1. PRITHVI VIGYAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The Union Cabinet Chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)”. into services for societal, environmental and economic benefit.   

PRITHVI VIgyan (PRITHVI)

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Services encompass:

oWeather forecasts and warnings.

oAlerts for natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and tsunamis.

oEarthquake monitoring and more.

• Targeted Challenges: Weather, Climate, Oceanography, Cryospheric studies, Seismology and Sustainable resource utilization.
• Objectives:

oAugmentation and sustenance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid earth to record the vital signs of the Earth System and change

oDevelopment of modelling systems for understanding and predicting weather, ocean and climate hazards and understanding the science of climate change

oExploration polar and high seas regions of the Earth towards discovery of new phenomena and resources;

oDevelopment of technology for exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications

oTranslation of knowledge and insights from Earth systems science

• The Impact of PRITHVI

oCollaborative Effort: PRITHVI represents a collaborative effort across disciplines for comprehensive solutions.

oHolistic Scope: From atmospheric conditions to seismic activities, PRITHVI's focus encompasses the Earth's various dynamic systems.

oStrategic Goals: Aims to contribute to advancements in understanding and managing Earth's processes for sustainable development.

oCross-Sectoral Impact: The research initiative aims to benefit sectors ranging from environmental conservation to resource management.

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2. VAN VIHAR NATIONAL PARK Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: A 36-year-old male sloth bear died due to multi-organ failure at a zoo-cum-animal rescue centre in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal.

Van Vihar National Park

• Location: In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• Proximity to Upper Lake: Positioned adjacent to the renowned Upper Lake, also known as "Bada Talab," a Ramsar Site and one of the two lakes within the Bhoj Wetland.
• Features: The park serves as a unique amalgamation of a National Park, Zoo, Rescue Centre for wild animals, and a Conservation Breeding Centre for selected vital species.
• Rescue Centre: Notably, the rescue centre at Van Vihar houses Lions, Tigers, Sloth Bears, Panthers, and Bears rescued from circuses, madaris, and areas of human-wildlife conflict.
• Special Designations: It holds the distinction of being a designated coordinating zoo and Conservation Breeding Centre for the Hard Ground Barasingha, the state animal of Madhya Pradesh, and two species of Gyps Vultures.
• Diverse Wildlife Habitat: Tigers, white tigers, leopards, hyenas, sloth bears, chital, sambhar, blackbuck, blue bull, chousingha, common langur, rhesus monkey, porcupine, and more.

Sloth Bear

• About: It is a myrmecophagous bear species native to the Indian subcontinent.
• Also known as the: Labiated bear" because of its long lower lip and palate used for sucking up insects.
• Conservation Status

oIUCN Red List: Vulnerable.

oIndian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1 

• Threat: Habitat loss and degradation

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3. KADAMBA INSCRIPTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: 10th century Kadamba inscription written in Kannada, Sanskrit found in Goa.

Kadamba Inscription

• Discovery: The inscription was found at the Mahadeva temple in Cacoda, southern Goa.
• Literary Style and Period: The inscription mirrors the literary style of Talangre inscription from the same period, specifically during Jayasimha I's reign.
• Message of the Inscription: The inscription conveys the message of Talara Nevayya’s son, Gundayya. He took a vow to fulfill his father’s desire, which was capturing a gopura of the port of Goa. Gundayya fought and ultimately sacrificed his life to fulfill his father’s wish.
• Composition Style: The record is crafted as a vocal statement, narrating the sorrowful tale of a grieving father lamenting the death of his son.

Kadamba Dynasty (345-535 C.E.)

• Extent: The Kadamba dynasty, an ancient Indian ruling family, governed parts of South India, specifically the contemporary Karnataka region, from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE.
• Founder: Mayurasharma, originally a subordinate of the Pallavas, a prominent South Indian dynasty, is believed to have founded the Kadamba dynasty.
• Capital: Initially, the Kadamba dynasty's capital was Banavasi, situated in present-day Karnataka. Later, the capital shifted to Vaijayanti, modern-day Banavasi.
• End: The Kadamba kingdom met its demise when Pulakeshin II captured Banavasi during Ajavarman's reign.

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4. NATIONAL BIRDS DAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Over a million migratory birds belonging to over 180 species were counted in Odisha’s Chilika lake in the 2024 bird census report.

• The Chilika Wildlife Division conducted the yearly bird census on Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.

National Birds Day

• Aim: To raise awareness about the birds that are captured, brutally treated or produced in captivity for financial gain and pleasure. 

oIt is illegal and morally wrong to hold birds or animals in captivity and we must work to ensure that they have a better life.

• Date: Every year, National Birds Day is celebrated on January 5.
• History: Since 2002, National Birds Day has been celebrated in America. This date was chosen because it also happens to be the day for the yearly Christmas Bird Count.
• Significance: From deforestation to climate change to global warming to habitat loss, the birds have lost their homes and that lost their quality of living conditions.

Chilika Lake

• About: Asia's largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika is located in Odisha, India, at the Bay of Bengal's mouth where the Daya River flows.

oAs the largest coastal lagoon in India and the world's second-largest, Chilika was declared a Ramsar site in 1981, reflecting its significance for biodiversity and socio-economic factors.

oChilika became the first Indian waterbody to be recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

• Kalijai Temple: Located on an island in the Chilika Lake.
• Migratory Birds: Amur Falcons, Bar-headed Geese, Black-necked cranes, Marine turtles, Dugongs, Humpback Whales, etc.

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5. BHARATMALA HIGHWAY PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Bharatmala highway development programme is set for an early withdrawal, as the government looks to ramp up its road-construction plan and align it with a more ambitious Vision 2047 that envisages building up to 50,000km of access-controlled highways and expressways.

Bharatmala Highway Development Programme

• About: Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella program for the highways sector envisaged by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that focuses on optimizing the efficiency of freight and passenger movement across the country.
• The first phase aimed:  To construct 34,800km of highways that would link several of the existing road infrastructure while providing better connectivity to various industrial corridors.
• The phase 2 of the programme: It involving construction of over 5,000km of access-controlled highways with a total investment of about ₹3 trillion was expected in 2023.
• Objectives: To enhance the efficiency of freight and passenger movement nationwide, addressing critical infrastructure gaps is crucial.

oEffective interventions encompass the development of economic corridors, inter-corridors, feeder routes, national corridor efficiency improvement, border and international connectivity roads, coastal and port connectivity roads, and the establishment of greenfield expressways.

• Greenfield Projects Unleashing Creativity: These projects are undertaken on completely vacant sites, providing architects with unrestricted creative freedom as they commence development from scratch.
• Brownfield Project: In contrast, brownfield projects come with constraints tied to the current state of the site. Architects may need to contend with contamination or existing structures, necessitating modifications or demolitions before progressing with the project.

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6. ALVARO CYCLONE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Alvaro, the first cyclone of 2024, made landfall near Morombe in Madagascar on January 1, 2024.

Alvaro

• About: It is the first cyclone to hit Madagascar during the 2023-2024 season, which in the southwest Indian Ocean runs from around late October to May.
• Affected: Tropical Cyclone Alvaro has affected close to half of the total number of people affected by Cyclone Freddy in Madagascar.

oFreddy, made landfall along Madagascar’s south-eastern coast on February 21, 2023.

• Resilience and Preparedness to tropical cyclones across Southern Africa (REPRESA): It is an international initiative that aims to improve community preparedness for tropical cyclones in Southern Africa.

Madagascar

• About: Madagascar, island country lying off the southeastern coast of Africa. 
• 4th Largest Island: It is the fourth largest island in the world, after Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo.
• Land: It is located in the southwestern Indian Ocean and is separated from the African coast by the 250-mile- (400-km-) wide Mozambique Channel.

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7. UNIVERSAL SERVICE OBLIGATION FUND (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) renamed Digital Bharat Nidhi in the new Telecom Bill.

Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)

• Aim: To provide for quality and affordable mobile and digital services across the rural and remote areas of the country.
• Headed by: Administrator, USO Fund who is appointed by the Central Government, for the administration of the fund.
• Origin of Concept: Introduced by Rowland Hill in 1837 with his postal reforms. 

oThe postal reforms included uniform rates across the United Kingdoms (UK) and prepayment by sender via postage stamps.

• Functions

oFormulating and executing USOF projects or schemes

oMonitoring the implementation of Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund projects and schemes

oDesigning an intelligent subsidy support model for reducing or closing the viability gap

oPost-implementation review of USOF projects and schemes

oLeveraging of innovative and emerging new technologies

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8. SHREYAS SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The scheme Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme-SHREYAS, has been proposed to implement during the 2021-22 to 2025-26 by placing two ongoing Central Sector schemes for OBC and others

SHREYAS Scheme

• Objective: The main goal is to empower OBC & EBC students through fellowship awards and interest subsidies on educational loans for overseas studies.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Components
• National Fellowship for OBC Students:
• Objective: To provide financial assistance to OBC students pursuing M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees in recognized universities, research, and scientific institutions.

oOffers 1000 Junior Research Fellowships annually for advanced studies and research.

oFellowships awarded to students qualifying through specific tests like UGC-NET or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF Joint Test.

• Implementing by: UGC
• Key Features:

oFinancial assistance provided through the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation.

oFellowship rates set at Rs. 31,000 per month for JRF and Rs. 35,000 per month for SRF, in addition to contingencies.

oReservation of seats for students with disabilities and additional slots beyond reserved government quotas.

Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for OBCs & EBCs:

• Objective: To provide interest subsidies on educational loans for OBCs and EBCs pursuing approved courses abroad at the Masters, M.Phil, and Ph.D. levels.
• Implementation: The scheme is implemented through Canara Bank and is applicable for higher studies abroad, linked with existing Educational Loan Schemes.
• Eligibility Criteria: Income restrictions based on Creamy Layer criteria for OBC candidates.
• Income cap of Rs. 5.00 lakh per annum for EBC candidates.
• Features: 50% of financial assistance reserved for women candidates, The government bears 100% interest payable during the moratorium period, after which the student assumes responsibility for loan repayments.

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9. JAL JEEVAN MISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Scheme)

Context: The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has provided tap water connections to 14 Crore rural households with a new tap water connection installed every second so far.

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

• About: Launched in 2019, it envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Objective: The mission ensures functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections, water quality monitoring and testing as well as sustainable agriculture.

oIt also ensures conjunctive use of conserved water; drinking water source augmentation, drinking water supply system, grey water treatment and its reuse.

• Funding Pattern: The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories.
• 100% Coverage States: six states and three Union Territories including Goa, Telangana, Puducherry Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• 96% Coverage States: Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bihar.
  

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10. UN REPORT ON INDIA’S GDP (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context:  A United Nations report revised India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the 2024 calendar year to 6.2 per cent from its earlier estimate of 6.7 per cent.

Key Findings

• According to World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report, Growth in India is projected to reach 6.2 per cent in 2024, slightly lower than the 6.3 per cent estimate for 2023, amid robust domestic demand and strong growth in the manufacturing and services sectors.
• The report said GDP in the larger South Asian region grew by an estimated 5.3 per cent in 2023 and is projected to increase by 5.2 per cent in 2024, driven by a robust expansion in India.
• The UN report said the assessment comes at a time India is positioning itself as an alternate investment destination to China.
• In 2022, FDI (foreign direct investment) flows to India rose by 10 per cent, making it the third largest host country for announced greenfield projects.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• About: The GDP is the total market value of all final goods and services in an economy.
• Growth of GDP: It can be either due to increase in actual production or due to increase in prices of goods and services or combination of both the above two factors.
• Nominal GDP: It is the value of GDP at the current prevailing prices.
• Real GDP: It is the value of GDP at some constant set of prices.

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