Issue I: De-Dollarisation & BRICS Currency
🔍 Key Concepts & Full Forms
• De-Dollarisation: Reducing reliance on the US Dollar in global trade and finance.
• BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
• CBDC: Central Bank Digital Currency.
• SWIFT: Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.
• CIPS: Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (China).
• SPFS: System for Transfer of Financial Messages (Russia).
• RBI: Reserve Bank of India.
• IMF: International Monetary Fund.
• SDR: Special Drawing Rights.
What is De-Dollarisation?
• Refers to reducing reliance on the US dollar in global trade, finance, and reserves.
• Triggered by geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and desire for monetary sovereignty.
Historical Background
• Post-WWI: USD began replacing GBP as global reserve currency.
• Bretton Woods Agreement (1944): Established USD as the anchor currency, pegged to gold.
• Nixon Shock (1971): Ended gold convertibility, making USD a fiat currency.
Drivers of De-Dollarisation
• Sanctions & Weaponisation: US froze $300B of Russia’s reserves post-Ukraine invasion.
• Geopolitical Pushback: China, Russia, India, Brazil, and others now trade in local currencies.
• Alternative Systems:
o China’s CIPS
o Russia’s SPFS
o India’s Rupee Trade Mechanism
Recent Developments
• BRICS+ Initiatives: Push for local currency trade, CBDCs, and alternative payment
systems
India’s Role
• RBI promotes rupee internationalisation to diversify risks.
• Rupee trade mechanism launched in July 2022; 35+ countries interested.
• Economist Nouriel Roubini suggested rupee could become a global reserve currency.
Impact of De-Dollarisation
• Reduced demand for USD → depreciation risk.
• US influence in global finance may decline.
• Increased volatility in currency markets.
• Rise of other currencies (Euro, Yuan) in global trade.
Issue II: Syrian Civil War
🔍 Key Concepts & Full Forms
• HTS: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
• SDF: Syrian Democratic Forces.
• ISIS: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
• UN: United Nations.
• US: United States.
Background
• Began in 2011 during Arab Spring.
• Rooted in authoritarian rule, economic hardship, and political repression.
• Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000.
Key Players
• Assad Regime: Backed by Russia & Iran.
• HTS: Islamist rebel group, now controls Aleppo and Homs.
• SDF: Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria.
• ISIS: Exploited chaos, later suppressed.
• US & Israel: Conducted strikes; supported opposition and targeted Hezbollah.
Strategic Locations
• Aleppo: Recaptured by Assad, now under HTS.
• Idlib: HTS stronghold.
• Damascus & Homs: Under pressure from rebel advances.
Recent Developments
• Assad ousted; elections planned under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
• HTS-led offensive reshaped control in northern Syria.
Static GK Additions
• Levant Region: Includes Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, parts of Turkey.
• Capital: Damascus.
• Currency: Syrian Pound (SYP).
The Arab Spring was a wave of pro-democracy uprisings that swept across the Arab world between
2010 and 2012, leading to major political changes in several countries.
Overview
• Time Period: December 2010 – December 2012
• Region: North Africa and the Middle East (MENA)
• Trigger Event: The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor, in protest
against police harassment.
Causes
• Authoritarianism & Political Repression
• High Unemployment & Poverty
• Corruption & Kleptocracy
• Inflation & Economic Inequality
• Youth Discontent & Demographic Pressure
• Social Media Mobilisation
Major Countries Affected
Country Outcome
Tunisia President Ben Ali ousted; democratic reforms initiated
Egypt President Hosni Mubarak resigned; military took control
Libya Muammar Gaddafi overthrown and killed; civil war ensued
Country Outcome
Syria Protests escalated into a prolonged civil war
Yemen President Saleh stepped down; instability continues
Bahrain Protests suppressed; monarchy retained control
Methods of Protest
• Civil disobedience
• Demonstrations
• Internet activism
• Rebellion and insurgency
• Protest camps and mass gatherings
Impact
• Political Transitions: Some regimes collapsed, others reformed or intensified repression.
• Civil Wars: Syria, Libya, and Yemen descended into prolonged conflicts.
• Rise of Extremism: Power vacuums led to the emergence of groups like ISIS.
• Global Awareness: Highlighted the role of social media in modern revolutions.
Issue III: COP16 – UNCCD (Riyadh 2024)
🔍 Key Concepts & Full Forms
• COP: Conference of the Parties.
• UNCCD: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
• UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• CBD: Convention on Biological Diversity.
• VACS: Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils.
• ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance.
• LDN: Land Degradation Neutrality.
• GGW: Great Green Wall.
• MENA: Middle East and North Africa.
Highlights
• Held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Dec 2–13, 2024).
• First COP in MENA region; marks UNCCD’s 30th anniversary.
🇮🇳 India’s Contributions
• “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” tree-planting initiative.
• Mission LiFE promotes sustainable living.
• Aravalli Green Wall Project to restore 1.15M hectares.
Global Highlights
• $12B+ pledged for drought resilience.
• GGW aims to restore Sahel region.
• VACS received $70M for climate-resilient crops.
• Business4Land promotes ESG and private sector engagement.
Static GK Additions
• UNCCD: One of the three Rio Conventions (others: UNFCCC, CBD).
• Sahel Region: Semi-arid zone between Sahara and savannas.
• LDN Goal: Restore 1B hectares by 2030.
Issue IV: Ken-Betwa Link Project
Key Concepts & Full Forms
• KBLP: Ken-Betwa Link Project.
• NPP: National Perspective Plan.
• NWDA: National Water Development Agency.
• PM: Prime Minister.
• MW: Megawatt.
Project Details
• ₹45,000 crore project launched by PM Modi in Khajuraho.
• Aim: Address water scarcity in Bundelkhand.
Phases
• Phase I: Daudhan Dam, tunnels, link canal.
• Phase II: Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex, Kotha Barrage.
Benefits
• Irrigation for 6.3 lakh hectares.
• Drinking water for 62 lakh people.
• 100 MW hydropower + 27 MW solar energy.
Environmental Concerns
• Threat to Panna Tiger Reserve: 10% core area may be submerged.
• 23 lakh trees to be felled; wildlife habitats at risk.
Static GK Additions
• Ken River: Originates in Kaimur Hills, MP; joins Yamuna.
• Betwa River: Originates in Vindhya Range, MP; joins Yamuna.
• Historical Proposals:
o Sir Arthur Cotton (19th century)
o Dr. K.L. Rao’s National Water Grid
o Garland Canal by Captain Dinshaw Dastoor
o National Perspective Plan (1980): Framework for river interlinking.
Issue V: India State of Forest Report 2023
Key Concepts & Full Forms
• ISFR: India State of Forest Report.
• FSI: Forest Survey of India.
• NFI: National Forest Inventory.
• CO₂e: Carbon Dioxide Equivalent.
• CAMPA: Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority.
Highlights
• Published biennially by FSI since 1987.
• Forest & Tree Cover: 25.17% of India’s area.
o Forest: 21.76%
o Tree: 3.41%
• Increase of 1,445 sq km since 2021.
State Highlights
• Top Gains:
o Forest & Tree: Chhattisgarh, UP, Odisha, Rajasthan.
o Forest Only: Mizoram, Gujarat, Odisha.
• Highest Coverage:
o MP, Arunachal, Maharashtra.
o % wise: Lakshadweep, Mizoram, A&N Islands.
Other Insights
• Mangroves: 4,992 sq km (net decrease).
• Carbon Stock: 7,285.5 MT; progress toward 2030 goals.
• Bamboo: 1.54 lakh sq km (+5,227 sq km).
• Forest Fires: Uttarakhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh most affected.
Static GK Additions
• Carbon Stock: Measured in CO₂e.
• Green India Mission: Part of India’s climate action plan.
• CAMPA: Manages afforestation funds.