1. STATE OF MARGINAL FARMERS OF INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: According to the State of Marginal Farmers of India 2024 survey, over 50% of marginal farmers have reported losing at least half of their standing crops due to severe weather conditions.

Key findings of Report

• Participant Demographics: A total of 6,615 marginal farmers participated, selected from a pan-India panel.
• Survey Methodology: The survey began in 2023, using tele-calling to select respondents based on landholding size from 21 states.
• Definition of Marginal Farmer: Marginal farmers, as per government records, hold up to 1 hectare of agricultural land for farming activities.
• Impact of Extreme Weather: Over the past five years, a higher percentage of farmers are experiencing significant crop losses compared to previous extreme weather events.
• Crop-Specific Losses: Significant crop loss percentages were reported: 50% of paddy farmers and over 40% of wheat farmers consistently lost more than half of their crops.
• Government Initiatives:

oRole of PMFBY: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) supported agricultural resilience, with approximately 35% of surveyed marginal farmers enrolled.

oRole of PMKSNY: About 83% of surveyed farmers received government grants or subsidies, primarily through the Kisan Samman Nidhi.

• Cold Storage Accessibility: 69% of farmers lacked cold storage facilities within 10 km, while 15% had access but never used them.

o27% of households accessed bank loans in the past, according to surveyed farmers.

• Recommendations: The study proposed strategies like reservoir buffering and groundwater recharge through check dams and watersheds to enhance agricultural water resilience.

State of Marginal Farmers of India 2024

• About: This report is focused on rapid understanding of the state of marginal farmers in India.
• Released by: Development Intelligence Unit (DIU), a collaborative enterprise of Sambodhi Research and Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF). 
• Commissioned by: Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED), an organization dedicated to advocating for marginal farmers.

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2. DEPUTY SPEAKER OF LOKSABHA (Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: With the Opposition’s increased strength in Lok Sabha, its members are hoping to get the post of Deputy Speaker.

Deputy Speaker

• About: It serves as the Second-in-Command Presiding Officer of the Lower House of Parliament of India – the Lok Sabha.
• Article 95(1): The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker if the post is vacant.
• General Powers: The Dy. Speaker has the same general powers as the Speaker when presiding over the House.
• Appointment Timeline: The Constitution does not specify a time frame for making the appointments. This gap in the provision allows governments to delay or avoid appointing a Deputy Speaker.
• Election: Article 93 states that “The House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the House to be respectively Speaker and Deputy Speaker”.
• State Assemblies Provision: Article 178 contains the corresponding provision for the Speakers and Deputy Speakers in the state Assemblies.
• Term of Office: Like the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker remains in the office usually during the life of the Lok Sabha.
• Removal Process: Under Article 94 (and Article 179 for state Assemblies), the Speaker or Deputy Speaker must vacate office if they cease to be a member of the House. They may also resign to each other or be removed by a resolution of the House passed by a majority.

Power and Functions

• The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker’s office when it is vacant.
• He also acts as the Speaker when the latter is absent from the sitting of the House.
• Deputy Speaker is not subordinate to the Speaker. He is directly responsible to the House.
• He also presides over the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in case the Speaker is absent from such a sitting.
• When the Speaker presides over the House, the Deputy Speaker is like any other ordinary member of the House.

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3. RAIN-SHADOW EFFECT (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Following last year's deficient monsoon, the Maharashtra government has declared several parts of the state drought-hit earlier this year, with significant areas in Marathwada receiving less than 75% of their average rainfall.

Rain-Shadow Effect

• Geographical Context: Marathwada lies in the rain-shadow region of the Western Ghats.
• Meteorological Process: Moist winds from the Arabian Sea rise and cool when they encounter the Western Ghats, leading to heavy rainfall (2,000-4,000 mm) on the windward side.
• Impact on Marathwada: After crossing the Western Ghats, these winds descend into Western Maharashtra and Marathwada, losing moisture and resulting in much lower rainfall (600-800 mm) in Marathwada.
• Impact of Climate Change on Water Availability

oResearch Findings: A 2016 study by IIT Gandhinagar highlights worsening drought severity and frequency in central Maharashtra.

oRegional Context: Marathwada and North Karnataka are now among the driest regions in India after the northwest, due to climate change impacts.

• Effect of Water Demand for Crops

oAgricultural Practices: Traditional crops like cotton, pulses, and millets are better suited to Marathwada's low-rainfall environment.

oChallenges with Sugarcane: Sugarcane cultivation, demanding 1,500-2,500 mm of water, exacerbates the water crisis in Marathwada.

oWater Consumption: Despite occupying only 4% of the cropped area, sugarcane consumes 61% of irrigation water, reducing river outflow in the upper Bhima basin.

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4. UNESCO RECOGNITION OF KOZHIKODE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Art and Culture)

Context: Recently, Kozhikode in north Kerala, known for its rich cultural heritage, was officially declared as India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’.

UNESCO Recognition of Kozhikode

• About: Kozhikode secured a place in the ‘Literature’ category of UNESCO Creative Cities Network in October 2023.

oThis recognition highlights the city’s cultural and literary contributions on a global platform.

oGwalior and Kozhikode from India are among the 55 new cities which have joined the UCCN.

• Historical and Cultural Significance: Kozhikode, historically known as Calicut, has a rich literary tradition dating back centuries.

oIt has been a pivotal hub connecting various civilizations, including Persians, Arabs, Chinese, and Europeans.

• Literary Infrastructure: Kozhikode boasts over 500 libraries and 70 publishing houses.

oThese establishments contribute significantly to the city’s literary culture by publishing hundreds of books annually.

• Honours: The city actively promotes its writers through prestigious awards such as the P.A. Lalitha Award, S.K. Pottekkatt Literature Award, and Mathrubhumi Literary Award. 
• Celebrating ‘City of Literature’ Day: Starting next year, June 23 will be celebrated as ‘City of Literature’ Day in Kozhikode.

oSpecial awards will be announced across six categories to honor outstanding literary achievements in the city.

UNESCO CREATIVE CITES NETWORK

• About: It is to promote cooperation among cities which recognized creativity as a major factor in their urban development.
• Launch: Year2004
• Eligibility: UNESCO’s member states and associate members
• Updation Time: Once every 2 years

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5. ESAKSHYA (E-EVIDENCE) SYSTEMS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Days before the implementation of three new criminal laws, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is currently testing eSakshya (e-evidence) systems.

eSakshya (e-evidence) Systems

• About: It a mobile-based application to help police record scene of crime, search and seizure in a criminal case and upload the file on the cloud-based platform.
• Procedure: Upon completing the procedures, police officials are required to upload a selfie through the application.
• File Specifications: Each recording made through eSakshya can be a maximum of four minutes long. Multiple files can be uploaded for each First Information Report (FIR).
• Developed by: National Informatics Centre (NIC), eSakshya will be accessible to all police stations upon registration and download of the application.
• Alternative Uploading Method: Alternatively, police can upload files directly through eSakshya, requiring good internet speed for efficient uploading.

Note

• The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that replaces the Indian Penal Code, 1860; the Bharatiya Sakshya (BS) which replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872; and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

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6. PRIORITY SECTOR LENDING (PSL) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The RBI recently revised its priority sector guidelines to encourage banks to provide small loans in economically disadvantaged districts with low average loan sizes.

Priority Sector Lending (PSL)

• About: PSL mandates banks to allocate a minimum percentage of their loans to sectors crucial for development or facing difficulties in loan access.
• Regulatory Updates: RBI periodically revises eligible sectors and loan limits under PSL regulations.
• Categories of Priority Sectors: Agriculture, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Export Credit, Education, Housing, Social Infrastructure, Renewable Energy and Others.
• Targets under PSL: Domestic SCBs and foreign banks with ≥20 branches: 40% of ANBC or CEOBE.

oForeign banks with <20 branches: 40% of ANBC or CEOBE, with specific sub-targets.

oRegional Rural Banks and Small Finance Banks: 75% of ANBC or CEOBE.

oPrimary (Urban) Co-operative Banks: Increasing to 75% from FY2025-26.

• Methods to Meet Targets: Banks fulfill PSL obligations through loans, credit facilities, financial products, and investments in eligible instruments.
• Priority Sector Lending Certificates: PSLCs are certificates issued against priority sector loans, enabling banks to meet PSL targets by purchasing these instruments.
• Function: Banks use PSLCs to cover deficits in priority sector lending, while also incentivizing increased lending to these sectors.

Revised RBI Guidelines:

• Loans in districts with low credit availability (< Rs 9,000 per person) receive 125% weight.
• High availability districts (> Rs 42,000 per person) receive 90% weight.
• Other districts maintain the current weightage, except outliers.

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7. SAIPAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Julian Assange is heading to a courtroom in Saipan to plead guilty to a single criminal charge as part of a plea deal. This agreement will allow him to walk free and return home to Australia after a 14-year legal battle.

Saipan

• About: It is the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth in the western Pacific which begins roughly 70 kilometers north of Guam and stretches across 14 islands.
• U.S. Commonwealth Status: Like territories such as Guam or Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands are part of the U.S. without the full status of a state.
• Citizenship and Voting Rights: The roughly 51,000 residents are U.S. Citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections. Crucially, some, like Saipan, also host U.S. district courts.
• Historical Background: The U.S. took control of Saipan during World War II. After decades under U.S. control, residents in 1975 voted to join the U.S. as a territory. The territory has a permanent delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Northern Mariana Islands

• About: It is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the United States.
• Composition: It is composed of 14 islands and islets in the western Pacific Ocean.
• Principal Islands: These are Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

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8. MEDIATION COUNCIL OF INDIA (MCI) (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions)

Context: The government is likely to establish the Mediation Council of India (MCI) by the end of this year to improve out of court dispute resolution, and enhance ease of doing business.

Mediation Council of India (MCI)

• Council Appointment: Council members may be directly appointed by the Centre or through a special search-cum-selection committee.
• Composition of the Council: The council will consist of three members, including a chairperson, experts in mediation, alongside a chief executive officer and a representative from a recognized commerce and industry body.
• Formation: The MCI is established under the Mediation Act, recently passed by the government, mandating completion of mediation within 180 days.

oThe Mediation Act, 2023 aims to foster a link between the mediation and the arbitration of commercial disputes, thus reducing the burden on Indian courts

• Guidelines Issuance: The council will issue guidelines for the mediation process, ensuring consistency and clarity.
• Training and Certification: The council will oversee training, assessment, and certification of mediators by recognized institutions, setting standards for mediator conduct.
• Preferred Dispute Resolution: Establishing the council marks a significant step towards promoting mediation, particularly for corporate disputes.

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9. JAVELIN ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE SYSTEM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: India and the US held discussions on the co-production of American javelin missiles in India to meet the requirements of the Indian military.

Javelin Anti-tank Guided Missile (ATGM) System

• About: This system developed jointly by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, prominent American defense contractors.
• Target Capability: Designed primarily to defeat heavily armored vehicles like main battle tanks, as well as lighter-skinned military vehicles.

oAlso effective against fortifications, bunkers, and helicopters due to its versatile targeting capabilities.

• Service: Entered service with the U.S. military in 1996, marking its deployment and operational use in combat scenarios.

Features of the Javelin ATGM System:

• Physical Dimensions: Measures approximately 1.2 meters in length and 127 mm in diameter.

oWeighs 22.1 kg, making it portable yet powerful for its intended purposes.

• Warhead Composition: Carries a single 8.4 kg tandem-charge, high-explosive antitank (HEAT) warhead, optimized for armor penetration.
• Maximum Range: 2,500 meters, ensuring effective engagement capabilities over significant distances.
• Guidance System: Utilizes "fire-and-forget" technology, employing automatic infrared guidance.

oCapable of autonomously guiding itself to the target without requiring external commands or additional target designation.

• Combat Applications: Can be employed in direct attack mode for precise destruction of ground targets.
• When fired upwards, it can intercept and neutralize low-flying aircraft such as helicopters.
• Operational Efficiency: Reload and reacquire time is minimal, approximately one minute, facilitating rapid reengagement during combat operations.

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10. CHANG’E-6 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: China’s Chang’e-6 on Tuesday became the first spacecraft to bring back samples from the far side of the Moon, the part that the Earth never gets to see.

Chang’e-6

• About: It is a lunar lander and sample return mission that landed on the far side of the Moon within the South Pole Aitken Basin.
• Launched by: China's National Space Administration spearheads the Chang'e 6 mission.
• Carried by: The mission is propelled into space by the Long March-5 Y8 rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan.
• Components: The spacecraft comprises four modules, a service module, lander, ascent vehicle, and reentry capsule.
• Objective: To collect about 2 kg of material from the far side of the Moon within about two days of landing and bring it back to Earth.
• Significance: This mission marks the first attempt in human lunar exploration history to collect and return samples from the moon's surface.
• Chang'e 4: Landed in the Von Karman crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin in 2019, making history with the Yutu-2 rover's successful soft landing on the moon's far side.
• Chang'e 5: Its descender and lander touched down on Mons Rumker, a vast volcanic plain on the moon.

History of Lunar Sample Return Missions

• Apollo 11 Mission: In 1969, Apollo 11 brought 22 kg of lunar surface material, including 50 rocks, back to Earth.
• Soviet Luna 16 Mission: Luna 16 marked the first robotic sample return mission, bringing pieces of the Moon to Earth.
• Chang’e-5 Mission: Chang’e-5 successfully returned 2 kg of lunar soil, demonstrating China's capability in lunar sample return.

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