MONTHLY CURRENTV AFFAIRS

1. JUNE 2024 CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE FOR UPSC, STATE PCS & OTHER COMPETITIVE EXAM COVER WATER CRISIS IN MAHARASHTRA

2. COVER ARTICLE Context Analyzing Water Crisis in Maharashtra Maharashtra faces a severe water crisis every year during the summer season due to various factors. About regions receive ample amounts of rainfall. ●The Maharashtra government had declared many parts of the State to be drought-hit after the state experienced a deficient monsoon last year. ●There are various reasons which have been cited for drought in the state apart from deficient rainfall. ●This situation is mainly seen in the inner regions of Maharashtra. The coastal Drought Prone Region in Maharashtra ●Maharashtra can be divided into 5 regional divisions. These divisions are based on geographical similarity, language, natural resources, and soil. ●These regions are Konkan, Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Maharashtra, and Vidarbha. North AVADH OJHA CLASSED

3. ●Marathawada is the worst affected region due to drought in the state. It is due to its location, topography, soil type, agricultural practices, and crop choices. one of the major reasons behind drought in the region. ●The Marathawada region is famous for growing water-intensive especially the sugarcane. However, the sugarcane grown in temperate climates has higher Sucrose content which gives a good yield to farmers in terms of earnings. But these agricultural practices are not well suited to its low rainfall. ●Water Intensive Crop: Sugarcane requires 1,500-2,500 mm of water in its growing season.Further, it needs to be irrigated almost every day. This makes excessive exploitation groundwater resources in low rainfall regions like Marathawada. ●The Sugarcane crop occupies only 4% of the total cropped area in the region but consumes 61% of the irrigation water. ●This has resulted in the average river outflow in the upper Bhima basin becoming almost half. crops, Rain-Shadow Effect ●Marathwada Region is located in the rain-shadow region of the Western Ghats. It happens when moist winds from the Arabian Sea encounter these mountains; they rise and cool, causing heavy rainfall (2,000-4,000 mm) on the western side. This type of rainfall is termed as ‘Orographic Rainfall.’ ●But by the time these winds cross the Western Ghats descend into Western Maharashtra and Marathwada, they lose most of their moisture, leaving Marathwada much drier (600-800 mm). of the (Sahyadris), they Climate Change Irrational Government Policies ●According to a study conducted by IIT Gandhinagar in 2016, researchers said climate change is worsening the situation in central Maharashtra. ●This region has experienced an increasing trend in drought severity and frequency of late rainfall or the arrival of monsoon. ●It has caused Marathwada and North Karnataka to emerge as the second driest regions in India after Rajasthan. ●Despite the regular drought in the region, the government has not changed its policies of promoting sugarcane cultivation in the region. ●Long-standing government support for sugarcane pricing and sales has expanded sugarcane irrigation and restricted the irrigation of more nutritious crops. ●Promotion of December 2023, the government has been promoting sugarcane-juice-based ethanol production. Ethanol: Since Irrational Agricultural Practices ●The followed in the Marathwada region are faulty agricultural practices AVADH OJHA CLASSED

4. ●This is another self-goal being done by the government for this water-starved area. ●Banning of Sugarcane Cultivation: 82% of the sugar grown in Maharashtra comes from low-rainfall areas in the state. The Maharashtra Water and Irrigation Commission in 1999 recommended that sugarcane should be banned in areas that receive less than 1,000 mm of rainfall a year. Despite this recommendation, the production of Sugarcane has increased in the state. ●Building of Dams: percolation to the water table is a measure issue. To capture this high run-off, Maharashtra has been building many dams. Today the State has the largest number of large dams in the country standing at 1,845 in number. Soil ●The soil of the Marathwada region is predominantly clayey black soil which is locally called “regur”. ●It is fertile and retains moisture well but has a low infiltration rate: when it rains, the water is either logged or runs off but doesn’t percolate down to recharge groundwater. ●The soil also has low hydraulic conductivity and holds on to the water for a long time after rains. This is one of the major regions behind the lowering of the water table in the region. Less water Conclusion Effect of Topography The Marathawada region of Maharashtra has been constantly facing severe issues due to both Anthropogenic as well as natural regions. Topography, Soil and location are the natural regions behind the drought while cultivation of water-intensive crops is an anthropogenic reason behind it. Some of the solutions for this complex situation can be classical watershed management, practising water-efficient irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and diversifying livelihoods. The agriculture Marathwada region must also shift to other high-value and water-extensive crops. ●The Marathwada region has parallel tributaries of the Godavari and the Krishna flowing southeast. ●Each tributary flows in the valley which is separated by a gently sloping hill. The valleys have perennial groundwater while the uplands groundwater. ●This is because groundwater slowly moves underground from upland areas to the valleys. ●The wells in upland areas dry up a few months after the monsoons and are where the water scarcity is most acute. This is a natural disadvantage faced by the area leading to water scarcity. have seasonal cultivating of the Government Initiative against Drought AVADH OJHA CLASSED

5. History Prelims Articles Mysuru Tourism Circuit Context Recently, Karnataka has planned to promote the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Somanathapur as part of the Mysuru tourism circuit. named as Someya Dandanayaka in some of the inscriptions. About ●The Somanathapura town is located in the Mysore district of Karnataka. It is famous for its majestic temples such as Kesava Temple, which is among three temples of Hosyala granted UNESCO World Heritage Site. ●It was founded in the 13th century by a general named Somanatha. He has been ●He worked under the Hoysala King Narasimha III. Somanatha created an Agrahara, that is granted land to Brahmins and dedicated resources to build and maintain temples therein. Architecture Keshava Temple AVADH OJHA CLASSED

6. ●The Keshava temple at Somanathapura is a Hoysala monument. It is a beautiful Trikuta Temple which is dedicated to Lord Krishna in three forms. ●These are Janardhana, Keshava and Venugopala. The main Keshava idol is missing, and the Janardhana and Venugopala idols are damaged. Recently, during the oath-taking ceremony in the Lok Sabha Awadhesh Prasad, the newly- elected Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad, invoked ‘Veerangana’ Uda Devi and ‘Maharaja’ Bijli Pasi, two prominent personalities of the Pasi (Dalit) community. About Architecture Uda Devi ●The Keshava temple is built on a raised platform with an outer Pradakshina pathway. The temple has a stellar plan with three shrines and Vimanas. ●The walls are covered in beautiful friezes of scenes from the epics, figures of elephants and battle scenes depicting cavalry. ●The section above this is covered with carvings of various deities. The stellar plan creates several corners and niches that provide different canvases for the sculptor and each row carries a different pattern. ●The exquisite carvings are like a jeweller’s work. The ceilings also carry beautiful decorations. ●There are three shrines in this temple with three Vimanas, so this is a Trikuta Temple. ●Uda Devi was born in Ujirao village in Lucknow. She was part of the royal guard of Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh and participated in the 1857 Mutiny. ●She is credited with mobilising people to take up arms against the British. On November 16, 1857, Uda Devi was among the soldiers who clashed with the British regiment stationed near the Gomti River in Lucknow. Pasi Icons Invoked Context AVADH OJHA CLASSED

7. ●It is said that she killed at least three dozen British soldiers from atop a tree before she was spotted and killed. ●On November 16 every year, events are organised to martyrdom of Uda Devi making her an icon for the Dalits in central Uttar Pradesh. ●Srinagar has been awarded the tag of World Craft City tag by the World Crafts Council. ●At least 10 different forms of craftsmanship survive in Srinagar and its suburbs. These include papier- mâché, walnut wood carving, carpets, Sozni embroidery and Pashmina and Kani shawls. ●The city was also designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts. commemorate the ‘Maharaja’ Bijli Pasi ●Bijli Pasi is among the most prominent rulers who ruled over some parts of UP in the medieval period. ●The stories of Bijli Pasi are popular among the Pasis of central UP districts such as Lucknow, Barabanki, Bahraich, Sultanpur and Allahabad. ●While there are many prominent Pasi faces from here such as brothers Daldev, Baldev and Kakoran, Bijili Pasi is revered as the most important ruler. ●The ruins of the fort from where he ruled still stand in Lucknow, while a statue has been put up of the Pasi icon in the state capital. About World Crafts Council Rae Bareli, Headquarters: Kuwait ●The World Crafts Council AISBL was founded by Ms. Aileen Osborn Vanderbilt Webb, Ms. Margaret M. Patch, and Chattopadhyay at the 1st World Crafts Council General Assembly in New York on June 12, 1964. ●It is a non-government organisation working to empower artisans and safeguard craft heritage globally. Smt Kamaladevi Srinagar Earns ‘World Craft City’ Tag Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express Context Recently, Srinagar has earned the World Craft City tag from the World Crafts Council. About AVADH OJHA CLASSED

8. Economy Prelims Articles ●IndiGo and Air India, which together have more than 1,000 planes on order, account for 9 of 10 domestic seats in the country. ●Increment in Low-Cost carriers: According to OAG, India’s transition to low-cost carriers (LCCs) has been the sharpest among the top five. ●In April 2024, LCCs accounted for 78.4 per cent of Indian domestic capacity, followed by Indonesia at 68.4 per cent, Brazil at 62.4 per cent, the US at 36.7 per cent, and China at 13.2 per cent. Aviation Sector in India Context India has become the world’s third- largest domestic aviation market About ●India has become the world’s third- largest domestic aviation market after the U.S. and China. ●According to data compiled by aviation analytics firm Official Airline Guide (OAG), India is now third in the aviation market after airlines such as IndiGo and Air India have expanded their fleet size to cater to the surge in air passengers. ●Increment in Capacity:The data show India’s domestic airline capacity doubled in the last 10 years from 7.9 million seats in April 2014 to 15.5 million in April 2024. ●India has replaced Brazil, which now stands at the fourth place with 9.7 million airline seats followed by Indonesia in fifth rank with 9.2 million. ●Highest Annual Average Capacity Growth: India has also posted the highest annual average capacity growth rate of 6.9 per cent over the last decade among the top five countries, followed by China at 6.3 per cent and the US at 2.4 per cent. Conclusion India has been constantly expanding its domestic airport networks under the UDAN Scheme which has now been rolled with new upgradation constantly. It has also provided developments in brownfield airports across the country in the last few years making it one of the most successful aviation markets in the world. infrastructure India’s Domestic Vadhavan Port Context Recently, the Union Cabinet approved Vadhavan Port project in Maharashtra. About AVADH OJHA CLASSED

9. Vadhavan Port will be India's 13th Major Port. It is being constructed at Vadhvan in Maharashtra. ●All-weather Vadhavan Port will be developed as an all-weather greenfield deep draft major port. It will include the development of core infrastructure, terminals, and other commercial infrastructure in a Public-Private Partnership mode. ●Road and Rail Connectivity: There are also some proposals for connectivity to the upcoming port. The Cabinet has also approved the establishment of road connectivity between the port and national highways to be implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. ●It will also include a rail linkage to the existing rail network and the upcoming Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor by the Ministry of Railways. Deep Draft Port: (PPP) Fig. Vadhwan Port ●Gateway Port: The project is assumed to be one of the largest port projects in India which is expected to serve as a gateway port for the upcoming India- Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) and International Transportation Corridor (INSTC). ●SPV for Construction: The port will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a special purpose vehicle formed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74 per cent and 26 per cent. North-South (JNPA) and AVADH OJHA CLASSED

10. Mains Articles Global Gender Gap Index: Multi-cornered Gender Inequality in India Context The Global Gender Gap Index, released by the World Economic Forum, has placed India at 129 out of the 146 countries in its 2024 report. This Increasing gender inequality in India has multiple impacts on society and economy. AVADH OJHA CLASSED

11. ●It focuses only on a few key measures rather than covering everything which have been included in the gender equality. ●The value of the overall index, as well as sub-indices, shows how much of the gap has been closed. About The 2024 edition of the Global Gender Gap Index has placed India at 129 out of the 146 countries.India’s place in the index is 18th position from the bottom. For comparison, of the 156 countries included in 2021, India was at the 17th position from the bottom. Thus, overall, India’s ranking has remained in the bottom 20 over the years. Important Highlights of the Report 1)Health and Survival Score India’s value in this segment has improved significantly. It stands at 0.951 which means that 95.1 per cent of the male-female gap has been closed. Fig. Region-wise Ranking in Global Gender Index, 2024 About the Global Gender Gap Index 2)Educational Attainment The Global Gender Gap Index was first introduced in 2006. This index is a combination of four different sub-indices. These are : In educational attainment, 96.4 per cent of the gap has been closed. Although India has done well on these indicators since several other countries have done better, India has been ranked 112th educational ranking and 142nd position in the health rankings among 146 countries. 1)Economic Opportunity, 2)Educational Attainment, 3)Health and Survival and 4)Political Empowerment Participation and position in the 3)Economic Participation Sub-Index The Economic Participation sub-index is based on gender gaps in labour force participation, share in managerial positions, wage gaps, and wage parity (equal pay for equal work). On this, India’s score at 39.8 per cent places it at the 142nd position among 146 countries. While this is an improvement since 2021 (when it was 32.6 per cent), it is very low in absolute terms and is lower than the 2012 score of 46 per cent. ●All these indicators have multiple indicators. The index lies between 0 and 1, with 1 denoting complete parity. ●This index focuses on gender gaps which is the focus on the position of women relative to men (gender equality), rather than on their absolute position. ●The idea is to track changes in gender gaps both over time and across countries. 4)Political Participation AVADH OJHA CLASSED

12. In the political participation parameter, India has closed only 25.1 per cent of the gap. In his parameter, its global rank is 65. This reflects the fact that while the rest of the world has made significant forward strides towards gender equality in the economic, educational and health spheres, the global progress on gender equality in political participation remains low. parity and does poorly compared to several of its immediate neighbours. Economic Impact of Gender Gap There are several research studies that have shown staggering economic costs borne by the economies due to inequality faced by women. ●OECD Report: An OECD estimate reveals that gender-based discrimination in social institutions could cost up to $12 trillion for the global economy and that a reduction in gender discrimination can increase the rate of growth of GDP. ●Hence, there is a need to formulate women-centric policies to end gender parity. Hence, it is very important to reduce the gender gap to reduce economic equality as a whole. Comparative Analysis of India and Other Countries ●Among eight regions of the World, India and its immediate neighbours comprise South Asia as a region. It ranks 7th out of the eight regions in the world. It is ranked only above the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). ●Within the seven countries that comprise South Asia, India’s rank is at five, with Bangladesh leading the region at the 99th position globally. ●Hence, it can be said that India belongs to a region that ranks low on gender AVADH OJHA CLASSED

13. POLITY Article 3 of the Indian Constitution deals with changes concerning states in the Union. It deals with the changes in pre-existing states. It deals with: Prelims Articles 1)Formation of a new State 2)Alteration of areas, boundaries or 3)Names of Existing States ●Power of the Parliament: It states that Parliament by law can increase the area of any State, diminish the area of any State, alter the boundaries of any State, or alter the name of any State. ●Role of State Government: Any state government by resolution passed by its State Legislative Assembly can propose the renaming of the state to centre by invoking Article 3 of the constitution. Kerala Renamed as ‘Keralam’ Context Kerala State Assembly has passed a resolution to rename the State as ‘Keralam’. About ●The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution proposing a Constitutional amendment to change the name of the State to ‘Keralam’. ●‘Keralam’ is the Malayalam name of the State in Kerala and it was locally used after independence. ●Article 3 of The Constitution: The state assembly has invoked Article 3 of the Constitution to effectuate this change in the First Schedule. ●Last year, the State had sought to amend the names across all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution to ‘Keralam’. ●This resolution was turned down by the centre and on the advice of the Union Home Ministry, the state has proposed an amendment in the first schedule. The procedure followed in ‘Renaming’ of a State ●Recommendation of the President: In Parliament, the bill is presented with the recommendation from the President. Then the bill moves to the affected state. ●Views of the State: The State which is going to be affected by such changes, the legislation of that state must be presented with the bill. ●The State Legislature may present its views on the bill within the prescribed period. ●The views or suggestions of the State Legislature are not enforceable against the President or The Parliament. ●Legislative Procedure in the State Assembly: After suggestions of the State Legislative Assembly or after the expiration of the receiving the How is the name of a state changed? AVADH OJHA CLASSED

14. time period, the bill goes back to the Parliament. ●Ordinary Bill: Now the bill like any ordinary bill goes into the Parliament and is passed with a simple majority of 50%+1 vote. ●Final Ratification by President: The bill is next sent for ratification to the President which becomes an Act after the President’s approval leading to a change in the name. Source:The Hindu, Indian Constitution Mains Articles ●The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the Presiding Officer of the House. He has to fulfil certain key duties related to its day- to-day proceedings. ●The selection of the speaker in the Lok Sabha is done by a simple majority. Before the selection of the Lok Sabha Speaker, his duties are administered by the Pro-Tem essentially means ‘for the time being’ or ‘temporarily’. Pro-Tem Speaker Context Senior Congress leader and eight-time MP, Kodikunnil Suresh, is expected to be appointed as pro-tem Speaker. About Speaker. Pro-tem ●After the recently concluded general election, the 18th Lok Sabha will hold its first session from June 24 to July 3, during which the new Speaker of the House will be elected. ●Prime Minister will move the motion for election of the Speaker in the Lok Sabha on June 26. Before that, the Lok Sabha will be headed by a Pro-Tem Speaker. Article 94 ●It states, “Whenever the House of the People is dissolved, the Speaker shall not vacate his office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution.” ●Hence, in the absence of a regular speaker, the need for a temporary speaker becomes necessary. Who is a Pro-Tem Speaker? ● AVADH OJHA CLASSED

15. ●Discretion of PM and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs: As soon as the new government Legislative I Section of the Government of India prepares a list of the seniormost Lok Sabha members. It is then submitted to Parliamentary Affairs or the Prime Minister for identifying an MP as Speaker pro-tem and another three members for oath-taking. Legal or Constitutional basis for the post of ‘Protem Speaker’ is formed, the ●The Constitution does not mention the post. However, the official ‘Handbook on the Working of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs speaks about the ‘Appointment and Swearing in of Speaker pro tem’. ●According to the handbook, when the Speaker post falls vacant before a new Lok Sabha, “the duties of the Speaker are to be performed by a Member of the House appointed for this purpose by the President as Speaker pro tem”. the Minister of Appointment by the President ●After the Prime Minister’s approval, the Minister of Parliamentary submits a note to the President, seeking approval for the appointment of the Speaker pro-tem and the other three members for administering oaths to MPs. They also decide the date and time of the swearing-in ceremony. ●The President administers the oath to the Speaker pro-tem in the Rashtrapati Bhawan. ●The other three members appointed by the President are administered the oath by the Speaker pro-tem in the Lok Sabha. Affairs, Oath and Affirmations of New MPs Article 99: Administering oaths to the new MPs is the pro-tem Speaker’s primary duty. Under Article 99 of the Constitution, “Every Member of the House shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe before the President or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.” Criteria for Selection of the Pro-Tem Speaker Conclusion ●Senior Most Member in terms of Experience in Lok Sabha: Normally, three other elected members of the Lok Sabha are also appointed by the President for the MPs to take oath before them. According to the handbook, the senior-most members (in terms of number of years of membership of the House) are generally chosen for the purpose, But there have been various exceptions in this regard. Although the role of Pro-Tem Speaker is temporary it is very important as he administers oaths for all the members of the Lok Sabha along with three other members. AVADH OJHA CLASSED

16. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 authority as may be notified by the Central Government”. The Schedule has listed five public examination authorities. These are Context 1)Union Public Service Commission (UPSC): It conducts the Civil Services Examination, Combined Defence Services Examinations, Combined Services Examination, Services Examination, etc. 2)Staff Selection Commission (SSC): It recruits for Group C (non-technical) and Group B (non-gazetted) jobs in the central government. 3)Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs): It recruits Groups C and D staff in the Indian Railways. 4)Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS): It hires at all levels for nationalized banks and regional rural banks (RRBs). 5)National Testing Agency (NTA): It conducts the JEE (Main), NEET-UG, UGC-NET, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), etc. Recently, the government has notified the Public Examinations Act to check the menace of Cheating and forgery in various examinations conducted by state and central agencies. Medical Engineering About ●Recently, the rules for the Public Examinations Act have been notified by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. ●It has provided a framework of actions to prevent the use of unfair means in public examinations. ●The set of actions also includes appointing Centre Coordinators, venue in-charges, and Regional Officers in the public exams conducted by different agencies. Other designated public examination authorities, all “Ministries or Departments of the Central Government and their attached and subordinate officesfor recruitment of staff” also come under the purview of the new law. Agencies: Apart from these Rules framed under the Public Examinations Act Public Examination to be Covered The rules have explicitly defined the exams to be covered by the law. Section 2(k) of The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024defines a “public examination” as “any examination conducted by the public examination authority” listed in the Schedule of the Act, or any “such other Computer-Based Test ●The Rules have laid down the full parameters of Computer Based Tests (CBT) beginning from the registration of candidates, allocation of centres, and issue of admit cards to the opening and AVADH OJHA CLASSED

17. distribution evaluation of answers, and the final recommendations. ●Role of National Recruitment Agency: The central government’s National Recruitment Agency will be responsible for preparing the norms, standards, and guidelines for CBTs in consultation with stakeholders. Once finalised, these norms will be notified by the Centre. ●Physical and Digital Infrastructure SOPs: The notified norms, standards, and guidelines shall cover the following areas: 1.Both physical infrastructure and activities, 2.The standard operating procedure (SOP) for registration of public examination centres 3.Space requirements at CBT centres and layout of seating. 4.Specifications computer nodes, server and network infrastructure, and 5.The electronic platform; 6.It will also include candidate check- in, biometric registration, security and screening; setting and loading of question papers; invigilation; and all post-examination activities. of question papers, autonomous Government Organisations”. bodies and other Service Provider The Rules have also laid down the definition of “service provider” for the purposes of the Act. Definition of the Candidate The law has defined a “candidate” in these exams as “a person who has been granted permission by the public examination authority to appear in public examination” as well as “a person authorised to act as a scribe on his behalf in the public examination”. and digital Unfair Means in Public Examination Section 3 of the Act has listed 15 actions which can amount to using unfair means in public examinations “for monetary or wrongful gain”.These actions include and layout of 1)Leakage of Question Paper or Answer Key 2)Colluding in such leakage; 3)Accessing or taking possession of question paper or an Optical Mark Recognition response sheet without authority 4)Tampering with including Optical Mark Recognition response sheets 5)Providing solutions to one or more questions by any unauthorised person during a public examination 6)Directly or indirectly assisting the candidate” in a public examination. Centre Coordinator answer sheets ●The Rules have also provided guidelines for the appointment of a Centre Coordinator for Public Examinations. ●The centre coordinator may be “serving or retired employees of the Central Government, State Government, Public Sector Undertakings, Public Sector Banks, Government Universities, AVADH OJHA CLASSED

18. 7)Tampering necessary for short-listing candidates or finalising the merit or rank of a candidate 8)Tampering with network a computer resource or a computer system 9)Creation of fake website” and 10)Conduct of fake Examinations, 11)issuance of fake admit cards or offer letters to cheat or for monetary gain” as illegal acts. 12)The Rules notified on Monday provide a detailed framework and format for reporting incidents of the use of unfair means. with any document the criminals to be prosecuted under the provisions of the law. the computer Actions after Unfair Means Caught ●After any such incident, the venue in- charge shall prepare a report along with his findings in Form 1. ●It should be sent to the Regional Officer through the Centre Coordinator. If a prima facie case is made out for filing of the First Information Report, the venue in charge shall take necessary action. Conclusion At least 48 instances of paper leaks in 16 states over the last five years, in which the process of hiring for government jobs was disrupted. It accounts for the future of at least 1.51 crore applicants for about 1.2 lakh posts. The Act will help to check the future incidents of the use of unfair means in examinations which has emerged as an organized crime in the recent past. It will help AVADH OJHA CLASSED

19. GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT Prelims Articles Summer Solstice Context Summer Solstice 2024 is being observed on June 21. ●The summer solstice is observed when the Earth's axial tilt mainly the Northern Hemisphere is most inclined towards the Sun, resulting in the Sun reaching its highest position in the sky. It is observed on June 21 every year. ●It is not only a geographical phenomenon but a major occasion marked by cultures About What is Summer Solstice? Fig. Summer Solstice AVADH OJHA CLASSED

20. around the world. The day also marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. ●During this period, the Southern Hemisphere is at its most extreme tilt away from the Sun. It enters the winter solstice and observes its shortest day of the year. and eight leopards have been released for the safari in the open forest area. ●Bannerghatta is home to a good population of free-ranging leopards (Panthera Pardus). The Strawberry Moon and Summer Solstice ●This year summer Solstice has occurred on a special occasion. The first full moon of the summer coincided with the 21st of June. This moon is termed as ‘Strawberry Moon’. ●The colour of the moon is not the reason behind this nomenclature. As the day coincides with the strawberry harvest this day has been named as‘Strawberry Moon’. India’s Largest Leopard Safari Features of the Safari ●The leopard safari area is made up of undulating terrain with natural rocky outcrops and semi-deciduous forest. ●This whole area is covered with a vertical chain-link mesh which is 4.5 metres high. ●A hunting cheetah enclosure, a Hamadrya and enclosure and an Indian grey wolf enclosure have been proposed for the Safari. ●Skywalks are also being developed to establish connectivity between the zoo and the butterfly park. Context Recently, South India’s first Leopard Safari has been inaugurated in Karnataka. About ●India’s largest leopard safari has been inaugurated Biological Park in Karnataka. The Safari has been planned as per the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority. ●A total area of 20 hectares has been demarcated and fenced for the safari Olive Baboon, Bannerghatta AVADH OJHA CLASSED

21. Radioactive Implant for Rhino Horns to Curb Poaching Context Recently, South African scientists injected radioactive material into live rhinoceros horns to track and detect them at border posts. About ●South African Scientists have worked on a pioneering project aimed at curbing poaching. ●These scientists radioactive material rhinoceros horns to make them easier to detect at border posts. ●South Africa is a hotspot for poaching which is driven by demand from Asia, where horns are used in traditional medicine for their supposed therapeutic effect. ●In 2023, 499 rhinos were killed in 2023 which is an 11% increase over 2022 figures. injected into have live AVADH OJHA CLASSED

22. Mains Articles ●In 2022, India expressed to intensify its climate action by presenting to the world the five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India’s climate action. ●This update to India’s existing NDC translates the ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP 26 into enhanced climate targets. ●The update is also a step towards achieving India’s long-term goal of reaching net zero by 2070. ●India now stands committed to reducing the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent by 2030, from the 2005 level. ●India also aims to achieve about 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. ●The updated NDC also represents the framework for India’s transition to cleaner energy for the period 2021-2030. Rooftop Solar Power Context India’s growth in the renewable energy sector especially in Rooftop Solar Power Installation has been unprecedented. Current Performance of India’s Rooftop Solar Program About Highest Growth in the Year ●The rate of Rooftop Installation in India is exceptionally high. It has been one of the major achievements for India over the years. ●India is marching towards its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change. ●India’s installed rooftop solar (RTS) capacity increased by 2.99 GW in 2023- 2024 which is the highest growth in a year.The total installed RTS capacity in India was 11.87 GW, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. ●To meet rising energy demand, India needs to double down on its efforts to expand its RTS potential. Framework India’s updated Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) (2022) State-Wise Performance of RSP in India AVADH OJHA CLASSED

23. Gujarat, Initiatives Taken by India to Promote Rooftop Solar Power The Maharashtra, and Rajasthan had taken big strides in the financial year 2023-2024. RTS capacities of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission ●Gujarat: An installed RTS capacity of 3,456 MW in Gujarat is the result of its government’s quick approval process. There are a large number of RTS installers and high consumer awareness in the state. ●Maharashtra: Maharashtra has an RTS capacity of 2,072 MW. It is one of the top-performing States owing to its robust solar policies and conducive regulatory environment. ●Rajasthan: Rajasthan has a vast land area and high solar irradiance. It boasts the highest RTS potential in the country which stands at 1,154 MW. Its efforts to streamline approvals, provide financial incentives, and promote RTS through public-private partnerships spurred this growth. ●Other top-performing states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, with respective installed capacities of 675, 599, and 594 MW, have also performed reasonably well. Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, among others, are yet to fully explore their RTS potential. Their challenges include bureaucratic hurdles, infrastructure, and lack of public awareness. ●Low Performing States: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, among others, are yet to fully explore their RTS potential. Their challenges include bureaucratic hurdles, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of public awareness. ●The Central Government launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission in January 2010. ●Its main objective was to produce 20 GW of solar energy (including RTS) in three phases: 2010-2013, 2013-2017, and 2017-2022. ●In 2015, the government revised this target to 100 GW by 2022, including a 40-GW RTS component, with yearly targets for each State and Union Territory. ●In December 2022, India had an installed RTS capacity of 7.5 GW and extended the deadline for the 40-GW target to 2026. have Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana ●The ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ is a flagship initiative to fit one crore households with RTS systems. ●This scheme helps them get up to 300 units of free electricity every month. An average system size of 2 kW for targeted households will result in a total RTS capacity addition of 20 GW. ●The scheme has a financial outlay of ₹75,021 crore, which includes the following components. 1)Financial assistance for consumers (₹65,700 crore), 2)Incentives for distribution companies (₹4,950 crore), Uttar However, inadequate AVADH OJHA CLASSED

24. 3)Incentives for local bodies and model solar villages in each district, 4)Payment security capacity building (₹657 crore), and 5)Awareness and outreach (₹657 crore). ●The scheme also encourages the adoption of advanced solar technologies, energy storage solutions, and smart grid infrastructure. India’s approximately 796 GW which is way ahead of India’s target of installing 500 GW of renewable energy capacity, with a solar component of 280 GW, by 2030. RTS alone needs to contribute about 100 GW by 2030. With a high growth rate of the RTS, India will be able to achieve its updated INDCs and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). overall RTS potential is mechanisms, Great Nicobar Project: Environmental Degradation VS National Security Steps to be taken to Promote Roof Top Solar Plants in India ●Awareness awareness is key to getting consumers to go for Roof Top Solar installation. ●Economic Viability: RTS needs to be economically viable for households. While government subsidies are helping, multiple low-cost financing options are required. The number of banks and non- bank financial companies providing RTS loans has increased. Access to low-cost RTS loans should be as easy as getting a bike or car loan to implement the scheme. ●Research and Development: Promoting R&D in solar technology, energy storage solutions, and smart-grid infrastructure can lower costs, improve performance, and enhance the reliability of RTS systems. ●Investments in training programmes such as the ‘Suryamitra’ solar PV technician programme which was initiated in 2015, vocational courses, and skill development initiatives will help build a skilled workforce. Generation: Creating Context The Great Nicobar Project has been described as a “Grave Threat” by opposition parties led by environmentalists. Congress and About ●The Great Nicobar Project is a Rs 72,000- crore infra upgrade at the Great Nicobar Island. ●The project has been described as a “grave threat” to the island’s indigenous inhabitants and fragile ecosystem by the Congress party and environmentalists. Great Nicobar Island ●Great Nicobar is the southernmost and largest of the Nicobar Islands. It is a sparsely inhabited 910-sq-km patch of Conclusion AVADH OJHA CLASSED

25. nautical miles (less than 170 km) from Sabang at the northern tip of Sumatra which is the largest island of the Indonesian archipelago. mainly tropical rainforest in the southeastern Bay of Bengal. ●Indira Point located on the island is India’s southernmost point. It is only 90 AVADH OJHA CLASSED

26. ●Biodiversity: Great Nicobar has two national parks, a biosphere reserve, and small populations of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribal peoples apart from a few thousand non-tribal settlers. ●Part of Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a cluster of 836 islands which have been split into two groups. These are the Andaman Islands to the north and the Nicobar Islands to the south which are divided by the 150- km wide Ten Degree Channel. The project will also have a Greenfield International Airport with a peak hour capacity to handle 4,000 passengers. Power Plant ●The plan also has a gas and solar-based power plant which is spread across 16,610 hectares. ●The site for the proposed ICTT and power plant is Galathea Bay on the southeastern corner of Great Nicobar Island, where there is no human habitation. Importance of the Project The project for the “holistic development” of Great Nicobar Island was implemented after a report by NITI Aayog. Fig. Great Nicobar Project Strategic Location Components of the Great Nicobar Project A opportunity to leverage the strategic location of the island, which is roughly equidistant from Colombo in Sri Lanka to the southwest and Port Klang (Malaysia) and Singapore to the southeast. pre-feasibility report flagged the This mega infrastructure project is currently being implemented by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO). International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) Proximity to Mallacca Strait ●The project includes an International Container Transshipment (ICTT) which is expected to handle large Cargo Containers passing through or near it. ●The ICTT is expected to “allow Great Nicobar to participate in the regional and global maritime economy by becoming a major player in cargo transhipment. It is close to the Malacca Strait which is the main waterway that connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. A proposed “greenfield city” will tap into both the maritime and tourism potential of the island. The volume of trade that transits through this strait is staggering: US$3.5 trillion of global trade navigates through its waters annually. Terminal Countering the ‘String of Pearls’ Greenfield International Airport AVADH OJHA CLASSED

27. ●There has been constant opposition by wildlife conservation anthropologists, scholars, and civil society because of the potentially devastating impact on the Shompen. ●Sompens are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of hunter- gatherers community with an estimated population of a few hundred individuals who live in a tribal reserve on the island. The Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean region are of vital strategic and security interest to India as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy. Both these navies want to expand their footprint across the region. This region is a part of the Chinese military’s doctrine of ‘String of Pearls’. researchers, Limiting Chinese Aggression ●India is wary of a build-up of Chinese maritime forces at the Indo-Pacific choke points especially the straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok. ●China’s attempts to expand its footprint in the region include building a military facility at Coco Islands (Myanmar) which lies just 55 km to the north of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Violation of Rights of Tribals Civil Society members have alleged that the project violates the rights of the tribal population which will impact the island’s ecology with the felling of nearly a million trees. Destruction of Coral Reefs Ecosystem Military Infrastructure It is feared that the port project will destroy coral reefs with spinoff effects on the local marine ecosystem. It will also pose a threat to the terrestrial Nicobar Megapode bird and leatherback turtles that nest in the Galathea Bay area. ●India is also upgrading its military infrastructure in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It includes revamping airfields and jetties and building additional logistics and storage facilities. ●It also includes a base for military personnel and a robust surveillance infrastructure which facilitating the deployment of additional military forces, warships, aircraft, missile batteries, and troops in the Archipelago. Seismically Volatile Zone is aimed at It has been alleged that the proposed port is in a seismically volatile zone that saw permanent subsidence of about 15 ft during the 2004 tsunami. Environmental Concerns Conclusion The proposed infrastructure upgradation has been opposed on grounds of the threat it poses to the ecology of the islands on the following grounds: Although the project has been projected as a threat to biodiversity and the interest of tribal people living in the Andaman and Nicobar Island groups, it is a strategically viable project which can counter the Chinese Impact on Shompen PVGTs AVADH OJHA CLASSED

28. aggression in the Indian Ocean region (IOR). The project can also help India to secure three main passes of Sunda, Melecca and Lombok which can be choked by the Chinese in future during war or tensions with India. India will also immensely benefit from trade passing through the corridor. Hence, the issues which have been raised by the civil society members can be addressed to effectively implement the project with consensus. AVADH OJHA CLASSED

29. Internal Security/Defence and International Relations Military relations, Higher Defence Organisation, Aerospace Power, ● ●Information Warfare, Technology and Hybrid Warfare. ●PG Diploma: The graduates of the program are awarded a PG diploma in Strategic Studies by Rashtriya Raksha University. Prelims Articles Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP) Course Context Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan attended the Air Force capstone seminar which marked the culmination of the third Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP) course. E-Sakshya (e-evidence) APP About Context ●WASP programme of 15 weeks that was started in 2022 to provide participants with a deep understanding of geopolitics, grand strategy and comprehensive national power. ●It is conducted by the IAF along with the College of Air Warfare and Centre for Air Power Studies. ●Tri-Service Participation: The third edition of WASP was attended by personnel from all tri-services for the first time. The participants comprised fourteen officers from the Indian Air Force, two officers from the Indian Navy, one officer from the Indian Army and a research scholar. ●Courses Offered: The participants underwent intensive training in the fields of Strategy, Military History, Civil- is a strategic education Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is testing the e-Sakshya (e-evidence) App after the implementation of the three criminal laws to boost digital infrastructure in Criminal Investigation. About ●E-Sakshya (e-evidence) is a mobile- phone application. It is being launched to help police record the scene of crime, search and seizure in a criminal case and upload the file on the cloud-based platform. ●The mobile application developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). ●The police official will have to upload a selfie on the application after the procedure is complete. is being AVADH OJHA CLASSED

30. ●Each recording of the platform could be a maximum of four minutes long and several such files could be uploaded for each First Information Report (FIR). Provision in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) ●Recently, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code, of 1860. ●The BNSS mandates audiovisual recording of search and seizure in each criminal case. ●It makes mandatory examination in all cases where an offence attracts punishment of seven years or more. compulsory forensic Mains Articles Chat Control Law of the European Union Context Recently, the European Union has proposed a Chat Control Law which has brought up the debate of Privacy. About ●Chat Control law was first proposed by the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson in May 2022. ●It was proposed as part of the EU’s push to combat child sexual abuse online, but the draft has many such provisions AVADH OJHA CLASSED

31. which can be accessed by third parties who can exploit the vulnerability. ●It will provide access to the financial information of the individuals to third parties. ●It can also make private chats of the individuals compromising their ‘Right to Privacy’. ●Further, it can be misused by any authoritarian government by using it as a tool to target individuals who oppose the regime. which have caused outrage among people. Mass Scanning Clause ●It is one of the most controversial Features of the law. It allows for mass scanning of private messages by breaking end-to-end encryption. ●Some of the countries led by France, Germany and Poland have refused to accept a clause. The move has also been opposed by some tech companies, along with trade associations, and privacy experts. ●Some of the countries in the European Union such as Spain and Ireland have supported the proposal citing its need to tackle child sexual abuse online. Earlier Attempts In the name of national security, checking child abuse and various other issues, many companies have tried to do away with end-to- end encryption. ●NeuralHash: In 2021, Apple had announced NeuralHash. It was a feature that could automatically scan iCloud photo libraries of individual devices for child sexual abuse material, or CSAM. ●The initiative was abandoned by Apple after its employees and activist groups expressed concerns over the loss of privacy. ●UK’s Online Safety Bill: This bill tried to legitimise client-side scanning of private and encrypted messages. The clause was later postponed after receiving pushback from encrypted messaging app owners like WhatsApp and Signal. What is End-to-End Encryption? ●End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a method of secure communication that prevents third parties from accessing data while it is transferred from one end system or device to another. ●In this Encryption, the data is encrypted on the sender's system or device, and only the intended recipient can decrypt it. ●As it travels to its destination, the message cannot be read or tampered with by an internet service provider (ISP), application service provider, hacker or any other entity or service. How is scanning end-to-end encrypted messages a controversial issue? Impact on India India, being the largest democracy follows up the developments in the West to ensure its national security and Cyber laws. Such a ●Scanning messages will open risky backdoors end-to-end encrypted AVADH OJHA CLASSED

32. ●The interaction between troops and also addresses issues of the supply and development of weapons and military equipment. clause will provide the government more powers to shut the opponents in digital space and access their data infringing upon the ‘Right to Privacy’ and “Freedom of Speech and Expression’, provided under Article 21 and Article 19 of the constitution. defence agreement involves Access to Arctic Facilities Source: The Hindu Draft Logistics Agreement approved by Russia ●The RELOS will also give India access to Russian facilities in the Arctic region, which has become an important hotspot for scientific expeditions and seeing increased global activity as new shipping routes open up. ●This is significant due to India’s increasing investments in Russia’s eastern regions. Context Recently, Russia has approved a draft logistics agreement which is to be signed with India. About Conclusion ●Recently, the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) has been approved by Russia which was delayed for many years. ●This agreement will simplify military-to- military exchanges training, port calls and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts. Amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has opted for a neutral position. Further, India has declined the Western Country’s requests to stop buying Russian oil and has continuously lauded a long and strong relationship with Russia. The agreement will further boost the role of the Indian government in the Arctic Region apart from strengthening the ties between the two countries. exercises, for Significance of the Agreement Military Technical Cooperation ●Indo-Russian defence cooperation is a major pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership. It is guided by the agreement on military-technical cooperation. ●The agreement for the decade from 2021 to 2031 was signed during the India- Russia 2+2 dialogue which was held in December 2021. AVADH OJHA CLASSED

33. Energy, Infrastructure and Connectivity India and Bangladesh Ties Infrastructure Projects which are in the process of implementation are enhancing Indo-Bangladesh connectivity and doing trade facilitation. Context Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her two-day Visit to India made significant deals Counterparts. Connectivity with her Indian ●The Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link which connects Northeast India to Bangladesh, and the Khulna-Mongla port rail line are landmark initiatives. Both initiatives will improve regional transport networks. ●The newly signed MoU on rail connectivity has prospects to further improve regional transport networks. About India and Bangladesh have signed 10 MoUs, including seven new and three renewals in various spheres. It includes domains from economy to infrastructure and from energy security to strategic partnership. Power Transmission ●India is a major supplier of power to Bangladesh with a supply of 1,160 MW of electricity in 2023. ●The Maitree super thermal power plant which is a Joint Venture between the two countries has showcased collaboration in critical infrastructure. ●Further, cooperation is also being explored in the renewable energy sector, particularly in solar and wind power.‘ ●Nepal to Bangladesh Transmission Commencement of hydroelectric 40 MW power export from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid has marked a significant step in regional energy cooperation. Economic Ties ●The economic relationship between the two countries has become stronger. The bilateral trade between both countries has reached $15.9 billion in 2023. ●It spans across various sectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and more. ●Bangladesh has transactions up to $2 billion with India. It eases pressure on her foreign currency reserves, facilitating smoother trade. The new MoUs are expected to further enhance cooperation. ●India-Bangladesh Partnership: The shared vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership is expected to boost collaboration in emerging technologies and digital economies. rupee conducted Power India: through Digital Green Partnership AVADH OJHA CLASSED

34. The Shared Vision of India-Bangladesh Green Partnership which has been touted for a sustainable future will strengthen existing cooperation in renewable energy and environmental sustainability. critical tool for maintaining regional stability and security. ●Before that India extended a $500 million line of credit for defence purchases to Bangladesh, which will significantly enhance defence capabilities. It will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Bangladesh’s Blue Economy ●Both countries have signed an MoU on Blue Economy Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Region. ●It will catalyse collaboration in maritime resources and ocean-based industries. and Maritime Limitations: Untouched Some Issues remain Teesta Water Sharing ●This issue has remained a bone of contention between the two countries, with India currently controlling 55 per cent and Bangladesh claiming 50 per cent during the dry season from December to May. ●Both countries diversion dams on the river which provided irrigation to approximately 9,20,000 hectares in West Bengal, India, and 7,50,000 hectares in Bangladesh. ●The resolution of this dispute is critical for agriculture, environmental sustainability for both of the countries. Security ●India and Bangladesh share a 4,096.70 km long international border through various bilateral mechanisms, including regular talks between border guarding forces and nodal drug control agencies. ●It addresses various issues ad address common challenges like terrorism, extremism, and transnational crimes. have constructed Cooperation in Military Education livelihoods, and Both countries have signed a MoU. It has been signed between the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), India and the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Bangladesh for cooperation in military education will further strengthen the security relationship. Issues in the Pact ●Domestic Politics: The complexity of the Teesta Water Sharing Pact has been compounded by politics. The state of West Bengal has been opposing agreement. The state has argued that it would adversely affect the northern parts of the state during the dry seasons. India’s domestic Intelligence Counterterrorism Sharing and Joint the water-sharing ●The intelligence counterterrorism has emerged as a ongoing collaboration sharing in and joint AVADH OJHA CLASSED

35. ●China’s Entry into the Dispute: China has submitted a $1 billion proposal for the Teesta River Management and Restoration Project. It has created a doldrums-like situation for Bangladesh as rejecting China could strain ties with one of Bangladesh’s top trade and defence partners. Further, the project is vital northwest and Dhaka. Comprehensive for Bangladesh’s Border Issues The present agreement has kept the border issues unresolved. Border killings have remained a sensitive matter which has the potential to strain bilateral relations. Conclusion The Indo-Bangla relationship has entered a new phase with the 10 MoUs reflecting growth and collaboration between the two countries. It covers areas from digital partnerships and green initiatives to space technology and maritime cooperation. Regional connectivity initiatives are further expected to enhance trade and transform the South Asian economic landscape. It will also have the potential to positively impact the broader South Asian region by setting new standards for regional cooperation and collaboration. Source: The Indian Express AVADH OJHA CLASSED

36. Science and Technology Prelims Articles ●Recently, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code, of 1860. ●The BNSS mandates audiovisual recording of search and seizure in each criminal case. ●It makes mandatory examination in all cases where an offence attracts punishment of seven years or more. E-Sakshya (e-evidence) APP compulsory Context Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is testing the e-Sakshya (e-evidence) App after the implementation of the three criminal laws to boost digital infrastructure in Criminal Investigation. forensic Source: The Hindu About ●E-Sakshya (e-evidence) is a mobile- phone application. It is being launched to help police record the scene of crime, search and seizure in a criminal case and upload the file on the cloud-based platform. ●The mobile application developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). ●The police official will have to upload a selfie on the application after the procedure is complete. ●Each recording of the platform could be a maximum of four minutes long and several such files could be uploaded for each First Information Report (FIR). Maurya and Davana (Dayana) flower species Context is being National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) aims to revive Maurya and Davana (Dayana) flower species used in Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. About ●Maurya and Davana (Dayana) flowers are endangered flower species which have been being used since the 12th century A.D. in Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. ●A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and the Provision in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) AVADH OJHA CLASSED

37. National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) to cater to the needs of flowers. ●Maurya and Davana (Dayana) species flowers are supplied for the temple by NBRI. Kavach Automatic Train Protection System Features of the Kavach System ●Automated Braking System: Under the Kavach System, in an emergency, the train will automatically apply the brakes to maintain speed if it tracks a train on the same rail route. ●It helps in signalling the line inside the train compartment and automatically whistling at level crossings in the event of fog and rapid acceleration if the driver fails to do so. ●Automated Messaging Alert: The Kavach also updates the movement of the train with the railway authority frequently. Direct between locomotives through the system to avoid collisions. One of the impressive things about the system is that it can activate the use of SOS to prevent mishaps and accidents. ●The Kavach automatic train protection (ATP) system has been developed by the Research Designs Organization (RDSO) for the Indian Railways. ●It is a technological marvel that has received certification Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4). ●It was launched in 2012 as the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) project. It aims to reduce accident rates and enhance safety on Indian Railways. The system was brought into use in 2022. & Standards Safety for communication is available Function of the Kavach System ●Use of Modern Technologies: The railway signalling locomotives, and individual stations are all equipped with multiple Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and electronic devices spaced one kilometre apart. ●The current system communicates with its components using ultra-high radio frequencies, but a 4G LTE-based system is being developed. ●SPAD Warning: Kavach issues a warning if a train driver disregards a signal (also known as Signal Passed at Danger, or SPAD), the main reason for train accidents. The system can notify the train operator instantly and take system, tracks, AVADH OJHA CLASSED

38. control of the brakes if it detects another train on the same track within a predetermined distance. ●Tracking of the Train’s Location: The device continuously tracks the train's location and signals the engines ahead in inclement weather, such as fog. Key components of the European Train Control System and the Indian anti- collision device are combined in Kavach. significant populations. harm to cattle and bird About ●It is a type C influenza virus which can infect humans and other mammals like pigs. However, in humans, it causes mild illnesses only. ●The virus has the potential of mass killing wild birds, and fowls and can jump to some 26 mammalian species, especially cattle. ● The emerging cases of human infection have heightened thethreat perception that H5N1 could lead to the next global pandemic. Components of the Kavach System ●Radio (RFID): Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is usually installed in the tracks of the railway network. Hence, without a direct line of sight or physical contact, this electromagnetic fields to automatically detect and retrieve data from a wireless device at a distance. ●The driver's cabin (locomotive) has RFID readers, a computer, and brake interface equipment. ●Further, train stations have radio infrastructure infrastructure consists of towers and modems. Frequency Identification technology uses installed. This Fig. H5N1 Sources Current Outbreak in Kerala H5N1: Posing Threats to Humans and Livestock ●Currently, the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta are in Kerala. In these districts, water bodies, migratory birds, fowl and integrated farms form part of the ecosystem. ● These places have witnessed reports of H5N1 outbreaks in 19 places since Context Recently, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain has affected livestock across the country, leading to AVADH OJHA CLASSED

39. April, leading to the deaths of water birds and crows. infected themselves for new respiratory illness symptoms, including conjunctivitis for 10 days and seek proper medical advice. ●Safe Food: It would be better to ensure that people use only pasteurised milk and poultry meat and eggs should be well-cooked to prevent any possible food-borne transmission of H5N1. places should monitor Threat Perception ●H5N1 virus seems to spread from birds/animals to humans who may be closely interacting with these, without adequate personal protection. ●According to the Organization, (WHO) between 2003 and April 1, 2024, close to 900 human infections of H5N1 have been reported from 23 countries. Of these 900 people half of them died. ●Even though the risk of human infections from H5N1 is still perceived to be low, this can change rapidly as the virus spreads to more animals such as cows or domestic mice, which have closer contact with humans. World Health Influenza Viruses and Their Impact on Human Beings There are currently four types of influenza viruses. These are A, B, C and D. 1)Types A and B ●Types A and B influenza Virusescause seasonal, epidemic outbreaks of influenza among humans during winter months. But only type A is known to cause pandemics. ●Type A influenza viruses often originate in aquatic birds and spread among bird species which are known as avian influenza or bird flu. However, these viruses can also spread to other mammals if the virus has the right mutations. ●Some strains of the Type A virus H1N1 are endemic (consistently present) in humans, birds, and pigs. ●Control Measures: Annual flu vaccines can help to protect us against strains of H1N1 viruses, among others. 2)Type C Symptoms ●The person with H5N1 infection suffers from respiratory conjunctivitis, if they have had exposure to livestock or dead birds. ● Early detection and containment of the infection have been conceived as important to prevent the extensive spread of the virus. illness or Precautions to be Taken ●Avoiding Direct Contact: Unprotected exposure to infected birds or animals or their contaminated environments should be avoided by the population residing in an infected environment. ●Monitoring Health and Symptoms: The people living in the vicinity of such Type Cinfluenza viruses can infect humans and other mammals like pigs. These can also cause mild illnesses in people. Flu due to Type C viruses are rare compared to type A viruses. 3)Type D AVADH OJHA CLASSED

40. Type Dinfluenza viruses primarily affect cattle. They can spread to other animals, but no human infections have been observed. Mains Articles ●conditions than the previous two missions. ●During this test, Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range manoeuvres, approached the runway, and performed a precise horizontal landing at the runway centre line. Puspak: ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle correction Context Pushpak which is ISRO’s reusable launch vehicle, RLV LEX-03 has cleared its first test. ●High Landing Velocity: The landing velocity of the vehicle exceeded 320 kmph which is higher as compared with 260 kmph for a commercial aircraft and 280 kmph for a typical fighter aircraft. ●This was possible only because vehicle’s About ●The Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully completed the third reusable launch experiment (RLV Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka. ●It is the third in the RLV LEX series. Before RLV LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions were demonstrated. ●Autonomous Landing Capability: RLV LEX-03 has re-demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of the RLV but under more challenging release conditions and more severe wind ● vehicle LEX) landing at the successfully low lift-to-drag ratio aerodynamic configuration. ●Brake Parachute reduced the speed of the vehicle to nearly 100 kmph after the touchdown. What is a Reusable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)? ●Reusable Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) Launch Vehicle – AVADH OJHA CLASSED

41. is one of the most technologically challenging endeavours of ISRO. ●It is a step towards developing essential technologies for a fully reusable launch vehicle to enable low-cost access to space. ●The configuration of RLV-TD is similar to that of an aircraft which combines the complexity of both launch vehicles and aircraft. ●The winged RLV-TD has been configured to act as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies, namely, hypersonic flight, landing and powered cruise flight. solid booster (HS9) designed for a low burn rate. Menace of Methanol Poisoning Context Recently, in the Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu, at least 40 people died due to the consumption of Spurious liquor. Methanol is touted to be the main reason behind the accident. autonomous About What is Methanol? ●Methanol has been touted as the main villain in every hooch tragedy in India since 1945. ●The methanol consists of one carbon atom bonded with three hydrogen atoms and one hydroxyl group. molecule (CH3OH) Production of Methanol ●Methanol is commonly produced by combining carbon hydrogen in the presence of copper and zinc oxides as catalysts at 50-100 atm of pressure and 250° C. ●In ancient Egypt, methanol was produced by heating wood to a very high temperature. monoxide and Composition of RLV-TD ●Body Configuration: It consists of a fuselage (body), a nose cap, double delta wings and twin vertical tails. It also features symmetrically placed active control surfaces called Elevons and Rudder. ●This technology demonstrator was boosted to Mach no: 5 by a conventional Industrial Application AVADH OJHA CLASSED

42. ●Beer: When the alcohol content in a beverage is around 5% the beverage is called beer. ●Wine: When the alcohol content is about 12% the beverage is termed Wine. ●Distilled Spirits: When the alcohol percentage of the beverage is around 40% it is termed as distilled spirits (all by volume). Methanol is used as a precursor to acetic acid, formaldehyde, and aromatic hydrocarbons. It is also used as a solvent and as an antifreeze. Regulation of Methanol in India ●Schedule I of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989 includes methanol. ●The Indian Standard IS 517 applies to how the quality of methanol is to be ascertained. ●Denatured Spirit, Methyl Alcohol, and Varnish (French Polish) Rules 1959 defines the signage which methanol packaging must carry. ●The manufacture, trade, storage, and sale of methanol in Tamil Nadu requires licences under the 1959 Rules. WHO Consumption Regulations on Alcohol ●Mostly, the alcohol in beverages which are consumed widely for recreational purposes, ethanol is used widely. ●Ethanol is technically a psychoactive drug which is when consumed in low doses, reduces neurotransmission in the body. This causes typical intoxicating effects. ●According to the World Health Organisation, “no level consumption is safe for our health”. ●It further stated that long-term use leads to dependence heightens the risk of some cancers and heart disease, and may eventually cause death. level of the Permissible Limit of Methanol of [its] ●The (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations 2018 has stipulated the maximum permissible quantity of methanol in different liquors. ●These values are variable with a wide range of values. It includes“absent” in coconut fenny, 50 grams per 100 litres of country liquor, and 300 grams per 100 litres of pot-distilled spirits. Food Safety and Standards Why is liquor consumption harmful? ●Ethanol (C2H5OH) is one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one more carbon atom; the second carbon atom is also bonded to two hydrogen atoms and the hydroxyl group, a.k.a. the ion OH–. ●After the consumption of ethanol, it is metabolized in the liver and the stomach by alcohol dehydrogenase How are alcoholic beverages defined globally? Various types of liquor are defined according to the alcoholic content which is found in them. These can be explained as: (ADH) AVADH OJHA CLASSED

43. enzymes Aldehyde enzymes transform the acetaldehyde into acetate. ●The adverse effects consumption such as causing of the hangover, heart disease and cancer are due to acetaldehyde. Context to Dehydrogenase acetaldehyde. Then, (ALDH) About There are currently rising cases of Sickle cell disease around the World. In India, it is most prevalent among the tribal population making it more devastating. of alcohol Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that affects 20 million people worldwide. According to Forbes, India has the second- highest global prevalence of the disease, with 1 in 86 births positive for SCD. How does Spurious liquor cause death? ●Spurious liquor is characterized by the liquid mixture containing methanol in the homemade liquor. ●Generally, industrial-grade methanol is added to the homemade liquor to increase its volume and the intoxicating effect. ●It causes the amendment of the mixture without any scientific base and thus the amount of the methanol goes above the permissible limit causing adverse health impacts. What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)? Sickle cell disease is a chronic condition which encompasses a group of inherited disorders. It affects hemoglobin which is essentially a protein responsible for oxygen transport in the body. ●Normal Condition: Normally, the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) possess a disc-like shape and are flexible. It facilitates smooth movement vessels. ●SCD Condition: In SCD, a genetic mutation causes these red blood cells to adopt a crescent or “sickle” shape. These sickle-shaped RBCs lead to disruption of blood flow in small vessels and result in numerous complications. Conclusion Methanol consumption has caused an innumerable number of deaths in India and globally due to intoxication and the poisonous effect of it on human beings. All major hooch tragedies in India have been caused by it. The government must sensitise the communities involved in the production of ‘Desi Liquor’ about the concentration of methanol and ethanol to be included in the mixture and their adverse impact. It will help in saving the lives of hundreds of people dying due to such accidents. Source: The Hindu, Mount Sinai through blood Effects of Sickle Cell Disease Patients with SCD suffer from a large number of complications that contribute to their increased morbidity and mortality. These include: Sickle Cell Disease 1.End-organ damage AVADH OJHA CLASSED

44. 2.Increased Infection Susceptibility, 3.Stroke and Pulmonary Complications. promoting intervention. early screening and Steps need to be taken to counter SCD 1)Newborn Screening Programs 4)Research and Collaboration ●There is a need for sustained investment in translational research and clinical trials to realise the promise of gene therapy and other emerging treatments. ●Further, initiatives understanding genetic modifiers and environmental factors influencing SCD also need to be studied. ●Global collaboration is essential in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by SCD. Newborn screening programs are aimed at early detection of SCD. These programs have led to the early institution of essential preventive care elements such as key immunizations, penicillin prophylaxis, and consistent health screening for common complications. It has resulted in improved survival rates in Children. Hence, universal newborn screening and early diagnosis are important in this disease. aimed at 2)Universal Availability of Medications Initiatives Taken by the Government of India Hydroxyurea is one of the disease-modifying therapies for SCD apart from gene therapy and others. Universal access to proven medications like hydroxyurea is important due to its limited availability. National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission The Elimination Mission was launched in 2023. It aims to eradicate SCD by 2047. National Sickle Cell Anaemia 3)Empowerment Communities ●In India, this disease is most prevalent among tribal communities is most prevalent hence; their sensitization is an essential part Community engagement, sensitive interventions, and capacity- building initiatives are important among tribals. ●It can be done through interactive workshops, educational campaigns, and storytelling sessions. ●In India, such initiatives have succeeded in dispelling myths surrounding SCD and of Tribal Components of the Mission ●This awareness screening of approximately seven crore individuals aged 0-40 in affected tribal regions. ●It aims to provide counselling through collaborative endeavours central ministries governments. ●It aims to provide a holistic approach that encompasses early diagnosis, scientific innovation, initiative aims conduct to enhance universal and of its diagnosis. culturally between State and healthcare AVADH OJHA CLASSED

45. infrastructure community empowerment. strengthening, and Mains Questions 1.“India-Bangladesh Partnership in Various Sector can set an example of Cooperative Neighbourhood.” Discuss Ocean undermined.” Critically Analyze Region (IOR) can’t be 2.Discuss the various initiatives taken by the government to boost the domestic aviation sector in India under the UDAN Scheme. 3.Discuss the adverse impacts of liquor consumption as suggested by WHO. 4.“Economic Development of a nation needs equal participation of both Men and Women”. Discuss with reference to Global Gender Gap Report. 5.Discuss the for need an Act like the Public Examinations Act to deal with cheating in Public Examinations. 6.“Both Anthropogenic Reasons contribute to the drought faced by Marathawada Region of Maharashtra”. Elucidate. Natural as well as 7.“The location of India has made it one of the most favourable destinations for decentralized Solar Power Systems.” Elucidate. 8.“Amid rising environmental concerns of the Great Andaman Project, its importance in terms of India’s resistance against Chinese Aggression in the Indian AVADH OJHA CLASSED

46. Prelims Questions 1.Consider the following statements regarding Indo-Bangladesh Bilateral Ties: A. Presence of Black Soil B. Location C. Cultivation of Water Intensive Crop 1) Both countries have mutually resolved the Teesta Water Issue. D. All of the Above 2) India is one of the largest supplier of Electricity to Bangladesh. Answer: D 4.E-Sakshya (e-evidence) APP has been launched by which of the following Ministries? 3) Apart from India, Nepal also supplies electricity to Bangladesh. Which of the following statements is/are correct? A.Ministry of Law A.Only One B.Ministry of Home Affairs B.Only Two C.Ministry of Information Technology C.All Three D.Ministry of Defence D.None Answer: B Answer: B 5.Which of the following statements are correct regarding Uda Devi? 2.Chat Control Bill has been brought to address which of the following issues? A. Online Child Sexual Abuse Statement 1: She fought alongside Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi during the 1857 mutiny. B. Terrorism Statement 2: She is one of the famous freedom fighters revered by the Rajput community in Uttar Pradesh. C. Money Laundering D. Naxalism Answer: A Which of the following statements is/are Correct? 3.Which of the following reasons are responsible for Marathawada Maharashtra? drought Region in the of A. Statement 1 is correct B. Both statements are correct AVADH OJHA CLASSED

47. D.Tamil Nadu C. Statement 2 is correct Answer: A D. Neither Statement 1 Nor Statement 2 is Correct 9.Which of the following technologies is used in ‘KAVACH’ ? Answer: D 6.Recently in the news, ‘Maurya and Davana’ belong to which of the following species? A. RFID B. GPS C. Both A and B A.Fish D. Neither A and B B.Reptile Answer: C C.Flower 10.Which of the following Indian Freedom Fighters was one of the founders of the World Crafts Council? D.Butterfly Answer: C A. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay 7.Which of the following agencies publish Global Gender Gap Index? B. Sarojini Naidu C. Both A and B A. World Economic Forum D. Neither A nor B B. International Monetary Fund Answer: A C. United Nations 11.Which of the following articles of the constitution provides for the renaming of a state? D. World Trade Organization Answer: A A. Article 1 8.Vadhwan Port is located in which of the following states in India? B. Article 2 C. Article 3 A.Maharashtra D. Article 4 B.Karnataka Answer: C C.Gujarat AVADH OJHA CLASSED

48. B.Type C only 12.Which of the following states in the country hosts the largest ‘Leopard Safari’? A.Karnataka B.Bihar C.Maharashtra D.Orissa C.Type D only D.Type A, B and C only Answer: D Answer: A 16.Consider the following statements: 13.Which of the following states has the highest Solar Power installed capacity in India? 1)Andaman and Nicobar Islands are separated by the Coco Channel. A.Maharashtra B.Gujarat C.Rajasthan D.Telangana 2)Sompens have been classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. 3)‘String of Pearls’ is a doctrine of the Indian Navy. Answer: C Which of the following statements is/are correct? 14.Which of the following chemicals is most commonly used alcohol in liquor globally? A.Only One B.Only Two A. Ethanol C.All Three B. Methanol D.None C. Both A and B Answer: A D. Neither A nor B Answer: A 17.Consider the following Statements regarding the Speaker Pro-Tem of the Lok Sabha: 15.Which of the following types of influenza Viruses can affect humans? 1)It is a constitutional Post exclusively mentioned in the Constitution. A.Type A and B only AVADH OJHA CLASSED

49. 2)The president administers oath to him after a recommendation by the Prime Minister. 3)He administers oaths to new MPs elected in the Lok Sabha after General elections. Which of the following statements is/are correct? A. Only One B. Only Two C. All Three D. None Answer: B AVADH OJHA CLASSED