500 Most Probable Topics- List 5

1. Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024

• The Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 is designed to boost Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption in India, with a budget of Rs. 500 crore over 4 months.
• Targets the faster adoption of electric two-wheelers (e-2W) and three-wheelers (e-3W), aiming to enhance green mobility and the EV manufacturing ecosystem.
• Eligible EV categories include electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, such as registered e-rickshaws and e-carts, along with L5 category e-3Ws.
• The scheme primarily benefits e-2Ws and e-3Ws registered for commercial use but also extends to privately or corporately owned registered e-2Ws.
• Incentives are offered to vehicles equipped with advanced battery technologies.
• The scheme is overseen by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

2. Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024

• UCPMP 2024: Central Government’s code for ethical pharma marketing.
• Goals: Prevent unethical practices in drug endorsement, promotion; ensure ethical conduct among medical representatives and their interactions with healthcare professionals.
• Prohibitions: Gifts, travel for healthcare professionals/families, inducements by medical representatives, free samples to non-qualified individuals.
• Requirements: Companies to track free sample details (product, doctor, date, quantity), limit sample value to 2% of domestic sales, establish Ethics Committees, maintain a UCPMP portal.
• Promotion Guidelines: Balanced, verifiable drug information, no misleading claims, cautious use of “safe” and “new”.
• Accountability: CEO responsibility, detailed penalties, and complaint handling by Ethics Committees.

3. Index of Industrial Production

• IIP is a key economic indicator that measures trends in industrial production over time, relative to a base year, and serves as a short-term measure of industrial growth until detailed surveys are available.
• It reflects changes in physical production in industries compared to the previous year and is computed monthly by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO).
• The IIP is calculated as a weighted arithmetic mean of production relatives, using Laspeyre’s formula. For items reported in value terms, such as machinery, their production figures are deflated using Wholesale Price Indices to negate price effects.
• The base year for the IIP series in India is 2011-12, with a base value of 100. An IIP reading above 100 indicates growth compared to the base year.

4. Laspeyre’s formula

It was proposed by German economist Étienne Laspeyres (1834–1913) for measuring current prices or quantities in relation to those of a selected base period.

5. Lachit Borpukhan

• Legendary Ahom kingdom commander, led victory in 1671’s Battle of Saraighat against Mughals.
• Role: One of five Borphukans under King Charadhwaj Singha, held administrative, judicial, military duties.
• Tactics: Utilized guerrilla warfare, leveraging mobility and capability of smaller forces.
• Demise: Died at 49, a year post-battle, buried at Hollongapar ‘maidam

6. Golden Langurs

• Golden Langurs: Named for their fur color, which seasonally changes; juveniles are nearly white.
• Geographic Range: Assam, India and Bhutan, bounded by Bhutan foothills, Manas and Sankosh rivers, and Brahmaputra river.
• Habitat: Inhabit moist evergreen, tropical deciduous forests, riverine areas, savannas; tree-dependent, residing in upper canopy.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Endangered, CITES Appendix I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Schedule I.

7. Mumps

Kerala is facing an outbreak of mumps, with over 10,000 children affected in less than 70 days.

• Mumps is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus, which belongs to a group of viruses known as paramyxoviruses.
• The illness starts with mild symptoms such as headache, fever, and fatigue. But then it typically leads to severe swelling in certain salivary glands (parotitis) that causes puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.
• Transmission: Humans are the only known host for the mumps virus, which is spread via direct contact or by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract of infected individuals.

8. Gulf of Tonkin

China has officially disclosed a new baseline outlining its territorial claims in the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin, an area shared with Vietnam.

• It is a crescent-shaped, shallow, semi-enclosed water body situated in the South China Sea’s northwestern portion. 
• Borders: The gulf is bordered by the northern coastline of Vietnam in the west and northwest; by China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the north; and by the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island in the east. 

9. Sela Tunnel

• Sela Tunnel: World’s longest bi-lane road tunnel above 13,000 feet, West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh, connects Tezpur to Tawang.
• Construction: Started April 1, 2019, by BRO under Project Vartak.
• Need: Ensures all-weather connectivity, reduces Tezpur-Tawang travel time, aids faster military deployment to LAC.
• Sela Pass: High-altitude pass in Tawang, 4,170 meters, managed by BRO, open year-round.

10. Soil Health Labs

• School Soil Health Programme: Joint venture by Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Department of School Education and Literacy.
• Features: 20 soil labs in Kendriya/Navodaya Vidyalayas in rural areas, training for students/teachers, mobile app and portal for documentation.
• Participants: Kendriya, Navodaya, Eklavya schools; involves student-led soil testing and Soil Health Card generation.
• Objective: Educate students and assist farmers with soil health recommendations.

11. Darien Gap

The treacherous Darien Gap route that spans parts of Central and South America has seen an increasing number of people attempting to pass on their way to claiming asylum in the US.

• It is a stretch of densely forested jungle across northern Colombia and southern Panama. Roughly 60 miles (97 kilometres) across, the terrain is muddy, wet and unstable.
• It has become a major route for global human migration. It is the geographic region of the easternmost Isthmus of Panama that extends into northwestern Colombia, around the Gulf of Urabá (a section of the Gulf of Darién).
• It forms the physiographic link between Central and South America. A hot, humid area typified by tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, and low mountain ranges with cloud forest vegetation, Darién has always been sparsely populated.

12. India AI Mission

• IndiaAI Mission: Aims to catalyze AI innovation across sectors, to be implemented by  ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC).
• Components include:
  • IndiaAI Compute Capacity: High-end AI compute infrastructure with 10,000+ GPUs, public-private partnership.
  • IndiaAI Innovation Centre: Development of indigenous Large Multimodal Models (LMMs) and domain-specific models.
  • IndiaAI Datasets Platform: Unified platform for non-personal datasets access for startups and researchers.
  • IndiaAI Application Development Initiative: Promotes AI applications in critical sectors, aligning with government problem statements.
  • IndiaAI FutureSkills: Enhances AI education, sets up Data and AI Labs in Tier 2/3 cities.
  • IndiaAI Startup Financing: Supports deep-tech AI startups with funding access.
  • Safe & Trusted AI: Implements Responsible AI with indigenous tools, self-assessment checklists, and governance frameworks.

13. Star Dunes

Scientists recently conducted a comprehensive study on star dunes, unveiling their intricate internal structures for the first time. Key insights include:

• Nature and Formation: Star dunes, also known as pyramid dunes, are distinguished by their star-like shapes and can rise to heights of hundreds of meters. They form in regions with complex wind patterns that allow sand to accumulate from various directions, creating these massive structures.
• Geographical Presence: While constituting less than 10% of Earth’s desert dunes, star dunes are the tallest type, found in diverse locations like the Badain Jaran desert in China, Namib Sand Sea in Namibia, Algeria’s Grand Erg Oriental and Grand Erg Occidental, Rub’ al Khali in Saudi Arabia, and North America’s Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Remarkably, they are also present on Mars and Saturn’s moon Titan.
• Recent Discoveries: A UK research team conducted an in-depth analysis of a star dune in Morocco’s Lala Lallia, employing luminescence dating to determine its age. This technique assesses when sand grains were last exposed to sunlight, providing insights into the dune’s formation timeline.

14. Majuli Masks

Recently, the traditional Majuli masks and Majuli manuscript painting in Assam were given a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

• • Origin: Used in bhaonas, theatrical performances with devotional themes under neo-Vaishnavite tradition.
  • Founder: Introduced by reformer saint Srimanta Sankardeva during 15th-16th century.
  • Types: Depict various characters like gods, goddesses, demons, and animals (e.g., Ravana, Garuda, Narasimha).
  • Size: Range from face masks (mukh mukha) to full body masks (cho mukha).
  • Material: Made from bamboo, clay, dung, cloth, cotton, wood.
  • Modern Usage: Efforts to modernize and extend their use beyond traditional sattras (monasteries).
• Sattras: Monastic centers founded by Srimanta Sankardeva for religious, social, and cultural reforms.
• Majuli Manuscript Painting:
  • Medium: Paintings on sanchi pat manuscripts, made from bark of sanchi or agar tree.
  • Origin: 16th century, with connections to Srimanta Sankardeva.
  • Patronage: Supported by Ahom kings.
  • Preservation: Continues within every sattra in Majuli.

15. Frontier Technology Lab:

• It is an advanced version of Atal Tinkering Lab. It aims to advance the government’s agenda of digital inclusion, skilling and growth.
• Collaboration: Atal Innovation Mission and Meta will partner to set up FTLs in schools of strategic importance to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds across India will have equal opportunities to learn and engage with frontier technologies.
• Funding: The FTLs will be funded by Meta and Atal Innovation Mission will be the knowledge partner.

16. Human Papilloma Virus

• HPV: Group of 200+ viruses, 40+ spread through sexual contact; causes genital warts, certain cancers (95% cervical cancer).
• Transmission: Most common STI, spreads by sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact; often asymptomatic.
• Vaccination: Prevents infections leading to cancer/warts; most effective at ages 9-26; not given during pregnancy.

17. Women, Business and Law Index:

• It is a World Bank index to measure how laws and regulations affect women’s economic opportunity on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 means equal legal rights for men and women.
• The report covers eight related areas: Mobility, workplace, pay, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, assets and pension.
•  India’s ranked improved to 113 out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s Women, Business and Law index.

18. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

Prime Minister of India witnessed the start of the process of core-loading the indigenous prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

• Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor: Produces more fuel than it consumes, using Uranium-Plutonium MOX fuel and Uranium-238 blanket for fuel generation.
• Future Plans: Use of Thorium-232 blanket to produce fissile Uranium-233 for third-stage fuel.
• Coolant: Utilizes liquid sodium in two circuits for heat transfer, driving electricity generation.
• Indigenous Design: Fully designed, constructed by Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI).

19. e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi platform:

• It is a digital gateway of Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA).
• It is the initiative with its simplified digital process can ease the procedure of farmers’ storage at any registered WDRA warehouse for a period of 6 months at 7% interest per annum.
• This digital intervention is poised to mitigate distress sales by providing farmers with viable post-harvest storage options.

20. Press and Registration of Periodicals Act (PRP Act), 2023

• Replacement: PRP Act, 2023 replaces the 1867 Press and Registration of Books Act.
• Authority: Managed by the Press Registrar General of India (PRGI), formerly known as the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI).
• Online System: Introduces an online registration system for newspapers and periodicals, streamlining the previous manual processes.
• Press Sewa Portal: Launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for submitting applications related to the Act.
• Applications: All applications, including registration, revision, transfer of ownership, and annual statements, are to be processed online.
• Registration Requirement: Publishers must register titles before publication.
• Exemptions: Books and journals are exempt, focusing the Act on periodicals like newspapers and magazines that feature regular news or commentary.

21. Nano Urea

India plans to replace the consumption of 2.5 million tonnes (mt) of conventional urea with nano urea in FY24.

• Nano Urea: Nanotechnology-based fertilizer, provides nitrogen, developed by IFFCO, approved in India, included in FCO.
• Features: 20-50 nm particle size, more surface area and particles compared to conventional urea, 4.0% total nitrogen.
• Benefits: Energy-efficient, eco-friendly production, >80% crop availability, improves productivity, soil health, and reduces conventional fertilizer overuse.

22. Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS):

• • A fourth-generation Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) for countering low-altitude threats over short distances.
  • Short-range, lightweight, portable surface-to-air missiles for individual or small group use.
  • Indigenously designed and developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs and Indian industry partners.
  • Features:
    • Provides air defence against helicopters and low-flying aircraft.
    • Range of up to 6-km.
    • Incorporates Dual-band IIR Seeker, miniaturised Reaction Control System, and integrated avionics.
    • Propelled by a dual-thrust solid motor.
    • Designed for portability and quick deployment in difficult terrains.

23. BioTRIG:

• • A new waste management technology using the pyrolysis system.
  • Seals waste in an oxygen-free chamber, heated above 400°C to produce useful chemicals.
  • Products: Bio-oil, syngas, and biochar fertiliser aimed at improving rural Indian lives.
  • Significance:
    • Syngas and bio-oil power the pyrolysis system and generate surplus electricity for local use.
    • Bio-oil as a clean alternative to conventional cooking fuels.
    • Biochar used to store carbon and enhance soil fertility.
    • Computer simulations affirm BioTRIG‘s effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
    • Potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approx. 350 kg of CO2-eq per capita annually.
    • Aims to reduce indoor air pollution, boost soil health, and provide clean energy in rural areas.

24. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):

• • Launched by the Prime Minister of India in April 2023 in Mysuru, marking Project Tiger‘s 50th anniversary.
  • Objective: To foster cooperation for the conservation of seven big cats: lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, snow leopard, jaguar, and puma.
  • Membership: Open to 97 ‘range’ countries with natural habitats for these cats, plus other nations and international bodies.
  • Aims at mutual conservation efforts and benefits among member countries.
  • Approach: Multipronged, enhancing knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, advocacy, financial and resource support, research, and awareness.
  • Governance Structure:
    • A General Assembly with all member countries.
    • A Council of 7-15 members elected for 5 years.
    • An IBCA Secretary General appointed by the General Assembly on the Council’s recommendation.
  • Funding: Rs. 150 crore from the Government of India for 2023-28.

25. Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport:

• Location: Coastal hamlet near Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu; second spaceport after Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (1971).
• Focus: Launch of Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) on a commercial basis, with a capacity for 24 satellites/year.
• Facilities: Includes a launch pad, rocket integration, ground range and checkout facilities, and a mobile launch structure with checkout computers, totaling 35 facilities.
• Advantages: Positioned on 2,350 acres, it facilitates fuel-saving for small rocket launches by allowing direct southward launches over the Indian Ocean, avoiding landmasses and reducing fuel needs compared to Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

26. Neolithic Period:

Researchers recently unearthed an ancient burial site of a child with a pot beside it likely dating back to the Neolithic period, at Chettimedu Pathur near Chennai.

• Definition & Time Frame: Final stage of prehistoric human cultural evolution, known as the New Stone Age, starting around 10,000 BCE, following the Paleolithic and preceding the Bronze Age.
• Agriculture & Settlement: Marked by the introduction of cereal cultivation, animal domestication, and a settled lifestyle, originating in the Fertile Crescent.
• Technological & Social Advances: Featured polished or ground stone tools, permanent villages, pottery, weaving, and the beginnings of architecture, with the emergence of social classes evident in burial practices.
• Significance of Burials: The presence of status objects in tombs indicates beliefs in the afterlife and the development of social hierarchy.
• Transition to Bronze Age: Concluded with the advent of copper metallurgy, leading to the Chalcolithic/Eneolithic Era and eventually the Bronze Age as bronze became the dominant material for tools and weapons.

• Some of the important Neolithic sites in India include Burzahom in Kashmir, Chiron in Bihar and Uttar in Andhra Pradesh, and Edakkal caves in Kerala.

27. Haemophilia A

Recently, the union Science and Technology Minister told that India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for ‘haemophilia A’ at Christian Medical College – Vellore.

 Haemophilia A:

• Nature: Genetic disorder impairing blood clot formation due to deficient clotting proteins.
• Inheritance: Sex-linked, with the causative gene on the X chromosome, affecting males predominantly.
• Cause: Mutation in the gene for clotting factor VIII.
• Symptoms: Vary with clotting factor levels; more severe in males.
• Treatment: Replacement therapy with clotting factor concentrates, other clot-promoting medications, or surgery for bleeding complications.

Gene Therapy:

• Purpose: Modifies genes to treat/cure diseases.
• Mechanisms: Can involve replacing, inactivating, or introducing new/modified genes.
• Applications: Under study for treating cancer, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases.

28. Regulatory Sandbox (RS) Scheme:

Recently, the Reserve Bank tweaked guidelines for Regulatory Sandbox (RS) scheme.

• Definition: Live testing of new financial products/services within a controlled regulatory framework to ensure safety and compliance.
• Purpose: Provides a “safe space” for innovation, allowing for limited regulatory relaxations during testing, aimed at fostering responsible innovation and efficiency in financial services.
• Objectives: Facilitates limited-scale testing for technology-led innovations, potentially involving regulatory relaxations, before wider-scale deployment; aims to address consumer needs or problems innovatively.
• Framework Updates (RBI, August 2019): Includes compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and extends the RS process timeline from seven to nine months.
• Participants: Targets fintech companies, startups, banks, financial institutions, and other entities in the financial services sector, promoting innovation and consumer benefits.

29. SWAYAM Plus Platform launched by Union Minister of Education and Skill Development:

• Objective: Enhances employability for college students and lifelong learners by offering industry-collaborative courses.
• Sectors: Includes Manufacturing, Energy, Computer Science, Engineering/IT/ITES, Management, Healthcare, Hospitality, Tourism, and Indian Knowledge Systems.

30. Roen olmi :

• Species: Termitomyces, locally known as ‘roen olmi’ in Goa, associated with termite hills.
• Edibility: Popular edible wild mushroom in Goa, consumed during monsoons.
• Habitat: Endemic to the Western Ghats, thriving in humid forest conditions.
• Ecological Role: Significant biodegrading agent in ecosystems, transforming dead plant material into soil.
• Health Benefits: Recognized for nutritional value, unique taste, and ethno-medicinal properties, including antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.

31. Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Overview:

• Establishment: Set up by the Government of India in November 2004 as the central agency for handling suspect financial transactions.
• Role: Processes and disseminates financial intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing, coordinating with national and international agencies.
• Authority: Operates as an independent body under the Economic Intelligence Council, led by the Union Finance Minister.
• Functions:
  • Collection: Central point for receiving various transaction reports from reporting entities.
  • Analysis: Analyzes data to identify suspicious transaction patterns.
  • Sharing: Distributes intelligence with relevant domestic and international bodies.
  • Repository: Maintains a national database of financial transactions.
  • Coordination & Research: Enhances intelligence gathering and shares insights on money laundering trends and methodologies.

32. Farmers Distress Index (July 2023)

• In 2022, the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) began developing the ‘Farmers Distress Index.’
• This index is a pioneering early warning system in India aimed at reducing agricultural distress.
• The index’s goal is to minimize losses and income shocks resulting from crop failures and market fluctuations, which have been increasing due to climate events and price volatility.

• It aims to provide advance warnings to various stakeholders, including government and non-governmental organizations, about potential distress in specific areas, allowing for timely intervention.
• The methodology involves monitoring local news, social media, and other platforms for reports of farmer distress, including debt issues, suicides, pest attacks, droughts, floods, and migration.
• The next step involves collecting contact information from affected farmers for telephonic interviews, using 21 standardized questions to identify early distress signs.
• Responses are evaluated against seven indicators: exposure to natural disasters and crop failure, debt levels, adaptive capacity, land and irrigation resources, sensitivity and adaptation strategies, immediate distress triggers, and socio-psychological impacts.
• The Farmers Distress Index will range from 0 to 1, with values between 0-0.5 indicating low distress, 0.5-0.7 signifying moderate distress, and values above 0.7 pointing to severe distress.

33. ELEPHANT DEATHS IN ZIMBABWE

• Over 160 elephants and numerous other wildlife species perished in Zimbabwe in the last two months of 2023 due to a drought caused by climate change.
• The deaths occurred in Hwange National Park, spanning 14,600 square kilometers, which houses about 45,000 of Zimbabwe’s total elephant population of 100,000.
• Hwange is part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), a conservation region shared by Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, located along the Okavango and Zambezi River basins.
• Unlike other parts of KAZA-TFCA, Hwange National Park lacks perennial rivers or reliable natural water sources, making it highly vulnerable during droughts.

34. LAKE VICTORIA

• Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake and the world’s second-largest, is facing significant environmental challenges.
• The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in India and Tanzania’s National Environment Management Council (NEMC) held a consultation in Dar es Salaam on January 23, 2024, to discuss restoration strategies for the lake.
• The lake’s ecosystem, supporting the livelihoods of about 45 million people, is at risk due to heavy pollution and could suffer irreversible damage without timely action.
• The lake is shared by three countries: Tanzania (51%), Uganda (44%), and Kenya (5%), with its resources crucial for fisheries, freshwater, and transportation.

35. Congo reports biggest Mpox outbreak with first sexually transmitted cases in the world: WHO

• Mpox is an infectious disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is endemic in densely forested regions of west, central and east Africa, particularly in the northern and central regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
• Mpox was first identified in humans in 1970 in the DRC.
• The year also marked two more grim milestones for DRC:The first confirmed sexually-transmitted mpox infections and the first cases in the country’s capital.

36. Green Climate Fund

• The Green Climate Fund (GCF), established in 2010 under the UNFCCC by 194 countries, is headquartered in Incheon, South Korea, and focuses on supporting developing nations in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• The GCF channels financial resources from developed countries and leverages private finance to fund projects aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance adaptation to climate impacts.
• It seeks a balanced allocation of resources between mitigation and adaptation efforts, prioritizing funding for vulnerable regions like Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, and African States.
• The fund operates through accredited national, regional, and international entities that meet its standards, and includes a Private Sector Facility to engage private investments in climate actions.
• Additionally, the GCF’s Readiness Programme assists countries in developing capacities and frameworks necessary for accessing and utilizing fund resources effectively.

37. Super El Nino- Floods in Kenya and Somalia

• The “super El Niño” in East Africa in November 2023 caused devastating floods in Kenya and Somalia, highlighting El Niño’s significant effects on global weather, including periodic heavy rainfall, floods, and droughts across various regions.
• El Niño, a climate event marked by warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific every 2 to 7 years, disrupts traditional weather patterns globally by altering sea temperatures, weakening trade winds, and affecting marine and agricultural productivity.
• El Niño impacts include increased rainfall in western South America, the southern United States, and the Horn of Africa, while leading to reduced monsoon rains in India, potentially causing droughts, agricultural distress, and water shortages.

38. Debt-for-nature Swap

• Gabon initiated a $500 million debt-for-nature swap on August 15, 2023, which is Africa’s largest such swap, involving debt restructuring through a Blue Bond for marine conservation.
• Debt-for-nature swaps allow developing countries to alleviate debt by making environmental conservation commitments, with developed country banks restructuring debts into new loans with longer maturity and lower interest.
• Gabon’s swap, facilitated by Bank of America, US International Development Finance Corporation, and The Nature Conservancy, ranks as the world’s second-largest after Ecuador’s $1.6 billion ocean conservation deal.

39. Sudan Conflict

• Since April 2023, Sudan has experienced a national conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marked by significant displacements both within and across borders, contrasting with past ethnic-based conflicts.
• Khartoum state witnessed over 1.5 million displacements in 2023, highlighting a major shift from no displacements in 2022, while Blue Nile state observed stability following a peace agreement.
• The ongoing conflict has exacerbated ethnic tensions in West Darfur, leading to repeated displacements and continued violence, particularly in El Geneina, contributing to a long-standing humanitarian crisis in the region since 2003.

40. Kunming-Montreal Global Diversity Framework

• Adoption: At COP-15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) after a four-year process.
• Purpose: Supports Sustainable Development Goals and builds on previous Strategic Plans.
• Vision: A world living in harmony with nature by 2050.

30 by 30 Target

• Proposal: Protect 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.

Main Targets and Goals

• 2050 Goals:
  • Conserve and restore biodiversity.
  • Ensure sustainable use of biodiversity.
  • Share benefits fairly and equitably.
  • Enable transformative change.
• 2030 Targets: Consists of 23 specific targets to achieve the 2050 goals.

41. First State of the World’s Migratory Species Report- Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

• The first State of the World’s Migratory Species report, released at CMS COP14, highlights significant challenges facing migratory species, with nearly half (44%) showing population declines and over one-fifth (22%) threatened with extinction.
• Specifically alarming is that 97% of CMS-listed fish species are threatened with extinction, and 399 migratory species threatened or near-threatened are not covered by CMS.
• Key findings include that 51% of critical habitats lack protected status and 58% face unsustainable human pressures. Major threats are overexploitation and habitat loss, affecting three-quarters and seven-tenths of CMS-listed species, respectively.
• Additional pressures from climate change, pollution, and invasive species further endanger these migratory species, underscoring the growing risk of extinction and the urgent need for enhanced global conservation efforts.

42. Great Indian Bustard

• The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a critically endangered bird native to the Indian subcontinent, requiring large expanses of undisturbed arid and semi-arid grasslands, scrublands, and minimal agricultural areas for survival.
• Once widespread, its current distribution is limited to isolated pockets in Rajasthan (mainly Desert National Park), Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, with significant range contraction due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
• Classified as “Critically Endangered” by the IUCN, the Great Indian Bustard faces threats from agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, poaching, and collisions with power lines, particularly in wind farms.
• It is afforded the highest level of protection under the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972.

43. Hangul

• The Hangul, also known as the Kashmiri Stag, is a subspecies of the European Red Deer native to India, predominantly found in the dense riverine forests of the Kashmir Valley and northern Chamba in Himachal Pradesh.
• Classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, the Hangul is noted for its striking reddish-brown coat, and the males display a magnificent mane and large, spectacular antlers with five to eleven points, which are shed and regrown annually.
• Their habitat shifts seasonally, with high altitude regions utilized during summer for grazing and lower valley areas in winter.
• Despite once having a healthy population, the Hangul is now mostly confined to Srinagar’s Dachigam National Park, with only a few other sightings in south Kashmir’s Tral Wildlife Sanctuary.

44. Minimum Support Price

• The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a government-guaranteed price aimed at ensuring fair compensation for farmers’ produce, based on various economic factors and designed to promote fair earnings and crop diversification.
• MSP levels are recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), established under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and are finalized by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) led by the Prime Minister.
• MSP applies to 22 mandated crops, including 14 kharif season crops, 6 rabi crops, and 2 commercial crops, with a special pricing mechanism for sugarcane called the fair and remunerative price (FRP).
• Cost Considerations for MSP: The calculation considers three types of production costs—’A2′ (direct costs), ‘A2+FL’ (direct costs plus unpaid family labor), and ‘C2’ (the most comprehensive, including rentals and interest on owned assets), with ‘C2’ often used as the primary benchmark for setting MSP.
• Necessity of MSP: Introduced to mitigate economic pressures such as falling commodity prices and general farm distress, MSP is crucial in safeguarding farmers’ incomes during economic downturns and agrarian challenges, contributing to poverty reduction and economic stability in agrarian states.

45. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

• The GEAC operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and plays a pivotal role in regulating genetic engineering activities in India.
• Its primary responsibilities include assessing the environmental impact of large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production.
• The committee also evaluates proposals for the environmental release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products, including conducting experimental field trials.
• The GEAC is led by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of the MoEF&CC, with a co-chair from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), ensuring a collaborative approach between environmental and biotechnological regulatory frameworks.

46. Karewa Deposits

• Karewa deposits in Kashmir are unique geological formations of lacustrine, fluvial, and glacial sediments.
• Deposits significant for agriculture; provide fertile soil for saffron cultivation.
• Soil in Karewa formations is well-drained, loose, and nutrient-rich.
• Ideal conditions for crocus sativus flowers, essential for high-quality saffron.
• Unique soil and climate enhance the intense aroma, deep color, and strong flavor of Kashmiri saffron.

47. Mushroom growing on a frog in India baffles scientists

• Scientists discovered a mushroom growing from a living Rao’s Golden-backed frog in Western Ghats, India.
• Observation made on June 19, 2023, in Kudremukha ranges, Karnataka.
• Mushroom identified as Bonnet mushroom, typically found on decaying wood.
• Unprecedented phenomenon, as fungi usually have symbiotic or parasitic relationships, not growing directly on live animals.
• Humid conditions of Western Ghats may have enabled this unusual growth.
• Relationship between frog and mushroom unclear, amid concerns about deadly fungus affecting amphibians globally.
• Mycologist suggests Bonnet mushroom genus (Mycena) could be adapting to new roles, possibly shifting from symbiotic to parasitic or decomposer roles.

48. COFFEE

• Origin of coffee traced back to Ethiopia, known as “qahve”
• Brought to India by Arab traders for the gentry, as mentioned by Dr K.T. Achaya
• Arab introduction of coffee plantations in South India and Sri Lanka
• Baba Budan cultivated coffee plants in Chikamagaluru, Karnataka
• British initiated coffee estates in 1830 with two varieties: Arabica and Robusta
• Arabica grown at high altitudes, named after Arab traders
• Robusta, more disease-resistant, cultivated in lower regions, originating from West Africa
• Coffee considered a health drink, especially with hot milk; also consumed black by many Americans.

49. Geostationary Orbit

• A geostationary orbit (GEO) is where a satellite appears to be in a fixed position to an observer on Earth, as it orbits at the same rate as the Earth’s rotation.
• Altitude: About 35,786 kilometers above Earth’s equator.
• Orbital Period: 24 hours, same as Earth’s rotational period.
• Equatorial Orbit: Aligned with Earth’s equator; lies in equatorial plane.
• Applications:
  • Communication Satellites: Ideal for telecommunications, broadcasting, internet services.
  • Weather Monitoring: Enables consistent meteorological monitoring over specific regions.
  • Navigation and Surveillance: Used for navigation systems, surveillance, and monitoring.
• Advantages:
  • Provides constant visibility and uninterrupted services to a particular area.
  • Simplifies ground station design; antennas do not need to track the satellite.
• Limitations:
  • Cannot cover Earth’s polar regions due to equatorial orbit.
  • Higher launch energy and more complex technology needed than for lower Earth orbits.

50. Graphene

• Graphene: Single-layer carbon atoms in a 2D honeycomb lattice; basic block for other carbon allotropes.
• Properties:
  • Thinnest material, one atom thick.
  • 200 times stronger than top-grade steel.
  • Superior electricity and heat conductor.
  • Highly flexible, stretchable up to 20% of original length.
• Applications:
  • Electronics: Enhances development of faster, slimmer, flexible electronics like displays and transistors.
  • Energy Storage: Improves batteries and supercapacitors for quicker charging and larger capacity.
  • Composite Materials: Boosts strength and conductivity in aerospace, automotive, and sports.
  • Biomedical: Useful in drug delivery, biosensors, tissue engineering due to biocompatibility.
  • Water Purification: Advanced filters for contaminant removal and desalination.
• Recent Development: India’s first Graphene Centre, India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG), inaugurated in Kerala, at Makers Village, Kochi.