1. DHANGARS COMMUNITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Indian Society)

Context: Pro-Maratha quota activist recently urged OBC leaders to focus on securing Scheduled Tribes (ST) category reservations for the Dhangar community instead of criticizing the demand for Maratha quotas.

Dhangars Community

• About: The Dhangars are shepherds who live mostly in Western Maharashtra and Marathwada.
• Population: The Dhangar community is estimated to be around 1 crore, which is about 9% of Maharashtra’s roughly 11.25 crore population.
• Current Classification: The Dhangars are currently on Maharashtra’s list of Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT).
• Demand for ST Status: They have been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for several decades.
• Similar with: Dhangar leaders claim their community in Maharashtra is the same as the one identified as “Dhangad” elsewhere in the country, which is listed as a Scheduled Tribe.
• Reservation Breakdown: Of the 52% reservation in Maharashtra:

oSCs and STs have 13% and 7% respectively

oOBCs have 19%

oVimukta Jati/Denotified Tribes, Special Backward Class, and Nomadic Tribes together have 13%.

Nomadic Tribes

• About: Nomadic tribes are some of the most interesting communities in the world. They don't belong to one particular region, in fact, they are spread across the world. The nomadic tribes are diverse, each with its unique culture and traditions.

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2. DIRECT SEEDING OF RICE (DSR) (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: The Punjab government has been actively promoting the direct seeding of rice (DSR), or ‘tar-wattar’ technique, This can reduce water use by 15% to 20%.

Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR)

• About: It is also known as the 'broadcasting seed technique,' is a water-saving method of sowing paddy.
• Factors: Texture of the soil. Farmers should avoid DSR in light-textured soils — it is more suitable for heavy or medium-to-heavy-textured soils.

oThe iron content of the soil also determines the suitability of DSR.

• Sowing Method: In this method, seeds are directly drilled into the fields, bypassing the need for traditional water-intensive transplanting.
• Water Conservation: DSR saves groundwater by eliminating the need for waterlogged fields required in traditional rice cultivation.
• Simplified Preparation: There is no nursery preparation or transplantation involved in this method.

Benefits of DSR

• Water Conservation: Tar-wattar can reduce the consumption of water in cultivation by 15% to 20%. 

oThe traditional puddling method requires 3,600 to 4,125 litres of water to grow every kilogram of rice.

• Reduced Irrigation: The traditional method requires 25-27 rounds of irrigation in all, while DSR significantly reduces this need.
• Addressing Water Scarcity: This reduction in water usage is extremely important in water-scarce regions like Punjab, where rapidly plunging groundwater levels foretell a crisis of desertification.

How DSR Works

• DSR, as the name suggests, requires no nursery preparation or transplantation. Paddy seeds are directly sown, roughly 20-30 days prior to when they would have been transplanted.
• Field Preparation: The field is irrigated and laser-leveled before the seeding process, which is carried out using a seed drill or lucky seeder.
• Seed Treatment: It is crucial, with seeds soaked in a fungicide solution for eight hours, then dried for half a day before sowing.
• Irrigation Schedule: The first round of irrigation is carried out 21 days after sowing, followed by 14-17 more rounds at 7-10 day intervals, depending on soil type and the quality of the monsoon. The final irrigation takes place 10 days before harvest.
• Comparison to Traditional Method: The traditional method requires 25-27 irrigations in total.

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3. MERCENARIES (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently acknowledged the tragic loss of two Indian nationals recruited by the Russian Army amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Mercenaries

• Definition: These are individuals recruited from third-party states to participate in armed conflicts, driven primarily by personal gain rather than national allegiance, unlike conventional combatants who are typically part of a party's armed forces.
• Criteria for Mercenary Status: According to Article 47 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, specific conditions must be met to classify an individual as a mercenary, including recruitment, direct involvement in hostilities, and monetary compensation exceeding that of regular combatants.
• Legal Status under IHL: While being a mercenary isn't inherently a crime under customary IHL, mercenaries are not entitled to prisoner-of-war status if captured, potentially facing prosecution for war crimes or breaches of humanitarian law.
• Protection under IHL: Despite their status, mercenaries are entitled to humane treatment under Article 75 of Additional Protocol I, ensuring they receive fundamental guarantees of humanitarian law.
• African Context and Legislation: In response to the prevalence of mercenaries in civil wars, African states crafted the Organization of African Unity Convention in 1977, expanding the definition of mercenaries to encompass activities within civil conflicts, aiming to curb their impact in the region.
• International Legislation: The 1989 UN International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries broadened the definition to include acts against governmental integrity and territorial sovereignty.

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4. DEEP SEA MISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: India is set to be the 6th country to have its own deep-sea mission; 1st Stage of the harbour trail (40-50m) deep of the deep-sea mission is planned by September 2024; The Mission has the potential to contribute greatly to the overall growth of Indian economy

Deep Sea Mission

• About: It is a mission-mode project aimed at supporting the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Government of India.
• Scope: It is a high-level multi-ministerial, multi-disciplinary programme designed to enhance understanding of both living and non-living resources in the deep sea of the Indian Ocean.
• Strategic Importance: It plays a crucial role in India's strategy to achieve Blue Economy status, focusing on sustainable use of ocean resources.
• Implementing Authority: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Cost: The Mission has an estimated cost of 4077 crores and is set to span over 5 years (2021-2026), to be executed in phases.
• Components of the Mission: The Mission comprises six major components, including the development of technologies for deep-sea mining, manned submersibles, underwater robotics, ocean climate change advisory services, biodiversity exploration and conservation, deep ocean survey and exploration, and initiatives for energy and freshwater from the ocean, as well as an advanced marine station for ocean biology.

Matsyayaan 6000

• About: It is a three-person submersible designed to reach depths of 6,000 meters beneath the ocean's surface. It marks a significant advancement in deep-sea exploration capabilities.
• Structure: The submersible features a spherical design with a diameter of 2.1 meters.

oIt is constructed from an 80mm-thick titanium alloy, ensuring durability and the ability to withstand pressures up to 600 times greater than those at sea level.

• Operational Capabilities: The Matsya 6000 is equipped for extended missions, capable of operating continuously for 12 to 16 hours underwater.

oIt includes an oxygen supply that can sustain occupants for up to 96 hours, enabling longer-duration scientific research and exploration missions.

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5. COMBAT DESERTIFICATION & DROUGHT 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The world commemorates the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, highlighting global efforts to tackle land degradation and water scarcity issues.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

• About: Every year, World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is celebrated on June 17.
• Theme 2024: United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future
• Theme 2023: Her Land. Her Rights
• History: During the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, desertification, loss of biodiversity, and climate change were recognized as the greatest challenges to sustainable development.

oIn 1994, the UN General Assembly established the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), a legally binding international agreement.

oIn 2007, the UN General Assembly declared the decade from 2010 to 2020 as the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the fight against Desertification.

Significance

• The theme for this year is 'United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future.'
• Growing populations and unsustainable production and consumption patterns exacerbate the demand for natural resources, leading to land degradation.
• Desertification and drought contribute to forced migration, endangering tens of millions of people annually.
• The day calls for collective action to combat desertification and drought and to restore environmental damage.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

• Establishment: In 1994, effective from 1996.
• Origin:  Rio Conference's Agenda 21, 1992.
• Purpose: The sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
• Permanent Secretariat: Bonn, Germany.
• It is the driving force behind Sustainable Development Goal 15 and Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).

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6. PALAMU TIGER RESERVE (PTR) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: To retain the four tigers which have migrated to Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), efforts are underway to relocate at least two tigresses and one tiger from another reserve.

Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR)

• Location: It is situated in the Chhota Nagpur plateau region of Jharkhand. It forms part of Betla National Park and Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Established in: 1974
• Historical Significance: PTR was among the first nine tiger reserves in India initiated under ‘Project Tiger’. The area was originally designated a protected zone in 1947.
• Topography and Geology: The terrain of PTR is characterized by undulating landscapes comprising valleys, hills, and plains. 

oIt features geological formations like gneiss, granite, and limestone, with rich mineral deposits including bauxite and coal.

• Rivers: North Koel, Auranga, and Burha—flow through PTR, enriching its valleys and supporting diverse ecosystems.
• Vegetation: The reserve primarily hosts Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta) and associated species. Smaller patches of Northern Tropical Moist Deciduous forests also thrive here.
• Flora: Shorea robusta, Acacia catechu, Madhuca indica, Terminalia tomentosa, Butea monosperma, Pterocarpus marsupium, Anogeisus latifolia, Indigofera pulchela, etc.
• Fauna: Some keystone and principal species found in the reserve include Tiger, Asiatic Elephant and Leopard, Grey wolf, Wild dog, Gaur, Sloth bear and four horned antelope etc.

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7. SAHITYA AKADEMI YUVA PURASKAR 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Awards)

Context: Devidas Saudagar, relatively unknown in Marathi literary circles, has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2024 for his novel "Usvan" (Frayed Stitches).

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2024

• About: It recognizes literary works in 24 languages.
• Age: 35
• Category: The Yuva Puraskar has been awarded for 10 poetry books, seven collections of short stories, two collections of articles and one of essays, one novel, one book of ghazals and one memoir.
• Inception and Recognition: Established in 2011, the award includes a cash prize of ₹50,000, a copper plaque, and a commendation certificate for each honored author.
• Prize: Yuva Puraskar awardees will receive a casket containing an engraved copper plaque and a cheque of Rs 50,000 at an awards ceremony later.
• Other Awards: The Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar recognizes authors for their significant contributions to children's literature, focusing on novels published within the five years preceding the award year.

Sahitya Akademi Awards

• About: The award's purpose is to recognise and promote excellence in Indian writing and also acknowledge new trends.
• Established: 1954.
• Language: 24 (22 languages of the 8th Schedule to the Indian constitution as well as in English and Rajasthani language).

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8. WORLD CROCODILE DAY 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: World Crocodile Day 2024 marks India's 50th year of saurian conservation efforts, with concerns raised for Bhitarkanika, a critical habitat for crocodiles in the country.

World Crocodile Day 2024

• About: It is celebrated on June 17th. The recurrence is a global awareness crusade to highlight the problematic situation of endangered crocodiles and alligators worldwide.
• Organized by: Crocodile Research Coalition, a Belize non-profit organization, in conjunction with the Belize Zoo.
• Conservation in India: Bhitarkanika National Park

Crocodiles

• About: These are cold-blooded creatures, semi-aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia.
• Crocodiles in India: India is home to three species of crocodiles:
• Mugger or Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris): Found in freshwater habitats across the Indian subcontinent.

oProtection Status:

üIUCN List of Threatened Species: Vulnerable

üCITES: Appendix I

üWildlife Protection Act, 1972:  Schedule I

• Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus): Known for its ability to inhabit marine and freshwater environments.

oProtection Status:

üIUCN List of Threatened Species: Least Concern

üCITES: Appendix I (except the populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, which are included in Appendix II).

üWildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

• Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus): Characterized by its long, thin snout, primarily found in northern India.

oProtection Status:

üIUCN List of Threatened Species: Critically Endangered

üCITES: Appendix I

üWildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

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9. MIFEPRISTONE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The US Supreme Court rejected a petition by anti-abortion groups seeking to undo the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of a commonly available abortion pill, called mifepristone.

Mifepristone

• About: It is a crucial component of the medical abortion regimen, initiating the process by blocking progesterone, a hormone vital for pregnancy maintenance.
• Complementing Drug: Following mifepristone, misoprostol is administered to induce uterine contractions, facilitating the expulsion of the pregnancy tissue, similar to a miscarriage.
• Approval by: FDA in 2000 for pregnancies up to 10 weeks, mifepristone has since been utilized by over six million individuals for abortion purposes, representing a significant portion of abortions in the US.

oSince FDA approval in 2000, mifepristone has a mortality rate of 0.0005%, comparable to common pain relievers.

• Timing: It can be initiated soon after pregnancy confirmation and within 70 days of the last menstrual period.
• Safety and Research Findings: Extensive studies affirm mifepristone's safety, with rare incidences of serious complications reported over years of research and widespread use.

Court Rule

• Supreme Court's Decision Basis: The Supreme Court based its ruling on the "personal stake requirement," requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate a personal interest in the case's outcome.
• Legal Precedent Explanation: According to a 1982 precedent, plaintiffs must show a distinct and palpable injury connected causally to the challenged action.
• Lack of Demonstrated Injury: The court found that the doctors and medical associations lacked standing to challenge the FDA's regulation as they failed to show any actual harm resulting from mifepristone's availability.

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10. OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The European Commission Directorate General for Trade has imposed provisional anti-dumping duties, ranging from 8.7% to 11.4%, on around eleven Indian optical fibre cable manufacturers.

Optical Fibre Cable

• About: Optical Fibres are thin, cylindrical strands made of glass, typically as thin as a human hair.
• Capabilities: They transmit various forms of digitized information over long distances at speeds approaching that of light.
• Strength and Flexibility: Optical Fibres are strong, lightweight, and highly flexible, suitable for diverse environmental conditions.
• Nobel Prize Recognition: Charles Kao was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering contributions to Fibre optic communication.
• Working Principles

oTotal Internal Reflection (TIR): Optical signals are guided within the Fibre through TIR, where light reflects internally due to the higher refractive index of glass compared to air.

oSignal Encoding: Information is encoded as rapid light pulses (binary digits) that travel through the Fibre via TIR.

oSignal Transport: Optical Fibres transport encoded signals over long distances with minimal signal loss, ensuring high integrity at the receiver end.

Benefits of Optical Fibres

• High Speed: Capable of transmitting data at speeds exceeding 10 Gbps, surpassing copper wire's capabilities.
• Long Range Transmission: Minimal signal loss allows data to travel far distances efficiently.
• Immunity to Interference: Optical Fibres are less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, ensuring reliable data transmission.
• Durability: With a glass core that insulates against electric currents, optical Fibres are highly durable against environmental factors.

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