1. RAKHIGARHI (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: Recently, NCERT proposed revisions to school textbooks, including additions about DNA analysis findings from Rakhigarhi site and removal of references to Narmada Dam's adverse effects on tribals, aiming for more updated content.

Rakhigarhi

• About: Rakhigarhi stands as a significant site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, situated in modern-day Hissar, Haryana.
• Excavation Initiatives by ASI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) initiated the first excavation at Rakhigarhi during 1998-2001.
• Deccan College's Contribution: From 2013 to 2016, Deccan College of Pune conducted excavations at Rakhigarhi, adding to the archaeological understanding of the site.
• Recognition: Rakhigarhi's ancient mounds 6 and 7 have been identified by ASI among 19 sites to be notified as 'sites of national importance.'
• Endangered Status and Global Awareness: In May 2012, Rakhigarhi gained global recognition when the Global Heritage Fund declared it one of the 10 most endangered heritage sites in Asia.
• Cluster of Archaeological Sites: Rakhigarhi is not isolated; it's part of a cluster of significant archaeological sites in the region, including Kalibangan, Kunal, Haryana, Balu, Haryana, Bhirrana, and Banawali, all situated in the old river valley east of the Ghaggar Plain.

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2. INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (Syllabus GS Paper 2/3 – IR/Economy)

Context: The IMF clarified that the recent remarks made by the Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund regarding India's growth figures do not reflect the views of the IMF and were made in his capacity as India's representative within the global body.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) 

• About: The IMF works to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for all of its member countries.
• Establishment: In 1944 in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s.
• Member countries: 190 countries.
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C
• Representation: Each member country has a representation on the IMF's executive board.
• Voting Power: The allocation of voting power on the executive board is based on the financial importance of each member country.
• Objectives of IMF

oTo improve and promote global monetary cooperation of the world.

oTo secure financial stability by eliminating or minimizing the exchange rate stability.

oTo facilitate a balanced international trade.

oTo promote high employment through economic assistance and sustainable economic growth.

oTo reduce poverty around the world.

• Major reports published by IMF:

oGlobal Financial Stability Report

oWorld Economic Outlook

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3. CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Despite the fact that peak summer has yet to arrive, water storage in major reservoirs and river basins across the country continues to decline, as recently revealed by data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

Key Findings

• Growing Concern Over Water Shortages: The situation raises alarms for potential drinking water shortages as well as low water availability for agriculture in the coming weeks and months.
• Dwindling Reservoir Levels Across India: The live storage available in India’s 150 major reservoirs stands at just 35% of their total capacity, lower than last year's levels and the average of the last decade.
• Water Scarcity in South Indian States: Southern states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are facing significant water shortages, with reservoirs only filled to 20% of capacity.
• Impact on Major Dams and Water Sources: Critical dams like Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam are experiencing dwindling water levels, affecting irrigation, drinking water supply, and electricity generation.
• Water Deficiency Across States: At least 13 out of 21 states monitored by the CWC have water levels below normal, indicating a widespread water deficiency across the country.
• Declining River Basin Storage: River basins, including major rivers like Krishna and Cauvery, are experiencing declining water levels, with some rivers completely devoid of water for weeks.

Central Water Commission (CWC)

• About: It operates as an attached office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, falling under the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Organizational Structure: Led by a Chairman holding the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India.
• Wings Division: Operations are segmented into three wings: Designs and Research (D&R) Wing, River Management (RM) Wing, and Water Planning and Projects (WP&P) Wing.
• Divisional Authority: Each wing is overseen by a full-time Member, carrying the status of Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
• Functions of Central Water Commission

oCoordination and Initiation: Responsible for initiating, coordinating, and advancing schemes in consultation with State Governments for water resource control, conservation, and utilization nationwide.

oScope of Operations: Undertakes investigations, constructions, and execution of schemes related to flood control, irrigation, navigation, drinking water supply, and water power development.

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4. SECURITIES APPELLATE TRIBUNAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Finance Ministry has appointed P S Dinesh Kumar, a retired judge, as the presiding officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) for four years.

Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)

• About: It is a statutory and autonomous body.
• Establishment: Under the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
• Headquarters: Mumbai.
• Composition: Presiding officer, Judicial members and technical members.

oThe appointment of Presiding officer and other members of SAT is done by a committee headed by Prime Minister of India.

• Tenure: Presiding Officer: 5 years from the date of appointment or re-appointment.
• Powers
• Orders issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in relation to cases filed before it.
• Orders issued by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in relation to cases filed before it.
• Hear the orders passed by Securities and Exchange Board of India.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

• Establishment: As a statutory body in the year 1992.
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Ministry: Ministry of Finance
• Aim: To protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and regulate the securities market.

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5. ONE VEHICLE, ONE FASTAG INITIATIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: he National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has rolled out the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ scheme.

One Vehicle, One FASTag Initiative

• About: The NHAI has taken this initiative after the recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a particular vehicle and FASTags being issued without KYC in violation of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) mandate.
• Aim: To discourage user behaviour of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
• Objective: To enhance efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas.

 FASTag

• About: FASTag is an electronic toll collection system in India, managed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
• Payment Mechanism: FASTag facilitates toll payments directly from the linked prepaid or savings account or directly from the toll owner, employing RFID technology.
• Dedicated Lanes: Dedicated lanes for FASTag users have been established at select toll plazas, streamlining the toll collection process.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• About: It was established under the NHAI Act in 1988, marking its inception as the apex body for highway management in India. It’s headquarter is located in Delhi.
• Autonomous Organization: NHAI operates autonomously, functioning independently within the framework of its statutory mandate, thereby ensuring efficient management of the nation's highway network.

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6. NOTA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: In recent general elections, the utilization of the NOTA (None of the Above) option has witnessed a consistent decrease. This trend follows a Supreme Court directive in 2013, which mandated the inclusion of the NOTA button on electronic voting machines nationwide.

NOTA

• About: NOTA, meaning 'None of the Above', has been a key component of the Indian voting system for the last eight years.
• Purpose: It allows voters to officially reject all candidates contesting in an election.
• Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court of India mandated the inclusion of the NOTA option in electronic voting machines on September 27, 2013.
• First Usage of NOTA: It was first implemented in the 2013 assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi.
• Objectives: Enable voters who don't support any candidate to express their rejection without revealing their choice.

oEnsure eligible voters can reject candidates they deem unworthy.

oUphold the right to vote by allowing disapproval to be registered.

• Global Adoption of NOTA: Countries like Colombia, Ukraine, Brazil, Bangladesh, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Chile, France, Belgium, and Greece have adopted NOTA.
• The US, particularly Texas since 1975, also allows NOTA in some cases, despite facing opposition.

NOTA in Rajya Sabha

• Supreme Court's Interpretation: The Supreme Court clarified in 2018 that NOTA is intended solely for universal adult suffrage and direct elections, excluding polls conducted through proportional representation, such as those in the Rajya Sabha.
• Contravention of Constitutional Provisions: Application of NOTA in Rajya Sabha elections was deemed contradictory to Article 80(4) of the Constitution and the precedent set by the Supreme Court in PUCL v Union of India (2013).
• Undermining Fairness in Indirect Elections: NOTA's inclusion in Rajya Sabha elections undermines the fairness of indirect elections by disregarding the significance of an elector's role and compromises democratic principles.

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

Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on Friday that foreign investors in the International Financial Services Centre would be allowed to invest in sovereign green bonds.

International Financial Services Centre Authority

• About: IFSCA was established on April 27, 2020, as mandated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019.
• Headquarters: GIFT City, Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
• Composition: Nine members, appointed by the central government.
• Objective: To develop a strong global connect and focus on the needs of the Indian economy as well as to serve as an international financial platform for the entire region and the global economy as a whole.

Sovereign Green Bond

• Meaning: Bonds issued by any sovereign entity, inter-governmental groups or alliances and corporates with the aim that the proceeds of the bonds are utilised for projects classified as environmentally sustainable.
• They are financial instruments that finance green projects and provide investors with regular or fixed income payments.

Role of IFSCA

• Unified Regulatory Authority: IFSCA serves as a unified regulatory authority responsible for the development and oversight of financial products, services, and institutions within India's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
• Transition from Domestic Regulators: Before IFSCA's establishment, domestic financial regulators such as RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, and IRDAI governed business activities within IFSC.
• Inter-Regulatory Coordination: Recognizing the complexity of IFSC business dynamics, IFSCA facilitates inter-regulatory coordination within the financial sector to ensure effective regulation and foster a conducive business environment.
• Global Connect and Economic Focus: IFSCA's primary objectives include developing strong global connections, addressing the needs of the Indian economy, and serving as a prominent international financial platform for the region and the global economy at large.

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8. ELEPHANT CORRIDOR (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Efforts to reconnect elephant corridors are crucial for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the viability of the Asian elephant population. However, careful planning is essential to execute this endeavor effectively.

Elephant Corridor

• About: It can be defined as a narrow stretch of land that facilitates the movement of elephants between two or more adjacent habitats that are conducive to their well-being.
• State Wise Distribution: West Bengal takes the lead with 26 corridors, making up 17% of the total.

oEast central India -  52 corridors, The North East region - 48 corridors, Southern India - 32 corridors., and Northern India - 18 corridors.

• Objective:

oWildlife corridors facilitate animal movement between habitat patches; and in the process maintain the long-term demographic and genetic viability of elephant populations.

oIt is amply recognized that demographic isolation and lack of genetic viability could threaten elephant populations with extinction risks. Considering this, securing elephant corridors is a central strategy for elephant conservation in the country.

• Notification: Each state could notify the area of the corridor falling in their respective jurisdiction as conservation reserve under Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Geographic Information Systems

• About: GIS are computer-based tools used to store, visualize, analyze, and interpret geographic data.

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9. S.A.R.A.H. (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced the launch of S.A.R.A.H., a digital health promoter prototype featuring an enhanced empathetic response driven by generative artificial intelligence (AI).

S.A.R.A.H. (Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health):

• About: Itis a pioneering digital health promoter prototype.
• Launched by: World Health Organisation (WHO), S.A.R.A.H. aims to empower individuals worldwide to access their right to health.
• Objective: To provide an additional resource for people to enhance their health awareness, regardless of their geographical location.
• Key Features:

oComprehensive Health Information: S.A.R.A.H. is trained to disseminate information covering various health topics, including promoting healthy habits and addressing mental health concerns.

oRisk Factor Awareness: It aids users in understanding risk factors associated with prevalent global causes of mortality, such as cancer and heart disease.

oSupport for Healthy Lifestyle Choices: S.A.R.A.H. facilitates access to current information on strategies like smoking cessation, physical activity, nutritious eating, and stress management.

oMultilingual and Accessible: With support for 8 languages, S.A.R.A.H. engages users around the clock on diverse health topics, accessible across multiple devices.

oReal-time Accuracy: Unlike traditional scripted assistants, S.A.R.A.H. leverages generative AI, ensuring more precise and timely responses to user queries.

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10. E-SHRAM PORTAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The labour ministry has directed all concerned ministries and states to reverse integrate data on unorganised sector workers with the e-Shram portal, a move aimed at removing duplication and arriving at the net eligible beneficiaries across India under one umbrella digital system.

e-SHRAM Portal

• Launch: The portal was launched on August 26, 2021.
• Aim: with the aim of creating a national database of unorganised workers (NDUW).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• e-Shram Card: Workers will be provided with an e-SHRAM card which will have a 12 digit unique number.

○The details of workers will also be shared by the state government and departments.

• Single window: This will be a single-point reference to help authorities reach out to and track workers in the informal sector, and offer welfare in times of crisis.
• Beneficiaries: The database will include construction workers, migrant workers, gig and platform workers, street vendors, domestic workers, agriculture workers, migrant workers and similar other sub-groups of unorganised workers.
• Self enrolment: It will be available in public for open access where workers can self-enrol through Aadhaar and mobile numbers.

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