1. SCHENGEN AREA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Kosovo recently secured visa-free access to the Schengen zone in Europe, world’s largest zone of free movement, becoming the last western Balkan non-European Union nation to be waived visa requirements.

Schengen Area

• About: The Schengen Area, also known as the Schengen Countries Zone, comprises 27 European nations.
• Members: Include 23 of the 27 EU member states, excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania, and all members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
• Non-EU Members Inside Schengen: Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway, although not part of the EU, are integral members of the Schengen Area.
• Origin of the Schengen Zone: The zone is named after Schengen, a small Luxembourg village bordering France and Germany.
• The agreement establishing the Schengen Zone was signed in 1985 among five of the six EU founding members, excluding Italy.
• Access for Kosovo Citizens: Citizens of Kosovo are now permitted to enter the Schengen Zone as tourists for a duration of 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Expansion of the Schengen Zone: Croatia, which became a European Union (EU) member in 2013, officially joined the Schengen Zone in 2023.
• Romania and Bulgaria, EU members since 2007, are set to gain partial entry into the Schengen Zone in March.
• EU’s border-free policy: For nationals of any country, the benefit is the freedom to travel with a single Schengen visa to other European nations within the borderless area. For EU states, the Visa-free borderless travel, alongside the single currency adopted by 20 EU countries, is the most visible symbol of European integration.
• Schengen Visa: It is an official document mandatory for some non-Europeans to travel to all the 27 countries which are part of the Schengen area.

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2. SC VERDICT & IMPACT ON OTHER LAWS Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court invalidated numerous amendments made by the government in crucial laws, including those aimed at facilitating corporate donations to political parties, alongside the Electoral Bonds Scheme (EBS).

oIn its judgment, the court struck down the amendments to Section 29C of the RP Act, Section 182(3) of the Companies Act and Section 13A(b) of the Income Tax for violating “the right to information of citizens guaranteed in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.”

Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA)

• Section 29C of the Act requires political parties to prepare a report detailing the donations received by them in a financial year. 
• Finance Act, 2017: Amended the RP Act to include an exception to Section 29C. It said that the requirement to declare all donations in excess of Rs 20,000 would not apply to donations received through Electoral Bonds.

The Companies Act, 2013

• A number of changes were made to Section 182 of the Act, which details the prohibitions and restrictions a company must abide by when giving political contributions.
• Section 182(1) placed a cap on the amount of money a company could donate in a single financial year, limiting it to 7.5% of the company’s average net profits during the previous three financial years.
• Section 182(3) required a company to disclose any amount contributed to any political party along with the particulars of the amount donated.
• Finance Act, 2017: This section was amended to remove the cap on the amount of money a company could donate to a political party. Also, only the total amount contributed had to be disclosed 

The Income-tax Act, 1961

• Section 13A(b) of The Income-tax Act says that a political party shall not include voluntary contributions as part of its total income, but it is required to maintain a record of all contributions received that are above Rs 20,000. 
• Finance Act, 2017: The Act amended this section to include the words “other than contribution by way of Electoral Bond”.

oAlso, a new Section 13A(d) was added, which required that all donations exceeding Rs 2,000 must be given through certain methods, which included Electoral Bonds.

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3. RASHTIRYA KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Policies)

Context: Recently, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ms. Shobha Karandlaje announced that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India released Rs.235.14 crores to the Govt of Karnataka on 15th Feb 2024 as the 3rd instalment under Rashtirya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for the financial year 2023-24.

Rashtirya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

• About: was launched as a flagship scheme of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) in 2007-2008.
• Objective: To incentivize States to draw up comprehensive agriculture development plans, taking into account agroclimatic conditions, natural resources and technology for ensuring more inclusive and integrated development of agriculture and allied sectors.
• Features of the RKVY Scheme

oState Plan Scheme Operation: States are entrusted with the responsibility of planning and executing it.

oFlexibility and Empowerment: It empowers states to customize the scheme according to their unique requirements.

oDiverse Covered Sectors: Covered sectors include crop production, animal husbandry, horticulture, fisheries, and agro-processing.

• Main components of this programme:

oStrengthening of existing Agribusiness Incubators (ABI) and setting up new one R-ABI

o2 months training/incubation support to entrepreneurs/startups.

oTo provide technical and financial support to Agri-startups.

o.Mentorship support on technical, IP issues, testing, product & technology validation, etc.

oSeed Stage Funding of R-ABI Incubatees – Funding upto Rs. 25 lakhs Grant-in-aid.

oIdea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding of Agripreneurs – Funding up to Rs. 5 lakhs Grant-in-aid.

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4. ELECTORAL BONDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Supreme Court recently directed the State Bank of India to stop issuing electoral bonds immediately.

Electoral Bonds

• About: Electoral bonds are bearer instruments, akin to promissory notes, available for purchase by any Indian citizen or an Indian-incorporated company.
• Introduced: In 2018 by the Union government.
• Objectives: to cleanse the system of political funding in the country by eradicating the menace of unaccounted money coming into the country’s economy through political funding.
• Donation Option: Citizens or corporations can buy these bonds and subsequently donate them to any eligible political party of their choice.
• Resemblance to Bank Notes: Electoral bonds are akin to banknotes and are payable to the bearer on demand, devoid of any interest.
• Digital or Cheque Purchase: Individuals and parties can acquire these bonds either digitally or through a cheque.
• Eligibility: Only political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and those securing at least 1% of votes in the last general election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State can receive electoral bonds.
• Encashment Procedure: Political parties can encash these bonds solely through a designated bank account with the authorized bank.
• Mandatory Disclosure: Political parties must disclose the amount received via electoral bonds to the Election Commission.
• Donor Anonymity: Importantly, electoral bonds do not bear the name of the donor, ensuring the anonymity of the contributor.

Amendments Related To Political Funding

• Amendment to the Representation of the People Act 1951: The government amended Section 29C effectively exempting political parties from informing the ECI about the details of contributions made to them through electoral bonds. 
• Amendment to the Companies Act 2013: No companies are required to give details of political contributions in their annual profit and loss accounts.
• The government has also removed the cap of 7.5% (seven point five percent) on corporate contributions to the political parties.
• Amendment to the FCRA Act 2010: allowed foreign companies with subsidiaries in India to fund Indian political parties.
• Amendment to the Income Tax Act 1961: allowed anonymous donations only less than Rs. 20,000. 

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5. NATIONAL AYUSH MISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: Recently, during the Regional Review Meeting of Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh organized by the Ministry of Ayush in Patna, Bihar, the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping, and Waterways highlighted the global interest in holistic healthcare, with Yoga and Ayush gaining prominence worldwide.

National Ayush Mission

• About:It is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Government of India. 
• Aim: To mainstream AYUSH Systems into health care services, to develop evidence-based AYUSH management protocol through scientific documentation and to ensure the accessibility of quality AYUSH services.
• Launched: In 2014 by the Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Ayush Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme.
• Funding: 60% share is provided by the Central Government and 40% is provided by the State Government.
• Values: Committed to provide Quality Care, Availability of conventional and alternative medicines,  Cost-effective medicine and Strengthen public health
• Objectives of the National AYUSH Mission

oOffering Cost-Effective AYUSH Services: Providing AYUSH services through AYUSH hospitals, dispensaries, and integrating AYUSH facilities into Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and District Hospitals (DHs).

oStrengthening Institutional Capacities: Upgrading educational institutions, drug testing labs, AS&U pharmacies (Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani), and enhancing the AS&U enforcement mechanism at the state level for AYUSH systems.

oSupporting Medicinal Plant Cultivation: Promoting the cultivation of medicinal plants using Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to ensure a sustained supply of quality raw materials for AYUSH drugs.

oEstablishing Clusters and Infrastructure: Assisting in the establishment of clusters by integrating cultivation, value addition, warehousing, marketing, and developing infrastructure to support entrepreneurs in the AYUSH sector.

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6. EMPLOYEES STATE SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt schemes)

Context: Over 18.86 lakh new workers enrolled under Employees State Insurance, ESI Scheme in December last year.

Employees State Insurance

• About: The Employees' State Insurance Scheme is a comprehensive initiative outlined in the Employees' State Insurance Act.
• Inaugurated: In Kanpur on 24th February 1952 (ESIC Day) by then Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
• Objective:  To safeguard employees defined within the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948, against various contingencies such as sickness, maternity, disablement, and employment-related death.
• Financed by: Contributions from employers and employees.
• Scope and Coverage: The scheme extends its coverage to a range of establishments, including factories, road transport, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, newspapers, shops, and educational/medical institutions.

oIt applies specifically to establishments where 10 or more individuals are employed, although in certain states, the threshold limit for coverage remains at 20.

• Eligibility Criteria: Employees falling under the designated categories mentioned earlier, with wages up to Rs. 15,000/- per month, are eligible for social security coverage under the ESI Act.
• Enhancement of Wage Ceiling: Notably, the ESI Corporation has made a significant decision to increase the wage ceiling for coverage under the ESI Act from Rs. 15,000/- to Rs. 21,000/-.
• This enhancement aims to broaden the social security net and extend the benefits of the scheme to a larger segment of the workforce.

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7. KAJI NEMU (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Policies)

Context: Recently, the Assam government declared the GI-tagged ‘Kaji Nemu’ (Citrus Limon) as the

State Fruit.

Kaji Nemu

• About: It  is a tangy fruit native to the Assam state of India.
• Shape and Size: It is elongated and oblong compared to other lemon varieties.

oThe oval-shaped Kaji Nemu is a lot juicier than other lemon varieties.

• Traditional Use: It is popular for its unique aroma and health benefits..
• Export and Culinary Importance: The fruit had been exported to several countries, including to the Middle East.

oWith its unique aroma and antioxidant properties, the Assam lemon enriched the local cuisines.

oKaji Nemu is majorly used in culinary and commercial purposes, and it is extensively used for its medicinal properties.

• Cultivation and Availability: It is grown in almost all the districts of the state and is available throughout the year.
• Nutritional Value: The fruit is a powerhouse of nutrients, boosting health.
• Citrus Varieties: Assam has as many as 16 species and 52 varieties hybrids of citrus.

Geographical Indications (GI)

• It means: A name or a sign given to certain products that relate to a specific geographical location or origins like a region, town, or country.
• Governed and directed by: World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
• Administered by: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999. 
• Issued by: The Geographical Indications Registry (Chennai) under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• First product with GI tag: Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.
• Validity: 10 years following which it can be renewed.

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8. ADJOURNMENTS IN SUPREME COURT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Supreme Court recently issued a circular tightening provisions regarding the circumstances under which lawyers may seek adjournment of cases and imposed a bar on seeking two consecutive adjournments.

Adjournments in Supreme Court (SC)

• About: An adjournment refers to the court practice of delaying a scheduled hearing to a later date.
• Order XVII of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908: Order XVII of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 provides rules for courts to follow when faced with adjournment requests.

oCourts shall not grant an adjournment to a party more than three times during the hearing of a suit.

oSufficient cause must be shown, and the circumstances are beyond the control of the party requesting the adjournment.

• Impact of Adjournments: While adjournments are often necessary, the delay caused has a cascading effect of increasing the number of pending cases.
• Causes of Delay: The 239th Law Commission Report (2012) listed causes for delay in criminal cases at the trial court stage.

Guidelines for Adjournment Requests

• Consent Requirement: Lawyers must obtain consent from the opposing side before circulating a request for an adjournment.
• Limit on Consecutive Adjournments: Two consecutive adjournments in a case are prohibited.
• Specific Reasons Mandate: The party seeking an adjournment must: Provide a specific reason for the request and Indicate the total number of adjournments already sought in the case.
• Non-Entertainment Criteria: Related to bail/anticipatory bail.

oWhere an exemption from surrendering has been granted.

oWhere an interim order is operating in favor of the adjournment-seeking party.

oWhere suspension of sentence has been sought for.

oIn all other cases, adjournment letters will be entertained a day before the publication of the case list.

• Mandatory Listing Within Four Weeks: Matters that get adjourned must be listed before the court within the following four weeks.
• Advance Date Requests Prohibition: No requests to mention the matter to seek an advance date will be permitted after adjournment.

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9. VENEZUELA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: After a gap of over three years, India emerged as the top buyer of Venezuelan crude for two consecutive months of December 2023 and January 2024, as per shipping fixtures and ship tracking data.

• Venezuela was India’s fifth largest oil supplier in 2019, but imports stopped after US sanctions.

Venezuela

• About: A country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea.
• Capital: Caracas.
• Boundary:

oNorth - Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean,

oWest - Colombia, 

oSouth - Brazil , 

oNorth-east - Trinidad and Tobago ,

oEast - Guyana.

• Significance: Venezuela has the world's largest known oil reserves and has been one of the world's leading exporters of oil. 
• Geographical features: Lake Maracaibo, Lake Valencia, Guiana Highland/Shield, Los Llanos, or "the plains“, Orinoco Delta etc.

India's dependence on crude oil import:

• India imports over 85% of its crude oil requirements and around 50% of its natural gas requirements.
• Russia has become the largest crude oil exporter replacing west Asian countries because of heavy concessions in recent times.

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10. KOTAVARI SCULPTURE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: A team of archaeological researchers have discovered an 8th-century Kotravai sculpture, an artefact that dates back to the Pallava period, near Ulundurpet.

Kotravai Sculpture

• About:  It is made in a slab stone of five-feet height and four-feet width. The idol is depicted with eight hands, indicating its origin in the eighth century during the Pallava period.
• Features: Its local artistic style, crown, batrakundalams on ears, sarapali neck ornament, tholvalai on shoulders, kaivalai in all hands, and marbu kachai covering the chest

oKotravai is portrayed standing on the head of a buffalo, with two guards on each side,” he said. Raj also noted the uniqueness of the sculpture’s crown compared to other eighth-century Kotravai sculptures found in the area.

Pallava Dynasty

• About: The Pallava Dynasty, a prominent power in South India, flourished from the 3rd to the 9th centuries, leaving a significant mark on the region's history, culture, and architecture.
• Origin: Initially, the Pallavas were feudatories of the Andhra Satavahanas.
• They gained autonomy following the decline of the Andhra Satavahanas at Amaravati.
• The Pallavas gradually migrated southward, establishing Kanchipuram as their capital in the 4th century CE.
• The reigns of Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I marked periods of increased wealth and influence for the Pallava dynasty.
• Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang's accounts shed light on Pallava patronage of Buddhism and notable figures like Bodhidharma.
• Architecture

oThe Pallava Dynasty was renowned for its contributions to Dravidian architecture, particularly temple architecture.

oMahabalipuram emerged as a vital center of art, architecture, and literature under Pallava rule.

oNarasimhavarman II commissioned significant structures like the Kailasanatha Temple and the Shore Temple.

oTemples like Kailasanatha and Vaikuntaperumal exemplify Pallava architectural prowess and feature intricate sculptures depicting their history.

• Religion: The Pallavas embraced Shaivism, aligning with the prevalent religious practices of the Dravidian region.
• Conflicts: Throughout their reign, the Pallavas engaged in frequent conflicts with the Chalukya Dynasty to the north and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas to the south.
• Their battles with the Chalukyas of Badami culminated in their eventual subjugation by the Chola kings in the 8th century CE.
• Decline: The ascent of the Rashtrakutas signaled the decline of the Pallava Dynasty.
• Vijayalaya, a Chola king, decisively defeated Aparajitavarman, the last Pallava king, in 897 AD, marking the end of Pallava rule.

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