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Distribution: yearly

  • [pib] PM-AJAY Scheme for Upliftment of SC Community

    Central Idea

    • The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment recently informed about the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) Scheme during 2023 year-end review.

    About PM-AJAY Scheme

    Details
    Launch Implemented since 2021-22
    Aim To reduce poverty of SC communities through employment generation, skill development, income generation, and infrastructure development.
    Nature 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme
    Components Development of SC dominated villages into ‘Adarsh Gram’

    Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs

    Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions
    Merged Schemes Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)

    Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)

    Babu Jagjivan Ram Chatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)
    Developments in Grants-in-Aid Component Financial assistance enhanced from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 or 50% of the asset cost, whichever is lesser, for beneficiary/household.

    Web-based portal developed for submission, appraisal, approval, and monitoring of Annual Action Plan.

  • Lapses in the implementation of PM-DevINE Scheme

    Central Idea

    • Only about 10% of the funds under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) have been sanctioned.

    About PM-DevINE Scheme

    Details
    Genesis of PM-DevINE – Introduced in Union Budget 2022-23

    – Approved by the Cabinet on 12th October 2022
    Funding 100% Central funding
    Implementing Ministry Ministry of Development of North-East Region
    Objectives – Infrastructure Development in line with PM GatiShakti

    – Supporting Social Development Projects

    – Empowering Youth and Women in the NER
    Project Implementation State-wise, project-wise list of projects approved for FY 2022-23, tailored to specific state needs

  • How India chooses its Republic Day chief guest?

    Republic Day

    Central Idea

    • France’s President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations.
    • The invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi signifies a high diplomatic honor and reflects the strong ties between India and France.

    Honor of Republic Day Chief Guest

    • Ceremonial Significance: Being the chief guest at India’s Republic Day is a top diplomatic honor, involving participation in various ceremonial activities.
    • Activities and Protocol: The chief guest receives a guard of honor, attends a presidential reception, lays a wreath at Rajghat, and is honored with a banquet and lunch.
    • Symbolism and Friendship: As per Ambassador Manbir Singh, the visit symbolizes participation in India’s pride and reflects the friendship between the two nations.

    Selection Process for the Chief Guest

    • Advance Planning: The process begins about six months prior, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) playing a central role.
    • Key Considerations: The decision is driven by political, commercial, military, and economic interests, aiming to strengthen ties with the invitee’s country.
    • Historical Factors: The Non-Aligned Movement’s legacy has also influenced past selections, with an emphasis on mutual support and nation-building.

    Procedure Post-Selection

    • Approval and Discretion: After MEA’s selection, approvals are sought from the Prime Minister and President, followed by discreet confirmation of the invitee’s availability.
    • Official Communications and Planning: Post-confirmation, official communications and detailed planning for the visit and ceremonies are undertaken.

    Challenges and Contingencies

    • Potential for Unplanned Events: Organizers prepare for various contingencies, including health issues or weather disruptions.
    • Protocol Challenges: Incidents like the one recounted by Ambassador Singh, involving the ADC of a chief guest, highlight the importance of strict adherence to protocol.

    Broader Implications of the Visit

    • Ceremonial and Strategic Importance: The role of the Republic Day chief guest blends ceremonial honor with strategic diplomacy, playing a key role in India’s international relations and foreign policy.
    • Media Coverage and Perception: The visit is closely monitored by international media, influencing perceptions of the guest’s nation.
    • Cultural and Diplomatic Impact: The hospitality and ceremonies reflect India’s traditions and culture, enhancing diplomatic relations.
    • Beyond Ceremonial Significance: The visit of the chief guest holds potential for opening new avenues in international relations and advancing India’s global interests.

  • Evolution of Passports in the Context of ‘Dunki’

    Passports

    Central Idea

    • A recent Bollywood movie ‘Dunki’ addresses the complex issue of immigration.
    • The term “donkey journey” in the title refers to the perilous routes taken by people lacking legal permits or financial means to immigrate.
    • The film highlights that the current system of visas and passports is a relatively recent development, dating back about 70 years.

    Historical Perspective on Passports

    • Early Forms of Passports: Passports, serving as identity proofs and travel permits, have existed in various forms for centuries.
    • Biblical Reference: The Book of Nehemiah mentions King Artaxerxes of ancient Persia providing letters for safe passage, akin to modern passports.
    • European Documentation: In France and the United Kingdom, systems similar to modern passports were in place well before the French Revolution of 1789.

    The French Passport System

    • Internal and Overseas Passports: France required internal passports for domestic travel and overseas passports for foreign trips.
    • State Control and Regulation: The system was also used to regulate skilled workers and prevent the entry of potential troublemakers.

    Emergence of Modern Passports

    • Shift in India: Before World War I, India did not issue passports, but the British government introduced mandatory passports under the Defence of India Act (1914 to 1918).
    • Global Changes Post-World Wars: The need for secure borders during the World Wars led to a global shift in the perception and use of passports.
    • British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act: This 1914 Act in Britain consolidated laws related to citizenship and introduced modern passport features.

    Standardization and Regulation

    • League of Nations’ Involvement: In 1920, the League of Nations aimed to standardize passport systems, with the British model becoming widely adopted.
    • US Immigration Laws and Passports: The US introduced passport laws in the 1920s, coinciding with immigration restrictions from Asia.

    Public Reception and Cultural Impact

    • Personal Discomfort: In the US and UK, some people found the detailed physical descriptions and identity verification in passports intrusive.
    • Media Attention: The requirement for prominent individuals, including President Woodrow Wilson, to have passports garnered significant media interest.

    Conclusion

    • Beyond Wartime Necessity: Initially intended as a wartime tool, passports have become an integral part of modern citizenship and international travel.
    • Continued Evolution: The history of passports, as explored in ‘Dunki’, reflects the ongoing evolution of identity verification and border control in response to global socio-political changes.

  • National Mathematics Day: Remembering the legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan

    Ramanujan

    Central Idea

    • December 22, Ramanujan’s birthday, was declared National Mathematics Day in India by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2012, in recognition of his contributions to the field.

    Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920)

    • Early life: Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu, exhibited extraordinary mathematical abilities from a very young age.
    • Mathematical Mastery by 14: By age 14, Ramanujan had mastered advanced mathematics, excelling in exams and exploring complex topics.
    • Difficulties in Other Subjects: His singular focus on mathematics led to poor grades in other subjects, hindering his academic progress.
    • Scholarship Loss and Hardships: After losing a scholarship at Government College in Kumbakonam due to his academic struggles, Ramanujan faced financial difficulties and limited job opportunities.

    Rise in Mathematical Circles

    • Recognition in Madras: By 1910, Ramanujan had gained recognition in Madras’s mathematical circles for his independent work.
    • Clerical Job and Research: In 1912, he secured a clerical position at the Madras Port Trust, which afforded him time for mathematical research.
    • Collaboration with GH Hardy: In 1913, Ramanujan began a correspondence with British mathematician GH Hardy, leading to an invitation to Cambridge University.

    Collaboration and Achievements in Cambridge

    • Journey to Britain: Ramanujan arrived in Britain in 1914 and joined Trinity College, Cambridge.
    • Work with Hardy and Littlewood: Collaborating with Hardy and JE Littlewood, Ramanujan made significant contributions despite his lack of formal higher education.
    • Prestigious Honors: He was elected to the London Mathematical Society in 1917 and became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918, one of the youngest Fellows in its history.

    Health Struggles and Return to India

    • Declining Health: Ramanujan’s health worsened in the cold British climate, leading to a diagnosis of tuberculosis.
    • Final Years: He returned to India in 1919 and passed away on April 26, 1920, at the age of 32.

    Ramanujan’s Enduring Mathematical Legacy

    • High Praise from Hardy: GH Hardy ranked Ramanujan’s natural mathematical talent alongside greats like Euler and Jacobi.
    • Bruce C Berndt’s Analysis: American mathematician Bruce C Berndt extensively studied Ramanujan’s notebooks, emphasizing the depth of his contributions.
    • Impact on Number Theory: Ramanujan’s work, particularly on the partition function, has had a lasting impact on number theory.
    • Broad Contributions: His expertise included areas like continued fractions, Riemann series, elliptic integrals, hypergeometric series, and the zeta function.
    • Legacy of Unpublished Works: Ramanujan left behind notebooks filled with unpublished results that continued to inspire mathematicians for decades.

    Try this question from CSP 2016:

    A recent movie titled “The Man Who Knew Infinity” is based on the biography of-

    (a) S. Ramanujan

    (b) S. Chandrasekhar

    (c) S. N. Bose

    (d) C. V. Raman

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”de88ndt1ka” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

  • Govt aims to set up 17,000 creches under Palna Scheme

    Central Idea

    • The Union Women and Child Development Ministry aims to establish 17,000 creches in Anganwadi centres across the country out of which 5,222 have been approved to date under the ‘Palna’ scheme.

    What is Palna Scheme?

    Details
    Objective To provide quality childcare facilities through Anganwadi-cum-Crèches, enabling women’s participation in the workforce
    Integration Part of the Samarthya sub-component of Mission Shakti, starting from April 2022

    National Creche Scheme (NCS) was revised and subsumed as part of the ‘Palna’ scheme under Mission Shakti.
    Focus Establishing combined Anganwadi and crèche facilities for comprehensive childcare
    Target Demographic Primarily urban areas where family-based childcare support is less available
    Standard Operating Procedure SOP released to outline administrative framework, roles, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms

     

    About National Crèche Scheme (NCS)

    Details
    Launch Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme (RGNCS) launched in 2006;

    From 2017, implemented as the National Crèche Scheme (NCS).
    Legal Provisions MGNREGA;

    Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017.
    Objective To provide daycare facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers
    Target Group Children of working mothers, especially from economically weaker sections of society
    Childcare Services Daycare, supplementary nutrition, early childhood education, health check-ups
    Operational Hours Typically 7 to 8 hours a day, 26 days a month
    Age Group Children aged 6 months to 6 years
    Administration Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
    Execution Through state governments, NGOs, and community-based organizations

    Try this PYQ from CSP 2019:

    Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?

    1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
    2. Enterprises with creches must allow the mother minimum six creche visits daily.
    3. Women with more than two children get reduced entitlements.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”9dvaju3ugn” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

  • What are Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs)?

    Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs)

    Central Idea

    • Residents in the Arctic have witnessed an extraordinary atmospheric display of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs).

    Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs)

    Details
    Formation and Location Form in the polar stratosphere at altitudes of 15,000–25,000 meters; common over Antarctica and the Arctic.
    Temperature Conditions Require extremely cold temperatures, typically below −78°C (−108°F).
    Types Type I: Composed of water and nitric acid.

    Type II: Made almost entirely of water ice.
    Role in Ozone Depletion Facilitate chemical reactions that produce chlorine and bromine compounds, leading to ozone destruction.
    Appearance Iridescent, shimmering pastel colors, leading to their nickname “nacreous” or “mother-of-pearl” clouds.
    Observation Visible during twilight, illuminated from below by the Sun.
    Research and Monitoring Studied for impact on ozone depletion and climate change; monitored via satellites and ground stations.
    Environmental Concern Linked to human-made chemicals like CFCs; subject to international regulation like the Montreal Protocol.
    Climate Change Connection Research ongoing into how climate change might affect PSCs’ frequency and distribution.
    Discovery and Study History Observed since the 19th century; their role in ozone depletion understood in the 1980s.

  • Rediscovery of Namdapha Flying Squirrel in Arunachal Pradesh

     

    Namdapha Flying Squirrel

    Central Idea

    • The Namdapha flying squirrel, missing for 42 years, has been sighted again in Arunachal Pradesh.
    • This rare species was last documented in 1981 in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve.

    Namdapha Flying Squirrel

    Details
    Species Name Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi)
    Type Arboreal, nocturnal flying squirrel
    Endemic Region Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India
    Habitat Tall Mesua ferrea jungles, often on hill slopes in the catchment area of the Dihing River, northeastern India
    First Discovery Known from a single specimen collected in Namdapha National Park in 1981
    Physical Description – Reddish, grizzled fur with white above

    – Pale grey crown, orangish patagium, white underparts
    Genus Significance Was the sole member of its genus until the discovery of other species like Biswamoyopterus laoensis (2013) and Biswamoyopterus gaoligongensis (2018)
    Conservation Status IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

    Wildlife Protection Act Status: Schedule I
    Threats Threatened by poaching and possibly habitat destruction

  • [pib] RAMP Programme

    Central Idea

    • Union Minister for MSME launched three sub-schemes under the RAMP (Reforms and Acceleration in MSME Performance) programme.

    About RAMP Programme

    Details
    About World Bank assisted Central Sector Scheme.
    Launch FY 2022-23
    Supported By Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), Government of India.
    Primary Aim – Improve access to market and credit for MSMEs.

    – Strengthen institutions and governance.

    – Enhance Centre-State linkages and partnerships.

    – Address delayed payments and promote greening of MSMEs.
    Key Components – Preparation of Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) by states/UTs.

    – Apex National MSME Council for monitoring and policy overview.

    Details of the Launched Schemes

    MSME Green Investment and Financing for Transformation Scheme (MSME GIFT Scheme) MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (MSE SPICE Scheme) MSE Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments
    Objective To assist MSMEs in adopting green technology. The government’s first scheme to support circular economy projects in the MSME sector. Combines legal support with IT tools and Artificial Intelligence to address delayed payments issues.
    Support Mechanisms Offers interest subvention and credit guarantee support. Aims to achieve zero emissions by 2070 through credit subsidy. Focused on aiding Micro and Small Enterprises.
    Unique Features – Encourages eco-friendly practices in MSMEs.

    – Financial incentives for green technology adoption.

    		 – Promotes sustainable and eco-friendly business models.

    – Supports long-term environmental goals.

    		 – Innovative use of technology for dispute resolution.

    – Aims to streamline payment processes and reduce conflicts.

  • Overview of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023

    bns

    Central Idea

    • The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Bill, 2023, introduces significant reforms to replace the Indian Penal Code.
    • The bill addresses terrorism, organized crime, gender neutrality, and repeals outdated laws like Section 377.

    Major Provisions in the BNS Bill

    [1] Promise to Marry (Clause 69)

    • Targeting ‘Love Jihad’: Criminalizes deceitful promises to marry, potentially addressing the ‘love jihad’ narrative.
    • Criminalization of Consensual Sexual Activity: Broadens the scope to include consensual sexual acts under certain deceitful circumstances.

    [2] Mob Lynching

    • Codification of Offences: Introduces specific provisions for mob lynching and hate-crime murders.
    • Punishment: Ranges from life imprisonment to the death penalty.

    [3] Organized Crime

    • Inclusion in Ordinary Law: For the first time, organized crime is addressed under ordinary criminal law.
    • Punishment Criteria: Distinction based on whether the crime results in death, with varying degrees of punishment.

    [4] Terrorism

    • Integration into Ordinary Law: Adopts definitions from stringent acts and international laws, broadening the scope of terror financing.

    [5] Attempt to Suicide

    • New Provision: Criminalizes suicide attempts aimed at compelling public servants, with potential implications for protests.

    Significant Deletions and Repeals

    [a] Section 377 (Unnatural Sexual Offences)

    • Repeal: Decriminalizes homosexuality, but raises concerns about addressing non-consensual acts.

    [b] Adultery

    • Omission: Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, adultery is no longer criminalized.

    [c] Thugee/Thugs (Section 310 IPC)

    • Removal: Eliminates colonial-era notions of criminality associated with certain tribes.

    Gender Neutrality in Laws

    • Child-Related Offences: Makes laws about children gender-neutral.
    • Adult Offences: Extends gender neutrality to crimes like outraging modesty and voyeurism.

    Other Notable Changes

    • Fake News: Introduces provisions against publishing false and misleading information.
    • Sedition (‘Deshdroh’): Renames and broadens the definition to include financial support for subversive activities.
    • Mandatory Minimum Sentences: Limits judicial discretion, raising concerns about fairness in considering mitigating circumstances.
    • Public Property Damage: Implements fines corresponding to the extent of damage caused.

    What was the need for new bills?

    • Colonial legacy
      • From 1860 to 2023, the country’s criminal justice system functioned as per the laws made by the British.
      • The laws were drafted during colonial times and contain archaic language and concepts that might not accurately reflect current social norms, values.
    • Advances in Technology
      • This has introduced new dimensions to crime, evidence, and investigation.
    • Simplification and Streamlining
      • The laws have become complex over time, leading to confusion among legal practitioners, law enforcement agencies, and the general public.
      • Simplifying and streamlining the legal framework can enhance transparency and understanding.
    • Evidence Collection and Presentation
      • The Indian Evidence Act was enacted before the advent of modern forensic science and technological tools.
    • Various reports highlighted the need for reforms in criminal laws
      • The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs in its 146th report had recommended that there is a need for a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system of the country.
      • It was also pointed out that the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 111th and 128th reports had also highlighted the need for reforms in criminal laws.

    Conclusion

    • Reformative Approach: The BNS Bill represents a significant overhaul of India’s penal system, addressing contemporary issues and societal changes.
    • Judicial Implications: While it introduces necessary reforms, the bill’s impact on judicial discretion and fairness in sentencing warrants careful consideration.