1. PMLA 2002 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The PMLA Adjudicating Authority recently upheld the Enforcement Directorate's attachment of approximately Rs 752 crore worth assets belonging to the Congress-promoted National Herald newspaper and associated companies in a money laundering case.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

• About: The Act was enacted in a 2002 response to India’s global commitment (including the Vienna Convention) to combat the menace of money laundering. 
• Objective: The statement of objects and reasons of the PMLA Bill of 1999 refers to various international conventions and instruments dealing primarily with money laundering related to crimes involving drugs and narcotics.

oUnited Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.

oThe Basle Statement of Principles, 1989.

• Provisions of the Act: 

oSection 3 of the Act defines the offence of money laundering as any attempt, assistance, or involvement in activities related to the proceeds of crime, projecting them as untainted property.

oProceeds of Crime: Refers to any property obtained directly or indirectly as a result of criminal activity related to a Scheduled Offence, such as: Indian Penal Code, Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Prevention of Corruption Act.

oActions Against Persons Involved in Money Laundering: Seizure/Freezing of Property and Records, Attachment of Property.

Punishment (Section 4)

• Rigorous imprisonment for a minimum of 3 years, extendable up to 7 years.
• Fine may also be imposed.
• Note: For offences related to Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985:
• Punishment may extend to rigorous imprisonment for up to 10 years.

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2. STANDARD TIME FOR MOON (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The US White House recently instructed NASA to develop a standardized time system for the Moon, facilitating coordination among international bodies and private enterprises operating on its surface.

Earth’s time Standard Work

• Coordinated Universal Time (UTC): Most clocks and time zones worldwide are based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), established by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris, France.
• Atomic Clocks: UTC is maintained through a weighted average of over 400 atomic clocks globally. These clocks measure time based on the resonant frequencies of atoms like cesium-133.
• Definition of a Second: In atomic time, a second is defined as the duration in which a cesium atom vibrates 9,192,631,770 times. Atomic clocks provide highly stable and precise measurements of time.
• Local Time Calculation: Countries determine their local time by adjusting UTC based on their position relative to the prime meridian (0 degrees longitude), also known as the Greenwich meridian.
• Time Zone Differences: Countries to the west of the Greenwich meridian subtract hours from UTC, while those to the east add hours. This adjustment accounts for the Earth's rotation and the division of its surface into time zones.

Why Establish a Time Standard for the Moon?

• Diverse Time Experience: Time behaves differently on the Moon compared to Earth due to the effects of gravity, as per Einstein's Theory of General Relativity.
• Relativity Impact: Gravity's influence causes time to flow slightly faster on the Moon than on Earth, leading to a need for a specific time standard.
• Incompatibility with UTC: The Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) used on Earth cannot accurately measure time on the Moon due to this relativistic difference.

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3. CLEAN ECONOMY INVESTOR FORUM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to organise Clean Economy Investor Forum in Singapore.

Clean Economy Investor Forum (CEIF)

• About: It is an initiative established within the framework of the IPEF.
• Investor Convergence: It convenes the top investors from the region, fostering collaboration and dialogue.
• Aim: The primary objective of the Forum is to channel investments towards sustainable infrastructure, climate technology, and renewable energy projects.
• Annual Event: The IPEF plans to organize the CEIF annually, with the inaugural event scheduled for June 2024 in Singapore.
• Managed by: Invest India, India’s National Investment Promotion Agency, the forum holds significance for India’s clean economy endeavors.
• Opportunities for India: The CEIF offers Indian industries avenues for engagement through specialized tracks like the Climate Tech Track and the Infrastructure Track.

INDO-PACIFIC ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK (IPEF)

• History: The IPEF was launched by United States (US) in Tokyo at the QUAD summit on May 23, 2022. 
• Aim: The framework intends to “advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness” in these economies. 
• 14 partners: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United States and Vietnam.
• The IPEF comprises four pillars of cooperation namely: Trade, Supply Chain, Clean Economy and Fair Economy.

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4. ABORTION LAWS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Indian Society)

Context: The Supreme Court of Arizona in the United States delivered a landmark decision, reviving a long-dormant law from 1864 that bans nearly all abortions in the state.

Revival of a Civil War-era law in USA

• Historical Roots: Dating back to the American Civil War (1861-65), a law prohibits individuals from providing, supplying, or administering substances to induce miscarriage in pregnant women, unless it's to save her life.
• Historical Context: Enacted before Arizona's statehood (1912) and the advent of women's suffrage in the state (effectively 1914), this law's enforcement was halted by a Tucson court shortly after the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade decision.

Abortion Law in India

• Background: In the 1960s, the Union government constituted the Shantilal Shah Committee to prepare a draft for the legalisation of abortion in India.
• Enactment of MTP Act: In 1971, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act was enacted to reduce maternal mortality due to unsafe abortions.
• Gestation Limit: The MTP Act set an upper limit of the gestation period to which a woman can seek a medical abortion to 20 weeks.
• Qualified Practitioners: Abortion is to be performed only by doctors with specialisation in gynaecology or obstetrics.
• Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): A person who "voluntarily causes a woman with child to miscarry" will be jailed for up to 3 years or fined or both.
• Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 2021: The Act extends the permissible termination of pregnancy from 20 weeks to 24 weeks, providing women with a longer gestation period for making this choice.

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5. SHAKTI FESTIVAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and culture)

Context: To rejuvenate the Temple Traditions in the country Sangeet Natak Akademi, under the series of Kala Pravah, is organizing the festival under the title ‘Shakti a festival of music and dance’ during the holy Navaratri.

Shakti Festival

• About: To rejuvenate the Temple Traditions in the country Sangeet Natak Akademi, under the series of Kala Pravah, is organizing the festival under the title ‘Shakti a festival of music and dance’.

oThe Akademi will organize the festival celebrating temple traditions under the title Shakti at seven different Shaktipeeths from 9th to 17th April 2024, in different parts of the country.

• Organized by: Sangeet Natak Akademi, Ministry of Culture.
• 7 Sakthipeeths

oKamakhya Temple - Assam

oMahalakshmi Temple - Maharashtra

oJwalamukhi Temple - Himachal Pradesh

oTripura Sundari - Tripura

oAmbaji Temple - Gujarat

oJai Durga Shaktipeeth - Jharkhand

oMaa Harsidhi Temple - Madhya Pradesh

o

Sangeet Natak Akademi

• About: The national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.
• Origin: It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and became functional the following year, with the appointment of its first chairman, Dr. P. V. Rajamannar.
• Awards: The Akademi Ratna and Akademi Puraskar represent the pinnacle of achievement in the performing arts at a national level.
• Excellence Standard: They symbolize the highest standard of excellence attained within the realm of performing arts.
• Chairman Appointment: By the President of India for a term of five years.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture.

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6. QUACQUARELLI SYMONDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: Recently, IIM-Ahmedabad secured its position among the top 25 institutions worldwide for business and management studies, while both IIM-Bangalore and IIM-Calcutta have also achieved placement within the top 50, as per the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Key Points of Ranking

• India’s University Ranking: Jawaharlal Nehru University is the highest-ranked university in India according to QS rankings.

oJNU secures the 20th position globally.

oSaveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences in Chennai achieves the 24th position globally for dentistry studies.

oIndia's Remarkable Progress: India demonstrates significant progress in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

• Strong Research Capability Evident: A 20% improvement in the Citations per Paper indicator reflects India's strong research capability.

oQS identifies India as one of the world's most rapidly expanding research centers.

• Impressive Output: India's research output surges by an impressive 54% from 2017 to 2022.

QS Quacquarelli Symonds

• About: It is a prominent global provider of services, analytics, and insight to the higher education sector worldwide. 
• Focus:  On delivering valuable support and resources to the global higher education community.
• Mission: To empower individuals from all over the world to achieve their full potential by facilitating educational success, promoting international mobility, and aiding in career development.
• 10 indicators: Academic reputation, faculty student ratio, international relation network, international faculty, students, and outbound exchange students etc.

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7. FSDR ON SDGS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: A new report (FSDR 2024) by the world body has recently emphasized that trillions of dollars are needed to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were agreed upon by all United Nations members back in 2015, by the year 2030.

Key Findings of Financing for Sustainable Development Report

• Debt service is projected to reach $40 billion annually from 2023 to 2025 in the least developed countries (LDC), surpassing the $26 billion mark set in 2022.
• The poorest countries allocate 12 per cent of their revenues towards interest payments, a fourfold increase compared to a decade ago.
• In approximately 40 per cent of the world's nations, governments allocate more funds towards interest payments than crucial sectors like education or health.
• If existing trajectories persist, the UN forecasts that nearly 600 million individuals will endure extreme poverty beyond 2030, with a significant proportion being women.

Sustainable Development Goals

• About: It is the universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
• Adopted by: United Nations in 2015 
• Vision: To achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. 
• The 17 SDGs came into force with effect from 1st January 2016 as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• India's Commitment: India, as a signatory nation, pledged to pursue and accomplish these goals within the framework of the 2030 Agenda.
• India’s Ranking in SDGs:112 Among 166 Countries for Performance in 2023.
• SDGs are not legally binding.

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8. KALA AZAR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: India has achieved its target to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala-azar, according to data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC).

Kala Azar

• About: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar or "black fever", is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and, without proper diagnosis and treatment, is associated with high fatality( 95%).
• Caused by: Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania.
• Symptoms: Include fever, weight loss, fatigue, anaemia, and substantial swelling of the liver and spleen.
• Treatment:  Kala-azar Drugs available in India
• Global status: VL is the second-largest parasitic killer in the world (after malaria), responsible for an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 deaths each year worldwide.
• India’s Status: India aims to sustain its momentum over the next three years to receive WHO certification. 

oEndemic: Kala-azar is endemic in India, mainly in four states Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Indian government initiatives

• National Kala-azar Elimination programme: To improve the health status of vulnerable groups and at-risk population living in

oTarget: To reduce the annual incidence of Kala-azar to less than one per 10,000 populations at block PHC level. (Achieved successfully)

• The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP): An umbrella programme for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases, including Visceral leishmaniasis, known as kala-azar (KA) in India. 
• ASHA worker: The ASHA network plays a role in ensuring PKDL patients complete their treatment, which involves a 12-week course of the drug Miltefosine.
• Global level initiatives: WHO's new roadmap for 2021–2030 aims to address neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by preventing, controlling, eliminating, and eradicating a set of 20 diseases categorized as neglected tropical diseases.

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9. INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Internal security)

Context: India’s Jagjit Pavadia was re-elected for a third term for five years from March 2025-2030 to the International Narcotics Control Board.

International Narcotics Control Board

• About: It was established in 1968 to monitor the implementation of UN international drug control conventions.
• Historical Background: Created by merging the Permanent Central Narcotics Board and the Drug Supervisory Body, the INCB traces its roots back to the 1925 International Opium Convention and the 1931 Convention for Limiting the Manufacture and Regulating the Distribution of Narcotic Drugs.
• Membership Structure: Comprising 13 members elected by the Economic and Social Council, the INCB members serve in their personal capacity, not as government representatives.
• Three members with medical, pharmacological, or pharmaceutical expertise are nominated by the World Health Organization, while the remaining ten members are nominated by governments.
• Functions

oThe INCB collaborates with governments to ensure adequate drug supplies for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing the diversion of drugs from licit sources to illicit channels.

oAdditionally, it monitors governments' control over chemicals used in illicit drug manufacture and aids in preventing their diversion into illicit trafficking.

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10. CURATIVE PETITION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: In a landmark move, the Supreme Court has expanded legal recourse by permitting curative writs, emphasizing their role as a final avenue to rectify judgments deemed "oppressive to judicial conscience" and capable of perpetuating irreparable injustice.

Curative Petition

• About: A curative petition represents the final and ultimate recourse available to individuals seeking justice, as guaranteed by the Constitution of India. 

oIt becomes applicable once a review plea against a final conviction has been rejected.

• Background: The concept of the curative petition originated from a legal case in 2002, known as Rupa Ashok Hurra Vs. Ashok Hurra, which raised the question of whether an aggrieved person has any recourse after the dismissal of a review petition in the Supreme Court.
• Objective: The primary aim of a curative petition is to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice and to prevent any potential abuse of the legal process.
• Article 137 of the Indian Constitution: It provides significant support for the concept of a curative petition.

oArticle 137 empowers the Supreme Court of India with the authority to review any judgment it has pronounced or order it has made.

• SC's Review Power: This review power applies specifically when the matter pertains to the laws and rules established under Article 145 of the Indian Constitution.

Interference by the Supreme Court in Curative Petition

• Grounds for Interference: The interference by the Supreme Court is based on two primary grounds.

oInterpretation of Termination Clause: The first ground revolves around the interpretation of the termination clause in the contract.

oOstensible Ignorance of Material Evidence: The second ground pertains to the ostensible ignorance of material evidence.

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