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Indian Polity ..

Muslim Women Rights Day ● 1st August has been recorded as “Muslim Women Rights Day” in the country’s history to mark first anniversary of the passage of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019. ● The law made triple talaq a criminal offence. ● Tiple talaq divorce is banned by many Islamic countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Provisions of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 ● The Act makes all declaration of talaq, including in written or electronic form, to be void (i.e. not enforceable in law) and illegal. ● It also makes a declaration of talaq a cognizable offence attracting up to three years imprisonment with a fine. ● A cognizable offence is one for which a police officer may arrest an accused person without warrant. ● The Magistrate may grant bail to the accused. The bail may be granted only after hearing the woman (against whom talaq has been pronounced), and if the Magistrate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for granting bail. ● The offence may be compounded (i.e. the parties may arrive at a compromise) by the Magistrate upon the request of the woman (against whom talaq has been declared). ● A Muslim woman against whom talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek subsistence allowance from her husband for herself and for her dependent children. ● The country has seen a decline of 82% in the triple talaq case since the implementation of the act.

One Nation One Card Scheme integrates four more States/UT’s ● eligible beneficiaries would be able to avail entitled food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) from any Fair Price Shop(FPSs) in the country using the same ration card. ● In Bi-Lingual format bi-lingual format having Hindi or English apart from the local language. 10 digit std ration card number ● The eligible beneficiaries will be able to buy subsidized foodgrains, rice at ₹3 per kg, wheat at ₹2 per kg, and coarse grains at Re 1 per kg, from anywhere in the country. ● 100 percent of national portability of these cards has been assured by March 31, 2021. ● biometric authentication on electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices installed at the FPS’s. ● The Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) portal provides the technological platform for the inter-state portability of ration cards.

1947 Tripartite Agreement on Gurkha soldiers

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● Recently, the Nepal’s Foreign Minister has said that the 1947 Tripartite Agreement between India, Nepal and the United Kingdom (that deals with the military service of Gurkha soldiers from Nepal) has become redundant The Tripartite Agreement: ● In 1947, when India became independent, it was decided to split Gurkha regiments between the British and Indian armies. ● East India Company first recruited Gurkhas after suffering heavy casualties during the Anglo-Nepalese War also known as the Gurkha War. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816. ● It ensured that Gurkhas in British and Indian service would enjoy broadly the same conditions of service as that of British and Indian citizens. ● The services include all perks, remuneration, facilities and pension schemes etc. ● Gorkha recruitment was the first window that was opened to Nepali youth to go abroad.

What is a whip? ● Congress chief whip in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has moved the Supreme Court against a State High Court direction to the Speaker to maintain status quo in the disqualification proceedings initiated against ousted MLAs under the anti-defection law. ● A whip is an official of a political party who acts as the party’s ‘enforcer’ inside the legislative assembly or house of parliament. ● Parties appoint a senior member from among their House contingents to issue whips — this member is called a Chief Whip, and he/she is assisted by additional Whips. ● India inherited the concept of the whip from the British parliamentary system. Role of whips: ● They try to ensure that their fellow political party legislators attend voting sessions and vote according to their party’s official policy. What happens if a whip is disobeyed? ● A legislator may face disqualification proceedings if she/he disobeys the whip of the party unless the number of lawmakers defying the whip is 2/3rds of the party’s strength in the house. Disqualification is decided by the Speaker of the house. Limitations of whip: ● There are some cases such as Presidential elections where whips cannot direct a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) to vote in a particular fashion.

J&K Public Safety Act 1978

● Definition: It is a kind of preventive detention law, under which a person is taken into custody to prevent him or her from acting in any manner that is prejudicial to the security of the state or the maintenance of public order. ● Period of Detention: Up to 2 years. ● Enforcement: Detention order is passed either by Divisional Commissioner or the District Magistrate. ● Challenging the Detention: The only way the administrative preventive detention order can be challenged is through a habeas corpus petition filed by relatives of the detained person.

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● The High Court and the Supreme Court have jurisdiction to hear such petitions and pass a final order seeking quashing of the PSA. ● However, if the order is quashed, there is no bar on the government passing another detention order under the PSA and detaining the person again. ● There can be no prosecution or any legal proceeding against the official who has passed the order.

Preventive Detention and Constitutional Provisions

● Preventive detention involves the detainment (confinement) of a person in order to keep them from committing future crimes and/or from escaping future prosecution. ● Punitive detention is punishment for illegal acts done. ● Article 22(1) of the Constitution states that no person who is arrested shall be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice. ● However, under Preventive Detention Laws like the PSA, the detained person does not have the right to move a bail application before a criminal court, and cannot engage any lawyer to represent him or her before the detaining authority. ● When a person is arrested he/she has to be produced before a magistrate within the next 24 hours. However, in the case of 'preventive detention', a person can be detained for three months. ● Article 22(2) states that every person arrested and detained shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of 24 hours (excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court) and no such person shall be detained beyond this period without the authority of a magistrate. ● Article 22(3)(b) allows for preventive detention and restriction on personal liberty for reasons of state security and public order. ● Article 22(4) states that no law providing for preventive detention shall authorise the detention of a person for a longer period than three months unless: ● an Advisory Board reports sufficient cause for extended detention. ● Such a person is detained in accordance with the provisions of any law made by the Parliament.

Habeas Corpus

● It is a Latin term which literally means ‘to have the body of’. Under this the court issues an order to a person who has detained another person, to produce the body of the latter before it. The court then examines the cause and legality of detention. ● This writ is a bulwark of individual liberty against arbitrary detention. ● The writ of habeas corpus can be issued against both public authorities as well as private individuals. ● The writ, on the other hand, is not issued where the: ○ detention is lawful, the proceeding is for contempt of a legislature or a court, detention is by a competent court, and detention is outside the jurisdiction of the court.

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Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF)

● Established in January 1948 after PM Jawaharlal Nehru appealed to assist displaced persons from Pakistan. ● established entirely with public contributions and did not get any budgetary support. ● PMNRF accepts voluntary contributions from Individuals, Organizations, Trusts, Companies and Institutions etc. ● All contributions towards PMNRF are exempt from Income Tax under section 80(G). ● The resources of the PMNRF are utilized to render immediate relief to families of those killed in natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes, etc. ● Assists partially to defray the expenses for medical treatment like heart surgery, kidney transplantation, cancer treatment of needy people and acid attack etc.

SHAGUN PORTAL ● Dedicated web portal ‘ShaGun’ for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan at New Delhi today. ● ‘ShaGun’ aims to capture and showcase innovations and progress in Elementary Education sector of India by continuous monitoring of the flagship scheme - Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

Samagra Shiksha an integrated scheme for school education’.

● under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. ● integrated scheme for school education extending from pre-school to class XII to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education. ● It subsumes the three Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). ● The Scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. ● The fund sharing pattern for the scheme between Centre and States is at present in the ratio of 90:10 for the North-Eastern States and the Himalayan States and 60:40 for all other States and Union Territories with Legislature. ● It is 100% centrally sponsored for Union Territories without Legislature. ● Scheme of Vocationalisation of School Education is being implemented under this scheme

The Code on Social Security, 2019

● Objectives: ● To amalgamate a clutch of existing laws and proposes several new initiatives including universal social security for unorganized sector workers and, insurance and health benefits for gig workers. ● To Corporatize of existing organizations like EPFO and ESIC headed by people other than the labour minister. ● Key features of the code: ● The Code will merge eight exiting labour laws includingEmployees’ Compensation Act, 1923; Employees‘ State Insurance Act, 1948, Employees‘ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952; Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Contact : 8830115524

● The bill seeks to establish a social security fund and tap the corporate social responsibility fund to offer unorganized sector workers medical, pension, death and disability benefits via the employee’s state insurance corporation. ● Exemption: It will empower the central government to exempt select establishments from all or any of the provisions of the code and makes Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits under various social security schemes. ● It proposes to offer gratuity to fixed term employees after one year of service on a pro- rata basis as against the current practice of five years.

1 year completed Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 ● Article 239A empowers the union territory with the legislature to enact laws ● 3rd union territory alongside National Capital Territory of Delhi and Puducherry to have a legislature. Notification of Rules for J&K ● The Centre on 5th August 2019 scrapped provisions of Article 370 through the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019. ● A separate Bill - the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 - was introduced to bifurcate the State into two separate union territories of Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature), and Ladakh (without legislature).

● The rules provide details of work allocation, distribution of the business among the departments, their powers, executive powers of LG etc. in J&K. ● As per the rules, there will be 39 departments in the J&K such as school education, agriculture, higher education, horticulture, election, general administration, home, mining, power, Public Works Department, tribal affairs and transport. ● Police, Public order, All India Services and Anti-corruption will fall under the executive functions of the LG. ● This implies that the Chief Minister or the Council of Ministers will have no say in their functioning. ● Proposals or matters which affect or are likely to affect the peace and tranquility of the UT or the interest of any minority community, the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Classes shall essentially be submitted to the LG through the Chief Secretary, under intimation to the Chief Minister, before issuing any orders. ● Any matter, which is likely to bring the government of the Union Territory into a controversy with the Centre or a State government, shall, as soon as possible, be brought to the notice of the LG and the Chief Minister through the Chief Secretary. ● All important communications received from the Centre shall, as soon as possible, be submitted to the Chief Secretary, the Minister in charge, the Chief Minister and the LG for information. ● In case of difference of opinion between the LG and a Minister when no agreement could be reached even after a month, the decision of the LG shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Council of Ministers.

Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA)

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● HEFA incorporated on 31st May 2017, is a joint venture of Ministry of HRD, GOI and Canara Bank with an agreed equity participation in the ratio of 90.91% and 09.09% respectively. ● HEFA is registered under the Companies Act 2013 as a Union Govt company and as Non–deposit taking NBFC with RBI. ● VISION: To enable India’s premier educational institutions to excel and reach the top in global rankings by financing building world class infrastructure including R&D Infra. Functions: 1. It will mobilize resources from the market by way of equity from individuals / corporates and by issue of bonds to finance the requirement. 2. It provides financial assistance for creation of educational infrastructure and R&D in India’s premier educational Institutions. 3. Encourages scientific and technological developments by supporting R&D facilities for conducting high-quality research. 4. Channelises CSR contributions from companies and donations for various schemes in uplifting higher education.

Revitalising Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE) by 2022 ● launched by GOI in the FY 2018-19 budget. ● aims to lend low-cost funds to government higher educational institutions, financed via restructured Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) ● HEFA’s scope under RISE has been greatly expanded from initial objective of financing infrastructural needs of select Higher Educational Institutions in India to the extent of Rs. 20,000 crores. ● It is proposed to accelerate the investment in institutions to Rs.1,00,000 crores over the next 4 years as under University Grants Commission ● Formed on 28th December, 1953 and a statutory body by an Act of Parliament in 1956 ● Objrctive: for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in university education. ● The head office in New Delhi. ● The 42nd amendment Act, 1976 shifted Education from State list to Concurrent List

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) ● the statutory body and the national-level council for technical education in the country. ● set up in November 1945 as a national-level apex advisory body. ● Purpose: was to conduct a survey on the facilities available for technical education and to promote development in the country in a coordinated and integrated manner.

Ancient Universities of India University at Takshashila or Taxila : ● Built around 5th century BC, located in modern-day Pakistan ● Both Buddhist and Hindu theologies were taught in the institution ● Noted personalities include Chanakya, Charaka, Panini, Jivaka, Prasenajit, etc. ●

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Nalanda University • Established in modern day Bihar, in 5th Century CE, ● during the reign of Kumaragupta ● visited by Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang and also by scholar l-Tsing ● Famous scholars include Nagarjuna (Madhyamika Shunyavad), Aryabhatta

Vikramshila University ● founded by King Dharampala of Pala dynasty (Bhagalpur district of Bihar) ● Primarily a Buddhist learning center, ● affiliated with Vajrayana sect and Tantric teachings

Vallabhi University ● established by Maitrak King, Bhattarka in Saurashtra, Gujarat ● This existed between 600A.D and 1200A.D and was an important place to learn the Hinayana Buddhism

Three capitals for Andhra Pradesh 1. Amaravati– legislative capital. 2. Visakhapatnam– executive capital. 3. Kurnool– judicial capital. Which other Indian states have multiple capitals? 1. Maharashtra has two capitals– Mumbai and Nagpur (which holds the winter session of the state assembly). 2. Himachal Pradesh has capitals at Shimla and Dharamshala (winter).

Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP): ● Launched by Haryana government. ● Significance :PPP will enable the citizens to get the benefits of various central and state government schemes at their door-step in a fair and transparent manner. ● PPP will provide a unique identity to complete family and it would have name of the head of the family on top. 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act: ● It introduced an economic reservation (10% quota) in jobs and admissions in education institutes for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) by amending Articles 15 and 16. ● It inserted Article 15 (6) and Article 16 (6). ● It was enacted to promote the welfare of the poor not covered by the 50% reservation policy for SCs, STs and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). ● It enables both Centre and the states to provide reservation to the EWS of society.

Amnesty International India Report: ● Amnesty International in its report has urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) to set up offices in J&K to facilitate easy access to the complaint filing process for the local people.

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● About: It is an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in London on 28th May 1961. ● works with intergovernmental human rights bodies to expand and enforce human rights protections in international law. ● In 1977, it was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.

Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel: ● Launched by Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare ● Aim: to facilitate involvement of the youth in the cooperative movement. ● Cooperatives lend strength to farmers to minimize risks in agriculture and allied sectors and act as a shield against exploitation. ● Give a boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan under which the government has announced a series of transformative measures and sector specific financial packages to help agriculture. ● The initiatives are steps towards One Nation One Market with the objective for India to become a food factory of the world.

Guidance Videos: ● These have been produced by the NCDC on ‘Formation and Registration of A Cooperative’ for eighteen different states in Hindi and regional languages. ● These would help strengthen and deepen the major initiatives of the government to promote and form 10,000 Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs). ● One such initiative is the formation of FPOs under the “One-Product One-District” approach.

National Cooperative Development Corporation

● Formation: NCDC was established by an Act of Parliament in 1963 as a statutory Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. ● Office: NCDC functions through its Head Office at New Delhi and multiple Regional Offices. ● Functioning:

○ The objectives of NCDC are planning and promoting programmes for agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock and certain other notified commodities and services on cooperative principles. ○ The NCDC has the unique distinction of being the sole statutory organisation functioning as an apex financial and developmental institution exclusively devoted to the cooperative sector. Recent Initiatives: ○ Mission Sahakar 22, which aims to double farmers’ income by 2022. ○ Scheme on Internship Programme (SIP) named Sahakar Mitra.

Provisions of Indian Constitution related to Cooperatives:

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● The Constitution (97th Amendment) Act, 2011 added a new Part IXB right after Part IXA (Municipals) regarding the cooperatives working in India. ● The word “cooperatives” was added after “unions and associations” in Article 19(1)(c) under Part III of the Constitution. This enables all the citizens to form cooperatives by giving it the status of fundamental right of citizens. ● A new Article 43B was added in the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) regarding the “promotion of cooperative societies”. Bru Resettlement Issue

● Recently, three organisations representing the Bru community have rejected the sites proposed for their resettlement by the Joint Movement Committee (JMC). ● Joint Movement Committee (JMC) is an umbrella group of non-Bru community in Tripura. The JMC comprises the Bengali, Mizo, Buddhist Barua and some other communities. ● Bru or Reang is a community indigenous to Northeast India, living mostly in Tripura, Mizoram and Assam. In Tripura, they are recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. ● In Mizoram, they have been targeted by groups that do not consider them indigenous to the state. In 1997, following ethnic clashes, nearly 37,000 Brus fled Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei districts of Mizoram and were accommodated in relief camps in Tripura.

MyGov (mygov.in) ● the Government of India’s citizen engagement and crowdsourcing platform. ● Launched in 2014. ● It aims to promote active citizen participation in governance and policymaking. ● Since its launch on 26th July 2014, MyGov has adopted multiple engagement methodologies like discussions, tasks, innovation challenges, polls, surveys, blogs etc. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG): Former Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu was recently appointed as the new Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). About CAG: ● The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in chapter V under Part V. ● The CAG is mentioned in the Constitution of India under Article 148 – 151. ● 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 state. ● His duty is to uphold the Constitution of India and the laws of Parliament in the field of financial administration. Appointment and Term to Constitutionals Posts: ● The CAG is appointed by the President of India ● He holds office for a period of six years or upto the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Duties: ● CAG audits the accounts related to all expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, Consolidated Fund of each state and UT having a legislative assembly.

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● CAG audits all expenditure from the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India as well as the Contingency Fund and Public Account of each state. ● CAG audits all trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and other subsidiary accounts kept by any department of the Central Government and the state governments. ● CAG audits the receipts and expenditure of all bodies and authorities substantially financed from the Central or State revenues; government companies; other corporations and bodies, when so required by related laws. ● He ascertains and certifies the net proceeds of any tax or duty and his certificate is final on the matter. Reports: ● He submits to the President and Governor, who shall, in turn, place them before both the houses of Parliament and the state legislature respectively. ● submits 3 audit reports to the President: audit report on appropriation accounts, audit report on finance accounts and audit report on public undertakings. ● CAG and PAC: ● He acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.

A Lok Adalat ● one of the alternative dispute redressal mechanisms, ● presided over by a sitting or retired judicial officer ● Members - a lawyer and a social worker. ● forum where disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/ compromised amicably.both parties in dispute should agree for settlement. ● formed to fulfil the promise given by the preamble of the Indian Constitution– securing Justice – social, economic and political of every citizen of India. ● Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 Lok Adalats have been given statutory status. ● The decision made by the Lok Adalats is considered to be a verdict of a civil court and is ultimate and binding on all parties. ● There is no provision for an appeal against the verdict made by Lok Adalat. ● But, they are free to initiate litigation by approaching the court of appropriate jurisdiction by filing a case by following the required procedure, in exercise of their right to litigate. ● There is no court fee payable Nature of Cases to be Referred to Lok Adalat: ● Any case pending before any court. ● Any dispute which has not been brought before any court and is likely to be filed before the court. ● An offence not compoundable under the law shall not be settled in Lok Adalat.

India Cycles 4 Change Challenge:

● It is an initiative of the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

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● to inspire and support Indian cities to quickly implement cycling-friendly initiatives in response to COVID-19. ● Who can apply? ● Cities with a population of more than 5 lakh., Capital cities of states/UTs. , Cities under the Smart Cities Mission.

SC Verdict on Hindu Women’s Inheritance Rights

● the Supreme Court (SC) has expanded the Hindu women’s right to be the coparcener (joint legal heir) and inherit ancestral property on terms equal to male heirs. ● The judgment pertains to the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005. What is coparcener ? ● As per the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, any individual born in a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) becomes a coparcener by birth. ● Both sons and daughters are coparceners in the family and share equal rights and liabilities over the property ● A daughter remains coparcener even after marriage and her children become coparceners in her share after her death. ● A coparcener is not the same as a member of the HUF. ● All coparceners are members but all members may not be coparceners. ● A wife or husband of the coparcener is a member but not a coparcener in that family. ● Also, only coparceners can ask for the partition of the property.

Hindu Succession Act, 1956: ● 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. ● It 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 this law. ● In a Hindu Undivided Family, several legal heirs through generations can exist jointly. Traditionally, only male descendants of a common ancestor along with their mothers, wives and unmarried daughters are considered a joint Hindu family. The legal heirs hold the family property jointly.

Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005: ● The 1956 Act was amended in September 2005 and women were recognised as coparceners or joint legal heirs for property partitions arising from 2005. ● Section 6 of the Act was amended to make a daughter of a coparcener also a coparcener by birth “in her own right in the same manner as the son”. ● It also gave the daughter the same rights and liabilities “in the coparcenary property as she would have had if she had been a son”. ● The law applies to ancestral property and to intestate succession in personal property, where succession happens as per law and not through a will. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord:

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● 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. ● The signing of the Accord led to the conclusion of a six-year agitation that was launched by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in 1979, demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants from Assam. ● Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, say that appropriate “constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards should be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the people of Assam.” ● This Clause was inserted to safeguard the socio-political rights and culture of the “indigenous people of Assam”. Election Commission of India ● an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India. ● The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country (Article 324). ● It is not concerned with the elections to panchayats and municipalities in the states. For this, the Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election Commission. ● The Election Commission shall consist of the chief election commissioner and such number of other election commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix. ● Presently, it consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. Appointment & Tenure of Commissioners: ● The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. ● Tenure: six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. ● All Election Commissioners have equal say in the decision making of the Commission. Removal: ● They can resign anytime or can also be removed before the expiry of their term. ● The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from his office in the same manner and on same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court. ● In other words, he can be removed by the President on the basis of a resolution passed to that effect by both the Houses of Parliament with special majority, either on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. ● Thus, he does not hold his office till the pleasure of the President, though he is appointed by him. ● Any other election commissioner or a regional commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the chief election commissioner.

Demand for 6th Schedule Status: Arunachal Pradesh ● Currently Arunachal Pradesh is under the Fifth Schedule that “does not provide special rights for the indigenous communities” unlike the Sixth Schedule. 6th Schedule:

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● Based on the reports of the Bordoloi Committee The 6th Schedule formed which provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states. ● This special provision is provided under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution. Article 371 A: ● The Acts of Parliament relating to the following matters would not apply to Nagaland unless decided by the State Legislative Assembly: ○ Religious or social practices of the Nagas. ○ Naga customary law and procedure. ○ Administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law. ○ Ownership and transfer of land and its resources. i-Hub ● This is vibrant incubation setup established under student startup innovation policy by the Gujarat Government Education Department ● focused on developing the startups as the catalyzers for economic growth in the state, thereby providing a conducive ecosystem(Finance) for the promotion of their growth. Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund) ● to deal with any kind of emergency or distress situation like posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. ● a charitable trust registered under the Registration Act, 1908. Prime Minister as its Chairman. Other Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister. ● The Fund enables micro-donations as a result of which a large number of people will be able to contribute with the smallest of denominations. ● Donations to PMCARES have been made tax-exempt, ● No Audit of PM-CARES Funds by CAG: SC, Also also refused to order transfer of funds from the PM CARES Fund to the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). ● contributions by companies towards the PM-CARES Fund will count towards mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure. ● Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Under the Companies Act, 2013, companies with a minimum net worth of Rs 500 crore or turnover of Rs 1,000 crore, or net profit of Rs 5 crore are required to spend at least 2% of their average profit for the previous three years on CSR activities every year. Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) ● Instituted in 1948 by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, ● to assist displaced persons from Pakistan. ● The fund is currently used primarily to tackle natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes. ● The fund is also used to help with medical treatment like kidney transplantation, cancer treatment and acid attack.

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● The fund consists entirely of public contributions and does not get any budgetary support. ● It accepts voluntary contributions from Individuals, Organizations, Trusts, Companies and Institutions etc. ● fund is recognized as a Trust under the Income Tax Act ● 100% deduction from taxable income under section 80(G)

Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005 ● Under section 2(h) of the RTI Act "Public authority" means any authority or body or institution of self government established or constituted— ○ by or under the Constitution; ○ by any other law made by Parliament/State Legislature. ○ by notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government, and includes any— body owned, controlled or substantially financed; ○ non-Government organisation substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate Government. ○ office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI)

Section 8 of the RTI Act, 2005 ● This provides for exemption from disclosure of information such as- 1. Which would affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State; 2. Which has been expressly forbidden to be published by any court of law or tribunal; 3. Which would cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or the State Legislature; 4. Information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property; 5. Information received in confidence from foreign government; 6. Information which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person; etc. National Cadet Corps (NCC) ● It is the youth wing of the armed forces. ● Headquarters of NCC is located in New Delhi. ● It is a tri-service organization that comprises of army, navy and air force. ● Under NCC, the youths of the country are provided basic military training in parades and small arms. ● Motto: Unity and Discipline

Article 143: Advisory Jurisdiction ● Authorises the President to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court in the two categories of matters: ● 1. On any question of law or fact of public importance which has arisen or which is likely to arise. The SC may tender or may refuse to tender its opinion to the President. ● 2. On any dispute arising out of any pre-constitution treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanador other similar instruments. Here, the SC must tender its opinion to the President. ● In both the cases, the opinion expressed by the Supreme Court is only advisory and not a judicial pronouncement. Hence, it is not binding on the President.

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Union Cabinet approved National Recruitment Agency ● National Recruitment Agency will be a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act,1860. ● It will be headed by a Chairman of the rank of the Secretary to the Government of India. ● It will have representatives of the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance/Department of Financial Services, the SSC, RRB & IBPS. ● The agency is to conduct Common Eligibility Test(CET) for Public Sector Banks and Government Jobs. ● (CET) is to be conducted for non-gazetted posts in public sector banks and central government ● This test aims to replace multiple examinations conducted by different recruiting agencies for selection to government jobs advertised each year, with a single online test. ● The Common Eligibility Test will be held twice a year. ● There will be different CETs for graduate level, 12th Pass level and 10th pass level to facilitate recruitment to vacancies at various levels. ● The CET will be conducted in 12 major Indian languages. ● Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to offer jobs on the basis newly approved CET

Review petition ● the Constitution itself gives, under Article 137, the Supreme Court the power to review any of its judgments or orders. ● a review can be accepted “only where a glaring omission or patent mistake or like grave error has crept in earlier by judicial fallibility”. ● A review is by no means an appeal in disguise. ● any person aggrieved by a ruling can seek a review. This implies that it is not necessary that only parties to a case can seek a review of the judgment. ● A Review Petition has to be filed within 30 days of the date of judgment or order.

Curative Petition ● The concept was first evolved by the Supreme Court of India in Rupa Ashok Hurra vs. Ashok Hurra and another case (2002) ● on the question whether an aggrieved person is entitled to any relief against the final judgement/order of the Supreme Court, even after the dismissal of a review petition. ● The court used the Latin maxim “actus curiae neminem gravabit”,which means that an act of the court shall prejudice no one. ● It’s objectives are twofolds- avoid miscarriage of justice and to prevent abuse of process. ● A curative petition may be filed after a review plea against the final conviction is dismissed

Contempt of Court Act of 1971 ● Contempt of court is of two types:

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● Civil contempt: It is the wilful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court or wilful breach of an undertaking given to a court. ● Criminal contempt: It is the publication of any matter or the doing of any other act which scandalises or lowers the authority of any court, or interferes with the due course of any judicial proceeding, or obstructs the administration of justice in any other manner. ● Punishment: The Contempt of Court Act of 1971 punishes the guilty with imprisonment that may extend to six months or fine of ₹ 2,000 or both. ● Amendment: It was amended in 2006 to include “truth and good faith” as a defence. ● It was added that the court may impose punishments only if the act of the other person substantially interferes, or tends to interfere with the due course of justice

Constitutional Provisions: ● Article 129 and 215: empowers the Supreme Court (SC) and High Court respectively to punish people for their respective contempt. ● Article 142: empowers the SC to punish for its contempt. However, what is contempt of court per se has not been defined by the Indian Constitution. Statutory Provisions: ● The Contempt of Court Act, 1971 elaborately deals with the concept of contempt of court.The Act divides contempt into civil and criminal contempt.

International Commission of Jurists ● Since 1952, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has performed a unique and prominent role as a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) defending human rights and the rule of law worldwide. ● a standing group of 60 eminent jurists—including senior judges, attorneys and academics. ● Functions: To develop national and international human rights standards through the law. ● It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Suo Moto Cognizance ● A Suo Moto cognizance is a Latin term which means an action taken by a government agency, court or other central authority on their own apprehension. ● A court takes a Suo Moto Cognizance of a legal matter when it receives information about the violation of rights or breach of duty through media or a third party’s notification. ● Suo Moto’s power of SC under Article 131 ● the Supreme Court with original jurisdiction over any dispute arising between the states or between the centre and state. The article gives the Supreme Court the power to take up such cases straight instead of going through a lower court or reviewing a lower court's judgement

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) ● The Union was established in 1889. Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland. ● The national parliaments of 178 countries are its members. ● It has a permanent observer status in United Nations.

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● The IPU promotes institutional values, democratic governance. It also promotes working with parliamentarians to respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. ● The IPU generates Global Parliamentary Report, It is jointly produced by IPU and United Nations Development Programme. ● The first report was published in 2012. SC on Secrecy of ballot ● Secrecy of ballot is the cornerstone of free and fair elections. The choice of a voter should be free and the secret ballot system in a democracy ensures it. ● It is the policy of law to protect the right of voters to secrecy of the ballot ● Section 94 of the Representation of People Act upholds the privilege of the voter to maintain confidentiality about her choice of vote. National Council for Transgender Persons ● By Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has constituted under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. ● Aim: To mainstream the transgender community’s concerns, focusing on livelihood issues as well as to raise awareness about the trans community, so that transpersons are accepted within families and in the larger society. ● To ensure that transgender welfare boards are set up in all States and essential needs of the transgender community, like housing, food, healthcare and education are met. ● Composition: ● Chairperson Union Minister of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. ● Representatives from five states or Union Territories (one each from the north, south, east, west and northeast regions), on a rotational basis. ● Five members of the trangender community (one each from the north, south, east, west and northeast regions). ● The tenure of the community members shall be three years. ● Representatives from 10 central departments. ● The council will have joint secretary-level members from the Ministries of Health, Home, Minority Affairs, Education, Rural Development, Labour and Law. ● In addition, there will be a member from the Department of Pensions (Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions), NITI Aayog, National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women.

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 ● Definition: It defines transgender as the person who does not match gender assigned at birth. ● A transgender may make an application to the District Magistrate a certificate of identity indicating gender as “Transgender” ● It prohibits discrimination against the transgender persons. ● This includes education, access to goods, employment, health care, right to movement, to hold public offices, right to reside and access to government or public establishment. ● To provide right of health facilities to transgender persons including sex reassignment surgeries and HIV surveillance centres.

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Indian Association of Parliamentariants on Population and Development (IAPPD): ● It is a national level Non-Governmental organization established in the year 1978. ● Formed to moderating the pace of population growth for a smoother course of development so as to ensure an overall improvement in the quality of life of the people and maintain a proper balance between population and development. ● Composition: It has a Board of Trustees comprising the Chairman, Executive Secretary, Treasurer and Members ● Standing Committee: It has a standing committee consisting of 37 Members of parliament (MPs), Ex. MPs and Legislators belonging to different political parties of India. Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) ● Established in 1920 under the Indian Red Cross Society Act and incorporated under Parliament Act XV of 1920. ● It is a voluntary humanitarian organization having a network of over 1100 branches throughout the country, ● providing relief in times of disasters/emergencies and promotes health & care of the vulnerable people and communities. ● It is a leading member of the largest independent humanitarian organization in the world, the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement. ● Honourable President of India is the President and Hon’ble Union Health Minister is the Chairman of the Society. ● The Chairman and 6 members are nominated by the President. The remaining 12 are elected by the state and union territory branches through an electoral college.

Armed Forces Tribunal ● It is a military tribunal in India. ● It was established in 2009 under the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007. ● The act was passed on the basis of recommendation of 169th Law Commission Report and various Supreme Court directives. ● Powers and functions:To adjudicate Disputes and complaints with respect to commission, appointments, enrolments and conditions of service in respect of persons subject to the Army Act, 1950, The Navy Act, 1957 and the Air Force Act, 1950. ● Composition: Each Bench comprises of a Judicial Member and an Administrative Member. ● Judicial Members are retired High Court Judges. ● Administrative Members are retired Members of the Armed Forces who have held the rank of Major General/ equivalent or above for a period of three years or more or Judge Advocate General (JAG), who have held the appointment for at least one year. ● Paramilitary forces including the Assam Rifles and Coast Guard are outside the tribunal’s purview. ● AFT is considered to be a criminal court with respect to Indian Penal Code, and Code of Criminal Procedure. ● Appeals against the decision of the AFT can be taken only in Supreme Court. High Courts are not allowed to entertain such appeals.

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Sub-Classification of Reserved Classes ● A five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court held that States can sub-classify the list of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) to provide preferential treatment to the “weakest out of the weak”. National Commission for SC & ST ● The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003. ● By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely- the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) from February, 2004. ● It consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and three other members. They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.

Constitutional and Legal Provisions Related to Minorities ● The term "Minority" is not defined in the Indian Constitution. However, the Constitution recognises religious and linguistic minorities. ● Article 29: It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same. ○ It grants protection to both religious minorities as well as linguistic minorities. ○ as use of the word ‘section of citizens’ in the Article includes minorities as well as the majority. ● Article 30: All minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. ○ The protection under Article 30 is confined only to minorities (religious or linguistic) and does not extend to any section of citizens (as under Article 29). ● Article 350-B: Originally, the Constitution of India did not make any provision with respect to the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities. However, the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 inserted Article 350-B in the Constitution. ○ It provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed by the President of India. ● It would be the duty of the Special Officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under the Constitution.

National Commission for Minority Education Institution (NCMEI) Act, 2004: ● It gives the minority status to the educational institutions on the basis of six religious communities notified by the government under the NCMEI Act, 2004-- ● Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains.

Distribution of Legislative Subjects

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● Article 246 adopts a threefold distribution of legislative power between the Union and the states. ● Three lists of the Seventh Schedule of the constitution: ● List-I- the Union List ● List-II- the State List ● List-III- the Concurrent List ● Union List: Parliament has exclusive powers to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the Union List. ● It includes the matters of national importance and the matters which require uniformity of legislation nationwide. ● This list includes 98 subjects like defence, banking, foreign affairs, currency, atomic energy, insurance, communication, inter-state trade and commerce, census, audit and so on. ● State List: The state legislature has exclusive powers (not during emergency) to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State List. ● It includes the matters of regional and local importance and the matters which permit diversity of interest. ● This list includes 59 subjects like public order, police, public health and sanitation, agriculture, prisons, local government, fisheries, markets, theaters, gambling and so on. ● Concurrent List: Both, the Parliament and state legislature can make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the Concurrent List. ● It includes the matters on which uniformity of legislation throughout the country is desirable but not essential. ● This list has at present 52 subjects like criminal law and procedure, civil procedure, marriage and divorce, population control and family planning, electricity, labour welfare,economic and social planning, drugs, newspapers, books and printing press, and others. ● Residuary subjects i.e. the matters which are not enumerated in any of the three lists, is vested in the Parliament. ● Parliament has power to make laws with respect to any part of the territory of India not included in a state even though that matter is one which is enumerated in the State List. ● This provision is related to the Union Territories or the Acquired Territories (if any).

Constitutional and Legal Provisions Against Discrimination of Dalits ● Social Safeguards:

○ Article 17 of the constitution abolishes the practice of “untouchability” and punishes the enforcement of any disability arising out of the practice. ○ Article 21 guarantees the right to life and liberty. The Supreme Court has interpreted this right to include the right to be free from degrading and inhuman treatment, the right to integrity and dignity of the person, and the right to speedy justice.

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■ When read with Article 39A on equal justice and free legal aid, Article 21 also encompasses the right to legal aid for those faced with imprisonment and those too poor to afford counsel. ○ Article 23 prohibits traffic in human beings and other similar forms of forced labor. ○ Article 24 provides that no child under the age of fourteen shall work in any factory or mine or engage in any hazardous employment. ● Economic Safeguards:

○ Article 15(4) empowers the state to make any special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens, or for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. ○ Through Article 16(4), the state is empowered to make “any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State”. ● Political Safeguards: ○ Article 330 provides reservations for seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the Lok Sabha (the House of the People), while Article 332 provides for reservations in the state legislative assemblies. ○ Article 338 establishes the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. ● Related Directive Principles of State Policy:

○ Article 43 calls on the state to secure to all workers, agricultural, industrial or otherwise, a living wage and conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life. ○ Article 45 charges that the state shall endeavor to provide free and compulsory education for all children until they reach the age of six. ○ Article 46 states that the State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and forms of exploitation ● The SC and the ST (Prevention of Atrocities) amendment Act, 2018. A Single Voters’ List ● The Prime Minister’s Office held a meeting with representatives of the Election Commission and the Law Ministry to discuss the possibility of having a common electoral roll for elections to the panchayat, municipality, state assembly and the Lok Sabha. ● Election Commission (EC) of India: ○ It was set up in 1950, ○ conducting polls to: the offices of the President and Vice-President of India, to Parliament, the state assemblies and the legislative councils. ● State Election Commissions (SECs): ○ Supervise municipal and panchayat elections.

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○ They are free to prepare their own electoral rolls for local body elections, and this exercise does not have to be coordinated with the EC. National Register of Citizens (NRC) ● The final list of Assam’s updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) ● The NRC is the list of Indian citizens and was prepared in 1951, following the census of 1951. ● The process of NRC update was taken up in Assam as per a Supreme Court order in 2013. ● In order to wean out cases of illegal migration from Bangladesh and other adjoining areas, NRC updation was carried out under The Citizenship Act, 1955, and according to rules framed in the Assam Accord.

National Population Register (NPR) ● It is a Register of usual residents of the country. ● It is being prepared at the local (Village/sub-Town), sub-District, District, State and National level under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. ● It is mandatory for every usual resident of India to register in the NPR. ● Objectives: To create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. ● A usual resident is defined for the purposes of NPR as a person who has resided in a local area for the past 6 months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next 6 months or more. Delimitation Commission ● Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Election Commission of India. ● The members of Delimitation Commission are a Retired Supreme Court Judge, Chief Election Commissioner and the respective State Election Commission. ● Article 82 states that the Parliament shall enact Delimitation Act after every census. ● The Article 170 states that the States shall be divided into territorial constituencies according to the Delimitation Act after every census. ● The Delimitation Act was enacted in 1952. So far, four delimitation commissions have been set up in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002. ● There was no delimitation after 1981 and 1991 census. ● In 2008, the delimitation was conducted based in 2001 census. However, the parliamentary and seats were decided based on 1971 census. Delimitation ● the act of fixing limits to the boundaries of territorial constituencies. ● It is essential to provide fair division of geographical areas to prevent advantage of one - political party over the other. ● Also, delimitation will provide equal representation to equal segments of people. ● it is essential to identify reserved seats for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

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Economy ..

“Chunauti”- Next Generation Start-up Challenge Contest: ● Launched by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ● To further boost startups and software products with special focus on Tier-II towns of India. ● Identify around 300 startups working in identified areas and provide them seed fund of upto Rs. 25 Lakh and other facilities. ● areas identified potential under the scheme are ● ○ Edu Tech, ○ Agri Tech ○ Fintech solutions for masses, ○ Supply Chain and Logistic management, ○ Infrastructure,○ Medical Healthcare as well as jobs and skilling.

GST Council Meet ● meeting was held to discuss the issue of compensating states on account of revenue loss due to implementation of GST and fall in cess collections. ● GST Council: Constitutional body (Article 279A) for making recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to Goods and Services Tax. ● It chaired by the Union Finance Minister and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States. ● It is considered as a federal body where both the centre and the states get due representation.

Export Preparedness Index, 2020 released by NITI Aayog ● NITI Aayog in partnership with the Institute of Competitiveness released the report ● Aim: To identify challenges and opportunities, enhance the effectiveness of government policies and encourage a facilitative regulatory framework for export. ● Features: The EPI is a data-driven effort to identify the core areas crucial for export promotion at the sub-national level (states and union territories). ● Benefit: The Index would be a helpful guide for the state governments to benchmark regional performance with respect to export promotion and thus deliver key policy insights on how to improve and enhance the exports. ● Four pillars in framing the index. ● 1. Policy 2. Export Ecosystem 3. Business Ecosystem 4. Export Performance ● 11 sub-pillars : export promotion policy; institutional framework; business environment; infrastructure; transport connectivity; access to finance; export infrastructure; trade support; R&D infrastructure; export diversification; and growth orientation. ● Gujarat has topped the index followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu

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Economic Measures Suggested by McKinsey ● the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) has released a report titled 'India's turning point: An economic agenda to spur growth and jobs'.

Assessment of Economic Impact of Covid-19: DSGE Model ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is using Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model to provide a tentative and proximate assessment of the likely impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown on the Indian economy ● DSGE modelling is a method in macroeconomics that attempts to explain economic phenomena, such as economic growth and business cycles, and the effects of economic policy, through econometric models based on applied general equilibrium theory and economic principles. ● Econometrics is the application of statistical methods to economic data in order to give empirical content to economic relationships. ● General Equilibrium Theory is a macroeconomic theory that explains how supply and demand in an economy with many markets interact dynamically and eventually culminate in an equilibrium of prices.

Multi-State Phishing Scam

● Phishing: It is a cybercrime in which a target or targets are contacted by email, telephone, or text message. ● This is done by someone posing as a legitimate institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data such as personally identifiable information, banking and credit card details, and passwords. ● e-SIM: It is the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) embedded in the phone. ● It can not be removed as opposed to physical SIM cards, which can be removed. ● The e-SIMs enable users to change service providers through a simple process. ● Multiple networks and numbers can be stored on a single e-SIM too, so one can have more than one number.

Bhavishya ● an online Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System implemented by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

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Public Financial Management System(PFMS) ● a web-based online software application developed and implemented by the Office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance. ● as a Central Sector Scheme ● The primary objective of PFMS is to facilitate a sound Public Financial Management System for the Government of India (GoI) by establishing an efficient fund flow system as well as a payment cum accounting network.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): ● Established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act 1985. ● The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC). ● APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, ● promotes export of agricultural and processed food products from India. ● mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled products Fruits, Vegetables and their Products, Meat and Meat Products etc. ● APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor import of sugar.

Honey Mission: ● Launched by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in 2017. ● It is aimed at creating employment for the Adivasis, farmers, unemployed youth, and women by roping them in beekeeping while also increasing India’s honey production.

ICICI to use satellites for farm credit: ● introduction of usage of satellite data-imagery from earth observation satellites—to assess credit worthiness of its customers belonging to the farm sector. ● ICICI will be the first bank in India to do so. ● It will use the data to measure an array of parameters related to the land, irrigation and crop patterns and in combination with demographic and financial parameters to make faster lending decisions for farmers

PM-KISAN scheme ● 100% Central Sector scheme ● It focuses on farmers with cultivable land up to 2 hectares. In other words, it targets vulnerable landholding farmer families. ● scheme provides Rs 6000 to farmers in three instalments annually. ● implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture

Sin goods and sin tax: ● Sin goods are goods which consider harmful to society. ● Example of sin goods: Alcohol and Tobacco, Candies, Drugs, Soft drinks, Fast foods, Coffee, Sugar, Gambling and Pornography.

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● sin tax: It is tax placed on goods that adversely affect health, most notably tobacco and alcohol. ● Three principal arguments are used to justify this type of taxation: ○ It can reduce consumption through increased prices. ○ Compensate society for things like increased health system costs. ○ Increase resources for the health sector.

Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) ● launched in 2015 for providing loans up to 10 lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises. ● The Scheme will be implemented through the Small Industries Development Bank of ● India (SIDBI) ● objective is to refinance collateral-free loans given by the lenders to small borrowers. ● activities allied to agriculture such as Dairy, Poultry, Bee Keeping etc, are also covered. ● These loans are classified as MUDRA loans under PMMY. ● These loans are given by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, Cooperative Banks, MFIs and NBFCs. ● THree Products ○ Shishu: covering loans up to Rs.50,000 ○ Kishore: covering loans above Rs.50,000 and up to Rs.5,00,000 ○ Tarun: covering loans above Rs.5,00,000 and up to Rs.10,00,000 ● Mudra’s unique features include a Mudra Card which permits access to Working Capital through ATMs and Card Machines.

Electoral Bonds ● A financial instrument for making donations to political parties. ● The bonds are issued in multiples of Rs. 1,000, Rs. 10,000, Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore without any maximum limit. ● State Bank of India is authorised to issue and encash these bonds, which are valid for fifteen days from the date of issuance. ● These bonds are redeemable in the designated account of a registered political part ● The bonds are available for purchase by any person (who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India) for a period of ten days each in the months of January, April, July and October as may be specified by the Central Government.

Harit Path Mobile App ● National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed a mobile App, ● ‘Harit Path' to facilitate creation of Green Highways across the country. ● Aim: The App will help to monitor location, growth, species details, maintenance activities, targets and achievements for each and every plant. ● Monitoring: In order to track the growth and health of the plants, photographs along with data of the plants captured using Harit Path App shall be uploaded every 3 months on NHAI’s Artificial Intelligence powered Big Data Analytics platform – Data Lake.

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● Accountability: Highway contractors shall be accountable for proper upkeep and maintenance of the plantation and liable to replace the missing/dead plants.

Harit Bharat Sankalp: ● NHAI has completed 25 years of its service, to commemorate this it has undertaken ‘Harit Bharat Sankalp’ a nation-wide plantation drive. ● Under this initiative, NHAI planted over 25 lakh plants in 25 days along the stretches of the National Highways between 21st July to 15th August 2020.

Increased Investments through P-notes Participatory Notes ● P-notes are Offshore Derivative Instruments (ODIs) issued by registered Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) ● to overseas investors who wish to be a part of the Indian stock markets without registering themselves directly. ● P-notes have Indian stocks as their underlying assets.

Ramesh Chand task force by Niti Aayog ● to link sugarcane prices to sugar rates. ● Areas under sugarcane cultivation should be shifted to less water-intensive crops by providing incentives to farmers. ● The panel suggested that the incentive to farmers from moving to less water-intensive crops should be around Rs 6,000 per hectare. ● Revenue Sharing Formula (RSF) must be introduced to help farmers in receiving fair prices for their sugarcane produce. ● A price stabilisation fund must also be introduced. ● The minimum support price (MSP) of sugarcane must be reviewed in six months. ● The panel also recommended levying a cess of Rs 50 per quintal on sugar for a period of 3 years

National Strategy for Financial Education( NSFE ) ● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released NSFE: 2020-2025 document for creating a financially aware and empowered India. ● It is the second NSFE , the first one being released in 2013. ● Prepared by the National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) ● It aims to strengthen the ecosystem for various modes of digital financial services in all Tier-II to Tier VI centers to create the necessary infrastructure to move towards a less- cash society by March 2022. ● ‘5 C’ approach ○ Content : Financial Literacy content for various sections of population. ○ Capacity : Develop the capacity and ‘Code of Conduct’ for financial education providers. ○ Community : Evolve community led approaches for disseminating financial literacy in a sustainable manner.

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○ Communication : Use technology, media and innovative ways of communication for dissemination of financial education messages. ○ Collaboration : Streamline efforts of other stakeholders for financial literacy. ● NCFE is a Section 8 (Not for Profit) Company under the Companies Act, 2013 promoted by RBI, SEBI, IRDAI and PFRDA. ● It emphasizes a multi-stakeholder-led approach for empowering various sections of the population to develop adequate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour which are needed to manage their money better and to plan for the future i.e. ensuring their financial well-being.

Leasing Out 3 Airports ● Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI) will be leased out through Public Private Partnership (PPP) to Adani Enterprises Ltd. ● The lease is for a period of fifty years.

Public-private partnerships(PPP) ● involve collaboration between a government agency and a private-sector company that can be used to finance, build, and operate projects, Models of Public Private Partnership (PPP) ● Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) ● Build-Own-Operate (BOO) ● Build-Operate-Lease-Transfer (BOLT), ● Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT), ● Lease-Develop-Operate (LDO), ● Operate-Maintain-Transfer (OMT), etc.

Pan-India entity for retail payments ● RBI releases framework for pan-India entity for retail payments ● To create an alternative umbrella organisation for retail payments to prevent the monopoly of NPCI New umbrella entity(NUE) ● It shall be a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 ● may be a ‘for-profit’ or Non-profit company as decided by it. ● Paid up capital: The entity will have minimum paid-up capital of Rs 500 crore with no single promoter group holding over 40% investment in the capital. Functions ● It can set up, manage and operate new payments systems in the retail space comprising ATMs, white label PoS, Aadhaar-based payments and remittance services. ● It will manage clearing and settlement systems for participating banks and non-banks and also monitor developments in the retail payment system both in India and abroad. ● It will frame necessary rules and the related processes to ensure that the system is safe and sound and that payments are exchanged efficiently. ●

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Contact : 8830115524

● 2008, HQ: Mumbai ● It is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. ● It is an initiative RBI and Indian Banks Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 ● It has been incorporated as a Not for Profit Company under the provisions of Section 25 of Companies Act 1956 (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013). Positive Pay mechanism ● By Reserve Bank of India(RBI) ● to make cheque payments safer and reduce instances of frauds. ● It is a fraud detection tool adopted by banks to protect customers against forged, altered or counterfeit cheques. ● It cross verifies all details of the cheque issued before funds are encashed by the beneficiary. Special Economic Zones ● The SEZs are created to promote investment, generate employment opportunities and also administer the economic areas in a better way. ● The policy aimed to attract huge foreign investment in the country. ● There are more than 230 SEZs that are operational in India. ● SEZ policy was reviewed in 2018 by a committee under the chairmanship of Baba Kalyani.

Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks ● launched in 2005. ● Objectives: To provide the industry with world-class state of the art infrastructure facilities for setting up their textile units. To attract foreign investors to the domestic textile sector. ● Key features: ● Under the SITP, infrastructure facilities for setting up of textile units are developed in a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model. ● The Government of India grants upto 40% of the project cost. ● The government's support is limited to Rs. 40 crores for each textile park. ● Each Integrated Textile Park (ITP) under the scheme would normally have 50 units. Major Government Initiatives ● Comprehensive Scheme for Development of Knitting and Knitwear Sector: to boost production in the knitting and knitwear cluster at Ludhiana, Kolkata and Tirupur.The scheme is launched under Power-Tex India. ● North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) for promoting textiles industry in the NER by providing infrastructure, capacity building and marketing support to all segments of textile industry. ● A skill development scheme titled SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector) covers the entire value chain of the textile sector, excluding Spinning and Weaving in the organized sector, on pan India basis. ● Power-Tex India ● Silk Samagra Scheme

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● Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) ● National Handloom Day ● Jute ICARE ● National Technical Textile Mission

Industrial Corridors in India ● In December 2019, five industrial corridors were announced by Government of India. They are as follows ● Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor: This corridor covers the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Haryana. The project is funded by GoI, investments from Japanese firms, Japanese loans. ● Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor: It covers the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. ● Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor: This corridor is to be developed with the support of Britain. It covers the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra ● Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor: It covers the states of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, UP, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar. ● East Coast Economic Corridor: This corridor has its critical role in Act East Policy of India. In 2016, Asian Development Bank approved loan grant of 631 million USD for infrastructural development of the corridor.

Shaurya KGC (Kisan Gold Credit) Card ● launched by HDFC Bank, ● This is the first-of-its-kind scheme meant for the army personnel in the country and is based on the Kisan Credit Card guidelines of the government. salient features : ● This credit card comes with a life cover of Rs 10 lakhs. ● It will provide finance for the agricultural requirements. ● The loan facility can be availed by visiting HDFC Bank branch or through the e-Kisan Dhan app of the bank. ● The card is tri-coloured implying the Army, the Navy and the Air Forces of the country.

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) ● The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recently released ranking of states under AMRUT scheme. Odisha first: scored 85.67%. ● Planned to transform urban living conditions through infrastructure upgradation. ● Main areas: water supply, sewerage, urban transport, parks as to improve the quality of life for all, especially the poor and the disadvantaged. ● AMRUT is aimed at transforming 500 cities and towns into efficient urban living spaces over a period of five years.Mission period (June 25, 2015- March 31, 2020) ● Centrally sponsored scheme with 80% budgetary support from the Centre. Five hundred cities criteria:

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● All the cities and towns with over 1 lakh with notified Municipalities as per Census 2011, including Cantonment Boards ● All capital cities/towns of states / UTs, not covered in above ● All cities/towns classified as Heritage Cities by MoHUA under HRIDAY Scheme ● 13 cities and towns on the stem of the main rivers with a population above 75000 and less than 1 lakh

HRIDAY Scheme ● HRIDAY is National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana ● launched under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. ● aim of bringing together urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation in an inclusive manner to preserve the heritage character of each Heritage City.

Anti-Dumping Duty ● Dumping refers to the international trade practice when manufacturers export a product to another country at a price below the domestic market price. ● Anti-dumping duty is a protectionist duty levied on such imports that are believed to have price below their domestic price. This is mainly done in order to uphold the practice of fair trade. PURA Initiative ● PURA was mooted by the former President Dr. Abdul Kalam in January 2003 as a way of empowering and accelerating rural development. ● The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) implemented the PURA scheme PURA 2.0 ● as a central sector scheme was launched in 2012 focussing on the development of potential growth centres such as census towns. ● Objective: Provision of livelihood opportunities and urban amenities in rural areas to bridge the rural – urban divide. ● Mission: Holistic and accelerated development of compact areas around a potential growth centre in a Gram Panchayat (or a group of Gram Panchayats) through Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework for providing livelihood opportunities and urban amenities to improve the quality of life in rural areas. ● Amenities and economic activities provided under PURA include Water and Sewerage, Construction and maintenance of Village streets, Drainage, Solid Waste Management, Skill Development, village street lighting, telecom, electricity generation, village linked tourism, etc.

Countervailing Duty (CVD) ● It is additional duty levied by the importing country on specific goods. ● It is generally equal to the excise duty paid by manufacturers when the same product is produced in the home country. ● It is mainly levied in order to neutralize the effect of subsidies in the exporting country on the price and domestic market of the importing country. ● In other words, it is levied in order to protect the domestic manufacturers.

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Safeguard Duty ● It is another duty levied in order to protect the domestic industry. ● However, it is done so after an enquiry and when the government is satisfied that the concerned good when imported in large quantities or at cheap price will affect the domestic industry.

Transparent Taxation - Honoring The Honest platform ● aimed at bringing transparency in income tax systems and empowering taxpayers. ● Main features of the platform are faceless assessment, faceless appeal and taxpayer charter. ● Faceless Assessment: It aims to eliminate human interface between the taxpayer and the income tax department. ● There will be no need for the taxpayer to visit the income tax office or the officer. ● The selection of a taxpayer is possible through systems using analytics and Artificial Intelligence. ● Faceless Appeal: Under the system, appeals will be randomly allotted to any officer in the country. The identity of the officer deciding the appeal will remain unknown. ● Taxpayer Charter: This outlines the rights and responsibilities of both tax officers and taxpayers.

Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2.0: AIM ● Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, in collaboration with Dell Technologies has launched Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2.0 (SEP 2.0) for young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs). ● Objective: It 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.

ATLs:Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) ● Vision: AIM is establishing ATLs in schools across India with a vision to cultivate one million children in India as neoteric (modern) innovators. ● Aimed at disrupting the Indian education system, creating a paradigm shift where children as young as 12 years of age are being introduced to the world of technology innovation. ● Objectives: To foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds; and inculcate skills such as design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing etc. ● Eligibility: Schools (minimum Grade VI - X) managed by Government, local body or private trusts/society.

Atal Innovation Mission Artificial Intelligence Step Up Module ● Launched by The NITI Aayog, Atal Innovation Mission along with the collaboration of NASSCOM ● The module is to drive AI education and innovation to next levels in schools all over India. Contact : 8830115524

● The AI step up module provides “Learn it yourself” modules for those who wish to expand their knowledge base after learning the basics of Artificial Intelligence.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) (2016) ● AIM is NITI Aayog’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India ● AIM established to create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in a holistic manner through various initiatives at school, university and industry levels ● Two core functions: ○ Innovation promotion: to provide a platform where innovative ideas are generated. ○ Entrepreneurship promotion: Wherein innovators would be supported and mentored to become successful entrepreneurs at Incubation Centres ● Major Initiatives: ● Atal Tinkering Labs: These are creating problem solving mindset across schools in India. ● Atal Incubation Centers: Fostering world class startups and adding a new dimension to the incubator model. ● Atal New India Challenges: Fostering product innovations and aligning them to the needs of various sectors/ministries. ● Mentor India Campaign: A national mentor network in collaboration with the public sector, corporates and institutions, to support all the initiatives of the mission. ● Atal Community Innovation Center: To stimulate community centric innovation and ideas in the unserved/underserved regions of the country including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. ● Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE): To stimulate innovation and research in the MSME industry.

AIM iCREST ● Atal Innovation Mission(AIM) has launched ‘AIM-iCREST’ in partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation. ● AIM’s iCREST stands for Incubator Capabilities enhancement program for a Robust Ecosystem focused on creating high performing Startups. ● Purpose : It has been designed to enable the incubation ecosystem and to support the growth of AIM’s established incubators across India. ● Significance: This is a first of its kind initiative for advancing innovation at scale in India to encourage and enable holistic progress in the incubator ecosystem across the country, ● Business incubators: These are institutions that support entrepreneurs in developing their businesses especially in initial stages.

What are Equity Mutual Fund, Debt Mutual Fund, Hybrid Fund and SIP? ● Equity mutual funds invest in the shares of different companies. The fund manager diversifies his portfolio among various sectors of various companies.

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● Debt Mutual Fund is known as that type of fund which invests in the bonds and other fixed-income securities in order to generate returns. As this is safer, the inflow in this type of funds increased manifold during the month of July. ● Hybrid Fund is defined as a fund that invests in more than one asset classes. Typically these funds invest in a mix of stocks and bonds. ● Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is defined as that kind of scheme that puts in a fixed sum of money into the mutual funds on a monthly basis.

INDIA GLOBAL WEEK 2020: ● It is an annual flagship event organised by India Inc., a London based media house to re-energise and ignite optimism at global level. ● Theme: Be The Revival: India and a Better New World. ● Objective: Explore business, strategic and cultural opportunities, understand the challenges and make informed decisions as the world looks ahead to a better, brighter future beyond Covid-19.

‘Aatmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping’ (ASEEM) ● launched portal by: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) ● to help skilled people find sustainable livelihood opportunities. ● The Artificial Intelligence-based ASEEM will provide employers a platform to assess the availability of skilled workforce and formulate their hiring plans.

Amazon Initiatives to Support Local Entrepreneurs Amazon Karigar Store: ● In 2019, on the eve of the National Handloom Day (7th August), Amazon announced the launch of the Karigar store which showcases over 55,000 products, including more than 270 arts and crafts from 20 states. ● It will give prominence to India’s handicrafts heritage by enabling weavers and artisans to showcase ‘Made in India’ products to customers. Saheli Programme:

● In November 2017, Amazon launched this programme ● aim to empower and enable Indian women entrepreneurs to sell their products across the country. ● key motive: Promotion of entrepreneurship amongst women ● It was rolled out in partnership with non-government social service entities like Self- Employed Women Enterprise (SEWA) and Impulse Social Enterprise. Amazon Launchpad: ● It is a marketplace within a marketplace as it works on two levels to create value for both Amazon shoppers and up-and-coming brands. ● New companies get the time and guidance they need to fine-tune their business and generate greater visibility for their products while shoppers enjoy early access to innovative products from the latest startups.

Contact : 8830115524

National Handloom Day ● 6th National Handloom Day on 7th August 2020 ● The first NHD was celebrated in Chennai in 2015. ● 7th August, was chosen as the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same date in the year 1905,at the Calcutta Town Hall, in Bengal. ● The textile ministry scrapped the All India Handicrafts Board on 3 August, and the All India Handloom Board on 27th July & All India Powerloom Board, With the vision of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governance’ Objectives: ● To generate awareness about the handloom industry amongst the public ● To protect India’s handloom heritage and to enable the handloom weavers and workers with greater opportunities. ● To ensure sustainable development of the handloom sector thereby empowering handloom workers financially and instilling pride in their exquisite craftsmanship. ● The textiles and handloom sector in India is the second-largest source of employment to people, after agriculture ● over 70% of handloom weavers and allied workers are women. ● Under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) is organising a Virtual Fair, connecting more than 150 participants from different regions of the country

Handloom Mark Scheme (HLM) ● launched in 2006 ● objective to brand Indian handloom products and secure a premium position for them in domestic as well as international markets.

Handloom Export Promotion Council

● It is a nodal agency constituted under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. ● It was incorporated as a not-for-profit company under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. ● Aim: To promote the exports of all handloom products like fabrics, home furnishings, carpets, floor coverings, etc.

Tea & Khadi Diplomacy ● The Northeast Expo 2019 through ‘Tea and Khadi’ diplomacy helped in improving the trade ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) nations.

“My Handloom” portal It is a portal for individual weavers and other organizations for applying for various benefits under the various handloom schemes.

Vocal4Handmade: It is a social media campaign launched to promote handloom products

Contact : 8830115524

Monetary Policy Report: RBI ● Report is published by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of RBI. ● The MPC is a statutory and institutionalized framework under the RBI Act, 1934, for maintaining price stability, while keeping in mind the objective of growth. ● The MPC determines the policy interest rate (repo rate) required to achieve the inflation target (4%). ● The Governor of RBI is ex-officio Chairman of the MPC.

Link between Growth, Inflation and Interest rates

● In a fast-growing economy, incomes go up quickly and more and more people have the money to buy the existing bunch of goods. ● As more and more money chases the existing set of goods, prices of such goods rise. In other words, inflation (which is nothing but the rate of increase in prices) increases. ● To contain inflation, a country’s central bank typically increases the interest rates in the economy. By doing so, it incentivises people to spend less and save more because saving becomes more profitable as interest rates go up. ● However, when growth contracts, people’s incomes hit. As a result, less and less money is chasing the same quantity of goods. This results in either the inflation rate decelerating or it actually contracts (also called deflation). ● In such situations, a central bank decreases interest rates so as to incentivise spending and by that route boost economic activity in the economy. ● In the current Monetary Policy, RBI has not raised the interest rates even when retail inflation is high because RBI is facing an odd situation at present: GDP is contracting even as inflation is rising. ● This is happening because the pandemic has reduced demand, on the one hand, and disrupted supply on the other. As a result falling growth and rising inflation are happening at the same time.

Priority Sector Lending

● The Reserve Bank of India has assigned priority sector lending (PSL) status to India’s startup sector. ● Fresh Categories: Bank finance to start-ups up to Rs. 50 crore, loans to farmers for installation of solar power plants for solarisation of grid connected agriculture pumps and loans for setting up Compressed BioGas plants ● The RBI mandates banks to lend a certain portion of their funds to specified sectors, like agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), export credit, education, housing, social infrastructure, renewable energy among others. ● All scheduled commercial banks and foreign banks (with a sizable presence in India) are mandated to set aside 40% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANDC) for lending to these sectors.

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● The idea behind this : is to ensure that adequate institutional credit reaches some of the vulnerable sectors of the economy, which otherwise may not be attractive for banks from the profitability point of view.

Startup Promotion Schemes of the Government of India ● Stand up India Scheme: It is meant to provide loans to one SC/ST and one woman entrepreneur per branch of a bank. The loan amount can vary from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 100 lakhs. ● Start-up India Scheme: designed to provide ease of doing business to the startup companies in the country and these companies should not have a turnover exceeding Rs 25 crores in any of the preceding financial years. ● State–up Fest: The government organizes this in order to enable all the stakeholders of the startup ecosystem to come together. An international level fest is also organized under this scheme. ● Credit Guarantee Fund for Start–Ups: This will help the start-ups get loans from the banks as such loans will have a guarantee from the central government.

Credit Guarantee for NBFC-MFIs ● National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has introduced Partial Credit Guarantee Programme for Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) - Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). ● NABARD has signed agreements with Vivriti Capital and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank to roll out the initiative. ● Vivriti Capital is a non-banking financial corporation. ● The programme aims to ensure unhindered flow of credit in rural areas hit by the Covid- 19 pandemic. ● NABARD will provide partial guarantee on pooled loans extended to small and mid-sized MFIs Non-Banking Financial Company-Micro Finance Institution

● The NBFC-MFI is a non-deposit taking financial company. ● Conditions to qualify as NBFC-MFI: ○ Minimum Net Owned Funds (NOF) of Rs. 5 crore. ○ At least 85% of its Net Assets in the nature of Qualifying Assets. ○ The Qualifying Assets are those assets which have a substantial period of time to be ready for its intended use or sale. ● The difference between an NBFC-MFI and other NBFC is that while other NBFCs can operate at a very high level but MFIs cater to only the smaller level of social strata, with need of smaller amounts as loans.

Offline Retail Payments Scheme: ● RBI has unveiled a scheme of offline retail payments using cards and mobile devices to foster financial inclusion.

Contact : 8830115524

● There has been a considerable growth in digital payments using mobile phones, cards and wallets. ● However lack of Internet connectivity or slow Internet, especially in remote areas, is a major impediment in the adoption of digital payments.

Acceptance Development Fund ● RBI has proposed to set up an 'Acceptance Development Fund' to develop debit and credit card acceptance infrastructure in the country. ● The fund will be used to ensure the growth of card acceptance infrastructure such as swipe machines, particularly in Tier III and Tier IV cities. ● The government's contribution to the ADF would come from NABARD's Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) and RBI's contribution from the Depositors' Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. Increased Fiscal Deficit ● The government describes fiscal deficit of India as “the excess of total disbursements from the Consolidated Fund of India, excluding repayment of the debt, over total receipts into the Fund (excluding the debt receipts) during a financial year”. ● In simple words, it is a shortfall in a government's income compared with its spending. ● The government that has a fiscal deficit is spending beyond its means. ● In either case, the income figure includes only taxes and other revenues and excludes money borrowed to make up the shortfall. ● Formula: ● Fiscal Deficit = Total expenditure of the government (capital and revenue expenditure) – Total income of the government (Revenue receipts + recovery of loans + other receipts). ● Expenditure component: The government in its Budget allocates funds for several works, including payments of salaries, pensions, etc. (revenue expenditure) and creation of assets such as infrastructure, development, etc. (capital expenditure). ● Income component: The income component is made of two variables, revenue generated from taxes levied by the Centre and the income generated from non-tax variables. ● The taxable income consists of the amount generated from corporation tax, income tax, Customs duties, excise duties, GST, among others. ● the non-taxable income comes from external grants, interest receipts, dividends and profits, receipts from Union Territories, among others. ● It is different from revenue deficit which is only related to revenue expenditure and revenue receipts of the government. ● The government meets the fiscal deficit by borrowing money. In a way, the total borrowing requirements of the government in a financial year is equal to the fiscal deficit in that year. ● A high fiscal deficit can also be good for the economy if the money spent goes into the creation of productive assets like highways, roads, ports and airports that boost economic growth and result in job creation.

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● The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 provides that the Centre should take appropriate measures to limit the fiscal deficit upto 3% of the GDP by 31st March, 2021. ● The NK Singh committee (set up in 2016) recommended that the government should target a fiscal deficit of 3% of the GDP in years up to March 31, 2020 cut it to 2.8% in 2020-21 and to 2.5% by 2023.

Contraction in Core Sector Industries

● The eight core sector industries are coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity. ● These eight industries account for 40.27% in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Index of Industrial Production ● The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index that shows the growth rates in different industry groups of the economy in a fixed period of time. ● It is compiled and published monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. ● IIP is a composite indicator that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under ● Broad sectors, namely, Mining, Manufacturing, and Electricity. ● Use-based sectors, namely Basic Goods, Capital Goods, and Intermediate Goods. ● The eight core sector industries represent about 40% of the weight of items that are included in the IIP. ● The eight core industries in decreasing order of their weightage: ● Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers. ● Base Year for IIP calculation is 2011-2012. ● Significance of IIP : ● IIP is the measure on the physical volume of production. ● It is used by government agencies including the Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India, etc, for policy-making purposes. ● IIP remains extremely relevant for the calculation of the quarterly and advance Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates.

Production linked incentive (PLI) scheme ● It proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the electronics value chain. ● According to the scheme, companies that make mobile phones which sell for Rs 15,000 or more will get an incentive of up to 6 per cent on incremental sales of all such mobile phones made in India. ● implemented through a Nodal Agency which shall act as a Project Management Agency (PMA) ● All electronic manufacturing companies which are either Indian or have a registered unit in India will be eligible to apply for the scheme.

Contact : 8830115524

Purchasing Managers' Index

● PMI is an index of the prevailing direction of economic trends in the manufacturing and service sectors. ● It consists of a diffusion index that summarizes whether market conditions, as viewed by purchasing managers, are expanding, staying the same, or contracting. ● The purpose of the PMI is to provide information about current and future business conditions to company decision makers, analysts, and investors. ● It is different from the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), which also gauges the level of activity in the economy. ● IIP covers the broader industrial sector compared to PMI. ● However, PMI is more dynamic compared to a standard industrial production index. ● The PMI is a number from 0 to 100. ○ PMI above 50 represents an expansion when compared to the previous month; ○ PMI under 50 represents a contraction, and ○ A reading at 50 indicates no change. ○ If PMI of the previous month is higher than the PMI of the current month (as is the case mentioned above), it represents that the economy is contracting. ● The PMI is usually released at the start of every month. It is, therefore, considered a good leading indicator of economic activity. Expansion of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme

● Expanded to cover loans given to larger firms as well as to self-employed people and professionals who have taken loans for business purposes. ● objective was to support small businesses struggling to meet their operational liabilities due to the imposition of a nationwide lockdown. ● Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) is a loan for which 100% guarantee is provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) - banks, financial institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).

National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd ● NCGTC is a private limited company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 in 2014, ● Established by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, as a wholly owned company of the Government of India, to act as a common trustee company for multiple credit guarantee funds. ● Credit guarantee programmes are designed to share the lending risk of the lenders and in turn, facilitate access to finance for the prospective borrowers.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) ● Under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. ● responsibilities of the erstwhile DIPP relating to general industrial policy, administration of the Industries, industrial management, productivity in industry, and matters related to e-commerce.

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four new categories of responsibilities: ○ the promotion of internal trade (including retail trade), ○ the welfare of traders and their employees, ○ matters relating to facilitating Ease of Doing Business, ○ matters relating to start-ups.

Business confidence index: ● India’s leading economic think tank, National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) conducts a quarterly survey and releases Business confidence index (N-BCI). ● It tracks the business sentiments of around 600 Indian companies to compute the composite index.

FDI Confidence Index ● It is an analysis of the effect of political, economic and regulatory changes on the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into a given country in the years to come, ● as well as the preferences of CEOs, CFOs, and other top executives of Global 1000 companies. ● index published annually by AT Kearney, a global consultancy firm. ● It is constructed using primary data from a proprietary survey administered to senior executives of the world’s leading corporations. The companies taking part in the survey have $ 500 million or more annual revenue. ● India is ranked 15th in the FDI Confidence Index 2019, compared to 11th in 2018. ● The United States has topped the index for the 6th time, in a row.

Consumer Confidence survey ● It is conducted conducted every two months by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in major cities of India over 5,000 respondents. ● Survey that measures how optimistic or pessimistic consumers are regarding their expected financial situation. ● The survey measures consumer perception (current and future) on five economic variables – economic situation, employment, the price level, income and spending. ● The Consumer Confidence Index measures the change in consumer perception on the financial situation in the last year and the future expectations. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund ● launched as part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) to make farmers self-reliant ● The objective is to provide a medium-to-long-term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infra and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support. ● also work towards attracting the private sector towards the agriculture industry ● Rs 1 lakh crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans to primary Agri credit societies, farmer groups, farmer producer organizations, agri-entrepreneurs, startups and agri-tech players. ● All the loans to the beneficiaries up to Rs 2 crore will be disbursed with an interest subsidy of 3%.

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KVIC: First Silk Training cum Production Centre in Arunachal Pradesh ● The KVIC will provide machinery such as handlooms, warping drums and silk reeling machines. ● The centre is to provide training to 25 local artisans and will boost weaving activities in the region. ● The state produces all four varieties of silk namely Mulbery, Oak Tasar, Eri and Muga. ● Oak Tasar is practiced in higher altitudes. Eri and Muga at foothills areas and Mulbery is reared in middle altitude. Silk Production in India ● second largest producer in world. ● Of the four varieties of silks, Mulberry accounts to 74.51%, Eri accounts to 16.5%, Tasar to 8.5% and Muga accounts to 0.55%. ● India exports silk mainly to USA and European countries.

Silk Samagra scheme ● implemented by the Central Silk Board of India. ● Between 2017 and 2020, The four main components ● Seed organizations ● Coordination and Market Development ● Research Development, Transfer of Technology and Training and ● IT initiatives Quality Certification Systems, Technology Upgradation and Export Brand Promotion.

Central Silk Board ● a statutory body that was established in 1948. Under Ministry of Textiles. ● The headquarters in Bangalore. ● Functions: ● To promote and develop silk industry ● To assist and encourage scientific, economic and technological research ● To advise central government on matters relating to developing of silk industry ● To prepare reports relating to silk industry as required by the central government from time to time. Defence minister to launch ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Saptah’(From 10 August)

● to emphasize the importance of domestic defence production in the country ● Negative Imports List for Defence-will only procure all of these 101 items from domestic manufacturers. Atmanirbhar Bharat ● The main significance of this mission is to cut down on the import dependence of the country by focusing on the substitution of such goods with domestic products. Implementation in two phases:

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● In Phase I, it will take into account sectors such as medical textiles, electronics, plastics, toys where local manufacturing, as well as export, can be promoted. ● In Phase II, the program will focus on products like gems and jewellery, pharma and steel, etc. ● five pillars of mission – Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography and Demand.

K. V. KAMATH COMMITTEE ● Objective: The Committee is tasked to recommend parameters for one-time restructuring of corporate loans. ● The Committee will formulate sector-specific resolution plans for all accounts with total loan exposure of Rs.1,500 crore and above. ● Eligibility: Only those borrowers will be eligible for restructuring whose accounts were classified as standard and not in default for more than 30 days with any lending institution as on 1st March, 2020. Fiscal council ● Fiscal councils are independent public institutions aimed at strengthening commitments to sustainable public finances through various functions, including public assessments of fiscal plans and performance, and the evaluation or provision of macroeconomic and budgetary forecasts. ● The functions of the council include ex ante evaluation of the fiscal implications of the budget proposals which includes evaluation of how real the forecasts are and their consistency with the fiscal rules and estimating the cost of various proposals made in the budget.

Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program ● It’s a credit linked subsidy programme launched in 2008 ● for generation of employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well as urban areas. ● a central sector scheme being administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME). ● Implementing Agency : Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) ● Features: It allows entrepreneurs to set up factories or units. ● Eligibility: ○ Any individual, above 18 years of age. ○ Only new projects/units are considered for sanction of loans. ○ Self-help groups that have not availed benefits under any other public scheme, societies, production co-operative societies, and charitable trusts. ● Maximum Cost of Project/Unit Admissible: ○ Manufacturing Sector: Rs. 25 lakh ○ Service Sector: Rs.10 lakh ● Government Subsidy: ○ Rural Areas: 25% for general category and 35% for special category, which includes SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, NER, Hill and Border Areas. ○ Urban Areas: 15% for general category and 25% for special category.

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Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan ● aimed to boost livelihood opportunities in rural India amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. ● The scheme will be a coordinated effort by 12 different ministries ● The first priority of the scheme is to meet the immediate requirement of workers who have gone back to their districts by providing them with livelihood opportunities. ● The focus is also on rural citizens. ● It is a focused campaign of 125 days across 116 districts in six states to work in mission mode. ● Public works worth 50,000 crore rupees to be carried out under the scheme. ● It includes focused implementation of 25 different types of work to provide employment and to create durable infrastructure. ● The villages will join this programme through the common service centres and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

The Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana ● Implemented by Employee State Insurance Corporation. ● The scheme was approved under the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948. ● The scheme aims to support the people who have lost their jobs due to changing employment pattern due to an international crisis or a domestic crisis. ● The scheme was introduced in 2018. The scheme provides 25% of average per day earning in the previous four contribution periods. ● The scheme pays cash directly to bank account of insured persons in case of unemployment. ● Under the scheme, the workers can draw 47% of total contributions towards ESIC after being unemployed for at least three months.

Rozgar Yojana ● The Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana is implemented since 1993. ● It is designed to create and provide sustainable self-employment to more than 1 million unemployed youth in the country. ● This was introduced in the 8th plan of the country. In 2016-17, it was updated as Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Potsahan Yojana.

Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Potsahan Yojana ● The scheme was announced in 2016-17 budget. ● Implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. ● The employers are incentivized to increase the employee base through payment of EPF contribution of 22% of Employment Provident fund. ● Thus, the scheme benefits both the employer and the employee.

Pradhan Mantri Berojgari Bhatta Yojana ● The scheme was introduced in April 2020. ● The Union Government was working to implement Universal Basic Income scheme.

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● Under the scheme, the unemployed youth in the country are is to be provided with financial assistance of Rs 2000 to Rs 3500 on monthly basis.

State-Owned Technology Parks in India (STPI) ● The STPI was set up as an autonomous body in 1991 ● under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. ● The main objective of STPI is to promote software exports in the country. ● The services rendered by STPI are data communication services, statutory services, training and value-added services. ● The STPI play as crucial role in software exports with a special focus on SMEs and start up units. ● The schemes focus largely on software industry and start up growth without locational constraints. Centres of Excellence ● The Centre of Excellence is a place that provides research, leadership, support and training. ● In January 2020, Centre of Excellence in Block Chain Technology was launched in Bengaluru. It was set up by National Informatics Centre. ● These centres are important to keep India at the pace of global technological advancements.

Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana ( UDAY ) ● Launched in November 2015. ● Discoms are the Distribution Companies that are responsible to buy electricity from generation companies and selling to consumers. ● Objectives of the UDAY ○ It aims to bring down the technical and commercial losses from 22% to 15%. ○ to improve operating efficiency through compulsory smart metering and upgradation of transformers ○ It is basically a debt restructuring programme Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) ● Under Ministry of Rural Development. ● The erstwhile rural housing scheme Indira Awaas yojana (IAY) has been restructured into Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana –Gramin (PMAY-G) from 01.04.2016. ● PMAY-G aims at providing a pucca house, with basic amenities, to all houseless householder and those households living in kutcha and dilapidated house, by 2022. ● Target: Construction of 2.95 crore houses with all basic amenities by the year 2022. ● Cost sharing: shared between Central and State Governments in the ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90: 10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States. ● The scheme envisages training of Rural Masons with the objective of improving workmanship and quality of construction of houses while at the same time, increasing availability of skilled masons and enhancing employability of such masons. ● Selection of beneficiaries: Based on housing deprivation parameters of Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011, subject to 13 point exclusion criteria, followed by Gram Sabha verification.

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India Ideas Summit ● the theme ‘Building a Better Future’. ● Organized by the US India Business Council (USIBC). ● It is a platform to convene scholars, practitioners, diplomats and think tanks for high- level dialogue on key issues related to India. ● 2020 marks the 45th anniversary of USIBC. ● USIBC was formed in 1975 as a business advocacy organization to enlighten and encourage the private sectors of both India and the United States to enhance investment flows. Contingency Fund (CF) ● This is a specific provision meant for meeting unexpected and unforeseen contingencies. ● This includes 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. ● This amount is retained within the RBI.

RBI’s risk provision accounts: ● The central bank’s main risk provision accounts are Contingency Fund, Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA), Investment Revaluation Account Foreign Securities (IRA-FS) and Investment Revaluation Account-Rupee Securities (IRA-RS).

Currency and Gold Revaluation Account ( CGRA ) ● CGRA is maintained by the Reserve Bank to take care of currency risk, interest rate risk and movement in gold prices. ● Unrealised gains or losses on valuation of foreign currency assets (FCA) and gold are not taken to the income account but instead accounted for in the CGRA. ● CGRA provides a buffer against exchange rate/ gold price fluctuations. ● It can come under pressure if there is an appreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis major currencies or a fall in the price of gold.

IRA-FS and IRA-RS accounts ● The unrealised gains or losses on revaluation in foreign dated securities are recorded in the Investment Revaluation Account Foreign Securities (IRA-FS). ● Similarly, the unrealised gains or losses on revaluation is accounted for in Investment Revaluation Account-Rupee Securities (IRA-RS) UDAN ● UDAN is Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik. ● Launched under Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2016. ● The main objective of the scheme is to develop regional aviation market. ● jointly funded by the central government and state governments. ● It intends to create affordable economically viable and portable flights in regional routes.

UDAN 1.0

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● During UDAN 1.0, five airline companies were awarded 128 routes to 70 airports. ● This included 36 newly made operational airports.

UDAN 2.0 ● The Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2018 announced 73 underserved and unserved airports. For the first time, during the phase, helipads were launched. ● The Under served airports are those that do not have more than one flight a day and unserved airports are those where there are no operations.

UDAN 3.0 ● During this phase, tourism routes were included. It also included seaplanes that connected Water Aerodromes. ● Also, the north-east routes were brought under UDAN.

UDAN 4.0 ● Launched in December 2019 focusing on North Eastern Regions, Islands and Hilly states. ● The operation of seaplanes and helicopters were also incorporated under the scheme.

International UDAN ● It is an extension of the Domestic UDAN. ● It aims to connect smaller cities directly to key foreign destinations. ● The Open Skies policies are to be exercised under the scheme. ● Open sky policy is where India and other Asian countries allow direct and unlimited flights to and from 18 Indian destinations.

National GIS enabled Land Bank System ● Launched by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry ● The platform is to provide database of industrial clusters all over India. ● It will serve as one-stop solution to free and easy accessibility of industrial information. ● The system aims to help investors to get real-time information about the availability of industrial land and resources. ● information available on the system will include drainage, forest; raw material heat maps (horticulture, agricultural, mineral layers); multilayer of connectivity. ● The platform is to be supported by National Centre of Geo-Informatics, Invest India, National E-Governance Division, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Application and Geo-Informatics. ●

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) ● PMJDY National Mission for Financial Inclusion, completed its six years ● Financial inclusion defined as the process of ensuring access to financial services and timely and adequate credit where needed by vulnerable groups such as weaker sections and low-income groups at an affordable cost.

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● to ensure access to financial services, namely, Banking/Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner. ● Objectives: ○ Ensure access of financial products & services at an affordable cost. ○ Use of technology to lower cost & widen reach. ● Banking the unbanked - Opening of basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account with minimal paperwork, relaxed KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance & zero charges ● Securing the unsecured - Issuance of Indigenous Debit cards for cash withdrawals & payments at merchant locations, with free accident insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh ● Funding the unfunded - Other financial products like micro-insurance, overdraft for consumption, micro-pension & micro-credit

Environment .. One in every Three Child are Poisoned by Lead: UNICEF Report ● WHO has joined with the United Nations Environment Programme to form the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint. ● Factors contributing to lead poisoning: ● Informal and substandard recycling of lead-acid batteries. ● smelting the recovered lead in crude, open-air furnaces that emit toxic fumes poisoning the surrounding community. ● How lead affects children? ● Lead is a potent neurotoxin that causes irreparable harm to children’s brains. ● damages their brain before they have had the opportunity to fully develop, causing them lifelong neurological, cognitive and physical impairment. ● to mental health and behavioural problems and an increase in crime and violence. ● Older children suffer severe consequences, including increased risk of kidney damage and cardiovascular diseases in later life. ● Lead is still widely used for: ● car batteries, pigments, ammunition, cable sheathing, weights for lifting, weight belts for diving, lead crystal glass, radiation protection and in some solders. It is often used to store corrosive liquids. Some Heavy metal and disease because of that Arsenic : Black foot Mercury: Minamata Cadmium: Itai-Itai Nitrate: Blue Baby syndrome (Methaemoglobinemia)

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ● Objective: to aiding national efforts to improve the health, nutrition, education, and general welfare of children. Headquarters: New York City. ● created in 1946 as International Children’s Emergency Fund (ICEF) by UN relief Rehabilitation Administration to help children affected by World War II. ● UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations in 1953 ● UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 Contact : 8830115524

● In 1982, UNICEF commenced a new children's health program that focused on monitoring growth, oral rehydration therapy, advocating breastfeeding and immunization.

Investment to Reduce Plastic Waste in India ● A Singapore-based-NGO namely ‘Alliance to End Plastic Waste’ plans to invest between USD 70 million to 100 million in India over the next five years to reduce plastic waste. Alliance to End Plastic Waste ● Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit organisation ● to help solve this serious and complex issue – 8 million tons of plastic waste entering the ocean every year. ● Purpose: It works with government, environmental and economic development NGOs and communities around the world to address the challenge to end plastic waste in the environment. ● Focus Areas : The alliance focuses on solutions in four strategic areas: infrastructure, innovation, education & engagement and the clean up. ● Nearly fifty companies across the plastics value chain have joined the Alliance ● Alliance to End Plastic Waste’ is working on the Project Aviral which aims to reduce plastic waste in the Ganga river. ● Waste Wise Cities (WWC): The collaboration supports the WWC Challenge to clean up and establish sustainable waste management in 20 cities around the world by 2022. ● It is also implementing the Zero Plastic Waste Cities initiative in India and Vietnam which aims to tackle the plastic issue by improving and supplementing municipal waste management, repurposing collected waste and preventing it from flowing into the ocean. ● The two initial cities involved in this project are Puducherry in India and Tan An in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. A smog tower ● Smog tower installation project in Delhi: SC asks Centre to start work soon ● A smog tower is a structure designed to work as a large-scale air purifier. ● The project is collaboration between the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, IIT-Delhi and the University of Minnesota. ● How it works : This structure 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 first such tower was erected in 2015, in Rotterdam, Netherlands (it can filter 30,000 cubic metres of air per hour around it. ● Experts have said that the towers would create “clean air zones” in the city. ● A tower would reduce 50% of the particulate matter load — fine dust particles suspended in the air — in an area of 1 kilometre in the direction of the wind, as well as 200 metres each along the sides of the tower and against the direction of the wind.

National Clean Air Programme ● Launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) MoEFCC in January 2019.

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● It is the first-ever effort in the country to frame a national framework for air quality management with a time-bound reduction target. ● It seeks to cut the concentration of ○ coarse (particulate matter of diameter 10 micrometer or less, or PM10) and ○ fine particles (particulate matter of diameter 2.5 micrometer or less, or PM2.5) by at least 20% in the next five years, ○ with 2017 as the base year for comparison. ● The plan includes 102 non-attainment cities, across 23 states and Union territories, which were identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the basis of their ambient air quality data between 2011 and 2015. ● Non-attainment cities: These are those that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years.

National Green Tribunal ● It is a specialised body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 ● for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. ● It draws inspiration from Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment. ● Original Jurisdiction: It is related to matters of “substantial question relating to the environment” and “damage to the environment due to specific activity”. ● It follows principles of Natural Justice. ● NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing the same. ● five places of sittings, New Delhi (Principal place) and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai

Yellow fever

● It is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The yellow in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients. ● Symptoms: Fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. ● A small proportion of patients who contract the virus develop severe symptoms and approximately half of those die within 7 to 10 days. ● Endemic : The virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Central and South America. ● Eliminate yellow fever epidemics(EYE) 2017-2026 : It has been developed by a coalition of partners (Gavi, UNICEF and WHO) that aims at ending yellow fever epidemics by 2026. ● Other fever : African Swine fever , Congo fever , Lassa fever

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) ● emerged in China first. ● SFTS virus which belongs to the Bunyavirus family and is transmitted to humans through tick bites.

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● A tick called Asian Longhorned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is believed to be the primary vector (carrier) of the virus. ● Transmitted to humans from animals like goats, cattle, deer and sheep ● Despite being infected by the virus, animals generally do not show any symptoms associated with SFTSV. Symptoms: ● Fever, fatigue, chill, headache, nausea, myalgia (muscle pain), diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gingival haemorrhage, conjunctival congestion, etc. ● Early warning signs include severe fever, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and leukocytopenia (low white blood cell count). ● There is no vaccine to treat the disease yet. However, the antiviral drug Ribavirin is known to be effective in treating the illness. ● Concerns Due to current case fatality rate of between 16 and 30%, the virus has been listed among the top 10 priority diseases Blueprint by the World Health Organisation(WHO). African Swine Fever (ASF) ● African swine fever (ASF) has spread to Meghalaya; ● ASF is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease that infects domestic and wild pigs, typically resulting in an acute form of hemorrhagic fever. ● It was first detected in Africa in the 1920s. ● The mortality is close to 100 per cent, and since the fever has no cure, the only way to stop it spreading is by culling the animals. ● ASF is not a threat to human beings since it only spreads from animals to other animals.

West Nile Virus ● a RNA virus , It was carried by birds and was spread to humans by mosquitoes. ● The virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family. The Flaviviridae family also contains Zika virus, yellow fever virus and Dengue virus. ● Neuroinvasive disease. Glanders ● It is an infectious disease that is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei.

Galapagos Islands ● Islands are in the Pacific Ocean. It is administratively a province of Ecuador. ● Formed at the meeting point of three tectonic plates—the Nazca, Cocos, and Pacific ● In 1978, Declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site ● endemic species such as land iguana, giant tortoise

UNESCO World Heritage Site ● A world Heritage site is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which is based in Paris, France. ● India has 38 world heritage sites that include 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.

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Humboldt Current ● Also called the Peru Current, is a cold, low-salinity ocean current that flows north along the western coast of South America. ● highly productive ecosystem. It accounts for roughly 18-20% of the total worldwide marine fish catch. Aarhus Convention, 1998 ● The UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision- making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, usually known as the Aarhus Convention, ● Signed on 25 June 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus. ● Stipulates that environmental rights and human rights are linked. ● It states that the present generation owes an obligation to future generations. ● It links government accountability and environmental protection.

Ecological Trap ● Ecological trap theory describes the reasons why organisms may actually prefer sink patches over source patches. ● The concept stems from the idea that organisms that are actively selecting habitat must rely on environmental cues to help them identify high-quality habitat. ● If either the habitat quality or the cue changes so that one does not reliably indicate the other, organisms may be lured into poor-quality habitat. ● It thought to occur when the attractiveness of a habitat increases disproportionately in relation to its value for survival and reproduction. ● The result is preference of falsely attractive habitat and a general avoidance of high- quality but less-attractive habitats.

National Transit Pass System (NTPS) ● Online transit pass generation system for timber, bamboo and other forest produce. ● Launched by the Union Environment Ministry. ● The pilot project will be functional in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana for now. ● A transit pass issued will be valid across India. This will enhance seamless movement of forest produce. Gaia hypothesis

● put forth by James Lovelock is an ecological theory proposing that living creatures and the physical world are in a complex interacting system that maintains equilibrium.

BHUNGROO

● Bhungroo is a water harvesting system aimed to enhance water-use efficiency. ● The model is to store rainwater underground, which can be recovered by pumping, and recharging the ground water system.

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Leopard:

1. Scientific Name- Panthera pardus. 2. Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 3. Included in Appendix I of CITES. 4. Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. 5. Nine subspecies of the leopard have been recognized, and they are distributed across Africa and Asia.

India’s first Snow Leopard Conservation Centre:

● developed by the Uttarakhand Forest Department along with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) ● the areas where snow leopards have been should be identified by the forest department by the cooperation of local people and military forces ● The Forest Department is going to develop six city forests to expand the green area in the urban regions of the state. ● The main aim of this project is to increase the green cover in urban areas and also to connect people to greenery and clean environment.

TRAFFIC

● NGO working globally on the trade of wild animals and plants ● Founded in 1976 as a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). ● Location : Cambridge, UK

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

● the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life ● established in 1965 by the General Assembly of the United Nations. ● four main focus areas: ○ Poverty Reduction and Achievement of the MDGs ○ Democratic Governance ○ Crisis Prevention and Recovery ○ Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development ● Headquartered in New York City, the UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from member nations. ● UNDP publishes an annual Human Development Report (since 1990) to measure and analyse developmental progress.

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Rakhis tied to trees in Aravalis:

Background: ● The degradation of the Aravalis threatens Gurugram and National Capital Region’s water security.

Aravali Range:

● They are aligned in north-east to south-west direction. They run between Delhi and Palanpur in Gujarat. ● The highest peak is Guru Shikhar at 1,722 metres (5,650 ft). ● one of the oldest fold mountains of the world and the oldest in India. ● According to some geographers, one Branch of the Aravalis extends to the Lakshadweep Archipelago through the Gulf of Khambhat and the other into Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. ● At the south-west extremity the range rises to over 1,000 m. Here Mt. Abu (1,158 m), a small hilly block, is separated from the main range by the valley of the Banas. ● Pipli Ghat, Dewair and Desuri passes allow movement by roads and railways. ● Three major rivers and their tributaries flow from the Aravalli, namely Banas and Sahibi rivers which are tributaries of Yamuna, as well as Luni River which flows into the Rann of Kutch

Dhole

● About: Dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a wild carnivorous animal belonging to the canine family, found in Central, South, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. They are also known as Asian wild dogs. ● Ecological role: Dholes play an important role as apex predators in forest ecosystems. ● Conservation Status: ‘endangered’ category. ● The species is protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and under Appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). ● In India, the first conservation breeding centre for dhole was built at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in 2014. Thenzawl Golf Resort in Mizoram: ● implemented under Integrated Development of New Eco-Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. ● Designed by Graham Cooke and Associates, one of top-ranked Canada based Golf Course architectural firm. ● Golf tourism has a strong potential in India because the climatic condition is more favourable here as compared to most countries.

Pokkali Rice: Kerala ● Farmers in West Bengal are experimenting it

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● known for its saltwater resistance and flourishes in the rice paddies of coastal Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala. ● medicinal properties and its higher value of antioxidants and low carbohydrate content makes it preferable to those on a low sugar diet. ● rice has brought it the Geographical Indication (GI) tag ● Other GI Tag Registered Varieties from Kerala: Kaipad, Wayanad Jeerakasala, Wayanad Gandhakasala, Palakkadan Matta and Navara.

Kuttanad below-sea level farming system ● It is unique as it practices rice cultivation below sea level. ● ecognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) ● started by the FAO to safeguard and support the world's agricultural heritage systems. ● GIAHS are outstanding landscapes of aesthetic beauty that combine agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems and a valuable cultural heritage. ● Three recognised GIAHS sites in India: ○ Pampore Saffron Heritage of Kashmir. ○ Koraput Traditional Agriculture of Odisha. ○ Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System of Kerala.

India Meteorological Department ● IMD was established in 1875. ● It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. ● It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology Long Period Average (LPA): ● It is the average rainfall recorded during the months from June to September, calculated during the 50-year period, and is kept as a benchmark while forecasting the quantitative rainfall for the monsoon season every year. ● IMD maintains an independent LPA for every homogeneous region of the country, which ranges from 71.6 cm to 143.83 cm. IMD maintains five rainfall distribution categories on an all-India scale. 1. Normal or Near Normal: When per cent departure of actual rainfall is +/-10% of LPA, that is, between 96-104% of LPA. 2. Below Normal: When departure of actual rainfall is less than 10% of LPA, that is 90-96% of LPA. 3. Above Normal: When actual rainfall is 104-110% of LPA. 4. Deficient: When departure of actual rainfall is less than 90% of LPA. 5. Excess: When departure of actual rainfall is more than 110% of LPA. Basic Concepts: Isobars: A line representing places of equal atmospheric pressure. Isobaths: A line representing places of equal depth underwater. Isobathytherm: A line representing depths of water with equal temperature.

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Isocheim: A line representing places of equal mean winter temperature. Isodose: A line representing places of equal intensity of radiation. Isohaline: A line representing places of equal salinity in the ocean. Isohel: A line representing places receiving equal amounts of sunshine. Isohume: A line representing places of equal humidity. Isoneph: A line representing places of equal degree of cloudiness. Isoplat: A line representing points of equal acidity, as in acid precipitation. Isotherm: A line representing points of equal temperature. Isohyet: A line representing places having same mean annual rainfall. Composition : It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and 3 other Members who are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. At least one member should be a woman. The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the other Members hold office for a term of 3 years. The members are not eligible for appointment for more than two terms. The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Ministers, the Vice Chairperson has the rank of a Minister of State and other Members have the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India

AGROMETEOROLOGY IN INDIA ● The Centre for Science and Environment has released a report titled,Agrometeorological services in India- An assessment’. ● Agrometeorology is the study and use of weather and climate information to improve the productivity of the agricultural sector. ● The three sub-sectors which work together to provide such services include ○ Weather forecasting; ○ Generation of agromet advisories (identifying how weather forecasts affect farming); ○ Dissemination of advisories (two-way communication with users). ●

The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) ● central sector scheme worth Rs.6,000 crore for sustainable management of groundwater with community participation. ● It envisages people's participation through the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water budgeting, preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc. ● implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (earlier known as Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation). ● funded by the Government of India and the World Bank on 50:50 basis. ● The identified over-exploited and water-stressed areas for the implementation of the scheme are Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. ● India was at the bottom of the water quality index, at 120 among 122 countries. Groundwater Dark Zones ● Areas where groundwater consumption is overexploited.

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● Here the rate of annual consumption is more than the annual rate of recharge of groundwater. ● The government keeps a record of such dark zones in the states and the country. ● almost 80% of the domestic water supplies [both rural and urban] rely on groundwater. ● According to another report by the World Bank, India is held responsible for about 25% of the groundwater abstraction due to its increasing number of dark zones.

FLASH DROUGHTS ● In contrast with conventional drought, which is mainly driven by lack of precipitation, flash drought usually includes abnormally high temperatures, winds, and/or incoming radiation that leads to abnormally high evapotranspiration (ET) rates. ● Flash droughts occur more often than perceived and can cause major agricultural losses if they are not predicted and detected in a timely manner.

Pyrolysis ● Definition: Plastic from used personal protective equipment (PPE) can be transformed into renewable liquid fuels using chemical a process called pyrolysis ● a thermochemical treatment, which can be applied to any organic (carbon-based) product. ● About treatment: material is exposed to high temperature, and in the absence of oxygen goes through chemical and physical separation into different molecules. ● applications : convert biomass into syngas and biochar, waste plastics back into usable oil, or waste into safely disposable substances. ● Waste to energy technology

Green bonds scenario in India ● India’s First Green Bond was issued by Yes Bank Ltd in 2015. ● In 2016, India became second country (after China) to provide national level guidelines for Green bonds, issued by SEBI. ● According to the 2019-20 Economic Survey, India has the second largest green bond market among emerging economies after China. India has issued $10.2 billion of green bonds in the first half of 2019. ● World’s first Green Bond launched by World Bank (2007) ● BRICS Bank (New Development Bank) issued Yuan denominated green bonds (2016) ● Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) launched India’s first Masala Green Bond at London Stock Exchange (2018) Tsunami Ready Programme: UNESCO-IOC

● It is a community performance-based programme initiated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO ● to promote tsunami preparedness through active collaboration of public, community leaders, and national and local emergency management agencies. ● The main objective of this programme is to improve coastal community's preparedness for tsunami emergencies, to minimize the loss of life and property and to ensure a structural and systematic approach in building community preparedness

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● Recently, UNESCO-IOC has approved the recognition of two communities of Odisha viz., Venkatraipur and Noliasahi as Tsunami Ready Communities ● India has become the first country in the Indian Ocean Region to achieve the honor from the UNESCO-IOC. ● INCOIS (an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth sciences) is also providing tsunami advisories to Indian Ocean region (25 countries) as a Tsunami Service Provider as the responsibility assigned by UNESCO-IOC. ● The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), INCOIS is the nodal agency to provide tsunami advisories to India. It is coordinating with the Disaster Management Officials (DMOs) for implementation of Tsunami Ready programme in India The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC): ● IOC-UNESCO was established in 1960 as a body with functional autonomy within UNESCO ● only competent organization for marine science within the UN system. ● The purpose : to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity-building, in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making processes of its Member States. ● The IOC is recognized through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the competent international organization in the fields of Marine Scientific Research and Transfer of Marine Technology. Tsunamis ● These are a series of waves usually generated by movement of the sea floor. These movements are caused by different types of geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions. ● The word tsunami is a Japanese word, tsu, means, "harbor", and nami means, "wave". ● The tsunami waves behave very differently in deep water than in shallow water as their speed is related to the water depth.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana ● Ministry of Agriculture funding start-ups under the innovation and agripreneurship component of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in 2020-21. ● These start-ups are in various categories such as agro-processing, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, farm mechanisation, waste to wealth, dairy, fisheries etc. About : ● RKVY scheme was initiated in 2007 as an umbrella scheme for ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors. ● The scheme incentivizes States to increase public investment in Agriculture & allied sectors. ● Centrally Sponsored Scheme in the ratio of 60: 40,except in the case of northeastern and hilly states where the sharing pattern is 90:10. Components of this scheme: ● Agripreneurship Orientation – 2 months duration with a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000/- per month. Mentorship is provided on financial, technical, IP issues etc.

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● Seed Stage Funding of R-ABI Incubatees – Funding upto Rs. 25 lakhs (85% grant & 15% contribution from the incubatee). ● Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding of Agripreneurs – Funding up to Rs. 5 lakhs (90% grant and 10% contribution from the incubatee). ● The main objective of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is to develop farming as a main source of economic activity. ● Some of the objectives also include: ○ Risk mitigation, strengthening the efforts of the farmers along with promoting agri-business entrepreneurship through the creation of agri-infrastructure. ○ Providing all the states with autonomy and flexibility in making plans as per their local needs. ○ Helping farmers in increasing their income by encouraging productivity and promoting value chain addition linked production models. ○ To reduce the risk of farmers by focusing on increasing the income generation through mushroom cultivation, integrated farming, floriculture, etc. ○ Empowering the youth through various skill development, innovation and agri- business models Kisan Rail: ● a special Parcel Train from Devlali (Maharashtra) to Danapur (Bihar).(a weekly service) ● It is in pursuance of announcement made by Finance Minister in Union Budget 2020-21. ● It is expected that the train will provide seamless supply chain of Perishable produce, like vegetables, fruits to the market in a short period of time. ● train with frozen containers is expected to build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of fish, meat and milk.

Pangolin: ● Pangolin is only scaly mammal on the planet. ● According to CITES, it is also the most illegally traded vertebrate within its class (Mammalia). ● Of the eight species of pangolin worldwide, two are found in India. They are Chinese pangolin, mostly found in northeast India and Indian pangolin. Status: ● Chinese pangolin -“critically endangered”. ● Indian pangolin “endangered”. ● It is also a Schedule I category protected animal, under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Eravikulam National Park ● It is located in the High Ranges (Kannan Devan Hills) of the Southern Western Ghats in the Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District, Kerala. ● hosts South India's highest peak, Anamudi (2695 m), in its southern area. ● It was declared as Eravikulam-Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary in 1975 and was elevated to the status of a National Park in 1978. ● The park represents the largest and least disturbed stretch of unique Montane Shola- Grassland vegetation in the Western Ghats.

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● Flora: Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once every 12 years ● Fauna: The park holds the largest viable population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr locrius) Nilgiri Tahr ● Nilgiri Tahr is also known as Nilgiri Ibex. ● IUCN Status: Endangered. ● listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which provides absolute protection and offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties ● The Adult males of Nilgiri Tahr species develop a light grey area or “saddle” on their backs and are hence called “Saddlebacks” ● State animal of Tamil Nadu. ● It is found in open montane grassland habitat of rain forests ecoregion. ● It is endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portion of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu & Kerala Mukurthi National Park ● Park was created to protect its keystone species, the Nilgiri Tahr. ● Previously known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park. ● It is part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve along with Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Silent Valley.

The Envistats India 2020 report. ● The report was prepared by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation & released by The National Statistical Office. ● report says that the number of heat wave days in 2019 increased over 80%. Papum Reserve Forest ● in Arunachal Pradesh. ● surrounded by Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary to the east and Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary to the west. ● It is a part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity hotspot in India. ● It forms part of the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area.

Biodiversity Hostpots ● A biodiversity hotspot is an area with unusual concentration of species(high species richness), many of which are endemic(high degree of endemism.). ● It is marked by serious threat to its biodiversity by humans. ● According to Conservation International, a region must fulfill the following two criteria to qualify as a hotspot: ○ The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it should have a high degree of endemism. ○ It must contain 30% (or less) of its original habitat, i.e. it must be threatened. ● Accordingly, 34 biodiversity hotspots have been so far identified. Collectively, the Biodiversity hotspots support 60% of world’s plant and animal species with a high share of endemics and cover around 2.5% of Earth’s land surface. 4- Biodiversity Hostpots in India

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- Himalaya - Indo-Burma - Sundalands (Nicobar islands) - Western Ghats.

Hope Spots ● Hope Spots are special places that are scientifically identified as critical to the health of the ocean ● Dr.Sylvia Earle introduced the concept of Hope Spot because very less number ie only 6% of ocean is protected while comparing with the land which is 12% protected. ● Hope spot are the areas that need new protection but they can also be existing Marine Protected Areas where more action is needed. ● the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Mission Blue released 50 hope spot yet. ● Hope Spot Sites from India : 1.Lakshadeep 2.Andaman Nicobar Islands

Mission Blue ● Mission Blue is a global coalition to create public awareness ,to access,and support for a world wide network of Marine Protected Areas ie Hope Spots . ● The Aim of mission blue to create Hope Spots to increase the protection of ocean ecology. ● Mission Blue organisation is led by oceanographer Dr.Sylvia Earle.

Hope Spot Network ● a joint initiative of Mission Blue and International Union Of Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

BIODIVERSITY COOL SPOTS ● There are ‘cool-spots’ (the world’s last refuges where high numbers of threatened species still persist). ● Cool-spots could be the result of protection or because of intact habitat that has not been cleared yet. ● India still has crucial refuges that need protecting. Identifying such areas could aid conservation and development planning for countries. ● Roads and croplands are extensive in India and conversion of habitat for such activities could be a main threat.

SURAKHSYA: National Portal of “Project Elephant” launched ● Aims to collect real time information and manage conflicts on real time basis. ● The portal will help to set data collection protocols, data visualization tools and data transmission pipelines.

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Project Elephant ● Launched in 1992 by the Ministry of Environment and Forest. ● Aims to 1. provide financial and technical support to wild life management. 2. to make sure long-term survival of elephant populations in the natural habitats. 3. to supports research in management of elephants and providing veterinary care 4. conservation among local people.

● August 12: World Elephant Day ● The African Elephants are listed as Vulnerable and Asian Elephants as Endangered in IUCN ● there are around 32 elephant Reserves in India. ● The very first elephant reserve or elephant sanctuary was the Singhbhum Elephant Reserve of Jharkhand. ● Karnataka has highest number of elephant in india Some Key Facts about Elephant: ● world's largest land mammal ● Elephants need up to 150kg of food per day ● very intelligent animals….Elephants never forget ● Elephant families are led by females ● elephants are pregnant for 18 to 22 months

Elephant Corridors ● The Elephant Corridor is a narrow stretch of land that connects habitats with elephant population. There are 88 identified elephant corridors in India. Biofuel Day( 10 August ) ● Theme for 2020: “Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat”. ● Objective: 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. ● Celebrated by: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas since 2015. Biofuel: ● Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter (living or once living material) in a short period of time (days, weeks, or even months) is considered a biofuel. Classification of Biofuels: ● First generation biofuels: It refers to the fuels that have been derived from sources like starch, sugar, animal fats and vegetable oil. ● 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 biohydrogen, biomethanol. ● Third generation biofuels : These are produced from specially engineered energy crops such as algae. ● Fourth-Generation Biofuels: It uses genetically modified (GM) algae to enhance biofuel production.

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Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana, 2019: ● objective of the scheme is to create an ecosystem for setting up commercial projects and to boost Research and Development in 2G Ethanol sector ● to provide financial support to Integrated Bio-Ethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass & other renewable feedstock.

GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) DHAN scheme, 2018: ● It focuses on managing and converting cattle dung and solid waste in farms to useful compost,biogas and bio-CNG, thus keeping villages clean and increasing the income of rural households. ● launched under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO): ● It was launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) ● aims for an ecosystem that will enable the collection and conversion of used cooking oil to biodiesel. Sustainable Alternative towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) scheme ● Launched in 2018 , By ➔ the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas ● Objective to promote Compressed Biogas as an alternative, green transport fuel by establishing 5000 Compressed Biogas(CBG) plants across the country by 2023.

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National Fish Farmers Day 2020: ● Observed on 10th July every year in honour of scientists Dr. K. H. Alikunhi and Dr. H.L. Chaudhury. ● These two scientists had successfully demonstrated the technology of induced breeding (Hypophysation) in Indian Major Carps. ● In India, the major carps, Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mrigal(Cirrhinus mrigala) are the mainstay of freshwater aquaculture. Chhattisgarh to launch “Indira Van Mitan Yojana” ● It is an initiative to support forest dwellers from scheduled areas of Chhattisgarh and achieve self-reliance. ● Under the scheme, a group of 10 to 15 youngsters are to be formed in 10,000 villages of 19 lakh families in Chhattisgarh. ● The villages are to be selected from tribal areas the state. ● The groups will manage forest based economic activities. ● Also, the team will manage procurement, marketing and processing of forest produce. ● The scheme is to encourage plantation of fruit bearing trees and medicinal plants.

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Geothermal Springs ● Water on the earth’s surface percolates into porous rocks and is subjected to intense heat. When this water matter comes in contact with hot magma in the lower part of the crust, they are converted into steam. As more and more water get converted into steam, the pressure increases. The increased pressure forces the steam through vents beneath the earth’s surface. The steam gets converted into hot spring water as it reaches the surface due to decrease in pressure.

Project Cheetah ● The Indian Armed Forces have decided to revive “Project Cheetah” amidst tensions with China. ● Under the project, around 90 Heron drones of the services are to be upgraded with laser-guided bombs, air launched anti-tank guided missiles and air to ground anti-tank guided missiles. BEEG (Bio - compost Enriched Eco-friendly Globule) ● By IIT Kanpur: which will help farmers in plantation with safety in Corona times. ● These are seed balls consisting of indigenous variety of seeds, compost and clay. There is no need for digging pits for planting saplings. ● These seed balls are to be thrown at aimed places and they will germinate when come into contact with water. ● Significance: BEEG is enriched with the right ingredients and seeds to germinate early and are the best way to utilise monsoon and plant as many trees as possible without risking lives by social gathering during Covid 19. Seed Bomb ● A seed bomb is a little ball generally made up of a combination of compost, clay and seeds ● The compost offers nutrients for the seeds to germinate and grow strong during their infancy ● the clay binds the seed bomb, making it hard enough not to break when it hits the ground. ● It is used in re-vegetation and reforestation of the fragile ecosystems. ● The plantation technique wherein seed balls are sprayed using aerial devices, including planes, helicopters or drones, is known as Aerial seeding. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization(SMAM) ● launched in April 2014 ● to have inclusive growth of farm mechanization to boost productivity. ● aims to promote the usage of farm mechanization and increase the ratio of farm power to cultivable unit area up to 2 kW/ha. ● provided subsidy for procurement of machinery. FARMS-app

● Union Agriculture ministry has developed a Multi lingual Mobile App, 'CHC (Custom Hiring Centers) - Farm Machinery' ● which connects farmers with Custom Hiring Service Centers situated in their locality.

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● It encourages small and marginal farmers to take machines on rental basis for agriculture practices without them having to purchase such high priced machines.

Butterflies Species of Matheran ● Scientists from the Bombay Natural History Society found 140 rare species of butterflies, including 77 new ones in Matheran after a long gap of 125 years. ● Biostatistical techniques were used by the team. ● The team used a barcode system to denote seasons and the activities of the butterflies.

Matheran (forest on the forehead) ● an eco-sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. ● It is one of the smallest hill stations of India and is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan region along the Western Ghats. Depsang Plains: ● The Depsang Plains & Pangong Tso are the two major areas of concern in the ongoing standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. ● Depsang is one of the few places on the LAC where tank manoeuvres are possible.

Mullaperiyar Dam ● It is located on the confluence of the Mullayar and the Periyar rivers in Kerala, and is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu. ● The dam is in the state of Kerala but it was given on lease to the Tamil Nadu on 29th October, 1886 for 999 years. ● Tamil Nadu was permitted to generate power from the dam, through an agreement in 1970. Papum Reserve Forest ● In Arunachal Pradesh , surrounded by Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary to the east and Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary to the west. ● It is covered by Subtropical Dry Evergreen and Semi-evergreen Forests, while the higher areas are under Subtropical Broadleaf Hill Forest cover. ● It is a part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity hotspot in India ● Papum Reserve Forest forms part of the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area. ● An Endemic Bird Area is an area of land identified by BirdLife International as being important for habitat-based bird conservation because it contains the habitats of restricted-range bird species. ● BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. ● Papum RF is a nesting habitat of three species of hornbills: the great hornbill (Buceros bicornis), wreathed hornbill (Aceros undulatus) and the Oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), ● the Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis) species are found in Pakke reserve Great hornbill

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● found in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. ● India is home to nine species of hornbills. The northeastern region has the highest diversity ● State bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala. ● Status: vulnerable. ● It is protected at the highest level under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. ● Significance: ● cultural symbols of some ethnic communities in the northeast, specifically the Nyishi of Arunachal Pradesh. ● ‘forest engineers’ or ‘farmers of forest’ for playing a key role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees and indicate the prosperity and balance of the forest they build nests in. ● The Hornbill festival celebrated in Nagaland

Krishi Megh: ● the data recovery centre of ICAR virtually launched by Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare ● set up under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP). ● centre has been set up at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad. ● Significance and benefits: 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. ● Krishi Megh is equipped with the latest artificial intelligence and deep learning software for building and deploying of deep learning-based applications through image analysis, disease identification in livestock, etc. ● It enables the farmers, researchers, students and policymakers to be more equipped with the updated and latest information regarding agriculture and research.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research( ICAR ) ● established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. headquartered at New Delhi. ● It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. ● Union Minister of Agriculture serves as its president. National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP)

● The project is funded by both the government of India and the World Bank. ● Objective: to provide more relevant and high-quality education to the agricultural university students that is in tune with the New Education Policy – 2020.

One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative

● OSOWOG initiative was proposed by : The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) India

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● aims at building a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources that can be easily shared ● Objective: To build global consensus about sharing solar resources among more than 140 countries of West Asia and South-East Asia. ● Vision is ‘The Sun Never Sets’ and is a constant at some geographical location, globally, at any given point of time ● It has been taken up under the technical assistance program of the World Bank.

International cooperation to protect tiger: Global Tiger forum ● is the only intergovernmental international body ● It is focused on saving the remaining five subspecies of tigers distributed over 13 tiger range countries of the world. ● Global Tiger Day:29 July ● created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit.

Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) ● Program of the World Bank, using its presence and convening ability, brought global partners together to strengthen the tiger agenda. ● the initiative has institutionalised itself as a separate entity in the form of the Global Tiger Initiative Council (GTIC), ● its two arms –the Global Tiger Forum and the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program.

National Tiger conservation authority (NTCA) ● a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and climate change. ● established in 2005 following the recommendations of the Tiger task force. ● It was constituted under enabling provisions of the wildlife (protection) act 1972, as amended in 2006. ● It is responsible for implementation of the Project Tiger to protect endangered tigers. ● All India Tiger Estimation done quadrennially(Every four year) ● NTCA has launched the M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status), a mobile monitoring system for forest guards. ●

Project Tiger: ● Launched in Jim Corbett National Park of Uttarakhand in 1973, with 9 tiger reserves ● Currently 50 tiger reserves in the country ● Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change ● Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers at 526, closely followed by Karnataka (524) and Uttarakhand (442). ● Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttrakhand) had the largest population of tigers at about 231 in 2018 ● Nagpur is also known as the ‘Tiger Capital’ of India

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Project Lion ● For conservation of Asiatic Lions. It will focus on habitat development by engaging modern technologies. ● It will involve local communities living closer to lion landscapes.The Project will also provide livelihood opportunities to these people. ● Project Lion is to focus on health management of lions and provide world standard care to the lions. ● Project Lion will enhance finances and duration that are already being allocated by GoI. Asiatic Lion ● Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule 1 ● CITES Appendix I ● IUCN Red List: Endangered ● Asiatic lions were once distributed to the state of West Bengal in east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India.Dolphin ● At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion. Project Dolphin ● Launched to conserve and protect the Dolphins in the rivers and oceans in the country. ● The project will conserve dolphins in aquatic habitat using modern technology especially in anti-poaching activities. ● The project is to involve fishermen and other set of population that are dependent on rivers and oceans for their livelihood. ● The Project is to primarily focus on Gangetic Dolphins. The Gangetic Dolphins ● declared as National Aquatic Animal in 2010 ● Endangered under IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. It has been listed under CITES Appendix-1. ● The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Bihar is the only sanctuary for the Gangetic Dolphins in the country. ● These are generally blind and catch their prey in a unique manner. They emit an ultrasonic sound which reaches the prey. ● These are also called susu. ● Location: Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems and in the Ganga’s tributaries. Organic farming in India: ● Organic farming: is an agricultural process that uses biological fertilizers and pest control acquired from animal or plant waste. ● It is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro- ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. ● India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming. ● Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic ● North East India , the tribal and island territories has traditionally been organic ● The major organic exports from India have been flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses. Government Initiatives to Promote Organic Farming Contact : 8830115524

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana ● The scheme covers an area of about 7 lakh hectares. It brought about 16 Farmer Producer Organizations cultivating 80,000 hectares of land. ● The aim is to produce pesticide residue free produce and contribute towards improving health of the consumer. ● The scheme is a major project under National Mission of sustainable Agriculture. Also, it is an elaborate component of Soil Health Management. ● Cluster approach : Over 50 and more farmers will form clusters with 50-acres of land and take up organic farming.

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) ● a Central Sector Scheme, a sub-mission under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) ● It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2015 ● implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. ● The scheme aims to develop certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of the entire value chain.

Agri-export Policy 2018 ● Focus on clusters and Marketing and promotion of “Produce of India” have positively impacted the organic farming in India

One District - One Product (ODOP) ● The programme aims to encourage more visibility and sale of indigenous and specialized products/crafts of Uttar Pradesh, generating employment at the district level. ● The presence of aggregators is imperative to bring about economies of scale for the small and marginal farmers.

PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) ● The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) launched the PM FME scheme as a part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. ● It aims to bring in new technology, apart from affordable credit to help small entrepreneurs penetrate new markets.

Zero Budget Natural Farming ● Zero budget natural farming is a method of chemical-free agriculture drawing from traditional Indian practices. Mekedatu project ● Mekedatu is a location along Cauvery in Kanakapura Taluk of Ramanagara District of Karnataka. ● Karnataka wants a reservoir across Cauvery at Mekedatu, to meet Bengaluru’s water problem. ● Tamil Nadu objected saying Karnataka had not sought prior permission for the project.

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● Its argument was that the project would affect the flow of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Cauvery River ● River rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in south-western Karnataka state. ● The river basin : Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry. ● Key tributaries: Hemavati, Lakshmantirtha, Kabani (Kabbani), Amaravati, Noyil, and Bhavani rivers. ● Falls : Hogenakal Falls. Dams: Mettur Dam

Fly Ash Or Coal Ash ● Fly ash is a coal combustion product. ● Composition: consists primarily of oxides of silicon, aluminum iron and calcium. Magnesium, potassium, sodium, titanium, sulfur arsenic, lead and mercury. are also present to a lesser degre. ● Uses: Ultra High Volume Fly ash Concrete, in low to moderate strength concrete. In cement, in bricks replacing normal clay bricks. road base, metal recovery, and mineral filler among others. ● Construction projects and the red clay bricks located within 300 km of a thermal power plant to use fly ash products. ● Harmful Effects: Fly ash particles are toxic air pollutants. They can trigger heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and stroke.leaching of heavy metals in ground water, pollutes the soil, and affects the root development system of trees. Mauritius Oil Spill:India deputes 10-member specialist team under Mission SAGAR ● Mission SAGAR is Security Growth for All in the Region. It was launched in 2015 to deepen economic and security cooperation with maritime neighbours. ● The relevance of the mission is seen in conjunction with other policies of India as follows ● Project Sagarmala: Project Sagarmala aims to develop string of ports around Indian Coast. The initiative focuses on supporting port-led development, port infrastructure enhancement. ● Project Mausam: It is a cultural and economic project that aims to connect countries in the Indian Ocean. ● India-a net security provider ● Focus on Blue Economy Cleanup of Oil Spill: ● Containment Booms: Floating barriers, called booms are used to restrict the spread of oil and to allow for its recovery, removal, or dispersal. ● Skimmers: They are devices used for physically separating spilled oil from the water’s surface. ● Sorbents: Various sorbents (e.g., straw, volcanic ash, and shavings of polyester-derived plastic) that absorb the oil from the water are used. ● Dispersing agents: These are chemicals that contain surfactants, or compounds that act to break liquid substances such as oil into small droplets. They accelerate its natural dispersion into the sea.

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● Biological agents: Nutrients, enzymes, or microorganisms such as Alcanivorax bacteria or Methylocella silvestris that increase the rate at which natural biodegradation of oil occurs are added. ● Experts say that despite best efforts, generally less than 10% of oil spilled in incidents like these is successfully cleaned up. Wetland ecosystem ● Wetland is lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. ● India has 37 Ramsar Sites which are the Wetlands of International importance ● Ramsar Convention or Convention on Wetlands: came into force in 1975 and is one of the oldest Inter-governmental accord for preserving the ecological character of wetlands. ● 10 New wetlands of India ○ Maharashtra: Nandur (state’s first) Nashik District. ○ Punjab: Keshopur-Miani, Beas Conservation Reserve and Nangal. ○ Uttar Pradesh: Nawabganj, Parvati Agra, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi and Sarsai Nawar. ● Adavantage of Wetlands provide a wide range of important resources and ecosystem services such as food, water, fibre, groundwater recharge, water purification, flood moderation, erosion control and climate regulation. ● Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. ● 2 Wetlands of India that are in Montreux Record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur). ● Chilka lake (Odisha) was placed in the record but was later removed from it.

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: • Nodal authority: State is the nodal authority for all wetland-specific authorities in a state/UT for the enforcement of the rules. • Prohibited activities: • Setting up any industry and expansion of existing industries, • Dumping solid waste or discharge of untreated wastes and effluents from industries and any human settlements, and • Encroachment or conversion for non-wetlands uses.

Kalinga cricket Frog ● It was thought to be endemic to the hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats, central Western Ghats, with the evidence of considerable ‘morphological phenotypic plasticity (MPP) ● indicators of a healthy ecosystem ● MPP is the ability of an organism to show drastic morphological (physical features) variations in response to natural environmental variations or stimuli. ● The term “phenotype” refers to the observable physical properties of an organism, which include the organism’s appearance, development, and behaviour.

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CAMPA Funds to be used for Plantation drives and afforestation alone ● CAMPA is Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority. ● Compensatory afforestation : means that every time forest land is diverted for non- forest purposes such as mining or industry, the user agency pays for planting forests over an equal area of non-forest land, or when such land is not available, twice the area of degraded forest land. ● The CAF Act 2016 was enacted to manage the funds collected for compensatory afforestation which managed by CAMPA. ● 90% of the fund money is to be given to the states while 10% is to be retained by the Centre. No Go’ areas in coal mining ● ‘No Go’ areas are those having either more than 10 per cent weighted forest cover (WFC) or more than 30 per cent gross forest cover (GFC). ● In 2009, the environment and coal ministries imposed a ban on mining in the ‘No-Go’ zones on environmental grounds.

About Cheetah: ● World’s fastest land mammal. ● Status: Vulnerable ● declared extinct in India in 1952. ● The Asiatic cheetah is “critically endangered” believed to survive only in Iran. ● Mysuru zoo has received three Cheetahs from Ann Van Dyke Cheetah Centre, South Africa. Hyderabad zoo has a pair of Cheetah

Seagrass ● These are flowering marine plants that have adapted to survive in marine conditions. ● Found on all continents except Antarctica. Benefits ● “lungs of the sea” because one square meter of seagrass can generate 10 liters of oxygen every day through photosynthesis. ● trap sediments to absorb nutrients and give us clear waters. ● They are a source of food, shelter and nursery areas for many organisms ● important carbon sinks capable of trapping carbon from the atmosphere ● Threats a) Climate change b) Global warming c) Erosion and Sediment discharge d) Overfishing e) Pollution among others.

Seaweed ● Marine macroalgae, or seaweed, are plant-like organisms that generally live attached to rock or other hard substrata in coastal areas. ● Seaweeds may also include Red, Green and Brown algae ● Seaweed can be as small as the one-celled phytoplankton or as large as giant kelp. ● Even though seaweeds are not categorised as plants, it also requires light (Photosynthesis), water and nutrition for the growth and sustenance

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● Positive impacts of seaweed: Carbon removal, Reduced agricultural emissions, Protecting shorelines from erosion, Reducing the effects of ocean acidification ● Seaweed aquaculture also provides sustainable, healthy seafood for local communities.

Mangrove Ecosystem restoration ● Mangroves are diverse group of salt-tolerant plant community of tropical and subtropical intertidal regions of the world, occurring mainly between latitude 24° N and 38° S. ● They are referred to as ‘tidal forests’ and belong to the category of ‘tropical wetland rainforest ecosystem’. ● In India, three types of mangrove formation can be seen. ○ Deltaic mangroves occur mainly along the east coast, ○ Backwater-estuarine type along the west coast and ○ Insular type in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ● West Bengal has 42.45% of India’s mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat 23.66% and A&N Islands 12.39%. ● Sunderbans Mangroves of West Bengal is largest mangrove forest in the world ● India has lost 40% of its mangrove area in the last century, mainly due to agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, urban development and overexploitation. ● The Forest Survey of India, 2019, report reveals that the mangrove cover increase in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Odisha.

Nairobi Convention ● It is a partnership between governments, civil society and the private sector, working towards a prosperous Western Indian Ocean Region with healthy rivers, coasts and oceans. ● It entered into force in 1996 and is part of UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme. ● India is not a party to the convention.

Hilsa Fish ● IUCN status : Least Concerned ● It is a very popular and sought-after food fish in the Indian Subcontinent. ● Though it’s a saltwater fish, it migrates to sweet waters. ● It is the national fish of Bangladesh ● state symbol in the Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura. Plastic Marine Pollution

● Microbeads, a type of microplastic, are very tiny pieces of manufactured polyethylene plastic that are added as exfoliants in health and beauty products, such as cleansers and toothpastes. These tiny particles easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in the ocean and lakes.

Microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) ● Primary Sources ○ Directly released in the environment as small particles

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○ Main sources: laundering of synthetic clothes, abrasion of tyres through driving, intentionally added microplastics in personal care products for example microbeads in facial scrubs. ● Secondary Sources: Originate from degradation of larger plastic objects such as plastic bags, bottles or fishing nets. ● Effects ○ Microplastics found in the sea can be ingested by marine animals. ○ Carcinogenic ● Nanoplastics (particles smaller than 100 nm).

Existing international instruments to address plastic pollution ● The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (or the London Convention). ● The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention (the London Protocol). ● The 1978 Protocol to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka. ● a Reserved Forest in the year of 1916, and was declared as a National Park in the year of 1987. ● Three important rivers i.e. the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Nethravathi are said to have their origin in the park. ● Highly dense forests ● Wild life: tiger, leopard, wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer and the sloth bear. ● Ranges : The Park is divided into four ranges i.e. Kudremukh, Kerekatte,Kalasa and Shimoga. ● The Kadambi Waterfalls lies in the Kudremukh National Park.

Common Evening Brown ● It is a common species of butterfly known as 'Melanitis Leda’. ● Distribution: It is found in Africa, South Asia and South-east Asia extending to parts of Australia. ● It is only active at dusk and dawn and prefers to dwell on the thicket floor ● It feeds on rotting fruits and tree sap. Indian Bison (Gaur) ● Location: Native to South and Southeast Asia ● In India, they are found in Nagarhole, Bandipur, Masinagudi National Parks and BR Hills. ● Conservation Status: Vulnerable ● Included in the Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.

Dragonfly Festival ● first-ever State Dragonfly Festival, also known as Thumbimahotsavam 2020 ● organized in Kerala jointly by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India State unit and Society for Odonate Studies (SOS).

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● Its part of National Dragonfly Festival being organised by the WWF India, Bombay Natural History Society & Indian Dragonfly Society, ● It aims at building awareness about the importance of dragonflies and damselflies and the need to conserve them. ● Dragonfly act as important bio-indicators of the ecological health of an area. ● They feed on mosquitoes and other insects that are vectors to life-threatening diseases like Malaria and Dengue.

Bioindicators ● Bioindicators are living organisms such as plants, plankton, animals, and microbes, which are used to assess the health of the natural ecosystem in the environment. ● Examples of Bioindicators: ○ Lichens are powerful Bioindicators of air quality. ○ Frogs are basically influenced by changes that take place in their freshwater and terrestrial habitats. ○ Algae blooms are often used to indicate large increases of nitrates and phosphates in lakes and rivers.

Society for Odonate Studies (SOS)

● SOS is a non-political, non-profit organization ● formed to impart knowledge to the public on the insect order of Odonata (which comprises dragonflies and damselflies) and to conduct scientific studies, ● objective of conservation of the species and their habitats.

Intercropping ● It is the cultivation of two or more crops simultaneously on the same field. ● The main goal is to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making use of resources of ecological processes that would otherwise not be utilised by a single crop. Different approaches to intercropping such as: ● Mixed intercropping – two or more crops are planted in a mix without a distinct row arrangement. ● Row intercropping – two or more crops are planted in distinct rows. ● Relay intercropping – two or more crops are grown at the same time as part of the life cycle of each i.e. a second crop is sown after the first crop has been well established but before it reaches its harvesting stage. ● Strip intercropping – growing two or more crops at the same time in separate strips wide enough apart for independent cultivation. Advantages of intercropping: ● More efficient use of light, water and other nutrient resources compared to single crops. ● It allows for effective management of cover crops because crop mixtures have lower pest densities. ● Potential increased crop yields per unit area. ● Improved soil fertility by leguminous intercrops e.g. nitrogen fixing.

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● Reduced soil erosion. ● Lowered soil surface evaporation. Some Cons: ● not always suited to a mechanised farming system. ● Time consuming: It requires more attention and thus increased intensive, expert management. ● There is reduced efficiency in planting, weeding and harvesting

Golden Langurs ● Found in Small regions of western Assam and in the neighbouring foothills of the black mountains of Bhutan. ● Habitat: semi evergreen and mixed deciduous forests. ● Protection status: ○ Schedule I species in the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). ○ CITES Appendix I. ○ Endangered in IUCN Red List.

Jal Jeevan Mission ● The Jal Shakti Ministry is the nodal ministry for the implementation of the mission. ● to provide water supply to every household by 2024. ● The Mission is based on various water conservation efforts like point recharge, desilting of minor irrigation tanks, use of greywater for agriculture and source sustainability. ● The Mission is based on a community approach to water and includes extensive Information, Education and Communication as a key component of the mission. ● The Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water supply management across the country.

Mahseer sighted in Sileru river ● a large fresh water fish found in the Himalayan rivers that are running in cooler regions. ● IUCN Status : Endangered ● This includes Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bhutan, Nepal. ● It is a project launched by the SHOAL, an international organization that is working to conserve fresh water species. Hump Backed Mahseer ● IUCN Status: Critically Endangered. ● They are found only in River Cauvery in India and no where in the world.

Sileru River ● It is a tributary of Sabari river. ● It originates in Andhra Pradesh and merges with Sabri in Andhra Pradesh. ● After collecting waters from Sileru, the Sabari river merges with Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh. Kashmir Saffron ( GI Tag ) ● It is known for its quality and aroma all over the world.

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● Kashmir was ranked second after Iran is the largest producer of saffron in the world ● It is the only saffron in the world that is grown at an altitude of 1,600 metres to 1,800 metres ● The stigmas of the Kashmir Saffron are longer. They have a natural deep red colour. ● Their aroma is higher and they have a bitter flavour. ● They are processed without the use of chemicals ● There are three types of saffron namely Lachha Saffron, Guchhi Saffron, Mongra Saffron. Hurricane Laura ● Made landfall in southwestern Louisiana in US ● Hurricanes are large, swirling storms. They produce winds of 119 kilometers per hour (74 mph) or higher. ● They form over warm ocean waters. ● Parts of a Hurricane ● Eye: The eye is the “hole” at the center of the storm. Winds are light in this area. Skies are partly cloudy, and sometimes even clear. ● Eye wall: The eye wall is a ring of thunderstorms. These storms swirl around the eye. The wall is where winds are strongest and rain is heaviest. ● Rain bands: Bands of clouds and rain go far out from a hurricane’s eye wall. These bands stretch for hundreds of miles. They contain thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes. ● The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale: Hurricanes are categorized on the Saffir- Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which rates them on a scale of 1 to 5 based on wind speed. ● Hurricanes are given many names in different regions of the world: ● Typhoons: tropical cyclones are known as Typhoons in the China Sea and Pacific Ocean. ● Hurricanes: In the West Indian islands in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. ● Tornados: In the Guinea lands of West Africa and southern USA. ● Willy-willies: In north-western Australia and ● Tropical Cyclones: In the Indian Ocean Region.

Biochar ● Ghana, an African nation proved biochar application could help promote cowpea growth and crop yield in the country as well as fight climate change impact on soil. ● Biochar is charcoal used as a soil amendment for both carbon sequestration and soil health benefits. ● Biochar technically defied as the solid material obtained from the thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. ● Like most charcoal, biochar is made from biomass via pyrolysis (decomposition brought about by high temperatures). ● Biochar may increase the following ○ Soil fertility of acidic soils (low pH soils), ○ Agricultural productivity, ○ Protection against some foliar and soil-borne diseases. ○ Soil’s water-holding capacity, Contact : 8830115524

○ Nutrient supply and retention. Barn Owls (Tyto alba): ● landbird species ● Barn Owl exhibits dark eyes, and a distinct heart-shaped facial disc. ● IUCN status- Least Concern. ● The Barn Owls mostly hunt small mammals especially rodents (hence it’s called as farmer’s friend). Mansar Lake Rejuvenation Project ● It is a comprehensive plan for development and upgradation of Mansar Lake and surrounding areas. ● Aim : To holistically develop the sacred Lake of Manser as the second biggest tourist destination in Jammu region and also to preserve the lake, its ecology and heritage. Mansar Lake ● It is situated 62 km from Jammu. ● It is a lake fringed by forest-covered hills. ● Surinsar-Mansar Lakes were designated as Ramsar Convention in November 2005. RORO service of South Western Railway ● First ever RORO service of South Western Railway from Nelamangla (near Bengaluru) to Bale (near Solapur) has been started. ● Roll On Roll Off (RORO) is a concept of carrying road vehicles loaded with various commodities, on open flat railway wagons. ● RO-RO train services were first introduced in Indian Railways on Konkan Railways in 1999, and are running successfully since then. ● Faster movement of goods and essentials, reducing Time taken by trucks to reach destinations due to traffic congestion in between cities. Odisha’s Kandhamal Haladi: ● It has a GI tag. It is a pure organic product. ● Tribals grow the tuber without applying fertiliser or pesticide. Landslide Susceptibility mapping of Himalayas ● It is a map that identifies areas that are subject to landslides. It also says what creates the landslides in that particular area. ● The scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology operating under the Department of Science and Technology carried out a study ● a study covering 84 square kilometres in the Lesser Himalayas. ● According to the study, 15% of the region is highly susceptible to landslides. ● There are three major ranges in the Himalayas. They are the Himadri, Himachal and the Shiwalik. The Himachal is called the lesser Himalayas. Himadri is the Greater Himalayas and the Shiwalik is the outer Himalayas. ●

Science & Technology ..

V. RAMAGOPAL RAO COMMITTEE

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● a focus on indigenous development of futuristic technologies, a five-member expert committee has been constituted to review the charter of duties for all laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). ● to study and review the charter of duties of all the labs of the DRDO, to redefine the charter of duties of the labs on the current and futuristic defence and battlefield scenario, and to minimise the overlap of technologies amongst the labs. ● The committee has to submit its report within 45 days.

Polio ● Africa Regional Certification Commission, an independent body has declared Africa free from wild polio. ● It is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. ● Transmission: The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the faecal-oral route or by a common vehicle (for example contaminated water or food) and multiplies in the intestine. ● Symptoms : Fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck and pain in the limbs. ● People at Risk: Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age. ● Prevention : There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. Polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life. ● Africa has also been declared free of the last remaining strain of wild poliovirus. ● The disease is now only found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Global Polio Eradication Initiative(GPEI) ● It is a public-private partnership led by national governments ● with five partners – WHO, Rotary International, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the vaccine alliance. ● Its goal is to eradicate polio worldwide.

Aarogya Setu ● Launched in April 2020. ● Developed by the National Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology. ● The motto ‘Main Surakshit, Hum Surakshit, Bharat Surakshit’. ● It aids the efforts of frontline health workers and the Government in Covid-19 mitigation and management efforts ● features like: e-pass integration, QR Code scanning, Sharing of Health status with family/known persons, etc. ● Aarogya Setu has emerged as the most downloaded contact tracing App in the world, with more than 15 crore users.

API - ‘Application Programming Interface’. ● An API is an interface that can be used to program software that interacts with an existing application.

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● In practice, an API is “a set of functions and procedures” that allow one to access and build upon the data and functionality of an existing application.

Open Source API ● An open source API, also called public API, is an application programming interface made publicly available to software developers. ● Open APIs are published on the internet and shared freely, allowing the owner of a network-accessible service to give universal access to consumers. ● These are to support businesses with limited capital to invest in digital applications. Most successful apps of GoI

UMANG ● UMANG is Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance ● It was launched by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in 2017. ● The user can avail multiple Government services under the app. This includes Aadhaar, Digilocker, Employees Provident Fund, e-Land records, pension, ePathshala, crop insurance, etc. ● Recently, the Indian Meteorological Department added weather services to the application. This includes rainfall information, weather, cyclone warnings, etc.

BHIM ● BHIM is Bharat Interface for Money ● It was developed by National Payment Corporation of India ● It helps in cashless money transactions in India ● The user can check bank balance, send and receive money using the application.

Digi Locker ● It offers cloud storage of important documents such as driving license, study certificates and other government service documents ● mPassport Seva ● It was developed by Consular, Passport and Visa division of Government of India ● Using the application, the users can track the status of their passport ● The users can find nearest Passport Deva Kendra ● It provides real time police verification status

Digital India ● Indian Digital economy is expected to cross 1 million USD by 2022. The following are the progress and impacts of Digital India programme in the country ● Around 12,000 rural post offices were linked electronically ● Increased electronic transactions ● Around 2,74,246 km of optical fiber network connected 1.15 lakh Gram Panchayats.

Working of plasma therapy

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● Plasma is the left out blood fluid after the blood components such as WBC, RBC and platelets are removed. ● It holds antibodies. The antibodies are produced by the immune system of human body. Plasma holds around 55% of blood in human body. ● Therefore, by injecting plasma into a COVID-19 patient, the doctor increases amount of antibodies in his body. This increases the power of the immune system to fight against the disease. Eventually, the patient recovers from COVID-19 completely. ● Also used for Ebola , H1N1, SARS

Telescopes in India - Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle - It is the world second highest observatory located in Ladakh - It is operated by Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru - Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, Kodaikanal, Tamil NAdu - Udaipur Solar Observatory, Udaipur : It is located on an island in Fateh Sagar Lake The observatory was built in lines of the solar observatory at Big Bear Lake, Southern California. - Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur - AERIES Observatory, Nainital - MACE - The world highest and India’s largest telescope gamma ray telescope MACE is in Ladakh. - MACE is Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment Telescope. - It is placed at an altitude of 4,300 metres above the sea level. - It is the world second largest ground based gamma-ray telescope. India’s ASTROSAT makes rare Discovery ● Scientists from the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) ● detected extreme UV light from galaxy AUDFs01 that 9.3 billion light years away from the Earth. ● The galaxy is located in the Hubble Extreme Deep field, ● The team comprises scientists from India, Switzerland, France, USA, Japan and Netherlands. ● ASTROSAT is the first multi-wavelength space telescope of India. ● It is an IRS class satellite. IRS is Indian Remote Sensing Satellite. ● It was launched on September 28, 2015. With its success, ● ISRO is planning to launch ASTROSAT-2 as its successor. ● The five major instruments on board covers soft X-ray, hard X-ray, far UV, near UV, and visible light.

Development of Synthetic Flavonoids ● scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune have found the first synthetic route for producing flavonoids molecules related to the treatment of tuberculosis and chikungunya. ● Flavonoids are part of the polyphenol class of phytonutrients (plant chemicals) ● found in almost all fruits and vegetables.

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● Along with carotenoids (organic pigments), they are responsible for the vivid colours in fruits and vegetables. ● These are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits as well. ● A diet rich in flavonoids can protect from diseases related to heart, liver, kidney, brain and other infectious diseases.

National Cadet Corps ● The NCC was formed in 1948 (on the recommendation of H. N. Kunzru Committee- 1946), and has its roots to British era uniformed youth entities like University Corps or University Officer Training Corps. ● Currently it has a strength of around 14 lakh cadets from Army, Navy and Air Force wings. ● The NCC falls under the purview of the Ministry of Defence and is headed by a Director General of three-star military rank. ● It enrolls cadets at high school and college level and also awards certificates on completion of various phases. ● 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. ● Significance: NCC cadets have played an important role over the years in relief efforts during various emergency situations. Shekatkar Committee ● The Ministry of Defence under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar had constituted a committee ● to recommend measures to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces which submitted its report in December 2016. ● Few Recommendations: ○ Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations. ○ Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army. ○ Improving the efficiency of the National Cadet Corps. ○ Recommended a roll-on defence budget to have enough capital expenditure available for modernisation as against the present practice of surrendering unspent capital budget at the end of each financial year.

Science and Technology Indicators (STI) ● a periodic compendium of the state of scientific research in India. ● Prepared by National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS), a division of Department of Science and Technology (DST). ● It is based on data provided by a range of scientific establishments across the country. ● Key Findings: India’s private sector research companies appear to employ a larger proportion of women in core research and development activities as compared to government-funded major scientific agencies.

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● The large drop in the number of women between the doctoral and professional stages may be due to: Social pressure on women to have a family and sacrifice professional Career & Patriarchal attitudes in hiring practices.

Black Box on Aircraft ● A black box, technically known as an Electronic Flight Data Recorder, ● an orange-coloured heavily protected recording device placed in a flight. ● Two Parts: ● the Flight Data Recorder (FDR): records things like airspeed, altitude, vertical acceleration and fuel flow. ● Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): records the conversations in the cockpit. ● Older black boxes used magnetic tape, now black boxes use solid-state memory boards

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ● a UN specialized agency, established in 1944 ● to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). The Chicago Convention ● was signed on 7th December, 1944 in Chicago (USA) by 52 signatory states including India. ● It coordinates international air travel, establishes rules of airspace, aircraft registration and safety, security, and sustainability, and details the rights of the signatories in relation to air travel. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) ● an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (India). ● It is the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in India. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) ● a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation which investigates aircraft accidents and incidents in India. ● Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 which seeks to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934.

TIFAC TIFAC is an autonomous organisation and think-tank of the Department of Science and Technology and it commissioned the report in March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic had started accelerating in India. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ● These are significant ingredients in the manufacturing of drugs and are also called bulk drugs. ● The Hubei province of China is the hub of the API manufacturing industry.

Pharmaceutical Intermediates ● These are chemical compounds which form the building blocks of the APIs ● Produced as a by-product during the production of API. Contact : 8830115524

Ninja UAVs ● Indian Railways started deploying “Ninja UAVs” (unmanned aerial vehicles) for establishing a drone-based surveillance system. ● NINJA UAVs are capable of real- time tracking, video streaming and may be operated on Automatic Fail-Safe mode ● They are lightweight and economical micro contraptions built for mapping and surveillance. ● They can be used to launch surveillance on criminal and anti-social activities like gambling, throwing of garbage, hawking etc in Railway premises. ● It can be used at disaster sites for helping in rescue, recovery and restoration and coordination

South Atlantic Anomaly ● The South Atlantic Anomaly signifies weakening of the Earth’s magnetic field between Africa and South America. ● The magnetic shield has an important role to play in keeping unwanted radiation away as well as helping determine the location of magnetic poles. ● affect the mapping and navigation systems in smartphones. ● Swarm is European Space Agency's first constellation of satellites for Earth observation.

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center ● an independent nodal agency under the Department of Space which will permit and oversee the activities of private companies. ● This is part of reforms aimed at giving a boost to the private sector participating in space-related activities or using India’s space resources. ● Encourage, promote and handhold the private sector for their participation in the Space Sector. ● Draw up an integrated launch manifest considering the requirements for ISRO, New Space India Limited (NSIL) and private companies based on priorities and readiness level. ● Work out a suitable mechanism to offer sharing of technology, expertise and facilities on free of cost wherever feasible or at reasonable cost basis to promote private companies.

2 commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL): ● a Marketing arm of ISRO ● for promotion and commercial exploitation of space products, technical consultancy services and transfer of technologies developed by ISRO. ● Antrix will handle ISRO’s commercial deals for satellites and launch vehicles with foreign customers.

New Space India Limited (NSIL):

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● to use research and development carried out by ISRO over the years for commercial purposes through Indian industry partners. ● It will deal with capacity building of local industry for space manufacturing.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle ● The SSLV is the smallest vehicle weighing only 110-tonne. ● It would take only 72 hours to integrate, unlike the 70 days taken for launch vehicles like Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) or Geosynchronous Satellite Launch vehicle(GSLV). ● Cost-effective: Its cost would be around Rs. 30 crores. ● It will be an on-demand vehicle. ● SSLV is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs. ● The SSLV can carry satellites weighing up to 500 kg to Low Earth Orbit while the PSLV can launch satellites weighing in the range of 1,000 kg. ● A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit around Earth with an altitude above the Earth's surface of 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi), and an orbital period between about 84 and 127 minutes. ● ISRO’s SSLV was originally scheduled to have its first development flight on July 2019 but got delayed to end of 2019.

DRDO developed Anti-Drone System ● The anti-drone system can detect micro drones up to 3 kilo metres. ● It uses LASER to bring down target up to 1-2.5 kilo metres. ● It can detect and identify drone threats.

Digital Sky Platform ● The platform is a drone traffic management system that facilitates registration and licensing of drones. ● It operates giving instant clearance to operators for every flight. The entire process shall be done online. ● The Drone Regulation 1.0 has partitioned the sky into red zone, green zone and yellow zone. ● Flying is not permitted in red zones. ● Controlled use of air space is permitted in yellow zones ● Automatic permission is availed to fly drones in green zones.

Anti-Drug Working Group BRICS ● The group reaffirmed their commitments towards the Anti-Drug Conventions. ● The meeting focused on misuse of technologies for drug trafficking( Darknet ).

Anti-Drug Action Plan 2020-21 ● launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

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● International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26) ● The plan includes identification of drug dependent population, awareness generation programme, focus on treatment facilities ● action plan includes: De-addiction facilities in Districts , drop-in centres for addicts.Drug- free India campaign, Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs),

Golden Triangle ● It represents the region coinciding with the rural mountains of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. ● It is Southeast Asia’s main opium-producing region and one of the oldest narcotics supply routes to Europe and North America.

Golden Crescent ● This region of South Asia is a principal global site for opium production and distribution. ● It comprises Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan.

Millennium Alliance: ● It is an innovation-driven and impact-focused initiative ● Objective : Leveraging collaborative resources to identify test and scale Indian innovations that address global development solutions. ● Significance ➔ The program has played an important role in providing funding, capacity building and business development support to Indian social enterprises. ● A consortium of partners (Public-Private Partnership) including the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), Facebook and Marico Innovation Foundation.

Arrow 2 ● It is an advanced missile defence system developed jointly by the U.S and Israel ● for defence against both short and mid-range rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon as well as Iran’s long-range missiles. ● Iron Dome: It is a mobile all-weather air defence system developed by Israel to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from short distances.

Phosphine ● It is a flammable gas that on Earth occurs from the breakdown of organic matter. ● Phosphine is a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached (PH3) – is highly toxic to people. ● Scientists have detected the presence of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus. ● On Earth, this gas is associated with living organisms. ● It can only be made by life—whether human or microbe. ● Phosphine is made naturally by some species of anaerobic bacteria

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● Used as a chemical weapon during World War I, phosphine is still manufactured as an agricultural fumigant, is used in the semiconductor industry, and is a nasty byproduct of meth labs. Mega labs ● These labs will use 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. ● Benefits : These genome sequencing machines can substantially detect the possible presence of the virus even in several instances. ● Genome sequencing: It means determining the order of the four chemical building blocks called “bases” that make up the DNA molecule. ● Next Generation Sequencing(NGS): It allows parallel Genome sequencing resulting in the generation of giga bases of data in a short amount of time. This has reduced the cost per genome significantly, making genomic data more accessible to individual researchers. DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018 ● The Bill allows the use of the technology to establish the identity of persons in matters of crime, parentage dispute, emigration or immigration and transplantation of human organs. ● It provides for establishment of national and regional DNA data banks and each databank will maintain crime scene index, suspects’ or undertrials’ index and offenders’ index separately.

Genome India Project (GIP) ● the Ministry of Science and Technology :an ambitious gene-mapping project ● aims to sample and sequence 10,000 genomes in the first phase from across India, to arrive at a representative Indian genome.

Gene Mapping & DNA profiling ● DNA profiling uses small stretches of DNA to identify an individual while gene mapping involves sequencing the whole genome. ● The biological material used to determine a DNA profile include blood, semen, saliva, urine, faeces, hair, teeth, bone, tissue and cells. ● Gene Mapping is done for scientific and medical uses while DNA profiling is done primarily for forensic and criminal investigation.

Controlling Dengue Using Bacteria ● World Mosquito Program have used mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria to successfully control dengue in Yogyakarta city of Indonesia. ● World Mosquito Program is an Australia-based not-for-profit initiative that exists to protect the global community from mosquito-borne diseases.

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● The Aedes aegypti mosquito, that spreads Dengue and other diseases such as chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever cannot do so when they are artificially infected with a bacterium, Wolbachia. ● Wolbachia are natural bacteria present in up to 60% of insect species, including some mosquitoes. ● Wolbachia is safe for humans, animals and the environment.

Dengue

● Dengue is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus (Genus Flavivirus), ● transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally Aedes aegypti. ● Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. ● There are four strains from Type I-IV, of which Type-II and IV are considered more severe.

LiDAR ● LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges & variable distances. ● These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system— generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics. ● A LiDAR instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver. ● Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring LiDAR data over broad areas. ● Applications: ○ LiDAR is used for agriculture, hydrology and water management systems ○ and geology-related applications. ○ It is also used in archaeology.

OPV Sarthak ● Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was launched and named as Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’. ● OPV Sarthak is the 4th in the series of the indigenous project for 05 OPVs. ● OPVs are long-range surface ships capable of coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles. ● OPV Sarthak has been designed & built indigenously by M/s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)

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Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) ● Objective: To foster innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence in keeping with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. ● It will put in place dedicated structures for the end-users to interact with academia and industry. ● Structure: The NIIO is a three-tiered organisation. ● Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) will bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation and provide apex level directives. ● Working group under the N-TAC will implement the projects. ● Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has been created for induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame.

SRIJAN Portal ● This portal provides information regarding the defence equipment and items which are being imported currently or to be imported by the Defence PSUs in the country. ● The government will take proper measures regarding making these products indigenized.

India’s first upper-stage rocket engine test-fired by Skyroot Aerospace ● the first private company in India to demonstrate the capability to build a homegrown rocket engine. ● The engine is 3-D printed and named as Raman, after the Nobel Laureate CV Raman. ● It has fewer moving parts and weighs less than half of conventional rocket engines with similar capacity. ● The engine is capable of multiple restarts, enabling the launch vehicle to insert various satellites into multiple orbits in a single mission.

Plasmodium Vivax Malaria ● Plasmodium vivax is a protozoal parasite and a human pathogen. ● This parasite is the most frequent and widely distributed cause of recurring malaria. ● The parasite can remain in the liver in a dormant stage and relapse later. ● P. vivax is carried by the female Anopheles mosquito; the males do not bite

Sputnik V: ● 1st coronavirus vaccine launched by Russia. ● The vaccine is based on the DNA of a SARS-CoV-2 type adenovirus, a common cold virus. ● The vaccine uses the weakened virus to deliver small parts of a pathogen and stimulate an immune response. Adenovirus Vector Vaccine : ● In this vaccine, adenovirus is used as a tool to deliver genes or vaccine antigens to the target host tissue.

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● Adenovirus: Adenoviruses (ADVs) are DNA viruses which induce many illnesses in humans like cold, respiratory infection etc. ● their DNA is double stranded which makes them genetically more stable and the chances of them changing after injection are lower. ● Rabies vaccine is an adenovirus vaccine. ● However, there are drawbacks of adenovirus vector vaccines like pre-existing immunity in humans, inflammatory responses etc.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) ● under Directorate General of Health Services ,Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India. ● CDSCO is responsible for approval of Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials, laying down the standards for Drugs, control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country and coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations by providing expert advice. Development of a vaccine ● The general stages of the development cycle of a vaccine are: ○ Exploratory stage ○ Pre-clinical stage ○ Clinical development ○ Regulatory review and approval ○ Manufacturing and ○ Quality control. ● The Clinical development is a three-phase process:

○ Clinical trials in humans are classified into three phases: phase I, phase II and phase III ○ The phase I clinical studies carry out initial testing of a vaccine in small numbers (e.g. 20) of healthy adults, to test the properties of a vaccine, its tolerability, and, if appropriate, clinical laboratory and pharmacological parameters. Phase I studies are primarily concerned with safety. ○ Phase II studies involve larger numbers of subjects and are intended to provide preliminary information about a vaccine’s ability to produce its desired effect (usually immunogenicity) in the target population and its general safety. ○ Extensive phase III trials are required to fully assess the protective efficacy and safety of a vaccine. The phase III clinical trial is the pivotal study on which the decision on whether to grant the licence is based and sufficient data have to be obtained to demonstrate that a new product is safe and effective for the purpose intended. ○ Many vaccines undergo Phase IV formal ongoing studies after the vaccine is approved and licensed. Vaccine Nationalism ● Vaccine nationalism occurs when a country manages to secure doses of vaccine for its own citizens or residents before they are made available in other countries. This is done through pre-purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer. Contact : 8830115524

Electric Vehicles (EVs) ● An electric vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion. ● An electric vehicle may be powered through self-contained battery, solar panels or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity. ● Government has set a target of electric vehicles making up 30 % of new sales of cars and two-wheelers by 2030 from less than 1% today. ● The GST reduction for electric vehicles from 12% to 5%. ● The Union power ministry categorized charging of batteries as a service, which will help charging stations operate without licences.

Types of EV’s Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) ● only powered by electricity and do not have a petrol engine, fuel tank or exhaust pipe. ● also known as ‘plug-in’ EVs as they use an external electrical charging outlet to charge the battery. ● Also charged in part by regenerative braking, which generates electricity from some of the energy normally lost when braking.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) ● HEVs are powered by both petrol and electricity. ● HEVs cannot be recharged from the power grid or external electrical charging outlet. Their electric energy comes entirely from regenerative braking and most of their driving is spent using gasoline.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles ● EV is powered by both petrol and electricity. ● PHEVs can recharge the battery through both regenerative braking and ‘plugging-in’ to an external electrical charging outlet.

Fuel-cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) ● A FCEV creates electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, instead of storing and releasing energy like a battery. ● Because of these vehicles’ efficiency and water-only emissions, some experts consider these cars to be the best electric vehicles, even though they are still in development phases and provide many challenges.

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) ● launched in 2013 . ● aims to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the country. ● to promote clean, connected, shared, sustainable and holistic mobility initiatives. ● There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards.

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Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME India) ● Monitoring Authority: the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. ● The main objective of the scheme is to encourage a faster adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles by offering upfront incentives on purchase of electric vehicles and also by establishing necessary charging infrastructure for EVs. ● focus areas : technology development, demand creation, pilot projects and charging infrastructure. ● Phase I: started in 2015 and was completed on 31st March, 2019 ● Phase II: started from April, 2019, will be completed by 31st March, 2022 Objectives: ● Encourage Faster adoption of Electric and hybrid vehicle by way of offering upfront Incentive on purchase of Electric vehicles. ● Establish a necessary charging Infrastructure for electric vehicles. ● The scheme will help in addressing the issue of environmental pollution and fuel security.

Volcanoes on Venus ● Venus is still geologically active. ● The study identified 37 active volcanoes, in the form of ring-like structures known as coronae, on the surface of Venus. ● The coronae form when plumes of hot material deep inside the planet rise through the mantle layer and crust. ● Europe's EnVision that is scheduled to launch in 2032 aims at determining the level and nature of the geological activity and the sequence of events that generated the surface features of Venus. Venus ● Second closest planet to the sun and the sixth-largest planet in the solar system ● known as earth's twin. ● Hottest planet extreme temperatures (450 deg C) and acidic clouds make it an unlikely place for life. ● Along with Uranus it spins backwards with respect to other planets i.e. Its sun rises in the west and sets in the east. ● Along with Mercury it has no moons and no rings.

COVID19BWM APP’ ● Application launched by the Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) to track biomedical waste. ● Feature: It allows a generator of waste (urban local body in the case of home and hospital); the picker of the waste (transport of the ULB) and the waste treatment operator to feed in data so that COVID-19 biomedical waste can be tracked and monitored.

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Barakah: Arab World’s first ever nuclear reactor starts its operation ● at Abu Dhabi on the Gulf coast. ● Barakah developed in a joint venture with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) ● Barakah means “blessing” in Arabic. ● process of nuclear fission ● The energy in the reactor plant will be generated by 1,400-megawatt pressurised water reactors, designed in South Korea, called APR-1400. Nuclear Reactor ● A nuclear reactor is the most important part of a nuclear power plant. It is where the nuclear chain reactions occur that produce energy by fission. The heat thus produced can be used to produce electricity. The main components of a nuclear reactor are listed below: ● The Core: It contains all the fuel and generates the heat required for energy production. ● The Coolant: It passes through the core, absorbing the heat and transferring into turbines. ● The Turbine: Transfers energy into the mechanical form. ● The Cooling Tower: It eliminates the excess heat that is not converted or transferred. ● Neutron Moderator: Moderators are used for reducing the speed of fast neutrons released from the fission reaction and making them capable of sustaining a nuclear chain reaction. ● Usually, water, solid graphite, and heavy water are used as a moderator in nuclear reactors. ● Commonly-used moderators include regular (light) water (in 74.8% of the world’s reactors), solid graphite (20% of reactors), heavy water (5% of reactors). ● The Containment: The enveloping structure that separates the nuclear reactor from the surrounding environment. ● Neutron Poison: A neutron poison (also called a neutron absorber or a nuclear poison) is a substance with a large neutron absorption cross-section.

Types of Reactor A. Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor ● Use unenriched natural uranium as its fuel. It uses heavy water (Deuterium oxide D2O) as its coolant and moderator. ● While heavy water is significantly more expensive than ordinary light water, it yields greatly enhanced neutron economy, allowing the reactor to operate without fuel enrichment facilities. B. Light Water Reactor ● a type of thermal- neutron reactor that utilizes normal water as opposed to heavy water. ● It is fuelled by Low Enriched Uranium. ● It uses water as both a coolant method and a neutron moderator. ● It produces heat by controlled nuclear fission. C. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

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● Generates more fissile material than it consumes. ● These are designed to extend the nuclear fuel supply for electric power generation. ● Breeder reactors achieve this because their neutron economy is high enough to create more fissile fuel than they use, by irradiation of a fertile material, such as Uranium-238 or Thorium-232 that is loaded into the reactor along with fissile fuel. ● PFBR is a 500 MWe fast breeder nuclear reactor presently being constructed at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu). ● It is fuelled by Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel. Nuclear Power Plants in India Rawatbhata (Rajasthan) Tarapur (Maharashtra) Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu) Kakrapar (Gujarat) Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) Narora (Uttar Pradesh) Kaiga (Karnataka)

China Launches BeiDou Global Navigation Satellite System

● Features: A hybrid constellation consisting of around 30 satellites in three kinds of orbits: Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Inclined Geo-Synchronous Orbit (IGSO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). ● Provides navigation signals of multiple frequencies, and is able to improve service accuracy by using combined multi-frequency signals. ● Offers accurate positioning, navigation and timing, as well as short messaging communication, international search and rescue, satellite-based augmentation, ground augmentation and precise point positioning, etc. ● fourth global satellite navigation system after the USA GPS, Russia’s GLONASS and European Union’s Galileo. ● Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a general term describing any satellite constellation that provides Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services on a global basis. IRNSS ― NavIC (India) ● The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) ● Launched and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), ● IRNSS covers India and nearby regions extending up to 1,500 km. ● The constellation consists of 7 active satellites, out of which three are located in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and four in Inclined Geo-Synchronous Orbit (IGSO). Satellite Orbits ● An orbit is a regular, repeating path that an object in space takes around another one. An object moving around a planet in an orbit is called a satellite. According to the height of satellites from the earth, the orbits can be classified as ● High Earth orbit (mostly weather and communication satellites) ( more 35780 km) ● Medium Earth orbit (most navigation satellites) ( 2000 – 35780 km )

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● Low Earth orbit (Scientific satellites like NASA’s Earth observing Fleet).(180 – 2000 km) ● Geo-Synchronous orbit : A geosynchronous orbit is any orbit which has a period equal to the earth's rotational period. ● Geostationary Orbit: A Geostationary Orbit is a time of Geosynchronous orbit in the same plane as that of the equator.

Undersea Optic Fibre Link connecting Lakshadweep Islands with the mainland: ● Second project in the country. The first of its kind was established between Chennai and Port Blair. ● help to boost communication between India and Lakshadweep. ● The Department of Telecommunications is to implement the project. ● The cable will boost internet speed up to 400 Giga Bytes per second. ● Also, it will boost 4G mobile services and digital services such as e-governance, tele- education, tourism, tele-health in the islands.

Bharat Air Fibre: Wireless Internet ● To provide BSNL fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) wireless connectivity up to a range of 20 km from the BSNL points of presence. ● Inaugurated at Akola in Maharashtra ● connectivity speed is 100 Mbps ● vast network of Optical Fibre Optical Fibre Or Fibre Optics ● Refers to the medium and the technology associated with the transmission of information as light pulses along a glass or plastic strand or fiber. ● Fiber optics is used long-distance and high-performance data networking. ● Uses the application of total internal reflection of light. ● The glass fiber core and the cladding each have a different refractive index that bends incoming light at a certain angle. When light signals are sent through the fiber optic cable, they reflect off the core and cladding in a series of zig-zag bounces, adhering to a process called total internal reflection. Types of Optical Fibers ● The types of optical fibers depend on the refractive index, materials used, and mode of propagation of light. The classification based on the refractive index is as follows: ● Step Index Fibers: It consists of a core surrounded by the cladding, which has a single uniform index of refraction. ● Graded Index Fibers: The refractive index of the optical fiber decreases as the radial distance from the fiber axis increases. The classification based on the materials used is as follows:

● Plastic Optical Fibers: The polymethylmethacrylate is used as a core material for the transmission of the light. ● Glass Fibers: It consists of extremely fine glass fibers.

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The classification based on the mode of propagation of light is as follows:

● Single-Mode Fibers: These fibers are used for long-distance transmission of signals. ● Multimode Fibers: These fibers are used for short-distance transmission of signals. ● The mode of propagation and refractive index of the core is used to form four combination types of optic fibers as follows: ● Step index-single mode fibers ● Graded index-Single mode fibers ● Step index-Multimode fibers ● Graded index-Multimode fibers

Aspirin to Prevent Cataract ● scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST) have developed nanorods from the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Aspirin to prevent cataracts ● Aspirin is a popular medication used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation ● Cataract ● Major form of blindness that occurs when the structure of crystallin proteins that make up the lens in human eyes deteriorates. ● causes damaged or disorganised proteins to aggregate and forms a milky blue or brown layer, which ultimately affects lens transparency. ● The lens protein crystallin aggregates to form opaque structures in the eye lens, which impairs vision and causes cataract.

Smart India Hackathon 2020

● The hackathon is a nationwide initiative to provide students with a platform to solve some of the pressing problems people face in daily lives, and thus inculcate a culture of product innovation and a mindset of problem-solving. ● The first edition of Smart India Hackathon was held in 2017. ● This hackathon is being organised jointly by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Persistent Systems and i4c. Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020

● The objective is to identify drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) by in-silico drug discovery. ● joint initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and supported by partners like Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), MyGov and private players. In-Silico Drug Discovery ● In-Silico is an expression used to mean “performed on computer or via computer simulation.” ● In-Silico drug discovery process is thus the identification of the drug target molecule by employing bioinformatics tools.

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● Drug target molecules generally include DNA, RNA and proteins such as receptors, enzymes etc. ● Identification of drug target molecules help in knowing their pharmacological relevance to the disease under investigation. ● Bioinformatics is the application of computational technology (such as Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning) to handle the rapidly growing repository of information related to molecular biology.

5G HACKATHON ● to identify and promote applications relevant to India in the 5G realm, ● he Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched ‘5G Hackathon’in association with the number of government, academia& industry stakeholders. ● Aim : It is aimed at shortlisting India focussed cutting edge ideas that can be converted into workable 5G products and solutions

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

● It was set up in November 1945 as a national-level apex advisory body. ● in 1987 that it was given a statutory status under an Act of the Parliament. ● Its purpose was to conduct a survey on the facilities available for technical education and to promote development in the country in a coordinated and integrated manner. ● According to the National Policy of Education (1986), AICTE is vested with: ○ Statutory authority for planning, formulation, and maintenance of norms & standards, ○ Quality assurance through accreditation, ○ Funding in priority areas, monitoring, and evaluation, ○ Maintaining parity of certification & awards, ○ The management of technical education in the country.

Information Technology Agreement

● It is a plurilateral agreement enforced by the WTO and concluded by 29 participants in the Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products at Singapore in 1996. ● It entered into force on 1st July 1997.It seeks to accelerate and deepen the reduction of trade barriers for the critically important ICT industry. ● Currently, the number of participants has grown to 82, representing about 97% of world trade in IT products. ● India is a signatory.

Project Praana ● The Scientists and Students in Indian Institute of Science have developed a prototype of an indigenous ventilator under project Praana ● The Project Pranna is a voluntary effort to help the nation at the time of crisis.

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Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Initiative

● an initiative for modernization of the Defence Industry. ● launched in April 2018. ● iDEX aims to promote innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries (which includes MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia). ● iDEX will provide the engaging industries with funding and other support to carry out Research & Development. ● iDEX will be funded and managed by Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), and will function as the executive arm of DIO. SpaceX Crew Dragon:

● It is a reusable spacecraft developed and manufactured by American aerospace manufacturer SpaceX. ● SpaceX is a private company founded in 2002 by Elon Musk. ● headquarters in Hawthorne, California (USA). ● It is the fifth class of the USA spacecraft to take human beings into orbit, after the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. ● The rocket Falcon 9 was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on 31st May 2020 and carried the spaceship into the orbit. ● The whole mission was carried out under the Demo-2 Mission of NASA and SpaceX.

Grand Challenges India Programm

● It is a partnership framework for the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in India, its Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. ● Aim: To launch joint initiatives aimed at catalyzing innovative health and development research within India.

National Biopharma Mission

● It is an industry-academia collaborative mission for accelerating biopharmaceutical development in the country. ● It was launched in 2017 at a total cost of Rs. 1500 crore and is 50% co-funded by World Bank loan. ● It is being implemented by the BIRAC. ● Under this Mission, the Government has launched Innovate in India (i3) programme to create an enabling ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the biopharma sector. ● Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a Public Sector Enterprise, set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

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● BIRAC an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs.

Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) ● is an autonomous research institution of Department of Science and Technology (India), under the Society Registration Act, 1960 ● under the umbrella of national mission on Nano Science and Technology (NANO MISSION) which aims to promote growth and outreach of nanoscience and technology for the benefit of country ● INST has been set up to undertake research and generate products/devices and technology in the area of Nanoscience and Technology. Nano Mission ● The Government of India launched the Nano Mission in 2007 as an "umbrella capacity- building programme". ● It is being implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology. ● The objectives: ○ Basic research promotion ○ Infrastructure development ○ Nano applications and technology development ○ Human Resource development ○ International collaborations

Minuteman 3 ● The US has tested an unarmed Minuteman 3 ● Three-stage, solid-fueled, intercontinental-range ballistic missile. ● has a maximum range of 13,000 km intercontinental ballistic missiles ● It is a guided ballistic missile with a minimum range of 5500 kilometres ● they are mainly used for the delivery of nuclear weapons. also biological and chemical weapons ● Agni V & Agni VI are India’s ICBM

Blockchain Technology in Voting

● Remote voting may take place in person somewhere other than an assigned polling station or at another time, or votes may be sent by post or cast by an appointed proxy. ● Electronic voting has been used in varying forms since the 1970s with fundamental benefits over paper based systems such as increased efficiency and reduced errors. ● Growing concern over election security, voter registration integrity, poll accessibility, and voter turnout has led governments to consider blockchain-based voting platforms as a means to increase faith and participation in essential democratic processes.

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Blockchain Technology: ● Blockchain is a system in which the database of recordings (a ‘chain’) appears on multiple computers at the same time even as it is updated with any new digital information (‘a block’). ● It offers a singular combination of permanent and tamper-evident record keeping, real- time transaction transparency and auditability. ● The initial and primary use of blockchain technology was for monitoring cryptocurrency (e.g. bitcoin) transactions. However, other usage and applications have emerged in the last few years. Blockchain Uses: ● Libra: it is a blockchain based cryptocurrency to be launched in 2020 by Facebook's subsidiary company 'Calibra', using programming language 'Move. ● NIC sets up 'Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology' in Bengaluru ● Telangana to set up countrys first Blockchain District in Hyderabad ● BOND-i : The World Bank launched blockchain operated new debt instrument.First bond to be created, allocated, managed using distributer ledger technology. ● Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) are a type of crowdfunding or crowd investing tool conducted entirely on the blockchain. ● Coffee E-market: Coffee Board of India has launched blockchain based coffee e- marketplace integrate the farmers with markets in a transparent manner. ●

Sunspots ● Sunspots (some as large as 50,000 km in diameter) are areas that appear dark on the surface of the Sun (photosphere). ● They appear dark because they are cooler( 6,500 deg F) than other parts of the Sun’s surface. ● 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. ● They typically consist of a dark region called the ‘umbra’, which is surrounded by a lighter region called the ‘penumbra’. ● In every solar cycle, the number of Sunspots increases and decreases. ● The current solar cycle, which began in 2008, is in its ‘solar minimum’ phase, when the number of Sunspots and solar flares is at a routine low.

Solar Flares: ● The magnetic field lines near sunspots often tangle, cross, and reorganize. This can cause a sudden explosion of energy called a solar flare. ● The solar flare explosion’s energy can be equivalent atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. ● Solar flares release a lot of radiation into space. ● Solar flares, when powerful enough, can disrupt satellite and radio transmission on the Earth, and more severe ones can cause ‘geomagnetic storms’ that can damage

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transformers in power grids.

● A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space surrounding Earth. ● Magnetosphere is a region around the Earth dominated by the Earth’s magnetic field. ● It protects the Earth from solar and cosmic radiation as well as erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind - the constant flow of charged particles streaming off the Sun.

Solar Cycle ● The Sun is a huge ball of electrically-charged hot gas. This charged gas moves, generating a powerful magnetic field. The Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle. ● Every 11 years or so, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips. This means that the Sun's north and south poles switch places. ● The solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun

Coronal Mass Ejection(CME) ● These 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.

Perseids Meteor Shower ● This is an annual celestial event and is considered the best meteor shower, as many bright meteors and fireballs shoot through the sky making it easy for people to watch it from Earth. ● Meteor: It is a space rock or meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere. ● Meteoroids are objects in space that range in size from dust grains to small asteroids. ● When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere (or that of another planet, like Mars) at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors. ● Meteorite:When a meteoroid survives its journey through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it’s called a meteorite. ● Meteor Shower:When Earth encounters many meteoroids at once, it is called a meteor shower. ● Comets, like Earth and the other planets, also orbit the sun. Unlike the nearly circular orbits of the planets, the orbits of comets are usually quite lop-sided. ● Meteor showers are named for the constellation where the meteors appear to be coming from. ● The Perseids occur as the Earth runs into pieces of cosmic debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle. Dwarf Planet Ceres ● the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. ● only dwarf planet located in the inner solar system (includes planets Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars).

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● diameter : 950 km, takes 1,682 Earth days, or 4.6 Earth years, to make one trip around the sun. ● It completes one rotation around its axis every 9 hours. ● no moon or rings. ● The scientists have given Ceres the status of an ocean world as it has a big reservoir of salty water underneath its frigid surface. Dwarf Planets ● A dwarf planet is a celestial body that - orbits the sun, has enough mass to assume a nearly round shape, has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit and is not a moon. ● The first five recognised dwarf planets are Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Makemake and Haumea. International Astronomical Union ● Founded in 1919, headquartered in Paris, France. ● Mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. ● It is the global authority for naming planetary features in the solar system. Star Formation in Dwarf Galaxies ● astronomers from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) have found out the reasons behind intense star formation in some dwarf galaxies. ● Dwarf galaxies are the most abundant type of galaxy in the universe but are difficult to detect due to their low luminosity, low mass and small size. ● Scientists used the 1.3-meter Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope (DFOT) near Nainital (Uttarakhand) and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Maharashtra. Star Formation in Galaxies ● Stars are born within the clouds of dust and gas scattered throughout most galaxies. ● Turbulence deep within these clouds gives rise to knots with sufficient mass that the gas and dust can begin to collapse under its own gravitational attraction. ● As the cloud collapses, the material at the center begins to heat up. Known as a protostar, it is this hot core that one day becomes a star. ● Not all of this material ends up as part of a star — the remaining dust can become planets, asteroids, or comets or may remain as dust. ● Stars are fueled by the nuclear fusion of hydrogen to form helium deep in their interiors. ● The outflow of energy from the central regions of the star provides the pressure necessary to keep the star from collapsing under its own weight, and the energy by which it shines. NASA Planet Hunter TESS finds 66 new Exoplanets ● TESS is Transitioning Exoplanet Survey Satellite. ● TESS is a space telescope designed to search Exoplanets. It searches for Exoplanets covering 400 times larger area as covered by Kepler Mission. ● TESS was launched by Falcon Rocket in 2018. ● The main objective of TESS Mission is to survey the brightest stars near the earth. It uses an array of wide-field cameras that covers 85% of the sky. ● The earlier mission KEPLER focused on planets around distant stars. TESS focuses on planets around nearby stars

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GOLD and ICON Mission ● Details : To explore the earth's ionosphere. Agency : NASA ● focus on the temperature and makeup of Earth’s highest atmospheric layers. ● inspect the ultraviolet radiation that the upper atmosphere releases

India’s Exoplanet Search Mission PARAS ● PARAS is PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search. ● It is ground-based exoplanet search device. It is located at Mt Abu. ● PARAS has achieved RV accuracy of 1.3 m/sec. ● PARAS works on bright sun like quiet stars. ● It uses Thorium-Argon lamp for calibration. It is capable of detecting planets around M- type stars having low luminosities. ● M-Type Stars

Omega Centauri ● It is a global cluster in the constellation of Centaurus. ● It was discovered by Edmond Halley in 1677. ● Situated at a distance of 15800 light-years from the earth, ● it is the largest globular cluster in the Milky Way. This contains around 10 million stars. ● first time the scientists have observed the presence of Helium in the Omega Centauri cluster and this may lead to some serious observations in the future regarding this. Einstein Ring ● It is created when the light from a galaxy or star passes by a massive object en route to the Earth. ● Due to the gravitational lensing, the light is diverted, giving the impression that it comes from different places. ● If the source, lens and the observer are all aligned, the light appears as a ring only. Asteroids ● Asteroids are also known as minor planets. ● They are rocky remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. ● Most asteroids are irregularly shaped, though a few are nearly spherical. ● Many asteroids are known to have a small companion moon (some have two moons). ● There are also binary (double) asteroids, in which two rocky bodies of roughly equal size orbit each other, as well as triple asteroid systems. Near-Earth Object (NEO) ● NASA defines NEOs as comets and asteroids nudged by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits that allow them to enter the Earth’s neighbourhood. ● composed mostly of water ice with embedded dust particles. ● Trojans, which are asteroids that share an orbit with a larger planet. ● Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA), which have orbits that pass close by the Earth. Those that cross the Earth’s orbit are called Earth-crossers. Potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs)

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● 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 PHAs.

Lagrange Points ● Its positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two body system like the Sun and the Earth produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion. ● These can be used by spacecraft to reduce fuel consumption needed to remain in position.

Digital Quality of Life ( DQL) Index 2020: SurfShark ● SurfShark, an online privacy solutions provider. ● Five fundamental pillars that define the digital quality of life namely 1. Internet affordability, 2. internet quality, 3. Electronic infrastructure, 4. electronic security and 5. electronic government ● India stands at the overall rank of 57 out of the 85 countries. Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge ● Announced by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) ● Challenge seeks to invite innovators, startups and students to use microprocessors, developed by IIT Madras and C-DAC, to generate various technology products. ● IIT Madras and C-DAC have developed two microprocessors named SHAKTI (32 bit) and VEGA (64 bit) respectively using Open Source Architecture under the aegis of Microprocessor Development Programme of MeitY. ● India’s First indigenous microprocessor “AJIT” developed by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) ● A microprocessor is an Integrated Circuit (IC) that contains a few millions of transistors (semiconductor-based electronic devices) fused on a semiconductor chip.Used in almost every electronics device

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing ● an Autonomous Scientific Society , premier Research & Development organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas. ● The National Centre for Software Technology, ER&DCI and CEDTI were merged into C- DAC in 2003.

National Supercomputing Mission ● announced in 2015, with an aim to connect national academic and R&D institutions with a grid of more than 70 high-performance computing facilities at an estimated cost of ₹4,500 crores over the period of seven years ● It supports the government's vision of 'Digital India' and 'Make in India' initiatives. ● implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Science and Technology) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through the Contact : 8830115524

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. ● India's first supercomputer PARAM Shivay was indigenously built (in 1991)by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing.It was installed in IIT (BHU) ● Similar systems Param Shakti and Param Brahma were installed at IIT-Kharagpur and IISER, Pune. ● Currently The fastest supercomputer in India Pratyush, a Cray XC40 system - an array of computers that can deliver a peak power of 6.8 petaflops, installed at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune

Open Source Architecture

● Open-source architecture is a concept that combines the advances in design and technologies with the practices and ideas from open-source projects to help reframe an architectural design as a collective and collaborative endeavor. ● Some of its features are as follow: ○ The solutions provided are not restrictive. Future modifications or add-ons to the architecture are possible for the best interest of the end user. ○ It helps in the integration of the widest range of technologies and components.

Microprocessor Development Program

● approved in August 2017 ● Implemented by C-DAC, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and IIT Bombay ● Under the program, not only industry-grade microprocessors have been designed from the scratch but also the ‘compute ecosystem’ around them has been evolved as a step towards meeting India's future requirements. Invisible Shield against Electromagnetic Interference ● scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have designed a metal mesh structure to construct an invisible shield ● CeNS is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Electromagnetic Interference ● EMI is an electromagnetic emission that causes a disturbance in another piece of electrical equipment. ● Any device that has an electronic circuit can be susceptible to EMI. ● The scientists have developed a copper metal mesh on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet, instead of continuous film, which exhibits a visible transmittance of about 85%.

Atal Rankings of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2020 ● an initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) (Now, it is the Ministry of Education), Govt. of India ● to systematically rank all major higher educational institutions and universities in India. ● Major Indicators for ranking are: 1. Programs and Activities on IPR, Innovation, Start-up and Entrepreneurship 2. Pre Incubation & Incubation Infrastructure & Facilities to Support I&E

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3. Annual Budget Spent on Promoting and Supporting I&E Activities 4. Courses on Innovation, IPR and Entrepreneurship Development 5. Intellectual Property(IP), Technology Transfer and Commercialization 6. Successful Innovation and Start-ups & Funding Innovation & start-ups.

Super Apps in India ● A super app is an omnichannel digital platform, i.e.- a platform developed by a company offering various services and products 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 analogy of a super app would be a mall, which allows retail space to various brands and shops across businesses and verticals.

Tianwen-1 ● China launched its first Mars mission. ● The spacecraft consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover. ● Launched on a Long March 5 rocket from Xichang, China. ● UAE having launched HOPE mission ● NASA to launch its own rover ‘Perseverance’.

Gaofen-9 05 Satellite ● Launched by China ● It is a new optical remote- sensing satellite carried by Long March-2D carrier rocket. ● It was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center along with another satellite named Tiantuo-5. Magnetic Hyperthermia-Mediated Cancer Therapy (MHCT) ● It is a non-invasive cancer treatment. ● Technique : It involves the delivery and localisation of magnetic materials within the targeted tumour site followed by subsequent application of an alternating magnetic field(AMF) thereby generating heat at the tumour site. ● Applications: It can efficiently act against deep-seated inaccessible solid tumours like glioblastoma and is highly thermo-sensitive towards normal cells with minimal toxicity against healthy counterparts. ● Institute of Nano Science & Technology ( INST ) is an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST).

INS Viraat ● INS Viraat holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest serving warship of the world. ● Viraat, a Centaur class aircraft served in the British Navy as HMS Hermes for 25 years ● It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in May 1987 after refurbishment.

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● Viraat played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 during the Sri Lankan Peacekeeping operation. Op Parakram in 2001-2002, post the terrorist attack on Parliament. ● The indigenous Advance Light Helicopters ‘Dhruv’ and the Russian twin rotor Kamov-31 have also operated from the ship. ● India is currently doing with only the 44,500-tonne INS Vikramaditya, the refurbished Admiral Gorshkov inducted from Russia in November 2013.

Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS) ● Registered under Society Registration Act, 1860 on 27th August 2014. ● State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) for Renewable Energy (RE) interact and learn from each other’s experiences and also share their best practices and knowledge regarding technologies and schemes/programmes. ● Members: The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy (NRE) is the Patron of the Association and Secretary, MNRE is the ex-officio President of the Association. All SNAs are members of the Association. ● Sector Specific Initiatives:

Solar Energy: ● International Solar Alliance ● One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) ● National Solar Mission (a part of National Action Plan on Climate Change) ● Pradham Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) ● Atal Jyoti Yojana ● Suryamitra Skill Development Programme ● Solar Park Scheme and Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme ● Rewa Solar Power Plant Wind Energy: ● National Wind Resource Assessment programme ● National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 2018 ● National Institute of Wind Energy, Tamil Nadu ● Waste to Energy: ● Programme on Energy from Urban, Industrial, Agricultural Wastes/Residues and Municipal Solid Waste Bio Energy: ● Biomass power & cogeneration programme ● Biogas Power Generation (Off-grid) and Thermal energy application Programme (BPGTP)

International Relation . Travel Bubble: ● Creating a travel bubble involves reconnecting countries or states which have shown a good level of success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic domestically.

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● Such a bubble would allow the members of the group to restart trade ties with each other and open travel and tourism. ● Contraction of Eurozone Economy ● The Eurozone consists of 19 members of European Union (EU), which uses the Euro as their official currency. ● 8 EU members (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden) do not use the euro. Euro Corona bonds ● Corona bonds would be a collective debt amongst EU member states ● Aim of providing financial relief to Eurozone countries battered by the coronavirus. The Frugal Four consists of EU: 1. Germany 2. The Netherlands. 3. Finland 4. Austria United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE): ● Set up in 1947 by ECOSOC. ● It is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations. ● UNECE’s major aim is to promote pan-European economic integration. ● It includes 56 member States in Europe, North America and Asia.

Quadrilateral Dialogue: China, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan

● China proposed a four-point plan to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, boost economic recovery and resumption of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure projects. ● The four-point plan included: ○ To share consensus in fighting the pandemic as good neighbours. ○ To learn from China and Pakistan’s joint prevention and control model of the pandemic. ○ To look at opening up green channels as soon as possible by the four countries. ○ China's expertise to the three countries in fighting Covid-19. It also included the vaccines that are being developed, to be shared with the three countries. ● Green channel is the route followed in passing through customs in an airport, etc by passengers claiming to have no dutiable goods to declare

Black Lives Matter Protest

● It is a global movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience in protest against incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against African- American people. ● mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. ● The movement was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s (African-American) murderer in the USA. Contact : 8830115524

India-Pakistan Issues Sir Creek ● It is a 96 km long strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands. ● The dispute lies in the interpretation of the maritime boundary line between Kutch and Sindh. ● Pakistan claims the line to follow the eastern shore of the estuary while India claims a centerline (differing interpretations of paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Bombay Government Resolution of 1914 signed between the then Government of Sindh and Rao Maharaj of Kutch). ● India insists the Sir Creek should be divided between the two countries according to thalweg principle. Under international law, a thalweg is the middle of the primary navigable channel of a waterway that defines the boundary line between states. ● The International Boundary in the Sir Creek area and International Maritime Boundary line (IMBL) between India and Pakistan have not been demarcated. Siachen Glacier ● The Siachen Glacier is part of Ladakh which has now been converted into a Union Territory. It is the Second-Longest glacier in the World's Non-Polar areas. ● It is located in the Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, just northeast of Point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. ● It lies immediately south of the great drainage divide that separates the Eurasian Plate from the Indian subcontinent in the extensively glaciated portion of the Karakoram sometimes called the "Third Pole". ● It is the world's highest battlefield. FATA ● The Federally Administered Tribal Areas was a semi-autonomous tribal region in northwestern Pakistan that existed from 1947. In 2018 it was merged with the neighboring province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

75th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing ● On 6th August 1945, a US bomber dropped the uranium fission bomb, codenamed Little Boy, on Hiroshima, a city in Japan. ● On 9th August 1945, it dropped another bomb codenamed Fat Man, on Nagasaki. ● killed around 80,000 people in Hiroshima and around 40,000 people in Nagasaki. ● Thousands more died in the following years due to the exposure to radiation from the blast and also from the black rain that fell in the aftermath of the explosions. ● Long-term effects of the attack included birth defects, malnutrition, cancer and other illnesses ● This bombing marked the end of World War II, with Japan surrendering to the Allies on 14th August 1945. ● the two major alliances during World War-II : The Allies led by Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. The other alliance, Axis was led by Germany, Italy, and Japan. Tsar Bomb ● world’s most powerful hydrogen bomb by Russia

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● A Hydrogen Bomb derives its energy by nuclear fusion reactions. ● An atom bomb derives its energy from nuclear fusion reaction. ● Hydrogen bombs have so far not been used in any war. ● It is believed to be 3,333 times more destructive than that of the Hiroshima Nagasaki Atom bombs Little Boy and Fat Man. ● The countries that have conducted hydrogen bomb tests are Britain, US, Russia, France and China , North Korea Tokamak ● The tokamak is an experimental magnetic fusion device designed to harness the energy of fusion. ● Inside a tokamak, the energy produced through the fusion is absorbed as heat in the walls of the vessel, which will be used by a fusion power plant to produce steam and then electricity by way of turbines and generators. ● The device uses magnetic fields

Loya Jirga: Grand Assembly of Afghanistan ● to decide on freeing about 400 Taliban fighters convicted for serious crimes including murder and abductions. ● About Lya Jirga: It is a mass national gathering that brings together representatives from the various ethnic, religious, and tribal communities in Afghanistan. ● It is a highly respected centuries-old consultative body that has been convened at times of national crisis or to settle national issues. ● According to the Afghan Constitution, a Loya Jirga is considered the highest expression of the Afghan people. It is not an official decision-making body and its decisions are not legally binding. ● However, the Loya Jirga's decision is seen as final, with the president and parliament expected to respect the ruling.

Universal Ratification to Child Labour Convention ● International Labour Organization (ILO)’s convention on Worst Forms of Child Labour also known as Convention No. 182 received universal ratification after the Kingdom of Tonga ratified the same. ● The convention was adopted by ILO member states meeting in Geneva in 1999. ● Aims to protect children from the worst forms of child labour, which include slavery, prostitution, trafficking, deployment of children in armed conflict and other conditions that compromise their overall well-being. ● The UN General Assembly has declared 2021 as the year for the elimination of child labour. ● India has not ratified the two core/fundamental conventions, namely Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98). ● Convention no. 182:Worst forms of Child Labour Convention ● Adopted in the 1999 annual international labour conference,

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● requires countries to take ratifying countries to take immediate, effective and time-bound measures to eliminate the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency. ● Prohibits the sexual exploitation of children, trafficking, deployment in armed conflict and other conditions that compromise their overall well-being. ● The Convention 182 complements the ILO’s efforts under the 1973 Minimum Age Convention(No. 138) to prevent the employment of children below a lower age threshold.

International Labour Organization (ILO) ● dealing with labour issues, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities for all. ● ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, ● It became specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946. ● In 1969, ILO received the Nobel Peace Prize for improving fraternity and peace among nations, pursuing decent work and justice for workers, and providing technical assistance to other developing nations. ● India is a founder member of the International Labour Organization. ● The Headquarter of ILO is in Geneva, Switzerland.

LABOUR BUREAU ● Labour Bureau, an attached office under Ministry of Labour and Employment, ● Set up on 1st October 1946. ● The Labour Bureau is an Apex National Level organization in the field of labour statistics ● Functions such as Labour Intelligence, Research, monitoring /evaluation & training ● Two main wings stationed in Shimla and Chandigarh. ● The logo also represents the three goals that the Labour Bureau strives to achieve in producing quality data i.e. Accuracy, Validity and Reliability. ● CPI for Industrial Workers (IW), CPI for Agricultural Labourer (AL) , CPI for Rural Labourer (RL). are compiled by the Labour Bureau ● CPI (Rural/Urban/Combined) compiled by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO)

India Announces Package to Maldives ● a five-pronged package including air, sea, intra-island and telecommunications to help it deal with the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. ● Importance of Maldives: ● Maldives proximity to the west coast of India. ● Lakshadweep group is separated from Maldives by Eight Degree Channel. ● It is situated at the hub of commercial sea-lanes running through Indian Ocean. More than 97% of India’s international trade by volume and 75% by value passes through the region.

Greater Male Connectivity Project ● It is a 6.7 kilometre bridge project connecting Male with Gulhifalhu Port and Thilafushi industrial zone that will help revitalise and transform Maldivian economy. ● India will provide a $400 million Line of Credit and $100 million grant for the project. Contact : 8830115524

● Cargo Ferry Service: A regular cargo ferry service between India and Maldives will be started to boost trade and commerce. ● Air Travel Bubble : India is starting an air connectivity “bubble” for travel with Maldives to sustain and promote the people-to-people ties between the two countries. ● Submarine Cable: It is a communication cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea. India will lay down a submarine cable for telecom connectivity in Maldives. Line of Credit (LOC) ● The Line of Credit is not a grant but a ‘soft loan’ provided on concessional interest rates to developing countries, which has to be repaid by the borrowing government. ● The LOCs also helps to promote exports of Indian goods and services, as 75% of the value of the contract must be sourced from India.

Djibouti Code of Conduct(DCOC) Or Jeddah Amendment ( Established in 2009) ● India has joined DCOC/JA as Observer. ● established under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ● It is a grouping on maritime matters aimed at repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean Region, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. ● It comprises 18 member states adjoining the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the East Coast of Africa and Island countries in the Indian Ocean Region. ● Observer States India, Japan, Norway, the UK and the US World Solar Technology Summit for the first ● The International Solar Alliance(ISA) will hold this summit ● The summit aims to bring the world scientists and engineers together to address the challenges to make energy affordable. ● The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) working with ISA ● The summit witnessed the announcement of agreements between ISA and following institutions ○ International Institute of Refrigeration, ○ Global Green Growth Institute ○ National Thermal Power Corporation. ● A tripartite agreement between India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the World Bank and the International Solar Alliance is also set to be inked. ● ISA’s technology journal, Solar Compass 360 was also be launched during the summit.

The International Solar Alliance(ISA) ● an alliance of 121 countries that works to tap benefits of solar power and promote clean energy applications. ● It was initiated by India. ● launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November 2015 in Paris, France on the side-lines of the Conference of the Parties (COP-21), ● The countries between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn are the main members of the alliance. ● The other countries can enjoy the benefits from the alliance, however, cannot vote. ● The ISA works on the following objectives

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○ Health of the planet ○ Equity of access to energy across the planet

19th Amendment of Constitution of Srilanka ● It was passed in 2015 during the former President Maithripala Sirisena-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s term (2015-19). ● It sought not only to clip the President’s executive powers, but also to strengthen independence of key pillars such as the judiciary, public service and elections. ● It brought back the two-term limit on Presidency. ● It was hailed by many, including members of civil society, as a progressive legislation in contemporary Sri Lankan history, even as its critics found it falling short in some respects. ● However, the Rajapaksa camp viewed its clauses as primarily intended to prevent its leaders’ return to power Boundary Working Group: India-Nepal ● The BWG is a joint agency constituted by the governments of India and Nepal in 2014 to carry out works in the fields of construction, restoration and repair of boundary pillars including clearance of ‘no-man’s land’ and other technical tasks. ● The BWG’s inputs are critical as they are given to the governments on the basis of field- level survey. Currency Swap Arrangement (CSA) ● An arrangement between two friendly countries to involve in trading in their own local currencies. ● As per the arrangements, both countries pay for import and export trade at the pre- determined rates of exchange, without bringing in third country currency like the US Dollar.

UK’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme ● EOHO Scheme is an economic recovery measure by the UK government to support hospitality businesses as they reopen after the COVID-19 lockdown in the country. ● Under the EOHO Scheme, the government would subsidise meals (food and non- alcoholic drinks only) at restaurants by 50 per cent, from Monday to Wednesday every week, all through August. ● The discount is capped at GBP 10 per head and does not apply to take-away or event catering. ● There is no minimum spend and no limit on the number of times customers can avail the offer, since the whole point of the scheme is to encourage a return to dining in restaurants. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) – Transport Initiative for Asia (TIA) ● Launched by NITI Aayog ● It is a joint programme, supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). ● It aims to promote a comprehensive approach to decarbonize transport in India, Vietnam, and China. Contact : 8830115524

● Focus : Strengthening GreenHouse Gas (GHG) and transport modelling capacities. ● It is implemented by a consortium of seven other organisations. ● On behalf of the Government of India, NITI Aayog will be the implementing partner.

Amnesty International ● Amnesty International (AI) India has demanded an independent investigation into all allegations of human rights violations by the police during the north-east Delhi riots. ● Amnesty International (AI) is an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded in London (UK) in 1961. ● It seeks to publicise violations by governments and other entities of rights recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), especially freedom of speech and of conscience and the right against torture. ● In 1977, it was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. ● AI India is a part of the global human rights movement spearheaded by Amnesty International. It has its registered office in Bangalore (Karnataka).

UN World Tourism Organisation ● It is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. ● Established in : 1974. ● Headquarters: Madrid, Spain. ● Purpose : It promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. ● It encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, to maximize tourism’s socio-economic contribution while minimizing its possible negative impacts. ◎ It releases the World Tourism Barometer annually AGRIOTA: E-Market Platform ● UAE Government launched AGRIOTA, a new technology driven agricultural commodity trading platform ● that will bridge the rural farmers from India and the gulf Food Industry

International Institutions-Reports. India First Policy of Sri Lanka ● Sri Lanka announces that though its is open to major economic deals with other countries, India will be first when it comes to its strategic security ● Joint military exercise called the “MITRA SHAKTI”. ● Conduct a joint Naval Exercise called “SLINEX”. ● India is currently providing defence training to Sri Lankan forces ● A tri-lateral maritime security cooperation agreement was signed between India, Maldives and Sri Lanka to improve surveillance, reduce maritime pollution and anti- piracy operations. Global Food Security Index (GFSI) ● which examines the state of food systems across 113 countries.

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● Developed by The Economist Intelligence Unit, and supported by Corteva Agriscience, ● this year’s report of the data highlights the potential threat of the environmental crisis on food security and how proper investment and advances in food innovation can help to mitigate this risk. ● India ranked 72nd out of 113 in 2019 ● Singapore was ranked the first followed by Ireland, United States, Switzerland and Finland

Global Food Policy Report, 2019 ● The report was launched by the International Food Policy Research Institute. ● The key findings ● The rural population account to 45.3% of the world. ● At least 70% of the world population remains extremely poor ● Rural revitalization is essential to end malnutrition and hunger ● Change in consumption patterns is the need of the hour

India-Vietnam Meeting ● meeting of India-Vietnam Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation

Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative( IPOI ) ● IPOI was launched by the Prime Minister of India at the East Asia Summit in November 2019. ● It focuses on seven central pillars conceived around Maritime Security, Maritime Ecology, Maritime Resources, Capacity Building and Resource Sharing, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation, and Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport.

BRICS 5G Innovation Base ● China has proposed the creation of a BRICS innovation base in China to take forward 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI) cooperation

UK- 5G club: ● In May, British government approached the US with the prospect of creating a 5G club of 10 democracies. ● It includes G7 countries –UK, US, Italy, Germany, France, Japan and Canada – plus Australia, South Korea and India. ● It will aim to create alternative suppliers of 5G equipment and other technologies to avoid relying on China.

About 5G ● 5G is based on OFDM (Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing), ● a method of modulating a digital signal across several different channels to reduce interference.

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● 5G uses 5G NR air interface alongside OFDM principles. ● 5G also uses wider bandwidth technologies such as sub-6 GHz and mmWave.

Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) ● six founding countries:Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. ● The EAG is a regional body comprising nine countries: India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. ● Established in 2004, it is an associate member of the FATF ● Function: ● Assisting member-states in implementing the 40 FATF anti-money laundering Recommendations and the 9 Special FATF Recommendations on combating terrorist financing (FATF 40+9 Recommendations). ● Developing and conducting joint activities aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. ●

Financial Action Task Force

● an inter-governmental body established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris. ● The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. ● Its Secretariat is located at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris. ● Member Countries: it consists of thirty-seven member jurisdictions. ● India is one of the members. ● FATF has two lists: ○ Grey List: Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. ○ Black List: Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. ● The FATF Plenary is the decision making body of the FATF. It meets three times per year.

India-Uzbekistan hold first National Coordination Committee meeting ● they discussed their bilateral interests such as trade and investment and Line of Credit projects ● Pharmaceuticals , medical tourism Joint Centre of Information Technology, investments in amusement parks, automobile components and hospitality industry. ● In July 2019, an IT park was established in Tashkent, Uzbekistan with Indian assistance. ● Dustlik: India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise

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● Uzbekistan is important for India for its uranium supplies.

India and Israel signed a new cultural agreement ● to strengthen people-to-people exchanges. ● a three year programme on cultural cooperation from 2020-23. ● The areas of cooperation under the agreement are exchange of culture and art experts; organizing literature fests and book fairs as well as promoting the translation of famous works in each other’s languages; enhancing cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage and archaeology ● The agreement also includes encourage direct contacts between national libraries and book publishers; student exchanges through scholarships. ● Co-operation in co-production in the field of cinema and audio-visual ● major emphasis to bring the youth of both the countries together through participation in festivals, sharing experiences, knowledge, etc.

India attends AINTT (ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks) ● AINTT was established to provide policy inputs to India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries on future directions of their cooperation.

ASEAN: ● ASEAN is Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ● Established to promote social and political stability in the post-colonial states of Asia- Pacific regions. ● The motto of ASEAN is One Vision, One Identity, One Community. August 8 is observed as ASEAN Day. ● The member nations Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Supply Chain Resilience Initiative ● Launched by India, Japan and Australia ● The initiative aims to reduce the dependency in China. ● The main aim of the initiative is to attract foreign direct investment in the Indo-Pacific region.to turn the region to an economic powerhouse.to build partner relationship between the countries in the region. ● Significance: The initiative is a direct response to companies that are concerned about Chinese political behaviour and disruption to the supply chain. ● Supply chain resilience is an approach that helps a country to ensure that it has diversified its supply risk across a clutch of supplying nations instead of being dependent on just one or a few.

Initiatives Launched on G20 EMM ● G20 Environment Ministers Meeting (EMM) was held under the Presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently. Initiatives Launched

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● to reduce Land Degradation ● at creating a global research and development programme to advance research in all facets of coral reef conservation, restoration and adaptation. ● Documents on managing emissions and climate change adaptations. ● What is Land Degradation? ● It is the reduction or loss of biological or economic productivity of the land resulting from land uses or from a process or combination of processes, including human activities and climatic variations.

G20 ● It is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union (EU), with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. ● Founded in 1999. ● It operates as a forum and not as an organization.it does not have any permanent secretariat or management and administrative structure. ● Members of G20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the USA, and the EU.

World Bank’s Human Capital Index 2020 ( HCI ) ● India has been ranked at the 116th position out of 174 countries.(Last Year 115 in 157 ) ● India’s score increased to 0.49 in 2020 from 0.44 in 2018. ● HCI claims to seek to measure the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by age 18. ● The HCI has three components: ○ Survival: as measured by under-5 mortality rates ○ Expected years of Quality-Adjusted School: which combines information on the quantity and quality of education ○ Health environment: Using two proxies of (a) adult survival rates and (b) the rate of stunting for children under age 5.

● Other Reports Published by World Bank: ○ Global Economic Prospects ○ Ease of Doing Business ○ World Development Report

World Bank Group ● 189 member countries ● unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries. ● Bank Group’s twin goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity of the poorest 40% of the population in all countries. ● World Bank Group consists of five development institutions.

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1. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) provides loans, credits, and grants. 2. International Development Association (IDA) provides low- or no-interest loans to low-income countries. 3. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides investment, advice, and asset management to companies and governments. 4. The Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA) insures lenders and investors against political risk such as war. 5. The International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) settles investment-disputes between investors and countries. ● the World Bank formed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA) ● which provides financing, policy advice, and technical assistance to governments of developing countries.

Human Development Index ( HDI )

● HDI is part of the Human Development Report that is published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). ● The HDI combining three dimensions: ○ A long and healthy life: Life expectancy at birth ○ Education index: Mean years of schooling and Expected years of schooling ○ A decent standard of living: GNI per capita The other indices Human Development Report UNDP are: ● Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) ● Gender Development Index (GDI) ● Gender Inequality Index (GII) ● Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).

Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement: USA (BECA)

● BECA will allow India to use the geospatial maps of the USA to get pinpoint military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons such as cruise and ballistic missiles. ● BECA is an important precursor to India acquiring armed unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Predator-B from the USA. Predator-B uses spatial data for accurate strikes on enemy targets. ● BECA is one of the four foundational military communication agreements between the two countries. The other three being GSOMIA, LEMOA, CISMOA.

General Security Of Military Information Agreement ● GSOMIA allows militaries to share the intelligence gathered by them. ● Signed by India in 2002. ● An extension to the GSOMIA, the Industrial Security Annex (ISA), was signed at the 2+2 dialogue in 2019.

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● ISA provides a framework for exchange and protection of classified military information between the USA and Indian defence industries.

Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement ● LEMOA allows both countries to have access to each other’s designated military facilities for refueling and replenishment. ● Signed by India in 2016.

Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement ● COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) is the India specific version of CISMOA. ● Valid for 10 years, COMCASA aims to provide a legal framework for the transfer of highly sensitive communication security equipment from the USA to India that will streamline and facilitate interoperability between their armed forces. ● Signed by India in 2018.

2+2 ministerial dialogue ● Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) ● India-USA ● India-Japan ● India - Australia ● India - South Korea ● India - Russia

Living Planet Report 2020 ● Published by World Wildlife Fund ● Key findings: ● Related to Biodiversity: ● There has been a reduction of 68% in the global wildlife population between 1970 and 2016. ● The highest biodiversity loss due to land use change: (1) Europe and Central Asia at 57.9 %; (2) North America at 52.5 %; (3) Latin America and Caribbean at 51.2 %; (4) Africa at 45.9 %; (5) Asia at 43%. ● The sharpest declines have occurred throughout the world’s rivers and lakes, where freshwater wildlife has plummeted by 84% since 1970 — about 4% per year. ● Related to Land and Oceans: ● 75% of the Earth’s ice-free land surface has already been significantly altered. ● Most of the oceans are polluted. ● More than 85% of the area of wetlands has been lost during 1970-2016. ● India’s scenario: ● India has 2.4% global land share, about 8% global biodiversity and around 16% global population

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● However, it has lost 12% of its wild mammals, 19% amphibians and 3% birds over the last five decades. ● India’s ecological footprint per person is less than 1.6 global hectares (gha)/person (smaller than that of many large countries). But, its high population size has made the gross footprint significantly high.

Biodiversity ● As per the Convention on Biological Diversity (Article 2): Biological Diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. ● Species diversity refers to the variety of different species (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) such as palm trees, elephants or bacteria. ● Genetic diversity corresponds to the variety of genes contained in plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. It occurs within a species as well as between species. ● Ecosystem diversity refers to all the different habitats - or places - that exist, like tropical or temperate forests, hot and cold deserts, wetlands, rivers, mountains, coral reefs, etc.

Convention on Biological Diversity ● The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a legally binding treaty to conserve biodiversity has been in force since 1993. ● 3 main objectives: ● The conservation of biological diversity. ● The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity. ● The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. ● The targets of the Convention calls for global trends of terrestrial wildlife to stop declining and start recovering by 2050 or earlier. ● India became a party to the Convention in 1994. Major Indian Government Initiatives: ● Wildlife protection Act 1972. ● Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974. ● Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1981. ● Environment Protection Act 1986. ● Biological Diversity Act 2002. ● Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (recognition of rights) Act 2006.

World Wildlife Fund for Nature ● Conservation organization and works in more than 100 countries. ● established in 1961 and headquartered at Gland, Switzerland. ● Mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. ● WWF collaborates at every level with people around the world to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in which they live.

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Living Planet Index (LPI) ● It is a measure of the state of the world’s biological diversity based on population trends of vertebrate species in terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. ● It is released by Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London)

BRICS ● BRICS group of world’s leading emerging economies, ● Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. ● In 2001, the British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. ● The grouping was formalised during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers in 2006. ● South Africa was invited to join BRIC in December 2010, after which the group adopted the acronym BRICS. ● The chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S. ● During the Sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014) the leaders signed the Agreement establishing the New Development Bank (NDB). They also signed the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) ● a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. ● It was established in December 2015. ● It is headquartered in Beijing (China) and began its operations in January 2016. ● It has 103 members including India. ● India is among the founding members of AIIB. ● China is the largest shareholder in AIIB with a 26.6% voting power, India with a 7.62%, Russia with 6.06%, Germany and South Korea to considerable amounts. ● India remains the biggest borrower of China-led AIIB.

India-UN Development Partnership Fund ● India has contributed $15.46 million to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund ● About : to promote sustainable development projects across the developing world. ● Launched by India and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) ● Purpose: utilized to carry out country-level projects that would be catalytic towards achieving the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda ● The Partnership fund would be managed by UNOSSC

H-1B Visas: ● The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows USA companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. ● The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China to keep costs in check. ● Such jobs in developed countries pay minimum wages, which are not lucrative enough for employable individuals of these countries.

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‘D-10 Group ● -The United Kingdom is looking to shape another union of 10 5G nations, named as 'D10', to adjust against China and decrease its dependence on Beijing, particularly on Chinese telecom monster Huawei. ● -This bunches the G7 countries with Australia and the Asian innovation pioneers South Korea and India. It would include G7 countries – UK, US, Germany, Italy, France, Canada and Japan – plus Australia,India and South Korea. Aim of D-10: ● It is planned for directing ventures into existing telecommunication organizations within the 10 member states. ● The group aims to make alternative providers of 5G equipment and different advances to abstain from depending on China.

United Nations Human Rights Council ● About: The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. ● Function: ○ Universal Periodic Review mechanism which serves to assess the human rights situations in all United Nations Member States. ○ Advisory Committee which serves as the Council’s “think tank” providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human rights issues. ○ Complaint Procedure which allows individuals and organizations to bring human rights violations to the attention of the Council. ● Membership: The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis from 5 groups. ○ To become a member, a country must receive the votes of at least 96 of the 191 states of the UN General Assembly (an absolute majority). ○ The members are elected by direct and secret ballot for a period of three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms. ○ The UNHRC holds regular sessions three times a year, in March, June, and September. ● Recent: The US withdrew from UNHRC in 2018, accusing it of bias and hypocrisy. ● Venezuela in 2019 won a seat on the council for 2020-2022 despite criticism of its human rights record. This was also highly opposed by the USA. ● The United States of America has urged United Nations members not to support Cuba’s bid to join the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Kavkaz 2020 or Caucasus-2020. ● It is the Russian strategic command-post exercise. ● The tri-service exercise is part of a four-year exercise cycle of the Russian army. Previous editions of the exercise were held in 2012 and 2016. ● India will take part in the Russian Kavkaz 2020 strategic command-post exercise next month. ● The invitees for the exercise also include China and Pakistan apart from other member- states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

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Gulf Cooperation Council ● political and economic alliance of countries in the Arabian Peninsula. ● established in 1981 to foster socioeconomic, security, and cultural cooperation. ● Members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). All these member the Persian Gulf Region.

UN Security Council ● established by the UN Charter in 1945. ● one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. The other 5 organs—the General Assembly, the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. ● Objective: is to work to maintain international peace and security. ● 15 members: the five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. ● The five permanent members are the United States, the Russian Federation, France, China and the United Kingdom. India & UNSC ● India has already held a non-permanent seat on the UNSC for 7 terms. ● India has been in the UNSC for 14 years. ● India recently won the unanimous support of all countries in the 55-member Asia-Pacific Group at the UN The Indus Water Treaty: ● It is a Water-Distribution Treaty, signed in Karachi on 1960, between India (Pm Jawaharlal Nehru) and Pakistan (President Ayub Khan), brokered by the World Bank . ● India has control over rivers– Beas, Ravi and Sutlej. for exclusive use. ● Pakistan – Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. except for specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use permitted to India as provided in the Treaty. ● Water commissioners of Pakistan and India are required to meet twice a year ● Both the sides share details of the water flow and the quantum of water being used under the treaty. the Ratle run-of-the-river (RoR) ● hydroelectricity project on the Chenab in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. ● ROR plants may have no water storage at all or a limited amount of storage, in which case the storage reservoir is referred to as pondage. ● A plant without pondage is subject to seasonal river flows, thus the plant will operate as an intermittent energy source. ● Conventional hydro uses reservoirs, which regulate water for flood control, dispatchable electrical power, and the provision of fresh water for agriculture. India has constructed following dams: ○ Bhakra Dam on Satluj, ○ Pong and Pandoh Dam on Beas and ○ Thein (Ranjit Sagar) on Ravi. ○ Beas- Sutlej Link, ○ Madhopur- Beas Link,

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○ Indira Gandhi Nahar Project etc

Remote Learning Reachability report ● United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) has released a report ● Purpose : The report outlines the limitations to remote learning and exposes deep inequalities in access. ● At least a third of the world’s schoolchildren which works to around 463 million could not access remote learning since schools have been shut down because of Covid-19. ● In India, at least 1.5 million schools are closed because of the pandemic, which is affecting 286 million students from pre-primary to secondary levels of which 49% are girls

Reimagine Campaign ● It is a global campaign launched by UNICEF ● to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children especially the most vulnerable children such as those affected by poverty, exclusion or family violence.

ASEAN India Business Council (AIBC) ● set up in March 2003 as a forum to bring key private sector players from India and the ASEAN countries on a single platform for business networking and sharing of ideas. ● emphasized on 3Cs namely Cooperation, Collaboration and Commitment ● report of the AIBC ● It has recommended that the ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) be reviewed for mutual benefit. ● The review will make the Agreement modern with contemporary trade facilitative practices, and streamline customs and regulatory procedures. ● The AITIGA is a free trade agreement between the ten ASEAN members and India. It was signed in 2010. ● According to the agreement, the partners have set a time line to eliminate duties on as much goods as possible. ●

Act East Policy ● India is focusing on Act East Policy to reach the ASEAN countries. ● unveiled at the 12th ASEAN-India Summit in 2014. ● India shifted from Look East Policy to Act East Policy in order add security cooperation along with trade and other economic cooperation. ● major areas ● Counter Terrorism: To share capacity building, best practices and information ● Cyber Security and Maritime Cooperation India actively participates in the following ASEAN led events ● India-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation ● ASEAN Region Forum ● ASEAN PMC+1 with India

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● East Asia Summit ● ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) ● ASEAN-India Joint Cooperation Committee ● ASEAN-India Senior Officials.

ASEAN + 3 ● which includes the ten-member ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea ● The ASEAN+3 proposal is intended to put pressure on India to give China concessions similar to those given by other countries at the RCEP negotiations. ● Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement among 16 nations (ten-member ASEAN and Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand).

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief ( HADR ) agreement ● Signed between India-Singapore ● Annual naval combat exercise called the SIMBEX

Social Issue .. Samarth Programme ● Samarth is an initiative started by Flipkart in 2019 collaborated with five NGOs ● to help local artisans use the online e-commerce platform to sell their products. ● The programme helps around six lakh artisans (weavers, craftsmen etc.) earn their bread and butter by selling their hand made art & craftwork across the country to a customer base of nearly 200 million.

Operation Breathing Space: India-Israel ● India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel’s defence ministry research and development team are working together ● to develop four different kinds of rapid testing kit for Covid-19 which can give the result within 30 seconds. ● The tests include an audio test, a breath test, thermal testing, and a polyamino test which. ● In the audio test, a patient’s voice would be recorded and evaluated through artificial intelligence and machine learning. ● In the breath test the patient will blow into a tube that will detect the virus using terra- hertz (high frequency) waves. ● Thermal testing will enable identification of the virus in a saliva sample. ● Polyamino acids test seeks to isolate proteins related to Covid-19.

SKOCH Gold Award ● Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has received SKOCH Gold Award for its “Empowerment of Tribals through IT enabled Scholarship Schemes” project. ● About SKOCH Awards:

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● Instituted in 2003, it is the highest civilian honour in the country conferred by an independent organisation. ● It recognises people, projects and institutions that go the extra mile to make India a better nation. ● It is given in the areas of digital, financial and social inclusion; governance; inclusive growth; excellence in technology and applications; change management; corporate leadership; corporate governance; citizen service delivery; capacity building; empowerment and other such softer issues. ● It is given to both institutions/organisations and individuals.

Inclusion of the Disabled in National Food Security Act 2013 ● The disabled persons should get their entitled quota of food grains under NFSA & Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) as per provisions of the Act. ● Those not already covered should be issued fresh ration cards as per the eligibility criteria. ● The disable person should also be covered by States/UTs under the priority households as per the criteria of identification evolved by them.

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 ● Notified on: 10th September, 2013 ● Objective: To provide for food and nutritional security in the human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity. ● Coverage: 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). ● Eligibility: ● Priority Households to be covered under TPDS, according to guidelines by the State government. ● Households covered under existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana. ● Provisions: ● 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains. ● The existing AAY household will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month. ● Meal and maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth, ● Meals to children upto 14 years of age. ● Food security allowance to beneficiaries in case of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals. ● Setting up of grievance redressal mechanisms at the district and state level.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana

● It was launched in December, 2000.

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● It involved identification of one crore poorest of the poor families from amongst the number of Below Poverty Line families covered under TPDS within the States and providing them food grains at a highly subsidized rate. ● Some target groups identified under AAY are: ● Landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen and persons earning their livelihood on a daily basis in the informal sector. ● Households headed by widows/terminally ill persons/disabled persons/senior citizens. ● Widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or senior citizens. ● All primitive tribal households.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons ● The day was observed for the first time in 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly. ● Aim : To raise awareness about the condition of victims of human trafficking and to promote and protect their rights. ● Theme : It focuses on first responders to human trafficking. ● Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative(CHRI) and Walk Free (an international anti- slavery organisation) has released a report titled “Eradicating Modern Slavery”. ● Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative(CHRI) : It is an independent, non-profit, non- partisan, international non-governmental organisation working in the area of human rights. It is headquartered in New Delhi. ● Blue Heart Campaign: It is an international anti-trafficking program started by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC)

Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment, WEE initiative ● that helps women from the college-going youth to the middle-aged housewives ● to take up the path of entrepreneurship to make it a viable, fulfilling career option. ● at IIT Delhi, supported and sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology. ● This award comprises a cash grant of totalling Rs 25 lakhs and this year; ● This has been bestowed on 11 women entrepreneurs from various parts of the country and from diverse fields.

India’s first International Women Trade Centre to be set up in Kerala ● The Centre has been established under the Green Park initiative of Kerala ● The Centre will accelerate women entrepreneurship. ● It will provide a safe place away from home to start a business, expand and get their products marketed globally. ● The Women Trade Centre will enable women entrepreneurs to participate in international trade, enhance competitiveness, and enjoy greater economic benefits.

Green Park Initiative ● It was established in 2013 by the State Government of Kerala. ● It focuses on gender equality and empowerment in the state. ● It is a platform for research, policy analysis, capacity development, social and economic initiative. Contact : 8830115524

Minimum age of marriage for women ● the Centre will decide on the recommendations of a committee set up to reconsider the minimum age of marriage for women. ● The Union Ministry for Women and Child Development set up a committee in June, headed by Jaya Jaitley, to examine matters pertaining to age of motherhood, imperatives of lowering Maternal Mortality Ratio and the improvement of nutritional levels among women. ● Currently, the law prescribes that the minimum age of marriage is 21 and 18 years for men and women, respectively. ● The minimum age of marriage is distinct from the age of majority, which is gender- neutral. ● An individual attains the age of majority at 18 as per the Indian Majority Act, 1875. ● For Hindus, Section 5(iii) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955sets 18 years as the minimum age for the bride and 21 years as the minimum age for the groom. Child marriages are not illegal but can be declared void at the request of the minor in the marriage. ● In Islam, the marriage of a minor who has attained puberty is considered valid under personal law. ● The Special Marriage Act, 1954 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 also prescribe 18 and 21 years as the minimum age of consent for marriage for women and men respectively. Constitutional Provisions for Women Representation in PRIs:

● The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 mandates 33.3% reservation for women in PRIs across the country. ○ The 73rd Amendment envisages the Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayat Raj System to perform functions and powers entrusted to it by the State Legislatures. ○ This has been increased to 50% reservation in several states like Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar etc. ○ Out of the 30.41 lakh elected representatives of PRIs, 13.74 lakh (45.2%) are women. ● Article 15 (3) to the Constitution of India empowers the State to make special provisions for women. ● Article 243D provides that one-third of the total number of seats and offices of the Chairpersons in PRIs at each level shall be reserved for women to be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat. ● Such reservations of seats and offices of the chairpersons for women are also within the reservations for SCs and STs in all three tiers of PRIs. ● In order to bring about 50% reservation for women in Panchayats in all States, the 110th Constitution Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2009, but it was not passed despite being tabled several times.

Efforts by Government to Promote Women in PRIs:

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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has been making continuous efforts by launching and implementing various schemes for capacity building of women representatives in PRIs, like

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) ● RGSA was launched in 2018 ● for developing and strengthening the capacities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for rural local governance ● to become more responsive towards local development needs, preparing the participatory plans that leverage technology, efficient and optimum utilization of available resources for realizing sustainable solutions to local problems linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ● It included rewards for ensuring women participation in PRIs

Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) ● Some of the key aspects of GPDP guidelines that are relevant to Women Empowerment include proactive participation of women in budgeting, planning, implementation and monitoring of GPDP ● convening Mahila Sabhas prior to the general Gram Sabhas and their inclusion in Gram Sabhas and GPDP.

Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan (PMEYSA) ● It was implemented from the year 2007-08 till 2012-13 ● objective of empowerment of Elected Women & Youth Representatives of Panchayats.

● Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has directed all the States and Union Territories to organise Special Gram Sabhas and Mahila Sabhas (Women’s Assemblies) in all Gram Panchayats

Swachh Bharat Revolution book launched ● This book is regarding the journey of the Swachh Bharat Mission through 35 essays by a range of stakeholders and contributors to this program of the government, thereby sharing their perspective on the social revolution. ● edited by Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Rashtriya Swachhta Kendra ● an interactive experience centre on the Swachh Bharat Mission in the country. ● introduce future generations to the successful implementation of the world’s largest behaviour change pattern, Swachh Bharat Mission. ● A balanced mix of a digital and outdoor installation at these centres will impart information, awareness and education of cleanliness and related aspects. ● There will be two separate halls in the RSKs – Hall 1 and Hall 2. ● In Hall 1, the visitors will experience a unique 360-degree audio-visual show and it will narrate the Swachhta story of the country.

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● In Hall 2, there will be interactive LED panels, hologram boxes, interactive games and much more to tell the success story of this program. Swachh Bharat Mission ● a country-wide sanitation campaign launched on 2nd October, 2014. ● implemented by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. ● Objectives: Elimination of open defecation, eradication of Manual Scavenging, modern and scientific municipal solid waste management and bring behavioral change regarding healthy sanitation practices. ● two components – SBM Rural and SBM Urban. ● The rural component is based on achieving a clean and ODF India ● SBM Urban is also based on waste management techniques. ● Recently the second phase started from 2020-21 to 2024-25. Swachh Bharat Mission Academy ● a phone-based academy having IVR based free mobile online learning course. ● Features The training course contains a 60 minutes module spanning various topics under ODF-S and Solid Waste Management. ● Significance: It will significantly boost the capacity building efforts in training of Swachhagrahis as well as PRIs members, community-based organizations, NGOs, SHGs and others who are associated with phase 2 of SBM(G). ● Course has four chapters, each with four audio lessons and a multiple-choice quiz at the end of the chapter. At present the course is available only in Hindi. Swachh Survekshan 2020 ● The survey was held by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.(MoHUA) ● fifth edition of the annual cleanliness urban survey ● It is meant to monitor the performance of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ● Quality Council of India (QCI) is in charge of evaluating the performance of the participating cities. ● For the fourth consecutive time, Indore, Madhya Pradesh bagged the cleanest city in the country. It was followed by Surat of Gujarat and Navi Mumbai of Maharashtra. ● Varanasi bagged the best “Ganga Town” in the survey. ● Mysuru won the award of cleanest city in India. ● Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) was launched in 2014, with the objective of making urban India 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) along with 100% scientific solid waste management.

Swachh Survekshan 2021 ● The 2021 survey will focus on parameters pertaining to wastewater treatment, reuse along with faecal sludge. legacy of waste management, remediation of landfills among others. ● Prerak Daaur Samman:It is a new category of awards which will be announced as part of Swachh Survekshan 2021 ● The award has a total of five additional sub- categories -Divya (Platinum), Anupam (Gold), Ujjwal (Silver), Udit (Bronze), Aarohi (Aspiring) – with top three cities being recognized in each.

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A FUTURE FOR THE WORLD'S CHILDREN REPORT ● This is a report constructed by Lancet, WHO and UNICEF. The report focuses on every aspect of child health through the lens of climate change, ecological degradation and exploitative marketing practices.

World Health Organization (WHO) ● the United Nations’ specialized agency for Health was founded in 1948. ● Its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. ● There are 194 Member States, 150 country offices, six regional offices. ● Objective “is the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health”. ● Functions: ● By playing a role as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work. ● Maintaining and establishing collaboration with the UN and any other appropriate bodies. ● Assisting governments, upon request, in strengthening their health services. ● Giving appropriate technical assistance and in case of emergencies, required aid upon ● the request or acceptance of governments.

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Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN)

● About: It is an indigenously developed technology system that digitizes vaccine stocks and monitors the temperature of the cold chain through a smartphone application. ● Objective: It is aimed at strengthening immunization supply chain systems across the country. ○ eVIN aims to support the Government of India’s Universal Immunization Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows, and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in these states. ● Implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). ● The integrated solution combines: ○ Technology : Online real-time information on vaccine stocks and storage temperature to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. ○ Governance: Systemizing record keeping, upgrading logistics and encouraging good practices to ensure efficient vaccine logistics management. ○ Human Resources: To empower the state cold chain network by building the capacities of handlers and managers at each stage of vaccine supply.

Universal Immunization Programme

● launched in 1985, to prevent mortality and morbidity in children and pregnant women against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. ● Under UIP free of cost vaccination is provided against twelve vaccine-preventable diseases i.e. Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia

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, Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus diarrhoea. ● The programme is one of the largest health programmes in the world. Despite being operational for many years, UIP has been able to fully immunize only 65% of children under 1 year of age.

Mission Indradhanush

● Health mission scheme launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ● Objective of Mission Indradhanush is to achieve full immunization coverage by 2020 for all those children under the age of two years and pregnant women who are either unvaccinated/partially vaccinated against ‘7’ vaccine preventable diseases ● diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis B. In addition to these, vaccines for Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus influenzae type B are also being provided in selected states. ● In 2016, four new additions have been made viz. Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis, Injectable Polio Vaccine Bivalent and Rotavirus. It was decided that 201 districts will be covered in the first phase and 297 districts will be targeted for the second phase in 2015.

Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI)

● Launched in October 2017, ● to cover all left outs and drop outs in select districts and urban areas with low routine immunization coverage in a specific time-frame (December 2018). ● Intensified Mission Indradhanush(IMI) 2.0 Launched On 2nd December 2019, as a national vaccination drive to prevent eight diseases-whooping cough, tetanus, tuberculosis, measles, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, meningitis, and Diptheria. ● IMI 2.0 will aim to achieve the target of full immunization coverage in 272 districts in 27 states of the country. The scheme will be carried out from December 2019 to March 2020.

Vitamin D ● Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is naturally present in very few foods like fatty fish, and fish liver oils, beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks. ● It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. ○ The sunlight triggers a chemical reaction to a cholesterol-based molecule, and converts it into calcidiol in the liver and into calcitriol in the kidney. ○ These molecules technically called 25-OHD are physiologically active. Effects of Deficiency: ● Rickets in children and osteomalacia (softening of bones) in adults. ● Bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen (Effects of deficiency).

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Government Initiatives for Nutrition India

Mid-day meal scheme ● MDM Scheme comes under the Ministry of HRD ● launched in the year 1995 as a centrally sponsored scheme. ● The scheme provides that every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in classes I to VIII who enrolls and attends the school, shall be provided hot cooked meal having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary (I- V class) and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary (VI-VIII class), free of charge every day except on school holidays ● The scheme covers all government and government aided schools and also Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. ● has helped in combating nutrition deficiencies in poor school-going children. ● Students up to Class VIII are guaranteed one nutritional cooked meal at least 200 days in a year. ● MDM rules 2015, provide that: ● The place of serving meals to the children shall be school only. ● ● If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains or any other reason, the State Government shall pay food security allowance by 15th of the succeeding month.

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Integrated Child Development Services ● an Indian government welfare programme which provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years of age and their mothers(Pregnant & Lactating Women (P&LW),). ● ICDS Scheme offers a package of six services, viz. ○ Supplementary Nutrition ○ Pre-school non-formal education ○ Nutrition & health education ○ Immunization ○ Health check-up and ○ Referral services ● All components of ICDS except Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) are financed through a 60:40 ratio (central : state). The Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) component was funded through a 50:50 ratio. The North East states have a 90:10 ratio. ● Tenth FYP also linked ICDS to Anganwadi centres established mainly in rural areas and staffed with frontline workers. ● ICDS provides 500 kilocalories (with 12-15 grams of protein) every day to every child below 6 years of age. ● For adolescent girls it is up to 500 kilo calories with up to 25 grams of protein every day. ● Biofortification i.e improvement of the nutritional quality of food crops through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology is being promoted by the government for various crops like carrots (Madhuban Gajar), wheat (MACS 4028) etc. in order to ensure nutritional security. Rashtriya Poshan Maah ● Under Poshan Abhiyaan, the month of September is observed as Poshan Maah i.e. Nutrition month every year, since 2018 ● It includes a month-long activities focussed on antenatal care, optimal breastfeeding, anaemia, growth monitoring, girls education, diet, right age of marriage, hygiene and sanitation and eating healthy (food fortification).

Poshan Abhiyan ( National Nutrition Mission ) ● to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. ● Poshan implies ‘Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition’. ● Launch: It was launched by PM on International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2018 from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. ● Implemented By: Ministry of Women and Child Development ● Targets: ● To reduce stunting, underweight, and low birth weight, each by 2% per year; and anaemia among young children, adolescents and women each by 3% per year until 2022. ● The minimum target to reduce stunting is 2% every year, but the mission will strive to bring it down from 38.4% in 2016 to 25% by 2022.

Basic Terms related to Malnutrition: ● Stunting- low height for age,

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● Wasting- low weight compared to height, ● Underweight- low weight for age, ● Malnutrition includes both under and over nutrition and ● Anaemia-Lack of Healthy Red blood cells.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana ● Central government has started the PMGKAY scheme to provide foodgrains to the BPL and needy families in the country ● Under this additional 5 kg grains for free, in addition to the 5 kg of subsidized foodgrain already provided through the Public Distribution System. also 1 kg of pulse for free. ● announced for a three month period from April to June ● extended till November 30, 2020, as part of its second phase, which commenced on July 01, 2020. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR): ● Set up in March 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. ● It works under Ministry of Women & Child Development. ● The Commission’s Mandate is to ensure that all Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative Mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution of India and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Composition: ● chairperson and six members of which at least two should be women. ● All of them are appointed by Central Government for three years. ● The maximum age to serve in commission is 65 years for Chairman and 60 years for members.

Khadi Agarbatti Atma Nirbhar Mission ● Union Minister for MSME has approved a program proposed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission(KVIC) under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana ● Aim: in order to generate employment as well as to make the country self-reliant with regard to the agarbatti production. ● Mode : The scheme has been designed based on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. ● administered by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, ● provide the automatic machines for the production of agarbatti and also powder mixing machines to the artisans through the successful private manufacturers. ● Subsidy: KVIC will provide a 25% subsidy on the cost of the machines and will recover the remaining 75% of the cost from the artisans in installments every month. ● Benefits: ● Revival of Agarbatti manufacturing in the villages and small towns. ● Generation of sustainable employment and increase in wages for the traditional Artisans. ● Mitigation of the gap between the indigenous ‘production and demand’. ● Reduction in import of ‘Agarbatti’ in the country.

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The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) ● Statutory body of the GOI . ● It was formed in 1957 under the Act of Parliament, ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956’. ● headquartered in Mumbai. ● It works as an umbrella organization under MSME to plan, promote, facilitate, organize and assist in the process of establishment as well as the development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas of India. ● It also performs cooperative action with other agencies that are engaged with rural development.

Initiative Under Ministry of MSME & KVIC ● a first Silk Processing Plant at Surendranagar in Gujarat. The plant would help to reduce the cost of production of silk yarn and increase the sale and availability of raw material for Gujarati Patola Sarees locally.This saree received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2013. ● Launched ‘Terracotta Grinder’ at Varanasi.It will grind the wasted and broken pottery items for re-using in pottery-making.It will reduce the cost of production, and will also help to solve the problem of shortage of clays for pottery making. ● Project REPLAN (REducing PLAstic in Nature): It aims to make carry bags by mixing processed and treated plastic waste with cotton fibre rags in the ratio 20:80. ● Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program : For empowerment of potters community in the remotest of locations in the country.provides the following support to potters. ○ Training for advanced pottery products ○ Latest, new technology pottery equipments like the electric Chaak ○ Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions ● Solar Charkha Mission: To ensure inclusive growth by generation of employment, especially for women and youth, and sustainable development through solar charkha clusters in rural areas.One cluster would involve a maximum subsidy of Rs. 9.60 crore provided in form of Capital subsidy for individual and Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), interest subvention for working capital and capacity building.

Gramodyog Vikas Yojana

● Gramodyog Vikas Yojana is one of the two components of Khadi Gramodyog Vikas Yojana another component is Khadi Vikas Yojana. ● aims to promote and develop the village industries through common facilities, technological modernization, training etc. ● Components of Gramodyog Vikas Yojana: ● Research & Development and Product Innovation ● Activities of existing dedicated verticals of Village Industries: This includes Agro Based & Food Processing Industry, Mineral Based Industry, Handmade Paper, Leather & Plastic Industry among others. ● Capacity Building: Under the Human Resource Development and Skill Training components, exclusive capacity building of staff as well as the artisans.

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● Marketing & Publicity: The village institutions will be provided market support by way of preparation of product catalogue, Industry directory, market research, new marketing techniques, buyer seller meet, arranging exhibitions etc.

Hamara Ghar, Hamara Vidyalaya Programme: ● It is a home-based learning programme launched by the Department of School Education, MP. ● It aimed to reach 22 lakh students after shutting down of schools due to Covid-19 pandemic. ● The idea behind the programme is to ensure that students study regularly at home and also learn life skills from their elders. ● Under it, the modular programme airs on Doordarshan Madhya Pradesh on fixed time slots. It has three parts to it which are recap, delivery of a new concept and practice of the concept. Fluorosis ● is a crippling disease resulting from deposition of fluorides in the hard and soft tissues of body due to excess intake of fluoride through drinking water/food products/industrial pollutants over a long period. ● It results in dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and non-skeletal fluorosis. ● According to WHO, the fluoride concentration in drinking water should not exceed 1.5mg/l. ● Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) have developed an equipment-free fluoride ion detection and quantification in drinking water with the naked- eye. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPA) ● 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), (Beijing + 25). ● Beijing Declaration : It is a resolution adopted by the UN at the end of the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. ● Beijing Declaration is an agenda for women’s empowerment and considered the key global policy document on gender equality. ● Adopted by 189 member states, it is key to advancing gender equality in 12 areas. ● the National Commission for Women (NCW) and UN Women organized a National Consultation on the Review of Beijing+25 ● Objective: To assess progress and challenges to the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in India over the past 5 years. Recent government schemes to achieve gender equality: ● Beti Bachao Beti Padhao ● Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana ● Scheme for Adolescent Girls ● National Nutrition Mission (NNM) ● Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Schizophrenia ● It is the descriptive term for a group of psychotic disorders in which personal, social and occupational functioning deteriorate as a result of disturbed thought processes, strange perceptions, unusual emotional states, and motor abnormalities. Contact : 8830115524

● Onset: It typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. ● Symptoms: ○ Positive Symptoms: These are pathological excesses or bizarre additions to a person’s behaviour like delusions, disorganised thinking and speech, heightened perception and hallucinations and inappropriate affects. ○ Negative Symptoms: These are pathological deficits and include poverty of speech, blunted and flat affect (Showing less or no emotions), loss of volition (inability to start or complete a course of action) and social withdrawal. ○ Psychomotor Symptoms: Less spontaneous moves or making odd grimaces (extremely distorted and particular facial expression) and gestures. Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan ● Launched by the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister ● Objective This initiative is a national programme for popularizing science among school students of Class 6th to 11th. ● Designed to identify the bright minds with a scientific aptitude among the student community. ● This platform identifies the talent in the field of science and to promote the scientific acumen among the students. ● Students are made to participate through comprehensive writing, objective type questions and answers, role play, practical examination and by showing presentation and getting involved in a group discussion with peers. Anganwadi ● Anganwadi is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the States / UTs which serves as a rural child and maternal care centre in India. ● started in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services program ● to combat child hunger and malnutrition. ● Anganwadi centres provide a package of six services: supplementary nutrition, pre- school non-formal education, immunisation, health check-up, nutrition and health education, and referral services.

Right to Food ● as a part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21) by the National Human Rights Commission. ● The Directive Principles of the State Policy in Article 39a, requires the State to direct its policies towards securing that all its citizens have the right to an adequate means of livelihood. ● The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, gives the right to food but it is not universal. ● It legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System. ● In People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India & Others case (2001), the Supreme Court explicitly established a constitutional human right to food and determined a basic nutritional floor for India's impoverished millions. The Food System Vision Prize:

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● launched by the USA-based ‘The Rockefeller Foundation’, in partnership with the other two organisations - SecondMuse and OpenIDEO- in 2019. ● It is an invitation for organizations across the globe to develop a Vision of the regenerative and nourishing food system that they aspire to create by the year 2050. ● Naandi Foundation (a Hyderabad based non-profit organisation), as one of the top 10 ‘Visionaries’ in the world for the Food System Vision 2050 Prize. ● Food System Vision is a story about the future that addresses the following six interconnected themes: Environment, Diets, Economics, Culture, Technology and Policy. Naandi Foundation (Arakunomics): ● The organisation was recognised for the application of Arakunomics model in regions of Araku (Andhra Pradesh), Wardha (Maharashtra) and New Delhi ● Leading to the Food Vision 2050 that follows an “ABCDEFGH” framework centring on: Agriculture, Biology, Compost, Decentralised decision-making, Entrepreneurs, Families, Global Markets, and ‘Headstands (implying innovation)’. ● Arakunomics is a new integrated economic model that ensures profits for farmers, quality for consumers through regenerative agriculture. ● It is based on work with tribal farmers in Araku for nearly 20 years. Regenerative Agriculture ● describes farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle. ● The key to regenerative agriculture is that it not only “does no harm” to the land but actually improves it, using technologies that regenerate and revitalize the soil and the environment.

World Tribal Day (9 August) ● day recognizes the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva in 1982. ● Theme 2020: “Covid-19 and the indigenous peoples’ resilience” Tribal in India: ● tribals make up 8.6% of India's population. ● 700 tribal groups in India, out of 75 are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) ● The Gond comprise the largest ● The largest number of tribal communities (62) are found in Odisha. ● No Tribe identified in Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Puducherry. Constitutional Provisions: ● Article 342(1)- The President may with respect to any State or Union Territory, and where it is a State, after consultation with the Governor, by a public notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities or part of or groups within tribes or tribal communities as Scheduled Tribe in relation to that State or Union Territory. ● Article 15- Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth only. ● Article 16- Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment ● Article 46- Promotion of educational and economic interests of scheduled castes, Scheduled tribes and other weaker sections,

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● Article 335- Claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to services and posts. ● As per Article 338-A of the Constitution of India, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has been set-up. ● 5th and 6th Schedule- Administration and control of Scheduled and Tribal Areas. Legal Provisions: ● Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 against Untouchability. ● Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to prevent the commission of offences of atrocities against the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. ● Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 to provide for the extension of the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution relating to the Panchayats to the Scheduled Areas. ● Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. Committees Related to Tribal Communities: ● Xaxa Committee (2013) ● Bhuria Commission (2002-2004) ● Lokur Committee (1965)

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes ● NCST was set up with effect from 19th February, 2004 by amending Article 338 and by inserting a new article 338A in the Constitution through the 89th Constitution Amendment Act, 2003. Hence, it is a constitutional body. ● Composition : It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and 3 other Members who are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. ○ At least one member should be a woman. ○ The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the other Members hold office for a term of 3 years. ○ The members are not eligible for appointment for more than two terms. ● The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Ministers, the Vice Chairperson has the rank of a Minister of State and other Members have the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India

GOAL (GOING ONLINE AS LEADERS) PROGRAMME ● It is joint initiative of Facebook India with Ministry of Tribal affairs to provide mentorship to tribal youth through digital mode. ● Programme intends to upskill and empower 5,000 tribal youths in current phase to harness full potential of digital platforms to learn new ways of doing business, explore and connect with domestic and international markets. SWASTHYA Portal ● Launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs Tribal ● aims to provide health and nutrition related information of the tribal.

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● so act as an integrated source of information about research studies, innovative practices, case studies and best practices that were collected from different parts of the country. ALEKH E-Newsletter ● Launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs Tribal ● Released on quarterly basis. ● to showcase the works of different stakeholders involved in improving health and nutrition of tribal. ● This will help to learn from each other’s successes and also from failures.

Empowering Tribal, Transforming India: ● online performance Dashboard launched by M/o Tribal Affairs. ● Developed by Centre of Excellence of Data Analytics (CEDA), organization under National Informatics Centre (NIC). ● Performance Dashboard is an interactive and dynamic online platform that showcases updated & real-time details of 11 schemes / initiatives of the Ministry for achieving Sustainable Developmental Goals.

Educational Schemes for Tribals Eklavya Model School: ● Residential School based on Navodaya Model to be opened in each tribal block by 2022.

Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme (RGNF): ● RGNF was introduced in the year 2005-2006 with the objective to encourage the students belonging to the ST community to pursue higher education.

Vocational Training Center in Tribal Areas: ● The aim of this scheme is to develop the skill of ST students depending on their qualification and present market trends.

National Overseas Scholarship Scheme: ● The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme provides financial assistance to 20 students selected for pursuing higher studies abroad for PhD and postdoctoral studies.

Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India(TRIFED) ● Formation: in 1987 as the national nodal agency under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. ● Registered under the then Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984. ● It started its operations in 1988 ● Head office in New Delhi. ● Objectives: Socio-economic development of tribal people, promotion of economic welfare, empowerment of tribal people with knowledge, tools and information and their capacity building. ● Functions: It mainly undertakes two functions which are Minor Forest Produce (MFP) Development and Retail Marketing and Development.

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Recent initiatives by TRIFED: ● Launched Van Dhan Samajik Doori Jagrookta Abhiyaan, which is aimed at educating Tribals engaged in gathering NTFPs in forest areas, on covid-19 response, key preventive behaviour like social distancing, home quarantine, hygiene tips. ● Initiated steps to provide the Van Dhan Self Help Groups (SHGs) with protective masks and hygiene products (Soaps, Disinfectants, etc.) that are necessary for carrying out their operations in a safe manner. ● Focus on revamping the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for MFP to enhance tribal livelihood in these testing times and to ensure that they get the benefit of an equitable market price for their produce. ● TRIFOOD Scheme ○ a joint initiative of Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED. ○ Aims to enhance the income of tribals through better utilization of and value addition to the MFPs collected by the tribal forest gatherers. ○ two Minor Forest Produce (MFP) processing units will be set up in the following locations. 1. Raigad Unit, Maharashtra 2. Jagdalpur multi-commodity processing centre, Chhattisgarh

● Tech for Tribals, an initiative of TRIFED supported by Ministry of MSME, aims at capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce gatherers enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana(PMVDY).

Minor Forest Produce(MFP) ● The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, 2006 defines minor forest produce as all non-timber forest produce of plant origin. ● MFP Includes bamboo, brushwood, stumps, canes, cocoon, honey, waxes, Lac, tendu leaves, medicinal plants, roots among others.

Namath Basai ● It is Kerala government’s unique programme of teaching tribal children in their mother tongue. ● Implemented by the Samagra Siksha Kerala (SSK). ● The SSK has distributed some 50 laptops exclusively for Namath Basai. ● Pre-recorded classes are offered through a YouTube channel. ● It has succeeded in retaining hundreds of tribal children in their online classes by making them feel at home with the language of instruction. Tribes from Kerala: ● Kurumba Tribe: Popularly known as Mala Pulayans, Hill Pulayans and Pamba Pulayans. ● Irula or Irular Tribe ● Mudugars or Muduka

Odisha’s Bonda Tribe

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● one of the 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) ● a group of Austroasiatic tribes, they are believed to be part of the first wave of migration out of Africa about 60,000 years ago. They are the first forest settlers in India. ● Matriarchal society: The women prefer to marry men who are younger by at least 5-10 years, so that the men can earn for them when they grow old ● Odisha is home to 62 tribal communities — the largest diverse groups of tribal population in India. ● Thirteen of them are PVTGs— Bonda, Birhor, Chuktia Bhunjia, Didayi, Dungaria Kandha, Hill Kharia, Juang, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankirdia, Paudi Bhuyan and Saora.

Van Dhan Yojana: ● Van Dhan Yojana was launched in 2018, in Chhattisgarh. A Van Dhan Vikas Kendra was set up under the program. ● The Van Dhan Vikas Kendra will cater to ten Self Help Groups of thirty tribal gatherers each. ● The selection of the tribal beneficiaries and formation of the SHGs has been undertaken by TRIFED. ● The Van Dhan Vikas Kendras will boost the economic development of tribals involved in the collection of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and provide a sustainable MFP-based livelihood in MFP-rich districts. Andaman and Nicobar Islands to be Maritime and Startup Hub (Blue economy.) ● A transhipment hub has been proposed in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. ● A transshipment is when cargo or a container is moved from one vessel to another while in transit to its final destination. ● It will be built in South Bay, Great Nicobar Island, to provide Indian shippers an alternative to the Colombo (Sri Lanka), Singapore and Port Klang (Malaysia) transshipment ports. ● tribes of Island: ● PVTG : Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, and Shompen. ● Shompen is the only PVTG in the region with Mongoloid features. The other PVTGs have negroid features. Some of them interact with ‘Great Nicobarese’ - a Scheduled Tribe. Great Andamanese tribe: ● It is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). ● They are one of five PVTGs that reside in Andamans archipelago. ● They speak Jeru dialect among themselves and their number stands at 51.

Submarine Communications Cable ● It is a cable laid on the seabed between land-based stations to transmit telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea. ● more reliable, cost efficient and of large capacity.

A submarine cable project

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● 2300 Km of submarine optical fibres cable (OFC) have been laid down ● connect chennai and port blair and seven other islands- Swaraj Deep (Havelock), Long island etc. ● funded by the Centre through the Universal Service Obligation Fund under the Ministry of Communications. ● It was executed by BSNL and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) was the technical consultant. ● It will improve internet connectivity in the Andaman and Nicobar islands enabling its citizens to use net banking, e-commerce, online education and telemedicine facilities.

Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) ● USOF ensures that there is universal non-discriminatory access to quality ICT services at economically efficient prices to people in rural and remote areas. ● under the Department of Telecommunications in 2002. ● It is a non-lapsable fund ● All credits to this fund require parliamentary approval and it has statutory support under Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) ● The Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category ● Total of 75 PVTGs, ● The highest number are found in Odisha (13), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12) ● Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the Scheme of “Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) ● PVTGs have some basic characteristics - they are mostly homogenous, with a small population, relatively physically isolated, absence of written language, relatively simple technology and a slower rate of change etc. The criteria PVTGs ● A pre-agriculture level of technology. ● stagnant or declining population. ● Extremely low literacy. ● A subsistence level of economy

Telemedicine Service Platform: eSanjeevani & eSanjeevaniOPD ● Telemedicine: As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), telemedicine is the delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using Information Technology (IT) eSanjeevani: ● the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare ● It is a doctor to doctor telemedicine system, ● implemented under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWCs) programme. eSanjeevaniOPD: ● It was launched amid the Covid-19 pandemic to enable patient-to-doctor tele- consultations.

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● Offered at no cost, this e-health service has made it convenient for the people to avail of the health services without having to travel. ● It enables two-way interaction and even generates a prescription slip.

Ayushman Bharat Programme ● Launched in 2018 to address health issues at all levels – primary, secondary, and tertiary. ● scheme is implemented by the National Health Authority ● the flagship health insurance scheme in order to provide cashless health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh ● Two components: 1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), earlier known as the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS): will cover the financial protection for availing healthcare services at the secondary and tertiary levels 2. Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): aimed at improving access to cheap and quality healthcare services at the primary level.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana ● It offers a sum insured of Rs. 5 lakh per family for secondary care (which doesn’t involve a super-specialist) as well as tertiary care (which involves a super-specialist) ● targets the beneficiaries as identified by the latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. ● Once identified by the database, the beneficiary is considered insured and can walk into any empanelled hospital. ● The insurance cost is shared by the centre and the state mostly in the ratio of 60:40. ● The National Health Authority (NHA) has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PMJAY in alliance with state governments. ● The State Health Agency (SHA) is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of PMJAY in a State. National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)

● The NDHM is a complete digital health ecosystem. The digital platform will be launched with four key features — health ID, personal health records, Digi Doctor and health facility registry ● Implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. ● The National Health Authority (NHA), is also the implementing agency for Ayushman Bharat. PRATHEEKSHA: First Marine Ambulance launched by Kerala Government ● Specializes in providing first aid and also rescue operations. ● The ambulance is capable of providing critical care to up to five people simultaneously. ● The ambulances run on Scania engines and can run at maximum speed of 14 knots ● The ambulances to be deployed are as follows

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○ Pratheeksha in Thiruvananthapuram ○ Pratyasha in Ernakulam ○ Karunya in Kozhikode

PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme ● launched in June 2020.The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry ● a special micro-credit facility plan to provide affordable loan of up to ₹10,000 which is repayable in monthly instalments within one year. ● Objective:to help the street vendors so that they can resume their livelihoods due to COVID-19 lock down. ● The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is the technical partner to implement the scheme. ● The scheme is to manage credit guarantee to lend institutions through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises. ● The scheme is applicable to vendors, Thelewalas, Hawkers, Theliphadwalas who supply goods and services. The street vendors in the surrounding urban, peri-urban and rural areas are also included in the scheme. National Digital Health Mission (On 15th Aug 2020 ) ● Mission aims to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of health care in India. ● implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. ● It is to operate under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana or Ayushman Bharat. ● four key features : health ID, personal health records, Digi Doctor and health facility registry. ● every Indian is to get a Health ID card. The ID card will contain all relevant information about the person’s past medical condition, treatment and diagnosis. ● The Mission allows patients to access health services remotely. It also features Tele- consultation and E-Pharmacies. The National Health Policy 2017 ● 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. UK launches 3 million pounds Innovation Challenge Fund in India ● Launched to support Indian scientists in industries and academia to tackle COVID-19 and climate change. ● The initiative will help to build on UK-India Tech partnership launched in 2018 by the Indian and British Prime Ministers. ● The funds invite innovators to connect to the Artificial Intelligence Clusters in Karnataka and future mobility cluster in Maharashtra.

Project Nirmanshree ● On August 13, 2020, launched by The European Union

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● For women empowerment , The project aims to skill women in housing sector. It is to be implemented in four districts of Odisha and Maharashtra.

Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda Bill, 2020 ● The bill aims to merge three institutes into one integrated centre which will be called the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda which will be based in Jamnagar, Gujarat. ● It will be the first Ayurveda institution to be given the status of institution of national importance. ● Objective of Institute: develop patterns of teaching in medical education in Ayurveda and pharmacy & bring together educational facilities for training of personnel in all branches of Ayurveda among others. Dhanwantri Rath: Ayurveda Health Services ● A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Delhi Police for extending the Ayurveda Preventive and Promotive health services in the residential colonies of Delhi Police. ● Health services are to be provided through a mobile unit named ‘Dhanwantari Rath’ and Police Wellness Centres ● AYURAKSHA a joint venture of AIIA and Delhi Police aimed for maintaining the health of frontline Covid warriors like Delhi police personnel through Ayurveda immunity boosting measures was launched. ● The Dhanwantari Rath launched is a continuation of the “Ayuraksha”. ● Dhanwantari Rath – a mobile unit of Ayurveda health care services would consist of a team of Doctors who would be visiting Delhi Police colonies regularly.in Dhanwantari Rath, the services are being extended to their families as well. ● The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) was formed in 2014 to ensure the optimal development and propagation of AYUSH systems of health care.

World Urdu Conference 2020 ● Organised by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) from 27th- 28th August 2020. ● The objective of the conference is to encourage Urdu writers for literary and creative services by the Urdu Council. ● Urdu had developed and flourished in Delhi during the period of ‘Delhi Sultanate’ from 12th to 16th century and then during the period of ‘Mughal Empire’ in Delhi from 16th century to 19th century when several court poets used this language in their great poetry and writings. ● Its first major folk poet Amir Khusrau (1253-1325), composed dohas (couplets) and riddles in the newly-formed speech, then called Hindavi. ● The divide between Urdu and Hindi occurred under the colonial impact. ● Hindi and Urdu got split along religious lines with Hindi in Nagari script becoming identified with Hindus, and Urdu in Persian script identified with Muslims. ● Urdu is a major language of South Asia. ● It is spoken in countries including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

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National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language ● NCPUL has become the biggest Urdu networking hub in the world. ● NCPUL is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education. ● It was set up in 1996 in order to promote, develop and propagate Urdu language. ● NCPUL has also been assigned the responsibility of promotion of Arabic and Persian.

Scheduled Language: ● Urdu is one of the languages mentioned in the 8th Schedule to the Constitution.

● The Constitutional provisions relating to the 8th Schedule are articles 344(1) and 351. ● Presently, 8th Schedule consists of the 22 languages namely (1) Assamese, (2) Bengali, (3) Gujarati, (4) Hindi, (5) Kannada, (6) Kashmiri, (7) Konkani, (8) Malayalam, (9) Manipuri, (10) Marathi, (11) Nepali, (12) Oriya, (13) Punjabi, (14) Sanskrit, (15) Sindhi, (16) Tamil, (17) Telugu, (18) Urdu (19) Bodo, (20) Santhali, (21) Maithili and (22) Dogri. ● Urdu is official Language of Different States: It is one of the official languages in states like Kashmir, Telangana, UP, Bihar, New Delhi and West Bengal.

National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language( NCPUL ) ● NCPUL has become the biggest Urdu networking hub in the world. ● The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language started functioning as an autonomous body in 1996. ● It comes under the Ministry of Education. ● It is the National Nodal Agency for Promotion of Urdu. ● NCPUL has also been assigned the responsibility of promotion of Arabic and Persian. ● Major Objectives: ● To take action for making available in Urdu language, the knowledge of scientific and technological development as well as knowledge of ideas evolved in the modern context. ● To advise the Government on issues connected with Urdu language as may be referred to it. UN Principles for People with Disabilities ● The United Nations (UN) has released its first-ever guidelines on access to social justice for People with Disabilities (PwD) ● to make it easier for them to access justice systems around the world. ● Definition of Person with Disability: 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”. ● India ratified UN Convention on the Rights of PwD, which was adopted in 2006, the Convention in October 2007.

Accessible India Campaign - Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan ● seeks to make at least 50 per cent of all government buildings in the national capital and all state capitals “fully accessible” for the disabled by July 2018.

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● Aims to enable persons with disabilities to gain universal access, equal opportunity for development, independent living and participation in all aspects of life in an inclusive society. ● The campaign targets three separate verticals : the built-up environment, transportation eco-system and information & communication eco-system. PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) ● Central government is contemplating setting up a single national scholarship scheme for meritorious students which will absorb all the existing scholarship schemes. ● Beneficiary: Students in the Other Backward Class (OBC), SC, Denotified, Nomadic and semi-Nomadic Tribe (DNT) and Economically Backward Caste (EBC) categories will be able to avail the national scholarship. ● Implementing Agency: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been tasked to implement the Scheme by conducting a merit test. ● Benefits ○ It will increase the reach of information about the govt scholarships. ○ Boost the importance of maintaining a basic curriculum and teaching standards across the country. ○ Help improve the quality and implementation of scholarships.

National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020 ● released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru. ● cancer cases in India are likely to increase to 15.6 lakhs by 2025, a 12% increase from the current estimated cases. Cancer ● Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases characterized by the growth of abnormal cells beyond their usual boundaries that can then invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs. ● Other common terms used for cancer are malignant tumors and neoplasms. ● Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. ● World Cancer Day : 4th February. ● 2020 theme: ‘I Am and I Will’ Initiatives to Promote Women in Science ● Vigyan Jyoti Scheme: ○ Vigyan Jyoti Scheme is launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST). ○ It is intended to create a level-playing field for the meritorious girls in high school to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in their higher education. ○ It also offers exposure for girl students from the rural background to help to plan their journey from school to a job of their choice in the field of science.

● GATI Scheme:

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○ The Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) will develop a comprehensive Charter and a framework for assessing Gender Equality in STEM

● KIRAN Scheme ○ Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) Scheme is started by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) aimed to bring gender parity in the Science & Technology sector by inducting more women talent in the research & development domain.

● Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme ○ BBBP is the joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development to ensure survival, protection, and empowerment of the girl child.

● National Science Day (NSD) was celebrated on 28th February 2020 with the theme ‘Women In Science’. ○ Dr Niti Kumar, a senior scientist from the CSIR- Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow received SERB Women Excellence Award-2020 on this occasion. KIRAN: Mental Rehabilitation Health line ● Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment ● helpline number “1800-599-0019” ● Help in providing psychological support, psychological crisis management, early screening, mental wellbeing, first-aid, and will also help to prevent deviant behaviour. ● The initiative targets people experiencing depression, anxiety, traumatic stress disorder, panic attack, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and mental health emergency. ● Coordinated by the ○ National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD, Chennai) ○ National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR, Sehore).

History - Art & Culture .

Channapatna Toys ● Channapatna toys are a particular form of wooden toys (and dolls) that are manufactured in the town of Channapatna in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka state. ● This traditional craft is protected as a geographical indication(GI). ● Channapatna is known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town) of Karnataka.

Warli Painting: ● The Warlis or Varlis are an indigenous tribe or Adivasis

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● Location: Mountainous as well as coastal areas of Maharashtra-Gujarat border and surrounding areas. ● They speak an unwritten Varli language which belong to the southern zone of the Indo- Aryan languages. ● Maharashtra is known for its Warli folk paintings. ● They bear a resemblance to those created in the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka. ● Scenes portraying hunting, fishing and farming, festivals and dances, trees and animals are used to surround the central theme of the painting. ● Women are mainly engaged in the creation of these paintings. ● Unique features: A very basic graphic vocabulary like a circle, a triangle and a square are used in these rudimentary wall paintings which are monosyllabic in nature. ● A mixture of rice paste, gum and water is used as paint by the warlis. A bamboo stick is used as the brush. ● Popular artists : Jivya Soma Mashe, has played a great role in making the Warli paintings more popular.

Lingaraj Temple

● built in 11th century AD, dedicated to Lord Shiva ● It is believed to have been built by the Somvanshi King Yayati I. ● It is built in red stone and is a classic example of Kalinga style of architecture. ● The temple the Deula style is divided into four sections―Garbh Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Yajna Shala (the hall for prayers), Bhoga Mandap (the hall of offering) and the Natya Shala (hall of dance). ● Lingaraj is referred to as ‘Swayambhu” – self-originated Shivling. ● The temple has images of Vishnu, possibly because of the rising prominence of Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built the Jagannath Temple in Puri in the 12th century.

Ekamra Kshetra: ● Bhubaneswar is called the Ekamra Kshetra. ● Ekamra Kshetra can be loosely translated to mean an 'area (kshetra) adorned with mango trees (ekamra). ● As noted in Ekamra Purana, a 3th-century Sanskrit treatise, the presiding state deity of Lingaraj was originally under a mango tree, hence the name Ekamra Kshetra

Other Important Monuments in Odisha

Konark Sun Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Jagannath Temple Tara Tarini Temple Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves

Parkash Purab

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● The first Prakash Purab Utsav marked the installation of Guru Granth Sahib in Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden temple, in 1604. ● Granth Sahib is the sacred scripture of Sikhism (religion). It is a collection of nearly 6,000 hymns of the Sikh Gurus (religious leaders) and various early and medieval saints of different religions and castes. ● It is the central object of worship in all gurdwaras and is accorded the reverence paid to a living Guru. ● The first version of the book was compiled by the 5th Sikh Guru Arjan at Amritsar in 1604 CE.

Terracotta ● Terracotta is a type of ceramic pottery, made by baking terracotta clay. ● terracotta means baked earth ● It is often used for making pipes, bricks, and sculptures. ● Recently, a Terracotta Grinder was launched at Varanasi by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). ● The Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) terracotta has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. ● Terracotta Figurines were also made during the Indus Valley Civilization. They were either used as toys or objects of worship and represented birds, dogs, sheep, cattle and monkeys. ● The famous terracotta figure of the Mother Goddess was discovered in Mohen- jodaro which shows the Mother Goddess as the symbol of fertility and prosperity. Navroz: Parsi New Year (16th August ) ● It is celebrated to mark the beginning of the Iranian (Persian) calendar. ● Navroj is inscribed in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of India ● New Year Festivities at Different Regions of India Gudi Padwa – Marathi New Year Baisakhi – Punjabi New Year Puthandu – Tamil New Year Bohag Bihu – Assamese New Year Pohela Boishakh – Bengali New Year Bestu Varas – Gujarati New Year Vishu – Malayalam New Year Hijri – Islamic New Year Losoong – Sikkimese New Year 7 New ASI Circles: ● Culture Ministry announced 7 new circles of the Archaeological Survey of India. ● Trichy, Raiganj, Rajkot, Jabalpur, Jhansi and Meerut have been announced as new circles and Hampi Mini Circle has been converted into a full fledged circle.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) ● ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.

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● It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”. ● Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.

Pulikkali Folk Art of Kerala ● Pulikkali (Puli means Leopard/Tiger and Kali means Play in Malayalam) is a recreational street folk art performed on the fourth day of Onam celebrations. ● The main theme of this folk art is tiger hunting with participants playing the role of tiger and hunter. ● Performers paint their bodies like tigers and hunters and dance on streets to the beats of traditional percussion instruments such as thakil, udukku and chenda. ● It was introduced by Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, the then Maharaja of Cochin. ● during Onam is Aranmula Boat Race, the oldest river boat festival in Kerala.It takes place at Aranmula in Pampa river

Some Other Art Forms of Kerala: - Ottam Thullal - Talamaddale - Kalaripayattu - Kathakali - Mohiniyattam - Mudiyettu

Onam ● the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. ● It is also celebrated as the festival of paddy harvest. ● Onam is celebrated at the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of the solar Malayalam calendar (Kollavarsham). ● During the festival, people get dressed in their traditional attire, prepare the Onam Sadhya and take part in a variety of group activities ● the Pookolam (rangoli made with fresh flowers), ● Vallam Kali (boat race), Pulikali (tiger dance), Kai Kottu Kali (Onam dance), Kummattikali (mask dance)

Pampa river ( Pamba river): ● Pampa is the third longest river in Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha. ● Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river. ● The river is also known as ‘Dakshina Bhageerathi’ and ‘River Baris’.

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Gondi Language ● This is spoken by nearly 12 million Gond Adivasis and it is not standardized. ● there is no written literature in the language and the dialects have passed down orally over the centuries. ● There are no local teachers of the language ● Gond Tribe a Scheduled Tribe. ● Gonds are one of the largest tribal groups in the world. ● They are mostly live in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha.

Hagia Sophia: UNESO world heritage site. Turkey ● It was first constructed as a cathedral in the Christian Byzantine Empire but was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. ● In 1934, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, converted the mosque into a museum in an attempt to make the country more secular. ● the government of Turkey has decided to convert Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia Museum into a mosque. Chora Museum ● built initially as a church in 534 AD, during the early Byzantine period. ● In the 11th century, its internal walls, pillars and domes were covered with mosaics and frescoes showing scenes from biblical stories. ● After the conquest of Constantinople (capital city of the Roman Empire) by the Ottomans (1453), the church was seized and turned into a mosque in 1511. ● In 1945, it was converted into a museum. ● Recently, the Turkish President reconverted the Chora museum into a mosque.

Quit India Movement(August Kranti.) ● On 8th Aug 2020, India completed 78 years ● About: On 8th August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi , to end the British rule and launched Movement at the session of the All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai. ● immediate cause for the movement was the collapse of Cripps Mission. ● Do or Die: in his speech delivered at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, ● ‘Quit India’ was coined by Yusuf Meherally, ● Modi a new slogan karenge aur karake rahenge in place of Gandhi’s slogan of karo ya maro (Do or Die).

Cripps Mission. ● Japanese aggression in South-East Asia, keenness of British Government to secure the full participation of India in the war, mounting pressure from China and the United States, as well as from the Labour Party in Britain, led British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to send Cripps Mission to India in March 1942. ● Under Stafford Cripps, the mission was sent to resolve the Indian question of a new constitution and self-government.

Abanindranath Tagore Contact : 8830115524

● The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi has organised a virtual tour titled “The Great Maestro - Abanindranath Tagore” to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Abanindranath Tagore on 7th August 2020. ● He first created the ‘Indian Society of Oriental Art’ and later went on to establish Bengal school of art. ● leading artist of Bengal School of Painting ● His idea of modernizing Mughal and Rajput paintings eventually gave rise to modern Indian painting ● Most of his works revolved around Hindu philosophy. ● his later works, Abanindranath started integrating Chinese and Japanese calligraphic traditions into his style. ● Popular Paintings: Bharat Mata, My Mother, Journey’s End, The Passing of Shah Jahan (1900), Fairyland illustration (1913),

National Gallery of Modern Art ( NGMA ) ● Established in 1954, at the Jaipur House, New Delhi. ● It is run and administered as a subordinate office to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. ● Objectives ○ is to acquire and preserve works of modern art from the 1850s onward. ○ to promote the development of contemporary Indian art in particular ○ to create an understanding and sensitivity among the Indian Public towards the visual and plastic arts in general ● The NGMA has two branches one at Mumbai and the other at Bengaluru. ● Online NAIMISH 2020 program, four workshops will be organized entitled Painting workshop, Sculpture workshop, Printmaking and Indrajaal - The Magic of Art from 8th June 2020 to 3rd July 2020. By NGMA. an initiative to provide a chance to its participants to create and learn from practicing artists without compromising their health. Bengal School of Painting: ● It is also called the Renaissance School or the Revivalist School, as it represented the first modern movement of Indian art. ● It rediscovered the glories of Indian art and consciously tried to produce what it considered a truly Indian art inspired by the creations of the past. ● Its leading artist was Abanindranath Tagore and its theoretician was E.B. Havell, the principal of the Calcutta School of Art. ● They broke away from the convention of oil painting and the realistic style, and turned for inspiration to medieval Indian traditions of miniature painting and the ancient art of mural painting in the Ajanta caves. ● They were also influenced by the art (wash technique) of Japanese artists who visited India at that time to develop an Asian Art movement.

Mahatma Ayyankali ● Ayyankali (1863-1914), born in Kerala, was a leader of the lower castes and Dalits. With his efforts, Dalits got the freedom to walk on public roads, and Dalit children were allowed to join schools. Contact : 8830115524

● He formed Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham (SJPS) to work for low castes. ● Mahatma Gandhi called Ayyankali as ‘Pulaya king’. Indira Gandhi described him as ‘India’s greatest son’. ● His contributions to Dalit developments: ● Ayyankali in 1893 rode an ox-cart challenging the ‘ban’ on untouchables from accessing public roads by caste-Hindus. ● He also led a rally to assert the rights of ‘untouchables’ at Balaramapuram. The walk Ayyankali took came to be known as ‘walk for freedom’ and the consequent riots as ‘Chaliyar riots’. ● Inspired by Sree Narayana Guru, a social reformer from Ezhava caste, Ayyankali started Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham (association for the protection of the poor) which later raised funds to start their own schools.

Sanskrit Diwas was celebrated on August 3 ● also known as ‘Vishvasamkritadinam’ ● Samskrita Bharati : It is a non-profit organization that is working on the revival of Sanskrit language.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s 100th death anniversary

● the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) conducted the webinar ● He was a freedom fighters and the strongest proponent of ‘purna swaraj’ or ‘total self- rule’ ● father of the Indian unrest” by British colonial rulers. ● Jawaharlal Nehru called him the ‘father of Indian revolution’. ● Mahatma Gandhi described Tilak as ‘the maker of modern India’. ● His slogan ‘Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it’

Indian Council for Cultural Relations ● The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, involved in India's external cultural relations (cultural diplomacy), through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples. ● founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. ● Responsibility of facilitating the celebration of the International Day of Yoga (21st June) by Indian Missions/Posts abroad since 2015. Time Capsules

● Time Capsule 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 capsules mostly have a scheduled time for reopening, and are supposed to be buried again after opening, with people of the future adding their own contributions to the time capsule. ● The International Time Capsule Society (ITCS), based in the USA and formed in 1990, is now defunct but continues estimating the number of time capsules in the world. Contact : 8830115524

Significance: ● Time Capsules are intended as a method of communication with future people. ● They are also supposed to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, or historians in knowing about the past human civilisation. Swadesh Darshan Scheme ● Central Sector Scheme. ● launched in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country. ● Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for infrastructure development of circuits. ● This scheme is envisioned to synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India, etc. with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential.

First General Council Meeting of the Khelo India Scheme: ● Khelo India: national programme which aims to develop grassroots level talent by providing them with a national level platform. ● based on Gujarat’s model of “Khel Mahakumbh” in which schools and colleges from across the country participate in 27 different disciplines. ● formed after the merger of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS). ● offers sports scholarship also

Nagara Architecture of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir ● found in northern India. ● In the Nagara style, the temple is generally constructed on an upraised platform called jagati. ● Mandapasare present in front of the Garbhagriha. These are adorned with the Shikhara, the tallest one being above the Garbhagriha. ● Nagara style doesn’t usually have elaborate boundary walls or gateways. ● Generally, there is no water tank in the temple premises and the pradakshina patha is covered. ● The garbhagriha is always located directly under the tallest tower.

● The basic form of a Hindu temple contains the following architectural elements: ○ Garbhagriha– the small room where the principle deity/deities of the temple Reside ○ Mandapa– the portico or hall at the entrance of the temple generally designed to house a large number of people ○ Shikhara– the mountain like spire which can have different shapes from pyramidal to curvilinear ○ Vahana– the mount or vehicle of the main deity placed generally in line of sight from Garbhagriha

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● Nagara school is further subdivided into different schools based on region like Odisha, Khajuraho, Solanki etc. Nuakhai Juhar ● Nuakhai Juhar is an agricultural festival, also called Nuakhai Parab or Nuakahi Bhetghat. ● It is celebrated to welcome the new crop of the season. ● ‘nua’ means new and ‘khai’ means eat. ● This is the festival of Western Odisha, southern Chhattisgarh and adjoining areas of Simdega (Jharkhand). ● Its coastal counterpart is Nabanna, observed in Coastal Odisha. ● It is observed on panchami tithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September), the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. ● Lagan is the fixed time of the day to celebrate the festival. ● Festive Activities: Farmers offer the first produce from their lands to Goddess Samaleswari, the famous ‘Mother Goddess’ of Sambalpur district of Odisha. ● Sambalpuri dance forms like Rasarkeli and Dalkhai can be witnessed.

Behrupiya: Folk Artiste ● The behrupiya festival is a traditional Indian style of street theatre and takes place every year ● locations- Delhi, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kumbh, Muzaffarnagar and others. ● National Behrupiya Festival was organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) from 5th-8th October 2018. ● IGNCA is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture. ● Arthashastra makes a mention of religious processions in the Mauryan times where artistes dressed as gods and were taken out in tableaux all around the kingdom. ● Rajasthan’s Behrupiyas had served Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh of the erstwhile Jaipur kingdom. They are also said to have helped freedom fighters during the struggle for Independence.

Different Forms of Traditional Theatres: ● Bhand Pather: Kashmir ● Nautanki: Uttar Pradesh ● Bhavai: Gujarat ● Jatra: Bengal ● Maach: Madhya Pradesh ● Bhaona: Assam ● Dashavatar: Konkan and Goa Regions ● Tamaasha: Maharashtra ● Krishnattam, Koodiyaattam and Mudiyettu: Kerala ● Yakshagana: Karnataka ● Therukoothu: Tamil Nadu

Places in News . Mahatma Gandhi Setu

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● It is a bridge over the river Ganges in Bihar, India, connecting Patna in the south to Hajipur in the north. ● Its length is 5,750 metres and it is the third-longest river bridge in India. ● It was inaugurated in May 1982 in a ceremony in Hajipur by the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi.

Places in News- Beirut: ● It is the capital and largest city of Lebanon ● Lebanon is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Syria , Israel Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea. ● Beirut is an important regional seaport ● A huge explosion caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate recently devastated the port area of the capital.

Ammonium Nitrate ● Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3) is a nitrogen-rich white, crystalline chemical which is soluble in water. Uses: ● agricultural fertilisers. ● for the production of anaesthetic gases and cold packs. ● main ingredient in the manufacture of commercial explosives used in mining and construction. ● main component of the explosive composition known as ANFO- ammonium nitrate fuel oil.

Tabletop Airports ● The Tabletop Airport is an airport that is built on top of hilly surfaces or plateau. ● The runways in these airports have one or both ends overlooking a drop. ● The tabletop airports in India : Shimla and Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Lengpui (Mizoram), Pakyong (Sikkim), Kozhikode and Kannur (Kerala) and Mangaluru (Karnataka). Contact : 8830115524

Mount Sinabung Volcano of Indonesia erupts ● Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire in the North Sumatra Island of Indonesia. Ring of Fire ● The Pacific Ring of Fire is a major area in the Pacific Ocean where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. ● Around 90% of world earthquake occur in the region. The ring of fire is a direct result of plate tectonics. Volcanos in India ● The only active volcano in India is located in Barren Island, Andaman Islands. ● Types of Volcanoes 1. Active volcano - had at least one eruption during the past 10000 years. 2. Erupting volcano - should be erupting all the time, a 3. Dormant volcano not erupting but might erupt again in future.

Israel-UAE Peace Deal ● The Abraham Accord is between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain is mediated by the USA. It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years. ● The UAE has become the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties with Israel. ● Abraham Accord: Israel-UAE-Bahrain Peace Deal in 2020 ● Camp David Accords: Israel-Egypt a peace treaty in 1978 . ● Oslo Accords: agreements between Israel and the Palestinians signed in the 1990s.

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West Bank ● a landlocked territory in West Asia. It also contains a significant section of the western dead sea. ● It was captured by Jordan after the Arab-Israeli War (1948) but Israel snatched it back during the Six-Day War of 1967 and has occupied it ever since. ● At present, there are around 130 formal Israeli settlements along with 26 lakh Palestinians at West Bank.

Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden glacier ● It is located in Northeast Greenland. ● It is Arctic’s largest ice shelf ● A massive chunk of ice has broken off from this ice shelf because of warmer temperatures in Greenland. Addu Atoll ● These eco tourism zones are part of grant projects being implemented under the High- Impact Community Development project (HICDP) scheme which involves a total grant assistance of 5 million US dollars to the Maldives. ● Addu Atoll also known as Seenu Atoll, is the southernmost atoll of the Maldive. Mediterranean Sea ● The Mediterranean is a vast sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south, and Asia to the east. ● Mediterranean Sea connects ○ to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar in the west. ○ to the Sea of Marmaraand the Black Sea, by the Straits of the Dardanelles and the Bosporus respectively, in the east ○ artificial Suez Canalin the southeast connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Atal Tunnel ● The tunnel is being built under Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal range on the Leh-Manali highway. ● the world's longest tunnel above an altitude of 3,000 metres.The length 8.8 km ● It will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 kilometres and saves transport costs. ● It will provide all weather connectivity to remote border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh which otherwise remained cut off from the rest of the country for about six months during winters. ● The route is important as it feeds military supplied to the military sub sector that are located in Siachen Glacier and Aksai Chin. Rohtang Pass ● The pass connects Kullu valley and the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh. ● The pass lies on the watershed between Chenab and Beas rivers. Other Mountain Passes in Himachal Pradesh ● Bara Lacha La Contact : 8830115524

● Debsa Pass ● Rohtang Pass ● Shipki La

World Tallest Pier Bridge in Manipur ● The Indian Railways is constructing ● The bridge is 141 metres high and 703 metres in Length . It has surpassed the record of 139 metres tall Mala-Rijeka bridge in Montenegro, Europe. ● The piers that will hold the bridge are to be constructed with hydraulic augers. The “Slip Form Technique” has been used to construct the bridge. Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal(214-kilometer long ) ● To enable Haryana to use its share of the waters of the Sutlej and its tributary Beas, a canal linking the Sutlej with the Yamuna, cutting across the state, was planned. ● A tripartite agreement was also negotiated between Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan in this regard. Death Valley ● registered a temperature of 54.4 degrees Celsius or 129.9 degrees Fahrenheit which could be the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth. ● It is a desert valley in Eastern California, US in the northern Mojave Desert bordering the Great Basin Desert. ● It is one of the hottest places on Earth along with deserts in the Middle East and the Sahara. Bhadbhut Project ● It is located 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 project is part of the larger Kalpasar Project,which entails the construction of a 30-km dam across the Gulf of Khambhat between Bharuch and Bhavnagar districts. Gas Field in Black Sea ● Turkey has found its biggest ever (a 320 billion cubic metre) natural gas field discovery in Black Sea. ● Currently Turkey is also having strained relations with its neighbour Greece over exploration of natural resources in Mediterranean sea. Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum ● seven Mediterranean countries -- Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt ● Aim: to create a regional gas market, cut infrastructure costs and offer competitive prices ● ensuring supply and demand, optimising resources development, offering competitive prices and improving trade relations Mali ● Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa. ● It borders Niger to the east, Ivory Coast to the south, Senegal to the west. ● Most of it lies in the southern Sahara Desert. Hamas:

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● Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group ● waged war on Israel since the group’s 1987 founding, most notably through suicide bombings and rocket attacks. ● It seeks to replace Israel with a Palestinian state. It also governs Gaza independently of the Palestinian Authority.

Teesta River ● It is a tributary of the Brahmaputra (known as Jamuna in Bangladesh), flowing through India and Bangladesh. ● Origin: In the Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim and flows to the south through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. ● Latest Development: In March 2020, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened a 360 feet long bailey suspension bridge over Teesta river in Munshithang, Sikkim. Wildfires in California ● California has two distinct fire seasons: ● First or western fire season: From June through September, Due to warmer and drier weather.Fires are more inland and in higher-elevation forests. ● Second Fire Season: From October through April. Due to Santa Ana Winds. Burn closer to urban areas. Three times faster than first season fires Santa Ana Winds ● The winds' name derives its name from the Santa Ana canyon in Orange County, California. ● Santa Anas are dry, warm (often hot) winds that blow westward through Southern California toward the coast. ● They're usually seasonal, and typically occur between October and March and peak in December. ● They originate when high pressure systems form over the high-elevation deserts of the Great Basin between the Sierra Nevadas and the Rocky Mountains. ● As they flow downwards and cross desserts, they become very dry, warm, and gain speed. The lack of humidity in Santa Ana winds dries out vegetation, making it better fuel for a fire. ● The wind also fan the flames and helps spread them. India’s longest ropeway on Brahmaputra in Guwahati, Assam ● The ropeway is to cut short the travel time by almost an hour. It is 2 km long and the distance is covered in 7 minutes. ● One-way ride is to cost Rs 60. ● The ropeway journey is to provide view of Neelachal hills (where Kamakhya temple is located). Brahmaputra River ● Origin : Its source is the Chemayungdung Glacier, which covers the slopes of the Himalayas southeast of Lake Mapam in southwestern Tibet. ● It passes through the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Arunachal Pradesh & Assam, and Bangladesh. ● In Arunachal Pradesh, it is known as Dihang (or Siang) River. ● Tributaries

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○ Left-bank tributaries are ➔ Dibang, Lohit River, Dhansiri River and Kolong River. ○ Right-bank tributaries are ➔ Kameng River, Manas River, Beki River, Raidak River, Jaldhaka River, Teesta River and Subansiri River. Conflict in Libya ● The internal conflict in Libya that has been running since 2011 has shown signs of de- escalation as the rival authorities in the country have called for a ceasefire. ● Rival Forces: The Self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar has been battling forces aligned with the Tripoli-based, internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). Edakkal Caves ● located on the Ambukuthi Hills (a part of the Western Ghats) on the Mysore Plateau, in Wayanad district of Kerala. ● It is located 1,200m above the sea level. ● It has engravings from the late Neolithic period, the only evidence for the existence of true Neolithic Culture in Kerala Shetrunji and Bhadar Dams of Gujarat ● Shetrunji is located in Bhavnagar district and has a designed gross storage capacity of 308.68 million cubic metre (mcm), the largest in Saurashtra region. ● Bhadar is located in Rajkot district and has a gross storage capacity of 188.14 mcm, the second largest in the Saurashtra region. ● Shetrunji River: It originates from the Amreli district. It is an east flowing river and outfalls into the Gulf of Khambhat. ● Tributaries: Safara, Shel, Khari, Talaji, Stali, Thebu, Gagadia, Rajwal and Kharo. ● Bhadar River: It originates from Jasdan taluka of Rajkot. ● Tributaries: Gondali, Chapparwadi, Phopal, Utawali, Moj, Venu, Vasavadi, Surwa and Galolia. Doklam and Naku La: ● China has been developing two air defence positions that will cover the 2017 Doklam stand-off area and also Naku La in Sikkim. ● Naku La sector is a pass at a height of more than 5,000 metres above Mean Sea Level (MSL) in the state of Sikkim. It is located ahead of Muguthang or Cho Lhamu (source of River Teesta). ● Doklam (or Zhonglan or Donglong): It is an area with a plateau and a valley which lies on the Bhutan-China border, near India. It is located between Tibet’s Chumbi valley to the North, Bhutan’s Ha valley to the East and India’s Sikkim state to the West. Kavaratti ● It is the capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. ● The Kavaratti island is at a distance of 404 km from Kochi, Kerala and is located between Agatti Island on the west and Androth Island on the east. ● Kavaratti selected to develop as smart city under Smart Cities Mission.

Sudan Contact : 8830115524

● The U.S. and Sudan near pact to compensate american terrorism victims. ● Location: Sudan is located in northeastern Africa, bordered by Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, Ethiopia and bordering the Red Sea. ● The Nile River flows through Sudan.

Nile River ● the longest river in the world, called the father of African rivers ● rises south of the Equator and flows northward through northeastern Africa to drain into the Mediterranean Sea. ● It has a length of about 4,132 miles (6,650 kilometres) ● three principal streams: the Blue Nile , the Atbara and the White Nile

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