1. LONGWOOD SHOLA & KARAIVETTI SANCTUARY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Two more wetlands from Tamil Nadu and total five sites have been added to the Ramsar list taking the total tally to 80, and 16 in Tamil Nadu which is the highest in India.

oLongwood Shola reserve forest in Nilgiris and Karaivetti bird sanctuary in Ariyalur are the new additions.

Longwood Shola Reserve Forest

• Location: The site is situated near Kothagiri town, adjacent to the eastern slopes of the Nilgiri mountain range. It encompasses intermittent freshwater marshes and streams within a tropical montane forest known as "shola."
• Unique Shola Forest: This site represents the last remaining natural shola forest near Kothagiri, showcasing remarkable biodiversity with a focus on high species endemism.
• Rich Endemic Species: The area boasts around 40 tree species, four reptiles, 14 frogs, and 14 birds that are exclusive to the Western Ghats region. Notable plant species include Actinodaphne bourneae, Psychotria nilgiriensis, and Cinnamomum wightii.
• Conservation Significance: It serves as a critical conservation area for endangered species such as the black-chinned Nilgiri laughing thrush, Nilgiri blue robin, and the vulnerable Nilgiri wood-pigeon.

Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary

• About: It is a protected area located in the Ariyalur District of the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
• Home to migratory birds: Bar-headed goose, Northern pintail, White Stork, Northern shoveler, Garganey, Blue-winged teal, Osprey and common sandpiper.

Ramsar Convention

• The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Iran and in force since 1975, is an intergovernmental treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
• Recently on the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024, India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 80 from existing 75 by designating five more wetlands as Ramsar sites. 

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2. PAYMENT BANKS Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed additional curbs on Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL), prohibiting it from operating its mobile wallet after February.

oIt has also been barred from taking further deposits or undertaking credit transactions or top-ups in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, or National Common Mobility Cards, after February 29.

Payment Banks

• About: Payments banks function similarly to traditional banks but operate on a smaller or limited scale.
• Credit Risk Exclusion: Payments banks eliminate credit risk from their operations. Unlike conventional banks, they are not authorized to extend loans or issue credit cards.
• Focus: Payments Banks exclusively deal with demand deposits, specifically savings and current accounts. They do not entertain time deposits as part of their services.
• Objective: To advance financial inclusion by offering banking and financial services to the unbanked and underbanked areas, helping the migrant labour force, low-income
• Registerd under: Companies Act 2013.
• Governed by: Banking Regulation Act, 1949; RBI Act, 1934; Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

FASTag

• About: FASTag is an electronic toll collection system in India, managed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
• Payment Mechanism: FASTag facilitates toll payments directly from the linked prepaid or savings account or directly from the toll owner, employing RFID technology.
• Dedicated Lanes: Dedicated lanes for FASTag users have been established at select toll plazas, streamlining the toll collection process.

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3. MOU BETWEEN GSI AND NHAI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure)

Context: National Highways network, NHAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Geological Survey of India (GSI) to provide services to NHAI for site specific geotechnical consultancy and assist in vetting of Detailed Project Reports (DPR) from geotechnical point of view.

Geological Survey of India

• About: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a scientific agency of India.
• Founded: In 1851, as a Government of India organization under the Ministry of Mines
• Headquarters: Kolkata, 
• 6 Regional Offices: Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines
• Functions: Creation and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment constitute primary objectives.

oGround surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting, and investigations are employed to achieve these goals.

oVarious methods, including multi-disciplinary geoscientific and geo-technical approaches, are utilized in pursuit of these objectives.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• About: NHAI serves as the foremost creator of highway infrastructure in India, responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of National Highways.
• Statutory Authority: NHAI operates as a statutory body, functioning under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Established by:  National Highways Authority of India Act in 1998, NHAI commenced its operations in February 1995, marking a significant milestone in the country's highway development.
• Structure: Full-time Chairman, along with not more than five full-time Members and four part-time Members, all appointed by the Central Government.

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4. H-1B VISA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The United States has launched a pilot programme that will benefit Indian tech professionals- Washington has launched a program to renew the much sought-after H-1B foreign work visas domestically.

H-1B Visa Program

• About: The H-1B visa is a non immigrant work visa designed to enable U.S. employers to employ foreign workers possessing specialized skills within the United States for a specified duration.
• Occupations eligible for the H-1B visa are primarily concentrated in fields like technology, finance, engineering, architecture, and others.
• H-1B Visa Eligibility: A valid job offer from a U.S. employer for a role that requires specialty knowledge
• Proof of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in that field
• Your employer must show that there is a lack of qualified U.S. applicants for the role

H-2B Visa

• About: The H-2B program permits U.S. employers or their agents to bring foreign nationals into the United States for temporary, non-agricultural employment.
• This program primarily encompasses seasonal workers employed in sectors such as landscaping, forestry, hospitality, and construction.

EB-5 Visa

• About: The EB-5 (employment-based, 5th preference) investor visa grants permanent resident status to investors who satisfy certain criteria.
• Created: in 1990 by the Immigration Act of 1990.
• Aim: To create jobs and boost the economy by attracting foreign capital.

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5. EXPANSION OF BRICS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates confirmed their participation in the BRICS bloc after being invited last year, announced South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.

BRICS

• About: It is a grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Origin: The term was originally coined in 2001 as "BRIC" by the Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill in his report, Building Better Global Economic BRICs.

oForeign ministers of these countries began meeting informally in 2006, which led to more formal annual summits beginning in 2009.

oIn 2010, South Africa joined the informal group and changed the acronym to BRICS.

• First BRIC Summit: Held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in June 2009.
• Economic Significance: It contribute to around 23% of the global GDP and around 18% of Global Trade.
• Demography: It represents around 41% of global Population.
• Territory: It comprise 30% of the world’s territory.
• Chairmanship:  On rotation basis among members in order of B-R-I-C-S.

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

Context: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment said on the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024, India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 80 from existing 75 by designating five more wetlands as Ramsar sites.

Ramsar Sites

• About: a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, which is also known as the ‘Convention on Wetlands ‘.
• Convention on Wetlands: an intergovernmental environmental treaty established by UNESCO in 1971, and named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed that year.
• Membership of India: India is a part of the Ramsar Convention and signed under it on 1st February 1982.
• Geographical Area: India’s Ramsar wetlands are spread over 11,000 sq km - around 10% of the total wetland area in the country - across 18 States.
• Largest Ramsar Site of India: Sundarbans (West Bengal).
• First Ramsar Sites of India: Chilika Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan).
• Most number of Ramsar Sites in India: Tamil Nadu (16 nos), followed by UP (10) of Ramsar sites.
• Smallest wetland of India: Renuka Wetland (Area - 20 ha) - Himachal Pradesh 
• World Wetlands Day: 2nd February.
• New Additions are:

oAnkasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve in Karnataka Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu.

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7. 16TH FINANCE COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The government has appointed four members of the Sixteenth Finance Commission (SFC), which includes three full-time members.

Finance Commission

• About: Article 280 of the Constitution of India provides for a Finance Commission as a quasi judicial body. 
• Constituted by: President of India every fifth year or at such earlier time as he considers necessary.
• Composition: Chairman and four other members to be appointed by the president.
• Tenure: They hold office for such period as specified by the president in his order.
• Recommendation of Commission: The recommendations made by the Finance Commission are only of advisory nature, not binding on the government.
• Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted: On November 27, 2017.
• Power and Functions

oThe distribution of the net proceeds of taxes to be shared between the Centre and the states.

oThe principles that should govern the grants-in-aid to the states by the Centre (i.e., out of the consolidated fund of India).

oAny other matter referred to it by the president in the interests of sound finance.

Sixteenth Finance Commission (SFC)

• Task and Duration: The SFC's primary task is to determine the allocation of the Centre's tax revenue to states for the next five years, commencing from FY27.
• Efficient Financial Systems: The SFC is responsible for ensuring that states establish effective financial systems, following recommendations from state finance commissions, particularly in financing local bodies.
• Augmenting Funds for Local Bodies: Recommendations will be made by the SFC to enhance the consolidated funds of states for panchayats and municipalities.
• Flexibility in Recommendations: The government has deliberately kept the 'terms of reference' concise, granting the SFC flexibility in suggesting recommendations within constitutional limits for the sharing of tax revenue.

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8. CITIZENSHIP AMENDMENT ACT 2019 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu made it clear that the Tamil Nadu government would never allow the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019

• Amended the Citizenship Act, 1955: The act amended the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants eligible for citizenship of India. 
• Citizenship on the basis of religion: The CAA provides citizenship on the basis of religion to six undocumented non-Muslim communities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before 31st December, 2014.
• Definition: Under the Act, an illegal migrant is a foreigner who:

oEnters the country without valid travel documents like a passport and visa, or

oEnters with valid documents, but stays beyond the permitted time period.

• Exemption: Illegal migrants may be put in jail or deported under The Foreigners Act, 1946 and The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920.

oIt exempts the members of the six communities from any criminal case under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Passport Act, 1920.

oThe two Acts specify punishment for entering the country illegally and staying here on expired visas and permits.

• Citizenship by registration or naturalisation: The Act allows a person to apply for citizenship by registration or naturalisation if the person meets certain qualifications.
• Relaxations: Under The Citizenship Act, 1955, one of the requirements for citizenship by naturalisation is that the applicant must have resided in India during the last 12 months, as well as for 11 of the previous 14 years.

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9. DEATH OF ANTARCTIC PENGUINS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A highly lethal form of bird flu has been detected in Antarctic penguins for the first time. The virus, HSN1, was con- firmed in two gentoo penguins that were found dead on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands, a British territory.

Death of Antarctic Penguins

• Significance of Penguin Deaths: Penguins already face multiple threats such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
• Status: Three Antarctic penguin species are listed as vulnerable or near threatened.
• Extent of Threat from H5N1 Virus: Before H5N1 arrived in Antarctica, highly pathogenic bird flu viruses had never been seen there.
• Penguins likely have little immunity to the virus, and its spread in crowded colonies could lead to mass mortalities.
• Virus Spread: The spread of H5N1 in Antarctic penguin populations is not fully understood.
• While the virus has not been confirmed in other local penguin species, testing on rockhopper penguins is ongoing.
• Concerns of Scientists: Scientists are worried about the potential impact of the virus in Antarctica.

oThe region is critical breeding territory for millions of birds and marine mammals, and the virus could have immense consequences if it spreads.

Evidence of Spread and Potential Impact

• The virus was detected in brown skuas in South Georgia, the first cases in the region.
• Infections have been confirmed in various bird species and marine mammals, leading to significant losses.
• Scientists fear similar consequences for Antarctica's seals as the virus spreads.

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10. FISCAL DEFICIT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Centre’s fiscal deficit came in at 55% of the budget estimate (BE) in the first nine months of the current financial year, compared with 59.8% of the respective target in the year-ago period, the data released by the Controller General of Accounts.

Fiscal Deficit

• About: It is the gap between the government's overall income (including taxes and non-debt capital receipts) and its total expenditure excluding any borrowed funds.
• Fiscal Deficit = Total expenditure of the government (capital and revenue expenditure) – Total income of the government (Revenue receipts + recovery of loans + other receipts).
• Causes of fiscal deficit arise: When government spending surpasses its income.

oIt represents the extent to which the government has spent more than its earnings, usually presented as a percentage of the GDP.

• Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act: It was established in 2003, aiming to establish targets for reducing fiscal deficits. It made it mandatory for the government to place the following along with the Union Budget documents in Parliament annually:

1.Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement

2.Macroeconomic Framework Statement

3.Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement.

oAim: To eliminate revenue deficit of the country (building revenue surplus thereafter) and bring down the fiscal deficit to a manageable 3% of the GDP by March 2008.

• N K Singh Committee's recommendations were as follows:

oTargets: The committee suggested using debt as the primary target for fiscal policy and that the target must be achieved by 2023.

oFiscal Council: The committee proposed to create an autonomous Fiscal Council with a chairperson and two members appointed by the Centre (not employees of the government at the time of appointment)

oDeviations: The committee suggested that the grounds for the government to deviate from the FRBM Act targets should be clearly specified.

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