1. KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, Katchatheevu islet resurfaced for unfavorable reasons, as fishermen associations in Ramanathapuram district declared a boycott of the annual two-day festival at St. Anthony’s Church on the uninhabited islet.

Katchatheevu Island

• About: It is a 163-acre uninhabited island administered by Sri Lanka.
• Location: Between Neduntheevu, Sri Lanka and Rameswaram, India.
• Background: In June 1974, an agreement was signed by the then Prime Ministers of India and Sri Lanka.
• Issue: The main problem continues to grow as more fisherman move into the Sri Lankan sea area for illegal poaching. In 2010 the Sri Lankan government issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government saying the Indian court cannot nullify the 1974 agreement.

oThe agreement specifically delineated the boundary between the two nations in the historic waters spanning from Palk Strait to Adam's Bridge.

• A Colonial Indian Island: Katchatheevu was once part of the Ramnad Zamindari. 

oThe Ramanathapuram principality (or Ramnad) was established in 1605 by the Nayak dynasty of Madurai. 

oIt consisted of 69 coastal villages and 11 islets, including Katchatheevu.

• Importance of Kachatheevu: The island is important for fishing grounds used by fishers from both countries. 

oThe Indo-Sri Lankan agreement allows Indian fishermen to fish around Katchatheevu and to dry their nets on the island.

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2. SIMULTANEOUS ELECTION Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Law Commission of India has proposed three significant Constitutional amendments for the 'One Nation, One Election' project in 2029, including provisions for simultaneous polls, a common electoral roll, and the formation of a unity government in the event of a government's premature fall.

Simultaneous Election

• About: It refers to synchronizing the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections within India's electoral cycle, excluding elections to local bodies.
• Early Suggestions by Election Commission : The Election Commission proposed in its 1983 annual report the need for a system for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
• Law Commission's Recommendation: The 170th Report of the Law Commission, headed by Justice B P Jeevan Reddy in 1999, advocated returning to a scenario where elections to Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies occur simultaneously.
• Parliamentary Standing Committee and NITI Aayog's Support: The 79th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2015 and a NITI Aayog paper in 2017 reiterated support for the idea of Simultaneous Elections.
• Historical Perspective: The practice of Simultaneous Elections began in 1951-52, with the first three General Elections held simultaneously in 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, disruptions occurred due to premature dissolutions in subsequent years.
• Disruption in the Cycle: The cycle of Simultaneous Elections was disrupted after 1970, leading to separate elections for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for the past forty-eight years.
• Premature Dissolutions and Extended Terms: Premature dissolutions and term extensions for certain Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies contributed to the disturbance in the cycle of Simultaneous Elections.

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3. SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context: The Sangeet Natak Akademi recently announced its list of Akademi Ratnas and Akademi Puraskar.

Sangeet Natak Akademi

• About: The national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.
• Origin: It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and became functional the following year, with the appointment of its first chairman, Dr. P. V. Rajamannar.
• Awards: The Akademi Ratna and Akademi Puraskar represent the pinnacle of achievement in the performing arts at a national level.

oExcellence Standard: They symbolize the highest standard of excellence attained within the realm of performing arts.

• Chairman Appointment: By the President of India for a term of five years.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture
• Current Status: It is presently an Autonomous Body of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and is fully funded by the Government for implementation of its schemes and programmes.
• Functions: The academy functions as the apex body of the performing arts in the country to preserve and promote the vast cultural heritage of India expressed in music, dance and drama.
• Honour: 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

New Akademi Fellows 

• Representation: According to the Ministry of Culture, the selected artists represent various performing arts forms, including music, dance, drama, folk, tribal art, puppetry, and allied theater art forms.
• Recognition: The Akademi's General Council has unanimously elected six new Akademi Fellows, also known as Akademi Ratnas, highlighting their significant contributions to the arts.
• Youthful Talent Acknowledged: The Sangeet Natak Akademi Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar has been awarded to 80 young artists for their exceptional talent and dedication in the past two years.

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4. PYROLYSIS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: A new waste management technology (BioTRIG) that allows pyrolysis at a community level could help rural Indians cut indoor air pollution, improve soil health, and generate clean power, a recent study (Trigeneration based on the pyrolysis of rural waste in India: Environmental impact, economic feasibility, and business model innovation) has claimed.

Pyrolysis

• About: Pyrolysis is a technology utilized to convert biomass into an intermediate liquid product that can be further refined into various forms of biofuels and petrochemical replacements.
• Principle of Pyrolysis: It involves heating organic materials like biomass in the absence of oxygen, typically at or above 500°C, to facilitate thermal decomposition.
• Product Formation: During biomass pyrolysis, the absence of oxygen prevents combustion, leading to the formation of combustible gases and bio-char through thermal decomposition.
• Composition: The primary products of biomass pyrolysis include bio-oil (liquid), bio-char (solid), and syngas (gaseous), with the proportion of each depending on various factors.

‘BioTRIG’: It is a community-level pyrolysis system to run on the waste the villagers generate. 

• It would provide a series of benefits to rural communities living below the poverty line (BPL).

Key Highlights of Study

• Pyrolysis Products for Healthier Lives: The study highlights three key products of pyrolysis—bio-oil, syngas, and biochar fertiliser—as potential solutions for improving the health and environmental conditions of rural Indians.
• Enhancing Farmland Productivity: According to the paper, the utilization of pyrolysis by-products could lead to more productive farmland, offering a sustainable approach for rural communities.
• Economic Viability Recommendations: The researchers proposed a set of recommendations to maximize the economic viability of the system, emphasizing its potential benefits for rural communities.
• BioTRIG Design: The survey findings played a crucial role in designing 'BioTRIG,' a community-level pyrolysis system intended to operate on the waste generated by villagers, providing multiple benefits.
• Syngas and Bio-Oil for Power and Heat: The authors emphasized the role of syngas and bio-oil in powering the pyrolysis system, potentially offering surplus electricity to energize local homes and businesses.

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5. KARNATAKA HINDU RELIGIOUS BILL 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Karnataka government's attempt to tweak the law that governs taxation of Hindu temples was last week stymied in the Legislative Council, where the primary Opposition holds a majority.

Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• About: The Bill was meant to amend multiple provisions in the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997.
• Provisions of the Bill

oGovernment's Rationalization: The government argues that the bill aims to redistribute revenues from temples with higher earnings to those with lower earnings for equitable distribution and upkeep.

oOpposition: The opposition vehemently opposes the bill, branding it as "anti-Hindu" and a tactic to seize temple revenues.

oTemple Revenue Classification: Temples are categorized into Grade A, B, and C based on their earnings, with Grade A temples earning more than Rs 25 lakh, Grade B between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, and Grade C below Rs 5 lakh.

oCurrent Allocation Scheme: Presently, the government is permitted to allocate 5% of Grade B revenues and 10% of Grade A revenues to Grade C temples for their maintenance.

oNew Mandates: The proposed legislation mandates muzrai temples earning over Rs 1 crore annually to contribute 10% of their income to a common pool (Dharmik Parishad), and shrines with revenues between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore to contribute 5%, with the funds being redistributed among Grade C temples.

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6. REGULATORY SANDBOX (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: RBI has tweaked its framework to promote innovations through a 'regulatory sandbox. The new framework will enable on tap proposals, replacing the previous structure where RBI presented challenges to a cohort of technology firms and required them to devise solutions within a specified time frame.

Regulatory Sandbox

• About: It refers to live testing of new products or services in a controlled regulatory environment, providing a "safe space" for businesses.
• Participants and Processes: The sandbox involves regulators, innovators, financial service providers, and customers conducting field tests to assess the benefits and risks of new financial innovations.
• Benefits of Regulatory Sandbox: Regulators gain firsthand insights into emerging technologies, aiding in informed regulatory decisions.

oIntegration for Financial Service Providers: Incumbent providers enhance their understanding of new technologies, integrating them into their business models.

oCompliance for Innovators: Fintech companies grasp regulatory requirements, refining their products accordingly.

• Facilitating Innovation

oProduct Viability Testing: Users assess the feasibility of products without expansive roll-outs, expediting market authorization.

oPromoting Financial Inclusion: Sandbox initiatives foster solutions in areas like microfinance, savings, remittances, and digital payments, enhancing financial accessibility.

• Implementation Examples: India's regulatory bodies, including the Reserve Bank of India and others, operate their own sandboxes to encourage innovation in the financial sector.

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7. HAEMOPHILIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for haemophilia A (FVIII deficiency) at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore.

Haemophilia

• About: It is typically an inherited bleeding disorder characterized by ineffective blood clotting, leading to spontaneous or post-injury bleeding episodes.
• Clotting Factors: Blood contains clotting factors crucial for clot formation; individuals with haemophilia lack adequate levels of either factor VIII (8) or factor IX (9), determining the severity of the condition.
• Types: Hemophilia A (Classic Hemophilia) and Hemophilia B (Christmas Disease)
• Inheritance and Occurrence: Hemophilia is primarily inherited but can also develop later in life, particularly in middle-aged or elderly individuals, or in young postpartum women.
• Causes: Hemophilia stems from mutations in genes responsible for producing clotting factor proteins essential for blood clot formation.
• Signs and Symptoms: Bleeding into joints, skin, muscle, and soft tissues are common manifestations, often leading to pain, swelling, or bruising.

oOral bleeding, post-tooth extraction bleeding, and bleeding post-vaccination are also observed symptoms.

• Affected Population: Hemophilia affects approximately 1 in 5,000 male births, with an estimated 20,000 to 33,000 males in the United States living with the disorder, predominantly with hemophilia A. It affects individuals across all racial and ethnic groups.
• Treatment: The primary treatment for hemophilia involves the replacement of deficient clotting factors through the infusion of commercially prepared factor concentrates administered intravenously.

Gene Therapy

• About: Gene therapy is a technique aimed at treating, preventing, or curing diseases by utilizing specific genes.
• Mechanism: The process commonly involves introducing new copies of a defective gene or replacing it with a healthy version within the patient's cells.
• Scope of Treatment: Gene therapy addresses both inherited genetic disorders like hemophilia and sickle cell disease, as well as acquired disorders such as leukemia.

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8. HYDROGEN FUEL FERRY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Prime Minister of India will inaugurate the first indigenously developed and built hydrogen fuel cell ferry. The vessel constructed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd will be inaugurated in virtual mode from Thoothukudi. 

• The inauguration of this project will provide impetus for use of hydrogen in marine application as envisaged under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

• About: A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction.
• This technology involves combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water.
• Key Component :

oElectrolyte: The fuel cell contains an electrolyte, a substance that conducts ions. Commonly used electrolytes include proton exchange membrane (PEM), phosphoric acid, molten carbonate, and solid oxide.

oAnode: Hydrogen gas is fed into the anode side of the fuel cell. At the anode, hydrogen molecules (H2) are split into protons (H+) and electrons (e-) through a process called electrolysis.

oCathode: Oxygen from the air is supplied to the cathode side of the fuel cell. The oxygen molecules combine with electrons and protons that have traveled through an external circuit from the anode, creating water (H2O) as a byproduct.

oElectrochemical Reaction: The chemical reactions occurring at the anode and cathode generate an electric current. This electricity can be utilized to power electric vehicles, and electronic devices, or provide electricity for various applications.

• Benefits: Low-to-zero emissions, High Efficiency, Reliability, Fuel Flexibility, Energy Security, Durability, Scalability and Quiet Operation.
• Applications: Hydrogen fuel cells find applications in various sectors, including transportation (fuel cell vehicles), stationary power generation, and portable electronic devices.

National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)

• Approved in: January 4, 2023.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Objective: To make India the Global Hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.

oTo make India a leader in technology and manufacturing of electrolysers and other enabling technologies for Green Hydrogen.

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9. PEY JAL SURVEKSHAN AWARDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Policies)

Context: The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs announces the first Pey Jal Survekshan Awards scheduled for the 5th of March 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan.

Pey Jal Survekshan Awards

• About: It ensured clean water through independent NABL lab testing at source and citizen-end.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
• Award Categories

oPey Jal Gold, Silver, and Bronze City Awards: Gold signifies top performers in their respective population categories (1 to 10 Lakh, 10 to 40 Lakh, and More than 40 Lakh), Silver denotes the 2nd position, and Bronze the 3rd.

oAdditional Awards: Commendations for Best Water Body, Sustainability Champion, Reuse Champion, Water Quality, City Saturation, and AMRUT 2.0 Rotating Trophy of the Year.

• Parameters for Evaluation: Access, coverage, water quality at treatment plants and households, and sustainability regarding the health of water bodies, availability of SCADA/flowmeters, and reuse of treated used water.
• Grading System: Cities will be graded on a star rating scale, ranging from 5 stars to No star, encapsulating their performance across critical criteria..

oUtilized a GIS-enabled web portal, geo-tagging, and infrastructure mapping, the survey collected accurate and transparent data.

• Significance: Its results are expected to drive ULB decision-making, enhance service delivery, and foster citizen engagement, instilling a sense of ownership and knowledge dissemination about water conservation and optimal use.

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10. GENERAL AGREEMENT ON GOODS SERVICES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Around 72 nations have agreed to take on additional obligations in services under the General Agreement on Goods in Services (GATS) to ease non-goods trade among themselves and extended the similar concessions to all other members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

General Agreement on Goods in Services (GATS)

• About: The GATS is a treaty of the World Trade Organization (WTO) established to extend the multilateral trading system to the service sector.
• Entered into force: January 1995 as a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations to provide for the extension of the multilateral trading system to services.
• Creation and Implementation: It was created to expand the trading framework to services, similar to how GATT operates for merchandise trade, and it came into effect on January 1, 1995, concluding the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations.
• Background: The GATS was a significant outcome of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations, spanning from 1986 to 1993.

oGATT Predecessor: Its inception occurred almost 50 years after the establishment of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1947, which focused on merchandise trade.

• Membership: All WTO members, including India, are members of the GATS, which entails general obligations applying to all members and specific commitments outlined in individual schedules.
• Scope and Exceptions: GATS applies broadly to all service sectors, with exceptions for services under governmental authority and an exemption for air transport services.
• New Obligations and Disciplines: Recent obligations under GATS focus on mitigating trade-restrictive effects related to licensing, qualification requirements, and technical standards through disciplines named Services Domestic Regulation (DSR), which operate on a most-favored-nation principle benefiting all WTO members.

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