1. GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: The World Economic Forum's latest report on the Global Gender Gap highlights significant strides towards gender parity, while underscoring the persistent challenges that continue to hinder full equality.

Global Gender Gap Report 2024

• About: An index designed to measure gender equality.

oAnnually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across different dimensions.

• Published by: the World Economic Forum.
• Parameters: 

oEconomic participation and opportunity

oEducational attainment

oPolitical empowerment

oHealth and survival

Indian context

• Rank: India stands at the 129th position, slipping 2 ranks since 2023.
• Score: 64.1%
• Neighbour: Bangladesh at the 99th position, Nepal at 117th, Sri Lanka at 122nd, and Bhutan at 124th and Pakistan at 145th position.
• Top ranking countries: Iceland retaining its top position. The rest are Finland, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Nicaragua, Germany, Namibia, Ireland , and Spain .

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2. NITROUS OXIDE (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: India emerged as the world's second largest contributor to nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, accounting for nearly 11% of global man-made emissions in 2020, primarily from fertilizer usage. China led with 16% of these emissions, according to a global assessment.

Key Findings of Study

• N2O Concentration: In 2022, atmospheric N2O reached 336 parts per billion, marking a 25% increase from pre-industrial levels.
• Emission Growth: Over the past four decades, human-induced N2O emissions have surged by 40%, equating to three million metric tons annually.

oBetween 2020 and 2022, emission growth rates were the highest observed since 1980, largely due to agricultural practices.

• Major Sources: Agricultural activities using nitrogen fertilizers and animal manure contributed 74% of total anthropogenic N2O emissions in the last decade.
• Climate Impact: These emissions account for 6.4% of the effective radiative forcing from greenhouse gases and have added approximately 0.1°C to global warming.
• IPCC Guidance: The IPCC stresses that to meet net-zero emission pathways aligned with the Paris Agreement goals, anthropogenic N2O emissions must decrease by at least 20% relative to 2019 levels by 2050.
• Leading Countries: In 2020, the top emitters were China (16.7%), India (10.9%), the United States (5.7%), Brazil (5.3%), and Russia (4.6%), underscoring the global distribution of N2O emissions.

Nitrous Oxide

• About: N2O is a greenhouse gas (GHG) that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) in terms of its global warming potential.
• Atmospheric Concentration: It ranks third in concentration among GHGs in Earth’s atmosphere, following CO2 and methane (CH4), contributing significantly to global warming.
• Impact on Ozone Layer: N2O poses a threat to the ozone (O3) layer as it accumulates over time, similar to CO2, although it affects ozone differently than other pollutants.
• Longevity in the Atmosphere: It has a long atmospheric lifetime, remaining active for up to 125 years once emitted.
• Applications:
• Medical Use: N2O is used by dentists and medical professionals for sedating patients during minor medical procedures, owing to its anesthetic properties.
• Food Industry: It serves as a propellant in food aerosols, enabling the dispensing of whipped creams and other culinary foams.

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3. SATNAMIS SECT (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History & Art & culture)

Context: Members of the Satnami religious sect set fire to the Superintendent of Police's office and pelted the District Collector's office with stones in Baloda Bazar, central Chhattisgarh, protesting alleged inaction over the desecration of a religious site at Amar Cave.

Satnamis Sect

• About: It is known for challenging political and religious authority by rallying around an understanding of God as "satnam."
• Founded by: A saint named “Birbhan” in 1657 in Narnaul in Haryana.
• Demographics: Members of the Satnami sect, mostly belonging to the Scheduled Caste, reside primarily in Chhattisgarh and adjacent areas of Madhya Pradesh.
• Social Composition: This sect is thought to be an offshoot of the Ravidasi sect and comprised of the lower strata of Hindu society, particularly leather workers, sweepers, carpenters, goldsmiths, etc.
• Locations: A significant shrine for the Satnami community is the Jaitkham, located about 5 km from Giraud village in Baloda Bazar district.
• The Chhattisgarh Satnamis trace their theological lineage to Guru Ghasidas, an 18th-century saint who is revered in the community.
• Practices: The followers of this sect kept their heads shaven (thus called Mundiyas) and abstained from liquor and meat.
• Religious Text: The religious granth of the Satnamis is called Pothi.

Satnamis Revolt

• Timing: The Satnamis revolted during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

oThe revolt began in 1672 when a Mughal soldier killed a Satnami.

• Reasons: Many Hindus resented Aurangzeb’s strict Islamic policies, which included the revival of the Islamic Jizya tax (poll tax on non-Muslim subjects), banning music and art, and destroying Hindu temples.
• Initial Retaliation: Other Satnamis took revenge on the Mughal soldiers, and in turn, the Mughal soldiers repressed the Satnamis.
• Suppression of the revolt: Aurangzeb personally intervened, leading to the dispatch of 10,000 troops with artillery.

oThe Mughals eventually suppressed the Satnami revolt after intense fighting.

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4. KALA AZAR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and tech)

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a new framework aimed at guiding health authorities, policymakers, and stakeholders in the eradication of kala azar disease in eastern Africa.

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.
• 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.

oIn 2022, eastern Africa accounted for 73% of the global VL caseload, with 50% of cases occurring in children under 15 years old.

oBetween 2004 and 2008, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal collectively accounted for 70% of the global VL caseload.

oIn 2023, WHO announced that Bangladesh had successfully eradicated VL, becoming the first country worldwide to achieve this milestone.

• India’s Status: India has achieved its target to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis, according to data from the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC).

Outline of Framework

• The new framework for eastern Africa presents a similar opportunity for the nine endemic countries, offering a comprehensive approach for countries to implement strategies, assess progress, identify gaps, and build capacity.
• Five Main Strategies for VL Elimination:

oEarly Diagnosis and Treatment

oIntegrated Vector Management

oEffective Surveillance

oAdvocacy, Social Mobilisation, and Partnership-Building

oImplementation and Operational Research.

• Regional Targets by 2030:

oReduction in VL Incidence: Achieving a 90 per cent reduction in VL incidence in the eastern Africa sub-region to fewer than 1,500 cases per year by 2030.

oPrompt Detection and Treatment: Ensuring detection and treatment of 90 per cent of cases within 30 days of onset of symptoms by 2030.

oElimination of VL Deaths in Children: Achieving a 100 per cent decline in VL deaths in children by 2030.

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5. DISASTER MANAGEMENT (DM) ACT, 2005 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management)

Context: The ongoing spell of extreme heat in many parts of the country has once again reopened discussions on the inclusion of heatwaves as one of the notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005.

Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005

• Establishment: The National Disaster Management Act (NDMA) was formulated in response to significant natural disasters like the 1999 super-cyclone in Odisha, the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat, and the 2004 tsunami.
• Creation of Authorities: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the national level.

oState Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) at the state level. 

• Nodal Agency: The Ministry of Home Affairs 
• Financial Provisions: The Act includes provisions for setting up funds for disaster relief and other emergency situations, ensuring financial resources are readily available during crises.
• Formation of Agencies: The Act mandates the creation of various agencies and organizations at the national, state, and district levels. These entities are crucial for ensuring efficient disaster response and management.

Notified Disasters

• Definition: The NDMA defines a disaster as a "catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence" caused by natural or man-made factors, resulting in significant loss of life, property destruction, or environmental damage. It must exceed the community's ability to cope.
• Examples: Cold waves, cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloudbursts, pest attacks, and frost waves.
• Provisions and Invocation: If a state experiences a notified disaster, the provisions of the Disaster Management Act can be invoked.
• Funds: Under the Act, states can access two funds: the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) at the national level and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) at the state level.
• Reason Heatwave not Included: When the Act came into being in 2005, heatwave or heat-related illnesses, which were quite common in northern India, were not viewed as a disaster.

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6. JAN AUSHADHI KENDRAS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: After Mauritius, now Nepal has approached India to set up Jan Aushadhi Kendras in that country, which would allow its citizens to benefit from low cost ‘Made in India’ generic medicines.

Jan Aushadhi Kendras

• Establishment: It was initially introduced in 2008 as the "Jan Aushadhi Medical Store," and rebranded in 2015 as the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana' (PMJAY).

oIn 2016, it underwent another renaming to "Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana" (PMBJP).

• Under:  Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana 
• Launched by: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
• Objective: To provide quality medicines at affordable prices for all, with a particular focus on reducing out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare, especially for the economically disadvantaged.
• Generic Drugs at Lower Prices: PMBKs offer generic drugs that are available at lower prices while maintaining an equivalent standard in terms of quality and efficacy compared to more expensive branded drugs.
• Availability of Medicines: All therapeutic medicines are made accessible through Jan Aushadhi Stores, ensuring a wide range of medicines for various medical needs.
• BPPI Establishment: The Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI) operates under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, managing the procurement, supply, and marketing of generic drugs through PMBJPK.
• Financial Support: Government extends financial support to eligible NGOs, Trusts, agencies, and individuals for establishing Jan Aushadhi stores.

oEligible entities can receive one-time financial assistance of up to ₹2.50 lakh to set up and operate Jan Aushadhi stores, enhancing accessibility to affordable generic medicines.

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7. CRISPR CAS9 TECHNOLOGY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Researchers recently used CRISPR/Cas9 to alter photosynthesis for the first time.

CRISPR Cas9 Technology

• About: CRISPR is an acronym representing Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.
• It is an innovative technology that provides geneticists and medical researchers with the capability to alter precise segments of the genome.
• Discovery: Some bacteria possess a natural defense mechanism akin to CRISPR/Cas9, allowing them to target and disable viral DNA sequences by snipping them out and incorporating a part of it into their own genome for future immunity.
• Components

oCas9 Enzyme: Central to CRISPR/Cas9 is the Cas9 enzyme, likened to molecular scissors, capable of precisely cutting both strands of DNA at a predetermined location within the genome.

oGuide RNA (gRNA): Comprising a short pre-designed RNA sequence within a longer scaffold, the gRNA serves as a molecular guide, directing the Cas9 enzyme to the specific target site on the DNA.

• CRISPRs are unique segments of DNA with specialized functions.
• The protein Cas9, also known as "CRISPR-associated," functions as an enzyme resembling molecular scissors, proficient in cleaving DNA strands.
• This capability enables researchers to conveniently modify DNA sequences and manipulate gene behaviour.
• Mechanism of Action: The guide RNA is engineered to bind with high specificity to a particular sequence on the DNA, ensuring Cas9 cuts precisely at the intended genomic location.

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8. IFSCA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: International financial services regulator IFSCA will finalise a revised norms for direct listing of companies at GIFT City by early-July.

 International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)

• Establishment: on April 27, 2020, by the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019.
• Headquarters: GIFT City, Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
• Objective: It is a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in India.

oIt was established as a unified regulator with a holistic vision in order to promote ease of doing business in IFSC and provide world class regulatory environment.

oAt present, the GIFT IFSC is the maiden international financial services centre in India. 

oPrior to the establishment of IFSCA, the domestic financial regulators, namely, RBI, SEBI, PFRDA and IRDAI regulated the business in IFSC.

• Composition: Nine members, appointed by the central government.
• The IFSCA (FinTech Incentive) Scheme:

oDomestic FinTechs: seeking access to overseas markets; listing on IFSCA recognised stock exchanges; extending business to the IFSCs either by way of authorisation or registration or through the regulatory sandbox.

oForeign FinTechs: seeking market access to IFSCs in India, seeking access to domestic market under Inter-Operable Regulatory Sandbox (IORS) framework. 

• Role of IFSCA

oUnified Regulatory Authority: IFSCA serves as a unified regulatory authority responsible for the development and oversight of financial products, services, and institutions within India's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

oTransition from Domestic Regulators: Before IFSCA's establishment, domestic financial regulators such as RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, and IRDAI governed business activities within IFSC.

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9. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued an advisory to Centre, State governments and UT Administrations to ensure widows’ welfare and protection of their human rights.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• Statutory Status: The NHRC-India has been set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act passed by Parliament in 1993.
• Accreditation: It has been accredited as an ‘A’ Status NHRI since the beginning of the accreditation process for NHRIs in 1999, which it retained in 2006, 2011, and in 2017 also after a deferment. 
• Mission: The Commission is responsible for spreading of human rights awareness amongst the masses and encouraging the efforts of all stake holders in the field of human rights literacy not only at the national level but at international level too.
• Members: The NHRC consists of the chairperson and five members (excluding the ex-officio members)
• Appointment: President on recommendation from six-member committee – PM, Speaker LS, Deputy Chairman RS, LOP – RS & LS, Home Min.
• Qualification:

oChairman – Should be retired CJI or judge of the SC

oMembers – A serving or retired judge of the SC, a serving or retired CJ of HC and three persons (at least 1 woman) having knowledge or experience w.r.t human rights. 

• Tenure: 3yrs or 70 age and eligible for re-appointment.
• Removal: They can only be removed upon proven charges of misconduct or incapacity, substantiated through an inquiry overseen by a Supreme Court Judge.

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10. LIVER FATTY DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: This year's theme for International Fatty Liver Day, observed annually in June, is 'Act Now, Screen Today', emphasizing the importance of early screening and intervention for liver health.

Liver Fatty Disease

• About: It is a condition in which fat builds up in your liver. 
• There are two main types:

oNonalcoholic fatty liver disease: NAFLD is a form of liver disease characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver unrelated to alcohol consumption. There are two types:

üSimple fatty liver: Involves fat accumulation without significant inflammation or liver cell damage. It typically does not progress to cause liver damage or complications.

üNonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): Involves inflammation and liver cell damage alongside fat accumulation. This condition can lead to liver fibrosis (scarring), and in severe cases, may progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

oAlcoholic fatty liver disease: It is due to heavy alcohol use

ü Also called alcoholic steatohepatitis

• Symptoms: Both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease typically manifest as silent conditions with minimal or no symptoms.
• Treatment: Usually the first line of treatment is to lose weight. It helps reduce fat, inflammation, and scarring in your liver.

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