1. NASHA MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Scheme)

Context: The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan recently signed an MoU with Gayatri Parivar, in collaboration with the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

• Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
• Launch Year: 2020
• Implementing Body: Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
• Objectives: Creating awareness about substance abuse through activities such as awareness generation programs, targeting schools and universities, identifying dependent populations in communities, etc.

Status of Drug Trafficking in India

• According to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)’s: Drug trafficking through sea routes in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal accounts for around 70% of the total illegal drugs smuggled into India.
• According to World Drug Report 2022: India is one of the world’s largest opiate markets in terms of users and is vulnerable to increased supply from Afghanistan.
• India is located between the two largest Opium producing regions of the world;

o Golden triangle on the eastern side: Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

o Golden crescent on the North-Western side: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

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2. MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: According to NITI Aayog, the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is another method for assessing poverty, but it has been criticized for not providing "useful information" recently.

 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

• About: The index is a key international resource that measures acute multidimensional poverty across more than 100 developing countries.
• Produced by: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)
• Calculation of MPI: Multiplying the incidence of poverty and the average intensity of poverty.
• MPI Ranges: From 0 to 1, and higher values imply higher poverty.

National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

• About: It is prepared based on the latest National Family Heath Survey of 2019-21.

o NFHS is conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

• First Edition Released: 2021
• Nodal Agency: NITI Ayog
• Indicators: 3 equally weighted dimensions - Health, Education, and Standard of living 

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3. ADI SHANKARACHARYA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art & Culture)

Context: The Madhya Pradesh chief minister recently unveiled the 'Ekatmata Ki Pratima' or 'Statue of Oneness' of Adi Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar.

Adi Shankaracharya

• Born: 788 CE in Kaladi, Kerala
• Death: 820 CE
• Philosophy: Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism).
• Opposed:  Buddhist philosophers
• Influence: Revived Hinduism and helped unify various philosophical schools of thought. 
• Literary work: Brahma Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and 12 major Upanishads
• Statue: 12-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)

Mathas founded by Adi Shankaracharya 

• Badrinath for Atharva Veda.
• Puri for Rig Veda
• Dwaraka for Sama Veda
• Sringeri for Yajur Veda

Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism): It is a school of Hindu philosophy and a Hindu sādhanā, a path of spiritual discipline and experience. It refers to the idea that Brahman alone is ultimately real, while the transient phenomenal world is an illusory appearance (maya) of Brahman.

• In this view, jivatman, the experiencing self, is ultimately non-different from Ātman-Brahman, the highest Self or Reality.

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4. RAFFLESIA FLOWER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Most species of the famously large Rafflesia flower are now at risk of extinction, new research warned recently.

Rafflesia Flower

• About: This is a genus of parasitic flowering plants native to Southeast Asia.

o These plants are renowned for producing the largest individual flowers in the world, both in terms of size and weight.

• Also Known as: Corpse flowers due to their foul odor.
• Distribution: Tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand and the Philippines.
• Species: 42 known species of Rafflesia, and the most famous species within this genus is Rafflesia arnoldii.
• Features: They are massive and can reach up to 3 feet (almost 1 meter) in diameter and weigh up to 7 kg.

o Parasitic Lifestyle: They do not have leaves, stems, or roots like traditional plants.

ü They depend on a host vine called Tetrastigma for nutrients and support.

o Limited Blooming Period: They have a short blooming period, often lasting only a few days to a week.

• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

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5. ETHANOL BLENDING PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3– Energy/Env & Eco)

Context: The Centre recently expressed confidence in achieving its goal of 12% ethanol blending with petrol by the end of the current ethanol supply year, which concludes in October.

Ethanol Blending Programme

• About: The Centre had “launched pilot projects wherein 5% ethanol-blended petrol was supplied to retail outlets”.
• Launched: In 2003 on a pilot basis and has been subsequently extended to 21 states and 4 Union Territories.
• Implemented by: Ministry or Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• Aim: Reducing the country’s dependence on crude oil imports, cutting carbon emissions and boosting farmers’ incomes. 
• Targets: 10 percent ethanol blending in petrol by the end of 2022 and 20 percent blending by 2030.

Ethanol

• About: It is also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a clear, colourless, and flammable liquid. It is a type of alcohol.
• Produced by: Molasses, a byproduct of sugar manufacture.
• Uses: Production of solvents, cleaning agents, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and chemicals.

  National Biofuel Policy (2018): It envisaged an indicative target of 20% (E20 target) ethanol blending in petrol by year 2025-26 advanced from 2030, after achieving the target of 10% ethanol blending (E10).

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6. SIMBEX (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Indian Naval Ships Ranvijay and Kavaratti and submarine INS Sindhukesari arrived in Singapore to participate in the 30th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX).

SIMBEX

• About: It is an annual bilateral Naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
• Initiated in:  1994
• Two Phases: SIMBEX-2023 is being conducted in two phases. It commences with a Harbour Phase held in Singapore from September 21 to 24, 2023, followed by a Sea Phase.
• Participating Assets: In addition to naval vessels like Ranvijay, Kavaratti, and Sindhukesari, the exercise also includes the participation of the Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I.
• Harbour Phase: This phase of SIMBEX 23 focuses on a wide range of professional interactions, cross-deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), and sports fixtures. 
• Sea Phase: It involves complex and advanced air defense exercises, gunnery firings, tactical maneuvers, anti-submarine exercises, and various other maritime operations.

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7. WORLD RHINO DAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: According to a recent report, climate change-induced droughts are now posing a threat to the rhino population in Africa, alongside poaching and habitat loss.

Key Points of Report

• According to the report: Habitat loss, poaching and climate change continue to threaten the existence of all five rhino species. 
• Apart from poaching and habitat loss, climate change-induced droughts have been threatening the rhino population in Africa.
• According to the report, the landscape-level threat of invasive species to Greater One-Horned rhinos is significant.
• The national park is connected to Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in the east, and it can create link across all protected areas that house rhinos — Manas National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Orang National Park, the Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries and Kaziranga National Park.

World Rhino Day

• First announced by: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - South Africa in 2010
• Objectives: Strengthening protection, Expanding the distribution range, Research, and monitoring, Adequate and sustained funding.
• Five Species: White and Black rhinos in Africa, and the greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran rhino species in Asia.
• IUCN Red List Status

o White Rhino: Near Threatened.

o Black Rhino: Critically endangered.

o Greater One Horned: Vulnerable.

o Javan: Critically Endangered

o Sumatran Rhino: Critically Endangered

One-Horned Rhinoceros

• About: It is the largest of the rhino species. It is identified by a single black horn and a grey-brown hide with skin folds.

o India is home to the largest number of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in the world.

• Habitat: Indo-Nepal terai and northern West Bengal and Assam.
• Found: found in Kaziranga NP, Pobitora WLS, Orang NP, Manas NP, Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP and Dudhwa TR.

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8. REGIONAL RURAL BANKS (RRBs) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Despite being exempted from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the merger of regional rural banks (RRBs) is unlikely to occur in the current financial year (2023-24), with the recent focus shifting towards reforming the RRBs instead.

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

• About: This is a government owned scheduled commercial bank of India that operates at regional level in different states of India.
• Establishment: 26 September 1975 and the RRB Act 1976
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Finance
• Five RRBs: Set up on 2 October 1975 on the recommendations of the Narsimha Committee.
• Ownership: Central government, state government, and the sponsoring bank with 50%, 15%, and 35% shareholding respectively.
• First RRBs Bank: Prathama Bank, Uttar Pradesh .

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

• About: The commission is a quasi-judicial body which gives opinions to statutory authorities and also deals with other cases.
• Establishment: Competition law under the Competition Act, 2002.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• Composition: One Chairperson and six Members who shall be appointed by the Central Government.

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9. PM-KISAN SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Schemes)

Context: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare recently introduced an AI chatbot, the first of its kind to be integrated with a major flagship scheme of the central government, the PM-KISAN scheme.

• The ministry said in a statement that the AI chatbot launch marks a “significant” step towards enhancing the efficiency and reach of the PM-KISAN scheme, while providing the farmers with “prompt, clear and accurate” responses to their queries.

PM-KISAN Scheme

• About: This Scheme is a Central Sector Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme. 
• Launch: February 2019 (made effective from December 2018) to give income support to farmers.
• Funding: 100% funding of rupee 6000 in 3 installments.
• Implemented by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare.
• Purpose: The scheme is meant to provide income support to all landholding farmer’s families across the country and enable them to meet expenses related to agriculture as well as domestic needs.
• Beneficiaries: Farmer families rest with the State / UT Governments.

AI Chatbot

• About: It will assist farmers in seeking information related to their application status, payment details, ineligibility status and other scheme-related updates
• Developed by: EkStep foundation and Bhashini
• Language Available: English, Hindi, Bengali, Odia and Tamil
• Aim: Empowering farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform

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10. NEW SPECIES OF FISH (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of a vibrant orange colored deep water marine fish from Digha Mohana in West Bengal.

New Species

• About: Commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins, belongs to the family Triglidae. 
• Zoological Name: Pterygotrigla intermedica, 
• Features: it has characters quite similar to species like Pterygotrigla hemisticta.

o Long opercular spine and a very short cleithral spine; lateral-line,gill rakers on upper limb and 12–13 on lower limb of first gill arch and 

o A large black blotch between the 4th and 6th spines of the first dorsal fin

• Found in: Coastal waters of Digha Mohana, West Bengal. 

o This region is known for its rich marine life and is a valuable site for marine research and conservation efforts.

• Fourth Species: It is the fourth species of Pterygotrigla genus in India so far, and there are a total 178 species of the Triglidae family worldwide.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

• About: It is India’s apex organization on animal taxonomy.
• Establishment: 1916 
• Headquarters: Kolkata
• Objective: To promote survey, exploration, research and documentation on various aspects of animal taxonomy in the Indian subcontinent.

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