1. DEATH PENALTY FOR NAVY SPIES (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, a local court in Doha sentenced eight former Indian Navy personnel, who had been employed by a company in Doha, to the death penalty.

o8 Navy Officers were arrested last year in August on charges of spying on a submarine program on behalf of Israel. 

oHowever, these charges were not made public by Qatari authorities.

Background

• In September 2022, former Indian naval officers were taken into custody by Qatari authorities on undisclosed charges.
• After being detained for several months, it was disclosed by Qatari authorities that the eight former naval officers had been engaged in espionage activities, allegedly spying on Qatar's confidential submarine program for Israel.
• A month after their initial detention and placement in solitary confinement, the first bail request made by the incarcerated Indian officers was turned down.

Qatar

• Located: in the Western Asia, on the Northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
• Bounded by:  Saudi Arabia in the south, rest of three sides; it is surrounded by the Persian Gulf.
• A strait of the Persian Gulf: Divides Qatar from its nearby island nation of Bahrain.
• Capital: Doha.

---

2. UNFF (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organizatin)

Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is organising a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) event as part of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) from 26-28 October, 2023 at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)

• Establishment: It was founded in 2000 under the authority of the UN Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).
• Objective: To promote the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests.
• Annual High-Level Dialogue: The Forum convenes annually at the UN Headquarters in New York, gathering representatives from all member states and forest-related agencies. 

oIt conducts high-level dialogue on technical matters in odd years and policy matters in even years.

• Membership: With universal membership, the forum is composed of all Member States of the United Nations and specialized agencies.
• India's Founding Role: India holds the status of a founding member of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).

Country-Led Initiative (CLI)

• Objective: To actively engage in UNFF discussions concerning the implementation of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF).
• Fostering Knowledge Exchange: CLI is committed to promoting the exchange of best practices among member States of the UNFF, with a specific focus on the effective implementation of SFM and UNSPF.
• Thematic Focus for the Year: In the current year, CLI will concentrate on specific thematic areas, which include addressing forest fires and enhancing forest certification initiatives.

---

3. APAAR ID (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Several state governments have recently requested schools to obtain parental consent for the creation of a new student identity card, known as the APAAR.

APAAR ID

• About: APAAR, which stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is envisioned as a special ID system for all students in India, starting from childhood.
• Each student would get a lifelong APAAR ID, making it easy to track academic progress from pre-primary education to higher education. 
• APAAR would also serve as a gateway to Digi locker, a digital system where students can store their documents and achievements, such as exam results, report cards.

Benefits

• Vision: To create a positive change, allowing state governments to track literacy rates, dropout rates, and more, helping them make improvements.
• Aim: To reduce fraud and duplicate educational certificates by providing a single, trusted reference for educational institutions. 
• Only first party sources that issue certificates will be al- lowed to deposit credits into the system, ensuring authenticity.

How will it work?

• Every individual will have a unique APAAR ID, which will be linked to the Academic Bank Credit (ABC), which is a digital storehouse that contains the information of the credits earned by stu- dents throughout their learning journey.
• If the student changes schools, all her data in the ABC will be transferred to her new school just by sharing the APAAR ID.

---

4. RASHTRIYA GOKUL MISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Scheme)

Context: Recently, India encountered a unique challenge almost a decade into the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, the country's flagship scheme aimed at enhancing indigenous cattle breeds.

• Instead of improving the quality of all the indigenous breeds, as envisioned under the scheme, it has ended up promoting only one indigenous variety, the Gir cow, across the country.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• Launched: In 2014 under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBD).
• Aim: To conserve and develop indigenous breeds in a focused and scientific manner.
• Two Major Components: Research and development of high-quality semen to increase the chances of female calf births.
• The setting up of semen stations to ensure easy access to high-quality semen for livestock rearers across the country.

Objective of Mission

• Development and preservation of native breeds.
• Implement a program for the enhancement of indigenous cattle breeds to elevate their genetic characteristics and boost their population.
• Augment milk output and efficiency.
• Elevate common cattle by introducing superior indigenous breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, and Red Sindhi.

Gir Cow

• The Gir cow is a famous Indian-born dairy cattle breed. Gir's cattle native tract is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar. 
• This includes the Gujarat districts of Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, and Rajkot. 
• This breed was imported by the United States, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil.

---

5. INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Amid the Israel-Hamas war, nine Arab countries recently issued a joint statement condemning the targeting of civilians and violations of international law in Gaza.

oThe nine Arab countries include Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

International Humanitarian Law

• About: It is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict.

oIt protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. 

• Known as: The law of war or the law of armed conflict.
• Origin: It is rooted in the rules of ancient civilizations and religions – warfare has always been subject to certain principles and customs.

International Humanitarian Law Cover

• Two Areas: The protection of those who are not, or no longer, taking part in fighting;
• Restrictions on the means of warfare in particular weapons and the methods of warfare, such as military tactics.

---

6. UDAN SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Scheme)

Context: Recently, the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), a government-backed initiative to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in India, especially in remote and underserved regions, marked its sixth anniversary.

UDAN Scheme (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik)

• Launched: In 2017. The scheme is a component of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), 2016.
• Ministry:  Ministry of Civil Aviation.

• Objective: To develop a regional aviation market. It seeks to connect under-served and unserved airports in India through the revival of existing airstrips and airports.
• Over the period of 6 years, various versions of UDAN Scheme were launched

oUDAN 1.0: 5 airlines companies were awarded 128 flight routes to 70 airports (including 36 newly made operational airports)

oUDAN 2.0: 73 underserved and unserved airports were announced and for the first time, helipads were also connected.

oUDAN 3.0: In coordination with the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Routes were included. In addition to Seaplanes for connecting Water Aerodromes, several routes in the North-East Region came under the ambit of the scheme.

oUDAN 4.0: Gave impetus to North-Eastern Regions, Hilly States, and Islands. The operation of helicopters and seaplanes incorporated.

• Significance

oRCS-UDAN is contributing to the growth of the civil aviation industry as four new & successful airlines have come up in the last 6 years. 

oThis initiative has successfully connected destinations such as Khajuraho, Deoghar, Amritsar, and Kishangarh (Ajmer), which have substantial relevance in religious tourism.

---

7. SCO (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: Recently, External Affairs Minister Of India emphasized that members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) should collaborate to advance regional stability and prosperity by upholding international law principles, respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and fostering economic cooperation.

oIndia-China relations are currently in one of their worst phases in six decades, with the standoff on the LAC entering in its fourth year.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO

• About: It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation of Eurasian Nations with a secretariat in Beijing.
• Formation: 15 June 2001 by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• Members: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• Headquarter: Shanghai (China)
• Aim: It is a political, economic and military organisation that aims at maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

Importance of the SCO for India

• Economic Cooperation: to strengthen economic ties with Central Asian countries, which possess abundant natural resources and diversification of economic partnerships
• Energy Security: With vast reserves of oil and gas, Central Asia offers an opportunity for India to enhance its energy security.
• Cultural Cooperation: Designation of cultural capital: The SCO member countries have agreed to designate one city each year as the tourism and cultural capital, with "Kashi" (Varanasi) being the first cultural capital under this initiative.
• Counterterrorism: The SCO places significant emphasis on cooperation in countering terrorism.

---

8. PMKSY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governmet Schemes)

Context: Recently, the government of India approved the inclusion of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP).

Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project

• The project's goal is to build a dam close to Jamrani village, spanning the Gola River, a tributary of the Ram Ganga River, situated in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.
• A significant portion of the irrigation advantages from this project will extend to the adjacent state of Uttar Pradesh.
• This initiative marks the seventh project to be incorporated into the PMKSY-AIBP list.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

• Launched: In 2015
• Sponsored by: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, providing central grants to the State Governments for specific activities (90:10 for NE states & 75:25 for rest).
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Objective: To improve the physical accessibility of water on agricultural lands, increase the cultivated areas with guaranteed irrigation,
• Enhance efficiency in on-farm water usage, and promote the adoption of sustainable water conservation methods.

Components

• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): To focus on faster completion of ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation including National Projects.
• Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP): It consists of four sub-components, being Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI), Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies, and GroundWater (GW) Development component.
• Per Drop More Crop: Programme management, preparation of State/District Irrigation Plan, approval of annual action plan, Monitoring etc.

---

9. JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Security)

Context: Recently, the European Union (EU) and India collaborated for their inaugural naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea, marking the first time they joined forces in this region.

Joint Naval Exercise

• India and the European Union (EU) successfully conducted their inaugural joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea on October 24, 2023.
• This exercise was the culmination of collaborative efforts that transpired following the third meeting of the EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue on October 5, 2023, in Brussels.
• During the joint naval exercise, the Indian Navy's INS Sumedha, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, teamed up with three vessels from EU Member States: the Italian Navy Ship ITS Foscari, the French Navy Ship FS Ventôse, and the Spanish Navy Ship Tornado.

Gulf of Guinea

• The Gulf of Guinea constitutes the most northeastern section of the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
• This gulf serves as the point where the Equator and Prime Meridian intersect, marked at zero degrees latitude and longitude.
• The Gulf of Guinea receives various river inflows, including the Niger and Volta rivers.

---

10. INDO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started restoration and conservation work at Ghiyas-ud- din Balban's 13th century- tomb, located inside the Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

• It is believed to be the first monument built in the Indo-Islamic architectural style.

Indo-Islamic Architectural Style

• In the 13th century, Islamic rulers began to settle in Northern India following the Turkish conquest of the region.
• These rulers introduced new artistic and architectural elements, including calligraphy and ornamentation.
• The fusion of these new architectural styles with local traditions brought about a significant transformation in Indian architecture.
• This architectural style is now recognized as Indo-Islamic Architecture due to the blend of Islamic and indigenous influences.

Features Of Indo-Islamic Architecture

• Arcuade Form of Architecture: This style involves the use of arches and domes, primarily designed to support the weight of the upper structure.
• Minars: Minars were constructed around mosques and mausoleums.
• Non-Representational Art: Instead of depicting living beings such as humans or animals, the art primarily featured arabesque geometrical patterns and calligraphy.
• Arabesque Patterns: Arabesque patterns are characterized by the use of geometrical and vegetal ornamentation, featuring a continuous stem that regularly splits to create a series of balanced leafy and secondary stems.
• Jali Works: These buildings incorporated intricate jali work, with examples found in structures like the Jaipur Ajmera Fort.
• Pietra-Dura Technique: This technique involved inlaying precious stones and gems into stone walls, with Lapis Lazuli being a notable example used on the walls.
• Example: Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza, Siri Fort, Taj Mahal, Akbar's Tomb,  Bibi ka Maqbara, Safdarjung Tomb and Humayun's Tomb.

---