TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN INDIA

About Traditional knowledge (TK):

1. Knowledge system held by indigenous communities, often relating to their natural environment
like Agriculture, scientific, ecological and medicinal knowledge.

2. Helps in biodiversity Conservation.

3. 80% of the world´s population depends on traditional medicine for its primary health care (WHO).

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) adopted Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic
Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.

Challenges associated

1. Biopiracy: Exploitation, patenting, and commercialization of TK by foreign entities without benefit-

sharing or recognition of indigenous communities.

2. Impact on Farmers: Farmers who developed staple food crops through generations have no
effective rights over patented varieties by multinational companies.

3. Lack of Documentation: This enhances risk of loss or erosion in transmission of traditional

knowledge to younger generations in the face of modernization and cultural change.

4. Inadequate Global Legal Framework: To prevent misappropriation, ensure benefit-sharing, and

recognize indigenous community rights.

5. Insufficient Conservation of biodiversity: Increasing environmental degradation and climate

change threaten habitats and ecosystems that harbour genetic resources.

Measures by Government

1. Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL): Digital repository to prevent bio-piracy and wrongful
patents

2. India's Patent Act, 1970: Adopted PDR mechanism for disclosure of involved GRs and TK in
claimed patent.

3. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer's Rights Act, 2001: Protects farmers' and breeders'
rights to plant varieties, acknowledging their roles in conservation and improvement.

4. Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (in line with Convention of Biodiversity): Fair and equitable sharing of
the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources and knowledge

5. Forest Rights Act 2006: Provides for Community rights over forest resources and traditional
practices.

6. Geographical Indications Act 1999: Guarantees Collective rights over traditional knowledge linked
to a region.

7. Ministry of AYUSH: Dedicated ministry for traditional medicine.

8. UNESCO recognition: Yoga, etc. recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

India’s Poor Contribution in Maintenance of Geo-Heritage

India’s extensive geo-heritage, ranging from towering peaks to coastal plains, reveals a rich geological
history. Despite this, the country’s regard for its geo-heritage is poor.

Geo-Heritage 1. Geological features which are inherently or culturally significant offering insight into
earth’s evolution. 2. Designated as Geo-heritage Sites (GHS) by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
3. India is a member of the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and
Natural Heritage. 4. Examples: Lonar Crater, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, St. Mary’s Islands, Ambenali
Ghat.

Geo-Relics 1. Geological formations, rocks, minerals, and fossils that provide significant scientific, and
historical insights of Earth. 2. Geo-relics is crucial for studying natural history and educating future
generations. 3. Examples: Fossil Park, Akal Fossil Wood Park, Varkala Cliff, Jhamarkotra Rock,
Phosphate Salkhan Fossil Park, Mandla Plant Fossils National Park.

Contribution towards Scientific understanding of Earth’s history 1. Geological Evolution- Example:

The Siwalik Fossil Park in Himachal Pradesh 2. Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift- Example: Deccan
Traps. 3. Volcanic and Tectonic Activity- Example: Lonar Lake in Maharashtra. 4. Paleoenvironmental
Studies- Example. fossil-rich sedimentary rock formations of Jaisalmer. 5. Climate Change and Earth’s
History Example: The Lignite Fossil Park in Gujarat contains well-preserved fossilized wood and
leaves. 6. Mineralogical and Geological Processes Example: The Mawsmai Cave

Difficulties in Preserving Geological Sites in India 1. Geo-conservation lags global efforts and lacks
public awareness. Examples: Dhala meteoritic impact crater, Lonar crater. 2. Many fossil sites are
destroyed by development and mining activities. 3. No specific laws for geo-heritage conservation,
unlike Canada and China. 4. Geological Survey of India (GSI) identified sites but can’t enforce
preservation. Example: Varkala Cliff was partially demolished despite being a heritage site. 5.
Withdrawal of National Commission for Heritage Sites proposal. 6. No progress on the 2022 geo-
heritage preservation bill.

Social Issue

The Important role played by tribal communities in preserving Forests

Droupadi Murmu emphasized the important role of tribal communities in preserving forests whose
collective wisdom can guide ecological sustainability. Scheduled Tribes in India 1. STs constitute 8.6%
of the Population (census 2011). 2. Bhil is the largest tribal group (38%) followed by Gonds 3.
Madhya Pradesh has the highest tribal Population in India. 4. Santhal are the oldest Tribes in India.

Constitutional Safegaurds 1. Article 29: Protection of Interests of Minorities (includes STs). 2. Article
46: Promotion of educational and economic interests. 3. Article 330: Reservation of seats for STs in
Lok Sabha. 4. Article 332: Reservation of seats for STs in State Legislatures 5. Article 243: Reservation
of seats in Panchayats. 6. Article 275: Grant of special funds for welfare and administration. 7. Article
350: Right to conserve distinct Language, Script or Culture.

Challenges faced by Tribes 1. Face displacement due to development projects. 2. Slow

implementation of the Act has led to delays and harassment. 3. Conservation policies and restrictions
have endangered traditional practices. 4. Migration to urban areas risks the loss of traditional
knowledge. 5. Inadequate infrastructure and language barriers hinder tribal education. 6. Economic
backwardness results in health problems 7. Environmental degradation and commercialization affect
gender roles 8. Modern institutions conflict with traditional tribal laws
Measures needed 1. Incorporate tribal wisdom for ecologically sustainable practices 2. Adapt forest
service training to address climate change and conservation challenges. 3. Engage with tribal
communities, learn from their practices. 4. Integrate traditional knowledge with modern
conservation approaches. 5. Ensuring tribal communities ‘active involvement in forest management
models.

HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA

India has one of the world’s largest higher education systems, including prestigious institutions like
IITs and IIMs. Despite its vastness, challenges such as quality and politicization persist.

Satus of Higher Education in India 1. Over 4 crore students enrolled in higher education institutes 2.
Estimated GER for age group 18-23 years: 28.4%. 3. The highest proportion of women enrolment at
the postgraduate level over 55%.

Challenges 1. Politicization Impacts autonomy in faculty recruitment. 2. Limited Funding. 3. Low R&D
investment. 4. Higher education institutions are unevenly distributed. 5. The quality of education in
many universities falls short- National Employability Report 6. Significant shortage of qualified
faculty- AISHE data.

Government Initiatives 1. Targets 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2035. 2. Integrates training and skill
development into education. 3. SWAYAM offers online courses. 4. National Digital Library provides
educational resources. 5. Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) aims to upgrade infrastructure
in higher educational institutions. 6. Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram provide educational
loans to students.

Measures needed 1. Shift focus to practical skill development 2. Encourage universities to engage in
social development projects. 3. Enhance the National Digital Library. 4. Promote transnational
education partnerships. 5. Implement training integrated study programs. 6. Adopt a competency-
based credentialing system.

Migration in India: status, prospects and Challenge Migration is an important aspect of economic
development, particularly in Asia where India’s growth is expected to lead global expansion. This
growth will drive significant migration to cities, necessitating a focus on urban development.
Migration – The International Organization for Migration defines a migrant as any person who is
moving or has moved across an international border or within a state away from his/her habitual
place of residence.

Migration in India 1. Push factors compel a person to leave their place of origin (out migration), high
in low developed states. 2. Pull factors attract migrants (in-migration) to a destination area, educated
youths migration to developed countries 3. Female migration is more than male migration due to
marriage 4. India hosts the largest population of 18 million international migrants worldwide. 5. in
2022, India emerged as top recipient of remittances, receiving over USD 111 billion.
Positive Impact 1. Fills labour gaps, boosts productivity, and generates remittances. 2. Spreads ideas,
enriches culture, and improves quality of life. 3. Introduces new skills and technologies, fostering
entrepreneurship. 4. Balances supply and demand, especially in skilled sectors.

Negative Impact 1. Contributes to urban growth, affecting rural areas and agriculture. 2. Strains
infrastructure, leading to unplanned urban growth and pollution. 3. Creates competition for
resources, housing, and services. 4. Fostering cultural clashes and family disruption.

Challenges 1. Lack of access to healthcare and safety standards exposes migrants to unsafe
conditions. 2. Difficulty accessing state-provided benefits like food supplies through PDS due to
residency requirements. 3. Migrants struggle to find affordable housing and basic facilities in urban
areas. 4. Migrants face exploitation, wage theft, and discrimination in the labour market. 5. Instances
of violence and discrimination against migrants, notably in Maharashtra in 2008.

Government Initiatives on Migration 1. Draft National Migrant Labour Policy by NITI Aayog. 2. One
Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) to ensure food security. 3. Affordable Rental Housing Complexes
(ARHC) and PM Garib Kalyan Yojna 4. e-Shram Portal covers unorganized workers 5. Code on Social
Security provides insurance and provident fund benefits for inter-state migrant workers.

Issues with India’s Food Regulatory System

Recent cases of food issues in India

1. Allegations against Nestle’s baby fod products for unhealthy sugar content. 2. Concerns over
carcinogenic additives in powdered spices, including MDH and Everest brands. 3. US customs
declined entry to 31% of MDH spice-related shipments due to salmonella contamination. 4. Indian
food exports face critical observation in international markets.

Challenges to Food Safety in India 1. Rampant Adulteration 2. Packed food products containing high
levels of added sugar 3. Weak Enforcement and Accountability 4. Corrupt practices by FMCG players
5. Limited Public Awareness 6. Complex Regulatory Framework 7. Operational Challenges 8. Logistical
Barriers 9. Lack of Transparency 10. Issues with FSSAI

FSSAI initiatives 1. Eat Right India Movement- food system for safe, healthy, and sustainable food 2.
Eat Right Station Certification- railway stations meeting food safety benchmarks 3. Food Safety Mitra
scheme- to create a network of Food Safety Mitras (FSM) 4. State Food Safety Index- Developed by
FSSAI to measure states’ performance on compliance, human resources 5. Eat Right Mela- educate
people about healthy eating habits 6. RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil)- conversion of used
cooking oil into biofuel 7. Initiative to ensure food safety standards in street food

Proposed Amendments in Food Safety and Standard Regulations 1. Elimination of Multiple

Certifications 2. Facilitation of Ease of Doing Business 3. Expansion of Standards

Measures needed 1. Strengthen Infrastructure and Resources 2. Simplification of Regulations 3. Strict

Enforcement and Accountability 4. Enhancement of Public Awareness 5. Encouragement of
Responsible Agricultural Practices
OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCS) LIST

About 1. Definition: There is no standard definition of OBC in the Indian Constitution. Socially and
Educationally backward Classes (SEBCs) are commonly known as other backward classes (OBCs). 2.
Currently, for each state, there are two OBC lists one at the central level (for benefits by the Central
Government initiatives) and another at the state level (for benefits by the State government
initiatives). 3. Central List: Article 342A (1) of the Constitution authorized the President (in
consultation of the governor of the state) to specify the Central list of the OBCs, in relation to a
particular State or Union Territory. 4. State List: Article 342A (3) empowers every State or UT to
prepare and maintain for its own purposes, a list of SEBC entries which may be different from the
Central List. 5. Further, any modification to the central list of the OBCs can be done only by the
Parliament.

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is reviewing the state list of Other
Backward Classes (OBCs) using powers granted under the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act.

Reservations for OBCs: 1. Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution enable reservation for OBCs in
admission to educational institutions, and in public employment. 2. In 1990, the Centre implemented
27% reservation for OBCs in Central Educational Institutions and Central Government services as
recommended by the Mandal Commission. 3. Such reservation for OBC was upheld by the Supreme
Court in Indra Sawhney Vs. Union of India 1992 subject to exclusion of the “Creamy Layer” (different
groups based on income and parental rank).

Commissions constituted for the upliftment of OBCs 1. Under Article 340, President, may by order
appoint to investigate the conditions of SEBCs and to make recommendations as to the steps that
should be taken by the Union or any State to remove such difficulties and to improve their condition.
2. The President had constituted Kalelkar Commission in 1953, and Mandal Commission in 1979 to
investigate the conditions of OBCs. The recommendations of Kalelkar Commission were never
implemented. 3. In 2017, the President appointed a Justice Rohini Commission, headed by Justice G.
Rohini to examine the sub-categorisation of OBC caste groups to ensure more equitable distribution
of reservation benefits among OBCs in India. The Commission submitted its report in 2023 but it is
yet to be implemented

About NCBC 1. Constitutional Body: NCBC was granted Constitutional Status under Article 338B
(inserted through 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018). 2. Article 338 B mandates Union and
every State Government to consult the NCBC on all major policy matters affecting the rights of OBCs.
3. Composition: Includes a Chairperson, ViceChairperson, and three other members appointed by
the President. Their service conditions is also determined by the President. 4. Power: The
Commission has all the powers of a civil court.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN INDIA Women entrepreneurs in India have been steadily gaining
ground and making significant contributions across various sectors, despite facing unique challenges.
Their involvement is vital not only for economic growth but also for social transformation, as they
bring innovative ideas, create jobs, and empower other women. Key Drivers for Women
Entrepreneurship in India 1. Government Support and Policies:  The Indian government has
launched initiatives like the MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) Scheme,
Stand Up India, Startup India, and NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform to support
women in starting and expanding their businesses. 2. Educational Attainment and Skill Development:
 Increasing access to higher education and specialized skill development programs are equipping
women with the knowledge and expertise needed for entrepreneurship.  Programs like the Skill
India Mission help women acquire technical and vocational skills. 3. Digital Transformation:  The rise
of digital platforms and e-commerce has lowered entry barriers, allowing women to start online
businesses and access markets from home.  Digital payment systems and mobile banking also
support financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs. 4. Social Entrepreneurship and Grassroots
Initiatives:  Many women in India are creating businesses that address social issues such as
healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and rural development, creating a positive
impact on communities while generating income. 5. Supportive Ecosystem of Incubators and
Accelerators:  Several incubators and accelerators, both government supported and private, offer
funding, mentorship, and business training specifically for women-led startups.  Organizations like
WE Hub in Telangana and Women Startup Program by IIM Bangalore are noteworthy.

Significance of Women Entrepreneurs in Middle India 1. Economic Significance: a. Sustainable

economic development & Employment Generation:  By accelerating women's entrepreneurship,
India could create more than 30 million women-owned enterprises, potentially creating 150 to 170
million jobs (NITI Aayog). b. Poverty Alleviation:  India could increase GDP growth by 1.5 percentage
points by including 50% of women in the workforce (World Bank). This also leads to sustainably
augmenting family income.

2. Social Significance: a. Gender equality  Women entrepreneurs help in bridging the gender gap in
the business world, promoting gender equality.  Only 19.2% of Indian women participate in the
workforce, in stark contrast to 70.1% of men, highlighting a significant employability gap of 50.9%
(ILO).  Fuller Utilization of human capital: Female labor force participation rate is merely 41%
compared to 60% LFPR of men according to PLFS for the calendar year 2023. b. Developing local
markets  Women entrepreneurs also tap into the global market using digital and social platforms. 
Example: The Splendor of Kashmir, started by Varuna Anand from Jammu to promote Kashmiri shawl
artistry through online sales and exhibitions across India. Her online sales venture helped her
connect to a wider audience. c. Role Models and Agents of Social Change  Women entrepreneurs
inspire other women to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys.  Example: Maa Bimaleshwari
Janhit Karya Samiti, Self Help Group started by Phool Basan Yadav, empowering 200,000 poor
women. d. Women Empowerment  By providing women with financial independence and decision
making authority.  Example: Usha Jha: Affectionately known as ‘Usha auntie’ in Patna, supported
women with entrepreneurial aspirations.

Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Middle India 1. Capital Gap  Merely 3% of the women
surveyed had accessed external funding, such as bank loans or equity investments, to start or expand
their businesses. 2. Data Gap  Lack of gender disaggregated data hampers the ability to present
compelling business cases to investors or lenders. 3. Visibility Gap  Women entrepreneurs
frequently confront societal undervaluation of their work, often stereotyped by their roles within the
family or judged by their age or level of ambition. 4. Safety Gap  Cities deemed safer for women
usually have more entrepreneurs. Enhancing women’s safety can directly contribute to fostering a
more vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. 5. Network Gap  Women face challenge of rebuilding their
social networks after migration due to marriage.  This disruption often leads to slower career
progression, as rebuilding networks takes time and effort.  Marriage is primary factor behind
women’s migration with 87% women’s migration being due to marriage. 6. Care Gap  Women
entrepreneurs are more likely to experience pauses in their careers due to caregiving responsibilities,
including maternity leave and other family care needs.

NET-NEET Crisis: The Reasons Behind India’s Failing Exam System

Syllabus: Government Policies and Intervention

Context: The NET (National Eligibility Test) and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance
Test) controversy highlights systemic failures and poor policy implementation over the years.
Recurrent paper leaks, exam cancellations, incorrect results, and unexplained grace marks
have eroded trust in the National Testing Agency (NTA).

What is NET?

NET (National Eligibility Test) is an exam conducted in India to determine the eligibility of
candidates for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor positions in Indian
universities and colleges. It is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the
guidance of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

What is the NET Controversy?

The NET controversy involves allegations of paper leaks, exam cancellation, and other irregularities
that have compromised the integrity of the examination. These issues have led to widespread
distrust among students and calls for reforms and stricter oversight to ensure fair and transparent
conduct of the exam.

What is NEET?

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is an entrance examination in India for students who
wish to study undergraduate medical courses (MBBS) and dental courses (BDS) in government or
private medical and dental colleges.

Why was the NEET introduced?

1. Standardising Competence: NEET aims to standardize the educational competence of

medical aspirants, ensuring a minimum standard in basic sciences like Chemistry, Physics,
and Biology.

2. Reducing Entrance Exams: NEET consolidates around 46 different entrance exams into a
single, standardized test, simplifying the admission process and reducing stress and
confusion for students.
 3. Eliminating Capitation Fees: NEET seeks to eliminate capitation fees in private medical
colleges by basing admissions solely on merit, ensuring fair and transparent selection, and
making medical education accessible to deserving students regardless of financial
background.

What is the NEET Controversy?

The NEET controversy involves systemic issues such as frequent paper leaks, rank inflation,
incorrect results, and unexplained grace marks, leading to a loss of public trust in the National
Testing Agency (NTA). These problems have highlighted the need for policy reforms and better
implementation to ensure the integrity and fairness of the exam.

Other Issues with NEET

1. Bias in the Education System: NEET’s syllabus aligns more with the CBSE curriculum,
disadvantaging students from state boards. This creates an educational imbalance.

2. Coaching Industry Growth: To compete effectively, many state board students resort to extra
coaching, fueling a Rs 58,000 crore coaching industry growing at 15% annually.

3. Legal Hurdles: NEET was suspended by the Supreme Court in 2013 due to petitions from
private colleges claiming it infringed on their autonomy. It was restored in 2016 by a five-
judge bench.

4. Impact on Tamil Nadu: The introduction of NEET has significantly affected rural and Tamil-
medium students in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu’s Response to NEET

1. Opposition to NEET: Tamil Nadu prefers linking medical college admissions to high school
performance rather than NEET scores.

2. Expert Committee Findings: In 2021, the Justice A K Rajan Committee found that Tamil-
medium student admissions dropped from 15% to 1.6-3.2% (2017-2021). Admissions of rural
students to government medical colleges fell from 62% to 50%.

3. Impact on Public Health System: Tamil Nadu’s public health system relies on rural students
willing to work in primary health centres, unlike urban students who often pursue careers in
corporate hospitals or abroad.

4. Legislative Action: The state government passed a law to scrap NEET, but it was blocked by
the Governor.

Way forward:

Reform Description
 Improving School Shift from rote learning to inquiry-based and critical thinking-oriented education.
Education Regular updates to curricula to include the latest scientific and educational advancements.

Allow states and universities to conduct their own entrance exams tailored to
Decentralising
local standards and curricula. Address disparities and dissatisfaction, especially
Examinations
among non-CBSE students. Encourage flexible and innovative examination formats.

Create regional examination boards to standardize exams within

Constituting specific geographic areas. Operate under a central body’s guidance

Regional Boards while adapting to local educational standards. Balance national standardization

with local relevance.

The provisions of Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024

Anti-paper leak
must be strictly implemented.
law

Conclusion:

The current NET-NEET crisis highlights a systemic failure in ensuring high-quality school education in
India. The above steps are essential to restore confidence and credibility in the examination system,
ensuring fairness and integrity for all students.

About NTA:

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an autonomous organization registered under the Indian
Societies Registration Act of 1860. It conducts entrance examinations for admission into higher
educational institutions in India. NTA is chaired by an eminent educationist appointed by
the Ministry of Human Resource Development, with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serving as
the Director-General appointed by the Government. Its functions include identifying partner
institutions for online examinations, creating a question bank, fostering research and development,
collaborating internationally, and conducting examinations as assigned by Government
Ministries/Departments.

Need promotion for Antenatal Healthcare in India.

Researchers have recommended that Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) used to determine if a
pregnant woman has developed gestational diabetes should be replaced by an HbA1c test that can
also be used at the point of care. Antenatal / Prenatal healthcare  Medical and healthcare services
provided to a pregnant woman throughout her pregnancy.  The primary goal is to ensure the health
and well-being of both the mother and the developing foetus.

Key components of antenatal healthcare 1. Regular Check-ups and Screening tests 2. Nutritional
Guidance 3. Health Education 4. Management of Pregnancy Symptoms 5. Monitoring for
Complications like gestational diabetes 6. Emotional Support

Government initiatives for pregnant women 1. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). 2. Janani Shishu
Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK). 3. Over 25,000 ‘Delivery Points’ across the country have been
strengthened. 4. Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition
(RMNCAH+N) services. 5. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA). 6. LaQshya (Labour
room Quality improvement Initiative).

Challenges with maternal Healthcare in India:

Maternal mortality rate  A United Nations report, India among countries responsible for 60% of
global maternal deaths, stillbirths, and new-born deaths.  In 2020, India accounted for over 17% of
such deaths  Second-highest contributor after Nigeria.

Antenatal care (ANC)  World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation of four visits.  Only
34.1% of mothers attended one, two, or three visits.

Postnatal care  16% of women in India did not receive any postnatal health check ups.  22.8%
experienced delayed check-ups occurring two days after childbirth.

Lack of skilled health providers  8% of Indian women lack tetanus shots, crucial for preventing
infections during and after surgery.  11% of cases, no skilled health providers were present at the
time of delivery.

DRIP PRICING

About Drip Pricing 1. It is a pricing technique in which firms advertise only part of a product’s price
and reveal other charges later as the customer goes through the buying process. 2. It is used as a
tactic to attract customers into initiating the purchasing process o It has been identified as a dark
pattern under Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023. 3. A Dark pattern
refers to practices adopted by online platforms that mislead people into paying for items or services
they did not intend to do originally.

Key Features of Drip Pricing 1. Initial Low Displayed Price:  The process starts by advertising an
initial "base" price that appears lower than the actual final price, drawing in customers and making
the product or service seem affordable.

2. Gradual Addition of Fees:  As the customer moves through the purchase process, additional
mandatory fees and optional add-ons (such as service fees, taxes, or baggage fees) are incrementally
displayed.  Each step reveals a new cost component, “dripping” the price in parts rather than
upfront. 3. Mandatory and Optional Charges:  Mandatory Fees: Non-optional costs, like taxes,
service fees, or resort fees in hotels, which are added toward the end of the transaction.  Optional
Fees: Additional services or features, like seat selection, upgrades, and add-ons that the customer
can choose or skip. 4. Transparency and Disclosure:  The practice often limits price transparency by
not disclosing the full cost initially, making it harder for customers to compare with other products
and services accurately. 5. Psychological Pricing Strategy:  The gradual reveal of fees plays on
consumer psychology by creating an initial perception of affordability.  By the time the additional
costs are shown, many customers are already invested in the purchase process, making them less
likely to abandon it.

Advantages:  Increased Sales Conversions: By displaying a lower upfront price, companies can
attract a larger customer base and create an initial interest.  Higher Profit Margins: Incremental
fees may lead to higher revenue per transaction as customers add optional features or services. 
Flexible Price Customization: Allows companies to charge for specific elements of the product or
service, potentially meeting the varying needs of consumers.

Disadvantages:  Reduced Consumer Trust: Drip pricing can create frustration and a perception of
dishonesty, potentially damaging brand reputation.  Potential Legal Consequences: In regions
where consumer protection laws require full price transparency, companies using drip pricing may
face legal penalties.  Higher Abandonment Rates: Some customers may abandon purchases upon
realizing the final cost is significantly higher than expected.

Examples of Drip Pricing  Airlines: Charging separately for checked bags, seat selection, and other
services beyond the ticket price.  Hotels: Displaying room rates that exclude resort fees or internet
charges, which are added later.  Event Ticketing: Tickets are often shown at a base price, with
service fees and handling charges added at the checkout stage.  Rental Cars: Quoted prices may
exclude insurance, airport surcharges, or fuel fees, which appear in the final checkout.

MULLAPERIYAR DAM DISPUTE

The Tamil Nadu government has moved the Supreme Court accusing Kerala of “crying foul” about the
safety of the old Mullaperiyar dam.

Mullaperiyar dam 1. It is a masonry gravity dam in Idukki district of Kerala 2. Located in confluence of
Periyar and Mullayar rivers. 3. Built by Pennycuick between 1887 to 1895. 4. Provide water to the
arid shadow region of Madurai which was in greater need of supply of water. 5. The dam is operated
by Tamil Nadu following an 1886 lease indenture for 999 years. 6. In 1947, the Kerala government
said that the lease agreement was invalid and needed to be renewed. 7. The agreement was
renewed in 1970, Tamil Nadu is operating the dam and has been paying to the Kerala government. 8.
The dam is owned and operated by Tamil Nadu Public Work Department. 9. The dam is located in the
Seismic Zone III area (moderate damage risk zone).

History of Dispute 1. In 1979, a problem erupted over the safety of the dam, water level reduced
from 152 feet to 136 feet. 2. By mid-1990, Tamil Nadu started demanding restoration of the water
level. 3. Supreme Court allowed Tamil Nadu to raise water level of the dam to 152ft in 2006. 4.
Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006  Enacted by Kerala set maximum limit as
136 feet.  In 2014, the apex court declared the Act unconstitutional  Restrained Kerala from Tamil
Nadu in raising the water level in the dam to 142 feet. 5. A.S. Anand Committee, 2010  Set up by the
Supreme Court, mandated to study all the aspects of the dam.  The committee declared that the
dam was “structurally and hydrologically safe” 6. Ministry of Jal Sakti inspects the dam routinely
based on directions of Supreme Court. Rule Curve- The permanent supervisory committee finalised
the rule curve which is a tabulation that specifies quantum of storage of water or empty space to be
maintained in a reservoir during different times of a year, based on the rainfall data for 35 years.

Recent Issue 1. Despite the constitution of three panels, no progress made to find solution. 2.
Supervisory Committee has failed to ensure that Kerala permits and facilitates dam strengthening
and related works. 3. Tamil Nadu also emphasizes the need for a comprehensive dam safety
evaluation within five years, as stipulated by the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

GANHRI’s ratings for India

UN recognised Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has deferred National
Human Rights Commission’s accreditation for the second time in the row.

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions 1. Launched in the year 1993 2. Orginally as
International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions 3. Headquarters-
Geneva, Switzerland. 4. Vision- A world where everyone and everywhere fully enjoy their human
rights. 5. Members- 115 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from all regions 6. Uniqueness- It
is the only non-UN body whose standard is on compliance with the 1993 Paris Principles.

India and GANHRI 1. India being accredited in 1999 had retained its A ranking in 2006 and 2011. 2.
NHRC status was deferred in 2016 and restored after a year. 3. GANHRI has deferred NHRC
reaccreditation due to concerns regarding its compliance with the Paris Principles.

Concerns of GANHRI 1. Lack of representation from marginalized groups. 2. Does not have at least 1
woman in leadership, failed to achieve significant gender representation. 3. Lack of transparency in
appointments 4. Criticized for not engaging constructively with NGOs and Human Rights Defenders
(HFDs) 5. Involvement of police personnel in investigations 6. Perceived as being ineffective in
addressing increasing human rights violations.

Consequences 1. No longer have voting rights within GANHRI. 2. Lose its role as a representative at
the United Nations Human Rights Council. 3. Reduce India’s influence in international human rights
forums. 4. The effectiveness of human rights protections within India could be undermined.

JUDICIAL DELAY IN INDIA

India’s judiciary plaguing with Piling of cases, unfilled vacancies and lack of infrastructure. Supreme
Court of India has 80,344 pending cases, with 78% being civil matters and 22% criminal.

Causes :

1. Shifting the role of the Supreme Court from adjudicating cases of constitutional significance into a
regular court of appeals. 2. Around 25% of posts are lyzzing empty in the subordinate courts 3. The
infrastructure status of lower courts is very bad due to which they fail to deliver quality judgements.
4. Centre and the States were responsible for over 46% of the pending cases in Indian courts. 5.
Carefree PILs and government policies which are challenged by the people take up most of the
judiciary’s time. 6. Only a few courts have court managers who help optimize judicial time.

Consequences 1. Untimely disposal of cases deteriorates the rule of law. 2. Promotes negative effect
on social development. 3. Overcrowding of prison leads to violation of Human rights.

Initiatives to reduce delay 1. The 10th Law Commission proposed to divide the Supreme Court into a
Constitutional Division and a Legal Division. 2. SC had previously suggested the creation of a
specialized court to handle special leave petitions. 3. 229th Law Commission Report, 2009 to set up
regional benches in Delhi, Chennai/Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. 4. Proposal to reduce vacation
periods to address the backlog of cases.

DIGITAL COMPETITION BILL 2024 India’s proposed Digital Competition Bill, 2024, draws inspiration
from European regulations to address concerns regarding big tech companies like Google, Facebook,
and Amazon

Digital Competition 1. Competitive landscape within the digital sector. 2. Technology, internet
services, e-commerce, and digital platforms.

Need for the Bill 1. Aims to regulate Systemically Significant Digital Enterprises (SSDE) and their
Associate Digital Enterprises (ADEs) 2. Competition Act, 2002, lacks the ability to promptly address
anti competitive behaviour by digital enterprises. 3. The current framework may not adequately
tackle the dominance of markets in favour of large digital enterprises. 4. Big Tech’s influence on
pricing rules in the digital space 5. The dominance of a few companies creates barriers for new
entrants.

Important Provisions 1. It allows the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to intervene pre
emptively over anti-competitive practices 2. It covers various digital services like search engines,
social networks, video-sharing platforms. 3. SSDEs are those enterprises that provide core digital
services in India. 4. Core digital service must have at least 1 crore end users or 10,000 business users.

Significance 1. The bill seeks to address the monopolistic power of large digital firms (e.g., tech giants
like Google, Amazon, Meta). 2. With fairer competition, smaller companies are more likely to enter
the market, leading to greater innovation. 3. The bill often includes measures to protect consumers’
digital rights and privacy. 4. The bill can mandate transparency regarding algorithms, advertising
practices, and data handling. 5. Generally, empowers regulatory bodies to monitor and enforce
compliance among big tech companies. 6. Many countries are now focusing on digital regulation, and
the Digital Competition Bill aligns local policies with global standards seen in regions like the EU.

Issues with the Bill 1. Big tech firms argue that strict regulations may shift focus from innovation to
compliance. 2. Changes and reduced data sharing could negatively affect smaller businesses. 3.
Arbitrary rulings will affect start-ups and smaller firms.

COALITION GOVERNMENT 2024

General Elections of Lok Sabha resulted in formation of a coalition government at the centre as no
political party got a clear majority in the Lower House of the Parliament.

About Coalition Government 1. Political arrangement where multiple parties collaborate to form a
government when no single party secures a clear majority in the legislature. 2. Pre-election alliances:
Parties form coalitions before elections, presenting a united front to voters. 3. Post-election
coalitions: Parties negotiate to form a government after election results, often when no pre-election
alliance gains a majority

Factors contributing for Coalition Government in India 1. Multi-party system 2. regional diversity 3.
rise of state parties 4. anti-incumbency

Significance of Coalition Government 1. Broader representation 2. potentially reducing the risk of

authoritarianism and hasty policy decisions 3. necessitate negotiation and compromise 4.
decentralized approach to governance 5. Promote cooperative federalism

Challenges due to Coalition Government 1. Political instability 2. Decision-making can be slow due to
the need for consensus among coalition partners. 3. Frequent changes in coalition dynamics can
result in hindering the implementation of long-term strategies. 4. Compromise on ideologies. 5.
Increase in allocation of resources to satisfy regional allies. 6. Coalition dynamics can influence
foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding regional issues, example: Teesta Water Agreement in
2011.

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION Experts in India have called to consider Proportional

Representation (PR) for Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections instead First-Past-The Post (FPTP)
electoral system.
Reasons for not adopting PR system 1. Difficulty for voters to understand the PR system due to its
complexity. 2. Unsuitability to parliamentary government due to tendency of system to multiply
political parties leading to instability in government. 3. Highly Expensive and does not give any scope
for organising by elections. 4. Eliminates intimate contacts between voters and representatives. 5.
Increases the significance of party system and decreases that of voter. Way forward 1. Law
commission Recommendation 170th report, 25% of seats may be filled through a PR system by
increasing strength of Lok Sabha 2. Increasing number of seats based on 2026 Delimitation Exercise.

MISSION KARMAYOGI Capacity Building Commission (CBC), launched in 2021, as part of National
Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) - Mission Karmayogi has completed three
years. About 1. NPCSCB aims to create a professional, well-trained and future-looking civil service. 2.
NPCSCB cover all civil servants (including contractual employees) across different ministries.

Guiding Principles 1. Shift from rule to role-based training and capacity building. 2. Moving to a
competency driven approach for capacity development. 3. 70-20-10 Mandate-70% of learning from
job experiences and reflections, 20% from working with others and 10% from planned training. 4.
Link goal setting, planning & achievement

Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi Platform 1. Guide government officials in
their capacity building journey. 2. Monitored and evaluated on key performance indicators.
Significance 1. Enhancing professional growth. 2. Uniform Training Approach. 3. Reducing Training
Cost. 4. Creating policies and delivering services conducive to economic growth. 5. The shift from
traditional rule-based governance to more dynamic, role-based approach. Concerns 1. Effectively
scaling training and capacity-building initiatives could be difficult. 2. Its emphasis on training and
learning through centralized institutional framework may lead to resistance from states. 3. Indian
bureaucracy is alleged to be status-quoist 4. Relevance to Job Functions

AUDITING OF LOCAL BODIES Recently, International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) was
inaugurated in Rajkot, Gujarat. It is the first in country and aims to set global standards for auditing
local governance bodies. About iCAL 1. It is a collaborative platform for policymakers and auditors
and would serve as a centre of excellence for capacity building of auditors. 2. It enhances
independence of local government auditors to ensure improved financial performance assessment,
and service delivery. 3. It acts as a knowledge centre and think-tank for addressing governance issues
at grassroot levels. About Local Self Governance and its Audit 1. 73rd and 74th Constitutional
Amendment Act, 1992 2. Part IX (Eleventh Schedule) and IX-A (Twelfth Schedule) 3. State
governments constitute panchayats (at village, block and district levels) and municipalities 4. In 2020,
Ministry of Panchayati Raj developed Audit Online application to conduct online audit of panchayat
accounts Importance of Auditing of Local Bodies 1. Audits safeguard public funds by detecting and
preventing fraud, corruption. 2. Audits serve as a critical performance evaluation tool for local bodies
in examining operations 3. Improves overall service delivery, foster grassroots democracy. 4. critical
performance evaluation tool for local bodies in examining operations Issues associated with Auditing
of Local Bodies 1. Financial records are incomplete, inconsistent, and further lack uniform auditing
standards 2. Shortage of qualified auditors for maintaining accounts 3. Overlapping Jurisdictions of
state audit departments, local government auditors, and CAG can create inefficiencies. 4. Procedures
for maintenance of accounts by local bodies were outdated, and are continued without any
improvements (Eleventh Finance Commission) 5. General public and local community members often
lack awareness

Growing trend of Space Tourism Entrepreneur and pilot Gopi Thotakura is set to become the first
Indian to venture into space as a tourist on the NS-25 mission of Blue Origin. Space Tourism 1. It
provides tourists with the opportunity to become Astronauts. 2. Space Travel for recreational,
leisure, or business purposes. Types of space tourism 1. Sub-orbital  Goes up to 50 miles or 100
kilometers in altitude  It does not achieve orbit  The spacecraft comes right back down to Earth 2.
Orbital Flight  One that achieves orbit.  Spacecrafts forward momentum balances out the pull of
Earth’s gravity. Significance 1. Space more accessible to a broader range of people beyond
Astronauts. 2. Potential to create new industries, generate revenue and stimulate economic growth.
3. Advancements in lightweight materials, life support systems and re entry technology. 4. Inspire
people of all ages to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 5.
International cooperation in space tourism can pave the way for joint scientific missions. 6. Greater
understanding of the fragility and interconnectedness of earth's ecosystems. Challenges 1. Space
Tourism is expensive. 2. Inherent risks associated with space travel, such as launch failures and space
debris. 3. Current technology limits the frequency and capacity of space flights. 4. Long journeys and
living in space can cause psychological problems.

Use of AI in Drug Discovery and Development AI is transforming drug development by accelerating

target discovery and predicting drug-target interactions. New Drug Formulated through AI 1. DSP-
1181: For obsessive-compulsive disorder. 2. Halicin: For antibiotic resistance 3. BMS-986195: A
potential treatment for fibrosis. Role of AI in Drug Development 1. Predict interactions involving any
combination of protein, DNA, RNA, small molecules, and ions. 2. AI models drastically reduce the
time required for drug-target interaction studies. 3. AI algorithms predict how a molecule will
interact with a target protein, allowing for more targeted drug design. Limitation 1. AI tools achieve
up to 80% accuracy, but drop significantly for complex interactions like protein-RNA. 2. India lacks
extensive computing resources like high-speed GPUs. 3. Advanced tools like AlphaFold 3 are not
publicly available. 4. Implementing AI in drug discovery requires huge investments. 5. Lack of
Standardization

Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Cybersecurity Cybersecurity 1. Measures aimed at protecting
computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access. 2. Safeguarding against threats
such as hacking, malware, phishing, and other malicious activities Role of AI in cybersecurity 1.
Increased Phishing Attacks 2. Voice Cloning for Fraud 3. AI helps hackers translate code, identify
vulnerabilities, and amplify attacks. 4. 85% of Rising Attacks on Organizations linked the trend to AI.
5. Voice-activated toys and biometric systems threaten individual privacy. Reasons for increasing
cyber threats in India from AI 1. Fragmented cybersecurity infrastructure 2. Many lacks digital
literacy, making them vulnerable to phishing attacks and scams. 3. India lacks qualified cybersecurity
professionals hindering effective threat detection Countermeasures taken by India against cyber
threats 1. Creation of the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre 2. Defence
Information Assurance and Research Agency Measures needed 1. Strengthen cybersecurity agencies
and partnerships. 2. Invest in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. 3. Promote digital literacy and
awareness. 4. Establish robust cybersecurity laws. 5. Develop cybersecurity skills through training.

Technology Challenges in India India’s Status of Technology 1. India’s technology industry is expected
to reach USD 300-350 billion in revenue in 5 years. 2. India has the second largest telecom industry
with over 1 billion subscribers. 3. India is the second largest manufacturer of mobile handsets. 4.
India is the Third largest startup ecosystem with over 1 lakh startups and 110 unicorns. 5. India’s AI
adoption outpaces global trends with 70 per cent adoption. Government Initiatives 1. India’s
Semiconductor Mission- Aims to develop sustainable semiconductor. 2. IndiaAI Mission- Fosters AI
leadership, ethical deployment. 3. DigiLocker- A free, secure platform for storing, sharing. 4. Unified
Payment Interface (UPI) 5. National Supercomputing Mission- Aims to boost the country’s computing
power. 6. Vigyan Jyoti- Encourages girls in high school and up to PhD level to pursue STEM careers.
Challenges faced by India’s technology field 1. Lack of Emphasis on Technology Policy 2. Global
Technological Competition 3. Digital Divide 4. Lack of Relevant Skilling 5. Lack of Adequate Focus on
R&D 6. Cybersecurity Threats 7. Lack of Comprehensive Regulation on AI

ISHAN INITIATIVE About ISHAN 1. It involves Combining India's four Flight Information Regions (FIRs)
into a single system overseen from Nagpur. 2. Currently, Indian airspace is divided into 4 FIRs i.e.
Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and a sub-FIR in Guwahati, each managed separately. 3. Unifying
these FIRs under a single authority in Nagpur is projected to improve efficiency, safety, and
seamlessness in air traffic operations. 4. ISHAN (Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic
Management) Initiative. Key Features of the ISHAN Initiative 1. Unified Air Traffic Management
System:  The ISHAN Initiative aims to create a single, unified air traffic management (ATM) system
across Indian airspace.  By harmonizing ATM protocols, the initiative seeks to provide a seamless
and coordinated approach to managing air traffic. 2. Enhanced Airspace Efficiency:  By optimizing
flight routes and reducing the fragmentation of airspace, ISHAN aims to enhance the overall
efficiency of air travel.  It aims to reduce delays, optimize fuel consumption, and improve flight time
predictability. Advanced Surveillance and Navigation Technology:  The initiative incorporates state-
of-the-art surveillance technology, including ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast)
and satellite-based navigation systems.  This enhances situational awareness for air traffic
controllers, helping them manage traffic more precisely. Safety and Security Improvements:  The
ISHAN Initiative prioritizes safety enhancements by introducing modern safety protocols, real-time
monitoring, and better communication links between ATC (Air Traffic Control) centers across the
country.  This leads to improved tracking, reduced collision risk, and enhanced security within
Indian airspace. Collaborative Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM):  A key component of ISHAN is
the integration of ATFM, which enables collaboration between airlines, airports, and air traffic
management systems.  ATFM optimizes traffic flow, prevents congestion, and minimizes delays by
strategically managing airspace capacity based on real time demand.
Significance 1. Safety and Efficiency: To enhance the safety, security, and efficiency of India’s airspace
management through cutting-edge technologies and streamlined protocols. 2. Economic and
Operational Benefits: By reducing delays, optimizing airspace usage, and lowering fuel consumption,
ISHAN supports economic efficiency for airlines and airports. 3. Sustainability: ISHAN aims to reduce
aviation’s environmental impact through efficient route management and minimized fuel
consumption. 4. Support for Future Growth: The initiative prepares India’s airspace for projected
increases in air traffic, especially with the rise of regional connectivity, while maintaining high
standards of safety and efficiency.

POKHRAN-I About Operation Smiling Buddha or Pokhran I 1. Location: Secret army test range located
in the desert of Pokhran, Rajasthan 2. Technique: A fission device using Plutonium as fuel. 3. Raised
India’s credible deterrence and national security. 4. India had already fought three wars (1962 China
war and 1965 & 1971 wars against Pakistan). Also, China had conducted its nuclear tests during 1964.
5. Its highlighted India's technological prowess in nuclear research. 6. India’s first nuclear explosion
which was described as a peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE). PNEs are nuclear explosions for non-
military purposes. 7. India became the first nation apart from the P5 countries (five permanent
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members) – China, Russian Federation, France, the United
Kingdom and the United States – to conduct the test.

Impact of the test 1. Technological Apartheid with India: In 1978, the US came out with the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Act and stopped any nuclear assistance to India. 2. India’s nuclear policies was put
under the technology restrictions by various western countries. India’s strategic sector suffered
because of no international technology collaboration. This period is famously known as the period of
Technological Apartheid. 3. Example: India’s space program suffered in 1991, as USA had forced
Russia to not transfer the cryogenic engine technology to ISRO. 4. India as responsible nuclear
power: India affirmed its status as a nuclear-capable state, laying the groundwork for future
endeavours such as Pokhran-II in 1998. 5. This nuclear explosion also laid the foundation for India’s
nuclear doctrine wherein India aimed to be recognized as a responsible nuclear power. 6. After
Pokhran II India also declared to follow the doctrine of ‘No First Use policy’. 7. Post Pokhran- II, India
and USA signed the 123 Nuclear Agreement for peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy.

Key Features of Pokhran-I (Smiling Buddha) 1. Date and Location:  Conducted on May 18, 1974, the
test took place in the Pokhran Test Range, a remote desert area in Rajasthan, India. 2. Type of
Nuclear Device:  The device tested was a plutonium implosion fission bomb, with an estimated
yield of approximately 8-12 kilotons of TNT. 3. Code Name: Smiling Buddha:  The test was code-
named Smiling Buddha, as it was conducted on Buddha Purnima (Buddha’s birthday), a symbolic
name chosen by India to project the test as a "peaceful nuclear explosion." 4. Declared as a Peaceful
Nuclear Explosion (PNE):  The Indian government, led by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,
described the test as a "peaceful nuclear explosion," intended for scientific purposes and peaceful
applications like mining and earth-moving, rather than as a weapon. 5. Secrecy and Planning:  The
project was conducted with a high level of secrecy and was developed under the aegis of India’s
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The planning and execution involved only a select team of
scientists and military officials. 6. Foundation for Future Nuclear Development:  The success of
Pokhran-I provided India with the knowledge and confidence to further its nuclear research.  It set
the stage for future developments in India’s nuclear weapons program, leading to the more
comprehensive Pokhran II tests in 1998.

Significance of Pokhran-I 1. Assertion of India’s Sovereignty:  The test demonstrated India’s

determination to pursue strategic autonomy in defense and technology, despite pressure from
international powers.  This move underscored India's intention to safeguard its sovereignty. 2.
Scientific and Technological Achievement:  The success of Pokhran-I was a milestone for India’s
scientific community, showcasing India’s capability to develop complex nuclear technology
domestically. 3. Foundation of India’s Nuclear Deterrent:  While initially declared as peaceful, the
test laid the groundwork for India's nuclear weapons program.  It ultimately influenced India's later
adoption of a nuclear deterrent stance. 4. Strengthened National Security:  By achieving nuclear
capability, India gained a strategic deterrent that contributed to balancing power dynamics in the
region, particularly concerning neighboring nuclear-armed countries. 5. Economic and Diplomatic
Repercussions:  India faced sanctions and restrictions, especially in nuclear technology and
materials, which limited India’s access to international nuclear technology for years.  However, this
also pushed India toward achieving nuclear self reliance and strengthened its indigenous
technological base.

International Reaction:  The test led to international criticism and a suspension of nuclear
technology assistance, particularly from Western countries and Canada, which had previously
supported India’s nuclear program.  In response, countries like the United States implemented
policies to prevent the spread of nuclear technology to non-nuclear-weapon states.  Pokhran-I also
contributed to the formation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), aimed at regulating the export of
nuclear materials to prevent proliferation.

HERMES-900 About Hermes-900 1. It is a next generation multi-role, Medium Altitude Long

Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system. 2. Features over-the-horizon, persistent multimission,
multi-payload capabilities with class leading payload carrying capacity of 350 kgs. 3. Capable of
performing missions for area dominance, persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, Target acquisition, and
Reconnaissance (ISTAR). 4. Can also perform ground support and maritime patrol missions, and
offers the capability for integrated multi-platform, multi-sensor operation. 5. It is also known as
Drishti-10 drone Key Features 1. Design and Build:  The Hermes 900 has a sleek, fixed-wing design
with a wingspan of 15 meters and a length of 8.3 meters.  It features a V-shaped tail and is
constructed with lightweight materials, optimizing it for long-endurance missions. 2. Medium-
Altitude and Long-Endurance (MALE):  Capable of flying at medium altitudes (up to 30,000 feet),
the Hermes 900 has a long endurance of up to 36 hours, enabling it to monitor large areas or persist
over targets for extended periods. 3. Advanced Payload Capacity:  The UAV can carry up to 350 kg
of payload, which allows it to support a variety of mission-specific equipment, including:  Electro-
optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors for day and night imaging.  Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for
detailed ground mapping.  Communication relays.  Signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment. 
Electronic warfare (EW) and other specialized mission systems. 4. Real-Time Data Transmission: 
The Hermes 900 is equipped with satellite communication (SATCOM) capabilities and line-of-sight
(LOS) communication, allowing it to transmit high-definition video and data to ground control
stations in real time. 5. Fully Autonomous Capabilities:  The UAV is capable of fully autonomous
operation, including take-off, navigation, and landing. This minimizes the need for human
intervention and reduces operator workload. 6. Multi-Mission Versatility:  The Hermes 900 is highly
versatile, able to support missions across intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition,
reconnaissance (ISTAR), border patrol, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. 7. Modular
Configuration:  The aircraft’s modular design allows operators to tailor it to various operational
needs by swapping out mission-specific payloads quickly.

Operational Capabilities 1. Surveillance and Reconnaissance:  Equipped with high-resolution

sensors, the Hermes 900 is well suited for ISR missions.  It can operate in a range of weather
conditions and provide intelligence on targets of interest from high altitudes without detection. 2.
Maritime Patrol:  With its extended endurance, the Hermes 900 is used for maritime patrol
missions, including tracking vessels, anti-piracy operations, and monitoring economic zones. 3.
Search and Rescue (SAR):  In humanitarian missions, the Hermes 900 can assist in search and
rescue operations by providing aerial views and identifying locations of people or assets in distress.
4. Combat and Tactical Support:  The UAV can be used for tactical military operations, including
battlefield surveillance, target acquisition, and battlefield support by feeding real-time information to
ground forces. 5. Disaster Response and Management:  For civilian applications, the Hermes 900
assists in managing natural disasters by providing aerial imagery and data to track environmental
changes, map affected areas, and coordinate response efforts.

Advantages and Benefits 1. Operational Flexibility: The multi-role capability of the Hermes 900 makes
it adaptable for various operational needs, from military to humanitarian missions. 2. Reduced
Operational Cost: Compared to manned aircraft, the UAV offers a lower-cost alternative for extended
aerial surveillance. 3. Minimal Ground Crew Requirements: With its autonomous capabilities, the
UAV requires fewer personnel to operate and monitor. 4. Reliability and Proven Track Record: The
Hermes 900 has seen successful deployment in various regions, proving its reliability in diverse
environments.

3D PRINTING About 3D Printing 1. It is the technology that constructs a three-dimensional object

from a digital 3D model by adding material layer by layer. 2. It is the opposite of subtractive
(traditional) manufacturing, in which an object is created by cutting away at a solid block of material.
3. AM materials include thermoplastics, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and biomaterials such as
bioinks. Process involved in 3D Printing. 1. Additive Manufacturing technologies are essentially
classified into virtual and physical models. 2. The virtual model represents computational models and
applications for simulation and optimization. 3. 3D model is prepared of the required object on
computer-aid design (CAD) software. 4. The physical model represents three-dimensional virtual
design models that are then speedily fabricated into a physical object. This process is known as rapid
prototyping. 5. Then, 3D printers are used for the creation of structure. 6. 3D printers are physical
machines that translate digital design files into actual objects or parts. 7. It involved different
methods such as- Material Jetting, Directed Energy Deposition, Sheet Lamination etc.

Advantages of 3D Printing 1. Rapid Prototyping  3D Printing has considerably expedited prototyping,

serving as a catalyst in the product development cycle. It will facilitate swift transition of ideas from
concept to tangible form. 2. Design Flexibility  Intricate designs, which would have been nearly
impossible or prohibitively expensive with conventional manufacturing methods, are now feasible. 
For instance, aerospace and automotive industries can create components with complex structure
without compromising strength. 3. Sustainability  It significantly reduces material waste by only
consuming what’s necessary for the print and the support structures. o Also it uses sustainable
materials.  E.g. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a popular 3D printing material derived from renewable
resources like corn starch or sugarcane. 4. On-demand Production  Companies can move from mass
production to mass customization, allowing for the swift manufacturing of parts based on specific
demand. 5. Quality Assurance  With digital design validation, potential errors in the design process
are identified and corrected even before the printing begins.  The layer-by-layer technique of 3D
printers ensures consistency across the board. 6. Supply Chain Enhancement  Eliminates the
dependence on large warehouses to store bulk items and components.

AGRITECH About Agri-Tech 1. Agritech or agriculture technology is the term referring to the use of
technological innovations in agriculture to increase its yield, efficiency, and profitability. 2. It employs
advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), IoT (Internet of Things), biotechnology etc.
Role of Agri-Tech in Agriculture Ecosystem 1. Intelligent crop planning:  It involves the use of
emerging technologies such as Gene Editing, AI-based soil-testing solutions advice etc. to create a
detailed, market-oriented and sustainable crop plan. 2. Smart farming:  Also known as precision
farming, it is the use of technologies to improve efficiency in farm operations.  E.g., AI and
Augmented Reality (AR) for crop planning, hyperlocal weather predictions etc. 3. Farmgate-to-fork: 
To address underlying issues such as a lack of quality standards, crop loss between farm and market,
access to storage facilities etc.  E.g., Traceability using blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) enabled
warehousing, smart logistics and more. 4. Data governance:  Ease of access to high-quality, usable
data can generate social economic value for both farmers and industry alike.  For instance, Digital
public infrastructure (DPI) in agriculture is a critical enabler of agritech services in emerging
economies. Initiatives taken by India in AgriTech 1. Promotion of Agri-Startups: They provide
innovative solutions like farm management software, online marketplaces for agricultural produce,
and farm advisory services etc. 2. Around 2800 AgriTech startups (like BigHaat, Fasal, MeraKisan etc.)
are recognised by Startup India. 3. Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development programme:
under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) from 2018-19 to provide financial and technical support
for nurturing the startup ecosystem. 4. 5 Knowledge Partners (KPs) and 24 RKVY Agribusiness
Incubators (R ABIs) have been appointed for training & incubation of agri-startups and
implementation of this programme.

Challenges in Agritech adoption 1. Limited Digital Literacy:  India's farmers lack the technical
expertise and hands-on experience required to effectively operate machinery and software,
hindering their ability to utilize advanced agricultural technology. 2. Infrastructural Barriers:  Rural
areas often face inadequate network coverage and slow internet speeds, hindering the adoption and
effectiveness of agri-tech solutions. 3. Resource Constraints:  A substantial number of farmers in
rural India operate on small landholdings and have limited financial resources.  Adopting agritech
solutions can be expensive, especially when it comes to buying software and equipment. 4.
Resistance to Change:  Traditional farming methods have been ingrained in rural Indian
communities for generations. Convincing farmers to embrace technological interventions can be
challenging. 5. Job loss:  With farming being a major source of employment across the country,
automation in the agriculture sector could have a significant impact on the local economy leading to
large-scale job loss.
GRAPHITE About Graphite 1. Also known as plumbago or black lead. 2. Stable form of naturally
occurring Carbon. 3. Grey to black metallic lustre. 4. Extremely soft and cleaves (splits into layers)
with very light pressure. 5. Good conductor of heat and electricity. 6. Resistant to attack by ordinary
chemical agents. 7. Applications: EV battery-making components, lubricants, pencils, foundry facings,
paints crucibles etc Key Characteristics 1. Structure and Atomic Arrangement:  Graphite has a
hexagonal crystalline structure in which carbon atoms are arranged in layers of two-dimensional
sheets.  Each carbon atom is bonded to three others in a flat, hexagonal arrangement, with weak
van der Waals forces holding the layers together.  This structure allows the layers to slide over one
another easily, giving graphite its characteristic lubricating properties. 2. Electrical Conductivity: 
Graphite is an excellent conductor of electricity due to the presence of free electrons that can move
along its layers. This makes it ideal for applications like electrodes and batteries. 3. Thermal Stability
and High Melting Point:  It has a high melting point (around 3650°C) and maintains stability under
high temperatures, making it suitable for high temperature applications. 4. Softness and Lubrication:
 The layered structure makes graphite one of the softest materials, useful as a dry lubricant in high-
temperature and low-friction environments. 5. Chemical Inertness:  Graphite is chemically stable
and resistant to most acids, alkalis, and solvents, which is valuable in harsh chemical environments.
6. Opacity and Color:  It is opaque and typically dark gray to black in color with a metallic luster.

Types of Graphite 1. Natural Graphite:  Crystalline Flake Graphite: Found in metamorphic rocks, it
has a high carbon content and is used in batteries, fuel cells, and lubricants.  Amorphous Graphite:
The least graphitic form, with lower purity, it is commonly used in pencils, paint, and low-grade
lubricants.  Vein or Lump Graphite: Rare and highly crystalline, it is valuable for high-performance
applications. 2. Synthetic Graphite:  Produced by heating carbon-based materials (e.g., petroleum
coke) at high temperatures, it is more expensive but provides higher purity and consistency.  It’s
often used in lithium-ion batteries, electrodes, and specialized applications in the nuclear and
aerospace industries.

Uses of Graphite 1. Battery Industry:  Graphite is a critical component in lithium-ion batteries,

especially as an anode material, due to its conductive properties and ability to store lithium ions. 2.
Refractories and Crucibles:  Its high thermal resistance and stability make graphite suitable for
manufacturing crucibles, refractory bricks, and molds for metal casting. 3. Lubricants: harsh
environments. 4. Electrodes in Metallurgy:  Graphite serves as a dry lubricant in various mechanical
applications, especially in high-temperature or chemically  Due to its conductivity and resistance to
high temperatures, graphite is widely used as electrodes in electric arc furnaces for steel production.
5. Nuclear Industry:  Graphite acts as a neutron moderator in nuclear reactors, controlling the rate
of nuclear reactions. Special grades of graphite are required for this purpose. 6. Pencils and Art: 
Known as "pencil lead," graphite’s softness and ability to leave a dark mark make it ideal for pencils
and various art applications. 7. Graphene Production:  Graphite is the raw material for graphene, a
single layer of carbon atoms with extraordinary strength, flexibility, and conductivity.  Graphene has
potential in electronics, energy storage, and materials science. 8. Other Applications:  Graphite is
also used in brake linings, carbon brushes in motors, and as an additive in paints, coatings, and
construction materials.
Facial Recognition Technology NITI Aayog released ‘White Paper: Responsible AI for All (RAI) on Facial
Recognition Technology (FRT)’ About Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) 1. Artificial intelligence (AI)
system which allows identification or verification of a person based on certain images or video data
using complex algorithms. 2. Obtained for the purpose of matching it against the person’s
photograph on a database. 3. Verification against the entire database to identify the person in the
photograph or video. Applications and use-cases of FRT 1. Security related Uses,  Identification of
Persons of Interest, including suspected criminals.  Identification of Missing Persons.  Monitoring
and surveillance.  Immigration and border management.  Pan Tilt and Zoom Surveillance Cameras
used in Prayagraj. 2. Non-Security related Uses  Verification and authentication of individual
identity. E.g., Using Aadhar Card for Authentication based on Facial Recognition.  Ease in usability
such as unique IDs in educational institutions  Ease of access to services. E.g., contactless
onboarding at airports through Digi Yatra. Risks associated with FRT systems 1. Automation bias and
underrepresentation in databases 2. Lack of training of human operators 3. Rights-based issues

NOR ’WESTERS About Nor ’westers 1. They are local winds that affect the east and northeast regions
of India every summer. They cause thunderstorms in the region. 2. In Bengal, it is locally known as
“Kalbaishaki” meaning, calamity in the month of Baisakh (the first month in the Bengal calendar).
Whereas, in Assam, they are known as “Bardoli Chheerha”. Influence of Nor ‘westers on the region:
1. Positive impact  However, they are extremely helpful for pre-kharif crops like jute, paddy, and a
large number of vegetables and fruits.  Also, a sudden drop in temperature gives relief after
unbearable mid-day heat. 2. Negative impact  They are notorious in nature and lead to destructive
tornadoes, causing uprooting of trees and loss of property. Key Characteristics 1. Seasonal
Occurrence  Nor’westers mainly occur during the late spring and early summer months, typically
from March to May, before the onset of the southwest monsoon in South Asia. 2. Geographic Focus 
These storms primarily affect northeastern India (especially Assam and West Bengal), Bangladesh,
Odisha, and parts of eastern India. They are most frequent in the Gangetic plains and the
Brahmaputra valley. 3. Formation Conditions  Nor’westers form due to the convergence of warm,
moist air from the Bay of Bengal with cooler, drier air from northern India. The temperature and
pressure contrasts lead to intense convection, resulting in towering cumulonimbus clouds. 4.
Sudden, Intense Thunderstorms  Nor’westers are marked by sudden, severe thunderstorms
accompanied by high wind speeds, often reaching up to 100-120 km/h. They form quickly and are
short-lived but intense. 5. High Wind Speeds and Gusty Conditions  These storms produce powerful,
gusty winds, which can cause significant damage to infrastructure, trees, and crops. The winds can be
destructive, causing tree falls, blowing off roofs, and damaging power lines. 6. Heavy Rainfall and
Hailstorms  Nor’westers bring sudden, heavy downpours, which can last from a few minutes to an
hour. Hailstorms are also common and can cause severe damage to agriculture, especially to crops
like rice, wheat, and mango.

SOLAR STORM (GEOMAGNETIC STORM) Solar Storms 1. Solar storms are like massive bursts of
energy from the Sun. 2. They happen when a large eruption on the Sun's surface, often accompanied
by solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), accelerates charged particles to incredibly high
speeds. 3. Depending on the intensity, they are classified from G1 (Minor) to G5 (extreme). 4. High
speed solar winds bring geomagnetic storms. 5. These are a result of Sun entering a period of peak
activity called Solar Maximum. Solar Flare 1. It is an intense burst of radiation, while CMEs are huge
cloud of plasma (hot, ionized gas) and magnetic fields ejected from the Sun near Sunspots. 2. These
ejected particles can travel over a million miles per hour, and when they reach Earth, they interact
with our planet's magnetic field, causing disturbances. The Sun's Activity Cycle 1. The Sun goes
through cycles of activity, with periods of high and low activity. 2. These cycles last about 11 years,
and during the peak of the cycle, called the solar maximum, there are frequent solar storms and
increased instances of sunspots (cooler regions on the Sun's surface) 3. This is because the Sun's
magnetic fields are more complex and twisted during this phase, leading to more eruptions and
ejections of charged particles. Implications of solar storms 1. Damage to space infrastructure, highly
energetic particles can penetrate the materials of spacecraft and potentially damage them. 2.
Damage to ground assets such as power grids and can also interfere in radio communications. 3.
Dangers to satellites, intense space weather causes changes in Earth’s atmosphere and making it
difficult for satellite to stay on track. 4. Affects ionosphere by disrupting the use of high frequency
radios used for search and rescue, the Global Positioning System (GPS), and even ground/air
communications within the aviation industry. 5. Negative impact on Astronauts is caused due to
Increased radiation affecting astronauts on International Space Station having harmful effects on
health. An aurora (northern or southern light) is caused when charged particles from the Sun, mainly
electrons and protons, interact with the upper atmosphere.

Missions to study solar activity 1. Aditya L-1 (India): Launched in 2023, this is India's first space
mission dedicated to observing the Sun. 2. Parker Solar Probe (NASA): Launched in 2021, this
spacecraft became the first to fly through the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona. 3. Solar Orbiter
(NASA/ESA): Launched in 2020, this mission aims to take the closest-ever images of the Sun and
study the solar wind. 4. Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (NASA): This mission aims to
understand how the Sun's atmosphere is energized, leading to solar eruptions. 5. Solar and
Heliospheric Observatory (NASA/ESA/JAXA): Launched in 1995, this observatory monitors the effects
of space weather on Earth.

Raising Heat Stress in Indian Cities Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has highlighted the
escalating problem of “heat stress” in India’s major cities. Heat Stress 1. Occurs when the body
cannot maintain a healthy temperature due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. 2. It can
lead to heat-related illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. 3. It can be
life-threatening if not addressed promptly. Causes 1. Raising relative Humidity in Major Cities. 2.
Increased built-up- areas. 3. Reduced green cover. 4. Heat absorption by urban structures. 5. Heat
generated by human activities. 6. Congestion. 7. Urban heat island phenomenon. Urban heat island
phenomenon is caused by increased built-up- areas, reduced green cover, congestion, heat
absorption by urban structures, and heat generated by human activities. Findings 1. Land surface
temperature are not cooling rapidly. 2. High temperature and humidity limit the body ability to cool.
3. Imbalance in Heat Index4. The heat index during the monsoon period was higher than in the pre
monsoon period Heat index is a measure of how hot it feels to the human body when the air
temperature and the relative humidity are combined, ability to cool itself by sweating.

Consequences 1. Reduce worker productivity, particularly in outdoor occupations. 2. Stress urban

vegetation and wildlife 3. Reduced biodiversity and the degradation of urban ecosystems. 4.
Accelerate the deterioration of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings. 5. Higher energy
bills and healthcare costs 6. Reducing disposable income and increasing financial stress Precautions
1. Public awareness about heat risks. 2. Promoting preparedness measures. 3. Sustainable urban
planning. 4. Emphasizing green infrastructure. 5. Reduction of heat-absorbing surfaces to combat the
urban heat island effect

MANGROVES CONSERVATION About Mangroves and Ecosystem 1. Cover an area of 150,000 sq. km,
primarily on tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate coasts around the world, covering
approximately 15 per cent of the world’s coastlines. 2. Carbon sequestration: Mangrove ecosystems
sequester approximately 11 billion tonnes of carbon, which is almost three times the amount stored
by tropical forests of the same size. 3. Protection from coastal calamities: Healthy mangroves can
combat sea level rise while also providing inland protection from extreme weather events. 4.
Biodiversity conservation: Mangroves support a huge variety of plants and animals. 5. Over 1,500
species of fauna that depend on mangroves for their survival, 15% are threatened with extinction.

Threats to the mangrove ecosystem: 1. Climate change: Increased frequency of severe storms and
sea-level rise places mangroves at risk of extinction. 2. Development-related activities: Deforestation
for developmental activities like dam construction and urban development alters freshwater and
sediment fluxes and damage the mangrove ecosystems. 3. Pollution: Contaminants from sewage,
runoff, industrial effluent, intertidal zone fishing, marine and coastal tourism, urban runoff, and
marine industries impact mangrove ecosystems. 4. Endocrine disruption of fauna, reduced
reproduction rates, feminization of male fish, and toxic effects on human populations consuming
marine produce are some of the impacts of pollution on the mangrove ecosystems. 5. Unsustainable
fishing: Lack of sustainable methods of fishing especially, shrimp farming impacts the resilience of
the mangroves.

Initiatives for Mangrove Conservation: 1. India State of Forest Report (ISFR)2023 by the Forest Survey
of India (FSI): Mangrove cover in India has increased by 17 sq. km (0.34%) as compared to the
previous assessment. 2. MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes): It is
a government-led initiative under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF &
CC) aimed at increasing the mangrove cover along the coastline and on saltpan lands. 3. It provides
financial assistance to local communities to undertake mangrove plantations. 4. Conducting
awareness campaigns to educate people about the importance of mangroves and their role in
protecting the environment. 5. Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) initiative:
Building aquaculture farms that use sustainable IMA (integrated mangrove aquaculture) systems. 6.
Magical Mangroves campaign: WWF India has enjoined citizens in nine coastal states on mangrove
conservation. 7. National Coastal Mission Programme on ‘Conservation and Management of
Mangroves and Coral Reefs’: Preparation of an annual Management Action Plan (MAP) for
Mangroves conservation & management.

WORLD WILDLIFE CRIME REPORT 2024 Key findings 1. During 2015-2021, rhinoceroses and cedars
were most impacted animal and plant species respectively. 2. Largest numbers of seizures reported
during 2015- 2021 involved corals, followed by crocodilians and elephants. 3. For seizures of animal
species, there is gradual increase from 2015 2019 and then decline in 2020 and 2021. 4. For seizures
of plant species, there is sharp increase in 2020 and 2021. Wildlife crime It can be defined as taking,
possession, trade or movement, consumption of wild animals and plants or their derivatives in
contravention of any international, regional, or national legislation(s). Factors driving wildlife crime 1.
Demand for medicine, pets, bushmeat, ornamental plants etc. 2. Huge profits earned by illegal
traders by selling exotic animals, plants, and their parts. Eg. Rhinoceros horn, etc. 3. Corruption
undermines government restrictions on wildlife harvest, trade and use, thus enabling wildlife crime.
Impact of Wildlife Crime 1. Environmental: Overexploitation and reduced populations of wildlife
species; Increasing invasive alien species etc. 2. Out of all seized fauna, 40% were either threatened
or near-threatened on red list. 3. Economical: Money-laundering and illegal crossborder financial
flows. 4. Social: Risks of disease transmission to people from live animals, plants, wildlife meat;
Degradation of services like food, medicines, energy, etc.

SOIL NAILING About Soil Nailing 1. It is a geotechnical engineering technique that involves the
insertion of reinforcing elements into the soil in a specified area to strengthen it. 2. This is followed
by ‘hydroseeding’ – a process of applying a mixture of seeds, fertilizer, organic materials and water
onto the soil. 3. It facilitates the growth of grass and plant life, that will help hold the topsoil together
and prevent erosion. Tamil Nadu is using Soil Nailing to ensure the stabilization of slopes around the
Nilgiris’ major roads Features 1. Installation of Steel Bars (Nails):  Steel bars or "nails" are drilled and
grouted into the slope or excavation at a close spacing to reinforce the soil.  These nails act as
passive reinforcement, enhancing the soil's shear strength. 2. Shotcrete or Concrete Facing:  Once
nails are installed, the surface is often covered with a layer of shotcrete or concrete to provide
additional stability and prevent soil erosion.  Wire mesh and other reinforcements may also be
used. 3. Passive Support System:  Soil nailing relies on the in-situ soil properties for support.  Unlike
anchors, which actively pull the soil mass, soil nails are passive and work by resisting the movement
when it occurs. 4. Flexibility and Adaptability:  This technique is adaptable to various soil types and
can accommodate different geometries, including steep slopes and irregular topographies, making it
suitable for a wide range of environments. 5. Incremental Construction:  Soil nailing is typically
performed in a top-down sequence, enabling construction in increments as excavation progresses,
which helps maintain stability throughout the process.

Significance 1. Stabilization of Slopes and Excavations  Soil nailing stabilizes slopes and excavations,
reducing the risk of landslides, erosion, and collapses in both natural and urban settings.  This
enhances the overall safety of construction sites and surrounding structures. 2. Cost-Effective
Alternative to Retaining Walls  Compared to conventional retaining walls, soil nailing is more
economical, particularly for temporary and semi-permanent structures.  It reduces material and
labor costs and minimizes the need for large foundations. 3. Adaptability to Varied Geotechnical
Conditions  Soil nailing can be applied to a variety of soil types, including soft clays, sands, and
weathered rocks.  Its adaptability to different geotechnical environments makes it a versatile
solution. 4. Efficient Use in Confined Spaces  In urban areas with restricted space, soil nailing can be
implemented effectively without the need for large machinery or extensive earthworks.  This makes
it ideal for use near roadways, building foundations, and urban excavations. 5. Quick Construction
Time  The top-down installation method of soil nailing allows for concurrent excavation and
reinforcement, accelerating project timelines compared to other earth retention techniques.  This is
particularly valuable in time-sensitive projects.

CORAL BLEACHING About coral bleaching 1. Sustained increase in Sea Surface Temperature (SST)
causes the zooxanthellae, which provide pigmentation and 90 per cent of the corals’ nutritional
needs, to leave their hosts, resulting in the whitening of coral. 2. Global mass coral bleaching events
have been reported in 1998, 2010, 2014-2017, according to the United States National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration. 3. Presently, 2023-2024 is being named as the fourth global mass coral
bleaching event.

Primary reasons for coral bleaching 1. Increasing Sea Surface Temperatures:  Rising greenhouse
gases trap the radiated heat in the atmosphere, excess of which is absorbed by the oceans, leading
to increased SST.  In tropical regions, mean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) have risen by almost 1°C
over the past 100 years and are currently increasing at a rate of 1-2°C per century. 2. Marine
heatwaves:  They lead to exponential rise in SST which leads to expulsion of zooxanthellae, leading
to coral bleaching.  An underwater survey showed that 85% of the corals in the Gulf of Mannar near
the Tamil Nadu coast got bleached after the marine heatwave in 2020. 3. El Nino:  Heating of certain
areas above the maximum mean temperature due to El Nino causes stress on the corals and leads to
bleaching. 4. Shifting ocean currents:  The changes in heating patterns of the land and sea, salinity
of ocean water and wind patterns result in shifting ocean currents.  This adds to the changes in SST
which impacts the survival of corals.  Ocean acidification also leads to the expulsion of the
zooxanthellae, causing coral bleaching. 5. Sedimentation:  Bottom trawling and dumping of waste
along the coasts lead to sedimentation which hinders the photosynthesis of the zooxanthellae, thus
causing coral bleaching.

Initiatives taken for coral conservation in India 1. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification of 1991
issued under the broad Environment Protection Act, 1986 ensure the overall protection of coral reefs
in India. 2. Eco-development activities by the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust have
empowered the local fishing communities, providing them with additional or alternative sources of
income. 3. Coral Reef Recovery Project-Mithapur (Gulf of Kachchh and Gujarat’s Marine National
Park) is launched in 2008 by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Gujarat Forest Department, it envisions
the creation of a model public-private managed coral ecosystem of international standards. 4.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) with the Gujarat Forest Department successfully restored coral reefs
in the Gulf of Kachchh. Restoration of a branching coral species (staghorn corals) that had gone
extinct about 10,000 years ago to the Gulf of Kachchh was successful.

UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION (UCG) Ministry of Coal has launched a pioneering Underground
Coal Gasification pilot project in Jharkhand’s Jamtara [Link] 2015, a dedicated policy framework
for development of UCG in coal and lignite bearing areas. Underground coal gasification (UCG) 1.
Energy manufacturing process whereby coal is gasified or chemically converted into a synthesis gas
(syngas) in its original coal seam. 2. Mixture of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2)
and carbon monoxide (CO). 3. In-situ combustion of the coal seam to produce usable gas. 4. Process
is initiated by injecting steam and air/oxygen into the seam and igniting it, requiring temperatures
over 1000°C. Products of UCG 1. Electricity. 2. Chemical Feedstock- Methanol, hydrogen, ammonia
and other chemical products. 3. Production of Hydrogen. Benefits of UCG 1. Access to unmineable
coal 2. Reduced capital expenditure 3. Needs less than 3% of land area needed for Coal Bed Methane
(CBM) to produce the same amount of gas energy Merits 1. Reduce dependence on imports. 2. No
environmental impacts traditionally associated with coal mining and handling. 3. UCG has unique
potential in recovering heating value from high ash coal. Concerns 1. Cause significant deformation
both in the remaining coal and surrounding rocks leads to Induced Subsidence 2. Contamination of
Groundwater 3. Lack of proven Technology. 4. Unsteady-state process.
Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom Scheme About Scheme 1. 22 components will
be implemented at an outlay of Rs.206 crore during the year 2024-2025. 2. Implemented by
Department of Agriculture and farmer welfare. Objectives 1. Promote sustainable farming. 2.
Improve the health and fertility of the soil across the area. 3. Digitalisation of soil fertility Key
Components Green Manure 1. Aims to preserve soil fertility through the promotion of Green Manure
usage among farmers. 2. Allocation of Rs.20 crore for the distribution of Green Manure Seeds. 3.
Cover 2 lakh acres benefitting 2 lakh farmers. Vermicompost 1. Vermicompost provides rich nutrients
besides improving the soil’s physical properties 2. 10,000 farmers will be provided @ two
vermicompost beds per farmer for total outlay of Rs.6 crore. 3. Sum of Rs.5 crore will be allocated for
setting up of permanent vermicompost pits. Tamil Mannvalam portal 1. To facilitate farmers access to
crucial information. 2. Enabling them to download the Soil Health Card. 3. Provides tailored, crop-
specific fertilizer recommendations to the farmers. Alkaline and Acidic soil 1. Lacks aeration and
microbial activities are low resulting in reduced crop growth and yield. 2. Sum of Rs.7.50 crore for the
reclamation of 37,500 acres of alkaline soils. 3. Sum of Rs.15 crore for the reclamation of 7,500 acres
of acidic soils will be allocated. Liquid Bio-Fertilisers 1. Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium and Zinc to
crops and increase the crop productivity by 10-20 per cent 2. Cutting down the expenditure on
chemical fertilizers. 3. A sum of Rs.7.50 crore will be allocated for the distribution of 5 lakh litres of
liquid Bio Fertilizers. 4. Cover an area of 10 lakh acres which will benefit 2 lakh farmers. Pesticide 1.
Azadirachtin, neem-based products, for effective control of pests and diseases in plants without
causing harm to environment. 2. 10 lakh neem tree saplings will be distributed to farmers at no cost
for which Rs.2 crore under agroforestry scheme. Insecticide 1. Plant species like Adathoda and Nochi
which have natural Bio Insecticidal properties will be promoted. 2. Cultivation in fallow lands and
field bunds. 3. Distributing 50 lakh saplings to farmers in all districts at an outlay of Rs.1 crore. Model
Organic Farm 1. Created in each block of the State. 2. The farmers will be encouraged, trained and
guided on schemes available for organic farming, certification. 3. Organic input production and
marketing of organic produce for which Rs.38 lakh will be allocated.

Maragadha Pooncholai The Forest Department has planned to set up ‘Maragatha Pooncholai’, an
initiative to revive vacant lands in the Perambalur district in an effort to improve green cover. About
Initiative 1. Creation of Maragadha Pooncholai in 100 Villages 2. Announced by the Honorable Forest
Minister during 2022-23 in the Legislative Assembly 3. Total outlay of Rs. 25 crores. 4. The scheme
aims at creation of woodlots by providing livelihood opportunities to the local communities. 5.
Implemented by Department of Climate change, Environment and Forest. Components 1. Planting 2.
Provision of irrigation 3. Park benches 4. Visitor sheds Objective 1. Place for recreation 2. Heat
mitigation 3. Source of nutritious fodder, fruits, small timber etc. 4. Food, wood, water and climate
security for the villages in future. Measures needed 1. Encourage people participation in planting
trees. 2. Campaigns to plant Trees in people’s house. 3. Events involving volunteer participation of
public tree plantation.

Nadanthai Vaazhi Cauvery Project The National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD), Ministry of Jal
Shakti, has approved ₹934.3 crore for the first phase of the ‘Nadanthai Vaazhi Cauvery’ About Project
1. The report for this scheme for an amount of Rs.11,250.00 crore has been submitted to Ministry of
Jal Shakti, Union Government for its approval in 2019. 2. NRCD has approved a cost of Rs.934.301
crore for 1st phase. 3. Prepared based on the footsteps of Namami Gange Programme. Objective 1.
Conserve, rejuvenate and to effectively curb sewage polluting the Cauvery River and its tributaries. 2.
Promote the river as Eco-tourist spot. 3. Improve the Bio-diversity and ecological habitat of river. 4.
Effective Disaster management. 5. Enhance water quality of river. 6. Safeguard and promote rich
history and heritage of river. Components of Project 1. Sewage Management 2. Riverfront
Development Activities 3. River Surface Cleaning 4. Solid Waste Management 5. Cauvery Village -
People Participation and creating awareness 6. Rehabilitation & Resettlement for High Risk area 7.
Flood Prone Zone and Intervention required area - Survey component 8. Real Time Monitoring
System for ensure the water quality 9. Museum at Grand Anicut (Kallanai) 10. Bio-Diversity.

GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) approved
funds for next phase (from 2024 to 2029) of Bustard Recovery Program. Bustard Recovery Program 1.
Coverage of species: Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican, Bengal Florican, Macqueen's
Bustard. 2. First started in 2013 under the National Bustard Recovery Plan, which later gave way to
the Bustard Recovery Project in 2016. 3. Project commenced for an initial period of five years (2016-
21) and now extended till 2033. 4. Project implemented by Wildlife Institute of India 5. Funding
agency: National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)
Authority. 6. Partner agencies: Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Rajasthan Forest
Department, Gujarat & Maharashtra Forest Departments. Project Objectives 1. Conservation
Breeding 2. Capacity-Building and Outreach 3. Pilot Implementation of Surgical Habitat Management
4. Prioritize conservation areas, characterize threats, assess population and habitat status, and
evaluate management effectiveness Steps taken for GIBs 1. Declaration of Protected areas, key
habitats designated as National Parks/sanctuaries for e.g., Desert National Park, (Rajasthan), Naliya
Grassland. 2. Species Recovery Programme centrally Sponsored Scheme for development of Wildlife
Habitats. 3. Conservation breeding, captive population development for wild release 4. Legal
protection, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibit hunting. 5. Capacity Development,
training in artificial incubation and insemination techniques. 6. Supreme Court monitoring the GIB
and Lesser Florican conservation programme.

INDIA AND GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS (GVCS) Global Value Chains (GVCs) 1. It refers to a production
sequence for a final consumer good, with each stage adding value (e.g., production, processing,
marketing, transportation, distribution) and with at least two stages taking place in different
countries. 2. For example, a smartphone assembled in China might include graphic design elements
from the United States, computer code from France, and silicone chips from Singapore. 3. As per
OECD, an estimated 70 % of trade occurs through GVC. 4. Countries can participate in GVCs by
engaging in either backward or forward linkages based on their economic specialisation. 5. Backward
linkages: when one country uses inputs from another country for domestic production. For example,
India imports cotton fabric from Italy to make and export shirts. 6. Forward linkages: when one
country supplies inputs/intermediate goods that are used for production in another country. For
Example, India supplies auto components to a German automaker for use in car production.

Importance of Global Value Chains (GVCs) 1. Increase in Productivity:  By accessing a variety of

cheaper or higher quality imported inputs, increased knowledge sharing, leveraging economies of
scale in firms and higher value added (most productive) tasks etc. 2. Reduced Poverty:  According to
the World Bank, a 1% increase in GVC participation is estimated to boost per capita income levels by
more than 1% (about twice as much as conventional trade). 3. Employment Creation:  GVCs can
lead to the creation of more jobs when they catalyze structural transformation or generate new
linkages in and around the chain.  For example, In Bangladesh, the emergence of the GVC-oriented
export apparel sector has significantly contributed to employment. 4. Labour intensive and female-
driven:  In sectors most intensively traded in GVCs (such as apparel, footwear, and electronics)
lower-skilled, young, female workers account for the largest share of employment. 5. Greater scope
for Specialisation:  Due to the international fragmentation of production and unbundling of
operations, countries no longer need to create complete products or value chains.  Instead, they
can create targeted industries for a particular stage of production along the value chain that suits
their existing level of capability.  E.g., Integration of Vietnam into global textile value chains.

India’s participation in GVC 1. Low Participation:  India’s GVC-related trade (as per cent of gross
trade was at 40.3% in 2022) is significantly low, not only when compared to large economies like the
United States, China, and Japan but also, smaller countries like South Korea and Malaysia. 
Although, the post-COVID-19 redistribution of supply chains has given an opportunity to India to
increase its participation. 2. Low export of Network products:  Such as electronics, computers,
telecommunication equipment and vehicles for which GVCs are the dominant mode of production,
account for only 10% of India’s total merchandise exports.  Key products driving India’s GVC
participation include coal and petroleum, business services, chemicals, transport equipment etc. 3.
Predominance on forward linkages:  India still depends heavily on exports of raw materials and
intermediate products.

Reasons behind India’s weak GVC integration 1. Poor trade infrastructure:  GVCs often require tight
production schedules.  For example, smartphones and laptops need rapid production to keep up
with technology trends.  The poor quality of road and rail infrastructure, subpotimal regional
integration etc. adversely impact GVC integration. 2. Uncertainty in trade and tariff policy:  Average
tariffs in India have jumped to 18.1 % (2022) from 13% (2014), which in turn has made India
uncompetitive with respect to countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico etc. 3. Suboptimal quality
standards:  For example, due to high export standards and strict delivery pressures, Indian garment
firms find it easier to supply to the domestic market. 4. Biased towards capital-Incentive Sector: 
Despite having comparative advantages in unskilled labour intensive manufacturing activities, India’s
commodity composition of exports is biased towards capital- and skill intensive products. 5. Lack of
information:  Information regarding markets, partners, EXIM (Export-Import) rules, and even trade
finance plays an important role for companies in creating partnerships. 6. Domestic policy
challenges:  Complex tax policies and procedures, complex labour laws, and uncertainty in trade
policy create obstacles in efforts to scale up production in India.

LOGISTICS SECTOR OF INDIA Logistics Landscape in India 1. Procurement of materials from outside
suppliers, including negotiation, order placement, inbound transportation etc. 2. Material handling in
such a way that the warehouse can process orders efficiently. 3. Warehousing, packaging and
inventory control of finished goods until they are sold. 4. Transportation i.e., physical delivery of
goods from the organisation to the distributor or dealer and from the dealer to the end customer.

Importance of efficient logistics infrastructure: 1. Supply chain efficiency: Vital for businesses to meet
consumer demand promptly and optimise production processes. 2. Connectivity and accessibility:
Contribute to economic integration by enabling businesses to reach a wider customer base. 3. Cost
reduction and competitiveness: Due to reduction in transportation, storage and distribution costs. 4.
Job creation: in transportation, warehousing, distribution, and related services.
Steps Taken for Improvement of Logistic Sector in India 1. National Logistics Policy (NLP) 2022  It
addresses the soft infrastructure and logistics sector development aspect. o It includes process
reforms, improvement in logistics services, digitization, human resource development and skilling. 
It was launched in 2022 to complement PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP).  PM Gati
Shakti NMP addresses integrated development of the fixed infrastructure and network planning. 
The targets of the NLP are to: o Reduce cost of logistics in India - Comparable to global benchmarks
of 8-9% of GDP. o Improve the Logistics Performance Index ranking – endeavour is to be among top
25 countries by 2030. o Create data-driven decision support mechanism for an efficient logistics
ecosystem.  Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan (CLAP) as part of the NLP was launched covering
eight action areas including Integrated Digital Logistics Systems, Services Improvement Framework
etc. 2. Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)  It is an indigenous data-based platform which
integrates 34 logistics-related digital systems /portals across Ministries / Departments.  GST data is
also being integrated with ULIP.  By signing Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and after due
diligence, data on ULIP can be accessed by private players for use cases.

3. EXIM (Export-Import) Logistics:  To Address infrastructure and procedural gaps in India's EXIM
connectivity and create an efficient and reliable logistics network.  Also, the Logistics Data Bank
(LDB) provides visibility for 100% of India’s EXIM containers.  Logistics given infrastructure status: It
enabled the logistics sector to access infra-lending at easier terms.  Logistics Ease Across Different
States (LEADS): An indigenous logistics performance index on lines of the World Bank’s LPI for
logistics performance monitoring across states.  The survey is conducted annually and States are
ranked according to their performance. 4. Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs):  They will act as
freight aggregation and distribution hubs, and enable long-haul freight movement to reduce
transport costs.  Government has planned 35 MMLPs with an investment outlay of $6.2 Billion. 
Bharatmala Pariyojana: About 65,000 km of National Highways are to be constructed in two phases
under the program. 5. Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC):  To assist in achieving the target
mandated under the National Rail Plan 2030 of increasing the share of rail freight traffic from 27%
(2019) to 45% (2030).  Sagarmala and Inland waterways: It is a flagship programme of the
government to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing India’s 7,500 km
long coastline and 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways

Challenges before the Indian logistics sector  Fragmented supply chain: With numerous small
players operating independently across supply chain segments. This fragmentation results in
suboptimal utilisation of resources, lack of standardisation, and difficulties in coordination and
collaboration among stakeholders.  Regulatory complexity: It includes multiple layers of taxation,
compliance requirements and bureaucratic procedures, creating barriers to entry and hindering
business operations.  Last-mile connectivity: encounters challenges such as inadequate road
infrastructure, traffic congestion and poor address mapping.  Skill shortage: Lack of qualified
personnel proficient in supply chain management, transportation, and logistics operations. 
Security concerns: It involves protecting goods, assets, and information from theft, fraud,
cyberattacks, terrorism and natural disasters.

CYBER THREATS AND FINANCIAL SECTORS Key Findings of the report 1. Nearly one-fifth of all cyber
risks affect financial firms. 2. Number of cyber-attacks has doubled since COVID-19 pandemic. 3. Only
47% of the surveyed countries had formulated a national and financial sector-focused cyber-security
strategy. Reasons Behind rise in cyber-attacks 4. Covid-19 Pandemic has led to surge in remote work,
delivery applications, and contactless payments. 5. Evolution of fin-tech companies exposes financial
systems to cyber threats due to digitalized operations and interconnectedness leading to platform
frauds. 6. Heightened global geopolitical tensions: E.g. surge in cyber-attacks after Russia’s invasion
of Ukraine 7. Lack of strong internal controls: As per PwC’s Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey
2022 four out of every ten platform frauds in India were conducted by internal perpetrators. 8. Lack
of Swift Action and Detection discourages individuals to report these crimes.

Impact of Cyber risks on Financial Systems 1. Loss of confidence in the viability of the targeted
institution may lead to instances of Cyber run and result in liquidity problems. 2. Cyber run is deposit
withdrawals (outflows) from banks in large amount leading to liquidity crisis and default risk. 3.
Affects government functioning as it disrupts the management of government debt and may give rise
to sovereign risks etc. 4. Credit and market losses due to loss of businesses, remittances, reputational
damage, and increased investments in cyber security. o Economic losses to the tune of 1 to 10% of
the global GDP is caused by these frauds (IMF). 5. Issues related to data integrity due to loss or
compromise of data and its systems raising the problem of data confidentiality.

Challenges in dealing with Cyber Threats to Financial Systems 1. Lack of regulatory and supervisory
frameworks and cyber-security workforce: This leads to Lack of effective oversight of third-party
service providers. Gaps in national and financial sector cyber-security strategies and coordination
among stakeholders. 2. Technological innovations: Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing could
further amplify cyber risks. 3. Complex regulatory environment caused due to lack of seamless
cooperation between regulators such as Reserve Bank India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) etc.

Challenges related to legal framework 1. For instance, India lacks a dedicated legal framework or a
dedicated court to deal with online financial frauds. 2. Cybercrimes are conducted remotely and are
Multi-state and Trans border in nature, making police investigations costly. Also, the use of a mule
account makes traceability harder. 3. Other challenges: Procedural Hurdles and delays in cybercrime
reporting; Lack of awareness to individuals; Resources constraint, etc.

REVISED PRIORITY SECTOR LENDING NORMS

RBI revises priority sector lending (PSL) guidelines to promote small loan in economically
disadvantaged districts with low average loan sizes.

Revised Priority Sector Lending Norms

1. It establishes an incentive framework for districts with lower credit flow and disincentive
framework for districts with high credit flow.

2. More weight (125%) will be given to fresh priority sector loans in districts where loan availability is
low (less than Rs 9,000 per person).

3. In districts with high loan availability (more than Rs 42,000 per person), the loans will have a
weight of 90%.

4. All bank loans to MSMEs shall qualify for classification under PSL.

About Priority Sector Lending (PSL)

1. Sectors which Government and RBI consider as important for development of the country.
2. These sectors given priority over other sectors.

3. Formalized in 1972 to facilitate flow of credit to such sectors, which are unable to access credit
from formal financial institutions.

Objective

1. To ensure that vulnerable sections of society and underdeveloped areas get access to credit.

2. To direct a portion of bank credit to specified sectors.

3. Sub-sectors that impact large segments of the population and are crucial for the economy.

Committees

1. Gadgil Committee, 1969 recommended adoption of Area Approach based on which ‘Lead Bank
Scheme’ was adopted.

2. Ghosh Committee (1982) in which Priority sector categories very revised.

Positive Impact

1. Financial Inclusion

2. Support to Agriculture

3. Promotion of MSMEs, creating jobs and boosting local economies.

4. Income Augmentation

Issues with PSL

1. Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), outstanding loan in priority sector.

2. Increased administrative and transactional cost of banks.

Measures needed

1. Strengthen Microfinance Institutions and Encourage Opening of “Small” Finance Banks.

2. Use of technology to reduce cost of credit delivery and increase reach over remote areas.

3. Create a robust credit infrastructure and Risk Assessment Tools to evaluate credit worthiness.

FINFLUENCERS

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has set the ground rules for unregistered financial
influencers, or ‘finfluencers,’ prohibiting regulated entities from dealing with them.

About Financial influencer or ‘FinFluencer’

1. Person who gives information and advice to investors on financial topics

2. Usually on stock market trading, personal investments like mutual funds and insurance, primarily
on various social media platforms.

Reasons for rise of finfluencers

1. Lack of financial literacy, India has a low financial literacy rate of 27% (National Centre for Financial
Education’s 2019 survey)

2. Increased retail investment, cash market turnover jumped from 33% in FY16 to 45 per cent in FY20
and FY21. (National Stock Exchange)

3. Exponential increase in number of new investors

4. Technological advancements, democratised as new-age broking firms built easy-to-use apps.

E.g. Zerodha, Groww.

Issues arising due to rise of Finfluencers

1. Lack of regulation, difficult to measure the expertise and qualification.

2. Market manipulation being paid by the companies to manipulate the stocks for personal gains.

3. Promote high-risk investment opportunities that promise high returns without providing
appropriate risk disclosures.

4. Financial advice shared is geared towards generating views and likes, rather than providing reliable
information.

Measures needed

1. Improve registration of financial advisors

2. Transparency and data-based communication

3. Improved Grievance Redressal Mechanism

4. Investor education