1. PALESTINE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Ireland, Norway, and Spain have announced they will formally recognise a Palestinian state from 28 May.

Palestine

• About: It is an area of the eastern Mediterranean region.
• The region comprises parts of modern Israel and the Palestinian territories of the Gaza Strip (along the Mediterranean coast) and the West Bank (west of the Jordan River).
• Capital: Jerusalem
• Membership: UNESCO granted the Palestinians full membership in the UN cultural agency, leading the US to defund the body.
• Status Change: In 2012, the General Assembly voted in favour of changing Palestine’s status to “non-member observer state”.
• ICC Recognition: In 2015, the International Criminal Court recognised Palestine as a party.

India-Palestine

• In 1974, India became the first Non-Arab State to recognize Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
• In 1988, India became one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine.
• In 1996, India opened its Representative Office to Palestine in Gaza City, which was later shifted to Ramallah in 2003.

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2. INTERIM BAIL (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Supreme Court recently refused to grant interim bail to former Jharkhand Chief Minister, preventing him from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections.

Interim Bail

• About: “Interim” bail entailing temporary release can be granted under compelling circumstances and grounds, even when regular bail would not be justified. Intolerable grief and suffering in the given facts, may justify temporary release, even when regular bail is not warranted.
• Respite: It provides a brief respite to the accused, temporarily releasing them from custody.
• Time period: The Interim bail can be extended for more time if the period expires and court thinks fit to extend the time due to special circumstances.
• Conditional: It is conditional and can be extended based on the circumstances.
• Right to freedom is revoke: If the interim bail expires and the accused fails to meet the requirements for its continuation or pay the necessary amount, their right to freedom is revoked, and they may be retaken into custody.
• Final decision: Granting of interim bail is the discretion of the Court but decisions should be sound and guided by law.
• Interim measure: Interim bail serves as an interim measure until a final decision is made on the bail application, preventing unnecessary detention of the accused during this period.

Case laws on interim bail: 

• Sukhwant Singh & Ors v. State of Punjab (2009): In this case Hon’ble Supreme Court held that the interim bail is a measure especially to safeguard the reputation of an accused. Also, the court has the inherent power to grant bail to a person whose bail application is still pending for disposal.
• Nikesh Tarachand Shah v. Union of India (UOI) and Ors: In this case, it was held that grant of bail is a general rule and refusal is an exception exercised carefully as he can defend himself better when he is free. Granting of interim bail is also a general rule and it is given till a final adjudication on the regular bail or anticipatory bail application is disposed off.
• Kamlendra Pratap Singh v. State of U.P. and Ors (2009): It was held that interim bail should be given to the person until the main bail application is adjudicated as when the person is arrested, reputation of person is severely affected by that arrest.

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3. CYCLONE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The Bay of Bengal is bracing for some intense weather as Cyclone 'Remal' is expected to develop around May 24.

Cyclone

• About: It is a large, rotating storm system with low pressure at its center. Cyclones can form in any ocean basin, but they are most common in the tropics. 
• Cause: A variety of hazards, including strong winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall.
• Types of cyclones

oTropical cyclones: These are the most common type of cyclone. They form over warm, tropical oceans and are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.

oExtratropical cyclones: These cyclones form over cooler waters and are not as strong as tropical cyclones. They are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow.

oMidlatitude cyclones: These cyclones form in the midlatitudes and are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow.

• Formation of Cyclones

oWarm ocean temperatures: Cyclones thrive on warm waters with temperatures above 26.5°C (80°F) as they serve as a primary source of energy for their formation and intensification.

oFavorable atmospheric conditions: The presence of a pre-existing weather disturbance, such as a tropical wave or low-pressure system, can provide the initial trigger for cyclone development. Additionally, low vertical wind shear is crucial for cyclone formation and maintenance.

oMoisture and instability: Sufficient moisture in the lower atmosphere and unstable atmospheric conditions contribute to the development of thunderstorms, which are the building blocks of a cyclone.

Recent Cyclones: Cyclonic Storm Michaung, Cyclone Madhili, Cyclone Hidaya, Cyclone Hamoon, Cyclone Tej

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4. RANGELANDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: About half of the world’s rangelands are degraded and need policy interventions, and communities depending on them need focused support, according to a new report of the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD).

Rangelands

• About: These are natural or semi-natural ecosystems grazed by livestock or wild animals.
• Types of Vegetation: Rangelands contain vegetation such as grasses, shrubs, bushes, open forests, and agroforestry systems (land which contains trees and crops or pastures).
• Climate Impact on Vegetation: The exact nature of rangelands’ vegetation is influenced by rainfall, temperature, and other climate phenomena, as noted by the Rangeland Atlas.
• Global Coverage: Rangelands currently cover 80 million sq km of Earth’s terrestrial surface area, making them the largest land cover or land use type in the world.
• Environmental Benefits
• Carbon Sinks: They act as carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon from the atmosphere than they release.

o Rangelands serve as storehouses of freshwater.

o They prevent the desertification of land.

• Global Food Contribution: Rangelands generate 16% of global food production.

o They provide 70% of feed for domesticated herbivores, especially in Africa and South America.

• Indian Rangelands: In India, rangelands occupy about 1.21 million sq km, stretching from the Thar Desert to Himalayan meadows, according to the UNCCD report.
• UNCCD Report: The UNCCD report found that nearly 50% of the world’s rangelands can be considered “degraded” and are facing a “silent demise”.
• Pastoralists: Pastoralism is a livelihood system based on livestock production, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This includes livestock rearing, dairy production, meat production, wool production, and leather production.

o India is home to 20% of the world’s livestock population. Around 77% of these animals are reared in pastoralist systems, meaning they are either herded or left to range on common lands.

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5. STAR CAMPAIGNERS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Election Commission rebuffs defenses from ruling and opposition parties regarding violations of the model code of conduct, urging their presidents to instruct star campaigners to abstain from remarks exacerbating communal or caste divides.

Star Campaigners

• Definition: Star campaigners are usually the top leaders of a political party but can include other celebrities as well.

o The only requirement is that these persons have to be members of the political party that appoints them. 

Legal Provisions

• Membership Requirement: Star campaigners, according to the RP Act, must be members of the political party that appoints them.

o Section 77 of the RP Act defines 'leaders of a political party' as star campaigners.

• Maximum Number: A recognized national or State political party can appoint a maximum of 40 star campaigners.

o A registered unrecognised political party can appoint up to 20 star campaigners.

• Notification Requirement: The names of the star campaigners must be communicated to the Election Commission (EC) and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the States within seven days from the date of notification of such election.
• Multi-phase Election Provision: In the case of a multi-phase election, a political party can submit a separate list of star campaigners for different phases.
• Single List for the Entire State: Despite the provision for separate lists for different phases, it is observed that all major parties provide a single list for a State that is applicable for all phases.

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6. WIND SHEAR & EL NINO (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: During hurricane season, weather forecasters frequently discuss wind shear, emphasizing its critical role in predicting storm behavior and intensity.

Wind Shear

• About: It refers to changes in wind speed, direction, or both over a distance.
• Types and Impacts of Wind Shear

o In Aviation: Pilots encounter wind shear as sudden changes in wind speed or direction, causing turbulence.

o Vertical Wind Shear: Focuses on changes in wind speed and direction with height, crucial in hurricane formation and dynamics.

o Illustrations: Visual representations of wind shear effects, showcasing height and direction variations.

• Significance in Hurricane Formation

o Tropical Storm Formation: Wind shear plays a role in the development of tropical storms from low-pressure systems over warm water.

o Symmetry in Hurricanes: Symmetrical structure aids hurricane intensification, while excessive wind shear can disrupt it.

Influence of Climate Patterns

• El Nino Impact: During El Nino years, increased wind shear over the Atlantic affects hurricane development by disrupting tropical storm formation.
• La Nina Contrast: La Nina, the opposite of El Nino, fosters conditions conducive to more active hurricane seasons due to reduced wind shear.

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7. OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Calcutta High Court invalidated all new OBC categorizations in Bengal post-2010, citing authorities' implementation of "protective discrimination" in deviation from constitutional norms.

Constitutional provisions for OBCs

• Article 15(4): The State has the authority to create specialised measures to advance the development of socially and educationally disadvantaged groups, which also encompass the OBC.
• Art. 16(4): This clause allows the state to reserve vacancies in public service for any backward classes of the state that are not adequately represented in the public services.
• Article 340: It gave the President the power to appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of the backward classes.

National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)

• About: The 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 grants constitutional status to the NCBC.
• This constitutional status empowers the NCBC to review and address complaints and welfare measures pertaining to socially and educationally backward classes.
• Article 342-A: Empowers the President to specify the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for each State or Union Territory.

o The Parliament holds the authority to make modifications to the Central List of OBCs, as specified in Article 342-A of the Constitution of India.

• Rohini Commission: It was set up by the President under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution on October 2, 2017.

o Objective: To study the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes listed in the broad category of OBC with reference to such classes included in the Central list.

Other Backward Classes (OBCs)

• About: It is is a collective term employed to categorize castes that experience educational or social disadvantages.
• This classification is one of the official categorizations of the Indian population, along with General Class, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs).

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8. FURLOUGH (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Supreme Court recently ruled that double-murder convicts are not eligible for an extension of furlough.

Furlough

• Definition: Furlough refers to a temporary release of inmates from prison.
• Purpose: It’s a short-term leave granted to prisoners, allowing them to go outside prison for specific reasons, such as maintaining family ties and facilitating reintegration into society.
• Guidelines: The Model Prison Manual 2016, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, offers detailed guidelines on inmates’ contact with the outside world, including provisions for remission, premature release, parole, and furlough.
• Eligibility Criteria: Release on parole and furlough is granted selectively based on criteria such as the nature of the offense, prisoner behavior, and potential impact on public peace and order.
• Rehabilitation Focus: Furlough aims to strike a balance between inmates' rights and society's safety, serving as a tool for prisoner rehabilitation and eventual societal reintegration.
• Legal Framework: While there are no specific provisions on parole and furlough in the Prisons Act, 1894, and the Prisoners Act, 1900, Section 59 of the Prisons Act empowers states to establish rules for sentence shortening as rewards for good conduct.

Parole

• About: It refers to the system of releasing a prisoner with the suspension of their sentence.
• Conditional Release: The release through parole is conditional, often contingent on the behavior of the prisoner.
• Periodic Reporting: Those on parole are typically required to report to authorities at regular intervals for a specified duration.

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9. BIMSTEC (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – IR)

Context: The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has opened its doors to new members and observers with the enforcement of its inaugural charter on May 20, as declared by the Ministry of External Affairs.

BIMSTEC

• About: It is a regional organization signing the Bangkok Declaration.
• Establishment: 1997 
• Full form: The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
• Aim: To promote regional unity and cooperation. Member States include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. 

o The Permanent Secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• Chairmanship of BIMSTEC: Rotates according to the alphabetical order of the English names of the Member States.
• Initially known as: BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation)
• Principles of BIMSTEC: Sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in internal affairs, non-aggression, peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

The purposes of BIMSTEC: 

• Accelerate economic growth and social progress in the Bay of Bengal region through joint endeavors in equality and partnership.
• Promote collaboration in economic, social, technical, and scientific fields, providing mutual assistance in training and research.
• Cooperate in regional projects to raise living standards, generate employment, and improve transportation and communication infrastructure.
• Maintain peace, combat terrorism and organized crime, address natural disasters and climate change, and eradicate poverty in the region through collaboration with international organizations.

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10. ADVERTISING STANDARDS COUNCIL OF INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Despite the Supreme Court's criticism of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd's misleading ads, Honasa Consumer Pvt. Ltd, the parent company of Mamaearth, emerged as the top advertising violator of FY24, according to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).

Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)

• About: ASCI was founded in 1985 under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
• Self-regulatory Council: ASCI is designated as a voluntary, self-regulatory council, operating as a non-profit entity.
• Governing Bodies: ASCI comprises a Board of Governors, members of the Consumer Complaints Council, and a Secretariat.
• Composition of the Board: The Board includes a governor and 16 members from esteemed firms, encompassing media agencies, advertisers, and advertising industry stakeholders.
• Functions:

o ASCI has embraced a self-regulating code to safeguard consumer interests and ensure ethical advertising practices.

o The Consumer Complaints Council scrutinizes and investigates grievances regarding violations of advertising ethics and the Code of Conduct of the News Broadcasting Associations.

o ASCI actively solicits complaints from consumers regarding misleading, deceptive, or false advertisements, which are independently assessed by the Consumer Complaints Council.

o ASCI monitors advertisements across various sectors, including those promising Covid-related benefits, and has extended its scrutiny to online real money gaming ads.

o It has released comprehensive guidelines, particularly for sectors such as paints, apparel, detergents, skin care, ACs, fans, water purifiers, etc.

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