11 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      What are Cloudbursts Prelims & Mains 2.      Edible Oil in India Prelims & Mains 3.      Sri Lankan Crisis Prelims & Mains 4.      Section 69 A of the IT Act Prelims Specific Topic 1 – What are Cloudbursts:GS II Topic à Geography   ·       Context:   ·       On Friday evening (July 8), “highly-localized rains” produced flooding in Amarnath, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in at least 16 fatalities and more than 20 injuries. Those who perished were at a camp close to the cave, a revered location.   ·       Cloudbursts:   ·       A cloudburst occurrence is defined as any documented rainfall of at least 10 cm per hour over an area of at least 10 km2. ·       A cloudburst is an intense downpour of rain, occasionally accompanied by hail and thunder, that typically lasts only a few minutes but has the potential to cause flooding. ·       According to the description given above, a cloudburst would also be defined as 5 cm of rain falling in 30 minutes. For the circumstances in India, that is unusual.   ·       When does a cloudburst occur:   ·       Cloudbursts do occur on plains as well, however the likelihood of them happening in mountainous areas is higher due to the terrain: ·       Cloudbursts occur when an air stream carrying a high warm temperature prevents saturated clouds from producing rain. ·       Instead of falling to the ground, raindrops are lifted by the air current. Existing raindrops grow in size while new droplets are created. ·       After a while, the cloud can no longer support the rains, and they all fall to the ground at once in a sudden flash. ·       It’s not necessary for cloudbursts to happen solely when a cloud collides with an immovable object like a mountain. In the Himalayan region, one such cloud burst happened in June 2013 as the monsoon winds were rising down the Himalayan slope and were drawn further by the ascending jet streams, culminating in an extremely severe precipitation that caused catastrophic floods and landslides. ·       Cloudbursts can also happen when cold winds and hot water vapour-laden air mix, causing a rapid condensation.   ·       Two factors contribute to warm air currents moving vertically upward on hilly terrains:   ·       by permitting breezes to rise carrying water. ·       by permitting the Terai’s water-laden breezes to absorb more moisture.   ·       Additionally, the convection helped orographic winds to be attenuated, which increased the likelihood of a cloudburst situation by allowing the jet stream to withdraw readily. Due to the increased convection in deserts, cloudbursts can occur.   ·       Cloudbursts’ Effects:   ·       Flash floods ·       Landslides ·       Mud-flows ·       Deaths are caused by land collapsing and flash floods, which cause homes and businesses to be carried away and cave in. ·       Blocking rivers’ flow, which could result in temporary damming, the construction of a reservoir, and the eventual collapse of that reservoir   ·       Although occasionally the raindrops are large enough to damage individuals in a prolonged rainstorm, rainfall itself does not cause people to pass away. Death and ruin are brought on by the effects of such severe rain, particularly in the hilly terrain.   ·       Cloudburst frequency:   ·       There is a lack of historical information on cloudbursts, and accuracy issues arise since only some of them are counted—those that cause death and harm. ·       But it is also undeniable that there has been an increase in extreme precipitation occurrences over the past few decades. If temperature fluctuations are taken into account as a trend, it is possible that there has also been an increase in cloudburst events.   ·       Forecasting:   ·       They take occur over a fairly narrow space, which presents a challenge. ·       The spell of heavy rain that results from the confluence of certain meteorological variables can be predicted. ·       Doppler radars can be used to make forecasts for a very narrow area. They allow for the prediction of cloudburst potential around six hours in advance, and occasionally even 12 or 14 hours.   Source à The Indian Express   2 – Edible Oil in India:GS III Topic à Indian Agriculture/Economy   ·       Context:   ·       In March, the month immediately following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) food price index reached an all-time high of 159.7 points. ·       The index, which is a weighted average of global food commodity prices above a base period value of 100 for 2014–15, has now declined slightly, by 3.4 percent, to 154.2 points in June.   ·       What previously caused the price of oil to rise?   ·       The cost of commodities was extraordinarily high worldwide. A significant element that disrupts supply chains and shuts down industries is COVID-19. ·       In many nations, the oil producing industry lacked sufficient labour. ·       China purchases a lot of edible oil. ·       Numerous significant oil producers were zealously pursuing biofuel programmes and diverting their edible oil harvests for that reason. ·       In India, a sizable portion of the retail price of edible oils is also made up of government taxes and charges.   ·       The Dependence of India on Edible Oil:   ·       The largest importer of vegetable oil in the world is India. ·       India imports around 60% of its edible oil requirements, making its retail prices susceptible to pressure from abroad. ·       It imports soy oil from Brazil and Argentina, sunflower oil, primarily from Russia and Ukraine, and palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia.   ·       Information on Edible Oils:   ·       Soybean, rapeseed and mustard, groundnut, sunflower, safflower, and nigerian oil are the primary and secondary sources of edible oil, respectively (Oil palm, Coconut, Rice Bran, Cotton seeds & Tree Borne Oilseeds). ·       Growing in predominantly rain-fed conditions (about 70% of the region), high seed costs (groundnut and soybean), tiny holdings with scarce resources, poor seed renewal rate, and low yield are important issues in

09 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      QUAD Grouping Prelims & Mains 2.      Energy Poverty Prelims & Mains 3.      Gati Shakti Mission Prelims & Mains 4.      Defence Exports in India Prelims Specific Topic 1 – QUAD Grouping:GS II Topic à International Relations   ·       About QUAD:   ·       The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is another name for it (QSD). ·       India, the US, Japan, and Australia make constitute the informal group known as QUAD. ·       The goal of the strategic conversation is to ensure a free, open, diverse, and wealthy Indo-Pacific.   ·       The following values are shared by the nations:   ·       Parliamentary democracies ·       The market economies ·       Multicultural societies   ·       Chinese assertiveness and influence are growing in the Indo-Pacific:   ·       Chinese ignorance of India’s International Court of Arbitration ruling and unilateral claim on the Nine-Dash Line China Crisis ·       Protests in Hong Kong are handled harshly ·       Attitude of imperialism against Taiwan.   ·       A Short Timeline of QUAD:   ·       In 2007, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. ·       could not occur because Australia was unwilling to do so. ·       Shinzo Abe relaunched the idea of Asia’s Democratic Security Diamond in December 2012, enlisting Australia, India, Japan, and the US. ·       Protecting the maritime commons from the western Pacific to the Indian Ocean was the goal. ·       In November 2017, the US, Australia, Japan, the US, and India all actively participated in giving the QUAD Coalition a modern form. ·       The goal was to maintain wide, unobstructed maritime lanes for navigation in the Indo-Pacific. ·       The four nations’ foreign ministers met for the first time in New York in September 2019 to discuss the “Quad” framework. ·       In 2020, quad gatherings are commonplace. But this one was unique since it involved three other Indo-Pacific nations: Vietnam, South Korea, and New Zealand.   ·       The significance of QUAD for India:   ·       Russian unwillingness to intervene and exert pressure, along with recent standoffs on the Indo-China Border, are prompting India to explore for other options for containing Chinese influence. ·       Post-COVID Diplomacy: India has the chance to step up and take the lead in making the world’s manufacturing hub due to the global upheaval and opaque Chinese systems. ·       India may use its knowledge of the pharmaceutical and vaccine industries to boost its soft power. ·       Furthermore, in order to stop China’s aggressive behaviour, the US and Japan seek to move their industrial operations out of China. ·       India intends to become a provider of internet security in the Indian Ocean as part of the SAGAR programme. ·       India may have access to several critical areas through QUAD cooperation for the construction of naval stations. ·       India has backed a multipolar world based on rules, and QUAD can help it realise its goal of becoming a regional superpower.   ·       Problems faced by QUAD:   ·       China’s official opposition: China has officially expressed its disapproval with the QUAD sessions. ·       It is referred to as the Asian NATO. ·       Trade and supply chains: As recently observed, China is attempting to use its influence in trade and commerce to exert pressure on other countries, particularly China and Japan. ·       The Australian coal-carrying ship MV Anastasia recently became stuck on the Chinese coast for more than a month. ·       That even caught Indian sailors off guard. ·       The supply of rare earth metals to the Japanese electronic sector was endangered by China. ·       Due of China’s closure following the Corona outbreak, the global supply chain was affected. ·       Chinese Proximity to ASEAN: ASEAN and China have gotten closer since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed. ·       China’s Cheque Book Diplomacy China uses several strategies to entice tiny nations, including the One Belt, One Road Initiative, the Maritime Silk Route, unsustainable debt and project funding, etc. ·       Different QUAD Nation Aspirations: India’s attempt to balance QUAD and RIC may undermine QUAD’s coherence (Russia, India and China), ·       Because of Australia’s historical opposition to QUAD, Japan and the US are pursuing their own economic objectives with China. ·       The concept of the Indo-Pacific region is also inconsistent.       ·       Recent opinions of the Minister of External Affairs regarding QUAD:   ·       Detailed and Comprehensive Agenda:   ·       Contrary to the Chinese assertion that QUAD is a “Exclusive Cliques” that targets other nations, QUAD has a number of goals for collaboration. ·       The Era of Plurilateralism: Multilateralism today is unable to solve the pressing challenges of the day. ·       Bilateralism, however, has drawbacks of its own. ·       At that point, various plurilateral groupings can pool their resources and funding to advance appropriate rule-based agendas and order.   ·       Related plurilateral groups: ·       There are other comparable plurilateral agreements taking place throughout the Indo-Pacific. among active participants are France, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, etc. ·       The QUAD nations are known for maintaining international law and favour rule-based order, making them a force of unification rather than fragmentation. ·       Additionally, they have provided the area with a model for cooperation and integration. ·       The middle road, which is frequently the best path, has been chosen in this consultation process. ·       With programmes like SAGAR, India has always been the first to respond to disasters in the Indian Ocean region.   ·       Steps to Take:   ·       Strengthening Blue Dot Network: Rather than just allowing it to serve as an infrastructure project certification agency, the 4 nations must pool their resources to check China’s economic might. ·       Coherent approach: Rather than acting independently, the member nations must come up with a coordinated plan to deal with China. ·       Formalize the discussions: By making the discussions more formal, QUAD might become more structured. ·       QUAD can be a powerful tool in the fight against Chinese exploration and imperialism in the Indo-Pacific.     Source à The Indian Express     2 – Energy Poverty:GS

08 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Central Vista Project Prelims & Mains 2.      PM CARES Fund Prelims & Mains 3.      Border Dipute between India and China Prelims & Mains 4.      Dragon Fruit Cultivation Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Central Vista Project:GS II Topic à Indian Parliament   ·       Context:   ·       By July 18, the Central Vista Avenue rehabilitation project, which runs from Vijay Chowk to India Gate, will be finished, according to Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs. According to Puri, a few minor repairs are now being made to one or two underpasses and should be finished soon.   ·       Project Central Vista:   ·       In Lutyens’s Delhi, 86 acres of land will be renovated and developed as part of this project. ·       These include Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, North Block and South Block, among other famous government buildings. ·       The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs first proposed this visionary concept to redesign the country’s administrative centre on September 13, 2019.   ·       Three primary sections make up this project:   ·       a new Parliament building ·       A new secretariat facility will house all of the core government ministries. ·       The Rajghat’s development and the neighbourhood around it ·       Some non-heritage buildings in the neighbourhood will be demolished as part of this project, and new structures will be built in their stead.   ·       Why is this Project needed?   ·       The creation of a new parliament building is the project’s most important component. There are various causes for the requirement for a new structure. ·       Delimitation is required to expand the number of Lok Sabha constituencies due to the rising population, which has nearly quadrupled since independence. ·       Similar to this, there aren’t enough seats for MPs from both houses in the central hall of the parliament, where joint sessions are typically held. ·       Temporary chairs are set up in the aisles during joint meetings so that everyone can sit down. ·       The largest democracy in the world’s parliament should not be witnessing this kind of spectacle. ·       The infrastructure of the parliament was also outdated because it was erected at different points as and when it was necessary. ·       These factors made the construction of a new parliament building urgently necessary.   ·       The project’s importance:   ·       Modernizing the facilities of the legislature: The new Parliament building will be India’s first specifically designed legislature, outfitted with cutting-edge infrastructure to handle all requirements of an expanded legislature. ·       A highly energy-efficient and sustainable infrastructure will be used to support all government ministries, increasing productivity and efficiency. ·       The National Museum will be moved and conceived to present the rich past and accomplishments of the country, strengthening cultural and leisure services. ·       Providing cutting-edge and secure infrastructure: It is suggested to house executive offices and amenities in a cutting-edge, secure, and well furnished executive enclave. ·       Providing a residence for the PM: To the north of North Block and to the south of South Block, respectively, are proposed modern and secure residences for the vice president and the PM. ·       Cultural significance: The Central Vista’s proposed improvements aim to improve public space, safeguard heritage structures, assure environmental sustainability, and extend its axis. They also aim to restore the vista’s architectural character.     Source à The Indian Express   2 – PM CARES Fund:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions   ·       Context:   ·       A Central Information Commission (CIC) decision requiring the Income Tax Department to disclose copies of all papers PM CARES Fund provided when requesting an exemption under the Income Tax Act and file notations approving the request was stayed by the Delhi High Court on Thursday.   ·       PM-CARES Fund: What is it?   ·       To address difficult situations like the COVID-19 epidemic, the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, or PM CARES Fund, was established in March 2020. ·       The fund does not get any fiscal support; all donations are voluntary and come from both individuals and organisations. ·       Donations can now be used to fulfil a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations and are no longer tax deductible. ·       It is also free from the International Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and it accepts contributions from abroad, despite the fact that the Centre has in the past turned down foreign assistance in the wake of calamities like the Kerala floods. ·       The Prime Minister serves as the fund’s formal chairperson and has the authority to recommend three accomplished individuals from related professions to the Board of Trustees. ·       As ex-officio Trustees of the Fund, the Ministers of Defense, Home Affairs, and Finance serve.   ·       What problems does the PM-CARES Fund have?   ·       Disregards other funds, such as the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). ·       The PM CARES Fund was not established under the Indian Constitution or any other law, which raises concerns about the legitimacy of its usage of the title of Prime Minister, national symbols, the official PMO website (gov.in), tax exemptions through an ordinance, etc. ·       It is not audited by CAG because the money it collects does not go to the Consolidated Fund of India, raising questions about accountability and transparency. ·       The operation of the trust is not under the direction of the Central Government or any State Government. ·       If the PM CARES Fund is not affiliated with the government, it could turn into a for-profit organisation and prevent the prime minister and the three ministers from holding their respective constitutional positions. ·       The trustees are required by Section 19 of the Indian Trusts Act to provide beneficiaries with information on the trust property, hence the PM CARES Fund must be available in accordance with Section 2(f) of the RTI Act. ·       According to the Thalappalam Service Coop. Bank Ltd. vs.

07 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Forex Reserves in India Prelims & Mains 2.      Sub Categorization of OBCs Prelims & Mains 3.      Minimum Support Prices Prelims Specific Topic 4.      Donbas region of Ukraine Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Forex Reserves in India:GS III Topic à Indian Economy   ·       Context:   ·       The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday announced a number of steps, including a relaxation in foreign investment in debt, external commercial borrowings, and Non-Resident Indian (NRI) deposits, to stop the rupee’s decline and strengthen foreign exchange reserves.   ·       About Reserves of Foreign Exchange:   ·       Bonds, treasury bills, and other government securities are examples of the assets kept in reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies.   ·       It should be emphasised that US dollars make up the majority of foreign exchange reserves.   ·       The following are included in India’s foreign exchange reserves:   ·       Gold Stocks ·       Reserve Special Drawing Rights at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).   ·       Goals of Keeping Foreign Exchange Reserves:   ·       Promoting and preserving trust in the monetary and exchange rate management policies. ·       Gives the ability to act to defend the national or union currency. ·       Maintains foreign currency liquidity to absorb shocks at times of crisis or when access to borrowing is restricted, hence reducing external vulnerability.   ·       Importance of Increasing Foreign Reserves:   ·       Government in a comfortable position: The government and the RBI are more at ease managing India’s domestic and external financial difficulties because to the growing foreign exchange reserves. ·       Crisis management: It acts as a safety net in the case of an economic Balance of Payments (BoP) crisis. ·       Rising reserves have also contributed to the rupee’s appreciation against the dollar. ·       Market Confidence: Reserves will give markets and investors some assurance that a government can fulfil its international obligations.   ·       Assets in foreign currencies:   ·       Assets that are valued using a different currency than the nation’s native currency are known as FCAs. ·       The FCA makes up the majority of the FX reserve. It is stated in terms of dollars. ·       The FCAs take into account the impact of appreciation or depreciation of non-US currencies held in foreign exchange reserves, such as the euro, pound, and yen.   ·       About the Special Drawing Rights:   ·       The SDR is a type of international reserve asset that was developed by the IMF in 1969 to supplement the official reserves of its member nations. ·       The SDR is not a form of payment nor is it an IMF claim. Instead, it might be a claim against IMF members’ freely useable currencies. These currencies are exchangeable for SDRs. ·       A weighted basket of important currencies, including the US dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, the Chinese yuan, and the British pound, is used to determine the SDR’s value. ·       The interest given to members on their SDR holdings is known as the SDR interest rate, or (SDRi). ·       The IMF recently gave India an allocation of SDR 12.57 billion, or roughly USD 17.86 billion. The current value of India’s SDR holdings is 13.66 billion SDR.   ·       International Monetary Fund holds the reserves in following manner:   ·       A reserve tranche position refers to the amount of currency that each member state must provide to the IMF but may keep for its own use. ·       The reserve tranche can essentially be thought of as an emergency account that IMF members can access whenever they want, free of restrictions or service charges. Source à The Hindu   2 – Sub Categorization of OBCs:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions   ·       Context:   ·       The Justice Rohini Commission will have until January 31, 2023 to present its report after receiving the 13th extension from the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.   ·       About:   ·       The Other Backward Classes (OBCs) Sub-categorization in the Central List was the subject of the Commission’s investigation. ·       The extension lasts an additional six months, from July 31, 2021, to January 31, 2022.   ·       The advantage of this extension is:   ·       After consulting with many stakeholders, the “Commission” will be able to give a thorough report on the subject of sub-categorizing OBCs thanks to the planned extension of tenure and addition to its terms of reference.   ·       Background:   ·       The Rohini Commission was established in October 2017.   ·       Objective:   ·       to investigate the division of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the fair allocation of the OBCs’ advantages among them ·       Extension justification: The Supreme Court denied the federal government’s request for a review of its ruling from May 5th, which said that the 102nd Amendment to the Constitution removes the states’ authority to define the Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) in the area.   ·       About the 102nd Constitutional Amendment:   ·       It grants the National Commission for Backward Classes constitutional standing. ·       Additionally, it added Article 342A, which gives the President the authority to designate a class as SEBC and gives Parliament the authority to change the central SEBC list, as well as Article 338B, which deals with the composition, responsibilities, and powers of the commission.   ·       About OBC sub categorization:   ·       OBCs are given a 27% reservation in both employment and education by the federal government. ·       The Supreme Court’s involvement: The Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench renewed the legal discussion on the sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for reservations in September of last year. ·       Reservations are only granted to wealthy communities: The controversy stems from the idea that just a small number of wealthy communities—out of the more than 2,600 OBCs listed on the Central List—have obtained a significant portion of the 27 percent quota.   ·       Why the Rohini Commission was established:   ·       The Rohini Commission was established on October 2, 2017, to investigate the issue

06 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Money Laundering Prelims & Mains 2.      Militancy in J&K taking a new form Prelims & Mains 3.      Comptroller and Auditor General of India Prelims Specific Topic 4.      Cell Therapy to treat Cancer Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Money Laundering: GS III Topic à Internal Security of India and Money Laundering related issues   ·       Context: ·       Saeed Khan, a close friend of Shiv Sena MP Bhavana Gawali who was detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case last year, has been granted bail by the Bombay High Court. ·       How it works: ·       The act of making it appear as though huge sums of money earned through illegal conduct, such as drug trafficking or terrorist action, came from a legitimate source is known as money laundering. ·       The method “launders” the money to make it appear clean because the proceeds of the illegal action are seen as dirty money. ·       It can be summed up by saying that it is the process of making money that comes from one source appear to originate from another. ·       The Mafia organisation in the United States of America is where the term “money laundering” first appeared. Huge sums of money have been earned by mafia groups through extortion, gambling, etc., and this money is displayed as lawful money. Money laundering is most commonly referred to as Hawala transactions in India.   ·       Money Laundering Problems:   ·       Global issues like money laundering and terrorism financing not only jeopardise security but also undermine the efficiency, openness, and stability of financial systems, which in turn threatens the health of the economy. ·       According to the International Monetary Fund, laundering of money generates $590 billion to $1.5 trillion annually, or around two to five percent of the global GDP. ·       Money laundering can have disastrous effects on a nation’s economy and social structure, particularly in developing or financially shaky nations.   ·       How Money Laundering Operates:   ·       Money laundering is a three-stage technique that masks the illicit activity below what appears to be an honest financial transaction. ·       The first phase is when the proceeds of crime are introduced into the established financial system. This is referred to as placement; ·       In the second stage, injected funds are stacked and dispersed across a variety of transactions in an effort to conceal their dubious source. This procedure is known as “layering”; ·       In the third and final stage, money enters the financial system with the intention of having its initial connection to the crime erased so that the offender or recipient can use it as clean money. This is referred to as integration.   ·       Money laundering threats are changing:   ·       Money launderers now have additional entry points thanks to the widespread use of non-cash payment methods like prepaid cards, internet transactions, and mobile payments. ·       These new payment methods are susceptible to money laundering activities because of the high transaction speed and the limited face-to-face contact between the person initiating the transaction and the service provider. ·       The rising necessity for financial institutions to identify and enrol their customers online is being abused by money launderers. ·       The complexity of trade systems is exploited by trade-based money laundering, typically in multinational environments where the interaction of numerous parties and countries makes CDD procedures and AML checks more difficult.   ·       Globalization’s effects on money laundering:   ·       Money can flow quickly and easily anywhere in the world thanks to rapid advancements in financial information, technology, and communication. This makes it more important than ever to fight money laundering. ·       It becomes harder to pinpoint the source of “dirty money” the farther it penetrates the global banking system. ·       It is challenging to calculate the overall quantity of money that undergoes the laundry cycle due to the covert nature of money-laundering. ·       The three Fs—finding, freezing, and forfeiting of income and assets obtained via criminal activity—have become increasingly challenging as a result of recent changes to the global financial system. ·       These include the “dollarization” of black markets, or the practise of conducting financial transactions in dollars, the broader movement toward financial deregulation, the expansion of the Euromarket, and the rise of financial secrecy havens. ·       The financial infrastructure has evolved into a continuously operating worldwide system where “megabyte money” (i.e., money in the form of symbols on computer screens) may go anywhere in the globe with ease and speed thanks to advancements in technology and communications.   ·       Indian measures to combat money laundering:   ·       Before the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002 (PMLA) was passed in India, the main statutes that included steps to address the issue of money laundering were:   ·       The 1961 Income Tax Act   ·       The 1974 Act to Conserve Foreign Exchange and Prevent Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA)   ·       Act of 1976 against Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (SAFEMA) ·         ·       Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPSA) Act 1985   ·       Prohibiting Benami transactions Act 1988:   ·       Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)   ·       PMLA: Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002:   ·       The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 was passed to outlaw the practise and make provisions for the forfeiture of assets obtained through money laundering. ·       The Financial Intelligence Unit-India is required to receive information on such transactions in the prescribed format from banking firms, financial institutions, and intermediaries, as well as to verify and maintain records of all client identities (FIU-IND). ·       If a banking business, financial institution, or intermediary—or one of its officers—fails to comply with the Act’s requirements, it gives the Director of FIU-IND the authority to sanction those parties.   ·       2015’s Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act:   ·       by outlining the process for dealing with such income and assets, to address the threat of the black

. No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Collegium System in India Prelims & Mains 2.      Digital India Prelims & Mains 3.      Alluri Sitharama Raju Prelims Specific Topic 4.      PSA Oxygen Plants Capacity in India Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Collegium System in India:GS II   Topic à Indian Judiciary ·       Context: ·       The government is currently considering at least 26 suggestions for the appointment of judges to the Bombay High Court, which is already operating with less than half of its authorised strength. ·       How Did the Collegium System Develop? ·       Instead of being established by a law passed by parliament or a clause in the constitution, the system for the appointment and transfer of judges has developed as a result of Supreme Court decisions. ·       Changes to the System: ·       1981’s First Judges Case: ·       It stated that “cogent reasons” may be given for rejecting the “primacy” of the CJI’s (Chief Justice of India) recommendation on judicial appointments and transfers. ·       For the ensuing 12 years, the Executive would have priority over the Judiciary in making judicial nominations. ·       The SC established the Collegium system in the Second Judges Case (1993), ruling that “consultation” actually meant “concurrence.” ·       It was further stated that this was not the CJI’s personal opinion, but rather an institutional judgement developed after consultation with the SC’s two most senior judges. ·       Third Judges Case (1998): The Collegium was increased to five members, with the Chief Justice of India and his four most senior colleagues, on the President’s recommendation (Article 143) of the SC. ·       Who Is the Collegium Head? ·       The SC collegium, which consists of the four senior-most judges of the court, is led by the CJI (Chief Justice of India). ·       Only the collegium system is used to nominate judges of the higher judiciary, and the government only becomes involved once the collegium has chosen names. ·       What are the Judicial Appointments Processes? ·       The CJI and the other SC judges are chosen by the President of India. ·       The outgoing CJI proposes his successor as far as the CJI is concerned. ·       Since the supersession issue of the 1970s, seniority has been the sole determining factor in practise. ·       For SC Judges: The suggestion is started by the CJI for the SC’s other judges. ·       The CJI contacts the other members of the Collegium as well as the senior-most judge of the court who is a member of the High Court where the suggested individual is a member. ·       The consultees must submit their written comments, which should be included in the file. ·       The recommendation is forwarded by the Collegium to the Law Minister, who then transmits it to the Prime Minister for the President’s guidance. ·       For the High Courts Chief Justice: ·       According to the practise of having Chief Justices from outside the individual States, the Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed. ·       The Collegium makes the decision on the promotion. ·       A Collegium made up of the CJI and the two most senior judges makes recommendations for High Court judges. ·       However, the suggestion was started by the departing Chief Justice of the relevant High Court after consulting with two of her most senior colleagues. ·       The Chief Minister receives the recommendation and recommends the Governor to forward it on to the Union Law Minister. ·       Issues Associated with the Collegium System: ·       Lack of transparency and opacity. ·       Potential for nepotism ·       Involvement in public disputes. ·       Overlooks a number of promising young judges and attorneys. ·       What were the Appointment System Reform Efforts? ·       The court invalidated the attempt of the Government of India to replace Collegium System with a “National Judicial Appointments Commission” (via the 89th Amendment Act of 2014) in 2015 on the grounds that it endangered the independence of the judiciary. ·       Way ahead: ·       There is no time limit for the process of filling vacancies because it involves both the executive and the judicial branches and is ongoing. But now is the moment to consider creating a long-lasting, independent organisation to institutionalise the procedure with sufficient safeguards to protect the judiciary’s independence and guarantee judicial supremacy but not judicial exclusivity. ·       It should guarantee independence, show diversity, exhibit professionalism and honesty, and reflect those values. Source à The Hindu   2 – Digital India: GS II   Topic à Government Policies and Interventions ·       Context: ·       According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Digital India programme has prevented the misuse of Rs 2.25 lakh crore during the previous eight years. He made this statement in Gandhinagar. He mentioned this while kicking off “Digital India Week 2022” and a Digital Expo at Mahatma Mandir in New Delhi. The programme has also assisted in the elimination of middlemen. ·       Digital India Vision Focuses Upon: ·       Digital infrastructure is a resource for all citizens. ·       On-demand services and governance. ·       Digital citizen empowerment ·       Objectives: ·       To get India ready for a knowledge-based future. ·       Realizing that IT (Indian Talent) + IT (Information Technology) Will Lead to IT (India Tomorrow). ·       Placing the focus on technology to enable transformation. ·       Various Digital India Program Schemes: ·       Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing, or Diksha Initiative: ·       It functions as the nation’s teaching-related digital infrastructure. The latest digital technology will be available to every teacher in the country. ·       eNAM: This pan-Indian electronic trading site was established on April 14, 2016, and it connects Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) from all the States. ·       The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s telemedicine service platform is called eSanjeevani. ·       DigiBunai: DigiBunai assists weavers in developing digital artwork and translating saree designs so they can be loaded onto looms. ·       The Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) initiative was introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to offer street vendors inexpensive loans. It encourages street merchants to conduct digital transactions. ·       Aarogya Setu, a contact tracing app,

    . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Difference between Cess and Surcharge in India Prelims & Mains 2.      India’s Largest Floating Solar Plant Prelims & Mains 3.      Foreign Portfolio Investors Prelims & Mains 4.      GI Tags in India Prelims Specific Topic   1 – Difference between Cess and Surcharge in India:GS III   Topic à Indian Economy   ·       Cess: ·       In its most basic form, a cess is a levy on tax. ·       It is crucial to keep in mind that a cess may only be used for the intended purpose. ·       For instance, the Indian government only utilizes money collected from an education cess for education. ·       Furthermore, all taxpayers must pay this tax. ·       To the Consolidated Fund of India, cess taxes are paid. ·       In general, cess is anticipated to be levied up until the government has a strong enough reason to do so and to disappear after that reason has been achieved. ·       Since a cess is imposed in addition to the present tax, it differs from other taxes like excise duty and income tax (tax on tax). ·       For instance, adding a 5% education tax to a 20% income tax will increase the entire tax to 21%. (Base tax of 20 percent + an additional 5 percent cess). ·       The main cesses currently in effect are those for education, roads, infrastructure, clean energy, Krishi Kalyan, and swachh bharat.   ·       Types of Cess:   ·       There are various types of cess levied in India. They are: ·       Infrastructure Cess ·       Krishi Kalyan Cess ·       Cess on Exports ·       Road and Infrastructure Cess ·       Duty on Tobacco and Tobacco Products ·       Health and Education Cess on Income Tax ·       Swachh Bharat Cess ·       Education Cess ·       Cess on Crude Oil   ·       Surcharge:   ·       Individuals with net taxable salaries of more than Rs 1 crore are subject to a 10% surcharge on their tax obligations. ·       If net income is between Rs 1 crore and Rs 10 crore, domestic corporations must pay a surcharge of 5%. Surcharges at a rate of 10% are applied if net income exceeds Rs 10 crore. ·       If the net income is between Rs 1 crore and Rs 10 crore, a surcharge of 2 percent is imposed on international firms. ·       The surcharge is raised to 5 percent if the net income is greater than Rs 10 cr. If the net income surpasses Rs 1 crore and Rs 10 crore, both domestic and foreign enterprises receive a margin of relief. ·       A tax surcharge on income is a significant source of funding for the state. ·       The Union Government may use this money for any purpose it sees fit. ·       It’s important to note that just the tax that must be paid, not the entire income, is covered. ·       The Consolidated Fund of India receives this payment, which may be used for any purpose. ·       For instance, a 10% surcharge on a 30% income tax rate increases the tax burden to 33%.   ·       Surcharge and Cess have following similarities:   ·       The central government imposes both a cess and a surcharge. ·       Both are gathered and placed in the Consolidated Fund of India. ·       State governments are not permitted to combine any of these.   ·       About the inclusion of Cess and Surcharge in the Tax Devolution Pool:   ·       As part of the division of labour and responsibilities between the Union and states as outlined in the Seventh Schedule and as stipulated by Article 246 of the Constitution, the Centre is authorised to impose and collect both direct and indirect taxes under the Union List. ·       To the governments’ detriment, this has caused a significant resource mobilisation imbalance that prevents them from fulfilling their pledged social expenditure obligations. ·       Tax cesses and surcharges, as well as the cost of collection and transfer to the National Disaster Response Fund, are subtracted from gross tax income to determine the net proceeds of taxes (also known as net tax revenue) (NDRF). ·       A larger pool of cesses and surcharges consequently lowers the total amount of the divisible taxes, lowering resource transfer to the states. ·       The central government has 63 percent of the revenue raising authority to spend on 38 percent of expenditures, while states are accountable for more than 62 percent of expenditures but only 37 percent of revenue raising ability. ·       Because cess and surcharges are excluded from the divisible pool, which is net of taxes, benefits do not accrue to the states despite an increase in cesses and surcharges from Rs 49,628.02 crore in 2010–11 to Rs 3,74,471.14 crore in 2021–22. ·       States have repeatedly asked the Union administration to either completely abolish cesses or, if they are maintained for a longer period of time, to include them into the divisible pool, over the years. ·       As a result of this inclusion, States will get a bigger portion of devolution from the Centre’s net revenues, enabling them to fulfil their own social, human development, and infrastructure obligations. ·       The fourteenth and fifteenth Finance Commissions recommended including cesses and surcharge revenue in the divisible pool by enacting a constitutional change.   Source à The Hindu 2 – India’s Largest Floating Solar Plant:GS III Topic à Renewable Energy Sector   ·       Context:   ·       The Ramagundam floating solar PV project’s commercial operation date for the final 20 MW of its 100 MW capacity was recently announced.   ·       This officially declares the 100 MW Ramagundam floating solar PV project in Telangana operational as of July 1, 2022. ·       The project is the biggest of its sort in India.   ·       Floating solar panels: what are they?   ·       These are platforms with photovoltaic (PV) modules attached on them that float on lakes, reservoirs, and, under the right circumstances, oceans and seas. ·       The majority of the time, these platforms are moored on calmer bodies of water, including ponds, lakes, or reservoirs. ·       These

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS 01 NOVEMBER 2022 . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.        IMF Prelims & Mains 2.        Two Finger Test Prelims & Mains 3.        GM Mustard Prelims & Mains 4.        Sedition Law in India Prelims & Mains 1 – IMF: GS II Topic àInternational Relations                                                                                                                      ·         Context: ·         India would be able to expand faster than the IMF anticipates for the coming year, according to Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran. ·        About: ·         The IMF was established in 1944 as a result of the Bretton Woods Conference. ·         189 nations currently make up the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was established on December 27, 1945. ·         The Washington, D.C.-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) is committed to fostering international trade, employment, and economic development as well as preserving financial stability. ·         An expert agency of the UN is the International Monetary Fund (IMF). ·         The establishment of the IMF ·         The IMF was established with the aim of boosting economic growth and eradicating poverty worldwide in response to the collapse of international monetary cooperation during the Great Depression. The International Monetary Fund was formed in 1944 during the Bretton Woods Conference (IMF). ·         45 government delegations attended the conference, which covered a framework for post-war international economic cooperation. ·         Targets of the IMF: ·         promote financial cooperation between nations. ·         assurance of financial stability. facilitation of international trade ·         Administrative Structure: ·         The United Nations, the IMF’s parent organisation, is in charge of efficiently running it. ·         The Executive Board selects the IMF’s Managing Director, who holds the position for five years. ·         The IMF and India: ·         India joined the International Monetary Fund as one of its original members. ·         The Union Finance Minister of India serves as an ex officio governor on the IMF Board of Governors. ·         Every member country also has a backup governor. ·         The Reserve Bank of India’s governor serves as the nation’s back-up governor. ·         Additionally, India is represented at the IMF by an Executive Director. ·         India’s ownership in the IMF is 2.76% and it has a quota of SDR 13,114.4 million. ·         You can read more about the Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), which were established by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1969, in the article that is linked. ·         India now holds the seventh-place spot in the organisation for quota size. ·         India completed paying back all of the loans it had gotten from the IMF in 2000. ·         The International Monetary Fund now receives contributions from India (IMF) Sourceà The Hindu   2 – Two Finger Test: GS I Topic àWomen Empowerment                                                                                                            ·         Context: ·         The Supreme Court ruled on October 31 that it is improper to subject rape or sexual assault survivors to intrusive “two-finger” or “three-finger” vaginal tests. A fine must be paid by the offender. ·         Section 354 of the IPC requires that: ·         The minimum sentence for attacking a woman or using unlawful force against her with the knowledge or intent to violate her modesty is one year in jail (which may be increased to a maximum of five years) and a fine, according to Section 354 of the IPC. ·         About: ·         The virginity of a woman can be ascertained through a variety of unusual techniques. Typically, this detection is used to distinguish between “pure” and “impure” females. Whether a female has had sexual activity or not determines her purity. Women can only be appreciated if they are virgins and have never engaged in sexual activity since otherwise, society does not consider them to be deserving enough. These tests are frequently performed on single women without their awareness or when they are unable to consent. Additional nations that have reported on this practise include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Turkey, and Uganda. Depending on the subject, several factors drive these exams. These tests are carried out in a small number of Swaziland and South African communities to stop premarital sex and HIV transmission. This has influenced how rape victims and other sexual assault victims are perceived in India. This stage is a requirement for joining the Indonesian police force. Source à The Hindu   3 – GM Mustard: GS II  Topic àBio Technology   ·         Context: ·         The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change was recently praised by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences for authorising the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard hybrid for growing (TAAS). Scientists believed the landmark judgement would put an end to the protracted deadlock about the use of GM food crops. ·         About GM Mustard ·         One of the most significant winter crops in India is mustard, which is sown between mid-October and late November. ·         Natural hybridization is challenging because of the crop’s propensity to self-pollinate and cross itself. ·         In India, it is the crop that produces the best edible oil. ·         The Delhi University Center for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants created the GM mustard variety known as DMH (Dhara Mustard Hybrid)-11. ·         It was a project that the government paid for. ·         Researchers from Delhi University used the “barnase/barstar” method of genetic alteration to produce the hybridised mustard DMH-11. ·         This plant is pesticide-resistant (HT). ·         Another genetically engineered crop, Mustard DMH-11, was approved for commercial cultivation in February 2016 by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GMEC). ·         Reasons to support GM Mustard ·         When compared to a conventional reference mustard cultivar, DMH-11 yields are around 30% higher. ·         Increase edible mustard oil production to help reduce the pricey imports of edible oil. ·         urging the government to provide more money for agricultural scientific research ·         Concerns about GM Mustard ·         Several more genetically modified food crops might follow if GM mustard is approved. ·         Since it is likely that utilising GM crops will have a negative impact on the environment, human health, and animal

01 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs Self Help Groups in India: GS II       Context: ·      The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), which aims to increase each woman’s yearly income in self-help groups (SHGs) to Rs 1 lakh by 2024, has already been given priority by the government, but it is also actively encouraging entrepreneurship and economies of scale among them. Not only that, but it also wants to support its efforts at handholding by making loans easier and facilitating access to markets rather than relying on a grant-based economy. ·      Introduction: ·      The idea of women’s empowerment has evolved over the past few decades from a welfare to an equity approach, where the weak take charge of their lives and resources to overcome internal obstacles like self-awareness and confidence while also overcoming external obstacles like poor health, mobility, education, and awareness. In this approach, the socioeconomic development of any society undergoing transformation now requires the empowerment of women. ·      The process of empowering disadvantaged people involves giving them access to fundamental opportunities, either directly by the marginalised individuals themselves or with the assistance of others who are not marginalised but share their access. Empowering women entails utilising their strength by highlighting their enormous potential and motivating them to strive for a respectable and fulfilling way of life through competence and self-assurance. ·      For the country to thrive, women must be given more influence. The development of women entrepreneurs is extremely relevant and important in India, because the population maintains an equal gender distribution. Otherwise, it would be equivalent to ignoring 50% of the entrepreneurial talent in the nation. For this reason, self-help groups stand for a distinctive method of financial intermediation. Self-help groups are a fresh and creative organisational setup for the welfare and uplift of women in India. ·      History of the Self-Help Groups in India: ·      Self-help groups can be traced back to Mohamed Yunus’ founding of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. ·      In 1975, SGHs were established and started. ·      NABARD was started in India in 1986–1987. ·      SHGs were created as a result of the lack of institutional financing available in rural areas. ·      Self-help organisations have developed as an idea to organise the rural poor in order to meet their consumption and production needs using their savings. Modified versions of the Bangladeshi model have been adopted by India. to help the poor and give women more influence. In the new economy, microfinance has become a potent tool. In India, SHGs and credit management groups have also begun as a result of the availability of microfinance. As a result, the SHG movement has grown throughout India. Nabard began heavily pushing self-help groups in 1991–1992. And it served as the SHGs movement’s actual launchpad. The Reserve Bank of India also permitted SHGs to open savings accounts in banks in 1993, which gave the movement a significant boost. ·      Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), launched by the Indian government in 1999, aims to encourage rural residents to work for themselves by forming and empowering SHGs. In 2011, the initiative transformed into a national movement known as the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), the largest programme in the world to combat poverty. In existence today are State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) in 29 states and 5 UTs (except Delhi and Chandigarh). The NRLM assisted the poor’s access to affordable, trustworthy financial services such bank accounts, savings accounts, credit, insurance, remittances, pensions, and financial services counselling. ·      Self-help Groups (SHGs): What Are They? ·      Self-help Groups (SHGs) are voluntary, self-managed associations of low-income women from related socioeconomic backgrounds who pool their savings into a pool from which small loans are made to the members to cover productive and urgent needs. This model was developed in the 1980s and 1990s with the help of the Indian government, state governments, National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the banking industry, and non-governmental organisations. It has since spread throughout the entire nation, but especially in rural areas where 70 percent of India’s 1.2 billion people live in poverty, lack access to financial resources, and have poor health and limited access to social services. ·      The goals of SHGs ·      The SHGs provide a substantial contribution to poor people’s empowerment. ·      To educate locals on the importance of SHGs and their role in the empowerment process. ·      To foster a sense of community among participants. ·      To boost members’ capacities and confidence. ·      To encourage group decision-making among the participants. ·      To promote the members’ saving habits and make it easier for them to build up their own capital resource base. ·      To inspire participants to take on societal obligations, especially those pertaining to development. ·      SHGs are necessary for rural development. ·      India has a sizable rural poor population, and the lack of access to credit and financial services is the cause of this poverty. ·      They assist the underprivileged, particularly women, in obtaining loans. Women are empowered by this and are given more societal voice. ·      Self-employment provides several positive externalities, including higher levels of literacy, greater access to healthcare, and even better family planning. Kannada Daily current Affairs in Kannada pdf .. DOWNLOAD PDF