1. LISTERIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recent weeks have seen two separate outbreaks of listeria, a food-contaminating bacteria, reported in the United States and Canada.

Listeria

• About: It is a type of bacteria found in soil, vegetation, water, sewage, and even the feces of animals and humans. 

oListeria-contaminated food can lead to an infection called listeriosis.

• Symptoms: Most people who ingest listeria-infected food do not fall sick or develop symptoms. 

oThe bacteria can be present in the infected person’s system for up to two months until the symptoms present themselves, making it difficult to establish the connection between what was consumed and the infection.

• Vulnerable People: With compromised immune systems, pregnant persons and their offspring, and the elderly (aged 65 and above) are vulnerable. 
• According to the CDC, pregnant women are 10 times more likely to develop a listeria infection and risk pregnancy loss, premature birth, or even life-threatening infection in the newborn. 
• Risk: Listeria can result in hospitalization and even death for the immunocompromised and the elderly. 
• Treatment: It depends on the extent of the infection. 

oThe treatment is similar to one for a routine stomach infection and could require antibiotics. 

---

2. PROJECT CHEETAHS (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Madhya Pradesh government has rejected an RTI application seeking correspondence related Project Cheetah citing concerns over ‘national Security, sovereignty and Integrity of India.

Project Cheetah

• About: To reintroduce the cheetah in its forests, seven decades after the last member of the species went extinct in the country.

oUnder Project Cheetah, the animals are translocated from the forests of South Africa and Namibia to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Cheetah

• About: cheetah is the world’s fastest land animal.
• Family: The cheetah is a prominent cat family member.
• Subfamily: Feline
• Distribution: found across Africa and some parts of Iran.
• cheetahs are divided into four subspecies; the Southeast African cheetah, the Northeast African cheetah, the Northwest African cheetah, and the rare Asiatic cheetah.
• Habitat: The cheetah prefers grassland habitats where it has enough space to go after its prey without any obstacles.
• The cheetah prefers grassland habitats where it has enough space to go after its prey without any obstacles.

ocheetahs are divided into four subspecies; the Southeast African cheetah, the Northeast African cheetah, the Northwest African cheetah, and the rare Asiatic cheetah.

---

3. LOKMANYA TILAK (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: The Prime Minister of India  recently paid tributes to Lokmanya Tilak on his birth anniversary.

Lokmanya Tilak

• About: He widely known as Lokmanya Tilak, was a leading Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, social reformer, and political leader in the Indian independence movement.
• Advocate of Swaraj: Tilak was a key proponent of Swaraj (Self Rule) for India and is renowned for his slogan, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it."
• Title: He was honored with the title ‘Lokmanya’, meaning ‘revered by the people’, by his followers.
• Radical Nationalist: Tilak was recognized as a radical nationalist and was labeled by the British Government as the "Father of Indian Unrest."
• Contributions:

oIndian National Congress: He joined the INC Party in 1890.

oAll India Home Rule League: Tilak co-founded the All India Home Rule League in 1916-18 with G. S. Khaparde and Annie Besant.

oHe established his Home Rule League in Maharashtra, Central Provinces, Karnataka, and Berar, while Besant’s League was active throughout the rest of India, focusing on self-rule and public awareness.

• Literary Contributions: Tilak was a distinguished writer and journalist, utilizing his newspapers "Kesari" (Lion) in Marathi and "Maratha" in English to spread nationalist ideas.
• Notable Works: His key literary works include "The Arctic Home in the Vedas," proposing the Vedic origin in the Arctic, and "Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Rahasya," a nationalist interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita.
• Educational Initiatives: Tilak established the Deccan Education Society in Pune in 1884, which founded Fergusson College and the New English School, promoting modern education in Maharashtra.
• Social Reforms: Tilak supported the eradication of social evils like untouchability and child marriage and promoted women's education.
• Lal-Bal-Pal Triumvirate: Tilak worked with Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai, collectively known as the ‘Lal-Bal-Pal triumvirate.’
• Lucknow Pact: In 1916, he played a crucial role in concluding the Lucknow Pact with Mohammed Ali Jinnah, which aimed at Hindu-Muslim unity in the nationalist cause.

---

4. MONEY LAUNDERING (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security)

Context: Recently, Delhi high court asked Enforcement Directorate to respond to a plea of former Delhi Minister Related to money laundering case.

Money Laundering

• Definition: Money laundering is the process of hiding the source of money obtained from illegal sources and converting it to a clean source, for the purpose of avoiding prosecution, conviction, and confiscation of the criminal funds.
• Stages of money laundering: Placement – layering – integration.
• As per FATF: The goal of a large number of criminal acts is to generate a profit for the individual or group that carries out the act.

oMoney laundering is the processing of these criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origin. 

oThis process is of critical importance, as it enables the criminal to enjoy these profits without jeopardizing their source.

Impact of Money Laundering

• Distortion of Economic Sectors: Money laundering disrupts fair competition and market integrity by injecting illicit funds into legitimate businesses.
• Undermining Financial Stability: Money laundering weakens the financial system, increasing the risk of crises and compromising the credibility of banks.
• Undermining the Rule of Law: Money laundering undermines the rule of law by allowing criminals to benefit from their illegal activities, eroding trust in legal systems.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

• Aim: To prevent money-laundering
• To provide for confiscation of property derived from or involved in money laundering.
• The Department of Revenue within the Ministry of Finance oversees the investigation of money laundering offenses under the PMLA through the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

---

5. KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security)

Context: 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas was celebrated on 26 July 2024 with great pride and fervour across the country.

Kargil Vijay Diwas

• About: It has been named after the success of Operation Vijay.

oOperation Vijay (1999): the Indian operation to push back infiltrators in the Kargil War

oOn this auspicious day, Indian Armed Forces successfully reclaimed the command of the high outposts which were treacherously occupied by Pakistani soldiers in 1999 in Kargil.

About Kargil war:

• Beginning: The conflict was triggered when infiltrators from Pakistan crossed the LoC and occupied high positions in Ladakh’s Kargil district.
• Kargil War: The Kargil war was a three-month long skirmish between India and Pakistan. It commenced in May 1999 when approx. 1500 Pakistani soldiers intruded into the Indian Territory in Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir with an aim of severing link between Kashmir and Ladakh.
• End: The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended on 26 July 1999 with gallant victory for India.
• Operation Safed Sagar: It was the codename assigned to the Indian Air Force’s strike to support the Ground troops during Kargil war.
• Other Operation Vijay: Operation Vijay (1961), the operation by the Military of India that led to the capture of Goa.

---

6. TRIPUT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Security)

Context: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has recently launched the first indigenously-built Talwar-class frigate, named 'Triput'. 

Triput

• About: It is the first indigenously built Talwar-class frigate.
• In October 2016, India and Russia signed a deal to buy four stealth frigates of the Admiral Grigorovich class.
• Import and Indigenous Construction: Two of these frigates, 'Tushil' and 'Tamal', will be directly imported, and the remaining two frigates will be built in India by GSL through a transfer of technology (ToT).
• Built by: GSL under this project. The second frigate, 'Tamal', will be delivered by February 2025.

oThe Indian Navy already operates six ships of this class: INS Talwar, INS Trishul, INS Tabar, INS Teg, INS Tarkash, and INS Trikand.

• Features of INS Triput

oDimensions and Speed: The 124-meter-long and 15.5-meter-wide ship is propelled by four gas turbines, designed to achieve a maximum speed of 28 knots at a displacement of approximately 3200 tons.

oCapabilities: It features a hull design that reduces radar cross-section, enhancing its stealth capabilities.

oAdvanced Systems: The ship is equipped with a state-of-the-art weapons and sensors system, an Integrated Platform and Bridge Management System, and other advanced features.

oAir Defence: The ship’s air defence capability includes a vertical launch long-range Surface-to-Air missile system to counter enemy aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles.

oIndigenous Systems: It has an indigenous power generation and distribution system, AC, steering system, and stabilisers developed by private industry.

---

7. CAPITAL GAINS TAX (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently debate going on  because government is not open to reviewing the long term capital gains for sale of property.

Capital gains tax

• About: Any profit or gain that arises from the sale of a ‘capital asset’ is known as ‘income from capital gains’. Such capital gains are taxable in the year in which the transfer of the capital asset takes place. This is called capital gains tax.
• Types:

oSTCA ( Short-term capital asset ) An asset held for a period of 36 months or less is a short-term capital asset.

oLTCA ( Long-term capital asset ): An asset held for more than 36 months is a long-term capital asset.

• Budget update:

oFor classifying assets into long-term and short-term, there will only be two holding periods: 12 months and 24 months. The 36-month holding period has been removed.

oThe holding period for all listed securities is 12 months. All listed securities with a holding period exceeding 12 months are considered Long-Term. The holding period for all other assets is 24 months.

oThe taxation of Short-Term Capital Gain for listed equity shares, a unit of an equity-oriented fund, and a unit of a business trust has been increased to 20% from 15%.

oThe limit on the exemption of Long-Term Capital Gains on the transfer of equity shares or equity-oriented units or units of Business Trust has increased from Rs.1 Lakh to Rs.1.25 lakh per year. However, the rate at which it is taxed has increased from 10% to 12.5%

---

8. NON-FUNGIBLE TOKEN (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Time has come to discuss the future of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) to transform the agri-food structure for the betterment of farming in India.

Non-Fungible Token

• About: NFTs, are blockchain-based tokens that each represent a unique asset like a piece of art, digital content, or media.

oAn NFT can be thought of as an irrevocable digital certificate of ownership and authenticity for a given asset, whether digital or physical

• Representation: They can represent digital or real-world items such as artwork, photographs, songs, videos, real estate, individuals' identities, property rights, and more.
• Tokenization: NFTs are assets tokenized via a blockchain, with unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them from other tokens
• Non-Fungible: The term ‘non-fungible’ means each token is different, unlike fungible currencies (e.g., one ten-rupee note can be exchanged for another).
• Trading: NFTs can be traded and exchanged for money, cryptocurrencies, or other NFTs, depending on their market value and the value placed on them by owners
• Blockchain Record: NFT transactions are recorded on blockchains, which are digital public ledgers. Most NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain.
• key characteristics: (NFTs) are designed to be i) cryptographically verifiable, ii) unique or scarce and iii) easily transferable
• Popularity: NFTs gained popularity in 2021, as artists began to see them as a convenient way to monetize their work. 

---

9. MAGNETOTACTIC BACTERIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Researchers have uncovered fossil remains of magnetic particles, known as magnetofossils produced by magnetotactic bacteria, in rock varnish layers in Ladakh, India.

Magnetotactic Bacteria

• About: These are mostly prokaryotic organisms that arrange themselves along the Earth’s magnetic field.
• Habitat: These bacteria are found in both freshwater and marine environments.
• Oxygen Navigation: Historically, it was believed that these bacteria follow the magnetic field to find optimal oxygen concentrations.
• Iron-Rich Compass: These organisms contain novel structured particles rich in iron, housed in small sacs that function as a compass.
• Crystal Formation: Magnetotactic bacteria produce tiny crystals of iron-rich minerals, magnetite or greigite, to navigate changing oxygen levels in their habitat.

Highlights of the Research

• Comparison: Researchers are examining similarities between rock varnish in Ladakh and those observed on Mars by the Perseverance rover.
• Organic Signatures Detection: Elevated concentrations of oxidized manganese (Mn4+) and carboxylic acid functionalities were identified on the varnish surface, indicating possible organic signatures.
• Biotic Origin of Magnetic Minerals: The findings suggest that the magnetic minerals in rock varnish are likely biotic in origin.
• Importance for Space Missions: Detecting biotic signatures in rock varnish enhances the focus on identifying biosignatures on Mars and other celestial bodies.
• Future Space Exploration: This information is essential for future space missions, including those planned by ISRO and other agencies, aiming to explore Mars and evaluate its habitability.

---

10. TAXATION POWER ON MINERAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: A nine-judge Constitution Bench ruled that Indian states have the authority to tax mining activities and collect royalties from mining leaseholders, asserting that this does not interfere with their power to impose taxes.

Taxation Power on Mineral Rights

• Background of the Case: In 1989, a seven-judge Bench ruled that the Centre has primary authority over mining regulation under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Entry 54 of the Union List. 

oStates were permitted only to collect royalties and not impose additional taxes. The court classified royalties as taxes, making any cess on them beyond state authority. 

• Supreme Court Rule: The SC's ruled that the 1989 verdict, which classified royalties on minerals as a tax under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, was incorrect.

Difference Between Royalty and Tax

• Royalty: It refer to the fees paid to the owner of a product in exchange for the right to use that product.

oExample of Royalties: If a movie studio wants to use an existing piece of music by a specific artist in their new film, they will have to pay a royalty fee that goes to the artist.

oLegal Framework: Section 9 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDRA) requires lessees to pay royalty in respect of any mineral removed to the individual or corporation who leased the land.

• Tax: It is imposed under statutory power without reference to any special benefit conferred on the payer.

oPurpose: Taxes are imposed for public purposes and are part of the common burden borne by all citizens.

oNo Specific Benefit: Unlike royalties, taxes do not involve a quid pro quo arrangement; the payment is mandatory and not linked to any specific privilege or benefit.

---