1 volume: 9€¦ · 16.3 Glaciers in Sikkim are losing mass faster than other parts of the Himalaya 150 16.4 Avian flu: Culling of birds begins in Kerela 151 17.Sustainable Development

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I would like to thank my outstanding and brilliant team

members who have given their valuable support,

cooperation, suggestions and expert advice from time to

time in successfully completing this magazine and

encourage me throughout this work.

DATE: 01/APRIL/2020 A. SIDHARTH

M.A., PH.D IN GEOGRAPHY





MARCH 2020 www.iasupsc.com

Sr. No. TOPICS Pg.

No.

1. National Events

1.1 Disaster Management Act 8

1.2 National Supercomputing Mission to boost super-computing infrastructure 9

1.3 Ekam Fest 11

2. International Events

2.1 20 Virtual Summit 12

2.2 Hantavirus 17

2.3 Tokyo Olympics 2020, postponed 18

2.4 Extradition Treaty between India and Belgium 22

2.5 COVID-19 now a pandemic: WHO 24

2.6 Oil plunges as producers begin price war 26

2.7 India approved as observer of Indian Ocean commission 29

2.8 U.S.,Taliban sign peace deal 31

2.9 Luxembourg became the world’s first country to offer entirely free public transport 32

3. Global Trends/Index/Reports on Various Issues

3.1 UN releases World Happiness Report 2020 33

3.2 Country-by-Country (CbC) Report 35

3.3 “Most chemical pesticides consumption” report: (PAN) 36

3.4 Animal Protection Index 2020 41

3.5 UNDP released Gender Social Norms Index 42

3.6 Un-utilized Budgetary Funds in Education 46

3.7 Gender Parity Index: UNESCO 50

3.8 World Heritage List 2020 54





4. The days have national and international importance

4.1 World Tuberculosis Day 2020 67

4.2 International Day of Forests observed on 21 March 68

4.3 International Nowruz Day 69

4.4 World Sparrow Day 70

4.5 World Sleep Day 71

4.6 World Consumer Rights Day 72

4.7 Jan Aushadhi Diwas 74

4.8 World Hearing Day 75

4.9 World Wildlife Day 76

4.10 World Defence Day 77

5. National and International Institutions/Agency

5.1 Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) 78

6. Indian Defence

6.1 Indian Army, Operation Namaste 80

6.2 Permanent commission for women in Navy 81

6.3 Efforts to Boost Defence Sector 82

7. Indian Polity, Governance, Constitution, Security and Justice

7.1 UP property damage ordinance 84

7.2 Telangana Assembly passes resolution opposing CAA, NPR, and NRC 85

7.3 Inner Line Permit (ILP) 86

7.4 Sedition cases in India 88

8. Political System

8.1 Budget Session of Parliament adjourned sine die 89

8.2 Resolution seeking removal of the phrase Socialism to be placed in Rajya-Sabha 91

8.3 Madhya Pradesh ( Floor test ) 92

8.4 Reforming power to serve people 93

8.5 Delimitation of Constituencies 94

8.6 Rules for Filing Complaints with Lokpal Notified 96





9. Public Policy/Schemes/ Bills

9.1 Relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) 97

9.2 Cabinet approves schemes to boost electronics manufacturing 99

9.3 National Policy on Skill Development 100

9.4 Tech for Tribal 101

9.5 Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 102

9.6 Lok Sabha passes Air-craft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 103

9.7 Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2020 105

9.8 Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 105

9.9 Scheme for “Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products” (RODTEP) 107

9.10 National Creche Scheme 108

9.11 Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 introduced in Lok Sabha 109

9.12 Minority Schemes for Jammu and Kashmir 110

9.13 TIFAC Has launched Vigyan Jyoti scheme for Women 112

9.14 Kishori Health Cards (Scheme for Adolescent Girls) 113

9.15 Mineral Law Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha 114

9.16 Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020 115

9.17 Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana 116

9.18 Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushlaya Yojana 117

10. Social Welfare Schemes: Tourism and Agriculture

10.1 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Conference 2020 118

11. Social Justice: Human Rights/Women Empowerment /Child Rights

11.1 KIRAN Scheme 119

11.2 Nari Shakti Puraskar 120

11.3 Mahila Sabhas on the International Women’s Day 121

11.4 Child Adoption Regulatory Authority (CARA) 122

11.5 Establishment of Chairs in the Name of Eminent Women Scientists 124

12. Social Life: Art, Culture, Languages, Heritages And Religion

12.1 Ministry of Culture to revisit 1958 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act

125

12.2 Attukal Pongala Festival 126

12.3 Namaste Orchha festival 127





13. Social Development: Health Sector/Education Reforms

13.1 Convalescent plasma therapy 128

13.2 Huntington disease (HD) 129

13.3 Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram 130

13.4 Commercial Cord Blood Banking 131

13.5 India Pharma & India Medical Device 2020 Conference 132

14. Indian Economy

14.1 RBI to implement Mega Bank Consolidation Plan 134

14.2 RBI’s COVID-19 Economic Relief Package 135

14.3 Recapitalization of Regional Rural Banks 136

14.4 Benefits of Free Trade Agreements 137

14.5 The Economic Impact of Coronavirus 138

15. General Science/Technology

15.1 Nano-Composite Coatings 141

15.2 New approach to speed up red blood cells generation in the lab 143

15.3 New Test with Quantum Coins & Computers for Quantum Sensing 144

16. Biodiversity and Climate Change

16.1 Tsunami warnings near Russia’s Kuril islands 145

16.2 Mass nesting of Olive Ridleys 149

16.3 Glaciers in Sikkim are losing mass faster than other parts of the Himalaya 150

16.4 Avian flu: Culling of birds begins in Kerela 151

17. Sustainable Development

17.1 Increased Recycling of E-waste in India 153

18. Renewable Energies

18.1 Gujarat topped the list in the installations of solar rooftop plants 154

18.2 BEE- Star Rating Programme 155





18.3 Renewable Energy Management Centers (REMCs) 156

18.4 Solar Charkha Mission 157

19. Social Sector/Government Initiatives and General Issues on Environmental Ecology

19.1 Sukhna Lake is a living entity 158

19.2 National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA) 160

20. Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social and Economic

20.1 Protecting peatlands can help attain climate goals 162

50 Sample UPSC Prelims Questions

164

Answer key

184





Context:

Govt. of India imposed a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days by invoking the Disaster Management Act, 2005 as well as Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897.

THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT 2005:

The stated object and purpose of the Disaster Management Act is to manage disasters, including preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building and more.

In the popular imagination, a disaster is usually associated with a natural calamity such as a cyclone or an earthquake.

Even the definition of a “disaster” in Section 2 (d) of the Disaster Management Act states that a disaster means a “catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made cause ”

To address the current epidemic outbreak, the Central government has included the Covid-19 (pandemic) outbreak as “Notified Disaster” as a “critical medical condition or pandemic situation”

THE EPIDEMIC DISEASES ACT

Under this law, the Central government as well as state government has the power to take special measures and prescribe regulations to prevent the spread of a “dangerous epidemic disease”.

An example of this would be the order on March 16 under the Delhi Epidemics Diseases, Covid-19(pandemic) Regulations, 2020, whereby the Delhi government has restricted gatherings with groups of more than 50 persons till March 31.

WHAT IS A LOCKDOWN?

o A lockdown is an emergency protocol that prevents people from leaving a given area. A full lockdown will mean you must stay where you are and not exit or enter a building or the given area.

o This scenario usually allows for essential supplies. All non-essential activities remain shut for the entire period.

o In India, the restrictions on movement and services have been enforced by state government, after advisories from the Centre. These restrictions derive their legal basis from the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.





WHAT DOES THE CORONAVIRUS (PANDEMIC)

LOCKDOWN MEAN FOR INDIAN CITIZENS?

Under the coronavirus lockdown, essential supplies and grocery stores, pharmacies and banks will be open for public.

All non-essential activities remain shutting for the entire period. Essential activities include: Buying groceries and medical supplies. Visit to the doctor in case of medical emergencies will be permitted. Private and government offices will be shut Religious institutions, schools, colleges will not be allowed to function. Hospitals will be open

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: object and purpose of the Disaster Management Act

Sources: Business standard

*****************************

Context:

India’s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) aims to set up to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure.

AIM: The aim of the mission is to meet the increased computational demands of academia, researchers, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and startups by creating the capability design, manufacturing, of supercomputers indigenously in India.





ORGANIZED BY:

The National Super Computing Mission is jointly led by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION:

NSM was established to set up a network of supercomputers ranging from a few Tera Flops (TF) to Hundreds of Tera Flops (TF) and three systems with greater than or equal to 3 Peta Flops (PF) in academic and research institutions of National importance across the country by 2022.

A total of 15-20 PF was approved in 2015 and was later revised to a total of 45 PF (45000 TFs). Also, an increase of 6 times more compute power within the same cost and capable of solving large

and complex computational problems. Plans to install three more supercomputers by April 2020 have begun. Among three supercomputers, one will be implemented at IIT-Kanpur, second in JN Centre for

Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, and 3rd in IIT-Hyderabad. This will ramp up the supercomputing facility to 6 PF.

Also, 11 new systems will be set up in different IITs, NITs, National Labs, and IISERs across India by December 2020. It will have many sub-systems manufactured and microprocessors designed in India, which will bring in a cumulative capacity of 10.4 petaflops.

PARAM SHIVAY-FIRST SUPERCOMPUTER:

As per the revised plan, the first supercomputer assembled indigenously, called Param Shivay, was installed in the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU). It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

Similarly, Param Shakti and Param Brahma were installed at IIT-Kharagpur and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.

They are equipped with applications from domains like Weather and Climate, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Bioinformatics, and Material science.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: significance of the SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************





CONTEXT:

The week long exhibition-cum-fair “EKAM Fest” is being organized by the National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation (NHFDC) in New Delhi from 2nd March, 2020.

KEY POINTS:

EKAM Fest is an effort for promoting entrepreneurship and knowledge among the Divyangjan community.

EKAM stands for Entrepreneurship, Knowledge, Awareness and Marketing. Further, it will help in generating awareness among society about Persons with Disabilities

(PwDs) entrepreneurs’ potential. In the first Ekam Fest, Divyang Entrepreneur and Artisans from all over the country have been

invited. The fest will see vibrant products ranging from handicraft, handloom, Embroidery work and

dry fruits.

NATIONAL HANDICAPPED FINANCE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:

NHFDC is a corporation under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and has been working since 1997.

It is registered as a company not for profit and provides financial assistance to the Divyangjan/Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan/PwDs) for their economic rehabilitation and provides a number of skill development programmes to empower them to grow & sustain their enterprises.

SOME OF THE INITIATIVES OF NHFDC:

NHFDC SWAVALAMBAN KENDRA (NSK):

NHFDC has taken an initiative to establish PwD owned micro skill training Centers throughout the country for skill training of PwDs

SAFE CABS IN DELHI AND INDORE:





NHFDC has made arrangements with Sakha Cabs (Social enterprise) where the PwD owned commercial vehicles will be driven by the women drivers to provide safe taxi options for the women, children and senior citizen commuters.

SAFE DRINKING WATER E CARTS:

NHFDC has recently agreed to finance E-carts (owned by PwDs) fitted with RO water dispensing vending machines.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: EKAM fest

Sources: pib

*****************************

Context:

The video conference summit was held on 26 March 2020. The G-20 nations agreed to collectively inject $5 trillion into the world economy. The move by the countries is to counteract the social, economic and financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

G-20 SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented India in a video-conference of G20 economies. PM Modi stressed on a new concept of “globalization that focusses on humanity and collective

welfare” rather than individual interest. The leaders of the G20 countries has agreed to make collaborative effort to develop therapeutic

solutions including vaccines, make diagnostics more effective and make testing kits and other equipment more freely available.

The leaders agreed to ensure the flow of medical supplies and critical agricultural products across borders and work together to facilitate international trade.

The countries reaffirmed their commitments to WHO’s mandate to fight the pandemic.





The members countries agreed to provide resources to poorer countries and come up with a Covid Solidarity Response Fund.

The leaders urged to boost funding for a vaccine for coronavirus. So far, the coronavirus has infected close to 5, 00, 000 people across countries and claimed more than 22,000 lives.

G-20 (GROUP OF TWENTY)

INTRODUCTION

The G-20 (or Group of Twenty) is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union (EU). The G-20 is comprised of the G-7 nations, plus developing nations such as Brazil, China, India, and Russia. The G-20'ss members represent two-thirds of the world's people and 85% of its economy. Since 2007, the news media has covered each G-20 summit that recognizes the members' role as significant drivers of the world economy.

PURPOSE TO ESTABLISHED G-20 Established in 1999 after a series of major international debt crises, the G20 aims to unite world

leaders around shared economic, political and health challenges. It is a creation of the more select Group of 7, an informal bloc of industrialized democracies.

The G-20's primary mandate is to prevent future international financial crises and shape the global economic agenda. The finance ministers and central bank governors of the G-20 countries meet twice a year and at the same time as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

In 1999, the meetings started as an informal get-together of finance ministers and central bankers seeking a dialogue between developing and developed countries.

G-20 PROTESTS G-20 meetings usually are the site of protests against the G-20 agenda. They claim the group focuses too much on financial interests and globalization. Protesters want the G-20 leaders to focus on one or more other issues: POVERTY: In 2010, protesters were against the G-20's focus on fiscal responsibility and austerity at the cost of social programs. They also were opposed to the $1 billion cost of the meeting itself, which was borne by Canadian taxpayers. CLIMATE CHANGE: Protesters wanted the G-20 to refocus on global warming as a priority. GENDER EQUALITY:





Protesters argue G-20 countries need to pay more attention to rights for the LGBT community. They ask for more funding for family planning, including abortions. IMMIGRATION: Protesters seek more open borders for immigrants fleeing humanitarian crises in their home nations.

G-20 MEMBER NATIONS: 1. European Union (EU).

2. G-7 nations: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United

State 3. 11 emerging market and smaller industrialized countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil,

China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey

RIGHTS OR AUTHORITIES

The G-7 nations have no legal or political authority, but they wield significant influence as some of the leading economies in the world. Russia had been part of what previously was known as the G-8, but it was excluded after invading Crimea in 2013.

PREVIOUS SUMMIT MEETINGS Summit meetings have become major news events as top world leaders come together for a couple of days each year. Each summit has primary objectives based on current events of the time, and they also provide opportunities for leaders from individual nations to meet over issues specific to their respective governments: JUNE 28-29, 2019, IN OSAKA, JAPAN: G-20 members expressed concerns about U.S. protectionism and how it could slow global growth. U.S. President Donald Trump met with China's President Xi Jinping to discuss the ongoing trade war. Trump also hinted at potential trade agreements with Japan and India. The G-20 leaders pledged to have the World Trade Organization oversee rules on online trade. They also called for the U.S. to appoint new judges to staff the WTO's trade dispute function. NOV. 30-DEC. 1, 2018, IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Trump and Xi agreed to start trade negotiations and stop the escalation of their trade war. Trump canceled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to protest Russia's attack on Ukraine.





Trump signed the new NAFTA agreement with Mexico and Canada. All countries except the U.S. reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Climate Accord. July 7-8, 2017, in Hamburg, Germany: The meeting focused on climate change and global trade but made little progress with Trump opposing the views of the other 19 countries. The G-20 agreed to share information about steel production, eliminate safe havens for terrorist financing, and address conflicts in North Korea, Syria, and Ukraine. On July 7, Trump and Putin privately met for two hours. When Trump asked about Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election, Putin denied it. They agreed to a limited cease-fire in Syria. Sept. 4-5, 2016, in Hangzhou, China: Both the U.S. and China agreed to ratify the Paris climate change agreement. They are the two worst emitters of greenhouse gases. Russia and the United States did not agree on ending the Syrian war. China complained that other countries should allow more free trade, but China has become more protectionists itself. Nov. 15-16, 2015, in Antalya, Turkey: The meeting focused on responding to the terrorist attacks in Paris. The members agreed to tighten border surveillance against threats. At the same time, they would admit refugees who were escaping the war against ISIS. The U.S. agreed to share more intelligence with France and other members. It wouldn't send in ground troops but would support Syrian and Iraqi forces fighting ISIS. They outlined further steps to cut off financing for ISIS. Nov. 15-16, 2014, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: The meeting condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine. All members promised to work together to increase global GDP growth to 2.1% percent by 2018. That would add $2 trillion to global economies. The U.S. and Europe pressured the group to take strong action on climate change. That was not on the official agenda. The leaders vowed to do all they could to combat Ebola in West Africa. President Barack Obama met with the leaders of Japan and Australia. They agreed to work toward a peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Sept. 5-6, 2013, in St. Petersburg, Russia: Unofficially, the meeting focused on a response to Syria's chemical weapons attack. Obama sought support for a U.S. strike, while others argued for economic sanctions. Russia supports the Syrian government with arms and trade. China is concerned about an increase in oil prices. France, Turkey and Saudi Arabia support an airstrike. Officially, the leaders focused on spurring global economic growth. The BRIC countries sought G-20 action to reinvigorate their economies after they were pummeled by a withdrawal of foreign direct investment. June 18-19, 2012, in Los Cabos, Mexico:





The summit focused on the eurozone debt crisis. The G-20 pressured German Chancellor Angela Merkel to work with other European Union leaders. They wanted a more sustainable grand plan to resolve the Greece debt crisis. Germany wouldn't bail out Greece without austerity measures because German taxpayers ultimately face higher costs to fund the bailout. Germany itself is already highly indebted and pushed for a fiscal union to support the EU's monetary union. That meant EU members would give up political control of their budgets to an EU-wide approval process. This was necessary before Merkel would support Euro-wide bonds. Nov. 2-4, 2011, in Cannes, France: The summit addressed the Greek debt crisis. Members agreed on plans to create jobs. Nov. 11-12, 2010, in Seoul, South Korea: In advance of the G-20 meeting, finance ministers pledged to stop the currency wars. They occurred primarily between China and the United States and could create global inflation in food, oil prices, and other commodities. June 26-27, 2010, in Toronto, Canada: Leaders agreed to cut their budget deficits in half by 2013. They promised to eliminate deficits three years later. April 1-2, 2009, in London, United Kingdom: G-20 leaders pledged $1 trillion to the IMF and World Bank to help emerging market countries ward off the effects of the recession. They promised $250 billion in trade finance. They also agreed to develop new financial regulations, create a supervisory body, and crack down on hedge funds. Sept. 24-25, 2009, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Leaders established a new Financial Stability Board to develop standard financial regulations for all G-20 countries by working with the World Bank and the IMF. Nov. 16-17, 2008, in Washington, D.C.: The G-20 held it’s first-ever summit. Before this meeting, the G-7 guided most global economic plans. The topic was the 2008 financial crisis. Emerging market leaders asked the U.S. to regulate its financial markets better, but the U.S. refused. The leaders also wanted better regulation of hedge funds and debt-rating companies such as Standard & Poors. They also sought to strengthen standards for accounting and derivatives. One of the causes of the financial crisis was insufficient regulations and standards.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: G-20 SUMMIT AND IT’S IMPORTANCE





Sources: the hindu

*****************************

Context:

Reports have emerged of another virus surfacing in China.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS?

The Hantavirus comes from a family of viruses that spreads mainly from rodents and can cause a range of diseases, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Hantavirus — claimed the life of a man in south west China’s Yunnan province on March 23, 2020.

HOW IT’S TRANSMITS? The virus can emerge from the rodent’s feces, urine or saliva and can travel through air. Humans can become infected if they are bitten by an infected animal.

SYMPTOMS:

The symptoms of the infection are fatigue, muscle ache and fever. The muscle ache appears particularly in thighs, hips, back and also in shoulders. The affected person can also experience stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and headache. In more serious cases, it can lead to kidney failure and lung disease. The mortality rate from a Hantavirus infection is between five and 15 per cent.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: symptoms and effects of the virus

Sources: down to earth

*****************************





Context:

The International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee have decided to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games to the summer 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).

HIGHLIGHTS: The Olympics Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. The decision came after some of the major sporting nations like Australia and Canada withdrew

from the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The nations withdrew in the backdrop of limited international travel, difficulty in training and

exposed risk of contracting or spreading the disease. Must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the

health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.

FLAME TO STAY IN JAPAN:

o The Olympic flame will stay in Japan.

o It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020,” the statement concluded.

o The Olympics, which has experienced boycotts, terrorist attacks and protests, but has been held every four years since 1948, would be the highest-profile event affected by the virus that has killed thousands and closed sports competitions worldwide.

HISTORIC POSTPONEMENT: The organizers have postponed the event for the first time in its 124-year modern history. The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 at Athens (Greece). It is also considered as the first postponement of an Olympics in peacetime. Earlier, the games were not held during World War II considering the turmoil across the world. In 1940, Japan was to be the first Asian country to host the Olympics. But its military aggression in Asia forced the annulment of the Olympics scheduled in Japan.



https://iasupsc.com/2020/03/21/coronavirus-covid-19-a-pandemic/

https://iasupsc.com/2020/03/21/coronavirus-covid-19-a-pandemic/



The 1940 Olympics is known as the “Missing Olympics” after the Games were switched to Helsinki (Finland) before finally being scrapped because of World War II.

OLYMPIC GAMES

AN international sporting event

INTRODUCTION

The Olympic Games, which originated in ancient Greece as many as 3,000 years ago, were revived in the late 19th century and have become the world’s preeminent sporting competition.

From the 8th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D., the Games were held every four years in Olympia, located in the western Peloponnese peninsula, in honor of the god Zeus.

The first modern Olympics took place in 1896 in Athens, and featured 280 participants from 13 nations, competing in 43 events.

Since 1994, the summer and Winter Olympic Games have been held separately and have alternated every two years.

THE ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMES ORIGIN

They occurred in Greece almost 3,000 years ago. By the end of the 6th century BCE at least four Greek sporting festivals, sometimes called

“classical games,” had achieved major importance: the Olympic Games, held at Olympia; the Pythian Games at Delphi; the Nemean Games at Nemea; and the Isthmian Games, held near Corinth.

Later, similar festivals were held in nearly 150 cities as far afield as Rome, Naples, Odessus, Antioch, and Alexandria.

The Olympic Games, like almost all Greek games, were an intrinsic part of a religious festival. They were held in honour of Zeus at Olympia by the city-state of Elis in the northwestern Peloponnese.

The first Olympic champion listed in the records was Coroebus of Elis, a cook, who won the

sprint race in 776 BCE. Notions that the Olympics began much earlier than 776 BCE are

founded on myth, not historical evidence.

According to one legend, for example, the Games were founded by Heracles, son of Zeus and

Alcmene.





Figure 1 The Krypte, which was the official entrance to the stadium of Olympia (200 BCE).

COMPETITION AND STATUS The ancient Games included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration and equestrian events.

Pentathlon Running / Jumping / Discus Throw Jumping Discus throw Wrestling Boxing Pankration Equestrian events

DECLINE OF THE OLYMPIC TRADITION After the Roman Empire conquered Greece in the mid-2nd century B.C., the Games continued, but their standards and quality declined.





Figure 2 ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMES

THE MODERN OLYMPIC MOVEMENT

REVIVAL OF THE OLYMPICS

Baron Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games. Their creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games (Ancient Greek) which were held in

Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894,

leading to the first modern Games in Athens in 1896. THE OLYMPICS THROUGH THE YEARS

The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. In the opening ceremony, King Georgios I and a crowd of 60,000 spectators welcomed 280

participants from 13 nations (all male), who would compete in 43 events, including track and field, gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, cycling, tennis, weightlifting, shooting and fencing.

All subsequent Olympiads have been numbered even when no Games take place (as in 1916, during World War I, and in 1940 and 1944, during World War II).





Who won the first Olympics?

James Connolly

America's James Connolly

became the first modern

Olympic champion when he

won the triple jump on the

opening day of the Games. For

his achievement, he was

awarded a silver medal and an

olive branch.

OFFICIAL SYMBOL

The official symbol of the modern Games is five interlocking colored rings, representing the continents of North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia.

The Olympic flag, featuring this symbol on a white background, flew for the first time at the Antwerp Games in 1920.

AN INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENT

The Olympics truly took off as an international sporting event after 1924, when the VIII Games were held in Paris.

Some 3,000 athletes (with more than 100 women among them) from 44 nations competed that year, and for the first time the Games featured a closing ceremony.

The Winter Olympics debuted that year, including such events as figure skating, ice hockey, bobsledding and the biathlon.

Eighty years later, when the 2004 Summer Olympics returned to Athens for the first time in more than a century, nearly 11,000 athletes from a record 201 countries competed.

In a gesture that joined both ancient and modern Olympic traditions, the shotput competition that year was held at the site of the classical Games in Olympia.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: History of Olympics Games

Sources: the hindu

*****************************

Figure 3 symbol of olympic games





Context:

Cabinet approves signing and ratifying of the Extradition Treaty between India and Belgium. SALIENT FEATURES:

Obligation to Extradite:

Each Party agrees to extradite to the other any person found in its territory, who is accused or convicted of an extraditable offence in the territory of the other Party.

Extraditable Offences:

An extraditable offence means an offence punishable under the laws of both the Parties with imprisonment for a period of one year or more severe punishment.

Duration of sentence:

o Where extradition is sought in respect of a convicted person, the duration of the sentence

remaining to be served must be at least six months at the time of making the request. o Offences relating to taxation, or revenue or is one of a fiscal character also fall within the scope of

this Treaty. o Extradition of Nationals is discretionary. The nationality will be determined at the time the

offence was committed.

UNDER THE TREATY, EXTRADITION SHALL BE

REFUSED IF:

1. The offence involved is a political offence. However, the Treaty specifies certain offences, which will not be considered as political offences.

2. The offence for which extradition is requested is a military offence 3. The request for prosecution has been made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing the person

on account of his race, sex, religion, nationality or political opinion. 4. The prosecution of enforcement of sentence has become time barred.

WHAT IS EXTRADITION?





As defined by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, ‘Extradition is the delivery on the part of one State to another of those whom it is desired to deal with for crimes of which they have been accused or convicted and are justifiable in the Courts of the other State’.

WHEN CAN IT BE INITIATED? An Extradition request for an accused can be initiated in the case of under-investigation, under-trial and convicted criminals. In cases under investigation, abundant precautions have to be exercised by the law enforcement agency to ensure that it is in possession of prima facie evidence to sustain the allegation before the Courts of Law in the Foreign State.

WHAT IS THE LEGISLATIVE BASIS FOR EXTRADITION IN INDIA?

The Extradition Act 1962 provides India’s legislative basis for extradition. It consolidated the law relating to the extradition of criminal fugitive from India to foreign states. The Indian Extradition Act, 1962 was substantially modified in 1993 by Act 66 of 1993.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: SALIENT FEATURES of Extradition Treaty

Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that according to its assessment, COVID-19 “can be characterized as a pandemic.”

ALARMING LEVEL:





WHO has been assessing this outbreak round-the-clock and deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction”.

WHAT IS A PANDEMIC?

o A “pandemic” is declared when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations.

o Declaring a pandemic has nothing to do with changes to the characteristics of a disease, but is instead associated with concerns over its geographic spread. According to the World Health Organization.

HOW DOES THE WHO DECIDE WHETHER TO CALL IT A PANDEMIC?

Cases that involve travellers who have been infected in a foreign country and have then

returned to their home country, or who have been infected by that traveller, known as the “index case”, do not count towards declaring a pandemic.

There needs to be a second wave of infection from person to person throughout the community.

Once a pandemic is declared, it becomes more likely that community spread will eventually happen, and governments and health systems need to ensure they are prepared for that.

WHEN IS A PANDEMIC DECLARED?

Ultimately, the WHO gets the final say. There is no threshold, such as a certain number of deaths or infections, or number of countries affected, that needs to be met. For example, the Sars coronavirus, identified in 2003, was not declared a pandemic by the WHO despite affecting 26 countries.

DECLARING COVID-19 A PANDEMIC, WHAT WILL IT

MEAN?

The WHO has stressed that using the word “pandemic” does not signal a change in its advice. It is still urging countries to “detect, test, treat, isolate, trace and mobilise their people”.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: COVID-19: A PANDEMIC

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************





CONTEXT:

Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, plans to raise its crude oil production significantly above 10 million barrels per day (bpd) in April, after the collapse of the OPEC+ supply cut agreement with Russia.

WHAT’S THE ISSUE?

A three-year pact between OPEC and Russia ended in acrimony recently after Moscow refused to support deeper oil cuts to cope with the outbreak of the coronavirus and OPEC responded by removing all limits on its own production.

Oil prices plunged 10% as the development revived fears of a 2014 price crash, when Saudi Arabia and Russia fought for market share with U.S. shale oil producers, which have never participated in output-limiting pacts.

OPEC+

the alliance of crude producers

INTRODUCTION

Opec+ refers to the alliance of crude producers, who have been undertaking corrections in supply in the oil markets since 2017.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a group consisting of 14 of the world’s major oil-exporting nations. OPEC was founded in 1960 to coordinate the petroleum policies of its members and to provide member states with technical and economic aid.

OPEC is a cartel that aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of oil on the world market, in order to avoid fluctuations that might affect the economies of both producing and purchasing countries.

MEMBERS COUNTRIES





The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded in Baghdad, Iraq, with the signing of an agreement in September 1960 by five countries namely Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

OPEC Country

Joined Located Oil Produced (mbpd) 2017

Comments

Algeria 1969 Africa 1.06

Angola 2007 Africa 1.63

Ecuador 1973 Central America

0.53 Left in 1992. Rejoined in 2009.

Equatorial Guinea

2017 Africa 0.13

Gabon 1975 Africa 0.21 Left in 1995. Rejoined in 2016.

Iran 1960 Middle East 3.87 Rose due to nuclear treaty.

Iraq 1960 Middle East 4.47 Increased output to fund Iraq War.

Kuwait 1960 Middle East 2.70

Libya 1962 Middle East 0.82 Returned to 2013 levels.

Nigeria 1971 Africa 1.54

Saudi Arabia 1960 Middle East 9.96 Produces 30% of total.

U.A.E. 1967 Middle East 2.97

Venezuela 1960 Central America

2.03 Funds the failing government.

TOTAL OPEC 32.51 Less than the record 33.44 in 2016.

OBJECTIVES:

OPEC’s objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry.

CRTISICM OF OPEC+

OPEC’s influence on the market has been widely criticized. Because its member countries hold the vast majority of crude oil reserves (79.4%, according to the OPEC website), the organization has considerable power in these markets. As a cartel, OPEC members have a strong incentive to keep oil prices as high as possible while maintaining their shares of the global market.



https://www.thebalance.com/iran-s-economy-impact-of-nuclear-deal-and-sanctions-3306349

https://www.thebalance.com/iran-s-economy-impact-of-nuclear-deal-and-sanctions-3306349

https://www.thebalance.com/cost-of-iraq-war-timeline-economic-impact-3306301

https://www.thebalance.com/venezuela-bonds-international-investment-4142691



NON-OPEC OIL-PRODUCING COUNTRIES

Many non-OPEC members also voluntarily adjust their oil production in response to OPEC's decisions. In the 1990s, they increased production to take advantage of OPEC's restraints. That resulted in low oil prices and profits for everyone. These cooperating non-OPEC members are Mexico, Norway, Oman, and Russia.

OPEC-RUSSIA OIL ALLIANCE

OPEC is forming a partnership with a 10-country oil alliance led by Russia. Iran opposes the deal because then Saudi Arabia and Russia will dominate the organization. Russia is the world's second-largest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia.

On July 2, 2019, the countries signed a three-year charter of cooperation. It would set production levels among all 24 members. Together, they produce almost half the world's oil output.

SOME IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a cartel consisting of 14 of the world’s major oil-exporting nations.

OPEC aims to regulate the supply of oil in order to set the price on the world market. The arrival of fracking technology for natural gas in the U.S. has reduced OPEC’s ability to

control the world market. 74.9% is the percentage of crude oil reserves held by OPEC countries in 2019. Some of the world’s greatest oil-producing countries, such as Russia, China, and the U.S., do

not belong to OPEC. OPEC membership is open to any country that is a substantial exporter of oil and which shares

the ideals of the organization.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Objectives of OPEC

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************





CONTEXT:

India approved as a member of the Indian Ocean Commission, the inter-governmental organization that coordinates maritime governance in the south-western Indian Ocean.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

India made the application to join as an observer of the organization last month. IOC has four observers – China, Malta, European Union and International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STATUS FOR INDIA:

India will get an official foothold in a premier regional institution in the western Indian Ocean, boosting engagement with islands in this part of the Indian Ocean.

These island nations are increasingly important for India’s strategic outreach as part of its Indo-Pacific policy.

This move would enhance ties with France which is the strong global power in the western Indian Ocean.

It lends depth to India’s SAGAR (security and growth for all in the region) policy unveiled by PM Modi in 2015.

The movewould lead to greater security cooperation with countries in East Africa. The move also strengthens western flank of the Indo-Pacific and is a stepping stone to security

cooperation with East Africa.

WAY AHEAD FOR INDIA:

For India, engagements with this region will become critical as the Navy begins to strengthen its presence under its mission based deployments. Engagements with the region, especially with the islands- given their geo-strategic location- could become key in supporting Indian naval presence as well as furthering Delhi’s Indian Ocean engagement.





INDIAN OCEAN COMMISSION (IOC)

AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

INTRODUCTION

It was set up in 1982; the Indian Ocean Commission comprises Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Reunion island, France’s overseas territory in the region.

India supported a more significant role for France in the bigger Indian Ocean Rim Association.

However, while France is already an IORA dialogue partner, obtaining membership via its overseas Indian territories has proved to be a bridge too far, with opposition from its former colonial states.

OVERVIEW

Motto: ("A future to build together")

Formation 1982

Founded at Port Louis, Mauritius

Type Intergovernmental organization

Secretary General: Hamada Madi

COMPOSITIONS

FIVE AFRICAN INDIAN OCEAN NATIONS:

Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion (an overseas region of France), and Seychelles

SECRETARIAT:

Mauritius and headed by a Secretary General

FOUR OBSERVERS:

Figure 4 Map of members (including mainland France)





China, EU, Malta and International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF)

PRINCIPAL MISSION

COI’s principal mission is to strengthen the ties of friendship between the countries and to be a platform of solidarity for the entire population of the African Indian Ocean region.

OBJECTIVES:

Political and diplomatic cooperation, Economic and commercial cooperation Sustainable development in a globalisation context, cooperation in the field of agriculture,

maritime fishing, and the conservation of resources and ecosystems Strengthening of the regional cultural identity, cooperation in cultural, scientific, technical,

educational and judicial fields

ReCoMAP:

The COI has funded a number of regional and national conservation and alternative livelihoods projects through ReCoMAP, Regional Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Coastal Zones of the Countries of the Indian Ocean (PROGECO in French). This project ended in 2011.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelim: IOC- composition, objectives and functions.

For Mains: Benefits of IOC membership for India, challenges ahead.

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:





The United States signed a historic deal with Taliban insurgents that could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step toward ending the 18-year-war there.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The deal was signed in the Qatari capital Doha by U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

For U.S President Donald Trump, the deal represents a chance to make good on his promise to bring U.S. troops home.

Hours before the deal, the Taliban ordered all its fighters in Afghanistan “to refrain from any kind of attack for the happiness of the nation.”

The deal will pave way for U.S. troop numbers to drop to 8,600 from about 13,000 in the weeks following the deal.

The Taliban wants 5,000 fighters to be released from Afghan-run jails, but it is not clear whether the Afghan government will agree.

IMPACT OF THE DEAL:

For millions of Afghans, the deal represents some hope for an end to years of bloodshed.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: aim of peace deal

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:





Luxembourg has become the first government to have made free public transport free. The move came with effect from 1 March. As per the move, buses, trams, and trains in the country became completely free of charge.

AIM:

The move aims to encourage Luxembourg’s inhabitants to use it and curb the continued traffic problems the country is experiencing.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The country aims to achieve its vision of free mobility. The move focuses on alleviating constant traffic issues and finding a more suitable model for

sustainability. Luxembourg aimed to transform into a mobility laboratory and to start making the people

move around with public transport. The estimated cost of the project is around $46 million. The government has assured no layoffs and public transport staff members who are left

without roles will be transferred to new positions.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: free mobility, sustainable transport model

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

Context:

United Nations released the World Happiness Report 2020.

HIGHLIGHTS





The World Happiness Report ranks 156 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves.

The report is a landmark survey of the state of global happiness. This is the 8th edition of the World Happiness Report.

The special focus of the World Happiness Report 2020 was on environments for happiness, which emphasizes more specifically on social environments for happiness, as reflected by the quality of personal social connections and social institutions.

World Happiness Report 2020 covers the period of 2017-2019 and analyses the countries on the following

six variables:

GDP per capita Social support Healthy life expectancy Freedom to make life choices Generosity Perceptions of corruption

RANKING OF COUNTRIES AS PER THE WORLD

HAPPINESS REPORT 2020:

1. Finland 2. Denmark 3. Switzerland 4. Iceland 5. Norway 6. Netherlands 7. Sweden 8. New Zealand 9. Austria 10. Luxembourg 144. India

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: key finding of the report

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************





Context :

With Central Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT) notifying rules for furnishing “Country-by-Country Report” (CbC) specifying information pertaining to all large multinational enterprises (MNEs), the Finance Ministry has said that Joint Director of Income-tax (Risk Assessment)-1 has been designated as the Income-tax Authority before whom particulars of the parent entity and alternate reporting entity would be notified.

BACKGROUND:

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has developed an Action Plan called “Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan 13” to ensure that a multinational enterprise would report its profit correctly where it is earned.

WHAT IS A COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY (CBC) REPORT?

The Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action 13 report (Transfer Pricing Documentation and Country-by-Country Reporting) provides a template for multinational enterprises (MNEs) to report annually and for each tax jurisdiction in which they do business the information set out therein. This report is called the Country-by-Country (CbC) Report.

This information enables an enhanced level of assessment of tax risk by both tax administrations.

WHAT CBC CONTAINS?

Aggregated country-by-country information relating to the global allocation of income, the taxes paid, and certain other indicators of a multi-national company.

A list of all the constituent entities of the multi-national company operating in a particular jurisdiction and the nature of the main business activity of each constituent entity.

WHAT IS BEPS?

o Base erosion and profit shifting refers to the phenomenon where companies shift their profits to other tax jurisdictions, which usually have lower rates, thereby eroding the tax base in India.





o India in July 2019 ratified the international agreement to curb base erosion and profits shifting (BEPS)– Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures.

o About the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting:

o The Convention is an outcome of the OECD / G20 BEPS Project to tackle base erosion and profit shifting through tax planning strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules to artificially shift profits to low or no-tax locations where there is little or no economic activity, resulting in little or no overall corporate tax being paid.

OVERVIEW AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONVENTION:

1. The Convention implements two minimum standards relating to prevention of treaty abuse and dispute resolution through Mutual Agreement Procedure.

2. It will be applied alongside existing tax treaties, modifying their application in order to implement the BEPS measures.

3. The Convention ensures consistency and certainty in the implementation of the BEPS Project in a multilateral context. The Convention also provides flexibility to exclude a specific tax treaty and to opt out of provisions or parts of provisions through making of reservations.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?


Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:

“Most chemical pesticides comsumption” report has been released by the non-profit Pesticide Action Network (PAN).

KEY FINDINGS:





Maharashtra consumed the most chemical pesticides in India in the past five years at 61,138 tonnes, followed by Uttar Pradesh (UP) at 52,747 tonnes and Punjab at 29,394 tonnes.

Maharashtra increased its pesticide consumption by 35.6 per cent between 2014-15 and 2018-19, while UP reported an increase of 14.17 per cent.

Pesticide consumption across the country grew by 13.07 per cent between 2014-15 and 2017-18, according to the report by PAN. Biopesticides accounted for only 10 per cent of the total pesticides consumed, on an average.

The number of active ingredients registered for use also increased by 27 per cent to 292 in 2019 from 230 in 2011.

The total amount produced by the country was 212,699 tonnes, while 111,176 tonnes was imported. The total amount exported, however, was shown to be 410,070 tonnes, which is a negative gap of 88,378 tonnes.

WAY AHEAD:

Decades of experience has shown that, despite numerous ‘safe use’ programs, the ’safe use’ of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) is not possible.

People, farmanimals, wildlife and the environment continue to suffer considerable harm from HHPs.

After decades of failure which have seen millions of deaths worldwide, new policies are needed to stop pesticide poisonings.

A progressive phaseout and ban of HHPs, along with new policies for supporting alternatives, can make a change towards a healthy and sustainable world for all.

PAN

Pesticide Action Network

Protect humanity and the environment from pesticides. Promote alternatives.

INTRODUCTION

Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is a network of over 600 participating nongovernmental organizations, institutions and individuals in over 90 countries working to replace the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives.

PAN was founded in 1982 and has five independent, collaborating Regional Centers that implement its projects and campaigns.

PAN International was founded in Malaysia by NGOs across the globe, demanding accountability after transnational corporation’s endangered human health and devastated entire communities.





PAN INDIA

PAN India is the regional branch of PAN, an international coalition of non-profit organisations working towards reducing dependence on toxic chemicals in agriculture.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Protect health and the environment by eliminating highly hazardous pesticides from the market and replacing them with sustainable solutions.

Resist development and stop the introduction and use of genetic engineering into agricultural production systems.

Promote empowerment of grassroots movements and citizens to fight agrochemical and seed corporations and challenge corporate globalization.

Increase public investment, development, adoption and implementation of non-chemical alternative pest management systems.

Develop further PAN International structures.

HOW PAN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK WORKS?

The PAN International network works closely with groups of farmworkers, small and medium scale farmers, and peasant organizations around the world.

Bees and other pollinators are harmed by certain pesticides used in industrial agriculture. PAN promotes farming practices that protect pollinators, the environment and agricultural communities.

Agroecological farming technology and innovations are knowledge-intensive, low cost, ecologically sound and practical.

PESTICIDES: THE BIG PICTURE

Humans have been farming for 10,000 years. It was just about 60 years ago that we started industrializing agriculture in the U.S. and around the world.

INDUSTRIAL AGRICULTURE

After World War II, chemical companies needed a market for wartime inventions and pesticides were put to work in the fields. In the decades that followed, trade and development policy — coupled with savvy marketing by chemical companies — effectively developed an entire model of industrial agriculture.





USE OF PESTICIDES IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES

Today, pesticides touch every aspect of our lives, from residues on our produce to increased chronic disease to biodiversity loss. It's time for a dramatic shift in our food and farming system.

HUMAN HEALTH HARMS

Every infant born today carries a chemical body burden passed from mother to child during pregnancy. This burden will grow throughout a lifetime due to exposure to pesticides and other chemicals in our food, air, water and everyday products.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measure pesticides and other chemicals in the bodies of Americans every few years. In the most recent study, they tested for 212 chemicals, including 44 pesticides — and found most of them.

Scientists tell us that even in tiny doses, many pesticides can derail the delicate systems that control our development, health and reproduction, and the evidence continues to mount. We know more than enough to act.

CANCER

We're experiencing a cancer epidemic, and evidence is growing ever stronger that pesticide exposure is a key contributor to this disturbing trend.

CHILDREN

From learning disabilities to autism, diabetes and cancer, a startling number of childhood diseases and disorders are on the rise.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Scientists report disturbing reproductive health trends around the world, and research shows that pesticides are at least partly to blame.

MYTHS TO USE PESTICIDES

Here are eight of the seemingly plausible myths we hear from agrichemical corporations every day:

Pesticides are necessary to the feed the world Pesticides aren't that dangerous The dose makes the poison The government is protecting us GMOs reduce reliance on pesticides We're weaning ourselves off of pesticides Pesticides are the answer to global climate change We need DDT to end malaria, combat bedbugs, etc.





PAN INTERNATIONAL’S ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE:

2013 – Delegates to the Stockholm Convention agree that agroecology is the best alternative to the hazardous pesticide endosulfan.

2011 – 173 countries agree to add endosulfan to the POPs treaty list for elimination.

2011 – After four days, a jury at the international Permanent People’s Tribunal, in Bangalore,

India, found the six corporations that dominate the global pesticide industry guilty of human rights violations.

2008 – The International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development of the UN’s report, Agriculture at a Crossroads, co-authored by PAN, finds that small-scale, agro-ecological farming is most likely to feed the world, while protecting crucial ecological resources without which food production systems around the world are likely to collapse.

2006 – UN’s Food and Agriculture Association (FAO) recommends banning highly hazardous

pesticides.

2004 – By 2010 the Rotterdam Convention is adopted by 134 countries, and 40 chemicals (including 29 pesticides) are included on the PIC list, requiring notification to importing countries.

2003 – PAN confronts the World Bank on its failure to implement its stronger integrated pest

management policy, with only 9% of projects showing progress.

2001 – After several years of negotiation and deep citizen engagement, a strong POPs treaty–the Stockholm Convention–is signed in Sweden, and implemented in 2004.

1998 – PAN’s intensive campaign with partners around the world wins improved policies

regarding pesticides at the World Bank.

1998 – After a decade of work by PAN activists, one of the network’s founding principles is enshrined in a global treaty: the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC Treaty).

1997 – PAN and environmental health movement leaders create a global network to press for creation of a strong persistent organic pollutants (POPs) treaty.

1996 – PAN leads community monitoring in China, Indonesia and Mexico that documents World Bank projects increasing pesticide dependence.





1989 – PAN convinces the UN Food and Agriculture Organization that all countries have a right to “prior informed consent” when they import banned chemicals.

1985 – The global Dirty Dozen campaign is PAN International’s first joint effort, spurring global

attention to pesticide poisonings.

1982 – At PAN’s founding meeting in Malaysia, groups vow to stop the export of hazardous, banned pesticides to the Global South.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: key finding of the report, PAN


*****************************

CONTEXT:

The international animal welfare charity, World Animal Protection, released the global Animal Protection Index 2020.

ANIMAL PROTECTION INDEX (API):

This index, prepared by World Animal Protection, is a ranking of 50 countries around the globe according to their legislation and policy commitments to protecting animals. Explore the findings to discover how your government can help improve the lives of animals in your country.

AIM:

The aim of API is to showcase where countries are doing well, where they fall short on animal welfare policy and legislation, in order to take steps to improve.

HOW IT’S RANKS?





The Animal Protection Index has given each country an overall score. These scores fall within scoring bands, where A represents the highest results and G identifies countries with the most room for improvement. Select countries to view their full profile in detail or alternatively choose up to four countries to compare their scores.

INDIA’S PERFORMANCE:

India secured a ‘C’ ranking in the index, along with countries like Spain, New Zealand, Mexico, and France.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?


Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released the new Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) on 5 March. The report stated that gender disparity still exists in every country.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The index measured how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in work, politics, and education in 75 countries or 80% of the world’s population.

It revealed that about half of the world’s men and women feel that men make better political leaders, and over 40% feel that men make better business executives.

It also stated that people think that men have more right to a job when jobs are scarce, and 28% think it is justified for a man to beat his wife.

It highlighted that enormous power gaps still exist between men and women. Only 24% of parliamentary seats worldwide are held by women, and only 10 out of a possible

193 female heads of government.





GSNI stated that less than 6% of CEOs in S&P 500 companies are women. UNDP said that even though women work more hours than men, the work is more likely to be

unpaid care work. Parity has been achieved in primary school enrollment and reduced maternal mortality

by 45% since 1990

(UNDP)

United Nations Development Programme

Empower Lives In A Sustainable Manner

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone.

UNDP is on the ground in 177 countries offering global perspective and local insights to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

UNDP strengthens national capacity to manage the environment in a sustainable manner to advance poverty reduction.

OVERVIEW

Formation: 22 November 1965

Type: Programme

Legal status: Active

Headquarters: New York City (International territory)

Head: Achim Steiner (Administrator)

Parent organization: ECOSOC

UNDP FRAMEWORKS





UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction and climate change. It supports countries' efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide global development priorities for the next 15 years.

UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas:

1. Sustainable development 2. Democratic governance and peacebuilding 3. Climate and disaster resilience

FUNCTIONS

UNDP’s offices and staff are on the ground in 166 countries, working with governments and local communities to help them find solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP links and coordinates global and national efforts to achieve the goals and national development priorities laid out by host countries. UNDP focuses primarily on five developmental challenges:

1. DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND PEACE Democratic governance UNDP supports national democratic transitions by providing policy

advice and technical support, improving institutional and individual capacity within countries, educating populations about and advocating for democratic reforms, promoting negotiation and dialogue, and sharing successful experiences from other countries and locations.

UNDP also supports existing democratic institutions by increasing dialogue, enhancing national debate, and facilitating consensus on national governance programs.

2. POVERTY REDUCTION Poverty reduction UNDP helps countries develop strategies to combat poverty by expanding

access to economic opportunities and resources, linking poverty programs with countries’ larger goals and policies, and ensuring a greater voice for the poor.

UNDP also works at the macro level to reform trade, encourage debt relief and foreign investment, and ensure the poorest of the poor benefit from globalisation.

On the ground, UNDP sponsors developmental pilot projects, promotes the role of women in development, and coordinates efforts between governments, NGOs, and outside donors.

In this way, UNDP works with local leaders and governments to provide opportunities for impoverished people to create businesses and improve their economic condition.

3. CRISIS PREVENTION Crisis prevention and recovery UNDP works to reduce the risk of armed conflicts or disasters,

and promote early recovery after crises have occurred.





UNDP works through its country offices to support local government in needs assessment, capacity development, coordinated planning, and policy and standard setting.

Recovery programs include disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, demining efforts, programs to reintegrate displaced persons, restoration of basic services, and transitional justice systems for countries recovering from warfare.

4. ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY Environment and Energy As the poor are disproportionately affected by environmental

degradation and lack of access to clean, affordable energy services, UNDP seeks to address environmental issues in order to improve developing countries’ abilities to develop sustainably.

UNDP works with countries to strengthen their capacity to address global environmental issues by providing innovative policy advice and linking partners through environmentally sensitive development projects that help poor people build sustainable livelihoods.

UNDP’s environmental strategy focuses on effective water governance, access to sustainable energy services, Sustainable land management to combat desertification and land degradation, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and policies to control emissions of harmful pollutants and ozone-depleting substances.

5. HUMAN RIGHTS AND HIV/AIDS UNDP Human Rights and HIV/AIDS UNDP believes that human rights violations and inequitable

gender relations continue to fuel the spread of the HIV epidemic. Working with United NationsAIDS, of which it is a co-sponsor, UNDP helps countries put

HIV/AIDS at the centre of national development and poverty reduction strategies; build national capacity to mobilize all levels of government and civil society for a coordinated and effective response to the epidemic; and protect the rights of people living with AIDS, women, and vulnerable populations.

This includes addressing stigma, discrimination, and gender relations that render women and girls vulnerable to infection, and promoting legislative and other measures to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights.

Work on gender

UNDP works closely with the UN Women on gender-related issues. UNDP focuses its activities related to achieving gender equality on two complementary approaches: mainstreaming gender and promoting women’s empowerment. It does so in all of its practice areas.

GENDER THEMATIC TRUST FUND (GTTF)

UNDP has established a Gender Thematic Trust Fund (GTTF), through which it is focusing on gender mainstreaming in order to meet the challenges of reaching gender equality and achieving the Millennium Development Goals.





The GTTF supports programme countries in their efforts to mainstream gender throughout all of their programme work.

It is intended to enable institutional and cultural transformation processes, including:

Eliminating gender biases in development frameworks and paradigms; incorporating gender awareness into policies, programmes and institutional reforms; involving men to end gender inequality; developing gender-sensitive tools to monitor progress and ensure accountability

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: key finding of the report, FRAMEWORK OF UNDP

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (HRD) has presented a report on the 2020-2021 demand for grants for school education in the Rajya Sabha.

Further, Parliamentary panel identifies shortfalls in budgetary funding and utilisation, resulting in critical infrastructure gaps.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The budgetary allocations saw a 27% cut from proposals made by the School Education department.

Similarly, 27% of reductions have been observed in the fund needed for the implementation of Central and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

Also, the government has spent only 71% of allotted funds for the core Samagra Shiksha Scheme until December 31, 2019.

Almost half of government schools in the country don’t have any electricity or playgrounds.





Only 56% of schools have electricity, with the lowest rates in Manipur and Madhya Pradesh, where less than 20% have access to power.

Less than 57% of schools have playgrounds, including less than 30% of schools in Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2017-18 survey.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

A dismal rate of progress has been observed in building classrooms, labs and libraries to strengthen government higher secondary schools.

Almost 40% of schools did not have a boundary wall, endangering the safety of students and school property.

The higher secondary schools experienced greater infrastructural gaps compared to secondary schools and primary schools.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The panel recommended that the HRD Ministry collaborate with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to construct boundary walls, and work with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to provide solar energy and other renewable energy sources so that schools have access to power.

UNITED NATIONS

Peace, dignity and equality

on a healthy planet

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945.

It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations

are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.

HISTORY

ORIGIN





In 1945 the nations were in ruin. World war ii was over and the world wanted peace. 51 countries gathered in SAN-FRANCISCO that year to sign a document. The document was a charter, creating a new organization, THE UNITED NATION. 70 years later is maintaing peace and security. It is promoting development and giving humanitarian assistance to those in needs. It is upholding international law, protecting human rights and promoting democracy. Now its members nations are working together to fight climate change.

NAMING

The name "United Nations" is coined

The name "United Nations", coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers.

MEMBER STATES

Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations is a member of the General Assembly. States are admitted to membership in the UN by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

FUNCTIONS

MAINTAIN INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security.

The UN does this by working to prevent conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping; and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish.

These activities often overlap and should reinforce one another, to be effective. The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security. The General Assembly and the Secretary-General play major, important, and complementary

roles, along with other UN offices and bodies.

PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS

The term “human rights” was mentioned seven times in the UN's founding Charter, making the promotion and protection of human rights a key purpose and guiding principle of the Organization.

In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights brought human rights into the realm of international law.

Since then, the Organization has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities.





Nobel Peace Prize medallion

In 70 years, the United Nations,

its specialised agencies, related

agencies, funds, programmes

and staff were awarded the

prestigious Nobel Peace Prize

eleven times.

DELIVER HUMANITARIAN AID

One of the purposes of the United Nations, as stated in its Charter, is "to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character."

The UN first did this in the aftermath of the Second World War on the devastated continent of Europe, which it helped to rebuild.

The Organization is now relied upon by the international community to coordinate humanitarian relief operations due to natural and man-made disasters in areas beyond the relief capacity of national authorities alone.

PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

From the start in 1945, one of the main priorities of the United Nations was to “achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”

Improving people’s well-being continues to be one of the main focuses of the UN.

The global understanding of development has changed over the years, and countries now have agreed that sustainable development – development that promotes prosperity and economic opportunity, greater social well-being, and protection of the environment – offers the best path forward for improving the lives of people everywhere.

UPHOLD INTERNATIONAL LAW

The UN Charter, in its Preamble, set an objective: "to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained".

Ever since, the development of, and respect for international law has been a key part of the work of the Organization.

This work is carried out in many ways - by courts, tribunals, multilateral treaties - and by the Security Council, which can approve peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, or authorize the use of force when there is a threat to international peace and security, if it deems this necessary.

These powers are given to it by the UN Charter, which is considered an international treaty. As such, it is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it. The UN Charter codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign

equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.





WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF UN

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

Gender Parity Index in primary, secondary and tertiary education is the ratio of the number of female students enrolled at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education to the number of male students in each level.

HIGHLIGHTS:

In short, GPI at various levels reflect equitable participation of girls in the School system. GPI is released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO) as a part of its Global Education Monitoring Report. A GPI of 1 indicates parity between the sexes; a GPI that varies between 0 and 1 typically

means a disparity in favour of males; whereas a GPI greater than 1 indicates a disparity in favour of females.

India’s GPI for the year 2018-19 at different levels of School Education is as under:

o Primary Education: 1.03 o Upper Primary Education: 1.12 o Secondary Education: 1.04 o Higher Secondary Education: 1.04

INDIAN SCRENERIO:

India’s GPI indicates that the number of girls is more than the number of boys at all levels of school Education.





In 2018-19, the Ministry of Human Resource Development launched the ‘Samagra Shiksha’ scheme. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

‘SAMAGRA SHIKSHA’ SCHEME

o It is an overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class XII and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education.

o One of its objectives is to bridge social and gender gaps in school education. o To provide quality education to girls from disadvantaged groups, Kasturba Gandhi

BalikaVidyalayas (KGBVs) have been sanctioned in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) under SamagraShiksha.

o KGBVs are residential schools from class VI to XII for girls belonging to disadvantaged groups such as SC, ST, OBC, Minority and Below Poverty Line (BPL).

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization

INTRODUCTION

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.

UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

VISION

UNESCO develops educational tools to help people live as global citizens free of hate and intolerance.

UNESCO works so that each child and citizen has access to quality education. By promoting cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures, UNESCO strengthens bonds among nations.

UNESCO fosters scientific programmes and policies as platforms for development and cooperation.





UNESCO stands up for freedom of expression, as a fundamental right and a key condition for democracy and development.

Serving as a laboratory of ideas, UNESCO helps countries adopt international standards and manages programmes that foster the free flow of ideas and knowledge sharing.

UNESCO'S HISTORY

As early as 1942, in wartime, the governments of the European countries, which were confronting Nazi Germany and its allies, met in the United Kingdom for the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME).

The Second World War was far from over, yet those countries were looking for ways and means to reconstruct their systems of education once peace was restored.

Very quickly, the project gained momentum and soon took on a universal note. New governments, including that of the United States, decided to join in.Upon the proposal of

CAME, a United Nations Conference for the establishment of an educational and cultural organization (ECO/CONF) was convened in London from 1 to 16 November 1945.

MEMBER STATES

193 countries as of October 2007, Macao and other 6 are registered as Associate Members.

AIMS AND MISSIONS OF UNESCO

In order to realise the aim, UNESCO has devoted itself to the following field of activities:

Education: UNESCO extends various supports and promotes national projects in order to renovate educational system, thereby developing educational strategies towards a goal of life 'education for all'. It focuses in the following areas:

To promote basic education for all. To expand access to basic education. To improve the quality of basic education. Education for the 21st Century.

Science:

It promotes international scientific co-operation and encourages scientific research with a view to improve living conditions. For this purpose, UNESCO undertakes following actions:

Science co-operation offices have been opened in Cairo, Jakarta, Nairobi, New Delhi, Montevideo and Vienna.

A science in the service of Development Programme has the objective to provide support in the field of higher education, advanced training and research in natural and social sciences and help in the application of these features to secure development.





It lays emphasis on issues like peace, human rights, youth, and management of social transformation, human genome and biosphere.

Communication: UNESCO activates itself to promote the free flow of information, freedom of expression, press freedom, media independences and pluralism. It provides advice in order to insure the scope and charity of press, film and radio service all over the world.

Culture: The UNESCO gears itself in conducting research on the luck of culture with development. It takes action to ensure conservation and protection of the world's cultural inheritance. For this purpose, it helps the states to study and preserve both the physical and non-physical heritage of their societies.

HOW UNESCO WORKS?

The Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP) is the central focal point of UNESCO for all strategic, programmatic and budgeting issues, as well as for cooperation with extra budgetary funding sources and public-private partnerships (PPPs), and it provides advice to the Director-General on all these matters.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BUREAU OF STRATEGIC PLANNING (BSP)

Preparation and monitoring of the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy and the biennial Programme and Budget of the Organization.

Implementation of the principles of the results-based management and the risk management approaches.

Monitoring of the implementation of the approved programme and its work plans through regular reviews to assess progress towards the expected results, and report thereon periodically to the governing bodies in the context of the statutory reports.

leading and coordination of UNESCO’s participation in and contribution to United Nations system inter-agency activities, in particular concerning global programme issues, and those aiming to enhance system-wide coherence, globally, regionally and at the country levels.

Integration of a future-oriented approach and foresight in all the fields of competence of the Organization.

Monitoring the implementation of the programme activities related to the two global priorities of the Organization, Gender Equality and Africa.

Promotion of South-South and North-South-South cooperation; support to the least developed countries (LDCs); the small island developing states (SIDS); the most vulnerable segments of society; indigenous peoples; countries in post-conflict and post-disaster situations and to countries in transition as well as middle-income countries.

Coordination and backstopping for the inter-sectoral platforms.





Leading the inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary programme of action for a culture of peace and non-violence.

Monitoring the implementation of the integrated comprehensive strategy for category 2 institutes and centres.

Management of the System of Information on Strategies, Tasks and the Evaluation of Results (SISTER) and provisions of capacity training programmes for staff and permanent delegations.

UNESCO'S SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

UNESCO preserves 1073 World heritage Sites in 167 countries UNESCO coordinates Tsunami early warning systems all over the Globe UNESCO leads global efforts to reach quality education for all UNESCO led the reconstruction of the Mausoleums in Timbuktu UNESCO launched the SESAME world-class research laboratory in the Middle East UNESCO stands up for freedom of expression and condemns the killing of journalists Angkor Temple was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger after 15 major

conservation projects undertaken by UNESCO UNESCO published general histories of Humanity, Africa, Asia, Islamic Culture, the Caribbean 195 member states, 11 associate members, 11 000 associated schools 177 State Parties to the Intangible Heritage Convention UNESCO builds Youth networks across 9 Mediterranean countries UNESCO designated sites represent 10 million km2, equivalent to the size of China, Canada, or

the USA

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: significance of the Gender Parity Index, role and functions of

UNESCO

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

Government of India has submitted two nomination dossiers namely ‘Dholavira: A Harappan City’ and ‘Monuments and Forts





of Deccan Sultanate’ for inclusion in the World Heritage List for the year 2020.

DHOLAVIRA: A HARAPPAN CITY

The City of Dholavira located in Khadir island of the Rann of Kutch (Gujarat) belonged to the mature Harappan phase.

It was excavated by R.S Bisht in 1985. It demonstrates a highly organised system of town planning with perfected proportions,

street-pattern and an efficient water conservation system that supported life for more than 1200 years (3000 BCE to 1800 BCE) against harsh hot arid climate.

The water conservation methods of Dholavira are unique and measures as one of the most efficient systems of the ancient world.

The presence of a three-tier zonation comprising of a distinct upper (citadel, bailey) and middle (having a distinct street-pattern, large scale enclosure and a ceremonial ground) towns enclosed by a lower town (with narrower streets, smaller enclosures and industrial area) – distinguishes the city of Dholavira from other metropolises of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

MONUMENTS AND FORTS OF DECCAN SULTANATE:

The ‘Monuments of the Deccan Sultanate’ demonstrates the convergence of national and international styles of Islamic architecture and their intersections with the prevalent Hindu architecture of the period southern Indian in present-day Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh,

It comprises of four components namely,

1. Bahmani Monuments at Gulbarga, Karnataka

It primarily comprises the Gulbarga Fort with the Great Mosque in the Fort, Jami Masjid and

the Haft Gumbad complex with seven tombs. Gulbarga was the first capital of the Bahmani dynasty.

2. Bahmani and Barid Shahi Monuments at Bidar, Karnatak

It includes monuments at Bidar dating from late 15th to the early 16th centuries comprise of the

Bidar Fort, the Madrasa Mahmud Gawan, the Bahamani tombs at Ashtur and the Barid Shahi tombs.

The significant feature of Bidar is the sophisticated system of gates and sluices (A sluice is a water channel controlled at its head by a gate.) that could be used when required to flood segments of the moat and thus preserve water.

3. Adil Shahi Monuments at Bijapur, Karnataka

These monuments date from the late 15th to the late 17th centuries.





These are an ensemble of 80 small and big monuments including the fortifications, gates, water systems and tanks, several mosques and tombs and palatial structures.

The most remarkable monuments within the fort include the Gol Gumbaz which is the second largest dome in the world.

4. Qutb Shahi Monuments at Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh

It comprises of Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs and Charminar that symbolize the Qutb Shahi

Dynasty. Golconda is a fortified citadel and an early capital city of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The tombs of Qutb Shahis are a mausoleum complex comprised of the tombs of the Royal family

and the officials who faithfully served them. Charminar is a ceremonial Gateway built to celebrate the foundation of Hyderabad, a new

Millennial City, in 1591 A.D

ANCIENT INDUS CIVILIZATION

Harappan Civilization

INTRODUCTION

The greater Indus region was home to the largest of the four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia and China.

It was not discovered until the 1920's. Most of its ruins, even its major cities, remain to be excavated. The ancient Indus Civilization script has not been deciphered.

THE DISCOVERERS OF INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

1. Alexander Cunningham

He was the first Director-General of ASI. He Began excavations around mid-nineteenth century

2. John Marshall

He was the DG of ASI in 1927 and first professional Archaeologist of India. But he exacted horizontally and all finds were grouped together even when they were found at different stratigraphic layers. This caused loss of very valuable information regarding.





3. R.E.M. Wheeler

He followed the stratigraphy of excavations rather than just excavating horizontally.

MAJOR SITES

HARAPPA

Harappa was an Indus civilization urban center. It lies in Punjab Province, Pakistan, on an old bed of the River Ravi.

The latest research has revealed at least five mounds at Harappa that 3-D renditions of Harappa show to have been surrounded by extensive walls. Two mounds have large walls around them, perhaps as much for trade regulation as defense.

A structure once considered a granary is now thought to have been a large building with ventilated air ducts. A set of working platforms to the south of this structure are also of great interest to archaeologists.

An abundance of terracotta figurines at Harappa provided the first clues in the 19th century to the ancient Indus - often abbreviated as Harappan - civilization.

Figure 5 MAJOR SITES OF HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION

MOHENJO DARO





Mohenjo Daro is probably the best known Indus site. Mohenjo Daro is in Sindh, Pakistan, next to the Indus River, not far from the very early human flint mining quarries at Rohri. The Indus may once have flowed to the west of Mohenjo Daro, but it is now located to the east.

Here the Great Bath, uniform buildings and weights, hidden drains and other hallmarks of the civilization were discovered in the 1920's.

This is where the most unicorn seals have been found. Due to a rising water table, most of the site remains unexcavated, and its earliest levels have not been reached.

DHOLAVIRA

Dholavira is located on Khadir Beyt, an island in the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat State, India. It has only been excavated since 1990.

As large as Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, it has some of the best preserved stone architecture.

A tantalizing signboard with Indus script has also been discovered. Dholavira appears to have had several large reservoirs, and an

elaborate system of drains to collect water from the city walls and house tops to fill these water tanks

LOTHAL

Lothal is on the top of the Gulf of Khambat in Gujarat, India, near the Sabarmati River and the Arabian Sea.

It is the most extensively researched Harappan coastal site. A bead factory and Persian Gulf seal have been found here suggesting that, like many sites on

the Gulf of Khambat, it was deeply involved in trade.

RAKHIGARHI

Rakhigarhi is a recently discovered city in Haryana, India. Partial excavations have revealed that it is as large as Harappa, Mohenjo Daro and

Ganweriwala.

GANWERIWALA

Ganeriwala is in Punjab, Pakistan near the Indian border. It was first discovered by Sir Aurel Stein and surveyed by Dr. M. R. Mughal in the 1970's. It spreads over 80 hectares and is almost as large as Mohenjo Daro. It is near a dry bed of the former Ghaggar or Sarasvati River, and has not been excavated, yet. Equidistant between Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, Ganweriwala may have been a fifth major

urban center.

SMALLER SETTLEMENTS

GOLA DHORO





Gola Dhoro (also known as Bagasara) is a site in Gujarat, India, excavated from 1996 to 2004. A distinctive ancient Indus seal was found there, as well as extensive evidence for the sudden

evacuation of this tiny town with well stocked manufacturing facilities.

DAIMABAD

Daimabad is in Maharashtra near Bombay. Discovered in 1958, it is a controversial site. Some suggest that the pottery and single shard with ancient Indus signs on it is definitive of

Harappan settlement; others maintain that the evidence is insufficient. A unique hoard of exquisite bronze chariots and animals that may or may not be of Indus

Civilization style was also found here.

CHANHUDARO

Chanhudaro is 80 miles south of Mohenjo Daro in Sindh. It was a manufacturing center. Various tool, shell, bone and seal-making facilities which involved writing were found. Beads were made using efficiently layered floors. C hanhudaro seems also to have been hastily abandoned.

SUTKAGEN DOR

Sutkagen Dor in Baluchistan is the westernmost known Harappan site located on the Pakistani border with Iran.

It is thought to have once been on a navigable inlet of the Arabian Sea. The usual citadel and town are present, as well as defensive walls 30 feet wide. Sutkagen Dor would have been on the trade route from Lothal in Gujarat to Mesopotamia and

was probably heavily involved in the fishing trade similar to that which exists today in the coast along Baluchistan.

TIMELINE

c. 5000 BCE: Evidence of religious practices in the Indus Valley

c. 5000 BCE - c. 1500 BCE: The Indus Valley (or Harappan) Civilization.

c. 4000 BCE: Farming settlements are established in the Indus Valley

c. 3000 BCE: First signs of urbanization in the Indus Valley

c. 3000 BCE - c. 2600 BCE: The rise of the great Indian cities of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa

c. 2600 BCE: Dozens of towns and cities are established in the Indus Valley.

c. 2500 BCE: Earliest use of the Indus Script





1500 BCE: The Aryans - nomadic northerners from central Asia, begin to migrate into the Indus Valley

c. 1000 BCE: The Aryans expand into the Ganges valley in India

530 BCE: Persia conquers the Indus Valley

IMPORTANT FACTS @ A GLANCE

TOWN PLANNING AND STRUCTURES

The Harappan culture was distinguished by its system of town planning. Harappa and Mohenjo-daro each had its own citadel or acropolis, which was possibly

occupied by members of the ruling class. Below the citadel in each city lay a lower town containing brick houses, which were inhabited

by the common people. The remarkable thing about the arrangement of the houses in the cities is that they followed

the grid system. According to it, roads cut across one another almost at right angles, and the city was divided

into so many blocks. This is true of almost all Indus settlements. Big buildings distinguished both Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Mohenjo-daro was extremely rich in structures. The most important public place of Mohenjo-daro seems to be the Great Bath, comprising the

tank. It is an example of beautiful brickwork. It measures 11.88 x 7.01 metres and 2.43 metres deep. It is suggested that the Great Bath served ritual bathing. In Mohenjo-daro the largest building is a granary which is 45.71 metres long and 15.23 metres

wide. But in the citadel of Harappa we find as many as six granaries. Harappa also shows two-roomed barracks, which possibly accommodated labourers. Granaries constituted an important part of the Harappan cities. The use of burnt bricks in the Harappan cities is remarkable, because in the contemporary

buildings of Egypt mainly dried bricks were used. The drainage system of Mohenjo-daro was very impressive. In almost all cities every big or small house had its own courtyard and bathroom. In Kalibangan many houses had their wells. Water flowed from the house to the streets which had drains Sometimes these drains were covered with bricks and sometimes with stone slabs. The street drains were equipped with manholes. The drainage system of Harappa is almost unique. Drainage systems were not unique to the larger cities, but were found in smaller settlements

as well. At Lothal for example, while houses were built of mud bricks, drains were made of burnt bricks.

Citadels Whole most Harappan settlements have a small high western part and a larger lower eastern

section, there are variations. At sites such as Dholavira and Lothal (Gujarat), the entire





settlement was fortified, and sections within the town were also separated by walls. The Citadel within Lothal was not walled off, but was built at a height.

AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES

Its prosperous villages and towns show that it was fertile in ancient times. In earlier times the Indus region possessed more natural vegetation which attracted more

rainfall. Just as the Nile created Egypt and supported its people, so also the Indus created Sindh and

fed its people. The Harappan villages, mostly situated near the flood plains, produced sufficient foodgrains

not only to feed themselves but also the town people. The Indus people produced wheat, barley, rai, peas, sesame, lentil, chickpea and mustard. Millets are found from sites in Gujarat. Finds of rice are relatively rare. The Harappans ate a wide range of plant and animal products, including fish. The people of Lothal used rice whose remains have been found Foodgrains were stored in granaries in Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and in Kalibangan. The Indus people were the earliest people to produce cotton. Because cotton was first produced in this area the Greeks called it sindon, which is derived

from Sindh. While the prevalence of agriculture is indicated by finds of grain, it is more difficult to

reconstruct actual agricultural practices. Representations on seals and terracotta sculpture indicate that the bull was known, and

archaeologists extrapolate from this that oxen were used for ploughing. Terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in Cholistan and at Banawali. Archaeologists have also found evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan (Rajasthan),

associated with Early Harappan levels. The field had two sets of furrows at right angles to each other, suggesting that two different

crops were grown together. Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was probably required for

agriculture. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in

Punjab or Sind. It is possible that ancient canals silted up long ago. It is also likely that water drawn from wells was used for irrigation. Besides, water reservoirs

found in Dholavira (Gujarat) may have been used to store water for agriculture.

DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS

Although the Harappans practised agriculture, animals were kept on a large scale. The humped bulls were favoured by the Harappans. Evidence of the horse comes from a superficial level of Mohenjo-daro and from a doubtful

terracotta figurine from Lothal. The remains of the horse are reported from Surkotada. In any case the Harappan culture was not horse centred. The Harappan people in Gujarat produced rice and domesticated elephants.





Animal bones found at Harappan sites include those of cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo and pig. Studies done by archaeo-zoologists or zooarchaeologists indicate that these animals were domesticated. Bones of wild species such as boar, deer and gharial are also found.

We do not know whether the Harappans hunted these animals themselves or obtained meat from other hunting communities. Bones of fish and fowl are also found.

TECHNOLOGY AND CRAFTS

The Harappan culture belongs to the Bronze Age. The Harappans were very well acquainted with the manufacture and use of Bronze. These two metals were not easily available to the Harappans. Copper was obtained from the khetri copper mines of Rajasthan. Tin was possibly brought with difficulty from Afghanistan A piece of woven cotton has been recovered from mohenjo-daro. Textile impressions have been found on several objects. Huge brick structure suggest that brick- laying was an important craft. They also attest the existence of a class of masons. The Harappans also practised boat-making. Seal-making and terracotta manufacture were also important crafts. The goldsmiths made jewellery of silver, gold and precious stones. The Harappans were also experts in bead-making. The potter's wheel was in full use, and the Harappans produced their own characteristic

pottery, which was made glossy and shining.

TRADE

The importance of trade in the life of the Indus people is attested by the presence of numerous seals, uniform script and regulated weights and measures in a wide area. The Harappans carried on considerable trade in stone, metal, shell, etc.

They did not use metal money. They carried on all exchanges through barter. They practised navigation on the coast of the Arabian Sea. They knew the use of wheel. They had set up a trading colony in northern Afghanistan which evidently facilitated trade

with Central Asia. Their cities also carried commerce with those in the land of the Tigris and the Euphrates. The Harappans carried on long distance trade in lapis lazuli; lapis may have contributed to the

social prestige of the ruling class.

CONTACT WITH DISTANT LANDS

Recent archaeological finds suggest that copper was also brought from Oman. A distinctive type of vessel, a large Harappan jar coated with a thick layer of black clay has

been found at Omani sites. Mesopotamian texts datable to the third millennium BCE refer to copper coming from a

region called Magan, perhaps a name for Oman, and interestingly enough copper found at Mesopotamian sites also contains traces of nickel.

Mesopotamian texts mention contact with regions named Dilmun (probably the island of Bahrain), Magan and Meluhha, possibly the Harappan region.





They mention the products from Meluhha: camelian, lapis lazuli, copper, gold etc. A Mesopotamian myth says of Meluhha: "May your bird be the haja-bird, may its call be

heard in the royal palace." Some archaeologists think the haja-bird was the peacock. It is likely that communication with

Oman, Bahrain or Mesopotamia was by sea. Mesopotamian texts refer to Meluhha as a land of seafarers. Besides, we find depictions of

ships and boats on seals.

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

We have no clear idea about the political organization of the Harappans. No temples have been found at any Harappan site. Therefore it would be wrong to think that priests ruled in Harappa. We have no religious structures of any kind except the Great Bath. Therefore, it would be wrong to think that priests ruled in Harappa, as they did in the cities of

Lower Mesopotamia. Perhaps the Harappan rulers were more concerned with commerce than with conquests.

Harappa was possibly ruled by a class of merchants. It may be noted that the Harappans were lacking in weapons. Palaces and kings If we look for a centre of power or for depictions of people in power, archaeological records

provide no immediate answers. A large building found at Mohenjodaro was labelled as a palace by archaeologists. A stone statue was labelled and continues to be known as the "priest-king". Some archaeologists are of the opinion that Harappan society had no rulers, and that

everybody enjoyed equal status. Others feel there was no single ruler but several. Yet others argue that there was a single

state, given the similarity in artefacts, the evidence for planned settlements, the standardised ratio of brick size, and the establishment of settlements near sources of raw material.

RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

In Harappa numerous terracotta figurines of women have been found. In one figurine a plant is shown growing out of the embryo of a women. Probably the image represents the goddess of earth, and it was intimately connected with the

origin and growth of plants. The Harappans, therefore, looked upon the earth as a fertility goddess and worshipped her in

the same manner as the Egyptians worshipped the Nile goddess Isis. The Male Deity in the Indus Valley The male deity is represented on a seal. This god has three homed heads. He is represented in the sitting posture of a yogi, placing one foot on the other. This god is surrounded by an elephant, a tiger, a rhinoceros, and has a buffalo below his

throne. At his feet appear two deer. The depicted god is identified as Pushupati Mahadeva. But the identification is doubtful,

because homed gods also appear in other ancient civilizations. Numerous symbols of the phallus and female sex organs made of stone have been found.





TREE AND ANIMAL WORSHIP

The people of the Indus region also worshipped trees. The picture of a deity is repreented on a seal in the midst of the branches of the pipal. Animals were also worshipped in Harappan times.

The most important of them is the one horned animal unicorn which may be identified with the rhinoceros. Next in importance is the humped bull.

Amulets have been found in large numbers. Probably the Harappans believed that ghosts and evil forces were capable of harming them.

THE HARAPPAN SCRIPT

The Harappans invented the art of writing. Their script has not been deciphered so far, There are nearly 4000 specimens of Harappan writing on stone seals and other objects

Unlike the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, the Harappans did not write long inscriptions Most inscriptions were recorded on seals, and contain only a few words. Altogether we have about 250 to 400 pictographs, and in the form of a picture each letter

stands for some sound, idea or object. The Harappan script is not alphabetical but mainly pictographic. It is the indigenous product of the Indus region, and does not show any connection with

scripts of western Asia.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

The urban people of the Indus region also needed and used weights and measurement for trade and other transactions.

Numerous articles used for weights have been found. They show that in weighing mosti) 16 or its multiples were used; for instance, 16, 64, 160, 320, and 640.

The Harappans also knew the art of measurement.

FINDING OUT ABOUT CRAFT PRODUCTION

Chanhudaro is a tiny settlement, almost exclusively devoted to craft production, including bead-making, shell-cutting, metal-working, seal-making and weight-making.

The variety of materials used to make beads is remarkable: stones like carnelian (of a beautiful red colour), jasper, crystal, quartz and steatite; metals like copper, bronze and gold; and shell, faience and terracotta or burnt clay.

Some beads were made of two or more stones, cemented together, some of stone with gold caps. The shapes were numerous - discshaped, cylindrical, spherical, barrel-shaped, segmented. Some were decorated by incising or painting, and some had designs etched onto them. Steatite, a very soft stone, was easily worked

Nageshwar and Balakot both settlements are near the coast. These were specialized centres for making shell objects, including bangles, ladles and inlay.

The Harappans established settlements such as Nageshwar and Balakot in areas where shell was available.





Other such sites were Shortughai, in far-off Afghanistan, near the best source of lapis lazuli, a blue stone that was apparently very highly valued.

Lothal was situated near the sources of carnelian (from Bharuch in Gujarat), steatite (from south Rajasthan and north Gujarat) and metal (from Rajasthan).

The Harappans were great experts in the use of potter's wheels. Harappan pots were generally decorated with the designs of trees and circles. The images of men also appear on some pottery fragments. The greatest artistic creations of the Harappan culture are the seals. About 2,000 seals have been found, and of these a great majority carry short inscriptions with

pictures of the one-homed bull, the buffalo, the tiger, the rhinoceros, the goat and the elephant.

The Harappan artisans made beautiful images of metal. A woman dancer made of bronze is the best specimen. We get a few pieces of Harappan stone sculptures. We get many figurines made of fire-baked earthen clay, commonly called terracotta. These were either used as toys or objects of worship. They represent birds, dogs, sheep, cattle and monkeys. Men and women also find place, and

the second outnumber the first. But the terracotta pieces represent unsophisticated artistic works. The contrast between the

two sets indicates the gap between the classes which used them. The Harappan culture is poor in artistic works made of stone. We do not come across any massive work of art in stone as we find in the case of sculptures of

ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

BURIALS

At burials in Harappan sites the dead were generally laid in pits. Some graves contain pottery and ornaments, perhaps indicating a belief that these could be

used in the afterlife. Jewellery has been found in burials of both men and women. In fact, in the excavations at the cemetery in Harappa in the mid-1980s, an ornament

consisting of three shell rings, a jasper (a kind of semi-precious stone) bead and hundreds of micro beads was found near the skull of a male.

In some instances the dead were buried with copper mirrors. But on the whole, it appears that the Harappans did not believe in burying precious things

with the dead.

THE PLIGHT OF HARAPPA

Although Harappa was the first site to be discovered, it was badly destroyed by brick robbers. As early as 1875, Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological

Survey of India (ASI), often called the father of Indian archaeology, noted that the amount of brick taken from the ancient site was enough to lay bricks for "about 100 miles" of the railway line between Lahore and Multan.

POST-URBAN PHASE OF THE HARAPPAN CULTURE

The Harappan culture seems to have flourished until 1900 B.C.





Afterwards its urban phase marked by systematic town planning, extensive brick-work, art of writing, standard weights and measures etc. practically disappeared.

Its stylistic homogeneity disappeared, and the post-urban Harappan stage was marked by sharp stylistic diversity.

The post-urban phase of the Harappan culture is also known as the sub-Indus culture. This culture was earlier considered post-Harappan but now it is more popularly known as the

late Harappan culture. The late Harappan cultures are primarily chalcolithic in which tools of stone and copper are

used. The chalcolithic people in the later Harappan phase lived in villages subsisting on agriculture,

stock raising, hunting and fishing. During the later phase of the Harappan culture some exotic tools and pottery indicate the

slow percolation of new people in the Indus basin. A few signs of insecurity and violence appear in the last phase of Mohenjo-daro. Hoards of

jewellery were buried at places, and skulls were huddled together at one place. At several sites in Punjab and Haryana, Grey Ware and Painted Grey Ware, generally

associated with Vedic people, have been found in conjunction with some late Harappan pottery dated around 1200 B.C.

All this can be attributed to the barbarian horse-riding people (i.e. Aryans). But the new peoples did not come in such numbers as to completely overwhelm the Harappan

cities in Punjab and Sindh. Although the Rig Vedic Aryans settled down mostly in the land of the Seven Rivers, in which

the Harappan culture once flourished, we have no archaeological evidence of any mass-scale confrontation between the mature Harappans and the Aryans.

CAUSES OF THE DECLINE

Archaeologists now believe that the civilization did not come to an abrupt end but gradually declined. People moved eastwards and cities were abandoned. Writing and trade declined.

Mortimer Wheeler suggested that Aryan invasion led to the decline of the Indus Valley. This theory has now been debunked.

Robert Raikes suggests that tectonic movements and floods caused the decline. Lambrick suggests a change in the course of the river Indus caused its decline. Other causes cited include a drying up of the rivers, deforestation and destruction of the green

cover. It is possible that some cities were destroyed by floods but not all. It is now accepted that several factors could have led to the decline of the Indus Valley civilization.

New cities emerged only about 1400 years later.

WHAT DOES IT SEEM?

All these sites flourished for various periods between 3500 and 1700 B.C.E. There are probably many more important Indus sites. Some must have been lost or destroyed by shifting river paths, Others are probably buried

under modern towns.





The important sites were ancient commercial centers. They are on rivers or near the coast. Various specialized manufacturing facilities suggest that they were heavily involved in trade

with each other and far outside the region.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: HARAPPAN civilizations cities, INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

Sources: pib

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Context:

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. ABOUT THE DAY The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.

THEME OF WORLD TB DAY 2020:

“It’s TIME”

WHAT IS TB?

TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other sites. The disease is spread when people who are sick with pulmonary TB expel bacteria into the air, for

example by coughing. Diagnostic tests for TB disease include – Rapid molecular test, Sputum smear microscopy, Culture-

based methods Without treatment, the mortality rate from TB is high.





SOME FACTS ON TB:

o TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer. Each day, over 4000 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease.

o The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a joint initiative “Find. Treat. All. #EndTB”with the Global Fund and Stop TB Partnership, with the aim of accelerating the TB response and ensuring access to care, in line with WHO’s overall drive towards Universal Health Coverage.

o WHO has published a global TB report every year since 1997.

INITIATIVES IN INDIA:

TB treatment is free in India. India aims to eliminate TB by 2025. UN aims to eliminate TB by 2030. Mass BCG vaccination to prevent TB. In 1993, the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched, offering free

diagnosis and treatment for patients, rescuing them from otherwise sure death. Rs 12,000 cr fund to fight TB over the next 3 years. TB Harega Desh Jeetega campaign.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: initiatives made by Indian govt. to cure TB

Sources: PIB

*****************************

Context:

United Nations celebrates International Day of Forest on March 21. The Day is celebrated since 2012.

AIM:





To increase awareness and importance of forests

THEME:

Forests and Biodiversity

ABOUT THE DAY:

o March 21 has chosen to mark the international day of forests as it is the Vernal Equinox in the northern hemisphere and autumnal equinox.

o The organizers are the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other relevant organizations in the field.

Forests

o The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

o On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.

o The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: saving forest and biodiversity

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

Context:





International Nowruz Day celebrated globally on 21 March every year.

WHAT IS NOWRUZ AND WHY DO WE CELEBRATE IT?

The word Nowruz (Novruz, Navruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nauryz), means new day; its spelling and pronunciation may vary by country.

Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on 21 March. It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.

Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the first day of spring and the renewal of nature. It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighbourliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities.

BACKGROUND:

International Nowruz Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/64/253 of 2010, at the initiative of several countries that share this holiday.

Under the agenda item of “culture of peace”, the member states of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan prepared and introduced a draft resolution (A/64/L.30) entitled “International Day of Nowruz” to the ongoing 64th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations for its consideration and adoption.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: agenda culture of peace

Sources: the Hindu. un.org

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CONTEXT:





World Sparrow Day is observed on 20th March. It is observed every year. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of sparrows in the ecosystem. It also conveys the message of conservation of sparrows that are disappearing faster than other common birds.

THEME:

The theme for the 2020 World Sparrow Day is ‘I Love Sparrow.’ The day aims to teach the public about the threat of polluted urban environments and non-caring humans to the house sparrow population and to other common bird species.

HISTORY:

The World Sparrow Day was initiated by the founder of The Nature Forever Society, Mohammed Dilawar.

He also started many projects, including the BiodiverCity Photo Competition, the annual Sparrow Awards, Project Save Our Sparrows, and the Common Bird Monitoring of India program.

The first World Sparrow Day was observed in the year 2010. In 2011, the World Sparrow Awards were instituted.

The award recognizes the individuals who have made the biggest contributions toward conserving the environment and protecting common species.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: conservation of wildlife and environment

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:





World Sleep Day is observed on 13 March. The day focuses on the issues related to sleep, sleep medicine, education about sleep. The day raises awareness about the social effects that sleep deprivation can have on everyday life.

WORLD SLEEP DAY: World Sleep Day aims to help those who have sleep problems, educate people all over about the importance of sleep, and change the way people view and experience sleep by giving people valuable resources to help them in their daily lives.

HISTORY:

World Sleep day was organized by the World Sleep Day Committee of World Sleep Society. According to the American Sleep Association, over 50 to 70 million people have a sleeping disorder, over 25 million have sleep apnoea, and the most commonly reported sleep problem is insomnia.

The Society sought to encourage the development and exchange of information for world-wide and regional standards of practice for sleep medicine.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: sleep problems or insomnia

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15 March. The consumer movement marks 15 March with World Consumer Rights Day every year. The day aims to raise global awareness about consumer rights and needs.

AIM:





The day aims to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.

THEME FOR 2020:

Each year, World Consumer Rights Day adopts a theme to highlight. This year the theme promoted is “The Sustainable Consumer”.

GLOBAL AWARENESS ABOUT CONSUMER RIGHTS AND

NEEDS:

We urgently need drastic action to address the global crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The decade of the 2020s is our last chance to limit global warming to 1.5 degree C since pre-industrial times, in line with the Paris Agreement and to reverse the current trend of wide-scale biodiversity loss.

When we look at our global consumption in numbers, we are given a stark reminder of the task ahead. Around the world, nearly one million plastic bottles are sold every minute, and five trillion pieces of plastic are floating in our oceans. We buy over 80 billion new clothing items a year, and consume 3.9 billion tonnes of food – one-third of which is lost or wasted.

In order to protect the planet and provide fair social conditions for current and future generations, we need to think about the way we produce and consume goods and services. The aim of sustainable consumption is to increase resource efficiency and fair trade while helping to alleviate poverty and enable everyone to enjoy a good quality of life with access to food, water, energy, medicine and more.

The consumer movement will highlight the lifestyle changes consumers can make to play their part, and what governments and businesses need to do to make sustainability the easy choice for consumers.

BACKGROUND:

World Consumer Rights Day was inspired by President John F Kennedy, who sent a special message to the US Congress on 15th March 1962, in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights.

He was the first world leader to do so.

The consumer movement first marked that date in 1983 and now uses the day every year to mobilize action on important issues and campaigns.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: GLOBAL AWARENESS ABOUT CONSUMER RIGHTS AND NEEDS





Sources: consumer international

*****************************

CONTEXT:

The day is being celebrated to commemorate the achievements of Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janushadhi Pariyojana Kendras as a part of celebration of the day.

PRADHAN MANTRI BHARTIYA JANAUSHADHI PARIYOJANA (PMBJP):

The branded (Generic) medicines are sold at significantly higher prices than their unbranded generic equivalents, though are identical in the therapeutic value.

Given the widespread poverty across the country, making available reasonably priced quality generic medicines in the market would benefit everyone.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.

PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.

It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in November 2008 under the name Jan Aushadi Campaign. Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP.

VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVE OF PMBJP:

Vision:

To bring down the healthcare budget of every citizen of India through providing Quality generic Medicines at Affordable Prices

Mission:

Create awareness among the public regarding generic medicines. Create demand for generic medicines through medical practitioners.



https://www.consumersinternational.org/what-we-do/world-consumer-rights-day/sustainable-consumer-2020/



Create awareness through education and awareness program that high price need not be synonymous with high quality.

Provide all the commonly used generic medicines covering all the therapeutic groups. Provide all the related health care products too under the scheme.

Objective:

Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets “Jan Aushadhi Medical Store”, so as to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare

JANAUSHADHI KENDRAS:

The Kendras are the biggest retail pharma chain in the world. They are spread across 700 districts. There are more than 6,200 such Kendras in India. In 2019-20, the total sales at these outlets crossed Rs 390 crores. This saved Rs 2,200 crores for common citizens.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVE OF PMBJP

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

World Hearing Day is observed on 3 March every year. The day raises awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.

THEME:

The theme of 2020 World Hearing Day is “Doing let hearing loss limit you. Hearing for life!”. It highlights that timely and effective intervention will ensure that people with hearing loss can achieve their full potential.

HIGHLIGHTS:





At all life stages, communication and good hearing health connect an individual to each other, communities, and the world. For people who have hearing loss, timely interventions can facilitate access to education, employment, and communication. Globally, there is a lack of access to interventions to address hearing loss, such as hearing aids. Early intervention should be made available through the health system.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: IMPORTANCE OF THE DAY

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

World Wildlife Day is observed on 3 March. The day aims to celebrate beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora. It raises awareness to conserve wildlife.

THEME:

The theme of 2020 World Wildlife Day is “Sustaining all life on Earth”.

The theme encompasses all wild animal and plant species as a component of biodiversity and the livelihoods of people.

The observation aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 12, 14 and 15. It focuses to ensure sustainable use of resources, and on conserving life both on land and below water to stop biodiversity loss.

BACKGROUND:

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP16) held in Bangkok passed a resolution and designated 3 March as the World Wildlife Day.

The outcomes of CITES CoP16 were transmitted to the UNGA.





On 20 December 2013, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) decided to designate 3 March as World Wildlife Day.

The date also marks the day of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

CITES ensures that international trade does not threaten the survival of any species.

The Secretariat of the CITES, in collaboration with other relevant United Nations organizations, facilitates the implementation of World Wildlife Day.

IMPORTANCE OF THE DAY:

o World Wildlife Day 2020 will celebrate the special place of wild plants and animals in their many varied and beautiful forms as a component of the world’s biological diversity.

o The main aim is to create awareness of the multitude of benefits of wildlife to people around civil society, private sector actors and individuals to add their voices and take actions to help conserve wildlife and ensure its continued use is sustainable.

o The year 2020 known as biodiversity super year will host several major global events that place biodiversity at the forefront.

o It provides a unique opportunity to deliver transformative progress for the conservation and sustainable use of the species of wild animals and plants.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: conservation of wildlife

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

World Defence Day is celebrated on 1 March 2020. The day is observed to raise awareness of public protection from natural and techno-genic disasters and rescue service work.





HISTORY:

o World Civil Defense Day was instituted by the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) General Assembly in 1990.

o It commemorates the day when the ICDO Constitution came into force as an intergovernmental organization in 1972.

ICDO:

ICDO was established by French Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul in 1931 in Paris. It was recognized by the French Parliament in June 1935 and in 1972 it achieved the status of

an intergovernmental organization. The Constitution of ICDO has two main purposes that are aimed to bring attention of

the world public to the vital importance of Civil Protection, raise awareness of the preparedness for self-protection and preventive measures to be taken in the event of accidents or disasters and pay tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of the national services responsible for the fight against disasters.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: ICDO

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

The Vice President of India and the Chairman Rajya Sabha, Shri

M Venkaiah Naidu has contributed a sum equivalent to a

month’s salary to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund

(PMNRF) to strengthen the government’s efforts in combating

COVID-19 outbreak in the country.





WHAT IS PMNRF? WHEN WAS IT SETUP?

o In pursuance of an appeal by the then Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in January, 1948,

the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was established with public contributions

to assist displaced persons from Pakistan.

o The resources of the PMNRF are now utilized primarily to render immediate relief to families

of those killed in natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes, etc. and to the

victims of the major accidents and riots.

o Assistance from PMNRF is also rendered, to partially defray the expenses for medical

treatment like heart surgeries, kidney transplantation, cancer treatment, etc.

KEY FEATURES:

Disbursements are made with the approval of the Prime Minister.

PMNRF has not been constituted by the Parliament.

The fund is recognized as a Trust under the Income Tax Act and the same is managed by Prime

Minister or multiple delegates for national causes.

PMNRF is exempt under Income Tax Act.

Prime Minister is the Chairman of PMNRF and is assisted by Officers/ Staff on honorary basis.

These contributions also qualify as CSR (corporate social responsibility) spend for companies,

making it more attractive in terms of tax exemptions.

HOW ARE THE SURPLUS FUNDS OF PMNRF

DEPLOYED?

In general, funds are either disbursed immediately or they are committed for specific purposes.The

balance of the funds invested in various forms with scheduled commercial banks and other agencies

to ensure long term sustainability.

TYPE OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACCEPTED IN PMNRF:

PMNRF accepts only voluntary donations by individuals and institutions.

Contributions flowing out of budgetary sources of Government or from the balance sheets of

the public sector undertakings are not accepted.

At the time of natural calamity of devastating scale, Prime Minister, makes an appeal for

donation to the fund.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: PMNRF

Sources: pib





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CONTEXT:

The Indian Army has code-named its anti-COVID-19 campaign as Operation Namaste to help the government in its fight against the pandemic.

KEY POINTS

Soldiers are advised to follow the lockdown, wherever they do not have any operational role, and stay fit. They are assured that their families will be well taken care of.

Leave extension of those on leave as well as curtailment of leave to bare minimum have been imposed.

Segregation facilities have been set up to observe troops already back from leave from various states.

So far six quarantine facilities at Manesar, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Chennai, Hindan and Mumbai have been established where 1,463 people evacuated from coronavirus-affected countries have been accommodated.

The forces are setting up more such facilities at Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Dundigal, Bengaluru, Kanpur, Jaisalmer, Jorhat and Gorakhpur which can be ready within 72 hours, if needed.

28 Armed Forces hospitals have been earmarked as COVID hospitals. These hospitals will include armed forces patients as well as civilian patients transferred from

state health authorities. Five hospitals from the Army, Navy and the Air Force are conducting coronavirus tests using

the RT-PCR methodology and more hospitals will be equipped soon with the resources. 62 Cantonment Boards have been instructed to identify beds in hospitals and health centres

and guesthouses for any eventuality.

CONTRIBUTIONS BY OTHER FORCES:

o Recently, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also came forward to help by developing ventilators and providing other medical equipment.





o Indian Navy also contributed by delivering 60,000 face masks ordered by Indian Medical Association, Goa which were stuck in Delhi due to the lockdown.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: OPERATION NAMASTE

Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:

The Supreme Court has upheld the right of serving Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers of the Navy to be granted permanent commission (PC) on a par with their male counterparts.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The judgment was based on a case filed by 17 women SSC officers who were denied PC and discharged despite completing 14 years of service as SSC officers.

They had challenged a February 26, 2008 policy letter of the government granting PCs to SSC officers in all the three branches of the Armed Forces. However, the offer was restricted to certain categories and was to operate prospectively for the benefit of future batches inducted on SSCs after January 2009.

The Supreme Court on 17 February upheld a 2010 Delhi high court ruling and had directed the Centre to ensure that women officers are given permanent commissions in the Indian Army on a par with male officers, including for command posting.

OBSERVATIONS MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT:

1. Women officers have worked shoulder to shoulder with their men counterparts in every walk of service.





2. Therefore, the “101 excuses” devised by the government, including motherhood and physiological limitations, reeked of a stereotypical mindset.

3. And women naval officers cannot be denied the right to equal opportunity and dignity entitled to under the Constitution on specious grounds such as physiology, motherhood and physical attributes.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE JUDGMENT

1. Women naval officers will now be eligible to apply for permanent commission. 2. All serving women short service commission (SSC) officers in at least seven wings, including

the executive, engineering, electrical, education, law and logistics, will be eligible to apply. 3. The grant of PCs will be subject to: (i) availability of vacancies in the stabilised cadre; (ii)

Suitability of the candidate; and (iii) recommendation by the chief of Naval Staff.

WHAT IS A PERMANENT COMMISSION?

o A Permanent Commission means a career in the army until one retires. If one gets selected through Permanent Commission, one has the option to serve the country up to the full age of retirement.

o A women naval SSC officer retires in 10 years, whereas one with a permanent commission is entitled to serve for four more years, making it a total of 14 years

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Indian Defense, IMPLICATIONS OF THE JUDGMENT Permanent

Commission for Women in Navy

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

The efforts made by Government to boost country’s defence sector during the last two years.





EFFORTS MADE BY GOVT. TO BOOST DEFENCE

SECTOR:

Industrial licensing:

Industrial licensing regime for Indian manufacturers in Defence sector has been liberalized. Defence Products list requiring Industrial Licences has been rationalised and manufacture of most of the parts and components does not require Industrial Licence.

FDI:

FDI Policy has been revised and under the revised policy. Foreign Investment is allowed under automatic route upto 49% and above 49% through government route, wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.

Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP):

Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) was revised in 2016. Specific provisions have been introduced for stimulating growth of the domestic defence industry. A new category of procurement ‘Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}’ has been introduced in DPP-2016 to promote indigenous design and development of defence equipments.

“Make” Procedure:

In February, 2018 a separate procedure for ‘Make-II’ sub-category has been notified wherein a number of industry friendly provisions have been introduced.

iDEX:

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, was launched with the aim to achieve self-reliance and to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace Sector by engaging Industries including MSMEs, startups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia.

Indigenisation policy:

Government has notified a Policy for indigenisation of components and spares used in Defence Platforms in March, 2019 with the objective to create an industry ecosystem which is able to indigenize the imported components (including alloys & special materials) and sub-assemblies for defence equipment and platforms manufactured in India.

Defence Corridors:





Government has decided to establish two defence industrial corridors to serve as engines of economic development and growth of defence industrial base in the country.

Testing facilities:

The Test facilities/infrastructure available with various Government agencies (OFB, DPSUs, DRDO, DGQA, DGAQA & SHQs) have been made available to private sector with the objective to assist them in design and development of defence systems.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: EFFORTS MADE BY GOVT. TO BOOST DEFENCE SECTOR

Sources: PIB

*****************************

CONTEXT:

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved an ordinance that would allow the state to recover the cost of damages to public property from riots accused individuals.

ABOUT THE UP PROPERTY DAMAGE ORDINANC:

1. The ordinance makes provisions for the setting up of claims tribunals, one or more, to “investigate the damage caused (during protests) and to award compensation” and to cover “cost of action” taken by police and administration for prevention of damage to public properties.

2. Sweeping powers have been granted to a new claims tribunal, including on collecting compensation ex-parte if required, that is, without hearing the individual who is accused of vandalism.

3. The award of compensation made by the tribunal will be final and cannot be appealed against before any civil court.

4. Composition: The tribunal will be headed by a retired district judge appointed by the state government and may include a member who is an officer of the rank of Additional Commissioner.

5. The law allows the constitution of multiple tribunals for a single event to ensure that the proceedings are concluded “preferably within three months” and allows the tribunal to





appoint one assessor “who is technically qualified to assess such damage from a panel appointed by the state government”.

6. Procedure to be followed: The tribunal, may follow “summary procedure as it thinks fit” and has the powers of a civil court for evaluating evidence and enforcing the attendance of witnesses. It bars any civil court from interfering with any directives of the claims tribunal.

7. Burden of proof: The ordinance also places the burden of proving that one has no “nexus” to a protest, hartal, strike, bandh, riot or public commotion — during which any destruction of public or private property was caused – on the individual, failing which the individual’s properties will be seized.

8. Principle of absolute liability under law shall apply once “the nexus with the event that precipitated the damage is established”. The law, however, does not specify what the nature of the “nexus” would be.

9. Under Section 21(2), the new law says that while liability will be borne by the “actual perpetrators of the crime”, one who “instigates” or “incites” the crime would share the liability as per the decision of the claims tribunal. However, the law does not discuss what action constitutes incitement or instigation.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: about the ordinance

Sources: indian express

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CONTEXT:

The Telangana Legislative Assembly has opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Population Register (NPR), and National Register of Citizens (NRC), alleging this formed part of concerted attempts to tinker with the inclusive and non-religious nature of the citizenship.





WHAT’S THE MATTER?

o Besides violating principles of equality, non-discrimination and secularism, the concerted attempt would also endanger the lives of vulnerable groups who did not possess documentary proof of citizenship.

o “Moreover, there are serious questions as to the legality and constitutionality of the CAA, NPR

and NRC,” a resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly.

FEAR OF A THEOCRATIC STATE:

The enactment of the CAA raised concerns that by introducing a religious test for citizenship, the Act insulted the memory of India’s founders who consciously chose not to incorporate a “racial principle” or “religious principle” in the provisions applicable to citizenship.

The enactment of CAA had created grave apprehensions among various sections of society that it was a prelude to the NPR which would lead to a nationwide NRC.

CONCERNS AND CONFUSION:

“Thus there are valid concerns as to the legality and constitutionality of NPR and NRC. There is confusion even as to the mandatory nature of the NPR,”.

In addition, the conflation of NPR and Census exercise resulted in endangering the integrity and safety of the Census exercise.

The resolution urged the Central government to amend Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 in order to remove all references to any religion or to any foreign country.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: CAA, NPR and NRC

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

Tribal organisations in Meghalaya have been demanding the ILP system for restricting the entry of outsiders into the State.





These demands have turned into violent protests across the state in the past few days.

WHAT IS AN ILP?

It is a document required by non- natives to visit or stay in a state that is protected under the ILP system.

AT PRESENT SCENARIO:

Four Northeastern states are covered, namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland.

Both the duration of stay and the areas allowed to be accessed for any non native are determined by the ILP.

The ILP is issued by the concerned state government and can be availed both by applying online and in person.

HISTORY:

The Inner Line Permit is an extension of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873. The Britishers framed regulations restricting entry in certain designated areas.

This was done to protect the Crown’s interest in certain states by preventing “British subjects” (Indians) from trading within these regions.

In 1950, the term ‘British subjects’ was replaced with ‘Citizens of India’. Today, all non-natives require the permit. This was done to protect the indigenous tribal

communities of these states from exploitation.

WHAT ABOUT FOREIGNERS?

An ILP is only valid for domestic tourists. For foreign tourists in:

Manipur:

No permit is required. But, have to register them.

Mizoram:

No permit is required. But, need to register.

Nagaland:

No permit is required. However, they need to register.

Arunachal Pradesh:





Tourists need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

NEED FOR ILP:

Preservation of indigenous culture and tradition. Prevents illegal migrants and encroachment by outsiders.

SHOULD MEGHALAYA BE BROUGHT UNDER ILP?

o The ILP is considered the only mechanism to contain influx in the state. Influx is perceived as dangerous because it could upset the fragile demographic balance of the tribals of Meghalaya.

o Influx definitely is a matter of concern but it requires better solutions than the ILP, not instant solutions demanded by pressure groups.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: NEED FOR ILP

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

Latest data suggest that the sedition law remains as relevant as ever with sedition arrests increasing in recent years.

THE DATA:

1. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), though, has only been collecting separate data on sedition cases since 2014. In 2014, there were 47 cases of sedition but that number increased to 70 in 2018 (the latest year with available data).

2. Compared to other offences, sedition remains a rare crime (it accounts for less than 0.01% of all IPC crimes).

3. But within India, some parts are emerging as sedition hotspots. Assam and Jharkhand, for instance, with 37 sedition cases each, account for 32% of all sedition cases between 2014-2018





4. In 2018, there were 1,182 cases registered under UAPA. And almost all these cases (92%) were concentrated in five states (Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Jharkhand and Manipur).

WHAT IS SEDITION?

Sedition, which falls under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, is defined as any action that brings or attempts to bring hatred or contempt towards the government of India and has been illegal in India since 1870.

KEDARNATH SINGH VS STATE OF BIHAR:

Section 124A has been challenged in various courts in specific cases. The validity of the provision itself was upheld by a Constitution Bench in 1962, in Kedarnath Singh vs State of Bihar.

That judgment went into the issue of whether the law on sedition is consistent with the fundamental right under Article 19 (1) (a) which guarantees each citizen’s freedom of speech and expression.

The Supreme Court laid down that every citizen has a right to say or write about the government, by way of criticism or comment, as long as it does not “incite people to violence” against the government established by law or with the intention of creating public disorder.

WHY SEDITION LAW SHOULD BE REPEALED?

Sedition leads to a sort of un-authorized self-censorship, for it produces a chilling effect on free speech. It suppresses what every citizen ought to do in a democracy — raise questions, debate, disagree and challenge the government’s decisions. Sedition systematically destroys the soul of Gandhi’s philosophy that is, right to dissent.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Kedarnath Singh vs State of Bihar or SEDITION law

Sources: the Hindu.

****************************





Context:

The Budget Session of Parliament concluded on 23 March. The session was scheduled to conclude on 3 April 3. But it has now been adjourned sine die in the wake of deadly COVID-19 and lockdowns announced by many states for varied periods.

SESSION OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT:

A session of the Parliament of India is the time period during which a House, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, meets almost every day continuously to transact business.

Generally, there are three sessions in a year, namely Budget Session, Monsoon Session, and the Winter Session.

o 1) Budget Session is held from February to May o 2) Monsoon Session is held from July to September o 3) Winter Session is held from November to December

Many meetings will be held in a session of the Parliament. Each meeting will have two sittings, that

is, morning sitting from 11 am to 1 pm and post-lunch sitting from 2 pm to 6 pm. A sitting of Parliament can be terminated by adjournment, adjournment sine die, prorogation or dissolution.

ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE STANDS Adjournment sine die means terminating a Parliament sitting for an indefinite period. The power of adjournment sine die lies with the presiding officer of the House. Only the presiding officer of a House can call a sitting of the House before the date or time to which it has been adjourned or at any time after the House has been adjourned sine die.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Adjournment sine die

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

A resolution that seeks the removal of the phrase “socialism” from the preamble of the Constitution is to be placed in Rajya Sabha on 20 March. The resolution argued that the word is “redundant” in the current scenario, and hence it should be dropped to create space for economic thinking without a particular thought.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The preamble of the Indian Constitution has declared the country to be a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic.

Socialism and secularism were not part of the preamble, which was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly.

The terms socialist and secular were inserted in the preamble as part of the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976, which was passed during the Emergency. It was added to qualify the character of the Indian republic.

Many groups demand to restore the original preamble. It is said that in the socio-economic developmental context, socialism is completely a

redundant.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: removal of the phrase Socialism

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************





CONTEXT:

Madhya Pradesh govt. crisis, The Kamal Nath government, which assumed office in December 2018, plunged into crisis after a rebellion by a section of Congress MLAs.

WHAT’S THE ISSUE?

Most of the rebel Congress MLAs are said to be supporters of Jyotiraditya Scindia, who quit the ruling party and joined the BJP

WHAT IS “FLOOR TEST”?

In parliamentary system, the government is made by a party or a group of parties i.e. a coalition, which has support of majority of elected members present in the house.

A floor test is a motion through which the government of the day seeks to know whether it still enjoys the confidence of legislature.

In this procedure, a CM appointed by the Governor can be asked to prove majority on the floor of the Legislative Assembly of the state.

The chief minister has to move a vote of confidence and win a majority among those present and voting.

If the confidence motion fails to pass, the chief minister has to resign. The idea behind a floor test is to ensure transparency in the constitutional process.

WHAT IS COMPOSITE “FLOOR TEST”:

If there is more than one person staking claim to form the government and the majority is not clear, the governor may call for a special session to see who has the majority.

Some legislators may be absent or choose not to vote. In such a case, the majority is counted based on those present and voting

VOTING PROCESS:

These are the modes by which voting can be conducted:

Voice vote: In a voice vote, the legislators respond orally. Division vote: In case of a division vote, voting is done using electronic gadgets, slips or in a

ballot box.





Ballot vote: Ballot box is usually a secret vote – just like how people vote during state or parliamentary elections. The Supreme Court in its order on Friday rejected the Yeddurappa’s government’s request for a secret ballot.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: floor test

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

Political parties in India pursue power without adequate transparency and accountability.

Recent events yet again highlight the need for electoral reforms. Currently, in Madhya Pradesh, the ruling Congress is battling defections.

WHY CAPTURING POWER?

The primary goal of political parties is to capture power, and they use all the means at their disposal to obtain power.

Power brings money, privileges, and control of the treasury. The total budgeted expenditure of the Central government for 2019-20 is ₹27.86 lakh crore. So, the stakes are high.

Political parties in power are supposed to deliver good governance and serve the public, but usually power becomes an end in itself.

The fact that more and more freebies are being provided nowadays clearly shows that public funds are being used by those in power to lure voters, and are not necessarily being used for public service.

Factors that strengthen the growing deterioration in the quality of Election campaigns:





Rapidly increasing criminalisation of politics. In 2019, the Lok Sabha had 43% MPs with a criminal record, up from about 23% in 2004.

Widespread use of social media to spread fake news during an election campaign.

FACTORS AFFECTING TRANSPARENCY IN FORMING

OF POWER:

Total lack of transparency in the funding of political parties. Electoral bonds have made it even more difficult to trace the source of funds of political parties.

Political parties in power have complete hold over law and order.

CONSEQUENCES:

All governments, whether central or State, are in financial difficulty. More than 25% of the Central Budget is spent on paying interest on money borrowed by the government. Then there is deficit financing.

India’s fiscal deficit is among the highest in the developing world, with the IMF estimating it to be 7.5% of the GDP in 2019.

WAY FORWARD:

India needs a system that throws up parties and politicians whose primary goal is public service, not power.

That goal of having enlightened politicians who feel answerable to the people is perhaps distant.

Above all, we need political party reforms that make parties transparent, accountable and democratic.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: FACTORS AFFECTING TRANSPARENCY IN FORMING OF POWER IN

INDIA

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:





The government has constituted a Delimitation Commission, to be headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, to redraw Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies of the Union Territory Jammu and Kashmirand the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.

WHAT IS DELIMITATION?

Delimitation literally means the process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a state that has a legislative body.

WHO CARRIES OUT THE EXERCISE?

1. Delimitation is undertaken by a highly powerful commission. They are formally known as Delimitation Commission or Boundary Commission.

2. These bodies are so powerful that its orders have the force of law and they cannot be challenged before any court.

3. Such commissions have been constituted at least four times in India — in 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952; in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962; in 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972 and last in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.

4. The commissions’ orders are enforced as per the date specified by the President of India. Copies of these orders are laid before the Lok Sabha or the concerned Legislative Assembly. No modifications are permitted.

COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION:

According to the Delimitation Commission Act, 2002, the Delimitation Commission appointed by the Centre has to have three members:

1. a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court as the chairperson, 2. the Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner nominated by the CEC 3. the State Election Commissioner as ex-officio members

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Delimitation of Constituencies

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************





CONTEXT:

The Department of Personnel and Training has issued a notification providing the rules and prescribed format for filing complaints with the Lokpal.

KEY POINTS:

The notification, under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, lays down the rules called the Lokpal (Complaint) Rules, 2020.

IDENTITY PROOF:

o According to the complaint form, a complainant has to give a valid proof of identity, as specified therein.

o Foreign nationals can also lodge complaints. o Only a copy of their passports will be accepted as proof of identity.

MODE OF COMPLAINT:

The complaint can be filed electronically, by post or in person. In case the complaint is filed electronically, its hard copy has to be submitted to the Lokpal

within 15 days. No complaints can be filed against a public servant under the Army Act, Navy Act, Air Force

Act and the Coast Guard Act. The complaints, whose contents are illegible, vague or ambiguous, which are trivial or

frivolous, do not contain any allegation, are not filed within the limitation period of seven years, or are pending before any other court, tribunal or authority, will have to be disposed of within 30 days.

LANGUAGE:

A complaint may ordinarily be made in English, provided that the Lokpal may also entertain a complaint in any of the languages referred to in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.





PROTECTION:

o The identity of the complainant or the accused official will be protected by the Lokpal till the conclusion of inquiry or investigation.

o However, the protection will not be applicable in cases where the complainant herself reveals her identity to any other office or authority while making the complaint to Lokpal.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Rules for Filing Complaints with Lokpal

Sources: the Hindu.

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Context:

The Centre announced a Rs. 1.7 lakh crore relief package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and countrywide lockdown, providing free food and cash transfers to support the poorest and most vulnerable citizens during the crisis.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The move aims to provide the poor with food and money in hands so that they do not face difficulties in buying essential supplies and meeting essential needs.

THE COMPONENTS OF THE PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN PACKAGE INCLUDE:





4. INSURANCE SCHEME FOR HEALTH WORKERS WHO FIGHT COVID-19 IN HEALTH CARE CENTRES AND GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS:

Under the scheme, doctors, specialists, nurses, ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, Safai karamcharis, ward-boys, and other health workers will be covered. Any health profession meet with some accident while treating COVID-19 patients, will be compensated with an amount of Rs.50 lakh under the scheme. The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 22 lakh health workers.

2. PM GARIB KALYAN ANN YOJANA: As per the announcement made by the Finance Ministry, the scheme will cover 80 crore individuals across India. Under the scheme, the government aims to provide foodgrains to the people of India for the next 3 months. The beneficiaries of the scheme will be given adequate availability of protein. The people will be given 1 kg per family for the next three months.

3. PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN YOJANA: Under the scheme, the first installment of Rs.2,000 due in 2020-21 will be paid in April 2020. It will cover 8.7 crore farmers across India.

4. CASH TRANSFERS UNDER PM GARIB KALYAN YOJANA: A total of Rs.20.40 crores PMJDY women account-holders would be given an ex-gratia of Rs.500 per month for the next three months.

5. SELF-HELP GROUPS: The limit of the collateral-free lending of the 63 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs) has increased from Rs.10 to Rs 20 lakhs.

6. EMPLOYEES’ PROVIDENT FUND REGULATIONS (EPFR): This will allow the non-refundable advance of 75% of the amount or three months of the wages, whichever is lower, from their accounts due to the pandemic.

7. THE MINISTRY HAS CREATED A WELFARE FUND FOR BUILDING AND OTHER CONSTRUCTIONS WORKERS: Under the Central Government Act, the State Governments will be given directions to utilize the fund to provide assistance and support to these workers to protect them against economic disruptions.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?





For prelims and mains: relief package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

Context:

The Union Cabinet approved schemes that involve a total incentive of around Rs.48,000 crore to boost electronics manufacturing in the country. The information was passed by Union Minister Telecom and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

SCHEME HIGHLIGHTS:

Under the scheme, electronic manufacturing companies will be given an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales, over base year, of goods manufactured in India to eligible companies over a period of next 5 years.

The government aims to generate manufacturing revenue potential of Rs.10 lakh crore. Government plans to create direct and indirect jobs for 20 lakh people by 2025 through these

schemes. Also, Cabinet has approved production linked-incentive for electronics companies. The govt. will

give Rs. 40, 995 crore in the coming five years for production linked-incentive. The scheme also aims for the promotion of manufacturing of electronics components and

semiconductors with a budget outlay of Rs.3, 285 crore spread over a period of 8 years.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: schemes to boost electronics manufacturing in India

Sources: the Hindu.





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Context:

On March 20, 2020, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship presented the update on National Policy on Skill Development in Rajya Sabha.

Recognizing the need for skill development, National Skill Development Policy was formulated in 2009.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The following initiatives have been taken under the policy by the Ministry since 2015.

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana was launched under the policy. It provides short term skill training to the youth.

Notification of common norms for bringing about uniformity and standardization in implementation of various skill development schemes by different Central Ministries/Departments.

SANKALP-Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion. It is a project supported by World Bank. It focuses on apprenticeship training and support ITIs.

Sector Skill Councils were set up under National Occupation Standards. The Councils aim at improving the productivity of workers and reduce their skill gaps. STRIVE-The Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement scheme was launched under the

policy. It aims to improve the skills of workers through industrial training institutes.

NATIONAL POLICY ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT:

The Policy was launched in 2009 and was upgraded in 2015. The Policy aims at providing umbrella framework that will link skills and demand.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: the steps taken by Indian govt. to improve the productivity of

workers and reduce their skill gaps





Sources: pib

*****************************

Context:

TRIFED Launches transformational “Tech for Tribals” program in partnership with Institutes of National Importance (INIs) to develop Tribal entrepreneurship.

AIM:

To transform 5 crore Tribal Entrepreneurs

KEY FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM:

It is supported by Ministry of MSME. It also aims at capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce

gatherers enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri VanDhan Yojana (PMVDY). The trainees will undergo a 30 days program over six weeks comprising 120 sessions. The Partners will develop course contents relevant to Entrepreneurship in Value Addition and

Processing of Forest Produces. The course curriculum will include Achievement Motivation and positive psychology,

Entrepreneurial Competencies, Identification of locally available NTFP based Business Opportunities.

WHAT ARE VAN DHAN KENDRAS?

TRIFED under Ministry of Tribal Affairs is establishing 1,200 “Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK)”, across 28 States engaging 3.6 Lakhs Tribal Forest Produce gatherers.

One typical VDVK comprises of 15 Self Help Groups, each consisting of 20 Tribal gatherers.

ABOUT VAN DHAN VIKAS KENDRAS INITIATIVE:

The initiative aims to promote MFPs-centric livelihood development of tribal gatherers and artisans.

It mainstreams the tribal community by promoting primary level value addition to MFP at grassroots level.





IMPLEMENTATION:

1. The scheme will be implemented through Ministry of Tribal Affairs as Nodal Department at the Central Level and TRIFED as Nodal Agency at the National Level.

2. At State level, the State Nodal Agency for MFPs and the District collectors are envisaged to play a pivot role in scheme implementation at grassroot level.

3. Locally the Kendras are proposed to be managed by a Managing Committee (an SHG) consisting of representatives of Van Dhan SHGs in the cluster.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROGRAM:

It will ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and empowering them to run their business with marketable products with quality certifications.

Through this initiative, the share of tribals in the value chain of Non-Timber Forest Produce is expected to rise from the present 20% to around 60%.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: SIGNIFICANCE OF THE “Tech for Tribal“PROGRAM

Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:

Lok Sabha passed the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020

KEY FACTS:

The Bill will encourage IIITs to promote the study of Information Technology in the country through innovative and quality methods





It will amend the principal acts of 2014 and 2017. It will grant statutory status to five Indian Institutes of Information Technology in Public

Private Partnership mode at Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala and Raichur and declare them as Institutions of National Importance along with already existing 15 Indian Institutes of Information Technology under the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Act, 2017.

BACKGROUND:

(i) IIITs are envisaged to promote higher education and research in the field of Information Technology.

(ii) Under the Scheme of Setting up of 20 new IIITs in Public Private Partnership (IIIT PPP) mode as approved by the Union Cabinet on 26.11.2010, 15 IIITs are already covered by the IIIT (PPP) Act, 2017, while remaining 5 IIITs are to be included under the Schedule of the Act.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY AND TARGETS:

The objective of the present proposal is for formalization of IIITs at Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala and Raichur. After passage of the Act by the Parliament, they will be covered under the IIIT (PPP) Act, 2017, similar to the other 15 IIITs established under the scheme in PPP mode.

NO. OF BENEFICIARIES:

The emerging needs of the industry and the economy, as a whole for skilled technical manpower is expected to be met from the talent pool of trained personnel of the institutes.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Public-Private Partnership Act, 2017

Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:





Lok Sabha passes the The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

THE AIRCRAFT (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2020:

The Bill is intended to carry out amendments to the Aircraft Act, 1934 (XXII of 1934). The Bill enhances the maximum limit of fine from the existing ₹10 lakhs to ₹one crore. It also enlarges the scope of the Act to include regulation of all areas of air navigation. The proposed amendments would fulfill the safety requirements of International Civil

Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This will also enable the three regulatory bodies in the civil aviation sector in India—Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to become more effective.

This (the Bill) will lead to enhancement in the level of safety and security of aircraft operations in the country

A few other provisions would also be made part of the law that will also help in complying with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) requirements.

The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 also provides for keeping “aircraft belonging to any armed forces of the Union, other than naval, from military or air force outside the purview” of the Aircraft Act, 1934.

Other proposals include empowering BCAS or any authorised officer to issue directions, having designated officers for adjudging penalties and introducing a provision for compounding of offences.

SIGNIFICANCE:

o The amendments would fulfill the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

o This will enable the three regulatory bodies in the Civil Aviation sector in India, namely Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau to become more effective, which will lead to enhancement in the level of safety and security of aircraft operations in the country.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: significance of the bill

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

Parliament Passes Central Sanskrit Universities Bill 2020.

HIGHLIGHTS:

A Bill to grant the status of Central universities to three deemed Sanskrit universities were passed by the Rajya Sabha.

It gives Central status to the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in Delhi and the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in Tirupati.

BACKGROUND:

Lok Sabha passed the bill in December 2019 while it was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on March 02, 2020.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: about the bill

Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 is the upgraded version of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 1.0.The scheme is extended to all educational institutes.





KEY POINTS:

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is a flagship program of the Ministry for Human Resource Development (MHRD).

It aims to link the Higher Education Institutions with a set of at least (5) villages, so that these institutions can contribute to the economic and social betterment of these village communities using their knowledge base.

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is inspired by the vision of transformational change in rural development processes by leveraging knowledge institutions to help build the architecture of an Inclusive India.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF UNNAT BHARAT ABHIYAN

(UBA) ARE AS UNDER:

1. To engage the faculty and students of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in identifying development issues in rural areas and finding sustainable solutions for the same.

2. Identify & select existing innovative technologies, enable customisation of technologies, or devise implementation method for innovative solutions, as required by the people.

3. To allow HEIs to contribute to devising systems for smooth implementation of various Government programmes.

PERFORMANCE SO FAR:

Currently under the scheme, 13072 villages have been adopted by 2474 Institutes. The technological interventions under the UBA cover different subjects broadly categorized

like in the area of sustainable agriculture; water resource management; artisans, industries and livelihood; basic amenities (infrastructure & services) and rural energy system.

This has transformed the living conditions in villages and has been beneficial for rural India.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: OBJECTIVES OF UNNAT BHARAT ABHIYAN (UBA)

Sources: pib

*****************************





CONTEXT:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the introduction of the Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP).

WHY NEED THIS?

o The Scheme will create a mechanism that will create for reimbursement of taxes/ duties/ levies at the central, state, and local levels. The Scheme will be in line with “Digital India.”

o It aims to increase their productivity, boost exports, and contribute to the overall economy.

PROVISION:

Currently, the reimbursement of taxes/ duties/ levies is not being refunded under any other mechanism, but which are incurred in the process of manufacture and distribution of exported products.

The Scheme will boost the domestic industry and Indian exports providing a level playing field for Indian producers in the International market so that domestic taxes/duties are not exported.

An inter-ministerial committee will determine the rates and items for which the reimbursement of taxes and duties would be provided.

A refund under the Scheme will be in the form of transferable duty credit/electronic scrip that will be issued to the exporters, which will be maintained in an electronic ledger.

The Scheme will be implemented with end to end digitization. The Scheme will be a step towards zero-rating of exports, along with refunds such as

Drawback and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST). It is expected that the scheme would lead to the cost competitiveness of exported products in

international markets and better employment opportunities in export-oriented manufacturing industries.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?





For prelims and mains: steps taken by govt. to boost the domestic industry and Indian

exports

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

National Creche Scheme (earlier named as Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme) is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through States/UTs with effect from 1.1.2017 to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers.

NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME:

The salient features of the National Creche Scheme are as follows:

1. Daycare Facilities including Sleeping Facilities. 2. Early Stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school Education for 3 to 6 years old

children. 3. Supplementary Nutrition ( to be locally sourced) 4. Growth Monitoring 5. Health Check-up and Immunization

THE GUIDELINES:

1. Crèches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and half (7-1/2) hours per day. 2. The number of children in the crèche should not be more than 25 per crèche with 01 Worker

and 01 helper respectively. 3. User charges to bring in an element of community ownership and collected as under:

BPL families – Rs 20/- per child per month. Families with Income (Both Parents) of upto Rs. 12,000/- per month – Rs. 100/- per child per

month Families with Income (Both Parents) of above Rs. 12,000/- per month – Rs. 200/- per child per

month.





WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: salient features of the National Creche Scheme

Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:

Major Port Authorities Bill 2020 was introduced in the Loksabha by the minister of state for shipping (I/C) Shri Mansukh MANDAVIYA.

MAJOR PORT AUTHORITIES BILL, 2020:

The Bill seeks to provide for regulation, operation and planning of Major Ports in India and to vest the administration, control and management of such ports upon the Boards of Major Port Authorities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Decentralizing decision making and to infuse professionalism in governance of major ports. It would help to impart faster and transparent decision making benefiting the stakeholders

and better project execution capability. The Bill is aimed at reorienting the governance model in central ports to landlord port model

in line with the successful global practice. This will also help in bringing transparency in operations of Major Ports.

The Bill proposes to repeal the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963. The Bill is not aimed at the privatization of government ports. The number of labour

trustees will remain the same as earlier.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: PORT AUTHORITIES BILL

Sources: pib





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CONTEXT:

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs implements programmes /schemes for the six (6) centrally notified minority communities namely, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs .

ABOUT THE SCHEMES:

Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme – For educational empowerment of students.

Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme

Provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance.

Naya Savera – Free Coaching and Allied Scheme

The Scheme aims to provide free coaching to students/candidates belonging to minority communities for qualifying in entrance examinations of technical/ professional courses and Competitive examinations.

Padho Pardesh

Scheme of interest subsidy to students of minority communities on educational loans for overseas higher studies

Nai Udaan

Support for students clearing Prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), State Public Service Commission (PSC) Staff Selection Commission (SSC) etc.

Nai Roshni





Leadership development of women belonging to minority communities..

Seekho Aur Kamao

Skill development scheme for youth of 14 – 35 years age group and aiming at improving the employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc.

SKILL TRAINING PROJECT FOR YOUTHS:

Ministry of Minority affairs has also sanctioned a special project for Skill Training of Youths in the two UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh through an MoU signed with National Skill Development Corporation and National Skill Development Fund under Seekho aur Kamao.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) restructured in May 2018 earlier known as MsDP – Implemented for the benefit of the people from all sections of the society in identified Minority Concentration Areas for creation of assets in education, skill and health sectors.

Jiyo Parsi

Scheme for containing population decline of Parsis in India

USTTAD

(Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) launched in May 2015

Nai Manzil

A scheme for formal school education & skilling of school dropouts launched in Aug. 2015

Hamari Dharohar

A scheme to preserve rich heritage of minority communities of India under the overall concept of Indian culture implemented since 2014-15.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: ABOUT THE SCHEME

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) have launched the Vigyan Jyoti scheme on 8 March 2020. The scheme aims to encourage women to pursue science. Under the scheme, selected qualified women from more than 500 women are to be provided opportunities to attend science camps at NITs, IITS and other leading institutions in the country.

VIGYAN JYOTI:

Vigyan Jyoti is an initiative that will create a level-playing field for the meritorious girls in high school to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in their higher education.

Under the scheme, selected women from more than 500 districts will be given opportunities to attend science camps at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), NITs, and other leading institutions of science and technology education where women are not adequately represented.

TIFAC:

TIFAC was set up in 1988. It functions under the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology. It foresees the technological innovation in select technology areas that were of national importance.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Vigyan Jyoti scheme

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

The Government is implementing the ‘Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)’ across the country.

ABOUT THE SCHEME:

Introduced in: 2010

Implemented By: Ministry of Women and Child Development

Coverage: Pan-India

Implemented Through: Existing Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)

KEY OBJECTIVE:

To facilitate, educate and empower Adolescent Girls (AGs) so as to enable them to become self-reliant and aware citizens.

TARGET GROUP:

Out of school girls in the age group of 11-14 years, The scheme aims at motivating out of school girls to go back to formal schooling or vocational /skill training.

COMPONENTS:

o Nutrition: Provision for providing specified amount of calories, protein and micronutrients to AGs, etc.

o Non-nutrition: Includes health check-up, mainstreaming out of school girls into the school system, Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation, life skill education etc.

FUNDING PATTERN:

o SAG is a centrally sponsored scheme, implemented through Centre and State share in the ratio of 50:50 for nutrition component and 60:40 for the rest of the activities.





o For both components, the ratio is 90:10 for North Eastern and three Himalayan States and 100% for UTs without legislation.

ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SCHEME IS MEASURED

THROUGH:

SAG- Rapid Reporting System (RRS):

It is a role based Management Information System (MIS) that captures details of the AGs that are taking benefits under this scheme.

Kishore Health Card:

To record the information about the weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI) of AGs along with other services provided under the scheme. These health cards for AGs are maintained at the AWCs.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

The Lok Sabha approves Mines and Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill over the Delhi violence and other issues.

MINES AND MINERAL LAWS:

The Bill proposes to remove end-use restrictions for participating in coal mine auctions, and it will open up the coal sector fully for commercial mining for all domestic and global companies.





The process for the passage of the bill was underway when the House was adjourned following protests by Opposition members over controversial remarks by a Rajasthan MP against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her family members.

HIGHLIGHTS:

o The bill explains about the coal sector completely for commercial mining. o It intends to remove end-use restrictions to participate in coal mine auction. o The ordinance allows coal mining by any company present in industries other than steel and

power and does away with the captive end-use criteria. o While the move will help create an efficient energy market, usher, in competition, and reduce

coal imports, it may also bring an end to state-run Coal India Ltd’s (CIL) monopoly. o It is world’s fourth-largest coal reserves, India imported 235 million tonnes (mt) of coal last

year, of which 135mt valued at ₹171,000 crore could have been met from domestic reserves, coal and mines minister.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: MINES AND MINERAL LAWS

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

Lok Sabha passed the amendment of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020, on 4 March. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on 5 February 2020.

AIM:

o The amendment will extend the scope to cover litigation pending in various debt recovery

tribunals (DRTs).





o It also provides an opportunity to settle direct tax disputes within the current financial year by waiving interest and penalty on their pending taxes.

BILL PROVISION:

The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill provides a method for the resolution of pending tax disputes that are related to income tax and corporation tax that involve Rs.9.32 lakh crore.

It also defines an appellant as the income tax authority, or the person, or both, whose appeal is pending before any appellate forum as on 31 January 2020.

It will cover tax disputes pending at the level of commissioner (appeals), Income Tax Appellate Tribunals (ITAT), high courts (HCs), and the Supreme Court (SC).

The taxpayers will take advantage of the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme to settle the tax disputes before 31 March 2020, as 10% more will be charged for settlement of disputes after that date.

Also, arrears relate to disputed interest or penalty only, then 25% of disputed penalty or interest will be paid if the payment is made by 31 March 2020, beyond which the same shall be enhanced to 30%.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: BILL PROVISIONS

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

Under performance of National Pension Scheme for Traders, Shopkeepers and Self-Employed Persons

ABOUT THE SCHEME:

Just over 34,000 people have signed up so far. The Labour Ministry’s vision document in 2019 had set a target of 25 lakh enrolments for the

scheme in 2019-2020.





WHAT IS PRADHAN MANTRI LAGHU VYAPARI MAAN-

DHAN YOJANA?

It is a voluntary and contribution based central sector scheme. The government launched the scheme, entailing monthly minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 for the entry age group of 18-40 years after attaining the age of 60 years, with effect from July 22, 2019.

Under the scheme, the government makes matching contribution in the subscribers’ account.

The scheme is based on self-declaration as no documents are required except bank account and Aadhaar Card.

ELIGIBILITY:

1. All small shopkeepers, self-employed persons and retail traders aged between 18-40 years and with Goods and Service Tax (GST) turnover below Rs.1.5 crore can enrol for pension scheme.

2. To be eligible, the applicants should not be covered under the National Pension Scheme, Employees’ State Insurance Scheme and the Employees’ Provident Fund or be an Income Tax assessee.

BENEFITS TO THE FAMILY ON DEATH OF AN ELIGIBLE SUBSCRIBER:

During the receipt of pension, if an eligible subscriber dies, his spouse shall be only entitled to receive fifty per cent. Of the pension received by such eligible subscriber, as family pension and such family pension shall be applicable only to the spouse.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: about the scheme

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:





The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) will soon undertake real-time assessment of government’s flagship youth employment scheme the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushlya Yojana (DDU-GKY).

KAUSHAL BHARATH:

The institute has developed an enterprise resource planning platform called ‘Kaushal Bharath,’ to enable states to capture data on projects under DDU-GKY and for the information to be collated in one system.

ABOUT DEEN DAYAL UPADHYAYA GRAMEEN

KAUSHALYA YOJANA (DDU-GKY):

It is a placement linked skill development program which allows skilling in a PPP mode and assured placements in regular jobs in an organization not owned by the skilled person.

DDU-GKY is being undertaken as PPP Project all over the country through Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) registered with the Ministry of Rural Development.

Further, Guidelines of the scheme mandate State Governments to take up skill training projects with Corporate Social Responsibility funding.

DDU-GKY Guidelines provide for setting apart 15% of the funds of the funds at for national level beneficiaries from among minority groups.

BENEFICIARY ELIGIBILITY:

Rural Youth:15 – 35 Yrs SC/ST/Women/PVTG/PWD: upto 45 Yrs

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: IMPLICATION OF THE SCHEME

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

The 11th National Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Conference was held in New Delhi.

KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRA (KVK):

KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry.

The mandate of KVK is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development.

It aims at assessment of location specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.

KVKs also produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers.

The KVK scheme is 100% financed by the Government of India and the KVKs are sanctioned to Agricultural Universities, ICAR institutes, related Government Departments and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) working in Agriculture.

KVKs act as a bridge between the laboratories and farmland. According to the Government, these are crucial to fulfilling the target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

DEVELOPMENTS IN AGRICULTURE

o R&D has been done in the Agriculture sector. o Superior crop varieties have been released. (Eg;-Wheat: HD 4728 (Pusa Malvi)) o 171 mobile apps developed for farmers. (Eg:-Kisan Suvidha) o More than three lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) opened. o eNAM portal has been created so that the farmer gets a better price for his produce.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: objectives of the conference

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:





The Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) Scheme is one of the several pioneering initiatives started by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for promoting women in science.

KEY POINTS:

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing ‘Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN)’ Scheme to provide various career opportunities to women scientists and technologists.

It is primarily aimed to bring gender parity in the Science & Technology sector by inducting more women talent in the research & development domain through various programmes.

It also provides fellowship support ranging from Rs 25000 to 55000 to women ranging in the age group 27 to 57 years for continuing higher education in Science and Technology after a break in career.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: significance of the scheme

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

To acknowledge Women’s achievements, the Government of India confers Nari Shakti Puraskars on eminent women and institutions in recognition of their service towards the cause of women empowerment.

KEY FACTS:

It is initiated in the year 1999. The awards are given away by the President of India every year.





The Nari Shakti Puraskar, instituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, are “National Award in recognition of exceptional work for women empowerment” conferred every year on March 8.

As a mark of respect and recognition for those who have demonstrated exemplary courage and stellar contribution towards empowerment of women.

The Nari Shakti Puraskar carries a cash award of Rs.1 Lakh and a certificate for individuals and institutions.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

1. Open to individuals, groups and institutions for outstanding work towards empowerment of women.

2. Individual applicant must be at least 25 years of age. 3. Institutions must have at least 5 years of relevant experience.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Nari Shakti Puraskar

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has directed all the States and Union Territories to organise Special Gram Sabhas and Mahila Sabhas (Women’s Assemblies) in all Gram Panchayats on 8th March, 2020 to mark the International Women’s Day.

THEME:





The theme of the International Women’s Day 2020 is “Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.

The Gram Sabhas will hold discussions on “Poshan Panchayat”, land rights, education, safety, reproductive health and equal opportunity.

It will also highlight issues like the importance of breastfeeding during the first 1,000 days of the new-borns for their ideal physical and mental growth; and raising awareness about Child Helpline – 1098.

ROLE OF WOMEN IN PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTION:

PRI was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to build democracy at the grass roots level and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country.

The act provides for a Gram Sabha as the foundation of the panchayati raj system. The act provides for the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for

women (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging the SCs and STs). So far 20 States have enacted legislation to raise women’s reservation to 50% in Panchayati

Raj Institutions (PRIs). As a result, out of the 30.41 lakh elected representatives of PRIs, 13.74 lakh (45.2%) are

elected women, some of them from socially disadvantaged groups.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: ROLE OF WOMEN IN PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTION

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has invited suggestions and feedback for simplification of the adoption





process from all stakeholders, including prospective adoptive parents, specialized adoption agencies, child welfare committees, state adoption resource agencies and the general public.

ADOPTION IN INDIA:

In India, an Indian citizen or a non-resident Indian (NRI) can adopt a child under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act of 1956 and the Guardian and Wards Act of 1890.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS:

1. The prospective adoptive parents shall be physically, mentally and emotionally stable, financially capable and shall not have any life-threatening medical condition.

2. Any prospective adoptive parents, irrespective of his marital status and whether or not he has biological son or daughter, can adopt a child subject to following, namely: –

3. the consent of both the spouses for the adoption shall be required, in case of a married couple;

4. a single female can adopt a child of any gender; 5. a single male shall not be eligible to adopt a girl child; 6. No child shall be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of stable

marital relationship. 7. The minimum age difference between the child and either of the prospective adoptive parents

shall not be less than twenty-five years. 8. The age criteria for prospective adoptive parents shall not be applicable in case of relative

adoptions and adoption by step-parent. 9. Couples with three or more children shall not be considered for adoption except in case of

special need children.

ABOUT CARA:

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India.

It functions as the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions.

CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptionsin accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by Government of India in 2003.

CARA primarily deals with adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through its associated /recognised adoption agencies.

CARA is also mandated to frame regulations on adoption-related matters from time to time as per Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.





WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: CARA

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

On the occasion of National Science Day (28th February), the Government has announced 11 chairs in the name of eminent Indian women scientists in various fields.

THEME:

‘Women in Science’

KEY POINTS:

The programme intends to encourage, empower women and give due recognition to young women researchers excelling in various fields.

The 11 Chairs have been instituted in various areas of research including Agriculture, Biotechnology, Immunology, Phytomedicine, Biochemistry, Medicine, Social Sciences, Earth Science & Meteorology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics & Fundamental Research.

Additionally, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) have jointly established 10 chairs across different universities after eminent womento encourage women to pursue higher education and excel in their chosen fields.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?





For prelims and mains: women empowerment

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

Ministry of Culture has announced that it is to revisit the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. The Act regulates construction around centrally-protected monuments and classifies them based on their historical significance.

POLICY:

Currently, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, imposed a ban on construction of any kind within a 100m periphery of centrally-protected monuments. It also allows only certain types of regulated construction within the 100-200m perimeter.

The existing provisions hinder much significant development work around these areas. Therefore, in 2018, the government moved an amendment to the law in order to remove

these restrictions. In February 2019, a parliamentary standing committee examined the bill and submitted its

report. The Committee advocated the need for a law that balanced the preservation of monuments of

historical significance and development of infrastructure around the monuments.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?





For prelims and mains: Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Sites of India

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

The annual “Attukal Pongala”, one of the largest all-women religious congregations began recently amid the Coronavirus threat.

WHY IN NEWS?

Tens of thousands of women offered Pongala at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple here on Monday under the grim shadow of Coronavirus and amid heightened disease surveillance by the government apparatus.

Many devotees were seen sporting masks, ominous reminders of the outbreak which has assumed global proportions.

News of the sixth Coronavirus case in Kerala in two days broke from Kochi even as devotees were engaged in last-minute preparations for the annual ritual, described as ‘Women’s Sabarimala’ and the largest assemblage of women.

ATTUKAL PONGALA FESTIVAL:

Pongala is a ten-day- long festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple. The festival commences with the musical rendering of the story of the Goddess (Kannaki

Charitam) during the “Kappu Kettu ceremony”. The story invokes the presence of Kodungallur Bhagavathy and the slaying of the Pandyan

King. This festival commemorates the victory of Good over Evil, by the slaying of Pandyan King.

The event of the Goddess annihilating the Pandyan King is accompanied by much sound and fury of the temple drums and “Vaykurava” by devotees, immediately followed by the lighting of the hearths for the preparation of the offering for the Goddess.

PONGALA:





Pongala, which means ‘to boil over’, is the ritual in which women prepare sweet payasam (a pudding made from rice, jaggery, coconut and plantains cooked together) and offer it to the Goddess or ‘Bhagavathy’.

The pongala is cooked in pots – preferably earthen.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: rituals to celebrate ATTUKAL PONGALA FESTIVAL

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

The three-day-long Namaste Orchha festival kick-started to promote tourism showcasing the rich culture and history of the town

HIGHLIGHTS:

The festival was organized by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to improve the state as a leading tourism destination.

Brijender Singh Rathore announced the construction of the bridge for Betwa and the Jamni River.

The Permission has been granted to build Bridge for Jamni and Betwa. The tenders have been passed for the same.

ABOUT NAMASTE ORCHHA FESTIVAL:

Namaste Orchha is an initiative by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to promote the state as a leading tourism destination in India.

Madhya Pradesh government plans to develop the ancient Ram Raja Temple in Orchha into a major pilgrimage and tourist attraction on the lines of Somnath Temple, Tirumala Tirupati, and Golden Temple.

The exhibitions with the majestic Orchha fort, showcasing the state handicraft heritage and legacies, sustainable fashion and design presentations in collaboration with master-craftsmen and well known global-local brands.





The debut edition of the festival also brings forth a unique set of dance performances that narrate the hidden history of the town.

The festival will feature diverse activities of music, art, wellness, travel, nature, adventure, history, and culture on the other two editions of the program.

Notably, Orchha won the Best Heritage City at the National Tourism Awards 2017-18 and is on the shortlist for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: features of NAMASTE ORCHHA FESTIVAL

Sources: the Hindu.

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Context:

As the proportion of patients infected with COVID-19 continues to rise in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is facilitating access to COVID-19 convalescent plasma for use in patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections.

WHY WAS THIS NECESSARY?

While clinical trials are underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of administering convalescent plasma to patients with COVID-19, the FDA is granting clinicians permission for use of investigational convalescent plasma under single-patient emergency Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs), since no known cure exists and a vaccine is more than 1 year away from becoming available.

WHAT IS CONVALESCENT PLASMA THERAPY?

o It seeks to make use of the antibodies developed in the recovered patient against the

coronavirus.





o The whole blood or plasma from such people is taken, and the plasma is then injected in critically ill patients so that the antibodies are transferred and boost their fight against the virus.

WHO GUIDELINES:

WHO guidelines in 2014 mandate a donor’s permission before extracting plasma. Plasma from only recovered patients must be taken, and donation must be done from people

not infected with HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, or any infectious disease. If whole blood is collected, the plasma is separated by sedimentation or centrifugation, and

then injected in the patient. If plasma needs to be collected again from the same person, it must be done after 12 weeks

of the first donation for males and 16 weeks for females, the WHO guidelines state.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: plasma therapy

Sources: indian express

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Context:

A team of scientists from the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune studied the HTT gene in fruit flies.

Mutations in the HTT gene (also called Huntington or HD gene) cause Huntington Disease (HD).

HUNTINGTON DISEASE:

Huntington Disease (HD) is a progressive genetic disorder which affects the brain. It causes uncontrolled movements, impaired coordination of balance and movement, a

decline in cognitive abilities, difficulty in concentrating and memory lapses, mood swings and personality changes.

The HTT genes are involved in the production of a protein called huntingtin. They provide the instruction for making the protein.





Mutated genes provide faulty instructions leading to production of abnormal huntingtin proteins and formation of clumps.

These clumps disrupt the normal functioning of the brain cells, which eventually leads to death of neurons in the brain, resulting in Huntington disease.

No cure exists, but drugs, physiotherapy and talk therapy can help manage some symptoms.

KEY FINDINGS:

In the study on fruit flies, it was observed that the pathogenic Huntingtin protein causes a decrease in the overall protein production in cells.

The Huntingtin clumps collect together (sequester) molecules of another protein called Orb2, which is also involved in the process of protein formation.

Orb2 protein is crucial for maintenance of memory in fruit flies. In humans, a family of proteins called CPEB is equivalent to the Orb2 protein in fruit flies. Further studies found that the CPEB proteins are also sequestered by the pathogenic

Huntingtin clumps, similar to the Orb2 protein molecules. The study, thus, becomes relevant to and valuable in understanding HD in humans.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: cure of HUNTINGTON DISEASE

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

Promoting health and prevention of disease and risk factors is an important aspect of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram under the National Health Mission.

PLATFORMS USED TO PROMOTE:





Various platforms being used to promote health and well-being of adolescents through Social and Behaviour Change Communication are as follows:

Quarterly Adolescent Health Day Peer Educator Programme in the community and schools

RASHTRIYA KISHOR SWASTHYA KARYAKRAM HAS THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:

The Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) are established across various levels of public health institutions in all the States.

Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme is being implemented for school going adolescent boys and girls and out of school adolescent girls across the country.

The Peer Educator Programme is being implemented in select 200 districts, based on Composite Health Index and identified as High Priority Districts (HPDs). Within, these districts, 50% of the blocks are beingcovered for implementation of Peer Educator Programme in entirety.

Under the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme, funds are provided to the States/UTs for procurement of sanitary napkins for Adolescent Girls (aged 10-19 years) as per proposals received from them in their Annual Programme Implementation Plans.

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) focuses on reaching out alladolescents include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ).

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: components of RASHTRIYA KISHOR SWASTHYA KARYAKRAM

Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:

Poona Citizen Doctor Forum (PCDF), a body that aims to rebuild trust among citizens and doctors, and promote ethical rational medical practice, has come forward to bust the aggressively promoted concept of cord blood banking.





KEY POINTS:

Over the past decade, stem cell banking has been aggressively marketed even as its use is still in experimental stages.

The stem cell banking companies get access to data of to-be parents and start approaching their prospective customers much before the delivery and offer competitive packages.

Companies convince parents to bank the cells for several years promising future therapeutic use.

Enormous fees are charged from parents to preserve cells merely by emotional marketing. However, according to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), there is no scientific

basis for preservation of cord blood for future self use and this practice therefore raises ethical and social concerns.

The ICMR does not recommend commercial stem cell banking. Private storage of the cord blood is advisable when there is an elder child in the family with a

condition treatable with these cells and the mother is expecting the next baby. In other situations, parents should be educated about the limitations of banking at this point

of time.

WHAT IS CORD BLOOD BANKING?

Cord blood is the blood from the baby that is left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth. Cord blood banking involves taking the umbilical cord blood, which is a rich source of stem cells, and preserving it for future use.

It contains special cells called hematopoietic stem cells that can be used to treat some types of diseases.

Hematopoietic stem cells can mature into different types of blood cells in the body.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: CORD BLOOD BANKING

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:





The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry( FICCI) is organising India Pharma 2020 & India Medical Device 2020 Conference & Exhibition .

THEME:

“India Pharma

VISION:

Meeting Challenges of Affordable and Quality Healthcare and India Medical Device: Promoting Affordable responsible and Quality Medical Device for Universal Health Care”

OBJECTIVES:

o To encourage innovations to further reduce the cost of quality healthcare for all and a platform to the global investment community to connect with stakeholders in the Medical Device Sector in India.

o To promote consumer centric manufacturing by involving Medical Electronics, Devices, Health Diagnostics, Hospitals and Surgical Equipment etc.

INDIAN PHARMA INDUSTRY:

The Indian pharmaceutical market is the third largest in terms of volume and thirteenth largest in terms of value.

India is the largest supplier of generic medicines globally. From 2018-19, India’s pharmaceutical exports were worth USD 19.13 billion with a growth of

10.72% over USD17.28 billion in pharma exports the previous year.. The cost of manufacturing in India is approximately 33% lower than that of the US. India is also the largest vaccine producer in the world. Bio-Pharma is the largest sector contributing to 62% of the total revenue.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: OBJECTIVES of the conference

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that the schemes for the merger of 10 state-run banks into four lenders will come into force from 1 April.

MERGER SCHEMES OF LENDERS:

RBI also stated that the branches of merging banks will operate as of the banks in which the banks have been amalgamated.

The banks sought to defer the merger schemes of lenders due to the lockdown triggered by coronavirus outbreak. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the megabank consolidation plan would take effect from 1 April 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND:

On 4 March, the government of India notified the amalgamation schemes for 10 state-owned banks into four as part of its consolidation plan. The move aimed to create bigger size stronger banks in the public sector.

THE AMALGAMATION OF 10 PSBS INTO FOUR BANKS INCLUD:

(i) Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) and United Bank of India into Punjab National Bank (PNB)

(ii) Syndicate Bank into Canara Bank

(iii) Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank into Union Bank of India

(iii) Allahabad Bank into Indian Bank

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: banks merger scheme

Sources: the Hindu.





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Context:

Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has come out with its own measures to help deal with economic fallout of COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time that the MPC met outside its bi-monthly meeting calendar.

FOUR STEPS TAKEN BY THE RBI:

1. Increase the liquidity in the system. 2. Make sure the lower policy rate is transmitted. Steps one and two are linked. 3. Give a three-month window for a payback on all term loans. 4. Take steps to reduce volatility and provide stability.

MEASURES ANNOUNCED AND THEIR IMPACT:

CUT IN REPO RATE:

A big cut in the repo rate by 75 basis points (100 basis points make a per cent, so three-quarters of a percentage point) to 4.4%.

A low repo rate has the overall effect of reducing interest rates for the system. Lower rates make it easier for entrepreneurs to take loans for working capital and for households for homes, vehicles and so on.

CUT IN REVERSE REPO RATE:

The ratio has been cut by 90 bps to 4%. This is the rate at which banks lend to the RBI. A reduction of the reverse repo to 4% makes it unattractive to banks to park it with the RBI

and banks will be nudged to lend.

MORATORIUM ON REPAYMENTS OF LOANS:





RBI has also allowed banks to defer payment of Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) on home, car, personal loans as well as credit card dues for three months till May 31.

The RBI also allowed lending institutions, banks to defer interest on working capital repayments by 3 months — a move aimed at addressing the distress among firms as production is down.

For banks and lending institutions, this will affect their cash flows as they may not be getting repayments for three months. But the RBI has reduced their cash reserve ratio (CRR) requirements, providing them additional liquidity.

CUT IN CASH RESERVE RATIO (CRR):

The RBI reduced the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by a full percentage point down to 3% for a year. The CRR is the percentage of demand and time deposits banks have to keep with the RBI.

RBI has reduced the CRR to 3%, freeing up ₹1.37 trillion for banks to lend. CRR has been chosen rather than SLR because this increases ‘primary liquidity’ with the banks a bit better.

Targeted long-term repo operations: RBI will lend money to banks (a total of ₹1 trillion) that can be invested in bonds and other

forms of lending instruments. TLTRO will provide financing to credit institutions.

MARGINAL STANDING FACILITY (MSF):

₹1.37 trillion will be made available under the emergency lending window called the marginal standing facility (MSF).

Banks will now be able to borrow 3% of their deposits under this window, up from the current 2%. Basically, RBI is willing to lend more than before.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Indian economy, RBI’s Economic Relief Package

Sources: the Hindu.

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Context:





The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for continuation of the process of recapitalization of Regional Rural Banks to improve their Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio.

BENEFITS:

A financially stronger and robust Regional Rural Banks with improved CRAR will enable them to meet the credit requirement in the rural areas.

RRBs are primarily catering to the credit and banking requirements of agriculture sector and rural areas with focus on small and marginal farmers, micro & small enterprises, rural artisans and weaker sections of the society.

With the recapitalization support to augment CRAR, RRBs would be able to continue their lending to these categories of borrowers under their PSL target, and thus, continue to support rural livelihoods.

BACKGROUND:

Consequent upon RBI’s decision to introduce disclosure norms for Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of RRBs with effect from March 2008, a committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Dr. K.C. Chakrabarty.

Based on the Committee’s recommendations, a Scheme for Recapitalization of RRBs was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 10th February, 2011 to provide recapitalization support.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: benefits to Recapitalization of Regional Rural Banks

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:





The Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by India provide tariff concessions thereby giving opportunities for exports of products including those related to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

HIGHLIGHTS:

Some of the SME products on which tariff concessions have been provided by trading partners such as Japan, South Korea and some ASEAN countries fall into the category of readymade garments, leather goods, processed foods and engineering products like auto components.

The specific export promotion schemes for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) include those for participation in international exhibitions and fairs, training programme on packaging for exports, Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme for MSME exporters and National Award for quality products.

Some of the other measures taken by the Government which would promote trade and benefit exports from SMEs are specific schemes under the new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-20 such as Interest Equalization Scheme on pre and post shipment rupee export credit, Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS).

Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS), double weightage for export entitlement to SMEs for grant of one star export house, electronic filing and issuance for specified FTP Schemes, online platform for preferential certificates of origin, etc .

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: about the agreement

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

The Coronavirus outbreak is having a negative impact on the various sectors of the economy.





IMPACT ON INDIAN ECONOMY:

GDP GROWTH RATE

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has slashed India’s growth forecast for 2020-21 by 110 basis points (bps) to 5.1%, warning that the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on business confidence, financial markets and the travel sector, including disruption to supply chains, could shave 50 bps off global growth in 2020.

PHARMACEUTICALS

Given the pharmaceutical industry’s deep linkages to China, the supply chain of raw materials of drugs has taken a hit.

o The production facilities in Himachal Pradesh — largest pharma hub of Asia — have warned of suspension.

o Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), also called bulk drugs, are significant ingredients in the manufacture of drugs. The Hubei province of China, the epicentre of the coronavirus, is the hub of the API manufacturing industry.

o India is heavily import-dependent for APIs from China. India’s API imports stand at around $3.5 billion per year, and around 70%, or $2.5 billion, come from China.

AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

o China is one of the leading suppliers of auto components in India, accounting for 27% of the total imports.

o The coronavirus is expected to have an impact on the Indian automotive industry and therefore also on the automobile component and forging industries, which had already reduced their production rate due to the market conditions and on account of the impending change over to BS-VI emission norms from BS-IV from April 2020.

STOCK MARKET

o On 28th February, the Indian stock market registered one of its worst crashes in a single day. Indian indices fell over 3.5%, marking the second biggest fall in Sensex history.

o The Sensex plunged 1,448.37 points to close at 38,297.29, while the Nifty tanked 3.711% or 431.55 points to settle a little above the 11,200 mark.

o The Sensex’s worst fall in history was on 24th August, 2015, when the indices fell 1,624 points on the back of a slump in the Chinese markets and rising crude oil prices.

CURRENCY

o The month of March is typically good for the Indian currency as remittances, from both overseas citizens and companies tend to boost the exchange rate.

o In the past decade, the rupee has appreciated seven times against the dollar in March. But March 2020 could be hard on the exchange rate and the rupee’s sharp drop to 73.25 per dollar





on 3rd March, 2020 is evidence of this. One of the reasons is an increase in the number of reported cases of coronavirus in India.

GLOBAL SCENARIO:

GLOBAL GROWTH:

The world’s economy could grow at its slowest rate since 2009 this year due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD has forecast growth of just 2.4% in 2020, down from 2.9% in November 2019

FALL IN CUSTOMER DEMAND:

Some people are choosing to avoid activities that might expose them to the risk of infection, such as going out shopping. Restaurants, car dealerships and shops have all reported a fall in customer demand.

TRAVEL INDUSTRY:

The number of cases diagnosed is increasing around the world every day. Thus, many countries have introduced travel restrictions to try to contain the virus’s spread, impacting the travel industry massively.

BENEFICIARIES:

o Consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser, for example, has seen a boost in sales for its Dettol and Lysol products. The disinfectant is seen as providing protection against the spread of the disease, although its effectiveness has not yet been scientifically proven.

o The price of gold – which is often considered a “safe haven” in times of uncertainty – has also increased. Its spot price hit a seven-year high of $1,682.35 per ounce in February 2020.

PERCEIVED ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM CORONAVIRUS:

FALL IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES GLOBALLY:

Falling Chinese exports, faster than expected pace of shrinking of the Japanese economy, increasing cases of Coronavirus outside China, and disruption of global supply chains, have contributed to the panic in the financial markets worldwide.

INVESTMENT OUTFLOW:

Selling of securities by foreign institutional investors have contributed to the sharp selloff in Indian markets.





o A sell-off occurs when a large volume of securities are sold in a short period of time. This leads to decline in the price of the security.

o Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) refer to outside companies investing in the financial markets of India.

FALL IN GLOBAL CRUDE PRICES:

Top crude oil producers Saudi Arabia and Russia have begun a price war. Saudi Arabia slashed its oil prices after it failed to convince Russia to support sharp crude oil production cuts.

A three-year supply pact between members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia collapsed after Russia refused to support deeper oil cuts to cope with the substantial fall in demand caused by the impact of coronavirus on travel and economic activity.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

o In the Sensex pack, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) was the worst performer, losing over 16%.

o State-owned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have reduced the prices of sensitive petroleum products such as petrol and diesel by 30 paise and 25 paise a litre respectively across major cities.

LONG-TERM IMPACT

o The fall in the prices of crude oil goes well for the Indian economy as India imports more than 80% of its oil requirements.

o The savings on oil imports is estimated to be around US $30 billion in the Financial Year 2021 if there is no significant uptick in global demand. This will help in arresting the rising inflation in the country.

o However, according to some experts, very low prices imply less growth for emerging countries like India, thus impacting negatively.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: economic impact of corona virus

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

Scientists from the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI) developed a process for size-selective deposition of nanocomposite coatings, which can reduce the friction of these dynamic systems

NEED:

The aerospace, defence, automobile, space devices are in need to reduce friction, wear, and tear caused in the device in order to enhance the life of components. At present, to reduce friction, the dynamic systems are lubricated, which adds to the cost, complexity, and weight of these systems.

NANO-COMPOSITE COATINGS:

The newly developed coating is of nickel tungsten-based with impregnation of particular sized Silicon Carbide (SiC) submicron particles. It uses economical and straightforward pulsed electroplating or electrodeposition process.

It can provide an excellent combination of wear and corrosion resistance with the low friction coefficient and good oil retention capacity.

The coating can withstand corrosion due to salt spray better than many similar wear-resistant coatings available in the market.

ARCI:

o ARCI was established in 1997. It functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI.

o It is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. o ARCI is mandated to develop High-Performance Materials and Processes for Niche Markets,

demonstrate technologies at Prototype/pilot scale, and transfer of Technology to Indian Industry.

o The centre is chaired by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Former Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, and Mumbai.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Nano-Technolgy

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

A team of researchers led by Dr. L. S. Limaye, ex-scientist at the Department of Biotechnology’s National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) at Pune have found a way to tackle the issue.

WHY IN NEWS:

They have found that the process can be speeded up by adding a very low concentration of a small protein molecule called `transforming growth factor β1’ (TGF-β1), along with a hormone called `erythropoietin’ (EPO), to the growth medium. They could cut down the process time by three days.

KEY POINTS:

The process of generation of RBCs in the laboratory from HSCs can be speeded up by adding a very low concentration of a small protein molecule called `Transforming Growth Factor β1’ (TGF-β1), along with a hormone called `Erythropoietin’ (EPO). The whole process takes 18 days.

Usually, the addition of only Erythropoietin (EPO) to HSCs generates RBCs in 21 days. Indian researchers have found that the addition of TGF-β1 with EPO has cut down the

processing time by three days. The physical appearance and the quality of the cells formed have revealed that the RBCs

formed using this procedure is normal.

CURRENT ISSUE:

The blood banks, particularly in developing countries, often face a severe shortage of whole blood as well as components of blood like red blood cells.

Various groups have been able to produce RBCs in the laboratory from HSCs. However, the process takes a long time – around 21 days.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?





For prelims and mains: components of blood

Sources: thehindu

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CONTEXT:

Researchers from the Raman Research Institute (RRI) (autonomous institution under the Department of Science & Technology) have devised a new test for fairness of quantum coin or qubit using entanglement theory.

KEY POINTS:

The test uses entanglement to test the fairness of the quantum coin. Their strategy enables better discrimination between quantum states. Such an advantage is valuable in quantum sensors

This is a significant contribution to quantum state discrimination and an essential aspect of quantum information science which is expected to influence quantum sensing.

QUANTUM INFORMATION AND QUANTUM COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY:

The domain of Quantum Information and Quantum Computing Technology is a growing area of research which is expected to influence Data Processing, which in turn, plays a central role in our lives in this Information Age.

For instance, bank transactions, online shopping and so on crucially depend on the efficiency of information transfer.

Thus the work on quantum state discrimination is expected to be valuable in people’s lives in the current era.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?





For prelims and mains: QUANTUM technolgy

Sources: pib

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Context:

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck in the northern Pacific and a tsunami warning was issued for the closest shores on Russia’s far eastern Kuril Islands.

HIGHLIGHTS: The earthquakes of this strength in the region have caused tsunamis in the past far from the epicenter of the earthquake. The epicenter is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above a hypocenter or focus. (The hypocenter is where an earthquake or an underground explosion originates.)

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF KURIL ISLANDS:

Kuril Islands are stretched from the Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula separating Okhotsk Sea from the North Pacific ocean.

It consists of 56 islands and minor rocks. The chain is part of the belt of geologic instability circling the Pacific and contains at least 100

volcanoes, of which 35 are still active, and many hot springs. Earthquakes and tidal waves are common phenomena over these islands.





KURIL ISLAND

DISPUTED ISLANDS

INTRODUCTION

The Kuril Islands or Kurile Islands is a volcanic archipelago in Russia's Sakhalin Oblast that stretches approximately 1,300 km (810 mi) northeast from Hokkaido, Japan to Kamchatka, Russia, separating the Sea of Okhotsk from the north Pacific Ocean. There are 56 islands and many minor rocks.

It consists of the Greater Kuril Chain and the Lesser Kuril Chain. The total land area is 10,503.2 square kilometres (4,055.3 sq mi),and the total population is

19,434

OVERVIEW Location Pacific Ocean Total islands 56 Area 10,503.2 km2 Highest point Alaid 2,339 metres Population 19,434 (as of 2010) Administered By: Russia Claimed By: Japan

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

ORIGINAL INHABITANTS- AINU PEOPLE

The Kurils were originally inhabited by the Ainu people, and they were later settled by the Russians and Japanese, following several waves of exploration in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Ainu or the Aynu, also known as the Ezo in the historical Japanese texts, are an indigenous people of Japan and Russia.

SOVEREIGNTY ISSUE OF SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS

The Kuril Islands dispute between Japan and Russia is over the sovereignty of South Kuril Islands.

The South Kuril Islands comprises Etorofu island, Kunashiri island, Shikotan island and the Habomai island. These islands are claimed by Japan but occupied by Russia as successor state of the Soviet Union.

Figure 6 KURIL ISLANDS





These islands are known as Southern Kurils by Russia whereas Japan calls them Northern Territories.

Treaty of Shimoda (1855)

In 1855, Japan and Russia concluded the Treaty of Shimoda, which gave control of the four southernmost islands to Japan and the remainder of the chain to Russia.

Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1875):

In the Treaty of Saint Petersburg, signed between two countries in 1875, Russia ceded possession of the Kurils to Japan in exchange for uncontested control of Sakhalin Island.

Yalta Agreement (1945):

In 1945, as part of the Yalta agreements (formalized in the 1951 Treaty of Peace with Japan), the islands were ceded to the Soviet Union, and the Japanese population was repatriated and replaced by Soviets.

The San Francisco Peace Treaty signed between the Allies and Japan in 1951, states that Japan must give up “all right, title and claim to the Kuril Islands”, but it also does not recognize the Soviet Union’s sovereignty over them.

Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration (1956):

The dispute over the islands has prevented the conclusion of a peace treaty to end World War II.

In 1956, diplomatic ties were restored between Japan and Russia by Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration.

During that time, Russia offered to give away the two islands closest to Japan. But the offer was rejected by Japan as the two islands constituted only 7% of the land in question.

Developments After 1991:

Despite a series of agreements, the dispute continues and Japan still claims historical rights to the southernmost islands and has tried repeatedly to persuade the Soviet Union and, from 1991, Russia to return those islands to Japanese sovereignty.

In 2018, the Russian President and the Japanese Prime Minister (PM) met on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit and decided to end the territorial dispute by Japanese PM agreeing to negotiate based on the 1956 declaration.

This implicitly showed that Japan has given up the two islands to maintain peace with Russia. However, Russia indicated that the joint declaration signed by Japan and the Soviet Union in

1956 neither mentions a basis for returning Habomai and Shikotan nor clarifies which country has sovereignty over the islands.

Further, in 2019, Japanese PM made it clear that the country is not in the favour of withdrawing control over the Islands. Japan also believes that the islands are the inherent part of the nation’s territory. Therefore, Japan mentioned that it aims to sign the peace treaty after the territorial issue is resolved.



https://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit



GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF KURIL ISLANDS

Kuril Islands are stretched from the Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula separating Okhotsk Sea from the North Pacific ocean.

It consists of 56 islands and minor rocks. The chain is part of the belt of geologic instability circling the Pacific and contains at least 100

volcanoes, of which 35 are still active, and many hot springs. Earthquakes and tidal waves are common phenomena over these islands.

IMPORTANCE OF SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS

NATURAL RESOURCES:

The islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and are thought to have offshore reserves of oil and gas.

Rare rhenium deposits have been found on the Kudriavy volcano on Iturup. Nickel-based superalloys of rhenium are used in the combustion chambers, turbine blades,

and exhaust nozzles of jet engines. Tourism is also a potential source of income, as the islands have several volcanoes and a

variety of birdlife.





STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:

Russia has deployed missile systems in the region. Russia also plans a submarine project and intends to prevent any American military use of the

islands.

CULTURAL IMPORTANCE:

The Japanese people, especially conservatives in Hokkaido, are emotionally attached to the islands.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: KURIL ISLANDS, IMPORTANCE OF SOUTH KURIL ISLANDS

Sources: the Hindu.

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Context:

Restrictions in place for the COVID-19 threat are saving lakhs of Olive Ridley turtles from possible disturbance by humans, especially tourists, while they are continuing mass nesting at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery.

WHY IN NEWS?

Olive-ridleys face serious threats across their migratory route, habitat and nesting beaches,

due to human activities such as turtle unfriendly fishing practices, development and exploitation of nesting beaches for ports, and tourist centres.

Tourists have been barred from visiting Rushikulya due to the countrywide lockdown in place since March 24. But turtle researchers and environmentalists have been allowed to visit the nesting sites,

KEY-FACT:





The animals had skipped Rushikulya last year, something that had baffled turtle researchers. Their absence was previously noted in 2002, 2007 and 2016 too. Around 300,000 turtles laid eggs in

another rookery at Gahiramatha marine sanctuary in Kendrapara district recently. Tourists have been barred from visiting Rushikulya due to the countrywide lockdown in place since

March 24. But turtle researchers and environmentalists have been allowed to visit the nesting sites.

OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLE:

o The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world,

inhabiting warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. o Growing to about 2 feet in length, and 50 kg in weight, the Olive ridley gets its name from its olive

colored carapace, which is heart-shaped and rounded.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Olive-ridleys TURTLE

Sources: Down to earth

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CONTEXT:

Scientists from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun an autonomous research institute for the study of Geology of the Himalaya under the Department of Science and Technology, have found that glaciers in Sikkim are melting at a higher magnitude as compared to other Himalayan regions.





KEY FINDINGS:

The study has assessed around 23 glaciers and their spread since 1991 to 2015. The larger glaciers are thinning in size and smaller glaciers are retreating. During these years, major shift in behavior was noted since 2000. Since 2000, the western and central Himalayan glaciers have sowed reduced melting. Whereas in case of Sikkim Glaciers, the melting rate has increased. Summer temperature increase is the main reason for glacier changes.

THE FIRST TIME IN INDIA

This study is the first in India to study about multiple parameters of glaciers namely length, Debris cover, area, glacial lakes, and snow line altitude.

WADIA INSTITUTE OF HIMALAYAN TECHNOLOGY: The Institute operates under Department of Science and Technology. It was established in 1968. The institute provides advisory and consultancy services to various organizations. It also gives advises on geotechnical feasibility of hydel projects, their foundation and site selection.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: the study of Geology of the Himalaya

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

On March 14, 2020, the Kerala Government ordered poultry culling. Parappanagadi has been identified as the Epicenter of bird flu. The Government of Kerala is to cull poultry within one-kilometer radius.





HIGHLIGHTS:

A few hundreds of birds were culled methodically as per the bird flu management protocol within the first four hours.

The district administration has suspended the licenses of poultry shops within 10 km area. Sale or transport of poultry or any other pet bird is banned in the region for the next three

months. A special cleaning drive will begin for three days after the culling.

AVIAN FLU (BIRD FLU):

Avian influenza refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred.

POULTRY CULLING:

Poultry Culling is the process by which unwanted chicks or male embryo are disposed. This is done in industrial egg production. Culling do not involve anaesthetics. Culling is done using carbon dioxide, cervical dislocation and maceration.

POULTRY IN INDIA:

India exports 4, 49, 527 metric tonnes of poultry products, The major export destination of Indian Poultry is Russia, Maldives, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Oman. According to APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority), eggs and broilers are increasing at the rate of 8% to 10%

India was positioned 17th in global poultry production in 2019. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are the major Poultry producing states in the country. Today India is the fifth largest producer of eggs and eighteenth largest producer of broilers.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: AVIAN FLU (BIRD FLU)

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

Recently, the government has informed that E-waste recycling has doubled in the country compared to 2017-18.

The government has reported that the recycling rate of 10% in 2017-18 has risen to 20% in 2018-19.

PRODUCTION OF E-WASTE IN INDIA:

According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2017, India generates about 2 million tonnes (MT) of E-waste annually.

India ranks fifth among E-waste producing countries, after the US, China, Japan and Germany. But the government has stated that the E-waste produced in India is lower than estimates by

international agencies.

MANAGEMENT OF E-WASTE:

Producers:

o The government has implemented the E-waste (Management) Rules (2016) which enforces the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

o Under EPR principle the producers have been made responsible to collect a certain percentage of E-waste generated from their goods once they have reached their “end-of-life”.

State Governments:

o They have been entrusted with the responsibility for maintaining industrial space for e-waste dismantling and recycling facilities.

o They are also expected to establish measures for protecting the health and safety of workers engaged in the dismantling and recycling facilities for e-waste.

Recycling of E-waste:

o Most of India’s e-waste is recycled by the informal sector and under hazardous conditions. o A report by the Union Environment Ministry in 2018 found that many of India’s e-waste

recyclers didn’t have the capacity to handle a large quantity of waste.





o India’s first e-waste clinic for segregating, processing and disposal of waste from household and commercial units will soon be set-up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: sustainable development

Sources: the Hindu.

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CONTEXT:

As per Government data, Gujarat has topped the list in the installations of solar rooftop plants. It is followed by Maharashtra. The aim of the installations of solar rooftop plants is to achieve renewable power generation goals.

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:

As of 2 March, a total of 79,950 systems have been installed across the country with a combined capacity of 322 MW.

Gujarat has installed about 50,915 systems being fixed on domestic rooftops in the State. The total capacity of the system is 177.67 MW.

Gujarat has adopted “Surya Gujarat,” a solar rooftop scheme that covers about 8 lakh domestic electricity consumers under the scheme by 2022.

Maharashtra has about 5,513 installations of solar rooftop plants.

SURYA GUJARAT:





Under the scheme, Gujarat relaxed subsidy criteria for domestic users with up to 40% subsidy on the cost of projects up to 3 kWh capacity, while 20% subsidy assistance is being provided for projects with a capacity between 3 and 10 kWh.

The state government has also allotted Rs.912 crore for the scheme. The electricity that is generated thus will be used for households, and the excess units are

purchased by the Gujarat State discoms at the rate of Rs.2.25 per unit.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Renewable Energy

Sources: pib

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CONTEXT:

To commemorate its 19th foundation day, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power organized a Stakeholder Consultation to develop a vision towards building an energy efficient India.

KEY POINTS:

o On this occasion, BEE expanded the coverage of its star labelling programme by including energy efficient Deep freezer and Light Commercial Air Conditioners (LCAC).

o With this inclusion BEE will cover 26 appliances. o Deep freezer and Light Commercial Air Conditioners (LCAC) are major energy guzzlers in

commercial space. o The program will be initially launched in voluntary mode from 2nd March, 2020 to

31st December, 2021. Thereafter, it will be made mandatory after reviewing the degree of market transformation in this particular segment of appliances.

o Through this initiative, it is expected to save around 2.8 Billion Units by FY2030, which is equivalent to GreenHouse Gas (GHG) reduction of 2.4-million-ton Carbon Dioxide.

o The Star Labeling Programme has been formulated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

URJA DAKSHATA INFORMATION TOOL (UDIT)





During the event, a database on energy efficiency named Urja Dakshata Information Tool (UDIT) was also launched. This initiative has been taken by the BEE with the World Resources Institute (WRI).

It is a user-friendly platform that explains the energy efficiency landscape of India across industry, appliances, building, transport, municipal and agriculture sectors.

It will also showcase the capacity building and new initiatives taken up by the Government across the sectors in the increase energy efficiency domain.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN INDIA:

TRANSITION:

India’s energy sector is set for a transition with recent developmental ambitions of the Government e.g. 175 GW of installed capacity of renewable energy by 2022, 24X7 Power for all, Housing for all by 2022, 100 smart cities mission, promotion of e- mobility, electrification of railway sector, 100% electrification of households, Solarization of agricultural pump sets, and promotion of clean cooking.

POTENTIAL OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

Energy Efficiency has the maximum GreenHouse Gas (GHG) abatement potential of around 51% followed by renewables (32%), biofuels (1%), nuclear (8%), carbon capture and storage (8%) as per the World Energy Outlook (WEO 2010). World Energy Outlook (WEO) is the flagship publication of the International Energy Agency.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Energy Conservation Act, 2001

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:





Recently, the Northern Region Renewable Energy Management Centre (NR-REMC) was inaugurated at a function in New Delhi.

RENEWABLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT CENTERS

(REMCS)

o They are equipped with Artificial Intelligence based Renewable Energy (RE) forecasting and scheduling tools.

o They provide greater visualization and enhanced situational awareness to the grid operators. o Renewal energy supply can be seasonal (wind) or limited to some hours in the day (solar). It

disturbs the power grid, used to seamless supply of thermal power.

NEED:

The Government of India’s target of 175 GW Renewable Energy (RE) capacity by 2022 driving accelerated RE penetration poses challenges to the grid management due to intermittent and variable nature of RE generation.

IMPLEMENTATION:

The Government of India had approved the implementation of the REMCs as a Central Scheme and had mandated POWERGRID, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Power as an Implementing Agency.

Presently, 55 GW of Renewable (Solar and Wind) is being monitored through the eleven REMCs, located in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: Renewable Energy

Sources: pib

*****************************

CONTEXT:





Based on the Expression of Interest (EOI), a total of 10 proposals have been approved under Mission Solar Charkha till date which is expected to benefit about 13784 artisans/workers.

ABOUT SOLAR CHARKHA MISSION:

Launched in 2018. It is a Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) initiative launched during June

2018. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) would implement the programme. It seeks to generate employment in rural areas and contribute to the green economy. The mission will entail a subsidy of Rs 550 crore in the initial two years for 50 clusters and

every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans. The scheme also aims at linking five crore women across the country to the initiative. The mission is expected to create one lakh jobs during the first two years.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. To ensure inclusive growth by generation of employment, especially for women and youth, and sustainable development through solar charkha clusters in rural areas.

2. To boost rural economy and help in arresting migration from rural to urban areas. 3. To leverage low-cost, innovative technologies and processes for sustenance.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MISSION:

These solar charkhas are to be operated using solar power which is a renewable energy source.

It will help in development of Green Economy as it is an environment friendly programme. It will also generate sustainable employment for the artisans.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: renew-able energies

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************





CONTEXT:

The Punjab and Haryana high court has declared Sukhna Lake a “living entity” or “legal person” with rights, duties and liabilities of a living person.

DECLARATION:

It also declared all citizens of Chandigarh as loco parentis (in the place of a parent) to save the lake from extinction.

BACKGROUND:

The order was passed in a 2009 suo motu petition initiated amid depleting water level in the lake.

WHAT THE ORDER SAYS?

1. Sukhna Lake will now be a legal entity for its survival, preservation and conservation. 2. The Chandigarh administration has been directed to declare it a wetland within a period of

three months. 3. All structures in Sukhna’s catchment area (which was demarcated by the Survey of India in

2004) should be demolished, and affected owners whose building plans have been approved should be relocated in the vicinity of Chandigarh and they should be compensated with ₹25 lakh each.

4. Chandigarh should ensure that the average capacity of the lake is increased by at least about 100-150 hectare by one-time large scale desilting.

5. Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh have also been told to lower the storage capacity of the check dams to ensure regular flow of water into the lake.

6. Chandigarh will have to ensure that there is no seepage losses. 7. The aquatic weeds are ordered to be removed within a period of six months.

POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE:

Invoking the ‘polluter pays’ principle of environmental law, the Court said in its order: “The States should have taken precautionary measures to save the catchment of Sukhna lake. It is the duty of the States of Punjab and Haryana to restore the catchment area. The State government has also failed to take precautionary measures to save the catchment area. The damage caused to the catchment area is enormous.”

WHAT IS LEGAL ENTITY?

A legal entity means entity which acts like a natural person but only through a designated person, whose acts are processed within the ambit of law.





ABOUT SUKHNA LAKE:

o The man-made Sukhna Lake was built in 1958 by Le Corbusier, the architect of Chandigarh. Located in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills, it was designed to collect runoff water from the Hills.

o The Lake, which is in the process of being officially notified as a wetland, also has a nearby wildlife sanctuary that is home to sambar, pangolin, wild boars, red jungle fowl, cobras and other species.

o Originally the seasonal flow entered the lake directly causing heavy siltation.

OVERVIEW

Type Reservoir

Basin countries India

Surface area 3 km2 (1.2 sq mi)

Average depth 8 ft (2.4 m)

Max. depth 16 ft (4.9 m)

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: SUKHNA LAKE

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

Figure 7 LOCATION OF SUKHNA LAKE





CONTEXT:

The Central government is working on the establishment of an exclusive body to implement projects for linking rivers- To be called the National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA).

FUNCTIONS OF NIRA:

It is expected to take up both inter-State and intra-State projects. It will also make arrangements for generating funds, internally and externally.

ABOUT NATIONAL RIVER LINKING PROJECT (NRLP):

The NRLP formally known as the National Perspective Plan, envisages the transfer of water from water ‘surplus’ basins where there is flooding to water ‘deficit’ basins where there is drought/scarcity, through inter-basin water transfer projects.

SIGNIFICANCE:

It is designed to ease water shortages in western and southern India while mitigating the impacts of recurrent floods in the eastern parts of the Ganga basin.

ILR PROJECTS IN INDIA:

As of now, six ILR projects —the Ken-Betwa, Damanganga- Pinjal, Par-Tapi-Narmada, Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga, Mahanadi-Godavari and Godavari-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) — have been under examination of the authorities.

With regard to the peninsular rivers, the Centre has chosen to focus on the Godavari-Cauvery link than the earlier proposal to link the Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery rivers.

ISSUES AND CONCERNS:

Interlinking of rivers is a very expensive proposal. It will adversely affect land, forests, biodiversity, rivers and the livelihood of millions of people.

Interlinking of rivers will lead to destruction of forests, wetlands and local water bodies, which are major groundwater recharge mechanisms.

It causes massive displacement of people. Huge burden on the government to deal with the issue of rehabilitation of displaced people.

Due to interlinking of rivers, there will be decrease in the amount of fresh water entering seas and this will cause a serious threat to the marine life.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?





For prelims and mains: SIGNIFICANCE OF ILR PROJECTS IN INDIA

Sources: the Hindu.

*****************************

CONTEXT:

The Food and Agriculture Organization operating under United Nations released a report recently on Peatlands.

KEY FINDINGS:

The report says that though Peatlands cover only 3% of the earth’s surface, they trigger the carbon that was locked in a few decades.

Peatlands cover only three per cent of Earth’s surface. However, their degradation due to drainage, fire, agricultural use and forestry can trigger release of the stored carbon in a few decades.

Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation, according to the report.

WHAT ARE PEATLANDS?

Peatlands are formed due to accumulation of decomposed plant remains. These remains stay accumulated over thousands of years due to water-logging. In tropical climate peatlands occur in mangrove forests. They are dominated by mosses in arctic regions.

MAPPING PEATLANDS:

o Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging. To prevent their further degradation, these areas should be urgently mapped and monitored.





o “Peatland mapping tells us where the peat is and what condition it is in. Together, with conservation and restoration measures, mapping also helps in maintaining water regulation services (reduction of flood intensities) and biodiversity

RESTORATION MEASURES:

Indonesia has 40% of tropical peatlands. The Indonesian Government created Peat Ecosystem Restoration Information System (PRIMS) that provides information about Peatlands and their restoration.

In the Himalayan region, restoration works of peatlands were conducted in order to increase water security in the region.

According to an ICIMOD report, the total peat area, excluding China, in the HKH region was 17,106 square kilometres in 2008. The degrading peat area was 8,236 square kilometres.

PEATLANDS IN INDIA:

In India, peatlands occupy 320 square kilo metres to 1,000 square kilo metres area.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

For prelims and mains: PROTECTION OF PEATLANDS


*****************************





Q1. Consider the following statements

1. India’s first e-waste clinic for segregating, processing and disposal of waste from household and

commercial units will soon be set-up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

2. The government has implemented the E-waste (Management) Rules (2016) which enforces the

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

select the correct statement(s).

A. only 1 is correct.

B. Only 2 is correct.

C. Both are correct.

D. None of the above.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding "Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020"

1. Vivad Se Vishwas Bill provides a method for the resolution of pending tax disputes that are related to

income tax and corporation tax.

2. It will cover tax disputes pending at the level of commissioner (appeals), Income Tax Appellate

Tribunals (ITAT), high courts (HCs), and the Supreme Court (SC).










Q3. Consider the following statements :

1. "Gender Parity Index" is released by WHO.

2. "Gender Parity Index" in primary, secondary and tertiary education is the ratio of the number of

female students enrolled at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education to the number of male

students in each level.

3. India’s "Gender Parity Index" indicates that the number of girls is more than the number of boys at

all levels of school Education.

which of the above statements is/are correct :

A. 1,2

B. 2,3

C. 1,3

D. 1,2,3

Q4. Consider the following statements about "Solar Charkha Mission" :

1. The Solar Charkha Mission is a Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) initiative .

2. To ensure inclusive growth by generation of employment, especially for women and youth, and

sustainable development through solar charkha clusters in rural areas.







1. "Namaste Orchha" is an initiative by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to promote the state as a

leading tourism destination in India.

2. "Orchha" won the Best Heritage City at the National Tourism Awards 2017-18 and is on the shortlist

for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.











1. In India, an Indian citizen or a non-resident Indian (NRI) can adopt a child under the Hindu Adoption

and Maintenance Act of 1956 and the Guardian and Wards Act of 1890.

2. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 prohibits commercial surrogacy, but allows altruistic surrogacy.

3. Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) (Amendment) Bill 2020, seeks to extend the termination of

pregnancy period from 20 weeks to 24 weeks.

which of the above statements is/are correct :

A. 1,2

B. 2,3

C. 1,3

D. 1,2,3

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

1. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and specialized United Nations agency.

2. IFAD invest in rural people, empowering them to increase their food security, improve the nutrition of their families and increase their incomes.

3. India is a member State of IFAD.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A.1, 2





B. 1,3

C. 2,3

D. 1,2,3

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Wetlands.

1. In India, Wetlands are regulated under the Environment(Protection) Rules, 1986. 2. Wetlands International is an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation that works

to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity.






Q9. Consider the following statements regarding Geographical indication (GI) tag.

1. A GI tag conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

2. Once the GI protection is granted, no other producer can misuse the name to market similar products.

3. Kerala has the highest number of GI tagged products.


A. 1,2

B. 2,3

C. 1,3

D. 1,2,3

Q10. Pakistan and Somalia have recently declared locust emergencies. Locust attack is

related to





A. New form of Antimicrobial resistance

B. Intense Tropical Cyclone

C. Pest attack

D. Terrorist attack


1. World Civil Defense Day was instituted by the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) General Assembly in 1990.

2. International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) was established by French Surgeon -General George Saint-Paul in 1931 in Paris. It was recognized by the French Parliament in June 1935 and in 1972 it achieved the status of an intergovernmental organization.

Which of the above statements is/are correct.

A. Only 1 is correct.




Q12. Consider the following statements regarding " Krishi Vigyan Kendra "

1. KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry.

2. KVK aims at assessment of location specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises, through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.










Q13. Consider the following statements regarding "U.S., Taliban peace deal"

1. The deal could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step toward ending the 18-year-war there.

2. India is the mediator of U.s., Taliban peace deal.

3. For millions of Afghans, the deal represents some hope for an end to years of bloodshed.

Select the correct Statement(s).

A. 1,2

B. 2,3

C. 1,3

D. 1,2,3

Q14. Germany’s far-right problem is related to

A. growing street violence by extremists against minorities and immigrants.

B. Rising in unemployment, lower economy growth.

C. Issues of govt. employees due to the adoption of new policies by the govt.


Q15. Which one of the following statements is true about "Temporarily Captured Object" (TCO)?

A. Only bodies that complete a full orbit around a planet.

B. Typically have orbits very similar to the Moon.

C. Bodies captured when the planet is distant to the Sun.

D. All of the above options are true.





Q16. “Henneguya salminicola”, sometimes seen in news, it is

A. Oxygen breathing animal

B. Largest cave fish

C. The first exoplanet discovered around a sun-like star

D. None of the above

Q17. Which country formally announced the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that it was withdrawing from the UN resolution on post-war accountability and reconciliation?

A. India

B. Iran

C. Pakistan

D. Sri Lanka

Q18. A ‘floating treatment wetland (FTW)’ in the Neknampur Lake (Hyderabad) utilises which among the following techniques to help clean the lake?

A. Phytoremediation

B. Bioventing

C. Bioleaching

D. Composting

Q19. Consider the following statements about "Renewable Energy Management Centers" (REMCs).

1. They are equipped with Artificial Intelligence based Renewable Energy (RE) forecasting and scheduling tools.





2. They provide greater visualization and enhanced situational awareness to the grid operators.






Q20. “Enhanced Access and Service Excellence 3.0”, sometimes mentioned in news, it is related to

A. Smart Public Sector Banking

B. Ease of Doing Business

C. Strengthening the functionality of GeM

D. Ease of Credit to IT Startups

Q21. Blue Dot network is meant to be a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to bring governments, the private sector and civil society together to promote “high quality, trusted standards for global infrastructure development”. It was launched by

A. US and China

B. US and Japan

C. US, Japan and Australia

D. US, Japan, Australia and India

Q22. Consider the following statements regarding Gender Social Norms Index.

1. Gender Social Norms Indexis released by the UN Development Programmme (UNDP).





2. The index measures how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in areas like politics, work, and education.


A. Only 1 is correct. B. Only 2 is correct. C. Both are correct. D. None of the above

Q23. Consider the following statements regarding Cord blood banking.

1. Cord blood is the blood from the baby that is left in the umbilical cord and placenta after birth, which is a rich source of stem cells.

2. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) allows commercial stem cell banking.

3. Stem cells in cord blood can be used to strengthen the immune system during cancer treatments.


A. 1, 2

B. 1, 3

C. 2, 3

D. 1, 2, 3

Q24. Consider the following statements regarding Coral bleaching.

1. When corals are stressed by changes in temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white.

2. Increase in zooplankton levels triggers coral bleaching.

3. Cold water temperatures also cause coral bleaching.


A. 1, 2





B. 2, 3

C. 1, 3

D. 1, 2, 3

Q25. Consider the following statements about Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

1. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established by World Bank.

2. It is a policy-making body and promotes implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

3. India is a full-fledged member of FATF.


A. 2, 3

B. 1, 3

C. 2 only

D. 1, 2

Q26. Consider the following statements regarding Kallakkadal.

1. Kallakkadal are flash-flood events that take place without any noticeable advance change in local winds in the coastal environment.

2. They occur along the Indian coast, particularly the west coast.

3. Tsunami and Kallakkadal are similar types of waves with similar causes or mechanisms.


A. 1, 2

B. 1, 3





C. 2, 3

D. 1, 2, 3

Q27. Consider the following statements regarding Coal imports to India.

1. Coal is among the top five commodities imported by India.

2. India Imports only thermal coal and is self-sufficient with the domestic production of the cooking coal.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q28. The government had launched National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). CPS and its associated technologies include:

1. Artificial Intelligence (Al)

2. Big Data Analytics

3. Quantum Computing

4. Cyber Security for physical infrastructure

Select the correct code:

A. 1, 2, 3

B. 2, 3, 4

C. 1, 2, 4

D. 1, 2, 3, 4

Q29. Project Sashakt, sometimes in news is aimed to

A. Dispute Resolution in solar and wind energy projects.

B. Enhancing capacity on forest landscape restoration





C. Ocean Cleanup Project

D. Resolve the problem of stressed assets with public-sector banks

Q30. Consider the following statements regarding Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

1. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an instant real-time payment system developed by RBI.

2. It provides 2 Factor Authentication.

3. It is necessary to have a credit/debit card to perform UPI transaction.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

A. 1, 2

B. 1, 3

C. 3 only

D. 2, 3

Q31. Consider the following statements regarding Eco-sensitive zones.

1. Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate

Change (MoEFCC) around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

2. They act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.

3. Eco-Sensitive Zones are defined and mentioned in Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Which of the above statements is/ are correct?

A. 1, 3

B. 2, 3

C. 1, 2

D. 1, 2, 3





Q32. Which country becomes the first in the world to introduce a new typhoid vaccine in an effort to

combat a drug-resistant strain of the potentially fatal disease .

A. pakistan

B. India

C. Bangladesh

D. Myanmmar

Q33. Consider the following statements about International Maritime Organization (IMO).

1. It is independent to United Nations.

2. It is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of

international shipping.

3. India was re-elected as Member to the Council of the International Maritime Organization for two

years (2018-19).


A. 1,2

B. 2,3

C. 1,3

D. 1,2,3

Q34. Consider the following statements about India Justice Report

1. It is released by NITI Aayog

2. The report is based on publicly available data from different government entities on the four pillars

of justice delivery — police, judiciary, prisons and legal aid.

3. Maharashtra has topped the list of 18 large-medium States in the overall ranking of Indian States

on justice delivery.

Which of the above statements is/ are correct?

A. 1, 3





B. 2, 3

C. 1, 2

D. 1, 2, 3

Q35. Which of the following countries are member countries of BIMSTEC

1. Srilanka

2. Malaysia

3. Nepal

4. Bangladesh

5. China

Select the correct answer from codes given below

A. 1, 2,3 and 4 Only

B. 1,3 and 4 Only

C. 1,2 and 3 Only

D. 1,2,3,4 and 5

Q36. Consider the following statements about Jal Jeevan Mission

1. It aims at providing Functional Household Tap Connections in rural areas by 2024.

2. It also includes creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability like rainwater harvesting,

groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse in agriculture

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?









Q37. Consider the following statements regarding President’s Rule in India.

1. President’s Rule is imposed when the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance

with the provisions of the Constitution.

2. The imposition of the President’s rule is approved by the president and does not require the

sanction of the Parliament.

3. A proclamation of President’s Rule may be revoked by the President at any time by a subsequent

proclamation without parliamentary approval.


A. 1, 2

B. 2, 3

C. 1, 3

D. 1, 2, 3

Q38. United for Biodiversity’ coalition, recently seen in news is the initiative of

A. UN Environment

B. World Bank

C. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

D. European Commission (EC)

Q39. The council of States shall consist of twelve members to be nominated by the President. So far

those been nominated as its members include

1. Scientists

2. Journalists

3. Social workers

4. Jurists

5. Engineers





Select the correct answer code:

A. 1, 2, 3, 4

B. 1, 3, 4, 5

C. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

D. 2, 3, 4, 5

Q40. 6x6x6 strategy, sometimes in news is related to

A. HIV Mukt Bharat

B. Improving vaccination coverage in India

C. Treating non-communicable diseases

D. Anemia Mukt Bharat

Q41. Consider the following statements regarding Small finance banks.

1. They are governed by the provisions of Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

2. They primarily lend to big corporates and groups.

3. They can distribute mutual funds, insurance products and other simple third-party financial products


A. 1, 2

B. 1, 3

C. 2, 3

D. 1, 2, 3

Q42. Which of the following gives ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world?

A. World Economic Forum





B. UN Human Rights Council

C. UN Women

D. World Health Organization

Q43. Consider the following statements about Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)

1. It is a quasi-judicial institution set up in 1941 under section 5A of the Income Tax Act, 1922.

2. The orders of ITAT are final and cannot be appealed only in Supreme Court of India

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q44. Which of the following reports/survey is/are released by NITI?

1. India Innovation Index

2. Composite Water Management Index

3. School Education Quality Index

4. Localizing SDGs: Early Lessons from India

Select the correct answer using the code below:

A. 2 and 3

B. 1, 2 and 3

C. 1, 2 and 4

D. All of the above





Q45. Consider the following statements:

1. State Disaster Response Fund has been constituted by each state under the provisions of Disaster

Management act 2005.

2. SDRF constituted based on the recommendation of 12th Finance commission.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

A. 1 Only

B. 2 Only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q46. Consider the following statements:

1. Inscriptions found on an ancient temple at Huligemmana Kolla in Karnataka belongs to royal burial

site of the Chalukya dynasty.

2. Excavation by Archaeological Survey of India in Gottiprolu, Telangana, indicate it as a Trade Centre of

Early Historic Period.

3. Recently ASI has discovered the earliest Sanskrit inscription belongs to Satavahana kingdom in

Chebrolu village, Andra Pradesh.

4. Recent excavations conducted by ASI in Nagardhan (Maharashtra), belongs to Vakataka dynasty.


A. 1, 3 and 4

B. 3 and 4

C. 1, 2 and 4

D. 1, 2, 3 and 4






1. Before the introduction of EVMs, voters had the choice to put the ballot paper without marking

against any candidate, this vote was counted as NOTA.

2. ‘NOTA’ was formally introduced by Supreme Court in Lily Thomas case (2013).

3. Chhattisgarh was the first State in India to give the option of NOTA to the voters in the local

government elections.


A. 1 and 3

B. 1 Only

C. 2 and 3

D. 1, 2 and 3

Q48. Consider the following statements with reference to National Investment & Manufacturing

Zones:

1. National Investment & Manufacturing Zones are one of the important instruments of Special

Economic Zones Act, 2005.

2. Main objective of National Investment & Manufacturing Zones is promotion of exports.


A. 1 Only

B. 2 Only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q49. What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’?

A. It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify

and manage greenhouse gas emissions

B. It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies





C. It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to

reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022

D. It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank.

Q50. Consider the following statements about Child Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

1. It is a statutory body under Ministry of Home Affairs

2. CARA primarily deals with the adoption of the orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through

its associated /recognised adoption agencies.

Which of the above statement(s) given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2





QUESTION’S NUMBERS

ANSWERS DESCRIPTION

1 C Management of E-waste:

Producers:

The government has implemented the E-waste (Management) Rules (2016) which enforces the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).Under EPR principle the producers have been made responsible to collect a certain percentage of E-waste generated from their goods once they have reached their “end-of-life”.

2 C Bill Provision :

The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill provides a method for the

resolution of pending tax disputes that are related to income tax and

corporation tax that involve Rs.9.32 lakh crore.It also defines an

appellant as the income tax authority, or the person, or both, whose

appeal is pending before any appellate forum as on 31 January 2020. It

will cover tax disputes pending at the level of commissioner (appeals),

Income Tax Appellate

Tribunals (ITAT), high courts (HCs), and the Supreme Court (SC).

The taxpayers will take advantage of the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme to

settle the tax disputes before 31 March 2020, as 10% more will be

charged for settlement of disputes after that date.Also, arrears relate

to disputed interest or penalty only, then 25% of disputed penalty or

interest will be paid if the payment is made by 31 March 2020, beyond

which the same shall be enhanced to 30%.

3 B GPI is released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a part of its Global Education





Monitoring Report.

4

C

Launched in 2018.

It is a Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) initiative

launched during June 2018.

5 C 1. Namaste Orchha is an initiative by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism

Board to promote the state as a leading tourism destination in India.

2. Madhya Pradesh government plans to develop the ancient Ram Raja

Temple in Orchha into a major pilgrimage and tourist attraction on the

lines of Somnath Temple, Tirumala Tirupati, and Golden Temple.

6 D

7 D At the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) we invest in rural people, empowering them to increase their food security, improve the nutrition of their families and increase their incomes. We help them build resilience, expand their businesses and take charge of their own development. IFAD is an international financial institution and specialized United Nations agency based in Rome, the UN’s food and agriculture hub. Since 1978, we have provided over US$21 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached about 491 million people. IFAD works where poverty and hunger are deepest: in the most remote regions of developing countries and fragile situations, where few development agencies venture. India is a member State of IFAD since 1977

8 B Wetlands are regulated under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. The 2010 version of the Rules provided for a Central Wetland Regulatory Authority; the 2017 Rules replace it with state-level bodies and created a National Wetland Committee, which functions in an advisory role. The newer regulations removed some items from the definition of “wetlands” including backwaters, lagoon, creeks, and estuaries. Wetlands International is a global organisation that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity. It is an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation, supported by government and NGO membership from around the world.

9 A A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin. Once the GI protection is





granted, no other producer can misuse the name to market similar products. It also provides comfort to customers about the authenticity of that product. Karnataka has the highest number of GI tagged products.

10 C Pakistan and Somalia have declared locust emergencies. Major locust attacks have been observed in several countries in western and southern Asia and in eastern Africa. In India, locusts attacks emanating from the desert area in Pakistan have struck parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, causing heavy damage to standing crop.

11 C ICDO :

ICDO was established by French Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul in 1931 in Paris. It was recognized by

the French Parliament in June 1935 and in 1972 it achieved the status of an intergovernmental

organization. The Constitution of ICDO has two main purposes that are aimed to bring attention of the

world public to the vital importance of Civil Protection, raise awareness of the preparedness for

self-protection and preventive measures to be taken in the event of accidents or disasters and pay

tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of the national services responsible for the fight against

disasters.

12 C Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) :

1. KVK is an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). The first KVK was established in 1974 at Puducherry.

2. The mandate of KVK is technology assessment and demonstration for its application and capacity development.





3. It aims at assessment of location specific technology modules in agriculture and allied enterprises,through technology assessment, refinement and demonstrations.

4. KVKs also produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers

13 C India is not the mediator of this deal.

14 A In recent years, Germany, has seen twin far-right problems — growing street violence by extremists against minorities and immigrants and the rapid political rise of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (Alternative für Deutschland or AfD), which has normalised to an extent anti-immigrant rhetoric in the country’s political discourse. The growing popularity of the AfD, which is already represented in all regional parliaments in the country, is what makes Germany more vulnerable to far-right threats than other countries in the continent.

15 A

1. According to the simulations, temporary satellites are typically caught and released when they pass one of two gravitational equilibrium points of the Sun and the planet along the line connecting the two, the L1 and L2 Lagrangian points.

2. The captured asteroids typically have orbits very similar to the planet’s (co-orbital configuration)and are captured most often when the planet is closest to the Sun (in the case of the Earth, in January) or furthest from the Sun (Earth: in July).

3. In strict sense, only bodies that complete a full orbit around a planet are considered temporary satellites, also called temporarily captured orbiters (TCO).





16 D 1. It is a non-oxygen breathing animal discovered recently.

2. It is a fewer-than-10-celled microscopic parasite that lives in salmon muscle.

3. It relies on anaerobic respiration (through which cells extract energy without using oxygen).

4. It does not have a mitochondrial genome. Mitochondria is the “powerhouse” of the cell, which captures oxygen to make energy.

17 D Sri Lanka formally announced the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that it was withdrawing

from the UN resolution on post-war accountability and reconciliation. The announcement was made by the

Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena in Geneva.

18 A 1. Several plants on this FTW help clean the lake by absorbing nutrients such as excess nitrates and oxygen present in the water. They thus reduce the content of these chemicals. The FTW is based on the soilless hydroponics technique. The project is a joint effort of an NGO Dhruvansh, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, the district administration and other organisations.

2. Phytoremediation(‘phyto’ means plant) is a generic term for the group of technologies that use plants for remediating soils, sludges, sediments and water contaminated with organic and inorganic contaminants.

3. Hydroponics: A technique of growing plants in a nutrient solution in the complete absence of soil.

19 C Renewable Energy Management Centers (REMCs)

1. They are equipped with Artificial Intelligence based





Renewable Energy (RE) forecasting and scheduling tools.

2. They provide greater visualization and enhanced situational awareness to the grid operators.

3. Renewal energy supply can be seasonal (wind) or limited to some hours in the day (solar). It disturbs the power grid, used to seamless supply of thermal power.

20 A 1. Ease (Enhanced Access and Service Excellence) 3.0 reform agenda aims at providing smart, tech-enabled public sector banking for aspiring India.

2. New features that customers of public sector banks may experience under EASE 3.0 reforms agenda include facilities

3. Palm Banking for “End-to-end digital delivery of financial service”.

21 C

Led by the US’s International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Blue Dot network was jointly launched by the US, Japan (Japanese Bank for International Cooperation) and Australia (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) in November 2019 on the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Thailand. It is meant to be a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to bring governments, the private sector and civil society together to promote “high quality, trusted standards for global infrastructure development”. Observers have referred to it as a means of countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

22 C The first Gender Social Norms Index was recently released by the UN Development Programmme (UNDP).

About the index:

This index measures how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in areas like politics, work, and education, and contains data from 75 countries, covering over 80 percent of the world’s population. The index found new clues to the invisible barriers women face in achieving equality – potentially forging a path forward to breaking through the so-called “glass ceiling”.





23 B Cord blood banking involves taking the umbilical cord blood, which is a rich source of stem cells, and preserving it for future use. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) does not recommend commercial stem cell banking. It says so far there is no scientific basis for preservation of cord blood for future self use and this practice therefore raises ethical and social concerns. “Private storage of the cord blood is advisable when there is an elder child in the family with a condition treatable with these cells and the mother is expecting the next baby. “Globally, cord blood banking is recommended as a source of hematopoietic stem cell (derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood) transplantation for haematological cancers and disorders where its use is recommended. For all other conditions, the use of cord blood as a source of stem cells is not yet established,”

24 D What is coral bleaching?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached.

Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance,in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in on year due to a massive bleaching event.

25 A The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 by the Ministers of its Member jurisdictions. The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.

The FATF is therefore a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.

26 A Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) launched Swell Surge Forecast System, which will provide forewarnings for the coastal population of India’s vast shoreline, which experiences a slew of damages caused by the swell waves that actually originate from the distant southern Indian

Ocean.

27 B India’s thermal coal imports rose 12.6% to nearly 200 million tonnes in 2019. Coal is among the top five commodities imported by India, the world’s largest consumer, importer and





producer of the fuel. Imports of thermal coal — mainly used for power generation — jumped 12.6% to 197.84 million tonnes in 2019. However, imports of coking coal — used mainly in the manufacturing of steel — fell marginally.

28 D The NM-ICPS is a comprehensive Mission which would address technology development, application development, human resource development & skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and start-up development in CPS and associated technologies.

29 D With an aim to resolve the problem of stressed assets with public-sector banks, the government has come out with a new plan – Sashakt – that includes the creation of one or more widely held asset management companies for loans above Rs 500 crore.

30 B Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India facilitating inter-bank transactions. The interface is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and works by instantly transferring funds between two bank accounts on a mobile platform.

31 C

32 A

33 B

34 B

35 B

36 C

37 C

38 D The European Commission (EC) has launched the ‘United for Biodiversity’ coalition. It was launched on World Wildlife Day 2020- 3rd March.

39 C Article 80 of the Constitution states, “(1) The council of States shall consist of (a) twelve members to be nominated by the President in accordance with the provisions of clause (3)…” Clause (3) states, “The members to be nominated by the President under sub clause (a) of clause (1) shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely: Literature, science, art and social service”.

40 D Government of India has launched the Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy under the Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN) Abhiyaan and the targets has been set to reduce anaemia by 3% per year.

41 B What are small finance banks?





The small finance bank will primarily undertake basic banking activities of acceptance of deposits and lending to unserved and underserved sections including small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries and unorganised sector entities.

42 A

43 A

44 D

45 A About State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF):

1. SDRF has been constituted by each state under the provisions of Disaster Management act 2005.

2. It was constituted based on the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission.

3. Funding: The government of India contributes 75% and 90% of the total yearly allocation of SDRF to general states and special category states respectively.

4. Heads: The state executive committee headed by the Chief Secretary is authorized to decide on all matters relating to the financing of the relief expenditure from the SDRF

46 A 1. Inscriptions found on an ancient temple at Huligemmana Kolla near Pattadakalu in Karnataka indicate that the place may have once been the royal burial site of the Chalukya dynasty. 2. Excavation by Archaeological Survey of India in Gottiprolu, Andhra Pradesh indicate it as a Trade Centre of Early Historic Period. 3. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered the earliest Sanskrit inscription in South India. This is also an earliest epigraphic evidence (Epigraphy is the study of ancient inscriptions) for the Saptamatrika cult. The discovery was made in Chebrolu village in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. 4. Archaeological excavations at Nagardhan, near Nagpur, have provided concrete evidence on the life, religious affiliations and trade practices of the Vakataka dynasty and also about the Vakataka rule under Queen Prabhavatigupta.

47 A 1. NOTA was first used in India in 2009. Chhattisgarh was the first State in India to give the option





of NOTA to the voters in the local government elections. 2. Before the introduction of EVMs, when voting was done through ballot papers, voters had the choice to put the ballot paper without marking against any candidate thus rejecting all candidates. This vote was counted as NOTA. 3. On September 27, 2013, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to make the necessary provisions in ballot papers and EVMs to provide a ‘None of the Above’ option for voters who come to the polling booth and decide not to vote for any of the candidates in the fray. This was to enable voters to exercise their right not to choose a candidate while maintaining their right to secrecy. 4. In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court in the Lily Thomas v. Union of India case, ruled that all the convicted MPs and MLAs in a criminal case will be disqualified from holding their offices from the day of the conviction itself, even if the conviction ruling is from a trial court.

48 D

49 A 1. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international accounting tool

for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions.

2. It is a decade-long partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business

Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

50 B



Documents

1 volume: 9€¦ · 16.3 Glaciers in Sikkim are losing mass faster than other parts of the Himalaya 150 16.4 Avian flu: Culling of birds begins in Kerela 151 17.Sustainable Development