Daily Prelims Notes August, 2020
Santosh Sir All 6 Prelims qualified If I can do it, you can too [email protected], https://t.me/asksantoshsir WWW.OPTIMIZEIAS.COM
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Table of Contents Art and Culture ...... 11 1. Khurja pottery ...... 11 2. Saint Ravidasa ...... 12 3. Somnath temple: ...... 13 4. Indian theatre ...... 15 5. Tyagaraja ...... 17 6. Navroz festival ...... 18 7. Gothic architecture ...... 19 8. Classical music ...... 20 9. Guru Granth Sahib ...... 23 10. Classical dance ...... 24 11. Cultural heritage of Hyderabad ...... 27 12. Warli painting ...... 28 13. Bishnoi tribe ...... 30 14. Onam ...... 31 History...... 32 1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak...... 32 2. Black rain ...... 33 3. Assam accord ...... 34 4. Swadeshi Movement ...... 36 5. Sangam Period ...... 37 6. Abanindranath Tagore ...... 38 7. August Revolution/ Quit India ...... 40 8. Microlithic age and iron age ...... 41 9. Marudu brothers ...... 42 10. Cellular Jail ...... 43 11. Sivaganga- Velu Nachiar, Mumbai- Benjamin Horniman ...... 45 12. Dadabhai Naoroji ...... 47 13. Poorna Swaraj Day ...... 48 14. Mitakshara School vs Dayabhaga school of law ...... 49 15. Jallianwala Bagh ...... 51
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16. Excavations at the Keeladi cluster ...... 53 Geography ...... 54 1. ENSO (El Nino) and Indian Ocean Dipole ...... 54 2. Gujjar and Bakkarwal communities ...... 58 3. Pokkali rice ...... 59 4. Himalayan earth quake ...... 60 5. Tropical storms ...... 61 6. Bondas and Particularly vulnerable tribal group ...... 62 7. Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands ...... 64 8. Rohtang Tunnel ...... 65 9. Declining population of Great Andamanese ...... 66 Indian Polity ...... 67 1. Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs) ...... 67 2. State Election Commissioner ...... 69 3. Jammu and Kashmir and Article 35A ...... 70 4. 103rd Amendment ...... 72 5. CAG ...... 73 6. Subordinate Legislation...... 74 7. Official language ...... 75 8. Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 ...... 76 9. Elected autocracy vs Democracy ...... 77 10. Parliamentary Committee power to summon ...... 78 11. Reservations in job ...... 79 12. Constitution bench ...... 80 13. Breach of privilege ...... 81 14. Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act ...... 82 15. S Mulgaonkar v Unknown (1978) case ...... 83 16. Lokayukta ...... 84 17. DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill ...... 85 18. Breach of privilege ...... 86 19. State vs UGC (Disaster management Act) ...... 87 20. Question Hour and Zero Hour ...... 88
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21. Section 18 of 101st CAA and GST Compensation ...... 89 22. Independence of SC ...... 91 23. Sessions of Parliament ...... 93 24. Article 341 and 342 ...... 94 International Relations ...... 95 1. NATO ...... 95 2. Aarhus Convention ...... 96 3. International Court of Justice (ICJ)...... 97 4. GAVI ...... 98 5. Indus Water Treaty ...... 99 6. COVAX facility ...... 101 7. ILO Convention 182 ...... 102 8. First World Solar Technology Summit ...... 103 9. Asian development bank ...... 105 10. Vaccine nationalism ...... 106 11. India and Bangladesh ...... 107 12. JCPOA ...... 108 13. Clean Plates Campaign ...... 109 14. Land Boundary Agreement ...... 110 15. CPEC ...... 111 16. First vaccine to be authorized ...... 112 17. United Nation 10 Principle on disability ...... 113 Economics ...... 115 1. Core sector ...... 115 2. Inflation vs Growth ...... 116 3. Disincentivising savings ...... 118 4. City gas distribution and CNG ...... 120 5. Provisioning ...... 122 6. Bench mark interest rate ...... 123 7. Priority Sector Lending ...... 124 8. Current account /cash credit/overdraft ...... 125 9. Loan restructuring ...... 126
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10. V. Kamath committee ...... 127 11. Business Confidence Index ...... 128 12. Foreign exchange reserves ...... 129 13. Negative import list ...... 130 14. India rupee appreciation/depreciation factors ...... 131 15. GI Tag for basmati ...... 132 16. GST ...... 134 17. Round tripping ...... 137 18. Recession ...... 138 19. Transparent Taxation - Honouring the Honest ...... 139 20. Organic farming ...... 141 21. Mutual funds ...... 144 22. Organic matter in soil ...... 145 23. WHOLE SALE PRICE INDEX & CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ...... 146 24. Contingency Risk Buffer ...... 148 25. Public Good ...... 149 26. FPO, NABARD and AIF ...... 150 27. Bhadbhut project...... 153 28. Global currency Dollar ...... 154 29. Front Running ...... 156 30. Entity for retail payments systems ...... 157 31. Fair and Remunerative Price and MSP ...... 158 32. P notes ...... 160 33. MPC ...... 161 34. Inverted duty structure ...... 163 35. Farm sector and GDP ...... 164 36. Negative import list ...... 165 37. Dedicated Freight Corridors ...... 166 38. FRBM act ...... 167 39. OMO ...... 168 40. Sin Tax ...... 169 41. Mono cropping and Crop rotation ...... 170
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42. Current status of Indian economy ...... 172 43. GST Council and Compensation cess ...... 173 44. RBI’s contingency fund ...... 175 45. National Land Bank Portal ...... 176 46. State borrowing ...... 177 47. Abuse of dominant position ...... 178 48. Anti-dumping duty ...... 179 49. Reasons for rupee upswing ...... 180 50. Tax Buoyancy ...... 181 51. Ease of doing business ...... 182 General Science ...... 183 1. Sensitivity and specificity in testing...... 183 2. GPS ...... 184 3. Genome Sequencing programme ...... 185 4. Omega 3 fatty Acid ...... 186 5. R value ...... 187 6. Crew Dragon ...... 188 7. Cytokine Storm ...... 189 8. Happy hypoxia or Silent Hypoxia ...... 190 9. The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN)...... 191 10. CRISPR ...... 192 11. Time Capsule ...... 193 12. Seed Terrorism: ...... 194 13. Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative ...... 196 14. Biofuel ...... 197 15. Ammonium nitrate ...... 198 16. Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome ...... 199 17. Starship ...... 200 18. Black boxes ...... 201 19. Perseid meteor shower 2020 ...... 202 20. Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) ...... 203 21. Sunspots ...... 204
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22. Mega lab and Genome sequence ...... 206 23. Safety and Immunogenic of vaccine ...... 207 24. SARABHAI CRATER ...... 208 25. RLF-100 ...... 210 26. Black hole ...... 211 27. T cell immunity ...... 212 28. SalivaDirect ...... 213 29. Dwarf planet Ceres ...... 214 30. Trap Door ...... 215 31. Information Security Audit ...... 216 32. Saliva test ...... 218 33. Science and Technology Indicators (STI), 2018 ...... 219 34. Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage ...... 220 35. Kala- Azar and Nano medicine ...... 221 36. BIS standards for drinking water ...... 223 37. Vaccine trial ...... 225 38. Super app ...... 226 39. Asteroid 2018VP1 ...... 227 40. Covid-19 miscarriage ...... 228 41. Animals and coronavirus ...... 229 42. Protease Inhibitors ...... 231 43. T-cell Immunity and cross reactive memory ...... 232 44. N95 masks ...... 233 45. Reinfeaction ...... 234 Environment ...... 235 1. Impact sea level rise ...... 235 2. Category B2 of EIA ...... 236 3. Smog Tower ...... 237 4. Environment Protection Act ...... 238 5. TRAFFIC ...... 239 6. Seed bombs ...... 240 7. World Elephant Day ...... 241
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8. World Biofuel day ...... 242 9. Environmental Performance Index ...... 243 10. Critical Wildlife Habitat ...... 244 11. Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 245 12. Seagrass ...... 247 13. Earth Overshoot Day 2020 ...... 248 14. Wildlife Corridors ...... 249 15. Generation of biofuel and ethanol blending ...... 250 16. Project lion, project dolphin ...... 253 17. Industry Categories (Based on pollution) ...... 255 18. CAMPA ...... 257 19. Carbon neutrality ...... 259 20. National River Conservation Plan ...... 260 21. Indian Gaur ...... 261 22. Ozone ...... 262 23. Pesticide ban ...... 264 24. Miyawaki method ...... 265 25. Protected Special Agriculture Zone ...... 266 26. Endangered species ...... 268 Government Scheme ...... 269 1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi ...... 269 2. Eductional reforms ...... 270 3. Bharat Air Fibre Services ...... 272 4. Industrial Development and Regulation Act, 1951 ...... 273 5. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana ...... 274 6. Kisan rail ...... 275 7. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund ...... 276 8. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana ...... 277 9. Krishi Megh ...... 279 10. Student Entrepreneurship Programme ...... 280 11. Nashamukt Bharat Campaign ...... 281 12. Smart Meters and Energy efficiency Services Limited ...... 282
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13. Fit India movement ...... 283 14. SWASTHYA portal ...... 284 15. Digital Health Mission ...... 285 16. Jan Aushadi Kendras ...... 286 17. NCC ...... 288 18. Jal Jeevan Mission ...... 289 19. Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan ...... 290 20. Nagar van scheme ...... 291 21. NDRF Vs PM-CARES ...... 292 22. Swachh Survekshan 2020 ...... 294 23. Prime Minister Employment Generation Program ...... 295 24. Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana ...... 296 25. ASEEM portal ...... 297 26. National food security act 2013 ...... 298 27. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ...... 299 28. Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) First Amendment Regulations 2020 300 29. National Digital Health Mission ...... 301 Current Affairs ...... 302 1. Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission ...... 302 2. TRIFED ...... 303 3. DGCA ...... 304 4. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) ...... 305 5. Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) ...... 306 6. Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) ...... 307 7. National Building Code of India ...... 308 8. National Health Authority ...... 309 9. Telecommunication Engineering Centre ...... 311 10. Ayush for immunity campaign ...... 312 11. ARIIA 2020 ...... 313 12. National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020 ...... 314 13. National Recruitment Agency ...... 315 14. Central Water Commission ...... 316
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15. National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 ...... 317 16. Harit path app ...... 318 17. State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report ...... 319 18. National Council for Transgender Persons ...... 321 19. APEDA ...... 322 20. Press council of India ...... 324 21. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization ...... 325
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Art and Culture 1. Khurja pottery
Context:
Artisans in Khurja is in need of government support to overcome drop in demand, revenue and want technology upgrade in manufacturing and sales
Concept:
Khurja pottery is an Indian pottery work manufactured in Khurja of the Bulandshahr district in Uttar Pradesh. A huge portion of the ceramics used in the country is supplied by Khurja hence it is sometimes called “The Ceramics City“. There are at least two conflicting versions of the origins of the pottery- manufacturing sector in Khurja. In one version there was a historical cluster of traditional potters, who had established themselves in Khurja, several hundred years ago. In this version potters from Egypt and Syria accompanied the Afghan King Taimur Lung when he passed by Khurja on an easterly campaign 500 years ago. In another, the origins of the tradition go back to people with knowledge of pottery who had moved there during the Mughal Empire. Khurja pottery, which the GI tag, boasts of a variety of tea-sets, crockery, and ceramic tile works. Among the most popular glazed pottery forms, the process involves a range of labour-intensive tasks such as clay churning, moulding, colouring, followed by glazing.
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2. Saint Ravidasa
Context:
Earth and water have been collected from each sacred river and important pilgrimage centre like birthplace of Sant Ravidas in Kashi and from Delhi’s Jain Lal Mandir and Gurudwara Sis Gunj for construction temple at Ayodhya.
Concept:
Ravidas of 15th or 16th century, was a mystic and poet who was one of the most renowned of the saints of the North Indian bhakti movement. He was born in Varanasi. He belonged to nirgun bhakti tradition that valued the worship of a formless God He was considered as a spiritual Guru of the Meera Bai He formed his distinct identity so his disciples came to be known Ravidas- panthis. The Adi Granth of Sikhs, and Panchvani of the Hindu Dadu Panthis are the two oldest attested sources of the literary works of Ravidas.
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3. Somnath temple:
Context:
Construction of a grand Shri Ram Temple slated to commence on August 5th. This has revived the history of prana pratishtha puja of the Somnath Temple by Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.
Concept:
Somnath, literally translated as the Lord of Moon (Soma) houses the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas or the symbolic representation of Lord Shiva. This highly famed pilgrim destination is located at the Viraval Port or Prabhas Pattan in Saurashtra, Gujrat. The temple’s positioning is quite unique. The temple is positioned in such a way that not a single piece of land is visible from the Somnath seashore until Antarctica.
Troubled History:
In AD 1026, Mahmud of Ghazni first looted the temple, and then came Afzal Khan, the commander of Ala-ud-din Khilji and later Aurangzeb. It is said that the temple was looted and destroyed as many as seventeen times. The Iron man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in the construction of the present temple. Renowned temple architect Prabhaschandar designed it and the first President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad installed the Jyotirling in the new temple on May 11, 1951.
Architectural style:
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The present temple is built in the Chaulukya style of temple architecture or "Kailash Mahameru Prasad" style and reflects the skill of the Sompura Salats, one of Gujarat's master masons.
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4. Indian theatre
Context:
Theatre director Ebrahim Alkazi, who revolutionised Indian theatre and was the longest-serving director of the National School of Drama, passed away
Concept:
Traditional art forms reflect the ideals of the society, its determination to survive, its ethos, emotions, fellow-feelings, and so on. Drama in itself is a complete form of arts. It includes in its framework acting, dialogue, poetry, music, etc. Development of traditional theatre forms is based on such local and regional peculiarities which are not bound and restricted by social and economic divisions, limitations, etc. Tradional art forms have influenced classical art forms and vice-versa. It is an eternal journey in the sphere of ‘culture’. Some theatre forms are: Therukoothu, the most popular form of folk drama of Tamil Nadu, literally means "street play". It is mostly performed at the time of annual temple festivals of Mariamman (Rain goddess) to achieve rich harvest. Yakshagaana, traditional theatre form of Karnataka, is based on mythological stories and Puranas. The most popular episodes are from the Mahabharata Koodiyaattam, one of the oldest traditional theatre forms of Kerala, is based on Sanskrit theatre traditions Mudiyettu, traditional folk theatre form of Kerala is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (November-December). It is usually performed only in the Kali temples of Kerala, as an oblation to the Goddess. Krishnattam, folk theatre of Kerala, came into existence in the middle of 17th century A.D. under the patronage of King Manavada of Calicut. Krishnattam is a cycle of eight plays performed for eight consecutive days. Dashavatar is the most developed theatre form of the Konkan and Goa regions. The performers personify the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu-the god of preservation and creativity.
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Tamaasha is a traditional folk theatre form of Maharashtra. It has evolved from the folk forms such as Gondhal, Jagran and Kirtan. Unlike other theatre forms, in Tamaasha the female actress is the chief exponent of dance movements in the play. Maach is the traditional theatre form of Madhya Pradesh. The term Maach is used for the stage itself as also for the play. In this theatre form songs are given prominence in between the dialogues. Bhaona is a presentation of the Ankia Naat of Assam. 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. Bhavai is the traditional theatre form of Gujarat. The centers of this form are Kutch and Kathiawar. Nautanki is usually associated with Uttar Pradesh. The most popular centres of this traditional theatre form are Kanpur, Lucknow and Haathras. Raasleela is based exclusively on Lord Krishna legends; it is believed that Nand Das wrote the initial plays based on the life of Krishna. In this theatre form the dialogues in prose combined beautifully with songs and scenes from Krishna's pranks. Bhand Pather, the traditional theatre form of Kashmir, is a unique combination of dance, music and acting. Satire, wit and parody are preferred for inducing laughter. In this theatre form, music is provided with surnai, nagaara and dhol. Since the actors of Bhand Pather are mainly from the farming community, the impact of their way of living, ideals and sensitivity is discernible.
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5. Tyagaraja
Context:
Ram temple in news has brought focus on Tyagaraja and his devotion to Lord Rama
Concept:
In India, there are two dominant styles of classical music – Hindustani Music whose domain is the North and Carnatic Music, largely confined to the South. By all accounts, Saint Purandaradasa is acknowledged as the Father of Carnatic Music. Although, Purandara Dasa gave Carnatic Music a start, it was the musical trinity of Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshatar, and Syama Sastry really helped to bring structure to Carnatic Music, besides raising it to truly exalted levels. Tyagraja is known for his life and his exemplary devotion to Lord Rama, via the path of soulful music. Born in Thanjavur in 1767, Tyagaraja is credited with creating thousands of devotional compositions mostly in praise of Lord Rama, of which his most famous is called the Pancharatna Kritis. The Tyagaraja Aradhana, a music festival, is held every year at Thiruvaiyaru in his honour.
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6. Navroz festival
Context:
Parsi New Year called 'Navroz' or 'Nowruz’ was celebrated.
Concept :
It is believed that king Jamshed introduced the Parsi calendar and hence the Parsi New Year is also known as Jamshed-i-Nouroz. The holy festival is marked by grand celebrations and the atmosphere is full of positivity and prayers. This year, Navroz is being celebrated on August 16. It is inscribed in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of India.
About Parsis in India:
Parsi community follow Zoroastrianism, which is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. It was founded by the Prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) in ancient Iran around the 6th-7th century. Zoroastrians believe in one God called Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) who created the world. Their holy scripture is called the Avesta. Zoroastrians worship communally in a Fire Temple or Agiary. Zoroastrians are not fire-worshippers but believe that the elements are pure and that fire represents God's light or wisdom.
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7. Gothic architecture
Context:
Kerala government took control of Marthoman Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Church at Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam district, which has been in the focus of a dispute between Jacobite and Orthodox factions of the Malankara Church
Concept:
Gothic architecture, architectural style in Europe that lasted from the mid- 12th century to the 16th century Gothic architecture is a European style of architecture that values height and exhibits an intricate and delicate aesthetic. Though its roots are French, the Gothic approach can be found in churches, cathedrals, and other similar buildings in Europe and beyond. The Gothic style evolved from Romanesque architecture, a medieval aesthetic characterized by arches, vaulted ceilings, and small stained glass windows. Gothic architecture adapted these Romanesque elements to produce a new style of building that featured exaggerated arches, increased vaulting, and enlarged windows. To construct taller, more delicate buildings with thinner walls, Gothic architects employed flying buttresses for support. These stone structures allowed architects to create sky-high cathedrals and churches that evoked ethereality and reached toward the heavens.
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8. Classical music
Context:
Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj passed away . He belonged to Mewati Gharana
Concept: Throughout the ages, man has sought to express the stirrings of his soul, the search for something beyond the mundane through the medium of the arts.
The evolution of poetry, painting and other visual arts has been preserved on stone, leaves and paper but music being auditory, no such evidence exists. As such it is not possible to listen today to the music of the ancient times.
Inspite of such a variety of cultural interactions, our music has remained essentially melodic. In melody, one note follows the other, making for a continued unity of effect, whereas in harmony musical sounds are superimposed on one another. Our classical music has retained its melodic quality.
Today we recognise two systems of classical music: the Hindustani and the Carnatic. Carnatic music is confined to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The classical music of the rest of the country goes under the name, Hindustani Classical Music. Of course. there are some areas in Karnataka and Andhra where the Hindustani Classical system is also practiced. Karnataka has given us in the recent past some very distinguished musicians of the Hindustani style.
It is generally believed that the music of India was more or less uniform before the 13th century. Later it bifurcated into the two musical systems.
The present Indian music has grown from ancient times. Almost every tribe or people have lent their own share in this growth. What therefore, we now call a raga might have started as a tribal or folk tune.
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Hindustani Music is the one among the two distinct varieties of Indian Classical Music. The other variety of Indian classical music is Carnatic Music. While the former belongs to the Northern part of the country, the latter is south Indian. This music became popular during the Mughal Empire. Some Persian and Arabic elements have been assimilated in this music system. There are 10 forms are styles of singing and composition. Among them, Dhrupad, Khayal, Tappa and Thumri are the most popular. . Dhrupad This is the oldest and grandest form of Hindustani music. It is essentially poetic and it is presented in a style marked with precise and orderly elaboration of Raga. exposition proceedings composed verses is called Alap. Khayal Khayal means imagination. This is the most prominent style in hindustani depicting romantic style of singing. It largely depends on the imagination and improvisation of the performer. It is also composed of particular raga and tala. It ranges from praise of kings description of seasons and pranks of Lord Sri Krishna. Thumri Thumri originated in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is influenced by hori, kajri, Dadra. Tumhri is supposed to be romantic and erotic style of singing and is also called “lyric of Indian classical music”. The song composition mainly on love and devotion. Tappa Tappa developed around the 18th century. It means jump in Persian, it is developed on folk songs of camel riders.
Gharanas
Gharanas in Indian Classical Music is an age-old tradition. All the Gharanas have distinctive styles and manner in which they sing the notes. There are different Gharanas based in different regions, and their styles are also highly
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influenced by the creative style invented by one master that goes on to be emulated by his students. This Guru-Shishya concept is called ‘Gharanas’ in Hindustani Classical Music. They also devised new style by improvising on the existing musical structures, and giving it new form through different approach and interpretation. Gharanas in Hindustani Classical Music are divided in two major categories – ‘Khyal’ and ‘Thumri’, based on the singing style or known as ‘Gayaki’ in Hindustani Classical Music.
Reasons for emergence of Gharans
The gharana concept gained currency only in the nineteenth century when the royal patronage enjoyed by performers weakened. Performers were then compelled to move to urban centres. To retain their respective identities, they fell back on the names of the regions they hailed from. Therefore, even today, the names of many gharanas refer to places. Some of the gharanas well known for singing khayals are : Agra, Gwalior, Patiala, Kirana, Indore, Mewati, Sahaswan, Bhendibazar and Jaipur. Gharanas in Dhrupad singing too came into existence several centuries after their birth. It moved from the temples to concentrate in the royal courts of the north, and finally, in the 18th century, when its popularity began to wane, dhrupad singers dispersed to places like Mathura, Rampur, Jaipur, Varanasi, Darbhanga, Betia, Vishnupur etc. There are also gharanas for thumris – like Banaras. Lucknow, Patiala though another school of thought opines that thumris are devoid of gharana divisions and are only to be associated with certain styles or Baj. The concept of hereditary musicians was not confined to vocal music alone. Hence there are also gharanas in instrumental music – sitar, sarode, tabla etc.
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9. Guru Granth Sahib Context: Prime Minister has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of the first Parkash Purab of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Concept: The Guru Granth Sahib is a collation of many hymns, poems, shabads and other writings from many different scholars, including the Gurus and Hindu and Muslim writers. The Guru Granth Sahib is not just the holy scripture of Sikhism. It is also considered as the living Guru. Before Guru Gobind Singh died, he declared that there would be no more human Gurus and that the Guru Granth Sahib would be the Eternal Guru
Significance of the Guru Granth Sahib It contains the words spoken by the Gurus. This is known as Gurbani, which means ‘from the Guru’s mouth’. It is believed to be the word of God and is therefore infallible. It is written in Gurmukhi. This is the script the Punjabi language is written in. Many of Guru Nanak’s hymns and prayers were preserved and complied by Guru Angad and Guru Arjan. This collection became known as the Adi Granth. The Adi Granth also included writings from Hindu and Muslim writers who believed in the oneness of God. Some of these writers were from lower castes, which show the inclusiveness of Sikhism. The Guru Granth Sahib was completed in 1604 and installed in the Golden Temple. This original copy is written in many different languages, reflecting its many different authors.
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10. Classical dance
Concept:
The earliest treatise on dance available to us is Bharat Muni's Natyashastra, the source book of the art of drama, dance and music. It is generally accepted that the date of the work is between the 2nd century B.C.E- 2nd century C.E.The Natyashastra is also known as the fifth veda. According to the author, he has evolved thisveda by taking words from the Rigveda, music from the Samaveda, gestures from the Yajurveda and emotions from the Atharvaveda. There is also a legend that Brahma himself wrote the Natyaveda, which has over 36,000 verses. Nurtured for centuries, dance in India has evolved in different parts of the country its own distinct style taking on the culture of that particular region, each acquiring its own flavour. Consequently a number of major styles of 'art' dance are known to us today, like Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi and Sattriya. Then, there are regional variations, the dances of rural and tribal areas, which range from simple, joyous celebrations of the seasons, harvest or birth of a child to dances for the propitiation of demons or for invoking spirits.
1) Bharatnatyam, Tamil Nadu
Bharatanatyam, also known as the mother of all other classical dance styles, is considered as the oldest dance forms in the country India that originated from the temple dancers in Tamil Nadu. The dance is a pure amalgam of expressions, music, beat and rhythm.
2) Kathak, Uttar Pradesh
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Another popular and recognised form of classical Indian dance is Kathak that originated from Uttar Pradesh in north India. This one is derived from the word katha meaning story, and during the whole dance, the dancers narrate stories through their eyes and expressions.
3) Kathakali, Kerala
This one is probably one of the most attractive, dramatic and elaborate forms of classical Indian dance. Kathakali originated in the south Indian state of Kerala, also known as God's Own Country during the 17th century. The artist performing the dance needs to have detailed make-up, wear heavy costumes and, most importantly, work on their gestures.
4) Kuchipudi, Andhra Pradesh
Kuchipudi is considered one of the toughest forms of Indian classical dance that originated in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The form is considered the toughest because it requires a whole lot of rituals, from lighting the incense sticks to sprinkling holy water and praying to the lord.
5) Manipuri, Manipur
Manipuri dance form originated in the northeastern state of Manipur and is a pure spiritual experience. This is a theme based classical dance form that depicts Raaslila or the romantic act of the Hindu gods Radha and Krishna. Costumes and makeup plays an important role here.
6) Odissi, Odisha
Odissi dance form emerged from the east Indian state of Odisha and is mainly derived from the ancient Hindu temples in Odisha.
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The whole dance is based on gestures and movements or mudras. The dance is performed to express the mythical stories of the Hindu gods, such as Lord Shiva and Surya. It is also considered as the oldest surviving dance forms of India.
7) Sattriya Dance, Assam
The Sattriya Dance of Assam is living tradition of state and one of the eight major classical Indian dance traditions. Sattriya classical dance form is well appreciated and practiced outside the state as well as outside of Indian mainland.
8) Mohiniyattam,Kerala
Mohiniyattam is another classical dance style from Kerala state and one of the eight principal Indian classical dance. The Mohiniyattam is a popular dance form with a drama in dance,performed with subtle gestures and footwork.
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11. Cultural heritage of Hyderabad
Context:
Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series reached a landmark of 50th session with the webinar titled “Cultural heritage of Hyderabad”.
Concept:
Hyderabad is “City of Pearls" and the "City of Nizams", and has been the centre of a vibrant historical legacy, ever since its inception by the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The city was later conquered by Mughal Empire and finally falling in the hands of Asaf Jahi dynasty. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah established Hyderabad in 1591 to extend the capital beyond the fortified Golconda. In 1687, the city was annexed by the Mughals. In 1724, Mughal governor NizamAsaf Jah I declared his sovereignty and founded the AsafJahi dynasty, also known as the Nizams. Hyderabad served as the imperial capital of the AsafJahis from 1769 to 1948. As capital of the princely state of Hyderabad, the city housed the British Residency and cantonment until Indian independence in 1947. Hyderabad has been selected as a creative city in the category of gastronomy by UNESCO The following important cultural sites of Hyderabad were highlighted in this session: o Golconda Fort, Hyderabad- A massive fortress whose ruins stand proudly even today displaying the glory of its rich past and some untold sagas of the city's history. The place oozing charm is a must visit historical place in Hyderabad. MohammedQuli understood the need of a new City and made Bhagnagar (after the name of his beloved) with Charminar in its centre. o Chowmahalla Palace- Once the seat of the AsafJahi Dynasty, the Chowmahalla Palace was built in Hyderabad and is located near the famous monument, Charminar and Laad Bazar. The palace is designed very intricately and holds that Nawabi Charm in itself. Chowmahalla
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Palace, the seat of power of Nizams, has bagged the UNESCO Asia- Pacific Heritage Merit Award for Culture Heritage Conservation. o Charminar- The monument was erected when QuliQutab Shah shifted his capital from Golcondo to Hyderabad. The monument got its name from its structure as it consists of four minarets. o Warangal Fort- This fort appears to have existed since at least the 12th century when it was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty. The fort has four ornamental gates, known as Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, that originally formed the entrances to a now ruined great Shiva temple.
12. Warli painting Context: With a view to promote Indian folk art, National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) a PSU under the Department of Fertilizers has displayed Maharashtra's famous Warli painting on the outer walls of its Corporate Office in Noida.
Concept: Warli is the name of the largest tribe found on the northern outskirts of Mumbai, in Western India. Despite being in such close proximity of the largest metropolis in India, Warli tribesmen shun all influences of modern urbanization. Warli Art was first discovered in the early seventies. While there are no records of the exact origins of this art, its roots may be traced to as early as the 10th century A.D.
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Warli is the vivid expression of daily and social events of the Warli tribe of Maharashtra, used by them to embellish the walls of village houses. This was the only means of transmitting folklore to a populace not acquainted with the written word. This art form is simple in comparison to the vibrant paintings of Madhubani. Women are mainly engaged in the creation of these paintings. These paintings do not depict mythological characters or images of deities, but depict social life. Images of human beings and animals, along with scenes from daily life are created in a loose rhythmic pattern. These tribal paintings of Maharashtra are traditionally done in the homes of the Warlis. Painted white on mud walls, they are pretty close to pre- historic cave paintings in execution and usually depict scenes of human figures engaged in activities like hunting, dancing, sowing and harvestin
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13. Bishnoi tribe
Concept: Since the 15th century, the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan has been devoted to environmental protection. In 1485, the Bishnoi tradition was born in the hands of Guru Jambeshwar, a Rajput chieftain of Marwar, in western Rajasthan. He formulated 29 commandments, which a Bishnoi is expected to follow until death. Of these, six are extraordinary – they cover environmental protection and compassion for all living creatures. The Bishnoi are commanded to provide shelter for abandoned animals and prohibited to cut down trees; they follow a system of sharing resources with the wildlife around them. Animals like blackbucks and chinkaras, and birds like vultures, partridges, peacocks and even the endangered Great Indian Bustard, find the Bishnoi village a safe haven. Not only do the Bishnois protect them from poachers, they also actively participate in helping them lead a life of plenty. By allowing them to graze freely in their farmlands; by keeping stone vessels near their home that are always filled with water; and even hanging water-filled pots from the branches of trees for the birds to drink.
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14. Onam
Context:
An animated video depicting Maveli’s visit to Kerala during the Covid- 19 pandemic, and the importance of wearing a mask, is being widely shared on social media
Concept:
It is a harvest festival celebrated in Kerala irrespective of religion According to legends, the festival is celebrated to commemorate King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam Onam celebrations include Vallam Kali (boat races), Pulikali (tiger dances), Pookkalam (flower Rangoli), Onathappan (worship), Onam Kali, Tug of War, Thumbi Thullal (women's dance), Kummattikali (mask dance), Onathallu (martial arts), Onavillu (music), Kazhchakkula (plantain offerings), Onapottan (costumes), Atthachamayam (folk songs and dance), and other celebrations
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History 1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Context:
Tilak’s death anniversary is observed on August 1
Concept:
Born on July 23, 1856, Tilak was a mathematician, philosopher, scholar and social reformer. To impart quality education to the country’s youth, he founded the Deccan Education Society in 1884. He also started two weeklies, Kesari (in Marathi) and Mahratta (in English), through which he criticised British policies of that time. Tilak joined the Congress in 1890, but due to ideological differences, he and his supporters were known as extremist leaders within the party. British arrested him on the charges of sedition in 1906 and a court sentenced him to six years of imprisonment in Mandalay (Burma) He was popularly known as Lokmanya. The famous slogan, "Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it", was coined by him. Tilak with Annie Besant, Joseph Baptista, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah founded the All India Home Rule League in 1916. In the same year, he concluded the Lucknow Pact with Jinnah, which provided for Hindu-Muslim unity in the nationalist struggle. When Bal Gangadhar Tilak was imprisoned during the freedom struggle, he wrote a book titled ‘Gita-Rahasya’. The events like the Ganapati festival and Shivaj Jayanti were used by Tilak to build a national spirit beyond the circle of the educated elite in opposition to colonial rule.
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2. Black rain
Context:
Important ruling was given for black rain survivors in Japan
Concept:
The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and another one on Nagasaki three days later on August 9 as part of second world war. Thousands of people died in both cities in due to their exposure to radiation from the blast and also from the black rain that fell in the aftermath of the explosions. An estimated 69 per cent of the buildings in Hiroshima were destroyed by the atomic bomb. The debris and soot from this, mixed with the radioactive fallout from the bomb, rose high into the atmosphere in the form of a mushroom cloud. This material combined with the vapor in the atmosphere and came down as dark drops of liquid that has been called black rain. Black rain is full of highly radioactive material.
Effects:
A study conducted in the year 1945 itself showed that black rain had come down as far as 29 km away from ground zero. The rain contaminated everything it came in contact with, and dead fish were reported floating in water bodies and severely ill cattle were seen lying in the fields. Black rain has caused acute radiation symptoms (ARS), nausea and diarrhoea for weeks. Other ARS include fever, sore throat and loss of hair. Over time, many people who were exposed to black rain have developed cancer.
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3. Assam accord
Context:
Architect of Assam accord has passed away
Concept:
The Assam Accord was a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed between representatives of the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement in New Delhi on 15 August 1985. Six year agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in 1979 concluded with the signing of the Assam Accord. In the 15 clauses of the Assam Accord, the key focus areas were: o Foreigners issue o Economic development o Restricting acquisition of immovable property by foreigners o Prevention encroachment of government lands o Registration of births and deaths This was done to ensure protection of political, social, economic and cultural identity of the local people. The foreigners were classified under three heads for identification and differential treatment under Clause 5 of the Assam Accord. o "All persons who came to Assam prior to 1.1.1966, including those amongst them whose name appeared on the electoral rolls used in 1967 elections, shall be regularised. o "Foreigners, who came to Assam after 1.1.1966 (inclusive) and upto 24th March, 1971 shall be detected in accordance with the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964 and were to be disenfranchised. This group of people was required to register themselves as foreigners in accordance the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939. The Assam Accord does not call for their deportation but they were to get voting rights only after
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expiry of 10 years from the date of their detection or declaration as foreigner. o The rest had to be expelled.
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4. Swadeshi Movement
Context:
National Handloom Day is celebrate on 7 August to commemorate launch of Swadeshi Movement in 1905.
Concept:
In 1900, Bengal was the major province in British India. The Indian national movement began in Bengal and thus, Britishers decided to part Bengal. When Lord Curzon, then Viceroy of India, announced the partition of Bengal in July 1905, Indian National Congress, initiated Swadeshi movement in Bengal. Swadeshi movement was launched as a protest movement which also gave a lead to the Boycott movement in the country. In 1909, the movement had spread across the country and people had started anti-partition and anti-colonial movements. In 1910, there were many secret associations that had been set up and there were many revolutionary movements, which were synonymous to Swadeshi movement Key people in the Swadeshi movement: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Aurobindo Ghosh, VO Chidambaram Pillai and Babu Genu
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5. Sangam Period
Context:
Artefacts and pottery dating to the Sangam period were unearthed at Kodukkur village, located on the banks of Sankarabarani river in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu
Concept:
The artefacts, including black and red ware, conical shaped bowls, part of amphoras, various types of jars and lids with intricate carvings, were found spread in an expanse of 50 acres of agricultural lands on the southern bank of the river. The site is located close to the National Fossil Wood Park in Thiruvakkarai. The period roughly between the 3rd century B.C. and 3rd century A.D. in South India (the area lying to the south of river Krishna and Tungabhadra) is known as Sangam Period. It has been named after the Sangam academies held during that period that flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai. At the sangams eminent scholars assembled and functioned as the board of censors and the choicest literature was rendered in the nature of anthologies. The literary works of this period were the earliest specimens of Dravidian literature. According to the Tamil legends, there were three Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) held in the ancient South India popularly called Muchchangam.
o The First Sangam, is believed to be held at Madurai, attended by gods and legendary sages. No literary work of this Sangam is available. o The Second Sangam was held at Kapadapuram, only Tolkappiyam survives from this. o The Third Sangam was also held at Madurai. A few of these Tamil literary works have survived and are a useful sources to reconstruct the history of the Sangam period.
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6. Abanindranath Tagore
Context:
National Galary of Modern Art is going to organise the virtual tour titled “The Great Maestro Abanindranath Tagore” to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Abanindranath Tagore on 7th August 2020.
Concept:
He was the first major supporter of swadeshi values in Indian art. Abanindranath first created the ‘Indian Society of Oriental Art’ and later went on to establish Bengal school of art. His sole aim for establishing the school was to counter the English influence on Indian artists. He did that by incorporating Indian elements in his works and achieved success when British art institutions gave in and accepted to teach and propagate his style of works in their organizations. His idea of modernizing Mughal and Rajput paintings eventually gave rise to modern Indian painting, which took birth at his Bengal school of art. Abanindranath is also regarded as a proficient and accomplished writer. Most of his literary works were meant for children. Some of his books like ‘BudoAngla’, ‘KhirerPutul’ and ‘Rajkahini’ are best examples of Bengali children's literature. Abanindranath Tagore believed in the traditional Indian techniques of painting. He rejected the materialistic art of the West and emphasized on returning to the Indian traditional art forms. He believed that Indian art and its art forms gave importance to spirituality as opposed to the West which stressed on materialism. He was very much influenced by the Mughal School of painting as well as Whistler's Aestheticism. In his later works, Abanindranath started integrating Chinese and Japanese calligraphic traditions into his style. The intention behind this move was to construct an amalgamation of the modern pan-Asian artistic tradition and the common elements of Eastern artistic and spiritual culture. Bharat Mata painting: This beautiful painting was completed in the year 1905. The painting depicts Bharat Mata (Mother India). She is portrayed as
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having four hands, carrying important elements in each of her hand. The painting reflects Indian tradition, which features in most of his works.
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7. August Revolution/ Quit India
Context: The 78th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, famously known as the August Revolution in the history of India’s freedom movement, falls on August 9.
Concept: In July 1942, the Congress Working Committee met at Wardha and resolved that it would authorise Gandhi to take charge of the non-violent mass movement. The resolution generally referred to as the ‘Quit India’ resolution. Proposed by Jawaharlal Nehru and seconded by Sardar Patel, it was to be approved by the All India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay in August. The Quit India Resolution was ratified at the Congress meeting at Gowalia Tank, Bombay, on August 8, 1942. The meeting also resolved to o demand an immediate end to British rule in India. o declare commitment of free India to defend itself o against all types of Fascism and imperiali o form a provisional Government of India after British withdrawal. o sanction a civil disobedience movement against British rule. The Quit India resolution was passed on August 8, 1942. Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the tricolour on the Gowalia Tank ground and on August 9 night, the senior leaders of the Congress were arrested. Many nationalists went underground and took to subversive activities. The participants in these activities were the Socialists, Forward Bloc members, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists and local organisations in Bombay, Poona, Satara, Baroda and other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, United Provinces, Bihar and Delhi. The main personalities taking up underground activity were RammanoharLohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, ArunaAsaf Ali, Usha Mehta, BijuPatnaik, ChhotubhaiPuranik, AchyutPatwardhan, SuchetaKripalani and R.P. Goenka. Usha Mehta started an underground radio in Bombay. This phase of underground activity was meant to keep up popular morale by continuing to provide a line of command and guidance to distribute arms and ammunition.
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8. Microlithic age and iron age
Context: Several stone tools and artefacts belonging to microlithic age and iron age were found at the foothills of the Western Ghats in Manuthu – Paraipatti village near Usilampatti block in Madurai
Concept:
Microlithic age The Mesolithic Age, also known as Middle Stone Age, was the second part of the Stone Age. In India, it spanned from 9,000 B.C. to 4,000 B.C. This age is characterized by the appearance of Microliths (small bladed stone tools). The Mesolithic Age was a transitional phase between the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age. The people of this age lived on hunting, fishing, and food gathering; later on they also domesticated animals.
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9. Marudu brothers
Context: The Archaeology Department of the Tamil Nadu State government has undertaken the restoration work of fort of the Marudu Brothers at Aranmanai Siruvayal in Sivaganga district.
Concept: The elder brother was called PeriyaMarudu (VellaMarudhu) and the younger brother ChinnaMarudu. ChinnaMarudu was more popular and was called Marudu Pandiyan. In 1772 the Nawab of Arcot laid seige of Sivaganga and captured it. MuthuVaduganathaPeriaUdayaDevar, died in battle. However after a few months Sivaganga was re-captured by Marudu Brothers and PeriyaMarudu was enthroned as the ruler. ChinnaMarudu acted as his adviser. Due to the terrorist activities against British, he was called as “Lion of Sivaganga”. In the later half of the eighteenth century the rebellion against the British was carried by Marudu Brothers in South India.
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10. Cellular Jail
Context:
Ministry of Tourism organises Independence Day themed webinar titled “Cellular Jail: Letters, Memoirs & Memories” under DekhoApnaDesh webinar series
Concept:
The lives and stories of some of the most famous political prisoners like Veer Savarkar, B.K.Dutt, Fazl-e-HaqKhairabadi, Barindra Kumar Ghose, Sushil Dasgupta were presented. The important contribution made by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Andaman towards India’s independence also had a mention in the presentation. The Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a prison where Indians fighting for freedom from the British were exiled and incarcerated under very inhuman conditions. The construction of the prison started in 1896 and was completed in 1910. The architecture of Cellular Jail was conceptualized on the basis of 'Pennsylvania System or Separate System' theory in which separate confinement is necessary for each inmate for complete isolation from other inmates. No communication of any kind was possible between prisoners in the same or different wings. Each and Every brick of the Cellular Jail has got a heart rendering stories of resistance, sufferings and sacrifices. Cellular Jail stands as a mute spectator to the inhuman sufferings of the patriots, freedom fighters who were imprisoned in these cells. They even had to sacrifice their precious lives as victim of tyranny. Famous freedom fighters
Veer Savarkar - In 1911, freedom fighter VinayakDamodar Savarkar was sentenced to 50 years in the cellular jail of Andamans for revolting against the Morley-Minto reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909). He was released in 1924. He was known for his bravery and hence nicknamed ‘Veer’.
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Batukeshwar Dutt, also known as B K Dutt, was a Revolutionary Freedom Fighter. He, along with Bhagat Singh was involved in the Central Legislative Assembly Bombing Case of 1929, passed away on 20th July 1965 after an illness at the age of 54. Dutt was sentenced to life imprisonment and deported to the Cellular Jail in Port Blair. Fazl-E-Haq Khairabadi- After the Indian Rebellion of 1857 failed, Fazl-E-Haq was covered by an amnesty and was arrested by the British authorities on 30 January 1859 at Khairabad for inciting violence. He was tried and found guilty of encouraging murder and role in the 'jihad'. He was sentenced for life to the prison at Kalapani (Cellular Jail) on Andaman Island, and his property was confiscated by the judicial commissioner of Awadh court. Barindra Kumar Ghose - Following the attempted killing of Kingsford by two revolutionaries Khudiram and Prafulla on 30 April 1908, the police intensified its investigation which led to the arrest of Barin and Aurobindo Ghosh on 2 May 1908, along with many of his comrades. The trial (known as the Alipore Bomb Case) initially sentenced Barin Ghosh and Ullaskar Datta to death. However, the sentence was reduced to life imprisonment, by Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das and Barin was deported to the Cellular Jail in Andaman in 1909 along with other convicts. Sushil Dasgupta - He was a member of the revolutionary Yugantar Dal of Bengal, and the Putiya Mail Robbery case of 1929 took him to Medinipur prison. From there, he escaped along with fellow revolutionaries, SachinKar Gupta and Dinesh Majumdar. They were absconding for seven months. Eventually Dinesh was caught and hanged, Sushil was sent to Cellular Jail, and Sachin first to Mandalay Jail and, then, to Cellular Jail. On December 29, 1943, political control of the islands was passed to the Azad Hind government of Subhas Chandra Bose. Bose visited Port Blair to raise the tricolour flag of the Indian National Army.
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11. Sivaganga- Velu Nachiar, Mumbai- Benjamin Horniman
Context:
As India gears up to celebrate its 74th Independence Day celebrations, the Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series presented a webinar titled “Lesser known stories of India’s struggle against the British”
Concept:
Sivaganga- Velu Nachiar
It was in Sivaganga, during the rule of Muthu Vaduganatha Peria Odaya Thevar. He was married to the princess of Ramanathapuram, Velu Nachiar. King Muthu came into conflict with his neighbour, the powerful king of Arcot. At that time, the British power too was rising in South India, and the British had a strong alley in the Nawab of Arcot. In 1772, the British attacked Sivaganga, intending to capture it for the Nawab. Muthu sent out emissaries to negotiate with them. It seemed though the British agreed to talk with them, so the Sivaganga forces relaxed their guard. The British forces swept in and massacred all of them, including King Muthu. The crux of the story was the heroic battle waged by Velu Nachiar. She was determined to avenge her husband’s death. She had the support of the Marudu Brothers, fierce warlords who stood by her, along with a band of loyalists. Velu Nachiar was protected by Udaiyal, the leader of her bodyguards. The British captured her and tortured her to get her to reveal the whereabouts of Velu Nachiar. Udaiyal did not give in, and was killed. The brave Velu raised one more battalion of women and named it Udaiyal Regiment. It was commanded by the fiercely loyal Kuyili.
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Velu Nachiar met Haidar Ali, the king of Mysore, and convinced him to help her. Haider Ali sent 5,000 men to help Velu Nachiar to get back Sivaganga. But, by now, Sivaganga had been handed over to the British, and they had fortified the place. Kuyili smuggled some female guerillas in, and while they held the British at bay, she entered the ammunition store, and set it on fire. She died in the process. Velu Nachiar became Queen of Sivaganga and ruled for ten years. Sivaganga remained under the rule of her family until the merger of princely states happened in 1947. Mumbai- Benjamin Horniman
The Horniman Circle Gardens is a large park in South Mumbai, situated in the busy Fort district of Mumbai. It got its name in honour of Benjamin Horniman, the British editor of a newspaper called The Bombay Chronicle. The Bombay Chronicle was begun by Sir Pherozeshah Mehta. As its editor, Horniman spoke up against colonialism. He used the Bombay Chronicle to speak about Indian nationalist causes. Then in 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre happened in Amritsar. The British knew that there would be a terrible backlash over the incident. They immediately clamped down on the press. Horniman defied the censorship. He smuggled a first-hand report of the massacre out of Punjab and published it. He continued publishing follow ups to the story and got the British really worried. They deported Horniman to England. Horniman continued to protest against the cruelties of the British rule in India in all his writings from England. In 1926, he exploited a loophole in his deportation order and returned to India to continue his work.
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12. Dadabhai Naoroji
Context:
Dadabhai Naoroji presented the first estimates of poverty in his 1877 paper ‘Poverty in India’, subsequently published in his book Poverty and Un-British Rule in India in 1899. These estimates were closely linked to the idea of freedom not just from the British rule but also from a life of poverty.
Concept:
He is “Grand Old Man of India” because one of the first leaders who stirred national consciousness in the country. In 1865 and 1866, Naoroji helped found the London Indian Society and the East India Association respectively. The two organisations sought to bring nationalist Indians and sympathetic Britons on one platform. In 1885, Naoroji became a vice-president of the Bombay Presidency Association, was nominated to the Bombay legislative council by Governor Lord Reay, and helped form the Indian National Congress. Dadabhai Naoroji was among the key proponents of the ‘Drain Theory’, disseminating it in his 1901 book ‘Poverty and Un-British Rule in India’. Naoroji argued that imperial Britain was draining away India’s wealth to itself through exploitative economic policies, including India’s rule by foreigners; the heavy financial burden of the British civil and military apparatus in India; the exploitation of the country due to free trade; non- Indians taking away the money that they earned in India; and the interest that India paid on its public debt held in Britain. He served as the first Indian member of the British parliament. He was Congress president thrice, in 1886, 1893, and 1906.
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13. Poorna Swaraj Day
Context:
For almost two decades before India actually became independent, the country’s freedom fighters had been celebrating January 26 as “Poorna Swaraj Day”
Concept:
The Indian National Congress held its annual session in December 1929. It voted for “purna swaraj” or complete independence as against a dominion status for India and passed a resolution fixing the last Sunday of January 1930, it was coincidentally January 26 as Independence Day. It resolved to hold countrywide demonstrations in support of the goal. An official draft by Mahatma Gandhi said: “The British government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally and spiritually….Therefore, India must sever the British connection and attain ‘purna swaraj’ or ‘complete independence’. ” Jawaharlal Nehru was chosen the president of the Congress. On the midnight of December 31, 1929, he raised the first “swaraj” flag that was later adopted as the national flag. However, since 15 August became the official Independence Day in 1947, the new Indian Constitution took effect on 26 January 1950, to mark the 1930 declaration. That’s why 26 January is a special day in India’s history in more ways than one.
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14. Mitakshara School vs Dayabhaga school of law
Context:
SC has ruled that a Hindu woman’s right to be a joint heir to the ancestral property is by birth and does not depend on whether her father was alive or not when the law was enacted in 2005.
Concept:
The Dayabhaga and The Mitakshara are the two schools of law that govern the law of succession of the Hindu Undivided Family under Indian Law. The Dayabhaga School of law is observed in Bengal and Assam, in all other parts of India the Mitakshara School of law is observed. The Mitakshara School of law is subdivided into the Benares, the Mithila, the Maharashtra and the Dravida schools. The two main interpreters who wrote on Mitakshara and Dayabagha Schools were Vijnaneshwar and Jeenutavahan respectively. In the Mitakshara School, the allocation of inherited property was based on the law of possession by birth and a man could leave his self-acquired property to which he willed. The joint family property went to the group known as coparceners, i.e. those who belonged to next three generations and also the joint family property by partition could be, at any time, converted into separate property. Therefore in Mitakshara School, Sons had an exclusive right by birth in joint family property. The property is inherited in the Dayabhaga School after the death of the person who was in possession of it. The doctrine of son’s birth right and the devolution of property by survivorship had limited space in Dayabagha School. It is establish that in the Mitakshara School neither the father nor any other coparcener could normally disaffect the joint family property. Under the Dayabhaga School there is no such constraint and each coparcener has complete right of separation of his exclusive share in the joint family
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property. To put it simply, Mitakshara was based on the ‘principle of ownership by birth, and Dayabagha on principle of ownership by death’. In the Dayabhaga Scheme the division of property was very simple. If a man died intestate, his supposed the property was divided uniformly between his sons. If he has share in the common property with the brothers then the property (a share equal to his own) of the brothers would be put apart and his share would be 4 separated between the sons. The law of succession in the Dayabhaga School was based on the principle of religious value or divine profit. The law of inheritance in the Mitakshara School was based on the rule of blood-relationship. The Mitakshara School did not give complete result to the principle, and restricted it by two supplementary rules: (1) females are excluded from inheritance (2) importance of agnates over cognates .
This means that in case of a death of a Hindu man leaving behind a son and a daughter, the latter would be excluded totally and the former would get the entire property. In case he leaves behind a son’s son and a daughter’s son, the former should succeed to the entire property and the latter would be excluded.
The Mitakshara school of Hindu law codified as the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 governed succession and inheritance of property but only recognised males as legal heirs. The law applied to everyone who is not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew by religion. Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and followers of Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj are also considered Hindus for the purposes of this law.
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15. Jallianwala Bagh
Context:
Ministry of Tourism presented Webinar on “Jallianwala Bagh: A turning point in the Freedom struggle” under Dekho Apna Desh Series as a run up to the Independence Day Celebrations.
Concept:
The Rowlatt Act or Black Act which was a Draconian Act passed by the British Government which gave powers to the Police to arrest any person without any reason whatsoever. The purpose of the Act was to curb the growing nationalist upsurge in the country. Gandhi called upon the people to do Satyagraha against such oppressive "Act". Jallianwala Bagh was then a barren land where people would meet often and use to have peaceful protest. This made the British nervous as they had never seen any resistance. Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr. Satyapal were renowned national leaders of the city of Amritsar. They organized Satyagraha against Rowlatt Act. People from all sects participated in peaceful gatherings that happened in Jallianwala Bagh. This led to lot of misconceptions and misunderstanding among the Britishers. The British Government ordered the arrest of Dr. Kitchlu and Dr. Satyapal. The news of their arrest evoked strong reaction among the people of Amritsar. On 9th April 1919, Mahatma Gandhi was arrested and people were unable to understand the reason behind the arrest. When news of Gandhi’s arrest reached Amritsar on the 10th, a large and angry crowd collected on the streets. British banks were set on fire and three bank managers murdered. The violence continued through the 10th and 11th April. With the police unable to control the crowds, the city was placed under de facto martial law. The Collector handed over charge to Brigadier-General
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Reginald Dyer, who had come with a contingent of Gurkha and Pathan troops. On Sunday, 13 April 1919 Dyer, anticipated that a major insurrection could take place, thus had banned all meetings. This notice was not widely disseminated, and many villagers gathered in the Bagh to celebrate the Indian festival of Baisakhi, and peacefully protest the arrest and deportation of two national leaders, Satyapal and Saifuddin Kitchlew. Dyer and his troops entered the garden, blocking the main entrance behind them, took up position on a raised bank, and with no warning opened fire on the crowd The British Government established a Committee to inquire into the events, and the Hunter Commission Report includes evidence taken in relation to the events in Amritsar. In the final report submitted in March 1920, the Committee unanimously condemned Dyer’s actions. However, the Hunter Committee did not impose any penal or disciplinary action against General Dyer. Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest and Mahatma Gandhi gave up the title of Kaiser-i-Hind, bestowed by the British for his work during the Boer War.
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16. Excavations at the Keeladi cluster
Context:
Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology released an interim status report with the sixth phase of the excavations at the Keeladi cluster and the excavations at other sites to come to a close in September for the year.
Concept:
In the current season of excavations, a fine variety of red-slipped ware containing Tamizhi letters was found embedded in the soil at Keeladi, apart from semi-precious stones, weighing units and terracotta seals. At Kondagai, a burial site, 40 urn burials, one pit burial and 16 surface burials were identified. Also, 17 human skeletons and two animal skeletons were unearthed with bowls of red-ware, red-slipped-ware and black-and- red ware. At Adichanallur, Microlithic tools were found, consisting of blade, point and scraper made of chert. The excavation at Sivagalai, being undertaken to know the Iron Age burial culture and locate the earliest settlement of the region, yielded finds such as potsherds, Mesolithic tools and other artefacts. Kodumanal excavation reaped Tamizhi inscribed potsherds and structures built of stone masonry. Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology has tied-up with nearly 10 institutions to scientifically analyse the excavated material. Madurai Kamaraj University has taken steps to establish an ‘ancient DNA lab’ at a cost of ₹3 crore and this would help in faster turnaround times of identifying the artefacts’ antiquity
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Geography 1. ENSO (El Nino) and Indian Ocean Dipole
Context:
The India Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall during August- September to be 104% of long-period average with a model error of ± 8%. The prediction assumes “neutral” ENSO (El Nino) and Indian Ocean Dipole conditions continuing during the remaining part of the monsoon season
Concept:
ENSO (El Nino)
ENSO is one of the most important climate phenomena on Earth due to its ability to change the global atmospheric circulation, which in turn, influences temperature and precipitation across the globe. Though ENSO is a single climate phenomenon, it has three states, or phases, it can be in. The two opposite phases, “El Niño” and “La Niña,” require certain changes in both the ocean and the atmosphere because ENSO is a coupled climate phenomenon. El Niño: A warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Over Indonesia, rainfall tends to become reduced while rainfall increases over the tropical Pacific Ocean. The low-level surface winds, which normally blow from east to west along the equator (“easterly winds”), instead weaken or, in some cases, start blowing the other direction (from west to east or “westerly winds”). La Niña: A cooling of the ocean surface, or below-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Over Indonesia, rainfall tends to increase while rainfall decreases over the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The normal easterly winds along the equator become even stronger.
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Neutral: Neither El Niño or La Niña. Often tropical Pacific SSTs are generally close to average.
Indian Ocean Dipole
The Indian Ocean Dipole was so strong that it overrode concerns of a drought in India last June and brought torrential rainfall — the most India has seen in decades. It also lasted nearly a month more than what is normal. This extended rainfall continued in several parts of West Asia, Oman, Yemen and in the Horn of Africa — Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya — so much so that that the dry sand became heavily moisture laden, facilitating the formation of several locust swarms. While this dipole was beginning to take shape by late 2018 — and locust outbreaks were growing in Africa — it increased last year. Due to favourable winds, it helped swarms to fly and breed in traditional grounds in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Indian Ocean Dipole
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Sustained changes in the difference between sea surface temperatures of the tropical western and eastern Indian Ocean are known as the Indian Ocean Dipole or IOD. The IOD is one of the drivers of Indian Monsoon. The IOD has three phases: neutral, positive and negative Neutral IOD phase: Water from the Pacific flows over to East Indian Ocean (between the islands of Indonesia). Air rises above this area and falls over the western half of the Indian Ocean basin, blowing westerly winds along the equator. Temperatures are close to normal across the tropical Indian Ocean, and hence the neutral IOD does not affect the Indian Southwest Monsoon. Positive IOD phase: Westerly winds weaken along the equator allowing warm water to shift towards Africa. Changes in the winds also allow cool water to rise up from the deep ocean in the east. This sets up a temperature difference across the tropical Indian Ocean with cooler than normal water in the east and warmer than normal water in the west. Generally this means there is more moisture than normal in the atmosphere over West Indian Ocean & Arabian Sea. This changes the path of weather systems coming towards India, often resulting in more rainfall during Southwest Monsoon.
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Negative IOD phase: Westerly winds intensify along the equator, allowing warmer waters to concentrate near Equatorial East Indian Ocean. This sets up a temperature difference across the tropical Indian Ocean, with warmer than normal water in the east and cooler than normal water in the west. A negative IOD typically adversely affects the Indian Southwest Monsoon rainfall resulting in below-average rainfall over India.
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2. Gujjar and Bakkarwal communities
Context:
Bangas Awaam Mela’ held in Jammu and Kashmir to mark Article 370 abrogation anniversary. It saw the participation of hundreds of Gujjars, Bakarwals.
Concept:
The Gujjars and Bakarwals are the two unique ethnic nomadic groups that rear flocks of sheep and goat between high and low altitudes of Western Himalayas. In summer, these groups migrate to upper reaches of the valley and in winter, they take their flocks to the lower areas of the valley to protect themselves from the harsh cold. The habitat of these people is in the hilly terrain of the North-Western Himalayas.
Transhumance
Transhumance, form of pastoralism or nomadism organized around the migration of livestock between mountain pastures in warm seasons and lower altitudes the rest of the year.
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3. Pokkali rice
Context:
West Bengal farmers are going to cultivate pokkali variety of rice to tide over a crisis-like situation created by severe seawater incursion into paddy fields in vast areas of the Sundarbans after the cyclone Amphan
Concept:
The pokkali variety of rice is known for its saltwater resistance and flourishes in the rice paddies of coastal Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. The uniqueness of the rice has brought it the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
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4. Himalayan earth quake
Context: Geophysicist Roger Bilham has said Himalayas the only place in the world where a large quake can occur on land
Concept: In both C-C convergence and C-O convergence, there is the formation of fold mountains and frequent occurrence of earthquakes. This is because of the sudden release of friction between the subducting plate and up thrust plate. In C-C convergence, the denser plate pushes into the less dense plate creating a fault zone along the margin. Further collision leads to the sudden release of energy along this fault zone generating disastrous earthquakes (shallow-focus earthquakes). Volcanism is observed only in C-O convergence and is almost absent in C-C convergence.
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5. Tropical storms
Context:
Two newly formed tropical storms Laura and Marco could become almost simultaneous threats to the US Gulf Coast early next week
Concept:
Tropical cyclones are violent storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over to the coastal areas bringing about large scale destruction due to violent winds, very heavy rainfall and storm surge. They are irregular wind movements involving closed circulation of air around a low pressure center. This closed air circulation is a result of rapid upward movement of hot air which is subjected to Coriolis force. Conditions Favourable for Tropical Cyclone Formation o Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27° C o Presence of the Coriolis force enough to create a cyclonic vortex o Small variations in the vertical wind speed o A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation o Upper divergence above the sea level system Favorite Grounds for Tropical Cyclones o South-east Caribbean region where they are called hurricanes. o Philippines islands, eastern China and Japan where they are called typhoons. o Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea where they are called cyclones. o Around south-east African coast and Madagascar-Mauritius islands. o North-west Australia.
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6. Bondas and Particularly vulnerable tribal group
Context:
The COVID-19 pandemic has reached the Bondas, a tribal community residing in the hill ranges of Malkangiri district in Odisha.
Concept:
Bondas
The Bondas are Munda ethnic group who live in the isolated hill regions of the Malkangiri district of southwestern Odisha. They are a scheduled tribe of India and are also known as the Remo (meaning “people” in the Bonda language). Particularly vulnerable tribal group
75 tribal groups have been categorized categorized by Ministry of Home Affairs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)s. The criteria for identifying Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups are: - o Pre-agricultural level of technology o Low level of literacy o Economic backwardness o A declining or stagnant population. PVTGs reside in 18 States and UT of A&N Islands. Besides a number of schemes of Government of India and the State Governments where PVTG population are also benefitted along with other population, Ministry of Tribal Affairs administers a scheme namely ‘Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)’ specifically for the PVTG population. The scheme covers the 75 identified PVTGs in 18 States, and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The scheme aims at planning their socio-economic development in a comprehensive manner while retaining the culture and heritage of the communities by adopting habitat level development approach.
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Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the State/UT Governments based on their proposals for development of tribal people in the sectors of education, housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry, construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs and to fill in the critical gaps. The projects taken up under this scheme are demand driven.
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7. Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Context:
At least five members of the Great Andamanese tribe have tested positive for Covid-19.
Concept:
There are 6 aboriginal tribes in Andaman & Nicobar islands. On the basis of features, they can be divided into Negrito and Mongoloid. Great Andamanes, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinelese are negrito while Nicobarese and Shompen are mongoloid. The tribe-wise population of Scheduled Tribes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as per Census 2011 is given below: -
Tribes Population Andamanese – Strait island 44
Jarawas – Middle and south Andaman 380 Nicobarese – Great Nicobar 27168 Onges – Little Nicobar 101 Sentinelese – Sentinel island 15 Shom Pens – Great Nicobar 229
Most of the areas in the island are placed under Protected/Restricted area . Restricted area permit under Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963 is required by foreigner to visit this protected areas.
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8. Rohtang Tunnel
Context:
The Atal Tunnel at Rohtang, near Manali, is almost complete and was scheduled to be completed by May 2020, in a revised estimate, but the Covid- 19 pandemic pushed back the completion by a few months due to lockdown conditions.
Concept:
The 9-km-long tunnel under the Pir Panjal range, named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, will be the world’s longest highway tunnel above the altitude of 10,000 feet (3000 metres). Cutting through the Pir Panjal range, the tunnel will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km. While the tunnel will be a boon to the residents of the Lahaul and Spiti Valley who remain cut off from the rest of the country in winters for nearly six months due to heavy snowfall, the tunnel will provide almost all- weather connectivity to the troops stationed in Ladakh.
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9. Declining population of Great Andamanese
Context:
Nine members of the dwindling Great Andamanese tribe have tested Covid-19 positive.
Concept:
Great Andamanese are part of the Negrito tribes that inhabit isolated parts of Southeast Asia and the Andaman Islands The language of the Great Andamanese, Sare, has largely been lost, with the last surviving speaker dying earlier this year. The tribe now speaks mostly Hindi. Major factors contributing to the diminishing population of the Great Andamanes include environmental ‘disturbances’, contagious diseases as a result of contact with city dwellers, and a high mortality rate assisted by addictions to alcohol, tobacco and opium.
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Indian Polity 1. Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs)
Context:
COVID-19 has brought in unprecedented challenges to India’s metropolitan cities, which highlights the limited capabilities of local governments in cities
Concept:
The Constitution mandates formation of Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs) in all metropolitan areas with a million-plus population. MPCs are envisioned to ensure integrated planning for the entire metropolitan area, and are responsible for the preparation of draft development plans, synthesising priorities set by local authorities, State and Central governments. Article 243 ZE of Part IX A provides for establishment of the Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) The State legislature may by law make provision with respect to- o the composition of the Metropolitan Planning Committees; o the manner in which the seats in such Committees shall be filled: Provided that not less than two-thirds of the members of such Committee shall be elected by, and from amongst, the elected members of the Municipalities and Chairpersons of the Panchayats in the Metropolitan area in proportion to the ratio between the population of the Municipalities and of the Panchayats in that area; o the representation in such Committees of the Government of India and the Government of the State and of such organisations and institutions as may be deemed necessary for carrying out the functions assigned to such Committees; o the functions relating to planning and coordination for the Metropolitan area which may be assigned to such Committees;
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o the manner in which the Chairpersons of such Committees shall be chosen. The Chairperson of every Metropolitan Planning Committee shall forward the development plan, as recommended by such Committee, to the Government of the State.
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2. State Election Commissioner
Context:
Mr. N. Ramesh Kumar took charge as the State Election Commissioner (SEC) of Andhra Pradesh upon his reappointment by the Governor recently.
Concept:
The super-intendance, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the panchayats shall be vested in the state election commission. It consists of a state election commissioner to be appointed by the governor. His conditions of service and tenure of office shall also be determined by the governor. He shall not be removed from the office except in the manner and on the grounds prescribed for the removal of a judge of the state high court. His conditions of service shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment. Removal of high court judges: A judge of a high court can be removed from his office by an order of the President. The President can issue the removal order only after an address by the Parliament has been presented to him in the same session for such removal. The address must be supported by a special majority of each House of Parliament (i.e., a majority of the total membership of that House and majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting). The grounds of removal are two—proved misbehavior or incapacity.
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3. Jammu and Kashmir and Article 35A
Context:
August 5 has marked the first anniversary of the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and conversion of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories
Article 35A
Article 35A allows the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define permanent residents of the state. It was inserted through the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, which was issued by President under Article 370 Special rights and privileges given to permanent residents
1) Employment under the State Government
2) Acquisition of immovable property in the State
3) Settlement in the State; or
4) Right to scholarships and such other forms of aid as the State Government
Concept:
After abrogation of special status, the Indian Constitution and all the 890 Central laws are fully applicable to J&K. This has meant the application of 170 more Central laws to J&K, including progressive laws such as the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1954, the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014, the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993
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Direct supervision of the Central Vigilance Commission with regard to anti- corruption cases and the setting up of the 18th Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for the UTs of J&K and Ladakh has occurred.
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4. 103rd Amendment
Context:
Supreme Court has referred a batch of petitions challenging the 103rd Constitution Amendment of 2019 to a five-judge Constitution Bench
Concept:
It provides for 10% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for Economically Weaker Section by amending Articles 15 and 16 that deal with the fundamental right to equality. An additional clause was added to both provisions, giving Parliament the power to make special laws for EWS like it does for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes. The states are to notify who constitute EWS to be eligible for reservation. Issue:
The law was challenged primarily that it violates the Basic Structure of the Constitution. This argument stems from the view that the special protections guaranteed to socially disadvantaged groups is part of the Basic Structure and that the 103rd Amendment departs from this by promising special protections on the sole basis of economic status Another challenge has been made on behalf of private, unaided educational institutions. They have argued that their fundamental right to practice a trade/profession is violated when the state compels them to implement its reservation policy and admit students on any criteria other than merit.
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5. CAG
Context: Former Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor GC Murmu sworn-in as India’s 14th CAG
Concept: The Constitution of India (Article 148) provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. He is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the levels—the Centre and the state. His duty is to uphold the Constitution of India and laws of Parliament in the field of financial administration. The CAG is appointed by the president of India by a warrant under his hand and seal. He holds office for a period of six years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. He can resign any time from his office by addressing the resignation letter to the president. He can also be removed by the president on same grounds and in the same manner as a judge of the Supreme Court. The Constitution (Article 149) authorises the Parliament to prescribe the duties and powers of the CAG in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the states and of any other authority or body. Accordingly, the Parliament enacted the CAG’s (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) act, 1971. This Act was amended in 1976 to separate accounts from audit in the Central government.
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6. Subordinate Legislation
Context: Former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that the Environment Impact Assessment Act (EIA) 2020 as a subordinate legislation violates the parent Environment Protection Act.
Concept: Under the general law, the term ‘subordinate legislation’ is often used to refer to a legislative instrument made by an entity under a power delegated to the entity by the Parliament. It can be necessary for legislative power to be delegated for any of the following reasons: o to save pressure on parliamentary time o the legislation is too technical or detailed to be suitable for parliamentary consideration o to deal with rapidly changing or uncertain situations o To allow for swift action in the case of an emergency.
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7. Official language
Context:
The Supreme Court Thursday advised government to amend the Official Languages Act, 1963 to allow publication of official notifications in languages other than Hindi and English.
Concept:
The constitutional provisions dealing with the language of the courts and legislation are as follows: o Until Parliament provides otherwise, the following are to be in the English language only: All proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every high court and the authoritative texts of all bills, acts, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations and byelaws at the Central and state levels. However, the governor of a state, with the previous consent of the president, can authorise the use of Hindi or any other official language of the state, in the proceedings in the high court of the state, but not with respect to the judgments, decrees and orders passed by it. In other words, the judgments, decrees and orders of the high court must continue to be in English only (until Parliament otherwise provides). Similarly, a state legislature can prescribe the use of any language (other than English) with respect to bills, acts, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations or bye-laws, but a translation of the same in the English language is to be published.
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8. Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
Context:
Supreme Court has held advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court for his tweets against Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Supreme Court.
Concept:
Contempt of court, as a concept that seeks to protect judicial institutions from motivated attacks and unwarranted criticism, and as a legal mechanism to punish those who lower its authority. Article 129 of the Constitution conferred on the Supreme Court the power to punish contempt of itself. Article 215 conferred a corresponding power on the High Courts. The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, gives statutory backing to the idea. According to the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, contempt of court can either be civil contempt or criminal contempt. Civil contempt means willful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court or willful breach of an undertaking given to a court. On the other hand, criminal contempt means the publication of any matter or the doing of any other act whatsoever which o scandalizes or lowers the authority of, any court; or o prejudices or interferes with the due course of any judicial proceeding; or o Interferes or obstruct the administration of justice in any other manner. A contempt of court may be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both, provided that the accused may be discharged or the punishment awarded may be remitted on apology being made to the satisfaction of the court.
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9. Elected autocracy vs Democracy
Context:
India is moving towards a form of elected autocracy says justice A.P. Shah
Concept:
Democracy
Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy allows people to participate equally—either directly or through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. A democratic government contrasts to forms of government where power is either held by one, as in a monarchy, or where power is held by a small number of individuals, as in an oligarchy or aristocracy. Direct democracy is a form of democracy in which people vote on policy initiatives directly. This is different from a representative democracy, in which people vote for representatives who then vote on policy initiatives. Representative democracy is a variety of democracy founded on the principle of elected people representing a group of people. For example, three countries which use representative democracy are the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Poland.
Elected autocracy
An autocracy is a system of government in which a supreme political power is concentrated in the hands of one person, whose decisions are subject to neither external legal restraints nor regularized mechanisms of popular control. If government is elected and is devoid of any control it may lead to Elected autocracy
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10. Parliamentary Committee power to summon
Context:
The information technology (IT) parliamentary committee is divided on summoning Facebook executives to clarify reports of bias towards the BJP in censoring hate speech.
Concept:
Committees are formed to see that Parliament functions effectively, discuss Bills referred to them by the presiding officers. These MPs assemble during and between sessions, invite officials as well as experts, and are not bound by the party whips when it comes to discussion of a Bill, unlike in the House. Department-related Standing Committees consider demands for grants for the ministry, and take up any subject based on Annual Reports and long- term policy documents relating to the ministries/departments under their jurisdiction The committee has the powers to send a letter to any institution — asking it to appear and give an explanation on a subject. The committee or chairman does not have executive powers, but calling a particular person or an institution as witness is possible. An invitation to appear before a Parliamentary Committee is equivalent to a summons from a court: If one cannot come, he or she has to give reasons which the panel may or may not accept. However, the chairman should have the support of the majority of the members. Any member can call for a meeting to discuss this, and if the majority of the members do not agree, the chairman may have to cancel the summoning.
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11. Reservations in job
Context:
The Madhya Pradesh government’s decision to give government jobs only to “children” of the state is likely to trigger a fresh debate on the fundamental right to equality of citizens.
Concept:
Article 16(2) of the Constitution states that “no citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against, in respect of any employment or office under the State.” The Supreme Court has, in its rulings since 1955, underlined the distinction between domicile status and place of birth. Domicile or status of residence is a fluid concept that can change from time to time, unlike place of birth. The place of birth is one of several grounds on which domicile status is conferred.
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12. Constitution bench Context: Retired SC judge says Constitution Bench should hear contempt cases against advocate Prashant Bhushan
Concept: Article 145(3)says at least five judges need to hear cases that involve “a substantial question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution, or any reference under Article 143, which deals with the power of the President of India to consult the Supreme Court. Constitution benches of the Supreme Court have declared privacy a fundamental right, outlawed instant triple talaq, upheld the Aadhaar scheme and thrown open Kerala’s Sabarimala temple to women of all ages.
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13. Breach of privilege
Context: MP Dubey gave a notice of breach of privilege against MP Shashi Tharoor after the office of the chairman of the standing committee sent a letter to Facebook, seeking an explanation on The Wall Street Journal report
Concept: Parliamentary privilege refers to rights and immunities enjoyed by Parliament as an institution and MPs in their individual capacity, without which they cannot discharge their functions as entrusted upon them by the Constitution According to the Constitution, the powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament and MP’s are to be defined by Parliament (Article 105). No law has so far been enacted in this respect. In the absence of any such law, it continues to be governed by British Parliamentary conventions. A breach of privilege is a violation of any of the privileges of MPs/Parliament. Among other things, any action ‘casting reflections’ on MPs, parliament or its committees; could be considered breach of privilege. A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege The Speaker/Chairperson can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament. If the Speaker/Chair gives consent under Rule 222, the member concerned is given an opportunity to make a short statement.
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14. Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act
Context:
Political parties are increasingly voicing concerns over holding elections in Bihar amid a pandemic.
Concept:
Election Commission (EC) is mandated under law to hold elections at any time within six months before the five-year term of the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly expires. The polls are timed in a way that the new Assembly or Lok Sabha is in place on the day of the dissolution of the outgoing House. In the case of early dissolution, EC has to ensure, as far as possible, a new Lok Sabha or Assembly is in place within six months of the dissolution. An election once called usually proceeds as per schedule. However, in some exceptional cases, the process can be postponed or even scrapped after its announcement under extraordinary circumstances. Under Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, the poll panel can “extend the time” for completing an election, but such extension should not go beyond the date of the normal dissolution of the Lok Sabha or the Assembly. Powers under Section 153 can be exercised only after an election schedule has been notified. If the EC wants to postpone Bihar elections, it will have to be done through its extraordinary powers under Article 324.
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15. S Mulgaonkar v Unknown (1978) case
Subject:Polity
Context:
Counsel has invoked the ‘Mulgaonkar principles’ in the criticism against the Supreme Court’s ruling that held advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court.
Concept:
S Mulgaonkar v Unknown (1978) is a case that led to a landmark ruling on the subject of contempt. By a 2:1 majority, the court held Mulgaonkar, then editor of The Indian Express, not guilty of contempt although the same Bench had initiated the proceedings. Justices P Kailasam and Krishna Iyer formed the majority going against then Chief Justice of India M H Beg. Justice Iyer’s counsel of caution in exercising the contempt jurisdiction came to be called the Mulgaonkar principles.
Mulgaonkar principles
Justice Iyer said the first rule in the branch of power is a wise economy of use by the Court of this branch of its jurisdiction. The Court will act with seriousness and severity where justice is jeopardized by a gross and/or unfounded attack on the judges, where the attack is calculated to obstruct or destroy the judicial process. The court is willing to ignore, by a majestic liberalism, trifling and venial offenses-the dogs may bark, the caravan will pass. The court will not be prompted to act as a result of an easy irritability. He argued in favour of harmonizing the constitutional values of free criticism, the fourth estate included, and the need for a fearless curial process and its presiding functionary
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16. Lokayukta
Subject: Polity
Context:
The Nagaland government has moved the Supreme Court seeking removal of the Nagaland Lokayukta for acts of impropriety.
Concept:
The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption authority constituted at the state level. It investigates allegations of corruption and mal-administration against public servants and is tasked with speedy redressal of public grievances. The origin of the Lokayukta can be traced to the Ombudsmen in Scandinavian countries. The Administrative Reforms Commission, (1966-70), had recommended the creation of the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta in the states. The Lokayukta is created as a statutory authority under Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 to enable it to discharge its functions independently and impartially. The lokayukta and upalokayukta are appointed by the governor of the state. While appointing, the governor in most of the states consults (a) the chief justice of the state high court, and (b) the leader of Opposition in the state legislative assembly. Judicial qualifications are prescribed for the lokayukta in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka and Assam. But no specific qualifications are prescribed in the states of Bihar, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. In most of the states, the term of office fixed for lokayukta is of 5 years duration or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier. He is not eligible for reappointment for a second term. The recommendations made by the lokayukta are only advisory and not binding on the state government.
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17. DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill
Context:
DNA Bill can be misused, flags draft report of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology
Features:
The Bill regulates the use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of persons in respect of matters listed in a Schedule. These include criminal matters (such as offences under the Indian Penal Code, 1860), and civil matters such as parentage disputes, emigration or immigration, and transplantation of human organs.
The Bill establishes a National DNA Data Bank and Regional DNA Data Banks. Every Data Bank will maintain the following indices: (i) crime scene index, (ii) suspects’ or undertrials’ index, (iii) offenders’ index, (iv) missing persons’ index, and (v) unknown deceased persons’ index.
The Bill establishes a DNA Regulatory Board. Every DNA laboratory that analyses a DNA sample to establish the identity of an individual, has to be accredited by the Board.
Written consent by individuals is required to collect DNA samples from them. Consent is not required for offences with punishment of more than seven years of imprisonment or death.
The Bill provides for the removal of DNA profiles of suspects on filing of a police report or court order, and of undertrials on the basis of a court order. Profiles in the crime scene and missing persons’ index will be removed on a written request.
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18. Breach of privilege
Context:
Rajya Sabha Chairman wrote to chairpersons of the House panels to “impress upon” members of the committees not to divulge any “information to the media” about proceedings of the committees.
Concept:
Parliamentary privilege refers to rights and immunities enjoyed by Parliament as an institution and MPs in their individual capacity, without which they cannot discharge their functions as entrusted upon them by the Constitution According to the Constitution, the powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament and MP's are to be defined by Parliament (Article 105). No law has so far been enacted in this respect. In the absence of any such law, it continues to be governed by British Parliamentary conventions. A breach of privilege is a violation of any of the privileges of MPs/Parliament. Among other things, any action 'casting reflections' on MPs, parliament or its committees; could be considered breach of privilege. A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege The Speaker/Chairperson can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament. If the Speaker/Chair gives consent under Rule 222, the member concerned is given an opportunity to make a short statement.
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19. State vs UGC (Disaster management Act)
Context:
Supreme Court held that states are empowered under the Disaster Management Act to override University Grants Commission (UGC) exam guidelines
Concept:
A three-judge Bench upheld the power of a State and its disaster management authority to countermand the revised UGC guidelines to conduct the final year and terminal semester examinations by September 30. In case of a disaster, the priority of all authorities under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 is to immediately combat the disaster and contain it to save human life. But the court held that the powers of the States under the Disaster Management Act do not extend to promoting students on the sole basis of their internal assessment without taking exams.
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20. Question Hour and Zero Hour
Context
A MP has written a letter to Speaker expressing concern over the proposal for curtailing the Question Hour as well as the Zero Hour to maintain Covid protocols during Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
Concept:
Question Hour
The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted for this. During this time, the members ask questions and the ministers usually give answers. The questions are of three kinds, namely, starred, unstarred and short notice.
Zero Hour
Unlike the question hour, the zero hour is not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure. Thus it is an informal device available to the members of the Parliament to raise matters without any prior notice. The zero hour starts immediately after the question hour and lasts until the agenda for the day (ie, regular business of the House) is taken up.
In other words, the time gap between the question hour and the agenda is known as zero hour. It is an Indian innovation in the field of parliamentary procedures and has been in existence since 1962.
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21. Section 18 of 101st CAA and GST Compensation
Context:
GST compensation payments to states are pending since April. At the GST Council meeting, the Centre suggested two options for borrowing by states to bridge shortfall. But many states are unconvinced.
Concept:
Section 18 of The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016 provides that Parliament shall by law, on the recommendation of the Goods and Services Tax Council, provide for compensation to the states for loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of the goods and services tax for a period of five years. Under The GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017, states are guaranteed compensation for loss of revenue on account of implementation of GST for a transition period of five years (2017-22). The compensation is calculated based on the difference between the states’ current GST revenue and the protected revenue after estimating an annualised 14% growth rate from the base year of 2015-16.
Compensation cess
Compensation cess was introduced as relief for States for the loss of revenues arising from the implementation of GST. States, in lieu of giving up their powers to collect taxes on goods and services after local levies were subsumed under the GST, were guaranteed a 14 per cent tax revenue growth in the first five years after GST implementation by the Central government. States’ tax revenue as of FY16 is considered as the base year for the calculation of this 14 per cent growth. Any shortfall against it is supposed to be compensated by the Centre using the funds specifically collected as compensation cess. Compensation cess is levied on five products considered to be ‘sin’ or luxury goods like SUV, pan masala, cigrattes.
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The collected compensation cess flows into the Consolidated Fund of India, and then transferred to the Public Account of India, where a GST compensation cess account has been created. States are compensated bi-monthly from the accumulated funds in this account.
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22. Independence of SC
Context:
Supreme Court is in news for various issues.
Concept:
The Supreme Court has been assigned a very significant role in the Indian democratic political system. It is a federal court, the highest court of appeal, the guarantor of the fundamental rights of the citizens and guardian of the Constitution. Therefore, its independence becomes very essential for the effective discharge of the duties assigned to it. It should be free from the encroachments, pressures and interferences of the executive (council of ministers) and the Legislature (Parliament). It should be allowed to do justice without fear or favour. The Constitution has made the following provisions to safeguard and ensure the independent and impartial functioning of the Supreme Court: o Mode of Appointment: The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Pre-sident (which means the cabinet) in consultation with the members of the judiciary itself (ie, judges of the Supreme Court and the high courts). This provision curtails the absolute discretion of the executive as well as ensures that the judicial appointments are not based on any political or practical considerations. o Security of Tenure: The judges of the Supreme Court are provided with the Security of Tenure. They can be removed from office by the President only in the manner and on the grounds mentioned in the Constitution. This means that they do not hold their office during the pleasure of the President, though they are appointed by him. This is obvious from the fact that no judge of the Supreme Court has been removed (or impeached) so far. o Fixed Service Conditions: The salaries, allowances, privileges, leave and pension of the judges of the Supreme Court are determined from time to time by the Parliament. They cannot be changed to their
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disadvantage after their appointment except during a financial emergency. Thus, the conditions of service of the judges of the Supreme Court remain same during their term of Office. o Expenses Charged on Consolidated Fund : The salaries, allowances and pensions of the judges and the staff as well as all the administrative expenses of the Supreme Court are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. Thus, they are non-votable by the Parliament (though they can be discussed by it). o Conduct of Judges cannot be Discussed: The Constitution prohibits any discussion in Parliament or in a State Legislature with respect to the conduct of the judges of the Supreme Court in the discharge of their duties, except when an impeachment motion is under consideration of the Parliament. o Ban on Practice after Retirement: The retired judges of the Supreme Court are prohibited from pleading or acting in any Court or before any authority within the territory of India. This ensures that they do not favour any one in the hope of future favour. o Power to Punish for its Contempt :The Supreme Court can punish any person for its contempt. Thus, its actions and decisions cannot be criticised and opposed by any body. This power is vested in the Supreme Court to maintain its authority, dignity and honour. o Freedom to Appoint its Staff: The Chief Justice of India can appoint officers and servants of the Supreme Court without any interference from the executive. He can also prescribe their conditions of service. o Its Jurisdiction cannot be Curtailed: The Parliament is not authorised to curtail the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court. The Constitution has guaranteed to the Supreme Court, jurisdiction of various kinds. However, the Parliament can extend the same. o Separation from Executive: The Constitution directs the State to take steps to separate the Judiciary from the Executive in the public services. This means that the executive authorities should not possess the judicial powers. Consequently, upon its implementation, the role of executive authorities in judicial administration came to an end.
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23. Sessions of Parliament
Context:
Monsoon session of Parliament from September 14 to October 1, will see many firsts including staggered seating, different shifts for both the houses, no breaks during the session and social distancing.
Concept:
The president from time to time summons each House of Parliament to meet. But, the maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot be more than six months. In other words, the Parliament should meet at least twice a year. There are usually three sessions in a year, viz,
1. The Budget Session (February to May);
2. The Monsoon Session (July to September); and
3. The Winter Session (November to December).
Article 85
The President shall form time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session The President may from time to time o prorogue the Houses or either House; o dissolve the House of the People
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24. Article 341 and 342
Context:
The Supreme Court has given cogent reasons for a reconsideration of the verdict given by a five-judge Bench in 2004 that State legislatures have no power to create sub-classifications among the list of Scheduled Castes notified by the President
Concept:
The Bench has disagreed with the formulation in E.V. Chinnaiah vs. State of Andhra Pradesh (2004) that classifying Scheduled Castes into groups amounts to ‘tinkering’ with the Presidential list. Articles 341 and 342, empower the President of India to draw up a list of schedule castes and tribes. If such a notification is related to a state, then also President will notify the same. However, it can be done after consultation with the governor of the state Any inclusion or exclusion from the presidential notification of any caste, race, or tribe can be done by Parliament by Law. If any question arises whether or not particular tribe is a tribe within the meaning of this article one has to look at the public notification issued by the president.
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International Relations 1. NATO
Context:
US President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw nearly 12,000 American soldiers as part of NATO stationed in Germany.
Concept:
NATO is a multilateral organisation founded by 12 member states following the signing of the Washington Treaty on April 4, 1949. The objective of the Treaty was to create an alliance to counter the Soviet Union and its influence in western Europe. The Treaty derives its authority from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which confers the inherent right to a nation to “individual or collective self-defence”. NATO is a security alliance of 30 countries from North America and Europe. NATO’s fundamental goal is to safeguard the Allies’ freedom and security by political and military means. NATO remains the principal security instrument of the transatlantic community and expression of its common democratic values. It is the practical means through which the security of North America and Europe are permanently tied together. Article 5 of the Washington Treaty i.e that an attack against one Ally is an attack against all is at the core of the Alliance, a promise of collective defense.
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2. Aarhus Convention
Context:
EIA rules must meet the requirements of the precautionary principle of avoiding harm, and intergenerational equity in accordance with the Aarhus Convention, 1998.
Concept:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters was adopted on 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus at the Fourth Ministerial Conference as part of the "Environment for Europe" process. The Aarhus Convention establishes a number of rights of the public with regard to the environment. The Parties to the Convention are required to make the necessary provisions so that public authorities (at national, regional or local level) will contribute to these rights to become effective. The Convention provides for: o Right of everyone to receive environmental information that is held by public authorities o Right to participate in environmental decision-making. o Right to review procedures to challenge public decisions that have been made without respecting the two aforementioned rights or environmental law in general
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3. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Context:
India approached the International Court of Justice against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence.
Concept:
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies. The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. In order to ensure a degree of continuity, one third of the Court is elected every three years. Judges are eligible for re-election. It is assisted by a Registry, its administrative organ. Its official languages are English and French.
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4. GAVI
Context: Serum Institute ties up with Gavi for 10 crore of corona vaccine doses in India
Concept: Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization is a public-private global health partnership committed to increasing access to immunization in poor countries It is a global Vaccine Alliance with the goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries. It does this by bringing together all the stakeholders – donor governments, developing countries, World Bank, UNICEF, WHO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, international finance and development organizations, and pharmaceutical industry – in one decision making body Gavi was launched in 2000. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland India started receiving support for its immunization programme from GAVI in 2002. Apart from that, India is the largest supplier of vaccines to GAVI
GAVI’S IMPACT More children survive. The increase in immunisation has helped halve childhood mortality by preventing approximately 13 million deaths and dramatically driven down the incidence of deadly and debilitating infectious diseases. Nation building thrives. As children become healthier, they, their families, communities and countries are more able to be economically prosperous and socially stable. Global health security improves. In the face of global challenges, such as climate change, urbanisation, human migration, fragility and conflict, Gavi has helped countries broaden vaccine coverage and improve their health systems. This makes them less susceptible and better able to prevent disease outbreaks that pose a threat to people in these countries, protecting millions of others around the world.
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5. Indus Water Treaty
Context:
India has suggested to Pakistan that the talks for discussing pending issues under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) be held through video-conferencing in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
Concept:
In the year 1960, India and Pakistan signed a water distribution agreement came to be known as Indus Waters Treaty which was orchestrated by the World Bank. This agreement took nine years of negotiations and divides the control of six rivers between the two nations once signed. Under this treaty, India got control over: Beas, Ravi Sutlej while Pakistan got control over: Indus, Chenab, Jhelum
Under the treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, all the waters of the three eastern rivers, averaging around 33 million acre-feet (MAF), were allocated to India for exclusive use.
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The waters of the western rivers - Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab - averaging to around 135 MAF, were allocated to Pakistan except for 'specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use permitted to India,' according to the treaty. India has also been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through the run of the river (RoR) projects on the western rivers which, subject to specific criteria for design and operation, is unrestricted.
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6. COVAX facility
Context:
World Health Organization has renewed its invite to countries to join its COVAX facility.
Concept:
Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility is a mechanism designed to guarantee rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. The goal of COVAX is to deliver two billion doses of safe, effective vaccines that have passed regulatory approval and/or WHO pre-qualification by the end of 2021. Earlier, as many as 75 countries expressed interest to protect their populations and those of other nations through joining the vaccine facility, WHO said in a 15 July statement. COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO, working in partnership with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers. The shots will be delivered equally to participating countries proportional to their populations and deployed initially for healthcare workers.
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7. ILO Convention 182
Context:
ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour has become the first international labour standard ever to achieve universal ratification.
Concept:
Ending child labour has been one of the main goals of the ILO, which was founded in 1919. The UN agency estimates that 152 million children worldwide are affected, with 73 million in hazardous work. Most child labour takes place in the agriculture sector, mainly due to poverty and parents’ difficulties in finding decent work. Convention No. 182 calls for the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, which includes slavery, forced labour and trafficking. It forbids the use of children under18 in armed conflict, prostitution, pornography, illicit activities such as drug trafficking, and in hazardous work. The Convention was adopted by ILO member states meeting in Geneva in 1999. It is one of the organization’s eight Fundamental Conventions, which cover issues such as the elimination of forced labour, the abolition of work- related discrimination and the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. The Pacific island nation Tonga deposited its ratification instruments with the ILO on Tuesday, becoming the final country to do so. The ILO said incidence of child labour and its worst forms dropped by almost 40 per cent between 2000 and 2016 as ratification rates increased and countries adopted laws and policies, including relating to minimum age to work.
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8. First World Solar Technology Summit
Context:
The First World Solar Technology Summit will be organized by International Solar Alliance, ISA on a virtual platform on 8th of September.
Concept:
The objective of the event is to bring the spotlight on state-of-the-art technologies as well as next-generation technologies which will provide impetus to the efforts towards harnessing the solar energy more efficiently. The event will hold four technical sessions that would be available to the participants in different languages namely English, Spanish, French & Arabic. Leading companies and research organisations from across the world will present their work during these sessions and will deliberate on latest trends in solar technologies. o Vision 2030 & Beyond: The overall context of Photo Voltaic technology development and its future, on its way towards becoming the first source of energy worldwide, with PV technologies supplying 70% of the world’s electricity generation. o Towards a Decarbonised Grid: The most recent advances (conversion efficiency improvements and declining costs) regarding key components such as PV modules and storage technologies. o Disruptive Solar Technologies: On-grid applications, whether ground- mounted, floating, or integrated in residential and commercial rooftops. o Solar Beyond the Power Sector: Innovative applications where PV is used to move, heat, cool, and drive eco-friendly industrial processes and produce fuels as well as off-grid applications, to provide universal access to energy. International Solar Alliance
The ISA, an action-oriented organization, aims at lowering the cost of technology and finance and thereby facilitate deployment of over 1,000
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GW of solar energy and mobilize more than USD 1,000 billion into solar power by 2030 in Member countries. The ISA envisions to enable the full ecosystem for availability and development of technology, economic resources, and development of storage technology, mass manufacturing and innovation. The reduced cost of technology would enable the undertaking of more ambitious solar energy programmes. The ISA has 67 countries and has six programmes viz. Solar Applications for Agricultural Use, Affordable Finance at Scale, Mini Grids, and Solar Rooftops and Solar E-mobility & Storage and Large-Scale Solar Parks.
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9. Asian development bank
Context:
Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who was next in line to become the chief election commissioner in 2021 resigned from his post to join the Asian Development Bank.
Concept:
ADB was conceived in the early 1960s as a financial institution that would be Asian in character and foster economic growth and cooperation in one of the poorest regions in the world. A resolution passed at the first Ministerial Conference on Asian Economic Cooperation held by the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East in 1963 set that vision on the way to becoming reality. The Philippines capital of Manila was chosen to host the new institution, which opened on 19 December 1966. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) envisions a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region. ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development. ADB maximizes the development impact of its assistance by facilitating policy dialogues, providing advisory services, and mobilizing financial resources through co-financing operations that tap official, commercial, and export credit sources. From 31 members at its establishment in 1966, ADB has grown to encompass 68 members of which 49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.
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10. Vaccine nationalism
Context: Even before the end of final stage human trials or regulatory approval, several wealthier countries like Britain, France, Germany and the US have entered into pre-purchase agreements with Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers Concept: When a country manages to secure doses of vaccines for its own citizens or residents and prioritises its own domestic markets before they are made available in other countries it is known as ‘vaccine nationalism’. This is done through pre-purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer. In order to bring about equitable and broad access, WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and Gavi have come up with an initiative known as “Covax Facility”. The facility aims to procure at least two billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of next year for deployment and distribution mainly in the low- and middle-income countries.
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11. India and Bangladesh
Context: The Indian Foreign Secretary called on Bangladeshi Prime Minister. Both sides discussed cooperation on several fronts amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Concept: India’s developmental assistance in Bangladesh as also the projects in the area of connectivity and power were discussed. Several of these projects, including the Rampal Maitree Power Plant, India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, and rail links between Akhaura-Agartala and Chilahati-Haldibari and Khulna-Mongla rail line are expected to get completed next year. There were discussions relating to the cooperation in the areas of security, including fencing and joint efforts to prevent trans-border crimes. The issue of safe repatriation of internally displaced persons from the Rakhine state also came up for discussion
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12. JCPOA
Context:
President Donald Trump said US will pursue the “snapback” option in nuclear deal, after the U.S. lost a bid at the UN Security Council to extend the arms embargo on Iran.
Concept:
In July 2015, Iran and six countries reached a historic agreement called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), popularly known as the Iran nuclear deal. The six major powers involved in these negotiations with Iran were known as the P5+1, which stands for the United Nations Security Council’s five permanent members (the US, France, the UK, China, and Russia) and Germany. The deal came together after two years of intense discussions and aimed to restrict Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting economic sanctions against Tehran. As part of the deal, Iran agreed to reduce its number of centrifuges - tube- shaped machines that help enrich uranium - by two-thirds. It also agreed to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98% and limit uranium enrichment to 3.67%. Iran agreed to give access to inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to its nuclear facilities, among other facilities. The IAEA has repeatedly found Iran to be complying with the terms of the pact
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13. Clean Plates Campaign
Context:
China’s President Xi Jinping called on his country’s citizens to drastically cut down on food waste in a new initiative called the ‘Clean Plates Campaign’.
Concept:
The push came as the Covid-19 pandemic, devastating floods and worsening relations with major international partners have raised fears about food shortage in the world’s most populous country.
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14. Land Boundary Agreement
Context:
India-Bangladesh border talks have lessons for Nepal. Despite much more territory being involved, the two countries resolved their border disputes with political dialogue
Concept:
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km land boundary covering West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram. This is largest among the international boundaries that India shares with its neighbours. The land boundary between the Indian and then East Pakistan boundary was determined by the Radcliffe Award. However, some disputes came up over this award. On May 16 1974 an agreement was signed between India and Bangladesh and it was decided that a solution to the dispute would be found. The agreement was ratified by Bangladesh, but India restrained as it involved transfer of territory which required a Constitutional Amendment
There is problem with the enclaves. There were 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and in Bangladesh there are 51 enclaves. This ambiguity has led the life of the residents of these enclaves to misery. They are unable to get the basic government services because they are isolated from their own country by strips of foreign land. So 100th constitutional amendment was made to give effect to the acquiring of certain territories by India and transfer of certain other territories to Bangladesh (through the exchange of enclaves and retention of adverse possessions) in pursuance of the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 and its Protocol of 2011. For this purpose, this amendment act amended the provisions relating to the territories of four states (Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Tripura) in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
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15. CPEC
Context:
India has categorically rejected the reference to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint press release by China and Pakistan pertaining to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Concept:
The CPEC is part of China’s larger regional transnational ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) initiative, whose two arms are the land-based New Silk Road and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, using which Beijing aims to create a Silk Road Economic Belt sprawled over a large patch of Asia and eastern Europe, and crisscrossed by a web of transport, energy supply and telecommunications lines. It consists of clutch of major infrastructure works currently under way in Pakistan, intended to link Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang province to Gwadar deep sea port close to Pakistan’s border with Iran.
Several other road, rail and power projects are associated with the corridor, and the project seeks to expand and upgrade infrastructure across the length and breadth of Pakistan, and to widen and deepen economic ties with its “all-weather friend” China.
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16. First vaccine to be authorized
Context:
While Russia is facing criticism for approving a novel Coronavirus vaccine without completing all the mandatory tests, it has now emerged that China has already begun injecting its people with a vaccine which is still under development.
Concept:
The vaccine in question, being developed by state-owned Sinopharm, is currently undergoing phase-3 trials in the United Arab Emirates. But senior Chinese health official revealed on state television that it was already being administered to people since July 22 under emergency use authorisation. This vaccine is different from the one that has been approved for use only on the soldiers of China’s People’s Liberation Army. That vaccine, developed b CanSino Biologics in collaboration with Academy of Military Medical Sciences, was approved for limited use in the last week of June. Sinopharm vaccine, therefore, is the first vaccine to be authorised for use on general public, though only on special groups right now.
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17. United Nation 10 Principle on disability
Context:
The United Nations has released its first-ever guidelines on access to social justice for people with disabilities to make it easier for them to access justice systems around the world.
Concept:
The guidelines outline a set of 10 principles and detail the steps for implementation. The 10 principles are:
Principle 1 All persons with disabilities have legal capacity and, therefore, no one shall be denied access to justice on the basis of disability. Principle 2 Facilities and services must be universally accessible to ensure equal access to justice without discrimination of persons with disabilities. Principle 3 Persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, have the right to appropriate procedural accommodations. Principle 4 Persons with disabilities have the right to access legal notices and information in a timely and accessible manner on an equal basis with others. Principle 5 Persons with disabilities are entitled to all substantive and procedural safeguards recognized in international law on an equal basis with others, and States must provide the necessary accommodations to guarantee due process. Principle 6 Persons with disabilities have the right to free or affordable legal assistance. Principle 7 Persons with disabilities have the right to participate in the administration of justice on an equal basis with others. Principle 8 Persons with disabilities have the rights to report complaints and initiate legal proceedings concerning human rights violations and crimes, have their complaints investigated and be afforded effective remedies.
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Principle 9 Effective and robust monitoring mechanisms play a critical role in supporting access to justice for persons with disabilities. Principle 10 All those working in the justice system must be provided with awareness-raising and training programmes addressing the rights of persons with disabilities, in particular in the context of access to justice.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted in 2007 as the first major instrument of human rights in the 21st century It defines persons with disabilities as those “who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”
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Economics 1. Core sector
Context:
The output of eight core sector industries shrank for the fourth straight month in June 2020 but contraction eased to 15% from 22% fall in May
Concept:
Core industry can be defined as the main industry which has a multiplier effect on the economy. In most countries, there is particular industry that seems to be backbone of all other industries and it qualifies to be the core industry. The eight Core Industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
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2. Inflation vs Growth
Context:
RBI is facing two conundrums:
Inflation is spiking even though growth is faltering. GDP growth rate is likely to be negative this year in comparison to the last financial year. Yet, retail inflation continues to stay above the 6% mark. Within inflation, retail and wholesale inflation are charting fairly divergent paths
Concept:
Core inflation
An inflation measure which excludes transitory or temporary price volatility as in the case of some commodities such as food items, energy products is called core inflation
Headline inflation
The headline inflation measure demonstrates overall inflation in the economy.
CPI
Consumer Price Index or CPI is the measure of changes in the price level of a basket of consumer goods and services bought by households. Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation releases Consumer Price Indices (CPI).
WPI
Wholesale Price Index, or WPI, measures the changes in the prices of goods sold and traded in bulk by wholesale businesses to other businesses
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The numbers are released by the Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
CPI VS WPI
While WPI keeps track of the wholesale price of goods, the CPI measures the average price that households pay for a basket of different goods and services. Even as the WPI is used as a key measure of inflation in some economies, the RBI no longer uses it for policy purposes, including setting repo rates. The central bank currently uses CPI or retail inflation as a key measure of inflation to set the monetary and credit policy.
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3. Disincentivising savings Context:
There has been a sharp fall in deposit rates due to aggressive rate cuts by banks in response to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) reduction in the benchmark rates. This coupled with a rise in consumer prices have pulled real interest rates into negative territory, disincentivising savings.
Concept Builder:
Real interest Vs Nominal Interest
A real interest rate is an interest rate that has been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation to reflect the real cost of funds to the borrower and the real yield to the lender or to an investor. A nominal interest rate refers to the interest rate before taking inflation into account
What has happened?
Since this March, fixed deposit rates have fallen by 100-125 basis points across many banks, even higher in some cases. In fact, deposit rates fell significantly in 2019 and were on a free fall in the beginning of this year, even before the RBI embarked on its fast-paced rate easing cycle since March.
Why banks are reducing deposit rates?
In a falling rate scenario, banks are often more quick to cut deposit rates than lending rates. In the current scenario, when there is surplus liquidity and weak credit growth Banks have reduced deposits rate to cushion themselves.
Banks have turned highly risk averse to lending and even cautious to investing in government bonds (fearing mark-to-market loss).
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Hence, to cushion the impact of lower interest income on margins, banks have been cutting deposit rates significantly. For eg: SBI had cut its savings deposit rate to 2.7 per cent last month (for deposits up to ₹1 lakh). What’s the effect?
Savers are stuck with bank deposit rates that are at near two-decade low levels. Currently (as of mid-June), public sector banks (PSBs) on an average offer 5.2-5.45 per cent on their 3-5 year deposits. The last time deposit rates were near around these levels were in 2003 and 2004.
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4. City gas distribution and CNG
Context:
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) set to notify regulations to allow competition for city gas distribution companies
Concept:
CNG Vs H-CNG
CNG is compressed natural gas. With natural gas mainly composed of methane, CNG emits less air pollutants — carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter — than petrol or diesel. Environmental Benefits: No impurities, No Sulphur (S), No lead (Pb) and Very low levels of polluting gaseous emissions without smell and dust. Molecular structure compactness prevents the reactive processes which lead to the formation of Ozone (O3) in the troposphere Safety Benefits: Lighter than air - in case of leak no dangerous puddles Unlikely to ignite due to: High ignition temperature, Narrow range of ignition H-CNG is a blend of hydrogen and CNG, the ideal hydrogen concentration being 18%. Compared to conventional CNG, use of H-CNG can reduce emission of carbon monoxide up to 70%, besides enabling up to 5% savings in fuel. While recommending the use of H-CNG as an alternative fuel, the NITI Aayog-CII Action Plan for Clean Fuel notes that physical blending of CNG and hydrogen involves a series of energy-intensive steps that would make H-CNG more expensive than CNG.
City gas distribution network
Purpose for development of CGD networks is to increase the availability of cleaner cooking fuel (i.e. Piped Natural Gas) and transportation fuel (i.e. Compressed Natural Gas) in the country.
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The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) authorizes entities to develop Natural Gas Distribution Network as per PNGRB Act, 2006 and the Regulations notified thereunder. PNGRB identifies the Geographical Areas (GAs) for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network depending on the natural gas pipeline connectivity/natural gas availability and techno-commercial viability
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5. Provisioning
Context:
Banks need to rise the provisioning for expected bad loans rising due to pandemic hit economy
Concept:
Banks have to set aside or provide funds to a prescribed percentage of their bad assets. The percentage of bad asset that has to be ‘provided for’ is called provisioning coverage ratio. Provisioning Coverage Ratio (PCR) is essentially the ratio of provisioning to gross non-performing assets and indicates the extent of funds a bank has kept aside to cover loan losses. Thus, provisioning coverage ratio is the percentage of bad assets that the bank has to provide for (keep money) from their own funds.
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6. Bench mark interest rate
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India has kept the interest rates unchanged seeking to contain a rise in retail inflation even as growth remains a concern.
Concept:
The repo rate (the interest rate at which the RBI provides liquidity to banks to overcome short-term mismatches), thus, continues to remain at 4 per cent. This rate has been cut twice by a cumulative 115 basis points since March in view of the deteriorating growth outlook for the economy.
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7. Priority Sector Lending
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to broaden the scope of priority sector lending (PSL) by including start-ups and enhancing borrowing limits for renewable energy sectors.
Concept:
Priority Sector refers to those sectors of the economy which may not get timely and adequate credit. Priority Sector Lending is an important role given by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to the banks for providing a specified portion of the bank lending to few specific sectors. As per the RBI circular released in 2016, there are eight broad categories of the Priority Sector Lending. They are: (1) Agriculture (2) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (3) Export Credit (4) Education (5) Housing (6) Social Infrastructure (7) Renewable Energy (8) Others. Targets:
40 per cent of Adjusted Net Bank Credit or Credit Equivalent Amount of Off- Balance Sheet Exposure, whichever is higher for domestic scheduled commercial banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks and Small Finance Banks) and Foreign banks with 20 branches and abov 40 per cent of Adjusted Net Bank Credit or Credit Equivalent Amount of Off- Balance Sheet Exposure, whichever is higher, to be achieved in a phased manner by 2020 for Foreign banks with less than 20 branches
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8. Current account /cash credit/overdraft
Context:
RBI has put in place certain safeguards amid rising concerns over borrowers using multiple operating accounts, both current as well as cash credit (CC)/overdraft (OD).
Concept:
An overdraft is an extension of credit from a lending institution that is granted when an account reaches zero. The overdraft allows the account holder to continue withdrawing money even when the account has no funds in it or has insufficient funds to cover the amount of the withdrawal
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9. Loan restructuring
Context: In its monetary policy review, the Reserve Bank of India gave the green signal to a loan restructuring scheme for stressed borrowers Concept: Restructuring is a practice that allows banks to modify the terms of the loan when the borrower is facing financial stress. Banks do that to avoid the borrower being declared a defaulter and the loan having to be classified as a non-performing asset. It could be through a change in the repayment period / repayable amount / number of installments / rate of interest/ additional loans.
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10. V. Kamath committee
Context: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formed a five member committee under the chairmanship of former ICICI Bank CEO KV Kamath.
Concept: The immediate task of the committee is to recommend a list of financial parameters to be factored into the assumptions that go into each resolution plan, and the sector specific benchmark ranges for such parameters. The parameters will include aspects related to leverage, liquidity, debt serviceability The expert committee shall submit a list of financial parameters and the sector specific desirable ranges for such parameters to the Reserve Bank, which, in turn, will notify the same, along with modifications, within 30 days.
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11. Business Confidence Index
Context: NCAER’s Business Confidence Index (BCI), an indicator of the business sentiment across the Indian industry, stood at 46.4 in the first quarter of 2020-21, a drop of 40.1 per cent from its level of 77.4 in the previous quarter.
Concept: Business sentiment across Indian industry fell to its lowest level in the first quarter of this fiscal since 1991, according to the National Council of Applied Economic Research’s (NCAER) Business Confidence Index (BCI).
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12. Foreign exchange reserves
Context: India’s foreign exchange reserves jumped by a record $11.9 billion in the week ending July 31 to hit a fresh high of $534.5 billion, making it the fifth largest holder of reserves in the world.
Concept: The Forex Reserves (‘foreign exchange reserves’) of an economy is its ‘ foreign currency assets’ added with its gold reserves, SDRs (Special Drawing Rights) and Reserve Tranche in the IMF. The RBI Act, 1934 provides the overarching legal framework for deployment of reserves in different foreign currency assets and gold. Of total foreign currency assets in forex, 64 per cent is held in the securities like Treasury bills of foreign countries, 28 per cent is deposited in foreign central banks and 7.4 per cent is also deposited in commercial banks abroad, according to the RBI data. India also held 653.01 tonnes of gold as of March 2020, which are held overseas in safe custody with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements as well as in domestic
Need for forex: The International Monetary Fund says official foreign exchange reserves are held in support of a range of objectives like supporting and maintaining confidence in the policies for monetary and exchange rate management including the capacity to intervene in support of the national or union currency. It will also limit external vulnerability by maintaining foreign currency liquidity to absorb shocks during times of crisis or when access to borrowing is curtailed.
Reason for rise FPI inflows Dip in crude oil prices Import savings FDI inflows Dip in gold imports
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13. Negative import list
Context:
Defence Minister has announced a list of 101 items that the Defence Ministry will stop importing
Concept:
Items in negative list cannot be imported. India has been among the top three defence importers in the world So the government wants to reduce the dependence on imported items in defence and give a shot in the arm to the domestic defence manufacturing industry. By denying the possibility of importing the items on the negative list, the domestic industry is given the opportunity to step up and manufacture them for the needs of the forces. As per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks defence exports and imports globally, India has been the second largest importer between 2014 and 2019 with US$ 16.75 billion worth of imports during this period.
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14. India rupee appreciation/depreciation factors
Context:
The Indian currency is trading relatively weaker compared with emerging market peers such as the Brazilian real and the South African rand Concept:
Currency appreciation is an increase in the value of currency comparing to another currency. Currency depreciation is an opposite of currency appreciation, it is a fall in the value of a currency. Numerous factors determine exchange rates. Many of these factors are related to the trading relationship between the two countries. Exchange rates are relative, and are expressed as a comparison of the currencies of two countries. The following are some of the principal determinants of the exchange rate between two countries. o Differentials in Inflation o Differentials in Interest Rates o Current Account Deficits o Public Debt o Terms of Trade
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15. GI Tag for basmati
Context:
Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Basmati produced in 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh has been granted
Concept:
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin A geographical indication right enables those who have the right to use the indication to prevent its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
Validity:
In much sui generis legislation, registrations for geographical indications are not subject to a specific period of validity. This means that the protection for a registered geographical indication will remain valid unless the registration is cancelled. Geographical indications registered as collective and certification marks are generally protected for renewable ten-year periods.
Enforcement: Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.
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India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999 has come into force with effect from 2003. This Act seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India. The Act would be administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
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16. GST
Context:
The Centre and the states are in a tussle over delayed compensation payments under GST
Concept:
The GST aims to streamline the taxation structure in the country and replace a gamut of indirect taxes with a singular GST to simplify the taxation procedure. It has been established by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act. It is an indirect tax for the whole country on the lines of “One Nation One Tax” to make India a unified market. The Goods and Services Tax (GST), rolled out in July 2017, marked a major shift from the traditional production-linked tax to a consumption-based tax. The new regime subsumed state levies such as VAT, sales tax, octroi/entry tax together with central levies such as central excise and service tax. States gave up some of their taxation rights in lieu of the Centre passing on their revenue share under GST and also compensating them for potential revenue losses in the first five years. It is levied on the value addition and provides set offs. As a result, it avoids the cascading effect or tax on tax which increases the tax burden on the end consumer. There is a provision of GST Council to decide upon any matter related to GST whose chairman in the finance minister of India. It will approve all decision related to taxation in the country. It consists of Centre, states and UTs with legislature. Centre has 1/3rd voting rights and states have 2/3rd voting rights. Decisions are taken after a majority in the council. GSTN is registered as a not-for-profit company under the companies Act. It has been formed to set up and operate the information technology backbone of the GST. While the Central (24.5%) and the state (24.5%)
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governments hold a combined stake of 49%, the remaining 51% stake is divided among five financial institutions
The consumer pays an overall rate under one of the major tax slabs — 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% — out of which half accrues to the Centre and half to the state where consumption happens. Compensation cess
Compensation cess was introduced as relief for States for the loss of revenues arising from the implementation of GST. States, in lieu of giving up their powers to collect taxes on goods and services after local levies were subsumed under the GST, were guaranteed a 14 per cent tax revenue growth in the first five years after GST implementation by the Central government. States’ tax revenue as of FY16 is considered as the base year for the calculation of this 14 per cent growth.
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Any shortfall against it is supposed to be compensated by the Centre using the funds specifically collected as compensation cess. Compensation cess is levied on five products considered to be ‘sin’ or luxury goods like SUV, pan masala, cigrattes. The collected compensation cess flows into the Consolidated Fund of India, and then transferred to the Public Account of India, where a GST compensation cess account has been created. States are compensated bi-monthly from the accumulated funds in this account.
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17. Round tripping
Context:
Raising questions of round-tripping through a maze of firms, an influential Pune- based businessman received over Rs 52 crore from an IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd.) group company which he then used to repay his initial loan to the very same IL&FS company.
Concept:
Money leaves the country through various channels such as inflated invoices, payments to shell companies overseas, the hawala route and so on. After cooling its heels overseas for a while, this money returns in a freshly laundered form; thus completing a round-trip. How does the money return to India? It could be invested in offshore funds that in turn invest in Indian assets. The Global Depository Receipts (GDR) and Participatory Notes (P-Notes) are some of the other routes that have been used in the past.
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18. Recession
Context:
The UK economic output shrank by 20.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2020, pushing the country into the deepest recession recorded by any major global economy so far
Concept:
When the economy contracts for two quarters in a row (or six months), this change is classified as a recession. The term denotes a business cycle contraction, when there is a general decline in economic activity and occurs when there is a widespread drop in spending (an adverse demand shock). When a country’s economy is healthy, it grows over time and its GDP or the value of the goods and services it produces — increases. The last time a number of countries entered a recessive phase was when the global financial crisis broke in 2007. A recession can become a depression if it lasts long enough, like in the late 1920s.
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19. Transparent Taxation - Honouring the Honest
Context:
Prime Minister has launched “Transparent Taxation – Honoring the Honest” platform through video conferencing which will honor the honest taxpayers.
Concept:
The new platform will be having faceless assessments, faceless appeal and taxpayer charter. The faceless assessment and taxpayer charter came to effect immediately, while the faceless appeal is going to be applicable from September 25. It is the latest in a series of measures finance ministry has taken to eventually get rid income tax department off its legacy from intrusive tax collector to tax facilitator. The focus is on making the tax system people-centric and public friendly, banking the unbanked, securing the unsecured, funding the unfunded and honoring the honest. In a country of 130 crore people only 1.5 crore citizens were paying taxes. Taxpayers' charter is a big step in the development journey of the nation. It is a step towards bringing together rights and duties of the taxpayer and fixing the government's responsibilities towards the taxpayer Reforms already taken
To unfold more transparency in official communication, Document Identification Number (DIN) was introduced some time back to ensure that every communication of the department would carry a computer generated unique document identification number. Last year, the corporate tax rates were reduced from 30 percent to 22 percent and for new manufacturing units the rate was reduced to 15 percent. Dividend distribution tax was also abolished to reduce the unwanted burden With a view to provide for resolution of pending tax disputes the department also brought out the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Act, 2020 under which declarations for settling disputes are being filed.
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Digital transactions and electronic modes of payment too have been encouraged to cutdown red tapism. Tax base
The tax base is the total amount of assets or revenue that a government can charge tax on. For example, the assessed value is the tax base for property taxes and taxable income is the tax base for income tax. It can also be defined as the total of taxable income, taxable assets, and the assessed value of property within the government tax jurisdiction.
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20. Organic farming
Context:
In a world battered by the COVID pandemic, the demand for healthy and safe food is already showing an upward trend and hence this is an opportune moment to be captured for a win-win situation for Indian farmers, consumers and the environment.
Concept:
Organic farming is a farming method that involves growing and nurturing crops without the use of synthetic based fertilizers and pesticides. Also, no genetically modified organisms are permitted. It relies on ecologically balanced agricultural principles like crop rotation, green manure, organic waste, biological pest control, mineral and rock additives. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD)
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD- NER) is a Central Sector Scheme, a sub-mission under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) launched in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, during the 12th plan period. The scheme aims to development of certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification, to the creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY) is a sub-component under National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture(NMSA) aims at development of sustainable models of organic farming through a mix of traditional wisdom and modern science to ensure long term soil fertility buildup,
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resource conservation and helps in climate change adapatation and mitigation. It primarily aims to increase soil fertility and thereby helps in production of healthy food through organic practices without the use of agro- chemicals. PKVY also aims at empowering farmers through institutional development through clusters approach not only in farm practice management, input production, quality assurance but also in value addition and direct marketing through innovative means. Participatory Guarantee System (PGS)
PGS is a process of certifying organic products, which ensures that their production takes place in accordance with laid-down quality standards. The certification is in the form of a documented logo or a statement. PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System of India) is a quality assurance initiative that is locally relevant, emphasize the participation of stakeholders, including producers and consumers and operate outside the frame of third party certification. PGS India system is based on participatory approach, a shared vision, transparency and trust. In addition it gives PGS movement a National recognition and institutional structure. National Program for Organic Production (NPOP)
The Government of India has implemented the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). The national programme involves the accreditation programme for Certification Bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming etc. The NPOP standards for production and accreditation system have been recognized by European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products as equivalent to their country standards. Similarly, USDA has recognized NPOP conformity assessment procedures of accreditation as equivalent to that of US.
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With these recognitions, Indian organic products duly certified by the accredited certification bodies of India are accepted by the importing countries.
1.
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21. Mutual funds
Context:
After over four years, equity mutual funds have witnessed their first monthly outflow – investors pulled out a net Rs 2,480 crore in July.
Concept:
A mutual fund is a type of financial vehicle made up of a pool of money collected from many investors to invest in securities like stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets. Mutual funds are operated by professional money managers, who allocate the fund's assets and attempt to produce capital gains or income for the fund's investors. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has categorised mutual fund in India under four broad categories:
o Equity mutual fund scheme: These schemes invest directly in stocks. These schemes can give superior returns but can be risky in the short-term as their fortunes depend on how the stock market performs. o Debt mutual fund schemes: These schemes invest in debt securities. Investors should opt for debt schemes to achieve their short-term goals that are below five years. These schemes are safer than equity schemes and provide modest returns. There are 16 sub-categories under the debt mutual fund category. o Hybrid mutual fund schemes: These schemes invest in a mix of equity and debt, and an investor must pick a scheme based on his risk appetite. Based on their allocation and investing style, hybrid schemes are categorised into six types.
Solution-oriented schemes: These schemes are devised for particular solutions or goals like retirement and child’s education. These schemes have a mandatory lock-in period of five years.
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22. Organic matter in soil
Context:
Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh soils are degraded and depleted because ‘organic matter’ is quite below (0.5-0.2 per cent).
Concept:
Organic matter is the very foundation of good soil health. It consists of plants, animal material which gets converted into humus after decomposing. It improves soil quality and fertility. It supplies nutrients, increases water-holding capacity, prevents soil erosion. Supplication of organic matter into the soil decreases with frequent tilling of the land. While PAU said that .75 per cent organic matter in the soil is sufficient, Punjab agriculture department said it should be at least 1 per cent. International standards suggest having around 2-3 per cent in the soil.
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23. WHOLE SALE PRICE INDEX & CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
Context:
India’s wholesale prices contracted for the fourth straight month in July, official data showed.
Concept:
Inflation can be described as the general rise in the price of goods and services in an economy over time. It’s calculated by tracking the increase in prices of essentials. The primary index that tracks the change in retail prices of essential goods and services consumed by Indian households is the Consumer Price Index or CPI. The index assigns different weights to various goods and services in the basket and tracks the movement of their prices. It also tracks the price movement of the entire basket on a pan-India level to calculate the overall inflation figure or CPI inflation. The other index that measures inflation is the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). While retail inflation looks at the price at which the consumer buys the product, WPI is measured based on prices at the wholesale level.
Difference between WPI and CPI
Context WPI CPI
Definition Amounts to the average Indicates the average change in the prices change in prices of of commodities at the retail level. commodities at the wholesale level.
Publishing office Office of Economic National Statistical office Advisor (Ministry of Commerce & Industry)
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Commodities Goods only Goods and Services both
Inflation First stage of a Final stage of a transaction Measurement transaction
Prices paid by Manufacturers and Consumers wholesalers
Types of Manufacturing inputs Education, Commodities and intermediate goods communication, transportation, covered like minerals, machinery recreation, apparel, foods and beverages, basic metals, etc. housing and medical care
Base Year 2011-12 2012 Note: Base Year to be revised.
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24. Contingency Risk Buffer
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the transfer of ₹57,128 crore as surplus to the government for the accounting year 2019-20, while deciding to maintain the Contingency Risk Buffer at 5.5%.
Concept:
The risk provisioning made from economic capital to cover monetary, fiscal stability, credit and operation risks is cumulatively referred to as the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB).
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25. Public Good Concept:
A public good has two key characteristics: it is nonexcludable and nonrivalrous. o Non-excludable means that it is costly or impossible for one user to exclude others from using a good. o Non-rivalrous means that when one person uses a good, it does not prevent others from using it. Examples of public goods are education, infrastructure, flood control systems, knowledge, fresh air, national security, official statistics, etc.
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26. FPO, NABARD and AIF
Context:
Centre has launched the Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to be used over the next four years. This fund will be used to build post-harvest storage and processing facilities, largely anchored at the Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), but can also be availed by individual entrepreneurs.
Concept:
FPO
A Producer Organisation (PO) is a legal entity formed by primary producers, viz. farmers, milk producers, fishermen, weavers, rural artisans, craftsmen. A PO can be a producer company, a cooperative society or any other legal form which provides for sharing of profits/benefits among the members. The main aim of PO is to ensure better income for the producers through an organization of their own. Small producers do not have the volume individually (both inputs and produce) to get the benefit of economies of scale. Besides, in agricultural marketing, there is a long chain of intermediaries who very often work non-transparently leading to the situation where the producer receives only a small part of the value that the ultimate consumer pays. Through aggregation, the primary producers can avail the benefit of economies of scale. They will also have better bargaining power vis-à-vis the bulk buyers of produce and bulk suppliers of inputs. FPO is one type of PO where the members are farmers. Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is providing support for promotion of FPOs. PO is a generic name for an organization of producers of any produce, e.g., agricultural, non-farm products, artisan products, etc.
NABARD
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NABARD came into existence on 12 July 1982 by transferring the agricultural credit functions of RBI and refinance functions of the then Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC). It is set up with an initial capital of Rs.100 crore, its’ paid up capital stood at Rs.14,080 crore as on 31 March 2020. Consequent to the revision in the composition of share capital between Government of India and RBI, NABARD today is fully owned by Government of India. It is a statutory body established under Parliamentary act-National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981. Functions of NABARD: o Building an empowered and financially inclusive rural India through specific goal oriented departments which can be categorized broadly into three heads: Financial, Developmental and Supervision. o It provides refinance support for building rural infrastructure. o It prepares district level credit plans to guiding and motivating the banking industry in achieving these targets. o It supervises Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and helping them develop sound banking practices and integrate them to the CBS (Core Banking Solution) platform. o It provides training to handicraft artisans and helps them in developing a marketing platform for selling these articles. o NABARD has various international partnerships including leading global organizations and World Bank-affiliated institutions that are breaking new ground in the fields of rural development as well as agriculture.
AIF
The scheme shall provide a medium - long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.
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This new agri-infra fund has duration of 10 years till 2029. Under the scheme, Rs. One Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, Marketing Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producers Organizations, Self Help Group, Farmers, Joint Liability Groups, Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Startups, Aggregation Infrastructure Providers and Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public Private Partnership Project All loans under this financing facility will have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of Rs. 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of seven years. Further, credit guarantee coverage will be available for eligible borrowers from this financing facility under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for a loan up to Rs. 2 crore. Agri Infra fund will be managed and monitored through an online Management Information System (MIS) platform. It will enable all the qualified entities to apply for loan under the fund. The National, State and District level Monitoring Committees will be set up to ensure real-time monitoring and effective feed-back.
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27. Bhadbhut project
Context:
The Gujarat government recently awarded the contract for a barrage project across Narmada river.
Concept:
It is planned to be a 1.7-km causeway-cum-weir barrage with 90 gates, across the river Narmada, 5 km from Bhadbhut village, and 25 km from the mouth of the river, where it flows into the Gulf of Khambhat. The barrage will stop most of the excess water flowing out of the Sardar Sarovar Dam from reaching the sea and thus create a “sweet water lake” of 600 mcm (million cubic metres) on the river.
The main purpose of the project is to prevent salinity ingress. The sweet water from the reservoir will aim to meet the residential and industrial water requirements of Bharuch, Ankleshwar and Dahej. The project is part of the larger Kalpasar Project, which entails construction of a 30-km dam across the Gulf of Khambhat between Bharuch and Bhavnagar districts. The reservoir is meant to tap the waters of the Narmada, Mahisagar and Sabarmati.
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28. Global currency Dollar
Context:
Many countries have started settling trade transactions in local currencies rather depending on dollar
Concept:
Since the early 19th century, countries struggled to find the best way to settle trade balance. It was not easy as each had its currency with no check on more printing. Finally, most countries agreed to settle trade deficits through the exchange of gold. This system continued up to Word War I. Then many countries stopped their currencies’ convertibility to gold so they could print more money to finance the war effort. Disappearance of gold as a common anchor led to the collapse of the global financial system and became one of the reasons leading to great depression in the early 1930s. Realising the importance of an anchor like gold for promoting stable trade and finance, countries on the winning side of Word War II agreed to establish a robust global financial system. US proposed that the new system should rest on both gold and the US dollar. Except for the Soviet Union, all 44 participating nations signed the Bretton Woods agreement in 1944 at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, US. The member-countries agreed to maintain a fixed exchange rate which could be adjusted if deficits or surpluses persisted. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was created to lend to member-countries in need of foreign exchange. The price of gold was fixed at $35 per ounce. The US agreed to supply gold at this price in the exchange with dollars held by other countries. The gold for dollar system worked during 1950-70. But it came under strain as the US started printing and spending a large value of dollars on post-war reconstruction efforts. When countries holding these dollars went for exchange with gold, the US gold reserves started vanishing.
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Gold supply was finite, but the dollar printing knew no limits. The story came to an end in August 1971 when the US reneged from its commitment to convert the US dollar to gold. De-linking gold with dollar made the US the linchpin of global finance. Other countries need to earn foreign exchange by exporting; the US Fed has just to hit the print button. Fed has almost become the central bank of the world. Central banks all over the world must calibrate their policies to be in sync with the Fed’s. A country’s economy is ransom to Fed’s actions. If Fed increases the interest rate, dollars flow back to the US, and if it lowers rates, dollars move to the world to take advantage of growth stories or interest rate arbitrage of individual countries.
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29. Front Running
Context:
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) sought to bar 27 entities from the capital market for being connected to a case of front running.
Concept:
Front running is the illegal practice of purchasing a security based on advance non-public information regarding an expected large transaction that will affect the price of a security. Front running is considered as a form of market manipulation and insider trading because a person who commits a front running activity expects security’s price movements based on the non-public information.
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30. Entity for retail payments systems
Context:
Reserve Bank of India has unveiled the framework for setting up of pan-India Umbrella Entity for Retail Payments
Concept:
The entity will be tasked with setting up, managing, and operating new payment systems in the retail space. It may operate as a ‘for-profit’ organisation, the RBI said. The entity formed shall be a company incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 2013, and may be a ‘for-profit’ or a Section 8 Company as may be decided by it. According to the RBI guidelines, the entity will have minimum paid-up capital of Rs 500 crore, with no single promoter group holding over 40 per cent investment in the capital. Based on the framework, payments system operators, as well as payments and technology service providers with three years of experience, are eligible to apply.
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31. Fair and Remunerative Price and MSP Context: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane payable by sugar mills for 2020- 21sugar season (October-September) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister urges Centre to hike minimum support price for milling copra to ₹125 a kg
Concept:
Minimum support price MSP is the minimum price paid to the farmer for procuring food crops. It offers an assurance to farmers that their realisation for the agricultural produce will not fall below the stated price. The government uses the MSP as a market intervention tool to incentivize production of a specific food crop which is in short supply. It also protects farmers from any sharp fall in the market price of a commodity. MSPs are usually announced at the beginning of the sowing season and this helps farmers make informed decisions on the crops they must plant. MSP is computed on the basis of the recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). It considers factors such as the cost of production, change in input prices, market price trends, demand and supply, and a reasonable margin for farmers. The Centre has increased the MSP of kharif crops for 2020-21 crop year in line with the principle of fixing MSPs at a level which is at 1.5 times the cost of production that was announced in Union Budget 2018-19. Concerted efforts were made over the last few years to realign the MSPs in favour of oilseeds, pulses and coarse cereals to encourage farmers shift to larger area under these crops and adopt best technologies and farm practices, to correct demand – supply imbalance. The added focus on nutri-rich nutri-cereals is to incentivize its production in the areas where rice-wheat cannot be grown without long term adverse implications for groundwater table. Crops covered under MSP: Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Maize, Tur, Moong, Urad, groundnut, sunflower seed, soyabean, nigerseed, Cotton and sesamum
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Besides, the Umbrella Scheme “PradhanMantriAnnadataAaySanraksHanAbhiyan” (PM-AASHA) announced by the government in 2018 will aid in providing remunerative return to farmers for their produce. The Umbrella Scheme consists of three sub-schemes i.e. o Price Support Scheme (PSS) o Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) o Private Procurement &Stockist Scheme (PPSS) on a pilot basis. Fair and remunerative price (FRP) Fair and remunerative price (FRP) is the minimum price at which rate sugarcane is to be purchased by sugar mills from farmers. The FRP is fixed by Union government on the basis of recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The ‘FRP’ of sugarcane is determined under Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966. Recommended FRP is arrived at by taking into account various factors such as cost of production, demand-supply situation, domestic & international prices, inter-crop price parity etc. This will be uniformly applicable all over the country. Besides FRP, some states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, UP and TN announce a State Advised Price, which is generally higher than the FRP. The price fixed by the central government is the ‘minimum price’ and the one fixed by state government is the ‘advised price’ which is always higher than the ‘minimum price’ fixed by the center.
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32. P notes
Context:
Investments through participatory notes (P-notes) in the domestic capital market soared to Rs 63,288 crore till July-end, making it the fourth consecutive monthly rise
Concept:
P-notes are issued by registered foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to overseas investors who wish to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly.
They, however, need to go through a due diligence process.
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33. MPC
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India’s first Monetary Policy Committee completes its four- year term with a mixed record.
Concept:
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) constituted by the Central Government under Section 45ZB of RBI Act determines the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target. Accordingly, the Central Government in September 2016 constituted the MPC as under Governor of the Reserve Bank of India – Chairperson, ex officio; The primary objective of monetary policy is to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth. Price stability is a necessary precondition to sustainable growth. In May 2016, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934 was amended to provide a statutory basis for the implementation of the flexible inflation targeting framework. The amended RBI Act also provides for the inflation target to be set by the Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank, once in every five years. Accordingly, the Central Government has notified in the Official Gazette 4 per cent Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation as the target for the period from August 5, 2016 to March 31, 2021 with the upper tolerance limit of 6 per cent and the lower tolerance limit of 2 per cent. The MPC is required to meet at least four times in a year. The composition of the MPC is as follows; o Governor of the Reserve Bank of India – Chairperson, ex officio; o Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, in charge of Monetary Policy – (Member, ex officio)
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o One officer of the Reserve Bank of India to be nominated by the Central Board – Member, ex officio; o Except ex-officio members, three independent members will hold the office for a period of 4 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The quorum for the meeting of the MPC is four members. Each member of the MPC has one vote, and in the event of an equality of votes, the Governor has a second or casting vote.
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34. Inverted duty structure
Context:
Union Textiles Ministry is planning to commission a study to analyse whether the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on textiles and apparels was creating an inverted duty structure.
Concept:
The inverted duty structure denotes prevalence of higher taxes on inputs than on finished items.
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35. Farm sector and GDP
Context:
For the first time, farm sector witnessed growth even as GDP sees a contraction
Concept:
April-June may be the first time that India’s economy would contract year- on-year since the government started coming out with quarterly estimates of GDP from 1996-97. But the data for the quarter, to be released by the National Statistical Office on August 31, could also show GDP falling for the first time in spite of agricultural production going up. The country’s GDP registered an annual decline, at minus 5.2%, last in 1979-80. But that year also recorded negative growth for agricultural GDP, at minus 12.8%. The first quarter especially, which bore the brunt of lockdown-induced production disruptions, is expected to record huge de-growth based on a host of indicators. These include the index of industrial production (down 35.9% in April-June 2020 over April-June 2019), commercial vehicle sales (minus 84.8%), finished steel consumption (minus 55%) and cargo handled by major ports (minus 19.7%).
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36. Negative import list
Context:
A list of 108 military subsystems and components has been identified for development by the Indian industry and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will provide support for the process
Concept:
Items in negative list cannot be imported. India has been among the top three defence importers in the world So the government wants to reduce the dependence on imported items in defence and give a shot in the arm to the domestic defence manufacturing industry. By denying the possibility of importing the items on the negative list, the domestic industry is given the opportunity to step up and manufacture them for the needs of the forces. As per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks defence exports and imports globally, India has been the second largest importer between 2014 and 2019 with US$ 16.75 billion worth of imports during this period.
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37. Dedicated Freight Corridors
Context:
Minister of Railways and commerce & industry has reviewed the progress of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation India (DFCCIL)
Concept:
Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) is one of the largest rail infrastructure projects undertaken by the Government of India. The overall cost is pegged at Rs 81,459 crores. DFCCIL has been set up as a special purpose vehicle to undertake planning, development, mobilization of financial resources, construction, maintenance and operation of Dedicated Freight Corridors. In the first phase the organisation is constructing the Western DFC (1504 Route km) and Eastern DFC (1856 route km) spanning a total length of 3360 route km. Railways lost the share in freight traffic from 83% in 1950-51 to 35% in 2011-12. Not only this, the National highways along these corridors comprising 0.5% of the road network carried almost 40% of the road freight.
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38. FRBM act
Context:
The consolidated deficit of the Union and States could be as high as 12% of GDP and the overall debt could go up to 85%.
Concept:
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, intends to bring transparency and accountability in the conduct of the fiscal and monetary actions of the government. The central government agreed to the following fiscal indicators and targets, subsequent to the enactment of the FRBMA Revenue deficit to be eliminated by the 31st of March 2009. A minimum annual reduction of 0.5% of GDP. Fiscal Deficit to be brought down to at least 3% of GDP by 31st of March 2008. A minimum annual reduction – 0.3% of GDP. The FRBM Act made it mandatory for the government to place the following along with the Union Budget documents in Parliament annually: o Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement o Macroeconomic Framework Statement o Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement The FRBM Act proposed that revenue deficit, fiscal deficit, tax revenue and the total outstanding liabilities be projected as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) in the medium-term fiscal policy statement. Several years have passed since the FRBM Act was enacted, but the Government of India has not been able to achieve targets set under it. The Act has been amended several times. In 2013, the government introduced a change and introduced the concept of effective revenue deficit. This implies that effective revenue deficit would be equal to revenue deficit minus grants to states for the creation of capital assets. In 2016, a committee under N K Singh was set up to suggest changes to the Act.
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39. OMO Context: The Reserve Bank of India announced that it will conduct open market operations or OMO of government t securities worth ₹20,000 crore in two tranches.
Concept: Open market operation is the sale and purchase of government securities and treasury bills by RBI without printing new currency. Open market operation is a tool that the RBI uses to smoothen liquidity conditions through the year and regulate money supply in the economy. RBI carries out the OMO through commercial banks and does not directly deal with the public.
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40. Sin Tax Subject: Economy Context: The government may consider bringing down Goods and Services Tax (GST) on two-wheelers from the highest slab of 28% as they are neither a luxury nor a sin good, hence merit a rate revision
Concept: A sin tax is levied on specific goods and services at the time of purchase. These items receive the excise tax due to their ability, or perception, to be harmful or costly to society. Applicable items include tobacco products, alcohol, and gambling ventures. Sin taxes seek to deter people from engaging in socially harmful activities and behaviours, but they also provide a source of revenue for governments.
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41. Mono cropping and Crop rotation Context: Crop rotation and diversity should be promoted to mitigate the environmental effects of growing just rice and wheat
Concept: Mono cropping Mono-crop farming is the practice of growing large amounts of one crop on the land. This practice was recognized as a very economical way to provide farmers with a way to earn money, grow large amounts of a staple crop, like soy, corn, or wheat, and sell these crops off to any company willing to use it for food or fuel. The problem with this is that the destruction that is done to the environment when mono-cropping is being engaged is far greater than the benefits it brings. This type of farming does not provide the diversity needed in our diets or to our ecosystem.
Crop rotation Crop rotation refers to the cultivation of different crops on a particular piece of land over time. The succession of crops to be grown is carefully designed to ensure soil nutrients are sustained, pest populations are controlled, weeds are suppressed and soil health is built. A crop rotation will cycle through cash crops (such as vegetables), cover crops (grasses and cereals) and green manures (often legumes). The exact sequence of crops will vary depending on local circumstances, with the critical design element being an understanding what each crop contributes and takes from the soil. For instance, nitrogen depleting crop should be preceded by a nitrogen fixing crop.
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The central idea is to have the crops themselves sustain soil health, rather than planting the same crop year in, year out, and then repairing soil health through fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.
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42. Current status of Indian economy
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has indicated that the economy which is expected to contract for the first time ever, will take “quite some time to mend and regain” the pre-Covid momentum.
Findings:
Although data on Gross Capital Formation are not yet available for 2019-20, underlying indicators point to investment having weakened further. The ratio of real gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) to GDP declined to 29.8 per cent in 2019-20 from 31.9 per cent in 2018-19 on account of waning business confidence Even data on production of capital goods — an indicator of investment demand — shows a contraction of 36.9 per cent in June 2020 (-64.4 per cent in April-June 2020) and import of capital goods contracted by 24.7 per cent in July 2020 (-46.7 per cent in April-June 2020). The RBI said the recovery will happen when the non-discretionary spending — expenses that people cannot do without, such as food and rent — leads the way, with a durable increase in disposable incomes enabling discretionary spending like vacation and entertainment. Urban consumption demand has suffered a bigger blow – passenger vehicle sales and supply of consumer durables in the first quarter of 2020- 21 have dropped to a fifth and a third, respectively, of their level a year ago. Air passenger traffic has ground to a halt. Rural demand, by contrast, has fared better.
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43. GST Council and Compensation cess
Context:
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council met to discuss on compensating states for revenue shortfall.
Concept:
GST Council
Goods & Services Tax Council is a constitutional body for making recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to Goods and Service Tax. As per Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution, the GST Council has to be constituted by the President within 60 days of the commencement of Article 279A. As per Article 279A of the amended Constitution, the GST Council which will be a joint forum of the Centre and the States, shall consist of the following members: - o the Union Finance Minister...... Chairperson; o the Union Minister of State in charge of Revenue or Finance...... Member; o the Minister in charge of Finance or Taxation or any other Minister nominated by each State Government...... Members. As per Article 279A (4), the Council will make recommendations to the Union and the States on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST Laws, principles that govern Place of Supply, threshold limits, GST rates including the floor rates with bands, special rates for raising additional resources during natural calamities/disasters, special provisions for certain States, etc.
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Compensation Cess
Compensation cess was introduced as relief for States for the loss of revenues arising from the implementation of GST. States, in lieu of giving up their powers to collect taxes on goods and services after local levies were subsumed under the GST, were guaranteed a 14 per cent tax revenue growth in the first five years after GST implementation by the Central government. States’ tax revenue as of FY16 is considered as the base year for the calculation of this 14 per cent growth. Any shortfall against it is supposed to be compensated by the Centre using the funds specifically collected as compensation cess. Compensation cess is levied on five products considered to be ‘sin’ or luxury goods like SUV, pan masala, cigrattes. The collected compensation cess flows into the Consolidated Fund of India, and then transferred to the Public Account of India, where a GST compensation cess account has been created. States are compensated bi-monthly from the accumulated funds in this account.
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44. RBI’s contingency fund
Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has retained Rs 73,615 crore within the RBI by transferring it to the Contingency Fund (CF) of the central bank, thus leading to a sharp fall in the transfer of surplus to the government in the current year.
Concept:
This is a specific provision meant for meeting unexpected and unforeseen contingencies, including depreciation in the value of securities, risks arising out of monetary/exchange rate policy operations, systemic risks and any risk arising on account of the special responsibilities enjoined upon the Reserve Bank.
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45. National Land Bank Portal
Context:
Commerce and Industry minister virtually launched a first-of-its kind GIS-enabled national land bank portal
Concept:
It will help investors zero in on land located in various states for potential projects. As much as 4.2 lakh hectares of land has been mapped across 3,275 industrial clusters in India, of which about 1.13 lakh hectares of land is available for investors, as the government looks to lure investors. Investors will also get access to details of logistics, land, rail & air connectivity, tax incentives, drainage system, power supply and raw material availability from the portal on various industrial belts.
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46. State borrowing
Context:
The Centre offered two borrowing options to states to make up for the shortfall in the goods and services tax (GST) compensation cess fund.
Concept:
Option 1: States can borrow the full compensation deficit of Rs 2.35 lakh crore, which includes revenue loss due to transition to GST and also the Covid-led slowdown, from the markets, facilitated by the Centre and the RBI Option 2: shortfall that’s purely due to GST implementation of Rs 97,000 crore via the RBI special window.
Ways and means advance
The WMA facility enables the government to take a temporary short term loan from the central bank, mainly to address the mismatch between its inflow of revenues and outflow of expenditure. A higher limit provides the government flexibility to raise funds from RBI without borrowing them from the market. Under Section 17(5) of RBI Act, 1934, the RBI provides Ways and Means Advances (WMA) to the States banking with it to help them to tide over temporary mismatches in the cash flow of their receipts and payments. Such advances are under the Act, 'repayable in each case not later than three months from the date of making that advance'. There are two types of WMA – normal and special While normal WMA are clean advances, special WMA are secured advances provided against the pledge of Government of India dated securities.
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47. Abuse of dominant position
Context:
Flipkart has moved the Supreme Court against an order passed by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which had asked the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to initiate a probe against the company for abuse of dominant position.
Concept:
It is adopting predatory pricing mechanisms, which resulted in losses for small retailers. And also new players would find it difficult to breach the marketplace presence gained by incumbents The CCI’s mandate is to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India.
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48. Anti-dumping duty
Context: Major textile bodies has appealed to the Centre to remove anti-dumping duty on Viscose Staple fibre (VSF) to create a level playing for the entire textile value chain. Concept:
An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value. Dumping is a process where a company exports a product at a price lower than the price it normally charges in its own home market. The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practices and creating a level- playing field for domestic producers vis-a-vis foreign producers and exporters. The duty is imposed only after a thorough investigation by a quasi-judicial body, such as Directorate General of Trade Remedies, in India. The imposition of anti-dumping duty is permissible under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime.
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49. Reasons for rupee upswing
Subject: Economy
Context:
The rupee rose nearly two per cent to 73.40 against the US dollar last week.
Concept:
FPIs have bought Rs 46,602 crore worth of shares so far in August, the highest monthly inflow in calendar year 2020. Analysts said dollar inflows into the stock market and gains in other Asian currencies boosted the rupee’s value.
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50. Tax Buoyancy
Context:
Even as the government is battling much-reduced tax buoyancy and a yawning revenue deficit, finance minister kept alive industry’s hopes for further tax cuts.
Concept:
Tax buoyancy explains this relationship between the changes in government’s tax revenue growth and the changes in GDP. It refers to the responsiveness of tax revenue growth to changes in GDP. When a tax is buoyant, its revenue increases without increasing the tax rate. A similar looking concept is tax elasticity. It refers to changes in tax revenue in response to changes in tax rate
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51. Ease of doing business
Context:
World Bank halted its annual publication, ‘Doing Business’ report, as it detected irregularities of data for a few countries
Concept:
The World Bank’s Doing Business study ranks 190 countries on the freedom they provide to conduct business by measuring aspects of business regulation that affect small domestic firms located in their largest business cities The rankings are determined by sorting the aggregate scores on 10 topics, each consisting of several indicators, giving equal weight to each topic. o Starting a Business, o Dealing with Construction permits, o Electricity availability, o Property registration, o Credit availability, o Protecting minority Investors, o Paying Taxes, o Trading across borders, o Contracts enforcement, and o Resolving Insolvency.
India climbed 14 notches in the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings for 2020 to a record 63rd position and figured among the world’s top 10 ‘most improved’ countries for the third consecutive time on the back of faster bankruptcy resolution and issuance of construction permits.
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General Science 1. Sensitivity and specificity in testing
Context:
Important parameters in COVID testing
Concept:
Sensitivity measures how often a test correctly generates a positive result for people who have the condition that’s being tested for (also known as the “true positive” rate). A test that’s highly sensitive will flag almost everyone who has the disease and not generate many false-negative results. Specificity measures a test’s ability to correctly generate a negative result for people who don’t have the condition that’s being tested for (also known as the “true negative” rate). A high-specificity test will correctly rule out almost everyone who doesn’t have the disease and won’t generate many false-positive results
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2. GPS
Context:
China has officially commissioned the navigation system BeiDou
Concept:
The GPS is owned by the US government and operated by the US Air Force. Apart from this, Russia has its navigation system called GLONASS, the European Union (EU) has Galileo, while India’s is called Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC). GPS is a satellite navigation system used to determine the ground position of an object. GPS technology was first used by the United States military in the 1960s and expanded into civilian use over the next few decades. GPS receivers are included in many commercial products, such as automobiles, smartphones, exercise watches, and GIS devices.
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3. Genome Sequencing programme
Context:
Department of Biotechnology had launched a Pan India 1000 SARS--CoV-2 RNA Genome Sequencing programme to be done by Autonomous Institutes of DBT, collaborating with national laboratories and clinical organizations.
Concept:
Genome sequencing involves revealing the order of bases present in the entire genome of an organism Genome: It is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes. Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism Indian scientists have started genome sequencing strains of the novel coronavirus isolated from patients in different parts of the country as they work against time to track its spread and look for signs of emerging mutations. Generating at least 400 such sequences could help researchers extract valuable information on the behaviour of the deadly coronavirus in India This would help guide the strategies for designing potential treatments for local populations, vaccines and drugs that might have to undergo changes if the virus evolves over time.
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4. Omega 3 fatty Acid
Context:
Many nutritionists have suggested that besides pulses, meals should include vegetables like spinach and other green leafy vegetables, milk/curd and fruits like bananas, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to reduce malnutrition.
Concept:
Fish oil is a dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids which is needed for many functions, from muscle activity to cell growth. They can't be manufactured in the body. People take fish oil to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, to treat high triglycerides and high blood pressure, and to improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. There's strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels. There also appears to be a slight improvement in high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol.
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5. R value
Context:
R value has fallen below 1 in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, for the first time since the novel Coronavirus outbreak began in India in March
Concept:
R0 or reproduction number tells you the average number of people who will contract a contagious disease from one person with that disease R-naught is a frequently used mathematical metric to estimate how contagious an infectious disease can be. It can help in making projections for the number of people likely to be affected by such a disease and is often used to decide on the kind of policy interventions required to halt the epidemic. A less than one value for R-naught would mean that disease would not take the form of an epidemic. Any value more than one indicates an exponential rise in the number of patients. R-naught is also a dynamic metric, and is sensitive to the kind of interventions made to contain the spread.
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6. Crew Dragon
Context:
NASA astronauts safely returned to Earth inside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule this afternoon, bringing their historic two-month mission at the International Space Station to an end
Concept:
This successful technology demonstration has long term ramifications and will likely change the course of space exploration. Behnken and Hurley, tallying 64 days in space, undocked from the station on Saturday and returned home to land their capsule in calm waters off Florida's Pensacola coast following a 21-hour overnight journey aboard Crew Dragon "Endeavor." The successful splash-down, the first of its kind by NASA in 45 years, was a final test of whether SpaceX spacecraft can transport astronauts to and from orbit — a feat no private company has accomplished before.
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7. Cytokine Storm What are Cytokines?
Cytokines are helpful proteins that are produced by several immune cells including the innate macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and adaptive T and B lymphocytes. These proteins interact with cells of the immune system in order to regulate the body’s response to any infection as well as mediate normal cellular process in the body. What is cytokine storm?
Overproduction of large amount of pro-inflammatory cytokine in the body can lead to “cytokine storm”. Three of the most important pro-inflammatory cytokines of the innate immune response are IL-1, TNF- α, and IL-6.
What causes cytokine storm?
A cytokine storm can occur due to an infection, auto immune condition, or other disease. Symptoms of cytokine storm include high fever, inflammation, severe fatigue and nausea.
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8. Happy hypoxia or Silent Hypoxia Context:
Experts have been seeing multiple cases of “happy hypoxia” or “silent hypoxia” amongst 30-40 per cent of patients.
What is happy hypoxia/ silent hypoxia?
The silent hypoxia is a condition when the peripheral oxygen saturation remains good, but the partial pressure of oxygen is very low that shows up in the arterial blood gas (ABG) tests. But patients do not feel any symptoms of low oxygen, as they feel fine, healthy and keep talking. Suddenly, their condition deteriorates, leading to their death.
Hypoxemia is defined as “a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood.” As blood oxygen levels begin to reduce, a person may experience shortness of breath, also called dyspnea. If blood oxygen levels continue to fall, the organs may shut down, and the issue becomes life threatening.
COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, and a severe case can reduce the amount of oxygen that the lungs can absorb.
Blood oxygen levels have been found to be very low in some COVID-19 patients.
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9. The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) Context: eVIN has now been adapted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Health Mission for use in the coronavirus pandemic.
What is eVIN?
eVIN is a system a system used to track information on vaccine supply chain and stocks across the country. It provides real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows, and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in the country. It has been used in the past to track immunization for children and pregnant mothers against vaccine preventable diseases. Now it will be customized for use during the coronavirus pandemic. eVIN combines state-of-the-art technology, a strong IT infrastructure and trained human resource to enable real time monitoring of stock and storage temperature of the vaccines kept in multiple locations across the country. 32 Indian states and Union Territories are already established under eVIN, .The remaining states and UTs – Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Ladakh and Sikkim are soon going to join the network as well.
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10. CRISPR What is Gene Editing?
Genome editing (also called gene editing) is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism's DNA. These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome. Several approaches to genome editing have been developed. A recent one is known as CRISPR-Cas9, which is short for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9. CRISPR technology was adapted from the natural defense mechanisms of bacteria and archaea (the domain of single-celled microorganisms). These organisms use CRISPR-derived RNA and various Cas proteins, including Cas9, to foil attacks by viruses and other foreign bodies. They do so primarily by chopping up and destroying the DNA of a foreign invader. When these components are transferred into other, more complex, organisms, it allows for the manipulation of genes, or "editing." The CRISPR-Cas9 system has generated a lot of excitement in the scientific community because it is faster, cheaper, more accurate, and more efficient than other existing genome editing methods.
Its many potential applications include correcting genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases and improving crops.
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11. Time Capsule Context:
A time capsule will be placed around 2,000 feet underground at the Ram Temple construction site in Ayodhya.
What is a time capsule? It is a container of any size or shape, which accommodates documents, photos and artefacts typical of the current era and is buried underground, for future generations to unearth. The time capsule requires special engineering so that the contents don’t decay, even if pulled out after a century. Material such as aluminium and stainless steel are used for the encasing, and documents are often reproduced on acid-free paper. While the term “time capsule” was coined in the 20th century, among the earliest examples of one dates back to 1777, found by historians inside the statue of Jesus Christ in a church in Spain during restoration work in December 2017. The International Time Capsule Society (ITCS), based in the US and formed in 1990, is now defunct but continues estimating the number of time capsules in the world. As per its database, there are 10,000-15,000 times capsules worldwide.
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12. Seed Terrorism: Context:
The National Seed Association of India (NSAI) has asked the Centre to put its agencies on high alert against Chinese seeds penetrating into Indian fields. It has suggested the government to have in place adequate plans to deal with the ‘seed terrorism’.
What has happened?
Mysterious seed packets, often labelled with a misleading description were received in mails in India, Japan, Canada, the United States of America and United Kingdom over the past week. These packets have arrived from China and have raised a “seed terrorism” alarm. International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) has warned countries about the threat of such seed contamination.NSAI has issued an alert on the basis of an International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) warning on the entry of suspicious seeds in the Indian market.
What can be the adverse effects?
It can adversely affect India’s biodiversity. Emergence of new invasive speeds and weeds It can threated the food security of India.
Why is china sending these seeds?
These are seeds of an invasive species and it is an attempt by China to introduce pathogens or disease.
US authorities claim that these packets are a part of China's brushing scam.
China has much-advanced biotechnology and has the capacity to destroy Indian food production.
It is alleged that China is trying to use these spurious seeds as bio weapon.
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What can be done?
The Custom department has been put on alert and has been asked to confiscate illegal seeds coming from China or other countries. It wants courier companies and those receiving seed packets even when they have not ordered for it, to report it to the police and other government agencies.
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13. Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative
Context:
Seven biomedical firms have been selected to produce next-generation tests under US’ Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative.
Concept:
The aim behind the initiative is to significantly increase the number, type and availability of tests by millions per week. The RADx initiative will help develop new tests that will allow students, teachers and other workers to get tested frequently, allowing the safe re- opening of educational institutions and bringing back normal economic activity.
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14. Biofuel
Context:
Plastic from used personal protective equipment (PPE) can be transformed into renewable liquid fuels, according to a new study in the journal
Concept:
PPE waste to be converted into fuel using chemical a process called pyrolysis. This breaks down plastic at high temperature – between 300-400°C for an hour – without oxygen. Biofuels are transportation fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel that are made from biomass materials. These fuels are usually blended with petroleum fuels (gasoline and diesel fuel), but they can also be used on their own. Using ethanol or biodiesel reduces the consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel made from crude oil, which can reduce the amount of crude oil imported from other countries. Ethanol and biodiesel are also cleaner- burning fuels than pure gasoline and diesel fuel. Ethanol is an alcohol fuel made from the sugars found in grains such as corn, sorghum, and barley. Biodiesel is a fuel made from vegetable oils, fats, or greases—such as recycled restaurant grease. Biodiesel fuel can be used in diesel engines without changing the engine. Pure biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable
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15. Ammonium nitrate
Context:
The catastrophic explosion at Beirut port has so far killed at least 100 people and injured around 4,000
Concept:
Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is a white, crystalline chemical which is soluble in water. It is common chemical ingredient of agricultural fertilisers, the nitrogen rich compound is also the main component of the explosive composition known as ANFO — ammonium nitrate fuel oil. Large quantities of stored ammonium nitrate are regarded as a major fire hazard, with multiple reported cases across the world. The explosion of large storage can happen primarily in two ways. One is by some type detonation or initiation because the storage comes in contact with explosive mixture. Second, the blast can result due to a fire which starts in the ammonium nitrate store because of the heat generated due to the oxidation process at large scale.
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16. Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
Context:
A disease called Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) has killed seven and infected at least 60 in China
Concept:
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) belongs to the Bunyavirus family and is transmitted to humans through tick bites. The virus was first identified by a team of researchers in China over a decade ago. The first few cases were reported in rural areas of Hubei and Henan provinces in 2009. Due to the rate at which it spreads and its high fatality rate, SFTS has been listed among the top 10 priority diseases blue print by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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17. Starship
Context:
SpaceX’s prototype uncrewed “Mars ship” which is a part of the Starship spacecraft, successfully flew to an altitude of over 500 feet for a little less than 60 seconds
Concept:
Designed by SpaceX, Starship is a spacecraft and super-heavy booster rocket meant to act as a reusable transportation system for crew and cargo to the Earth’s orbit, Moon and Mars. SpaceX has described Starship as “the world’s most powerful launch vehicle” with an ability to carry over 100 metric tonnes to the Earth’s orbit. Starship has been under development since 2012 and is a part of Space X’s central mission to make interplanetary travel accessible and affordable and to become the first private company to do so. Therefore, the company is working on building a fleet of reusable launch vehicles, capable of carrying humans to Mars and other destinations in the solar system.
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18. Black boxes
Context: Investigators have found the “black boxes” of the ill-fated Boeing 737-800 aircraft which get crashed at Kozhikode
Concept: The black boxes are two orange metallic boxes containing the recorders which date back to the early 1950s, when, following plane crashes, investigators were unable to arrive a conclusive cause for the accidents and deemed it necessary to install the said recorders on aircraft. In the initial days of the black box, the information was recorded on to a metal strip, which was then upgraded to magnetic drives succeeded by solid state memory chips. Most aircraft are required to be equipped with two black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR) that record the information about a flight and help reconstruct the events leading to an aircraft accident. While the CVR records radio transmissions and other sounds in the cockpit such as conversations between the pilots and engine noises, the flight data recorder records more than 80 different types of information such as altitude, airspeed, flight heading, vertical acceleration, pitch, roll, autopilot status etc.
Table top runaway Tabletop runways are generally constructed by chopping off the top of a hill, and are often thought of as tricky for landings because of the lack of any margin for overshooting the runway. In addition to the airports at Kozhikode and Mangaluru, the Lengpui airport in Mizoram, Pakyong airport in Sikkim, and Simla and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh are built on tabletops. Other tabletop airports outside India include Paro in Bhutan and Kathmandu in Nepal.
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19. Perseid meteor shower 2020
Context:
In India, Perseid meteor shower starting August 11 or August 12 and the visibility of the meteor shower is high late in the night from 2 AM to dawn
Concept:
A meteor is a space rock or meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere. As the space rock falls toward Earth, the resistance—or drag—of the air on the rock makes it extremely hot. That bright streak is not actually the rock, but rather the glowing hot air as the hot rock zips through the atmosphere. When Earth encounters many meteoroids at once, then it is meteor shower.
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20. Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS)
Context:
The Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is one of the most common safety mechanisms in use around the world.
Concept:
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA ) began conducting research in the 1990s to determine how to improve safety at airports where the full runway safety areas (RSA) cannot be obtained. EMAS uses crushable material placed at the end of a runway to stop an aircraft that overruns the runway. The tires of the aircraft sink into the lightweight material and the aircraft is decelerated as it rolls through the material.
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21. Sunspots
Context:
A massive Sunspot group, AR2770, was observed last week, claimed using images of the Sun’s surface from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
Concept:
Sunspots are areas that appear dark on the surface of the Sun. They appear dark because they are cooler than other parts of the Sun’s surface. It’s cool because they form at areas where magnetic fields are particularly strong. These magnetic fields are so strong that they keep some of the heat within the Sun from reaching the surface. Most Sunspots appear in groups that have their own magnetic field, whose polarity reverses during every solar cycle, which takes around 11 years. In every such cycle, the number of Sunspots increases and decreases.
The magnetic field lines near sunspots often tangle, cross, and reorganize. This can cause a sudden explosion of energy called a solar flare.
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Solar flares release a lot of radiation into space. If a solar flare is very intense, the radiation it releases can interfere with our radio communications here on Earth. Solar flares are sometimes accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME for short). CMEs are huge bubbles of radiation and particles from the Sun. They explode into space at very high speed when the Sun’s magnetic field lines suddenly reorganize. When charged particles from a CME reach areas near Earth, they can trigger intense lights in the sky, called auroras. When particularly strong, a CME can also interfere in power utility grids, which at their worst can cause electricity shortages and power outages. Solar flares and CMEs are the most powerful explosions in our solar system.
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22. Mega lab and Genome sequence
Context:
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is working on developing “mega labs” to ramp up testing for COVID-19 as well as improve the accuracy rate.
Concept:
These labs will be repurposing large machines, called Next Generation Sequencing machines (NGS), which are normally used for sequencing human genomes, to sequence 1,500 to 3,000 viral genomes at a go to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can substantially detect the presence of the virus even in several instances where the traditional RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) tests fail. RT-PCR test identifies the SARS-CoV-2 virus by exploring only specific sections, whereas the genome method can read a bigger chunk of virus genome and thereby provide more certainty that the virus is present It can also trace the evolutionary history of the virus and track mutations more reliably. Unlike the RT-PCR that needs primers and probes, a key hurdle in operationalising such tests on a mass scale early on in the pandemic, the NGS only needs custom reagents.
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23. Safety and Immunogenic of vaccine
Context:
Vaccine trials bring importance of Safety and Immunogenic of vaccine
Concept:
Immunogenicity is the ability of a foreign substance to enter a person's body and cause an immune response. A great example of immunogenicity is a vaccination. When a person gets vaccinated, they are injected with a very tiny amount of a specific disease. Once a person receives the injection, their immune system will begin to create antibodies, which are special proteins created by the body that help protect us against infectious viruses and bacteria.
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24. SARABHAI CRATER
Context:
ISRO recently released some images of the Moon captured by Chandrayaan-2 and one of the craters has been named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space programme
Concept:
Sarabhai crater is about 250 to 300 kilometres east of the crater where the Apollo 17 and Luna 21 Missions previously landed. The Sarabhai crater, captured in 3D images, has a depth of around 1.7 kilometres. The Sarabhai crater is eight kilometres in diameter, and located in the Mare Serenitatis in the Northeast quadrant of the Moon. The crater was previously known as Bessel A. The Mare Serenitatis is one of the lunar maria which are vast lava plains on the moon that were formed between 3.9 and 3.8 thousand million years ago. It was during this period when the Moon was heavily bombarded by asteroids and the major impact basins on the Moon were formed. This was followed by an episode of lunar volcanism that flooded the basin with basalt creating a fresh and flat surface.
VIKRAM SARABHAI
Based on his persuasion, the Indian government agreed to set up the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962. Sarabhai was the first chairman of the committee. The INCOSPAR was restructured and renamed as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969. Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad in the year 1947. The laboratory started its operation from RETREAT, Sarabhai’s residence in Ahmedabad. Its first topic of research was cosmic rays.
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He also set up India’s first rocket launch site in Thumba, a small village near the Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala. Vikram Sarabhai was also responsible for bringing cable television to India. His constant contact with NASA paved a way for the establishment of Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975. Sarabhai was the mastermind behind building India’s first satellite, Aryabhata. He was one of the founding members of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA). Vikram Sarabhai received the Padma Bhushanin 1966 for his contribution to India’s progress. He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972, posthumously.
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25. RLF-100
Context:
An old drug formulation — RLF-100 — is being probed to treat Covid-19 patients after initial studies have shown that the drug is able to halt SARS-CoV-2 virus replication in lungs.
Concept:
RLF-100, also called Aviptadil, is a formulation of synthetic human Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP). VIP is released throughout the body, but remains mostly concentrated in lungs. It is produced by immune cells and nerve endings and acts as a neurotransmitter. It helps improve muscle activity and blood flow in gastrointestinal tract. VIP has anti-inflammatory and anti-cytokine activity properties. Preliminary studies have shown this protects alveolar type II cells that are responsible for oxygen exchange in lungs. Since coronavirus attacks lungs and the alveolar cells, the drug may be helpful in preventing SARS-CoV-2 onslaught in alveolar cell and limit damage in lung.
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26. Black hole
Context:
In August 1970, in a paper in Nature, relativist C. V. Vishveshwara first published a calculation and plot of the signal that would be given out by a single perturbed back hole.
Concept:
Black hole refers to a point in space where matter is so compressed as to create a gravity field from which even light cannot escape. Black-holes were theorized by Albert Einstein in 1915.
Related Terms : Event Horizon There is a region of space beyond the black hole called the event horizon. This is a "point of no return", beyond which it is impossible to escape the gravitational effects of the black hole.
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27. T cell immunity
Subject: Science and tech
Context:
SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell immunity prevents recurrent severe COVID-19 disease
Concept:
T cells (also called T lymphocytes) are one of the major components of the adaptive immune system. Their roles include directly killing infected host cells, activating other immune cells, producing cytokines and regulating the immune response. There are two major types of T cells: the helper T cell and the cytotoxic T cell. As the names suggest, helper T cells ‘help’ other cells of the immune system, whilst cytotoxic T cells kill virally infected cells and tumours.
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28. SalivaDirect
Context :
A new, rapid diagnostic test for the novel coronavirus that uses saliva samples was granted an emergency use authorisation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Concept :
The inexpensive test called SalivaDirect has high sensitivity and can detect the virus even when the number of virus copies in the saliva sample is as low as 6-12 copies per microlitre. Collecting and testing saliva samples involves three steps — collecting saliva without preservative buffers, proteinase K treatment and heat inactivation, and dualplex RT-qPCR virus detection.
Significance:
The new saliva test would increase efficiency and avoid shortage of crucial test components such as reagents. The new test makes sample collection non-invasive and reduces the need for trained healthcare workers to collect the samples, reducing the risk of infection during collection. In contrast, tests using nasopharyngeal swabs lead to false negative results due to errors at the time of sample collection.
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29. Dwarf planet Ceres
Context:
Researchers have shed new light on the dwarf planet Ceres which now has the status of an “ocean world”, after scientists’ analysed data collected by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft.
Concept:
There are officially five dwarf planets in our Solar System. The most famous is Pluto, downgraded from the status of a planet in 2006. The other four, in order of size, are Eris, Makemake, Haumea and Ceres. The sixth claimant for a dwarf planet is Hygiea, which so far has been taken to be an asteroid. Four criteria set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for a celestial body to be called a dwarf planet. The body orbits around the Sun, it is not a moon, has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit (which means it is not the dominant body in its orbit around the Sun and this is what differentiates a planet from a dwarf planet) and has enough mass for its gravity to pull it into a roughly spherical shape.
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30. Trap Door
Context:
The department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to direct all telecom operators to undertake an ‘information security audit’ of their networks and submit the report by October end.
Concept:
A ‘backdoor’ or a ‘trap door’ is a bug installed in the telecom hardware which allows companies to listen in or collect data being shared on the network.
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31. Information Security Audit
Context:
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is all set to direct telecom companies to undertake an “information security audit” of their networks and submit the report by October end
Concept:
An information security audit is a step-by-step assessment of the complete network infrastructure which checks for the equipment installed and the latest upgrades done in order to prevent any data leakages. The auditors also check the data storage and security policies of the company and check whether all sections of the company adhere to the norms set by the company itself. Apart from that, some auditing agencies also launch a controlled bug into the network of the company to check for ‘Backdoor and Trapdoor’ vulnerabilities, and see what all systems are being impacted. DoT is likely to suggest to the companies that the external audit should be done only by an agency empanelled with Cert-IN
Backdoor and Trapdoor
A ‘backdoor’ or a ‘trap door’ is a bug installed in the telecom hardware which allows companies to listen in or collect data being shared on the network.
Computer Emergency Response Team - India (CERT-IN)
It is an organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with the objective of securing Indian cyberspace. It is the nodal agency which deals with cybersecurity threats like hacking and phishing. It collects analyses and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues alert on cybersecurity incidents.
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CERT-IN provides Incident Prevention and Response Services as well as Security Quality Management Services.
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32. Saliva test
Context: US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new method of testing for Covid-19 by processing saliva samples
Concept: The inexpensive test called Saliva Direct has high sensitivity and can detect the virus even when the number of virus copies in the saliva sample is as low as 6-12 copies per micro liter. Collecting and testing saliva samples involves three steps collecting saliva without preservative buffers, proteinase K treatment and heat inactivation, and dualplex RT-qPCR virus detection.
Significance: The new saliva test would increase efficiency and avoid shortage of crucial test components such as reagents. The new test makes sample collection non-invasive and reduces the need for trained healthcare workers to collect the samples, reducing the risk of infection during collection. In contrast, tests using nasopharyngeal swabs lead to false negative results due to errors at the time of sample collection.
Testing methods: Broadly, there are two types of tests for Covid-19. One type, which detects the virus itself, includes the RT-PCR test and the antigen test. The second is the serological test, which looks for antibodies developed by the body against the virus. This determines if a person has been exposed to the infection, and is used for surveillance of infection in a community. In the first category of tests, nose and throat swabs are used as the sampling technique. After the swab is removed, the sample is placed in a viral transport media and is preserved for analysis. Researchers have developed the saliva test as a low-cost alternative; the suspected patient has only to spit into a sterile tube and the sample is then sent it to the laboratory.
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33. Science and Technology Indicators (STI), 2018
Context: Science and Technology Indicators (STI), 2018, a periodic compendium of the state of scientific research in India was recently released.
Concept: It is prepared by National Science and Technology Management Information System, a division of the Department of Science Technology. It is based on data provided by a range of scientific establishments across India.
Findings: India’s private sector research companies appear to employ a larger proportion of women in core research and development activities than government-funded major scientific agencies The 2018 indicators reiterate the historic trend of India’s scientists being overwhelmingly men.
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34. Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage Context: Researchers interested in translational research on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) have a major opportunity to accelerate and mature their technology and research activities as solutions to the growing problem of global climate change.
Concept: Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), also referred to as carbon capture, utilization and sequestration, is a process that captures carbon dioxide emissions from sources like coal-fired power plants and either reuses or stores it so it will not enter the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide storage in geologic formations includes oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams and deep saline reservoirs — structures that have stored crude oil, natural gas, brine and carbon dioxide over millions of years. CCUS is one of the identified innovation challenges in the Mission Innovation (MI) Programme, a global initiative of 24 countries and the European Union to accelerate the global clean energy innovation in which the Department of Science & Technology (DST) is an active partner.
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35. Kala- Azar and Nano medicine
Context:
Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology have developed an oral nanomedicine for combating visceral leishmaniasis.
Concept:
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by any species of Leishmania parasite. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected female sandfly. I In most cases, a person who is infected by the parasite has neither symptoms nor signs of infection and is not considered to have leishmaniasis. Although there are some 20 different parasites that cause the disease, there are only three different types of leishmaniasis. The most common type (CL) causes skin lesions, mainly nodules or painless ulcers. The second type (VL, also known as kala-azar) is a life-threatening disease that causes anaemia (deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells), fever, enlarged liver, enlarged spleen and significant weight loss. The third type (MCL, or mucosal leishmaniasis alone) destroys the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat cavities and surrounding tissues. It is one of the most neglected tropical diseases and around 95 % of cases are reported from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nepal, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.
Nano-medicine
Nanomedicine is the application of nanotechnology (the engineering of tiny machines) to the prevention and treatment of disease in the human body.
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It uses the properties developed by a material at its nanometric scale 10-9 m which often differ in terms of physics, chemistry or biology from the same material at a bigger scale. Moreover, the nanometric size is also the scale of many biological mechanisms in the human body allowing nanoparticles and nanomaterials to potentially cross natural barriers to access new sites of delivery and to interact with DNA or small proteins at different levels, in blood or within organs, tissues or cells. At the nano-scale, the surface-to-volume ratio is such that the surface properties are becoming an intrinsic parameter of the potential actions of a particle or material. Coating of the particles and functionalization of their surfaces are in this way extremely common to increase the biocompatibility of the particle and its circulation time in the blood, as well as to ensure a highly selective binding to the desired target. Nanomedicine has the potential to enable early detection and prevention and to drastically improve diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of many diseases including cancer.
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36. BIS standards for drinking water
Context:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has prepared a draft standard for the supply system of piped drinking water and has invited comments from water utilities
About draft:
The draft is labelled ‘Drinking water supply quality management system — requirements for piped drinking water supply service’ and has been prepared by the BIS’ Public Drinking Water Supply Services Sectional Committee. It outlines the process of water supply, from raw water sources to household taps, and has been developed keeping in view the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission for providing safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024 through tap connections. The standard holds importance as it is expected to make the process of piped water supply more uniform, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas of the country where the system runs on various government orders and circulars. Concept:
Drinking water is water intended for human consumption for drinking and cooking purposes from any source. It includes water (treated or untreated) supplied by any means for human consumption. The quality standards for drinking water in India is prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards laid down IS 10500 : 2012
Designated-Best-Use Class of Criteria water
Drinking Water Source A Total Coliforms Organism without conventional MPN/100ml shall be 50 or less pH between 6.5 and 8.5
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treatment but after Dissolved Oxygen 6mg/l or more disinfection Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20°C 2mg/l or less
Outdoor bathing B Total Coliforms Organism (Organised) MPN/100ml shall be 500 or less pH between 6.5 and 8.5 Dissolved Oxygen 5mg/l or more Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20°C 3mg/l or less
Drinking water source C Total Coliforms Organism after conventional MPN/100ml shall be 5000 or less treatment and disinfection pH between 6 to 9 Dissolved Oxygen 4mg/l or more Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20°C 3mg/l or less
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37. Vaccine trial
Context:
Phase 2 human clinical trials of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine candidate for Covid-19, manufactured by Serum Institute of India, will begin in the coming week.
Concept:
The general stages of the development cycle of a vaccine are: o Exploratory stage o Pre-clinical stage o Clinical development o Regulatory review and approval o Manufacturing o Quality control Clinical development is a three-phase process. During Phase I, small groups of people receive the trial vaccine. In Phase II, the clinical study is expanded and vaccine is given to people who have characteristics (such as age and physical health) similar to those for whom the new vaccine is intended. In Phase III, the vaccine is given to thousands of people and tested for efficacy and safety. In India, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation gives approvals for clinical trials.
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38. Super app
Context:
Tata Group is planning to launch an all-in-one super app
Concept:
A super app is a platform developed by a company offering various services under one umbrella. For example, China’s WeChat, which started out as a messaging app, expanded into payments, cabs, shopping, food ordering, cab services to become a super app. A physical world comparison of a super app would be a mall, which allows retail space to various brands and shops across businesses and verticals.
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39. Asteroid 2018VP1
Context:
A day before the US will vote in its presidential elections, an asteroid that is on a collision course with Earth could come very close to the planet, according to the Center for Near Objects Studies at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Concept:
Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid’s potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth. Specifically, all asteroids with a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.05 au or less are considered PHA.
Threats:
NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations Program finds, tracks and characterises over 90 per cent of the predicted number of NEOs that are 140 metre or larger which according to the space agency are of “the greatest concern” due to the level of devastation that their impact is capable of causing. No asteroid larger than 140 metre has a “significant” chance of hitting the Earth for the next 100 years.
Measures:
Over the years, scientists have suggested different ways to ward off such threats, such as blowing up the asteroid before it reaches Earth, or deflecting it off its Earth-bound course by hitting it with a spacecraft. Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA), which includes NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera. The mission’s target is Didymos, a binary near-Earth asteroid, one of whose bodies is of the size that could pose the most likely significant threat to Earth.
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40. Covid-19 miscarriage
Context:
A Mumbai woman in her late 20s has become the first to suffer a miscarriage due to Covid-19 in India.
Concept:
There are not many known Covid-19-related complications in pregnancy, and there is limited research on how the novel coronavirus affects the unborn child. The placenta acts as a barrier that protects the foetus in the uterus from external infections. But some studies have suggested it may in fact act as a reservoir for the coronavirus, allowing it to replicate. The woman had contact with a Covid-19 positive case when she was eight weeks pregnant. She had no symptoms, but a precautionary nasopharyngeal test returned positive for the virus, and she was admitted to institutional isolation. About four weeks later, a second test showed no trace of the virus in her nasopharyngeal tract. She was healthy, but a week later (when she was 13 weeks pregnant), a routine ultrasound test found that the foetus had died. The unborn baby suffered from a condition called ‘hydrops fetalis’, which is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body. It was suspected to have been caused by inflammation. The pregnant woman had tested negative for Covid-19 in a repeat test, which meant the virus had cleared from her throat and nasal tract, but the infection may have travelled towards the womb. The placenta, amniotic fluid from the gestational sac, and the foetal membrane were tested – and the placenta and amniotic fluid showed active SARS-CoV-2 virus replication. Doctors concluded that placental infection due to Covid-19 had led to inflammation and the death of the foetus.
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41. Animals and coronavirus Context: Researchers have published a comprehensive analysis of the relative potential risks of coronavirus faced by 410 animal species.
Concept: Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, there have been widely reported instances of a few animals cats, dogs, tigers — being infected with the novel coronavirus, usually transmitted by humans. The 410 species analysed are vertebrates — birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. At the highest level of risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, are several primate species. Some are critically endangered species — such as the Western lowland gorilla, and Sumatran orangutan. Other species at “very high risk” of infection include the chimpanzee and rhesus macaque. At “high risk” are species such as blue-eyed black lemur and common bottlenose dolphin. The findings are based on an analysis of ACE2 — the enzyme on our cell surface that allows SARS-CoV-2 to infect human cells. In humans, 25 amino acids of ACE2 are important for the virus to bind with the cell. The researchers used modelling to evaluate how many of these amino acids are found in the ACE2 enzyme of other species. If a species showed a match with all these 25 amino acid residues, it was predicted to be carrying the highest risk. The fewer the matches with the human ACE2, the lower the risk of infection.
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42. Protease Inhibitors
Context:
A drug used for cat coronavirus is going to tested as a possible treatment for humans infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Concept:
The drug is a protease inhibitor, which means that it interferes with the virus’s ability to replicate, thus blocking infection.
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43. T-cell Immunity and cross reactive memory
Context:
Scientists have found that 20-50% people who have not been infected with novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) still harbour memory T cells derived from previous exposures to common cold coronaviruses. The memory T cells were found to cross-react with SARS-CoV-2
Concept:
Pre-existing T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 could be relevant because it could influence COVID-19 disease severity. It is plausible that people with a high level of pre-existing memory CD4+ T cells that recognise novel coronavirus could mount a faster and stronger immune response upon exposure to the virus and thereby limit disease severity T cells originate in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus. In the thymus, T cells multiply and differentiate into helper, regulatory, or cytotoxic T cells or become memory T cells. They are then sent to peripheral tissues or circulate in the blood or lymphatic system. Once stimulated by the appropriate antigen, helper T cells secrete chemical messengers called cytokines, which stimulate the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells (antibody-producing cells). Regulatory T cells act to control immune reactions, hence their name. Cytotoxic T cells, which are activated by various cytokines, bind to and kill infected cells and cancer cells.
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44. N95 masks
Context:
In the case of infectious diseases like COVID-19, hospitals have to make sure that their patient-facing employees are safe by using Personal Protective Equipment, in particular, N95 mask.
Concept:
An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles N95 mask named because it is able to block at least 95% of particles in the air that are of the size 0.3 microns or bigger (1 micron is a millionth of a metre). A single SARS-CoV2 virus is typically up to 0.2 microns in size, so it can possibly penetrate the N95 mask. Virus is enclosed in air droplets that are much bigger in size. Since droplets are getting spread which are a few microns in size, it is very unlikely that there are droplets that are less than 0.3 microns in size. So that way the N95 is a very good barrier to virus entry N: This is a Respirator Rating Letter Class. It stands for “Non-Oil” meaning that if no oil-based particulates are present, then it can be used in the work environment. Other masks ratings are R (resistant to oil for 8 hours) and P (oil proof).
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45. Reinfeaction
Context:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States acknowledge that there had been instances in which people had tested positive again after having recovered from the disease once.
Concept:
It could be because of what it described as “persistent viral shedding”. Recovered patients can have low levels of virus for up to three months after the infection, and though it is no longer enough to make the person sick or transmit the disease to others, it can get detected in diagnostic tests. These first cases of reinfection show that the immunity developed after contracting the disease once may not be long-lasting, and the virus could continue to circulate in the populations even after levels of community- wide immunity, either through natural infection or by vaccination, are reached. It has also triggered concerns about the effectiveness of vaccines being developed for the infection.
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Environment 1. Impact sea level rise
Context:
In a study, researchers predict that by 2100, the global population potentially exposed to episodic coastal flooding will increase from 128-171 million to 176- 287 million.
Findings:
Sea-level rise (SLR) is a “well accepted” consequence of climate change. Globally, of the 68 per cent area that is prone to coastal flooding, over 32 per cent can be attributed to regional SLR Because sea level rise is not uniform across the world, there is a need to differentiate regional SLR from the global rates. For instance, the gravitational pull of the polar ice sheets has different effects on sea levels in different parts of the world, which means regional SLR can be higher or lower than the global SLR.
Impact:
Habitat contraction Loss of functionality and biodiversity Lateral and inland migration.
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2. Category B2 of EIA
Context:
Draft environment impact assessment 2020 included list of projects into Category B2.
Concept:
All projects and activities are broadly categorized in to two categories - Category A and Category B, based on the spatial extent of potential impacts and potential impacts on human health and natural and manmade resources. All projects or activities included as Category ‘A’ in the Schedule shall require prior environmental clearance from the Central Government on the recommendations of an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) to be constituted by the Central Government for the purposes of this notification All projects or activities included as Category ‘B’ in the Schedule will require prior environmental clearance from the State/Union territory Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The SEIAA shall base its decision on the recommendations of a State or Union territory level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) as to be constituted for in this notification. The projects requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment report shall be termed Category ‘B1’ and remaining projects shall be termed Category ‘B2’ and will not require an Environment Impact Assessment report. The projects under this category include offshore and onshore oil, gas and shale exploration, hydroelectric projects up to 25 MW, irrigation projects between 2,000 and 10,000 hectares of command area, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in dye and dye intermediates, bulk drugs, synthetic rubbers, medium-sized paint units, all inland waterway projects, expansion or widening of highways between 25 km and 100 km with defined parameters, aerial ropeways in ecologically sensitive areas, and specified building construction and area development projects.
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3. Smog Tower
Context:
Supreme Court has directed two smog towers should be installed in the capital by April on a pilot project basis. But the deadline is not met.
Concept:
A smog tower is a structure designed to work as a large-scale air purifier, fitted with multiple layers of filters which trap fine dust particles suspended in the air as it passes through them. Air is drawn through fans installed at the top of the tower, passed through filters, and then released near the ground. The large-scale filters would use carbon nano fibres as a major component, and would be fitted along the peripheries of the towers.
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4. Environment Protection Act
Context:
Environment ministry has recommended closure of LG Polymers plant in Vishakapatnam citing Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act
Concept:
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 authorizes the central government to protect and improve environmental quality, control and reduce pollution from all sources, and prohibit or restrict the setting and /or operation of any industrial facility on environmental grounds. It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities charged with the mandate of preventing environmental pollution in all its forms and to tackle specific environmental problems that are peculiar to different parts of the country.
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5. TRAFFIC Context: A recent study by TRAFFIC India on the seizure and mortality of ‘common leopards’ revealed that of the total of 747 leopard deaths between 2015-2019 in India, 596 were linked to illegal wildlife trade and activities related to poaching.
Concept: TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It is a joint program of WWF and IUCN. TRAFFIC works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC has gained its greatest reputation from supporting CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. TRAFFIC focuses on leveraging resources, expertise and awareness of the latest globally urgent species trade issues such as tiger parts, elephant ivory and rhino horn. Large scale commercial trade in commodities like timber and fisheries products are also addressed and linked to work on developing rapid results and policy improvements.
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6. Seed bombs Context: Odisha’s Athagarh Forest Division has begun casting seed balls inside different reserve forest areas to enrich food stock for wild elephants.
Concept: Seed balls, also known as “earth balls” consist of a variety of different seeds rolled within a ball of clay. Various additives may be included, such as humus or compost. These are placed around the seeds, at the center of the ball, to provide microbial inoculants. Cotton-fibres or liquefied paper are sometimes mixed into the clay in order to strengthen it, or liquefied paper mash coated on the outside to further protect the clay ball during sowing by throwing, or in particularly harsh habitats.
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7. World Elephant Day
Context:
Compendium on best practices of Human-Elephant Conflict Management in India was launched on eve of World Elephant Day
Concept:
World Elephant Day celebrated on August 12 is an international annual event, dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world's elephants. The goal of World Elephant Day is to create awareness on elephant conservation, and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better protection and management of wild and captive elephants. Asian elephants are listed as “Endangered" on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. The current population estimates indicate that there are about 50,000 - 60000 Asian elephants in the world. More than 60 % of the population is held in India. Indian Elephant has also been listed in the Appendix I of the Convention of the Migratory species in the recently concluded Conference of Parties of CMS 13 at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat in February 2020. Elephant is the Natural Heritage Animal of India and India also celebrates this day to spread awareness towards conservation of the species.
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8. World Biofuel day
Context:
A webinar on the occasion of the World Biofuel day was organized by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, with the theme “Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Concept:
World Biofuel Day is observed every year on 10th August to create awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels and to highlight the various efforts made by the Government in the Biofuel sector. World Biofuel Day is being celebrated by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas since 2015. Biofuels have multiple benefits such as reduction on import dependence, ensuring a cleaner environment, generating additional income for farmers and employment generation. Since, 2014, the Government of India has taken a number of initiatives to increase blending of biofuels. The major initiatives include administrative price mechanism for ethanol, simplifying the procurement procedures by OMCs, amending the provisions of Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951, Long term ethanol procurement policy, ethanol distillation capacity addition and enabling lignocellulosic route for ethanol procurement.
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9. Environmental Performance Index
Context:
Debate over draft EIA 2020 Notification shed lights on poor ranking of India in Environmental Performance Index report
Concept:
In 2018, India ranked 177thout of 180 countries and in 2020, ranked 168th out of 180 faring badly on virtually all indicators — environmental health policy, biodiversity and habitat, air and water pollution and climate change. EPI is a biennial index prepared by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. It offers a scorecard that highlights leaders and laggards in environmental performance and provides practical guidance for countries that aspire to move toward a sustainable future. This index was first published in 2002 designed to supplement the environmental targets set forth in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
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10. Critical Wildlife Habitat
Context:
Hardline conservationists fail to see possibilities of people-wildlife coexistence
Concept:
CWH is a provision under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA). The Act primarily focuses on recognising the historically-denied rights of forest-dwellers to use and manage forests. FRA defines CWHs as ‘areas of national parks and sanctuaries where it has been specifically and clearly established, case by case, on the basis of scientific and objective criteria, that such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of wildlife conservation The power to notify the rules to designate a CWH rests with Ministry of Environment and Forests. The State Government are needed to initiate the process for notification of a critical wildlife habitat by submitting an application on a case by case basis, to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, which is the nodal agency under the said Act. Critical Wildlife Habitats are thus, declared by Central Government ONLY. Before a critical wildlife area is notified, not only do the rights of the tribals and forest dwellers have to be settled, but also scientific evidence has to be provided to establish that people’s presence would adversely impact the wildlife in area.
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11. Environmental Impact Assessment
Context:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has proposed a draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2020, that seeks to replace the notification which goes back to 2006.
Concept:
Environment Impact Assessment or EIA can be defined as the study to predict the effect of a proposed activity/project on the environment. A decision making tool, EIA compares various alternatives for a project and seeks to identify the one which represents the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers. Till 1994, environmental clearance from the Central Government was an administrative decision and lacked legislative support. On 27 January 1994, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MEF), Government of India, under the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, promulgated an EIA notification making Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory for expansion or modernisation of any activity or for setting up new projects listed in Schedule 1 of the notification. The MoEF recently notified new EIA legislation in September 2006. The notification makes it mandatory for various projects such as mining, thermal power plants, river valley, infrastructure (road, highway, ports, harbours and airports) and industries including very small electroplating or foundry units to get environment clearance.
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Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006 has decentralized the environmental clearance projects by categorizing the developmental projects in two categories, i.e., Category A (national level appraisal) and Category B (state level appraisal).
o Category A projects are appraised at national level by Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) and Category B projects are apprised at state level. o State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are constituted to provide clearance to Category B process.
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12. Seagrass
Context:
The UN environmental programme has released a report warning that fishing trawlers, seaweed farming, and tourism off the coast of Kenya is threatening the survival of seagrasses
Concept:
Seagrasses are flowering marine plants that have adapted to survive in marine conditions. They are mostly found in shallow sandy bottom habitats and can form dense extensive meadows. There are about 72 seagrass species distributed across the world’s temperate and tropical oceans. These meadows trap sediment, absorb nutrients and give us clear waters. They are a source of food, shelter and nursery areas for many organisms, including commercially important fish. This means that they provide food security for coastal communities by supporting artisanal fisheries and are an integral part of coastal livelihoods. They also support a number of endangered species such as dugongs, sea turtles and sea horses. Seagrass meadows are also important carbon sinks, capable of trapping carbon from the atmosphere 40 times faster than tropical rainforests and storing it for hundreds of years.
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13. Earth Overshoot Day 2020
Context:
Earth Overshoot Day 2020 falls on August 22, more than three weeks later than in 2019, according to Global Footprint Network
Concept:
Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. Earth Overshoot Day is hosted and calculated by Global Footprint Network, an international research organization that provides decision- makers with a menu of tools to help the human economy operate within Earth’s ecological limits. The concept of Earth Overshoot Day was first conceived by Andrew Simms of the UK think tank New Economics Foundation, which partnered with Global Footprint Network in 2006 to launch the first global Earth Overshoot Day campaign. At that time, Earth Overshoot Day fell in October.
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14. Wildlife Corridors
Context:
A genetic study of tigers across India showed tigers are becoming more isolated, which in turn reduces tigers’ chances of finding a mate who is not closely genetically related, thus lowering the genetic variation and increasing the risk of extinction.
Concept:
A wildlife corridor is a way of connecting fragmented habitats. The corridor allows movement between isolated patches of habitat without other disturbances, such as traffic or development. Wildlife corridors are also known as habitat corridors or green corridors. These green corridors are also designed to keep animals out of danger of highways, busy roads, and other areas where their traditional migratory patterns intersect with potential dangerous manmade places.
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15. Generation of biofuel and ethanol blending
Context:
The government has set targets of 10 per cent bioethanol blending of petrol by 2022 and to raise it to 20 per cent by 2030 under the ethanol blending programme
Concept:
Biofuels are liquid or gaseous fuels primarily produced from biomass, and can be used to replace or can be used in addition to diesel, petrol or other fossil fuels for transport, stationary, portable and other applications. Crops used to make biofuels are generally high in sugar (such as sugarcane, sugarbeet, and sweet sorghum), starch (such as maize and tapioca) or oils (such as soybean, rapeseed, coconut, sunflower).
Generations of biofuels
First generation biofuels - First-generation biofuels are made from sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats using conventional technology. Common first-generation biofuels include Bio-alcohols, Biodiesel, Vegetable oil, Bio-ethers, Biogas. Second generation biofuels - These are produced from non-food crops, such as cellulosic biofuels and waste biomass (stalks of wheat and corn, and wood). Examples include advanced biofuels like bio-hydrogen, bio- methanol. Third generation biofuels - These are produced from micro-organisms like algae. Four Generation Bio-fuels are aimed at not only producing sustainable energy but also a way of capturing and storing co2. Biomass materials, which have absorbed co2 while growing, are converted into fuel using the same processes as second generation biofuels. This process differs from second and third generation production as at all stages of production the carbon dioxide is captured using processes such as oxy-fuel combustion
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National Policy on Biofuels
The new National Policy on Biofuels had a target of 20 per cent blending of ethanol in petrol and 5 per cent blending of biodiesel in diesel by 2030. This was to be achieved by increasing production using second generation bio-refineries and developing new feedstock for biofuels. It allowed the production of ethanol from damaged food grains like wheat and broken rice, which are unfit for human consumption.
The new policy allowed the use of excess food grain for ethanol in a bounty crop year, so long as the surplus is endorsed by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. The approval for this is to be given by the National Biofuel Coordination Committee, chaired by the Union Minister Petroleum and Natural Gas. It includes representatives from 14 other central departments.
Ethanol blending Programme
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG) vide its notification dated 20th September, 2006 directed the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to sell 5% Ethanol Blended Petrol subject to commercial viability as
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per Bureau of Indian Standards specifications in notified 20 States and 4 UTs with effect from 1st November, 2006.
At present, this programme has been extended to whole of India except Union Territories of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands with effect from 01st April, 2019 wherein OMCs sell petrol blended with ethanol up to 10%.
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16. Project lion, project dolphin
Context:
Prime minister in his Independence Day speech had announced the launch of Project Lion and Project Dolphin
Concept:
Project dolphin
Project Dolphin will involve conservation of Dolphins and the aquatic habitat through use of modern technology especially in enumeration and anti-poaching activities. The project will engage the fishermen and other river/ ocean dependent population and will strive for improving the livelihood of the local communities. The conservation of Dolphin will also envisage activities which will also help in the mitigation of pollution in rivers and in the oceans. It will include oceanic as well as Gangetic river dolphins, which were declared a National Aquatic species in 2010. Dolphins are one of the oldest creatures in the world along with some species of turtles, crocodiles and sharks. Ganges river dolphins once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. But the species is extinct from most of its early distribution ranges. The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind. They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to “see” an image in their mind. IUCN status of Ganges river dolphin: Endangered. Project lion
Project Lion will involve conservation of the Asiatic Lion and its landscape in a holistic manner.
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The Project Lion will entail habitat development, engage modern technologies in Lion management and address the issues of disease in Lion and its associated species through advanced world-class research and veterinary care. The project will also address Human-wildlife conflict and will be inclusive involving local communities living in the vicinity of Lion landscape and will also provide livelihood opportunities. Asiatic lions were once distributed upto the state of West Bengal in east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India. At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion. The last surviving population of the Asiatic lions is a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, in Appendix I of CITES and as Endangered on IUCN Red List
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17. Industry Categories (Based on pollution)
Context:
Madras High Court rejected a plea by Vedanta-owned Sterlite Copper seeking permission to reopen its massive copper smelter in the southern port city of Thoothukudi. Concept :
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has developed the criteria of categorization of industrial sectors based on the Pollution Index. Pollution Index is a function of the emissions (air pollutants), effluents (water pollutants), hazardous wastes generated and consumption of resources. The Pollution Index PI of any industrial sector is a number from 0 to 100 and the increasing value of PI denotes the increasing degree of pollution load from the industrial sector. The following criteria on the range of Pollution Index for the purpose of categorization of industrial sectors are finalized. o Red category - Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 60 and above. These are severe polluting industries. Total 60 industries including sugar, thermal power plants, paints and others are under in it. No Red category of industries shall normally be permitted in the ecologically fragile area / protected area. o Orange category - Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 41 to 59. They moderately polluting industries. Total 83 industries like coal, washeries and automobile servicing are placed under it. o Green category - Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 21 to 40. They are significantly low polluting industries. Total 63 industries are under in it. o White category - Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score including & upto 20. They are non-polluting industries. Total 30
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industries are under in it. These industries are exempted from requirement of environmental clearance.
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18. CAMPA
Context: Aiming to maximize forest carbon stock by more tree plantation, Union Environment Minister urged the states to use CAMPA funds exclusively for afforestation and not for payment of salaries.
Concept: Whenever forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes, it is mandatory under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 that an equivalent area of non- forest land has to be taken up for compensatory afforestation. In addition to this, funds for raising the forest are also to be imposed on whomsoever is undertaking the diversion. The land chosen for afforestation, if viable, must be in close proximity of reserved or protected forest for ease of management by forest department. In 2002, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered that a Compensatory Afforestation Fund had to be created in which all the contributions towards compensatory afforestation and net present value of land had to be deposited. In April 2004, Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to overlook and manage the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) as directed by the SC. The authority was termed as the ‘custodian’ of the fund. Further in 2009, the government ordered that State CAMPAs had to be set up to boost compensatory afforestation at state level and also manage Green India Fund. Despite all these efforts, CAG report in 2013 revealed that the CAMPA funds remained unutilised. The report stated that between 2006 and 2012, CAF with ad hoc CAMPA grew from ₹ 1,200 crores to ₹ 23,607 crores.
Statutory backing Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 came into force from 2018. The Act established a National Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of India and State Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of each state.
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The payments made for compensatory afforestation, net present value and others related to the project will be deposited in the fund. The State Funds will receive 90% of the payments while National Fund will receive remaining 10%. These funds will be regulated by State and National CAMPA. The Ministry also stressed that the fund had to be used for important needs such as Compensatory Afforestation, Catchment Area Treatment, Wildlife Management, Assisted Natural Regeneration, Forest Fire Prevention and Control Operations, Soil and Moisture Conservation Works in the forest, Improvement of Wildlife Habitat, Management of Biological Diversity and Biological Resources, Research in Forestry and Monitoring of CAMPA works and others.
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19. Carbon neutrality Context: Ladakh, Leh and Kargil region will be developed and declared to be a carbon neutral region Concept: Carbon neutrality means every ton of anthropogenic CO2 emitted is compensated with an equivalent amount of CO2 removed, according to World Resources Institute. In order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, carbon neutrality by mid-21st century is essential. This target is also laid down in the Paris agreement signed by 195 countries, including the EU. Carbon sink is any system that absorbs more carbon than it emits. The main natural carbon sinks are soil, forests and oceans. To date, no artificial carbon sinks are able to remove carbon from the atmosphere on the necessary scale to fight global warming. The carbon stored in natural sinks such as forests is released into the atmosphere through forest fires, changes in land use or logging. Another way to reduce emissions and to pursue carbon neutrality is to offset emissions made in one sector by reducing them somewhere else. This can be done through investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency or other clean, low-carbon technologies.
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20. National River Conservation Plan
Context: There is inordinate delay in completion of projects to control pollution in two rivers Tapi and Sabarmathi in Gujarat, which is part of the National River Conservation Plan.
Concept: The river cleaning programme in the country initiated with the launching of the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) in 1985. The Ganga Action Plan was expanded to cover other rivers under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in the year 1995. The pollution abatement works are implemented on a cost sharing basis between the Centre and State Governments. The works include; collection, transportation and treatment of municipal sewage, River Front Development (RFD), Low Cost Sanitation (LCS), Electric Crematoria, Improved Wood Based Crematoria etc. Prevention and control of industrial pollution is being addressed by the Central and State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committee. The objective of 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.
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21. Indian Gaur
Context:
A pregnant Gaur was shot and killed by six men in Kerala’s Malappuram district earlier this month
Concept:
The gaur is a wild bovid that is native to the forests of South and Southeast Asia. It is biggest among wild cattle. It is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. The first population estimation exercise of the Indian Gaur (Bison) was carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division, Tamil Nadu. World Wide Fund for Nature India assisted the exercise and highlighted that there are estimated 2,000 Indian gaurs across the division.
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22. Ozone
Context:
The levels of ozone have increased across the Northern Hemisphere in the last 20 years, a new study by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder in the United States has showed.
Concept:
Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O3). It occurs naturally in small (trace) amounts in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere). Ozone protects life on Earth from the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) near the Earth’s surface, ozone is created by chemical reactions between air pollutants from vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and other emissions. At ground level, high concentrations of ozone are toxic to people and plants. Ninety percent of the ozone in the atmosphere sits in the stratosphere, the layer of atmosphere between about 10 and 50 kilometers altitude. The natural level of ozone in the stratosphere is a result of a balance between sunlight that creates ozone and chemical reactions that destroy it. Ozone is destroyed when it reacts with molecules containing nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. Increased levels of human-produced gases such as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) have led to increased rates of ozone destruction, upsetting the natural balance of ozone and leading to reduced stratospheric ozone levels. These reduced ozone levels have increased the amount of harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. The Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to address the global problem of ozone destruction, was signed by more than 70 countries in 1986. It set goals of reducing CFC production 20% by 1993 and 50% by 1998. Since the agreement was signed, these targets have been strengthened to
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call for the elimination of the most dangerous CFCs by 1996 and for regulation of other ozone-depleting chemicals.
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23. Pesticide ban
Context:
Punjab government has banned the usage of nine pesticides, generally used for Basmati and non Basmati crops, for 60 days
Concept:
The nine pesticide that have been banned temporarily include Acephate, Carbendazim, Thiamethoxam, Triazofos, Tricyclazole, Buprofezin, Carbofuron, Propiconazole, and Thiophanate Methyl. Farmers use these pesticides even after the grain formation stage in the rice crop. It leads to the presence of pesticides beyond the permissible maximum residue limit (MRL) on the grains after harvesting of the crop. The European Union has fixed the MRL for all these agro-chemicals at 0.01 mg per kg except for Triazophos for which the MRL is 0.02 mg. The harvesting of early varieties of Basmati and non-Basmati crops starts in late September and early October, respectively. If farmers do not stop spraying these pesticides at least 40-50 days before the harvesting, a MRL cannot be ruled out. Also, the 60-day ban has been ordered with the main focus on Basmati varieties, which is mainly grown for export. Government does not want to annoy big exporters who face rejection of the consignments by the European Union (EU), the USA, and the Middle East. The EU had earlier rejected Indian Basmati due to the presence of MRL beyond the specified limit.
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24. Miyawaki method
Context: The Maruvan project strives to rejuvenate an arid stretch of the Marwar region in Rajasthan hopes by restoring the native forests by developing patches using the Miyawaki technique of rejuvenation.
Concept: Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, that helps build dense, native forests. The approach is supposed to ensure that plant growth is 10 times faster and the resulting plantation is 30 times denser than usual. It involves planting dozens of native species in the same area, and becomes maintenance-free after the first three years.
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25. Protected Special Agriculture Zone
Context:
The Tamilnadu government has notified rules for Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Development Act which came into force on February 21. The rules are aimed at protecting the farmer interest along the Cauvery delta.
What does the rule provide for?
It provides for constituting a seven member technical committee that would assist the authority to recommend to the government whether to omit or include industries under the Second Schedule provided in the Act within the Zone. The committee would be headed by the Agriculture Production Commissioner and the Secretary to the Government in the Agriculture Department would be ex-officio chairperson.
Background:
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed the Protected Agricultural Zone Development Bill, 2020 in February. The new Act declared the Cauvery delta region a Protected Special Agriculture Zone (PSAZ). It proposed to protect agriculture and prohibit Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Regions (PCPIRs) and hydrocarbon projects in the delta region
Which regions are included in PSAZ?
The proposed PSAZ comprises Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts and some blocks in Cuddalore and Pudukkottai districts.
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It, however, excluded Tiruchirappalli, Ariyalur and Karur districts and other parts of Cuddalore and Pudukottai, though they also fall in the delta zone.
Farmers in these parts cultivate rice as their primary crop and pulses such as blackgram and greengram as their secondary crop. They also cultivate seasonal vegetables and fruits.
Need for legislation?
In August 2018, the Central government approved unconventional hydrocarbons policy that permitted exploration and exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons such as shale oil/gas, coal bed methane (CBM), etc.
This was a major concern in the Cauvery delta, a sight for gas exploration activities since 1985 that has adversely affecting farming and livelihood. Several farmer associations condemned the Union government order and staged protests.
What it intends to achieve?
It establishes an authority to filter projects that can be permitted in agricultural lands. A report by the UN claims industrial development would eat into 3.3 million hectares of prime agricultural land by 2030 across the world. In India, a TERI study says India lost 2.5 per cent of its GDP in the year 2014-15 to land degradation. With climate change and development taking a toll on agriculture, policy decisions like PAZ become inevitable.
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26. Endangered species
Context:
Four persons, including two from Pune, were arrested for allegedly trying to sell a pangolin in Satara district
Concept:
Pangolin, also known as scaly anteater, is an insectivorous mammal that has hard scales of keratin on its body. Two of the eight subspecies of the animal are found in India. The animal has been given a protected status, as per the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act in the country. Indian Pangolin is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East. The species is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Chinese Pangolin is found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China. IUCN Red List 1) Indian Pangolin: Endangered 2) Chinese Pangolin: Critically Endangered
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Government Scheme 1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
Context:
A survey conducted in Delhi has found that PM-KISAN is not reaching all farmer households as intended
Concept:
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PIV-KISAN) is a new Central Sector Scheme to provide income support to all landholding farmers' families in the country to supplement their financial needs for procuring various inputs related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs. Under the Scheme, the entire financial liability towards transfer of benefit to targeted beneficiaries will be borne by Government of India. ln the beginning when the PM-Kisan Scheme was launched on February, 2019, its benefits were admissible only to Small & Marginal Farmers' families, with combined landholding upto 2 hectare. The Scheme was later on revised on 1 .6.2019 and extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings Under the PM-KISAN scheme, all landholding farmers' families shall be provided the financial benefit of Rs.6000 per annum per family payable in three equal installments of Rs.2000 each, every four months. State Government and UT administration will identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines There are various Exclusion Categories for the scheme like institutional land holders.
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2. Eductional reforms
Context:
Systemic reform in education sector has gained ground in recent years through initiatives such as the NITI Aayog’s School Education Quality Index (SEQI), the Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital in Education (SATH-E) and even the Aspirational Districts programme
Concept:
School Education Quality Index (SEQI)
The School Education Quality Index (SEQI) was developed by NITI Aayog to evaluate the performance of States and Union Territories (UTs) in the school education sector. The index aims to bring an outcomes focus to education policy by providing States and UTs with a platform to identify their strengths and weaknesses and undertake requisite course corrections or policy interventions.
Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital in Education (SATH-E)
‘SATH’ the programme for Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital (SATH) focuses on two main sectors — Education and Health and to build three ‘Role Model’ States. SATH programme will be implemented by NITI Aayog along with global consultancy McKinsey & Company and IPE Global consortium in the three selected States after the signing of MoUs.
Aspirational Districts programme
Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ programme which was launched in January 2018 aims to quickly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts of the country. The broad contours of the programme are Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers &
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District Collectors), and Competition among districts driven by a Mass Movement. With States as the main drivers, this program will focus on the strength of each district, identify low-hanging fruits for immediate improvement, measure progress, and rank districts. The Government is committed to raising the living standards of its citizens and ensuring inclusive growth for all – SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas. To enable optimum utilization of their potential, this program focuses closely on improving people’s ability to participate fully in the burgeoning economy. Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development, and Basic Infrastructure are this programme’s core areas of focus. After several rounds of consultations with various stakeholders, 49 key performance indicators have been chosen to measure progress of the districts. Districts are prodded and encouraged to first catch-up with the best district within their state, and subsequently aspire to become one of the best in the country, by competing with, and learning from others in the spirit of competitive & cooperative federalism
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3. Bharat Air Fibre Services
Context:
Union Minister of State for Communication has inaugurated “Bharat Air Fibre Services” at Akola in Maharashtra.
Concept:
The Bharat Air Fiber services are introduced by BSNL as part of digital India initiates by the Government of India and it aims of providing Wireless Connectivity in the range of 20 KMs from the BSNL Locations and thus customers at remote places also will be benefitted as BSNL comes with cheapest services with support of Telecom Infrastructure Partners (TIPs). BSNL is providing the “Bharat Air Fibre Services” through local business partners of BSNL and these services will give fastest internet connectivity in quick time. These services are special and different from other operators as BSNL is providing unlimited free voice calling. When BSNL will be increasing its customer base with this high Technology services, at the same time BSNL is giving a great opportunity to local residents to join hands with BSNL as Telecom Infrastructure Partners. They will earn regular monthly income of about one lakh per month thereby becoming self-reliable under “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” initiatives of Govt of India.
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4. Industrial Development and Regulation Act, 1951
Context:
Industrial disasters shed light on Industrial Development and Regulation Act, 1951.
Concept:
It was passed by the Parliament on October 1951 to control and regulate the process of Industrial development in the country. The objectives of the Act were: o Regulation of Industrial Investment and Production according to Five Year Plans. o Protection of small-scale enterprises from giant enterprises. o Prevention of Monopolies and concentration of ownership of industries in few hands. o Balanced Growth and Equitable development of all the regions. Major Provisions of the Act o Restrictive Provisions: It contains all measure provision to curb unfair trade practices. o Registration: The provisions make registration of industries mandatory irrespective of whether they are private or public in nature. The expansion of the existing business also required licencing and permission. o Examination and Monitoring of the Industries: After granting of license, it is the responsibility of the state to monitor the performance of the industries. If at any point in time, the industrial unit was found not up to the mark, underutilising its resources or charging excessive prices, the government could set up an enquiry against the unit. o Cancellation of the Licence: The government has the power to cancel the licence granted to the industrial unit if found, engaging in wrongful behaviour.
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5. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
Context:
In addition to 112 startups already funded, 234 startups in the agriculture and allied sectors will be funded under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
Concept:
Concerned by the slow growth in the Agriculture and allied sectors, the National Development Council (NDC), in its meeting held on 29th May, 2007 resolved that a special Additional Central Assistance Scheme (RKVY) be launched. The NDC resolved that agricultural development strategies must be reoriented to meet the needs of farmers and called upon the Central and State governments to evolve a strategy to rejuvenate agriculture. The NDC reaffirmed its commitment to achieve 4 per cent annual growth in the agricultural sector during the 11th plan. The Department of Agriculture, in compliance of the above resolution and in consultation with the Planning Commission, has prepared the guidelines for the RKVY scheme, to be known as National Agriculture Development Programme (RKVY). In order to contribute directly and indirectly to enhancing the income of farmers by providing opportunites to them and to provide employment to youth, start-ups are being encouraged. A component, Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme has been launched under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in order to promote innovation and agripreneurship by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem. These start-ups are in various categories such as agro-processing, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, farm mechanisation, waste to wealth, dairy, fisheries etc.
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6. Kisan rail
Context:
India's first 'Kisan Rail' will run between Maharashtra and Bihar
Concept:
The announcement regarding the "Kisan Rail" was made in the current year's Budget Setting up of a 'Kisan Rail' through the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode for a cold supply chain to transport perishable goods. This train will help in bringing perishable agricultural products like vegetables, fruits to the market in a short period of time. The train with frozen containers is expected to build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of fish, meat and milk. This train is a step towards realizing the goal of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022
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7. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
Context:
Prime Minister has launched a new financing scheme under the ₹1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
Concept:
Government has launched Central Sector Scheme of financing facility under “Agriculture Infrastructure Fund” of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore. The Fund will catalyze the creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets such as cold storage, collection centers, processing units, etc. These assets will enable farmers to get greater value for their produce, as they will be able to store and sell at higher prices, reduce wastage, and increase processing and value addition. The beneficiaries of the scheme will include farmers, PACS, Marketing Cooperative Societies, FPOs, SHGs, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Startups, and Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership Projects.
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8. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
Context:
The nationwide lockdown had a significant negative impact on inpatient care utilisation under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), where claim volumes fell by over 50%, with wide variation across the States and procedure types.
Concept:
The second component under Ayushman Bharat is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the largest health assurance scheme in the world which aims at providing a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crores poor and vulnerable families . The households included are based on the deprivation criteria of Socio- Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural areas and occupational criteria of SECC in urban areas. PM-JAY was earlier known as the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) before being rechristened. It subsumed the then existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) which had been launched in 2008. PM-JAY is fully funded by the Government and cost of implementation is shared between the Central and State Governments. It covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days post- hospitalization expenses such as diagnostics and medicines. There is no restriction on the family size, age or gender. Benefits of the scheme are portable across the country i.e. a beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or private hospital in India to avail cashless treatment. Public hospitals are reimbursed for the healthcare services at par with the private hospitals.
Socio economic caste census
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SECC-2011 is the study of socio economic status of rural and urban households. The Ministry of Rural Development Government of India, commenced the Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011, in June 2011 through a comprehensive door to door enumeration across the country. SECC 2011 has three census components which were conducted by three separate authorities but under the overall coordination of Department of Rural Development in the Government of India. o Census in Rural Area has been conducted by the Department of Rural Development (DoRD). o Census in Urban areas is under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA). o Caste Census is under the administrative control of Ministry of Home Affairs: Registrar General of India (RGI) and Census Commissioner of India. The SECC, 2011 has the following three objective: a) To enable households to be ranked based on their socioeconomic status. State Governments can then prepare a list of families living below the poverty line. b) To make available authentic information that will enable caste-wise population enumeration of the country. c) To make available authentic information regarding the socioeconomic condition, and education status of various castes and sections of the population.
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9. Krishi Megh
Context:
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare virtually launched the Krishi Megh (National Agricultural Research & Education System -Cloud Infrastructure and Services).
Concept:
Krishi Megh is a new chapter in digital India enabling the farmers, researchers, students and policy makers more equipped with updated and latest information regarding agriculture, research, education and extension in digital form generated by ICAR institutes and State Agriculture Universities Krishi Megh is to protect the precious data of the government's premier research body ICAR. The data recovery centre has been set up at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad. ICAR-Krishi Megh at NAARM Hyderabad is synchronized with ICAR-Data Center at ICAR-IASRI, New Delhi has been built to mitigate the risk, enhance the quality, availability and accessibility of e-governance, research, extension and education in the field of agriculture in India. This new Centre has latest AI/Deep learning software/tools kits for building and deploying of deep learning based applications such as disease and pest identification using image analysis, detection of maturity and ripening of fruits through image analysis, disease identification in livestock etc.
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10. Student Entrepreneurship Programme
Context:
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, in collaboration with Dell Technologies launched Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2.0 (SEP 2.0) for young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs).
Concept:
SEP 2.0 will allow student innovators to work closely with Dell volunteers. They will receive mentor support; prototyping and testing support; end- user feedback; intellectual property registration and patenting of ideas, processes, and products; manufacturing support; as well as the launch support of the product in the market. It encourages young aspiring school students, as well as creates a value- adding recognition platform for innovative talent across the country. SEP 1.0 began in January 2019. Through a 10-month-long rigorous programme, the top 6 teams of ATL Marathon—a nationwide contest where students identify community challenges and create grassroots innovations and solutions within their ATLs—got a chance to transform their innovative prototypes into fully functioning products, which are available in the market.
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11. Nashamukt Bharat Campaign
Context:
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment has addressed a gathering of 272 district collectors, 32 state secretaries besides NGOs who are involved with 'Nashamukt Bharat Campaign' through webcast of NIC.
Concept:
Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan for 2020-21 would focus on 272 most affected districts and launch a three-pronged attack combining efforts of Narcotics Bureau, Outreach/Awareness by Social Justice and Treatment through the Health Department. The Action Plan has the following components: o Awareness generation programmes; o Focus on Higher Educational institutions, University Campuses and Schools; o Community outreach and identification of dependent population; o Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings; and Capacity Building Programmes for Service Provider.
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12. Smart Meters and Energy efficiency Services Limited
Context:
Energy Efficiency Services Limited sets stricter protocols to prevent incidents in future where smart meter shutdowns happened due to sabotage
Concept:
India is on a path of transforming its energy mix with innovation. Along with enhancing energy production, the nation also needs to cut Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses to below 12 percent by 2022, and below 10 percent by 2027. Enabling India to achieve this imperative is the smart grid, the first step of which is the creation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure. A new range of ‘smart meters’ can bring efficiency to how India manages its electricity, by checking data-entry errors and billing efficiencies and cutting the costs of manual meter reading through web-based monitoring system. With its pioneering role in India’s energy efficiency journey, EESL’s Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP) is working to eventually replace 25 crore conventional meters with smart meters across India. About EESL
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of Ministry of Power, Government of India, is working towards mainstreaming energy efficiency and is implementing the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio in the country. Driven by the mission of Enabling More – more transparency, more transformation, and more innovation, EESL aims to create market access for efficient and future-ready transformative solutions that create a win- win situation for every stakeholder.
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13. Fit India movement
Context:
Sports Minister has virtually launched the Fit India Freedom Run, a country-wide event that promises to become a fitness phenomenon (between August 15 and October 2)
Concept:
The Fit India Movement is a movement to take the nation on a path of fitness and wellness. It provides a unique and exciting opportunity to work towards a healthier India. As part of the movement, individuals and organisations can undertake various efforts for their own health and well-being as well as for the health and well-being of fellow Indians.
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14. SWASTHYA portal
Context:
Union Tribal Affairs Minister has e-launched “Swasthya” portal
Concept:
‘Swasthya’ is the first of its kind comprehensive platform for health and nutrition related information of the tribal population of India. It has a dashboard, knowledge repository, partner segment, Sickle Cell Diseases (SCD) support corner. The dashboard presents data curated from multiple sources for the 177 identified high priority tribal districts. In addition, the Portal also has research studies, innovations and best practices on tribal community curated from multiple sources related to tribal health and nutrition. It is hoped that this Portal will bridge the existing knowledge, drive evidence-based policy making and catalyze a series of actions which will ultimately lead to overall improvements in the health and nutrition status of the tribal population in India. The Portal will be managed by the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Knowledge Management in Health and Nutrition, established by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute.
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15. Digital Health Mission
Context:
National Digital Health Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020 while addressing the nation from the Red Fort to mark the occasion of India's 74th Independence Day.
Concept:
Under National Digital Health Mission, every Indian will get a Health ID card that will store all medical details of the person including prescriptions, treatment, diagnostic reports and discharge summaries. The citizens will be able to give their doctors and health providers one- time access to this data during visits to the hospital for consultation However, access to the confidential medical data will have to be given separately for each visit due to fears over data confidentiality. The National Digital Health Mission will allow patients to access health services remotely through tele-consultation and e-pharmacies, as well as offer other health-related benefits It comes under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and implemented by National Health Authority. The National Health Policy 2017 had envisaged creation of a digital health technology eco-system aiming at developing an integrated health information system that serves the needs of all stakeholders and improves efficiency, transparency and citizens’ experience with linkage across public and private healthcare. In the context of this, central government’s think-tank Niti Aayog, in June 2018, floated a consultation of a digital backbone for India’s health system — National Health Stack.
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16. Jan Aushadi Kendras
Context More than 5 crore Sanitary Napkins distributed from Jan Aushadhi Kendras to underprivileged women at the minimum price of Rs.1 each Concept:
It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementing agency of PMBJP. BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs
What is a generic medicine?
There is no definition of generic or branded medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 made thereunder. However, generic medicines are generally those which contain same amount of same active ingredient(s) in same dosage form and are intended to be administered by the same route of administration as that of branded medicine.
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Optical fibre connectivity Context:
Each village to be connected with optical fibre cable (OFC) connectivity in next 1000 days. It is also announced that in the next 1000 days, Lakshadweep will be connected with submarine optical fibre cable
Concept:
Optical fibre is the technology associated with data transmission using light pulses travelling along with a long fibre which is usually made of plastic or glass. Optical fibres are also unaffected by electromagnetic interference. The fibre optical cable uses the application of total internal reflection of light. The fibres are designed such that they facilitate the propagation of light along with the optical fibre depending on the requirement of power and distance of transmission. Single-mode fibre is used for long-distance transmission, while multimode fibre is used for shorter distances. The outer cladding of these fibres needs better protection than metal wires.
Submarine Optical Fibre Cable:
It is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea. The optical fibre elements are typically individually coated with plastic layers and contained in a protective tube suitable for the environment where the cable will be deployed.
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17. NCC
Context:
In Independence Day speech, Prime Minister spoke about the expansion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in coastal and border districts of India.
Concept:
The NCC, which was formed in 1948, has its roots to British era uniformed youth entities like University Corps or University Officer Training Corps. Currently the NCC has strength of around 14 lakh cadets from Army, Navy and Air Force wings. It enrolls cadets at high school and college level and also awards certificates on completion of various phases. Headed by a Director General of three-star military rank, the NCC falls under the purview of Ministry of Defence and is led by serving officers from the Armed forces at various hierarchical positions. The NCC currently has 17 regional directorates which govern the NCC in units in various states or groups of states and union territories. The NCC cadets receive basic military training at various levels and also have academic curriculum basics related to Armed forces and their functioning. Various training camps, adventure activities and military training camps are an important aspect of NCC training. NCC cadets have played an important role over the years in relief efforts during various emergency situations.
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18. Jal Jeevan Mission
Context
Under the Centre's flagship, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) more than a lakh rural households are being provided with fresh water taps each day since the beginning of the unlock period starting on 1 June.
Concept:
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. It comes under Ministry of Jal Shakti. JJM focuses on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level. Creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse, would be undertaken in convergence with other government programmes/schemes. The Mission is based on a community approach to water and includes extensive Information, Education and Communication as a key component of the mission. JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. Funding Pattern: The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories. For the implementation of JJM, following institutional arrangement has been proposed: o National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) at the Central level o State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) at the State level o District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) at the District level o Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC) at Village level
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19. Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan
Context:
Indian Railways said that it has generated more than 5.5 lakhs mandays of work under Gareeb Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan in 6 States
Concept:
The livelihood opportunities will come up in 116 districts spread over six states namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha who have received substantial numbers of migrants through the Common Service Centres and Krishi Vigyan Kendras This campaign of 125 days, which will work in mission mode, will involve intensified and focused implementation of 25 different types of works to provide employment to the migrant workers on one hand and create infrastructure in the rural regions of the country on the other hand, with a resource envelope of Rs. 50,000 crore. The Abhiyaan will be a coordinated effort between 12 different Ministries/Departments, namely, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Road Transport & Highways, Mines, Drinking Water & Sanitation, Environment, Railways, Petroleum & Natural Gas, New & Renewable Energy, Border Roads, Telecom and Agriculture.
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20. Nagar van scheme
Context:
Government is focusing on enhancing forest quality and increasing tree cover in the country for maximizing carbon stock. One such is by Nagar van scheme
Concept:
The Nagar Van Scheme was announced on World Environment Day 2020 for creation of 200 Nagar Van, on forest land by adopting a collaborative approach, involving various agencies like forest and other departments, NGOs, Corporate Bodies, Industries etc. The primary objective is to create forested area in cities with Municipal Corporation, which will act as lungs of the cities.
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21. NDRF Vs PM-CARES
Context:
Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) demanding the transfer of funds from PM CARES Fund to the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
Concept:
NDRF
The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), constituted under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, supplements SDRF of a State, in case of a disaster of severe nature, provided adequate funds are not available in SDRF. It is a fund managed by the Central Government for meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster. NDRF amount can be spent only towards meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation. It is financed through the levy of a cess on certain items, chargeable to excise and customs duty, and approved annually through the Finance Bill. The requirement for funds beyond what is available under the NDRF is met through general budgetary resources. A provision also exists in the DM Act to encourage any person or institution to make a contribution to the NDRF. It is kept under “Public Accounts” of Government of India. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audits the accounts of NDRF. Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) monitors relief activities for calamities associated with drought, hailstorms, pest attacks and cold wave /frost while rest of the natural calamities are monitored by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
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PM-CARES
Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, or the PM CARES Fund, was set up to tackle distress situations such as that posed by the COVID19 pandemic. The fund receives voluntary contributions from individuals and organisations and does not get any budgetary support. Donations have been made tax exempt, and can be counted against a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations. It is also exempt from the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and accepts foreign contributions, although the Centre has previously refused foreign aid to deal with disasters such as the Kerala floods. The Prime Minister chairs the fund in his official capacity, and can nominate three eminent persons in relevant fields to the Board of Trustees. The Ministers of Defense, Home Affairs and Finance are ex officio Trustees of the Fund.
Concerns
It is not clear whether the fund comes under the ambit of the RTI Act or oversight by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, although independent auditors will audit the fund The PM CARES web page is opaque regarding the amount of money collected, names of donors, expenditure of the fund so far, or names of beneficiaries. The PMNRF provides annual donation and expenditure information without any detailed breakup. The PM CARES Fund’s trust deed is not available for public scrutiny. The decision to allow uncapped corporate donations to the fund to count as CSR expenditure, a facility not provided to PMNRF or the CM’s Relief Funds goes against previous guidelines stating that CSR should not be used to fund government schemes. A government panel had previously advised against allowing CSR contributions to the PMNRF on the grounds that the double benefit of tax exemption would be a “regressive incentive”
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22. Swachh Survekshan 2020
Context: The results of the fifth edition of the nationwide annual cleanliness survey, ‘Swachh Survekshan 2020,’ are out and Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has yet again made it as India’s cleanest city.
Concept: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)has announced the results of Swachh Survekshan 2020 The Swachh Survekshan ranks cites across the country in the categories of cleanliness and sanitation on four parameters — direct observations, citizen feedback, service-level progress and certification with 1,500 marks allotted for each category. It was launched as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which aimed to make India clean and free of open defecation by 2 October 2019. The first survey was undertaken in 2016 and covered 73 cities; by 2019 the survey had grown to cover 4237 cities and was said to be the largest cleanliness survey in the world. The surveys are carried out by the Quality Council of India.
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23. Prime Minister Employment Generation Program Context: Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) has contributed to a substantial increase in job opportunities since April 2020
Concept: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), which is a major credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self- employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth. The scheme is being implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), State Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) and District Industries centres (DIC). Under the scheme, loan is being provided by all Public Sector Banks, selected Private Sector Banks and Co-operative Banks with margin money subsidy being given by Ministry of MSME through KVIC.
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24. Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana
Context: Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana has been extended by one more year to June 30, 2021 and Centre announced that workers can directly claim 50 per cent of the average wage as against 25 per cent earlier, payable up to 90 days of joblessness
Concept: The ESI Corporation has launched a scheme named ‘Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana’ (ABVKY) It aims to financially support those who lost their jobs or rendered jobless for whatsoever reasons due to changing employment pattern. Its beneficiaries will be insured persons covered under Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 for period of two years continuously. It provides relief to the extent of 25% of the average per day earning during the previous four contribution periods to be paid up to maximum 90 days of unemployment once in lifetime of the IP on submission of claim in form of an Affidavit. The Scheme has been made effective from July 2018.
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25. ASEEM portal
Context:
A jobs portal launched on July 11 has seen registration of over 69 lakh individuals in just 40 days. But the number of individuals who got jobs is just a fraction of those who registered.
Concept:
It will help skilled people find sustainable livelihood opportunities. Apart from recruiting a skilled workforce that spurs business competitiveness and economic growth, the Artificial Intelligence-based platform has been envisioned to strengthen their career pathways by handholding them through their journeys to attain industry-relevant skills and explore emerging job opportunities especially in the post COVID era. Besides identifying major skills gap in the sectors and providing review of global best practices, ASEEM will provide employers a platform to assess the availability of skilled workforce and formulate their hiring plans. Atamanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM) refers to all the data, trends and analytics which describe the workforce market and map demand of skilled workforce to supply. It will provide real-time granular information by identifying relevant skilling requirements and employment prospects.
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26. National food security act 2013
Context:
The Centre has written to State Governments and UTs to include all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act, NFSA 2013.
Concept:
The National Food Security Act (NFSA) is responsible for the provision of subsidized food grains to the population. The enactment of the NFSA marks a watershed in the approach to food security from welfare to a rights-based approach. The Act legally entitled up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). About two-thirds of the population, therefore, is covered under the Act to receive highly subsidized food grains The food grains would be provided at highly subsidized prices under the Public Distribution System. The Act ensures nutritional support to women and children. Pregnant and lactating women would be entitled to nutritious meals, free of charge under the MDM and ICDS schemes. Children in the age group of 6-14 years would also be entitled to free nutritious meals under the MDM and ICDS schemes. Maternity benefit of not less than Rs.6000 is also provided to pregnant women and lactating mothers. The Act also empowers women by identifying the eldest woman of the household as the head of the household for the purpose of issuing ration cards. The Central Government will be aiding the States to meet the expenditure incurred by them on transportation of foodgrains within the State and will also handle the Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers’ margins according to the norms.
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27. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Context: Indian government is temporarily allowing investment towards efforts to find effective medicines and vaccines against Covid-19 to be considered as fulfilment of a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations.
Concept: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable—to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. India is one of the first countries in the world to make CSR mandatory for companies following an amendment to the Companies Act, 2013 (Companies Act) in 2014. Section 135(1) of the Act prescribes thresholds to identify companies which are required to constitute a CSR Committee : At present, companies with a net profit of Rs 5 crore or a net worth of Rs 500 crore or a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore have to spend 2% of their average net profits of the last three years as CSR. (Schedule VII) These CSR funds can be used for a wide range of activities, including helping alleviate poverty and hunger, promoting skill development and education and disaster relief.
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28. Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) First Amendment Regulations 2020
Context:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified new regulations that will make mandatory the display of the calorie count of food products on menu cards for restaurant chains and online food aggregators by 2022
Concept:
Food service establishments (restaurants) having central licences or outlets at 10 or more locations will need to display the “calorific value in kcal per serving and serving size” of food items on menu cards, booklets or boards. Even e-commerce food business operators will need to get their restaurant partners to display calorie information of food products on their digital platforms Consultation with industry stakeholders on the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) First Amendment Regulations 2020 were on for the past two years. FSSAI believe this will empower consumers in making the right food choices. Compliance with these regulations before January 1, 2022, will be voluntary.
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29. National Digital Health Mission
Context:
The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) has been launched at a time when the country is reeling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concept:
National digital health mission is holistic, voluntary healthcare programme which will integrate doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, insurance companies and make a digital health infrastructure. The health ID card is created with details like Aadhar and mobile number and generates unique ID for each individual. The national digital health mission includes health ID, digi doctor, telemedicine, e-Pharmacy , healthcare registry and personal health records digitally stored.
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Current Affairs 1. Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission Context:
West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission issued seven separate advisories regarding charges for diagnosis and treatment.
Concept:
The Clinical Establishments Act provides for registration and regulation of clinical establishments in the country with a view to prescribe basic minimum standards of facilities and services of particular type being provided by the clinical establishment. The Act is applicable to all types (both therapeutic and dignostic types) of Clinical Establishments from the public and private sectors, belonging to all recognized systems of medicine, including single doctor clinics. The only exception is Clinical Establishments run by the Armed forces. The Act has taken effect in the four States namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, and all Union Territories except the NCT of Delhi The States of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and Haryana have adopted the Act under clause (1) of article 252 of the Constitution.
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2. TRIFED
Context: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) under Ministry of Tribal Affairs reiterated its commitment towards the transformation of tribal lives on the occasion of its 33rd Foundation Day on August 6, 2020
Concept: The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987. It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India. The ultimate objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals depends heavily as they spend most of their time and derive major portion of their income. It empowers tribal people with knowledge, tools and pool of information so that they can undertake their operations in a more systematic and scientific manner. It involves capacity building of the tribal people through sensitization, formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and imparting training to them for undertaking a particular activity, exploring marketing possibilities in national as well as international markets, creating opportunities for marketing tribal products on a sustainable basis, creating a brand and providing other services. Ministry of Tribal Affairs shall announce Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the selected MFPs with the technical support from TRIFED.
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3. DGCA
Context: Aircraft shot past runway in rainy conditions and fell into a gorge and DGCA issued notice to Kozhikode airport over safety lapses
Concept: Directorate General of Civil Aviation is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the regulatory body in the field of Civil Aviation primarily dealing with safety issues. It is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards. It also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with International Civil Aviation Organisation. Gorge A deep and narrow ‘ V’ shaped valley is also referred to as gorge and may result due to down cutting erosion or because of the recession of a waterfall (the position of the waterfall receding due to erosive action).
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4. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
Context: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are now a familiar sight at most of the natural calamities or man-made disasters in India.
Concept: The Disaster Management Act has statutory provisions for constitution of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the purpose of specialized response to natural and man-made disasters. The practice of “proactive availability” of this Force to the States and that of “prepositioning”, in a threatening disaster situations have immensely helped minimise damage, caused due to natural calamities in the country. Besides the professionalism shown during rescue operations in floods and cyclones and collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) operations, NDRF has also acquired considerable expertise in facing CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological& Nuclear) challenges. It is unique force across the country functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, within the overall command, control and leadership of the Director General, NDRF.
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5. Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) Context:
Ten containers of ammonium nitrate were moved by Customs officials from the Manali Sattva Container Freight Station to a Hyderabad-based buyer. The transfer was done with 12-point instructions by the Chennai police and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) officials.
Concept:
With an overall objective of ensuring safety and security of public and property from fire and explosion, the Organisation as a statutory authority is entrusted with the administration of Explosives Act, 1884, Petroleum Act, 1934; Inflammable Substances Act, 1952. It administers the usage of explosives & petrol stations in India. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) formerly Department of Explosives, with its Head Office at Nagpur had completed its hundred years on 9th September 1998. This Organization comes under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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6. Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Context:
Government had recently upped the deposits insured by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) from ₹1 lakh (fixed in 1993 when the insurance scheme was started) to ₹5 lakh following the PMC Bank fiasco of 2019
Concept:
Deposit insurance is a protection cover for deposit holders in a bank when the bank fails and does not have money to pay its depositors. This insurance is provided by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the RBI. DICGC insures all bank deposits, such as savings, fixed, current and recurring deposit for up to the limit of Rs 5 lakh per bank. DICGC covers depositors of all commercial banks and foreign banks operating in India, state, central and urban co-operative banks, local area banks and regional rural banks provided the bank has bought the cover from DICGC. The DICGC does not include the following types of deposits: o Deposits of foreign governments. o Deposits of central/state governments. o Inter-bank deposits. o Deposits of the state land development banks with the state co- operative bank. o Any amount due on account of any deposit received outside India. o Any amount specifically exempted by the DICGC with previous approval of RBI.
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7. National Building Code of India Context:
Tragedies like Ahmedabad hospital fire keep occurring regularly in India
Concept:
National Building Code of India covers the detailed guidelines for construction, maintenance and fire safety of the structures. National Building Code of India is published by Bureau of Indian Standards and it is recommendatory document. Guidelines were issued to the States to incorporate the recommendations of National Building Code into their local building bylaws making the recommendations of National Building Code of India as mandatory requirement.
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8. National Health Authority Context:
Building on the Ayushman Bharat platform, the Centre is looking to further expand health insurance to cover the “missing middle”.
Concept:
National Health Authority (NHA) is the apex body responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance/assurance scheme called Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Functions of NHA o Determine the central ceiling for premium (or maximum central contribution for trusts) per family per year to be provided to the States/UTs and review it from time to time, based on field evidence and actuarial analysis. o Develop and enforce compliance with standards for treatment protocols, quality protocols, minimum documentation protocols, data sharing protocols, data privacy and security protocols, fraud prevention and control including penal provisions etc. o Develop mechanisms for strategic purchasing of health care services through PM-JAY, so as to get best return on Government’s investment. Create conducive conditions for strategic purchasing by preparing a list of packages and their rates and updating them from time to time using a transparent, predictable and evidence-based process. o Build a state of the art health information technology ecosystem with requisite foundational components on which PM-JAY and other health systems can be hosted/linked; Information Technology standards will be developed in consultation with Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY). o Coordination with various State Governments on regular basis for implementation of PM-JAY. o Capacity building of State Health Agencies and other stakeholders continuously. o Carrying out awareness activities for informing beneficiaries and other stakeholders about the scheme.
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o Prevention, detection and control of fraudulent activities and abuse. o Grievance redressal for all the stakeholders at various levels. o Set up an efficient monitoring system for the scheme. o Stimulate cross learning, sharing of best practices amongst States and documentation of these practices. o Ensure interoperability, standardization and convergence amongst schemes of Central Ministries. o Generate evidence for the policy makers from schemes’ data and other research/evaluations so as to facilitate evidence-based decision making and policy formulation by the Government.
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9. Telecommunication Engineering Centre Context:
India has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) its intention to make it mandatory for telecom products sold, imported or used in the country to be tested and certified by the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications
Concept:
Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) is a technical body representing the interest of Department of Telecom (DoT), Ministry of Communications and IT, Government of India. TEC deal with visualization and strategic positioning of future telecom sector in India, technological forecasting, assessment, and specification of next generation network elements Standardization activities of TEC: o Prepare specification of common standards with regard to Telecom network equipment, services and interoperability. Published specifications of TEC are of three types namely Generic Requirements (GRs), Interface Requirements (IRs) and Service Requirements (SR). o Providing technical support to DoT and technical advice to TRAI & TDSAT and interact with multilateral agencies like APT, ETSI and ITU etc. for standardisation.
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10. Ayush for immunity campaign Context:
The Ministry of AYUSH launched a three-month campaign on “Ayush for Immunity”
Concept:
A three-month campaign aimed at increasing awareness about affordable and easy practices that can be adopted for enhancing immunity and preventing any disease. It focused on need to enhance immunity and the requirement of lifestyle change in the current scenario. It presented a larger vision of the potential life-enhancing influence of Ayurvedic and other Ayush practices. There is need for behavioural change in people towards immunity- enhancing steps and highlighted the evidence which has established the positive role of traditional medicines and practices in enhancing immunity. AYUSH Ministry was created in 2014 for focused attention for development of Education and Research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy
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11. ARIIA 2020 Context:
Atal Rankings of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2020 will be announced
Concept:
ARIIA is an initiative of Ministry of HRD, implemented by AICTE and Ministry’s Innovation Cell, Government of India to systematically rank higher education institutions and universities in India on indicators related to Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurship Development amongst students and faculty. AICTE, highlighted that the world is observing a noteworthy improvement in performance of India in Global Innovation Index ranking. In last 5 years, India has risen 29 spots in Global Innovation Index from 81 in 2014 to 52 in 2019. ARIIA focuses on quality and quantity of innovations coming out of the education institutes and measures the real impact created by these innovations nationally and internationally. ARIIA will set tone and direction for institutions for future development and making them globally competitive and in forefront of innovation.
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12. National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020 Context:
National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020 has been released by the Indian Council of Medical Research
Concept:
It estimates there will be 13.9 lakh cases of cancer in India in 2020, and that this number is likely to rise to 15.7 lakh by 2025. According to the data, tobacco-related cancers will account for 27.1 per cent of India’s cancer burden in 2020, followed by gastrointestinal cancer (19.7 per cent) and cancer of the cervix uteri (5.4 per cent). The NCRP was set up by the ICMR in 1982 to “create evidence on the burden, pattern and distribution of cancer”, for survival and management of the disease. Cancers of the lung, mouth, stomach and oesophagus were the most common among men, while cancers of breast and cervix uteri were the most common among women, finds the report. It also says incidence of breast cancer is on the rise while cervical cancer is on the decline.
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13. National Recruitment Agency
Context: Union Cabinet has decided to set up a National Recruitment Agency (NRA).
Concept: The proposed NRA will conduct a common preliminary examination for various recruitments in the central government. As of now, aspirants have to take different exams that are conducted by various agencies for central government jobs. Initially, NRA will organize a CET to screen/shortlist candidates for the Group B and C (non -technical) posts, which are now being conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railways Recruitment Board (SSC) and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). Later on, more exams may be brought under it. The agency will have representatives from SSC, IBPS and RRB. The test will be conducted for three levels: graduate, higher secondary (12th pass) and the matriculate (10th pass) candidates. However, the present recruitment agencies– IBPS, RRB and SCC will remain in place. Based on the screening done at the CET score level, final selection for recruitment shall be made through separate specialized Tiers (II, III, etc.) of examination which shall be conducted by the respective recruitment agencies. The curriculum for CET would be common. The CET score of a candidate shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of declaration of the result.
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14. Central Water Commission
Context: Central Water Commission issues flood warning in Krishna basin in Karnataka
Concept: Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of India in the field of Water Resources It is functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India. The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering in consultation of the State Governments concerned, schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development. It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required. CWC is headed by a Chairman, with the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India.
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15. National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19
Context: The Ministry of External Affairs has said it will provide inputs and support to the recently set up National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 to help Indian companies that are interested in any candidate vaccines developed worldwide get connected.
Concept: Government has set up an National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19. The purpose of the group is to keep India in the forefront of any ongoing effort worldwide to innovate, prepare, produce and launch candidate vaccines to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, for India and for the world
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16. Harit path app Context:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has developed a mobile App called ‘Harit Path'
Concept:
It is mobile app to monitor the plantations through geo-tagging and web- based GIS enabled monitoring tools. The app has been developed to monitor location, growth, species details, maintenance activities, targets and achievements of each of its field units for each and every plant under all plantation projects. To commemorate 25 years of its service to the nation, the National Highways Authority of India has also recently undertaken 'Harit Bharat Sankalp', a nation-wide plantation drive which is in line with NHAI’s commitment to promote environment protection and sustainability. Under this initiative, the NHAI planted over 25 lakh plants in 25 days along the stretches of the national highways between July 21 and August 15, 2020.
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17. State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report Context:
Data from the latest edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report show that India retains the dubious distinction of being the country with the largest population of food insecure people.
Concept:
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World is the most authoritative global study tracking progress towards ending hunger and malnutrition. It is produced jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its first edition was brought out in 2017
Findings:
Hunger continues to be on the rise since 2014 and the global prevalence of undernourishment, or overall percentage of hungry people, is 8.9%. Asia remains home to the greatest number of undernourished (38 crore). Africa is second (25 crore), followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (4.8 crore). According to current estimates, in 2019, 21.3% (14.4.crore) of children under 5 years were stunted, 6.9% (4.7 crore) wasted and 5.6% (3.8 million) overweight. Healthy diet costs more than ₹143 (or $1.90/ day), which is the international poverty threshold. The number of people globally who can’t afford a healthy diet is at 300 crore people, or more than the combined population of the two most populous countries in the world, i.e. China and India. The previous editions of the report cited that conflict, climate variability, and economic slowdowns acted as hindrances on the path to achieve the
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global target. COVID-19 pandemic is expected to only aggravate this problem. Desert Locust outbreaks in Eastern Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and parts of South Asia, especially amidst the pandemic, has only exacerbated the situation.
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18. National Council for Transgender Persons Context:
The Centre has constituted the national council for transgender persons
Concept:
The council was established by the Centre in exercise of the powers conferred by the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. According to the Act, the functions of the council include advising the Centre on the formulation of policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons; monitoring and evaluating the impact of policies and programmes designed for achieving equality and full participation of transgender persons. The other functions of the council are to review and coordinate the activities of all the departments of government and other governmental and non-governmental organisations dealing with matters relating to transgender persons, to redress the grievances of transgender persons, and to perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Centre. The council will have representatives from community members, five states and 10 Central departments. Its chairperson will be the Union minister for social justice and empowerment while the vice-chairperson will be the junior minister in the ministry, according to the gazette notification. The other members will be from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry Home Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Minority Affairs ministry and Rural Development ministry among others. The representatives of the state governments and union territories by rotation, one each from the north, south, east, west and northeast regions have also been announced. Also, five representatives of the transgender community, one each from the north, south, east, west and northeast regions have also been announced.
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19. APEDA Context:
APEDA signs MoUs with AFC India Ltd and NCUI, Delhi to utilise their expertise in agriculture sector
Concept
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi. APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled products like fruits, vegetables and their products; meat and meat products; poultry and poultry products; dairy products; confectionery, biscuits and bakery products; honey, jaggery and sugar products; cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; cereal and cereal products; groundnuts, peanuts and walnuts, pickles, papads and chutneys; guar gum; floriculture and floriculture products; herbal and medicinal plants. APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor import of sugar. It looks after the development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of providing financial assistance or otherwise for undertaking surveys and feasibility studies, participating through subsidy schemes. Registration of persons as exporters of the scheduled products and fixing of standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of exports. Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants, storage premises and improving packaging of the scheduled products.
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Composition of APEDA Authority
The APEDA Authority consists of the following members namely:
A Chairman appointed by the Central Government The Agricultural Marketing Advisor to the Government of India, ex-official Three members of Parliament of whom two are elected by the House of People and one by the Council of States Eight members appointed by the Central Government representing Ministries of the Central government.
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20. Press council of India Context:
Press council of India asked media to stop "parallel trial" in Sushant Rajput case
Concept:
It was established under the PCI Act of 1978. It aims to preserve the freedom of the press and maintain and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India. The PCI consists of a chairman and 28 other members. The Chairman is selected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and a member elected by the PCI. The Press Council Act, 1965, listed the following functions of the Council in furtherance of its objects :
o to help newspapers to maintain their independence o to build up a code of conduct for newspapers and journalists in accordance with high professional standards o to ensure on the part of newspapers and journalists the maintenance of high standards of public taste and foster a due sense of both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship o to encourage the growth of a sense of responsibility and public service among all those engaged in the profession of journalism. o to keep under review any development likely to restrict the supply and dissemination of news of public interest and importance o to keep under review such cases of assistance received by any newspaper or news agency in India from foreign sources, as are referred to it by the Central Government.
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21. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization Concept:
National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) is an advisory committee consisting of multidisciplinary groups of experts responsible for providing information to national governments that is used to make evidence-based decisions regarding vaccine and immunization policy
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