PM JANMAN
is a government scheme aimed at integrating tribal communities into the mainstream. Implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with state governments and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), it focuses on 11 critical interventions overseen by 9 line ministries. These interventions include implementing existing schemes in PVTG villages, establishing Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for trading forest produce, and providing off-grid solar power systems and solar street lights to 1 lakh households. The scheme seeks to enhance the quality of life and well-being of PVTGs by addressing discrimination and exclusion while recognizing their unique contributions to national and global development.
Pressmud
also known as filter cake or press cake, is a residual byproduct in the sugar industry that has gained recognition as a valuable resource for green energy production. Indian sugar mills can generate additional revenue by utilizing pressmud as a feedstock for biogas production through anaerobic digestion, resulting in Compressed Biogas (CBG). Anaerobic digestion is a process where bacteria break down organic matter, such as pressmud, in the absence of oxygen. Pressmud typically yields 3-4% by weight of the input sugarcane processed in a unit. It has the potential to yield approximately 460,000 tonnes of CBG, valued at Rs 2,484 crore, based on the minimum guaranteed price set by the central government’s Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation scheme.
Mission Shakti
consists of two sub-schemes: 'Sambal' and 'Samarthya,' focusing on the safety, security, and empowerment of women. Under the 'Sambal' sub-scheme, initiatives such as One Stop Centres (OSC), Women Helplines (181-WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), and Nari Adalat are implemented to ensure the safety and security of women.
The Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS),
launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), is a voluntary third-party certification program aimed at promoting sustainable forest management and agroforestry in India. It provides an alternative to private foreign certification agencies, ensuring greater integrity, transparency, and credibility in certifying sustainable forest management and wood-based products. The scheme covers three main areas: sustainable forest management, sustainable management of trees outside forests (e.g., plantations), and chain of custody to guarantee traceability of forest products throughout their supply chain. The launch of IFWCS aligns with global efforts to address deforestation concerns and the pledge made by over 100 countries at the Glasgow climate change conference in 2021 to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
The recent Supreme Court decision to uphold the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has led to recommendations for establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). A TRC, also known as a 'truth and justice commission,' is an official mechanism aimed at acknowledging and revealing wrongdoings by governments or non-state actors. Some of the most well-known and consequential commissions have been established in South Africa, Australia, and Canada. In India's neighborhood, truth commissions have also been set up in Sri Lanka and Nepal. Typically, a TRC is a temporary body tasked with producing a final report upon conclusion of its proceedings.
Gram Manchitra
Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj introduced two new initiatives: "Gram Manchitra," a Geographic Information System (GIS) app, and "mActionSoft," a mobile-based solution for geo-tagging project assets.
1. Gram Manchitra: This GIS app aims to encourage spatial planning initiatives by Gram Panchayats, leveraging geospatial technology. It provides a single, unified platform for visualizing developmental projects and activities at the Gram Panchayat level.
2. mActionSoft: This mobile-based solution facilitates the geo-tagging of project assets. It enables the tagging of project-related information with geographical coordinates, enhancing project monitoring and management capabilities.
Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA)
Recently, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) launched the Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The GRCA is an international coalition dedicated to conserving, sustainably managing, and protecting river systems worldwide. It brings together a diverse array of countries and river cities, fostering partnerships among key nations such as India, Egypt, Netherlands, Denmark, Ghana, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, and others. With membership extending to cover over 275 river cities across 11 countries, the GRCA demonstrates substantial global reach and influence. During the event, the NMCG also signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), representing 124 cities/towns along the banks of the Mississippi River in the United States, on behalf of the River Cities Alliance (RCA).
The AMRIT Technology,
developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Madras, addresses water quality issues by removing arsenic and metal ions from water. It utilizes nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide, selectively removing arsenic as water passes through it. Arsenic, a natural component of the earth's crust, is highly toxic in its inorganic form and can cause cancer, skin lesions, and Blackfoot disease (BFD) from chronic exposure through drinking water and food.
Counter Vailing Duty (CVD)
refers to tariffs imposed on imported goods to counteract subsidies provided to producers of those goods in the exporting country. They are intended to level the playing field between domestic producers and foreign producers who can sell their products at a lower price due to government subsidies. The World Trade Organization (WTO) allows its member countries to impose countervailing duties. Recently, the United States and the European Union imposed CVDs on four Indian products in retaliation against the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) scheme introduced in January 2021. These investigations resulted in CVD determinations for items such as paper file folders, common alloy aluminum sheet, forged steel fluid end blocks by the U.S., and specific graphite electrode systems investigated by the European Commission.
Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for three more years until 2026. FTSCs are specialized courts established in India to expedite the trial process for cases related to sexual offenses, particularly those involving rape and violations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). The government established FTSCs in response to the alarming frequency of sexual offenses and the prolonged duration of trials in regular courts, which resulted in delayed justice for victims. The scheme to establish FTSCs was formulated in August 2019 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme following directions from the Supreme Court of India in a suo moto Writ Petition (Criminal). The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, implements the FTSC scheme.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
are village-level cooperative credit societies that form the last link in a three-tier cooperative credit structure. This structure is headed by State Cooperative Banks (SCBs) at the state level, with credit transferred from SCBs to District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) at the district level. DCCBs collaborate with PACSs, which directly serve farmers by providing short-term and medium-term agricultural loans for various farming activities. Additionally, PACSs can also serve as drone entrepreneurs for spraying fertilizers and pesticides. Soon, PACSs will offer services similar to those provided by Common Service Centres (CSC). The first PACS was formed in 1904.
IOSCO, the International Organization of Securities Commissions,
was founded in April 1983 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. Its Asia Pacific Hub is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. IOSCO is an international organization that brings together securities regulators from around the world, covering more than 95% of the world's securities markets. It serves as the global standard setter for the securities sector and works closely with the G20 and the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in setting standards to strengthen securities markets. IOSCO also plays a role in enforcing matters related to the interpretation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and maintains a confidential database of enforcement actions taken by member agencies. SEBI, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, is an ordinary member of IOSCO.
sub-Neptunes
In a recent study published in Nature, the discovery of six exoplanets orbiting a nearby bright star, HD 110067, located in the Coma Berenices constellation, was unveiled. These six exoplanets in the HD 110067 system are classified as 'sub-Neptunes'. Sub-Neptunes are planets with radii between that of Earth and Neptune. Calculations of their masses and densities suggest the presence of relatively low-density atmospheres, potentially rich in hydrogen.
Diel Vertical Migration (DVM)
is a synchronized movement of marine organisms, typically observed in deep-sea creatures such as zooplankton, as they migrate vertically in the water column. This movement involves ascending towards the surface at night and descending to deeper levels during the day. DVM helps these organisms find food while avoiding predators, serving as a strategic survival tactic.
At dusk, organisms from the mesopelagic layer (also known as the Twilight Zone) rise to the safety of the epipelagic zone (Upper Layer), utilizing darkness to feed on microscopic phytoplankton while evading diurnal predators. This synchronized migration, finely attuned to natural light cycles, is the planet's largest biomass migration and occurs daily across all oceans.
DVM plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration:
- Organisms inhabiting the mesopelagic layer actively extract substantial carbon from upper ocean layers while feeding on surface plankton, transporting it to deeper waters.
- Within the twilight zone, migratory animals contribute to the food chain, passing on consumed carbon to their predators. The resulting carbon-rich waste sinks to the ocean floor, becoming a crucial carbon sink that traps carbon dioxide and helps regulate atmospheric carbon concentration.
Kala-Azar,
also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is a slow-progressing indigenous disease caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. It is also referred to as Black Fever or Dumdum Fever. In India, Leishmania donovani is the only parasite causing this disease. Kala-Azar is transmitted by sandflies, with sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus argentipes being the only known vectors in India. Symptoms include fever, weight loss, and enlargement of the spleen and liver. If left untreated, it can be fatal in 95% of cases.
India has made significant progress in eliminating visceral leishmaniasis, with a marked decline in reported cases and deaths. The country is close to meeting the elimination target set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Project Gemini,
introduced by Google, is an artificial intelligence (AI) model engineered to demonstrate human-like behavior. This advancement is anticipated to further propel the ongoing AI race and stimulate discussions about the potential benefits and risks associated with this technology.
Arbitration Agreements in Unstamped Contracts Valid
Recently, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court ruled that arbitration agreements embedded in unstamped or insufficiently-stamped substantive commercial contracts or instruments are not invalid, unenforceable, or non-existent. The Chief Justice of India, delivering the lead opinion in a curative petition, overruled an earlier five-judge Bench verdict in the N.N. Global case, stating that "non-stamping or inadequate stamping is a curable defect."
This decision means that non-payment or insufficient stamping of contracts under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, would not affect arbitration proceedings under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Arbitration Act is considered a self-contained code, and matters governed by it, such as the arbitration agreement, appointment of arbitrators, and competence of the arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction, must be assessed according to the law specified under the Arbitration Act.
Electronic Soil' (eSoil)
Researchers from Linköping University in Sweden have developed 'Electronic Soil' (eSoil) that can accelerate the growth of plants in hydroponic spaces. Unlike traditional substrates like mineral wool, which are non-biodegradable and manufactured using energy-intensive processes, eSoil is composed of cellulose, a biopolymer, blended with a conductive polymer called PEDOT (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)). This innovative blend allows for the stimulation of plant root systems through low-power electrical currents. eSoil offers the advantage of significantly lower energy consumption and eliminates the risk associated with high-voltage systems.
Dark energy
is a mysterious and elusive form of energy that constitutes a significant portion of the total energy content of the universe. It is believed to be responsible for the observed accelerated expansion of the cosmos. Approximately 68% of the universe is composed of dark energy, while dark matter makes up about 27%. In contrast, all observable normal matter, including everything on Earth and everything detected by our instruments, accounts for less than 5% of the universe's total energy content. Dark energy behaves unlike gravity, which attracts objects together; instead, it acts as a repulsive force, pushing galaxies away from each other and contributing to the expansion of the universe.
Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs)
were proposed in the Union Budget 2019-20 as a platform for listing social enterprises, voluntary organizations, and welfare organizations to raise capital. Social enterprises are non-loss, non-dividend-paying companies created to address social problems. SSEs operate under the supervision of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The initiative aims to assist social and voluntary organizations in raising capital through equity, debt, or mutual fund units. It provides new and cost-effective sources of financing for social welfare projects, demonstrating India's independence from foreign aid. SEBI has permitted social enterprises listed on SSEs to raise funds through Zero Coupon Zero Principal Bonds (ZCZP). Recently, SGBS Unnati Foundation (SUF) became the first entity to list on SSEs.
AIRAWAT,
short for Artificial Intelligence Research, Analytics, and Knowledge Assimilation Platform, is a cloud computing platform proposed by NITI Aayog. It was part of a cabinet note circulated in 2019. The aim of establishing AIRAWAT is to advance India's position as a leader among emerging economies in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The platform is envisioned to play a significant role in transforming various sectors such as education, health, agriculture, urbanization, and mobility by leveraging AI technologies.
India's re-election to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council
marks its continuous service at the IMO, a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping and preventing marine pollution from ships. Established in 1948 following a UN conference in Geneva, the IMO came into existence in 1958, with India joining in 1959. Its main role is to create a fair and effective regulatory framework for the shipping industry, universally adopted and implemented. The IMO also deals with legal matters such as liability and compensation issues and facilitates international maritime traffic.
As part of India's Vision 2030, there is a goal to enhance representation at IMO by appointing permanent representatives at IMO London. India's re-election falls under the category of 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, alongside countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
India's leadership in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) in 2024
is significant. GPAI is an alliance of 28 countries, and the European Union has adopted the 'New Delhi Declaration' of the GPAI. Membership in GPAI is open to all countries, including emerging and developing nations. The secretariat of GPAI is hosted at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.
The 'Delhi Declaration of the GPAI' likely outlines the shared commitments and principles agreed upon by GPAI members to promote the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies globally. It may include objectives related to ethics, transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence.
The statement acknowledges the imperative to capitalize on new opportunities while mitigating the risks associated with the development, deployment, and utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It recognizes the potential of AI to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and tackle global challenges effectively. Additionally, it advocates for fostering international cooperation and coordination in AI research, innovation, and policy-making to ensure responsible and inclusive advancement in this field.
Article 99 of the United Nations Charter
Article 99 indeed empowers the Secretary-General to bring attention to the Security Council regarding matters that could threaten international peace and security, at their discretion.
The recent invocation of Article 99 by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to warn the UN Security Council about the dangers posed by Israel's actions in Gaza is a notable example of its use. Additionally, previous invocations have addressed various critical issues such as the upheaval in the Republic of the Congo in 1960, Tunisia's complaint against France's military actions in 1961, and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Kolattam
is a folk dance originating from the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, primarily performed as a religious offering to pay homage to the temple Goddess in many regions of Andhra Pradesh. It is a predominantly female dance form, with men not typically participating.
Also known as Kolkollannalu or Kollannalu, this dance is often performed in groups, with dancers forming pairs. Each dancer holds two sticks and moves them in rhythm as part of the performance. The sticks used in Kolattam, known as Kolattam Kara, are solid wooden sticks made of wood and lacquer.
Mudiyettu
is a ritual theater and dance drama originating from Kerala, which portrays the mythological tale of a battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. This ritual is a significant part of the bhagavathi or bhadrakali cult and is typically performed in Bhagavati temples, usually between February and May, following the harvest season.
The performance involves members of the Marar and Kuruppu communities, who adorn themselves with painted faces, elaborate costumes, and headgears. Various characters are portrayed in the drama, including Shiva, Narada, Darika, Kali, Daanavendra, Koyichaadar, and Kooli.
The culmination of the ritual depicts a victorious Kali entering the stage while holding the head of Darika, followed by a song of praise to Shiva. Mudiyettu holds the distinction of being recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, making it the second art form from Kerala to receive this recognition after Kutiyattam.