INDEX

1. ECONOMY 1. Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPIs) 05 2. Why are Petrol, Diesel prices rising? 06 3. India Energy Outlook Report, 2021 08 4. Accredited Investors 10 5. Blank-Cheque Company 10

2. ENVIRONMENT 1. Leatherback Nesting Sites could be Overrun by Andaman Project 12 2. Red Eared Turtle, a Threat to Water Bodies 15

2.1. ENVIRONMENT SNIPPETS

1. Dickinsonia 17 2. Mandarin Duck 18 3. Smallest Reptile in the World 19 4. Laschamp Excursion 20 5. Nathu La Pass 21 6. Mawsynram: Wettest Place on Earth sees a Decreasing Trend in Rainfall 21 7. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) 22 8. Carbon Watch: India’s first app to assess one’s carbon footprint 23 9. Black-Necked Crane 24 10. Sitanadi Udanti Tiger Reserve 25

3. POLITY & GOVERNANCE 1. Bangladesh Authorities send more Rohingyas to Bhashan Char 26 2. Kiran Bedi Removed as Puducherry L-G 28 3. Puducherry L-G orders Floor Test 30 4. Hyderabad Declared as 2020 Tree City of the World 31 5. National Hydrogen Mission 33 6. SC orders NCLT Not to Pass Final Order on RIL-Future Deal 35 7. Rise in Winter Pollution 36 8. Assembly Election and Model Code of Conduct 38

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3.1. POLITY & GOVERNANCE SNIPPETS 1. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 40 2. Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 42 3. Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) 44 4. Combating Vaccine Hesitancy 45 5. Mission ‘Lal Lakir’ 46 6. Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge 47 7. Demand for Greater Tipraland 47 8. Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) 48 9. UJALA and SLNP 48 10. National Commission for Scheduled Castes 50 11. Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code, 2021 51 12. City Innovation Exchange (CiX) 52

4. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. U.S. Vows to Pay over $200 Million to WHO 54 2. Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 55

4.1. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SNIPPETS 1. Arjun MBT MK-1A 57 2. Human Challenge Trials 58 3. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 59 4. Epilepsy 60 5. Helina and Dhruvastra 61 6. Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP) 62 7. Silver Antimony Telluride 63 8. National Technology Awards 64 9. NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) 65

5.1. ART AND CULTURE & MISCELLANEOUS

1. Thar Desert 67 2. Sant Ravidas 68 3. Pagri Sambhal Movement 69 4. Mannathu Padmanabhan 70

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5. Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya 71

6. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. India, U.S. call for Rule of Law in Myanmar 73 2. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report 75 3. IAEA, Iran reach Temporary Nuclear Inspections Deal 77 4. Pakistan pitches Economic Corridor to Sri Lanka 79 5. India, China Foreign Ministers to establish hotline 82 6. Pakistan- Sri Lanka Relations 84 7. China denies entry to WHO experts 85 8. China’s Treatment of Uighurs 87

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1.1. ECONOMY SNIPPETS 1. Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPIs) Why in News? • Recently, the Sensex has risen 11.36%, post Union Budget 2021-22 presentation, due to increased Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPIs). Highlights: • The Sensex, otherwise known as the S&P BSE Sensex index, is the benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India. It comprises 30 of the largest and most actively- traded stocks on the BSE, and is the oldest stock index in India. • A stock is an investment that represents a share, or partial ownership, of a company. Corporations issue (sell) stock to raise funds to operate their businesses. Major Reasons for Inflow: • Stock market is responding to the Budget 2021-22 that has infused liquidity (money supply in market) in the Indian economy and been pro-growth with privatisation gaining ground. • Several reforms aimed at protecting shareholder rights and improving the ease of doing business have also been a contributing factor. • India, with a recovering economy, is moving back to a higher nominal growth trajectory versus the western world (which continues to struggle with the second wave of Covid and related lockdowns) and looks as a credible destination for growth seeking developed world investors. About Foreign Portfolio Investment: • The FPI and FDI are both important sources of funding for most economies. • A Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country. FDI lets an investor purchase a direct business interest in a foreign country. • Investors can make FDI in a number of ways. Some common ones include establishing a subsidiary in another country, acquiring or merging with an existing foreign company, or starting a joint venture partnership with a foreign company. • The FPI consists of securities and other financial assets passively held by foreign investors. It does not provide the investor with direct ownership of financial assets and is relatively liquid depending on the volatility of the market.

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• Examples of FPIs include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). Significance: • Increased inflow of investments will conservatively allow to build forex reserves so that India has a buffer to maintain resilience in case of any future contagion from excessive liquidity and Rising Fiscal Deficits. Investments: • Sectors like private banks, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Information Technology (IT) have seen foreign flows as Indian companies have exhibited resilience and demonstrated growth post lifting of the Lockdown Restrictions. • In 2020, the pharma sector was a preferred choice and the sector did very well. • The Banking stocks underperformed due to potential Non-Performing Asset (NPA) concerns. Now, the banking stocks are again sought after by the FPIs.

2. Why are Petrol, Diesel prices rising? Why in News? • Diesel and petrol prices have Hit Record Highs Across the Country.

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Govt Explanation: • The government reasons that global crude oil prices have risen by more than 50 per cent to over $63.3 per barrel since October, forcing oil retailers to increase pump prices. • That, however, is only partly true. • Indian consumers are already paying much higher than what they were paying last January, even though Crude Prices are yet to reach levels of early last year. Fuel Price Dynamics in India: • Retail petrol and diesel prices are in theory decontrolled — or linked to global crude oil prices. • It means that if crude prices fall retails prices should come down too, and vice versa. • But this does not happen in practice, largely because oil price decontrol is a one-way street in India. • When global crude oil prices fall and prices slide, the government slaps fresh taxes and levies to ensure that it rakes in Extra Revenues. • The consumer should have ideally benefited by way of lower pump prices, is forced to either shell out what she’s already paying or Spend even more for every litre of fuel. • The main beneficiary in this subversion of Price Decontrol is the Government. Why Crude Oil Prices are Rising Now? • Prices Collapsed in April 2020 after the pandemic spread around the world, and demand fell away. But as economies have reduced travel restrictions and factory output has picked up, global demand has improved, and prices have been recovering. • The controlled production of crude amid rising demand has been another key factor in boosting oil prices, with Saudi Arabia voluntarily cutting its Daily Output. What is the Impact of Taxes on Retail Prices of Auto Fuels? • The central government hiked the central excise duty on petrol to Rs 32.98 per litre during the course of last year from Rs 19.98 per litre at the Beginning of 2020. • It increased the excise duty on diesel to Rs 31.83 per litre from Rs 15.83 over the same period to boost Revenues as Economic Activity fell due to the Pandemic. • A number of states have also hiked sales tax on petrol and diesel to shore up their Revenues. How Much Tax do We Pay Now? • Currently, state and central taxes amount to around 180 per cent of the base price of petrol and 141 per cent of the base price of diesel in Delhi.

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• How will these hikes impact inflation? • Experts note that the impact of rising fuel inflation has been counterbalanced by declining food inflation, but that consumers with greater expenditure on travel are feeling the pinch of higher prices. Rising fuel inflation may pinch consumers who have to travel further for work and have access to affordable cereals etc. • The urban population would be more impacted by rising fuel prices than the rural population — however, a weak monsoon may lead to rural India being hit as farmers are forced to rely more on Diesel-Powered Irrigation.

3. India Energy Outlook Report, 2021 Why in News? • The International Energy Agency (IEA) has recently released the India Energy Outlook 2021 report. Highlights of the India Energy Outlook Report: (1) Energy Consumption ✓ India at present is the fourth-largest global energy consumer behind China, the United States and the European Union. ✓ It will overtake the European Union as the world’s third-largest energy consumer by 2030. ✓ It will account for the biggest share of energy demand growth over the next two Decades. (2) Energy Demand ✓ India accounts for nearly one-quarter of global energy demand growth from 2019-40 — the largest for Any Country. ✓ Its share in the Growth in renewable energy is the second-largest in the world, after China. ✓ A five-fold increase in per capita car ownership will result in India leading the oil Demand Growth in the World. ✓ Also, it will become the fastest-growing market for natural gas, with demand more than tripling by 2040. (3) Industrial Consumption: ✓ By 2040, India is set to account for almost 20 per cent of global growth in industrial value-added, and to lead global growth in industrial final energy consumption, Especially in steelmaking.

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✓ The nation accounts for nearly one-third of global industrial energy demand growth to 2040. (4) Dependence on Fossil Fuels ✓ To meet its energy needs, India will be more reliant on fossil fuel imports as its domestic oil and gas production stagnates. ✓ India’s oil demand is seen rising by rising by 74 per cent to 8.7 million barrels per day by 2040 under the existing policies scenario. ✓ The natural gas requirement is projected to more than triple to 201 billion cubic meters and coal demand is seen rising to 772 million tonnes in 2040 from the current 590. (5) Coal Trade ✓ India currently accounts for 16 per cent of the global coal trade. ✓ Many global coal suppliers were counting on growth in India to underpin planned export-oriented Mining Investments. (6) Per-capita Emission ✓ On a per-capita basis, India’s energy use and emissions are less than half the world average, as are other key indicators such as vehicle ownership, steel and cement output. ✓ India will soon become the world’s most populous country, adding the equivalent of a city the size of Los Angeles to its urban population each year. ✓ International Energy Agency: ✓ The IEA is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. ✓ It was initially dedicated to responding to physical disruptions in the supply of oil, as well as serving as an information source on statistics about the international oil market and other energy sectors. ✓ At the end of July 2009, IEA member countries held a combined stockpile of almost 4.3 billion barrels of oil. ✓ They are required to maintain total oil stock levels equivalent to at least 90 days of the previous year’s Net Imports. ✓ The IEA acts as a policy adviser to its member states but also works with non-member countries, especially China, India, and Russia. ✓ • The Agency’s mandate has broadened to focus on the “3Es” of effectual energy policy: energy security, economic development, and environmental protection.

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4. Accredited Investors Why in News? • Recently, the Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) sought comments on the proposal to introduce the concept of ‘Accredited Investors’ in the Indian securities market. Highlights: • Accredited investors, also called qualified investors or professional investors, are those who have an understanding of various financial products and the risks and returns associated with them. • They are able to make informed decisions regarding their investments and are recognised by many securities and financial market regulators globally. • Generally, they are allowed to trade securities that may not be registered with financial authorities. • They are entitled to this privileged access by satisfying requirements regarding their income, net worth, asset size, governance status or professional experience. About SEBI: • SEBI is a statutory body established in 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the SEBI Act, 1992. Its headquarters is situated in Mumbai. One of its functions is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote and regulate the securities market. • It has laid out eligibility criteria for both Indian and non-resident Indians and foreign entities. It has allowed the validity of accreditation for a year from the day it is granted. • Such accreditation is to be carried out via 'Accreditation Agencies’ which may be the market infrastructure institutions or their subsidiaries. • The accredited investor concept may offer benefits to investors and financial product/service providers such as The Flexibility in minimum investment amount, The Flexibility and relaxation in regulatory requirements and Access to products/ services offered exclusively to accredited investors.

5. Blank-Cheque Company Why in News? • The renewable energy producer ‘ReNew Power’ has recently announced an agreement to merge with RMG Acquisition Corp II, a blank-cheque company or a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC).

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Highlights: • It is an entity specifically set up with the objective of acquiring a firm in a particular sector. • The aim of this SPAC is to raise money in an Initial Public Offering (IPO), and at this point in time, it does not have any operations or revenues. • Once the money is raised from the public, it is kept in an escrow account, which can be accessed while making the acquisition. • If the acquisition is not made within two years of the IPO, the SPAC is delisted and the money is returned to the investors. • These are attractive to investors, despite them essentially being shell companies, as the blank-cheque companies are people sponsoring. • It is a fresh way of thinking of how to structure and exit versus an expensive IPO. The money is already raised by somebody who specialises in that area, and is now picking those assets and building on them. Initial Public Offering: • It is the selling of securities to the public in the primary market. • Primary market deals with new securities being issued for the first time. It is also known as the new issues market. • It is different from the Secondary market where existing securities are bought and sold. It is also known as the stock market or stock exchange. • It is when an unlisted company makes either a fresh issue of securities or an offer for sale of its existing securities or both for the first time to the public. • Unlisted companies are companies that are not listed on the stock exchange. • Escrow Account is a legal concept describing a financial instrument whereby an asset or escrow money is held by a third party on behalf of two other parties that are in the process of completing a transaction. • The third-party holds the funds until both parties have fulfilled their contractual requirements. Escrow is associated with real estate transactions, but it can apply to any situation where funds will pass from one party to another.

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2. ENVIRONMENT 1. Leatherback Nesting Sites could be Overrun by Andaman Project Why in News? • Proposals for tourism and port development in the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands have conservationists worried over the fate of some of the most important nesting populations of the Giant Leatherback turtle in this part of the Indian Ocean. About National Marine Turtle Action Plan: • Its aim is to strengthen and sustain collective and collaborative sea turtle conservation through the monitoring of key sites and a network of partners in the Indian sub-continent. • The documents launched contains ways and means to not only promote inter-sectoral action for conservation but also guide improved coordination amongst the government, civil society and all relevant stakeholders on the response to cases of stranding, entanglement, injury or mortality of marine mammals and also conservation of marine turtles. • These two documents highlight actions to be taken for ✓ handling stranded animals on shore, ✓ stranded or entangled animals in the sea or on a boat, ✓ management actions for improved coordination, ✓ reducing threats to marine species and their habitats, ✓ rehabilitation of degraded habitats, ✓ enhancing people’s participation, ✓ Advance scientific research and exchange of information on marine mammals and marine turtles and their habitats. Need for these Guidelines and Action Plan: • India has rich marine biodiversity along a vast coastline of over 7,500 km. From colorful fish, sharks, including Whale Sharks, turtles and big mammals like whales, dolphins and dugongs to bright corals marine habitats not only harbor diverse species but also provide resources essential for human wellbeing. • Millions of people depend on these resources ranging from maritime trade and transport, food, mineral resources, cultural traditions, spiritual values and inspiration that draw tourists from around the world. • Despite the immense economic, ecological and cultural values of marine habitats in India, marine mega fauna species and marine turtles face a wide variety of challenges including stranding and entanglement.

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• Managing such challenging situations requires coordination, action and people’s participation which would help in the long-term conservation of marine species and their habitats. Status of Turtles in India: • Five species of Indian Turtles along with their IUCN status are as follows: ✓ Olive Ridley – Vulnerable ✓ Green turtle – Endangered ✓ Loggerhead – Vulnerable ✓ Hawksbill – Critically Endangered ✓ Leather back – Vulnerable • They are protected in Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, under Schedule I. • They are also protected under the Biodiversity Conservation and Ganga Rejuvenation Programme. About the Proposal in the Island: • The ‘Sustainable Development of Little Andaman Island - Vision Document’, is the NITI Aayog’s proposal to leverage the strategic location and natural features of the island. This, the vision says, will be done by building a new Greenfield coastal city there that will be developed as a free trade zone and will compete with Singapore and Hong Kong. • The proposal is pivoted along three development anchors and zones. ✓ Zone 1 — spread over 102 sq km along the east coast of Little Andaman — will be the financial district and medi city and will include an aero city, and a tourism and hospital district. ✓ Spread over 85 sq km of pristine forest, Zone 2, the leisure zone, will have a film city, a residential district and tourism SEZ. ✓ Zone 3 — on 52 sq km of pristine forest — will be a nature zone, further categorised into three districts: an exclusive forest resort, a nature healing district and a nature retreat, all on the western coast. • There will be ‘underwater’ resorts, casinos, golf courses, convention centres, plug-and-play office complexes, a drone port with fully automated drone delivery system, nature cure institutes and more. • An International Airport Capable of handling all types of aircraft will be central to this development vision because “all successful case studies and references” studied by the visioning team indicate that an International Airport is key for Development.

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What is the Concern? • For the Leatherback, perhaps even more important is Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost of the A&N group. • Large numbers have been recorded nesting here — mainly on the long and wide beaches at the mouth of the Dagmar and Alexandira rivers on the west coast and at the mouth of the Galathea river along its south eastern coast. • The A&N Islands are prominent in the National Marine Turtle Action Plan released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The plan notes that “India has identified all its important sea turtle nesting habitats as ‘Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas’ and included them in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) - 1”. • The A&N Port Management Board had in 2019 floated an expression of interest for the container Transhipment terminal here, along with that for a free trade warehousing zone, and the Prime Minister announced in August 2020 that a Transhipment project would come up here on an investment of ₹10,000 crore. • The scale of the project and the investment proposed indicate it could signal the end of a crucial Giant Leatherback nesting site.

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2. Red Eared Turtle, a Threat to Water Bodies Why in News? • After the Pink Bloom, an alien flower that choked the Avala Pandi canal at Perambra, yet another invasive species, red-eared slider turtle is posing a major threat to the biodiversity of Waterbodies in the State. What is Invasive Species? • Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non- native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect Human Health. • The climate change, movement of people and goods around the world increases the threat for Introduction of Invasive Alien Species. • Invasive alien species are such a problem that Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 and one clause of UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on Land specifically Address the Issue. About the Red-eared Slider Turtle: • Red-eared turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. • The Red-eared Slider is a freshwater terrapin that is native to the Mississippi River Basin of North America. • It is a subspecies of the pond slider. • The Red-eared Slider is considered one of the world’s top 100 worst invasive species. • IUCN – Least Concern. What is the Issue? • The red-eared slider turtle is the latest favourite of pet lovers, especially children. • “The small turtle can even be kept in a match box. But it grows fast. Adult turtles require lots of aquatic plants. They are also omnivores. • The red-eared slider turtles are considered a major threat to native turtle specials, as they mature fast, grow larger, and produce more offspring, and are very aggressive. They can out- compete native turtles for food, nestling, and basking sites. • As they eat plants and animals, they can finish off a wide range of aquatic species, including fish and rare frogs. • Studies show that they can also transfer diseases and parasites to native reptile species.

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• Once finding it difficult to keep them as they grow bigger, people sometimes release them into waterbodies. This turtle is considered as one of the world’s worst invasive species. • In many places such as Australia and the European Union, it is illegal to import and keep these Turtles.

Measures Needed to Control Invasive Alien Species: • Building awareness and support: High awareness of risks posed by invasive alien species and about the need of prevention and mitigation for native biodiversity is needed. All the stakeholders must be actively engaged in developing best practices to prevent invasive species impacts. • Collecting, Managing and Sharing Information: A clear understanding of alien species established on national territory is need to be developed to help identify species that are invasive, set priorities for research, prevention, monitoring and mitigation and rapidly detect new arrivals not already present in the country or part of the country. • Regional Cooperation and Responsibility: States need to recognize the risk that activities within their jurisdiction or control may pose to other states as a potential source of invasive alien species and take appropriate individual and cooperative actions to minimize that risk. States must act with centre and other states to prevent invasive species attacks. • Prevention: Countries must cooperate to strengthen and prioritize border control and quarantine measures for alien species that are or could become invasive, making best use of existing Resources and Information Systems. • Early Detection and Rapid Response: A comprehensive and cost-effective surveillance procedures must be put in place (key actions include setting up an early warning system and organizing regular surveillance of high-risk areas).

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• Mitigation of Impacts: A clear draft of mitigation measures and procedures must be prepared by consulting and involve affected communities and stakeholders. Realistic priorities for Eradication, Containment and Control are Needed. • Restoration of native biodiversity: Strategies for eradication and control programmes must be prepared. Restoration measures for native Biodiversity must be Clearly Planned.

2.1. ENVIRONMENT SNIPPETS 1. Dickinsonia Why in News? • The researchers have recently discovered three fossils of the earliest known living animal, the 550-million-year-old ‘Dickinsonia’ on the roof of the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters. Highlights: • The fossils were found in the roof of the Auditorium Cave at Bhimbetka Rock Shelters. • It was believed that sponges were the oldest living organism however there is currently no evidence that sponge-like animals conquered the oceans before 540 million years ago, when the first Unambiguous fossils of sponges and most other groups of animals start to appear in the Geological Record. • The earliest evidence for animals on Earth is now the 558 million-years-old Dickinsonia and other Ediacaran animals. • In September 2018, an international team of researchers claimed to have discovered the world’s oldest fossil of Dickinsonia, which first appeared around 571 million to 541 million years ago. Current fossil evidence dates back around 100 million years from Dickinsonia. • It is an extinct genus of basal animal that lived during the late Ediacaran period in what is now Australia, Russia and Ukraine. • Basal animals are animals which have radial symmetry in their body plans. They have very simple bodies and tend to be diploblastic (derived from only two embryonic cell layers). • Thought to represent the earliest flowering of complex multicellular life on our planet, these creatures arose in a world devoid of predators, and had no need for hard protective carapaces or skeletons. Their soft, squishy bodies resembled tubes, fronds or even thin, quilted pillows, they bore scant similarity to the anatomy of animals today. • Its affinities are presently unknown, its mode of growth is consistent with a stem-group bilaterian affinity, though some have suggested that it belongs to the fungi or even an “extinct kingdom”.

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• The discovery of cholesterol molecules in fossils of Dickinsonia lends support to the idea that Dickinsonia was an animal. Advantages: • It is further proof of the similar paleoenvironments and confirms assembly of Gondwanaland by the 550 Ma (mega annum). • A paleoenvironment is simply an environment that has been preserved in the rock record at some time in the past. • Mega-annum, usually abbreviated as Ma, is a unit of time equal to one million years. • It is commonly used in scientific disciplines such as geology, paleontology, and celestial mechanics to signify very long time periods in the past. • This finding could help scientists better understand the interaction of geology and biology that triggered the Evolution of Complex life on Earth.

2. Mandarin Duck Why in News: • The Mandarin ducks have recently been sighted in the Maguri-Motapung beel in Assam’s Tinsukia district after a century. Highlights: • Its Scientific Name is Aix galericulata • It was first identified by Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. • It is considered the most beautiful duck in the world.

• Male mandarins have elaborate plumage (feathers) with orange plumes on their cheeks, orange 'sails' on their back, and pale orange sides; females are dull in comparison, with grey heads, brown backs and white eyestripe. • These birds may feed on seeds, acorns, small fruit, insects, snails, and small fish. • These birds inhabit temperate forests near wetlands including rivers, streams, bogs, marshes, swamps, and freshwater lakes. • It is native to East Asia but has established populations in Western Europe and America too.

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• It breeds in Russia, Korea, Japan and northeastern parts of China. Presence in India: • The duck rarely visits India as it does not fall in its usual migratory route. • It was recorded in 1902 in the Dibru river in the Rongagora area in Tinsukia (Assam). • More recently, it was sighted in Manipur’s Loktak Lake in 2013, and in Saatvoini Beel in Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam’s Baksa district in 2014. • Its Status on IUCN Red List is Least Concern. • The Maguri Motapung wetland, an Important Bird Area as declared by the Bombay Natural History Society is located close to the Dibru Saikhowa National Park in Upper Assam. • In May 2020, the Beel was adversely affected by a blowout and fire at an Oil India Limited- owned Gas Well. • The resulting oil spill killed a number of fish, snakes as well as an Endangered GANGETIC Dolphin.

3. Smallest Reptile in the World Why in News? • Recently, Scientists believe they may have discovered the smallest reptile on earth - a Chameleon subspecies that is the size of a seed. • Two of the tiny lizards were discovered by a German-Madagascan expedition team in Madagascar. Highlights: • The team found one male and one female of the species, named Brookesia nana, during an expedition in 2012. • The Male Brookesia Nana, or Nano-Chameleon, has a body of just 13.5 mm. Its length from top to tail is 22 mm. The female is far bigger at around 29 mm. • According to the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology in Munich, Nano-Chameleon is the smallest of about 11,500 known species of reptiles. • Previously, the chameleon species Brookesia micra was thought to be the smallest. The average length of adults of this species is 16 mm (29 mm with tail), while the smallest adult male has been recorded at 15.3 mm.

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• The longest, the reticulated python, at 6.25 m is almost as long as 289 Brookesia nanas. • The New Chameleon is only known from a degraded Montane Rainforest in Northern Madagascar and might be threatened by extinction. • Nano-chameleons have previously suffered deforestation, but their habitat is now protected. • In their report, scientists recommended that the chameleon be listed as Critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species to help protect it and its habitat. • Its family is Chamaeleonidae, which are a distinctive and highly specialized Clade of Old World Lizard with 202 species described as of June 2015. Madagascar is home to nearly two- thirds of all chameleon species. • It is adapted for climbing and visual hunting. They live in warm habitats that range from Rainforest and Desert Condition. They are best known for their ability to change body colour. The Indian chameleon is found in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

4. Laschamp Excursion Why in News? • The world experienced a few centuries of apocalyptic conditions 42,000 years ago, triggered by a reversal of the Earth’s magnetic poles combined with changes in the Sun’s behaviour. This event is called as Laschamps Excursion. Laschamp Excursion: • The Laschamp event was a geomagnetic excursion (a short reversal of the Earth’s magnetic field). It occurred 41,400 years ago, during the end of the Last Glacial Period. • This event is named after the village where it was discovered in the French Massif Central. • It led to series of catastrophic events like the ozone layer was destroyed, electrical storms raged across the tropics, solar winds generated spectacular light shows (auroras), Arctic air poured across North America, ice sheets and glaciers surged and weather patterns shifted violently. • During these events, life on earth was exposed to intense ultraviolet light, Neanderthals and giant animals known as megafauna went extinct, while modern humans sought protection in caves. The Adams Event: • This last major geomagnetic reversal triggered a series of dramatic events that have far- reaching consequences for our planet.

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• Because of the coincidence of seemingly random cosmic events and the extreme environmental changes found around the world 42,000 years ago, researchers have called this period the “Adams Event”.

5. Nathu La Pass Why in News? • Recently, the Indian Army rescued several tourists caught in a snowstorm at Nathu La on the India-China border in Sikkim. Highlights: • It is one of the Highest Motorable Roads in the World. • It is a mountain pass in the Himalayan peaks situated on the Indo-Tibetan border 14450 ft. above Sea Level. • Nathu means 'listening ears', and La means 'pass'. • It is an open trading Border post between India and China. • The other Passes located in the state of Sikkim are Jelep La Pass, Donkia Pass, Chiwabhanjang Pass.

6. Mawsynram: Wettest Place on Earth sees a Decreasing Trend in Rainfall Why in News? • A recent study that looked at the rainfall pattern in the past 119 years found a decreasing trend at Cherrapunji and Nearby Areas. Mawsynram: • Mawsynram is a town in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in Northeastern India, 60.9 kilometres from Shillong. • Mawsynram receives the Highest Rainfall in India. • It is reportedly the wettest place on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 11,872mm but that claim is Disputed. • According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Mawsynram received 26,000 millimetres (1,000 in) of Rainfall in 1985. Why it Rain Highest in Mawsynram? • Because of the Uneven relief of India due to the presence of a number of hill ranges, the monsoon is not able to shed its moisture evenly over India.

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• Windward sides receive more rainfall and leeward sides receive less rainfall. • Mawsynram lies in the funnel-shaped depression caused by the Khasi range in Meghalaya. • The Bay of Bengal branch of monsoons is trapped in it and causes heavy rainfall. Decreasing Rainfall Trends: • The research analysed daily rain gauge measurements during 1901–2019 and noted that the changes in the Indian Ocean temperature have a huge effect on the rainfall in the region. • There was a reduction in the vegetation area in northeast India in the past two decades, implying that human influence also plays an important role in the changing rainfall patterns. • The traditional way of cultivation known as Jhum cultivation or shifting cultivation is now decreased and being replaced by Other Methods. • Also, Previous Studies have noted there is sizable Deforestation in the Region.

7. Cherrapunji (Meghalaya) Why in News? • Recently, the Rainfall Pattern of Cherrapunji in 119 Years is found to be in Decreasing Highlights: • The annual mean rainfall for the period 1973–2019 showed decreasing trends of about 0.42 mm per decade. • It was statistically significant along seven stations (Agartala, Cherrapunji, Guwahati, Kailashahar, Pasighat, Shillong and Silchar). • The changes in the Indian Ocean temperature have a huge effect on the rainfall in the region. • Increasing sea surface temperatures in the tropical Indian Ocean region was pointed out by the first climate change assessment report published by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences in June 2020. • The satellite data showed that there was a reduction in the vegetation area in northeast India in the past two decades, implying that human influence also plays an important role in the changing rainfall patterns. The traditional way of cultivation known as Jhum cultivation or shifting cultivation is now decreased and being replaced by other methods. • There is sizable deforestation in the region. The study saw the decrease in vegetation cover and increase in the areas of cropland mainly from the year 2006 onwards. • The analysis showed reductions in vegetation with 104.5 sqkm lost per year. • On the other hand, there were significant increases in cropland (182.1 sqkm per year) and urban and built-up lands (0.3 sqkm per year) during the period 2001–2018.

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Significance of the North-East Region: • The north-east India is mostly hilly and is an extension of the Indo-Gangetic Plains, the region is highly sensitive to changes in regional and global climate. • It has to be noted that the first signs of the effect of climate change will be evident for the extreme cases such as the rainfall at Cherrapunji. • North-east India has the highest vegetation cover in India and includes 18 biodiversity hotspots of the world, indicating the importance of the region in terms of its greenery and climate-change sensitivity. Reason for High Rainfall in Cherrapunji and Mawsynram: • Cherrapunji (elevation 1313 m) and Mawsynram (elevation 1401.5 m) are located on the southern slopes of the east Khasi Hills in Meghalaya. • Meghalaya is a mountainous state with numerous valleys and highland plateaus. • Elevation in the plateau region ranges between 150 m to 1,961 m, with the central part comprising the Khasi Hills with the highest elevations. • The rainfall in Cherrapunji-Mawsynram is caused by the orography favouring a monsoon wind regime. The Northward moving moist winds from the Bay of Bengal passing over the plains of Bangladesh are forced to converge in the narrow valleys of the Khasi Hills with orography providing forced ascent that causes condensation, formation of clouds resulting in rain on the Windward Side of the Slope.

8. Carbon Watch: India’s first app to assess one’s carbon footprint Why in News? • Chandigarh became the first state or UT in India to launch Carbon Watch, a mobile Application to assess the Carbon Footprint of an Individual. Carbon Footprint: • A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, service, or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent. • It corresponds to the whole amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced to, directly and indirectly; support a person’s lifestyle and activities. • Carbon footprints are usually measured in equivalent tons of CO2, during the period of a year, and they can be associated with an individual, an organization, a product or an event, among others.

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• The GHGs whose sum results in a carbon footprint can come from the production and consumption of fossil fuels, food, manufactured goods, materials, roads or transportation. How does the app Carbon Watch work? • As a person downloads the application, they will need to fill details in four parts — Water, Energy, Waste Generation and Transport (Vehicular movement). • In the category of Water, the person will be required to inform about the consumption of Water. • In the Energy category, the details regarding the electricity units consumed every month at the house, monthly bill etc and usage of solar energy will have to be furnished. • In the Waste Category, the individual will need to inform about the waste generated on their part and their Family. • In the transport section, the individual will have to inform about the mode of transport used by four-wheeler, two-wheeler or Bicycle.

9. Black-Necked Crane Why in News? • A group of Buddhist monks in Tawang district has recently opposed the Arunachal Pradesh Government’s renewed push for Hydropower Projects. Highlights: • The proposed projects would not only affect the nesting grounds of the endangered Black-Necked Crane but also threaten several holy Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the region. • Both the sexes are almost of the same size but male is slightly bigger than female. • The upper long neck, head, primary and secondary flight feathers and tail are completely black and body plumage is pale gray/whitish. • A conspicuous red crown adorns the head. The juveniles have a brownish head and neck and plumage is slightly paler than that of an adult. Significance: • The bird is revered by the community of Monpas (major Buddhist ethnic group of Arunachal Pradesh) as an embodiment of the sixth Dalai Lama (Tsangyang Gyatso). • Monpas inhabit the West Kameng and Tawang districts, are essentially Buddhists who follow the Mahayana sect.

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• The high altitude wetlands of the Tibetan plateau , Sichuan (China), and eastern Ladakh (India) are the main breeding ground of the species, the birds spend winter at lower altitudes. • In Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, it only comes During the Winters. • Its Protection Status are IUCN Red List: Near Threatened, CITES: Appendix I and Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

10. Sitanadi Udanti Tiger Reserve Why in News? • Recently, Thousands of tribals living in villages located in the core areas of Sitanadi Udanti Tiger Reserve are protesting and demanding the recognition of their Community Forest Resource rights. Highlights: • The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 recognizes and vest the forest rights and occupation in Forest land in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) who have been residing in such forests for generations. • It strengthens the conservation regime of the forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of the FDST and OTFD. • The Gram Sabha is the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of Individual Forest Rights (IFR) or Community Forest Rights (CFR) or both that may be given to FDST and OTFD. About Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve: • Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve came into existence in the year 2008-09, are two separate reserves (Udanti & Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuaries) combined together. • It is located in the Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh. • It contains various types of forest crop mixed with Sal forest. • Asiatic Wild Buffalo is the key endangered species found in the Core Area. • Apart from the tiger, other endangered and rare species are Indian Wolf, Leopard, Sloth Bear and Mouse Deer. • Sitanadi River originates in the middle of Sitanadi Wildlife sanctuary. • Udanti River flows from the west to east covering a major part of the Udanti Wildlife sanctuary.

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3. POLITY & GOVERNANCE 1. Bangladesh Authorities send more Rohingyas to Bhashan Char Why in News? • Continuing with the process of relocating Rohingya refugees from the crowded camps of Cox’s Bazar, a batch of 2010 Rohingyas were sent to the newly developed facility at Bhashan Char recently. What’s the Concern? • The island was formed from a build-up of silt in the Bay of Bengal only 20 years ago, and concerns have been consistently raised about Bhashan Char’s exposure to extreme weather and distance from the mainland in emergencies since Bangladesh first raised the idea in 2015. Who are Rohingyas? • They are an Ethnic group, mostly Muslims. They were not granted full citizenship by Myanmar. They were classified as “Resident Foreigners or Associate Citizens”. • Ethnically they are much closer to Indo-Aryan people of India and Bangladesh than to the Sino-Tibetans of the Country. • Described by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as “one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world”. Where are They Now? • About 860,000 Rohingya live in the world’s largest and most densely populated refugee camp in southern Bangladesh. • The Myanmar and Bangladesh governments continue to negotiate terms for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. • According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, there are approximately 40,000 Rohingyas living in India. About Rohingya Crisis: • The Rohingya people being a Muslim minority group reside in the Rakhine state (in the south western Myanmar), formerly known as Arakan and are considered to be a variation of the Sunni religion. • The 1982 Citizenship Law denies the Rohingya Muslims citizenship despite the people living there for generations. They are considered “stateless entities”. • They are regarded as mere refugees from Bangladesh, face strong hostility in the country.

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• United Nations classifies them as one of the most persecuted refugee groups in the world. • To escape the dire situation in Myanmar, the Rohingya try to illegally enter Southeast Asian states like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, begging for humanitarian support from potential host countries • As per the United Nations refugee agency from August almost 400,000 Rohingya have crossed Naf river over to Bangladesh from the northern Rakhine state in Myanmar, putting Bangladesh under immense strain • The dominant group, the Rakhine, rejects the label “Rohingya” and has started to persecute the Rohingya. • The latest surge follows attacks on police posts by an extremist Rohingya group, Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). • People from all over the world started calling this crisis and bloodshed “campaign of ethnic cleansing.”

What is India’s Stance Regarding the Crisis? • India lacks specific legislation to address the problem of refugees, in spite of their increasing inflow. • The Foreigners Act, 1946, fails to address the peculiar problems faced by refugees as a class. It also Gives Unbridled power to the Central government to deport any foreign citizen. • Further, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill of 2019 strikingly excludes Muslims from its purview and seeks to provide citizenship only to Hindu, Christian, Jain, Parsi, Sikh and Buddhist immigrants persecuted in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The majority of the Rohingya are Muslims.

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• This limitation on the basis of religion fails to stand the test of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution and offends secularism, a basic feature of the Constitution. Way Forward: • As per the devastated condition of Rohingyas, they should be provided with basic facilities of sanitation, proper drinking water, and medical facilities and gradually arrangements for their deportation should be made. • Any host country considerably should protect them from further difficulties rather than throw them again into the same. The right of living of any individual is a priority and Cannot be Abridged. • India hasn’t ratified international convention validating refugee status in the country. However, India has done the best it can in the Circumstances. India had also built 250 homes for the refugees in Myanmar’s Rakhine Province for when they Return.

2. Kiran Bedi Removed as Puducherry L-G Why in News? • The Centre removed the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) of the Union Territory, Kiran Bedi, with whom the government has had a Long-Running Battle. About the News: • The President has directed that Dr Kiran Bedi shall cease to hold the office of the Lieutenant- Governor of Puducherry and has appointed Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana, to discharge the functions of the Lieutenant-Governor of

Puducherry, in addition to her own duties, with effect from the date she assumes charge of her office, until regular arrangements for the office of Lieutenant-Governor of Puducherry are made. What are the Powers and Sources of LG of Puducherry? • The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 provides for a Legislative Assembly of Pondicherry (as Puducherry was then called), with a Council of Ministers to govern the “Union Territory of Pondicherry”. • The same Act says that the UT will be administered by the President of India through an Administrator (LG).

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✓ Section 44 of the Act, says the Council of Ministers headed by a Chief Minister will “aid and advise the Administrator in the exercise of his functions in relation to matters with respect to which the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory has power to make laws”. ✓ The same clause also allows the LG to “act in his discretion” in the matter of lawmaking, even though the Council of Ministers has the task of aiding and advising him. What Happens if there is a Difference of Opinion? • In case of a difference of opinion between the LG and his Ministers on any matter, the Administrator is bound to refer it to the President for a decision and act according to the decision given by the President. • However, the Administrator can also claim that the matter is urgent, and take immediate action as he Deems Necessary. When Prior Sanction of the Administrator is Required? • Under Section 22 of the Act, prior sanction of the Administrator is required for certain legislative proposals. • These include Bills or amendments that the Council of Ministers intends to move in the Legislative Assembly, and which deal with the “constitution and organisation of the court of the Judicial Commissioner”, and “jurisdiction and powers of the court of the Judicial Commissioner with respect to any of the matters in the State List or the Concurrent List”. • It is also obligatory on the part of the UT government to seek the “recommendation” of the LG before moving a Bill or an amendment to provide for “the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax”, “the amendment of the law with respect to any financial obligations undertaken or to be undertaken”, and anything that has to do with the Consolidated Fund of the UT. Powers of LG when a bill is Passed: • Once the Assembly has passed a Bill, the LG can either grant or withhold his assent; or reserve it for the Consideration of the President. • He can also send it back to the Assembly for Reconsideration. How Powers of L-G differ from Delhi and Puducherry? • Puducherry is a union territory which is governed by Article 239A of the Constitution. NCT of Delhi, meanwhile, is governed by Article 239AA of the Constitution which imposes restrictions on the law-making power of the elected legislature of Delhi.

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• According to Article 239AA, the elected legislature of NCT of Delhi cannot enact laws relating to entries 1, 2 and 18 of the state list. It means that Delhi’s elected government cannot make laws concerning public order, police and land rights. This is not the case with Puducherry. • According to 239A which governs the administration of Puducherry, the administrator (LG) does not have power to promulgate any ordinance in Puducherry. Even if LG does it, it will not stand if the Legislative Assembly decides to disapprove it. This emphasizes the supremacy of the legislature over the administrator in Puducherry, unlike the restrictions on the government of NCT Delhi. • According to Article 240, even the rights of the President of India are curtailed to the point that he/she cannot issue ordinances to suit their whims and fancies.

3. Puducherry L-G orders Floor Test Why in News? • The Newly appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Puducherry, Tamilisai Soundararajan, has directed the Assembly Secretariat to convene the House on for the Floor Test. What is a Floor Test? • A floor test is the determination on the floor of the House (in this case, the Puducherry Vidhan Sabha) whether the Chief Minister commands the support of the majority of the MLAs. • This can be done by means of a voice vote, or by recording the vote of each MLA in the House. This Determination of majority is done in a sitting of the legislature, for which the legislature has to be convened. How Floor Test Takes Place? • This voting process happen in the state’s Legislative Assembly or the Lok Sabha at the central level. • Technically, the chief minister of a state is appointed by the Governor. The appointed chief minister usually belongs to the single largest party or the coalition which has the ‘magic number’. The magic number is the total number of seats required to form a government, or stay in power. It is the half-way mark, plus one. In case of a tie, the Speaker casts the deciding vote. • However, at times, a government’s majority can be questioned. The leader of the party claiming majority has to move a vote of confidence.

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• If some MLAs remain absent or abstain from voting, the majority is counted on the basis of those present and voting. This effectively reduces the strength of the House and in turn brings down the majority-mark. • The voting process can happen orally, with Electronic Gadgets or a ballot process. • The Governor can also ask the Chief Minister to prove his or her majority in the House if the stability of the government comes into question. What is Confidence and No-confidence motion? • A confidence motion or a vote of confidence or a trust vote, is sought by the Government in Power on the floor of the House. • It enables the elected representatives to determine if the Council of Ministers commanded the Confidence of the House. • The idea underlying the trust vote is to uphold the political accountability of the elected Government to the State legislature. • A no-confidence motion, or vote of no-confidence, or a no-trust vote, can be sought by any House member to express that they no longer have confidence in the government. What are the Judiciary Guidelines? • In a situation where the governor has reasons to believe that the council of ministers headed by the chief minister has lost the confidence of the House, constitutional propriety requires that the issue be resolved by calling for a floor test. • The governor in calling for a floor test cannot be construed to have acted beyond the bounds of constitutional authority. This means, while directing a trust vote, the Governor should not favour a particular political party. • A Governor’s power to call for a floor test is not restricted only before the inception of a State government immediately after elections, but continues throughout its term. • The Governor’s requirement to have a trust votes does not “short-circuit” any disqualification proceedings pending before the Speaker. A Governor need not wait for the Speaker’s decision on the resignation of rebel MLAs before calling for a Trust Vote.

4. Hyderabad Declared as 2020 Tree City of the World Why in News? • Hyderabad city (Telangana’s Capital) has been recognised as a ‘2020 Tree City of the World’ by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

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About the News: • Hyderabad has earned recognition in the Foundation's second year of the programme along with 51 other cities in the world (during 2020 & cumulative 120 cities from 63 countries). • Most of the cities were from countries – USA, UK, Canada, Australia etc. • It is the only City in India to get this Recognition so far. About Tree Cities of the World Programme: • It is an international effort to recognize cities and towns committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and duly celebrated. • At the 2018 World Forum on Urban Forests in Mantova, Italy, world leaders issued the Mantova Green Cities Challenge and a call-for-action that included joining the Tree Cities of the World programme. The programme intends to connect cities around the world in a new network dedicated to sharing and adopting the most Successful Approaches to managing community trees and Forests. • It is a programme partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the FAO. What are the 5 Standards for Evaluation? • A city is evaluated on five standards - Establish Responsibility, Set the Rules, Know What You Have, Allocate the Resources, and Celebrate the Achievements. How Hyderabad got the Recognition? • Hyderabad is the only city in India to have been selected for this recognition in response to its commitment to Growing and Maintaining urban forestry through Haritha Haram programme and Urban Forest Parks. What is Haritha Haram programme? • Aim: Haritha Haram is a flagship programme of the Telangana government to increase the green cover of the State from the present 25.16 to 33% of the total geographical area. • Approach: The objective is sought to be achieved by a multi-pronged approach of rejuvenating degraded forests, ensuring more effective protection of forests against smuggling, encroachment, fire, grazing and intensive soil and moisture conservation measures following the watershed approach. • Urban Forest Parks (UFP): The Forest blocks in and around cities are developed into Urban Forest Parks (UFP) under this programme.

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• These Urban Forest Parks will not only provide the whole some healthy living environment but also contribute to the growth of smart, clean, green, sustainable and healthy cities in the state. About Arbor Day Foundation: • The Arbor Day Foundation is a non-profit conservation and education organization founded in 1972 in Nebraska, United States, by John Rosenow. • It is the largest non-profit membership organization dedicated to tree planting. • Its vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, a changing Climate, Deforestation, poverty, and Hunger.

5. National Hydrogen Mission Why in News? • Recently, the Energy transition has Underway at an Exceptional Level and Several Countries are betting on hydrogen to emerge as the top clean fuel with its high Energy Density and Versatility. Highlights: • The Finance Minister in the Union budget for 2020-21 formally announced the NHM which aims for generation of hydrogen from green power resources. • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has also disclosed that the draft regulations for NHM will be finalised by the end of this month and will thereafter proceed for approval of the Union Cabinet. The Government of India’s (GOI) National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM) initiative will capitalise on this. Challenges: • One of the colossal challenges faced by the industry for using hydrogen commercially is the economic sustainability of extracting green or blue hydrogen. • The Technology used in production and use of hydrogen like carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen fuel cell technology are at nascent stage and is expensive which in turn increases the cost of production of hydrogen. • The maintenance costs for fuel cells post-completion of a plant can be costly, like in South Korea. The commercial usage of hydrogen as a fuel and in industries requires mammoth investment in R&D of such technology and infrastructure for production, storage, Transportation and demand Creation for Hydrogen.

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About Hydrogen Fuel: • Hydrogen is the lightest and first element on the periodic table. Since the weight of hydrogen is less than air, it rises in the atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its pure form, H2. • At Standard Temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a nontoxic, Nonmetallic, Odorless, Tasteless, Colorless, and Highly Combustible Diatomic Gas. • Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen. It can be used in fuel cells or internal combustion engines. It is also used as a fuel for spacecraft propulsion. • It is the most abundant element in the universe. The sun and other stars are composed largely of hydrogen. • Astronomers estimate that 90% of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen is a component of more compounds than any other element. • Water is the most abundant compound of hydrogen found on earth. • Molecular hydrogen is not available on Earth in convenient natural reservoirs. Most hydrogen on Earth is bonded to oxygen in water and to carbon in live or dead and/or fossilized biomass. It can be created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Purpose of Storage: • Hydrogen can be stored physically as either a gas or a liquid. • It as a gas typically requires high-pressure tanks. • It as a liquid requires cryogenic temperatures because the boiling point of hydrogen at one atmosphere pressure is −252.8°C. • It can also be stored on the surfaces of solids (by adsorption) or within solids (by absorption). • Potential of clean hydrogen industry in Reducing Greenhouse gas Emissions: • The only by-product or emission that results from the usage of hydrogen fuel is water — making the fuel 100 per cent clean. • It is considered an alternative fuel. It is due to its ability to power fuel cells in zero-emission electric vehicles, its potential for domestic production, and the fuel cell’s potential for high efficiency. • In fact, a fuel cell coupled with an electric motor is two to three times more efficient than an internal combustion engine running on gasoline. • It can also serve as fuel for Internal Combustion Engines. • The Energy in 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) of Hydrogen Gas contains about the same as the Energy in 1 gallon (6.2 pounds, 2.8 kilograms) of gasoline.

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6. SC orders NCLT Not to Pass Final Order on RIL-Future Deal Why in News? • The Supreme Court recently allowed National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) proceedings in connection with the proposed ₹24,713-crore deal between Future Group and Reliance Industries to go on, but directed the Tribunal to refrain from passing any “final order of sanction of the Scheme”. About the News: • What is the Future-Reliance deal? In 2020, Biyani’s Future Group has entered into an agreement with Reliance Retail. Under this deal, Future was to sell its retail, wholesale, logistics and warehousing to Reliance. • Why has Amazon objected to the deal? In 2019, Amazon had acquired a stake in Future Coupons in an agreement. As per Amazon, under this agreement, it has the first right of refusal in any stake sale in future retail. • Why did Amazon approach Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)? Amazon and Future Group have under their agreement agreed to refer their disputes to SIAC. Hence, Amazon approached SIAC to appoint an emergency arbitrator to get urgent interim relief. • What was SIAC ruling: SIAC emergency arbitrator had ruled in Amazon’s favour. It put the Future-Reliance deal on hold. What is the Issue Now? • Enforcement of Ruling: Currently under Indian law, there is no mechanism for the enforcement of the orders of the Emergency Arbitrator. However, a party can move the Indian High Court under Arbitration & Conciliation Act,1996 to get similar reliefs as granted by the Emergency Arbitrator. • What has the Delhi High Court said? It ruled that the order of the SIAC was enforceable in India the same manner as an order of this court. This provision is covered under Section 17(2) of Arbitration and Conciliation Act. • E-commerce major, Amazon, which opposes the multi-crore deal, had recently moved the NCLT against Future Group’ s plea to hold a meeting of its shareholders or creditors to approve the deal with Reliance.

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What did the Apex Court Say? • On Monday, an apex court Bench issued notice on a petition filed by Amazon, to stay the operation of a Delhi High Court order of February 8, which revoked an earlier direction to Future Group to maintain 'status quo' on the sale of its retail assets to Reliance Industries. • “In the meantime, the NCLT proceedings will be allowed to go on but will not culminate in any final order of sanction of scheme”. About NCLT and NCLAT: • NCLT was formed based on the recommendations of the Justice Eradi Committee that was related to insolvency and winding up of companies in India. • As of now, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has 15 NCLT benches. • Each Bench is headed by a President, 16 judicial members, and 9 technical members. • All proceedings under the Companies Act such as arbitration, arrangements, compromise, reconstruction, and winding up of the company will be disposed of by the Tribunal. • The NCLT is also the Adjudicating Authority for insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. • In the above-mentioned subjects, no civil court will have jurisdiction. • The NCLT has the authority to dispose of cases pending before the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), as well as, those pending under the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985. It can take up those cases pending before the Appellate Authority for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction. • It can also take up cases relating to the oppression and mismanagement of a company. • The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) is a tribunal which was formed by the government under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013. NCLAT is responsible for hearing appeals from the orders of the National Company Law Tribunal. • Decisions taken by the NCLT can be appealed to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). The decisions of the NCLAT can be appealed to the Supreme Court on a point of law.

7. Rise in Winter Pollution Why in News? • According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the levels of PM 2.5, the most threatening of particulate matter, worsened in 43 out of 99 cities whose winter air in two Years, 2020 and 2019.

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About the News: • In the aftermath of the lockdown, several cities reported improved pollution levels but by winter, when lockdowns were significantly eased, pollution levels had clawed back to pre- COVID-19 Levels. • The cities with the worst pollution spikes in 2020 over 2019 include Gurugram, Lucknow, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Agra, Navi Mumbai, and Jodhpur. Kolkata is the only mega city in this Group. • In 37 cities that are otherwise showing stable or declining seasonal averages, their peak pollution levels have risen significantly during winter. These include Aurangabad, Indore, Nashik, Jabalpur, Rupnagar, Bhopal, Dewas, Kochi, and Kozhikode. • On the other hand, in north India, other cities, including Delhi, have experienced the reverse, that is, an increase in the seasonal average but decline in the seasonal peak. Why there is Increase During Winter? • During winter, cool and calm weather traps and spikes daily pollution, particularly in north Indian cities located in the Indo Gangetic Plain. • This year, the average level of PM2.5 during the summer and monsoon months was considerably lower than the previous year due to the summer lockdown. • However, the winter PM2.5 concentration has risen compared to the 2019 winter in many cities Across Regions. What does it Imply? • This bouncing back of pollution post-lockdown unmasks the high impacts of local and regional pollution. This demands quicker regional reforms to curb pollution from vehicles, industry, power plants and waste burning to curb the winter pollution and also sustain annual improvement at a regional scale with speed. • The study also emphasises that rather than mega cities, it was the smaller and upcoming cities that were emerging as pollution hotspots. “This report makes it amply clear that this winter pollution challenge is not limited to mega cities or one specific region; it is an omnipresent problem and requires urgent and deliberate action everywhere. This requires quicker reforms and action in key sectors of pollution — vehicles, industry, power plants and waste management to control winter pollution and bend the annual air pollution curve.” About Air Quality Index: • The AQI is an index for reporting daily Air Quality.

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• It focuses on health effects one might experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. • AQI is calculated for eight Major Air Pollutants: • Ground-level ozone ✓ It is also found in the stratosphere and protects from ultraviolet (UV) rays, while in the troposphere (ground level) it acts as a pollutant. ✓ It is not a primary pollutant but a secondary one. ✓ Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. • PM10 • PM2.5 • Carbon monoxide • Sulphur dioxide • Nitrogen dioxide • Ammonia • Lead • Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in India.

8. Assembly Election and Model Code of Conduct Why in News? • Elections will be held on April 6 for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala, the Election Commission has Announced. About Election Commission: • The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India.

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• The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country (Article 324). • It is not concerned with the elections to panchayats and municipalities in the states. For this, the Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election Commission. • The Election Commission shall consist of the chief election commissioner and such number of other election commissioners, if any, as the President may from time-to-time fix. • Presently, it consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. What is MCC? • The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission (EC) to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections. Basically, the code spells out the do's and don’ts for elections. • This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which mandates EC to conduct free and fair elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures. • It is not statutory but Political Parties, Candidates and Polling Agents are expected to observe the norms, on matters ranging from the content of election manifestos, speeches and processions, to General Conduct etc. • The code comes into force on the Announcement of the Poll Schedule and remains operational till the process is concluded. • The EC has devised several mechanisms to take note of the violation of the code, which include joint task forces of enforcement agencies and flying squads. The latest is the introduction of the cVIGIL mobile app through which audio-visual evidence of malpractices can be reported. What is cVIGIL app? • The cVIGIL App provides time-stamped, evidence-based proof of the Model Code of Conduct / Expenditure Violation, having live photo/video with auto location data. • Any citizen can lodge a complaint through the Mobile App. Flying Squads will then investigate the matter and the Returning Officer takes the decision. • The status of cVIGIL can be shared with the cVIGIL complainant within a specified time limit. The identity of the complainant will be kept confidential and will be provided with Unique ID to track and receive the follow up updates on the mobile. • The app also has inbuilt features to prevent its misuse. It will be active only in States where elections have been announced.

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Constitutional Validity of MCC: • Though MCC does not have any statutory backing, the Code has come to acquire teeth in the past decade because of its strict enforcement by the EC. • Certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Representation of the People Act, 1951. • For Example; Inciting hatred through political speeches, appealing to caste and community feelings of voters, Intimidating or bribing voters and distributing liquor or holding public meetings in the 48 hours preceding the close of polling, are all such offences for which candidates can be tried under the Indian Penal Code or the Representation of the People Act 1951. In 2013, the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, recommended making the model code of conduct Legally Binding. • The committee observed in a report on electoral reforms that most provisions of the code are already enforceable through corresponding provisions in other statutes. It recommended that the MCC be made a part of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Concern regarding its validity: • The EC argues against making it Legally Binding. • According to it, Elections must be completed within a relatively short time or close to 45 days, and judicial Proceedings typically take longer, therefore it is not Feasible to make it Enforceable by Law.

3.1. POLITY & GOVERNANCE SNIPPETS 1. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav Why in News? • Report of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XVFC) were laid before the Parliament with the Recommendations and their Implications for the Federalism in India. Major Recommendations Accepted by the Government: • The finance minister announced the acceptance of its recommendation of retaining the share of states in Central Taxes at 42 per cent. • She also stated that on its recommendation revenue deficit grants of Rs 1.18 lakh crore to the states have been provided for in the budget. • Some of the recommendations, however, have far-reaching implications on government finances, both of the Centre and the states.

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• Keeping in view the extant strategic requirements for national defence in a global context, XVFC has, in its approach, recalibrated the relative shares of the Union and the states in gross revenues receipts. Issues with the Recalibration for National Defence: • Recalibration enables the Union to set aside resources for special funding on defence. • The states have been made to pay Rs 7,000 crore to bridge [the] Centre’s gap between projected budgetary requirements and budget allocation for defence and internal security defence. But this is an expenditure that the Centre is obliged to fund. • For the first time, a finance commission has carved out resources meant for distributable statutory grants and dipped into the states’ revenue share, as against the tax share, in order to finance the Centre’s exclusive expenditure obligation. • What has been done is not in line with the system envisaged in the Constitution. • This move will eventually put the fiscal federal system under systemic strain. • In operational terms, too, this move is a significant departure. • So far, the Centre has been used to pre-empting resources from the kitty to be distributed among the states but only to finance expenditures in areas earmarked for states. • This was done through the centrally-sponsored schemes, but at least the states’ money was being used in the states, even if on a discretionary rather than a criteria basis. • Now, with this move of earmarking and financing of funds for sectors, it is the states’ money that is being used to finance the Centre’s expenditure. • This is certainly not cooperative federalism. Changes in Horizontal Distribution: More Weightage to Efficiency and Performance • In horizontal distribution, the criteria used by successive finance commissions for devolving taxes across states have always been linked to need — based on equity, tempered by efficiency. From 92.5 per cent of funds to a state being devolved based on need and equity, the XVFC has reduced these two components to 75 per cent. • The remaining 25 per cent are to be devolved on considerations of efficiency and performance. This is the lowest weightage for equity, making the XVFC transfers potentially the least Progressive Ever. Structural Changes not Taken into Account • The Finance Commission has not even made any serious effort to review the existing scheme of transfers in light of the changed federal landscape.

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• The existing criteria for the devolution have evolved in, and for, a production-based tax system. • The XVFC should have reformulated the distributional criteria for a consumption-based tax system [GST]. • The structural change from production to consumption will make a significant difference to distribution as well as the need, nature and distribution of equalising grants. • This is the same manner in which the revenue deficit grants have been carried forward. • Ideally, the “gap-filling” approach should have been redesigned in light of the compensation law providing a minimum-guaranteed revenue of 14 per cent to every state.

2. Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 Why in News? • Recently, The Lok Sabha has passed the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to check misuse by “fly-by-night operators” who take advantage of the law to get Favourable Awards by Fraud. Highlights: • The Bill intends to replace the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) ordinance issued in November, 2020. • It does away with the qualifications of the arbitrators under 8th Schedule of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 which specified that the arbitrator must be: • An advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961 with 10 years of experience, or An officer of the Indian Legal Service. The qualifications for accreditation of arbitrators is proposed to be prescribed by regulations to be framed by an arbitration council to be set up. • If the Award is being given on the basis of a fraudulent agreement or corruption, then the court can grant an unconditional stay as long as an appeal under Section 34 of the arbitration law is pending. Disadvantages: • India Already lags behind when it comes to the enforcement of international contracts and agreements. The Bill can further hamper the spirit of Make in India campaign and deteriorate rankings in Ease of Doing Business Index. • India aims to become a hub of domestic and international arbitration. Through the implementation of these legislative changes, resolution of commercial disputes could take Longer Duration now Onwards.

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About Arbitration Council of India: • Constitutional Background: The Constitution of India, Article 51, India is obliged to endeavour to: • Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised peoples with one country. Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration. ACI is a step in realisation of this constitutional obligation. • Objective: The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2019 seeks to establish an independent body called the Arbitration Council of India (ACI) for the promotion of arbitration, mediation, conciliation and other alternative dispute redressal mechanisms. • Arbitration: It is a process in which disputes resolve between the parties by appointing an independent third party who is an impartial and neutral person called arbitrator. Arbitrators hear both the parties before arriving at a solution to their dispute. • Conciliation is a process in which disputes resolve between the parties by appointing a conciliator who helps (amicable) the disputed parties to arrive at a negotiated settlement. Settling the dispute without litigation, it is an informal process. He does so by lowering tensions, improving communication, interpreting issues, providing technical help. • The Composition of the ACI consist of a Chairperson who is either A Judge of the Supreme Court; or A Judge of a High Court; or Chief Justice of a High Court; or An eminent person with expert knowledge in conduct of arbitration. • The Other members will include an eminent arbitration practitioner, an academician with experience in arbitration, and government appointees. • Appointment of Arbitrators: Under the Act, the Supreme Court and High Courts may designate arbitral institutions, which parties can approach for the appointment of arbitrators. • For international commercial arbitration, appointments will be made by the institution designated by the Supreme Court. • For domestic arbitration, appointments will be made by the institution designated by the concerned High Court. • In case there are no arbitral institutions available, the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court may maintain a panel of arbitrators to perform the Functions of the Arbitral Institutions. An application for appointment of an arbitrator is required to be disposed of within 30 days.

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3. Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) Why in News? • The Ministry of Communications has recently decided to set up a Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) as a nodal agency to deal with complaints of unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and cases of financial fraud, especially in the Digital Payments Space. Highlights: • Its Objective is to coordinate with various law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and telecom service providers in investigating any fraudulent activity involving telecom resources. • The issue of Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) has been a major area of concern for the Telecom Ministry as well as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). It has from time to time fined telecom operators for not following its directives on stopping UCC. Along with DIU, a web and mobile application as well as a SMS-based system shall be developed for effective redressal of complaints. • The DIU system will strengthen the trust of people in the digital ecosystem and will make financial digital transactions primarily through mobile more secure and reliable,which will result in promotion of Digital India. • TRAI is also about to come up with a consultation paper to deal with UCC on over-the-top (OTT) service providers. The launched systems does not address the issue of UCC on over- the-top (OTT) service providers such as WhatsApp. • The Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018 tightened the norms for all stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem to have facilities for users to complain against unsolicited calls or SMS. However, OTT players have thus far remained untethered from regulations as far as UCC is concerned. • The DIU would also ensure strict compliance of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preferences Regulations (TCCCPR) 2018 which provides a revised regulatory framework aimed at regulating 'unsolicited commercial communication' (UCC) in India. About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India: • It is established by an Act of Parliament (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997) • Its Objectives is to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services. It provide a fair and transparent policy environment which promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition.

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• The TRAI Act was amended in the year 2000 to establish a Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to take over the adjudicatory and disputes Functions from TRAI.

4. Combating Vaccine Hesitancy Why in News? • Reluctance to take the vaccine has Several Implications. The Misinformation around the Vaccines needs to be fought through Several Measures. Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy: • According to the World Health Organization, vaccine hesitancy is defined as a reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccine services. • To date, two vaccines have been approved for inoculation in India: Pune-based Serum Institute’s Covishield and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. • An adequate supply of vaccines is in place at least for the first phase, but the trickier part is to persuade the population for vaccination. • Like Western nations, Vaccine Hesitancy has been a cause of concern in the past in India as well. Social media has seen a rising number of self-proclaimed experts who have been making Unsubstantiated Claims. • The debates around hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccines include concerns over safety, efficacy, and side effects due to the record-breaking timelines of the vaccines, competition among several companies, misinformation, and Religious Taboos. Need to Adopt Libertarian Paternalism: • It is suggested that we adopt the idea of libertarian paternalism, which says it is possible and legitimate to steer people’s behaviour towards vaccination while still respecting their Freedom of Choice. Vaccine Hesitancy has a different manifestation in India, unlike in the West. • According to the World Economic Forum/Ipsos global survey, COVID-19 vaccination intent in India, at 87%, exceeds the global 15-country average of 73%. Way forward: • Instead of anti-vaxxers, the target audience must be the swing population i.e., people who are sceptical but can be persuaded through scientific facts and proper communication. • The second measure is to pause before you share any ‘news’ from social media.

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• It becomes crucial to inculcate the habit of inquisitive temper to fact-check any news related to COVID-19 vaccines. The Third measure is to use the celebrity effect — the ability of prominent personalities to influence others to take Vaccines. • Celebrities can add glamour and an element of credibility to mass vaccinations both on the Ground and on Social Media.

5. Mission ‘Lal Lakir’ Why in News? • The Punjab state cabinet has approved the Implementation of Mission ‘Lal Lakir’. Mission ‘Lal Lakir’: • ‘Lal Lakir’ refers to land that is part of the village ‘abaadi’ (habitation) and is used for non- agriculture purposes only. • The mission is aimed at facilitating villagers to monetize property rights and availing benefits provided by government departments, institutions and banks in all villages across the state. • As no record of rights is available for such properties within the ‘Lal Lakir’, the same cannot currently be monetized as per the real value of the property and no mortgages can be created on such properties. • There are households within the ‘Lal Lakir’, which do not own property other than the areas within the ‘Lal Lakir’, and are thus at a disadvantage. An Extension to SVAMITVA: • Under the mission, the right of record of properties within ‘Lal Lakir’ in the villages of the state will be prepared with the cooperation of the government of India under the SVAMITVA scheme. • SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. This will enable mapping the land, households, habitation and all other areas falling within ‘Lal Lakir’. It will go a long way in improving the living standard of villagers and boosting their self-esteem. SVAMITVA: • SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. • Under the scheme, the latest surveying technology such as drones will be used for measuring the inhabited land in villages and rural areas.

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• The mapping and survey will be conducted in collaboration with the Survey of India, State Revenue Department and State Panchayati Raj Department under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. • The Drones will draw the digital map of every property falling in the geographical limit of each Indian Village. • Property Cards will be prepared and given to the respective owners.

6. Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge Context:: • Dhubri-Phulbari bridge sometimes seen in news Highlights: • The 19-km long four-lane bridge connecting Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya will be India’s longest bridge once completed. • It will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 4,997 crore was approved in February 2019 and work of have been awarded in November 2020. • The Assam & Meghalaya will have a direct connection with West Bengal through this bridge. The bridge will be located on NH-127B, originating from Srirampur on NH-27 (East-West Corridor), and terminating at Nongstoin on NH-106 in the State of Meghalaya.

7. Demand for Greater Tipraland Why in News? • Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya has recently announced his political demand for a new state called ‘Greater Tipraland’. Greater Tipraland: • ‘Greater Tipraland’ is essentially an extension of the ruling tribal partner Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura – IPFT’s demand of Tipraland, which sought a separate state for tribals of Tripura. • The new demand seeks to include every tribal person living in an indigenous area or village outside the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) under the proposed model. • However, the idea doesn’t restrict to simply the Tripura tribal council areas but seeks to include ‘Tiprasa’ of Tripuris spread across different states of India like Assam, Mizoram etc. as well.

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• It seeks to include even those living in Bandarban, Chittagong, Khagrachari and other Bordering Areas of Neighbouring Bangladesh.

8. Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) Why in News? • Recently, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) inaugurated 50 artisan-based SFURTI clusters, spread over 18 States, to provide a boost to the MSME sector. Highlights: • The Ministry is implementing a Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) with a view to organize traditional industries and artisans into clusters to make them competitive and Increase their Income. • They launched this scheme in the year 2005 with the view to promote Cluster development. • The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is the nodal Agency for promotion of Cluster development for Khadi as well as for Village Industries products. • SFURTI clusters are of two types i.e., Regular Cluster (500 artisans) with Government assistance of up to Rs. 2.5 crore and Major Cluster (more than 500 artisans) with Government assistance up to Rs. 5 crore. • The Ministry supports various interventions including setting up of infrastructure through Common Facility Centers (CFCs), procurement of new machineries, creating raw material banks, design intervention, improved packaging, improved skills and capacity development, etc. • It focuses on strengthening the cluster governance systems with the active participation of the stakeholders, so that they are able to gauge the emerging challenges and opportunities and respond to them. • It is done through building innovative and traditional skills, improved technologies, advanced processes, market intelligence and new models of public-private partnerships, so as to gradually replicate similar models of cluster- based traditional Industries.

9. UJALA and SLNP Why in News? • Recently, the UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) and SLNP (Street Lighting National Programme) Completed Six Years of Successful Implementation.

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Highlights: • The two programmes revamped household and public lighting systems across the country. • Both the schemes have been implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power. • These programmes have bagged global awards like the South Asia Procurement Innovation Award (SAPIA) 2017, Global Solid State Lighting (SSL) award of excellence for the transformational contribution to the LED sector, etc. About Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA): • It is a zero-subsidy scheme launched by the Government in 2015. • It is touted as the world’s largest domestic lighting project. • Also known as the LED-based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), it aims to promote the efficient usage of energy for all i.e., its consumption, savings and lighting. • Every domestic household having a metered connection from their respective Electricity Distribution Company is eligible to get the LED bulbs under the Scheme. • Under UJALA, EESL has distributed over 36.69 crore LED bulbs across India. This has resulted in estimated energy savings of 47.65 billion kWh per year with avoided peak demand of 9,540 MW and estimated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction of 38.59 million tonnes CO2 per year. • It has helped in the growth of domestic LED (Light-Emitting Diode) markets. It has helped to bring down the average household electricity bills by 15%. About Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP): • It is launched in 2015, is a government scheme to promote energy-efficiency in India. • Under the programme, EESL replaces the conventional street lights with LEDs at its own costs, with no upfront investment by the municipalities, thereby making their adoption even More Attractive. • This scheme is expected to enable peak demand reduction of 500 MW, annual energy savings of 190 crore kWh, and reduction in 15 lakh tons of CO2. • It has plans to bring investment of Rs. 8,000 crores by 2024 to cover the entire rural India. • Over 1.14 crore smart LED streetlights have been installed till date, enabling an estimated energy savings of 7.67 billion kWh per year with an avoided Peak demand of 1,161 MW and an estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction of 5.29 million tons CO2 annually. • With the help of the scheme, the municipalities were able to save 5,210 crores of Rupees in their Electricity Bills.

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10. National Commission for Scheduled Castes Why in News? • Vijay Sampla has recently been appointed as the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). Highlights: • NCSC is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes (SC) in India. • Article 338 of the constitution of India provides for a National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with duties to investigate and monitor all matters relating to safeguards provided for them, to inquire into specific complaints and to participate and advise on the planning process of their socio-economic development etc. • Initially, the constitution provided for the appointment of a Special Officer under Article 338. • The special officer was designated as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 65th Amendment, 1990 replaced the one-member system with a multi-member National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). • The Constitution (65th Amendment) Act 1990, amended Article 338 of the Constitution. • 89th Amendment, 2003, the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST was replaced by two separate Commissions from the year 2004 which were: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)- under Article 338-A. • It consists of Chairperson, Vice-chairperson and Three other members. They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. • Monitoring and investigating all issues concerning the safeguards provided for the SCs under the constitution. • Enquiring into complaints relating to the deprivation of the rights and safeguards of the SCs. Taking part in and advising the central or state governments with respect to the planning of socio-economic development of the SCs. • Regular reporting to the President of the country on the implementation of these safeguards. • Recommending steps to be taken to further the socio-economic development and other welfare activities of the SCs. • The Commission is also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the Anglo- Indian Community as it does with respect to the SCs.

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• Till 2018, the commission was also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the other backward classes (OBCs). It was relieved from this responsibility by the 102nd Amendment Act of 2018.

11. Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code, 2021 Why in News? • For the first time, the union government, under the ambit of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, has brought in detailed guidelines for digital content on both digital media and Over The Top (OTT) platforms. Guidelines Related to Social Media: • Due Diligence To Be Followed By Intermediaries: The Rules prescribe due diligence that must be followed by intermediaries, including social media intermediaries. In case, due diligence is not followed by the intermediary, safe harbour provisions will not apply to them. • Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The Rules seek to empower the users by mandating the intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to establish a grievance redressal mechanism for receiving resolving complaints from the users or victims. • Ensuring Online Safety and Dignity of Users, Especially Women Users: Intermediaries shall remove or disable access within 24 hours of receipt of complaints of contents that erodes individual privacy and dignity. Additional Due Diligence to Be Followed by Significant Social Media Intermediary: • Appoint a Chief Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and Rules. Such a Person should be a Resident of India. • Appoint a Nodal Contact Person for 24×7 coordination with law Enforcement Agencies. Such a person shall be a Resident in India. • Appoint a Resident Grievance Officer who shall perform the functions mentioned under the Grievance Redressal Mechanism. Such a person shall be a resident in India. • Publish a monthly compliance report mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken on the complaints. • Significant Social Media Intermediaries providing services primarily in the nature of Messaging shall enable identification of the first originator of the information. Digital Media Ethics Code Relating to Digital Media and OTT Platforms • This Code of Ethics prescribes the guidelines to be followed by OTT platforms and online news and digital media entities.

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• Self-Classification of Content: ✓ The OTT platforms, called the publishers of online curated content in the rules, would self-classify the content into five age-based categories– U (Universal), U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult). ✓ Platforms would be required to implement parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher and reliable age verification mechanisms for content classified as “A”. ✓ The publisher of online curated content shall prominently display the classification rating specific to each content or programme together with a Content Descriptor. • Norms for news: ✓ Publishers of news on digital media would be required to observe Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act. ✓ Self-regulation by the Publisher ✓ Publisher shall appoint a Grievance Redressal Officer based in India who shall be responsible for the redressal of grievances received by it. ✓ The officer shall take a decision on every grievance received it within 15 days. Self-Regulatory Body: • There may be one or more self-regulatory bodies of publishers. Such a body shall be headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, a High Court or independent eminent person and have not more than six members. • Such a body will have to register with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. • This body will oversee the adherence by the publisher to the Code of Ethics and address Grievances that have not to be been resolved by the publisher within 15 days. • Oversight Mechanism ✓ Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shall formulate an oversight mechanism. ✓ It shall publish a charter for self-regulating bodies, including Codes of Practices. ✓ It shall establish an Inter-Departmental Committee for Hearing Grievances.

12. City Innovation Exchange (CiX) Why in News? • The City Innovation Exchange (CiX) platform was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

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City Innovation Exchange (CiX): • The CiX will connect cities to innovators across the national ecosystem to design innovative solutions for their pressing challenges. • The platform will ease the discovery, design & validation of solutions through a robust, transparent and user-centric process that will reduce barriers for innovators and cities to discover fitting solutions. • Built on the concept of ‘open innovation’, the platform will help in the flow of ideas ‘outside in and inside out, enhancing the skills and capacity required to deliver smart Urban Governance. • Through interaction with Academia and Businesses/Startups, the platform will benefit cities in the transfer of ideas from ‘labs’ to the Real Environment. • Similarly, by helping urban governments interact with citizens, the platform will ensure the adoption of Tested solutions that will be Impactful and Sustainable. Benefits of CiX: • The CiX platform will be a significant addition to the growing innovation ecosystem of India and focuses on fostering innovative practices in cities. • CiX, through an ‘open innovation’ process, engages with innovators to design-test-deliver on solutions to pressing urban challenges. • This initiative is among the ongoing efforts to realize PM’s vision of New and AtmaNirbhar Bharat, by making cities more self-reliant and enabled to meet the needs of and provide services to their Citizens. • The platform in due time will help our cities in adopting solutions that will enhance the quality of life for their residents and significantly improve the Ease of Doing Business.

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4. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 1. U.S. Vows to Pay over $200 Million to WHO Why in News? • U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that his country would pay the World Health Organization (WHO) $200 million by the end of this Month. How it Impacts WHO? • The US is the largest contributor to the WHO. The US share is part of the assessed contributions, which is more like a membership fee, calculated on the basis of a country’s wealth and population, payable on January 1 each year. • The share of assessed contributions in WHO’s annual budget has declined over the years, to the extent that they now constitute just 24%. The rest is through voluntary contributions not just from member nations but also from private organisations. • The US still hasn’t paid the dues for 2019 or for 2020, amounting to almost $200 million. Therefore, the impact would be much greater on the WHO. About WHO: • The WHO came into existence on 7 April, 1948 – a date, which is now celebrated as World Health Day every year. The organisation has more than 7,000 people working in 150 country offices, six regional offices and at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. How WHO is Governed? • The World Health Assembly (delegations from all member countries) determines the policies of the organisation. • The executive board is composed of members technically qualified in health, and gives effect to the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly. • Its core function is to direct and coordinate International Health work through Collaboration. How is the WHO funded? • There are four kinds of Contributions that make up Funding for the WHO. These are: ✓ Assessed contributions are the dues countries pay in order to be a member of the Organization. The amount each Member State must pay is calculated relative to the country’s wealth and population. ✓ Voluntary contributions come from Member States (in addition to their assessed contribution) or from other partners. They can range from flexible to highly earmarked.

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✓ Core voluntary contributions allow less well-funded activities to benefit from a better flow of resources and ease implementation bottlenecks that arise when immediate financing is lacking. ✓ Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Contributions were started in 2011 to improve and strengthen the sharing of influenza viruses with human pandemic potential, and to increase the access of developing countries to vaccines and other pandemic related supplies. Who is the Largest Contributor? • The United States is currently the WHO’s biggest contributor, making up 14.67 per cent of total funding by providing $553.1 million. • The US is followed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation forming 9.76 per cent or $367.7 million. • The third biggest contributor is the GAVI Vaccine Alliance at 8.39 per cent, with the UK (7.79 per cent) and Germany (5.68 per cent) coming fourth and fifth respectively. • The four next biggest donors are international bodies: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (5.09 per cent), World Bank (3.42 per cent), Rotary International (3.3 per cent), and the European Commission (3.3 per cent). • India makes up 0.48 per cent of total contributions, and China 0.21 per cent. How’s Fund Allocated? • Out of the total funds, $1.2 billion is allotted for the Africa region, $1.02 billion for Eastern Mediterranean region, $963.9 million for the WHO headquarters, followed by South East Asia ($198.7 million), Europe ($200.4 million), Western Pacific ($152.1 million), and Americas (39.2 million) regions respectively. India is part of the South East Asia region. • The biggest programme area where the money is allocated is polio eradication (26.51 per cent), followed by increasing access to essential health and nutrition services (12.04 per cent), and preventable diseases vaccines (8.89 per cent).

2. Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 Why in News? • States/Union Territories (UTs) have rolled out Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0 to cover children and pregnant women who missed the routine immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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What are the Highlights of the Mission? • The mission will be conducted in two rounds. • The first round will start from February 22, 2021 while the second phase will start from March 22, 2021. • It will run across 250 districts or urban areas across the 29 States or Union Territories. • Apart from that, the Minister also launched the IMI 3.0 portal and released Operational Guidelines for it. • He also launched the awareness material or IEC Package Developed under the Campaign. About Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 3.0: • The IMI 3.0 initiative was launched by central government in order to provide immunization to the pregnant women and children free of cost in India. • The scheme will strengthen and re-energize immunization programme. • It will help in achieve full immunization coverage for children and pregnant women rapidly.

• This mission also aims to reach the unreached population. It will reach to them with all the available vaccines under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). About Mission Indradhanush: • This Mission was launched in December 2014 with the aim of fully immunizing unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children under UIP. • The scheme targets children aged under 2 years and Pregnant Women for Immunization. • The mission incorporated immunization programme against 12 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD) namely, Whooping cough, diphtheria, polio, tetanus, meningitis, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae type B infections, rotavirus vaccine, Japanese encephalitis (JE), measles-rubella (MR) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). • The rate of immunization coverage under the initiative has increased to 6.7% per year through the first two phases of ‘Mission Indradhanush’. What is Intensified Mission Indradhanush: • This mission was launched in 2017 to reach child aged under two years and pregnant women who were left uncovered under the routine immunisation programme. • Under this mission, greater focus was given on urban areas which was left under the Mission Indradhanush.

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Immunization Programme in India: • Immunization Programme in India was introduced in 1978 as ‘Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. • In 1985, the Programme was modified as ‘Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)’. The stated objectives of the Programme include: ✓ Rapidly increasing immunization coverage, ✓ Improving the quality of services, ✓ Establishing a reliable cold chain system to the health facility level, ✓ Introducing a district-wise system for monitoring of performance, ✓ Achieving self-sufficiency in vaccine production. • UIP prevents mortality and morbidity in children and pregnant women against 12 vaccine- preventable diseases. But in the past, it was seen that the increase in immunization coverage had slowed down and it increased at the rate of 1% per year between 2009 and 2013. • To accelerate the coverage, Mission Indradhanush was envisaged and implemented since 2015 to rapidly increase the full Immunization Coverage to 90%.

4.1. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SNIPPETS 1. Arjun MBT MK-1A Why in News? • The Prime Minister of India has recently handed over the indigenously developed Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) MK-1A to the Indian Army. Highlights: • The Arjun MBT Project was initiated by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1972 with the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) as its lead laboratory. • Its objective is to create a “state-of-the-art tank with superior fire power, high mobility, and excellent protection". • The Arjun MBT is equipped with an indigenously developed 120mm main rifled gun with Fin Stabilised Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) Ammunition. • The FSAPDS is capable of destroying all known tank armour up to direct shooting range. • It also has a computer-controlled integrated fire control system with stabilised sighting that works in all Lighting Conditions.

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• The secondary weapons include a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun for anti-personnel and a 12.7-mm machine gun for anti-aircraft and ground targets. Mk1A and MkII: • The development of Arjun Mk1 was followed by improved variants - Mk1A and MkII. • Arjun Mk1A, which features improved firepower and transmission systems, completed the final integration tests in 2019 and was cleared for production. • The Arjun MkII variant is a light-weight Futuristic Main Battle Tank (FMBT) with electro- optical sensors and high-power lasers. • The Mk-1A version has 14 major upgrades on the earlier version. It is also supposed to have missile firing capability as per the design. • The biggest achievement with the latest version is 54.3% indigenous content against the 41% in the earlier model. • The newly developed Kanchan modular composite armour gives all-round protection to the tank from anti-tank ammunition. • Kanchan has been manufactured by Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) - a DRDO Laboratory.

2. Human Challenge Trials Why in News? • Recently, The UK has set to conduct the first COVID-19 human challenge trials (HCT) within a month from now. Highlights: • While human challenge trials (HCTs) have helped give important information about several diseases, some have been surrounded by controversy and questions about ethics. • Its purpose is To identify the smallest amount of virus required to infect a person; To help doctors understand how the immune system reacts to SARS-CoV-2; and To identify factors that influence how the virus is transmitted, including how an infected person transmits the virus into the environment. Significance: • In this, participants of the vaccine group and placebo group upon consent are deliberately exposed to the infection – thus are “challenged” by the disease organism.

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• Such trials could save valuable time in developing a vaccine, as researchers would not have to wait for participants to contract the infection under real-world conditions. • By replacing conventional Phase 3 testing of vaccine candidates, such trials may subtract many months from the licensure process, making efficacious vaccines available more quickly. Ethical Concerns: • The Critics have questioned undertaking such trials for Covid-19, a potentially deadly disease for even those who are less at risk, and which researchers are still in various stages of studying. • In 2016 , even WHO has observed that such research can appear to be in conflict with the guiding principle in medicine to do no harm. • Well documented historical examples of human exposure studies would be considered unethical by current standards. • It is essential that challenge studies be conducted within an ethical framework in which truly informed consent is given. When conducted, human challenge studies should be undertaken with abundant forethought, caution, and oversight. • The value of the information to be gained should clearly justify the risks to human subjects. Information to be gained should clearly justify the risks to human subjects.

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Why in News? • Recently, a 12-year-old Maharashtra girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) successfully swam across the Arabian Sea from Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Gateway of India in Mumbai. Highlights: • It refers to a range of conditions characterised by some degree of impaired social behaviour, communication and language, and a narrow range of interests and activities that are both unique to the individual and carried out repetitively. • It is a complex brain Development Disability which makes itself visible during the first 3 years of a Person’s Life. • It is not mental retardation as people with autism may show excellent skills in spheres like Art, Music, writing etc. The level of intellectual functioning in individuals with ASDs is Extremely variable, extending from profound impairment to superior levels.

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• There are probably many factors that make a child more likely to have an ASD, including Environmental and Genetic Factors. • The Difficulty with social Communication and Interaction, Restricted interests, and Repetitive Behaviors. Although autism is not curable, its symptoms can be addressed with Appropriate interventions like evidence-based Psychosocial Interventions, Behavioural treatment and skills Training Programmes for Parents and other Caregivers, Health Promotion, care, Rehabilitation Services, etc. About Global & National Initiatives to Raise Awareness on ASD: • United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Sustainable Development Goals deal with rights of people with disabilities including autism. • The Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 increased the types of disabilities from 7 to 21. It also added autism spectrum disorder among others, which were largely ignored in earlier Act. • In 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a resolution entitled "Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)," which was supported by more than 60 countries. • In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2nd April as World Autism Awareness Day.

4. Epilepsy Why in News? • A major drug maker has recently developed the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and the Finished Dosage Formulation of Brivanext, a Drug for Epilepsy. Highlights: • It is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behaviour, sensations, and sometimes loss of Awareness. • It is the fourth most common neurological disorder and affects people of all ages. • Anyone can develop epilepsy, but it’s more common in young children and older adults. It occurs slightly more in males than in females. • Alterations to sense of taste, smell, sight, hearing, or touch, dizziness, tingling and twitching of limbs, Staring blankly, unresponsiveness, performing repetitive movements. • It may or may not involve loss of awareness or consciousness.

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• There’s no cure for epilepsy, but the disorder can be managed with medications and other strategies. • Initiative to Raise Awareness: In 2019, a report Epilepsy, a public health imperative was released by the World Health Organization. • It is the first global report on epilepsy summarizing the available evidence on the burden of epilepsy and the public health response required at global, regional and national levels. • Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) also called bulk drugs, are significant ingredients in the manufacture of drugs. The Hubei province of China is the hub of the API manufacturing industry. • India is heavily import-dependent for APIs from China. India’s API imports stand at around $3.5 billion per year, and around 70%, or $2.5 billion, come from China.

5. Helina and Dhruvastra Why in News? • India has successfully test-fired indigenously-developed anti-tank guided missile systems ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’ in the Pokhran range, Thar desert (Rajasthan). Highlights: • The Helina (the Army version) and Dhruvastra (Indian Airforce version) are helicopter- launched versions of third-generation anti-tank guided missiles (the Nag missile system). • The Missile System has all-weather day-and-night capability and can defeat battle tanks with conventional armor and Explosive Reactive Armor. • The Missile Systems have been designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). • The ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’ can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as top Attack Mode. • Top Attack Mode: The missile is required to climb sharply after launch and travel at a certain altitude, then plunge on top of the target. • Direct Attack Mode: The missile travels at a lower altitude, directly striking the target. Nag Missile: • Nag is a third-generation, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile developed by DRDO to support both mechanized infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army.

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• It is an all-weather condition with day and night capabilities and with a minimum range of 500m and a maximum range of 4 km. • Nag can be launched from land and air-based platforms. The land version is currently available for integration on the Nag missile carrier (NAMICA). • DRDO has developed nag Missiles under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. • IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program) • It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012. • The five missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag and Akash

6. Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP) Why in News? • Recently, research from Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP) has estimated the cost of Ensuring WASH. CDDEP Aims to use Research to Support Better Decision-making in Health Policy. About WASH: • It is an acronym that stands for the interrelated areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. • The World Health Organisation (WHO) WASH Strategy has been developed in response to Member State Resolution (WHA 64.4) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being, SDG 6: Clean Water And Sanitation). • It is a component of WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work 2019–2023 which aims to contribute to the health of three billion through multisectoral actions like better emergency preparedness and response; and one billion with Universal Health Coverage (UHC). • It also takes on board the need for progressive realization of the human rights to safe drinking-water and sanitation, adopted by the UN General Assembly in July 2010. Highlights: • Inadequate Healthcare And Sanitation Facilities: A 2019 joint global baseline report by WHO and UNICEF had pointed out that globally, one in four healthcare facilities lacked basic water servicing and one in five had no sanitation service and 42% had no hygiene facilities at point of care.

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• Economic Importance of Sanitation: A 2012 WHO report had calculated that for every dollar invested in sanitation, there was USD 5.50 to be gained in lower health costs, more productivity and fewer premature deaths. • Fatalities due to Improper Implementation of the WAH Strategy: • A WHO document on WASH in healthcare facilities points out that 8,27,000 people in low- and middle-income countries die as a result of inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene each year. • Also, death of 2,97,000 children under five years can be prevented each year if better WASH could be provided. • Its objectives is to determine the cost-effectiveness of WASH interventions to reduce healthcare-associated infections among mother and neonates across the Indian healthcare system. • Improving WASH across the public healthcare facilities in India and maintaining this for a year would cost Rs. 2567 crores approximately in capital costs and Rs. 2095 crores in Recurrent Expenses. • It Provides clean water, linen reprocessing and sanitation. Least Expensive Interventions are Hand Hygiene, Medical Device Reprocessing and Environmental Surface Cleaning.

7. Silver Antimony Telluride Why in News? • Scientists at the Bengaluru-based Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, have recently found a new material, Silver Antimony Telluride (AgSbTe2), that can help in tapping waste heat produced by all kinds of domestic and industrial appliances, and use it to accomplish other useful work. Highlights: • The material will exploit the benefits of thermo-electric effect. The thermo-electric effect involves the process by which heat is transformed to Electrical Energy. • It is a nanomaterial compound synthesised from Silver, Copper and Tellurium. • A crystalline solid, it has free electrons that help in conduction of electricity but its lattices (arrangement of Atoms) are rather inflexible, and vibrate quite slowly thereby inhibiting the propagation of heat. • It is a good conductor of electricity but a bad conductor of heat, a property important for Thermo-electric effect.

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• There are a variety of potential applications. Industrial processes and power plants, along with all kinds of domestic appliances, produce ample amounts of waste heat that can be utilised to do significant amounts of work. • The heat from the laptop, for example, can be used to charge a mobile phone. Or, that from the phone can be used to charge a small watch. • The energy conversion is not a very efficient process. Typically, not more than 15 to 20% of the waste heat can be utilised.

8. National Technology Awards Why in News? • A total of 12 companies have been selected for the National Technology Awards 2020 for successful commercialization of innovative indigenous technologies. Highlights: • It is conferred by the Technology Development Board (TDB). • Every year TDB seeks applications for prestigious National awards for commercialization of technologies under three categories - Indigenous technologies, MSME, and Startups. • Category 1: National Award For Successful Commercialization of Indigenous Technology: • This award is given to an industrial concern which has successfully developed & commercialized an indigenous technology. • In case, the technology developer / provider and the company commercializing the technology are two different organizations, each is eligible for award of Rs. 25 Lakh and a trophy. • Category 2: National Award For MSMEs: • The award of Rs. 15 lakhs each in this category is given to selected MSMEs that have successfully commercialized the product based on indigenous technology. • Category 3: National Award For Technology Start-ups: • This award is given to a technology start-up for promising new technology with potential for commercialization. • The award in addition to the trophy includes a cash award of Rs. 15 Lakh. • These awards conferred to various industries provide a platform of recognition to Indian industries and their technology provider, who have worked as a team, to bring innovation to the market and contributed to the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

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About Technology Development Board: • It is a statutory body of the Government of India functioning under the Department of Science of Technology. It was established in 1996. • It provides financial assistance to companies working for commercialization of indigenous technologies and adaptation of imported technologies for domestic applications. • The National Technology Day (11th May) is organised every year by the TDB.

9. NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) Why in News? • The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has recently launched the operational guidelines for integration of NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) with NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke). Highlights: • It is the abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver in the absence of secondary causes of fatty liver, such as harmful alcohol use, viral hepatitis. • The Fatty liver occurs when too much fat builds up in liver cells. • It is a serious health concern as it encompasses a spectrum of liver abnormalities, from a simple non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL, simple fatty liver disease) to more advanced ones like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and even liver cancer. • The Steatohepatitis is characterized by inflammation of the liver with concurrent fat accumulation in the liver. Mere deposition of fat in the liver is termed steatosis. • The Cirrhosis is a complication of liver disease that involves loss of liver cells and Irreversible Scarring of the liver. • The NAFLD acts as an independent predictor of future risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic syndromes like Hypertension, Abdominal Obesity, Dyslipidaemia, Glucose Intolerance. Effects caused by NAFLD • Over the last two decades, the global burden of NASH has more than doubled. NASH caused 40 lakh prevalent cases of compensated cirrhosis in 1990, which increased to 94 lakh cases in 2017.

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• The Epidemiological studies suggest that prevalence of NAFLD is around 9% to 32% of the general population in India with a higher prevalence in those with overweight or obesity and those with diabetes or Prediabetes. • Once the disease develops, there is no specific cure available, and health promotion and prevention aspects targeting weight reduction, healthy lifestyle, etc. can prevent the Mortality and Morbidity due to NAFLD. • The programme strategies to prevent and control NAFLD by encouraging behavior changes, early diagnosis and capacity building at various levels of healthcare. • The promoting screening of Cancer, Diabetes and Hypertension under Ayushman Bharat Scheme. • Along with the focus of ‘Eat Right India’ and ‘Fit India Movement’, the entire vision of the government is to move from Diagnostic Cure to Preventive Health.

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5. ART AND CULTURE & MISCELLANEOUS 1. Thar Desert Why in News? • Recently, The Pakistan Army has holding a month-long exercise code-named ‘Jidar-ul- Hadeed’ in the Thar Desert. The aim is to prepare for conflict in extreme desert Environments. • A multinational naval exercise hosted by Pakistan, Aman-2021, has also begun in the Arabian Sea. 45 countries, including the USA, Russia, China and Turkey, will be participating in the exercise. Highlights: • The name, Thar is derived from thul, the general term for the region’s sand ridges. • It is located partly in Rajasthan state, northwestern India, and partly in Punjab and Sindh provinces, eastern Pakistan. • The Thar Desert is an arid region that covers over 2,00,000 sq km. It forms a natural boundary along the border between India and Pakistan. • The surface consists of aeolian (wind-deposited) sand that has accumulated over the past 1.8 million years. • The desert presents an undulating surface, with high and low sand dunes separated by sandy plains and low barren hills, or bhakars, which rise abruptly from the surrounding plains. • The dunes are in continual motion and take on varying shapes and sizes. • Barchan, also spelled Barkhan, crescent-shaped sand dune produced by the action of wind predominately from one direction. One of the commonest types of dunes, it occurs in sandy deserts all over the world. • It is bordered by the irrigated Indus River plain to the west, the Punjab Plain to the north and northeast, the Aravalli Range to the southeast, and the Rann of Kachchh to the south. • The subtropical desert climate there results from persistent high pressure and subsidence at that latitude. • The prevailing southwest monsoon winds that bring rain to much of the subcontinent in summer tend to bypass the Thar to the east. • Several playas (saline lake beds), locally known as dhands, are scattered throughout the region.

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• The region produces herbaceous plants like cactus, neem, khejri, acacia nilotica among others. All these plants can accommodate themselves to high or low temperatures and difficult climatic conditions. • The desert also houses the residents of the wild like the leopard, the Asiatic wild cat (Felis silvestris ornata), the chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), the chinkara (Gazella bennettii), the Bengal desert fox (Vulpes bengalensis), the Blackbuck (antelope) and several species of reptiles.

2. Sant Ravidas Why in News? • The President of India recently addressed the ‘Shri Guru Ravidas Vishva Mahapeeth Rashtriya Adhiveshan-2021’ in New Delhi. Who was Sant Ravidas? • Ravidas was an Indian mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti movement and founder of the Ravidassia religion during the 15th to 16th century CE. • Venerated as a Guru (teacher) in the region of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and mainly Punjab and Haryana. He was a poet-saint, social reformer and spiritual figure. • The life details of Ravidas are uncertain and contested. Scholars believe he was born in 1450 CE, in the cobbler caste. • Ravidas’s devotional Verses were included in the Sikh scriptures known as Guru Granth Sahib. • The Panch Vani text of the Dadupanthi tradition within Hinduism also includes numerous poems of Ravidas. • He taught the Removal of Social Divisions of caste and gender and promoted unity in the pursuit of Personal Spiritual Freedoms. Why his Preaching is Important? • Philosophy and values of Sant Ravidas like social justice, equality and fraternity have been imbued in our Constitutional Values. • He had envisaged a society that is based on equality and free from any kind of discrimination. • He gave it the name ‘Be-gampura’ (a city near Lahore) where there is no place for any kind of grief or fear.

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• Such an ideal city would be bereft of fear, vulnerability or scarcity. Rule of law based on the right ideas like equality and welfare of all would be the Principle for Governance.

3. Pagri Sambhal Movement Why in News? • Recently, The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has celebrating 23rd February as Pagri Sambhal Diwas, honouring the memory of Ajit Singh-founder of the Pagri Sambhaal Movement of 1907. About Pagri Sambhal Movement: • It was a successful farm agitation that forced the British government to repeal three laws related to Agriculture Back in 1907. • The Punjab Land Alienation Act 1900, the Punjab Land Colonisation Act 1906 and the Doab Bari Act 1907. • These acts would reduce farmers from owners to contractors of land, and gave the British government the right to take back the allotted land if the farmer even touched a tree in his field without permission. • The slogan, Pagdi Sambhal Jatta, the name of the movement, was inspired by the song by Banke Lal, the editor of the Jang Sayal newspaper. • The protests were violent and the protestors ransacked government buildings, post offices, banks, overturning telephone poles and pulling down telephone wires. • The Bhagat Singh’s uncle Ajit Singh was the force behind this agitation. • He wanted to channel people’s anger over the farm laws to topple the colonial government. • Bhagat Singh’s father Kishan Singh and uncle Ajit Singh, with their revolutionary friend Ghasita Ram, formed Bharat Mata Society, aiming to mobilise this unrest into a revolt against the British Government. • Many young revolutionaries like Sufi Amba Prasad, Zia-ul-Haq, Lal Chand Falak, Din Dayal Banke, Kishan Singh and Lala Ram Saran Das were among the members of Bharat Mata Society. About Sardar Ajit Singh: • He was born on 23rd February, 1881. He was an Indian revolutionary, an Indian dissident and a nationalist during the colonial era. • He was an inspiration to Indian revolutionaries and his nephew Bhagat Singh. He openly criticised the colonial government and was amongst the early protests in Punjab.

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• He launched the Bharat Mata Book Agency ( part of Bharat Mata Society), which, because of its strident anti-government, propagandist publications, attracted the attention of the British Government. • He built a network of solidarity with people who were struggling for India’s liberation in different parts of Europe. He also founded in this period the Indian Revolutionary Association (Bharatiya Krantikari Sangh).

4. Mannathu Padmanabhan Why in News: • The Prime Minister paid tributes recently to Mannathu Padmanabhan on his Punya Tithi (Death Anniversary). Highlights: • He was born on 2nd January 1878 in Perunna, Kottayam district of Kerala. • He was an Indian social reformer and freedom fighter from the south-western state of Kerala. • Sardar K M Panicker called him ‘Madan Mohan Malaviya of Kerala. • He began his career as a teacher in 1893 in a Government primary school. • In 1905 he changed his profession and started practicing law, in the Magistrates Courts. • He took part in the Vaikom (1924) and Guruvayoor (1931) temple-entry Satyagrahas and the anti-untouchability agitations. • Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement in Travancore (modern-day Kerala) for temple entry of the depressed classes. It took place near the Shiva Temple at Vaikom, Kottayam district, Kerala during 1924-25. Vaikom was at that time a part of the princely state of Travancore. • Guruvayur Satyagraha was a Satyagraha (non-violent protest) to allow entry for untouchables into the Guruvayur Temple in present Thrissur district, which was then part of Ponnani Taluk of Malabar district, now part of Kerala. • He is regarded as the reformer and moral guide of the members of Nair community. He inspired the Nair community community members to end practicing bad and orthodox customs. • He led the Nairs to demand temple entry for all castes and to put an end to untouchability. • In 1914 he established the Nair Service Society. • He became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1946 and took part in the agitation against Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer’s administration in Travancore.

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• He was arrested for the Indian Freedom Movement on 14 June 1947. • In 1949, Padmanabhan became a member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly. • In 1964 he was instrumental in the formation of Kerala Congress, the first regional party in India. • He received Padma Bhushan in 1966. He was honoured with the title Bharata Kesari by the President of India. • He died on 25th February 1970 at the age of 92. • Mannam memorial (or Samadhi) is located at NSS Headquarters Changanacherry which is a Municipal Town in Kottayam District, Kerala.

5. Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya Why in News? • The first-ever Epigraphical Reference (an inscription) to the date of death of Vijayanagar king Krishnadevaraya has recently been Discovered at Honnenahalli in Tumakuru district, Karnataka. Highlights: • As per the inscription, Krishnadevaraya, one of the greatest emperors of India who ruled from the South, died on 17th October, 1529 (Sunday). • Incidentally, this day was marked by a Lunar Eclipse. • The inscription is engraved on a slab kept on the north side of the Gopalakrishna temple at Honnenahalli in Tumakuru district. • The inscription also registers the gift of village Honnenahalli in Tumakuru for conducting worship to the god Veeraprasanna Hanumantha of Tumakuru. • The Inscription is written in Kannada. About Krishnadevaraya: • He was the ruler of the Tuluva dynasty of Vijayanagar empire (1509-29 AD). • His rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation. • He is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples. • He also founded a suburban township near Vijayanagar called Nagalapuram after his mother. • He composed a work on statecraft in Telugu known as the Amuktamalyada.

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About Vijayanagara Empire: • It is also known as “city of victory” was the name of both a city and an empire. • It was founded in the fourteenth century (1336 AD) by Harihara and Bukka of the Sangama Dynasty. • They made Hampi the capital city. In 1986, Hampi was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. • It stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula. • It was ruled by four important dynasties and they are Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu.

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6. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India, U.S. call for Rule of Law in Myanmar Why in News? • India Joined Australia, Japan and the United States for a ministerial meeting under the Quadrilateral Grouping and called for Rule of Law in Myanmar. What’s the Issue? • Myanmar’s military has seized power in a coup against the democratically elected Government of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. • The Army said it had carried out the detentions in response to “Election Fraud”. About Quad grouping: • The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue includes Japan, India, United States and Australia. • All four Nations find a Common Ground of being the democratic nations and common interests of Unhindered Maritime Trade and Security. • The Grouping traces its genesis to 2004 when the four countries came together to coordinate relief operations in the aftermath of the tsunami. • It then met for the first time in 2007 on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. • The intention was to enhance maritime cooperation between the four nations. What is Rule of Law? • Rule of Law should not be equated with law and order. The breakdown of law and order is a Temporary Phenomenon. • Breakdown of Rule of Law means collapse of good governance and breakdown of Constitutional Machinery in a State. What are the Principles of Rule of Law? • It was A.V. Dicey, the English Professor and Constitutional expert, who developed this concept. He defined 3 principles that govern the rule of law. • Supremacy of Law: No man shall be punished or made to suffer in body or goods except for the violation of law. Such a violation must be established in an ordinary court of land and in ordinary legal manner. • Equality before Law: No man is above the law and everyone, whatever his condition or rank is, is subject to the ordinary laws of the land. ✓ It means a person can sue or be sued in a court of law.

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• Predominance of Legal spirit: The result of the ordinary law of the land is constitution. It indicates that the general principles of the constitution are the result of judicial decision of the courts in England. ✓ However, this principle does not apply in case of written constitution. It stands modified in India, where it reads that the constitution is the supreme law of land & all other laws in order to be legally valid shall conform to constitution. How Rule of Law is Different from Rule by Law? • The existence of a law is necessary but that is not sufficient. The law must have a certain core component which Guarantees the basic Human Rights and the Human Dignity of Every Person. • Rule by law can Become an Instrument of Oppression and it can give legitimacy to the enactment of laws which may Grossly Violate Basic Human Rights. Relevance of Rule of Law in India: • In India, this concept is implicitly mentioned in the fundamental rights of our constitution. The equality before law (Article 14) Includes Rule of Law in itself. What are the Exceptions to the Rule of Law in India? • The President/Governor is not answerable to court of law in discharge of his executive Functions. No criminal proceedings whatsoever can be instituted against President or Governor of state, while he is in office. • No civil proceedings in which relief is claimed can be filed against President or Governor except after a expire of a 2 month notice that is served on him. • Under International laws, the visiting heads of state, heads of government, ministers, officials and foreign diplomats who are posted in country are not subjected to jurisdiction of local courts in discharge of their official functions. What are the Concerns Regarding Rule of Law in India? • Legal experts have raised their concerns regarding the implementation of Rule of Law in India. A free democratic society like India cannot have recourse to measures that violate the very Essence of Rule of law. • For instance, a law that permits the killing of suspected terrorists or enables indefinite detention without prior hearing in the absolute discretion of the executive is destructive of the rule of law. Fake Encounters have no place in a government professedly based on the rule of Law.

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• Therefore, we should strive to instill the rule of law temperament and culture at home and in Educational Institutions. The aim should be that rule of law becomes the secular religion of all nations based on Tolerance and Mutual Respect.

2. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report Why in News? • Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released the 'Making Peace with Nature' report, ahead of the fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5). Highlights: • It explains how climate change, Biodiversity loss and pollution add up to three self-Inflicted Planetary Emergencies that are closely Interconnected and put the well-being of current and Future Generations at Unacceptable Risk. Planetary Emergencies: • The Climate change is increasing the chances of the Arctic Ocean being ice-free in summer, Further Disrupting ocean Circulation and Arctic Ecosystems. • The Climate change drives changes in wildfires and water stress and combines with Biodiversity loss to Degrade land and Enhance drought in Some Regions. Biodiversity Loss: • More than one million of the estimated 8 million plant and animal species are increasingly at risk of extinction. • Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to climate change and are projected to decline to 10- 30% of their former cover at 1.5°C of warming and to less than 1% at 2°C of warming, compromising food Provision, Tourism and Coastal Protection. Pollution: • Every year, Nine Million people die Prematurely due to Pollution. • Up to 400 Million Tons of heavy Metals, Solvents, Toxic sludge and other Industrial Wastes Enter the World’s Waters Annually. Widening Inequalities: • Human prosperity is strained by widening inequalities, whereby the burden of environmental decline weighs heaviest on the poor and vulnerable and looms even larger over today’s youth and Future Generations.

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• Inequity in Economic Growth has left 1.3 Billion people Poor. Performance over SDGs: • Current and projected changes in climate, biodiversity loss and pollution make Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) even More Challenging. • The current mode of Development Degrades the Earth’s finite capacity to Sustain Human well-being. Performance over Different Targets: • Society is failing to meet most of its commitments to limit environmental damage. • Society is not on course to achieve land degradation neutrality, Aichi Targets and targets of the Paris Agreement. Suggestions: • Human knowledge, Ingenuity, Technology and Cooperation can transform societies and Economies and secure a Sustainable Future. • Given the Interconnected Nature of Climate Change, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, and air and water pollution, it is essential that these problems are tackled together. • Governments must scale up and accelerate action to meet the Paris Agreement goals and Limit Dangerous Climate Change. • Economic and financial systems can and must be transformed to lead and power the shift Toward Sustainability. • Moving to circular economic systems that reuse resources, reduce emissions and weed out the chemicals and toxins that are causing millions of premature deaths – all while creating Jobs. United Nations Environment Programme: • It is a Leading Global Environmental Authority Established on 5th June 1972. • It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for Global Environment Protection. • Its Major Reports are Emission Gap Report, Adaptation Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet. • Its Major Campaigns are Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life. • Its Headquarters is located in Nairobi, Kenya. • United Nations Environment Assembly

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• It is the governing body of the UN Environment Programme. • It is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the Environment. • It meets biennially to set priorities for Global Environmental policies and develop International Environmental Law. • It was created in June 2012, during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also referred to as RIO+20.

3. IAEA, Iran reach Temporary Nuclear Inspections Deal Why in News? • The International Atomic Energy Agency announced it has reached a temporary deal with Iran for its inspectors to maintain access to monitor nuclear activity in the country, potentially creating the conditions to restart nuclear-accord negotiations between the United States and the Middle Eastern nation. About the Issue: • In the agreement between the IAEA and Iran, Tehran said it would allow IAEA inspectors necessary verification and monitoring activities in accordance with the newly passed law for up to Three Months. The agreement does not maintain the Additional Protocol and that inspectors will have less access but their technical agreement prevents them from being blind to what is Occurring in Iran. What is Uranium Enrichment? • Natural uranium consists of two different isotopes - nearly 99% U-238 and only around 0.7% of U-235. • U-235 is a fissile material that can sustain a chain reaction in a Nuclear Reactor. • Enrichment process increases the proportion of U-235 through the process of isotope separation (U-238 is separated from U-235). • For nuclear weapons, enrichment is required up to 90% or more which is known as Highly Enriched Uranium/weapons-grade Uranium. • For nuclear reactors, enrichment is required up to 3-4% which is known as Low Enriched Uranium/reactor-grade Uranium. Iran Nuclear Program and JCPOA • In 2015, Iran with the P5+1 group of world powers - the USA, UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany agreed on a long-term deal on its nuclear programme.

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• The deal was named as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and in common parlance as Iran Nuclear Deal. • Under the deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activity in return for the lifting of sanctions and access to global trade. • The agreement allowed Iran to accumulate small amounts of uranium for research but it banned the enrichment of uranium, which is used to make reactor fuel and nuclear weapons. • Iran was also required to redesign a heavy-water reactor being built, whose spent fuel would contain plutonium suitable for a bomb and to allow international inspections. • In May 2018, the USA abandoned the deal criticizing it as flawed and reinstated and tightened its sanctions. The USA held that it would attempt to force all countries to stop buying Iranian oil and put pressure on Iran to negotiate a new nuclear accord. • The top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani (the commander of the Al-Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC) was assassinated by the USA during his visit to Iraq. This escalated tensions in the international arena. • Amid rising tensions, Britain, France and Germany declared that Iran was violating the 2015 pact and launched a dispute mechanism that could eventually see the matter referred back to the Security Council and the reimposition of UN sanctions. • Since sanctions were tightened, Iran has been steadily breaking some of its commitments to pressure the remaining signatories to find a way to provide sanctions relief. What is the Concern? • Former President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the United States from the JCPOA in May 2018, calling it defective, and slapped sanctions on the Middle Eastern country. • Following that decision, the Trump administration, led by its State Department, carried out a so-called maximum pressure campaign with sanctions at its core to force Iran back to the negotiating table on a new deal. • In response, Iran repeatedly reneged on its commitments under the JCPOA. • Under the Previous Administration, Relations between Washington and Tehran sank to a record low that included maritime skirmishes and the United States assassinating military leader Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in January 2020. • Relations between the two sank to their lowest level in decades on Jan. 11, 2020, when Iran, in a heightened state of alert after it fired multiple missiles at two U.S. military bases in Iraq in retaliation for Soleimani's death, shot down an Ukrainian passenger jet leaving Tehran airport, killing all 176 on board.

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Way Forward: • All countries part of the 2015 deal should engage constructively and resolve all issues peacefully and through Dialogue. • President Joe Biden, who assumed the White House last month, said he will rejoin the deal but only if Iran first returns to its Commitments. • Both the USA and Iran must act with strategic restraint as any crisis in West Asia will not only affect the region as a whole but will have a detrimental impact on global affairs as well.

4. Pakistan pitches Economic Corridor to Sri Lanka Why in News? • Pitching the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a connectivity booster, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in Colombo on a two-day visit said Pakistan would find “ways and means to enhance trade and connectivity” with Sri Lanka. About CPEC: • The CPEC is the flagship project of the multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, aimed at enhancing Beijing’s influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects. • The 3,000 km-long China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) consists of highways, railways, and pipelines. • CPEC eventually aims at linking the city of Gwadar in South Western Pakistan to China’s North Western region Xinjiang of Kashgar province through a vast network of highways and railways. • The proposed project will be financed by heavily-subsidised loans, that will be disbursed to the Government of Pakistan by Chinese banks. Concerns for India: • It passes through PoK. • CPEC rests on a Chinese plan to secure and shorten its supply lines through Gwadar with an enhanced presence in the Indian Ocean. Hence, it is widely believed that upon CPEC’s fruition, an extensive Chinese presence will undermine India’s influence in the Indian Ocean. • It is also being contended that if CPEC were to successfully transform the Pakistan economy that could be a “red rag” for India which will remain at the receiving end of a wealthier and stronger Pakistan.

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• Besides, India shares a great deal of trust deficit with China and Pakistan and has a history of conflict with both. As a result, even though suggestions to re-approach the project pragmatically have been made, no advocate has overruled the principle strands of contention that continue to mar India’s equations with China and Pakistan. What is BRI? • The Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project was launched by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. • The project intends to link Asia with Europe and Africa through an overland “belt” and a maritime silk “road”. • But it is more than that as it Involves: ✓ The export of Chinese capital, labour, technology, ✓ The use of the Yuan and ✓ The development of new ports, industrial hubs, special economic zones and military facilities, under Beijing’s auspices.

Why has China launched it? • Bridging the Infrastructure Gap in Asia: According to China, the Belt and Road Initiative will bridge the ‘infrastructure gap’ and thus accelerate economic growth across the Asia Pacific area and Central and Eastern Europe. • Economic motives of China: OBOR is aimed at boosting domestic growth in China which has slipped in recent years. In 2016 china grew by 6.7%which is the lowest since 1990. OBOR also provides china a market to sells its product especially Steel.

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• Global leadership: But some feel that BRI is more out of political motivation rather than real demand for infrastructure. It is a masterstroke by China to establish itself as a world- leading economy and to spread its power, particularly in the South Asian region at the expense of the US.

Way Ahead for India: • Improve Infrastructure in Frontier Regions: Whether it is in Kashmir, Arunachal, the Andamans or the neighbourhood, India’s neglect of its frontier regions has weakened its regional position. Thus, we should improve infrastructure in frontier regions. • Improve Internal Connectivity: India should remember that China’s BRI did not start out as an external initiative. It was built on the existing internal “Go West” strategy launched two decades ago, that has focused on unifying China’s domestic market and connecting its developed east coast with the interior provinces. • Improve Connectivity with Neighbours: India should modernize connectivity across its land and maritime frontiers with its neighbours in the Subcontinent, South East Asia and the Gulf by completing our projects in these regions. • India can work with nations like Japan in developing regional connectivity. Japan has already outlined a Belt and Road initiative of its own, called the Partnership for Quality Infrastructure under which Japan has put up nearly $150 billion to support infrastructure projects all across the Indo-Pacific and Eurasia. • India should also improve our access to Europe by expediting projects like INSTC and others. • On participation in BRI: India must focus on debating the specific terms of individual projects rather than having to say “Yes” or “No” to the BRI as a whole.

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5. India, China Foreign Ministers to establish hotline Why in News? • The foreign ministers of India and China have agreed to establish a new hotline to ensure “Timely Communication” in the wake of last year's Border Crisis. About the Issue: • India and China have previously reached an agreement on disengagement in the Pangong lake area to cease their forward deployments in a phased, coordinated and verified manner. • As per the Agreement: ✓ The Chinese side will keep its troop presence in the North Bank area to east of Finger 8. ✓ Reciprocally, the Indian troops will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3. ✓ A similar action would be taken in the South Bank area by both sides. ✓ Any structures that had been built by both sides since April 2020 will be removed and the landforms restored. ✓ Both sides have agreed on a Temporary Moratorium on Military Activities in the North Bank, including patrolling in the Traditional Areas.

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Why there is a Dispute Here? • The Line of Actual Control (LAC) – the line that separates Indian and Chinese troops since 1962 – generally runs along the land except for the width of Pangong Tso. Here, it runs through water. • Both sides have marked their areas announcing which side belongs to which country. • India controls about 45 km stretch of the Pangong Tso and China the rest. • The lake is divided into sections called fingers: • There are eight of them in contention here. India and China have different understanding of where the LAC passes through. • India has maintained that the LAC passes through Finger 8, which has been the site of the final military post of China. • India has been patrolling the area – mostly on foot because of the nature of the terrain – up to Finger 8. But Indian forces have not had active control beyond Finger 4. • China, on the other hand, says the LAC passes through Finger 2. It has been patrolling up to Finger 4- mostly in light vehicles, and at times up to Finger 2. Why China Wanted to Encroach areas Alongside Pangong Tso? • Pangong Tso is strategically crucial as it is very close to Chusul Valley, which was one of the battlefronts between India and China during the 1962 war. • China also does not want India to boost its infrastructure anywhere near the LAC. China fears it threatens its occupation of Aksai Chin and Lhasa-Kashgar highway. • Any threat to this highway also puts Chinese rather imperialist plans in Pakistan-occupied territories in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and beyond in Pakistan. About Pangong Tso: • Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake is an endorheic lake (also called closed or terminal basins or internal drainage systems or basins) in the Himalayas is situated at an elevation of 4,225 m (13,862 ft). • It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from Ladakh, India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. • It is formed from Tethys geosyncline. The Karakoram Mountain range ends at the north bank of Pangong Tso. Its southern bank too has high broken mountains sloping towards Spangur Lake in the south. • Approximately 60% of the length of the lake lies within the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

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• The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. All together it covers 604 km2. • During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being Saline Water. • It is not a part of the Indus River basin area and geographically a separate landlocked river basin. The lake is in the process of being identified under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. This will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the convention.

6. Pakistan- Sri Lanka Relations Why in News? • Pakistani PM is in Colombo on a two-day visit for ways and means to enhance trade and connectivity with Sri Lanka. Highlights: • Pakistan PM’s visit has attracted a fair amount of controversy because of a cancelled invitation to address the Sri Lankan parliament. • India too granted permission for using its airspace for the Pakistani PM’s aircraft. Sri Lanka- Pakistan Relations: • For Colombo, the visit holds much value. It comes at a fraught time for the government on the international stage. Imminently, it is bracing to be hauled over the coals at the UN Human Rights Commission for withdrawing from resolution 30/1 of September 2015, under which it committed to carrying out war crime investigations. • To make matters worse, the Islamic world is appalled by Sri Lanka’s tight rules for the cremation and not burials of Muslims who have died of COVID-19. • The rule created a storm in Sri Lanka, with community leaders convinced that this is nothing but an extension of the state’s Persecution of Muslims. Why Pakistan? • Trade Ties: ✓ Pakistan is Sri Lanka’s second-largest trading partner in South Asia after India. ✓ Sri Lanka and Pakistan have a free trade agreement dating back to 2005. ✓ Pakistan’s top exports to Sri Lanka are Textiles and Cement. ✓ Sri Lanka’s top exports to Pakistan are tea, rubber and readymade garments. • Cultural Ties: ✓ In addition to trade cooperation, Pakistan invokes cricket and Buddhism, topics that most Sri Lankans share a deep connection with.

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✓ Over the last decade, Pakistan has also been projecting its ancient Buddhist sites to promote cultural ties with Sri Lanka. • Defence Ties: ✓ Defence ties are a strong pillar of Sri Lanka- Pakistan bilateral relationship. ✓ During the 1971 war, Pakistan Air Force jets refuelled in Sri Lanka. ✓ India pulled back the peacekeeping forces in 1990, it provided no active defence support to the Sri Lankan Military. ✓ Sri Lanka turned to Pakistan for arms, ammunition as well as training for its fighter pilots. ✓ Gotabaya, who was defence secretary at the time, visited Pakistan in 2008 to make a request for emergency assistance with military supplies. ✓ Earlier this month, Sri Lanka participated in Pakistan’s multi-nation naval exercise Aman. India’s Observations and Concerns: • As Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour with strong, all-encompassing ties, even if these are sometimes problematic, India has not perceived Pakistan as a serious rival in Sri Lanka so far. • Sporadically, the Indian security establishment has voiced concerns about Pakistan’s role in the radicalization of people, especially in Eastern Sri Lanka. • Funds have poured in for new mosques from some West Asian countries, and the effect that this could have in India. Emerging Threats from the ‘Triad’: • There is now a new wariness about triangulation in the ties between Sri Lanka, China and Pakistan in defence co-operation, though it has not been publicly expressed. • In 2016, India put pressure on Sri Lanka to drop a plan to buy the Chinese JF-17 Thunder aircraft made in Pakistan and co-produced by the Chinese Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. • The most recent threat was from excluding India from the Colombo Terminal Project.

7. China denies entry to WHO experts Why in News? • China, which was the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, has denied permission to the World Health Organisation (WHO) team to Investigate.

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Highlights: • The WHO team was scheduled to reach Wuhan and investigate the origin and Transmission of the virus. China’s decision to deny permit at the eleventh hour has not gone down well with the Global Body. WHO response: • WHO Director-General has expressed his disappointment with the conduct of China. • WHO has underlined the importance of the mission and how important it is to conduct an investigation by the global body. • Several observes termed this Chinese move as a betrayal considering how the WHO had guarded China during rising tensions about China’s involvement in the spread of the pandemic. • The WHO chief had earlier said good words about how China had responded to the outbreak, praised the Chinese leadership for their efforts and commitment. Thus, this move by China has come as a surprise to the WHO. China’s Views: • China stood by its decision to delay the visit; Chinese Government sources said that tracing of the origin of the virus is no simple task. • China hid behind the excuse that they had to undertake certain procedures and make certain arrangements that would ensure that the work of the international expert team in China is done without hiccups. • China in recent months has been playing a different tune. The authorities have suggested they will have superintendence over the extent of access given to the international experts and the local scientists have gone on to say that the studies pertaining to the origin of the virus will have to go under critical examination by them before it is made public or taken up for Further Studies. • The State media in China has increasingly backed a narrative suggesting the virus came to China from elsewhere, while some scientists in China have put forth studies indicating that the virus was circulating in other countries, such as Italy, before it made its presence felt in China.

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8. China’s Treatment of Uighurs Why in News? • Canada’s House of Commons has voted to declare that China is committing genocide against more than 1 million Uighurs in the western Xinjiang region. Uighurs? • There are about 12 million Uighurs, mostly Muslim, living in north-western China in the region of Xinjiang, officially known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). • The Uighurs speak their own language, similar to Turkish, and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations. They make up less than half of the Xinjiang population. • In recent decades, there’s been a mass migration of Han Chinese (China’s ethnic majority) to Xinjiang, and the Uighurs feel their culture and livelihoods are under threat. • In the early 20th Century, the Uighurs briefly declared independence, but the region was brought under complete control of mainland China’s new Communist Government in 1949. Xinjiang: • Xinjiang lies in the north-west of China and is the Country’s biggest region. • Like Tibet, it is autonomous, meaning – in theory – it has some powers of self-governance. But in practice, both Face Major restrictions by the Central Government. • It is a mostly desert region, producing about a fifth of the world’s cotton. • It is also rich in oil and natural gas and because of its proximity to Central Asia and Europe is seen by Beijing as an important trade link. What was the Build-up to the Crackdown? • Anti-Han and separatist sentiment rose in Xinjiang from the 1990s, flaring into violence on occasion. In 2009 some 200 people died in clashes in Xinjiang, which the Chinese blamed on Uighurs who want their own state. • Xinjiang is now covered by a pervasive network of surveillance, including police, checkpoints, and cameras that scan everything from number plates to individual faces. • According to Human Rights Watch, police are also using a mobile app to monitor peoples’ behaviour, such as how much electricity they are using and how often they use their front door. • Since 2017 when President Xi Jinping issued an order saying all religions in China should be Chinese in orientation, there have been further crackdowns.

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What does China Say? • China says the crackdown is necessary to prevent terrorism and root out Islamist extremism and the camps are an effective tool for re-educating inmates in its fight against terrorism. • It insists that Uighur militants are waging a violent campaign for an independent state by plotting bombings, sabotage and civic unrest. • China has dismissed claims it is trying to reduce the Uighur population through mass sterilizations as “baseless”, and says allegations of forced labour are “completely fabricated”.

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