1. RAMP PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Economy)

Context: Recently, the union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) launched three sub-schemes under the aegis of the RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Productivity) programme.

Sub Schemes under RAMP

• MSME Green Investment and Financing for Transformation Scheme (MSE GIFT Scheme): It will help enterprises adopt green technology with interest subvention and credit guarantee support
• MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (MSE SPICE Scheme): It  is the first-ever scheme in the government to support circular economy projects which will be done through credit subsidy and support MSME sector towards zero emissions by 2070.
• MSE Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments: It is a first-of-its-kind scheme to synergise legal support with modern IT tools and artificial intelligence in order to address the issue of delayed payments for micro and small enterprises.

RAMP Programme

• About: The RAMP scheme is a comprehensive and ambitious initiative that has the potential to make a major impact on the Indian MSME sector.
• Launched: 2022
• Aim: To strengthen institutions and governance structures at both central and state levels.
• Center-State Linkages and Partnerships
• Objective

oImproving access to market and credit for MSMEs

oStrengthening institutions and governance at the central and state levels

oImproving center-state linkages and partnerships

oAddressing issues of delayed payments

oGreening of MSMEs

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2. NAMDAPHA FLYING SQUIRREL Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A nocturnal flying squirrel has resurfaced in Arunachal Pradesh after going missing for 42 years.

Namdapha Flying Squirrel

• About: It is an arboreal, nocturnal flying squirrel endemic to Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India,
• Last Seen: In 1981 based on a single individual found in Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district.
• Appearance: It has reddish, grizzled fur with white above. Its crown is pale grey, its patagium is orangish and its underparts are white. Flying squirrels are not capable of flight like birds or bats; instead, they glide between trees.
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
• Threatened by: Poaching of animals for food from within the park, and possibly by habitat destruction.

Namdapha Tiger Reserve

• Location: Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh
• Declared as: the 15th Tiger Project (1983) of the country with a core area of 1985.245 Sq.Km and a buffer area of 245 Sq.Km.
• It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Assam Forest Regulation 1891 on 2nd Oct.’1972. 
• It was later declared a National Park on 12th May 1983, under Wildlife (Protection) Act1972. 

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3. SIMILIPAL TIGER RESERVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Similipal Tiger Reserve

• About: Similipal is a tiger reserve in the Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Odisha covering 2,750 km2 (1,060 sq mi).
• Located: In the Mayurbhanj District of Odisha’s northernmost region.
• Declared as: Tiger Reserve in the year 1956 under Project Tiger in May 1973.
• UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: Declared in 1994 by the government of India
• Fauna: Sambar, Chital, Barking deer, Leopard cat, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Flying squirrel, Mongoose, and Pangolin
• Flora: Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion, tropical moist broadleaf forest and tropical moist deciduous forests with dry deciduous hill forest and high-level Sal forests
• River: Budhabalanga, Salandi, and many tributaries of the Baitarani river
• Other Tiger Reserve: Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Bhubaneswar

Black Tiger

• About: A black tiger is a rare colour variant of the tiger, and is not a distinct species or geographic subspecies.
• Reason of black colour: So-called black tigers are due to pseudo-melanism. Pseudo-melanistic tigers have thick stripes so close together that the tawny background is barely visible between stripes.
• Presence: Melanistic tigers have been recorded only in the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha. As per the 2022 cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation, 16 individuals were recorded at Similipal Tiger Reserve, out of which 10 were melanistic.

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4. POLAR STRATOSPHERIC CLOUDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Recently, weather watchers have captured images of rare Polar stratospheric clouds over Scotland, northern England and the West Midland.

Polar Stratospheric clouds (PSC)

• Known as: Nacreous clouds or mother of pearl
• Formation: The stratosphere is very dry; unlike the troposphere, it rarely allows clouds to form.
• Characteristics: Due to their high altitude and the curvature of the surface of the Earth, these clouds will receive sunlight from below the horizon and reflect it to the ground, shining brightly well before dawn or after dusk.

oPSCs form at very low temperatures, below −78 °C (−108 °F). These temperatures can occur in the lower stratosphere in polar winter.

• It causes ozone depletion: PSCs play important roles in stratospheric ozone depletion at high latitudes during winter and spring (e.g., the Antarctic ozone hole). PSC particles serve as sites for heterogeneous reactions that convert stable chlorine reservoir species to radicals that catalytically destroy ozone.

Types of PSC

• Type I Clouds contain water, nitric acid and/or sulphuric acid and they are a source of polar ozone depletion. They form when temperatures drop to -78°C or lower.

oType Ia Clouds consist of large, aspherical particles, consisting of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT).

oType Ib Clouds contain small, spherical particles (non-depolarising), of a liquid supercooled ternary solution (STS) of sulphuric acid, nitric acid and water.

oType Ic Clouds consist of metastable water-rich nitric acid in a solid phase.

• Type II Clouds, which are very rarely observed in the Arctic, consist of water ice only. They need temperatures of -83°C or lower to form.

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5. DRAFT NORMS FOR SROs (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced draft omnibus norms for setting up self-regulatory organisations (SROs) by its regulated entities and in those it has proposed to audit the books of such institutions.

Self Regulatory Organisation

• About: An SRO is a non-governmental organisation that sets and enforces rules and standards relating to the conduct of entities in the industry (members).
• Aim: To protect the customer and promoting ethics, equality, and professionalism.

Draft Norms for SROs

• About: The draft norms emphasize the importance of robust governance mechanisms for Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs), with a specific focus on:
• Independent Board: Advocating the establishment of an independent board for effective governance.
• Transparency: Highlighting the need for transparency within the organizational framework.
• Adherence to Processes: Emphasizing the significance of following well-defined processes.
• Objectives of SROs

oPromotion of Progressive Practices: Encouraging the adoption of progressive practices and conventions.

oGuidance and Support: Providing special attention to offering guidance and support, especially to smaller entities in the sector.

• Sharing Best Practices: Promoting the sharing of best practices aligned with statutory and regulatory policies.
• Dispute Resolution Procedures: The draft suggests that SROs should establish standardized procedures for handling disputes among members.

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6. PRB BILL 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Lok Sabha approved the 'Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023,' as passed by the Parliament.

Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023

• It repeals: The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. 

Key provisions of the Bill

• Registration of Periodicals:  The Act provides for the registration of newspapers, periodicals, and books. 

oThe Bill provides for the registration of periodicals, which include any publication containing public news or comments on public news.  Periodicals do not include books or scientific and academic journals.

• Foreign Periodicals:  An exact reproduction of a foreign periodical may be printed in India only with the prior approval of the central government.  
• Press Registrar General:  The Act provides for the central government to appoint a Press Registrar who maintains a register of newspapers.  
• Registration of a Printing Press: The Act requires a printing press to be declared before the DM. The Bill allows for information regarding printing presses to be submitted to the Press Registrar General through an online portal.
• Suspension and Cancellation of Registration:  The Bill allows the Press Registrar General to suspend a periodical’s registration for a minimum period of 30 days which can extend to 180 days.  
• The registration may be suspended due to: (i) registration obtained by furnishing false information, (ii) failure to publish periodicals continuously, and (iii) giving false particulars in annual statements.  
• The Press Registrar General may cancel the registration for a minimum period of 30 days which can extend to 180 days.
• Penalties and appeal: The Bill empowers the Press Registrar General to impose penalties for: (i) publishing periodicals without registration (up to five lakh rupees), (ii) failing to furnish annual statement within the specified time (up to Rs 20,000 on first default). 

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7. ANGANWADI-CUM-CRECHES (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: Women and Child Development Minister inaugurated National Programme on Anganwadi-cum-Crèches in New Delhi.

Anganwadi-cum-Crèches

• About: This initiative under the Palna Scheme underwent revisions and was included as part of the Samarthya sub-component of Mission Shakti, starting from April 2022. 
• Nodal Ministry: Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs
• Aim: To facilitate their entry into the workforce, there is a need for quality childcare services.
• Objective: to provide quality Crèche facilities in a safe and secure environment for children aged between 6 months to 6 years, nutritional support, health and cognitive development of children, growth monitoring, immunization, education etc.

Palna Scheme

• About: It is a sub-scheme under Mission Shakti, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Implemented for: All States and UTs from 1st April 2022 to provide daycare facilities and protection to children.
• Funding Pattern: A funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre Government and States
• Objective:

oQuality crèche care facility by providing a safe and secure environment for children  

oTo support nutritional, health and cognitive development of children

o Enable mothers to take up gainful employment

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8. MAITRI-II STATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The government of India intends to operationalize a new research station in East Antarctica, near existing Indian research base Maitri.

Maitri – II Station in Antarctica

• About: The Maitri Research Centre stands as the second permanent research site of the Indian Antarctic Program, located in Antarctica.
• Establishment: In December 1984.
• Early Operations: The Indian Expedition marked the initiation of work at the Maitri Research Center, becoming the first crew to engage in research at this site. 

oThe initial shelters were constructed by the IV. Antarctic Expedition, completing the task in 1989. Unfortunately, the preceding station, Dakshin Gangotri, faced burial in ice and subsequent abandonment in 1990/91.

• Geographical Setting: Situated in the rugged and hilly terrain of the Schirmacher Oasis, Maitri is strategically positioned, providing a conducive environment for scientific endeavors. Notably, it is located a mere 5 kilometers away from Russia's Novolasarevskaya station.

India’s Research Stations

• In Arctic: Himadri - located at Spitsbergen Island, Norway, IndARC - India's first underwater observatory at Svalbard, Norway.
• In Antarctic: Two operational research stations - Maitri (Commissioned in 1989) and Bharati (Commissioned in 2012)

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9. RAFALE MARINE JETS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, India has received price bids from France for the purchase of 26 Rafale-M carrier-based fighters, along with three additional Scorpene-class conventional submarines.

Rafale Marine Jets

• Naval Variant: The Rafale Marine fighters represent the naval iteration of the Rafale jets, and India currently operates 36 of them within the Indian Air Force.
• Advanced Multirole Fighters: Dassault Aviation (France) manufactures the Rafales, which are advanced twin-engine, multirole fighter jets. They come equipped with cutting-edge sensors, radar, and the latest weapon systems.
• India-Specific Enhancements: These jets have undergone enhancements tailored specifically for India, endowing them with the capability to execute a diverse range of missions.
• Anti-ship Strike Mechanism: The Rafale M is set to feature the AM39 Exocet missile, enhancing its capability for anti-ship strikes.
• Payload Capacity: With a capacity to carry up to 9.5 tonnes of weaponry, fuel tanks, and pods on 13 external hardpoints (14 for the air force variant), the Rafale M demonstrates proficiency in low-level, high-speed penetrations for evading enemy radar.
• Expanded Weapon Capabilities: Rafale Marine jets boast an extended arsenal, capable of carrying a broader range of weapons, including anti-ship and air-to-surface missiles. 

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10. UNESCO ASIA PACIFIC AWARDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: UNESCO has awarded the resilient urban revitalisation of Rambagh Gate and Ramparts in Punjab, as well as the heritage conservation projects related to Haryana's Church of Epiphany and Delhi's Bikaner House.

oThe Rambagh Gate and Ramparts project received the highest honor, the 'Award of Excellence,' for its inclusivity and access to the broader community. 

oThree projects, including the Church of Epiphany and Bikaner House, received an 'Award of Merit.'

UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

• About: Since 2000, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation honors private individuals and organizations for preserving heritage structures.
• Promoting Conservation Efforts: The Awards program acknowledges and promotes private initiatives in restoring and transforming historic buildings, inspiring conservation projects in communities.
• Innovation in Recognition: In 2020, UNESCO introduced the category 'Special Recognition for Sustainable Development' to highlight the role of cultural heritage in contributing to sustainable development aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda.
• Preservation Success Stories: The awarded projects demonstrate the successful preservation of cultural heritage while integrating it into local development strategies.
• Selection Criteria: Award winners are chosen based on criteria like capturing the spirit of the place, technical excellence, appropriate use or adaptation, community engagement, and contributions to environmental sustainability.

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