1. FACE RECOGNITION SYSTEM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Centre's decision to deploy 'DNA and Face Matching' systems at 1,300 police stations across the country comes as a recently welcomed development, considering the delayed implementation of the Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI).

Facial Recognition System

• About: Facial recognition is a technology driven by algorithms that generate a digital representation of a person's face by detecting and mapping their facial characteristics.
• Purpose: This system serves the purpose of identifying individuals from images.
• Process: The system starts by receiving a face image or an image sequence as its input.
• It can acquire images in real-time through the use of cameras and sensors.
• Matching and Extraction: The Face Recognition System (FRS) then performs feature extraction and matches it with images stored in a database.

Two Critical Processes

• Verification: This is a 1-to-1 matching system where the individual's biometric data is compared to a reference biometric already on file for authentication.
• Identification: This process involves a 1-to-many matching system, allowing the system to identify unknown individuals or biometrics.

Utilized by Various Countries

• China: The Chinese government has employed this technology to monitor and track Uighurs, a Muslim minority within the country.
• United Kingdom (UK): In 2020, the UK used facial recognition technology to monitor football fans arriving for a match.
• India: Concerns have arisen in India regarding the use of facial recognition technology by the police, particularly during protests.

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2. PM SVANIDHI (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Schemes)

Context: The Prime Minister of India recently shared an in-depth research report by the State Bank of India that provides a clear picture of the transformative impact of PM SVANidhi.

PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)

• Launched: June 01, 2020
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
• Objective: Offering cost-effective working capital loans to street vendors, enabling them to revive their livelihoods impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown.

oIt is a special micro-credit facility plan to provide affordable loans of up to 10,000 to more than 50 lakh street vendors, who had their businesses operational on or before 24 March.

• Lending Agencies: Microfinance Institutions, Non-Banking Financial Companies, Self Help Groups 
• Eligible for the Loan
• Vendors with vending experience dating back to or before March 24, 2020, and possessing a vending certificate are eligible for the loan.
• The Street Vendors Act 2014 mandates Town Vending Committees, consisting of local authorities and area vendors, to issue vending certificates following a comprehensive survey of all vendors.

Benefits of Scheme

• Vendors can access a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000, with repayment in monthly installments over one year.
• Timely or early loan repayments will result in a 7% annual interest subsidy deposited into beneficiaries' bank accounts quarterly via Direct Benefit Transfer.
• Early repayment of the loan will not incur any penalties.

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3. INDIA’S GDP GROWTH (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The recently published issue of PMI by S&P Global Market Intelligence predicts that India, the world's fifth largest economy, is poised to surpass Japan and become the third-largest economy with a GDP of USD 7.3 trillion by 2030.

Key Points

• India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 6.2-6.3 per cent in the fiscal year ending in March 2024, being the fastest-growing major economy this fiscal year.
• Asia’s third-largest economy grew by a stellar 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter.
• India’s nominal GDP measured in USD terms is forecast to rise from USD 3.5 trillion in 2022 to USD 7.3 trillion by 2030. 
• This rapid pace of economic expansion would result in the size of the Indian GDP exceeding Japanese GDP by 2030, making India the second largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• The GDP is the total market value of all final goods and services in an economy.
• Country performance can be evaluated by comparing GDP figures from one year to another and by comparing them to other nations.
• GDP growth can stem from increased production, rising prices of goods and services, or a combination of both.
• Growth of GDP: It can be either due to increase in actual production or due to increase in prices of goods and services or combination of both the above two factors.
• Nominal GDP: It is the value of GDP at the current prevailing prices.
• Real GDP: It is the value of GDP at some constant set of prices.

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4. OECD (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: India saw the highest migration flows to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in 2021 and 2022, according to the 'International Migration Outlook 2023' recently released.

• India replaces China as the main country of origin of new migrants to OECD countries in 2020.
• In terms of workers, migration flows from India (+172 per cent), Uzbekistan (+122 per cent) and Turkey (+240 per cent) rose sharply, making them primary countries of origin after Ukraine.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

• About: OECD is an association of 38 member countries, most being rich developed nations that attract migrant workers and students. 

oIndia is not a member of OECD.

• Founded:  1961, by 18 European nations, plus the United States and Canada.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• Members: The majority of OECD members are high-income economies with a very high Human Development Index (HDI) and are regarded as developed countries. 
• Aim: Fostering economic development and cooperation and fighting poverty through the promotion of economic stability.

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5. EXERCISE HARIMAU SHAKTI (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023 commenced in Umroi Cantonment, India.

Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023

• About: It is a joint bilateral training exercise between Indian & Malaysian Armed Forces.
• Contingents: Malaysian Contingent ( 5th Royal Battalion of the Malaysian Army).

oIndian Contingent ( Rajput Regiment).

• Aim: Enhance military capability for conducting Multi Domain Operations in a sub-conventional scenario.
• Activity: Establishing a Joint Command Post.
• Task: Setting up an integrated surveillance grid with a Joint Surveillance Centre.
• Operational Environment:
• Focus: Intelligence collection, collation, and dissemination drills.
• 2022 Edition: Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia.

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6. PM - AJAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Scheme)

Context: The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY) has been implemented since 2021-22.

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY)

• About: It is a merged scheme of 03 Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan ( SCA to SCSP) and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana(BJRCY)
• Implemented: Since 2021-22
• Aim: To reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through Skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives.

oTo improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.

• 3 Components of Scheme

oDevelopment of SC dominated villages into an “Adarsh Gram”. 

o"Grants-in-aid support District/State projects for SC socio-economic betterment, covering infrastructure, schools, livelihood programs, and financial aid for asset creation."

oConstruction of hostels in top-ranked higher educational institutions and government-funded schools, as per NIRF rankings and Ministry of Education recommendations, is a priority.

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7. CYCLONE HAMOON (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management)

Context: Recently, Cyclone 'Hamoon' intensified into a 'severe cyclonic storm' just a day after forming over the Bay of Bengal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

• According to The Weather Channel, Cyclone Hamoon is currently in a deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal. It is expected to intensify during the next 12 hours and move northwards.
• A cyclonic disturbance is called a depression if the associated sustained maximum wind speed at surface level is 17-27 knots, wherein a knot is equal to 1.86 kilometres per hour.

Cyclone Hamoon

• About: It is a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal region.
• The system will move nearly north-eastward and cross the Bangladesh coast between Khepupara and Chattogram.
• Areas Affected: Paradip (Odisha), Digha (West Bengal), Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, south Assam, Meghalaya and Khepupara (Bangladesh).

Favourable Conditions for Tropical Cyclone Formation

• Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27°C.
• Presence of the Coriolis force is enough to create a cyclonic vortex.
• Small variations in the vertical wind speed.
• A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation.
• Upper divergence above the sea level system.

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8. NCEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation recently addressed the 'National Symposium on Cooperative Exports' organised by the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) in New Delhi.

• India's first multi-state cooperative society for exports, the National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL), will promote the country's organic products and share half its returns with farmers.

National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL)

• Established as an overarching body for cooperative sector exports, the NCEL has achieved remarkable success by securing orders worth Rs 7,000 crore.
• Emphasising the importance of the cooperative sector in boosting exports, the Union Minister of Cooperation highlighted that around 50% of export earnings would directly benefit farmers through NCEL.
• Objectives of NCEL: NCEL was established with several objectives, including boosting exports, especially in the agricultural sector, fostering prosperity among farmers, promoting changes in crop patterns, and enabling 2 crore farmers to practice natural farming by 2027.

oOne of NCEL's objectives is to strengthen the cooperative sector, which plays a crucial role in India's economy, contributing to 15% of GDP and employing 60% of the population.

• Natural Farming: Natural Farming is a chemical-free farming system rooted in Indian tradition enriched with modern understanding of ecology, resource recycling and on-farm resource optimization.

oIt is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass-mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations; maintaining soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs.

oNatural farming is expected to reduce dependency on purchased inputs. It is considered as a cost- effective farming practice with scope for increasing employment and rural development.

• Natural Farming Initiatives: Prime Minister of India initiated several projects to promote natural farming in India, such as a multistate cooperative society for selling organic products globally, aiming to provide higher prices to farmers and enhance their prosperity.

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9. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is expected to meet on October 25, where they will use recently presented Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to assess government financial performance during the monsoon session.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

• About: The PAC holds the distinction of being the oldest parliamentary committee in Indian legislative affairs and plays a pivotal role in upholding accountability by overseeing public expenditure.
• Established: In 1921 in the aftermath of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms.
• Members: 22 members, elected through a proportional representation system utilizing the single transferable vote method.

oAnnually, fifteen members are elected from the Lok Sabha among its members.

oAdditionally, the Rajya Sabha elects seven members following a similar process to join the Committee.

• Representation within the Committee: This method of election ensures that every political party or group is fairly represented on the Committee in accordance with their respective strengths in the two Houses.

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

• About: The Constitution of India establishes the independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
• The CAG serves as the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and holds the responsibility of safeguarding the public funds and overseeing the entire financial system of both the Central and State governments.
• Appointment: The President appoints the CAG through a formal warrant bearing his hand and seal.
• It is the duty of the CAG to uphold the Constitution of India and adhere to the laws enacted by Parliament in the realm of financial administration.
• Evolution: The concept of the CAG originated during British India. In May 1858, a distinct department was established, featuring an Accountant General who was accountable for auditing and managing financial transactions conducted under the East India Company (EIC).
• Conditions of Service: The salary and other terms of service for the CAGl are subject to determination by Parliament through legislation. Until such determination, these conditions remain as specified in the Second Schedule.

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10. CCPA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Consumer protection regulator CCPA said it is recently probing 20 IAS coaching centres for alleged misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices of using toppers and successful candidates' names and pictures to influence prospective aspirants.

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)

• About: CCPA is a regulatory body established in 2020 based on the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Establishment: In 2020
• Control by; Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
• Composition: Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other commissioners as members.
• Objective: To promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.

Functions of CCPA

• When examining consumer rights violations, it investigates and takes appropriate measures, including issuing recall orders for unsafe products or service withdrawals with refunds.
• It can instruct traders, manufacturers, endorsers, advertisers, or publishers to cease false or misleading advertising.
• Penalties of up to Rs 10 lakh and a two-year imprisonment can be imposed on manufacturers or endorsers for false or misleading advertisements, with higher fines and longer imprisonment for subsequent offenses.
• It issues safety alerts to warn consumers about unsafe goods and services.

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