1. WEEDS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Agricultural scientists and policymakers have long sought sustainable methods for rice and wheat cultivation, emphasizing water-efficient rice farming without burning straw residues and no-till wheat farming to reduce the ecological impact of these staple crops.

Weeds

• About: These are unwanted and undesired plants that negatively impact human welfare by interfering with the use of land and water resources. They may alternatively be called "plants out of place.
• Competition with Desirable Plants: In agricultural lands, forests, aquatic systems, etc., weeds compete with desirable and beneficial plants.
• Impact: Weeds pose a serious problem in non-cropped areas like industrial sites, road and rail lines, airfields, landscape plantings, water tanks, waterways, etc.

oWeeds generate more losses to agriculture than any other type of agricultural pest.

• Global Presence: Around 3%, or 8000 species, of the approximately 250,000 plant species that exist in the globe act as weeds.
• Weeding Method: It is the process of eliminating weeds from a field. This is an effective pre-harvest method for managing crop yield and ensuring crop protection.

Weed Control Method

• Chemical Control: Herbicides are utilized to suppress weeds by defoliating, desiccating leaves or stems, or altering the plant's growth patterns.
• Mechanical Control: It employs powered equipment and tools to manage weed infestations with minimal manual labor, ensuring minimal soil disturbance.
• Biological Control: It uses infections or insects to damage weeds, with bio-control agents usually sourced from the same region as the weed species.
• Manual Control: It involves removing weeds by hand or with small tools, minimizing soil disturbance and reducing the risk of erosion and weed seed germination.
• Herbicide-Tolerant Solutions: Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Zero Tillage (ZT) wheat methods use chemical herbicides, such as Imazethapyr, to manage weeds, replacing the need for water and repeated ploughing. DSR allows for direct sowing of paddy seeds without nursery, puddling, or flooding.

---

2. FOUR RINGED BUTTERFLY (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, a four-ringed butterfly was rediscovered in the Namdapha National Park after 61 years.

Four-Ringed Butterfly

• About: The great four-ring (Ypthima cantliei) is a member of the Satyrinae butterfly subfamily.
• Survey Documentation: Photographed during a survey to document butterfly diversity in the Miao range of Namdapha National Park (2018-19).
• Identification: Identified based on general morphological patterns and habitat.
• Historical Record: Last reported in 1957 from Margherita, Assam.
• Genus Diversity: The genus Ypthima belongs to the Nymphalidae family, which includes about 6,000 butterfly species. In India, 23 of the 35 Ypthima species are found in the northeast.
• Global Diversity: Highest Ypthima diversity is in China, especially in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, with significant diversity also in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and northeastern India.

Namdapha National Park

• Location: Situated in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
• Boundaries: Flanked by the Patkai hills to the south and southeast, and the Himalayas to the north. Positioned between the Dapha bum range of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai range.
• Biogeographic Areas: Part of both the Palearctic and Indo-Malayan biogeographic regions.
• River: Named after the Namdapha river, which originates from Daphabum and flows north-south across the park.

---

3. CLOUDBURSTS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Disaster Mangement)

Context: A recent cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh triggered flash floods, resulting in multiple fatalities and leaving several people missing. The floods caused significant destruction, washing away buildings, bridges, and roads, officials reported.

Cloudbursts

• Definition: The IMD classifies a cloudburst as 10 cm or more of rainfall in an hour over a 10 km x 10 km area; 5 cm in half an hour over the same area can also be a cloudburst.

oNot all instances of heavy rainfall are cloudbursts. These events are highly localized and often occur in areas without rainfall measuring instruments.

• Example: The Kedarnath flash floods, triggered by a cloud burst, represent one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in recent Indian history.
• Mechanism: A cloudburst happens when warm air currents lift raindrops, causing them to become heavier and denser before falling rapidly over a small area.
• Common in Hilly Regions: Cloudbursts are more common in mountainous regions due to orography, though they can occur in plains as well.
• Destruction: The heavy rainfall from cloudbursts can trigger landslides and flash floods, causing significant damage downstream.

Impact of Climate Change

• Increasing Cloudbursts: Climate change is expected to raise the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts.
• Temperature Correlation: The rise in global surface temperatures by 1°C is linked to increased monsoon extremes and cloudbursts.
• Future Projections: Expected temperature rises of 1.5°C by 2040 and 2°C by 2060 may worsen cloudburst events.

---

4. ARTICLE 311 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor recently invoked Article 311 of the Constitution to terminate the services of six government employees. 

Article 311 of the Constitution

• About: It deals with the dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank of civil servants without a departmental inquiry after informing them the charges against them and giving a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
• Protection Against: It protects against arbitrary actions by the government, ensuring adherence to the principles of natural justice.
• Right to Inquiry: The article mandates that no government employee can be dismissed, removed, or demoted without an inquiry where they are informed of charges and given a chance to defend themselves.
• Authority for Removal: Only the appointing authority or someone of equal rank to the appointing authority can remove a civil servant.
• Grounds for Disciplinary Action:

o Unsatisfactory performance or conduct detrimental to government efficiency.

o Involvement in corruption, bribery, fraud, or other morally reprehensible acts.

• Judicial Review: Decisions made under Article 311 can be subject to judicial review, with possible remedies including reinstatement or compensation.

Exceptions to Article 311:

• Security of the State: In cases where an employee’s actions threaten state security, the President or Governor can bypass the inquiry process.
• Efficiency in Public Service: The President or Governor can also dispense with the inquiry if deemed necessary for the efficiency or security of public service.
• Probationary Employees: Probationary employees can be dismissed or removed without an inquiry as they do not yet hold permanent status.

---

5. METAL-AIR BATTERIES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Researchers from CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, have developed a new cathode material that can serve as a catalyst in Metal-air batteries, potentially enhancing battery performance.

Metal-Air Batteries

• About: Metal-air batteries are energy storage systems based on electrochemical charge/discharge reactions between a positive “Air Electrode” (cathode) and a negative “Metal Electrode” (anode).
• Composition: The negative electrode is typically made from metals such as Li, Zn, Al, Fe, or Na, while the positive electrode usually contains porous carbon material and a catalyst.
• Electrolyte Types: The electrolyte in these batteries can be aqueous or non-aqueous, as seen in Li-Air systems.

Advantages of Metal-Air Batteries

• Higher Energy Density: Metal-air batteries offer a higher energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries.
• Accessibility: They utilize readily available metals in India, making them more accessible than lithium-ion batteries.
• Cost-Effective Production: Local production of these batteries helps reduce import costs.
• Environment-Friendly: They are recyclable and present a safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which can pose environmental hazards.

Applications of Metal-Air Batteries

• Large-Scale Stationary Storage: Suitable for large-scale stationary energy storage applications.
• Transportation: Can be used in various transportation applications.
• Renewable Generation: Effective for storing energy from renewable sources.

---

6. OSMOLYTE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Sci and Tech)

Context: A recent study shows that Small molecules called osmolytes help proteins maintain their structure and function under stressful conditions.

Osmolyte

• Definition: Osmolytes are small molecules that stabilize proteins and prevent their misfolding.
• Function of Osmolytes: It stabilize proteins and prevent misfolding, which is crucial for proper protein function and could be targeted for drug development.
• Impact on Proteins: Misfolded proteins are dysfunctional, leading to potential diseases.
• Drug Development: Osmolytes are vital for protein stability and may be used in creating new drugs.
• About the Study:

o Method Used: Researchers employed covalent magnetic tweezers to study protein folding and interactions with osmolytes.

o Target Protein: The study centered on Protein L and its interaction with Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and trehalose.

o Potential Applications: Findings could contribute to developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

• Implications for Disease Treatment:

o Potential for Drug Development: Insights into osmolyte interactions with proteins could lead to better treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and conditions related to protein misfolding.

o Publication and Impact: The research, published in Nanoscale, could enhance the understanding of osmolyte functions and aid in designing more effective drugs.

---

7. MARITIME PARTNERSHIP EXERCISE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Indian Navy successfully conducted the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) at the Baltic Sea.

Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX)

• About: It is a multilateral event organized by the Indian Navy, involving naval forces from various foreign countries.
• Objective: The aim of MPX is to enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities and strengthen its partnerships with friendly nations.
• Operational Enhancement: The exercise improves the ability of different naval forces to operate together seamlessly, crucial in times of crisis or conflict.
• Diplomatic and Military Ties: MPX fosters stronger diplomatic and military relationships between participating nations, contributing to regional and global stability.
• Tactical Training: Participating navies train and refine their tactics, techniques, and procedures, leading to improved operational effectiveness.
• 2024 Exercise: It featured cooperation between India and Russia, involving naval ships from both countries: INS Tabar (India) and Soobrazitelny (Russia).
• Activities Conducted: The exercise included complex naval manoeuvres such as communication drills, search-and-rescue tactics, and replenishment at sea procedures.
• Significance: The Indian Navy's participation in the 328th Russian Navy Day Parade and MPX marks a key step in maritime cooperation for regional peace and security.

---

8. MAHILA SAMMAN SAVINGS CERTIFICATE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt. Policies)

Context: The Centre is unlikely to extend the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate scheme beyond its March 2025 deadline, according to official sources.

Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme:

• About: It is a risk-free scheme tailored for women and girls of all ages.
• Launched by: Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
• Announced: Budget 2023-24
• Tenure: 2 Years
• Deposit Limits: Minimum deposit is Rs 1,000, and any sum in multiples of Rs 100 can be deposited, with a maximum limit of Rs 2 lakh.
• Eligibility:

o Individual Women: Any individual woman can open an account.

o Minor Accounts: Guardians can open accounts on behalf of minor girls.

• Payment on maturity: The deposit shall mature on completion of two years from the date of the deposit and the Eligible Balance may be paid to the account holder on maturity.
• Benefits:

o The scheme provides attractive and secure investment options to all girls and women.

o The scheme offers an attractive and fixed interest of 7.5% interest compounded quarterly with flexible investment and partial withdrawal options with a maximum ceiling of ₹2,00,000/-.

---

9. MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee is expected to maintain the repo rate at 6.5%, citing concerns over rising food inflation.

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

• About: It was established based on the recommendation of the Urjit Patel Committee.
• Set up: Under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act of 1934 by the Union government.
• Composition: It is a 6 member committee. There are in total three internal members and three external experts. The RBI Governor and Deputy Governor are also members of the MPC Committee.
• Objectives: To improve the repo rate, reverse repo rate, liquidity, etc.
• Instruments of Committee: Repo rate, Reverse Repo rate, Marginal Standing Facility (MSF), Bank Rate, Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR), Open Market Operations (OMOs)
• Repo rate: The Repo Rate is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) loans money to commercial banks.
• Reverse repo rate: Reverse repo is the inverse contract to the repo rate. The reverse repo rate is the rate at which the RBI borrows funds from the country's commercial banks.
• Relation Between Repo Rate and Inflation

o In the event of inflation, central banks increase repo rate as this acts as a disincentive for banks to borrow from the central bank. This ultimately reduces the money supply in the economy and thus helps in arresting inflation.

o The central bank takes the contrary position in the event of a fall in inflationary pressures. Repo and reverse repo rates form a part of the liquidity adjustment facility.

---

10. STANDARDISED PRECIPITATION INDEX’ (SPI) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The India Meteorological Department has recently used the ‘Standardised Precipitation Index’ (SPI) to analyze trends in precipitation and drought conditions across India.

Standardised Precipitation Index’ (SPI)

• About: It is a relatively new drought index based solely on precipitation.
• Developed by: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s expert team on climate indices to characterize a meteorological drought on different timescales.
• Time Scales Affected: 

o Short Time Scales: Processes such as dry land agriculture are influenced by precipitation over a month or two.

o Medium Time Scales: Shallow wells, small ponds, and smaller rivers are affected over several months.

o Long Time Scales: Major reservoirs, aquifers, and large natural bodies of water experience changes over several years.

• Purpose: To assign a single numeric value to precipitation, making it comparable across regions with different climates and to determine the rarity of a drought.
• SPI Calculation: SPI is designed to show simultaneous wet and dry conditions on various time scales, with separate values calculated for each time scale.

---