1. STATE OF THE CLIMATE IN ASIA 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The State of the Climate in Asia 2023" report has shed light on Asia's susceptibility to climate-related disasters, with floods, storms, and heatwaves.

The State of the Climate in Asia 2023

• About: The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the climate conditions and associated impacts in Asia during the year 2023.
• Based on: Data collected from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, United Nations partners, and a network of climate experts.
• Publisher: World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Key Findings:

• Disaster Vulnerability: Asia was identified as the world’s most disaster-prone region in 2023, with floods, storms, and heatwaves causing significant casualties and economic losses.
• Temperature Rise: Eastern and northern India recorded the highest temperature rise.

o The annual mean near-surface temperature over Asia in 2023 was the second-highest on record, 0.91°C above the 1991-2020 average and 1.87 °C above the 1961-1990 average.

• India specific findings: 
• Temperature Rise:

o Average temperatures in 2023 increased by 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius in eastern India compared to the average of 1991-2021.

o States like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and northern states experienced significant warming trends.

• Sea Level Rise: Satellite measurements revealed an annual increase of 4.44 mm in sea levels in the Bay of Bengal from January 1993 to May 2023. 

o Incidentally, the Sundarbans, on the coast of West Bengal, have been found to have the highest sea level rise in India.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

• About: It  is a specialized agency of the United Nations. 
• Function: It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources.
• Established in 1950, WMO became the specialized agency of the United Nations in 1951 for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.
• Headquarter:  Geneva, Switzerland.

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2. PORTUGAL (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – IR/Places in News)

Context: Recently, thousands spilled onto the streets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Portugal's 'Carnation Revolution,' marking the overthrow of Europe's longest-standing fascist dictatorship and the dawn of democracy in the country.

Carnation Revolution

• About: It is also known as the 25 April, occurred in 1974 in Lisbon, Portugal, overthrowing the authoritarian Estado Novo government.
• Social Impact: The Carnation Revolution brought about significant social changes in Portugal, fostering a transition towards democracy.
• Economic Changes: The revolution led to major economic reforms in Portugal, altering the economic landscape of the country.
• Political Transformation: The Carnation Revolution marked a turning point in Portuguese politics, ushering in a new era of democracy and ending authoritarian rule.
• Overseas Colonies: The revolution had profound effects on Portugal's overseas colonies, leading to decolonization processes and the end of the Portuguese Colonial War.

Portugal

• About: Situated along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, holds a significant place in southwestern Europe.
• Capital: Lisbon
• Borders: The Portugal-Spain border in the north and east constitutes the longest uninterrupted border-line in the European Union.
• Mountain: The highest Portuguese mountain is Mount Pico.

o The highest peak in Mainland Portugal is Torre in the Serra da Estrela range

• River: Tagus River
• Strait of Gibraltar: Between Morocco and Portugal
• Member of: European Union, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, and NATO.

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3. 2G SPECTRUM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, over a decade after the Supreme Court cancelled 122 telecom licenses in the landmark 2G spectrum scam judgment, the Union government has filed an application to allocate spectrum administratively, bypassing auctions.

2G Spectrum

• About: It is a combination of three cases, one filed by Enforcement Directorate and two cases registered by the CBI.
• Timeline of Events: The scam is said to have originated in 2008 with the sale of 122 2G licenses on a first-come-first-serve basis to specific telecom operators.
• Allegations by CBI: In April 2011, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a charge sheet alleging a loss of ₹30,984 crore to the exchequer due to discrepancies in the allocation process.
• Sovereignty of Spectrum: It  is a sovereign asset overseen by governments or designated national regulatory authorities, which manage and issue licenses for its use in each country.
• Vital Infrastructure: Spectrum serves as invisible infrastructure, enabling wireless connectivity crucial for modern economies and societies.
• Importance of Spectrum Allocation: Spectrum relates to the radio frequencies allocated to various sectors, including the mobile industry, for communication over airwaves.

o Spectrum facilitates a wide range of services and applications essential for connectivity, including mobile broadband for internet access.

What is the significance of the new telecom law?

• About:: The new telecom law grants the government increased authority to assign spectrum for telecommunication through administrative processes.
• Exemptions: Entities engaged in national security, defence, law enforcement, and certain global mobile communication ventures like Space X and OneWeb, are exempt from spectrum auctions.
• Secondary Assignees: The law allows for the assignment of parts of spectrum already allocated to primary entities to secondary assignees.
• Spectrum Utilization Control: Authorities are empowered to terminate spectrum assignments if they remain underutilized without valid reasons.

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4. WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) organized a national workshop and celebrated World Intellectual Property Day.

World Intellectual Property Day

• About: It is observed annually on 26 April.
• Established by: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000.
• Purpose: It aims to "raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact on daily life" and "to celebrate creativity, and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of economies and societies across the globe".
• Outreach Campaign: World Intellectual Property Day is WIPO’s largest intellectual property (IP) public outreach campaign.

Intellectual Property

• About: It refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.
• IP is protected in by: a Law, for example, patents, copyright and trademarks, GI tag etc., which enable people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create.
• Aim: To foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish.
• World intellectual property organization (WIPO): It is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation.
• In India: Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the apex body regulating IPR.

o IPR regime of India is in compliance with the WTO’s agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

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5. GLOBAL REPORT ON FOOD CRISIS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: The 2024 Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC) revealed that extreme weather emerged as the second most significant factor driving food crises, with nearly 282 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity in 59 countries recently.

Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC)

• Preparation: Annually by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN).
• Launched by: The Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC).
• GNAFC: A multistakeholder initiative including UN organizations, the EU, the United States Agency for International Development, and NGOs collaborating to address food crises.

2024 Report Analysis

• Population and Coverage: The report scrutinized a populace of 1.3 billion across 59 countries in 2023.
• Food Crisis Overview

o Magnitude of Crisis: Approximately 282 million individuals encountered elevated levels of acute food insecurity across the surveyed nations in 2023.

o Urgency of Action: One out of every five individuals assessed required immediate critical intervention due to acute food insecurity.

• Vulnerable Regions Examination

o Conflict Hotspots: Regions like Palestine (Gaza Strip) and Sudan exhibited a strong correlation between displacement and acute food insecurity.

o Sudan's Crisis: Sudan emerged as the world's largest internal displacement crisis in 2023.

• Identification of Causes

o Primary: Conflict and insecurity emerged as the leading cause in 20 countries, directly impacting 135 million individuals.

o Secondary Factor: Extreme weather events followed as the second significant contributor to food insecurity.

o Economic Instability: Economic shocks ranked third, affecting 21 nations, especially low-income and import-dependent countries.

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6. NATHPA JHAKRI HYDROELECTRIC STATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: SJVN Limited has achieved a significant milestone with the inauguration of India's first Multi-purpose (Combined Heat & Power) Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at SJVN’s 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (NJHPS) in Jhakri, Himachal Pradesh.

Nathpa Jhakri Hydroelectric Station

• About: It stands as the largest hydropower project on the Sutlej River, boasting a capacity of 1,500 MW.
• Confluence and Formation: It merges with the Chenab River, giving birth to the Panjnad River, before ultimately meeting the Indus River.
• Ownership: The project is under the ownership of SJVN Ltd., a joint venture between the Indian and Himachal Pradesh governments.
• Government Vision: The Indian government aims for a comprehensive development plan, envisioning around 30 projects along the Sutlej River.
• Project Infrastructure: Valued at USD 2 billion, the Nathpa Jhakri project comprises a 62.5 m-high concrete gravity dam, an extensive underground desilting complex, and a robust hydropower plant with an impressive installed capacity of 1,500 MW.
• Power allocation from plant: Northern states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the cities of Delhi and Chandigarh.

Sutlej River

• About: It is longest of the five tributaries of the Indus River that give the Punjab (meaning “Five Rivers”) region its name. 
• Origin: On the north slope of the Himalayas in Lake Rakshastal in southwestern Tibet.
• Drainage Basin: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Ladakh and Haryana.
• Tributaries: Baspa river, spiti river, nogli khad, soan river

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7. BASIC STRUCTURE DOCTRINE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Defence Minister of India reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the basic structure of the Constitution during his conversation.

Basic Structure of Doctrine

• About: It is a judicial principle that was established by the Supreme Court of India to safeguard the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution from being amended or altered in a manner that would fundamentally change its character. 
• The discussion on the extent of Parliament's authority to amend the Constitution under Article 368 began as early as 1951.
• Background

o Kerala Land Reforms Amendment Act(1969): Through this Act, the Kerala Government was empowered to acquire land owned by the Matt.

o Kesavananda Bharati Case 1973: He involved a petition filed against the Government of Kerala regarding the forced acquisition of someone's land under the provisions of this Act.

o Fundamental Rights: The petitioner argued that this act violated their Fundamental Rights as guaranteed in Articles 25, 26, and 31 of the Constitution of India. 

• Current status of Article 368:

o The Parliament under Article 368 can amend any part of the Constitution including the Fundamental Rights but without affecting the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution. 

o However, the Supreme Court is yet to define or clarify as to what constitutes the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.

o ‘Basic structure’ word not mention in the Constitution.

Components of Basic Structure:

• Supremacy of the Constitution
• Sovereign, democratic and republican nature of the Indian polity
• Separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary
• Judicial review
• Parliamentary system
• Rule of law
• Principle of equality
• Free and fair elections
• Independence of Judiciary
• Limited power of Parliament to amend the Constitution

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8. MPLADS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently elected Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha in 2019 have not efficiently utilized the funds allocated to them by the government through the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme compared to their predecessors.

Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

• Introduction: MPLADS was introduced by the Government of India on 23 December 1993.

o The MPLAD Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.

o It allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend developmental works in their constituencies, focusing on creating durable community assets based on locally felt needs.

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Objectives: Enable MPs to suggest and execute developmental works emphasizing durable asset creation.

o Address locally felt needs and contribute to community development.

• Funding:

o Each MP receives Rs. 5 crores annually since 2011-12, increased from Rs. 5 lakhs in 1993-94.

o MoSPI disburses funds to district authorities, not directly to MPs. 

o Funds are released in two installments, Rs. 2.5 crore each, and are non-lapsable.

o MPs allocate at least 15% and 7.5% of funds for SCs and STs, respectively.

• Scope:

o MPs elected to Lok Sabha: They can recommend MPLADS works within their respective constituencies.

o MPs elected to Rajya Sabha: They can recommend MPLADS works within the state of their election.

o Exceptions: An elected Member of Parliament can also recommend works anywhere in the country outside the usual region in which he/ she can recommend work above, subject to the following conditions: 

• There shall be ceiling of Rs. 25 lakhs in a financial year per Member of Parliament for all such recommendations, except in case of calamity. 
• In case of calamity, a Member of Parliament can contribute his MPLADS fund for work in affected areas as per the conditions mentioned.
• Nominated members: They can recommend MPLADS works in any district in the country.

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9. ATACAMA DESERT (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Researchers recently made the groundbreaking discovery of thriving microbes 13 feet beneath the scorched surface of Chile's Atacama Desert, marking the deepest exploration of microbial life in the region so far.

Atacama Desert

• Location: Northern Chile: Nestled between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
• Borders: Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia.
• Volcanoes: Hosts 12 volcanoes, mainly located in the western outliers of the Andes.
• Driest Desert: The Atacama Desert is the driest nonpolar desert in the world, as well as the only true desert to receive less precipitation than the polar deserts.
• Resources and Utilization:

o Sodium Nitrate: Largest natural supply, used for various purposes including fertilizer and explosives.

o Soil Similarity to Mars: Soil samples resemble those from Mars, leading NASA to use the desert for testing instruments for missions to the red planet.

Why is the Atacama Desert so dry?

• Geographic Location: The first reason is that the desert sits on the wrong side of the Andes with regards to prevailing winds.
• Atmospheric Conditions: The second reason is high air pressure.
• Influence of Ocean Currents: The last reason is the cold Humboldt Current from the Pacific Ocean.

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10. COLLEGIUM SYSTEM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Supreme Court Registry has refused to accept a petition to end the Collegium system of judicial appointments and revive the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), seeking to “prevent needless waste of judicial time and energy”.

National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)

• About: NJAC is a group in charge of selecting and moving judges in the higher courts of India.
• Established By: 99th Constitutional Amendment Act, of 2014.
• Objective: The NJAC was meant to take the place of the collegium system used to choose judges.
• Composition: 6 persons Chief Justice of India (Chairperson), Two other senior judges of the Supreme Court, The Union Minister of Law and Justice, Two eminent persons: nominated by a committee & Leader of Opposition of LS.

o In October 2015, the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench, with a majority of 4:1, ruled that the NJAC was against the Constitution and supported the continued use of the collegium system.

Collegium System

• About: In this system, decisions about choosing judges or promoting lawyers to the Supreme Court and moving judges between High Courts and the Supreme Court are made by a group consisting of the Chief Justice of India and the four most experienced judges of the SC.
• The way judges are chosen and moved around is based on decisions made by the SC, not on a law from Parliament or a part of the Constitution.
• The term 'Collegium' isn't mentioned in the Indian Constitution. It has become a practice based on legal judgments.

Constitutional Provisions on Judge Appointments

• Articles 124(2) and 217: These articles specifically address the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts respectively.
• Presidential Authority: The President holds the authority for these appointments as per the Constitution.
• Consultations Requirement: The President is mandated to consult with judges from both the Supreme Court and High Courts regarding appointments.

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