{"id":25132,"date":"2024-05-29T18:41:11","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T13:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=25132"},"modified":"2024-05-30T12:59:27","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T07:29:27","slug":"daily-current-affairs-29-05-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/29-05-2024\/daily-current-affairs-29-05-2024","title":{"rendered":"Daily Current Affairs 29-05-2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d947fdcfdf1adb8d0c140a93b8dcc282\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><strong>Landslide Vulnerability in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cb9dfec66108ce9f742f389a74ffcdb1\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Heavy rain caused by the cyclone Remal triggered landslides in several places in Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, and Nagaland.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57d7d02e4b3f48bfdf6cef0e572cc712\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>What is Landslide?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Landslides are a geological phenomenon that involves the sudden and rapid movement of a mass of rock, soil, or debris down a slope under the influence of gravity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Landslides, usually, occur in areas having characteristics like Steep terrain such as hilly or mountainous areas, Presence of joints and fissures or areas where surface runoff is directed or land is heavily saturated with water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96ab33be1065b6a187247da9a9209d56\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Landslide vulnerability in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI) about <strong>0.42 million square km <\/strong>of India\u2019s landmass, or about <strong>13% <\/strong>of its area, spread over 15 states and four Union Territories, is prone to landslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About <strong>0.18 million square km<\/strong>, or <strong>42%<\/strong> of this vulnerable area is in the Northeastern region, where the terrain is mostly hilly.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This area is also prone to earthquakes, which too, are a major trigger for landslides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c10c736251962b721d854c5a34fb91fe\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Causes of Landslides<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Natural Causes:&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Heavy Rainfall: <\/strong>Heavy rainfall is one of the most common triggers of landslides. It increases pore water pressure as well as the weight of soil by making it saturated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Erosion: <\/strong>Clay and vegetation present within the soil or rock act as cohesive elements and help bind particles together. By removing these cohesive elements, erosion makes an area more prone to landslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Earthquakes: <\/strong>Intense ground shaking due to earthquakes causes instability in rocks and soils, thus triggering landslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Volcanic Eruptions:<\/strong> Ash and debris deposited by volcanic eruptions overload slopes while the accompanied seismic activity causes instability.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anthropogenic Causes<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Deforestation: <\/strong>By holding soils as well as obstructing the flow of falling debris, vegetation cover plays an important role in preventing landslides in any area. Deforestation takes away this preventive cover and increases vulnerability to landslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Encroachment in Vulnerable Terrains:<\/strong> Of late, humans have been encroaching in landslide-prone areas such as hilly terrains. This has led to increased construction activities in these areas and increased chances of landslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Uncontrolled Excavation: <\/strong>Unauthorized or poorly planned excavation activities, such as mining, quarrying, etc destabilize slopes and increase the chances of landslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Climate Change: <\/strong>Climate change caused by various anthropogenic activities has led to abrupt alterations in precipitation patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fc9874c8fd9e5d54772a8dfe608ce88d\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Measures taken in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Disaster Management Act, of 2005 <\/strong>provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the management of various disasters including landslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019)<\/strong> covers all aspects of landslide disaster risk reduction and management, such as hazard mapping, monitoring, and early warning systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) <\/strong>has issued Guidelines on Landslide Hazard Management (2009) that outline the steps that should be taken to reduce the risk of landslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)<\/strong> has been providing capacity building and other support to various national and state-level disaster management authorities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Early Warning system: <\/strong>Efforts have been made towards better prediction of weather. E.g. Ensemble Prediction System. This will help predict disasters like landslides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23d39977e4a1a2e05fe5ef5020e43ffc\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Every mountainous area has a carrying capacity. However development is essential, and one cannot stop the creation of infrastructure.Hence sustainability has to be factored in, so that the load does not exceed the carrying capacity.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been working with GSI and other agencies to mitigate and manage the risks from landslides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-climate\/northeast-mizoram-landslides-cyclone-remal-9358218\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dea95ee55035eca3c50e3f98a7b0e1f0\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><strong>IMD\u2019s forecast for El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 1\/Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b72ae7c0e9db72158aed50846f069462\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that&nbsp; El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions would emerge in June and during July \u2013 September, ENSO would transition into La Nina.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4a0b0ae943d2e59602db74f844d7bfab\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Key Points&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>South peninsular and central India is expected to receive \u2018above\u2019 normal rainfall, northwest India would receive normal rainfall whereas east and northeast India is expected to receive below average rainfall during the June \u2013 September period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b8cdf8f3940b409aa03a1e74ab81ba20\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>About El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a recurring climate pattern involving changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In periods ranging from about three to seven years, the surface waters across a large swath of the tropical Pacific Ocean warm or cool by anywhere from 1\u00b0C to 3\u00b0C, compared to normal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This oscillating warming and cooling pattern, referred to as the ENSO cycle, <strong>directly affects rainfall distribution<\/strong> in the <strong>tropics <\/strong>and can have a strong influence on weather across different&nbsp; parts of the world.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ENSO is one of the most important climate phenomena on Earth due to its ability to change the global atmospheric circulation, which in turn, influences temperature and precipitation across the globe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4ce67cc711af4035e1d4b70ff56bd0f2\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>ENSO phases&nbsp; and Impacts&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>El Ni\u00f1o:&nbsp; A <strong>warming of the ocean surface<\/strong>, or above-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over Indonesia, rainfall tends to become reduced while rainfall increases over the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The low-level surface winds, which normally blow from east to west along the equator (\u201ceasterly winds\u201d), instead weaken or, in some cases, start blowing the other direction (from west to east or \u201cwesterly winds\u201d).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In general, the warmer the ocean temperature anomalies, the stronger the El Ni\u00f1o (and vice-versa).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>La Ni\u00f1a:<\/strong>&nbsp; A <strong>cooling of the ocean surface, <\/strong>or below-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over Indonesia, rainfall tends to increase while rainfall decreases over the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&nbsp;&nbsp;The normal easterly winds along the equator become even stronger.&nbsp; In general, the cooler the ocean temperature anomalies, the stronger the La Ni\u00f1a (and vice-versa).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Neutral<\/strong>:&nbsp; Neither El Ni\u00f1o or La Ni\u00f1a. Often tropical Pacific SSTs are generally close to average.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, there are some instances when the ocean can look like it is in an El Ni\u00f1o or La Ni\u00f1a state, but the atmosphere is not playing along (or vice versa).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/G4tjjgRR8foMdlDmqoGXguhikAVcsKRxCDfL6gm6l08go0CJZvEH7IrSEMo8mUKBEXhLGZJi62LiBeSAbOzyZfjkvYTZQ7cHKPdR7htBfEKfvcSSpKh-3jOdQqI6PaOLGhi8GEtmKAUuvRzvdeKD1B8\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:598px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d5680e894913dce9e783dcd5be0cecf2\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Repercussions for India&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has had a greater impact on northern parts of India, lesser impact on the central parts and relatively constant impact on the southern parts of the country in recent decades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The warming phase known as the El Nino is generally known to suppress monsoon rainfall while the cooling phase known as the La Nina generally enhances monsoon rainfall.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;Even though there are multiple other factors, like the monsoon low pressure systems and depression, which affect the monsoon rainfall, La Nina is one of the major factors.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In a La Nina year, one could expect above normal rainfall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source:<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/cities\/bangalore\/imd-la-nina-to-emerge-by-july-more-rainfall-during-august-september-9358015\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7e6c2cad1ee348e05e1aa3da64d5b0b8\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><strong>World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaty<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cb9dfec66108ce9f742f389a74ffcdb1\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>After 25 years of negotiations, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaty, associated with the genetic resources and traditional knowledge was concluded in Geneva.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1add7096639b21ab6d94f0e24c9284d4\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>What are Genetic Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Genetic resources (GRs) <\/strong>are present in things like medicinal plants, agricultural crops, and animal breeds.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While genetic resources themselves cannot be directly protected as intellectual property, inventions developed using them can, most often through a patent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Associated Traditional Knowledge: <\/strong>Some genetic resources are also associated with traditional knowledge through their use and conservation by Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities, often over generations.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This knowledge is sometimes used in scientific research and, as such, may contribute to the development of a protected invention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9109cde0f0d3b2b85ca791eff8d3b0a7\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>About the treaty<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The treaty will establish in international law a new disclosure requirement for patent applicants whose inventions are based on <strong>genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The treaty after entering&nbsp; into force will require contracting parties to put In place <strong>mandatory disclosure obligations for patent applicants to disclose the country of origin<\/strong> or source of the genetic resources when the claimed invention is based on genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This will <strong>offer added protection to Indian Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge, <\/strong>which while currently protected in India are prone to misappropriation in countries, which do not have disclosure of obligations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e3f80e8a24ba63ce8519b3411f905696\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This is the first WIPO treaty to address the interface between intellectual property, genetic resources and traditional knowledge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is also the first WIPO treaty to include provisions specifically for indigenous peoples and local communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23d39977e4a1a2e05fe5ef5020e43ffc\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a &#8220;significant win&#8221; for India and the global South ,comprising mainly low-income and developing countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It paves the way for bridging conflicting paradigms within the Intellectual Property (IP) system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)<\/strong>&nbsp;<br><br>&#8211; It is a <strong>self-funding agency of the United Nations, <\/strong>that serves the world\u2019s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere.<br>&#8211; <strong>Members:<\/strong> The organization has <strong>193<\/strong> member states including both developing and developed nations like India, Italy, Israel, Austria, Bhutan, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, Pakistan, the U.S. and the U.K.<br>&#8211; <strong>Headquarters:<\/strong> Geneva, Switzerland<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/wipo-concludes-new-treaty-to-protect-genetic-resources-traditional-knowledge-india-plays-key-role\/article68214956.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6b1c3b57d66401f14a416493d2d18da2\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><strong>Neolithic Discoveries in Mauxi Village<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Ancient History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cb9dfec66108ce9f742f389a74ffcdb1\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mauxi (Mhaus) village<\/strong> in the <strong>Sattari taluka<\/strong> of <strong>Goa <\/strong>has emerged as a <strong>hotbed of neolithic discoveries.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5f077d3f6cdce2eb40c8488bd933c5c6\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>11th edition of the Cultural and Heritage Walk,<\/strong> also known as Parikrama, organised inside the <strong>Ravalnath Temple.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Lord Shiva is a form of the universal god worshipped by Hindus. He is also called Shivnath Ravalnath in <strong>Konkani <\/strong>as a mark of reverence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)<\/strong> has confirmed that the <strong>Ancient rock carvings<\/strong> that were found etched into the <strong>meta basalt rock along the dry riverbed of the Zarme river<\/strong> some two decades ago <strong>belong to the neolithic period.&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The carvings were initially discovered by <strong>local residents some 20 years ago<\/strong> and tell a lot about the early inhabitants of the region.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; ASI is the premier organization for the <strong>archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage<\/strong> of the nation under the<strong> Ministry of Culture.<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>&#8211; <strong>Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance <\/strong>is the prime concern of the ASI.&nbsp;<br>&#8211; It regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the <strong>Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.<\/strong> It also regulates the Antiquities<strong> and Art Treasure Act, 1972.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c4a18e88711fe9e213d59a81f01b9219\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Major Findings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The carvings are of animals such as <strong>zebus, bulls, and antelopes, alongside footprints and cupules.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>circular cavities on the rock surface<\/strong> signifies the <strong>community involvement<\/strong> in discovering historical artifacts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some 20 rock etchings, showcasing the <strong>use of the bruising technique,<\/strong> have been identified in this region, with tools from the same period found on the riverbed. This validates the <strong>site\u2019s historical significance.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Another worth-mentioning feature is a <strong>rock done with cupules,<\/strong> revered outside the Puravati Temple.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Initially interpreted as representing a star constellation with 27 cupules, further research revealed 31 cupules, which made people curious about their significance but the exact purpose of these remains unknown.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e3f80e8a24ba63ce8519b3411f905696\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The ASI have confirmed its <strong>Neolithic origins,<\/strong> as this period signifies an important period <strong>when humans started domesticating cattle.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A carving at Mauxi depicting a trident\u2014a symbol associated with the Iron Age\u2014suggests the <strong>site&#8217;s enduring significance through various historical epochs.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The presence of the <strong>Dhawad community, <\/strong>early settlers, and ironsmiths adds another layer to the historical narrative, although eventually displaced by new settlers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>The Stone Age<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; The <strong>Stone Age is a prehistoric period<\/strong> characterized by the <strong>use of stone tools.<\/strong> It&#8217;s typically divided into <strong>three major periods:<\/strong> the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic, based on technological advancements, cultural developments, and changes in human societies.<br>a. <strong>Paleolithic Age:<\/strong> Also known as the Old Stone Age, this period began around <strong>2.6 million years ago<\/strong> with the earliest known stone tool usage by hominids such as Homo habilis. It lasted until around 10,000 BCE. During this time, humans were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on stone tools for tasks such as hunting, butchering, and processing food.<br>b. <strong>Mesolithic Age:<\/strong> This transitional period occurred roughly between <strong>10,000 BCE and 5,000 BCE,<\/strong> depending on the region. It was characterized by the development of more specialized tools, as well as adaptations to changing environments and the domestication of certain plants and animals.<br>c. <strong>Neolithic Age:<\/strong> The New Stone Age began around <strong>12,000 years ago<\/strong> and ended in various parts of the world between <strong>4500 BCE and 2000 BCE.<\/strong> It is distinguished by the widespread adoption of agriculture and the domestication of animals, leading to settled communities, the development of pottery, weaving, and more complex social structures.<br>d.The transition to agriculture revolutionized human societies, allowing for the rise of civilizations.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/travel\/destinations\/rock-carvings-found-in-goas-mauxi-village-20-years-ago-belong-from-neolithic-age-asi-confirms\/articleshow\/110426930.cms#:~:text=Mauxi%20(Mhaus)%20village%20in%20the,belong%20to%20the%20neolithic%20period\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TOI<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6c296aada84ee71ebf375a7c017668c9\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><strong>Contesting Polls and Voting Rights from Prison<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Indian Polity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cb9dfec66108ce9f742f389a74ffcdb1\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Delhi Chief Minister<\/strong> has received interim bail from the Supreme Court to join his party&#8217;s campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections until June 1, the last phase of the polls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5f70ce32732d44e9214f244ea634ea8d\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In <strong>1975, <\/strong>the Supreme Court in the case of<strong> Indira Gandhi v Raj Narain<\/strong> recognised that free and fair elections are a part of the <strong>\u2018basic structure\u2019<\/strong> of the Constitution of India.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However&nbsp; the Supreme Court has held that the <strong>rights to elect and be elected do not enjoy the same status.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2006, in the case of <strong>Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India<\/strong> the supreme court held that the right to vote (or the right to elect) is \u201cpure and simple, a statutory right\u201d.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This means that <strong>voting is not a fundamental right and can be repealed.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The same was held for the right to be elected by the Bench, ruling that laws enacted by Parliament could regulate both these statutory rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77f26a77109ec41bfbf237194d913d47\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Bar Against Contesting Elections&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Section 8 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (RP Act)<\/strong> is titled \u201cDisqualification on conviction for certain offenses\u201d.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No one is barred from contesting elections unless convicted. Even for convicted politicians, the disqualification is <strong>not more than 6 years post the expiry of the jail term.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This disqualification only kicks in <strong>once a person has been convicted<\/strong> and does not apply if they have only been charged with criminal offenses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exceptions to Disqualification: The Election Commission of India (ECI)<\/strong> is empowered under<strong> Section 11<\/strong> of the RP Act to <strong>\u201cremove\u201d or \u201creduce\u201d<\/strong> the period of disqualification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2019 the Supreme Court held that once a conviction is stayed \u201cthe disqualification which operates as a consequence of the conviction cannot take or remain in effect\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-581e3655bc323d87c88678ff9fd8fffd\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Bar Against the Right to Vote<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 326 <\/strong>of the Constitution of India provides <strong>voting right in elections to the Parliament or the assembly based on adult suffrage.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Section 62 <\/strong>of the <strong>RP Act<\/strong> provides a series of <strong>restrictions on the right to vote.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Its <strong>sub-clause (5) <\/strong>which states in broad terms \u201cNo person shall vote at any election if he is confined in a prison, whether under a sentence of imprisonment or transportation or otherwise, or is in the lawful custody of the police\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With an <strong>exception <\/strong>provided for those in preventive detention, this provision effectively bars every individual who had criminal charges framed against them from casting their vote unless they have been released on bail or have been acquitted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c27e5241496908b9e02d5f836bb7a591\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Anukul Chandra Pradhan, Advocate, Supreme Court v. Union of India, 1997<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Supreme Court&nbsp; in this case rejected a challenge to <strong>Section 62(5)<\/strong> of <strong>RPA <\/strong>on four grounds that;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>right to vote was a statutory right<\/strong> and could be subject to statutory limitations.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is a <strong>\u201cresource crunch\u201d<\/strong> as infrastructure would have to be provided and police would have to be deployed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A person in prison because of their conduct \u201c<strong>cannot claim equal freedom of movement, speech and expression\u201d<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Restrictions on prisoners\u2019 right to vote are reasonable as it is connected to keeping \u201c<strong>persons with criminal background away from the election scene\u201d.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newindianexpress.com\/cities\/delhi\/2024\/May\/23\/wont-resign-because-it-will-set-precedent-give-bjp-free-hand-to-target-opposition-cms-kejriwal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2b5b55154b8be5f873bc697e51db5a80\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><strong>News in Short<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4d62c25cd22d51098e94407cfc1131aa\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>ZiG: Zimbabwe\u2019s Gold Backed Currency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, Zimbabwe has introduced the <strong>ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold)<\/strong>, a gold-backed currency amid its monetary crisis marked by hyperinflation and currency collapses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>ZiG: A Brief Overview<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Background:<\/strong> The ZiG is <strong>Zimbabwe\u2019s sixth national currency<\/strong> in the last 15 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It follows the spectacular <strong>collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009<\/strong> due to hyperinflation, which reached a staggering 5 billion per cent\u2014the world\u2019s worst currency crash.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gold-Backed:<\/strong> Unlike its predecessors, the ZiG stands out as <strong>a currency backed by physical gold reserves<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It ensures that <strong>its value<\/strong> is supported by the <strong>actual gold held by the government<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Denominations: <\/strong>ZiG notes and coins are available in various denominations: 1ZiG, 2ZiG, 5ZiG, 10ZiG, 20ZiG, 50ZiG, 100ZiG, and 200ZiG.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Backed By Gold?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The gold backing aims <strong>to provide stability<\/strong> and <strong>prevent currency devaluation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By linking the ZiG to a <strong>tangible asset<\/strong>, Zimbabwe hopes to restore public confidence in its monetary system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges and Skepticism<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Public Mistrust:<\/strong> Zimbabweans remain skeptical due to past currency failures. People are <strong>still clamoring for U.S. dollars<\/strong>, which have been widely accepted as an alternative currency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Black Market Fluctuations: <\/strong>While the ZiG has held its value on the official market, it has tumbled on the black market.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exchange rates there can reach up to 17 ZiGs per U.S. dollar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/international\/zimbabwes-gold-backed-currency-zig-all-you-need-to-know\/article68220482.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c63f2c0b93d9b44ee846aca1510f52d7\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Sovereign Bonds<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced its plan to buy back government bonds worth Rs 40,000 crore in its upcoming auction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Bond<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; It is a <strong>debt instrument<\/strong> in which an investor loans money to an entity (typically corporate or government) which borrows the funds <strong>for a defined period of time <\/strong>at a <strong>variable or fixed interest rate.<\/strong><br>&#8211; It is used by companies, municipalities, states and <strong>sovereign governments<\/strong> to raise money to finance a variety of projects and activities.<br><br><strong>Government Security (G-Sec)<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; It is a tradable instrument issued by the <strong>Central Government or the State Governments<\/strong>.<br>&#8211; It acknowledges the Government\u2019s debt obligation.<br>a. <strong>Short Term:<\/strong> <strong>Treasury Bills<\/strong>, with original maturities of<strong> less than one year;<\/strong><br>b. <strong>Long Term: <\/strong>Government Bonds or <strong>Dated securities<\/strong> with original <strong>maturity of one year or more<\/strong>.<br>&#8211; In India, the <strong>Central Government issues both<\/strong>, treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while the<strong> State Governments issue only bonds or dated securities<\/strong>, which are called the <strong>State Development Loans (SDLs).<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>G-Secs<\/strong> carry practically <strong>no risk of default<\/strong> and, hence, are called <strong>risk-free gilt-edged instruments.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sovereign Bonds<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a <strong>debt security<\/strong> issued by a national government <strong>to raise capital. <\/strong>Governments use these bonds for various purposes:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Financing Operations:<\/strong> Sovereign bonds help fund government operations, infrastructure projects, and public services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Debt Management:<\/strong> They allow governments to refinance existing debt or pay down old obligations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interest Payments:<\/strong> Governments use the proceeds to pay interest on current debt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Currency Denomination:<\/strong> Sovereign bonds can be denominated in either the government\u2019s domestic currency <strong>or a foreign currency.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Risk Profile:<\/strong> The yield on sovereign bonds depends on the issuer\u2019s risk profile.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Countries perceived as higher risk may offer higher yields.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Credit Ratings: <\/strong>Rating agencies assess sovereign bonds based on economic stability, exchange rates, outstanding debts, and political stability.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These ratings guide investors in evaluating risks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Denomination:<\/strong> Some developing countries issue bonds in foreign currencies due to currency risk.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For instance, Indonesia might issue bonds denominated in Japanese yen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Investment Limits:<\/strong> Sovereign bonds have minimum and maximum investment limits.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These vary based on the investor type (individuals, trusts, etc.) and are subject to government notifications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interest Payment:<\/strong> Sovereign bonds provide periodic interest payments, with the option to exit after a specified period (usually 5 years) on interest payment dates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Issue Price:<\/strong> The price is determined based on the average closing price of gold for the preceding week.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Online subscribers paying through digital modes receive a discount.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/finance\/news\/reserve-bank-of-india-plans-to-buy-back-rs-40-000-cr-g-sec-on-thursday-124052701279_1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: BS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b95c0c0cd026d5250b098d5f098fba69\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Eucalyptus&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Agricultural Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the Kerala government allowed the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to plant eucalyptus trees for financial sustenance in 2024-2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Eucalyptus<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The \u2018eucalypts\u2019 comprise three related genera within the <strong>Myrtaceae family<\/strong>; <strong><em>Eucalyptus<\/em><\/strong>, <strong>Corymbia and Angophora<\/strong>, which collectively include more than 800 species.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Almost <strong>all eucalypts are endemic to Australia.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eucalyptus plantations have a rotation age of nine years, while <strong>Acacia Auriculiformis<\/strong> trees mature in 18 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance of Eucalyptus<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wood Availability and Livelihood Generation:<\/strong> Eucalyptus is a major source of wood for the <strong>Indian pulp and paper industry.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Approximately 70% of these plantations consist of eucalyptus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Carbon Sequestration: <\/strong>Eucalyptus plantations contribute to carbon sequestration, with a CO2 mitigation potential of 369.2 mg\/ha in a 6-year-old plantation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Additionally, <strong>soil carbon storage<\/strong> has increased in agri-silviculture systems compared to traditional rice-wheat cropping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Environmental Concerns<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Invasive Species:<\/strong> Kerala\u2019s eco-restoration policy aims to address the proliferation of invasive species that disrupt the natural ecosystem. Eucalyptus, <strong>being non-native<\/strong>, can alter local habitats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Human-Wildlife Conflict:<\/strong> Depletion of natural forests forces wild animals to venture into human-occupied areas in search of food, leading to conflicts. Eucalyptus plantations may exacerbate this issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/the-controversy-over-eucalyptus-planting-in-kerala-explained\/article68222800.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-528f4a9189360e0222d5b479fb172d07\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>India offers $1-million aid to Papua New Guinea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Government of India has granted $1 million as immediate assistance for Papua New Guinea, which has been hit by a devastating flood and landslide that has so far killed 2,000 people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India had earlier supported Papua New Guinea in 2018 when the country was rocked by an earthquake and subsequently in 2019 and 2023 when volcanic eruptions hit the country.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India and Papua New Guinea<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Diplomatic relations between India and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) were established when the latter got independence from Australia in <strong>1975<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PNG appointed its first defence adviser to India for taking forward defence cooperation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PNG has been cooperative in issues taken up by India at various international fora including UN, Commonwealth, etc<br><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/PqHqO6tS-Jf3L18MfsIMvPuRy87wjai5WSUC20yBF3h0UNYBcdCULFjlh0g_OBwhOabZPCc6ynQ6uiGN5eq-Op0wmWQXjxWwepuc6q97QI8j9fZQCyH3Aqb_9l90bXnQAPV9H3iK-dNjo0nXE-_LQVQ\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>About Papua New Guinea<\/strong><br><br>&#8211; Papua New Guinea is an island country that lies in the south-western Pacific.&nbsp;<br>&#8211; It includes the eastern half of New Guinea and many small offshore islands. Its neighbours include Indonesia to the west, Australia to the south and Solomon Islands to the south-east.<br><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"199\" height=\"193\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/dLkvtGb9Gjtc-Q9U6_Seq25ec8VhV93CX_TH0ctngm3vpQFWLfNKZpNE71fUtD8kAU8aVtIkGAGjKGIvLdn8dAAE9sAp3brLhjJkWXWyF-v9DX0_WdNZoXejTGnmJeSFWdyE4kuRiTtush8UBKgQTLs\"><br>&#8211; &nbsp;It is mainly mountainous but has low-lying plains in southern New Guinea. The country has several active volcanoes.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Source:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/india-offers-1-million-aid-to-disaster-hit-papua-new-guinea\/article68224762.ece#:~:text=Earlier%20Prime%20Minister%20Narendra%20Modi%20had%20conveyed%20his%20condolences%20and%20extended%20India&#039;s%20support&amp;text=The%20Government%20of%20India%20has,so%20far%20killed%202%2C000%20people.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0abcbda85475f7c9d121d8494d2f3520\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>2023 Military Gender Advocate Of Year Award<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Miscellaneous<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian Army Major Radhika Sen has been selected to receive the 2023 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The United Nations<strong> \u201cMilitary Gender Advocate of the Year Award<\/strong>\u201d was created in <strong>2016.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The award recognises the efforts of a military peacekeeper in promoting the <strong>principles of the 2000 Security Council resolution<\/strong>, that calls for protecting women and girls from conflict-related sexual violence and sets gender-related responsibilities for the UN.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Past recipients<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With 124 women military peacekeepers currently deployed, <strong>India is the eleventh largest contributor<\/strong> of women peacekeepers to the UN.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major Sen is the second Indian peacekeeper to receive this award, following <strong>Major Suman Gawani,<\/strong> a co-recipient in 2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>International Day of UN Peacekeepers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The United Nations General Assembly, in its <strong>resolution 57\/129,<\/strong> designated <strong>29 May <\/strong>as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This is the date when in <strong>1948 <\/strong>the first UN peacekeeping mission named the <strong>&#8220;United Nations Truce Supervision Organization&#8221;<\/strong>, began operations in Palestine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/indian-army-major-radhika-sen-selected-to-receive-2023-military-gender-advocate-of-year-award\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7ba2ec171c466f7856ae51338f50b2f5\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>Microcephaly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Researchers&nbsp; from China confirmed the pivotal role of a gene called SASS6 in microcephaly pathogenesis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Microcephaly is a condition in which a<strong> baby\u2019s head is much smaller than normal.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most children with microcephaly also have a <strong>small brain, poor motor function, poor speech<\/strong>, and <strong>abnormal facial features<\/strong>, and are intellectually disabled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The roots of the condition lie in the peak phase of brain development in the embryo \u2014 when the cells that eventually become neurons fail to divide normally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/how-an-altered-protein-and-fussy-neurons-conspire-to-cause-microcephaly\/article68224798.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56924d1df92a334e16a09c402f5f1759\" style=\"color:#ff6a00\"><strong>New Initiatives of RBI for Enhancing Public Access to Bank<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In\u00a0News<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Reserve Bank of India has launched three major initiatives \u2013 the <strong>PRAVAAH portal, <\/strong>the <strong>Retail Direct Mobile App<\/strong> and <strong>a FinTech Repositor<\/strong>y&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More in news&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The RBI has also launched a related repository called the EmTech Repository meant for RBI-regulated entities (banks and NBFCs).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About initiatives&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>PRAVAAH (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorisation) portal:<\/strong>&nbsp; It&nbsp; is a secure and centralized web-based platform for individuals and entities to apply online for various regulatory approvals from the RBI.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The portal streamlines the process of seeking authorizations, licenses, or regulatory approvals by providing a single point of contact for applicants. It is expected to improve the efficiency of the RBI\u2019s regulatory approval and clearance processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Retail Direct Mobile App :It&nbsp; <\/strong>offers retail investors easy access to the Retail Direct platform and facilitates transactions in government securities (G-Secs).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The app enables retail investors to open Retail Direct Gilt accounts with the RBI, participate in primary auctions for G-Secs, and buy and sell G-Secs in the secondary market.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The app is available for download on the Play Store for Android users and the App Store for iOS users.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Fintech Repository:&nbsp; It <\/strong>&nbsp;is a comprehensive database containing information on the Indian fintech sector.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The repository aims to provide a better understanding of the sector from a regulatory perspective and facilitate the design of appropriate policy approaches. It includes information on Indian fintech companies, their products and services, and the regulatory framework applicable to them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The EmTech Repository :&nbsp; It&nbsp; <\/strong>contains information on the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud computing, distributed ledger technology (DLT), and quantum computing by these entities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Purpose :&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These initiatives are&nbsp; aimed at enhancing public access to the central bank and facilitating regulatory approvals and transactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source:TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DCA_29-05-2024.pdf\">Download PDF<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Heavy rain caused by the cyclone Remal triggered landslides in several places in Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, and Nagaland.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25132"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25163,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25132\/revisions\/25163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}