1. CARBON FARMING (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: Carbon farming, a practice harnessing carbon sequestration in soils through agricultural techniques, as a potential solution to combat climate change.

Carbon Farming

• About: It is a system of agricultural management that helps the land store more carbon and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that it releases into the atmosphere.
• Also known as: Carbon sequestration
• Focus: It focuses on restoring ecosystem health through sustainable agricultural practices.
• Carbon farming enhances agricultural productivity by optimizing soil health and fertility.
• It plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Methods of Carbon Farming: Rotational Grazing, Agroforestry, Conservation Agriculture,.
  Integrated Nutrient Management and Agro-ecology.

Carbon Farming Schemes

• Carbon Trading: It has gained significance globally, notably in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
• Carbon Markets: Exemplified by initiatives like the Chicago Climate Exchange and Australia's Carbon Farming Initiative, incentivize carbon mitigation in agriculture.
• Global Initiatives: Projects like Kenya’s Agricultural Carbon Project, supported by the World Bank, underscore carbon farming's potential in developing countries for climate mitigation, adaptation, and food security.

Opportunities in India

• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Climate-resilient and emission-reducing agricultural practices present adaptation opportunities crucial for India amidst intensifying climate change.
• Viability of Organic Farming: Grassroots initiatives and agrarian research showcase the viability of organic farming for carbon sequestration, potentially generating substantial economic value.
• Geographical Suitability: Regions like the Indo-Gangetic plains are well-suited for carbon farming, while mountainous and coastal areas face challenges due to terrain and salinization.

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2. BOEING'S STARLINER SPACECRAFT (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, carrying two NASA astronauts, will be launched by an Atlas V rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to the Inter- national Space Station (ISS).

Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft

• About: Starliner is a partially reusable crew capsule, officially known as CST-100, developed by Boeing.
• Structure: The capsule is 5 meters tall and 4.6 meters wide, consisting of two modules: the crew module and the service module.
• Service Module: Supplies electricity, propulsion, thermal control, air, and water in space.

oNot reusable like the crew module.

• Mission Objective

oTo evaluate Starliner's performance in space with a crew onboard.

oDock with the ISS a day after launch and return to Earth after around 10 days.

Significance of the Mission:

• NASA's Need for Options: The success of Starliner's mission is critical for NASA, providing a second option alongside SpaceX for transporting astronauts and cargo to the ISS.
• Boeing's Stakes: The mission's success is especially vital for Boeing, given recent safety issues in its airline business, making its space program a potential redemption opportunity.

How has Boeing's journey been?

• Post-Space Shuttle Era: After NASA retired its space shuttle fleet in 2011, commercial space companies like SpaceX and Boeing were invited to aid in transporting astronauts and cargo to the ISS.
• Challenges: Starliner, Boeing's spacecraft, faced significant setbacks, including hardware and software failures, delaying its uncrewed flight.
• Technical Hurdles: Starliner required over 80 fixes to achieve a successful uncrewed flight, with ongoing concerns about thruster performance and safety systems.

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3. GSTAT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, Union Finance Minister declared Sanjaya Kumar Mishra's appointment as the president of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT).

Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)

• About: It serves as the second level of appeal within the GST framework, available for challenging any unsatisfactory rulings issued by the First Appellate Authorities under the CGST and SGST.
• Establishment by: Section 109 of the CGST Act 2017
• Composition: Two judicial members and two technical members.
• The Tribunal is likely to be headed by a former Supreme Court judge or a former Chief Justice of a High Court.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Aim: To provide swift, fair, and effective resolution of GST disputes, thereby reducing the burden on higher courts. 

oIt is expected to enhance the efficiency of the GST system and promote transparency in the country’s tax environment.

GST Council

• Article 279-A of the Constitution: The GST Council functions as a collaborative platform involving both the Central and state governments.
• It grants the President the power to establish the GST Council through an executive order.
• Function: To provide recommendations to both the Union and the states on crucial GST-related matters, encompassing the taxation of goods and services, exemptions, and the formulation of model GST Laws.

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4. CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may start a pilot programme for the wholesale segment of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in commercial papers (CPs) and certificates of deposits (CDs).

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)

• About: It represents a legal tender and is a liability of the central bank, with its value denominated in the nation's currency, reflected on the central bank's financial statement.
• Objective: To reduce risks and minimize expenses associated with the management of physical currency, including the costs related to replacing worn-out notes, transportation, insurance, and logistical operations.
• Fiat Currency: CBDCs hold the same value and function as fiat currency, maintaining a one-to-one exchangeability with traditional paper money.

oFiat currency is a national currency devoid of commodity backing, such as gold or silver, relying solely on government regulation and trust.

• Transaction Medium: CBDCs are transacted through blockchain-backed wallets, facilitating digital transactions in a secure and decentralized manner.
• Inspiration: CBDCs, while initially inspired by Bitcoin, differ significantly from decentralized virtual currencies and cryptocurrencies because they are government-issued and carry the legal status of 'legal tender.'

Commercial Papers (CPs)

• About: It is an unsecured money market instrument issued as a promissory note, introduced in India in 1990.
• Purpose: It aimed to allow highly rated corporate borrowers to diversify short-term borrowing sources and offer investors an additional instrument.

Certificate of Deposit (CD)

• About: A CD is a specialized savings account offering a fixed interest rate for a predetermined duration.

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5. SIKHS FOR JUSTICE (SFJ) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Security)

Context: The Delhi Lieutenant-Governor recently proposed a National Investigation Agency (NIA) inquiry into the jailed Delhi Chief Minister's alleged receipt of political funding from Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)

• About: It is a New York-based pro-Khalistan organization that is banned in India.
• Founded: 2007 by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based attorney.
• Purpose: SFJ seeks to achieve "self-determiniation for the Sikh people in their historic homeland" in "Indian-held Punjab", and "establish a sovereign state, popularly known as Khalistan".
• Campaign Objectives: SFJ's main campaign, ‘Referendum 2020’, aims to achieve the "liberation" of Punjab from what they term "Indian occupation."

Banned in India

• India's Perspective: India regards Pannun as a terrorist and has banned SFJ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
• Official Notification: The Home Ministry's 2019 notification states that SFJ is promoting secessionism and militant ideology in Punjab under the guise of a Sikh referendum.
• Operation: SFJ operates from safe havens abroad and receives active support from hostile forces in other countries.

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6. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) emerges as a vital non-surgical technique for exploring the human body, offering unparalleled insights without invasive procedures.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

• About: It is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure used to obtain images of soft tissues within the body. MRI is particularly adept at imaging soft tissues, which are tissues that have not undergone calcification and become harder.
• Development of MRI Techniques: It were established in the early 1970s.

oPaul Lauterbur and Peter Mansfield refined MRI techniques in the late 1970s, making them commercially viable.

• Recognition: Lauterbur and Mansfield were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2003.
• Applications: 

oMRI is used to image various parts of the body including the brain, cardiovascular system, spinal cord, joints, muscles, liver, and arteries.

oImportance in Cancer Diagnosis: MRI plays a crucial role in the observation and treatment of certain cancers such as prostate and rectal cancer.

oTracking Neurological Conditions: MRI is instrumental in tracking and diagnosing neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, epilepsy, and stroke.

oFunctional MRI for Brain Activity: It utilizes changes in blood flow to infer neuronal activity in the brain, enabling researchers to study brain function.

Pros of MRI •Precise imaging with powerful magnetic fields. •Gradient magnets highlight specific portions for scanning. •Sequenced scans enable focused examination without movement. •Versatile imaging from various angles and small increments. •Safe procedure with no long-term harm to individuals.

Cons of MRI •MRI machines are costly, ranging from lakhs to crores. •Patients bear high scan costs, around ₹10,000 or more. •Patients must lie still during scans, causing discomfort. •Claustrophobia may worsen during MRI scans. •Energy-intensive setup leads to expensive operation and loud noises.

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7. DRIP PRICING (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Centre recently warned about “drip pricing”, saying it can surprise consumers with “hidden charges” and advised them to seek assistance if they encounter such surges in charges on a product's MRP (maximum retail price).

Drip Pricing

• About: It is a strategy where only a portion of an item's cost is initially displayed, with the full amount revealed later during the purchase process.
• Withholding Charges: Charges often involve withholding essential fees like local taxes or booking charges, or omitting necessary add-ons like internet access or amenities, which may be required for product or service usage.
• Misleading Headline Prices: The price advertised, whether in print, email, or on a website (referred to as the “headline price”), may not accurately reflect the final cost to the consumer.
• Lower Initial Price: Companies prefer to present a lower initial price and later disclose mandatory fees to avoid alarming customers with unexpectedly high prices.
• Impact on Transparency: This technique can penalize sellers who are transparent with their pricing, as it obscures the true cost of a product or service and makes it harder for consumers to make informed decisions.
• Example of Drip Pricing: A classic example is the cost of an airplane ticket, which may not include baggage fees until later in the booking process.

How does it work?

• Psychological Commitment: The rationale for employing drip pricing is that shoppers who are invested in the shopping process may commit to a purchase once additional fees are revealed, even if they had not initially factored in.
• Reduced Shopping Friction: Businesses might employ a drip pricing tactic to attract customers into initiating the purchasing process, banking on the likelihood that once started, customers may be less inclined to restart their search upon discovering additional costs.

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8. COLORECTAL CANCER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: In a new study, a group of researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in the U.S. has identified a distinct subtype of the bacterium that’s found in relatively greater quantities in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumours.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

• Definition: Colorectal cancer is a disorder affecting the colon or rectum caused by abnormal growth of glandular cells.
• Types of CRC: There are three main types: sporadic, hereditary, and colitis-associated.
• Symptoms: Hemorrhoids, diarrhea, infection, or irritable bowel syndrome.
• Risk Factors: Both environmental and genetic factors play a role, with increased risk for those with long-standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
• Inflammation: Studies show diet, lifestyle, family history, and chronic inflammation are risk factors.
• Alarming Rise in Young Adults: While overall CRC incidence might be declining, early-onset CRC is increasing significantly, especially in people under 30.
• India Specific: CRC is the seventh most common cancer in India, with a 20% case increase from 2004 to 2014.

Fusobacterium nucleatum and Colon Cancer

• About: Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium normally found in the mouth, is surprisingly present in colon and rectal cancer tumors.
• Aiding Cancer Spread: The bacteria's presence in tumors helps cancer cells evade the immune system and metastasize (spread) to other organs.
• Genetic Link to Cancer: Studies suggest specific genetic factors in Fusobacterium might enhance its ability to associate with gut cancers.

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9. DAM SAFETY ACT, 2021 (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure)

Context: Recently, Tamil Nadu expressed dissatisfaction with the reconstituted Supervisory Committee's failure, despite its powers under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, to enforce dam strengthening and related works by Kerala.

Dam Safety Act, 2021

• About: A National Committee on Dam Safety is established to oversee dam safety policies and regulations.
• Implementation Authority: A National Dam Safety Authority is created for implementation and resolving dam safety disputes at the State level.
• National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS): Sets policies and recommends regulations.
• National Leadership: The Chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) heads national dam safety protocols.
• State-Level Bodies: Each state establishes a State Committee on Dam Safety (SCDS) and a State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO). (Example: Sikkim with SCDS formed on August 17, 2021).
• Dam Owners: These are accountable for safe construction, operation, maintenance, and supervision.

oMust establish a dam safety unit in each dam and conduct inspections before/after monsoon season, and after seismic events, floods, or distress signs.

• Functions of Dam Owners: Prepare emergency action plans, conduct risk assessments at regular intervals, and undertake comprehensive dam safety evaluations with expert panels.
• Offences and Penalties: Offenders obstructing or refusing to comply with directives may face imprisonment up to a year.

oLoss of Life: In cases involving loss of life, imprisonment for up to two years may be imposed.

Mullaperiyar Dam

• About: It was constructed during 1887-1895 and owned, operated, and maintained by Tamil Nadu Government.
• Location:  It is located in upper reaches of river Periyar, which flows into Kerala after originating in Tamil Nadu.
• The dam is erected at an elevation of 53.66 meters and spans a length of 365.85 meters.

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10. RTE ACT 2009 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Bombay High Court recently issued a stay on the Maharashtra government's February 9 notification exempting private schools within a one-kmradius of government or aided schools from RTE Act quota admissions until further orders.

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009

• Origin: It is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted on 4 August 2009.
• Objective: aims to provide primary education to all children aged 6 to 14 years in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution.
• Features

oCreating inclusive spaces for all: 25% reservation for disadvantaged groups which include SCs and STs, Socially Backward Class and differently abled. Five States namely Goa, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and Telangana have not issued notification regarding 25% seats for underprivileged children of society under the RTE.

oCompulsory and free education for all: It is obligatory for the Government to provide free and compulsory elementary education to each and every child, in a neighbourhood school within 1 km, up to class 8 in India.

oBenchmark mandate: Specifies standards and norms for Pupil Teacher Ratios (PTR), infrastructure and buildings, working days of the school and for the teachers.

oNo Detention Policy: It was introduced as a part of the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) under the Right to Education Act (RTE) in 2010.

oJusticiable: The Right to Education Act is justiciable and is backed by a Grievance Redressal (GR) mechanism that allows people to take action against non-compliance of provisions of the Right to Education Act 2009.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 21: Unnikrishnan JP vs State of Andhra Pradesh & Others (1993): SC held that Education is a Fundamental right under Article 21.
• Article 21A: 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002): It inserted Article 21A which made Right to Education a fundamental right for children between 6-14 years.
• Article 45: It states that the state should provide free and compulsory education to children up to the age of 14.

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