1. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (PAC) (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by senior opposition leader and Lok Sabha member will hold a performance review of “regulatory bodies established by Act of Parliament”, such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

• About: It was set up first in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919 and has since been in existence.

o It is a committee of selected members of parliament, constituted by the Parliament of India, for the purpose of auditing the revenue and the expenditure of the Government of India.

• Composition: It consists of not more than twenty-two members, fifteen elected by Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament, and not more than seven members of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament.
• Member Elected: The members are elected every year from amongst its members of respective houses according to the principle of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. 
• The chairperson is appointed by: Lok Sabha Speaker. Until 1966 - ‘67, the chairman of the committee belonged to the ruling party. However, since 1967 a convention has developed whereby the chairman of the committee is selected invariably from the Opposition.
• Term of Office: 1 year.
• Functions:

o The PAC is responsible for auditing the revenue and the expenditure of the government.

o Review the accounts showing the income and expenditure of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

o Consider reports of audits conducted by the CAG either under the President's direction or as per a statute of Parliament.

o Analyze cases where money has been spent beyond the amount granted by the House, review the reasons, and make suitable recommendations.

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2. SATURN (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: In March 2025, the majestic rings of Saturn will appear to “disappear” from view, offering a rare and stunning spectacle in the Solar System.

Saturn

• About: It is the sixth planet from the Sun, and the second largest in the solar system. It’s surrounded by rings.
• Composition: It is made up of 94% hydrogen, 6% helium and small amounts of methane and ammonia.
• Size: With an equatorial diameter of about 120,500 kilometers, Saturn is 9 times wider than Earth. If Earth were the size of a nickel, Saturn would be about as big as a volleyball.
• Distance: From an average distance of 1.4 billion kilometers, Saturn is 9.5 astronomical units away from the Sun. 

o One astronomical unit, is the distance from the Sun to Earth. From this distance, it takes sunlight 80 minutes to travel from the Sun to Saturn.

• Orbit: Saturn has the second-shortest day in the solar system. One day on Saturn takes only 10.7 hours, and Saturn makes a complete orbit around the Sun in about 29.4 Earth years (10,756 Earth days).
• Rotation: Its axis is tilted by 26.73 degrees with respect to its orbit around the Sun, which is similar to Earth's 23.5-degree tilt. This means that, like Earth, Saturn experiences seasons.

Saturn's Rings Optical Illusion

• Rings' Perception: It is not as if the rings will cease to exist. Their “disappearance” when viewed from Earth will be an optical illusion.
• Rings' Orientation Change: Saturn’s rings are tilted at the same angle as the planet. As Saturn revolves around the Sun, the orientation of its rings changes from Earth's perspective.
• Alignment with Earth: Every 13 to 15 years, Saturn’s rings align edge-on with Earth. This alignment, occurring in March 2025, will make the rings appear as thin lines, reflecting minimal light and making them nearly invisible.
• Previous Occurrence: This phenomenon of Saturn's rings appearing edge-on last occurred in 2009.

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3. GLOBAL STUDY ON SWACCH BHARAT MISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Health)

Context: A global study by leading experts highlights that the Swachh Bharat Mission has significantly reduced infant mortality rates in India.

Key Findings of Global Study

• Scale of Impact: Post-2014 SBM implementation led to over 117 million toilets being built, with each 10% increase in toilet access linked to a reduction in IMR by 0.9 points and U5MR by 1.1 points.
• Threshold Effect: Districts with over 30% toilet coverage saw significant reductions: 5.3 in IMR and 6.8 in U5MR per thousand live births, potentially saving 60,000-70,000 infant lives annually.
• SBM’s Unique Approach: SBM's strategy combined toilet construction with extensive IEC and community engagement, a departure from previous, less comprehensive sanitation initiatives.
• Novel Evidence of Impact: The study provides new evidence of SBM’s role in reducing infant and child mortality, highlighting its effectiveness as a national sanitation program.
• Broader Public Health Benefits: Increased toilet access likely reduced exposure to pathogens, decreasing diarrhea and malnutrition rates, which are major contributors to child mortality in India.

Swachh Bharat Mission

• About: It is the world’s largest sanitation initiative was launched by the Prime Minister of India in 2014.
• Aim: To achieve an Open Defecation Free India by October 2, 2019, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
• The mission was split into two: Rural and Urban.

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4. VERTICAL FISCAL IMBALANCE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The 16th Finance Commission is tasked with addressing vertical fiscal imbalances in federal relations, particularly when revenue is concentrated with the Union government while states bear significant expenditure responsibilities.

Vertical Fiscal Imbalance (VFI)

• Fiscal Imbalance Definition: It refers to a situation where a government's future debt obligations do not align with its future income streams. This misalignment can lead to increased tax burdens and reduced household consumption both now and in the future.

Types of Fiscal Imbalances: 

• Vertical Fiscal Imbalance: This situation arises when there is a mismatch between revenues and expenditures at different levels of government (e.g., federal vs. state). 

o It is a structural issue that can be corrected by reassessing and redistributing revenue and expenditure responsibilities.

• Horizontal Fiscal Imbalance: This occurs when revenue does not match expenditures across different regions of a country (between states). 

o To address this, equalization transfers or payments from the federal government to various states or provinces may be implemented to balance out monetary discrepancies.

Constitutional Allocation of Financial Duties

• Rising VFI in India: The 15th Finance Commission observed that India experiences a larger and increasing VFI compared to other federations, exacerbated during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Distribution of Taxes and Grants: The Finance Commission addresses VFI by distributing Union taxes to States and recommending grants for specific needs. 

Calculating VFI in India

• Methodology: VFI is measured by comparing the ratio of total Own Revenue Receipts and tax devolution to Own Revenue Expenditure. A ratio less than 1 indicates inadequate receipts to cover expenditures, and the deficit in this ratio serves as a proxy for VFI.
• Needed Increase in Tax Devolution: To eliminate VFI, tax devolution should be increased to ensure the ratio equals 1. 
• Between 2015-16 and 2022-23, the average required devolution was 48.94%, while the actual devolution was only 42% and 41% according to the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions, respectively.

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5. EXERCISE VARUNA 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft is participating alongside French naval forces in Exercise Varuna 2024.

Exercise Varuna 2024

• About: Exercise Varuna is the bilateral naval exercise between India and France.
• Initiation Year: The bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993.
• Naming and Significance: It was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of India-France strategic bilateral relationship.
• 2024 Edition Location: Mediterranean Sea.
• Advanced Tactical Exercises: It includes advanced tactical exercises underscoring the deepening synergy and interoperability between the two navies.
• P-8I Aircraft Role: The Indian Navy's P-8I aircraft, renowned for its maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, will play a pivotal role in these exercises and joins the INS Tabar.

o The P-8I is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft manufactured by Boeing for the Indian Navy.

o Fleet Replacement: It replaced the aging fleet of the Indian Navy’s Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft.

• Joint Operations: The P-8I’s participation in Exercise Varuna reflects the growing sophistication and complexity of the joint operations between the Indian and French navies.
• Types of Exercises: It  featured high-tempo naval operations including advanced air defence, anti-submarine warfare exercises, fixed and rotary-wing flying operations, cross-deck helicopter landings, tactical manoeuvres, weapon firings, and maritime security operations.
• Integration and Capability: Units from both navies honed their warfighting skills, demonstrating their ability to function as an integrated force capable of promoting peace, security, and stability in the maritime domain.

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6. CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION (CVC) (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has released a report detailing corruption complaints against various government officials for 2023. 

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

• About: It is an apex Integrity Institution, possessing full independence and autonomy in its operations.
• Establishment: As a result of the Government of India's Resolution, based on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, led by Shri K. Santhanam in 1964.
• Statutory Status: The CVC gained its statutory status through the CVC Act of 2003.
• Composition: Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson) and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners (Members).
• Organization: The CVC has its own Secretariat, the Chief Technical Examiners' Wing (CTE), and a wing of Commissioners for Departmental Inquiries (CDI). 
• Appointment: By the President on the recommendations of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
• Term: The chairperson and the members are four years from the date on which they enter their office or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• Removal: The President can remove the chairperson or any other member from the office.

Major Highlights

• Total Complaints Received: In 2023, 74,203 graft complaints were lodged against various officers and employees. Out of these, 66,373 were resolved, while 7,830 remain pending.
• Complaints Against Railway Employees: The highest number of complaints, 10,447, were against railway employees. Of these, 9,881 were resolved, and 566 are still pending.
• Ministry-Specific Complaints: Complaints were also high in various ministries: Coal (4,420), Labour (3,217), Petroleum (2,749), and Home (2,309).
• Other Notable Complaints: Additional significant complaint figures include the Defence Ministry (1,861), Central Board of Direct Taxes (1,828), and Public Sector Insurance Companies (960).

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7. VISHVASYA-BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY STACK (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Government of India has launched the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack to offer Blockchain-as-a-Service with a geographically distributed infrastructure designed to support various permissioned Blockchain based applications.

Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack

• About: It is designed to offer Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) with a geographically distributed setup to support a range of permissioned blockchain applications.
• Objective: To enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in digital service delivery.
• Hosted: The stack is hosted across NIC Data Centers in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad, ensuring robust and scalable service delivery.
• Vishvasya BaaS Features:

o Rapid end-to-end permissioned blockchain application development & deployment

o Ready to use security audited blockchain containers for production setup.

o Blockchain specific security audit guidelines &bBest practices.

o Geographically distributed infrastructure across three Data Centres (Hyderabad, Pune and Bhubaneswar).

o Framework augmented with documentation for easy onboarding of stakeholders.

• Other Initiatives: NBFLite-Lightweight Blockchain Platform and Praamaanik, and National Blockchain Portal.

o NBFLite-Lightweight Blockchain Platform: It a Blockchain sandbox platform, is developed especially for startups/academia for rapid prototyping of applications, carrying out research and capacity building. 

ü Developed by: Collaborating efforts of C-DAC, NIC, IDRBT Hyderabad, IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Hyderabad and SETS Chennai under the MeitY support.

o Praamaanik: A unique blockchain tool designed to verify the authenticity of mobile apps, ensuring they originate from reliable sources.

o National Blockchain Portal: A centralized platform for accessing all blockchain-related initiatives and updates under MeitY.

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8. NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT 2013 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2/3 – Gov. policies/Economy)

Context: During the discussion on the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, there was nervousness about guaranteeing food security through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Food Security Act 2013

• Objective: The Act aims to provide food and nutritional security through access to quality food at affordable prices, ensuring a dignified life for all.
• Coverage: It covers 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), serving 67% of the total population.
• Eligibility: Priority Households as per state guidelines and households under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana are eligible for benefits.
• Public Distribution System (PDS): It evolved as a system of management of scarcity through distribution of foodgrains at affordable prices.

Impact of NFSA on PDS Coverage

• Expansion of PDS: The NFSA 2013 expanded PDS coverage, aiming to reduce exclusion errors and decrease leakages in the system.

oIn 2011-12, before the NFSA was enacted, less than 50% of households had ration cards, and only about 40% of households received any benefits from the PDS.

• PDS Access Growth (2004-05 to 2011-12): Between 2004-05 and 2011-12, PDS coverage improved significantly, particularly in States like Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• Shortfall in NFSA Coverage: Despite improvements, the Centre has not fully met NFSA’s coverage mandate of 66%. Only 59% of people were reported to have access to PDS as NFSA beneficiaries.
• Non-NFSA Beneficiaries in PDS: Of the 70% accessing PDS, only 57%-61% had NFSA ration cards; approximately 10% were non-NFSA beneficiaries.
• Leakage Levels in 2022-23: It were low in States like Rajasthan (9%), Jharkhand (21%), and Uttar Pradesh (23%), all of which had previously struggled with high leakages.

Responsibility under NFSA

• The Centre is tasked with allocating the required amount of foodgrains to States and Union Territories (UTs).
• The Centre ensures the transportation of foodgrains to designated depots in each State/UT.
• Central assistance is provided to States/UTs for delivering foodgrains from the depots to the Fair Price Shops (FPS).
• States/UTs are required to set up grievance redressal mechanisms and strengthen the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) for efficient service delivery.

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9. POSHAN TRACKER INITIATIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has received the National Award for e-Governance 2024 (Gold) for the Poshan Tracker initiative.

Poshan Tracker Initiative

• About: It identifies and addresses growth issues in children aged 0-6 using real-time monitoring and WHO growth charts to ensure optimal nutrition.
• Role of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs): It play a critical role in assessing children's health and implementing interventions when growth deviations are identified.
• Use of ICT Tools and GMD: The program utilizes advanced ICT tools and Growth Measuring Devices (GMD) at each Anganwadi Center to facilitate accurate data collection and regular monitoring.
• Outcomes: Real-time monitoring under the Poshan Tracker has significantly improved child health outcomes across India, benefiting millions of children through Mission Poshan 2.0.

Mission Poshan 2.0

• About: It is an Integrated Nutrition Support Programme aimed at combating malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Objective: It helps tracking a child's growth pattern over time through WHO growth charts, which are essential tools used to monitor children's growth and development. 
• These charts plot key anthropometric measurements- such as height and weight- against age and sex-specific standards, providing a visual representation of a child's growth trajectory.
• Status: Currently, Mission Poshan 2.0 covers an impressive 8.9 crore children (0-6 years), with a remarkable 8.57 crore measured in a single month through routine monthly Growth Measurement.

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10. LEGALLY BINDING INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON AI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom (UK) are expected to sign the Council of Europe’s convention on artificial intelligence (AI), the first “legally binding” international treaty on the use of the revolutionary new technology.

Legally Binding International Treaty

• About: The treaty prioritizes human rights in regulating public and private-sector AI systems and is viewed as the first significant agreement among major AI developers.
• Official Name: The treaty is officially known as the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.
• Scope of Coverage: It applies to both the public sector, including companies acting on its behalf, and the private sector, with applicability across various geographies.
• Accountability and Legal Recourse: Signatories are accountable for harmful and discriminatory AI outcomes, ensuring that outputs respect equality and privacy rights, and provide victims with legal recourse.
• First-of-Its-Kind Global Treaty: The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence is a pioneering global treaty aimed at ensuring AI upholds human rights and addresses international legal standards while mitigating risks.

Obligations and Applicability

• Upon ratification, member states will have to ensure that:

o Their AI systems are “consistent with obligations to protect human rights.

o These systems are not used “to undermine the integrity, independence and effectiveness of democratic institutions and processes, including the principle of the separation of powers, respect for judicial independence and access to justice.

o There are a few exemptions in the scope of applicability of the Framework Convention, such as national security and research and development.

• Concerns: Treaty is being called “legally binding”, there are concerns that it does not contain provisions for punitive sanctions such as penalties or fines.

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