1. APEC (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping is recently convening in San Francisco in the United States for the Leaders' Summit to address key regional economic and trade issues.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

• About: APEC is a regional economic forum that was established in 1989. 
• Aim: Its stated aim was to “leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific and create greater prosperity for the people of the region through regional economic integration”.
• Member Countries: Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong (as part of China), the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, and Chile.
• Member countries Trade: Approximately half of global trade and around 57% of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Objective

• Free and open trade and investment
• Accelerate regional economic integration
• Encourage economic and technical cooperation
• Enhance human security
• Facilitate a favourable and sustainable business environment.

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2. Central Consumer Protection Authority (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently announced an investigation into 20 IAS coaching institutes, accusing them of making misleading claims in their advertisements and engaging in unfair trade practices; as a result, four of these institutions have recently been fined ₹1 lakh each.

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)

• About: CCPA is a regulatory body established in 2020 based on the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Establishment: In 2020
• Control by: Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
• Composition: Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other commissioners as members.
• Objective: To promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.
• Powers of the Authority: Section 21 of the Act defines the powers given to the CCPA to crack down on false or misleading advertisements. 

o CCPA may issue directions, may also impose a penalty up to Rs 10 lakh, with imprisonment up to two years, which may go up to Rs 50 lakh, with imprisonment up to five years.

o May ban the endorser of a false or misleading advertisement from making endorsement of any products or services in the future, for a period that may extend to one year.

o The ban may extend up to three years in every subsequent violation of the Act.

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3. VIKSIT BHARAT SANKALP YATRA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Schemes)

Context: On the occasion of the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, Prime Minister of India flagged off the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra from Khunti, Jharkhand.

Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra

• Focus: To reach out to people, creating awareness about various welfare schemes. This includes essential services such as sanitation facilities, access to financial services, electricity connections, LPG cylinders, housing for the poor, food security, proper nutrition, reliable healthcare, and clean drinking water.
• Publicized Welfare Schemes: Such as - Ayushman Bharat, PMJAY, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, Har Ghar Jal - Jal Jeevan Mission, SVAMITVA, Jan Dhan Yojana, etc.
• Specific target: The campaign specifically addresses concerns in tribal areas, focusing on issues like Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, enrolment in Eklavya Model Residential Schools, scholarship schemes, forest right titles for both individuals and communities, and the establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendra through organizing Self Help Groups.
• Use of IEC Vans: Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Vans are deployed to disseminate information through audio-visuals, brochures, pamphlets, booklets, and flagship standees. 

Birsa Munda

• About: Birsa Munda (1875-1900) was a prominent tribal leader, freedom fighter, and folk hero in India, known for his role in the tribal and religious rights movement during the colonial rule.
• Early Life: He was born on November 15, 1875 in the Munda tribe, an Adivasi community primarily residing in the Chotanagpur plateau region. He briefly attended the German Mission School after converting to Christianity but left when he discovered the British were using education to convert tribals to Christianity. He then developed a faith called ‘Birsait’.
• Religious movement: 

o Birsait Faith: It believed in One God and encouraged them to revert to their original religious beliefs. He was referred to as ‘Dharti Abba or Father of Earth’ by his followers.

o He led a socio-religious movement called the "Birsa Movement" or "Ulgulan" (meaning 'The Great Rebellion' or 'The Rebellion for Survival'). The movement aimed to reform the tribal society, revive their traditional customs, and protect their rights and land.

• Fight for land rights: Birsa and the tribal people joined the Sardar movement in 1894 to fight for the land and rights of tribals against the British.

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4. WMO REPORT ON GHGs (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released a GHG bulletin revealing that concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG), which trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, rose to record levels in 2022.

• The rise in concentrations of GHGs is mainly due to the use of fossil fuels for various human activities.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

• About: A greenhouse gas is a gas that absorbs and emits infrared radiation. 

o They absorb infrared energy (heat energy) emitted from the earth’s surface and reradiates it back to the earth’s surface. 

o They contribute to the Greenhouse Effect, which is the resultant heating effect.

• Most abundant greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere: Water vapour, Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Ozone, Chlorofluorocarbons, Hydrofluorocarbons.

o Among the greenhouse gases, only water vapour can absorb both incoming (UV) and outgoing (infrared) radiation.

o Oxides of Nitrogen with general formula NOx - NO, NO2 - Nitrogen oxide, Nitrogen dioxide etc. are global cooling gases.

• Other GHGs: Carbon monoxide, fluorinated gases, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), black carbon (soot), and brown carbon.
• Carbon monoxide (CO): It is not considered a direct greenhouse gas, mostly because it does not absorb terrestrial thermal IR energy strongly enough. But CO is able to modulate the production of methane and tropospheric ozone.
• Global Initiative to fight GHGs: Kyoto protocol, Paris Agreement, SDG (2030) etc.

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5. VOICE OF GLOBAL SOUTH (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: India will host the second Voice of Global South Summit, with a focus on sharing with the members the key outcomes achieved in various G20 meetings during India's presidency of the grouping.

Voice of Global South Summit

• This Summit is an initiative by India.
• Inaugural Theme: 'Together, for Everyone's Growth, with Everyone's Trust'
• Concluding Theme: 'Global South: Together for One Future
• Objective: The initiative aims to provide a "voice to the unheard," leveraging India's position as the current G20 president.

Global South

• About: The term "Global South" is used to describe countries frequently identified as developing, less developed, or underdeveloped. These nations are predominantly situated in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Global North countries: US, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia and New Zealand, while ‘Global South’ includes countries in Asia, Africa and South America.
• Diverse Characteristics: The nations of the Global South are primarily lower-income countries, many of which are industrializing and were historically impacted by colonization.
• Need for Classification:

oEconomic and Geopolitical Scenario: Globally North and South phrases give a framework for comprehending worldwide differences in income, development, and geopolitical alliances.

oShared History of Colonialism: Many countries in the Global South have the same colonial experiences, and their growth challenges the Global North's supremacy.

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6. PMGKAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Schemes)

Context: Recently, the Government of India has been actively involved in bearing the Food Subsidy for procuring, allocating, transporting, and delivering food grains to the designated depots in the States under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

• About: It was introduced by the Government of India in March 2020 as a food security welfare initiative amid the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
• Operated by: Department of Food and Public Distribution 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• Targets: To feed the poorest citizens of India by providing grain through the Public Distribution System.
• The center provides 5 kg of free food grains per month to the poor.

Significance of the PMGKAY Scheme

• Hunger Reduction: The initiative aims to alleviate the issue of hunger within the population, particularly during times of distress.
• Addressing Farm Distress: The procurement of rice and wheat under Minimum Support Price (MSP) will tackle the challenge of declining prices of food grains for farmers.

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7. ONE STATION ONE PRODUCT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The "One Station One Product" initiative by the Indian Railways, aimed at showcasing and promoting local products, has recently become operational at 1,037 stations nationwide, offering a platform for indigenous sellers to reach a broader audience.

One Station One Product

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Railways.
• Vision: To promote ‘Vocal for Local’
• Designed by: National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
• Objective: To transform each railway station into a promotional hub, dedicated to showcasing local and indigenous manufacturing products.
• Allotment Process: The allotment of sale outlets is conducted on a rotational basis, ensuring fair opportunities for all eligible applicants.
• Pilot Launch: The pilot phase of the "One Station One Product" scheme was initiated on March 25, 2022, marking the beginning of its implementation.
• Welfare for Local Artisans: To contribute to the welfare of local artisans, potters, weavers, tribals, and similar communities involved in indigenous craftsmanship.
• Eligibility: Granted the opportunity to set up a temporary stall or kiosk at the railway station for a period of 15 days. This privilege comes upon the deposition of Rs 1,000 with the Railways.
• Role in Identification: The zonal railways play a crucial role in the implementation of the scheme by identifying suitable stations, eligible products, and vendors, ensuring a strategic and efficient execution.

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8. BLUE ECONOMY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the finance minister of India emphasized the government's commitment to supporting the maritime sector, acknowledging that India's comprehensive national power is intricately connected to the ocean, with the country's blue economy presenting a sea of opportunities.

Blue Economy

• About: The Blue Economy revolves around the sustainable utilization of ocean resources to foster economic growth, enhance livelihoods, and generate employment opportunities.

Blue Economy

• Origin: The idea was first introduced by Gunter Pauli in his 2010 book, "The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs."
• Objectives and Focus: The concept advocates for the implementation of eco-friendly strategies in ocean development, aiming for increased productivity while simultaneously ensuring the preservation of the ocean's overall health.
• India's Maritime Landscape: India boasts a coastline stretching 7,500 km, with 9 out of 29 states having coastal boundaries.

oThe country is home to 1,382 islands.

oIndia's Exclusive Economic Zone extends over 2 million square kilometers.

Significance of the Blue Economy for India

• Socio-Economic Opportunities: The expansive scope of India's blue economy presents a significant socio-economic opportunity, allowing the responsible utilization of ocean resources for the benefit of society.
• Synergy With SDG: The concept aligns seamlessly with all of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular emphasis on contributing to SDG14, which focuses on 'life below water.'

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9. NITI AYOG REPORT ON SATH-E (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The NITI Aayog recently recommended that India should merge small, sub-scale, and low-enrolment schools with nearby ones and rationalize teacher recruitment to optimize its learning outcomes, as outlined in its outcome report on the Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital in Education (SATH-E).

Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital in Education (SATH-E)

• Launched: In 2017
• Objective: To identify and build three ‘role model’ States for the school education sector. 
• States Cover: After an elaborate selection process, Jharkhand, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh were chosen.
• Aim: To revolutionize primary and secondary school education through purposeful initiatives and establish states that serve as exemplary models in the field of education.

Key Findings

• According to the report, India has five times the schools of China for equivalent enrollment, with over 50% of primary schools in several states having less than 60 students.
• In collaboration with the NITI Aayog, Jharkhand merged 4,380 schools, resulting in savings of Rs 400 crore.

Suggestions from NITI Ayog

• The NITI Aayog has suggested states decentralise powers to principals, and district and block officers for improving governance.
• The states can also develop a set of large schools with at least 10-20 per cent spread across the state.
• The report suggested school mergers as a solution to addressing the lack  of enrollments in schools.

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10. IGLA-S (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Russia recently signed a contract to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India and has allowed the production of the Igla under license.

Igla-S

• About: The Igla-S is a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) developed by Russia.

oKnown as SA-24 Grinch in the West.

oEntered service with the Russian Army in 2004.

• Operational Capabilities: It can be fired by an individual or crew to bring down an enemy aircraft.

oCapable of bringing down low-flying aircraft.

oIdentifies and neutralizes air targets, including cruise missiles and drones.

Key Features of Igla-S

• Combat Equipment: Comprises the 9M342 missile and the 9P522 launching mechanism.
• Maintenance Equipment: Includes the 9V866-2 mobile test station and the 9F719-2 test set.
• Range: Up to 6 km.
• Altitude: Effective target destruction is 3.5 km.
• Guidance: Heavier, more powerful warhead to maximize damage capabilities.

oUtilizes contact and timed fuses for increased attack range.

oWarhead is a high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) weighing 2.5 kg.

oGuidance is homing via infrared.

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