1. PLFS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: The Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) have recently been monitoring the gender earnings gap across various forms of employment from April to June 2019 to 2023.

Key Points

• Men consistently earn more than women in all forms of work, with the greatest gender gap observed among self-employed individuals.
• The gender gap in earnings has increased for self-employed workers but decreased for regular wage workers.
• The rise in the gender gap in hours worked is attributed to increasing Labour force participation rates (LFPRs) among rural women in self-employment, but with many of these jobs being part­time in nature.

Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS)

• Objective: In urban areas, for a short three-month interval, focus on the 'Current Weekly Status' (CWS).
• Annually, for both rural and urban areas, assess both the 'Usual Status' and CWS.
• Key Indicators

o Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR): LFPR represents the proportion of individuals in the population who are part of the labor force, meaning they are either employed, actively seeking employment, or available for work.

o Worker Population Ratio (WPR): WPR denotes the percentage of the population that is employed.

o Unemployment Rate (UR): UR indicates the percentage of individuals within the labor force who are currently unemployed.

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2. SEMICONDUCTOR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan to establish a semiconductor supply chain partnership, with a strong emphasis on research and development (R&D), manufacturing, design, and talent development within the industry.

Semiconductor 

• About: Semiconductors are manufactured using minute particles of various raw materials.
• Raw materials: Silicon, Germanium, and Gallium arsenide.
• Through a process known as doping, the properties of these materials are modified to make them exhibit both conductive and non-conductive behavior as needed.
• Multiple semiconductor chips are produced from a single silicon disc or wafer.

India’s Status in Semiconductor Supply Chain

• India's chip imports, which currently account for all chips in the market, are expected to grow from the current USD 24 billion to reach USD 100 billion by 2025. 
• This signifies India’s growing emphasis on internal semiconductor production, as well as its desire to establish a formidable presence in the global semiconductor supply chains.
• SEMICONINDIA 2023: Organized by the India Semiconductor Mission in collaboration with industry and industry associations.

o Objective: To transform India into a worldwide center for Semiconductor Design, Manufacturing, and Technology Development, aligning with the vision of the India Semiconductor Mission.

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3. NANO DAP (LIQUID) PLANT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation of India, recently inaugurated IFFCO's Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant at Kalol in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Nano DAP (Liquid) Plant

• Establishment: 2023.
• Established by: Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO )
• Place: Kalol in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• It is India’s first liquid nano-ammonia phosphate (DAP) plant.
• Nano liquid DAP fertilizeris is a concentrated phosphate-based fertilizer.
• DAP is the second most consumed fertilizer in the country after urea.
• It provides phosphorus nutrition throughout the crop growth and development cycle.

Advantages

• Diammonium phosphate (DAP) is the most globally utilized phosphorus fertilizer, with a significant impact on India's fertilizer sector.
• The introduction of Nano-DAP is poised to reduce India's expenditure on fertiliser imports.
• It is anticipated to play a role in reducing the annual subsidies allocated to non-urea fertilisers.

Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO )

• About: IFFCO, registered as a Multistate Cooperative Society, is a significant fertilizer cooperative federation in India.
• It stands as one of the largest cooperative societies in India, and it is entirely owned by Indian Cooperatives.
• Founded: in 1967
• Headquarters: New Delhi

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4. BNS BILL 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Recently, a Parliamentary Committee has reviewed the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 Bill, proposing significant changes to India's Criminal Justice System, recommendations including a gender-neutral provision criminalizing adultery.

Key Highlights of the Proposed Changes in BNS

• Adultery and Gender-Neutral Provision: A gender-neutral provision criminalizing Adultery has been recommended by the parliamentary committee.

o This recommendation follows the Supreme Court's 2018 declaration that Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized adultery, was unconstitutional.

o The committee's aim is to protect the institution of marriage in a gender-neutral manner.

• Non-Consensual Sex and Bestiality: The committee is considering the inclusion of a clause that criminalizes non-consensual sex between individuals of all genders, along with acts of bestiality.

o This step reflects an effort to comprehensively address various forms of sexual offenses.

• Definition of Terms: The committee has proposed improved definitions for terms such as "community service" and "life imprisonment" in the bill.
• Positive Changes: The new draft code has brought about several positive changes, including the removal of Section 124A (Sedition) and provisions for prosecuting offenses committed in foreign countries.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 Bill

• Origin of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): The Indian Penal Code (IPC) was initially composed in 1834.
• It was drafted by the first Law Commission, led by Thomas Babington Macaulay.
• The IPC officially became effective in January 1860.
• Introduction of the BNS Bill: In 2023, a new legislative proposal known as the BNS Bill was introduced.

o The primary objective of the BNS Bill is to replace the IPC with a more contemporary and updated set of legal provisions.

• Comparison of IPC and BNS Bill: The IPC is an extensive legal framework, comprising 511 sections.
• In contrast, the BNS Bill encompasses a more concise set of laws with 356 provisions.

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5. NUTRIENT BASED SUBSIDY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

• Context: Recently, the Union cabinet approved a subsidy of ₹22,303 crore for phosphatic and potassic fertilizers to support the ongoing rabi season, which extends until the end of March.

Key highlights

• The cabinet also approved fresh rates under the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) scheme for NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizers.
• Rabi crops are sown in winter and harvested in spring. Wheat, barley, mustard, chana (gram), masur (lentil), peas, potato, tomato, beet, cabbage, garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, linseed, sunflower and cauliflower.

Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme

• About: Under the NBS policy, the government annually declares a fixed subsidy rate for key nutrients, including Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K), and Sulphur (S).
• Implemented by: Since 2010 by the Department of Fertilizers
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers

o Fertilizer manufacturers and importers provide farmers with subsidized prices for Urea and 25 P&K fertilizer grades as part of the government's initiative.

• Aim: The NBS policy strives to enhance the utilization of P&K fertilizers to attain the desired NPK fertilization equilibrium, with a ratio of 4:2:1 for Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), and Potash (K).

Benefits 

• It helps farmers in ensuring availability of essential nutrients at subsidized prices.
• It rationalizes the subsidy on P&K fertilizers, ensuring effective and efficient utilization of government resources.

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6. NEW GENUS OF BACTERIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Recently, researchers found a new genus of anaerobic lignocellulose-degrading bacteria in the hot spring of Aravali, located in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

Sporanaerobium hydrogenoformans

• Family: Lachnospiraceae family
• About: This bacterium is renowned for its exceptional polysaccharide degradation capabilities.
• Lignocellulosic Agricultural Wastes: This bacterium possesses the capacity to break down the structural components of lignocellulosic agricultural residues, namely cellulose and xylan.
• Optimal Growth Conditions: Thriving under specific conditions, the bacterium exhibits optimal growth at elevated temperatures, ranging from 45–50°C, and an alkaline pH of 8.0.
• Unique Sugar Utilization: It's important to note that only a few bacteria have the capacity to simultaneously utilize hexose and pentose sugars. This characteristic underscores the bacterium's significance in industrial biofuel production.
• Special Metabolic Pathway: These newly discovered bacteria possess a distinctive metabolic pathway for converting various simple and complex substrates into hydrogen and ethanol, contributing to their potential in biofuel production.
• Exploration of Hostile Habitats: The discovery of such unique and valuable bacteria underscores the importance of exploring microbes in extreme environments like hot springs, where rare and significant species may be found.

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7. PM SHRI SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Scheme)

Context: The Union Minister for Education will inaugurate ICT labs for PM Shri schools on 25th October 2023 at Rohtak, Haryana.PM SHRI Scheme

• Aim: To transform existing government schools into model schools that offer high-quality education within an inclusive, equitable, catering to the diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and varying academic abilities of children.
• Duration: From 2022-23 to 2026-27
• Funding: The scheme is structured as a Centrally sponsored program. 
• This funding will facilitate the transformation of nearly 14,500 schools nationwide, aligning them with the components outlined in the National Education Policy of 2020. 
• These schools will also serve as role models and provide mentorship to neighbouring educational institutions.
• Monitoring Progress: A 'School Quality Assessment Framework' is currently under development to assess and monitor the progress and performance of these schools.

Key Features

• Green Schools: The schools under this initiative will be outfitted with green features, such as solar panels, LED lighting, nutrition gardens, and systems for waste management, water conservation, and harvesting.
• Modern Facilities: Schools will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including information and communication technologies (ICT), smart classrooms, libraries, digital libraries, science labs, vocational labs, and the provision of science and math kits. 
• Promotion of Mother Tongue and Local Languages: The scheme actively encourages the use of mother tongue and local languages to preserve and promote linguistic diversity.

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8. TROPICAL FORESTS UNDER THREAT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Environment)

Context: Recently, at the Summit of the Three Basins in Brazzaville (capital of the Republic of the Congo), it was revealed that tropical forests in these regions are still threatened by fossil fuel and extractive industry expansion.

Key Points

• These basins are seeing extensive forest loss and are moving towards a systemic ecosystem breakdown that affects global climate stability, biodiversity and the livelihoods
• In Indonesia, half of all nickel concessions overlap with natural forests and a fivefold risk of deforestation / degradation is possible if nickel mining permits expand to cover the full deposit area.
• In the Amazon basin, nearly 13 percent of undisturbed tropical forests overlap with existing or planned oil and gas blocks and more than 33 per cent overlap with active and inactive mining concessions.

Tropical Forest

• About: Tropical forests are dense, closed-canopy ecosystems that thrive within approximately 28 degrees north or south of the equator.
• Rainfall: Exceeding 200 cm, either seasonally or year-round, creating consistently humid conditions.
• Temperatures: From 20°C to 35°C throughout the year.
• Geographic Distribution: Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico, and numerous Pacific Islands.
• Distribution in India: Eastern and western slopes of the Western Ghats.

o Rainforests exhibit remarkable biodiversity and unique ecological characteristics.

• Layers in Lowland: A mature lowland tropical forest comprises various layers of vegetation.
• The uppermost layer consists of scattered tall trees that tower above the rest, creating an impressive and diverse canopy.

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9. CBAM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: With the United Kingdom (UK) recently preparing to roll out a carbon levy for goods entering the country, India is negotiating ardently for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the two nations to include provisions that may offer some relief to its exporters.

• The UK intends to implement the CBAM, commonly known as a carbon tax, within the next two to three years as part of its climate change mitigation efforts.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• About: It is a tariff on imports that is calculated based on the carbon emissions associated with the production of the imported product.
• CBAM is a component of the "Fit for 55 in 2030 package," which is the European Union's initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 55% by 2030 in comparison to 1990 levels.
• Dual Purpose: it serves as a financial disincentive for carbon emissions and influences production and export activities.
• The CBAM is scheduled to commence its transitional phase on 1 October 2023, with the permanent system set to become effective on 1 January 2026.

Benefits of CBAM

• Reduction in carbon leakage: CBAM aims to prevent the relocation of industries to countries with weaker climate policies, thus reducing carbon leakage and maintaining global emission reduction efforts.
• Encouraging global climate action: By imposing carbon pricing on imported goods. 
• Revenue generation: CBAM has the potential to generate revenue for the implementing country, which can be used for climate financing, supporting domestic industries, or investing in clean technologies.

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10. WHITE PHOSPHORUS BOMB (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Israel was recently accused by Human Rights Watch of employing white phosphorus munitions in Gaza, raising concerns about the potential for serious and long-term harm to civilians.

• The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) imposes restrictions on the use of incendiary weapons, including white phosphorus, with the aim of safeguarding civilians.
• The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a treaty that establishes a comprehensive ban on the use of chemical weapons. White phosphorus, although a chemical agent and toxic, is not covered by the CWC.

White Phosphorus Bomb

• About: White phosphorus bombs are created by combining white phosphorus with rubber.
• Properties: A wax-like chemical, appears pale yellow or colorless and emits a pungent odor resembling rotten garlic.
• Temperature of bomb: 800 °C and spontaneously ignites up to 1,300 °C when exposed to oxygen
• Properties: Upon exposure to air, white phosphorus ignites rapidly due to its highly flammable nature.

o Armies worldwide employ it in incendiary weapons for various purposes, such as illuminating targets at night and causing harm to adversaries.

o Once ignited, this substance is challenging to extinguish because it adheres to numerous surfaces, including skin and clothing.

o Due to its wax-like properties, it proves difficult to remove and often reignites upon bandage removal.

o While white phosphorus munitions aren't prohibited by international law, their use is subject to strict regulation due to their incendiary effects.

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Effective from 1997, it prohibits the use of chemical weapons, and also prohibits large-scale development, production, stockpiling, or transfer of chemical weapons or their precursors, except for very limited purposes (research, medical, pharmaceutical or protective). 

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