1. BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Delhi High Court has requested the Centre to clarify its position on non-consensual sexual offences against LGBTQIA+ individuals and men under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

Alternative protections under the BNS

• Section 36: It grants individuals the right to defend their own body or another person's body against any offence, as well as to protect property from theft, robbery, mischief, or trespassing.
• Section 38: It allows the voluntary causing of death or harm to an assailant in situations involving serious threats, such as an assault with the intent to commit rape or satisfy "unnatural lust."
• Section 140: It penalizes kidnapping or abduction where the victim is subjected to grievous hurt, slavery, or "unnatural lust," but the term "unnatural lust" remains undefined in the law.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

• Reform and Modernization: The BNS 2023 aims to overhaul India's outdated criminal justice system, proposing a replacement for the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860.
• Retained Provisions: The BNS maintains existing IPC provisions against murder, abetment of suicide, assault, and causing grievous hurt.
• New Offenses: Introduces offenses related to organized crime, terrorism, and group-led violence based on specific grounds.
• Age Threshold Increase: Raises the age threshold for victims to be considered minors in gangrape cases from 16 to 18 years.
• Sedition Removal: The BNS removes the offense of sedition from the law.
• Terrorism Definition: Defines terrorism broadly, covering acts that threaten national unity, public order, or intimidate the public.
• Prescribes death or life imprisonment with fines for terrorist acts resulting in death.
• Organized Crime: Covers organized crimes like kidnapping, extortion, contract killings, land grabbing, financial scams, and cybercrime by crime syndicates.
• Mob Lynching: Introduces offenses related to mob lynching, defined as murder or grievous hurt by five or more individuals based on discriminatory factors.

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2. INDIA’S RAMSAR SITES (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Environment Ministry announced the designation of three additional wetlands in India as 'Ramsar sites,' raising the country's total to 85.

India’s Ramsar Sites

• Percentage of Wetland Area: India's Ramsar wetlands comprise around 10% of the total wetland area in the country.
• States Covered: These wetlands are spread across 18 States in India.
• Ramsar Sites in South Asia: No other South Asian country has as many Ramsar sites as India.
• Global Comparison: The United Kingdom (175) and Mexico (142) have more Ramsar sites than India, despite being smaller countries.
• The three new sites are: The Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary; the Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu; and the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.

Ramsar Convention

• About: It is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. 
• Timeline: The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. 
• Contracting Parties: Almost 90% of UN member states have become “Contracting Parties” (172). 
• Membership of India: India is a part of the Ramsar Convention and signed in 1982.
• Criteria: To be Ramsar site, however, it must meet at least one of the nine criteria defined by the Ramsar Convention of 1971, including supporting vulnerable, endangered, or

oCritically endangered species 

oThreatened ecological communities; or regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds; or

oIt is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks are dependent upon.

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3. GURMAR PLANT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A team of researchers recently discovered a variety of medicinal plants, including Gymnema sylvestre (Gurmar), at Brahmayoni Hill in Gaya, Bihar.

Gurmar Plant

• About: It is a perennial plant, commonly recognized as an anti-diabetic herb.
• Also known as: Gymnema, Australian cowplant, and Periploca of the woods.
• Distribution: Gurmar is indigenous to India and thrives in the tropical forests of central, western, and southern regions.
• Global Presence: The plant also grows in tropical areas of Africa, Australia, and China.
• Active Compounds: The plant is rich in compounds such as gymnemic acid, gymnemasides, anthraquinones, flavones, hentriacontane, pentatriacontane, phytin, resins, tartaric acid, and formic acid.
• Blood Sugar Regulation: Gymnemic acid in Gurmar reduces blood sugar levels by occupying receptor sites in the intestine, thereby reducing cravings for sweetness.
• Applications

oAnti-Diabetic Drug Development: Gurmar was used in the development of the anti-diabetic drug BGR-34 by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

oMedicinal Significance: Found on Brahmayoni Hill, Gurmar is a key medicinal plant known for its anti-diabetic properties and is part of a traditional treasure trove of natural remedies.

• Research and Validation

oBGR-34 Ingredient: Gurmar was identified as a crucial ingredient in the ayurvedic formulation BGR-34, developed by CSIR and marketed by Aimil Pharma.

oScientific Validation: A 2022 study by AIIMS, Delhi, confirmed that BGR-34 is effective in reducing obesity, lowering blood sugar levels, and improving the body’s metabolic system.

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4. FLOODWATCH INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management)

Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti launched the Version 2.0 of the ‘FloodWatch India’ mobile application developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

FloodWatch India

• About: It provides real-time information on the flood situation and forecasts up to 7 days ahead for the public.
• Feature:

oAdvance Flood Forecasting: The app can forecast the likelihood of floods a day in advance and offers a seven-day advisory on potential flooding at various stations.

oVisual Risk Indicators: A map of India in the app shows colored circles at water stations across the country to indicate the current flood risk—green for 'normal,' yellow for 'above normal,' orange for 'severe,' and red for 'extreme.'

oStation Information: Clicking on a circle reveals details such as the current water level, the highest historical level, the danger level, and the warning level at that station.

oMultilingual Warnings: The warnings are provided in English or Hindi, with an option for voice-enabled prompts.

oState-wise Forecasts: The app offers State-wise or basin-wide flood forecasts for up to 24 hours and flood advisories for up to seven days, accessible by selecting specific stations.

oAdvanced Technologies: Floodwatch utilizes satellite data analysis, mathematical modeling, and real-time monitoring to deliver accurate and timely flood forecasts.

oEssential Flood Information Access: The app allows users to access crucial information regarding flood situations, ensuring they are well-informed and prepared.

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5. SOLAR CYCLE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have found a new method to predict the amplitude of the upcoming solar cycle.

Solar Cycle

• About: It is the cycle that the Sun’s magnetic field goes through approximately every 11 years.
• Magnetic Field: The Sun's magnetic field goes through a cycle, called the solar cycle.

oEvery 11 years or so, the Sun's magnetic field completely flips.

oIt takes about another 11 years for the Sun’s north and south poles to flip back again.

• Effects on Sun's Surface:

oThe solar cycle affects activity on the surface of the Sun, such as sunspots caused by the Sun's magnetic fields.

oThe middle of the solar cycle is the solar maximum, characterized by the most sunspots.

oAs the cycle ends, it fades back to the solar minimum, signaling the start of a new cycle.

Space Weather

• About: Activity on the Sun’s surface creates a type of weather called space weather. 
• Main Components of Space Weather:

oSolar Wind: A continuous flow of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the sun.

oCoronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): Large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona.

oSolar Flares: Sudden, intense bursts of radiation from the sun's surface.

Effects of Space Weather:

• Space weather can compress Earth's magnetosphere, the protective shield against solar wind.
• Space weather can trigger geomagnetic storms that disrupt communication and power systems.
• It can damage spacecraft electronics and pose risks to astronauts' safety.

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6. EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise Mitra Shakti began at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.

Exercise Mitra Shakti

• About: It is a bilateral military exercise between India and Sri Lanka.
• Edition: 10th edition. The 'Mitra Shakti' military exercise is conducted alternately between India and Sri Lanka.
• India’s Participant: K-9 Squad
• Indian contingent: It comprising 106 personnel is being represented by a Battalion of Rajputana Rifles along with personnel from other arms and services.
• Sri Lankan contingent: Represented by personnel from the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lankan Army.
• Objective: The exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. 

oThe exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban environment.

• Other Points of Exercise:

oTactical Drills: The exercise will include rehearsals of anti-terrorism responses, joint command post establishment, intelligence and surveillance setup, and special heliborne operations.

oJoint Operations: It aims to share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures, fostering inter-operability between the two armies.

oDefence Cooperation: The exercise will strengthen defence ties and enhance camaraderie, further improving bilateral relations between the participating nations.

oCounter-Drone Measures: Deployment of drones and counter-drone systems will be part of the exercise, reflecting a focus on modern warfare tactics.

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7. NATIONAL PEST SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: The Union Government launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS).

National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)

• About: It is a digital initiative leveraging AI and machine learning to provide timely pest management advisories.
• Objective: It will help farmers to connect with agriculture scientists and experts on controlling pests using their phone.

oAims to reduce farmers' reliance on pesticide retailers by promoting a scientific approach to pest management.

• Features:

oAI-Driven Pest Analysis: Utilizes AI tools to analyze the latest pest data, aiding farmers and experts in effective pest control and management.

oTechnological Innovation in Agriculture: The Centre is focused on bringing advanced agricultural technologies to farmers through platforms like NPSS.

oConnecting Scientists and Farmers: NPSS allows farmers to upload photos of infested crops, which are then analyzed by scientists for expert advice.

oAccurate Diagnosis and Treatment: The system ensures timely disease management, improving diagnosis and treatment accuracy, boosting farmer confidence, and increasing production.

oSoil Conservation: The platform helps in soil conservation and operates without the need for additional funding.

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8. UK-INDIA TECHNOLOGY SECURITY INITIATIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, India has begun negotiations with the UK to enhance collaboration on critical minerals under the new UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI).

UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI)

• About: It is a collaborative framework established between the United Kingdom and India to enhance technological security and cooperation.
• Purpose: The initiative provides a strategic framework for collaboration in critical areas such as critical minerals, semiconductors, AI, quantum technologies, biotechnology, and advanced materials.
• Coordinated by: NSAs of both India and the UK
• Objective: To reduce dependency on China and to lead the global critical minerals supply chain.
• Focus Areas: The initiative focuses on developing economically viable and environmentally sustainable technologies for extracting and recycling critical minerals.
• Joint Initiative: A potential establishment of a Critical Minerals Recycling Centre in India is being explored, focusing on advanced military waste recycling.
• Other initiatives are linked to the TSI:

oThe initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) with the US.

oThe Trade and Technology Council with the European Union.

Critical Minerals

• About: These are a group of minerals that are essential for various industrial sectors and have strategic importance for a country’s economy and security. 
• These minerals are characterized by their scarcity, high economic value, and criticality in the production of advanced technologies and defence systems.

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9. LONG RANGE GLIDE BOMB GAURAV (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out a successful maiden flight test of Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), GAURAV from Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Long Range Glide Bomb GAURAV

• About: The LRGB is a 1,000 kg class glide bomb capable of hitting targets at long distances when launched from the air.
• Developed by: The LRGB, named GAURAV, has been indigenously developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad.
• Launched from: Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30 MK-I aircraft.

oThe Sukhoi Su-30 MKI is a twin-jet multirole air superiority fighter

• Features of LRGB:

oAir-to-Surface Weapon: The LRGB is designed to destroy enemy airstrips, bunkers, hard installations, and buildings using conventional warheads.

oCapability: GAURAV is a 1,000kg class glide bomb designed to engage targets at extended ranges using a hybrid navigation system combining inertial navigation with GPS data.

oFighter Aircraft Integration: It is specifically engineered to be compatible with fighter aircraft.

oInertial Navigation System: The bomb uses an Inertial Navigation System (INS) combined with Digital Control for precise guidance.

oHybrid Navigation Scheme: After launch, the bomb steers toward its target using a hybrid navigation system that integrates INS and GPS data.

oTarget Accuracy: During testing, the LRGB successfully hit a target at Long Wheeler’s island with pinpoint precision.

oData Collection: Complete flight data was captured using Telemetry and Electro-Optical tracking systems along the coastline during the test launch.

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10. GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT TRENDS FOR YOUTH 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released its report, "Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 (GET for Youth)," highlighting the latest trends in youth employment worldwide.

Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024

• About: This report represents the 20th anniversary publication of the ILO's Global Employment Trends for Youth. (hereafter “GET for Youth”).
• Focus: The report has explored where, why, and how young people face vulnerabilities in the labor market.
• Major Highlights:

oYouth Unemployment Rate: The 2023 youth unemployment rate stands at 13%, marking a 15-year low and a decrease from the pre-pandemic rate of approx 14% in 2019.

oFuture Projections: The youth unemployment rate is expected to fall further to approx 13% this year and the next.

oNEET Youth Concerns: The report highlights a 'concerning' number of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET), standing at approx 20%, with two in three of these being women.

oServices Sector Employment: Since 2008, the services sector has become the largest employer of young people worldwide, with its share rising to approx 46%.

oFuture Unemployment in Asia-Pacific: By 2025, the youth unemployment rate in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to decline further to 13.7%.

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