1. E-SAMRIDDHI PORTAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Economy)

Context: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah launched the portal developed by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.

E-Samriddhi Portal

• Developed by: NAFED and NCCF
• Aim: To encourage Indian farmers to grow more of these two Pulses to meet the domestic demand and gradually reduce import dependency for the nation.
• Objectives:

oTo enhance its domestic production of Tur / Arhar and Masur and reduce its import dependency to zero level. 

oTherefore, it is desirous of pre-registering the Indian farmers willing to produce these two Pulses and offer them at MSP or the rate as pre-decided for National Buffer of Pulses. 

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd.(NAFED)

• About: NAFED is registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act.
• Established:  2nd October 1958.
• Objective: To promote Co-operative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit the farmers.
• Members: Agricultural farmers are the main members of Nafed, who have the authority to say in the form of members of the General Body in the working of Nafed.

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2. ART ACT 2021 Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: The Union Health Ministry has sought data from all States and Union Territories on the total number of single women (divorcees/widows) and unmarried women who have successfully used Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in order to assess the functioning of the ART Act, 2021.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act 2021

• About: ART encompasses all techniques employed to achieve pregnancy by manipulating sperm or egg cells outside the human body, followed by the transfer of the embryo into the woman's reproductive tract.
• Techniques: These techniques include sperm donation, in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) conducted in a laboratory, and gestational surrogacy, where the child is not biologically related to the surrogate.
• Key Provisions 
• Registration of ART Clinics & Banks: Every ART clinic and bank must register under the National Registry of Banks and Clinics of India, maintaining a centralized database.
• Registration Valid: Five years and can be renewed for an additional five years, subject to compliance.
• Conditions for Sperm Donation: Registered ART banks can screen, collect, and store semen from men aged 21 to 55 and eggs from women aged 23 to 35.
• Female donors must be married with at least one child aged at least three.
• A child born through ART is legally recognized as the couple's biological child, with the donor relinquishing parental rights.
• Consent and Insurance Requirements: Written informed consent from both the couple and the donor is mandatory for ART procedures.

oCouples must provide insurance coverage for the female donor against loss, damage, or death.

• Regulation of ART Processes: The National and State Boards formed under the Surrogacy Act 2021 are tasked with regulating ART services.
• Offences: Offences include abandoning or exploiting children born through ART, sale or trade of embryos, exploitation of couples or donors, and inappropriate embryo transfers.
• Penalties: It range from imprisonment of 8 to 12 years and fines of Rs 10 to 20 lakhs.

oProhibition of sex-selective ART advertising with penalties of imprisonment for 5 to 10 years and fines of Rs 10 to 25 lakhs.

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3. SWADESH DARSHAN 2.0 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The tourism ministry has included Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme

• About: The scheme was envisioned to synergize with other government schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, and Make in India with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, the driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realize its potential.
• Aim: To promote, develop and harness the potential of tourism in India.
• Launched: In 2014-15 for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tourism and Culture
• Some of the prominent circuits:  Buddhist Tourist Circle, Ambedkar Tourist Circle, and the North-East Tourist Circle.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0

• About: The program has been revitalized with the "vocal for local" philosophy and aims to offer financial assistance for enhancing tourist infrastructure.
• Prominent places identified are: Jhansi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Gwalior, Chitrakoot and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh and Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra.

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Situated near the Hirakud Dam in the Bargarh district of Odisha.
• Wildlife Sanctuary Designation: In 1985, it was officially designated as a wildlife sanctuary to preserve its ecological and historical importance.
• Vegetation: Characterized by dry deciduous mixed forests, the sanctuary boasts a diverse range of plant life.
• Flora: Sal, Asana, Bija, Aanla, Dhaura, among others, contributing to the rich botanical diversity.
• Fauna: Tiger, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Hyena, Spotted Deer, Antelopes, Sambar, Gaur, Nilgai, Bison, Langur Monkeys, and more, thriving within the dense forest environment.

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4. SIKKI GRASS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Sikki artisans suffer livelihood losses amid climate change and failed promise of government in providing financial help in setting up of Sikki stalls in countrywide trade fairs held round the year.

Sikki Grass

• Classification: Sikki grass, a member of the zizanoides grass family, is scientifically identified as Chrysopogon zizanioides.
• Golden Grass: Locally known as 'Kaincha,' this reed grass exhibits a rich yellowish hue and is referred to as Golden Grass, showcasing a golden luster upon drying.
• Origin: Found in the Tarai regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Sikki grass has historical mentions in ancient Sanskrit texts like the Ramayana, where it is called viran, sugandhimool, ushir, and nalad.
• Characteristics: Indigenous to the Tarai regions, Sikki grass typically attains an average height of 3-4 feet, with its stem and roots serving distinct purposes.
• Utilization of Stem and Roots: While the stem is utilized in crafting artifacts, the roots are extracted for oil used in both perfumery and medicinal applications. 
• Geographical Identification: Sikki grass received a geographical identification tag in 2018, acknowledging its regional significance.

Applications of Sikki Grass

• Sikki grass is renowned for its handicraft applications, serving as a livelihood source for many over the ages.
• It is employed in crafting multipurpose baskets, ornaments, showpieces, and various utility items highly valued in rural India.

Challenges Faced by Sikki Craftsmen

• Climate Change Impact: Sikki craftsmen are currently grappling with the adverse effects of climate change, impacting the grass's quality.
• Temperature-Induced Quality Decline: The continuous rise in temperature adversely affects the softness of Sikki, making the grass brittle and unsuitable for efficient artifact creation.
• Processing Limitations: The deteriorating quality necessitates extra processing time for brittle Sikki grass, posing challenges in crafting baskets and other artifacts.

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5. OPERATION PROSPERITY GUARDIAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The US has invited India to join the multi-national naval coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter threats posed by Yemen's Houthi militants in the Red Sea.

Operation Prosperity Guardian

• About: It is a US-led military operation by a multinational coalition formed in December 2023 to respond to Houthi-led attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
• Countries: UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain.

oNow, more than 40 countries have joined the United States in condemning the Houthis’ attacks.

Membership in Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)

• About: Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multi-national naval partnership, which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
• India's Affiliation: India holds membership in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), signifying its engagement in collaborative maritime efforts.
• Cautious Response: India has exercised caution in response to the US invitation to join Operation Prosperity Guardian, demonstrating a measured approach in its decision-making.
• Distinct Naval Presence: Similar to France and Italy, India has chosen to maintain an independent naval presence in the region rather than aligning with a US-led maritime coalition. This decision aims to address and manage the challenges posed by Houthi attacks.

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6. NORTHEAST AFRICAN CHEETAH (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A group of experts have appealed to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify the status of the Northeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii), found in the Horn of Africa, to ‘endangered’ from ‘vulnerable’.

Northeast African Cheetah

• Habitat: Around 6,500-7,000 African cheetahs present in the wild.
• Characteristics: An adult male cheetah's total size can measure from 168 to 213 cm and 162 to 200 cm for females.
• Distribution: The Northeast African cheetah is regionally extinct in Eritrea, Djibouti, and northern Somalia.
• Conservation Status
• IUCN Status - Vulnerable
• CITES Status - Appendix-I of the List.
• Threats: By poaching, illegal wildlife trade, hunting, habitat loss, and lack of prey.

Horn of Africa

• About: It is the easternmost extension of African land.
• Also known as: Somali Peninsula
• Located: On the easternmost part of the African mainland.
• It is the fourth largest peninsula in the world.
• Composition: of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti.

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7. DISINVESTMENT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Centre may aim for a modest disinvestment target of around Rs 30,000 crore in 2024-25, 40% lower than the target of Rs 51,000 crore for the current financial year, which is set to be missed by 60%

Disinvestment

• About: Disinvestment entails the sale or liquidation of assets, typically undertaken by the government, including Central and state public sector enterprises, projects, or fixed assets. In certain instances, disinvestment may
• Aim: To privatize assets, but not all disinvestment leads to privatization.
• Objectives: To alleviate the fiscal burden on the exchequer, contributing to better fiscal management.

oTo enhance public finances, leading to more sustainable economic practices.

oTo generate funds for growth and development programs, supporting the overall progress of the nation.

Evolution of Disinvestment in India

• Rangarajan Committee's Emphasis: The Rangarajan committee in 1993 underscored the necessity for substantial disinvestment, paving the way for policy developments.
• Creation of Department: The establishment of the Department of Disinvestment in 1999, later upgraded to a full Ministry in 2001, marked a significant phase in disinvestment policy.
• Ministry Restructuring: In 2004, the Ministry of Disinvestment was merged with the Finance Ministry as an independent department.
• DIPAM Formation: The Department of Disinvestments was renamed as the Department of Investments and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) in 2016, now serving as a nodal department for disinvestment.

Benefits of Disinvestment

• Disinvestment provides the government with much-needed funds, aiding in fiscal management.
• Proceeds from disinvestment are utilized to finance the fiscal deficit and invest in economic, developmental, or social sector programs.
• Disinvestment contributes to the long-term growth of the country by reducing government and company debt.

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8. PRERANA PROGRAM (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India has launched ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning program’.

PRERANA Program

• About: It is driven by a strong commitment to integrate principles of the Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a cornerstone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

oIt is an experiential and inspirational learning program for students with the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation.

• Aim: To offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.
• Participants: Class IX to XII, 20 participants (10 boys and 10 girls).
• Themes: Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya.

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9. CRAB (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Scientists have discovered an entirely new class of antibiotic that appears to kill one of three bacteria considered to pose the greatest threat to human health because of their extensive drug-resistance.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)

• About: It is a type of bacteria commonly found in the environment, especially in soil and water.
• A. baumannii can cause human infections of the blood, urinary tract, lungs, wounds, and other body sites.
• It is a serious concern, as the bacteria can be resistant to multiple antibiotics, which makes infections with this multidrug-resistant bacteria very difficult to treat.
• Cause: Infection in hospitals, particularly in people who are on ventilators,
• Transmission of CRAB: Patients colonized or infected with CRAB can spread the bacteria to other patients via the contaminated hands of health care workers, through contaminated medical equipment, or a contaminated health care environment.

Zosurabalpin

• About: It defeated highly drug-resistant strains of Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab) in mouse models of pneumonia and sepsis, and was being tested in human trials.
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10. ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Recently, Tamil Nadu farmers, who were targeted by the ED for money laundering, were found to have only Rs 450 in their account

Enforcement Directorate (ED)

• About: The ED serves as a premier financial investigation and economic law enforcement agency within the Government of India.
• Formation: In 1956, the 'Enforcement Unit' emerged within the Department of Economic Affairs, initially handling violations under the Exchange Control Laws of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act of 1947 (later FERA 1973).
• Renaming: By 1957, this unit was rebranded as the 'Enforcement Directorate,' and in 1960, its administrative control transitioned from the Department of Economic Affairs to the Department of Revenue.
• Regulatory Framework: Originally regulated under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) of 1973 (later repealed), the Enforcement Directorate now draws its statutory powers from three distinct acts.
• Current Status: Presently, the ED operates under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA).
• Tenure and Extensions: The Director holds a fixed tenure of 2 years, with the possibility of a maximum of 3 annual extensions.

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