1. FOREIGN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted approval for Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) including insurance companies, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds of various nations to invest in the country's Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs).

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)

• About: These are institutional investors that invest in assets located in countries different from their own.
• Importance of FIIs: FIIs play a vital role in the economy, comprising large entities like investment banks and mutual funds, injecting significant capital into Indian markets.
• Influence on Market Trends: The actions of FIIs, such as buying securities, strongly impact market movements, contributing to both upward and downward trends.
• SEBI's Oversight: SEBI, the market regulator, oversees more than 1450 registered foreign institutional investors, underscoring their significant presence in the Indian financial landscape.
• Role in Market Performance: FIIs serve as both triggers and catalysts for market performance, stimulating investment across various investor classes and fostering growth in financial market trends.

Green Bond:

• Bonds issued by any sovereign entity, inter-governmental groups or alliances and corporates with the aim that the proceeds of the bonds are utilized for projects classified as environmentally sustainable.
• First ever green bond: Issued by the World Bank in 2008.

How does it help in green transition?

• Financial Inflow from Foreign Investors: Allowing FIIs to invest in India’s green projects attracts foreign capital, bolstering the nation's financial resources dedicated to sustainability.
• Expansion of Capital Pool: This initiative broadens the pool of available capital, facilitating the financing of India’s ambitious 2070 net zero goals.
• Support for Renewable Energy: With increased funding, India can accelerate the transition towards renewable energy sources, aiming for 50% of its energy to be sourced from non-fossil fuel-based options.
• Commitment to Carbon Reduction: Investment influx enables the fulfillment of Prime Minister of India’s commitment at COP26 to reduce India's carbon intensity by 45%.

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2. SPACE TOURISM (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Entrepreneur and pilot Gopi Thotakura is set to become the first Indian to venture into space as a tourist on the NS-25 mission of Blue Origin.

Space Tourism

• About: It is a segment of the aviation industry aimed at providing recreational, leisure, or business travelers the opportunity to experience space travel, as described in 'Air Transport: A Tourism Perspective.'
• Types: Space tourism can be categorized into two main types: sub-orbital and orbital.

oSub-orbital Space Tourism: It  involves spacecraft that ascend just beyond the Kármán line, approximately 100 kilometers above Earth's surface. Passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness before returning to Earth.

oExample: NS-25 mission by Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft, as with Thotakura's participation.

oOrbital Space Tourism: It entails spacecraft that travel much further than the Kármán line, allowing passengers to spend days or even weeks in space.

oExample: SpaceX's Falcon 9 mission in September 2021, where four passengers spent three days orbiting Earth at an altitude of 160 km.

Challenges in Space Tourism

• Cost Barrier: Space tourism remains prohibitively expensive, with tickets priced at over a million dollars, making it accessible only to a privileged few.
• Environmental Impact: Studies indicate that space tourism contributes to environmental damage, primarily through rocket emissions, which release gaseous and solid chemicals into the upper atmosphere.
• Climate Concerns: Research from institutions like University College London (UCL), the University of Cambridge, and MIT underscores the significant impact of rocket emissions, particularly soot, on atmospheric warming.
• Safety Risks: Despite stringent safety protocols, the history of space travel includes notable fatalities, with approximately 3% of astronauts losing their lives during space flights, as reported by Astronomy Magazine in November 2023.

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3. VEERANAM LAKE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: After Bengaluru, Chennai residents are facing the worrying prospect of a water crisis as summer heat intensifies Veeranam Lake, one of the city’s primary water sources, has already run dry.

Veeranam Lake

• Location: Also known as Veeranarayanapuram Lake, is situated 14 km (8.7 mi) SSW of Nattarmangalam in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, South India.
• Distance from Chennai: Located approximately 235 km (146 mi) from Chennai, India, Veeranam Lake serves as a water reservoir intended to supply water to Chennai.
• Drought Situation: The lake had dried up, rendering it unusable for water supply. To address this, authorities resorted to digging 45 deep borewells around the area and pumping water 235 km (146 mi) to Chennai via a pipeline.
• Longest Man-made Lake: With a length of 14 km, Veeranam Lake holds the distinction of being the longest man-made lake globally. It was constructed by ancient people using rudimentary hand tools.
• Historical Significance: Built in the Tenth Century during the reign of Greater Cholas, from 907–955 AD, Veeranam Lake spans 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) and was commissioned by Rajaditya Chola, who named it after his father, Parantaka I Chola.
• Water Sources: Veeranam Lake receives water from Kollidam via Vadavaru River. Despite its significant size, the lake often remains dry for a considerable part of the year.

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4. FOREX TRADING PLATFORMS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently raised concerns over unauthorized forex trading platforms and asked banks to remain alert.

Forex Trading Platforms

• About: These platforms facilitate foreign exchange transactions, serving as digital arenas for buying and selling currencies.
• Utilization by: These platforms are utilized by both corporates and individual traders to manage and mitigate their exposure to foreign currency risks.
• Types of Transactions: It can occur through over-the-counter (OTC) spot markets or derivatives platforms, which are duly authorized by regulatory bodies like the RBI.
• Regulatory Authorization: Forex transactions are conducted through platforms authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.
• Exchange-Traded Currency Derivatives: Another avenue for forex trading is through RBI-authorized exchange-traded currency derivative segments, including major stock exchanges such as BSE, NSE, and the Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India.
• Role of Authorized Brokers: Authorized brokers also play a significant role in facilitating forex transactions, ensuring market liquidity and efficient execution. 

Forex Trading in India

• Registered Indian Forex Broker Requirement: Forex trading in India must be conducted through a registered Indian forex broker.
• Authorized Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs): Trading in India should occur on ETPs authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or recognized stock exchanges.
• Permissible Currency Pairs: The RBI permits forex trading in India only for four currency pairs: dollar-rupee, euro-rupee, British pound-rupee, and Japanese yen-rupee.
• Base Currency Restriction: These permitted currency pairs have the Indian rupee (INR) as the base currency.
• Illegal Trading and Penalties: Trading in any other currency pair is illegal under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and can result in penalties.
• Restrictions on Indian Citizens: Indian citizens are prohibited from trading foreign currencies overseas, either directly or indirectly.

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5. ISRAEL’S DEFENCE SYSTEM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Israel’s multi-layered air defense system recently thwarted a major attack, as Iran deployed over 300 armed drones and launched long-range missiles toward the country.

Components of Israel’s Defence System

• Arrow System

oThe Arrow system consists of anti-ballistic missiles designed for intercepting long-range missiles.

oArrow-2, developed in collaboration with the US, intercepts ballistic missiles within the atmosphere.

oArrow-3 intercepts missiles outside Earth’s atmosphere and was used against Houthi-launched missiles in Yemen.

• David’s Sling

oAlso known as Stunner, David’s Sling is Israel’s medium-range air defence system.

oIt intercepts cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and aircraft within a range of 300 kilometres.

oEquipped with advanced phased-array radar for improved detection capabilities.

• Iron Dome

oIsrael’s indigenous short-range air defence system.

oIntercept rockets, artillery shells, and mortar bombs with a range of 70 kilometres.

oEffectively counters short-range threats like rockets from Hamas.

• Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3

oUS-made air defence systems deployed by Israel.

oIntercept a variety of missiles, target aircraft, and drones.

oEmployed since the First Gulf War in 1991 against Scud missiles from Iraq.

• Fighter Jets

oF-16 and F-35 fighter jets are integral to Israel's air defence strategy.

oEquipped with air-to-air missiles, they play a significant role in protecting airspace.

• Iron Beam

oIsrael’s ongoing development of an air defence system utilizing laser technology.

oDesigned to intercept incoming threats but not yet fully operational.

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6. LACCADIVE SEA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Three new fish species were recently discovered utilizing tools in the Laccadive Sea.

Laccadive Sea

• About: It  also referred to as the Lakshadweep Sea, is a significant body of water situated in the Indian Ocean region, encompassing several coastal areas of India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
• Bordering Countries: The Laccadive Sea borders India, including its Lakshadweep islands, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
• Bordering States: Positioned southwest of Karnataka, west of Kerala, and south of Tamil Nadu, the Laccadive Sea holds a strategic location in the Indian Ocean.
• Climate and Marine Life:

oStable Water Temperature: This warm sea maintains a stable water temperature throughout the year, contributing to its biodiversity.

oRich Marine Life: The Laccadive Sea boasts a diverse range of marine species, with the Gulf of Mannar alone accommodating approximately 3,600 species.

• Major Urban Centers: Several major cities dot the coastline of the Laccadive Sea, including Mangaluru, Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Ponnani, Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Tuticorin, Colombo, and Malé.
• Southern Border: Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of peninsular India, also shares its border with the Laccadive Sea, enhancing its geographical significance.

Discovery of Tool-Using Fish in the Laccadive Sea

• Introduction to the Species: Three fish species residing in the Laccadive Sea, off the southwest coast of India, exhibit tool-using behavior, as recently uncovered.
• Tool Usage Behavior: All three species utilize live or deceased coral structures as anvils, employing them to crack open sea urchin shells to access the edible portions within.
• Anvil Use Among Fish Species: Prior observations of anvil use in fish were limited to approximately 18 species worldwide, all within the Labridae family to which the three wrasses belong. 

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7. MENINGITIS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Nigeria has taken a historic step in the fight against meningitis, becoming the first country in the world to introduce a new, highly effective vaccine.

Meningitis

• About: It is a serious infection or inflammation of the meninges, the three-membrane thin lining over the brain and spinal cord.
• Cause: It can be caused by several species of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
• Symptoms: Neck stiffness, fever, confusion or altered mental status, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Less frequent symptoms include seizures, coma, and neurological deficits like hearing or vision loss, cognitive impairment, etc.
• Transmission: Meningococcus, pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae reside in the human nose and throat and are transmitted through respiratory droplets or throat secretions.
• Group B streptococcus, typically found in the human gut or vagina, can be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth.
• Vaccination: The primary prevention method for bacterial meningitis is through vaccination, which is available for Meningococcus, Pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

Men5CV Vaccine.

• Highly Effective Protection: The Men5CV vaccine, endorsed by the WHO, confers immunity against five meningococcal strains (A, C, W, Y, and X) with a single dose, enhancing its efficacy.
• Broad Spectrum Coverage: Unlike previous vaccines limited to strain A, Men5CV offers comprehensive protection against all five major meningitis-causing strains, preventing both meningitis and blood poisoning.
• Significance for Nigeria: As one of Africa's 26 hyper-endemic countries for meningitis, Nigeria's adoption of Men5CV aligns with WHO's ambitious target of eradicating meningitis by 2030.
• Support for WHO's Goals: Nigeria's initiative supports the overarching goal of the WHO to eliminate meningitis globally, contributing to collective efforts in public health.

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8. DEBRIS-FREE SPACE MISSIONS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced India's goal of achieving debris-free space missions by 2030.

Debris-Free Space Missions

• About: India is committed to ensuring debris-free space missions as part of its broader initiative for sustainable space exploration.
• Targeted Timeline: The initiative sets a clear goal of achieving debris-free space missions by all Indian space actors, both governmental and non-governmental, by the year 2030.
• Global Encouragement: India extends its encouragement to all state space actors worldwide, urging them to adopt similar measures for the long-term sustainability of outer space.
• Current Space Assets: Presently, India has 54 spacecraft operational in orbit, alongside non-functional objects, highlighting the necessity for responsible space management.

Space Debris

• About: Space junk or debris consist of spent rocket stages, dead satellites, fragments of space objects and debris resulting from Anti-satellite (ASAT) System (ASAT).
• Risks: These particles, which are hurtling through Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an average speed of 27,000 kph, pose a very real hazard to satellites because even collisions involving centimetre-sized fragments can be fatal.
• Sources: All space junk is the result of us launching objects from Earth, and it remains in orbit until it re-enters the atmosphere.
• Rare collisions: A Chinese satellite broke up in March 2021 after a collision. Before that, the last satellite to collide and be destroyed by space junk was in 2009.

Initiatives related to Space debris

• Space Liability Convention (1972): The treaty says that a launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space objects on the surface of the earth or to aircraft, and liable for damage due to its faults in space.
• JAXA (Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency) initiative: JAXA and Astroscale are undertaking a 6 month demonstration project for the first-ever space debris removal mission.
• Clearspace-1 (European Space Agency): which is scheduled to launch in 2025, will be the first space mission to eliminate debris from orbit.
• Project NETRA: is an initiative by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which is an early warning system in space to detect debris and hazards to the Indian satellites.
• Currently, India gets its information about the space debris from North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), which is an initiative by the U.S. and Canada.

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9. EXERCISE DUSTLIK (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Indian Army contingent departed for the 5th edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK recently.

Exercise Dustlik

• About: It is an annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army.
• Locations: Conducted alternately in India and Uzbekistan, it aims to strengthen bilateral military ties.
• Historical Background: Inaugurated in Uzbekistan in November, the first edition set the precedent for subsequent collaborations.
• First Edition: Held at Uzbekistan in November 2019.
• Recent Edition: Held in February 2023 in Pithoragarh, showcased the commitment to enhancing military capabilities.
• Objective: The primary aim of Exercise Dustlik is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities.
• Operational Focus: The exercise emphasizes joint operations in diverse terrains, including mountainous and semi-urban environments.
• Key Areas of Emphasis: It focuses on aspects such as physical fitness, joint planning, tactical drills, and specialized weaponry training.
  Uzbekistan
• About: It is a landlocked country situated in Central Asia.
• River Boundaries: It is primarily positioned between two significant rivers: the Syr Darya (Jaxartes River) in the northeast and the Amu Darya (Oxus River) in the southwest.
• Bordering Nations:

o Kazakhstan to the northwest and north,

o Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east and southeast,

o Afghanistan to the south,

o Turkmenistan to the southwest.

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10. GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNITS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: India recently announced plans to potentially partner with Nvidia, sourcing GPUs to provide subsidized access to local startups, researchers, and academic institutions as part of its ₹10,000 crore Artificial Intelligence Mission.

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs)

• About: It is a specialized processor originally designed to accelerate graphics rendering.
• Parallel Processing Power: GPUs can process many pieces of data simultaneously, making them useful for machine learning, video editing, and gaming applications.
• Integration Options: GPUs may be integrated into the computer’s CPU or offered as a discrete hardware unit.
• Types of GPUs: GPUs are categorized into two main types: integrated and discrete, each with distinct characteristics and applications.

What Does a GPU Do?

• Powerhouse of Parallel Processing: GPUs excel at parallel processing tasks, handling numerous calculations simultaneously, making them ideal for applications demanding high computational power.
• Cornerstone of Graphics and Video Rendering: Primarily recognized for their role in rendering graphics and videos, GPUs are pivotal in delivering high-quality visuals and smooth animations in various multimedia applications.
• Evolving Beyond Gaming: While initially prominent in gaming, GPUs are increasingly finding utility in diverse fields such as creative production, where they accelerate tasks like video editing and 3D modeling.
• Catalyst for AI Advancements: With their ability to handle vast amounts of data in parallel, GPUs have become indispensable in accelerating AI training and inference tasks, powering advancements in machine learning and deep learning algorithms.

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