1. PM RASHTRIYA BAL PURASKAR (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Gov policies and Awards)

Context: Recently, President of India conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2024, upon nineteen exceptional children in New Delhi.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

• About: It is a prestigious award presented by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievements of children and individuals or institutions contributing to child welfare. 
• Categories: Bal Shakti Puraskar and Bal Kalyan Puraskar.

Bal Shakti Puraskar

• About: This category acknowledges exceptional accomplishments of children aged 5-18 in diverse fields such as innovation, scholastic achievements, social service, arts & culture, sports, and bravery.
• Eligibility: To be eligible, a child must be an Indian citizen residing in India and fall within the age range of 5-18 years.
• Award: Recipients of the Bal Shakti Puraskar receive a medal, a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, book vouchers worth Rs. 10,000, along with a certificate and citation. The award was instituted in 1996 as the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement, later renamed Bal Shakti Puraskar in 2018.

Bal Kalyan Puraskar

• About: This category recognizes individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions in the areas of child development, child protection, and child welfare.
• Eligibility: For individuals, residing in India, and having worked for the cause of children for a minimum of 7 years, with an age requirement of 18 years or above. Institutions should have been actively involved in child welfare for 10 years and should not be entirely funded by the government.
• Award: Bal Kalyan Puraskar grants three awards in each category - Individual and Institution - accompanied by cash prizes (Rs. 1,00,000 and Rs. 5,00,000, respectively). The recognized institutions must have consistently performed in the field of child welfare.

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2. KUMKI ELEPHANTS (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Odisha government has sought assistance of Tamil Nadu for making kumki elephants and mahouts available in the wake of worsening human­elephant conflict in the eastern State.

Kumki Elephants

• About: It is an elephant specially trained to assist in training other elephants and perform specific tasks requiring exceptional control from its Mahout.
• Geographical Presence: Famous Kumkies are predominantly found in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India. 
• Elephant-Human-Conflict: Kumkies are utilized in HEC situations to deter wild elephants, preventing further problems for the local human population.
• Role in Elephant Training in South India: Kumkies are involved in the initial training phase of freshly caught wild elephants in South India. They are often tethered to the new elephants, guiding them during their first walking training outside the Kraal.
• During Training: Kumkis may administer mild punishments if the semi-wild elephant attempts to attack a Mahout. They also intervene by pushing the new elephant and providing clear signals to discourage resistance.
• Mahouts of Kumkis: The Mahouts of Kumkis are equally renowned for their ability to maintain control over the elephants. They play a significant role in bringing other elephants to the level of Kumkies through effective training and management.

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3. PRADHAN MANTRI SURYODAYA YOJANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Ecology)

Context: The Prime Minister of India has announced 'Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana.

Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana

• About: The solar power installation scheme focuses on implementing solar power systems on residential rooftops.
• Aim: To reduce electricity costs for both the "poor and middle class" while contributing to India's energy self-reliance.
• Focus: Scheme would help not only reduce electricity bills of the “poor and middle class”, but also push India’s goal of becoming self-reliant in the energy sector.

India's Solar Capacity

• Total Solar Capacity: As of December 2023, India's total solar capacity stands at 73.31 GW.
• Rooftop Solar Capacity: Reported at 11.08 GW, with Gujarat leading at 2.8 GW and Maharashtra following with 1.7 GW.
• State-wise Distribution: Rajasthan leads in total solar capacity with 18.7 GW, while Gujarat tops the rooftop solar capacity chart with 2.8 GW.
• Solar's Contribution to Renewable Energy: Solar power constitutes a significant share, contributing to the country's total renewable energy capacity of around 180 GW.

Rooftop Solar Programme

• About: Commencing in 2014, the Rooftop Solar Programme focuses on augmenting rooftop solar capacity in the residential sector.
• Objectives: The scheme offers Central Financial Assistance and incentives to DISCOMs, aiming to achieve 40 GW of rooftop solar capacity by March 2026.
• Progress: Since its launch, the programme has elevated rooftop solar capacity from 1.8 GW (March 2019) to 10.4 GW (November 2023), showcasing notable success in its second phase.

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4. IOM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The UN’s migration agency is launching its first “global appeal,” seeking $7.9 billion to help people on the move and ensure smoother pathways to migration.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

• About: It is part of the United Nations System as the leading inter-governmental organization.
• Established in: 1951
• Members: 175 member states and a presence in 171 countries.
• Objective: To help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration to promote international cooperation on migration issues.
• IOM works in the four broad areas of migration management:

oMigration and development

oFacilitating migration

oRegulating migration

oForced migration.

• Organizational Structure: Administrative centers, Regional offices, Country offices.

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5. LEFT WING EXTREMISM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security)

Context: Recently, the Union Home Minister of India chaired a review meeting of the Left Wing Extremists situation in Chhattisgarh at Raipur.

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

• About: Left-wing extremists, known globally as Maoists and in India as Naxalites/Naxalism, have posed a significant threat to India since the 1960s.
• Geographical Spread: 46 Districts affected in 2011
• Origin of Naxalism: The origins of the LWE date back to 1967, specifically in Naxalbari, Phansidewa, and Khoribari within West Bengal's Darjeeling District.
• Leadership: The initial uprising was spearheaded by prominent figures such as Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, all of whom were affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
• Peasant Revolt: The formative stage of the LWE movement manifested as a peasant revolt, reflecting the socio-economic concerns that fueled its inception.
• Historical Roots: The roots of LWE in India can be traced back to the Telangana peasant rebellion, which occurred from 1946 to 1951. 
• However, the movement gained prominence in 1967 when peasants, landless laborers, and Adivasis (tribal people) raided a landlord's granaries in Naxalbari, West Bengal.

Government Initiatives To Fight LWE

• Operation Green Hunt: It was started in 2009-10 and massive deployment of security forces was done in the Naxal-affected areas
• Aspirational Districts Programme: Launched in 2018, it aims to rapidly transform the districts that have shown relatively lesser progress in key social areas.
• SAMADHAN: Doctrine is the one-stop solution for the LWE problem. It encompasses the entire strategy of government from short-term policy to long-term policy formulated at different levels.

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6. EXERCISE KHANJAR (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR has commenced at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

Exercise KHANJAR

• About: It is an annual event conducted alternatively in both the countries.
• Started from: 2011
• Aim: To exchange experiences and best practices in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in Built-up Area and Mountainous Terrain under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
• Objective: The exercise will provide an opportunity for both the sides of fortify defence ties while addressing common concerns of international terrorism and extremism. 
• The exercise will also accord opportunity to showcase capabilities of cutting edge indigenous defence equipment besides achieving shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations.

Kyrgyzstan

• About: It is a landlocked country in Central Asia.
• Borders share with: Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. 
• Capital: Bishkek.
• International Alliances: It is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance led by Russia. 
• Multilateral Affiliations: Kyrgyzstan holds membership in several international organizations, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, Eurasian Economic Union, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the United Nations.

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7. GREENWASHING (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Consumer af fairs department will issue guidelines to prevent decep- tive or unsubstantiated envi- ronmental claims by brands in advertising, known as 'greenwashing', in the next 3-4 weeks.

GreenWashing

• About: It is the deceptive practice of providing false information or creating a misleading impression about a company's products and their environmental impact.
• Unsubstantiated Claims: Companies engage in greenwashing by making unsupported claims, deceiving consumers into believing their products are environmentally friendly or have a more positive impact than is accurate.
• Tactics of Greenwashing: Employing environmental imagery, misleading labels, and concealing tradeoffs are common tactics in greenwashing, drawing parallels to the concept of "whitewashing."
• Effects on Consumers: Greenwashing erodes consumer trust, leading to skepticism about the authenticity of green claims and potential damage to a brand's reputation.
• Consequences for Companies: Organizations involved in greenwashing face the risk of diminished customer satisfaction, decreased brand loyalty, and potential fines from regulatory authorities.

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8. 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS OF DAVIS MEETING (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting was recently concluded, bringing together global leaders to discuss pressing economic and social issues.

Five Key Takeaways:

1.Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Regulation and Oversight: Consideration of the necessity for regulatory frameworks to manage AI's development.
• Job Losses and Economic Impact: Deliberation on concerns regarding potential job losses and economic repercussions of AI advancement.

2. War and Uncertainty

• Geopolitical Risk: Discussion on the challenges posed by a fragile geopolitical situation, with a focus on the Middle East and Europe.
• Uncertainty in Food Security: Deliberation on uncertainties surrounding food security, emphasizing the absence of plans for peace in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

3. Climate Change

• Business Adaptation: Emphasis on the necessity for businesses to adapt to climate change and the benefits of sustainable practices.
• Global Collaboration: Advocacy for global unity and urgent action against the "existential climate crisis."

4. China's Economy

• Economic Challenges: Discussion on China's efforts to attract Western investment amid a slowing economy and challenges in the semiconductor trade standoff.
• GDP Growth Concerns: Examination of China's GDP growth in 2023 and its struggle to reach pre-pandemic levels.

5. India's Transformative Growth

• Rapid Transformation: Assessment by McKinsey and Company highlighting India's rapid transformation as one of the fastest-growing large economies.
• Focus: Recognition of India's potential in technology, talent, healthcare, and the importance of monitoring its future growth in 2024 and beyond.

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9. ECONOMIC FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: After 16 years of negotiations, India and the European trade bloc are on the verge of finalizing a significant trade deal.

European Free Trade Association  (EFTA)

• About: It is the intergovernmental organization of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

oIceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are in the Schengen area but are not EU member states.

• Set up: In 1960 by its then seven Member States for the promotion of free trade and economic integration between its members.
• History: EFTA was founded by the Stockholm Convention in 1960.
• Advisory Bodies: The EFTA Parliamentary Committee, The EFTA Consultative Committee, The EEA EFTA Forum.
• Goal: Fosters free trade and economic integration among its members both within Europe and on a global scale.

Schengen Area:

• About: It is an area comprising 27 European countries that have officially abolished passports and many other types of border control at their mutual borders.

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10. STUDY ON MULTIVITAMINS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: A new study reported that adults 60 and older who took a daily multivitamin for two years scored higher on memory and cognitive tests than those who took a placebo — a rare example of a clinical trial finding that a nutritional supplement might actually benefit healthy people.

Key Points on Study

• The study suggests that multivitamins can play a role in safeguarding cognitive health among older adults.
• Safety: The research indicates that multivitamins are considered a safe option for cognitive health.
• Affordability: Multivitamins are highlighted as an affordable approach in promoting cognitive well-being.
• Accessible Approach: Multivitamins are portrayed as readily available, emphasizing their accessibility for a broad demographic.
• Limited Benefits: Despite the positive outlook, experts note that the cognitive benefits observed were relatively small.
• Supplement Effectiveness: The trial aims to explore whether supplements, including multivitamins, can protect against age-related diseases.

Multivitamins

• About: It combine various vitamins, minerals, and additional components under different names like multis, multiples, or simply vitamins.
• Roles of Vitamins and Minerals: Each vitamin and mineral within MVMs plays a unique and essential role in maintaining the body's health and well-being.
• Limitations of MVMs in Diet: MVMs are not a substitute for a diverse and healthy diet. They lack the complete nutritional profile found in whole foods.
• Nutritional Benefits of Whole Foods: Whole foods offer more than just vitamins and minerals; they also provide fiber and other essential compounds beneficial for overall health.

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