1. CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - Env & Eco)

Context: Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 346 as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

• About: It is a statutory organization, that was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment and Forests
• CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• Functions:

oAdvise the Central Government on any matter concerning the prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.

oPlan and cause to be executed a nationwide program for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;

oCo-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among them;

oPlan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;

oOrganise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution.

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

• About: A set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region. 
• Origin: Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in 2017, the plan was formulated.
• Basis: It is based on a plan that was submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in November 2016.

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2. FIU IND Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND) issued show-cause notices to 9 offshore virtual digital asset service providers (VDA SPs), including Binance, Kucoin, Huobi, Bitfinex and MEXC Global, among others.

Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND)

• About: As an independent body, FIU-IND reports directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC), led by the Finance Minister. 
• Established by: In 2004
• Objective: Serves as the central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing, and disseminating information related to suspicious financial transactions.
• Coordination: FIU-IND works to coordinate and strengthen the collection and sharing of financial intelligence through an effective national, regional, and global network, aiming to combat money laundering and related crimes.
• Functions:

oIt acts as the central reception point for receiving various reports, including Cash Transaction Reports (CTRs), Non-Profit Organisation Transaction Reports (NTRs), Cross Border Wire Transfer Reports (CBWTRs), Reports on Purchase or Sale of Immovable Property (IPRs), and Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) from different reporting entities.

oThe unit analyzes the received information to uncover transaction patterns that may indicate suspicion of money laundering and related crimes.

oFIU-IND collaborates by sharing information with national intelligence/law enforcement agencies, national regulatory authorities, and foreign Financial Intelligence Units.

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3. EXERCISE DESERT CYCLONE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The Joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024' between India and UAE will begin today in Rajasthan.

Desert Cyclone 2024

• Objective: The joint military exercise between India and the UAE is designed to enhance interoperability through the exchange of knowledge and best practices in urban operations.
• Historical Context: In September 2008, the inaugural India-UAE Joint Air Forces exercise occurred at the Al-Dhafra base in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in their defense cooperation.
• Regular Participation at IDEX: India has consistently participated in the biennial International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) held in Abu Dhabi, showcasing its commitment to fostering strong defense ties with the UAE.

Other Indian Exercise 

• India and France - SHAKTI
• India and Australia - AUSTRA HIND
• India and China - HAND IN HAND
• India and Kyrgyzstan - KHANJAR
• India and Maldives - EKUVERIN
• India and Thailand - SIAM BHARAT
• India and Russia - INDRA
• India and France - GARUDA

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4. HATTEE COMMUNITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context: The Himachal Pradesh government issued notification to give Scheduled Tribe status to the Hattee community of Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district.

Hattee Community

• About: The Hattees express uncertainty regarding the identity of the community, especially concerning the inclusion of individuals already classified as Scheduled Castes (SC).a
• Origin of Name: Hattee community, named after their traditional occupation of selling home-grown crops, vegetables, meat, and wool at small-town markets known as 'haats.'
• Geographic Presence: Himachal-Uttarakhand border in the basin of the Giri and Tons rivers—both tributaries of the Yamuna.
• Similar Traditions in Trans-Giri and Jaunsar Bawar: The two Hatti clans, situated in Trans-Giri and Jaunsar Bawar, share similar traditions, fostering a community where inter-marriages are common.
• Caste System Dynamics: The Bhat and Khash are considered upper castes, while the Badhois occupy a lower position. Traditionally, inter-caste marriages have been discouraged.
• The 'Khumbli': Governance within the Hatti community is overseen by a traditional council known as 'khumbli.' This council, akin to Haryana's 'khaps,' plays a crucial role in deciding community matters.
• Political Presence in Sirmaur and Shimla Regions: The Hattis wield a significant political presence, particularly in about nine Assembly seats within the Sirmaur and Shimla regions, showcasing their impact on regional politics.

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5. PM-AASHA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: Recently, ahead of the general elections, the government has planned to consolidate marquee schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), allocating ₹28,107 crore until 2025-26 to safeguard the interests of farmers and consumers.

• The plan is to merge the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) with the Price Support Scheme (PSS), and bring the merged scheme under the PM-AASHA, along with the market intervention scheme (MIS).

  Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

  • About: PM-AASHA is an umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce.
  • Launched: In September 2018
  • Objective: To give reasonable prices and keep farmers and harvest/produce in mind.
  • Nodal Ministry: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
  • Components: Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and Pilot of Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS).
  • Benefits of PM AASHA Scheme

  oThe innovative PM-AASHA scheme provides a MSP-plus solution to address the issue of non-remunerative prices.

  oIts three unique components aim to bridge gaps in crop procurement and compensation mechanisms.

  oBy increasing farmer income, the scheme is poised to contribute to the revitalization of the rural economy.

  oAdditionally, the PM-AASHA scheme can promote crop diversification and alleviate soil and water stress by enhancing oilseed prices.

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6. UNI STATISTICAL COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Organization)

Context: India started its four-year term as a member of the United Nations Statistical Commission.

United Nations Statistical Commission

• About: It is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
• Establishment: In 1946
• Objective: It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international level.
• Collaboration with: The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and it is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.
• Membership: 24 member countries of the United Nations elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council on the basis of an equitable geographical distribution.

India's Role in International Statistical Decision-Making

• Term Alignment with Norm Development: India's term aligns with the period during which the 24-member body is set to decide on new norms for national accounts, significantly impacting India's GDP calculations.
• Influence on Environmental Accounts and Well-being: India's membership in the statistical body is expected to influence the establishment of new systems for environmental accounts and contribute to determining aspects of well-being and sustainability for economies.
• Database Creation for Sustainable Development Goals: The country is actively working on creating a systematic database of parameters in line with the objectives of the SDGs.

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

Context: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) put its first polarimetry mission X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) in a precise circular orbit of 650 km.

X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat)

• About: It is India’s maiden mission dedicated to analysing the polarisation of X-rays emanating from bright celestial sources in the medium frequency band.
• Objectives: Measuring X-Ray polarization in the energy band of 8-30 keV from X-Ray sources and conducting long-term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-Ray sources in the energy band of 0.8-15 keV.
• Observation Period: Approximately five years, with the payloads observing X-Ray sources during the spacecraft's transit through Earth's shadow, specifically during the eclipse period.
• Primary and Secondary Payloads of XPoSat:
• POLIX: It is the world’s first instrument designed to operate in the medium X-ray of 8 to 30 kilo electron Volt (keV) energy band. 

oIt comprises a collimator, which is the key component to filter light originating from bright sources in the field of view.

• XSPECT: It is designed to conduct fast timing and high spectroscopic resolution in a soft X-ray energy band (0.8-15 keV).

oIt will observe a variety of sources like X-ray pulsars, black hole binaries, low-magnetic field neutron stars, active galactic nuclei or AGNs (a compact region at the centre of a galaxy that emits a significant amount of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum) and magnetars.

What is the polarisation of X-rays?

• X-rays comprise electric and magnetic waves that are constantly in motion. Being sinusoidal waves, they do not follow a patterned direction of motion. 
• Whereas, a polarised X-ray is both organised and has two waves vibrating in the same direction.
• Polarisation measurements: Angular and Degree of polarisation – are believed to provide clues about the bright X-ray emitting sources the nature of these radiations and the complex process they undergo.

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8. COTTON CULTIVATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: The Union government plans to promote the shift of cotton cultivation from disease-infested fields to disease-free cultivable and irrigated areas within Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Maharashtra and Telangana.

Cotton Cultivation

• Position: India got 1st place in the world in cotton acreage with 120.69 Lakh Hectares area under cotton Cultivation.
• Cotton Cultivation in India: Approximately 67% of the country's cotton is grown in rain-fed areas, while the remaining 33% is cultivated in irrigated areas.
• Lead: Gujarat is currently the leading producer of cotton in India followed by Maharashtra.
• Climate: It is tropical crop grows well in hot and humid climate with temp of 21-27? and annual rainfall between 75-100cm.
• Concern: Heavy use of pesticides, pest infestation, rising cost of seeds, farmer indebtedness-suicides.
• White-Gold of India: Due to its paramount economic role in India, cotton is often referred to as "White-Gold," emphasizing its economic significance and impact on the nation.
• According to Ministry Data: In recent years, there has been a sharp decline in ‘white gold’ production.

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9. JANMAN SURVEY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: Prime Minister of India has urged the citizens to take JANMAN Survey on the NaMo app and share their views on the progress achieved by India in the last ten years.

JANMAN Survey

• Aim: To tap into the minds of the citizens ahead of 2024 elections.
• Available on: Digital Platform NaMo app.
• Survey Presents: A set of easy-to-answer questions to citizens, collecting their diverse opinions on various aspects of governance and leadership.

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.

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10. DRDO (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, DRDO celebrated the 66th Foundation Day of its establishment.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

• About: It is dedicated to empowering India with cutting-edge defence technologies. Its mission is to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems.
• Formation: Established in 1958 through the amalgamation of existing entities, including the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP).
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Defence.
• Focus: DRDO operates a network of laboratories spanning aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems.
• Major Projects

oProject Indigo: DRDO's initial venture into surface-to-air missiles faced limited success and was subsequently discontinued.

oRustom 2 - Heavy-Duty Drone: In 2016, DRDO successfully tested its first indigenously developed heavy-duty drone, Rustom 2, designed as an unmanned armed combat vehicle similar to the US's Predator drone.

oINS Arihant - Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine: DRDO played a key role in co-developing INS Arihant, India's first nuclear ballistic missile submarine, which became operational in 2018.

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