1. MEMBERSHIP IN BRICS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Pakistan recently applied for membership in the BRICS grouping and sought Russia's support, as confirmed by the country's envoy to Moscow.

BRICS

• About: It  is an acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (included in 2010)
• Founded By: 2009.
• Headquarters: Shanghai.
• Members: Brazil, Russia, India, and China
• Six New Members: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates- will be added to the bloc in January 2024.

Criteria for Eligibility in BRICS

• There is no formal application process as such to join BRICS, however, certain eligibility features are considered for new members:
• Economic Size: India had suggested a minimum of $400bn GDP for new members
• Trade Volume: India had suggested a minimum BRICS trade of $50 billion with the new member
• Emerging Economy Status: The country should demonstrate characteristics of an emerging economy, including growth potential, industrialization, and development trajectory.
• Political Stability: Membership often requires the candidate country to have a stable political environment, good diplomatic relations with existing members, and a commitment to democracy.
• Mutual Consensus: Existing BRICS members usually need to reach a consensus on admitting new members, which is crucial for expansion.

---

2. RESERVATION IN PRIVATE JOBS Syllabus GS Paper 2 - Polity)

Context: The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently quashed a law enacted by the Haryana government in 2021 that guaranteed 75% reservation to locals in private sector jobs in Haryana.

Haryana’s Employment Reservation Law

• About: Haryana Assembly passed the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Bill which made it mandatory for employers in the State to reserve 75% of jobs paying a monthly salary of less than ₹30,000 (originally ₹50,000) for local residents of the State.

oThe Bill received the Governor’s assent in March, 2021, and came into effect in January last year.

• Local Candidate: A ‘local candidate’ has been defined under the law as anyone domiciled in Haryana for the past five years.
• Applicable: all private entities in the State including companies, trusts, societies, partnerships, and limited liability partnerships.

oIt also covers any person employing 10 or more persons for the purpose of manufacturing or providing any service. 

Why was the Law Challenged?

• It violates Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom, including to reside and settle in any part of the Indian territory and practice any profession, business or trade.
• They also contended that the law was an infringement of Article 14 (equality before the law) and Article 15, which prohibits discrimination on various grounds such as religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

Other States enacted such laws

• States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have enacted laws providing reservations for their local residents in the private sector.

---

3. INDIA WATER IMPACT SUMMIT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India recently inaugurated the 8th Edition of the India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

India Water Impact Summit (IWIS)

• Organized by: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga).
• Theme: Development vis-à-vis Land, Water and Rivers
• Aim: To unite scientific experts, stakeholders, and government representatives to address dynamic challenges and opportunities in India's water sector.
• Three pivotal pillars of society: Ethics, ecology and environment, and economics underscoring their integral role in shaping a sustainable future.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) 

• About: It is formed to act as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.
• Established:  Year 2011 as a registered society under Societies Registration Act,1860.
• NMCG - Organizational Structure:

oNational level: Two-tier management structure and consists of: The Governing Council and Executive Committee.

oAt the state level: State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs.

Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga)

• About: The center serves as a hub of excellence dedicated to collecting data, generating knowledge, and disseminating information to foster the sustainable development of the Ganga River Basin.
• Establishment by: Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) in 2016.

---

4. ANTARCTIC OZONE HOLE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, a study in Nature Communications revealed that the ozone hole over the Antarctic has not only grown larger but also thinner throughout most of the spring.

Antarctic Ozone Hole

• About:  It is defined as the total area where ozone amounts are below the historical threshold of 220 Dobson units.

oThe dimensions of the Antarctic ozone hole fluctuate annually, typically initiating in August and concluding by November or December.

• Ozone Hole: An ozone hole is a region of the stratosphere over Antarctica where the ozone layer is exceptionally depleted.

oThe ozone hole is not technically a “hole” where no ozone is present but thinning of the layer of ozone layer.

Ozone Layer

• About: The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, and it serves as a protective gas shield by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• This shield helps protect us from the negative consequences of excessive UV exposure.
• UV radiation has a significant impact on skin cancer rates, emphasizing the crucial role of preserving the ozone layer.

Significance of Ozone Layer

• The ozone layer is essential for life on Earth as it absorbs the most harmful type of UV radiation, UV-B radiation.
• Anything that shields us from UV rays contributes to lowering cancer rates, given that most skin cancers are caused by excessive UV radiation.
• Absorption of UV radiation by ozone in the stratosphere leads to the heating of the surrounding air, causing a stratospheric temperature inversion.

---

5. GHOL FISH (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, Gujrat declared the Ghol fish as the state fish of Gujarat during the two-day Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 in Ahmedabad.

Ghol Fish

• About: It is one of the largest fish found in India. 
• Found: Marine areas (marine fish) of Gujarat and Maharashtra in a golden-brown colour.
• Globally Distribution: Indo-Pacific region, spanning from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean.
• Also known as: The black-spotted croaker in many parts of the world.
• Scientific name: Protonibea dianthus.
• Uses: Ghol fish is used to make beer and wine and its air bladder is used in pharmaceuticals.

Global Fisheries Conference India 2023

• Location: Gujarat Science City.
• Theme: Celebrate the Fisheries and Aquaculture Wealth.
• Participants: Foreign missions, experts, government officials, think tanks, academia, international organizations(such as the World Bank, FAO), industry associations, and other key stakeholders for the conference. 

---

6. AUSTRAHIND-23 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles recently Context: Recently, the Indian Armed Forces contingent, consisting of 81 personnel, departed for Australia to participate in the second edition of the Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23.

Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23

• About: It is A bilateral training exercise between armies of India and Australia.
• Aim: To foster collaborative partnerships and share best practices between the two sides.

oThe joint exercise will promote the exchange of ideas and jointly rehearse tactics, techniques, and procedures for conducting tactical operations.

oThe exercise will also help in promoting understanding between the two militaries and further strengthen the defense cooperation between the two friendly nations.

• Contingent Composition: The Indian Army contingent is represented by 60 personnel from a Battalion of the GORKHA Rifles.
• Australian Army contingent, consisting of 60 personnel, hails from the 13th Brigade
• AUSTRAHIND 2022 Edition: Mahajan, Rajasthan
• AUSTRAHIND 2023 Edition: Perth, Australia

Other Military Exercises with Australia

• Ex AUSINDEX
• EX PITCH BLACK

---

7. SEDITION LAW IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court hinted at bypassing a five-judge bench and directly referring petitions challenging the validity of the sedition law to a seven-judge Constitution bench.

Sedition Law in India

• About: The British government introduced the sedition law, found in Section 124A of the IPC, in 1870 as a means to suppress opposition to colonial rule.
• Addition by Thomas Babington Macaulay: The original version of the IPC, established in 1860, did not include this provision; it was added by Thomas Babington Macaulay in 1870.

Section 124A of the IPC

• Sedition Definition: It delineates sedition as an act where an individual, through spoken or written words, signs, visible representations, or any other means, endeavors to incite hatred or contempt, or provokes disaffection towards the legally established government in India.
• Understanding Disaffection: Disaffection encompasses disloyalty and all forms of enmity. 

oHowever, it's crucial to note that remarks that do not aim to stir up hatred, contempt, or disaffection will not qualify as an offense under this section.

• SC's Clarification: In the case of Balwant Singh v. State of Punjab (1995), the Supreme Court emphasized the importance of considering the true intent behind a speech before classifying it as seditious.
• Punishment under Section 124A: Punishment under the law varies from imprisonment up to three years to a life term and fine.
• It is a cognizable and non-bailable offence punishable

---

8. NCLT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Supreme Court recently cautioned the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against routinely ordering revaluation of a corporate debtor's assets.

• The bench ordered, while setting aside an order of revaluation, passed by the NCLT in September 2021 and affirmed by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in January 2022.

National Company Law Tribunal

• About: It is a quasi-judicial body in India that adjudicates issues relating to Indian companies.
• Established: Under the Companies Act 2013 and was constituted on 1 June 2016 by the government of India and is based on the 
• Recommendation: V. Balakrishna Eradi committee on law relating to the insolvency and the winding up of companies.
• Composition: The NCLT bench is chaired by a Judicial member who is supposed to be a retired or a serving High Court Judge and a Technical member who must be from the Indian Corporate Law Service, ICLS Cadre.
• NCLT is the adjudicating authority for the insolvency resolution process of companies and limited liability partnerships under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Power under the Companies Act

• Initiated before the Company Law Board under the previous act (the Companies Act 1956);
• Pending before the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction, including those pending under the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985;
• Pending before the Appellate Authority for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction; and
• Pertaining to claims of oppression and mismanagement of a company, winding up of companies and all other powers prescribed under the Companies Act.

---

9. G20 VIRTUAL SUMMIT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - IR)

Context: Recently, during the G20 virtual summit in India, the Prime Minister of India shed light on the fact that G20 members agreed on many issues, including the condemnation of terrorism and violence. He stated that India has zero tolerance for terrorism."

G20 Virtual Summit

• Origin: Formed in 1999 in the backdrop of the financial crisis of the late 1990s that hit East Asia and Southeast Asia in particular.
• Aim and objective: To secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries.
• Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the EU.
• Presidency: The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among members, and the country holding the presidency, together with the previous and next presidency-holder, forms the ‘Troika’ to ensure continuity of the G20 agenda.
• No permanent secretariat/Headquarter: The incumbent chair establishes a temporary secretariat for the duration of its term.

---

10. DANUBE STURGEON (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, a study has exposed that sturgeon products available in the international market are sourced from illegal trade, blatantly violating wildlife protection norms.

Key Points

• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1998 listed the species as endangered and put restrictions on fishing of sturgeons from the Danube and Black Sea.
• In 2000, CITES even imposed an international labelling system for all caviar products to curb illegal trade.
• The Danube is the last river body with functional populations of beluga, Russian, stellate and sterlet sturgeons, according to the authors of the study.

Danube Sturgeon

• About: Sturgeons represent a natural heritage of the Danube River Basin and key indicator species for high ecological quality of rivers.
• Habitat: 27 species of sturgeons and paddlefishes distributed across the Northern hemisphere.
• Threats: Blocked migration routes through dams, Loss or degradation of habitats, and Pollution.
• IUCN Red list: There are 6 species of sturgeon in the Danube River. Five of them are now listed as critically endangered.
• CITES: Appendix-II.

Danube River

• About: Danube River, river, the second longest in Europe after the Volga. 
• Origin: It rises in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany and flows for some 1,770 miles (2,850 km) to its mouth on the Black Sea.
• Passes: 10 countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine.

---