1. CEEW STUDY ON CARBON EMISSIONS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recent analysis reveals that in the lead-up to a crucial global climate summit, developed countries, accounting for three-fourths of existing carbon emissions in the atmosphere, are on track to emit 38% more carbon in 2030 than their current commitments.

• Surprisingly, a significant 83% of this overshoot can be attributed to the United States, Russia, and the European Union, as per a study published last week by the Council for Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), a Delhi-based think tank.

Key Points of Study

• At COP­28, countries are expected to give an account of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are their commitments to the UN on emission cuts.
• The CEEW study noted that the NDCs of developed countries already fall short of the global average reduction of emissions to 43% below 2019 levels that is needed to keep temperatures from rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• Several countries have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
• Except for two countries — Belarus and Norway -- none of the developed countries seem to be on the path to meet their 2030 targets, though Japan and Kazakhstan are close, and are expected to miss their targets.

Carbon Dioxide Emission

• About: CO2 is a greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

oCO2 emissions are the primary cause of climate change.

• Sources of CO2 emissions: Electricity generation, Transportation, Industry, Agriculture, Forestry etc.
• CO2 emissions can be reduced by: Using renewable energy sources, Improving energy efficiency, Switching to electric vehicles, Reducing deforestation, Planting trees, carbon capture and storage.

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2. EXERCISE KAZIND 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Relations)

Context: The Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent, comprising 120 personnel, recently departed for Kazakhstan to participate in the 7th edition of Joint Military 'Exercise KAZIND-2023'.

Exercise KAZIND-2023

• About: The Joint Exercise between India and Kazakhstan was instituted as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK’ in the year 2016. 
• After the second edition, the Exercise was upgraded to a company-level exercise and renamed as ‘Exercise KAZIND’. 
• The Exercise has been further upgraded as a Bi-service Exercise this year by including the Air Force component.
• Aim: In this Exercise, both sides will practice conduct of Counter Terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under United Nations mandate. 
• The scope of the Exercise also includes conduct of Counter Unmanned Aerial System Operations.
• 2023 Edition: Otar in Kazakhstan
• 2022 Edition: Umroi (Meghalaya).

Other Indian Army Exercise 

• India and France - SHAKTI
• India and Australia - AUSTRA HIND
• India and China - HAND IN HAND
• India and Kyrgyzstan - KHANJAR
• India and Maldives - EKUVERIN

Other Indian Air Force  Exercises

• India and Thailand - SIAM BHARAT
• India and Russia - INDRA
• India and France - GARUDA

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3. HYPERTENSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – HEALTH)

Context: Recently, a district-level study on hypertension in India, conducted by AIIMS Delhi and scientists from Europe and the US, revealed significant disparities in care. The findings, published in JAMA Network, utilized hypertension data from NFHS-5, the fifth round report of which was released in May 2022.

Key Points of Report

• In Karnataka, four districts — Chikmagalur, Shimoga, Udupi and Chitradurga — have a similar prevalence of hypertension, but the proportion of participants diagnosed and treated in Chikmagalur and Udupi was higher.
• In Meghalaya, the five districts of Garo Hills, the two districts of Jaintia Hills and the three districts of Khasi Hills all have a similar prevalence of hypertension, but the proportion of those diagnosed is much lower in Garo Hills than in Jaintia Hills and Khasi Hills.
• According to a recent WHO report, 188.3 million people in India suffer from hypertension but only 37% get diagnosed, only 30% start treatment, and only 15% manage to keep their blood pressure under control.
• It estimated that at least 4.6 million deaths in India can be prevented by 2040 if half of those with the condition manage to keep their blood pressure under control.

Hypertension

• About: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the pressure in your blood vessels exceeds 140/90 mmHg. If left untreated, it can pose serious health risks.
• Blood pressure is denoted by two numbers: the first (systolic) indicates the pressure when the heart contracts, and the second (diastolic) indicates the pressure during the heart's resting phase between beats.
• World Hypertension Day: Every year on May 17 
• Aim: To raise awareness about hypertension and urging individuals to take measures to prevent and manage this silent threat to health.

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

Context: The 'NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar' (NISAR) is poised to facilitate the exploration of how shifts in Earth's forest and wetland ecosystems impact the global carbon cycle and influence climate change.

'NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar' (NISAR)

• Joint Development: NISAR, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory, is a collaborative effort between NASA and ISRO.
• Size and Weight: This SUV-sized satellite boasts a weight of 2,800 kilograms.
• Dual-Frequency Radar: NISAR features both L-band and S-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments, making it a unique dual-frequency imaging radar satellite.
• Capabilities: To utilize two different radar frequencies (L-band and S-band) for monitoring and measuring changes in the Earth's surface.
• All-Weather Observations: The SAR instruments on NISAR are adept at penetrating clouds and can gather data day and night, regardless of prevailing weather conditions.
• Contributions: In the collaborative project, NASA has contributed the L-band radar, GPS, a high-capacity solid-state recorder, and a payload data subsystem. Meanwhile, ISRO has provided the S-band radar, the GSLV launch system, and the spacecraft.
• Gold-Plated Reflector: NISAR incorporates a substantial 39-foot stationary antenna reflector constructed from gold-plated wire mesh. 
• This reflector plays a crucial role in focusing the radar signals emitted and received by the upward-facing feed on the instrument structure.

Objectives

• The mission aims to collect data on Earth's evolving ecosystems, dynamic surfaces, and ice masses. 
• This data will offer insights into biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise, and groundwater.
• NISAR is designed to provide global coverage of Earth's land and ice-covered surfaces through 12-day regular observations on both ascending and descending orbital passes.

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5. UNGA RESOLUTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – International Realtions)

Context: India is committed to countering terrorism such as the Hamas attacks on Israel, and has concerns about the civilian casualties in Gaza despite the country’s decision to abstain on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for a humanitarian truce.

UNGA Resolution:

• An “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
• It also demanded “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped within the enclave amid an expansion of Israeli ground operations and bombardment.
• The non-binding resolution proposed by Jordan was adopted by a large majority of member states, with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.
• Israel, the US, Hungary and five Pacific Island states were among the countries that voted against the resolution at an extraordinary special session.

Why India abstained?

• Reasons: The absence of all elements of India’s approach being covered in the final text of the resolution. The scale and intensity of violence witnessed so far is “an affront to basic human values”. Violence also does not pave the way for any durable solutions
• Amendment proposed: The resolution did not include any “explicit condemnation” of the terror attacks by Hamas.
• India’s proposal: India calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. “Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality or race. The world should not buy into any justification of terror acts. Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism,”

UN General Assembly 

• Establishment: In 1945 under the United Nations (UN) Charter
• Member Countries: All 193 members
• UNGA President: The UNGA is headed by its President, who is elected for a term of one year.
• Composition: United Nations General Assembly comprises all 193 Members of the United Nations.
• Mandate: provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. 
• It also plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law.

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6. INDIA AS A DEVELOPED COUNTRY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Niti Aayog recently announced that India's ambitious goal is to transform into a 'developed nation' by 2047, boasting a $30 trillion economy in its centenary year of independence, driven by substantial policy changes and governance reforms to be achieved by 2030.

• India's growth is closely interlinked with the growth of states. This will be the guiding spirit of India's inclusive and sustainable vision for the next quarter century.

Where does India stand?

• India's Economic Classification: India is categorized as both a "developing economy" and a "lower middle-income country."
• GDP Comparison: When examining the absolute level of GDP, India stands as one of the world's largest economies, although the United States and China maintain a significant lead.
• Per Capita Income: It is a crucial factor in classifying a country as "developed." In this aspect, India lags behind even Bangladesh.
• Progress in Human Development: India has shown consistent progress on various Human Development Index (HDI) metrics, with a focus on three critical factors:

oHealth and longevity of its citizens

oQuality of education

oStandard of living

• Life expectancy at birth in India: It has risen from approximately 40 years in 1947 to nearly 70 years today.

Developed Country

• There is no accepted universal definition of developed/developing country.
• A Developed Country is characterized by industrialization, a high quality of life, a well-developed economy, and advanced technological infrastructure when compared to less industrialized nations.
• On the other hand, developing countries are either in the midst of industrialization or are predominantly agrarian and pre-industrial in nature.

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7. DPDP ACT 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Recently, with the government's enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023, a recent report reveals that nearly half of Indian organizations, both large and small, lack the necessary skill sets to effectively implement this legislation.

Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023

• About: An Act to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognises both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process such personal data for lawful purposes and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been discussing digital personal data and its protection, culminating in the 'Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023.'
• The Act aims to establish a framework for processing digital personal data that respects both individuals' rights to safeguard their data and the necessity of processing data for legitimate purposes.

Provisions of the Act

• Application: The Act is applicable when processing digital personal data within India, under the following circumstances: Data is collected online & Data is collected offline, and then digitized.

oIt also applies to the processing of personal data outside India if the purpose is to offer goods or services within India.

oPersonal data can only be processed for lawful purposes with the individual's consent.

• Consent: For individuals below 18 years of age, consent must be granted by a parent or legal guardian.
• Rights of Data Principal: A data principal, who is an individual undergoing data processing, possesses the following rights:

oThe right to obtain information regarding the processing of their data.

oThe right to request the correction and deletion of their personal data.

• Personal data beyond India: It permits the transmission of personal data beyond India, barring countries that have been prohibited by the central government through an official notification.

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8. ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: India has recently taken the lead in pioneering an online dispute resolution (ODR) platform for seamlessly addressing cross-border consumer complaints related to e-commerce.

• India hosted the first conference to deliberate on the framework of ODR, which was virtually attended by top representatives of UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Federal Trade Commission of the USA, the Competition Markets Authority of the UK and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)

• ODR has its roots in the convergence of ADR and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) of the digital era. 
• Unlike traditional methods, it leverages technology to simplify and enhance dispute resolution.
• It resembles Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) but utilizes various digital tools, including multichannel communication, case management systems, and digital signatures. 
• ODR integrates cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. 
• It transcends simple audio/video conferencing, aiming to optimize the entire process of resolving disputes.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

• ADR, encompasses alternative methods for resolving disputes outside of court litigation. 
• It involves the involvement of a neutral third party who facilitates communication, discussion, and resolution of differences between the disputing parties. 
• ADR can address various civil dispute matters as explicitly outlined in the law.
• Examples: Mediation, arbitration, and neutral evaluation

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9. NTCA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The National Tiger Conservation Authority ( NTCA ) Ministry for Environment, Forest & Climate Change in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation is organising an art exhibition titled, “Silent Conversation: From Margins to the Centre”,

National Tiger Conservation Authority ( NTCA )

• About: It is a statutory organization created under the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 following the recommendation of the Tiger Task Force.
• Chairperson: Minister of Environment .
• Members include: Member of Parliament, Experts & Professionals, Chairpersons of National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Caste etc.

Objectives

• To grant statutory authority to Project Tiger, making compliance with its directives a legal requirement.
• To enhance accountability in the management of Tiger Reserves by facilitating Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the Center and State governments within the federal structure.
• To establish parliamentary oversight in the process.
• To cater to the livelihood concerns of local communities residing in the vicinity of Tiger Reserves.

Project Tiger

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment.
• Launched in 1973 for in-situ conservation of wild tigers in designated tiger reserves.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has an overarching supervisory role, performing functions as provided under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

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10. AMAZON RIVER BASIN (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The Amazon river basin is currently experiencing a severe drought, which has caused the region’s waterways to reach their lowest levels since the early 20th Century.

Amazon River Basin

• About: It is the greatest river of South America and the largest drainage system in the world in terms of the volume of its flow and the area of its basin.
• Course: Its excursion begins in the Andes Mountains, high in the Andes.
• Coverage Areas: The Amazon River Basin spans across several South American countries including Venezuela, Suriname, Peru, Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia.
• Distance: 6,400 kilometers.
• Tributaries: It contains about 1,100 tributaries.
• Among the numerous notable tributaries are the Rio Negro, the Madeira River, and the Xingu River.
• Home to 4 Different Species of Caiman: Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), Cuvier’s dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus), and smooth-fronted caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus).

Causes of the Severe Drought

• Onset of El Niño: This event refers to an abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
• Extreme heat: The warming associated with El Niño exacerbates drought conditions, leading to a decrease in humidity and a lack of rainfall. 
• High water temperatures: During El Niño, the northern tropical Atlantic Ocean experiences unusually high water temperatures.
• Deforestation: Rampant deforestation leads to the destruction of vast areas of vegetation, contributing to rising temperatures and a reduction in evapotranspiration, a crucial process for the water balance in the region.
• Mining: Disorganised mineral extraction results in the creation of banks of land that are harmful to navigation.

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