1. GETEX 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: India has made a strong impression at the Global Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) 2024, currently underway at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Global Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) 2024

• About: GETEX is the foremost student recruitment event in the MENA region, facilitating connections between education providers and potential students.
• Participants: The event is expected to draw over 35,000 local and expatriate students, showcasing its significant regional influence.
• Educational Offerings: GETEX offers a platform to explore programs from various institutions, spanning diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and professional development courses.
• Experience: Attendees can benefit from seminars and career advice sessions hosted by experts, enhancing their understanding of educational and career pathways.
• Career Opportunity: GETEX provides a valuable opportunity for visitors to delve into different educational options and chart their future career trajectories.

Middle East and North Africa  Region (MENA) 

• About: MENA stands for the Middle East and North Africa region, encompassing approximately 19 to 27 countries as there is no standardized definition.
• Also referred as: West Asia and North Africa (WANA) or South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA).
• Resource Reserves: OPEC data reveals that the MENA region holds over 50% of the world's oil reserves and 40% of its natural gas reserves.
• Countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, and Yemen.

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2. ISRO’S STUDY ON GLACIAL LAKE (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently published satellite-data-based analysis on the expansion of glacial lakes in the catchments of Indian Himalayan river basins.

ISRO's Glacial Analysis

• Long-term Satellite Imagery: It covering Indian Himalayan river basins, including India, Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan, is available from 1984 to 2023.
• Expansion of Glacial Lakes: Out of 2,431 lakes larger than 10 hectares identified during 2016-17, 676 glacial lakes had expanded significantly since 1984.
• Magnitude of Expansion: Among the expanded lakes, 601 lakes had more than doubled in size, 10 lakes had grown between 1.5 to 2 times, and 65 lakes had grown 1.5 times.
• Distribution in India: ISRO identified that 130 out of the 676 expanded lakes are situated in India, particularly in the Indus (65), Ganga (7), and Brahmaputra (58) river basins.
• Impact of Global Warming: The expansion of these lakes is attributed to the accelerated retreat of glaciers, which is linked to global warming.
• Category: ISRO categorised glacial lakes into four broad categories based on how they were formed: Moraine-dammed, Ice-dammed, Erosion-based, and ‘others’.

Glacial Lakes

• About: It is defined as a body of water that is present in adequate quantities, extends with a free surface in, beneath, beside, and/or in front of a glacier, and is the result of glacier activities and/or glacier retreating processes.

Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)

• About: They occur when glacial lakes release large volumes of meltwater due to the failure of natural dams… resulting in sudden and severe flooding downstream.
• Method of mitigation:

o According to a study published in Journal of Geophysical Research which examined the risks posed by Ghepan Gath lake (Himachal Pradesh) è lowers the lake/water levels by 10 to 30 m significantly reduces the impacts.

o One way to syphon off lake water is by using long High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. In 2016, members of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority and Sikkim’s Department of Science and Technology and Climate Change, among others, used this method to reduce water levels in Sikkim’s South Lhonak Lake.

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3. SOLAR RADIATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Scientists at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently analyzed that several locations in India are experiencing an "alarming decreasing trend" in the quantity of solar radiation economically convertible to electricity by solar panels.

Solar Radiation

• Definition: Also known as the solar resource or sunlight, encompasses the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the sun.
• Energy Conversion: Various technologies can capture solar radiation and convert it into practical energy forms, including heat and electricity.
• India's Largest Solar Parks: The largest solar parks in India are situated in the north-west region, particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• Decrease in Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Potential: Cities in Gujarat and Rajasthan are experiencing a decrease in solar photovoltaic potential despite being home to large solar parks.
• Current Solar Power Capacity: India's installed solar power capacity stands at approximately 81 GW, equivalent to 17% of the total installed electricity capacity.
• Renewable Energy Plans: India aims to source about 500 GW, nearly half of its electricity requirement, from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
• Solar Power Targets: India's goal includes achieving at least 280 GW of solar power capacity by 2030, requiring an annual addition of at least 40 GW of solar capacity until that year.

Analysis of Study

• Study Scope: The scientists analyzed radiation trends at 45 in-house stations equipped with instruments for measuring solar radiation.
• Focus on SPV Potential: The study primarily focused on changes in Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) potential.

o SPV potential refers to the amount of radiation practically available for conversion to electricity by solar panels.

• Geographical Coverage: The stations included in the analysis spanned various regions such as Ahmedabad, Chennai, Goa, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Pune, Shillong, Thiruvananthapuram, and Vishakhapatnam.

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4. FOREX RESERVES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: India's forex reserves recently dropped by USD 2.282 billion to USD 640.334 billion, marking the second consecutive week of decline, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Forex Reserves

• Definition: These reserves are assets like foreign currencies, gold reserves, and treasury bills, among other things, maintained by a country’s central bank or other monetary authority.
• Nodal body in India: Reserve Bank of India. 
• Legal status: RBI Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 govern the foreign exchange reserves. 
• Objective:

o Forex reserves act as a buffer against adverse currency fluctuations. 

o Assures creditors of the ability to meet external debt obligations.

o Acts as a financial safety net during economic crises or external shocks.

o Provides liquidity to address balance of payments deficits and currency crises.

o Supports seamless cross-border transactions and maintains the efficiency of the global payments system.

• Monetary Policy Implementation: Influences domestic liquidity, interest rates, and inflation levels for macroeconomic stability.
• The four components of forex reserves: Foreign currency assets, gold, special drawing rights and the reserve position in the International Monetary Fund.

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5. FIRST ASEAN FUTURE FORUM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister participated in the First ‘ASEAN Future Forum’.

First ASEAN Future Forum

• About: It serves as a vital platform for sharing innovative ideas and policy recommendations among ASEAN member states and their partners.
• Objective: To establish a unified platform where ASEAN member states, partner countries, and ASEAN citizens can collectively contribute to shaping the development trajectory of the ASEAN bloc.
• Proposed by: Vietnam during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in 2023, the ASEAN Future Forum was envisioned to foster collaboration and dialogue within the ASEAN region.
• Theme of the Inaugural Forum: "Toward fast and sustainable growth of a people-centered ASEAN Community."
• Location: Hanoi, Vietnam.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• Established: In 1967, by the Bangkok Declaration.
• Type:  A political and economic union of 10 member statesin Southeast Asia.
• Members: Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
• Objective: It promotes inter-governmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and socio-cultural integration between its members and countries in the Asia-Pacific.
• Secretariat: Jakarta, Indonesia.

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6. MISSION ISHAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy/Infrastructure)

Context: Recently, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), responsible for air traffic management services, issued invitations for expressions of interest (EoI) to prepare a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management at Nagpur (ISHAN).

Mission ISHAN

• About: ISHAN stands for Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management at Nagpur.
• Aim: To centralize coordination for domestic flights flying in upper airspace (above 25,000 ft) to be handled by air traffic controllers (ATCOs) in Nagpur.
• Indian Airspace Structure: Currently, Indian airspace is divided into 4 Flight Information Regions (FIRs) - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, along with a sub-FIR at Guwahati, each managed separately.

oThe move comes amidst a significant surge in aviation industry growth, with domestic passenger traffic expected to double by 2030.

• Benefits:

o ISHAN is expected to make air traffic operations more efficient, safer, and seamless, thereby enabling it to handle more capacity.

o The move is also expected to benefit passengers by reducing congestion and flying times.

o FIRs are controlled by a single authority responsible for providing air traffic services as well as alerting services.

o Air traffic controllers (ATCOs) in each region would only guide flights approaching or taking off from an airport until they enter the upper airspace.

o Flexibility in flight routes, reduced travel time, lower fuel consumption, and reduced carbon footprint are among the key benefits of ISHAN.

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7. NILGIRI TAHR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Tamil Nadu government recently announced plans to conduct a synchronized survey of the state animal, the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), aiming to remove it from the endangered status.

Nilgiri Tahr

• About: It stands as the sole mountain ungulate species in southern India, contrasting with the twelve other species found throughout the country.
• State Animal: Tamil Nadu
• Habitat: Open montane grassland habitats at elevations from 1200 to 2600 m of the South Western Ghats. 

o Currently, the Nilgiri tahr distribution is along a narrow stretch of 400 km in the Western Ghats between Nilgiris in the north and Kanyakumari hills in the south of the region.

• Threatened Population: Facing mounting pressures from habitat degradation and human activities like hunting, the remaining populations of Nilgiri tahr endure significant stress, jeopardizing their survival.
• Highest Population: The Eravikulam National Park in Anamalai hills, Kerala
• Lowest Population: Palani hills, Srivilliputtur, and the Meghamalai and Agasthiyar ranges
• Protection Status: 

o IUCN Status: Endangered

o Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I 

• Conservation Estimates: As reported by WWF India in 2015, place the wild population of Nilgiri tahr at approximately 3,122 individuals, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts.

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8. IRDAI & BIMA TRINITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has proposed to price Bima Vistaar, its ambitious all-in-one affordable mass product aimed at the rural areas of the country, at Rs 1,500 per policy.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)

• About: IRDAI is an autonomous and statutory body responsible for managing and regulating the insurance and reinsurance industry in India.
• Establishment: Under an Act of Parliament in 1999, IRDAI operates independently to oversee the functioning of insurers and protect the interests of policyholders.
• Organizational Structure: Comprises a 10-member body, including a chairman, five full-time members, and four part-time members.
• Headquarter: In Hyderabad.
• Functions: Ensuring policyholders' interests are safeguarded,

o Fostering the rapid and orderly growth of the insurance industry,

o Facilitating the prompt settlement of genuine claims, establishing an effective mechanism for grievance redressal, and

o Promoting fairness, transparency, and orderly conduct in financial markets related to insurance.

Bima Trinity

• About: It is the result of the initiative by IRDAI in late 2022 in setting up a committee to explore and recommend on how to bring about synergies in the working and operations of insurance companies.
• Three Component:

o Bima Sugam: A centralized platform integrating insurers and distributors to offer a one-stop shop for customers. 

o Bima Vistar: A comprehensive bundled insurance product covering life, health, property, and casualty or accident risks. 

o Bima Vaahaks: A women-centric workforce deployed at the grassroots level to promote insurance awareness and facilitate the adoption of composite insurance products like Bima Vistar. 

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9. AUTO-BREWERY SYNDROME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, a Belgian man was acquitted of drunk driving due to auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), a rare condition where the body produces alcohol, as stated by his lawyer.

Auto-Brewery Syndrome

• About: It is also referred to as gut fermentation syndrome.
• Found: It occurs when certain fungi or bacteria in the gut produce excessive amounts of ethanol, converting carbohydrates from food into alcohol.
• Caused by: fermentation of ingested carbohydrate by gut fungi resulting in endogenous production of ethanol.
• Biochemical Process: It involves the body's conversion of sugary and starchy foods into alcohol, leading to symptoms akin to intoxication.
• Metabolic Waste: While yeasts and fungi metabolize sugars and starches for energy, they also produce ethanol and carbon dioxide as byproducts.
• Symptoms: Individuals may experience drunkenness without consuming alcohol or become significantly intoxicated with minimal alcohol intake.

o Common Symptoms: Dizziness, headache, and dehydration are typical symptoms, alongside others.

• Risk Factors: People with diabetes, obesity, or Crohn's disease are at higher risk, although ABS can affect healthy individuals too.
• Treatment: Medical advice often recommends avoiding high-carbohydrate and sugary foods to manage ABS symptoms effectively.

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10. SYMBOL LOADING UNIT (SLU) (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea for 100% verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips alongside Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counts but instructed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to safeguard the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) for 45 days post-election result declaration.

Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

• About: It is an independent system [consists of two parts, namely, VVPAT Printer and VVPAT Status Display Unit (VSDU)] attached with the Electronic Voting Machines that allows the voters to verify that their votes are cast as intended.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVM)

• About: EVMs facilitate candidate selection through button presses.

Symbol Loading Unit (SLU)

• About: SLUs are essential components in the functioning of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems, introduced concurrently with VVPATs approximately a decade ago.
• Purpose of VVPATs: It  allow voters to verify their votes by displaying a printed slip containing the symbol of the chosen party.
• Role of Symbol Loading Units (SLUs): These are crucial for ensuring the accurate printing of symbols on VVPAT slips.
• Integration with VVPAT Systems: The introduction of VVPATs necessitated the utilization of SLUs for loading candidate symbol information onto the VVPAT machine.
• Loading Procedure: The SLU is connected to a laptop or personal computer, where a symbol loading application is used to load a bitmap file containing candidates’ names, serial numbers, and symbols.
• Data Transfer: Once the symbol information is loaded onto the SLU, it is connected to the VVPAT machine to transfer the file onto the paper audit machine.
• Storage Duration: Currently, only the three components of the EVM  the ballot unit, control unit, and VVPAT  are stored for 45 days after the results. 

o This is the first time that SLUs, used to load candidate symbols onto the VVPATs, will also be available for examination along with the EVMs if a candidate challenges the results by filing an election petition in court.

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