1. LATERAL ENTRY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 –Governance)

Context: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued an advertisement inviting applications from talented and motivated Indian nationals for Lateral Recruitment to the positions of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary in 24 Union government ministries.

Lateral Entry

• About: In 2017, NITI Aayog proposed the induction of professionals into central government roles at middle and senior management levels.
• Role of Lateral Entrants: These professionals, known as ‘lateral entrants,’ would join the central secretariat, traditionally composed of career bureaucrats from the All India Services or Central Civil Services.
• Contract Duration: Lateral entrants are offered contracts of three years, with the possibility of extension for up to five years.
• First Vacancies: The first lateral entry vacancies were advertised in 2018, specifically for the Joint Secretary level.
• Expansion of Positions: Later, positions for Director and Deputy Secretary levels were also opened for lateral entry.
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Joint Secretary: Appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), a Joint Secretary holds the third-highest rank in a Department and serves as the administrative head of a department wing.
• Director and Deputy Secretary: Directors rank just below Joint Secretaries, and Deputy Secretaries rank below Directors. However, in many ministries, both perform similar roles.
• Criticism: Lateral entries have been criticised on the grounds that there are no quotas for SC, ST and OBC candidates in such recruitment.

Lack of Quotas in Lateral Recruitment

• Reiterated Reservation Policy: The DoPT's 2018 circular emphasized reservations for SC/ST/OBC candidates in temporary Central Government posts lasting over 45 days.
• Historical Policy Background: This directive builds on a 1968 circular by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which originally mandated reservations in government appointments.
• Applicability to Bureaucracy: The policy ensures that reservations are applicable to all appointments within the central bureaucracy, including temporary positions.

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2. KRISHI-DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: The Union government recently launched Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS), a unique digital geospatial platform aimed at enhancing agricultural decision-making.

Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS)

• About: It is a pioneering geospatial platform tailored specifically for Indian agriculture.
• Collaboration: Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Space.
• Features:

o Detailed Data Capture: Krishi-DSS captures intricate details, from vast agricultural fields to the smallest soil particles.

o Data Access: It provides seamless access to a wide range of data, including satellite images, weather information, reservoir storage, groundwater levels, and soil health.

o Near Real-Time Information: The platform delivers near real-time updates on key indicators such as soil moisture, water storage, crop conditions, and dry spells.

o One Nation-One Soil Information System: This system offers comprehensive soil data, including details on soil type, pH levels, and overall soil health.

• Significance:

o The platform enables the government to analyze cropping patterns by providing parcel-level crop maps for different years.

o Accurate identification of field-parcel units allows for a better understanding of each parcel's needs, aiding in targeted agricultural interventions.

o The ground-truth data library of Krishi-DSS fosters innovation by providing essential resources for researchers and the agricultural industry.

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

Context: India is hosting the third edition of the Voice of Global South Summit, embodying the nation's philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.

Voice of Global South Summit

• About: It is an extension of Prime Minister of India's vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas" (Together with All, Development for All, Trust of All, and Efforts by All).
• 1st Summit: January 2023
• Objective: Tthe summit has aimed to bring together countries from the Global South a term that refers to developing nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean to share their perspectives and priorities on various global issues.
• Goal: To unify the Global South's voice in influencing global decisions and ensuring their concerns are addressed on international platforms like the G20.
• Theme: An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.

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.
• It was first used by political activist Carl Oglesby in 1969.
• 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.

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4. PROJECT TO TACKLE MICROPLASTICS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health & Nutrition)

Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched a project to tackle microplastic contamination in food and develop methods to detect it.

Project to Tackle Microplastics

• About: The project focuses on micro-and nano-plastics as emerging food contaminants, aiming to establish validated methodologies and assess their prevalence in different food matrices.
• Objectives:

o Develop and validate analytical methods for detecting micro and nano-plastics in various food products.

o Establish standard protocols for micro/nano-plastic analysis across laboratories.

o Conduct intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons to ensure consistency and reliability.

• Data Generation and Exposure Assessment:

o Generate critical data on microplastic exposure levels among consumers in India.

o Assess the prevalence of micro and nano-plastics in different food products, contributing to a better understanding of exposure levels.

• Collaborative Effort: The study is being conducted in collaboration with leading research institutions in India, including the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Lucknow), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (Kochi), and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani).
• Significance:

o The project aligns with concerns raised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) regarding the presence of microplastics in common food items like sugar and salt.

o Findings from this project will help determine the extent of microplastic contamination in Indian food, guiding the formulation of effective regulations and safety standards to protect public health.

Microplastics

• About: These are minute fragments of diverse plastic materials present in the surroundings.
• These minute plastic particles pose a threat to marine environments and the creatures that inhabit them.

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5. CENTRAL PROTECTION ACT FOR DOCTORS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 –Health)

Context: Doctors need a Central Protection Act has gained attention, highlighting the need for stronger legal safeguards for medical professionals across India.

Central Protection Act for Doctors

• Also known as: Prevention of Violence Against Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Establishments Bill, 2022.
• Objective: To define, prohibit, and penalize violence against healthcare professionals.
• Provisions of the Protection Act:

o Prohibition of Violence: The Act prohibits violence against healthcare professionals and clinical establishments, including violence motivated by caste, gender, religion, language, or place of birth.

o Offences: Offences under this Act are classified as cognizable and non-bailable, meaning offenders can be arrested without a warrant and tried by a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.

o Grievance Mechanisms: It establishes mechanisms to address grievances and aims to reduce long waiting periods in healthcare settings, which often contribute to conflicts.

o Medical Education Enhancement: The Act suggests incorporating cognitive, psychomotor, and empathic skills into medical education to better prepare healthcare providers for handling conflicts with patients.

o Mandatory Reporting: The Act requires mandatory reporting of incidents of violence against healthcare professionals and mandates the establishment of panels for investigation.

o Public Sensitization: It includes provisions for public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the challenges faced by healthcare professionals.

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6. BHAVISHYA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare introduced 'Bhavishya'.

Bhavishya

• About: It is an online platform initiated by the Government of India to streamline the pension sanction and payment process for retiring central government employees.
• Digital India Initiative: It is a part of the Digital India initiative, designed to improve the ease of living for pensioners by ensuring timely and accurate pension disbursements.
• Recognition: BHAVISHYA was ranked 3rd best in the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) in 2021.
• Nodal Agency: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions 
• Objectives: 

o  Timely Benefits: Ensure retirees receive all retirement benefits and pensions promptly.

o Case Processing: Ensure timely processing of pension cases at each administrative level.

o Pension Tracking: Allow retirees to track their pension cases online.

o Guidance: Assist retirees in completing forms as per CCS Pension Rules and guide them through the retirement process.

• Features:

o Auto Registration of Retirees: Bhavishya integrates with payroll systems to automatically register employees nearing retirement and provides Management Information System (MIS) data on upcoming retirements within the next 15 months.

o Self-Registration for Stakeholders: Stakeholders, including DDOs, Heads of Offices (HOO), and Pay and Accounts Officers (PAO), can self-register and manage their pension forms, enhancing process efficiency and minimizing errors.

o Strict Timelines: Pension processing starts 15 months before retirement with strict deadlines and automatic reminders to ensure timely completion and adherence to schedules.

o Transparency and Accountability: The system offers full transparency in the pension process, facilitating the identification and resolution of delays and ensuring accountability throughout.

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7. MAKE IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: China holds a dominant position in supplying electronic components essential for 'Made in India' products, significantly impacting India's manufacturing sector.

Make in India

• Launched in: 2014 to position India as a top global manufacturing and investment destination.
• Led by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Objective: To make India an integral part of the global supply chain.
• Four Pillars of Make in India:

o New Processes: Emphasizes 'Ease of Doing Business' as a key factor, with initiatives to de-license and deregulate industries throughout their lifecycle.

o New Infrastructure: Government aims to develop industrial corridors, enhance existing infrastructure, and implement a fast-paced registration system to support industry growth.

o New Sectors: Identifies 27 sectors in manufacturing, infrastructure, and services, with detailed information available through an interactive web portal and brochures.

o New Mindset: Seeks a paradigm shift in government-industry interaction, with the government acting as a facilitator in economic development rather than just a regulator.

• Make in India 2.0: Creating a conducive environment for investment, modern and efficient infrastructure, opening up new sectors for foreign investment and forging a partnership between government and industry through positive mindset.
• Top 3 importers of Electronic Goods: Vietnam , South Korea, and United States.

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8. BLUE MOON (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: On August 19, 2024, a stunning full Moon will light up the skies across various time zones around the world. This celestial event promises to captivate viewers globally.

Blue Moon

• About: The term “Blue Moon” has historically referred to the third full Moon in a season that has four full Moons, a relatively rare occurrence.
• Historical Definition: Originally, "Blue Moon" referred to the third full Moon in a season with four full Moons, a rare occurrence recorded as early as 1528.
• Modern Definition: Since the 1940s, the term also describes the second full Moon in a single calendar month, which happens because the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days.
• Frequency: Two full Moons in one month, or a Blue Moon, happens approximately every two to three years.
• There are two types of Blue Moons: Monthly and Seasonal

o A monthly blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month, while a seasonal blue moon is the third full moon in an astronomical season with four full moons.

• Super Moon: It occurs when the moon's orbit is closest (perigee) to Earth at the same time it is full.
• Super Blue Moon: It is simultaneously a full moon, blue moon, and a super moon.

o Supermoons occur about 25% of the time, and Blue Moons about 3%, making a combination of both exceptionally rare, occurring roughly every 10 years.

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9. FEMA RULES, 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, has amended the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, to streamline regulations concerning Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Overseas Investment.

Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2024

• Cross-border Share Swaps: Simplifies the process for cross-border share swaps, allowing for the issue or transfer of Indian company equity instruments in exchange for foreign company equity instruments.

o Facilitates global expansion of Indian companies through mergers, acquisitions, and strategic initiatives, helping them enter new markets and grow internationally.

• FDI in White Label ATMs:  Permits 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under the Automatic Route in White Label ATMs.

o Aims to enhance financial inclusion across the country by allowing non-banks to set up, own, and operate ATMs.

• Definition of 'Startup Company': Aligns the definition of 'Startup Company' with the 2019 notification by the Department of Industry and Internal Trade.
• An entity qualifies as a startup if it is:

o Incorporated as a private limited company or registered as a partnership firm or a limited liability partnership.

o Within 10 years from its incorporation or registration.

o Has a turnover not exceeding ₹100 crore in any of the financial years since incorporation or registration.

Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999

• About: FEMA primarily addresses provisions related to cross-border trade and payments, defining procedures for foreign exchange transactions in India.
• Introduced: In 1999.
• Replacement of FERA: FEMA replaced the earlier Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) and has since governed foreign exchange transactions in the country.
• Headquarter: Delhi.

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10. FOREVER CHEMICALS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: In a major breakthrough aimed at managing the long-term environmental impact of anthropogenic activity, American researchers have found a method to be able to trace the origin and the destination of forever chemicals.

Forever Chemicals

• Definition: Forever chemicals, or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), encompass over 9,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s.
• Persistence: These chemicals are termed “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to degradation in the environment and human body.
• Common Types of PFAS:

o PFOA: Perfluorooctanoic acid, a well-known type of PFAS.

o PFOS: Perfluorooctane sulfonate, another extensively studied PFAS compound.

• Unique Properties: PFAS are characterized by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them resistant to heat, water, oil, and stains.
• Common Applications: They are used in nonstick cookware (e.g., Teflon), water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, food packaging (e.g., microwave popcorn bags), firefighting foams, and cosmetics.
• Impact: 

o Exposure Routes: PFAS exposure can occur through contaminated water, food, air, and consumer products.

o Health Concerns: Health issues linked to PFAS include increased cholesterol levels, altered liver enzymes, decreased vaccine response in children, elevated cancer risks (kidney and testicular), pregnancy complications, and thyroid disease.

o Contamination Spread: PFAS contamination is widespread, affecting water sources, soil, and wildlife.

o Longevity and Risks: Their persistence in the environment poses long-term ecological risks, as they can remain for thousands of years without degrading.

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