1. PM SHRI SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Education)

Context: In response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's request for the release of Samagra Shiksha Scheme funds for 2024-25, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that Tamil Nadu must sign an MoU for the PM-SHRI scheme, which focuses on developing model schools to lead neighboring institutions.

PM SHRI Scheme

• Aim: To transform existing government schools into model schools that offer high-quality education within an inclusive, equitable, catering to the diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and varying academic abilities of children.
• Launched: September 2022
• Duration: From 2022-23 to 2026-27
• Funding: The scheme is structured as a Centrally sponsored program. 
• Objective: This funding will facilitate the transformation of nearly 14,500 schools nationwide, aligning them with the components outlined in the National Education Policy of 2020. 
• Five States: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal are yet to sign the MoU.
• These schools will also serve as role models and provide mentorship to neighboring educational institutions.
• Monitoring Progress: A 'School Quality Assessment Framework' is currently under development to assess and monitor the progress and performance of these schools.

Samagra Shiksha Scheme 

• About: It is an integrated scheme aimed at providing education from pre-primary to senior secondary (up to class 12th) levels.
• Funding: It operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Aim: To universalize access to school education across India, ensuring no child is left out of the education system.

o It seeks to promote equity by including disadvantaged groups and weaker sections, ensuring educational opportunities are accessible to all.

---

2. COPYRIGHT LAWS (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – S&T)

Context: The Tamil Nadu government announced the "nationalization" of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's collected works, making them freely available for public publication, translation, and adaptation. Here's how this initiative will be implemented.

Copyright Laws

• Copyright meaning: Copyright is the legal right given to an intellectual property owner. Copyright law grants the original creators of the product an exclusive right to use it further or duplicate the product for a specific time.

oThe Indian Copyright Act protects the creator's work by law until 60 years.

• Copyright Act, 1957: Under this act, an author has a bundle of legal rights including the right to reproduce, issue copies, perform, adapt, or translate the work in question.
• Copyright Ownership: Upon the author's death, the ownership of the copyright passes to the legal heirs.
• Section 18 of the Copyright Act: It allows a copyright owner to assign the copyright, wholly or partially, to any person in exchange for compensation.
• Duration of Copyright Protection: Copyright for literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic works remains effective for 60 years after the original author's death. After this period, the work enters the public domain.

Nationalisation of Copyright

• Establishment of Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA):The Tamil Nadu government established the Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA) in 2001 to provide online education in Tamil language.
• TVA's Collaboration: It collaborates with the legal heirs of original copyright owners to facilitate the assignment of rights to specific works to the state government.
• Public Domain: The Tamil Nadu government releases nationalized works into the public domain under a CCO 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license, allowing unrestricted use of the works.
• Nationalization of Tamil Scholars' Works: To date, the Tamil Nadu government has nationalized the works of 179 Tamil scholars and paid Rs 14.42 crore in royalties to their heirs.

---

3. VULTURE COUNT 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: WWF-India has launched an initiative "Vulture Count 2024” that involves counting of vultures and raising awareness on the critically endangered bird species.

Vulture Count 2024

• About: It represents a significant opportunity for citizen scientists, bird enthusiasts and local communities to contribute to vulture conservation and to increase awareness about them
• Aim: To address this crisis by systematically monitoring vulture populations. Gathering comprehensive baseline data will help track population trends, identify critical habitats, and assess the impact of environmental changes.
• It follows the success of similar counts conducted in previous years.
• Continuity and Growth: Builds on the success of previous vulture counts, enhancing data collection and conservation efforts.
• International Awareness Alignment: Timed to coincide with International Vulture Awareness Day, raising global consciousness about vulture conservation.
• Diverse Focus: Covers multiple vulture species, including the white-rumped, red-headed, and Indian vultures, among others.
• Public Participation: WWF-India has suggested several accessible locations for public involvement, encouraging broader community engagement.

Vultures in India

• 9 species: India is home to 9 species of Vulture namely the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon.
• Conservation status: Bearded, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Oriental white-backed are protected in the Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. 

o Rest are protected under ‘Schedule IV’.

• IUCN Status

o Critically Endangered: Oriental White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture and Red-headed Vulture.

o Endangered: Egyptian Vulture.

o Near Threatened: Himalayan Vulture, Cinereous Vulture and Bearded Vulture.

o Least Concern: Eurasian Griffon.

o Threats: Poisoning from diclofenac, Loss of Natural Habitats, Food Dearth and Contamination and Electrocution by Power lines.

---

4. RESET PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt. Policies)

Context: On National Sports Day in New Delhi, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment launched the "Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training" (RESET) Programme.

RESET Programme

• Purpose: It is designed to empower retired athletes who have brought national recognition to the country by providing career development support.
• Objective: This initiative aims to support and empower retired athletes through specialized training.
• Career Development: The programme aims to equip retired athletes with knowledge and skills to enhance their employability and career prospects.
• Recognition of Expertise: RESET represents a significant effort to acknowledge and leverage the experience and expertise of retired athletes.
• Athlete Requirements: Applicants must be retired athletes aged 20-50, who have earned International Medals, participated in international events, or achieved National/State-level recognition in sports.
• Programme Levels: Courses will be available at two levels based on educational qualifications: Class 12th and above, and Class 11th and below.
• Pilot Phase: The Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) will lead the implementation of the RESET Programme during its pilot phase.
• Learning Mode: The programme will be delivered in a hybrid mode, combining self-paced learning through a dedicated portal with on-ground training and internships.
• Practical Experience: Internships will be provided in sports organizations, training camps, and leagues, with additional placement assistance and entrepreneurial guidance offered upon course completion.

---

5. SABINA SHOAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 1/2 – Geography/IR)

Context: China's natural resource ministry has just released its inaugural survey report on the Sabina Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea. This marks the first official assessment of the region's natural resources.

Sabina Shoal

• About: Sabina Shoal, also known as Xianbin Reef, is an oceanic coral atoll on a seamount in the eastern Spratlys Islands in the South China Sea.
• Geographic Location: It is situated approximately 75 nautical miles from Palawan, Philippines.
• Territorial Claims:

o Philippine EEZ: Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Sabina Shoal falls within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

o Chinese Claims: China claims the shoal and much of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, maintaining a continuous presence there. It is 630 nautical miles from China.

• Physical Characteristics: 

o Dimensions: The shoal extends about 23 km along its northwest-southeast axis.

o Particulars: It consists of two main parts connected by a narrow section: the larger western part is 13 km long and 6 km wide, while the eastern part measures 10 km by 3 km.

o Lagoon and Coral Ring: Both parts feature a central lagoon surrounded by a coral ring with discontinuous shallow sections.

South China Sea

• About: It is one of the world's busiest waterways and plays a crucial role in global trade and merchant shipping.
• Location: The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean.

---

6. WORLD WEATHER ATTRIBUTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management)

Context: A new study by World Weather Attribution (WWA) has linked the devastating Typhoon Gaemi, which swept through the Philippines, Taiwan and China in July 2024, to global climate change.

World Weather Attribution (WWA) Group

• About: It is a global alliance of climate researchers who swiftly assess extreme weather incidents to ascertain climate change's potential influence.
• Founded: It was formed in 2015 by Dr Geert Jan van Oldenborgh and Dr Friederike Otto.
• Objective: To offer timely and scientifically rigorous data regarding the correlation between extreme weather events and climate change.
• Partnership of: Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford (ECI) Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environment (LSCE).

Key Points of Study

• Temperature Rise: Fossil fuel combustion has increased global temperatures by 1.2°C, contributing to climate change effects like extreme rainfall.
• Regional Changes: Rainfall in Hunan and Taiwan has increased by 9% and 14% respectively due to climate change.
• Probability Increase: The chance of heavy rainfall in Hunan and Taiwan has risen by 60% due to rising global temperatures.
• Projected Frequency: A 2°C rise in global temperatures could make devastating typhoon rainfall events 30-50% more frequent in these regions.
• Severe Effects: Typhoon Gaemi brought high wind speeds and extreme rainfall, leading to widespread damage and significant loss of life.

---

7. PC & PNDT ACT 1994 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issue)

Context: Despite Delhi's sex ratio at birth declining from 929 females per 1,000 males in 2022 to 922 in 2023, only 19 cases were registered under the "Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994" in the past three years.

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994

• About: It is a law for the prohibition of sex selection leading to female foeticide.
• It aimed at stopping female foeticides and improving the declining sex ratio by banning prenatal sex determination.
• Objectives: The act seeks to prohibit sex selection before and after conception and to prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex-selective abortions.
• Provisions:

o Regulation of Techniques: The act regulates the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques, such as ultrasound, restricting their use to detecting genetic and congenital disorders.

o Sex Determination Ban: No laboratory, clinic, or center can conduct tests, including ultrasonography, for determining the sex of the fetus.

o Communication Restrictions: No one, including those conducting procedures as per the law, can communicate the fetus’s sex to the pregnant woman or her relatives by any means.

o Advertising Restrictions: Advertisements promoting pre-natal and pre-conception sex determination are punishable with up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000.

Offences Under the Act Include:

• Aiding Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques: Operating or assisting in prenatal diagnostic techniques in unregistered facilities is an offense under the act.
• Prohibition of Sex-Selection: Sex selection for either gender is considered a punishable offense.
• Sex-Detection Equipment: The sale, distribution, or use of equipment that facilitates sex-detection of the fetus, such as ultrasound machines, is prohibited and punishable under the act.

---

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

Context: The country's second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat, was inducted into the Indian Navy.

INS Arighaat

• About: It is India’s second indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, following INS Arihant, commissioned in 2018.
• Features: 

o More advanced: The INS Arighat is "significantly more advanced" than its predecessor, INS Arihant, due to the indigenous technological advancements incorporated into it.

o Indigenous systems and equipment: INS Arighat's construction involved advanced design and manufacturing technology, extensive research and development, the use of specialised materials, complex engineering, and highly skilled workmanship.

o Secret ship-building centre: The commissioning of the nearly 112-metre-long submarine reportedly took place at the highly secretive ship-building centre in Visakhapatnam.

o Enhanced endurance: Both the INS Arihant and the INS Arighat are powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water nuclear reactors, enabling them to remain submerged for longer durations compared to conventional diesel-electric submarines, which need to surface regularly to charge their batteries.

o Armed with nuclear-tipped missiles: Like its predecessor, the INS Arighat has four launch tubes in its hump. It can carry up to 12 K-15 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), each with a range of 750 kilometres (km), or four K-4 SLBMs with a range of 3,500 km.

o Speed and size: The INS Arighat, with a displacement of around 6,000 tonnes, is reportedly capable of achieving a maximum speed of 12-15 knots (22-28 km/h) on the surface and up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged.

o 'Destroyer of the Enemy': Although more advanced than its predecessor, the INS Arighat belongs to the Arihant class of submarines, with the name of the class derived from the Sanskrit term meaning 'Destroyer of the Enemy'.

o Role in Nuclear Triad: It is a critical component of India's nuclear triad, allowing nuclear missile launches from land, air, and sea.

INS Arihant

• About: It is the lead ship of India's Arihantclassof nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

o The 6,000 tonne vessel was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in the port city of Visakhapatnam.

• Commissioned: It was commissioned in August 2016, and deployed operationally in 2018.

---

9. LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Indian Society)

Context: The Union government has clarified in a recent advisory that individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community and those in queer relationships are permitted to open joint bank accounts and nominate each other as beneficiaries.

LGBTIQ+ Community

• About: LGBTIQ+ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer.
• They are the individuals who do not identify with the cisgender heterosexual "ideals".
• Protection Under The Constitution:

o Article 14, 15, and 16: Prohibit discrimination on grounds of sex, which the Supreme Court has extended to include sexual orientation, protecting LGBT individuals from discrimination based on their sexual orientation.

o Article 21: Guarantees rights to life, dignity, and privacy, including the right to choose one's gender and practice one's sexual orientation, as interpreted by the Supreme Court.

• Transgender Rights In India

o Right to Vote: Recognized since 1996, allowing transgender individuals to participate in elections.

o National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) v. Union of India (2014): A landmark Supreme Court ruling that recognized transgender persons as the 'third gender,' entitling them to reservations in government jobs and education, and affirmed their fundamental right to gender change.

o The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019: Defines a "Transgender person" as one whose gender identity does not align with their gender assigned at birth, including various identities such as trans-man, trans-woman, intersex, genderqueer, and others, without requiring sex reassignment surgery or hormone therapy.

oTransgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020: Formulated to ensure equality in education, employment, and access to public spaces for transgender persons.

Schemes for LGBTQ

o SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise): Focus on rehabilitation, access to medical facilities, counselling services, assistance with basic documentation, educational opportunities, and skill development programs.

o Garima Greh Scheme: The establishment of shelter homes specifically designed to support destitute and vulnerable transgender persons.

o SWEEKRUTI: To ensure equitable justice for transgender persons and create an enabling environment for equal opportunities, social justice, and empowerment of transgender persons.

---

10. SHE-BOX PORTAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: The centre government launched a centralized platform She-Box portal for registering and monitoring complaints of sexual harassment of women at the workplace.

She-Box Portal

• About: It serves as a centralized repository of information related to Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) formed across the country, encompassing both the government and private sectors.
• Launched by: Women and Child Development Minister
• Features:

o Common Platform for Complaints: It offers a common platform to file complaints, track their status, and ensure time-bound processing of complaints by ICs, said the WCD ministry.

o Real-Time Monitoring: The platform provides assured redressal of complaints and a streamlined process for all stakeholders. Through a designated nodal officer, it enables real-time monitoring of complaints.

o Women's Workforce Participation: The step was taken to enhance women's participation in the workforce and ensure that workplaces are safe and secure, enabling women to thrive and succeed.

o Critical Initiative for Workplace Safety: This initiative is a critical step forward in providing a more efficient and secure platform for addressing workplace-related sexual harassment complaints. It furthers the government’s commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive working environment for women across India.

o Protection Under Sexual Harassment Act 2013: The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, serves to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace and address their grievances.

o She-Box Portal Development: In line with this commitment, the new She-Box portal represents a significant step forward in addressing and managing complaints of workplace sexual harassment.

o Enhancing Digital Brand Presence: The website aims to establish a cohesive visual identity across digital platforms, enhancing the government’s engagement with national and global audiences.

o Importance of Digital Presence: As digital platforms become the primary point of contact for citizens, maintaining a strong and compelling brand presence is essential.

---