UPSC with Shivaji kale

“From the River to the Sea” in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Q1: What is the significance of the phrase “from the river to the sea” in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? A1: This phrase historically represents the Palestinian nationalist claim to land extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, the area covering both Israel and Palestine. Q2: How has the phrase “from the river to the sea” been interpreted differently by various groups? A2: For Palestinians, it symbolizes a call for returning to the borders under British control before 1948, reflecting their aspiration for an independent Palestinian state. For some groups like Hamas, it has been adopted with a more radical meaning, calling for the annihilation of Israel. Q3: What does the phrase “from the river to the sea” mean in Arabic, and what is its origin? A3: In Arabic, “min al-nahr ila al-bahr” dates back to the early nationalistic movements of the 1960s, about a quarter-century before Hamas came i...

Ramsar Convention and India’s New Ramsar Sites The Ramsar Convention, an international treaty signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands. It aims to maintain and develop a global network of wetlands crucial for biodiversity conservation and sustaining human life. As of January 31, 2024, India has made a significant contribution by adding five more wetlands to this list, taking its total to 80 Ramsar sites. Newly Added Ramsar Sites in India: 1. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (Karnataka): A vital wetland ecosystem contributing to regional biodiversity. 2. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (Karnataka): Known for its avian diversity, attracting numerous bird species. 3. Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka): An ecologically significant estuarine system with diverse flora and fauna. 4. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): A haven for migratory birds, playing a crucial role in bird conservation. 5. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (Tamil Nad...

2+2 Dialogue and Visit by US Officials 1. What is the 2+2 dialogue? The 2+2 dialogue is an annual India-US meeting that includes discussions between both nations’ ministers of external affairs and defense. 2. Who will be visiting India for the dialogue this year? US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin will be participating in the 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi. 3. What are the main areas of discussion in this dialogue? The talks will focus on a wide range of issues, including the strategic India-US relationship, security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and collaboration in the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). 4. What is the significance of the dialogue in relation to Canada? There have been allegations by Canada of India’s involvement with a militant group. The US has urged India, both publicly and privately, to cooperate with Canada’s investigation on these claims. 5. How does this dialogue impact India...

Tower 22 Drone Attack in Jordan 1. What is Tower 22? A US military logistics outpost near the Jordan-Syria border. 2. What happened at Tower 22? It was hit by a drone attack, resulting in three US soldiers killed and 34 wounded. 3. Who claimed responsibility for the attack? The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, linked to Iran, claimed the attack. 4. What was the motive behind the attack? It was a response to US support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. 5. How did the US respond to the attack? President Biden promised to hold the attackers accountable, highlighting Iran-backed groups’ involvement. 6. What does this attack signify for the region? It raises concerns about escalating tensions and the potential spillover of conflicts like the Gaza war. 7. How has the international community reacted? The attack has been widely condemned, with many leaders attributing it to Iran’s regional influence. 8. What broader implications does this have? The incident underscores the complexity and volatility of ...

Parliamentary Ethics Committee: Role and Function in MP Allegations The Parliamentary Ethics Committee is pivotal in maintaining the sanctity of the House. It’s entrusted with the role of overseeing the ethical conduct of MPs and adjudicating on matters referred to it. Committee’s Mandate: The committee examines ethical conduct and can suggest sanctions against MPs. Its findings can have severe implications, including disqualification from Parliament. Process and Powers: During investigations, the committee can summon MPs, review evidence, and deliberate on the presented facts. It cannot, however, exercise criminal jurisdiction, which is reserved for law enforcement. Ethics vs. Privilege: While the Ethics Committee handles ethical misconduct, breaches of parliamentary privilege typically fall under the Privileges Committee. The choice between the two depends on the nature of the allegation. Decision Impact: The committee’s recommendations carry weight and, following debate, can lead to...

Global Biofuel Alliance 1. What is the Global Biofuel Alliance? The Global Biofuel Alliance is an ambitious initiative established at the G20 Leaders Summit. It aims to bring countries together to expand and create new markets for sustainable biofuels, promoting collaboration in biotechnology, innovation, and market development related to biofuels. 2. Why was the Global Biofuel Alliance formed? Following the successful launch of the International Solar Alliance in 2015, the Global Biofuel Alliance demonstrates India’s commitment to leading the drive for renewable energy solutions and promoting sustainable and eco-friendly energy. 3. Which countries are members of the Global Biofuel Alliance? Initiating members include Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, UAE, and the USA. Canada and Singapore are observer countries. 4. What is the significance of biofuels in the global energy matrix? Biofuels play a crucial role in providing renewable energy, reducing c...

🔹 EnVision mission ✔️ The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially approved the EnVision mission, which promises to provide unprecedented insights into Venus, our closest planetary neighbour. ✔️ Slated for a 2031 launch aboard an Ariane 6 rocket, EnVision will embark on a comprehensive study of Venus, from its fiery inner core to the dynamic outer atmosphere. ✔️ This ambitious mission aims to shed light on the planet's complex history, geological phenomena, and extreme climate conditions. ✔️ It will be the first to directly measure the planet's subsurface features with a radar sounder, providing clues about its geological activity. ✔️ VenSAR, another advanced radar tool, will deliver detailed surface maps, revealing the planet's topography with up to 10-meter precision.

SLIM Mission ✔️ The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chandrayaan-2 mission has become a cornerstone for international space missions, including Japan's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM). ✔️ The collaboration between ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is set to deepen with the upcoming LUPEX mission, a joint India-Japan enterprise. ✔️ However, before LUPEX comes to fruition, Jasa's SLIM mission has already benefited from ISRO's experiences. ✔️ SLIM, which entered lunar orbit recently, after a months-long journey, was aiming for a precision landing within 100 meters of its target site, showcasing an advancement in landing accuracy.

Warming Winter Syndrome  The term “warming winter syndrome” is not a medically recognized condition; rather, it is a term  used to describe the set of symptoms and changes associated with the warming of winter  seasons due to global climate change.   It represents the various impacts and consequences of winters warming more quickly than other  seasons.  Shift in Freezing Line: Warming winters lead to a northward shift of the freezing line between  snow and rain. Areas that historically experienced freezing temperatures in winter are now  experiencing milder conditions.  Increase in Ice Storms: Regions that were traditionally below freezing during winter are now  witnessing an increase in ice storms due to the fl uctuation in temperatures near the freezing  point.  Changes in Snow Character: The character of snow changes as temperatures approach  freezing. Instead of dry and fl uff y snow, wet and heavy snowfl akes occur, which can lead...

Free Movement Regime Why in News  Home Minister Amit Shah said the 1,643 km India-Myanmar border would soon be fenced.   He also said the Free Movement Regime (FMR) agreement with Myanmar would be reconsidered  to stop border residents from moving into each other’s country without any paperwork.  What is the FMR?  The Free Movement Regime (FMR) was established in 2018 as part of India’s Act East  policy. It allows people living on either side of the India-Myanmar border to travel up to 16  km inside each other’s country without a visa.  Border residents can obtain a border pass valid for a year to stay in the other country for  about two weeks per visit.  The FMR also aims to promote local border trade through customs stations and designated  markets, facilitating economic interactions between the border regions of India and Myanmar.  The FMR seeks to improve access to better education and healthcare facilities on the  Indian side of the border ...

 El Niño 1. What is El Niño? El Niño is a climate phenomenon where warm water in the Indo-Western Pacific warm pool moves eastward along the equator, disrupting weather patterns globally. 2. What Constitutes a Strong El Niño? A strong El Niño is characterized by a sea surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific that is at least 1.5°C (2.7°F) higher than normal. It's measured in an area known as the Nino 3.4 Index. 3. How Does it Affect Weather? Warm water causes the air above it to heat up and rise, leading to increased precipitation and altered atmospheric circulation patterns. 4. What is the Walker Circulation? This is the atmospheric circulation loop that reacts to El Niño, affecting global weather systems like the jet stream in the U.S. 5. How Was the 2023 El Niño Different? The 2023 El Niño did not affect the Atlantic hurricane season as much as expected because the atmosphere did not respond to the warmer water quickly enough. 6. How Does El Niño Impact Hurricanes? Typicall...

About Angel Tax • Angel Tax is a tax levied on the capital raised via the issue of shares by unlisted companies if the share price  of issued shares is seen in excess of the fair market value of the company. • The excess funds raised at prices above fair value is treated as income, on which tax is levied.                                                2.About Gift Tax • The Parliament of India introduced the Gift Tax Act in 1958, and gift tax is essentially the tax charged on the  receipt of gifts. • The Income Tax Act states that gift whose value exceeds Rs.50,000 are subject to gift tax in the hands of the  recipient. • The gift tax is also applicable on certain transfers that are not considered a gift. • The transfer of existing movable or immovable property in money or money's worth qualifies for gift tax. • The gift is exempted from tax if it was gi...

01 Kilauea  Volcano The Kilauea volcano erupted recently. It is the youngest and most active shield volcano, located  on the southern part of the Island of Hawai'i, known as Big Island. It has a large summit caldera  with a central crater. 02 Al-Hakim  mosque Indian Prime Minister visited the 11th Century Al-Hakim mosque. It is located in Cairo, Egypt. It  is named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Fatimid caliph. The mosque was inscribed as a UNESCO  World Heritage Site in 1979. 03 Chhukha hydro  project India agreed to an upward revision of tariff of the Chhukha hydroelectric project. It is a run-of- the-river project, located in the south-western part of Bhutan. 04 Mayon volcano Mayon volcano has erupted recently. It is an active volcano in southeastern Luzon, Philippines. It  is called the world’s most perfect volcanic cone because of the symmetry of its shape. 05 Fraser island The government of the Australian has changed the name of Fraser I...

Ramsar Sites  A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar  Convention.  Also known as “The Convention on Wetlands”, an international environmental treaty signed  on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO.  It came into force on 21 December 1975, when it was ratifi ed by a suffi cient number of nations.   It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of  wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources.   As of may 2023, India has 75 wetlands sites. Amrit Darohar  Amrit Dharohar initiative, part of the 2023-24 budget announcement, was launched by MoEF&CC  to promote unique conservation values of the Ramsar Sites .  This initiative is to be implemented in convergence with various Central Government ministries  and agencies, State Wetland Authorities, and a network of formal and informal institutions and  individuals, wo...

Coalition for a GM-Free  The Coalition for a GM-Free India is a loose, informal network of scores of organizations and  individuals from across India, campaigning and advocating to keep India GM-Free, and to shift our  farming towards a sustainable path.   Consisting of farmers’, consumers’, environmental, women’s and other organizations, this network  is opposed to the environmental release of Genetically Modifi ed Organisms (GMOs) given the  potential adverse health and environmental impacts. Weeds like Mimosa, Siam are taking over Assam’s biodiversity  Assam is facing a growing threat from invasive plants that  are rapidly taking over its forests, impacting both wildlife  and domestic animals.  Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam, home  to the one-horned rhinoceros, is battling the highly  invasive Mimosa species, also known as Touch-Me-Not  or Shameplant.  Researchers believe that the tea industry may have  i...

DARK SKY PARKS  A dark sky park is an area designed around a park or  observatory that restricts artifi cial light pollution.  On January 11, 2024, the Pench Tiger Reserve  (PTR) in Maharashtra was designated as India’s  fi rst International Dark Sky Park, certifi ed by the  International Dark-Sky Association.  It was the fi fth such park in Asia with an aim to  protect the night sky and promote astronomy.  The global night sky has been getting 10 per cent  brighter every year over the past decade. This excessive  or inappropriate use of outdoor artifi cial light is  aff ecting human health, wildlife behaviour, and our  ability to observe stars and other celestial objects.  Light pollution refers to artifi cial light that alters the natural patterns of light and dark in  ecosystems.  Types of light pollution:  For example, glare, which is a disruptive light that shines horizontally.  Light trespass, which is the unwanted shining ...

PM Modi launches new rooftop solar power scheme: What it is, why it is needed  Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana:  Prime Minister Modi announced the “Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana,” a scheme for installing  solar power systems on residential rooftops.  The goal is to install rooftop solar on 1 crore (10 million) houses to reduce electricity bills  and make India self-reliant in the energy sector.  Current Solar Capacity   India’s total solar power installed capacity is approximately 73.31 GW.  Rooftop solar capacity is around 11.08 GW.  Rajasthan leads in total solar capacity with 18.7 GW, followed by Gujarat with 10.5 GW.  Gujarat tops the list in rooftop solar capacity with 2.8 GW, followed by Maharashtra with 1.7  GW.  Solar power contributes signifi cantly to India’s renewable energy capacity, which stands at  around 180 GW.  Importance of Solar Energy Expansion:  India is expected to experience the largest energy demand growth globally in the next ...

01 Cuba Cuba's National Assembly has confirmed President Miguel Diaz-Canel for a new five-year  term. It is an island country located where the northern Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and  Atlantic Ocean meet. Havana is the largest city and capital. 02 Gaza Strip Gaza Strip is a Palestinian enclave on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders  Egypt and Israel. 03 Uzbekistan Uzbekistan holds referendum on new Constitution that puts human rights at forefront. It is a  doubly landlocked country (a landlocked country completely surrounded by other landlocked  countries). It is surrounded by five landlocked countries which are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,  Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. 04 Sittwe Port India and Myanmar jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port. It is a deepwater port constructed by  India in Myanmar, on the Bay of Bengal. Situated at the mouth of the Kaladan River. 05 Coco Islands They are a small group of islands located in t...

Rani Durgavati • Rani Durgavati was born in 1524, in Mahoba’s Chandela dynasty in Uttar Pradesh. • June 24 is marked as a day of sacrifice when the queen is believed to have died while fighting the Mughals in  the mid-16th century. • Durgavati, however, was widowed in 1550, a few years after her marriage. Her young son Bir Narayan  presided over the throne in name, and she ruled as the regent. • During her reign, Durgavati fought with Baz Bahadur, the sultan of the neighboring Malwa who was eventually  defeated by Akbar. • Abul Fazl, the court historian of Akbar who chronicled these years in Akbarnama, described Durgavati as a  combination of “beauty, grace, and manlike courage and bravery”. He further added that the prosperity of  the kingdom was such that people paid their taxes in gold coins and elephants. Mihir Bhoj (836 - 885 AD) • Mihir Bhoj was a ruler of the Gurjara- Pratihara dynasty. He succeeded his father Ramabhadra and was in  power from 836 un...

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS Bihan Mela • The Kondh tribe in Odisha's Nayagarh district has introduced the Bihan Mela, a seed festival, to their calendar  of celebrations. The event, which began in 2019, mimics a traditional market where farmers exchange seeds. • Farmers from 40 villages participate in the event, which begins after harvesting kharif crops, including hybrid  and indigenous varieties of paddy, millets, maize, and sorghumWomen collect seeds and  store them in clay pots, which  are decorated with red and  white designs and carried to  the fair.  • Since the Green Revolution,  farmers have abandoned  native crops and have shifted  to monoculture cash crops,  affecting their food security  and soil quality. The seed  festival aims to help farmers  return to their traditional  farming methods. Kharchi Puja • It is centred around the worship of ancestral deities of the Tripuri people.  • It is also called th...

CLASSIFICATION OF MISSILES 1. Based on launching base  Surface-to-Surface Missile: A surface-to-surface missile is a guided projectile launched from a  hand-held, vehicle mounted, trailer mounted or fi xed installation. It is often powered by a rocket  motor or sometimes fi red by an explosive charge since the launch platform is stationary.  Surface-to-Air Missile: A surface-to-air missile is designed for launch from the ground to destroy  aerial targets like aircrafts, helicopters and even ballistic missile. These missiles are generally called  air defence systems as they defend any aerial attacks by the enemy.  Surface (Coast)-to-Sea Missile: A Surface (Coast)-to-Sea Missile is designed to be launched from  land to ship in the sea as targets.  Air-to-Air Missile: An Air-to-Air Missile is launched from an aircraft to destroy the enemy aircraft.  The missile fl ies at a speed of 4 Mach.  Air-to-Surface Missile: An Air-to-Surface Missile is designed for...

Government may double Insurance cover under Ayushman Bharat to 10 lakh  The government is considering doubling the insurance cover provided by the Ayushman Bharat  health scheme from the current Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.  This expansion is aimed at ensuring that serious diseases like cancer and transplants, which  require higher expenditure, are covered under the scheme.  Plans are in place to include additional groups of benefi ciaries in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan  Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).   These groups may include Kisan Samman Nidhi recipients, construction workers, non-coal mine  workers, and ASHA workers over the next three years .                                         Ayushman Bharat –Pradhan Mantri Jan AarogyaYojana   Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (PMJAY) will provide a cover of up to Rs.  5 lakhs per f...

Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival  The festival focuses on wildlife conservation, particularly hornbills.  Four species of hornbills, including the endangered Rufous-necked hornbill, are found in the  Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Arunachal Pradesh.  The Nyishi, the largest tribal group in Arunachal Pradesh, play a signifi cant role in hornbill  conservation. Biopesticide  Scientists have found a natural remedy to protect eucalyptus forest plantations from a pest,  eucalyptus snout beetle-The pest is indigenous to Australia.  It is a biopesticide for controlling beetle populations.  Fungi is developed by treating insecticidal activity, UV-B radiation tolerance among other parameters  to ensure that recovered fungi are suitable to produce bio-insecticide and mass production and  commercialisation.

Thiruvalluvar  Sri Thiruvalluvar is fondly referred to as Valluvar by Tamils.  Thiruvalluvar is also revered as an ancient sant, poet, and a philosopher.  His ‘Thirukkural’, a collection of 1,330 couplets (‘kurals’ in Tamil), are  an essential part of every Tamil household.  In the early 16th century, a temple dedicated to Thiruvalluvar was built  within the Ekambareswarar temple complex in Mylapore, Chennai.  What are light-emitting diodes and why are they prized as light sources? Diodes:  A diode is an electronic component with two terminals: anode and cathode.  Its primary function is to allow current to fl ow in only one direction.  It achieves this through a p-n junction, where one side is p-type (holes as primary charge-carriers)  and the other is n-type (electrons as primary charge-carriers).  Electrons can fl ow easily from the n-type to the p-type but not the other way, creating one-way  current fl ow.  When voltage is applied in the correct di...

ANUBHAV Awards  The Government has notifi ed the ANUBHAV Awards Scheme 2024.  About Anubhav Awards:  The online platform ‘Anubhav Portal’ was launched in 2015 by the Department of Pension and  Pensioners Welfare for sharing experiences of retiring/retired Central Government employees  while working with the Government.  To participate in the awards scheme, retiring Central Government employees/pensioners are  required to submit their Anubhav write-ups, 8 months prior to retirement and up to 1 year after  their retirement.   Thereafter, the write-ups will be published after assessment by concerned Ministries/ Departments.   The published write-ups will be shortlisted for the Anubhav Awards and Jury Certifi cates.

What is CPI Inflation?  The CPI infl ation is nothing but the rate of infl ation that consumers face.   It is diff erent from the major infl ation indicator — the wholesale price index-based infl ation rate.  According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), which releases the  data, the consumer price index measures “changes over time in general level of prices of a basket  of selected goods and services that households acquire for the purpose of consumption”.  At an all-India level, the current CPI basket comprises 299 items.  Apart from an aggregate index, consumer price indices are constructed for both rural and urban  consumers as well.  The “base year” for the current series of indices is 2012.   The CPI has six main  components, each with  diff ering weights and many  more sub-components within  them. The main components  as follows :  This means that a spike in  prices of food articles lik...

New butterfly species endemic to Western Ghats discovered in Karnataka  A new species of silverline  butterfl y, named Cigaritis  conjuncta or “conjoined  silverline,” has been identifi ed  in India’s Western Ghats, a  biodiversity hotspot.  The conjoined silverline  butterfl y was fi rst spotted in  2008 but received extensive  research attention in 2021.  The researchers found fi ve  male and four female specimens of this butterfl y in Honey valley, Kodagu district of Karnataka.  The conjoined silverline butterfl y belongs to the Lycaenidae family and is the second endemic  species discovered in the Western Ghats.  It is primarily found in dense mid-elevation evergreen forests, indicating specialized habitat  preferences.  Although it may appear similar to other silverline butterfl ies from a distance, distinct wing patterns,  particularly the fused bands on the underside, set it apart.  In India, there are 16 species ...

The first-ever IUCN assessment of the Himalayan Wolf is out  The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco) has been assessed for the fi rst time on the International  Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and it has been categorized as ‘Vulnerable.  Vulnerable Status: The Himalayan Wolf has been classifi ed as ‘Vulnerable’ based on the IUCN  criteria.  This classifi cation is due to a population size estimate of 2,275-3,792 mature individuals, with all  individuals belonging to one subpopulation distributed across the Himalayan range of Nepal  and India and the Tibetan Plateau.  The assessment notes a continuous decline in the population, primarily due to ongoing  substantial threats and a lack of conservation action.  The assessment identifi es various threats to the Himalayan Wolf, including habitat loss and  degradation, depredation confl icts with livestock, depletion of wild prey populations, and  hybridization with feral dogs in Ladakh...

Colombo Security Conclave (CSC): It is a security-focused  group operating in the Indian Ocean region. India, Sri  Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius are permanent members.  Bangladesh and Seychelles are observers. Its secretariat is  in Colombo, Sri Lanka. • Katchatheevu: It is a small uninhabited island administered  by Sri Lanka. The island is situated in the Palk Strait between  Neduntheevu (Sri Lanka) and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) but  within the maritime boundaries of Sri Lanka. • Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC): It is a statutory body  under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B). It  is tasked with regulating the public exhibition of films under  the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, of 1952. Films can  be shown in India only after they have been certified by the  Board. • Finfluencers: Financial influencers — popularly known as  ‘finfluencers’ — are people who offer financial advice to the...

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR STATES IN INDIA The Indian Constitution creates special provisions for  several states under Article 371. About: • All these exceptions are under a Section of the Constitution  titled “Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provisions”. • Reason: These special provisions are intended to address the  unique circumstances and historical backgrounds of specific  states.  The states that enjoy special status often have distinct  rights, privileges, and autonomy in certain matters. States that Enjoy the Special Provisions under the  Constitution: • Article 371A: Special provisions for Nagaland  The state can have its own administrative and legal  mechanisms based on the Naga customary laws, and the  right to carry on religious and local social practices.   Special powers to the governor to overrule the decision of  the chief minister on a law and order situation. • Article 371B: Special provisions for Assam  T...

KIGALI AGREEMENT • The Kigali Amendment is an international agreement to  reduce the consumption and production of HFC. • Objective: The main goal of the Kigali Amendment is to  address climate change by reducing the global use of  HFCs.  HFCs, while not harmful to the ozone layer, are potent  greenhouse gases with a high global warming potential  (GWP).  It builds on the earlier success of the Montreal Protocol,  which successfully phased out many ozone-depleting  substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and  hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).   It marks a shift from HCFCs to alternative substances  with lower environmental impact. • This is expected to prevent the emissions of up to 105  billion tonnes of CO2 of greenhouse gasses, avoiding up to 0.5 degree Celsius of global temperature rise by 2100. National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs): • NCAPs are an important tool to assist countries in identifying  pathways to i...

FINANCE COMMISSION • It is a constitutional body is also a quasi-judicial body in  matters related to summoning & enforcing attendance  and requisitioning any public record from any court of  office. • It is constituted by the President of India under Article 280  of the Constitution which requires a Finance Commission  (FC) to be set up every five years. • The Finance Commission normally takes about two years to  make their recommendations.  As per clause (1) of Article 280 of the Constitution, the  Finance Commission is to be constituted every fifth  year or earlier. • The 1st FC was constituted vide Presidential Order under  the chairmanship of Shri K.C. Neogy on 6th April 1952. • Core Responsibilities: The Commission must make  recommendations to the President as to:  The distribution between the Union and the States of  the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or maybe,  divided between them and the allocation ...

COP 28: It concluded in the UAE, bringing together nations  that are signatories to the UNFCCC to tackle the issues  arising from the climate crisis collectively. • History of Post Office: The genesis of this extensive postal  network dates back to 1727 AD when the first post office  was established in Calcutta (Kolkata). General Post Offices  (GPOs) were set up in Calcutta in 1774, Madras in 1786, and  Bombay in 1793. • ECI: Article 324 states that the Election Commission will comprise  the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such number of  Election Commissioners (ECs), as the President may decide. NCRB REPORT FINDINGS: • Crime Against Women:  There was a 4% increase in the number of cases registered  in 2022 as compared to 2021.   The majority of cases were registered under ‘cruelty by  husband or his relatives’ (31.4%) followed by ‘kidnapping  and abduction of women’ (19.2%), ‘assault on women with  intent to outra...

UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON  CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)- KEY POINTS • The United Nations Conference on Environment and  Development is also known by other names like the Earth  Summit, the Rio Summit, or the Rio Conference. • Two other outcomes of the Rio Conference were  Convention on Biological Diversity and  The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. • About UNFCCC:  It is a multilateral treaty governing actions to combat  climate change through adaptation and mitigation  efforts directed at control of emission of GreenHouse  Gases (GHGs) that cause global warming.  It is considered the parent treaty of both the Kyoto  Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2015).  UNFCCC entered into force on 1994 and has been  ratified by 197 countries.  India ratified the UNFCCC in 1993.  Nodal Agency in India: The Ministry of Environment,  Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) acts as the  nodal agency fo...

Monetary Policy in India: • Under the Reserve Bank of India, Act,1934 , RBI is entrusted  with the responsibility of conducting monetary policy in India. • Objective: To maintain price stability while keeping in mind  the objective of growth. • The Monetary Policy Framework: In May 2016, the RBI Act,  1934 was amended to provide a statutory basis for the  implementation of the flexible inflation targeting framework. The operating framework of monetary policy aims at  aligning the operating target – the weighted average call  rate (WACR) – with the policy repo rate.  It is through proactive liquidity management to facilitate  transmission of repo rate changes through the entire  financial system, which, in turn, influences aggregate  demand – a key determinant of inflation and growth. • Inflation Target: The Central Government, in consultation  with the RBI, determines the inflation target in terms of the  Consumer Price Index (C...

PSLV-C58 X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat)  ISRO is set to launch the PSLV-C58 X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat)   The primary objective of the PSLV-C58 mission is to launch XPoSat into an eastward low inclination  orbit.  The mission will carry 10 identifi ed payloads, including XPoSat, supplied by ISRO and IN- SPACe.  XPoSat is ISRO’s fi rst dedicated scientifi c satellite for conducting space-based polarization  measurements of X-ray emissions from celestial sources.  XPoSat carries two payloads: POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) developed by the Raman Research Institute and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) developed by the Space Astronomy  Group of URSC, Bengaluru.  In addition to XPoSat, the PSLV will also carry 10 payloads developed by start-ups, educational  institutions, and ISRO centers, including Dust Experiment (DEX), Fuel Cell Power System (FCPS), Si- based High Energy Cell, Radiation Shielding Experimental Module (RSEM), and...