1. BROADCASTING SERVICES BILL, 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed expanded regulations for independent news creators on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and X, through the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024.

Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024

• Definition: The 2023 draft defined news and current affairs programmes as either newly-received or noteworthy content about recent socio-political, economic, or cultural events, or any programmes where context implies news.
• New Category: The 2024 draft introduces "digital news broadcaster" or "publisher of news and current affairs content," defined as any entity broadcasting news online through various platforms, excluding replica e-papers.
• Systematic Activity: The draft defines "systematic" activity as structured or organized efforts involving planning and persistence, potentially granting the government broad interpretative powers.
• Individual Creators: Unlike the 2021 IT Rules, which excluded individual users, the 2024 draft includes individual creators in the definition of digital news broadcasters.
• Committee Disclosure: News creators must disclose committee members to the government, with fines of Rs 50 lakh for first contraventions and Rs 2.5 crore for subsequent violations within three years. Exemptions are possible for genuine hardship.
• High Court Orders: Bombay and Madras High Courts stayed certain rules from the IT Rules 2021, which could impact digital news broadcasters if the Broadcasting Bill is enacted as currently written.
• Creator Obligations: Digital news broadcasters must notify the ministry of their existence, form content evaluation committees at their own expense, and strive for committee diversity. The 2024 draft lacks a subscriber/viewer threshold for these obligations.
• Government Rationale: Significant changes in the 2023 draft are attributed to independent creators' influence in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, aiming to ensure accountability and a level playing field between mainstream media and independent creators.

International Regulations on OTT and Broadcast Content

• Singapore: Both traditional broadcasters and OTT providers are regulated, requiring licenses, although with fewer obligations than traditional TV services.
• United States: The FCC regulates broadcast stations, but OTT platforms are not directly regulated by federal law.

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2. INDIAN HIMALAYAN RANGE (IHR) (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The Indian Himalayan Range (IHR) had a decadal urban growth rate of more than 40% from 2011 to 2021.

Indian Himalayan Range (IHR)

• Also known as: These are also known by other names such as Himadri, Himavan, and more.
• Composition: The Himalayan Range is the youngest mountain range in the world, primarily made up of uplifted sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
• States: 11 States and two Union Territories
• Boundaries: The Himalayas are bordered by the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges to the northwest, the Tibetan Plateau to the north, and the Indo-Gangetic Plains to the south.

o The southern boundary is well-defined by the foothills, whereas the northern boundary merges gradually with the Tibetan Plateau.

• River Origin: Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra
• Extent: The main Himalayan Range stretches over 2,500 km, from the Indus Gorge in the west to the Brahmaputra Gorge in the east.
• Width: These Ranges are wider in the west than in the east.
• Sub-Divisions: The IHR are divided into three main sections: Greater Himalayas, Inner or Middle Himalayas, and Shiwalik.

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3. CLOUDED LEOPARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: During a recent event marking International Clouded Leopard Day, the Mizoram governor highlighted the critical challenges facing wildlife conservation.

Clouded Leopard

• Habitat: Inhabits dense forests of the Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia into South China.
• Species: Includes the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi).
• Life Span: 12 to 15 years
• Geographic Range: Found in southern China, Bhutan, Nepal, northeast India, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Bangladesh.

o In India, it occurs in the states of Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as in the Meghalaya subtropical forests. 

o In Pakke Tiger Reserve, a clouded leopard was photographed in semi-evergreen forest.

• Preferred Environments: Primarily tropical evergreen rainforests but also found in dry tropical forests and mangrove swamps.
• Altitude: In the Himalayas, it is found at relatively high altitudes.
• Presence in India: Located in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• State Animal: Recognized as the State animal of Meghalaya.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Both species are classified as ‘Vulnerable’.

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4. BHOJ WETLAND (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Union Government recently affirmed that Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal, an international Ramsar site, is not at risk of being removed from the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance.

Bhoj Wetland

• Location: These lakes consist of two interconnected human-made reservoirs situated within Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• Reservoirs: It consists of two contiguous human-made reservoirs, the Upper and Lower Lakes.

o The Upper Lake is locally referred to as Bhojtal or Bada Talaab, while the Lower Lake is known as Chhota Talaab.

• Water Source: The Upper Lake is a major source of potable water for Bhopal.
• Biodiversity Richness: These lakes boast significant biodiversity, particularly concerning macrophytes, phytoplankton, and zooplankton.
• Diverse Fish Population: With over 15 different types of fish, the lakes are home to a variety of aquatic species, including vulnerable ones such as turtles, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates.
• Ramsar Designation: In 2002, these lakes were officially designated as Ramsar sites, recognizing their international importance for wetland conservation.

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5. RABINDRANATH TAGORE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: Rabindranath Tagore's name evokes deep emotions across India as the country marks his 83rd death anniversary.

Rabindranath Tagore

• Early Life: Born in Calcutta in 1861, he was a poet, philosopher, musician, playwright, and painter.
• Early Works: He released his first collection of poems under the pen name ‘Bhanusimha’ at 16 years of age.
• Influenced by: Classical poetry of Kalidasa and started writing his own classical poems.

o He published several books of poetry in the 1880s and completed Manasi (1890), a collection that marks the maturing of his genius.

• Nobel Prize Recognition: His poetry collection Gitanjali (Song Offerings) earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, making him the first non-European to receive this prestigious award.
• National Anthems: He wrote the National Anthems of India and Bangladesh.

o He wrote the song Banglar Mati Banglar Jol (Soil of Bengal, Water of Bengal) to unite the Bengali population after the Bengal partition in 1905.

o He also wrote the famed Amar Sonar Bangla, which helped ignite a feeling of nationalism amongst people.

• Founder: Tagore founded Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, West Bengal, in 1921.

Role in the Freedom Struggle

• Rakhi Utsav: He started the Rakhi Utsav where people from Hindu and Muslim communities tied colorful threads on each other’s wrists.
• Views on British Rule: He denounced British imperialism, yet he did not fully support or agree with Gandhi in the Non-cooperation Movement.
• Critique of Colonialism: He viewed British rule as a symptom of the overall “sickness” of the social “disease” of the public.
• Renunciation of Knighthood: He renounced the knighthood that had been given to him by Lord Hardinge in 1915 in protest of the violent Amritsar massacre in which the British killed unarmed Indian citizens.

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6. MPOX VIRUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: In response to the rapid spread of the monkeypox outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called an emergency meeting. The UN body may potentially classify the outbreak as a global emergency due to its severity.

MPOX Virus

• About: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus.
• Belongs to: Same family as the virus that causes smallpox.
• Origins: Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, originated from a spillover event in a research facility involving monkeys in 1958.
• Sporadic Outbreaks: Mpox has been identified in sporadic outbreaks among humans since the initial event in 1958.
• Genetic Adaptations: Mpox lineages have been circulating in humans, evolving through mutations modulated by APOBEC proteins.
• Virus Type: There are two main types of Monkeypox virus: Clade I and Clade II.

oClade I is endemic to Central Africa and is associated with more severe illness and higher mortality rates.

• Clade II is endemic to West Africa and generally causes less severe infections.
• Global Outbreak: The global outbreak of mpox in 2022-2023 affected over 118 countries, prompting the WHO to declare it a public health emergency.
• Causes: It is  a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.
• Transmission: Person-to-person transmission of mpox can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on genitals.
• Symptoms: It usually begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure. Symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.
• Treatment: Getting an mpox vaccine can help prevent infection.
• Vaccines: Three vaccines, initially developed for smallpox, have been approved for mpox prevention: MVA-BN, LC16, and OrthopoxVac.

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7. OVERNIGHT INDEX SWAP (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Economy)

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is currently reviewing the investment limit for foreign investors in the overnight index swap (OIS) market. This move aims to adjust regulatory frameworks and enhance market dynamics.

Overnight Index Swap

• Definition: An OIS is a derivative instrument where returns from a fixed rate asset are exchanged for a pre-determined published index of a daily overnight reference rate over an agreed period.
• Purpose: The primary goal of an OIS is to manage interest rate risk, particularly fluctuations in the overnight lending rate.

o Liquidity Indicator: The OIS-Libor credit spread reflects system liquidity.

o Wide Spread: A wider spread indicates tightening liquidity in the system.

o Narrow Spread: A narrower spread suggests better liquidity in the system.

• Rate Calculation: The OIS rate is calculated daily based on the average interest rate paid by institutions for overnight loans.
• OIS Work

o Functionality: Financial institutions use OIS to swap interest rates without refinancing or altering the terms of their existing loans.

o Swap Mechanism: In an OIS, one institution swaps a floating overnight interest rate, while the other swaps a fixed short-term rate. At the end of the agreement, the institution paying less interest compensates the other.

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8. FLYING RIVERS (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: The warming of the Indian Ocean is fueling atmospheric rivers, leading to severe flooding across India. 

Flying Rivers(FRs)

• Definition: Flying rivers, also known as atmospheric rivers (ARs), are long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics.
• Dimensions: An average FR measures about 2,000 km in length, 500 km in width, and nearly 3 km in depth.
• Role in Extratropical Cyclones: FRs are part of a larger system of extratropical cyclones that move heat and moisture from the tropics towards the poles.
• Location: FRs are typically situated within the low-level jet, a region of strong winds in the lower atmosphere.
• Major Freshwater Transport Mechanisms: These are the largest transport mechanisms of freshwater on Earth, accounting for 90% of the moisture transfer from the tropics to the poles.
• Features:

o Several thousand kilometers long and only a few hundred kilometers wide.

o Single one can carry a greater flux of water than Earth's largest river, the Amazon Rive.

• Formation:

o These are usually begin over tropical regions. Warm temperatures cause ocean water to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere. Strong winds help to carry the water vapor through the atmosphere.

o As atmospheric rivers move over land, the water vapor rises up farther into the atmosphere. It then cools into water droplets, which fall as precipitation.

• Impact on India: Seven of India's ten most severe monsoon floods between 1985 and 2020 were linked to ARs. Additionally, increased fog and haze in the Indo-Gangetic Plains have been connected to rising pollution and water vapor due to ARs.
• Effects on Snow Albedo: Declining snow albedo in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalayan mountain range is attributed to accelerated snow melting from increased rainfall.

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9. WAQF (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by the Union Minority Affairs Minister in the Lok Sabha, has been sent to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) following strong opposition, with critics alleging it targets the Muslim community.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Representation: The bill proposes the establishment of a Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards, which will include representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims.
• Mandatory Representation of Women: Two women will be appointed to all state boards and the central council as per the bill.
• District Collector as Arbiter: The bill aims to designate the District Collector as the authority to determine whether a property is Waqf property or government land, replacing the Waqf Tribunal's role from the 1995 Act.
• Separate Board for Bohras and Aghakhanis: The bill proposes the creation of a separate Board of Auqaf for the Boharas and Aghakhanis.
• Representation of Various Muslim Communities: The draft law ensures representation of Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, and Agakhanis in the Waqf Boards.
• Audit Powers to the Centre: The legislation provides the Centre with the authority to direct the audit of any Waqf by an auditor appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
• Requirement of a Valid Waqfnama: The bill mandates the need for a valid waqfnama (a deed or document expressing the intention to donate a property), replacing the existing law that allows property to be given as Waqf through an oral agreement.

Waqf

• About: It refers to any property dedicated solely for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. Once a property is declared waqf, it becomes irrevocable. 
• Status: Around 30 waqf boards in the country control properties spread over 9 lakh acres, with an estimated value of Rs 1.2 lakh crore. This makes the waqf boards the third-largest owner of land in India after the Railways and Defence Ministry.

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10. GURU GHASIDAS-TAMOR PINGLA TIGER RESERVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Chhattisgarh government has announced the establishment of a new tiger reserve, named Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve. 

Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve

• Location: It is located in the northern part of the state Chhattisgarh, bordering Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
• Area: It is spread across the combined areas of the Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh.
• Fauna: This area is home to various mammal species, including tigers, leopards, hyenas, jackals, wolves, sloth bears, barking deer, chinkara, and chital.
• Rivers: It serves as the origin of significant rivers such as Hasdeo Gopad and Baranga and a catchment area for rivers like Neur, Bijadhur, Banas, Rehand, and numerous smaller rivers and rivulets.
• Reserve Status: This will be the fourth Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh, after the Udanti-Sitanadi, Achanakmar, and Indravati Reserves.
• Guru Ghasidas National Park: It connects Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh and provides a corridor for tigers to move between the Bandhavgarh and Palamau Tiger Reserves.
• Historical Context: It was originally part of the Sanjay Dubri National Park; Guru Ghasidas Park was created as a separate entity in Chhattisgarh’s Sarguja region after the formation of the state in 2001.

Guru Ghasidas: He was the Guru of the Satnam Dharma, a Satnami Saint and a great Scholar from Chhattisgarh in the early 19th century. It was Guru Ghasidas who started preaching in a deep forested part of Chhattisgarh.

• He is the founder of the Satnami community in Chhattisgarh and also Satnam religion.
• During his lifetime, the political atmosphere in India was one of exploitation. Ghasidas experienced the evils of the caste system in the early age, which helped him to understand the social dynamics in a caste-ridden society and rejecting social inequality.

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