GK Rapid Revision Volume II PDF

 1 INDEX 251. 5 Years of Abrogation of Article 370......................................................................

 1 INDEX 251. 5 Years of Abrogation of Article 370.............................................................................................................................................. 9 252. Quit india Movement (August 1942)...........................................................................................................................................11 253. Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, 2024..................................................................................................................................................12 254. Monetary Policy Committee............................................................................................................................................................14 255. Bad Bank Aims to Acquire ₹2 Trillion of Stressed Assets...................................................................................................15 256. Naming of Indian Ocean Structures.............................................................................................................................................17 257. Srinagar Recognized As A ‘World Craft City’............................................................................................................................17 258. Kozhikode: India’s First Unesco ‘City of Literature’..............................................................................................................18 259. Great Barrier Reef Record Highest Ocean Heat......................................................................................................................19 260. interim Government in Bangladesh Led By Dr. Muhammad Yunus...............................................................................20 261. Ground-Level Ozone in Indian Cities: CSE................................................................................................................................21 262. Dr. T.V. Somanathan – New Cabinet Secretary of India........................................................................................................22 263. National institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024...................................................................................................23 264. Madhya Pradesh High Court Ruling on Garlic Classification.............................................................................................24 265. Pil Filed in Delhi High Court Challenging Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act..........................................................25 266. Bombay High Court Ruling on Parental Rights of Egg Donors in Surrogacy..............................................................26 267. New Ramsar Sites added in India.................................................................................................................................................27 268. New Parliamentary Committees Constituted by Lok Sabha Speaker............................................................................29 269. India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership........................................................................................................30 270. Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) - Third Edition...............................................................................................31 271. Uttarakhand's Gross Environment Product (GEP) index...................................................................................................32 272. One Nation, One Location initiative – Key Points...................................................................................................................33 273. Multidimensional Vulnerability index (MVI)...........................................................................................................................33 274. Bharatmala Pariyojana......................................................................................................................................................................34 275. National Space Day.............................................................................................................................................................................35 276. Chandrayaan-3: India's Landmark Lunar Mission................................................................................................................36 277. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das' Global Recognition...........................................................37 278. Space Sector in India: Contributions And Economic Impacts..........................................................................................39 279. Overhaul of income Tax Act, 1961................................................................................................................................................40 280. CSR EXPENDITURE 2023.................................................................................................................................................................41 281. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)...............................................................................................................................43 282. New Districts in Ladakh....................................................................................................................................................................44 283. Lakhpati Didi Sammelan And Empowerment Through Self-Help Groups (SHGS)..................................................45 284. India’s Financial Future And Growth Opportunities Highlighted By Rbi At Global Fintech Festival 2024...46 285. Air Quality Life index (AQLI)..........................................................................................................................................................47 286. Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project.................................................................................................................................................49 287. Icc Appoints New Chairman............................................................................................................................................................50 288. U.S. Surpasses Uae As India’s Second Largest Lng Supplier..............................................................................................51 289. National Green Hydrogen Mission...............................................................................................................................................52 290. indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) & India's Role..................................................................................................53 291. Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme And Gold industry in India....................................................................................54 292. Pangong Lake Dispute And India-China Border infrastructure.......................................................................................55 293. Ministry of Mines Published Mineral Production Data.......................................................................................................56 294. Right To Be Forgotten........................................................................................................................................................................57 295. National Organ And Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) Report 2023-24....................................................58 ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 2 of 300  1 296. Power of LG To Nominate Mcd Aldermen.................................................................................................................................59 297. Sit Report on Tiger Deaths in MP..................................................................................................................................................60 298. Fiji's Highest Civilian Award to President of India................................................................................................................61 299. Lateral Entry in the Bureaucracy..................................................................................................................................................62 300. Montreal Protocol................................................................................................................................................................................63 301. Gingee Fort Nominated for Unesco World Heritage Site....................................................................................................64 302. India Achieves Tier 1 Status in Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024......................................................................65 303. Supreme Court Judgement on Pocso and Child Pornography..........................................................................................66 304. Supreme Court’s Concern Over Witness Protection Implementation..........................................................................67 305. India’s Dairy industry: Transformation and Path to White Revolution 2.0................................................................69 306. Report on Atrocities Against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes........................................................................70 307. Union Cabinet Approval of New Space Projects by ISRO....................................................................................................71 308. Supreme Court Closes Case on Nagaland Operation Under AFSPA................................................................................73 309. Lokpal Constitutes Inquiry Wing..................................................................................................................................................74 310. Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.........................................................................................................................................................76 311. Un Sustainable Development Report 2024..............................................................................................................................77 312. Kavach Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) & Railway Safety.............................................................................78 313. Remittance Inflow...............................................................................................................................................................................78 314. Container Port Performance index (CPPI) 2023....................................................................................................................80 315. National Monetisation Pipeline.....................................................................................................................................................80 316. international North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).....................................................................................................81 317. indus Water Treaty.............................................................................................................................................................................82 318. Sipri Report On Nuclear Arsenal...................................................................................................................................................83 319. Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (Relos)..........................................................................................................84 320. High Court Struck Down Bihar 65% Quota Rule....................................................................................................................85 321. 2024 Kavli Prize Winners Announced........................................................................................................................................85 322. Revival of Borewells And Stepwells Under Amrut 2.0.........................................................................................................87 323. Supreme Court Reaffirms no Fundamental Right to Promotion for Government Employees............................88 324. Centre Directs E-Commerce Companies To Join ONDC.......................................................................................................89 325. Wipo Treaty on intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge........................................90 326. India’s Role as Chair of the Colombo Process (2024-26)...................................................................................................92 327. Unesco’s State of Ocean Report 2024.........................................................................................................................................93 328. 2024 Kaza-TFCA Summit: Calls to Lift Cites IVORY Trade Ban........................................................................................94 329. World Environment Day 2024: theme, History, and Significance...................................................................................95 330. Unesco Recognizes Gwalior as 'Creative City of Music'.......................................................................................................97 331. New Hope For Surrogacy in India: Central Government Amends Surrogacy Rules................................................98 332. 66th Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2024 Highlights...................................................................................................................99 333. National Sports Day......................................................................................................................................................................... 100 334. World Wealth Report 2024........................................................................................................................................................... 101 335. Draft Explosive Bill, 2024.............................................................................................................................................................. 102 336. 4th Session of intergovernmental Negotiating Committee.............................................................................................. 103 337. World Press Freedom Day 2024................................................................................................................................................. 105 338. Rbi Surplus Transfer To Government....................................................................................................................................... 107 339. Dag Hammarskjold Medal............................................................................................................................................................. 109 340. Icc issues Arrest Warrants Against israel and Hama’s Leaders.................................................................................... 110 341. 19th Session of United Nations Forum on Forest............................................................................................................... 111 342. Sahitya Akademi Fellowship to Ruskin Bond....................................................................................................................... 112 343. Spain Becomes 99th Member of ISA......................................................................................................................................... 113 344. Food Waste index Report 2024................................................................................................................................................... 114 ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 3 of 300  1 345. India Water Week 2024................................................................................................................................................................. 115 346. India Status Report on Road Safety 2024............................................................................................................................... 116 347. Third National Lok Adalat............................................................................................................................................................. 117 348. 10 Years of Make in India.............................................................................................................................................................. 119 349. 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting in India................................................................................. 120 350. India’s Shipbuilding Mission........................................................................................................................................................ 121 351. Namaste Scheme............................................................................................................................................................................... 123 352. Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project....................................................................................... 125 353. Tirupati Laddu Controversy......................................................................................................................................................... 126 354. EAC-PM Releases Relative Economic Performance of Indian States Report........................................................... 127 355. Annual Survey of industries Report 2022-23....................................................................................................................... 129 356. 6th Quad Summit............................................................................................................................................................................... 130 357. 10 Point Plan for India-Asean Relations................................................................................................................................. 131 358. India officially Joins the international Big CAT Alliance.................................................................................................. 133 359. WWF’S Living Planet Report 2024............................................................................................................................................ 134 360. Academic Freedom index Report, 2024.................................................................................................................................. 135 361. Global innovation index (GII) 2024.......................................................................................................................................... 136 362. Nobel Prize 2024.............................................................................................................................................................................. 137 363. Rbi Joins Project Nexus.................................................................................................................................................................. 139 364. Committee to Revise the Base Year For GDP Calculation................................................................................................ 140 365. Global Indiaai Summit.................................................................................................................................................................... 142 366. India Grants Record Patents........................................................................................................................................................ 143 367. Axiom 4 Mission................................................................................................................................................................................ 144 368. 12th India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee Meeting................................................................................. 145 369. Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement..................................................................................... 146 370. Unesco Warns of 90% Soil Degradation By 2050............................................................................................................... 148 371. Rbi’s Financial Inclusion Index................................................................................................................................................... 149 372. Defamation Case Against Wikipedia......................................................................................................................................... 151 373. India’s Deep Drill Mission............................................................................................................................................................. 152 374. 2nd Retreat of the Foreign Ministers of the BIMSTEC........................................................................................................ 153 375. Money Bill Route For Contentious Amendments................................................................................................................ 154 376. Sc Quashes Bihar Decision To Classify Tanti-Tantwa......................................................................................................... 156 377. Caves on the Moon........................................................................................................................................................................... 157 378. Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023......................................................................................................... 159 379. Karnataka’s Reservation For Locals in the Private Sector Bill....................................................................................... 160 380. India Completes UN Human Rights Review.......................................................................................................................... 160 381. 5th Positive indigenisation List.................................................................................................................................................... 162 382. National Flag Day.............................................................................................................................................................................. 164 383. Judges Appointed to Supreme Court 2024............................................................................................................................ 166 384. Government Lifts Ban on RSS...................................................................................................................................................... 168 385. Mid-Year Air Quality Assessment for India: CREA.............................................................................................................. 169 386. Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilisation and Ujjayini Meridian......................................................................................................... 170 387. Sc Verdict on GM Mustard Approval......................................................................................................................................... 170 388. Humayun Tomb World Heritage Site Museum..................................................................................................................... 172 389. Global Education Monitoring Report 2024 UNESCO......................................................................................................... 174 390. Rashtrapati Bhavan Halls Renamed.......................................................................................................................................... 175 391. India AI Mission................................................................................................................................................................................. 176 392. ADCS Raise Demand To Pass 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill......................................................................... 177 393. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024........................................................................................ 179 ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 4 of 300  1 394. Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024.................................................................................................................... 180 395. UNESCO Heritage Sites: Tell Umm Amer And Assam’s Charaideo Moidams.......................................................... 181 396. Auction For Lithium Block in J&K Cancelled For the Second Time............................................................................. 182 397. 9th Governing Council Meeting of Niti Aayog........................................................................................................................ 183 398. Who Study on Adolescent Girls.................................................................................................................................................. 184 399. National Geoscience Awards (NGA) 2023.............................................................................................................................. 185 400. Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj inducted into the international Tennis Hall of Fame..................................... 186 401. Auction of Land Under the Enemy Property Act in Uttar Pradesh.............................................................................. 187 402. Himachal Pradesh Passes Bill to Raise Marriage age for Women................................................................................ 188 403. New Flag, insignia, And Statue at the Supreme Court of India...................................................................................... 189 404. Afghanistan Begins Work on Tapi Pipeline............................................................................................................................ 190 405. Council of Europe’s Framework Convention On Ai............................................................................................................ 192 406. New India Literacy Programme (NILP) For Adult Literacy............................................................................................ 193 407. Pm Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana................................................................................................................................................ 194 408. Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 And National Award For E-Governance..................................................................... 195 409. Global Migration And Religious Demographics................................................................................................................... 196 410. Bioe3 Policy and Vigyan Dhara Scheme: Key Developments in Biotechnology And Science........................... 197 411. Cabinet Approval For 12 High-Tech Industrial Cities Across India............................................................................. 198 412. India Prepares To Launch Rhumi-1, Its First Hybrid Reusable Rocket...................................................................... 199 413. China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing........................................................................................................................ 200 414. India Leads Global Plastic Pollution......................................................................................................................................... 201 415. Disaster Management Amendment Bill, 2024..................................................................................................................... 202 416. Tripura Peace Pact............................................................................................................................................................................ 203 417. Swachh Vayu Survekshan Award 2024................................................................................................................................... 204 418. Mission Mausam – Cloud Chamber Under Mission Mausam......................................................................................... 204 419. National Bank for Financing infrastructure And Development.................................................................................... 206 420. Tuvalu Climate Change................................................................................................................................................................... 206 421. Indian Chess Teams’ Victory at the Chess Olympiad......................................................................................................... 207 422. India’s Victory in the 5th Asian Champions Trophy 2024.............................................................................................. 208 423. Successful Launch of Agni-4 Missile......................................................................................................................................... 208 424. Election Expenditure in India...................................................................................................................................................... 208 425. India-Germany inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC)............................................................................................... 209 426. National Mission For Manuscripts (NMM)............................................................................................................................ 210 427. Emissions Gap Report 2024......................................................................................................................................................... 211 428. China’s Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO)................................................................................... 212 429. Un Report On Gender-Responsive Climate Policies........................................................................................................... 213 430. United Nations Day and Key Historical Events.................................................................................................................... 215 431. Supreme Court Verdict on Taxing industrial Alcohol........................................................................................................ 216 432. Kartarpur Corridor Agreement And Guru Nanak Dev...................................................................................................... 218 433. Mormugao Port Authority And Environmental Ship index (ESI)................................................................................. 219 434. Brics And the 16th Summit in Kazan....................................................................................................................................... 220 435. Imf World Economic Outlook (WEO) Report........................................................................................................................ 221 436. Semicon India 2022 Conference And India Semiconductor Mission.......................................................................... 222 437. Malabar 2024 Exercise................................................................................................................................................................... 223 438. Important Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaties and Export Control Regimes......................................................... 224 439. Severe Cyclonic Storm Dana and Tropical Cyclones.......................................................................................................... 225 440. inclusion of "Socialist" And "Secular" in the Preamble.................................................................................................... 226 441. Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN)......................................................................................................................... 227 442. international Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) At Galathea Bay....................................................................... 228 ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 5 of 300  1 443. Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2026........................................................................................................................................ 229 444. Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024............................................................................................................................................... 230 445. Indian Joint Military Exercises 2024........................................................................................................................................ 231 446. Sendai Framework For Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)................................................................................................... 233 447. Shakti's Win at the 66th Grammy Awards (2024).............................................................................................................. 234 448. INS Samarthak................................................................................................................................................................................... 234 449. Global Multidimensional Poverty index (MPI) 2024......................................................................................................... 235 450. Bhutanese Pm Tshering Tobgay's Recent Visit to India................................................................................................... 236 451. SC Asks Parliament to Consider Ban on Child Betrothals............................................................................................... 237 452. Bishnoi, Blackbuck And Chinkara.............................................................................................................................................. 238 453. India Launches 4th Nuclear-Missile Submarine.................................................................................................................. 240 454. India-US Cultural Property Agreement................................................................................................................................... 241 455. Increase in MSP Prices................................................................................................................................................................... 242 456. Who Approves First Mpox Diagnostic Test............................................................................................................................ 243 457. Jammu And Kashmir Elections................................................................................................................................................... 244 458. World Energy Outlook 2024........................................................................................................................................................ 245 459. 3 Years of Pm Gatishakti National Master Plan.................................................................................................................... 246 460. Living Planet Report 2024............................................................................................................................................................ 247 461. India’s Biodiversity Target Under CBD.................................................................................................................................... 248 462. 19th East Asia Summit..................................................................................................................................................................... 249 463. Classical Languages of India........................................................................................................................................................ 251 464. SC Strike Down ‘Casteist’ Provisions in India’s Prison Manuals................................................................................... 252 465. Colombo Security Conclave Charter......................................................................................................................................... 253 466. Uscirf international Religious Freedom Report................................................................................................................... 255 467. National Maritime Heritage Complex...................................................................................................................................... 256 468. Maldives’ President State Visit to India................................................................................................................................... 257 469. India Eliminates Trachoma as A Public Health Problem................................................................................................. 259 470. Can Claim Juvenility at Any Stage: Sc....................................................................................................................................... 260 471. Life And Legacy of Ratan Tata..................................................................................................................................................... 262 472. UK-Mauritius Treaty on Chagos Archipelago, Diego Garcia........................................................................................... 263 473. National Health Account (NHA) Estimates 2020-21 And 2021-22............................................................................. 264 474. 10 Years of Swachh Bharat Mission.......................................................................................................................................... 265 475. US-India Nuclear Cooperation And Small Modular Reactors........................................................................................ 266 476. Hirakud Dam Renovations............................................................................................................................................................ 268 477. 3 Years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission........................................................................................................................ 269 478. Functionality And Essentially Test For input Tax Credit (ITC)...................................................................................... 270 479. India’s Balance of Payment........................................................................................................................................................... 271 480. Annual Survey of industries Report 2022-23....................................................................................................................... 273 481. India and Uzbekistan Sign Bilateral investment Treaty in Tashkent.......................................................................... 274 482. 57th Meeting of National Mission For Clean Ganga............................................................................................................ 276 483. Param Rudra Supercomputer...................................................................................................................................................... 277 484. 70th National Film Awards (2022) And Dadasaheb Phalke Award............................................................................. 278 485. Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).................................................................................................................................. 280 486. ISRO'S First Analogue Space Mission....................................................................................................................................... 281 487. Namo Drone Didi Scheme............................................................................................................................................................. 281 488. Cruise Bharat Mission..................................................................................................................................................................... 282 489. Election Symbols in India.............................................................................................................................................................. 283 490. CCPA issues Guidelines To Combat Greenwashing............................................................................................................. 284 491. NPS Vatsalya Scheme...................................................................................................................................................................... 285 ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 6 of 300  1 492. World Cities Report 2024.............................................................................................................................................................. 286 493. First Global Tree Assessment Report: IUCN.......................................................................................................................... 287 494. India-Us Relations Under First Trump Term........................................................................................................................ 288 495. Adb Releases Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024.................................................................................................................. 289 496. India-China Agreement On Lac Patrolling.............................................................................................................................. 291 497. Marital Rape in India....................................................................................................................................................................... 292 498. ILO Report On Female Labour Force Participation and Care Responsibilities....................................................... 293 499. Supreme Court Verdict on up Madrasa Education Board Act, 2004........................................................................... 295 500. Supreme Court Verdict on Amu’s Minority Status.............................................................................................................. 296 ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 7 of 300  1 ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 8 of 300  1 5 YEARS OF ABROGATION OF ARTICLE 370 Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir.  Drafted by N Gopalaswami Ayyangar and added as a temporary provision in 1949.  Allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution, flag, and autonomy over matters except defence, foreign affairs, and communications.  Based on the terms of the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947 after an invasion by Pakistan. Abrogation of Article 370 (August 5, 2019)  Presidential Order (2019): Redefined the “Constituent Assembly of J&K” to mean the “Legislative Assembly of J&K”.  Article 35A: Stemming from Clause 3 of Article 370, Article 35A was introduced by a Presidential Order in 1954 on the J&K Constituent Assembly's recommendation.  Purpose: Empowered the J&K legislature to define permanent residents and assign them special rights and privileges.  By invoking President's rule, Parliament assumed the Legislative Assembly’s power to revoke Article 370 as well as Article 35A.  Concurrent Resolutions: Passed by both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha on August 5 and Rajya Sabha on August 6, 2019), revoking Article 370's remaining provisions.  Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: Passed by Parliament in 2019, bifurcated the state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019  Division: Created two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.  Leh and Kargil districts were included in the Union Territory of Ladakh; remaining areas became Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.  Lok Sabha Representation: Five seats were retained by Jammu and Kashmir and one seat allocated to Ladakh.  Legislative Assembly: Seats in the Assembly reserved for Scheduled Castes and Tribal communities to maintain population proportion.  Women Representation: Lt. Governor can nominate two women if required to ensure gender representation.  Assembly Tenure: 5-year term for the elected Legislative Assembly, which will be summoned by the Lt. Governor every six months.  Legislative Power: The Assembly can legislate on matters in the State List except “Police” and “Public Order”.  Parliamentary Power: Parliament holds the authority to legislate on matters for Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory, with Concurrent List matters applicable to all Union Territories. Supreme Court Judgment on Article 370  In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370, validating the 2019 Presidential Orders and extending the Indian Constitution's applicability to Jammu and Kashmir.  Union Territories Reorganisation: Recognised the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, removing special privileges.  Sovereignty Issue: Declared that Jammu and Kashmir did not possess sovereignty, as Article 370 and the J&K Constitution did not imply a need for a separate merger agreement.  Temporary Provision: Emphasized Article 370 was a temporary measure, located in Part XXI of the Indian Constitution.  Instrument of Accession: Reiterated that Article 1 (stating "India that is Bharat shall be a Union of States") applied fully to J&K.  Presidential Powers: Affirmed that the President has the authority to enact irreversible changes, including dissolving the State Assembly, but these changes remain subject to judicial and constitutional review. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 9 of 300  1  Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir: Held that it is now inoperative, with the Indian Constitution fully applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. Reasons for Abrogation of Article 370  Integration and Development: Revocation facilitated access to resources, improved infrastructure development, and provided economic opportunities for integration with the rest of India.  National Security: Strengthened government control and allowed for stricter security measures, enhancing counter-terrorism efforts in the region.  Ending Discrimination: Ensured equal rights for women, Dalits, and marginalized groups by applying Indian laws, promoting social justice.  Legal Uniformity: Abrogation brought uniform laws across India, reducing legal discrepancies and ensuring equal rights for all citizens.  Encouragement for Investment: Opening the region to outside investment aimed to stabilize the area economically and socially, despite concerns over demographic shifts.  Political Stability: Intended to create a stable political environment, restore democratic processes, and improve local governance. Impact of Article 370 Abrogation  Uniformity in Laws: o Domicile Laws (April 2020): Introduced domicile clause, allowing 15 years of residence or 7 years of study (including class 10th/12th exams in J&K) as eligibility for domicile certificate, replacing Permanent Resident Certificates. o Land Laws: Amended 14 land laws in J&K, repealing 12; included the Jammu and Kashmir Alienation of Land Act, 1938 and Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950. This allowed land rights for non-permanent residents. o Property Rights for West Pakistan Refugees: Granted proprietary rights to West Pakistan Refugees and individuals displaced in the 1965 India-Pakistan war.  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): With the abrogation, central laws applied to J&K, rendering its state constitution defunct. Ranbir Penal Code was replaced by Indian Penal Code (now BNS). o Prosecution Wing: Separated from executive police in J&K. o State Investigation Agency (SIA): Established in November 2021 for efficient terrorism-related investigations in coordination with the National Investigation Agency (NIA).  Decline in Violence: Post-abrogation, significant decrease in terror activities, local militancy, and stone- pelting incidents; separatist strikes and violent protests reduced.  Electoral Participation: o 2024 Lok Sabha Poll: Recorded highest voter turnout in 35 years in J&K, with a 30-point increase in Kashmir Valley from 2019.  Tourism Boom: o 2023 Tourism Surge: 21.1 million visitors in 2023, greatly boosting the local economy post-Covid-19 and after the Article 370 abrogation.  Trade and Investments: o Since 2019, Rs 5,656 crore invested in various sectors. o New Central Sector Scheme (Feb 2021): Attracted 310 investments in 2020-21, 175 in 2021-22, and 1,074 in 2022-23. o Lt. Governor reported Rs 66,000 crore in private investment proposals within two years.  Infrastructure Development: o Significant government investment in roads, bridges, tunnels, and power lines, enhancing travel and business within the region. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 10 of 300  1 QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT (AUGUST 1942) The Quit India Movement was a mass Civil Disobedience Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee.  Objective: Sought immediate end to British rule in India, aiming for complete independence.  Slogan: “Quit India” became the movement’s rallying cry, symbolizing the demand for the British to leave India. Background of the Movement  World War II: Britain demanded India’s support in WWII without promising independence. The Indian National Congress insisted on independence before support.  Cripps Mission (1942): British attempt at a compromise through the Cripps Mission (offering limited self- government post-war) was rejected by Congress as inadequate.  Gandhi’s Stand: Following the Cripps Mission's failure, Gandhi pushed for a decisive movement to pressure the British to leave India. Reasons for Launching the Quit India Movement  Failure of Cripps Mission: Indicated the British were unwilling to grant real constitutional progress during the war.  Economic Strain: Rising prices and war-time shortages led to increasing popular discontent.  British Empire's Decline: Anticipated collapse of the British empire, especially following British withdrawals from South-East Asia and Burma.  Public Confidence Decline: People began withdrawing funds, hoarding gold, silver, and coins, signaling a lack of faith in British rule.  Need for Self-Defense: The movement sought to prepare Indians to defend against future threats, such as Japanese aggression, by building unity and mobilization. Proclamation and Launch  Resolution: On July 14, 1942, the Congress Working Committee met in Wardha and adopted the Quit India Resolution.  Launch Date: August 9, 1942 – Gandhi called for “Do or Die,” urging Indians to fight for freedom or die trying.  Arrests: On the morning of August 9, Gandhi and other key Congress leaders were arrested, triggering violent demonstrations across India. British Response to the Movement  Mass Arrests and Repression: Thousands were arrested, public gatherings were dispersed by force, and the Congress was declared illegal.  Violent Suppression: Police used lathi-charges and open fire on crowds, causing numerous deaths and quelling the movement’s mass phase within 6-7 weeks. Spread of the Movement and Key Features Underground Activities  Leadership Emergence: An all-India underground leadership developed to guide activists and provide morale support.  Fund and Material Supply: Leaders raised funds and distributed bombs, arms, and dynamite for resistance.  Prominent Leaders: o Aruna Asaf Ali: Known for hoisting the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan during the movement's launch. o Jayaprakash Narayan: Played a significant role in underground activities supporting the movement. o Ram Manohar Lohia: Actively involved in organizing resistance and disseminating information. o Usha Mehta clandestinely operated the Congress Radio in Bombay to disseminate information. Formation of Parallel Governments  Ballia, U.P.: In August 1942, Chittu Pande led the establishment of the first parallel government.  Tamluk, Bengal: Jatiya Sarkar established in December 1942 lasted until September 1944, providing relief and administering justice. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 11 of 300  1  Satara, Maharashtra: The Prati Sarkar in Satara, led by Nani Patil, carried out attacks on British collaborators and established Nyayadan Mandals (people’s courts). Attack on Government Authorities  Peasant Actions: Focused on symbols of British authority without targeting zamindars.  Support from Officials: Many government officials provided shelter, information, and even financial help to activists. Gandhi’s Response  Jail Fast: In February 1943, Gandhi undertook a fast in jail, refusing to condemn violence by the masses and blaming the British government’s actions. Participation Across Society  Youth: Young people led the struggle as in earlier mass movements.  Workers: Organized strikes despite police repression.  Women: Sucheta Kripalani, Usha Mehta, and Aruna Asaf Ali were key figures in organizing underground activities.  Peasants: In regions like East U.P., Bihar, Midnapur, and Satara, peasants actively supported the movement.  Zamindars: Many zamindars denied help to the British; Raja of Darbhanga was a prominent supporter. Muslim Participation  Limited Muslim Participation: Although Muslim mass involvement was low, Muslim League supporters sometimes sheltered activists, avoiding hostility toward the movement. RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR, 2024 The RVP is a newly established, prestigious award series that recognizes outstanding contributions by scientists, technologists, and innovators of Indian origin (including Persons of Indian Origin or PIO), regardless of whether they work in India or abroad.  Purpose: These awards celebrate exceptional research, innovation, or discoveries that benefit Indian communities or society.  Launch Year: 2024 marks the first year of the RVP, which was introduced to replace older science awards, such as the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, for a more inclusive and updated recognition system.  Annual Announcement and Ceremony: o The awards will be announced each year on May 11th (National Technology Day). o The Award Ceremony will be held on August 23rd (National Space Day), commemorating Chandrayaan- 3’s moon landing. Award Categories and Eligibility  Vigyan Ratna (VR): o Description: Honors lifetime achievements in science and technology. o Annual Limit: Up to 3 awards. o Eligibility: Renowned scientists and technologists with a career of significant accomplishments.  Vigyan Shri (VS): o Description: Recognizes notable contributions in any science or technology field. o Annual Limit: Up to 25 awards. o Eligibility: Individuals who have demonstrated distinguished achievements in their scientific or technological fields.  Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): o Description: Encourages young scientists under 45 years for exceptional contributions. o Annual Limit: Up to 25 awards. o Eligibility: Young scientists excelling in research or innovation.  Vigyan Team (VT): o Description: Honors collaborative contributions by teams of three or more in science or technology. o Annual Limit: Up to 3 team awards. o Eligibility: Teams with outstanding achievements across scientific or technological fields. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 12 of 300  1 Benefits of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar  Recognition: Each recipient is awarded a Sanad (Certificate) signed by the President of India.  Publication: A brochure with citations and awardee photographs is released on the award day.  Posthumous Awards: Decorations are presented to next of kin in cases where an award is given posthumously. Key Awardees of 2024  Vigyan Ratna: o Recipient: G. Padmanabhan for lifetime contributions to biological sciences, specifically in malaria research. o Background: Former Director of the Indian Institute of Science and a recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.  Vigyan Team: o Awarded to: Chandrayaan-3 Team for successfully achieving India’s first moon landing in 2023, marking a historic milestone in space exploration.  Vigyan Shri: o Annapurni Subramaniam: Known for work on the formation and evolution of star clusters and galaxies. o Jayant Bhalchandra Udgaonkar: Recognized for contributions to biology. o Naba Kumar Mondal: Honored for achievements in particle physics.  Vigyan Yuva: o Vivek Polshettiwar: Recognized for research in carbon capture technologies. o Urbasi Sinha: Honored for contributions to quantum research. o Roxy Mathew Koll: Awarded for work in climate science. Award Name Field Winner Vigyan Ratna Biological Sciences Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan Vigyan Shri Agricultural Science Dr Anandharamakrishnan C Vigyan Shri Atomic Energy Dr Avesh Kumar Tyagi Vigyan Shri Biological Sciences Prof. Umesh Varshney Vigyan Shri Biological Sciences Prof. Jayant Bhalchandra Udgaonkar Vigyan Shri Earth Sciences Prof. Syed Wajih Ahmad Naqvi Vigyan Shri Engineering Sciences Prof. Bhim Singh Vigyan Shri Medicine Dr Sanjay Behari Vigyan Shri Mathematics and Computer Science Prof. Adimurthi Adi Vigyan Shri Physics Lakshmanan Muthusamy Vigyan Shri Space Science and Technology Naba Kumar Mondal Vigyan Yuva Agricultural Sciences Dr Krishna Murthy S L Vigyan Yuva Agricultural Science Dr Swarup Kumar Parida Vigyan Yuva Earth Sciences Prof. Radhakrishnan Mahalakshmi Vigyan Yuva Biological Sciences Prof. Aravind Penmatsa Vigyan Shri Chemistry Prof. Vivek Polshettiwar Vigyan Yuva Chemistry Prof. Vishal Rai Vigyan Yuva Earth Sciences Dr Roxy Mathew Koll Vigyan Yuva Engineering Sciences Dr Abhilash Vigyan Yuva Environmental Sciences Dr Purabi Saikia Vigyan Yuva Environmental Sciences Dr Bappi Paul Vigyan Yuva Mathematics and Computer Science Prof. Mahesh Ramesh Kakde Vigyan Yuva Medicine Prof. Jitendra Kumar Sahu Vigyan Yuva Medicine Dr Pragya Dhruv Yadav Vigyan Yuva Physics Prof. Urbasi Sinha Vigyan Yuva Space Science and Technology Dr Digendranath Swain Vigyan Team Space Science and Technology ISRO - Team Chandrayaan 3 ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 13 of 300  1 MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is responsible for setting policy rates to manage inflation, aiming to maintain price stability through tools like the repo and reverse repo rates.  Mandate: Formed by the central government in 2016, the MPC’s goal is to keep the Consumer Price Index (CPI) between 2-6% with a central target of 4%.  Frequency of Meetings: The MPC is required to meet at least four times a year to make decisions on policy rates based on economic conditions. Key Points:  Establishment: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was formed following a Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Government and the RBI on adopting an inflation-targeting monetary policy.  Legal Basis: The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 was amended by the Finance Act, 2016 to provide a statutory framework for the MPC. o Under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act, 1934, the central government has the authority to constitute a six-member MPC.  Function: The MPC’s primary role is to set the benchmark policy rate (repo rate) needed to maintain inflation within the government’s target.  Replacement: The MPC replaced the previous Technical Advisory Committee model for setting policy rates. Composition of the MPC  Members: The MPC consists of six members: o RBI Governor (Chairperson) o Deputy Governor of RBI responsible for monetary policy o One official nominated by the RBI Board o Three members appointed by the Government of India  Term for External Members: The three external members nominated by the government serve a four-year term.  Meeting Quorum: At least four members must be present for the meeting, including either the Governor or, if absent, the Deputy Governor.  Decision-Making: o Decisions are made by a majority vote. o If there is a tie, the RBI Governor holds a casting vote to break it. o The MPC’s decisions are binding on the RBI. Support and Assistance  Assistance: The RBI’s Monetary Policy Department (MPD) assists the MPC in developing and implementing the monetary policy. Background of the MPC  Previous System: Before the MPC, policy rates were solely decided by the RBI Governor, with advice from a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). However, this setup was seen as overly reliant on one person’s authority.  Recommendations for MPC: Over the years, several committees recommended the creation of an MPC, including: o Y.V. Reddy Committee (2002) o Tarapore Committee (2006) o Percy Mistry Committee (2007) o Raghuram Rajan Committee (2009) o Urjit Patel Committee (2014), which ultimately led to the MPC’s formation. Key Monetary Policy Tools 1. Repo Rate: The rate at which banks borrow from the RBI, with government securities as collateral. Part of the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF). ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 14 of 300  1 2. Reverse Repo Rate: The rate at which banks lend to the RBI. Also part of the LAF. 3. Bank Rate: Used by RBI to lend to banks, serving as a penal rate for shortfall in reserve requirements. 4. Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): The percentage of a bank’s deposits required to be held in liquid assets (e.g., government securities, cash, gold). 5. Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): The cash proportion of deposits to be maintained with RBI, earning no interest. 6. Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate: Rate at which the RBI accepts overnight, uncollateralized deposits from LAF participants. 7. Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate: Penal rate for banks to borrow overnight from the RBI, allowing them to dip into SLR. 8. Open Market Operations (OMO): The RBI’s sale or purchase of government securities to manage liquidity in the banking system. Types of Monetary Policy  Expansionary Monetary Policy: Increases money supply to stimulate demand or counter recession. Example: Repo rate cut to 4% during the pandemic.  Contractionary Monetary Policy: Decreases money supply to control high inflation by making credit more expensive. Inflation Targeting and CPI  Inflation Target: Set by the central government every five years, in consultation with RBI. Current target: 4% CPI with 2-6% tolerance (effective April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2026).  Consumer Price Index (CPI): o Measure of Inflation: Represents a weighted average price of goods and services consumed by households, offering a broader index than Wholesale Price Index (WPI). o CPI Calculation: Managed by the National Statistical Office (NSO), under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), with 2012 as the base year (100). o Categories of CPI:  CPI for Industrial Workers (IW) – published by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment.  CPI for Agricultural Labourers (AL) – also published by the Labour Bureau.  CPI Urban and CPI Rural – published by NSO. Failure to Maintain the Inflation Target  Failure Criteria: o Exceeds 6% for three consecutive quarters. o Falls below 2% for three consecutive quarters.  RBI’s Reporting Requirements: o Reasons for target deviation. o Proposed corrective measures. o Timeframe for meeting the target post-remediation. BAD BANK AIMS TO ACQUIRE ₹2 TRILLION OF STRESSED ASSETS The government-backed National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) aims to acquire ₹2 trillion worth of stressed assets by FY26, reaching a milestone of ₹1 trillion by FY24. Structure for Managing NPAs  Union Budget 2021 Announcement: The Finance Minister introduced an Asset Reconstruction Company- Asset Management Company (ARC-AMC) framework to handle NPAs within the banking sector.  Entities Involved: o National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) o India Debt Resolution Company Limited (IDRCL) ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 15 of 300  1 National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL)  Function: NARCL purchases bad loans from banks, manages, sells, and recovers funds to resolve these stressed assets.  Incorporation Date: Established on 7th July 2021.  Ownership: Majority owned by Public Sector Banks, with Canara Bank as the Sponsor Bank and private banks holding the remaining shares.  Regulation: Registered as an Asset Reconstruction Company with RBI under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002.  Focus: Specifically targets large legacy stressed assets, especially those with exposures of ₹500 crore and above.  Acquisition Strategy: Offers flexible acquisition terms, including a mix of Cash and Security Receipts (SRs), to banks and financial institutions.  Objective: Consolidate stressed assets under one entity to achieve efficient and timely resolution. India Debt Resolution Company Limited (IDRCL)  Role: Works closely with NARCL to support the resolution of stressed assets.  Functionality: NARCL acquires and consolidates bad loans, while IDRCL manages the resolution process, establishing strategies within the RBI framework. Swiss Challenge Process  Definition: This method allows private players to participate in government projects through a bidding process. o A private entity proposes a development project and holds exclusive Intellectual Property Rights.  Government Options: o The government can purchase these rights and open the project to competitive bidding, or o Invite other private proposals, giving the initial bidder a chance to match the highest offer.  Usage: Employed in states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Gujarat for projects in roads and housing. National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID)  Purpose: NaBFID is a specialized Development Finance Institution established to enhance funding for infrastructure projects in India.  Legislation: Created by the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act, 2021.  Objectives: o Address the need for long-term, non-recourse financing. o Promote the bonds and derivatives markets. o Support sustainable economic growth.  Loan Targets: o FY26: Sanction loans worth ₹3.2 trillion. o FY25 Target: ₹2 trillion, with ₹1.09 trillion already sanctioned by July 2024. Non-Performing Assets (NPA)  Definition: A loan or advance is classified as NPA if the principal or interest remains overdue for more than 90 days.  Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA): Reflects the total value of a bank’s NPAs over a specific period.  Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPA): Calculated by subtracting provisions from gross NPAs, showing the accurate value of NPAs.  Provision for NPAs: Banks allocate a part of their profits each quarter for NPAs as a financial safeguard. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 16 of 300  1 NAMING OF INDIAN OCEAN STRUCTURES Three underwater formations in the Indian Ocean have been named as Ashoka Seamount, Chandragupt Ridge, and Kalpataru Ridge. o Ashoka Seamount and Chandragupt Ridge are named after Mauryan dynasty rulers. o Kalpataru Ridge is the third structure named by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), based on names proposed by India.  Past Structures Named after Indian Scientists: o Raman Ridge: Named in 1992 after Sir CV Raman, discovered by a US oil vessel in 1951. o Panikkar Seamount: Named in 1993 after oceanographer NK Panikkar, discovered by India’s Sagar Kanya research vessel during its 22nd cruise in 1986. o Wadia Guyot: Named in 1993 after geologist DN Wadia, found in 1992 by Sagar Kanya.  Total Indian Named Structures: There are now seven underwater structures in the Indian Ocean named after Indian scientists or named as proposed by India. Discovery and Research Background  Research and Discovery by NCPOR: All three newly named structures were identified by National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, during an international survey along the Southwest Indian Ridge.  Research Programme: India has been conducting Indian Southern Ocean Research since 2004, with NCPOR as the lead agency. This programme studies various oceanic phenomena, including bio-geochemistry, biodiversity, paleoclimate, and air-sea interactions.  Specific Discoveries: o Ashoka Seamount: Discovered in 2012 using the Russian vessel Akademik Nikolay Strakhov, this oval- shaped structure spans 180 sq km. o Kalpataru Ridge: Also discovered in 2012 by the same vessel, it is elongated and covers 430 sq km. It is believed to support marine life habitats. o Chandragupt Ridge: Discovered in 2020 by the Indian vessel MGS Sagar, it is an elongated, oval structure covering 675 sq km. International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)  Purpose: The IHO is an intergovernmental organization established in 1921 that ensures global seas, oceans, and waterways are surveyed and charted.  Functions: Coordinates national hydrographic offices, promotes uniformity in nautical documents, and provides survey standards.  Headquarters: Located in Monaco. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO  Role: The IOC promotes global cooperation in marine science to enhance management of oceans and coasts.  Programmes: Works with 150 Member States on capacity building, ocean science, tsunami alerts, and ocean literacy.  UN Ocean Decade: The IOC is responsible for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).  Headquarters: Located in Paris, France. SRINAGAR RECOGNIZED AS A ‘WORLD CRAFT CITY’ Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to receive the title of ‘World Craft City’ from the World Craft Council (WCC).  Background: This recognition follows Srinagar's inclusion in the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts three years ago. Craft Sector in Kashmir  INTACH-K Collaboration: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage-Kashmir (INTACH-K), in partnership with the J&K Handicrafts Department, is actively mapping Srinagar’s craft sector for the final nomination process. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 17 of 300  1  Artisanal Heritage: Srinagar’s craft sector is rich, with over 20,000 registered artisans specializing in crafts like papier-mâché, walnut wood carving, hand-knotted carpets, Sozni embroidery, Pashmina, and Kani shawls.  Economic Impact: By 2016-17, the handicraft sector contributed approximately 2.64% to J&K’s economy. World Craft Council (WCC) – Key Details  Overview: The World Craft Council (WCC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1964.  Registration and Affiliation: Registered in Belgium as an international association (AISBL) and affiliated with UNESCO.  Founders: Kamaladevi Chattopadhay and Aileen Osborn Webb.  Mission: To foster global collaboration among artisans, promote economic development through craft activities, conduct workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and provide support to craftspersons.  Structure: The WCC operates in five regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America.  Meeting Schedule: The European branch meets annually, while the General Assembly takes place every four years (held in Chennai in 2012). World Craft City Designation  Initiation: The World Craft City initiative was launched in 2014 by WCC-International.  Purpose: Recognizes the critical role of local authorities, artisans, and communities in promoting cultural, economic, and social development.  India’s World Craft Cities: o Jaipur: Known for Kundan Jadai (gem setting), Meenakari jewelry, lac crafts, and Gotta Patti work. o Mysuru: Famous for Kinnal paintings, sandalwood carvings, and rosewood inlay. o Mamallapuram: Renowned for stone carving, with roots in the Pallava dynasty (275 CE to 897 CE). KOZHIKODE: INDIA’S FIRST UNESCO ‘CITY OF LITERATURE’ Kozhikode has become India’s first city to be designated as a UNESCO ‘City of Literature’ as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).  Event: The designation was announced during UCCN’s 16th annual conference held on 1 July in Braga, Portugal. Details of the UCCN 2023 Conference  Theme: This year’s UCCN annual conference theme is ‘Bringing youth to the table for the next decade’.  Purpose of UCCN: UNESCO grants Creative Cities status based on cities' unique cultural contributions in areas like Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, Music, and Folk Art. New Cities Joining UCCN in 2023  Recent Additions: In October 2023, 55 new cities joined the UCCN. o Kozhikode was recognized as the ‘City of Literature’. o Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh was designated as the ‘City of Music’ for its rich musical heritage.  Significance: These designations are expected to boost international recognition for these cities, provide global funding opportunities, enable collaborations with institutes worldwide, and promote their respective cultural fields. India’s Cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)  Total Cities: With the addition of Kozhikode and Gwalior, India now has seven cities in the UCCN list: o Srinagar for Crafts and Folk Arts (2021) o Mumbai for Film (2019) o Hyderabad for Gastronomy (2019) o Chennai for Music (2017) o Jaipur for Crafts and Folk Arts (2015) ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 18 of 300  1 o Varanasi for Music (2015) UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)  Establishment: UCCN was established in 2004 to foster collaboration among cities that view creativity in areas like music, film, literature, gastronomy, media arts, design, crafts, and folklore as drivers for sustainable development.  Membership: The network now includes 350 cities globally.  Origin: UCCN evolved from UNESCO’s Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity initiative launched in 2002. UNESCO City of Literature Program  Part of UCCN: The City of Literature program is part of the Creative Cities Network, initiated in 2004.  Global Reach: There are 53 UNESCO Cities of Literature spanning 39 countries across six continents. GREAT BARRIER REEF RECORD HIGHEST OCEAN HEAT  Publication: The study, titled ‘Highest ocean heat in four centuries places Great Barrier Reef in danger’, was published in the journal Nature.  Research Institute: Conducted by scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, it highlights an ongoing, severe mass bleaching event affecting the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).  Temperature Records: Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) at the reef have reached the highest levels in 407 years. Key Findings of the Study  Mass Coral Bleaching Events: The study records that all coral bleaching events between 2016 and 2024 were triggered by high SSTs. o Five mass bleaching events occurred over the last decade.  Human Influence: Climate models confirm that anthropogenic factors are driving the warming trend.  Temperature Anomalies: In 2024, SSTs were 1.73°C above the historical average during the peak bleaching period of January-March. o Past Temperature Increases:  2016: 1.5°C above pre-1900 levels.  2017: 1.54°C increase.  2020: 1.53°C higher. Great Barrier Reef (GBR):  Description: The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system globally, comprising over 2,300 km of reefs and 900 islands in the Coral Sea off Queensland, Australia.  UNESCO World Heritage Site: Designated in 1981, the GBR is home to endangered species such as the dugong and large green turtle.  Protection Status: Managed by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, it is largely a marine protected area. Severe Coral Bleaching in Lakshadweep and Historical Analysis  Sample Analysis: Scientists extracted coral samples from 22 locations in Lakshadweep to identify stress bands, indicating past bleaching events, including those during the 1877-78 El Niño. o Analysis showed that mass bleaching was absent in the 1800s and most of the 1900s.  Temperature Reconstruction: By reconstructing SSTs back to 1618, scientists compared historical data to current temperatures, finding that severe coral bleaching began to intensify in the 1980s. Projected Impact of Global Warming on Coral Reefs  Coral Loss Projections: The study estimates that if global warming is limited to 1.5°C (per the Paris Agreement), 70-90% of the existing coral reef may still be lost. o Above 2°C warming would have devastating effects on coral ecosystems. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 19 of 300  1  Ecosystem Changes: Continued warming will likely cause a shift in coral community structures, reducing species diversity and simplifying the reef ecosystem. Adaptation and Thermal Stress  Adaptation Limitations: Current coral adaptation strategies are limited, as adaptation rates are slower than the pace of global warming.  Thermal Stress Tolerance: Different coral species have varied thermal stress thresholds: o Acropora species are sensitive to heat stress. o Porites species show higher resistance to thermal stress. INTERIM GOVERNMENT IN BANGLADESH LED BY DR. MUHAMMAD YUNUS  Leadership Change: On August 6, Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus was appointed chief advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.  Background: o Birth: Born in 1940 in Chittagong, Bangladesh o Education: Holds a PhD from Vanderbilt University in the United States and initially taught in the US before returning to Bangladesh in 1972. o Grameen Bank: Founded Grameen Bank in 1983 to provide microloans to entrepreneurs who otherwise would not qualify for traditional loans. o Nobel Peace Prize: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for pioneering microcredit to help impoverished people, especially women. o At 84 years old, Yunus envisions a world with zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions o Political Ambition: Considered launching a political party in 2007 but did not proceed. o Government Investigations: Faced multiple government investigations since 2008 during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. o Legal Issues: Convicted of violating labor laws in in a trial viewed by some as politically motivated. o Sentence: Received a six-month jail sentence but is currently out on bail. Events Leading to the Interim Government  Political Transition: o Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unexpectedly resigned and fled to India amid large-scale protests and tensions surrounding a job quota system. o The Bangladesh Army stepped in to stabilize the situation, resulting in the establishment of the interim government led by Yunus.  Formation of Interim Government: o Yunus assumed leadership on Thursday and took control of 27 ministries, including defence, public administration, education, energy, and information. o A 17-member council of advisors was formed, including prominent critics of the former regime. Key Advisors and Their Assigned Ministries 1. Saleh Uddin Ahmed: Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning. 2. Asif Nazrul: Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs. 3. Adilur Rahman Khan: Ministry of Industries. 4. A F Hasan Arif: Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives. 5. Touhid Hossain: Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 6. Syeda Rizwana Hasan: Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. 7. Sharmeen Murshid: Ministry of Social Welfare. 8. AFM Khalid Hossain: Ministry of Religious Affairs. 9. Farida Akhter: Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. 10. Nurjahan Begum: Ministry of Health and Family Affairs. 11. Nahid Islam: Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 20 of 300  1 12. Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan: Ministry of Youth and Sports. Additional Details  Swearing-in: Fourteen out of the 17 advisors took their oaths on Thursday night, with three advisors absent and expected to take their oaths later.  Support Base: The interim government has military backing and was formed in response to public discontent with Hasina’s 15-year administration. GROUND-LEVEL OZONE IN INDIAN CITIES: CSE The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) conducted a study highlighting the high levels of ground-level ozone (O₃) in several major Indian cities, raising concerns for public health, especially for those with respiratory conditions. Key Findings of the Study  High Ozone Exceedance Days: o Delhi-NCR led with 176 days of ground-level ozone exceedance between 1st January and 18th July 2023. o Mumbai and Pune recorded 138 days each, followed by Jaipur with 126 days.  Nighttime Exceedance: o Contrary to expectations, ozone levels remained high even after sunset in some cities:  Mumbai logged 171 nights of exceedance.  Delhi-NCR recorded 161 nights.  Rising Exceedance Compared to Last Year: o Seven out of ten cities saw an increase in ozone exceedance:  Ahmedabad experienced a 4,000% rise.  Pune saw a 500% increase.  Jaipur recorded a 152% rise.  Standards and Measurement: o The 8-hour ozone standard is 100 µg/m³, and the one-hour standard is 180 µg/m³. o The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) caps ozone data at 200 µg/m³, limiting a full assessment of exceedances.  Health Risks: o Exposure to ground-level ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and long-term lung damage.  Green Areas Affected: o Contrary to common assumptions, green, high-end neighborhoods were found to have high ozone levels, as cleaner areas with fewer pollutants allow ozone to accumulate.  Inverse Spatial Distribution: o Ozone distribution is inversely related to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM2.5). It forms in polluted areas but drifts to less polluted zones, leading to higher concentrations in those areas. About Ground-Level Ozone  Definition: o Ground-level ozone, or tropospheric ozone, is a secondary pollutant created when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in sunlight, especially during summer. o It is different from the protective stratospheric ozone layer and is considered "bad ozone" due to its harmful effects on health and the environment.  Formation and Impact: o Rising temperatures and heatwaves increase ozone formation, leading to poor air quality in cities like Delhi. o Ground-level ozone has been linked to a rise in ozone-related deaths, especially in South Asia, with projections indicating that over 1 million deaths in India could be caused by ozone exposure by 2050. o It also affects crop health, reducing the yield and quality of essential crops like wheat and rice, posing a threat to food security. ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 21 of 300  1 DR. T.V. SOMANATHAN – NEW CABINET SECRETARY OF INDIA Dr. T.V. Somanathan, an IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre (1987 batch), has been appointed as the Cabinet Secretary following the retirement of Shri Rajiv Gauba.  Academic Qualifications: o Holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Calcutta University. o Completed the Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School. o Is a Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, and Company Secretary.  Roles at the Centre: o Served as Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. o Worked as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. o Held the position of Director, Corporate Affairs at the World Bank in Washington, DC. o Prior to becoming Cabinet Secretary, he was Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Expenditure.  Roles in Tamil Nadu State Government: o Served as Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. o Held positions as Secretary to the Chief Minister and Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner of Commercial Taxes during the GST rollout. o Also served as Commissioner, Disciplinary Proceedings.  World Bank Career: o Joined the World Bank in 1996 under the Young Professionals Program as a Financial Economist. o Appointed Manager of the Budget Policy Group, becoming one of the Bank's youngest Sector Managers. o Served as Director at the World Bank from 2011 to 2015.  Publications: o Authored over 80 papers on economics, finance, and public policy. o Published three books with McGraw Hill and Cambridge/Oxford University Press. The Office of the Cabinet Secretariat  Establishment: Created in 1947 and operates under the Prime Minister (politically) and Cabinet Secretary (administratively).  Structure: o Comprises three wings: Civil Wing, Military Wing, and Intelligence Wing. o Functions as a department under the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961. o Has subject-specific advisors to the Prime Minister.  Functions: o Provides secretarial assistance to the Cabinet. o Prepares for Cabinet meetings and supports information-sharing and deliberations. o Maintains records of Cabinet discussions and decisions and circulates them among ministries. o Submits monthly summaries on key topics to the Cabinet. o Oversees implementation of Cabinet decisions by ministries and agencies. o Serves as the primary coordinating agency for the Government of India. Role of the Cabinet Secretary  Office Creation: The position of Cabinet Secretary was established in 1950.  Appointment: Appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet based on seniority and merit.  Responsibilities: o Functions under the Prime Minister. o Supports the Council of Ministers and coordinates between ministries. o Oversees administration of Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961. o Heads the Civil Service and upholds morale among civil servants. o Acts as a buffer between politicians and civil servants in cases of conflict. o Serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board (CSB). ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 22 of 300  1 NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL RANKING FRAMEWORK (NIRF) 2024 The Ministry of Education released the ninth edition of the India Rankings 2024, based on the parameters defined by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).  Historical Background: o This edition builds on the previous eight editions from 2016 to 2023 with updates and improvements. o Participation has increased significantly, from 3,565 institutions in 2016 to 10,845 institutions in 2024. o The number of categories has grown from four in 2016 to sixteen in 2024. Ranking Highlights  Top Institutions: o IIT Madras ranks first in both engineering and overall categories. o IISc Bengaluru is the top-ranked university in India. o Top 10 Ranking:  1st: IIT Madras  2nd: IISc Bengaluru  3rd: IIT Bombay  4th: IIT Delhi  5th: IIT Kanpur  6th: IIT Kharagpur  7th: AIIMS Delhi  8th: IIT Roorkee  9th: IIT Guwahati  10th: JNU, New Delhi  New Categories: o Three new categories were introduced: Open Universities, Skill Universities, and State-Funded Government Universities. Evaluation Criteria and Methodology  Updated Ratios: o Faculty-to-student ratio adjusted for different categories:  Medical Institutes: From 1:15 to 1:10.  State Government Universities: From 1:15 to 1:20.  Five Broad Parameters: o Teaching, Learning, and Resources o Research and Professional Practice o Graduation Outcomes o Outreach and Inclusivity o Perception  Categories for Ranking: o The 2024 rankings cover 16 categories: overall, universities, medical, engineering, management, law, architecture and planning, colleges, research institutions, pharmacy, dental, agriculture and allied sectors, state-funded government universities, skill universities, open universities, and innovation. Participation and Results  Participation Growth: o 2024: 10,885 institutions participated. o 2023: 5,543 institutions participated.  Open Universities Ranking: o 1st: Indira Gandhi National Open University o 2nd: Netaji Subhash Open University (Kolkata) o 3rd: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (Ahmedabad) ©LegalEdge Tutorial Page 23 of 300  1 About the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)  Establishment: Approved by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and launched in 2015.  Purpose: Provides a standardized methodology to rank institutions across India.  Development: The framework was based on recommendations from a Core Committee set up by MHRD, defining broad parameters for ranking institutions.  Evaluation Parameters: o Encompasses Teaching, Learning and Resources, Research and Professional Practices, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach and Inclusivity, and Perception.  Faculty-to-Student Ratio Update: o Medical institutes now have a 1:10 faculty-to-student ratio, while state government universities have a 1:20 ratio. MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT RULING ON GARLIC CLASSIFICATION Madhya Pradesh High Court recently addressed a legal dispute over whether garlic should be classified as a vegetable or a spice. This classification impacts how and where garlic can be sold in markets across the state, affecting farmers' and commission agents' incomes.  Case Background: o In 2015, the Madhya Pradesh Market Board classified garlic as a vegetable following requests from farmers. o The Agriculture Department contested this decision, reclassifying garlic as a spice under the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act of 1972. o The Potato Onion Garlic Commission Agent Association challenged the reclassification in 2016. A single- judge ruled in favor of the Association in February 2017. o Business groups opposed this ruling, arguing it would favor commission agents. This led to a review petition in July 2017, resulting in the current two-judge bench review.  High Court Ruling: o The High Court upheld the 2017 order, confirming that garlic, being perishable, should be classified as a vegetable. o The ruling allows garlic to be sold in both vegetable and spice markets, providing flexibility and potentially higher prices for farmers.  Implications: o Farmers can now sell garlic in both types of markets, expanding their options for better pricing. o Commission agents can bid for garlic in vegetable markets, increasing competition and benefiting both farmers and traders. o The ruling comes when garlic prices are at an all-time high, potentially boosting its market value further. Key Facts About Garlic  Botani