1. DEEN DAYAL SPARSH YOJANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Education)

Context: India Post’s Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana scholarship aims to foster a passion for philately among students, encouraging them to develop this hobby. 

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana

• Launched by: Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications.
• Objective: To “Promote Philately among children at a young age in a sustainable manner that can reinforce and supplement the academic curriculum in addition to providing a hobby that can help them relax and de-stress”.
• Class Category: Standard 6th to 9th.
• It is proposed to award annual scholarships to students who have good academic records and are also pursuing 'Philately' as a hobby.
• Eligibility: 

o The applicant should be studying in a recognized school in India.

o The school should have a Philately Club and the candidate should be a member of that Club. 

o In case the School Philately Club hasn't been established, a student having his own Philately Deposit Account may also be considered.

o The applicant should have scored at least 60% marks or equivalent grade/ grade point in the recent final examination.

• Benefits:

o Amount of Scholarship: ₹6,000 per annum, distributed as ₹500 per month, with payments made quarterly (₹1,500 per quarter) by IPPB/POSB.

o Renewability: Scholarship is valid for one year, but students may reapply for subsequent years if they meet the criteria.

o Philately Mentor Assignment: Schools participating in the competition will be assigned a Philately Mentor, a renowned philatelist, to assist in forming Philately Clubs and guide students in their philatelic projects and hobby development.

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2. HAMPI SITE (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Art and Culture)

Context: Concerns about the preservation of Hampi, one of India’s largest World Heritage Sites, emerged after a temple pavilion collapsed in the rains, sparking debates on its alleged neglect.

Hampi Site

• About: 
• Established in: 1336 by brothers Harihara-I and Bukka Raya-I of the Sangama dynasty.
• Located in: Tungabhadra basin in Bellary District, Central Karnataka.
• Capital of: Vijayanagar Empire
• Architectural Features: Hampi's temples are renowned for their large dimensions, ornate decoration, and detailed carvings, with many depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Vittal Temple Complex: It constructed by Krishnadeva Raya (A.D. 1509-30), is a prime example of Vijayanagar Temple Architecture, showcasing intricate designs and carvings.
• Royal Patronage: A significant number of royal structures in Hampi were built under the patronage of Krishnadeva Raya, reflecting the empire's prosperity and architectural prowess.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: In 1986, Hampi was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural and historical significance.
• World Heritage in Danger List: in 1999, Hampi had a scare when UNESCO put the site on the Danger List.

Vijayanagara Empire

• Established in: 1336 by Harihara (Hakka) and his brother Bukka Raya in the Deccan region of southern India.
• Capital City: The empire was named after its capital, Vijayanagara, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site in modern Karnataka, India.
• Geographical Extent: The empire extended from the Krishna River in the north to the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula.

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3. JOINT CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY (JCM) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Staff representatives of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) will request the Prime Minister of India to ensure an assured pension of 50% of the last salary under the National Pension System during their upcoming meeting.

oThis will be in addition to their demand for periodic inflation adjustment, a minimum payout for those who leave govt service before completing 20 years as well as protection for family pension.

Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM)

• Introduction: The scheme was introduced in 1966 to foster harmonious relations and cooperation between the Central Government (as the employer) and its employees.
• Purpose: JCM serves as a platform for constructive dialogue between government employees and the Central Government to resolve disputes peacefully.
• Coverage: It includes all regular civil employees of the Central Government.
• Non-Statutory Agreement: JCM is a non-statutory scheme, mutually agreed upon by the staff side and the official side.
• Exclusions: The scheme does not cover Class-I services, Class-II services (except the Central Secretariat Services and comparable services in government headquarters), and certain managerial, administrative, and supervisory personnel in industrial establishments.
• Union Territories Exclusion: Employees of Union Territories are not covered under the JCM scheme.
• Police Personnel Exclusion: Police personnel are also excluded from the scheme.

National Pension System

• About: NPS is a low-cost, easily accessible, and tax-efficient retirement savings account.
• Flexible Contributions: Individuals can contribute to their retirement account, with the option for employers to co-contribute for social security and welfare.
• Defined Contribution Model: NPS operates on a Defined Contribution basis, meaning the final pension amount depends on contributions and investment returns, not a pre-defined benefit.

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4. BOTSWANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Places in News)

Context: The world's second-largest 2,492-carat diamond has been discovered in Botswana at a mine owned by Lucara Diamond, a Canadian firm.

Botswana:

• About: It is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70 per cent of its territory being the Kalahari Desert.
• Capital: Gaborone.
• Border countries: It is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, Zambia to the north and Zimbabwe to the northeast.

Diamond Industry:

• Top Natural Diamond Producers: Russia, Botswana, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Congo (Zaire).
• Other Important Producers: Namibia, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Brazil, and more.
• World’s Largest Diamond: 3,106-carat – was found in South Africa in 1905, also known as the Cullinan Diamond.
• Diamond in India:

o India is the world's largest cutting and polishing centre for diamonds.

o It accounts for over 90% of polished diamond manufacturing globally.

o Distribution: 

ü Panna belt in Madhya Pradesh;

ü Wajrakarur Kimberlite pipe in Anantapur district and

ü Gravels of the Krishna river basin in Andhra Pradesh.

o Reserve Estimates: Reserves have been estimated mainly in the Panna belt and Krishna Gravels in Andhra Pradesh, with recent discoveries of kimberlite fields in Karnataka's Raichur-Gulbarga districts.

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5. RIGHT TO EDUCATION ACT, 2009 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 –Education)

Context: The Delhi High Court has ordered the merger of school IDs to better serve the objectives of the RTE Act and directed all private unaided recognized schools in Delhi to appoint a dedicated nodal officer to oversee the admission process for EWS/DG category students.

Right to Education Act, 2009

• Origin: It is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted on 4 August 2009.
• Objective: To provide primary education to all children aged 6 to 14 years in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.
• Features:

o Creating inclusive spaces for all: 25% reservation for disadvantaged groups which include SCs and STs, Socially Backward Class and differently abled. Five States namely Goa, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and Telangana have not issued notification regarding 25% seats for underprivileged children of society under the RTE.

o Compulsory and free education for all: It is obligatory for the Government to provide free and compulsory elementary education to each and every child, in a neighbourhood school within 1 km, up to class 8 in India.

o No Detention Policy: It was introduced as a part of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) under the RTE in 2010.

o The EWS criteria under RTE: It is Rs 1 lakh annual income, while for those seeking reservation in higher educational institutes and government jobs, it is Rs 8 lakh per annum. 

o The RTE Act section 2 (E) empowers state to determine the income limit for EWS category for the purpose of 25% admissions in the private schools.

o As per Section 12(1)(c) of RTE Act, 2009:  All Private Unaided Recognized Schools (except Minority Schools) are under obligation to admit at least 25% of strength at the entry level (Pre-School/Nursery, Pre-primary/KG &Primary/Class-1) class(es) by children belonging to Economically Weaker Section, Disadvantaged group.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 21: Unnikrishnan JP vs State of Andhra Pradesh & Others (1993): SC held that Education is a Fundamental right under Article 21.
• Article 21A: 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002): It inserted Article 21A which made Right to Education a fundamental right for children between 6-14 years.
• Article 45: It states that the state should provide free and compulsory education to children up to the age of 14.

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6. URANUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Scientists using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have made a significant discovery in their quest for water across the solar system by detecting carbon dioxide ice on the surface of Ariel, one of Uranus's 27 moons.

Uranus

• About: It is the seventh planet from the Sun, and the third largest planet in our solar system. It appears to spin sideways.
• Position and Size: Equatorial diameter of 31,763 miles (51,118 kilometers), about four times wider than Earth.
• Unique Tilt: The planet rotates at a nearly 90-degree angle relative to its orbit, making it appear to spin on its side.
• Color: Uranus has a blue-green hue due to the presence of methane in its atmosphere, which absorbs red light and reflects blue light.
• Distance from the Sun: Located approximately 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometers) from the Sun, or about 19 astronomical units (AU). Sunlight takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach Uranus.
• Day and Year Length: One day on Uranus lasts about 17 Earth hours, while a year (one complete orbit around the Sun) takes roughly 84 Earth years (30,687 Earth days).
• Moons: The planet is orbited by 28 known moons, which vary in size and composition.
• Rings: Uranus possesses two sets of rings: an inner system of nine narrow, dark grey rings and two outer rings, with the innermost being reddish and the outermost having a blue hue similar to Saturn's E ring.
• Temperature and Atmosphere: Uranus is characterized by its extremely cold temperatures and strong winds, contributing to its harsh and inhospitable conditions.

  Key Points of Discovery

  • Surface Discovery: Carbon dioxide ice has been detected on Ariel, one of Uranus’ moons.
  • Liquid Ocean Hypothesis: The presence of carbon dioxide ice hints at a possible liquid ocean beneath Ariel’s surface.
  • Carbon Dioxide Release: The underground ocean might be releasing carbon dioxide through chemical reactions, which escapes to the surface via ice cracks.
  • Field-Driven Chemistry: Uranus' magnetic field may be breaking down molecules to produce carbon dioxide on Ariel.

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7. SC & ST ACT, 1989 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity & Governance)

Context: The Supreme Court held in a judgment that not all insults and intimidatory comments aimed at a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe person would be an offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

• Enactment: The government enacted the Act in 1989.
• Aim: Furtherance of the provisions for abolition of untouchability (Article 17) and equality (Articles 14, 15) in the Constitution.
• Offender: Any person who is not a member of a scheduled caste or a scheduled tribe and commits an offence listed in the Act(Ex: - Forcing to eat/ drink any inedible or obnoxious substance, intent to cause injury, insult, or annoyance etc.) against a member of a scheduled caste or a scheduled tribe is an offender.
• Anticipatory Bail: Under section 18 of the act, provision for anticipatory bail is not available to the offenders.
• Punishments: The police can arrest the offender without a warrant and start an investigation into the case without taking any orders from the court.

o The accused can be punished between six months to five years sentence and with a fine to life imprisonment or even death sentence in some cases.

Supreme Court Ruling on SC/ST Act

• Intentionality Matters: The SC/ST Act applies only if the insult or intimidation is intentional and directly related to the victim’s identity as a member of the SC/ST community.
• Aggressor's Identity: A non-SC/ST person cannot be booked under the Act merely because the victim is from an SC/ST community unless the aggression was specifically due to their caste identity.
• Caste-Based Humiliation: Not every insult towards an SC/ST member qualifies under the Act; it must cause a feeling of caste-based humiliation rooted in untouchability or caste superiority.
• Historical Context: The insult must reinforce ideas like caste purity, pollution, or the superiority of ‘upper castes’ over ‘lower castes’ to fall under the Act.
• Focus on Discrimination: The Act specifically targets insults and intimidation that perpetuate historical discrimination or untouchability practices.
• Clarification by the Court: The court emphasized that the insult must be solely due to the victim's SC/ST identity for the Act to apply.

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8. RAIL FORCE ONE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Prime Minister of India's visit to Ukraine is historic, being the first by an Indian leader since Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. His journey aboard the high-security "Rail Force One" highlights the unique logistical and security challenges in the war-torn region.

Rail Force One

• About: This train is known for its luxurious and secure accommodations, featuring wood-panelled cabins, long tables for meetings, plush sofas, and wall-mounted TVs.

oThe train, which is run by the state-owned Ukrainian Railways or Ukrzaliznytsia, is painted blue and yellow, the colours of Ukraine’s flag.

• Initial Purpose: Originally built in 2014 to accommodate tourists visiting Crimea, the train's role was shifted following the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
• Famous passengers: The first foreign dignitaries to travel to Kyiv by the train were the prime ministers of Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, who visited in 2022.
• Secure Transportation: It provides secure transportation for world leaders and VIPs, addressing security concerns due to the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine.
• Repurposed for Safety: Post-annexation, the train was repurposed to ensure the safe transport of high-profile individuals through conflict-affected areas of Ukraine.
• Significance in War Effort: The 'Rail Force One' train, along with other trains in Ukraine's railway network, plays a vital role in the war effort by transporting aid and supporting logistics.
• Enhanced Railway Importance: Ukrainian officials, including Kamyshin, have emphasized the critical role of the railways in maintaining national operations and responding to wartime challenges.
• Symbol of Resilience: The 'Rail Force One' stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptability, showcasing Ukraine's ability to maintain high standards of security and luxury even amid ongoing conflict.

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9. TERAHERTZ BAND (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: TRAI recommended establishing a Terahertz Experimental Authorisation (THEA) for research and development in the 95 GHz – 3 THz frequency bands.

Terahertz Band

• About: It waves fall between the microwave and infrared regions in the electromagnetic spectrum.
• THz technology is employed to investigate molecular motion and interactions, providing insights into various planetary and terrestrial phenomena.
• Terahertz Properties:

o Between microwaves & infrared

o Frequency range 100 GHz .. 10 THz, wavelengths 3 mm .. 30 µm

o Also known as far-infrared or sub-millimeter waves

o Non-ionizing, but penetrates clothing, paper, cardboard, plastics, …

o Absorbed by water and many organic substances

o High chemical sensitivity

• Applications:

o THz technology shows promise for biomedical uses, offering potential for new diagnostic and therapeutic tools in medicine.

o THz technology is used in molecular line spectroscopy for studying molecular motion and interactions, particularly in astrophysics and planetary science.

o THz waves help analyze quantum effects and molecular behavior in celestial bodies.

o THz waves are applied to understand geological and planetary processes by studying molecular dynamics.

• Impact: THz radiation has been observed to affect the nervous system, including changes in nerve cell membrane structures, gene expression, and cytokine levels.

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10. MERCURY IN ARCTIC’S PERMOFROST (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A recent study warns that the thawing of Arctic permafrost due to climate change is releasing vast amounts of toxic mercury into the environment, posing severe health risks to global flora and fauna.

Permafrost

• Definition: It refers to ground that stays consistently frozen—reaching temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or below—for a minimum of two consecutive years. Such permanently frozen areas are prevalent in locations with elevated mountains and in the higher latitudes of the Earth, particularly near the North and South Poles.
• Geographical Distribution: Arctic regions of Siberia, Canada, Greenland, and Alaska—where nearly 85 percent of the state sits atop a layer of permafrost.

o Also found on the Tibetan plateau, in high-altitude regions like the Rocky Mountains.

• Composition: Permafrost comprises a blend of soil, rocks, and sand that are bound together by ice. Throughout the entire year, both the soil and ice within permafrost remain in a frozen state.
• Organic Carbon: Near the surface, permafrost soils house substantial amounts of organic carbon, a residue from deceased plants that failed to decompose due to the persistent cold. Deeper permafrost layers, in contrast, predominantly consist of mineral-rich soils.

Arctic Mercury Contamination

• Global Contaminant: Mercury, a significant global environmental contaminant, originates from both natural sources and human activities.

o Mercury is a neurotoxin that can severely damage the brain and nervous system, particularly through bioaccumulation in the food chain.

• High Mercury Concentrations: The amount of mercury stored in Arctic permafrost surpasses the total mercury present in all other earth systems combined, including oceans, soils, atmosphere, and biosphere.
• Transport to the Arctic: The majority of mercury in the Arctic is transported from outside the region through long-range air and ocean pathways, with over 98% of atmospheric mercury being emitted elsewhere.
• Impact on Arctic Populations: Arctic residents, including indigenous communities, are among the most exposed populations globally, facing heightened health risks due to mercury contamination.
• Permafrost Accumulation: Mercury absorbed by plants in the Arctic eventually becomes part of the soil and freezes into permafrost, accumulating over thousands of years.
• Climate Change Effects: The thawing of permafrost, accelerated by climate change, releases stored mercury, posing increased risks as this ‘giant mercury bomb’ becomes more likely to impact the environment

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