22 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs   . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Antarctic Bill  Prelims & Mains 2.      Hate Speech Prelims & Mains 3.      Leader of Opposition Prelims & Mains 4.      Cheetah Reintroduction in India Prelims Specific Topic   1 – Antarctic Bill:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions   ·       Context:   ·       Due to continued demonstrations by Congress members outside of Parliament over the Enforcement Directorate’s summoning of their party president Sonia Gandhi for questioning, the Lok Sabha postponed consideration and passage of The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 till Friday on Thursday.   ·       What exactly does the Antarctic Bill provide for?   ·       The bill outlines stringent requirements and a system of licences that must be obtained in order for any expedition or individual to enter Antarctica. The permits will be awarded by a government-appointed committee. ·       The bill includes a provision to create a committee on Antarctic governance and environmental protection to oversee, carry out, and guarantee adherence to the pertinent international laws, emissions standards, and protection legislation. ·       Protecting Mineral Resources: The Bill also forbids identifying the locations of such mineral deposits, as well as drilling, dredging, excavation, and collecting of mineral resources. ·       The lone exemption is authorised scientific research. ·       Protecting Native Plants: It is strictly forbidden to harm native plants, fly or land helicopters, operate boats that might disturb birds or seals, use firearms that might do the same, remove soil or any other biological material native to Antarctica, or engage in any other activity that might harm or negatively alter the habitat of birds or other animals. ·       Introduction of birds that are not native to Antarctica is also illegal, as is the introduction of any other animals, plants, or microscopic organisms. ·       Penalties may include jail for offenders. ·       Indian travel operators are allowed to operate in Antarctica with the help of the Bill’s provisions, which are included below. ·       In Antarctica, there are 40 permanent research stations, and two of them, Maitri and Bharati, are operated by Indians.     ·       What is the purpose of the legislation?   ·       To assist activities of the Indian Antarctic programme, such as management of Antarctic tourism and sustainable development of fisheries, and to provide a harmonic policy framework for India’s Antarctic activities through a well-established legal mechanism.   ·       What justifies such a law?   ·       To Comply with the Antarctica Treaty’s Provisions:   ·       Since 1983, India has been a party to the Antarctica Treaty, which obliges it to outline a set of rules controlling the regions of the continent where its research sites are located. ·       The 54 signing nations were required by the Treaty to establish the rules that apply to the areas where their stations are located. ·       India is a signatory to agreements like the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which aim to preserve the continent’s pristine natural beauty. ·       India is obligated under both treaties to contribute to keeping the continent’s natural beauty pure.   Source à The Indian Express     2 – Hate Speech:GS III Topic à Internal Security of India   ·       Context:   ·       The Union Home Ministry has three weeks to submit a report on whether states have complied with the Supreme Court’s earlier rulings on limiting hate speech after receiving a directive from the court on Thursday.   ·       Hate speech: What Is It?   ·       Hate speech is an incitement to hatred directed at a certain group of people who are marginalised due to their religion, sexual orientation, gender, or other characteristics. ·       Such statements have the ability to incite individuals and society to engage in acts of terrorism, genocide, and ethnic cleansing, according to the Law Commission’s 267th report on hate speech.   ·       Why Does Hate Speech Need to Be Stopped?   ·       Internal Security: A false film that inflamed racial tensions was the cause of the Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013. ·       Stoking radical emotions. ·       Lynching by the mob ·       Delhi Riots’ misinformation and deception   ·       Measures Needed:   ·       The largest social media giants in the world are looking into forming an industry-wide coalition to combat fake news on their platforms in India, including Facebook, Google, Twitter, and ByteDance. ·       To track down the source of such news, the Indian Election Commission must collaborate with tech firms. ·       Educating the final consumers. ·       To participate at a deeper level, the government should release a policy framework on the potential harm caused by internet messaging networks. ·       levying significant fines, such as in Germany, where social media firms risk fines of up to €50 million for repeatedly failing to remove illegal content from their websites.   ·       Now is the time for:   ·       Through the dissemination of hate speech and the encouragement of discrimination, marginalised people are pushed outside the social, economic, and political sectors of society. It is commonly acknowledged that at its worst, it serves as a prelude to ethnic cleansing. ·       By failing to take measures to stop vigilante organisations from sowing discord among communities, fomenting hatred against countrymen, and taking the law into their own hands, public authorities must be held liable for failing in their duty of care and for disobeying this court’s directives.   ·       Laws relating to Hate Speech:   ·       Promotion of hostility between different groups on the basis of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., as well as actions detrimental to the maintenance of harmony, are both punishable under Section 153A IPC. ·       Imputations and declarations that are harmful to national integration are punishable under Section 153B IPC. ·       “Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to offend religious emotions of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs” are punishable under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code. ·       “Uttering, remarks, etc., with malicious intent to damage the religious sensibilities

21 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs   . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Naxalism in India Prelims & Mains 2.      Gaganyaan Mission Prelims & Mains 3.      Forex Reserve Prelims & Mains 4.      Digital Banks Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Naxalism in India:GS III Topic à Internal Security of India   ·       Context:   ·       According to information presented by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, violence associated with Left Wing Extremism (LWE) has fallen from 2,258 incidents in 2009 to 509 incidents in 2021.   ·       Indian Naxal Movement:   ·       The movement had strong ideological roots in its early phases and was guided by figures like Charu Majumdar, Kondapalli Seetharamaiah, Nagabhushan Patnaik, and others. ·       The movement’s course and personality changed with time, becoming more vicious and sanguinary. ·       It nonetheless kept up the appearance that it truly stood by the impoverished and the oppressed, particularly the tribal people. ·       Maoism still has resonance with some of the more ideologically oriented sections in universities and colleges, albeit it did lose some of the backing of the urban intellectuals. ·       Dantewada, Bastar, Bijapur, and Sukma are now the primary Maoist activity hotspots in Chhattisgarh. ·       The taxonomy of Naxalism has undergone significant alterations between the initial phase (1967–1972) and the current Maoist movement. ·       Today, it has changed into a very regimented, militaristic movement that now prioritises terrorising populations over advancing their ideas. ·       In a joint operation run by the Special Operations Group of Odisha and the Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh, the Communist Party of India (Maoist) lost about 30 of its cadres. ·       Many feel that it signalled the beginning of the Naxalite movement’s decline in the nation.   ·       Causes:   ·       Political variables:   ·       One of the main causes of such revolutions was the nature of tribal peoples and the political system’s indifference to them. ·       lack of political power in India to give the underprivileged groups of society in the impacted states opportunities for structural uplift. ·       Lack of tribal community participation in politics   ·       Economic variables:   ·       Underdevelopment, economic inequality, and poverty in the areas afflicted by Naxal. ·       Mining firms’ entry into tribal lands and forests poses a threat to the tribes’ way of life. ·       Indigenous tribal population torn from their traditional means of subsistence and robbed of their lands ·       The advantages of resource exploitation are not distributed to the native people.   ·       Environmental Damage:   ·       Due to mining and industrial activities, there is environmental degradation in the form of the depletion of land and water resources.   ·       Lack of essential infrastructure:   ·       Lack of essential services including food, freedom, education, and sanitization. ·       Due to inequality, illiteracy, and a lack of opportunities, the socially backward tribals make up the majority of the Naxalites’ support base.   ·       Reasons for the CRPF’s defeats in the fight against the Naxals:   ·       States do not share a common strategy ·       Insufficient communication between the Central forces and the state police. ·       Inadequate combat readiness and training for forces in Maoist-affected states. ·       Between governments and regions, there is a lack of formalised intelligence sharing. ·       Naxalites have a strong advantage in armed conflict due to their familiarity with the area.   ·       Government’s strategy:   ·       In the naxal-affected districts, there was a significant deployment of security personnel as part of Operation Green Hunt, which began in 2010. In nine years, the number of districts afflicted by naxalism has decreased from 223 in 2010 to 90 now.   ·       Program for Aspirational Districts:   ·       The government’s strategy is to address left wing extremism holistically, with a focus on security, development, protecting local populations’ rights and entitlements, better governance, and public perception management. ·       Since “Police” and “Public Order” are State issues, state governments are primarily responsible for maintaining law and order. ·       Repairing severe infrastructure gaps in states afflicted by left-wing extremism under the Scheme for Special Infrastructure. ·       Through the Ministry of Defense, assistance is provided for training State Police. ·       Support for community policing and civic engagement initiatives. ·       To end the threat as quickly as possible, there is a “National Policy and Action Plan to Address Left Wing Extremism.” ·       Enhancing the deployment of central forces in the state’s Naxal-infested areas is the goal of anti-left-wing extremism (LWE) policy.   ·       Alternatives to Naxalism in India:   ·       Good leadership:   ·       The presence of Naxals in the nation also highlights the gaps in the legal system, which has failed to stop the threat. ·       To eradicate Naxalism, the central government must put in place a comprehensive national strategy.   ·       Dialogue:   ·       Talks between Naxal leaders and government representatives may help to find a solution. ·       The administration ought to start a real conversation with the Naxalites.   ·       Improve wages while creating more jobs:   ·       The inhabitants in the area have no choice but to join the Naxals due to unstable work and living conditions. ·       In order to effectively combat Naxalism, we must first offer the local population legitimate work options that pay well.   ·       Rehabilitative services and relocation:   ·       The lack of any plans for the resettlement of the displaced people caused by the presence of mining grounds, irrigation areas, industries, etc. in the region has only made things worse for the poor.   ·       Rehabilitation of the afflicted population needs to receive more attention.   ·       Stop environmental deterioration:   ·       Degradation of the environment in the form of the depletion of land and water resources as a result of industrial and mining activities ·       The villagers’ life are disrupted, which has a negative impact on tourism   ·       Stop political marginalisation of less powerful groups:   ·       The ruling class continues to discriminate against the lower classes, schedule castes, and schedule tribes. ·       These marginalised groups don’t participate equally

20 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Citizenship in India Prelims & Mains 2.      Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies Prelims & Mains 3.      Abortion Laws in India Prelims & Mains 4.      Line of Control Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Citizenship in India:GS II Topic à Constitutional Provisions ·       Context:   ·       The government informed Parliament on Tuesday that more than 3.9 lakh Indians had given up their citizenship in the previous three years, with America appearing as the top destination out of 103 countries where the immigrants chose to relocate.   ·       What Constitutes Citizenship?   ·       The term “citizenship” denotes the connection between a person and their country. ·       India has citizens and foreigners, much as any other contemporary state. The Indian State is their allegiance, and citizens are full members of it. They have access to every civil and political right. ·       Since citizenship excludes non-citizens, it is an idea of exclusion. ·       Two established rules govern the award of citizenship: ·       Jus sanguinis recognises blood links, whereas “jus soli” grants citizenship based on place of birth. ·       The Indian government has supported the progressive idea of jus soli since the Motilal Nehru Committee (1928). ·       The Constituent Assembly also disapproved of the racial notion of jus sanguinis since it went against the character of India.   ·       Constitutional Rules:   ·       The Constitution places citizenship on the Union List, placing it solely within the purview of Parliament. ·       The term “citizen” is not defined in the Constitution, although Part 2 provides information on the various types of people who are entitled to citizenship (Articles 5 to 11). ·       These articles were put into effect on November 26, 1949, the day the Constitution was enacted, unlike other elements of the Constitution, which took effect on January 26, 1950. ·       On the effective date of the Constitution, citizenship was provided for under Article 5. ·       Everyone who was born and resides in India has been granted citizenship. ·       Even people who were domiciled in India but were not born there but whose parents were both born there were regarded as citizens. ·       One could petition for citizenship if they had been a regular resident for more than five years. ·       Article 6: It gave those people who immigrated to India from Pakistan citizenship rights. ·       Article 6 stipulated that anyone who migrated to India before July 19, 1949, automatically became an Indian citizen if either of his parents or grandparents was born in India because Independence was preceded by Partition and migration. ·       However, anyone who arrived in India after this date were required to register. ·       Article 7: Provides selected immigrants to Pakistan with citizenship rights. ·       The citizenship net includes people who had gone to Pakistan after March 1, 1947, but later came back with resettlement permits. ·       In contrast to individuals who, in a condition of bewilderment, were stranded in Pakistan or who travelled there but soon decided to return, the law was more lenient toward those who migrated from Pakistan and were referred to as refugees. ·       Article 8: Provides citizenship rights to some Indians who reside outside of India. ·       Any Person of Indian Origin living outside of India, or either of whose parents or grandparents were born there, may register with the Indian diplomatic mission to become a citizen. ·       In accordance with Article 9, anyone who willingly acquires citizenship in a foreign country will no longer be an Indian citizen. ·       According to Article 10, everyone who is or is deemed to be a citizen of India by any of the aforementioned provisions of this Part shall continue to be such a citizen, subject to the requirements of any law that may be adopted by Parliament. ·       Article 11: It gives Parliament the authority to adopt any provisions regarding the acquisition and loss of citizenship, as well as any issues related to it.   ·       Amendments and Acts:   ·       Indian citizenship can be acquired and determined under the terms of the Citizenship Act, 1955.   ·       Gaining and Establishing Indian Citizenship:   ·       Indian citizenship can be obtained in four different ways: by birth, descent, registration, and naturalisation. The Citizenship Act of 1955 lists the provisions.   ·       By Birth: Regardless of the nationality of his or her parents, every individual born in India on or after 26.01.1950 but before 01.07.1987 is an Indian citizen. ·       Every individual born in India between January 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, is a citizen of that nation if either of his or her parents was a citizen at the time of the child’s birth. ·       Every individual born in India on or after 3.12.2004 is a citizen of the nation provided that both of his or her parents are citizens of India, or that at least one parent is a citizen and the other is not an illegal immigrant at the time of the child’s birth.   ·       By Registration: Another way to become a citizen is to register. Among the requirements are: ·       a person of Indian descent who, prior to requesting registration, had lived in India for seven years. ·       a person with Indian ancestry who resides in a nation other than unbroken India. ·       a person who has lived in India for at least seven years while married to an Indian citizen before registering. ·       Children who are minors and who have Indian citizenship.   ·       By Descent: If a person’s father was an Indian citizen by birth and they were born outside of India on or after January 26, 1950, they became Indian citizens by descent. ·       If either of their parents was an Indian citizen by birth, the child must have been born outside of India on or after December 10, 1992, but before December 3, 2004. ·       If a person born outside of India or after December 3, 2004 wishes to become an Indian citizen, their

19 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Minimum Support Price Prelims & Mains 2.      Cryptocurrency in India Prelims & Mains 3.      Non Performing Assets Prelims & Mains 4.      Defence Exports in India Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Minimum Support Price:GS III Topic à Agriculture related issues   ·       Context:   ·       The Centre announced the creation of a committee on Monday in order to “promote zero-budget based farming” and to make the minimum support price (MSP) more “effective and transparent,” seven months after farmers stopped their protest at the Delhi border after forcing the repeal of the new farm legislation.   ·       About:   ·       The MSP, which is based on a computation of at least 1.5 times the farmers’ production costs, is the rate at which the government purchases crops from farmers.   ·       A “minimum price” (MSP) is set for any crop the government deems to be profitable for farmers and so deserving of “support.”   ·       MSP-recommended crops include sugarcane and 22 other mandatory crops, according to the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP). ·       A department within the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is known as CACP. ·       14 kharif season crops, 6 rabi season crops, and 2 more commercial crops make up the list of required crops. ·       Additionally, toria and de-husked coconut MSPs are set based on the MSPs of rapeseed/mustard and copra, respectively. ·       Criteria for Suggesting the MSP: The CACP takes into account a number of factors, including the cost of cultivation, when recommending the MSP for a commodity. ·       It considers the commodity’s supply and demand dynamics, domestic and international market price trends, parity with respect to other crops, repercussions for consumers (inflation), the environment (soil and water consumption), and trade agreements between the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.     ·       Three Different Types of Production Cost:   ·       The CACP estimates three different types of production costs for each crop, both at state- and India-wide average levels. ·       ‘A2’: Pays for all direct expenditures made by the farmer for things like seeds, fertiliser, pesticides, hired labour, leased land, fuel, irrigation, and so forth. ·       A2 plus an imputed value for unpaid family labour is included in the phrase “A2+FL.” ·       “C2”: It is a more comprehensive cost that, in addition to A2+FL, takes into account rentals, interest forgone on owned land, and fixed capital assets. ·       When advising MSP, CACP takes into account both A2+FL and C2 expenses. ·       CACP estimates simply A2+FL as the return cost. ·       C2 costs, however, are largely utilised by CACP as benchmark reference expenses (opportunity costs) to determine whether the MSPs they suggest at least cover these costs in some of the key producing States. ·       The Union government’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) makes a final determination regarding the MSP level and other suggestions given by CACP.   ·       Why is MSP Required?   ·       Since 2014, farmers have been forced to endure falling commodity prices due to the twin droughts of 2014 and 2015. ·       Demonetization and the introduction of the GST, two simultaneous shocks, damaged the rural economy, particularly the non-farm sector but also agriculture. ·       The majority of farmers continue to be in a precarious condition as a result of the epidemic, the slowdown in the economy following 2016–17, and other factors. ·       Increased costs for diesel, energy, and fertilisers have only made the situation worse.   ·       What Problems Are Related to India’s MSP Regime?   ·       Confined extent only to two commodities—rice and wheat—are purchased despite the official announcement of MSPs for 23 different crops because they are allocated through NFSA (National Food Security Act). The remainder is mainly incidental and irrelevant. ·       Ineffectively Implemented: Only 6% of the MSP could be obtained by farmers, according to the Shanta Kumar Committee’s assessment from 2015. This immediately translates to 94 percent of farmers in the nation not receiving the benefit of the MSP. ·       Prices in the domestic market have no relationship to the existing MSP regime. Its main purpose is to satisfy NFSA criteria, therefore rather than being an MSP, it functions as a procurement price. ·       The overproduction of rice and wheat caused by the skewed MSP system inhibits farmers from growing other crops and horticultural products, which have higher demand and may, therefore, boost farmers’ income. ·       Middlemen-Dependent: The MSP-based procurement system also relies on intermediaries, commission agents, and APMC representatives, all of whom are difficult for smaller farmers to access.   ·       Way ahead:   ·       True MSPs call for government intervention anytime market prices drop below a certain threshold, primarily in situations of excess production and oversupply or a price collapse brought on by external sources. ·       For many of the crops that are desirable for nutritional security, such as coarse cereals, as well as for pulses and edible oils for which India is reliant on imports, MSP can also be a motivating price. ·       The path to wisdom is to spend more money on more nutrient-dense produce like fruits and vegetables as well as fisheries and animal husbandry. ·       The ideal method to invest is to provide financial incentives for businesses to create effective value chains based on a cluster strategy. ·       Government must develop a transitional plan for agricultural pricing, whereby some agricultural pricing should be supported by the government and some should be determined by the market. ·       A shortfall payment plan modelled after Madhya Pradesh’s Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (BBY) could be one approach to do this.     Source à The Indian Express   2 – Cryptocurrency in India:GS III Topic à Economy related issues   ·       Context:   ·       The Reserve Bank of India has advised against the use of cryptocurrencies, citing their “destabilising effects” on the monetary and fiscal stability of the nation. However, the Finance Minister stated on Monday that a law regulating or outlawing cryptocurrencies cannot take effect until some sort

18 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Different Sessions of Parliament Prelims & Mains 2.      Forest Fires Prelims & Mains 3.      5% GST on Various Food Commodities Prelims & Mains 4.      Eco Sensitive Zones Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Different Sessions of Parliament:GS II Topic à Parliament related issues   ·       Context:   ·       The opposition was accused by the government of aiming to “belittle the image” of Parliament by insisting that “non-issues” like the updated list of impermissible expressions be considered, setting the tone for a stormy Monsoon Session that will begin on Monday.   ·       Details of the Parliamentary Sessions:   ·       Details about summoning Parliament are contained in Article 85 of the Constitution. ·       A session of Parliament may be called by the Government. The decision is made by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs and is formalised by the President, on whose behalf MPs are summoned to a session. ·       The parliamentary schedule in India is flexible. Parliament meets three times a year by tradition rather than as mandated by the Constitution. ·       The first budget session, which takes place for the longest period of time, starts around the end of January and finishes by the end of April or the first week of May. During a break in the present session, Parliamentary Committees may speak about the budgetary recommendations. ·       The second session is the three-week Monsoon Session, which typically begins in July and continues through August. ·       November through December are the months of the third session, also referred to as the Winter Session.   ·       Process of Summoning:   ·       the procedure for calling a meeting with every member of the Parliament. The President will convene each House of Parliament on occasion. The Parliament must meet at least twice a year, with no more than a six-month gap between sessions.   ·       Adjournment:   ·       After its session, the House adjourns and resumes at the time designated for the next session. A few hours, a few days, or a few weeks can pass during the delay. A meeting can be adjourned sine die, which means that no time or date has been chosen for the next gathering.   ·       Prorogation:   ·       A prorogation marks the end of a session. An act of prorogation ends a session. The time between prorogation and reassembly is known as the recess. Prorogation marks the end of the current session rather than the dissolution of the house (in case of Lok Sabha, as Rajya Sabha does not dissolve).   ·       Quorum:   ·       The bare minimum number of members required to call a house meeting is referred to as a “quorum.” The Constitution established a quorum of one-tenth of the total number of members for both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. As a result, for a Lok Sabha meeting to take place, at least 55 members must be present, whereas for a Rajya Sabha meeting, at least 25 members must be present.   Source à The Indian Express.   2 – Forest Fires:GS III Topic à Environment Conservation   ·       Context:   ·       Firefighters fought to extinguish flames that were spreading across the forests of southwest Europe on Sunday as the heatwave persisted unabatedly and Britain was on course to set temperature records this coming week.   ·       About Forest Fires:   ·       Any uncontrolled and unrestricted combustion or burning of plants that consumes the available fuels and spreads based on environmental conditions is known as a wildfire in a natural context, such as a forest, grassland, brush land, or tundra. It is also referred to as a wildfire, blaze, or vegetation fire (e.g., wind, topography). ·       Forest fires can be started by human actions like clearing land for development, protracted droughts, or, in rare cases, lightning. ·       For a wildfire to begin blazing, it needs three things: fuel, oxygen, and heat.     ·       The Risk of Fire in India’s Forests:   ·       The Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, published the India State of Forest Report 2019 (ISFR), which estimates that as of 2019, over 21.67 percent (7,12,249 sq km) of the nation’s geographic area is categorised as forest. ·       Greater area is covered by trees by 2.89 percent (95, 027 sq km). ·       According to historical fire incidents and data, the woodlands in the Northeast and central India regions are the most vulnerable to forest fires. ·       Forested areas in Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura have been recognised as being “extremely prone.” ·       The states that fall under the category of “very highly prone” are Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. These states also have substantial wooded areas. ·       According to the MoEFCC’s 2020–2021 annual report, Western Maharashtra, Southern Chhattisgarh, parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, coupled with central Odisha, are developing into “extremely prone” forest fire hotspots. ·       Approximately 26.2 percent of the total forest cover, or a startling 1,72,374 square kilometres, are categorised as “very prone” or “moderately prone” areas.   ·       Causes of forest fires:   ·       Although there are many different natural causes of forest fires, most large fires in India are primarily the consequence of human activity. ·       Recent studies have found a connection between global warming and a rise in fires, particularly the massive Amazon forest fires that have ravaged Brazil and Australia during the past two years. ·       Climate change is associated with fires that are more severe, last longer, happen more frequently, and are of a highly flammable nature. ·       In India, forest fires are most frequently reported in the months of March and April because there is a large amount of dried wood, logs, dead leaves, stumps, dry grass, and weeds on the ground that are easily ignited by a spark. ·       Another significant issue in Uttarakhand is the lack of soil moisture. In two consecutive monsoon seasons (2019 and 2020), rainfall has fallen 18 and

16 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      S 400 Missile System Prelims & Mains 2.      NIRF Rankings Prelims & Mains 3.      DTP Vaccine Prelims Specific Topic 4.      Rafale Jets Prelims Specific Topic   1 – S 400 Missile System:GS III Topic à Missile Technology/Science and Technology   ·       Context:   ·       In order to help deter aggressors like China, the US House of Representatives approved a legislative amendment by voice vote that grants India a relief from the harsh CAATSA sanctions in exchange for its acquisition of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia.   ·       S-400 missile system contract between Russia and India:   ·       India and Russia agreed to a $5 billion purchase agreement in October 2018 for five S-400 air defence missile systems. ·       Despite a warning from the then-Trump administration that moving through with the agreement would result in U.S. penalties, India had proceeded forward with it. ·       For the purchase of the S-400 missile systems, the Biden administration has not yet specified whether it will subject India to sanctions under the terms of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). ·       A 2017 U.S. statute known as CAATSA gives the administration the power to impose penalties on Iran, North Korea, and Russia. ·       The bill allows the United States to slap penalties on nations that trade with the three countries as well. ·       When compared to the US missile systems on offer, the S-400’s diverse, precise, and multifaceted capabilities won out.   ·       Specifications for the S-400 system:   ·       The multifunctional radar and autonomous detection and targeting systems in the S-400 Missile System are combined. ·       It is an S-300 family improvement and a transportable surface-to-air missile system (SAM) created by Russia. ·       It is regarded to be far more deadly than the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) System, making it the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world. ·       Along with command and control missiles, it also has launchers for anti-air missiles. ·       The system can engage any airborne target within a 400 km range at a height of up to 30 km, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), ballistic and cruise missiles. ·       Data can also be sent between the system and other defence systems including the SA-12, SA-23, and S-300. ·       Within a 600km radius, the radar of the S-400 can identify and track aircraft, rotorcraft, cruise missiles, guided missiles, drones, and ballistic rockets. ·       The system has the ability to engage six targets at once while tracking 100 airborne targets.     Source à The Indian Express   2 – NIRF Rankings:GS II Topic à Education related issues   ·       Context:   ·       According to the seventh edition of the National Institutional Ranking Framework, which was published on Friday, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the best institution of higher learning in the nation overall and for engineering education.   ·       About:   ·       Launch: In September 2015, the Ministry of Education (formerly the Ministry of Human Resource Development) authorised the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). ·       The government has never attempted to rank Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the nation. ·       All government-run educational institutions are required to participate in NIRF as of 2018.   ·       Evaluation based on Five Parameters:   ·       Graduation outcomes (GO), outreach and inclusivity (OI), teaching, learning, and resources (TLR), research, and professional practise (RP), and peer perception.   ·       Eleven categories have been identified:   ·       The top institutions in 11 different categories—including universities, engineering, colleges, medicine, business, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, dental, and research—are included.   ·       Purpose of release:   ·       The Times Higher Education’s and QS World University Rankings’ subjective ranking methodology India started its own HEI ranking system modelled after the Shanghai Rankings as a result of the World University Ranking. ·       NIRF has been around for six years, yet it still solely ranks Indian HEIs, whereas Shanghai Rankings have been international from the start. ·       Making NIRF a global league table is the organization’s long-term goal.   Source à The Hindu   3 – DTP Vaccine:GS II Topic àHealth related issues   ·       Context:   ·       According to official data released by the WHO and UNICEF, the number of children in India who were either unvaccinated or missed their first dose of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) combined vaccine doubled as a result of the pandemic, going from 1.4 million in 2019 to 2.7 million in 2021. This occurred as the world experienced the largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in roughly 30 years.   ·       Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis are three infectious diseases that the DTP vaccine helps to prevent against.   ·       Uses of the DTP vaccine:   ·       As previously established, the DTP immunisation offers defence against three contagious diseases:   ·       Diptheria: This illness has a significant mortality rate. Among the symptoms is the development of a membrane that covers the tonsils and upper region of the throat and makes breathing challenging. From 1998 to 2008, India was responsible for between 19 and 84 percent of all cases worldwide. Inadequate immunisation campaigns and filthy circumstances in urban areas make it difficult to totally eradicate the disease, even though the numbers have decreased in recent years.   ·       Tetanus: often known as lockjaw, is a condition that impairs motor function and results in excruciating muscle contractions. Frequently, the illness is fatal. Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus, or MNT, is a variation that frequently affects babies. A significant factor in the frequency of MNT in India is the lack of access to prenatal and postnatal care. ·       Pertussis: Whooping cough is the common name for the disease pertussis, which is named after the characteristic cough pattern, which begins with a deep inhalation, is followed by a series of quick, short coughs that continue until the air is expelled from the lungs, and ends with a long, shrill whooping

15 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs     . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Monkeypox Prelims & Mains 2.      Build Operate Transfer Model Prelims & Mains 3.      Intellectual Heritage Project Prelims Specific Topic 4.      Right to Repair for Consumers Prelims Specific Topic 1 – Monkeypox:GS II Topic àHealth related issues   ·       About:   ·       The term “monkeypox” refers to a viral zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to people and is recognised as a pox-like illness in monkeys. It is widespread in Nigeria. ·       It is brought on by the monkeypox virus, a species of the Orthopoxvirus family. ·       The virus’s original host is still unknown. However, several reports of the illness in animals exist. ·       Monkeys, apes, a variety of rodents (including rats, mice, squirrels, and prairie dogs), and rabbits are all known to be carriers of the monkeypox virus.   ·       Outbreaks:   ·       It was initially discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1958 in monkeys then in humans there in 1970. ·       40 years after the last confirmed case, Nigeria saw its largest-ever outbreak in 2017. ·       The illness has since been documented in other West and Central African nations.   ·       Symptoms:   ·       People who are infected develop a rash that resembles chicken pox. However, compared to chicken pox, monkeypox typically causes more severe fever, malaise, and headache symptoms. ·       Because the lymph gland enlarges in the early stages of the illness, monkeypox can be recognised from smallpox.   ·       Transmission:   ·       Direct contact with an infected animal’s blood, body fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal sores results in primary infection. Eating meat from diseased animals that has not been prepared properly also increases danger. ·       Close contact with infectious respiratory tract secretions, an infected person’s skin lesions, or recently contaminated objects with patient fluids or lesion materials can all cause human-to-human transmission. ·       Other methods of transmission include vaccination and placental transfer (congenital monkeypox).   ·       Vulnerability:   ·       If infected, it spreads quickly and can result in one fatality for every ten people.   ·       Therapy and vaccination:   ·       There is no specific medication or vaccine to prevent monkeypox. The effectiveness of the anti-smallpox vaccine in preventing monkeypox has previously been demonstrated to be 85%. ·       The vaccine is no longer readily available, though, as smallpox was proclaimed eradicated from the planet in 1980. ·       Since there is currently no international system in place to control the spread of monkeypox, every nation struggles to control any outbreaks as they happen.   ·       Way ahead:   ·       Increased illness awareness, better surveillance and response, and avoidance of contact with wild animals, particularly monkeys ·       Animals that may have interacted with an infected animal need to be confined, handled with regular safety measures, and monitored for signs of monkeypox for 30 days. ·       It is critical to shift focus to other illnesses. Due to Covid-19, fewer endemic disease cases are being documented since fewer people are seeking medical attention in hospitals.   Source à The Indian Express   2 – Build Operate Transfer Model:GS III Topic à Investment related issues   ·       Build Operate Transfer (BOT): What is it?   ·       For significant infrastructure projects created through public-private partnerships, a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract is a type of financing. ·       A public organisation, like a municipal government, making an initial concession to a private company to build and run a project is referred to as a BOT. ·       After a predetermined amount of time, typically two or three decades, control of the project is given back to the government agency. ·       The PPP Model: What Is It?   ·       One of the three investment types where a government agency and a private enterprise collaborate to achieve a social or infrastructure growth aim is the public-private partnership. ·       India is reportedly one of the nations that is most open to PPPs, according to the World Bank.   ·       What is the Process of a BOT Model?   ·       In a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract, a public organisation (often the government) gives a private corporation the right to fund, develop, and manage a project. ·       In order to return its investment, the corporation runs the project for a predetermined amount of time (perhaps 20 or 30 years), after which it turns over management to the government. ·       Large-scale greenfield infrastructure projects that would normally be fully funded, constructed, and operated by the government are frequently the subject of BOT projects. ·       Just a few examples include a power plant in the Philippines, a wastewater treatment facility in China, and a six-lane national highway in India. ·       BOT contractors are typically special-purpose businesses established exclusively for a project. ·       When the contractor is running the project it has created, revenues often come from a single source and during the project duration. ·       It’s possible that this business is owned by the government or a state. ·       Power purchase agreements, in which a public utility functions as an off-taker and buys electricity from a privately held plant, serve as proof of this arrangement. ·       In a conventional concession, the business would sell to customers without going through the government. ·       The off-taker is frequently required to pay minimum pricing under BOT contracts.   ·       Build Operate Transfer (BOT) advantages include:   ·       Governments profit from BOT since it lowers infrastructure and development spending while also shifting risk to the concessionaire. ·       The concession firm gains from improved management of a variety of construction hazards as well as the potential to lessen any unfavourable outcomes through advantages during operation. ·       BOT offers a structure and incentives for businesses to increase efficiency through performance-based contracts and output-oriented targets. ·       Due to a fully competitive bidding process, the projects are finished at the lowest potential cost. ·       A portion of the project’s risks are borne by the private sector.   ·       Build Operate Transfer (BOT) has some restrictions:   ·       A BOT finance

14 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs   . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Enforcement Directorate Prelims & Mains 2.      How Election Symbols are issued by Election Commission Prelims & Mains 3.      Digilocker Prelims Specific Topic 4.      India’s First HPC Vaccine Prelims Specific Topic   1 – Enforcement Directorate:GS II Topic à Statutory and Non-Statutory Bodies   ·       Context:   ·       The Union government has decided to extend S K Mishra’s mandate, and the Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that it will take it into consideration.   ·       Enforcement Directorate (ED):   ·       Its history dates back to May 1, 1956, when the Department of Economic Affairs established a “Enforcement Unit.” ·       The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act was then intended to be used to handle violations of the Exchange Control Laws (FERA). ·       Today’s ED is a multifaceted organisation that looks into economic offences under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and PMLA.   ·       From where does the ED receive its authority from?   ·       The best approach to save proceeds of crime (property/money) is to stash it away somewhere where one is not accountable to anyone in the nation. ·       As a result, it was necessary to regulate and stop money laundering. ·       The PMLA was introduced in 2002 with this same purpose in mind, but it wasn’t implemented until 2005. ·       The goal was to find the layers and trail of money and prevent parking of the money outside of India. ·       In accordance with the Act, Sections 48 (authorities under Act) and 49 give the ED the authority to conduct investigations (appointment and powers of authorities and other officers).         ·       When a crime is committed, at what point does the ED get involved?   ·       Every time a local police station registers a crime with proceeds of crime over Rs. 1 crore, the investigating police officer sends the information to the ED. ·       As an alternative, if the Central agency learns about the offence, they may request the First Information Report (FIR) or the chargesheet, if it was submitted immediately by police officers. ·       This will be carried out to determine whether any laundering has occurred.   ·       Example of what distinguishes the local police and ED personnel in the investigation?   ·       The local police station will initially look into a theft that occurred in a nationalised bank. ·       If it is discovered that the bank’s founder took the entire sum and kept it in his home without spending or using it, the crime is solely one of theft, and the ED won’t get involved because the money has already been seized. ·       However, the stolen funds are returned to the market if they are utilised to buy certain properties four years after they were taken. ·       Or there is “money laundering” if the funds are passed to someone else to purchase homes across the nation. ·       In order to retrieve the money, the ED will need to intervene and check into the stacking and connection of properties. ·       Police will look into a theft if the stolen jewellery is worth one crore rupees. However, in order to collect the sum of Rs. 1 crore, the ED will seize the accused’s property.   ·       What are the ED’s additional responsibilities and duties?   ·       After determining that the money has been laundered, the ED uses Section 16 (the power of survey) and Section 17 (search and seizure) of the PMLA to examine property and seize money and documents. ·       The authorities will decide whether an arrest is necessary in accordance with Section 19 based on that (power of arrest). ·       In accordance with Section 50, the ED may also conduct a search and seizure without contacting the subject for questioning. ·       It is not essential to call the individual first before beginning the search and seizure. ·       Since the maximum sentence under the PMLA is seven years, the ED has 60 days after the arrest to file the prosecution complaint (chargesheet). ·       The prosecution complaint and attachment order must be presented to the adjudicating body within 60 days if no one is detained and just the property is attached.   ·       Can the ED look into money laundering instances in the past?   ·       There is no case under PMLA if illegally obtained property is acquired before 2005 (the year the statute was introduced) then sold. ·       However, the colour of the money is still black and the person is subject to prosecution under PMLA if they had the proceeds of the crime before 2005, kept them in storage, and utilised them to purchase properties after 2005. ·       A person is determined to have directly or indirectly sought to engage in or knowingly assisted a party engaged in one or more of the following activities, as defined by Section 3 of the PMLA, and is therefore guilty of money laundering. ·       Use, projection as unspoiled property, acquisition as untainted property, concealment, possession as untainted property, etc.   Source à The Indian Express   2 – How Election Symbols are issued by Election Commission: GS II Topic à Election related issues   ·       Context:   ·       Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has sought the Election Commission to hear its side before making any decisions about claims to the party’s bow and arrow symbol in the wake of the split headed by Eknath Shinde. How does the EC resolve these disagreements?   ·       First, how are political parties assigned symbols?   ·       According to the rules, to receive a symbol:   ·       When submitting nomination papers, a party or candidate must list three symbols from the EC’s list of free symbols. ·       One of these is given to the party or candidate first on a first-come, first-served basis. ·       The Election Commission determines the emblem to be used when a recognised political party splits.   ·       Election Commission’s authority:   ·       The

13 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs   . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Retail Inflation Prelims & Mains 2.      FCRA Prelims & Mains 3.      Judicial Custody Prelims & Mains 4.      James Web Space Telescope Prelims Specific Topic   1 – Retail Inflation:GS II Topic à Indian Economy   ·       Context:   ·       According to data released by the National Statistical Office on Tuesday, India’s industrial production, as measured by the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), reached a 12-month high of 19.6% in May, up from the 6.7% growth recorded in April, in part due to the base effect.   ·       About the CPI:   ·       Retail costs of products and services: When we discuss inflation, we frequently mean the inflation rate based on the consumer price index (CPI). ·       The CPI keeps track of changes in the retail prices of the products and services that families buy for their daily needs. ·       In order to gauge inflation, we calculate the percentage change in the CPI from the same time the year prior. ·       Deflation is the state in which prices have decreased (negative inflation). ·       The Central Bank (RBI), which is responsible for preserving price stability in the economy, pays special attention to this number. ·       The real value of salaries, wages, and pensions, the purchasing power of the national currency, and rate regulation are other concepts that the CPI also aids in understanding.   ·       What separates the WPI and CPI?   ·       While CPI determines the average change in prices of goods and services at the retail level, WPI measures the average change in prices of goods at the wholesale level. ·       While the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, publishes CPI data, the Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, publishes WPI data (MoSPI). ·       WPI’s base year is 2011–12, whereas CPI’s base year is 2012. ·       WPI simply considers changes in product prices, but CPI also considers shifts in how commodities and services are produced. Source à The Indian Express   2 – FCRA:GS II Topic à Indian Economy   ·       Context:   ·       The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) website of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has had certain important information removed, including a list of NGOs whose licences have been revoked and the annual reports of NGOs.   ·       Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010:   ·       The FCRA act governs foreign funding of individuals in India and is put into effect by the Ministry of Home Affairs. ·       Without the MHA’s approval, people are free to collect contributions from abroad. ·       However, the maximum amount that can be accepted in these international contributions is less than Rs. 25,000. ·       The Act makes sure that receivers of foreign donations follow the stated objectives for which they were collected. ·       Organizations must register themselves every five years in accordance with the Act. ·       Foreign donations may be made to registered NGOs for the following five purposes: social, educational, religious, economic, and cultural.   ·       FCRA Amendment Act 2020:   ·       Public employees are not permitted to accept foreign contributions, according to the Act. ·       Any person who is employed by, paid by, or compensated by the government for carrying out any public responsibility is considered a public servant. ·       Transfer of a Foreign Contribution: According to the Act, a Foreign Contribution may not be transferred to a third party who is not authorised to take a Foreign Contribution. ·       All office holders, directors, or key employees of a person receiving foreign contribution are required by the Act to have an Aadhaar number as proof of identification. ·       According to the Act, foreign donations may only be received in accounts designated by the bank as FCRA accounts at certain State Bank of India, New Delhi branches. ·       Reduction in the use of foreign contributions for administrative purposes: The Act suggests that a maximum of 20% of the total amount of foreign contributions received may be used to cover administrative costs. The cap in FCRA 2010 was set at 50%. ·       Certificate surrender: Under the Act, the central government may allow a person to give up their registration certificate.         ·       FCRA-Related Issues:   ·       The FCRA controls how money from outside India is given to NGOs operating in India. It forbids accepting contributions from abroad “for any acts prejudicial to the national interest.” ·       According to the Act, the government may withhold consent if it thinks that the donation to the NGO will negatively impact “public interest” or “economic interest of the state.” ·       On the other hand, there is no precise definition of what “public interest” is. ·       The restrictions imposed by the FCRA have a significant impact on both the freedom of speech and the freedom of association guaranteed by Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(c) of the Constitution.   ·       There are two ways that the right to free expression is impacted:   ·       It is possible to create biases in favour of the government by allowing some political groups to receive foreign funding but not others. ·       NGOs must use caution when criticising the regime since too much criticism could jeopardise their continued existence. ·       By labelling critical voices as being against the public interest, FCRA rules can silence them. Self-censorship may result from the suppression of free expression in this way. ·       In a case similar to this one about ambiguous standards for the public interest, the Supreme Court (SC) invalidated Section 66A of the Information Technology Act in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015). The SC ruled that the Act could be applied in a way that restricts free speech. ·       A breach of this right also constitutes a violation of human rights since the right to freedom of association is included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 20). ·       A legal examination of the FCRA, 2010, was conducted in April 2016 by the

12 July 2022 Daily Current Affairs   . No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains 1.      Labout Codes in India Prelims & Mains 2.      UN Population Report Prelims & Mains 3.      Mediation Bill Prelims & Mains 4.      National Emblem of India Prelims Specific Topic   1 – Labout Codes in India:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions   ·       Context:   ·       Due to the pandemic, the implementation of the labour codes has been delayed. New discussions on a new implementation schedule are currently taking place at the highest levels of government, but there are differing opinions on whether to implement all four codes at once or stagger them, which would be more practical.   ·       Regarding the labour codes:   ·       44 labour laws are combined into 4 categories of codes in the new set of regulations: the Wage Code, Social Security Code, Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, and the Industrial Relations Code.   ·       All four Codes have already been approved by the Parliament and have the President’s approval.   ·       What are the 4 codes:   ·       The 2019 Code on Wages, which is applicable to all workers in both the organised and unorganised sectors, aims to regulate wage and bonus payments in all employments and to provide equitable pay to workers performing labour of a similar kind in every industry, trade, business, or manufacture.   ·       The 2020 Code on Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions aims to govern workplace health and safety conditions for employees in all mines and ports as well as in companies with 10 or more employees.   ·       Nine statutes pertaining to social security and maternity benefits are combined in the Code on Social Security, 2020.   ·       The Industrial Disputes Act of 1947, the Trade Unions Act of 1926, and the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act of 1946 are the three labour statutes that the Code on Industrial Relations, 2020 proposes to consolidate. ·       In large part by easing the burden of labour compliance on enterprises, the Code seeks to enhance the business environment in the nation.   ·       These codes have following problems:   ·       Regular workers are not given any freedom to fix work hours beyond eight hours per day under the work hours restrictions. ·       Additionally, the codes failed to include uniform rules for contractors. ·       Additionally, there are clauses that affect employee salaries. ·       The labour standards also levy fines against enterprises for failing to comply with the rules, repeat offences, and officer-in-default. The majority of small firms are unable to adapt and apply the modifications to the labour code under the present pandemic circumstances.   Source à The Indian Express   2 – UN Population Report:GS I Topic à Population related issues   ·       Context:   ·       According to a United Nations report released on Monday, India is expected to overtake China as the world’s most populated nation next year. The report also predicted that the world’s population would hit eight billion people by mid-November 2022.   ·       Primary Findings:   ·       According to the World Population Prospects 2022 report from the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the world’s population is expected to exceed eight billion on November 15, 2022. ·       In 2020, the world’s population decreased by less than 1%, rising at its sluggishest rate since 1950. ·       According to the United Nations’ most recent estimates, the world’s population may reach 8.5 billion people in 2030 and 9.7 billion by 2050. ·       The population is predicted to peak at 10.4 billion people in the 2080s and stay there until 2100.         ·       Key findings pertaining to India:   ·       In 2023, India is expected to overtake China as the world’s most populated nation, according to the report. ·       Eastern and South-Eastern Asia had 2.3 billion people, or 29% of the world’s population, and Central and Southern Asia had 2.1 billion, or 26% of the world’s population, making them the two most populous regions in 2022. ·       With more over 1.4 billion people apiece, China and India had the greatest populations in these areas in 2022. ·       Just eight nations—the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Tanzania—will account for more than half of the predicted growth in the world’s population by 2050. ·       In 2022, India would have 1.412 billion people, compared to China’s 1.426 billion, the report states. ·       India is expected to have 1.668 billion people by the middle of the century, much above China’s 1.317 billion, which will make it the most populated country in the world by 2023. ·       According to the analysis, between 2010 and 2021, eight nations saw a net outflow of more than 1 million migrants.   Source à The Hindu   3 – Mediation Bill:GS II Topic à Government Policies and Interventions   ·       Context:   ·       The Mediation Bill, intended to institutionalise mediation and establish the Mediation Council of India, has been subject to significant amendments, according to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice, which is chaired by renowned BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. The panel advised against mandating pre-litigation mediation and cautioned the Centre against the clause giving higher courts the authority to set mediation guidelines.   ·       About mediation:   ·       In the mediation process, a neutral third party is chosen to facilitate organised negotiation between opposing parties and assist them in reaching a settlement that is acceptable to both parties. ·       It is referred to as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, or alternative to courtroom litigation. ·       India has ratified the Singapore Convention on Mediation, giving parties the assurance that their mediation agreements will be easily implemented internationally. ·       What features does the draft Mediation Bill have:   ·       In addition to enforcing domestic and international mediation settlement agreements, the draught bill establishes a body for mediator registration, promotes community mediation, and makes internet mediation a