1. ARCTIC: CLIMATE IMPACT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Env and Eco)

Context: The 2023 summer was the warmest on record in the Arctic, which, due to climate change, has warmed nearly four times faster than the globe since 1979. 

oOverall, the past year was the sixth-warmest year the Arctic had experienced since reliable record-keeping began in 1900.

Thawing Of Subsea Permafrost

• About: Subsea permafrost refers to frozen soil beneath the seabed containing organic matter.
• Historical Thawing: While experiencing a gradual thaw over thousands of years, recent warmer ocean temperatures have accelerated this process.
• Environmental Impact: Thawing subsea permafrost releases methane and carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and exacerbating ocean acidification.

Food Insecurity

• Chinook and Chum Salmon: Western Alaska experienced a consecutive year of significantly low Chinook and chum salmon numbers, plummeting to 81% and 92% below the 30-year mean, respectively.
• Reduced Size of Adult Salmon: The report highlights a concerning trend of diminishing adult salmon sizes, exacerbating the challenges faced by Alaskan fisheries.

Wildfires in Arctic Regions

• Arctic Ice Sheet: The Arctic ice sheet is experiencing a concerning rate of melting.
• Canadian Wildfire Crisis: Canada, with 40% of its landmass classified as Arctic and Northern, faced severe consequences as it grappled with one of its worst wildfire seasons on record.
• Record-breaking Wildfires: The country endured an unprecedented wildfire season, surpassing 10 million acres burned in the Northwest Territories, according to The New York Times.
• Contributing Factors: High temperatures, desiccated vegetation and soil, coupled with below-average rainfall, created optimal conditions for the widespread wildfires.

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2. HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY Syllabus GS Paper 2 - IR)

Context: The Maldives government has decided to not renew an agreement with India that allowed India to conduct hydrographic surveys in Maldivian waters.

Hydrographic Survey Agreement

• Agreement: The collaboration to survey Maldivian territorial waters was formalized through an agreement signed on June 8, 2019.
• Signatories: Prime Minister of India and then-President of Maldives were the signatories of the agreement.
• Scope of Agreement: The agreement granted India permission to conduct hydrographic surveys in Maldivian waters, encompassing the study and mapping of reefs, lagoons, coastlines, ocean currents, and tide levels.
• Termination Terms: According to the agreement's terms, either party wishing to terminate it must notify the other six months prior to the expiration date. Additionally, the agreement automatically renews for an additional five years.
• India's Historical Involvement: Historically, India had undertaken the majority of hydrographic surveys in the Maldives.
• Third Hydrographic Survey: The Indian Navy and MNDF conducted the third Joint Hydrographic Survey using Indian Naval Ship Investigator, covering Northern Maldives, including Ihavandhippolhu and Thiladhanmatee atolls and Gallandhu Kandu.

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

Context: The Ministry of Steel recently organized a Chintan Shivir focusing on the themes of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the utilization of Artificial Intelligence in the Steel Sector.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• About: It is a tariff on imports that is calculated based on the carbon emissions associated with the production of the imported product.
• CBAM is a component of the "Fit for 55 in 2030 package," which is the European Union's initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 55% by 2030 in comparison to 1990 levels.
• Dual Purpose: it serves as a financial disincentive for carbon emissions and influences production and export activities.
• The CBAM is scheduled to commence its transitional phase on 1 October 2023, with the permanent system set to become effective on 1 January 2026.

Benefits of CBAM

• Reduction in Carbon Leakage: CBAM aims to prevent the relocation of industries to countries with weaker climate policies, thus reducing carbon leakage and maintaining global emission reduction efforts.
• Encouraging Global Climate Action: By imposing carbon pricing on imported goods. 
• Revenue Generation: CBAM has the potential to generate revenue for the implementing country, which can be used for climate financing, supporting domestic industries, or investing in clean technologies.

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4. G7 BAN ON RUSSIAN DIAMONDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Group of Seven (G7) nations made a decision to ban imports of polished diamonds made from Russian rough stones starting early next year, but this move is not expected to hurt Indian diamantaires.

oIndia, which cuts 14 out of 15 of the world’s rough diamonds, according to government data, does not import the stones directly from Russia but sources them from hubs like Antwerp and Dubai.

G-7

• About: It is an intergovernmental organization. The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security, and energy policy.
• Formation: 1975.
• G7 countries: UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.

oIndia is not a part of the G7.

• Membership: Apart from the 7 member countries, the European Union (EU) has also participated fully in the G7 since 1981 as a “non-enumerated” member.
• Presidency: It rotates annually among the member countries, with each country hosting the summit and setting the agenda for the year.
• Meetings: The G7 holds annual meetings. 

Polished Diamond

• About: It is a general term for diamonds that have undergone processing, without any connection to their size, shape or any other feature.
• India is the world’s largest polishing center, while China, which has made giant steps in this area in the last two decades, is the second largest diamond polishing center.

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5. CERT - IN (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Recently, the Indian government's nodal agency for cyber security, the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), issued a warning regarding multiple vulnerabilities in certain Samsung mobile phones.

Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)

• About: CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur.
• Formed: 19 January 2004
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Motto: Handling Cyber Security Incidents
• Objective: Securing Indian cyberspace.

Functions

• Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents.
• Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents
• Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents
• Coordination of cyber incident response activities.
• Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
• Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed.

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6. KYASANUR FOREST DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the discovery of dead monkeys prompted the forest department to collect samples for testing in order to rule out Kyasanur forest disease (KFD), a highly contagious illness causing febrile hemorrhagic symptoms in both humans and monkeys, particularly in forested areas.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

• About: It is caused by Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae.
• First Identified: KFDV was identified in 1957 when it was isolated from a sick monkey from the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka (formerly Mysore) State, India.
• Transmission: Humans may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey. No person-to-person transmission has been described.
• Signs and Symptoms: Severe muscle pain with vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms and bleeding problems may occur 3-4 days after initial symptom onset.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for KFD,
• Endemic Regions of KFD: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

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7. IBBI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has signaled its intention to implement significant regulatory changes following the general elections in 2024.

 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)

• Establishment: On 1st October 2016 under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
• Implementation: It plays a pivotal role in the implementation of the IBC, amending and consolidating laws related to insolvency resolution across individuals, partnership firms, and corporate entities in a time-bound manner.
• Functions: The IBBI regulates professionals and processes associated with insolvency.
• It exercises regulatory oversight over insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professional entities, insolvency professionals, and information utilities.
• Enforcement and Rulemaking: The board enforces rules governing corporate insolvency resolution, individual insolvency resolution, corporate liquidation, and individual bankruptcy under the IBC.
• Records and Information Dissemination: The IBBI collects and maintains records related to insolvency and bankruptcy cases. It also plays a role in disseminating information concerning such cases.
• Constitution and Membership: The board's constitution involves members appointed by the Central Government, including a Chairperson, three members from among officers of the Central Government representing the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and Ministry of Law (ex-officio), 

oone member nominated by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) (ex-officio), and five other members nominated by the Central Government, with at least three being whole-time members.

• Term of Office: The office for the Chairperson and members (excluding ex-officio members) is five years or until they reach the age of sixty-five, whichever is earlier, and they are eligible for reappointment.

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8. E-SEVA KENDRA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: Recently, under the eCourts Mission Mode Project Phase II, eSewa Kendras have been established in High Courts and District Courts across the country.

oA total of 875 eSewa Kendras have been established for District Courts nationwide,

e-Seva Kendra

• About: e-Seva Kendras have been established in High Courts and one District Court in each State on a trial basis.
• Designed to: These Kendras are designed to function as a single-point destination for providing legal help and support to regular people involved in lawsuits and to lawyers.
• Objectives: They allow individuals to get updates on the status of their cases and acquire official copies of court decisions and directives.

oThese centers also offer guidance for electronically submitting legal cases.

• These Kendras mark an important advancement in ensuring that everyday people have the ability to access the legal system and their right to justice.

India’s first e-Resource Center

• This is the first e-resource center of its kind in India.
• It's designed to make filing cases electronically in the Supreme Court, High Courts, and District Courts all over India easier.
• The goal is to reduce inequalities by linking to the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Taluka Courts.
• It's expected to save time, effort, and money by eliminating the need to travel long distances or expend energy.
• India's primary e-Resource Center, called "Nyay Kaushal," took place in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

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9. INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: A group of geologists from Kerala University claim to have made a significant scientific discovery that may offer a clearer understanding of the events leading to the end of the Indus Valley civilization.

oThey have claimed that the crater in Luna, Kutch in Gujarat, was caused by a meteor impact, potentially marking the only major one since human beings appeared on earth.

 Indus Valley Civilization

• About: The civilization is named Harappan because Dayaram Sahni first excavated its site in 1921.
• Harappan civilization surpassed the sizes of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia civilizations.
• Bordered by: 

oThe northernmost site of the civilization is Manda (Jammu-Kashmir).

oThe southernmost site is Daimabad (Maharashtra).

oThe easternmost site is Alamgirpur (Uttar Pradesh).

oThe westernmost site is Sutkagendor (Pakistan-Iran border).

• Main Crops: Two types of Wheat and Barley. Evidence of cultivation of rice in Lothal and Rangpur (Gujarat) only.
• Other Crops: Dates, mustard, sesamum, cotton, rai, peas etc.

oFirst to produce cotton in the world so Greeks called them Sindon.

Features

• Town Planning: Indus cities were well planned. The excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro have shown a lot of evidence of this. The city had two parts, i.e., the citadel and the outer city. 
• Citadel: The citadel was built on an elevated area. While certain major cities, such Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Kalibangan, Banawali, Rakhigarhi, Lothal, and Dholavira, had a citadel and lower town, this was not the case in the majority of them. 

oThe outer city was at a lower level.  

• Roads: The roads were wide and straight cutting each other at right angles.
• Great Bath: The Great Bath is one of the most remarkable structures discovered at the archaeological site of Mohenjo-Daro.

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10. VIJAY DIWAS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India paid tribute to the brave hearts who served the nation in 1971 on Vijay Diwas.

Vijay Diwas

• Date of Observance: Vijay Diwas is annually observed on the 16th of December to commemorate India's triumph over Pakistan in the 1971 war.
• Government Decision: On the 3rd of December 1971, the Government of India made the crucial decision to engage in war with Pakistan, driven by the objective of protecting Bengali Muslims and Hindus.
• Duration of the War: The conflict ensued for a period of 13 days, marking a significant chapter in the history of the Indo-Pak war.

1971 Bangladesh Liberation War

• Commencement of Conflict: The war for independence in East Pakistan commenced on December 3, 1971, concluding 13 days later on December 16, marking India's triumph.
• Human Toll: Pakistan faced significant losses during the conflict, with approximately 8,000 fatalities and 25,000 wounded. In contrast, India recorded 3,000 soldiers lost and 12,000 injured.
• Surrender of Pakistani Forces: On December 16, 1971, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, along with 93,000 troops, surrendered unconditionally to the joint forces of Bangladesh’s Mukti Bahini and the Indian Army. Led by Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, this event in Dhaka marked the largest military surrender since World War II.
• Origin of Bangladesh: The conclusion of the war led to the origin of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan. Bangladesh celebrates this historic day as 'Bijoy Dibos,' signifying the nation's formal independence from Pakistan.

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