1. ALLOCATION SYMBOLS TO PARTIES (SyllabusOF : GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) that secured 3.9% and 6.5% votes in Tamil Nadu in 2019 and 2021 respectively, has been allotted a new common symbol (Mike).

Allocation of Symbols to Parties

• Governed by: The provision of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951.
• Registration by: The Election Commission of India (ECI) under Article 324.
• Process: Any party seeking registration must apply to the Election Commission within a period of 30 days following the date of its formation. The applicant needs to: 
• Recognition Criteria for National and State Parties: Parties are classified as either 'national' or 'state' parties based on the criteria outlined in the Election Symbols Order, 1968, established by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

oRecognition at the state level hinges on specific benchmarks, including winning Lok Sabha seats, percentage of Legislative Assembly seats, or percentage of votes polled in a general election.

• Allotment of Symbols: The Election Commission of India (ECI) allocates symbols to political parties and candidates in accordance with the provisions of the Symbols Order.
• Common Symbols for Registered Unrecognized Parties: Registered but unrecognized parties are provided with common symbols during elections if they meet certain criteria, such as contesting in a minimum number of Lok Sabha constituencies or a percentage of Assembly. seats.

Current Issue: Allocation of Common Election Symbols

• Rule 10B of Symbols Order: Provisions for concession of common free symbol to registered unrecognised parties for two general elections and eligibility criteria for subsequent elections.
• NTK's Situation: Despite securing more than 1% of votes in the last two elections, NTK lost its common symbol due to late application, leading to symbol allocation to BPAP.
• VCK's Denial: VCK was denied a common symbol due to failure to secure 1% of votes in 2021 State Legislative Assembly elections, despite having representation in Lok Sabha and State Assembly under a different symbol.

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2. PROSTATE CANCER (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: According to a Lancet report published recently, the number of new prostate cancer cases around the world is projected to more than double over the next two decades as poorer countries catch up with the ageing of richer nations.

Prostate Cancer

• About: It originates in the prostate, a small gland in males responsible for producing seminal fluid.
• Prevalence and Variability: Among cancers, prostate cancer ranks as one of the most common types, with growth rates varying from slow to aggressive.
• Early Detection and Treatment: Detecting prostate cancer in its early stages, when localized within the prostate, offers the best prospects for successful treatment.
• Symptoms: Advanced stages of prostate cancer may manifest in various symptoms, including urinary difficulties, blood in urine or semen, bone pain, weight loss, and erectile dysfunction.
• Risk Factors: Age, race (particularly among Black individuals), family history, and obesity.

Key Findings of Report

• Projected Rise in Prostate Cancer Cases: The number of new cases annually is expected to increase from 1·4 million in 2020 to 2·9 million by 2040.
• Inadequacy of Lifestyle Changes: The surge in cases cannot be prevented solely by lifestyle changes or public health interventions.
• Necessity for Government Strategies: Governments need to prepare strategies to effectively deal with the rising incidence of prostate cancer.
• Incidence in India: Prostate cancer incidence in India is projected to double to about 71,000 new cases per year by 2040.

oProstate cancer accounts for three percent of all cancers in India, with an estimated 33,000-42,000 new cases diagnosed annually.

• Diagnosis and Mortality in Advanced Stages: A large proportion of patients in India are diagnosed in advanced stages, leading to a higher mortality rate, where about 65 percent die of the disease.

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3. PURANA QILA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has planned to further excavate the Purana Qila site near the kunti temple.

Purana Qila

• About: The fort is one of the oldest in Delhi, situated along the Yamuna river, known as Indraprastha or Pandavon ka Qila or Old fort.
• Evidence: Mentioned by the Greek traveler Megasthenes in the 4th century BCE as one of the seven cities of Delhi, showcasing its ancient roots.
• Constructed by: The 2nd Mughal Emperor Humayun, later completed by Afghan Sher Shah Suri, serving as the inner citadel of Din Panah during Humayun's reign.
• Architectural Features:

oRed Sandstone Citadel: Rectangular in shape, Purana Qila's walls were crafted from red sandstone, showcasing Mughal architectural prowess.

oStrategic Moat: A wide moat, connected to the Yamuna river, surrounded the fort, adding to its defensive capabilities.

• Unique Structures:

oSymbolic Gateways: Humayun's construction of the massive gateway and walls laid the foundation for Dinpanah, featuring Indo-Islamic architectural elements.

oIconic Landmarks: Inside the fort, visitors can explore the Qila-i-Kuhna mosque, Sher Mandal tower, a stepwell, and remnants of the extensive rampart, each reflecting historical and architectural significance.

• Previous Findings of the Excavation: Shards of Painted Gray Ware Pottery, Vaikuntha Vishnu Sculpture, terracotta plaque portraying Gaja Lakshmi, erracotta ring well, well-defined four-room complex from the Sunga-Kushan period and 136 coins, 35 seals and sealings, and various copper artifacts.

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4. NITROGEN FIXING BACTERIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Envi. & Eco)

Context: Recently, researchers found nitrogen-fixing symbiotic organisms displaying organelle-like behaviors.

Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria

• About: These are microorganisms that convert atmospheric nitrogen into fixed nitrogen, essential for plant growth.
• Importance in the Nitrogen Cycle: These bacteria are responsible for over 90% of nitrogen fixation, playing a crucial role in maintaining the nitrogen cycle.
• Types of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria: There are two main types: free-living bacteria like Anabaena and Azotobacter, and mutualistic bacteria such as Rhizobium associated with leguminous plants.

Nitrogen Fixation

• About: Nitrogen fixation refers to the conversion of atmospheric N2 into reactive compounds like nitrates, nitrites, or ammonia.
• Importance:  Reactive nitrogen forms produced through fixation are vital for crop growth and development.
• Consequences of Nitrogen Deficiency: Nitrogen deficiency impedes crop growth and compromises their health.
• Biotic Sources: Around 90% of natural nitrogen fixation is carried out by soil microorganisms.
• Abiotic Sources: Natural inducers like lightning and UV rays can trigger abiotic nitrogen fixation.
• Industrial and Technological Nitrogen Fixation: Nitrogen can also be fixed using electrical equipment or through industrial processes.

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5. DARK ENERGY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: A recent release by an international team of researchers unveils the most comprehensive "three-dimensional" map of the universe, offering insights into the enigmatic force of dark energy driving uncontrollable expansion.

Dark Energy

• About: It is an unidentified type of energy that influences the universe on its grandest scales.
• Supernova Observations: Initial evidence for dark energy came from observations of supernovae, revealing the universe's unexpected acceleration in its expansion.
• Contradiction to Previous Assumptions: Before these findings, it was believed that the universe's expansion would gradually slow down due to known forms of matter and energy.
• Characteristics of Space: Dark energy redefines our understanding of space, transforming it from a void into a dynamic, stretchable medium that responds to the presence of energy.
• Expansion Dictated by Energy Forms: Various forms of energy, including matter, radiation, and dark energy, uniquely influence the universe's expansion, leading to a non-uniform expansion rate across different regions of space.
• Balancing Act: Dark energy dominates the universe's energy budget, dictating the overall rate of expansion and necessitating a delicate balance with other forms of energy for the stability of the cosmos.

• Does it Exist?

oAccepted Premise: Since the 1990s, dark energy has been the leading hypothesis to explain the accelerated expansion of the universe.

oOngoing Research: As of 2021, cosmology research continues to actively investigate the fundamental nature and properties of dark energy.

Dark Matter

• About: It is a hypothetical form of matter that is believed to exist in the universe but is invisible and does not interact with light. It makes up over 80% of all matter in the universe.

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6. AGNI PRIME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: India successfully carried out the launch of the new-generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile 'Agni Prime' from Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

Agni Prime

• About: The ‘Agni Prime’ or ‘Agni-P’ is a nuclear-capable new-generation advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles.
• Advanced Features and Design: It is a two-stage canisterised missile with a maximum range of 1,000 to 2,000 km.

oThe ‘Agni Prime’ missile is lighter than all the earlier Agni series of missiles, weighing at least 50 per cent less than the Agni 3 missile.

oIt incorporates new guidance and propulsion systems, enhancing its efficiency and accuracy.

• Enhanced Transportability and Storage: Being canisterised, it can be transported by road and rail, and stored for longer periods.

oThis feature significantly reduces the time required for preparation and launch.

• Launch Capabilities: The missile uses a cold launch mechanism and can be fired in salvo mode, adding to its versatility.

India's Missile Arsenal Expansion:

• Agni-5: It is a land based nuclear MIRV-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).

oOperational range: 7,000–8,000 kilometres.

• Agni I: Medium Range with a Range of 700-800 km.
• Agni II: Medium Range with a Range more than 2000 km.
• Agni III: Inter-Medium Range with Range of more than 2,500 Km
• Agni IV: Inter-Medium Range with Range more than 3,500 km.
• Agni- VI: Longest of the Agni series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of ICBM 11,000–12,000 km.

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7. INDIAN LAUREL TREE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Forest department authorities in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharama Raju district cut the bark of an Indian laurel tree, with water gushing out.

Indian Laurel Tree

• About: It is a tropical or subtropical tree primarily found across Asia, Western Pacific Islands, and Australia.
• Scientific name: Terminalia elliptica (syn. T. tomentosa), also known as Chinese banyan, Malayan banyan.
• Habitat: It provides a dense canopy, smooth light-gray bark, and shiny green lanceolate leaves, making it an ornamental tree.
• Distribution: Southern and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
• Features: The thick foliage of the Indian Laurel tree creates an excellent habitat for various bird species.

oThe small round figs produced by the tree serve as food for birds.

• Water Scarcity and Indian Laurel Trees: Water gushing out from the Indian laurel tree's bark coincides with water scarcity in parts of India, including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

oBengaluru is facing a severe water crisis.

oReservoirs in Andhra Pradesh have a water storage of 22 per cent, significantly lower than last year's 66 per cent.

Reservoir Levels Across India

• Among the 21 major states with tracked reservoir status, 15 have levels below the decade-average.
• In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, reservoir levels are over 20 per cent below the decade-average.
• Andhra Pradesh experiences the highest departure from the ten-year average at 49 per cent.

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8. DEMOCRACY INDEX (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The V-Dem Institute's recently released democracy index labeled India as "one of the worst autocratisers" — a designation it had already acquired in 2018 when it ceased to be classified as a democracy on the index.

Democracy Index

• About: The V-Dem Institute, based at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, has been annually assessing 202 countries' democratic status since 1789.
• Freedom House's Focus: Since 1973, the U.S.-based Freedom House has been providing assessments specifically on civil liberties and political rights.
• Economic Intelligence: The Economic Intelligence Unit has been evaluating democracies since 2006, focusing on aspects such as electoral processes, liberalism, participation, and effectiveness.
• Additional Assessment Tools: Other notable assessment methodologies include the Lexical Index, Boix-Miller-Rosato coding, Bertelsmann Transformation Index, Worldwide Governance Indicators, and International IDEA’s Global State of Democracies report.
• Four broad types of data that these indices use:

oObservational data (OD)  data on observable facts, such as voter turnout rates

o‘In-house’ coding, where researchers assess country-specific information using academic material, newspapers, etc.

oExpert surveys, where selected experts from a country provide a subjective evaluation

oRepresentative surveys, where a selected group of citizens offer judgments

• V-Dem Institute sorts countries into four regime types: Liberal Democracy, Electoral Democracy, Electoral Autocracy, and Closed Autocracy.

oIndia since 2018 is classified as an “electoral autocracy” due to a visible “democratic backsliding”,“crackdowns” on civil liberties.

Defining Democracy

• Electoral Democracy: Democracy is fundamentally characterized by free and fair elections where citizens participate.
• Liberal Society: Democracies ensure civic rights and offer protections to citizens, fostering liberal values.
• Egalitarianism: Examining the equitable distribution of economic and social resources within the society.
• Rating Spectrum: Different indices utilize varied scales, from numerical rankings to classifications ranging from autocracy to democracy, reflecting diverse perspectives on democracy's health.

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9. FALI S NARIMAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, CJI  paid homage to the late Senior Advocate Fali S Nariman, stating that the values he embodied - unflinching ethics, indomitable courage, and an unwavering pursuit of principle provide a balm to the soul of the profession.

Fali S Nariman

• Born: 1929, in Rangoon (Myanmar), British India.
• Legal Career: Enrolled as an advocate of the Bombay High Court in 1950.

oIn 1971, he became a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court. 

oIn 1972, he was appointed as Additional Solicitor General of India, resigned a day after the imposition of Emergency in 1975, in protest.

oPresident of the Bar Association of India from 1991 to 2010.

• Political career: He was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1999 to 2005.
• Awards: Received Padma Bhushan in 1991 and Padma Vibhushan in 2007 for contributions to law and jurisprudence.
• Notable works: Prolific author with notable works including "Before the Memory Fades" and "The State of the Nation."
• Legal System and Judicial Independence: He was part of was the challenge to the Constitutional amendment to set about a National Judicial Appointments Commission to replace the Collegium system for appointing judges.

o Arguing against the new system, the jurist had said the proposed commission would be a "complete anathema to judicial independence".

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10. MYCGHS APP (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: Recently, the secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the myCGHS app.

myCGHS app

• About: The app is tailored to improve access to Electronic Health Records, information, and resources for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries.
• Developed by: National Informatics Centre (NIC) Himachal Pradesh and NIC Health Team, ensuring reliability and quality.
• Features: Offering a suite of features aimed at enhancing information and accessibility for CGHS beneficiaries, making healthcare management more convenient.
• Wide Range of Services: Facilitates various services including appointment booking, accessing lab reports, checking medicine history, and more, providing comprehensive healthcare management options.
• Security Features: Incorporates robust security measures like 2-factor authentication and mPIN functionality to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of users' data.

Central Government Health Scheme

• About: It is a comprehensive healthcare scheme initiated by the Central Government for its employees, pensioners, and dependents, aiming to provide quality healthcare services.
• Establishment:1954, 
• Aim: To cater to the healthcare needs of government employees and their families, ensuring accessible medical facilities.
• Targeted Beneficiaries: Provides healthcare facilities to registered employees and pensioners of the Central Government of India, ensuring their well-being.
• Reimbursement Facilities: Enrolled members are offered reimbursement and cashless facilities under this scheme, easing financial burdens related to healthcare.
• Coverage: Encompasses healthcare under various systems of medicine such as Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, and Unani, catering to diverse medical needs.
• Choice of Hospitals: CGHS beneficiaries have the flexibility to undergo treatment at any empanelled private hospital of their choice, enhancing accessibility and options for quality healthcare.

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