Rajyotsava Award

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, golfer Aditi Ashok, and retired Supreme Court judge V. Gopala Gowda are among the 68 people and 10 organisations selected for the Rajyotsava Award – 2023 by the Karnataka government for their contributions in different fields.

Key Highlights:

• The Rajyotsava Award is the state’s second-highest civilian award given by the Karnataka government annually TO including prominent writers, social workers and others.

• The 68th Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards will be conferred on the occasion of the state’s formation. This year is the golden jubilee of renaming Mysore state as Karnataka.

• The Chief Minister is the head of the Award committee, who has selected the winners.

• The Rajyotsava Awardee will get cash rewards of Rs 5 lakh, a 25-gram gold medal and a plaque.

Operation Chakra-II 

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched Operation Chakra-II.

Key Highlights: 

• It was launched by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to fight against transnationally organized cyber enabled financial crimes in India. 

• For the operation, CBI has partnered with Microsoft and Amazon as well as with national and international agencies to combat and dismantle infrastructure of illegal call centers. 

• Most of the illegal call centers raided by CBI posed as Microsoft and Amazon customer support.

• These call centers target vulnerable individuals and defraud thousands annually. 

• That is why, Microsoft and Amazon have collaborated with CBI to share critical information and help Indian law enforcement agencies in their investigations.

One Nation, One Student ID initiative 

The Union Education Ministry has introduced the concept of ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ referred to as APAAR ID.

Key Highlights: 

• This concept is in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.The policy aims to create unique ID numbers for school students across India.
• APAAR stands for ‘Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry’.
• It is a 12 digit digital identification system for school students in India. It will give each student enrolled from pre-primary to higher education a unique identification number.
• It will digitally store academic qualifications, credit scores, certificates, and other academic data of students.
• The enrolment process will be carried out by the school, with the consent of the students’ parents.
• The parents can withdraw their consent at any given point in time.
• The data will be shared only with concerned government agencies if and when required.
• The data collected on each student by the schools will be stored in a centrally functioning District Information for Education portal.
• APAAR is like a lifelong ID that helps you keep track of your school journey and achievements.
• You can store your exam results, what you’ve learned and even your extra accomplishments like Olympiad rankings or receiving specialized skill training
• It also makes switching schools easier because all the documents for admission are in one place.

ENTRANCES OF INDIA’S NEW PARLIAMENT

The Vice President hoisted the National Flag at Gaja Dwar at India’s new Parliament Building, before its first session.

Key Highlights: 

The Six Statues at the Entrances of New Parliament:

1. Gaja Dwar ( Elephant Gate)

• It represents intellect, memory, wealth and wisdom.
• This gate is on the north side of the building.

2. Ashwa Dwar (Horse Gate)

• It is at the Southern entrance. A horse symbolises power, strength and courage , describing the quality of governance.

3. Garuda ( King of Birds)

• It is believed to be the mount of Lord Vishnu (the preserver in the Hindu trinity). It makes Garuda a symbol of power and dharma (duty).The Garuda gate is the eastern entrance of the new Parliament building.

4. Makara (Mythological Aquatic Creature)

• It is named after the legendary sea creature that is a combination of different animals.
• Makara sculptures are seen in Hindu and Buddhist monuments spread across South and Southeast Asia.
• On one hand, Makara is considered as the combination of different creatures that represents India's unity in diversity. On the other hand, Makara sculptures at doorways are seen as protectors.
• The Makara Dwar faces the entrance to the old Parliament building.

5. Shardula ( Mythological Creature)

• It is a mythological creature who has the body of a lion, the head of a horse, elephant or parrot. It symbolises the power of the people of the country.

6. Hamsa Dwar (Swan Gate)

• It is named after the swan.
• Hamsa is the mount of Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of knowledge).
• It symbolises moksha, or meaning the liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death.
• The Hamsa sculpture on the Parliament's gate is a symbol of self-realisation and wisdom.

Vienna Convention

Canada has accused India of violating the Vienna Convention after India had asked for a reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats posted in India.

Key Highlights:

• The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is an international treaty signed in 1961.
• To put forth a framework for diplomatic interactions between independent nations and aims to ensure the development of friendly relations among nations.
• Signed by: At present 193 countries are party to the convention.
• The convention formalizes the longstanding practice of diplomatic immunity. It grants diplomatic missions privileges that enable diplomats to perform their functions without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country.
• India has said that its actions are as per provisions of Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR).
• Article 11.1 pertains to the size of international missions within other countries.
• It provides the receiving state the right to limit the size of a diplomatic mission to what it considers reasonable and normal.

NOTE:

•  Article 11: If there is no specific agreement on the number of diplomats allowed in a mission, the receiving State (host country) can set limits.
• The host country can determine the reasonable and normal size of a diplomatic mission.
• This determination can be made based on the circumstances and conditions in the host country and the specific needs of the mission.

Bletchley Declaration

Twenty-nine countries such as the US, the UK, China, Australia, Brazil and India, along with the European union have agreed to work together to prevent “catastrophic harm, either deliberate or unintentional” which may arise from artificially intelligent computer models and engines.

Key Highlights:

• The central objective of the Bletchley Declaration is to address risks and responsibilities associated with frontier AI in a comprehensive and collaborative manner.
• The document emphasizes the necessity of aligning AI systems with human intent and urges a deeper exploration of AI’s full capabilities.
• Member countries are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Saudi, Arabia, Netherlands, Nigeria, The Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, and the European Union.
• It was marked by an agreement which resolved to establish “a shared understanding of the opportunities and risks posed by frontier AI”. It includes:

1. Acknowledgment of the substantial risks from potential intentional misuse or unintended issues of control of frontier AI — especially cybersecurity, biotechnology, and disinformation risks.
2. The declaration noted the potential for serious harm, deliberate or unintentional, stemming from the most significant capabilities of these AI models, as well as risks beyond frontier AI, including those of bias and privacy.
3. These risks are “best addressed through international cooperation”. As part of the agreement on international collaboration on frontier AI safety, future summits will be held annually.
4. It highlights the importance of safeguarding human rights, transparency, explainability, fairness, accountability, regulation, safety, human oversight, ethics, bias mitigation, privacy, and data protection.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor 

The US President has said that the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is one of the reasons for Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.

Key Highlights: 

• The corridor will encourage and provide impetus to economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, West Asia, the Middle East and Europe. 

• During the Delhi G20 Summit, India, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. 

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will consist of two separate corridors, the East corridor connecting India to West Asia/Middle East and the Northern corridor connecting West Asia/Middle East to Europe. 

• The project would involve the building of a railway line across the Arabian Peninsula through the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia and develop shipping connectivity to India and Europe on either end of this corridor. 

• The corridor could be further developed to transport energy through pipelines and data through an optical fiber link.

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance is being held in New Delhi.

Key Highlights:

The key reports released during the sixth assembly of the International Solar Alliance are:

• World Solar Technology Report 2023 focuses on solar photovoltaics (solar PV) and specifically highlights advancements in crystalline silicon technology. Solar PV has shown remarkable growth and is projected to capture 56.4% of total renewable energy share by 2050. Crystalline silicon technology dominates the market with a 98% share.
• World Solar Market Report 2023 looks at how the solar power market has changed over time. It started in Europe but now the Asia-Pacific region is leading. The solar market has been growing really fast (37% each year) and expanded a lot in 2022.
• World Solar Investment Report 2023 shows that investment in solar power went up a lot in 2022, to more than $300 billion (a 36% increase from 2021). China, Germany and the USA were the top solar investment destinations. The report recommends that to keep solar power growing, we need to invest in electricity grids and storage, have a variety of supply chains and focus on developing markets.

Exercise BONGOSAGAR

The 4th edition of Exercise BONGOSAGAR was conducted in the Northern Bay of Bengal.

Key Highlights:

• India and Bangladesh conducted Naval Exercise ‘BONGOSAGAR’
• To develop a high degree of interoperability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations between the two navies.
• Indian Navy Ships Kuthar, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise.
• Other exercises between India and Bangladesh is Exercise SAMPRITI: It is an annual joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

Agartala-Akhaura Cross-Border Rail Link Project

The Indian and Bangladesh Prime Minister will jointly inaugurate the Agartala-Akhaura CrossBorder Rail Link Project.

Key Highlights:

• The rail link will significantly reduce the travel time between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka.
• At present, the rail route from Agartala to Kolkata is around 1600 kilometers and takes 38 hours. Once the rail link opens, the travel time will be reduced to roughly 10 hours.
• Expected to boost India-Bangladesh trade in various goods such as agriculture products, tea, sugar, construction items, iron and steel, and consumer goods.
• It Will help foster closer relationships between people from India and Bangladesh.

Project Kusha

Project Kusha entails operational deployment of India’s own long-range air defense system by 2028-29.

Key Highlights: 

• This indigenous air defense system is designed to detect and destroy a wide array of threats, including stealth fighters, aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions at ranges of up to 350 km.
• It is developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
• Aim is that it seeks to establish a formidable threelayered defense system with the capability to neutralize enemy aircraft and missiles from extended distances effectively.

Features:

• The long range surface to air defence system (LRSAM) incorporates advance long range surveillance and fire control radars.
• Interceptor missiles with a range of 150 km, 200 km and 350 km, provide the ability to detect and strike hostile targets at different distances.
• The firing units of “Project Kusha” can be seamlessly integrated with IAF’s air command and control system, facilitating coordination with wide range of military radars.
• Impressive single shot probability of around 80%. When two missiles are fired consecutively, kill probability rises to 90 percent.

Mid-Planning Conference for Multilateral Naval Exercise (MILAN) – 24

The Mid Planning Conference (MPC) of MILAN 24 (Multilateral Naval Exercise – 2024) was hosted by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.

Key Highlights:

• MILAN is Biennial multilateral naval exercise

• It was started by Indian Navy in 1995 

• To enhance professional interaction between friendly foreign navies and learn from each other’s strengths and best practices in the maritime domain.

• The exercise began with the participation of just four countries: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

• Over the years, it has grown in terms of both the number of participants and the complexity of exercises. In 2022, 39 countries participated in the Milan exercise.

• The exercise originally aligned with India’s ‘Look East Policy’. It later expanded to include more countries as part of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative. 

• This expansion involved nations from both the western Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the countries along the IOR coast.

• Exercise MILAN 2024 is likely to witness the largest ever participation with invites being extended to over 50 countries.

• The exercise aligns with India’s G20 Presidency and the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” emphasizing global unity.

Deep Ocean Mission

For the first time, India will embark on a journey to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean using an indigenously developed submersible under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM).

Key Highlights:

• DOM is implemented by the Ministry Of Earth Sciences (MoES) and was approved in 2021 at a cost of nearly Rs 4,077 crore over a five-year period in a phased manner. The mission has six pillars:

1. Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and a manned submersible to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean;

2. Development of ocean climate change advisory services, involving an array of ocean observations and models to understand and provide future climate projections;

3. Technological innovations for the exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity;

4. Deep-ocean survey and exploration aimed at identifying potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralisation along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges;

5. Harnessing energy and freshwater from the ocean.

6. Establishing an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology, as a hub for nurturing talent and driving new opportunities in ocean biology and blue biotechnology.

Carbon Nanoflorets

Recently, researchers at IIT Bombay have created carbon nanoflorets capable of converting sunlight into heat with unmatched efficiency. 

Key Highlights:

• This innovation holds the potential to revolutionize sustainable heating solutions while minimizing the carbon footprint.
• Carbon nanoflorets are a unique nanostructure composed of carbon atoms arranged in a distinctive floret-like morphology. 
• They have a high surface area and various potential applications in fields such as materials science, electronics, and nanotechnology due to their exceptional properties and structure. 
• It can remove up to 90% of pollutants containing arsenic, chromium, cadmium and mercury. 
• These can absorb light at multiple frequencies like infrared, visible and ultraviolet. 
• The nanoflorets can generate heat sustainably, without having to burn fossil fuels. 
• The nanofloret coatings can help heat up housing and sterilise surfaces in hospitals. 
• A single square meter of carbon nanofloret coating has the remarkable capacity to vaporize 5 liters of water per hour.

5G and 6G Technology

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary has said that India has the potential to lead in 6G standardization by leveraging its indigenous 5G technology.

Key Highlights:

• 5G provides speeds up to several gigabits per second (Gbps) whereas 6G expected to offer speed in the terabits per second (Tbps) range. 
• 5G utilizes technologies like massive MIMO, beamforming and network slicing whereas 6G predicted to integrate technologies such as AI-driven networks, advanced beamforming and quantum cryptography. 
• 5G enables advancements in Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, AR/VR and smart cities whereas 6G expected to support more advanced applications such as holographic communications, real-time AI and more sophisticated IoT. 
• 5G currently being deployed globally, with ongoing expansion and 6G expected to start commercial deployment around the late 2020s to 2030 and beyond.

National Efficient Cooking Programme

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) launched the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP). 

About

• Ministry: Ministry for Power and New & Renewable Energy

• Aim: To promote affordable and energy-efficient induction cookers

• NECP is a subset of the Clean Cooking Scheme. 

• It focuses on Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, aligning with the Go- electric initiative by the Ministry of Power.

• It introduces induction-based cook-stoves that offer cost advantages of 25-30% over traditional cooking methods.

• By deploying 20 lakh (2 million) energy-efficient induction cook stoves across India, NECP seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, resulting in cleaner air and improved health.

• EESL has partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) for the large-scale deployment of induction cooktops.

• The program is expected to accelerate the adoption of modern electric cooking devices in Indian households.

Benefits of Electric Cooking

• Energy Security and Reduced Dependence on Imports

• Cost Savings for Poor Familie

• Comparable Food Quality

• Sustainable Practices and Energy Efficiency.

• Increased Share of Non-Fossil-Fuel Energy Sources

• Panchamrit in COP-26 : Reach 500GW Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

• Enhanced Well-being and Environmental Impact

Environmental DNA

Researchers at the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) have developed a method for detecting all life forms in an ecosystem using environmental DNA (eDNA).

Key Highlights:

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to genetic material that organisms shed into their environment. It can be found in various environmental sources such as soil, water or air.
• This genetic material is derived from shed skin cells, mucus, urine, feces, hair or any organic material released by organisms into their surroundings.
• eDNA is a powerful tool used in environmental monitoring and biodiversity studies. It allows scientists to detect the presence of organisms without directly observing them.
• Researcher have developed a method to detect all life forms within an ecosystem using environmental DNA (eDNA).
• This method involves collecting water, soil or air samples and then sequencing the DNA fragments to evaluate the total biodiversity in the ecosystem.
• It can detect a broad spectrum of organisms, encompassing viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, plants, insects, birds, fish, and various animals.
• The technique is non-invasive, cost-effective, rapid, and scalable. It offers an effective means for monitoring and conserving biodiversity in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.

About : Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES):

• LaCONES is a dedicated Laboratory of CSIR’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) established in 1998
• It is India’s only research facility engaged in conservation and preservation of wildlife and its resources.
• India’s first genetic bank for wildlife conservation, the National wildlife genetic resource bank (NWGRB) was established at LaCONES in 2018.

Global Declaration for Protection of River Dolphins

Eleven Asian and South American countries have signed a Global Declaration for Protection of River Dolphins.

Key Highlights:

• It was signed by 11 countries (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, and Venezuela).
• Its aim is to halt the decline of all river dolphin species by 2030.
• Measures to be taken: Improve water quality in the dolphins’ habitat, create protected areas, tackle overfishing and involve Indigenous communities in the affected regions in protecting the animals.
• River dolphins are a group of fully aquatic mammals that reside exclusively in freshwater or brackish water.
• The six surviving river dolphins species are: Amazon, Indus, Ganges, Irrawaddy, Tucuxi and Yangtze finless porpoise. A seventh species, the Chinese river dolphin or baiji, was declared extinct in 2007.
• Since the 1980s, river dolphin populations have declined by 73% due to several threats like unsustainable fishing practices, hydropower dams, pollution from agriculture, industry and mining, and habitat loss.

Cyclone Tej

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that Cyclone Tej, a depression gathering force in the Arabian Sea, intensified into an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’ near the coasts of Oman and Yemen.

Key Highlights: 

• It developed from a low-pressure area in the southeast Arabian Sea and intensified into a depression.
• Currently, it is moving west-northwest towards Maharashtra’s coast.
• Cyclone Tej may bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, storm surges, and coastal flooding to the affected areas.

About India Meteorological Department (IMD):

•  It was established in 1875.
• It is the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
• It is under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

Developed Countries Emission Trajectories

A Delhi-based think tank Council for Energy Environment and Water (CEEW) has published a study titled “Revealing Developed Countries’ Emission Trajectories”.

Key Highlights:

• Between 1990 and 2020, developed countries managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% aligning with their collective target.

• However, a substantial part of this reduction occurred due to events like the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and changes during the mid-1990s when former Soviet countries transitioned to market economies.

• Developed countries are responsible for three-fourths of current carbon emissions.

• Climate targets for 2030 also known as NDCs for developed countries represent a 36 per cent reduction in emissions compared to 2019.

• This falls short of the 43 per cent reduction needed on the global average to limit warming to 1.5°C.

• Moreover, developed countries are projected to emit 38% more carbon by 2030 than their commitments suggest.

• Around 83% of this overshoot in emissions will be caused by the U.S, Russia and European Union.

• Only two Parties to the Paris Agreement, Belarus and Norway are projected to meet their 2030 NDCs.

• To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, developed nations aim to significantly ramp up emission reductions post-2030.

• However, even if they achieve net-zero by 2050, they are projected to consume a significant portion, around 40-50%, of the remaining carbon budget.

UNEP Production Gap Report 2023

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has published the Production Gap Report 2023.

Key Highlights:

• It was prepared by UNEP, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Climate Analytics, E3G and International Institute for Sustainable Development.
• To track the discrepancy between governments’ planned fossil fuel production and global production levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C
• The report analyzes emissions trends for 20 major fossil-fuel-producing countries. One among them is India.
• Under the Paris Agreement, countries have committed to a long-term goal of limiting average global temperature to less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and even try to limit them further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the report analyzed the 20 major fossil fuel producing countries.
• It found that these countries plan to produce more than double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C and 69% more than that would be consistent with 2 degrees Celsius.
• Recommendations given by the Production Gap Report 2023 is to Increase transparency in the plans, projections and support for fossil fuel production and aim for a near total phase-out of coal production and use by 2040 and a combined reduction in oil and gas production and use by three-quarters by 2050 from 2020 levels.

World Food India 2023

The Prime Minister has inaugurated the second edition of the ‘World Food India 2023’ in New Delhi.

Key Highlights:

• It was organized by Ministry of Food Processing Industries
• Its aim is to present India as the ‘food basket of the world’ and commemorate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

The key focus pillars are:

• Shree Anna (Millets): Millets are ancient grains that have been part of India’s rich heritage for millennia. They are super foods that provide high nutrition, gluten-free options, climate resilience, and ecofriendliness. The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) with the aim of increasing the production and consumption of millets worldwide.
• Exponential Food Processing: Positioning India as the Global Hub: India has a vision to become a global hub for food processing and create a competitive advantage for itself in the world food market. Financing Agri Food Value Chains, especially supporting MSMEs, is a key focus area.
• Strategic Segments: Unlocking Potentials for Growth: India is one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of food products. India leads the world in the production of milk, bananas, mangoes, papayas, guavas, ginger, okra and buffalo meat. It ranks second in the production of rice, wheat, potatoes, garlic, cashew nuts.
• Creating an Inclusive and Efficient Ecosystem: Removing barriers and establishing a coordinated framework for inclusive opportunities. In line with this, government has allowed 100% FDI under the automatic route in food processing industries in India.
• Sustainable Development for Prosperity: Embracing sustainable practices, renewable energy and ecofriendly agricultural and food processing methods for a more sustainable future.

Purple Economy

Shanti Raghavan is the recipient of the Business Line Change makers Award in 2020. She leads an organization called EnAble India. It is working on creating a purple economy.

Key Highlights:

• Purple Economy obtains its name from the color adopted by many feminist movements. 

• It represents a new vision of economics that recognizes the importance of care work, empowerment and autonomy of women.

There are four pillars of the purple economy: 

1. Universal Care Services: To address gender and class disparities, ensure that professional care services are accessible to all households, either through publicly funded or state-subsidized private services. 

2. Work-Life Balance in the Job Market: Implement measures for a fairer distribution of care responsibilities between genders, like parental leave and reduced work hours. 

3. Alleviate Rural Unpaid Work: Reduce the extra care giving burden on women and girls in rural areas by improving infrastructure to save time spent on tasks like fetching water, farming and cooking. 

4. New Economic Policies: Support these measures with macroeconomic policies that generate jobs, allocate resources for care services, invest in rural infrastructure and ensure effective regulations to make these changes a reality.

World Energy Outlook 2023

 The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released the World Energy Outlook 2023.

Key Highlights:

• World Energy Outlook 2023 released by International Energy Agency (IEA) to provide in-depth analysis and strategic insights into every aspect of the global energy system.

• Fossil fuel share in the global energy supply is projected to reduce from around 80% to 73% by 2030. 

•  Investment in clean energy has risen by 40% since 2020.

• India is expected to have the highest growth in energy demand over the next three decades.

• But India’s industrial sector will emit 30% less CO2 by 2030 and passenger cars will emit 25% less CO2 per kilometer driven.

• This is due to the government policies in addressing climate commitments through increased efficiency and new technologies.

Initiatives taken by India to reduce carbon emissions:

• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Launched in 2015, it’s an alliance of the “sunshine countries” with an objective of efficient utilization of solar energy. 
• One sun, one world, one grid project along with the United Kingdom: It is based on the vision of building and scaling inter-regional energy grids to share solar energy across the globe. 
• Accelerating e-mobility transition with the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles Scheme. 
• Mission LiFE is a global mass movement led by India that aims to encourage individual and collective action to protect and preserve the environment. 
• Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT): It is a business-led initiative that encourages companies to adopt low-carbon business practices and technologies.

British Academy Book Prize

India-born author Nandini Das won the 2023 British Academy Book Prize for her book ‘Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire’.

Key Highlights:

• The British Academy Book Prize, worth 25000 British pounds sterling, is awarded annually for a non-fiction book that promotes global cultural understanding for a wider public audience.
• The prize covers various subjects within the social sciences and humanities.
• It aims to promote cross-cultural dialogue and appreciation of diverse cultures.
• Nandini Das is 49-year-old and is English Professor at the University of Oxford.
• She has sought to present a new perspective on the origins of the empire through the story of the arrival of the first English ambassador in India, Sir Thomas Roe, in the early 17th century.

Ghost Particles or Neutrinos

China is building the world’s largest telescope called “Trident” below the South China Sea. The job of the telescope is to detect “ghost particles” also known as neutrinos.

Key Highlights:

• Neutrinos are tiny subatomic particles. They are often called ‘ghost particles’ because they barely interact with anything else.
• Neutrinos do not carry an electric charge which means they are not affected by electromagnetic forces. This allows them to pass through matter including most atoms, with minimal interaction.
• Neutrinos have a mass much smaller than other fundamental particles like electrons or quarks.
• Neutrinos’ weak charge have made them difficult to observe. They can only be seen when they interact with other particles.
• Neutrinos will help solve a number of scientific mysteries like the origin of the cosmic rays which are known to contain neutrinos.
• Neutrinos are essential for understanding the origins of our universe

Lithium, Niobium and Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

The Union Cabinet has approved a royalty rate for lithium, niobium, and for Rare Earth Elements (REEs).

Key Highlights:

• Recently, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment act, 2023 was passed by the Parliament.
• The amendment delisted six minerals including Lithium and Niobium, from the list of atomic minerals, thereby allowing grant of concessions for these minerals to the private sector through auction.
• Further, the amendment provided that mining lease and composite license of 24 critical and strategic minerals including Lithium, Niobium and REEs (not containing Uranium and Thorium) shall be auctioned by the Central Government.
• The Second Schedule of the MMDR Act provides royalty rates for various minerals.
• The act currently specifies a royalty rate of 12% of the average sale price (ASP) for minerals that are not specifically listed in that Schedule. This rate is much higher than global benchmarks.
• Hence, that’s why new royalty rates have been specified by amending the Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
• These amendments effectively aligns India’s royalty rates with global benchmarks and paves the way for commercial exploitation of these minerals through auctions, which can be conducted by the Centre or states.
• Lithium is an alkali metal. It is one of the key components in rechargeable batteries that find usage in mobiles, laptops, electric vehicles, and medical devices like pacemakers. It is also used in energy storage solutions.
• Rare earth elements refers to a group of 17-odd minerals that cover ones like scandium, yttrium, and cerium, among others. Most of these are used as catalysts and magnets, with the most common usage being in alloys, glass, electronics, petroleum extraction, electric motors of hybrid and EVS and wind turbines, among others.
• Niobium is a silvery metal with a layer of oxide on its surface which makes it resistant to corrosion.
• It is used in alloys, including stainless steel, to improve their strength, particularly at low temperatures.
• Alloys containing niobium are used in jet engines, beams and girders for buildings, and oil and gas pipelines. Given its superconducting properties, it is also used in magnets for particle accelerators and MRI scanners.
• The main source of Niobium is the mineral columbite, which is found in countries such as Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Nigeria.

AIR QUALITY LIFE INDEX (AQLI) 2023

Annual update of the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2023 has been released.It is produced by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).

Key Highlights: 

• AQLI, converts air pollution concentrations & their impact on life expectancy.
• The AQLI was built to help solve some of these challenges by providing local information on air quality and its health consequences.

Major Highlights of the Report:

Short of benchmark: Not a single nation across the globe achieved the air quality benchmark set by the World Health Organization, which stands at 5 micrograms of pollutants per cubic meter of air (μg/m³) in the year 2021.

Indian Scenario:

• Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan—where 22.9 percent of the global population lives—are the top four most polluted countries in the world.
• The most polluted region of India is the Northern Plains, home to more than a half billion people and 38.9 percent of the country’s population.
• The region contains the capital city of Delhi, the most polluted megacity in the world with annual average particulate pollution of 126.5 µg/ m3 —more than 25 times the WHO guideline.
• The average Indian resident is to lose 5.3 years of life expectancy if the WHO guideline is not met.

Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting approved “Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023 to enable and empower the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) to undertake campaigns in the Digital Media Space.

Key Highlights:

• It has been formulated after wide ranging discussions with multiple stakeholders and outlines the roadmap of enhancing the Digital Outreach of the Government of India and improving information dissemination to the Citizens.
• It introduces competitive bidding for rate discovery, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Rates discovered through this process will remain valid for three years and will be applicable to all eligible agencies.
• It marks a pivotal moment in CBC’s mission to disseminate information and create awareness regarding various schemes, programs, and policies of the Government of India in response to the evolving media landscape and the increased digitalization of media consumption.
• The Policy also recognizes the dynamic nature of the digital landscape and empowers CBC to on board New and Innovative Communication Platforms in the Digital Space with the approval of a duly constituted committee.
• The Policy will enable CBC to empanel agencies and organisations in the OTT and Video on Demand Space.
• CBC will also be able to leverage the growing number of listeners to Podcasts and Digital Audio platforms through empanelment of Digital Audio platforms.
• Apart from rationalising its process of empanelling Internet Websites, CBC now for the first time will be able to channelize its public service campaign messages through Mobile Applications too.
• The policy also empowers CBC to empanel Digital Media Agencies to enhance its outreach through the various platforms.

Operation ‘Nanhe Faristey

Railway Protection Force reunited over 601 children with their families under Operation ‘Nanhe Faristey’.

Key Highlights: 

• This initiative was introduced on the Indian Railways platform.
• It aims to rescue and safeguard children in need of care and protection who encountered by the railway system.
• Trained personnel rescue the children who have come to railway stations without informing their parents, because of some family issues or in search of a better life.
• Under this program, these children were promptly rescued and transferred to the relevant authorities before being reunited with their families.

Other Initiatives by Railways

ATL Marathon 2023-24

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog opened applications for ‘ATL Marathon 2023-24’- a flagship innovation challenge organised this year in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, YuWaah and UNICEF.

Key Highlights:

• It is a national-level innovation challenge for young innovators across India who can solve community problems of their choice, and develop innovative solutions in the form of working prototypes.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the hosting partner of this edition of ATL Marathon.
• The last edition of the Marathon witnessed 12000+ innovations from school students across India.
• This year’s ATL Marathon is themed around “India’s 75th Republic Day”, with several problem statements on which student teams can build projects like Space, Agriculture, Inclusivity, Disaster management, Mobility, Health, Education & Skill Development.
• ATL Marathon is open for all schools across the country, independent of whether they are connected to an Atal Tinkering Lab or not.

About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM):

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog is Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country and was set up in 2016.
• Towards this end AIM has taken a holistic approach to ensure creation of a problem-solving innovative mindset in schools and creating an ecosystem of entrepreneurship in universities, research institutions, private and MSME sector.

Right to Privacy Vs Right to Know

The Supreme Court of India is hearing the case on the validity of the electoral bond scheme.

Key Highlights:

• The case involves resolving a conflict between two rights that is voters Right to Know the source of political funding for ensuring transparency in the electoral process and Right to Privacy and confidentiality of companies in exercising their right to choose which party to fund.
• Privacy is defined as a human right enjoyed by every human being by virtue of his or her existence.
• The Right to Privacy was not directly envisaged by the Constitution makers. It also did not find a mention in Part III of the Constitution relating to Fundamental Rights.
• However, the Supreme Court gave a landmark decision on Right to Privacy in Justice K.S Puttaswamy vs Union of India case (2017).
• It ruled that Right to Privacy is “intrinsic to life and personal liberty”. It is inherently protected under Article 21 and as a part of the freedoms guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution.
• The court also ruled that the right to privacy is not absolute, but is subject to reasonable restrictions (as is every other fundamental right).
• The Right may be restricted only by state action that passes each of the three tests: First, such state action must have a legislative mandate, Second, it must be pursuing a legitimate state purpose, and Third, it must be proportionate i.e., such state actionboth in its nature and extent, must be necessary in a democratic society and the action ought to be the least intrusive of the available alternatives to accomplish the ends.
• Right to know is the species of the right to speech and expression provided by the Article 19(1) (a) of the constitution of India. A citizen has a fundamental right to access towards information. It is the duty of the state to protect the fundamental right.