1. PURCHASING MANAGERS’ INDEX (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Economy)

Context: India’s services sector output, as measured by the S&P Global India Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), rebounded from a three-month low in June to record a 13-year high of 62.3 in July. 

• A reading of over 50 on the index indicates an expansion in activity levels.
• Output levels improved at the sharpest pace since June 2010 as per the survey-based index, with firms attributing this upturn to strong demand and new business gains.

PMI or a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)

• It is an indicator of business activity - both in the manufacturing and services sectors. 
• It is a survey-based measures that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before. 
• It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed.
• A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business activity. 

• Anything below 50 denotes contraction. 

• Higher the difference from this mid-point greater the expansion or contraction. 

• The rate of expansion can also be judged by comparing the PMI with that of the previous month data. 
• If the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the economy is expanding at a faster rate. 
• If it is lower than the previous month then it is growing at a lower rate.

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2. IMPORT RESTRICTIONS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Economy)

Context: The government imposed import restrictions on laptops, tablets, and certain types of computers with immediate effect for security reasons and the need to promote domestic manufacturing.

Key Points

• The move will curtail inbound shipments of these goods from countries like China and Korea.

• Importers of these items would now need permission or license from the government for their inbound shipments.

• Since imports will now be allowed only against valid import licences, the government can keep a strict watch on imports, especially from China, and check inflows whenever it feels the need.
• The notification also specifies various cases of exemptions from licencing requirements. 
• The restrictions are not applicable to imports under baggage rules, under which one old and a new laptop is allowed in a baggage.
• Although the import restrictions on laptops, tablets and computers imposed are not country specific, it would affect imports from China as the country accounts for a substantial portion of the $7 billion of annual imports of the items.
• While the notification comes into force with immediate effect, under the transition provisions of the foreign trade policy if the bill of lading and letter of credit have been issued or opened before August 3, those import consignments can be imported without licence till August 31. After that, importers will need licences.

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3. OFFSHORE AREAS MINERAL ACT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Infrastructure)

Context: India’s mining sector is in for a sea change with Parliament passing the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2023 to begin a serious hunt for mineral treasures buried under water.

• The Bill amends the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002.   The Act regulates mining in maritime zones of India.  

Highlights of the bill

• The Act categorises offshore mining-related activities into: (i) reconnaissance, which involves a preliminary survey to locate mineral resources, (ii) exploration, which includes exploring, proving, or locating mineral deposits, and (iii) production, the commercial activity of the extraction of minerals.
• The Act provides for the following types of concessions: (i) a reconnaissance permit for reconnaissance, (ii) an exploration licence for exploration, and (iii) a production lease for undertaking mining. 
• Under the Act, a production lease is granted for a period of up to 30 years.  It may be further renewed for up to 20 years.  
• The Bill instead provides that a production lease, as well as a production lease under a composite licence, will be valid for 50 years.
• The Act provides for the grant of concessions through administrative allocation.  
• The Bill mandates competitive bidding for a production lease and a composite license to private entities.
• The Act allows the government to reserve offshore areas that are not held under any operating right. 
• The Bill allows the administering authority to grant a composite licence or production lease to the government or a government company.
• The Bill adds that in case of atomic minerals, exploration, production, and composite licenses will be granted only to the government or government companies. 
• Under the Act, the size of one block for offshore mining is five minutes latitude by five minutes longitude.  
• The Bill reduces this to one minute latitude by one minute longitude.

• The Bill sets up the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust. 
• The funds will be used for specified purposes including: (i) exploration in offshore areas, (ii) research and studies about the mitigation of adverse effects of offshore mining on the ecology, and (iii) relief upon the occurrence of a disaster.
• The Bill increases fines for various offences.  
• For instance, under the Act, conducting any activity without a permit or licence is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to Rs 50,000, or both.  As per the Bill, the fine for this offence will be between five lakh rupees and Rs 10 lakh.

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4. RAJMARGYATRA APP (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Infrastructure)

Context:  The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) takes a significant stride towards improving the highway user experience with the launch of 'Rajmargyatra,' a citizen-centric unified mobile application. 

• This user-friendly app is now available for download on both Google Play Store and iOS App Store, empowering travelers with comprehensive information on Indian National Highways while also offering an efficient complaint redressal system. 
• The app is currently available in Hindi and English.

Key Features of 'Rajmargyatra' App:

• Comprehensive Highway Information: 'Rajmargyatra' serves as a one-stop repository of essential information for National Highway users. 

• Get real-time weather conditions, timely broadcast notifications, and access to details about nearby toll plazas, petrol pumps, hospitals, hotels, and other essential services that ensure a seamless and safe journey on National Highways.

• Hassle-Free Complaint Redressal: The app comes equipped with an inbuilt complaint redressal and escalation mechanism. Users can easily report highway-related issues, attaching geo-tagged videos or photos for better clarity. 

• The registered complaints will be handled in a time-bound manner, with system-generated escalations to higher authorities in case of any delays. Users can also track the status of their grievances for complete transparency.

• Seamless FASTag Services: 'Rajmargyatra' integrates its services with various bank portals, making it convenient for users to recharge their FASTags, avail monthly passes, and access other FASTag-related banking services – all within a single platform.

• Over-speeding notifications and voice-assistance to encourage responsible and safe driving behavior.

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5. AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Agriculture)

Context: Only 15 percent of the Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), launched in 2020 for the development of post-harvest infrastructure, has been disbursed in the first three years.

• According to the information shared by Union agriculture minister in Parliament, Rs 15,448 crore has been disbursed for 27,748 projects until now. And out of this, a total of 19,650 projects worth Rs 9,660 crore (9.66 percent of the total allocation) have been completed.
• Among the 27 states and Union Territories, Madhya Pradesh (MP) utilised the maximum funding of Rs 2,707 crore for 3,909 completed projects. 

• MP was followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh as distant second and third at Rs 901 crore with 2,424 completed projects and Rs 691 crore for 1,175 projects respectively.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

• About: It is a central sector scheme that will enable a financing facility of Rs.1 lakh crore for funding agriculture infrastructure projects at farm-gate and aggregation points such as farmers producers organisations, primary agricultural cooperatives, startups and entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector.

• Origin: It was announced in May 2020 under the ambitious Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package as a dedicated Central Government scheme that provides medium-long term credit facility for investment in creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

• Benefits:

• Interest subvention: All loans under this financing facility will have an interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of Rs. 2 crore. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of seven years.

• Credit guarantee: Credit guarantee coverage will be available for eligible borrowers under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for a loan up to Rs. 2 crore. The fee for this coverage will be paid by the Government.

• Moratorium for repayment: Moratorium for repayment under this financing facility may vary subject to a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 2 years.

• Scheme beneficiaries: Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS), FPOs, Marketing Cooperative Societies, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Self-Help Groups, Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Startups, agri entrepreneurs, Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership Projects.

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6. CABINET SECRETARY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - Polity & Governance

Context: Cabinet Secretary got an extension in service for another year. 

• He will remain in office till August 30, 2024.
• This is the third time his service has been extended for another year.
• He was in 2019 appointed to the country’s top bureaucratic post for two years.
• He was given one-year extension in 2021 and then in August last year.

Cabinet Secretary

• The Cabinet Secretary is the top-most executive official and senior-most civil servant of the Government of India.
• She/he is the ex-officio head of the Civil Services Board, the Cabinet Secretariat, the IAS, and all civil services under the rules of business of the government.
• She/he ranks eleventh on the Indian order of precedence.
• She/he is under the direct charge of the PM and is appointed for a fixed tenure of two years.
• The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Transaction of Business and the Allocation of Business Rules 1961.
• She/he facilitates smooth transaction of business in Ministries/ Departments of the Government.
• Secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and its Committees
• Assists in decision-making in Government by ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination ,
• Ironing out differences amongst Ministries/ Departments
• Evolving consensus through the instrumentality of the standing/ adhoc Committees of Secretaries
• In 2019, All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement-Benefits) Rules, 1958, was amended by Government to provide extension.
• According to All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement-Benefits) Rules, 1958, the government can give extension in service to a cabinet secretary provided the total tenure does not exceed four years.
• As per the modified rules, the central government may give an extension in service for a further period not exceeding three months, beyond the period of four years to a cabinet secretary.

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7. STUDY IN INDIA PORTAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 - Education)

Context: Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister and Union External Affairs Minister jointly launched Study in India Portal. 

Key Points

• Study in India Portal is a dedicated website that will provide comprehensive information about the Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). 

• The website will illustrate academic programs covering but not limited to undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), Doctoral level programs as well as courses in Indian Knowledge System like Yoga, Ayurveda, classical arts etc. 
• The website-portal will present information about the academic facilities, research support, and related information. 
• The new website will now have the provision for students to apply in more than one institute/course of their choice. 
• The new portal will provide an integrated one-stop solution for student registration and visa application process.

Study in India program 

• Study in India is a flagship program of the Government of India, under the aegis of the Ministry of Education (MoE). 

• The Study in India programme aims to increase the number of international students in India. 
• The Study in India programme involves partnership with educational institutes fulfilling one of the following criteria:
• National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)ranking (<=100)
• National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation score (>=3.01)
• Institutes of National Importance (INI)
• This ensures premier institutions being the partner to enrolling international students coming to study in India.
• The Study in India programme offers a streamlined and well-organized application process for international students seeking higher education opportunities in Indian Higher Education Institutes. 
• From registration to visa approval, the online platform simplifies the entire journey, enabling students to choose their desired courses, receive institute offer letters, and successfully pursue their academic dreams in India. 
• By providing a seamless experience, the SII programme continues to attract talented and ambitious students from around the world to study in India's vibrant and culturally diverse academic environment.

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8. HIMALAYAN VULTURE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Env & Eco)

Context: Researchers have recorded the first instance of captive breeding of the Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) in India at the Assam State Zoo, Guwahati.

• Categorised as ‘Near Threatened’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species, the Himalayan vulture is a common winter migrant to the Indian plains, and a resident of the high Himalayas.

Himalayan vulture

• Scientific Name: Gyps himalayensis

• It is a rare and largest bird native to the Himalayas

• Habitat: It lives mainly in the higher regions of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau at the elevation of above 1500 metres.

• This species is distributed from western China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, east through the Himalayan mountain range in India, Nepal and Bhutan, to central China and Mongolia.

• Conservation status: The vulture is listed as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

• The species is covered by a Multi-species Action Plan (MsAP) for the conservation of African-Eurasian vultures and by national Action Plans in India , Bangladesh, Nepal and Cambodia.

• Threats: The most serious potential threat to this species is thought to be mortality caused through ingestion of diclofenac and other vulture-toxic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) widely used in livestock, particularly in South Asia.

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9. VULTURE CONSERVATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Env & Eco)

Context: Experts who work on vultures have welcomed the Centre’s decision to prohibit the manufacture, sale and distribution of ketoprofen and aceclofenac. 

• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of ketoprofen and aceclofenac and their formulations for animal use under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 40).

Key Points

• There are in total six non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs toxic to vultures. 
• The ban on usage of diclofenac in 2006, then in 2013 and now this one has a huge gap.

• India’s vulture populations crashed in the 1990s due to the use of diclofenac, a pain reliever administered to cattle. 

• Vultures feeding on cattle carcasses used to die extremely painful deaths as the drug entered their system.
• In 2004, it was found that diclofenac was the cause of vulture deaths and that 97 percent of the population had been lost till then.
• The main species affected were oriental white-backed vultures, long-billed vultures and slender-billed vultures.
• That same year, the Indian government along with other agencies came up with a Vulture Recovery Plan which recommended banning the veterinary use of diclofenac, finding its substitute and set up conservation breeding centres for vultures.
• The Vulture Recovery Plan was incorporated into the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2006. 
• The use of diclofenac as a veterinary drug was banned in 2006 and gazetted in 2008. It was also recommended in the same notification that another drug, meloxicam should be used.
• The Centre also restricted the vial size of diclofenac for human use to just three millilitres after it was found that people were using diclofenac meant for humans in cattle.

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10. VOYAGER 2 SPACECRAFT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Sci & Tech)

Context: More than a week after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) lost communication with Earth’s longest-running space probe, Voyager 2, the space agency detected a “heartbeat” signal from the spacecraft.

• Although too faint for extraction of data, the detected signal confirms that Voyager 2, which is about 19.9 billion kilometres away from Earth, is still operating.
• On July 21, a faulty command sent to the probe caused its antenna to point 2 degrees away from Earth. 
• As a result, Voyager 2 is currently unable to receive commands or transmit data back to Earth.

Voyager 2 Spacecraft

• It is a space probe launched by NASA on August 20, 1977.
• It is part of the Voyager program, which also includes Voyager 1.

• Primary mission: To study the outer planets of our solar system and their moons, and then continue on an interstellar mission.

• It is the second spacecraft to enter interstellar space.  On Dec. 10, 2018, the spacecraft joined its twin—Voyager 1—as the only human-made objects to enter the space between the stars.
• It carries a Golden Record, a phonograph record containing sounds and images from Earth, intended to be a message to any potential extraterrestrial civilizations it might encounter in the future.:
• It is the only spacecraft to study all four of the solar system's giant planets at close range.
• It discovered a 14th moon at Jupiter.
• It was the first human-made object to fly past Uranus.
• At Uranus, Voyager 2 discovered 10 new moons and two new rings.
• It was the first human-made object to fly by Neptune.
• At Neptune, Voyager 2 discovered five moons, four rings, and a "Great Dark Spot."

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