1. TEJAS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk 1A and 156 Light Combat Helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, along with other significant acquisitions totalling Rs 2.23 lakh crore.

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas

• About: It is an indigenous supersonic aircraft used by the Indian military. 

oThe idea behind the LCA programme was to expand and develop India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.

oSince the 1970s, the MiG 21 planes were the mainstay of the Indian Air Force. The primary goal of the LCA programme was to replace the ageing MiGs.

oThe secondary goal was the advancement of indigenous domestic aviation capabilities.

• Origin: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme was started by the Government of India in 1984 when they established the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to manage the LCA programme.

oIt replaced the ageing Mig 21 fighter planes.

oIt was in 2003 that the Light Combat Aircraft programme was named ‘Tejas’ (meaning radiance in Sanskrit) by the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

• Designed and developed by: HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).

oIt is the second supersonic fighter jet that was developed by HAL (the first one being HAL HF-24 Marut).

• Key Features: LCA Tejas is a single-engine multirole light combat aircraft.

oIt is the lightest and smallest multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.

oIt is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided, and standoff weaponry.

oTejas has a single-engine, compound Delta wing, and has a tailless design.

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2. X-RAY POLARIMETER Syllabus GS Paper 3 - Sci and Tech)

Context: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that India is set to launch its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat), aiming to investigate the polarisation of intense X-Ray sources.

X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat)

• Features and Payloads: The XPoSat spacecraft is designated for observation from Low Earth Orbit, carrying two scientific payloads that enable simultaneous studies of temporal, spectral, and polarization features of bright X-Ray sources.
• Objectives: Measuring X-Ray polarization in the energy band of 8-30 keV from X-Ray sources and conducting long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-Ray sources in the energy band of 0.8-15 keV.
• Observation Period: Approximately five years, with the payloads observing X-Ray sources during the spacecraft's transit through Earth's shadow, specifically during the eclipse period.
• Primary and Secondary Payloads of XPoSat:

oThe primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), measures polarimetry parameters in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV and was developed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru. 

oThe secondary payload, XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing), provides spectroscopic information within the energy range of 0.8-15 keV and was developed by the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), ISRO.

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3. JAN AUSHADHI KENDRA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: The Prime Minister of India recently inaugurated the 10,000th Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS, Deoghar, marking a significant milestone in the nation's healthcare accessibility initiative.

Jan Aushadhi Kendra

• Establishment of PMBKs: Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, PMBKs were established, with the initiative launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in November 2008.
• Objective: To provide quality medicines at affordable prices for all, with a particular focus on reducing out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare, especially for the economically disadvantaged.
• Generic Drugs at Lower Prices: PMBKs offer generic drugs that are available at lower prices while maintaining an equivalent standard in terms of quality and efficacy compared to more expensive branded drugs.
• Availability of Medicines: All therapeutic medicines are made accessible through Jan Aushadhi Stores, ensuring a wide range of medicines for various medical needs.
• Target: Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by March 2024.

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.

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4. MALARIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, India recorded the highest number of malaria cases in the South East Asia region of the World Health Organization (WHO), accounting for 66 percent of the 5.2 million cases reported in 2022.

• This is even as cases reduced by at least 55 per cent in India, where the disease is endemic, according to World Malaria Report 2023.

Key Points

• Climate change can directly interact with the sensitivity of the malaria pathogen and the vector (female Anopheles mosquito) to temperature, rainfall and humidity, and make it easier for the contagion to spread and infect.
• India, along with Indonesia, also accounted for 94 per cent of all the deaths that occurred due to malaria in 2022, the data showed.

Malaria

• About: Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite.
• Transmission: Anopheles mosquitoes are the type of mosquito that transmit malaria from one person to another. Not all Anopheles mosquitoes have malaria, but if they bite a person with malaria, they can become infectious.
• Symptoms: Early Symptoms - Fever and flu-like illness, Chills, Headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Severe Symptoms:  kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, and coma.

Government Initiatives:

• National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME), 2016-2030: To eliminate malaria in India in a phased manner. The goal is to achieve zero indigenous cases of Malaria in the country by 2027 and to sustain elimination by 2030.
• National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination: To eliminate Malaria by 2027 three years ahead of 2024 which is the global deadline for the elimination of Malaria.
  
  

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5. CORE SECTOR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, India's eight core sectors recorded a growth of 12.1 percent in October, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Core Sector

• About: Core sectors of an economy are  the key industries in the economy.
• 8 Core Sectors of the Indian Economy: Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertiliser, Steel, Cement, Electricity.
• Weight in IIP: These eight industries have a combined share of above 40.27% in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

oDecreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products > Electricity > Steel > Coal > Crude Oil > Natural Gas > Cement > Fertilizers.

Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI): Prepared and released by the Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GOI.

• Released: Every month. 
• Base Year: 2011-12.

Index of Industrial Production: IIP is a composite indicator that measures short-term changes in the volume of production of a basket of industrial products, during a given period (usually a month), with respect to a chosen base period.

• Base Year: 2011-2012
• Compiled and Published: by Central Statistical Organization (now known as National Statistics Office (NSO)), under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Published – Monthly, with a time lag of 6 weeks
• .Weightage (approx): 77.5 % to manufacturing followed by 14.5 % to mining and 8 % to electricity.

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6. ANGANWADI PROTOCOL FOR DIVYANG (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: The Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs recently launched the Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children.

Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children

• About: This initiative is an integral element of the Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi program, falling under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry for Women and Child Development.
• Focus: To underscore the importance and feasibility of enhancing children’s well-being through early intervention and specialized support.
• Targeting: Emphasis will be on infants and young children at risk or with disabilities and/or developmental delays.

Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi

• About: Through the "Poshan bhi, Padhai bhi" ECCE policy, every child is targeted to receive a minimum of two hours of high-quality preschool instruction daily.
• Integration with National Education Policy: ECCE is a crucial element of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, aligned with the National Education Policy.
• Fund: Rs 600 crore to train Anganwadi Workers, ensuring effective implementation of ECCE.
• Objective: The program aims to not only enhance Anganwadi centers as nutrition hubs but also to transform them into education-imparting centers.

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7. FOREST CONSERVATION ACT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court opted not to stay amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, effective from December 1, following the Union government's assurance that no hasty actions would be taken until guidelines are established, allowing for exemptions from the new law's definition of a forest.

The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

• The Act empowers: The central government to demand proper compensation (compensatory afforestation) for any forest land diverted for non-forestry purposes. 

oIt also extends its jurisdiction to land that is not officially designated as "forest" in government records at the state or central level.

Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

• It amends: Forest Conservation Act, 1980 which provides for the conservation of forest land. 
• Land under the purview of the Act:

oland declared/notified as a forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or under any other law, or

oland not covered in the first category but notified as a forest on or after October 25, 1980 in a government record.

• Exempted categories of land:

oforest land along a rail line or a public road maintained by the government providing access to a habitation, or to a rail, and roadside amenities up to a maximum size of 0.10 hectare.  

oland situated within 100 km from international borders, Line of Control, or Line of Actual Control, for construction of a strategic linear project of national importance and concerning national security,

oland up to 10 hectares, for constructing security-related infrastructure, or

oland proposed to be used for constructing defence related projects, camps for paramilitary forces, or public utility projects up to five hectares in a left-wing extremism affected area.  Etc.

Present Status Of Forests In India

• India State of forest report (ISFR) 2021: The total forest (21.71%) and tree cover (2.91%) of the country is 24.62% of the geographical area of the country.
• Increased in forest and tree cover: There is an increase of 0.22% of forest cover and 0.76% of tree cover compared to the 2019 report.
• Top 3 states with an increase in forest cover: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha.
  • State with the largest forest cover: Madhya Pradesh.

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8. NAHEP (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Recent developments include the World Bank-funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project and Indian Agricultural Research Project in New Delhi.

National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP)

• Launched by: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). 
• Aim: to attract talent and strengthen higher agricultural education in the country.
• Objective: To support participating in agricultural universities(AU) and ICAR in providing more relevant and higher quality education to AU students.
• Funding: World Bank to contribute 50% along with government.
• 3 Components to the Project

oComponent 1: Support to Agricultural Univesities.

oComponent 2: Investment in ICAR for Leadership in Agricultural Higher Education.

oComponent 3: Project Management and Learning.

World Bank

• About: It is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
• Establishment: July 1944, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States
• Members: 189 Countries
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States

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9. ASOLA BHATTI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the Delhi High Court raised concerns about the proposed event in Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, calling for the original file on the proposal and documents demonstrating its adherence to norms.

Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

• Coverage Area: 32.71 km2 area on the Southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli hill range.
• Location: Delhi-Haryana border lies in Southern Delhi as well as northern parts of Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana state.
• It is also part of the Sariska-Delhi Wildlife Corridor, which runs from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to Delhi Ridge.
• Vegetation: Dry deciduous,
• Flora: Consists of Prosopis juliflora as the dominant exotic species and Diospyros montana as the dominant native species in the sanctuary.
  • Fauna: Golden Jackals, Striped-Hyenas, Indian crested-Porcupines, Civets, Jungle Cats, Snakes, Monitor Lizards, Mongoose etc.

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10. OPEN MARKET OPERATIONS (OMO) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, discussions on open market operations (OMO) auctions have paused among bond market participants due to the current tightness in banking system liquidity. 

• Anticipation prevails that the system liquidity will remain in deficit mode, at least until mid-December.

Open Market Operations (OMO)

• About: It is an activity by a central bank to give (or take) liquidity in its currency to (or from) a bank or a group of banks.
• Regulate By: Reserve Bank of India
• Participants in OMO: Scheduled Commercial Banks and Financial institutions
• Purpose: Influence money supply, manage interest rates, and achieve monetary policy objectives.
• Types of OMOs
• Outright Purchase (PEMO) involves the permanent selling or buying of government securities.
• Repurchase Agreement (REPO) is a short-term arrangement subject to repurchase.

OMOs vs Liquidity

• When the central bank aims to inject liquidity into the monetary system, it purchases government securities in the open market, thereby supplying liquidity to commercial banks. 
• Conversely, by selling securities, it restricts liquidity, enabling the central bank to indirectly regulate the money supply and impact short-term interest rates.

Importance of OMO

• In India, the second half of the financial year typically witnesses tightening liquidity due to a slowdown in government expenditure and a seasonal increase in currency demand during the festival season.
• Effective liquidity management is crucial to prevent cash shortages for banks and borrowers.
• The central bank's indication of transitioning from a deficit stance to a 'natural' liquidity stance suggests potential increased liquidity in the system.

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