1. ALBATROSSES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Albatrosses face the looming threat of extinction, with the added concern that climate change poses a risk to their nesting sites, potentially exacerbating the challenges these majestic birds already confront.

Albatrosses

• About: The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is the world’s largest flying bird, with a wingspan reaching an incredible 3.5 metres.
• Family: Diomedeidae.
• Average Lifespan in the Wild: 30 years
• IUCN Red List Status: 2 critically endangered, 7 endangered, 6 vulnerable, 6 near threatened, 1 of least concern1
• Habitat: Southern Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean. They are not found in the North Atlantic region.
• Four main species of albatross: Great Albatrosses, North Pacific Albatrosses, Mollymawks and Sooty Albatrosses.
• IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

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2. LEPROSY Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Union Health Ministry has decided to implement a new treatment regimen for leprosy aimed at stopping its transmission at the sub-national level by 2027, three years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Leprosy

• About: It is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. 
• Known as: Hansen’s disease
• Affects: Skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Leprosy is known to occur at all ages ranging from early childhood to old age. 
• Transmitted: Via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.
• Symptoms: Discoloured patches of skin, Growths (nodules) on the skin, Thick, stiff or dry skin, Painless ulcers on the soles of feet.
• Treatment: Hansen’s disease is treated with a combination of antibiotics.
• World Leprosy Day: It is observed on the last Sunday of January each year.

National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP)

• About: It is a centrally sponsored Health Scheme under the National Health Mission of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Launched: 1955.
• Vision: “Leprosy-free India”.
• Achievement: India has achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem as per WHO criteria of less than 1 case per 10,000 population at the National level in 2005. However, there are few districts within States where leprosy is still endemic. 

SPARSH: Launched in 2017, it is a Leprosy Awareness Campaign to promote awareness and address the issues of stigma and discrimination.

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3. UNICEF (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: The Urban Youth Unit at NIUA and YuWaah - UNICEF have come into a partnership to solidify their commitment to empowering young people for urban governance.

United Nations Children's Fund

• About: It is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
• Foundation: 1946
• Origin: It initially addressed emergency needs in post-war Europe and China, expanding its mandate in 1950 to address long-term needs worldwide.
• Formerly known as: The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
• Holistic Child Development: UNICEF not only provides humanitarian aid to save children's lives but also works towards defending their rights and ensuring their holistic development from childhood through adolescence.
• Objective: To remove discrimination and provide every child with an equal opportunity to grow to their full potential, addressing global issues such as lack of food, education, health, and sanitation.
• Contributions: UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary contributions from governments and private donors to fund its initiatives and activities.
• Governance: Governed by a 36-member executive board, UNICEF establishes policies, approves programs, and oversees administrative and financial plans. Board members are elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Functions

• It collaborates with governments and nonprofits to develop sustainable solutions to global issues affecting children.
• UNICEF actively works to create a protective environment for children by involving all stakeholders in its initiatives.
• UNICEF advocates for measures to provide proper care to children at a young age, ensuring they have a strong foundation in life.
• UNICEF promotes girls' education, recognizing its role in shaping better thinkers, citizens, and parents for future generations.

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4. RUBBER INDUSTRY IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The All India Rubber Industries Association has sought uniform GST for rubber items and thermoplastic products for automotive parts.

Natural Rubber

• About: Natural rubber is the most versatile industrial raw material of plant origin.
• Latex, the economic produce, is harvested by controlled wounding (tapping) on the bark of the rubber tree.
• Origin: The main source of natural rubber is Hevea brasiliensis, native to the Amazon river basin.
• Introduced to tropical Asia and Africa by the British Government in the late 19th century.
• Agro-climatic Conditions: The rubber tree thrives in a wide range of agro-climates and soil conditions.
• Rainfall: About 200 cm annually is ideal for its growth.

Rubber Producing Regions in India

• Cultivation Statistics: In India, 8.5 lakh hectares are under rubber cultivation.
• Regional Breakdown: Kerala and Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu contribute almost 5 lakh hectares, with 1 lakh hectares in Tripura.
• Northeastern states, especially Tripura and Assam, account for over 16% of total production.
• Global Distribution: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Brazil
• Three Zones of Rubber Cultivation:
• Traditional region: Kerala state and Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.
• Non-traditional region: All states other than Kerala and Kanyakumari District and North East region.
• Northeastern region: Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.

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5. EXPANSION OF NATO (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Turkey's parliament ratifies Sweden's NATO membership bid, clearing the biggest remaining hurdle to expanding the Western military alliance.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• About: NATO is an Intergovernmental political & military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty signed in 1949.
• Headquarter: Brussels, Belgium
• Objective: Formed to ensure collective security in Western Europe and in response to deteriorating relations between the US and the USSR after World War II (cold war period).
• Members: 31 countries 
• Article 10: It sets out how countries can join the Alliance. It states that membership is open to any "European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area".
• Collective Defence: Attack against one or several of its members is considered as an attack against all. 
• Political: NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.
• Military: NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations.
• Sweden: It is one of five members of the European Union that are not members of NATO. 

o     Sweden joined the Partnership for Peace on 9 May 1994.

• Finland: which has a 1,340km (832 mile) land border with Russia - became a Nato member in April 2023.

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6. INDIA INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The 9th edition of India International Science Festival, (IISF-2023) reached out with India’s scientific achievements to 21 different countries which participated in the science outreach festival through their 35 international delegates.

 India International Science Festival

• About: It is a collaborative endeavour between Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy in partnership with Vijnana Bharati.

oA science movement spearheaded by scientists of the nation with swadeshi spirit.

• Started: The journey of IISF was started with its inaugural event in Delhi in 2015.
• Objective: To commemorate the world of science, making it accessible to all.
• Aim: To engage the public with science and celebrate the joy of science and show the ways how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) provide us with the solutions to improve our lives.
• Vision: Promotion of creativity in science, technology and innovation for prosperous India.
• Mission: To involve innovative and imaginative intellects in India and worldwide in the celebration of science and to promote science and technology as catalysts for rapidly propelling India towards Amrit Kaal.
• Theme: ‘Science and technology public outreach in Amrit Kaal.’

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7. DISEASE X (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: COVID-19 was the first ‘Disease X’ and it may happen again, warned the World Health Organization (WHO).

Disease X

• About: Disease X is the term designated by scientists and the World Health Organization to denote a potential unknown pathogen that could surface in the future, triggering a severe international epidemic or pandemic.
• Hypothetical Nature: Disease X is purely hypothetical; it does not currently exist. However, it represents a genuine and escalating threat to human health, demanding enhanced global preparedness for effective responses.
• Recent Case: The most recent manifestation of Disease X is the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of adequate preparation against this novel pathogen resulted in its rapid global spread, causing widespread illness and millions of fatalities.
• Continuous Threat: Novel diseases continually emerge worldwide, often crossing from animals, such as bats, to humans. 

oScientists emphasize that the next Disease X is highly likely to be caused by a new virus originating from one of approximately 25 virus families known for their capacity to induce diseases in humans.

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8. HERCULES SPIDER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: In a recent discovery on the Central Coast, approximately 80 km north of Sydney, the largest male funnel web spider ever recorded, named "Hercules," has made headlines.

Hercules spider

• Geographical Range: Found in forested regions and gardens, Hercules and its counterparts inhabit areas spanning from Sydney, Australia, to the coastal city of Newcastle in the north, and the Blue Mountains to the west.

• Habitat: The warm and humid climate along Australia's east coast provides an ideal breeding ground for funnel web spiders like Hercules.
• Characteristics

oSize: Hercules, the largest male funnel web spider ever recorded, boasts an impressive size measuring 3.1 inches from foot to foot.

oVenomous Fangs: Equipped with fangs capable of penetrating human nails, Hercules stands as the world's most venomous arachnid.

oMagnitude Milestone: Hercules represents the first male funnel web spider recorded with such significant magnitude.

oLethality of Males: Male funnel web spiders, exemplified by Hercules, are known to be more lethal than their female counterparts.

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9. ARAMBAI TENGGOL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security)

Context: Recently, a Union Minister, an MP, and nearly all Meitei MLAs of Manipur assembled at Imphal's Kangla Fort in response to a 'summons' issued by Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei radical group.

Arambai Tenggol

• About: It is a Meitei activist organisation in the Indian state of Manipur, often described as a radical organisation,[5][6] or as a radicalised armed militia.
• Evolution: Inaugurated in 2020 as a cultural entity
• Alongside Meitei Leepun, it became one of the two hardline Meitei groups suspected of involvement in numerous Meitei-Kuki clashes that erupted in May 2023.
• Targeting the Naga Community: Tenggol faced accusations of specifically targeting members of the Naga community during its activities.
• Engagement with Security Forces: Suspected to be engaged in a gunfight with a unit of Assam Rifles just before the visit of Home Minister Amit Shah to Manipur in June 2023.
• Political Representatives' Summit: The demands included delisting Kukis from the Scheduled Tribes list, deportation of refugees to camps in Mizoram, border fencing, replacement of Assam Rifles with another paramilitary force, and revocation of the Suspension of Operations (SOO) agreement between the Centre and Kuki militant groups.

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10. EXERCISE DESERT KNIGHT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Desert Knight alongside the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force over the Arabian Sea.

Exercise Desert Knight

• About: It is a trilateral exercise between India, France and UAE.
• Focus: Enhancing synergy and interoperability between the air forces of the three nations.
• India Air Force: Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J and Air to Air Refueller aircraft.
• French Air and Space Force (FASF): Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi Role Tanker Transport
• UAE Air Force: F-16.
• Defence Exercises between India and France

oVaruna: Naval exercise

oGaruda: Air exercise

oShakti: Army exercise

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