Daily Current Affairs : 22nd and 23rd October 2022

by

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CSE

Topics Covered

  1. FATF Grey List
  2. Consent to CBI
  3. Cyclone
  4. CCI
  5. Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat
  6. Facts for Prelims

1 . FATF Grey List

Context : Financial Action Task Force, the global watchdog on anti-money laundering and combating financing terrorism (AML/CFT) efforts, announced it would take Pakistan off its “grey list” of countries under “enhanced monitoring”, and welcomed what it called Pakistan’s “significant progress” in improving legal and government mechanisms. 

How does FATF work and what do ‘grey lists’ and ‘black lists’ refer to?

  • The 39-member body that was set up in 1989 out of a G-7 meeting of developed nations, is today made up of 37 countries and two regional organisations: the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
  • India joined with ‘observer’ status in 2006 and became a full member of FATF in 2010.
  • According to its mission statement, FATF members meet regularly to monitor various countries, “review money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and counter-measures; and promote the adoption and implementation of the FATF Recommendations globally”.
  • The decision-making body of the FATF or Plenary meets thrice a year, in February, June and October, to take stock of “Mutual Evaluation Reports” (MERs) of the countries they review.
  • If a country appears to have major deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime, it is put on a list of “jurisdictions under increased monitoring” or what is called the “grey list”, and if it fails to address FATF concerns it is put on a “high-risk jurisdictions” list, called the “black list”.
  • Countries on both lists are subject to increasing levels of financial strictures, as the listing is like a global rating, and makes it difficult to procure loans from financial organisations like the IMF/World Bank, ADB etc., as well as to invite investment from private companies and other countries. 
  • During the recent plenary session on October 20-21, FATF countries, including India, reviewed the record of about 26 countries, and agreed unanimously to take Pakistan and Nicaragua off the “grey list”, add The Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Tanzania to the “grey list”, while moving Myanmar from the “grey list” to the black list for actions taken by the military junta since they overthrew the government in a coup last February.

Why was Pakistan removed from the ‘grey list’? 

  • Deliberations of the FATF are made in complete secrecy, and decisions are meant to be made strictly on the basis of technicalities and procedure, so the grey listing of Pakistan has to be seen in the totality of the process and measures it has undertaken.
  • Pakistan was also on the “grey list” from 2012-2015, when FATF had mandated many steps. Since 2018, it has been handed two action plans, comprising 34 points (27+7), asking Islamabad to bring in laws on money laundering, and anti-terror laws in line with international requirements.
  • Pakistan also had to maintain a database of terrorists and terror groups operating on its soil and the actions taken against them. This was a far cry from previous decades, when terror groups like al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Tehrik-e-Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad operated quite freely, and designated terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar addressed public rallies and even took part in political processes. 

What was the sticking point? 

  • While Pakistan has completed many tasks, a major sticking point remained: In June 2021, then FATF President Marcus Pleyer had asked Islamabad to address the last remaining item by “demonstrating that terror finance investigations and [the] prosecution target senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated groups”.
  • Under UNSC guidelines, member states must ensure that all designated terrorists don’t have access to funds, arms and travel, and that all such terrorists are effectively prosecuted. 
  • In the last year, much of Pakistan’s FATF reporting has been about bringing those terrorists, including Hafiz Saeed, 26/11 commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, 26/11 planner Sajid Mir, IC-814 hijacking planner Rauf Asghar to court — and a conviction.
  • However, Pakistan claimed it couldn’t trace JeM chief Masood Azhar, wanted for a number of attacks from the 2001 Parliament attack and the J&K legislature bombing to strikes on military camps at Uri, Pathankot and the Pulwama bombing in 2019.
  • It submitted to the FATF that he was believed to be operating from Afghanistan, a claim the Taliban denied. At the June plenary session, the FATF decided Pakistan was ready for an on-site visit that took place from August 31-September 2, and concluded that Pakistan’s reporting was reflected in measures “on the ground”.
  • Having followed this procedure, it was only to be expected that at the October plenary, Pakistan would earn a reprieve, and even some praise from the FATF president for completing its action plans.

What has been India’s response? 

  • India is a member, and hence party to all FATF decisions that are made by consensus. As a result, it also agreed to the decision to take Pakistan off the list, conceding in a statement that due to the FATF, Pakistan had been “forced” to take “some action against well-known terrorists”, including those involved in the Mumbai 26/11 attacks. 
  • However, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi indicated that India would have liked more global checks on Pakistan, saying, “It is in global interest that the world remains clear that Pakistan must continue to take credible, verifiable, irreversible and sustained action against terrorism and terrorist financing emanating from territories under its control.”
  • Officials say another reason for some unease is that the United States, which has been a consistent partner in demanding action on terrorism from Pakistan, appears to have become more lenient in the last few months, after a new government headed by Mr. Shehbaz Sharif took office, and particularly given reports of Pakistan support to the U.S. on counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan including the recent drone killing of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al- Zawahiri. 
  • The government is preparing for India’s turn at FATF scrutiny or MER process, set to begin in early 2023, which it hopes will be a smooth process. In July this year, while introducing the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful activities) Amendment, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that India had to take its international commitments on WMD seriously, both at the UN Security Council, and FATF recommendations which had “mandated provisions against financing in relation to WMDs”.

2 . General Consent to CBI

Context: The Maharashtra government reversed the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government’s decision of withdrawing the general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe cases in the State.

How CBI operates

  • CBI is considered as a Central investigative agency, but it was not constituted by an Act of Parliament like the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
  • The CBI was founded under a Delhi government law called the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946 (DSPE Act).
  • Since the CBI has jurisdiction only over Central government departments and employees, it can investigate a case involving state government employees or a violent crime in a state only after the government concerned gives consent.

When can CBI Take over the Case registered by State Police

  • The CBI can take over a criminal case registered by a state police only in three situations:
    • First, the state government concerned makes a request to that effect and the Centre agrees to it pursuant to receiving comments from the CBI.
    • Second, the state government issues notification of consent under Section 6 of the DPSE Act, and the Centre also issues a similar notification.
    • Finally, if the Supreme Court or the high court orders the CBI to take up a case.

About General Consent

  • The consent of the state government to CBI can be either case-specific or general.
  • General consent is normally given by states to help the CBI in seamless investigation of cases of corruption against central government employees in their states. This is consent by default, in the absence of which the CBI would have to apply to the state government in every case, and before taking even small actions
  • General consent is given by states so that the CBI can seamlessly conduct its investigation and not seek the state government nod for every case — unlike the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has jurisdiction across the country.

Impact of Withdrawal of General Consent

  • The withdrawal of “general consent” will not have a bearing on cases that CBI has already been investigating. Also, withdrawal only means that the agency cannot register an FIR in Maharashtra. It can still register FIRs in other states and probe anyone in the state, as per a 2018 order of the Delhi High Court.
  • There is also no bar on the investigation into cases that are already being probed by the CBI, although the CBI now cannot file any new FIRs in any new cases.
  • Now CBI will need consent from the state for every case, if the Supreme Court asks the agency to take up a case, the withdrawal will not bar it from taking up the investigation.

3 . Cyclones

Context: According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area has formed in the Bay of Bengal and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over the next four days.

About Cyclones

  • In meteorology, a cyclone is a large air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere as viewed from above (opposite to an anticyclone).
  • Cyclones are characterized by inward-spiraling winds that rotate about a zone of low pressure.
  • The largest low-pressure systems are polar vortices and extratropical cyclones of the largest scale (the synoptic scale).
  • Warm-core cyclones such as tropical cyclones and subtropical cyclones also lie within the synoptic scale.
  • Mesocyclones, tornadoes, and dust devils lie within smaller mesoscale.
  • Upper level cyclones can exist without the presence of a surface low and can pinch off from the base of the tropical upper tropospheric trough during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • Cyclones have also been seen on extraterrestrial planets, such as Mars, Jupiter, and Neptune.
  • Cyclogenesis is the process of cyclone formation and intensification

Tropical cyclones

  • Tropical cyclones are violent storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over to the coastal areas bringing about large-scale destruction caused by violent winds, very heavy rainfall and storm surges.
  • This is one of the most devastating natural calamities.
  • They are known by different names:
    • Cyclones in the Indian Ocean
    • Hurricanes in the Atlantic
    • Typhoons in the Western Pacific and South China Sea, and
    • Willy-willies in the Western Australia.
  • Tropical cyclones originate and intensify over warm tropical oceans. 
  • The conditions favourable for the formation and intensification of tropical storms are:
    • Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27° C; 
    • Presence of the Coriolis force;
    • Small variations in the vertical wind speed;
    • A pre-existing weaklow-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation;
    • Upper divergence above the sea level system.
  • The energy that intensifies the storm comes from the condensation process in the towering cumulonimbus clouds, surrounding the centre of the storm.
  • With the continuous supply of moisture from the sea, the storm is further strengthened.
  • On reaching the land the moisture supply is cut off and the storm dissipates.
  • The place where a tropical cyclone crosses the coast is called the landfall of the cyclone.
  • Cyclones, which cross 20o N latitude generally, recurve and they are more destructive.
  • A mature tropical cyclone is characterized by the strong spirally circulating wind around the centre, called the eye.
  • The diameter of the circulating system can vary between 150 and 250 km.
  • The eye is a region of calm with subsiding air. Around the eye is the eye wall, where there is a strong spiralling ascent of air to greater height reaching the tropopause.
  • The wind reaches maximum velocity in this region, reaching as high as 250 km per hour. Torrential rain occurs here.
  • From the eye wall rain bands may radiate and trains of cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds may drift into the outer region. The diameter of the storm over the Bay of Bengal, Arabian sea and Indian ocean is between 600 – 1200 km. The system moves slowly about 300 – 500 km per day.
  • The cyclone creates storm surges, and they inundate the coastal lowlands. The storm peters out on the land.

Extra Tropical Cyclones

  • The systems developing in the mid and high latitude, beyond the tropics are called the middle latitude or extra tropical cyclones.
  • The passage of front causes abrupt changes in the weather conditions over the area in the middle and high latitudes.
  • Extra tropical cyclones form along the polar front. Initially, the front is stationary.
  • In the northern hemisphere, warm air blows from the south and cold air from the north of the front.
  • When the pressure drops along the front, the warm air moves northwards and the cold air move towards, south setting in motion an anticlockwise cyclonic circulation.
  • The cyclonic circulation leads to a well-developed extra tropical cyclone, with a warm front and a cold front. 
  • There are pockets of warm air or warm sector wedged between the forward and the rear cold air or cold sector. The warm air glides over the cold air and a sequence of clouds appear over the sky ahead of the warm front and cause precipitation.
  • The cold front approaches the warm air from behind and pushes the warm air up. As a result, cumulus clouds develop along the cold front.
  • The cold front moves faster than the warm front ultimately overtaking the warm front.
  • The warm air is completely lifted up and the front is occluded, and the cyclone dissipates.
  • The processes of wind circulation both at the surface and aloft are closely interlinked. The extra tropical cyclone differs from the tropical cyclone in number of ways.

Difference between tropical and Extra-tropical cyclones

  • The extra tropical cyclones have a clear frontal system which is not present in the tropical cyclones.
  • Extra-tropical cyclones cover a larger area and can originate over the land and sea. Whereas tropical cyclones originate only over the seas and on reaching the land they dissipate.
  • The extra tropical cyclone affects a much larger area as compared to the tropical cyclone.
  • The wind velocity in a tropical cyclone is much higher and it is more destructive.
  • The extra tropical cyclones move from west to east but tropical cyclones move from east to west.

How are cyclones named?

  • If the speed of a cyclone is more than 34 nautical miles per hour then it becomes necessary to give it a special name. If the speed of the storm reaches or crosses 74 mph, it is then classified into a hurricane/cyclone/typhoon.
  • The cyclones that are formed in any ocean basin around the world are named by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs). There are a total of six RSMCs in the world, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
  • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (ESCAP) have been naming cyclonic storms since 2000.
  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) names the cyclones developing over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It also issues advisories to 12 other nations in the region on the development of cyclones and storms.
  • In 2000, a group of nations called WMO/ESCAP– Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand– decided to name cyclones in the region.
  • In 2018, five more countries were added– Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. After the aforementioned countries sent in suggestions, the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) finalise the list.
  • In April 2020, IMD released a list of 169 cyclone names. 13 suggestions were sent in by the aforementioned WMO/ESCAP member nations.

4 . Competition Commission of India

Context: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a ₹1,337.76-crore penalty on Google for “abusing its dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem”.

Key Highlights

  • Issuing a “cease and desist” order, the CCI directed Google to modify its conduct within a timeline.
  • It added that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) should not be forced to pre-install a bouquet of applications.
  • The matter pertains to the Android operating system (OS) acquired by Google in 2005.
    • The CCI examined various practices of Google with respect to its licensing and various proprietary mobile applications, including Play Store, Google Search, Google Chrome, YouTube, etc.
  • Five relevant markets in India — for licensable OS for smart mobile devices, app store, general web search services, non-OS specific mobile web browsers and online video hosting platform — were delineated for the purpose.
  • During the inquiry, Google argued about the “competitive constraints being faced from Apple” in terms of the respective OS ecosystems.
    • The CCI noted that Apple’s business was primarily based on a vertically integrated smart device ecosystem that focused on the sale of high-end smart devices.
    • Whereas Google’s business was found to be driven by the ultimate intent of increasing users on its platforms so that they interact with its revenue-earning service i.e., online search which directly affects the sale of online advertising services by Google.
  • The Commission said in relation to app stores, the demand came from smart device OEMs, app developers and end users. From this perspective, it found that there was no substitutability between Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store; and concluded that the most significant factor in the mind of an end user was hardware specification and device price.
  •  Based on its findings, the CCI found Google to be “dominant in all the above-mentioned relevant markets”.

About Competition Commission of India (CCI)

  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI), a statutory body set up under the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Aim: Regulating competition in the market.
  • It plays a significant role in protecting the interests of consumers.
  •  What the CCI does has assumed great significance amid the rapid growth of technology and e-commerce domains as well as increasing mergers and acquisitions (M&As) across industries.
  • Vision: To promote and sustain an enabling competition culture through engagement and enforcement that would inspire businesses to be fair, competitive and innovative; enhance consumer welfare; and support economic growth.
  • Mission:
    • Competition Commission of India aims to establish a robust competitive environment through:
      • Proactive engagement with all stakeholders, including consumers, industry, government and international jurisdictions.
      • Being a knowledge intensive organization with high competence level.
      • Professionalism, transparency, resolve and wisdom in enforcement.

Anti-trust watchdog

  • CCI became functional in 2009, seven years after the Competition Act was passed in 2002 with the aim of promoting healthy competition.
  • The body, which is often called the anti-trust watchdog, is required to protect the Indian markets against activities among players which may have appreciable adverse effects on competition.
  • This essentially means that any agreement among similarly placed market actors or an agreement among various hierarchical stages of supply chain that may result in an undue adverse impact on the market ought to be prevented, deterred and punished by the body.
  • The CCI is also empowered to act against any entity that abuses its dominant market position to its undue advantage.
    • Cartelisation or instances of exclusive distribution arrangements can be said to be examples of agreements that are in violation of the competition law.
    • In essence, any activity among various kinds of market players which may result in price fixing, limiting production or supply, or collusive bidding et al would be said to have an appreciable adverse effect on the market and will form for an actionable ground for CCI’s intervention.
  • The ultimate impact of any anti-competitive activity in the market is borne by the end consumer whose interests are sought to be protected by CCI.
  • The Competition Commission may act on a complaint filed by an informant pertaining to an anti-trust activity or may take action suo moto.
  • CCI may ask its Director General to conduct an investigation to probe the alleged activity and hold a hearing on the findings of the probe report thereafter.
  • Being a quasi-judicial statutory body, orders passed by CCI can be challenged before the appellate forum.

Regulatory body

  • The competition law also requires M&As between entities to obtain regulatory approval from CCI, provided such combinations satisfy the monetary threshold mentioned in the law.
  • The combinations that may lead to the merging of entities, or the acquisition of control, voting rights, or assets of one entity by another need the consent of CCI.
  • This is required to ensure that such a combination does not result in adversely affecting competition in the market. As such, a deal of this nature would have to be notified before CCI in accordance with the requirements and thresholds laid down in the law.
  • The commission has the right to modify the scheme of the combination or in some cases even prohibit a combination if it is likely to harm competition and give the merged entity monopolistic holding in the market.

5 . Ek Bharat Shresht Bharat

Context: Union government announced a month-long programme to “strengthen” and “rekindle” the cultural and civilisational bond between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi.

About ‘Kashi-Tamil Sangamam’

  • Named the ‘Kashi-Tamil Sangamam’, the programme would be held from November 16 to December 16.
  • The period will cover the Tamil month of Karthikeya during which all Tamil households go pray to Lord Shiva.
  • This programme would be a part of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative.
  • It is aimed at rekindling the civilisational link between the new Kashi and Tamil Nadu — both deep centres of knowledge.
  • Building a heritage bridge for the new generation was a key feature of the National Education Policy.
  • As part of the programme, 2,500 people divided into 12 groups would be travelling to Varanasi by train during the period.
    • The journey points in Tamil Nadu would be Chennai, Rameswaram and Coimbatore.
    • The groups would include students, teachers, artisans and people from various walks of life.
  • It would be an eight-day tour package.
  • Tours would include seminars, lectures, group meetings and visits to the Kashi Vishwanath temple and centres of important Tamil cultural heritage in Varanasi.
  • The knowledge partners for the programme would be IIT-Madras and the Banaras Hindu University, while the Uttar Pradesh government would be the host State.

About Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme

  • Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme aims to enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people of different states/UTs through the concept of state/UT pairing.
  • The states carry out activities to promote a sustained and structured cultural connection in the areas of language learning, culture, traditions & music, tourism & cuisine, sports and sharing of best practices, etc.
  • Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme, administered by the Ministry of Education was introduced to promote the same.
  • The Prime Minister of India implemented Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme in October 2015. This scheme was brought into action to enhance the bonding and understanding between the UTs and states.
  • All UTs and states are a part of this scheme.
  • Under this scheme, a pairing of UTs or states at a national level will take place, which will be effective for a year or till further pairing. However, pairings at the district level will not depend on the pairings at the state level.
  • Through the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme of 2015, the residents will experience the diversity of different UTs and states.
    • This will be possible owing to the exchange of tourism, culture, language, trade, education, etc.

Objectives of the Scheme

  • Celebrate unity in the diversity of India and strengthen and maintain the existing traditional bonds between the country’s citizens.
  • Promote the idea of national unification by establishing long-term engagements between the states.
  • Showcase India’s rich and traditional heritage so that citizens can appreciate and understand the same. This will further foster a sense of a common identity within the citizens of India.
  • Establishing long-term engagements between states and union territories.
  • Creating an environment where the citizens can learn about the experiences and practices of different UTs and states.

Features of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Scheme

  • Programs of cultural exchange between partnering UTs and states.
  • Translation of a minimum of five Award-Winning Poetry and Books, folk songs of one state to the language of the partnering state.
  • Exchange of poets and writers.
  • Organizing culinary festivals to understand the food diversity of various UTs and states.
  • Organizing educational tours for university and school students.
  • Promoting homestays for visitors.
  • Promoting Rajya Darshan for the tourists.
  • Organize Familiarization Tours for Tour Operators of a state.
  • Exposing students of one state to songs, alphabets, proverbs and hundred sentences in the language of the partnering state.
  • Organizing essay writing competitions among the students in the partner state’s language.
  • Organizing dramas of the partner state in the schools, colleges and universities.
  • Showcasing traditional attires of the partner state.
  • Promoting exposure and learning of traditional sports of partner states.
  • Organizing various film festivals in partnering states with subtitles.

Benefits of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Scheme

  • Imbibes a feeling of brotherhood among the citizens of different UTs and states and helps to celebrate India as one nation.
  • Makes people gain knowledge on modern India.
  • to impress people about the diversity of tradition and culture of different states.
  • Eases the ‘stranger in a strange land’ feeling among individuals residing in different states, cultures and traditions across the country.
  • Promotes a sense of responsibility and ownership for India as a whole.
  • Helps to celebrate the unity in diversity of the country.
  • Promotes establishment of mutual bonding among citizens of partner UTs and states.
  • The programs and activities under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme will help develop a sense of bonding and togetherness among people living in different UTs and states.

6 . Facts for Prelims

Jim Corbett National Park

  • Jim Corbett National Park is a national park in India located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state.
  • The first national park in India, it was established in 1936 during the British Raj and named Hailey National Park after William Malcolm Hailey, a governor of the United Provinces in which it was then located.
  • In 1956, it was renamed Corbett National Park after the hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett, who had played a leading role in its establishment and had died the year before.
  • The park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative.
  • Corbett National Park comprises 520.8 km2 (201.1 sq mi) area of hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions, grasslands and a large lake.
  • The park has sub-Himalayan belt geographical and ecological characteristics.
  • Dense moist deciduous forest mainly consists of sal, haldu, peepal, rohini and mango trees.
  • Forest covers almost 73% of the park, while 10% of the area consists of grasslands. It houses around 110 tree species, 50 species of mammals, 580 bird species and 25 reptile species.
  • An ecotourism destination, the park contains 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna.
  • The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to present a serious challenge to the park’s ecological balance.

Great Indian Bustard

  • The great Indian bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) or Indian bustard, is a bustard found on the Indian subcontinent.
  • A large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs, giving it an ostrich-like appearance.
  • This bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds.
  • Once common on the dry plains of the Indian subcontinent, as few as 150 individuals were estimated to survive in 2018 (reduced from an estimated 250 individuals in 2011) and the species is critically endangered by hunting and loss of its habitat, which consists of large expanses of dry grassland and scrub.
  • These birds are often found associated in the same habitat as blackbuck.
  • It is the State bird of Rajasthan and is considered India’s most critically endangered bird.
    • Its population of about 150 in Rajasthan accounts for 95% of its total world population.
  • It is considered the flagship grassland species, representing the health of the grassland ecology.
  • Its population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. Small populations occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Conservation status:
    • It is protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 of India.
    • IUCN: Critically Endangered
    • Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972, in the CMS Convention and in Appendix I of CITES, as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016).
    • It has also been identified as one of the species for the recovery programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
  • The great Indian bustard can easily be distinguished by its black crown on the forehead contrasting with the pale neck and head.
  • The body is brownish, and the wings are marked black, brown and grey.
  • Males and females generally grow to the same height and weight, but males have larger black crowns and a black band across the breast.
  • They breed mostly during the monsoon season when females lay a single egg on open ground.
  • Males play no role in the incubation and care of the young, which remain with the mother till the next breeding season.
  • These birds are opportunist eaters. Their diet ranges widely depending on the seasonal availability of food. They feed on grass seeds, insects like grasshoppers and beetles, and sometimes even small rodents and reptiles.

Integrated Post

  • A pilot project in the Eastern Himalayas will bring smarter facilities for raising the living standards of troops posted along the border with China.
  • Army engineers used a mix of materials, including bamboo and other locally available resources, to give shape to a “first-of-its-kind integrated” post beyond 10,000 ft above mean sea level in the Tawang sector of western Arunachal Pradesh in November 2021.
  • The model post is ready for the soldiers to move in.
  • Two more such posts in the Northern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh is a part of it) are expected to be completed by December.
  • The plan was to create a model post for troops on the frontline as an integrated project keeping in mind the space, essential troop comfort, weather protection, amenities like running water, power requirements, safety and connectivity.
  • The selected location for the model post was winter cut-off at high altitude.
  • Army officials said the requirement of better habitats for troops to “boost their morale” has been an area of improvement, gathering pace after a considerable push to border infrastructure in terms of connectivity during the last decade.
  • Improved living conditions for troops in secluded and cut-off posts away from family started getting the desired push in the last few years.
  •  There were numerous challenges such as connectivity, difficulty in transporting construction materials, a limited construction period due to the continued bad weather, and poor visibility.
  • The approach to construction was thus changed and the model post conceptualized as a “hi-tech, modern integrated project self-reliant with hybrid renewable energy sources”.
  • A collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati is also moving well wherein 3D printing technology is being explored to fast-pace the construction of all kinds in the field conditions in a much shorter time and with superior ergonomics.
  • There are plans to further evolve the design and concept of the model post and replicate it all among the frontline across regions.

Prasar Bharti

  • Prasar Bharati is India’s state-owned public broadcaster, headquartered in New Delhi.
  • It is a statutory autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament.
  • It comprises the Doordarshan Television Network and Akashvani All India Radio, which were earlier media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
  • The Parliament of India passed the Prasar Bharati Act to grant this autonomy in 1990, but it was not enacted until 15 September 1997.
  • The Prasar Bharati Act vests the general superintendence, direction, and management of affairs of the Corporation in the Prasar Bharati Board which may exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the corporation.
  • The President of India appoints the chairman and the other Members, except the ex officio members, nominated member and the elected members.
  • Board meetings must be held at least once every three months each year.
  • The major objectives:
    •  To uphold the unity and integrity of the country and the values enshrined in the Constitution.
    • To safeguard the citizen’s right to be informed freely, truthfully and objectively on all matters of public interest, national or international, and to present a fair and balanced flow of information including contrasting views without advocating any opinion or ideology of its own.
    • To promote national integration.
    • To pay special attention to the fields of education and spread of literacy, agriculture, rural development, environment, health & family welfare and science & technology.
    • To create awareness about women’s issues and take special steps to protect the interests of children, aged and other vulnerable sections of the society.
    • To provide adequate coverage to diverse cultures, sports and games and youth affairs.
    • To promote social justice, safeguarding the rights of working classes, minorities and tribal communities.
    • To promote research and expand broadcasting faculties & development in broadcast technology.

Brahmos – NG missile

  • While BRAHMOS continues to maintain its forward trajectory as the world’s best and fastest cruise missile system, rapid revolution in military technology worldwide has paved the way for the development of yet another futuristic weapon – BRAHMOS-NG (Next Generation).
  • BRAHMOS-NG promises to become one of the most potent weapon systems in future, carrying forward the excellent lineage of the existing world-class BRAHMOS.
  • It has been envisioned as a smaller and lighter, yet smarter weapon system having more versatility, lethality and flexibility along with ultra-precision for deployment onboard a wide range of military platforms, aerial as well as naval.
  • Key features of BRAHMOS-NG would be:
    • Reduced Dimension & Weight for widespread usage
    • Advanced next generation stealth o Greater effectiveness against ECCM
    • Higher versatility in underwater combat applications
    • Launch readiness from Torpedo tube and vertical orientation
  • With reduced size and weight, BRAHMOS-NG also holds the potential to arm a sizable number of the existing as well as futuristic military platforms.
  • It also promises to be a highly competent weapon system in the worldwide missile market by providing the existing frontline air and naval platforms of several countries with the choice of deploying a versatile, flexible and universal supersonic cruise missile system in a lighter, smaller and compact configuration without compromising on its higher speed, existing strike range, lethality, stealth and other important characteristics.
  • The miniature missile could also be deployed in land-attack configuration

Mission Life

  • At the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP26), Hon’ble Prime Minister of India announced Mission LiFE, to bring individual behaviours at the forefront of the global climate action narrative.
  • LiFE envisions replacing the prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy—governed by mindless and destructive consumption—with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization.
  • The Mission intends to nudge individuals to undertake simple acts in their daily lives that can contribute significantly to climate change when embraced across the world.
  • LiFE plans to leverage the strength of social networks to influence social norms surrounding climate.
  • The Mission plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will have a shared commitment to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles.
  • Through the P3 community, the Mission seeks to create an ecosystem that will reinforce and enable environmentally friendly behaviours to be self-sustainable.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

  • The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was established by amending Article 338 and inserting a new Article 338A in the Constitution through the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
  • By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was replaced by two separate Commissions namely-
    • the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and
    • the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
  • Members: The term of office of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and each member is three years from the date of assumption of charge.
    • The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Minister, and the Vice-Chairperson that of a Minister of State and other Members have the ranks of a Secretary to the Government of India.
  • Functions:
    • To investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution or under any other law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards;
    • To inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Scheduled Tribes;
    • To participate and advise in the planning process of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any State;
    • To present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;
    • To make in such reports, recommendations as to the measures that should be taken by the Union or any State for effective implementation of those safeguards and other measures for the protection, welfare and socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes, and
    • To discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and development and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes as the President may, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule specify.

Akash Tatva

  • Akasha tattva is one of the five tattvas or elemental forces of nature in Hinduism and tantrism.
  • Akasha tattva is the element of ether or space. It is also known as the spirit tattva.
  • The word tattva means “fundamental principle” or “truth.” Akasha is a Sanskrit word that means “sky,” “either” or “space.” It can also refer to the Hindu god Brahma.
  • Akasha tattva is the tattva that provides a connection to the universe and the divine.
    • This tattva is associated with the vishuddha (throat) chakra, the first of the three spiritual chakras.
  • The body contains each of the five tattvas, and the dominant tattva affects a person’s health, according to the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda.
  • If akasha is the dominant tattva, the person is happy and spiritually healthy, but if akasha is lacking, the person is anxious, stressed and introverted.
  • Collectively, the five elemental tattvas are called the panchabhuta. In addition to akasha tattva, they include:
    • Aayu tattva (air)
    • Agni tattva (fire)
    • Apas tattva (water)
    • Prithvi tattva (earth)

PMAY – U Awards

  • Over half the homes sanctioned under the BJP-led Centre’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) housing scheme have been delivered and the rest are under various stages of completion.
  • PMAY-U Awards are scheduled annually to recognise the contribution of States, Union Territories and urban local bodies with regard to the implementation of the scheme.
  • In the awards, Uttar Pradesh bagged the first position followed by Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu at second and third place, respectively.
  • Gujarat saw five special category awards — for performance related to Affordable Rental Housing Complexes and ‘Convergence with other Missions’ — coming its way.
  • Madhya Pradesh got three special category awards followed by Jammu and Kashmir, which was adjudged the ‘Best Performing UT’ alongside Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
  • PMAY-U scheme: It is aimed at confronting and tiding over the shortage of housing facilities in urban India for beneficiaries under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low-Income Groups (LIGs) and Middle-Income Groups (MIGs) categories.
    • 1.23 crore houses were sanctioned under the scheme of which 64 lakhs — over 52% — have already been completed and delivered while the rest were at various stages of completion.
    • PMAY-U had emerged as the largest housing scheme in the world since its launch seven years ago in June 2015 with the number of houses sanctioned under it so far — 1.23 crore — “9 times the number that was achieved in the 10 years of the previous regime” between 2004 and 2014.

Emergency Procurements

  • Emergency Procurements are done to address critical operational requirements.
  • Emergency financial powers were granted to the armed forces by the Defence Ministry in the past under which they could procure weapons systems up to ₹300 crores on an “urgent basis without any further clearances to cut short the procurement cycle.”
  • EP also gives them an opportunity to test various systems in the field before going in for larger acquisition through the capital budget route.
  • The Indian Army, which has made three tranches of Emergency Procurements (EP) in the last few years, is preparing for a fourth round of EP which will be entirely from the domestic industry.
  • Three tranches of EPs were executed under which 68 contracts worth ₹6,000 crore were placed.

Lok adalat

  • Lok Adalats have a statutory place in the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. They are an alternative form of dispute resolution outside of the courts.
  • The Lok Adalats aim for amicable settlement or compromise of a dispute and can pass awards regarding the same.
  • These awards are final and there exists no provision under law to appeal against these.
    • However, parties still have the right to initiate litigation before a competent court in the event they are dissatisfied with a Lok Adalat award.
  • The system is not only speedy but also affordable, as there are no court fees involved for cases heard in these courts.
  • In the event a case pending before a court is referred to a Lok Adalat, any court fees paid by the parties is returned to them.
  • Dispute resolution in Lok Adalats takes place by direct interaction of the members of the Adalat with the parties.
  • Lok Adalats are required to be manned by a retired or serving judicial officer and one more member, the qualifications for which are prescribed in the Legal Services Authorities Act.
  • Jurisdiction
    • Lok Adalats are empowered to hear and settle disputes filed before it or referred to it by a competent court.
    • Pre-litigation disputes and pending cases can be heard by a Lok Adalat.
    • However, Lok Adalats cannot take up cases regarding non-compoundable offences, that is, offences where no compromise is allowed under the law, and which are required to go through a trial culminating in conviction or acquittal.
    • Pre-litigation disputes can be brought before Lok Adalats by filing an application for the same before a district or state-level legal services authority by one or both parties.
    • For pending cases, an application for settlement before the Lok Adalat would have to be filed by either or all parties. If the court is of the prima facie view that the dispute can be amicably settled, the case is referred to the Lok Adalat.
  • Types of Lok Adalats
    • National Lok Adalats are held at regular intervals, when on a single day Lok Adalats are held across the country in all courts — from the Supreme Court till the taluk levels.
      • This is done for the speedy disposal of a large number of cases in one shot.
      • Sometimes, these Lok Adalats are held on specific subject matters for settlement of disputes of a particular type, for example, a Lok Adalat for traffic violation cases.
    • Permanent Lok Adalats are a type of Lok Adalat set up for the settling of disputes relating to public utility services.
      • Their pecuniary jurisdiction is up to Rs. 1 crore.
    • State authority level, High Court level, district- and taluka-level Lok Adalats are also set up by the secretaries of the respective legal services.
  • The functioning, organisation, jurisdiction, powers, and responsibilities of Lok Adalats are prescribed under the Legal Services Authorities Act.
  • All Lok Adalats function under the aegis of the NALSA, which is headed by its executive chairman, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court.
  • The chief justice of India is a Patron-in-Chief of the NALSA.

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