1. KHALISTAN ISSUE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The External Affairs Minister of India recently addressed India's longstanding concerns about pro-Khalistan extremism in the UK during his meetings with the country's top leaders.

Khalistan Movement

• About: The Khalistan movement signifies a longstanding struggle seeking the establishment of a separate and sovereign Sikh state in the Punjab region, spanning parts of India and Pakistan.
• Origin: This movement originated in the aftermath of India's independence and the Partition in 1947, leading to the severe communal violence and the division of the Punjab province between India and Pakistan, causing millions of refugees.
• Operation Blue Star: The movement encountered severe repression in India, notably through military operations such as Operation Blue Star in 1984 and subsequent actions known as Operation Black Thunder in 1986 and 1988.
• Legal Status in India: In India, the Khalistan movement and its affiliated groups have been outlawed, with government authorities viewing them as a significant national security threat.
• Global Influence: Despite suppression in India, the Khalistan movement retains support, particularly in North India and among the Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom.

Khalistan and Canada Relation

• Sikh Population in Canada: Canada boasts the world's second-largest Sikh population, trailing only behind India..
• Hub of Separatists: Canada's liberal environment, marked by values such as liberalism, human rights, and free speech, has made it an attractive haven for anti-Indian propaganda fueled by Pakistan's ISI and separatist groups. 
• Trudeau's Political Compulsions: Justin Trudeau, driven by political compulsions, faces the rising popularity of Jagmeet Singh and his liberal New Democratic Party (NDP) within Canada's current political landscape. 

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2. CHIKUNGUNYA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The world's first vaccine for chikungunya was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S.

Chikungunya

• About: Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. 
• Name Origin: The name chikungunya derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”.
• Distribution: CHIKV was first identified in the United Republic of Tanzania in 1952 and subsequently  in other countries Africa and Asia.
• Outbreaks: Urban outbreaks were first recorded in Thailand in 1967 and in India in the 1970s.
• CHIKV has now been identified in over 110 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
• Transmission: By mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses.
• Symptoms: CHIKV disease onset is typically 4–8 days (range 2–12 days) after the bite of an infected mosquito.
• Fever, frequently accompanied by severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.
• Treatment: There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for CHIKV infections.

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3. EX-MITRA SHAKTI (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The 9th edition of Joint Military exercise "Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023" recently commenced in Aundh (Pune), marking a significant collaboration between the participating nations.

Exercise  MITRA SHAKTI

• About: It is a bilateral joint military exercise between the armies of India and Sri Lanka.
• Objectives: The objective of the exercise is to jointly rehearse the conduct of Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• Scope: The scope of the exercise includes synergizing joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.
• Aim: To jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter. The Scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.

Significance of the Excercise MITRA SHAKTI

• The joint drills encompass a broad range of combat skills, fostering a mutual exchange of views and practices among participants.
• Participants are poised to learn from each other, with the expectation that the sharing of best practices will elevate the level of defense cooperation between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army.

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4. CYCLONE MADHILI (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Recently, experts have warned that two back-to-back Context: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently announced that Cyclone Midhili has developed in the northwest Bay of Bengal during the early hours.

Cyclone Madhili

• About : It is a cyclonic storm that is expected to intensify over the Bay of Bengal.
• The storm is expected to cross the Bangladesh coast and bring heavy rainfall to West Bengal's coastal districts.
• The name Midhili was proposed by the Maldives.

Cyclone

• About: A cyclone is a large, rotating storm system with low pressure at its center. Cyclones can form in any ocean basin, but they are most common in the tropics. 
• Impacts: Cyclones can cause a variety of hazards, including strong winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall.
• Types of Cyclones

oTropical cyclones: These are the most common type of cyclones. They form over warm, tropical oceans and are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.

oExtratropical cyclones: These cyclones form over cooler waters and are not as strong as tropical cyclones. They are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow.

oMid-latitude cyclones: These cyclones form in the midlatitudes and are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow.

• The conditions favourable for the formation and intensification of tropical storms are: 

oLarge sea surface with temperature higher than 27° C; 

oPresence of the Coriolis force; 

oSmall variations in the vertical wind speed; 

oA pre-existing weak-low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation; 

oUpper divergence above the sea level system.

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5. ADMM-PLUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Defence Minister of India recently attended the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

ADMM-Plus

• About: In 2007, during the 2nd ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) in Singapore, a resolution was adopted to establish the ADMM-Plus. 
• The inaugural ADMM-Plus took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2010.
• Areas of cooperation: Maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations and military medicine.
• Membership: Ten ASEAN Member States (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia) and 8 Plus countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and the United States.
• 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus:  Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• Established: In 1967, by the Bangkok Declaration.
• Type:  A political and economic union of 10 member statesin Southeast Asia.
• Members: Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
• Objective: It promotes inter-governmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and socio-cultural integration between its members and countries in the Asia-Pacific.
• Secretariat: Jakarta, Indonesia.

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

Context: Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is participating in the 42nd Indian International Trade Fair being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

• Launched by: the Department of Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings.
• Affordable Medicines: Provides generic medicines at significantly reduced prices.
• Objective: To make generic medicines available to the public at significantly lower prices compared to expensive branded medicines in the open market.
• The scheme mandates the establishment of at least one Janaushadhi Store in each district across the country.

• Salient Features of PMBJP
• Approval and Financial Support:  PMBJP has received approval for continuation by State Financial Corporations (SFCs) with a financial outlay of Rs. 490 crore for the period 2020-2021 to 2024-2025.
• Goals: The ambitious target is to open 10,500 PMBJP Kendras nationwide by March 2025.
• Incentives for Kendra Owners: The incentive provided to Kendra owners has been increased from the previous Rs. 2.5 lakh to up to Rs. 5 lakh. 
• Special Grants: A special one-time grant of up to Rs. 2 lakh is available for specified categories aiming to open PMBJP Kendras.
• Quality Assurance: Medicines under the scheme are procured from World Health Organisation – Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP) certified suppliers to ensure the quality of the products.

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7. INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – International Organization)

Context: The UN's top court recently ruled that Syria must halt its torture program, a decision addressing the first international case related to the brutal civil war that commenced in 2011, causing widespread human rights abuses.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

• Established: In 1945 under the UN Charter.
• Headquarters: Hague, Netherlands.
• Function: To settle legal disputes between states and to provide advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN bodies and specialized agencies. Every year the Court submits a report on its activities to the United Nations General Assembly.
• Composition: The Court is composed of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council (UNSC).
• Functions:

oIt provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by United Nations organs and specialized agencies (advisory proceedings).

oParties to contentious cases are limited to States that are both members of the United Nations and have become parties to the Statute of the Court, or those that have accepted its jurisdiction under specific conditions.

oICJ discharges its duties as a full court but, at the request of the parties, it may also establish ad hoc chambers to examine specific cases.

Indian Judges at the ICJ Judge

• Dalveer Bhandari: Member of the Court since 27 April 2012 
• Raghunandan Swarup Pathak: 1989-1991 
• Nagendra Singh: 1973-1988 Sir Benegal Rau: 1952-1953

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8. WINDFALL TAX (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The government of India recently announced a reduction in the windfall profit tax on domestically produced crude oil and diesel exports, aligning with the downward trend in global oil prices.

Windfall Tax

• About: The purpose of a windfall tax is to impose additional taxes on a company's profits generated from an external event, often unexpected, such as the increase in energy prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• According to the United States Congressional Research Service, a windfall is defined as an increase in income that is neither earned nor anticipated, and it does not result from any extra effort or expenses on the part of the entity.
• These profits cannot be attributed to the company's intentional actions, such as an investment strategy or business expansion.
• Governments typically impose a retroactive one-time tax, known as a windfall tax, on such profits, in addition to the regular tax rates.

The Reason for Implementing a Windfall Tax 

• It is introduced to finance social welfare initiatives.
• It serves as an additional source of income for the government.
• It functions as a means for the central authority to reduce the nation's expanded trade deficit.

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9. FOOD INFLATION IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Reserve Bank of India's commitment to align headline inflation with the 4 per cent target faces a potential challenge as rising food prices have been identified as the sole threat, as highlighted in the central bank's recently released 'State of the Economy' report.

Key Highlights of the Report

• Food items’ weighting is approximately 40% in the CPI basket. Vegetables, constituting 13.2% of the CPI-food and beverages basket, have historically played a significant role in driving food inflation.
• According to the report, disinflationary monetary policy is working its way through the economy, steadily mitigating underlying inflationary pressures.
• The report highlighted the consumer inflation rate fell to its lowest level in three months.
• The report highlighted an escalation in global risks due to the emergence of a new conflict in West Asia, alongside the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Measuring Food Inflation in India

• Price Indices: Each price index serves a distinct purpose and can be calculated based on producer, consumer, or wholesale prices.
• Product Price Index (PPI): It assesses the average selling prices of domestic producers for both goods and services, providing a perspective from the producer's point of view.
• Consumer Price Index (CPI): In contrast to the PPI, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures average prices from the consumer's standpoint, accounting for variations between seller and consumer prices.
• Factors Influencing Price Discrepancies: Seller and consumer prices can differ due to various factors, including taxes, subsidies, and market costs, highlighting the complexities in aligning producer and consumer perspectives within inflation measurements.
• Wholesale Price Index (WPI): WPI is designed to ideally gauge average wholesale market prices, specifically in bulk transactions, providing insights into the broader market dynamics where goods are sold in larger quantities.

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10. NIRBHAY MISSILE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Indian armed forces will be inducting the long-range attack cruise missile Nirbhay into their inventory to strike targets at ranges over 1,000 Km, highly placed.

Nirbhay Cruise Missile

• About: Nirbhay stands out as a long-range subsonic cruise missile, showcasing the ability to penetrate deep into enemy territory while ensuring precision in striking high-value targets.
• Developed by:  Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment, a lab under India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Indigenous Production: It represents the country's first indigenously produced cruise missile, highlighting advancements in indigenous defense technology.

• Dimensions: The Nirbhay missile measures 6.0 m in length. It has a body diameter of 0.5 m.
• Weight Ranges: from 1,500 to 1,600 kg.
• Capability: The missile can effectively strike land targets located up to 1,000 kilometers away.
• Propulsion System: It utilizes a solid propellant booster motor during the initial launch phase.
• Warhead Options: The missile can be armed with a warhead weighing between 200 and 300 kilograms.
• It has the capability to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.
• Launch Flexibility: The Nirbhay missile is designed to be launched from multiple platforms, providing operational versatility.
• Guidance System: The missile is guided by an INS/GPS system.

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