1. SOUTH CHINA SEA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, China and the United States traded accusations over the disputed South China Sea following an incident where China's military claimed to have repelled a U.S. warship engaged in what the U.S. Navy described as a routine freedom of navigation operation.

South China Sea

• About: It is one of the world's busiest waterways and plays a crucial role in global trade and merchant shipping.
• Location: The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean
• Bordering Countries: The People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.
• Straits: Taiwan Strait, connecting to the East China Sea; the Luzon Strait, linking to the Philippine Sea; straits surrounding Palawan, connecting to the Sulu Sea; the Strait of Singapore, providing access to the Strait of Malacca; and the Karimata and Bangka Strait, connecting to the Java Sea.
• Reason for Dispute: The South China Sea disputes involve claims over maritime territories and islands by various sovereign states in the region.
• Countries Party dispute: China, Brunei, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia etc.

Claims Over Islands

• The Paracel Islands: Claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
• The Spratly Islands: Claimed by China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines.
• The Scarborough Shoal: Claimed by the Philippines, China and Taiwan.

---

2. CITIZENSHIP AMENDMENT ACT Syllabus GS Paper 2 - Polity)

Context: Recently, the Minister of State for Home Affairs announced that rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be formulated by March 2024.

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019

• It amended: The act amended the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants eligible for citizenship of India. 
• Citizenship on the basis of religion: The CAA provides citizenship on the basis of religion to six undocumented non-Muslim communities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before 31st December, 2014.
• Definition: Under the Act, an illegal migrant is a foreigner who:

o Enters the country without valid travel documents like a passport and visa, or

o Enters with valid documents, but stays beyond the permitted time period.

• Citizenship by registration or naturalisation: The Act allows a person to apply for citizenship by registration or naturalisation if the person meets certain qualifications.
• Citizenship by registration or naturalisation: The Act allows a person to apply for citizenship by registration or naturalisation if the person meets certain qualifications.
• Non-applicability: These provisions on citizenship for illegal migrants will not apply to the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, included in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. 

Methods of Acquiring Citizenship of India prescribed in the Citizenship Act, 1955:

o By Birth, By Acquisition or Incorporation of Territory, By Descent, By Registration, By Naturalisation.

Why is the northeast against CAA?

• Prolonged large-scale migration from neighboring countries has been a persistent issue in the north-eastern states.
• Indigenous residents have expressed their discontent through protests, citing concerns about the impact of this migration on the social, economic, and political aspects of the region.

---

3. CONSTITUTION DAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the President of India attended the Constitution Day Celebrations organized by the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi.

Constitution Day

• About: Constitution Day also known as 'Samvidhan Divas', is celebrated in India on 26th November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.
• Declaration: The Government of India declared 26 November as Constitution Day on 19 November 2015 by a gazette notification.
• Adoption of theConstitution: On 26th November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26th January 1950.
• Aim: To promote constitutional values among citizens.
• Note: Constitution Day is not a public holiday. 

About Constituent Assembly (CA)

• Formation: The Constituent Assembly was established in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946.
• Assembly Session: On December 9, 1946, the Assembly convened its first meeting and elected Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha as the Provisional President.
• Chairman Election: Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent Chairman of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946.
• Drafting Period: The drafting of the Constitution spanned three years, from 1946 to 1949.
• Composition: The CA comprised 299 elected members from provincial legislative assemblies.
• Committee Structure: The Constituent Assembly featured 13 committees, with B.R. Ambedkar heading the drafting committee.
• Adoption of the Constitution: In 1949, the Constitution was adopted, marked by the signing of 284 members, signifying the completion of the Constitution-making process.

---

4. IUCN (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, scientists and conservationists globally have voiced apprehensions about the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, citing its outdated and unreliable nature.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

• About: IUCN was founded in 1948 as the International Union for the Protection of Nature (IUPN).
• In 1956, the organization was renamed IUCN.
• Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland.
• IUCN Red List: The most extensive record of the worldwide conservation status of plant and animal species across the globe.
• IUCN Red Data Book: It is a publicly available document designed to record endangered and rare species of plants, animals, fungi, and certain local subspecies found in a specific region.

IUCN Classification

• Extinct (EX): No reasonable doubt that the last individual of a taxon has died.
• Extinct in the Wild (EW): Survive only in cultivation, captivity, or as a naturalized population well outside its historic range.
• Critically Endangered (CR): Faces an extremely high risk of extinction in its natural habitat.
• Endangered (EN): Faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
• Vulnerable (VU): When it faces a high risk of extinction in its natural habitat.
• Near Threatened (NT): This status is applied when a taxon is close to meeting the criteria for a threatened category or is likely to do so in the near future.
• Least Concern (LC): This classification is given when a taxon does not qualify for a threatened category.
• Data Deficient (DD): When there is insufficient knowledge to determine a taxon's risk of extinction, it is categorized as having data deficiencies.

Importance of IUCN Red List

• Guiding Scientific Research: is a frequent citation in peer-reviewed scientific journals, with numerous conservation articles each year.
• Informing Policy and Conventions: The IUCN Red List plays a pivotal role in informing decisions related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

---

5. UNIFIED PAYMENTS INTERFACE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India encouraged citizens to abandon cash transactions and embrace digital payments as part of the government's ongoing push towards a digital economy.

• UPI transactions are gradually becoming more widespread across the country, and cash in circulation is finally seeing a decline.

Unified Payments Interface UPI

• About: UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood. 
• Developed by: National Payments Corporation of India in 2016.
• Participants in UPI: Payer Payment Service Provider (PSP), Payee PSP, Remitter Bank, Beneficiary Bank, NPCI, Bank Account holders, and Merchants.
• Global Recognition of UPI: UPI had already established itself in countries like Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, and the UAE.
• International Adoption of Indian Payment Systems: France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Singapore, Maldives, Bhutan, and Oman.

Benefits of UPI

• Single-click Two Factor authentication
• Universal Application for transaction
• No risk of storing customer’s virtual address like in Cards.
• Safer, Secured and Innovative

---

6. YUVA SANGAM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: The Ministry of Education kick-started the 3rd phase of Yuva Sangam with a delegation of 50 students belonging to diverse parts of Madhya Pradesh traveling to West Bengal for a cultural cum education tour.

Yuva Sangam

• About: Yuva Sangam initiative endeavors to promote experiential learning and introduce youth to the rich diversity of our country. 
• Aim: To provide an immersive experience into the unique facets of life, development landmarks, architectural and engineering marvels, industrial progress and recent achievements in the host state with the focus being on people to people connect.
• Part of: Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

• About: The initiative ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ was announced by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 
• Ministry: Ministry of Education.
• Aim: To enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people of different states/UTs through the concept of state/UT pairing.
• Activities: Each state and union territory in the nation will be matched with another state/union territory for a designated period, during which they will engage in organized interactions encompassing language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism, and more.

---

7. BASIC ANIMAL HUSBANDRY STATISTICS REPORT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The recently released Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023 report  indicates that the pace of milk output in India decelerated in 2022-23, primarily attributed to the lumpy skin disease epidemic; nevertheless, the country continues to hold its position as the world's largest producer.

Key Facts as per Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023 report :

• Dairy Sector in India (Major facts): The largest agri commodity in India is milk. It contributes 5% to the national economy and employs 80 million dairy farmers directly.

o India is ranked 1st in milk production contributing 23 % of global milk production.

o India is first among all countries in both production and consumption of milk.

o Top Milk-Producing State: Uttar Pradesh (15.72%), followed by Rajasthan(14.44%) and Madhya Pradesh (8.73%).

• Livestock Population: India has one of the largest national livestock populations in the world according to the 2019 livestock census.
• Egg production: During 2022-23 registered a growth of 33.31% growth over the past 5 years as compared to 2018-19. 

o Major contributors: Andhra Pradesh>Tamil Nadu>Telangana>West Bengal>Karnataka (6.51 %).

o In terms of AGR: West Bengal>Sikkim>Uttar Pradesh.

• Meat Production: During 2022-23 registered a growth of 20.39 % over the past 5 years.

o Major contributors: Uttar Pradesh>West Bengal>Maharashtra>Andhra Pradesh>Telangana.

o In terms of Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Sikkim>Meghalaya>Goa.

• Wool Production: During 2022-23 registered a negative growth of 16.84% over the past 5 years.

o Major contributors: Rajasthan with a share of 47.98% followed by Jammu & Kashmir (22.55%), Gujarat (6.01%), Maharashtra (4.73%) and Himachal Pradesh (4.27%).

o In terms of Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Arunachal Pradesh (35.75%) followed by Rajasthan (6.06%) and Jharkhand (2.36%).

---

8. FOOD GRAIN STORAGE IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: India is the third-largest producer of food grains but has the capacity to store only 47% of a year’s grain output. The space shortage is a big impediment to the growth of the economy that was featured 111th on the Global Hunger Index recently.

Key Points

• According to FAO Statistical Data of 2021, the country’s food grain production is 311 million tonnes (mt) and storage capacity is only 145 mt a shortage of 166 mt in storage. 
• Some countries have a storage surplus of 130% of their output.
• Causes to Wastage: According to a 2021 report by the World Bank, India’s infrastructure deficit is estimated to be around $1.5 trillion. 
• Poor Infrastructure: The report also states that roads are in a poor state, and this is a major constraint to agricultural productivity. 
• Power Supply: India’s power supply is unreliable, and this makes it difficult for farmers to store and process their crops.
• Distribution of Agri Warehouses: Around 60% of modern warehousing capacity is concentrated in and around Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Food Grain Storage Capacity in India

• India's food grain storage capacity stands at 145 million metric tonnes (MMT) in contrast to the total food production of 311 MMT, resulting in a gap of 166 MMT.
• The storage capacity equates to 47% of India's total food grain production.
• Regional Disparities: At the regional level, only a handful of southern states boast a storage capacity exceeding 90%.
• Conversely, in northern states such as UP and Bihar, the storage capacity falls below 50%.

World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan

• About: The plan centers on establishing storage facilities and agricultural infrastructure at the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) level. 
• Aim: To bolster food security and minimize wastage.

---

9. OPEC+ (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - IR)

Context: Petroleum minister of India cautioned the Opec+ grouping of oil exporting countries to watch out for market turbulence at their forthcoming meeting to discuss production plan, saying high prices due to the uncertainties will lead to a drop in demand.

OPEC+

• About: It is a group of 23 oil-exporting countries that meets regularly to decide how much crude oil to sell on the world market.
• Aim: To work together on adjusting crude oil production to bring stability to the oil market.
• At the core of this group are the 13 members of OPEC (the Organization of the Oil Exporting Countries), which are mainly Middle Eastern and African countries.
• Members: 13 members of OPEC (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, and Venezuela) and 10 other oil-producing countries (Russia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, South Sudan and Sudan).
• Russia, a major oil producer surpassing even Saudi Arabia, holds a pivotal position alongside OPEC in shaping worldwide crude oil price trends.

OPEC

• About: It is a permanent, intergovernmental organization of 13 countries, created at the Baghdad Conference in 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
• Aim: To regulate oil supply with the aim of stabilizing the global oil price, thus preventing volatility that could negatively impact the economies of both oil-producing and oil-importing nations.

---

10. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: India, South Africa, and Egypt have expressed concern about the nature of discussions regarding reforms in the dispute settlement system at the World Trade Organization (WTO) ahead of the 13th ministerial conference (MC13) scheduled for February next year.

• The members demanded full, effective, and equal participation in the WTO membership through an inclusive, equitable, and transparent process, preferably under the guidance of the Chair of the dispute settlement body.

Dispute Settlement System (DSS)

• About: Dispute settlement or DSS is regarded by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the central pillar of the multilateral trading system, and as the organization's "unique contribution to the stability of the global economy".
• Dispute Settlement Body: The DSB of the World Trade Organization (WTO) makes decisions on trade disputes between governments that are adjudicated by the Organization. 
• Dispute Settlement Process

o Consultations between the parties;

o Adjudication by panels and, if applicable, by the Appellate Body;

o Implementation of the ruling, which includes the possibility of countermeasures in the event of failure by the losing party to implement the ruling.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

• Background: The WTO is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was created in 1947.
• It officially commenced operations on 1 January 1995, pursuant to the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement.
• Created by: Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-94).
• Work: It is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Membership: Total 164 countries. China became a member only in 2001.

---