1. IMEC (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Prime Minister of India recently announced that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will reduce business costs, increase logistical efficiency, and create a large number of jobs during his speech in Mumbai.

India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

• About: The IMEC is being envisioned as a network of transport corridors, including railway lines and sea lanes, that is expected to aid economic growth through integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe.
• Aim: The arrangement will include a railway route that, upon completion, will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement existing maritime and road transport routes. 

oThis will enable goods and services to transit to, from, and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe.

• Part of: The project is a part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII).
• Countries involved: India, USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, European Union, Italy, France and Germany.

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2. ANTI DEFECTION LAW (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker was given a final opportunity by the Supreme Court to frame a realistic time schedule to hear and decide the anti-defection proceedings against the Chief Minister and other MLAs.

Anti Defection Law

• Meaning: Defection refers to the act of switching political allegiance, typically when a member of a political party leaves their current party to join another political party or becomes an independent legislator.
• Enactment of Anti-defection Law in India: The Anti-defection Law in India was enacted in 1985 as part of the 52nd Amendment Act of 1985, which was incorporated into the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• Aim: To prevent and discourage defection among politicians. 

oThey achieve this by imposing penalties on elected representatives who switch parties or otherwise violate party discipline.

• Accountability to Voters and Party Cohesion: These laws are often designed to ensure that politicians remain accountable to the voters who elected them.

o They also contribute to the maintenance of stability and cohesion within political parties.

Important Provisions

• Disqualification: A member of a House belonging to any political party becomes disqualified for being a member of the House.
• Nominated Members: After six months from taking their seat in the House, a nominated member becomes ineligible to remain a member of the House if they decide to join any political party.

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3. INS BEAS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Security)

Context: The defence ministry recently signed a ₹ 313 crore contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the mid-life "upgrade and re-powering" of the frontline frigate INS Beas.

• INS Beas is the first of Brahmaputra Class Frigate to be re-powered from Steam to Diesel Propulsion. 

INS Beas

• About: INS Beas (F37) is a Brahmaputra-class frigate of the Indian Navy.
• It was built at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• It was commissioned on 11th July 2005.
• Name Heritage: It is the second ship in the Indian Navy to bear the name. The first was a Leopard-class frigate commissioned in 1960 and scrapped in 1992.
• Role: It is a versatile warship capable of a range of missions, including anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and anti-ship warfare. 

oIt is also used for patrolling, surveillance, and providing security to India's maritime interests.

• Features

oThe design and construction of the ship are entirely Indian and are a modification of the Godavari-class frigate.

oIt has a displacement of about 3,850 tonnes.

oThe ship has a length of 126 metres (413 feet) and a beam width of 14.5 metres (48 feet).

• Propulsion: 2 steam turbines 
• Speed: It is capable of reaching speeds of over 30 knots, making it swift and agile in naval operations.
• Operations. It is fitted with an array of modern sensor suites and matching weapon systems.

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4. 2+2 Dialougue (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – R)

Context: India and the UK recently explored cooperation in trade, investment, defense, critical technologies, and civil aviation during their inaugural 2+2 foreign affairs and defense dialogue in New Delhi.

Highlights of Dialogue

• About: The 2+2 dialogue is a format of meeting of the foreign and defence ministers of India and its allies on strategic and security issues.
• Trade and Investment: Both nations recently explored ways to strengthen their economic ties, with a special focus on trade and investment.
• Defense: The dialogue recently included significant discussions on defense cooperation, underlining the strategic importance of this partnership.
• Critical Technologies: The two countries recently explored the possibility of collaborating on critical and emerging technologies, recognizing the role of innovation in shaping the future.
• Civil Aviation: Enhancing cooperation in civil aviation recently highlighted the importance of connectivity in promoting economic and cultural exchanges.
• Health: Given the global health challenges, cooperation in the health sector was recently deemed of utmost importance.
• Energy: The dialogue also recently featured discussions on energy collaboration, emphasizing the need for sustainable and clean energy solutions.

India’s 2+2 dialogue: India has a 2+2 dialogue, either at the level of senior officials or ministers, with close strategic partners such as the US, Japan, Australia and Russia. The dialogue between India and the UK featured senior defence and foreign policy officials of the two sides.

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5. LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech - Diseases)

Context: The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has recently achieved the remarkable feat of eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF), a disease that cripples and has significant social and economic impact on the affected communities, as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

• Lao PDR is now the second country after Bangladesh to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) in 2023. Nineteen countries have been able to eliminate LF,

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF)

• About: The Lymphatic filariasis disease, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease.
• Transmission: Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes.
• Impact on Health: This impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, severe disability, and social stigma.
• Caused by: Lymphatic filariasis is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea.
• Global scenario: It is one of the oldest and most debilitating neglected disease, which is currently endemic in 73 countries of the world, including India.

Types of Filarial Worms

• Wuchereria bancrofti, responsible for 90% of the cases.
• Brugia malayi, which causes most of the remainder of the cases.
• Brugia timori, which also causes the disease.

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

• Laos officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR or LPDR),[e] is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. 
• It is the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula.
• Bordered by: Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest.
• Capital: Vientiane.

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6. RAMSAR SITES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) joined hands with State/UT Wetland Authorities to organize wetlands cleaning at various Amrit Dharohar sites, which are Ramsar sites across the country.

Ramsar Sites in India

• India's Ramsar Sites, globally recognized as vital wetlands, have experienced remarkable growth.
• The nation takes pride in its 75 Ramsar Sites, encompassing a vast expanse of 13,26,677 hectares.
• This expansion aligns with India's 75th year of Independence, signifying a pivotal milestone in wetland conservation.
• India's commitment to the Ramsar Convention dates back to February 1, 1982, when it became a signatory to the treaty.

Ramsar Sites

• About: It is also known as Wetlands of International Importance, are areas designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• Established: in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran
• It is an international treaty with the primary goal of conserving and wisely using wetlands.
• World’s First Site: Cobourg Peninsula in Australia, designated in 1974
• Largest area under Ramsar: Bolivia
• World Wetlands Day: The 2nd of February each year.

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7. BERLIN PROCESS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, leaders from the European Union and the Western Balkans held a summit in Albania's capital to discuss the path to membership in the bloc for the six countries of the region.

• The main topics at the annual talks — called the Berlin Process — are integrating the Western Balkans into a single market and supporting their green and digital transformation.
• The nations in the region are Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

Berlin Process

• A platform for high-level cooperation between the leaders of the 6 Western Balkan countries (WB6).
• The Process also involves the EU institutions, international financial institutions, the region’s civil society, youth and businesses.
• Establishment: 2014
• Objective: Improve connectivity, neighbourly, and interpersonal relationships among WB6 countries.
• Integrate the WB6 countries into a single market.
• Support their green and digital transformation.
• Provide support for the European Union (EU) integration of the WB6 countries.

Balkan Countries

• WB6: Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia
• Balkan Countries: Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Greece, Turkey and WB6.

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8. EDIBLE OIL & FSSAI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently declared that there is no scientific rationale for banning the blending of edible oils, particularly sunflower oil, as there is no food safety or health concern in consuming them.

Edible Oil

• About: Oilseeds and edible oils rank among the most highly sensitive essential commodities.
• Largest Consumer: India holds the distinction of being the globe's second-largest consumer and foremost importer of vegetable oil.
• Popular Edible Oils in India: Palm oil, soya bean oil, sunflower oil, and mustard oil.
• India's Diverse Oilseed Production: Rapeseeds, soybeans, peanuts, groundnuts, copra, cottonseeds, and sunflower seeds.
• Import Dependency: Currently, India satisfies roughly 55% to 60% of its edible oil demand through imports.
• Soybean Oil Importation: Soybean oil accounts for 22% of imports and primarily originates from Argentina and Brazil.
• Sunflower Oil Imports: Sunflower oil, comprising 15% of imports, is predominantly sourced from Ukraine and Russia.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• Established: Under Food Safety and Standards , 2006
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• Headquarters: Delhi
• Aim: To regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

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9. JAGESHWAR TEMPLE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context: Prime Minister of India has encouraged people to visit the Parvati Kund and Jageshwar temples in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, emphasizing their natural beauty and spiritual significance.

Jageshwar Temple

• Located: In the Almora district of Uttarakhand's Kumaun region, is a renowned Hindu pilgrimage town.
• This sacred town is famous for its group of 125 ancient temples, which date back to the 7th to the 14th century and were primarily constructed and restored by the Katyuri dynasty kings.
• Dedicated:  Lord Shiva.

• Features: The town is believed to be the place where the worship of Lord Shiva originated, as per the Skandha Purana and Linga Purana, making it a place of great religious significance.

oJageshwar was also a prominent center for Lakulisha Shaivism, a revivalist sect devoted to Lord Shiva. 

oThe temples in Jageshwar are architecturally fascinating, showcasing a blend of North Indian Nagara and South/Central Indian architectural styles.

Parvati Kund

• Parvati Kund in Pithoragarh is one of India's most revered shrines. At an elevation of about 5,338 feet the Hindu pilgrimage site draws the faithful every year. 
• The site has great spiritual significance and is believed to be the site where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati meditated.

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10. SAME SEX MARRIAGE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: The Supreme Court recently ruled by a 3-2 majority that there cannot be legal recognition for same-sex marriages.

• Chief Justice of India, said the court can't make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

Key points from Supreme Court's five-bench ruling on same-sex marriage

• No legal recognition of same-sex marriages.
• No constitutional or fundamental right to civil unions.
• Centre's high-powered committee to examine concerns of same-sex couples.
• No constitutional protection to civil unions and adoption rights for queer couples.

Same-Sex Marriage

• Marriage between two men or two women is the practice known as same-sex marriage.
• In most countries worldwide, laws, religious beliefs, and customs have regulated same-sex marriage.
• Over 30 countries legally perform and recognize marriages between same-sex couples as of 2022.
• Mexico is the most recent country to legalize same-sex marriage.
• The right to marry is not expressly recognized either as a fundamental or constitutional right under the Indian Constitution.
• In Navtej Johar v Union of India case: SC said that the LGBTQ community are equal citizens and underlined that there cannot be discrimination in law based on sexual orientation and gender.

Special Marriage Act, 1954

• It is an Indian law that establishes a legal framework for marriages between individuals of diverse religions or castes.
• It primarily regulates civil marriages, with the state's endorsement rather than religious institutions.
• In India, the legal recognition of both civil and religious marriages mirrors the provisions of the UK's Marriage Act of 1949.

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