1. TRAI AND OTT PLATFORM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, TDSAT ruled that OTT platforms are exempt from the TRAI Act as they don't need government permission or a license. The Telecom Appellate Panel in India has determined that Over the Top (OTT) streaming platforms are not under the authority of the TRAI but are instead regulated by the Information Technology Rules, 2021, issued by the IT Ministry.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

• About: It is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
• Aim: To regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.
• Establishment: In 1997
• Composition: Chairperson, two whole-time members and two part-time members, all of which are appointed by the Government of India.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Communications and Broadcasting
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Tenure: 3 years or till the age of 65 years

Over-The-Top (OTT) Platform

• About: Originally designed as a content hosting service, quickly expanded its scope to encompass the production & and distribution of short films, feature movies, documentaries & web series
• These platforms provide a variety of content and employ artificial intelligence to recommend content to users based on their previous viewing habits on the platform.
• Examples: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock, Curiosity Stream, Pluto TV, and so many more.

Telecom Appellate Panel in India

• About: The TRAI Act of 1997 was amended in the year 2000 and TDSAT was set up to adjudicate disputes and dispose of appeals with a view to protect the interests of service providers and consumers of the telecom sector.
• Composition: Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Central Government
• Powers and Jurisdiction: The Tribunal exercises jurisdiction over Telecom, Broadcasting, IT and Airport tariff matters under the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended), the Information Technology Act, 2008 and the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.

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2. NATIONAL TURMERIC BOARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Policies)

Context: Recently, the Government of India officially established the National Turmeric Board, signaling its commitment to promoting the development and expansion of the turmeric industry and its products within the country.

National Turmeric Board

• The primary goal of NTB is to foster the expansion and enhancement of both turmeric and turmeric-related products.
• The key objectives include raising awareness and consumption, exploring new international markets, advancing research and development, and leveraging our indigenous knowledge to enhance the value of turmeric.
• Composition

oChairperson who is appointed by the Central Government.

oA Secretary who is appointed Department of Commerce.

• Other members from

oMinistry of AYUSH

oDepartments of Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Commerce & Industry of the Union Government,

oSenior state government representatives from 3 states (on rotation basis)

oSelect national/state institutions involved in research

oRepresentatives of turmeric farmers and exporters.

Turmeric Crop

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is used as condiment, dye, drug and cosmetic in addition to its use in religious ceremonies.
• India is a leading producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world.
• Soil and climate: A friable well drained red loamy soil in wet or garden lands under tropical conditions is ideal.
• Annual rainfall: It can be grown in regions receiving an annual rainfall of 1500 mm or more.
• Temperatures: between 20 and 30 °C.
• Cultivated States: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Assam.

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3. MULTIPROJECT IN MADHYA PRADESH (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, Prime Minister Narendra of India inaugurated various projects in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, including rail and road developments and a memorial honoring Rani Durgavati.

Vijaipur-Auraiya-Phulpur Gas Pipeline Project

• The gas pipeline project, connecting Vijaipur, Auraiya, and Phulpur is to be executed.
• Aim:  To provide clean and affordable natural gas to both industries and households, contributing to reduced environmental emissions.
• It commences in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and traverses through the districts of Chhindwara, Seoni, and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.

Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan

• It will feature an imposing 52-foot-high bronze statue of Rani Durgavati. 
• The site will host an impressive museum, focusing on the history of the Gondwana region, including Rani Durgavati's valor and courage.
• It will also showcase the culture, art, cuisine, and lifestyle of the Gond people and other tribal communities.

Rani Durgavati

• Rani Durgavati is said to have been born in 1524, in Mahoba’s Chandela dynasty. The Chandelas were known for building the famous Khajuraho temples in the 11th century.
• She is chiefly remembered for defending Gondwana against the Mughal Empire.

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4. NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Security)

Context: Recently, India's Home Minister, speaking at a two-day anti-terror conference in New Delhi organized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), called for the establishment of a Model Anti-terrorism Structure under NIA's supervision.

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• About: NIA is India's primary Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency.
• It operates under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Establishment: NIA was established in response to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks through the National Investigation Agency Act 2008.
• Jurisdiction: NIA has the authority to investigate and handle terrorism-related crimes across Indian states without requiring special permission from the states.

oState Governments can request the Central Government to transfer cases to NIA if they involve offenses listed in the NIA Act's schedule.

• NIA Special Courts: Special Courts designated for NIA cases are established by the Indian government.

oThese courts are presided over by judges appointed by the Central Government based on the recommendation of the respective Chief Justice of the High Court for the region.

• Headquarters:News Delhi.
• Branches: Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur, Jammu, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Chennai, and Imphal.

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5. CHANDRAYAAN 3 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci ad Tech)

Context: Recently, India's groundbreaking Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon's south pole faced a setback as its Vikram lander and Pragyan rover failed to awaken during the lunar day, spanning 14 Earth days.

Chandrayaan 3

• About: It is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface.
• Launched by: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (LVM3 –M4).
• Significance: India became the first nation to soft-land on the surface of the Lunar south pole and overall the fourth to do a soft landing on moon.
• Objective: Demonstrate safe and soft landing on the surface of the Moon,

oConduct rover operations on the Moon, and

oConduct on-site experiments on the Lunar surface.

• Components: Lander (powered by 4 throttle-ale engines & equipped with Laser Doppler Velocimeter), Rover (no orbiter unlike Chandrayaan 2).
• The mission has six tools for studying science and an additional instrument on the propulsion module.
• Propulsion Module: It carries the SHAPE experiment, which uses spectro-polarimetry to study Earth's reflected light.

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6. ICHAMATI RIVER (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has started work to revive the Ichamati River. The government  has declared a part of 63 km of the Ichhamati River as a National Waterway and marked it as Waterway number 44.

Ichamati River

• Other name: Also known as Ichamathi River.
• Ichhamati River is a transboundary river that flows through West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh.
• Origin: It is one of the bifurcations of river Mathabhanga and originates at Mahjdia village in the Nadia district of West Bengal.
• Three Parts of River: The longer part flows from the Mathabhanga River, then it joins the Kalindi River and then in North-24 Parganas and Debhata in Satkhira District.
• Tributaries: Ichhamati River and its tributaries form a large oxbow lake complex in North 24-Parganas district near Bangaon.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

• About: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is an autonomous organization that was established on October 27, 1986, in accordance with the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985.
• IWAI's primary responsibility is the development, maintenance, and regulation of waterways that have been designated as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act of 2016.
• Headquarter: Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• IWAI carries out the implementation of policy guidelines and directives issued by the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Wing.

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7. PLATYPUSES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recent studies show that even platypuses aren’t safe from bushfires in Australia.

• Bushfires burn and kill the vegetation that stabilises the soil around rivers or streams. When rain follows fire, a lot of ash, soil and other debris can be washed into waterways.

Platypuses

• Scientific name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus.
• Distribution: They are found in Australia.
• Habitat: It is known for its reclusive nature and highly specific habitat requirements.
• It is found near small streams and cool moving rivers.
• It is a duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed, egg-laying mammal.
• It is a small species of semi-aquatic mammal indigenous to the eastern coast of Australia.
• They are solitary animals that despite occupying overlapping home ranges, only comes together during the breeding season.
• The researchers and other conservation groups have called for Australia to classify the species of Platypus as nationally threatened.
• IUCN Status: Near Threatened.

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8. PLI SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, Asandas and Sons, a major frozen foods exporter in India, filed a case in the Delhi High Court against the central government regarding the Rs 10,900-crore production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme for food processing industries.

Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) Scheme

• About: PLI scheme is an initiative that provides incentives to domestic industries to boost local production.
• Through this scheme the Government aims to give companies incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units.
• PLI has been introduced to boost domestic manufacturing and cut down on import bills.
• Eligibility: A company registered in India that proposes to produce items related to the Target Segments there and submits an application for approval under the Scheme is an applicant for the purposes of the Production Linked Incentives Scheme. 

oThe applicant is permitted to run either brand-new or current production facilities to produce goods for the Target Segments.

• Sectors Included: Automobile and auto components, electronics and IT hardware, telecom, pharmaceuticals, solar modules, metals and mining, textiles and apparel, white goods, drones, and advanced chemistry cell batteries.
• Incentives Under the Scheme: The incentives, calculated on the basis of incremental sales, range from as low as 1% for the electronics and technology products to as high as 20% for the manufacturing of critical key starting drugs and certain drug intermediaries.

oIn some sectors such as advanced chemistry cell batteries, textile products and the drone industry, the incentive to be given will be calculated on the basis of sales, performance and local value addition done over the period of five years.

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9. GLACIAL LAKE OUTBURST FLOOD (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Geography/Disaster)

Context: Recently, Recently, in the journal Nature Communications, the first global assessment by an international team revealed that India and Pakistan together account for a third of the world's population exposed to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). It emphasized that the risk of GLOFs increases with distance from a glacial lake.

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)

• About: Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) is a type of flood that occurs when a glacier-contained water body is suddenly released.
• Causes of GLOF: GLOFs happen when the natural dam formed by a glacial lake fails, allowing the stored water to flow rapidly.
• Formation of Proglacial Lakes: Retreating glaciers, especially in regions like the Himalayas, often create proglacial lakes. These lakes are typically held in place by sediments and boulders.
• Breaching Boundaries: If the boundaries of these proglacial lakes are breached, a significant volume of water rushes into nearby streams and rivers. This rushing water picks up sediments, rocks, and other debris, causing downstream flooding.

Key GLOF Features

• They involve sudden and sometimes cyclic water releases.
• GLOFs are typically rapid events, lasting for hours to days.
• They result in a substantial increase in downstream river discharge, often by an order of magnitude.

Glaciers

• Formation: Glaciers begin as fallen snow that gradually compresses into thickened ice masses over time. This transformation occurs when snow accumulates and remains in one place for an extended period.
• Distribution: Glaciers can be found on every continent except Australia, with some of them dating back hundreds of thousands of years.
• Himalayan Glaciers: A significant concentration of glaciers is situated in the Himalayas, which span India's extensive northern border.

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10. BLUEWALKER 3 SATELLITE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently launched test satellite BlueWalker 3 shines as brightly as the brightest stars in Canis Minor and Eridanus constellations, as per a recent study.

• Satellites such as BlueWalker 3 could also present an additional source of noise for radio astronomy.

BlueWalker 3 Satellite

• About: It is part of AST SpaceMobile’s ambitious 5G communications system, designed to connect everyday smartphones globally.

oIts remarkable brightness results from a massive phased-array antenna, making it appear like a giant mirror reflecting sunlight from Earth’s perspective.

oBlueWalker 3 is considered the largest commercial antenna system ever deployed in low-Earth orbit.

• Launch Date: It was launched into orbit on September 10, 2022.
• Purpose: To establish direct communication with cellular devices using 3GPP standard frequencies, delivering data at 5G speeds.
• Brightness in the Night Sky: Observations of BlueWalker 3 revealed that it stands out as one of the brightest objects in the night sky, surpassing all celestial objects except for the brightest stars, according to researchers.

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