1. RECOMMENDATION OF TRAI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended that telecom users should be aware of the legal name of anyone calling them.

Recommendation of TRAI

• Regulator's Recommendation on CNAP Implementation: The TRAI has recommended the implementation of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) on Indian telecom networks, enabling phones to display a caller's identity based on KYC registration data.
• Consideration by Department of Telecommunications: The recommendation will undergo consideration by the Department of Telecommunications, which sought TRAI's insights on the matter, indicating a significant step in potential policy changes.
• Subscriber Opt-In and Privacy Concerns: If implemented, subscribers would have the option to see the registered name for every calling number, contingent upon their opt-in to the service. However, concerns over privacy tradeoffs have been raised, particularly regarding informational privacy.
• Lack of Opt-Out Provision and Potential Risks: TRAI's recommendations do not include provisions for telecom users to opt out of caller identification, potentially raising concerns over user control and susceptibility to identity theft or spamming.
• Privacy Advocacy and Legal Perspectives: Entities like the Internet Freedom Foundation and Reliance Jio have highlighted concerns about privacy infringements and emphasized the need for consent in sharing personal data, aligning with prevailing jurisprudence on the matter.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

• About: It is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• Aim: To regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.
• Establishment: In 1997
• Composition: Chairperson, two whole-time members and two part-time members, all of which are appointed by the Government of India.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Communications and Broadcasting
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Tenure: 3 years or till the age of 65 years

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2. NEW RULE ON SURROGACY Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: The Centre recently amended the surrogacy Rules to permit couples to utilize donor eggs or donor sperm for surrogacy, overturning a previous amendment made in March 2023 that prohibited the use of donor gametes.

Implications of the Surrogacy Amendment

• Expanded Eligibility Criteria: The amendment broadens eligibility for surrogacy to include cases where either the husband or wife suffers from medical conditions requiring donor gametes.
• Single Women Undergoing Surrogacy: Single women, whether widowed or divorced, opting for surrogacy must utilize their own eggs and donor sperms according to the notification.
• Shift from Previous Regulations: Prior to March 2023, surrogacy regulations mandated the use of both eggs and sperm from the intending couple.
• Accessibility to Older Women: The amendment enables older women and those with medical conditions affecting egg production to access surrogacy, providing a positive impact on fertility options.
• Age and Egg Quality: Age significantly impacts egg quality, with a notable decline post the age of 35, prompting medical professionals to recommend donor eggs after 45 years of age.
• Limited Need for Donor Eggs and Surrogacy: While the amendment widens access, the necessity for donor eggs and surrogacy remains relatively rare according to experts like Dr. Nutan Agarwal from Artemis Hospital.

Contentions with Surrogacy for Single Women

• Limited Access: The Act restricts access to surrogacy for single women, permitting it only for widowed or divorced individuals.
• Egg Requirement: Regulations mandate that single women, even those meeting the criteria, must use their own eggs for the surrogacy process.
• Recent Notification: The recent notification reinforced the requirement for single women to utilize their own eggs, further constraining their options within surrogacy.

Surrogacy Regulation In India

• Definition: It is an arrangement in which a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child on behalf of another person or couple (the intended parent/s).
• Two types:

oAltruistic surrogacy: It involves no monetary compensation to the surrogate mother other than the medical expenses and insurance coverage during the pregnancy.

oCommercial surrogacy: It includes surrogacy or its related procedures undertaken for a monetary benefit or reward (in cash or kind) exceeding the basic medical expenses and insurance coverage.

• Constitutional provisions: The right of reproductive autonomy is a facet of the right to privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Legal provisions: Surrogacy is regulated by Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) , 2021 and Surrogacy (Regulation) , 2021.

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3. SANT GURU RAVIDAS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: The Prime Minister of India addressed the 647th Birth Anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas in Varanasi.

Sant Guru Ravidas

• Birth: He Guru Ravidas was born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, belonging to an untouchable leather-working caste, and his works often reflect his marginalized social status.
• Parents:: His mother was Kalsa Devi Ji and his father was Baba Santokh Dass Ji.
• Spiritual Figure: He embodied the roles of a saint, philosopher, poet, social reformer, and devout follower of God.

Contributions Guru Ravidas

• Devotional Contributions: He made significant contributions through devotional songs, verses, and spiritual teachings during the Bhakti movement.
• Leadership in Bhakti Movement: Guru Ravidas played a pivotal role in the nirguna sampradaya (sant parampara) and was a key figure in the North Indian Bhakti movement.
• Philosophical with Constitutional Values: His philosophy, emphasizing social justice, freedom, equality, and fraternity, aligns with India's constitutional values.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution, integrated Ravidas's principles into the foundational ethos of the nation.

Teachings of Guru Ravidas

• Rejection of Caste: Guru Ravidas devoted his life to abolishing the caste system and openly opposed the idea of a Brahminical society.
• Monotheism: He gained renown for his belief in a single God and his impartial religious poetry, challenging the notion that individuals of lower castes cannot attain a connection with the divine.
• Inclusion in Guru Granth Sahib: Guru Ravidas's devotional compositions had an immediate impact on the Bhakti Movement, with approximately 41 of his poems being incorporated into the Sikh religious scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.

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4. CENTRAL GROUND WATER AUTHORITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The problem of toxic arsenic and fluoride in groundwater across various areas of the country is not being effectively addressed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).

oThe NGT observed that despite these elements having a very bad effect on the human body, the CGWA has not installed arsenic and fluoride removal plants in these areas.

Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)

• About: CGWA has been constituted under Section 3 (3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control development and management of ground water resources in the country.
• Establishment: January 1997
• Objective: To Develop and disseminate technologies, and monitor and implement national policies for the Scientific and Sustainable development and management of India's Ground Water Resources
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Vision: Sustainable development and management of Ground Water resources of the Country.
• Powers & Functions

oExercise of powers under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for issuing directions and taking such measures in respect of all the matters referred to in sub-section(2) of section 3 of the said Act.

oTo resort to penal provisions contained in sections 15 to 21 of the said Act.

oTo regulate and control, management and development of ground water in the country and to issue necessary regulatory directions for the purpose.

oExercise of powers under section 4 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the appointment of officers.

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5. WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Trade ministers from 164 member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are set to gather in Abu Dhabi next week for the 13th Ministerial (MC13), finding solutions to key issues in global trade.

WTO Ministerial Conference

• About: It brings together all members of the WTO, all of which are countries or customs unions. The Ministerial Conference can take decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade agreements.
• Held:  Every two years as per the Marrakesh Agreement, which established the World Trade Organization.
• Members: 164 Countries
• Purpose: To facilitate informal dialogues among WTO members and representatives of non-governmental organizations regarding issues anticipated to impact the international trading system.
• The 12th Edition: Geneva from June 12 to June 17, 2022.
• The 13th Edition: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Objectives of the Conference:

• As the highest decision-making body of the WTO, the Ministerial Conference convenes biennially to bring together all members, including nations and customs unions.
• It holds authority to make decisions under multilateral trade agreements and operates within the governance framework outlined by the Agreement Establishing the WTO.

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6. TUPOLEV TU-160M (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Russian President recently unveiled the newly modernised Tupolev Tu-160M nuclear-capable strategic bomber at Kazan Aviation Plant.

Tupolev Tu-160M

• About: The Tu-160M represents a modernized iteration of a Cold War-era bomber with strategic significance for long-range weapon delivery in potential nuclear conflicts.
• The Tu-160M is a Russian supersonic variable-sweep wing strategic missile-carrying bomber.
• Known as the:  "White Swan” in Russia and code-named “Blackjacks” by NATO, it embodies Russia's strategic air power.
• Performance Claims: Russia boasts the Tu-160M as the world’s fastest-flying supersonic and heaviest payload-carrying bomber, emphasizing its superior capabilities.
• Targeting Capabilities: It is meticulously designed to strike targets in remote regions using both nuclear and conventional weapons, reflecting its versatility in modern warfare scenarios.

Features:

• Crew and Payload: The Tu-160M, with a crew of four, can carry either 12 cruise missiles or 12 short-range nuclear missiles, enhancing its operational flexibility.
• Endurance: It boasts a remarkable non-stop flying range of 12,000 km (7,500 miles), showcasing its endurance in long-distance missions without the need for refueling.
• Propulsion: Powered by four afterburning turbofan engines, it achieves a maximum speed of 2,220 kilometers per hour and can ascend to heights of 16,000 meters, ensuring swift and high-altitude operations.
• Advanced Features: The Tu-160M incorporates cutting-edge features such as an innovative navigation system, upgraded radar, and in-flight refueling capability through a refueling probe, all of which contribute to its extended operational range and enhanced performance.

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7. UNCTAD (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: United Nations’s trade and development body has raised an alarm over escalating disruptions in shipping routes for global trade in a new report.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 

• About: UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly.
• Objective: Its objective is to assist developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and countries with economies in transition, to integrate beneficially into the global economy.
• Focus: on four main areas: trade and development, investment and enterprise, technology and innovation, and macroeconomics and development policies.
• Founded in: In 1964. 
• Headquarter: Located in Geneva, Switzerland. 
• Relation with UN: UNCTAD is part of the UN Secretariat. 

oIt reports to the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council.

oWe are also part of the United Nations Development Group.

• Flagship Reports by UNCTAD:

oTechnology and Innovation Report 2023

oReview of Maritime Transport 2023.

oEconomic Development in Africa Report 2023.

oWorld Investment Report 2023.

oThe Least Developed Countries Report 2023.

oCommodities and Development Report 2023. 

oDigital Economy Report 2021.

Arsenic

• About: Arsenic, a tasteless and odorless metalloid, occurs naturally in the earth's crust and groundwater.
• Toxicity: In its inorganic form, arsenic is highly toxic, leading to arsenic poisoning with severe health consequences.
• Arsenic-affected areas: Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• Health Implications: Arsenicosis, characterized by the accumulation of high arsenic levels, results in adverse health effects, potentially causing multi-system organ failure and death.

Fluoride

• About: Fluoride, a mineral, is naturally present in many foods and available as a dietary supplement. Fluoride is the ionic form of the element fluorine,
• Varieties of Fluoride: The ailment manifests in dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and non-skeletal fluorosis, each affecting different tissues in the body.

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8. PMSMA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: Recently, the family planning department, as part of the National Health Mission (NHM), expanded high-risk pregnancy categories from 10 to 24, aiming to enhance maternal and newborn survival. 

oThis adjustment ensures coverage for a COVID-positive woman under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan program, according to a senior official familiar with the situation.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan 

• Launched:  2016
• Aim: To provide fixed-day, free-of-cost, assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care on the ninth day of every month to all pregnant women in their second and third trimester.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW)
• Goal: To improve the quality and coverage of Antenatal Care (ANC) including diagnostics and counselling services as part of the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) Strategy.
• As per the health ministry:  States where the highest of pregnant women in their second or third trimester received antenatal care under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) in January are Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Karnataka. 
• So far, 47.34 million women have been covered under the programme.
• PMSMA Coverage: Guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services.
• Targeting women in their 2nd/3rd trimesters of pregnancy.
• Services provided at designated government health facilities.
• Objective: Ensure at least one antenatal checkup for all pregnant women in their second or third trimester by a physician/specialist.
• Features of PMSMA

oPMSMA aims to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths.

oOBGY specialists offer antenatal checkup services.

oMonthly antenatal care packages are provided.

oSingle-window system ensures investigations and medicines.

oTarget includes pregnant women and high-risk cases.

oPrivate sector doctors supplement government efforts.

oOutreach to unregistered or missed ANC women.

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9. EXERCISE DOSTI 16 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Indian and Sri Lankan coast guard ships reached the Maldives recently to take part in the trilateral coast guard exercise Dosti 16.

Exercise Dosti 16

• About: It is a trilateral coast guard exercise between India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
• Biennial Event: The exercise occurs every two years, emphasizing regular collaboration among the participating nations.
• Historical Background: Originating in 1991 between India and the Maldives, Sri Lanka joined in 2012, marking an expansion of the exercise's scope.
• Focus Areas: Exercises and drills center on providing assistance in sea accidents, eliminating sea pollution, and refining Coast Guard procedures during crises like oil spills.
• Aim: The primary goal is to strengthen friendship, enhance operational capability, foster interoperability, and bolster cooperation among the three Coast Guards.
• Dosti 16 Edition: This year marks the 16th edition of the Dosti exercise, signifying its enduring importance in regional maritime security.
• Participant: The Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka's Coast Guards, along with observers from Bangladesh, are actively engaged in Dosti 16.
• Indian Contribution: India's participation includes deploying ICGS Samarth, ICGS Abhinav, and ICG Dornier, showcasing its commitment to the exercise's success.

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10. CHALUKYA DYNASTY (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: Two Badami Chalukya temples, at least 1,300-1,500 years old and a 1,200-year-old label inscription were recently discovered in Mudimanikyam village along the banks of Krishna.

Chalukya Dynasty

• About: The Chalukya dynasty governed significant regions of southern and central India from the 6th to the 12th centuries, comprising three distinct but interconnected dynasties.
• Founder: Pulakeshin I in 543.
• Sources of Chalukyan History: Cave inscriptions and temple records.

oAccounts by travelers like Hiuen-Tsiang offer insights into the Chalukyan realm's extent and influence.

• Literary works: Vikramankadeva Charita provide cultural and historical perspectives.
• Architecture: The architecture includes cave temples featuring religious and secular themes adorned with exquisite mural paintings, exemplifying the Vesara style, as seen in the Chalukya temples.
• Administration: Chalukyas boasted a formidable military and embraced religious tolerance, fostering literary advancements in Kannada and Telugu while imprinting coins with Nagari and Kannada legends, featuring temple cryptograms, lions, boars, and lotus symbols.
• Last King: Kirtivarman II
• Chalukyas of Badami: The earliest among the Chalukyan dynasties, ruling from Vatapi (modern Badami) from the mid-6th century.

oTheir ascent to power coincided with the decline of the Kadamba kingdom, particularly thriving under Pulakeshin II's reign.

oThe dynasty's dominance lasted nearly two centuries, from the 6th to the 8th century, until the emergence of the Rashtrakutas.

• Chalukyas of Vengi: Originated from the Chalukyas of Badami, with Pulakeshin II's conquest of the Vengi region.

oEstablished as an independent kingdom in eastern Deccan, ruling until the 12th century.

oInitially under Chola suzerainty, they later asserted independence, playing a significant role in Andhra Pradesh's history.

• Chalukyas of Kalyani: Evolved from the decline of the Chalukyas of Badami, flourishing under the Rashtrakuta eclipse.

oAchieved prominence in the late 10th century under Someshvara I, relocating the capital to Kalyani.

oThis Western Chalukya dynasty governed until the late 12th century, distinct from the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi.

Significance of Chalukya Dynasty

• Marked a pivotal era in South Indian history, ushering a golden age in Karnataka.
• Transitioned South India from fragmented kingdoms to expansive empires.
• Witnessed territorial consolidation, economic prosperity, and architectural innovation, notably Vesara style.

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