Note: First few volume of target shots are bigger because we are covering news in detail with static linkages considering fresher's preparation also. Next coming volumes will be more concise. JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Environment.

North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) ● NECBDC was incorporated with the objective of organizing the hitherto untapped bamboo sector of North East India. ● Formerly known as ‘Cane and Bamboo Development Council’ (CBDC) ● Why in news? : The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir will set up three Bamboo Clusters

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National Bamboo Mission (NBM): ● Launched in April 2018. ● Aims to-increase area under bamboo cultivation and also adopting region based strategies to promote bamboo products. ● The NBM envisages promoting holistic growth of bamboo sector by adopting area-based, regionally differentiated strategy and to increase the area under bamboo cultivation and marketing. ● The NBM will be a sub-scheme of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) under the umbrella scheme Krishonnati Yojana.

Bamboo Flowering ● The ‘gregarious flowering of bamboo’ inside the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) may pose a threat to wildlife in the Nilgiri biosphere. ● The bamboo groves in the Wayanad forest are the mainstay of herbivores in the Nilgiri biosphere during summer. ● The gregarious flowering may adversely affect migration of lower herbivores owing to the mass destruction of bamboo groves after the flowering. ● The farmers living near the sanctuary fear that the destruction of bamboo groves may worsen the increasing man-animal conflict. ● The bamboo flowering is considered a bad omen in several northeastern states of India, especially when accompanied by an increase in rodent population.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) ● It is contiguous to the protected areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. ● It is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. ● It was declared as a Sanctuary in 1973. ● The highest peak of WWS is Karottimala. ● The forest types include South Indian Moist Deciduous forests, West coast semi-evergreen forests and plantations of teak, eucalyptus and Grewelia.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Kuruma, Paniya, Kattunaicka, Urali, Kurichiar and Adiyar are some of the tribal communities that inhabit this area.

Snow leopard ● Habitat: The snow leopard inhabits the higher Himalayan and trans-Himalayan landscape in the five states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. ● Protection: ○ IUCN Status: Vulnerable ○ Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I ○ CITES : Appendix I

Snow Leopard conservation in India: ● India has been conserving snow leopard and its habitat through the Project Snow Leopard (PSL). ● India is also party to the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme since 2013. ● For conservation, India has identified three large landscapes, namely, Hemis-Spiti across Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh; Nanda Devi – Gangotri in Uttarakhand; and Khangchendzonga – Tawang across Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. ● Project Snow Leopard (PSL) was launched in 2009 to promote an inclusive and participatory approach to conserve snow leopards and their habitat. ● Snow Leopard is in the list of 21 critically endangered species for the recovery programme of the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change. ● SECURE Himalaya: Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded the project on conservation of high-altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem. This project is now operational in four snow leopard range states, namely, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan ‘catch the rain’ ● To be initiated by the Jal Shakti Ministry. ● It will be a 100-day campaign for the sake of cleaning up the water sources around us and conserving rainwater.

Catch the Rain Campaign ● Catch the Rain is a Jan Andolan campaign. ● It aims to take water conservation at the grass-root level through people’s participation. ● The campaign intends to accelerate water conservation across the country.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Aim : To encourage all stakeholders to create rainwater harvesting structures (RWHS). These structures will ensure the proper storage of rainwater. ● Tag line: Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls. ● Implementation: The campaign will be implemented by the National Water Mission(NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti. ● Coverage: The campaign will be undertaken across the country, in both rural and urban areas. It will be implemented from March 22 to November 30 (the pre-monsoon and monsoon period) in the country. ● The Catch the Rain Campaign will include certain key activities like, ○ Removal of encroachments and desilting of tanks. ○ Repairs to traditional Water Harvesting Systems (WHS) like step-wells. ○ States have been requested to open Rain Centers in each district. These Rain Centres will act as a technical guidance centre in RWHS.

Water Quality Information Management System (WQMIS) ● The Ministry (as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission) has launched WQMIS in addition to the framework and guidelines for testing, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water quality. ● WQMIS is an online portal that provides detailed information about laboratories for this purpose. It also allows people to access data about water quality. ● The guide details the tasks to be surveillanced and monitored at the state, district, block/street, and village level. ● The guidelines were developed in consultation with the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Amynthas alexandri ● An exotic and highly invasive earthworm Amynthas alexandri has been collected and reported for the first time from Karnataka. ● They are medium-to-large-sized, fast-moving worm, which has practically inhabited all the districts of Kerala. ● Their original home is Southeast Asia. Earlier, their distribution was in China, ● Myanmar etc ● Earlier, it was recorded in 15 States/Union Territories in India

Hirakud Dam Project ● Establishment: It is a multipurpose scheme conceived by Er. M. Visveswaraya in 1937, after recurrence of devastating floods in Mahanadi river. Its first hydro power was commissioned in 1956. ● Location: Sambalpur town in the state of Odisha. Objectives:

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Irrigation: The project provides 1,55,635 hectares of Kharif and 1,08,385 ha of Rabi irrigation in the districts of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir and Subarnapur. ● Power Generation: The installed capacity for power generation is 347.5 MW through its two power houses at Burla, at the right bank and Chiplima, at 22 km downstream of the dam. ● Flood Control: The project provides flood protection to Mahanadi basin including 9500 sq. km of delta area in districts of Cuttack and Puri.

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Mahanadi River ● The Mahanadi River system is the third largest of peninsular India after Godavari and Krishna, and the largest river of Odisha state. ● The catchment area of the river extends to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. ● Its basin is bounded by the Central India hills on the north, by the Eastern Ghats on the south and east and by the Maikala range on the west. ● Source: It rises from a place near Sihawa in Bastar hills in the state of Chhattisgarh to the south of Amarkantak. ● Major Tributaries of the Mahanadi river ○ Seonath River, Hasdeo River, Mand River, Ib River, Jonking River, Tel River ● Mahanadi River Dispute: The Central Government constituted Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal in 2018.

Purple Revolution (Under Aroma Mission) ● About: First-time farmers were given free lavender saplings and those who have cultivated lavender before were charged Rs. 5-6 per sapling. ● Aim: To support domestic aromatic crop based agro economy by moving from imported aromatic oils to homegrown varieties. ● Products: ○ Main product is Lavender oil which sells for at least Rs. 10,000 per litre ○ Lavender water, which separates from lavender oil, is used to make incense sticks. ○ Hydrosol, which is formed after distillation from the flowers, is used to make soaps and room fresheners.

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Aroma Mission: ● CSIR’s Aroma Mission aims to increase the income of the farmers through cultivation of high value and high demand aromatic crops by about Rs. 30,000 to 60,000/ha/year. ● It includes rosemary, lavender and lemon grass. ● Under the mission the crops are to be promoted in unproductive and waste lands.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● It also includes lands that are affected by drought, salinity, water scarcity and floods.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research: ● CSIR is an autonomous body and the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India. ● Established in 1942. ● Funded by Ministry of Science and Technology. ● It is an autonomous body registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860. ● Chairman: Prime Minister of India. ● CSIR’s R&D activities include aerospace engineering, ocean sciences, structural engineering, metallurgy, life sciences, chemicals, mining, food, petroleum, leather, and environment.

Black-Browed Babbler Rediscovered ● In the 1840s, a mystery bird was caught on an expedition to the East Indies. It was named as black-browed babbler. ● The species was never seen in the wild again, and a stuffed specimen featuring a bright yellow glass eye was the only proof of its existence. ● It has a strong bill, chocolate colouring and distinctive black eye-stripe, its iris is of striking maroon colour. ● It has brown wings and a black stripe across its brow. ● Protection Status : IUCN Red List: Data Deficient

Nag River ● The Nag River, which flows through Nagpur city, is now a highly polluted water channel of sewage and industrial waste. ● Origin - Western weir of Ambazari Lake in west Nagpur. ● Nag River is the main river along with the other, River Pili Nadi. These two rivers later merge, and join the River Kanhan near the city outskirts.

National River Conservation Directorate: ● The National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) for the conservation of rivers, lakes and wetlands in the country. ● NRCD is under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. ● NRCD only provides financial assistance to the State Governments/local bodies to set up infrastructure for pollution abatement of rivers in identified polluted river stretches under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The objective of the NRCP is to improve the water quality of the rivers, which are the major water sources in the country, through the implementation of pollution abatement works.

Himalayan Serow ● Himalayan serow is a subspecies of the mainland serow. ● It resembles a cross between a goat, a donkey, a cow, and a pig. ● Species : There are several species of serows in the world. All of them are found in Asia. However, the Himalayan serow is restricted to the Himalayan region. ● Himalayan Serow has been spotted in the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam. ● Habitat : They are found at high altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres. They are known to be found in the eastern, central and western Himalayas but not in the Trans Himalayan region. ● Diet: Himalayan serows are herbivores animals. ● Conservation Status: ○ IUCN Red List: Vulnerable ○ CITES: Appendix I ○ The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I ● Threats: ○ Loss of habitat ○ The decline in population size ○ The decline in natural range size.

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Manas National Park ● Manas national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve. ● Location: It is located in the Himalayan foothills in Assam. It is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. ● The name of the park is originated from the Manas River. ● Significance: The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. It is also famous for its population of wild water buffalo. ● River : The Manas river flows through the west of the park. Manas is a major tributary of Brahmaputra river.

World Wildlife Day ( 3rd March ) ● Background è In 2013, the UNGA decided to proclaim 3 March, the day of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Theme : “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”.

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CITES ● Also known as Washington Convention, CITES is an international agreement which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. ● It entered into force in 1975. ● At present it has 183 parties. ● CITES is legally binding on state parties to the convention, which are obliged to adopt their own domestic legislation to implement its goals. ● CITES Appendices: ○ Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. ○ Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. ○ Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.

Similipal Biosphere Reserve: Odisha ● Why in news?: The Simlipal Tiger Reserves in Odisha underwent the massive fires recently. ● Similipal derives its name from ‘Simul’ (silk cotton) tree. ● The dominant tree of the reserve is Sal tree. ● History: ○ Designated a tiger reserve in 1956 and brought under Project Tiger in the year 1973. ○ Declared a biosphere reserve by the Government of India in June, 1994. ● It has been part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserve since 2009. ● It is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes 3 protected areas i.e. Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife sanctuary and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary. ● Flora: Tropical semi-evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous hill forests, high level sal forests and sprawling meadows.

Other Major Protected Areas in Odisha ● National Parks : Bhitarkanika National Park. ● Wildlife Sanctuaries: Badrama WLS, Chilika (Nalaban island) WLS, Hadgarh WLS, Baisipalli WLS, Kotagarh WLS, Nandankanan WLS, Lakhari Valley WLS, Gahirmatha (Marine) WLS.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Red Rice ● Iron-rich 'red rice’ is grown in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer. ● The rice variety is referred to as ‘Bao-dhaan’, which is an integral part of Assamese food. ● The red colour is due to the presence of the pigment called anthocyanin. ● The red rice has more nutritional value than conventional rice varieties and a distinctive nutty flavour. ● Red rice is enriched with the goodness of antioxidants and magnesium, which helps in preventing and curing several diseases. ● Red rice helps in regulating insulin level. The low glycemic index (It is a measure of how quickly a food can make your blood sugar (glucose) rise.) of red rice helps in controlling the sugar level and is good for diabetic patients.

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United Nations Environment Programme ● The UNEP is a leading global environmental authority established on 5th june 1972. ● Functions : 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. ● Major Reports : Emission Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet. ● Major Campaigns: Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life. ● Headquarters : Nairobi, Kenya.

Whale shark: ● The whale shark is the largest living species of fish The whale shark has a lifespan of around 130 years and has a unique pattern of dots on its body. ● It can grow up to 10 metres in length and weigh around 20 tonnes. ● Protection Status: ○ IUCN Red List: Endangered ○ CITES: Appendix II ○ Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I. ● Habitat: Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world. Whale sharks are found along the coast of India.

Mission Floriculture ● The mission will focus on commercial floral crops, seasonal/annual crops, wild ornaments and cultivation of flower crops for honey bee rearing. ● The mission will focus on the commercial crops such as Gladiolus, Canna, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Lilium, Marigold, Rose, Tuberose etc.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● In the mission, available knowledge base in Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Institutes will be utilized and leveraged to help Indian farmers and industry. ● Implementing agencies: ○ CSIR , ICAR , KVIC , APEDA & TRIFED ○ Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

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Council of Scientific & Industrial Research ● Established in September 1942 ● An autonomous body under Ministry of Science & Technology. ● It is known for its cutting edge research and development knowledge base in diverse science and technology areas. ● It has been ranked first in the Nature Ranking Index-2020. ● The Nature Index provides close to a real-time proxy of high-quality research output and collaboration at the institutional, national and regional level

Pench Tiger Reserve: Maharashtra ● Location: Nagpur district of Maharashtra ● River: The Pench river flows right through the middle of the park. ● History: Declared a National Park by the Government of Maharashtra in 1975 and the identity of a tiger reserve was granted to it in the year 1998-1999.Also notified as Important Bird Areas (IBA) of India. ● Flora: A mixture of Southern dry broadleaf teak forests and tropical mixed deciduous forests .

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Whale Shark ● Whale sharks are the largest shark, and indeed largest of any fishes alive today and they travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce. ● Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus. ● Habitat: Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world. ● Threats: Oil & gas drilling, shipping lanes etc. ● Protection Status: ○ IUCN Red List: Endangered ○ CITES: Appendix II ○ Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras ● The initiative aims to promote MFPs-centric livelihood development of tribal gatherers and artisans. ● It mainstreams the tribal community by promoting primary level value addition to MFP at grassroots level. ● The scheme will be implemented through Ministry of Tribal Affairs as Nodal Department at the Central Level and TRIFED as Nodal Agency at the National Level. ● At State level, the State Nodal Agency for MFPs and the District collectors are envisaged to play a pivot role in scheme implementation at grassroot level. ● Locally the Kendras are proposed to be managed by a Managing Committee (an SHG) consisting of representatives of Van Dhan SHGs in the cluster. ● Composition: As per the plan, TRIFED will facilitate establishment of MFP-led multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, a cluster of 10 SHGs comprising of 30 tribal MFP gatherers each, in the tribal areas.

Platypus ● The platypus is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. ● Australia’s devastating drought, and other effects of climate change are pushing the iconic duck-billed platypus, a globally unique mammal, towards extinction. ● Only animal in world to have a beak, fur and webbed feet ● endemic to eastern Australia ● IUCN Status: Near Threatened

Independent Environment Regulator ● Background: The Supreme court had ordered the setting up of a national environment regulatory body to ensure independent oversight of green clearances way back in July 2011 in Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited v. Union of India, commonly known as the ‘Lafarge mining case’. About the proposed environmental regulator ● The regulator will be setup under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, with offices in as many states as possible. ● Functions: ○ Carry out independent, objective and transparent appraisal and approval of projects for environmental clearances. ○ Monitor the implementation of the conditions laid down in the clearances and impose penalties on polluters. ● Powers: ○ The regulator will ensure the National Forest Policy, 1988 is duly implemented.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) ● It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. ● It was established on 16th July 1929 and was formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research. ● It is headquartered at New Delhi. ● ICAR is the organisation responsible for the coordination, guidance and management of agricultural research and education in India. ● In this capacity, ICAR oversees one of the largest networks of agricultural research and education institutes in the world, covering the whole country in the fields of horticulture, soil science, fisheries and animal sciences among others.

Why in news ? ● The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) received the prestigious International “King Bhumibol World Soil Day - 2020 Award” conferred by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome.

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King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award ● Launched in 2018, the King Bhumibol World Soil Day Award acknowledges individuals or institutions that raise public awareness of soils by organising successful and influential World Soil Day celebrations. ● The award, sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand, is named after King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand for his lifelong commitment to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable soil management and rehabilitation for food security, poverty alleviation and more. ● The former winners of the Award include Practical Action in Bangladesh in 2018 and the Costa Rican Soil Science Society (AACS) in 2019.

Dumping Inert Waste in Bhatti Mines ● Inert waste is waste that is neither biologically nor chemically reactive and is waste that will not decompose or decompose very slowly. ● Inert waste includes, but is not limited to: construction and demolition material such as metal, wood, bricks and cement concrete; asphalt concrete; metal; tree branches; bottom ash from coal-fired boilers; and waste coal fines from air pollution control equipment. ● These wastes usually don’t pose a threat to the environment, or the health of animals or other people and will not endanger the quality of watercourses. ● However, when there is a large amount of this type of waste, it can become an issue as it begins to take up a lot of space.

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JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary ● Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary covering 32.71 sq km area lies on the Southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli hill range, one of the oldest mountain systems of the world, on Delhi-Haryana border. ● An area of 1km around the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Gurugram and Faridabad is an Eco-sensitive zone. ● The Asola wildlife sanctuary has both floral and faunal diversity in form of ○ Wide variety of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses. ○ Large numbers of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies. ● Sanctuary comprises around 200 species of resident and migratory birds.

Miyawaki Technique ● Miyawaki is an afforestation technique to create urban forests based on the work of Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1980s. ● Miyawaki forests are tiny forests grown on small plots of land in 2 to 3 years and are self-sustaining, like how a forest is. ● Three layers of greens - shrubs and undergrowth, medium-height trees and taller canopies - are integral components of the Miyawaki forests. ● Before plantation, local agro-climatic conditions are studied. Around 3 to 4 saplings per sq. m of 30 or more native varieties of plants are planted. ● Mulching, natural water retention and perforation material like rice husk and use of organic compost, cow dung support their growth.

Wenlock Downs Reserve Forest ● Wenlock Downs Reserve Forest is a crucial wildlife corridor, as it allows wildlife from Sigur plateau to make their way up to the upper Nilgiris. ● The landscape is also one of the last remaining patches of Shola and grasslands in the entire Nilgiris other than Mukurthi National Park. ● Over 100 hectares of the total expanse of 1,500 hectares of the last remaining grasslands in the Wenlock Downs of Nilgiris is being slowly eroded by Todas and Kotas. ● This is because many of the Todas and Kotas have leased the “forest lands” to non-tribals in exchange for a small fee.

Benzene Pollution ● Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor. It evaporates quickly when exposed to air. ● Source : Benzene is formed from both natural processes and human activities. Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. It is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Uses: Benzene is a widely used industrial chemical. It is found in crude oil and is a major part of gasoline. ○ It’s also used to make plastics, synthetic fibers, rubber lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. ● Side Effects: Human exposure to benzene has been associated with a range of acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases, including cancer and hematological effects (blood diseases).

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ● Formed by an ordinance in October 2020, the “Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance 2020”. ● The Commission will be a statutory authority. ● The Commission will supersede bodies such as the central and state pollution control boards of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan. ● It will have the powers to issue directions to these state governments on issues pertaining to air pollution. ● Composition: ○ Chairperson: To be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary. ● Jurisdiction: ○ Exclusive jurisdiction over the NCR, including areas in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, in matters of air pollution, and will be working along with CPCB and ISRO, apart from the respective state governments.

Energy Efficiency Enterprise(E3) Certification Programme ● What is it ?: Energy Efficiency Enterprise (E3) is a certification scheme. ● Aim: It aims to recognise burnt clay brick manufacturers for adopting energy-efficient manufacturing. ● Furthermore, it encourages customers to source bricks from such E3 certified manufacturing units. ● Nodal Agency : Bureau of Energy Efficiency will provide certification. ● How will the E3 certification be awarded?: ○ Brick Manufacturing Enterprises need to meet the minimum Specific Energy Consumption performance criteria. ● Significance of this programme: The programme will help the brick industry shift towards more efficient technologies. Such energy-efficient bricks will be useful in complying with the requirements of Energy Conservation Buildings Code (ECBC).

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Great Indian Bustard: ● IUCN status: critically endangered. ● Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972 and in the CMS Convention and in Appendix I of CITES. ● Identified as one of the species for the recovery programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. ● Project Great Indian Bustard — state of Rajasthan — identifying and fencing off bustard breeding grounds in existing protected areas as well as provide secure breeding enclosures in areas outside protected areas. ● Protected areas: Desert National Park Sanctuary — Rajasthan, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary – Andhra Pradesh and Karera Wildlife Sanctuary– Madhya Pradesh. ● Habitats in India: ○ Only two districts in Rajasthan — Jaisalmer and Barmer — have a breeding GIB population in the wild. The bird can also be found in very small numbers in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees): ● It is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). ● It is a sub-mission under KVIC’s National Honey Mission. ● It intends to create “bee fences” to thwart elephant attacks in human habitations using honeybees. ● The pilot project has been launched in Kodagu, Karnataka. ● It entails installing bee boxes along the periphery of the forest and the villages with the belief that the elephants will not venture anywhere close to the bees and thus avoid transgressing into human landscape. This idea stems from the elephants’ proven fear of the bees.

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Nagarhole National Park ● It is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park. ● It was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and was upgraded into a national park in 1988. It was declared as the 37th Tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1999. ● There are 51 Tiger reserves in India. ● The latest addition in this list is Srivilliputhur Meghamalai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, which got approval in 2021. ● Location: The Park lies in the Western Ghats and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. ● Rivers: The Nagarahole River flows through the park, which joins the Kabini River which also is a boundary between Nagarahole and Bandipur Ntional Park. ● Flora: The vegetation consists mainly of moist deciduous forests with predominating trees of teak and rosewood.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Fauna: Asian elephants, chital (spotted deer), Indian mouse deer, gaur, stripe-necked and ruddy mongooses, grey langur, bonnet macaque, Asian wild dog, leopard, tiger, sloth bear among others.

The ‘World Air Quality Report 2020’: ● It is a report on air quality released by Swiss organisation, IQAir. ● The global cities ranking report is based on PM2.5 data from 106 countries, which is measured by ground-based monitoring stations, most of which are operated by government agencies.

About India ● Delhi is the world’s most polluted capital: Although Delhi’s air quality improved by nearly 15 per cent from 2019 to 2020, the city still ranked as the 10th most polluted city in the world and the most polluted capital. ● 22 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities including Delhi are in India. ● Ghaziabad is the second most polluted city in the world after Xinjiang in China. ● The eight Indian cities in the top 10 list are — Bulandshahar, Bisrakh Jalalpur, Noida, Greater Noida, Kanpur, Lucknow (all in UP), Bhiwari in Rajasthan and Delhi. ● Major sources of India’s air pollution include transportation, biomass burning for cooking, electricity generation, industry, construction, waste burning and episodic agricultural burning. Global Scenario: ● India is the third most polluted country in 2020, unlike in 2019, when its air was the fifth most noxious. ● Bangladesh and Pakistan were the countries in 2020 with worse average PM2.5 levels than India, said the report. ● China ranked 11th in the latest report. ● of the 106 monitored countries, only 24 met the World Health Organization annual guidelines for PM 2.5.

Heavy Metals ● The term heavy metal refers to any metallic chemical element that has a relatively high density (> 5 g/cm 3) and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. ● Examples of heavy metals include mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), thallium (Tl), and lead (Pb) ● Source of Heavy Metals: ○ Natural Sources: Geographical phenomena like volcanic eruptions, weathering of rocks, leaching into rivers, lakes and oceans due to action of water. ○ Anthropogenic Sources: These metals are released into the water through anthropogenic activities such as mining, manufacturing, electroplating,

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 electronics, discharge from auto exhaust, domestic waste, agricultural waste and fertilizer production. ● Heavy Metal Diseases ○ Cadmium : Itai Itai ○ Lead : Anemia, Neural Issues ○ Mercury : Minamata ○ Nitrates : Blue Baby Syndrome ○ Arsenic : Black Foot Disease

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve: Uttar Pradesh ● Location: Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. ● Notified as Tiger Reserve in 2014 ● The northern edge of the reserve lies along the Indo-Nepal border while the southern boundary is marked by the river Sharada and Khakra. ● Flora and Fauna: ○ It is home to a habitat for over 127 animals, 326 bird species and 2,100 flowering plants. ○ Wild animals include tiger, swamp deer, bengal florican, leopard, etc. ○ It has high sal forests, plantation and grasslands with several water bodies. ● Other Protected Areas in Uttar Pradesh ○ Dudhwa National Park ○ National Chambal Sanctuary ○ Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary ○ Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary ● Location: It is contiguous to the protected areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. ● It is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. ● It was declared as a Sanctuary in 1973. ● The highest peak of WWS is Karottimala. ● Fauna : Of the 45 species of mammals here, 6 are endemic to the Western Ghats. The avian population (203 species). ● The forest types include South Indian Moist Deciduous forests, West coast semi-evergreen forests and plantations of teak, eucalyptus and Grewelia. ● Tribes: Kuruma, Paniya, Kattunaicka, Urali, Kurichiar and Adiyar are some of the tribal communities that inhabit this area.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary: Rajasthan ● Location: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve lies in the eastern part of Rajasthan state in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts, at the junction of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges. ● It comprises the Ranthambore National Park as well as Sawai Mansingh and Kailadevi Sanctuaries. ● Flora: The vegetation includes grasslands on plateaus and dense forests along the seasonal streams. ○ The forest type is mainly tropical dry deciduous with ‘dhak’ (Butea monosperma), a species of tree capable of withstanding long periods of drought, being the commonest. ○ This tree is also called as 'Flame of forest' and is one of the many flowering plants that add colour to the dry summers here. ● Fauna: Tiger, leopards, striped hyenas, common or hanuman langurs, rhesus macaques, jackals, jungle cats, caracals, blackbuck, Blacknaped hare and chinkara, etc. ○ The park is rich in birds with about 272 species recorded so far.

Other Protected Areas in Rajasthan: ● Sariska National Park, Alwar ● Desert National Park, Jaisalmer ● Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur ● Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary, Udaipur ● National Chambal Sanctuary (on tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh)

About Tiger Reserves ● Tiger Reserves are protected areas that aim at conserving the habitat to ensure a viable population of the tigers along with their prey base in their habitat. ● Declared by: Tigers Reserves are declared by the National Tiger Conservation Authority via Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act,2006 under Project Tiger. ○ Project Tiger : It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Government of India launched in 1973. It aims for in-situ conservation of wild tigers in designated tiger reserves. ● Proposal for tiger reserves: To declare an area as Tiger Reserve, the state governments can forward their proposals to NTCA. ● The Central Government via NTCA may also advise the state governments to forward a proposal for creation of Tiger Reserves. ● Tigers Reserves in India: There are 51 tigers reserves in India. These are governed by Project Tiger which is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA). ○ Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka is the first tiger reserve in India ○ Srivilliputhur- Megamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu is the 51st Tiger Reserve in India.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Largest Tiger Reserve: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve located in Andhra Pradesh is the largest tiger reserve in India.

Candida Auris ● Candida Auris or C.auris is a multidrug-resistant fungus. It presents a serious global threat to human health. ● Origin of Candida Auris: Candida Auris was first identified in 2009 in a patient in Japan. The fungus emerged in more than 40 countries across five continents in the last decade. ● The fungus is mostly found in tropical marshes and marine environments, outside hospital environments. ● However, It is an emerging pathogen, thus very little is known about the Candida Auris so far. ● Symptoms of C. Auris: ○ C. Auris infections can show no symptoms before turning into a fever and chills. These symptoms don’t go away despite the use of medicines and can lead to death. ○ C. auris survives on the skin before entering the body through wounds. Once in the bloodstream, it causes severe illness and can lead to death.

International Day of Forests ( 21st Mar ) ● The Day is celebrated by the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other relevant organisations in the field. ● The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012. ● The theme for 2021 is “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”. ● Themes of the International Day of Forests are aimed to fit into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which calls for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● ● Forest Cover of India is 21.67% : 7,12,249 sq km which is 21.67% of the geographical area of the country. ● Tree Cover of India is 2.89% : Estimated as 95,027 sq km which is 2.89% of the geographical area. ● Mangrove cover shows an increase of 1.10% : increased by 54 sq km (1.10%) as compared to the previous assessment.Total mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq km. ○ Mangroves are the plant communities occurring in inter-tidal zones along the coasts of tropical and subtropical countries. ○ Among the states and Union Territories, West Bengal has the highest percentage of area under total Mangrove cover followed by Gujarat and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ● The extent of bamboo bearing area of the country has been estimated 16.00 million hectare. There is an increase of 0.32 million hectare in bamboo bearing area as compared to the last assessment of ISFR 2017.

Greater One-Horned Rhino ● The Greater One-Horned Rhino is one among the five different species of Rhino. The other four are: ○ Black Rhino: Smaller of the two African species. ○ White Rhino: Recently, researchers have created an embryo of the northern white rhino by using In vitro Fertilization (IVF) process.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ Javan Rhino: Critically endangered in IUCN Red List. ○ Sumatran Rhino: Recently gone extinct in Malaysia. ● There are three species of rhino in Asia—Greater one-horned (Rhinoceros unicornis), Javan and Sumatran. ● Only the Great One-Horned Rhino is found in India. ● Also known as Indian rhino, it is the largest of the rhino species. ● Protection Status: ○ IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. ○ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I ○ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I. ● They primarily graze, with a diet consisting almost entirely of grasses as well as leaves, branches of shrubs and trees, fruit, and aquatic plants. ● Habitat : In India, rhinos are mainly found in Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

Kaziranga National Park-Assam ● Declared as a National Park in 1974 & a tiger reserve since 2007 ● located in the State of Assam and covers 42,996 Hectare (ha). It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. ● International Status: It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. ● Important Species Found: Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga are focused on the 'big four' species— Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo. ● Other National Parks of Assam: ○ Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, ○ Manas National Park, ○ Nameri National Park, ○ Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, ○ Dehing Patkai National Park

Tiger Relocation Project ● India’s first inter-state tiger translocation project was initiated in 2018 ○ Wherein two big cats, a male (Mahavir) from Kanha Tiger Reserve and a female (Sundari) from Bandhavgarh from Madhya Pradesh were relocated to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha, to shore up the tiger population in the state. ● Why relocation ? ○ Reducing tiger population in areas with excess tigers to majorly reduce territorial disputes. ○ To reintroduce tigers in areas where the population has considerably reduced due to various reasons.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 SATKOSIA TIGER RESERVE ● Components: Satkosia Tiger Reserve comprises of two adjoining Sanctuaries of central Odisha named as Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Sanctuary. ● Establishment: These two sanctuaries together covering an area of 963 sq.km. have been notified as Satkosia Tiger Reserve in 2007. ● Location: It is located in the Angul district of Odisha where the Mahanadi River passes through a 22 km long gorge in the Eastern Ghats mountains. The area is also a part of the Mahanadi elephant reserve. ● Biodiversity: Satkosia is the meeting point of two bio-geographic regions of India; the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats, contributing to immense biodiversity. The major plant communities are mixed deciduous forests including Sal and riverine forest.

Seabuckthorn ● It’s a shrub which produces an orange-yellow coloured edible berry. ● In India, it is found above the tree line in the Himalayan region, generally in dry areas such as the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti. ● In Himachal Pradesh, it is locally called chharma and grows in the wild in Lahaul and Spiti and parts of Kinnaur. ● A major part is covered by this plant in Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

African Elephants ● The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has declared African Forest and Savanna (or bush) elephants as ‘critically endangered’ and ‘endangered’ respectively. About African elephants ● The largest land animals on Earth. ● They have two fingerlike features on the end of their trunk while Asian elephants have just one. ● Elephants are matriarchal, meaning they live in female-led groups. ● known as “ecosystem engineers,” elephants shape their habitat in many ways. ● Elephants have a longer pregnancy than any other mammal—almost 22 months. ● Two subspecies of African elephants: ○ The Savanna (or bush) elephant and the Forest elephant. ○ Savanna elephants are the larger of two.

African Savanna Elephant: ● Scientific Name: Loxodonta africana ● Decline: Dropped by 60% in the last 50 years. ● IUCN Status: Endangered

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Habitat: Plains of sub-Saharan Africa

African Forest Elephant: ● Scientific Name: Loxodonta cyclotis ● Decline: Dropped by 86% in the last 31 years. ● IUCN Status: Critically Endangered ● Habitat: Forests of Central and West Africa. They rarely overlap with the range of the savanna elephant.

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Asian Elephants ● There are three subspecies of Asian elephant which are the Indian, Sumatran and Sri Lankan. ● Protection Status: ○ IUCN Red List Status: Endangered. ○ CITES: Appendix I. ○ Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Earth Hour ( 27th March ) ● Earth Hour is the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)’s annual initiative that began in 2007. ● It is held every year on the last Saturday of March. ● It encourages people from more than 180 countries to switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time. ● The idea is to refrain from the use of non-essential lighting to save energy in a symbolic call for environmental protection.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) ● An international non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation and conservation of nature and its different species. ● It is the world’s biggest conservation organisation. It supports more than 1000 projects all over the world. ● Founded on 29th April 1961 ● Its precursor organisation was the Conservation Foundation. ● Its original name was World Wildlife Fund. ● WWF Headquarters – Gland, Switzerland. ● Mission: “To conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.” ● Work is organized around these six areas: food, climate, freshwater, wildlife, forests, and oceans.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Other Initiatives of WWF: ○ TX2 Goal ○ TRAFFIC ○ Living Planet Report

Giga Mesh ● It is a product for low-cost internet in rural areas. ● Developed by Women-led startup Astrome. ● It is an innovative wireless backhaul (High-speed lines capable of transmitting high bandwidth at very fast speeds) solution, based on patented millimeter wave wireless technology for Mesh Architecture. ● The wireless product could enable telecom operators deploy quality, high-speed rural telecom infrastructure at five times lower cost. Benefits of Giga Mesh ● It reduces network congestion and also makes the existing infrastructure 5G ready. ● A single GigaMesh device can provide upto 40 links with 2+ Gbps capacity each, communicating upto a range of 10 kilometers. ● The high-speed multiple point-to-point (Multi-P2P) communication yields up to 6 times reduction in capital expenditure (CapEx) per link.

Seaweeds ● They are the primitive, marine non-flowering marine algae without root, stem and leaves, play a major role in marine ecosystems. ● Large seaweeds form dense underwater forests known as kelp forests, which act as underwater nurseries for fish, snails and sea urchins. ● Some species of seaweeds viz. Gelidiella acerosa, Gracilaria edulis, Gracilaria crassa, Gracilaria verrucosa, Sargassum spp. and Turbinaria spp. ● Seaweeds, found mostly in the intertidal region, in shallow and deep waters of the sea and also in estuaries and backwaters. ● Ecological Importance of Seaweeds: ○ Bioindicator ○ Iron Sequestrator ○ Oxygen and Nutrient Supplier

Hypnea indica and Hypnea bullata ● Recently, two new red algal seaweed species have been discovered along India’s coastline ● Red Algae are involved in producing about 40 to 60 per cent of the total global oxygen for both terrestrial habitat and other aquatic habitats ● Named Hypnea indica (after India) and Hypnea bullata (because of the blister like marks on its body – bullate), the seaweeds are part of the genus Hypnea or red seaweeds.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● While Hypnea indica was discovered Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, and Somnath Pathan and Sivrajpur in Gujarat, Hypnea bullata was discovered from Kanyakumari and Diu island of Daman and Diu. ● They grow in the intertidal regions of the coast, namely the area that is submerged during the high tide and exposed during low tides.

Sabarmati River Front Development project: ● It is an environmental improvement, social uplift and urban rejuvenation project that will renew Ahmedabad. The project will reclaim approximately 200 hectares of land from the riverbed.

About the Sabarmati river ● It is one of the west flowing rivers along with Narmada and Tapti. ● It Originates from Aravalli hills near Tepur village in Udaipur Dist of state Rajasthan. ● Mouth of the river: Gulf of Cambey ( Khambhat). ● Ahmedabad city is located along the bank of this river.

Whale Shark ● Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus ● Features: Whale sharks are the largest shark and they feed on plankton and travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce. ● Habitat: Whale sharks are found in all the tropical oceans of the world. ● Threats: Oil & gas drilling, shipping lanes etc. ● Protection Status: ○ IUCN Red List: Endangered ○ CITES: Appendix II ○ Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Millets ● Millets are often referred to as Superfood and its production can be seen as an approach for sustainable agriculture and a healthy world. ● Major millet crops currently grown in India are jowar (sorghum), bajra (pearl millet) and ragi (finger millet). ● Small millets: India grows a rich array of bio-genetically diverse and indigenous varieties of “small millets” like kodo, kutki, chenna and sanwa. ● Major producers include Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana. ● Nutritional Value: ○ Millets are less expensive and nutritionally superior to wheat & rice owing to their high protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals like iron content.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ Millets are also rich in calcium and magnesium. ○ For example, Ragi is known to have the highest calcium content among all the food grains. ○ Its high iron content can fight high prevalence of anaemia in Indian women of reproductive age and infants.

Mahendragiri Biosphere Reserve ● The Odisha government submits a proposal to establish the Mahendragiri biosphere reserve. It is the 2nd biosphere reserve in the state and situated in the southern part of the state at Mahendragiri hill ecosystem. ● Similipal Biosphere Reserve was Odisha’s first such reserve and was notified in 1996. ● Location: Mahendragiri is a hill mountain located in Odisha. The area of the proposed Biosphere Reserve is spread over Gajapati and Ganjam districts in the Eastern Ghats. ● Transitional Zone: The hill ecosystem acts as a transitional zone between the flora and fauna of southern India and the Himalayas. Consequently, the region is an ecological estuary of genetic diversity ● Vegetation: There are four types of vegetation of the Mahendragiri hill complex. They are: ○ Sal forests, ○ mixed forests, ○ grassland, ○ scrubs. ● Tribe: Some of the major tribes that inhabit Mahendragiri are the Soura tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group, also the Kandha tribe. ● Flora: Mahendragiri accounts for 40% of the reported flora of Odisha. 29-nine of the 41 species of threatened medicinal plants of Odisha are found in the proposed biosphere reserve area. ● Fauna: The Indian elephant is the most important animal of Mahendragiri. The other wild animals include the tiger, leopard, hyena, wild bear, deer, antelope, peacock, snake. ● Besides, it is home to 165 species of birds, 23 species of snakes, 15 species of amphibians, three species of turtles, and 19 lizards.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Science & Technology.

PSLV-C51 ● Successfully launched by ISRO ● This was the 53rd flight of ISRO’s launch vehicle and the first dedicated mission of its commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd. ● It carried 19 satellites: One from Brazil’s, five from India and 13 from the U.S.). ○ Amazonia-1 is the first fully Brazilian-made satellite, which would help to monitor the Amazon forests. The Amazonia-1 was injected into its precise orbit of 758 km in a sun-synchronous polar orbit. ○ The Satish Dhawan SAT (SDSAT) built by Space Kidz India. It has an engraving of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the top panel. ○ A nano-satellite intended to study the radiation levels, space weather and demonstrate long-range communication technologies.

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Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) ● PSLV is an indigenously-developed expendable launch system. ○ Expendable launch system ➔ used only once to carry a payload into space. E.g. PSLV, GSLV, etc. ○ Reusable launch system ➔ system intended to allow for recovery of the system for later reuse. E.g. NASA's space shuttles, SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ● All the operations of PSLV are controlled from the Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota. ● It comes in the category of medium-lift launchers with a reach up to various orbits, including the Geo Synchronous Transfer Orbit, Lower Earth Orbit, and Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit. ● Four stages: PSLV’s first stage and third stage are solid-fuelled stages.PSLV’s second stage and forth stage are liquid-fuelled stages. ● Payload Capacity : Sun Synchronous orbit: 1750 kg ● PSLV earned its title 'the Workhorse of ISRO' through consistently delivering various satellites to Low Earth Orbits,

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) ● GSLV is also an expendable launch system. ● The GSLV project was initiated to launch geosynchronous satellites (most of them are heavy for PSLV). ● GSLV uses solid rocket booster and the liquid-fuelled Vikas engine, similar to those in PSLV. ● Three stages: GSLV has solid-fuelled first stage, liquid-fuelled second stage and a cryogenic third stage.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Payload capacity : LEO: 5000 kg , GTO: 2500 kg

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-III) ● GSLV-III is designed to launch satellites into geostationary orbit and is intended as a launch vehicle for crewed ● missions under the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. ● The GSLV-III has a higher payload capacity than GSLV. LEO: 8000 kg , GTO : 4000

National Science Day 28th Feb ● Celebrated to commemorate discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’, which led to Sir C.V. Raman winning the Noble Prize. ● Theme: “Future of STI: Impacts on Education, Skills, and Work”. ● Under National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) of Ministry of Science and Technology.

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What is Raman Effect? ● Raman Effect is a change in the wavelength of light that occurs when a light beam is deflected by molecules. ● When a beam of light traverses a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound, a small fraction of the light emerges in directions other than that of the incident (incoming) beam. ● Most of this scattered light is of unchanged wavelength. A small part, however, has wavelengths different from that of the incident light; its presence is a result of the Raman Effect. ● The Raman effect forms the basis for Raman spectroscopy which is used by chemists and physicists to gain information about materials. ● Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation

Raman Thermometry ● Raman spectroscopy is well known as an analytical method for identifying chemical compounds and characterizing the chemical bonding and solid-state structure of materials. ● Raman spectroscopy analytical method for identifying chemical compounds and characterizing the chemical bonding and solid-state structure of materials. ● One can use Raman spectroscopy to determine the temperature of the material being analyzed.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Raman thermometry is a thermal characterization technique which makes use of Raman scattering phenomena to determine the local temperature in microelectronics systems. ● When light is scattered off an object, say a molecule, two bands are observed, with higher and lower frequency than the original light, called the Stokes and anti-Stokes bands, respectively.

Centre of Excellence in gaming ● The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with IIT Bombay has decided to form a Centre of Excellence in gaming and other related areas.

Cyber attack

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Global-Bio India-2021 ● Theme– ‘Transforming Lives’ along with the tagline ‘Biosciences to Bio-economy’. ● This is a virtual event which is being organised on a digital platform by the Department of Biotechnology under the ministry of Science & Technology. ● Aim of providing India the recognition of an emerging Innovation Hub and the bio-manufacturing hub globally. ● The public sector undertaking, Invest India, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council in association with the industry association confederation of Indian industry are also contributing in the event. ● The event has representatives from 50 plus countries with Switzerland as the key partner Karnataka as the state partner.

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Biotechnology ● Biotechnology is technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products. ● Biotechnology deals with industrial scale production of biopharmaceuticals and biologicals using genetically modified microbes, fungi, plants and animals. ● The applications of biotechnology include therapeutics, diagnostics, genetically modified crops for agriculture, processed food, bioremediation, waste treatment, and energy production. ● Policy initiatives of the Government of India (GoI) such as the Make in India program are aimed to develop India as a world-class Biotechnology and Bio-manufacturing hub.

Arktika-M satellite ● Arktika-M satellite is a remote-sensing and emergency communications satellite ● Objective: It is designed to monitor the climate and environment in the Arctic region. ● Russia plans to send up a second satellite in 2023. This satellite will be combined with the Arktika-M Satellite. ● These two satellites will offer round-the-clock, all-weather monitoring of the Arctic Ocean and the surface of the Earth. ● Significance : The satellite will help create more accurate models for compiling short-term weather forecasts. The compilation will give researchers a large amount of new data for studying global climate change.

Cyber Volunteer Scheme ● The Ministry of Home Affairs’s “cybercrime volunteers” plan targets to rope in around 500 persons to flag unlawful content on the Internet for “improvement in the cybercrime ecosystem of India”. ● The programme will include 200 “cyber awareness promoters” and 50 “cyber experts”.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The project is known as Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). It was started in militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir last week where the police issued a circular asking citizens to register themselves as volunteers.

Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) ● Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) is an Indian non-governmental organisation that conducts advocacy on digital rights and liberties ● Based in New Delhi. ● IFF files petitions and undertakes advocacy campaigns to defend online freedom, privacy, net neutrality, and innovation. ● The Internet Freedom Foundation was formed out of the SaveTheInternet.in campaign which was a volunteer-driven campaign ● To enable structured engagement, the volunteers of the SaveTheInternet.in campaign established IFF to work on issues of privacy, free speech, net neutrality, and innovation on the internet.

National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 ● Aim: To improve cyber awareness and cybersecurity through more stringent audits. Empanelled cyber auditors will look more carefully at the security features of organisations than are legally necessary now. About: ● There will be table-top cyber crisis management exercises regularly to reinforce the idea that cyber attacks can take place regularly. ● It does call for an index of cyber preparedness, and attendant monitoring of performance. ● A separate budget for cybersecurity is suggested, as also to synergise the role and functions of various agencies with the requisite domain knowledge.

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre ● It has been established under the Ministry of Home affairs (MHA) to act as a nodal point at National level in the fight against cybercrime. ● Objectives: To provide a platform to deal with cybercrimes in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. ● The scheme to set up I4C was approved in October 2018, to deal with all types of cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. ● This state-of-the-art Centre is located in New Delhi. ● Various States and Union Territories have given their consent to set up Regional Cyber Crime Coordination Centres.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Technology And Innovation Report 2021: UNCTAD ● Report was released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). ● The report examines the likelihood of frontier technologies widening existing inequalities and creating new ones. ● It also addresses the national and international policies, instruments and institutional reforms that are needed to create a more equal world of opportunity for all, leaving no one behind. ● Key findings about India: ○ India’s actual index ranking is 43, while the estimated one based on per capita income is 108. ○ This meant that India overperformed other countries by 65 ranking positions. India was followed by the Philippines, which overperformed by 57 ranking positions. ○ India performed well in research and development. ○ This is reflected in its abundant supplies of qualified and highly skilled human resources available at a comparatively low cost. ○ However countries such as the United States, Switzerland and the United Kingdom were “best prepared” for frontier technologies. #Target_shots Addition

What are the Frontier Technologies ? ● Frontier technologies are defined as potentially disruptive technologies that can address large-scale challenges or opportunities. ● They include artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things, big data, blockchain, 5G, 3D printing, robotics, drones, gene editing, nanotechnology and solar photovoltaic.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ● established in 1964 to promote development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy ● Permanent intergovernmental body ● headquartered at Geneva in Switzerland

Other Reports: ● Trade and Development Report ● World Investment Report ● The Least Developed Countries Report ● Information and Economy Report ● Technology and Innovation Report ● Commodities and Development Report

High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) initiative: ● Initiated by WHO in 11 high malaria burden countries, including India.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● In India, Implementation has been started in four states i.e. West Bengal and Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh..

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About Malaria: ● Caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. ● Spread: Female Anopheles mosquitoes deposit parasite sporozoites into the skin of a human host. ● Four kinds of malaria parasites infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae

Malaria Elimination Certificate ● El Salvador has become the first country in central America and the third in all Americas to get the malaria-free certificate from the World Health Organization (WHO) in recent years. ● Malaria elimination certificate is awarded to a country when the chain of indigenous transmission of the disease has been disrupted nationwide for at least three consecutive years. ● The only other countries in the WHO Regions of Americas to have eliminated malaria in recent years are Paraguay (2018) and Argentina (2019).

FSSAI guidelines on GMO Crops ● FSSAI issued an order on February 8 setting the permissible limit for genetically modified organisms (GMO) in imported food crops at 1%. ● However, trade organisations have said that this threshold is unacceptably high. ● It amounts to an advocacy for zero presence of GMO in food and some other consumables.

GMO regulation in India: ● The task of regulating GMO levels in imported consumables was initially with the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Union environment ministry. ● Its role in this was diluted with the enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and FSSAI was asked to take over approvals of imported goods.

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Genetically Modified Organism (Transgenic Organism) ● In GMO, genetic material (DNA) is altered or artificially introduced using genetic engineering techniques. ● Genetic modification involves the mutation, insertion, or deletion of genes.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ Inserted genes usually come from a different organism (e.g. In Bt cotton, Bt genes from bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis are induced). ● Genetic modification is done to induce a desirable new trait which does not occur naturally in the species.

Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology ● Tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently. Advantage : ● It will enable the agency to develop long-range air-to-air missiles. ● Ramjet powered missiles provide greater range and a higher average speed compared to missiles powered by solid propellants. ● ramjet missiles use atmospheric oxygen rather than including an oxidizer as part of the solid motor. ● Ramjet missiles can also carry a bigger warhead as they do not have to carry an oxidizer.

Aries Devasthal Spectrograph(ADFOSC) ● Indian scientists have indigenously designed and developed a low-cost optical spectrograph “Aries-Devasthal Faint Object Spectrograph & Camera (ADFOSC)”. ● Developed by: Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences(ARIES). ○ ARIES is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). ● Purpose : The spectrograph can locate sources of faint light from: ○ Distant galaxies in a very young universe ○ Regions around supermassive black-holes around the galaxies ○ Cosmic explosions like supernovae, young and massive stars and faint dwarf galaxies. ● Location: The spectrograph has been successfully commissioned on the 3.6-m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT). It is located near Nainital Uttarakhand. ● Spectrograph: Spectrograph is an instrument that obtains and records an astronomical spectrum. It separates incoming light by its wavelength or frequency. It records the resulting spectrum in multichannel detectors like a photographic plate for analysis.

Inert Waste ● Inert waste is waste which is neither biologically nor chemically reactive and is waste which will not decompose or decompose very slowly. ● Inert waste includes, but is not limited to: construction and demolition material such as metal, wood, bricks, masonry and cement concrete; asphalt concrete; metal; tree branches; bottom ash from coal fired boilers; and waste coal fines from air pollution control equipment.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● These wastes usually don't pose a threat to the environment, or the health of animals or other people and will not endanger the quality of watercourses. ● However, when there is a large amount of this type of waste, it can become an issue as it begins to take up a lot of space.

Techbharat 2021 ● It is an e-conclave bringing together stakeholders from HealthTech & Edutech sectors. ● This is the second edition of the e-conclave organised by Laghu Udyog Bharati and the IMS Foundation.

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) ● Equine Herpes Virus is a common DNA virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide. ● EHV is a family of viruses which are named by numbers such as EHV 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. ● There are more viruses in this family, but EHV 1, 3, and 4 pose the most serious health risks for domestic horses. ● Causes manifestations of disease in horses, including respiratory disease, abortion and neonatal death.

Quasar ● Quasars are very luminous objects in faraway galaxies that emit jets at radio frequencies. ● The word quasar is short for "quasi-stellar radio source". ● Most quasars are larger than our solar system. ● The name, which means star-like emitters of radio waves, was given in the 1960s when quasars were first detected. ● The name is retained today, even though astronomers now know most quasars are faint radio emitters. In addition to radio waves and visible light, quasars also emit ultraviolet rays, infrared waves, X-rays, and gamma-rays. ● Most quasars are larger than our solar system. A quasar is approximately 1 kiloparsec in width. ● They are only found in galaxies that have supermassive blackholes which power these bright discs. ● Quasars are formed by the energy emitted by materials swirling around a blackhole right before being sucked into it. ● They are further categorised into the "radio-loud" and the "radio-quiet" classes.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): ● PMBJP is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2008 under the name Jan Aushadhi Campaign. ● The campaign was revamped as PMBJP in 2015-16.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP. ● The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India works under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. ● BPPI has also developed the Janaushadhi Sugam Application. ● PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs. ● It also intends to extend the coverage of quality generic medicines so as to reduce the out of pocket expenditure on medicines and thereby redefine the unit cost of treatment per person. ● A medicine under PMBJP is priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average price of top three branded medicines. Therefore, the price of Janaushadhi Medicines is cheaper at least by 50% and in some cases, by 90% of the market price of branded medicines.

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Janaushadhi Kendra: ● Bureau of Pharma PSUs in India (BPPI) supports Janaushadhi Kendras as a part of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. ● These are the centres from where quality generic medicines are made available to all.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): ● A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or SAR, is a coherent mostly airborne or spaceborne side looking radar system which utilizes the flight path of the platform to simulate an extremely large antenna, and that generates high-resolution remote sensing imagery. ● Why in News?: ISRO has completed development of a Synthetic Aperture Radar capable of producing high-resolution images for a joint earth observation satellite mission with the U.S. space agency NASA. ● The mission is targeted to be launched in 2022.

Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System ● Submarines are essentially of two types: conventional and nuclear. ● The conventional submarines use diesel-electric engines, which require them to surface almost daily to get atmospheric oxygen for fuel combustion. ● If fitted with an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, the submarine will need to take in oxygen only once a week. ● The indigenously-developed AIP, which is one of the key missions of the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), is considered one of the ambitious projects of the DRDO for the Navy. ● The project aims at fitting the technology on India’s Scorpene class submarine INS Kalvari around 2023.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Fuel Cell Based AIP system: ● In a fuel cell based AIP, an electrolytic fuel cell releases energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with only water as the waste product ensuring less marine pollution. ● The cells are highly efficient, and do not have moving parts, thus ensuring that the submarine has a low acoustic emissions of sound.

SMS scrubbing ● The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) have recently notified that every SMS content will have to be verified before it is delivered to the users. ● This process of verifying the SMS content is known as SMS scrubbing. ● This process was implemented on March 8 after several delays. ● As this system was rolled out, unverified and unregistered SMS messages were blocked by the telecom operators.

National Kala-azar Elimination Programme ● The National Health Policy-2002 set the goal of Kala-azar elimination in India by the year 2010 which was revised to 2015. ● Continuing focused activities with high political commitment, India signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh and Nepal to achieve Kala-azar elimination from the South-East Asia Region (SEAR). ● Elimination is defined as reducing the annual incidence of Kala-azar to less than 1 case per 10,000 population at the sub-district level in India. ● Presently all programmatic activities are being implemented through the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) which is an umbrella programme for prevention & control of vector borne diseases and is subsumed under National Health Mission (NHM).

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About Kala-azar or Leishmaniasis: ● Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, substantial weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and anaemia. ● If the disease is not treated, the fatality rate in developing countries can be as high as 100% within 2 years. ● It is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) affecting almost 100 countries including India. ● NTDs are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries. ● It is caused by a parasite called Leishmania, which is transmitted through the bite of sand flies.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Fugaku: World’s most Powerful Supercomputer ● This supercomputer is fully ready and developed in Japan and is now available for the research use.

Global Breast Cancer Initiative ● The World Health Organization (WHO) announced an initiative called the “Global Breast Cancer Initiative”. ● Aim: The initiative aims to reduce global breast cancer mortality by 2.5% by 2040. ● The initiative will particularly focus on reducing deaths in low-income countries. ● There the progress to tackle the disease is relatively slow.

Key Features of the Initiative: ● Guidance to Governments : Under the initiative, WHO will work with other UN agencies. They will provide guidance to governments on how to strengthen systems for diagnosing and treating breast cancer. It is expected to improve capacities to manage other types of cancer. ● Evidence-based Technical Package à An evidence-based technical package will also be provided to countries as part of the initiative. It will incorporate existing WHO cancer tools and products.

ISRO launched Sounding Rocket RH-560 ● The rocket was launched in order to study “attitudinal variations” in the neutral winds and plasma dynamics. ● ISRO highlighted that the sounding rockets are one or two-stage solid propellant rockets. ● These rockets are used to probe the upper atmospheric regions and conduct the space research. ● The rockets would also serve as easily affordable platforms which can test or prove the prototypes of new components or subsystems for use in the launch vehicles and satellites. ● ISRO had started launching the indigenously made sounding rockets from the year 1965.

GEMINI Device ● The Union Minister of Earth Sciences has recently launched the Gagan Enabled Mariner’s Instrument for Navigation and Information (GEMINI) device. ● The device is developed for effective dissemination of emergency information and communication on Ocean States Forecast and mapping of Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) to fishermen. ● GEMINI is a portable receiver that is linked to ISRO-satellites. With this device, the fishermen outside the signal range of their phone companies (i.e. 10-12 km) can also access warnings and alerts, as the device can send signals up to 300 nautical miles.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● It also shows fish catch probability ● To avoid communication blackouts during disasters, a slew of government departments, research agencies (For example, INCOIS) and private companies have developed GEMINI

SPICE-2000 Bombs ● SPICE: Smart, Precise-Impact and Cost-Effective ● An Israeli-developed, EO/GPS-guided guidance kit for converting air-droppable unguided bombs into precision guided bombs. ● SPICE bomb has a standoff range of 60 kilometres and approaches the target as its unique scene-matching algorithm compares the electro-optical image received in real-time via the weapon seeker with mission reference data stored in the weapon computer memory and adjusts the flight path accordingly. ● SPICE 2000 consists of an add-on kit for warheads such as the MK-84, BLU-109, APW and RAP-2000. ● The “Spice” is a product of Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. ● The “Spice” is its ability to be fed, preflight, with up to 100 different targets it may have to engage. The one target it will actually engage may then be selected, inflight, by an aircrewman.

Stop TB Partnership ● Stop TB Partnership was established in the Year 2000. ● Aim : Its aim is to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem. ● Significance : It is a unique international body as it aligns countries all over the world in the fight against TB. ● Amsterdam Declaration: In 2000, Stop TB Partnership gave a call for collaborative action from ministerial delegations of 20 countries with the highest burden of TB. ● Partner organizations : It has 1500 partner organizations. It includes international, non-governmental, and governmental organizations and patient groups. ● Secretariat: Geneva, Switzerland.

High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) ● High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) is a normally OFF device and can switch currents up to 4A and operates at 600 V. ● HEMTs are used in integrated circuits as digital on-off switches. ● HEMT transistors are able to operate at higher frequencies than ordinary transistors, up to millimeter wave frequencies, and are used in high-frequency products such as cell phones, satellite television receivers, voltage converters, and radar equipment. ● They are widely used in satellite receivers, in low power amplifiers and in the defense industry.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Go Electric Campaign ● Campaign launched by the Ministry of Power. ● Objective: Creating awareness among masses on benefits of adopting Electric Vehicles and Electric Cooking appliances such as Induction cook hobs, Electric pressure cooker etc.

Artificial Photosynthesis ● The artificial photosynthesis method was developed in order to capture excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. ● This method harnesses the solar energy and converts the captured carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide (CO). ● The Carbon monoxide in turn can be used as a fuel for the internal combustion engines. In the process, the team of scientists are conducting the same process as in the natural photosynthesis but using the simple nanostructures. ● The team of Scientists has designed and fabricated the integrated catalytic system which is based on the metal-organic framework (MOF-808). ● The system comprises a photosensitizer. The photosensitizer can harness the solar power and the catalytic centre. This in turn reduces the CO2.

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What is Photosensitizer ? ● The photosensitizer is the molecules which absorb light and transfer electron from incident light to a nearby molecule. ● It is chemically called “ruthenium bipyridyl complex ([Ru(bpy)2Cl2])”. ● It also comprises of a catalytic part called rhenium carbonyl complex ([Re(CO)5Cl]). ● Both of the molecular entities lie in the close proximity and are confined to a nano-space of the porous metal-organic framework system. ● This helps in absorbing the CO2 at room temperature. ● The catalyst has the capability to oxidize the water in order to produce oxygen. ● This photocatalytic assembly is when assessed to reduce the CO2 under direct sunlight under a water medium, it produces CO.

Aluminium-air batteries ● Aluminium-air batteries utilise oxygen in the air which reacts with an aluminium hydroxide solution to oxidise the aluminium and produce electricity. Benefits: ● Lower cost and more energy-dense alternative to lithium-ion batteries which are currently in widespread use for electric vehicles in India. ● Offer much greater range of 400 km or more per battery compared to lithium-ion batteries which currently offer a range of 150-200 kilometres per full charge.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The aluminium plate in an aluminium-air battery is converted into aluminium trihydroxide over time and that aluminium can be reclaimed from aluminium trihydroxide or even traded directly for industrial uses.

Diatom test ● Diagnosis of death by drowning is difficult in forensic pathology; the mere recovery of a body from a water body does not necessarily imply that the death was due to drowning. ● This where the diatom test comes in: it is an important one among a number of tests that have been developed to confirm if the cause of death in such cases was indeed rowning. ● A diatom is a kind of algae found in almost every aquatic environment, including fresh and marine waters, soils and, in fact, almost anywhere moist. A diatom test, therefore, entails finding if there are diatoms in the body recovered.

Parosmia ● The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are anosmia (smell blindness) and ageusia ( Test less ness ). However, several people are also experiencing parosmia. It is characterized by a change in perception of odours. ● What is it?: Parosmia is a medical term used to describe a condition in which affected individuals experience “distortions of the sense of smell”. ● A person with parosmia is able to detect certain odours. But they might experience the smell of certain things as different and often unpleasant. For example, coffee may smell like burnt toast. ● Causes: Parosmia is typically experienced by those people who are recovering their sense of smell following a loss from a virus or an injury. ● Is Parosmia Harmful ?: Parosmia is a temporary condition and is not harmful in itself. ● Anosmia: It is the partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. This loss may be temporary or permanent. ● Ageusia: It is a condition, characterized by a complete loss of taste function of the tongue.

Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) ● It is also called as the “dual-fuel vehicle” or a flex-fuel vehicle. ● FFV is an alternative fuel vehicle which comprises of the internal combustion engine which run on more than one fuel. ● It usually run on the gasoline blended with either ethanol or methanol fuel. ● Both of the fuels are stored in same common tank. ● The engines of the vehicle are capable of burning any proportion of the resulting blend in its combustion chamber. ● The fuel injection and spark timing are automatically adjusted in accordance with the actual blend detected by the fuel composition sensor.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The FFV is different from the bi-fuel vehicles. ● In the bi-fuel vehicle, two fuels are stored in the separate tanks and engine runs on one fuel at a time.

Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction ( RT-PCR ) ● Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a variation of standard PCR that involves the amplification of specific mRNA obtained from small samples. ● It eliminates the need for the tedious mRNA purification process required for conventional cloning techniques. ● In RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase and an RNA sample are used in addition to the standard PCR reagents. ● The reaction mixture is heated to 37 ˚C, which enables the production of cDNA from the RNA sample by reverse transcription. ● This cDNA anneals to one of the primers leading to first-strand synthesis. Standard PCR proceeds and dsDNA is produced. ● RT-PCR is a common virology diagnostic method and is frequently combined with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), which is widely used to quantify RNA transcript levels in cells and tissues. ● The combination of real-time PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcription PCR is known as quantitative RT-PCR or qRT-PCR.

Helium ● Helium is a chemical element with the symbol He and atomic number 2. ● It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic, first in the noble gas group in the periodic table. Its boiling point is the lowest among all the elements. ● Helium is the second lightest and second most abundant element in the observable universe (hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant). ● The liquified Helium is obtained by cooling the gas to -270 degrees Celsius.

Applications : ● It is used as an inert-gas atmosphere for welding metals such as aluminium. ● In rocket propulsion to pressurize fuel tanks, especially those for liquid hydrogen, because only helium is still a gas at liquid-hydrogen temperature. ● Party balloons, In MRI scanners, Meteorites and rocks have been analyzed for helium content as a means of dating.

‘Double Mutant’ virus ● Health Ministry has confirmed that, “double mutant” coronavirus variant which comes with the combination of mutations has been found in India.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Two mutations have been identified individually in other variants of SARS-CoV-2 in several parts of the world. ● They have been associated with reduction in vaccine efficacy and infectivity. Combined effect and biological implication of the variant is yet to be understood. ● India has not yet conducted studies on efficacy of vaccine is influenced by variants. However, international studies have shown reduced efficacy of vaccines like Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax on some variants of SARS-CoV-2.

NISAR ● NASA and ISRO are collaborating on developing a satellite called NISAR. ● What is NISAR ?: The name NISAR is short for NASA-ISRO-SAR. SAR here refers to the synthetic aperture radar that NASA will use to measure changes in the surface of the Earth. ○ Essentially, SAR refers to a technique for producing high-resolution images. Because of the precision, the radar can penetrate clouds and darkness, which means that it can collect data day and night in any weather. ● The satellite will be launched in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, India, into a near-polar orbit. ● Functions: ○ It will scan the globe every 12 days over the course of its three-year mission of imaging the Earth’s land, ice sheets and sea ice to give an “unprecedented” view of the planet. ○ It will detect movements of the planet’s surface as small as 0.4 inches over areas about half the size of a tennis court.

Lunar Polar Exploration Mission ● The Lunar Polar Exploration mission (LUPEX) is a robotic lunar mission concept by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) ● LUPEX send a lunar rover and lander to explore the south pole region of the Moon in 2024.

DSIR-PRISM Scheme ● PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Startups, and MSMEs) scheme. ● Nodal Ministry: It is an initiative of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). ● Aim: To help an individual innovator to become a successful technopreneur. It promotes, supports, and funds implementable and commercially viable innovations created for society.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Eligibility: Under the initiative, an innovator of Indian nationality –student, professional and common citizen is eligible. ● Features: Eligible candidates are provided with technical, strategic, and financial assistance by DSIR-PRISM. Assistance is provided on the stages like idea development, prototype development, and pilot scaling and patenting. ● Sectors Covered: The proposals under the scheme will be accepted for the following sectors: ○ Green technology ○ Clean energy ○ Industrially utilizable smart materials ○ Waste to Wealth ○ Affordable Healthcare ○ Water & Sewage Management and ○ any other technology or knowledge-intensive area. ● Financial Assistance: The grant under the scheme is given in two phases: ○ Phase I: ■ Category-I: For proof of concept/prototype/models, a grant amount of around Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs. ■ Category-II: For fabrication (!नमा%ण) of working model/ process know-how/ testing, a grant amount of around Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs. ○ Phase II : For Enterprise incubation, a grant amount of a maximum of around Rs.50 lakhs.

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant ● It is an under-construction 2.4 GWe nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. ● It is being constructed at Rooppur (Rupppur) in the Pabna District of Bangladesh, on the bank of Padma River. ● There are two units of plants which are expected to be completed in 2022 and 2024 respectively. Each will produce 1200MW of electricity. ● It has significance as it will be the Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant. ● The Rooppur project is the first initiative under the Indo-Russian deal to undertake atomic energy projects in third countries.

International Lunar Research Station ● China and Russia have agreed to build a International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), possibly on the moon’s surface, marking the start of a new era in space cooperation between the two countries. ● The ILRS is a comprehensive scientific experiment base with the capability of long-term autonomous operation. ● The station would be built on the lunar surface and/or on the lunar orbit that would carry out scientific research activities such as the lunar exploration and utilization, lunar-based observation, basic scientific experiment and technical verification.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Principle: Russia and China will adhere to the principle of co-consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits. ○ They will facilitate extensive cooperation in the ILRS, open to all interested countries and international partners.

Red Echo & ShadowPad ● a Massachusetts-based firm published a report saying it had observed a steep rise in the use of resources like malware by a Chinese group called Red Echo. ● It aimed to target “a large swathe” of India’s power sector. ● It said 10 distinct Indian power sector organisations were targeted, including four Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs) that are responsible for the smooth operation of the country’s power grid by balancing the supply and demand of electricity. ● Red Echo used malware called ShadowPad, which involves the use of a backdoor to access servers.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Economics.

City Innovation Exchange (CiX) ● The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched a City Innovation Exchange (CiX). What is it? ● 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. ● Significance: The platform brings together Citizens-Organisations -Academic Businesses-Government to co-create solutions for the future of Urban India.

A technical recession ● A technical recession is when a country faces a continuous decline for two consecutive quarters in the GDP. ● The Indian economy has emerged out of technical recession as it grew at 0.4% in the third (October-December) quarter of 2020-21 with improvement in manufacturing, construction and agriculture. ● According to NBER, “During a recession, a significant decline in economic activity spreads across the economy and can last from a few months to more than a year”.

What is a recessionary phase? ● At its simplest, in any economy, a recessionary phase is the counterpart of an expansionary phase. In other words, when the overall output of goods and services — typically measured by the GDP — increases from one quarter (or month) to another, the economy is said to be in an expansionary phase. And when the GDP contracts from one quarter to another, the economy is said to be in a recessionary phase. ● Business Cycle: Together, these two phases create what is called a “business cycle” in any economy. A full business cycle could last anywhere between one year and a decade.

Maritime India Summit 2021 ● It is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Aims : Visualise a roadmap for India's maritime sector for the next decade and work to propel India to the forefront of the global maritime sector. ● Partner Country: Denmark. ● Participants : Various stakeholders in the maritime sector, eminent policy planners, domestic and international investors, industry experts, thought leaders, technology providers, representatives of major ports and shipping lines, etc. ● Functions ○ Project vast investment opportunities in each of the Indian maritime States and UTs. ○ Showcase the latest technology, products and services. ○ Help disseminate knowledge about the latest developments in the maritime sector. ○ Provide a platform to interact closely to explore business opportunities.

Spectrum auctions ● The government has received bids worth ₹77,146 crore on the first day of the auction for telecom airwaves, exceeding its own pre-bid estimates of about ₹45,000 crore. ● Airwaves worth ₹3.92 lakh crore have been put up for sale across 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz frequency bands.

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What are spectrum auctions?

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Devices such as cellphones and wireline telephones require signals to connect from one end to another. These signals are carried on airwaves, which must be sent at designated frequencies to avoid any kind of interference. ● The Union government owns all the publicly available assets within the geographical boundaries of the country, which also include airwaves. ● To sell these assets to companies willing to set up the required infrastructure to transport these waves from one end to another, the central government through the DoT auctions these airwaves from time to time. ● These airwaves are called spectrum, which is subdivided into bands which have varying frequencies. All these airwaves are sold for a certain period of time, after which their validity lapses, which is generally set at 20 years.

Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) ● an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and services sectors. ● It is a survey-based measures that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before. ● It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed. ● A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business activity. Anything below 50 denotes contraction. ● Higher the difference from this mid-point greater the expansion or contraction.

Land Ports Authority of India ● Status: Statutory body (created by Land Ports Authority of India Act, 2010. ● Established in : 2012. ● Headquartered : New Delhi. ● Parent ministry : Ministry of Home Affairs. ● It develops, sanitizes and manages the facilities for cross-border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India. ● LPAI may put in place systems, which address security imperatives at the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on the border. ● It has power to manage various activities like infrastructure facilities, communication, security, etc., at an ICP. ● It can regulate and control the movement of vehicles, people and goods at the ICP with due regard to the law, security and protocol of the Government of India. ● It can develop and provide consultancy, construction or management services, and undertake operations in India and abroad regarding ICP.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Better Than Cash Alliance ● The Government of India, FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry), and the Better Than Cash Alliance has come under the partnership to achieve the industry level commitment of responsible digitization of merchants. ● Based at the United Nations (UN), it is a partnership of governments, companies, and international organisations that accelerates the transition from cash to responsible digital payments. ● Created in : 2012. ● Headquarters : New York, US. ● It works with members on their journey to digitise payments by ○ Providing advisory services based on their priorities. ○ Sharing action-oriented research and fostering peer learning on responsible practices. ○ Conducting advocacy at national, regional and global levels. ● It has 75 members which are committed to digitising payments in order to ○ Boost efficiency & transparency. ○ Women’s economic participation & financial inclusion. ○ Help build economies that are digital & inclusive. ● Members do not want to abolish physical cash, as it is legal tender, but rather want to provide responsible digital payment options that are “better than cash”. ● India joined the alliance in 2015.

Cess and surcharge ● It is a form of tax levied or collected by the government for the development or welfare of a particular service or sector. ● It is charged over and above direct and indirect taxes. ● Cess collected for a particular purpose cannot be used for or diverted to other purposes. ● It is not a permanent source of revenue for the government, and it is discontinued when the purpose levying it is fulfilled. ● Currently, the cess and surcharge collected by the Centre are not part of the tax devolution. ● Examples : Education Cess, Swachh Bharat Cess, Krishi Kalyan Cess etc.

Surcharge ● ‘Surcharge’ is an additional charge or tax levied on an existing tax. ● Unlike a cess, which is meant to raise revenue for a temporary need, surcharge is usually permanent in nature. ● In India, a surcharge of 10% is levied if an individual’s income is more than Rs. 50 Lakhs and a surcharge of 15% is levied if the individual’s income is more than Rs 1crore. In case of companies, it is levied if the income is more than Rs. 1 Crore. ● The revenue earned via surcharge is solely retained by the Centre and, unlike other tax revenues, is not shared with States. ● Collections from surcharge flow into the Consolidated Fund of India.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Difference between Usual Taxes, Surcharge & Cess

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Sagar-Manthan-MMDAC ● The government of India has launched Sagar-Manthan: Mercantile Marine Domain Awareness Centre(MMDAC). ● It is a real-time vessel tracking and seafarers’ help system. ● It is a Maritime information system. Thus, it will enhance maritime safety, search and rescue capabilities, security, and marine environment protection. ● Operated by : It will be operated by the Director-General of Shipping. ● Functions : ○ It has a real-time vessel tracking feature that can help seafarers and fishermen in times of need. ○ Apart from tracking Indian vessels globally, it can also track foreign vessels within 1,000-km of India’s coastline. ○ It can also organize help for other countries in case of an emergency. ○ India will be sharing this information system with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Udyog Manthan ● Organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. ● Udyog Manthan is a series of focused webinars on promoting quality and productivity in Indian industry. ● It will cover various sectors including pharma, medical devices, closed circuit camera, electronics system design and manufacturing, new and renewable energy, robotics, aerospace and defence, toys, furniture, etc.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Municipal Performance Index 2020 ● Released by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry ● It seeks to simplify and evaluate the complexities in local governance practice and promote the ethos of transparency and accountability. ● The MPI examined the sectoral performance of 111 municipalities (with Delhi being assessed separately for NDMC, and the three Municipal Corporations) across five verticals which comprise of 20 sectors and 100 indicators in all totality. ● The five verticals under MPI are Services, Finance, Policy, Technology and Governance. ● Ranking of cities: ○ In the Million+ category: Indore has emerged as the highest ranked municipality, followed by Surat and Bhopal. ○ In the Less than Million category: New Delhi Municipal Council has emerged as the leader, followed by Tirupati and Gandhinagar.

Cheque: ● It is a negotiable instrument. Cheques are not negotiable by any person other than the payee. The cheques have to be deposited into the payee's bank account. ● The author of the cheque is called ‘drawer’, the person in whose favour, the cheque is drawn is called ‘payee’, and the bank who is directed to pay the amount is known as ‘drawee’. ● Why in news?: A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has proposed setting up fast-track courts for a limited time to clear dishonoured cheque cases. ● A cheque is said to be honoured, if the banks give the amount to the payee. While, if the bank refuses to pay the amount to the payee, the cheque is said to be dishonoured. ● The dishonour of cheque is a criminal offence and is punishable by imprisonment up to two years or with monetary penalty or with both.

Negotiable Instrument ● These are signed documents that promise a sum of payment to a specified person or the assignee. ● It is transferable in nature, allowing the holder to take the funds as cash or use them in a manner appropriate for the transaction or according to their preference. ● Promissory notes, bills of exchange, and cheques are categorised as the negotiable instruments.

Scheme for formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (FME) ● Launched by The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) on June ● It is a part of India’s self-reliant scheme called Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan; and ‘Vocal for Local’ Campaign. ● It is a centrally sponsored scheme. ● Expenditure: The share of expenditure under the PM FME scheme is as follows:

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ 60:40 between the central government and state governments and UTS with the legislature ○ 90:10 between central and North Eastern and Himalayan states ○ 100 percent central assistance for UTs without legislatures. ● The central government will bear the expenditure for the first year irrespective of who incurs it; later will be adjusted in the ratio mentioned above; in the next four years. ● It will run for five years — 2020-21 to 2024-25. ● The central government will provide funds to the state based on the approved Project Implementation Plan (PIP). ● One-District One-Product Approach (ODOP) plan to be implemented to encompass input procurement, common services availability and products marketing. ● The Inter-Ministerial Empowered Committee (IMEC) is established at the national level. The structure of IMEC under PM FME is: ○ Chairman – Minister of Food Processing Industries ○ Vice-Chairman – Minister of State of Food Processing Industries ○ Member-Secretary ○ Members Four Main Components of PM FME ● To address the need of the micro food processing sector, the following four components have been encompassed in the scheme: ● Support to individual and groups of micro-enterprises ● Branding and Marketing support ● Support for strengthening of institutions ● Setting up a robust project management framework

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One-District One-Product (ODOP) ● Under the ODOP approach, product-specific traditional industrial hubs to be established under PM FME Scheme.

The following are considered as ODOP under PM FME: ● Perishable agri-produce ● Cereal based product ● Food product widely produced in a district and allied sectors

The important points to remember about ODOP for UPSC Prelims are: ● It will provide a framework for value chain development and alignment of support infrastructure. ● Each state will identify one product per district which will be based on the raw materials’ availability and existing clusters. ● One cluster can belong to one and more districts. ● Those existing enterprises to produce products under the ODOP approach are to be given preference.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Assistance for common infrastructure and marketing and branding will be only available for such foods that are available under the ODOP programme. (Exception provided) ● The ODOP approach complements the existing promotional efforts of the government: ○ Agriculture Export Policy ○ National Rurban Mission ●

World Food Price Index ● Released by the Food and Agriculture organisation. ● It measures the monthly change in international prices of basket of food commodities. ● The food price index measures the monthly changes for a basket containing the cereals, dairy products, oilseeds, meat and sugar. Key points: ● The World food prices have increased for the ninth consecutive month in February 2021. This increase is the at its highest level since July 2014. ● The prices of sorghum have increased the most that is 17.4% for month and 82.1%. ● Causes: Food prices have increased because of jumps in prices of sugar and vegetable oils. The cereal price index provided by the FAO has increased to 1.2% in February 2021. ● Vegetable oil price index has also increased by 6.2% while the prices of palm oil increased for a ninth month. Dairy prices have increased b 1.7% while meat index was increased by 0.6%.

Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme ● Implemented by: The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC & FW) since 2016-17 ● This sub-mission is under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). ● Aim of the mission : to encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees together with the agriculture crops for climate resilience and an additional source of income to the farmers, as well as enhanced feedstock to inter alia wood-based and herbal industry. ● The scheme promotes endemic species or tree species that come with medicinal value. ● Exotic species are not promoted by the scheme. ● The scheme is implemented only in the states having liberalized transit regulations for the transport of timber and will be extended to other states as and when such relaxations are notified by them. ● Funding: It is operational under the funding pattern 60:40 (Central government: State government) & 90:10 in 8 states of North East Region, the hilly states.For Union Territories (UTs), the assistance will be 100% from the Central government. ● Beneficiaries: ○ Farmers would be supported financially to the extent of 50% of the actual cost of the interventions (limited to 50% of the estimated cost as indicated in the Cost norms) for the respective interventions.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ Farmers groups/Cooperatives and Farmer Producers Organization (FPO) can also avail the benefit of the programme but the assistance can be accessed as per norms and provisions applicable to the individual farmers.

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Agroforestry ● Agroforestry is defined as a land use system which integrates trees and shrubs on farmlands and rural landscapes to enhance productivity, profitability, diversity and ecosystem sustainability. ● It is a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through integration of woody perennials on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production and builds social institutions.

Sericulture ● It is an agro-based industry. ● It involves rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk, which is the yarn obtained out of cocoons spun by certain species of insects. ● The major activities of sericulture consist of food-plant cultivation to feed the silkworms which spin silk cocoons and reeling the cocoons for unwinding the silk filament for value-added benefits such as processing and weaving. ● Domesticated silkworms (Bombyx mori) are raised for the purpose of sericulture.

Banks Board Bureau (BBB) ● Set up in February 2016 as an autonomous body– based on the recommendations of the RBI-appointed Nayak Committee. ● It was part of the Indradhanush Plan. ● It will make recommendations for appointment of whole-time directors as well as non-executive chairpersons of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and state-owned financial institutions. ● The Ministry of Finance takes the final decision on the appointments in consultation with the Prime Minister’s Office. ● Composition: Banks Board Bureau comprises ○ The Chairman, ○ Three ex-officio members i.e ■ Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, ■ Secretary of the Department of Financial Services and ■ Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and ○ Five expert members, two of which are from the private sector.

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Mission Indradhanush for Public Sector Banks (PSBs)

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Launched by the Government in 2015. ● It is a government of India’s 7 point reforms to revamp public sector banks and its performance. ● Aim: The Indradhanush for PSBs mission aims at revamping the functioning of the Public Sector Banks to enable them to compete with the Private Sector Banks. It seeks to revive economic growth through the reduction of political interference in the functioning of PSBs and improving credit.

7 Components of Mission Indradhanush for PSBs ● Appointments: The Government decided to separate the post of Chairman and Managing Director and there would be another person who would be appointed as non Executive Chairman of PSBs. ○ The selection process for both these positions has been transparent and meritocratic. ● Bank Board Bureau (BBB): The BBB will be a body of eminent professionals and officials, which replace the Appointments Board for appointment of Whole-time Directors as well as non-Executive Chairman of PSBs. ● Capitalisation: the GOI wants to adequately capitalize all the banks to keep a safe buffer over and above the minimum norms of Basel III. ○ Infusion of 25,000 crore rupees of capital into debt-laden banks in this fiscal in phased manner. Out of this 20,000 crore rupees would be injected in August 2015. Rest 5,000 crore rupees will be performance based allocation to be allocated in the last quarter of 2016. ● De-stressing PSBs: To develop vibrant debt market for PSBs in order to reduce lending pressure on banks. Strengthen asset reconstruction of companies. ● Empowerment: There will be no interference from Government and Banks are encouraged to take their decision independently keeping the commercial interest of the organisation in mind. ○ Provide greater flexibility in hiring of manpower in PSBs. ● Framework of accountability: It will seek to streamline vigilance process for quick action in case major frauds and also include connivance of staff. ● Governance reforms in PSBs: ○ The process of governance reforms started with “Gyan Sangam” – a conclave of PSBs and FIs organized at the beginning of 2015 in Pune. ○ There was focus group discussion on six different topics which resulted in specific decisions on optimizing capital, digitizing processes, strengthening risk management, improving managerial performance and financial inclusion. ○ Next Gyan Sangam will be held between 14 to 16 Jan 2016 to discuss strategy with top level officials.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Debt Funds ● Debt funds are mutual funds that invest in fixed income securities like bonds and treasury bills. ● Debt funds aim to generate returns for investors by investing their money in avenues like bonds and other fixed-income securities. ● This means that these funds buy the bonds and earn interest income on the money. The yields that mutual fund investors receive is based on this.

Stand-Up India Scheme ● launched on April 5, 2016 ● To promote the entrepreneurship at the grass root level for the economic empowerment and job creation. ● This scheme seeks to provide the institutional credit structure to reach out to underserved sector of people like Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Women Entrepreneurs. ● Objective of facilitating the bank loans ranging between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.1 crore to one Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe borrower and to one woman borrower per bank branch in order to set up a Greenfield enterprise. ● Why in news ?: As on February 26, 2021 it has more than 81% of the account sanctioned to the women entrepreneurs.

SmartUp Unnati mentoring Programme ● Launched by HDFC Bank ● launched to provide its support to the women entrepreneurs. ● Under this programme, the senior women leaders from the HDFC Bank with the expertise will mentor the women entrepreneurs so as to help them in achieving their goals in next one year. ● This programme is available for the existing customers of the bank. ● The programme will initially target more than 3,000 women entrepreneurs who are associated with the SmartUp programme of the bank. ● Under the programme, the senior women executive leaders’ will be acting as the sounding board for women entrepreneurs. ● Thus, it is a programme for women by women.

Index of Economic Freedom 2021 About Index: ● Released by The Heritage Foundation ● It is an annual index. This index created in 1995 by think-tank The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal. ● Purpose : It measures the degree of economic freedom in countries across the world.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Coverage: The Index covered economic freedoms in 184 countries. ● Parameters: The index measures 12 indicators grouped into ● Four broad categories of economic freedom: ○ Rule of Law (property rights, government integrity, judicial effectiveness) ○ Government Size (government spending, tax burden, fiscal health) ○ Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labour freedom, monetary freedom) ○ Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). ● Each of these twelve economic freedoms within these categories is graded on a scale of 0 to 100. Score 0 is the least economic freedom and score 100 is the highest economic freedom. Key Findings ● Singapore tops the index followed by New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, and Ireland. ● India ranked 121st in the index with a score of 56.5 points under the category of ‘mostly unfree’. ● In Asia-Pacific, India ranked 26th among the 40 countries.

Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 ● The Parliament has passed the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 after the Rajya Sabha cleared it on March 10, 2021. This bill was already passed in the Lok Sabha in February, 2021. ● The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. ● The legislation comprises of the provisions of dealing with the domestic and international arbitration. Provisions of the Bill ● The bill comprises of the provision of “Automatic stay on awards”. Earlier, the act of 1996 had allowed the party to file application in order to set aside the order given in the arbitration proceeding. ● It specifies that the count can stay the arbitral award, even if there is pendency of setting aside of application, when the court is satisfied that relevant arbitration agreement or contract or making of award was induced by fraud or corruption. ● Schedule seven of the principal act (Act of 1996) specifies some qualifications, experience, and accreditation norms for the arbitrators. The arbitrator must be: ○ An advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961 along with the 10 years of experience ○ An officer of Indian Legal Service. ● The bill of 2021 removes the Schedule seven for arbitrators and mention that these qualifications, experience, and norms will only be specified under regulations by the regulators.

AT-1 Bonds ● AT1 Bonds stand for additional tier-1 bonds.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● These are unsecured bonds which have perpetual tenure. In other words, the bonds have no maturity date. ● They have call option, which can be used by the banks to buy these bonds back from investors. ● These bonds are typically used by banks to bolster their core or tier-1 capital. ● AT1 bonds are subordinate to all other debt and only senior to common equity. ● Mutual funds (MFs) are among the largest investors in perpetual debt instruments, and hold over Rs 35,000 crore of the outstanding additional tier-I bond issuances of Rs 90,000 crore.

Atmanirbhar Niveshak Mitra: ● To be launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. ● The portal is being developed for handholding and facilitation, information dissemination, and facilitation of domestic investors. ● It will give information about approvals, licenses, and clearances required for businesses. ● It will also help investors connect to various stakeholders on single platform like Central Ministries, Industry Associations, State Departments. ● This Project is under the “Invest India” agency which was set up in 2009 as a non-profit venture under the DPIIT.

Forex Reserves ● These are assets held on reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills and other government securities. ● Most foreign exchange reserves are held in U.S. dollars. ● These assets are held to ensure that the central bank has backup funds if the national currency rapidly devalues or becomes altogether insolvent. ● It is an important component of the Balance of Payment and an essential element in the analysis of an economy’s external position. ● Forex Reserves in India: Forex reserves are external assets accumulated by India and controlled by the RBI in the form of: ○ 1. Gold ○ 2. SDRs (special drawing rights of the International Monetary Fund - IMF) ○ 3. Foreign currency assets (capital inflows to the capital markets, Foreign Direct Investment and external commercial borrowings) ○ 4. Reserve Position with IMF. ● India’s FOREX is governed by RBI under RBI Act,1934. ● India’s reserves, enough to cover roughly 18 months of imports, have been bolstered by a rare current-account surplus, rising inflows into the local stock market and foreign direct investment.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● China has the largest reserves, followed by Japan and Switzerland on the International Monetary Fund table.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) ● What is it ?: It is an intergovernmental organisation mandated to facilitate cooperation, advance knowledge, and promote the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy. ● It is the first international organisation to focus exclusively on renewable energy, addressing needs in both industrialized and developing countries. ● Founded : It was founded in 2009 and its statute entered into force in July 2010. ● Members : Total Members of the Agency – 161 Members (as of 2019). ○ India has become the 77th Founding Member of IRENA. ● Headquarters : Abu Dhabi ● IRENA is an observer of United Nations.

Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) ● The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project aims to harvest surplus water available during the rainy season in rivers in southern Rajasthan such as Chambal and its tributaries including Kunnu, Parvati, Kalisindh. ● Besides supplying drinking water in 13 districts, the mega project will also provide irrigation water to an additional 2 lakh hectares of land. ● It will also supply water to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and take care of the flood and drought situation in the area.

Major Economies Forum ● The Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) was launched on March 28, 2009. ● It aimed to push for a way forward on climate change without attention to the differentiated responsibilities and historical responsibilities ● The MEF is intended to facilitate a candid dialogue among major developed and developing economies, help generate the political leadership necessary to achieve a successful outcome at the December UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, and advance the exploration of concrete initiatives and joint ventures that increase the supply of clean energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Tejaswini Project ● Tejaswini Project is financed by World Bank ● The project is being delivered in 17 Districts of Jharkhand

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Full form is Tejaswini Socio-Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Project and seeks to empower adolescent girls with basic life skills)

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RODTEP) scheme ● The scheme was announced in 2020 as a replacement for the Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS), which was not compliant with the rules of the World Trade Organisation. ● RoDTEP is a scheme for Exporters to make Indian products cost-competitive and create a level playing field for them in the Global Market. ● The scheme would refund to exporters the embedded central, state and local duties or taxes that were so far not being rebated or refunded and were, therefore, placing India’s exports at a disadvantage. ● It came in effect from 1st January 2021. ● Features: ○ Refund of the previously non-refundable duties and taxes. ○ Automated system of credit. ○ Quick verification through digitisation. ○ Multi-sector scheme. ○ Compliant with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms.

Universal banking ● It is a system of banking where banks undertake a blanket of financial services like investment banking, commercial banking, development banking, insurance and other financial services including functions of merchant banking, mutual funds, factoring, housing finance, insurance etc. ● Universal Banks are the financial entities like the commercial banks, Financial Institutions, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), which undertake multiple financial activities under one roof, thereby creating a financial supermarket. ● The entities focus on leveraging their large branch network and offer a wide range of services under a single brand name/Bank’s name. ● Why in news?: The Reserve Bank of India has set up a five-member Standing External Advisory Committee, headed by former RBI Deputy Governor Shyamala Gopinath, for evaluating applications for universal banks and Small Finance Banks (SFBs). ○ Tenure : The committee will have a tenure of three years.

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Non-Operative Financial Holding Company ● Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC) means a non-deposit taking NBFC.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● As per the Banking Guidelines, promoter or promoter group will be permitted to set up a new bank only through a wholly-owned Non-operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC). ● Such NOHFC holds the Bank as well as all other financial services companies regulated by RBI or other financial sector regulators based on permissible regulatory prescriptions.

On-tap Licensing of Universal Bank ● An ‘on-tap’ facility means the RBI will accept applications and grant licenses for banks throughout the year. ● The policy allows aspirants to apply for universal bank license at any time, subject to the fulfillment of the set conditions

Market Infrastructure Institutions ● Stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations are collectively referred to as securities Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs). ● According to the Bimal Jalan Committee (2010), these institutions are systemically important for the country’s financial development and serve as the infrastructure necessary for the securities market. ● The stock exchange in India serves as a market where financial instruments like stocks, bonds and commodities are traded. ● Depositories may be organizations, banks, or institutions that hold securities and assist in the trading of securities. ● A clearing corporation is an organisation/entity affiliated with a stock exchange whose primary objective is to oversee the handling of confirmation, settlement, and delivery of transactions.

GAFA tax ● Named after Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon—is a proposed digital tax to be levied on large technology and internet companies. ● France has decided to introduce the tax (3% tax on revenues from digital activities).

National Biopharma Mission ● Initiated by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) ● Objective of strengthening emerging biotechnology enterprise across India. ● National Biopharma mission was launched to support small and medium enterprises in order for them to overcome the risks associated with early stages of development of products. ● It promotes entrepreneurship by supporting enhanced industry-academia inter-linkages. ● It also provides mentoring & training for academia, innovators and entrepreneurs.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The mission further promotes domestic manufacturing by shared national facilities like GLP Analytical facilities, cell line repositories and setting clinical trial network.

Innovate in India (I3) ● I3 is an industry- academia collaborative mission by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) which was launched in collaboration with World Bank to accelerate discovery research. ● Implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). ● Aim: Mission was launched with the aim of enabling and nurturing an ecosystem to preparing technological and product development capabilities of India in biopharmaceutical to make it globally competitive. ● It also seeks to transform the health standards of India’s population by developing affordable product.

Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) ● BRSR, which is from an Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) perspective, is intended to enable businesses to engage more meaningfully with their stakeholders. ● It will encourage businesses to go beyond regulatory financial compliance and report on their social and environmental impacts. ● The BRSR will be applicable to the top 1000 listed entities (by market capitalization), for reporting on a voluntary basis for FY 2021 – 22 and on a mandatory basis from FY 2022 – 23.

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Sustainability Reporting: ● It is the disclosure and communication of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals—as well as a company’s progress towards them. ● The benefits of sustainability reporting include improved corporate reputation, building consumer confidence, increased innovation, and even improvement of risk management.

Environmental, Social, and Governance Goals: ● Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals are a set of standards for a company’s operations that force companies to follow better governance, ethical practices, environment-friendly measures and social responsibility. ● Environmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature. ● Social criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. ● Governance deals with a company’s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls, and shareholder rights.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 International Intellectual Property Index ● It is an annual report released by the US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Centre(GIPC). ● Aim: The index evaluates Intellectual Property rights in 53 global economies. These economies represent together over 90% of global GDP. ● Parameters: It ranks countries based on 50 unique indicators. These indicators are divided across nine categories of protection: 1) Patents 2) copyrights 3) trademarks 4) design rights 5) trade secrets 6) commercialization of IP assets 7) enforcement 8) systemic efficiency and 9)membership and ratification of international treaties. ● Significance: The IP Index serves as a roadmap for policymakers who look to support creativity, innovation and economic growth through more robust IP policy.

Key Findings ● The US, the UK, Germany, France, and Japan are the top five economies on the IP Index in 2021. Related to India: ● India has been ranked 40th in the 2021 index among the 53 global economies. In 2020 also, India was ranked 40th. ● Among BRICS nations, India registered the second-highest growth with an overall improvement of over 13%,

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India’s initiative in safeguarding IPR ● National IPR Policy for India: It was adopted by the Government of India on 12th May 2016, as a vision document that lays the future roadmap of IPRs in India. ● Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) : It has been set up to coordinate the implementation of the National IPR Policy. ● IP awareness programmes: They have been undertaken in academic institutions, at both school and college level, as also for industry.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ● It is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. ● It has membership of 193 member states. ● Its mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. ● Its mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Special Purpose Acquisition Companies ● It is a company with no commercial operations and is formed strictly to raise capital through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for the purpose of acquiring an existing company. ● These are also known as "blank check companies”. ● Investors in SPACs can range from well-known private equity funds to the general public. ● 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.

Development of Iconic Tourist Destinations Scheme: ● It is a central sector scheme for the development of identified iconic destinations in the country following a holistic approach. ● The objective of the scheme is to boost the tourism influx in India and serve as a model for other tourism sites. ● The nodal agency for the scheme is the Tourism Ministry while other ministries such as civil aviation, railways, etc. are also involved.

Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) ● Measurement of food price movement is important to assess the changes in food prices as well as its impact on the general price level. ● Inflation in India is caused mostly by supply disturbances led by food items. ● There are two indices for measuring food inflation. ○ The first is food price index calculated from food items that comes under the WPI ○ Second one Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) by CSO. ● The CSO launched Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) constructing the index for early months of 2014 onwards. ● Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) is a measure of change in retail prices of food items consumed by the population. ● Under the CSO’s CFPI, the index gives food price level changes for rural, urban and all India basis. ● The base year used in CFPI is 2012 as in the case of CPI. ● Composition of CFPI ○ The Methodology for the calculation of CFPI is similar to that of CPI. ○ Base year and data are the same. ○ In CPI, food and beverage group constitutes 45.86% of weight. ○ Out of this, beverages and some of the eatable items are excluded to derive the CFPI basket of commodities. ○ Weight of the CFPI commodities is 39.05% of the entire CPI basket (MOSPI Annual Report 2014-15, P.27).

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The Ministry of Food Processing releases Consumer Food Price Indices (CFPI) for three categories -rural, urban and combined - separately on an all India basis.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Indian Polity.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Scheme ● Launched on Ekta Diwas (31st October 2015) on the occasion of birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel draws inspiration from the life of India’s freedom fighter. ● The Ministry of Human Resource Development has been designated Nodal Ministry for co-ordination of the programme ● Launched to celebrate the cultural vibrancy of India while establishing a strong mechanism to inculcate nationalism and cultural awareness among the citizens of our nation. ● Primary objective is to strengthen cultural relations of various regions in the country and to encourage mutual connection between people residing in different states ● Every State and UT in the country would be paired with another State/UT for a time period, during which they would carry out a structured engagement with one another in the spheres of language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism etc

Insurance ombudsman ● The Insurance Ombudsman scheme was created by the Government of India for individual policyholders to have their complaints settled out of the courts system in a cost-effective, efficient and impartial way. ● Any person who has a grievance against an insurer, may himself or through his legal heirs, nominee or assignee, make a complaint in writing to the Insurance ombudsman. ● One can approach the Ombudsman with complaint only if: ○ One has first approached insurance company with the complaint and; ● They have rejected it ○ Not resolved it to satisfaction or ○ Not responded to it at all for 30 days ○ And the value of the claim including expenses claimed should not be above Rs 30 lakhs. ● Appointment of Ombudsman: ○ The Ombudsman is a person in the insurance industry, civil or judicial services, and is appointed by the insurance council. ○ The serving term of the Insurance Ombudsman is three years.

National Population Register (NPR) ● It is a Register of usual residents of the country. ● It is being prepared at the local (Village/sub-Town), sub-District, District, State and National level under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. ● It is mandatory for every usual resident of India to register in the NPR.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Objective: To create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. ● The NPR was first collected in 2010 and then updated in 2015.

Who is a usual resident? ● A usual resident is defined for the purposes of NPR as a person who has resided in a local area for the past 6 months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next 6 months or more.

Freedom in the World 2021: Democracy under Siege ● Released by US think-tank Freedom House.It is largely funded through USA government grants, has been tracking the course of democracy since 1941. ● Indicators Use by report: ● Electoral Process, Political Pluralism and Participation , Functioning of Government , Freedom of Expression and Belief, Associational and Organizational Rights, Rule of Law, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights. Key findings: ● Freedoms in India have reduced resulting in India being classified as ‘partly free’. ● India’s score was 67, a drop from 71/100 from last year downgrading it from the free category last year. ● The most free countries in the world, with a score of 100, are Finland, Norway and Sweden, while the least free with a score of 1 are Tibet and Syria. Reasons for the downgrade: ● The government and its State-level allies continued to crack down on critics during the year. ● The private media are vigorous and diverse, and investigations and scrutiny of politicians do occur. However, attacks on press freedom have escalated dramatically under the Modi government, and reporting has become significantly less ambitious in recent years. ● Security, defamation, sedition and contempt of court laws have been used to quiet critical media voices. ● Revelations of close relationships between politicians, business executives and lobbyists on one hand and leading media personalities and owners of media outlets, on the other, have dented public confidence in the press.

Freedom in US and China: ● The U.S. dropped three points over one year, down to 83/100. ● The United States will need to work vigorously to strengthen its institutional safeguards, restore its civic norms and uphold the promise of its core principles. ● China, classified as ‘not free’, dropped a point from last year going down to 9/100. ● The malign influence of the regime in China, the world’s most populous dictatorship, was especially profound in 2020.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Annual democracy report ● Fifth annual democracy report, titled ‘Autocratisation goes viral’, has been released by Sweden’s organisation Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute. ○ The V-Dem Institute, an independent research organisation founded in 2014 by Swedish political scientist Staffan Lindberg.

Highlights of the report: About India: ● India’s position has been downgraded from “the world’s largest democracy” to an “electoral autocracy”. ● Reasons behind the downgrade: “muzzling” of the media, and overuse of defamation and sedition laws. ● In censorship, India is now as autocratic as is Pakistan, and worse than both its neighbors Bangladesh and Nepal. ● The use of defamation “frequently used to silence journalists” and the use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) have placed constraints on civil society and gone against the Constitution’s commitment to secularism. ● Universities and authorities have also punished students and activists in universities engaging in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).” ● However, the report notes that civil society is being increasingly muzzled while organisations aligned with the “Hindutva movement” have gained freedom.

Right to Education Act ● The Act is completely titled “the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act”. ● It was passed by the Parliament in August 2009. ● The 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002) inserted Article 21A in the Indian Constitution which states: ● “The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of 6 to 14 years in such manner as the State, may by law determine.” ○ As per this, the right to education was made a fundamental right and removed from the list of Directive Principles of State Policy. Provision of the Act: ● The right of free and compulsory education to children until they complete their elementary education in a school in the neighbourhood. ● The Act makes it clear that ‘compulsory education’ implies that it is an obligation on the part of the government to ensure the admission, attendance and completion of elementary education of children between the ages of six and fourteen. ● The word ‘free’ indicates that no charge is payable by the child which may prevent him/her from completing such education. ● The Act provides for the admission of a non-admitted child to a class of his/her appropriate age.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● It lays down the norms and standards related to: Pupil Teacher Ratios (PTRs), Buildings and infrastructure, School-working days, Teacher-working hours. ● It prohibits ○ Physical punishment and mental harassment. ○ Screening procedures for admission of children. ○ Capitation fee. ○ Private tuition by teachers. ○ Running of schools without recognition. ● It focuses on making the child free of fear, trauma and anxiety through a system of child friendly and child centred learning.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) ● The CBI was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs. ● Now, the CBI comes under the administrative control of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. ● The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964). ● The CBI is not a statutory body. It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. ● The CBI is the main investigating agency of the Central Government. ● It also provides assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission and Lokpal. ● It is also the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigation on behalf of Interpol Member countries.

Overseas Citizen of India The Ministry of Home Affairs defines an OCI as a person who: ● Was a citizen of India on or after 26th January 1950; or ● Was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950; or ● Is a child or grandchild of such a person, among other eligibility criteria. ● According to Section 7A of the OCI card rules, an applicant is not eligible for the OCI card if he, his parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh. The category was introduced by the government in 2005. ● The Government of India via Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 merged the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) category with OCI category in 2015.

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Non Resident Indian ● A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) means a person resident outside India who is a citizen of India or is a person of Indian origin. ● An Indian citizen residing outside India for a combined total of at least 183 days in a financial year is considered to be an NRI.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● NRIs enjoy voting rights and are required to pay and file the income tax return on their Indian income like resident Indians. ● NRI is more of a technical classification for taxation purposes and investment purposes. ● However, in case an NRI wishes to take up foreign citizenship, he/she will have to give up Indian citizenship as the Indian constitution does not allow dual citizenship. ● A person cannot hold Indian as well as foreign citizenship simultaneously.

Foreigner ● As per the the Foreigners Act, 1946, foreigner means a person who is not a citizen of India. ● The Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Articles 14, 20, 21, 21A, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 are available to all persons whether citizens or foreigners. ● The Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Articles 15, 16, 19, 29, and 30 are available only to citizens of India.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act ● Passed in 1967 ● It is an anti-terror legislation that seeks to designate an individual as a “terrorist”. ● It is aimed at “more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations for dealing with terrorist activities”. ● The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the Centre deems an activity as unlawful then it may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so. ● It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest punishments. ● Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged. ● It will be applicable to the offenders in the same manner, even if crime is committed on a foreign land, outside India. ● Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court. ● As per amendments of 2019: ○ The Act empowers the Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by the said agency. ○ The Act empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of terrorism in addition to those conducted by the DSP or ACP or above rank officer in the state. ○ It also has the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist. Prior to this amendment, only organizations could be designated as terrorist organizations..

Editors Guild of India ● Editors Guild is an organization which was established in the year 1978

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Aim of protecting freedom of the press and raising the standards of editorial leadership of newspapers and magazines. ● The Editors Guild took up the issues of abuse of press freedom with the Parliament and Executive. ● They campaigned hard for restoring the press freedom and other freedoms which had been taken away by the press through several amendments to the Constitution, executive orders and judicial pronouncements.

Agriculture Voltage Technology ● This technique can be helpful in increasing the income of farmers by simultaneously producing power and cash crops on agricultural land. ● It is known that under Component-I of 'Kusum Yojana' (Kisan Energy Security Uplift Mahabhiyan), provision has been made to set up agro-voltaic system with capacity from 500 KW to 2 MW in the fields. ● Photovoltaic power plants convert solar energy into electrical energy using vast areas of photovoltaic manufactured cells. These cells are made of silicon alloy, known as PV or solar cells.

No-Confidence Motion ● A Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly and it remains in office till it enjoys the confidence of majority. ● Therefore, a motion of no-confidence is moved to remove the council of ministers and to remove the government from the office. Constitutional provisions: ● According to the Article 75 of the Indian Constitution, council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha and as per Article 164, the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the State. ● Lok Sabha/Legislative Assembly can remove the ministry from the office by passing a no-confidence motion. ● Lok Sabha Rule 198 specifies the procedure for a motion of no-confidence. What is the procedure to move a No-Confidence Motion? ● Against the Government, a motion of No-Confidence Motion can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha under rule 198. ● There should be a minimum of 50 members to accept the motion. If not, then the motion fails. Before 10 am, any member may provide written notice. ● The motion of no-confidence is read by the Speaker within the House and asks all those favouring the motion to rise. ● If 50 MPS are there in favour then the Speaker could allot a date for discussing the motion. But this has to be done within 10 days. ● Then, the motion is put to vote and can be conducted through Voice Vote, Division of Votes or other means.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● If the government loses a confidence motion or if the no-confidence motion is accepted by the majority then the government has to resign. What are the conditions related to no-confidence motion? ● It can be moved only in the Lok Sabha or state assembly as the case may be. It cannot be moved in the Rajya Sabha or state legislative council. ● The no-confidence motion is moved against the entire Council of Ministers and not individual ministers or private members.

Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities ● Denotified tribes are those that were notified under the Criminal Tribes Acts enforced during British Rule, whereby entire populations were branded criminals by birth. ● In 1952, the Act was repealed and the communities were de-notified. ● The Nomadic tribes maintain constant geographical mobility while semi-nomads are those who are on the move but return to fixed habitations once a year, mainly for occupational reasons. ● The distinction between nomadic and semi-nomadic do not involve distinguishable ethnic categories or social groups, it rather describes the degree of mobility practiced by them.

State Election Commission ● The Constitution of India vests in the State Election Commission, consisting of a State Election Commissioner, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats and the Municipalities (Articles 243K, 243ZA). ● The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor. ● As per article 243 the Governor, when so requested by the State Election Commission, make available to the State Election Commission such staff as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions conferred on the SEC by clause (1). ● Under the Constitution, establishment of local self-government institutions is the responsibility of the states (entry 5, List II, Seventh Schedule). ● Powers and removal of state election commissioner: The State Election Commissioner has the status, salary and allowance of a Judge of a High Court and cannot be removed from office except in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of a High Court.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 ● It sets out the rules and procedures regarding citizens’ right to information. ● It replaced the former Freedom of Information Act, 2002. ● This act was enacted in order to consolidate the fundamental right in the Indian constitution ‘freedom of speech’. Since RTI is implicit in the Right to Freedom of Speech

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 and Expression under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, it is an implied fundamental right. Key Provisions: ● Section 4 of the RTI Act requires suo motu disclosure of information by each public authority. ● Section 8 (1) mentions exemptions against furnishing information under RTI Act. ● Section 8 (2) provides for disclosure of information exempted under Official Secrets Act, 1923 if larger public interest is served.

Information Commissioners and PIOs: ● The Act also provides for appointment of Information Commissioners at Central and State level. ● Public authorities have designated some of its officers as Public Information Officer. They are responsible to give information to a person who seeks information under the RTI Act. Time period: ● In normal course, information to an applicant is to be supplied within 30 days from the receipt of application by the public authority. ● If information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, it shall be supplied within 48 hours. ● In case the application is sent through the Assistant Public Information Officer or it is sent to a wrong public authority, five days shall be added to the period of thirty days or 48 hours, as the case may be. Applicability of RTI to: ● Private bodies: ○ Private bodies are not within the Act’s ambit directly. ○ In a decision of Sarbjit roy vs Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Central Information Commission also reaffirmed that privatised public utility companies fall within the purview of RTI. ● Political parties: ○ The Central Information Commission (CIC) had held that the political parties are public authorities and are answerable to citizens under the RTI Act. ○ But in August 2013 the government introduced a Right To Information (Amendment) Bill which would remove political parties from the scope of the law. ○ Currently no parties are under the RTI Act and a case has been filed for bringing all political parties under it.

Index Monitoring Cell ● Set up by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in 2020. ● Its task is to improve India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index and to evolve an objective yardstick to gauge media freedom.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The group will also put in place a mechanism for States to come up with their own rankings of press freedom. ● Composition of the IMC: ○ It will include the director-general of the Press Information Bureau, officials from the Registrar of newspapers of India, Bureau of outreach and communication, and from the press facilitation unit, apart from the secretary of the Press Council of India and Niti Aayog.

World Press Freedom Index ● Reporters Without Borders, a non-profit organisation that works to document attacks on journalists around the world. ● HQ- Paris. ● Ranked India 142 out of 180 countries in 2020. ● The parameters that are evaluated for these rankings, include pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legal framework, transparency among others.

MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme ● Launched in December, 1993, to provide a mechanism for the Members of Parliament to recommend works of developmental nature for creation of durable community assets and for provision of basic facilities including community infrastructure, based on locally felt needs. ● Initially, it came under the control of the Ministry of Rural Development. Later, in October 1994, it was transferred to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. ● The MPLADS is a Plan Scheme fully funded by Government of India. Functioning: ● The MPs then were entitled to recommend works to the tune of Rs 1 crore annually between 1994-95 and 1997-98, after which the annual entitlement was enhanced to Rs 2 crore. ● The UPA government in 2011-12 raised the annual entitlement to Rs 5 crore per MP. ● Each year, MPs receive Rs. 5 crore in two instalments of Rs. 2.5 crore each. Funds under MPLADS are non-lapsable. ● Lok Sabha MPs have to recommend the district authorities projects in their Lok Sabha constituencies, while Rajya Sabha MPs have to spend it in the state that has elected them to the House. ● Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the country.

Inter-Parliamentary Union ● IPU is an international organisation of national parliaments. It was established in 1889 in Paris.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● It was founded by statesmen Frédéric Passy of France and William Randal Cremer of the United Kingdom. ● Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland. ● Aim: ○ To promote parliamentary dialogue world-wide and works for peace and cooperation among the peoples. ○ To promote democratic governance, accountability, and cooperation among its members. ● Slogan: For democracy. For everyone ● Members: ○ 179 countries are members of the IPU. ○ 13 regional parliamentary assemblies are associate members. ○ India is a member. ● It works with close co-operation with the United Nation (UN), regional parliamentary organisations, international intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations for the arbitration of conflict. ● It is a unique platform for observing political opinions and trends around the world.

World Energy Transitions Outlook report ● Released by The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Key highlights ● The COVID-19 crisis offers an unexpected opportunity for countries to decouple their economies from fossil fuels and accelerate the shift to renewable energy sources. ● It estimated that by 2050, 90% of total electricity needs would be supplied by renewables, followed by 6% from natural gas and the remaining from nuclear.

Dekho Apna Desh: ● Initiated by Ministry of Tourism, during function on Mygov platform ● To encourage Indians to visit their own country. ● to promote domestic tourism and to develop local economy + ● During lockdown, webinars were organised to create awareness and promote tourism destinations in India. ● This includes Video, Photograph and Blog Competitions of sites visited during the Event, Stories of India through Travelers’ Eyes, on Social Media, Tourism related Quiz, Essay, Debate and Painting Competitions for Students, Television Campaigns to promote travel to J&K and N.E. States.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Appropriation Bill ● Appropriation Bill is a money bill that allows the government to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet its expenses during the course of a financial year. ● As per article 114 of the Constitution, the government can withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund only after receiving approval from Parliament. ● To put it simply, the Finance Bill contains provisions on financing the expenditure of the government, and Appropriation Bill specifies the quantum and purpose for withdrawing money. Procedure followed: ● The government introduces the Appropriation Bill in the lower house of Parliament ( Loksabha ) after discussions on Budget proposals and Voting on Demand for Grants. ● The Appropriation Bill is first passed by the Lok Sabha and then sent to the Rajya Sabha. ● The Rajya Sabha has the power to recommend any amendments in this Bill. However, it is the prerogative of the Lok Sabha to either accept or reject the recommendations made by the upper house of Parliament. ● The unique feature of the Appropriation Bill is its automatic repeal clause, whereby the Act gets repealed by itself after it meets its statutory purpose. What happens when the bill is defeated? ● Since India subscribes to the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy, the defeat of an Appropriation Bill (and also the Finance Bill) in a parliamentary vote would necessitate resignation of a government or a general election. ● This has never happened in India till date, though.

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Appropriation Bill vs Finance Bill: ● While the Finance Bill contains provisions on financing the expenditure of the government, an Appropriation Bill specifies the quantum and purpose for withdrawing money. ● Both appropriation and finance bills are classified as money bills which do not require the explicit consent of the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha only discusses them and returns the bills. Money Bill: ● A Bill is said to be a Money Bill if it only contains provisions related to taxation, borrowing of money by the government, expenditure from or receipt to the Consolidated Fund of India. ● Bills that only contain provisions that are incidental to these matters would also be regarded as Money Bills.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Amicus curiae ● Amicus Curiae, which literally translates as friend of the court, is a neutral lawyer appointed by the court to assist it in cases which require specific expertise. ● They are advocates appointed to assist the court in adjudication of important cases. Roles and functions: ● India, thus, if a petition is received from the jail or in any other criminal matter if the accused is unrepresented, then, an Advocate is appointed as amicus curiae by the Court to defend and argue the case of the accused. ● In civil matters also the Court can appoint an Advocate as amicus curiae if it thinks it necessary in case of an unrepresented party. ● The Court can also appoint amicus curiae in any matter of general public importance or in which the interest of the public at large is involved.

Parliamentary Friendship Group ● The Indian Parliament is discussing over a proposal to form a Parliamentary Friendship Group with the friendly nations in a bid to strengthen the bilateral relations.

National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2020 ● Purpose: The Bill seeks to regulate & maintain the standards of education & services by allied & healthcare professionals.

Key Provisions of the Bill ● The bill was passed with the aim of fulfilling the long-pending demands for the sector. ● The bill will create an institutional structure in order to enhance the employability. ● It will benefit around 8 to 9 lakh existing allied and healthcare professionals. ● With the implementation of the bill, these professionals will be more ready to cater the global shortage and demand of 1.80 crore professional by 2030 which was predicted by WHO global workforce report. ● It also provides for regulation and maintenance of the standards of education & services by allied & healthcare professionals. ● It also provides for the assessment of institutions and maintenance of the central and state register. ● The bill also seeks to create the system in order to improve the research & development and adoption of the latest scientific advancement.

Allied & Healthcare Professional ● Allied and healthcare professions include a huge range of workers to diagnose, evaluate and treat the acute and chronic diseases. ● These health professions further work to optimise the patient outcomes.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● They also look after the overall prevention, promotion, wellness and management of the diseases.

Van Dhan Vikas Yojana ● The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana is a programme for value addition, branding & marketing of Minor Forest Produces by establishing Van Dhan Kendras to facilitate creation of sustainable livelihoods for the forest-based tribes. ● The implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana is administrated through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs ● It is a major scheme that has contributed to increasing employment and income generation among the tribal population. ● The programme is implemented by TRIFED. ● Significance: Through this initiative, the share of tribals in the value chain of Non-Timber Forest Produce is expected to rise from the present 20% to around 60%.

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JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Supplementary demand for grants ● The supplementary demand for grants is needed for government expenditure over and above the amount for which Parliamentary approval was already obtained during the Budget session. Constitutional provisions: ● Supplementary, additional or excess grants and Votes on account, votes of credit and exceptional grants are mentioned in the Constitution of India 1949. ● Article 115: Supplementary, additional or excess grants. ● Article 116: Votes on account, votes of credit and exceptional grants.

Other grants: ● Additional Grant: It is granted when a need has arisen during the current financial year for supplementary or additional expenditure upon some new service not contemplated in the Budget for that year. ● Excess Grant: It is granted when money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that year. The demands for excess grants are made after the expenditure has actually been incurred and after the financial year to which it relates, has expired. ● Exceptional Grants: It is granted for an exceptional purpose which forms no part of the current service of any financial year. ● Token Grant: It is granted when funds to meet proposed expenditure on a new service can be made available by re-appropriation, a demand for the grant of a token sum may be submitted to the vote of the House and, if the House assents to the demand, funds may be so made available. ● Vote of Credit: It is granted for meeting an unexpected demand upon the resources of India, when on account of the magnitude or the indefinite character of the service, the demand cannot be stated with the details ordinarily given in a budget. Hence, it is like a blank cheque given to the Executive by the Lok Sabha. ● Reappropriation involves transfer of funds from one head to another. It does not involve any additional expenditure.

Ken-Betwa Interlinking Project Dam ● This is the country’s first river interlinking project. ● It is perceived as a model plan for similar interstate river transfer missions. ● The project aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken river in MP to Betwa in UP to irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region spread across the districts of two states mainly Jhansi, Banda, Lalitpur and Mahoba districts of UP and Tikamgarh, Panna and Chhatarpur districts of MP.

Key facts: ● Ken and Betwa rivers originate in MP and are the tributaries of Yamuna. ● Ken meets with Yamuna in Banda district of UP and with Betwa in Hamirpur district of UP.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Rajghat, Paricha and Matatila dams are over Betwa river. ● Ken River passes through Panna tiger reserve.

Gandhi Peace Prize ● Why in news ? ○ The father of the nation of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the former Sultan of Oman, the late Qaboos bin Said Al Said, will be awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2020 and 2019, respectively. About award ● The annual award was instituted by the Government of India in 1995 during the commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi for those involved in social, economic and political transformation through non-violence. ● Rewards: The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a Citation in a scroll, a plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item. ● Eligibility: The prize can be given to individuals, associations, institutions or organizations. ○ It can be divided between two persons/institutions who are considered by the Jury to be equally deserving of recognition in a given year. ● It is open to all persons regardless of nationality, creed, race or sex. ● Selection Committee: The jury chaired by the Prime Minister and other members are the Chief Justice of India, the leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha, Lok Sabha Speaker and founder of Sulabh International.

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Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ● He was known as Bangabandhu. Also regarded as "Jatir Janak" or "Jatir Pita" (both meaning "Father of the Nation") of Bangladesh. ● He was a Bengali leader who became the first prime minister of Bangladesh (1972–75) and later became the president of the same in 1975. ● He began his formal political career in 1949 as a co-founder of the Awami League.

Qaboos bin Said Al Said: ● He has been the Arab world's longest-serving ruler. He ruled Oman for almost half a century. ● He was a visionary leader whose twin policy of moderation and mediation in addressing international issues won him praise and respect across the globe. ● He was also the architect of the special ties between India and Oman

Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission ( SPMRM ) ● Launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in 2016

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Purpose: to deliver integrated project based infrastructure in the rural areas, which will also include development of economic activities and skill development. ● History: A predecessor to SPMRM was the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA), announced in 2003. ● Mission's Objectives: Bridging the rural-urban divide-viz: economic, technological and those related to facilities and services. ● Funding: SPMRM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).

Rurban Clusters: ● There are 2 categories of clusters: Non-Tribal and Tribal. ○ Rurban clusters are identified across the country’s rural areas showing increasing signs of urbanization - i.e. increase in population density, high levels of non-farm employment, presence of growing economic activities and other socioeconomic parameters. ● A ‘Rurban cluster’, would be a cluster of geographically contiguous villages with a population of about 25000 to 50000 in plain and coastal areas and with a population of 5000 to 15000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas. ● These clusters typically illustrate potential for growth, have economic drivers and derive locational and competitive advantages.

Chief Justice of India(CJI) ● Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde has recommended Justice N.V. Ramana, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as the next top judge. ● Chief Justice of India is the chief judge of the Supreme Court of India. He/she is also the highest-ranking officer of the Indian judiciary. ● Justice Ramana is now set to take over as the 48th Chief Justice of India from April 24. Appointment of CJI ● Article 124 of the Constitution of India provides for the manner of appointing judges to the Supreme Court (SC). But there is no specific provision in the Constitution for appointing the Chief Justice. ● CJI should be the senior most judge of the Supreme Court (SC).

Procedure: ● Law Minister has to seek recommendation of the outgoing CJI for appointment of new CJI at an appropriate time. ● In case of doubt about the fitness of the senior-most Judge to hold office of CJI consultation with other Judges under Article 124(2) to be made. ● Law Minister then puts up recommendation to Prime Minister (PM) who will advise the President on appointment. ● Seniority at the apex court is determined not by age, but by the date a judge was appointed to the SC. ● If two judges are elevated to the Supreme Court on the same day, ○ the one who was sworn in first as a judge would trump another;

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ if both were sworn in as judges on the same day, the one with more years of high court service would ‘win’ in the seniority stakes; ○ An appointment from the bench would ‘trump’ in seniority an appointee from the bar. ● Are there any exceptions to the above-mentioned procedure ? ○ This convention has been broken twice. In 1973, Justice A. N. Ray was appointed superseding 3 senior judges. ○ Also, in 1975 Justice Mirza Hameedullah Beg was appointed as the CJI superseding Justice Hans Raj Khanna. ● Tenure : ○ Once appointed, the Chief Justice remains in office until the age of 65 years. ○ Article 124(4) of Constitution of India provides that a SC Judge including CJI can be moved only through a process of impeachment by Parliament.

Sixth Schedule areas ● The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Lok Sabha that “presently, there is no proposal to implement panchayat system in Sixth Schedule areas of Assam”. ● It protects tribal populations and provides autonomy to the communities through creation of autonomous development councils that can frame laws on land, public health, agriculture and others. ● Presently, 10 autonomous councils exist in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. ● This special provision is provided under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution. Key provisions: ● The governor is empowered to organise and re-organise the autonomous districts. ● If there are different tribes in an autonomous district, the governor can divide the district into several autonomous regions. ● Composition : Each autonomous district has a district council consisting of 30 members, of whom four are nominated by the governor and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise. ● Term: The elected members hold office for a term of five years (unless the council is dissolved earlier) and nominated members hold office during the pleasure of the governor. ● Each autonomous region also has a separate regional council. ● Powers of councils: The district and regional councils administer the areas under their jurisdiction. They can make laws on certain specified matters like land, forests, canal water, shifting cultivation, village administration, inheritance of property, marriage and divorce, social customs and so on. But all such laws require the assent of the governor. ● Village councils: The district and regional councils within their territorial jurisdictions can constitute village councils or courts for trial of suits and cases between the tribes. They hear appeals from them. The jurisdiction of high court over these suits and cases is specified by the governor.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Central Scrutiny Centre (CSC): ● It is an initiative of the Corporate Affairs Ministry to scrutinise the filings by users under straight through processes. ● The objective is to ensure that data quality is uncompromised and free from flaws. ● CSC will primarily scrutinise the filings made by users under straight through processes, identify data quality issues and irregularities, and communicate the same to the concerned Registrar of Companies so that corrective steps can be taken to restore authenticity and correctness of data and it can be seamlessly shared with other regulators, if required.

Electoral Bond ● Announced in the 2017 Union Budget, electoral bonds are interest-free bearer instruments used to donate money anonymously to political parties. ● A bearer instrument does not carry any information about the buyer or payee. ● The holder of the instrument (which is the political party) is presumed to be its owner. ● Electoral Bond is a financial instrument for making donations to political parties. ● The bonds are issued in multiples of Rs. 1,000, Rs. 10,000, Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore without any maximum limit. ● State Bank of India is authorised to issue and encash these bonds, which are valid for fifteen days from the date of issuance. ● These bonds are redeemable in the designated account of a registered political party. ● The bonds are available for purchase by any person (who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India) for a period of ten days each in the months of January, April, July and October as may be specified by the Central Government. ● A person being an individual can buy bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals. ● Donor’s name is not mentioned on the bond. ● Donors can buy and subsequently donate bonds to a political party, which can encash the bonds through its verified account within 15 days. ● There is no limit on the number of bonds an individual or company can purchase.

RTI Requests Rejections Ground for Rejection of the RTI Requests:

Section 8(1) deals with the exemption from disclosure of information: ● If it is related to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence, ● Information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, ● Information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person,

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Information which would impede the process of investigation or prosecution of offenders, ● Information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest. ● Of the permissible grounds for rejection, Section 8(1) was used in around 46% of the cases.

Section 9: ● It empowers the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer to reject a request for information which involves an infringement of copyright.

Section 24: ● It exempts information related to security and intelligence organisations except allegations of corruption and human rights violations. ● Around one in five (20%) permissible rejections coming under this category.

Model code of conduct: ● These are the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, election manifestos, processions and general conduct. ● Aim: To ensure free and fair 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. ● When it comes into force? ○ So far, the Model Code of Conduct came into force immediately on announcement of the election schedule by the commission. The Code remains in force till the end of the electoral process. ● It has only a persuasive effect. It contains what is known as “rules of electoral morality”. But this lack of statutory backing does not prevent the Commission from enforcing it. ● Enforcement: ○ 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.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 International Relation, Organisation & Reports.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) ● AIIB is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia and beyond. ● The Parties (57 founding members) to agreement comprise the Membership of the Bank. ● Total 100 members. Fourteen of the G-20 nations are AIIB members including France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. ● Headquartered in Beijing. ● Voting Rights: ○ China is the largest shareholder with 26.61 % voting shares in the bank followed by India (7.6%), Russia (6.01%) and Germany (4.2 %). ○ The regional members hold 75% of the total voting power in the Bank. ● Board of Governors: The Board of Governors consists of one Governor and one Alternate Governor appointed by each member country. Governors and Alternate Governors serve at the pleasure of the appointing member. ● Board of Directors: Non-resident Board of Directors is responsible for the direction of the Bank’s general operations, exercising all powers delegated to it by the Board of Governors. ● International Advisory Panel: The Bank has established an International Advisory Panel (IAP) to support the President and Senior Management on the Bank’s strategies and policies as well as on general operational issues.

Policy of Neutrality ( Swiss Neutrality ) ● It is a foreign policy position wherein a state intends to remain neutral in future wars. A sovereign state that reserves the right to become belligerent if attacked by a party to the war is in a condition of armed neutrality. ● The concept of neutrality in war is narrowly defined and puts specific constraints on the neutral party in return for the internationally recognized right to remain neutral. ● A permanently neutral power is a sovereign state which is bound by international treaty, or by its own declaration, to be neutral towards the belligerents of all future wars. An example of a permanently neutral power is Switzerland. Other being Ireland, Austria, etc. ● In 1783, Switzerland was acknowledged as a neutral state in the Treaty of Paris.

Asia Economic Dialogue ● What is it?: It is the flagship geo-economics conference of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India. ● The AED 2021 is jointly convened by the MEA and Pune International Centre (PIC).

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● This is the fifth edition of the AED, and the second one organised by PIC. ● Theme: The theme for this year’s conference is “Post Covid-19 Global Trade and Finance Dynamics”. ● Focus: It is an international geo-economics conference, focusing on trade and finance dynamics in Asia and its extended neighbourhood.

‘The Opportunity Index 2021’ report ● It is a new report by LinkedIn. Key findings: ● 9 in 10 or 89 per cent of women were negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. ● About 85%, or four in five working women in India believe they have missed out on a raise, promotion, or work offer because of their gender. This average stands at 60% for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. ● More women in India have experienced the impact of gender on career development when compared to the APAC region. Challenges for women: ● Lack of time and discrimination for family care. ● Gender is a barrier when it comes to attaining opportunities. ● Lack of guidance through networks. ● Workplace discrimination because of household responsibilities.

Right to Repair: European Union ● Companies that sell refrigerators, washers, hair dryers or tele-visions in the European Union (EU) will need to ensure that those appliances can be repaired for up to 10 years. ● The “Right to Repair,” as it is sometimes called, came into force across the 27-nation from March 2021. ● Idea of Right to Repair originally originated from the USA where the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act 2012, required the manufacturers to provide the necessary documents and information to allow anyone to repair their vehicles.

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) ● India and Norway agree to conduct marine spatial planning in Lakshadweep and Puducherry. ● This is a part of the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in 2019. ● Lakshadweep and Puducherry have been identified as pilot sites for the project.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Synthesis Report ● Released by The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● This report gives an overview of the 48 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), representing 75 Parties, submitted by 31 December 2020. ● These Parties account for 30% of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Key Findings: ● The UK and the European Union are the only regions among 18 of the world’s biggest emitters that have substantially increased their GHG reduction targets. ● Sixteen of the world's biggest emitters have not increased their emission reduction targets substantially or at all. ● UNFCCC called for more ambitious climate action plans by the countries to achieve the Paris Agreement target of containing global temperature rise to 2oC (ideally 1.5°C) by the end of the century.

#Target_shots Addition

UNFCCC ● UNFCCC stands for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.. ● The UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change) is the United Nations entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change. ● The Convention has near universal membership (197 Parties) and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The UNFCCC is also the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. ● Secretariat : The UNFCCC secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany. ● Objective : The ultimate objective of all three agreements under the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system, in a time frame which allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development.

International North South Transport Corridor ( INSTC ) ● It is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode network of ship, rail, and road route for moving freight. ● Regions involved: India, Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. ● Dry runs of two routes were conducted in 2014: ○ First was Mumbai to Baku via Bandar Abbas. ○ Second was Mumbai to Astrakhan via Bandar Abbas, Tehran and Bandar Anzali. ● Significance of the corridor: ○ Conceived well before China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), INSTC will not only help cut down on costs and time taken for transfer of goods from India to Russia and Europe via Iran but also provide an alternative connectivity initiative to countries in the Eurasian region.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ●

Ashgabat Agreement ● Ashgabat Agreement is an international transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. ● Ashgabat is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan in Central Asia, ● The Ashgabat Agreement aims to develop the shortest trade route between Central Asian countries and Iranian and Omani ports. ● The agreement was initially signed among Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Oman and Qatar back in April 2011. ● Qatar withdrew from the agreement in 2013 ● The Ashgabat Agreement came into force in April 2016. ● India joined the Ashgabat Agreement in 2018.

Food Waste Index Report 2021: UNEP ● Released by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) ● It presents the most comprehensive food waste data collection, analysis and modelling to date, generating a new estimate of global food waste. ● It also publishes a methodology for countries to measure food waste, at household, food service and retail level, to track national progress towards 2030.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● In contrast to the Food Loss Index, the Food Waste Index measures total food waste (rather than loss or waste associated with specific commodities). Highlights of reports: ● It has revealed that 17% of all food available at consumer level (11% in households, 5% in food service and 2% in retail) was wasted in 2019 and around 690 million people had to go hungry. ● That year, some 690 million people had to go hungry. ● The food waste amounted to 931 million tonnes of food sold to households, retailers and restaurants. ● Waste at household, foodservice and retail amounted to 79, 26 and 13 kilogram /capita / year respectively.

#Target_shots Addition

Food Loss Index ● The Food Loss Index (FLI) focuses on food losses that occur from production up to (and not including) the retail level. ● It measures the changes in percentage losses for a basket of 10 main commodities by country in comparison with a base period. ● The FLI contributes to measure progress towards SDG Target 12.3.

Hazaras ● They are a Persian-speaking ethnic group native to, and primarily residing in, the mountainous region of Hazarajat, in central Afghanistan. ● Hazaras are considered to be one of the most oppressed groups in Afghanistan.

Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal( BBIN ) Motor Vehicles Agreement ( MVA ) BBIN: ● The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) Initiative is a sub-regional architecture of countries in Eastern South Asia, a sub-region of South Asia. ● The group meets through the official representation of member states to formulate, implement and review quadrilateral agreements across areas such as water resources management, connectivity of power, transport, and infrastructure. MVA ● It was signed on 15th June 2015 in Thimphu, Bhutan. ● It seeks to facilitate the unrestricted cross-border movement of cargo, passenger, and personal vehicles between BBIN countries. ● As per the agreement, member countries would allow vehicles registered in the other countries to enter their territory under certain terms and conditions. Customs and tariffs will be decided by the respective countries and these would be finalised at bilateral and trilateral forums.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Implementation of the MVA has been delayed as the countries work to clarify some of the provisions that are supposed to be elaborated in protocols. ● Objective: To provide seamless people-to-people contact and enhance economic interaction by facilitating cross border movement of people and goods.

Vaccine passports ● The vaccine passport is designed as a “proof of vaccination” that some of the countries has mandated even before Covid-19 pandemic. ● The travellers coming from several African countries to United States or India are required to provide this certificate as a proof that they are vaccinated against diseases like yellow fever. ● The vaccine passports are the digital documents and they also function as a proof of vaccination against Covid-19. ● The vaccine passport will also act as a “digital vaccination record” across the countries. ● Many countries have started accepting the proof of vaccination in order to bypass quarantine norms however, universally accepted version of vaccine passport is not yet emerged.

India’s Act East Policy ● The ‘Act East Policy’ announced in November, 2014 is the upgrade of the “Look East Policy”. ● Aim: To promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and developing a strategic relationship with countries in Indo-pacific region with a proactive and pragmatic approach and thereby improving the economic development of the North Eastern Region (NER) which is a gateway to the South East Asia Region. ● It is a diplomatic initiative to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels. ● It involves intensive and continuous engagement with Southeast Asian countries in the field of connectivity, trade, culture, defence and people-to-people-contact at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. ● India’s Act East Policy is based on 4 C’s – Culture, Commerce, Connectivity, and Capacity Building.

Key differences between “Look East Policy” and “Act East Policy” ● The focus of the “Look East Policy” was to increase economic integration with the South East Asian countries and the area was just confined to South East Asia only. On the other hand the focus of the “Act East Policy” is economic and security integration and the focus area increased to South East Asia as well as East Asia.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 What is IBSA? ● IBSA is a unique Forum that brings together India, Brazil and South Africa, three large democracies and major economies from three different continents, facing similar challenges. ● All three countries are developing, pluralistic, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious nations. ● The IBSA Dialogue Forum is a tripartite grouping (India, Brazil, South Africa) for promoting cooperation among these countries. ● IBSA was launched through the Brasilia Declaration in 2003. ● Formed in 2003 ● Headquarters: IBSA does not have a headquarters or a permanent executive secretariat. ● Purpose: ○ Contribute to the construction of a new international architecture. ○ Bring their voice together on global issues. ○ Deepen their ties in various areas.

Digital Green Certificate: ● The European Commission (Executive branch of the European Union) proposed to create a Digital Green Certificate to facilitate the safe and free movement of citizens within the European Union (EU) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. ● Digital Green Certificate is a type of vaccine passport. It will be available to the citizens who are Covid-19 vaccinated or tested negative against Covid-19. It is also available to the persons recovered from Covid-19. ● The digital document will contain a QR code and can be carried on a mobile phone. ● It has deliberately not been called a “vaccine passport” because some member states felt that would discriminate against those who had not yet been offered a shot. ● All EU citizens or third-country nationals who are legally staying in the EU will be able to use these digital certificates and thereby will be exempted from free movement restrictions. ● The certificate can be issued by authorities, including hospitals, testing centres and health authorities.

Sinatra Doctrine ● The Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) member countries have accepted the “Sinatra Doctrine” as a counter to the increasing China’s aggressiveness to undermine the unity of the European Union through the divide and rule policy. The Sinatra Doctrine will be based on two pillars: ● Continuing cooperation with China with respect to address the global challenges like covid-19, climate change & regional conflicts and ● Strengthening the strategic sovereignty of European Union by protecting the technological sectors of its economy.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● This doctrine was the name which the Soviet government of Mikhail Gorbachev used to describe their policy to allow the neighbouring Warsaw Pact states to determine their internal affairs. ● The name was taken from the song “My Way” which was popularized by Frank Sinatra. ● The implementation of the doctrine was part of doctrine of new political thinking by Gorbachev. ● 17+1 initiative ○ The 17+1 initiative is also known as the “Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries”. It is an initiative by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The initiative promotes the business and investment relations between China and 17 countries of CEE. ● CEE countries ○ The Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) member countries include- Bosnia, Albania, Herzegovina, Croatia, Bulgaria, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia and Slovenia.

Global Hunger Index ● The report is a peer-reviewed publication released annually by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. ● It tracks hunger at global, regional and national levels. How are Countries ranked? ● The GHI scores are based on a formula that captures three dimensions of hunger—insufficient caloric intake, child undernutrition, and child mortality—using four component indicators: ● UNDERNOURISHMENT: the share of the population that is under-nourished, reflecting insufficient caloric intake ● CHILD WASTING: the share of children under the age of five who are wasted (low weight-for-height), reflecting acute undernutrition. ● CHILD STUNTING: the share of children under the age of five who are stunted (low height-for-age), reflecting chronic undernutrition. ● CHILD MORTALITY: the mortality rate of children under the age of five. Score: ● The GHI ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst. ● Values less than 10 reflect low hunger, values from 20 to 34.9 indicate serious hunger; values from 35 to 49.9 are alarming; and values of 50 or more are extremely alarming. Key findings: ● India has the highest prevalence of wasted children under five years in the world, which reflects acute undernutrition. ● The report put India under serious category with the score of 27.2. ● In the region of the south, east, and south-eastern Asia, the only countries which fare worse than India are Timor-Leste, Afghanistan, and North Korea.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The child stunting rate in India was 37.4 %. ● The child wasting was at 17.3 %. ● The undernourishment rate of India was at 14% and child mortality at 3.7 %.

World Happiness Report ● Released by Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations ● The World Happiness Report ranks 149 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be. ● Variables Used: The rankings are based on polling (Gallup World Poll) which looks at six variables: ○ Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (Purchasing Power Parity). ○ Social Support. ○ Healthy life expectancy at birth. ○ Freedom to make life choices. ○ Generosity. ○ Perceptions of corruption. ● Respondents are asked to rate their own current lives on a 0-10 scale. ● Top 5 Performers: Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands. ● Worst 5 Performers: Afghanistan (149) , Zimbabwe (148), Rwanda (147), Botswana (146) and Lesotho (145). ● About India: ○ India has been ranked 139, out of 149 countries evaluated. ○ In 2020, India was ranked 144 out of 156 countries surveyed. ● India’s Neighbours: Pakistan-105, Bangladesh-101, China-84.

West Container Terminal (WCT) ● Sri Lanka has decided to offer the West Container Terminal (WCT) to Indian and Japanese companies. ● Sri Lanka has approved the proposal to develop the WCT on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis for a period of 35 years as a public-private partnership with India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited and its local representative in Sri Lanka

Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) ● Recently, the Sri Lankan government cancelled the contract with India and Japan for the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT). ● The tripartite agreement, signed by India, Sri Lanka and Japan, proposed to develop the ECT, which is located at the newly expanded southern part of the Colombo Port. ● For India, the ECT deal was important as around 70% of transhipment that takes place through it is India-linked. The ECT is also considered more strategic than any other in Colombo Port.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Baikal-GVD ● Russian scientists have deployed Baikal-GVD, a giant underwater space telescope in Lake Baikal. ● It will search for neutrinos, which are nearly massless subatomic particles with no electrical charge. ● Clear freshwater and thick, protective ice cover make Lake Baikal an ideal place to search for neutrinos. ● Neutrinos: ○ Neutrinos are the smallest particles currently known. ○ Neutrinos are everywhere, but they interact so weakly with the forces around hence, are hard to detect. Lake Baikal ● Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha lake is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. ● It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. ● its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas. ○ It is home to approximately 1,700 to 1,800 endemic plant and animal species ● In 1996, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Istanbul Convention ● Istanbul Convention is also called the Council of Europe Convention. ● Aim : It aims towards preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. ● History: The convention was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in 2011. It came into force in 2014. ● Purpose : The convention sets minimum standards for governments to meet when tackling violence against women. Once ratified the Convention is legally binding on the country. ● Significance : It is the first legally-binding instrument that creates a comprehensive legal framework and approach to combat violence against women. ● Members of the Istanbul Convention : As of March 2019, it has been signed by 45 countries and the European Union.

World Summit on the Information Society Forum 2021 ● World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is one of the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community. ● The UN General Assembly approved the holding of WSIS in two phases. ● One in 2003 at Geneva and the other in 2005 at Tunis. ● In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly reviewed the progress over the past ten years and considered the future of the WSIS process beyond 2015.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Aim: WSIS’s chief aim is to bridge the global digital divide separating rich countries from poor countries. The WSIS aims to achieve this by increasing internet accessibility in the developing world. ● Organized by: The summit is co-organized by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development).

Volcano Bonds ● The Danish Red Cross announced that it has launched first of its kind catastrophe bond for the volcano-related disasters in collaboration with the several financial firms. ● This bond which will enable the disaster relief agency to get the financial aid quickly to those who are suffering because of the eruption of 10 volcanoes namely Chile, Ecuador, Cameroon, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala and Indonesia. ● The project’s partners aim to raise $3 million with the launch of this bond. This money will be transferred to the Denmark’s branch of the Red Cross.

Catastrophe Bonds ● The catastrophe bonds insure against the damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms. ● Some of the bonds also include the volcanic eruptions in baskets of the covered perils. ● These bonds offer a high yield to the investors who are going through the risk of losing some or all of their investment during the disaster.

Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index 2020: Oxfam ● Released by the international charitable organisation ‘Oxfam International’ in partnership with Development Finance International and with inputs from independent experts. ● The Index ranked countries measuring their policies and actions in three areas that it said are proven to be directly related to reducing inequality: ○ Public services (health, education and social protection) ○ Taxation ○ Workers’ rights ● About India : ○ Overall, India ranked 129 in the CRI index out of 158 countries on government policies, and actions in areas of public services of education, health, social protection, taxation, and workers’ rights. ○ India slipped from rank 141 in the year 2018 to 151 in the year 2020 with weak labour rights and high incidence of vulnerable employment.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Indo-French Space Collaborations ● ISRO and French space agency Centre National D'etudes Spatiales(CNES): ● TRISHNA - Thermal infraRed Imaging Satellite for High resolution Natural resource Assessment (TRISHNA) to monitor water cycle to help in properly utilizing it. ● ARGOS of CNES = global satellite-based data collection and location system to study and preserve environment. It will be integrated into ISRO’s OCEANSAT-3 satellite ● ISRO-CNES Human Space Programme (HSP) Working Group to formalise cooperation in field of space medicine. ● MEGHA-TROPIQUES (2011) - to study tropical atmosphere and climate related to aspects such as monsoons, cyclones, etc. ● Satellite for ALTIKA and ARGOS (SARAL) (2013) to study ocean from space using altimetry

Uighurs ● Recently, the European Union, the US, Britain, and Canada imposed sanctions on Chinese officials and entities for human rights abuses against Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang province. ● The Uighurs are a predominantly Muslim minority Turkic ethnic group, whose origins can be traced to Central and East Asia. ● Their native region is considered to be the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in the People’s Republic of China. ● The Uighurs speaks their own language and sees themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations. ● The Uighurs are considered to be one of the 55 officially recognized ethnic minority communities in China. ● However, China recognises the community only as a regional minority and rejects that they are an indigenous group. ● Currently, while the largest population of the ethnic community lives in the Xinjiang region, which is tightly controlled by China. ● A significant diaspora of Uighurs resides in the neighbouring Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

UN Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR): ● It is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations system. ● Headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland). ● Created in 1963 to train and equip young diplomats from newly-independent UN Member States with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate through the diplomatic environment.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The institute also assists ministries of finance through its courses on public debt management, finance and trade, and it provides government officials with training in Peacekeeping and conflict prevention. ● Through its programme on operational satellite applications (UNOSAT), the Institute provides satellite imagery and analysis. ● Since 2003, UNITAR provides courses to support municipal and regional leaders dealing with complex public policies.

US India Artificial Intelligence Initiative ● an initiative of Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) which was established in March 2000. ● The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and the U.S. Department of State are respective nodal departments for IUSSTF. ● The USIAI will focus on AI cooperation in critical areas that are priorities for both countries. ● Example: Healthcare, smart cities, materials, agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. ● It will bring together key stakeholders from India and the United States to create synergies that address challenges and opportunities at the interface of science, technology, and society. ● This will provide an opportunity to discuss the emerging AI landscape, and address the challenges of developing an AI workforce.

Artificial intelligence (AI) ● Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. ● The term may also be applied to any machine that exhibits traits associated with a human mind such as learning and problem-solving. ● The ideal characteristic of artificial intelligence is its ability to rationalize and take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal. ● A subset of artificial intelligence is machine learning, which refers to the concept that computer programs can automatically learn from and adapt to new data without being assisted by humans. ● Deep learning techniques enable this automatic learning through the absorption of huge amounts of unstructured data such as text, images, or video.

Global Wind Report-2021 ● Published by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) ● The Global Wind Report highlights the role of wind power on the road to net zero emissions.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● In the year 2020, 93 GW of new capacity were installed. It is a 53% year-on-year increase. But this is not sufficient to ensure that world will achieve net zero emission target by 2050.

Key Findings of report ● Total global wind power capacity is up to 743GW now. This is helping the globe to avoid over 1.1 billion tonnes of CO2 annually. ● Report warns that, world needs to install a minimum of 280 GW of new wind energy per year in a bid to avoid worst impacts of climate change. Thus, industry & policymakers need to act fast to accelerate deployment. ● It underlines that, Governments across the globe must work with ‘climate emergency’ approach to eliminate red tape and planning delays. Government must expand grid infrastructure to scale-up wind power at the required pace. ● Wind power is a cornerstone to achieve net zero emission target and power a green recovery because it is cost-competitive and a resilient power source which is having most decarbonisation potential per MW.

Global Wind Energy Council(GWEC) ● The Global Wind Energy Council(GEWC) was established in 2005 to provide a credible and representative forum for the entire wind energy sector at an international level. ● Aim: It’s mission is to ensure that wind power is established as one of the world’s leading energy sources, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits. ● Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process ● Founded in November, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. ● It provides a platform for sincere and results-oriented regional cooperation by placing Afghanistan at its center, in recognition of the fact that a secure and stable Afghanistan is vital to the prosperity of the Heart of Asia region. ● This platform was established to address the shared challenges and interests of Afghanistan and its neighbors and regional partners. ● The Heart of Asia comprises 15 participating countries, 17 supporting countries, and 12 supporting regional and international organizations. ○ India is a participating country.

Enabling the Business of Agriculture (EBA) 2019 ● published by the World Bank highlights the constraints faced by farmers. ● Identifies and monitors regulations and policies that affect the livelihood of farmers. ● Indicators used: 8 Indicators used: Supplying seed, registering fertilizer, securing water, registering machinery, sustaining livestock, protecting plant health, trading food, and accessing finance

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Provide a snapshot of key aspects to be considered by policy makers for boosting farmers’ productivity. ● India lags behind its close competitors in world agriculture, namely China, Brazil, and Russia. ● Compared to these three countries, India has the weakest performance on five out of eight indicators.

Echo and Bifrost ● Facebook has planned to put two undersea Internet cables to connect Southeast Asia to North America, to increase data capacity and improve the internet authenticity. ● The Two Cables are named as “Echo” and “Bifrost”. The cables will connect Singapore, Indonesia and North America.

Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) ● The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) is a financial assistance scheme of Japan. ● Purpose: GGP is provided by Japan for development projects designed to meet the diverse basic human needs of the people in over 100 countries including India. ● Launched in 1989 ● The GGP scheme supports projects implemented by non-profit organizations such as NGOs, medical and educational institutions, which are eligible to receive foreign funds under the concerned law of the Government of India. ● Major areas covered: Basic Human Needs and Human Security, Primary Education and Adult Illiteracy, Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation, Women’s Empowerment, Environment Protection, CSR projects, Poverty Alleviation, etc. ● Eligibility: ○ The organization must be International, National or Local NGO/Medical Institution/Educational Institution/Community-Based Organization (CBO). The organisation must also be registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976. Along with this, the organisation must be registered under the relevant registration acts including national and state acts. ● Maximum amount per project is 10 million Japanese Yen.

Cherry Blossom ● Cherry blossom is the national flower of Japan. That is why it is also known as Japanese cherry and sakura. ● Cherry Blossom found in India: ○ Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir and northern districts of West Bengal namely Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling ● The National Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated in Washington, D.C, USA.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Bangladesh - LDC to a Developing Country ● The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has recommended graduation of Bangladesh from the category of Least Developed Country (LDC) as it fulfilled the eligibility criteria in terms of per capita income, human assets and economic and environmental vulnerability. ● The CDP decides on the LDC status of a country based on three criteria- per capita income, a human assets index and an economic vulnerability index. ● A country must achieve at least two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews to be considered for graduation. ● It has met for the second time all the three eligibility criteria for graduating from the LDC category to the category of developing nations. ● The proposal will be sent to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for endorsement in June to be finally approved by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September this year ● Bangladesh will get time upto 2026 to prepare for the transition to the status of a developing country.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Security & Defence.

Exercise Desert Flag-VI: UAE ● An annual multinational large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the UAE Air Force. ● Aim: To provide operational exposure to the participating forces while training them to undertake simulated air combat operations in a controlled environment. ● Duration: It isbout a three week long exercise scheduled from 3rd - 27th March 2021 at Al-Dhafra air base, UAE. ● Participants: The air forces of the UAE, India, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain.

Indian Special Forces (SF) ● India has several Special Forces (SF) units. ● These are working under the commands of the Indian Armed Forces, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. ● There are other special forces which are not controlled by the military but operate under civilian organisations such as Home ministry.

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Major Special Forces (SF) of India: ● MARCOS (Marine Commandos), is a Special Forces unit that was raised by the Indian Navy in 1987 for direct action, special reconnaissance, amphibious warfare and counter-terrorism. ● Para Commandos: Formed in 1966, the Para Commandos are part of the highly-trained Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army and are the largest part of the Special Forces of India. The parachute units of the Indian Army are among the oldest airborne units in the world. ● Ghatak Force: True to its name ghatak, this infantry platoon goes for the kill and spearheads strikes ahead of a battalion. Every infantry battalion in the Indian Army has one platoon and only the most physically fit and motivated soldiers make it to the Ghatak Platoon. ● COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) is a specialised unit of the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) that was formed to counter Naxalism in India. It’s one of the few Indian Special Forces, that’s exclusively trained in guerrilla warfare. ● Force One came into being in the year 2010 after the deadly 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai. The prime role of this special elite force is to protect the city of Mumbai from terrorist attacks. ● The National Security Guard is India’s premier counter-terrorist force. The NSG provides security to VIPs, conducts anti-sabotage checks, and is responsible for neutralising terrorist threats to vital installations

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The Special Protection Group: It is a security force of the Government of India that is responsible for the protection of the Prime Minister of India.

Uighur Muslims ● The Uighurs are a predominantly Muslim minority Turkic ethnic group, whose origins can be traced to Central and East Asia. ● The Uighurs speak their own language, similar to Turkish, and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations. ● The Uighurs are considered to be one of the 55 officially recognized ethnic minority communities in China. ● However, China recognises the community only as a regional minority and rejects that they are an indigenous group. ● Currently, the largest population of the Uighur ethnic community lives in Xinjiang region of China.

Exercise Dustlik-2 ● Exercise Dustlik is a military exercise between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army. ● Aim: The aim of the exercise is strengthening Counter Insurgency (CI) and Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations, Especially in mountainous, rural and urban scenarios under United Nations (UN) mandate. ● First Edition: The first edition of the Exercise Dustlik was held in 2019 at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. ● India’s Participation: India has nominated Army’s 13 Kumaon regiment. ● It is also called the Rezang La battalion for its heroic action in the 1962 war with China. ● Other Exercises: ○ Exercise KAZIND: It is an annual military exercise between India and Kazakhstan army. ○ Exercise KHANJAR: It is a joint military training exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan.

INS Karanj ● The Scorpène-class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack. ● INS Karanj is equipped with the best sensors in the world. The powerful diesel engines can quickly charge batteries for a stealthy mission profile. ● The Navy is looking to install Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) modules on all the Scorpene submarines to enhance endurance. ● 6 Scorpene-class submarines, also known as Kalvari Class, are being built ● in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under ● collaboration with Naval Group, France under Project 75. Their names are ○ INS Kalvari: Commissioned in 2017

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ INS Khanderi: Commissioned in 2019 ○ INS Karanj: Commissioned in 2021 ○ INS Vela: Under Sea Trials ○ INS Vagir: Under Sea Trials ○ INS Vagsheer: Under Construction. ● The ship’s name, Karanj, is believed to be derived from the Karanja island (also known as Uran Island), a town in Raigad district, which lies in the south-east of Mumbai Harbour. ● The Indian Navy has its base at Uran near Navi Mumbai.

MILAN-2T Anti-Tank Guided Missiles ● The Milan-2T has range of 1,850 metres. ● It is produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) under license from MBDA Missile Systems, France. ● It can be fired from ground as well as vehicle-based launchers. ● It can be deployed in anti-tank role for both offensive and defensive tasks.

MILAN ATGM ● It is a portable medium-range, anti-tank weapon manufactured by Euromissile, based in Fontenay-aux-Roses in France. ● The system was developed for the French and German Armies and over 360,000 missiles and 10,000 launch units have been produced since 1972. ● It is in service in 41 countries.

Exercise Pabbi-Anti terror-2021 ● India, Pakistan, China and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation organisation(SCO) will hold a joint anti-terrorism exercise called “Pabbi-Antiterror-2021”. ● Exercise Pabbi-Antiterror was announced during the 36th meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. ● Purpose : To improve cooperation between the competent authorities of the SCO member states. Further, helping them in identifying and suppressing channels that finance terrorist activities.

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Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ● SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation founded in 2001. ● Secretariat: Beijing, China. ● Founded by: Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. ● Members : China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. ○ India and Pakistan were admitted to the SCO as permanent members in 2017.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Observer States : Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. ● Dialogue Partners : Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka.

ICGS Vajra ● Indian Coast Guard ship 'Vajra' commissioned; to enhance coastal security. ● Indian Coast Guard Ship Vessel “Vajra” is indigenously designed and built by Larsen and Toubro Shipbuilding Ltd. ● ICGS Vajra is the sixth in the series of seven Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

Key Features: ● It is a 98-meter ship equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. It is designed to carry one twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats. ● The vessel can also be used in Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, and Maritime Patrol. ● The vessel is also capable of carrying Pollution Response Equipment for oil spill response at Sea.

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Vikram Class offshore patrol vessel ( OPV ) ● Vikram Class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) is a series of seven offshore patrol vessels (OPV). L&T Shipbuilding for the Indian Coast Guard(ICG) is building them. ● The seven OPVs are è 1) ICGS Vikram 2) ICGS Vijaya 3) ICGS Veera 4) ICGS Varaha 5) ICGS Varad 6) ICGS Vajra and 7) ICGS Vigraha.

Offshore Patrol Vehicles(OPVs) ● What is it ?: Offshore Patrol Vehicles(OPVs) are long-range surface ships. ● They are capable of operation in maritime zones of India including island territories with helicopter operation capabilities. ● Roles : Their roles include coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones of India, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles.

Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR ● Between India and the United States. ● Special Forces are the units of a country's armed forces that undertake covert, counterterrorist, and other specialized operations. ● Location: at Special Forces Training School located at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. ● Aim: To share the best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics as also to improve interoperability between the Special Forces of both nations. ● Other Exercises of India with the USA:

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ Exercise Yudh Abhyas (Army). ○ Cope India (Air Force). ○ Red Flag (USA’s multilateral air exercise). ○ Malabar Exercise (trilateral naval exercise of India, USA and Japan).

La Perouse ● India will be joining a French naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal this month. ● It is the first French naval exercise that Indian Navy will be a part of. ● Other Participants: Japan, Australia, and the United States of America (USA)

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Social Issues.

Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) ● In the year 2002, the ministry of Human Resource and Development launched the TEQIP scheme. ● The project commenced with the World Bank assistance. ● The programme aims to overhaul the quality of technical education in the Low Income States and Special Category States (SCS) in India. ● The measures include: ○ Institution based: accreditation of the courses through NBA, governance reforms, improving the processes, digital initiatives, securing autonomy for the colleges. ○ Student based: improving the quality of teaching, teacher training, equipping the class rooms, revision of syllabus, industry interaction, compulsory internships for students, training the students in industry-relevant skills, preparing them for the GATE exam etc.

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MERITE Project: ● Government is planning to replace the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) with a new programme MERITE Project. ● The project has an objective to improve technical education like the TEQIP. ● However, the MERITE Project is still in the conceptual stage and has not yet received Cabinet approval.

Sugamya Bharat App ● Developed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) of of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. ● It is a Crowdsourcing Mobile Application which has been developed as a means to sensitise and enhance the accessibility within the 3 pillars of Accessible India Campaign namely- transportation sector, built environment and ICT ecosystem in India. ● Features: to enhancing accessibility while the one is a special feature which cater to the Divyangjan with respect to the COVID-19 related issues.

Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan ● Aim: It aims at providing strategic funding to higher education institutions throughout the country.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The scheme is being operated in mission mode for funding state universities and colleges to achieve the aims of equity, access and excellence. ● Funding: It is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in October 2013 Objectives: ● Improve the overall quality of state institutions by conforming to the prescribed norms and standards. ● Adoption of accreditation (certification of competency) as a mandatory quality assurance framework. ● Promoting autonomy in state universities and improving governance in institutions. ● Ensure reforms in the affiliation, academic and examination system.

Swachhta Saarthi Fellowships ● This fellowship comes under the “Waste to Wealth” Mission - One of the nine national missions of the PM’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). ● There are three categories of awards under this fellowship - School students from 9th to 12th standards, College students (UG, PG, Research students) and Citizens working in the community. ● This fellowship recognizes people engaged in tackling the challenge of waste management, scientifically and sustainably. ● It will empower young students and innovators as Swachhta Saarthis and implement actions to reduce waste for a greener planet.

Waste To Wealth Mission ● The Waste to Wealth Mission is one of the nine national missions of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). ● Aim: To identify, develop, and deploy technologies to treat waste and generate energy, recycle materials and extract value from waste. ● The mission is the “scientific arm” of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Objectives of Mission: ○ To support the development of new technologies that can help create a cleaner and greener environment. ○ To boost and augment the Swachh Bharat Mission and Smart Cities Project by leveraging science, technology and innovation. ○ To create circular economic models that are financially viable for waste management. ○ To streamline waste handling in India. ● Significance: The benefits of effective waste management is huge. As it is predicted that India has the potential to generate 3GW of electricity from waste by 2050.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Ease of Living Index (EoLI) ● Released by The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry ● The Ease of Living Index (EoLI) is an assessment tool that evaluates the quality of life and the impact of various initiatives for urban development. ● It provides a comprehensive understanding of participating cities across India based on quality of life, economic-ability of a city, and its sustainability and resilience. ● The analysis categorises them into: ○ Million+ populated cities (those with a population of more than a million). ○ Less than Million populated cites (those with a population of less than a million) along with all the cities under the Smart Cities Program.

● EoLI 2020 ranking: ● Million+ category: Bengaluru emerged as the top performer followed by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore, Vadodara, Indore, and Greater Mumbai. ● In the Less than Million category: Shimla was ranked the highest in ease of living, followed by Bhubaneshwar, Silvassa, Kakinada, Salem, Vellore, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Davangere, and Tiruchirappalli.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021: ● It is an annual publication of University rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) – A british company specialising in the analysis of higher education institutions around the world. ● It is the only international ranking to have received the approval of International Ranking Expert Group (IREG). ● Compiled annually to help prospective students identify the leading universities in a particular subject. ○ The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 cover a total of 51 disciplines, grouped into five broad subject areas. ○ Arts & Humanities. ○ Engineering and Technology. ○ Life Sciences & Medicine. ○ Natural Sciences. ○ Social Sciences & Management.

Key Highlights: ● 12 Indian Institutions have secured positions in top 100 in the QS Subject Rankings for the year 2021. ● IIT Madras has been ranked 30th in the world for Petroleum Engineering, ● IIT Bombay has been ranked 41st and IIT Kharagpur has been ranked 44th in the world for Minerals and Mining Engineering, ● University of Delhi has been ranked 50th in the world for Development Studies.

MSME Credit Health Index ● Launched by: The TransUnion CIBIL in partnership with the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) ● The Index is published quarterly. ● Aim: To provide a measure of the growth and strength of the MSME sector in India. ● Measurement Parameter: Two parameters i.e, growth and strength. Both the growth and strength indices follow the principle of higher the better. ○ Growth is measured by plotting increase in exposure value (outstanding balances) over time. An increasing Growth Index indicates improvement in credit growth. ○ Strength is measured by decrease/increase in credit risk in terms of non-performing assets (NPA).An increasing Strength Index implies better asset quality and therefore denotes an improvement in the structural strength of the sector. ●

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 WCD Ministry classified All Major Schemes under 3 Umbrella Schemes ● The three Umbrella schemes namely, Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti.

Mission Shakti (Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women) ● Mission Shakti will consist of policies and schemes for protection and empowerment of women ● mission is to provide safety, security, and dignity to women. ● It will cover schemes like one stop centre, mahila police volunteer, women's helpline, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana among others and has been allocated Rs 3,109 crore in the 2021-22 budget ● Schemes Included: ○ SAMBAL (One Stop Centre, Mahila Police Volunteer, Women's Helpline/ Swadhar/ Ujjawala/ Widow Homes etc.) ○ SAMARTHYA (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Creche, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana/ Gender Budgeting/Research/ )

Mission Poshan 2.0 ● The government is launching the Mission Poshan 2.0 after merging the Supplementary Nutrition Programme and Poshan Abhiyan. ● This will help strengthening the delivery, outreach, nutritional content, and outcomes. ● Schemes Included: ○ Anganwadi Services ○ Poshan Abhiyan ○ Scheme for Adolescent Girls ○ National Creche Scheme

Mission VATSALYA ● This mission was launched with the objective of ensuring the safety and well-being of children. ● Schemes Included: ○ Child Protection Services and Child Welfare Services

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) ● A Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development. ● It came into effect from 15th August,1995 ● Programme is being implemented in rural as well as urban areas. ● It represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the DPSP in Article 41 of the Constitution (It directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development).

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Aims to provide financial assistance to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions. ● Coverage: It currently covers more than three crore people who are below the poverty line (BPL), including about 80 lakh widows, 10 lakh disabled and 2.2 crore elderly. ● Presently NSAP comprises of five schemes, namely: ○ Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). ○ Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS). ○ Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS). ○ National Family Benefit Scheme NFBS). ○ Annapurna. ● The National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) was part of NSAP and was subsequently transferred from the Ministry of Rural development to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi ( PMSSN ) ● It will be a single non-lapsable reserve fund for share of Health from the proceeds of Health and Education Cess. ● Administration and maintenance of the PMSSN is entrusted to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW). ● The accruals into the PMSSN will be utilised for the flagship schemes of the Health Ministry including Ayushmann Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and National Health Mission and Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) and also disaster preparedness, and responses during health emergencies. ● In any financial year, the expenditure on such schemes of the Health Ministry would be initially incurred from the PMSSN and thereafter, from Gross Budgetary Support (GBS).

The National Employability through Apprenticeship Program( NETAP ) ● It was set up in 2014 as a 100% employer-funded Public-Private Partnership (PPP). ● Program was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and TeamLease Skills University (Gujarat). ○ Apprenticeship is a Skill Training program wherein a person is engaged by a company as an apprentice and gains classroom (theory) learning for a short period, followed by on-the-job (practical) training. ● It is in accordance with the National Employability Enhancement Mission of the AICTE. ● NETAP was structured to overcome the challenges of the Apprenticeship Act, 1961.

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National Employability Enhancement Mission (NEEM) ● It is a pioneering initiative taken jointly by AICTE and Government of India. ● Introduced in 2013, the NEEM aims to offer practical trainings to enhance employability of any person who:

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Is either pursuing graduation/diploma in any technical or non-technical stream, or ● Have discontinued studies of degree or diploma courses. ● A NEEM Trainee is any registered person who has a minimum education up to Class X and is between 16 to 40 years of age. ● A total of 23 industries have been listed in the NEEM where a trainee can be enrolled. It includes the automobile industry, pharmaceuticals, electronics & hardware, food processing, healthcare services and the financial sector. ● The NEEM is envisioned to place at least 10,000 students per year in registered companies or registered industries for the purpose of providing training.

Mid-day Meal Scheme ● The Midday meal scheme (under the Ministry of Education) is a centrally sponsored scheme which was launched in 1995. ● It is the world’s largest school meal programme aimed to attain the goal of universalization of primary education. ● Provides cooked meals to every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in classes I to VIII who enrolls and attends the school. ● Objective: Address hunger and malnutrition, increase enrolment and attendance in school, improve socialisation among castes, provide employment at grassroot level especially to women. ● Quality Check: AGMARK quality items are procured, tasting of meals by two or three adult members of the school management committee. ● Food Security: If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains or any other reason, the State Government shall pay food security allowance by 15th of the succeeding month. ● Regulation: The State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC) oversees the implementation of the scheme including establishment of a mechanism for maintenance of nutritional standards and quality of meals. ● Nutritional Standards: ○ Cooked meal having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary (I-V class) and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary (VI-VIII class) ● Coverage: All government and government aided schools, Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

Intellectual disability: ● Schedule of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 term “intellectual disability” as a condition characterised by significant limitation both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving) and in adaptive behaviour, which covers a range of every day,

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 social and practical skills, including “specified learning disabilities” and “autism spectrum disorder”.

Mera Ration Mobile App ● It has been developed by the Department of Food & Public Distribution and National Informatics Centre (NIC). ● Language : The application is currently available in English and Hindi. ● Facilities to the Beneficiaries: ○ Can identify and locate the nearest fair price shop. ○ Can easily check details of their foodgrain entitlement, recent transactions and the status of Aadhaar seeding. ○ Can register their migration details. ○ An option to enter suggestions/feedback.

SAAMAR Campaign: ● The Jharkhand government announced the launch of SAAMAR (Strategic Action for Alleviation of Malnutrition and Anemia Reduction) campaign to tackle malnutrition in the state. ● The campaign aims to identify anaemic women and malnourished children and converge various departments to effectively deal with the problem in a state where malnutrition has been a major problem. ● The campaign also tries to target Primarily Vulnerable Tribal Groups. ● SAAMAR has been launched with a 1000 days target, under which annual surveys will be conducted to track the progress.

GRAM UJALA ● It is an ambitious scheme offering the world’s cheapest LED bulbs in rural areas at a mere Rs. 10. ● The scheme does not come with the government’s support or subsidy. The programme will be financed entirely through carbon credits( which will be claimed under the “United Nations’ Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) ) and will be the first such programme in India. ● About Programme: ○ 7 watt and 12-watt LED bulbs with 3 years warranty will be given to rural consumers against submission of working Incandescent bulbs. ○ Each household will get up to 5 LEDs. ○ Participating rural households will also have metres installed in their houses to account for usage. ○ The LED bulbs are offered by state-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd’s (EESL’s) subsidiary Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL). ○ EESL is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Carbon credit (or “carbon offsets”) are certificates generated by projects or activities that reduce, avoid, or destroy greenhouse gases. ● Project owners, such as solar and wind energy developers, or protectors of endangered forestlands can sell these certificates to an individual or a company to earn revenues to keep expanding their projects into the future. ● When one purchases carbon offsets, one is funding the reduction or elimination of carbon.

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Clean development mechanism ● The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), defined in Article 12 of the Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries. ● Such projects can earn saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting Kyoto targets. ● The CDM is the main source of income for the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund. The Adaptation Fund is financed by a 2% levy on CERs issued by the CDM. ○ Adaptation Fund (AF) was established under the Kyoto Protocol in 2001 and has committed US$ 532 million to climate adaptation and resilience activities. ● Under CDM, CER units are issued by the UNFCCC which is the global administrator of Kyoto mechanisms.

Climate Finance : ● Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing. ● It seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. ● The UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement call for financial assistance from countries with more financial resources to those that are less endowed and more vulnerable. ● It is in accordance with the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities”.

Poshan Abhiyan for the Elderly ● Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aims to launch ‘Poshan Abhiyan’ for the Elderly to provide them ‘nutrition support’. ● Under the mission, supports will be provided to indigent elders who are not staying in Old Age Homes and are victims of malnutrition. ● Mission will focus on procuring healthy food material which are available locally to serve hot-cooked mid-day meals. ● Scheme will be implemented by “Gram Panchayats and Urban Municipalities”. ● ‘Senior Citizens Welfare Fund’ will be utilized to fund & implement the mission.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 #Target_shots Addition

National Action Plan for Senior Citizens ● Government of India has been implementing several schemes and programmes under an Umbrella Scheme for Senior Citizens called “National Action Plan for Senior Citizens”. ● This scheme provides for financial security, shelter & welfare, healthcare & Nutrition, protection of life & property, awareness generation and active & productive ageing.

Poshan Abhiyan or National Nutrition Mission (NNM) ● The multi-ministerial initiative called NNM was launched in 2018 to tackle the malnutrition problem which is prevalent in India. ● It was launched to improve nutritional outcomes of children, adolescents, pregnant & lactating women. ● Key objective of the mission is “to reduce the level of under-nutrition”. ● It was launched for children to enhance their nutritional status. ● The mission seeks to eliminate malnutrition by 2022. ● It specifically targets towards reducing stunting, undernutrition, anaemia and low birth weight.

Poshan Pakhwada 2021 ● The key focus areas of the Pakhwada are to address the nutritional challenges using the Food Forestry and to organize the Poshan Panchayats. ● Under it, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) working under the Ministry of AYUSH, will distribute 4 samplings of the nutritional rich plants to each of the Anganwadi Centers. ● This will cater to the nutritional challenges. ● The distribution will be done under the supervision of the local panchayat and DM or DC. ● The ministry will also be organizing the awareness campaign on the topics including the malnutrition prevalence and its consequences, food forestry, Poshan Vatika, identification of SAM children and its management.

Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana ● Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana (Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyan) is a is a centrally sponsored Scheme on entrepreneurship education and training ● Implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. ● The Scheme aims at creating an enabling ecosystem for Entrepreneurship development through Entrepreneurship education and training; Advocacy and easy access to entrepreneurship support network and Promoting social enterprises for inclusive growth.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Khelo India Scheme extended to 2025-26 ● Khelo India initiative was launched by Indian Government with the aim of building a sporting culture across the country. ● This initiative plays a significant role in grassroots development of several sports over the years. ● It organises structured sports competition with the aim of encouraging mass participation from youth. ● This initiative will encourage the young athletes to prove their mettle on stage in upcoming edition on a large scale.

Happiness Curriculum ● The purpose to launch the curriculum in UP is to support students in their journey to sustainable happiness through engagement in meaningful and reflective stories and activities. ● The happiness curriculum was first introduced by the Delhi government in 2018. ● The curriculum calls for schools to promote development in cognition, language, literacy, numeracy and the arts along with addressing the wellbeing and happiness of students.

Sabar Tribe (West Bengal) ● It is a tribal group from West Bengal. ● This was one among the tribes which were notified by the British in 1871 as "criminals". ● Though they were denotified after independence, the stigma remained and they faced trouble whenever crimes were committed in their vicinity. ● They face the major challenge of hunger, malnutrition and liver problems ● caused by excessive consumption of liquor. ● These are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). ○ PVTGs are more vulnerable among tribal groups, with a declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology and are economically backward. They generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support. ○ In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, which was renamed as PVTGs in 2006.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 History, Art & Culture.

Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2021 ● Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is the flagship festival of the Ministry of Culture. ● Organized since 2015 with the active participation of Seven Zonal Culture Centres. ● Started with an intention to exhibit the rich cultural heritage of the country in all its rich and varied dimensions namely, Handicrafts, Cuisine, Painting, Sculpture and Performing Arts- Folk, Tribal, Classical and Contemporary- all at one place. khujli ghar ● It is a cramped, triangular cage made from the logs of an indigenous tree that irritates the skin. ● It is a traditional form of punishment that seeks to check crime. ● Some villages in Nagaland are trying to revive this form of punishment. ● Such itchy cages are referred to as khujli ghar in Nagamese. But each Naga community has its own name. The Aos, one of the major tribes of Nagaland, call it Shi-ki that means flesh-house. ● The cage is usually placed at a central spot in the village, usually in front of the morung, or bachelor’s dormitory, for the inmate to be in full public view. ● The cage is made of the logs of Masang-fung, a local tree that people avoid because of the irritation it causes. It does not affect the palm but people who make the cages have to be careful.

Bir Chilarai ● Bir Chilarai (1510 – 1571 CE) was a brave warrior and general of the Assamese Koch royal dynasty. ● He was the younger brother of Nara Narayan, the king of the Kamata Kingdom.

Channapatna Toys ● Channapatna toys are a particular form of wooden toys (and dolls). Artisans of the town Channapatna in Karnataka manufactures them. ● In Kannada, Channapatna is also called “Gombegala Ooru”, which means toy town in English. ● Origin: The origin of these toys can be traced to the reign of Tipu Sultan. He invited artisans from Persia to train the local artisans in the making of wooden toys. ● The Father of the Channapatna toy is Bavas Miyan. He is known for his commitment to helping the local artisans with the art of toy-making and bringing in new technologies to improvise the toys.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Wood Used: The Channapatna toys are made of specific wood, called “Aale Mara or the ivory wood”. Vegetable dyes are used for colors that are safe to use and environment-friendly. ● GI tag: This traditional craft is protected as a geographical indication(GI) under the World Trade Organization(WTO).

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Other Traditional Indian Toys of Different States: ● Kerala- Kathakali dance dolls, animal-shaped toys, and Woodcraft Toys ● Tamil Nadu- Thanjavur Thalaiyatti Bommai , Choppu saman Toys ● Punjab- Folk toys, Handwai, Chankana, Lattu, Ghuggu ● Telangana: Nirmal Toys ● Madhya Pradesh– Adivasi Gudia Hastashilpa (Dolls), Betel Nut’s Toys, and Tin Toys. ● Uttar Pradesh- lacquered toys and miniature utensils Toys. ● Jammu & Kashmir- Walnut wood carving toys ● Chhattisgarh- Clay & Terracotta, Dhokra Metal Casting, Wood Carving, Metal Craft toys. ● Daman & Diu- Tortoise Shell toys and crafts, ● Andaman & Nicobar Island - Timber Toys, Coconut shell toys

Nirmal Art ● 400-year-old rich tradition that encompasses wood toys and attractive duco paintings (Shiny paintings) as well as furniture ● Got GI tag Telangana ● flourished due to the legacy of Hyderabad Nizam ● These toys were made of finely carved softwood called Ponki chekka or white sander

Nirmal paintings ● Nirmal Paintings are a popular form of paintings done in Nirmal in Nirmal District, Telangana, India. ● They form a small-scale industry in the town. The craftsmen have formed a community and stay at Nirmal and practice their art in the form of a small-scale business. ● The paintings have golden hues. ● The evolution of the Nirmal art goes back to the days of the Kakatiya dynasty. ● This art was practiced in the 14th century by a group of artisans who are known as Naqash.

Nirmal toys ● 400-year-old rich tradition that encompasses wood toys and attractive duco paintings (Shiny paintings) as well as furniture ● These toys are made from the extract of herbs which are given golden finishing. ● These toys are human occupations and animals.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● They are made up of wood and then the painting is done over it.

What are Sattras ? ● Sattras are monastic institutions created as part of the 16th century Neo-Vaishnavite reformist movement started by Vaishnavite saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449-1596). ● These Sattras/Thans were established as centres of religious, social and cultural reforms in the 16th century across Assam. ● Sattras promulgate Sankardeva’s unique “worship through art” approach with music (borgeet), dance (xattriya) and theatre (bhauna).

#Target_shots Addition What is Sankardeva’s philosophy? ● Sankardeva propagated a form of Bhakti called eka-sharana-naam-dhrama, and espoused a society based on equality and fraternity, free from caste differences, orthodox Brahmanical rituals and sacrifices. ● His teaching focused on prayer and chanting (naam) instead of idol worship. His dharma was based on the four components of deva (god), naam (prayers), bhakats (devotees), and guru (teacher).

World Heritage site ● A World Heritage site is classified as a natural or man-made area or a structure that is of international importance, and a space which requires special protection. ● These sites are officially recognised by the UN and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, also known as UNESCO. ● UNESCO believes that the sites classified as World Heritage are important for humanity, and they hold cultural and physical significance. ● Maintained by:The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 UNESCO member states which are elected by the General Assembly. ● Selection criteria : To be selected, a World Heritage Site must be an already classified landmark, unique in some respect as a geographically and historically identifiable place having special cultural or physical significance.

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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ● UNESCO was formed in 1945, is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) ● Based in Paris. ● It works for achieving peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter. ● It has 195 member states and ten associate members. India is a founding member of the Organisation.

Steps Taken by India

Adopt Heritage Project ● It was launched in 2017 as a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs Governments. ● It envisages the development and maintenance of tourist amenities at heritage sites and making them tourist-friendly.

HRIDAY Scheme ● The Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, launched the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme, with a focus on the holistic development of heritage cities.

Akshya Patra ● Why in news? : On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the all-women art exhibition titled as “Akshya Patra” was inaugurated on March 9, 2021 at the Lalit Kala Akademi. ● Location : This art exhibition is being organised at the Rabindra Bhavan Galleries and will conclude on March 20, 2021. ● It will showcase more than 250 artworks from over 12 countries. ● The multi-dimensional art show will exhibit works of senior, young and budding art practitioners.

Konark Sun Temple: ● Built in the 13th century ● Konark temple was conceived as a gigantic chariot of the Sun God, with 12 pairs of exquisitely ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses. ● It was considered as a chariot for the Sun God, the word ‘Konark’ is a combination of two words ‘Kona’ and ‘Arka’. ‘Kona’ means ‘Corner’ and ‘Arka’ means ‘Sun’, so when combined it becomes ‘Sun of the Corner’. ● Built by King Narasimhadeva I, the great ruler of Ganga dynasty. ● The temple was included in UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 for its architectural greatness and also for the sophistication and abundance of sculptural work. ● The temple is a perfect blend of Kalinga architecture, heritage, exotic beach and salient natural beauty. ● It is protected under the National Framework of India by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act (1958) and its Rules (1959).

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The Konark is the third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle. The first link is Jagannath Puri and the second link is Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha). ● This temple was also known as ‘BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark color and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha. Similarly, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”.

Bamiyan Buddhas ● The Bamiyan Buddhas were great examples of a confluence of Gupta, Sassanian (Iranian) and Hellenistic (Greek) artistic styles. ● The Bamiyan Buddhas are said to date back to the 5th century AD and were once the tallest standing Buddhas in the world. ● Salsal and Shamama, as they were called by the locals, rose to heights of 55 and 38 metres respectively. ● The Salsal means “light shines through the universe” and the Shamama is “Queen Mother”. Significance of Bamiyan Valley ● Bamiyan is situated in the high mountains of the Hindu Kush in the central highlands of Afghanistan. ● The valley, which is set along the line of the Bamiyan River, was once integral to the early days of the Silk Roads. ● Bamiyan became a major trade, cultural and religious centre when the Buddhist Kushan Empire spread. ● The Kushans were able to develop a syncretic culture because China, India and Rome sought passage through Bamiyan.

Salt Satyagraha ● On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi embarked a historic Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad to the village of Dandi in the state’s coastal area to protest against the steep tax the British levied on salt. ● On March 12, 1930, Gandhiji started the march from Sabarmati with 78 followers on a 241-mile march to the coastal town of Dandi on the Arabian Sea. ● It was non-violent in nature, is historically significant as it led to the mass Civil Disobedience Movement. ● Upon reaching the seashore in Dandi, Mahatma Gandhi broke the law by producing illegal salt.

Sahitya Akademi Award ● The Sahitya Akademi award established in 1954, is a literary honour. ● It is conferred by Sahitya Akademi which is India’s National Academy of Letters.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● The Sahitya Akademi Award prizes the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the major Indian languages recognised by the Akademi. ● The Sahitya Akademi award is the second-highest literary honour by the Government of India, after the Jnanpith award. ● Criteria for Choosing Awardee : ○ The author must be of Indian Nationality. ○ Book/work eligible for the award must be an outstanding contribution to the language and literature to which it belongs. ○ When equal merit for books of two or more are found, certain criteria like total literary contribution and standing of authors shall be taken into consideration for declaring award.

Sahitya Akademi ● It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, encourages the preservation and promotion of languages, especially the unrecognized and tribal languages. ● The Sahitya Akademi Library is one of the largest multi-lingual libraries in India, with a rich collection of books on literature and allied subjects. ● It publishes two bi-monthly literary journals: Indian Literature in English and Samkaleen Bharatiya Sahitya in Hindi.

Bhaona ● Bhaona is a dramatic form of entertainment to convey spiritualism in the Vaishnav mould. ● It is a presentation of the Ankia Naat of Assam. ● It was created by the saint Srimanta Sankaradeva five centuries ago. ● In Bhaona cultural glimpses of Assam, Bengal Orissa, Mathura and Brindavan can be seen. ● The Sutradhaar, or narrator begins the story, first in Sanskrit and then in either Brajboli or Assamese. ● Sankardeva - Initially, Sankaradeva wrote his prose in Sanskrit but later used Assamese and Brajavali to develop the following art forms: ○ Bhaona - a mythology-based theatrical performance, ○ Borgeet - a new form of spiritual music, and ○ Monastic dances that evolved into the classical Sattriya (a classical dance form which is a medium for propagation of Vaishnava faith).

Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair ● Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair, also known as Guru Chemancheri (1916 – 2021) was a noted Indian Kathakali actor. ● Kathakali is a major form of classical Indian dance from Kerala.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● He also played a significant role in making Bharatanatyam popular in north Kerala. ● He established an institution named Bharateeya Natya Kalalayam at Kannur in 1945. ● Later, he established another school, Cheliya Kathakali Vidyalayam, in 1983, in Cheliya. ● Guru Chemancheri was awarded with Padma Shri in 2017.

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Kathakali ● Kathakali is one among the eight classical dances of India. ● It is a blend of dance, music and acting. The dance involves dramatisation of stories, adapted mostly from the Indian epics. ● The roles generally portrayed include kings, gods and demons, the vocalists narrate the legend and the percussionists play the musical instruments. ● Kathakali involves use of heavy make-up and stunning costumes (elaborate masks, huge skirts and big head-dresses). ○ Different facial colours are used to indicate different mental stages & character, for example green- nobility, black- wickedness and red patches- combining royalty & evil.

Anangpal Tomar II ● He belonged to the Tomar dynasty that ruled parts of present-day Delhi and Haryana between the 8th and 12th centuries. ● He was instrumental in populating Indraprastha and giving it its present name, Delhi. ● Anangpal of the Tomar Rajputs founded Delhi between 1053 and 1109 AD. ● Anangpal Tomar II was succeeded by his grandson Prithviraj Chauhan.

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Tomar Dynasty ● The Delhi Sultanate was established in 1192 after Prithviraj Chauhan’s defeat in the Battle of Tarain (present-day Haryana) by the Ghurid forces. ● In middle of 11th century, he built a fort called Lal Kot (literally Red Fort-originally Qila Rai Pithora), in which the Qutb Minar stands today, and founded a town. ● Tomars and their Delhi link find mention in some modern-day literature as well. ● The noted medieval historian Professor K A Nizami’s Urdu book, Ehd-e-Wusta ki Dilli, translated in English as Delhi in Historical Perspectives, looks at Delhi across six centuries (from 1300 to 1800). ● It mentioned that Delhi formally emerged as a city only in the 11th century, when Tomar Rajputs took over the mountainous Aravalli region.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Jaapi, Xorai and Gamosa in Assam About Jaapi: ● The jaapi is a conical hat made of bamboo and covered with dried tokou leaves (Tokou: a palm tree found in rainforests of Upper Assam). ● The first possible recorded use of jaapi dates back to the Ahom-era (1228), or chronicles. “Kings and ministers would wear them then.

Gamosa ● The Gamosa, which literally translates to a cloth to wipe one’s body, is omnipresent in Assam, with wide-ranging uses. ● It can be used at home as a towel (uka gamosa) or in public functions (phulam/floral gamosa) to felicitate dignitaries or celebrities.

Xorai ● It is Made of bell-metal (hard bronze alloy) and It essentially a tray with a stand at the bottom, with or without a cover can be found in every Assamese household. ● They primarily used to felicitate important people and guests, these important symbols of Assamese identity and culture are abundantly seen in political campaigns across the state.

Zo People ● Zo community was recently in news. ● A Mizoram-based group representing the community has petitioned Indian President and Prime Minister to impose sanctions on military-ruled Myanmar. ● The Zo people are an ethnic group of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. ● They are known as “Chin” and “Zomi” in Myanmar, and “Mizo”, “Zomi “and “Kuki” in India. ● In north-eastern India, they are present in: Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Assam.

Permanent Indus Commission ● It is a bilateral commission of officials from India and Pakistan, created to implement and manage goals of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960. ● After a gap of more than two and half years Indian and Pakistani delegations began the 116th Meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission. ● The 115th meeting of the PIC was held in Lahore in August, 2018. ● Meeting: The Commission according to the treaty must meet regularly at least once a year. The PICwill hold the meeting alternately in India and Pakistan. ● The functions of the Commission include: ○ To study and report to the two Governments on any problem relating to the development on the waters of the rivers. ○ To solve disputes arising over water sharing. ○ To arrange technical visits to projects’ sites and critical river head works.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ To undertake, once in every five years, a general tour of inspection of the Rivers for ascertaining the facts. ○ To take necessary steps for the implementation of the provisions of the treaty.

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Indus Water Treaty, 1960: ● It is a treaty brokered by the World Bank and signed by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan which administers how the waters of the Indus and its tributaries that flow in both the countries will be utilised. ● According to the treaty, waters of the eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas and Ravi had been allocated to India, while the western rivers — the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab to Pakistan. ● Under the treaty, India has been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through a run of the river projects on the western rivers subject to specific criteria for design and operation.

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Shigmotsav: Goa ● Shigmo is the celebration of a ‘rich, golden harvest of paddy’ by the tribal communities of Goa. ● Agricultural communities including the Kunbis, Gawdas and Velips celebrate the festival that also marks the onset of spring. ● Shigmo is celebrated all over India but in different names: ○ North India - Holi. ○ Assam and Bengal - Dolyatra. ○ South India - Kamadahan.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ○ Maharashtra - Shimga.

Khajuraho Temple ● It is a group of Hindu and Jain Temples in Madhya Pradesh build by Chandela Dynasty ● They are UNESCO World heritage Site. ● The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures (about 10% of total sculptures). ● The temples at Khajuraho are all made of Sandstone. ● The largest temple at Khajuraho is the Kandariya Mahadeva temple which is attributed to king Ganda. ● The erotic expression of sculptures in these temples gives equal importance in human experience as a spiritual pursuit, and it is seen as a part of the larger cosmic whole.

JHURAN FORMATION ● The Jhuran formation in Gujarat which is between 145 and 201 million years old. ● Detailed geochemistry and spectroscopic investigations of the haematite concretions in this area revealed that they resemble the ones on Mars. ● They have similar morphology – spherical, often doublet and triplet – and similar mineralogy – a mixture of haematite and goethite. The results were published in Planetary and Space Science. ● “The haematites on Mars not just show the presence of water, they also indicate that the planet had an atmosphere with oxygen as haematites need oxygen to stabilise. ● Do not know if the concentration was high enough to permit lifeforms, but there was indeed more oxygen than the present day scenario,”. ● Haematite is known to form in oxidising environments, and based on our experience on Earth, water must have also played a crucial role in the formation of grey haematite on Mars.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Geography.

Space Hurricane ● The scientists have discovered a “space hurricane” for the first time ● The hurricane swirled for eight hours over the North Pole in the upper atmosphere of Earth. ● What is it?: ○ The swirling mass of plasma that rains electrons into the ionosphere instead of water is called a “Space Hurricane”. ○ It is a huge, funnel-like, spiral geomagnetic storm that occurs above the polar Ionosphere of Earth, during extremely quiet conditions. ● The hurricane results into the stunning effect that is a huge, cyclone-shaped glowing green aurora can be observed below it. ● The astronomers have spotted hurricanes in space on Mars, Saturn and Jupiter.

Bhadar Dam ● Bhadar dam is located in Rajkot and is second largest in Saurashtra region after Shetrunji dam. ● Bhadar dam is on the Bhadar (Gujarat) River in Saurashtra region in Gujarat. ● The construction work for this dam started in 1952 and water for irrigation from it was given to farmers for the first time in 1963.

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Bhadar River ● The Bhadar is one of the major rivers of Kathiawar (Saurashtra) peninsula in Gujarat. ● It originates near Vaddi in Rajkot district at an elevation of 261 m above mean sea level. ● It flows through the Saurashtra region and finally confluence with Arabian sea at Naviobandar (Porbandar). ● The total length of this river is 198 km. It drains about 1/7th of the area of Saurashtra.

Flash Flood ● Flash floods are typically associated with short, high-intensity rainstorms. ● These are sudden surges in water levels during or following an intense spell of rain. ● These are highly localised events of short duration with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood. ● The flood situation worsens in the presence of choked drainage lines or encroachments obstructing the natural flow of water.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) ● The objective of the Project is to undertake suitable structural and non-structural measures to mitigate the effects of cyclones in the coastal states and UTs of India. ● launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs with the support of the World Bank. ● To be implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) ● Components of the Project: ○ Improved early warning dissemination systems. ○ Enhanced capacity of local communities to respond to disasters. ○ Improved access to emergency shelter, evacuation, and protection against wind storms, flooding and storm surge in high areas. ○ Strengthening DRM capacity at central, state and local levels in order to enable mainstreaming of risk mitigation measures into the overall development agenda. Coverage ● The Project has identified 13 cyclone prone States and Union Territories (UTs), with varying levels of vulnerability. ● These States/UT have further been classified into two categories, based on the frequency of occurrence of cyclone, size of population and the existing institutional mechanism for disaster management. ○ Category I: Higher vulnerability States i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. ○ Category II: Lower vulnerability States i.e. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Baralacha Pass: ● For the first time ever, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started work on reopening the crucial Baralacha Pass in Himachal Pradesh much before schedule to restore connectivity to Leh in Ladakh. ● Baralacha Pass is a high mountain pass in Zanskar range. ● Connects Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Leh district in Ladakh, situated along the Leh–Manali Highway. ● The pass also acts as a water-divide between the Bhaga river and the Yunam river.

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure ● The 27-member European Union joins the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) initiative. ● Prime Minister of India launched it in 2019 at the UN Climate Change Summit. ● What is it? : It is a multi-stakeholder global partnership of national governments, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, private sector, academic and knowledge institutions. ● Purpose: It aims to promote the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks. It also supports sustainable development.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 ● Governing Council: The Governing Council is the highest policy-making body of the CDRI. It is co-chaired by India and a representative of another nation, nominated by rotation every two years. ● Funding: A large share of the fund over the first five years has been invested by India. There are no obligations on the part of members to make financial contributions to CDRI. However, at any point, members of the CDRI may make voluntary contributions. ● Secretariat: New Delhi, India.

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.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands ● The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) are located at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. ● It is a group of 572 islands, which straddles some of the busiest trade routes in the world. ● Connects South Asia with South-East Asia. ● North & South End: While the northernmost point of the archipelago is only 22 nautical miles from Myanmar, the southernmost point, Indira Point, is a mere 90 nautical miles from Indonesia. ● The islands dominate the Bay of Bengal, the Six Degree and the Ten Degree Channels that more than sixty thousand commercial vessels traverse each year. ● The Andaman and Nicobar Islands constitute just 0.2% of India’s landmass but provide near 30% of its Exclusive Economic Zone.

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Maitri Setu: ● The bridge ‘Maitri Setu’ has been built over the Feni river which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura State and Bangladesh. ● The construction was taken up by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd ● Length 1.9 km long ● Bridge joins Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.

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About Feni River ● The Feni River, which forms part of the India-Bangladesh border, originates in the South Tripura district. ● It passes through Sabroom town on the Indian side, and meets the Bay of Bengal after it flows into Bangladesh.

Singorgarh Fort ● It is located in Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh. ● It is an old hill-fort of Gondwana dynasty which is spread over hills in a forested area. ● It was a magnificent fort and was residence of Gond rulers of Central India. ● Before coming in hand of Gond rulers, Singorgarh fort was under Chandel rulers in 1308. ● It was Gond ruler Sangram shah who conquered the Singorgarh fort in early period of 16th century.

Indonesia’s Mt. Sinabung ● Mt. Sinabung, an active volcano on Indonesia’s Sumatra island has erupted. ● Earlier, other volcanoes of Indonesia- Merapi volcano and Semeru volcano- had erupted.

Mt. Sinabung: ● Mt. Sinabung (2,600-metre) is located in Karo regency, North Sumatra. ● Sinabung is among more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. ● The volcano was dormant for 400 years before exploding in 2010. ● It exploded again in 2014 ,2016 and 2020.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Sangay Volcano: Ecuador ● Sangay volcano is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world and one of Ecuador's most active ones. ● Sangay is the southernmost stratovolcano (a volcano built up of alternate layers of lava and ash) in the northern volcanic zone of the Andes. It is 5230 m high.

Mullaperiyar Dam ● Although the dam is located in Kerala, it is operated by Tamil Nadu following an 1886 lease indenture for 999 years (the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement) that was signed between the Maharaja of Travancore and the Secretary of State for India for the Periyar Irrigation works. ● Constructed between 1887 and 1895, the dam redirected the river to flow towards the Bay of Bengal, instead of the Arabian Sea and provide water to the arid rain region of Madurai in Madras Presidency. ● The dam is located on the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers inKerala’s Idukki district. Periyar River ● The Periyar River is the longest river in the state of Kerala with a length of 244 km. ● It is also known as ‘Lifeline of Kerala’ as it is one of the few perennial rivers in the state. ● A perennial river is a channel that has continuous flow in parts of its stream bed all year round. ● Periyar River originates from Sivagiri hills of Western Ghats and flows through the Periyar National Park. ● The main tributaries of Periyar are Muthirapuzha, Mullayar, Cheruthoni, Perinjankutti.

Chenab Bridge ● World’s highest rail bridge, located over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. ● Connects the Kashmir valley to the rest of the nation. ● It is 1315m long and has an arch of 467m and is 359m above sea level. ○ 35m higher than the Eiffel Tower. ● Design life of the bridge is estimated to be 120 years. ● Constructed in hostile terrain in young fold mountains of Himalayas and inclement climate. ● Part of Indian Railways’ Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. ○ Expected to form an important link in the 111 km long stretch present between Katra and Banihal. ● Designed to withstand earthquake forces up to Seismic Zone V. ● Designed to be "blast-proof" in consultation with DRDO.

JOIN Us : https://targetupsc.in/ 8830115524 Suez Canal ● It is a critical shipping artery that connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas through Egypt. ● It is a human-made waterway and as one of the world’s most heavily used shipping lanes, carrying over 12% of world trade by volume. ● It was built in 1869 to provide a major shortcut for ships moving between Europe and Asia. ● The 150-year-old canal was controlled by British and French interests in its initial years, but was nationalised in 1956 by Egypt. ● In 2015, Egypt announced plans to further expand the Suez Canal, aiming to reduce waiting times and double the number of ships that can use the canal daily by 2023. ● Significance of Suez Canal: ○ The canal is a major source of income for Egypt’s economy, with the African country earning $5.61 billion in revenues from it in 2020. ○ According to reports, nearly 50 ships pass through it every day, and it accounts for 12% of world trade.

Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project: ● The Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project (1,000 MW) is proposed on the Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab river, in Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. ●

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