Monthly Current Compendium

                JUNE 2024

Section – A (Current Affairs)

Phenome India Project

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced the successful conclusion of the first phase of its groundbreaking longitudinal health monitoring project, the ‘Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase’ (PI-CheCK).
• For the first time, a pan-India longitudinal study is being conducted with an aim to develop an enhanced prediction model for cardio-metabolic disease, especially diabetes, liver diseases and cardiac diseases.
• Such a study is vital as these diseases have both genetic and lifestyle factors that contribute to risk
• The study managed to cross their target of 10,000 samples

Know! about the PI-CHeCK project

• Launched on 7th December 2023, the PI-CHeCK project aims to assess risk factors in non-communicable (cardio-metabolic) diseases within the Indian populace.
• This unique initiative has already enrolled nearly 10,000 participants, who have volunteered to provide comprehensive health data.
• These participants include CSIR employees, pensioners, and their spouses from across 17 states and 24 cities.
• The collected data encompasses a wide range of parameters, including clinical questionnaires, lifestyle and dietary habits, anthropometric measurements, imaging/scanning data, and extensive biochemical and molecular data.

Importance of longitudinal health monitoring

• It is important to understand the mechanisms which underlie the increasing risk and incidence of cardio metabolic disorders in Indian population and develop new strategies for risk stratification, prevention and management of these major diseases.
• Currently, most of these risk prediction algorithms are based on epidemiological data from Caucasian populations and there is evidence that they may be not very accurate for the Indian population due to ethnic diversity, varied genetic make-up and lifestyle patterns including dietary habits. It is therefore, important that India-specific risk prediction algorithms are developed.
• By generating a comprehensive phenome database tailored to the Indian population, the project aims to catalyze similar initiatives across the country, thereby ensuring that risk prediction algorithms are more accurate and representative of India’s diverse genetic and lifestyle landscape.

intraoperative Ultrasound (iUS)

• The Neurosurgery department at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, recently procured a state-of-the art intraoperative Ultrasound (iUS) machine for performing complex brain tumour surgeries.

Know! about iUS

• iUS is cost -efficient and with appropriate training, can become an important adjunct in the neurosurgeon’s armamentarium.
• The bKActiv machine, which was recently acquired by the department is the first installation of this advanced iUS system in the country.
• Intraoperative imaging is crucial for safely and accurately removing intrinsic brain tumours.
• Combined with navigational aids (which is like a surgical GPS system), the iUS machine allows neurosurgeons to precisely track tumour remnants.
• Further, when combined with brain mapping techniques like awake surgery, they enable removal of tumours radically, even near critical functioning brain regions.

Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya

• The Department of School Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, signed an MoU with the National Book Trust under the aegis of Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education in New Delhi to create an institutional framework for the Digital Library Platform, Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya.
• The Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya will be available round-the-clock, irrespective of the geographic location of the readers, making the books more accessible to them.
• A first-of-its-kind digital library, Rashtriya e-Pustakalya, will seek to instil a lifelong love of reading among Indian children and youth by offering over 1,000 non-academic books to children and adolescents published by over 40 reputed publishers in more than 22 languages besides English.
• It will be aimed at facilitating the availability of quality books across geographies, languages, genres, and levels and providing device-agnostic accessibility for children and adolescents in the country.
• The books will be categorized by four age groups, as per NEP 2020, for readers aged 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years.

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77th World Health Assembly

• The 77^thWorld Health Assembly agreed to the package of amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) based on 300 proposals made by member countries after the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The targeted amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) aim at improving countries’ ability to prepare for and respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) and Pandemic Emergencies (PE).
• They include provisions for facilitating equitable access to relevant health products during PHEIC and PE, as well as mobilizing financial resources to support developing countries in building, strengthening, and maintaining the core capacities required under the IHR (2005).
• The 77th World Health Assembly also approved a draft resolution to make organ donations, including those using tissues and human cells, more available around the world.

Organ Donation Draft Highlights

• It wants to make it easier for people in both poor and developed countries to get one.
• The resolution asks member states to come up with a global plan to improve organ transplants. This plan will be put into action in 2026.
• The target of the draft is narrowed even more by calling for donations after both neurological and, if necessary, circulatory death.
• This dual approach method aims to get the most out of the organs that are available while still following medical and moral standards.
• Countries are being pushed to make organ transplantation a normal part of their national healthcare systems, with donations from the dead being a normal part of this.

Know! about WHA

• The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the forum through which the World Health Organization (WHO) is governed by its 194 member states.
• It is the world’s highest health policy-setting body and is composed of health ministers from member states.
• The members of the WHA generally meet every year in May in Geneva at the Palace of Nations, the location of WHO Headquarters.
• The main tasks of the WHA are to decide major policy questions, as well as to approve the WHO work programme and budget and elect its Director-General (every fifth year) and annually to elect ten members to renew part of its executive board.
• Its main functions are to determine the policies of the Organization, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.

Artemis program

• NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating to develop a standardized time system for the moon as part of the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface. The initiative addresses the need for a unified timekeeping system to coordinate missions from different countries and private entities.
• The Artemis program is intended to reestablish a human presence on the Moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 moon mission in 1972.
• The program’s stated long-term goal is to establish a permanent base on the Moon to facilitate human missions to Mars.
• Two principal elements of the Artemis program are derived from the now-cancelled Constellation program: the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (as a reincarnation of Ares V).

Importance of a Unified Lunar Time System

• With many lunar missions planned, including those by China, India, and private companies, the absence of a standardized time zone on the moon poses logistical challenges. “A common lunar time system is essential for ensuring the successful operation and coordination of these missions,”

Challenges in Establishing a Lunar Time Zone

Lunar Day-Night Cycle

• The moon’s day-night cycle, lasting about 29.5 Earth days, complicates timekeeping. Unlike Earth’s 24-hour day, this prolonged cycle necessitates a different approach to maintaining a consistent time reference.

Lack of Natural Timekeeping Reference

• Earth’s time zones are based on its rotation, divided into 24 hours. The moon lacks a similar natural reference point, requiring the creation of a new timekeeping system from scratch.

Coordinating International Missions

• Achieving consensus on a standardized time zone that meets the needs of various international and private missions is challenging. Different missions may have varying requirements and preferences for timekeeping

Technical Synchronization

• Implementing precise navigation and communication systems to maintain accurate timekeeping across different lunar missions is complex. All equipment and systems must be compatible with the new time zone.

Communication Delays

• The communication delay between Earth and the moon, about 1.28 seconds each way, must be considered to ensure accurate coordination and operation of missions.

Operational Practicalitie

• Adapting the new time zone for daily operations, including scheduling activities and coordinating with Earth-based teams, requires thorough planning and testing.

Data Management

• Converting data between Earth time and lunar time could pose challenges, requiring robust software and systems to handle time conversions seamlessly.

Potential Solutions

• One proposed solution is to base the lunar time zone on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), providing a consistent reference for all lunar activities. Another approach involves creating a new time scale specifically tailored to the moon’s environment and operational requirements.

Future Steps

• NASA and ESA are working on technologies to ensure accurate timekeeping and synchronization for lunar missions. These efforts are crucial for the success of the Artemis program and future lunar exploration. “The synchronization of time will be vital for various aspects of lunar operations, including navigation, communication, and scientific experiments
• The Artemis program, led by NASA, aims to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024. Establishing a lunar time zone is a significant step towards fostering international collaboration and ensuring the success of multi-national lunar missions.

JADES-GS-z14-0

• The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered not one but two of the earliest and most distant galaxies ever seen, continuing to break the records it previously set.
• The furthest galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0, is seen as it was around 300 million years after the Big Bang, existing at least 100 million years earlier than the previous record holder. That means that the light the JWST saw from this primordial galaxy has been traveling for 13.5 billion years on its way to reach us.
• JADES-GS-z14-0 isn’t alone, either. It was discovered along with another galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-1, that is almost as far away and takes second place in the ranking of the earliest galaxies ever seen by humanity.

Know! about JWST

• The James Webb Space Telescope, also called Webb or JWST, is a large, space-based observatory.
• The telescope was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in December, 2021.
• The telescope is optimized for infrared wavelengths, which complements and extends the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope.
• It has longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity, compared to the Hubble telescope.
• The longer wavelengths will enable Webb to look further back in time to find the first galaxies that formed in the early Universe and to look inside dust clouds where stars and planetary systems are forming today.
• Webb is also designed to study the Solar System’s planets – Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune – and their satellites.
• It also studies comets, asteroids, and minor planets at or beyond the orbit of Mars.

Somalia with UN Security Council seat

• Somalia has won a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council – hailed as a significant step for the war-torn nation.
• It will be the first time the country, which descended into civil war more than 30 years ago, has held the position since the 1970s.
• There are 10 rotating non-permanent members on the council, along with the five permanent members – the US, the UK, France, China and Russia.
• To win a seat, which can carry influence in world affairs, a country needs to secure the support of at least two thirds of the General Assembly delegations that are voting.
• Somalia was elected along with Denmark, Greece, Pakistan and Panama to serve for two years from January next year.
• It bagged the seat allocated to the East Africa region unopposed and went on to win 179 votes in a secret ballot in the 193-member General Assembly.

Somalia Civil War

• Somalia has also been battling the Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which still controls large parts of the country.
• The al-Qaeda-allied fighters want to topple the central government and establish their own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
• In recent months, the government has intensified its fight against the group as foreign troops withdraw and pass the baton on to the Somali army.

Tele MANAS

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to facilitate collaboration between the two ministries in operating a special cell of Tele MANAS, the National Telemental Health Helpline of MoHFW, as a pilot project for a period of two years at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune.
• Tele MANAS is the digital extension of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), offering comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive 24/7 tele-mental health services.
• The initiative provides toll-free number, 14416, in each State and Union Territory (UT) for easy access to mental health support.
• Currently, there are 51 operational Tele MANAS cells functioning across all 36 States and UTs, offering services in 20 different languages.
• Since its launch in October 2022, Tele MANAS has received over 10 lakh calls and is managing more than 3,500 calls daily.
• The data indicate a significant demand for mental health services and underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues comprehensively and inclusively, particularly in specialized contexts like the Armed Forces.

18^th  General Lok Sabha Election Highlights

• General elections were held in India from 19 April to 1 June 2024 in seven phases, to elect all 543 members of the Lok Sabha. Votes were counted and the result was declared on 4 June to form the 18th Lok Sabha. The legislative assembly elections in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim were held simultaneously with the general election, along with the by-elections for 25 constituencies in 12 legislative assemblies.
• More than 968 million people out of a population of 1.4 billion people were eligible to vote, equivalent to 70 percent of the total population.642 million voters participated in the election and 312 million of them were women, making it the highest-ever participation by women voters. This was the largest-ever election, surpassing the previous election, and lasted 44 days, second only to the 1951–52 Indian general election.
• The Election Commission of India declared results for all the 543 Lok Sabha seats that went to the polls from April 19 to June 1. While the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Indian parliament) has 543 seats, the counting was held for 542 as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Surat, Gujarat was elected unopposed.
• The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formed the next government as the ruling party and its allies garnered a total of 292 votes.  However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP failed to cross the 272 majority mark and needed the support of allies to form the government. The ruling party won 303 and 282 seats in the general elections in 2019 and 2014, respectively.
• Meanwhile, the main opposition INDIA bloc, led by the Indian National Congress (INC), fought tough and won 234 seats. INC managed to get 99 seats compared to 52 it won in 2019. It was also the highest number of seats that the grand old party bagged since 2014. The Samajwadi Party (SP), a part of the INDIA bloc, won 37 seats, the third-highest overall after BJP and Congress.  The party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, also emerged as the single-largest party in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh which has 80 parliamentary constituencies, the highest in the country.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Final Results: Full List

Bonn Climate Conference 2024

• The 60th Session of UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies, also called the Bonn Climate Change Conference, commenced on June 3, 2024 in the German city.
• Bonn talks are the key mid-point in the journey from COP28 in Dubai to COP29 in Azerbaijan to be held later this year.
• Discussions in Bonn focused on the elements necessary to operationalize the carbon markets.
• Discussions on carbon markets at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) fora are grouped under Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.
• At 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC in Dubai in 2023, governments failed to reach any agreement on addressing various elements of the framework for market mechanisms under both Articles.

Know! about Emergence of New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)

• The NCQG’s goal is to get developed countries to promise to give money to poor countries so that they can take action on climate change. At the conference, differences between developed and developing countries were brought to light, especially when it came to the NCQG’s financial standards and structures.
• The European Union pushed for a more diverse approach to funding, but the G77 and China, which form the largest group of developing countries, stressed the need for a big, needs-based goal that would be mostly paid for by public funds from developed countries.

Human-made wetlands Nagi & Nakti recognised under Ramsar Convention

• The Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries have been recognised as the wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• These sanctuaries are built on human-made wetlands and provide a natural habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, especially flocks of birds.
• Both these wetlands are deemed as protected areas situated in Bihar’s Jamui district.
• With their inclusion in the Ramsar Convention, the total number of such wetlands in India has risen to 82.
• It is important to note that the Kanwar Lake in Begusarai district was designated as Bihar’s first Ramsar Site in 2020.
• Ramsar Convention is an international convention to conserve wetlands and was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.

World Environment Day

• The 51st edition of World Environment Day was a record-breaker, with an unprecedented 3,854 official events and tens of millions of people joining the conversation online.
• The celebration helped raise the profile of land degradation, desertification and drought, while showcasing the potential of ecosystem restoration.
• It also united world leaders, artists, celebrities, astronauts, school children and a chorus of others in a call to protect and restore the Earth.
• This year’s World Environment Day campaign focused on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience under the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.”
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted the 2024 World Environment Day global celebrations.

World Environment Day Genesis

• World Environment Day was established in 1972 by the United Nations at the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment (5–16 June 1972), that had resulted from discussions on the integration of human interactions and the environment. One year later, in 1973, the first WED was held with the theme “Only One Earth”

Trishna

• In a major boost to global efforts to monitor and mitigate climate change, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is collaborating with the French Space Agency CNES on an ambitious new satellite mission called Trishna.

Know! about Trishna

• Short for Thermal infraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural resource Assessment, Trishna is engineered to deliver high spatial and temporal resolution observations of Earth’s surface temperature, vegetation health, and water cycle dynamics.
• Slated for launch in 2025, Trishna will be a game-changer in using space-based thermal infrared imaging to study the impacts of climate change and support sustainable management of precious natural resources like water.
• Trishna’s primary objectives are to monitor the energy and water budgets of the continental biosphere, quantifying terrestrial water stress and water use efficiency. It will also provide high-resolution observations of coastal and inland water quality dynamics.
• The 770 kg satellite will operate from a sun-synchronous orbit at 761 km altitude, carrying two cutting-edge imaging payloads.
• The Thermal Infrared (TIR) instrument developed by CNES will map surface temperatures and emissivities across four thermal bands.
• ISRO’S Visible-Shortwave Infrared (VSWIR) sensor will complement this with observations across 7 spectral bands for vegetation monitoring.
• The high-quality data from Trishna will directly contribute to tackling some of the biggest climate challenges facing humanity. In agriculture, it will help optimize irrigation, improve crop productivity, and enable sustainable water management practices.
• Urban planners will benefit from detailed urban heat island mapping, while water resource managers can monitor pollution in rivers, lakes and coastal areas. The mission will also support sectors like disaster management by detecting forest fires and volcanic activity.

NPCI International and the Central Reserve Bank of Peru Partner to Develop UPI-Like Real-Time Payments System in Peru

• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) have announced a partnership to enable the deployment of a UPI-like real-time payments system in Peru.
• This collaboration marks a significant milestone, making Peru the first country in South America to adopt the globally renowned Unified Payment Interface (UPI) technology—a symbol of India’s pioneering excellence in digital payments.
• Last month, NIPL entered into an agreement with the Bank of Namibia to develop an instant payments system akin to UPI.
• The development comes as the RBI and NPCI are expanding the presence of UPI to other global regions.
• According to the RBI’s annual report for 2023-24, the central bank, along with NPCI, plans to introduce UPI in 20 countries, with an initial timeline of 2024-25 and a completion timeline of 2028-29.
• Currently, UPI systems are being used in France, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the UAE, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, among others. In India, the homegrown payments system set a record in May by processing 14.04 billion transactions, compared to 13.3 billion in April.

Know! about NPCI International

• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) was incorporated on April 3, 2020, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• As NPCI’s international arm, NIPL is devoted to deploying NPCI’s indigenous, successful real-time payment system—Unified Payments Interface (UPI)—and card scheme (RuPay) outside of India.
• NPCI has successfully developed and proved its products and technological capabilities in the domestic market by transforming the payment segment in India.
• Currently, there are several countries that seek to establish a real-time payment system or a domestic card scheme.
• NIPL, with its knowledge and experience, can offer these countries technological assistance through licensing and consulting for building real-time payment systems to meet the rapidly evolving needs of fast-growing global businesses.
• NIPL focuses on transforming payments across the globe through technology and innovation.
• It will not only enable payments for Indians but also support other countries by enhancing their payment capabilities using technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure.

SPARSH [System for Pension Administration (Raksha)]

• Defence Accounts Department (DAD), Ministry of Defence has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Bank of India, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank in New Delhi to onboard them as SPARSH [System for Pension Administration (Raksha)] Service Centres across 1,128 branches of the four banks across the country.
• The MoUs will provide last-mile connectivity to pensioners, especially in remote areas where they do not have technical wherewithal to log on to SPARSH.
• These Service Centres will become an interface for pensioners for SPARSH, providing an effective medium to update their profile; register grievances; digital annual identification; data verification, besides fetching detailed information regarding their monthly pension. The access to these centres would be provided free of cost, with nominal service charges being borne by the DAD.
• With these MoUs, SPARSH Services would now be available at over 26,000 branches of a total of 15 banks across the country.

Know! about SPARSH

• SPARSH is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence which aims to provide comprehensive solution to the defence pensioners.
• It is a fundamental change in managing defence pensions as it focuses on bringing in efficiency, responsiveness and transparency.

Gudleppa Hallikeri Award for 2024

• The veteran writer Siddalinga Pattanashetti has been selected for the prestigious Gudleppa Hallikeri Award for 2024.
• This declaration was made by the Gudleppa Hallikeri Memorial Foundation based in Hosaritti, Haveri District.
• The award, set to be presented on June 6 at a ceremonial event, includes a monetary prize of ₹25,000 and a memento.
• Siddhalinga Pattanashetti becomes the 19th distinguished individual to receive this honour, as stated by Veeranna Chekki, trustee of the Gudleppa Hallikeri Memorial Foundation.

Know! about the Award

• People who have made important contributions to literature, society, or social service are recognized with the Gudleppa Hallikeri Award.
• It was named for a famous freedom fighter named Gudleppa Hallikeri who believed in the same things that Mahatma Gandhi did.

WSIS+20 Forum

• Additional Secretary (Telecom) led a delegation at ITU Geneva, for the WSIS+20 (World Summit on the Information Society) Forum High-Level Event 2024 and ‘AI for Good’ Global Summit from 27 to 31 May 2024.
• The event was co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD and co-hosted by ITU and the Swiss Confederation, with the support of remote participation.
• India is leading in drafting global standards for responsible and trustworthy AI, and the TEC (Standard’s body of DoT, India) has released a Standard for assessing and rating fairness in AI Systems.
• India took over the baton of hosting WTSA 2024 in New Delhi from 15-24 October 2024 during the AI for Good Global Summit at ITU Geneva and extended a warm invitation to the foreign delegates from across the globe to attend the upcoming WTSA in New Delhi. It was followed by launch of host country website of WTSA 2024 (https://www.delhiwtsa24.in/)

World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024

• The WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 will mark a significant milestone of twenty years of progress made in the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, which took place in two phases — Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005.
• Twenty years ago WSIS set the framework for global digital cooperation with a vision to build people-centric, inclusive, and development-oriented information and knowledge societies.
• The WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 will serve as a platform for multistakeholder discussions with the objective to take stock of the achievements and key trends, challenges and opportunities since the Geneva Plan of Action in 2003.

World’s largest grain storage

• The National Level Coordination Committee (NLCC) for the World’s largest grain storage plan held its maiden meeting in the Ministry of Cooperation, New Delhi
• Ministry of Cooperation, along with Secretary (Agriculture and Farmers Welfare), Secretary (Food and Public Distribution), Secretary (Food Processing Industries), MD (NCDC) held the first meeting with Food Corporation of India (FCI), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD, WDRA and other stakeholders.
• The committee reviewed the status of implementation of its pilot project in 11 States, which was initiated last year.
• The Plan envisages creation of various agricultural infrastructure at PACS level, including warehouses, custom hiring center, processing units, Fair Price Shops, etc. through convergence of various existing schemes of the Government of India (GoI), such as, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI), Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME) etc.
• The Pilot project has been implemented by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) with the support of NABARD, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS) in coordination with States/ UTs concerned.

PM Modi Takes Oath as Prime Minister for the Third Time

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath for the third time, along with 72 ministers of his new cabinet. He has become the first three-term Prime Minister since Congress stalwart Jawaharlal Nehru. In the new coalition government, besides Narendra Modi, 30 Cabinet Ministers, five Ministers of State (Independent Charge), and 36 Ministers of State were administered the oath of secrecy and office by President Droupadi Murmu.

Portfolios of Council of Ministers in PM Modi 3.0 govt 

The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed the allocation of portfolios among the following members of the Union Council of Ministers:-

 CABINET MINISTERS

 MINISTERS OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)

MINISTERS OF STATE

Command and Control Compatibility Board

• The first Command and Control Compatibility Board (CCCB) meeting for 2024 between India and the U.S. was held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
• The meeting had participation of a 29 member United States and a 38-member Indian delegation

Know! about CCCB

• The CCCB is the Technical Expert Group formed under Article XI of the Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) between India and USA, and is held twice a year.
• After signing of the historic agreement in September 2018, this is the seventh such meeting between both nations to calibrate, reinforce, and achieve steady progress in the bilateral Defence partnership.

Know! about COMCASA

• The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) is a bilateral agreement between the United States and India. It aims tosecure effective communication between government entities in the two countries and between the two countries’ militaries.

Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme

• India has taken a crucial step towards demand creation of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives in the country.
• Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued Request for Selection (RfS) for Selection of Green Ammonia Producers for the production of Green Ammonia in India through cost-based competitive bidding under Mode 2A of Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme of the National Green Hydrogen Mission being implemented by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• The bidding for a total available capacity of 5.39 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT)/annum of Green Ammonia intended for production and supply will be carried out through e-bidding followed by e-Reverse Auction process.
• Green Ammonia produced will be supplied to the fertilizer companies.

Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT)

• MNRE had earlier issued the Scheme Guidelines for implementation of SIGHT Programme – Component II: Incentive for Procurement of Green Ammonia Production (under Mode2A) of the NGHM.
• The primary goal of the scheme is to boost the production of Green Ammonia in India, aiming to enhance its cost competitiveness compared to fossil-based alternatives and promoting large-scale utilization.
• The financial backing for this initiative will be sourced from the budget allocated to the National Hydrogen Mission Head.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is set to spearhead the implementation of this scheme through the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), serving as the implementing agency.
• SECI will play a pivotal role in aggregating demand and initiating a competitive bidding process for the production and supply of Green Ammonia, with incentives being a key factor in the selection process.
• Under Mode 2A of the scheme, SECI will aggregate demand and call for bids, ensuring the production and supply of Green Ammonia at the lowest cost through a competitive selection process.
• The implementation of the scheme will be transparent and subject to a rigorous selection process, overseen by MNRE and executed by SECI.
• SECI’s responsibilities include the examination of applications, issuance of acknowledgments and letters of award, verification of incentive disbursement claims, and submission of quarterly progress reports to MNRE.

Know! about National Green Hydrogen Mission

• The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched on 4th January 2023 with an outlay of Rs. 19,744 crores up to FY 2029-30.
• It will contribute to India’s goal to become Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) through clean energy and serve as an inspiration for the global clean energy transition.
• The Mission will lead to significant decarbonization of the economy, reduced dependence on fossil fuel imports, and enable India to assume technology and market leadership in Green Hydrogen.

Know! about Green Ammonia

• Ammonia is typically produced by combining hydrogen and nitrogen through a method known as the Haber-Bosch process. This so-called “brown ammonia” uses fossil fuels both to provide the hydrogen and the energy source. Each tonne of ammonia produced releases about 2 tonnes of greenhouse gas.
• Green ammonia, by contrast, relies on renewable energy, and derives its hydrogen from water and its nitrogen from air. This form of ammonia production is typically more expensive but is becoming cheaper, not least as renewable energy prices fall.

World Accreditation Day

• Quality Council of India (QCI) celebrated World Accreditation Day across more than 20 cities in India.
• The event theme – Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future’
• Both NABL and NABCB constitute the accreditation infrastructure in India and are signatories to the Multilateral Recognition Arrangements of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).
• NABL has over 8000 accredited labs and NABCB has over 260 accredited CABs (Conformity Assessment Bodies).’
• The Quality Council of India, established in 1997 by the Government of India and the Indian industry, is the apex organisation in India responsible for establishing and operating the third-party national accreditation system, improving quality across sectors and advising the government and other stakeholders on all matters concerning quality.

Know! about World Accreditation Day

• 9 June 2024, marks World Accreditation Day (#WAD2024), a global initiative established by The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) to promote the value of accreditation.

Sindhu Shikhar

• Sindhu Shikharcar rally from Delhi to Leh and back was flagged off by VAdm Sanjay Bhalla, the Chief of Personnel on 10 Jun 24 from New Delhi.
• The main objective of the expedition is to spread awareness aboutthe rich maritime heritage of India and maritime consciousness in the northern states. 
• The expedition consisting of 40 naval personnel will cover a distance of 3637 km over 18 days traversing through remote regions.
• The expedition will be a major milestone in achieving outreach activities by Indian Navy

AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0’ and 5^th edition of  Innovations for You  handbook launched

• Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog (AIM) proudly announces the launch of two groundbreaking initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and sustainability in India: the ‘AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0’ and the fifth edition of ‘Innovations for You’ handbook, spotlighting SDG entrepreneurs of India.

ICDK Water Challenge 4.0

• In collaboration with the Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) at the Royal Danish Embassy in India, AIM presents the fourth edition of the open innovation water challenge.
• This initiative, a cornerstone of the Indo-Danish bilateral green strategic partnership, endeavors to address critical water-related challenges through inventive solutions.
• The selected teams will form the Indian cohort which will participate in the global Next Generation Digital Action program and engage with young talents from leading universities and innovation hubs of 9 countries (India, Denmark, Ghana, Kenya, Korea, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, Colombia and Mexico).

SDG entrepreneurs of India

• NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has launched the fifth edition of the “Innovations For You – SDG Entrepreneurs of India” initiative.
• This groundbreaking program aims to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs to develop solutions that address critical challenges and drive positive change towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The program provides a platform for passionate students and startups to showcase their innovative ideas and solutions that contribute to sustainable development.
• NITI Aayog’s collaboration with the Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) at the Royal Danish Embassy in India, further enhances the program’s reach and impact, fostering international cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
• The challenge invites entries under two tracks: One for the students and the other for the young entrepreneurs both under the age of 35.
• The Young Entrepreneurs track presents an exciting opportunity for Indian technology start-ups in the early stages to accelerate their ideas and form global partnerships

JIMEX – 24

• Indian Navy’s indigenous Stealth Frigate INS Shivalik arrived at Yokosuka, Japan to participate in the bilateral Japan – India Maritime Exercise 2024 (JIMEX 24).
• This is the eighth edition of JIMEX, since its inception in 2012.
• The exercise includes both harbour and sea phases.
• TheIN is being represented by INS Shivalik and the JMSDF is being represented by the Guided Missile Destroyer JS Yugiri.
• JIMEX 24 provides an opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices and facilitates operational interactions betweenIN and JMSDF to foster mutual cooperation and reaffirm their shared commitment towards maritime security in the Indo – Pacific.

LSAM 13 (Yard 81)

• The launch of‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 13 (Yard 81)’, the fifth Barge of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam for Indian Navy
• The availability of these Barges would provide impetus to operational commitments ofIN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
• These Barges are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulation of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
• The model testing of the Barge during design stage were undertaken at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
• These Barges are proud flag bearers ofMake in India initiative of Government of India (GoI).

National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT)

• NHAIhas unveiled a new corporate identity with the launch of a logo of its Infrastructure Investment Trust, National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT).

Know! about National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT)

• The Trust was registered with SEBI on October 28, 2020, under Regulation 3(1) of the InvIT Regulations and has obtained a certificate of registration from SEBI
• National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT), the Infrastructure Investment Trust sponsored by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was set up in 2021 to support Government of India’s National Monetization Pipeline
• The Trust is an infrastructure investment trust established for making investments in special purpose vehicles
• IDBI Trusteeship Services Limited is the Trustee to the Trust.
• National Highways Infra Investment Managers Private Limited was incorporated as a private limited company on July 25, 2020, under the Companies Act, 2013.
• NHIIMPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NHAI. NHIIMPL has been appointed as the Investment Manager to the NHAI InvIT by IDBI Trusteeship Services Ltd
• NHIT today has 190 investors and over 12,000 retail bond holders of its Non-Convertible Debentures.
• It operates a diversified portfolio of fifteen toll roads with an aggregate length of approximately 1,525 kilometres, spread across nine states
• The new corporate identity will help NHIT to establish itself as a leading player in the InvIT space, playing a critical role in channelizing financial capital for further development of National Highway network across the country.

ATL Tinkerpreneur 2024

• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, announces the commencement of applications for the prestigious ‘ATL Tinkerpreneur 2024’-a flagship summer boot camp under AIM’s Atal Tinkering Labs program. This boot camp is now open to all schools across India including non ATL schools.
• ATL Tinkerpreneur 2024 promises to be a transformative experience for participating students.
• Over a span of 40 days, from June to July, participants will embark on a virtual journey aimed at equipping them with essential digital skills and frameworks.
• By the end of the boot camp, students will have the tools and knowledge to conceptualize and develop their own online ventures.
• Registered teams will benefit from dedicated mentoring throughout the boot camp period by AIM’s dedicated mentors across the country under ‘Mentor India Initiative’.
• From June 20th to July 25th, students can engage in expert sessions covering digital, product, and entrepreneurship skills, supplemented by tailored handholding sessions for a more focused approach.

Global Health Strategies (GHS)

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) organized a workshop on ‘Science and Technology Communication’ in collaboration with Global Health Strategies (GHS)
• The CSIR-NIScPR is a constituent laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• The organized workshop is a one-of-a-kind initiative that brought together science communicators, scientists and educators from various backgrounds to discuss how scientists and researchers can interact with the media and use social media platforms to communicate technical evidence and research in simpler terms.

Know! about Global Health Strategies (GHS)

• Global Health Strategies (GHS) is an international organization that raises awareness and provides high-level support for public health challenges facing emerging economies across the globe.
• GHS has been working to engage civil society, champions, senior editors, technical experts, development partners and prominent networks to highlight the importance of focusing on the health of mothers and children.
• GHS has conducted various advocacy activities, roundtable meetings, workshops and field visits to build awareness and action around RMNCH+A and Nutrition issues.

IGNCA signs MoU with Sansad TV

• To make Indian art and culture more accessible to the people, an important agreement has been signed between the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and Sansad TV.
• Under this, programmes produced by IGNCA will be telecast on Sansad TV and Sansad TV will also be able to use the content from IGNCA’s cultural archives.

Know! about Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts

• Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi is a premier government-funded arts organization in India. It is an institute under the Union Ministry of Culture1
• The Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts was launched on 19 November 1985 by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Objectives

• to serve as a major resource centre for Indian arts, especially written, oral and visual source materials
• to conduct research on the arts and humanities, and to publish reference works, glossaries, dictionaries and encyclopedia[
• to establish a tribal and folk arts division with a core collection for conducting systematic scientific studies and live presentations
• to provide a forum for dialogue through performances, exhibitions, multi-media projections, conferences, seminars and workshops on traditional and contemporary Indian arts
• to foster dialogue between the arts and current ideas in philosophy, science and technology, with a view toward bridging the gap in intellectual understanding between modern sciences and arts and culture
• to evolve models of research programmes and arts administration pertinent to the Indian ethos
• to elucidate the formative and dynamic factors in the complex web of interactions between diverse social strata, communities and regions
• to interact with other national and international institutions
• to conduct related research in the arts, humanities and culture

AIM’s Student Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) 

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with La Fondation Dassault Systemes India celebrated the culmination of its flagship program for school students, ‘Made in 3D – Seed the Future Entrepreneurs’ under AIM’s Student Entrepreneurship Program (SEP)season – 2023-24
• This event marked the conclusion of an eight-month journey dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among young minds.
• The season 2023-24 of this program witnessed a special focus on connecting students with Krishi Vigyan Kendras, resulting in a significant number of projects centered around the rural ecosystem theme.
• From 140 schools across India, the top 12 teams showcased remarkable innovation in product design and demonstrated a keen understanding of finance, business, and marketing strategies in their start-up pitches.

Know! more about the programme

• The Programme is jointly organized by AIM, NITI Aayog, and La Fondation Dassault Systemes’ to instill an innovation and entrepreneurship mindset among school students across India.
• Top-performing teams from the ATL Marathon conducted by AIM are nominated to participate in this prestigious program.
• In this program selected schools form a team of six students and a teacher to form a pseudo startup.
• As a startup, the students have to identify a dream product to address challenges they see around them, design it using 3D digital technology, manufacture it, and create a marketing campaign which consists of a product brochure, product advertisement video and pricing strategy.

WHO Designates CCRAS-NIIMH, Hyderabad as Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine Research

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, a unit under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush as a WHO Collaborating Centre (CC) for “Fundamental and Literary Research in Traditional Medicine” (CC IND-177).
• Established in 1956, NIIMH, Hyderabad, is a unique institution dedicated to documenting and showcasing medico-historical research in Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homoeopathy, Biomedicine, and other related healthcare disciplines in India.
• The Institute has been a pioneer in various digital initiatives of Ayush, including the AMAR Portal, which catalogues 16,000 Ayush manuscripts, featuring 4,249 digitized manuscripts, 1,224 rare books, 14,126 catalogues, and 4,114 periodicals.
• The SAHI Portal showcases 793 medico-historical artefacts, while the e-Books of Ayush project provides digital versions of classical textbooks.
• The NAMASTE Portal collects cumulative morbidity statistics from 168 hospitals, and the Ayush Research Portal indexes 42,818 published Ayush research articles.
• NIIMH houses more than 500 physical manuscripts, alongside the Medical Heritage Museum and Library, featuring rare books and manuscripts dating back to the 15th century AD.
• Notably, CCRAS-NIIMH, Hyderabad, joins the ranks as the third WHO Collaborating Centre in the domain of Traditional Medicine, following the Institute for Teaching & Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar, and the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi.

CSIR- ASPIRE scheme

• 300 women Scientists to get research grants for 3 years under CSIR- ASPIRE scheme
• Aspire is a Special Call for Research Grants for Women Scientists launched on the occasion of International Women’s Day last year.

Know! about ASPIRE scheme

• It is an initiative by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to provide research grants to women scientists and technologists.
• The scheme aims to support women in conducting research in various fields of science and technology. The scheme also aims to promote and encourage women to participate in scientific research and technology development in India.
• The CSIR ASPIRE Women Research Grant is open to women scientists and technologists who are Indian citizens and have a PhD degree in any area of science or technology.

The scheme is also open to women:

• who have completed their PhD and have at least three years of research experience.
• scientists and technologists who have taken a career break due to family responsibilities and want to resume their research careers.

Benefits of ASPIRE scheme

• The ASPIRE scheme provides research grants to women scientists and technologists for conducting research in various fields of science and technology.
• The scheme also offers funding for international travel, enabling women scientists to attend conferences and workshops abroad, facilitating global exposure and collaboration.
• The CSIR ASPIRE Women Research Grant aims to promote and encourage women to participate in scientific research and technology development in India.
• The scheme focuses on supporting women in conducting research in areas where they are traditionally underrepresented, helping to bridge the gender gap in these fields.

Know! also about One Week One Lab initiative

• The ‘One Week One Lab’ initiative is a countrywide campaign of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in India.
• The campaign aims to showcase the technological breakthroughs and scientific innovations of CSIR labs across the country.
• There are 37 CSIR labs dedicated to different areas of work, which will have an opportunity to present their achievements and inform stakeholders about their work.

Know! also about India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase (PI-CHeCK)

• Launched on 7th December 2023, the PI-CHeCK project aims to assess risk factors in non-communicable (cardio-metabolic) diseases within the Indian populace.
• This unique initiative has already enrolled nearly 10,000 participants, who have volunteered to provide comprehensive health data.
• These participants include CSIR employees, pensioners, and their spouses from across 17 states and 24 cities.
• The collected data encompasses a wide range of parameters, including clinical questionnaires, lifestyle and dietary habits, anthropometric measurements, imaging/scanning data, and extensive biochemical and molecular data.

G7 Apulia Summit

• The 50th G7 summit was held from 13 to 15 June 2024 at Borgo Egnazia in the city of Fasano in Apulia, Italy.
• Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced in November 2023 that Fasano would be the headquarters of the G7.
• All G7 member states participated in the summit, including the representatives of the European Union. The President of the European Commission has been a permanently welcome participant at all meetings since 1981.
• Italy, coinciding with its G7 presidency in 2024, emphasized strategic partnerships with Africa.
• This was the first time that a Pope has attended a G7 summit.
• The G7 comprises the US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Japan.
• Italy currently holds the G7 (Group of Seven) presidency and is hosting the summit from June 13 to 15 June 2024, at Borgo Egnazia in the city of Fasano in Apulia, Italy.

Summit Highlights

• G7 leaders agreed on a new $50 billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets.
• US President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a 10-year security agreement to strengthen Ukraine’s defense against Russia and help it move closer to joining NATO.
• G7 leaders showed their support for a truce and hostage deal in the Hamas-Israel war.

India’s Participation in G7

• The G7 summit, where India was invited as an ‘Outreach Country,’ had participation from the seven member countries, the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and France, as well as the European Union. It was India’s 11th and PM Modi’s fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit.
• At the G7 Summit, PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to advocating for the well-being of the Global South, emphasising the significance of Africa in global affairs.
• He underscored India’s dedication to fostering close ties with Africa, citing the landmark moment when the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency.
• He addressed the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, touching upon various subjects, including the transformative role of technology in human progress.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders, including UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and others, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in southern Italy’s Apulia.

Prix Versailles Museums

• The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj has been listed among the 7 most beautiful museums in the world under the prestigious Prix Versailles Award.
• The Prix Versailles Award is a prestigious international award that recognizes excellence in architectural design and interior design of commercial establishments worldwide.
• Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum has been shortlisted by UNESCO as one of the seven most beautiful museums for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award.
• Announced each year at UNESCO since 2015, the Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide.
• The shortlisted museums will all be competing for three 2024 World Titles – Prix Versailles, Interior and Exterior – whose laureates will be announced at UNESCO headquarters by late November

PM-KISAN

• The Prime Minister released the 17th installment of Rs 20,000 crore under PM-KISAN
• Kisan Samman Nidhi is a central sector scheme launched on 24th February 2019 to supplement the financial needs of all land-holding farmers subject to certain exclusion criteria of higher income status.
• Under PM-Kisan, financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- per year in three equal instalments, every four months, is transferred into the bank accounts of farmers’ families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

Sakura Science Programme 2024

• Twenty-one school students, invited by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) to participate in Sakura Programme 2024
• To develop the intellectual horizon and scientific exploration among young learners, the JST with the DoSEL has been implementing the Sakura Science High School Programme under the Sakura Science Programme (SSP) since 2014.
• The students are invited under the programme for short-term visits to Japan, giving them the opportunity to experience Japan’s cutting-edge science and technology as well as its culture.
• India participated in the program for the first time in April 2016. So far 532 students and 83 supervisors have visited Japan under this programme.

Global Wind Day

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organised ‘Global Wind Day’on the 15^th of June 2024
• Theme – Pawan–Urja: Powering the Future of India”, the event successfully conducted panel discussions around the ‘Role of Wind Energy in Meeting the Power Demand’, ‘Accelerating Onshore Wind Energy Adoption in India’ and ‘Offshore Wind Development in India: Bolstering India’s Energy Security’.

India’s Wind Energy Sector

• India has a history of wind energy generation-spanning more than four decades. With a cumulative installed wind power capacity of 46.4 GWby May 2024, it has progressed to become the fourth largest in the world.
• Wind energy is crucial to India’s efforts in achieving 50% of its electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030and net zero by 2070.
• States of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu achieved the highest wind capacity addition in the country during FY year 2023-24.

Know! the linked-up terms

Global Wind Day or World Wind Day

• It is a worldwide event that is held on June 15.
• It is organised by Wind Europe and GWEC (Global Wind Energy Council).
• It is a day when wind energy is celebrated, information is exchanged and adults and children find out about wind energy, its power, and the possibilities it holds to change the world.
• In association with EWEA and GWEC, national wind energy associations and companies involved in wind energy production organise events in many countries around the world.
• WindEurope is an association promoting the use of wind power in Europe.
• Based in Brussels it has over 500 members, which are active in over 50 countries, including manufacturers with a leading share of the world wind power market, component suppliers, research institutes, national wind and renewables associations, developers, contractors, electricity providers, finance companies, insurance companies, and consultants. making it the world’s largest and most powerful wind energy network.
• As a non-profit association, WindEurope is governed by a Board of Directors composed of Leading Members and organisations elected at a General Assembly.
• Before 2016 WindEurope was called EWEA, European Wind Energy Association.

Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)

• The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) was established in 2005 to provide a credible and representative forum for the entire wind energy sector at an international level.
• GWEC’s mission is to ensure that wind power is established as one of the world’s leading energy sources, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits.

National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) and the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)

• National Council for Teacher Education, under the direction of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, conducted a five-day virtual orientation program on the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) and the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) for teachers of PM SHRI schools from 29 States/UTs/KVS/NVS across the country covering more than 1 lakh teachers.
• The sessions aimed at the capacity building of PM SHRI school teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 effectively.

Know! the linked-up schemes

National Mission for Mentoring (NMM)

• National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) is a programme in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which offers professional development opportunities to Mentors for sharing their knowledge, abilities, and experience with mentee to support them on their path to become effective teachers.
• The NMM aims to enhance the overall quality of education delivery.
• Launched on July 29, 2022, by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)as a pilot program in 30 selected Central Schools across the country.

• The NCTE has appointed 60 professionals as NMM mentors, covering various areas such as leadership, digital education, socio-emotional learning, and inclusive education.
• Mentors provide targeted support and guidance to mentees based on their individual needs and areas for professional growth.

National Professional Standards for Teachers

• The National Professional Standards for Teachers is a public statement comprising guidelines for effective and high-quality teaching.
• It will define teachers’ scope of work and required skills.
• By properly implementing the NPST, our schools will get highly qualified and skilled teachers.
• These expert teachers will impart professional education to make our students capable of dealing with complex 21st-century challenges.
• Through the teachers trained under the NPST, our students will learn better and perform with a deeper understanding.
• The objective of the NEP 2020 for NPST is to provide teachers for schools ready with 21st-century skills.
• The NEP 2020 has assigned the Professional Standard Setting Body (PSSB) to prepare a draft of the NPST. The PSSB is the restructured form of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)

• The NCTE is a statutory governmental body established under the National Council for Teacher Education Act of 1993 in India.
• It serves as the apex regulatory authority for teacher education and advises both central and state governments on matters related to teacher education.
• The NCTE aims to achieve coordinated development of teacher education nationwide, ensuring quality and consistency across different educational institutions.
• It is responsible for setting and upholding norms and standards in teacher education to maintain quality and integrity in the profession.
• The NCTE provides training for individuals to become teachers at various levels, including pre-primary, primary, secondary, and senior secondary education, as well as non-formal and adult education.

PM SHRI School

• PM-SHRI scheme is sponsored by the Central govt, the 60 per cent cost of the implementation cost will be borne by the Centre, while the remaining 40 per cent will be borne by the state or UT. However, in some states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, the contribution of the Central govt can go up to 90 per cent.

• This initiative is intended to develop more than 14500 PM SHRI Schools managed by Central Government/State/UT Government/local bodies including KVS and NVS in which every student feels welcomed and cared for, where a safe and stimulating learning environment exists, where a wide range of learning experiences are offered, and where good physical infrastructure and appropriate resources conducive to learning are available to all students.
• It will nurture students in a way that they become engaged, productive, and contributing citizens for building an equitable, inclusive, and plural society as envisaged by the National Education Policy 2020.
• More than 20 lakh students are expected to be the direct beneficiaries of the scheme.
• The scheme will also promote an understanding of various dimensions of the Quality of school education and inform Policy, Practice and Implementation.
• The Scheme is proposed to be implemented over a period of 5 years w.e.f. 2022-23 to 2026-27.

Other central schemes for students

• In September 2021, the government approved a new meal scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman scheme (PM Poshan Scheme) for government and government-aided schools. The original midday meal scheme is a part of this programme.
• Under this initiative, the government provides hot-cooked meals to students, which is expected to benefit about 118 million students, studying in classes 1 to 8 across the country.
• The centre has also launched some scholarship schemes, which include PRAGATI (Scholarship for Girl Students) and PM Yashasvi Scheme for students from the Other Backward Classes, economically backward classes, and non-notified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes among others.

India’s Deep Sea Mission

• India set to be the 6th country to have its own Deep Sea Mission

Deep Sea Mission (progress so far)

• National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is developing Matsyayaan 6000 which could go 6000m deep into the Ocean. The 1st stage of the harbor trial will be completed by September 2024 and subsequent trials by 2026.
• NIOT is working in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to successfully bear extreme pressure by developing ‘Titanium Hull’.
• Development of’ Self–floatation’ technology is in progress to deal with emergency conditions and be submerged for 72 hours.

Know! about Deep Ocean Mission

• With a view to explore deep ocean for resources and develop deep sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the proposal of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on “Deep Ocean Mission” at an estimated cost of Rs. 4077.0 crore for a period of five years to be implemented in a phase-wise manner.
• DOM is one of nine missions under the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC).
• Deep Ocean Mission will be a mission-mode project to support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Government of India.
• Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be the nodal Ministry implementing this multi-institutional ambitious mission.
• The aim of Deep Ocean Mission is to help India in achieving target of over Rs. 100 billion “Blue Economy” through its ocean resources.

Major Objectives of Deep Ocean Mission

• To address issues arising from long term changes in the ocean due to climate change
• To develop technologies for deep-sea mission of living (biodiversity) and non-living (minerals) resources
• To develop underwater vehicles and underwater robotics
• To provide ocean climate change advisory services
• To identify technological innovations and conservation methods for sustainable utilization of marine bio-resources
• To develop offshore-based desalination techniques
• To develop renewable energy generation techniques
• To provide clean drinking water and explore the avenues of desalination of water as well as extracting minerals from the ocean belt.
• Mineral exploration – rare earth metals commercial exploitation, exploration and discovery of metals and poly metallic nodules in the Indian Sea bed

India’s First and Unique Manned Ocean Mission, Samudrayan

• It was launched on 29 October 2021 from Chennai.
• With this step India joined the elite club of nations such as USA, Russia, Japan, France and China in having such underwater vehicles for carrying out subsea activities.
• It will facilitate MoES in carrying out deep ocean exploration of the non- living resources such as polymetallic manganese nodules, gas hydrates, hydro-thermal sulphides and cobalt crusts, located at a depth between 1000 and 5500 metres.
• The preliminary design of the manned submersible MATSYA 6000 is completed and realization of vehicle has been started with various organizations including Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) roped-in to support the development.
• Sea trials of 500 metre rated shallow water version of the manned submersible are expected to take place soon and MATSYA 6000 will be ready for trials by the second quarter of 2024.

With Samudrayaan, India is embarking on a groundbreaking crewed expedition to reach a depth of 6,000 m to the ocean bed in the Central Indian Ocean. This historic journey will be accomplished by Matsya6000, a deep-ocean submersible designed to accommodate a crew of three members.

Miyawaki Plantations

• To realise the vision of saturating National Highways with green cover, NHAIwill undertake a unique initiative to plant Miyawaki plantation on land parcels adjacent to National Highways at various locations.

Know! about Miyawaki plantations

• Miyawaki plantations, also known as Miyawaki method is a unique Japanese approach to ecological restoration and afforestation development.
• This method aims to create dense, native, and biodiverse forests in a short period of time.
• These forests retain ground water and helps to recharge the ground water table.
• With this method, trees grow ten times faster and the plantations act as a sound and dust barrier.
• For successful implementation of the Miyawaki Plantation method, focus will be on plantation of indigenous species of plants that can survive in the local climate and soil conditions.

World Sickle Cell Day

• With the aim to create awareness and halt inter-generational transmission of the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and the knowledge partner Birsa Munda Centre, AIIMS Delhi is organising a National Conclave for awareness generation on SCD, on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day
• June 19th is officially designated as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
• The international awareness day is observed annually with the goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers.
• This year the theme of World Sickle Disease Day is ‘Building and strengthening global sickle cell communities, formalizing newborn screening and knowing your sickle cell disease status’.

Know! about SCD

• SCD refers to a group of inherited blood disorders, wherein a genetic mutation causes abnormal haemoglobin to clump together, causing the red blood cells to turn sickle shaped.
• These sickle-shaped cells cause blockages in the blood flow, which can lead to anaemia, pain, infections and other severe complications.
• Individuals with sickle cell trait carry only one defective gene and typically live normal lives, but they can pass the gene to their chil Therefore, it is advisable for all adults and newborns to undergo a medical screening for sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.

PM inaugurates Nalanda University Campus in Rajgir, Bihar

• The Prime Minister inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar.
• The University is conceived as a collaboration between India and East Asia Summit(EAS) countries.
• Several eminent people including the Head of Missions of 17 countries attended the inauguration ceremony.
• Nalanda Campus with its pioneering Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Emission, Net Zero Water and Net Zero Waste model will carry forward the spirit of sustainability.

Background

• The Nalanda University Campus has two Academic Blocks with 40 Classrooms having a total seating capacity of around 1900.
• It has two auditoriums having a capacity of 300 seats each, a student hostel with a capacity of around 550 students and various other facilities including an International Centre, an Amphitheater that can accommodate up to 2000 individuals, a Faculty Club and a Sports Complex among others.
• The Campus is a ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus. It is Self-Sustainable with solar plant, domestic and drinking water treatment plant, water recycling plant for reusing wastewater, 100 acres of water bodies, and many other environment-friendly facilities.
• The University has a deep connection with history. The original Nalanda University, established around 1600 years ago, is considered to be amongst the first residential universities in the world. The ruins of Nalanda were declared as a UN Heritage Site in 2016.

National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES)

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister approved  the proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs for Central Sector Scheme “National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) with a total financial outlay of Rs. 2254.43 crore during the period from 2024-25 to 2028-29.
• Financial outlay of the Central Sector Scheme will be provisioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs from its own budget.

The Cabinet has approved the following components under this Scheme:

1. Establishment   of  Campuses   of  the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in the country
2. Establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories in the country.
3. Enhancement of existing infrastructure of the Delhi Campus of the NFSU.

Know! more about the scheme

• The scheme underscores the importance of high-quality, trained forensic professionals in the timely and scientific examination of evidence for an efficient criminal justice process, leveraging the advancements in technology & evolving manifestations and methods of crime.

Offshore wind energy projects

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects at a total outlay of Rs.7453 crore, including an outlay of Rs.6853 crore for installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects (500 MW each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu), and grant of Rs.600 crore for upgradation of two ports to meet logistics requirements for offshore wind energy projects.
• The VGF scheme is a major step towards implementation of the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified in 2015 with an aim to exploit the vast offshore wind energy potential that exists within the exclusive economic zone of India.
• The VGF support from the Government will reduce the cost of power from offshore wind projects and make them viable for purchase by DISCOMs.
• While the projects will be established by private developers selected though a transparent bidding process, the power excavation infrastructure, including the offshore substations, will be constructed by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as the nodal ministry, will coordinate with various Ministries/Departments to ensure the successful implementation of the scheme.

Benefits

• The successful commissioning of 1 GW offshore wind projects will produce renewable electricity of about 3.72 billion units annually, which will result in annual reduction of 2.98 million ton of CO₂equivalent emission for a period of 25 years.

India Post Payments Bank joins forces with Ria Money Transfer to offer unique remittance services across Rural India

•         India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has announced its partnership with Ria Money Transfer (Ria), global leader in the cross-border money transfer industry and business segment of Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

•         The ease of access brought by this collaboration will provide customers in remote areas across India with convenient and affordable doorstep financial services.

• The IPPB & Ria’s partnership will increase people’s access to banking services at their doorstep & help them withdraw only to the extent they need immediately, ensuring they get saved from the earlier hassles and risks, thereby experiencing financial inclusion in true sense, leading to their long-term economic growth.
• Through this partnership, the International Inward Money Transfer service will become available at more than 25,000 Post Office locations immediately with an expected reach to over 100,000 locations through the Post Offices.
• By combining IPPB’s reach through world’s largest postal network and esteemed reputation with Ria’s global network and extensive product offering, customers across India will be able to benefit from a fast, convenient and safe doorstep service no matter where they are.

Know! about India Post Payment Bank

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by Government of India. IPPB was launched on September 1, 2018.
• The bank has been set up with the vision to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India.
• The fundamental mandate of India Post Payments Bank is to remove barriers for the unbanked & underbanked and reach the last mile leveraging the Postal network comprising 1,61,000+ Post Offices (1,43,000 in rural areas) and 190,000+ Postal employees.
• IPPB’s reach and its operating model is built on the key pillars of India Stack – enabling Paperless, Cashless and Presence-less banking in a simple and secure manner at the customers’ doorstep, through a CBS-integrated smartphone and biometric device.

Know! about Ria Money Transfer

• Ria Money Transfer, a business segment of Euronet (NASDAQ: EEFT), delivers innovative financial services including fast, secure, and affordable global money transfers. With the second most extensive cash settlement network and the largest direct bank deposit network in the world, Ria gets money to where it matters.

National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS)

• The National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), on June 19, 2024, felicitated five of its distinguished alumni who have successfully summited Mount Everest. Kabak Yano (2024), Tagit Sorang Abraham (2021), Tashi Yangjom (2021), Tongchen Nimsonga (2018) and Dorjee Khandu (2018)

Know! about NIMAS

• The National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) is an autonomous institute under the Indian Ministry of Defence, which provides specialized training in mountain rescue, mountaineering and adventure sports.
• The institute was founded by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and is located in Dirang of the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• NIMAS is the first National Institute of India mandated to conduct adventure courses in the field of land, air and aqua.
• NIMAS is a premier institution dedicated to providing world-class training in all three verticles (Land, Aero and Aqua) of adventure and presently imparts adventure course certification in mountaineering, mountain terrain biking, white water rafting, scuba diving, paramotor and paragliding.
• With a focus on holistic development and excellence, NIMAS aims to cultivate skilled, resilient, and environmentally conscious adventurers.

3^rd edition of World Food India

• Union Minister of Food Processing Industries launched the website and mobile application for World Food India 2024.
• Ministry is organizing, World Food India − the nation’s largest food event, to foster collaboration and partnerships among global and Indian food sector stakeholders from 19^thto 22^nd September 2024.
• Additionally, this year, to give impetus to the growing startup ecosystem and foster innovation, the Ministry is launching the 2^ndedition of the Startup Grand Challenge in collaboration with Startup India.
• WFI 2024 in continuation to the previous edition is an industry-driven inclusive event hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries
• Participants – global investors, business leaders, and stakeholders like food processors, equipment manufacturers, logistics and cold chain players, technology providers, start-ups, and food retailers
• World Food India 2023 was a resounding success witnessing 1,208 exhibitors, 715 international buyers from 90 countries, 24 states, and 75,000 attendees.

Vadhavan Port

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister approved setting up a Major Port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharastra.
• The Project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively.
• The Vadhavan Port will be developed as an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port in Vadhavan, Palghar District, Maharashtra.
• The Project will create a cumulative capacity of 298 million metric tons (MMT) per annum, including around 23.2 million TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalents) of container handling capacity.
• The capacities created will also aid EXIM trade flow through IMEEC (India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor) and INSTC (International North South Transportation Corridor).

Container Port Performance Index (CPPI)

• In a significant boost to India’s port development programme, as many as 9 ports of India made it to the Global Top 100 in the latest edition of Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), 2023 – a report prepared by the World Bank and S&P Global Marketing Intelligence.
• Vishakhapatnam Port has showcased strong performance with 27.5 moves per crane hour, a turnaround time (TRT) of 21.4 hours, and minimal berth idle time.
• These metrics highlight the port’s efficiency in handling container ships and significantly influence customer preference.
• Seven other Indian ports, which secured ranks in the top 100, are Pipavav (41), Kamarajar (47), Cochin (63), Hazira (68), Krishnapatnam (71), Chennai (80) and Jawaharlal Nehru (96).

10th International Day of Yoga (IDY)

• On the occasion of 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lead the International Yoga Day Celebrations from Sri Nagar on the banks of Dal Lake.
• This year’s theme, “Yoga for Self and Society,” emphasizes yoga’s vital role in fostering both individual well-being and societal harmony.
• The International Day of Yoga is a day in recognition of Yoga, that is celebrated across the world annually on 21 June, following its adoption by the United Nations in 2014

Background

• Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India.
• The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
• Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.
• Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.
• The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.
• The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.
• The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly

Gomphonemoid diatom

• Researchers have discovered a new genus of the Gomphonemoid diatom found in the clean water river of the Eastern Ghats.
• The genus which has an interesting suite of features, distinguishing it from the other members in the group Gomphonemoid in terms of valve symmetry and other certain valve features, has been named Indiconemato value its restricted distribution in the country.
• The research underlines the importance of diatoms in shaping the biodiversity of India’s diverse landscapes.

Know! about Diatoms

• Diatoms are microscopic algae that play a crucial role in our everyday lives by producing 25 per cent of global oxygen, approximately every fourth breath of oxygen we inhale.
• They serve as a base of the aquatic food chain. Due to their sensitivity towards any water chemistry changes, they are excellent indicators of aquatic health.
• Diatoms are the first recorded microorganisms in India, with Ehrenberg’s first report dating back to 1845 in his voluminous publication Mikrogeologie. Since then, several studies in India have recorded diatoms from freshwater and marine environments.
• A rough estimate counts that there are nearly 6,500 diatom taxa, of which 30 per cent are endemic (restricted to a particular region) to India, suggesting India’s unique biodiversity.

Know! about Indiconema

• Indiconemadiscovered by scientists differs in having a pore field at both the head and foot pole rather than having only at the foot pole.
• The evolution of monsoons structured the rainforest biome across the Indian Peninsula and the associated varying wetness, which has a direct role in shaping the diatom flora.
• Additionally, based on the morphological features of this group, the researchers have suggested that Indiconemais sister to Afrocymbella, a genus endemic to East Africa.

A diatom is any member of a large group comprising several genera of algae, specifically microalgae, found in the oceans, waterways and soils of the world. Living diatoms make up a significant portion of the Earth’s biomass: they generate about 20 to 50 percent of the oxygen produced on the planet each year, take in over 6.7 billion tonnes of silicon each year from the waters in which they live, and constitute nearly half of the organic material found in the oceans.

India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC)

• India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 jointly organized the startup matchmaking event featuring twelve high-impact solution providers in Battery Recycling Technologies for Electric Vehicles
• This initiative aligns with India and the EU’s commitment to promote a sustainable agenda, foster innovation, and forge stronger economic relations between India and the European Union.
• The event offered the startups/SMEs an exclusive platform to pitch their innovative technologies.
• This Matchmaking event today brings together the best talents and technologies in the battery recycling space on both sides, giving them an exclusive platform for exchange, networking, and prospective investments.
• As a next step, three start-ups each from the India and EU will be awarded the opportunity to visit the EU and India, respectively for a week-long market immersion experience.

Know! about the Trade and Technology Council set up by India and the EU

• The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was first announced by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in April 2022.
• Established on February 6, 2023, this strategic coordination mechanism allows both sides to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology, and security and deepens cooperation in these fields.
• Establishing India-EU TTC is a key step towards a strengthened strategic partnership for the benefit of all people in India and the EU.

National Additive Manufacturing Symposium (NAMS) – 2024

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) inaugurated the first National Additive Manufacturing Symposium (NAMS) – 2024, being organized at New Delhi to provide an overview of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) ecosystem in India.
• The event featured release of Additive Manufacturing Landscape Report and unveiled indigenously developed additive manufacturing machine.
• The National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM), released in 2022, embodies a comprehensive vision aimed at harnessing the full potential of this transformative technology to drive industrial growth, innovation, and inclusive development.
• So far, seven centers, dedicated to deployment and development of AM technologies, are serving as vibrant hubs by actively involving diverse stakeholders to invigorate AM ecosystem
• The NAMS-2024 has seen participation from diverse stakeholders, g. industry, academia and government.
• Additive Manufacturing (AM) ecosystem in India were held amongst diverse stakeholders e.g. industry, academia, and government.

Know! about Additive manufacturing (AM)

• Additive manufacturing (AM) or additive layer manufacturing (ALM) is the industrial production name for 3D printing, a computer-controlled process that creates three-dimensional objects by depositing materials, usually in layers.
• Using computer-aided design (CAD) or 3D object scanners, additive manufacturing allows for the creation of objects with precise geometric shapes. These are built layer by layer, as with a 3D printing process, which is in contrast to traditional manufacturing that often requires machining or other techniques to remove surplus material.

International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)

• On 21 June every year, the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) celebrates the World Hydrography Day to raise awareness about hydrography and how it plays a vital role in improved knowledge of the seas and oceans.
• The theme for 2024 is “Hydrographic Information – Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability in Marine Activities”
• The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) functions under the Indian Navy as the nodal agency for Hydrographic surveys and nautical charting in India.
• The department has the mandate to undertake hydrographic surveys and publish navigational charts.
• Till date, more than 650 electronic and paper navigation charts covering the national and international waters have been published for utilisation of merchant mariner and navies of the world.
• The department as NAVAREA VIII coordinator, covering an area of 26 Million  km of Indian Ocean, shares information concerning safety of navigation at sea through the web portal “India WINS – Indian Warning Information and Navigation Services”. 
• This module provides near-real-time information and since its launch in Dec 2022, it has crossed over 5 million views with an average of over 3500 visitors per day in keeping with Digital India initiative of the Government.
• The National Institute of Hydrography (NIH) at Goa is the centre for imparting training in Hydrography and is accredited by International Hydrographic Organisation for National and International Trainees for award of Cat A and Cat B certificates. Till date, more than 800 trainees from 41 different countries have been trained at NIH.

What is the purpose of hydrography?

• By mapping out water depth, the shape of the seafloor and coastline, the location of possible obstructions and physical features of water bodies, hydrography helps to keep our maritime transportation system moving safely and efficiently.

YogiFy

• A smart AI enabled Yoga mat developed by a startup funded and incubated at Department of Science and Technology (DST) supported TIH of IIT Mandi was presented to Union Council of Ministers on the occasion of International Yoga Day.
• The mat called YogiFy, which is equipped with a built-in innovative sensor layer, tracks postures of Yoga performers and offers suggestions to help correct their posture in real time.
• It has been developed by a startup incubated at the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) iHub at IIT Mandi supported under NM-ICPS Programme of DST.
• It has the potential to revolutionise at-home yoga experience by leveraging AI and Computer Vision (CV) technologies to enable comfortable yoga practice.
• The mat which is a fully indigenous Make in India product has several benefits. \
• The startup Wellnesys Technologies Private Ltd. has received recognition from Ministry of AYUSH.
• YogiFi Smart Mat works seamlessly with other smart devices at home to setup the right ambience for performing yoga.

Know! about National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System (NM-ICPS). 

• Department of Science & Technology (DST) is implementing multi-stakeholder National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System (NM-ICPS).
• The Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2018 at a total outlay of Rs.3660 Crores for a period of five years.
• NM-ICPS is a comprehensive Mission aimed at complete convergence with all stakeholders by establishing strong linkages between academia, industry, Government and International Organizations.
• The Mission working with all the concerned Ministries/ Departments to identify their technology needs, develop solutions and technical support.
• The Mission aims at development of technology platforms to carry out R&D, Translational Research, Product Development, Incubating & Supporting Start-ups as well as Commercialization.
• Under the NM-ICPS, 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) have been established in reputed institutes across the country.

e-SAKSHI Portal

• A two days Hands-on Training Workshop on e-SAKSHI Portal for revised fund flow procedure underMembers of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme is being organized by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
• Under the MPLAD Scheme, an amount of Rs. 5 crore is allocated to each Member of Parliament (MP) and they can recommend development works for creating durable community assets based on locally felt needs.
• The scheme has an annual outlay of around Rs. 4000 crore, which is used for implementation of recommended works sanctioned by the District Authorities.
• The MPLADS guidelines have been revised with effect from 1 April 2023 and eSAKSHI portal was launched, which is an end to end solution for efficient and transparent implementation of the MPLAD scheme.

Benefits of e-SAKSHI portal

• In the new system, the release of entitlements has been streamlined and authorization of Rs.5 crore is issued in one go at the beginning of the Financial Year.
• Transitions from physical accounts to a digital platform has eliminated the need for pre-conditions in fund release, enhancing agility and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
• MPs can now digitally recommend, view and review projects, through a click and OTP-based verification system.
• They can also recommend works on the go, through the mobile app.
• District Authorities can sanction works and monitor implementation by Implementing Agencies.
• Payments are directly made to the Implementing Agencies on uploading proof of completion of works on the portal after verification by District Authorities.
• Real-time visibility and tracking of works and fund utilization on e-SAKSHI portal, through the dashboards available to all stakeholders, ensures enhanced transparency and accountability in scheme implementation.

European Parliament

• The European Parliament is an important forum for political debate and decision-making at the EU level.

• The Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent people’s interests with regard to EU law-making.

• The Lisbon Treaty, which came in force in late 2009 brought new law-making powers to the European Parliament and put it on an equal footing with the Council of Ministers in deciding what the EU does and how money is spent.

• It has legislative powers, budgetary powers and supervisory powers. It is made-up of 720 members elected in the 27 Member States of the European Union.
• It is one of the legislative bodies of the European Union and one of its seven institutions. Together with the Council of the European Union, it adopts European Legislation following a proposal by the European Commission.
• Since 1979, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have been elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year period

Recent European Parliament Election

• The European People’s Party, representing the Center-right and the Socialists and Democrats on the Center-left, remain the biggest voting blocs after the elections. Green parties lost a quarter of their seats.
• In France, Marine Le Pen’s right-wing National Rally took a third of the vote, more than double that of Emmanuel Macron’s party, Renaissance. Subsequently, the French President dissolved the National Assembly and called a snap election.
• In Germany, the opposition Christian Democrats came first, and the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) came second, beating all three parties in the government.
• The Social Democrats, the party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, took just 14%, its worst showing ever in a national poll

Global Gender Gap Report, 2024

• Global Gender Gap Report, 2024 is released by the World Economic Forum recently.
• India is ranked 129th out of 146 Countries, a decline of two places from last year. India stands at 64.1% parity.
• South Africa stands at 18th, Brazil 70th, Vietnam 72nd and China 106th.
• Within South Asia, India ranked 5th, trailing behind Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
• On the economic participation sub index, India closes the gap by only 39.8%.
• On the health and survival sub index, despite closing the 95% gap, India continues to rank among the bottom five countries – unchanged from the previous edition.
• The Global Gender Gap Index Framework India has shown relatively strong performance in political empowerment largely due to reservation in local bodies

Plasma Arc Gasification: Converting Surgical Mask Waste into Clean Energy

Overview

• Researchers are exploring plasma gasification as an eco-friendly method to convert surgical mask waste into clean energy products. Experiments at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania and the Lithuanian Energy Institute have successfully produced synthetic gas (syngas) rich in hydrogen through this process. Plasma gasification enables the conversion of large amounts of waste into syngas, which includes hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane.

What is Plasma?

• Plasma is a superheated matter where electrons are stripped from atoms, forming ionized gas. It constitutes over 99% of the visible universe.
• Examples of plasma include lightning and neon signs, often referred to as the fourth state of matter.
• Heating a gas creates plasma, a mixture of positively charged particles (ions) and negatively charged particles (electrons).
• Plasma can be confined within magnetic fields and heated to temperatures hotter than the core of the sun, useful for various applications like computer chip manufacturing, rocket propulsion, environmental cleaning, biological hazard destruction, and wound healing.
• Plasma can be artificially generated by heating a neutral gas or exposing it to a strong electromagnetic field, with its response to these fields being utilized in modern technologies like plasma televisions.

Plasma Gasification Technology for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

• Plasma gasification technology can treat industrial and municipal solid waste (MSW), as well as gasify coal, mining waste, and biomass.
• Man-made plasma is generated by passing an electric discharge through gases such as air or oxygen.
• The interaction between the gas and the electric arc produces electrons and ions, with temperatures exceeding 6,000°C.
• Gasification occurs at these high temperatures, driven by the plasma torch system, breaking down coal, hazardous, and toxic components into their elemental constituents.

Benefits and Applications

• Plasma gasification offers a potential solution for reducing waste, including medical waste like surgical masks, by converting it into valuable energy products.
• The process minimizes environmental impact compared to traditional waste disposal methods.
• Syngas produced from plasma gasification can be used for various energy applications, contributing to sustainable energy solutions.

SAMEER, MeitY AND MCTE, INDIAN ARMY FORGE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT

• Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Indian Army and Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an autonomous R&D laboratory under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance collaboration in ‘Next Generation Wireless Technologies for Indian Army’.
• This initiative marks a significant milestone in strengthening the Indian Army’s technological capabilities which is aligned towards declared vision for 2024 as ‘Year of Technological Absorption for Indian Army’ by Chief of Army Staff
• MoU signing is expected to reinvigorate this collaboration, with plans to establish an ‘Advanced Military Research and Incubation Centre’ at MCTE. This centre aims to focus on Advanced Wireless Technologies for the Indian Army.

The key objectives of this partnership include:

• Joint Research and Development. Collaborative projects will target deployable solutions, leveraging combined expertise in 5G, 6G, advanced cellular technologies, Software Defined Radios & Cognitive Radios, Satellite Communications, Antenna Design, Free Space Optics, and Tropo-scatter communications, as well as AI, Quantum, and military-specific chip design.
• Incubation Centre. The centre will support the development of military-specific innovative solutions from conceptualization to large-scale production, involving MSMEs and start-ups.
• In addition, the MoU also aims at knowledge exchange, training and development aspects.

Darfur Conflict

• The name “Darfur” is derived from “dar fur,” meaning “the land of the Fur” in Arabic.
• The Fur tribe once ruled the Islamic Sultanate of Darfur until the killing in 1916 of the last Sultan of Darfur. Today, Darfur is home to approximately 80 tribes and ethnic groups.
• In 2003, rebels notably the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), took up arms against the Sudanese Government, protesting the alleged unequal distribution of economic resources.
• The conflict pitted Sudanese Government forces, supported by allied militia known as the Janjaweed, against rebel groups resisting the autocratic rule of former President Omar al-Bashir.
• Some three-lakh people lost their lives, and millions were displaced.
• Around four-lakh refugees were forced to flee to camps in neighbouring Chad.
• Now Sudan represents the World’s largest humanitarian crisis. The situation took a drastic turn with the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)

India’s First Ever Pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification in Jharkhand

• Under the strategic direction of the Ministry of Coal, Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has embarked on an innovative pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, Jharkhand.
• This first-ever groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize the coal industry by using in-situ coal gasification to convert it into valuable gases such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
• These gases can be utilized to produce synthetic natural gas, chemical feedstocks for fuels, fertilizers, explosives, and other industrial applications.
• Underground Coal Gasification offers a significant advantage by providing access to coal resources that are economically unviable through traditional mining methods.

Know! about Underground Coal Gasification

• Underground coal gasification (UCG) is an industrial process which converts coal into product gas.
• UCG is an in-situ gasification process, carried out in non-mined coal seams using injection of oxidants and steam.
• The product gas is brought to the surface through production wells drilled from the surface.
• The predominant product gases are methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide

India Africa Postal Leaders Meet

• The ‘India Africa Postal Leaders Meet’ is being organized in India from 21^stto 25^th June, 2024, with the objective of further strengthening relationships among the administrations of African countries and India in the postal sector.
• This is an initiative under the “South- South and Triangular Cooperation” programme of the Universal Postal Union, organized with the support of India Post and the united States Postal Service
• This Meet is also significant in the backdrop of India’s other farsighted initiatives of organizing the ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ and the India-Africa forum and inclusion of the African Union in the G20 during India’s Presidency in 2023.
• For this landmark meet, postal organizations of 22 African countries in the Global South have sent 42 heads of postal administrations and other senior management personnel as delegates.
• The key theme of the meet is capacity building, through study visits.
• The study visits showcase India’s successful model of service delivery through its extensive post office network.
• India Post’s unique approach of combining digital services with traditional postal service delivery to maintain the human touch has garnered international attention and inspired the coordination of this meet by the Universal Postal Union.
• The Postal Leaders Meet provided a platform for mutual learning and exploration of new collaborative opportunities.

One Week One Theme (OWOT) campaign

• Union Minister of State for Science and Technology launched “One Week One Theme” (OWOT) campaign showcasing recent success stories of India in different streams of science and technology.
• Aim – to integrate the efforts of all CSIR labs working on similar projects to reduce overlap and optimize resources
• One Week One Theme’ initiative under Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) aims to make innovation inclusive for all.
• ‘OWOT’ is built on the legacy and success of the ‘One Week One Lab’ (OWOL) initiative started last year.
• The objective behind this initiative is to create awareness among citizens about the progress and development in Labs, to benefit them giving them new avenues and opportunities foremployment, empowering stakeholders such as MSMEs, Startups, SHGs, scientists, researchers by integration and collaboration with Industry.

The Role and Appointment of Pro-tem Speaker in Lok Sabha

Pro-tem Speaker: Definition and Tradition

• The term “Pro-tem” means “for the time being” or “temporary.” It is a conventional term not found in the Constitution or the rules of the Lok Sabha but mentioned in the handbook on the working of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
• Traditionally, one of the senior-most members of the Lok Sabha is selected by the Government and administered the oath by the President.
• The Speaker Pro-tem administers the oath of office to other MPs and presides over the election of the full-time Speaker.
• In the 18th Lok Sabha, Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been appointed as Speaker Pro-tem.

Selection of Pro-tem Speaker

• The Pro-tem Speaker is usually a senior MP selected to administer the oath of office to other MPs.
• The President appointed BJP MP Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab as the Pro-tem Speaker, who was elected for the 7th consecutive time.
• However, the Opposition argued that Mr. Suresh, an eighth-term MP, should be appointed Pro-tem Speaker as per convention. The BJP contended that Mr. Suresh was not a member of the Lok Sabha in 1998 and 2004, thus lacking an uninterrupted tenure.
• The Supreme Court in 2018 stated that the convention of appointing senior lawmakers as Pro-tem Speaker has no legal force.

Constitutional Articles Related to Speaker and Deputy Speaker

Article 94

• Article 94 states that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha shall not vacate their office until immediately before the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after its dissolution.
• This ensures the Office of the Speaker is never left vacant; hence, Om Birla, the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, continued in that post until June 24, when the first meeting of the 18th Lok Sabha was scheduled.

Article 95(1)

• Article 95(1) provides that when the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker are vacant, the President appoints a member of the Lok Sabha to perform the Speaker’s duties, applicable when a new Lok Sabha commences its first meeting.

Article 93

• Article 93 states that the Lok Sabha shall choose two members to be its Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• The election of the Speaker is held on a date fixed by the President, while the election of the Deputy Speaker is held on a date fixed by the Speaker.
• The Deputy Speaker is an important constitutional post, stepping in during the vacancy or absence of the Speaker.
• The convention of offering the post of Deputy Speaker to the Opposition began in 1991. There was no Deputy Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD)

• The Chennai headquartered space start-up Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited finally launched its first rocket Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
• It was previously postponed several times. Finally, the launch took place on 30th May 2024. It is an IIT-Madras incubated startup.
• India launched its maiden rocket in 1963 from the Thumba launch station.
• Agnibaan is a two-stage, 14-tonne launch vehicle designed to lift small satellites to Low-Earth Orbits.

Facts about Agnibaan

• It is India’s first launch from a private launchpad.
• It is the World’s first single piece 3D-printed engine designed and built indigenously.
• It is the first company in the country to sign an agreement with ISRO under the IN-SPACe initiative to have access to the space agency’s expertise and its facilities to build Agnibaan in December 2020.
• It is the first-ever controlled flight of a semi-cryogenic liquid engine realized through additive manufacturing (3D manufacturing).

Landmark 350th iDEX contract inked

• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence, signed the landmark 350^thcontract
• The contract was inked with SpacePixxel Technologies Pvt Ltd for the design and development of a ‘Miniaturised satellite capable of carrying Electro-Optical, Infrared, Synthetic Aperture Radar, and Hyperspectral payloads up to 150 kgs’.
• This challenge is being led by the Indian Air Force.

Know! about iDEX

• iDEX, the recipient of the esteemed Prime Minister Award for Public Policy in Innovation Category in 2021, has emerged as a game-changer in the defence ecosystem.
• Established by the DIO under Department of Defence Production, iDEX has launched 11 editions of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC), and recently unveiled the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.
• It is currently engaged with over 400 start-ups and MSMEs. Till now, procurement of 35 items, worth over Rs 2,000 crore, has been cleared.
• iDEX has facilitated the creation of numerous job opportunities and played a pivotal role in the development of the defence ecosystem.
• iDEX aims at creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia.
• iDEX will be funded and managed by a ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)’ which has been formed as a ‘not for profit’ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose, by the two founder members i.e. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) – HAL & BEL.
• iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.

Ladakh Achieves Full Functional Literacy

• Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh declared Ladakh as the administrative unit to achieve Full Functional Literacy under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, after having achieved more than 97% literacy.

Know! about ULLAS

• ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027.
• The scheme aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling and mainstream them with society to be able to contribute more to the growth story of the country.
• The scheme consists of five components – Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.
• The vision of the ULLAS Scheme is to make Bharat – Jan Jan Saakshar and is based on the spirit of Kartvya Bodh and is being implemented on volunteerism.
• The scheme has benefitted more than 77 Lakhs people till now across the country.
• The ULLAS Mobile App has more than 1.29 Crore learners and 35 lakh volunteer teachers.

9^th anniversary of three landmark initiatives: the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the Smart Cities Mission, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U).

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs commemorated today the 9^thanniversary of three landmark initiatives: the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the Smart Cities Mission, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U).
• These initiatives, launched on June 25, 2015, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, have collectively transformed urban infrastructure and improved the quality of life for millions of residents across India.

AMRUT: Pioneering Sustainable Urban Infrastructure

• Since its inception, AMRUT has aimed to create infrastructure that directly improves service provision to citizens.
• AMRUT 2.0, an extension of the original mission, has made significant strides in water supply, sewerage management, and water body rejuvenation.

PMAY-U: Realizing the Vision of ‘Housing for All

• Under PMAY-U, all-weather pucca houses with all basic amenities are provided to eligible beneficiaries of urban India. In the nine years of its journey, PMAY-U has transformed the lives of millions of families for whom a pucca house was no less than a distant dream.

Key highlights of PMAY-U:

1. As on date, 114 Lakh have been grounded for construction while more than 84 Lakh houses have already been completed and delivered to beneficiaries. As on date out of committed Central Assistance of ₹2 lakh crore, ₹1.64 lakh core has been released.
2. To empoweryoung professionals and Middle- Income Group (MIG) to own a house, MIG was also added in a government housing scheme for the first time ever through the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) vertical from 2017-2021.
3. The Mission adopts aninclusive approach, providing equal opportunity to all, irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion and women empowerment forms the core of  PMAY-U. PMAY-U promotes women empowerment by providing the ownership of houses in the name of female member or in joint name. Over 94 lakh houses have been provided under the name of women, thus giving them an identity of their own.   
4. Under PMAY-U, new construction technologies are being promoted at large scale. Light House Projects (LHPs)at six locations of the country, are the perfect example of promotion of affordable housing projects constructed using innovative technologies in less time and that can be further replicated in Indian context.
5. Apart from LHPs, Demonstration Housing Projects (DHPs) are also being promoted under the Mission. DHPs are model housing project built with new/alternate technologies and to promote use of such technologies, on-site orientation to practitioners in housing sector is also being provided.
6. Aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of AatmaNirbhar Bharat, the sub-scheme of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) was launched in July 2020 under PMAY-U.

Smart Cities Mission: Advancing Urban Innovation and Technology

• The Smart Cities Mission has been a beacon of urban transformation, enhancing the quality of life in 100 cities through over 8,000 innovative projects worth approximately ₹1.6 lakh crore.

Key Achievements under Smart Cities Mission:

1. Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC):
   • All 100 smart cities have operationalized ICCC, leveraging AI, IoT, and data analytics to enhance city operations such as transport management, water supply, and solid waste management.
2. Public Safety and Security:
   • Over 76,000 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed across 100 cities, bolstering city-wide crime monitoring efforts.
   • Installation of 1,884 emergency call boxes, 3,000 public address systems, and traffic enforcement systems have significantly improved public safety.
3. Water Supply:
   • More than 6,800 kms of water supply system being monitored through SCADA, reducing the non-revenue water and leakages.
4. Solid Waste Management:
   • Around 4,800 vehicles across 50+ smart cities have been RFID enabled for Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) to improve solid waste management in addition to innovative technologies deployed to improve Route Management, Collection and Daily Management, etc.
5. Streetlights:
   • More than 50 Lakhs Solar/LED Streetlights have been installed and over 89,000 kms of underground electricity cabling constructed.
6. Mobility Solutions:
   • Development of 12,300 kms of smart roads and 2500+ kms of cycle tracks, alongside the Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS), has streamlined traffic operations and journey times.

India Hosts 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and 26th Committee for Environmental Protection in Kochi

• India recently hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46) and the 26th Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP-26) in Kochi, Kerala. Organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), key discussions focused on the operation of the Antarctic Treaty System, biological prospecting, exchange of information, and educational issues.

Key Outcomes

• One of the significant outcomes was the adoption of a decision to develop an ambitious, comprehensive, flexible, and dynamic framework for regulating tourism and non-governmental activities in Antarctica.

Know! about ATCM

• The ATCM is an annual event where the Consultative Parties—29 countries with voting rights on Antarctic affairs—meet to discuss the management of the continent. The meeting also includes countries with non-voting observer status, independent experts, and invited functionaries. A group of like-minded countries, including India, advocated for a proposal to introduce a regulatory framework for tourism in Antarctica, a continent without an indigenous population.

Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP-26)

CEP-26 addressed several issues contributing to the implementation of the Environmental Protocol in Antarctica. The priority areas identified included:

• Management implications of sea ice change.
• Enhancing environmental impact assessment of major activities.
• Protecting the emperor penguin.
• Developing an international framework for environmental monitoring in Antarctica.

Consequences of Growing Antarctic Tourism

• While Antarctic tourism provides educational and economic benefits, it also raises significant environmental concerns. Increased human presence disrupts wildlife, damages fragile ecosystems, and risks introducing invasive species. Ship traffic pollutes pristine waters, and tourism contributes to the global carbon footprint. Climate change exacerbates these issues by opening new areas for tourism and increasing ecosystem vulnerability.

Current Regulations

• The existing governance framework for Antarctic tourism is fragmented and lacks clear regulations. The Antarctic Treaty, which came into force in 1961, prioritizes peaceful use and scientific research. Although the Madrid Protocol offers broad environmental guidelines, it lacks specific tourism regulations. The responsibility for day-to-day management largely falls on the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), a self-regulatory industry body. However, many believe IAATO’s guidelines are inadequate to address the growing environmental pressures.

The recent ATCM-46 and CEP-26 meetings highlight the need for a more robust regulatory framework to ensure the sustainable management of tourism and non-governmental activities in Antarctica.

Notified disaster

• North India faced the longest spell of heatwaves in the past 15 years, Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh reporting a maximum temperature of 47.60 Celsius.
• On May 30, India’s total power demand and fulfilment hit 250 GW, which is an all-time high.
• Figures from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare suggest that at least 100 have died from heat-related illnesses across India.
• The discussions have been revived on labeling heatwaves as a natural disaster.

National Disaster Management Act (NDMA), 2005

• The National Disaster Management Act (NDMA), 2005 is the key piece of legislation governing the roles of the Centre and States in responding to a natural disaster.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal body that governs the execution of this Act.
• Several disaster management authorities draw their powers from this legislation and they define which natural calamities qualify for state backed compensation.
• The legislation is also the genesis of special funds – at the State-level and the Centre – that can be drawn upon for a disaster.

List of notified Disasters

At present, 12 disasters are notified in the Guidelines on Constitution and Administration of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

• Pest attack.
• Frost & Cold waves.

Heatwaves are yet to be included in the list of notified disasters.

Link Between notified Disaster and 15^th Finance Commission

• The 15th Finance Commission had in its report observed that the list of notified disasters eligible for funding from SDRF and NDRF covers the needs of the state to a large extent and hence, did not find merit in the request to expand its scope.
• States have appealed to the Finance Commission to expand the scope of natural calamities that can be considered disaster as this makes them eligible for more funds.
• However, in terms of the present guidelines, a State Government can use up to 10% of the annual fund allocation of the SDRF, with certain caveats, for providing immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters other than those notified 12 disasters.

Former Vice President of Indian Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu launched 3 books

• The books released by the Prime Minister include (i)  Biography of the former Vice President titled “Venkaiah Naidu – Life in Service” authored by Shri S Nagesh Kumar, former Resident Editor of The Hindu, Hyderabad edition; (ii) “Celebrating Bharat – The Mission and Message of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu as 13th Vice–President of India”,

Fauna of India Checklist Portal

• India has become the first country in the world to prepare a checklist of its entire fauna, covering 104,561 species, positioning itself as a global leader in biodiversity documentation.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the Fauna of India Checklist Portal on the occasion of 109^thFoundation Day of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata

Know! more about the portal

• The Fauna of India Checklist Portal is the first comprehensive document on the faunal species reported from India.
• The faunal checklist will be an invaluable reference for taxonomists, researchers, academicians, conservation managers, and policymakers.
• It comprises 121 checklists of all known taxa covering 36 phyla. Endemic, threatened, and scheduled species have also been included in the list.

Know! about Animal Taxonomy Summit-2024

• The Animal Taxonomy Summit–2024 is the second summit being organised by ZSI.
• During the summit, deliberations will be held under three broad themes, 1) Taxonomy, Systematics and Evolution, 2) Ecology and Animal Behaviour; 3) Biodiversity and Conservation.
• Ministry of Environment also released an iconic publication of ZSI, ‘Animal Discoveries– 2023’ comprising 641 new animal species and new records from India and ‘Plant Discoveries- 2023’ of Botanical Survey of India (BSI) comprising 339 new plant species
• The first-ever ‘Barcode Atlas of Indian Fishes’- a joint publication by the ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow & ZSI, Kolkata and ‘ROAR – Celebrating 50 years of Project Tiger’ a book written by Shiladitya Chaudhury & Ketan Sengupta were also released on the occasion.
• Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, MoEFCC, Jitendra Kumar launched the ‘International Society of Zoology (ISZ)’ which will enhance the ability of individuals and institutions to contribute to the global understanding and protection of biodiversity.

eSankhyiki Portal

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is the nodal Ministry for integrated development of the national statistical system in the country in tune with the global statistical practices and data dissemination standards.
• The Ministry has developed an eSankhyiki portal (https://esankhyiki.mospi.gov.in) to provide real-time inputs for planners, policy-makers, researchers and the public at large.
• The objective of this portal is to establish a comprehensive data management and sharing system for ease of dissemination of official statistics in the country.

The eSankhyiki Portal has two modules namely:

• Data Catalogue Module: This module catalogues the major data assets of the Ministry at one place for ease of access. This module allows users to search within datasets, including within tables, and download data of interest to increase its value and re-usability.
• Macro Indicators Module: This module offers time series data of key macro indicators with features for filtering and visualizing data enabling ease of access for the users. The module also allows users to download custom datasets, visualizations and sharing them through APIs, thereby increasing the re-usability of data.

RBI’s Bimonthly Monetary Policy – JUNE 2024 (Highlights)

• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has kept policy rates unchanged at 6.5%, maintaining this pause for approximately 16 months.
• The last rate adjustment occurred on February 8, 2023, when the repo rate was increased from 6.25% to 6.5%.
• The repo rate is the interest rate at which banks borrow funds from the RBI to manage short-term liquidity mismatches.
• According to the RBI Governor, the final stages of reducing inflation are challenging, and the goal of achieving a 4% inflation rate on a durable basis has not yet been met.
• The Central Bank has revised its FY25 real GDP growth projection upwards to 7.2% from the previous 7%.
• The CPI retail inflation projection for FY25 remains unchanged at 4.5%.
• The Monetary Policy Committee may consider further actions once inflation consistently reaches the 4% target, as stated by the RBI Governor.
• The MPC remains alert to any potential inflationary pressures, especially from food inflation, which could hinder the disinflation process, according to the RBI Governor.
• Globally, the final stages of disinflation are expected to be prolonged and challenging due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts, supply disruptions, and commodity price volatility.
• The Monetary Policy is focused on price stability to effectively anchor inflation expectations and provide a foundation for sustained long-term growth, according to the RBI Governor.
• The RBI is in a wait-and-watch mode, assessing domestic factors such as monsoon performance, food inflation, and the new fiscal strategy before making any rate adjustments.

Know!  about the Monetary Policy Framework

• Amendments to RBI Act 1934, through the Finance Act, 2016 facilitated the establishment of Monetary Policy Committee.
• Inflation target will be given by the Central Govt. in consultation with RBI once in every 5 years. MPC will
• meet at least 4 times in a year.
• It explicitly made inflation targeting the objective of the MPC, while using the repo rate as the instrument for it.
• The mandate given to the Monetary Policy Committee was to keep inflation at 4% with a tolerance limit of 2% i.e., inflation should be between 2% and 6%.
• Once in two months, the Monetary Policy Committee has a review meeting, where they discuss the likely inflation and growth estimates over the coming months. Based on the review, the MPC targets inflation using the policy rate, or the repo rate.
• When inflation is higher than the inflation target set, then MPC normally increases the repo rate.
• On the other hand, when the actual inflation is lower than the target, MPC could decrease the repo rate.

What if the inflation is beyond the Range

• Average inflation overshooting the upper tolerance level or remaining below the lower tolerance level for any three consecutive quarters constitutes a failure to achieve the inflation target.
• In such an event, RBI is required to send a report to the centre stating the reasons for the failure to achieve the inflation target.
• It should also propose remedial actions along with the time required within which it expects to achieve the inflation target through the corrective steps proposed.

Know! about Centralized Digital Payments Intelligence Platform

• RBI plans to set up a centralized digital payments intelligence platform for sharing data on a real time basis across digital payment ecosystems aimed at detecting fraud.
• It is incidental to note that digital payments fraud has witnessed a sharp jump of over fivefold to a record Rs. 1,457 crore in the fiscal year ended March 2024.
• The alarming increase coincides with explosive growth of 137% in UPI transactions in the past two years to touch Rs. 200 lakh crore.
• As per the experts, the Digital Payments Intelligence Platform initiative by the RBI will enhance the security and transparency of the financial system, reducing fraud risks and building trust among users.

Know! about Upward Revision Of Bulk Deposits

• RBI decided to revise upwards the definition of bulk deposits for scheduled commercial banks (excluding RRBs), small finance banks and local area banks.
• As per the new definition, bulk deposit means “single rupee term deposit of Rs. 3 crore and above for scheduled commercial banks and small finance banks”. At present the limit is Rs. 2 crore and above.
• Further the bulk deposit limit for local area banks is Rs. 1 crore and above.
• It is likely to enable better asset liability management for banks. At the same time, the revision is likely to increase the cost of deposits. Differentiated interest rate is the attraction of bulk deposits.

Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum

• Ministry of Culture organised a four-day inter-ministerial stakeholder consultation and capacity building workshop for upcoming Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum, slated to be built in the North and South Block as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project.
• The workshopwas held from 26^th to 29^th June 2024 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• The newNational Museum of India is set to come up at North and South Block as part of the Central Vista Redevelopment project that seeks to revamp India’s central administrative area located near Raisina Hill, New Delhi.
• The museum will be spread over 1,54,000 sqm, makingit the largest museum in the world.
• The Museum will be developed through Adaptive Reuse, in collaboration with France owing to their expertise in similar projects such as the Louvre, which too housed the French Ministry of Finance.
• The French are partners for this project owing to the long-standing friendshipbetween the two countries, which had contributed to a Letter of Intent being signed between both governments in 2020 that emphasised Museum & Heritage Co-operation.

EXERCISE (RIMPAC) – 24

• Indian multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, mission deployed in South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean, has reached Pearl Harbour in Hawaii to take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, which isworld’s largest naval exercise.
• INS Shivalik sailed into Pearl Harbour on completion of JIMEX 24, a bilateral exercise between India and Japan.
• The harbour phase of the exercise from27 Jun to 07 Jul 2024 will see participation in multiple symposiums, exercise planning discussions, sports competitions and reciprocal deck visits.
• The sea phase of RIMPAC – 24, divided into three sub-phases will witness ships undertaking basic and advanced level integration exercises during the first two sub-phases.
• RIMPAC-24, spanning over six weeks of intense operations and training is aimed at enhancing interoperability and building trust among the navies of friendly foreign countries.
• Led by the US Navy, approx 29 countries are participating in the current edition of the multi-dimensional exercise.
• The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC-24 provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of world’s oceans.

Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0) portal and “National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0) launched

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today launched two Geoportals namely ‘Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0)” portal for rural land record and “National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0)” developed by Indian Space research Organization (ISRO)
• These latest geospatial tools are meant for for visualisation and planning to provide high resolution satellite imagery of 1:10K scale for different locations across the entire country.

Bhuvan Panchayat Portal (Benefits)

• To supportSpace-based Information Support for Decentralized Planning (SISDP) and empower the citizens at the grass root level in Panchayats
• To promote ease of living by reducing the need to depend on local administration for land records and revolutionize land record management by digitalization and land revenue management. The tools will provide real-time data at the tips of citizens and reduce corruption at the grassroots level.

National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0) (Benefits)

• It will provide space-based inputs on natural disasters and aid in disaster risk reduction In India as well as neighboring countries.
• To prevent the citizens from vagaries of nature and put in place an effective early warning system so that administration can proactively prevent the disasters and inform us regarding the Land use Land change(LULC).

Web Portal Launched for Farmers

• Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers launched a web portal developed jointly by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) and NABARD to automate and speed up the process of settlement of interest subvention claims of banks submitted under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
• The automated system would help in calculating accurate eligible interest subvention through the portal avoiding the possible human error in manual processing and also help in faster settlement of the claims.
• The portal shall be used by banks, Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) of DA&FW and NABARD.
• The automation of the interest subvention claim and credit guarantee fee claim processing will help the government in releasing accurate interest subvention, reduce the turn-around time and in turn help the farmers and agri entrepreneurs financially and encourage them to take up more such projects for development of agriculture in the country.

Know! also about Krishi Katha

• Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also launched Krishi Katha, a blogsite meant to serve as a digital platform to showcase the voice of the Indian farmers, dedicated to amplifying the experiences, insights and success stories of farmers across the country.
• This platform will serve as a wellspring of inspiration for others.
• The objectives behind this initiative will be helpful in raising awareness, facilitating exchange of knowledge, fostering collaboration and empowering farmers.
• It aims to inspire and showcase the stories of the Indian farmer and foster a sense of pride in the farming profession and promote resilience among farmers.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

• The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund scheme was launched in 2020, with the objective of development of post-harvest management infrastructure for reducing losses, realisation of better value to farmers, innovation in agriculture and attracting investments for creation of Agriculture infrastructure with a total outlay of₹ 1 lakh crore funding through the banks and financial institutions upto 2025-26.
• The scheme provides for 3% interest subvention to beneficiaries of the scheme for the loans given by banks up to₹ 2 crore for a maximum period of 7 years, besides reimbursement of credit guarantee fee paid by banks.

Public Examinations Act, 2024 enacted

• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 which aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations and common entrance tests held across the country came into effect on 21 June 2024
• This comes amid the massive row over the alleged malpractices in conducting the NEET and UGC NET examinations.
• The Bill was passed by the two Houses of Parliament in the Budget session which concluded on February 10.

Highlights

• It seeks to prevent the use of “unfair means” in public examinations and bring “greater transparency, fairness and credibility”.
• The public examinations in the Act refer to examinations conducted by authorities notified by the central government.
• These include the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, National Testing Agency, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and Departments of the central government and their attached offices for recruitment.
• The Act also prohibits disclosing exam-related confidential information before time, and unauthorised people from entering exam centres to create disruptions.
• The offences will be punishable with imprisonment between three and five years, and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh.
• All offences under the Bill will be cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.

Virtual NQAS Assessment for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Dashboard for IPHS and Spot Food Licence Initiative for Food Vendors launched

• The Union Ministers launched a virtual National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) assessment for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM); a dashboard which will help national, state and district health institutions and facilities in quickly monitoring compliance with respect to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) and taking actions accordingly;and a spot food licence and registration initiative for food vendors.

Virtual Assessment for Ayushman Arogya Mandir

• The virtual certification of Ayushman Arogya Mandir Sub-centres (AAM-SC) represents a significant innovation in the quality assurance framework for public health facilities.
• Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) have been established and operationalized to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare services for all citizens.
• Led by Community Health Officers, the primary healthcare teams at AAM are trained to manage initial care, triage, and refer patients to appropriate facilities for further treatment.
• This approach reduces the burden on secondary and tertiary care facilities by providing primary care services closer to the community with adequate referral linkages.
• The early identification and management of health issues help prevent disease progression, necessitating advanced care.

National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS)

• To ensure that every citizen receives quality health services, National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) were developed for District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Rural and Urban Primary Healthcare Centres, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Sub Centres) with the goal of full compliance by 2026.
• Online evaluations have been introduced to streamline the assessment process, involving virtual tours and interactions with patients, staff and community members.
• Each healthcare facility will undergo a rigorous multi-level assessment process to achieve quality certification, evaluated by MoHFW empanelled National Quality Assurance Standard Assessors.

Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL)

• By establishing Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL) the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government of India, has strengthened laboratory systems under the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
• These laboratories ensure accessibility, efficiency, and quality in diagnostic services, which are fundamental to effective healthcare delivery.
• The National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) for IPHLs has been developed to ensure consistent, precise, and safe laboratory testing processes.

Launch of the IPHS Dashboard for Real-time monitoring of Public Health Facilities

• The launch of the IPHS Compliance Dashboard represents a revolutionary strategy in India’s healthcare development.
• By integrating advanced digital tools with the IPHS guidelines, the Ministry is committed to driving excellence in public health and ensuring that every individual has access to the best possible healthcare services.
• This initiative is a testament to the government’s unwavering dedication to improving the health and well-being of the nation.
• The IPHS Dashboard is a pioneering digital platform for real-time monitoring of public health facilities that provides a comprehensive overview of the assessment and compliance status of public health facilities, including District Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals, Community Health Centers, Primary Health Centers, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

FoSCoS

• FoSCoS is a state-of-the-art, Pan-India IT platform designed to address all food safety regulatory needs.
• This innovative system simplifies the licensing and registration processes, offering an enhanced user experience.
• Beyond licensing and registrations, FoSCoS facilitates self-compliance through online return filings, hygiene ratings for food service establishments, third-party audits for safety parameters and more.
• Integrated with other IT platforms of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), FoSCoS provides a comprehensive solution for food business operators.

ABHYAS successfully completes developmental trials with improved booster configuration

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed six consecutive developmental trials of High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ‘ABHYAS’ with improved booster configuration from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
• With this, ABHYAS has successfully completed 10 developmental trials demonstrating the reliability of the system.

Know! more about ABHYAS

• ABHYAS has been designed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, and developed through Production Agencies – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited & Larsen & Toubro.
• It offers a realistic threat scenario for weapon systems practice.
• This indigenous system is designed for autonomous flying with the help of an auto pilot, a laptop-based Ground Control System for aircraft integration, pre-flight checks, and autonomous flight.
• It also has a feature to record data during flight for post-flight analysis.
• The booster has been designed by Advanced Systems Laboratory and the navigation system by Research Centre Imarat.

Sangyaan App

• The Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF) launched the mobile application-Sangyaan App, designed and developed by the Tech Team of RPF to provide in-depth information on three new Criminal Acts: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023.
• Sangyaan App aims to educate and empower RPF Personnel by providing comprehensive information to understand the provisions of both new and old criminal laws, while highlighting the relevance of these new acts in the context of RPF operations.

Key Features of Sangyaan App:

1. Comprehensive Legal Access: The app provides easy access to the bare acts of BNS, BNSS, and BSA 2023, all optimized for mobile viewing. Users can conveniently read, search and refer to these laws on the go.
2. Comparison of Laws: With the Corresponding Sections Comparison table, users can directly compare specific sections of the new and old laws. This feature helps in identifying and understanding the changes and continuities in the legal framework.
3. Section wise analysis: The key sections of the BNSS and BNS are analyzed in detail, focusing on their applicability in field operations for various provisions and procedural perspective.
4. Advanced Search Tools: Sangyaan offers advanced search functionalities, allowing users to navigate efficiently through the legal texts. Users can search section-wise, chapter-wise, and subject-wise, making it easier to find relevant information quickly.
5. Inclusive Legal Database: In addition to the three new laws, the app includes other essential legal acts and rules related to railway security. This includes The Railway Protection Force Act, 1957, The Railway Act, 1989, The Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966 and RPF Rules, 1987. This comprehensive database ensures that users have access to all critical legal information relevant to railway protection at fingertips.
6. User-Friendly Design: Designed for precision and ease of use, Sangyaan ensures that users can efficiently and effectively engage with critical legal information, enhancing their understanding and application of the laws in RPF operations.

Draft red herring prospectus (DRHP)

• The Indian arm of the South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in which the company will sell around 142.2 million shares (of the total 812 million shares) at a face value of ₹10 each.

Know! also about DRHP

• The Draft Red Herring Prospectus is an initial document filed with regulatory bodies by a company intending to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or a public issue.
• The DRHP contains essential information about the company’s business, operations, financial performance, and prospects.
• This document provides preliminary insights into the company’s fundamentals but does not disclose all the information required for investors to make investment decisions.
• It offers insights into the company’s fundamentals, operations, and prospects but lacks the offer price and the number of shares or securities to be offered.
• It is usually circulated to potential investors for initial assessment and feedback before finalizing the offering details in the subsequent stages, such as the Red Herring Prospectus (RHP) and the final Prospectus.
• SEBI mandates that companies planning to go public must file a Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with them.
• SEBI reviews the DRHP to ensure it complies with all the regulatory requirements, including disclosure norms and investor protection guidelines.

Know! also about RHP

• Once SEBI approves the DRHP, it is revised and finalized into the Red Herring Prospectus (RHP).
• The Red Herring Prospectus (RHP) is an evolved version of the DRHP, is a more comprehensive document.
• It includes details about the company, its operations, the IPO specifics (such as issue size, and price band), and the risks associated with the investment.
• The RHP provides more comprehensive information about the company, its operations, financials, and risks associated with the investment.
• The RHP acts as an intermediary stage between the preliminary DRHP and the Final Prospectus, aiming to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the investment opportunity while still withholding the exact pricing details until the final stages of the offering.
• SEBI also scrutinizes the RHP to ensure that it provides accurate and adequate information for investors to make decisions.
• SEBI’s oversight ensures that the information disclosed in the RHP aligns with regulatory standards, safeguarding investors’ interests and maintaining market integrity.
• Companies leverage the RHP as a key document to communicate the investment opportunity, highlighting the company’s strengths and growth prospects to generate interest and build investor confidence.

VEGFR1

• Researchers have decoded the molecular mechanism in which a cell surface receptor belonging to the family of enzymes that bind growth factors, regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, metabolism, and migration, prevents cancers.
• This enzyme called VEGFR1 withholds self-expression (autoinhibited) in the absence of a ligand—for example, hormones.
• The research can show the way for developing medical solutions for colon and renal cancers by using molecules that preferentially stabilises the inactive state of VEGFR1.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK)

• Cell surface receptors like Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK) are crucial for converting extracellular signals (from chemical cues like growth factors, generally referred to as ligands) to tightly regulated cellular response.
• Ligand binding to extracellular receptors activates intracellular coupled enzymes (tyrosine kinases).
• The activated enzyme, in turn, adds phosphate group to several tyrosine molecules that function as an adaptor for assembling a signalling complex.
• The formation of the signalling complex regulates diverse cellular functions like cell growth, development, and host immune response.
• Spontaneous activation of RTKs, in the absence of ligands, is often linked to multiple human pathologies like cancers, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
• Researchers are exploring how a cell maintains an autoinhibited state of the enzyme and why such autoinhibition is breached during the progression of human pathology.
• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, investigated one such RTK called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR).
• The VEGFR family of receptors is the key regulator of the process of generating new blood vessels.
• This process is essential for functions like embryonic development, wound healing, tissue regeneration, and tumor formation.
• Various malignant and non-malignant diseases can be treated by targeting VEGFRs.

PROTOTYPE FAST BREEDER REACTOR (PFBR)

• Prime Minister witnessed the start of the process of core-loading of the indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

Know! about the Core Landing Event

• The PFBR is a machine that produces more nuclear fuel than it consumes.Its core-loading event is being hailed as a milestone because the operationalization of the PFBR will mark the start of stage II of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme. It is being administered by BHAVINI.

Know! about Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited(BHAVINI)

• It is a wholly owned enterprise of Government of India under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy.
• It is a public limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. It was incorporated in 2003.
• The objective is constructing and commissioning the first 500 Mega Watt (Mwe) Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu and to pursue construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of subsequent fast breeder reactors for generation of electricity.
• Once the first fast breeder reactor called Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor goes into commercial power production, BHAVINI will be the second power utility in India after Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCI) to use nuclear fuel sources to generate power.

India’s Planned Three-Stage Nuclear Power Program

1^st Stage

• In the first stage, India used Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and natural Uranium -238 (U- 238), which contains miniscule amounts of U-235 as the fissile material.
• In the process of nuclear fission, the nucleus of an atom absorbs a neutron, destabilizes and breaks into two while releasing some energy.
• If the destabilized nucleus releases more neutrons, the reactors will attempt to use them to instigate more fission reactions.
• The heavy water in PHWR slows neutrons released by one fission reaction enough to be captured by other U-238 and U-235 nuclei and cause new fission.
• The heavy water is pressurized to keep it from boiling. The reactions produce Plutonium-239 (Pu-239) and energy.
• Pressurized heavy water reactor is nothing but water molecules containing the deuterium isotope of hydrogen.

2^nd Stage

• Only U-235, not U-238, can sustain a chain reaction but it is consumed fully in stage I.
• In stage II, India will use Pu-239 together with U-238 in the PFBR to produce energy, U-233, and more Pu-239.
• The Department of Atomic Energy set up a Special-purpose Vehicle in 2003 called Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) to implement stage II.

3^rd Stage

• Pu-239 will be combined with Thorium-232 (Th-232) in reactors to produce energy and U-233.
• Homi J. Bhabha designed the three-stage programme because India hosts roughly a quarter of the world’s thorium reserves.
• The three stages are expected to allow the country complete self-sufficiency in nuclear energy.

Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over the Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR) to the Indian Navy
• Microwave Obscurant Chaff (MOC), a niche technology developed by DRDO’s Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, obscures radar signals and creates a microwave shield around platforms and assets, thus reducing radar detection.
• Special type of fibres, with diameter of few microns and unique microwave obscuration properties, have been assembled in the medium range chaff rocket.
• The rocket, when fired, forms microwave obscurant cloud in space spreading over a sufficient area, with adequate persistence time, thus creating an effective shield against hostile threats having Radio Frequency seekers.
• The Phase-I trials of MR-MOCR were successfully conducted from Indian Navy ships, demonstrating the MOC cloud blooming and being persistent in space.
• In Phase-II trials, the Radar Cross Section (RCS) reduction of an aerial target to the extent of 90 per cent has been demonstrated and cleared by the Indian Navy.
• The number of MR-MOCR, meeting all the qualification requirements, have been successfully handed over to the Indian Navy.

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

• The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade.
• It is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989.
• The date June 26 is to commemorate Lin Zexu’s dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, ending on June 25, 1839, just before the First Opium War in China.
• The observance was instituted by General Assembly Resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.

New Compact Utility Tractor

• CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR- CMERI) has developed acompact, affordable, and easily maneuverable tractor of low horsepower range to meet the requirements of the marginal and small farmers, with support from the SEED Division of DST
• Benefits – A newly developed compact, affordable, and easily maneuverable tractor catering for small and marginal farmers could help them increase agricultural productivity while keeping the cost low.

Know! about Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED)

• Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division (earlier known as Science and Society Division) under the Department of Science and Technology provides opportunities to motivated scientists & technologists from national Research and Development (R&D) labs, S&T-driven Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and field-level workers to take up action-oriented and location-specific projects aiming at Socio-economic development of disadvantaged sections of the society through appropriate interventions of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), leading to their improved quality of life and livelihood.
• Through its diverse schemes and programmes, efforts are being made to empower the community by adopting technologies to address locally defined needs and priorities that consider available resources and moral prosperity of society for sustainable development.
• The schemes and programmes of the division are also being converged with line function ministries/departments for the last-mile delivery and national development programmes to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Statistics Day

• In recognition of the notable contributions made by Professor (late) Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of statistics and economic planning, Government of India has designated June 29 every year, coinciding with his birth anniversary, as “Statistics Day” in the category of Special Days to be celebrated at the national level.
• The main objective of celebrating Statistics Day is creation of public awareness, especially among the younger generation, on the role and importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation for development of the country.
• Since 2007, Statistics Day is celebrated every year with a theme of contemporary national importance.
• The theme for Statistics Day, 2024 is “Use of data for decision-making”.
• The concept of data driven decision making is important for making informed decisions in any field and it is one of the pre-requisites for better understanding of statistical information emanating from official statistics and for facilitating evidence-based decision-making.

Artemis Accords

• The Artemis Accords is a series of non-binding multilateral arrangements between the United States government and other world governments that elaborates on the norms expected to be followed in outer space.
• The accords are related to the Artemis program, an American-led effort to return humans to the Moon by 2026, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond.
• As of 12 June 2024 (33 days ago), with the accession of Armenia, 43 countries have signed the accords, including twenty-one in Europe, eight in Asia, six in South America, three in North America, three in Africa, and two in Oceania.
• Drafted by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, the Accords established a framework for cooperation in the civil exploration and peaceful use of the Moon, Mars, and other astronomical objects.
• The Accords were originally signed on 13 October 2020 by representatives of the national space agencies of eight countries: Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Benefit to ISRO

• ISRO will get access to the scientific prowess and best practices of NASA.
• Through knowledge diffusion, it is expected to give thrust to the startup ecosystem in India, which is building up at faster pace with venture capital funding.
• After Chandrayaan-3, ISRO and JAXA are launching the next mission to the Moon. Hence, ISRO plans align with that of Artemis Accords.
• ISRO is also in the process of concentrating on interplanetary missions by handing over satellite launches to the private sector and joining Artemis Accords aligns with ISRO’s priorities.
• Synergy in operations is possible because astronauts are expected to go to Space through Gaganyaan.

Section – B (Prelims Practise Question based on Current Affairs – JUNE 2024)

Q1.Consider the following statements about Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase’ (PI-CheCK)

1. It is a joint initiative of the Health Ministry and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
2. It aims to assess risk factors for communicable diseases within the Indian populace.
3. The collected data encompasses a wide range of parameters, including clinical questionnaires, lifestyle, and dietary habits

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one

• Only two

1. All Three
2. None

Answer – a

• The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced the successful conclusion of the first phase of its groundbreaking longitudinal health monitoring project, the ‘Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase’ (PI-CheCK).
• Launched on 7th December 2023, the PI-CHeCK project aims to assess risk factors in non-communicable (cardio-metabolic) diseases within the Indian populace.
• The collected data encompasses a wide range of parameters, including clinical questionnaires, lifestyle and dietary habits, anthropometric measurements, imaging/scanning data, and extensive biochemical and molecular data.

Q2.The Neurosurgery department at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, recently procured a state-of-the-art intraoperative Ultrasound (iUS) machine for performing

1. Oral Cancer Treatment
2. Brain tumour surgeries
3. Complex Heart Surgeries
4. Kidney transplantation Surgeries

Answer – b

• The Neurosurgery department at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, recently procured a state-of-the art intraoperative Ultrasound (iUS) machine for performing complex brain tumour surgeries.

Q3.Artemis program is an initiative of which of the following organisations?

1. NASA
2. European Space Agency (ESA)
3. Indian Space Research Organisation
4. Both a and b

Answer – d

• NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating to develop a standardized time system for the moon as part of the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface. The initiative addresses the need for a unified timekeeping system to coordinate missions from different countries and private entities.

Q4.Which of the following statements is correct about the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)

1. NCQG’s goal is to get developed countries to promise to give money to poor countries so that they can take action on climate change
2. NCQG’s goal is to get United Nations Security Council countries to promise to give money to poor countries so that they can take action on climate change
3. NCQG’s goal is to get developed countries to promise to give money to developing countries so that they can take action on climate change
4. NCQG’s goal is to get both developed and developed countries to promise to give money to poor countries so that they can take action on climate change

Answer – a

• The NCQG’s goal is to get developed countries to promise to give money to poor countries so that they can take action on climate change. At the conference, differences between developed and developing countries were brought to light, especially when it came to the NCQG’s financial standards and structures.

Q5.Consider the following statements about Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries

1. Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries have been recognised as the wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
2. These sanctuaries are built on human-made wetlands
3. Both these wetlands are deemed as protected areas situated in Bihar’s Jamui district

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one

• Only two

1. All Three
2. None

Answer – c

• The Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries have been recognised as the wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• These sanctuaries are built on human-made wetlands and provide a natural habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, especially flocks of birds.
• Both these wetlands are deemed as protected areas situated in Bihar’s Jamui district.

Q6.Consider the following statements about Trishna

1. Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is collaborating with the French Space Agency CNES on an ambitious new satellite mission called Trishna.
2. Trishna is engineered to deliver high spatial and temporal resolution observations of Earth’s surface temperature, vegetation health, and water cycle dynamics.

Find the correct statement from the options given below

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 3
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – c

• In a major boost to global efforts to monitor and mitigate climate change, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is collaborating with the French Space Agency CNES on an ambitious new satellite mission called Trishna.
• Short for Thermal infraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural resource Assessment, Trishna is engineered to deliver high spatial and temporal resolution observations of Earth’s surface temperature, vegetation health, and water cycle dynamics.

Q7.Recently, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has signed an agreement with which of the following countries to enable the deployment of a UPI-like real-time payments system?

1. Colombia
2. Peru
3. Ecuador
4. Bolivia

Answer – b

• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) have announced a partnership to enable the deployment of a UPI-like real-time payments system in Peru.

Q8.UPI systems are being used in which of the following countries?

1. France
2. Sri Lanka
3. Singapore
4. UAE
5. Bhutan
6. Nepal
7. Mauritius

Find the correct answer from the codes given below

1. 1 2 3 4 and 7
2. 4 5 6 and 7
3. 1 2 3 4 5 and 6
4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 and 7

Answer – d

• UPI systems are being used in France, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the UAE, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, among others. In India, the homegrown payments system set a record in May by processing 14.04 billion transactions, compared to 13.3 billion in April.

Q9.Consider the following statements:

1. Model Code of Conduct has no legislative mandate.
2. Dinesh Goswami Committee is associated with the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines.
3. The use of Electronic Voting Machines has legislative backup.
4. The use of VVPAT Machines was made through the amendments to the RPA.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only One

• Only Two

1. Only Three
2. All Four

Answer –

Q10.Consider the following statements about NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL)

1. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India
2. NIPL is devoted to deploying Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and card scheme (RuPay) outside of India.
3. NIPL supports other countries by enhancing their payment capabilities using technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one

• Only two

1. All Three
2. None

Answer – b

• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) was incorporated on April 3, 2020, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• As NPCI’s international arm, NIPL is devoted to deploying NPCI’s indigenous, successful real-time payment system—Unified Payments Interface (UPI)—and card scheme (RuPay) outside of India.
• NPCI has successfully developed and proved its products and technological capabilities in the domestic market by transforming the payment segment in India.

Q11.Find the correct statement about SPARSH

1. SPARSH is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs which aims to provide a comprehensive solution to the Olympic Athletes
2. SPARSH is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence which aims to provide comprehensive solution to the defence pensioners.
3. SPARSH is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development which aims to provide comprehensive child vaccination solution
4. SPARSH is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which aims to provide Primary and Secondary Healthcare at a community level

Answer – b

• Defence Accounts Department (DAD), Ministry of Defence has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Bank of India, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank in New Delhi to onboard them as SPARSH [System for Pension Administration (Raksha)] Service Centres across 1,128 branches of the four banks across the country.
• SPARSH is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence which aims to provide comprehensive solution to the defence pensioners.

Q12.Consider the following statements about Gudleppa Hallikeri Award

1. People who have made important contributions to literature, society, or social service are recognized with the Gudleppa Hallikeri Award.
2. It was named for a famous freedom fighter named Gudleppa Hallikeri who believed in the same things that Mahatma Gandhi did.

Find the correct statement from the options given below

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – c

Q13.Command and Control Compatibility Board (CCCB) is the Technical Expert Group formed under which of the following agreements?

1. Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
2. Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement
3. Industrial Security Agreement
4. and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement

Answer – b

• It is the Technical Expert Group formed under Article XI of the Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) between India and

Q14.Consider the following statements about the Strategic Interventions for the Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme

1. The primary goal of the scheme is to boost the production of Green Ammonia in India
2. Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), will serve as the implementing agency

Find the correct statement from the options given below

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – c

• The primary goal of the scheme is to boost the production of Green Ammonia in India, aiming to enhance its cost competitiveness compared to fossil-based alternatives and promoting large-scale utilization.
• The financial backing for this initiative will be sourced from the budget allocated to the National Hydrogen Mission Head.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is set to spearhead the implementation of this scheme through the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), serving as the implementing agency.

Q15.Haber-Bosch process is used for the production of?

1. Sulphur
2. Urea
3. Ammonia
4. Lead Nitrate

Answer – c

• Ammonia is typically produced by combining hydrogen and nitrogen through a method known as the Haber-Bosch process. This so-called “brown ammonia” uses fossil fuels both to provide the hydrogen and the energy source. Each tonne of ammonia produced releases about 2 tonnes of greenhouse gas.

Q16.What is “Sindhu Shikhar,” which was recently in the news?

1. A new tourist attraction in India
2. A historic site discovered in Rajasthan
3. A car rally from Delhi to Leh
4. A newly launched train route

Answer – c

• Sindhu Shikharcar rally from Delhi to Leh and back was flagged off by VAdm Sanjay Bhalla, the Chief of Personnel on 10 Jun 24 from New Delhi.
• The main objective of the expedition is to spread awareness aboutthe rich maritime heritage of India and maritime consciousness in the northern states. 

Q17.Consider the following statements about National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT)

1. NHIT has been registered with SEBI
2. NHIT is sponsored by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
3. NHIT was set up in 2021 to support the Government of India’s National Monetization Pipeline

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one

• Only two

1. All Three
2. None

Answer – C

• The Trust was registered with SEBI on October 28, 2020, under Regulation 3(1) of the InvIT Regulations and has obtained a certificate of registration from SEBI
• National Highways Infra Trust (NHIT), the Infrastructure Investment Trust sponsored by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was set up in 2021 to support Government of India’s National Monetization Pipeline

Q18.Consider the following statements about ATL Tinkerpreneur

1. It is a flagship summer boot camp under AIM’s Atal Tinkering Labs program.
2. This boot camp is open to all schools across India including non-ATL schools.

Find the correct statement from the options given below

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – c

• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, announces the commencement of applications for the prestigious ‘ATL Tinkerpreneur 2024’-a flagship summer boot camp under AIM’s Atal Tinkering Labs program. This boot camp is now open to all schools across India including non-ATL schools.

Q19.What is the primary focus of Global Health Strategies (GHS)?

1. Providing financial aid to developing countries
2. Raising awareness and providing high-level support for public health challenges in emerging economies
3. Conducting medical research and development
4. Training healthcare professionals exclusively in developed countries

Answer – b

• Raising awareness and providing high-level support for public health challenges in emerging economies

Q20.Recently we have seen the term “CC IND-177” in NEWS.

CC-IND-177  represents

1. WHO Collaborating Centre (CC)
2. World Bank Collaborating Centre (CC)
3. UNESCO Collaborating Centre (CC)
4. IMF Collaborating Centre (CC)

Answer – a

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, a unit under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush as a WHO Collaborating Centre (CC) for “Fundamental and Literary Research in Traditional Medicine” (CC IND-177).

Q21.Identify the correct statement regarding the digital initiative of Ayush

1. The SAHI Portal showcases medico-historical artefacts
2. The NAMASTE Portal collects cumulative morbidity statistics from hospitals
3. AMAR Portal catalogues Ayush manuscripts, featuring digitized manuscripts, rare books, catalogues, and periodicals
4. All of the above

Answer – d

• NIIMH houses more than 500 physical manuscripts, alongside the Medical Heritage Museum and Library, featuring rare books and manuscripts dating back to the 15th century AD.

Q22.Consider the following statements about the ASPIRE scheme

1. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education
2. It provides research grants to women scientists and technologists.
3. It is open to women scientists and technologists who are Indian citizens and have a PhD degree in any area of science or technology.

Find the correct statement

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1 2 and 3

Answer – b

• It is an initiative by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to provide research grants to women scientists and technologists.

Q23.One Week One Lab initiative is a countrywide campaign of which of the following organisations?

1. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
2. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
3. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
4. NITI Aayog

Answer – b

• The ‘One Week One Lab’ initiative is a countrywide campaign of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in India.
• The campaign aims to showcase the technological breakthroughs and scientific innovations of CSIR labs across the country.

Q24.Prix Versailles Award is given in the field of?

1. Architectural design
2. Literature Work
3. Visual Arts
4. Cultural Monuments

Answer – a

• The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj has been listed among the 7 most beautiful museums in the world under the prestigious Prix Versailles Award.
• The Prix Versailles Award is a prestigious international award that recognizes excellence in architectural design and interior design of commercial establishments worldwide.

Q25.Consider the following statements about PM SHRI School scheme

1. The Centre will bear 60 percent cost of the implementation cost, while the remaining 40 percent will be borne by the state or UT.
2. This initiative is intended to develop more than 14500 PM SHRI Schools managed by Central Government/State/UT Government/local bodies including KVS and NVS

Find the correct statement from the options given below

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – c

• PM-SHRI scheme is sponsored by the Central govt, the 60 per cent cost of the implementation cost will be borne by the Centre, while the remaining 40 per cent will be borne by the state or UT. However, in some states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, the contribution of the Central govt can go up to 90 per cent.

Section -C (Probable Mains Questions based on JUNE 2024 current affairs )

Q1.Discuss various constitutional provisions and conventions pertaining to the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Speaker Pro-tem.

Q2. India recently hosted the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in Kochi, Kerala. Discuss the key decisions made during the meeting, with a particular focus on responsible tourism in Antarctica.

Q3. Discuss how the 4 I’s—Infrastructure, Investment, Innovation, and Inclusiveness—can be pivotal in transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. Highlight the government initiatives driving this transformation.

Q4.What do you understand by Plasma Arc Gasification? Discuss the pros and cons of the

technology for municipal solid waste.

Q5.As an aspiring global power, India requires a comprehensive national security strategy. Discuss the essential components and significance of such a strategy for the country’s future.

Q6. What are the Artemis Accords? What are their key features? Discuss how joining the Artemis Accords would benefit ISRO.

Q7. What is the definition of a notified disaster? Discuss the rationale for considering heat waves as a notified disaster.

Q8.Evaluate the effectiveness of the Planning Commission in achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development in India. Additionally, elucidate the potential of NITI Aayog to effectively continue this journey.

Q9.In the era of increasing AI tool adoption, do you think the widespread use of language models like ChatGPT and BARD poses a threat to job security, or do you see it as a driver for creating new types of employment? Justify your perspective with well-reasoned arguments.

Q10.Explain the challenges of urban flooding in Indian cities, focusing on the importance of urban planning and infrastructure development for disaster resilience.

Section -D (Probable Interview Questions based on JUNE 2024 current affairs )

Mock Transcript

Mock Chairman

1. Can you provide an overview of the European Parliament, including its structure, functions, and significance within the European Union? Additionally, what are the reasons behind the recent discussions surrounding the Parliamentary Elections, and why are they considered important in the current political landscape?

Mock Member 1

1. What can you tell me about the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) recently filed by Hyundai?

Mock Member 2

1. What can you tell me about the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024? Specifically, what are the key provisions and objectives of this legislation? Additionally, do you believe that notifying this act will effectively address the issue of paper leaks in India? What are the potential strengths and weaknesses of the act in combating unfair practices in public examinations, and how might it impact the overall integrity of the examination process?

Mock Member 3

1. What is the Need For Centralized Digital Payments Intelligence Platform, As Proposed By The Reserve Bank Of India?

Mock Member 4

1. What are some environmental issues associated with hydropower projects? Specifically, how do these projects impact local ecosystems, aquatic life, and water quality? Additionally, what are the implications for biodiversity and land use, particularly in relation to habitat disruption and deforestation? Furthermore, how do hydropower projects affect local communities, including potential displacement and changes in livelihoods? Finally, what strategies can be implemented to mitigate these environmental concerns while still harnessing the benefits of hydropower as a renewable energy source?