12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs PDF September 2024

9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Contents National Current Affairs..................

9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Contents National Current Affairs................................................................................ 4 National Lok Adalat........................................................................................... 7 Relaxation under Pradhan Mantri – Awas Yojana.............................................. 12 PARAM Rudra: India’s new Supercomputers..................................................... 17 Dadasaheb Phalke Award conferred on Mithun Chakraborty.............................. 21 Tamil Nadu’s Samagra Siksha Fund.................................................................. 25 ANI Defamation Case...................................................................................... 31 Preventive Detention....................................................................................... 35 Renaming of Port Blair.................................................................................... 38 Swacch Bharat Mission.................................................................................... 44 International Current Affairs...................................................................... 46 UAE’s Barakah nuclear reactor......................................................................... 47 India – US Semiconductor Partnership.............................................................. 52 Global Bio – India Summit 2024....................................................................... 56 Suspension of X in Brazil................................................................................. 58 Apple’s legal battle against EU......................................................................... 61 BRICS’ Membership Expansion......................................................................... 66 QUAD Summit 2024........................................................................................ 70 FATF’s Mutual Evaluation Report for India........................................................ 74 Reports & Indices....................................................................................... 79 2 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index 2024...................................................................... 79 2024 Asia Power Index.................................................................................... 83 Global Innovation Index 2024.......................................................................... 88 Urban Governance Index 2024........................................................................ 93 Plastic Pollution in India.................................................................................. 97 Tech, Economy & Finance......................................................................... 101 PAC’s performance review of Regulatory Bodies.............................................. 101 Open AI’s Project Strawberry......................................................................... 106 54th GST Council Meeting............................................................................... 109 Defence & Space....................................................................................... 113 New Anti – Submarine Warfare Vessels.......................................................... 113 China’s Chang’e-6 Moon Mission.................................................................... 116 Chandrayaan-4............................................................................................. 123 India – Oman Joint Defence Exercises............................................................ 127 Exercise Yudh Abhya-24................................................................................ 131 Sports........................................................................................................ 133 Chess Olympiad 2024.................................................................................... 133 Paris Paralympics Games 2024....................................................................... 137 Important Days......................................................................................... 141 International Literacy Day 2024..................................................................... 141 World Ozone Day 2024................................................................................. 143 World Alzheimer’s Day 2024.......................................................................... 145 3 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 National Current Affairs National Lok Adalat Recently: The National Legal Services Authority organised the 3rd National Lok Adalat of the year 2024 in the Taluks, Districts and High Courts of 27 States/UTs on September 14. In the remaining States/UTs, the 3rd National Lok Adalat will be held after the prevailing Ganesh Chaturthi and Onam festivities. About the 3rd National Lok Adalat: The present Lok Adalat was organised under the stewardship of Mr Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, NALSA. A significant number of 1,14,56,529 cases (One crore fourteen lakh fifty-six thousand five hundred twenty-nine) have been settled at the 3rd National Lok Adalat on 14.09.2024. These include: 7 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 94,60,864 pre-litigation cases 19,95,665 pending cases These were criminal compoundable offences, traffic challans, revenue cases, bank recovery cases, labour disputes, matrimonial cases (excluding divorces), land acquisition matters, intellectual property rights disputes, consumer complaints and other civil matters. The approximate value of the total settlement amount in these cases was 8482.08 crores. History of Legal Aid: The earliest Legal Aid movement appears to be of the year 1851 when some enactment was introduced in France for providing legal assistance to the indigent. Article 39-A of the Constitution of India directs the state to organize Lok Adalats to secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity. Article 14 obligates the State to ensure equality before the law and Article 22 confers the detained citizens with the right to be represented by the lawyer of their choice. Section 340(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, provided that when a man was charged with an offence punishable with death, the court could provide him with counsel upon his request. Since 1952, the Govt. of India also started addressing to the question of legal aid for the poor in various conferences of Law Ministers and Law Commissions. The 14th Report of the Law Commission of India,1958, mooted the idea of providing free legal aid to the poor by the State. In 1960, some guidelines were drawn by the Govt. for legal aid schemes. In 1973, Government constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Justice Krishna Iyer to develop a legal aid scheme for states. In 1980, a Committee at the national level was constituted to oversee and supervise legal aid programmes throughout the country under the Chairmanship of Hon. Mr. Justice P.N. Bhagwati then a Judge of the Supreme Court of India. 8 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 This Committee came to be known as CILAS (Committee for Implementing Legal Aid Schemes) and started monitoring legal aid activities throughout the country. In 1987 Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted to give a statutory base to legal aid programmes throughout the country on a uniform pattern. Hon. Mr. Justice R.N. Mishra the then Chief Justice of India played a key role in the enforcement of the Act. This Act was finally enforced on 9th of November, 1995 after certain amendments were introduced therein by the Amendment Act of 1994. What is Lok Adalat? Lok Adalat is one of the alternative dispute redressal mechanisms, it is a forum where disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/ compromised amicably. The advent of Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 further gives a statutory status to these Lok Adalats. It is prescribed in Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 to allow the court to refer disputes to alternative dispute resolution methods outside of court. Lok Adalats are better known as the people’s courts, therefore they need to be available to people on every level of governance. The Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 (Hereafter “the Act”) prescribes for several levels wherein Lok Adalats can be organized, ranging from the lowest courts to the apex court. Composition: The composition of a Lok Adalat typically includes a chairman, two members, and one social worker. The chairman is required to be a retired judicial officer with legal expertise, while the other two members are expected to be lawyers. Jurisdiction: The jurisdiction of these Lok Adalats is parallel to the courts organizing them, therefore it extends to any case or matter which is being heard by that court under its original jurisdiction. 9 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Matters with respect to offences not compoundable under law are an exception to this jurisdiction. These courts may also take cognizance of cases as per provisions of the Act for disputes agreed by the parties to be resolved under them or if one of the parties makes an application to the courts for referring the case to Lok Adalats for settlement. In any case, if the parties are unable to reach a compromise and the Lok Adalat deems that matter needs more determination, it can refer the matter back to the courts for adjudication. Powers: Lok Adalats possess powers equivalent to those of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908). This authority extends to the following matters: Summoning and ensuring the attendance of witnesses and administering oaths for their examination. Discovery and production of documents relevant to the cases. Acceptance of evidence through affidavits. Requisitioning public records, documents, or their copies from courts or offices. Lok Adalats are recognized as Civil Courts for the purposes defined in section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Lok Adalats have the flexibility to establish their own procedures for the resolution of disputes, adapting their methods to the specific needs of each case. All proceedings conducted in a Lok Adalat are regarded as judicial proceedings within the legal framework. This classification falls under sections 193, 219, and 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). Under the Section 21 of the Act, the awards passed by the Lok Adalats are final and binding on the parties. Court Fee: There is no court fee payable when a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat. If a matter pending in the court of law is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled subsequently, the court fee originally paid in the court on the complaints/petition is also refunded back to the parties. 10 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 National Legal Services Authority (NALSA): The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society. It aims to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. History: The Authority came into force only in November 1995. His Lordship Hon. Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Judge, Supreme Court of India took over as the Executive Chairman of National Legal Services Authority on 17the July, 1997. The first Member Secretary of the authority joined in December, 1997. By February, 1998 the office of National Legal Services Authority became properly functional for the first time. In October, 1998, His Lordship Hon. Dr. Justice A.S. Anand assumed the Office of the Chief Justice of India and thus became the Patron-in-Chief of National Legal Services Authority. His Lordship Hon. Mr. Justice S.P. Bharucha, the senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court of India assumed the office of the Executive Chairman. Decentralization: At the national level, Chief Justice of India acts as the patron-in-chief of NALSA (currently Justice DY Chandrachud) and senior most judge of the Supreme court acts as the Executive chairman (currently Justice Sanjiv Khanna) of the National Legal Services Authority. Currently, Justice DY Chandrachud is the senior most judge of the Supreme Court and Justice Sanjiv Khanna is the second senior most judge. In every State, State Legal Services Authority has been constituted to give effect to the policies and directions of the NALSA and to give free legal services to the people and conduct Lok Adalats in the State. 11 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The State Legal Services Authority is headed by Hon’ble the Chief Justice of the respective High Court who is the Patron-in-Chief of the State Legal Services Authority. A Seniormost Judge of High Court is nominated as Executive Chairman, SLSA. In every District, District Legal Services Authority has been constituted to implement Legal Services Programmes in the District. These are chaired by the District Judge of the respective district. A Civil Judge Cadre Judicial Officer is appointed as Secretary on full time basis. Eligibility: To receive those services, the person acquiring them should fall under the following categories: People with disability Women and children People who are members of SC & ST communities Victims of poverty (beggars) and human trafficking Industrial workmen People under custody People who are victims of natural disasters, caste or ethnic violence, etc. People with an annual income lower than 1 lakh. Relaxation under Pradhan Mantri – Awas Yojana 12 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Recently: In some good news for homebuyers, the Centre recently relaxed the automatic exclusion criteria under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin or PMAY-G. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the revision in PMAY-G's ineligibility standards in a video-conferencing with the Rural Development Ministers of the states. What is Pradhan – Mantri Awas Yojana? Public housing programme in India started with the rehabilitation of refugees immediately after independence. With the launch of Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985, the public housing programme in India got a boost. IAY was launched as a rural housing programme targeting SC/ST and the Minority population. The programme was gradually extended to cover all Below Poverty Line (BPL) population. As a part of the continuous efforts of the Indian Government to fulfill the housing needs of rural and urban poor, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana was launched in June 2015. 13 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a credit-linked subsidy scheme by the Government of India to facilitate access to affordable housing for the low and moderate-income residents of the country. It envisaged a target of building 2 crore (20 million) affordable houses by 31 March 2022, when it was launched in 2015. It has two components: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U) for the urban poor. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) (PMAY-G and also PMAY-R) for the rural poor. The former administered by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the latter by Ministry of Rural Development. The scheme is being implemented through four verticals: Beneficiary Linked Construction (BLC): Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction /enhancement. Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Promotion of affordable housing for weaker sections through credit subsidy. Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): Creation of houses by both public and private sectors. In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): Rehabilitation of slum dwellers with the participation of private developers using land as a resource. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban: It was launched on 25th June 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, intending to provide housing for all in urban areas by year 2022. Objective of the mission: Rehabilitation of slum dwellers with private developers’ participation. Promotion of affordable housing for the weaker sections through Credit Linked Subsidy Schemes (CLSS). Providing subsidy for Beneficiary-led Construction (BLC). States/UTs, at their discretion, may decide a cut-off date on which beneficiaries need to be resident of that urban area for being eligible to take benefits under the scheme. 14 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Mission is implemented as Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) except for the component of credit linked subsidy which is implemented as a Central Sector Scheme. Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries include Economically weaker section (EWS), low-income groups (LIGs) and Middle Income Groups (MIGs). The annual income cap is up to Rs 3 lakh for EWS, Rs 3-6 lakh for LIG and Rs 6 + -18 lakhs for MIG. EWS category of beneficiaries is eligible for assistance in all four verticals of the Missions whereas LIG and MIG categories are eligible under only Credit linked subsidy scheme (CLSS) component of the mission. Benefits: The government is providing an interest subsidy of 6.5% on housing loans which can be availed by beneficiaries for 15 years from start of loan date. The government will grant Rs 1 lakh to all the beneficiaries of the scheme. In addition, Rs 1.5 lakh will be given to all eligible urban poor who want to construct their houses in urban areas or plan to go for renovation in their existing houses. House is to be allotted in the name of adult female member or in joint name and all houses to have toilet facility, drinking water and power supply. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin: Pradhan Mantri Gramin Aawas Yojana is a social welfare programme under the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, to provide housing for the rural poor in India. 15 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Housing for all by 2022, the rural housing scheme Indira Awas Yojana has been revamped to Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin and approved during March 2016. The scheme envisaged the construction of 2.95 crore houses with all basic amenities by the year 2022. PMAY-G aims at providing a pucca house, with basic amenities, to all houseless households and those households living in kutcha and dilapidated house. Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries are chosen based on housing deprivation parameters of Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011, subject to an exclusion criteria, followed by Gram Sabha verification. Benefits: Under the PMAY-G, each beneficiary gets up to Rs 1.2 lakh in the plains and Rs 1.30 lakh in hilly states, difficult areas, and tribal and backward districts under the Integrated Action Plan (IAP). The beneficiary is entitled to 90 days of unskilled labour from MGNREGA. The beneficiary would be facilitated to avail loan of up to Rs.70,000/- for construction of the house which is optional. The minimum size of the houses under PMAY-G is 25 sq m including a dedicated area for hygienic cooking. Cost Sharing: The Centre and states share expenses in the 60:40 ratio in case of plain areas, and 90:10 for Northeastern states, two Himalayan states and the UT of J&K. The Centre bears 100% cost in case of other UTs including Ladakh. Recent changes and the “Exclusion Criteria”: 16 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 As per the recent relaxation, families earning up to Rs 15,000 per month and owning two-wheelers, motorised fishing boats, refrigerators, landline can now avail the Centre's rural housing scheme. Previously, families meeting these parameters were ineligible to purchase a house under this scheme. The parameters that will continue to result in “automatic exclusion” are: (Owning) motorised three/four-wheelers; Mechanised three/ four-wheeler agricultural equipment; Kisan Credit Card with credit limit of Rs 50,000 or above; Household with any member as a Government employee; Household with non-agricultural enterprises registered with Government; Any member of family paying income tax; Paying professional tax; Land ownership ceiling of 2.5 acres or more of irrigated land. Under PMAY-G, all households living in houses with pucca roof and/or pucca wall, and households in houses with more than two rooms were already filtered out. The exclusion criteria revision is significant in view of the Centre’s aim to construct two crore additional houses under the rural housing scheme by 2028-29, a proposal that was approved last month. PARAM Rudra: India’s new Supercomputers 17 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Recently: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three new supercomputers called Param Rudra, developed in India under the National Supercomputing Mission. The launch of Param Rudra supercomputers was part of a program where PM Modi was scheduled to dedicate projects worth Rs 22,600 crore for various sectors. However, the event was postponed due to the heavy rainfall situation in Mumbai and Pune. The Prime Minister also inaugurated a High-Performance Computing (HPC) system tailored for weather and climate research. About the newly launched supercomputers: The three new supercomputers are all indigenously-built PARAM Rudra computers, developed under the National Supercomputing Mission, at a combined cost of about Rs 130 crores. They have been deployed at three key locations: Delhi, Pune and Kolkata. One of them has been installed at Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune, which is one of the world’s largest and most powerful radio telescopes in the meter-wave range. It will leverage the supercomputer to explore Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena. 18 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 It has a capacity of one petaflop. One of these is installed in Delhi at the Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) which will enhance research in fields like material science and atomic physics. It is most powerful among the three with the capacity of 3 Petaflops. The third one is installed in Kolkata at the S N Bose Centre and will use supercomputing technology to drive advanced research in areas such as physics, cosmology, and earth sciences. It has the capacity of 838 terraflops. High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems: The two High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems, ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’, are made for weather and climate research. These systems worth Rs 850 crore will be deployed Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF) in Noida. Together, they have elevated the computing capacity available with the Ministry of Earth Sciences from 6.8 Peta Flop five years ago to a total of 22 Peta Flops, the highest ever by far. Arka system at IITM has a 11.77 Peta Flop capacity and will, for the first time, help improve the country’s horizontal resolution of its global weather prediction models to 6 km from the existing 12 km. HPC Arunika comes with a 8.24 Peta Flop capacity. This HPC will prove beneficial in upgrading weather forecast resolution at block levels. National Supercomputing Mission: 19 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 In 2015 the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced a "National Supercomputing Mission" (NSM) to install 73 indigenous supercomputers throughout the country by 2022 at an estimated cost of $730 million. It aimed to create a cluster of geographically distributed high-performance computing centres linked over a high-speed network, connecting various academic and research institutions across India. This has been dubbed as the "National Knowledge Network" (NKN). It is being steered jointly by Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeiTY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It has been implemented by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. The four major pillars of the National Supercomputing Mission include: Infrastructure Applications Research and Development HRD The mission was planned in three phases: Phase I- Assembling supercomputers Phase II- Manufacturing certain components within the country. Phase III Designing supercomputers in India India’s first supercomputer was PARAM 8000 which was launched in 1991. PARAM Shivay was the first supercomputer assembled indigenously. It was installed in IIT (BHU). C- DAC has designed and developed a compute server “Rudra” and high-speed interconnect “Trinetra” which are the major sub-assemblies required for supercomputers. The AI Research Analytics and Knowledge Dissemination Platform ‘AIRAWAT’ Supercomputer, installed at C-DAC, Pune was ranked 75th in the world in the 61st edition of Top 500 Global Supercomputing List at the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC 2023) in Germany. AIRAWAT is of 200 AI Petaflops Mixed Precision peak compute capacity. It is currently funded by MeitY and implemented by C-DAC 20 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The AIRAWAT PoC of 200 AI Petaflops integrated with PARAM Siddhi – AI of 210 AI Petaflops gives a total peak compute of 410 AI Petaflops Mixed Precision and sustained compute capacity of 8.5 Petaflops (Rmax) Double Precision. In 2020, PARAM Siddhi, the High-Performance Computing-Artificial Intelligence (HPC-AI) supercomputer, achieved global ranking of 62nd in Top 500 most powerful supercomputer systems in the world. Vijay Pandurg Bhatkar is popularly known as Father of Indian Supercomputer. He is founder and the Executive Director of C-DAC and the main architect of the National Supercomputing Mission. He was awarded with Padma Shree in 2000 and Padma Bhushan in 2015 Dadasaheb Phalke Award conferred on Mithun Chakraborty 21 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Recently: Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty has been conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award, country’s highest recognition in the field of cinema, for the year 2022. The award will be presented to Mithun Chakraborty at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony, set to take place on Oct 8, 2024. The news of Chakraborty getting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award comes just months after he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan. About Mithun Chakraborty: Mithun Chakraborty, also known as Mithun Da, is an iconic Indian actor, producer, and politician, recognized for his versatile roles and distinctive dancing style Over his extensive career, Mithun has acted in more than 350 films across various Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri, and Telugu. Born Gourang Chakraborty on June 16, 1950, in Kolkata, West Bengal, he earned the National Film Award for Best Actor in his very first film, "Mrigayaa" (1976) directed by Mrinal Sen. Mithun gained significant popularity in the 1980s with his role in "Disco Dancer" (1982), a film that became a major success both in India and internationally. 22 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 His performance in Agneepath also won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1990. In 1992, he also started a trust, named Cine & T.V. Artists Association (CINTAA), to help needy actors along with Dilip Kumar and Sunil Dutt. He also started a production house named Paparatzy Productions. He became a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha in the year 2014. He resigned as an MP in Rajya Sabha in 2016 and became a member of the BJP in 2021. He won two more National Film Awards for his for Best Actor in Tahader Katha (1992) and Best Supporting Actor in Swami Vivekananda (1998). He received the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award, established by the Government of Maharashtra, in 2021. He was also conferred with Padma Bhushan in early 2024. He is the record holder in the Limca Book of records for 19 movie releases as a lead actor in 1989, which is still unbroken in Bollywood. The television show, Dance India Dance, where Chakraborty was a Grand Master, also entered in the Limca Book of Records and the Guinness World Records in 2012 for “Best Bollywood Dance”. Dadasaheb Phalke Awards: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in the field of cinema. It is presented annually as a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Presented first in 1969, the award was introduced by the Government of India to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke's contribution to Indian cinema Phalke (1870–1944), is popularly known as and often regarded as "the father of Indian cinema". He was an Indian filmmaker who directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913). The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,000,000. The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani, who was honoured at the 17th National Film Awards. 23 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 As of 2024, there have been 54 awardees. The following members were part of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee: Ms. Asha Parekh Ms. Khushbu Sundar Mr. Vipul Amrutlal Shah National Film Awards: Established in 1954, the National Film Awards is one of the most prestigious and much looked-forward-to events in the country. It has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals from 1973 until 2020, and by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) since 2021. Every year, a national panel appointed by the government selects the winning entry, and the award ceremony is held in New Delhi, where the President of India presents the awards. The awards are categorized into three sections; Feature film, Non-feature film, and Best Writing on cinema. In addition, a lifetime achievement award, named after the father of Indian cinema Dadasaheb Phalke, is awarded to a film personality for the outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. All the award winners are awarded a Medallion, a cash prize, and a certificate of merit. Six categories from the Feature Films section, three from the Non-Feature Films and Best Writing on Cinema sections each have been made eligible for Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus Award). The rest of the categories for Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus Award). 2022 Awards: 70th National Film Awards for the year 2022 were announced in August 2024. Best feature film award has been given to Aattam (The Play) directed by Anand Ekarshi. Award for Best Non-Feature Film has been bagged by Ayena (Mirror) directed by Siddhant Sarin. 24 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Award for Best Book on Cinema has been given to Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography authored by Anirudha Bhattacharjee & Parthiv Dhar. Kantara won the Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Rishab Shetty has been awarded the Best Actor in Leading Role for his performance in the movie Kantara Nithya Menen bagged the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Thiruchitrambalam. Pavan Raj Malhotra won the award for Best Supporting Actor while Neena Gupta won the Best Supporting Actress Award in the Feature Films category. Directed by Ayan Mukerji with its VFX Supervisors Jaykar Arudra, Viral Thakkar, and Neelesh Gore, BRAHMASTRA- PART 1: SHIVA bagged the award for Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects Gaming & Comic). Tamil Nadu’s Samagra Siksha Fund 25 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Recently: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin wrote to PM Modi requesting the Centre to expedite the release of its share to the state under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. In response, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged Stalin to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for the PM SHRI scheme and stated that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 "fully supports the idea of teaching Tamil in the schools of Tamil Nadu." What is Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan? The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan was launched in 2018. It was formed by integrating the following three schemes: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Teacher Education (TE). Samagra Shiksha is an integrated Centrally-sponsored scheme for school education from nursery till Class 12. 26 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 It has components for teacher training and salaries, special education, digital education, school infrastructure, administrative reform, vocational and sports education. It includes provision of grants for textbooks, uniforms, and libraries, among others. The scheme’s estimated outlay between 2021 and 2026 is ₹2.94 lakh crore, with the Centre and States contributing funds in a 60:40 ratio. For 2024-25, Tamil Nadu’s allocation under the scheme amounts to ₹3,586 crore. Of this, Central share is ₹2,152 crore, with a first quarterly instalment of ₹573 crore, which has not yet arrived halfway through the financial year. This scheme, being run from 2022-2027, aims to create 14,500 model schools across the country to showcase the implementation of NEP 2020, and has a much smaller project cost of ₹27,360 crore. What the dispute is all about? The Centre has not released Tamil Nadu’s share of funds for the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). This has prompted a series of exchanges between the Centre and the state. Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Modi in August asking for the SSA funds to be released. As per the Tamil Nadu CM, Centre’s first instalment of Rs 573 crore to the State for FY 2024-25 is overdue, and that another Rs 249 crore from the previous financial year is also pending. In the letter, M.K. Stalin accused the Centre of imposing a prerequisite for the fund’s disbursal, namely, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another Centrally-sponsored education scheme called PM Schools for Rising India (PM Shri). To this, the centre responded that the it has released all four instalments for the previous year. At the heart of the issue is Tamil Nadu and the Centre’s long disagreement vis-a-vis the NEP. 27 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The Centre has sent at least 10 letters to Tamil Nadu from September 2022, asking the State to sign the MoU, which included an agreement to fully implement the NEP. While Tamil Nadu had agreed to sign an MoU with the Centre earlier this year to implement the PM SHRI scheme, it sent an MoU to the Centre omitting a paragraph on the NEP. The MoU that the Centre requires states to sign, specifies that the State or UT will implement all provisions of the NEP 2020 “in entirety within the entire State/UT.” What is New Education Policy (NEP),2020? In 1976, The subject of education went from state list to Concurrent list. In 1986, the government released an education policy. Then in July, 2020, the Government of India released a new education policy replacing the old one of 1986. The policy was drafted by a 9-member committee headed by Dr K. Kasturirangan. The policy gave a pedagogic structure of 5+3+3+4 formula which is one year of pre-primary + four years of primary till class 4. Four years of upper primary till Class 8, two years of secondary, class 9 - 10 & two years of higher secondary (class 11 -12) Stage I – The Foundational stage (Age 3-8): 85% of the child's brain's development happens at this stage. Skills in languages, games, sports and some basic practical skills is required to be taught to children at this stage. Stage II – Discovery Stage (Age 9-11): During this stage, there is a strong focus on nurturing and enhancing numerical skills, as this is a critical period for building foundational mathematical understanding. 28 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 This phase encourages students to explore concepts through active learning and inquiry, promoting a deeper engagement with their academic subjects. It primarily targets students in Classes III to V, recognizing this age group as pivotal for developing key academic and cognitive abilities. Wherever feasible, instructions should be provided in the students' mother tongue, as it aids in better comprehension and helps maintain a connection to their cultural and linguistic roots. At least 3 languages to be taught to students, and 2 of them have to be Indian language. Stage III Experimental Stage (Ages 12-14): At this stage, the basics of subjects such as Science, Social Science, and other core disciplines will be introduced to provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge in key academic areas. This phase encourages students to actively engage in hands-on learning and experimentation, fostering curiosity and a practical understanding of theoretical concepts. Coding and computational thinking is introduced during this stage, equipping students with essential technological skills that are increasingly important in the modern world. Additionally, a 10-day vocational training program has to be incorporated, offering students the opportunity to explore practical skills and trades, thereby enhancing their exposure to various career paths and skill sets at an early age. Stage IV – Secondary Stage (Ages 15-18): During this stage, students will enjoy increased flexibility in selecting subjects that align with their interests and career aspirations, fostering a sense of ownership over their educational journey. To alleviate stress associated with academic assessments, board examinations are conducted twice a year, and the weightage assigned to these exams has been reduced, allowing for a more balanced evaluation of students' capabilities. 29 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 A comprehensive 360-degree holistic report card is implemented, providing a well-rounded view of each student’s academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and personal development. Currently as per the last data, only 26.3% of Indian students pursue higher studies; however, the government aims to increase this figure to 50% by the year 2035. Why does Tamil Nadu oppose the NEP? Among the issues that both the previous AIADMK government and the current DMK government in Tamil Nadu have had with the NEP 2020 is the three-language formula that the policy recommends. As per NEP, the three languages which students will learn can be chosen by the States and students themselves, as long as at least two of the three languages are native to India. This three-language formula recommendation has been in every NEP since 1968, and has been implemented in many States by teaching the local language, as well as English and Hindi, with Sanskrit also offered as an option. Schools in Tamil Nadu follow a two-language system making it mandatory for all students to study both Tamil and English throughout their school years, and they are free to choose Hindi or any other language as an optional third. The possibility of having to include Hindi, and the “imposition” of Hindi or Sanskrit in case of a three-language policy has been raised by the state in its opposition to the NEP. A report on drafting a State Education Policy for Tamil Nadu was submitted to Stalin earlier this year by a committee led by Justice D Murugesan. Tamil Nadu’s draft State Education Policy (SEP), submitted in July, clearly indicates that the State wants to stick to the 5+3+2+2 curricular formula, rather than the NEP, which includes the pre-school years. The SEP also proposes five years as the age of entry to Class 1, as against six years in the NEP. The State wants undergraduate college admissions to be based on Class 11 and 12 marks, rather than a common entrance test as proposed by the NEP. The biggest hurdle, however, is the NEP’s three-language formula. 30 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Three other Opposition-ruled states — West Bengal, Punjab and Delhi — had also not signed the MoU for PM SHRI and the Centre had not released funds to these states for the Samagra Shiksha scheme. However, Punjab has recently relented and agreed to implement the PM SHRI scheme. The Centre’s stand is that even Samagra Shiksha has been redesigned and aligned with the NEP, whose 86 recommendations have been incorporated in the scheme. ANI Defamation Case Source- https://www.pmfias.com/anis-defamation-case-against-wikipedia/ Recently: ANI sued Wikimedia Foundation for defamation, claiming its Wikipedia page described the news agency as a propagator of government propaganda. A Delhi High Court judge issued a warning to Wikimedia, demanding the identities of the users who made these edits. The judge threatened to order the government to block Wikipedia if Wikimedia foundation failed to comply. Wikipedia was directed to have an authorized representative personally present at the next hearing on October 25. 31 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The Case: ANI accused Wikipedia of malicious intent to tarnish its reputation and alleged that Wikipedia officials actively participated in reversing edits that corrected the defamatory content. ANI sought the removal of the defamatory content and requested a court order to prevent Wikipedia from publishing such material in the future. ANI demanded Rs 2 crore in damages, claiming that the defamatory content was false and harmed its goodwill and reputation. Wikipedia released a statement in July clarifying that it does not add or edit content, which is handled by its global community of volunteer editors. On August 20, Wikipedia appeared before the High Court and was directed to provide ANI with the subscriber details of the individuals who made the edits. Wikipedia explained the delay in releasing this information, citing its non-Indian location. Wikipedia clarified that its volunteers use reliable sources like newspaper articles and peer-reviewed journals, adhering to its editorial policies that exclude personal opinions and original research. It stated that the information in the ANI article is supported by multiple publicly available secondary sources. To prevent rapid editing and vandalism, the ANI article is under “extended confirmed protection,” allowing only user accounts that are at least 30 days old and have 500 edits to make changes. Laws invoked: ANI argued that Wikipedia qualifies as a significant social media intermediary under Section 2(1)(w) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which defines intermediaries as entities that store or transmit data on behalf of others, including various online service providers. The petitioner also referred to Sections 79(2) and (3) of the Act, which outline conditions for the removal of protection under the "safe harbour clause," which is a legal protection for intermediaries from liability for third-party content. 32 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The safe harbor clause: Section 79 of the IT Act grants intermediaries protection from liability for third-party content on their platforms. This protection applies if intermediaries do not initiate, select receivers, or modify the content, as per Section 79(2)(b). Compliance with the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code (2021), including grievance mechanisms and key officers, is required for safe harbour protection. Section 79(3) removes protection if the intermediary fails to take action after being notified by the government. Rule 7 of the IT Rules (2021) states that non-compliance results in loss of safe harbour protection and potential legal penalties. Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act is similar, shielding intermediaries from liability for user-generated content. Previous Cases against Wikipedia: Wikipedia has previously faced criticism from the Union government for vandalism, such as the temporary defacement of cricketer Arshdeep Singh's page last year. The vandalism was swiftly addressed by Wikipedia’s volunteers, who restricted editing to experienced users. Unlike social media companies, Wikipedia lacks a procedure to block access to articles based on court orders under Indian law. In 2019, the Wikimedia Foundation criticized a draft of the IT Rules, 2021, for potentially limiting free expression by enabling such blocking orders. ANI: Asian News International (ANI) is a news agency that provides multimedia news to news bureaus in India and around the world. It was founded in 1971 by Prem Prakash and is headquartered in New Delhi. ANI is known for being the first agency in India to syndicate video news. 33 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 It covers a variety of topics, including politics, current affairs, sports, health, fitness, and entertainment. ANI's content is available on a variety of platforms, including TV, the internet, broadband, newspapers, and mobile. ANI has over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia, and around the world. Wikipedia: Wikipedia is a free, Internet-based encyclopedia launched in 2001, operating with an open-source management style. It is overseen by the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, which manages the platform. Wikipedia uses collaborative software called a wiki, allowing users to create and develop articles together. Making of Wikipedia: In 1996, Jimmy Wales, a bond trader, moved to San Diego to start Bomis Inc., a web portal company. In March 2000, Wales founded Nupedia, a free online encyclopedia, with Larry Sanger as editor-in-chief. Nupedia had a lengthy expert review process, but by January 2001, fewer than two dozen articles were completed. On January 15, 2001, Wikipedia was launched as a feature of Nupedia, based on open-source wiki software, but was quickly made independent due to objections from Nupedia’s advisory board. In its first year, Wikipedia grew to about 20,000 articles in 18 languages. Nupedia was terminated in 2003, and its articles were merged into Wikipedia. By 2006, the English-language version of Wikipedia had over 1,000,000 articles, and by 2011, it surpassed 3,500,000. The number of new articles peaked in 2007, but gradually declined, leading the Wikimedia Foundation to shift focus to non- English versions of Wikipedia, which numbered over 250 by 2011. Efforts were made to expand Wikipedia into languages of the developing world, though Chinese government restrictions posed challenges to full global access. 34 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Preventive Detention Recently: The Supreme Court recently set stringent standards for authorities imposing preventive detention. In the Jaseela Shaji vs the Union of India, 2024, the SC set up new standards for preventive detention. It made it mandatory to furnish all relevant documents and statements to the person being detained, in a significant ruling that bolsters personal liberty. What is Preventive detention? Preventive detention means detention of a person by the state without trial and conviction by court, but merely on suspicion. The detention could be up to an year unless extended. In countries such as Britain, United States and Canada, preventive detention is a wartime measure. In India, preventive detention was in place even during British rule. Notable examples include the Bengal State Prisoners Regulation of 1818 and the Defence of India Act of 1939, both of which allowed for preventive detention. The Constitution of India itself makes space for preventive detention. Part III of the Constitution, which deals with fundamental rights, also gives the state the power to suspend these rights for preventive detention. 35 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Despite its emphasis on individual liberty, Part III, which forms the basic structure of the Constitution that cannot be amended, contains provisions for preventive detention under Article 22. Article 22 of the Indian Constitution provides safeguards for individuals who are arrested or detained. These provisions guarantee the protection of fundamental rights in various situations of arrest or detention. Among central legislations, the National Security Act, the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA) are examples of laws under which preventive detention can be ordered. As many as 25 states also have preventive detention legislations, like the Telangana law. Article 22: Article 22(1): No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a legal practitioner of his choice. Article 22 (2): Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest This is excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the magistrate. No such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a magistrate. Article 22 (3): Nothing in clauses (1) and (2) shall apply— (a) to any person who for the time being is an enemy alien; or (b) to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention. Article 22 (4) - No law providing for preventive detention shall authorize the detention of a person for a longer period than three months unless— (a) An Advisory Board of current or former High Court judges, or those qualified to be judges, has reported within three months that there is sufficient cause for detention. Provided that nothing in this sub-clause shall authorise the detention of any person beyond the maximum period prescribed by any law made by Parliament under sub-clause (b) of clause (7); or 36 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 (b) such person is detained in accordance with the provisions of any law made by Parliament under sub-clauses (a) and (b) of clause (7). Article 22(5) - When any person is detained in pursuance of an order made under any law providing for preventive detention, the authority making the order shall, as soon as may be, communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made and shall afford him the earliest opportunity of making a representation against the order. Article 22 (6) - Nothing in clause (5) shall require the authority making any such order as is referred to in that clause to disclose facts which such authority considers to be against the public interest to disclose. Article 22 (7) - Parliament may by law prescribe— (a) the circumstances under which, and the class or classes of cases in which, a person may be detained for a period longer than three months under any law providing for preventive detention without obtaining the opinion of an Advisory Board in accordance with the provisions of sub-clause (a) of clause (4); (b) the maximum period for which any person may in any class or classes of cases be detained under any law providing for preventive detention; and (c) the procedure to be followed by an Advisory Board in an inquiry under sub-clause (a) of clause (4). The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 shortened the detention period without the advisory board's opinion from three months to two months. However, since this provision has not been implemented, the original three-month period remains in effect. What are the new standards laid down by the SC? The decision by a bench led by Justice Bhushan R Gavai emphasized the constitutional right to personal freedom and the need for detainees to have a fair chance to challenge detention orders. The ruling came in response to a preventive detention order under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974. 37 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 This order had been upheld by the Kerala High Court. The SC overruled the judgement. The bench, which also comprised Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan, ruled that the failure to supply all relevant documents and statements hampers the detainee's right to effectively contest the detention. This is especially true when the documents are not provided in a language the detainee understands, thereby affecting their constitutional right to effective representation. It further highlighted that authorities must guard against arbitrary actions and ensure that the rights of individuals under preventive detention are respected at every stage. The 60-page judgment, authored by Justice Gavai, held that the processes governing such detentions must adhere strictly to constitutional safeguards. It also stated that both the prison authorities and the competent authority in the central government are obligated to decide on a detainee’s representation with “utmost expedition.” In this particular case, Appisseril Kochu Mohammed Shaji, the detainee, had not been provided with a key witness statement. Additionally, he had not received translations of important documents into Malayalam, his native language, at the time of his detention in August 2023. The top court criticised these lapses as prejudicial, rendering the detention order legally unsound. The court also condemned the delay by prison authorities in handling Shaji’s representation. The representation, filed in September 2023, took over nine months to reach the central government. Holding that authorities must ensure detainees’ representations are transmitted and decided with “utmost expedition,” the bench decried the negligence of prison authorities. Renaming of Port Blair 38 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Recently: Union Minister Amit Shah announced that Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has been officially renamed to ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’. While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram is said to symbolize the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands' unique role in the same. The Union Home Minister declared, "To rid the country of the colonial legacies, we have chosen to rename Port Blair as "Sri Vijaya Puram." How is a state or a city renamed in India? Renaming of States: The Parliament has the power to change the name of a state. The Constitution of India gives the parliament power to alter the name of a state under Article 3. Article 3 of the Constitution explicitly lays down a procedure to alter the area, boundaries, or name of a state. The procedure of changing the name of state is as follows: The Parliament or State Legislative Assembly may present a bill for such alterations. In Parliament, the bill cannot be presented without a recommendation from the President. 39 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The legislature of the states, that are going to be affected by the change, must be presented with the bill. The State Legislature may present its views on the bill within the prescribed time period. The views or suggestions of the State Legislature are not enforceable against the President or The Parliament. o Although it may seem the step of no value, consulting the affected states is essential to maintain the spirit of federalism. After receiving the suggestions of the State Legislative Assembly or after the expiration of the limited time period the bill goes back to the Parliament for further deliberation. The bill like any ordinary bill must be passed with a simple majority of 50%+1 vote. The bill is next sent for ratification to the President. After the approval is given by the President. He shall sign the bill and the bill will become an Act. Renaming of Cities: There is no constitutional provision which talks about changing the name of a city or any area in a state. The power to change the name is given to the State Legislation. The procedure is as follows: The process begins with a resolution proposed by any Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) that suggests the renaming of a particular street or city. Following this, the resolution is subject to discussion and deliberation. In the discussion, the reasons for and possible consequences of altering the name is discussed. The resolution is then put to vote. If it garners a majority of votes, it is deemed to have been passed. However, if it fails to secure a majority, the resolution is declared unsuccessful. A simple majority is used to determine this. After being passed, the resolution as a proposal is submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry considered the proposal and consulted with other state agencies including the Ministry of Railways, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Survey of India, and Registrar General of India. A ‘No Objection’ certificate is issued by the Ministry if the proposal is approved by the ministry and all the agencies. After getting approval from the ministry, the State Government can issue an official notification in the Gazette. The notification must include the details of the changes made in the name of the state or city or any other place. 40 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 About Port Blair: Port Blair is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also its entry point. The city, then a fishing hamlet, was named after Lieutenant Archibald Blair, a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the early 18th century. Blair’s career was marked by a series of contributions to British colonial efforts. In 1789, the Government of Bengal laid the foundation of a penal colony on Chatham Island in the southeast bay of Great Andaman, and named it Port Blair in the honour of Archibald Blair. The city is home to several museums and the important naval base, INS Jarawa, of the Indian Navy. It also houses sea and air bases for the Indian Coast Guard, Andaman and Nicobar Police, and the Andaman and Nicobar Command, which is the first joint command of the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. The capital city is known for the Cellular Jail National Memorial, which was a prison where many nationals and freedom fighters including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Veer Sawarkar), Batukeshwar Dutt, and Yogendra Shukla were imprisoned. The colonial jail, also known as 'Kala Pani', was also used to detain British prisoners at the time of World War II when the island was under Japanese control. In January 2023, the Modi government had changed the name of the local Ross Island to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep. The Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC) that came into existence in 1957 is the ruling civic body administering the city of Port Blair. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a cluster of about 836 islands in the eastern Bay of Bengal, the two groups of which are separated by the 150-km wide Ten Degree Channel. The Andaman Islands lie to the north of the channel, and the Nicobar Islands to the south. Most of these islands (550) are in the Andaman Group, 28 of which are inhabited. 41 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The smaller Nicobars comprise some 22 main islands (10 inhabited). The territory shares maritime borders with Indonesia located about 165 km to the south, Myanmar located 280 km to the north-east and Thailand located 650 km to the south-east. The territory is divided into three districts: Nicobar, South Andaman, and North and Middle Andaman with the capitals at Car Nicobar, Port Blair and Mayabunder respectively. Indira Point on the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island is India’s southernmost point, less than 150 km from the northernmost island of the Indonesian archipelago. In the 11th century CE, Cholas, one of the three Tamil kingdoms, used the islands as a naval base to launch expeditions in South East Asia. The Danish were the first Europeans to arrive on the islands in 1755. The islands became part of the British Raj in 1868. During the Second World War, the islands were invaded by the Japanese Empire. After Indian Independence in 1947, the region became a province and later a union territory after the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950. Other cities that have been recently renamed: Rajahmundry to Rajahmahendravaram: In Andhra Pradesh, Rajahmundry city in the East Godavari district was renamed ‘Rajamahendravaram’ in 2015, restoring its historical name and reflecting the region’s cultural heritage. The new name was derived from a Chalukya dynasty ruler of the 11th century. Gurgaon to Gurugram: Haryana’s largest city Gurgaon was renamed Gurugram in 2016, reflecting the area’s historical significance. Legend has it that Gurgaon derived its name from Guru Dronacharya, Mahabharata’s master of archery, and was said that the village was given as a ‘gurudakshina’ giving the name Guru-gram. Allahabad to Prayagraj: 42 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The city of Allahabad was officially renamed Prayagraj in December 2018. The change was driven by the Uttar Pradesh government’s desire to restore the city’s ancient name, which reflects its association with the confluence of sacred rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati. Naya Raipur to Atal Nagar: The capital of Chhattisgarh, New Raipur, was renamed Atal Nagar in 2018 in honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Hoshangabad Nagar to Narmadapuram: In 2022, Hoshangabad Nagar was renamed Narmadapuram highlighting its connection to the Narmada River which holds cultural and spiritual importance. Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In Maharashtra, Aurangabad was officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023, in honor of the Maratha king Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, who was killed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. In 1988, stalwart Bal Thackeray announced that the city would be known as ‘Sambhaji Nagar’ and since the demand to rename it sprang up. Osmanabad to Dharashiv: In 2023, another city in the Marathwada region, Osmanabad was renamed Dharashiv. Where Osmanabad was derived from the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the new name originated from the ancient Dharashiv caves. According to the Bhartiya Sanskruti Kosh, the name has been believed to come from the two guards, Dhara and Shiv, who were deployed to protect the caves. Faizabad to Ayodhya: In 2018, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath renamed the Faizabad district to Ayodhya district. 43 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Swacch Bharat Mission Recently: Swachh Bharat Mission, one of the first programmes announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he took office in 2014, completed 10 years on October 2. About the Mission: The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2, 2014, at Rajghat, New Delhi. The mission aims to make India clean by providing sanitation facilities to every family, including toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal systems, and safe drinking water. The objective is to achieve these goals by October 2, 2019, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary Prime Minister Modi personally started the campaign by cleaning the streets, highlighting his commitment to the initiative. The mission is coordinated by the Secretary of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) and comprises two sub-missions: Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). 44 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The Gramin sub-mission focuses on rural sanitation, aiming to eliminate open defecation and promote solid waste management in villages. The Urban sub-mission aims to improve sanitation in urban areas by ensuring the availability of toilets and managing waste effectively. The mission had a total budget allocation of ₹62,009 crore over a five-year period for the implementation of its objectives. The campaign has led to the declaration of many states and districts as open defecation free (ODF), promoting hygiene and sanitation practices. SBM- Urban: Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) was launched on October 2, 2014, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to promote cleanliness, sanitation, and waste management in urban areas. The mission aimed to make cities and towns across India clean and free from open defecation. The first phase of SBM-U focused on achieving open defecation-free (ODF) status for urban India by providing access to toilets and encouraging behavioral change. SBM-U 1.0 successfully achieved its target, resulting in 100% of urban India being declared ODF. SBM-U 2.0 was announced in the Budget for 2021-22 and continues the objectives of the first phase. The second phase aims to progress beyond ODF to ODF+ and ODF++, targeting a garbage-free urban India. SBM-U 2.0 emphasizes sustainable sanitation practices and effective waste management. The mission promotes the concept of a circular economy to enhance sanitation and waste management in urban areas. SBM- Grameen: The Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) was launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to accelerate efforts for universal sanitation coverage and focus on sanitation in rural areas. 45 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The mission was implemented as a nationwide campaign (Janandolan) aimed at eliminating open defecation in rural areas. At the time of SBM (G) launch on October 2, 2014, rural sanitation coverage in India was reported at 38.7%. Since the launch, over 10 crore individual toilets have been constructed, resulting in all states declaring their rural areas as open defecation-free (ODF) as of October 2, 2019. SBM (G) Phase-II emphasizes sustaining achievements from Phase I and providing adequate facilities for Solid, Liquid, and Plastic Waste Management (SLWM) in rural India. Phase II is being implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with a total outlay of ₹1,40,881 crores. ODF: Open Defecation Free (ODF): An area is declared ODF if, at any point during the day, no individual is found defecating in the open. ODF+: This status is awarded when no person is found defecating or urinating in the open at any time, and all community and public toilets are functional and well maintained. ODF++: This status is granted if the area is already ODF+ and includes safe management and treatment of faecal sludge/septage and sewage, with no discharge or dumping of untreated waste into open drains, water bodies, or surrounding areas. International Current Affairs 46 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 UAE’s Barakah nuclear reactor Recently: The United Arab Emirates has successfully completed the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant by connecting its fourth and final unit. The 1,400-megawatt unit, when operational, will add a total of 5,600 gigawatts to the UAE grid. 47 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 48 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 What is Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant? The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is the first peaceful nuclear energy plant to be developed in the Arab World and is being developed by Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) as part of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is located in Al Dhafra of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, approximately 53 km west- southwest of the city of Ruwais. The Barakah plant consists of four identical reactors housed in four separate units, with a total generating capacity of up to 5,600MW. Once the four units are fully operational, they will provide up to 25% of the UAE’s energy. The Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), South Korea's single largest public power electric utility, was awarded the Prime Contract in 2009 to design, build and help operate the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. The construction of the plant commenced in July 2012. In 2016, ENEC and KEPCO signed a Joint Venture (JV) agreement for a long-term partnership to become joint owners of the Nawah Energy Company and Barakah One Company. ENEC owned 82% of both firms and KEPCO held an 18% ownership stake. In 2016, ENEC signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Barakah One Company to purchase all electricity generated at the plant for the next 60 years. ENEC selected KEPCO’s APR1400 design – a Generation III, 1,400 Megawatt Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) with an operating life of 60 years. The APR-1400 combines the latest developments in safety and performance with technology proven over decades of operations. The APR1400 design has been certified by the nuclear regulatory authorities in Korea, the UAE and the USA. Program Status: The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant entered into operation in 2020. 49 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 On 17 February 2020, Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) issued the operating license for Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant to the Nawah Energy Company (Nawah). On 1 August 2020, Nawah successfully started Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy plant. On 19 August 2020, Nawah completed connecting the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to the UAE grid, using nuclear energy to produce the first megawatt of clean and environment-friendly electricity. The construction of unit 2 of the power plant was constructed in June 2020. On 9 March 2021, FANR issued a 60 years operating license for Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant authorizing Nawah to commission and operate unit 2 of the plant. On 17 June 2022, FANR issued a 60 years operating license for Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant authorizing Nawah to commission and operate unit 3 of the plant. Recently, all the four units of the projects have been completed and the operationalization of the unit 4 is awaited. UAE’s Nuclear Energy Program: The UAE is the first country in the Gulf to have a nuclear program. The country's nuclear project started in 2009, when the UAE set up the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) to decide on how best to execute plans for an atomic power project. ENEC issued tenders and awarded a consortium led by South Korea's KEPCO to develop the project at a cost of $20 billion. Nuclear energy is a key component of the UAE's plans to transition its economy away from oil and meet net-zero goals by 2050 per the Paris Agreement. The UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050 calls for a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 70 percent, an increase in clean energy use by 50 percent and a 40 percent improvement in energy efficiency. According to the International Energy Agency, the UAE's current energy mix is dominated by natural gas, which accounts for 63.5% of its electricity generation. Oil is second at 29.7%, followed by nuclear at 3.1% and coal at 3%. 50 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 By 2050, the UAE plans to increase the share of renewables to 44%, with gas accounting for another 38% and clean coal and nuclear power set to make up 12% and 6% of the energy supply. With more nuclear capacity, the UAE will be able to rely less on imported gas. The country imports 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from Qatar via the Dolphin Energy Pipeline. The country plans to add 17 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity by 2032. However, progress on its development has been slow. About the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC): The (ENEC) is working to deliver safe, clean, efficient and reliable electricity to the UAE grid, using peaceful nuclear energy technology. Established by a decree in December 2009 from His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, ENEC is leading the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program, which will support the UAE’s social and economic growth. ENEC launched the Energy Pioneers program in 2009. The program aims to attract and train the country’s most talented science students, engineering graduates and experienced professionals and provide them with an opportunity to become pioneers of the UAE’s growing nuclear energy sector. There are currently 124 ENEC sponsored students studying in the UAE and abroad, and more than 380 Energy Pioneers have graduated from the program to date. Nawah Energy Company: Nawah Energy Company (Nawah) is a Joint Venture company co-owned by ENEC (82%) and the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO - 18%). Nawah is in charge of operating and maintaining Barakah Units 1-4 and is the holder of the Operating Licenses, granted by the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR). 51 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 Formally established by ENEC and KEPCO in 2016, the company is mandated to operate and maintain the Barakah Plant. Barakah One Company: Barakah One Company (BOC) is a Joint Venture Company co-owned by ENEC (82%) and KEPCO (18%). It is responsible for managing the financial and commercial aspects of the Barakah project. The company is in charge of selling electricity generated at the Barakah plant to the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). India – US Semiconductor Partnership Recently: In a pathbreaking agreement with the US, India is all set to get its first national security semiconductor fabrication plant that will supply chips to the US armed forces, its allied militaries, and Indian defence forces. 52 12minutestoclat.com  9129911976 12 Minutes to CLAT Current Affairs Compendium – September 2024 The fab will be set up in India in 2025 and will be called Shakti. What is a Semiconductor? A Semiconductor is a kind of material that performs conductivity between conductors and insulators and has a conductivity value that lies between the conductor and an insulator. Semiconductors can be compounds, such as gallium arsenide, or pure elements, such as germanium or silicon. Holes and electrons are the types of charge carriers accountable for the flow of current in semiconductors. Holes (valence electrons) are the positively charged electric charge carrier. Electrons are the negatively charged particles. Both electrons and holes are equal in magnitude but opposite in polarity. In a semiconductor, the mobility of electrons is higher than that of the holes. It is mainly because of their different band structures and scattering mechanisms. Semiconductors are employed in the manufacture of various kinds of electronic devices, including diodes, transistors, and