affecting their shape and
volts (EeV). That is millions of times more functioning.
than particles produced in the Large Hadron ● Amyloid deposits can build up in the heart,
Collider, the most powerful accelerator ever brain, kidneys, spleen, and other parts of the
built, and equivalent to the energy of a golf body, leading to life-threatening conditions
ball travelling at 95 mph. like organ failure.
● It comes only second to the Oh-My-God ● Some varieties of amyloidosis occur in
particle, another ultra-high-energy cosmic association with other diseases.
ray that came in at 320 EeV, detected in ● These types may improve with treatment of
1991. the underlying disease. Some varieties of
● Amaterasu appears to have emerged from amyloidosis may lead to life-threatening
the Local Void, an empty area of space organ failure.
bordering the Milky Way galaxy. ● The general signs or symptoms would
include: Severe fatigue; Loss of weight;
What are Cosmic Rays?
N
swelling in the belly, legs, ankles or feet;
● They are echoes of violent celestial events
that have stripped matter of its subatomic
L.INumbness, pain, or tingling in hands or feet,
and changes in skin colour.
structures and hurled it through the universe
at nearly the speed of light.
TA●
●
Different amyloidosis that are prevalent
Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis: People with
● Essentially, cosmic rays are charged
O
particles with a wide range of energies R conditions such as multiple myeloma or a
bone marrow illness are more likely to have
C P
consisting of positive protons, negative
●
AL amyloidosis.
AA amyloidosis: Previously known as
SS
electrons, or entire atomic nuclei that travel
through space and rain down onto Earth secondary amyloidosis, this condition is the
nearly constantly. result of another chronic infectious or
● They hit Earth’s upper atmosphere and blast inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid
apart the nucleus of oxygen and nitrogen arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative
gas, generating many secondary particles. colitis.
● These travel a short distance in the
What is Lysozyme?
atmosphere and repeat the process,
building a shower of billions of secondary ● It is a protein present in mucosal secretions
particles that scatter to the surface. and a principal component of airway fluid.
#4 Key points about the research
Amyloidosis ● They have assembled lysozyme molecules

as a 2D monolayer at the interface of pure
● Recently, a 2D protein monolayer was
aqueous subphase.
fabricated by scientists by assembling
● Researchers used the 2D protein monolayer
lysozyme molecules–the model protein in
to understand the behaviour of lysozyme
studying diseases like Amyloidosis.
molecules at air-water as well as at air-solid
About Amyloidosis: interface with the help of a technique called
the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique.
● It is a rare disease that occurs when an ● The physical properties of lysozyme
abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up molecules at the air-water interface were
investigated under the variation of surface
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pressure and subphase pH conditions in the victories in the FIDE Grand Swiss Open,
study. earning coveted spots in the 2024
● The compressible behaviour of lysozyme Candidates Tournament for a chance to
monolayers was correlated to the stripe-like challenge the World Chess Champion.
domains formed with an increase in surface About:
pressure.
● Lysozyme molecules at the air-water ● The World Chess Championship 2024 is
interface and their structural or scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada
conformational changes in variable pH in April 2024.
conditions can be considered a model ● The FIDE Grand Swiss Open is a chess
tournament that is part of the qualification
system to study Amyloidosis disease, which
for the World Championship cycle.
occurs because of the misfolding and
● The FIDE Grand Swiss and FIDE Women’s
agglomeration of lysozyme molecules.
Grand Swiss 2023 was held at the Villa
#5 Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man.
Radio Galaxy
L
●
.I NThe top two players in the open event will

qualify for the 2024 Candidates
Tournament, which will determine the
A
● Astronomers recently reported the
challenger for the World Champion.
discovery of 63 new giant radio galaxies.
About Radio Galaxy:

R T ● The total prize fund is USD 600,000, with
USD 460,000 for the Grand Swiss and USD
● Radio Galaxies,
PO
also known as ●
140,000 for the Women’s Grand Swiss.
The first Grand Swiss was held in 2019 in
C
radio-luminous galaxies or radio-loud the Isle of Man.
SS
galaxies, are a particular type of active
International Chess Federation (FIDE):
galaxy that emits more light at radio
wavelengths than at visible wavelengths. ● It is the governing body of the sport of
● These happen through the interaction chess, and it regulates all international
between charged particles and strong chess competitions.
magnetic fields related to supermassive ● It’s constituted as a non-governmental
black holes at the galaxies’ centre. institution. It organizes the World Chess
● Radio galaxies are driven by non-thermal Championship.
emissions. ● It was recognized by the International
Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting
● They are much bigger than most of the
Organization in 1999.
other galaxies in the universe.
● The first radio galaxy to be discovered, and MISCELLANEOUS
still the brightest, is called Cygnus A.
#1
Emmy Awards
SPORTS
● Recently, comedian Vir Das won an
#1 International Emmy Award for his Netflix
FIDE Grand Swiss Open 2023 show Vir Das: Landing.
● India celebrates as Vidit Santosh Gujrathi About Emmy Awards:

(FIDE Grand Swiss) and Vaishali Ramesh
● The Emmy Awards are the most renowned
Babu (FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss) secure
accolades given to television and emerging
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media performances. Unlike Oscars and #1

Golden Globe Awards, they aren’t given for
Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary
films.
● These were conceived in 1948, and the first ● The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently
ceremony took place on January 25, 1949. told the state government to resolve within
● A total of six awards were presented, such six months the issues that have led to the
as the Most Outstanding Television delay in the notification of eco-sensitive
Personality and Most Popular Television zone (ESZ) status for the Shettihalli Wildlife
Program. Sanctuary.
● Apart from the International Emmy Awards About Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary:
and the Primetime Emmy Awards, the
Emmys are also given in the following ● Location: It is located in the Shimoga
District of Karnataka.
categories: daytime, sports, news and
● It spans an area of 395.6 square kilometres.
documentary, technology and engineering,
● It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 23rd
N
and regional.
I
November 1974.
.
● While Primetime Emmy Awards honour ● Mandagadde Natural Bird Sanctuary,
television shows produced only in America
and aired during primetime, International
A L present on a small island in the river Tunga

is also a part of this Sanctuary.
●
Emmy Awards are for international shows.
Daytime Emmy Awards are given to
R T ● The Tunga Anicut Dam is situated within the
sanctuary and provides shelter for otters
PO
American shows aired during late-morning
and afternoon. Regional Emmy Awards are
and water birds.
C
Vegetation:
for regional television markets, including
SS
state-to-state programming, local news, and ● It is mainly covered by tropical evergreen
locally produced shows. and semi-evergreen forests.
● The eastern and central parts are mostly
These awards are given by three sister covered by dry and moist deciduous forests,
organizations: while the western parts have
● First is the Television Academy, which semi-evergreen forests.
● Flora: Major tree species include silver oak,
administers the Primetime Emmy Awards.
teak, Indian Thorny Bamboo, Calcutta
● Second is the National Academy of
bamboo, Asan, Tectona Grandis, Sweet
Television Arts & Sciences, which oversees
Indrajao, Amla, etc.
daytime, sports, news and documentary ● Fauna:
categories. ● It houses mammals like Tiger, Leopard, Wild
● Third is the International Academy of Dog, Jackal, Gaur, Elephant, Sloth Bear
Television Arts & Sciences, which is Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Pig, Common
responsible for International Emmys. Langur, Bonnet Macaque, etc.
● Each organisation maintains its own ● Birds include Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bulbuls,
membership of television professionals who Parakeets, Doves, Pigeons, Babblers,
vote and decide who will get the award. Flycatchers, Munias, Swallows,
Woodpeckers, Peafowl, Jungle fowl and
Partridges.

NATIONAL #2
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Zojila Pass Account) ID registration system for patients

seeking medical care in medical college
● The Indian Army "forged thunderstorms" at
hospitals.
11,500 feet near the Zojila Pass to stay
battle-ready as the harsh winter set in About the Ayushman Bharat Health Account
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (ABHA):
About Zojila Pass: ● ABHA is a randomly generated 14-digit
number used for the purposes of uniquely
● Zojila Pass, also known as ‘The Mountain
identifying persons, authenticating them,
Pass of Blizzards’, is a high mountain pass
and threading their health records (only with
located in the Kargil district of Ladakh.
their informed consent) across multiple
● It is located on theSrinagar-Kargil-Leh
systems and stakeholders.
highway (NH-1) at a height of 11,650 feet.
● People can opt-in to create a digitally secure
● It lies in the Greater Himalayan Range.
ABHA, which allows them to access and
● The pass remains closed for almost half of
share their health data with participating
N
the yeardue to heavy snowfall.
I
healthcare providers and payers.
History:
L.
● It helps citizens maintain their health
records at one place.
A
● It was the site of the Indo-Pakistan War of ● It allows users, insurance companies, and
●
1947-48.
It was captured by militias aided by the
R T ●
hospitals to access health records digitally.
It will enable easy digital access to lab
O
Pakistan Army in 1948, with the ultimate reports, prescriptions, consultation details,
P
aim of capturing Ladakh. and diagnoses from verified doctors by
C
● However, the pass itself was captured by presenting the Health ID.
SS
the Indian Armyon 1st November 1948, in an ● In addition, it will digitally connect the
assault codenamed Operation Bison. hospitals across the country with each
What is Zojila Tunnel? other.
● Having an ABHA health ID card is not
mandatory. People can choose to register
● Location: It is an under-construction tunnel for the facility or erase their information
situated at an altitude of 11,578 ft (around from the ABHA database if they want to opt
3,500 metres) on the Srinagar-Leh Highway out of this facility.
in Jammu and Kashmir. #4
● The tunnel would provide all-weather
connectivity between Srinagar and Leh on Electronic version of the Supreme Court Reports
NH-1. (e-SCR)
● Total Length: 14.15 km. ● A Hindi version of the e-SCR portal was
● It will be India’s longest road tunneland launched recently as part of Constitution
Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. Day celebrations.
● It would be 9.5-meter wide and 7.57-meter
high in the shape of a horseshoe. About the e-SCR portal:
#3 ● It was an initiative by the Supreme Court

(SC) of India to provide the digital version of
Ayushman Bharat Health Account the apex court's judgements in the same
● The National Medical Commission (NMC) manner they are reported in the official law
recently told medical colleges to implement report.
the ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health
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● It provides free access to about 34,000 #5

judgements of the SC to lawyers, law
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
students, and the common public.
● These verdicts will be available on the apex ● Researchers have discovered a new plant
court website, its mobile app, and on the species in the genus ‘Impatiens’
judgement portal of the National Judicial (Balsaminaceae) in Kalakkad Mundanthurai
Data Grid (NJDG). Tiger Reserve, Tirunelveli.
● It is a free service available for lawyers
across the country. About New plant species:
● The Supreme Court has developed a search ● The species is named ‘Impatiens
engine with the help of the National Karuppusamyi’ after S. Karuppusamy for his
Informatics Centre comprising elastic contributions to the taxonomy of South
search techniques in the database of e-SCR. Indian angiosperms.
● The search facility in e-SCR provides for free ● The plant is found only in the Agasthyamalai
text search, search within search, case type region in the southern Western Ghats.
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and case year search, judge search, year
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● The plant, which belongs to the scapigerous
and volume search, and bench strength
search options.
L. group (stemless group), is seen only during
the monsoon season for a few weeks.
National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) portal:
TA ● Impatiens is a genus of more than 1,000

species of flowering plants widely
● The NJDG portal is a national repository of
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data relating to cases instituted, pending, R distributed throughout tropical Africa,
Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, and China.
C P
and disposed of by the courts across the
length and breadth of the country. Key facts about Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger
SS
● In this portal, one may access case-related Reserve
information and statistics such as ● It is located in the Southern Western Ghats,
institution, pendency, disposal of cases, in the Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts
case types, and the year-wise break-up of of Tamil Nadu.
the Supreme Court of India. ● This reserve is a mixture of three main
● It is a database of orders, judgements, and sanctuaries: Kalakkad Sanctuary,
case details of 18,735 District & Subordinate Mundanthurai Sanctuary, and a part of
Courts and High Courts created as an online Kanyakumari Sanctuary.
platform under the e-Courts Project. ● Nestled between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the
● It has been developed by the National Agastya Malai Hill Range forms the core
Informatics Centre (NIC) in close area of the sanctuary and is part of one of
coordination with the in-house software the world's 18 biodiversity hotspots.
development team of the Computer Cell, ● It is also known as the “River Sanctuary,"with
Registry with an interactive interface and as many as 14 rivers originating from this
analytics dashboard. Tiger Reserve.
● The entire database will be periodically ● Flora: This region has vegetation types
updatedon the NJDG portal. which gradually change from dry thorn
● NJDG works as a monitoring tool to identify, forest to dry deciduous, moist deciduous
manage, & reduce the pendency of cases. and a patch of West Coast wet evergreen
● It helps to provide timely inputs for making forests on the higher reaches of the reserve.
policy decisions to reduce delays in ● Fauna: Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr,
disposing of cases and reduce case Nilgiri Pipit, Grey Headed Bulbul, Blue
pendency. Winged Parakeet etc.
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● Some of the major cities near the gulf include

Aden, Mukalla, Ahnwar, Balhaf, Berbera, Bosaso,
and Djibouti City.
#2
Booker Prize
● Recently, Irish writer Paul Lynch won the Booker
Prize for fiction for his novel Prophet Song.
INTERNATIONAL About the Booker Prize:
#1 ● It is the world’s leading literary award for a
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single work of fiction.
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Gulf of Aden
● A U.S. Navy warship responded to a distress
●
L.
Founded in the UK in 1969, the Booker Prize
initially rewarded Commonwealth writers and
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call from a commercial tanker in the Gulf of now spans the globe: it is open to anyone
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Aden that had been seized by armed individuals regardless of origin.
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recently. ● It aims to promote the finest in fiction by
About the Gulf of Aden:
PO rewarding the best novel of the year written in

English.
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● It is an extension of the Indian Ocean, tucked
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between the Arabian Peninsula and the African Eligibility:
continent. ● The Booker Prize awards any novel originally
● The gulf is named after “Aden,” a port city on written in English and published in the UK and
Yemen’s coast. Ireland in the year of the prize, regardless of the
● Borders: It is bounded to the south by Somalia nationality of the author.
and the Socotra Islands (part of Yemen), to the ● The novel must be an original work in English
north by Yemen, to the east by the Arabian Sea, (not a translation).
and to the west by Djibouti. ● It must be published by a registered UK or Irish
● The gulf is connected to the Somali Sea to the imprint; self-published novels are not eligible.
south by the Guardafui Channel and to the Red ● The winner receives £50,000, and each of the
Sea on the west by the Strait of Bab el Mandeb. shortlisted authors will be given £2,500.
● Size: It is approximately 900 km long and 500 ● The Booker Prize Foundation: It is a registered
km wide and covers roughly 410,000 square charity established in 2002. Since then, it has
kilometers. been responsible for the award of the Man
● Depth: It has an average depth of 500 meters Booker Prize for Fiction and for the Man Booker
and a maximum depth of 2,700 meters. International Prize since its inauguration in
● The dominant relief feature of the gulf’s terrain 2005.
is the Sheba Ridge, an extension of the Indian
Ocean ridge system, which extends along the
middle of the gulf. #3
● It is also a critical part of the Suez Canal
shipping route, which connects the Red Sea and Exercise SURYA KIRAN
the Mediterranean Sea.
● The 17th edition of Joint Military Exercise
SURYA KIRAN will be conducted in Pithoragarh,
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Uttarakhand, from November 24th to December types of violence faced by women, promoting
7th, 2023. advocacy, and creating better opportunities for
women.
About Exercise SURYA KIRAN:
● 2023 Theme: This year’s theme, "UNITE! Invest
● It is a joint military exercise between the Indian to prevent violence against women and girls",
army and the Nepali army. emphasises the need to fund prevention
● It is an annual event and is conducted strategies proactively to stop gender-based
alternately in the two countries. violence.
● The Indian Army contingent, comprising 354
History:
personnel, is being led by a battalion from the
Kumaon Regiment. The Nepal Army contingent ● Since 1981, women’s rights activists have
is represented by the Tara Dal Battalion. marked 25 November as a day against
● The aim of the exercise is to enhance gender-based violence, paying homage to the
interoperability in jungle warfare, Mirabal sisters—three Dominican political
counter-terrorism operations in mountainous activists brutally murdered in 1960 by order of
terrain, humanitarian assistance, and disaster
relief under the United Nations Charter on
peacekeeping operations.
●
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the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).
.
The UN General Assembly, on 20 December
1993, adopted the Declaration on the
● The exercise will focus on the employment of
drones and counter-drone measures, medical
TA Elimination of Violence against Women, laying
the groundwork for global efforts to eradicate
training, aviation aspects and environment
conservation.
O R●
such violence.
On 7 February 2000, the General Assembly,
●
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The exercise will provide a platform for soldiers
from India and Nepal to exchange ideas and
through a resolution, officially designated 25
November as the International Day for the
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experiences, share best practises, and foster a Elimination of Violence Against Women.
deeper understanding of each other’s ● This resolution urged governments,
operational procedures. international organizations and NGOs to unite in
● This exercise signifies the strong bonds of organizing activities annually on this date,
friendship, trust, and common cultural linkages fostering public awareness and collective
that exist between India and Nepal. action to address and eliminate violence
● It sets the stage for a productive and fruitful against women and girls worldwide.
engagement, showcasing the unwavering
#5
commitment of both nations towards broader
defence cooperation. Avian influenza virus (H9N2)
#4 ● Recently, there has been an outbreak of human
cases of the avian influenza virus (H9N2) and
International Day for the Elimination of Violence
clusters of respiratory illnesses in children in
Against Women
northern China.
● The International Day for the Elimination of
About the Avian Influenza virus (H9N2):
Violence Against Women is observed worldwide
on November 25 each year. ● H9N2 is a subtype of influenza, a virus that
causes human influenza as well as bird flu.
About International Day for the Elimination of
● This virus is found worldwide in wild birds and
Violence Against Women:
is endemic to poultry in many areas.
● It is observed annually on November 25. ● Poultry is considered a genetic incubator for the
● It is a United Nations (UN)-designated day origin of the H9N2 novel avian influenza virus
marked to create awareness of the different that infects humans.
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Symptoms ● Voluntary: It is a voluntary scheme for all

citizens of India. People can invest any amount
● Infections range from mild, flu-like symptoms or
in their NPS account at any time.
eye inflammation to severe, acute respiratory
● Permanent Retirement Account Number
disease or death.
(PRAN): It is based on a unique PRAN, which is
● The severity of the disease depends on the
allotted to every subscriber.
virus causing the infection and the
● Portability: NPS account or PRAN will remain
characteristics of the infected individual.
the same irrespective of changes in
● Prevention: Maintaining personal and hand
employment, city, or state. It can be used from
hygiene, including washing hands with soap,
any location in India.
before and after contact with animals is
● PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and
essential to avoid being infected by the virus.
Development Authority) is the governing body
Classification of Influenza: for NPS.
● There is no defined benefit that would be
● The influenza virus, which causes illness, is available at the time of exit from the system,
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classified by WHO into four types: A, B, C, and D. and the accumulated wealth depends on the
● According to the US Centres for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), only the influenza A and
L.I
contributions made and the income generated
from the investment of such wealth.
A
B viruses are known to cause epidemics. ● Under NPS, individual savings are pooled into a
T
● The C-type virus usually causes mild respiratory pension fund, which is invested by
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illnesses, while the D-type virus typically affects PFRDA-regulated professional fund managers
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cattle and is not known to infect humans. into diversified portfolios comprising
P
● Only the influenza A virus is divided into Government Bonds, Bills, Corporate Debentures,
C
subtypes, and the subtype is based on two and Shares.
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proteins on the surface of the virus, ● Contributions made by individual subscribers
hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). are accumulated until retirement, and corpus
BUSINESS & ECONOMY growth continues via market-linked returns.
Subscribers also have the option to exit this
#1 plan before retirement or opt for
National Pension System (NPS) superannuation.
● The Union Home Minister recently said the

government would deliberate on restoring the #2
Old Pension Scheme (OPS) once the committee
constituted for the purpose submitted its Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository
report. ● Recently, the Prime Minister of India announced
About the National Pension System (NPS): the launch of two India-led initiatives: the Global
Digital Public Infrastructure Repository and a
● It is a retirement benefit scheme introduced by Social Impact Fund.
the Government of India to facilitate regular
income post-retirement for all subscribers. About the Global Digital Public Infrastructure
● NPS was launched on 1st January, 2004. Repository:
● Initially, NPS was introduced for the new ● It is created by the Ministry of Electronics and
government recruits (except the armed forces). Information Technology (MeitY).
With effect from 1st May, 2009, NPS has been ● It is a comprehensive resource hub, pooling
provided for all citizens of the country, including essential lessons and expertise from G20
the unorganised sector workers on voluntary members and guest nations.
basis.
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● Its primary aim is to bridge the knowledge gap Mythimna separata

in the choices and methodologies required for
● Continuous warm temperatures for prolonged
the design, construction, deployment, and
periods may have led to the serious Mythimna
governance of DPIs.
separata pest infestation in Assam that
● The GDPIR showcases the information in a
damaged paddy crops in at least 15 districts.
standardised format from countries and
organisations that have developed DPIs at About Mythimna Separata:
scale, incorporating elements such as maturity
scales, source codes (where available), and ● It is a typical long-distance migratory insect that
governance frameworks. Currently, the GDPIR is a major, polyphagous pest of grain crops in
features 54 DPIs from 16 countries. China and other Asian countries.
● The DPIs from India that have been ● The pest was first reported as a sporadic pest
incorporated in the GDPIR are: Aadhaar, Unified in Tamil Nadu in 1937 and Kerala and Odisha in
Payments Interface (UPI), DigiLocker, Umang, 1957.
eSanjeevani, API Setu, Co-WIN, Government ● The pest is known as the ear-head-cutting
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e-marketplace, Diksha, E-Hospital, Poshan caterpillar, rice ear-cutting caterpillar, or
Tracker and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
(ABDM) ●
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armyworm.
It feeds on leaves and can cut off panicles from
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the base of a crop plant.
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What is Digital public infrastructure (DPI)? ● It frequently leaves the field looking like it has
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been grazed by cattle.
● It encompasses foundational elements or
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● During an outbreak, the pest multiplies in large
frameworks like digital identification, payment
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numbers and moves in swarms from field to
infrastructure, and data exchange solutions.
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field, like an army, to feed and attack the crops.
● These components play a crucial role in
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● Favourable condition: An increase in
facilitating countries to provide vital services to
temperatures with dryness creates a favourable
their citizens, fostering empowerment, and
condition for the pest population to increase.
enhancing lives through the promotion of digital
inclusion. What is a polyphagous pest?
Key facts about the Social Impact Fund (SIF) ● Polyphagous insect pests are primarily
agricultural pests that feed on economically
● It is envisioned as a government-led
important agricultural and horticultural crops of
multistakeholder initiative to fast-track DPI
wide taxonomic diversity across the globe.
implementation in the global south.
● This fund will offer financial support to provide #4
upstream technical and non-technical
assistance to countries in developing DPI Real Estate Investment Trusts
systems. ● The SEBI Board recently approved amendments
● It offers a platform for all relevant stakeholders, to the SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts)
including other governments, international Regulations 2014 (REIT Regulations) to create a
organizations, and philanthropic entities, to new regulatory framework for small and
contribute to this fund and help accelerate the medium REITs.
achievement of the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) in Low- and Middle-Income About Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs):
Countries (LMICs) through DPIs. ● A REIT is a company that owns and typically
● India has pledged an initial commitment of $25 operates income-producing real estate or
million. related assets.
#3
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● They pool money from the investors and invest ● Its flowers are complete, bisexual, i.e., with
it in commercial real estate projects. functional male (androecium) and female
● These may include office buildings, shopping (gynoecium),
malls, apartments, hotels, resorts, self-storage ● It is a critically endangered species as per
facilities, warehouses, and mortgages or loans. the International Union for Conservation of
● Unlike other real estate companies, a REIT does Nature (IUCN) Red List.
not develop real estate properties to resell ● Global Distribution: Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Instead, a REIT buys and develops properties China, India, and Myanmar.
primarily to operate them as part of its own ● In India, it is found in Arunachal Pradesh,
investment portfolio. Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
● REITs provide a way for individual investors to Nagaland, and Tripura.
earn a share of the income produced through ● Threats: Saurauia species are susceptible to
commercial real estate ownership without various insect pests, virus and fungi,
actually having to go out and buy commercial affecting leaves, fruits and roots.
real estate.
#2
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In general, REITs specialise in a specific real
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●
estate sector. However, diversified and
speciality REITs may hold different types of
.
Fibre optic cable
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properties in their portfolios, such as a REIT ● Along with quantum optics, fibre optic
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that consists of both office and retail communication stands on the cusp of a
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properties. new era.
●
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Most REITs are publicly traded like stocks,
which makes them highly liquid (unlike physical
About Fibre Optic Cable:
C
real estate investments). REITs are like shares ● Optical fibres are made of thin, cylindrical
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that are listed on the stock exchange, which strands of glass.
means you can buy or sell them anytime on the ● The diameter of a typical fibre is close to the
exchange. diameter of human hair.
● These fibres can carry information, such as
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY text, images, voices, videos, telephone calls,
#1 and anything that can be encoded as digital
information, across large distances almost
Saurauia Punduana at the speed of light.
● They are strong, light, and flexible, and ideal
● Recently, the Saurauia Punduana plant was
to be buried underground, drawn
recorded for the first time in Manipur’s
underwater, or bent around a spool.
Tamenglong district.
How do optical fibres work?
About Saurauia Punduana:
● These cables work basically on the principle
● It is a plant species that belongs to the
of total internal reflection.
Actinidiaceae family.
● The signals encoded as electromagnetic
● The flowers of Saurauia Punduana turn
waves can be fed into one end of an optical
white to pink on maturity. Petals are pink,
fibre, and they will reflect and bounce many
ovate to obovate, curled at the tip.
times between the glass walls as they
● Its fruits are spherical, shining white, and
traverse several kilometres bearing the
are used in veterinary medicine.
information in the signals.
● Habitat: In subtropical forests, altitude
● A fibre optic communication system
600-1800 m.
consists of three parts.
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● A transmitter encodes information into ● Treatment: There are multiple antibiotics

optical signals (in the form of rapidly that effectively cure this infection.
blinking light pulses of zeros and ones).
#4
● An optical fibre carries the signal to its
destination. There, a receiver reproduces Green Leaf Volatiles (GLVs)
the information from the encoded signal.
● Optical waves allow a high data ● Recently, for the first time, scientists were
transmission rate of up to several terabits able to visualise plants sensing compounds
per second in a single fibre. called green leaf volatiles (GLVs) released
by other plants in danger.
#3
About Green Leaf Volatiles:
Mycoplasma Pneumonia
● It represents an important group of plant
● Recently, the authorities in China have volatiles.
reported an increase in the incidence of ● They consist of six carbon (C6) compounds,
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respiratory diseases and have attributed this including alcohols, aldehydes, and esters,
to the circulation of various pathogens, such
as mycoplasma pneumonia.
L.
●
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The release of GLVs is caused by
A
mechanical damage or herbivory by fungal
About Mycoplasma Pneumonia:
● It’s a type of bacteria that acts more like a
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or bacterial infection.
These are implicated in a panoply of
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virus and spreads faster from person to interactions; they have been reported to
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person. repel or attract herbivores and their natural
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● It infiltrates both sides of the lungs, enemies.
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increasing cough and breathing difficulties. ● Plants have two major defence
It damages the lining of the respiratory mechanisms, involving a chain of molecular
system (throat, lungs, windpipe). reactions.
● The reactions are triggered when a plant is
Symptoms
damaged and GLVs are released as
● It is not as rapidly infectious as a virus but it by-products. (By mounting a defence
can affect our throat and our nasal cavities response, plants can make themselves less
and descend to the lungs very quickly, palatable or even indigestible to the insect
causing pneumonia. attackers.)
● Signs include the breakup of red blood cells, ● The molecular cascade is mediated by
a skin rash and joint pain. calcium, a common mediator of chemical
● Children may report a stuffy or runny nose, and electrical signals found throughout
sore throat, watery eyes, wheezing, biology.
vomiting, and diarrhoea.
What are Volatiles?
Who is at risk?
● These are elements or compounds that
● The bacteria can cause pneumonia in any change from solid or liquid state into vapour
age group, especially in children, elderly or at relatively low temperatures.
those with weakened lungs. ● The most common volatiles are carbon
● Vulnerable groups, who already have dioxide, nitrogen, ammonia, hydrogen,
respiratory issues, are prone to developing methane, sulphur dioxide, and water, which
this infection in a severe form. are abundant in nature and necessary for
living organisms.
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● Recently, the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace,

Disarmament, and Development 2022 was
SPORTS
jointly awarded to the Indian Medical
#1 Association and the Trained Nurses
Association of India as representatives of the
Cricket: Timed Out COVID-19 warriors in the country.
● Sri Lankan Batsman Angelo Mathews’ About Indira Gandhi Peace Prize:
timed-out dismissal during a recent ICC
Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match ● The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace,
against Bangladesh stands as a first Disarmament, and Development was instituted
instance of timed-out dismissal in the in the memory of the former prime minister by a
146-year chronicle of International Cricket. trust in her name in 1986.
● As per the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup ● It consists of a monetary award of 25 lakh
2023 playing conditions, the incoming rupees along with a citation.
batter must be ready to face the next ball ● The award is given to individuals or
●
within a strict 2-minute time limit.
However, the Marylebone Cricket Club’s
(MCC) Law 40.1.1 states that following a
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organisations that work towards ensuring
.
international peace and development, ensuring
that scientific discoveries are used to further
wicket fall or a batter’s retirement, the new
batter must be prepared to face the next ball
TA the scope of freedom and better humanity, and
creating a new international economic order.
●
within 3 minutes.
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Failure to do so results in a ‘Timed Out’ RPast recipients of this award include:
●
dismissal.
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The batter argued that the delay was due to
● Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet
Union (1987);
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a faulty helmet, not an attempt to waste ● UNICEF (1989)
time or gain an advantage. ● Jimmy Carter, former president of the US
● However, the rules do not account for (1997)
last-minute equipment malfunctions. ● UN and its secretary-general Kofi Annan (2003)
● Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany (2013)
Timed Out Rule in Cricket:
● Indian Space Research Organisation (2014)
● In cricket, the “Timed Out” rule states that ● Former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan
after the fall of a wicket or the retirement of Singh (2017)
a batter, the incoming batter must be ready ● Sir David Attenborough (2019)
to receive the ball or for the other batter to
Pratham NGO (2021)
be ready to receive the next ball within 2
minutes. #2
● If the batsman fails to do so, they will be
Guru Nanak
considered out.
● In a past test match in 2007, India’s Sourav ● The Prime Minister greeted people on the
Ganguly came close to being timed out due occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
to unusual circumstances, but the situation
was resolved without an appeal. Guru Nanak Jayanti
MISCELLANEOUS ● It is celebrated on the 15th lunar day of the

Hindu month of Kartik.
#1 ● It is one of the most important days of Sikhism
and marks the birth anniversary of the first of
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
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the ten Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism, Rythu Bandhu Scheme
Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
● The Election Commission recently withdrew the
● The day honours the teachings and wisdom of
permission given to the Telangana government
Guru Nanak Dev Ji and also promotes unity,
to disburse financial aid to farmers under the
equality, and selfless service, embodying the
Rythu Bandhu Scheme.
core principles of Sikh philosophy.
About Rythu Bandhu Scheme:
About Guru Nanak:
● The Rythu Bandhu scheme, also known as the
● Guru Nanak (1469–1539), also referred to as
Farmer's Investment Support Scheme (FISS), is
Baba Nanak, was the founder of Sikhism and
a welfare programme for farmers started by the
the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
Telangana government in 2018.
● He was born on April 15, 1469, in Rai Bhoi di
Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. The objective of this scheme is twofold:
● Guru Nanak Dev spread the message of ‘Ek
Omkar’ which means that God is one and is ● to provide a timely cash grant for the initial
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investment needs of farmers
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present everywhere.
.
● He propagated the idea that any person could ● to ensure that farmers do not fall into the debt
connect with God by worshipping him with a
clean conscience. ●
A Ltrap.
Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs
● Guru Nanak laid the foundation for the three
pillars of Sikhism: Naam Japna (meditating on
R T 5,000 per acre per farmer each season is
directly transferred to each farmer's account.
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God's name), Kirat Karni (honest and truthful ● This financial support was distributed
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living), and Vand Chakna (sharing with others, biannually, allocated for both the kharif and rabi
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especially those in need). harvests.
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● He was a poet, a mystic, a philosopher, and a ● The assistance can be used for the purchase of
singer who denounced ritualism as well as inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labour,
discrimination against women and those of and other investments in the field operations of
lower socioeconomic status. Farmer’s choice for the crop season.
● Guru Nanak rejected the caste system and Eligibility:
promoted the idea of equality among all people,
regardless of their background, caste, or ● The scheme is open to all resident farmers in
gender. the state who own land.
● He introduced the concept of "Sangat" ● Farmers cultivating the land in the forest, a
(community), where all could come together to majority of them from Scheduled Tribe
worship. communities and having a Record of Forest
● All his teachings are composed together to Rights (ROFR) document, are also eligible to
form the sacred book called Guru Granth Sahib, receive benefits under the scheme.
the central holy religious scripture of Sikhism. ● It is the country's first direct farmer investment
support scheme where cash is paid directly to
the beneficiary.
#2
The Hindu Current Affairs Week-4 Fast Track Special Court
NATIONAL ● Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the

continuation of fast-track courts dedicated to
#1 the dispensation of justice in cases of sexual
offences, for a period of three years.
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About Fast Track Special Court (FTSC): Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM
JANMAN) with a total outlay of Rs. 24,104
● It was formulated as a centrally sponsored
crores.
scheme to establish FTSCs for the timely
disposal of cases related to rape and the About Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act Abhiyan (PM JANMAN):
(POCSO Act) in August 2019.
● The PM-JANMAN (comprising Central Sector
● Initially commenced in October 2019 for one
and Centrally Sponsored Schemes) to focus on
year, the scheme was extended for an
11 critical interventions through nine ministries,
additional two years until March 31, 2023.
including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
● Now it has been further extended until March
● The scheme aims to provide crucial
31, 2026, with a financial outlay of Rs. 1952.23
interventions such as permanent housing, road
crore.
connectivity, piped water supply, mobile medical
● Fund: The Central Share is funded from the
units, hostel construction, ‘Anganwadi’ facilities,
Nirbhaya Fund.
skill development centres,
● These are designed as dedicated courts which
are expected to ensure swift dispensation of
justice, offering quick relief to victims while
●
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Other than the 11 critical interventions, the
.
following interventions of other Ministries will
be part of Mission:
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strengthening the deterrence framework for
● Ministry of Ayush will set up Ayush Wellness
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sexual offenders.
Centre as per existing norms, and Ayush
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● Nodal Ministry: It is implemented by the
facilities will be extended to PVTG habitations
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Department of Justice, Ministry of Law &
through Mobile Medical Units.
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Justice.
● The Ministry of Skill Development and
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● It augments State Government resources for
Entrepreneurship will facilitate skill and
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establishing FTSCs across the country, ensuring
vocational training in PVTG habitations,
the swift disposal of cases related to rape and
multipurpose centres and hostels as per the
the POCSO Act.
suitable skills of these communities.
● All States/Union Territories have participated in
the Scheme, operationalizing 761 FTSCs, #4
including 414 exclusive POCSO Courts.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir
The expected outcomes of the scheme are:
● Recently, the Union Government has decided to
● Reflect the nation's commitment to ending rename the existing Ayushman Bharat Health
sexual and gender-based violence. and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) as ‘Ayushman
● Substantially reduce pending cases of Rape & Arogya Mandir.
POCSO Act, relieving the burden on the judicial
system.
● Ensure swift access to justice for victims of About Ayushman Arogya Mandir:
sexual crimes through improved facilities and
expedited trials.
● Reduce the burden of cases to a manageable ● The Government of India announced in 2018
number. that 1.5 lakh HWCs would be created in the
#3 country by transforming existing sub-health
centres and primary health centres to deliver
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha comprehensive primary health care and
Abhiyan declared this as one of the two components of
● Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Ayushman Bharat.
Prime Minister of India approved Pradhan
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● It was decided the Centre would provide 60% of Features:

the funding and, in turn, states would follow its
● It is spread over 48 acres with fortified walls
design manual.
that are 29 feet high and 12 feet thick and
● To date,61 lakh AB-HWCs have been made
stretch for two miles.
functional across the country, which is higher
● As many as 52 bastions with embrasures for
than the initial target.
cannons guard its walls.
● The AB-HWCs provide maternal and child
● One can enter the fort through the Dilli Darwaja,
healthcare services, including primary-level care
the main gate. Because of its architectural
for emergencies and trauma, including free
design, the gate is visible only from close
drugs and diagnostic services, among other
quarters and seems to be part of the walls.
things.
● It is surrounded by several smaller forts, such
● The new tagline of AB-HWCs is Arogyam
as Padmagad, Rajkot, and Sarjekot Forts.
Parmam Dhanam’.
● A handprint and footprint of the Maratha King
Key facts about Ayushman Bharat (AB) are embedded on a slab within the fort.
● A small temple dedicated to the Chhatrapati
● The Union government announced in 2018 two
major initiatives in the health sector, as part of
the Ayushman Bharat programme.
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also finds a place within the bounds of the fort.
● Curative care - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya

Yojana (PMJAY): For hospitalisation at
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●
secondary- and tertiary-level private hospitals
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Primary care - Health and Wellness Centres RINTERNATIONAL
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(HWC): To strengthen primary healthcare. #1
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#5
Sindhudurg Fort ● The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of
Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, is
● The Indian Navy is preparing to demonstrate its organizing the 19th Working Party on Data
operational capabilities in a grand 'Operational Collection and Statistics (WPDCS19) of the
Demonstration' on Navy Day at Sindhudurg Fort Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) from
in Maharashtra. 28th November to 2nd December 2023.
About Sindhudurg Fort: About the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission:
● It is a historical fort that occupies an islet in the ● It is an intergovernmental organisation
Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Maharashtra mandated to sustainably manage highly
in western India. migratory (tuna and tuna-like) fisheries
● The fortress lies on Kurte Island, very near the resources in the Indian Ocean.
coast of Malvan town in Sindhudurg District in ● The Agreement for the Establishment of the
the Konkan region of Maharashtra, 450 Indian Ocean Tuna Commission was adopted
kilometres south of Mumbai. by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the
● The fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji United Nations at the 105th Session in Rome on
Maharaj of the Maratha Empire. 25 November 1993.
● The construction of the fort began in 1664 and ● The objective of the IOTC is to promote
took three years to complete. cooperation amongst contracting members to
● The main objective was to counter the rising ensure, through appropriate management, the
influence of foreign colonisers (English, Dutch, sustainable use of fishery resources.
French, and Portuguese merchants) and to curb ● The Indian Ocean is the second-largest tuna
the rise of the Siddis of Janjira. fishery in the world.
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● The IOTC currently has 31 contracting parties #3

who are members of the IOTC and two
International Sugar Organisation (ISO)
cooperating non-contracting parties, Liberia and
Senegal. ● India, the largest consumer and second-largest
producer of sugar globally, was recently named
#2
the Chair of the International Sugar
National Cadet Corps Organisation (ISO) for the year 2024.
● Recently, the National Cadet Corps (NCC)
celebrated its 75th Anniversary on November
About the International Sugar Organisation (ISO):
26, 2023
● ISO is an inter-governmental body completely

About the National Cadet Corps:
devoted to improving conditions in the world
sugar market.
● It is a Tri-Services organisation, comprising the
Army, Navy and Air Force, engaged in grooming
●
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Its 87 member states represent 87% of global
.
production, 64% of consumption, 92% of sugar
exports, and 34% of sugar imports.
●
the youth into disciplined and patriotic citizens.
It came into existence under the National Cadet
●
TA ISO is based in London.
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● The ISO exists to administer the internationally
Corps Act XXXI of 1948 under the Ministry of
negotiated 1992 International Sugar Agreement
●
Defence (MoD).
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It is a voluntary organisation that recruits
●
(ISA), the objectives of which are:
to ensure enhanced international cooperation in
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cadets from high schools, colleges, and
connection with world sugar matters and
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universities all over India.
related issues.
● The cadets are given basic military training in
● to provide a forum for intergovernmental
small arms and parades. They are given
consultations on sugar and on ways to improve
preference in military service over normal
the world sugar economy.
candidates during selections.
● to facilitate trade by collecting and providing
Aims information on the world sugar market and
other sweeteners.
● To develop qualities of character, courage, ● to encourage increased demand for sugar,
comradeship, discipline, leadership, secular particularly for non-traditional uses.
outlook, the spirit of adventure and ● To fulfil these objectives, the ISO undertakes
sportsmanship and ideals of selfless service many distinct activities, including workshops,
among the youth to make them useful citizens. seminars, and its long-established and
● To create a human resource of organised, widely-recognized statistical and analytical
trained, and motivated youth to provide work.
leadership in all walks of life, including the
Armed Forces, and be always available for the #4
service of the nation.
Fattah 2
● To create a suitable environment to motivate
the youth to take up a career in the armed ● Iran recently unveiled its new and improved
forces. hypersonic weapon, the Fattah-2.
● It is headed by the Director General (DG), an
Army officer of the rank of Lieutenant General.
● Headquarters: New Delhi. About Fattah 2:
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● It is an aquatic salamander renowned for its

ability to regenerate its spinal cord, heart, and
● Fattah, which means conqueror in Farsi, is a
limbs.
hypersonic ballistic missile.
● These amphibians also readily make new
● It was developed by Iran. It is a new version of
neurons throughout their lives.
its first domestically made hypersonic ballistic
● Axolotls, like humans, contain two copies of
missile named ‘Fattah’.
every gene—one inherited from the father and
Features: the other from the mother.
● It is notable for its permanent retention of larval
● It is equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle features, such as external gills.
(HGV) warhead that can manoeuvre and glide ● The species is found only in Lake Xochimilco,
at hypersonic speed. within Mexico City.
● It uses a liquid-fuel rocket propellant. ● The name axolotl is also applied to any
● The precision-guided two-stage missile can hit full-grown larva of Ambystoma tigrinum (tiger
targets within a range of 1500 kilometres with a salamander) that has not yet lost its external
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velocity of Mach 15 (fifteen times the speed of gills.
●
sound i.e., 18522 km/hr).
It can make quick turns to avoid defence
●
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They feast on a menu of molluscs, worms,
insect larvae, crustaceans, and some fish.
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systems.
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● It is equipped with a warhead that has a Conservation status
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spherical engine running on solid fuel and
● IUCN: Critically endangered.
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movable nozzles that allow it to change course
● Threats: Habitat degradation, pollution, fishing,
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when outside the atmosphere to accurately help
nonnative predators, the pet trade.
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it evade air-defence systems.
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY
What is a Hypersonic Missile?
#1
● A hypersonic missile is a weapon system that
flies at least at the speed of Mac 5, i.e., five Cashew Crop
times the speed of sound and is manoeuvrable.
● Recently, the chairman of the Agricultural and
● These missiles are extremely fast and far
Processed Food Products Export Development
harder for surface-to-air missile defence
Authority said that APEDA facilitated the
systems to target.
exporting of over 30 tonnes of cashew on World
#5 Cashew Day.
Axolotl About the Cashew Crop:
● Recently, ecologists from Mexico’s National ● It is native to Brazilin Latin America and was
Autonomous University relaunched a introduced to India by the Portuguese in the
fundraising campaign to bolster conservation 16th century (1570).
efforts for axolotls.
Climatic condition
● The campaign, called Adoptaxolotl, asks people
for as little as 600 pesos (about $35) to virtually ● Soil and climate: Well-drained deep sandy loam
adopt one of the tiny “water monsters." soils are the best for growing cashews. In
general, all soils, from sandy to laterite, are well
About Axolotl:
suited for this crop.
● It is very well adapted to Indian coastal areas
under hot, humid conditions
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● Temperature: In the range of 20 to 38 °C; ● When grants, authorised by the Parliament, fall
relative humidity in the range of 60 to 95%. short of the required expenditure, an estimate is
● Rainfall: annual precipitation in the range of presented before the Parliament for
2000 to 3500mm. Supplementary or Additional grants.
● Extremely low temperatures and frost are not ● These grants are presented and passed by the
conducive to raising cashew plantations. Parliament before the end of the financial year.
● The cultivation of this crop is being extended to ● When actual expenditure incurred exceeds the
non-traditional areas in the plains of Karnataka, approved grants of the Parliament, the Ministry
Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, and some parts of Finance and Ministry of Railways present a
of North East hill region. Demand for Excess Grant.
● India holds the second-largest share in the ● The Comptroller and Auditor General of India
world's cashew nut production and exports. bring such excesses to the notice of the
● The country's top export destinations include Parliament.
the UAE, the Netherlands, Japan, and Saudi ● The Public Accounts Committee examines
Arabia. these excesses and gives recommendations to
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the Parliament.
Key facts about Agricultural and Processed Food
Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
●
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The Demand for Excess Grants is made after
the actual expenditure is incurred and is
● It was established by the Government of India
under the Agricultural and Processed Food
TA presented to Parliament after the end of the
financial year in which the expenses were
Products Export Development Authority Act of
1985.
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●
Industry.
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It works under the Ministry of Commerce and
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● Objective: To develop and promote the export of
scheduled products.
● The products specified under the APEDA ACT
are called scheduled products, and exporters of
such scheduled products are required to
register under APEDA.
● It provides financial assistance, information,
and guidelines for the development of
scheduled products.
#2
Supplementary Grants
● The Supplementary Demands for Grants are #3
likely to see additional allocations for fertiliser,
food, and fuel subsidies, along with the Rural Global Biodiversity Framework Fund
Employment Guarantee Scheme. ● Recently, experts said that the world’s new
biodiversity framework fund lacks any real
financial commitment to meet conservation
About Supplementary Grants: targets.
● Article 115of the Indian Constitution provides About the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund:
for supplementary, additional, or excess grants.
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About Hammer Candlesticks in Trading:

● It was created to ramp up investment in nature
restoration and renewal.
● It is one of the most popular candlestick
● It has been designed to mobilise and accelerate
patterns traders use to gauge the probability of
investment in the conservation and
outcomes when looking at price movement.
sustainability of wild species and ecosystems,
● A hammer is a price pattern in candlestick
whose health is under threat from wildfires,
charting that occurs when a security trades
flooding, extreme weather, and human activity,
significantly lower than its opening but rallies
including urban sprawl.
within the period to close near the opening
● The fund was established at the 7th Assembly
price.
of the Global Environment Facility in Vancouver,
● This pattern forms a hammer-shaped
Canada.
candlestick, in which the lower shadow is at
● It will help countries achieve the 23 targets set
least twice the size of the real body.
under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
● The body of the candlestick represents the
Framework (KMGBF).
● The framework was adopted at the 15th
Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the UN
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difference between the opening and closing
.
prices, while the shadow shows the high and
low prices for the period.
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Convention on Biological Diversity last
● The hammer candlestick occurs when sellers
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December.
enter the market during a price decline. By the
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● It will be managed by the Global Environment
time the market closes, buyers absorb selling
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Facility (GEF) and raise funds through private,
pressure and push the market price near the
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philanthropic, and government investments.
opening price.
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● This is a departure from GEF, which relied on
● The close can be above or below the opening
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just 40 donors for finance.
price, although the close should be near the
● It will also have access to funds earmarked for
open for the real body of the candlestick to
biodiversity conservation under GEF.
remain small.
● The facility has a cumulative budget of $5.25
● Analysts view it as a potential bullish trend
billion for 2022-26, of which 36 percent is
reversal indicator, mainly appearing at the end
earmarked for biodiversity.
of a downtrend.
● The remaining budget is for projects on climate
● It could be used as a leading intraday indicator
change, pollution, land and ocean health.
to signal a change in bullish/bearish
● The GBF Fund Council will be open to
momentum.
representation by the following members,
● 16 Members from developing countries SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
● 14 Members from developed countries
● 2 members from the countries of central and #1
eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Sagittarius C (Sgr C)
#4 ● Recently, the James Webb Space Telescope
Hammer Candlesticks (JWST) captured a stunning image of the dense
centre of the Milky Way galaxy with clarity never
● Nifty recently ended 95 points higher to cross seen before.
above the key hurdle at the 19,850 level and
form a hammer candlestick pattern on the daily About Sagittarius C (Sgr C):
chart. ● It is the star-forming region known to be
situated approximately 300 light-years from the
Milky Way's central supermassive black hole,
Sagittarius A*.
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● It is revealing a bustling cluster of protostars ● AstroSat, with a lift-off mass of 1515 kg, was
within an infrared-dark cloud. launched by the Indian launch vehicle PSLV
● These nascent stars are in the process of from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota,
accumulating mass, their outflows glowing on September 28, 2015, into a 650 km orbit
intensely in the infrared spectrum, akin to inclined at an angle of 6 degrees to the equator.
embers in a cosmic bonfire. ● The spacecraft control centre at Mission
● The cloud that protostars are emerging from is Operations Complex (MOX) of ISRO Telemetry,
so dense that the light from stars behind it Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC),
cannot reach Webb. Bengaluru, manages the satellite during its
● Scattered throughout are smaller infrared-dark entire mission life.
clouds, akin to celestial voids against the starry ● The minimum useful life of the AstroSat
backdrop, signalling the birthplaces of future mission is around 5 years.
stars. ● It carries a total of five scientific payloads,
● Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) has enabling imaging and studying the temporal
detected extensive emissions from ionised and spectral properties of galactic and
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hydrogen on the periphery of the dark cloud, extra-galactic cosmic sources in a wide range
highlighted in a striking cyan hue.
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of wavelengths on a common platform.
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Key facts about the James Webb Space Telescope Scientific Objectives:
● It was built in collaboration between NASA, the
European Space Agency(ESA) and the Canadian
R
●
T To understand high energy processes in binary
star systems containing neutron stars and
●
Space Agency.
It was launched in December 2021.
PO ●
black holes.
Estimate magnetic fields of neutron stars.
●
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It is presently at a point in space known as the ● Study star birth regions and high energy
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Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point. processes in star systems lying beyond our
● Lagrange Point 2 is one of the five points in the galaxy.
orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system. ● Detect new, briefly bright X-ray sources in the
● It's the largest, most powerful infrared space sky.
telescope ever built. ● Perform a limited deep-field survey of the
● Objectives: It will examine every phase of Universe in the Ultraviolet region.
cosmic history, from the Big Bang to the
#3
formation of galaxies, stars, and planets to the
evolution of our Solar System. Comet P12/Pons-Brooks
#2 ● Astronomers from the Indian Institute of
Astrophysics (IIA) have photographed the
enigmatic Comet P12/Pons-Brooks by using the
AstroSat Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) from the
Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle,
● India's first multi-wavelength space telescope,
Ladakh.
AstroSat, has successfully detected its 600th
Gamma-ray Burst (GRB), an event named GRB About Comet P12/Pons-Brooks:
231122B.
About AstroSat:
● It is a celestial object that has been playfully
● It is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength nicknamed the 'Devil Comet' or likened to the
space observatory aimed at studying celestial 'Millennium Falcon' for its distinctive
sources in X-ray, optical, and UV spectral bands appearance.
simultaneously.
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● This comet, first discovered in the year 1812, energy range of 8-30 keV for photons of
completes an orbit around the Sun every 71 astronomical origin.
years. Its recent activity has been particularly ● XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing)
striking, with multiple outbursts of gas and dust payload: It will give spectroscopic information
that have dramatically increased its brightness. in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
● The comet's atmosphere, visible as a spherical ● It is designated for observation from a Low
halo, spans an impressive 3,50,000 kilometres Earth Orbit (non-sun synchronous orbit of ~650
in diameter, km altitude, low inclination of approximately six
degrees).
Key Facts about the Himalayan Chandra Telescope
● The mission life is expected to be
● It is a 2-meter optical-infrared telescope named approximately five years.
after Nobel laureate Subramaniam ● The payloads onboard XPoSat will observe the
Chandrasekhar. X-ray sources during the spacecraft’s transit
● It is at the Indian Astronomical Observatory through the Earth’s shadow, i.e., during the
(IAO) in Hanle, near Leh in Ladakh. eclipse period.
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It will be launched by the Polar Satellite Launch
I
● It is currently the tenth-highest optical ●
telescope in the world, situated at an elevation
of 4,500 meters.
L.
Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space
Centre in Sriharikota.
● The telescope isremotely operated using a
dedicated satellite communication link from the
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Centre for Research & Education in Science &
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Technology (CREST), Indian Institute of RSPORTS
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#1
Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore.
●
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Imaging instruments include a Faint Object ICC Cricket World Cup 2023,
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Spectrograph, a near-infrared and an optical
CCD camera. ● Australia has lift the world cup trophy by
defeating India with a convincing 6-wicket
#4 margin.
● Travis Head (137) and Marnus Labuschagne
X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat)
(58 not out) demonstrated remarkable poise,
● Recently, the Indian Space Research constructing a game-changing partnership of
Organisation (ISRO) announced that India is set 196 runs.
to launch its first X-ray Polarimeter Satellite ● This resilient effort not only put Australia in a
(XPoSat). commanding position but also paved the way
for their sixth World Cup title triumph.
About X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat):
● With this win Australia has won the World Cup
● It is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission title 6 times viz. 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015
to study various dynamics of bright and 2023.
astronomical X-ray sources in extreme ● Earlier, fast bowler Mitchell Starc took three
conditions. wickets as Australia dismissed India for 240 in
● Aim: It is aiming to investigate the polarisation the World Cup final in front of nearly 130,000
of intense X-ray sources. fans in Ahmedabad on November 19.
● The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads ● Australia’s Travis Head was declared the Player
in a low earth orbit. of the Match in his side’s 2023 ODI World Cup
● POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays): It will final win against India in Ahmedabad. The
measure the polarimetry parameters (degree Australian opener top-scored for his side in a
and angle of polarisation) in a medium X-ray 241-run chase, with a 120-ball 137.
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● For example, a car vendor claims that a vehicle

is eco-friendly because it is more fuel-efficient
#2
while failing to mention or consider the larger
16th World Wushu Championship industrial impact of vehicle manufacturing on
the environment.
● The 16th World Wushu Championships recently
concluded in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
● Among the standout performers from India,
#2
Roshibina Devi (silver) , Kushal Kumar (bronze)
and Chavi (bronze) demonstrated remarkable Nolamba Dynasty
skill and resilience in their respective weight
● Ancient inscriptions, hero stones, and idols of
categories.
Shiva Linga and Nandi have been unearthed
● It was organized by the United States of
during recent research about the history of
America Wushu-Kungfu Federation (USAWKF)
Nolamba Pallavas.
under the auspices of the International Wushu
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Federation (IWUF). About the Nolamba Dynasty:
● Wushu is a martial art that originated in China
and encompasses various forms and styles. It’s ●
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They were one of the significant political
powers in South India.
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a disciplined and highly stylized form of combat
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and self-defense. ● The Nolambas ruled from the 8th to the 12th
R
centuries C.E. over an area traditionally called
MISCELLANEOUS Nolambavadi, which extended over south-east
#1
PO Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra

Pradesh.
Greenwashing
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Chalukyas of Badami, Gangas, and
● The Advertising Standards Council of India
Rashtrakutas, and later to Chalukyas of Kalyani.
(ASCI) recently proposed guidelines that aim to
● Nolambas commonly referred to themselves as
check Greenwashing in ads.
Nolamba Pallava in several inscriptions.
About Greenwashing: ● Their earlier capital was Chitradurga, which they
later shifted to Hemavati in modern Andhra
● It is the process of conveying a false Pradesh. Hemavathi was the capital between
impression or misleading information about the 8th and 10th centuries AD.
how a company’s products are environmentally
sound. Origin:
● Greenwashing involves making an
● Mangala Nomabathi Raja (735–785 A.D.) was
unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers
considered the founder of the Nolamba
into believing that a company’s products are
dynasty.
environmentally friendly or have a greater
● Inscriptional evidence suggests that they came
positive environmental impact than they
into existence as governors when the Pallavas
actually do.
and Chalukyas were supreme powers.
● In addition, greenwashing may occur when a
● With the seizure of Badami by the Pallava ruler
company attempts to emphasize sustainable
Mamalla Narasimhavarman I, the Chalukyas
aspects of a product to overshadow its
ceded the territories that were ruled by the
involvement in environmentally damaging
Banas and Vaidumbas to the Pallavas.
practices.
● The Banas and Vaidumbas thus became
● Companies can also greenwash initiatives with
feudatories of the Pallavas.
vague claims that don't provide real data or
● The Nolambas, who were perhaps related to the
scientific validation for the claims.
Pallava family, governed the region adjacent to
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these lands of Pallava feudatories, namely the

Banas and Vaidumbas.
● Sometime later, during the rule of Vikramaditya
I, the Chalukyas regained their lost territories.
The Banas and Vaidumbas thus had to change
their political relationship back to the
Chalukyas.
● The Pallava chiefs, who were adjacent to the
Banas and Vaidumbas, were defeated by the
Chalukyas, who soon came under their
protection. These Pallava chiefs soon came into
existence under the name of “Nolambas”.
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CURRENT AFFAIRS DEC-2023
● No individual shall be eligible to become an

The Hindu Current Affairs Week-1 ordinary member of the NCEL.
● Nominal or associate member: The society
may, in the interest of the promotion of its
NATIONAL business, admit any person, including
cooperative banks, as a nominal member or
#1
associate member.
National Cooperative Exports Limited ● This society will focus on exporting the
surpluses available in the Indian cooperative
● Recently, the Union Minister of Cooperation
N
sector by accessing wider markets beyond the
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informed the Lok Sabha about the National geographical contours of the country.
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Cooperative Exports Limited.
About the National Cooperative Exports Limited:
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#2
A
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● It was set up by the Ministry of Cooperation
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under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Securities Appellate Tribunal
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(MSCS) Act, 2002.
● The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) recently
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● It will provide a complete ecosystem for the
quashed a SEBI order banning Future Retail
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promotion of exports mainly of Agri
Chairperson and some other promoters from
commodities for the benefit of our farmers, in
the securities market for one year in an insider
which India has a comparative advantage.
trading case.
● All cooperative societies from the level of
primary to apex that are interested in exports About Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT):
are eligible to become members.
● The NCEL has provision of two kinds of ● It is formed as a statutory and autonomous
members namely: body as per the provisions of the Securities and
● Ordinary Members: The following shall be Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992.
eligible to become ordinary members of the ● It was mainly established to hear appeals
NCEL: - against orders passed by the SEBI or by an
● Any multi-state co-operative society or any adjudicating officer under the SEBI Act.
co-operative society registered or deemed to be The SAT hears appeals against the following
registered under any law relating to co-operative orders:
societies for the time being in force in any State
or UT; ● Orders issued by the Insurance Regulatory and
● The National Co-operative Development Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in
Corporation (NCDC) established under the relation to cases filed before it.
National Co-operative Development Corporation ● Orders issued by the Pension Fund Regulatory
Act, 1962 and Development Authority (PFRDA) in relation
● Such class or classes of persons or to cases filed before it.
associations of persons as may be permitted by ● Hear the orders passed by SEBI.
the Central Registrar having regard to the nature Composition:
and activities of the Society.
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● SAT consists of one Presiding Officer and such ● Its main functions relate to creating and
number of Judicial and Technical members as updating of national geoscientific information
the Central Government may determine. and mineral resource assessment.
● The person so appointed as the presiding ● GSI’s chief role includes providing objective,
Officer should meet the following requirements: impartial and up-to-date geological expertise
● The retired or sitting judge of the Supreme and geoscientific information of all kinds, with a
Court focus on policy making decisions, commercial
● Chief Justice of the High Court and socio- economic needs.
● Judge of the High Court, who has completed at
● GSI also emphasises on systematic
least seven years of service as a judge in a high
documentation of all geological processes,
court.
both surface and subsurface, of India and its
● Judicial Member: Judge of the High Court for at
least five years of service. offshore areas. The organisation carries out
this work through geological, geophysical, &
#3 geochemical surveys using the latest and most
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cost-effective techniques and methodologies.
I
National Geoscience Data Repository Portal
.
● GSI is an attached office of the Ministry of
● The Union Ministry of Mines is to launch the
National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) ●
A LMines.
Headquarters: Kolkata
Portal on 19th December 2023 in a ceremony in
New Delhi.
R
●
T It has six regional offices located in Lucknow,
Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata
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About the National Geoscience Data Repository
and state unit offices in almost all states of the
country.
C
Portal:
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● It is a comprehensive online platform for
accessing, sharing, and analysing geospatial #4
information across India.
Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI)?
● The NGDR initiative was spearheaded by the
Geological Survey of India (GSI) and ● The Internet and Mobile Association of India
Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications (IAMAI), the representative body of nearly 600
and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N). internet firms and start-ups, recently welcomed
● It represents a significant leap forward in the introduction of the Telecom Bill in Lok
democratising critical geoscience data, Sabha.
empowering stakeholders across industries and About the Internet and Mobile Association of India
academia with unprecedented access to (IAMAI):
invaluable resources.
● Established in 2004, the IAMAI is a not-for-profit
About Geological Survey of India industry body registered under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860.
● The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up ● It is the country's only organisation representing
in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the the digital services industry, with over 500
Railways. Indian and multinational corporations as its
● Over the years, GSI has not only grown into a members, which include established companies
repository of geo-science information required in diverse sectors of the digital ecosystem as
in various fields in the country but has also well as start-ups.
attained the status of a geo-scientific ● Mandate: To expand and enhance the online
organisation of international repute. and mobile value-added services sectors.
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● It is dedicated to presenting the unified voice of ● It is surrounded by the Royal Chitwan National
the businesses it represents to the government, Park of Nepal in the north and the river Gandak
investors, consumers, and other stakeholders. on the western side.
● The association addresses the issues, ● Rivers: Rivers Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha,
concerns, and challenges of the Internet and Masan, and Bhapsa flow through various parts
Mobile economy and takes a leading role in its of the reserve.
development. ● The forest of this region has a combination of
● IAMAI represents varied sectors such as digital bhabar and terai tracts.
advertising, digital entertainment, traveltech, ● Vegetation: It has mainly Moist mixed
online gaming, digital payments, fintech, digital deciduous, Open-land vegetation,
commerce, edtech, healthtech, agritech, big Sub-mountainous semi-evergreen formation,
data, ML, AI & IoT, AR/VR, logistics-tech, and so Freshwater swamps, Riparian fringes, Alluvial
on. grasslands, high hill savannah and Wetlands.
● The association’s activities include promoting ● Flora: Sal, rohini, sihor, teak, bamboo, semal,
the inherent strengths of the digital economy, Mandar, shisham, Jamun, Gular etc.
N
evaluating and recommending standards and Fauna: Tigers, Leopards and Indian Wild Dogs
I
●
practices to the industry, conducting research,
creating platforms for its members,
L.
are large predators. Leopard cat and fishing cat,
Deer, sambar, barking deer and hog deer etc.
communicating on behalf of the industry, and
creating a favourable business environment for
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●
the industry.;
O
IAMAI has been advocating free and fair
RINTERNATIONAL
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competition, progressive laws for the sector, #1
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and supporting equitable access, the best TEMPO satellite
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quality of services to consumers, and a safe
and secure internet for users. ● NASA's new satellite TEMPO measures air
pollution hourly has shown significant progress
#5
and now the space agency officials are already
Valmiki Tiger Reserve thinking about ways to extend its life.
● Authorities in Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve About the TEMPO satellite:
(VTR) have credited the rise in the protected
area’s tiger numbers to a reduction in human ● Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution
activities, including restrictions on illegal mining (TEMPO) monitors major air pollutants across
in its eco-sensitive zone. North America.
● Its monitoring range extends from Canada’s oil
About the Valmiki Tiger Reserve:
sands to the Yucatán Peninsula and across the
● It is located at the India-Nepal border in the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
West Champaran district of Bihar. ● It is part of a virtual constellation with South
● It is situated in the Gangetic Plains Korea's Geostationary Environment Monitoring
biogeographic zone of the country. Spectrometer (GEMS) and the European Space
● It forms the easternmost limit of the Himalayan Agency’s upcoming satellite, aiming for
Terai forests in India and is the only tiger comprehensive air pollution monitoring over the
reserve in Bihar. Northern Hemisphere.
● It comprises the Valmiki National Park and ● It will make important scientific observations,
Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary.
including that of ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulphur
dioxide and formaldehyde levels.
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● It is capable of measuring air quality over North ● Evidence indicates that the causative agents of
America hourly during the daytime with a noma are non-specific polymicrobial organisms.
resolution of several square miles. ● There is no documented evidence to support
● It monitors the effects of everything from direct transmission from person to person.
rush-hour traffic to pollution from forest fires
Treatment:
and volcanoes.
● The present pollution-monitoring satellites are ● Early detection is essential, as therapy is most
in low Earth orbit (LEO), but this new monitoring effective at the early stages of disease when it
instrument is hosted in geostationary orbit. appears as aggressively swollen gums (acute
● It was designed for a 20-month operation. necrotizing gingivitis).
● Treatment typically includes prescription of
#2
widely available antibiotics, advice and support
Noma disease on practices to improve oral hygiene,
disinfectant mouthwash and nutrition
● Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO)
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supplement.
announced the inclusion of noma (cancrum oris
or gangrenous stomatitis) in its official list of #3
L.I
A
neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
T
Sargasso Sea
R
About the Noma disease:
● The Sargasso Sea near Bermuda is warmer,
●
disease of the mouth and the face.
PO
It is a rapidly progressing severe gangrenous saltier and more acidic than it has ever been
since measurements began in 1954 — and the
●
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The disease, also called cancrum oris or impact of such significant changes could be far
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gangrenous stomatitis, is mostly found in reaching, researchers have warned.
sub-Saharan Africa.
About the Sargasso Sea:
● It mostly affects children aged 2–6 years
suffering from malnutrition, affected by ● The Sargasso Sea, located entirely within the
infectious diseases, living in extreme poverty Atlantic Ocean, is the only sea without a land
with poor oral health or with weakened immune boundary.
systems. ● It is named for Sargassum, a holopelagic,
● It can also occur among immunocompromised golden drift algae that can aggregate to form
adults due to HIV, leukaemia and other extensive floating mats on the surface of the
diseases. ocean.
● It starts as a soft tissue lesion (a sore) of the ● This extraordinary open-ocean ecosystem is
gums. bounded by currents circulating around the
● It then develops into an acute necrotizing North Atlantic subtropical gyre and is unique for
gingivitis that progresses rapidly, destroying the supporting the centre of distribution and
soft tissues and further progressing to involve abundance for a community of continuously
the hard tissues and skin of the face. pelagic drift algae.
● It is generally considered an opportunistic and ● It provides habitats, spawning areas, migration
non-contagious disease. pathways and feeding grounds to a diverse
● Indeed, cases are seen in African countries assortment of flora and fauna, including
outside this area as well as in other parts of the endemic, endangered, and commercially
world, including Asia and Asia-Pacific, the important species.
Americas, the Middle East and Europe.
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● The Gulf Stream establishes the Sargasso Sea's ● The Secretary-General is assisted by a team of
western boundary, while the Sea is further international civil servants and supporting staff.
defined to the north by the North Atlantic ● The Governing Council supervises all policy
Current, to the east by the Canary Current, and aspects.
to the south by the North Atlantic Equatorial ● The General Assembly is the ultimate
Current. decision-making organ of UNIDROIT.
● Languages: The official languages are English,
#4
French, German, Italian and Spanish; its working
International Institute for the Unification of Private languages are English and French.
Law ● India has been a member of this organisation
since 1950.
● Recently, India’s Uma Sekhar was elected to the
governing council of the Rome-based #5
International Institute for the Unification of
Bab-El-Mandeb Strait
Private Law (UNIDROIT) within the first round at
the elections held in Rome.
About the International Institute for the Unification

●
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India needs to work on finding alternate trade
routes in the sea, as heavy reliance on the
A
Bab-El-Mandeb Strait could impact the country's
T
of Private Law:
trade with the Middle East, Africa, and Europe,
● It is an independent intergovernmental
Organisation.
O R economic think tank GTRI said recently.
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About the Bab-El-Mandeb Strait:
● It was set up in 1926 as an auxiliary organ of
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the League of Nations, following the demise of ● It is a strait of great strategic and economic
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the League it was re-established in 1940 on the importance, connecting the Red Sea in the
basis of a multilateral agreement, the UNIDROIT northwest to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian
Statute. Ocean in the southeast.
● Members: It consists of 65 Member States are ● It also separates Arabia, in the northeast, from
drawn from the five continents and represent a the African continent, in the southwest.
variety of different legal, economic and political ● It further acts as a link between the Indian
systems as well as different cultural Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea via the Red
backgrounds. Sea and the Suez Canal.
● Funding: The Institute is financed by annual ● The name of the strait, Bab El-Mandeb means
contributions from its Member States which are “Gate of Tears” in Arabic, referring to the large
fixed by the General Assembly. number of shipwrecks that have occurred in
this region.
Structure:
● The strait is 30 kilometres (KM) wide and is
● It has an essentially three-tiered structure, made divided into two channels by the Yemeni island
up of a Secretariat, a Governing Council and a of Perim, with the eastern channel being called
General Assembly. Alexander’s Strait and is around 3 kilometres
● The Secretariat is the executive organ of wide, while the western-lying Dact-el-Mayun
UNIDROIT responsible carrying out its Work Channel is 26 kilometres wide.
Programme from day to day. ● The flow through this strait provides for the
● It is headed by a Secretary-General appointed circulation between the Red Sea and the Gulf of
by the Governing Council on the nomination of Aden, since no flow takes place through the
the President of the Institute. Suez Canal.
465
BUSINESS & ECONOMY ● The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has
awarded the building a platinum rating.
#1
#2
Surat Diamond Bourse
Bharat New Car Assessment Programme
● Prime minister is set to inaugurate the world's
largest corporate office hub, Surat Diamond ● The first round of crash testing of the cars
Bourse. under the Bharat New Car Assessment
Programme (Bharat NCAP) has been
About Surat Diamond Bourse:
successfully completed recently.
● It is located in Khajod village, near Surat.
About Bharat New Car Assessment Programme
● It is the world's largest corporate office hub,
(Bharat NCAP):
taking over the erstwhile top position of
● It will also be a global centre for trading both ● It is an indigenous star-rating system for crash
rough and polished diamonds as well as testing cars,under which vehicles will be
N
jewellery. assigned between one to five stars, indicating
● Diamond buyers from all corners of the world
will get a global platform to trade at the Surat ●
L.I
their safety in a collision.
Bharat NCAP is an ambitious joint project
A
Diamond Bourse. between the Government of India (GoI) and
Features:
R T Global NCAP, the regulatory body behind the

safety crash test ratings.
O
● It is built on 35.54 acres of land at a cost of Rs ● Objective: To help consumers make an
P
3,400 crore. informed decision before purchasing a car,
C
● It is the world's largest interconnected building, thereby spurring demand for safer cars.
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as it houses over 4,500 interconnected offices. ● Under the Bharat NCAP, cars voluntarily
● The megastructure features 15 floors in nominated by automobile manufacturers will be
addition to nine ground towers with office space crash tested as per protocols laid down in the
ranging from 300 sq ft to 1 lakh sq ft. Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.
● There is a central spine connecting the nine
Applicability:
rectangular towers.
● The bourse will comprise a state-of-the-art ● The programme is applicable to passenger
'Customs Clearance House' for Import-Export, a vehicles with not more than eight seats in
jewellery mall for retail jewellery business, and a addition to the driver’s seat, with a gross vehicle
facility for International Banking and Safe weight not exceeding 3,500 kg.
Vaults. ● Only the base model of a particular variant will
● It is the country's largest customs clearance be tested.
house. ● Besides internal combustion engine (ICE)
● The building has the capacity to house 4,200 models, CNG cars as well as battery-powered
traders from 175 countries who will come to electric vehicles are eligible to undergo the
Surat to buy polished diamonds. safety test.
● Despite its mega size, the bourse minimizes its
environmental impact by adhering to the
principles of Panchtattva, aligning with the five #3
elements of nature.
● The building showcases a cutting-edge rooftop World Bank Migration and Development Brief
solar energy project, ensuring sustainability in ● The World Bank’s latest Migration and
common areas and employing a radiant cooling Development Brief highlights India’s significant
system. position as the top remittance recipient,
466
drawing attention to the evolving dynamics in savings held in foreign destinations, providing a
the remittance landscape. stable source of funds.
About the World Bank Migration and Development #4
Brief:
Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate
● It is prepared by the Migration and Remittances
● State Bank of India (SBI) recently raised its
Unit, Development Economics (DEC), the
marginal cost of funds-based lending rate
premier research and data arm of the World
(MCLR) by up to 10 basis points for selected
Bank.
tenures.
● The brief is produced twice a year.
● The brief aims to provide an update on key About the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending
developments in the area of migration and Rate (MCLR):
remittance flows and related policies over the
past six months. ● MCLR is the minimum lending rate below which
● It also provides medium-term projections of a bank is not permitted to lend.
N
● It is aimed at facilitating the calculation of the
I
remittance flows to developing countries.
.
● It also presents recent developments on the minimal interest rate for various types of loans
Global Compact on Migration (GCM).
●
A Lthat banks offer.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the
T
Key highlights of the recent report: MCLR methodology for fixing interest rates on
● The top five remittance recipient countries in
O
2023 are India ($125 billion), Mexico ($67 R April 1, 2016, in order to enhance the
effectiveness of monetary policy transmission
P
as well as increase transparency in the rate of
billion), China ($50 billion), the Philippines ($40
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interest setting procedure.
billion), and Egypt ($24 billion).
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● It replaced the base rate structure, which had
● The United States continued to be the largest
been in place since July 2010.
source of remittances.
● Remittances to low- and middle-income How is MCLR calculated?
countries (LMICs) grew by an estimated 3.8 per
cent in 2023, reaching a total of USD 669 billion. ● MCLR is determined internally by the bank
● Resilient labour markets in advanced depending on the period left for the repayment
economies and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of a loan.
countries played a pivotal role in supporting ● MCLR is closely linked to the actual deposit
migrants’ ability to send money home. rates and is calculated based on four
● The Middle East and North Africa saw a decline components:
in remittance flows for the second consecutive ● the marginal cost of funds
year, mainly driven by a sharp drop in flows to ● negative carry-on account of cash reserve ratio
Egypt. ● operating costs
● Remittance flows to Europe and Central Asia ● tenor premium.
also decreased by 1.4 percent after a significant ● Under the MCLR regime, banks are free to offer
gain in 2022. all categories of loans at fixed or floating
● The report suggests a potential risk of a decline interest rates.
in real income for migrants in 2024 due to ● The actual lending rates for loans of different
global inflation and low growth prospects. categories and tenors are determined by adding
● A special section of the report emphasises the the components of spread to MCLR.
potential of leveraging remittances for ● Therefore, the bank cannot lend at a rate lower
development finance, particularly through than the MCLR of a particular maturity for all
diaspora bonds. The report says diaspora loans linked to that benchmark.
bonds can be structured to tap into diaspora
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● Banks review and publish MCLRs of different #2

maturities, every month.
● Certain loan rates, like those of fixed-rate loans Late Blight disease
with tenors above three years and special loan ● Recently, experts from Punjab Agricultural
schemes offered by the government, are not University (PAU) had cautioned farmers against
linked to MCLR.
the late blight disease attack on potato crop.
About Late Blight disease:
#1
● It is caused by the fungus Phytophthora
Fanged Frogs infestans.
● It is the most important disease of potato that
● Scientists recently discovered the world’s
can result in crop failures in a short period if
smallest species of Fanged Frogs named
appropriate control measures are not adopted.
Limnonectes phyllofolia from Indonesia.
● It is common in humid regions with
About Fanged Frogs:
● They refer to a group of 75 species of frogs
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temperatures.
Symptoms:
●
belonging to the genus Limnonectes.
These frogs are known for their distinctive
●
TA The first symptoms of late blight appear as
R
small, light to dark green, circular to
fang-like structures, which are actually
O
irregular-shaped water-soaked spots.
projections of their jaw bone.
P
● During cool, moist weather, these lesions
● They are found throughout East and Southeast
C
expand rapidly into large, dark brown or black
Asia.
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lesions, often appearing greasy. A pale green to
● However, unlike many snakes, these frogs don’t
yellow border often surrounds the lesions
use their fangs to bite humans or inject venom
into a person’s body. Mode of spread:
● They use these fangs to battle with each other
over territory and mates, and sometimes even ● The infected tubers and the infected soil may
to hunt tough-shelled prey like giant centipedes serve as a source of primary infection.
and crabs. ● The diseased tubers are mainly responsible for
● Many frogs in this genus are giants, weighing persistence of the disease from crop to crop.
up to two pounds. ● The air borne infection is caused by sporangia.
● This disease can be controlled by the prompt
Key Facts about Limnonectes phyllofolia: destruction of infected crop residue from the
field to prevent the spread of the disease to
● It is the smallest species of fanged frog.
nearby fields.
● It was found on the mountainous island of
Sulawesi in Indonesia. #3
● They’ve been given the nickname “leaf-nester”
because, unlike most frogs, they don’t lay their Chum salmon
eggs in water. ● Scientists have recently discovered that Chum
● They make their nest either on tree leaves or on salmon, a migrating fish, have been spawning in
moss-covered boulders away from water, and the Arctic waters.
the males guard them.
● Adults are brown in colour. About Chum salmon:
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● It is a species of anadromous salmonid fish, ● Chemical energy produced by the mitochondria

which means they hatch in freshwater streams is stored in a small molecule called adenosine
and rivers and then migrate out to the saltwater triphosphate (ATP).
environment of the ocean to feed and grow. ● Generally, mitochondria, and therefore
● They do not reside in fresh water for an mitochondrial DNA, are inherited only from the
extended period. mother.
● They are also known as dog salmon. ● When the mitochondria are defective, the cells
do not have enough energy. The unused oxygen
Distribution:
and fuel molecules build up in the cells and
● They are the most widely distributed of all the cause damage.
Pacific salmon. ● Mitochondrial diseases can affect almost any
● They are found throughout the North Pacific part of your body, including the cells of your
Ocean and range from the Arctic coast of Brain, Nerves, Muscles, Kidneys, Heart, Liver,
Canada and throughout the northern coastal Eyes, Ears, and Pancreas.
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regions of North America and Asia.
I
Causes:
Habitat:
●
L.
Genetic mutations cause these primary
● They spend their early life growing and feeding
TA mitochondrial diseases. They usually happen

before age 20, and some are more common in
R
in freshwater streams, estuaries, and
associated wetlands. infants.
●
PO
They spend the remainder of their life foraging ● Mitochondrial dysfunction can also occur when
mitochondria don’t work as well as they should
C
in the ocean before returning to the streams
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and tributaries where they were born to spawn. due to another disease or condition. These are
called secondary mitochondrial diseases.
#4
Symptoms:
Mitochondrial Diseases
● The symptoms of mitochondrial disease can
● A recent study has revealed that about a quarter vary. It depends on how many mitochondria are
of mitochondrial disease patients suffer from defective and where they are in the body.
malnutrition. ● Sometimes only one organ, tissue, or cell type is
About the Mitochondrial Diseases: affected. But often, the problem affects many of
them.
● Mitochondrial diseases are a group of ● Muscle and nerve cells have especially high
conditions that affect how mitochondria work in energy needs, so muscular and neurological
your body. problems are common.
What are Mitochondria? Treatment:
● Mitochondria are membrane-bound cell ● There are no cures for these diseases, but
organelles that generate most of the chemical treatments may help with symptoms and slow
energy needed to power the cell's biochemical down the disease.
reactions. ● They may include physical therapy, vitamins and
● They make it by combining oxygen with the fuel supplements, special diets, and medicines.
molecules (sugars and fats) that come from
your food.
469
Olympic Games/Commonwealth/Asian Games,

as the case may be, will also be considered.
● Sportspersons who have been penalised or
against whom an enquiry is pending or ongoing
for the use of drugs/substances banned by the
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will not be
eligible for the award.
General Conditions:
SPORTS ● No award will be made for a second time to the
#1 same person.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award ● There will be only one award every year to be
given to an individual sportsperson. This
● India's badminton stars Chirag Shetty and condition will be relaxed only in exceptional
Satwik Sai Raj Rankireddy won the Major Dhyan
Chand Khel Ratna award announced by the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recently. ●
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circumstances.
.
The award may be given posthumously if such
A
an occasion arises.
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About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:
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● The Government of India may cancel or annul
● Named after the hockey wizard Major Dhyan the award for any recipient for specific reasons,
PO
Chand (1905–79), an Indian legendary field
hockey player, the "Major Dhyan Chand Khel
including doping.
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Ratna Award" (erstwhile Rajiv Gandhi Khel Benefits: The award will consist of the following:
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Ratan Award) is the highest sporting honour in ● A cash amount of ₹25,00,000, which is exempt
India. from income tax and wealth tax.
● Instituted in 1991–1992, the award is conferred ● A Certificate of honour to each sportsperson.
annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports, Government of India. ● One medal to each sportsperson.
Eligibility:
● The spectacular and most outstanding MISCELLANEOUS
performance in the field of sports and games at
#1
the international level, i.e.
Olympic/Asian/Commonwealth/World Sahitya Akademi Award
Games/Championships/World Cup and
equivalently recognized international ● Recently, Tamil author Rajasekaran
tournaments, by a sportsperson over a period of (Devibharathi), Telugu writer T. Patanjali Sastry
four years immediately preceding the year and Malayalam litterateur E.V. Ramakrishnan
during which the award is to be given. were among those named for the Sahitya
Akademi Awards for the year 2023.
● During the years when Olympic Games,
Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are About the Sahitya Akademi Award:
held, the achievements of the sportspersons in
these Games and other abovementioned ● It is awarded for the most outstanding books of
tournaments up to the conclusion of the literary merit published in any of the major
Indian languages recognised by the Akademi.
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● Akademi gives 24 awards annually to literary ● It was notified as a Ramsar site, a wetland of
works in the languages it has recognized and international importance, in 2021.
an equal number of awards to literary ● Vegetation: Tropical and dry deciduous. It also
translations from and into the languages of features seasonal aquatic vegetation and is
India. dotted with artificial islands; the Park also
● Besides the 22 languages enumerated in the includes open grasslands.
Constitution of India, the Sahitya Akademi has ● Flora: Grasses, dhok, khair, tendu, ber, jamun,
recognised English and Rajasthani as banyan tree and neem etc.
languages in which its programme may be
Fauna:
implemented.
● The award, in the form of a casket containing ● It is a very important wintering ground for
an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and waterfowl.
1,00,000 rupees will be presented. ● Some of the resident and migratory species of
birds found in the area are the Common
Key points about the Sahitya Akademi:
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hoopoe, Purple sunbird, Black francolin, Little
● It was formally inaugurated by the Government
of India on 12 March 1954.
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cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Siberian Crane,
Greater Flamingo, Common Teal, Common
● Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of
Letters, is the central institution for literary
TA Greenshank, Ruff, etc.
dialogue, publication and promotion in the
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country and the only institution that undertakes R
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literary activities in 24 Indian languages,
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including English.
● Though set up by the Government, the Akademi
NATIONAL
functions as an autonomous organisation.
● It was registered as a society under the #1
Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Rashtrapati Nilayam
● The President of India inaugurated various
#2 tourist attractions at Rashtrapati Nilayam
recently.
Sultanpur National Park
About Rashtrapati Nilayam:
● According to forest department officials the
● Rashtrapati Nilayam (literally the "President's
Sultanpur National Park in Farrukh Nagar,
House"), originally known as Residency House,
Gurugram has reported a decrease of 20-30 per
is the official retreat of the President of India.
cent in the number of migratory birds this ● It is located in Secunderabad Cantonment in
season. Hyderabad, Telangana.
About Sultanpur National Park: ● It is one of the Presidential retreats in India and
the only one present in Southern India.
● Sultanpur National Park, formerly known as
History:
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, is located in the
Gurgaon district in Haryana. It comprises ● The Residency House was constructed in 1860
mainly wetlands. as the country house of the British Resident.
● This national park is a major habitat for aquatic ● It also served as a place of refuge, given its
birds, including migratory and resident birds. secure location, amid several battles.
471
● After Hyderabad’s annexation in 1948, it Key Facts about the Jute Corporation of India
became the President's retreat and used as the Limited (JCI):
Southern Sojourn of the President of India.
● It was set up in 1971 as an official agency by
● The President stays at the residence at least
the Government of India with the aim to provide
once a year and conducts official business.
minimum support price (MSP) to jute
● It was also used as a guest house for visiting
cultivators.
dignitaries.
● It is the implementing agency of various
President’s Retreats: projects of the Government of India for the
enhancement and betterment of the Jute crop
and the lives of Jute growers.
● While the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi is the ● It is under the administrative control of the
official residence of the President, there are two Ministry of Textiles.
retreats for the head of state in India. ● It spread in 7 states which are eminent for jute
● Rashtrapati Nilayam is one, and the other is growing in India, including West Bengal, Bihar,
Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Orissa, and Andhra
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Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra in Shimla.
#2 ●
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Pradesh.
It has been provided with an authorised and
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Paat Mitro paid-up capital of Rs. 5 crore.
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● As per the policy decision of the Government,
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● The Ministry of Textiles recently launched the JCI is obliged to buy whatever quantity of jute is
“Paat-Mitro” mobile application to provide
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offered at support rates by the growers without
important information about MSP and
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any quantitative limit.
agronomy to jute farmers.
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● The losses incurred by the JCI while
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About the Paat Mitro: implementing policy are to be reimbursed by
the Government of India.
● It is a mobile application developed by the Jute
Corporation of India Limited (JCI). #3
● Purpose: To provide important information Red Tide
about Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and
agronomy to jute farmers. ● Recently, a three-member committee appointed
by the principal Bench of the National Green
Features: Tribunal (NGT) inspected the Kuruchikuppam
● It is available in six languages. drain and beach to analyse the cause behind
● All the functionalities are made available to the the recent phenomenon of red tide in
users free of cost. Puducherry.
● In addition to the latest agronomic practices
and MSP, Jute Gradation Parameters,
Farmer-centric schemes like ‘Jute-ICARE’, About Red Tide:
weather forecasts, JCI’s Purchase Centres’
locations, and Procurement Policies are also
made available in the app. ● It is a common term used for a harmful algal
● Farmers will also be able to track the status of bloom.
their payments for the raw jute sold to JCI ● Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when
under MSP Operation. colonies of algae—plant-like organisms that live
● Latest technology features like Chatbot are in the sea and freshwater—grow out of control.
included for their queries. ● The name “red tide” comes from the fact that
overgrowth of algae can cause the colour of the
water to turn red.
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● Why does it occur? cordifonia (Haldu), Mitragyna parpiflora (Faldu),

● Chemicals from farming, factories, sewage Gamelina arborea (Gahmhar), etc.
treatment plants, and other sources can
Fauna:
become dissolved in water on the land.
● This water, called runoff, eventually flows into ● It is home to a number of endangered species,
the ocean and can cause algae to grow faster, including the Gharial, tiger, rhino, swamp deer,
leading to red tides. hispid hare, Bengal florican, and white-backed
and long-billed vultures.
Impacts:
● The Gairwa River, which flows in the KWS area,
● Some of the algae that cause a red tide produce is declared a sanctuary for Mugger and Gharial.
powerful toxins, which are harmful chemicals It is also home to rare turtles, freshwater fish,
that can kill fish, shellfish, mammals and birds. and a host of aquatic life.
● If people eat fish or shellfish that have been in ● It is among the few places in India where
the water with toxic algae, they will also ingest freshwater dolphins, also known as Gangetic
the toxins, which can make them sick. dolphins, are found in their natural habitat.
#4
Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
#5
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Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
● A watchman working with the irrigation ●
TA The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest

department was trampled to death by elephants
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in a residential area adjacent to Katarniaghat
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one-kilometre area from the boundaries of the
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Wildlife Sanctuary recently. Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kangra district
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as an eco-sensitive zone.
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About the Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary:
About Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS):
● Location: It is situated in the Kangra district of
Himachal Pradesh.
● Location: It is a protected area in the Upper ● Pong Dam Lake (also known as Maharana
Gangetic plain in Uttar Pradesh and covers an Pratap Sagar) is a manmade reservoir formed
area of 400.6 km2 in the Terai of the Bahraich due to the construction of Pong Dam on the
district. Beas River in the wetland zone of Shivalik Hills.
● In 1987, it was brought under the purview of the ● In 1983, the entire reservoir was declared a
‘Project Tiger’, and together with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary by the Himachal Pradesh
Wildlife Sanctuary and the Dudhwa National government.
Park, it forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. ● One of the largest man-made wetlands in
● It provides strategic connectivity between the Northern India, Pong Dam also serves as a
tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India sanctuary for the largest population of
and the Bardia National Park in Nepal. migratory birds, along with a number of
● Vegetation: Its fragile Terai ecosystem endemic species.
comprises a mosaic of sal and teak forests, ● Pong Dam Lake was declared a Ramsar Site in
lush grasslands, and numerous swamps, and November 2002.
wetlands. ● The climate of the region is subtropical.
● Flora: It is predominantly Sal Forestwith its
Flora:
associate tree species like Terminalia alata
(Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), Adina ● There are several tree species that produce
edible fruit for the birds.
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● There is also some submerged aquatic ● Convention on the Prohibition of the

vegetation in the wetland, but pronounced Development, Production, and Stockpiling of
seasonal changes in water level and shoreline Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons
do not support extensive areas of emergent and on Their Destruction (BWC)
vegetation. ● Convention on the Prohibition of the
● The main tree species include Acacia, Jamun, Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use
Shisham, Mango, Mulberry, Ficus Kachnar, of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction
Amla, and Prunus. (CWC)
● Fauna:
● Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
● It includes animals like Sambhar, Barking Deer,
(CTBT).
Wild Bear, Nilgai, Clawless Otter, and Leopards.
● Avifauna include Bar headed geese, Pintails, Currently, the CD focuses its work on the following
common pochards, coots, Grebes, Cormorants, agenda items:
Herons, Storks, angle fowls, peafowl, Grey
partridges, etc. ● Cessation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear
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disarmament.
INTERNATIONAL
#1
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Prevention of nuclear war, including all related
matters.
Conference on Disarmament
●
●
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Effective international arrangements to assure
●
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India’s Foreign Secretary and the UN Under
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threat of use of nuclear weapons.
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Secretary General recently exchanged views on
● New types of weapons of mass destruction and
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the Conference on Disarmament, where India is
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poised to assume the first presidency for the new systems of such weapons; radiological
2024 session. weapons.
● Comprehensive programme of disarmament.
About the Conference on Disarmament (CD): ● Transparency in armaments.
● The CD was formed in 1979 as the single #2
multilateral disarmament negotiation forum of
the international community after agreement Salton Sea
was reached among Member States during the ● The U.S. Department of Energy recently
first special session of the UN General discovered the world’s largest Lithium reserve
Assembly (UNGA) devoted to disarmament beneath California’s Salton Sea.
(1978).
● It succeeded other Geneva-based negotiating About Salton Sea:
forums, which included the Ten-Nation
● It is a shallow, saline lake located in the lower
Committee on Disarmament (1960), the
Colorado Desert, southern California,
Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament
● It is a geological depression tucked between
(1962-68), and the Conference of the
mountain ranges and lying below sea level.
Committee on Disarmament (1969-78).
Formation:
The CD and its predecessors negotiated major
multilateral arms control and disarmament treaties ● The area that is now the lake was formerly a
such as: salt-covered sink or depression (a remnant of
prehistoric Lake Cahuilla) about 280 feet (85
● Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
metres) below sea level until 1905–06, when
Weapons (NPT)
474
diversion controls on the Colorado Riverbroke a ● In the absence of a solution to the Palestine
few miles below the California-Mexico border refugee problem, the UNGA Assembly has
and floodwaters rushed northward, filling the repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most
depression. recently extending it until 30 June, 2023.
● Subsequent deepening of the sink was stopped ● It is one of the largest United Nations
in 1907, when a line of protective levees was programmes, with a population of
built. approximately 5 million registered Palestine
● It is currently 228 feet below sea level. refugees under its mandate and over 30,000
● It covers an area of 970 square km and includes staff.
130 miles of shoreline. ● Fields of operations: It provides services in its
● It has an average depth of 29.9 feet and, at its five fields of operations: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria,
deepest, 51 feet. the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including the
● Its salinity(some 45 parts per thousand) far East of Jerusalem.
exceeds that of seawater. ● UNRWA is unique in that it delivers services
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● The Salton Sea is an important stopping point directly to its beneficiaries.
for migratory waterfowl and serves as a critical
habitat for birds moving south to Mexico and
●
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Services provided: It encompasses education,
health care, relief and social services, camp
Central America.
TA infrastructure and improvement, microfinance,

and emergency assistance, including in times
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#3
of armed conflict.
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United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Funding:
C
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● It is funded almost entirely by voluntary
● India recently announced that it has provided
contributions from UN Member States.
US $ 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and
● It also receives some funding from the Regular
Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Budget of the United Nations, which is used
Near East or the UNRWA for the welfare of
mostly for international staffing costs.
Palestinian refugees.
● It reports only to the UNGA.
● Headquarters: It was originally headquartered in
Beirut, Lebanon, but was moved to Vienna,
About United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Austria, in 1978. In 1996, the General Assembly
Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA): moved the agency to the Gaza Strip to
demonstrate the Assembly’s commitment to
the Arab-Israeli peace process.
● It is a UN agency that supports the relief and ● Its chief officer, the commissioner-general, the
human development of Palestinian refugees. only leader of a UN agency to report directly to
the General Assembly, is appointed by the UN
Establishment:
secretary-general with the approval of an
● Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, UNRWA Advisory Commission.
was established by United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 302 (IV) of 8
December, 1949, to carry out direct relief and #4
work programmes for Palestine refugees.
● The agency began operations on 1 May, 1950. Guyana-Venezuela Conflict
475
● A British warship arrived in Guyana recently Current Status:

amid rising tensions from a border dispute
● Guyana submittedthe dispute to the
between the former British colony and
International Court of Justice in 2018.
Venezuela.
● Despite Venezuela’s withdrawal from the case,
proceedings are currently ongoing.
About Guyana-Venezuela Conflict: #5
Strait of Gibraltar
History: ● Iran has recently threatened to close the Strait

of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea unless
● The land boundary between Guyana and
Israel stops bombing Gaza.
Venezuela has been disputed since its colonial
inception between British and Spanish powersin About Strait of Gibraltar:
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South America.
I
● It is a narrow waterway separating Europe from
.
● In the 1840s, the British government had the
L
Africa and connecting the Mediterranean Sea to
border unilaterally surveyed, but the proposed
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the Atlantic Ocean.
line encroached on Venezuelan territorial
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● Until the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the
claims.
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Strait of Gibraltar served as the only access
● The boundary has since been arbitrated
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point to the Mediterranean Sea.
(1899)and bilaterally agreed upon following
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● Borders: It is bordered by Spain and the British
demarcation (1905), but remains in conflict.
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Overseas Territory of Gibraltar in the north, and
● While the British line, accepted by Guyana, is the
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by the African country of Morocco and the
current de facto boundary,Venezuela maintains
Spanish exclave of Ceuta in the south.
a historic claim to all territory currently
● It is about 58 km long and has a width of about
administered by Guyana west of the Essequibo
13 km at its narrowest point.
River.
● Its depth ranges from 300 to 900 metres, and it
● Venezuela argues that the Arbitral Award of
forms a significant gap between the high
1899about the frontier between British Guiana
plateau of Spain and the Atlas Mountains of
and Venezuela is null and void.
Northern Africa.
Disputed Area: ● Geological studies have revealed that the strait
was formed due to the northward movement of
● The bone of contention lies in the densely
the African Plate towards the European Plate.
forested Essequibo region of Guyana, which
● It is one of the busiest waterways in the world.
Venezuela claims as its territory.
Approximately 300 ships cross the Strait every
● Venezuela’s claim along the Essequibo River
day, about one ship every 5 minutes.
extends for 1,034 kilometersbefore reaching
● An important port located on the strait is the
Brazilian territory.
Moroccan port of Tanger-Med, near Tangier.
● At stake is approximately 142,795 square
kilometersthat is currently administered by BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Guyana.
#1
● Offshore, the disputed land territory isa
maritime space that was recently discovered to Pumped Storage Hydro Power
be rich in hydrocarbon resources, upping the
● The Mines Secretary recently stressed on the
stakes of the land boundary dispute. role of leading organisations under the Mines
476
ministry, including the GSI, to build pumped ● The portal intends to expedite the process of
storage hydropower projects and highways. land acquisition for National Highways.
● It acts as a single-point platform for the online
processing of land acquisition notifications to
About Pumped Storage Hydro Power (PSH):
accelerate highway infrastructure development
projects in India.
● PSH is a type of hydroelectric energy storage. ● This portal would enhance the efficiency of the
● It is a configuration of two water reservoirs at land acquisition process, ensure transparency
different elevations that can generate power as and accountability, and result in the e-transfer
water moves down from one to the other of benefits directly to the accounts of the
(discharge), passing through a turbine. beneficiaries.
● The water is pumped to the higher reservoir at
Features:
times of low demand and low electricity prices.
At times of high demand and higher prices, the ● Bilingual application with Hindi and English for
●
water is then released to drive turbines in a
powerhouse and supply electricity to the grid.
The system also requires power as it pumps
●
L I N
easy usability
.
Preparation of interface for adding basic details
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of project, including land acquisition sanction
water back into the upper reservoir (recharge).
● PSH plants operate much like conventional
hydropower plants, except PSH has the ability
R●T details
Preparation of interface for Land Acquisition
●
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to use the same water over and over again.
The technology absorbs surplus energy at times
locationse. villages
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of low demand and releases it when demand is ● Preparation of Interface for Competent
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high. Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) details.
CALA is a revenue functionary of the State
Open-loop versus Closed-loop: Government appointed for each NH Project.
● Open-loop PSH has an ongoing hydrologic ● Interface for generating land acquisition
connection to a natural body of water. notification
● With closed-loop PSH, reservoirs are not
connected to an outside body of water. ● Interface for land Details
● Interface for generation of notification:
organisational email IDS for all those involved in
#2 the process flow to ensure smooth e-office
management
Bhoomi Rashi Portal
● Interface for Objections and processing
● The Union Minister of Road Transport and
Highways recently said 1467 projects of the ● Interface for compensation determination and
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) finalisation
have been brought under the Bhoomi Rashi
Portal. ● Interface for land owners and affected parties
About the Bhoomi Rashi Portal: ● Interface for reports generation
● It is an e-Governance initiative of the Ministry of #3

Road Transport and Highways. National Culture Fund
● Recently, the Union Minister for Culture,
Tourism And Development informed in the Lok
477
Sabha that the National Culture Fund (NCF) ● Around 70 persons belonging to the Andhra
received Rs. 3.70 Crore From Non-Government Pradesh special police have lost nearly Rs 12
Sources during the last five Years. crore in a chit fund scheme recently.
About the National Culture Fund: About Chit Funds:
● It was set up by the Government of India as a ● Chit funds are a financial instrument that is
Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, used in both borrowing and saving aspects.
1890 through a Gazette Notification in 1996. ● Chit fund is also termed Kuri and Chitty.
● Chit funds are a kind of financial arrangement
● It was established as a funding mechanism
wherein a few individuals gather and pool a
distinct from the existing sources and patterns
fixed sum of money at regular intervals.
of funding for the arts and culture in India. It will
● This is done with an understanding or
enable institutions and individuals to support
agreement that a single member of the group
arts and culture directly as partners with its
will receive the total sum of money collected
government.
during each interval.
● It aims to mobilise extra resources through
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) towards
promoting, protecting & preserving India’s
●
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This process continues until every member has
received their share of the pooled money.
This type of financial instrument is generally
Cultural Heritage (Tangible & Intangible).
TA conducted by a chit-fund company that is

responsible for the smooth carrying out of this
● It is managed and administered by a Council
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and an Executive Committee to actualize those
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policies. How Do Chit Funds Work?
●
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The Council is chaired by the Union Minister of ● Under a chit fund scheme, a number of
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Culture and has a maximum strength of 24 individuals make contributions towards the chit
including both the Chairman and Member value at regular intervals for a period equal to
Secretary. the total number of subscribers or members
(investors).
● It has members representing the corporate and ● A person, chosen through an auction or a lucky
public sector, private foundations and non-profit draw, receives the money collected.
organisations. ● Through an auction allotment system, an
● The purpose for this structure is to increase individual who agrees to receive the lowest
non-government representation in the amount (with the lowest bid) gets the money. It
decision-making process. is known as a reverse auction system.
● The sum forgone by a winner is distributed
● The Executive Committee is chaired by the equally among the other bidders post
Secretary, Ministry of Culture subtracting a foreman’s charges and
● The donations to the national Culture Fund will commission.
be eligible for tax benefit under the Income Tax ● An amount that each bidder receives is termed
Act. a dividend.
● A winning bidder will continue to invest even
after agreeing to claim the sum.
#4 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Chit Funds #1
Reindeer
478
● Researchers have discovered that the more unique neutron star with ultrahigh magnetic
time reindeer spend ruminating, the less time field (magnetar).
they spend in non-rapid eye movement
About X-ray bursts:
(non-REM) sleep.
● It occurs in low-mass X-ray binary systems
where a neutron star and low-mass main
About Reindeer: sequence star are in orbit around one another.
● Due to their close proximity and the extreme
● These are one of the largest species of deer.
gravity of the neutron star, the companion star
● Reindeers are classified as mammals that
overflows its roche-lobe and hydrogen is drawn
belong to the family of Cevidae.
into an accretion disk around the neutron star.
● These are the only mammals known to see
● This hydrogen is eventually deposited on the
ultraviolet light which allows them to spot
surface of the neutron star and immediately is
predators whose white fur is more visible in UV
converted into helium due to the extreme
light.
temperatures and pressures that exist there.
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● A reindeer has the ability to use their nose to
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● A thin surface layer of helium is built up, and
.
warm the air they breathe in before it enters its
once a critical mass of helium is reached, it
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lungs.
ignites explosively, heating the entire surface of
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● Both male and female reindeer grow antlers.
the neutron star to several tens of millions of
T
However, male reindeer antlers tend to be twice
degrees releasing a sudden burst of X-rays.
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as big in size.
● Once the outburst is over, the binary system
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● Habitat: These are found in polar and Arctic
temporarily returns to its quiescent state while
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climates.
the neutron star begins to re-accumulate the
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● Distribution: They have been spotted in Europe,
helium surface layer.
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Asia, and North America.
● The process repeats resulting in recurrent X-ray
● Diet: Classified as herbivores, reindeer live on
bursts.
diets of plants and vegetation.
● It generally occurs at regular intervals separated
Conservation status: by several hours or days.
● IUCN: Vulnerable #3
Key findings of the research Southern Ocean

● The researchers speculate that this ● Recently, a research expedition in the Southern
multitasking might help reindeer get enough Ocean has mapped a string of seamounts that
sleep during the summer months, when food is help to shape the Antarctic Circumpolar
abundant and reindeer feed almost 24/7. Current.
● They found that reindeer slept approximately
the same amount during winter, summer, and About the Southern Ocean:
autumn, despite the fact that they were much
more active during the summer. ● The Southern Ocean (also known as the
Antarctic Ocean) is one of the five great ocean
#2 basins on Earth.
X-ray bursts ● It was formed around 34 million years ago when
Antarctica and South America drifted apart,
● Recently, India’s first multi-wavelength creating the Drake Passage.
space-based observatory AstroSat has detected ● The passage is located between the Antarctic
bright sub-second X-ray bursts from a new and Peninsula’s tip and South America.
479
● It is made up of the portions of the world ocean organ abnormalities and neurological (brain)
south of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans problems.
and their tributary seas surrounding Antarctica ● Treatments can help many people with Gaucher
below 60° S. disease type 3 live into their 20s or 30s.
Physiography: #5
● The structure of the ocean floor includes a Aardvarks

continental shelf usually less than 160 miles
● A recent study from Oregon State University
(about 260 km) wide that attains its maximum
found that a warming climate is negatively
width of more than 1,600 miles (2,600 km) in
impacting the chances of long-term survival of
the vicinity of the Weddell and Ross seas.
aardvarks in sub-Saharan Africa.
#4
About the Aardvarks:
Gaucher disease
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● It gets its name from a South African word
● Children suffering from lysosomal storage
disorders like Gaucher disease are facing a ●
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meaning “earth pig.”
They look like a pig, especially with its body and
bleak future as their treatment has been
stopped due to the exhaustion of one-time
TA snout. But they actually share common
ancestors with elephants and golden moles.
support from the Union health Ministry.
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night and tend to live alone. During the day, they
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About the Gaucher disease:
sleep curled up in a ball in their burrows.
●
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It is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder ● This species has been assessed as having the
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(LSD). highest score for evolutionary distinctiveness.
● It is a type of disease that causes fatty This is because it does not have many close
substances (sphingolipids) to build up in your relatives and has been evolving independently
bone marrow, liver and spleen. for millions of years.
● The sphingolipids weaken bones and enlarge ● The Aardvark is the sole surviving species of its
your organs. order, Tubulidentata, and its closest relatives
● Symptoms: Enlarged spleen, liver, eye have been extinct since the Pleistocene era (2
movement disorders and yellow spots in the million years ago).
eyes etc. ● Diet: The aardvark’s diet consists almost
● There are three types of Gaucher disease: entirely of ants and termites.
● Type1: It affects your spleen, liver, blood and ● Habitat: Aardvarks are found over much of the
bones. It doesn’t affect your brain or spinal southern two-thirds of Africa and their habitat is
cord. Gaucher disease type 1 is treatable, but savannah and semi-arid areas.
there’s no cure. ● Ecosystem Roles: Aardvarks are important in
● Type 2: A rare form of the disorder appears in their ecosystem because the holes they dig are
babies younger than 6 months It causes an used by a variety of other animals for shelter.
enlarged spleen, movement problems and
severe brain damage. There’s no treatment for
Gaucher disease type 2. SPORTS
● Type 3: It is the most common form which #1
appears before age 10 and causes bone and
Highest Score in T20
480
● Nepal etched their name in the record books by only ensured a sustainable regeneration of fish
scoring an astonishing 314/3 against Mongolia resources, but also helped mitigate flooding in
in the 2023 Asian Games. times of strong rainfall, high tides and cyclones.
● This monumental total was just about the runs;
it also witnessed some extraordinary individual Key points about the Wildlife Trust of India
feats. Kushal Malla blazed his way to the
● It is a non-profit conservation organisation,
fastest century in T20 Internationals during this
committed to urgent action that works towards
innings.
the protection of India's wildlife.
● Meanwhile, Dipendra Singh Airee did not lag
behind, as he struck the quickest fifty in T20 ● It was formed in November 1998, in response to
internationals. the rapidly deteriorating condition of the
● Nepal’s mammoth 300-plus total not only set a country's wildlife.
new benchmark but also paved the way for a ● The principal concerns of WTI include crisis
colossal 273-run victory over Mongolia. management and provision of quick, efficient
aid to individuals, species or habitats that
MISCELLANEOUS
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require it the most.
#1 #2
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Ennore Creek
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Pantoea Tagorei
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● Experts from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) ● Recently, a team of researchers from Kolkata's
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and the Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary Visva-Bharati has identified a new species of
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(BMAD) are planning to establish feeding bacteria which has been named Pantoea
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stations for birds at the Ennore creek. Tagorei in homage to Nobel Laureate
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About Ennore Creek: Rabindranath Tagore.
● It is a backwater located in Thiruvallur District, About Pantoea Tagorei:

Tamil Nadu. ● It was discovered from soil samples collected
● It is an arm of the Kosathalaiyar River. in the Jharia coal mines.
● The Creek meets the Bay of Bengal at ● Characteristics
Mugathwara Kuppam, while the northern ● It has unique properties beneficial for plant
channel of the creek connects to the Pulicat growth.
Lake, the second largest brackish water lake in ● It not only solubilizes potassium but also
the country. replenishes nitrogen and solubilizes
● For decades, this creek sustained the ● The team has conducted experiments by
livelihoods of the residents in the surrounding introducing this bacterium to farmers, who have
villages and has been demarcated as CRZ IV expressed satisfaction with the positive results.
(Water Body) in the coastal zone management
plan by the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Significance:
Management Authority.
● This bacteria marks a significant stride toward
● The Ennore Creek, along with the Buckingham
fostering environmentally friendly agricultural
Canal and the rest of the Pulicat water system
methods.
has vast importance for the local fisher folk.
● It nurtures a healthy aquatic ecosystem which
was once famous for its rich biodiversity.
● This ecologically sensitive ecosystem was
home to large swamps of mangroves that not
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● Payment of court fees, process fees, and all

The Hindu Current Affairs Week-3 other charges payable or incurred in connection
with any legal proceedings;
● Providing the service of lawyers in legal
NATIONAL proceedings;
#1 ● Obtaining and supply of certified copies of
orders and other documents in legal
National Legal Services Authority proceedings.
● The President recently nominated Justice ● Preparation of appeal, paper book, including
Sanjiv Khanna, the second senior-most judge of printing and translation of documents in legal
the Supreme Court, as the Executive proceedings.
Chairperson of the National Legal Services #2
Authority (NALSA).
Black-necked Grebe
About the National Legal Service Authority
N
(NALSA): ● In a significant environmental development, a
● NALSA has been constituted under the Legal
L.I
Black-necked Grebe was recently sighted for
the first time at Hokersar wetland.
A
Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide free
About Black-necked Grebe:
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legal services to the weaker sections of society
R
and to organise Lok Adalats for amicable ● The black-necked grebe, or eared grebe, is a
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settlement of disputes. member of the grebe family of water birds.
P
● The prime objective of NALSA is the speedy ● Scientific Name: Podiceps nigricollis
C
disposal of cases and reducing the burden on ● Distribution: It has a widespread breeding area,
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the judiciary. with migratory populations covering an
● The Chief Justice of India is the patron-in-chief extensive range of Eurasia and North America,
of NALSA, while the second senior most judge while a resident population is also found in
of the Supreme Court of India is the Executive subtropical Africa.
Chairman.
● It is housed at the Supreme Court of India, New Features:
Delhi.
● It usually measures between 28 and 34
● In every State, a State Legal Services Authority
centimetres in length and weighs 265 to 450
and in every High Court, a High Court Legal
grams.
Services Committee has been constituted.
● It has a wingspan range of 20.5-21.6 in (52-55
● District Legal Services Authorities and Taluk
cm).
Legal Services Committees have been
● Its breeding plumage features a distinctive
constituted in the Districts and most of the
ochre-coloured plumage that extends behind its
Taluks to give effect to the policies and
eye and over its ear coverts.
directions of the NALSA, and to provide free
● The rest of the upper parts, including the head,
legal services to the people, and conduct Lok
neck, and breast, are coloured black to blackish
Adalats in the State.
brown.
● NALSA, through the State Legal Services
● When in its non-breeding plumage, this bird has
Authorities, also conducts legal literacy
greyish-black upper parts.
programmes.
● The legs are a dark greenish grey. The sexes are
The free legal services include: similar.
● It uses multiple foraging techniques. Insects,
which make up the majority of this bird's diet,
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are caught either on the surface of the water or What is IMAC?

when they are in flight.
● Although it generally avoids flight, the
black-necked grebe travels as far as 6,000 ● It is a National Maritime Domain Awareness
kilometres (3,700 mi) during migration. (NDMA) centre.
● It was set up for connecting all the operational
Conservation Status:
Centres and lower rungs of the Indian Navy and
● IUCN: Least Concern the Coast Guard located along the huge
coastline and the island territories.
● It is jointly operated by the Navy and Coast
#3 Guard.
● This is the main centre of the National
Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Command Control Communication and
Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) Intelligence System (NC3I).
● The Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for ● And it tracks vessels on the high seas and gets
Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) played a quiet
but crucial role in the backend as the hijacking
incident of (Merchant Vessel) m.v. Ruen
●
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data from the coastal radars.
.
It is important to note that IMAC tracks only
non-military or commercial ships, known as
unfolded by coordinating between the Navy and
●
TA white shipping.
Military ships, or grey hull ships, are tracked by
R
with the ship owner.
the Directorate of Naval Operations, as this is
PO on a classified network.
C
About the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre
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for Indian Ocean Region:
#4
UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage
● It was established by the Government of India Conservation
at Information Management and Analysis
Centre (IMAC) Gurugram in 2018. ● Recently, three heritage projects from Punjab
● The centre aims at strengthening maritime and Haryana have secured prestigious spots
security in the region by building a common among the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for
coherent maritime situation picture and acting Cultural Heritage Conservation 2023.
as a maritime security information sharing hub.
● The Centre also hosts International Liaison
Officers (ILOs) from partner nations. About the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for
● The Centre hosts ILOs from 12 partner nations, Cultural Heritage Conservation:
Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Maldives,
Mauritius, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Seychelles,
Singapore, United Kingdom and United States ● UNESCO seeks to encourage private sector
of America. involvement and public-private collaboration in
● The Centre monitors the Indian Ocean and conserving the region’s cultural heritage for the
adjoining seas to understand each region and benefit of current and future generations.
generates various periodic reports, Weekly ● Since 2000, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for
Maritime Security Updates (WMSU), Monthly Cultural Heritage Conservation have been
Maritime Security Updates (MMSU), Half Yearly recognizing the achievement of the private
Overviews and Annual Reports. sector and public-private initiatives in
successfully conserving or restoring structures,
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places and properties of heritage value in the ● Composition: It consists of a Chairperson and
region. not more than six members, of whom at least
● Among the recognised sites, five are from three shall be whole-time members, to be
China, six from India, and one from Nepal. appointed by the Central Government.
● Functions:
Award winning sites from India are as follows
● Regulate National Pension System (NPS) and
● The Rambagh Gate in Amritsar received the other pension schemes to which the PFRDA Act
“Award of Excellence,” the highest recognition applies;
among all categories. ● Undertaking steps to educate subscribers and
● Pipal Haveli, a heritage rural homestay from the general public on issues relating to
Punjab was honoured for its sustainable pensions, retirement savings, and related
development. issues, and training intermediaries.
● The Karnikara Mandapam at Kunnamangalam ● Providing pension schemes not regulated by
Bhagawati Temple in Kerala earned the Award any other enactment;
of Distinction. ● Protecting the interests of subscribers of NPS
N
and such other schemes as approved by the
I
● Epiphany in Haryana, David Sassoon Library and
Reading Room in Mumbai and Bikaner House in
New Delhi received the Award of Merit. ●
L.
authority from time to time.
Approving the schemes and laying down norms
●
TA of investment guidelines under such schemes;
Registering and regulating intermediaries: NPS
#5
O R Trust, Points of Presence, Central

Record-keeping Agency, Trustee Bank, Pension
P
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Funds, Custodian for time-bound service to
C
Authority subscribers.
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● Pension fund regulator, PFRDA recently allowed ● Ensuring that the intermediation and other
National Pension System (NPS) subscribers to operational costs are economical and
deposit their contributions directly under the reasonable;
D-Remit process through the Unified Payments ● Making the existing grievance redressal
Interface (UPI) QR code. process robust and time-bound.
● Adjudication of disputes between
intermediaries and between intermediaries and
subscribers.
About the Pension Fund Regulatory and
Development Authority (PFRDA): Key Facts about the National Pension System
(NPS):
● It is a statutory regulatory body set up under the

PFRDA Act, 2013. ● NPS is a social security initiative by the Central
● Objective: To promote old age income security Government.
by establishing, developing, and regulating ● This pension programme is open to employees
pension funds and to protect the interests of from the public, private, and even unorganised
subscribers to schemes of pension funds and sectors, except those from the armed forces.
related matters. ● The scheme encourages people to invest in a
● It comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of pension account at regular intervals during the
Finance. course of their employment. After retirement,
● PFRDA is headquartered in New Delhi, with the subscribers can take out a certain
regional offices located around the country. percentage of the corpus. As an NPS account
holder, people will receive the remaining
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amount as a monthly pension after your common understanding and possibly

retirement. cooperative solutions on the way ahead.
● Earlier, the NPS scheme covered only Central
Government employees. With effect from 1st #2
May, 2009, NPS has been provided for all OSIRIS-APEX
citizens of the country, including the
unorganised sector workers, on a voluntary ● In an unprecedented extension of its celestial
basis. duties, the spacecraft that delivered asteroid
● NPS is mandatorily applicable to Central samples from Bennu, OSIRIS-REx, has
Government employees; including Central embarked on a new mission, and NASA has
Autonomous Bodies (except Armed Forces) renamed it as OSIRIS-APEX.
recruited on or after 01.01.2004.
● It is based on unique Permanent Retirement About OSIRIS-APEX:
Account Number (PRAN)allotted to every
subscriber. ● It is a mission to study the physical changes to
N
The scheme is portable across jobs and asteroid Apophis that will result from its rare
I
●
.
locations, with tax benefits under Section 80C close encounter with Earth in April 2029.
and Section 80CCD. ●
A LThat year, Apophis’ orbit will bring it within

20,000 miles (32,000 kilometres) of Earth’s
INTERNATIONAL
R T surface — closer to Earth than our
highest-altitude satellites.
#1
PO ● The mission aims to observe the physical

changes induced by Earth's gravitational pull
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium
C during Apophis' flyby.
SS
● These changes could include alterations in the
● Recently, the 8th edition of Indian Ocean Naval asteroid's orbit, rotation speed, and surface
Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) features such as quakes or landslides.
was conducted by Royal Thai Navy at Bangkok, ● Additionally, the OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft will
Thailand. dip toward the surface of Apophis.
About the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium: Key facts about Apophis:
● The ‘Indian Ocean Naval Symposium’ (IONS) is ● It was discovered on June 19, 2004.
a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase ● It is a stony "S-type" asteroid made of silicate
maritime cooperation among navies of the (or rocky) material and a mixture of metallic
littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by nickel and iron
providing an open and inclusive forum for ● It is a remnant from the early formation of our
discussion of regionally relevant maritime solar system about 4.6 billion years ago.
issues. ● It originated in the main asteroid belt between
● It was conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008 as Mars and Jupiter.
a forum which seeks to enhance maritime ● Over millions of years, its orbit was changed
cooperation among Navies of the littoral states primarily by the gravitational influence of large
of the Indian Ocean Region. planets like Jupiter so that it now orbits the Sun
● The inaugural edition of IONS was held in Feb. closer to Earth.
2008 at New Delhi, with the Indian Navy as the ● As a result, Apophis is classified as a near-Earth
Chair for two years (2008 - 2010). asteroid, as opposed to a main-belt asteroid.
● It endeavours to generate a flow of information
between naval professionals that would lead to
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#3 Qiantang River
South China Sea ● Breathtaking patterns of giant trees appeared

on the frozen Qiantang River in east China's
● China has warned that remnants of a rocket
Zhejiang Province amid a continuing cold wave.
would hit an area in the South China Sea,
following the sixth deployment of its most
powerful launch vehicle recently.
About the Qiantang River:
● It is a southeast Chinese River that originates

About South China Sea: on the borders of Anhui and Jiangxi provinces.
● It runs for 459 kilometres through Zhejiang,
passing through the capital city - Hangzhou and
● It is an arm of the western Pacific Ocean that Yanguan Town, Haining, Jiaxing City before
borders the Southeast Asian mainland. flowing into the East China Sea via Hangzhou
Boundaries: ●
I
Bay.
. N
The river is also the southern terminal of the
L
ancient Grand Canal that links five major rivers
A
● It is bordered by China, Taiwan, the Philippines,
T
Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Vietnam. in China from north to south, enabling traffic
R
● The southern boundary of the South China Sea north to Beijing from Hangzhou via the Canal.
It is encircled by a group of economically
O
is a rise in the seabed between Sumatra and ●
P
Borneo, and the northern boundary stretches booming cities, including Shanghai, the leading
C
from the northernmost point of Taiwan to the industrial and commercial hub of the country,
SS
coast of Fujian province, China, in the Taiwan and Ningbo, one of China's leading port cities.
Strait. ● The spectacular Qiantang River Tidal Bore is
● It is connected by the Taiwan Strait with the known as one of the largest tidal bores in the
East China Sea and by the Luzon Strait with the world. The highest tidal bore can reach up to 9
Philippine Sea (both marginal seas of the metres (30 feet) high.
Pacific Ocean). What is a Tidal Bore?
● The South China Sea and the East China Sea
together form the China Sea. ● A tidal bore occurs along a coast where a river
● The two major archipelagos are known as the empties into an ocean or sea.
Paracel Islands, controlled by China, and the ● A tidal bore is a strong tide that pushes up the
Spratly Islands. river, against the current.
● Climate: The weather in the sea is tropical and ● A tidal bore is a surge. A surge is a sudden
largely controlled by monsoons. change in depth.
● It is the second most used sea lane in the ● When a channel suddenly gets deeper, it
world. It is a significant trade route for crude oil experiences a positive surge. When a channel
from the Persian Gulf and Africa through the suddenly gets shallower, it experiences a
Strait of Malacca to Singapore, Thailand, Hong negative surge. Tidal bores are positive surges.
Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. ● The height of the bore is greater near the banks
● Major Ports: Hong Kong, Singapore, and of a river than at midstream.
Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan. ● Because of momentum, some bores continue
to move upstream for about one-half hour after
#4 high water.
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● Bores occur at spring tides and at several tides ● Recently, Kempegowda International Airport
preceding and following spring tides, but never (KIA) Bengaluru has earned prestigious
at neap tides. accolades at UNESCO's 2023 Prix Versailles.
#5 About UNESCO’s Prix Versailles:
Pterosaur ● It is announced each year at UNESCO since

2015.
● Palaeontologists from China and Brazil recently ● The Prix Versailles awards celebrate
identified a new species of chaoyangopterid outstanding achievements in architecture and
pterosaur. design on a global scale.
● It focuses on intelligent sustainability as a
About Pterosaur: cultural driver, acknowledging innovation, and
creativity, reflection of local heritage, ecological
● A pterosaur is any of the flying reptiles that
efficiency, and values of social interaction.
flourished during all periods (Triassic, Jurassic,
● The Terminal 2 (T2) secured recognition as one
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and Cretaceous) of the Mesozoic Era (252.2
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of the 'World's most beautiful airports' and was
.
million to 66 million years ago). awarded the coveted 'World special prize for an
● Although pterosaurs are not dinosaurs, both are
archosaurs, or “ruling reptiles,” a group to which
A Linterior 2023.'
T
birds and crocodiles also belong. Key facts about T2 of KIA
● They were also the first animals after insects to
O
evolve powered flight—not just leaping or
R●
●
It is also known as the Terminal in a Garden.
It is built upon four foundational pillars —
and travel through the air.

C P
gliding, but flapping their wings to generate lift technological leadership, terminal in a garden,
environmental and ecological stewardship, and
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● Pterosaurs were not only the first reptiles a celebration of Karnataka’s rich heritage and
capable of flight. They were also the first culture.
vertebrates to fly. ● It had previously earned the prestigious IGBC
● It included the largest vertebrate ever known to platinum certification from the Indian Green
fly: the late Cretaceous Quetzalcoatlus. Building Council under the IGBC Green New
● The appearance of flight in pterosaurs was Building Rating system.
separate from the evolution of flight in birds and ● Also for sustainable design it has been
bats; pterosaurs are not closely related to either recognized as the world's largest terminal
birds or bats and thus provide a classic pre-certified with a platinum LEED rating by the
US Green Building Council.
example of convergent evolution.
● Their wings were formed by a sophisticated #2
membrane of skin stretching from the thorax to
Battery Energy Storage Systems
a dramatically lengthened fourth finger.
● The pterosaurs went extinct at the end of the ● Recently, the Union Minister for Power, New &
Cretaceous period, around 65.5 million years Renewable Energy has informed that the
ago, during the mass extinction known as the Government has approved the scheme for
Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event (K-T Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for development of
extinction event). Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with
capacity of 4,000 megawatts hours (MWh).
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
About Battery Energy Storage Systems:
#1
UNESCO’s Prix Versailles
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● This scheme envisages the development of watsonx.ai

4,000 MWh of BESS projects by 2030-31.
● At the recent COP28, NASA and IBM announced
Funding: that an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool called
watsonx.ai would be available on the
● Financial support of up to 40% of the capital
open-source AI platform Hugging Space.
cost as budgetary support in the form of
Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided by the About watsonx.ai:
union government.
● It is an Artificial Intelligence tool jointly built by
● The VGF shall be disbursed in five tranches
IBM and NASA.
linked with the various stages of
● It will help users monitor the Earth from space,
implementation of BESS projects.
measuring environmental changes that have
● By offering VGF support, the scheme targets
already happened while also making predictions
achieving a Levelized Cost of Storage (LCoS)
about the future.
ranging from Rs. 5.50-6.60 per kilowatt-hour
● The model is also designed to be extremely
(kWh), making stored renewable energy a viable
N
simple to use. A user would merely need to
I
option for managing peak power demand
.
select a location and a date, and the model will
across the country.
L
highlight changes in floodwater, reforestation
● For passing on the scheme to consumers of the
A
efforts and other relevant factors.
Discoms, at least 85% of the power from
VGF-funded BESS projects shall be first offered
to Discoms before making it available for
R T
How does watsonx.ai work?
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others. ● It is built on a foundation model — it’s trained on
P
● The selection of BESS developers for VGF a broad set of uncategorised data allowing the
C
grants will be carried out through a transparent, model to apply information about one situation
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competitive bidding process, promoting a level to another.
playing field for both public and private sector ● In the case of watsonx.ai, NASA provides the
entities. datasets (in terms of satellite images instead of
words,) and IBM created the foundation model
Significance: to interpret them.
● In order to train the model to comprehend visual
● This will not only enhance the integration of
sequences that unfold over time, scientists
renewable energy into the electricity grid but
filled in blank areas in each image and asked
also minimise wastage while optimising the
the model to piece it back together.
utilisation of transmission networks.
● It became increasingly adept at figuring out how
● This will reduce the need for costly
the photos connected to one another as it
infrastructure upgrades.
reassembled additional images.
● The competitive bidding process approach will
● The model was then adjusted for certain tasks
foster healthy competition and encourage the
like segmenting and categorising photos.
growth of a robust ecosystem for BESS,
attracting significant investments and What is watsonx.data?
generating opportunities for associated
industries. ● It is a fit-for-purpose data store optimised for
● This scheme is designed to harness the governed data and AI workloads. It is designed
potential of renewable energy sources such as to enable enterprises to scale AI workloads by
solar and wind power; the scheme aims to harnessing their entire data landscape.
provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity What is watsonx.governance?
to the citizens.
● It is an end-to-end toolkit encompassing both
#3 data and AI governance. It helps clients create
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responsible, transparent and explainable AI specific to just your card and is valid for one
workflows by providing AI governance merchant at a time.
capabilities like model management throughout ● The token masks the true details of your card,
the AI lifecycle. so in case there is a data leak from the
merchant website, the fraudster cannot misuse
#4
the card.
Card-on-File Tokenization
● In order to make digital payments more secure,
#1
safe and sound the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
has now enabled card-on-file tokenization Wang’s Garden Lizard?
(CoFT) through card issuing banks and
institutions. ● A new reptile species was recently discovered
in China and has been called Wang’s Garden
About Card-on-File Tokenization: Lizard.
N
● Tokenization refers to replacement of actual
I
About Wang’s Garden Lizard:
.
credit and debit card details with an alternate
●
code called the “token”.
It is a combination of card, token requestor and
●
●
A LIt is a new species of iguana.

Scientific Name: Calotes wangi
●
device.
The card detail when stored with a merchant is
R
●
T Distribution: It is found in subtropical evergreen
broad-leaved forests and tropical monsoon
O
known as card-on-file (CoF). forests in southern China and northern Vietnam,
P
● This token is a randomly generated string of mostly in mountainous areas, hills and plains on
C
characters that has no intrinsic value and is
forest edges, arable land, shrub lands, and even
SS
meaningless outside of the context of a specific
urban green belts.
transaction.
● It is not threatened at present. However, in
● The token is used as a surrogate for the actual
card details, making it more secure to store and some areas, their habitat was being
transmit. fragmented.
● Requirements for enabling CoFT through card Features:
issuers:
● Generation of CoFT tokens for a card can be ● It is less than 9 cm long, and one of its
enabled through mobile banking and internet distinguishing features is its orange tongue.
banking channels. ● It is active at the edge of the forest, and when it
● The token can be generated only on explicit is in danger, it rushes into bushes or climbs tree
customer consent and with AFA (additional trunks to hide.
factor authentication) validation. ● It lies on sloping shrub branches at night,
● The cardholder may tokenize the card at any sleeping close to the branches.
time of their convenience, either on receipt of ● It eats a variety of insects, spiders, and other
the new card or at a later stage.
arthropods.
● The cardholder can select the merchants with
● It is active from April to October every year,
whom he/she wishes to maintain tokens.
while in the tropics it is active from March to
● The card token so issued may be either by the
card network or the issuer or both. November or even longer.
● In addition, their bodies are used medicinally
Advantage: and the lizards are also eaten.
● Tokenization replaces a debit or credit card’s #2
16-digit number with a unique token that is
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Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) ● It detects X-rays with energies ranging from 400
Mission to 12,000 electron volts. (For comparison, the
energy of visible light is 2 to 3 electron volts.)
● Recently, Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating
● This range will provide astrophysicists with new
Moon (SLIM) spacecraft entered into orbit
information about some of the universe's
around the moon after months-long journey.
hottest regions, largest structures, and objects
About Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) with the strongest gravity.
Mission:
#3
● It is a spacecraft built and launched by the
Non-invasive formaldehyde sensor
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
on September 7, 2023, from the Tanegashima ● Recently, the Nanomaterials and
spaceport. Nanoelectronics Laboratory, Department of
● It weighed only 590 kg. Physics, Guwahati University, Assam has
● It was launched together with XRISM, a developed a cost-effective formalin sensor that
next-generation X-ray space telescope, onboard
an H-2A rocket.
L.I N
can effectively detect the presence of formalin
in adulterated fishes.
A
● It entered into an elliptical orbit around the
T
About Non-invasive formaldehyde sensor:
moon over three minutes or so.
● Its apogee (farthest point) in this orbit is 4,000
O
km and perigee (closest point) is 600 km above
R● Materials used: Tin oxide-reduced graphene
oxide composite (rGO- SnO2).
the lunar surface.
C P ● While reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has been

used to detect various toxic gases and VOCs,
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What will SLIM do on the moon?
Tin Oxide (SnO2) has been extensively
● Just before it lands, SLIM will deploy two small investigated for formaldehyde detection in
rovers called Lunar Excursion Vehicle (LEV) 1 pristine form and by incorporating it with
and 2. LEV-1, LEV-2, and SLIM will together various compounds, including graphene, due to
study the lunar surface near the landing point, its high stability and high sensitivity toward low
collect temperature and radiation readings, and concentrations of formaldehyde.
attempt to study the moon’s mantle. ● Process: The Graphene oxide (GO) was
processed through wet chemical approach and
Key points about XRISM Mission:
tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide composite
● The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (rGO- SnO2) was synthesised by hydrothermal
(XRISM) is a joint mission of the Japan route followed by calcination of the obtained
Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the product.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration ● They found that the sensor made of tin oxide
(NASA), involving contributions from the decorated with reduced graphene oxide
European Space Agency (ESA). effectively sensed formaldehyde vapour at
● Objective: The mission aims to observe X-rays room temperature.
coming from deep space and to identify their ● The sensor shows long-term stability with a low
wavelengths with unprecedented precision. detection limit.
● It will use state-of-the-art spectroscopy to ● A new low-cost sensor made of metal oxide
measure changes in the brightness of celestial nanoparticles reduced graphene oxide
objects at different wavelengths. composite can detect formalin adulteration in
fishes at room temperature in a non-invasive
way.
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● The research for this is supported by

DST-PURSE (Promotion of University Research
● When the roots of barley seedlings were
and Scientific Excellence).
electrically stimulated for 15 days, they showed
Existing sensors: a 50% increase in growth using eSoil.
● This research promotes more effective and
● Commercial formalin sensors for fish are
sustainable development while increasing the
primarily electrochemical-based or
variety of crops that can be grown
colorimetric-based. Electrochemical sensors
hydroponically.
are extensively used but are expensive.
● In hydroponics, plants are grown without soil,
● The calorimetric sensors are less expensive.
requiring only water, nutrients and a substrate -
But both methods are invasive in nature.
something for their roots to attach to.
● Issue: Low-level detection and selective
● This closed system allows water to be
detection are two major issues with these
recirculated, ensuring that each seedling
sensors.
receives exactly the nutrients it needs.
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● Significance of new sensor:
I
● As a result, very little water is used and all the
● The development of 2D materials-based gas
sensors has created a new avenue of effective
L.
nutrients remain in the system - something that
A
is not possible with conventional farming.
detection of toxic vapours at room temperature.
T
● Benefit: It can help in areas with little arable
● These sensors have the potential to detect the
R
land and harsh environmental conditions.
formalin evaporated from adulterated food
products.
PO
#4
C
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eSoil
● Researchers have developed a new electronic

soil that was found to increase the growth of
barley seedlings by 50 per cent in a new study.
About the eSoil:
● In hydroponic environments, eSoil is a

low-power bioelectronic growth substrate that
can electrically stimulate the root system and
growth environment of plants.
● This novel substrate is environmentally friendly,
being derived from cellulose and a conductive
polymer called PEDOT. It offers a low energy,
safe alternative to previous methods that SPORTS
required high voltage and non-biodegradable
materials. #1
● It uses low energy and minimizes resource Indian Women’s Cricket Team
consumption. Its active material is an organic
mixed-ionic electronic conductor. ● India Women concluded their first ‘home
season’ of Test cricket in 28 years with a
How does eSoil work? historic maiden victory over Australia in a
one-off Test match in Mumbai on December 24.
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● The win marked a significant achievement for ● IUCN: Near threatened

the Indian team, capping off a season ● Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II
characterized by exemplary performances with ● CITES: Appendix I
both bat and ball.
● India’s clinical performance in the two home Key Facts about Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS):
Tests played at the Wankhede Stadium and the
DY Patil Stadium against England showcased a
consistent level of excellence. Location:
● The team scripted the biggest win by margin of
runs against England, and their first-ever ● It is located in Idukki District, Kerala.
triumph over Australia in 11 Tests added ● It lies in the rain shadow region of the Western
another victory to their record. Ghats and receives very less rainfall every year.
● The south side of the sanctuary is covered by
Eravikulam National park, and the north side is
MISCELLANEOUS by Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary.
#1
.I N
Vegetation:
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A
Eurasian Otter ● It has a wide array of habitat types, like
T
deciduous forests, dry thorn scrub, riparian
● A team of researchers recently discovered a
R
forest, shoals, and grasslands.
Eurasian otter in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
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● There is an extensive sandalwood forest nearby
in Idukki, a first in Kerala.
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the sanctuary.
About Eurasian Otter:
C Flora:
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● It is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal native ● Chinnar has about 1000 species of flowering
to Eurasia. plants and a wide variety of medicinal plants.
● Scientific Name: Lutra lutra ● The major species of flora include Acacia
Distribution: arabica, Acacia leucofolia, Acacia concinna,
antallum album, Anogeissus latifolia,
● It has one of the widest distributions of all Rhododendron nilagiricum, Elaeocarpus, etc.
Palearctic mammals, from Ireland to China and
down to Southeast Asia. Fauna:
● It lives throughout Europe, North Africa, and ● It is home to the endangered Great Grizzled
Asia. Squirrel of India.
● In India, it occurs in northern, northeastern, and ● Other important mammals that you can see
southern India. here are the elephant, tiger, leopard, guar,
Habitat: sambar, spotted deer, Nilgiri Tahr, etc.
● It inhabits streams, rivers, lakes, freshwater and

peat swamp forests, ocean shores, rice fields,
fjords, caves, and other terrestrial habitats close
by waterways. NATIONAL
● In the Indian subcontinent, it is found in cold
hills and mountain streams. #1
Conservation Status: Foreign Exchange Management Act
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● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently ● Purchase, sale, and exchange of any kind (i.e.
released a draft 'Licensing Framework for Transfer).
Authorised Persons (APs)' under the Foreign ● Banking, financial, and insurance
Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. ● Any overseas company owned by an NRI
(Non-Resident Indian) and the owner is 60% or
About the Foreign Exchange Management Act
more.
(FEMA):
● Any citizen of India, residing in the country or
● FEMA came in 1999 as a successor to the outside (NRI).
Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, or FERA, of
#2
1973, with changing economic conditions in a
post-liberalisation India. Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary
● The main objective of FEMA is to facilitate
● Recently, the Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh
external trade and payments and promote the
directed officials to conduct archaeological
orderly development and maintenance of the
excavation in the Sohagibarwa Wildlife
foreign exchange market in India.
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Sanctuary.
I
● FEMA deals with provisions relating to
procedures, formalities, dealings, etc. of foreign
exchange transactions in India.
.
About Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary:
L
A
● The FEMA regulates various aspects of foreign ● It is located in the Maharajganj district of Uttar
exchange transactions, including the
acquisition and holding of foreign exchange, the
R●
T Pradesh.
It was declared as Wildlife Sanctuary in June
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payment and settlement of foreign exchange 1987.
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transactions, the export and import of currency, ● Borders: On the northern side, it shares the
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and other related activities. international boundary with Nepal, and on the
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● The act also empowers the RBI to make rules eastern border is Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
and regulations to carry out the provisions of ● Vegetation: The vegetation of this area is of
the act. North Indian Moist Deciduous type.
● Violations of the provisions of FEMA can result ● Rivers: It is drained by the great Gandak, the
in penalties and fines. little Gandak, Pyas and Rohin rivers.
● FEMA's head office is known as the Flora:
Enforcement Directorate and is situated in
Delhi. ● Nearly 75% of the area consists of Sal forest,
and other humid areas are covered with
Applicability: Jaamun, Gutal, Semal, Khair trees, etc.
● It is applicable to the whole of India and equally ● Lower region of the sanctuary, which is water
applicable to the agencies and offices located logged during rains, consists of Grasslands and
outside India (which are owned or managed by patches of Cane forests.
an Indian Citizen). Fauna:
● FEMA is applicable to the following entities and
transactions: ● It is inhabited by a variety of animals which
● Foreign exchange. mainly includes Leopard, Tiger, Jungle Cat,
● Foreign security. Small Indian Civet, Langur, etc.
● Exportation of any commodity and/or service ● The Avifauna is varied with Little Cormorant,
from India to a country outside India. Snake Bird, Brahimini Duck, Common Teal, Little
● Importation of any commodity and/or service Egret, Cattle Egret, Paddy Bird etc.
from outside India. #3
● Securities as defined under the Public Debt Act
1994.
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Grey Francolin ● Militants changed tack in Jammu and Kashmir

and inflicted more casualties on the Army
● In an encouraging development, Grey
compared to other security wings this year by
Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus) was
turning the Pir Panjal Valley into a new
reported inside the Sanjay Gandhi National
battleground.
Park (SGNP) of Mumbai.
About the Pir Panjal Valley:
About the Grey Francolin:
● It is a mountain range in the northern Indian
● It is a ground-dwelling bird known for its
Himalayas.
distinctive calls and cryptic plumage.
● It starts in Ramban and extends westward in
● They are carnivores (insectivores) and
the south of Jammu and Kashmir to the last
herbivores (granivores).
extremity of Muzaffarabad District.
● Habitat: Grey francolins inhabit open plains,
● It is rising sharply to an average elevation of
bare or low grass-covered ground in scrub
more than 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).
and open country. They are also found in
● It separates the Jammu Hills to the south from
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open cultivated lands and scrub forest and
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the Vale of Kashmir, beyond which lie the Great
.
are rarely found above an altitude of 500 m
Himalayas.
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above sea level in India.
● It separates itself from the Himalayas near the
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● Distribution: Grey francolins are found in the
bank of the Sutlej river and forms a divide
T
Indian subcontinent and Iran. Their
between the rivers Beas and Ravi on one side
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distribution is south of the foothills of the
and the Chenab on the other.
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Himalayas westwards to the Indus Valley
● Major passes: Six historical passes, Hajipir
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and eastwards to Bengal. They are also
Pass, Gulabgarh Pass, Ratanpir Pass, Pir Panjal
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found in north-western Sri Lanka.
Pass, Banihal Pass, and Bairam Gala Pass are
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Conservation Status in this mountain range.
● Important peaks: Deo Tibba (6,001 m) and
● IUCN Red List: Least Concern Indrasan (6,221m) are two important peaks at
Key facts about Sanjay Gandhi National Park: the eastern end of the mountain range.
● It is located in the state of Maharashtra #5

which was formerly known as Borivali Warli Paintings
National Park.
● The 2400-year-old Kanheri caves are ● Recently, an exhibition by the Inherited Arts
sculpted out of the rocky cliff which lies Forum, traces the artistic journey of the
within the park. celebrated Mashe family and their effort in
● Flora: Kadamba, Teak, Karanj, Shisham, and reviving the Warli painting.
species of acacia, Ziziphus, euphorbias etc.
About Warli Paintings:
are found in this National Park.
● Fauna: Leopard, sambar, chital, barking deer, ● It is a style of tribal art created by the tribal
rusty spotted cat, hyena, common palm people from the North Sahyadri Range in
civet, small Indian civet, Indian crested Maharashtra.
porcupine, Indian hare, Indian flying fox, ● This art form can be traced back to 10th
common langur and bonnet macaque. century AD but was first discovered and
appreciated for its distinctive style only in the
#4
early 1970s.
Pir Panjal Valley ● It was traditionally practised by women of the
Warli tribe called Suvasinis, who decorated the
Lagna Chowk or the wedding square.
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Theme: ● Cooperation under the conclave focuses on five

pillars – maritime safety and security,
● Warli represents the daily routine of rural life,
countering terrorism and radicalisation,
the relationship of the tribal people with nature,
combating trafficking and transnational
their gods, myths, traditions, customs, and
organised crime, cyber-security and protection
festivities.
of critical infrastructure, and humanitarian
● These rudimentary wall paintings use a set of
assistance and disaster relief.
basic geometric shapes: a circle, a triangle, and
● A permanent secretariat, based in Colombo,
a square.
was established in 2021 to coordinate all
● The central motif in each ritual painting is the
activities and implement decisions made at the
square, known as the "chauk" or "chaukat",
NSA level.
mostly of two types known as Devchauk and
Lagnachauk. #2
● One of the central aspects depicted in many
Patriot PAC-3
Warli paintings is the tarpa dance. The tarpa, a
trumpet-like instrument, is played in turns by
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● Russia recently issued a stern warning to
different village men. Men and women entwine
their hands and move in a circle around the
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Japan, expressing concerns over its decision to
export Patriot PAC-3 anti-aircraft missiles to the
A
tarpa player. United States.
INTERNATIONAL
R T
About Patriot PAC-3 Missile:
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#1 ● The Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of
P
Target (PATRIOT) Advanced Capability-Three
Colombo Security Conclave
C
(PAC-3) program is a surface-to-air-defense
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● India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) recently guided missile system with all-weather
took part in the sixth NSA meeting of the capabilities.
Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). ● It has been built by Raytheon Technologies Corp
and is considered one of the most advanced air
About Colombo Security Conclave (CSC):
defense systems in the U.S. arsenal.
● It is a regional security grouping comprising ● It entered service with the US Army in 2001 and
India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius. the US Air Force in 2003.
● It has been exported to Germany, Japan, Kuwait,
Origin: the Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, South
● The CSC, initially known as the Trilateral for Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Arab
Maritime Security Cooperation, evolved out of Emirates.
trilateral meetings between NSAs and Deputy ● It is designed to counter tactical ballistic
NSAs from India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft.
starting in 2011. #3
● It came to a standstill after 2014 due to rising
tensions between India and the Maldives. Kolyma River
● After its revival and re-branding as the CSC in
● A Soviet-era Antonov-24 aircraft carrying 30
2020, Mauritius was added as a member of the
passengers landed safely on the frozen river
grouping.
Kolyma recently because of a pilot error.
● Current members of CSC include India,
Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, while About Kolyma River:
Bangladesh and Seychelles are the two
● Location: It is a river in northeastern Siberia, far
observer nations.
eastern Russia, rising in the Kolyma Mountains.
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● It is 2,129 km long and drains an area of ● Headquarters: London

647,000 square km. ● It provides project financing mainly for private
enterprises, usually together with other
Course:
commercial lending partners, in countries that
● In its upper course, it flows through narrow are committed to, and apply, democratic
gorges with many rapids. principles.
● The Kolyma River cuts through the majestic ● It also works with public partners to support
Verkhoyansk Range, one of the longest privatization, restructuring, and improvement of
mountain ranges in Siberia. municipal services.
● Gradually, its valley widens, enters the wide, flat, ● It does this by financing investments, providing
and swampy Kolyma Lowland, and flows business services, and getting involved in
northeastward to discharge into the East high-level policy dialogue in these countries to
Siberian Sea (a marginal sea in the Arctic support the private sector development.
Ocean). ● It prioritizes support for countries in Central and
● It is the largest river system underlain by West Asia, and North Africa.
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It focuses on advancing developmental goals in
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continuous permafrost. For about eight months ●
of the year (late September until early June), the
river is frozen to depths of several meters. ●
L.
finance and policy reform.
The organization also promotes
● It is primarily fed by spring snowmelt and
summer rainfall.
TA environmentally sustainable development and
gender equality and promises to be fully
● The entire basin is covered by tundra or thin,
stunted forest and has a sparse human
O R transparent.
P
Membership:
population.
●
C
The river has a mean annual discharge of about ● The EBRD is owned by 72 countries, the
SS
136 cubic kilometers of water per year, making European Union and the European Investment
it one of the six largest rivers to drain into the Bank.
Arctic Ocean. ● Each shareholder is represented individually on
the Board of Governors of the EBRD, which has
#4
overall authority over the Bank and is
European Bank for Reconstruction and responsible for approving its overall strategic
Development (EBRD) direction.
● India became the EBRD's 69th shareholder
● The European Bank for Reconstruction and when it joined the Bank in July 2018.
Development (EBRD) recently approved a
4-billion-euro capital increase that will enable #5
the bank to double its Ukraine investments.
Nicaragua
About the European Bank for Reconstruction and
● At least 20 passengers from Gujarat who were
Development (EBRD):
on the Nicaragua-bound flight, which was sent
● It is an international financial institution with the back mid-route from France recently, were
mandate to promote transition towards a questioned by the police in an attempt to
sustainable, open-market economy and to unearth a suspected illegal immigration
foster innovation. network.
● The EBRD was created in April 1991 to help
About Nicaragua:
Eastern European and ex-Soviet countries
transition into democracies by developing ● It is a country in Central America and the largest
free-market economies after the fall of of the Central American republics.
communism.
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Borders:
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
● The country is bordered by Honduras to the
north and Costa Rica to the south. #1
● The Pacific Ocean provides the border to the
west, and the eastern border of the country is in Central Water Commission
the Caribbean Sea. ● The Kerala state government urged the Centre
History: to speed up measures for building a new dam
at Mullaperiyar in Idukki district at a meeting
● It was the only country in Latin America to be with the Central Water Commission recently.
colonized by both the Spanish and the British.
● It gained its independence from Spain in 1821 About the Central Water Commission (CWC):
and became part of the Mexican Empire for ● It is a premier technical organisation in India in
several years. the field of water resources.
● Then it joined a group of nearby countries with ● It is presently functioning as an attached office
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a central government in Guatemala City called of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of
●
the Provinces of Central America.
Nicaragua split from the group in 1838 and
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Water Resources, River Development, and
Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India.
A
became fully independent. ● Functions:
Form of Government:
R
●
T The Commission is entrusted with the general
responsibilities of initiating, coordinating, and
O
● It is a Republic. The president is elected by furthering, in consultation with the State
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popular vote for a five-year term. Governments concerned, schemes for control,
C
● Power is divided among four governmental conservation, and utilisation of water resources
SS
branches: the executive, legislative, judicial, and throughout the country for the purposes of
Supreme Electoral Council. Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking
● Capital: Managua Water Supply, and Water Power Development.
● Official Languages: Spanish, English, ● It also undertakes the investigation,
indigenous languages construction, and execution of any such
● Currency: Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO) schemes as required.
● It is headed by a Chairman, with the status of
Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India.
● The work of the Commission is divided among
three wings namely, the Designs and Research
(D&R) Wing, the River Management (RM) Wing
and the Water Planning and Projects (WP&P)
Wing.
● Each wing is placed under the charge of a
full-time member with the status of Ex-Officio
Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
● Headquarters: New Delhi
Key Facts about Mullaperiyar Dam:
● It is a masonry gravity damsituated on the

Periyar River in Thekkady, Idukki district, in
Kerala.
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● It is located 881 m above sea level, on the through an effective national, regional and
Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats. global network to combat money laundering
● The dam is built at the confluence of the and related crimes.
Mullayar and Periyar rivers. ● Research and Analysis: Monitor and identify
strategic key areas on money laundering trends,
#2
typologies and developments.
Financial Intelligence Unit India
What are Virtual Digital Assets?
● Recently, as part of compliance action against
● According to the Income Tax Act, 'virtual digital
the offshore entities, Financial Intelligence Unit
asset' refers to any information, code, number,
India (FIU IND) has issued compliance Show
or token (not being Indian currency or foreign
Cause Notices to nine offshore Virtual Digital
currency) generated through cryptographic
Assets Service Providers (VDA SPs) under the
means and blockchain technologies.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
● It can be transferred, stored, or traded
(PMLA).
electronically and its definition specifically
About the Financial Intelligence Unit India:
● It was set up by the Government of India in
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includes a non-fungible token (NFT) or any
.
other token of similar nature, by whatever name
is called.
A
2004.
T
● It is the central national agency responsible for #3
receiving, processing, analyzing
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disseminating information relating to suspect
and
RLitchi cultivation
P
financial transactions. ● Recently, an official from National Research
C
● It is an independent body reporting directly to Centre on Litchi (NRCL) informed that Litchi is
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the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed now being cultivated across 19 Indian states
by the Finance Minister. across India.
● Functions of FIU-IND
About Litchi cultivation:
● Collection of Information: Act as the central
reception point for receiving Cash Transaction ● Litchi is a delicious juicy fruit of excellent
reports (CTRs), Non-Profit Organisation quality. Botanically it belongs to Sapindaceae
Transaction Report (NTRs), Cross Border Wire family.
Transfer Reports (CBWTRs), Reports on ● The translucent, flavoured aril or edible flesh of
Purchase or Sale of Immovable Property (IPRs) the litchi is popular as a table fruit in India.
and Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs)
from various reporting entities. Agro-climatic requirements
● Analysis of Information: Analyze received ● Litchi is a sub-tropical fruit and thrives best
information in order to uncover patterns of under moist sub-tropical climate.
transactions suggesting suspicion of money ● It usually prefers low elevation and can be
laundering and related crimes. grown up to an altitude of 800 m.
● Sharing of Information: Share information with ● Soil: Deep, well drained loamy soil, rich in
national intelligence/law enforcement agencies, organic matter and having pH in the range of
national regulatory authorities and foreign 5.0 to 7.0 is ideal for the crop.
Financial Intelligence Units. ● Temperature: The temperature should not go
● Act as Central Repository: Establish and beyond 40.5 degrees Celsius in summer and
maintain national data base on the basis of below freezing point in winter.
reports received from reporting entities. ● Rain: Prolonged rain may be harmful especially
● Coordination: Coordinate and strengthen at the time of flowering, when it interferes with
collection and sharing of financial intelligence pollination.
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● The young trees require protection against frost Features:

and hot winds for several years till they are
● This concrete bridge will feature a 4 km steel
firmly established, even though some variation
span section in the middle to allow for ships to
in temperature is necessary for proper fruiting
pass underneath.
of trees.
● It also incorporates seven orthotropic steel
● Frost during winter and dry heat in summer are
deck (OSD) spans, ranging from 90m to 180m, a
limiting factors for its successful cultivation.
first-of-its-kind application in India.
#4 ● MTHL will feature an intelligence transport
system (ITS) and the other amenities required
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) Project
for a marine bridge.
● The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) ● The traffic conditions on the stretch will be
project, which is expected to be inaugurated monitored and managed from the traffic control
early next year, has seen a cost escalation of Rs centre with the help of CCTV cameras and
2,192 crore or 14.9 per cent, according to related facilities installed on the stretch.
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information obtained through a Right to
Information (RTI) query recently.
About Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) Project:
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● MTHL is a 21.8-kilometer, Road Bridge

#1
TA
connecting the Indian city of Mumbai with Navi
Mumbai, its satellite city.
O RChameleon Trojan
● Cybersecurity researchers recently identified a
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● It is the longest sea bridge in India. The total
potent variant of the infamous ‘Chameleon
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length of MTHL Bridge is 21.8 km, of the length
Trojan’ malware, posing a substantial risk to
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on the sea is 16.50 km and the land portion is
Android device users.
5.5 km.
● The bridge begins in Sewri, South Mumbai, and About the Chameleon Trojan:
crosses Thane Creek north of Elephant Island,
and will terminate at Chirle village, near Nhava ● It is a malware that has the ability to disable
Sheva. biometric authentication methods, including
● The foundation stone for the MTHL project was fingerprint and face unlock, to sneakily access
laid in December 2016. sensitive information.
● 85% of the MTHL project’s construction is being Working:
financed by the Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA). ● The malware strategically attaches itself to
● The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development legitimate Android applications, such as the
Authority (MMRDA) manages the MTHL widely used Google Chrome, effectively
construction. avoiding immediate detection.
● Operating discreetly in the background,
Project Benefits: Chameleon Trojan can disable biometric
● The MTHL Bridge gives faster connectivity with security measures, specifically targeting PINs.
the proposed Navi Mumbai International ● The malware bundles are reportedly
Airport, JNPT Port, Mumbai–Pune Expressway, undetectable during runtime, enabling it to
and Mumbai–Goa Highway. outsmart Google Protect alerts and circumvent
● On the Mumbai side, connectivity with the security software on the compromised device.
coastal road is planned through the Sewri Worli ● This stealthy approach allows the Trojan to
Elevated Connector project. operate without any worries, evading immediate
countermeasures.
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● Its modus operandi varies depending on the ● Its instruments are designed to work primarily
Android version. in the infrared range of the electromagnetic
● Once active, Chameleon Trojan steals on-screen spectrum, with some capability in the visible
content, elevates its own permissions, and can range.
even use gestures to capture PINs and ● It comprises the Optical Telescope Element
passwords entered by users to unlock their (OTE), the Integrated Science Instrument
devices. Module (ISIM), the sunshield, and the
● The stolen PIN is then employed to unlock the spacecraft bus.
device in the background, enabling the malware ● The OTE is the eye of the Observatory. It
to access sensitive information such as credit consists of the mirrors and the backplane. The
card passwords and login credentials. OTE gathers the light coming from space and
● The malware also collects information on users’ provides it to the science instruments located in
app usage habits, launching attacks when the the ISIM. The backplane is like the "spine" of
device is least likely to be in use. Webb. It supports the mirrors.
● To safeguard against the Chameleon Trojan, it ● The ISIM contains Webb's cameras and
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is crucial to avoid installing Android apps from instruments. It integrates four major
unofficial sources. Additionally, users should
refrain from enabling the 'Accessibility service'
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instruments and numerous subsystems into
one payload.
for unknown apps. ●
TA The sunshield separates the observatory into a

warm sun-facing side (spacecraft bus) and a
R
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cold anti-sun side (OTE and ISIM). The
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
PO sunshield keeps the heat of the Sun, Earth, and

spacecraft bus electronics away from the OTE
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● After its first full calendar year of operation, and ISIM so that these pieces of the
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astronomers are using the James Webb Space Observatory can be kept very cold.
Telescope (JWST) to look for life on thousands ● The spacecraft bus provides support functions
of newly discovered planets. for the operation of the Observatory.
#3
About the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): Sardine run
● JWST was built in collaboration between NASA, ● Thousands of sardine fish have been surfacing
the European Space Agency (ESA), and the near a beach in Goa for the past few days and
Canadian Space Agency. experts said it’s a “rare” phenomenon known as
● It was launched in December 2021. ‘sardine run’.
● It is the largest and most powerful space
telescope to date. About Sardine run:
● It orbits around a point in space called the L2
● Shoals of the marine species are fluttering in
Lagrange point (a gravitationally stable location
shallow waters along the coast at Keri-Terekhol,
in space). It is approximately 1.5 million km
about 40 km from Panaji.
beyond Earth’s orbit and is one of the five points
● Reason: This marine event is “very rare” and it
in the orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system.
usually happens due to sudden changes in the
● It will focus on four main areas: the first light in
temperature of sea surface water where
the universe, the assembly of galaxies in the
sardines live.
early universe, the birth of stars and
● A drop or rise in sea surface temperature can
protoplanetary systems, and planets (including
induce migration of sardines in higher numbers
the origins of life).
and sometimes they get trapped in shallow
Instruments: waters.
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Key facts about Sardine fish makes a protein called huntingtin. This protein
helps your nerve cells (neurons) function.
● It belongs to the herring family, Clupeidae.
● The normal HTT gene contains a stretch of DNA
● The name sardine can also refer to the common
that specifies the number of times the amino
herring (Clupea harengus) and to other small
acid glutamine is repeated in the HTT This
herrings or herring like fishes when canned in
number varies from 11 to 31.
oil.
● In the mutant versions of the HTT gene, this
● Habitat: They are found in saltwater oceans,
stretch is expanded to encode 35 or more
seas, and other bodies of water throughout the
repeats.
world.
● As the number of repetitions increase, the
● Distribution: Found all over the world from the
severity of Huntington’s disease increases and
North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the
its debilitation begins at an earlier age.
Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the
waters around South America. Symptoms
● These are small, silvery, elongated fishes with a
● Huntington's disease usually causes movement,
single short dorsal fin, no lateral line, and no
●
scales on the head.
They migrate along the coast and feeding on
●
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cognitive and psychiatric disorders with a wide
.
spectrum of signs and symptoms.
The patient suffers mood swings, has difficulty
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plankton.
in reasoning, shows abnormal and
T
● It is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids,
uncontrollable jerky movements, and
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which promote heart health.
experiences difficulty in speaking, swallowing,
#4
PO and walking.
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Huntington’s disease #5
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● Researchers from the University of Szeged, in Parkinson’s Disease
Hungary, have taken some important strides by
● Indian brain researchers recently discovered
studying fruit flies to understand more about
how a complex interplay between two crucial
Huntington's disease.
brain chemicals leads to the development of
About the Huntington’s disease: Parkinson’s Disease.
● It is a rare, inherited disease that causes the About Parkinson’s Disease:
progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve
● It is a progressive neurological disorder that
cells in the brain.
affects the nervous system and the parts of the
● It has a wide impact on a person's functional
body controlled by the nerves.
abilities and usually results in movement,
● It is a condition in which a patient has limited or
thinking (cognitive) and psychiatric disorders.
no control over his movements and body
● There are two types of Huntington’s disease:
balance.
● Adult onset: This is the most common form.
● The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease
Symptoms usually begin after age 30.
naturally increases with age, and the average
● Early onset (juvenile Huntington’s disease):
age at which it starts is 60 years old.
Early onset affects children and teenagers. It’s
● Many studies have suggested that men are
very rare. When Huntington's develops early,
more likely to be affected by Parkinson’s than
symptoms are somewhat different and the
women.
disease may progress faster.
Cause:
Cause:
● A genetic change (mutation) of the HTT gene
causes Huntington’s disease. The HTT gene
501
● It is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in ● Beyond participation in the Games, the IOA has
the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, also established various initiatives with
which controls movement. different stakeholders for the development of
● These nerve cells die or become impaired, sports education and Olympic studies.
losing the ability to produce an important ● IOA is recognised by the Ministry of Youth
chemical called dopamine. Affairs and Sports.
● Dopamine operates with other
Foundation:
neurotransmitters to help coordinate the
millions of nerve and muscle cells involved in ● It was established in 1927 with Sir Dorabji Tata
the movement. and Dr. A.G. Noehren as the Founding President
● Lack of dopamine causes the slowed and Secretary General, respectively.
movements and tremors symptoms of ● It is registered as a Non-Profit Organisation
Parkinson's disease. under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
Symptoms: Members:
●
●
Parkinson's disease symptoms can be different
for everyone.
Early symptoms may be mild and go unnoticed.
●
L.I N
The members of the IOA include National
Sports Federations (NSFs), State Olympic
Associations, IOC Members, and other select
● Symptoms often begin on one side of the body
and usually remain worse on that side. ●
TA multi-sport organisations.
In accordance with the Olympic Charter, the
O R membership NSFs mostly include NSFs that

govern sports featured in the sports
SPORTS
C P programme of the Summer Olympic Games,

Winter Olympic Games, Asian Games, and
SS
#1
Commonwealth Games.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
MISCELLANEOUS
● The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formed a
#1
three-member ad hoc committee to run the
day-to-day affairs of the Wrestling Federation of Tansen Samaroh
India (WFI) recently.
● Around 1,300 musicians played Vande Mataram
About Indian Olympic Association (IOA): on tabla to enter the Guinness World Record for
the “largest table ensemble” during the ongoing
● The IOA is the governing body for the Olympic
99th International Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior.
Movement and the Commonwealth Games in
India.
● As an affiliated member of the International
Olympic Committee (IOC), Commonwealth
Games Federation (CGF), Olympic Council of
Asia (OCA), and Association of National
Olympic Committees (ANOC), the IOA
administers various aspects of sports
governance and athletes’ welfare in the country.
● IOA oversees the representation of athletes or
teams participating in the Olympic Games,
Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and
other international multi-sport competitions of
the IOC, CGF, OCA, and ANOC.
502
● The Secretary (CPV & OIA) recently addressed

the Valedictory Session of the 70th edition of
the Know India Programme (KIP) at a function
held at the Ministry of External Affairs.
About the Know India Programme (KIP):
● KIP is a flagship programme of the Ministry of

External Affairs for engagement with Indian
origin youth (between 18 and 30 years old).
● It is a three-week orientation programme for
diaspora youth conducted with a view to
promoting awareness of different facets of life
in contemporary India.
N
● The programme has been in existence since
About the Tansen Samaroh:
L.I
2003.
Features of KIP:
A
● Tansen Samaroh is a tribute to Indian musical
T
legend, Shri Ramtanu Misra, famously known as ● As a part of the programme, the applicants
R
Tansen. finalized through the selection process visit
O
● It is held every year in December in Gwalior to India for a 21-day schedule.
P
celebrate Tansen. ● 90% of the cost of international airfare for KIP
C
● Artists and music lovers from all over the world participants visiting India is borne by the
SS
gather here to pay tribute to the Great Indian Ministry, while the remaining 10% is borne by
Musical Maestro Tansen. the applicants themselves.
Key facts about Mian Tansen: ● During the period of their stay in India, the
Ministry provides for their accommodation,
● He was a prominent Indian classical music meals, and domestic transportation by road/air.
composer, musician and vocalist, known for a ● During the period of their stay in India, the KIP
large number of compositions, and also an participants are given insights into their
instrumentalist who popularised and improved understanding of India’s political system,
the plucked rabab (of Central Asian origin). economy, society, and developments in various
● He was among the Navaratnas (nine jewels) at key sectors.
the court of the Mughal Emperor Jalal ud-din ● Further, they are also provided exposure to
Akbar. India’s history and heritage by visiting places of
● Akbar gave him the title Mian, an honorific, historical and cultural significance.
meaning learned man. ● The Ministry also facilitates their interactions
● Tansen as a historical personality is difficult to with students and professionals from various
extract from the extensive legend that fields, along with arranging for meetings and
surrounds him. call on visits with senior officials and
● He is given credit for introducing some famous leadership.
ragas, Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi and ● The KIP participants are also taken for a
Darbari 7–10-day state visit to one or more Indian
states as a part of the Programme.
#2
Know India Programme (KIP)
503
L.I N
TA
O R
C P
SS
504
aa
L.I N
TA
O R
C P
SS
505

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CURRENT AFFAIRS JAN-2023

● Implement the Anti-Doping Code to achieve Remittances Grow 5% in 2022

cluster-specific brands to enhance ● Adoption Awareness Month is about

R T CMO in every district.

under certain circumstances.

PO ● B-21 Raider will employ cutting-edge stealth

C technologies to carry out nuclear missions

went on to become famous scientists of management of all the activities proposed

TATigers: Kaziranga is home to the highest

C P ● Fauna: The park is home to large breeding

PO ● First Loan Default Guarantee (FLDG) is a

TAKanger Valley National Park is a typical mixed

O R Sal, Saugaun, teak and bamboo trees are

● Record number of seizures of heroin ● Use of computer devices has decreased

TAConduct digital literacy camps, especially in

Opening Ceremony of the International Year ● eSanjeevani Ayushman Bharat-Health and

About: Curbing terror in Afghanistan, enhancing

O R official statutes and no formal inception date,

● RBI’s management of short-term volatility in

● It is the only tripartite U.N. agency, that brings

TAprojected at 5% and the second quarter at

● Reduced the period of application for

Is the amount same for all elections?

R T inaugurated at Panaji, Goa recently.

● During 2014-2020, the AYUSH industry

● Now, with RuPay credit cards being enabled

Key highlights: Mission Shakti

level across the country. P

C ● Each year, WHO’s World malaria report offers

● Despite continued impact of COVID-19, 2011-2020), which had 20 global biodiversity

L.Iservices and to ensure access to these

TA directly depend on them.

● The ICAR-IIWBR Karnal has initiated a specific

TAthat takes place every two years at a

● Mahakavi Subramanian Bharathiyar was a Need for gender-responsive urban mobility:

● CORPATs help build understanding and ● Endemic to Uttarakhand.

L.I Used in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and other

International Organization Of Securities

capabilities in new fields of technologies not

About: Parliament must examine age of consent

TAavailable on DIKSHA portal developed by

O R have also been made available on DIKSHA.

R T The Energy Conservation (Amendment)

which consume less than their maximum

● Meteors come from leftover comet particles

R T Availing international arbitration can be

Key highlights of report:

● Section 13 defines the criminal misconduct by ● ‘Ashtadhyayi’, or ‘Eight Chapters’, an ancient

TALater Indian grammars such as the

O R and the Kashika Vritti of Jayaditya and

conservation, and rejuvenation of the National

TACommercial banks (except Small Finance

Government Initiatives for Skill Development: ● SamunnatiAgro Solutions India Private

water (PAW), a natural microbicide and growth

Significance ● Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on

Listed products granted GI:

R T cardiovascular diseases along with its

Pangaea millions of years, rather than its

● Bullock heart tree’s extracts have traditionally Marsupials:

● A Geographical Indication is a sign used on ● Further, as polymorphisms are inheritable

Central Forensic Science Laboratory ●