Current Affairs Consolidation November 2024 Part 2 PDF

w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om Current Affairs (CONSOLIDaTION) NOVEMBER 2024 (Part – II) Note: Drishti, 641, First Floor, Dr. Mukharjee Nagar, Delhi-110009 Inquiry (English):...

w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om Current Affairs (CONSOLIDaTION) NOVEMBER 2024 (Part – II) Note: Drishti, 641, First Floor, Dr. Mukharjee Nagar, Delhi-110009 Inquiry (English): 8010440440, Inquiry (Hindi): 8750187501 Email: [email protected] 2 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m Contents Polity and Governance.........................................................................................................6 PM-WANI....................................................................................................................................................................... 6 SASCI Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale....................................................................................... 7 Telecommunications (Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure) Rules, 2024............................................................ 8 Assessing Universal Basic Literacy in India..................................................................................................................... 9 India’s Cooperative Movement.................................................................................................................................... 11 ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024.................................................................................................................... 14 SC Upholds EVM and VVPAT System............................................................................................................................ 15 Design Law Treaty (DLT)............................................................................................................................................... 19 Constitution Day 2024.................................................................................................................................................. 23 Atal Innovation Mission 2.0.......................................................................................................................................... 28 Comptroller and Auditor General of India................................................................................................................... 29 Conduct Rules for Civil Servants................................................................................................................................... 33 State Finance Commission........................................................................................................................................... 35 Reforming Khap Panchayat.......................................................................................................................................... 38 Economic Scenario.............................................................................................................40 Insurance Sector in India.............................................................................................................................................. 40 Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024....................................................................................................................... 41 State of the Rural Economy of India............................................................................................................................. 42 India Signs MoU on Critical Minerals Cooperation....................................................................................................... 44 Coking Coal as Critical Mineral..................................................................................................................................... 46 Access to Medicine Index Report 2024........................................................................................................................ 50 Rethinking New Population Strategy........................................................................................................................... 51 India’s Trade Deficit as an Opportunity....................................................................................................................... 52 Rising Inflation in India................................................................................................................................................. 54 Developments in India’s Maritime Sector.................................................................................................................... 56 India’s Transition Towards Workforce Formalisation.................................................................................................. 58 CSR for Agriculture Sustainability................................................................................................................................. 60 Assessing the Potential of Natural Farming................................................................................................................. 62 Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)......................................................................................................... 65 Dhudmaras Village....................................................................................................................................................... 65 Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 3 International Relations.......................................................................................................67 India and the High Seas Treaty..................................................................................................................................... 67 6th AITIGA Joint Committee Meetings.......................................................................................................................... 70 11th ADMM-Plus Meeting and Buddhism..................................................................................................................... 72 2nd India-CARICOM Summit.......................................................................................................................................... 74 G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration...................................................................................................................... 77 2nd India-Australia Annual Summit............................................................................................................................... 79 PM’s Visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana...................................................................................................................... 81 Social Issues.......................................................................................................................85 Deletion of MGNREGA Job Cards................................................................................................................................. 85 State of Undertrial Prisoners in India........................................................................................................................... 86 SC Calls for Reform to Empower Women Leaders....................................................................................................... 89 Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides Report.................................... 92 GQ-RCP Platform for HIV Detection............................................................................................................................ 95 The State of the World’s Children 2024....................................................................................................................... 97 Tribal Development Approaches................................................................................................................................ 100 Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.............................................................................................................. 101 Science & Technology.......................................................................................................105 Moiré Materials and Superconductivity..................................................................................................................... 105 MACE Telescope in Ladakh......................................................................................................................................... 106 Centenary of Bose-Einstein Statistics........................................................................................................................ 107 One Day One Genome Initiative................................................................................................................................. 108 Allotropes of Carbon.................................................................................................................................................. 109 Sickle Cell Eradication................................................................................................................................................. 110 Indian Equatorial Electrojet Model............................................................................................................................ 113 Regulatory Framework for Laboratory-Grown Meat................................................................................................. 115 Jeddah Commitments on AMR................................................................................................................................... 117 Volcanism on the Far Side of the Moon..................................................................................................................... 118 Black Hole Triple System........................................................................................................................................... 120 Environment and Ecology.................................................................................................122 Bioplastics.................................................................................................................................................................. 122 Discrepancies in Satellite Data on Farm Fires............................................................................................................ 123 Cloud Seeding to Reduce Air Pollution....................................................................................................................... 125 UNFCCC COP29 Baku.................................................................................................................................................. 127 Avian Botulism at Sambhar Lake................................................................................................................................ 130 Carbon Credits............................................................................................................................................................ 132 Note: 4 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m Tackling Air Pollution.................................................................................................................................................. 136 Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve............................................................................................................... 139 History.............................................................................................................................142 World War II and India............................................................................................................................................... 142 Raja Raja I and Chola Administration......................................................................................................................... 145 Megalithic Footprints and Human Figure................................................................................................................... 148 Children’s Day and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru................................................................................................................... 149 Art and Culture..............................................................................................................152 Maha Kumbh Mela 2025............................................................................................................................................ 152 Miniature Paintings.................................................................................................................................................... 155 Folk Dance Yakshagana............................................................................................................................................. 157 Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji............................................................................................................................ 158 Geography.......................................................................................................................161 Global Soil Conference 2024 and Soil in India............................................................................................................ 161 Global Decline in Freshwater Reserves...................................................................................................................... 165 Security............................................................................................................................168 Rising Digital Arrests................................................................................................................................................... 168 16th Anniversary of 26/11 Attacks............................................................................................................................. 170 Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention...................................................................................................................... 172 Rapid Fire Current Affairs.............................................................................................173 Eklavya Platform........................................................................................................................................................ 173 Jim Corbett National Park........................................................................................................................................... 174 Revised Dividend Guidelines for CPSEs...................................................................................................................... 175 Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE)...................................................................................... 175 Excavation Pit Collapsed in Lothal.............................................................................................................................. 175 Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI) 2023.......................................................................................... 176 Dark Tourism.............................................................................................................................................................. 177 Red Sea....................................................................................................................................................................... 177 CCI Imposes Fine on Meta.......................................................................................................................................... 178 High-Altitude Sickness................................................................................................................................................ 178 Optical Fibre in Siachen.............................................................................................................................................. 179 Siddi Community....................................................................................................................................................... 179 Samos Island............................................................................................................................................................... 179 Norway Apologizes for Historical Assimilation Policies.............................................................................................. 180 Hearing Abilities of Minke Whales............................................................................................................................. 180 Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 5 One Nation One Subscription..................................................................................................................................... 181 Ban on ULFA Under UAPA.......................................................................................................................................... 181 SC Upheld Socialist and Secular Values in Preamble................................................................................................. 182 SC Quashes Telangana Land Allotment to Privileged Groups.................................................................................... 182 Ophiophagus Kaalinga................................................................................................................................................ 182 National Gopal Ratna Award 2024............................................................................................................................. 183 Consanguinity Marriage and Inbreeding................................................................................................................... 183 Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s Martyrdom Day.................................................................................................................... 183 Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue........................................................................................................................ 184 Bacteria to Solve Math Problems............................................................................................................................... 185 National Dolphin Research Centre............................................................................................................................. 185 Bandipur Tiger Reserve.............................................................................................................................................. 186 Bhu-Neer Portal.......................................................................................................................................................... 187 Science of Plant Communication................................................................................................................................ 187 Rare White Peacock.................................................................................................................................................. 187 Salt Chimneys in the Dead Sea................................................................................................................................... 189 WAVES OTT Platform of Prasar Bharati..................................................................................................................... 189 Guided Pinaka Weapon System................................................................................................................................. 189 Indigenous Antibiotic Nafithromycin......................................................................................................................... 190 Sacred Relics of Saint Francis Xavier.......................................................................................................................... 190 India’s Tea Industry.................................................................................................................................................... 190 India’s 10-Year Coffee Growth Plan........................................................................................................................... 190 Tropical Rainforests can Survive Global Warming..................................................................................................... 191 Sanyukt Vimochan 2024............................................................................................................................................. 192 Aphantasia................................................................................................................................................................. 192 India’s Satellite Launch by SpaceX.............................................................................................................................. 192 Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise 2024........................................................................................................... 192 World Toilet Day........................................................................................................................................................ 193 Tuna Export Hub in Andaman & Nicobar Islands....................................................................................................... 193 Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) Award................................................................................... 194 Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile..................................................................................................................... 194 Nepal-Bangladesh Power Transfer via India............................................................................................................... 195 Barak River................................................................................................................................................................. 195 1st Bodoland Mohotsov.............................................................................................................................................. 195 58th Meeting of National Mission for Clean Ganga.................................................................................................... 196 Job for Deceased Staffers’ Kin.................................................................................................................................... 197 Europe’s Digital Euro.................................................................................................................................................. 197 Wayanad Landslides and Disaster Status................................................................................................................... 198 Note: 6 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m Polity and Governance Highlights z PM-WANI z Design Law Treaty (DLT) z SASCI Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale z Constitution Day 2024 z Telecommunications (Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure) z Atal Innovation Mission 2.0 Rules, 2024 z Comptroller and Auditor General of India z Assessing Universal Basic Literacy in India z Conduct Rules for Civil Servants z India’s Cooperative Movement z State Finance Commission z ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 z Reforming Khap Panchayat z SC Upholds EVM and VVPAT System ¾ PM-WANI Ecosystem: PM-WANI € Public Data Office (PDO): Establishes, maintains, and operates PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots. Why in News? z PDOs provide last-mile connectivity by procuring The Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface internet bandwidth from telecom or internet (PM-WANI) framework aims to enhance internet service providers and delivers broadband accessibility across India by setting up public Wi-Fi services to subscribers. hotspots. € Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): Provides ¾ With 246,993 hotspots installed as of November aggregation services such as authorization and 2024, the initiative is a key part of India’s Digital India mission, aiming to provide affordable and widespread accounting to PDOs. internet access. z PDOA facilitates PDOs in delivering services to end consumers. What is PM-WANI? € App Provider: Develops an application to register ¾ About: Launched in 2020 by the Department of users and display PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots Telecom (DoT), the PM-WANI framework aims to nearby. Authenticates potential broadband users expand public Wi-Fi hotspots across India, particularly for accessing the internet service. in rural areas. € It allows local businesses, like shopkeepers, to set € Central Registry: It maintains the details of App up Wi-Fi hotspots, providing affordable internet Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. It is currently managed access and supporting the goals of the National by the Centre for Development of Telematics Digital Communications Policy, 2018. (C-DoT). ¾ Importance: By enabling local businesses to become z C-DoT was established in 1984. It is an Wi-Fi providers without requiring licenses or fees, autonomous Telecom R&D (Research and the scheme promotes ease of doing business and Development) centre of DoT (Department ensures rapid deployment. of Telecom), Ministry of Communications. € PM-WANI will significantly improve internet access It is a registered society under the Societies fostering digital inclusion and innovation. Registration Act,1860. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 7 National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 What is the SASCI Development of Iconic ¾ About: NDCP, 2018 aims to transform India into a Tourist Centres to Global Scale? digitally empowered economy by enhancing digital ¾ About: The Development of Iconic Tourist Centres infrastructure and services. to Global Scale component under the SASCI scheme € NDCP 2018 set a goal to deploy 10 million public focuses on developing tourism infrastructure in India, Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022. promoting less-visited sites like Bateshwar (Uttar Pradesh), Ponda (Goa), and Gandikota (Andhra ¾ Key Objectives: Ensuring universal broadband Pradesh) to diversify tourism. access, creating four million jobs, increasing the Digital Communications sector’s Gross Domestic ¾ Objective: The scheme provides interest-free loans Product (GDP) contribution to 8%, and ensuring for 50 years to States for developing iconic tourist centers, branding, and global marketing. digital sovereignty. € It aims to boost local economies, create jobs, ¾ Key features: It involves providing broadband at promote sustainable tourism and strengthen the 50 Mbps for all citizens, ensuring connectivity entire tourist value chain(includes Transportation, in uncovered areas, attracting USD 100 billion in Accommodation, Activities, and Services) through investments, training one million individuals in challenge-mode projects. New Age Skills. ¾ Salient Features of the Scheme: Funding is provided € NDCP 2018 also focuses on expanding the only for shortlisted proposals submitted by the State Internet of Things ecosystem, establishing data that meet the scheme’s guidelines and objectives. protection, and ensuring accountability and € The Ministry of Tourism will evaluate proposals security in digital communications. based on criteria such as connectivity, existing ¾ NDCP, 2018 and Wi-Fi hotspots Target: India has tourism ecosystem, site capacity, utilities missed its public Wi-Fi rollout target, achieving just availability, project impact, financial viability, 0.5 million hotspots instead of the 10 million goal and sustainability. set by the NDCP, 2018. € Proposals must follow the challenge mode Note: The Bharat 6G Vision targets 50 million public development process. Wi-Fi hotspots by 2030, requiring significant growth z The challenge mode development process and reduced connectivity costs to achieve this goal. selects the best proposals through competitive evaluation based on set criteria, ensuring high- quality, innovative projects. SASCI Development € States must provide encumbrance-free land at no of Iconic Tourist cost. Projects must be sustainable, with long-term operation and maintenance. Centres to Global Scale € Completion time for projects is capped at two Why in News? years, with funds available until 31st March 2026. € The State Government is solely responsible for the The Union Government has allocated Rs 3,295 crore project’s operations and maintenance, potentially for the development of 40 tourism projects across 23 through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. states under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) - Development of Iconic Tourist € States may offer incentives to attract private players Centres to Global Scale. for world-class tourist development. ¾ While SASCI has been active since 2020-21, this is ¾ Pattern of Assistance: States can submit multiple the first time funds have been specifically earmarked projects, with a maximum funding of Rs. 100 crores for tourism. per project. Note: 8 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m For exceptional projects, the Ministry of Tourism € India’s Initiatives to Enhance Tourism Sector may propose higher funding, subject to approval ¾ Swadesh Darshan Scheme by the Department of Expenditure (DoE). ¾ Draft National Tourism Policy 2022 € The Government of India will provide 100% of the project cost, while States must contribute to ¾ Dekho Apna Desh Initiative peripheral infrastructure, safety, connectivity, and ¾ Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat capacity building. ¾ Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification z No State will receive more than Rs. 250 Programme crores, with funds allocated on a first-come, ¾ E-Visa first-served basis. ¾ Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh Ka Aam ¾ Implementation and Monitoring: States are responsible Naagrik (RCS - UDAN) for the implementation of projects, while the Ministry ¾ National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and of Tourism will oversee their progress. Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) What is SASCI Scheme? ¾ Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism ¾ About: The ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States Infrastructure Development Scheme: Financial for Capital Expenditure’ was launched in 2020-21 due assistance for developing tourism infrastructure to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was then implemented and cultural tourism. as the ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States for ¾ Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality Capital Investment’ in 2022-23 and 2023-24. (DPPH) scheme: Supports States/UTs in organizing ¾ Objective: Provides financial assistance to states in tourism events, fairs, and festivals. the form of 50-year interest-free loans. ¾ Structure of the Scheme: The scheme focuses on key development areas, including vehicle scrappage Telecommunications incentives, urban planning reforms, housing for police (Critical Telecommunication personnel, and promotion of national integration through Unity Mall projects. Infrastructure) Rules, 2024 € It also supports the establishment of libraries with Why in News? digital infrastructure at Panchayat and Ward levels to enhance educational access. Recently, the Telecommunications (Critical ¾ Objectives of the Scheme: The scheme aims to boost Telecommunication Infrastructure) Rules, 2024, were the economy by stimulating demand and creating released under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. jobs, while accelerating key projects like the Jal Jeevan ¾ It aims to regulate telecom networks designated Mission and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana as Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure (CTI) through state funding. based on their potential impact on national security, € It also encourages reforms in urban planning and economy, public health, or safety. finance to enhance quality of life and governance ¾ In another development, Telecommunications in cities. (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 Capital Expenditure came into effect replacing the Telecom Suspension Rules, 2017. ¾ Capital Expenditure (Capex) refers to government funds for acquiring or improving physical assets like What are the Provisions of the infrastructure and machinery, enhancing economic Telecommunications (CTI) Rules, 2024? productivity and employment. ¾ Data and Network Access: Telecom entities whose ¾ In the Union Budget 2024-25, Rs 11.11 lakh crore networks are designated as CTI must give access to (or 3.4 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)) have government-authorised personnel to inspect hardware, been allocated for capital expenditure. software and data of certified CTI parts. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 9 ¾ Oversight and Reporting: The rules require appointment Note: In the Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India, Case of a chief telecom security officer (CTSO) to oversee 2020, the Supreme Court emphasized that government- implementation. imposed restrictions on Internet access must be € Entities must report cyber security incidents temporary, limited, lawful, necessary, and within 6 hours. proportionate. ¾ Required Documentation: The telecom entity must provide the government with CTI network Assessing Universal details, authorized personnel, hardware/software inventory, vulnerabilities, crisis management plans, Basic Literacy in India security audits, compliance reports, and service level agreements (SLAs). Why in News? ¾ Repair and Upgradation: Remote repair or maintenance Recently, the 79th round of the National Sample of CTI from outside India requires prior written Survey (NSS), conducted between July 2022 and June 2023, revealed that 95.9% of individuals aged 15–29 in government approval. India possess basic literacy and numeracy skills. € For upgrades to software or hardware, entities ¾ The survey assesses the literacy and basic numeracy must submit test reports for government review. skills of Indians focusing on reading, writing, and ¾ Government Standards: All CTI hardware, software, arithmetic abilities. and spares must comply with government standards, What are the Key Findings of the Survey? including Essential, Interface, and Security Assurance Requirements, and other notified standards. ¾ In rural areas, 95.3% of individuals have basic literacy and numeracy skills, compared to 97.4% in urban areas. What are Telecommunications (Temporary € Specifically, 97.4% of rural males and 93.4% of Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024? rural females possess these skills, while in urban ¾ Mandatory Publication: All orders suspending areas, 98% of males and 96.7% of females meet telecom services, including internet shutdowns, must this standard. be published with specific reasons, geographical ¾ States like Mizoram (100%), Goa (99.9%), and Sikkim area, and duration. (99.9%) lead in literacy rates, while Bihar (91.9%) and € The suspension duration cannot exceed 15 days. Uttar Pradesh (92.3%) lag behind. ¾ Competent Authority: The suspension order can only Note: The NSS defines literacy as the ability to read, be issued by the “competent authority,” which is the write, and understand a simple message in any union home secretary for the central government language. and the state home secretary for states. ¾ The term “universal” generally implies full or near- ¾ Review Mechanism: A review committee is required complete coverage, typically close to 100%. to meet within 5 days of an order’s issuance to ¾ As per UNESCO, literacy extends beyond reading, review its validity. writing, and counting; it’s a continuous skillset € The central review committee is chaired by the involving identification, understanding, and cabinet secretary while the state committee is communication, expanding to digital, media, and chaired by the chief secretary. job-specific skills in our fast-changing, information- ¾ Nodal Officers: Licensed service providers must rich world. appoint a nodal officer per service area to receive and implement suspension orders. What are the Government Strategies to Enhance ¾ Secure Communication: Only officers ranked Literacy and Numeracy Rates? superintendent of police or higher can communicate ¾ ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for these orders, in writing or via secure electronic All in Society) means. ¾ National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Note: 10 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m ¾ New India Literacy Programme What are the Socio-Economic Implications of ¾ National Programme on Technology Enhanced Literacy Levels in India? Learning ¾ Economic Growth: High literacy rates contribute ¾ Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to economic development by enhancing workforce productivity and innovation. ¾ PRAGYATA € A literate population is better equipped to engage ¾ National Literacy Mission (NLM): The NLMA manages in skilled labour, which is essential for India’s the Saakshar Bharat Programme (SBP), which transition to a knowledge-based economy. enhances adult literacy across India by focusing ¾ Social Empowerment: Literacy empowers individuals, on functional literacy for daily life skills. particularly women, by providing access to information How Universal is Universal Basic Literacy? and resources necessary for making informed decisions. € It plays a critical role in reducing poverty levels and ¾ Inconsistent Definitions: The term “basic literacy” improving health outcomes within communities. lacks a universally accepted definition. For instance, € The World Bank says universal primary education the National Literacy Mission defines literacy as could reduce extreme poverty by 12%. the ability to read and write in any language, which appears to be a very narrow interpretation of literacy. ¾ Regional Disparities: Significant regional variations exist, with states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh showing ¾ Data Inconsistency: According to the NSS, 95.9% of lower literacy rates that can hinder overall national youth possess basic literacy and numeracy skills, progress. indicating near-universal proficiency. ¾ Long-term Development Goals: The findings align € However, the Annual Status of Education Report with the United Nations Sustainable Development (ASER) 2023 highlights a contrasting scenario, with Goals (SDGs-4). 29% of students aged 14–18 in Class 10 or below € Ensuring universal access to quality education is unable to read at a second-grade level. vital for sustainable development and social equity. ¾ Sampling Bias: Many literacy assessments suffer ¾ Health and Well-being: Literacy enhances health from sampling bias, where certain demographics outcomes as literate individuals better understand (e.g., rural populations, marginalized communities) health information, access services, and make are underrepresented. informed choices. € For individuals never enrolled in formal education, € Educated women are 50% more likely to immunize NSS’s questions determines their ability to read and their children, improving future generations’ health. write based on self-reporting without formal tests. ¾ Social Cohesion and Stability: Literacy enhances € For those enrolled in formal education, literacy social cohesion by encouraging critical thinking and was assumed if they had completed at least pre- reducing social tensions. primary or Class 1, without verifying their ability € Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST) found to read and write. communities with higher literacy rates have lower z This method may not accurately reflect basic violence and social unrest levels. literacy skills. What Strategies Can Enhance Literacy and ¾ Disability Exclusion: Existing frameworks often overlook Numeracy Rates in India? the needs of individuals with disabilities. ¾ Standardised Definitions and Metrics: Establishing a € Non-accounting of literacy programs for this universal definition of basic literacy and standardised demographic leads to gaps in understanding their metrics for assessment can help create a more unique challenges and barriers to achieving basic coherent framework for measuring progress across literacy. different regions. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 11 ¾ Inclusive Assessment Practices: Developing assessment What are Cooperative Societies? tools that account for diverse learning environments ¾ About: and populations, including those with disabilities, can € A cooperative society is a voluntary, member- provide a more accurate picture of literacy levels. owned organisation formed to meet common ¾ Strengthening Teacher Training: Investing in teacher economic, social, and cultural needs. training equips educators with essential skills, € Cooperatives emphasise self-help, mutual especially in resource-limited rural areas. Continuous professional development keeps teachers updated on assistance, and community welfare, which best practices like Finland and Singapore. distinguishes them from profit-driven enterprises. ¾ Historical Evolution of the Cooperative Movement: ¾ Community Engagement Programs: Initiatives that involve local communities in promoting education can € Pre-Independence Era: Cooperative principles foster a culture of learning and increase enrollment existed informally through local initiatives, such as rates. Chit Funds, Mutual-Loan Associations in Madras, € The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) aims to promote and community management of resources like inclusive education, but expanding these centers village tanks or forests known as Devarai or can further support marginalized groups. Vanarai. However, formal legislation began in the early 20th century. ¾ Leveraging Technology: Utilising digital platforms z In the Madras Presidency, Mutual-Loan like SWAYAM Prabha portal for educational content delivery can enhance access to learning resources, Associations, known as ‘Nidhis’, were formed especially in remote areas. to offer financial assistance. z In Punjab, a cooperative society was created in € Mobile learning applications like E-PG Pathshala can be developed to provide interactive learning 1891 to oversee common village land for the experiences for youth. benefit of all co-sharers. z In 1904, the Cooperative Credit Societies Act € The Digital India initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that students have access legally recognized cooperatives in India, setting to online resources. guidelines for their formation, membership, profits, and dissolution. However, it excluded ¾ Quality of Education: The Kothari Commission non-credit and other societies. advocated for a curriculum that is relevant to the needs of society and the economy. z The Government of India Act, 1919, empowered provinces to legislate on cooperatives, resulting € Updating curricula to include practical skills and in the Bombay Cooperative Society Act, 1925, contemporary knowledge can help students the first provincial cooperative law. become more employable and engaged in their communities. z The Cooperative Societies Act of 1912 expanded to include marketing, handloom, and artisan societies. India’s Cooperative z In 1914, the Maclagan Committee proposed a Movement three-tier cooperative banking system for the Centre, Province, and District levels. Why in News? z In 1942, India enacted the Multi-Unit Cooperative As India prepares to host the International Societies Act to regulate multi-province Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Conference in cooperatives, delegating Central Registrar powers November 2024, organised by Indian Farmers Fertilizer to State Registrars for practicality. Cooperative (IFFCO) with support from 18 ICA member € Post-Independence Era: Post-Independence, India organisations. The event aims to promote the cooperative aimed to decentralize economic power and promote movement, which includes over 800,000 societies across public participation in economic development with 29 sectors. a focus on social justice. Cooperatives became key Note: 12 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m in Five-Year Plans, starting with the First Plan, ¾ Cooperative Farming Societies: Help small farmers gain coordinating with village panchayats. the benefits of large-scale farming, e.g., lift-irrigation z The establishment of National Cooperative cooperatives, cooperatives and pani-panchayats. Development Corporation (NCDC) in 1963 ¾ Housing Cooperative Society: Provides cost-effective and NABARD in 1982 were crucial milestones housing options by acquiring and developing land for for supporting rural credit and cooperative its members, e.g. Employees’ Housing Societies and development. Metropolitan Housing Cooperative Society. z In 1984, India passed the Multi-State Cooperative What are Some Recent Developments and Key Organisations Act to unify cooperative laws, Initiatives About Cooperatives in India? further consolidated by the 2002 National ¾ Ministry of Cooperation’s Role: Policy on Cooperatives for legal harmonization. € Launched Sahakar Se Samriddhi (Prosperity ¾ The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) through Cooperation) to connect every village to Amendment Act 2023 aims to enhance governance, cooperatives. transparency, and structural changes in Multi-State € Model Bye-Laws for Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies, granting cooperatives greater Societies (PACS) to improve governance and independence. enhance inclusivity. z 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011, € Computerization of PACS through a Rs 2,516 established the right to form cooperative societies crore project to modernize and link 63,000 PACS as a fundamental right (Article 19). with NABARD. ¾ Introduced a new Directive Principle of State Policy € Establishment of new Multipurpose PACS in rural on Cooperative Societies (Article 43-B). areas to serve various functions such as dairy, ¾ Added a new Part IX-B to the Constitution titled “The fisheries, and grain storage. Co-operative Societies” (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT). ¾ Government’s Efforts for Strengthening Cooperatives: € Decentralized Grain Storage Plan: Establishing ¾ Empowered Parliament to enact laws governing multi- state cooperative societies (MSCS) and delegated warehouses and agri-infrastructure at the PACS authority to state legislatures for other cooperative level to reduce waste and transportation costs. € Formation of Farmer Producer Organizations societies. (FPOs): Empowering farmers with better market z The Ministry of Cooperation, established in linkages. 2021, has further reinforced the government’s € PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra: PACS are being commitment to supporting cooperatives as a used to provide affordable medicines through key driver of economic progress. Janaushadhi Kendras. What are the Types of Cooperatives in India? € PM-KUSUM Convergence: Enabling PACS members ¾ Consumers’ Cooperatives: Offer goods at reasonable to adopt solar pumps for irrigation, promoting prices by directly sourcing from producers, cutting out sustainable farming practices. the middlemen. e.g., Kendriya Bhandar. ¾ Impact on Rural Development and Financial Inclusion: € Cooperatives for Financial Inclusion: Cooperatives ¾ Producers’ Cooperatives: Assists small producers by supplying essential production materials, including like Urban and Rural Cooperative Banks play a crucial role in providing affordable credit, particularly raw materials and equipment. to farmers and small entrepreneurs who are ¾ Cooperative Marketing Societies: Help small producers excluded from mainstream banking services. sell their products collectively, e.g., Anand Milk Union € Empowerment of Women and Marginalised Limited (AMUL). Communities: Women’s cooperatives and ¾ Cooperative Credit Societies: Provide financial services rural cooperatives focus on creating economic like savings and loans, e.g., Urban Cooperative Banks, opportunities and improving living standards in Village Service Cooperative Society. underserved areas. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 13 Examples of Cooperatives in India ¾ HOPCOMS (Horticultural Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society): HOPCOMS, is a farmers’ society founded in 1965 for the direct marketing of farm produces. It is headquartered in Bengaluru. ¾ Lijjat Papad (Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad): An inspiring women’s cooperative empowering women through papad (Indian lentil cracker) production ¾ Indian Coffee House: It is a restaurant chain in India run by a series of worker co-operative societies. The chain was started by the Coffee Cess Committee, with the first outlet—then named ‘India Coffee House’—opening in Churchgate, Bombay, in 1936. It was operated by the Indian Coffee Board. Primary Agricultural Credit Societies ¾ PACS are village level cooperative credit societies that serve as the last link in a three-tier cooperative credit structure headed by the State Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state level. € The first PACS was formed in 1904. ¾ Credit from the SCBs is transferred to the District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), that operate at the district level. The DCCBs work with PACS, which deal directly with farmers. ¾ PACSs provide short-term, and medium-term agricultural loans to the farmers for the various agricultural and farming activities. Note: 14 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m What are the Challenges Faced by the € It is organised by the International Cooperative Cooperatives? Alliance (ICA). ICA was established in 1895 to promote the cooperative model. ¾ Governance Challenges: Cooperatives struggle from the challenges of lack of transparency, accountability, ¾ Theme: The theme of the conference is “Cooperatives and democratic decision-making processes. Build Prosperity for All,” which aligns with the Indian Government’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” ¾ Limited Access to Financial Resources: Many (Prosperity through Cooperation). cooperatives, particularly those serving marginalised communities, face challenges in accessing financial ¾ Organisations Involved: The event was organised by resources. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) in collaboration with International Cooperative Alliance € They often lack collateral or formal documentation (ICA), AMUL, KRIBHCO (national level cooperative required by traditional financial institutions, making society), and the Government of India. it difficult to obtain loans. ¾ UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025: India’s ¾ Socio-economic Disparities and Exclusion: Cooperatives Prime Minister launched the UN International often face issues related to lack of inclusivity, existence Year of Cooperatives 2025, centered on the theme of structural inequalities etc. “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” ¾ Infrastructural Constraints: Infrastructural constraints ¾ Postal Stamp: A commemorative postal stamp and lack of connectivity affects their efficiency and featuring a lotus was launched. The five petals of effectiveness leading to limited outreach. the lotus represent the five elements of nature ¾ Lack of Technical and Managerial Capacities: Lack of (Panchatatva), highlighting cooperatives’ commitment training and skill development initiatives is another to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. challenge that leads to outdated human resources. € Panchatatva includes earth, water, fire, air, and ¾ Low Awareness and Participation: Lack of awareness space. about the cooperative model and its benefits among potential members limits their participation. Cooperatives in India ¾ Political Interference: Political interference in the ¾ Constitutional Provision: 97 th Constitutional functioning of cooperatives undermine their autonomy Amendment, 2011 gave constitutional status and and impact their ability to serve members’ interests protection to cooperatives in India. effectively. € Part IX B (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT) was added to the Indian Constitution which deals with cooperative societies and their functioning. ICA Global Cooperative € It made the right to form cooperative societies Conference 2024 a fundamental right under Article 19 (1). € A new Directive Principle of State Policy, Article Why in News? 43-B, was introduced to promote cooperative societies. Recently, India hosted the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference in New ¾ Promotion of Cooperatives: The Ministry of Delhi for the first time in the organization’s 130-year Cooperation was constituted in 2021 to strengthen history. cooperative movement and deepen its reach up to grassroots. ¾ The UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 was € The Union government plans to establish a launched at the event. cooperative university and it also plans to unveil What are the Key Highlights of ICA Global a new cooperative policy. Cooperative Conference 2024? ¾ Contribution of Cooperatives: India has over 8 ¾ About: The conference provides a platform for lakh cooperatives, and 98% of rural areas are covered by them. leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to address € About 300 million people are associated with issues, share practices, and strategies for advancing the cooperative movement. cooperatives in India. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 15 ¾ Election Commission’s Response: The Election SC Upholds EVM Commission has consistently defended the reliability and VVPAT System of EVMs citing studies by technical experts to assert that the machines cannot be hacked or tampered with. Why in News? ¾ Supreme Court Response: SC held that a number of Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed a PIL technical safeguards and administrative protocols which sought re-introduction of ballot papers in place with stringent checks have been put in place to of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter verifiable prevent EVM tampering and rejected the plea for a paper audit trail (VVPAT). return to ballot papers as unsound. ¾ SC emphasized that EVMs are often questioned only What are EVMs and VVPATs? in the wake of electoral losses, reaffirming confidence ¾ About EVMs: EVMs are portable instruments for the in their mechanism and the safeguards in place. purpose of conducting elections to the parliament, What is the Controversy Regarding EVMs? state legislature and local bodies like panchayats and municipalities. ¾ Controversy: Some political parties have claimed EVM tampering before elections, especially after losing, € It is a microcontroller-based instrument and is raising doubts about their reliability. designed for a single post and a single vote. € In 2009, the losing party in the 2009 General ¾ Components of EVMs: An EVM is designed with two elections raised concerns about the reliability units i.e., the control unit and the ballot unit. These of EVMs. units are joined together by a cable. It ensures that € Following the conclusion of voting in the 2019 Lok the polling officer verifies your identity. Sabha elections, the opposition parties have again € Control Unit: The control unit of the EVM is kept raised the issue of integrity of EVMs. with the presiding officer or the polling officer. € In 2020, the controversy resurfaced after assembly € Ballot Unit: The balloting unit is kept within the elections in five states. voting compartment for electors to cast their votes. Note: 16 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m ¾ Evolution of EVMs in India: € When a vote is cast, a slip showing the serial Year Event number, candidate’s name, and symbol is printed. 1977 Concept of EVM conceived. € It is visible through a transparent window for 7 seconds before being automatically cut and stored 1979 Prototype developed by ECIL, Hyderabad. in a sealed box. 1980 EVMs demonstrated by the Election Commission in August ; directives issued under Article 324. 1982 EVMs used in Kerala’s Parur by-elections; legality challenged by the SC. 1988 Representation of People Act amended (Section 61A) to empower ECI to use EVMs. 1990 The Dinesh Goswami Committee recommended EVMs as technically sound and secure. 1998 EVMs used in 16 Assembly elections. What are the Various Safeguards to Ensure 1999- Expanded use in 46 parliamentary seats EVM Integrity? 2000 (1999) and Haryana Assembly polls (2000). ¾ Technical Safeguards: 2001 Full use in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, € Functionality: EVMs consist of a Control Unit (CU), and West Bengal Assembly elections. Ballot Unit (BU), and VVPAT. 2004 EVMs used nationwide in Lok Sabha elections. z VVPAT allows visual verification by printing a 2013 VVPAT was introduced via amendment to the slip with the candidate’s name, symbol, and Conduct of Election Rules; first used in serial number. Nagaland by-election. € Microcontroller Security: The microcontrollers 2019 First Lok Sabha election fully backed by are One-Time Programmable (OTP) and cannot VVPAT. be altered after manufacturing. ¾ About VVPAT: VVPAT enables voters to confirm that z Any physical attempt to access the microcontroller their votes are recorded as intended. disables the machine permanently. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 17 € Manufacturing: Only trusted Public-Sector z Double-lock systems are employed, with keys Undertakings (PSUs) like Bharat Electronics Limited held by separate officials, and GPS-tracked (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited vehicles are used to transport EVMs after polling. (ECIL) manufacture EVMs. € Periodic Inspections: District Election Officers € Standalone Operation: EVMs operate without conduct monthly inspections of EVM warehouses wired or wireless connectivity, eliminating remote to ensure secure storage conditions. manipulation risks. What are Advantages of the EVM-VVPAT Over € Advanced M3 EVMs (Post-2013): It features tamper Ballot Papers? detection to disable the machine if accessed unauthorizedly, and mutual authentication to ¾ No External Input: EVMs run on batteries or power block unauthorized devices. packs, making them operational in remote areas, unlike paper ballots, which require lighting and other € EVM Management System (EMS 2.0): It tracks facilities for manual counting. and manages EVM movements, ensuring security ¾ Elimination of Invalid Votes: Voting on EVMs is done during transportation and storage. by pressing a button, ensuring no invalid votes, a ¾ Administrative Protocols: problem often associated with incorrectly marked € First-Level Check (FLC): Visual inspection, cleaning, or torn ballot papers. and functionality tests are conducted by engineers ¾ Prevention of Booth Capturing: EVMs are programmed from BEL/ECIL. to allow only four votes per minute, making rapid z Dummy symbols are loaded for mock polls to fraudulent voting in booth-capturing scenarios highly verify performance. unlikely. € Randomised EVM Allocation: EVMs are randomly € Once the ‘Close’ button on the control unit is allocated to assembly constituencies and polling pressed, no further votes can be cast. stations to avoid predetermined assignments. ¾ Accurate Counting and Voter Verification: EVMs z Randomisation is done using the EMS 2.0 facilitate fast and error-free counting of votes, system in the presence of Election Commission eliminating the manual errors and delays. observers. € Voters get instant feedback via a beep and can € Candidate Setting: Candidate details in EVMs, verify their vote through the VVPAT slip. called ‘Commissioning’, are loaded only after the ¾ Transparency in Vote Count: The Control Unit’s final candidate list is available. ‘Total’ button displays the number of votes cast z Mock Polls are conducted at multiple stages, without revealing candidate-wise results, ensuring including before polling day, to ensure accuracy. transparency while maintaining the secrecy of votes. € Counting Day Procedures: EVMs are brought to ¾ Prevention of Pre-Programming Manipulation: counting tables under CCTV surveillance. The EVM’s original program, which is neutral to z Random cross-verification of VVPAT slips from political parties and candidates, is embedded in the 5 polling stations per assembly constituency microcontroller during manufacturing, long before is conducted. elections. € EVM Storage Protocols: Stored in strongrooms € The inability to know candidate serial numbers with single entry/exit points, under CCTV and in advance makes it impossible to pre-program armed police surveillance. EVMs for spurious purposes. Note: 18 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 19 Design Law Treaty (DLT) Why in News? Recently, the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) including India adopted the Design Law Treaty (DLT) at the Diplomatic Conference to Conclude and Adopt the Design Law Treaty held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Note: 20 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m State of India’s Intellectual Property „ Multiple Use: Allows multiple designs in one application, preserving the original filing date ¾ India’s Innovation Ranking: WIPO’s Global Innovation even if some are not accepted. Index (GII) 2024 ranked India 39th among the 133 € Improving the Filing Process: economies featured in the GII 2024. z Filing Date Simplicity: Applicants can secure a € India ranked 1st among the 10 economies in filing date by submitting essential parts initially, Central and Southern Asia. with the complete application processed later. ¾ India’s Global IP Ranking: India ranks in the global z Grace Period for Public Disclosure: A six or top 10 for all three major intellectual property 12-month grace period protects the novelty rights—patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. of designs disclosed before filing. € Post-Registration Procedure and Protection: € India ranks sixth globally with 64,480 patent z Publication Control: Applicants can control applications in 2023. publication for six months post-filing, ensuring € India’s trademark office holds the second-largest confidentiality and competitive advantage. number of active registrations worldwide with z Relief Measures for Missed Deadlines: Relief will over 3.2 million trademarks in force. be provided for applicants who miss deadlines, € India’s industrial design applications grew by preventing loss of rights. z Clear Post-Grant Transactions: Post-registration 36.4% in 2023. procedures (e.g., transfers, licensing) will be ¾ Increase in IP Activity: India’s patent-to-GDP ratio clearly defined for easier management and grew from 144 to 381 in the past decade, indicating enforcement. an expansion of IP activity in line with economic € Two-Tier Structure: The Treaty will consist of growth. articles (the main provisions of the Treaty) and € Patent-to-GDP ratio is a measure of the economic rules (the regulations governing implementation). z The Assembly of Contracting Parties can amend impact of patent activity. the rules to adapt to changes in design law and What is the Design Law Treaty (DLT)? technology. ¾ About: DLT is proposed as a comprehensive framework What is Industrial Design? to streamline and facilitate the protection of industrial ¾ About: An industrial design is an original creation of designs worldwide. an ornamental nature, which, when incorporated in or ¾ Objective: Its objective is to create a predictable applied to a product, lends a special appearance to it. and accessible system that eliminates unnecessary € These characteristics may result from its shape, bureaucratic hurdles and offers greater ease for lines, outline, configuration, colour, texture or designers to protect their intellectual property. material. ¾ Key Provisions: € A design may be three-dimensional, such as the shape of a product, or two-dimensional, as in a € Streamlining Design Application Procedures: specific surface pattern. z Clear Application Requirements: Establishes € It is an Intellectual property (IP) which are intangible uniform, clear guidelines for all design creations of the human mind that have value but applications. are not physical objects. z Flexibility in Representation: Applicants can ¾ Application: Designs are applied to a wide range of use various formats (drawings, photos, videos) products, such as packaging, furniture, clothing, to represent the design to industrial property electronic devices, medical equipment, handicraft offices. items, and jewelry. Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 21 ¾ Importance: Designs are business assets that may € Not Functional: Designs driven by functionality increase a product’s market value and provide a are not protected. competitive advantage. € Not Offensive: Designs should not conflict with € By making products attractive to consumers, public morals, security, or integrity. designs drive consumer choices. ¾ Duration of Protection: Protection lasts for at least ¾ Protection: Designers need to follow the filing 10 years under the TRIPS Agreement which can be procedures set by the intellectual property (IP) office extended for an additional 5 years through a renewal of the country in which they seek protection. application. € Design rights are territorial i.e., the rights arising ¾ Infringement and Enforcement: Registered design from protection obtained in one country (or region) owners can prevent others from making, selling, or are limited to that country (or region). importing products that copy or imitate their design. € The registration and protection of industrial designs in India is administered by the Designs Act, 2000. ¾ Excluded Designs from Protection: Certain items like stamps, calendars, books, flags, and layout designs ¾ Industrial Design In India: Between 2014-24, design registrations in India have tripled, with domestic of integrated circuits are excluded from industrial filings increasing by 120% in the last two years alone. design protection. € Notably, design applications grew by 25% in 2023. € Design cannot include a trademark, property mark, or any artistic rights as defined under the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Act, 1957. ¾ About: WIPO is an specialised agency of the United Nations which was created in 1967 to encourage Judgements of Industrial Design creative activity, to promote the protection of ¾ Ritika Private Limited v. Biba Apparels Private intellectual property throughout the world. Limited Case, 2016: Ritika, a boutique apparel ¾ Role: Provides services for protecting IP, offers a designer, sued Biba for reproducing and selling forum for IP-related issues, and supplies data and garments in the Delhi high court that duplicated information to guide global decision-making. Ritika’s designs, despite the designs not being ¾ Membership: It has 193 member states. India registered under the Design Act, 2000. joined WIPO in 1975. € The court ruled that the designs were not What are Protection Provisions under the registered under the Design Act, 2000, and Design Act, 2000? thus, there was no infringement, reinforcing the importance of design registration for protection ¾ Eligibility: Designs are protected if they are aesthetic against duplication and copying. in nature and applied to articles. ¾ Crocs Inc. USA v. Bata India Ltd. and Ors. Case, € Protection only applies to the appearance of an 2019: Crocs Inc USA filed a design infringement article, not its functional aspects. suit against various Indian footwear manufacturers € Designs must be registered with the Design Registry in the Delhi high court. The alleged design referred to receive protection. to perforated and non-perforated shoe design. ¾ Requirements for Protection: € The court held that Crocs Inc USA cannot allege € Novelty and Originality: Design must be new and significantly different from existing designs. infringement or piracy since the alleged design lacks novelty and originality because of the prior € Non-Disclosure: Design should not have been publicly disclosed in India or abroad. publication of the design in various mediums. Note: 22 CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 www.d rish t i I A S. c o m Note: w w w. d r i s h ti IA S. c om CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER, PART-II 2024 23 z The campaign includes regional events, Constitution Day 2024 workshops, and seminars, along with sub- campaigns like Sabko Nyay, Har Ghar Nyay Why in News? (justice for all), Nav Bharat, Nav Sankalp (new On Constitution Day, 26th November 2024, the Prime resolve for a new India), and Vidhi Jagriti Minister of India joined celebrations organized by the Abhiyaan (legal awareness). Supreme Court of India, marking 75 years since the z The campaign aligns with India’s vision for a adoption of the Indian Constitution. He emphasized the developed nation by 2047. Constitution as a living document crucial for socio- € Women of India’s Constituent Assembly: The economic progress and justice. President of India highlighted the contributions of ¾ The occasion also commemorated the victims of the 15 women members in the Constituent Assembly, 26/11 Mumbai attacks, underscoring India’s resilience. including Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, and What is Constitution Day? Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit. z Lesser-known members like Ammu Swaminathan, ¾ About: Constitution Day marks the adoption of Annie Mascarene, Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul, the Indian Constitution on 26th November 1949. It and Dakshayani Velayudhan were also