1. NEW SPECIES OF MUSHROOM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A recently discovered tiny, fragile-looking mushroom with a honey-yellow 'cap' was found on the campus of the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) at Palode, and it has been identified as a new species.

About Study

• Researchers at the JNTBGRI identified and described the new species as belonging to the genus Candolleomyces.
• The new species has been named Candolleomyces albosquamosus ­ ‘albosquamosus’ for the white woolly scale­like structures on its pileus or cap.
• Delicate in build, the mushroom grows to a height of just about 58 mm.
• Seven species of the genus  Psathyrella reported earlier from India are now recognised as  Candolleomyces. 
• The discovery of a new species of the genus Candolleomyces in India is special given that there are only 35 species in this genus.

Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI)

• Established by the Government of Kerala in 1979 at Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. It functions under the umbrella of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), Government of Kerala.

Western Ghats

• Location: The Western Ghats form a 1600 km long mountain chain running along the west coast of India, stretching from the river Tapi in the north to Kanyakumari in the south.
• Geographical Coverage: These mountain ranges traverse six Indian states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, each referring to them by various regional names like Sahyadri and Nilgiris.
• Climate: Tropical humid climate, characterized by significant rainfall. 
• World Heritage Status: In 2012, UNESCO designated the Western Ghats as a world heritage site, recognizing their ecological and cultural significance.

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2. SARDAR PATEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: The Prime Minister of India has paid tributes to Sardar Patel on his Jayanti. PM said that with his indomitable spirit, visionary statesmanship and the extraordinary dedication Sardar Patel shaped the destiny of our nation.

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

• Born: 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. 
• First Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India.
• He always requested the people of India to live together by uniting (Ek Bharat) in order to create a foremost India (Shresth Bharat).
• This ideology still reflects in the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative which seeks to make India Self-Reliant.
• Headed various Committees: Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Committee on Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas., and the Provincial Constitution Committee.
• Title of “Sardar: He earned this title by women of Bardoli after spearheading a no-tax campaign by peasants there.
• He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991
• Statue of Unity: It is built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Sadhu Hill.

Contribution

• Integrating India: In 1947, Sardar Patel, India's Deputy PM, adeptly integrated diverse regions, averting unrest and fostering India's unity.
• Civil services in Independent India: Sardar Patel is credited with laying the groundwork for the Indian Civil Service in free India, aiming to establish a robust unified national administration. 
• His vision aimed at building a strong and vibrant administrative system.
• Border Security: Patel conceptualized some of the greatest policies to keep India secured from border countries’ attack. He wanted India to focus on - The need for strengthening the defense force & Examining and reshuffling the military position in various borders.

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3. MERI MAATI MERA DESH (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Recently, people from various regions of the country gathered at Kartavya Path in Delhi, where they carried soil from over 700 districts as part of the 'Meri Maati, Mera Desh' initiative.

Meri Maati, Mera Desh

• About: The 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' campaign is an initiative launched to honor the brave hearts who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country. 

oIt involves installing special inscriptions in panchayats across the nation in memory of these heroes.

• The 'Amrit Kalash Yatra': It is a part of the 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' campaign. During this yatra, 7,500 pots carrying soil from different parts of the country will be brought to the national capital along with saplings. 
• These pots will be used to create an 'Amrit Vatika' near the National War Memorial, symbolizing 'Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat.'

Key Points

• Events have been planned at the panchayat, village, block, urban local body, and State and national levels, respectively. 
• The five-point agenda includes the installation of a shilaphalakam (memorial plaque), as per specifications, bearing the “names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice”.
• Work for the shilaphalakam may be executed through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), leveraging local materials and resources.
• ‘Vasudha Vandhan’ envisages every gram panchayat or village renewing “Mother Earth by planting 75 saplings of indigenous species and developing an Amrit Vatika”.
• ‘Veeron Ka Vandan’ will felicitate freedom fighters, and the families of deceased freedom fighters.

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4. IEA WORLD ENERGY OUTLOOK 2023 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recent data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) in the latest World Energy Outlook report predicts that global emissions are on track to raise temperatures by around 2.4 degrees Celsius under existing policy settings.

Key Points

• The report’s standout statement is the anticipated peak in fossil fuel demand by the end of this decade.
• Noting positive shifts towards Net-Zero commitments and clean energy, it highlighted the urgent need for increased investment, diversified energy sources, and geopolitical considerations in the global energy transition.
• For India, it commended energy progress but underscored the continued rise in fossil and space cooling demand.
• For the first time, the IEA projected that fossil fuel demand will peak by the end of this decade under the STEPS scenario.

Areas of Concern

• There is a need to scale up clean energy investment, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies outside of China, as these regions have witnessed stagnant investment since 2015.
• The report emphasised the importance of ensuring a balanced mix of investments, rather than relying solely on solar, wind power, and electric vehicles.
• The potential for energy and mineral security concerns as the sector transforms globally, leading to supply concentration and critical mineral shortages for clean energy technologies.

International Energy Agency

• About: The IEA is at the heart of global dialogue on energy, providing authoritative analysis, data, policy recommendations, and real-world solutions to help countries provide secure and sustainable energy for all.
• Located: Paris
• Established: In 1974
• Members: 30 member countries, 8 association countries, and 3 accession countries

o India became an Associate Member of IEA in 2017.

• Four main areas of focus: Energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide.
• Reports published by IEA: World Energy Outlook, World Energy Balances, Energy Technology Perspectives, World Energy Statistics and Net Zero by 2050.

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5. AMANGARH TIGER RESERVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The tiger population at the Amangarh Tiger Reserve has increased from 21 mature tigers and six cubs in 2021 to 28 mature tigers and four cubs now.

Amangarh Tiger Reserve

• Geographical Location: Amangarh is situated in the Bijnor district of the state of Uttar Pradesh.
• Regional Setting: This area is part of the Terai region and encompasses approximately 578 square kilometers.
• Boundary Proximity: Amangarh shares its boundaries with the Jim Corbett National Park, which is located in the neighboring state of Uttarakhand.
• Historical Connection: Originally, Amangarh was a part of the Jim Corbett National Park. 

o However, when the state of Uttarakhand was established, Jim Corbett became part of Uttarakhand, while Amangarh remained in Uttar Pradesh.

• Tiger Reserve Status: In 2012, Amangarh was officially designated as a tiger reserve.

Tiger (Panthera tigris)

• 9 sub-species of tiger existed in the past out of which 3 have been extinct (Turkey, Bali, Java). 
• The tigers are an "umbrella" species as by rescuing them, everything beneath their ecological umbrella is saved. 
• A keystone & flagship species: Being the dominant predators of the ecosystem, Tigers ensure that the numbers of herbivores like deer are kept balanced, thus preventing overgrazing, & ensuring well-being of the forests.
• Conservation status – IUCN: Endangered, Wildlife protection Act, 1972: Schedule I, CITES: Appendix I
• Total Tiger Reserves in India – 53. 

o Latest one being Guru Ghasidas National Park & and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh.

o Maximum Tiger reserves – Maharashtra and MP (6 each).

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6. TOT MODEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently awarded two highway monetisation projects worth Rs 6,584 in the toll, operate, and transfer (TOT) mode.

Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Model

• Background: In 2016, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) granted authorization to the NHAI to monetize publicly funded national highway projects and approved the Toll-Operate-Transfer (ToT) model.
• Criteria: Under the ToT model, operational public-funded projects with a minimum of two years of operation are put up for bidding.

o In this process, the right to collect and appropriate fees is assigned to concessionaires (developers or investors) for a predetermined concession period, typically 30 years, against an upfront payment to NHAI.

• Assignment Based on Toll Revenue Potential: The assignment of rights is determined based on the toll revenue potential of the identified national highway projects.
• Operation & Maintenance: The concessionaires are responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of these projects throughout the concession period.
• Encouraging Private Participation: The ToT model has been developed with the objective of encouraging greater private sector participation in the highway sector.

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7. MIGRATION OF BIRDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The forest department of Tamil Nadu is preparing to augment waterbodies to attract more birds as the migratory season at Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is set to peak.

• Some of the migratory birds spotted include Little Stint, Lesser Sand Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Wood Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, Painted Stork and Oriental Pratincole.

Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

• Established: In 1967 and is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Key points: It houses the famous bird sanctuary of Vedaranyam and the Talaignayar forests.

o It is flanked by the Bay of Bengal in the east and Palk Strait in the south.

o It primarily focuses on the protection and conservation of the black antelopes, an endangered and endemic species that are found in this region. 

o It is designated as a Ramsar site.

• Flora: It has mangroves, tropical evergreen forests, and grassland ecosystems.
• Fauna: Wild boar, macaque, black buck, chital, Great flamingo, Painted Stork, Little Stint,seagull,l and Brown-headed gull are normally found in the sanctuary.

Central Asian Flyway

• The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) covers a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans and the associated island chains. The Flyway comprises several important migration routes of waterbirds.

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8. RTI ACT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The Supreme Court recently expressed concern about the Right to Information Act of 2005, which aimed to ensure transparency but is now facing issues due to vacancies in the Central Information Commission and state ICs, rendering it a "dead letter law."

Right to Information Act of 2005

• The rules and procedures governing citizens' right to information are outlined by this legislation.
• Establishment: The former Freedom of Information Act, 2002, was replaced by it.
• Fundamental Right: RTI is a part of the fundamental right of Cnstitution.

o Article 19(1): Freedom of speech and expression.

o Article 21: Right to life and Personal liberty

• Covered under RTI: All bodies, which are constituted under the Constitution or under any law or under any Government notification or all bodies, including NGOs, which are owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government are covered.
• All private bodies, which are owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government are directly covered.

Objective of the Right to Information Act 

• To empower the citizens
• To promote transparency and accountability
• To contain corruption
• To enhance people’s participation in democratic process

Key Provisions

• Section 4 of the RTI Act requires suo motu disclosure of information by each public authority.
• Section 8 (1) enumerates exemptions from providing information under the RTI Act.
• Section 8 (2) allows for the disclosure of information that is exempted under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, if it serves a larger public interest.

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9. NCLAT’S JURISDICTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court granted a pardon to the two members of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) bench who had been held in contempt of court case.

Background of Issue

• The origins of the recent action by the Supreme Court can be traced back to a dispute involving Finolex Cables, a prominent participant in the Indian cable and wire industry.
• The conflict brought before the NCLAT revolved around accusations of corporate mismanagement and various legal matters.

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)

• About: This is a quasi-judicial body designed to address civil corporate disputes under the Companies Act, 2013.
• Establishment: It came into existence on June 1, 2016, in accordance with the Companies Act, 2013.
• Formation Basis: The formation of this authority was a result of the Balakrishna Eradi committee's recommendations on laws concerning insolvency and company winding-up.
• Composition: It comprises a President and the necessary complement of Judicial and Technical Members.
• Functions

o Adjudicating appeals against NCLT orders in accordance with Section 61 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC).

o Hearing and resolving appeals related to directives, decisions, or orders issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

o Examining and resolving appeals concerning orders issued by the National Financial Reporting Authority.

Contempt of Courts

• In India, the offence of contempt of court is committed when a person either disobeys a court order (civil contempt), or when a person says or does anything that scandalizes, prejudices, or interferes with judicial proceedings and the administration of justice (criminal contempt).
• Contempt of court can be punished with imprisonment or a fine, or both.

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10. ELECTORAL BOND SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, the Attorney General of India informed the Supreme Court that the electoral bond scheme, a method of political party funding, is believed to promote clean money, and he argued that citizens do not possess the right to information about the source of funds under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

• The scheme in question extends the benefit of confidentiality to the contributor. It ensures and promotes clean money being contributed. 
• It ensures abiding by tax obligations. Thus, it does not fall foul of any existing right,

Electoral Bond Scheme

• About: Electoral bonds function as financial instruments, resembling promissory notes. They are intended for donations to political parties, which can later redeem these bonds.
• Eligibility: Citizens of India or Indian incorporated entities are eligible to purchase these bonds.
• Purchase Options: These bonds are available for purchase in denominations of ₹1,000, ₹10,000, ₹10 lakh, and ₹1 crore from specified branches of the State Bank of India.

o Purchases: Individuals, whether alone or in conjunction with others, have the option to purchase these bonds.

• Designated Redemption: Electoral bonds can only be redeemed in the specified account of a legally registered political party.
• KYC Requirements: Buyers must meet all existing Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and make payments from a bank account to acquire electoral bonds.
• Limited Lifespan: 15 days, preventing them from functioning as a parallel currency.
• Donor Identity Exception: Donors who contribute less than ₹20,000 to political parties through the purchase of electoral bonds are not required to provide identity details.

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