Articulate

Articulate
FEBRUARY, 2024
An Initiative by Unacademy
MONTHLY CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC CSE
Electoral Bonds quashed by

Supreme Court
Household Consumption
Expenditure Survey 2022-23
The high-altitude pseudo satellite

vehicle (HAPS)
Black Tigers (Melanistic Tigers) in India
Open AI breakthrough Sora

Contents
Polity and Governance 9
y Parliament and Legislations 9
⚪ Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 9
⚪ Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 9
⚪ Rajya Sabha passes Bills for PVTGs 10
⚪ Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 10
⚪ Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill in Uttarakhand 11
⚪ Assam Healing (Evil Practices) Prevention bill 12
y Federal Issues 12
⚪ Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi refuses to deliver customary address 12
⚪ The Position of Deputy Chief Minister 13
y Rights 14
⚪ Caste Reservation: Supreme Court Observation 14
⚪ OBC quota in J and K local bodies 15
⚪ House Panel Report on Vacant SC/ST Posts in Educational Institutes 15
⚪ Rajya Sabha passes bill to add Paharis, Valmikis to ST, SC in J&K 16
⚪ Kerala HC upholds caste criterion qualifying for Sabarimala Chief Priest post 16
⚪ Delhi HC Ruling on Adoption 17
⚪ Maharashtra is exempting Some private schools from Right To Education quota 17
⚪ Assam ends Muslim marriage law 18
⚪ ‘Disturbed Areas’ in Gujarat 18
⚪ Maternity leave for construction workers 18
y Judiciary 19
⚪ Initiatives for courts in India 19
⚪ Article 142- SC quashed the Chandigarh mayor’s election result 19
⚪ Supreme Court Urges Coast Guard to give Permanent Commission to Women 20
y Nine Landmark Cases by Fali S Nariman 21
⚪ The Case for Regional Benches of Supreme Court 22
⚪ Raising judges retirement age on performance not practical: Govt to panel 22
⚪ Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules on Foreign Law Firms in India 23
y Elections: 25
⚪ Electoral Bonds quashed by Supreme Court 25
⚪ Income Tax Rules for Political Parties 26
⚪ Two-step Voter Verification 27
2
⚪ 97 crore people eligible for vote in Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission 27
y Governance: 27
⚪ What are Nazool Lands? 27
⚪ Annual NeSDA Way Forward Report 2023 28
⚪ India to Update Film Age-Ratings: Draft Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 28
⚪ Government to Appoint new member in the 16th Finance Commission 29
⚪ New Amendments to Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 29
⚪ Telecom players should provide caller ID to subscribers: TRAI 30
⚪ Cabinet nod to spectrum for railway without TRAI reply 30
⚪ CAPF exam to be conducted in 13 regional languages 30
⚪ New science research board ANRF comes into effect 31
⚪ PRITHVI Scheme- To enhance understanding of Earth System Sciences 31
⚪ 22nd Law Commission Report- 284 and 285 31
y Governance Initiatives: 32
⚪ GHAR (GO Home and Re-Unite) Portal- For Missing Children 32
⚪ SARATHI Portal by Agriculture Ministry - for farmers, crop and tractor insurance 33
y Probable MCQs 33
Economy 36
y Money, Banking, Finance & Insurance 36
⚪ Indian Stock Market- Fourth Largest 36
⚪ UPI launched in Sri Lanka, Mauritius 37
⚪ Municipal Bonds of Ahmedabad 37
⚪ RBI Action Against Paytm Payments Bank 37
⚪ Automated Search Portal by the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau 38
⚪ C-CARES Portal- For pensioners and CMPFO consumers 38
⚪ Bima Sugam Portal 38
⚪ Forex Card with zero transaction charge 39
⚪ RIL becomes first Indian company to hit Rs 20 lac cr market cap 39
⚪ RBI asked VISA, Master Card to halt card-based payment 39
⚪ Composite license for insurers 40
⚪ EPFO hikes interest rates 40
y Budget, Taxation & GST 40
⚪ Budget 2024 40
⚪ Tax provisions for Nuns and Priests 47
y Sectors of the Economy, GDP, Inflation 47
⚪ Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 47
3
⚪ Blue Economy 2.0 48
⚪ Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) 49
⚪ Golden Jubilee of Amul Celebrated 49
⚪ Digital India FutureLABS launched by Ministry of Electronics & IT 50
y Balance of Payment & International Trade 50
⚪ 100% FDI in the space sector 50
⚪ Global soft landing in sight- says IMF 51
y Infrastructure 51
⚪ Induction Charging on Golden Quadrilateral 51
⚪ Sagar Aankalan- Guidelines for Indian Port Performance Index 52
⚪ Sudarshan Setu in Gujarat 52
⚪ India’s largest Grain Storage Plan 53
⚪ Novel Initiative Technological Intervention for Safety of Human Lives (NITISH) Device- For
timely alert to farmers 53
⚪ Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) 54
⚪ Press Sewa Portal of I & B Ministry for Online Registration 54
y Human Resource Development, Health and Education 55
⚪ All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) 2021–22 55
⚪ UGC allocation- Halved in interim budget 55
⚪ CBSE Proposes Open Book Exams Pilot Study 56
⚪ IIT Madras Zanzibar 57
⚪ ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) to get health cover 57
⚪ Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) by World Health Organisation 58
⚪ Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana 58
⚪ SBI Report on Poverty levels 59
⚪ Multidimensional Poverty 59
⚪ SWATI (Science For Women: A Technology & Innovation) Portal 60
y Probable MCQs 60
IR Defence and Security 63

y Global Issues 63
⚪ South China Sea-Philippines and Vietnam agreements 63
⚪ Claims of Iran on Antarctica and Impact on Antarctic Treaty 64
⚪ Misuse of Interpol Notices 65
⚪ Execution by Nitrogen-Nitrogen Hypoxia 66
y India and World 66
⚪ Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2023 66
⚪ Qatar frees eight former Indian navy men 67
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⚪ India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) development aid 67
y Defense and Internal Security 68
⚪ National Terrorism Data Fusion & Analysis Centre (NTDFAC) 68
⚪ Maritime Exercise MILAN 68
⚪ Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 69
y Defense Technology 69
⚪ MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) 69
⚪ The high-altitude pseudo satellite vehicle (HAPS) 70
⚪ Navy chief inaugurate Precision Approach Radar (PAR) 71
⚪ Haryana drops tear gas shells on protestors via drones 72
y International Organizations, Conferences, Agreements 72
⚪ Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 72
⚪ Sweden joins NATO as Hungary approves Bid 73
⚪ Expansion of BRICS 74
⚪ World Government Summit 2024 74
⚪ Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) 74
⚪ UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees 75
⚪ NB8 Countries (Nordic-Baltic Cooperation) 76
y Probable MCQs 76
Geography and Environment 80

y Physical Geography 80
⚪ Atmospheric Rivers 80
⚪ Humboldt’s Enigma on Biodiversity 81
⚪ Grindavik Eruption in Iceland 82
⚪ Deep earth Hydrogen Reservoirs in Albania 82
⚪ Hyper-local weather forecasting in India 83
y Environment Conservation 83
⚪ India Adds 5 More Wetlands to Ramsar Convention List 83
⚪ Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program 84
⚪ Save Wetlands Campaign (SWC) 85
⚪ Kawal Tiger Reserve 85
⚪ Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) initiative 86
⚪ Supreme Court’s Stand on Forest Definition 86
⚪ Kerala’s Resolution on Wild Boar as Vermin 87
⚪ Central Asian Flyway (CAF) Sites in India 87
⚪ Clean Mount Everest 88
5
y Pollution 88
⚪ Impact of La Niña on Air Quality in India 88
⚪ Public Accounts Committee Findings on Plastic Waste Management by Ministry of
Environment 89
y Disaster Management: 90
⚪ 286th Law Commission Report on Epidemic Plan 90
y Climate Change 90
⚪ Germany Plans to Store Carbon at Offshore sites 90
y Flora and Fauna 91
⚪ Black Tigers (Melanistic Tigers) in India 91
⚪ Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus Atricilla) 92
⚪ Manatees- Sea Cows 92
⚪ Black Necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) 93
⚪ Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) 93
⚪ Why in news? 93
⚪ Thrips Parvispinus- An Insect 93
⚪ New Species of Nematodes- Steinernema adamsi 94
⚪ Cuscuta Dodder 94
⚪ Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) 95
⚪ Kashmir Willow Trees for Cricket Bats 95
⚪ Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus) Butterfly 96
y Probable MCQs 96
Science and Tech 100

y Space Technology 100
⚪ SpaceX’s Launch of Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 Mission: Odysseus 100
⚪ PAPA (Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) 100
⚪ INSAT 3DS launch to improve forecast 100
y Nanotechnology 101
⚪ Synthesized gold nanoparticles from Wild Mushroom: Termitomyces heimii 101
y Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence 101
⚪ India Develops AI Model for Accurate Fetal Gestational Age Estimation 101
⚪ iOncology-AI project 102
⚪ Open AI breakthrough Sora 102
⚪ Google-Reddit Deal 102
⚪ Use of Brain like tissues to make computer 103
y Biotechnology and Health 103
⚪ Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry 103
6
⚪ Lab-Grown Meat for Muslims in Singapore 104
⚪ Indian Made HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine - Cervavac 104
⚪ Typbar typhoid vaccine 104
⚪ Re-emergence of Bubonic Plague in the USA 104
⚪ Alaskapox virus 105
⚪ India Achieves Milestone in Eliminating Kala Azar in 2023 106
y New Technology 106
⚪ What is Bitcoin Halving? 106
⚪ Satellite-based toll collection 107
y Probable MCQs 107
History and Culture 109

y Religion 109
⚪ Subika Paintings of Manipur’s Meitei Community 109
⚪ Swami Dayanand Saraswati (12 February 1824 – 30 October 1883) 109
⚪ Rani Chenamma (23 October 1778 – 21 February 1829) 110
⚪ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680) 111
⚪ History of Supreme Court of India 111
⚪ 390-year-old lamp post in Nalgonda unravels trade link of Telangana 112
⚪ Maa Kamakhya Divya Lok Pariyojana 112
⚪ BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Temple in Abu Dhabi113
⚪ Different Traditional Saree Draping Styles in various states of India 113
⚪ This day in history 115
y Probable MCQs 116
PIN-GK 120
y Sports: 120
⚪ Grammy Awards, 2024 120
⚪ Bharat Ratna 120
⚪ Indira Gandhi, Nargis Dutt National Film Award renamed 123
y PIN GK 123
⚪ Books in News 123
⚪ Person in News 125
⚪ Place in News 135
7
POLITY IN NEWS: FEBRUARY (2024)
PARLIAMENT AND LEGISLATIONS
FEDERAL ISSUES
RIGHTS
JUDICIARY
ELECTIONS
GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES
LEARN POLITY FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS
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1 Polity and Governance
Parliament and Legislations
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024

Key features of the bill:
y Objective: Enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems,
ensuring fair rewards for genuine efforts and securing the future of the youth.
y Applicability: Applies to exams conducted by UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and NTA, including JEE,
NEET, and CUET, as well as all central ministries, departments, and their recruitment offices.
y Exclusion of Candidates: The bill will not be applicable to candidates who are already subject
to existing administrative provisions.
y Punishments:
⚪ 3-to-5-year jail term for paper leaks.
⚪ Up to 10 years for links to organized crime.
⚪ Rs 1 crore fine and recovery of exam costs from firms, with possible bans on conducting
exams.
y Unfair Means Definition: Section 3 lists 20 offenses, including impersonation and tampering
with documents.
y Nature of Offences: Cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, as per Section 9.
y Investigation: Led by officers of DSP/ACP rank or higher, with the possibility of Central agency
involvement, allowing warrantless arrests.
y Model for States: While binding for central authorities, serves as a model draft for state-level
examinations.
Why in News?
y The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 was tabled in the Lok Sabha
recently.
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

Key Points about the bill:
y It focuses on decriminalising minor offences related to water pollution.
y The central government will be empowered to exempt certain categories of industrial plants for
seeking permissions regarding water pollution.
y It can now prescribe guidelines for the nomination of chairpersons of State Pollution Control
Boards.
Why in news?
y Recently, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 was adopted
by both houses of Parliament.

Rajya Sabha passes Bills for PVTGs
About PVTGs:
y PVTG stands for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
y 1970s: Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category.
y 2006: Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs.
y They are most vulnerable among Scheduled Tribes.
y Criteria for determining PVTGs:
⚪ A pre-agriculture level of technology.
⚪ A stagnant or declining population.
⚪ Extremely low literacy.
⚪ A subsistence level of economy.
Key points about Bill:

y Seven Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), were included in the list of STs.
y Three of these were in Andhra Pradesh and four of them were in Odisha.
y Pauri Bhuyan and Paudi Bhuyan as synonyms of the Bhuyan
tribe.
In Odisha y The Chuktia Bhunjia is a synonym of the Bhunjia tribe.
y The Bondo is a sub-tribe of the Bondo Poraja tribe.
y The Mankidia is a synonym for the Mankirdia tribe.
Shifted communities in y Tamadia and Tamudia were shifted from the Scheduled Castes
Odisha list to the Scheduled Tribes list.
The bill added two
y The community of Muka Dora (and synonyms).
communities in Odisha as
y The community of Konda Reddy (and synonyms).
new entries.
y Bondo Porja and Khond Porja as synonyms of the Porja tribe.
In Andhra Pradesh
y Konda Savaras is a synonym for the Savaras tribe.
y The passage of the Bill cleared the way for the inclusion of synonyms and phonetic variations
of existing tribes in the ST lists of both Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Why in news?
y Rajya Sabha passed the Constitution (STs) Order Amendment Bill 2024 and the Constitution
(SCs and STs) Order Amendment Bill 2024.
Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill

Applicability and Exclusions
y Applies to all Uttarakhand residents except the tribal community (2.9% of the state’s population).
y Exemptions include Scheduled Tribes and those with protected customary rights under the
Constitution.
Regulation of Live-in Relationships

y Mandatory registration for live-in relationships.
y “Summary inquiry” by the Registrar to ensure compliance with prohibitive conditions.
y Penalties for non-registration include imprisonment and fines.

Prohibition of Bigamy or Polygamy
y Marriage to another person while having a living spouse is prohibited.
y Mandatory marriage registration within 60 days of occurrence.
Divorce Proceedings
y Court order required for dissolution of marriage.
y Provisions for exceptional hardships and specific conditions for women seeking divorce.
y Equal custody rights for mothers of children up to 5 years old.
Inheritance Rights
y Abolition of the coparcenary system (Coparcenary systems refers to a type of property
ownership where multiple people inherit the same property, and each person owns an undivided,
transferable interest in the property.
y Equal property rights for the spouse, children, and parents.
y Detailed succession scheme for intestate succession.
Criminalization of Certain Muslim Personal Law Practices

y Practices like nikah halala and iddat are criminalized.
y Penalties for compelling or abetting non-compliant remarriage conditions.
Expert Opinions and Concerns

y Concerns over privacy infringement and intrusion by mandatory registration of live-in
relationships.
y Questions about the breach of the fundamental right to privacy.
y Debate on whether state-specific UCCs defeat the purpose of a uniform code envisioned by
Article 44.
Why in News?
y The state of Uttarakhand has recently presented the draft version of its Uniform Civil Code bill.
Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill in Uttarakhand

Key features of Proposed Bill:
y This legislation is aimed at recovering losses incurred to public and government properties
during protests and strikes from the individuals involved in such disturbances.
y Formation of a Tribunal:
⚪ The bill proposes the creation of a tribunal, led by a retired judge, to investigate accusations
against individuals identified as being involved in causing the disturbances.
⚪ This tribunal will be responsible for assessing damages and issuing orders for recovery
based on the State’s complaints.
y Procedure for Recovery of Damages: The tribunal will conduct a thorough review involving
discussions with affected parties, including government entities and others, to determine the
extent of the damages and the appropriate recovery orders.
Why in News?
y Uttarakhand plans to introduce a bill similar to the ones in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for the
recovery of damages to property.

Assam Healing (Evil Practices) Prevention bill
Key features:
y The bill aims to ban and eradicate the practices of “magical healing” used as a form of treatment
for congenital diseases such as deafness, dumbness, blindness, physical deformity, and autism.
y The bill proposes strict punitive measures against individuals who exploit vulnerable populations
through these practices.
Why in news?
y The Assam cabinet recently endorsed a bill titled the ‘Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil)
Practices Bill, 2024.
Federal Issues
Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi refuses to deliver customary address

Constitutional Background:
y The Constitution gives the President (Article 87) and the Governor (Article 176) the power to
address a sitting of the legislature.
y The special power is with regard to two occasions.
y The first is to address the opening session of a new legislature after a general election.
y The second is to address the first sitting of the legislature each year.
y Commonly referred to as the President’s or Governor’s Address, they are a constitutional
requirement.
y A session of a new or a continuing legislature cannot begin without fulfilling this requirement.
Significant Supreme Court Rulings:
y 1994 Karnataka Case: The Supreme Court emphasized that a Governor must provide a
“detailed factual foundation” before recommending President’s Rule, ensuring that such a
report is approved by the Council of Ministers.
y 2016 Arunachal Pradesh Case: Highlighted the necessity for the Governor to consult the
Council of Ministers before summoning, proroguing, or dissolving the Assembly.
y 2020 Madhya Pradesh Case: Affirmed the Governor’s power to call for a floor test but
cautioned against using this authority to aid political objectives against democratically
elected governments.
y Recent Cases Involving Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala: The Supreme Court addressed the
issue of Governors delaying assent to Bills passed by the Assembly, asserting that such actions
should not be unduly delayed and must be declared as per Article 200 of the Constitution
Why in news?
y The Tamil Nadu Governor did not deliver the speech after reading the first paragraph of the
address.

The Position of Deputy Chief Minister
Nature of the Post:

y The Deputy Chief Minister (Deputy CM) position is a political role, not given in the Constitution
like the Vice President of India.
y It evolved from the Deputy Prime Minister’s post, first held by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel after
India’s independence in 1947.
Appointment and Authority:

y The Chief Minister (CM) has complete discretion to appoint or remove a Deputy CM.
y There can be multiple Deputy CMs in a state, as seen in Maharashtra with two and Andhra
Pradesh with five.
Tenure:
y The Deputy CM does not have a fixed term. Their tenure is subject to the CM’s decisions, who
can reshuffle the cabinet or remove the Deputy CM at any time.
Powers of Deputy CM:

y Rank and Privileges: The Deputy CM’s rank is on par with that of a Cabinet Minister within the
state, enjoying the same pay and benefits.
⚪ It is considered the second-highest executive position in the State Council of Ministers.
y Financial Authority: The Deputy CM does not possess any unique financial powers and shares
the same financial authority as other Cabinet Ministers.
Why in News?
y The Supreme Court recently turned down a petition challenging the appointment of deputy
chief ministers in state governments as unconstitutional.
y The Court stated that the Deputy Chief Minister was firstly a minister within the state government
and the position was merely a label and nothing more.

Rights
Caste Reservation: Supreme Court Observation

Background:
y A 7-judge Constitution Bench is reviewing the Supreme Court’s 2004 judgment in E V Chinnaiah
vs State of Andhra Pradesh & Others.
y The 2004 ruling stated that Scheduled Castes (SCs) are homogenous classes and should not
be subdivided.
Argument Summary:
y The argument raised questions about the need for exclusion within specific categories of SCs.
y It suggested that some sub-castes within SCs might have progressed and should compete with
the general category, leaving reservation behind.
Legislation Under Review:

y The Constitution Bench is also examining the validity of the Punjab Scheduled Castes and
Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006.
y This Act provided 50% quota and first preference to Valmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs within the SC
quota for public jobs.
Creamy Layer Concept:

y Supreme Court ruling in the Jarnail Singh vs Lacchmi Narain Gupta case: The creamy layer
concept was extended to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as well.
y In the 2018 judgment, the Supreme Court upheld reservation in promotions for SCs/STs in
public employment.
What is sub-classification?
y The sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) (and Scheduled Tribes) refers to further
categorizing the broad groups of SCs and STs into more specific sub-groups based on their
unique cultural, social, and economic characteristics.
y This process aims to ensure a more equitable distribution of government benefits and
reservation quotas, recognizing that within these broad categories, there are communities with
varying levels of socio-economic development.
Why is Sub-Classification needed?

y Inequalities persist among SC communities.
y Certain sub-castes lack fair representation in employment and education.
y SCs vary socio-economically, with some progressing while others still face disadvantages.
y Current policies hinder uniform benefits, leading to competition. Sub-categorization can aid in
political empowerment and education.
y Sub-categorization prevents benefits from concentrating in certain groups, promoting fair
resource allocation.
Implementation of Reservation:
y While Parliament decides who qualifies for the Presidential list, States have the authority to
determine how to implement it.
y Providing for more backward classes within the backward should not be viewed as exclusionary.

Relative Backwardness:
y In terms of relative backwardness, backwardness is compared to forwardness to determine
eligibility for reservation.
y Understanding this relative backwardness ensures that there is no issue with the argument for
reservation.
Constitutional Provision:
y Article 341 of the Constitution empowers the President to designate certain castes and classes
as Scheduled Castes in a State or Union Territory.
y It also grants Parliament the authority to add or remove any caste or tribe from this list.
Why in news?
y The Supreme Court said that those among the backward castes who had benefited from
reservation should now make way for the more backward among them to avail the benefit of
affirmative action.
y The Supreme Court has said there is a need for the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SC)
within India’s reservation system.
OBC quota in J and K local bodies

Why in news?
y LS passes Bill to give OBCs quota in J&K local bodies.
Key Points:
y It is aimed at providing reservation to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the panchayats
and municipalities in the Union Territory.
y It seeks to amend certain provisions of:
⚪ The Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.
⚪ The Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000.
⚪ The Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000 (the Acts).
y These amendments are in consonance with the provisions of the Part IX and Part IXA of the
Constitution.
House Panel Report on Vacant SC/ST Posts in Educational Institutes

Why in News?
y The Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes highlighted
biased assessment in AIIMS Delhi leading to vacant SC/ST faculty posts.
Key Points:
y The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare revealed 16 senior faculty posts remained vacant in
2018, with 12 more in 2022, citing “candidates not suitable” in SC/ST and OBC categories.
y Committee’s Findings:
⚪ SC/ST candidates were “deliberately declared not suitable” due to biased selection panel
assessments.
⚪ The committee described the government’s explanation for not appointing faculty as a
“stereotype response” and labeled it as biased.
⚪ Emphasized the need for SC/ST members in selection panels to ensure fair representation

and participation in decision-making.
⚪ Suggested amending the AIIMS Act to mandatorily include SC/ST community members in
the selection board.
⚪ Noted that reservation for the marginalized community in super specialty courses was not
being properly implemented.
Rajya Sabha passes bill to add Paharis, Valmikis to ST, SC in J&K

Why in News?
y Recently, the Lok Sabha has passed the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes
Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
About:
y The bill aims to include specific ethnic groups and tribes from Jammu and Kashmir into the list
of Scheduled Tribes.
y The included ethnic groups are Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethnic Group.
Kerala HC upholds caste criterion qualifying for Sabarimala Chief Priest post
Why in News?
y Kerala High Court upheld the caste criterion for the Sabarimala chief priest position, limiting it
to Malayala Brahmins.
Background:
y The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) notifications specified the caste requirement for chief
priests at Sabarimala’s Sannidhanam and Malikappuram temples.
Travancore Devaswom Board is a statutory and autonomous body managing around 1252 temples
in the southern part of India.

y The challenge to the TDB notification argued it violated Supreme Court judgments and Articles
14, 15, 16, 17, and 21 of the Constitution, asserting that the chief priest’s role should not be
confined to one community.
Court Verdict:
y The court dismissed petitions by non-Brahmin priests challenging this criterion as untouchability
and unconstitutional.
y The court ruled that Article 25(2)(b) of the Constitution, protecting the right to enter and
worship in temples, does not extend to the rights to perform archaka services.
Delhi HC Ruling on Adoption

Why in News?
y The Delhi High Court ruling has supported the Centre’s 2022 adoption rules, restricting parents
with two biological children from adopting a ‘normal child’.
Key points:
y The Adoption Regulations, 2022, enforce that couples with two or more children can only adopt
children with special needs or those hard to place.
y The court emphasized that the adoption process prioritizes the welfare of children over the
preferences of prospective adoptive parents (PAPs).
y The ruling underlines that the best interests and rights of the child in finding a suitable family
take precedence over the expectations of PAPs regarding adoption.
Maharashtra is exempting Some private schools from Right To Education quota
RTE Act’s Free and Compulsory Education Clause:

y The act ensures free, compulsory education for children aged 6-14 in local schools.
y The RTE Act mandates that 25% of Class 1 admissions in unaided schools should be from
“weaker sections and disadvantaged groups in the neighborhood”.
Key Points:
y New Rule of Maharashtra: Private unaided schools in Maharashtra won’t be identified for the
25% RTE quota if a government or aided school is within one kilometer.
y Reasons for Exemptions: Allowing RTE admissions in private schools near government schools
reduced enrollments in government schools.
y Maharashtra’s move aligns with Karnataka (2018) and Kerala (2011), which also exempts private
schools from RTE admissions under certain conditions.
Why in News?
y Private unaided schools in Maharashtra are now exempt from the mandatory 25% admission
quota for disadvantaged groups and weaker sections under specific conditions.

Assam ends Muslim marriage law
Before After
y The Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce

Registration Act, 1935 allowed for the
voluntary registration of Muslim marriages
and divorces.
y In February 2024, the Assam cabinet
y Enabled the government to issue licenses
decided to repeal the Act.
for marriage and divorce registration
y The Act permitted the registration of
marriages without adhering to the legal
minimum ages of 18 for females and 21 for
males.
Why in News?
y Recently, the Assam Cabinet repealed the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act,
1935.
‘Disturbed Areas’ in Gujarat

Law related to ‘Disturbed Areas’ in Gujarat:
y It is titled the Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Properties and Provision for Protection
of Tenants from Eviction from Premises in Disturbed Areas Act, 1991.
y The law empowers the administration to declare parts of the areas within their jurisdiction as
“disturbed” in the context of communal clashes.
y The law imposes restrictions on property transactions and mandates that people obtain prior
approval from the district collector before buying property in notified disturbed areas.
Issue:
y Experts argue that this law has shrunk the options for minorities to own residential spaces in
some urban areas which has created ghettos
Why In News?
y Many legal disputes have arisen for transfer of properties between parties belonging to different
religions, prompting a debate on the law related to the ‘Disturbed Areas’.
Maternity leave for construction workers

Maternity Leave for Road Construction Workers:
y The Labour Ministry and the Women and Child Development Ministry jointly released the
advisory.
y Employers are to provide paid maternity leave to registered road construction workers for 26
weeks for up to two deliveries.

Maternity Leave for Additional Situations:
y For more than two children, adoption, or commissioning mothers, employers should provide 12
weeks of paid maternity leave.
Miscarriage Leave:
y Women are entitled to leave with wages equivalent to maternity benefits for six weeks after
the miscarriage.
Why in news?
y The government has asked employers to give maternity leave to construction workers.
Judiciary
Initiatives for courts in India

Initiatives:
y Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR): Provides free and electronic access to Supreme
Court judgments for citizens.
y Digital Courts 2.0:
⚪ It is a Pan-India initiative led by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
⚪ It seeks to digitally transform and enable District Courts nationwide through Information
and Communication Technology (ICT).
⚪ With the use of artificial intelligence (AI), it attempts to give district court judges access to
electronic court records and real-time speech-to-text transcription.
About Supreme Court:
y Regulating Act of 1773: Established the Supreme Court at Calcutta.
y 28 January 1950: First sitting of the Supreme Court of India was held.
y Constitutional Provisions: Articles 124 to 147 in Part V.
Why in news?
y Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme
Court and launched technology initiatives.
Article 142- SC quashed the Chandigarh mayor’s election result
About:
y Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice
in any case or matter pending before it, underscoring its role in ensuring justice is served
comprehensively.
Why Supreme Court invoke Article 142:

y The election saw irregularities due to the unethical actions of the presiding officer.
y The officer had announced the winner by invalidating eight votes cast in favour of his opponent,
leading to an incorrect declaration of the winner.

Constructive Uses:
y Historical Impact: Initially hailed for enabling the Supreme Court to deliver justice to marginalized
sections and protect the environment, such as cleaning the Taj Mahal and securing rights for
undertrials.
Debate on Judicial Overreach:

y Concerns: Recent years have seen debates around the Supreme Court’s expansive use of Article
142, with criticisms of overreaching into legislative and executive domains, challenging the
separation of powers—a core constitutional principle.
y Controversial Applications: Examples include the broad ban on alcohol sales near national
and state highways, some examples that raise questions about the balance between judicial
intervention and legislative authority.
Implications:
y Legal and Social Impact: While Article 142 serves as a powerful tool for justice, its broad
application has stirred discussions on judicial limits, fundamental rights, and the balance of
power among India’s governmental branches.
Why in News?
y Recently, the Supreme Court quashed the Chandigarh mayor’s election result using Article 142
for complete justice.
The Controversy:
y The elections for the Mayor position were conducted for the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.
y The returning officer was caught on security camera “defacing” eight ballot papers. This led
to the BJP-supported candidate securing a win despite the Aam Aadmi Party having majority
in the number.
y The Supreme Court called the election ’blatantly illegal’ and quashed the election.
Supreme Court Urges Coast Guard to give Permanent Commission to Women

Permanent Commission (PC):
y PC means a career in the armed forces until retirement, historically available only to male
officers, with women offered Short Service Commission (SSC) of 10+4 years.
Change for Women Officers:

y Recent changes now allow women officers the option of PC, aligning their rights with male
officers, influenced significantly by Supreme Court rulings.
Evolution of Women’s Roles in Armed Forces:

y Women’s roles have expanded from non-combatant roles in earlier years to broader opportunities,
though initially limited to SSC.
Supreme Court’s Role:

y Landmark judgments like Jasmine Kaur vs. Union of India and Babita Puniya vs. Ministry of
Defence ensured equal rights for women for PC in the armed forces.

Benefits of PC for Women:
y Enhances job security, economic opportunities, and equality in entitlements, potentially
increasing women’s participation in the armed forces and addressing officer shortages.
Indian Coast Guard and Women’s PC:

y The Supreme Court urged the Indian Coast Guard to grant PC to women, emphasizing the
importance of ‘nari shakti’ and equitable policies.
Nine Landmark Cases by Fali S Nariman
Case Name Year Summary
Ruled that Parliament cannot curtail fundamental

I.C. Golak Nath v. State of
1967 rights, ensuring the protection of constitutional
Punjab
amendments affecting fundamental rights.
The Supreme Court allowed the President the final
First Judges Case 1981 say in judicial appointments, requiring “consultation”
with the CJI but not “concurrence”.
The Supreme Court established the Collegium
Second Judges Case
1993 system for judicial appointments, making the CJI’s
(SCAORA v. Union of India)
recommendations binding.
Clarified that the CJI must consult other Supreme
Third Judges Case (In re:
1998 Court judges before making judicial appointments,
Special Reference 1)
expanding the Collegium to five members.
National Judicial
Struck down the NJAC Act, reinstating the collegium
Appointments Commission
2015 system and emphasizing the independence of the
case (SCAORA v. Union of
judiciary.
India)
Represented Union Carbide, leading to a $470 million
Union Carbide Corporation v.
1989 compensation settlement for the Bhopal gas tragedy
Union of India
victims.
Argued for minority rights to establish and administer
TMA Pai Foundation v. State
2002 educational institutions under Article 30(1) of the
of Karnataka
Constitution.
Ensured the governor must act on the aid and advice
Nabam Rebia, and Bamang
2016 of the council of ministers and the chief minister,
Felix v. Deputy Speaker
impacting the political crisis in Arunachal Pradesh.
Obtained bail for former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
J. Jayalalithaa v. State of
2014 Jayalalitha, suspending her sentence in a corruption
Tamil Nadu
case.
Cauvery Water Dispute (State Represented Karnataka in the water-sharing dispute
2016-
of Karnataka v State of Tamil with Tamil Nadu, leading to a revision of water
2018
Nadu) allocation in 2018.

Why in News?
y Eminent jurist Fali S. Nariman passed away on February 21, 2024.
The Case for Regional Benches of Supreme Court

Key points:
y Constitutional Provision: Article 130 allows the Supreme Court to sit in Delhi or other places as
deemed appropriate by the CJI, with presidential approval.
y Law Commission Recommendation: The 229th Law Commission Report (2009) suggested
creating four regional benches in different parts of India to handle non-constitutional matters,
aiming to make the Supreme Court more accessible.
y Bar Councils’ Request: Bar Councils in the south requested a Supreme Court bench in south
India in July 2021, highlighting the need for decentralization.
y Parliamentary Standing Committee Support: The committee supports establishing regional
benches, as outlined in its report, to improve accessibility and efficiency in the judicial system.
y Chief Justices’ Resistance: Successive Chief Justices have not favored regional benches, citing
concerns about diluting the Supreme Court’s prestige and unity.
Pros Cons
y Jurisprudence Fragmentation: Risk of

y Increased Accessibility: Makes justice more inconsistent legal interpretations across
accessible for people living far from Delhi. different regions.
y Enhanced Focus: Allows the main bench to y Increased Litigation: Potential for more
concentrate on constitutional matters. frivolous cases and forum shopping.
y Judicial Efficiency: Improves handling y Potential Bias: Concerns over regional
of cases by allowing specialization and biases or political influence affecting
familiarity with regional contexts. decisions.
y Opportunity Expansion: Fosters legal y Resource Strain: Significant investment
expertise development across the country is required for infrastructure, possibly
and democratizes the legal profession. straining judicial resources.
y Case Backlog Reduction: Helps address y Vacancies and Quality Concerns: Concerns
the massive case backlog by distributing about filling vacancies and maintaining
workload. quality and expertise among judges across
regional benches.
Why in News?
y The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice
recently said to the Lok Sabha that the Law Ministry supports the proposal to establish regional
benches of the Supreme Court.
Raising judges retirement age on performance not practical: Govt to panel

Why in News?
y The government has told a parliamentary panel that extending the retirement age of Supreme
Court and High Court judges based on their performance may not be practical.

According to the Indian Constitution the Supreme Court judges retire at the age of 65 years,
judges of the high courts retire at 62.
Committee Recommendation Government’s Response
y Last year, the Standing Committee on Law y The government states that it might not
and Personnel in its report on ‘Judicial be practical and may result in “undue
Processes and their Reforms’ proposed favoritism”.
a performance-based tenure extension y It will further erode the powers of Parliament
system for judges beyond the current and empower the Judiciary through the
retirement age. Supreme Court Collegium (SCC) to make
y It suggested assessing judges’ performance decisions on the enhancement of age.
by considering factors like health, quality, y This would also strain limited resources in
and quantity of judgments before extending the judiciary and executive involved in the
their tenure. appointment process.
Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules on Foreign Law Firms in India
Before After
y Foreign lawyers and firms, who are qualified

to practice in their home countries can
register with the BCI for non-litigious
y Only those lawyers enrolled with the Bar
practice in India.
Council of India were allowed to practice
(Non-litigious Practice: Resolving any dispute
law within the country.
without bringing in a lawsuit or without the
intervention of the Court, is non-litigation.
Example: Arbitration, Mediation, etc) .

Key Terms:
y Advocates in India: Lawyers who have registered with the Bar Councils of respective states
are considered advocates. It can include all kinds of lawyers who have specialized in Patent,
Corporate law, etc.
y Foreign Lawyers: Defined as those registered to practice law outside India and not registered
with the Indian Bar.
Bar Council of India:
y Nature: A statutory body established under the Advocates Act, of 1961, tasked with regulating
and representing the Indian legal profession.
y Composition: Includes members elected from each state bar council, the Attorney General of
India, and the Solicitor General of India as ex-officio members.
y Functions: Regulates professional conduct, sets standards for legal education, recognizes
law universities, and advocates for the welfare and rights of advocates in India.
Why in News?
y The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the Law
Ministry regarding a petition challenging the BCI’s notification that permits foreign lawyers and
firms to practice in India.
Reforming Bar Council of India(BCI)
Arguments by the Parliamentary Standing

Arguments by the Bar Council of India
Committee:
y The BCI lacks the authority and expertise

y BCI has enough expertise, experience to
to bring about necessary changes in legal
regulate the legal education.
education.
y No need to establish independent authority.
y Need to establish an independent authority.
Why in news?
y The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law And Justice panel,
headed by Sushil Kumar Modi, tabled its report titled “Strengthening Legal Education in View of
Emerging Challenges Before The Legal Profession” in the Rajya Sabha.

Elections:
Electoral Bonds quashed by Supreme Court

Electoral Bonds:
y Electoral bonds are promissory notes that can be bought and donated to political parties for
encashment. They’re available from the State Bank of India (SBI).
y 2018: This scheme was launched with the aim to clean political funding by bringing transparency.
y 2022 Amendments:
⚪ Additional Period: Fifteen additional days for buying electoral bonds during general election
years.
⚪ Validity: Bonds are valid for fifteen days post-issue.
⚪ Eligibility: Only political parties with at least 1% of votes in the last general election are
eligible to receive donations through electoral bonds.
Supreme Court’s Ruling Against the Scheme:

y Right to Information Violation: Scheme was found to infringe upon the fundamental right to
information.
y Lack of Justification for Curbing Black Money: Court found the scheme wasn’t the least
restrictive measure for achieving its objective.
y Privacy Right Limitation: Right to privacy doesn’t extend to large corporate donations aimed at
policy influence.
y Unlimited Corporate Donations Issue: Unlimited political contributions by companies were
found to violate the principle of free and fair elections.
y Section 29C of RPA, 1951 Amendment Quashed: Requirement for political parties to declare
contributions over ₹20,000 was reinstated.
y Supreme Court’s Additional Orders:
⚪ Stop on Issuance of Bonds: SBI ordered to halt further issuance of electoral bonds.
⚪ Disclosure of Bond Details: SBI must furnish details of electoral bonds purchased by political
parties since April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
⚪ Publication of Information: ECI to publish the details provided by SBI on its official website
by March 15, 2024.
Why in News?
y The five-member Constitution Bench of Supreme Court (SC) in a unanimous verdict, declared
the electoral bonds scheme as unconstitutional.
Income Tax Rules for Political Parties
Political Party Definition: A group registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the
People Act, 1951.
Section 13A, Income Tax Act: Offers tax exemptions to political parties for:
y Income from house property.
y Income from other sources (e.g., interest, dividends).
y Capital gains.
y Voluntary contributions received.
Conditions for Tax Exemption:

y Must be registered under Section 29A of the RPA.
y Maintain necessary books of account for income assessment.

y Record details of contributions over Rs 20,000, except for electoral bonds.
y Accounts must be audited by a Chartered Accountant.
y Cannot receive cash donations over Rs 2,000 except by way of account payee cheque/demand
draft or ECS or through a bank account or electoral bond.
y Submit a report of donations above Rs 20,000 to the Election Commission of India as per
Section 29C of the RPA.
Filing Return of Income:

y Required if income before exemptions exceeds the basic exemption limit.
y Return must be signed by the party’s Chief Executive Officer for the relevant financial year.
Why in News?
y Recently, the Congress party in India alleged that the Income Tax Department has asked banks
to transfer over Rs. 65 crore from the accounts of the Congress.
Two-step Voter Verification

What is two-step voter verification?
y It is a verification system where a voter’s photo is taken and compared with their photo ID
before entering the voting booth, followed by a check against the electoral list.
Why in News?
y Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has proposed a two-step voter verification
process to the Election Commission to address concerns about electoral rigging.
97 crore people eligible for vote in Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission
About:
y A total of 96.88 crore voters are registered to vote across the country.
y There has been a six percent increase in registered voters from 2019 when the last Lok Sabha
polls were held.
Why in news?
y India has been gearing up for the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
Governance:
What are Nazool Lands?

y Nazool land is owned by the government and can be leased to entities
for a period, typically between 15 to 99 years.
Definition
y This land is not directly managed by the state but is allocated for
various purposes through a lease agreement.
The lands confiscated from kings and royals who opposed the British rule
Origin were labeled as Nazool land after Independence, due to the absence of
proper ownership documents from the former rulers.
The government uses Nazool land mainly for public services such as
Usage
schools, hospitals, and housing societies, among others.
It’s managed under specific rules, with The Nazool Lands (Transfer) Rules,
Legal Framework
1956 being a common legal framework.
Why in News?
y In Haldwani, a demolition drive related to Nazool land owned by the Nagar Nigam (Municipal
Council) sparked controversy. The local administration conducted this drive to clear traffic
congestion, asking for encroachments to be removed.
y The situation escalated when locals sought to challenge the demolition order in the High Court,
leading to disputes and violence.
Annual NeSDA Way Forward Report 2023

About NeSDA (National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment ):
y Released by: DARPG ( Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances).
y Purpose: To benchmark the delivery of e-services across states/UTs and central ministries,
covering seven key sectors.
Key Points of the 2023 Report:

y Showcases Jammu & Kashmir’s leadership in e-governance. Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and
Kerala are also leading in e-service provision.
Why in News?
y Recently, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) released
the ‘Annual NeSDA Way Forward Report 2023’.
India to Update Film Age-Ratings: Draft Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024
Before After
y Film certification process needed to be y Film certification will exclusively

done physically. be submitted online through the
y No representation of women e-cinepramaan portal
y No subclassification of UA category y At least one-third of CBFC (Central Board of
y No provision of recertification for telecasting Film Certification) members will be women.
on TV

y New sub-categories ‘UA 7+’, ‘UA 13+’, and
‘UA 16+’ were introduced, indicating the
age below which parental guidance is
recommended.
y Films initially certified as ‘A’ can apply for
re-certification or category change for TV or
other media through the online portal.
Why in News?
y The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has invited comments on the Draft Cinematograph
(Certification) Rules, before formal implementation.
Government to Appoint new member in the 16th Finance Commission

Why in News?
y The Finance Ministry would appoint a new member of the Sixteenth Finance Commission after
economist Dr. Niranjan Rajadhyaksha, executive director, Artha Global expressed his inability to
join as a member.
Initially appointed panel is as followed:
Position in 16th Finance

Member Name
Commission
Shri Arvind Panagariya, former Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog Chairman
Shri. Ajay Narayan Jha, former member, 15th Finance

Full Time Member
Commission and former Secretary, Expenditure
Smt. Annie George Mathew, former Special Secretary,

Full Time Member
Expenditure
Dr. Niranjan Rajadhyaksha, Executive Director, Artha Global Full Time Member
Dr. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Advisor,

Full Time Member
State Bank of India
New Amendments to Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020

Simplification of Rooftop Solar Installation:
y The timeline for DISCOMs (Electricity Distribution Companies)) to conduct feasibility studies for
rooftop solar projects is reduced to 15 days.
y Solar PV systems up to 10 kilowatts are accepted without a study,
Empowerment of Residential Society Consumers:

y New rules allow residents in societies to choose between individual connections or a single-
point connection through a vote.

Faster Provision of New Electricity Connections:
y The timeline for obtaining new connections or modifications is significantly reduced: 3 days for
metropolitan areas, 7 days for other municipal areas, and 15 days for rural areas (30 days remain
for hilly rural areas).
y A separate connection for electric vehicle (EV) charging points is to be provided within these
timelines upon consumer request.
Why in News?
y Recently, the Ministry of Power has notified amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers)
Rules, 2020.
Telecom players should provide caller ID to subscribers: TRAI

Why in News?
y TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has recommended that all telecom service
providers should offer a Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service to subscribers upon request,
similar to Truecaller’s caller identification feature.
The Recommendation:
y The name identity information provided by subscribers in the Customer Application Form (CAF)
should be used for CNAP, showing the caller’s name or nickname on the recipient’s smartphone
screen.
Cabinet nod to spectrum for railway without TRAI reply

Why in news?
y The Union Cabinet recently approved the allotment of 5 Mhz spectrum in the premium 700 MHz
band to the Railways for captive use in areas of public safety and security services.
About:
y With this spectrum, the Railways will introduce Long-Term Evolution (LTE)-based Mobile Train
Radio Communication (MTRC) on its routes.
y This will help prevent train accidents and reduce delays by enabling real-time interaction
between the Loco Pilot, Station Master, and the Control Centre.
CAPF exam to be conducted in 13 regional languages

About:
y The constable recruitment examination in the Central Armed Police Forces such as the
Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF), Border Security Force(BSF) and Central Industrial Security
Force(CISF) will be conducted in 13 regional languages apart from Hindi and English.
y This would include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu,
Odia, Urdu, Punjabi, Manipuri and Konkani.

New science research board ANRF comes into effect
Why in news?
y The Centre said that provisions of the newly constituted research board, Anusandhan National
Research Foundation (ANRF), had come into effect.
About Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF):

y The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act of 2023 provides for the establishment of
the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF).
y The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be NRF’s administrative department.
y The ANRF was brought into effect to strategically fund research, innovation, and entrepreneurship
across various fields.
y It is aimed at providing strategic direction for research and innovation in natural sciences,
engineering, technology, health, agriculture, and interfaces of humanities with science and
technology.
Note: Please refer to the Articulate of July 2023 for more information.
PRITHVI Scheme- To enhance understanding of Earth System Sciences

PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) Scheme:
y Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
y Duration: 2021 to 2026.
y Sub-schemes:
⚪ ACROSS: Focuses on atmosphere and climate research through modeling, observing
systems, and services.
⚪ O-SMART: Enhances ocean services, modeling applications, resources, and technology.
⚪ PACER: Dedicated to polar science and cryosphere research.
⚪ SAGE: Targets seismology and geosciences, including earthquake monitoring and Earth’s
solid components research.
⚪ REACHOUT: Promotes research, education, training, and outreach.
y Key Activities: Includes six vital activities such as seismological monitoring and microzonation.
y Objective: Aims to address the five essential components of Earth System Sciences -
atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere comprehensively.
y Goal: To enhance understanding of Earth System Sciences and deliver reliable, holistic services
for the nation.
Why in News?
y The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 4,797 crore research scheme to boost and maintain
research momentum in the fields of ocean, atmospheric, and polar sciences.
22nd Law Commission Report- 284 and 285

Why in news?
y The 22nd Law Commission of India has submitted its Report No. 284 titled “Revisiting The Law
On Prevention of Damage to Public Property”.

Key Points:
y Panel headed by former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi.
Amendments to Existing Laws:

y The Commission recommended amending the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act,
1984.
y It suggested introducing a comprehensive law to tackle “wilful obstruction and blockade of
public spaces and roads for prolonged periods” to alleviate the hardships faced by the general
public.
The 285th Report on criminal defamation:

y The panel cited the Supreme Court’s 2016 decision in Subramaniam Swamy v. Union of India,
where the court upheld the constitutionality of criminal defamation.
⚪ The Court had highlighted that the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article
19(2) of the Constitution is subject to reasonable restrictions, including safeguarding the
right to reputation.
Governance Initiatives:
GHAR (GO Home and Re-Unite) Portal- For Missing Children
Why in news?
y The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has launched the GHAR (GO
Home and Re-Unite) Portal.
Key Points:
y It facilitates the digital tracking and monitoring of children in the Juvenile Justice system who
need to be repatriated to another country, state, or district.
y It enables the digital transfer of cases to the concerned Juvenile Justice Board/Child Welfare
Committee.

About NCPCR:
y Establishment: A statutory body was set up in 2007 by the Act of Parliament, the Commission
for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
y Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development.
y Objective: It seeks to ensure that laws and policies align with the rights of the child as
outlined in the Constitution of India and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child.
SARATHI Portal by Agriculture Ministry - for farmers, crop and tractor insurance
About SARATHI (Sandbox for Agriculture, Rural Security, Technology, and Insurance):
y It is launched in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India.
y It seeks to simplify the insurance process for farmers and offers a single-window platform for
insurance products.
y The platform will progressively roll out a variety of insurance products like personal accident
and hospital cash policies, etc.
Why in news?
y The Agricultural Ministry has launched the SARATHI portal with the help of UNDP.
Probable MCQs
Q. With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained
in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under
Article 142. It could mean which one of the following?
(a) The decisions taken by the Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot
be challenged in any court of law.
(b) The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by the laws
made by Parliament.
(c) In the event of a grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare a
Financial Emergency without counsel from the Cabinet.
(d) State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of the
Union Legislature.
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following statements with reference to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
(PVTGs) in India:
1. India classified 75 PVTGs at the time of the First Five-Year Plan.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are also known as denotified tribes.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) One only
(b) Two only
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)

Q. Consider the following government initiatives and their respective ministries:
1. PRITHVI Scheme - Ministry of Earth Sciences
2. GHAR Portal - Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
3. SAARTHI Portal - Ministry of Railways
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)
Q. Annual National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) Way Forward Report,
2023 is released by:
(a) NITI Aayog
(b) Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
(c) Ministry of Consumer Affairs
(d) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Answer: (b)
Q. “Finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)” Report, recently in the news, is released by:
(a) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
(b) Ministry of Rural Development
(c) Reserve Bank of India
(d) NITI Aayog
Answer: (c)

ECONOMY IN NEWS: FEBRUARY (2024)
MONEY, BANKING, FINANCE & INSURANCE
BUDGET, TAXATION & GST
SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, GDP, INFLATION
BALANCE OF PAYMENT & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
INFRASTRUCTURE
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND EDUCATION
LEARN ECONOMY FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

2 Economy
Money, Banking, Finance & Insurance
Indian Stock Market- Fourth Largest
Why in news?
y Based on market capitalization, India has emerged as the fourth-largest stock market globally.
Key Points:
y The total value of shares on Indian exchanges was $4.33 trillion as compared to Hong Kong’s
$4.29 trillion.
y The United States, China, and Japan are currently the top three stock markets.
y Reasons for this surge: Robust GDP growth, political stability, foreign portfolio investment,
India emerging as an alternative to China for investment.
y Issues with Hong Kong: Geopolitical issues, COVID-19 constraints, regulatory restrictions, and a
crisis in the real estate sector.
36 Economy
UPI launched in Sri Lanka, Mauritius
Why in News?
y Recently, the Prime Minister of India along with the President of Sri Lanka, and the Prime
Minister of Mauritius, jointly inaugurated the launch of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services
in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, and also RuPay card services in Mauritius.
About:
y This move aims to facilitate seamless digital payments among citizens of the three countries,
fostering stronger economic ties.
y These projects have been developed and executed by NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL),
along with partner banks/non-banks from Mauritius and Sri Lanka, under the guidance and
support of the Reserve Bank of India.
List of countries that officially support UPI payment:
y Sri Lanka.
y Mauritius.
y France.
y UAE.
y Singapore.
y Bhutan.
y Nepal.
Municipal Bonds of Ahmedabad

Why in news?
y The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), issued the first municipal green bonds in Gujarat.
y It was worth Rs 200 crore and oversubscribed by 6.8 times.
y The AMC is the second municipal corporation after Indore in the country to issue municipal
green bonds.
y AMC issued the bond after it identified “green projects” under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme.
y Municipal bonds are debt securities issued to raise capital, where in return, investors get the
principal amount with interest.
RBI Action Against Paytm Payments Bank
Payment Banks:
Definition: Payment banks operate on a smaller scale compared to traditional banks, focusing on
basic banking services without the risk of credit.
Services Offered:
y Accept demand deposits (savings and current accounts) up to Rs 100,000 per customer.
y Issue ATM/debit cards, but not credit cards.
Restrictions:
y Cannot issue loans or credit cards.
y Cannot accept NRI deposits.
Possible Causes for RBI Action:

y Concerns over KYC compliance, IT issues, and data access to China-based entities. Previous
Economy 37
scrutiny since 2018 for regulatory compliance issues.
y Paytm’s Chinese investments, particularly from Antfin (Alibaba affiliate), are under intense
regulatory scrutiny.
RBI Action against Paytm Payment Bank:

y Service Restrictions on fund transfers, UPI facility, and termination of nodal accounts of One97
Communications (Paytm Payment Bank)
Why in News?
y Paytm Payments Bank barred from key services like accepting new deposits, offering prepaid
instruments, wallets, FASTags, etc., effective after February 29, 2024.
Automated Search Portal by the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau

About the Portal:
y Launched by the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) in collaboration with the State
Bank of India.
y Main Objective: To scrutinize the backgrounds of potential large borrowers, specifically to:
⚪ Verify the existence of any non-performing assets (NPAs) linked to their names.
y Mandate for Public Sector Banks: Required to obtain a report from the CEIB for loan applications
exceeding ₹50 crore for new customers, aiming to:
Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB):
y Role: Acts as an intelligence agency dedicated to collecting information and overseeing the
economic and financial sectors for any signs of economic offenses and warfare.
y Establishment Year: 1985
y Position: Serves as the principal agency for economic intelligence within India.
y Operational Framework: Operates under the auspices of the Department of Revenue, Ministry
of Finance.
C-CARES Portal- For pensioners and CMPFO consumers

Why in news?
y The Ministry of Coal (MoC) has launched the C-CARES web portal of the Coal Mines Provident
Fund Organization (CMPFO).
Key Points:
y It was developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
y It will transform record-keeping for pensioners and CMPFO consumers and will help coal
businesses and CMPF subscribers to settle claims online and handle grievances.
y CMPFO is an autonomous organization under the MoC for administering Provident Funds and
Pension schemes for social security in the coal sector.
Bima Sugam Portal

What is Bima Sugam:
y Bima Sugam is an online platform offering a selection of insurance schemes from various
companies, catering to life, health, and general insurance needs.
Economy 38
Key Features:
y The platform will digitize and simplify the insurance process, including policy purchase,
renewals, claim settlements, agent services, and policy portability.
Role and Utility:

y Bima Sugam serves as a one-stop solution for managing insurance coverage, offering end-to-
end services for insurance requirements.
y It allows for real-time access to validated data for insurance companies and facilitates the sale
of policies and services by intermediaries and agents, aiming to reduce paperwork.
Stakeholders:
y Life and general insurance companies each hold a 47.5% stake, while brokers and agent bodies
own 2.5% each in the Bima Sugam Platform.
Why in News?
y The Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority of India (IRDAI) has said that Bima Sugam
will offer free services to consumers through a not-for-profit structure.
Forex Card with zero transaction charge

Key Points:
y A Forex Card is like a prepaid card which supports a number of popular currencies such as USD,
GBP, CAD, EUR, AUD, SGD and many others.
y It can be used to shop in international locations where people are travelling.
y There is usually a 1% transaction charge on each transaction.
Why in news?
y Startups like Fi, Jupiter, and Scapia, in collaboration with Federal Bank, offer credit and debit
cards with zero foreign currency transaction fees to attract young Indian tourists.
RIL becomes first Indian company to hit Rs 20 lac cr market cap

Why in news?
y Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) recently became the first Indian company to surpass Rs 20
lakh crore in market capitalisation.
About Market Capitalisation:

y Market Capitalization, or Market Cap, is a term used to represent the market value of a company
based on its current share price and the total number of its outstanding shares.
RBI asked VISA, Master Card to halt card-based payment

Why in news?
y Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed Visa and Mastercard to stop card-based
business-to-business payments routed through fintech firms.
Economy 39
About:
y This only affects business payments processed through specific third-party services and does
not impact other card transactions.
y A set of fintech firms in India currently operate in a category called Business Payment Service
Providers (BPSPs) that enable businesses to use credit cards for payments to suppliers who do
not accept cards directly.
Composite license for insurers

y What is a Composite License? A unified license for a range of insurance products.
y Current Provisions: Companies need to take separate license for health, life and general
insurance.
y Recommendation:
⚪ The Standing Committee on Finance of the Lok Sabha suggests allowing insurance companies
to obtain composite licensing.
⚪ The committee has proposed a reduction in GST rates for health insurance and term policies,
aiming to lower it from the current 18% level.
y Benefits of Composite Licensing:

⚪ Streamline operations and reduce compliance burdens for insurers
⚪ Customers can benefit from increased choices and value.
Why in news?
y Parliament panel proposes composite license for insurers, cut in GST rates.
EPFO hikes interest rates

Why in news?
y Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) hikes interest rate for 2023-24.
Key Points:
y EPFO hikes interest rate for 2023-24 to 3-year high of 8.25%.
y For 2022-23, the interest rate was fixed at 8.15%.
Budget, Taxation & GST
Budget 2024
Introduction:
y There is no mention of the word “Budget” in the Indian Constitution.
y According to Article 112 of the Indian Constitution, the Union Budget of a year is referred to as
the Annual Financial Statement (AFS).
y Some of the key budget documents presented to the Parliament comprise of the following:
⚪ Annual Financial Statement
⚪ Demands for Grants
⚪ Appropriation Bill
⚪ Finance Bill
Economy 40
⚪ Statements mandated under the Fiscal Please scan this QR to access the free
Responsibility and Budget Management comprehensive lecture by Mrunal Sir on
Act, 2003: Interim Budget
Macro-Economic Framework Statement
Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement
Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement
⚪ Expenditure Budget
⚪ Receipts Budget
y Some of the FRBM Act documents were not
presented this year as it was an Interim Budget.
y Furthermore, for policy objectives the
government also presents more documents
such as Gender Budget, Economic Survey, SC-
ST Sub-plan etc.
The Economic Survey is presented by the
Chief Economic Advisor of the Government
of India one day before the presentation of
the budget. ( For example, if the Budget is to
be presented on 1st February, the Economic
Survey would be presented on 31st January.
Interim Budget:
y An Interim Budget is presented by a government
in its last year in office ahead of general elections.
y The Interim budget, by convention, does not
include major announcements, or populist
schemes as it can affect elections. However, it
is not necessarily followed every time in spirit.
For example: PM-KISAN Yojana of giving Rs 6000
to farmers was presented in the 2019 Interim
Budget.
y There is no compulsion for the government to
present an interim budget.
y The new government presents a full-fledged budget after taking office after the elections.
y The Constitution does not forbid the presentation of more than one budget in a year.
Interim Budget 2024:

We can understand the budget under these two heads:
y Revenue Budget
y Capital Budget
Revenue Budget:
y Revenue Expenditure: Approx 36 Lakh Crore (Include Interest Payments, Salaries, Grants and
Subsidies)
y Revenue Receipts: Approx 30 Lakh Crore ( Include both tax and non-tax receipts)
y Revenue Deficit ( Receipts - Expenditure) : 6 Lakh Crore
Economy 41
Capital Budget:
⚪ Capital Receipts: Approx 16.8 Lakh crore ( includes both debt and non-debt receipts)
⚪ Capital Expenditure: Approx 11 Lakh crore
Key Schemes/Data from the Budget this year ( Classified on the basis of Mrunal Sir’s Six Pillars of
Economy):
Pillars Schemes/ Related Data
y Jan Dhan Yojana: Government saved about 2.7 Lakh Crore through
Direct Benefit Transfers by plugging leakages
Pillar#1: Money,
y PM-SVANidhi: Credit assistance was provided to 78 lakh street
Banking, Finance &
vendors
Insurance
y PM-MUDRA Yojna: Disbursement of 30 crore Mudra Yojana loans to
women entrepreneurs
y Fifty-year interest-free loan scheme for capital expenditure to states
Pillar#2: Budget, would be continued: A total outlay of Rs 1.3 lakh crore proposed
Taxation & GST y Grants would be given as per the recommendation of the Finance
Commission
y FDI: India received a total of $596 Billion between the period of 2014-
Pillar#3: Balance
2023
of Payment &
y Govt. gave slogan that FDI would mean First Develop India; Budget
International Trade
also talks about signing more Free Trade Agreements
y PM-KISAN: financial assistance was provided to 11.8 crore farmers
y PM FASAL BIMA Yojana: Crop insurance extended to 4 crore farmers
y e-NAM Mandi: Integration of 1,361 mandis under eNAM
y PM-KISAN Sampada Yojna: benefitted 38 lakh farmers and generated
10 lakh employment
y Promotion of Nano-DAP: Nano-DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) is a
nanotechnology-based agri-input developed by the Indian Farmers
Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
y Atmanirbhar Oilseeds Abhiyaan: It would cover high yield varieties
Pillar#4: Sectors
research, procurement, value addition, and crop insurance.
of Economy, GDP,
y PM Matsya Sampada Yojna:
Inflation
⚪ New targets of 5 Ton per hectare production from earlier 3 ton
⚪ Would target to double our exports to 11 lakh crores
⚪ Five integrated aquaparks would be set up
y Research and Development: Interest free loans for 50 years with
budget of total 1 Lakh Crore
y Focus on Deep tech and AI for self reliance and defense
y Would focus on new factors of production i.e. Digital public
infrastructure ex: ONDC, UPI, TReDS etc.
y Focus on Circular Economy: Biomanufacturing and bio-foundry
y Aspirational Districts Program: Focus on development of backward
Pillar#5: districts
Infrastructure y PM AWAS Yojna (Grameen): two crore more houses will be taken up
in the next five years
Economy 42
y Focus on PM-GATI Shakti, UDAAN scheme and development of
e-vehicles e-Bus
y India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Project: To
create a comprehensive transportation network, comprising rail, road,
and sea routes, connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe
y NaMo Bharat: RRTS Regional Rapid Transit System
y Promotion of coal gasification and liquefaction
y Focus on development of Offshore Wind Energy through viability gap
funding
y Rooftop Solarization: 1 crore households will be enabled to obtain
up to 300 units of free electricity per month, can also sell electricity
through net-metering
y Railways Infrastructure: Development of Vande Bharat coaches,
Creation of three economic railway corridor for
y Energy, mineral and cement
y Port connectivity
y High traffic density regions
y Tourism Infrastructure: Focus on spiritual tourism, interest free loans
to states for developing iconic cities, Rating / Ranking system for
competitiveness
y PM Garib Kalyan Yojna: free ration scheme to continue for next 5
years to cover 80 cr people
y Development of PM-SHRI Model schools under NEP-2020
y Focus on Skill India Mission
y PM-JANMAN scheme for PVTGs
y Upliftment of 25 cr people out of poverty as per the Multidimensional
poverty Index
y Cervical vaccination for girls aged 9-14 yrs
y Mission Indradhanush: creation of U- WIN platform for vaccination
Pillar#6: Human
y Ayushman Bharat PMJAY ₹5 lakh Health insurance extended to all
Resource
ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.
Development,
y Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Rural Livelihoods Mission:
Health and
Aim to target to 3 crore women through SHGs by ‘Lakhpati Didis’
Education
scheme (Under this scheme, women will be provided skill training so
that they can earn over Rs 1 lakh per year.)
y Women Empowerment:
⚪ 28% rise in girls in higher education in 10 years
⚪ 43% girls in STEM courses
⚪ Triple Talaq was made illegal
⚪ Provision of 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State
Vidhan Sabha
⚪ 70% PM Awas Yojana (Rural) homes owned by women.
Economy 43
Key Data from the Budget:
Economy 44
Economy 45
Receipts:
Economy 46
Tax provisions for Nuns and Priests
Why in news?
y SC has decided to examine whether nuns earning salaries must pay income tax.
Key Points:
y Nuns and priests enter a state of civil death.
y According to Christian missionaries, the salaries of nuns and priests are not used for their
personal expenses but go to their respective congregations.
y These congregations submit taxes.
y A person who undergoes civil death cannot earn an income.
y According to Kerala HC: A person who enters a state of civil death cannot be expected to carry
out regular activities and enjoy fundamental rights.
Sectors of the Economy, GDP, Inflation
Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23
Conducted by: National Statistical Office (NSO).

Frequency: Every five years.
Objective: To estimate household Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) across
rural and urban sectors, states/UTs, and socio-economic groups
Why in News?
y Recently, the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 was released after a total
gap of 11 years.
y Before this, the results of the most recent survey, conducted in 2017-18 following the
demonetization of high-value currency notes and the introduction of the Goods and Services
Tax (GST), were never released after the government cited “data quality” issues.
Economy 47
Survey Highlights:
y MPCE Increase: Urban households’ MPCE
rose by 33.5% since 2011-12 to ₹3,510; Rural
India’s MPCE saw a 40.42% increase to
₹2,008.
y Food Expenditure: Rural households’ food
spending dropped from 52.9% to 46.4%;
Urban households’ food spending decreased
from 42.6% to 39.2%.
⚪ Impact: This may lead to changes in
the weightage of food prices in retail
inflation calculations.
y State-wise MPCE: Highest in Sikkim
(Rural: ₹7,731; Urban: ₹12,105) and lowest in
Chhattisgarh (Rural: ₹2,466; Urban: ₹4,483).
y Engel Curve Observation: The spending
patterns reflect the Engel Curve hypothesis,
showing a move towards “superior” food
items (like dairy, meats, and produce) as
incomes rise, away from “inferior” staples
(such as cereals and sugar).
Blue Economy 2.0

About Blue Economy:
y It is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and
jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.
y India’s Blue Economy 2.0 focuses areas: Coastal restoration, aquaculture development, and
climate-resilient activities within the broader framework of sustainable ocean management.
Why in news?
y The “blue economy 2.0” emphasized in the Interim Budget focuses on sustainable development
around seas.
Blue Economy 1.0 vs 2.0:
Key Aspect Blue Economy 1.0 Blue Economy 2.0
Focus Exploitation of resources Sustainable use

Major activities Traditional industries Innovative industries
Achieving balance of economic growth,
Emphasis Economic growth environment sustenance and societal
aspirations.
Key Points:
y The budget recommends supporting climate-resilient initiatives such as restoration and
adaptation measures for the blue economy 2.0.
Economy 48
y It assures improvement of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
y To establish five integrated aqua parks in an effort to double exports, boost aquaculture
production, and create jobs.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)
y Sub-scheme under the broader Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada

About Yojana.
y Aims to bolster the fisheries sector.
y Establishment of a National Fisheries Digital Platform.
y Formalize the fisheries sector.
Objectives
y Provide support to fisheries micro and small enterprises through
access to institutional credit.
y The scheme will be implemented over a span of four years from
Implementation
2023-24 to 2026-27, covering all states and union territories.
y A budget of Rs. 6,000 crore has been earmarked for the scheme.
⚪ With 50% of the financing sourced from public funds, including
Budget Allocation and contributions from the World Bank and the Agence Française
Source de Développement (AFD).
⚪ The remaining 50% is expected to be leveraged from the
private sector.
Implementing Ministry y Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Why in News?
y Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a new scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi
Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)’.
Golden Jubilee of Amul Celebrated

History of Amul:
y 1946: Founded as the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited in Anand,
Gujarat, by Tribhuvandas Patel, with support from Morarji Desai and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
y 1950: The brand Amul was created for dairy products produced by the cooperative.
y Central to India’s White Revolution, aiming for milk self-sufficiency through increased production.
Amul is an acronym (Anand Milk Union Limited) of the Indian Multinational cooperative society
named Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation based in Anand, Gujarat.
Operation Flood:
y Launched in 1970 by the National Dairy Development Board and chaired by Verghese Kurien,
transforming India into the world’s largest milk producer through the “Anand Pattern” and
connecting rural producers with urban consumers via dairy cooperatives.
Anand Pattern: Amul pioneered the Anand Pattern which is promoting economic organization and
empowerment of small producers through collective action.
Economy 49
Why in News?
y The Prime Minister recently participated in the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Gujarat
Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and applauded the success of Amul.
Digital India FutureLABS launched by Ministry of Electronics & IT

Key Points:
y The Digital India FutureLABS would be coordinated by C-DAC.
y The initiative seeks to improve the value chain, enhance domestic R&D for the next-generation
Electronics System Design in the country.
y The Ministry of Electronics & IT has partnered with companies such as Qualcomm, IBM, Mahindra,
etc across various industry verticals.
Why in News?
y Recently, the Ministry of Electronics & IT launched the Digital India FutureLABS initiative.
Balance of Payment & International Trade
100% FDI in the space sector

Changes in FDI norms:
The satellite sector has been split into three categories, each with specific restrictions on foreign
investment.
Production of Parts for y For satellite systems and component manufacture, up to 100%
Satellites FDI will be allowed under the Automatic route.
y Up to 74% FDI under the automatic route for satellite
Complete Production and
manufacturing and satellite data products.
management of satellites
y For investments beyond 74%, government approval is required.
y For the construction of spaceports and launch vehicles, up to 49%
Launching vehicles and
of FDI under the automatic route will be permitted. Government
their components
clearance is required for investments larger than 49%.
Significance of revised norms:

y More investment will be attracted to the Indian space sector.
y More job creation, availability of modern technology, and self-sufficiency in the sector.
y It will link Indian firms with global supply chains, allowing them to set up manufacturing plants
locally.
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet recently approved 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the space sector.
Economy 50
Global soft landing in sight- says IMF
About soft landing:

y In economics, It is a cyclical slowdown in economic growth that avoids recession.
y The central bank seeks to raise interest rates just enough to stop an economy from experiencing
high inflation.
Why in news?
y IMF says global soft landing in sight.
Infrastructure
Induction Charging on
Golden Quadrilateral
Golden Quadrilateral:
Network of highways
connecting four top
metropolitan cities i.e.
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai,
and Kolkata.
Key Points of induction

Charging:
y This initiative is part of a
larger plan called Vision
2030, which aims to
boost e-mobility and the
use of electric buses.
y Efforts are being made
to identify and convert
existing highways into
e-highways. This will
involve setting up enough
charging stations for
electric buses to travel
between cities.
Economy 51
Why in news?
y The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is considering the electrification of the
Golden Quadrilateral.
Sagar Aankalan- Guidelines for Indian Port Performance Index

About Sagar Aankalan:
y It is the guideline for the National Benchmarking of Indian Ports
What is it?
Performance.
y Ensuring mapping and benchmarking of Indian Port’s logistics
Objective
performance and efficiency.
y It will help in the development and modernization of seaports,
Significance
cruise sector, shipbuilding, and related knowledge sharing.
Why in news?
y The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has launched ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines.
Sudarshan Setu in Gujarat
About:
y It is India’s longest cable-stayed bridge, in the Gulf of Kutch.
y It is also known as Signature Bridge.
y It will link mainland Gujarat with Bet Dwarka island off the Okha coast in Devbhumi Dwarka.
y Its total length is 4,772m, including a 900-m-long cable-stayed section.
Why in news?
y Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu in Dwarka, Gujarat.
Economy 52
India’s largest Grain Storage Plan
Key Points:
y A pilot project is being undertaken in 11 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across 11
states under India’s largest grain storage plan.
y The plan aims to set up a storage infrastructure of 700 lakh metric tons over the next five years
at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh crore to help farmers store their produce.
Why in News:
y Prime Minister Modi has recently launched the pilot project for India’s largest grain storage
plan.
y Leasing the Strategic crude oil reserve capacity
What are Strategic Reserves?

y They are large stockpiles of crude oil that are maintained by governments or private entities to
ensure energy security and mitigate the impact of supply disruptions.
y India has established underground storage facilities for crude oil in Visakhapatnam (Andhra
Pradesh), Mangalore, and Padur (Karnataka).
Impact of Strategic Oil Storage Leasing:

y This decision aims to avoid government expenditure on filling up the available capacity in the
caverns managed by India Strategic Petroleum Reserves (ISPRL).
Why in news?
y India has decided to lease approximately 1 million tonnes of vacant strategic crude oil storage
capacity to both Indian and international companies.
Novel Initiative Technological Intervention for Safety of Human Lives (NITISH) Device- For
timely alert to farmers
About NITISH:
y It will provide timely alerts to farmers and the public, specifically targeting lightning, floods,
heatwaves, and cold waves.
y It will sound an alert to its users half an hour before lightning or flooding. Alert will be in three
ways:
Economy 53
⚪ Voice messages.
⚪ The Color will change from green to red.
⚪ The device will keep warming till its user switches it off.
Why in news?
y The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority has launched the Novel Initiative Technological
Intervention for Safety of Human Lives (NITISH) device.
Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)

About FMBAP:
y Formed by the merger of “The Flood Management Programme (FMP)” and
Origin
“River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas (RMBA)”.
y It is a centrally sponsored scheme.
Flood Management Programme (FMP):
y 60% (Centre) and 40% (State)
Funding
y For Special Category States- 90% (Centre) and 10% (State).
River Management and Border Areas (RMBA) component-
y 100% central assistance.
Nodal Ministry y Ministry of Jal Shakti
y To support the State Governments in their efforts to protect crucial areas
Aim
from flooding.
y Flood Management Programme (FMP)– Work related to flood control, anti-
erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion.
Components
y River Management and Border Areas (RMBA) - Flood control and anti-
erosion works on common border rivers with neighbouring countries.
Why in news?
y The Cabinet approves the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) for the
period 2021-26.
Press Sewa Portal of I & B Ministry for Online Registration

Why in News?
y The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launched the Press Sewa Portal recently.
Key Points:
y The Press & Registration of Books Act, 1867 has been replaced by the Press and Registration of
Periodicals Act, 2023.
y Under the new Act, Press Sewa Portal would be launched which would replace manual processes,
providing publishers with a user-friendly online platform for registration.
Economy 54
Human Resource Development, Health and Education
All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) 2021–22
y About: Started in 2011 to provide a comprehensive view of higher education in India.

y Released By: Ministry of Education, Government of India.
y Categories Covered: Focuses on Universities, Colleges, and Stand-alone institutions.
y 2021-22 Survey: Marked as the 11th AISHE Survey and the first conducted via Web Data
Capture Format (DCF).
Key Highlights from AISHE 2021-22 Report

y Enrollment Increase: Total student enrollment reached 4.33 crore, showing an increase from
the previous year.
y Female Enrollment Growth: Female student enrollment rose to 2.07 crores in 2021-22, a 32%
increase since 2014-15.
y Gender Enrolment Ratio (GER): It is around 28.4% for the age group 18-23 years.
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): Measures the number of students in higher education in a given
population.
Why in News?
y Recently, the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) 2021–22 was released in January
2024.
UGC allocation- Halved in interim budget
Before After
y The University Grants Commission’s (UGC)

y Central Universities Grants: An increase of
allocation was cut by over 50%, with only
over Rs 4,000 crore, with Rs 15,928 crore
Rs 2,500 crore allocated for the financial
allocated for the financial year 2024-25.
year 2024-25.
y 2023-24 budget estimate: Rs 5,360 crore
in 2023-24.
Other aspects:
y The Education Ministry’s overall budget allocation for this year increased by 6.8%.
y The allocation for ‘World Class Institutions’ under Institutions of Eminence (IoE) has increased
to Rs 1,800 crore from Rs 1,500 crore in 2023-24.
y The allocation for research and innovation has been raised to Rs 355 crore from Rs 210.61 crore.
Why in news?
y UGC allocation halved central varsities outlay by Rs 4,000 cr.
Economy 55
CBSE Proposes Open Book Exams Pilot Study
Why in News?
y The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is exploring open book exams inspired by the
National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
Pilot Study Details:
y Implementation: The pilot is scheduled for November-December in selected schools, covering
subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science for Classes 9 and 10, and English, Mathematics,
and Biology for Classes 11 and 12.
About Open Book Examination (OBE):

y Definition: An exam format allowing students to
consult their books and notes during the test.
Types:
y Restricted OBE: Only materials approved by the
authority can be used.
y Free OBE: Any materials chosen by students are
permitted.
Historical Context in India:

y Past Initiatives: CBSE introduced Open Text
Based Assessment (OTBA) in 2014, and AICTE
allowed open-book exams in engineering colleges in 2019.
y During the pandemic, several universities conducted an open book test to assess students.
Pros and Cons of open book exam:
Pros Cons
y Encourages critical thinking as students are y Ability of students to read books, and hard
required to understand and apply concepts work will degrade.
rather than memorize information. y Risk of dependency: Students may become
y Enhances collaboration: Students often reliant on having resources available,
work together to find answers, fostering potentially hindering their ability to retain
teamwork and communication skills. information long-term.
y Reduces stress: Having access to resources y Time management challenges: Searching
can alleviate test anxiety and help students for answers in open book assessments can
feel more confident during assessments. be time-consuming, leading to potential
y Promotes independent learning: It time constraints during exams.
encourages students to take ownership of y Potential for cheating: With access to
their education and seek out information resources, there is a higher risk of academic
on their own. dishonesty if students misuse the privilege.
y Reflects real-world scenarios: In many y Inequality among students: Not all
professional settings, individuals have students may have equal access to
access to resources when problem-solving, resources, potentially creating disparities
so open book learning can better prepare in performance based on the availability of
students for future challenges. study materials.
Economy 56
IIT Madras Zanzibar
Key points:
y IIT Madras Zanzibar has been launched as the first overseas IIT campus.
y IIT Madras Zanzibar represents an extension of India’s technological prowess and educational
excellence beyond its borders.
y It will improve India’s soft power and improve people to people contact.
ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) to get health cover

About ASHA:
y Launched in 2005-06: As part of the National Rural Health Mission, initially in rural areas.
y Later extended to urban areas with the introduction of the National Urban Health Mission in
2013.
y ASHA workers must be a woman resident of the village, preferably in the age group of 25 to 45
years.
y They serve as a service provider, and facilitator of health care, and raise public understanding
of health issues.
y They counsel women on: birth preparedness, the importance of safe delivery, breastfeeding,
feeding and immunization.
Economy 57
About Ayushman Bharat:
Launch Year 2018.
Ministry Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Objective To achieve Universal Health Coverage.
A centrally sponsored scheme (schemes that are funded by both the
Fund
Central and State Governments.)
Implementing
National Health Authority.
Agency
y Rs.5 lakh per family per annum for secondary and tertiary care across
Coverage public and private hospitals.
y Approximately 50 crore beneficiaries (over 10 crore poor families)
Why in news?
y The Central government has extended the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to
Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers.
Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) by World Health Organisation

Purpose of GIDH:
y The initiative aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange of digital health products
among countries.
Components of GIDH:
y Country Needs Tracker: Helps identify the specific needs of each country in terms of digital
health resources.
y Country Resource Portal: Provides a map of available resources in each country.
y Transformation Toolbox: Shares quality-assured digital tools for healthcare.
y Knowledge Exchange: A platform for sharing insights and best practices in digital health.
Why in news?
y WHO launches digital health platform agreed upon in India’s G20 presidency.
Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana

About the scheme:
Ministry y Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Beneficiaries y It is designed for PM SVANidhi scheme beneficiaries.

y Providing individuals with entrepreneurship training, creating job
Objective providers.
y Reskilling and upskilling of employees to boost their efficiency.
y There will be three methods of delivery for the training: online,
Mode of training
offline, and hybrid.
Economy 58
y The Indian government has partnered with Flipkart to provide
Collaborators
training to street vendors and small shopkeepers.
About PM SVANidhi Scheme:

y 2020: Launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
y A central sector scheme ( Implemented by a central agency and 100% funded by the center
on subjects within the union list.).
y Micro-credit scheme for urban street vendors that have been adversely affected due to the
Covid-19 lockdown.
y Provide collateral-free working capital loans up to ₹50,000.
y On timely/ early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy @ 7% per annum will be credited
to the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Why in news?
y Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana was launched in Sambalpur, Odisha.
SBI Report on Poverty levels

Why in News?
y The State Bank of India’s economic research team has published a report on the Household
Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) for 2022-23.
Key Points:
y The overall poverty rate in India is estimated to be between 4% to 5%, with potential adjustments
after the upcoming Census and rural-urban population share data.
y There’s an expectation of a further decline in urban poverty.
y SBI’s report discusses the impact of reduced food expenditure on retail inflation, suggesting a
decrease in the weightage of food in the Consumer Price Index from 47.8% in 2011-12 to 42.8%
in 2022-23.
2011-12 2022-23
7.2 %
Rural Poverty 25.7%.
Urban Poverty 13.7% 4.6%
Multidimensional Poverty
Why in news?
y 25 cr Indians have been raised from poverty since 2013-14, says Govt. MPI uses indicators
covering three main areas: health, education, and standard of living.
Key Points:
Economy 59
y Multidimensional poverty in India declined from 29.17% to 11.28%.
y About 24.82 crore people escaping poverty during this period.
From 2013-14 to 2022-23
y At the state level: Uttar Pradesh topped the list, followed by Bihar
and Madhya Pradesh.
Traditional Poverty Measurement:

y Poverty is traditionally calculated based on income or expenditure levels.
y Poverty lines are minimum expenditure levels defining poverty.
Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):

y MPI uses 10 indicators covering health, education, and standard of living.
y Health dimension includes nutrition and child & adolescent mortality.
y Education dimension includes years of schooling and school attendance.
y Standard of living dimension includes household-specific indicators like housing, assets, fuel
type, sanitation, water, and electricity.
Indian MPI Specifics:

y Indian MPI includes maternal health and bank accounts as additional indicators.
y These additions align with India’s national priorities according to NITI Aayog.
SWATI (Science For Women: A Technology & Innovation) Portal

About SWATI:
y To build an extensive database that includes representations
Objective of Indian women and girls working in STEMM sectors (science,
technology, engineering, math, and medicine).
Developed by y National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi.
y It will address issues of gender disparity, encourage more young
Significance women and girls to pursue scientific education and enable valuable
research on gender equality, diversity.
National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR):

y It is an autonomous institution aided by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of
India.
Why in news?
y A panel representing India’s science academies introduced the new SWATI program on the
International Day for Girls and Women in Science.
Probable MCQs
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Payments Banks in India:
1. Credit lending is allowed for the Payments Banks.
2. They can accept demand deposits.
3. They offer remittance service and internet banking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Economy 60
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following sectors:

1. Airports
2. space sector
3. Trading in Transferable Development Rights
4. Biotechnology
5. Manufacturing of cigars
The foreign direct investment (FDI) is prohibited in how many of the above mentioned sectors
of the Indian economy?
(a) Only two
(b) Only three
(c) Only four
(d) All five
Answer: (a)
Q. With reference to the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), consider the following
statements:
1. It is released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
2. As per the released MPI of 2023, India has more than 20 crore people who are poor.
3. Standard of living is one of the dimensions under the Multidimensional Poverty Index.
(a) One only
(b) Two only
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following infrastructure projects:

1. Energy, mineral and cement corridors
2. Port connectivity corridors
3. High traffic density corridors
As per Interim Budget 2024-2025, how many of the above-mentioned corridors are developed
under ‘Railway economic corridors programmes’ identified under the PM Gati Shakti?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
Economy 61
IR IN NEWS: FEBRUARY (2024)
GLOBAL ISSUES
INDIA AND WORLD
DEFENSE AND INTERNAL SECURITY
DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, CONFERENCES, AGREEMENTS
LEARN IR FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

3 IR Defence and Security
Global Issues
South China Sea-Philippines and Vietnam agreements
About Agreement:
y Enhancing informationsharing and training exchanges between the Vietnamese and Philippine
militaries.
y Both sides agreed to boost trade and investment.
About the South China Sea dispute:

y Complex territorial claims: by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.
y Resource-rich waters: The South China Sea has abundant resources like oil, gas, and fish
stocks.
y Strategic importance: A crucial international shipping route, with a significant portion of global
trade passing through its waters.
Why in news?
y Vietnam, Philippines sign deals on security in the disputed South China Sea.

Claims of Iran on Antarctica and Impact on Antarctic Treaty
Why in News?
y Recently, the Iranian Navy Commander announced plans to establish a military operation in
Antarctica, challenging the Antarctic Treaty principles.
Antarctic Treaty:
y Inception: Signed in Washington in 1959 by 12 countries engaged in Antarctic science; it became
effective in 1961.
y Purpose: Aim to keep Antarctica demilitarized, dedicating it solely to peaceful scientific research.
y Geographical Scope: Applies to regions south of 60°S latitude.
y Membership: As of now, 56 countries are parties to the treaty, with India joining in 1983.
y Secretariat Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
y Original Signatories: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway,
South Africa, the UK, the USA, and the USSR.
Key Provisions and Supplementary Agreements:

y Territorial Claims:
⚪ Suspends all pre-treaty territorial claims; neither recognizing nor dismissing them, and
prohibits new claims as long as the treaty is active.
⚪ Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, France, Norway, and the UK had territorial claims
prior to the treaty.
y Environmental and Conservation Efforts:
⚪ 1972: Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals.
⚪ 1980: Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
⚪ 1991: The Protocol on Environmental Protection, enhancing conservation efforts and
environmental protection in Antarctica.

y Mission Aspides- In Red Sea
Why in news?
y The European Union has recently launched a Red Sea mission named Mission Aspides.
Need for the mission:

y The Iran-backed Houthis have been disrupting the vital shipping lane in the Red Sea region
since November 2023.
y Mission Aspides is initially set for one year and aimed at safeguarding civilian shipping in the
Red Sea. EU assures that no attacks will be conducted on Yemeni soil.
Misuse of Interpol Notices

Interpol Notice System and Its Types:
y Interpol issues various types of notices, including red and blue corner notices.
Types of Interpol Notices:

Notice Type Purpose
Red Notice y To seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to
extradition.
Blue Notice y To collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or
activities in relation to a crime.
Green Notice y To provide warnings and criminal intelligence about persons who have
committed criminal offenses and are likely to repeat these crimes in
other countries.
Yellow Notice y To help locate missing persons, often minors, or to identify persons who
are unable to identify themselves.

Black Notice y To seek information on unidentified bodies.
Orange Notice y To warn of an event, a person, an object, or a process representing a
serious and imminent threat to public safety.
Purple Notice y To provide information on modi operandi, objects, devices, or concealment
methods used by criminals.
I n t e r p o l- U n i t e d y Issued for individuals and entities that are subject to measures imposed
Nations Security by the United Nations Security Council.
Council Special
Notice
Concerns:
y Misuse by Member Countries: Countries such as Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, and Tunisia have
been accused of abusing Interpol’s notice system to persecute political opponents and suppress
dissent.
Interpol’s Efforts to Address Misuse:

y In response to criticism, Interpol has taken steps to enhance the oversight of its red notice
system to prevent misuse.
y However, vulnerabilities remain, particularly with blue notices, which are less scrutinized.
Why in News?
y There are concerns that Interpol’s notice system, especially blue corner notices, is being
exploited to target political dissidents and refugees.
Execution by Nitrogen-Nitrogen Hypoxia

What does Nitrogen Hypoxia mean?
y It is a form of execution in which an inmate is deprived of oxygen until they breathe only
nitrogen, causing asphyxiation (the body does not get enough oxygen).
Why in news?
y Alabama carried out the first-ever execution using nitrogen gas in the United States.
India and World
Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2023
y It is an annual ranking of countries by their perceived levels

About Corruption Perception
of public sector corruption.
Index (CPI)
y It is released by Transparency International.
y Foundation: Established in 1993 as an international non-
About Transparency governmental organization.
International y Headquarters: Based in Berlin, Germany.
y It also publishes the Global Corruption Barometer.

y India’s Position: Ranked 93rd out of 180 countries in the 2023
Corruption Perceptions Index.
Key points related to the
y This is a decline from the 2022 score of 40.
recent report
y Previous Year’s Rank: India was ranked 85th in 2022.
y Norway was ranked 1st.
Why in News?
y Recently, in February, the Corruption Perceptions Index was released.
Qatar frees eight former Indian navy men

Background:
y 2022: The officers were jailed on charges that have not been made public. However, as per the
media reports, the eight Indians had been charged with spying for Israel.
y 2023: The Court of Appeal of Qatar commuted the death sentence of eight former Indian Navy
personnel.
Why in news?
y Qatar has released eight veterans of the Indian Navy who were sentenced to death on espionage
charges.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) development aid

Key Points:
y 2024-25: MEA allocated a total of Rs 22,154 crore for 2024-25.
y 2023-24: 18,050 crore.

Why in news?
y Bhutan gets the lion’s share in MEA development aid.
Defense and Internal Security
National Terrorism Data Fusion & Analysis Centre (NTDFAC)

Why in News?
y The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has established the NTDFAC to consolidate information
on terrorists and their networks within India.
About NTDFAC:
y Purpose: NTDFAC aims to serve as a centralized repository for detailed information on terrorist
activities, including case histories, fingerprints, and social media profiles of individuals involved
in terrorism.
y Inspired by the US’s Global Terrorism Database (GTD).
y Launched by: National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Key Features of NTDFAC:

y Comprehensive Database: Includes extensive data on terrorists.
y Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS): Incorporates the National Automated
Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).
y Face Recognition System: Utilizes advanced technology to scan and identify suspects from
CCTV footage.
y Support for State Police: Enables state police forces to access the central server for information
on terrorists.
National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS):
y Managed by: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
y Function: Acts as a nationwide database for crime- and criminal-related fingerprints.
y Unique Identifier: Assigns a 10-digit National Fingerprint Number (NFN) to each arrested
individual.
y Integration: Connected to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS).
Maritime Exercise MILAN

Why in news?
y The Indian Navy will host the 12th edition of Naval exercise, Milan.

Participation:
y 51 countries and 11 heads of maritime agencies will participate.
y The participation includes warships and aircraft from 15 countries.
y New participants: Canada, Spain, Germany, Italy, Iraq, and Yemen.
Security Challenges in the Gulf of Aden:

y The exercise takes place against the backdrop of new security challenges in the Gulf of Aden.
Two phases:
y Harbour Phase: includes International city parade and International maritime seminar.
y Sea Phase: includes Advanced air defense and Gunnery shoots on aerial and surface targets.
Exercise Vayu Shakti-24

Why in news?
y Indian Air Force conducted Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 at Pokharan, in Rajasthan.
y Theme: Lightning Strike from the Sky.
Defense Technology
MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
Why in News?
y The U.S.A. has notified of the sale of 31 MQ-9B high altitude long endurance armed Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to India recently.

The high-altitude pseudo satellite vehicle (HAPS)
About National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL):
y It is India’s first aerospace research organisation established by the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR).
y HQ: Bengaluru.
y It works on the creation, advancement, and testing of a range of aerospace technologies, such
as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aircraft.
Why in news?
y The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has successfully completed the first test of a solar-
powered high-altitude pseudo satellite vehicle, known as HAPS.
About HAPS:
y It is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
y HAPS can reach altitudes of 18-20 km, nearly double that of commercial
airplanes.
Features
y The cost of operating HAPS is substantially less than that of a satellite.
y It is solar-powered and can remain in the air for years, having
advantages similar to those of a satellite.
y India is now among a limited club of countries seeking this technology,
along with China, South Korea, and the UK.
Significance y It can improve India’s capacity for border surveillance and monitoring.
y Mobile networks can be set up in remote locations in case of natural
disasters.
Conventional UAVs High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS)
Typically operate below

Altitude Operate above 60,000 feet, in the stratosphere
20,000 feet
Endurance Hours to days Weeks to months

Battery-powered, fuel Solar power, occasionally supplemented with
Power Source
engines batteries for night operation
Higher due to advanced technology and longer
Operational Cost Lower compared to HAPS
missions
Affected by weather and Less affected by weather, operates above
Flight Dynamics
airspace regulations commercial air traffic
Navy chief inaugurate Precision Approach Radar (PAR)
About:
y Precision approach radar or PAR is a type of radar guidance system designed to provide lateral
and vertical guidance to an aircraft pilot for landing,
y The PAR would enhance aircraft landing safety in low visibility conditions, such as heavy rain
and fog, offering precise guidance.
y This system strengthens the Andaman and Nicobar Command’s defense capabilities.
Why in News?
y Recently, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar inaugurated Precision Approach Radar (PAR) at INS
Utkrosh in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Haryana drops tear gas shells on protestors via drones
Why in News:
y The Haryana Police dropped tear gas shells from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) on protesting
farmers at Shambhu Barrier on the Punjab-Haryana boundary.
International Organizations, Conferences, Agreements
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

About ECOWAS:
Year of
y 1975
Establishment
y Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea
Founding Members Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sénégal,
and Togo.
Headquarters y Abuja, Nigeria.
y to promote economic integration and shared development of the West
African sub-region.
Objective
y It aims to foster regional peace, stability, and security through political
and diplomatic means.
y Creation of a common market, free movement of people and goods, and
Various Initiatives
a regional currency, to enhance regional integration and development.
Why in news?
y Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have declared their intention to leave the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS) immediately.
Sweden joins NATO as Hungary approves Bid

Why in News?
y Hungary’s parliament has voted to approve Sweden’s bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO)
y Sweden has become the 32nd member of the NATO alliance.
About NATO:
y 1949: Established as a key military and political alliance aimed at ensuring collective security
for its members, primarily from Europe and North America.
y Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
NATO’s Alliances and Initiatives:
y Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC): Enhances cooperative security among members
and partner countries.
y Mediterranean Dialogue: Aims to foster security and stability in the Mediterranean through
enhanced relationships between NATO Allies and participating countries.
y Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI): Offers cooperation opportunities to non-NATO countries
in the broader Middle East region to bolster regional security.
y NATO Plus: A term used to describe the security arrangement involving NATO and five treaty
allies of the U.S. (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea), focusing on global
defense cooperation and strategic competition. (“NATO Plus” is not an official NATO concept.)

Expansion of BRICS
Key Points:
y Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have confirmed they are
joining the BRICS.
y Argentina has declined the invitation to join.
About BRICS:
y 2009: Founded at Yekaterinberg, Russia.
y BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
y Summits are held annually.
y The Chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with
the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
Why in news?
y South Africa says five countries confirm they are joining BRICS.
World Government Summit 2024

y About: An annual global forum bringing together leaders and experts to address critical issues
facing humanity, using innovation and technology.
y Inception: Launched in 2013, led by the UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister.
y Location: Held yearly in Dubai, UAE.
y Focus: Explores the role of innovation and technology in government to address future global
challenges.
y 2024 Theme: Shaping the Future Governments.
Why in News?
y Recently, Prime Minister Modi attended the World Government Summit 2024 in the UAE.
Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP)

Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace:
y 1970: It was founded at Gandanthegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
y About: It is a voluntary movement of followers of Buddhism with both monastic (monks) and
lay members.
y Origin: ABCP then emerged as a collaborative effort of Buddhist dignitaries from India, Mongolia,
Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, the USSR, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and North Korea.
y Aim of ABCP: It aims to bring together efforts of Buddhists in support of consolidating universal
peace, harmony, and cooperation among peoples of Asia.
Why in News?
y Recently, the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) held its 12th General Assembly in
New Delhi.
y The theme of the 12th ABCP General Assembly: “ABCP - The Buddhist Voice of Global South.”
UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees
Key Points:
Establishment y Founded in 1949, following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict.
Mandate y Tasked by the UN General Assembly to assist Palestinian refugees
y To aid approximately 700,000 Palestinians displaced during the
Primary Objective
1948 war
y Provides humanitarian aid to others in need within its operational
Additional Assistance
regions.
y Relies on voluntary contributions from donor countries and a
Funding
limited UN subsidy for administrative expenses.
y Active in Gaza, the West Bank (Israeli-occupied), Lebanon, Syria,
Operational Regions
and Jordan.
y Offers education, health care, relief and social services, microfinance,
Services Provided
and emergency aid, both in and outside refugee camps.
y Currently serves around 5.9 million Palestinian refugees, including
Beneficiaries
descendants of the original refugees.
Why in News?
y Recently, there have been calls for reconsideration of funding cuts by the US and other Western
countries, which collectively contributed over half of UNRWA’s 2022 budget.

NB8 Countries (Nordic-Baltic Cooperation)
About Nordic-Baltic Cooperation:

y An informal regional cooperation, initiated in 1992
⚪ Consisting of 5 Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland) and;
⚪ 3 Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania).
y Known as Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8), officially named in 2000 by Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
y Sweden chairs the NB8 in 2024.
Significant Publication: The NB8 Wise Men Report (Birkavs-Gade Report) outlines strategies for
enhancing cooperation among the eight nations.
Engagement with India: The NB8 countries collaborate with India across innovation, green transition,
maritime, health, intellectual property, technology, space, and tourism sectors.
Why in News:
y NB8 representatives met Indian representatives at the Raisina Dialogue 2024, showcasing the
group’s collective stance on global issues.
Probable MCQs
Q. With reference to the High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS), consider the following statements:
1. HAPS are unmanned air vehicles that can fly at altitudes of 18-20 km from the ground and
can hold fixed positions.
2. It requires a rocket to get into space and can be used to provide mobile communications
networks in remote areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following pairs:

Places/Region in news : Country
1. Buenos Aires : Sweden
2. Paramaribo : Iraq
3. Catalonia : Spain
(a) Only one
(b) Only Two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)
Q. Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), 2023 is recently released by:

(a) United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
(b) Transparency International
(c) Financial Action Task Force
(d) International Criminal Police Organization
Answer: (b)
Q. Consider the following countries:

1. Gambia
2. Burkina Faso
3. Niger
4. Senegal
How many of the above countries are members of the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS)?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (b)
Q. Mission ‘Aspides’, recently in the news, is:

(a) European Union’s initiative to preserve freedom of navigation in the Red Sea
(a) Massive military operation of Israel to retaliate against the attacks by Hamas militants
(a) Operation conducted by the UN peacekeeping Forces to evacuate people from Sudan
(a) A well-established international effort of Interpol to disrupt the online sale of counterfeit
and illicit health products.
Answer: (a)
Q. With reference to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA),
consider the following statements:
1. It is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.

2. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution to carry out direct
relief and work programmes for Palestine refugees.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)

GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT IN NEWS: FEBRUARY (2024)
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION
POLLUTION
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
CLIMATE CHANGE
FLORA AND FAUNA
LEARN GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

4 Geography and Environment
Physical Geography
Atmospheric Rivers
Formation Process:
⚪ Atmospheric rivers start over tropical areas where warm temperatures cause ocean water
to evaporate.
⚪ This water vapor is carried by strong winds through the atmosphere and, upon reaching
land, cools and condenses into precipitation.
80 Geography and Environment

Geographical Occurrence:
These phenomena are common:
⚪ In the extratropical North Pacific/Atlantic, southeastern Pacific, and South Atlantic oceans,
impacting the west coasts of North and South Americas.
⚪ Regions like Greenland, Antarctica, and the south-central United States.
Example:
y The “Pineapple Express” is a notable atmospheric river originating near Hawaii, known for
bringing warm, moist air that can lead to heavy precipitation in the Western United States and
Canada, including up to 5 inches of rain in California in a single day.
Impacts:
y While they can bring beneficial rain or snow vital for the water supply, atmospheric rivers are
also associated with severe weather events like flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
Why in News?
y Recently, the state of California in the USA has been dealing with the impact of Atmospheric
rivers.
Humboldt’s Enigma on Biodiversity

Key Points:
y This concept was introduced by Alexander von Humboldt during the 19th century.
y It proposes that biodiversity isn’t confined solely to Earth’s tropical regions.
y It suggests that various regions beyond the tropics, such as mountainous areas, also exhibit
significant biodiversity.
Drivers of Biodiversity:
y The three main elements that drive biodiversity are the earth’s history, geography, and climate.
y Geological processes of mountains: Geological processes produce mountains, which serve as
the place of birth for new species.
y Climatic Stability: Mountains have transformed into population areas that gradually gather a
variety of species.
y The Western Ghats’ Shola Sky Islands exhibit characteristics of a population area and a place

of birth for new species.
⚪ For this reason, the Shola Sky Islands are home to some of the oldest bird species in the
Western Ghats, including the Montecincla and Sholicola.
Why in news?
y This article is based on a recent publication in the science section of The Hindu.
Grindavik Eruption in Iceland
Key Points:
y A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted recently for the third time since December 2023.
y Grindavik is located very close to the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik.
y Iceland has a unique geological position which is at the Mid Atlantic Ridge.
y The Ridge is the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
y Experts have said that the Magma flowed into the dyke beneath Grindavík at an unprecedented
rate of 7,400 cubic meters per second which has led to the recent eruptions.
Deep earth Hydrogen Reservoirs in Albania

Key Points:
y Hydrogen is an alternative to traditional fossil fuels because it can be used to produce energy
without generating carbon dioxide as a by-product.

y Natural sources of hydrogen are rare and producing it is energy intensive.
y Recently scientists have found a large natural source of hydrogen gas emitting from deep within
the Bulqizë chromite mine.
⚪ Bulqizë represents the largest chromium reserve in Albania and one of the largest in Europe.
y Experts have suggested that places with similar geology should be good targets for finding
other natural sources of hydrogen.
Hyper-local weather forecasting in India

What is Hyper-local weather forecasting?
y Hyper-local weather forecasting is a cutting-edge technology that focuses on predicting weather
conditions with extreme precision for very specific locations.
y Unlike traditional weather forecasts that cover broader regions like states or cities, hyper-local
forecasting targets areas as small as individual neighborhoods, city blocks, or even buildings.
y Accurately predicting rain, cyclones, heatwaves, and drought are critical to inform decision-
making on disaster management.
Why in news?
y The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has initiated the weather information network
and data system (WINDS) to generate long-term, hyper-local weather data.
Environment Conservation
India Adds 5 More Wetlands to Ramsar Convention List
Newly Added Ramsar Sites:

y Karnataka: Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve,
Aghanashini Estuary.
y Tamil Nadu: Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest.
Shola Forests: The term “Shola” is derived from the Tamil word “solai,” indicating a tropical
rainforest.

Other Key Points:
y Total Ramsar Sites in India: With the new additions, India now has 80 wetlands recognized
under the Ramsar Convention.
y State-wise Ramsar Sites: Tamil Nadu leads with 16 Ramsar Sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh
with 10.
About the Ramsar Convention:
y Purpose: An international treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
y Origin: Named after Ramsar, Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971.
y Objective: To establish a global network of wetlands for conserving biodiversity and supporting
human life by maintaining ecosystem components and benefits.
y India’s Participation: Ratified in 1982, with Keoladeo National Park and Chilika Lake as its first
two Ramsar sites.
y Conservation Efforts in India: Launch of “Amrit Dharohar Yojana” for the conservation of
Ramsar sites with community participation.
y World Wetland Day: Celebrated annually on February 2 to raise awareness about the value of
wetlands.
Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program

Key Points:
y Objective: First-ever scientific exercise to assess India’s snow leopard population.
y Coordinator: Wildlife Institute of India (WII), supported by Nature Conservation Foundation
(NCF), Mysuru, and WWF-India.
y Coverage: Over 70% of potential snow leopard habitats in the trans-Himalayan region, including
Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
y Methodology: Two-step framework involving spatial distribution evaluation and abundance
estimation through camera traps.
y Duration: 2019-2023.
Key Data of the SPAI Report:

y Population Estimate: 718 snow leopards in India.
Distribution by Region:

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
y Function: Apex body for wildlife conservation matters in India.
y Authority: Constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
y Role: Advises on wildlife conservation policies and approves projects affecting protected
areas.
y Composition: Chaired by the Prime Minister, includes MPs, NGOs, and experts in ecology,
conservation, and environmentalism.
Why in News?
y The Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change released the SPAI report during
the National Board for Wildlife meeting in New Delhi.
Save Wetlands Campaign (SWC)
India’s wetlands cover approximately 4.8% of its geographical area.
About Wetlands:
y As per the Ramsar Convention wetlands are defined as: “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or
water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing,
fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not
exceed six metres”
Key Points:
y The Save Wetlands Campaign (SWC) is a people’s movement aimed at celebrating, reviving, and
rejuvenating wetlands across India.
y Launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
y SWC was officially launched on World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2023, observed on February 2nd.
Why in News?
y Recently, the government launched theSave Wetlands Campaign (SWC).
Kawal Tiger Reserve

About Kawal Tiger Reserve:
y 2012: It was declared a Tiger Reserve.
y It is located in Mancherial District (Old Adilabad district) in Telangana.
y It lies in the catchment area of the Godavari and Kadam rivers.
y It has one of the richest teak forests in the state.
y Flora: Dry deciduous forests, bamboo, Terminalia, Pterocarpus, Anogeissus, and Cassias.
y Fauna: Tiger, leopard, gaur, cheetal, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, sloth bear, birds, and reptiles.
Why in news?
y Staff members have been suspended by the forest authorities for their incompetence in
stopping teak smuggling in the Kawal Tiger Reserve.
Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) initiative

Why in news?
y Recently, NITI Aayog has launched the GROW initiative.
Key Points:
y Objective: to promote environmental conservation and sustainable land use in India.
y It is launched on the Bhuvan portal.
⚪ Bhuvan is a web portal used to find and access geographic information via the Internet.
y to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create an additional carbon sink
of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
y It will use remote sensing and GIS technologies.
Supreme Court’s Stand on Forest Definition

Why in News?
y The Supreme Court has emphasized that forests should be defined based on its 1996 judgment,
challenging the government’s argument for amending the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) in
2023.
Background: Forest Conservation Act 2023 Amendments:

y Amendment Reason: Aimed to narrow the FCA’s scope as expanded by the Supreme Court’s
1996 decision, making the act applicable to areas resembling ‘forests’ by dictionary meaning.
y 1996 Ruling: Declared FCA applies to lands either recorded as ‘forest’ or fitting the dictionary
definition, emphasizing comprehensive protection
y Government’s Objective: Sought to clarify ambiguities and make FCA applicable only to notified
forests and lands recorded as ‘forest’ in government records.
2024 Ruling by SC:

y While the Supreme Court has not nullified the Forest Conservation Act 2023 Amendment as
of now but asked the government to follow the 1996 ruling till the record of forests becomes
available.
y States and UTs must submit records of forests as per the 1996 judgment by March 31, with the
Ministry to publish these records by April 15.

Kerala’s Resolution on Wild Boar as Vermin
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

y Purpose: Establish a legal structure for protecting wild animal species, managing their
habitats, and regulating trade in wildlife products.
y Schedules:
⚪ I: Highest protection for certain animal species.
⚪ II: Lesser protection, but hunting prohibited.
⚪ III: Protection for specific plant species.
⚪ IV: Lists specimens under CITES for international trade regulation.
⚪ V: Lists animals that are considered as vermin
⚪ VI: Provides for regulation in cultivation of specified plants
Vermin:
y Wild animals designated under Section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act, are targeted for
population control due to their potential to spread disease and damage crops and food supplies.
Declaration and Management of Vermin:

y Declaration Process: The Central Government can declare any Schedule II animal as vermin for
specified areas and periods, allowing for their hunting.
y Current Vermin Species: Includes Common Crows, Fruit Bats, Rats, and Mice.
y Hunting Authority: Section 11 grants Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWLW) the power to permit hunting
of Schedule I animals deemed a danger to human life or irreparably diseased.
Why in News?
y Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution for the Centre to reclassify wild
boar as vermin due to increasing human-animal conflicts.
y Kerala’s Proposal: Kerala proposes delegating the CWLW’s powers to Chief Conservators of
Forests (CCF) for quicker, localized decision-making in managing wildlife conflicts.
Central Asian Flyway (CAF) Sites in India
What is the Central Asian Flyway route?

The CAF comprises several important migration routes of waterbirds, most of which extend from
the northernmost breeding grounds in the Russian Federation (Siberia) to the southernmost
non-breeding (wintering) grounds in West and South Asia, the Maldives and the British Indian
Ocean Territory.
Key Points:
y 422 wetlands, grasslands, and forests in India are deemed internationally important for migratory
birds using the Central Asian Flyway (CAF). This is the highest for any CAF region country.
y Gujarat’s Contribution: 19 wetlands from Gujarat are included in this list. Notable sites in
Gujarat include Banni Grassland, Chhari Dhand Wetland, Flamingo City, Naliya Grassland, and
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary among others.
y International Sites: A working list includes 1717 sites across the CAF region, with 422 in India.
Other notable contributions include Russia (345 sites), Kazakhstan (127), and China (125).

Why in News:
y Birdlife International prepared the report after national consultations and reviewing various
databases and agreements among CAF nation states in 2022-23.
Clean Mount Everest

Addressing Environmental Challenges on Mount Everest:
y To combat environmental issues on Mount Everest, climbers are now required to bring back
their waste to base camp to tackle pollution and health risks posed by human waste on the
mountain.
y Decades of commercial mountaineering have transformed Mount Everest into a dumping
ground, posing threats to the environment and climbers’ safety due to litter scattered across
the slopes.
Regulation Implementation:
y It is mandatory to address the critical levels of fecal waste accumulation on Everest, endangering
climbers and the mountain’s ecosystem.
Previous Waste Disposal Practices:

y Climbers have historically used makeshift methods like digging holes or open defecation due
to extreme cold temperatures hindering natural waste degradation, leading to visible human
waste buildup on the mountain.
Use of Poo-Bags for Waste Collection:

y These bags aim to reduce environmental impact and discomfort during waste disposal, with
each bag being reusable up to five or six times, easing the burden on climbers.
Why in news?
y Mount Everest climbers are told to carry poo-bags, and bring waste back to base camp.
Pollution
Impact of La Niña on Air Quality in India

Why in News?
y A new study establishes the first connection between air quality in Indian cities and La Niña
events, suggesting climate change exacerbates these weather phenomena, affecting air quality.
About La Nina:
y La Niña is a weather pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean. In this pattern, strong winds blow
warm water at the ocean’s surface from South America to Indonesia.
y As the warm water moves west, cold water from the deep rises to the surface near the coast
of South America.
La Niña’s Influence on Indian Air Quality:

y Usually, northern Indian cities face high PM2.5 levels in winter, affected by agricultural waste
burning. In contrast, western and southern cities usually have lower pollution due to ocean
proximity.
y La Niña’s Influence: Northern cities like Delhi experienced cleaner air, while Mumbai, Bengaluru,
and Chennai saw deteriorated air quality.
⚪ PM2.5 concentrations dropped significantly in northern cities but increased in Mumbai and
Bengaluru, attributed to La Niña-induced wind pattern changes.
y Wind circulated north-south, directing pollutants from northern states towards Rajasthan,
Gujarat, and further south, affecting air quality in Mumbai and other southern cities.
Public Accounts Committee Findings on Plastic Waste Management by Ministry of Environment
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

y Establishment: Established in 1921 following the Montford Reforms under the Government of
India Act, 1919.
y Annual Constitution: Constituted annually as per Rule 308 of the Rules of Procedure and
Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.
y Chairman Appointment: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha appoints the Chairman of the PAC.
y Functions as an advisory body without executive powers.
y Members: Includes 22 members, with 15 elected by the Lok Sabha Speaker and 7 by the
Rajya Sabha Chairman, serving a one-year term. It bars any Minister from being a member to
maintain impartial scrutiny of government spending.
y Purpose and Function: Ensures that the government expenditure is within the approved
scope of demand, scrutinizing the utilization of funds granted by Parliament.
Key Findings of the Report by PAC:

y Recognizes the Ministry’s initiatives since May 2021 but calls for more robust measures to
mitigate plastic pollution hazards.
y Plastic waste generation in India rose almost three times from 2015-16 to 2020-21.
y Half of the plastic waste (34.7 lakh TPA) was not recycled in 2019-20, contributing to pollution
and health risks.
y Noted several issues (e.g. non non-submission of data etc.) in the plastic waste information
reported by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
y Emphasized the necessity of identifying cost-effective and reliable alternatives to plastic to
facilitate its reduction.

Why in News?
y Recently, a parliamentary panel has highlighted the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB)
inadequate efforts in managing plastic waste.
Disaster Management:
286th Law Commission Report on Epidemic Plan
Key Recommendations from Report:

y Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 (EDA): It is outdated and not equipped to handle modern
infectious disease challenges.
y Lack of clear roles: Between the central, state, and local governments during an epidemic.
Proposed Changes:
y Introduction of an Epidemic Plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for an efficient
response to future epidemics.
Epidemic Plan Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
y Unified response to health emergencies. y To provide a clear framework for action at

y Detailed roles for central, state, and local various stages of an epidemic.
authorities. y Outlines specific measures and roles for
y Developed in collaboration with all authorities at each stage.
stakeholders.
y To include strategies on quarantine,
isolation, lockdowns, and ensuring
fundamental rights are respected.
About Law Commission:

y A non-statutory body, periodically constituted by the Government of India, acting as an
advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
y Functions include law research, review of existing laws, proposing reforms, and suggesting
new legislation.
Climate Change
Germany Plans to Store Carbon at Offshore sites

Why in News?
y Germany plans to enable underground carbon storage at offshore sites in the sea.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology:
y CCS involves the capture of CO2 from industrial emissions before they are released into the
atmosphere, followed by the storage of this CO2 in deep underground geological formations.
y These formations include depleted natural gas or oil reservoirs, unmineable coal beds, or saline
aquifers.
y After capturing CO2 using CCS technology, the CO2 is pressurized into a supercritical form, then
transported and injected into deep underground rock formations for permanent storage.
y This process is known as geological sequestration, offering a method to significantly reduce
atmospheric CO2 emissions.
Flora and Fauna
Black Tigers (Melanistic Tigers) in India

Melanistic Royal Bengal Tigers:
y Not a separate species, but a rare color variant of the Bengal Tiger.
y Their unique coat color and pattern are due to a mutation in the Taqpep gene, known as
pseudo-melanism.
y IUCN Status: Endangered.
y The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
y Location: All 10 black tigers are found in Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve.
Similipal Tiger Reserve:
y 1994: Declared a biosphere reserve.
y Included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
y Forms part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve, also known as Mayurbhanj
Elephant Reserve.
y Indigenous Tribes: Inhabited by Erenga Kharias and Mankirdias tribes.
Why in News?
y The Indian government recently informed the Parliament that there are 10 black tigers (melanistic
tigers) in India.
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus Atricilla)
Why in news?
y Laughing Gull, a migratory bird native
to North America, has been sighted for
the first time at the Chittari estuary in
Kasaragod, Kerala.
Key Points:
y Named for its laugh-like call.
y Found along the Atlantic coast of North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
y IUCN Status: Least Concern.
y CITES and CMS Status: Not Available.
y This discovery elevates the total number of bird species found in India to 1,367.
Manatees- Sea Cows
About Manatees:
y They are large, aquatic mammals that are
called sea cows.
y They are herbivores that eat over 60
different types of plants.
y They are solitary animals ( that live alone or
at most in pairs. )and are known to gather
in warm waters during colder weather.
y IUCN Status: Vulnerable
y Habitat: Along the coast from Florida to Brazil, Amazon River, and the African manatee reside
along the west coast of Africa.

Why in news?
y A record number of manatees converged at a Florida state park this week which is a very
unusual phenomenon.
y The recent influx is attributed to a drop in the water temperature in the nearby St Johns River,
compelling the manatees to seek warmer waters in the park’s hot springs.
Black Necked Crane (Grus nigricollis)

About:
y Found in India, Bhutan, and the Tibetan plateau.
y It is the state bird of UT of Ladakh.
y IUCN status: Near Threatened
y CITES: Appendix I
y Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
y Cranes are a type of large bird with long legs and necks.
Why in news?
y The Wildlife Institute of India and the Zoological Survey
of India are carrying out the assessment of the black-
necked cranes.
Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Key Points:
y It is the second-largest species of land tortoise
in the world, after the Galapagos giant tortoise
(Chelonoidis nigra).
y It can live for 100 years.
y Habitat: Endemic to Aldabra Island, Seychelles.
y IUCN: Vulnerable
y CITES: Appendix II
Why in news?
y Giant tortoises have returned to Madagascar 600 years after they were wiped out.
Thrips Parvispinus- An Insect

About Thrips Parvispinus:
y Invasive species native to the Asian tropics
and have been reported from Indonesia,
India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan,
China, Philippines, Australia, and the
Solomon Islands.
y They feed on ornamental plants, vegetables,
and fruit crops. It can cause severe damage,
wilting, and yield loss by piercing the cells of plant tissues and extracting their contents.

Why in news?
y Thrips Parvispinus damaged chilli crops in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, causing up to 80%
of the crop loss.
New Species of Nematodes- Steinernema adamsi

About Nematodes:
y Nematodes are microscopic, roundworms
that are one of the most common life forms
on Earth.
y They are also known as roundworms or
eelworms.
y Habitat: Found in every continent of
the earth and every part of the earth’s
lithosphere.
y Diseases: Ascariasis, Filariasis, Enterobiasis,
Trichinosis.
Why in news and Key points of new species:

y Steinernema adamsi, a new species of nematode, was discovered by US researchers.
y These nematodes could control crop pests in warm, humid places where other beneficial
nematodes are currently unable to thrive.
y The nematodes are efficient insect killers and rapidly multiply in the soil.
Cuscuta Dodder
About Cuscuta Dodder:
y It is a parasitic plant and does not have
roots.
y It can grow and thrive in forests, fields, and
even deserts.
y It is used in treating skin conditions and
promoting digestive health.
About Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary:

y 1798: Establishment year.
y Oldest water bird sanctuary in India.
y Migratory species: Pintail, garganey,
gray wagtail, blue-winged teal, common
sandpiper.
Why in news?
y Cuscuta dodder, an invasive weed from North America, is posing a threat to Chennai’s
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary.

Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii)
Why in news?
y Along Kerala’s Chandragiri River, conservationists have found the first breeding population of
Cantor’s giant softshell turtles.
About the Turtle:

Other Names y Asian giant softshell turtle or the frog-faced softshell turtle.
Habitat y Native to rivers of south and south-east Asia and China.
y Mostly buried in sand and motionless. Only their eyes and mouth
Characteristics protruded from the sand.
y Primarily carnivores, feeding on fish and molluscs.
y IUCN: Critically endangered
Conservation
y CITES: Appendix II
Status
y Wildlife Protection Act,1972: Schedule I
About Chandragiri River:

y Also known as Payaswini or Perumpuzha River, in Kasargod district of Kerala.
y It originates from the Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats of Kodagu district,
Karnataka.
y Named after the Mauryan King, Chandragupta Maurya.
Kashmir Willow Trees for Cricket Bats

About Willow Trees:
y Both English and Kashmir willow bats are made from Salix Alba trees, whose properties vary by
location due to climate and soil differences.
y These trees are chosen for their solid, durable nature and high rebound quality, ideal for cricket
bats.

y Kashmir willow bats:
⚪ They are known for their power and
lightweight nature, and are cheaper
alternatives to the white-colored
English willow bats, which are heavier
and more expensive.
⚪ The craft of bat-making has been
perfected since the 19th century
by artisans in villages like Charsoo,
Bijbehara, and Sangam in Anantnag
district, South Kashmir.
⚪ The willow bat industry also thrives in
Jalandhar, Punjab, and Meerut, Uttar
Pradesh, contributing significantly to the market.
Why in News?
y Popular Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar sparked a surge in demand for Kashmir willow bats as he
visited the bat factory in Chersoo, located in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus) Butterfly

Why in news?
y “Dusted Apollo, a rare high altitude butterfly,
sighted for the first time in Himachal’s
Chamba.
About Dusted Apollo:

y 1890: It was discovered.
y It was sighted at Manimahesh Lake in
Chamba.
y Found in high-altitude regions, from Ladakh
to West Nepal.
y It closely resembles the Ladakh Banded Apollo (Parnnasius stoliczkanus),
Regal Apollo (Parnnasius charltonius) was also cited here which is protected under Schedule II
of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Probable MCQs
Q. Consider the following pairs:
Ramsar Sites in India : Located in
1. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve : Goa
2. Aghanashini Estuary: Kerala
3. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve : Karnataka
4. The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest : Tamil Nadu
(a) Only one
(b) Only two

(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (b)
Q. With reference to the Laughing gull, consider the following statements:

1. It is a migratory bird from Australia.
2. It is known for its unique laughter-like calls.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Q. ‘Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)’ report. recently in the
news, is released by:
(a) NITI Aayog
(b) United Nations Environment Programme
(c) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(d) Forest Research Institute
Answer: (a)
Q. With reference to the Conservation Reserves in India, consider the following statements:
1. Environment Protection Act, 1986 provided for the creation of Conservation Reserves.
2. They are declared by the State Governments.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Q. ‘Bishkek Declaration’, sometimes seen in the news, is related to:

(a) Conservation of Snow Leopards
(b) Tiger Conservation
(c) preventing exposure to harmful chemicals
(d) Education for Sustainable Development
Answer: (a)

Economy 98
SCIENCE AND TECH IN NEWS: FEBRUARY (2024)
SPACE TECHNOLOGY
NANOTECHNOLOGY
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH
NEW TECHNOLOGY
LEARN SCIENCE AND TECH FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

5 Science and Tech
Space Technology
SpaceX’s Launch of Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 Mission: Odysseus

Why in News?
y Recently, SpaceX launched Intuitive
Machines’ IM-1 mission’s Odysseus
spacecraft, aiming to achieve the first
private moon lander soft landing.
Key Points:
y This could mark the first American
spacecraft to land on the moon since Apollo
17 in 1972 and the first-ever successful
private lunar landing.
y A successful mission by Intuitive Machines could pave the way for cost-effective lunar
exploration and commercial ventures.
y NASA, as the primary customer, has invested in payload delivery, including scientific instruments
to study the lunar surface.
y Odysseus aims to land near the moon’s south pole, an area of scientific interest due to its
potential water ice resources.
y It is a part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services, the mission supports the development
of private-sector lunar landers for future cargo and scientific missions.
PAPA (Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA)

About the PAPA:
y Purpose: The Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) is designed for in-situ measurements
of solar wind electrons and ions, focusing on the low energy range.
y It was put onboard Aditya-L1 spacecraft as an energy and mass analyser payload meant for
monitoring the solar wind electrons flux and ions flux,.
y Components: Features two sensors - Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP) and Solar
Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR), enabling detailed observation of solar activities.
y Capabilities: Equipped to detect the direction of solar wind particles, offering a comprehensive
insight into solar wind dynamics.
Why in News:
y PAPA’s operational status was recently announced by ISRO, marking a significant advancement
in solar and space weather research through the Aditya-L1 satellite.
INSAT 3DS launch to improve forecast

Why in News?
y The Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) recently launched the INSAT-3DS mission.
100 Science and Tech

INSAT-3DS Mission:
y INSAT-3DS will be launched aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV
F14).
y GSLV-F14 is a three-stage launch vehicle.
y This mission would enhance weather forecasting and disaster warning capabilities of India
Difference between PSLV and GSLV:
Feature PSLV GSLV
Used to launch Low Earth Orbit Used to launch satellites and other space
Orbit Type (LEO) satellites into Polar and Sun objects into Geosynchronous Transfer
Synchronous Orbits. Orbits.
Four-stage system comprising a
Three-stage launch system with strap-
Stage System combination of solid and liquid-
on motors.
fuelled rocket stages.
Uses a cryogenic engine in the third stage,
Fuel Type Does not use cryogenic fuel. with liquefied oxygen and hydrogen as
fuel.
Can put 1,750 kg of payload to Sun- Has greater load capacity than PSLV- can
Load Capacity Synchronous Polar Orbits of 600 km put a payload of up to 2,500 kg in GTO
altitude and 1,425 kg in sub GTO. and 5 tonnes in LEO.
Nanotechnology
Synthesized gold nanoparticles from Wild Mushroom: Termitomyces heimii

Why in News:
y Researchers in Goa synthesized gold
nanoparticles from Termitomyces heimii
which is a wild mushroom and local delicacy.
Key Points:
y Goa is noted for its diverse Termitomyces
mushroom species.
y Termitomyces heimii has a symbiotic
relationship with termites and is known
locally as ‘roenolmi.’
y The research introduces an eco-friendly
method for mass-producing gold
nanoparticles.
Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence
India Develops AI Model for Accurate Fetal Gestational Age Estimation

Why in News?

y Researchers from IIT Madras and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute,
Faridabad, have created Garbhini-GA2, an AI model, for precise gestational age (GA).
What is the Gestational Age?

y Gestational age is the common term used during pregnancy to describe how far along the
pregnancy is. It is measured in weeks.
Significance:
y This India-specific model aims to improve maternal and infant care by providing accurate birth
date predictions, thereby potentially reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
iOncology-AI project
What is it?
y The iOncology-AI project is a collaborative project involving AIIMS Delhi, C-DAC Pune, and the
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
Objective:
y The project aims to use AI to improve the precision and effectiveness of cancer treatment
by analyzing extensive datasets including genetic profiles, clinical histories, and treatment
outcomes.
Impact:
y By understanding the relationship between genetics and cancer therapy, iOncology-AI seeks to
revolutionize cancer care with targeted and efficient treatment strategies.
Open AI breakthrough Sora

Why in News?
y OpenAI has developed Sora, a new GenAI model capable of converting text prompts into videos,
showcasing potential in generating complex scenes with vibrant emotions and specific motions.
Key points:
y Sora can create detailed scenes with multiple characters and accurately understand object
interactions.
y Before public release, OpenAI plans to engage with security experts and policymakers to address
potential risks like misinformation.
y Sora will initially be accessible to visual artists, designers, and filmmakers for feedback.
y Comparison with Other Companies: Companies like Google with Lumiere and others like Runway
and Pika have also explored text-to-video technology, but Sora represents OpenAI’s foray into
this space with unique safety measures and creative applications.
Google-Reddit Deal
Why in News?
y Google and Reddit have signed a $60 million agreement granting Google real-time access to
Reddit’s data.

Key points:
y Access to Reddit’s data, which is rich in user-generated content, is crucial for Google’s AI
development, specifically for its Generative AI (GenAI) platforms like Google’s Gemini.
y This deal is significant as it addresses challenges in training large language models (LLMs)
without infringing on content creators’ intellectual property rights.
Use of Brain like tissues to make computer

Key Points:
y Organoids are tiny brains made by researchers using
real human brain tissue cultured in a lab.
Brain organoids are 3D clusters of brain cells.
y Brainoware uses a technique called reservoir
computing in artificial neural networks to link these
organoids to microelectrodes (MEA).
Reservoir computing is a type of artificial
intelligence that is based on the idea of using
a reservoir of simple, interconnected nodes to
perform complex computations.
Why in news?
y Recently, a group of scientists fused electronics
with brain-like tissue to produce Brainware, an
organoid neural network. It can solve challenging
arithmetic problems and recognize voices.
Biotechnology and Health
Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry

About Biomanufacturing:
y The use of biological systems that have been engineered, or that are used outside their natural
context, to produce a product.
y Uses:
⚪ Creation of new genomes, biological pathways, or organisms not found in nature.
⚪ Redesign of existing genes, cells, or organisms.
y It allows for the manufacture of novel products, and also new approaches to existing disciplines.
About Biofoundary:
y It is a specialized facility equipped with advanced technologies for designing, constructing, and
testing biological systems.
y Uses:
⚪ Biofuel production, drug discovery, and bioremediation.
⚪ Support research in areas like personalized medicine, and genetic therapies.
y It facilitates rapid screening of genetic designs, hence accelerating biological application
research and development.

Why in news?
y The Finance Minister of India proposed a new scheme of Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry in
the Interim Budget 2024-25.
Lab-Grown Meat for Muslims in Singapore

Why in news?
y Muslims in Singapore will be allowed to consume lab-cultivated meat.
y On condition that the cells are from halal animals and the final ingredients do not contain any
non-halal components.
y Halal food is any food deemed permissible under Islamic law.
Indian Made HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine - Cervavac

About
y Serum Institute of India has developed a new vaccine called Cervavac.
y Gardasil vaccine has usually been used in vaccination for HPV, which is manufactured by an
American multinational pharmaceutical company.
y Recent trials have found that two doses of the Serum’s Cervavac vaccine generated nearly
double the antibody response against HPV subtypes compared with the response generated
with the Gardasil vaccine.
Why in News?
y Serum Institute’s Cervavac was found safe and comparable to Gardasil in a phase-2/3 trial in
India.
Typbar typhoid vaccine

About Typbar vaccine:
y It is the world’s first clinically proven conjugate Typhoid vaccine.
⚪ A conjugate vaccine combines a weak antigen with a strong antigen and helps the immune
system develop a stronger immune response to the weak antigen.
y Typbar is the only typhoid vaccine approved for use in children and infants under 2 years of age.
y It is approved by the WHO.
Why in news?
y A phase-3 trial conducted in Malawi has demonstrated that the Typbar typhoid vaccine,
developed by Bharat Biotech, maintains its efficacy for at least four years.
Re-emergence of Bubonic Plague in the USA

Why in News?
y Recently the city of Oregon, USA reported its first
bubonic plague case since 2005, reviving concerns
about the disease known historically as the Black
Death.

Bubonic Plague:
y Cause: Caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria, spreading between animals (primarily small ones and
their fleas) and humans.
y Transmission Modes: Human infection can occur through flea bites, direct contact with infected
animals, or inhalation of infected droplets.
y Symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes, affecting the bloodstream and infection in the lungs.
The Black Death
y The Black Death was a catastrophic pandemic in the 14th century, estimated to have killed
up to 50 million people in Europe.
Current Risks:
y Annual Incidence: A few thousand cases were reported globally, mainly in Madagascar, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, and Peru, with an approximately 11% fatality rate.
y Prevention and Treatment: Early treatment with common antibiotics significantly improves
survival rates, minimizing the risk of a pandemic.
Alaskapox virus
About Alaskapox:
y 2015: First discovered in Alaska, USA.
y Found in small mammals, including red-backed voles and shrews, pets like dogs and cats.
y Symptoms: Bumps or pustules on the skin, joint or muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
y Spread: Through contact with infected animals, there have been no documented cases of
human-to-human transmission.
y Prevention: Maintaining a safe distance from animals, washing hands after outdoor activities,
and refraining from keeping wild animals as pets.

Why in news?
y A US citizen died from the Alaskapox virus after being scratched by a stray cat.
India Achieves Milestone in Eliminating Kala Azar in 2023

Why in News?
y India achieved the target of less than one case per
10,000 population across all endemic blocks in 2023.
Kala Azar:
y About: Kala Azar, is also known as visceral leishmaniasis.
It is the second deadliest parasitic disease in India
after malaria.
y Transmission and Impact: Spread by sandflies, it
predominantly affects Brazil, East Africa, and India. it
is fatal in 95% of cases if it remains untreated.
y Endemic Regions in India: Primarily affects Bihar,
Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
In October 2023, Bangladesh became the first country
in the world to be validated by WHO for eliminating
Kala Azar.
New Technology
What is Bitcoin Halving?

What is it?
y Bitcoin Halving is an event that halves the reward for mining new blocks, decreasing the new
supply of Bitcoin by 50%.
y Occurs approximately every four years; the next is predicted for April 2024.
y Reduces the reward miners receive, significantly impacting Bitcoin’s scarcity and potentially its
price.
How It Works:
y Miners solve complex puzzles to add transactions to the blockchain, receiving Bitcoin as a
reward.
y Halving reduces this mining reward, aiming to control inflation and extend the release of new
bitcoins until around 2140.
Significance for Crypto Investors:
y Influences Bitcoin’s scarcity, possibly driving up its value similar to precious metals like gold.
y Affects miners’ profitability, influencing the rate at which new bitcoins are mined and the
overall supply in the market.
Why in News?
y Crypto traders and Bitcoin miners are preparing for what is known as the ‘Bitcoin Halving’ which
is predicted to happen in April of 2024.

Satellite-based toll collection
How Satellite-Based Toll Collection Works?

y GPS-Equipped Vehicles: Every vehicle will require a GPS device for toll collection, enabling real-
time tracking of their movements.
y Micro-controller Integration: The government plans to equip vehicles with micro-controllers
featuring third-generation (3G) and GPS connectivity to facilitate data transmission.
y Continuous Monitoring: By capturing GPS coordinates, authorities can monitor vehicle routes,
track toll road usage, and calculate toll taxes based on distance traveled.
Why in news?
y Satellite-based toll collection is slated for deployment before the onset of the 2024 general
election Model Code of Conduct.
Probable MCQs
Q. Consider the following statements about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV):
1. It is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract.
2. It spreads via sexual contact and most people are infected with HPV, shortly after the onset
of the sexual activity.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Q. With reference to the Alaskapox, consider the following statements:

1. It is a disease caused by the double-stranded-DNA virus comes from the same genus as
smallpox, monkeypox and cowpox
2. It is most common in small mammals and human-to-human transmission of Alaskapox
virus is easily possible.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)

HISTORY IN NEWS: FEBRUARY (2024)
SUBIKA PAINTINGS OF MANIPUR’S MEITEI COMMUNITY
SWAMI DAYANAND SARASWATI (12 FEBRUARY 1824 – 30 OCTOBER 1883)
RANI CHENNAMMA (23 OCTOBER 1778 – 21 FEBRUARY 1829)
CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ (19 FEBRUARY 1630 – 3 APRIL 1680)
HISTORY OF SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
390-YEAR-OLD LAMP POST IN NALGONDA UNRAVELS TRADE LINK OF TELANGANA
MARATHA MILITARY LANDSCAPES
MAA KAMAKHYA DIVYA LOK PARIYOJANA
BAPS (BOCHASANWASI AKSHAR PURUSHOTTAM SWAMINARAYAN SANSTHA) TEMPLE IN ABU

DHABI
DIFFERENT TRADITIONAL SAREE DRAPING STYLES IN VARIOUS STATES OF INDIA
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
LEARN HISTORY FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

6 History and Culture
Religion
Subika Paintings of Manipur’s Meitei Community
About Subika Paintings of Manipur:

y It is closely associated with the Meitei community’s cultural history through its six surviving
manuscripts — Subika, Subika Achouba, Subika Laishaba, Subika Choudit, Subika Cheithil and
Thengrakhel Subika.
y It is done on handmade paper, and the materials for manuscripts are prepared locally.
y Its illustrations incorporate visual elements like lines, shapes, forms, colors, and patterns.
y These visual images serve as cultural motifs, creating visual effects and expressing cultural
significance.
Why in news?
y Dr Sapha, an Assistant Professor is trying to preserve the ancient painting style used in the
Puyas, specifically the Subika paintings, which are gradually fading into obscurity.
Puyas: These are ancient Manipuri manuscripts. They encompass a wide spectrum of themes
including genealogy, literature, history, royalties, administration, creation and cosmology,
philosophy, poetry, religious beliefs, etc.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati (12 February 1824 – 30 October 1883)

About Dayanand Saraswati:
y A philosopher, social leader. and founder of the Arya Samaj (1875).
y He gave the slogan “Back to the Vedas”.
y He wanted a classless and casteless society, and an India free from foreign rule.
y Opposed sati, untouchability, and encouraged equal rights for women.
y He wrote the book, Satyarth Prakash.

About Arya Samaj:
y 1875: Founded by Dayanand Saraswati.
y It means the Society of nobles in Sanskrit.
y The mission of the Arya Samaj is to eradicate Poverty or Indigence
(Abhav), Injustice (Anayay), and Ignorance (Agyan) from this earth.
y Principles:
⚪ God is the primary source of all proper knowledge.
⚪ He is omniscient. He is the one worthy of being worshipped.
⚪ Vedas are scriptures of proper knowledge. An Aryan should
read, recite and teach to others.
⚪ We should read to accept the truth and give untruths.
⚪ All actions should be performed by following Dharma.
⚪ The objective of Arya Samaj is to promote physical, and social
well-being for everyone.
⚪ Everyone should follow love, righteousness, and justice.
⚪ We should avoid ignorance and accept knowledge.
⚪ One should not be concerned with one’s welfare. We should
consider the welfare of others too.
⚪ One should follow the rules of society to promote the well-being of all while following the
rules of individual welfare; all should be free.
Why in news?
y The 200th Birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati was commemorated.
Rani Chenamma (23 October 1778 – 21 February 1829)

About Rani Chenamma:
y She was the Queen of Kittur, a former
princely state in present-day Karnataka.
y She launched an uprising against the
British as they refused to acknowledge her
adopted son as the heir according to the
“doctrine of lapse.”
y Between 1848 and 1856, Lord Dalhousie,
the Governor-General of India, devised
the Doctrine of Lapse as an annexation
policy.
y It was an idea to annex those states
which have no heir. They lose the right
of ruling, and it will not be reverted by
adoption.
y Between 1848 and 1856, Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India, devised the Doctrine
of Lapse as an annexation policy.
y It was an idea to annex those states which have no heir. They lose the right of ruling, and it
will not be reverted by adoption.
y 1829: She died as a prisoner of war.

Why in news?
y Several social groups across the country are organizing a national campaign, Naanoo Rani
Chennamma (I am Rani Chennamma too).
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680)

About Shivaji:
y He founded the Maratha Empire.
y He was referred to as the “Mountain Rat” and was well-known
for using guerilla tactics (Ganimi Kava) in combat.
y He was the first to understand the importance of having a naval
force.
y Envisioned the swarajya, implying self-rule and governance.
y He had a council of ministers (Asht Pradhan) to advise him on
the matters of the state.
y Got the title “Rayatecha Raja” (King of the People).
Why in news?
y Maharashtra CM paid tribute to Shivaji Maharaj at Shivneri Fort.
History of Supreme Court of India

Timeline of Evolution of Supreme Court of India:
y Regulating Act of 1773: Established the Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774 with one Chief
Justice and three other judges, marking the inception of formal judicial structure in British
India. Sir Elijah Impey was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Calcutta.
y Establishment of Supreme Courts at Madras (1800) and Bombay (1823): King George III
established the Supreme Courts at Madras in 1800 and Bombay in 1823, expanding the judicial
footprint in India.
y Act of 1823: This act conferred the Supreme Courts at Madras and Bombay with the same
powers and duties as the Supreme Court at Fort William in Calcutta, ensuring uniformity in
their function and authority.
y Indian High Court Act of 1861: Introduced High Courts in the three presidency towns of Calcutta,
Madras, and Bombay, unifying the judicial system by replacing the Supreme Courts and Sadar
Adalats in these regions.
y Government of India Act 1935: Led to the creation of the Federal Court of India, diminishing
the role of High Courts as the apex judicial authorities, and establishing a system that could
adjudicate both Centre and State laws.
y Post-independence, 1950: The Supreme Court of India was inaugurated on January 28, 1950,
succeeding the Federal Court of India and becoming the highest judicial authority in the country,
responsible for upholding the constitution and administering justice at the national level.
y 1st CJI after Independence: Hiralal Jekisundas Kania.
Why in News?
y Recently Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud addressed a ceremonial bench as the country’s
highest court turned 75 years old.

390-year-old lamp post in Nalgonda unravels trade link of Telangana
Why in news?
y A 390-year-old Deepastambham (lamp post) discovered
on the River Krishna’s edge in Nalgonda district, Telangana,
highlights early medieval trade ties.
About Deepastambham (lamp post):

y The 20-foot tall pillar, with hollows for lamps and a multilingual
inscription, was found in Mudimanikyam village.
y Unlike the common Dhwajasthambham (flag pole) in temple
architecture, lamp posts are rare in the Deccan region.
y The inscription, dated June 1635 and written in Telugu
mixed with Tamil, suggests the pillar was dedicated to Kasi
Viswanatha and possibly served as a lighthouse for riverine
trade.
y Maratha Military Landscapes
Why in news?
y India has proposed the Maratha Military Landscapes as its nomination for inclusion in the
UNESCO World Heritage List for 2024-25.
World Heritage Site:
y There are 42 World Heritage Sites in India.
y Dholavira in Gujarat, Shantiniketan in West Bengal and Hoysala Temples in Karnataka are the
latest sites.
Key Points:
y It is a network of forts that represents the strategic and military system of the Marathas.
y It was developed between the 17th and 19th centuries A.D.
y Selected Forts for Nomination:
⚪ Hill Forts: Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee forts.
⚪ Hill-forest fort: Pratapgad.
⚪ Hill-plateau fort: Panhala.
⚪ Coastal fort: Vijaydurg.
⚪ Island forts: Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg.
y Gingee Fort is in Tamil Nadu, the rest are from Maharashtra.
y These forts are nominated in the cultural category. (The other two categories being: Natural
and Mixed).
y The inception of the Maratha military ideology dates back to the 17th century during the reign
of Shivaji Maharaj from 1670.
Maa Kamakhya Divya Lok Pariyojana

About Kamakhya Temple:
y A significant pilgrimage site located on the Nilachal hills in Guwahati, Assam.
y The temple is dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya.
y Ambubachi Mela, an annual festival that celebrates the menstruation of the goddess, is held
here.

Why in news?
y Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for Maa Kamakhya Divya Lok Pariyojana.
y It aims to enhance access and amenities for pilgrims visiting the Kamakhya temple (under the
PM-DevINE scheme).
About the PM-DevINE scheme:
y It is implemented by the Ministry of Development of the North-East Region.
y It is a Central Sector scheme introduced in the Union Budget 2022-23.
y It seeks to ensure connectivity and empower youth and women.
BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Temple in Abu Dhabi

About BAPS:
y 1907: Year of establishment.
y Founder: Shastri Maharaj.
y Objective: To preserve
Indian culture and the Hindu
ideals of faith, unity, and
selfless service in diverse
communities around the
world.
Features of Temple:
y Made in Nagara style of
architecture.
y Seven Shikhar narrates the tales from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavatam, and Shiva
Purana.
y A river surrounds the temple, with waters from Ganga and Yamuna brought in.
y Deities: Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Lord Shiv, Parvati, Ganpati, Kartikeya, Lord
Jagannath, Lord Radha-Krishna.
y Dome of Harmony: This unique feature represents the balance of the five natural elements –
earth, water, fire, air, and space.
y Stories from Indian civilization, Maya civilization, Aztec civilization, Egyptian civilization, Arabic
civilization, etc. have been depicted.
y This is the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. However, earlier two temples were already made in
1958 and 2022. Both these temples are located in Dubai.
Why in news?
y BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi recently.
Different Traditional Saree Draping Styles in various states of India

Why in News?
y This year, there was an exhibition of sarees, textiles, and embroideries from around India in one
of the Republic Day tableau. It was titled ‘Anant Sutra – The Endless Thread’.

Prominent Indian Drapes (Sarees):
Saree Style Area/Region State
Banarasi Varanasi Uttar Pradesh

Moirang Phee Moirang Manipur
Bomkai (Sonepuri) Bomkai Odisha
Kasavu Balaramapuram Kerala
Chanderi Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
Leheriya Jaipur Rajasthan
Kashida Various Jammu & Kashmir
Kanjeevaram (Kanchipuram) Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu

Paithani Paithan Maharashtra
Patola Patan Gujarat
Muga Assam Assam
Pochampally Ikat Pochampally Telangana
Tant Various West Bengal
Mysore Silk Mysore Karnataka
Bandhani Various Gujarat and Rajasthan
Baluchari Bishnupur West Bengal
Phulkari Various Punjab
Gadwal Gadwal Telangana
Kalamkari Machilipatnam, Srikalahasti Andhra Pradesh
Bhagalpuri Silk Bhagalpur Bihar
This day in history
British General Charles Cornwallis was appointed to serve as both

1 February 1786 Commander-in-Chief of British India and Governor of the Presidency of
Fort William, also known as the Bengal Presidency.
1 February 1835 Slavery was abolished in Mauritius.
Thomas Babington Macaulay presented his ‘Minute on Indian Education’
2 February 1835 that sought to establish the need to impart English education to Indian
‘natives’.
Justice Sumboo Nath Pandit became the first Indian to assume office as
2 February 1863
a Judge of the Calcutta High Court.
The Battle of Diu was fought in the port of Diu between the Portuguese
3 February 1509 Empire and a joint fleet of the Sultan of Gujarat, the Mamlûk Burji
Sultanate of Egypt and the Zamorin of Calicut.
The Chauri Chaura incident took place at Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur
4 February 1922
district of the United Province (modern Uttar Pradesh) in British India.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced that PSLV C-4, a
5 February 2003 meteorological satellite launched by India in 2002, has been named after
astronaut Kalpana Chawla.
Bina Das, a member of the umbrella team at the Calcutta University
6 February 1932
graduation ceremony, shot Stanley Jackson, the Governor of Bengal.
Lord Dalhousie ordered to depose Wajid Ali Shah on the account of alleged
7 February 1856 internal misrule. This was in line with Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse, in
which the British would take over a kingdom if there was misrule also.
9 February 1951 The first census of independent India began.

The Treaty of Paris ends the war and France cedes Quebec to Great
10 February 1763
Britain.
Mughal Emperor Jahangir allowed the East India Company to set up a
11 February 1613
factory at Surat.
Gandhi appealed to the Indian public for all resistance to end, went on a
12 February 1922
fast and called off the non-cooperation movement.
With the signing of a Franco-Portuguese treaty in 1667, the Spanish
13 February 1668 Habsburgs finally agreed to recognize the House of Braganza as Portugal’s
new ruling dynasty.
Akbar succeeded Humayun. The coronation of Mughal emperor Akbar
14 February 1556 took place at Kalanaur in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. At that time,
Akbar was only 13 years old.
15 February 1942 British troops surrendered to Japan in Singapore.
16 February 1704 Aurangzeb conquered Rajgad fort and renamed it as Nabishahagad.
17 February 2008 Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia.
18 February 1905 Shyamji Krishnavarma founded the India Home Rule Society in London.
18 February 1911 World’s first official airmail sent from Allahabad to Naini.
18 February 1946 The Royal Indian Navy revolted in Mumbai.
Clement Attlee, the then British Prime Minister, announced in the British
20 February 1947 Parliament’s House of Commons that the British would leave India by 30
June, 1948.
20 February 1987 Mizoram became the 23rd state of India.
21 February 1999 Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif signed the Lahore Declaration.
Establishment of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
23 February 1947
in London.
24 February 1739 The Battle of Karnal was fought. Nadir Shah defeated Muhammad Shah.
The World Health Organization (WHO) removed India from the list of
25 February 2012
polio-endemic countries.
Revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad shot himself to avoid arrest in an
27 February 1931
encounter with the British police in Allahabad.
National Science Day is celebrated in India each year to mark the
discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman on 28
28 February 1928
February 1928. For his discovery, Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel
Prize in Physics in 1930.
Probable MCQs
Q. Consider the following forts:
1. Gingee Fort
2. Shivneri Fort

3. Khanderi Fort
4. Panhala Fort
How many of the above forts are part of The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ that will be
India’s nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage List for the year 2024-25?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (d)
Q. With reference to Indian history, U Tirot Sing was:

(a) A freedom fighter from Khasi Hills who rebelled against British Colonialism.
(b) A freedom fighter from the Garo tribe in Meghalaya who fought against the British occupation
of Garo Hills.
(c) Leader of the Manipuri army and orchestrated the palace revolution that resulted in the
Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
(d) Naga leader who led Heraka religious movement.
Answer: (a)
Q. With reference to Indian history, Rani Chennamma is well-known for

(a) Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement.
(b) Leading from Indore in the revolt of 1857.
(c) Organising salt march in coastal Karnataka during Civil Disobedience Movement.
(d) Leading earliest woman-led anti-colonial struggles in Kittur.
Answer: (d)
Q. Consider the following:

1. Social well-being of mankind is to be placed above an individual’s well-being.
2. God is the primary source of all true knowledge.
3. Vedas are the books of true knowledge.
4. One’s own progress should depend on the uplift of all others.
How many of the above are the guiding principles of the Arya Samaj?
(a) only one
(b) only two
(c) only three
(d) All four
Answer: (d)
Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the country and the recommendations for it are
made by the Prime Minister to the President of India.
2. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.
3. Bharat Ratna Award does not carry any monetary grant.
4. This award being a title under Article 18 of the Indian Constitution is not given posthumously.
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three

(d) All four
Answer: (c)
Q. Consider the following statements.

1. Kutia Kondh Tribe is one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) from Odisha.
2. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory of India.
3. According to the 2011 Census, Madhya Pradesh has the largest population of PVTGs.
4. A declining or stagnant population and Pre-agricultural level of technology are some of the
criteria for the identification of PVTGs.
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (c)

CURRENT AFFAIRS IN NEWS: FEBRUARY (2024)
SPORTS
AWARDS
• GRAMMY AWARDS, 2024
• BHARAT RATNA AWARDS
• INDIRA GANDHI, NARGIS DUTT NATIONAL FILM AWARD RENAMED
• JNANPITH AWARD
PIN GK
• BOOK IN NEWS
• PERSON IN NEWS
• PLACES IN NEWS
LEARN CURRENT AFFAIRS FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

7 PIN-GK
Sports:
Grammy Awards, 2024
About:
y Music awards presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS)
in the United States.
y Origin: Initiated in 1959, winners receive a golden gramophone statuette.
y The band Shakti, featuring Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan,
John McLaughlin, Ganesh Rajagopalan, and Selvaganesh
Vinayakram, won a Grammy for their album “This Moment.”
India’s Achievement in y Zakir Hussain won two additional Grammys: One for the best
2024 global music performance with ‘Pashto’ and another for the best
contemporary instrumental album ‘As We Speak’.
y PM Narendra Modi too was nominated for Abundance in Millets in
the Best Global Music Performance category.
Why in News?
y The 66th Annual Grammy Awards were held recently.
Bharat Ratna
120 PIN-GK
About Bharat Ratna:
y ‘Bharat Ratna’ is the highest civilian Award of the country.
y It was instituted in 1954.
y Any person without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex is eligible for these awards.
y It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any
field of human endeavour.
y The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister himself to the
President. No formal recommendations for this are necessary.
y The number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.
y The Award does not carry any monetary grant.
Why in news?
y Bharat Ratna will be awarded to PV Narsimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and MS Swaminathan.
Key Points:
y This year Bharat Ratna award will be given to 5 people, including L K Advani and Karpuri Thakur.
y PV Narsimha Rao (28 June 1921 – 23 December 2004): Served as the 9th PM of India, and
played a significant role in the transformation of the Indian Economy.
y Chaudhary Charan Singh(23 December 1902 – 29 May 1987): Former PM of India and freedom
fighter. He served as the 5th PM of India and the 5th CM of Uttar Pradesh. He is referred to as
the Champion of Indian Peasants.
y MS Swaminathan (7 August 1925 – 28 September 2023): He was an agronomist, agricultural
scientist, plant geneticist and administrator. He has been called the main architect of the
green revolution in India for his leadership and role in introducing and further developing high-
yielding varieties of wheat and rice.
Previous Bharat Ratna Awardees:
Name (Period) Year Awarded In
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1878-1972) 1954

Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) 1954
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (1888-1970) 1954
Bhagwan Das (1869-1958) 1955
Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861-1962) 1955
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 -1964) 1955
Govind Ballabh Pant (1887-1961) 1957
Dhondo Keshav Karve (1858-1962) 1958
Bidhan Chandra Roy (1882-1962) 1961
Purushottam Das Tandon (1882-1962) 1961
Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963) 1962
Zakir Husain (1897-1969) 1963
Pandurang Vaman Kane (1880-1972) 1963
PIN-GK 121
Lal Bahadur Shastri (Posthumous) (1904-1966) 1966
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) 1971
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (1894-1980) 1975
Kumaraswamy Kamraj (Posthumous) (1903-1975) 1976
Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu (1910-1997) 1980
Acharya Vinoba Bhave (Posthumous) (1895-1982) 1983
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1890-1988) 1987
Marudur Gopalan Ramachandran (Posthumous) (1917-1987) 1988
Bhim Rao Ramji Ambedkar (Posthumous) (1891-1956) 1990
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918-2013) 1990
Rajiv Gandhi (Posthumous) (1944-1991) 1991
SardarVallabhbhai Patel (Posthumous) (1875-1950) 1991
Morarji Ranchhodji Desai (1896-1995) 1991
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Posthumous) (1888-1958) 1992
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata (1904-1993) 1992
Satyajit Ray (1922-1992) 1992
Gulzarilal Nanda (1898-1998) 1997
Aruna Asaf Ali (Posthumous) (1909-1996) 1997
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (1931-2015) 1997
Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi (1916-2005) 1998
Chidambaram Subramaniam (1910-2000) 1998
Jayaprakash Narayan (Posthumous) (1902-1979) 1999
Professor Amartya Sen (born 1933) 1999
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi (Posthumous) (1890-1950) 1999
Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) 1999
Lata Dinanath Mangeshkar (1929- 2022) 2001
Bismillah Khan (1916-2006) 2001
Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi (1922-2011) 2009
Prof. C. N. R. Rao (born-1934) 2014
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar(born 1973) 2014
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924-2018) 2015
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (Posthumous)(1861-1946) 2015
Nanaji Deshmukh (Posthumous)(1916-2010) 2019
Bhupendra Kumar Hazarika (Posthumous) (1926-2011) 2019
Pranab Mukherjee (1935- 2020) 2019
PIN-GK 122
Indira Gandhi, Nargis Dutt National Film Award renamed
Changes Incorporated:
Before After
y The ‘Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut y ‘Best Debut Film of a Director’.
Film of a Director’. y ‘Best Feature Film Promoting National,
y The ‘Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Social and Environmental Values’.
Film on National Integration’ is renamed.
National Film Awards

y Purpose: To honor outstanding movies, artists, and technicians.
y Inception Year: First presented in 1954.
y Objective: Aims to celebrate films made across India, promoting the development of Indian
art and culture on a national scale.
y Administration: Managed by the Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.
y Governing Ministry: Under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which oversees
radio, television, films, press, print publications, advertising, and traditional communication
methods.
Jnanpith Award
Gulzar, Rambhadracharya
y Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit
scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been
named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith
Award, for 2023.
y The Jnanpith Award is the highest Indian literary
award presented annually by the Bharatiya
Jnanpith.
y It is given only to Indian writers who write
in Indian languages included in the Eighth
Schedule to the Constitution of India and English.
y No posthumous awards are given.
PIN GK
Books in News
9 Incredible Years of Haryana Government y Released by Vice President Jagdeep

Dhankar.
y The book highlights the achievements of the
Haryana government in the past nine years.
PIN-GK 123
Artificial Intelligence and National Security y By Amit Sinha and Vijay Khare.
y Released by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
General Anil Chauhan.
y The book focuses on blending India’s
rich cultural heritage with contemporary
national security strategies.
Maha Swaapnikudu (A Great Visionary) y Launched by former Chief Minister N.

Chandrababu Naidu.
y Written by P Vikram.
y The book narrates the career of N.
Chandrababu Naidu.
“Dabbling in Diplomacy: Authorized & y S.D Muni.

Otherwise, Recollections of a Non-Career y The book narrates South Asian geopolitics
Diplomat, from an academic perspective.
“Sculpted Stones: Mysteries of Mamallapuram” y By Ashwin Prabhu.

y It highlights the stories of historical places
of Mamallapuram.
PIN-GK 124
Basic Structure and Republic y By P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, governor of Goa.
y This is his 212th book.
Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law in a y By AK Sikri

theater of Democracy y It is a commentary on jurisprudence.
y The book covers the expansion of the
scope of judicial review and the heightened
standards of scrutiny devised by courts.
y The book provides ring-side insights into
the jurisprudence of dignity which has led
to the expansion of Fundamental Rights.
Fraternity: Constitutional Norm and Human y By Rajmohan Gandhi.

Need y This book argues, instead, that not only did
both Fraternity and Constitutional norms
hold each other in high regard, but it was
also due to Ambedkar’s steadfast opposition
to the caste that, through Gandhi, modern
Indian society learned to take its first steps
towards embodying fraternity.
Person in News
Kalpana Chawla (17 March 1962 – 1 February y Recently remembered on her death
2003) anniversary.
y She was an Indian American astronaut and
aerospace engineer.
y First Indian-born women to fly in space.
PIN-GK 125
Taylor Swift y Grammys 2024: Taylor Swift becomes first
artist in history to win Album of the Year
four times.
A Ramachandran (1935 – 10 February 2024) y He was an Indian painter.

y 2002: Elected a Fellow of the Lalit Kala
Akademi.
y 2005: He was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
y 2013: he was conferred with an honorary
doctorate by Mahatma Gandhi University,
Kerala.
Dattajirao Gaekwad (27 October 1928 – 13 y India’s oldest Test cricketer, passes away at
February 2024) 95.
Ameen Sayani (21 December 1932 – 20 February y He was an Indian radio announcer.
2024) y He achieved fame and popularity across the
Indian subcontinent when he presented his
Binaca Geetmala program of hits over the
airwaves of Radio Ceylon.
y He was the grandson of Rahimtulla M.
Sayani who had served as the President of
the Indian National Congress.
Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur (2 February 1889 – 2 y Participated in the Salt March and Quit India
October 1964) Movement.
y Member of the Drafting Committee of the
Constituent Assembly.
y She became the first health minister after
independence.
PIN-GK 126
MS Swaminathan (7 August 1925 – 28 y To be posthumously conferred Bharat Ratna.
September 2023) y Remembered for leadership role in green
revolution in India.
U Tirot Sing (1802- 1835) y He was a Khasi tribal chief.

y Fought against the British.
y His statue was unveiled in Dhaka.
Vasudev Balwant Phadke (4 November 1845 – y He was a revolutionary freedom fighter.

17 February 1883) y Often called “Father of armed struggle for
India’s freedom”.
Sant Ravidas y PM Modi inaugurated the statue of Sant

Ravidas in Varanasi.
y He was a saint, philosopher and poet.
PV Narsimha Rao (28 June 1921 – 23 December y To be conferred Bharat Ratna (posthumously
2004) ).
y Served as the 9th PM of India, and played a
significant role in the transformation of the
Indian Economy.
PIN-GK 127
Chaudhary Charan Singh(23 December 1902 – y To be conferred Bharat Ratna (posthumously
29 May 1987) ).
y Former PM of India and freedom fighter. He
served as the 5th PM of India and the 5th
CM of Uttar Pradesh.
L. K Advani y He will be conferred with Bharat Ratna.

y Served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of
India from 2002 to 2004 and Home Minister
and Information and Broadcasting Minister.
Rani Chenamma (23 October 1778 – 21 February y She was the Queen of Kittur, a former
1829) princely state in present-day Karnataka.
y She launched an uprising against the British
as they refused to acknowledge her adopted
son as the heir according to the “doctrine of
lapse.”
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (19 February 1630 y He founded the Maratha Empire.
– 3 April 1680) y Envisioned the swarajya, implying self-rule
and governance.
y Got the title “Rayatecha Raja” (King of the
People).
Shafiq ur Rehman Barq (11 July 1930 – 27 y He was the oldest MP of India.
February 2024) y He was elected as MP five times.
y His fifth term of Lok Sabha was from
Sambhal in 2019.
PIN-GK 128
Champai Soren y He became the 7th CM of Jharkhand.
Anil Kumar Lahoti y Appointed as chairman of Telecom

Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
y Formerly chief of the Railway Board.
y He belongs to IRSE (Indian Railway Service
of Engineers).
Vijay y A Tamil Actor.

y Announced his political party Thamizhaga
Vetri Kazhagam.
Pawan Kumar y An Indian Cost Account Service (ICoAS)

member.
y He assumed charge as Chief Adviser (Cost),
Department of Expenditure, Ministry of
Finance.
Abhinav Bindra y Selected as one of the torchbearers of 2024

Paris Olympics.
Michelle O’Neill y Appointed as Northern Ireland first Minister

(Head of Government).
PIN-GK 129
Banwari Lal Purohit y Punjab Governor and Chandigarh
Administrator Banwarilal Purohit resigned
from his post citing personal reasons.
Justice Ritu Bahri y Justice Ritu Bahri becomes first woman

chief justice of Uttarakhand high court.
y Chief priest (Rawal) of Badrinath Dham,

Pandit Ishwari Prasad Namboodiri
was awarded the Shankar Smriti Award in
Kerala.
Oleg Kononeko y Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko sets
a record for most time in space, over 879
days.
Olzhas Bektenov y Appointed as new PM of Kazakhstan.
Pyarelal Sharma y Honored with Lakshminarayana International

Award.
y Award is presented to individuals for
significant contribution to music.
PIN-GK 130
Narendra Kumar Yadav y IRS officer, 2009 batch.
y First civil servant Appointed as Brand
Ambassador for Fit India Movement.
Sarojni Naidu (13 February 1879 – 2 March 1949) y 13th February marks the birth anniversary
of Sarojini Naidu.
y She was famously known as Bharatiya Kokila
(The Nightingale of India).
y India celebrates Sarojini Naidu’s birth
anniversary as National Women’s Day.
y She was a writer who worked in the Hindi

and Maithili languages.
Usha Kiran Khan (24 October 1945 – 11 February
y She was also an academic historian.
2024)
y 2011: won Sahitya Akademi Award for the
Maithili novel Bhamati: Ek Avismaraniya
Premkatha.
y 2012: She was awarded a Kusumanjali
Sahitya Samman by the Indian Council for
Cultural Relations for her novel Sirjanhaar.
y 2015: Awarded Padma Shri for her service
in the field of literature and education.
Sanjay Kumar Jain y An Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS)
Officer of 1990 batch.
y Taken over the charge of Chairman &
Managing Director of Indian Railway Catering
and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC).
Nand Kishore Yadav y Appointment as Speaker of Bihar Assembly.
PIN-GK 131
Shashikant Kumar y President of India has conferred the
prestigious ‘Jeevan Raksha Padak’ to Railway
Protection Special Force (RPSF) constable
Shashikant Kumar.
Manohar Joshi (2 December 1937 – 23 February y Former Lok Sabha speaker and former CM
2024) of Maharashtra.
y He recently passed away.
AS Rajeev y President Droupadi Murmu has appointed A

S Rajeev as Vigilance Commissioner in the
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
Jacintha Kalyan y Became first female pitch curator of India.
Geeta Batra y Named as new director of Independent

evaluation of the World Bank’s Global
Environment Facility.
y First ever women from developing countries
to hold this post.
PIN-GK 132
Kumar Shahani (7 December 1940 – 24 February y He was an Indian film director and
2024) screenwriter, best known for his parallel
cinema films.
Pankaj Udhas (17 May 1951 – 26 February 2024) y Indian ghazal and playback singer known for
his works in Hindi cinema, and Indian pop.
y 2003:Dadabhai Naoroji Millennium Award.
y 2004: Special Felicitation at the Wembley
Conference Center, London.
y 2006: Padmashree.
Dr Aditi Sen de y A Physicist at Harish Chandra Research

Institute, Prayagraj.
y Honored with 2023 GD Birla award for
scientific excellence.
Justice AM Khanwilkar y Former Supreme Court Judge.

y Recently appointed as chairperson of
Lokpal.
Jay Shah y Reappointed as chairman of Asian Cricket

Council.
y This will be his third term as ACC chief.
PIN-GK 133
Satnam Singh Sandhu y Founder Chancellor of Chandigarh University.
y Nominated to Rajya Sabha by the President.
y He was a senior advocate to the Supreme

Court of India from 1971 and was the
Fali Nariman (10 January 1929 – 21 February President of the Bar Association of India
2024) from 1991 to 2010.
y He was an internationally recognised jurist
on international arbitration.
y He was the Additional Solicitor General of
India from May 1972 to June 1975.
y 1991: Padma Bhushan.
y (1999–2005): Nominated member of the
Rajya Sabha.
y 2002: Gruber Prize of Justice.
y 2007: Padma Vibhushan.
Shehbaz Sharif y Pakistani politician and businessman who is
currently serving as the 24th prime minister
of Pakistan.
y This is his second tenure as PM.
Asif Ali Zardari y He became the 14th President of Pakistan.

y This is his second term as President.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif y She became the first woman Chief Minister
of the province of Punjab, in Pakistan.
PIN-GK 134
Rhea Chakraborty y The Bombay High Court has quashed the
Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against Rhea
Chakraborty and her family in the Sushant
Singh Rajput case.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma y Vijay Shekhar Sharma resigned from the

Paytm Payments Bank’s board in February,
almost a month after RBI barred the bank
from accepting new deposits in its customer
accounts or wallets.
Four Gaganyaan Astronauts y They are group captains Prasanth

Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad
Pratap, and wing commander Shubanshu
Shukla — all with the Indian Air Force.
y The purpose of Gaganyaan is for ISRO to
demonstrate human spaceflight to a low-
earth orbit, with an Indian launch vehicle.
Shashi Tharoor y Shashi Tharoor has received France’s

highest civilian award, “Chevalier de la
Légion d’Honneur”.
Place in News
Indonesia, Capital: Jakarta
y Indonesia and India celebrated the 75th

anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations.
PIN-GK 135
Indian Ocean Island of Mayotte y Mayotte is an overseas department and
region and single territorial collectivity of
France.
y It is located in the northern part of the
Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean
off the coast of Southeastern Africa,
between Northwestern Madagascar and
Northeastern Mozambique.
y Recently, France unveiled a plan to curtail
the right to French citizenship in the Indian
Ocean island of Mayotte.
Catalonia, NE Spain.
y Catalonia declared an emergency as it faces

the worst drought on record.
y It is an autonomous region of Spain.
Argentina, Capital: Buenos Aires
y Argentinian Parliament passes Omnibus bill

to transform its economy.
Iran, Capital: Tehran
y Announced fifteen day Visa free policy for

Indian tourists.
Chile, Capital: Santiago
y Chile faced its most severe wildfire.
PIN-GK 136
Rwanda, Capital: Kigali
y According to the UN, Rwanda is using deadly

weapons in DR Congo.
Qatar, Capital: Doha
y Recently, PM Modi met the Emir of Qatar in

Doha.
Papua New Guinea, Capital: Port Moresby
y It recently witnessed tribal violence in the

country.
Zambia, Capital: Lusaka
y India has sent medical assistance to Zambia,

which is affected by Cholera.
PIN-GK 137
Greece, Capital: Athens
y India and Greece have agreed to expand

cooperation in multiple avenues.
Albania, Capital: Tirana
y Albania will have an Embassy in New Delhi

and India will have a diplomatic mission in
Tirana.
Hungary, Capital: Budapest
y Hungary approved Sweden’s accession to

NATO.
Sweden, Capital: Stockholm
y Sweden becomes the 32nd member of

NATO.
Japan, Capital: Tokyo
y Japan releases 4th discharge of nuclear

contaminated water.
PIN-GK 138
Malta, Capital: Valletta
y Recently became the 119th member of the

International Solar Alliance.
Arunachal Pradesh
y Signed MoU with NTCA to state’s first

Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).
Philippines, Capital: Manila
y Philippines becomes the 38th country in

the world and the first Asian nation to ratify
violence and harassment convention 2019
(No. 190).
UAE, Capital: Abu Dhabi
y UAE removed from Gray List of Financial

Action Task Force (FATF).
PIN-GK 139
Rangpo, Sikkim
y PM Modi laid the foundation of the first

railway station of Sikkim in Rangpo.
Chinese mountain city of Dali .
y Located in western Yunnan, China.

y One of the most popular tourist destinations.
y Many Chinese are moving to dali to avoid
urban areas.
Porbandar-Chhaya, Gujarat
y Birthplaces of Mahatma Gandhi, to be

upgraded from municipalities to municipal
corporations.
Nadiad, Gujarat
y Birthplace of Sardar Patel.

y To be upgraded from municipalities to
municipal corporations.
PIN-GK 140
Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas
y The Calcutta High Court has taken suo motu

cognisance of the disturbing allegations
surrounding sexual assault and the transfer
of tribal land in Sandeshkhali, a region within
West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.
y Sheikh Shahjahan, the influential leader
of the ruling party TMC at the center of
“Sandeshkhali” violence and controversy,
and his associates are facing serious
allegations that have led to this violence.
China’s ‘Xiaokang’ Border Defence Villages y China moves its nationals into its vacant
‘defence villages’ along LAC.
y Over five years, China has built 628 such
‘Xiaokang’ villages along the Line of Actual
Control (LAC), including in Ladakh and
Arunachal Pradesh, featuring large, double-
story buildings.
y Purpose: Initially unclear, these villages
are believed to serve dual civil and military
purposes, raising defense concerns for India
and viewed as a move to assert Chinese
territorial claims.
PIN-GK 141
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Electoral Bonds quashed by

The high-altitude pseudo satellite

Black Tigers (Melanistic Tigers) in India

Open AI breakthrough Sora

IR Defence and Security 63

Geography and Environment 80

Science and Tech 100

History and Culture 109

PARLIAMENT AND LEGISLATIONS

LEARN POLITY FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

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Parliament and Legislations

Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

Polity and Governance 9

Key points about Bill:

Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill

Regulation of Live-in Relationships

Polity and Governance 10

Criminalization of Certain Muslim Personal Law Practices

Expert Opinions and Concerns

Public and Private Property Damage Recovery Bill in Uttarakhand

Polity and Governance 11

Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi refuses to deliver customary address

Polity and Governance 12

Nature of the Post:

Appointment and Authority:

Powers of Deputy CM:

Polity and Governance 13

Caste Reservation: Supreme Court Observation

Legislation Under Review:

Creamy Layer Concept:

Why is Sub-Classification needed?

Polity and Governance 14

OBC quota in J and K local bodies

House Panel Report on Vacant SC/ST Posts in Educational Institutes

Polity and Governance 15

Rajya Sabha passes bill to add Paharis, Valmikis to ST, SC in J&K

Polity and Governance 16

Delhi HC Ruling on Adoption

Maharashtra is exempting Some private schools from Right To Education quota

RTE Act’s Free and Compulsory Education Clause:

Polity and Governance 17

y The Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce

‘Disturbed Areas’ in Gujarat

Maternity leave for construction workers

Polity and Governance 18

Initiatives for courts in India

Article 142- SC quashed the Chandigarh mayor’s election result

Why Supreme Court invoke Article 142:

Polity and Governance 19

Debate on Judicial Overreach:

Supreme Court Urges Coast Guard to give Permanent Commission to Women

Change for Women Officers:

Evolution of Women’s Roles in Armed Forces:

Supreme Court’s Role:

Polity and Governance 20

Indian Coast Guard and Women’s PC:

Nine Landmark Cases by Fali S Nariman

Case Name Year Summary

Ruled that Parliament cannot curtail fundamental

Polity and Governance 21