1. SANTHAL COMMUNITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: The Prime Minister recently paid tribute to the sacrifices and bravery of the Santhal tribal community.

Santhal Community

• About: Santhal is the third largest scheduled tribe community in India after Gond and Bhil.
• Etymology: The word 'Santhal' originates from 'santha' meaning calm and peaceful, and 'ala' meaning man.
• Background: Historically, Santhals led a nomadic life before settling in the Chota Nagpur plateau.

oBy the late 18th century, they migrated to Santhal Parganas in Bihar and later to Odisha.

• Major Regions: Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal are the primary areas inhabited by Santhals.
• Major Occupation: Santhals are involved in cultivation, industrial labor, mining, and quarrying.
• Santhali Language: Santhals speak Santhali, which has its own script called 'OL Chiki', included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Marriage Practices: Santhals permit various types of marriages including negotiation, elopement, intrusion, and service, along with remarriages and junior levirate.
• Artforms: Santhal's Phuta Katcha pattern sarees and dresses are gaining popularity through e-commerce.
• Major Festivals & Rituals:  Erok-sim, Hariham-sim, Iri-guldi-sim, Jantal, Saharai, Magha-sim, and Baha, each marking important agricultural or cultural milestones.
• The Rebellion: Initiated on 30th June 1855, the Santhal revolt (Hul revolt) against the British involved guerrilla warfare and captured significant territories like Rajmahal Hills and Bhagalpur district.

oLed by: Sido and Kanhu, it encompassed Bihar and surrounding regions.

oThis was India’s first major peasant uprising fueled by the implementation of the Permanent Land Settlement in 1793.

oAs a consequence of this revolt, the British enacted the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act of 1876 (SPT Act).

---

2. EPILEPSY (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: A UK-based teenager has become the first person in the world to be fitted with a brain implant to help bring his epileptic seizures under control.

Epilepsy

• About: It a condition that leads to recurring seizures, sees a person experience jerking of arms and legs, temporary confusion, staring spells, or stiff muscles. 
• Caused by: Abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

oUnidentified Causes: Nearly 50% of epilepsy cases have no identifiable cause.

oKnown Causes: Head trauma, brain tumors, infections like meningitis, or genetics can lead to epilepsy.

• Risks: Epilepsy can increase the risk of accidents, drownings, and falls.
• Prevalence in India: Between 3 and 11.9 per 1,000 people in India suffer from epilepsy, according to a 2022 Lancet study.
• Treatment Resistance: Despite the availability of several anti-seizure medicines, 30% of patients remain resistant to treatment.

How Does the Device Work?

• Neurostimulator Function: The neurostimulator delivers constant electrical impulses to the brain to disrupt or block abnormal seizure-causing signals.
• Device: A 3.5 cm square and 0.6 cm thick device was surgically implanted in teenager’s skull and anchored using screws, as reported by The Guardian.
• Electrode Insertion: Doctors inserted two electrodes deep into the brain, reaching the thalamus, which is a relay station for motor and sensory information. The electrodes' ends were connected to the neurostimulator.
• Device Activation: The device was switched on after teenager recovered from surgery. It can be recharged using a wireless headphone.

DBS Utilization

• About: The device employs Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), also used for Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders.
• Past DBS for Epilepsy: Previous DBS attempts for childhood epilepsy involved neurostimulators in the chest with wires to the brain.

---

3. ESANKHYIKI PORTAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has developed an eSankhyiki portal.

eSankhyiki Portal

• About: It  provides real-time inputs for planners, policy-makers, researchers, and the public. It has officially been launched on the Statistics Day.
• Objective: To establish a comprehensive data management and sharing system for official statistics.
• eSankhyiki Portal has two modules namely:

oData Catalogue Module: This module centralizes major data assets of the Ministry for easy access.

üUsers can search within datasets and tables, download data, enhancing its usability.

üIncludes datasets like National Accounts Statistics, Consumer Price Index, etc., with metadata and visualizations.

oMacro Indicators Module: Offers time series data of key macro indicators.

üFeatures filtering, visualization tools, and API access for custom dataset downloads and sharing.

üCovers major products like National Accounts Statistics, Consumer Price Index, etc., spanning the last decade.

üHosts over 1.7 million records currently on the portal.

---

4. AGENDA OF 16th FINANCE COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The 16th Finance Commission (FC) has begun its work, established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution, primarily focusing on the devolution of the consolidated fund.

Agenda for the 16th Finance Commission

• Cities as Engines of Growth: Cities contribute around 66% of India’s GDP and about 90% of total government revenues.

oUrban areas are crucial spatial zones for national development, requiring substantial infrastructure investments.

• Challenges in Financial Devolution: Despite efforts of multiple finance commissions, financial devolution to cities remains inadequate.

oIntergovernmental transfers to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India are significantly lower compared to other developing nations.

• Impact of Taxation System: Introduction of GST has reduced ULBs’ tax revenue, posing challenges to their financial health.

oLow State Transfers: State transfers to ULBs recommended by State Finance Commissions have been minimal, hindering financial empowerment post-74th amendment.

• Growth of Parallel Agencies: Parallel agencies and schemes have weakened local governments both financially and operationally. Programs like MPLADS and MLALADS distort the intended roles of local governments in the federal structure.
• Importance of Census Data: Accurate population figures are crucial for effective resource allocation and planning for urban areas.
• Revisiting Financial Commission Principles: The 15th Finance Commission’s principles require adjustment to reflect current urbanization dynamics and infrastructure needs.

oDoubling IGTs to urban areas is essential to meet future urban infrastructure demands.

Local Bodies and Constitutional Amendments:

• Since the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, local bodies have gained significant recognition within the federal system.
• Financial Mandate: Amendments introduced clauses mandating the Finance Commission to recommend measures supporting panchayats and municipalities from State funds (sub-clauses 280(3)(bb) and (c)).

---

5. P-75 INDIA PROJECT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Navy’s mega-submarine deal under Project-75I, estimated at over ₹43,000 crore, has crossed a major milestone in the process with the Field Evaluation Trials (FET) to check the compliance of the bids received now complete.

P-75 India Project

• About: In June 1999, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved a 30-year plan for the Navy to indigenously build and induct 24 submarines by 2030.
• Phase-wise Production Plan: Two production lines were established: P-75 and P-75I, with each line intended to produce six submarines.
• Project-75(I) Specifications: Involves indigenous construction of six modern conventional submarines equipped with Fuel-Cell based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, advanced torpedoes, modern missiles, and advanced countermeasure systems.
• Strategic Partnership Model: P-75I marks India's first project under the Strategic Partnership Model, where an Indian Strategic Partner (SP) will collaborate with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to build submarines in India.
• Commissioning of First Submarine: The first Kalvari Class (Scorpene Class) submarine under P-75 was commissioned in December 2017.
• Progress and Launches: Five submarines have been built subsequently; the final one, Vagsheer, was launched and is expected to be commissioned by late 2023.
• Current Partnerships: MDL and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) have been selected as Strategic Partners, and five OEMs—Naval Group (France), ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), ROE (Russia), Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (South Korea), and Navantia (Spain)—are in contention for the project.

---

6. SPACE JUNK (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Space junk is becoming a significant issue, threatening both space exploration and human safety worldwide.

Space Junk

• About: It is any piece of machinery or debris left by humans in space.
• Also known as: Space Debris
• Kessler Syndrome: It is a theoretical scenario in which a cascade of collisions between artificial objects in low Earth orbit leads to a rapidly increasing amount of space debris, making the use of near-Earth space impossible for an extended period of time.
• Dangers of Space Junk
• High Speed Impact: Debris can travel at speeds of up to 18,000 mph, posing a serious threat to satellites and spacecraft.
• Real-world Impact: The International Space Station has been damaged by relatively small pieces of debris, endangering crew and equipment.
• International Agreements on Space Debris

oSpace Liability Convention: Defines liability for damage caused by space objects.

oZero Debris Charter: Aims for debris neutrality in space by 2030, signed by twelve nations and the European Space Agency.

Initiatives related to Space debris

• Space Liability Convention (1972): The treaty says that a launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space objects on the surface of the earth or to aircraft, and liable for damage due to its faults in space.
• JAXA (Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency) initiative: JAXA and Astroscale are undertaking a 6-month demonstration project for the first-ever space debris removal mission.
• Clearspace-1 (European Space Agency): which is scheduled to launch in 2025, will be the first space mission to eliminate debris from orbit.
• Clean Space Initiative: To preserve the sustainability of the space environment for future generations.
• ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM): To ensure safety and sustainability while maximizing the advantages of utilizing outer space sustainably for national development.
• Project NETRA: is an initiative by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which is an early warning system in space to detect debris and hazards to the Indian satellites.

---

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

Context: Italy recently reported its first-ever case of Oropouche fever, a mosquito-borne disease, marking the first detection of the virus in continental Europe.

Oropouche Fever

• About: It is a mosquito-borne disease prevalent in Latin and South America.
• Caused by: Oropouche virus, an RNA virus belonging to the Bunyaviridae family. Transmission primarily occurs through the bite of the Culicoides paraensis midge.
• Transmission: The disease is transmitted through bites of infected midges and mosquitoes.
• Human-to-Human Transmission

oThere is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of Oropouche Fever.

• Symptoms: These are similar to dengue fever and typically appear 4 to 8 days after being bitten. They include fever, headaches, pain, chills, joint stiffness, and sometimes nausea and vomiting.
• Clinical Presentation: Severe cases leading to aseptic meningitis are rare but possible.
• Affected Population: Oropouche Fever can affect individuals of any age, with most patients recovering within about 7 days.
• Treatment: Currently, there is no specific vaccine or antiviral treatment available for Oropouche Fever.
• Epidemiology: Outbreaks of Oropouche Fever are periodically reported in countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago.

oSome outbreaks have occurred outside the tropical conditions typically associated with transmission events.

---

8. INS RANVIR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, INS Ranvir of the Eastern Fleet arrived in Chattogram, Bangladesh for an Operational Deployment under the Eastern Naval Command.

INS Ranvir

• About: It is a Rajput Class Guided Missile Destroyer equipped with advanced indigenous weapons and sensors following recent upgrades.
• Commissioning and History: Commissioned on 28 October 1986, INS Ranvir is the fourth destroyer of the five Rajput-class vessels built for the Indian Navy.
• Professional Engagements: During its current visit, INS Ranvir facilitates professional interactions such as Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), cross-deck visits, community outreach, and friendly sports fixtures with the Bangladesh Navy.
• Maritime Exercises: Following the harbour phase, INS Ranvir will participate in a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX)/ PASSEX, enhancing operational coordination with Bangladesh Navy ships.
• Significance of the Visit:

oIt reinforces longstanding friendship and cooperation between India and Bangladesh, emphasizing robust interoperability through various engagements.

oThe visit supports India's SAGAR initiative, focusing on Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), promoting regional security, economic growth, and cultural ties.

SAGAR Initiative

• About: Introduced in 2015, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) aims to foster cooperation and mutual trust among Indian Ocean region countries, particularly enhancing ties with neighboring nations.
• Components: SAGAR encompasses ensuring maritime security, promoting sustainable development and economic growth, and strengthening cultural and people-to-people connections between nations.

---

9. FINANCIAL SERVICES INSTITUTIONS BUREAU (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Financial Services Institution Bureau (FSIB) has selected Challa Sreenivasulu Setty as the next chairman of State Bank of India (SBI).

Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB)

• Constituted on: July 01, 2022 in place of Bank Board Bureau (BBB).
• Nodal Department: Department of Financial Services (Ministry of Finance).
• Vision: Search and select suitable persons for Board of Public Sector Banks, Public Sector Financial Institutions and Public Sector Insurance Companies.
• Mission: To Promote excellence in Corporate Governance in Public Sector Financial Institutions.
• Members: Headed by a chairman, a central government nominee. The board would comprise: 

oThe Secretaries of the Department Financial Services (DFS), 

oThe chairman of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI), and 

oA deputy governor of the RBI. 

oAdditionally, it will have three part-time members who are experts in banking and three more from the insurance sector.

Functions

• FSIB recommends candidates for appointment as whole-time directors and non-executive chairpersons in Public Sector Banks, financial institutions, and Public Sector Insurers.
• FSIB advises the Government on matters such as appointments, transfers, extensions of terms, and terminations of directors' services. 
• FSIB builds and maintains a databank containing performance-related data for Public Sector Banks, financial institutions, and Public Sector Insurers.
• FSIB plays a role in formulating suitable training and development programs for management personnel within PSBs, FIs, and PSIs.
• FSIB assists PSBs, FIs, and PSIs in developing business strategies and plans for capital raising and other financial initiatives.

---

10. PROJECT NEXUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently joined Project Nexus.

Project Nexus

• About: It a multilateral international initiative to enable instant cross-border retail payments by interlinking domestic Fast Payments Systems (FPSs).
• It is conceptualised by the Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
• Objective: To integrate global instant payment systems (IPS) to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions. It's the first BIS project in the payments sector moving towards implementation.
• Benefits of the Platform:

oStandardization: Nexus standardizes IPS connections globally, eliminating the need for bespoke connections for each country.

oEfficiency: Enables a single connection for a fast payments system to reach all other connected countries, enhancing speed and reducing complexity in cross-border payments.

• Countries Involved in Project Nexus:

oFounding Members: India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand are the founding members of Project Nexus.

oExpansion Plans: Indonesia is set to join the platform in the future, expanding its reach within ASEAN and beyond.

Fast Payments Systems (FPSs)

• It is an electronic payments system which facilitates inter-bank fund transfer and sends confirmation of payment to the receiver and originator within a minute or less (the time duration may vary across different geographies and payment schemes).

---