1. UNESCO (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Pakistan recently secured victory over India in a UNESCO executive board election for the vice-chair position, with Islamabad's candidate obtaining 38 votes compared to India's 18.

India and UNESCO

• India is presently a participant in 19 UNESCO Conventions, encompassing areas such as natural and cultural heritage, education, and intellectual property rights.
• Notable among these recent affiliations is the ratification of the Convention of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003.

Initiatives in Collaboration with UNESCO in India

• KeepGirlsInSchool movement
• Special Area Heritage Plan (SAHP)
• Joint project on Media Action Against Rape (MAAR)

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

• Formation: 1945, is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris.
• Objective: It works to achieve peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms.
• Members: 195 member states and 10 associate members. India is a founding member of the Organization.
• Headquarter: Paris, France.
• Governance in UNESCO: The General Conference of UNESCO, consisting of member states and associate members, convenes biannually to establish the agency's programs and budget. 

oAdditionally, it selects the members of the Executive Board responsible for managing UNESCO's operations and appoints a Director-General every four years, serving as the principal administrator of the organization.

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2. HALAL Syllabus GS Paper 3 - Agriculture)

Context: Recently, the Uttar Pradesh Government's Food Security and Drug Administration issued a ban on the "manufacture, sale, storage, and distribution of halal-certified products with immediate effect."

Halal

• About: A Halal certification is a guarantee that the food is prepared adhering to the Islamic law and is unadulterated.
• Halal certificates simply tell a consumer whether a product meets the requirements for being considered halal or not. They do not indicate the presence of meat, or in and of themselves, have nothing to do with meat.
• Agency: No Nodal Agency
• India does not have an official regulator for the certification of halal products.
• International Accreditations: Halal India’s certification is recognised by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development, among others.

Mythological Significance

• Halal means everything that is allowed or in compliance with Islamic law. 
• The concept of 'haram', which in Arab culture means things that are unacceptable or illegal in Islamic law.

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3. FINANCE COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission.

Finance Commission

• About: Article 280 of the Constitution of India provides for a Finance Commission as a quasi-judicial body. 
• Constituted by: President of India every fifth year or at such earlier time as he considers necessary.
• Composition: Chairman and four other members to be appointed by the president.
• Tenure: They hold office for such period as specified by the president in his order.
• Recommendation of Commission: The recommendations made by the Finance Commission are only of an advisory nature, not binding on the government.
• Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted: On November 27, 2017 and was headed by N.K. Singh.

Power and Functions of Commission

• The distribution of the net proceeds of taxes is to be shared between the Centre and the states.
• The principles that should govern the grants-in-aid to the states by the Centre (i.e., out of the consolidated fund of India).
• Any other matter referred to it by the president in the interests of sound finance.

Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission

• The division of net tax proceeds between the Union and States, as outlined in Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution, and the allocation of shares among the States.
• Principles governing grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India under Article 275 of the Constitution, excluding specified purposes in the provisos to clause (1) of that article.
• The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State.

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4. SWINE FLU (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, the UK reported the first human case of a new strain of swine flu, prompting health authorities to investigate and determine the origin of the virus.

Swine Flu

• About: It is a highly contagious respiratory disease in pigs caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses.
• Also Known as: H1N1 influenza
• Causes: Influenza viruses such as H1N1 infect the cells that line your nose, throat and lungs.
• Symptoms: Fever, Cough, Sore throat, Body aches, Headache, Chills and fatigue, Diarrhea and vomiting (possible).
• In children: signs of severe disease include apnea, tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, dehydration, altered mental status, and extreme irritability.
• In 2009, the H1N1 variant became widespread in humans for the first time.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 flu to be a pandemic in 2009.

Influenza: It is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract which is considered to be one of the life-threatening infectious diseases. Human influenza viruses are single-stranded RNA viruses.

• Types: There are 4 types of seasonal influenza viruses, types A, B, C and D. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease.

oInfluenza A viruses: They are further classified into subtypes according to the combinations of the hemagglutinin (HA) and the neuraminidase (NA), the proteins on the surface of the virus.  Ex: A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) influenza viruses.  Only influenza type A viruses are known to have caused pandemics.

oInfluenza B viruses: They are not classified into subtypes, but can be broken down into lineages. Currently circulating influenza type B viruses belong to either B/Yamagata or B/Victoria lineage.

oInfluenza C virus: It is detected less frequently and usually causes mild infections, thus does not present public health importance.

oInfluenza D viruses: They primarily affect cattle and are not known to infect or cause illness in people.

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5. COTTON CULTIVATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the government of India initiated a pilot project spanning 10 states, engaging 15,000 farmers to enhance the production of top-quality cotton through the adoption of global agricultural practices.

Key Points of Project

• About: The project, which has been launched by the Textile Ministry in coordination with the Agriculture Ministry, comes amid a slump in cotton production.
• The data will be evaluated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and then we will be able to realize the impact of these technologies.
• 10 cotton growing states where the pilot is going: Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
• Fixed MSP: The government has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) for medium staple cotton at ₹6,620/ quintal and for long staple cotton at ₹7020/quintal.

Cotton Production in India

• About: Cotton stands out as a pivotal commercial crop in India, contributing approximately 25% to the overall global cotton production.
• 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.
• 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.
• Major States: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

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6. DRONES OF WOMEN SHGs (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved Central Sector Scheme for providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crore for the period from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

Drones to the Women Self Help Groups

• Aim: To provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs during the period 2023-24 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose.
• Vision: To empower women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and bringing new technologies through drone services in agriculture sector.
• Significance: The scheme will help infusing advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers.

Self Help Groups

• About: SHGs are self-governing groups of individuals with shared socioeconomic backgrounds who collaborate to address common challenges and improve their living conditions.

Highlights of this Scheme

• Scheme Integration: The scheme integrates efforts of DA&FW, DoRD, DoF, Women SHGs, and LFCs for holistic interventions in agriculture.
• Drone Utilization: Identified clusters will employ economically feasible drone usage, with 15,000 selected women SHGs receiving 80% financial assistance for drone purchase.
• Financial Assistance and Loan: Women SHGs will receive 80% financial assistance for drone purchase, and CLFs may secure the balance amount as a loan with a 3% interest subvention.
• Training for SHG Members: Qualified SHG members will undergo 15 days of training, including a 5-day drone pilot training and a 10-day agriculture-focused training for nutrient and pesticide application.
• Drone Technicians: Members inclined towards electrical and mechanical works will be trained as drone technicians/assistants by SRLM and LFCs, forming an integral part of the program.
• LFCs as Facilitators: LFCs will bridge the gap between drone suppliers and SHGs, facilitating the procurement, repair, and maintenance of drones.

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7. VISA FREE ENTRY TO MALAYSIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Malaysia recently joined the list of countries providing a visa-free facility to Indian nationals, a move aimed at promoting tourism and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

Key Points

• Passport Ranking: The Passport Index positions India at 137th in its latest global ranking.
• Visa Requirements: Indian passport holders encounter visa requirements for entry into 123 countries, as per the Passport Index.
• Power Rank: India's Passport Power Rank, a distinct evaluation, is noted at 68 in the Passport Index.
• Henley Passport Index 2023, India Ranked: at the 80th position
• Visa-Free Entry: Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nepal, Palestinian Territories, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Malaysia

• About: Malaysia, country of Southeast Asia, lying just north of the Equator
• Boundaries: Thailand and Brunei (north), Singapore (south), Indonesia (southwest).
• Malaysia consists of two non-contiguous regions:
• Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) located in Malay Peninsula bordering South China Sea in the east.
• Malaysia Timur (East Malaysia) located on the Island of Borneo.
• Major Rivers: Pahang, Sarawak, Rajang, Kinabatangan.
• Highest Point: Mt Kinabalu (4100m).

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8. PMGKAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The Government has extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) for another five years from 1st of January 2024.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

• About: It was introduced by the Government of India in March 2020 as a food security welfare initiative amid the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
• Operated by: Department of Food and Public Distribution.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• Targets: To feed the poorest citizens of India by providing grain through the Public Distribution System.
• Distribution: The center provides 5 kg of free food grains per month to the poor.

oAntyodaya Households: Antyodaya households are entitled to 35 kg of free food grains monthly under the scheme.

oThe free food grains will concurrently ensure uniform implementation of portability under the One Nation One Ration Card across the country and will further strengthen this choice-based platform.

Significance of the PMGKAY Scheme

• Hunger Reduction: The initiative aims to alleviate the issue of hunger within the population, particularly during times of distress.
• Addressing Farm Distress: The procurement of rice and wheat under Minimum Support Price (MSP) will tackle the challenge of declining prices of food grains for farmers.

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9. MULLAPERIYAR DAM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Geography)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court instructed the Survey of India (SoI) to assess whether a proposed mega car park project in Kerala, near the Mullaperiyar dam area, encroaches upon the land specified in the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement of October 1886.

Mullaperiyar Dam

• About: It was constructed during 1887-1895 and owned, operated, and maintained by Tamil Nadu Government.
• Location:  It is located in upper reaches of river Periyar, which flows into Kerala after originating in Tamil Nadu.
• About the Dispute:

oConstruction: Recently, the dam was constructed based on the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement (1886) for a lease of 999 years.

oHistorical Agreement: An agreement was signed between the Maharaja of Travancore and the Secretary of State for India during British rule.

oSafety Concerns: Earlier, the Kerala Government claimed that the dam is unsafe and a threat to people living downstream, advocating for the construction of a new dam.

oTamil Nadu's Perspective: Contrastingly, the Tamil Nadu government denies safety concerns and is utilizing the dam to its full capacity after structural strengthening.

oSupreme Court Directive: The Supreme Court has directed the Supervisory Committee to promptly decide on the maximum water level allowed at Mullaperiyar dam in the midst of heavy rainfall in Kerala.

oPermanent Oversight: In 2014, the SC established a permanent Supervisory Committee to manage all matters related to the Mullaperiyar dam, a longstanding source of tension between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

o

Survey of India

• About: It is the National Mapping Agency (NMA) of the country under Department of Science & Technology, Govt of India.
• Set up: In 1767 and has evolved rich traditions over the years.
• Function: Adviser to the Government of India on all survey matters, viz Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Mapping & Map Reproduction.

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10. GST COUNCIL (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: In a recent verdict, the Madras High Court clarified that the GST Council's involvement, especially concerning the classification of a product, is recommendatory and non-binding.

GST Council

• Article 279-A of the Constitution: The GST Council functions as a collaborative platform involving both the Central and state governments.

oIt grants the President the power to establish the GST Council through an executive order.

• Function: To provide recommendations to both the Union and the states on crucial GST-related matters, encompassing the taxation of goods and services, exemptions, and the formulation of model GST Laws.
• Scope of Recommendations: The Council addresses issues such as goods and services subject to or exempted from GST, model GST Laws, place of supply rules, threshold limits, and GST rates (including floor rates).

HC on the powers of the GST Council

• GST Classification Authority: The Madras HC emphasized that the GST Council lacks the authority to determine the classification of goods, asserting that such a responsibility falls within the government's domain.
• Government's Responsibility: According to the Madras HC, it is the government's duty to establish an appropriate rate for goods classifiable under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.
• Judicial Reference to Mohit Minerals Case: The Madras HC's judgment referred to the Supreme Court's ruling in the Mohit Minerals case (November 2022), highlighting the apex court's observation that the decisions of the GST Council are not binding on the Union or states.
• Council's Recommendations: The Madras HC referenced the Constitution Amendment Act 2016, emphasizing that the inclusion of Article 279(1) and the deletion of Article 279B indicate that Parliament intended for the recommendations of the GST Council to only hold "persuasive value."

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