Articulate

MARCH, 2024

An Initiative by Unacademy
MONTHLY CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC CSE

Supreme Court rejects SBI plea

on Electoral Bonds

Household Consumption
Expenditure Survey 2022-23

Women Exporters in the Digital

Economy (WEIDE) Fund

A Report on the Status of Leopards in

India 2022

World’s First Artificial Intelligence Law is

all set to be reality in Europe
Contents
Polity and Governance 8
y Parliament and Legislations 8
⚪ Regulating Big Tech Firms 8
⚪ Law Commission recommends new law to protect trade secrets 8
y Federal Issues 9
⚪ Conditions for Untied Capex Loans to States 9
⚪ Article 371 like Protection for Ladakh under Consideration 9
⚪ Centre’s pact with Tripura govt and TIPRA Motha 10
y Rights 10
⚪ The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 Rules 10
⚪ IVF Treatment Rules in India 12
⚪ Amendments to Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022 13
⚪ Abortion as a Constitutional Right in France 14
⚪ Forest Rights Acts Implementation 14
⚪ Ration Cards to Unorganised and Migrant Workers 14
y Separation of Powers 15
⚪ Supreme Court Sets Aside HC Order on Higher ACR Grade 15
⚪ SC Directive on Fixing Hospital Treatment Charges 16
y Judiciary 16
⚪ Himachal Pradesh HC’s Decision on Water Cess 16
⚪ Supreme Court Ruling on Legislative Immunity in Bribery Cases 17
⚪ Jurisdiction of Lokpal 18
⚪ Supreme Court’s Interim Stay on the Fact Check Unit 19
y Elections 19
⚪ Supreme Court rejects SBI plea on Electoral Bonds 19
⚪ Aadhaar Seeding with Voter ID 20
⚪ Rajya Sabha Elections and Cross Voting 20
⚪ High Level Committee Report on One Nation, One Election 21
⚪ New Election Commissioner Appointed Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 22
y Governance 22
⚪ Cashless treatment of road victims 22
⚪ Harit Nauka Initiative 23
⚪ 100 jails certified as Eat Right Campus 23

 2
y Probable MCQs 23

Economy 26
y Money, Banking, Finance & Insurance 26
⚪ SEBI asks MFs to stop investing in overseas ETFs 26
⚪ Paytm Becomes Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) 26
⚪ India’s Small Stocks Bubble Concerns 27
⚪ Front Running Case 28
⚪ Interoperable Payment System 28
⚪ National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC) 29
⚪ Bandhan Bank authorize to collect revenue of West Bengal 29
⚪ RBI’s New Directions on Credit Cards 29
⚪ PM- SURAJ: Portal for Marginalized Sections by Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment 30
y Balance of Payment & International Trade 30
⚪ Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund 30
⚪ Thailand’s Concern over India’s Agriculture Subsidy 30
⚪ India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade Agreement 31
y Sectors of the Economy, GDP, Inflation 32
⚪ ADITI Scheme - to promote innovation in critical and strategic technologies 32
⚪ Pharma companies- New Marketing Code 33
⚪ Consumer body warns celebrities and influencers against promoting betting, gambling 33
⚪ Centre paves the way for Tesla’s entry with new EV scheme 33
⚪ E-Kisan Upaj Nidhi 34
y Infrastructure 34
⚪ India’s first underwater metro in Kolkata 34
⚪ The first coastal road of Mumbai- First Phase Inaugurated 35
⚪ Temporary International Status to Jamnagar Airport 35
⚪ Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project 36
⚪ India’s largest Solar Battery Project 36
⚪ PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana- Central Sector Scheme 37
y Human Resource Development, Health and Education 38
⚪ SWAYAM Plus Platform- By Ministry of Education 38
⚪ Holistic Progress Card (HPC) by PARAKH for Students 38
⚪ Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) 39
⚪ The Growing Income and Wealth Inequality in India 39
y Probable MCQs 40

 3
IR Defence and Security 43
y Global Issues 43
⚪ China says US tik tok vote against fair competition 43
⚪ Agalega Atoll 43
y India and World 44
⚪ Raisina Dialogue 2024- Annual Conference on Geopolitics and Geo-Economics 44
⚪ India to Join Carbon Market Project 44
y Defense and Internal Security 45
⚪ INS Jatayu Commissioning in Lakshadweep 45
⚪ Non-Lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund (DMF) 46
⚪ India tests Agni-V missile equipped with MIRV technology 46
⚪ 5th Generation Advanced Multi Combat Aircrafts (AMCA) 47
⚪ 1500 HP Tank Engine- by BEML 48
⚪ Tiger Triumph–24 Exercise between the US and India 48
y Probable MCQs 48

Geography and Environment 51

y Physical Geography 51
⚪ Blanets- Planet that orbits around a black hole 51
⚪ Water Crisis in Bengaluru and Neighboring Areas 51
y Environment Conservation 52
⚪ Herpetofaunal survey in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve 52
⚪ Belgium Recognizes Ecocide as a Crime 52
⚪ A Report on the Status of Leopards in India 2022 53
⚪ India’s first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) 54
⚪ Centre notifies rules allowing transfer of ‘captive’ elephants 55
⚪ Increasing Forest Fires in Southern India 55
⚪ NITI Aayog’s GROW Report and Portal 55
y Pollution 56
⚪ Report by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)- Byrnihat in Meghalaya most
polluted city 56
⚪ World Air Quality Report 2023 56
⚪ The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024 57
⚪ Homosep Atom - Septic tank cleaning robot 57
⚪ Comprehensive Ban on Asbestos by the US EPA 58
⚪ Solar Waste Report by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy 58
y Disaster Management 59

 4
 ⚪ National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) to Examine Kaleshwaram Project 59
y Climate Change 59
⚪ IPCC Reports highlights problem of equity in fight against climate change 59
⚪ State of Global Climate Report 2023 by WMO 60
y Probable MCQs 60

Science and Tech 63

y Space Technology 63
⚪ METHANESAT: A satellite to find the worst methane emitters on Earth 63
y Nuclear Technology 63
⚪ India’s Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR): A Leap Forward 63
⚪ First Ever Nuclear Energy Summit at Brussels, Belgium 64
⚪ Genie AI by Google DeepMind 65
y Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence 66
⚪ World’s First Artificial Intelligence Law is all set to be reality in Europe 66
y Biotechnology and Health 66
⚪ Yaounde Declaration- To Eliminate Deaths due to Malaria 66
⚪ Meropenem and Disodium Withdrawal 67
⚪ Indigenous Drug for Sickle Cell Disease 67
⚪ India to start manufacturing antibiotic Penicillin G again 68
⚪ Completion of the ‘10,000 genome’ in Genome India Project 68
⚪ Hemoglobin A1C Test 69
⚪ Karnataka banned chemicals like tartrazine and rhodamine-b 70
⚪ The Public Health Foundation of India is ranked No. 2 on the global list 70
y New Technology 70
⚪ Post-quantum Messaging: Apple’s new PQ3 Technology 70
⚪ BioTRIG-New Technology for Waste Management 71
y Probable MCQs 72

History and Culture 74

⚪ New Madhya Pradesh Heritage Sites in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage 74
⚪ Bhojshasla Temple- Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh 74
⚪ Badami Chalukya Temples 75
⚪ Nana Jagannath Shankar Seth (10 February 1803 – 31 July 1865) 77
⚪ Sangeet Natak Akademi 77
⚪ Recently Awarded GI Tags 77
⚪ GI Tags from Jammu and Kashmir 78

 5
 ⚪ Narasapur Crochet Lace Craft, Majuli masks, Manuscript Painting 79
⚪ Sabarmati Ashram Redevelopment Plan 80
⚪ This day in History- March 81
⚪ Probable MCQs 82

PIN-GK 85
y Awards 85
⚪ First National Creators Award by Ministry of Electronics and IT 85
y PIN-GK 85
⚪ Book in News 85
⚪ Place in News 87
⚪ Person in News 90
⚪ Award in News 97

 6
POLITY IN NEWS: MARCH (2024)

PARLIAMENT AND LEGISLATIONS

FEDERAL ISSUES

RIGHTS

SEPARATION OF POWERS

JUDICIARY

ELECTIONS

GOVERNANCE

LEARN POLITY FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

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 1 Polity and Governance

Parliament and Legislations

Regulating Big Tech Firms

Why in news?
y The Committee on Digital Competition Law, formed by the Corporate Affairs Ministry,
recommended legislation to regulate Big Tech firms like Google and Meta.

Committee on Digital Competition Law Report: Key Points

y Focus: Regulating Market Power of Big Tech Companies as the existing Competition Act (2002)
is not suitable for the digital age.
y Big Tech firms have strong “network effects” that create barriers to entry for new competitors.
y Risk: Digital markets could become dominated by a few large players.
y Solution: Introduce a new Digital Competition Act for governing large digital enterprises (similar
to Google and Meta), called Systemically Significant Digital Enterprises (SSDEs).
y Committee has also recommended ex-ante (i.e., pre-emptive) measures to regulate big digital
enterprises selectively. The goal is to ensure that behaviors of large digital enterprises are
proactively monitored.
y This will create a more competitive digital market.
y Penalty: The penalty recommended by the panel would be derived from the entire corporate
group’s global turnover.
Ex-Ante Legislation Ex-Post Legislation
y Laws are created to prevent or deter future y Laws enacted to address or rectify past
wrongdoing. actions.
y Focuses on regulating actions before they y Focuses on actions after they have taken
occur. place.
y Example: Setting environmental standards y Example Imposing fines or penalties after a
to prevent pollution. pollution event.

Law Commission recommends new law to protect trade secrets

What are Trade Secrets?

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), trade secrets are ‘intellectual
property rights on confidential information such as formulas, processes, methods, customer
lists, and technicality, etc which may be sold or licensed’.

Current Mechanism on Trade Secrets:

y In India, trade secrets are currently protected under a mix of contract law, criminal law, and
principles of equity and breach of confidence, but there’s no specific law for their protection.

Law Commission Recommendation:

y The Law Commission recommends drafting the Protection of Trade Secrets Bill, 2024.
y This draft aims to align with international obligations under the TRIPS Agreement and consider

8 Polity and Governance

 laws from other countries like the UK, USA, EU, and Germany.
y This comes after government deliberations and a proposal for an Economic Espionage Act and
Trade Secrets Protection Act.

Federal Issues

Conditions for Untied Capex Loans to States

Capital Expenditure (Capex):
y Definition: Capital expenditure involves government spending on:
⚪ Development of physical assets like machinery, equipment, buildings, and infrastructure.
⚪ Acquisition of fixed and intangible assets.
⚪ Upgrading and repairing existing assets.
⚪ Repayment of loans.
y Significance of Capital Expenditure: Capex leads to the creation of long-term assets, enhancing
production facilities, operational efficiency, and revenue generation over time.

Interim Budget 2024 Announcements on Capex:

y The scheme for providing financial assistance to states for capex was extended to FY25 with
an outlay of Rs 1.3 trillion.
y However, the outlay for the capex facility was reduced by 19% for FY24 due to some states’
failure to meet conditionalities.
Conditions for Untied Capex Loans to States:
y United loans to states will be released in two installments, subject to meeting specific conditions
and utilization criteria.
y States must adhere to branding norms for CSSs and deposit accrued interest on unutilized
central-scheme funds by March 31.
y Compliance with naming conventions for CSSs and implementation through state-level single
nodal agencies (SNA) is mandatory to access capex loans.

Why in News?
y The central government has imposed conditions for untied capex loans to states, linking access
to interest-free loans with adherence to branding norms for centrally sponsored schemes
(CSSs).

Article 371 like Protection for Ladakh under Consideration

Protection under 371:
Article Region/Topic Article Region/Topic
371A Nagaland 371F Sikkim
371B Assam 371G Mizoram
371C Manipur 371H Arunachal Pradesh
371D Andhra Pradesh 371I Goa
371E Establishment of Central 371J Karnataka
University in Andhra Pradesh

Polity and Governance 9

y Articles 371 to 371-J in the constitution provide special provisions for 12 states: Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal
Pradesh, Goa, and Karnataka.
y The main goals of these provisions are:
⚪ Address the aspirations of people from backward regions.
⚪ Protect the cultural and economic interests of tribal populations.
⚪ Address disturbed law and order conditions in certain areas.
⚪ Safeguard the interests of local residents.
y Initially, the Constitution did not have special provisions for these states.
y These provisions were added through amendments following state reorganizations or when
Union Territories were granted statehood.

Why in News?
y In the backdrop of recent protests across Ladakh, the Centre is thinking about granting Article
371-like protection to the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Centre’s pact with Tripura govt and TIPRA Motha

y The Tipra Motha Party is also known as the Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance.
y It is currently the second-largest party in the Tripura Legislative Assembly.

Agreement Between Centre, Tripura Government, and TIPRA Motha:

y Signed on March 2, 2024
y Ended Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma’s fast-unto-death and facilitated TIPRA Motha’s
joining with the BJP government in Tripura.

Demands of TIPRA Motha:

y Greater Tipraland: A separate state for Tripura’s tribals.
y More powers for the TTAADC (Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council) including direct
funding, police force, and revenue share from gas exploration.
y Roman script is the official script for the Kokborok language.

Contents of the Accord:

y Resolution of issues related to the indigenous people of Tripura regarding history, land, rights,
economic development, identity, culture, and language.
y Formation of a joint working group to implement agreed points in a time-bound manner.
y Stakeholders agreed to refrain from protests/agitations post-agreement.

Why in News?
y Recently, the Central government signed a pact with the Tripura government and TIPRA Motha.

Rights

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 Rules

Why in news?
y Citizenship Amendment Act rules were notified, four years after the law was passed.

Polity and Governance 10

The Citizenship Law:
y December 2019: Parliament passed an amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955, to include a
provision for the grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain,
Parsi, or Christian communities who entered India before December 31, 2014 from Pakistan,
Afghanistan, or Bangladesh.
y The amendment relaxed the eligibility criteria for certain classes of migrants (on religious lines)
from three neighbouring Muslim-majority countries.

Exemptions in Northeast and Tribal Areas:

y Certain categories of areas, including tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura,
and areas protected by the ‘Inner Line’ system, were exempted from the purview of the CAA.

Citizenship Amendment Act Implementation:

y The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024 to
enable the enforcement of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed in 2019.

Permissible Documents for Citizenship Application:

y Applicants must provide documents such as birth certificate, tenancy records, identity papers,
licenses, and educational certificates issued by government authorities in Afghanistan, Pakistan,
and Bangladesh.

Challenges with CAA, 2019:

y Constitutional Challenge: The CAA, 2019, is criticized for violating Article 14 of the Indian
Constitution, which ensures equality before the law and prohibits discrimination based on
religion, by granting citizenship based on religion.
y Potential for Disenfranchisement: Linking CAA with the National Register of Citizens (NRC)
raises fears of disenfranchisement for those unable to provide proper documentation. Over
19.06 lakh people were already excluded from the Assam NRC draft in August 2019.
y Impact on Assam Accord: The CAA’s differing timeline for citizenship clashes with the Assam
Accord, 1985, which set specific residency criteria for citizenship in Assam, causing legal and
political issues.
y Secularism and Social Cohesion: The CAA’s religion-based criteria for citizenship eligibility are
seen as undermining India’s secular foundations and could heighten communal tensions.
y Exclusion of Certain Religious Communities: The CAA’s exclusion of communities like Sri Lankan
Tamils and Tibetan Buddhists, who have also faced religious persecution, is a major concern.

Polity and Governance 11

IVF Treatment Rules in India
About in-vitro fertilisation (IVF):
y It is a medical procedure to achieve pregnancy in females.
y Mature eggs are harvested from the ovaries and united with sperm in a laboratory setting.
y Subsequently, the resulting embryos are carefully transferred into the uterus, which is where
babies develop.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulations) Amendment Rules 2023 (under the ART Act
2021)
Definition of ART y Techniques for pregnancy via handling sperm/egg outside the
body and embryo transfer to the reproductive tract. Includes
sperm donation, IVF, and gestational surrogacy.
ART Clinics & Banks y Must be registered under the National Registry.
Regulation y Registration valid for 5 years, renewable for another 5.
y Can be cancelled/suspended for violating the Act.
Conditions for Sperm y Sperm donors: Males 21-55 years.
Donation & ART Services y Egg donors: Females 23-35 years, must be married with a child
aged ≥3.
y ART children deemed biological, donors lose parental rights.
Consent and Insurance y Written informed consent required from couple and donor.
y Insurance for the female donor against loss, damage, or death.
Regulation of ART y Regulated by National and State Boards formed under the
Processes Surrogacy Act 2021.
y Boards advise on policy, monitor law implementation, and
formulate clinic/bank conduct code.

Why did the Centre intervene?

y The assisted reproductive technologies (ART) Act specifies that ART services should cater to
women aged 21 to 50 and men aged 21 to 55.
y It also sets age limits for egg and sperm donation, recognizing the importance of biological
factors in successful reproductive outcomes.

Why age restrictions:

y As women age, the quality of their eggs declines, impacting the effectiveness of IVF.
y Older women are more likely to have lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and hypertension
that can complicate the course of their pregnancy.

Why in news?
y The Centre has asked the Punjab government about the IVF treatment taken allegedly by a lady
over 50 years old.

Polity and Governance 12

Amendments to Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022

About Surrogacy:
y Definition: An arrangement where a surrogate mother carries a pregnancy for the intended
parents.

Types:
y Traditional Surrogacy: Uses the intended father’s sperm and the surrogate’s egg.
y Gestational Surrogacy: The baby is genetically unrelated to the surrogate, with embryos created
via IVF implanted in her uterus.

Arrangements:
y Altruistic Surrogacy: No financial gain for the surrogate beyond medical expense reimbursement.
y Commercial Surrogacy: Involves financial compensation for the surrogate beyond medical
costs.

Surrogacy in India:
y Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021: Allows only altruistic surrogacy for infertile couples.
Commercial surrogacy is banned.
y Eligibility for Couples: Married for 5 years, with age restrictions for both spouses. No living
children except under specific conditions.
y Surrogate Mother Criteria: A close relative, be married with a child of her own, aged 25-35
years, and can be a surrogate only once.
y Parental Rights: The child is recognized as the biological offspring of the intended couple.
Abortion requires surrogate consent and adherence to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Act.

Recent Changes to the Provisions:

Before After
y Surrogacy was allowed if the couple used y Allows surrogacy with donor sperm or
their own reproductive cells (eggs/sperms) eggs if one spouse is medically certified to
y This requirement stopped couples with require them.
specific health issues from pursuing y Divorced or widowed women must use their
biological parenthood. eggs with donor sperm.

Polity and Governance 13

Why in News?
y The Indian government has revised the Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022, permitting the use
of donor gametes for married couples with certain medical conditions.

Abortion as a Constitutional Right in France

Why in news?
y France becomes the only country to explicitly guarantee abortion as a constitutional right.
Key Points of Abortion Rights in France:
y 1975: Abortion became legal in France.
y 2024: President Emmanuel Macron proposed the bill to prevent a rollback of abortion rights,
similar to what has occurred in the United States.
y The bill guarantees a woman’s right to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy.
Note: Please refer to Articulate November 2023 for more information on Abortion laws in India..

Forest Rights Acts Implementation

Why in news?
y A fact-finding committee formed by Call for Justice, a Delhi-based organization, has found
“mixed” implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 in five States across the country
i.e. Assam, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Karnataka.

Assessment Findings:
Assam y Two districts in Assam, Dima Hasao and Hailakandi, were assessed.
y The current form of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) does not address unique
aspects of shifting or jhum cultivation in the northeast.
y Recognition of Cultivation Practices: Shifting cultivation should be recognized
as a practice suited to the ecological and cultural needs of forest-dwelling
communities.
Chhattisgarh y Decision-making process delayed in the Kanker and Korba districts.
y Recommendations for gram sabhas pending at the sub-divisional level
committee for nearly seven years.
Maharashtra y FRA implementation is satisfactory in Gadchiroli district.
y Gadchiroli is a model district for community forest rights (CFR).
y Concerns over diversion of CFR land for non-forest purposes in Gadchiroli.
Odisha y Significant gap between individual forest rights (IFR) and community forest
rights (CFR) claims submitted and recognized.
Karnataka y Only 5.17% of IFR claims are recognized in Ramnagar and Mysore districts.
y Karnataka has the highest rate of IFR claims rejection among surveyed States.

Ration Cards to Unorganised and Migrant Workers

Why in news?
y The Supreme Court (SC) directed all states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that ration
cards are issued to 80 million migrant and unorganized workers within the next two months.

Polity and Governance 14

Key Points:
y These workers are registered on the eShram portal.
y Matching eShram registrants with NFSA beneficiaries has found that nearly 80 million people
do not possess ration cards.

E-Shram Portal:
y 2021: Launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
y Objective: To create a unified database for unorganized workers to help them access various
benefits.
y Registered workers are eligible for Rs 2 Lakh on death or permanent disability and Rs 1 lakh
on partial disability.

Separation of Powers

Supreme Court Sets Aside HC Order on Higher ACR Grade

Case Background:
y 2017: The Chief Secretary initially graded IAS officer Ashok Khemka with an overall score of
8.22.
y The Haryana Health Minister later upgraded Khemka’s grade to 9.92, but the Haryana Chief
Minister subsequently downgraded it to 9 in the same year.
y This was challenged by the IAS officer and the High Court upheld the higher grading.
y 2024: The Supreme Court set aside the HC ruling on the grading of the officer.

Why in news?
y The Supreme Court said “evaluating the competency of an IAS officer is a specialized domain
and ought to be left to the executive.”

Polity and Governance 15

SC Directive on Fixing Hospital Treatment Charges

Background:
y Varying treatment rates across hospitals pose challenges for cashless health insurance system
adoption.
y PIL Filed by an NGO, seeking SC’s intervention in determining hospital charges nationwide.

Why in News?
y The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to establish standardized hospital treatment
charges for the entire country to facilitate cashless health insurance implementation.
y The Supreme Court also instructed states to collaborate with states to propose concrete rates
within six weeks.

Government’s Response:
y The central government cites rules under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and
Regulation) Act, 2010, highlighting the necessity for response from State Governments/Union
Territories to determine rates.

Judiciary

Himachal Pradesh HC’s Decision on Water Cess

Polity and Governance 16

Background:
y The Himachal Pradesh Water Cess Commission attempted to collect Rs 871 crore in cess
from hydropower companies for the period March to July 2023 but faced resistance and legal
challenges from the sector.

What is Cess?
Cess is a tax levied for a specific purpose and ought to be used for the same only. The process
of cess levying happens only after Parliament has authorized its creation through a law that
specifies the purpose for which the funds are being raised.

Centre’s Stand:
y The Central government had previously indicated that such cess charges by states on electricity
generation are illegal and unconstitutional, underlining that it exceeds state jurisdiction.

Himachal Pradesh High Court Verdict/Why in News?

y The Himachal Pradesh High Court has struck down the water cess on hydropower generation
as unconstitutional.

Supreme Court Ruling on Legislative Immunity in Bribery Cases

Why in News?
y The Supreme Court overturned its 1998 judgment in the JMM bribery case, stating parliamentary
privilege does not protect legislators from criminal prosecution in bribery cases.

The 1998 Ruling by Supreme Court:

y In 1993, Shibu Soren and other leaders from his party were accused of taking bribes to vote
in favor of the government during a crucial vote.
y In 1998, the Supreme Court decided they couldn’t be punished due to a law that protects
their actions in parliament.

Polity and Governance 17

Key Points from the 2024 Ruling:
y Background: The ruling came during an appeal by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Sita Soren
who was accused of accepting bribes in the 2012 Rajya Sabha elections.
y SC Ruling:
⚪ Legislative Privileges Limited: Legislators’ freedom of speech and their right to vote in the
House do not offer protection from criminal prosecution for giving or accepting bribes.
⚪ Bribery Act Completion: The bribery act is considered complete upon the acceptance of a
bribe by a legislator. It is not necessary that vote is actually cast or not.
Immunities to Legislative Members in India:
y Article 105: Outlines the powers, privileges, and immunities of Parliament and its members,
emphasizing their protection within the legislative process.
y Article 194(2): Provide immunity to members of State Legislatures, from legal action for
statements made or votes cast within the House or its committees.

Jurisdiction of Lokpal
Background:
y 1966: The First Administrative Reforms Commission proposed Lokpal and Lokayukta.
y 1968: Lokpal Bill passed in Lok Sabha but later lapsed.
y 2002 & 2005: Recommendations for establishing Lokpal were reiterated by the Venkatachaliah
Commission and 2nd ARC.
y 2013: “India Against Corruption” movement led by Anna Hazare catalyzed the enactment of the
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill

About:
y The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 establishes Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States,
acting as an “ombudsman” to investigate corruption allegations against public officials.
Structure of y Consists of a chairperson and up to 8 members.
Lokpal y The chairperson can be a former Chief Justice of India, a Supreme Court
Judge, or an eminent person with expertise in anti-corruption.
y Half of the members are judicial members; 50% are from SC/ST/OBC/
Minorities/women.
y Term: 5 years or till age 70.
Selection and y Appointed by the President based on recommendations of a Selection
Appointment Committee.
y The Selection Committee includes the Prime Minister (Chairperson),
Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of
India (or a Judge nominated by him/her), and one eminent jurist.
Jurisdiction y Covers Prime Ministers (excluding matters related to international relations,
and Powers security, etc.), Ministers, MPs, central government officials, and others
involved in corruption.
y Can superintend and direct investigations by the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI).
y Requires public officials to declare assets and liabilities.
y Can approve or disapprove transfers of investigating officers in cases
referred to the CBI.

Polity and Governance 18

Why in News?
y Lokpal recently ordered a CBI probe into charges against Mahua Moitra, a member of the
parliament in alleged cash-for-query scam.

Supreme Court’s Interim Stay on the Fact Check Unit

What is a Fact Check Unit?
y The Amendment to IT Rules, 2021: In April 2023, amendments were made to include a legal
framework for online gaming and a mechanism for the government to fact-check online content
related to “government business”.
y The Union Electronics and IT Ministry then established a Fact Check Unit (FCU) as a statutory
body under the Press Information Bureau.
y It is equipped with powers to identify false information related to the central government on
social media sites.

Concerns Raised:
y Critics argue that the amendment could potentially make the government the “sole arbiter of
truth” regarding its affairs, sparking debates on freedom of speech and expression.

Challenge and Appeal to the FCU:

y The FCU’s establishment and the amendment to the IT Rules, 2021, have been contested in the
Bombay High Court.
y Following a split verdict and subsequent appeal, the Supreme Court has temporarily halted the
FCU’s operation until a final verdict is reached by the Bombay High Court.

Supreme Court’s Intervention

y Interim Stay Granted: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) led a bench that temporarily stayed
the amended Rules, highlighting the significance of maintaining the status quo until the High
Court’s final decision.
y Precedent for Staying Laws: Typically, laws enacted by Parliament are presumed constitutional
until proven otherwise. However, the Supreme Court has occasionally stayed laws or rules
prior to ruling on their constitutionality, especially when there’s a clear indication of potential
unconstitutionality.

Why in News?
y The Supreme Court recently stayed the recent amendment to IT Rules, 2021 which had led to
the establishment of FCUs.

Elections

Supreme Court rejects SBI plea on Electoral Bonds

Note: Please refer to the Articulate February 2024 for more details on the topic.

Electoral Bonds: Electoral bonds are promissory notes that can be bought and donated to
political parties for encashment. They’re available from the State Bank of India (SBI).

Polity and Governance 19

y Supreme Court’s Orders:
⚪ Stop on Issuance of Bonds: SBI ordered to halt further issuance of electoral bonds.
⚪ Disclosure of Bond Details: SBI must furnish details of electoral bonds purchased by political
parties since April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
⚪ Publication of Information: ECI is to publish the details provided by SBI on its official
website by March 15, 2024.
y SBI Plea: SBI had sought extension of deadline for submission of required information as per
the SC order.
y Supreme Court Verdict: The Supreme Court refused to extend the deadline and asked SBI to
submit all available data to the Election Commission.

Why in News?
y The Election Commission recently published the details of Electoral Bonds donors as submitted
by the State Bank of India.

Aadhaar Seeding with Voter ID

Background:
y 2015: The linkage between Aadhar card and Voter ID was started with the objective of eliminating
duplicate names in the voter roll.
y 2018: It was initially suspended due to Supreme Court restrictions, the linkage exercise resumed
after the Supreme Court verdict affirming privacy with certain conditions.
y 2021: Parliament passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 under which authorities can
ask for Aadhar as a proof to establish identity.
y 2024: The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission to make the voter enrollment
forms clearer so that people are clearly aware that providing aadhaar is not mandatory.
Current Status: As of September last year, 66.23 crore Aadhaar numbers were collected voluntarily,
covering 68% of total electors. The deadline for linkage was extended to March 31, 2024.

Why in News?
y Recently, the Supreme Court requested the Election Commission to make voter enrolment
forms clearer, to indicate that the option to not provide Aadhaar is there.

Rajya Sabha Elections and Cross Voting

Election Process for Rajya Sabha:
y Article 80: Representatives of the Rajya Sabha from each state are indirectly elected by the
members of that state’s Legislative Assembly.
y The Rajya Sabha consists of 250 members, with seats distributed among the states based on
population, alongside 12 members nominated by the President from various fields.
y Members are elected through an indirect system of proportional representation using the Single
Transferable Vote (STV) method, where the vote of each MLA is influenced by the population of
their constituency.

Cross Voting:
y Cross-voting refers to MLAs voting for candidates from parties other than their own, influenced
by various factors including disagreements with party decisions, inducements, personal
affiliations, or ideological stands.

Polity and Governance 20

 Before 1998 After 1998
y Rajya Sabha election outcomes were y 1998 Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra,
predictable, with majority parties in state which saw significant cross-voting.
assemblies often having their candidates
elected unopposed.

Steps Taken: Legal and Regulatory Framework to Curb Cross Voting

y In response to cross-voting issues, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, was amended in
2003, introducing open ballot voting to discourage cross-voting.
y The Supreme Court scrapped the option of “None Of The Above” (NOTA) for Rajya Sabha
elections.

Supreme Court’s Stance on Related Matters:

y The Supreme Court upheld the open ballot system in Rajya Sabha elections as a measure
against corruption.
y The court explained that quitting party membership can be understood not only by officially
resigning but also by looking at how a member behaves, according to the rules in the Tenth
Schedule.

Why in News?
y Recent Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka have brought
the issue of cross-voting by Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to the forefront.

High Level Committee Report on One Nation, One Election

Why in News?
y The High-Level Committee under former President Ramnath Kovind submitted its report on
Simultaneous elections to the current President Draupadi Murmu.

High-level Committee (HLC) Recommendations:

y Proposes constitutional amendments for simultaneous elections by 2029.
y Suggests a two-step amendment process for Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.

Constitutional Amendments:
y Recommends 18 amendments including changes to Articles 83 and 172 for Lok Sabha and state
assemblies.
y Suggests ratification by states for local body synchronization.
Article 83:
y It deals with the duration of the Houses of Parliament.
y It specifies that the Lok Sabha (the House of the People) is elected for a term of five years,
whereas the Rajya Sabha (the Council of States) is a permanent body with one-third of its
members retiring every two years.
Article 172:
y It concerns the duration of State Legislatures. It states that the legislative assembly of each
state shall have a term of five years from the date appointed for its first meeting unless
dissolved sooner

Polity and Governance 21

Other Key recommendations:
y Introduction of Article 324A for laws on local body elections synchronization.
y Amends Article 325 for a unified electoral roll and ID.
y Advocates for fresh elections for the remaining term in case of a hung assembly (when no party
has clear majority) or no-confidence motions.
y Calls for Election Commission coordination with State Election Commissions for resources.

Note: Please refer to the Articulate October 2023 for more information on this topic.

New Election Commissioner Appointed Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections

Constitutional Basis for Article 324: It vests the Election Commission with the power of
Appointments superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of the
electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament, to
the Legislatures of every State, and to the offices of President and
Vice-President.
Current Appointment y The appointments are being done as per the Chief Election
Mechanism Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment,
Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
y Appointments are made by the President based on recommendations
from a Selection Committee comprising the Prime Minister, a Union
Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha.
Selection Process y A Search Committee led by the Law Minister suggests candidates
to the Selection Committee.
Eligibility and y Eligibility includes having served at a level equivalent to a Secretary
Compensation to the Government of India.
y Compensation for CEC and ECs is on par with the Cabinet
Secretary’s salary.

Why in News?
y Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu were recently appointed as Election
Commissioners.

Governance

Cashless treatment of road victims

Why in news?
y The Road Transport and Highway Ministry announced a pilot project for cashless treatment for
road accident victims in Chandigarh.

Key Points:
y Victims can receive cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per person for a maximum of seven days
post-accident through Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.
y This fund was created by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 which requires the central
government to provide compulsory insurance cover to all road users in India.
y Implementation by: The National Health Authority

Polity and Governance 22

Harit Nauka Initiative
About Harit Nauka Initiative:
y 2024: Launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
y Objective: Adoption of greener technologies in inland waterway vessels and shifting inland
vessels towards sustainable alternatives, such as hydrogen fuel cells.
y Target: By the year 2025, all states must make efforts to have 50% of their inland waterway-
based passenger fleets run on green fuels, and by 2045, 100%.

Why in news?
y At Kochi harbour Kerala, the Prime
Minister launched India’s first indigenously
developed hydrogen fuel cell ferry under
the Harit Nauka initiative.

More about the ferry:

y It was manufactured by the Cochin Shipyard
Limited (CSL).
y It uses a 50-kilowatt PEM (proton-exchange
membrane) fuel cell along with Lithium-Ion
Phosphate batteries.
y It produces zero emissions or noise, and it is energy-efficient.

100 jails certified as Eat Right Campus

Why in news?
y The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has certified nearly 100 jails across
the nation as ‘Eat Right Campus,’ a part of its Eat Right India movement.
y Eat Right initiative aims to ensure safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices within various
institutional settings.

Probable MCQs
Q. Recently, after a Supreme Court Ruling, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election
Commissioners (ECs) shall be appointed on the advice of a committee comprising:
1. Prime Minister of India
2. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha
3. Chief Justice of India
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)

Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct about Rajya Sabha elections?
1. The Single Transferable Vote system (STV) is followed for Rajya Sabha elections.
2. Every State has a specific quota of seats in the Rajya Sabha.

Polity and Governance 23

 Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)

Q. With reference to Lokpal in India, consider the following statements:

1. Setting up a Lokpal for redressal of citizens grievances in India was first recommended by
the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC).
2. The speech and vote of a Member of Parliament in Parliament are exempted from the
purview of the Lokpal.
3. Lokpal submits an annual report on the work done by it to the President of India.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) One only
(b) Two only
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)

Q. Consider the following pairs:

Special provisions of the Constitution Related States

1. Article 371- A a. Nagaland

2. Article 371- B b. Goa

3. Article 371- F c. Sikkim

4. Article 371- I d. Assam

How many of the above pairs are matched correctly?

(a) One only
(b) Two only
(c) Three only
(d) All four
Answer: (b)

Q. With reference to surrogacy rules in India, consider the following sentences:

1. Surrogacy rules in India permit married couples to use donor eggs or donor sperm for
surrogacy.
2. Single women undergoing surrogacy must use self-eggs to avail surrogacy procedures.
3. Commercial surrogacy is prohibited in India.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) only one
(b) only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)

Polity and Governance 24

ECONOMY IN NEWS: MARCH (2024)

MONEY, BANKING, FINANCE & INSURANCE

BALANCE OF PAYMENT & INTERNATIONAL TRADE

SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, GDP, INFLATION

INFRASTRUCTURE

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND EDUCATION

LEARN ECONOMY FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

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 2 Economy

Money, Banking, Finance & Insurance

SEBI asks MFs to stop investing in overseas ETFs

Exchange Traded Fund (ETF): These are

registered investment companies that offer
investors a way to pool their money in a fund
that invests in stocks, bonds, or other assets.
Key points:
y Mutual funds can invest up to $7 billion in
overseas stocks/ mutual funds.
y Out of this, mutual funds can invest up to $
1 billion in overseas exchange-traded funds.
y The mutual fund industry has already
reached 95 percent of the $1 billion limit.
y This is the reason why SEBI has asked mutual funds to temporarily stop accepting money in
overseas ETFs.

Why in news?
y SEBI has asked asset management companies (AMCs) not to accept funds in mutual fund
plans that invest in overseas exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Paytm Becomes Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP)

About TPAP: It is an entity that provides the UPI compliant apps to the end-user customers to
facilitate UPI-based payment transactions.

26 Economy
Paytm as TPAP on UPI:
y National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) allowed Paytm to function as a third-party
application provider (TPAP) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
y Four banks - SBI, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and YES Bank will act as payment service providers
(PSPs) for Paytm.
y TPAPs are service providers that engage in UPI transactions through a Payment Service Provider
bank.

Approval and Implications:

y Paytm users can continue using UPI for transactions on the app.

RBI Directive:
y RBI stated that no new users can be added by a third party application provider (TPAP) until
existing users are migrated to new handles successfully.

Why in news?
y Paytm gets NPCI nod to become a third party application provider.

India’s Small Stocks Bubble Concerns

Key points:
y Market capitalisation: It refers to the total number of outstanding shares of a company in the
market multiplied by the current price of each share. It is a measure of the estimated valuation
of a company.

Small Cap Small-cap companies have a market capitalisation of less than ₹5,000 crores.

Mid Cap Mid-cap companies have market caps above ₹5,000 crore but less than ₹20,000
crore.
Large Cap These companies are well-established with a significant market share, like
market caps of ₹20,000 crore or more.

SME Stocks Manipulation:

y Signs of IPO price manipulation and trading malpractices in SME stocks have been observed.
y Massive inflow into small and mid-cap funds too has raised concerns.

Why in News?
y Owing to the recent surge in small and mid cap stocks, SEBI had urged caution and proactive
measures to safeguard investor interests.

Economy 27
Front Running Case

About Front Running:

y It is done when a broker or an investor joins a trade because they have knowledge of a
confidential deal that will impact the asset’s price.
y Also called forward-trading or tailgating.
y It also occurs when a broker buys or sells shares from their personal account before their firms
buy or sell them.

Insider Trading Front Running

y It involves Trading stocks or other securities y Executing trades based on knowledge of
based on material, non-public information upcoming orders from clients before those
(insider information) orders are made public or executed.
y It is done by Corporate insiders (e.g., y It is done by Brokers, financial advisors, or
executives, employees) or any individuals anyone who has advance knowledge of trade
with access to non-public, material orders that can influence market prices.
information.

Why in news?
y LIC fired an employee who was involved in a front-running trading case.

Interoperable Payment System

Why in news?
y Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to launch an interoperable payment system for Internet
banking in 2024.

Economy 28
About Interoperable Payment System:
y It allows different payment methods and systems to work together seamlessly.
y It made it easy to transfer money between different banks or payment providers.
y It ensures that one can use the preferred payment method regardless of the merchant or
service you are using.
y The interoperable system will be implemented by NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL), a subsidiary
of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation Limited (NUCFDC)

About:
y Established as a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) to serve as the umbrella organization
for the urban cooperative banking sector.
y It will operate as a Self-Regulatory Organisation for the sector.
y It will be subject to RBI-imposed regulation.

Objectives and Functions:

y to enable UCBs to expand their service offerings efficiently and cost-effectively.
y It will provide fund management and consultancy services to UCBs.
y It will also facilitate various facilities for small banks, promote dialogue between banks and
regulators, and work on enhancing communication channels within the sector.

Why in News?
y Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah recently inaugurated an umbrella organization
for urban cooperative banks (UCB).

Bandhan Bank authorize to collect revenue of West Bengal

Why in News:
y Bandhan Bank has recently been authorized by the West Bengal government to collect tax and
non-tax receipts through the Government Receipt Portal System (GRIPS).
GRIPS is an online platform for various tax and non-tax payments to the West Bengal government.

y This mandate allows people to pay taxes such as property tax, motor vehicle tax, and professional
tax through the portal.

RBI’s New Directions on Credit Cards

Key Point:
Before After
y Previously, the card networks like Visa, y Credit Card issuers must now allow
Mastercard, etc. associated with your credit customers to choose from multiple card
card were selected by the issuer based on their networks, like Visa, MasterCard, or others
specific agreements with these networks. when issuing a credit card
y Customers had no say in it. y This would be applicable to both new and
existing cards.

Economy 29
Why in News?
y The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently made a significant change for credit card issuers.

PM- SURAJ: Portal for Marginalized Sections by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
About PM-SURAJ Portal:
y The portal aims to provide credit support to entrepreneurs from disadvantaged sections of
society.
y Around ₹720 crore worth of credit was disbursed to one lakh beneficiaries from Scheduled
Castes, Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Safai
Karamcharis.
y The portal will serve as a one-stop point for people from disadvantaged sections to apply for
and track the progress of various loans and credit schemes available to them.

Why in news?
y PM Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ)
for Marginalized Sections.

Balance of Payment & International Trade

Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund

Key points about WEIDE:
y Launched by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
y Total Fund Capacity: USD 50 million global fund.
y Objective: To assist women entrepreneurs in developing economies and least-developed
countries in adopting digital technologies.
y UAE becomes the first donor with $5 million assistance.

International Trade Centre (ITC):

y 1968: Established.
y Joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN).
y Objective:
⚪ To connect businesses to international markets and empower them to participate
effectively in global trade.
⚪ To provide trade-related technical assistance, market intelligence, and training to support
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Why in news?
y The WEIDE fund was recently launched.

Thailand’s Concern over India’s Agriculture Subsidy

Why in News?
y Thailand, via its ambassador to WTO, accuses India of exporting rice at unfairly low prices due
to government subsidies, impacting global food prices.

Economy 30
Thailand’s Concerns:
y Trade Distortion: Views India’s Public Stockholding Programme (PSH) as highly subsidized,
distorting global food prices by overproduction and reduced prices.
y WTO Violation: India’s breach of WTO’s de minimis limit for rice subsidies (exceeding 10%)
violates WTO regulations and distorts fair trade principles.
y Desire for Liberalization: As part of Cairns Group, Thailand advocates for agricultural trade
liberalization, urging India to dismantle or reduce its Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme.
The Cairns Group is an interest group of 19 agricultural exporting countries in WTO, composed of
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, Uruguay,
and Vietnam

India’s Concerns:
y Comparison with Developed Countries: Emphasizes the disparity in farmer subsidies between
India and developed countries like the US and EU, where subsidies can be significantly higher.
y Breach of De Minimis Limit: Acknowledges breaching the 10% de minimis limit, protected under
the “peace clause,” but questions the subsidy calculation method at WTO.
⚪ WTO’s Peace Clause: It is an interim measure agreed upon by WTO members in 2013, protecting
developing nations from dispute challenges on subsidy breaches until a permanent solution
is reached.
⚪ It allows developing countries to breach prescribed subsidy ceilings without facing dispute
settlement challenges.
y Need for Permanent Solution: Advocates, along with the G-33 group, for a permanent solution
on public stockholding to provide flexibility in farm support without breaching subsidy levels.

The G33 is a coalition of developing countries, established prior to the 2003 Cancun ministerial
conference that have coordinated during the Doha Round of World Trade Organization negotiations,
specifically in regard to agriculture.

India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade Agreement

Polity and Governance 31

 What is EFTA?
y 1960: EFTA was established as an intergovernmental organization, comprising Iceland,
Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
y It is an alternative trade bloc for those European states that were unable or unwilling to join
the European Union (EU).

Why in News?
y Recently, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States and India signed a Trade and
Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

Highlights of the Agreement:

y Investment and Employment: EFTA commits to promoting investments to increase foreign
direct investments by USD 100 billion in India in 15 years and generate 1 million direct jobs.
y Market Access: There would be substantial cuts in tariffs such as custom duties on 99.6% of
products being exported to Europe in these four countries from India.
⚪ Similarly there would be tariff reduction by India on 95.3% of the products that are exported
to India from EFTA countries.
y Service Sector: India got commitments in sub-sectors focusing on IT services, business
services, and more.
y Intellectual Property Rights: Commitments related to IPR are at the TRIPS (Trade Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Right) level, addressing India’s interests in generic medicines
and concerns related to the evergreening of patents.
y Sustainable Development: TEPA emphasizes India’s commitment to sustainable development,
inclusive growth, social development, and environmental protection.
y Trade Facilitation: Aims to foster transparency, efficiency, simplification, harmonization, and
consistency in trade procedures.

Sectors of the Economy, GDP, Inflation

ADITI Scheme - to promote innovation in critical and strategic technologies

About the scheme:
y Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) is a scheme to promote
innovations in defence technologies.
y It comes under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework of the Ministry of
Defence.
y Objective: It aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies (like
Robotics, Quantum Computing, AI and Machine Learning) during the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.

About iDEX:
y 2018: Launched by the Ministry of Defence.
y Objective: To become self-sufficient and promote technological advancement and innovation in
the defence and aerospace sectors.

Why in news?
y Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh launched the ADITI scheme during DefConnect 2024 in New
Delhi.

Economy 32
Pharma companies- New Marketing Code
Why in news?
y The Department of Pharmaceuticals issued the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing
Practices (UCPMP), 2024.

Key Points/Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Companies:

y The word “safe” must not be used without qualification. Claims about a drug’s usefulness need
to be based on up-to-date evidence.
y Gifting by pharmaceutical companies or their agents is prohibited. Companies must not pay for
access to healthcare professionals.
y Conducting events in foreign locations is prohibited.
y Cash or monetary grants should not be paid to healthcare professionals or their family members.
y The promotion of a drug must align with its marketing approval.
y It must not be claimed that a medicine has no side effects, toxic hazards, or risk of addiction.

Consumer body warns celebrities and influencers against promoting betting, gambling
Why in news?
y The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) asked celebrities and social media influencers
to refrain from endorsing or promoting illegal betting and gambling activities.
Key Points:
y CCPA said that endorsements by celebrities give the impression that indulging in online gambling
and betting is acceptable.
y Betting and gambling are prohibited under the Public Gaming Act 1867 and are considered
illegal in most regions of the country.
y Stringent measures, as per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, will be initiated against those
involved in, advertisers, publishers and social media platforms involved in the promotion of
betting.

Fantasy Sports teams such as Dream 11 etc. have been considered by Indian Courts as a Game
of skill and not game of chance. Hence, they are not considered as ‘gambling’.

Centre paves the way for Tesla’s entry with new EV scheme
y Background: Global EV manufacturers, like Tesla, Inc., had requested tariff concessions as a
condition to establish manufacturing plants in India.
y Import Duty: Under the new policy, completely built-up (CBU) cars can be imported at a 15%
import duty.
y Tesla’s Request: The new policy aligns with Tesla’s request by offering a 15% import duty for
CBU cars.

Completely Built-Up (CBU) Cars: This term is used to describe cars that are imported directly
from the country where the vehicle was made in complete and intact condition, so that they are
ready to be used.

Economy 33
Why in news?
y The union government released a new electric vehicle (EV) policy easing duty for a limited
number of EV imports for manufacturers setting up facilities in India.

E-Kisan Upaj Nidhi

About the scheme
Launched by y Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Aim y to help farmers store their produce efficiently using technology.
y Will assist farmers in securing fair prices for their crops.
Features y It is a digital gateway by the Warehousing Development and Regulatory
Authority (WDRA) for farmers.
Reduced Security y Reduction from 3% to 1% to encourage more farmers, especially small
Deposit Charges farmers.
y Intended to boost farmers’ income by making warehouse usage more
accessible.
Benefits y Allows farmers to deposit produce at 7% interest for 6 months at WDRA
warehouses.
y Helps farmers sell their produce at or above Minimum Support Price
(MSP).
y Proposed free registration for cooperative sector warehouses.
Why in news?
y The E-Kisan Upaj Nidhi scheme was recently launched.

Infrastructure

India’s first underwater metro in Kolkata

Economy 34
About underwater metro:
y The project is India’s first-ever transportation project where trains will ply under a river -
Hooghly.
y It is a 4.8-km stretch between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade (the route connects key areas
such as the IT hub Salt Lake).
y The project has been executed with enhanced safety measures, including using features like
anti-collision and automatic train control mechanisms.

In the year 2023, the Kochi water metro in Kerala was inaugurated which is a first-of-its-
kind public boat service integrated with a metro rail network.

Why in news?
y PM Modi launched Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, India’s first underwater metro service.

The first coastal road of Mumbai- First Phase Inaugurated

Why in news?
y The First Coastal Road of Mumbai was recently inaugurated for public use.

Key facts about the road:

y Named Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (son of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj).
y It will connect southern Mumbai with the Bandra Worli Sea Link.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (14 May 1657- March 11, 1689):

y He had his military campaigns against various neighbouring kingdoms like the Mughals and
the Portuguese in Goa.
y He was also a scholar and wrote Sanskrit book Budhbhushanam and Hindi books such as
Saatsatak, Nayikabhed, and Nakhshikha.

Temporary International Status to Jamnagar Airport

Jamnagar Airport:
y It serves as a domestic airport and an Indian Air Force
base in Gujarat.
y It is owned by the Indian Air Force (IAF), and the airport
accommodates both commercial and private flights.

y Jamnagar is also known as the “Oil City of India”.

y It is home to the world’s largest oil refinery complex.
y The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian
Govt established the WHO Global Centre for Traditional
Medicine in Jamnagar.
y Reliance Industries is also developing the world’s
largest zoo near Jamnagar.

Economy 35
Why in News?
y Jamnagar Airport has been granted international status by the Airport Authority of India for a
10-day period in anticipation of VIP movement due to a private event.
y Permission was sought from IAF as well.

Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project

Why in News?
y ​​Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently
inaugurated the Banihal-Sangaldan section
of the railway line which aims to connect
Baramulla in North Kashmir to Udhampur
in Jammu.
y The USBRL Project aims to connect the
Kashmir Valley with the Indian Railways
network, promoting development in the
region.

Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link

(USBRL) Project:
y National Project: Declared in 2002, it
symbolizes a significant infrastructure
initiative for national integration.
y Total Length: The railway line spans 272 km
from Udhampur to Baramulla.

Tunnels and Bridges:

y Tunnels: 38 in total, The longest, Tunnel T-49, extends 12.75 km, making it India’s longest
transportation tunnel.
y Bridges: Totaling 13 km in length. Key highlights include:
⚪ Chenab Bridge: The world’s highest railway bridge standing 359 m above the Chenab riverbed.
⚪ Anji Khad Bridge: Indian Railways’ first cable-stayed bridge, showcasing innovative
engineering within the project.

India’s largest Solar Battery Project

About Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI):
y 2011: Establishment Year.
y It is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU)under the administrative control of the Ministry
of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
y It is the only CPSU dedicated to the renewable energy sector.

Why in news?
y The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has commissioned India’s largest Battery
Energy Storage System (BESS), at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh.

Economy 36
Key points about Project:
y It has an installed capacity of 40 MW/120 MWh.
y The project utilizes previously unused land for the project.
y Funded by the World Bank and Clean Technology Fund.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana- Central Sector Scheme

About the Scheme:

Nodal Ministry y Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Aim y To install rooftop solar power systems in one crore households
across India, that opt to install rooftop solar electricity units.
⚪ Rooftop Solar Panels are Photovoltaic panels installed on
building rooftops connected to the main power supply unit.
Free Electricity y The households will be able to get 300 units of electricity free every
month.
Subsidy y Capped at 3 kW capacity.
⚪ 60% of the installation cost up to 2 kW capacity.
⚪ 40 percent of additional system cost for systems between 2 to
3 kW capacity.

Economy 37
 Central Sector Schemes: Schemes that are fully funded by the central government.
Why in news?
y PM Modi launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

Human Resource Development, Health and Education

SWAYAM Plus Platform- By Ministry of Education

SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds):

y 2017: Launched by the Ministry of Education, to provide one integrated platform and portal
for online courses.
y Objective: ensuring every student’s access to the best quality higher education at an
affordable cost.

Why in news?
y The Education Minister launches the SWAYAM Plus platform.

About SWAYAM Plus:

Enhancing y Aims to improve the employability of college students
Employability
Industry-Academia y The platform will combine SWAYAM’s academic quality with industry
Partnership partners’ real-world expertise.
Programs Offered y Programs in various sectors such as manufacturing, energy, computer
science and engineering, IT or ITES, healthcare.
Platform Features y SWAYAM Plus offers multilingual content, an AI-enabled chatbot for
student assistance.

Holistic Progress Card (HPC) by PARAKH for Students

What is PARAKH?
y PARAKH stands for The Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic
Development.
y It is established within the education survey division of the NCERT.
y It is India’s first national assessment regulator which will work on setting norms, standards,
and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards in the
country.

Holistic Progress Card (HPC) Key Features:

y Objective: Shift from traditional exam-focused assessment to a learner-centered evaluation
approach, in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE)
guidelines.
y Stages Covered: Designed for foundational (Classes 1-2), preparatory (Classes 3-5), and middle
stages (Classes 6-8).
y Evaluation Parameters:
⚪ Evaluates not only academics but also self-awareness, relationships, problem-solving,

Economy 38
 emotional intelligence, and creativity.
⚪ Students reflect on their learning through statements like “I learned something new” after
activities.

Method of Evaluation:
y Self-Assessment: Students set academic and personal goals, including an “ambition card” for
listing yearly goals and improvement areas.
y Parent Involvement: Bridges school and home learning; parents give feedback on homework,
classroom engagement, and managing screen time.
y Peer Evaluation: Encourages peer evaluation (by fellow students) to assess participation and
engagement in classroom activities.

Why in News?
y The NCERT is aiming to reform the traditional report card which only focuses on exams.

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT)

y About: It assesses the literacy and numeracy skills of non-literate learners.
y Certification Recognition: Successful candidates receive certificates from the National Institute
of Open Schooling (NIOS)

Why in News?
y The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education is set to
conduct the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).

The Growing Income and Wealth Inequality in India

Why in News?
y A new paper from the World Inequality Lab has highlighted a significant increase in the income
and wealth shares of India’s top 1%, marking historical highs in 2022-23.

World Inequality Lab:

y Affiliation: Paris School of Economics.
y Objective: To foster research on global inequality dynamics.
y Network: Collaborates with over a hundred researchers worldwide, focusing on nearly seventy
countries.

Key Insights:
y Dubbed “The Billionaire Raj,” the paper suggests that India’s inequality now surpasses that of
the British Raj era.
y Income and Wealth Shares: In 2022-23, the top 1% of Indians held 22.6% of income and 40.1%
of wealth, the highest levels ever recorded.
y Global Comparison: India’s top 1% income share is now among the world’s highest, surpassing
South Africa, Brazil, and the US. However, India’s top 1% wealth share is lower than that of
South Africa and Brazil.

Economy 39
Probable MCQs
Q. The Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, recently in the news, is launched
by:
(a) WTO and the International Trade Centre
(b) WTO and World Economic Forum
(c) IMF and World Economic Forum
(d) IMF and the International Trade Centre
Answer: (a)

Q. With reference to the Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), consider the following statements:
1. It is a basket of securities that trades on an exchange just like a stock does.
2. SEBI has limited the amount of money that can be invested in overseas ETFs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither nor 2
Answer: (c)

Q. Which of the following statements is/ are correct in context of e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi?
1. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture.
2. It aims to facilitate farmers in obtaining post-harvest loans from banks.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)

Q. ‘SWAYAM Plus’ platform, recently in the news, is related to:

(a) Disaster Management
(b) Promotion to MSMEs
(c) Self filing of Income Tax returns
(d) Enhancing the employability of students
Answer: (d)

Q. Consider the following statements about financial market practices:

1. Front running involves trading stocks based on public information about an upcoming
transaction.
2. Insider trading is where company insiders trade their company’s stocks based on non-
public information.
3. While front running is legal, insider trading is banned in India.
How many of the above given statements are correct?
(a) One only
(b) Two only
(c) All three
(d) None

Economy 40
 Answer: (d)

Q. Consider the following:

1. Anji Khad Bridge
2. Pamban Bridge
3. Nehru setu
4. Chenab Bridge
How many of the above are part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project?
(a) One only
(b) Two only
(c) Three only
(d) All four
Answer: (b)

Economy 41
IR IN NEWS: MARCH (2024)

GLOBAL ISSUES

INDIA AND WORLD

DEFENSE AND INTERNAL SECURITY

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3 IR Defence and Security

Global Issues

China says US tik tok vote against fair competition

Why in news?
y The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would force TikTok to sever ties with its
Chinese parent company or be banned in the United States.

Key Points:
y Action taken: The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would
require TikTok to separate from its parent company or risk a nationwide ban.
y Current Status: The bill still needs to be passed by the Senate, where it is anticipated to face
more challenges in becoming a law.
y Response from China: China criticized the bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives,
stating that it goes against principles of fair competition and international economic and trade
rules.

Agalega Atoll

IR Defence and Security 43

About Agalega:
y It is a group of two islands governed by Mauritius.
y The development of the Agaléga Islands is in the socio-economic and national security interest
of Mauritius.

Importance for India:

y The joint development of Agaléga aligns with India’s commitment to Security And Growth for
All in the Region (SAGAR).
y The partnership with Mauritius showcases India as a friendly and respectful country in the
region.

Why in news?
y The Indian PM and Mauritian PM jointly inaugurated an airstrip and the St James Jetty on North
Agaléga Island in the Indian Ocean.

India and World

Raisina Dialogue 2024- Annual Conference on Geopolitics and Geo-Economics

About y India’s leading annual conference to explore global challenges in

geopolitics and geo-economics.
Inspiration y Modeled after Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue.

Hosts y Organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration

with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Chief Guest for 2024 y Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece.
Format y Multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussions.
Participants y Includes heads of state, cabinet ministers, local officials, and leaders
from the private sector, media, and academia.
2024 Theme y “Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, and Create.”

Why in News?
y The ninth edition of the Raisina Dialogue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
recently in New Delhi.

India to Join Carbon Market Project

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF):
y The IPEF, led by U.S. President Joe Biden, was launched in
May 2022 and includes 14 regional partners.
y The framework focuses on four pillars: connectivity and
digital trade, resilient supply chains, clean energy, and
corruption-free fair trade.

IR Defence and Security 44

Why in news?
y India has decided to join one of the four cooperative work programs under the ‘clean energy
pillar’ of the U.S.-led IPEF.
y The specific program India will participate in is focused on facilitating and promoting carbon-
market activities.

Consideration of Other Cooperative Work-Programme Initiatives:

y India is also considering two other cooperative work-program initiatives: one on clean electricity
and the other on the use of sustainable aviation fuel.
y A final decision on joining these initiatives will be made after a thorough analysis.

India’s Role in the Cooperative Working Group on Carbon Markets:

y India will join the cooperative working group on carbon markets through the Ministry of Power.
y The Bureau of Energy Efficiency will serve as the nodal body for this initiative.

Defense and Internal Security

INS Jatayu Commissioning in Lakshadweep

Why in News?
y INS Jatayu is an enhanced naval base that has been commissioned on Minicoy Island in
Lakshadweep.

Key Points:
y INS Jatayu falls under the Southern Naval Command, focusing on augmenting India’s operational
capabilities in the Indian Ocean.
y The base aims to boost surveillance, anti-piracy, and anti-narcotics operations.

Indian Navy has three commands:

y The Western Naval Command (Headquarters at Mumbai).
y The Eastern Naval Command (Headquarters at Visakhapatnam)
y The Southern Naval Command (Headquarters at Kochi)

IR Defence and Security 45

y Situated strategically, it oversees vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs), crucial for
maintaining maritime dominance, especially against the backdrop of China’s growing influence
in the region.
y This is India’s second naval establishment in Lakshadweep, following INS Dweeprakshak in
Kavaratti.

Non-Lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund (DMF)

What is the Non-Lapsable DMF?
y The Non-lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund (DMF) is a proposed financial mechanism to
ensure that unspent defense funds don’t return to the treasury at the end of each fiscal year.
y They would be carried forward for defense modernisation.

Finance Commission’s Recommendation:

y The 15th Finance Commission suggested creating a non-lapsable fund specifically for defense
and internal security modernisation,
y It shall be known as the Modernisation Fund for Defence and Internal Security (MFDIS).

Operational Concerns:
y A key challenge with the DMF is its potential impact on parliamentary scrutiny and accountability
since funds that don’t lapse bypass the Annual Budgetary Review process.

Why in News?
y Recently, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Parliament that a separate mechanism by the
Ministry of Finance in consultation would explore a special system to operationalize a “Non-
lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund”.

India tests Agni-V missile equipped with MIRV technology

IR Defence and Security 46

About Agni-V
y Agni-5 is an ingeniously built advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed under
the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

Missile Details
Agni I Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM), Range: 700-800 km
Agni II Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM), Range: > 2000 km
Agni III Inter-Medium Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Range: > 2,500 km
Agni IV Inter-Medium Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), Range: > 3,500 km, Road mo-
bile launcher capability
Agni V Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), Range: > 5,000 km,
Agni VI Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), Range: 11,000–12,000 km, Long-
est in Agni series

What is MIRV Technology?

y It refers to the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV).
y MIRV allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads targeting different locations.
y Multiple damages with a single strike.

Agni-V -MIRV Missile Test Details:

y First test of Agni-V MIRV Technology:
y Test conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha’s coast.
y Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Why has India developed MIRV Capabilities?

y India’s move follows China’s development of MIRV technology.
y MIRV technology was developed in the 1960s, initially by the US and Soviet Union.
y Countries like France, the UK, and China also possess this technology.

Why in News?
y India has recently successfully tested the Agni-V missile with MIRV technology.

5th Generation Advanced Multi Combat

Aircrafts (AMCA)
Why in news?
y The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
cleared the project to design and develop
the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
(AMCA).

Features of AMCA:
y Advanced stealth features like Snake-like
air intake duct to avoid detection by enemy
radar.

IR Defence and Security 47

y Hidden fuel tank and arms.
y Development Agency: Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO).
y Manufacturing: It will be done by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

1500 HP Tank Engine- by BEML

About Tank Engine:
y Manufactured by BEML.
⚪ BEML Limited, a ‘Schedule ‘A’ Company
under the Ministry of Defence, plays
a pivotal role and serves India’s core
sectors like Defence, Rail, Power, Mining
and Infrastructure.
y The 1500 HP engine has cutting-edge
features such as a high power-to-weight
ratio and the ability to operate in extreme
conditions like high altitudes, sub-zero
temperatures, and desert environments.
y The first test-firing of the 1500 HP engine
signifies the completion of Generation One, focusing on technology stabilization.
y Generation Two will see engines getting integrated into actual vehicles for user testing.

Why in news?
y India Conducts 1st Test-Firing Of Home-Built Engine For Battle Tank Arjun.

Tiger Triumph–24 Exercise between the US and India

About Tiger Triumph–24
y Nature of the Exercise: Tiger Triumph–24 is a bilateral tri-service for Humanitarian Assistance
and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise conducted between India and the USA.
y First Held : The first tri-services exercise was held in 2019.

Why in News?
y The Tiger Triumph–24 exercise happened along the East Coast of the United States from March
18th to March 31st, 2024.

Probable MCQs
Q. With respect to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), consider the following statements:
1. The EFTA was established as an alternative to those states that did not wish to join the
European Community.
2. Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2

IR Defence and Security 48

 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)

Q. Consider the following statements about the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit:
1. It was held in Doha, Qatar.
2. India has not signed the declaration of the Summit.
3. The declaration from the summit emphasized the discontinuation of financial support for
existing nuclear reactors.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)

IR Defence and Security 49

GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT IN NEWS: MARCH (2024)

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION

POLLUTION

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

CLIMATE CHANGE

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4 Geography and Environment

Physical Geography

Blanets- Planet that orbits around a black hole

About Blanets:
y According to a Japanese scientist’s 2019 research, Blanets may originate in the gas and dust
clouds that surround black holes.
y It is a theoretical type of planet that orbits around a black hole instead of a star or brown dwarf.
y They are not habitable due to their formation near black holes.
y They are approximately 3,000 times larger than Earth.
y Blanets orbit the black hole at a distance of about 100 trillion km to avoid gravitational disruption
during their formation.

Why in news?
y This article is based on the recent publication of The Hindu, Science section.

Water Crisis in Bengaluru and Neighboring Areas

Why in News?
y Recently Bengaluru and nearby areas have been facing a water crisis, leading to significant
shortages in various areas.
Causes of Water Shortage:
y Below-Normal Rainfall: Karnataka received 18% less rainfall than normal last year, impacting
water availability.
y Nature of Aquifers: South India’s rocky aquifers empty and recharge quickly, leading to swift
depletion during dry spells.

Geography and Environment 51

Environment Conservation

Herpetofaunal survey in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

About Herpetofaunal survey:
y It is a study or assessment of the reptile and amphibian species present in a particular area.
y It plays a crucial role in biodiversity research and conservation efforts.

Why in news?
y First ever herpetofaunal survey was conducted by Mudumalai Tiger Reserve authorities.

More about survey:

y It recorded 82 species of reptiles and amphibians.
y It will help the forest department in better understanding and protecting the smaller, lesser
known species that inhabit the region.
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve:
y Located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil
Nadu.
y It is part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first Biosphere Reserve in India under UNESCO’s
Man and the Biosphere Programme (1986).
y It has tall grasses, commonly referred to as Elephant Grass.

Belgium Recognizes Ecocide as a Crime

Why in News?
y Belgium becomes the first European nation to legally define ‘ecocide’ as both a national and
international crime.

Definition of Ecocide:
y It is defined as unlawful acts causing substantial, severe, widespread, or long-term environmental
damage, as per the Independent Expert Panel from the Stop Ecocide Foundation.

Geography and Environment 52

 India’s Position on Ecocide:
y Legal Recognition: ‘ecocide’ is not formally recognized in Indian law.
y Judicial References: Cases like Chandra CFS v. Commissioner of Customs (2015) and T.N.
Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union Of India (1997) mentions ‘ecocide’ and advocates for
ecocentric environmental justice.
y Legal Framework: India’s environmental laws address environmental protection but do not
specifically target ecocide.

A Report on the Status of Leopards in India 2022

Why in News:
y A report on the Status of Leopards in India 2022 has been released by the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change.

Recently, the Indian government has approved the establishment of the International Big Cat
Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India.

Key Findings of the Report::

y Population Growth: An 8% increase in leopard numbers from 2018 (12,852) to 2022 (13,874).
y Geographical Distribution: 65% of leopards are located outside protected areas, predominantly
in the Shivalik landscape, with only a third within protected zones.

Geography and Environment 53

y Regional Trends: Central India shows population stability/growth, while Shivalik hills and
Gangetic plains report a decline.
y State-wise Numbers:

1. Madhya Pradesh leads with 3,907 leopards

2. Maharashtra
Top Ranking States
3. Karnataka
4. Tamil Nadu

Decline observed in Odisha, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Goa.

y Tiger Conservation Impact: Measures aimed at tiger protection contribute to leopard population
growth, especially in Central India and Eastern Ghats. Leopard densities are notably higher in
Tiger Reserves than outside Protected Areas.

India’s first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC)

Key Points about Gangetic Dolphin:

y Bihar hosts about half of India’s estimated 3,000 Gangetic dolphins.
y Inhabits Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems across India, Nepal,
and Bangladesh.
y Recent studies show dolphins in the Ganga River Basin’s mainstream and tributaries like Ghagra,
Kosi, Gandak, Chambal, Rupnarayan, and Yamuna.
y IUCN: Endangered.
y CITES: Appendix I.
y Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

About NDRC:
y It aims to study dolphin behavior, survival skills, food habits etc.
y It will provide training to fishermen on effective dolphin conservation practices.

Why in news?
y India’s first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) established in Patna, Bihar.

Geography and Environment 54

Centre notifies rules allowing transfer of ‘captive’ elephants
Process of transfer for Captive Elephants:
y An elephant’s health has to be ratified by a veterinarian and the Deputy Conservator of Forests.
y The Chief Wildlife Warden, on receipt of such documents, may reject or approve the transfer.

Circumstances of Transfer:
y When an owner is no longer in a position to maintain the elephant.
y When a State’s Chief Wildlife Warden assesses the circumstances of the case for better upkeep
of the elephant.

Why in news?
y The Centre has notified a set of rules called the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport)
Rules, 2024 that liberalize the conditions under which elephants may be transferred within or
between States.
y The amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act have allowed captive elephants to be moved.

Increasing Forest Fires in Southern India

Forest Fires in India:
y Forest fire season: November to June, with peak activity in April-May.
y 36% of India’s forest cover is prone to fires, with 4% extremely prone (ISFR 2019).

2023 Forest Fire Situation:

y Highest reports from Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, and Maharashtra.
y Southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu were also affected.
y Contributory Factors for 2023 Fires in South India:
⚪ Hottest since 1901
⚪ Early availability of dry biomass due to above-normal temperatures in the preceding months.
⚪ Early onset of summer conditions.
⚪ Most southern districts are classified under ‘mild’ aridity due to lack of rain and high
temperatures.

Why in News?
y South India’s forests are usually less vulnerable due to predominant evergreen or semi-evergreen
vegetation. However, recent years saw increased wildfires in Tamil Nadu.

NITI Aayog’s GROW Report and Portal

Why in News?
y The Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal was
launched by NITI Aayog which aims to address land degradation and promote agroforestry.

GROW Report:
y India has approximately 55.76 million hectares of wastelands, about 16.96% of the country’s
total geographical area.
y Agroforestry Potential: Advocates for transforming wastelands through agroforestry, which
currently spans 8.65% of India’s area.

Geography and Environment 55

y Aims at restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and increasing carbon
sequestration.
y Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are the top states for agroforestry potential.
y Highlights the importance of the National Agroforestry Policy (2014) and its role in meeting
global environmental commitments.

GROW Portal Features:

y Platform: Available on the Bhuvan platform for widespread accessibility.
y Data Accessibility: Provides state and district-level agroforestry suitability data and mapping.
y Technology Use: Leverages remote sensing and GIS for detailed agroforestry assessments.
y Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI): Introduces ASI for national-level prioritization of
agroforestry projects.
y Agroforestry Coverage: Offers detailed insights into the current scope and geographical
distribution of agroforestry in India.

Pollution

Report by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)- Byrnihat in Meghalaya most
polluted city

About CREA:
y 2019: CREA was founded in Helsinki.
y It is a nonprofit think tank researching energy and air pollution.

Key points from the report:

y Most Polluted Cities in India:
⚪ Byrnihat in Meghalaya
⚪ Araria in Bihar
⚪ Hapur in Uttar Pradesh
y Cleanest cities: Sivasagar, Silchar, Aizawl, and Imphal recorded PM2.5 concentrations below the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
y None of the cities met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe guideline concentrations for
PM2.5.

Why in news?
y The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has released a report on the most
polluted cities in India.

World Air Quality Report 2023

About:
y Publisher: Swiss organization IQAir.
y Scope: Analyzed data from 7,812 locations across 134 countries, regions, and territories.

Geography and Environment 56

Key Findings:

Category Ranking

y Bangladesh
Most Polluted Countries (2023) y Pakistan
y India
y New Delhi, India
Most Polluted Capitals (2023) y Dhaka, Bangladesh
y Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

y PM2.5 Exposure in India: 96% of India’s population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guideline.

Why in News?
y Recently, the World Air Quality Report 2023 was released.

The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024

Why in news?
y The Environment Ministry has introduced the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules
2024 to amend the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016.

More about the news:

y The amended rules make it harder for makers of disposable plastics to label such products as
biodegradable.

About the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024:

y It defines biodegradable plastics: as not only capable of degradation by biological processes
but also as materials that do not leave any microplastics.
y Manufacture of commodities shall be permitted to be made from compostable plastics or
biodegradable plastics.
y Manufacturers of biodegradable plastic carry bags or commodities need to obtain a certificate
from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) before marketing or selling.

Homosep Atom - Septic tank cleaning robot

Geography and Environment 57

About Homosep Atom Technology:
y 2022: Developed by IIT Madras and a start-up called Solinas.
y This lowers expenses, improves sewage sanitation, and eliminates away with the need for
manual scavenging by using robotic cleaning techniques.
y It has been deployed in 16 cities and employs AI for functioning.

Why in news?
y India’s 1st septic tank cleaning robot strengthening Swachh Bharat campaign.

Comprehensive Ban on Asbestos by the US EPA

y Asbestos includes six silicate minerals used in construction and

What is Asbestos?
consumer goods.
y Inhalation or ingestion of particles, hazardous regardless of asbestos
Exposure Modes type. It causes lung cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal and ovarian
cancer, and asbestosis (WHO reports).
y Actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, tremolite (amphibole
Types of Asbestos
minerals), and chrysotile (serpentine mineral).
y Ban challenges the chlor-alkali industry, affecting water treatment
Industry Impact
chemical production.
y India bans asbestos mining and some uses, but trade in raw asbestos
Regulation in India
and products continues.

Why in News?
y The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently declared a full ban on all
types of asbestos

Solar Waste Report by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

What is Solar Waste?
y Solar waste refers to the waste generated during the production, use, and disposal of solar
panels and related equipment.

Key points from the Report:

y India’s solar capacity stood at 66.7 GW as of March 2023, marking a
Current Capacity
significant increase over the past decade.
Projected Growth y By 2030, the installed solar capacity is expected to surge to 292 GW.
Solar Waste y Approximately 340 kilotonnes (kt) of solar waste are anticipated by
Projection 2030 from the current installations, tripling the current volume.
y Five states—Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra
Major Contributors Pradesh—are predicted to produce 67% of this waste due to their
higher solar capacity and expansion plans.
y By 2050, solar waste could escalate to about 19,000 kt, with 77%
Long-term Outlook
originating from new installations planned between FY24 and FY30.

Geography and Environment 58

Why in News?
y The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Council on Energy, Environment and
Water (CEEW) released a report on Solar Waste.

Disaster Management

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) to Examine Kaleshwaram Project

What is the National Dam Safety Authority

(NDSA)?
y The Dam Safety Act 2021 has established
a National Dam Safety Authority for Dam
safety and protection.

Kaleshwaram Project:
y The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is a
major multi-purpose irrigation initiative.
y It’s located at the meeting point of the
Pranahita River and Godavari River in
Kaleshwaram, Bhoopalpally, Telangana.

Why in News?
y The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
has formed an expert panel to inspect
the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), particularly the Medigadda barrage, which has
experienced significant damage.

Climate Change

IPCC Reports highlights problem of equity in fight against climate change

What are IPCC Assessment Reports?
y IPCC ( Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) reports comprise three Working Group
reports: one on physical science, one on climate adaptation, and one on mitigation action.
y The IPCC is currently in its Seventh Assessment cycle (AR7).

Why does Equity Matter?

y UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Enshrines principles of equity and
common but differentiated responsibilities.
y Responsibilities of Developed Countries: They have a greater responsibility due to their
capabilities and historical contributions to emissions.
y Equity in Mitigation: Current models often fail to align with equity principles, hindering progress
in sharing the carbon budget equitably.

Why in news?
y Researchers analyzed more than 500 future emissions scenarios and the UN Intergovernmental

Geography and Environment 59

 Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessed in its latest reports and found that income, energy
use, and emissions disparities between developed and developing countries are projected to
continue up to 2050.

State of Global Climate Report 2023 by WMO

y The State of the Global Climate Report is published annually by the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations.
y The report provides a comprehensive overview of the global climate system and its changes,
focusing on the latest annual data and scientific analyses.

Key Points:
y 2023 set a new record with global average temperatures reaching 1.45°C above pre-industrial
levels.
y Ocean Heat Content was the highest in the 65-year observational record.
y Sea level achieved a record high with the rate of rise in 2014–2023 more than doubling compared
to 1993–2002.
y Cryosphere (regions on Earth where water freezes into snow or ice) Changes: Indicative of
climate change’s global scale, affecting glaciers, ice sheets, sea-ice, snow, and permafrost.
y Ice Loss: 2022-2023 saw the largest ice loss on record since 1950, with glaciers in Switzerland
losing about 10% of their volume in two years.

Why in New?
y Recently, the State of the Global Climate Report 2023 was published.

Probable MCQs
Q. Which one of the following countries has become the first country in Europe to recognize
‘ecocide’ as a national as well as an international crime?
(a) Germany
(b) Italy
(c) Sweden
(d) Belgium
Answer: (d)

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. ‘Status of Leopards in India’ Report 2022 released by World Wildlife Fund.
2. Indian leopards are found in countries other than India.
3. The largest population of leopards in India is found in Maharashtra.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)

Geography and Environment 60

Q. With reference to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, consider the following statements :
1. It shares a boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
2. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)

Q. India’s first center for research on conserving the endangered Gangetic river dolphin, National
Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) is recently inaugurated in:
(a) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
(b) Haridwar, Uttarakhand
(c) Ambala, Haryana
(d) Patna, Bihar
Answer: (d)

Geography and Environment 61

SCIENCE AND TECH IN NEWS: MARCH (2024)

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH

NEW TECHNOLOGY

LEARN SCIENCE AND TECH FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

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5 Science and Tech

Space Technology

METHANESAT: A satellite to find the worst methane emitters on Earth

Key Points:
y About: MethaneSAT
aims to identify and
quantify global methane
emissions, pinpointing
sources and trends over
time to aid in reducing
emissions.
y Developed by: The
E nv i ro n m e n t a l
Defense Fund (EDF)
developed MethaneSAT
in collaboration with
Harvard University,
the Smithsonian
Astrophysical Observatory, and the New Zealand Space Agency.

y Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to 30% of global warming since the Industrial
Revolution.
y It’s 80 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years. Cutting methane emissions, particularly
from fossil fuel operations (40% of human-caused emissions), is crucial for climate goals.

Why in news?
y MethaneSAT satellite was recently launched on a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket from California.

Nuclear Technology

India’s Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR): A Leap Forward

Background and Development:
y The project, initiated two decades ago, aims at developing India’s nuclear fuel cycle capabilities.
y India is expected to be the second country after Russia with a commercial FBR.
y Aims to utilize India’s thorium reserves for electricity generation through a three-stage nuclear
power program.
y The FBR plays a crucial role in converting ‘fertile material’ to ‘fissile material’ for efficient
energy production.

FBR Technology and Fuel:

y Initially uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel.

Science and Tech 63

y Plans to use thorium as a blanket to produce more fissile Uranium-233, key for the program’s
third stage.

Implications for Energy

Security:
y The combination of
reactors from all
stages is projected to
ensure India’s long-
term energy security.
y The transition to
thorium utilization
will commence once
sufficient fissile
material (U233 or
Pu239) is available.

Future Goals:

y India’s Department of
Atomic Energy (DAE)
targets a nuclear
power contribution of
22,400 MWe by 2032,
with plans for rapid
construction of new
reactors.

Why in news?
y The ‘core loading’ process at Kalpakkam’s Fast Breeder Reactor recently started which marks a
pivotal achievement in India’s nuclear program. (Core loading is the process of placing nuclear
fuel assemblies inside the core of a nuclear reactor.)

First Ever Nuclear Energy Summit at Brussels, Belgium

About Nuclear Energy Summit:
y Co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Belgium and the Director General of the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
y It is held after the inclusion of nuclear energy in the Global Stocktake agreed at the UN Climate
Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023.
⚪ COP28 called for accelerating the deployment of nuclear energy along with other low carbon
energy sources.

Countries which signed declaration: Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria,

Canada, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan,
Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia,
Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, UK, and the USA.

Science and Tech 64

Declaration of the Summit:
y Ensure energy security, sustainable development, and clean energy transition.
y Finance the lifetime extension of existing nuclear reactors, and construction of new.
y Fair and open global market environment for nuclear power development.

Why in news?
y Recently, Brussels (Belgium)hosted the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit.

Genie AI by Google DeepMind

What is Genie?
y Generative Interactive Environments (Genie) is a foundational world model, trained on internet-
sourced videos.
y Capabilities: Capable of generating playable worlds from synthetic images, photos, and sketches
in an unsupervised manner.
y Innovation: First of its kind, Genie can produce diverse, interactive environments from video
data alone.

Why in News?
y DeepMind’s Genie AI was recently launched by Google.
DeepMind is a Google subsidiary which is known for AI research with centers across the globe.

Science and Tech 65

Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence

World’s First Artificial Intelligence Law is all set to be reality in Europe

Key Points about the Act:

y To protect fundamental rights, and democracy, while fostering innovation in
high-risk AI applications.
Objective
y to make sure that AI systems used in the EU are safe, transparent, traceable,
non-discriminatory, and environmentally friendly.
y It prohibits the use of real-time remote biometric identification in publicly
Prohibition
accessible spaces, except for limited exceptions.
C at e g o r i e s y Unacceptable risk (Prohibition).
of AI y High-risk (Requires conformity assessment and monitoring).
systems risk y Specific Transparency risk (Require information and transparency obligations).
level y Minimal risk (No specific regulations).

Why in News?
y Recently the European Parliament approved the AI Act, rules aimed at regulating AI according
to a risk-based approach with an overwhelming majority.

Biotechnology and Health

Yaounde Declaration- To Eliminate Deaths due to Malaria

Science and Tech 66

More about declaration:
y Participating Countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana,
Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
y These countries carry the highest burden of global malaria infections and deaths.
y The declaration includes a commitment by African heads of state to allocate 15 percent of their
annual budgets to strengthening the health sector.
y Yaounde is the capital city of Cameroon.

Why in news?
y By the Yaounde Declaration, health ministers of 11 African countries commit to end malaria
deaths.

Meropenem and Disodium Withdrawal

Why in news?
y The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued an alert against the
unapproved use of meropenem and disodium injections and has instructed for its withdrawal.

Key points:
y Usage: In India, Meropenem and Disodium combination is marketed as a broad-spectrum
antibacterial agent for treating various infections like meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract
infections, intra-abdominal infections, gynecological infections, skin infections, and sepsis.
y Classification: The combination of meropenem and disodium EDTA is considered a ‘New Drug’
and lacks the necessary regulatory approval.
y Reason for Withdrawal: The drug has not yet received approval from the regulatory authority.
Manufacturers have been producing and distributing this unapproved drug combination.

Indigenous Drug for Sickle Cell Disease

Science and Tech 67

 About Sickle Cell Disease:
y It is a genetically inherited red blood cell disorder.
y It causes red blood cells to become hard, sticky and sickle-shaped due to abnormal
hemoglobin.
y It results in pain, infections, acute chest syndrome, and stroke.

About the drug:

y The oral suspension of Hydroxyurea is the basic component of the drug.
y It is stable at room temperature, unlike hydroxyurea solutions which require storage at 2-8
degrees Celsius.
y It costs around Rs 600, suitable for all socio-economic groups.
⚪ Global brand priced at approximately ₹77,000.

Why in news?
y Akmus Drugs and Pharmaceutical Limited has developed an indigenous drug for sickle cell
disease.

India to start manufacturing antibiotic Penicillin G again

y Discovery: Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, marking the beginning of
modern antibiotics.
y Mechanism: It works by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls, effectively killing or
stopping the growth of bacteria.
y Uses: Primarily used to treat bacterial infections including pneumonia, strep throat, and skin
infections.

What is Penicillin G?
y Penicillin G is the active pharmaceutical ingredient used in several common antibiotics.

Why did India stop manufacturing Penicillin G?

y In the 1990s, India stopped manufacturing Penicillin G, an essential component for many
antibiotics, due to competition from cheaper Chinese imports.

Impact of Government Intervention:

y The Indian government introduced the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage
domestic production of essential drugs like Penicillin G.
y The PLI scheme has led to a noticeable reduction in API imports.

Why in News?
y India will start manufacturing the common antibiotic Penicillin G in 2024.

Completion of the ‘10,000 genome’ in Genome India Project

Key Points:
y Genome India Project: Launched in 2020 to map genetic diversity in the Indian population,
aiming to understand evolutionary history, disease genetics, and develop future therapies.

Science and Tech 68

Benefits:
y Facilitates the development of therapies, especially for genetic diseases, and personalized
medicine based on genetic data.

Why in News?
y The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) recently announced the completion of the ‘10,000
genome’ in the Genome India project.

Note: Refer to Articulate May 2023 for more information on this topic.

Hemoglobin A1C Test

Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic, progressive non-communicable disease (NCD) characterized by

high levels of blood sugar (blood glucose) in the body.

Type 1 diabetes: It occurs when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin. It is also called
insulin-dependent diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes:With Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas usually produces insulin which is either
not enough for the body’s needs, or the body’s cells are not able to use the insulin so produced.

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) Test:

y About: The HbA1C test provides insight into your average blood sugar levels over a span of two
to three months.
y Importance of Glucose: It is derived from the foods we consume, and serves as a vital energy
source for our cells, facilitated by insulin.
y Glucose-Hemoglobin Interaction: Glucose adheres to hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells,
proportionate to blood glucose levels, forming a basis for the A1C test.

Science and Tech 69

Why in News?
y According to a recent study published India is estimated to have more than 10 crore people
with diabetes, and another 13.5 crore people pre-diabetic.

Karnataka banned chemicals like tartrazine and rhodamine-b

Key Points:
y Rhodamine B is also used in the preparation of sweets, various manchurian items and pakodas
and in the preparation of sauces for Chinese food.
y The color agent rhodamine-b is a suspected carcinogen and is already banned due to its
harmful effects.

Why in news?
y After Tamil Nadu and Goa, Karnataka became the third State in South India to ban the use of
certain colouring agents in cotton candy and gobi manchurian that are found to be harmful.

The Public Health Foundation of India is ranked No. 2 on the global list
About PHFI:
y The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) is a public-private initiative.
y It has collaboratively evolved through consultations with multiple stakeholders including Indian
and international academia, state and central governments, multi & bilateral agencies and civil
society groups.
About the Rankings:
y The rankings are part of a report titled ‘A New Model for Ranking Schools of Public Health:
The Public Health Academic Ranking’ published in the International Journal of Public Health.
y The project was funded by the Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva.

Rankings:
The top five institutions in the global ranking:
1. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
2. Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)
3. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
4. The Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+)
5. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Why in News?
y The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) achieved second place in global rankings for
schools of public health.

New Technology

Post-quantum Messaging: Apple’s new PQ3 Technology

What’s PQ3?
y Apple’s PQ3 is a new security protocol for iMessage aimed at protecting messages against
potential future attacks from quantum computers. It’s designed to be more secure than current
encryption methods.

Science and Tech 70

How PQ3 Works?
y It combines traditional encryption with post-quantum encryption, ensuring messages are
securely delivered and protected. PQ3 involves generating keys on devices, which are then used
to encrypt messages in a way that’s safeguarded against quantum computing.

Importance of Quantum Secure Messaging/PQ3 Technology:

y Quantum computers could eventually break today’s encryption techniques.
y PQ3 ensures that even if someone stores encrypted messages now, they won’t be able to
decrypt them in the future with quantum computing.

Why in News?
y Recently, Apple announced PQ3, a post-quantum cryptographic protocol, to encrypt
conversations in its messaging app.

BioTRIG-New Technology for Waste Management

Pyrolysis:
y A chemical process in which organic materials are heated in the absence of oxygen leads to
the decomposition of the material into different component molecules.
y This process is often used to convert biomass and waste materials into valuable products.

About BioTRIG:
y It is a new waste management technology based on the pyrolysis system.
y The garbage is sealed inside an oxygen-free chamber and heated to a temperature higher than
400 degrees Celsius.
y In the process, useful compounds are created: bio-oil, syngas, and biochar fertilizer.

Significance:
y It could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from communities.
y Clean-burning bio-oil can replace dirty cooking fuels in homes.
y It could help rural Indians cut indoor air pollution, improve soil health, and generate clean
power.

Science and Tech 71

Why in news?
y Researchers say ‘BioTRIG’, can provide multiple benefits to BPL rural communities.

Probable MCQs
Q. Statement-I : India will start manufacturing the common antibiotic Penicillin G after three
decades.
Statement-II : Manufacturing of Penicillin G was phased out from India due to cheaper imports
from China after globalization.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and StatementII is the correct explanation
for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and StatementII is not the correct explanation
for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (a)

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. India’s first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor is located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
2. The Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) will initially use the Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX)
fuel.
3. FBR offers advantage in terms of significant reduction in nuclear waste generated as it uses
the spent fuel from the first stage
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)

Q. With respect to Sickle cell Anemia consider the following statements:

1. It is a genetic disorder.
2. In this the red blood cell takes the form of sickle instead of normal round shape.
3. The sickling affects the flexibility of Red blood cell movements.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)

Q. The Hemoglobin A1C Test is commonly done for the diagnosis of the following?
(a) Diabetes
(b) Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(c) Anemia
(d) Scurvy
Answer: (a)

Science and Tech 72

HISTORY IN NEWS: MARCH (2024)

NEW MADHYA PRADESH HERITAGE SITES IN UNESCO’S TENTATIVE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE

BHOJSHASLA TEMPLE- KAMAL MAULA MOSQUE IN DHAR, MADHYA PRADESH

BADAMI CHALUKYA TEMPLES

NANA JAGANNATH SHANKAR SETH (10 FEBRUARY 1803 – 31 JULY 1865)

SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI

RECENTLY AWARDED GI TAGS

GI TAGS FROM JAMMU AND KASHMIR

NARASAPUR CROCHET LACE CRAFT, MAJULI MASKS, MANUSCRIPT PAINTING

SABARMATI ASHRAM REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

LEARN HISTORY FROM THE BEST EDUCATORS

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 6 History and Culture

New Madhya Pradesh Heritage Sites in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage
Why in News?
y Several new heritage sites from Madhya Pradesh have earned a spot on UNESCO’s tentative list.

Location Key Points:

y Constructed in the 8th century, rooted in the Tomar dynasty’s

legacy.
Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh y Positioned atop a steep sandstone hill.
y Naturally fortified position.
y Blend of Rajput, Mughal, and Hindu architectural styles.
Group of Dhamnar Caves, y Situated on a hill close to the village of Dhamnar.
Mandsaur district, Madhya y Rock-cut complex with 51 caves of various sizes.
Pradesh y Carved into a laterite hill.
Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple,
Bhojpur, Raisen District, y Founded by Raja Bhoj in the 11th century AD.
Madhya Pradesh
y Located within the Daraki-Chattan cave of Indragarh Hill.
Rock Art Sites of Chambal
y Over 500 cupules (artificially made depressions on rock
Valley, Madhya Pradesh
surfaces) on cave walls.
y An example of the Mughal era’s engineering prowess.
Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur
y Showcases intricate underground water management
District, Madhya Pradesh
techniques.
y This region is anciently considered home of the Gond tribe
y Cluster of monuments include the following:
y Moti Mahal
Gond Memorial of Ramnagar,
y Raibhagat ki Kothi
Mandla
y Suraj Mandir (Vishnu Mandir)
y Begum Mahal
y Dalbadal Mahal

Bhojshasla Temple- Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh

74 About Bhojshala Complex: History and Culture

y It is a historic temple located in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
y It is dedicated to Mata Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom.
y The name is derived from the king Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty.
y Architectural parts are of different periods but mainly date to the 12th century.
y Islamic features were added between the 14th and 15th centuries.
y It is a Monument of National Importance protected by the ASI under the Archaeological Sites
and Remains (AMASR) Act of 1958.

Parmara Dynasty (9th and 14th cen AD):

y Founded by Upendra (Krishanaraja).
y Capital city – Dharanagar.
y Ruled Malwa and the adjacent regions in west-central India
y RajaBhoj is considered as the greatest king in this dynasty (1018-1060).

Why in news?
y Madhya Pradesh HC orders an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the Bhojshala
complex.

Badami Chalukya Temples

History and Culture 75

About Badami Chalukyas:
y 550 AD: Pulakesi I established the Chalukya dynasty.
y Pulakesi I made Vatapi (Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) under
Establishment his capital.
y Historians refer to Pulakesi I and his descendants as the Chalukyas of
Badami.
y 5th – 8th centuries CE: Badami Chalukya architecture evolved in the
Malaprabha river basin, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka.
y Badami Chalukya architecture is called the Vesara style and is a
Architecture
combination of the South Indian and the North Indian styles.
y Monuments at Badami, and Aihole are the most celebrated.
y The rock-cut temples of Pattadakal are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
y They minted coins with symbols of temples, lion or boar facing right, and
Currency
the lotus.
y They were initially followers of Vedic Hinduism.
y Shaivism gained popularity from the period of Vikramaditya I, and sects
Religion such as Pashupata, Kapalikas, and Kalamukhas emerged.
y They also patronized Jainism. Badami cave temples and other Jain
temples in the Aihole complex reflect their faith in Jainism.
y The empire was divided into Maharashtrakas (provinces), Rashtrakas
(Mandala), Vishaya (district), and Bhoga (group of ten villages).
Governance
y They levied taxes called Herjunka(tax on loads) , Kirukula (tax on retail
goods in transit), Bilkode (sales tax), and Pannaya (betel tax).

Why in news?
y Two Badami Chalukya temples and an inscription have been recently discovered.

Extent of Chalukya Dynasty

History and Culture 76

Nana Jagannath Shankar Seth (10 February 1803 – 31 July 1865)
About Nana Jagannath Shankar Seth:
y A Philanthropist and educationist.
y He is considered as the architect of Mumbai.
y 1849: Established Native School of Bombay, which later became
Elphinstone College.
y 1849: He was one of the founding members of the Great Indian
Peninsula Railway along with Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and David
Sasson.
y 1852: First Indian nominated to the Legislative Council of
Bombay and established the Bombay Association.

Why in news?
y The Maharashtra cabinet has proposed to rename Mumbai
Central Station after Nana Jagannath Shankar Seth.

Sangeet Natak Akademi

About Sangeet Natak Akademi:
y 1953: Established as an apex body in the field of performing arts.
y It is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Culture.
y The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the President of India for a term of five years.
y The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on practicing
artists.
y The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna Sadasyata) is the most prestigious
honour conferred by the Akademi.

y For 2022-23, 91 eminent artists were conferred Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards and fellowship.
y Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna Sadasyata) is restricted to 40 eminent
persons at any given time.
y As regards to the Sangeet Natak Akademi awards, the number of awards to be conferred
annually is 41.

Why in news?
y Recently, the President of India presented Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) Fellowships and
Awards for the years 2022 and 2023.

Recently Awarded GI Tags

Item Region Qualities

y Origins in 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia, known as

Telkari work.
Cuttack Rupa
Odisha y Reached Cuttack from Persia via Indonesia,
Tarakasi - Jewellery
evidence of trade between Kalinga and Indonesia.
y Fine craftsmanship, luxurious design.

History and Culture 77

 The Banglar muslin -
Bengal y Finest cotton, high tensile strength threads.
Handloom Craft

y Intricate craftsmanship, unique designs, high

Narasapur crochet Narsapur, Andhra
quality.
lace products Pradesh
y Brought by missionaries to Narsapur.
y Renowned for its unique quality and high yield,
Ratlam Riyawan Riyawan village, with each bulb containing five to six cloves.
Lahsun - Garlic Ratlam district, y Known for its pungent and robust flavour.
variety Madhya Pradesh y This garlic variety also boasts a higher oil
content compared to others.

y Pure white color, light gray veins.

Ambaji White Marble Gujarat y Formed from re-crystallised limestone under
intense pressure and heat.

y Different varieties and sizes, categorized into

Majuli mask Assam Mukha bhaona (face mask), Lotokoi (hanging
mask), Cho Mukha (huge mask).

Majuli Manuscript y Illustrations of stories from Hindu epics

Assam
Paintings Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana.

y Handwoven cloth used as a female upper

garment.
Risa Textile Tripura
y Risa is a part of traditional Tripuri attire that
comprises three parts - risa, rignai and rikutu.

GI Tags from Jammu and Kashmir

Product Description

Fine wool derived from the undercoat of Himalayan goats, is used for
Pashmina
luxurious shawls and scarves.
The exquisite spice known for its vibrant color and distinct flavor, is
Saffron
cultivated in the region.
Hand knitted carpet Traditional carpets are intricately handcrafted by skilled artisans.
Unique shawls are woven using the kani technique, characterized by
Kani shawl
intricate designs.
Decorative woodwork featuring geometric patterns is often seen in
Khatamband
ceilings and furniture.

Walnut wood carving Artistic carving on walnut wood, showcasing intricate designs and motifs.

History and Culture 78

 Handcrafted paper mache items like vases, boxes, and ornaments,
Paper Mache
adorned with intricate designs.
Sozani craft Traditional embroidery technique, producing intricate designs on fabrics.

Sulai Honey Pure and natural honey sourced from the region’s unique flora and fauna.

Bhaderwah Rajmah High-quality kidney beans are known for their rich flavor and texture.
Mushqbudji rice Aromatic and flavorful rice variety cultivated in the region.
Basholi Paintings Traditional miniature paintings with vibrant colors and intricate detailing.
Basholi Pashmina Pashmina woolen products crafted in the Basholi region, are known for
Woolen Products their quality.
Rajouri Chikri Woodcraft is characterized by intricate designs and patterns, originating
woodcraft from Rajouri.
Kaladi Traditional cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk, unique to the region.
Kishtwar Saffron Premium saffron cultivated in Kishtwar, is prized for its aroma and quality.
Anardana Dried pomegranate seeds are used as a tangy spice in various dishes.
Wild mushrooms found in the region are prized for their earthy flavor and
Gucchi
aroma.

Why in News?
y Recently, reports highlighted the empowerment of women in the J&K valley due to the awarding
of GI tags.

Narasapur Crochet Lace Craft, Majuli masks, Manuscript Painting

Why in news?
y GI Tags have been awarded to Narasapur Crochet Lace Craft, Majuli masks and Majuli Manuscript
Painting.

About Naraspur Crochet Lace

Craft

y It is a traditional crochet lace craft in Andhra Pradesh.

y The craft involves the use of thin cotton threads to make
intricate artifacts using crochet needles.

History and Culture 79

 Majuli Masks

y Introduced by Srimanta Sankardeva in the 15th century.

y These are handmade using traditional techniques.
y Used in Bhaona (Traditional drama of Assam).
y Masks can depict gods, goddesses, demons, animals and
birds
y Material used: bamboo, clay, dung, cloth, cotton, and
wood.

Majuli Manuscript Painting y Inspired by the Pala School of Painting.

y Linked to the Vaishnavite culture of Majuli Island.
y Manuscripts are painted on handmade paper and
smoothen with cow dung.
y Artists who create these paintings are called Sattriya
artists.
y Theme of these paintings is religious and depicts scenes
from the life of Lord Krishna.

Sabarmati Ashram Redevelopment Plan

Why in News?
y Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a Rs 1,200 crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial and
Precinct Development Project master plan at Sabarmati.

Key points:
y Mahatma Gandhi built the ashram in 1917. It remained a center for major independence
movements.
y Redevelopment Scope:
⚪ Restoration, conservation, and rebuilding of about half of the 63 original structures. New
memorial spread over 55 acres; entire precincts over 322 acres.

History and Culture 80

Ashram Established by Mahatma Gandhi:

Ashram Established Location

Phoenix Settlement 1904 Natal, South Africa

Tolstoy Farm 1910 Johannesburg, South Africa
Sabarmati Ashram 1915 Ahmedabad, India
Sevagram Ashram 1936 Wardha, India

Other features:
y Maintaining simplicity; no entry fees or special treatment for VVIPs.
y Development to use local materials like lime plaster and Valsadi teak, avoiding steel, cement,
and concrete.

This day in History- March

1st March 1776 The Treaty of Purandhar was signed between Nana Fadnavis and the British.

B R Ambedkar and the Marathi teacher and social activist Pandurang

2nd March 1930 Sadashiv Sane, led an agitation to demand access for Dalits Nashik’s
Kalaram Temple.
4th March 1951 The first Asian Games were officially inaugurated at New Delhi.
5th March 1931 Gandhi Irwin pact was signed.
German troops reoccupy the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone according to
7th March 1936 the Treaty of Versailles. This action was directly against the terms which
Germany had accepted after the First World War.
The United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women’s
8th March 1975
Day.
The Battle of Kharda took place between the Maratha Empire and the
11th March 1795
Nizam of Hyderabad.
12th March 1930 Mahatma Gandhi started the Dandi March.
Udham Singh assassinated Michael O’ Dwyer, the former Lieutenant
13th March 1940
Governor of Punjab.
14th March 1931 First talkie movie of India, Alam Ara, was released.
15th March 1985 The first domain name on the internet, symbolics.com, was registered.
16th March 1527 The Battle of Khanwa was fought between the Mughals and the Rajputs.
The Rowlatt Act was passed. The purpose of the act was to curb the
18th March 1919
growing nationalist upsurge in the country.
Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned for six years for publishing seditious
18th March 1922
materials.

History and Culture 81

 Russian Cosmonaut Alexei Arkhipovich Leonov became the first human
18th March 1965
ever to walk in space.
Mahad Satyagraha was launched by BR Ambedkar to allow untouchables
20 March 1927
to use water in a public tank in Mahad.
21st March 1871 Otto Von Bismark became Chancellor of Germany.
22nd March 1942 The Cripps Mission came to India under the leadership of Sir Stafford
Cripps.
23rd March 1931 Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged in Lahore Jail.
A resolution for the creation of a fully independent Pakistan passed at a
23rd March 1940
convention of the Muslim League in Lahore.
Cabinet Mission arrives in India to discuss and plan for the transfer of
24th March 1946
power from the British Raj to Indian leadership.
Morarji Desai became the first Prime Minister of India who did not belong
24th March 1977
to the Indian National Congress party.
The Manipur High Court was established after making suitable amendments
25th March 2013 in the Constitution of India and North-Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act,
1971.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared East Pakistan as an independent country
26th March 1971
of Bangladesh.
Sepoy Mangal Pandey shot the first bullet of the 1857 Indian mutiny in
29th March 1857
Barrackpore against the British Empire. This was the start of the mutiny.
30th March 1919 Gandhi launched a nationwide protest against the Rowlatt Act.
The Dalai Lama began a permanent exile in India, settling at Dharamsala,
31st March 1959
where he established a democratically based shadow Tibetan government.

Probable MCQs
Q. With reference to Chalukyan architecture, consider the following statements.
1. They built cave temples depicting both religious and secular themes.
2. No Chalukyan age mural paintings can be found.
3. The temples under the Chalukyas are an example of the Vesara style of architecture.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)

Q. Consider the following pairs of Geographical Indication (GI) tag products and their respective
states in India:
1. Narasapur Crochet Lace Products - Andhra Pradesh
2. Ratlam Riyawan Lahsun - Rajasthan
3. Ambaji White Marble - Rajasthan

History and Culture 82

 4. Majuli Mask - Assam
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (b)

Q. Consider the following statements about the Sangeet Natak Akademi:

1. It operates under the direct control of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
2. The Chairman of the Akademi is elected by its members.
3. The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on
practicing artists.
How many of the above-given statements are correct?
(a) One only
(b) Two only
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (a)

History and Culture 83

CURRENT AFFAIRS IN NEWS: MARCH (2024)

AWARDS

• FIRST NATIONAL CREATORS AWARD BY MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS

AND IT

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• PERSON IN NEWS

• PLACES IN NEWS

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Awards

First National Creators Award by Ministry of Electronics and IT

Key Points about Awards:
y Given in 20 categories across domains, including storytelling, social change advocacy,
environmental sustainability, education, and gaming.
y First kind of award, for the use of creativity to drive positive change.

List of awardees:

Awardees Category

Pankhti Pandey Green Champion category

Keerthika Govindasamy Best Storyteller
Maithili Thakur Cultural Ambassador of the Year award
Gaurav Chaudhary Best Creator in Tech Category
Kamiya Jani Favourite Travel Creator

Why in news?
y PM Narendra Modi presents first ever National Creators’ Awards.

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Book in News

Lorenzo Searches for the Meaning of Life y By Upamanyu Chatterjee.

y This story charts the spiritual journey
of Lorenzo who is on a quest to find the
meaning of life.

PIN-GK 85
 From A Car Shed To The Corner Room & Beyond y By S Raman.
y The book highlights the journey of a clerk
at SBI and how he became the Chairman
and Managing Director of Canara Bank and
a full-time Member of SEBI.

Fool Bahadur y By Jayanath Pati.

y First Magahi Novel.
y Translated in english by Abhay K.

The Conspiracy to oust me from Presidency y By Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

y He narrates how foreign influences were
used to oust him from power.

FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 y Released by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik.
y The book, which was published by Sportstar,
The Hindu Group’s sports magazine,
captures the spirit and intensity of the 15th
FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, which
took place in 2023.

PIN-GK 86
 Swallowing the Sun y By Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri.
y She was former Assistant Secretary General
of the United Nations and wife of Union
Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
y The book, which is set in the era of Indian
independence, addresses topics of women’s
empowerment and sheds light on the
challenges and victories faced by women at
this crucial juncture in the country’s history.

Place in News

Nicaragua, Capital Managua y A group of UN experts have said that the

President of Nicaragua has committed
human rights violations which are equal to
crimes against humanity.

Cambodia, Capital Phnom Penh y India and Cambodia signed an MoU on

Biodiversity Conservation, focusing on Tiger
reintroduction in India.

Mauritius, Capital: Port Louis y Prime Ministers of India and Mauritius jointly
inaugurated a new airstrip and 6 community
development projects at Agalega Island in
Mauritius.

PIN-GK 87
 Mexico, Capital: Mexico city y Mexico City is running toward day zero
scenario.
y In day zero scenario, water is only available
for vital services.

France, Capital: Paris y The second India-France Strategic Space

Dialogue,highlights the importance of
space cooperation in bilateral relations.

Indonesia Capital: Jakarta y RBI and Bank Indonesia signed MoU to

promote use of local currencies in bilateral
transactions.

Haiti, Capital: Port-au-Prince y Haiti is experiencing violence, as people in

Haiti are demanding the resignation of the
Prime Minister.

PIN-GK 88
 Belarus, Capital: Minsk y Foreign Minister of Belarus visited India.

Somalia, Capital: Mogadishu y Indian Navy foils further attempts of Somali

pirates using hijacked MV Ruen.

Papua New Guinea, Capital: Port Moresby y Yopo Alliance and Palinau Alliance, two
warring groups have signed a ceasefire
agreement.

Mauritania, Capital: Nouakchott y India and Mauritania held their first Foreign
Office Consultations in Nouakchott.

PIN-GK 89
 Malaysia, Capital: Kuala Lumpur y India’s Foreign Minister visited Malaysia.

Person in News

Govind Ballabh Pant (10 September 1887 – 7 y He was an Indian freedom fighter and the
March 1961) first chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
y He received Bharat Ratna, in 1957.

Sambhudhan Phonglo (16 March 1850 – 12 y Also known as Veer Sengya Sambudhan
February 1883) Phonglo, was an Indian independent
freedom fighter who fought against British
colonial power in Assam.

Lachit Borphukan (24 November 1622 – 25 y PM unveiled his 125 ft long statue Assam’s
April 1672) Jorhat.
y He united the tribal army in Assam and
defeated Mughals in the Battle of Saraighat
(1671).

PIN-GK 90
 y Bhima Nayak or Bheema Bhil was an Indian
Bhima Nayak (death 29 December 1876) revolutionary.
y The general title of the Bhil was Naik Or
Nayak.
y He fought against the British in the Indian
Rebellion of 1857.
y When Bhima was convicted by the British
government, he was kept in Port Blair and
Nicobar.
y Recently the Government paid tribute to
Bhima Nayak.
Nana Jagannath Shankar Seth (10 February y He was a philanthropist and educationist.
1803 – 31 July 1865) y He is often called the architect of Mumbai.
y He was one of few founding members of
the Great Indian Peninsula Railway.
y The Maharashtra Cabinet has decided to
rename Mumbai Central Station after him.

y He was an Indian freedom fighter and

Potti Sreeramulu ( 16 March 1901 – 15 December
revolutionary.
1952)
y He is revered as Amarajeevi (“Immortal
Being”) in the Andhra region for his self-
sacrifice for the Andhra cause.
y He became famous for undertaking a hunger
strike for 56 days in support of having a
separate state for Andhra Pradesh; he died
in the process.
y His birth anniversary was recently observed.
Ayya Vaikundar (1809-1851) y Prime Minister Modi today paid tribute to
Sri Ayya Vaikundar Swamikal on his birth
anniversary.
y Ayya Vaikundar is revered as a social
reformer and the founder of the Ayyavazhi
sect.

PIN-GK 91
 Sudha Murthy y Former Chairperson of Infosys.
y 2006: Padma Shri.
y 2023: Padma Bhushan.
y 2024: Nominated to Rajya Sabha.

Arun Goel y Former Election Commissioner.

y Submitted his resignation to the President
of India.

Pavan Davuluri y Microsoft has named Pavan Davuluri as the

new head of its combined Windows and
Surface teams.

Mohammad Yousuf Wani y Appointed as Additional Judge of J&K and

Ladakh High Court.

Kamal Kishore y The United Nations Secretary-General

António Guterres has appointed
Kamal Kishore of India as the new
Assistant Secretary-General and Special
Representative of the Secretary-General for
Disaster Risk Reduction.

PIN-GK 92
 Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi y Joined Lokpal as a new Judicial member.

Sadanand Vasant y Appointed as the new Director General of

NIA.
y A 1990 batch IPS officer.

Piyush Anand y IPS Piyush Anand has been appointed as the

Director General of the National Disaster
Response Force.

Rajeev Kumar Sharma y Appointed as Director General of the Bureau

of Police Research and Development (BPRD).
y He is a 1990 batch IPS officer of Rajasthan
cadre.

Luis Montenegro y Became Prime Minister of Portugal.

PIN-GK 93
 Abhay Thakur y Appointed as Ambassador to Myanmar.
y He is a 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service
(IFS) officer.

Mariam Mammen Mathew y Appointed as the Chairperson of the Digital

News Publishers Association (DNPA).

Ashwani Kumar y Elected as the new President of the

Federation of Indian Export Organisations
(FIEO).

Naveen Jindal y Elected as President of the Indian Steel

Association.

Vinay Kumar y Appointed as India’s ambassador to Russia.

PIN-GK 94
 CP Radhakrishnan y Governor of Jharkhand.
y Became in-charge governor of Telangana.

Tamilisai Soundararajan y She resigned from the post of Governor of

Telangana.

Navneet Sehgal y Appointed as Prasar Bharti Board Chairman.

Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Sandhu y Appointed as new Election Commissioners.

Kishor Makwana y Taken charge as Chairman of the National

Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).

PIN-GK 95
 AS Rajeev y Took oath as Vigilance Commissioner in the
Central Vigilance Commission.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora y He became the first Sikh minister in the
Punjab province of Pakistan.

Sub Inspector Suman Kumari y She became the first woman sniper in the
Border Security Force (BSF).

Daljit Singh Chaudhary y Appointed as the Director General (DG) of

the National Security Guard (NSG).
y He is an IPS officer of the 1990 Batch.

Anurag Agarwal y Appointed as Head of the Parliament

Security.
y 1998 batch IPS officer.

PIN-GK 96
Award in News

2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize y Awarded to Japanese architect Riken

Yamamoto.
y Pritzker Architecture Prize, often called the
“Architecture Nobel”.
y This award is the highest international honor
in the field.

y They have been declared the winners of

Chameli Devi Jain Award
Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding
Women Mediaperson for the year 2024.
y The award is named after freedom fighter
and community reformer Chameli Devi Jain.
y It recognises women media persons in
India who have made an impact with
their reporting on themes such as social
development, politics, equity, gender justice,
health and war.
Sharat Kamal y Table Tennis player, Sharath Kamal will be
India’s flag bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympic
Games.

Mary Kom y MC Mary Kom was appointed the chef de

mission of the country’s contingent for the
Paris Olympics.

PIN-GK 97
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