1 JANUARY 2022

1 www.journalsofindia.com JANUARY 2022


CONTENT

1. AGRICULTURE ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

1.1 ZERO-BUDGET NATURAL FARMING ............................................................................................................................ 6

1.2 SWEET REVOLUTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 6

1.3 SAMARTH (SUSTAINABLE AGRARIAN MISSION ON USE OF AGRO RESIDUE IN THERMAL POWER PLANTS) ................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

1.4 FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH BASAL STEM ROT FOUND ......................................................................................... 8

1.5 INDIA, WORLD'S TOP EXPORTER OF GHERKINS ................................................................................................... 8

1.6 4TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE FOR SUMMER CAMPAIGN 2021-22 ....................... 9

2. DISASTER MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................................ 9

2.1 NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FORCE (NDRF) RAISING DAY ..................................................................... 9

3. ECONOMY ............................................................................................................................................................ 10

3.1 SOLID-STATE BATTERIES .............................................................................................................................................. 10

3.2 RBI’S FINANCIAL STABILITY REPORT ..................................................................................................................... 10

3.3 FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (FTA) ............................................................................................................................... 11

3.4 AIRTEL PAYMENTS BANK GETS SCHEDULED BANK STATUS FROM RBI ................................................. 12

3.5 INDIASKILLS 2021 ............................................................................................................................................................ 14

3.6 FIRST ADVANCE ESTIMATES (FAE) OF GDP ......................................................................................................... 15

3.7 NATIONAL STARTUP DAY 2022 .................................................................................................................................. 16

3.8 NATIONAL TECHNICAL TEXTILES MISSION .......................................................................................................... 17

3.9 THE GREAT RESIGNATION ............................................................................................................................................ 18

3.10 TATA OFFICIALLY COMPLETED TAKEOVER OF AIR INDIA ............................................................................ 19

3.11 REVERSE REPO NORMALIZATION ............................................................................................................................. 19

4. ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................................................................. 20

4.1 INDIAN PANGOLIN ............................................................................................................................................................ 20

4.2 BIOENERGY CROPS ........................................................................................................................................................... 21

4.3 AQUAMATION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22

4.4 GREEN ENERGY CORRIDOR (GEC) ............................................................................................................................. 23

4.5 WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL DNA (E-DNA)? .......................................................................................................... 23

4.6 RED SANDERS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24

4.7 GHARIALS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 25

4.8 BHUNGLOTI CREEPER ..................................................................................................................................................... 26

4.9 GLOBAL RISKS REPORT, 2022 ..................................................................................................................................... 26

4.10 WHAT IS SOLAR WASTE? ............................................................................................................................................... 26

4.11 INDIA STATE OF FOREST REPORT, 2021 ................................................................................................................ 27

4.12 EASTERN SWAMP DEER (BARASINGHA)................................................................................................................ 29

4.13 FOURTH ASIA MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON TIGER CONSERVATION .................................................. 30

4.14 INDIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (IREDA) ............................................................. 31

4.15 BIRD ATLAS BY KERALA ................................................................................................................................................ 32


4.16 PERU DECLARES ‘ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY’ .......................................................................................... 32

4.17 LIVING ROOT BRIDGES OF MEGHALAYA ................................................................................................................ 33

4.18 NAJAFGARH JHEEL WETLAND .................................................................................................................................... 33

4.19 FLY ASH MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZATION MISSION ..................................................................................... 34

5. FOREIGN AFFAIRS ............................................................................................................................................ 35

5.1 AGREEMENT ON PROHIBITION OF ATTACKS AGAINST NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS AND FACILITIES ............................................................................................................................................................................ 35

5.2 TREATY ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS (NPT) ................................................ 35

5.3 SUDAN COUP ....................................................................................................................................................................... 36

5.4 KAZAKHSTAN SOUGHT ASSISTANCE FROM THE COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANIZATION (CSTO) .................................................................................................................................................................................... 37

5.5 RECIPROCAL ACCESS AGREEMENT (RAA) ............................................................................................................. 38

5.6 DEVELOPING COUNTRY STATUS BY WTO ............................................................................................................. 38

5.7 HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX-2022 ............................................................................................................................... 39

5.8 WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’S DAVOS AGENDA ’22 .............................................................................................. 40

5.9 ETHIOPIA'S GRAND ETHIOPIAN RENAISSANCE DAM ...................................................................................... 40

5.10 THE AMERICA COMPETES ACT ................................................................................................................................... 41

6. GEOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................................................... 42

(ALH) 84001- METEORITE FROM MARS ................................................................................................................. 42 6.1

UNDERWATER VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN TONGA ............................................................................................... 43 6.2

PACIFIC RING OF FIRE ..................................................................................................................................................... 43 6.3

RARE EARTH METALS ..................................................................................................................................................... 45 6.4

HARYANA, HIMACHAL PLAN TO REVIVE SARASWATI RIVER....................................................................... 46 6.5

7. GOVERNANCE ..................................................................................................................................................... 47

ESANJEEVANI INITIATIVE ............................................................................................................................................. 47 7.1

DISTRICT GOOD GOVERNANCE INDEX (DGGI) ..................................................................................................... 48 7.2

CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX ......................................................................................................................... 48 7.3

8. HISTORY .............................................................................................................................................................. 49

8.1 KONARK SUN TEMPLE .................................................................................................................................................... 49

8.2 SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARD 2021 ............................................................................................................................. 50

8.3 NAI TALIM ............................................................................................................................................................................ 51

8.4 TAKHT SRI DAMDAMA SAHIB ..................................................................................................................................... 51

8.5 JAGANNATH TEMPLE ACT ............................................................................................................................................. 52

8.6 INDIAN EDUCATOR FATIMA SHEIKH ....................................................................................................................... 53

8.7 KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY ............................................................................................................................................. 54

8.8 GURU RAVIDAS ................................................................................................................................................................... 55

8.9 NETAJI SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE'S 125TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY.............................................................. 56

8.10 ‘ABIDE WITH ME' HYMN ................................................................................................................................................ 57

8.11 HIGHLIGHTS OF REPUBLIC DAY 2022 ..................................................................................................................... 57

8.12 CONTROVERSY OVER TIPU SULTAN IN MUMBAI ............................................................................................... 58


9. LAW AND POLICY .............................................................................................................................................. 59

9.1 ATAL INNOVATION RANKINGS 2021 ....................................................................................................................... 59

9.2 PADHE BHARAT CAMPAIGN ......................................................................................................................................... 59

9.3 ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTIONS (EWS) ........................................................................................................ 60

9.4 NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR TECHNOLOGY (NEAT) 3.0 ..................................................... 61

9.5 NGOS LOSE FCRA REGISTRATION .............................................................................................................................. 62

9.6 POSH ACT .............................................................................................................................................................................. 63

9.7 SECOND PHASE OF THE PASSPORT SEVA PROGRAMME (PSP-V2.0) ......................................................... 64

9.8 SMART CITIES AND ACADEMIA TOWARDS ACTION & RESEARCH (SAAR) PROGRAM ...................... 65

9.9 COURT LANGUAGE IN INDIA ........................................................................................................................................ 65

9.10 CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2019 RULES ................................................................................................. 66

9.11 PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS, 2022 ........................................................................................................................... 67

9.12 WHAT ARE ELECTORAL BONDS? ............................................................................................................................... 67

9.13 WORLD HINDI DAY, 2022 .............................................................................................................................................. 68

9.14 KRISHNA WATER DISPUTE ........................................................................................................................................... 69

9.15 ASSAM-MEGHALAYA BORDER DISPUTE ................................................................................................................. 70

9.16 MARITAL RAPE IN INDIA ............................................................................................................................................... 71

9.17 HOW REPUBLIC DAY TABLEAUX ARE SELECTED? ............................................................................................. 72

9.18 WINNERS OF STREETS FOR PEOPLE AND NURTURING NEIGHBOURHOODS CHALLENGE ............. 73

9.19 NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SAFAI KARAMCHARIS (NCSK) ....................................................................... 74

9.20 ‘DESH KE MENTOR’ PROGRAMME ............................................................................................................................. 75

9.21 CENTRE'S NEW RULES ON IAS OFFICERS' CENTRAL DEPUTATION .......................................................... 75

9.22 NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY ......................................................................................................................................... 76

9.23 RESERVATION FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCS) IN INDIA ......................................................... 77

9.24 HINDU SUCCESSION ACT, 1956 ................................................................................................................................... 78

9.25 WHAT ARE CONJUGAL RIGHTS? ................................................................................................................................. 79

9.26 G23 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 80

9.27 NATIONAL VOTERS' DAY 2022 ................................................................................................................................... 80

9.28 PADMA AWARDS AND RECIPIENT'S CONSENT ................................................................................................... 81

9.29 CVC REVISES RULES FOR APPOINTING INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL MONITORS (IEM) ..................... 82

9.30 RESERVATION IN PROMOTION ................................................................................................................................... 83

10. SCIECNE AND TECHNOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 84

10.1 GITHUB .................................................................................................................................................................................. 84

10.2 REOVIRUS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 85

10.3 WHAT IS OMISURE?.......................................................................................................................................................... 85

10.4 INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION (ISRO) ........................................................................................... 86

10.5 WHAT IS XENOTRANSPLANTATION? ....................................................................................................................... 87

10.6 BRAHMOS MISSILE ........................................................................................................................................................... 87

10.7 BARICITINIB AND SOTROVIMAB- NEW DRUGS APPROVED BY WHO FOR COVID ............................... 89


10.8 WEB 3.0 .................................................................................................................................................................................. 89

10.9 ARTIFICIAL MOON BY CHINA ...................................................................................................................................... 90

10.10 VIKAS ENGINE ..................................................................................................................................................................... 91

10.11 ISRO’S NEW SSLV PROGRAMME ................................................................................................................................. 92

10.12 MODERNA BEGINS TRIAL OF HIV VACCINE THAT USES MRNA TECHNOLOGY .................................... 92

10.13 INTRANASAL VACCINE FOR COVID-19 .................................................................................................................... 93

10.14 WORLD LEPROSY DAY, 2022 ........................................................................................................................................ 94

11. SECURITY ............................................................................................................................................................. 95

11.1 ARMY SETS UP NEW QUANTUM COMPUTING LAB ............................................................................................ 95

11.2 INS VIKRANT ....................................................................................................................................................................... 95

11.3 MULTI-AGENCY CENTRE (MAC), A COMMON COUNTER-TERRORISM GRID .......................................... 96

11.4 SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP (SPG) ACT .............................................................................................................. 96

11.5 SEA DRAGON EXERCISE .................................................................................................................................................. 97

11.6 INDIAN ARMY DAY, 2022 ............................................................................................................................................... 97

11.7 AMAR JAWAN JYOTI ......................................................................................................................................................... 98

11.8 PASCHIM LEHAR EXERCISE .......................................................................................................................................... 99

11.9 GALLANTRY AWARDS, 2022 ...................................................................................................................................... 100

12. SOCIETY ............................................................................................................................................................ 101

12.1 DRAFT NATIONAL AIR SPORTS POLICY ................................................................................................................ 101

13. PEOPLE IN NEWS ............................................................................................................................................ 102

13.1 PANDIT BIRJU MAHARAJ .............................................................................................................................................. 102

13.2 HAR GOBIND KHORANA ............................................................................................................................................... 103

14. PLACES IN NEWS ............................................................................................................................................ 104

14.1 WHAT IS 'GATEWAY TO HELL'? ................................................................................................................................ 104

14.2 INDONESIA TO RELOCATE CAPITAL ...................................................................................................................... 105

14.3 BURKINA FASO ................................................................................................................................................................. 106

14.4 CHINESE BRIDGE AT PANGONG TSO ...................................................................................................................... 106


1. AGRICULTURE

1.1 Zero-budget natural farming In news- The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has issued a notification to all ICAR institutes and vice-chancellors of agriculture universities to take initiatives for the promotion of zero-budget natural farming in India. About Zero budget natural farming (ZBNF)-

• Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a set of farming methods, and also a grassroots peasant movement,

which has spread to various states in India.

• It has attained wide success in southern India, especially the state of Karnataka where it first evolved.

• The movement in Karnataka state was born out of collaboration between Mr Subhash Palekar, who

developed it in the mid-1990s in association with state farmers association Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha

(KRRS) as an alternative to the Green Revolution’s methods driven by chemical fertilizers, pesticides and

intensive irrigation.

• The term 'Zero Budget' means the zero cost of production of all crops.

• This climate-resilient agricultural method, which is different from organic farming, aims at promoting

agroecology and adopting low-cost agriculture practice wherein all critical inputs are gathered from the

field and nothing is introduced from outside.

• Under ZBNF, neither fertilizer nor pesticide is used and only 10 percent of water is to be utilized for

irrigation as compared to traditional farming techniques.

• The ZBNF method also promotes soil aeration, minimal watering, intercropping, bunds and topsoil

mulching and discourages intensive irrigation and deep ploughing.

• ZBNF doesn’t promote vermicomposting as it introduces the most common composting worm, the

European red wiggler (Eisenia fetida) to Indian soils. It is claimed that these worms absorb toxic metals and

poison groundwater and soil.

• In June 2018, Andhra Pradesh rolled out an ambitious plan to become India’s first State to practise 100%

natural farming by 2024.

• As per revised guidelines of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, both Centrally-sponsored schemes now allow

States to use their funds to promote the ZBNF, vedic farming, natural farming, cow farming and a host of

other traditional methods.

Four pillars of ZBNF- • Beejamrutham is a fermented liquid consisting of cow dung, cow urine, lime, cereal powder and some soil

from the field, which is used for seed treatment. • Jeevamrutha is a fermented microbial culture containing desi cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, pulse flour and a

handful of soil from the farm which acts as a catalyst that promotes the activity of microorganisms in the soil. • Mulching with fallen leaves or dried straw conserves the soil moisture and maintains the root temperature at

25-32 degree and enhances the microbial activity. • Waphasa is soil moisture in vapour form which plants are able to absorb.

1.2 Sweet revolution In news- As part of the Sweet revolution, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched the country’s

first Mobile Honey Processing Van at Village Sirora in Ghaziabad, UP recently.


About Mobile Honey Processing Van- • It has been designed in-house by KVIC at its Multi-disciplinary Training Centre, Panjokhra, at a cost of Rs 15

lakh. • Its processing unit can process up to 300 KG of honey in 8 hours and the van is also equipped with a testing

laboratory that would instantly examine the quality of honey. About Sweet revolution-

• It is a strategic step to emphasize the increase in honey production which can be a major contributor to

doubling the income of the farmers. • In this direction, the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) was announced as part of the

AtmaNirbhar Bharat scheme. • NBHM aims for the overall promotion & development of scientific beekeeping in the country to achieve

the goal of ‘Sweet Revolution’ which is being implemented through National Bee Board (NBB). • The main objective of NBHM is to promote holistic growth of the beekeeping industry for income &

employment generation for farm and non-farm households and to achieve • Besides, the scheme also aims to create awareness about scientific beekeeping under Mini Mission-I,

post-harvest management of beekeeping, beehive products, including collection, processing, storage, marketing, value addition, etc. under Mini Mission-II and Research & Technology generation in beekeeping under Mini Mission-III.

1.3 SAMARTH (Sustainable Agrarian Mission on use of Agro Residue in Thermal Power Plants)

In news- Recently, the Union Power Secretary chaired the second meeting of Steering Committee for SAMARTH i.e. National Mission on Use of Biomass in Coal based thermal Power Plants. About SAMARTH-

• In order to reduce stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprint of thermal power plants while

increasing the income of farmers, the government has established the National Mission on Use of Biomass in Thermal Power Plants.

• For overall monitoring of the Mission and to facilitate the Mission on inter-ministerial issues/constraints, a Steering Committee under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Power (MoP) has been constituted.

• Under this mission, advertisement, awareness campaign and training activities are actively being pursued. • With this mission, agro-residue/ biomass, earlier considered as a waste product, has now begun to

produce zero-carbon electricity for the citizens of the country. • In turn farmers are getting additional income by selling the stubble/ biomass for conversion into torrefied/

non-torrefied biomass pellets.

Current status of Biomass Utilization in thermal Power Plants-

The Ministry of Power's policy on “Biomass Utilization for Power Generation through Co-firing in Coal

based Power Plants” issued in October 2021 mandates all thermal power plants in the country to use 5 to

10% biomass along with coal for power production.

As on date, approximately 59,000 metric tonnes (MT) of biomass has been cofired in thermal power plants

in the country.

It has been observed that NTPC has emerged as a leader in biomass users.

Among the State Governments, Haryana State Genco has been able to co-fire around 550 MT of biomass in

two of its stations and float tenders worth 11 lakh metric tonnes.


Some of the Public and Private generating companies have started co-firing small quantities of biomass in

Punjab, UP and Maharashtra.

1.4 Fungi associated with basal stem rot found In news- Recently, researchers from Kerala have identified two new species of fungi from the genus Ganoderma - Ganoderma keralense and G. pseudo applanatum, that are associated with coconut stem rot. About Basal stem rot disease & recent discoveries-

• Basal rot, also called bulb rot, is a widespread plant disease caused by a variety of fungi and bacteria that

can infect all flower and crop bulbs.

• Basal stem rot of coconut is known by several names in different parts of India: Ganoderma wilt (Andhra

Pradesh), Anabe Roga (Karnataka) and Thanjavur wilt (Tamil Nadu), to mention a few.

• The infection begins at the roots, but symptoms include discolouration and rotting of stem and leaves.

• In the later stages, flowering and nut set decreases and finally the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) dies.

• A reddish brown oozing has been reported only in India.

• Once infected, recovery of the plants is not likely.

• Another sign of infection is presence of shelf-like “basidiomata,” which are the fruiting or reproductive

structures of the fungus, on the tree trunks.

• The basidiomata bear spores which are dispersed through wind and sometimes with the help of insects

and this is how the pathogen spreads from one host to the other.

• Since the fungus is microscopic, it is only detected after the symptoms start manifesting or when the

reproductive structures are borne, which can be too late.

1.5 India, world's top exporter of gherkins In news- India has emerged as the largest exporter of gherkins in the world in recent times. Key updates-

• India has crossed the USD 200 million mark of export of agricultural processed product - pickling

cucumber, which is globally referred as gherkins or cornichons, in the last financial year.

• Gherkins is currently exported to more than 20 countries, with major destinations being North America,

European countries and Oceanic countries such as USA, France, Germany, Australia, Spain, South Korea,

Canada, Japan, Belgium, Russia, China, Sri Lanka and Israel.

About gherkins & Cucumbers-

• The name “gherkin” comes from the Dutch word “gurken,” which means small pickled cucumber.

• Gherkins, also known as baby pickles or miniature cucumbers, are usually one to two inches long.

• Both cucumbers and gherkins belong to the same 'cucumis sativus', but are from different cultivar

groups.

• Gherkin cultivation, processing and exports started in India during the early 1990s with a modest

beginning in Karnataka and later extended to the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and

Telangana.

• The ideal soil type and the desirable temperatures of not less than 15 degrees Centigrade and not more

than 35 degrees Centigrade make these regions desirable for Gherkins cultivation.


• Nearly 15% production of the world’s gherkin requirement is grown in India.

• Gherkin has a 90-day crop and the farmers take two crops annually.

1.6 4th National Conference on Agriculture for Summer Campaign 2021-22 In news- The Union Agriculture Minister addressed the 4th National Conference on Agriculture for summer (Zaid) Campaign 2021-22 recently. About the Conference- The objective of Zaid conference is to review and assess the crop performance during the preceding crop seasons and fix crop-wise targets for summer season in consultation with State Governments. Zaid Crops in India-

• Zaid, also called grishma kal crops, are sown between March-June, the intervening period between Rabi

(winter) harvest and Kharif (monsoon) sowing.

• These crops require warm, dry weather as a vital growth period and longer day length for flowering.

• Summer crops not only provide extra income but also create employment opportunities in between rabi

and kharif for the farmers, thereby increasing the crop intensity.

• Apart from fruits and Vegetables, some states grow summer rice in an area of about 20-30 lakh hectares in

an overlapping season.

2. DISASTER MANAGEMENT

2.1 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) raising day In news- Recently, the Prime Minister lauded the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on its raising Day, which is annually marked on January 19. About NDRF-

• It is a specialized, multi-skilled, humanitarian force in India, which has been playing a crucial role in the

country’s disaster management and community awareness for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

• It was constituted in 2006 with 8 Battalions “for the purpose of a special response to a threatening

disaster situation or disaster” under the National Disaster Management Act, 2005.

• The successive natural calamities from 1990 to 2004 led to the enactment of the Disaster Management Act

on December 26, 2005.

• The Act has statutory provisions for the constitution of the NDRF for the purpose of specialized response

to natural and man-made disasters.

• In the beginning, the personnel of NDRF were deployed for routine law and order duties also.

• In a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority ( NDMA) with the Prime Minister on October

25, 2007 it was decided to make NDRF a dedicated force for disaster response related duties, under the

unified command of DG NDRF.

• Presently it works under the National Disaster Management Authority (Headed by PM) and the Ministry

of Home Affairs.

• NDRF is equipped and trained to handle a range of difficulties, from borewell accidents to chemical,

biological and radioactive emergencies.


• At present, the NDRF consists of 15 battalions from the BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles.

• These NDRF battalions are located at 16 different locations in the country based on the vulnerability

profile of the country and to cut down the response time for their deployment at disaster sites.

• Each battalion has 18 self-contained specialist search and rescue teams of 45 personnel each including

engineers, technicians, electricians, dog squads and medical/paramedics.

• In a first, the NDRF inducted a batch of 100 women disaster combatants and rescuers in 2021 and every

NDRF battalion is sanctioned to have 108 women combatants.

• The Director Generals of NDRF are IPS officers on deputation from Indian police organizations.

3. ECONOMY

3.1 Solid-state batteries In news- Shareholders of California-based QuantumScape Corp, a solid-state battery startup backed by Volkswagen AG, have approved a multibillion-dollar pay package for Chief Executive Officer Jagdeep Singh recently. About solid-state batteries-

• A solid-state battery uses solid electrolyte instead of the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes found in

lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries.

• They can provide potential solutions for many problems of liquid Li-ion battery, such as flammability,

limited voltage, unstable solid-electrolyte interphase formation, poor cycling performance and strength.

• QuantumScape’s solid-state battery lithium metal with a solid electrolyte separating the two electrodes —

is seen as an exceptionally bright prospect in an increasingly crowded space.

• The company’s use of a solid state separator technology eliminates the side reaction between the liquid

electrolyte and the carbon/graphite in the anode of conventional lithium-ion cells.

• The energy density of lithium-ion cells used in today’s mobile phones and electric vehicles is nearly four

times higher than that of older-generation nickel-cadmium batteries.

• Lithium-ion batteries use aqueous electrolyte solutions, where ions transfer to and fro between the anode

(negative electrode generally made of graphite) and cathode (positive electrode made of lithium),

triggering the recharge and discharge of electrons.

• While lithium-ion batteries are seen as sufficiently efficient for phones and laptops, they still lack the range

that would make EVs a viable alternative to internal combustion engines as lithium metal is extremely

reactive.

• The QuantumScape design is supposed to be ‘anode-free’ in that the battery is manufactured in a

discharged state, and the negative electrode forms in situ on the first charge.

• The advantages of the solid-state battery technology include:

○ Higher cell energy density (by eliminating the carbon anode), lower charge time (by eliminating the need to have lithium diffuse into the carbon particles in conventional lithium-ion cells), ability to undertake more charging cycles and thereby a longer life, and improved safety.

○ Lower cost could be a game-changer, given that at 30 percent of the total cost, battery expenses are a key driver of the vehicle costs.

3.2 RBI’s Financial Stability Report In news- The RBI released the 24th Financial Stability Report (FSR) recently.


What is the Financial Stability report (FSR)?

• The FSR published twice each year reflects the collective assessment of the sub-committee of the

Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) on risks to financial stability and the resilience of the

financial system.

• It includes contributions from all the financial sector regulators.

• In other words, it details the current status of different financial institutions such as all the different types

of banks and non-banking lending institutions.

• It also maps the state of credit growth and the rate at which borrowers are defaulting on paying back

loans.

• To arrive at these conclusions, the RBI looks at the state of both the global as well as domestic economy.

Key highlights of the recent report-

• The global economic recovery has been losing momentum in the second half of 2021 in the face of

resurfacing COVID-19 infections, the new variant Omicron.

• On the domestic front, progress in vaccination has enabled the recovery to regain traction after the

debilitating second wave of the pandemic, notwithstanding signs of slowing pace more recently.

• The corporate sector is gaining strength and bank credit growth is improving.

• The capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) rose to a new peak

of 16.6 percent and their provisioning coverage ratio (PCR) stood at 68.1 per cent in September 2021.

• The gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio of SCBs may increase from 6.9 percent in September 2021 to

8.1 percent by September 2022.

• SCBs would, however, have sufficient capital, both at the aggregate and individual levels, even under

stress conditions.

• Emerging signs of stress in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) as also in the microfinance

segment call for close monitoring of these portfolios going forward.

• The report further noted that financial institutions in India have remained resilient amidst the pandemic

and stability prevails in the financial markets, cushioned by policy and regulatory support.

3.3 Free trade agreement (FTA) In news- Recently, the Union minister for Commerce & Industry has said that India is looking to have a free trade agreement (FTA) with 5 countries - UAE, UK, Australia, Canada and Israel. What is a free trade agreement (FTA)?

• FTA, also called Regional Trade Agreement (RTA) is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers

to imports and exports among them.

• Under a free trade policy, goods and services can be bought and sold across international borders with

little or no government tariffs, quotas, subsidies, or prohibitions to inhibit their exchange.

• The concept of free trade is the opposite of trade protectionism or economic isolationism.

• FTA is implemented by means of a formal and mutual agreement of the nations involved.

• There are two types of trade agreements - bilateral and multilateral.

• FTA is an example of a Bilateral trade agreement.

• Multilateral trade agreements are agreements among three or more countries, and are the most difficult

to negotiate and agree.


• Such agreements usually "center on a chapter providing for preferential tariff treatment", but they also

often "include clauses on trade facilitation and rule-making in areas such as investment, intellectual

property, government procurement, technical standards and sanitary and phytosanitary issues".

• The formation of free trade areas is considered an exception to the most favored nation (MFN) principle in

the World Trade Organization (WTO) because the preferences that parties to a free-trade area exclusively

grant each other go beyond their accession commitments.

Types of Regional Trading Agreements-

Regional trading agreements vary depending on the level of commitment and the arrangement among the member countries. Preferential Trade Areas- It requires the lowest level of commitment to reducing trade barriers, though

member countries do not eliminate the barriers among themselves. Also, preferential trade areas do not share common external trade barriers.

Free Trade Area- In this all trade barriers among members are eliminated, which means that they can freely move goods and services among themselves. When it comes to dealing with non-members, the trade policies of each member still take effect.

Customs Union- Member countries of a customs union remove trade barriers among themselves and adopt common external trade barriers.

Common Market- It is a type of trading agreement wherein members remove internal trade barriers, adopt common policies when it comes to dealing with non-members, and allow members to move resources among themselves freely.

Economic Union- It is a trading agreement wherein members eliminate trade barriers among themselves, adopt common external barriers, allow free import and export of resources, adopt a set of economic policies, and use one currency.

3.4 Airtel Payments Bank gets scheduled bank status from RBI In news- Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the inclusion of Airtel Payments Bank in the second schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. About Airtel Payments Bank

• The company is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel which was launched in January 2017.

• As India’s first Payments Bank, it is among the fastest-growing digital banks in the country, with a base of

115 million users.

• It was launched as a differentiated bank that provided essential financial services to its customers.


• It offers a suite of digital solutions through the Airtel Thanks app and a retail network of over 500,000

neighbourhood banking points.

• With this status, it can now pitch for government-issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and primary

auctions.

• It can also undertake both central and state government business, besides participating in government-

operated welfare schemes.

About Payments Banks-

• Payments Banks were set up based on the recommendations of the Nachiket Mor Committee to operate

on a smaller scale with minimal credit risk.

• Their objective is to advance financial inclusion by offering banking and financial services to the

unbanked and underbanked areas, helping the migrant labour force, low-income households, small

entrepreneurs etc.

• They are registered under the Companies Act 2013 but are governed by a host of legislations such as

Banking Regulation Act, 1949; RBI Act, 1934; Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, Payment and

Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

• These are differentiated and not universal banks.

• These banks need to have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs. 100,00,00,000.

• Minimum initial contribution of the promoter to the Payment Bank to the paid-up equity capital shall be at

least 40% for the first five years from the commencement of its business.

• Payment banks can take deposits up to Rs. 2,00,000.

• It can accept demand deposits in the form of savings and current accounts.

• The money received as deposits can be invested in secure government securities only in the form of

Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).

• This must amount to 75% of the demand deposit balance. The remaining 25% is to be placed as time

deposits with other scheduled commercial banks.

• They cannot issue credit cards, cannot accept time deposits or NRI deposits and they cannot issue loans.

• They are permitted to make personal payments and receive cross border remittances on the current

accounts and can issue debit cards.

• However, they cannot set up subsidiaries to undertake non-banking financial activities.

• India currently has 6 Payment Banks— Airtel Payment Bank, India Post Payment Bank, Fino, Paytm

Payment Bank, NSDL Payment Bank and Jio Payment Bank.

What is a scheduled bank? The banks in the Indian banking system are sub categorized as Scheduled Banks, Non-Scheduled Banks,

Private Banks and Public Banks. Scheduled Banks in India refer to those banks which have been included in the Second Schedule of Reserve

Bank of India Act, 1934. RBI in turn includes only those banks in this Schedule which satisfy the criteria laid down vide section 42(6)(a)

of the said Act. The bank's paid-up capital and raised funds must be at least Rs. 5 lakh to qualify as a scheduled bank. These banks are liable for low interest loans from the RBI. They have membership in clearing houses. They have numerous obligations to fulfill such as maintaining an average daily Cash Reserve Ratio with the

central bank.


The banks listed in Schedule II are further classified as – o Scheduled Commercial Public Sector Banks (includes SBI and its associates)— in total 12. o Scheduled Commercial Private Sector Banks — in total 21. o Scheduled Foreign Banks in India — in total 45. They also include Regional Rural banks (RRBs) and Cooperatives. Some of the important functions of Scheduled Banks are: o Acceptance of deposits from the public. o Provide demand withdrawal facility. o Lending facility. o Transfer of funds. o Issue of drafts. o Provide customers with locker facilities. o Dealing with foreign exchange.

3.5 IndiaSkills 2021 In news- IndiaSkills 2021 Nationals, the country’s biggest skill competition, concluded recently with more than 150 participants being felicitated by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). About IndiaSkills-

• IndiaSkills is a closed-door competition, organized by National Skill Development Corporation under the

guidance of MSDE.

• It was conducted following four Regional Competitions that were held in East (Patna), West (Gandhinagar),

North (Chandigarh) and South (Visakhapatnam) during October-December.

• The 2021 edition witnessed participation in 54 skills such as concrete construction work, beauty therapy,

car painting, health and social care, visual merchandising, graphic design technology, wall & floor tiling,

welding, among others.

• It also featured Abilympics, a demonstration of skills by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), in 16 skills

including computer programming, painting, embroidery, poster designing and photography.

• IndiaSkills 2021 introduced three new skills – yoga, shoe making (leather) and garment making (leather),

which were exhibited to showcase opportunities for candidates in these trades.

• Seven new-age skills—robot systems integration, additive manufacturing, digital construction, industry

4.0, renewable energy, mobile applications development, and industrial design technology were

introduced to this year's competition, keeping pace with the emerging technologies.


• Among the 270 winners, Odisha topped the chart with 51 winners, followed by Maharashtra, 30 and

Kerala, 25 winners.

• The winners of IndiaSkills 2021 Nationals will represent the country at the 46th WorldSkills International

Competition to be held in Shanghai, China in October 2022.

• The WorldSkills Competition, a flagship event of the WorldSkills International, is organised every two

years.

• The competition, known as the ‘Olympics of Skills’, is the biggest vocational education and skills excellence

event in the world that truly reflects the benchmarks of the global industry.

• It provides a global platform to young people from 83 countries and regions to showcase their skills and

talent.

• NSDC, through its WorldSkills India initiative, has been leading the country's participation at WorldSkills

International competitions since 2011.

• The last edition of WorldSkills International was held in 2019 in Kazan, Russia.

National Skill Development Corporation- It is a not-for-profit public limited company incorporated on July 31, 2008 under section 25 of the Companies

Act, 1956 (corresponding to section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013). It was set up by the Ministry of Finance as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Government of India through the MSDE holds 49% of the share capital of NSDC, while the private sector

has the balance 51% of the share capital. NSDC aims to promote skill development by catalyzing creation of large, quality and for-profit vocational

institutions. Further, the organization provides funding to build scalable and profitable vocational training initiatives. Its mandate is also to enable support systems which focus on quality assurance, information systems and

training the trainer academies either directly or through partnerships. NSDC acts as a catalyst in skill development by providing funding to enterprises, companies and organizations that provide skill training.

3.6 First Advance Estimates (FAE) of GDP In news- Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the First Advance Estimates (FAE) for the current financial year (2021-22 or FY22). Key updates-

• As per MoSPI, India’s gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 9.2 percent in FY22 and it is slightly

lower than most expectations, including RBI’s, which pegged it at 9.5%.

• Last financial year, FY21, the GDP had contracted by 7.3%.

• The current estimates are based on data before the rise of the Omicron variant. As such, there is a

possibility that the final rate may be revised further downwards by May-end when the full financial

year’s “provisional” estimates will be published.

• For FY22, the real GDP (that is, GDP calculated using constant 2011-12 prices) will grow by 9.2%, nominal

GDP (that is GDP calculated using current market prices) will grow by a whopping 17.6%.

• The difference between the two growth rates of about 8.5 percentage points is essentially a marker of

inflation.

• An analysis of the three main contributors to GDP such as private consumption demand, investments in

the economy, and government expenditures shows that while the latter two are expected to claw back to

the pre-Covid level, the first engine will continue to stay in a slump.

• Private consumption expenditures typically account for more than 55% of all GDP.


About First Advance Estimates (FAE) of GDP- The concept of FAE was first introduced in 2016-17. They are typically published at the end of the first week of January. They are the “first” official estimates of how GDP is expected to grow in that financial year. But they are also the “advance” estimates because they are published long before the financial year (April to

March) is over. Even though the FAE are published soon after the end of the third quarter (October, November, December),

they do not include the formal Q3 GDP data, which is published at the end of February as part of the Second Advance Estimates (SAE).

The main significance of FAE lies in the fact that they are the GDP estimates that the Union Finance Ministry uses to decide the next financial year’s budget allocations.

The FAE is derived by extrapolating the available data. According to the MoSPI, the approach for compiling the Advance Estimates is based on the Benchmark-

Indicator method i.e. “the estimates available for the previous year (2020-21 in this case) are extrapolated using relevant indicators reflecting the performance of sectors.”

GDP and GVA calculation Gross domestic product (GDP) is the total value of all final goods and services produced within the country in

one financial year. Gross value added (GVA) is defined as the value of output less the value of intermediate consumption. While the GDP maps the economy from the expenditure (or demand) side — that is by adding up all the

expenditures, the GVA provides a picture of the economy from the supply side. GVA maps the “value-added” by different sectors of the economy such as agriculture, industry and services.

3.7 National Startup Day 2022 In news- Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared January 16 as National Startup day. About National Startup day-

• Startup day-2022 was celebrated with presentations on six themes by the start ups. They are:

1. Growing from Roots. 2. Nudging the DNA. 3. From Local to Global. 4. Technology of the Future. 5. Building Champions in Manufacturing. 6. Sustainable Development.

• Recalling the concept of the current decade as the ‘techade’ of India, the Prime Minister listed three

important aspects of the massive changes that the government is making in this decade to strengthen the

innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystem.

a. To liberate entrepreneurship and innovation from the web of government processes, bureaucratic silos. b. Creating an institutional mechanism to promote innovation. c. Handholding of young innovators and young enterprises. National Startup awards, 2021-

• The Government of India announced the winners of the National Startup Awards 2021.

• A total of 46 Startups have been recognized as winners of National Startup Awards 2021 along with 1

incubator and 1 accelerator.

• This second edition of the awards invited applications across 15 sectors and 49 sub-sectors.


• The sectors included Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Drinking Water, Education & Skill Development,

Energy, Enterprise Technology, Environment, Fintech, Food Processing, Health & Wellness, Industry 4.0,

Security, Space and Transport and Travel.

• Six special categories were also introduced to recognize exceptional Startups contributing to the good of

the society.

• All applicants were evaluated against six broad parameters namely Innovation, Scalability, Economic

Impact, Social Impact, Environmental Impact, and Inclusiveness and Diversity.

What is a startup? An entity shall be considered as a startup (meaning of Startup) if it satisfies all the following conditions: 1. If it is incorporated/registered as any of the followings: a. Private Limited Company (as defined in Companies Act, 2013). b. Partnership Firm (registered under Partnership Act, 1932). c. Limited Liability Partnership (registered under Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008). d. One Person Company (as defined in Companies Act, 2013). (Provided that such an entity is not formed by

splitting up or reconstruction of a business already in existence.) 2. It has not completed ten years since incorporation/registration as above. 3. Its turnover for any of the financial years has not exceeded INR 100 Crore. 4. It satisfies any of the following conditions: i) It is working towards Innovation of new products/processes/services or Development of new

products/processes/services or Improvement of existing products/processes/services. ii) It is a scalable business model with a high potential of Employment generation or Wealth creation. India has emerged as the third largest startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China, expected to witness consistent annual growth of 12-15%. India has about 50,000 startups in India in 2018, around 8,900 – 9,300 of these are technology led startups. Bengaluru is the start-up capital of India followed by Delhi NCR (18) and Mumbai (13). The US tops the list with 396 unicorns, while China is at the second spot with 277, and India has 51 unicorns, ahead of the UK (32) and Germany (18). Apart from unicorns, the number of future unicorns called “gazelles” and “cheetahs” in India is growing at an exponential pace. Note- Unicorn refers to a privately held startup company that has reached a valuation of $1 billion. Aileen Lee, Cowboy ventures’ founder, coined the term ‘unicorn’ first in 2013 while referring to 39 startups having a valuation of over $1 billion. He chose this term to highlight the statistical rarity of such startup companies. “Gazelle” is a startup founded after 2000 with the potential to go unicorn in two years, while “Cheetah” may go unicorn in the next four years. Gazelles have an estimated valuation ranging from $500 million to $1 billion and the valuation of cheetahs range from $200 million to $500 million.

3.8 National Technical Textiles Mission In news- The Ministry of Textiles has cleared 20 strategic research projects worth INR 30 crores in the areas of Specialty fibers and Geotextiles, under its Flagship Programme National Technical Textiles Mission, recently. About the National Technical Textiles Mission-

• In 2020, the Union Government had approved for creation of this Mission for a period of 4 years (2020-21

to 2023-24) with an outlay of Rs.1480 crores.

• The Mission aims at improving the penetration level of technical textiles in the country.

• It also aims for developing the usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions, programmes of the

country including strategic sectors.


• It seeks to promote innovation amongst young engineering /technology/ science standards and graduates

along with creation of innovation and incubation centers and promotion of ‘start-up’ and ‘Ventures’.

• The research output will be deposited with a ‘Trust’ with the Government for the easy and accessible

proliferation of the knowledge thus gained through research innovation and development activities.

• A sub-component of the research will focus on the development of biodegradable technical textiles

materials, particularly for agro-textiles, geotextiles and medical textiles.

• It will also develop suitable equipment for environmentally sustainable disposal of used technical textiles,

with emphasis on safe disposal of medical and hygiene wastes.

• Another sub-component in the research activity aims at the development of indigenous machineries and

process equipment for technical textiles, in order to promote ‘Make In India’ and enable competitiveness

of the industry by way of reduced capital costs.

• A Mission Directorate in the Ministry of Textiles headed by an eminent expert in the related field is made

operational.

• The Mission will move into the sunset phase after a four year period.

What are Technical Textiles? Technical or engineered textiles are defined as textile material and products manufactured primarily for their

technical and performance and are used for functional purposes. They are used in various applications in agriculture, roads, railway tracks and sportswear, in bullet-proof

jackets, high-altitude combat gear and space application. Technical Textiles products are divided into 12 broad categories Agrotech, Buildtech, Clothtech, Geotech,

Hometech, Indutech, Mobiltech, Meditech, Protech, Sportstech, Oekotech, Packtech depending upon their application areas.

India shares nearly 6% of the world market size of 250 Billion USD.

3.9 The Great Resignation In news- The Great Resignation, a new term came up in 2021 to capture the rising trend of employees leaving jobs. What is the Great Resignation?

• The Great Resignation, also known as the Big Quit, is an economic trend/ phenomenon in which a large

number of employees voluntarily resign from their jobs after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

• It started when the American government refused to provide necessary worker protections in response to

the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in wage stagnation amid rising cost of living.

• Some economists have described the Great Resignation as a kind of general strike.

• The term was coined by Anthony Klotz, a professor of management at Mays Business School at Texas A&M

University, who predicted the mass exodus in May 2021.

• It has largely been fuelled by burnout, but other factors also include the shift to working from home and

the desire to move into a more stable profession.

• In light of these resignations, the labour market has incentivised companies to offer better benefits and

higher salaries.

• In 2020, the World Economic Forum surveyed 300 global companies and found that 43 percent of

businesses expect to reduce their workforce with new technology.

• Providing opportunities for lateral job moves, healthy work culture, better workplace and offering

employees more remote working opportunities are some of the solutions for this problem.


3.10 Tata officially completed takeover of Air India In news- Recently, the Tata Group has regained control of Air India, 69 years after the Mumbai-based conglomerate relinquished its stake in the airline to the Central government. It was officially confirmed by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). History of Air India-

• Air India was started in 1932 by Tata Group’s former Chairman Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy (J.R.D.) Tata was

the nation’s first carrier, flying mail between Karachi, then a part of undivided British-ruled India, and

Bombay.

• It was then known as Tata Airlines and was renamed Air India only in 1946.

• After the country got independence, the airline was nationalized in 1953 by the then prime minister

Jawaharlal Nehru.

• Nationalization created two corporations—one for domestic service, called Indian Airlines Corporation

(merging Air-India Limited with six lesser lines), and one for international service, Air-India International

Corporation.

• The latter’s name was abbreviated to Air-India in 1962 and industrialist JRD Tata served as the chairman of

Air India till 1977.

• After India began allowing private airlines in 1994, Air India struggled to remain competitive.

• It began posting losses in 2007 and merged with Indian Airlines later that year to form National Aviation

Company of India Ltd. (NACIL; renamed Air India Ltd. in 2010).

• After accumulating billions of dollars in debt over the next decade, the government began looking to

privatize the company in 2017.

• In October 2021, the Tata Group emerged as the winning bidder for 100% of Air India (including the

airline’s 100% stake in budget airline Air India Express and 50% stake in ground handling firm AI-SATS),

having placed a bid of Rs 18,000 crore.

• Of this amount, Tatas have taken over Rs 15,300 crore worth of debt and Rs 2,700 crore to be paid to the

government in cash.

3.11 Reverse repo normalization

In news- In a recent report, State Bank of India has stated that the stage is set for a reverse repo normalization. What is monetary policy normalization in India?

• The Reserve Bank of India, keeps tweaking the total amount of money in the economy to ensure smooth

functioning.

• As such, when the RBI wants to boost economic activity it adopts a so-called “loose monetary policy”.

• There are two parts to such a policy i.e., injecting more money (liquidity) into the economy and RBI also

lowers the interest rate it charges banks when it lends money to them; this rate is called the repo rate.

• The reverse of a loose monetary policy is a “tight monetary policy” and it involves the RBI raising interest

rates and sucking liquidity out of the economy by selling bonds (and taking money out of the system).

• When any central bank finds that a loose monetary policy has started becoming counterproductive (for

example, when it leads to a higher inflation rate), the central bank “normalizes the policy” by tightening

the monetary policy stance.

• Under normal circumstances, that is when the economy is growing at a healthy pace, the repo rate

becomes the benchmark interest rate in the economy.

• However, the reverse repo had become the benchmark rate in India since the start of the Covid pandemic.


What is reverse repo normalization?

• Reverse repo normalization means the reverse repo rates will go up.

• Over the past few months, in the face of rising inflation, several central banks across the world have either

increased interest rates or signaled that they would do so soon.

• In India, too, it is expected that the RBI will raise the repo rate. But before that, it is expected that the RBI

will raise the reverse repo rate and reduce the gap between the two rates.

• This process of normalization, which is aimed at curbing inflation, will not only reduce excess liquidity but

also result in higher interest rates across the board in the Indian economy — thus reducing the demand for

money among consumers (since it would make more sense to just keep the money in the bank) and

making it costlier for businesses to borrow fresh loans.

Repo vs Reverse repo rate- Repo rate is the rate at which the Central Bank grants loans to the commercial banks against government securities. Reverse repo rate is the interest offered by RBI to banks who deposit funds with them.

4. ENVIRONMENT

4.1 Indian Pangolin In news- Recently, the Odisha Forest and Environment Department completed its first-ever radio-tagging of the Indian pangolin.


About Indian pangolin-

• The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin is native to the Indian

subcontinent.

• It is a large anteater covered horizontally by 11-13 rows of scales.

• The Indian pangolin is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal.

• Of the eight extant species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata and Chinese Pangolin M.

pentadactyla occur in India.

• A terminal scale is also present on the ventral side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which is absent in the

Chinese Pangolin.

• Its sticky tongue, which is longer than its body, is specially adapted.

• It can also curl itself into a ball (volvation) as self-defence against predators such as the tiger.

• The colour of its scales varies depending on the colour of the earth in its surroundings.

• It is an insectivore, feeding on ants and termites, digging them out of mounds and logs using its long claws,

which are as long as its forelimbs.

• It is nocturnal and rests in deep burrows during the day.

• It inhabits grasslands and secondary forests, and is well adapted to dry areas and desert regions, but

prefers more barren, hilly regions.

• Major threats to pangolins in India are hunting and poaching for local consumptive use (e.g. as a protein

source and traditional medicine) and international trade, for its meat and scales in East and South East

Asian countries, particularly China and Vietnam.

• Within its range it is known as 'khawlyaa manjar', in Marathi; saal khapri in Chhattisgarhi, bon-rou in

Assamese; eenampechi in Malayalam, azhungu or alangu in Tamil, bajrakapta in Odia; kaballewa in

Sinhala; chippu handi in Kannada.

• IUCN status: Endangered.

• It has been listed on CITES Appendix I since January 2017 and is protected in all countries.

• It is also protected and listed under the Schedule I Part I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Eight species of pangolins -

• Eight species of pangolins are found on two continents. They range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.

• Four species live in Africa: Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla), White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus

tricuspis), Giant Ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) and Temminck’s Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii).

• The four species found in Asia: Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis),

Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla).

4.2 Bioenergy crops In news- A new study has found that converting annual crops to perennial bioenergy crops can induce a cooling effect on the areas where they are cultivated. Key highlights of the study-

• Cultivation area under bioenergy crops occupies 3.8 percent ± 0.5 per cent of the global total land area,

but they exert strong regional biophysical effects, leading to a global net change in air temperature of

−0.08 ~ +0.05 degrees Celsius.

• Researchers found that global air temperature decreases by 0.03~0.08 °C, with strong regional contrasts

and inter-annual variability, after 50 years of large-scale bioenergy crop cultivation.


• Compared to the herbaceous crops, changes in the energy fluxes induced by woody crops in the

cultivation regions are larger, and the cooling effect is stronger and healthier across different cultivation

maps.

• Eucalyptus, poplar, willow, miscanthus and switchgrass were the bioenergy crops used in the study.

• The study warned that temperature changes in the bioenergy crop scenarios may have very large spatial

variations and important climate teleconnections to other areas of the globe.

• Warming effects in Alaska and northwestern Canada may cause greenhouse gas release from thawing

permafrost, from the four idealised bioenergy crop scenarios based on the composited cultivation map.

• Strong cooling effects in Eurasia, between 60°N and 80°N, may protect permafrost from thawing or reduce

methane emissions from wetlands.

• The study also demonstrated the importance of the crop type choice, the original land use type upon

which bioenergy crops are expanded, the total cultivation area and its spatial distribution patterns.

• Cultivating eucalyptus generally shows cooling effects that are more robust than if switchgrass is used as

the main bioenergy crop.

About Bioenergy crops- Bioenergy crops are defined as any plant material used to produce bioenergy. They are grown and maintained at lower costs for biofuel production. These crops have the capacity to produce a large volume of biomass, high energy potential, and can be

grown in marginal soils. They can positively impact the environment to reduce the level of carbon dioxide, emission of greenhouse

gases and soil erosion. The bioenergy crops are classified into five types namely, first-, second- and third-generation bioenergy

crops, dedicated energy crops and halophytes. The first-generation bioenergy crops include corn, sorghum, rapeseed and sugarcane, whereas the second-

generation bioenergy crops are switchgrass, miscanthus, alfalfa, reed canary grass, Napier grass and other plants.

The third-generation bioenergy crops contain boreal plants, crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants, eucalyptus and microalgae.

4.3 Aquamation In news- The body of Nobel Peace Prize winning Anglican archbishop and anti-apartheid campaigner Desmond Tutu underwent aquamation, a green alternative to traditional cremation methods, in Cape Town recently. About Aquamation-

• Aquamation, or alkaline hydrolysis, is a process in which the body of the deceased is immersed for a few

hours in a mixture of water and a strong alkali in a pressurized metal cylinder and heated to around 150

degree centigrade.

• The combination of gentle water flow, temperature and alkalinity accentuate the breakdown of the

organic materials.

• It has been defined as “flameless cremation”.

• Considered to be an environmentally friendly way to dispose of a body, the process is also known as water

cremation, green cremation or chemical cremation.

• The process leaves behind bone fragments and a neutral liquid called effluent.

• The effluent is sterile, and contains salts, sugars, amino acids and peptides.

• The decomposition that occurs in alkaline hydrolysis is the same as that which occurs during burial, just

sped up dramatically by the chemicals.


• There is no tissue and no DNA left after the process completes.

• This effluent is discharged with all other wastewater, and is a welcome addition to the water systems.

• The process of aquamation uses energy which is five times less than fire.

• The process is a greener alternative as it uses significantly less fuel and has an overall lower carbon

footprint than cremation.

• The process was developed and patented in 1888 by Amos Herbert Hanson, a farmer who was trying to

develop an ingenious way to make fertilizer from animal carcasses.

• The first commercial system was installed at Albany Medical College in 1993 after which the process

continued to be in use by hospitals and universities with donated body programmes.

• It was only in 2011 that the process was used in the funeral industry, at two funeral homes in Ohio and

Florida, USA.

4.4 Green Energy Corridor (GEC) In news- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the second phase of the Green Energy Corridor scheme for Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) recently. Phase II of Green Energy Corridor (GEC)-

• Under this phase, about 10,750 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines and around 27,500 megavolt-

amperes (MVA) of substation capacity will be installed to facilitate electricity evacuation of around 20

giga watt (GW) of renewable energy projects.

• It covers Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

• The estimated cost of the scheme is Rs 12,031 crore, and 33 percent of the project cost will be met as

central financial assistance.

• It will be implemented during 2021-22 to 2025-26 fiscal years.

• Though the size of the second phase of the scheme is higher than the first phase, it will receive lesser

financial assistance from the Centre.

Green Energy Corridor (GEC) phase I- The Project aims at synchronizing electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind,

with conventional power stations in the grid. Under the first phase, 9,700 ckm of transmission lines and 22,600 MVA of substations are being constructed

at an estimated cost of Rs 10,141.7 crore. It is being implemented in Andhra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,

Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The project is being implemented in these states by the respective State Transmission Utilities (STUs). It will help supply around 24GW of renewable energy by 2022. The corridor forms an important component of the plan to maintain the grid frequency within the 49.90-

50.05 Hz (hertz) band. An automatic generation control recently made operational sends signals to power plants every four seconds

to maintain frequency, ensuring the power grid’s reliability. Most projects for the first phase of the green energy corridor scheme have been awarded through tariff-

based competitive bidding.

4.5 What is environmental DNA (e-DNA)? In news- Recently, two independent studies have found that e-DNA floating in the air can boost biodiversity conservation efforts across the world. What is environmental DNA (e-DNA)?


• E-DNA is defined as genetic material obtained directly from environmental samples (soil, sediment,

water, etc.) without any obvious signs of biological source material.

• eDNA is nuclear or mitochondrial DNA that is released from an organism into the environment.

• It is an efficient, non-invasive and easy-to-standardize sampling approach.

• Sources of eDNA include secreted feces, mucous, and gametes, shed skin and hair, and carcasses.

• eDNA can be detected in cellular or extracellular (dissolved DNA) form.

• It can potentially identify and monitor terrestrial animals and offers an unprecedented opportunity for

monitoring native and invasive species, as well as for biodiversity assessments.

• Tracking animals through e-DNA isn’t a new idea as biologists have frequently observed aquatic organisms

by sequencing e-DNA from water samples.

Note- eDNA metabarcoding is a novel method of assessing biodiversity wherein samples are taken from the environment via water, sediment or air from which DNA is extracted, and then amplified using general or universal primers in polymerase chain reaction and sequenced using next-generation sequencing to generate thousands to millions of reads. From this data, species presence can be determined, and overall biodiversity assessed. It is an interdisciplinary method that brings together traditional field-based ecology with in-depth molecular methods and advanced computational tools.

4.6 Red Sanders In news- Recently, the Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) has fallen back into the ‘endangered’ category in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. About Red Sandalwood-

• Red Sandalwood, scientifically called Pterocarpus santalinus, is an Indian endemic tree species, with a

restricted geographical range in the Eastern Ghats.

• The species is endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Andhra Pradesh.

• Its local names are-Yerra Chandanam, Rakta Chandana, and saunderswood.

• It is also referred to in Chinese as zitan.

• It is known for its therapeutic properties, are in high demand across Asia, particularly in China and Japan,

for use in cosmetics and medicinal products as well as for making furniture, woodcraft and musical

instruments.

• This tree is valued for the rich red colour of its wood and is traditionally considered not aromatic.

• It has been used for making the bridge and also the neck of the Japanese musical instrument Shamisen.

• It is used in traditional herbal medicine as an antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic,

hemorrhage, dysentery, aphrodisiac, anti-hyperglycaemic and diaphoretic.

• It is grown on the shale subsoils, at altitudes around 750 metres (2,460 ft), and in semi-arid climatic

conditions.

• The slow growth of the species and continued harvesting leaves no time for the species to recover

naturally.

• Cattle grazing and invasive species also threaten the species.

• It was classified as ‘near threatened’ in 2018(was lifted off from the endangered category for the first time

since 1997) and has now joined the ‘endangered’ list once again in 2021.

• It is also scheduled in Appendix II of CITES (banned from international trade) and protected under the

Wildlife Protection Act.


4.7 Gharials In news- The Assam government has issued notification to make Orang National Park more than thrice its existing size and has planned to reintroduce Gharials into the expanded area. About Gharials-

• Gharials, also called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.

• Gharial derives its name from ghara, a hindi word for pot because of a bulbous knob (narial excrescence)

present at the end of their snout.

• The snout of the gharial is uniquely the thinnest and most elongated among all the crocodilians.

• The ghara also renders gharial the only visibly sexually dimorphic crocodilian.

• It can grow to 7m in length and has a thick skin covered with smooth epidermal scales that do not

overlap.

• They reside exclusively in river habitats with deep, clear, fast-flowing waters and steep, sandy banks.

• Adult gharials prefer still, deep pools, formed at sharp river-bends and river confluences and use sandy

banks for basking and breeding.

• They regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun to warm up or resting in shade or water to

cool down.

• Once found from Pakistan to Myanmar, presently, today the wild populations of gharials can only be

found in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

• In India, they are found in Girwa (Uttar Pradesh), Son (Madhya Pradesh), Ramganga (Uttarakhand),

Gandak (Bihar), Chambal (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) and Mahanadi (Orissa) and

along the Narayani River of Nepal.

• Their habitat is threatened because of human encroachment and fishing activities.

• Gharials do not stalk and lunge at prey like other crocodilians and their snouts contain sensory cells that

can detect vibrations in the water.

• Unlike other crocodiles, the gharials feed on warm-blooded species and even the largest gharial adults

feed exclusively on fish, which they catch between the pointed interlocking teeth of their long jaws.

• They are genetically weaker than salt water crocodiles and muggers.

• They are listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and also described as Critically

endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

• National Chambal Sanctuary is a tri-state protected area (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh)

for the protection of the Gharial and also the Endangered Ganges river dolphin.

Orang National Park- Earlier known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, it is located in the state of Assam (the state government had

dropped the ‘Rajiv Gandhi’ prefix in September 2021). It is on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River, and is strategic to the Kaziranga Orang Riverine

Landscape. It was designated as a game reserve in 1915. In 1999, it was designated as a National Park. The park’s total area is approximately 81 kilometres. The Orang tribe, who abandoned this country, lived here. It was recognised as a tiger reserve in 2016 and is often called ‘Mini Kaziranga’ owing to the similarities in

topography, and a rich population of the one-horned rhino. It is known for the one-horned rhino, tigers, elephants, wild boars, pygmy hogs, and a variety of fish, among

a host of other flora and fauna species.


The park is bordered by the Pachnoi River, Belsiri River, and Dhansiri River, which all flow into the Brahmaputra River.

It is one of the seven national parks in Assam; the others are Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Dibru-Saikhowa, Raimona and Dehing Patkai.

4.8 Bhungloti creeper In news- Bhungloti creeper that once gave a monk’s robe its saffron hue has made a Buddhist village in eastern Assam’s Charaideo district adopt a forest. More information-

• Bhugloti is a creeper that in combination with the pith of the roots of a jackfruit tree yields a saffron dye.

• It was the effort of the bhikkhus of Chalapather Shyam Gaon Buddhist monastery who had bemoaned the

near-extinction of bhungloti.

• The concern of the monks triggered a movement for conserving the adjoining Chala Reserve Forest.

• In 2018, the people of ten villages in the vicinity converged to form Chala Village Sanctuary Conservation

Society and 683.173-hectare reserve forest under the Sivasagar Forest Division was declared as the Chala

Village Sanctuary.

4.9 Global Risks Report, 2022 In news- The 17th edition of Global Risks Report was released by the World Economic Forum recently. About the Global Risks Report-

• The report tracks global risk perceptions among risk experts and world leaders in business, government,

and civil society.

• It examines risks across five categories: economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and

technological.

• It has ranked ‘climate action failure’ as the number one risk, followed by ‘extreme weather’ and

‘Biodiversity loss’.

• The report says developing economies (except China) will have fallen 5.5 percent below their pre-

pandemic expected gross domestic product growth by 2024, while advanced economies will have

surpassed it by 0.9 per cent.

• Digital inequality and cybersecurity failure also feature among the critical short- and medium-term

threats.

4.10 What is solar waste? In news- A report by National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) has found that India could generate over 34,600 tonnes of cumulative solar waste in India by 2030. What is solar waste?

• It is the electronic waste (e-waste) generated by discarded solar panels and Photo-voltaic (PV) devices.

• Photovoltaic (PV) devices contain semiconducting materials that convert sunlight into electrical energy.


• A single PV device is known as a cell, and these cells are connected together in chains to form larger units

known as modules or panels.

• Although up to 90% of the components are recyclable, many PV modules contain heavy metals such as

cadmium, copper, lead, antimony or selenium, and when they are taken out of service or broken, they

may be classified as hazardous waste.

• India does not have a solar waste management policy, but the waste can increase by at least four-five-fold

by the next decade.

• Solar panels have a life of 20-25 years, and it is likely that India will be faced with solar waste problems by

the end of this decade.

4.11 India State of Forest Report, 2021 In news- Forest Survey of India, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change has published the India State of Forest Report, 2021 recently? Key highlights of the report-

• Published biennially, the report is an assessment of the forest and tree resources of the country.

• The first survey was published in 1987, and ISFR 2021 is the 17th.

• The ISFR-2021 provides information on forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock, carbon

stock in India’s forests, forest fire monitoring, and forest cover in tiger reserve areas, above ground

estimates of biomass using SAR data & climate change hotspots in Indian forests.

• The forest and tree cover of the country is 80.9 million hectares which is 24.62 percent of the

geographical area of the country.


• As compared to the assessment of 2019, there is an increase of 2,261 sq km in the total forest and tree

cover of the country.

• Out of this, the increase in the forest cover has been observed as 1,540 sq km and that in tree cover is 721

sq km.

• While ISFR 2021 has shown an increasing trend in forest cover overall, the trend is not uniform across all

kinds of forests.

• Three categories of forests are surveyed – very dense forests (canopy density over 70%), moderately

dense forests (40-70%) and open forests (10-40%). Scrubs (canopy density less than 10%) are also

surveyed but not categorised as forests.

• Increase in forest cover has been observed in open forest followed by very dense forest.

• Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh,

Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.

• In terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five States are Mizoram

(84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%) and Nagaland (73.90%).

• As per report, 17 states/UT’s have above 33 percent of the geographical area under forest cover .

• Out of these states and UT’s, five states/UTs namely Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands,

Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have more than 75 percent forest cover.

• Total carbon stock in the country's forest is estimated to be 7,204 million tonnes and there is an increase

of 79.4 million tonnes in the carbon stock of the country as compared to the last assessment of 2019. The

annual increase in the carbon stock is 39.7 million tonnes.

• The report estimates that by 2030, 45-64% of forests in India will experience the effects of climate change

and rising temperatures, and forests in all states (except Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland) will be

highly vulnerable climate hot spots. Ladakh (forest cover 0.1-0.2%) is likely to be the most affected.

• India’s forests are already showing shifting trends of vegetation types, such as Sikkim which has shown a

shift in its vegetation pattern for 124 endemic species.

The assessment of the report is based on interpretation of LISS-III data from Indian Remote Sensing satellite data (Resourcesat-II) with a spatial resolution of 23.5 meters with the scale of interpretation 1:50,000 to monitor forest cover and forest cover changes at District, State and National level. Mangroves-

• Total mangrove cover in the country is 4,992 sq km and an increase of 17 sq Km in mangrove cover has

been observed as compared to the previous assessment of 2019.

• Top three states showing mangrove cover increase are Odisha (8 sq km) followed by Maharashtra (4 sq

km) and Karnataka (3 sq km).

Forest fires-

• In 2019-20, 1.2 lakh forest fire hotspots were detected by the SNPP_VIIRS sensor, which increased to 3.4

lakh in 2020-21.

• The highest numbers of fires were detected in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Assessment of tiger reserves-

• In the present ISFR 2021, FSI has included a new chapter related to the assessment of forest cover in the

Tiger Reserves, Corridors and Lion conservation area of India.

• It has found that the forest cover in tiger corridors has increased by 37.15 sq km (0.32%) between 2011-

2021, but decreased by 22.6 sq km (0.04%) in tiger reserves.


• Buxa (West Bengal), Anamalai (Tamil Nadu) and Indravati reserves (Chhattisgarh) have shown an increase

in forest cover.

• The highest losses have been found in Kawal (Telangana), Bhadra (Karnataka) and the Sundarbans reserves

(West Bengal).

• Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh has the highest forest cover, at nearly 97%.

Other assessments-

• FSI, in collaboration with Space Application Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad, initiated a special study for

estimation of Above Ground Biomass (AGB) at pan-India level, using L- band of Synthetic Aperture Radar

(SAR) data.

• FSI in collaboration with Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani, Goa Campus has performed

a study based on ‘Mapping of Climate Change Hotspots in Indian Forests’, using computer model-based

projection of temperature and rainfall data, for the three future time periods i.e. year 2030, 2050 and

2085.

• Special thematic information on forest cover such as hill, tribal districts, and north eastern region has also

been given separately in the report.

Concerns-

• A 1,582 sq km decline in moderately dense forests, or “natural forests” is worrisome.

• The decline, in conjunction with an increase of 2,621 sq km in open forest areas – shows a degradation of

forests in the country, with natural forests degrading to less dense open forests.

• Scrub area has increased by 5,320 sq km, indicating the complete degradation of forests in these areas.

• The Northeast states account for 7.98% of total geographical area but 23.75% of total forest cover.

• The forest cover in the region has shown an overall decline of 1,020 sq km in forest cover.

• While states in the Northeast continue to have some of the largest forested areas, such as Mizoram (84.5%

of its total geographical area is forests) or Arunachal Pradesh (79.3%), the two states have respectively lost

1.03% and 0.39% of their forest cover, while Manipur has lost 1.48 %, Meghalaya 0.43%, and Nagaland

1.88%.

Forest Survey of India- FSI is a premier national organization under the union Ministry of Environment and Forests, responsible for

assessment and monitoring of the forest resources of the country regularly. Established on June 1, 1981, the Forest Survey of India succeeded the "Pre Investment Survey of Forest

Resources" (PISFR), a project initiated in 1965 by the Government of India with the sponsorship of FAO and UNDP.

The main objective of PISFR was to ascertain the availability of raw material for establishment of wood based industries in selected areas of the country.

In its report in 1976, the National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) recommended the creation of a National Forest Survey Organization for a regular, periodic and comprehensive forest resources survey of the country leading to creation of FSI.

4.12 Eastern swamp deer (Barasingha) In news- Recently, the officials have found that the population of the vulnerable eastern swamp deer, extinct elsewhere in South Asia, has dipped in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.


Key updates -

• Officials attributed the decrease to two high floods in 2019 and 2020.

• They have also observed that the animal is distributed to areas beyond the Kaziranga National Park and

now found in Orang National Park and Laokhowa-Bura Chapori wildlife sanctuaries (Assam).

• During the last survey, it was found that the female eastern swamp deer outnumbered the males by more

than three times.

Swamp deer & its subspecies-

• The Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii), also called swamp deer, is a deer species distributed in the Indian

subcontinent.

• Populations in northern and central India are fragmented, and two isolated populations occur in

southwestern Nepal.

• It has been extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and its presence is uncertain in Bhutan.

• The swamp deer differs from all other Indian deer species in that the antlers carry more than three tines.

• Because of this distinctive character it is designated bārah-singgā, meaning "twelve-horned" in Hindi.

• In Assamese, Barasingha is called dolhorina; dol meaning swamp.

• There are three subspecies of Barasingha found in India –

○ Wetland Barasingha, the largest among all the swamp deers of India ○ Hard-ground/Southern Barasingha ○ Eastern Barasingha

• All the three species of swamp deer vary in dental and cranial features, and a few other features as well.

• Eastern Barasingha, the smallest of Barasingha, has smaller tail and antlers compared to other subspecies.

• Large off-white hair on the inner side of the ears makes this Barasingha different from other two

subspecies.

• The eastern swamp deer is endemic to Kaziranga.

• Swamp deer is considered Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.

• It is considered as Appendix I in CITES.

• It is placed under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

4.13 Fourth Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation In news- Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed the 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on tiger conservation (AMCTC). Key updates-

• During the conference, the Indian minister said that India will facilitate Tiger Range Countries towards

finalization of the New Delhi Declaration for the Global Tiger Summit to be held at Vladivostok, Russia

later in 2022.

• He recalled that a “Pre-Tiger Summit” meeting was held at New Delhi in 2010, wherein the draft

declaration on tiger conservation for Global Tiger Summit was finalized.

• He stated that India has achieved the remarkable feat of doubling the tiger population in 2018 itself, 4

years ahead of the targeted year 2022.

• 14 Tiger Reserves in India have already been awarded with international Conservation Assured Tiger

Standards (CA|TS) accreditation and efforts are on to bring in more Tiger Reserves under it.

• CA|TS has been agreed upon as an accreditation tool by the global coalition of Tiger Range Countries

(TRCs) and has been developed by tiger and protected area experts.


About the AMCTC Conference- It is an important event for reviewing progress towards the Global Tiger Recovery Programme and

commitments to tiger conservation. The fourth AMCTC was organized by the Government of Malaysia and Global Tiger Forum (GTF). The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation was held in New Delhi 2016, India. India is one of the founding members of the intergovernmental platform of Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) –

Global Tiger Forum. TRCs in GTF are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar and Vietnam.

4.14 Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) In news- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the equity infusion of Rs.1500 crore in Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) recently. About IREDA-

• IREDA is a Public Limited Government Company established as a Non-Banking Financial Institution in 1987

engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance for setting up projects relating to

new and renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation.

• IREDA has been awarded “Mini Ratna” (Category -I) status in 2015 by the Ministry of New and Renewable

Energy (MNRE).

• IREDA’s Motto is “Energy for Ever”.

• It plays a catalytic role in the RE project financing which gives confidence to the FIs/banks to lend in the

sector.

• It offers a credit enhancement guarantee scheme to support the issuance of bonds by wind and solar

energy project developers.

• It aims to enhance the credit rating of bonds for renewable energy projects, thereby improving their

marketability and liquidity, and attracting lower-cost and longer-term funding for project developers.

• The amount raised by credit enhanced bonds shall only serve to repay existing debt partially or fully.


4.15 Bird atlas by Kerala In news- Kerala has got its first ever scientific bird atlas recently. About the Kerala Bird Atlas (KBA)-

• It is the first-of-its-kind state-level bird atlas in India (Mysore city Bird Atlas is on from 2014).

• It offers authentic, consistent and comparable data through random sampling from the geographical

terrain split into nearly 4000 grids.

• It is arguably Asia’s largest bird atlas in terms of geographical extent, sampling effort and species

coverage derived from the aggregation of 25,000 checklists.

• Survey for KBA was conducted as a citizen science-driven exercise jointly by the Kerala Agriculture

University, Bird Count India involving 1000 volunteers and supported by the Kerala Forest Department.

• KBA was prepared based on systematic surveys held twice over 60 days a year during the wet (July to

September) and dry (January to March) seasons between 2015 and 2020.

• Volunteers were deployed across all 14 districts armed with technological tools like Locus Free, an

Android GPS application and eBird platform for seamless conduct of the survey and documentation.

• A similar exercise will take place between 2025 and 2030 giving an insight into the changes in the decade

since the first KBA.

• It was found that the species count was higher during the dry season than in the wet season while

species richness and evenness were higher in the northern and central districts than in the southern

districts.

• Most of the endemics were concentrated in the Western Ghats while the threatened species were mostly

along the coasts.

• Among the species, White-cheeked Barbet and House Crow with 13,855 and 12,380 occurrence records

topped the chart compared to 20 other species, which had just single occurrence records.

4.16 Peru declares ‘environmental emergency’ In news- Recently, the Peruvian government on Saturday declared a 90-day “environmental emergency” in damaged coastal territories, after an oil spill that saw 6,000 barrels of crude oil pour into the sea. What is an environmental emergency?

• It is defined as a "sudden-onset disaster or accident resulting from natural, technological or human-

induced factors, or a combination of these, that causes or threatens to cause severe environmental

damage as well as loss of human lives and property”.

• According to UNEP, Countries facing an environmental emergency, that cause severe environmental

damage and threaten human lives and livelihoods, often require technical support and specialized

expertise to respond effectively, minimize adverse impacts, and recover rapidly.

What is oil spill? An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment, especially the marine ecosystem, due to human activity, and is a form of pollution. The term is usually given to marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters, but spills may also occur on land.

About Peru- Peru is a country in western South America.


The name Peru is derived from a Quechua word implying ‘land of abundance’, a reference to the economic wealth produced by the rich and highly organized Inca civilization that ruled the region for centuries.

It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pacific Ocean.

It is a megadiverse country with habitats ranging from the arid plains of the Pacific coastal region in the west to the peaks of the Andes Mountains extending from the north to the southeast of the country to the tropical Amazon Basin rainforest in the east with the Amazon river.

Peru is essentially a tropical country, with its northern tip nearly touching the Equator. The cold Peru Current (or Humboldt Current), flows along its Pacific shoreline. The Tropical rain forests in the eastern part of Amazonia are referred to as the Selvas.

4.17 Living root bridges of Meghalaya In news- As the Meghalaya government pitched for UNESCO recognition, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has underlined some green rules for the living root bridges of Meghalaya to get the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag. About living root bridges of Meghalaya-

• A living root bridge is like a suspension bridge (areal) formed by guiding the pliable roots of the rubber fig

tree (Ficus elastica) across a stream or river and allowing the roots to grow and strengthen over time.

• Such a bridge is locally called Jingkieng jri.

• They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees by the Khasi and Jaintia people of the

mountainous terrain along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau.

• These bridges are being preserved by tribal communities of Meghalaya as per a customary practice of

preserving the sacred groves known as 'Law Kyntang'.

• These bridges are trailblazers that not only highlight the symbiotic relationship between nature and

human culture to a global audience, but more so, it focuses on the need to adopt a balanced approach

between economy and ecology.

• The two most popular tourist spots are- Riwai Root Bridge and Umshiang Double Decker Bridge.

• Most of the bridges grow on steep slopes of subtropical moist broadleaf forest between 50m and 1150m

above sea level.

• As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the roots in the bridge can naturally grow

thick and strengthen.

4.18 Najafgarh jheel wetland In news- Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Delhi and Haryana to enforce the Environment Management Plans (EMP) that the two governments have prepared for the rejuvenation and protection of the Najafgarh jheel, a transboundary wetland. About Najafgarh jheel/Marsh wetland-

• Najafgarh Lake, fed by Sahibi River, used to be a vast lake in the south west of Delhi in India near the

town of Najafgarh from which it takes its name.

• It was connected to the river Yamuna by a natural shallow nullah or drain called the Najafgarh nullah.

• The Najafgarh drain or Najafgarh nullah (nullah in Hindi means drain) is just another name for the River

Sahibi (which originates in Aravalis on Haryana-Rajasthan border and is a tributary to River Yamuna).


• However, after the 1960s the Flood Control Department of Delhi kept widening the Najafgarh drain in

the pretext of saving Delhi from floods and eventually quickly drained the once huge and ecologically rich

Najafgarh lake completely.

• The presence of 281 bird species, including several threatened ones such as Egyptian vulture, Sarus Crane,

Steppe Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle and those migrating along the Central Asian Flyway

has been reported at the lake.

• It is the second largest water body in Delhi-NCR after the Yamuna.

• Once spread over 226 sq km, the water body straddling Delhi and Gurugram has shrinked to just seven sq

km due to rampant encroachment.

• The lake is largely filled with sewage from Gurugram and surrounding villages of Delhi.

4.19 Fly Ash Management and Utilization Mission

In news- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the constitution of a ‘Fly Ash Management and Utilization Mission’ in its recent order. About the mission-

• Its goal will be to coordinate and monitor issues relating to the handling and disposal of fly ash.

• The Mission is to be jointly headed by the secretaries of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest &

Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Union Ministry of Coal and Power and the chief secretaries of Uttar Pradesh

and Madhya Pradesh.

• The secretary of MoEF&CC will be the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.

• The Mission may also monitor scientific management and utilization of fly ash by power projects outside

Singrauli and Sonbhadra, in coordination with chief secretaries of concerned states.

Comparison of between responsibilities allocated to the committees under the Fly Ash Notification, 2021 & Fly Ash Management and Utilisation Mission-

• The notification of December 2021 which was issued under Environment (Protection) Act 1986 , has made

provision for the ‘enforcement, monitoring, audit and reporting’ of the progress of fly ash utilization and

implementation of the clauses of the notification by coal thermal power plants and user agencies.

• The Notification holds the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards

(SPCB) / Pollution Control Committees (PCC) responsible for monitoring the effective implementation of

mandates under it.

• It is mandatory for plants to ensure 100% utilization of fly ash within three to five years.

• However, along with these statutory regulators, the Mission also extends the responsibility of fly ash

management to the chief secretaries of the states.

• The Notification mandates the individual thermal power plant to upload monthly information regarding

ash generation and utilisation on its web portal.

• The notification mentions a third Party compliance audit for ash disposal by the thermal power plants, but

the mission does not.

• The proposed Mission, on the other hand, will make the roadmaps and progress in fly ash utilisation

available for all thermal power plants and their clusters, on the MoEF&CC website on a quarterly basis for

the knowledge of all stakeholders.

• Mission also includes a provision of on-site and off-site crisis management plans with regard to fly ash

ponds and dykes.


• The ‘victims’ of the environmental damage such as ash dyke breach from coal power plants may also

approach the Mission for statutory compensation.

About Fly Ash- Fly ash is an unwanted unburnt residue of coal combustion in a coal thermal power plant. It is emitted along with flue gasses during the burning of coal in a furnace and collected using the

electrostatic precipitators. The fly ash collected with the help of precipitators is converted into a wet slurry to minimize fugitive dust

emissions. It is then transported to the scientifically designed ash ponds through slurry pipelines. It is used as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in the production of portland cement concrete. It is also used in road embankment and construction.

5. FOREIGN AFFAIRS

5.1 Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities

In news- Recently, India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of nuclear installation and facilities under Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. About the agreement-

• It was signed by the Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her Indian counterpart, Rajiv Gandhi on December

31, 1988 and ratified on 27 January 1991.

• As per the agreement, both countries have to inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities in

an attempt to prohibit the two sides from attacking each other's nuclear facilities.

• It is to be informed on the first of January of every calendar year.

• This was the 31st consecutive exchange of such lists with the first one taking place on January 01, 1992.

• Under the agreement nuclear installations and facilities include nuclear power and research reactors, fuel

fabrication, uranium enrichment, isotopes separation and reprocessing facilities, as well as any other

installations with fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel and materials in any form and establishments storing

significant quantities of radioactive materials.

• Meanwhile, India and Pakistan also exchanged lists of prisoners held in their prisons, which includes

civilians, defence personnel and fishermen as per the clause (i) of the Consular Access Agreement

between Pakistan and India, signed on 21 May 2008.

• Under this both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year,

on 01 January and 01 July, respectively.

5.2 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) In news- In NPT review China, Russia, U.S., U.K., and France recently pledged to prevent atomic weapons from spreading and to avoid nuclear conflict. About NPT 1970-

• The NPT is a landmark international treaty whose objective is

○ To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Pakistan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benazir_Bhutto

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Prime_Minister

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Gandhi


○ To promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. ○ To further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.

• The Treaty represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by

the nuclear-weapon States.

• The treaty defines nuclear-weapon states as those that have built and tested a nuclear explosive device

before 1 January 1967.

• A total of 191 States have joined the Treaty, including the five nuclear-weapon States (China, France,

Russia, the UK and the US).

• More countries have ratified the NPT than any other arms limitation and disarmament agreement.

• It was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to further the goals of nuclear disarmament

and general and complete disarmament, and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear

energy.

• The treaty mentions prohibitions against the development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing,

transfer, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons, as well as against assistance and encouragement to

the prohibited activities.

• It sets out general procedures for negotiations with an individual nuclear-armed state becoming a party to

the treaty, including time limits and responsibilities.

• Under the treaty, it obliges to environmental remediation and to assistance for the victims of the use and

testing of nuclear weapons.

• It establishes a safeguards system under the responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency

(IAEA).

• The provisions of the Treaty, particularly article VIII, paragraph 3, envisage a review of the operation of the

Treaty every five years, a provision which was reaffirmed by the States parties at the 1995 NPT Review and

Extension Conference.

• The 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,

ended without the adoption of a consensus substantive outcome.

Note: Four UN member states have never accepted the NPT, three of which possess or are thought to possess nuclear weapons: India, Israel, and Pakistan. In addition, South Sudan, founded in 2011, has not joined.

5.3 Sudan coup In news- Recently, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation amid a political deadlock and widespread pro-democracy protests following a military coup. What is the Sudan Coup?

• In 2019, Sudanese coup d'état took place when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by the

Sudanese army after popular protests demanded his departure.

• In October 2021, the Sudanese military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, took control of the

government in a military coup.

• At least five senior government figures were initially detained.

• Civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok refused to declare support for the coup and on 25 October called

for popular resistance and was moved to house arrest on 26 October.

About Sudan-

• Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in Northeast Africa.

• The country became independent in 1956.


• Its capital is Khartoum and its official languages are Arabic and English.

• The country is dominated by Muslims, most of whom speak Arabic and identify themselves as “Arabs.”

• Each Arab tribe or cluster of tribes is in turn assigned to a larger tribal grouping, of which the two largest

are the Jalayin and the Juhaynah.

• Sudan is bounded on the north by Egypt, on the east by the Red Sea, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, on the south by

South Sudan, on the west by the Central African Republic and Chad, and on the northwest by Libya.

• It is mainly composed of vast plains and plateaus that are drained by the Nile River and its tributaries.

• Nile enters the country as the White Nile (Baḥr Al-Abyaḍ) in the southeast, about 100 km south of Kūstī,

and maintains an extremely low gradient until it is joined by the Blue Nile (Baḥr Al-Azraq) at Khartoum

(Blue Nile, rises in the Ethiopian Plateau).

• After the confluence, the river flows in a great northward-curving course and is known simply as the Nile

(Nahr Al-Nīl).

• This river system runs from south to north across the entire length of the east-central part of the country.

• The immense plain of which Sudan is composed is bounded on the west by the Nile-Congo watershed and

the highlands of Darfur and on the east by the Ethiopian Plateau and the Red Sea Hills (ʿAtbāy).

• In south-central Sudan the clay plain is marked by inselbergs (isolated hills rising abruptly from the plains),

the largest group of which forms the Nuba Mountains.

• The volcanic highlands of the Marrah Mountains rise out of the Darfur Plateau farther west.

5.4 Kazakhstan sought assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

In news- Due to violent protests, Kazakhstan has sought assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) recently. About Kazakhstan-

• It is a Central Asian country and former Soviet republic, declared independent on December 16, 1991.

• It is bounded on the northwest and north by Russia, on the east by China, and on the south by

Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the Aral Sea, and Turkmenistan; the Caspian Sea bounds Kazakhstan to the

southwest.

• Its capital is Nur-Sultan (formerly known as Astana) and its currency is Kazakhstani tenge.

• Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and the ninth largest in the world.

• The local ethnos – Kazakhs make the largest part of the population – 58.9%, followed by Russian,

Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Uighur, Tatar and German.

• Lowlands make up one-third of Kazakhstan’s huge expanse, followed by hilly plateaus and plains.

• Kazakhstan’s highest point, Mount Khan-Tengri at 22,949 feet (6,995 metres), in the Tien Shan range on

the border between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China, contrasts with the flat or rolling terrain of most of

the republic.

• The western and southwestern parts of the republic are dominated by the low-lying Caspian Depression,

which at its lowest point lies some 95 feet below sea level.

• South of the Caspian Depression are the Ustyurt Plateau and the Tupqaraghan (formerly Mangyshlak)

Peninsula jutting into the Caspian Sea.

• Vast amounts of sand form the Greater Barsuki and Aral Karakum deserts near the Aral Sea, the broad

Betpaqdala Desert of the interior, and the Muyunkum and Kyzylkum deserts in the south.

• Depressions filled by salt lakes whose water has largely evaporated dot the undulating uplands of central

Kazakhstan.


• Kazakhstan’s climate is sharply continental and hot summers alternate with equally extreme winters,

especially in the plains and valleys.

Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)- It is an intergovernmental military alliance in Eurasia, founded in 1992. It consists of select post-Soviet states as members namely Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,

and Kazakhstan. Its purpose is to ensure the collective defence of any member that faces external aggression. It has been described by political scientists as the Eurasian counterpart of NATO. It supports arms sales and manufacturing as well as military training and exercises. Afghanistan and Serbia hold observer status in the CSTO. The organization uses a rotating presidency system in which the state leading the CSTO changes every year. Members also use the organization to counter cyber warfare, narcotics trafficking, and the illegal circulation

of weapons, transnational crime, and terrorism. While CSTO membership means that member states are barred from joining other military alliances, limiting, for example, their relationship with NATO, members receive discounts, subsidies, and other incentives to buy Russian arms, are facilitating military cooperation.

5.5 Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) In news- Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) has been formally signed between Japan and Australia recently. About Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA)-

• It is a bilateral defense and security pact between the governments of Australia and of Japan that provides

for shared military training and military operations.

• This treaty is only Japan’s second such agreements while the only other military pact is with the United

States that dates back to 1960.

• It establishes in particular procedures between Japan and Australia for the cooperative activities

conducted by the defence force of one country while visiting the other country, and defines a status of the

visiting force.

• With its entry into force, the Japan-Australia RAA will facilitate implementation of cooperative activities

between the defence forces of the two countries and further promote bilateral security and defense

cooperation.

• The pact was signed because of concerns that China was exhibiting increased belligerence especially over

the South China Sea region, including militarization of disputed features, and dangerous coercive use of

coast guard vessels.

5.6 Developing country status by WTO In news- China’s status as a ‘developing country’ at the World Trade Organization (WTO) has become a contentious issue with a number of countries raising concerns over the upper middle-income nation deriving benefits reserved for developing countries under WTO norms. About Developing country status by WTO-

• The WTO has not defined ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries.


• Developing countries in the WTO are designated on the basis of self-selection although this is not

necessarily automatically accepted in all WTO bodies.

• The classification also allows other countries to offer preferential treatment.

• Certain WTO agreements give developing countries special rights through ‘special and differential

treatment’ (S&DT) provisions, which can grant developing countries longer timeframes to implement the

agreements and even commitments to raise trading opportunities for such countries.

• WTO pacts are often aimed at reduction in government support to certain industries over time and set

more lenient targets for developing nations and grant them more time to achieve these targets compared

to developed ones.

• However, other members can challenge the decision of a member to make use of provisions available to

developing countries.

• Note: India is on the list of developing countries.

• The WTO recognizes as least-developed countries (LDCs) those countries which have been designated as

such by the United Nations (is reviewed every three years).

• There are currently 46 least-developed countries on the UN list, 35 of which to date have become WTO

members.

• LDCs are often exempted from certain provisions of WTO pacts.

• Bangladesh, currently classified as an LDC, receives zero duty, zero quota access for almost all exports to

the EU.

• It is, however, set to graduate from the LDC status in 2026 as its per capita GDP has risen sharply

surpassing that of India in FY21.

5.7 Henley Passport Index-2022 In news- Henley Passport Index-2022 was released recently. About Henley Passport Index (HPI)-

• It is a ranking of all the world's passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access

without a prior visa.

• Henley & Partners firm's "Henley Passport Index" has been regularly monitoring the world's most travel-

friendly passports since 2006.

• HPI rankings are based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA).

• The index includes passports from 199 countries and 227 different travel destinations

• Index ranked Japan and Singapore as number one for the first quarter of 2022.

• The second place on the passport index was acquired by Germany and South Korea.

• Spain, Finland, Italy, and Luxembourg were given the third position in terms of the most powerful

passports.

• India was ranked 83rd in the index, it was ranked 90th in 2021.

• India is behind Rwanda and Uganda, and jointly shares the position with the African island nation, Sao

Tome and Principe.

• Indian passport holders can now visit 60 countries without a prior visa.

• Some of the countries where Indian passport holders can get Visa On Arrival (VOA) are Cook Islands, Fiji,

Samoa, Iran, Armenia, Jordan, Albania, Serbia, Trinidad and Tobago, British Virgin Islands, Bhutan, Nepal,

Thailand, Bolivia, Mauritius, and Ethiopia.

• Japanese, Finnish, and Irish passport holders can visit more than 180 destinations without a visa, whereas

citizens of Vietnam, Chad, and Egypt can visit only about 50 countries.


• The index ranked the Pakistani passport as the fourth worst for international travel for the third

consecutive year and placed it on the 108th position.

• It has placed Afghanistan at the bottom of the index of 199 passports, though it can access just 26

countries without requiring a visa in advance.

5.8 World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda ’22 In news- The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum(WEF) was held in Davos from 17 to 21 January 2022. What is Davos Agenda ’22 of WEF?

• The Davos Agenda 2022 is the starting point for the dialogue needed for global cooperation in 2022.

• It offered the first global platform of 2022 for world leaders to come together to share their visions for the

year ahead.

• The thematic agenda on “State of the World” saw heads of state and government, CEOs and other leaders

speak on critical global challenges.

• The event marked the launch of several Forum initiatives including

○ Efforts to accelerate the race to net-zero emissions. ○ Ensure the economic opportunity of nature-positive solutions. ○ Create cyber resilience. ○ Strengthen global value chains. ○ Build economies in fragile markets through humanitarian investing. ○ Bridge the vaccine manufacturing gap and ○ Use data solutions to prepare for the next pandemic.

• Several leaders including the Indian Prime Minister participated in the event virtually.

5.9 Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam In news- Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile is nearing completion. About Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)-

• It is a massive hydropower dam (gravity) built by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile, the Nile River’s main tributary.

• The name that the Blue Nile River takes in Ethiopia (“Abay”) is derived from the Ge’ez word for ‘great’ to

imply its being ‘the river of rivers’.

• It was formerly known as the Millennium Dam and sometimes referred to as Hidase Dam.

• The primary purpose of the dam is electricity production to relieve Ethiopia’s acute energy shortage and

for electricity export to neighboring countries.

• With a planned installed capacity of 6.45 gig watts, the dam will be the largest hydroelectric power plant in

Africa when completed, as well as the seventh largest in the world.

• GERD is the source of an almost decade-long diplomatic standoff between Ethiopia and downstream

nations Egypt and Sudan.

• The eventual site for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was identified by the United States Bureau of

Reclamation in the course of the Blue Nile survey, which was conducted between 1956 and 1964 during

the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie.

• The Ethiopian Government surveyed the site in October 2009 and August 2010.

• In November 2010, a design for the dam was submitted by James Kelston and the dam has been under

construction since 2011.


About Nile river- The Nile is the longest river in the world and brings together 11 riparian countries. These are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea,

Rwanda, Tanzania, Sudan and Egypt. The Nile is made up of two main tributaries. There is no consensus on what is the most distant source of the White Nile, but its journey northwards starts

at Jinja on the northern shore of Lake Victoria in Uganda. The Blue Nile originates from Lake Tana in Ethiopia. The White Nile meets the Blue Nile at Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. The unified stream from Khartoum continues north, passing through Egypt, before emptying into the

Mediterranean near Alexandria.

5.10 The America COMPETES Act In news- The United States House of Representatives recently unveiled the ambitious America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology, and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act of 2022. About COMPETES Act -

• It proposes to open up new vistas for talented individuals from across the world with a new start-up visa.

• The bill provides $52 billion to encourage more semiconductor production in the US, and $45 billion for

grants and loans to improve supply chain resilience and manufacturing, among other programmes.

• It also includes funding to address social and economic inequality, climate change, and immigration.

• It provides an exemption for STEM PhDs from the green card cap, and creates a new green card for

entrepreneurs.

• The bill also authorizes $600 million a year to construct manufacturing facilities to make the US less reliant

on solar components made in Xinjiang, China.

• It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a new classification of “W” non-immigrants for

entrepreneurs with an ownership interest in a start-up entity, essential employees of a start-up entity, and

their spouses and children.

• The Act will direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for foreign nationals with an

ownership interest in a start-up entity to self-petition for lawful permanent resident status as an


immigrant entrepreneur if the entity demonstrates a proven track record of success through job creation

and significant revenue generation or receipt of investment capital.

• It also directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for foreign nationals with an

ownership interest in a start-up entity to self-petition for classification as a “W-1” non-immigrant, and to

receive extensions of such classification for up to eight years if the entity meets certain growth

benchmarks.

• The bill provides the Secretary of Homeland Security discretion to classify an individual as a W-1 non-

immigrant for a three-year period initially

○ If the individual possesses an ownership interest of not less than 10 per cent in a start-up entity. ○ If the foreign individual will play a central and active role in the management or operations of the

start-up entity, or ○ If the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, or experience to substantially assist the start-up

with the growth and success of the business. • It also provides for a limited number of “W-2” visas for personnel who are essential to the growth and

success of the start-up entity if the start-up serves as the basis for the W-1 status of a founder.

• The bill exempts from the numerical limits on immigrant visas certain foreign nationals (and the spouses

and children of such aliens) who have earned a doctoral degree in science, technology, engineering, or

mathematics (STEM) from a qualified US research institution or a foreign institution if the degree is the

equivalent to a doctoral degree issued by a qualified US research institution.

Its impact on India-

• Every year, Indians and Indian companies corner a lion’s share of the H-1B work permits issued that year.

• With this new category, Indian professionals will likely have a better shot at opportunities that the Act is

likely to provide.

6. GEOGRAPHY

(ALH) 84001- Meteorite from Mars 6.1 In news- A recent study has revealed that organic compounds found on the surface of the meteorite called (ALH) 84001–which landed on Earth from Mars in 1984 – were proof of ancient, primitive life on Mars. Key updates-

• The study points out that the organic compounds found in the meteorite were a result of the interactions

between water and rocks that occurred on Mars.

• These interactions, the scientists observed, were similar to those that happen on Earth.

• These kinds of non-biological, geological reactions are responsible for a pool of organic carbon

compounds from which life could have evolved and represent a background signal that must be taken into

consideration when searching for evidence of past life on Mars.

About (ALH) 84001 meteorite-

• ALH84001 is thought to be one of the oldest Martian meteorites, the 1.9-kg igneous rock proposed to

have crystallized from molten rock 4.091 billion years ago.

• It was found on the Allan Hills Far Western Icefield during the 1984–85 season, by Roberta Score, Lab

Manager of the Antarctic Meteorite Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center.


• Chemical analysis suggests that it originated on Mars when there was liquid water on the planet's surface.

• There were also debates on the possibilities that the compounds could have come from volcanic activity,

impact events on Mars or hydrological exposure.

Meteorite basics-

• Meteoroids are objects in space that range in size from dust grains to small asteroids.

• But when meteoroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere they are called meteors.

• But if a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere and hits the ground, it is called a meteorite.

• NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission was launched in 2018 with the aim of reaching asteroid Bennu and getting back a

sample from the ancient asteroid.

Underwater volcanic eruption in Tonga 6.2 In news- Recently, the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai erupted, triggering a tsunami that flooded Pacific coastlines from Japan to the U.S. More information-

• Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, which lies about 65 kilometres north of Nuku'alofa, has a history of

volatility.

• A volcanic eruption merged the two islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Haʻapai in 2009, and a more

explosive eruption separated the islands and reduced them in size.

• The recent eight minute volcanic eruptions triggered tsunami waves around the Pacific caused "significant

damage" to the island nation Tonga’s capital Nuku'alofa and smothered it in dust.

• The US Geological Survey recorded the eruption as equivalent to a 5.8-magnitude earthquake at zero

depth.

• The volcano is part of the highly active Tonga–Kermadec Islands volcanic arc, a subduction zone

extending from New Zealand north-northeast to Fiji.

• The island arc is formed at the convergent boundary where the Pacific Plate subducts under the

Indo-Australian Plate.

About Tonga- It is an island nation and a Polynesian country and also an archipelago consisting of 169 islands divided into

three main groups – Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu. It lies 2,383 kilometres northeast of New Zealand. Tongan is the official language, along with English. It is surrounded by Fiji and Wallis and Futuna (France) to the northwest; Samoa to the northeast; New

Caledonia (France) and Vanuatu to the west; Niue (the nearest foreign territory) to the east; and Kermadec (New Zealand) to the southwest.

Tonga has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with a distinct warm period (December–April). Tonga became a protected state under a Treaty of Friendship with Britain on 18 May 1900 and the treaty

ended in 1970. Tongans, Polynesian by ethnicity with a mixture of Melanesian, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants.

Pacific ring of fire 6.3 In news- The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano (near the island nation of Tonga), located on the Pacific ‘Ring of fire has erupted recently.


About the Pacific ‘Ring of fire-

• The Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ or Pacific rim, or the Circum-Pacific Belt, is an area along the Pacific Ocean.

• It is a long horseshoe-shaped seismically active belt of earthquake epicenters, volcanoes, and tectonic

plate boundaries.

• It is home to about 75 per cent of the world’s volcanoes i.e,. more than 450 volcanoes.

• Also, about 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes occur here.

• Its length is over 40,000 kilometers and traces from New Zealand clockwise in an almost circular arc

covering Tonga, Kermadec Islands, Indonesia, moving up to the Philippines, Japan, and stretching eastward

to the Aleutian Islands, then southward along the western coast of North America and South America.

• The area is along several tectonic plates including the Pacific plate, Philippine Plate, Juan de Fuca plate,

Cocos plate, Nazca plate, and North American plate.

• The movement of these plates or tectonic activity makes the area witness abundant earthquakes and

tsunamis every year.

• Along much of the Ring of Fire, tectonic plates move towards each other creating subduction zones.

• This is a very slow process – a movement of just one or two inches per year.

• As this subduction happens, rocks melt, become magma and move to Earth’s surface and cause volcanic

activity.

• Subduction zones are also where most of the violent earthquakes on the planet occur.

• Major volcanic events that have occurred within the Ring of Fire since 1800 included the eruptions of

Mount Tambora (1815), Krakatoa (1883), Novarupta (1912), Mount Saint Helens (1980), Mount Ruiz

(1985), and Mount Pinatubo (1991).

• The Ring of Fire has been the setting for several of the largest earthquakes in recorded history, including

the Chile earthquake of 1960, the Alaska earthquake of 1964, the Chile earthquake of 2010, and the Japan

earthquake of 2011 as well as the earthquake that produced the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of

2004.


• The December 26, 2004 earthquake occurred along the subduction zone where the Indian Plate was

subducted beneath the Burma plate.

• In the case of Tonga, the Pacific Plate was pushed down below the Indo-Australian Plate and Tonga

plate, causing the molten rock to rise above and form the chain of volcanoes.

Rare earth metals 6.4 In news- Recently, a bill was introduced in the US Senate that would force its defence contractors to stop buying rare earths metals from China by 2026 and use the Pentagon to create a permanent stockpile of the strategic minerals. About Rare earth metals-

• The rare-earth elements (REE), also called the rare-earth metals or rare-earth oxides, or the lanthanides

are a set of 17 nearly-indistinguishable lustrous silvery-white soft heavy metals.

• Rare earths have diverse applications in electrical (electric vehicles) and electronic components, clean

technologies like wind turbines, fuel cells, defence, advanced communications like GPS, space satellites,

healthcare like MRI, lasers, magnetic materials, and industrial processes.

• They do not occur as base metals or in lump or visible quantities like iron or aluminum, and hence their

names and properties are unfamiliar in everyday life.

• The first rare-earth mineral discovered (1787) was gadolinite, a black mineral composed of cerium,

yttrium, iron, silicon, and other elements.

• This mineral was extracted from a mine in the village of Ytterby in Sweden; four of the rare-earth elements

bear names derived from this single location.

• The content of the individual rare-earth elements varies considerably from mineral to mineral and from

deposit to deposit.

• REEs are categorized as being either “light” or “heavy”:

○ Light REEs (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium and scandium) are produced in global abundance and are in surplus supply.

○ Heavy REEs (terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium and yttrium) are produced mainly in China and are in limited supply. Global efforts to bring new resources to the marketplace continue.

• They, when looked at anatomically, seem to be inseparable from each other, in that they are all almost

exactly the same in terms of their chemical properties.

• However, in terms of their electronic properties, their magnetic properties, each one is really exquisitely

unique.

• The most abundant rare-earth element is cerium, which is actually the 25th most abundant element in

Earth's crust, having 68 parts per million (about as common as copper).

• The exception is the highly unstable and radioactive promethium "rare earth" is quite scarce.

• The longest-lived isotope of promethium has a half-life of 17.7 years, so the element exists in nature in

only negligible amounts (approximately 572 g in the entire Earth's crust).

• Promethium is one of the two elements that do not have stable (non-radioactive) isotopes and are

followed by (i.e. with higher atomic number) stable elements (the other being technetium).

Rare earth metals in India and the world- China today controls nearly 90% of global rare earth production. About 94 percent of the rare earths mined

in China are from bastnasite deposits


The United States has only one rare earths mine and has no capability to process rare earth minerals. It stands second in terms of production. It is followed by Myanmar, Australia.

India has the world’s fifth-largest reserves of rare earth elements, but it imports most of its rare earth needs in finished form from China.

Haryana, Himachal plan to revive Saraswati river 6.5 In news- State governments of Himachal Pradesh & Haryana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently for building a dam in the Adi Badri as part of a project aimed at rejuvenating the Saraswati river. Key updates-

• A MoU was signed for the construction of a dam in Himachal Pradesh on 77 acres, near the Adi Badri area

of Haryana’s YamunaNagar district.

• As per the Haryana government, the extinct Saraswati river will get revived with the construction of Adi

Badri dam.

• It also claimed that the presence of Saraswati river has been proved through satellites.

• For conducting research on it, a chair has been set up at the Kurukshetra University. Besides, the Haryana

Saraswati Heritage Development Board has also been established.

• The Haryana government has notified an area of 200 km from Adi Badri to Ghaggar river via Kaithal for

Saraswati river.

• The objective of this project is to revive Saraswati as well as increasing the groundwater level. With

commissioning of the dam, the flood situation arising out of excessive rainfall during rainy days will also

be dealt with.

• The project would also be of use for Himachal Pradesh as 3.92 hectare meters water per annum would be

earmarked for the State for its drinking water requirements, and 57.96 hectare meters for irrigation water

demand in project-affected habitations.

• A portion of the Somb river — a tributary of the Yamuna that passes through Adi Badri — will be diverted

to the Rs 215-crore dam from where it will flow into the stream of the Saraswati river.


• Both states have believed that the course of the Ghaggar river is believed to be the course of the Saraswati

river.

• With the construction of the dam, the Saraswati river would flow throughout the year with 20 cusecs of

water all the time.

About Saraswati river- The Sarasvati River is an extinct river mentioned in the Rig Veda and later Vedic and post-Vedic texts. The river flowed through Haryana, Rajasthan and North Gujarat and flowed through Pakistan before meeting

Western Sea through Rann of Kutch. It originated from Kapal tirth in the Himalayas in the west of Kailash. The Sarasvati is considered by Hindus to exist in a metaphysical form, in which it formed a confluence with

the sacred rivers Ganges and Yamuna, at the Triveni Sangam.

Book 6 of the Rig Veda includes hymn praises of the Saraswati as being “perfect mother, unsurpassed river,

and supreme goddess”. For 2000 years, between 6000 and 4000 B.C the Saraswati flowed as a great river.

7. GOVERNANCE

eSanjeevani initiative 7.1 In news- Recently, the Union Minister of Health and Family welfare reviewed the working of eSanjeevani, a National Telemedicine Service.


About eSanjeevani-

• It is a national telemedicine service that offers tele-consultations enabling patient to doctor consultations

from the confines of their home, as well as doctor to doctor consultations.

• In 2018, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had conceptualized the use of telemedicine to

aid implementation of Ayushman Bharat scheme.

• The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had launched two variants of e-Sanjeevani namely –

• E-Sanjeevani AB-HWC which is meant for doctor – to – doctor tele consultations

• E-Sanjeevani OPD which is meant for patient – to – doctor tele consultation

• The former is being implemented under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWCs)

programme.

• The telemedicine platform is hosting over 40 online OPDs, more than half of these are speciality OPDs

which include Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, antiretroviral therapy (ART) for

the AIDS/HIV patients, Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) etc.

• E-Sanjeevani OPD (out-patient department) is a telemedicine variant for the public to seek health services

remotely and was rolled out on 13th of April 2020 during the first lockdown in the country.

• It enables virtual meetings between the patients and doctors & specialists from geographically dispersed

locations, through video conferencing that occurs in real-time.

• At the end of these remote consultations, eSanjeevani generates electronic prescriptions which can be

used for sourcing medicines.

• Andhra Pradesh was the first state to roll out e-Sanjeevani AB-HWC services in November 2019.

• Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand etc were the early adopters of this first

of its kind of telemedicine initiative.

District Good Governance Index (DGGI) 7.2 In news- The Union Minister of Home virtually released India’s First “District Good Governance Index” at Jammu recently. About District Good Governance Index (DGGI)-

• It was prepared by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in

collaboration with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

• It measures the diversity of governance model in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

• It provides a roadmap for similar benchmarking of Governance at District level for all States and Union

Territories of India.

• The Index has helped identify the impact of various governance interventions at district level and provide a

futuristic roadmap for improving district level governance with targeted interventions.

• The top 5 districts in the District Good Governance Index are Jammu, Doda, Samba, Pulwama

and Srinagar.

Corruption Perceptions Index 7.3 In news- Germany based non-profit organization; Transparency International released the Corruption Perceptions Index 2021 recently. About Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)-

• Since its inception in 1995, the CPI has become the leading global indicator of public sector corruption.


• The Index scores 180 countries and territories around the world based on perceptions of public sector

corruption, using data from 13 external sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum,

private risk and consulting companies, think tanks and others. 

• The CPI generally defines corruption as an "abuse of entrusted power for private gain".

• In its 2021 edition, the CPI ranked 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector

corruption on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), drawing on 13 expert assessments and

surveys of business executives.

• Comparatively, India's score stands at 40 and is ranked 85, while Bangladesh's stands at 147th position

and Pakistan is ranked at 140th.

• The CPI global average remains unchanged at 43 for the tenth year in a row, and two-thirds of countries

score below 50.

• According to the report, the top-performing countries are Denmark, Finland and New Zealand, followed

by Norway, Singapore and Sweden, all of them scoring 85.

• In contrast, the worst-performing countries were South Sudan, followed by Syria (13), Somalia (13,

Venezuela (14) and Afghanistan (16).

8. HISTORY

8.1 Konark Sun temple In news- The Archaeological Survey of India is working on a preliminary roadmap to safely remove sand from the interiors of Odisha’s Sun Temple, which was filled up by the British 118 years ago to prevent it from collapsing. Sun Temple of Konark-

• It is a masterpiece of Odisha’s medieval architecture and one of India’s most famous Brahman sanctuaries.

• It is also known as the Black Pagoda (due to its dark color).

• It was used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha.

• It is located in the eastern State of Odisha near the sacred city of Puri and is dedicated to the Sun God or

Surya.

• It is attributed to king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty about 1250 CE.

• The temple is a monumental representation of the sun God Surya’s chariot.

• There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the Konark sun temple, which represent either 24 hours

or 12 months.

• The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the week.

• The temple was declared a world heritage by UNESCO in 1984.

• The Konark is the third link of Odisha’s Golden Triangle, first link being Jagannath Puri and the second link

being Bhubaneswar (Capital city of Odisha).

• The Sun Temple is the culmination of Odisha style of Architecture or Kalinga architecture, with all its

defining elements in complete and perfect form.

• It is oriented towards the east so that the first rays of the sunrise strike the main entrance.

• The temple, built from Khondalite rocks, was originally constructed at the mouth of the river

Chandrabhaga, but the waterline has receded since then.

• The Konark Sun Temple complex has ruins of many subsidiary shrines and monuments around the main

temple. Some of these include: Mayadevi Temple, Vaishnava Temple, Kitchen, Well 1 and Well 2.


• It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela around the

month of February.

• Konark Sun Temple is depicted on the reverse side of the Indian currency note of 10 rupees to signify its

importance to Indian cultural heritage.

Some of the important Sun temples in India-

• Sun Temple at Unao in Madhya Pradesh

• Sun Temple in Ranchi, Jharkhand

• Katarmal Surya Temple, Almora District, Uttarakhand

• Surya Pahar Temple, Assam

• Martand Surya Temple, Anantnag, J&K

• Dakshinaarka Sun Temple, Gaya

• Suryanar Temple also called as Suryanar Kovil Temple, Kumbakonam

• Surya Narayana Temple, Arasavalli, Andhra Pradesh

8.2 Sahitya Akademi Award 2021 In news- The Sahitya Akademi announced its awards for 2021 for literary works in 20 languages, including novels in Assamese and English. Awards for 2021-

• As per the national academy of letters seven books of poetry, five of short stories, two plays, one each of

biography, autobiography, criticism and epic poetry had won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2021.

• The awards for works in Gujarati, Maithili, Manipuri and Urdu would be announced at a later date.

• Two plays — by Bratya Basu in Bengali and Daya Prakash Sinha in Hindi — were selected for the award.

• The award includes a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and an amount of Rs 1,00,000.

• It also gave Yuva Puraskar award and Bal Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2021.

About Sahitya Akademi (India’s National Academy of Letters)- It was formally inaugurated by the Government of India on 12 March 1954. The Government of India Resolution, which set forth the constitution of the Akademi, described it as a

national organization to work actively for the development of Indian letters and to set high literary standards to foster and co-ordinate literary activities in the Indian languages and to promote through them the cultural unity of the country.

Though set up by the Government, the Akademi functions as an autonomous organization. It was registered as a society on 7 January 1956, under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The Akademi preserves and promotes literature contained in twenty four Indian languages recognised by it

through Awards, Fellowships, and grants, Publications, Literary Programmes, Workshops and Exhibitions. It also undertakes literary exchange programmes with various countries across the globe to promote Indian

literature beyond the shores of India. It is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only

institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English and Rajasthani. It also gives special awards called Bhasha Samman for significant contribution to the languages not formally

recognized by the Akademi as also for contribution to classical and medieval literature. The Akademi has launched Centres for Translation in Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Delhi, and an

Archive of Indian Literature in Delhi.


8.3 Nai Talim In news- Recently, the Vice President of India said that the New Education Policy follows the ‘Nai Talim’ of Mahatma Gandhi by giving importance to the mother tongue as the medium of instruction at school level. About Nai Talim-

• Nai-Talim, also known as Buniyadi Shikshan, means basic education.

• It is also called Experiential Learning.

• It had laid emphasis on making mother tongue as the medium of instruction in addition to free compulsory

education and skill training to the students.

• It is essentially a mass education approach due to its centrality of socially useful work, and was expected

to create a National System of Education.

• Mahatma Gandhi gave his scheme of Nai Talim (New Education) in a well formulated approach to

education in 1937 in his newspaper 'Harijan'.

• It is a well-developed philosophy of education based on experiments he did right from 1904 when he was

in South Africa to his stay in ashrams in India at Sabarmati (Gujarat) and Sevagram (Maharashtra).

• It is an approach to the total personality development of body, mind and spirit and was based on four

basic principles:

○ Education or learning in mother tongue along with handicraft work. ○ Work should be linked with the most useful vocational needs of the locality. ○ Learning should be linked with vocational work. ○ Work should be socially useful and productive.

• This approach of work centric education with technology accessible locally was the basic approach of Nai

Talim.

8.4 Takht Sri Damdama Sahib In news- Recently, Delhi Assembly has passed an amendment Bill to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971, recognising Takht Damdama Sahib as the fifth Takht of Sikhs. About Takht system-

• A Takht, which means a throne, is a seat of temporal authority for Sikhs.

• The Takhts are known to issue hukamnama from time to time on issues that concern the Sikh community.

• This amendment adds one more ex officio member in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee

(DSGMC) house and it will increase members of DSGMC from 55 to 56.

• There are five Sikh Takhts, three in Punjab and one each in Maharashtra and Bihar.

1. Akal Takht: o Located in Amritsar, it is the oldest of the Takhts, and considered supreme among the five. o It was set up in 1606 by Guru Hargobind, whose succession as the sixth Guru after the execution of his

father, Guru Arjan Dev, is considered a turning point in Sikh history. o The Akal Takht, a raised platform that he built in front of the causeway leading to the sanctum sanctorum of

the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), symbolised the coming together of the temporal authority and the political sovereignty of the Sikh community (miri) with the spiritual authority (piri).

o It is a five-storey building where the first storey houses the Guru Granth Sahib. o Any edict or order concerning the entire community is issued only from Akal Takht. o The other four Takhts are linked to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. 2. Takht Keshgarh Sahib: Located in Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, it was here that Guru Gobind Singh raised

Khalsa, the initiated Sikh warriors, in 1699.


3. Takht Patna Sahib: Guru Gobind Singh was born here in 1666. 4. Takht Hazur Sahib: In Nanded, where Guru Gobind Singh spent time and where he was cremated in 1708. 5. Takht Damdama Sahib: o It is in Talwandi Sabo of Bathinda. o After his fiercest battle with the Mughals at Anandpur Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib and Muktsar, Guru Gobind

Singh retired to the jungle of Malwa. o He relaxed and took a rest (Dam) at Talwandi Sabo and hence its name Damdama Sahib. o The Guru stayed here nine months and nine days and made the place a Centre for spreading his mission and

hence its name Guru-ki- Kanshi. o He re-dictated Adi-Granth here and called the place as Khalse Da Takhat. o Prior to this, Takht Damdama Sahib was recognised as the fifth Sikh Takht in 1999 by the Union Home

Ministry, which included it as such in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. o It was also declared as the fifth Takht of Sikhs back in November 1966 after Punjab was carved out as a

separate state. o A seal believed to have been used by Guru Gobind Singh for his edicts is preserved at Damdama Sahib.

• The three Takhts in Punjab are directly controlled by the Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC),

while the two Takhts outside Punjab have their own trusts and boards.

8.5 Jagannath Temple Act In news- Recently the state government of Odisha has approved amendments to the Sri Jagannath Temple Act of 1954, simplifying issues pertaining to land owned by the Jagannath Temple. Jagannath Temple Act & proposed amendment to it-

• The Act contains provision on land rights of the temple, duties of the sevayat, administrative powers of the

Shri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, rights and privileges of the Raja of Puri and other persons

connected with the management and administration of the temple.

• Prior to the act, management of the temple was governed by regulations issued by the British in 1806.

• Later, the powers of management of the temple were passed on to the King of Khordha while the colonial

government continued to retain some control.

• Earlier, people who had occupied or were in possession of the temple land for a long period of time had to

approach the state government for sale or transfer of the land.

• As per the amendment, the temple administration and concerned officials now have the power to sell or

lease out temple land, without any approval from the state government.

• The temple managing committee, administrative officials and Collectors of respective districts can take

decisions in this regard from now onwards.

About Jagannath Temple- The temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are

pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars. It is called the “White Pagoda” (Konark Sun temple of Odisha is called Black pagoda). The temple is a part of Char Dham (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram) pilgrimages that a Hindu is

expected to make in one’s lifetime. The idol of Jagannatha is made of wood which is ceremoniously replaced every twelve or nineteen years by

using sacred trees. The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 12th century by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva

of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.


Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath.

It was referred to as the Juggernaut temple (name got from Jagannath) by the colonial rulers.

8.6 Indian educator Fatima Sheikh In news- 191st birthday of Fatima Sheikh was observed on 9th January 2022. A brief note on Fatima Sheikh-

• She was India’s first Muslim woman teacher and was a colleague of Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai

Phule.

• She was born on 9th January 1831 in Pune and was considered to be a feminist icon in pre-independent

India.

• She co-founded the Indigenous Library in 1848 which was one of India’s first schools for girls along with

the Phules.

• In Pune, Sheikh along with her brother Usman offered their home to the Phules, who had been evicted for

attempting to educate people from the lower castes.

• Along with Savitribai Phule, she taught communities of marginalized Dalit and Muslim women and children

who were denied education based on class, religion, or gender.

• The efforts that she put in, working alongside the Phules, to provide opportunities to those born in the

lower caste, got recognised as the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truthseekers’ Society) movement.

• In 2014, Sheikh’s achievements were featured by the government in the form of a profile in Urdu

textbooks, along with other such exemplary and resolute educators of her time.

Jyotiba Phule-

He was born in the Mali family of Poona in 1827.

The Malis belonged to shudra Varna and were placed immediately below the peasant caste.

He was educated at a Marathi school with a three year break at a mission school in Poona.

Phule completed his English schooling in 1847.

He was married at a young age of 13 to a girl of his own community, Savithribhai Phule, who was chosen by

his father.

He fought against the social stigma prevalent in the society during the nineteenth century.

He wanted the British government to abolish Brahmin Kulkarni’s position, and a post of village headman

(Patil) filled on the basis of merit.

He organized lower castes under the banner of Satya Shodhak Samaj.

He started awareness campaigns that inspired the personalities like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma

Gandhi, who later undertook major initiatives against caste discrimination.

He wrote mainly in Marathi and that too in a Marathi meant for the masses.

In Brahmanache Kasab (1869) Phule has exposed the exploitation of Brahmin priests.

In Gulamgiri (1873) he has given a historical survey of the slavery of lower castes.

In 1883, he published a collection of his speeches under the title Jhetkaryarlcha Asud (The cultivator’s whip-

cord) where he analysed how peasants were being exploited in those days.

A text of his philosophical statement can be found in Sarvajanik Satyadharma Pustak (A book of True

Religion For All) published in 1891.

Dhananjay Keer in 1974, penned down his biography titled, ‘Mahatma Jyotiba Phule: Father of Our Social

Revolution’.


Maharashtra Krishi Vidyapeeth at Rahuri, has been renamed Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth.

Savithribhai Phule-

She was born on 3 January 1831 at Naigaon in Maharashtra’s Satara district.

Shei was not educated at the time of her marriage, as she was from a backward caste and a woman.

Savitribai Phule was taught by Jyotiba at their home.

Later, she took a teacher’s training course at an institute run by an American missionary in Ahmednagar

and in Pune’s Normal School.

XJyotiba and Savitri opened a school for women in 1848 which was the country’s first school for women

started by Indians.

She then started teaching girls in Pune’s Maharwada, along with Sagunabai, a revolutionary feminist and a

mentor to Jyotiba.

Savitribai was also a poetess and published Kavya Phule in 1854 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1892.

In her poem, “Go, Get Education”, she urged the oppressed communities to get an education and break free

from the chains of oppression.

In 1852, Savitribai started the Mahila Seva Mandal to raise awareness about women’s rights.

Savitribai called for a women’s gathering where members from all castes were welcome and everybody was

expected to sit on the same mat.

Jyotiba and Savithribhai also started the Home for the Prevention of Infanticide in her house, a place where

Brahmin widows could deliver their babies safely.

In the 1850s, the Phule couple initiated two educational trusts – the Native Female School, Pune and The

Society for Promoting the Education of Mahars, Mangs and Etceteras.

8.7 Kohima war cemetery In news- The Kohima War Cemetery in Nagaland has figured in the U.K based Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) five sites with unusual features. About Kohima War Cemetery-

• It is a memorial dedicated to soldiers of the 2nd British Division of the Allied Forces who died in the Second

World War at Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, India, in April 1944.

• As per CWGC, Kohima War Cemetery has a feature that is possibly not shared by any other cemetery in the

world that is a tennis court.

• It is one of 23,000 World War graves across the continents maintained by the CWGC.

• Present-day Nagaland and adjoining Manipur comprised the only theatre of World War II in the Indian

subcontinent.

• On April 3, 1944, a Japanese force of 15,000 had attacked Kohima and its 2,500 strong garrison.

• Those who had fallen in the defence of Kohima were buried on the battlefield, which later became a

permanent CWGC cemetery.

• Designer Colin St. Clair Oakes incorporated the tennis court into the design of the cemetery.

• The other four unusual sites listed by CWGC are the World War I “crater cemeteries” – Zivy Crater and

Litchfield Crater – in the Pas de Calais region in France ((These craters were caused by mine explosions).

• Another site listed is the Nicosia (Waynes Keep) Cemetery or the “cemetery in no man’s land” in Cyprus,

requiring the presence of armed guards, because the cemetery is on the border of a patch of land disputed

between the southern and northern parts of the island since the 1970s.


About Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC)- It is an intergovernmental organisation of six member-states. It was founded by Sir Fabian Ware and constituted through Royal Charter in 1917 as the Imperial War Graves

Commission; later in 1960s changed its name as CWGC. Its principal function is to mark record and maintain the graves and places of commemoration of

Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars. It is also responsible for commemorating Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action

during the Second World War.

8.8 Guru Ravidas In news- Recently, the Election Commission has postponed Punjab elections 2022 by a week to February 20 in view of Guru Ravidas Jayanti which falls on February 16. A brief note on Guru Ravidas-

• Ravidas, also called Raidas, of the 15th or 16th century, was a mystic, poet, saint of North Indian Bhakti

movement and founded the Ravidassia religion.

• He was born in Varanasi as a member of an untouchable leather-working Chamar caste.

• He was born in Magha Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Magh month.

• His birth anniversary is celebrated as per the Hindu lunar calendar and therefore has no fixed date

attached to it.

• He was a renowned poet of the nirgun bhakti tradition that valued the worship of a formless God.

• Along with Kabir, he was one of the most noted disciples of Bhagat Ramanand.

• When the fifth Sikh guru Arjan Dev compiled in 1604 the Adi Granth, the key religious scripture of the

Sikhs, he incorporated 41 verses of Bhakt Ravidas.

• He was vocal against the varna (caste) system and in his poetry, questioned caste hegemony, valued

labour of all sorts, as well as a life of simplicity and morality.

• He imagined an egalitarian society called Begumpura, means “land without sorrow” where there would

be no discrimination or exploitation.

• He acknowledged Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva in his poetry as manifestations of God, but rejected

celibacy, asceticism, penance, austerity, rituals, pilgrimage, idol worship and the authority of texts

considered sacred.

• Ravidas is considered a symbol of caste assertion, Dalit identity, the resilience of Hinduism, and

egalitarianism aspect of Sikhism all at the same time.

• He chose the middle path between radical separation and assimilation.

• He formed his distinct identity so his disciples came to be known as Ravidas-panthis.

• In the 20th century, Sikh, Hindu, and even Muslims used to follow his teachings and they came to be

known as Ravidassias.

• The Ravidassia religion compiled a new holy book, Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji which contains exclusive

writings and teachings of Sant Ravidas.

• The Panch Vani text of the Dadupanthi tradition within Hinduism also includes numerous poems of Guru

Ravidas.

• Many legends link him as the guru of Meera, another major Bhakti movement poet.

• The songs of Ravidas discuss Nirguna-Saguna themes and ideas that are at the foundation of Nath Yoga

philosophy of Hinduism.


• He has frequently mentioned the term ‘Sahaj’, a mystical state where there is a union of the truths of the

many and the one.

8.9 Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary In news- 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was observed on 23rd January 2022. Various initiatives of 125th birth anniversary-

• As part of the celebrations, the government has decided to install a grand statue of Netaji Subhas

Chandra Bose at India Gate.

• The statue, made of black granite, would be made by a team of artists headed by National Gallery of

Modern Art, Delhi director-general Adwaita Gadnayak.

• Till the work for the statue is completed, a hologram statue of Netaji will be present at the same place,

which was recently unveiled by the Prime Minister.

• The hologram was installed under the canopy where a statue of King George V had stood till its removal

in 1968.

• During the programme, Prime Minister also conferred the Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan

Puraskars or awards for disaster management, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in the investiture

ceremony.

• The winners for 2022 were the Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management and Prof. Vinod Sharma, a senior

professor at the Indian Institute of Public Administration and the vice-chairperson of the Sikkim State

Disaster Management Authority.

• The award is announced every year on 23rd January and carries a cash prize of Rs. 51 lakh and a

certificate in case of an institution and Rs. 5 lakh and a certificate in case of an individual.

• The central government has decided to start the Republic Day celebrations from January 23 to include

Bose’s anniversary, which will be celebrated as ‘Parakram Diwas’ (day of valour) starting this year.

A brief note on Subhas Chandra Bose- Subhas Chandra Bose was an Indian nationalist and was born on January 23, 1897 in Odisha’s Cuttack. His parents were Janaki Nath Bose, a famous lawyer, and Prabhavati Devi. He did B A in Philosophy from the Presidency College in Calcutta. In December 1921, Bose was arrested and imprisoned for organizing a boycott of the celebrations to mark

the Prince of Wales’s visit to India. Bose left for England in 1919 to appear for the Indian Civil Service Examination. Bose returned to India as he resigned from his civil service job in April 1921, and later joined the Indian

National Congress to fight for the independence of India. In 1923, Bose was elected as the President of All India Youth Congress and as the Secretary of Bengal State

Congress. By December 1927, Bose was appointed as the General Secretary of the INC. In 1938, he presided over the Haripura Congress session. However, due to his strong differences with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, he resigned in 1939. He escaped from India from house arrest in 1940 and came to Germany in 1941. In Europe, S C Bose sought help from Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini for the liberation of India. During the Second World War, he moved to Japanese-held Sumatra in 1943 and revived the Indian National

Army (INA) with the help of the Imperial Japanese Army, and also founded an Indian Radio Station called ‘Azad Hind Radio’.

S. C. Bose was founder and President of the All India Forward Bloc, and founder and Head of State of the Provisional Government of Free India, which he led alongside the Indian National Army from 1943 until his demise in 1945.


He started the newspaper known as ‘Swaraj’, and was also editor of the newspaper called ‘Forward’, founded by his mentor Chittaranjan Das.

In 1934, he wrote the first part of his book ‘The Indian Struggle’, which was about nationalism and India’s independence movement during 1920–1934, but the British government banned the book.

He was reportedly killed in a plane crash over Taipei, Taiwan (Formosa) on August 18, 1945. Following Institutions have been named after him- Netaji Subhas University, Pokhari, Jamshedpur. Netaji Subhas Open University, Kolkata. Netaji Subhas University of Technology, New Delhi. Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala

8.10 ‘Abide with Me' hymn In news- The Union government decided to drop one of Mahatma Gandhi's favorite hymns ‘Abide With Me' from the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2022. Key updates-

• 'Abide with Me' was excluded from the Beating Retreat ceremony as the government wanted to include

"maximum number of Indian tunes".

• This year, only Indian origin or indigenous tunes were in the list in order to commemorate 75 years of

India's independence as "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav".

• For this year's ceremony, the hymn was replaced by the popular patriotic song "Ae Mere Watan Ke

Logon".

• It was written by Kavi Pradeep to commemorate the supreme sacrifice made by Indian soldiers during

the 1962 Indo-China war.

• As per Army brochure, the 26 tunes were played at this year's ceremony.

About ‘Abide with Me' hymn- It is a prayer (Christian hymn) for God to stay with the speaker throughout life and in death. It was written by Scottish Anglican poet and hymnologist Henry Francis Lyte in 1847 as he was dying from

tuberculosis. It had been part of the Beating Retreat ceremony in India since 1950. It is most often sung to the tune "Eventide" by William Henry Monk. What is a Beating Retreat? It is a centuries-old military tradition dating from the days when troops disengaged from the battle at

sunset. As soon as the buglers sounded the retreat, the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew

from the battlefield. It also marks the end of nearly week-long festivities of Republic Day, which used to begin on January 24. But this year, the celebrations began on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

8.11 Highlights of Republic Day 2022 In news- 73rd Republic Day of India was observed on 26 January 2022. Key highlights-


• The main attraction of Republic Day celebrations is the annual parade which begins at Rajpath, Delhi, and

ends at the India Gate.

• The parade this year showcased India's military might, cultural diversity and many unique initiatives to

mark the celebration of the 75th year of independence.

• On this day, the country's President hoisted the flag at Rajpath, New Delhi that was followed by the

National Anthem with a booming 21-gun salute, presented by Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment.

• The ceremonious event also showcased India's cultural and social heritage, parades and airshows by the

Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

• The celebrations commenced on January 23 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of Netaji's

125th birth anniversary, unveiled the hologram statue of the freedom fighter at India Gate in Delhi.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured the winners of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda

Prabandhan Puruskar, which was instituted in 2018, for contribution to the fields of disaster risk

management.

• The parade featured the largest flypast of 75 aircraft from the three services, marking the 75th year of

India’s independence.

• For the first time, the defence ministry presented videos from the cockpit as the helicopters and aircraft

flew over Rajpath

• The President approved the conferment of 128 Padma awards this year, including two duo cases, in which

the award is counted as one. The list comprised four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107

Padma Shri awards.

• The country’s first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot Shivangi Singh was part of the Indian Air Force tableau

at the Republic Day parade. She is only the second woman fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF tableau,

as in 2021, Flight Lieutenant Bhawna Kanth became the first female fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF

tableau.

8.12 Controversy over Tipu Sultan in Mumbai In news- Mysore King Tipu Sultan is at the centre of a controversy in Mumbai as Minister is planning to name a playground in the Muslim dominated Malwani locality after the 17th century ruler. A brief history of Tipu Sultan-

• He was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India.

• He was born in 1750, Devanahalli, Karnataka.

• He had inherited the throne from his father Haidar Ali, who had driven out the previous Hindu dynasty.

• In 1767 Tippu commanded a corps of cavalry against the Marathas in the Carnatic (Karnataka) region of

western India, and he fought against the Marathas on several occasions between 1775 and 1779.

• War between Mysore and Maratha ended with the Treaty of Gajendragad.

• He was the pioneer of rocket artillery.

• He introduced sericulture in Mysore on a large scale and maintained records about the cultivation of

sericulture.

• Tipu established banking networks and cooperatives, where capital was raised from the public (similar to

banks inviting deposits), the principal held on an annual basis and returned with interest (or `nafa’).

• He established trading houses for Mysore products worldwide, including places like Puducherry , Kutch,

Karachi, Oman, Baghdad and Constantinople.

• Both Tipu Sultan and his father used their French-trained army in alliance with the French in their struggle

with the British and fought 4 Anglo-Mysore wars.

• At the age of 15, Tipu Sultan supported his father in the first Anglo-Mysore War against the British in 1766.

https://indianexpress.com/about/narendra-modi/


• During the second Anglo-Mysore War he defeated Col. John Brathwaite.

• He succeeded his father in December 1782 and in 1784 concluded peace with the British and assumed the

title of Sultan of Mysore.

• In 1789, however, he provoked British invasion by attacking their ally, the Raja of Travancore led to the

third Anglo- Mysore war.

• The war ended by the signing of Treaty of Srirangapatna, between Tipu Sultan and Lord Cornwallis.

• In this treaty, Tipu ceded half of his territories and two of his son’s as a hostage of war.

• The Governor-general, Lord Mornington (later the Marquess of Wellesley), launched the fourth Anglo-

Mysore War and on May 4, 1799, Tippu died in Srirangapatna, leading his troops in the breach.

9. LAW AND POLICY

9.1 Atal Innovation Rankings 2021 In news- Atal Rankings of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) 2021 has been released by the Ministry of Education recently. About ARIIA rankings-

• It is a unique joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and AICTE to systematically rank higher

educational institutions in India on indicators related to Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurship

Development amongst students and faculty.

• ARIIA critically evaluates institutions on parameters like patent filing and grants, number of registered

students and faculty startups, fund generation by incubated startups, specialized infrastructure created by

institutions to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, etc.

• ARIIA-2021 ranks was announced in 9 separate categories which includes-

○ Centrally funded technical institutions (e.g. IITs, NITs, etc). ○ State Universities. ○ State standalone Technical colleges. ○ Private universities. ○ Private Standalone technical colleges. ○ Non-technical government and private universities and institutions.

• The top position has been achieved by IIT Madras, the most innovative educational institute of India in

the technical category. IIT Madras has won this recognition for the third time in a row.

• Moreover, , IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), IIT Hyderabad

and IIT Kharagpur are among the top 10 institutions in the list.

• Other institutes like Panjab University and Delhi Technical University got top position in the 'University

& Deemed to be University (Govt. & Govt. Aided) (Technical)' category.

• In the University & Deemed to be University (Govt. & Govt. Aided) (Technical) category, Kalinga Institute of

Industrial Technology and Chitkara University achieved first and second rank respectively.

• The Colleges/Institutes (Govt. & Govt. Aided) (Technical)' awards have been given to College of

Engineering, Pune and PSG College of Technology.

• Under ‘non-technical institutions’, the top central universities were Indira Gandhi National Open

University (IGNOU), Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode.

9.2 Padhe Bharat campaign In news- The Union Education Minister launched a 100-day reading campaign 'Padhe Bharat'.


About the campaign-

• The campaign is in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which lays emphasis on the

promotion of joyful reading culture for children by ensuring the availability of age-appropriate reading

books for children in local/mother tongue/regional/tribal language.

• The campaign focuses on children studying in Balvatika to Grade 8.

• The reading campaign will be organized for 100 days (14 weeks) starting from 1st January 2022 to 10th

April 2022.

• It aims to have participation of all stakeholders at national and state level including children, teachers,

parents, community, educational administrators etc.

• One activity per week per group has been designed with the focus on making reading enjoyable and

building lifelong association with the joy of reading.

• This campaign has also been aligned with the vision and goals of foundational Literacy and Numeracy

mission.

• It also focuses on Indian languages including mother tongue/local/regional languages.

• It is in this regard, 21st February which is celebrated as International Mother Tongue Day, has also been

integrated with this campaign.

• This day will be celebrated with the activity of Kahani Padho Apni Bhasa Main (Reading story in own

language) across the country by encouraging children to read in their mother tongue/local language.

About ‘Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat’ (PBBB) It is a sub-programme of erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) which is continued under the new integrated

scheme Samagra Shiksha to ensure quality at the foundational years of schooling. Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat is planned in a twin track approach. (i) To improve language development by creating an enduring interest in reading and writing with

comprehension; and (ii) To create a natural and positive interest in mathematics related to the physical and social world. The two tracks of Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat are: 1. Early Reading and Writing with Comprehension. 2. Early mathematics. Objectives of the scheme- To promote early reading and writing with comprehension skills in children, and also basic numeracy skills. To enable children to become motivated, independent and engaged readers and writers with comprehension

possessing sustainable and lasting reading and writing skills and achieve learning levels appropriate to the class of study.

To make the children understand the reasoning in the domains of number, measurement and shapes; and enable them to become independent in problem solving by way of numeracy and spatial understanding skills.

To associate reading and writing with the experience of joy and real life situations. To recognize the social perspective of home- school transition and the role of children’s literature in the

process of building independent and engaged readers and writers.

9.3 Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) In news- A committee constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which examined the income criteria for determining who are to be included among the EWS, submitted its report recently. About the committee-


• It consists of former finance secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Indian Council for Social Sciences Research

(ICSSR) member secretary V K Malhotra, and Principal Economic Advisor to the Government of India

Sanjeev Sanyal.

• It followed the Supreme Court’s observation that the income criterion for determining EWS was

“arbitrary”(with respect to income criteria).

• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on November 25 2021 submitted that the Centre would revisit the criteria

and the committee was set up after that.

• In its report, the committee has said that the threshold of Rs 8 lakh of annual family income, in the

current situation, seems reasonable for determining EWS.

• It has also retained 5-acre criterion for exclusion from the EWS category.

• It has removed criteria related to residential assets.

About EWS- EWS reservation was granted based on the recommendations of a commission headed by Major General

(retd) S R Sinho. The Commission for Economically Backward Classes was constituted by the then UPA government in 2005,

and submitted its report in July 2010. To implement this, a Cabinet Note dated January 6, 2019 was prepared by the Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment. Based on this, the Cabinet in January 2019 decided to amend the Constitution (103rd Amendment) to

provide reservation to EWS. Under the 2019 notification, persons not covered under reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs, and whose

family has a gross annual income below Rs 8 lakh, among other criteria, are to be identified as EWS for benefits of reservation.

The Centre had issued a notification for implementing 10% reservation for EWS. The notification said income shall include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business,

profession, etc for the financial year prior to the year of application. One should not have residential properties of 1,000 sq ft and above; residential plots of 100 sq yards and

above in notified municipalities; and residential plots of 200 sq yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities.

Another criterion is that a person whose family owns or possesses 5 acres of agricultural land or more will be excluded from EWS.

9.4 National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) 3.0 In news- The Union Education Minister has launched NEAT 3.0 recently. About NEAT 3.0-

• NEAT is an initiative to provide the use of best-developed technological solutions in the education sector

to enhance the employability of the youth on a single platform for learners' convenience.

• It is a Public-Private partnership model between the Government (through its implementing agency AICTE)

and the Education Technology companies of India.

• AICTE, MoE is acting as the facilitator in the process while ensuring that the solutions are freely available

to a large number of socially and economically backward students.

• These solutions use Artificial Intelligence for a personalized and customized learning experience for better

learning outcomes and skill development in the niche areas.


• Its aim is to bring the best technological products in education pedagogy on a single platform for the

convenience of learners.

• NEAT has 58 Education Technology Companies with 100 products that help to develop employable skills,

capacity building, and bridge learning gaps.

9.5 NGOs lose FCRA registration In news- The foreign contribution licences of around 6000 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) got cancelled after they failed to comply with revised guidelines or apply for renewal. Key updates-

• Around 18,778 organizations whose Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act licences were due to expire

between September 29, 2020, and December 31, 2021, 12,989 had applied for renewal.

• The Home Ministry claimed that none of these organizations (around 6000) had applied for the renewal of

their licenses.

• Controversy erupted over the home ministry's move not to renew the FCRA licence to the Missionaries of

Charity, citing "adverse inputs”.

About Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act-

• It is an act of Parliament enacted in 1976 and amended in 2010 to regulate foreign donations and to

ensure that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security.

• It is applicable to all associations, groups, and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations.

• Members of the legislature and political parties, government officials, judges, and media persons are

prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution.

• However, in 2017 the FCRA was amended through the Finance Bill to allow political parties to receive

funds from the Indian subsidiary of a foreign company or a foreign company in which an Indian holds 50%

or more shares.

• It is mandatory for all such NGOs to register themselves under the FCRA.

• The registration is initially valid for five years and it can be renewed subsequently if they comply with all

norms.

• Registered associations can receive foreign contributions for social, educational, religious, economic, and

cultural purposes and filing of annual returns on the lines of Income Tax is compulsory.

• In 2015, the MHA notified new rules which required NGOs to give an undertaking that the acceptance of

foreign funds is not likely to prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India or impact friendly

relations with any foreign state and does not disrupt communal harmony.

FCR (Amendment), Act 2020: Prohibition on accepting foreign contribution- o Under the Act, certain persons are prohibited to accept any foreign contribution. o These include election candidates, editor or publisher of a newspaper, judges, government servants,

members of any legislature, and political parties, among others. o The public servants (as defined under the Indian Penal Code) are also added to this list. o Public servant includes any person who is in service or paid by the government, or remunerated by the

government for the performance of any public duty. Transfer of foreign contribution and its use- o Under the Act, foreign contribution cannot be transferred to any other person unless such person is also

registered to accept foreign contribution.


o The Bill states that foreign contributions must be received only in an account designated by the bank as FCRA account in such branches of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.

o No funds other than the foreign contribution should be received or deposited in this account. o The Bill gives government powers to stop utilisation of foreign funds by an organization through a “summary

enquiry”. The administrative expenses through foreign funds by an organisation has been decreased to 20% from 50%

earlier. The Act provided that the government may conduct an inquiry before renewing the certificate to ensure

that the person making the application: o Is not fictitious or benami. o Has not been prosecuted or convicted for creating communal tension or indulging in activities aimed at

religious conversion. o Has not been found guilty of diversion or misutilisation of funds, among others conditions. o The government may also restrict usage of unutilised foreign contribution for persons who have been

granted prior permission to receive such contribution.

9.6 POSH Act In news- Recently, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging guidelines issued by the Bombay High Court in cases under the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. About the guidelines-

• The guidelines were formed by Justice G.S. Patel of the High Court ostensibly to protect the identities of

the parties in a case under the POSH Act.

• The guidelines mentioned a slew of guidelines related to conducting hearings, passing and uploading of

orders, and reportage on cases of sexual harassment of women at workplaces, and made it clear that such

cases can be either heard “in-camera” or in the judge’s chamber, and no reporting without the nod of the

judge will be permitted.

• The court had observed that any breach of these directions would amount to contempt of court.

• The plea in the top court challenged the high court’s decision, terming the directions a “death blow” to the

freedom of speech and expression enshrined under Article 19.

About POSH Act 2013-

• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013,

commonly referred to as the ‘PoSH Act’ is an extension of Vishakha Guidelines, 1997, introduced by the

Supreme Court (in Vishakha and others v State of Rajasthan) which had laid down guidelines for dealing

with sexual harassment at workplace, pending formal legislation.

• The PoSH Act has been implemented with an aim to prevent and protect women from sexual harassment

at the workplace and thereby ensure a safe working environment for women.

• Section 2(n) of the Act defines sexual harassment to include the following unwelcome acts:

i. Physical contact and sexual advances ii. A demand or request for sexual favours iii. Making sexually coloured remarks iv. Showing pornography v. Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature

• The Act also covers concepts of 'quid pro quo harassment' and 'hostile work environment' as forms of

sexual harassment if it occurs in connection with an act or behaviour of sexual harassment.


• As per the Act, an ‘aggrieved woman’ in relation to a workplace, is a woman of any age, whether employed

or not, who alleges to have been subjected to any act of sexual harassment.

• The POSH Act applies to both the organized and unorganized sectors in India.

• The PoSH Act requires every company having more than 10 (ten) employees to constitute an Internal

Complaints Committee (ICC) in the prescribed manner in order to receive and address the complaints of

any sort of sexual harassment from women in a time-bound and extremely confidential manner.

• If an employer fails to either constitute an ICC or discharge any of the other duties placed upon them

under the act, they shall be punished with a fine.

• It also provides for constitution of the Local Committee in every District which is responsible for hearing

and redressing complaints of sexual harassment from workplaces that may have fewer than 10 employees.

• The PoSH Act takes into cognizance, false and malicious complaints and provides for strict action against

them.

9.7 Second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP-V2.0) In news- Recently, the External Affairs ministry and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed an agreement for the second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP-V2.0). About PSP-V2.0-

• The PSP-V2.0 is a continuation and enhancement of PSP-V1.0, an e-Governance instrument, which

introduced unprecedented transformation in delivery of passport related services to citizens.

• To augment and improve the delivery of passport services to Indian citizens, the Ministry of External

Affairs (MEA) had launched the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) in May 2010.

• The programme was recently also connected to more than 176 Indian missions through the Global

Passport Seva Programme (GPSP) to benefit the Indian diaspora.

• Under PSP-V2.0, the e-passports, which will have a microchip with secure biometric data, are set to be

unveiled.

• The e-passport chip usually has the holder’s biographical information that is printed on the document’s

data page and a biometric identifier.

• Such passports have digital security features to prevent unauthorized reading of data stored on the chip.


• TCS is expected to bring in technology for e-passports but the granting and printing of passports will

remain with the government.

• It will last nine-and-a-half years and see TCS deploy the latest technologies to ease services.

• The e-passports will be compliant with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization

(ICAO), and the Indian Security Press in Nashik and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) are involved in

designing the security features.

• The key elements of PSP-V 2.0 are setting up of a state-of-art digital ecosystem, process overhauling and

integration among various stakeholders and database, improving citizen interface, upgrading technology,

adopting best practices and strengthening data security.

• This phase further envisages creation of a new data center, a disaster recovery center and a Government

Secure Repository linked to all Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSKs),

passport offices and Indian missions abroad.

• An electronic file system for passport processing running across the passport issuance ecosystem and

round-the-clock monitoring and supervision through a Network Operation Centre (NOC) and Security

Operation Centre (SOC) will also be created.

9.8 Smart cities and Academia Towards Action & Research (SAAR) program In news- Smart Cities Mission has launched “Smart cities and Academia Towards Action & Research (SAAR)” program recently. About SAAR program-

• It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, National Institute of Urban Affairs and

leading Indian academic institutions of the country.

• Under the program, 15 premier architecture & planning institutes of the country will be working with

Smart Cities to document landmark projects undertaken by the Smart Cities Mission.

• The documents will capture learnings from best practices.

• It will provide opportunities to students for engagement on urban development projects and enable real-

time information flow between urban practitioners and academia.

• The first activity envisaged under SAAR is to prepare a compendium of 75 landmark urban projects in India

under the Smart Cities Mission.

• These 75 urban projects are innovative, multi-sectoral, and have been implemented across geographies.

• The program marks the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.

9.9 Court language in India In news- The Gujarat High Court recently stated that the language of the Court is English and that a party cannot insist on addressing the Court in any other language. Key updates-

• The Court referred to Article 348 of the Constitution which mandates that the language of the Court shall

be English.

• A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J Shastri took objection to a

contemnor, who was appearing as party-in-person, insisting that he will address the Court only in Gujarati.

• The bench said that only in District Court, local language is permissible and English is to be used in the High

Court.


• As per Article 348 (1) of the Constitution of India, English is the official language for all the high courts.

• However as per Clause (2) of Article 348, the Governor of a state, with the previous consent of the

President of India, can authorize use of official language of the state in proceedings before its high court.

• Further, Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 mentions that the Governor of a State may, with the

previous consent of the President, authorize the use of Hindi or the official language of the State, in

addition to the English language, for the purposes of any judgment, decree or order passed or made by the

High Court for that State.

• It also says that where any judgement/decree/order is passed in any such language it shall be

accompanied by a translation of the same in English.

• States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have already authorized the use of Hindi in

proceedings before their respective high courts and Tamil Nadu is also working in that direction to

authorize the use of Tamil before its high court.

9.10 Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 rules In news- Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought another extension from parliamentary committees in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha to frame the rules of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019. More information on the issue-

• January 9 was the last day of an extension sought from the two parliamentary committees in the Lok

Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to frame the rules.

• It is to be noted that without rules, the Act cannot be implemented, which means the persons covered

under the CAA may apply for citizenship after the rules are notified under the CAA.

• Earlier, it had sought time till April 9, 2021 and then July 9, 2021 from the committees to notify the rules

which are to be published in the Gazette of India.

• As per the Manual on Parliamentary Work, in case the ministries/departments are not able to frame the

rules within the prescribed period of six months after legislation is passed, “they should seek extension of

time from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation stating reasons for such extension” which cannot be

more than for a period of three months at a time.

Important provisions of Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019- It aims to grant quicker paths to citizenship to those refugees who have faced religious persecution in

neighboring countries. It amended Citizenship Act 1955 which provides various ways in which citizenship may be acquired. It was passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019 and the Act was notified within 24 hours on December

12. The CAA provides citizenship on the basis of religion to six undocumented non-Muslim communities from

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. It exempts the members of the six communities from any criminal case under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and

the Passport Act, 1920. ((The two Acts specify punishment for entering the country illegally and staying here on expired visas and permits)).

It also relaxed the residence requirement for naturalization of these migrants from twelve years to six. The provisions on citizenship for illegal migrants will not apply to the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya,

Mizoram, or Tripura, as included in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. It will also not apply to states that have the inner-line permit regime (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and

Mizoram) under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.


9.11 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2022 In news- Every year, 9th January is observed as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India. About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)-

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the engagement of the

overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.

• The decision to celebrate PBD was taken by the former Indian Prime Minister, late Shri Atal Bihari

Vajpayee.

• Objectives:

○ PBD is celebrated to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.

○ During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognize their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.

• January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma

Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa.

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has celebrated this day since 2003 from January 07-09 every year.

• Since 2015, its format has been revised to celebrate the PBD once every two years and to hold theme-

based PBD Conferences during the intervening period with participation from overseas diaspora experts,

policy makers and stakeholders.

9.12 What are Electoral bonds? In news- The sale of the 19th tranche of electoral bonds recently began. About Electoral bonds-

• In India, Electoral bonds (EB) are instruments or securities that can be used to donate funds to political

parties.


• They have been proposed as a way of reforming election funding in the Union Budget 2017.

• EB were introduced to ensure that all the donations made to a party would be accounted for in the

balance sheets without exposing the donor details to the public.

• They are interest-free bearer instruments used to donate money anonymously to political parties.

• A bearer instrument (in the nature of a promissory note) does not carry any information about the buyer

or payee and the holder of the instrument (which is the political party) is presumed to be its owner.

• A citizen of India or a body incorporated in India are eligible to purchase the bond.

• These bonds can be purchased for any value in multiples of ₹1,000, ₹10,000, ₹10 lakh, and ₹1 crore from

any of the specified branches of the State Bank of India.

• There is no limit on the number of bonds an individual or company can purchase.

• The purchaser will be allowed to buy electoral bonds only on due fulfillment of all the extant KYC norms

and by making payment from a bank account

• The electoral bonds are available for purchase for 10 days at the beginning of every quarter.

• The first 10 days of January, April, July and October have been specified by the government for purchase of

electoral bonds.

• An additional period of 30 days shall be specified by the government in the year of Lok Sabha elections.

• The bonds will have a life of 15 days (15 days time has been prescribed for the bonds to ensure that they

do not become a parallel currency).

• They can be used to make donations to registered political parties that have secured not less than 1% of

the votes polled in the last election to the Lok Sabha or Assembly.

• The bond shall be encashed by an eligible political party only through a designated bank account with the

authorized bank.

• A donor will get a deduction and the recipient, or the political party, will get tax exemption, provided

returns are filed by the political party.

9.13 World Hindi Day, 2022 In news- World Hindi Day is celebrated every year on January 10. About World Hindi Day-

• The day is observed to commemorate the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur

on January 10, 1975.

• The conference was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

• The aim of the conference was to promote the Hindi language worldwide.

• The day is observed in India from the year 2003.

• The Ministry of External Affairs began the tradition of celebrating World Hindi Day in other nations in 2006

with an aim to promote this language across the world.

Note: The National Hindi Diwas is celebrated on September 14. About Hindi language-

• The word Hindi originated from the Persian word Hind, meaning the land of the Indus River.

• Literary Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, has been strongly influenced by Sanskrit.

• Its standard form is based on the Khari Boli dialect, found to the north and east of Delhi.

• The language has other variants as well, like Awadhi, Braj and Khadi Boli.

• It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of the Republic of India.


• However, India has two official languages: English and Hindi.

• In 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India had recognised and adopted Hindi, an Indo-Aryan language

written in the Devanagari script as the official language of the country.

• According to the 2011 census, in India, there are roughly about 43.6 percent speakers, who identify Hindi

as their mother tongue.

• Apart from India, the language is also spoken in Nepal, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Fiji, and

Mauritius.

• As a linguistic variety, Hindi is the fourth most-spoken first language in the world, after Mandarin, Spanish

and English.

Constitutional provisions related to Hindi Article 343- It mentions that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script. The form

of numerals to be used for the official purposes of the Union shall be the international form of Indian numerals.

Article 344 provides for a Commission and Committee of Parliament on official language. It says that President shall, at the expiration of five years from the commencement of the Constitution and

thereafter at the expiration of ten years from such commencement, by order constitute a Commission which shall consist of a Chairman and such other members representing the different languages specified in the 8th Schedule as the President may appoint, and the order shall define the procedure to be followed by the Commission.

Article 351 says that it shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language.

9.14 Krishna Water Dispute In news- Recently, both Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and A.S. Bopanna of the Supreme Court (they belong to Maharashtra and Karnataka respectively) recused from hearing a dispute on the allocation of Krishna river water. About Krishna Water Dispute-

• A dispute over the sharing of Krishna waters has been ongoing for many decades, beginning with the

erstwhile Hyderabad and Mysore states, and later continuing between successors Maharashtra,

Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

• In 1969, the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) was set up under the Inter-State River Water

Dispute Act, 1956, and presented its report in 1973.

• The report, which was published in 1976, divided the 2060 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of Krishna

water into three parts:

○ 560 TMC for Maharashtra. ○ 700 TMC for Karnataka and ○ 800 TMC for Andhra Pradesh.

• At the same time, it was stipulated that the KWDT order may be reviewed or revised by a competent

authority or tribunal any time after May 31, 2000.

• Afterward, as new grievances arose between the states, the second KWDT was instituted in 2004.

• The KWDT-II delivered its report in 2010, which made allocations of the Krishna water at 65 per cent

dependability and for surplus flows as follows:

○ 81 TMC for Maharashtra, 177 TMC for Karnataka, and 190 TMC for Andhra Pradesh. • Soon after the 2010 report was presented, Andhra Pradesh challenged it through a Special Leave Petition

before the Supreme Court in 2011.


• In 2013, the KWDT issued a ‘further report’, which was again challenged by Andhra Pradesh in the

Supreme Court in 2014.

• After the creation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the Water Resources Ministry has been

extending the duration of the KWDT.

• Andhra Pradesh has since asked that Telangana be included as a separate party at the KWDT and that the

allocation of Krishna waters be reworked among four states, instead of three. It is relying on Section 89 of

The Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act, 2014.

• Maharashtra and Karnataka are now resisting this move saying that “Telangana was created following

bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, allocation of water should be from Andhra Pradesh’s share

which was approved by the tribunal.”

• The publication of the tribunal order is a necessary precondition for its implementation.

• Presently, the term of the Tribunal has been extended for a further period of one year w.e.f. 01.08.2021.

What is the Recusal of a Judge? Recusal is “removal of oneself as a judge or policymaker in a particular matter, especially because of a

conflict of interest”. It has been a practice in the Supreme Court that in serious issues like inter-state water disputes; judges from

the state concerned do not sit on the bench to decide them. The right to recuse is given to the discretion of the judges and the reasons for recusal are not disclosed in an

order of the court. Some judges orally convey to the lawyers involved in the case their reasons for recusal, many do not. Some

explain the reasons in their order. At times, parties involved raise apprehensions about a possible conflict of interest. A judge should ideally recuse from a proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned

due to the possibility of personal bias or prejudice or if he has been a lawyer or judge in the matter at some stage.

As of now, there are no written rules on the recusal of judges from hearing cases listed before them in constitutional courts.

9.15 Assam-Meghalaya border dispute In news- The Union Home Minister is expected to seal the final agreement to end the dispute in six areas of the Assam-Meghalaya boundary ahead of Meghalaya’s 50th Statehood Day celebration on January 21. About the border dispute-

• Meghalaya was carved out of Assam under the Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971, a law that it challenged,

leading to disputes.

• The boundary differences between the two states at 12 points along the 885-km-long inter-state border

have existed since the birth of Meghalaya in 1972.

• A major point of contention between Assam and Meghalaya is the district of Langpih in West Garo Hills

bordering the Kamrup district of Assam.

• Langpih was part of the Kamrup district during the British colonial period but post-Independence, it

became part of the Garo Hills and Meghalaya.

• Assam's capital was Shillong, Meghalaya's present capital, before it was shifted to Dispur in 1972.

• Of the 12 areas of dispute between the two states six had been selected for resolution in the first phase.

• Six regional border committees, comprising cabinet ministers of both sides for recommending the way

forward, submitted their reports recently.


• Historical facts, ethnicity, administrative convenience, mood and sentiments of the people concerned

and the contiguity of the land are the five aspects to be considered for resolving this dispute.

9.16 Marital rape in India In news- Recently, the Union government informed the Delhi High Court, which is hearing a batch of petitions on marital rape, that a consultative process was underway to bring amendments to criminal laws. Key updates-

• Submitting a fresh affidavit in response to a clutch of petitions to criminalise marital rape, the Centre

maintained that it is examining the issue of broad changes in criminal law of the country and that the

petitioner could also give their suggestions to the competent authorities.

• In its affidavit, the centre has stated that the exception to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),

which exempts forceful sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife from the offence of rape, cannot be

struck down at the instance of the petitioner alone.

• It also emphasized that Principles of natural justice require larger hearing of all stakeholders.

• It relied upon parliamentary standing committee reports in 2008 and 2010 and also cited the 172nd report

of the Law Commission of India on “Review of Rape Laws” in March 2000 that said that it would not

recommend deletion of the exception clause in Section 375 “since that may amount to excessive

interference with the marital relationship”.

What is marital rape?

• Marital rape or spousal rape is the act of sexual intercourse with one’s spouse without the spouse’s

consent.

• The lack of consent is the essential element and need not involve violence.

• Marital rape is considered a form of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Marital Rape in India- India is one of the 36 countries in the world where marital rape is not criminalised. In India rape by an outsider is a penal offense under section 375 and 376 of IPC. As per exception clause in Section 375, sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, with the wife not

being under 15 years of age, is not considered rape. It is often referred to as cruelty and domestic violence under Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code in

which the convict will get a bonus of having less punishment if the perpetrator is the husband of the victim. The Justice Verma committee was set up to propose amendments in criminal laws in the wake of Nirbhaya

case in December 2012. This committee proposed that “the exception for marital rape be removed” and the law must “specify that a

marital or other relationship between the perpetrator or victim is not a valid defence against the crimes of rape or sexual violation”.

The committee recommended the criminalization of marital rape, since the state of being married does not generate automatic consent to sexual acts.

In 2017, a Supreme Court judgment read down an exception to Section 375 only to the extent of criminalising rape with a minor wife but clarified at the same time that it has not expressed any view on the issue of marital rape.

In 2018, a private Bill called the Women's Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual Rights Bill, 2018, introduced by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in the Lok Sabha, sought to criminalise marital rape, got lapsed after failure to garner support from the government.


The marital rape victims have the option of seeking help through the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) which came into force in 2006, outlaws marital rape as well as other form of domestic violence. However, it offers only a civil remedy for the offence.

9.17 How Republic Day tableaux are selected? In news- Political row escalated after the rejection of the Republic day parade tableau of Kerala and West Bengal without giving any reasons. More about Republic day tableaux-

• The Defence Ministry is responsible for the parade and is the coordinating body for the tableaux.

• Around September every year the Defence Ministry invites all the states, the UTs, Central Government

departments, and a few constitutional authorities to participate in the parade through tableaux.

• The participants have to showcase elements relevant to their state/ UT/ department, within the

overarching theme.

• The theme given to participants this year was around 75 years of India’s Independence which includes

India@75 – Freedom struggle, Ideas @ 75, Achievements @ 75, Actions @ 75 and Resolve @ 75.

• The Defence Ministry also shares the basic guidelines about what all the tableaux can or should include.

How are the tableaux selected?

• The Defence Ministry constitutes an expert committee of distinguished persons from fields like art,

culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, etc, who help in shortlisting the tableaux

from the proposals.

• First, the submitted sketches or designs of the proposals are scrutinized by this committee, which can

make suggestions for any modifications in the sketch or design.

• The sketch should be simple, colorful, and easy to comprehend and should avoid unnecessary detail.

• It should be self-explanatory, and should not need any written elaboration.

• If there is a traditional dance involved with the tableau, it should be a folk dance, and the costumes and

musical instruments should be traditional and authentic and the proposal should include a video clipping

of the dance.

• Once approved, the next stage is for the participants to come up with three dimensional models for their

proposals, which are again examined by the expert committee for final selection, taking in view several

criteria.

• In making the final selection the committee looks at a combination of factors, looking at the visual appeal,

impact on the masses, idea/ theme of the tableaux, degree of detail involved, accompanying music, among

other factors.

• Only those who are shortlisted are informed about the next round.

• The Defence Ministry recommends the participants to try and not engage any firm or fabricator that are

involved in creation of two tableaux, including their own.

• The Defence Ministry provides each participant with one tractor and one trailer, and the tableau should fit

on that.

• However, the participant can replace their ministry-provided tractor or trailer with other vehicles, but the

total number should not be more than two vehicles.

• The tableaux of two different states/ UTs cannot be too similar.

• The tableaux cannot have any writing or use of logos, except for the name of the state/ UT/ department,

which should be written in Hindi on the front, English on the back, and a regional language on the sides.


9.18 Winners of Streets for People and Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge In news- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) announced winners of Streets for People and Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge, recently. About Streets for People challenge-

• It is an initiative of the Smart Cities Mission, MoHUA started in 2020 (pilot phase) to inspire cities to

create walking-friendly streets through quick measures in response to COVID-19.

• This is in line with the 2006 National Urban Transport Policy, which called for a paradigm shift from car-

centric roads to people-centric streets.

• It supports cities across the country to develop a unified vision of Streets for People in consultation with

stakeholders and citizens.

• It aims to create flagship walking initiatives in cities, which focus on placemaking and liveability.

• The India Programme of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) is the

knowledge partner, providing guidance through the preparation of resource material and facilitating

online peer to peer learning workshops.

• Under this challenge, 38 cites piloted re-imaginations of an important street each by prioritizing them for

pedestrians.

• 11 cities have been selected by a jury panel for the next phase of scale up and will be awarded Rs. fifty

lakhs each by MoHUA.

• During the event, the MoHUA also launched Season-2 of India Cycles4Change and Streets for People

Challenges.

• Any city that is not already in the top 11 winners, any smart city, capital of state/UT, or city with over 5

lakhs population can apply.

• The season 2 will work towards adopting a progressive Healthy Streets & Parking Policy, creating area

level parking plans and start on-street parking management

• Season 2 is inspired by the Active Mobility Act to safeguard the rights of pedestrians and cyclists.

• Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Government of Karnataka has initiated the conversation in

Karnataka, which will support the cities and states to work towards adopting such a progressive act.

• Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Gurugram, Kochi, Nagpur, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Pune, Udaipur, Ujjain and

Viajayawada are the top 11 Awardees of the pilot stage of the Streets4People Challenge in 2022.

Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge-

• It is an initiative of MoHUA started in 2020, aims to incorporate a focus on early childhood development

(0-5-year old children) in the planning and management of Indian cities.

• It is a 3-year initiative that aims to work with Indian cities and their partners to pilot and scale ways to

improve public space, mobility, neighborhood planning, access to early childhood services and amenities,

and data management across city agencies.

• Under this, cities will make streets safe and walkable for young children and their caregivers and reimagine

public open spaces for play and interaction.

• MoHUA announced ten winning cities for the Nurturing Neighborhoods Challenge-2022, in collaboration

with the Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF) and technical partner World Resources Institute (WRI) India.

• Under the pilot stage, in 7 months, the pioneering cohort of 25 cities has implemented over 70 pilot

projects in neighborhoods across India.


• In stage 2, the 10 winning cities will receive technical assistance and capacity building to replicate pilots

with learnings and influence development plans, regulations and policies.

• Top 10 Awardees of the pilot stage of the challenge are Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Indore, Jabalpur,

Kakinada, Kochi, Kohima, Rourkela, Vadodara, Warangal.

9.19 National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) In news- Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for three years beyond 31.3.2022. About National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)-

• The commission was set up in 1993 under the NCSK Act, 1993 for a period of three years, which has been

extended since then, despite the Act ceasing to have effect from February 29, 2004.

• After that the tenure of the NCSK is acting as a Non-Statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment whose tenure is extended from time to time through Government Resolutions.

• The Commission comprises one Chairman (in the rank and status of the Union Minister for States) and

four members, including a lady member (in the rank and status of the Secretary to the Government of

India) and the Secretary (in the rank of Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India) along with other supporting

staff.

Mandate of the commission-

• Recommend to the Central Government specific programmes of action towards elimination of inequalities

in status, facilities and opportunities for Safai Karamcharis.

• Study and evaluate the implementation of the programmes and schemes relating to the social and

economic rehabilitation of Safai Karamcharis and scavengers, in particular.

• Investigate specific grievances and take suo-motu notice of matters relating to non-implementation of:

1. Programmes or schemes in respect of any group of Safai Karamcharis. 2. Decisions, guidelines or instructions, aimed at mitigating the hardships of Safai Karamcharis. 3. Measures for the social and economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis. 4. The provisions of any law in its application to Safai Karamcharis; and take up such matters with the

concerned authorities or with the Central or State Governments. • To study and monitor the working conditions, including those relating to health, safety and wages of Safai

Karamcharis working under various kinds of employers including Government, Municipalities and

Panchayats, and to make recommendations in this regard.

• Make reports to the Central or State Governments on any matter concerning Safai Karamcharis, taking into

account any difficulties or disabilities being encountered by Safai Karamcharis.

However, with the enactment of “The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013”, the mandate and scope of the Commission has also been enlarged. As per Section 31(1) of the said Act, the Commission shall perform the following functions, namely:

1. To monitor the implementation of the Act. 2. To enquire into complaints regarding contravention of the provisions of the Act, and to convey its

findings to the concerned authorities with recommendations requiring further action. 3. To advise the Central and the State Governments for effective implementation of the provisions of

the Act. 4. To take suo motu notice of matters relating to non-implementation of the Act.

• In the discharge of its functions, the Commission has the powers to call for information with respect to any

matter specified above from any Government or local or other authority.


9.20 ‘Desh ke Mentor’ programme In news- The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi recently said that new features have been added to ensure the safety and security of children in the 'Desh Ke Mentor' programme introduced by the Delhi government. What is the issue?

• A complaint was received in the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) about the

safety of children participating in the Desh Ke Mentor programme.

• The commission alleged that the programme, as part of which students are provided career guidance by

eminent citizens, “exposes them to certain dangers”, and asked the Delhi government to suspend the

programme till the loopholes are “overhauled”.

• In its written response to NCPCR, the DoE stated that new features had been added to ensure the safety

and security of children enrolled in the programme, including the police verification of mentors.

• A report of criminal record (if any) about a registered mentor would be obtained from the police station

concerned and in case of an adverse report, the mentor would be de-registered immediately.

• The department conveyed that all conversations between mentors and mentees will be recorded by the

department.

• Additionally, the contact number of children/mentees shall not be disclosed or made available to the

mentor or any other person.

• The DoE also issued a circular to all government schools directing that all parents are advised to ensure the

presence of an adult family member during the conversation between the mentor and the mentee

through the programme’s app.

About the programme- It was launched in October 2021 by the Delhi government. Under the programme, nine lakh students of classes 9 to 12 in Delhi government schools are connected

with noteworthy citizens who will offer them career and general guidance. The programme includes a two-month mandatory mentoring module and another optional four-month

module. The mentors will engage with students over the phone for 10-15 minutes daily to guide them on various

aspects of life. Interested citizens from across the country can become mentors by registering on the Desh ke Mentors app

created by a team at the Delhi Technological University, which will connect students and mentors based on how their profile and interests align.

Mentors from various professional and academic backgrounds, between the ages of 18-35, will guide and support 2-5 students studying in Delhi government schools.

They will help the students in their overall development and personality development by sharing their knowledge, skills and expertise in various fields.

Actor Sonu Sood had been appointed as the brand ambassador for the programme.

9.21 Centre's new Rules on IAS Officers' Central Deputation In news- Recently, the Centre has proposed amendments to the IAS (Cadre) Rules, 1954 in order to exercise greater control in central deputation of IAS officers, which has often been at the center of tussles between the Centre and the states. Proposed amendments-


• In December 2021, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) wrote to various state governments

that various state/joint cadres are not sponsoring adequate number of officers for central deputation, as

part of the Central Deputation Reserve. Hence it has proposed following four amendments to Rule 6.

• One of the major changes proposed is if the State government delays posting a State cadre officer to the

Centre and does not give effect to the Central government’s decision within the specified time, “the

officer shall stand relieved from cadre from the date as may be specified by the Central government.”

• Presently, officers have to get a no-objection clearance from the State government for Central

deputation.

• The other change proposed is the Centre will decide the actual number of officers to be deputed to the

Central government in consultation with the State and the latter should make the names of such officers.

• The third proposed amendment says that in case of any disagreement between the Centre and the State,

the matter shall be decided by the Central government and the State shall give effect to the decision of

the Centre “within a specified time.”

• The fourth change proposed is that in specific situations where services of cadre officers are required by

the Central government in “public interest”, the State shall give effect to its decisions within a specified

time.

• The DoPT is the cadre controlling authority of IAS officers.

• Similar letters have been sent for deputation of Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service Officers

(IFoS) after approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Environment Ministry respectively.

Current rules on deputation-

The Centre asks every year for an “offer list” of officers of the All India Services (IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service) willing to go on central deputation, from which it selects officers.

At any point it cannot be more than 40% of the total cadre strength. The Centre mandates the state governments to provide a list of officers, the officer too must be willing,

with Rule 6(2) stating: “no cadre officer shall be deputed to any organization or body of the type referred to in item (ii), except with his consent”.

Central deputation in the Indian Administrative Service is covered under Rule-6 (1) of the IAS (Cadre) Rules-1954, inserted in May 1969.

It states that a cadre officer may, with the concurrence of the State Governments concerned and the Central Government, be deputed for service under the Central Government or another State Government or under a company, association or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, which is wholly or substantially owned or controlled by the Central Government or by another State Government.

Provided that in case of any disagreement, the matter shall be decided by the Central Government and the State Government concerned shall give effect to the decision of the Central Government.

As on January 1, 2021, out of around 5,200 IAS officers in the country, 458 were on central deputation.

9.22 National Girl Child Day In news- The National Girl Child Day was observed on 24th January 2022. About National Girl Child Day (NGCD)-

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development that started in 2008.

• The objective behind celebrating the NGCD is to provide all support and opportunities to the girls of the

country.

• It also aims towards promoting awareness about the rights of the girl child and to increase awareness on

the importance of girl’s education, and their health and nutrition.


• The NGCD 2022 is celebrated across the nation with objectives of generating awareness on the issue of

declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and creates a positive environment around valuing the girl child.

• The celebrations also mark the anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme.

• As part of the celebrations, the Ministry of Culture organized a rangoli-making event ‘Umang Rangoli

Utsav’ on 24th January 2022.

• The theme for National Girl Day is yet to be announced, the theme for the Girl Child Day 2021 was ‘Digital

Generation, Our Generation’.

• It was on 24 January 1966 that Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the country's first woman Prime Minister.

9.23 Reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in India In news- Supreme Court (SC) in its latest order in Rahul Ramesh Wagh v. State of Maharashtra made it mandatory that the principles laid down by the Supreme Court for providing reservation to OBCs in local bodies shall be followed across the country. More information on the issue-

• The latest order arises out of the challenge made to the ordinance promulgated by the Governor of

Maharashtra to conduct the local body elections by providing 27% reservation to OBCs.

• This present political quandary is related to the five-judge Constitution Bench decision in K.

Krishnamurthy (Dr.) v. Union of India (2010).

• In this case, the Supreme Court had interpreted Article 243D(6) and Article 243T(6), which permit

reservation by enactment of law for backward classes in panchayat and municipal bodies respectively,

to hold that barriers to political participation are not the same as that of the barriers that limit access to

education and employment.

• However, for creating a level playing field, reservation may be desirable as mandated by the

aforementioned Articles which provide a separate constitutional basis for reservation, as distinct from

what are conceived under Article 15 (4) and Article 16 (4) which forms the basis for reservation in

education and employment.

• Though reservation to local bodies is permissible, the top court declared that the same is subject to

empirical finding of backwardness in relation to local bodies as fulfilled through the three tests as

follows:

1. To set up a dedicated Commission to conduct contemporaneous rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness qua local bodies, within the State.

2. To specify the proportion of reservation required to be provisioned local body-wise in light of recommendations of the Commission, so as not to fall foul of overbreadth.

3. In any case such reservation shall not exceed an aggregate of 50% of the total seats reserved in favour of SCs/STs/OBCs taken together.

• The 50% ceiling specifically relied on the ratio of the historic Indra Sawhney judgment(1992).

• The 2010 judgment was not acted upon and the constitutionality of the enacted reservation was

challenged.

• This resulted in the 2021 judgment of a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court.

• In Vikas Krishnarao Gawali v. State of Maharashtra &Ors. (2021), the court observed that the reservation

for OBCs was just a “statutory dispensation to be provided by the State legislations” and is different

from the “constitutional” provisions which mandate reservation to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes

(SC/ST).


• While insisting on the triple test, the court observed that the reservation in favour of OBCs in the

concerned local bodies can be notified to the extent that it does not exceed 50% of the total seats

reserved in favour of SCs/STs/OBCs taken together.

• The Supreme Court quashed notifications issued by the Maharashtra Election Commission, which provided

more than 50% reservation to OBCs and SC/STs in some local bodies.

Reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in India- Under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution, it is obligatory for the government to promote the welfare of

the OBCs. OBCs are described as socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC), and the Government of India is

enjoined to ensure their social and educational development — for example, the OBCs are entitled to 27% reservations in public sector employment and higher education.

The First Backward Commission to investigate the possibility and details of providing reservations to OBCs was set up in 1953.

Under Art 340, the Kaka Kalelkar Commission was appointed to identify the OBCs which submitted the report in 1955 but was not implemented.

The first Backward Classes Commission in Tamil Nadu was formed on November 13, 1969 and was known as Sattanathan Commission.

Sattanathan Commission recommended the introduction of “Creamy Layer” among the OBC in the state. The Second Backward commission (Mandal Commission) was set up in 1978 which recommended 27

percent reservations for OBCs which were implemented in 1990. A 1992 decision of the Supreme Court of India (Indra Sawhney case) resulted in a requirement that 27% of

civil service positions be reserved for members of OBCs. The list of OBCs maintained by the Central Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is dynamic, with

castes and communities being added or removed depending on social, educational and economic factors. In order to administer issues related to OBCs, National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) was

initially constituted by the Central Govt under The National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 and it was repealed in 2018.

The commission was accorded Constitutional Status and constituted through “The Constitution (One Hundred and Second Amendment (102nd)) Act, 2018 whereby Article 338B has been inserted, forming a Commission for the socially and educationally backward classes to be known as NCBC.

9.24 Hindu Succession Act, 1956 In news- Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that the daughters of a male Hindu, dying intestate, would be entitled to inherit the self-acquired and other properties obtained in the partition by the father and get preference over other collateral members of the family. Key features of the Hindu Succession Act-

• The Act lays down a uniform and comprehensive system of inheritance and succession into one Act.

• It was enacted to amend and codify the law relating to intestate or unwilled succession among Hindus,

Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.

• The Hindu woman’s limited estate is abolished by the Act.

• Any property possessed by a Hindu female is to be held by her absolute property and she is given full

power to deal with it and dispose of it as she likes.

• It abolished the female’s “limited owner” status.

• This Act is applicable to the following:

• Any person who is a Hindu by religion in any of its forms or developments including a Virashaiva, a

Lingayat or follower of the Brahmo, Prarthana or Arya Samaj;


• Any person who is Buddhist, Jains, Sikh by religion;

• To any other person who is not a Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew by religion unless it is proved that the

concerned person would not have been governed by the Hindu Law;

Exceptions:

Any person who commits murder is disqualified from receiving any form of inheritance from the

victim. If a relative converts from Hinduism, he or she is still eligible for inheritance. However, the descendants of that converted relative are disqualified from receiving inheritance

from their Hindu relatives, unless they have converted to Hinduism before the death of the relative.

The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005: It amended Section 4, Section 6, Section 23, Section 24 and Section 30 of the Hindu Succession Act,

1956. It revised rules on coparcenary property, giving daughters of the deceased equal rights with sons, and

subjecting them to the same liabilities and disabilities. The amendment essentially furthers equal rights between Hindu males and females in society through

legislation.

9.25 What are Conjugal rights? In news- The Supreme Court is expected to begin hearing a fresh challenge to the provision allowing restitution of conjugal rights under Hindu personal laws. About Conjugal rights-

• Conjugal rights are rights created by marriage, i.e. right of the husband or the wife to the society of the

other spouse.

• Conjugal Rights also mean the same when the couple is married they have certain matrimonial rights

which should be performed by both the spouses.

• The law recognises these rights— both in personal laws dealing with marriage, divorce etc, and in criminal

law requiring payment of maintenance and alimony to a spouse.

• Conjugal Rights include:

1. Living together: The spouses or the married couple should live together 2. Marital intercourse: The spouses or the married couple have rights and duties together with each

other and have physical or sexual relationships. 3. Comfort to each other: The spouses should give comfort to each other like; emotional and mental

comfort. 4. Matrimonial Obligation: The married couple is supposed to share the responsibility of the

households as well.

• Provisions of restitution of conjugal rights like Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act and Section 22 of the

Special Marriage Act empower a husband or a wife to move the local district court, complaining that the

other partner has “withdrawn” from the marriage without a “reasonable cause”.

• The petition gives the court the authority to order the “withdrawn” spouse to return to the matrimonial

home.


• Order 21 Rule 32 of the Civil Procedure Code allows the court to attach the property of the “errant”

spouse if he or she does not comply with its order to return.

• The meaning and extent of key words in the provisions like “withdrawn” or “reasonable cause” are

ambiguous.

• The law is being challenged now on the main grounds that it violates the fundamental Right to privacy.

• The concern is that with marital rape not an offence, the provisions of restitution of conjugal rights, when

aimed at a woman, takes away her bodily autonomy and forces her to stay with her husband. If a woman

does not comply to return to her husband, the court could even attach her property.

Previous Court judgments on it-

• In one of the early judgments in the 1960s, the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the Tirath Kaur case, upheld

restitution of conjugal rights, noting that “a wife’s first duty to her husband is to submit herself obediently to

his authority and to remain under his roof and protection”.

• In 1984, the Supreme Court had upheld Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act in the case of Saroj Rani v

Sudarshan Kumar Chadha, holding that the provision “serves a social purpose as an aid to the prevention of

break-up of marriage”.

• The Madhya Pradesh High Court in the Vibha Shrivastava case, busted the ‘orthodox concept of the Hindu wife

as Dharmpatni, Ardhangini’, and said that the wife is a partner in marriage with equal status and equal rights

with the husband.

• In the well-known case of actor Sareetha, the Andhra Pradesh High Court said that, “sexual cohabitation is an

inseparable ingredient of a decree for restitution of conjugal rights”.

• The fight against marital rape and restitution of conjugal rights has gained a new lease of life with the Supreme

Court’s nine-judge Bench upholding privacy as a “constitutionally protected right” which gives a person

complete authority to decide one’s matters of personal intimacies, sanctity of family life, the home, sexual

orientation, etc.

• The Supreme Court, in its recent Joseph Shine judgment, concluded that the State cannot exercise authority in

a person’s private affairs.

9.26 G23 In news- G23 leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has been named in the party’s list of “star campaigners” for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, recently. What is G23?

• It is a group of Congress party senior leaders who seek reform in the working of Congress party.

• In August 2020, 23 senior Congress leaders wrote a letter to interim party chief Sonia Gandhi requesting

immediate and active leadership and organizational rejig and have demanded a democratic set up within

the national party.

• Some of the important leaders of this group are Ghulam Nabi Azad, Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Anand

Sharma, Mukul Wasnik, Bhupendra Singh Hooda, M. Veerappa Moily, Prithviraj Chavan and Kapil Sibal, etc

9.27 National Voters' Day 2022 In news- The 12th National Voters’ Day was celebrated on January 25 2022.


About National Voters’ Day (NVD)-

• It seeks to encourage the country’s voters to participate in the electoral process.

• The theme for this year’s NVD is ‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative’.

• During the event, National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices for the year 2021-22 were given to state

and district level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections in different areas.

• On the other hand, the newly enrolled voters received the EPIC during the event.

• ECI also launched National Voter Awareness Contest- ‘My Vote is my Future- Power of One Vote’

• The first-ever National Voters’ Day was celebrated on January 25, 2011 as the then Central government

had pointed out that new voters who attained the age of 18 were showing less interest in getting enrolled

in the electoral rolls.

• To address this issue, the Election Commission decided to launch a nationwide effort to identify all eligible

voters who reach the age of 18 on January 1 of each year in all polling stations across India,

• Such voters would be enrolled and be given the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) on January 25 every

year.

• NVD 2022 marks 70 successful years of elections in India.

Voting rights in India- Every Indian citizen (above 18 years of age) who is of sound mind is given a universal voting right. Article 326 of the Constitution provides for universal adult suffrage, but does not specifically mention the

right to vote. Right to Vote in elections is an important constitutional right in India. The voter is not discriminated against on the basis of factors like religion, caste, creed, economic status, etc.

9.28 Padma awards and recipient's consent In news- Recently, former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee refused to accept the Padma award. About Padma Awards-

• The Padma awards are the highest civilian honour of India after the Bharat Ratna.

• They are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day.

• The awards are given in three categories:

a. Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service). b. Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and c. Padma Shri (distinguished service).

• The award seeks to recognise achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of

public service is involved.

• The awards are given in certain select categories which include Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science &

Engineering, Trade & Industry, Medicine, Literature & Education, Civil Service and Sports.

• Awards are also given for propagation of Indian culture, protection of human rights, and wildlife

protection among others.

• The PADMA Awards were instituted in 1954 along with Bharat Ratna.

• At that time only Padma Vibhushan existed with three sub-categories – Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra

Varg.

• These were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential

Notification issued on January 8, 1955.

• During the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997, Padma awards were not announced.


• The awardees do not get any cash reward but a certificate signed by the President apart from a medallion

which they can wear at public and government functions.

• The awards are, however, not a conferment of title and the awardees are expected to not use them as

prefix or suffix to their names.

• A Padma awardee can be given a higher award only after five years of the conferment of the earlier award.

• Not more than 120 awards can be given in a year but this does not include posthumous awards or awards

given to NRIs and foreigners.

• The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government

could consider giving such an award.

• All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. However,

government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible.

• According to Padma awards selection criteria, the award is given for “special services” and not just for

“long service”.

• Any citizen of India can nominate a potential recipient. One can even nominate one’s own self.

• All nominations are to be done online where a form is to be filled along with details of the person or the

organization being nominated.

• An 800-word essay detailing the work done by the potential awardee is also to be submitted for the

nomination to be considered.

• All nominations received for Padma awards are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is

constituted by the Prime Minister every year.

• The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary,

Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members.

• The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India

for approval.

Recipient’s consent for the award-

• There is no provision for seeking a written or formal consent of the recipient before announcement of the

award.

• However, before the announcement, every recipient receives a call from the Ministry of Home Affairs

informing him or her about the selection.

• In case the recipient expresses a desire to be excluded from the award list, the name is removed.

9.29 CVC revises rules for appointing Independent External Monitors (IEM) In news- The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has again modified the criteria for the appointment of Independent External Monitors (IEM) in government bodies. About the revised rules-

• The CVC has revised the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for adopting and implementing the Integrity

Pact, the first step in ensuring transparency in public procurements.

• The change in rules say that the IEMs can only be considered from a panel of eminent persons/officers

who have held the post of additional secretary or equivalent or higher pay scale in the Government of

India at the time of retirement.

• Existing rules, last issued in June 2021, only considered officials at the rank of Secretary to Government of

India, Chief Secretaries in the states or officials at equivalent pay scale at the time of retirement.


• The latest SOPs have removed the retired Director Generals of police from the list of eminent persons who

could be considered for empanelment as IEMs.

• In the new rules, the CVC has removed the provision sub-section (vi) of 5.2, which earlier allowed officers

who were in the apex pay scale at the time of the retirement in the central government, state government

or forest service to be IEMs.

• For retired armed officers too, now the officers equivalent to additional secretaries or higher ranks in

government of India will be eligible to become IEMs. Earlier, this was allowed only for officers in apex pay

scale.

• Persons who have held the post of Chairman and Managing Directors (CMDs)/MD or CEO of public sector

banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions at the time of retirement will continue to be

included in the list of IEMs.

• The CVC has also stated in its SOPs, shared with all departments and ministries that the proposal for

nomination of IEMs in respective organizations should be sent by the concerned department responsible

for ensuring implementation of Integrity Pact in the organization, after taking approval of the competent

authority.

• It said the proposal should be sent within 3 months of completion of tenure of existing IEMs, failing which

the CVC itself will nominate IEM (s) on its own from its panel.

Independent External Monitors (IEM) and the Integrity Pact (IP)- IEMs are appointed by the apex vigilance body, CVC to look into issues relating to execution of contract (s)

and any irregularities. The IEMs independently and objectively review the documents to determine if the parties have complied

with their obligations under the integrity pact (IP). The main role and responsibility of IEM is to resolve issues raised by an intending bidder regarding any

aspect of the tender which allegedly restricts competition or indicates bias towards some bidders. After a contract is given in a government organization, the IEMs will have access to all the

documents/records pertaining to the contract for which a complaint or issue is raised before them, except the documents having national security implications.

The IEMs will examine all complaints received by them and give their recommendations to the chief executive of the organization.

In case of suspicion of serious irregularities requiring legal or administrative action, they are supposed to send a report to the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs).

Integrity Pact is a vigilance tool that envisages an agreement between the prospective vendors/bidders and the buyer, committing both the parties not to exercise any corrupt influence on any aspect of the contract.

IP is mandatory for all government organizations, public sector enterprises, public sector banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions and autonomous bodies etc..

9.30 Reservation in promotion In news- Recently, the Supreme Court has refused to "lay down any yardstick" for granting reservation in promotion to SCs and STs in government jobs saying determination of their inadequate representation is the discretion of the State. What did the Supreme Court say?

• The bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, Sanjiv Khanna and B R Gavai pointed out that the court even in the

past had refused to lay down any yardstick and had left it to states to determine the factors relevant for

deciding adequate representation, depending upon the promotional posts in question.


• The bench said “laying down of criteria for determining the inadequacy of representation would result in

curtailing the discretion given to the State Governments.

• The court said that “before providing for reservation in promotions to a cadre, the State is obligated to

collect quantifiable data regarding inadequacy of representation of SCs and STs” but the exercise of

collection of information “cannot be with reference to the entire service or ‘class’/’group’, but it should be

relatable to the grade/category of post to which promotion is sought”.

• Stating that there should be review of the data collected, it said the period of review should be

“reasonable”.

• The bench also said that the Nagaraj judgement “would have prospective effect”.

Its judgements in previous cases- Mandal judgment/ Indra Sawhney case 1992: This landmark judgment upheld reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). However, this judgment also held that reservations in appointments, under Article 16(4) of the constitution,

don’t apply to promotions. The Supreme Court upheld the Mandal Commission’s 27 percent quota for backward classes, as well as the

principle that the combined scheduled-caste, scheduled-tribe, and backward-class beneficiaries should not exceed 50 percent of India’s population.

M Nagaraj vs Union of India case 2006: It had upheld the Constitutional amendments by which Articles 16 (4A) and 16 (4B) were inserted, saying

they flow from Article 16 (4) and do not alter its structure. Article 16 (4A) empowers the State to make provisions for reservation in matters of promotion to SC/ST

employees if it feels they are not adequately represented in services, and (4B) enables the State to carry forward the unfilled SC/ST quota of a particular year without clubbing it with the regular vacancies of the year to which it is carried forward to.

The Nagaraj ruling also laid down three conditions which the State must fulfil before granting reservation in promotion to SCs and STs, such as the State has to collect quantifiable data showing backwardness of the class and inadequacy of representation of that class in public employment in addition to compliance of Article 335.

It is made clear that even if the State has compelling reasons, as stated above, the State will have to see that its reservation provision does not lead to excessiveness so as to breach the ceiling-limit of 50% or obliterate the creamy layer or extend the reservation indefinitely.

Jarnail Singh case: In this case, the court held that the government need not collect quantifiable data to demonstrate backwardness of public employees belonging to the SC/STs to provide reservations for them in promotions.

10. SCIECNE AND TECHNOLOGY

10.1 GitHub In news- The open-source software repository service GitHub was in the news after it was used to create and share an offensively named app (Bulli Bai) that sexually harassed Muslim women in India. About GitHub-

• GitHub is the world’s largest open-source developer community platform where users upload their

projects and code for others to view, edit, and tweak.


• Headquartered in California, it has been a subsidiary of Microsoft since 2018.

• It offers the distributed version control and source code management (SCM) functionality of Git, plus its

own features.

• The idea of the app is that any developer can upload whatever software code or app code or software

idea they have on the platform, and have others collaborate with them to help improve it, find errors, and

fix problems.

• Any public project can be viewed by others on the platform.

• Most of the features of the platform are free for users.

• Organizations can use paid accounts to upload their software and projects for collaboration.

• The platform uses the software Git, which was created in 2005 by Linus Trovalds, the developer of the

open-source operating system Linux, to track changes in a set of files and for coordination in software

development.

• Given the idea of GitHub, anyone can open an account and upload a code after providing just an email id.

• So even if an account is blocked or terminated, a new one can be created with another email id — and the

offensive software code or apps can be uploaded again with perhaps a slightly different name.

10.2 Reovirus In news- Mud Crab Reovirus (MCRV) has been found to be the reason for the mass mortality of wild crab (Scylla serrate) in Andhra Pradesh State. About Reovirus-

• Reovirus is a RNA virus, constituting the family Reoviridae, a small group of animal and plant viruses.

• Member viruses have a wide host range, including vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, protists and fungi.

• Reovirus is a nonenveloped double-stranded RNA virus.

• This virus was initially not known to be related to any specific disease, and so was named Respiratory

Enteric Orphan virus.

• They lack lipid envelopes and package their segmented genome within multi-layered capsids.

• Characteristic features of structure, preferred hosts, and chemistry are the basis for dividing reoviruses

into several genera, of which Orthoreovirus, Orbivirus, Rotavirus, and Phytoreovirus are among the best

known.

About MCRV-

• The MCRV, known as Sleeping Disease, has taken a toll on wild crab in Crab Fattening and Crab

polyculture (in which shrimp and wild crab are cultured in the same pond and exclusive mud crab ponds).

• The viral pathogen mainly affects the connective tissue of hepatopancreas, gills, and intestine.

10.3 What is OmiSure? In news- Recently, The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved ‘OmiSure’, a testing kit for detecting the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. About OmiSure-

• It a covid test kit manufactured by Tata Medical and Diagnostics.


• It can detect the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV2 in nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal specimens during the

RT-PCR tests.

• The kit also has another gene RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP) which can detect other variants

too.

• It is compatible with all standard Real-Time PCR Machines.

• Currently, Omicron patients are detected only after genome sequencing, but this test can help eliminate

that step and detection can be done during the testing.

• The test run time of this kit is 85 minutes.

• The result turnaround time, including sample collection and RNA extraction, is 130 minutes.

• It is the first test globally to employ a combination of two S-gene viral targets to reliably identify Omicron –

one based on S-gene dropout or Sgene target failure (SGTF) and the other based on S-gene mutation

amplification (SGMA).

• All current tests available globally employ either SGTF or SGMA.

• S Gene failure is indicative of Omicron, and if the other gene, SGMA, is positive, it is absolutely sure of

Omicron presence.

10.4 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

In news- Recently, the rocket scientist S. Somanath has been appointed as the 10th Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Space Secretary. About S. Somanath-

• S Somnath is a rocket scientist who at present is the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).

• He joined VSSC in 1985 and was a team leader for the integration of PSLV during the early phases.

• Under his leadership, the first experimental flight of the LVM3-X/CARE mission was successfully

accomplished on December 18, 2014.

• He is an expert in the area of system engineering of launch vehicles.

Note- ISRO’s chief executive is a chairman, who is also chairman of the Indian government’s Space Commission and the secretary of the Department of Space.

About ISRO- It is the pioneer space exploration agency of the Government of India, headquartered at Bengaluru. ISRO was formed in 1969 with a vision to develop and harness space technology in national development,

while pursuing planetary exploration and space science research. ISRO replaced its predecessor, INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research), established in

1962 by India’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and scientist Vikram Sarabhai, considered amongst the founding fathers of the Indian space program.

With the visionary Dr Vikram Sarabhai at its helm, INCOSPAR set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thiruvananthapuram for upper atmospheric research.

ISRO maintains one of the largest fleet of communication satellites (INSAT) and remote sensing (IRS) satellites.

Sensors and payloads are developed at the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad. Satellites are designed, developed, assembled, and tested at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (formerly the ISRO

Satellite Centre) in Bangalore. Launch vehicles are developed at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Launches take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sriharikota Island, Andhra Pradesh. The Master Control Facilities for geostationary satellite station keeping are located at Hassan (Karnataka) and

Bhopal (MP).


Reception and processing facilities for remote-sensing data are at the National Remote Sensing Centre in Hyderabad.

ISRO’s commercial arm is Antrix Corporation, which has its headquarters in Bangalore.

10.5 What is xenotransplantation? In news- Recently the doctors in the USA transplanted a genetically altered pig heart into a patient which is referred to as xenotransplantation (from animals to humans). More information on xenotransplantation-

• Xenotransplantation is any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation or infusion into a

human recipient of either live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source, or human body

fluids, cells, tissues or organs that have had ex-vivo contact with live nonhuman animal cells, tissues or

organs.

• Such cells, tissues or organs are called xenografts or xenotransplants.

• Xenotransplantation of human tumor cells into immunocompromised mice is a research technique

frequently used in pre-clinical oncology research.

• Human xenotransplantation offers a potential treatment for end-stage organ failure, a significant health

problem in parts of the industrialized world.

• It also raises many novel medical, legal and ethical issues.

Some of the examples of xenotransplantation

• In 1921, Frederick Banting and his assistant Charles Best extracted insulin from dogs for the first time.

• In September 1965, scientists successfully replaced the aortic valve in a human with a porcine one for the

first time.

• Heparin, is an anticoagulant that keeps blood clots from forming during surgery and is sourced from pigs.

• In 1997, two surgeons — Dr Dhani Ram Baruah, a transplant surgeon from Assam, and Dr Jonathan Ho Kei-

Shing, a Hong Kong surgeon conducted a pig-to-human heart and lung transplant in Guwahati on a 32-

year-old farmer, Purno Saikia.

• However, the transplantation was not successful.

• In 2019, experts from the US announced that live cell, genetically engineered pig skin could temporarily

close a burn wound.

• In 2020, US experts attached a genetically-altered kidney to a brain-dead person and monitored the new

organ for the next 54 hours.

10.6 Brahmos missile In news- India successfully test fired an extended range sea-to-sea variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Indian Navy’s newly commissioned INS Visakhapatnam (newest indigenously-built guided missile destroyer) recently. About the Naval variant BrahMos missile-

• It has the capability to hit sea-based targets beyond radar horizon.

• It was deployed by the Navy on its warships first in 2005.


• It was originally tested in October and December 2020 from the Navy’s indigenously-built stealth

destroyer INS Chennai and Rajput-class destroyer INS Ranvijay, respectively.

• This version was designed to launch either in a vertical or a horizontal mode from moving/stationary

assets to target both land and sea targets.

• The missiles, fired at a speed of 2.8 Mach or nearly three times the speed of sound, significantly increase

the capability of the ships in engaging long-range targets.

• BrahMos missiles are designed and developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Mashinostroyenia of Russia.

• Originally introduced in 2001, variations of these supersonic missiles can be launched from submarines,

ships, aircraft, and land platforms.

• BrahMos missiles that fly almost three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8, are being extended from the

original 290-km to 350-400 km now.

• India and Russia are also developing a new version of BrahMos with an 800-km strike range.

Note- India formally inked its first major defence system export deal with the Philippines, signing a $375 million contract for the BrahMos shore-based anti-ship missile system. Potential export customers for the missile system already in use by the three Armed forces include Vietnam and Indonesia where advanced discussions are going on. BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines. The contract also includes training of the firing and maintenance crew for the missiles.

Difference between cruise missile and ballistic missile- Cruise missiles are unmanned vehicles that are self-propelled by jet engines, much like an airplane. They

can be launched from ground, air, or sea platforms. Ballistic missiles are powered initially by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an

unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target. A ballistic missile's flight path is like a large arc up and back down again(parabolic path). Ballistic missiles first came into use during World War II, when the Germans used a ballistic missile called the

V-2 to attack London.

Ballistic missiles can cover large distances and are typically launched into a high suborbital spaceflight. And

they have e three stages of flight: o Boost Phase begins at launch. o Midcourse Phase begins after the rocket(s) stops firing. o Terminal Phase begins when the detached warhead(s) reenter the Earth’s atmosphere and ends upon impact

or detonation. Unlike the long arcing trajectory of a ballistic missile, a cruise missile travels at lower altitudes and on far

straighter trajectories.


Nearly all of the longer-range ballistic missiles and various types of cruise missiles carry nuclear warheads. Ballistic Missiles rely on earth for gravity targets, whereas cruise missiles don't rely on the earth. Examples of India’s Ballistic missiles- Agni-I,II and III), Prithvi-II and Danush. Examples of India’s Cruise missiles- Prahar, BrahMos(I & II), Nirbhay etc.

10.7 Baricitinib and Sotrovimab- new drugs approved by WHO for COVID In news- Recently, the World Health Organization (WH0) has recommended two drugs, baricitinib and sotrovimab, for treatment of Covid-19. About Baricitinib-

• It is part of a class of drugs called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors that suppress the overstimulation of the

immune system.

• It is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

• It has been “strongly recommended” by WHO for patients with severe or critical Covid-19 in combination

with corticosteroids.

• It is an oral drug, and provides an alternative to other arthritis drugs called Interleukin-6 receptor

blockers, recommended by WHO in July 2021.

• It is an immunomodulator, an alternative to tocilizumab: either of these drugs is given to patients who

have severe Covid-19, are clinically progressing on steroids and have high inflammatory markers.

• It is given to control hyper inflammation, which usually starts between days 7 and 14 of COVID-19.

About Sotrovimab-

• Sotrovimab, developed by GlaxoSmithKline with US partner Vir Biotechnology Inc, is an investigational

monoclonal antibody for use in treating conditions caused by coronavirus.

• The WHO has conditionally recommended its use for treating mild or moderate Covid-19 in patients who

are at high risk of hospitalisation.

• These include patients who are older, are immunocompromised, and have underlying conditions like

diabetes, hypertension and obesity, and are unvaccinated.

• It can be used in mild illness with patients of both Delta and Omicron at risk of high progression.

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) too has approved an emergency use authorization (EUA) for

the therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in patients above 12 years.

• Sotrovimab is an alternative to casirivimab-imdevimab, a monoclonal antibody cocktail recommended by

WHO in September 2021.

10.8 Web 3.0 In news- The concept of Web3, also called Web 3.0, used to describe a potential next phase of the internet, created quite a buzz in 2021. What is Web 3.0?

• It is a decentralized internet to be run on blockchain technology, which would be different from the

versions in use, Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.

• In Web3, users will have ownership stakes in platforms and applications unlike now where tech giants

control the platforms.


• Currently if a seller has to make a business to the buyer, both the buyer and seller need to be registered

on a “shop” or “platform” like Amazon or Ebay or any such e-commerce portal.

• What this “platform” currently does is that it authenticates that the buyer and seller are genuine parties

for the transaction.

• Web3 tries to remove the role of the “platform”.

• For the buyer to be authenticated, the usual proofs aided by block chain technology will be used.

• The same goes for the seller and with block chain, the time and place of transaction are recorded

permanently.

• Thus, Web3 enables peer to peer (seller to buyer) transactions by eliminating the role of the intermediary.

• The spirit of Web3 is Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) which is that all the business rules

and governing rules in any transaction are transparently available for anyone to see and software will be

written conforming to these rules.

Pros- Better privacy, security, scalability, harder to monopolize Cons- Tough to regulate

About Web 1.0 and 2.0- Web 1.0 is the World Wide Web or the internet that was invented in 1989. The internet in the Web 1.0 days was mostly static web pages where users would go to a website and then

read and interact with the static information. Even though there were e-commerce websites in the initial days it was still a closed environment and the

users themselves could not create any content or post reviews on the internet. Web 1.0 lasted until 1999. Web 2.0 started in some form in the late 1990s itself though 2004 was when most of its features were fully

available. It is still the age of Web 2.0 now. The differentiating characteristic of Web 2.0 compared to Web1.0 is that users can create content. They can interact and contribute in the form of comments, registering likes, sharing and uploading their

photos or videos and perform other such activities. Primarily, a social media kind of interaction is the differentiating trait of Web 2.0.

10.9 Artificial Moon by China In news- Recently, Chinese scientists have built an "artificial moon" research facility that will enable them to simulate low-gravity environments using magnetism. About China’s artificial moon project-

• Being called the "first of its kind in the world", the facility located in the eastern city of Xuzhou, in Jiangsu

province, will make gravity “disappear”.

• It can replicate low gravity environments for as long as one wants, making China less dependent on zero-

gravity planes to train astronauts, and environments to test new rovers and technologies.

• The facility, slated for official launch this year, will use powerful magnetic fields inside a 2-foot-diameter

(60 centimeters) vacuum chamber to make gravity disappear.

• The mini-moon is about two feet in diameter and the artificial surface has been made with rocks and dust

that are as light as those on the moon.

• The gravity on the Moon is not zero, it is one-sixth as powerful as the gravity on Earth due to the

magnetic field.


• The idea to develop the facility has its roots in the Russian-born physicist Andre Geim’s experiments to

levitate a frog with a magnet.

• The physicists later won a Nobel in 2000 for this groundbreaking experiment that made a frog float with a

magnet.

• The levitation trick used by Geim and now in the artificial-moon chamber comes from an effect called

diamagnetic levitation.

• China has already developed an "artificial sun" to replicate the nuclear fusion process that occurs naturally

in the sun and stars to provide almost infinite clean energy.

10.10 Vikas engine In news- Recently, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a 25-second qualification test for its liquid propellant-based High Thrust Vikas engine to be used under the Gaganyaan mission. About Vikas engine-

• VIKAS (an acronym for Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai) is a family of liquid-fuelled rocket engines conceptualized

and designed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre since the 1970s.

• The early production of VIKAS engines used imported French components which were later replaced by

domestically produced equivalents.

• VIKAS engines are used to power the second stage PSLV, boosters and second stage of GSLV Mark I and II

and now the first stage of GSLV Mark III (LVM3).

• Two new types of Vikas engines, HTVE (High Thrust VIKAS Engine) and HPVE (High Pressure or High Speed

VIKAS Engine), are of particular interest.

• Its recent test was conducted at ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

• It was done to see how the engine performed in conditions that were not optimal, such as change in the

fuel-oxidiser ratio or pressure in the fuel chamber.

• With regard to the Vikas engine qualification for the Gaganyaan mission, two engines have already

undergone tests under nominal operating conditions for a total duration of 480 seconds.

• The first stage of the launch vehicle, which used solid propellant, is already qualified for the mission.

• Three more tests are set to be conducted for a cumulative duration of 75 seconds under varying operating

conditions as the agency prepares for the first Indian astronaut mission.

• Another high thrust Vikas engine will undergo a long-duration test for 240 seconds to complete the Vikas

engine qualification for Gaganyaan mission.

Gaganyaan mission-

• It envisages undertaking the demonstration of human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the short-term

and will lay the foundation for a sustained Indian human space exploration programme in the long run.

• Formal announcement of the Gaganyaan programme was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his

Independence Day address on August 15, 2018.

• The initial target was to launch human space flight before the 75th anniversary of India’s independence on

August 15, 2022.

• This mission is delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and successive lockdowns, Gaganyaan, will be launched

in 2023.

• As part of this programme, two unmanned missions and one manned mission are approved by Government

of India (GoI).


• The test vehicle flight for the validation of Crew Escape System performance and the first uncrewed mission of

Gaganyaan are scheduled at the beginning of the second half of 2022.

• ISRO’s heavy-lift launcher GSLV Mk III has been identified for the mission.

• Once launched, India will be the fourth nation in the world to launch a human spaceflight mission after the

US, Russia and China.

10.11 ISRO’s new SSLV programme In news - Recently, ISRO chairman has mentioned the launch of indigenous new launch rockets, called the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D1 Micro SAT in April 2022. About SSLV programme-

• The SSLV is intended to cater to a market for the launch of small satellites into low earth orbits.

• Need for the SSLV emerged as the launch of small satellites has until now been dependent on ‘piggy-back’

rides with big satellite launches on ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.(PSLV)

• SSLV can carry satellites weighing up to 500 kg to a low earth orbit while the tried and tested PSLV can

launch satellites weighing in the range of 1000 kg.

• It is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs.

• SSLV is a three-stage all solid vehicle, which will have the option of multiple satellite mounting options for

nano, micro and small satellites.

• The SSLV is the smallest vehicle at 110-ton mass at ISRO.

• It will take only 72 hours to integrate, unlike the 70 days taken now for a launch vehicle. Only six people

will be required to do the job, instead of 60 people.

• The entire job will be done in a very short time and the cost will be only around Rs 30 crore.

• It will be an on-demand vehicle.

• The SSLV received a commercial booking in 2019 itself from the US space launch services intermediary

Spaceflight Inc.

• The launch of the maiden flight of the SSLV was scheduled for July 2019 but has been delayed due to

setbacks from the Covid 19 crisis and other issues.

• The government has sanctioned Rs 169 crores for the development of the project, which covers the

development & qualification of the vehicle systems and the flight demonstration through three

development flights (SSLV-D1, SSLV-D2 & SSLV-D3).

10.12 Moderna begins trial of HIV vaccine that uses mRNA technology In news- Recently, Moderna has announced that it has started trials on an mRNA HIV vaccine. About mRNA HIV vaccine-

• The vaccine uses mRNA, or messenger RNA technology (similar to Moderna’s Covid 19 vaccine) which

teaches the body’s cells how to make proteins that trigger immune response.

• It uses a novel approach to elicit broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies (bNAbs) and eventually target

multiple HIV strains.

• BNAbs are produced by certain types of B cells, which are rare: one in 300,000 B cells have this capability

and the vaccine aims to stimulate production of bnAbs that can act against many variants of HIV.

• The immunogens being tested were developed by scientific teams at the non-profit International AIDS

Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Scripps Research, and delivered via Moderna’s mRNA technology.


• The MODERNA/IAVI study is a phase 1, randomized, first-in-human, open label study to evaluate the safety

and immunogenicity of the vaccines, mRNA-1644 and mRNA-1644v2-Core, in HIV-uninfected individuals.

• The vaccine is supposed to teach B lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system, to generate these

antibodies.

• In this trial, participants are injected with an immunogen -- a substance that can trigger an immune

response -- and then a booster immunogen later.

• This Phase 1 trial is being carried out in the United States among 56 healthy adults who are HIV negative.

• Fifty-six individuals will be randomized in four groups and safety/immunogenicity results will be available

in 2023.

10.13 Intranasal Vaccine for COVID-19

In news- Recently, the Drugs Controller General of India gave permission to Bharat Biotech to conduct

standalone phase-3 trials on its Covid-19 intranasal vaccine.

What is intranasal vaccine & how does it work?

• Vaccines are usually given through different routes, with the most common being injectable shots

delivered into the muscles (intramuscular) or the tissue just between the skin and the muscles

(subcutaneous).

• Other routes of delivery, especially in some vaccines for infants, include administering the liquid solution

orally instead of injecting.

• In the intranasal route, the vaccine is sprayed into the nostrils and inhaled.

• An intranasal vaccine stimulates a broad immune response – neutralizing IgG, mucosal IgA, and T cell

responses.

• Many viruses, including the coronavirus, enter the body through mucosa — wet, squishy tissues that line

the nose, mouth, lungs and digestive tract triggering a unique immune response from cells and molecules

there.

• Intramuscular vaccines generally fail at eliciting this mucosal response, and instead rely on immune cells

mobilized from elsewhere in the body flocking to the site of infection.

• Experts believe an intranasal vaccine will act against the virus from the time it tries to break the body’s

barrier, thereby making it more effective than the intramuscular ones in many cases.

• Generally, both the aforementioned types of vaccines trigger a response in the blood.

• B cells, for example, would churn out antibodies including a particularly potent disease-fighter called IgG

— to roam the body in search of the virus.

• Other cells, called T cells, would either help B cells produce antibodies or seek out and destroy the infected

cells.

• However, vaccines that are injected through the nose or mouth would also tap into another set of immune

cells that hang around mucosal tissues.

• The B cells that reside there can make another type of antibody, called IgA, that plays a large role in

destroying the airway pathogens.

• In addition to this, the T cells that are residing nearby will be able to memorize the pathogens that it

encountered and will lifelong scout the areas where these were first encountered.

• Hence an intranasal vaccine stimulates a broad immune response – neutralizing IgG, mucosal IgA, and T

cell responses.

• These vaccines aim to overcome potential difficulties with mass vaccination and reduce the cost by doing

away with the need for needles and syringes.


• Intranasal vaccines are also expected to cut down on the dependence on various trained personnel to

administer the vaccine, according to experts.

• The effectiveness of an intranasal vaccine was first seen in the 1960s when polio doses replaced its

injected predecessor.

Drawbacks-

• It was first noted after the rollout of the oral polio vaccines where in some cases, it still caused the

disease after the weakened virus in the product mutated.

• There is very little evidence to back the effectiveness of this route of delivery so far and, save for some flu

vaccines; attempts to deliver vaccines have not been successful.

10.14 World Leprosy Day, 2022

In news- World Leprosy Day (WLD) is celebrated on the last Sunday of January. In 2022, World Leprosy Day was

celebrated on 30th January.

About World Leprosy Day-

• It seeks to celebrate people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, and call for an

end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination.

• The day was first initiated in 1954 by French Philanthropist Raoul Follereau who made people know

about this ancient disease.

• This date was chosen by him as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi who had compassion for people

afflicted with leprosy.

• The theme of World Leprosy Day 2022 is 'United for Dignity'.

• The two main objectives of this day are treating people equally affected by leprosy and by educating

people about the disease and the misconceptions related to it.

About leprosy (also known as Hansen's disease)-

It is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae, an acid-fast, rod-shaped

bacillus.

It is an age-old disease, described in the literature of ancient civilizations.

It can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa).

Symptoms include light-coloured or red skin patches with reduced sensation, numbness and weakness in

hands and feet.

With early diagnosis and 6-12 months of multi-drug therapy, the disease can be cured.

Although leprosy was managed differently in the past, the first breakthrough occurred in the 1940s with the

development of the medicine ‘dapsone’.

WHO strategy-Towards Zero Leprosy - Global Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Strategy 2021–2030

Global targets for 2030 are:

120 countries with zero new autochthonous cases.

70% reduction in annual number of new cases detected.


90% reduction in rate per million population of new cases with grade-2 disability (G2D).

90% reduction in rate per million children of new child cases with leprosy.

11. SECURITY

11.1 Army sets up new Quantum Computing Lab In news- Recently, the Army has set up a quantum computing laboratory and a centre for artificial intelligence (AI) at a military engineering institute in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow. About the laboratory-

• It has been established by the Army with support from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) to

spearhead research and training in this key developing field.

• Indian Army has also established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre at the same institution with over 140

deployments in forwarding areas and active support of industry and academia.

• The two centres will carry out extensive research in developing transformative technologies for use by the

armed forces.

• Training on cyber warfare is being imparted through a state-of-the-art cyber range and cyber security labs.

What is quantum computing? A quantum computer is a machine that performs calculations using the laws of quantum physics to solve

problems that would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for classical, semiconductor-based computers that behave according to the laws of classical physics.

Quantum computers vary from discrete digital electronic computers based on transistors (a semiconductor to reproduce, turn, and control electronic signals).

For ordinary digital computing, the data must be encrypted in binary digits (bits), each in one of two definite states (0 or 1).

A quantum computer can do something that no ordinary classical computer can match. A quantum computer doesn’t use bits, but uses quantum bits or qubits. And these qubits are made out of

quantum material and a qubit which can exist as both 1 and 0 simultaneously. This bizarre consequence of quantum mechanics is called a superposition state and is the key to the quantum

computer‘s advantage over classical computers.

11.2 INS Vikrant In news- The Vice President of India visited India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant in Kochi recently. About INS Vikrant-

• It is the 40,000-tonne aircraft carrier, the largest and most complex warship built in India.

• It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India.

• It is 262 meters long, 62 meters wide and it has a height of 59 meters.

• Its construction began in 2009 and the warship has been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited(CSL).

• It has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,700 people, including specialized cabins

to accommodate women officers.

• Vikrant has a top speed of around 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about

7,500 nautical miles.


• It can operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters.

• The ship, with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, has

been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.

• It is named 'Vikrant' as a tribute to India's first aircraft carrier, Vikrant (R11).

• It is scheduled to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in August 2022.

Indian Navy Ship Vikrant (R11) was a Majestic-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. The ship was laid down as HMS Hercules for the British Royal Navy during World War II, but was put on hold when the war ended. India purchased the incomplete carrier in 1957, and construction was completed in 1961. Vikrant was commissioned as the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy and played a key role in enforcing the naval blockade of East Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. It was decommissioned in January 1997 and was preserved as a museum ship in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai until 2012. The ship was scrapped in November 2014 after final clearance from the Supreme Court.

• India currently has only one aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (It is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier and

the flagship of the Indian Navy, which entered into service in 2013).

11.3 Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), a common counter-terrorism grid In news- Recently, Centre has asked the States to share more intelligence inputs through the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), a common counter-terrorism grid under the Intelligence Bureau (IB). About Multi Agency Centre (MAC)-

• It was formed in December 2001 following the Kargil intrusion and the subsequent overhaul of the Indian

national security apparatus suggested by the Kargil Review Committee report.

• Accordingly, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was authorized to create a multi-agency centre (MAC) in New

Delhi.

• Now functioning 24/7 as the nodal body for sharing intelligence inputs, MAC coordinates with

representatives from numerous agencies, different ministries, both central and state.

• All the States have a subsidiary multi-agency centre (SMAC) located in all State capitals.

• As many as 28 organizations, including the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), armed forces and State

police are part of the platform and various security agencies including Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)

share real-time intelligence inputs on the MAC.

Note- The Minister of State for Home Affairs had launched the Crime Multi Agency Centre (Cri-MAC) for sharing information on heinous crime and other issues related to inter-state coordination. It aims to share information between various police forces on heinous crimes.

11.4 Special Protection Group (SPG) Act In news- Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs formed a separate committee to probe Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security breach in Punjab and take action under SPG Act. About SPG Act-

• The Prime Minister's security is the domain of the Special Protection Group or SPG that is described as an

“armed force” in the SPG Act.

• The SPG Act came into being in 1988 and the body functions under the cabinet secretariat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majestic-class_aircraft_carrier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Navy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keel_laying

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Navy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_commissioning

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_carrier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_blockade

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Pakistan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Pakistan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pakistani_War_of_1971

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_decommissioning

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_ship

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuffe_Parade

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_breaking

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_India

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiev-class_aircraft_carrier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_carrier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Navy


• The Act was passed by the parliament after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

and was extended to all former Prime Ministers and their immediate families after former Prime Minister

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated.

• The Act has provisions for “providing proximate security” to the Prime Minister of India as well as those

who have previously held the post.

• Proximate security is defined as “protection provided from close quarters, during a journey by road, rail,

aircraft, watercraft, or on foot, or any other means of transport and shall include the places of functions,

engagements, residence or halt and shall comprise ring round teams, isolation cordons, the sterile zone

around, and the rostrum and access control to the person or members of his immediate family”.

• The general superintendence, direction and control of the Group shall vest in, and be exercised by, the

Central Government.

• The command and supervision of the Group shall vest in an officer to be appointed by the Central

Government as the Director of the Group.

• The ASL or the Advanced Security Liaison (which means every minute of the Prime Minister’s itinerary is

documented and monitored) is carried out by the SPG.

• Even though the proximate security is the SPG’s responsibility, the perimeter is to be secured by the state

police in case the PM travels.

• The SPG Act was amended in 2019 to reduce SPG cover to only the Prime Minister and members of his

immediate family residing with him at his official residence.

• The 2019 amendment further reduced the time period of SPG cover to the former Prime Ministers and

their immediate family to five years after they leave the office, provided that the immediate family

members resided at the allotted residence with the former Prime Minister.

11.5 Sea Dragon exercise In news- India and its partners in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad along with Canada and South Korea participated in the multinational exercise Sea Dragon at Guam in the Western Pacific. About the exercise-

• It is a US-led multinational exercise designed to practice and discuss Anti-submarine warfare tactics to

operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-

Pacific region.

• This exercise primarily focuses on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training.

• It involved more than 270 hours of in-flight training and activities ranging from tracking simulated targets

to tracking a US Navy submarine.

• Each event will be graded and the country scoring the highest points will receive the Dragon Belt award.

• The Royal Canadian Air Force won the Dragon Belt at last year’s exercise and is defending the title at Sea

Dragon 2022.

11.6 Indian Army day, 2022 In news- 74th Indian Army Day was celebrated on January 15, 2022. About Indian Army Day-

• The Army Day is celebrated every year in recognition of Field Marshal K.M Cariappa as the first

commander-in-chief of the Indian army.


• The British Indian Army was founded on April 1, 1895, within the British administration.

• After India became independent in 1947, it was not until January 15, 1949, that the nation received its

first-ever Indian chief.

• Lt Gen KM Cariappa succeeded General Francis Butcher, the final British commander-in-chief of the Indian

Army, as commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed forces in 1949.

• This day was recognised as Indian Army Day to start paying respect to the martyred Indian army personnel

at the “Amar Jawan Jyoti" at News Delhi’s India Gate.

• Bravery awards including unit credentials and Sena medals will also be awarded in 2022, to mark the day.

• During the celebration, the new uniform of the Indian Army designed in collaboration with the National

Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) was showcased at the parade ground.

About Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa- He was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army. He was born on 28 January 1899 in Madikeri, Karnataka. He led Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. He is one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the Five-star rank of Field Marshal; the other being Field

Marshal Sam Manekshaw. He had joined the British Indian Army shortly after the end of World War I, and was commissioned as a

temporary first lieutenant into the 2/88 Carnatic Infantry. He was transferred between multiple regiments early in his career before settling on 1/7 Rajputs, which

became his permanent regiment. He was the first Indian military officer to attend the Staff College, Quetta, the first Indian to command a

battalion, and was also one of the first two Indians selected to undergo training at the Imperial Defence College in Camberley.

After four years of service as the C-in-C, Cariappa retired on 14 January 1953. He died in 1993, at the Bangalore Command Hospital.

11.7 Amar Jawan Jyoti In news- Recently, in a historic move, the flame of the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate in Delhi was merged with the eternal flame at the National War Memorial, which is 400 meters away on the other side of India Gate. About Amar Jawan Jyoti-

• The eternal flame at the Amar Jawan Jyoti underneath India Gate in central Delhi was an iconic symbol of

the nation’s tributes to the soldiers who have died for the country in various wars and conflicts since

Independence.

• Established in 1972, it was to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War, which resulted in the

creation of Bangladesh.

• The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had inaugurated it on Republic Day 1972, after India defeated

Pakistan in December 1971.

• The key elements of the Amar Jawan Jyoti included a black marble plinth, a cenotaph, which acted as a

tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

• The plinth had an inverted L1A1 self-loading rifle with a bayonet, on top of which was a soldier’s war

helmet.

• The installation had four urns on it, with four burners.

• On normal days one of the four burners were kept alive, but on important days like the Republic Day, all

four burners were lit.

• These burners were what is called the eternal flame, and it was never allowed to be extinguished.


• Since 1972, when it was inaugurated, it used to be kept alive with the help of cylinders of liquified

petroleum gas, or LPG (changed to piped natural gas, or PNG 2006).

• The India Gate, also known as All India War Memorial earlier, was built by the British in 1931 in memory of

the British Indian Army soldiers who lost their lives between 1914-1921.

• As it was a memorial for the Indian soldiers killed in wars, the Amar Jawan Jyoti was established

underneath it by the government in 1972 after the massive victory of India over Pakistan.

The National War Memorial- It was built in the India Gate complex by the Union government and was inaugurated in 2019. It was built to commemorate all the soldiers who have laid down their lives in the various battles, wars,

operations and conflicts of Independent India. There are many independent memorials for such soldiers, but no memorial existed commemorating them all

at the national level. It has the names of all the Indian defence personnel who have lost their lives in different operations from the

1947-48 war with Pakistan to the Galwan valley clash with Chinese troops. The names of troops who lost lives in the counter-terrorist operations are also included on the walls of the

memorial. The architecture of the memorial is based on four concentric circles, the largest is the Raksha Chakra or the

Circle of Protection which is marked by a row of trees, each of which represent soldiers, who protect the country.

The Tyag Chakra, the Circle of Sacrifice, has circular concentric walls of honor based on the Chakravyuh. The walls have independent granite tablets for each of the soldiers who have died for the country since

Independence and a tablet is added every time a soldier is killed in the line of duty. This Veerta Chakra, the Circle of Bravery, has a covered gallery with six bronze crafted murals depicting the

battles and actions of our Armed Forces. The final is the Amar Chakra, the Circle of Immortality, which has an obelisk, and the Eternal Flame.

11.8 Paschim Lehar exercise In news -A joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) conducted by the Indian Navy off the West Coast was concluded on 25 January 2022. About the Exercise Paschim Lehar (XPL)

• XPL-2022 was conducted over duration of 20 days with an objective to validate operational plans of the

Western Naval Command (HQs- Mumbai).

• It also aims to enhance Inter-Service synergy among the Indian Navy, IAF, Indian Army and Coast Guard.

• The exercise was conducted under the aegis of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief(FOC-in-C).

• The intra-theatre exercise included mobilization and participation of over 40 ships and submarines of the

Indian Navy.

• Various elements of the Indian Army including Air Defence batteries were also mobilised for the exercise.

• After a long gap, many OPVs, FPVs and Air Cushion Vessels of the Coast Guard also participated in exercise

Paschim Lehar.

• The exercise provided all participating forces an opportunity to operate together under realistic

conditions, in responding to contemporary maritime challenges, across the areas of the Command’s

responsibility.


Other Naval commands and their Headquarters-

These commands are commanded by a Three Star Flag Officer of the rank of Vice Admiral with the title (FOC-in-C).

11.9 Gallantry awards, 2022 In news- On the eve of the 73rd Republic Day, the President of India honoured the country’s military and police personnel for their show of gallantry and valor. Gallantry awards for 2022-

• The Indian Army received a total of 317 awards for the gallantry and distinguished service of its personnel.

• In addition to the six Shaurya Chakras, there were 19 Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), four Uttam Yudh

Seva Medal (UYSM), 33 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and 84 Sena Medal (gallantry), including three

"Bar to Sena Medal (gallantry) and four of them posthumous.

• Additionally, 10 Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) were conferred, along with 40 Sena Medal (distinguished), 77

Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), including three “Bar to VSM”, and 44 mention-in-dispatches, including three

posthumous honors.

• The President also awards three police medals for meritorious service, for distinguished service, and for

gallantry to law enforcement personnel in the country.

About Gallantry awards-

• Gallantry Awards have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and

sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted Forces and civilians.

• Post-independence, first three gallantry awards namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra

were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January, 1950 which were deemed to have effect from

the 15th August, 1947.


• The other three gallantry awards i.e. Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Ashoka Chakra Class-II and Ashoka Chakra

Class-III were instituted by the Government of India on 4th January, 1952, which were deemed to have

effect from the 15th August, 1947.

• These awards were renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra respectively in January,

1967.

• These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year – first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then

on the occasion of the Independence Day.

• Order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the

Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.

Gallantry are divided among the following six awards (peace time and war time): Param Vir Chakra (PVC): India’s highest military decoration is awarded for displaying distinguished acts of

valour during wartime. It is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy” on land, sea, or in the air.

Mahavir Chakra (MVC): The second highest military decoration in India is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It replaced the British Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

Vir Chakra (VrC): Third in precedence in wartime gallantry awards, Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of bravery on land, air, or sea.

Ashoka Chakra: It is India’s highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. This award can be given to either a military or civilian personnel.

Kirti Chakra: The medal is awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. It may be awarded to military personnel, civilian citizens, police personnel including central para-military forces and Railway Protection Force.

Shaurya Chakra: The Chakra is awarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded posthumously. It may be awarded to military personnel, civilian citizens, police personnel including central para-military forces and Railway Protection Force.

12. SOCIETY

12.1 Draft National Air Sports Policy In news- Ministry of Civil Aviation has released a draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) for public feedback recently. Key highlights of the National Air Sports Policy (NASP) -

• It covers sports like aerobatics, aeromodelling, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, ballooning,

drones, gliding, hang gliding and paragliding, microlighting and paramotoring, skydiving and vintage

aircraft.

• The vision is to make India one of the top air sports nations by 2030.

• An Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) will be established as the apex governing body and associations

for each air sport will handle day to day activities e.g. Paragliding Association of India or Skydiving

Association of India etc.

• The air sports associations shall be accountable to ASFI with respect to the regulatory oversight and for

providing safe, affordable, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable conduct of their respective air sport.

• ASFI shall represent India at Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and other global platforms

related to air sports.


• As per the policy, inability to enforce safety standards by an air sports association may lead to penal action

by the ASFI against such association including financial penalties, suspension or dismissal.

• All persons and entities providing air sports services shall be required to register as members of the

respective air sports associations.

• An airspace map of India has been published on DGCA’s DigitalSky Platform which segregates the entire

airspace of India into red zone, yellow zone and green zone.

• Air sports practitioners may rely on this easily accessible map for guidance.

• Operation in red and yellow zones requires permission from the Central Government and the concerned

Air Traffic Control authority respectively.

• Operation in green zones for aircraft with all-up weight up to 500 kg does not require any permission.

• For air sports centred around a fixed location – for instance, Bir-Billing in Himachal Pradesh, Gangtok in

Sikkim, Hadapsar in Maharashtra or Vagamon in Kerala – the said location can be declared as a ‘Control

zone’ for air sports with necessary permissions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of

Defence (MoD), State Government and the local Air Traffic Control authority.

• The Government will consider allowing import of air sports equipment without any import duty for a

particular number of years. Import of previously used air sports equipment may also be allowed free

import, subject to laid down norms of airworthiness.

• Schools, colleges and universities will be encouraged to have air sports included in their curriculum.

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)- The FAI, the World Air Sports Federation headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland is the world governing

body for air sports. It was founded on 14 October 1905. It is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization with the basic aim of furthering

aeronautical and astronautical activities worldwide, ratifying world and continental records and coordinating the organization of international competitions.

It is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

13. PEOPLE IN NEWS

13.1 Pandit Birju Maharaj In news- Legendary Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj has died at the age of 83 recently. About Pandit Birju Maharaj-

• Brajmohan Maharaj or Birju Maharaj was an Indian dancer, composer, singer and exponent of the

Lucknow "Kalka-Bindadin" Gharana of Kathak dance in India.

• He was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers.

• He was born in 1937, in the house of Kathak exponent, Jagannath Maharaj, popularly known as Acchan

Maharaj of Lucknow gharana, who served as court dancer in Raigarh princely state.

• He was trained under his father and guru Acchan Maharaj and uncles Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu

Maharaj.

• He also practised Hindustani classical music and was a vocalist.

• He has several contributions to the film industry, including his legendary choreographies for films like

‘Devdas’, ‘Vishwaroopam’, ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ and ‘Bajirao Mastani’.


• After working along with his uncle, Shambhu Maharaj at Bhartiya Kala Kendra, later the Kathak Kendra,

New Delhi, he remained head of the latter for several years, till his retirement in 1998 when he opened his

own dance school, Kalashram, also in Delhi.

• He is a recipient of the country’s second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan.

Kathak dance- Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. The roots of this dance form trace back to Sanskrit Hindu text on performing arts called ‘Natya Shastra’

written by ancient Indian theatrologist and musicologist Bharata Muni. Its origin is traditionally attributed to the traveling bards in ancient northern India known as Kathakars or

storytellers. The term Kathak is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Katha which means "story", and Kathakar which

means "the one who tells a story", or "to do with stories". It evolved during the Bhakti movement, particularly by incorporating the childhood and stories of the Hindu

god Krishna, as well as independently in the courts of north Indian kingdoms. Kathak is unique in having both Hindu and Muslim gharanas and cultural elements of these gharanas. Kathak performances include Urdu Ghazals and commonly used instruments brought during the Mughal

period. It is found in three distinct forms, called "gharanas", named after the cities where the Kathak dance

tradition evolved – Jaipur, Banaras and Lucknow. While the Jaipur gharana focuses more on the foot movements, the Banaras and Lucknow gharanas focus

more on facial expressions and graceful hand movements. Stylistically, the Kathak dance form emphasizes rhythmic foot movements, adorned with small bells

(Ghungroo) and the movement harmonized to the music.

13.2 Har Gobind Khorana In news- 100th birth anniversary of the biochemist and chemical biologist Har Gobind Khorana was observed on January 09, 2022. About Har Gobind Khorana-

• He was an American biochemist born on January 9 1922 in Multan (present day Pakistan) of Pre-

Independent India.

• He made significant contributions to the science of PCR tests, which we use today to look for SARS-CoV-

2 infections.

• While on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he shared the 1968 Nobel Prize for

Physiology or Medicine with Marshall W. Nirenberg and Robert W. Holley for research that showed the

order of nucleotides in nucleic acids, which carry the genetic code of the cell and control the cell's

synthesis of proteins.

• Khorana and Nirenberg were also awarded the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize from Columbia University in the

same year.

• In the 1960s, Khorana confirmed Nirenberg’s findings that the way the four different types of

nucleotides are arranged on the spiral “staircase” of the DNA molecule determines the chemical

composition and function of a new cell.

• He also proved that the nucleotide code is always transmitted to the cell in groups of three, called

codons.

• He also determined that some of the codons prompt the cell to start or stop the manufacture of

proteins.


• In 1970, he and his research team were able to synthesize the first artificial copy of a yeast gene.

• His later research explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the cell signaling pathways of vision in

vertebrates.

• He investigated mutations in rhodopsin, a light-sensitive protein found in the retina of the vertebrate eye

and are associated with retinitis pigmentosa, which causes night blindness.

• He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1966, and received the National Medal of Science

in 1987.

• In 1971, he joined the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he remained until he

retired in 2007.

• In 2007, the University of Wisconsin, India’s Department of Biotechnology and the Indo-US S&T Forum

launched the Khorana Program.

14. PLACES IN NEWS

14.1 What is 'Gateway to Hell'? In news- Recently, the Turkmenistan President has ordered experts to find a way to extinguish a fire in a huge natural gas crater, the Darvaza gas crater also known as the ‘Gateway to Hell’. About Gateway to Hell (Darvaza gas crater)-

• It is a 69 meters wide and 30 meters deep crater located in the Karakum desert and has been burning for

the last 50 years.

• In 1971, Soviet geologists were drilling for oil in the Karakum desert when they hit a pocket of natural gas

by mistake, which caused the earth to collapse and ended up forming three huge sinkholes.

• This pocket of natural gas contained methane, hence to stop that methane from leaking into the

atmosphere, the scientists lit it with fire, assuming the gas present in the pit would burn out within a few

weeks.

• In 2018, the country’s president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov officially renamed it as the “Shining of

Karakum”.

About Turkmenistan- Known for its autocratic government and large gas reserves, Turkmenistan also has a reputation as an island

of stability in restive Central Asia. It is the second largest state in Central Asia, after Kazakhstan, and is the southernmost of the region’s five

republics. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the

southeast, Iran to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the west. It got its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Its Capital is Ashgabat & the Currency is Turkmen manat. Turkmen, Russian are major languages of the country. For centuries the Turkmens were divided into numerous tribes and clans, the largest being the Tekke,

Ersari, and Yomut. About 70% of the country is covered by the uninhabited Karakum, a desert with a barren flat-to-rolling

landscape and sand dunes, the terrain is rising to the Turkmen-Khorasan Mountain Range (Kopet Dag) in south west, the mountains separate the country from Iran.


Turkmenistan’s main rivers are Amu Darya (ancient Oxus River), which flows along its northeastern border toward the Aral Sea, and the Tejen, Morghāb (Murgab, or Murgap), and Atrek; there are also numerous small mountain rivers.

14.2 Indonesia to relocate capital In news- Indonesia's parliament has passed a bill to relocate the nation's capital from Jakarta to a jungled area of Kalimantan on Borneo Island. More information-

• It is reported that Indonesia's current capital Jakarta is slowly sinking and experts are predicting that up to

a third of the city could be underwater by 2050.

• New capital site is located 2,000 kilometers away from Jakarta and will be named "Nusantara" which

means "archipelago" in Javanese language.

• It will cover about 56,180 hectares in East Kalimantan province on the Indonesian part of Borneo, which

the country shares with Malaysia and Brunei.

• The new city will be governed by a body dubbed the State Capital Authority, with leadership appointed to

five-year terms directly by the president.

• The government has envisioned the new capital as a low-carbon "superhub" that will support

pharmaceutical, health and technology sectors and promote sustainable growth beyond Java island.

• Indonesia is not the first country in the region to relocate from an overpopulated capital.

• Malaysia moved its government to Putrajaya from Kuala Lumpur in 2003, while Myanmar moved its capital

to Naypyidaw from Rangoon in 2006.

About Indonesia-

• Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia, with a maximum dimension from east to west of about

5,100 km.

• It shares a border with Malaysia in the northern part of Borneo and with Papua New Guinea in the centre of

New Guinea.

• Its current capital is Jakarta and the currency is Indonesian rupiah.


• Its islands can be grouped into the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra (Sumatera), Java (Jawa), the southern

extent of Borneo (Kalimantan), and Celebes (Sulawesi), the Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara) of Bali and a

chain of islands that runs eastward.

• Indonesia was formerly known as the Dutch East Indies (or Netherlands East Indies).

• The major Indonesian islands are characterized by densely forested volcanic mountains in the interior that

slope downward to coastal plains covered by thick alluvial swamps that, in turn, dissolve into shallow seas and

coral reefs.

• Indonesia encompasses the junction of three major sections of the Earth’s crust and involves a complicated

series of shelves, volcanic mountain chains, and deep-sea trenches.

14.3 Burkina Faso In news- Recently, the Burkina Faso military overthrew democratically elected President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and seized control of the country. Soldiers on state media declared that the country is being run by their new organization, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration. About Burkina Faso-

• Burkina Faso, which means "land of honest men", is a landlocked country in West Africa.

• A former French colony, it gained independence as Upper Volta in 1960.

• Previously called the Republic of Upper Volta (1958–1984), it was renamed "Burkina Faso" in August 1984.

• It is bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to

the south, and the Ivory Coast to the southwest.

• Its capital and largest city is Ouagadougou.

• The largest ethnic group in present-day Burkina Faso is that of the Mossi people.

• The larger part of the country is covered by a peneplain and the southwest of the country forms a

sandstone massif, where the highest peak, Ténakourou, is found.

• The country owes its former name of Upper Volta to three rivers which cross it: the Black Volta (or

Mouhoun), the White Volta (Nakambé) and the Red Volta (Nazinon).

• The Black Volta is one of the country's only two rivers which flow year-round, the other being the Komoe,

which flows to the southwest.

• The basin of the Niger River also drains 27% of the country's surface.

• This country lies within two terrestrial ecoregions: Sahelian Acacia savanna and West Sudanian savanna.

14.4 Chinese bridge at Pangong Tso In news- Recently, Satellite images showed an under-construction bridge connecting the north and south banks of the Pangong Tso lake right near India’s claim line that has remained under Chinese control for decades. The under-construction bridge is approximately 315 meters long. About Pangong Tso lake-

• Formed from Tethys geosyncline, Pangong Tso is a long narrow, deep, endorheic (landlocked) lake situated

at a height of more than 14,000 ft in the Ladakh Himalayas.

• In the Ladakhi language, Pangong means extensive concavity and Tso is a lake in Tibetan.

• The lake’s water, while crystal clear, is brackish, making it undrinkable.

• During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water and it is not a part of the Indus river

basin area.


• It is a nearly 135-km long, narrow lake — 6 km at its widest point and shaped like a boomerang.

• The Karakoram Mountain range with heights of over 6,000 metres including K2, the world’s second highest

peak, ends at the north bank of Pangong Tso.

• Its southern bank too has high broken mountains sloping towards Spangur Lake in the south.

• In the 1990s, when the Indian side laid claims over the area, the Chinese army built a metal-top road

contending that it was part of the Aksai Chin.

• One-third of the water body, its 45 km stretch is in Indian control while the rest of the 90 km is under

Chinese control.

• The Line of Actual Control (LAC), running north-south, cuts the western part of the lake, aligned east-west.

• An Inner Line Permit is required to visit the lake as it lies on the Sino-Indian LAC.

• The barren mountains on the lake’s northern bank, called the Chang Chenmo, jut forward in major spurs,

which the Army calls “fingers”.

• At the lake’s north bank, according to India, the international boundary is close to Khurnak Fort, a 19th-

century ruin.

• India says the LAC passes through Finger 8 but China claims it is farther west.

1 JANUARY 2022

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