1. PM SHRI SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Education)

Context: The Education Ministry has halted Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan funds to Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal due to their non-participation in the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme.

PM SHRI Scheme

• Aim: To transform existing government schools into model schools that offer high-quality education within an inclusive, equitable, catering to the diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and varying academic abilities of children.
• Duration: From 2022-23 to 2026-27
• Funding: The scheme is structured as a Centrally sponsored program. 
• Objective: This funding will facilitate the transformation of nearly 14,500 schools nationwide, aligning them with the components outlined in the National Education Policy of 2020. 
• Five States: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal are yet to sign the MoU.
• These schools will also serve as role models and provide mentorship to neighboring educational institutions.
• Monitoring Progress: A 'School Quality Assessment Framework' is currently under development to assess and monitor the progress and performance of these schools.

Samagra Shiksha Scheme 

• About: It is an integrated scheme aimed at providing education from pre-primary to senior secondary (up to class 12th) levels.
• Funding: It operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Aim: To universalize access to school education across India, ensuring no child is left out of the education system.

o It seeks to promote equity by including disadvantaged groups and weaker sections, ensuring educational opportunities are accessible to all.

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2. VAN ADHINIYAM 1980 (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Union Environment Ministry has reprimanded the Odisha government for building walls, without approval, in forest land that will be part of the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri.

o The FAC assesses projects under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, aimed at safeguarding forests from undue destruction.

Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam/Forest Conservation Act - 1980

• About: An Act to provide for the conservation of forests and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto.
• Extent: It extends to the whole of India.
• Provisions of the Act:

o Land declared or notified as forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or any other law.

o Land recorded as forest in Government records as of or after 25th October, 1980.

• Exemptions (Forest Conservation Amendment Act, 2023):

o Forest land alongside a rail line or public road maintained by the Government providing access to habitation, up to 0.10 hectare.

o Trees, tree plantations, or reafforestation on lands not specified in the main provisions.

o Forest land within 100 kilometers along international borders or other strategic areas used for national security projects.

o Up to ten hectares used for security-related infrastructure.

o Land used for defence projects or camps for paramilitary forces in Left Wing Extremism affected areas, up to five hectares.

• Restrictions on Use

o No State Government or other authority shall, without prior approval of the Central Government:

o Make any reserved forest cease to be reserved.

o Use forest land for non-forest purposes.

o Assign forest land by lease or otherwise to any private person or organization..

• Permitted: Forest land can be used for specified agricultural purposes and reafforestation efforts.
• Legal Recourse: Appeals against State Government decisions under this Act can be made to the National Green Tribunal, as per the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
• Penalties: Violations of the Act's provisions may lead to simple imprisonment for up to fifteen days.

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

Context: The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is suspected to have declined 24.5% over the last three generations, according to the latest assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Indian leopard

• About: A subspecies of the leopard (P. pardus) that is widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent.
• Distribution: Indian leopards are widely distributed throughout the country, inhabiting diverse landscapes such as forests, grasslands, and even human-dominated areas. 
• Habitat: They are adaptable to a range of habitats, including the Himalayan foothills, Western Ghats, dry deciduous forests, and the northeastern regions of India.
• Conservation Status:

o IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

o CITES: Appendix I

o Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972: Schedule I

Global Numbers

• Population Decline: Across the majority of range, Leopards have declined substantially (>30%) over the last three generations as determined by extensive population surveys.
• Range Declines: Substantial range declines have been seen over the past three generations (22.3 years) in the Middle East, East and South-east Asia, West, parts of Central, and East Africa.
• Regional Disappearances: The leopard has completely disappeared from regions of North Africa, according to the latest assessment.
• Critically Endangered Subspecies: The Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri), Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), and North China Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis - though not individually assessed).
• Endangered Subspecies: Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana) and Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas).
• Vulnerable Subspecies: The African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) and Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya).

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4. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS (NTBS) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: India has flagged concerns over non-tariff barriers (NTBs) faced by its exporters with the Russian government,

Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)

• Definition: NTBs encompass a variety of measures beyond tariffs, such as quotas, licensing requirements, technical regulations, and subsidies.
• Forms: NTBs manifest as quotas, embargoes, licensing requirements, product standards, subsidies, and administrative procedures.
• Objectives: Implemented to protect domestic industries, ensure product quality and safety, and regulate foreign competition.
• Impact on International Trade: NTBs influence trade costs, availability, and competitiveness, alongside tariffs, shaping global market dynamics.
• How Non-Tariff Barriers Differ from Tariffs

o Nature of Measures: NTBs are regulatory and non-tax measures, contrasting with tariffs imposed directly on imports.

o Effects on Trade Dynamics: While tariffs increase import costs, NTBs create regulatory obstacles and compliance burdens.

• Examples of Non-Tariff Barriers

o Quotas: Limits on imported goods' quantities.

o Technical Regulations: Standards for product quality, safety, or labeling.

o Licensing Requirements: Mandatory permits for certain imports.

o Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS): Regulations for food safety and animal/plant health.

o Customs Procedures: Administrative requirements and inspections for imports.

• Impact on International Trade

o Increase costs, cause delays, and restrict market access for foreign goods.

o Can lead to trade conflicts and complicate efforts to liberalize trade globally.

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5. E-FAST INDIA INITIATIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: NITI Aayog has announced the launch of the ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ as part of the e-FAST India initiative.

e-FAST India Initiative

• Origin: e-FAST emerged from the need to decarbonize India's road-based freight transport, aligning with the country's 2070 net zero goals.
• Launched: September 2022 to catalyze the shift towards cleaner freight transportation solutions.
• Goals: Aims to promote and accelerate the adoption of cleaner and greener technologies in the freight sector.
• Collaborative Platform: Facilitates national and international collaborations, supports pilot programs, and integrates technology for scalable solutions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Encourages deliberation and collaboration among stakeholders such as government bodies, OEMs, logistics providers, shippers, and industry experts.
• Support Network: Backed by 12 knowledge partners, enhancing its expertise and outreach capabilities.

NITI GearShift Challenge

• Launched by: NITI Aayog in partnership with IIM Bangalore, Smart Freight Centre India, CALSTART/Drive to Zero, and WRI India.
• Objective: A hackathon aimed at fostering innovative business models for the adoption of zero-emission trucks in India.
• Target Audience: Invites students, transport practitioners, academics, and researchers to address financial, technical, and operational challenges in adopting electric trucks.
• Significance: 

o It marks a pivotal move towards sustainable freight transportation in India. 

o By tapping into the creativity and expertise of participants, the hackathon aims to generate practical solutions that will accelerate the adoption of zero-emission trucks, thereby benefiting both the economy and the environment.

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6. FOREIGNERS’ TRIBUNALS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court overturned a Foreigners' Tribunal decision, declaring an Assam resident a citizen of India.

Foreigners’ Tribunals

• About:  These were established under The Foreigners Act, a colonial legislation that preceded the Constitution of India, and which was meant to deal with foreigners rather than citizens.
• Executive Order of 1964: They were established in 1964 by an executive order of the Home Ministry, even though under Article 323B of the Constitution, tribunals may be established by “the appropriate legislature” by “law”.
• Definition of Foreigner: Under Section 2(a) of the 1946 Act, “a foreigner means a person who is not a citizen of India”. 

oThus, it will be applicable only to persons against whom there is strong evidence of being a foreigner in the sense that they were caught while entering India, or they were in possession of a passport of another country.

• Inadequate Notices: Although Paragraph 3(1) of Foreigners’ Tribunal Order of 1964 mandates that notices shall mention the “main grounds”, notices issued by FTs generally do not mention any ground, and people have to defend themselves without knowing the charges.

Supreme Court Rule

• Section 9 of The Foreigners Act, 1946: It places the burden of proof on the person alleged to be a foreigner.
• Supreme Court's Query: The SC questioned whether Section 9 allows the Executive to randomly accuse someone of being a foreigner without substantial evidence.
• Requirement for Material Evidence: The court emphasized that the accused's burden of proof under the Foreigners Act arises only after the state shares the material supporting the allegation.
• Arbitrary Discretion of Authorities: The court criticized the arbitrary initiation of proceedings without primary material evidence, highlighting the serious consequences for the accused.
• Mukesh Singh vs State (2020): The SC reiterated that the initial burden of proof rests on the prosecution, even in reverse burden cases.
• Noor Aga vs State of Punjab (2008): The court stated that the prosecution must prove basic facts before shifting the burden to the accused.

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7. ONE SCIENTIST-ONE PRODUCT’ PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is set to initiate its 'One Scientist-One Product' program aimed at enhancing agricultural and animal husbandry research.

‘One Scientist-One Product’ Programme

• About: ICAR has launched the "One Scientist One Product" initiative to enhance productivity among its scientists without redundant efforts.
• Target and Scope: The initiative targets all 5,521 scientists under ICAR to develop a product, technology, model, concept, or publication within a five-year timeframe.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Progress will be monitored quarterly at the institute level and biannually at the headquarters to ensure alignment with goals and efficient resource utilization.
• Long-term Strategy: Spanning five years, the initiative aims for sustained productivity growth and impactful outcomes across the institution.
• ICAR's Commitment: To developing 100 new seed varieties and 100 farm technologies within 100 days as part of a focused action plan.
• Variety Releases: Over the past decade, ICAR has released a total of 2,593 high-yielding varieties, focusing on climate resilience and biotic/abiotic stress resistance.
• Bio-fortified Crops: Among these, 150 varieties are bio-fortified, contributing to improved nutritional content and agricultural sustainability.

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8. INDIAN NEWSPAPER SOCIETY (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated INS Towers at the Indian Newspaper Society Secretariat in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai.

Indian Newspaper Society

• About: It serves as the apex body representing the interests of the Indian press nationwide.
• Established in: 1939
• Headquarters: New Delhi, the INS coordinates operations and initiatives from its central hub.
• Objectives: Advocates for the rights and freedoms of newspapers to operate without interference.
• Ensures adherence to standards by accrediting advertising agencies.
• Functions:

o Lobbying with governmental and regulatory bodies on behalf of the print media industry.

o Collects and shares business-relevant information with members.

o Fosters collaboration among members on common business interests.

o Acknowledges excellence in journalism and other facets of the newspaper industry through prestigious awards.

o Conducts training, workshops, seminars, and programs aimed at enhancing skills of journalists and media professionals.

o Undertakes studies and surveys to analyze readership patterns, advertising trends, and other industry dynamics.

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9. MANJEERA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The 5,000-acre Manjeera wildlife sanctuary in Sangareddy about 60 km from Hyderabad - could soon become Telangana's first ramsar sites.

Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: It is situated in the Medak district of Telangana, serving as both a wildlife sanctuary and a reservoir.
• Originally established for crocodiles, the sanctuary now hosts over 70 species of birds and remains a habitat for the vulnerable mugger crocodile.
• Geographical Features: Positioned along the Manjeera River, a tributary of the Godavari, the sanctuary adjoins the Manjeera reservoir, crucial for irrigation and drinking water supply to Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
• Islands and Bird Sanctuaries: The reservoir contains nine small islands with marshy fringes, ideal for water bird nesting. Dense tree cover on these islands further supports diverse bird populations.
• Vegetation: Dry savannah vegetation alongside submergent and emergent types supported by the freshwater ecosystem.
• Flora: Various plant species thrive here, including Typha, Babool, Prosopis, Ipomoea, Acacia, Vallisneria, Eichhornia, and Reeds, enriching the biodiversity of the sanctuary.
• Fauna: The sanctuary's riverine environment sustains populations of mugger crocodiles, freshwater turtles, prawns, molluscs, and fish species such as catla, rohu, murrel, eel, karugu, and chidwa.

Other Wildlife Sanctuaries

• Mrugavani National Park
• KBR Park
• Pranahita wildlife sanctuary
• Shivaram wildlife Sanctuary
• Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
• Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
• Shamirpet Deer Park
• Nehru Zoological Park

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10. UNEP FORESIGHT REPORT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: The United Nations' UNEP Foresight Report warns that new emerging zoonotic diseases could lead to another pandemic by 2030.

Zoonotic Disease

• About: It is a disease that has passed into the human population from an animal source directly or through an intermediary species.
• Zoonotic infections: It can be bacterial, viral, or parasitic in nature, with animals playing a vital role in maintaining such infections.
• Examples: HIV-AIDS, Ebola, Lyme disease, malaria, rabies, West Nile fever, and the current novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) disease.
• Common zoonotic diseases in India: Rabies, anthrax, brucellosis, plague, bovine tuberculosis, leptospirosis and salmonellosis.
• According to the World Health Organisation: Zoonotic pathogens may be bacterial, viral or parasitic, and can spread to humans through direct contact or through food, water or the environment.

UNEP Foresight Report

• Published by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Focus: It is focused on emerging environmental issues and that global problems and challenges faced.
• Based on: Nearly 1,200 responses submitted by 790 respondents to a survey conducted in May, 2023. This exercise identified 280 specific signals of change. 
• Foresight Expert Panel: Comprising 22 distinguished members of the scientific community from developing and industrialised countries – further shortlisted the signals.

Key Findings

• Urbanization accelerates habitat fragmentation, bringing humans into closer contact with wildlife and increasing the likelihood of zoonotic disease transmission.
• Wildlife trafficking disrupts ecosystems and can introduce novel pathogens to human populations, fostering zoonotic disease outbreaks.
• Studies indicate a continual rise in spillover events, with annual rates increasing between 5% and 8%, highlighting the growing threat of zoonotic diseases.
• By 2050, common zoonotic pathogens are projected to cause significantly more human fatalities compared to 2020, underlining the escalating danger posed by these diseases.
• Previous outbreaks like COVID-19, Ebola, H5N1, MERS, Nipah virus, SARS, and influenza A/H1N1 have resulted in substantial human and economic losses, emphasizing the severe consequences of zoonotic disease outbreaks.

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