1. PM VISHWAKARMA YOJANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: Jammu and Kashmir has become the first Union Territory in the country to implement the PM Vishwakarma Yojana (PMVY).

PM Vishwakarma Yojana (PMVY)

• About: It is a pioneering scheme designed to uplift individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, particularly from the OBC community.
• Aim: To strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools.
• Mythological Context: In Hindu mythology, Vishwakarma is revered as the architect of the gods, known for crafting divine weapons and building cities and chariots.
• Targets: Small artisans, workers, and cultivators, providing opportunities to join MSME.
• Funding: The scheme's funding primarily comes from the central government, with active state government participation for successful implementation.
• Eligibility Criteria: The scheme will provide support to artisans and craftspeople of rural and urban areas across India. 

o18 traditional trades will be covered in the first instance under PM Vishwakarma.

• Sectors Covered: Carpenters, Boat Makers, Armourers, Blacksmiths, Goldsmiths, Potters, Cobblers, Masons, Tailors, and others.
  
  

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2. CUSTODIAL VIOLENCE Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Supreme Court recently orally observed that the 2022 incident involving four Gujarat Police officers publicly flogging men. The conduct of the four officers were found to be in contempt of the directions of the Supreme Court in the D.K. Basu judgment of 1996 against police abuse and custodial violence.

Custodial Violence

• About: Custodial violence primarily refers to violence in police and judicial custody. It includes death, rape and torture.
• Aspect of Custodial Violence: Torture:  Mental & Physical, Sexual Harassment, Rape, Death.

D.K. Basu Judgment

• About: In 1997, the landmark judgment of D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal established crucial guidelines aimed at preventing custodial torture and deaths.
• Upholding Fundamental Rights: In the DK Basu vs State of West Bengal case, the Supreme Court emphasized the protection of prisoners and detainees' Fundamental Rights under Article 21, reiterating that any restrictions imposed on these rights must be legally permissible.
• DK Basu Guidelines

oDetails of all police personnel handling the interrogation must be recorded in a register.

oThe arresting officer must prepare a memo of arrest at the time of arrest.

oPolice must notify the time, place, and place of custody to the next of kin residing outside the district through the Legal Aid Organisation and the local police station within 8 to 12 hours.

oCopies of all documents, including the memo of arrest, should be sent to the Magistrate for their records.

oThe arrestee may be allowed to meet with their attorney during interrogation, though not necessarily throughout the entire process.

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3. PARVATMALA PARIYOJANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure)

Context: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said more than 200 projects at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh crore have been identified in coming five years under  National Ropeways Development Programme, “Parvatmala Pariyojana”.

National Ropeways Development Programme, “Parvatmala Pariyojana

• About: It is also known as 'Parvatmala,' was introduced during the 2022-23 Union Budget.
• Aim: To alleviate congestion in mountainous areas where the improvement of road and train connectivity faces inherent limitations.
• Public Private Partnership (PPP): Parvatmala aims to construct ropeways in the mountainous terrains of India through the mechanism of Public Private Partnership (PPP).
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Implementing Agency: The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) has been assigned by the ministry to implement the Parvatmala project. 
• Benefits of Ropeway

oReduced Land Acquisition Costs with Ropeways.

oAerial Advantage of Ropeways over Roadways

oMinimal Dust Emissions and Clean Material Containers.

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4. CAUVERY WATER REGULATION AUTHORITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Union Minister of Jal Shakti stated that the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) functions as a impartial platform dedicated to ensuring the optimal management of water resources.

Cauvery Water Regulation Authority CWRA

• About: It has been created as per the Cauvery Management Scheme earlier framed by the Centre and approved by the Supreme Court.
• Formation: February 2018 by instructions of the Supreme Court
• Composition: Chairman, a secretary and eight members.
• Out of the eight members, two will be full time, while two will be part-time members from the center’s side.
• Rest four will be part-time members from the states.
• Functions: To ensure the enforcement and adherence to the directives of the Supreme Court concerning the "storage, allocation, management, and oversight of Cauvery waters."

oIt will also offer guidance to the states on implementing measures to enhance the efficiency of water utilization.

Cauvery River

• About: It is the largest river in the Karnatka state.
• Known as:  Dakshina Ganga (the Ganges of the South) and considered one of the sacred rivers of India.
• Origin: Bramahagiri Hills near Madikeri in Coorg.
• Tributaries: Harangi, Hemavathi, Lakshmanatirtha, Kabini, Shimsha, Arkavati, Suvarnavathi or Honnuholé,  Bhavani, Lokapavani, Noyyal.

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5. BHARAT RATNA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Awards & Personility in News)

Context: Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur will be awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously.

Bharat Ratna

• Establishment: Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, was instituted in the year 1954.
• Eligibility Criteria: Any person, without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex, is eligible for these awards.
• Recognition for Exceptional Service: The award is granted in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor.
• Recommendations: Recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made directly by the Prime Minister to the President, and no formal recommendations are necessary.
• Annual Award Limit: The number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.
• Conferment Process: On conferment of the award, the recipient receives a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
• Monetary Grant: The award does not carry any monetary grant.
• Usage Restrictions: In accordance with Article 18(1) of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient's name.

Karpoori Thakur

• About: He was an Indian politician who served two terms as the 11th Chief Minister of Bihar.
• Popularly known as: Jan Nayak
• Early Life: Karpoori Thakur was born to Gokul Thakur and Ramdulari Devi at Pitaunjhia (now Karpuri Gram) village in Samastipur District of Bihar.
• Influenced by: Mahatma Gandhi and Satyanarayan Sinha.

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6. GOBARDHAN PORTAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, 536 Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plants and 1193 Biogas Plants have been registered on the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan since its launch.

Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan

• About: This platform functions as a centralized repository, offering a comprehensive assessment of investments and participation in the Biogas/CBG (Compressed Biogas) sector across India.
• Objective: To simplify the establishment process of CBG/Biogas plants throughout the country, fostering efficient and streamlined procedures.
• Registration for Entities: Government, cooperative, or private entities involved or intending to establish a Biogas/CBG/Bio-CNG plant in India can use this portal to obtain a unique registration number.

GOBARdhan Scheme

• About: It is an umbrella initiative of Government of India based on the whole of Government approach.
• Launched in: April 2018.
• Part of: Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
• Ministry involved: Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (Ministry of Jal Shakti).
• Aim: To positively impact village cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from cattle and organic waste.
• Create new rural livelihood opportunities and enhancing income for farmers and other rural people.

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7. LAKE VICTORIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: India-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and National Environment Management Council (NEMC), Tanzania conducted a multination stakeholder consultation in Dar es Salaam to decide on strategies to restore the victoria lake.

Lake Victoria

• About: It is the world's largest tropical lake and the largest lake in the African Great Lakes region.

oSecond largest fresh water body in the world.

• Part of: Africa's Great Rift Valley
• Bordered and governed by: The countries of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
• Coverage Area: 68,800 square kilometres
• Origin of Name: It was named for Queen Victoria. The White Nile flows out of the lake.
• Terms of Volume: Lake Victoria is the world's ninth-largest continental lake.

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8. TADOBA-ANDHARI TIGER RESERVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, two tiger carcasses were discovered in the Kolsa forest range of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, one of which was a two-year-old cub with partially consumed flesh at the rear.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

• Location: Situated in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.
• Origin of Name: Derived from the God "Tadoba" or "Taru," revered by local tribes in the Tadoba and Andhari region. "Andhari" denotes the Andhari River flowing through the forest.
• Total Area: Encompasses 625.4 sq. KM, comprising Tadoba National Park (116.55 sq. KM) and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary (508.85 sq. KM).
• Corridor Connections: Connected through corridors to Nagzira-Navegaon and Pench Tiger Reserves within the State.
• Habitat: Biogeographically located in the Central plateau province of the Deccan peninsula, featuring tropical dry deciduous forests and a distinctive Central Indian faunal assemblage.
• Flora: Major Tree Species: Ain, Bamboo, Bija, Dhaoda, Haldu, Salai, Semal, and Tendu.
• Moist Areas Flora: Mango, Jamun, and Arjun.
• Fauna: Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, gaur, chital, and sambar.

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9. KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam, renowned as the primary habitat of the one-horned rhinoceros, has recently received the addition of two new mammalian species, further enriching its diverse fauna.

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve

• Location: Located at Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam.
• Flora: Tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests. 
• Fauna: One-horned rhinos; Elephant; Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo. It is the home of the world's most one-horned rhinos and has the second-highest number of Rhinos after Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Assam.
• River: Located on the edge of Brahmaputra River and Diphlu River flows through the National Park.
• National Highway (NH): NH 37 passes through the National Park.
• Conservation status: Declared as: 

oNational Park in 1974.

oUNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

oTiger Reserve in 2007.

oRecognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.

One-Horned Rhinoceros

• About: It is the largest of the rhino species. It is identified by a single black horn and a grey-brown hide with skin folds.

oIndia is home to the largest number of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in the world.

• Habitat: Indo-Nepal terai and northern West Bengal and Assam.
• Found: found in Kaziranga NP, Pobitora WLS, Orang NP, Manas NP, Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP and Dudhwa TR.

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10. FOREST RIGHT ACT 2006 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Seventeen years after the inception of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2000, also known as FRA, a group of independent researchers have found that its implementation continues to be poor.

Forest Rights Act, 2006:

• About: It recognizes the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers, who have been residing in such forests for generations, but whose rights could not be recorded.

oThe rights to hold and live in the forest land under the individual or common occupation for habitation or for self-cultivation for livelihood,

• Right of ownership: Access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce,
• Habitat rights: For primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities; 
• Right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage: Any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.
• Criteria to claim of these rights: It can also be claimed by any member or community who has for at least three generations (75 years) had occupied forest land before the 13th day of December, 2005.
• Nature of the rights: Such rights shall be heritable but not alienable or transferable and shall be registered jointly in the name of both the spouses
• Diversion of forest land: For public utility facilities managed by the Government, such as schools, dispensaries, fair price shops, electricity and telecommunication lines, water tanks, etc. with the recommendation of Gram Sabhas.

Key Points of Study

• The researchers conducted an analysis of the 2019 general elections' parliamentary constituency-wise election data. 
• Recorded and published by: The Election Commission of India, was juxtaposed with the Forest Rights Act (FRA) potential of parliamentary constituencies based on the Census of India, 2011.
• Categorization of Constituencies

oCritical Value: Constituencies with the most significant FRA concerns.

oHigh Value: Constituencies with high FRA relevance.

oGood Value: Constituencies where FRA is of notable concern.

oMedium Value: Constituencies with moderate FRA significance.

oMarginal Value: Constituencies where FRA is the least significant issue.

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