1. UNCTAD AND SDGs (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: A recently released analysis by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that the cost of Sustainable Development Goals indicators linked to the shift towards sustainable food systems will be approximately $6.1 trillion annually until 2030.

SDGs Goal

• About: It is the universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
• Adopted by: United Nations in 2015 
• Vision: To achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. 
• The 17 SDGs came into force with effect from 1st January 2016 as a part of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

o India is one of the signatory countries that has committed to achieving these goals by 2030.

UNCTAD

• Establishment: In 1964
• Aim: To promote trade, investment, and development in developing countries.
• Permanent Organ: United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• It organizes: World Investment Forum
• Member Countries: 195 members.
• Conference Meeting: Every four years to set policy guidelines and to formulate a program of work.
• Publishes Reports: Trade and Development Report, World Investment Report, The Least Developed Countries Report, Information and Economy Report, Technology and Innovation Report & Commodities and Development Report

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2. CLIMATE AMBITION SUMMIT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The United Nations Climate Ambition Summit (CAS), hosted by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, took place recently in New York. China, the U.S., and India were absent at the U.N.’s Climate Ambition Summit.

Climate Ambition Summit

• About: The summit took place to display leaders who are movers and doers and have credible actions, policies, and plans to keep the 1.5°C degree goal of the Paris Agreement alive.
• Headquarters: New York
• Venue: UN Headquarters, New York.
• 3 tracks: Ambition, Credibility and Implementation.
• Credibility: Leaders of businesses, cities, regions, and financial institutions are expected to present transition plans aligned with the UN-backed Integrity Matters report.
• Implementation:  All entities come together by addressing challenges and opportunities related to accelerating the decarburization of high-emitting sectors or delivering climate justice.

Key Points

• Brazil will now need to propose more ambitious measures to curb its emissions and look towards a just transition away from fossil fuels.
• Nepal announced a revised target of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2045 instead of 2050.
• Thailand expressed its determination to be Net Zero by 2050 and Portugal announced a goal to be carbon neutral by 2045, instead of 2050.
• Canada, which was one of the largest expanders of fossil fuels last year, announced the development of an emissions cap framework for the oil and gas sector.
• At COP27, India’s suggestion to call for the phasedown of “all fossil fuels” and not just coal was omitted in the final document.

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3. ASIAN GAMES [Syllabus: Miscellaneous (Sports)]

Context: Recently, in response to Indian sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh being denied entry into the 19th Asian Games in China, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Sports canceled his planned visit to China for the Games.

Asian Games

• About: These are called the Asiad and are a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. 
• Regulated by: Asian Games Federation (AGF) from 
• First Games were held: In New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Asiad is the second largest sports gathering after the Olympics.
• Organized by:  Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Since 1982.
• Host nations: Nine nations have hosted the Asian Games. 
• Participated: 46 nations have participated in the Games, including Israel, which was excluded from the Games after its last participation in 1974.
• Symbol: The Asian Games Movement uses symbols to represent the ideals embodied in the Asian Games charter. The Asian Games flag has four editions.
• Participation in all games: Only 7 countries, namely India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Thailand.
• 18th Asian Games hosted: Indonesia.
• 19th Asian Games host: China.
• 20th Asian Games will be hosted by: Japan.

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4. WFME AND NMC (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Education)

Context: The National Medical Commission (NMC) of India has been recently awarded World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition status for a tenure of 10 Years.

World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)

• About: It is a global organization concerned with the education and training of medical doctors.
• Establishment: 1972.
• Headquarters: Ferney-Voltaire, France.
• Objective: To enhance the quality of medical education worldwide, with the promotion of the highest scientific and ethical standards in medical education.
• Role: Ensuring that medical institutes meet and uphold the highest international standards of education and training.

National Medical Commission (NMC)

• About: The NMC replaced the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI), which was established in 1934.
• Establishment: National Medical Commission Act, 2019 which came into force in 2020.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Organisational structure: 33 members, including Chairman (medical professionals only), 10 ex-officio members and 22 part-time members.
• Functions: NMC regulates medical education and medical professionals.

oThe Commission grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical schools, grants registration to medical practitioners, monitors medical practice and assesses the medical infrastructure in India.

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5. QUAD (Syllabus: GS Paper 2– IR)

Context: Recently, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Foreign Ministers of the Quad reiterated their commitment to a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

QUAD

• About: It also known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or simply the Quad, is a strategic forum.
• Countries: United States, Japan, India, and Australia.
• Aim: To promote regional security and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Origin of QUAD Concept: It was initially proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.
• First Summit: March 2021.

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

• Establishment: In 1945 under the United Nations (UN) Charter

oThe UNGA is the only UN organ wherein all member states have equal representation.

• Aim: To create an organization that would facilitate international cooperation and prevent the occurrence of another devastating global conflict. 
• First Session: October 24, 1945 (United Nations Day)
• Member States: 193 member states

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6. GCES PORTAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Recently, the secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) launched the mobile application and the web portal for GCES (General Crop Estimation Survey).

General Crop Estimation Survey Portal

• Launched: September, 2023
• Developed by: Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• Aim: To enhance the reach, scope, and outcome of government actions in the course of development.

oThe automation of the GCES process will ensure on-time reporting of crop statistics and the accuracy of the data.

• Features: Both the portal and the app offer an extensive database of yield estimations.

oThe mobile application boasts a crucial feature known as geo-referencing.

oThe mobile application enables users to upload images of both experimental plots and the crops under observation.

General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES)

• Conducted by: ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI).
• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• The estimates of crop production are obtained by multiplying the area under the crop and the yield rate.
• The yield rate estimates are based on scientifically designed crop-cutting experiments conducted under the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).
• Crops Covered: Around 68 crops (52 food and 16 non-food) in 22 States and 4 Union Territories.

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7. DEBT INSTRUMENTS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – ECONOMY)

Context: JP Morgan announced that India will be incorporated into the GBI-EM Global index suite and all relevant derivative benchmarks, including custom indices.

Emerging Markets Bond Index (EMBI)

• About: EMBI tracks the performance of emerging market bonds.
• Published by: Investment bank JP Morgan.
• Emerging Market Bonds: This is  debt instruments issued by developing countries, offering higher yields compared to government or corporate bonds from developed nations.
• EMB Indexes: Serve as benchmarks for evaluating bond performance within emerging markets.

Debt Instruments

• About: A debt instrument is any financial tool used to raise capital. It is a documented, binding obligation between two parties in which one party lends funds to another, with the repayment method specified in a contract.
• Types/examples: Bond, certificate of deposits (CoD), Commercial Papers.

Bonds

• About: Bonds are income instruments issued by governments and corporations when they want to raise money.
• Examples: Corporate Bonds, Municipal Bonds, Government Bonds and Agency Bonds. 

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8. INDIAN SKIMMER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The endangered Indian Skimmer was recently spotted along the Ghaghra River at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Indian Skimmer

• About: It is an odd bird which belongs to the family of skimmers, Rynchopidae.
• Scientific Name: Rynchops albicollis
• Other names: Indian scissors-bill
• Habitat: It occurs primarily on larger, sandy, lowland rivers, around lakes and adjacent marshes, and, in the non-breeding season, in estuaries and coasts.
• Distribution: North Indian rivers, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

oNow, much of the population is confined to north Indian River systems and Pakistan. 

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• Features: It measures 40 to 43 cm in length and has a wingspan of 110 cm.

oThe forehead and the collar are white, and the crown is black.

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

• Location: Lakhimpur-Kheri in Uttar Pradesh.
• Rivers: The Sharda River, Geruwa River, Suheli, and Mohana, all of which are tributaries of the mighty Ghagra River.
• Vegetation: North Indian Moist Deciduous type, containing some of the finest examples of Sal forests (Shorea robusta) in India.
• Flora: Sal forest, Terminalia alata (Asna), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Asidha), etc.
• Fauna: Tiger, Fishing cat, Monkey, Mongoose, small Indian civet, Jackal, Dabchick, spot-billed pelican, Little cormorant, Grey Heron, White stork, Black storck, White Ibis, Python, Sandboa, Russel’s viper, Rat snake etc.

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9. ASIA PACIFIC FORUM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, the President of India inaugurated the Annual General Meeting and Biennial Conference of the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights in New Delhi.

Asia Pacific Forum

• About: It has created a strong and united platform that brings together National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from all corners of the Asia Pacific.
• Founded: In 1996
• Members: 17 full members, and 8 associate members

oIndia has been a full-time member since 1996.

• National Human Rights Institutions that partially comply with the Paris Principles are granted associate membership.
• Decisions about the admission of new members to the APF are made by the Forum Council.
• Objective: To promote the establishment of independent NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region and to support our members to do their work as effectively as possible.

Paris Principles of Human Rights

• About: It was defined at the first International Workshop on National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held in Paris in 1991.
• Adopted by: By the United Nations Human Rights Commission by Resolution 1992/54 of 1992, and by the UN General Assembly.
• Aim: To regulate to the status and functioning of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights known as National Human Rights Institutions.

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10. HATE SPEECH (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The five-day special session of Parliament was historical, however, at the same time, one of the MPs was criticised for blasphemy and hate speech towards another MP.

Hate Speech

• About: Hate speech means talking, acting, writing, or showing things that could make people hurt each other or treat some groups badly.
• According to the Law Commission of India: It is usually when someone tries to make others hate a group of people based on things like their race, culture, gender, or religion.
• As recommended by the Law Commission of India and TK Vishwanath Committee: There is a need for the insertion of a new Section in IPC in the form of Section 153C to effectively deal with hate speech.
• According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): In 2014, there were only 323 cases, but by 2020, it went up a lot to 1,804 cases.

Blasphemy

• It's like being really mean and disrespectful about a god, something special, or something that should be treated with care.
• In a society where people are free and can vote, discussions and disagreements shouldn't be restricted. 
• To balance between protecting beliefs and stopping hurtful speech, the best option is to have rules about blasphemy but not make it a crime.

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