1. GLOBAL SPACE FLIGHTS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Sci and Tech)

Context: In 2023, space exploration achieves remarkable milestones with India successfully executing a lunar landing, NASA delving into asteroid studies, and SpaceX rapidly advancing its innovations. 

Global Space Flights in 2023

• Europa Clipper: NASA’s Europa Clipper, which will explore one of Jupiter’s largest moons, Europa. 

oEuropa is slightly smaller than Earth’s Moon, with a surface made of ice.

• VIPER to search for water on the Moon: VIPEr is a robot the size of a golf cart that NASA will use to explore the Moon’s south pole in late 2024.
• JAXA’s Martian Moon exploration mission: To study the Mars moon, Phobos and Deimos.
• Chandrayaan-3: India became the 4th country in the world to soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon.

o1st spacecraft to land near the South Pole of the Moon.

• Aditya L1: It is India’s 1st mission to study the Sun and space weather.

oIt will travel around 1.5 million kilometres away from the planet to the 1st Lagrange point, or L1, between the Sun and the Earth.

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2. EXPOSURE OF AMMONIA Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Ammonia gas leaked from an underwater supply pipeline to an industrial unit, near Periyakuppam in Ennore, Tamil Nadu.

Ammonia

• About: Ammonia is an inorganic chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH 3
• Found: Environment in the air, soil, and water, and in plants and animals, including humans. 
• Affect to Human: High levels of ammonia can irritate and burn the skin, mouth, throat, lungs, and eyes. 

oVery high levels of ammonia can damage the lungs or cause death. Workers may be harmed from exposure to ammonia. 

Uses of Ammonia

• Ammonia is either stored in a liquid state under high pressure or as a gas under low temperatures for industrial purposes.
• Ammonia plays a crucial role in the production of fertilizers and stands as one of the most extensively manufactured synthetic chemicals globally.
• Over 80% of the produced ammonia is utilized in the manufacturing of fertilizers, highlighting its predominant role in this industry.
• The remaining portion of ammonia not dedicated to fertilizer production is primarily utilized in the synthesis of formaldehyde.

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3. SAMARTH TRANING PROGRAMS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: NITI Aayog has launched 6 SAMARTH Curated Training Programs on the iGOT Karmayogi Platform for State Government officials.

SAMARTH Training Programs

• SAMARTH Blocks: Tailored for citizen-facing officials and local administrators, SAMARTH Blocks, having 14 courses, focuses on building foundational skills crucial for effective local governance.
• SAMARTH Zila: Aimed at district-level officials, SAMARTH Zila, comprising 14 courses, is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and tools required to address district-level challenges and drive effective service delivery.
• SAMARTH Rajya: Targeting state-level officials, the 14 courses of SAMARTH Rajya seek to equip learners with advanced skills required for steering governance at the state level.
• SAMARTH Rajya Sachiva: Tailored for senior officials and state secretaries, this program consisting of 14 courses, focuses on empowering learners with the expertise needed to navigate complex policy landscapes and drive transformative change.
• SAMARTH Policy: The 5 courses of this Policy delve into the intricacies of policy formulation, policy writing, insights, data analysis, and evaluation.
• SAMARTH Procurement: Catering to officials involved in procurement processes, having 9 courses, provides specialized training in procurement guidelines, rules, strategies, and considerations.

iGOT Karmayogi Platform

• About: It is a comprehensive online learning platform.
• Objective: To guide government officials in their capacity-building journey. 
• Six Functional Hubs: online learning, competency management, career management, discussions, events, and networking.

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4. PM JANAM SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The Union Cabinet recently approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), aimed at providing PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities.

Who are PVTGs

• Dhebar Commission: In 1960-61, the Dhebar Commission pinpointed disparities among Scheduled Tribes, prompting the establishment of the "Primitive Tribal Groups" (PTG) category.
• Evolution: In 2006, the PTG category underwent a name change, becoming Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• Group Expansion: Initially encompassing 52 groups, the PVTG category was later expanded to include 75 groups. 
• Distribution: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

PM-JANMAM Scheme

• Launch: On Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, commemorating the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, in the state of Jharkhand.
• Objective: To provide essential amenities such as road and telecom connectivity, electricity, secure housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, as well as improved access to education, health, nutrition, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• Coordinating Role: Implementation of the scheme will involve the collaboration of nine ministries, with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs playing a pivotal role in overseeing the process.
• Beneficiary: The government has identified 75 tribal communities and primitive tribes, collectively numbering in the lakhs and residing in over 22 thousand villages across the country.
• Focus: The initiative will concentrate on 11 critical interventions tailored for the PVTGs.

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5. UAPA 1967 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) MLJK-MA has been declared as an 'Unlawful Association' under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)

• Passed: In 1967.
• Aims: To effective prevention of unlawful activities and associations in India.

oThe Act grants complete authority to the central government. 

oIf the Centre perceives an activity as illegal, it can proclaim it as such through an Official Gazette.

• Applicability: Under the act, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged.
• Punishment: The act has the death penalty and life imprisonment as the highest punishments.
• Duration of punishment: Under section 43D, police are empowered to detain the accused in police custody for 30 days and in judicial custody for a period of 180 days without the charge sheet.
• Application: Both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged.
• Meaning of Unlawful Activity: It pertains to any action by an individual or group with the intent to undermine India's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Judicial pronouncements on UAPA

• Arup Bhuyan vs State Of Assam (2011): Mere membership of a banned organisation will not incriminate a person. It can be done if a person resorts to violence or incites people to violence or does an act intended to create disorder.
• Union of India v. K A Najeeb (2021): Notwithstanding restrictions on bail under the UAPA, constitutional courts can still allow bail if they perceive that the accused’s fundamental rights have been violated.

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6. JAPAN’S SLIM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Japan's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) spacecraft recently entered into orbit around the moon after a months-long journey, marking a significant milestone ahead of its planned moon-landing attempt on January 19.

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)

• About: SLIM, a spacecraft, was developed and launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on September 7, 2023, from the Tanegashima spaceport.
• Weight Disparity: At the time of launch, SLIM had a remarkably low weight of 590 kg, in stark contrast to the significantly heavier Chandrayaan 3, which weighed 3,900 kg.
• Mission Accompaniment: SLIM was launched alongside XRISM, a cutting-edge X-ray space telescope, using an H-2A rocket.
• Lunar Orbit Entry: On December 25, SLIM successfully entered an elliptical orbit around the moon, achieving this milestone in approximately three minutes. 

oThe orbit's apogee (farthest point) is at 4,000 km, while the perigee (closest point) is 600 km above the lunar surface.

• Japan will become only the fifth country to soft-land a robotic craft on the natural satellite, months after India succeeded with its Chandrayaan 3 mission in August if it succeeds.
• LUPEX: Indian-Japan joint enterprise with an earliest launch date in 2026. It will explore an area closer to the moon’s south pole than Chandrayaan 3 did – and this makes all the difference.

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7. SATAT SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The Indian Biogas Association (IBS) has suggested that the government formulate a scheme similar to Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) being implemented in the oil and gas sector.

Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme

• Launched: In October 2018
• Objectives: To establish Compressed Biogas production facilities, aiming to provide an eco-friendly fuel option for automotive use.
• Implementation Strategy: The government has adopted a strategy of inviting expressions of interest from potential investors interested in contributing to the establishment of Compressed Biogas production facilities.
• Partnerships: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, as well as various oil-related public sector units. Key partners include Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation.
• Environmental Impact: This Scheme plays a crucial role in supporting India's commitment to reducing carbon emissions, aligning with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.
• Designed for: To extract economic value from bio-mass waste in the form of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) and bio-manure.

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8. PM-KISAN SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: WITH THE NUMBER of PM-Kisan beneficiaries dropping by over 20 per cent to 8.12 crore now from a peak of 10.47 crore in April-July 2022.

PM-KISAN Scheme

• About: This Scheme is a Central Sector Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme. 
• Launch: February 2019 (made effective from December 2018) to give income support to farmers.
• Funding: 100% funding of rupee 6000 in 3 installments.
• Implemented by: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare.
• Purpose: The scheme is meant to provide income support to all landholding farmer’s families across the country and enable them to meet expenses related to agriculture as well as domestic needs.
• Beneficiaries: Farmer families rest with the State / UT Governments.

 PM-KISAN Mobile App

• About: Created through a partnership between the National Informatics Centre and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has been introduced.
• Application Status: Farmers using the app can conveniently check the status of their applications, providing transparency and real-time updates.

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9. DRUG MENACE IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issue)

Context: Prime Minister of India expressed concern over the growing drug menace among the youth and urged religious leaders and influencers to take the issue seriously.

Drug Menace in India

• Major Substances: Alcohol, cannabis, opium, and heroin dominate the list of abused drugs in India.
• Youth Vulnerability: Approximately 13% of drug and substance abusers in India fall under the age group of 20 and below.
• Critical Period: Adolescence stands out as a critical-risk period for the initiation of substance use.
• Juvenile Justice Act: Children affected by substance abuse are categorized as children in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015.
• Affected States: Punjab, Assam, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Bihar, Delhi, and others are prominently affected by the issue.
• Root Causes of Drug Abuse: Poverty, peer pressure, illiteracy, low self-esteem, genetic predisposition, etc.

 

Initiatives to Control Drug Menace

• NDPS Act, 1985: The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, outlines provisions for identification, treatment, rehabilitation, and more.
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: Launched in 272 vulnerable districts, this initiative focuses on community outreach to combat substance abuse.
• SIMS Portal: The Seizure Information Management System (SIMS) portal is dedicated to handling cases involving significant drug seizures.
• NAPDDR 2018-2025: The National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2025 adopts a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue effectively.
• UN Conventions: The UN conventions, including the Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961) and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), shape global efforts in controlling narcotic and psychotropic substances.

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10. INDIA-ITALY TIE UP (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Union Cabinet recently granted ex-post facto approval for the signing and ratification of the Migration and Mobility Agreement between the Governments of India and Italy proposed by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Key Provisions of Agreement

• Indian students wishing to gather initial professional experience, after completing academic/vocational training in Italy may be granted temporary residence in Italy for up to 12 months.
• The Italian side has detailed provisions related to Professional Training, Extracurricular Internships and Curricular Internships which allow Indian students/trainees to gain experience in Italian skill/training standards.
• For workers, the Italian side has reserved a quota of 5000, 6000 and 7000 non seasonal Indian workers for 2023, 2024 and 2025 under the current Flows Decree.

Italy

• About: It occupying a peninsula that juts deep into the Mediterranean Sea.
• Situated: South-Central Europe
• Highest Points: Monte Rosa
• Italy shares Land Borders: France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and the enclaved microstates of Vatican City and San Marino.

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