45th Chess Olympiad 

India’s men’s and women’s teams have made history by winning their first-ever gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest

• This was the second time a country won gold in both sections since Soviet times (China also achieved this feat in 2018)

Chess Olympiad:

• It is organised by FIDE( International Chess Federation)
• 45th Chess Olympiad took place in Budapest, Hungary
• Nations also win trophies: Top Open team winning the Hamilton-Russell Cup
• The top Women’s team winning : Vera Menchik Cup
• Best combined classification in the Open and Women’s sections: Nona Gaprindashvili trophy.

ASOSAI (Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions)

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the 16th Assembly of ASOSAI in New Delhi on September 24, 2024. 

ASOSAI (Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions):

• ASOSAI is one of the regional groups of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
• It focuses on fostering cooperation and improving public audit standards in Asia.
• Founded: Established in 1979, with 11 member SAIs; membership has since grown to 48 SAIs.
• Proposal: First proposed by Mr. Tantuico, Chairman of the SAI of the Philippines, during the 9th INTOSAI Congress (October 1977, Lima, Peru).
• Charter Signing: In September 1978, 9 Asian SAIs signed the ASOSAI Charter in Berlin, West Germany.
• Assembly: The Assembly consists of all members of the Organization and meets once in three years. 
• First Assembly: Held in May 1979 in New Delhi, India, where the rules and regulations were approved.
• Secretariat: The Secretariat of ASOSAI is headed by the Secretary General, who is elected by the Assembly. 
• ASOSAI Secretariat serves for three-year terms that can be renewed twice(up to 9 years).
• Presently, the Auditor General of the National Audit Office of China is the Secretary General of ASOSAI.
• India’s membership: India is a member of ASOSAI. 
• India is a charter member of ASOSAI, and the CAG of India has been elected as the Chairman of ASOSAI for the period 2024-2027.

Azerbaijan’s New Climate Fund

Azerbaijan, the host of this year’s climate change conference, COP29, has proposed to launch a new climate fund for developing countries

• Climate Finance: The United Nations has defined climate finance as the local, national or transnational financing drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change.  
• Paris Agreement Mandate: The current obligation for developed countries is to mobilise at least $100 billion annually, which needs to be increased post-2025, as per the Paris Agreement.

• COP 29: The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is meant to be adopted at COP29 in Azerbaijan.
• At the same time, Azerbaijan announces a climate finance action fund (CFAF) at COP29 to support green projects and help member nations reach the 1.5C target.

Azerbaijan’s New Initiative: Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF)

• Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) will be capitalised with the voluntary contributions from fossil fuel producing countries and companies across oil, gas and coal, and Azerbaijan will be a founding contributor. 
• Members will commit to transfer annual contributions as a fixed-sum or based on volume of production.
• Initial fundraising aiming for $1 billion, as COP29 President-Designate calls for contributors to come forward with climate finance. 

Issues with Azerbaijan’s Climate Fund

• Voluntary Contributions: The proposed fund by Azerbaijan would rely on voluntary contributions from oil and gas-producing countries and companies, raising doubts about its effectiveness.
• Loss and Damage Fund Comparison: Similar funds, like the Loss and Damage Fund created at COP27, have struggled with low pledges, making it uncertain how much Azerbaijan’s fund will attract.
• Legacy-Building: Azerbaijan’s proposal is seen as an effort to leave a legacy for COP29, similar to initiatives by previous COP presidencies.
• Quantum of CFAF: The proposal for the CFAF indicates an initial round of $1 billion per year by 10 countries or shareholders.
• This amount is too little contribution by fossil fuel producing countries. To put it in perspective, the revenue of oil and gas companies is at the order of a few trillion per year. Saudi Arabia alone has an oil revenue of over $300 billion per year. 

The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG): post-2025 climate finance goal

• New Financial Target: It is a key element of the Paris Agreement, designed to set a new financial target to support developing countries in their climate actions post-2025.
• It succeeded the previous goal set in 2009 at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, where developed countries committed to mobilising $100 billion per year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries. 
• The NCQG is currently under negotiation and is expected to be finalised by 2025. 
• Quantum of Finance Required: Several developing nations, including India, have proposed that the NCQG amount should be between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion annually, reflecting the amount needed for effective climate action.

Reasons for the importance of NCQG

• Addressing Climate Finance Gaps: The NCQG (New Collective Quantified Goal) aims to bridge the persistent gaps in climate finance. 
• The NCQG focuses on providing concessional finance to developing countries, which need substantial resources for climate mitigation, adaptation, and transitioning to sustainable energy systems.
• Supporting Vulnerable Developing Countries: Emerging markets, especially small island states and least developed countries, are disproportionately affected by climate change. By setting higher targets for climate finance, the NCQG can provide the necessary resources to help these countries build resilience against severe climate impacts like extreme weather and rising sea levels.
• Enhancing Global Climate Action: The NCQG fosters global cooperation by encouraging developed countries to demonstrate responsibility and solidarity. 
• Leveraging Private Sector Investment: Public financing alone cannot meet the massive requirements for climate action. The NCQG signals stability and commitment, which can attract private investors to climate-friendly projects.
• Promoting Accountability and Transparency: The NCQG promotes accountability and transparency in climate finance by setting clear goals, parameters, and reporting mechanisms, ensuring funds are tracked and reach intended recipients.

Challenges of NCQG

• Challenges in Meeting Targets: Developed countries have failed to meet even the existing $100 billion targets, making it unlikely that they will agree to the much larger sums proposed.
• Expansion of the Donor Base: Developed countries argue that High-Income Nations like China, South Korea, and oil-rich Gulf states should also contribute to climate finance.

Way Forward

• Address Three pillars of Climate Change: To ensure that all the Three Pillars of Climate Action: Adaptation, Mitigation and Loss and Damage are addressed adequately.
• Designing the NCQG to Support High-quality Climate Finance: Beyond the dollar amount of the NCQG, the quality of the finance delivered is also important. 
• “High-quality” climate finance mechanisms ensure that the funding can be used most effectively and efficiently.
• Donor Base of the New Fund: It is essential to determining which countries should contribute to the New Finance Goal.
• Developed countries have suggested various indicators to assess who can and should pay into the NCQG. For example, countries’ potential to contribute could be analysed based on their ability to pay (income) and historical responsibility for climate change (emissions).

Central Water Commission (CWC)

Chief Minister of West Bengal blamed the CWC for unilaterally releasing water from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) reservoirs, causing widespread flooding in south Bengal.

Central Water Commission (CWC) 

• Established in 1945, CWC works as an advisory body to the Government of India on matters relating to water resources development and management.
• It is a Statutory Body.
• Headquarter of CWC: New Delhi
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti 
• Functions
• General responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering (in consultation of the State Governments concerned) schemes for control.
• Conservation and utilisation of water resources throughout the country.
• For the purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development.
• CWC deals with only surface water.
• Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) deals with groundwater.
• CWC Chairman also serves as the Government of Indiaʼs Ex-Officio Secretary
• Work of the Commission is divided among 3 wings:
• Designs and Research (D&R) Wing
• River Management (RM) Wing 
• Water Planning and Projects (WP&P) Wing

Damodar River

• Known as the Sorrow of Bengal because of its ravaging floods in the plains of West Bengal
• It rises in Palamu hills of the Chota Nagpur plateau in the state of Jharkhand.
• Passes through two Indian States of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• It flows in South-easterly direction and joins Hoogly River in West Bengal which then flows into Bay of Bengal.
• Dmodar’s Biggest Tributary is Barakar which joins it near Asansol in West Bengal.

Damodar Valley Corporation

• Established in 1948 as the first multipurpose river valley project of independent India.
• It is a government organisation under the Ministry of Power.
• It constructed four dams in the state of Jharkhand, including Maithon Dam, Tilaiya Dam, and Konar Dam.
• It Operates Power Stations in the Damodar River areas in Jharkhand and the West Bengal 
• Irrigation and canal system of DVC was handed over to the Government of West Bengal in 1964.

Goa Maritime Symposium 2024

• Indian Navy will be hosting the fifth edition of Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS -24) at Naval War College, Goa from 23 - 24 Sep 24.
• The theme for the event is "Common Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region - Progressing Lines of Efforts to Mitigate Dynamic Threats such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and other Illegal Maritime Activities". 
• The symposium will see participation of Naval representatives from 12 Indian Ocean Littoral countries- Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Observers from Kenya and Tanzania will also attend the event.

Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS):

• It was conceptualised and instituted by the Indian Navy in 2016.
• It is a forum for fostering collaborative thinking, cooperation and mutual understanding between India and key maritime nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• The symposium is conducted biennially by the Naval War College (NWC), Goa, and three editions of the event have been organised thus far.

Key Objectives

• Strengthening Maritime Security: The GMS focuses on enhancing collaboration among nations to address maritime threats such as piracy, smuggling, and trafficking.
• Promoting Cooperation: It serves as a forum for naval officers, policymakers, and maritime experts to share knowledge, best practices, and experiences in maritime operations.
• Fostering Partnerships: The symposium aims to strengthen partnerships among nations, enhancing collective capabilities and interoperability among navies.
• Addressing Emerging Challenges: Discussions often cover contemporary maritime challenges, including environmental issues, climate change impacts, and the need for sustainable maritime practices.

4th Quad Leaders Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the fourth Quad Leaders Summit which was held in Wilmington, Delaware on September 21 2024.

• Indian Prime Minister joined President Biden (USA), Prime Minister Albanese (Australia) and Prime Minister Kishida (Japan) for the Quad Summit.

Key Announcements From  The Summit

• The 2025 Summit: India will host the 2025 Quad Leaders Summit and The United States will host the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting.
• The QUAD Wilmington Declaration: 
• The Joint Statement reiterated the  group nature as “a force for good” and signalled that it is now more strategically aligned than ever to deliver real, positive, and enduring impact for the Indo-Pacific Region.
• Peace and Security: The Group vouch for the maintenance of peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific Region as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity
• The QUAD opposes any destabilising or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion
• The Group condemned the recent illicit missile launches in the region and expressed serious concern over aggressions in the Indo-Pacific. 
• Quad Caucus: The USA Members of Congress announced the creation of a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Quad Caucus as the Quad countries have decided to work with their respective legislatures to deepen inter-parliamentary exchanges.

• Expansion: The Quad networking will expand to include the Commerce and Industry ministers meeting  for the first time.
• Initiatives Under The Quad Health Security Partnership:
• Quad Cancer Moonshot: It is a collective effort to realise public and private resources to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer in the Indo-Pacific, with an initial focus on cervical cancer.
• Pandemic Preparedness: Quad plans to coordinate its efforts to promote equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured vaccines, including to try and expand vaccine manufacturing in low and middle-income countries.
• India will host a workshop on pandemic preparedness and release a white paper outlining emergency public health responses.
• Australia will increase the pool of deployable public health specialists in response to disease outbreaks, with the first training session scheduled to commence in Darwin, Australia.
• The United States is pledging over $84.5 million to partner with fourteen countries in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats.
• Maritime Security:
• Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI): It has been announced to enable the Indo-Pacific regions partners to maximize tools provided through Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) and to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behavior. 
• India will host the inaugural MAITRI workshop in 2025.
• Indo-Pacific Logistics Network:  A pilot project has been launched to pursue shared airlift capacity and leverage collective logistics strengths to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025: The Coast Guards of the 4 countries are planning to launch their first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025 in the Indo-Pacific to improve interoperability. 
• The Quad Ports of the Future Partnership: The inaugural Regional Ports and Transportation Conference will be hosted by India in Mumbai in 2025 and aims to harness the Quad’s expertise to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific.
• Climate and Clean Energy:
• Solar projects: India has pledged an investment of around $2 million in new solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles.
• Quad Clean Energy Supply Chains Diversification Program: The Programme will support projects which develop and diversify solar panel, hydrogen electrolyzer and battery supply chains.
• AI and Technology: The United States plans to invest over $7 million to support the global expansion of Asia Open RAN Academy (AORA), by partnering with Indian institutions for training projects.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)

• The Quad is a diplomatic and Informal partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States committed to supporting an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.
• Quad partners engage regularly through Leaders Summit , Foreign Ministers, Quad Sherpas, senior officials, and experts. 
• Origins: It dates back to the collaboration between the 4 countries on disaster relief efforts in response to the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
• 2007: The PM of Japan, Shinzo Abe, formalised the alliance, as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or the Quad.
• 2017: The QUAD was revived with the focus shifting to the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s growing assertiveness there. Over the years, the Quad has formed multiple working groups. 
• 2020: Australia joined the trilateral India-US-Japan Malabar naval exercises, marking the first official grouping of the Quad since 2017, and the first joint military exercises among the four countries in over a decade.
• 2021: A joint statement titled ‘The Spirit of the Quad,’ outlining the group’s approach and objectives was released in a virtual leaders summit. 
• The first in-person meeting was held in Washington DC, later that year.
• Informal Nature of the Organisation: 
• Lacks Governing Bodies: The QUAD doesn’t host a secretariat or any permanent decision-making body like the EU or UN, instead focuses on expanding existing agreements.
• The Objective: The group primarily focuses on maritime security, rules-based global order, freedom of navigation and a liberal trading system. The coalition also aims to offer alternative debt financing for nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
• QUAD+:  The QUAD grouping could also undergo expansion through a QUAD Plus Framework including countries like South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam, amongst others.

Significance

• To Secure Sea Routes of Communication: QUAD has emerged as a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the resource-rich Indo-Pacific, free of any influence, amidst China’s growing military presence in the strategic region.
• Contain China: QUAD can strategically counter China’s economic and military coercion as India can take the support of the other Quad nations in the event of Chinese belligerence on its border or  naval front and can also conduct strategic explorations in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Multilateral engagement: India recently has adopted the strategy of Multi- Alignment from Non-Alignment presenting an opportunity to work multilaterally on all kinds of initiatives that can help create, a free and open Indo Pacific region.
• Make a presence in Indo- Pacific: India through engagement with QUAD countries can make inroads in the political landscape of the Indo- Pacific area expanding its Trade prospects, security role, overall global standing.

Challenges

• India’s Suitability and Reliability as a QUAD Partner: India’s strong ties with Russia and hesitation on data sharing, citing strategic autonomy, have raised concerns on India’s suitability in the grouping.
• Threat of China: QUAD’s formation in the wake of China’s subversion of the international order and attempts to flout the rules based order is still on weak ground as all the countries still maintain a handsome trade relation with the country which does not allow escalation of conflict.
• Less Institutionalisation: The QUAD being an informal alliance has seen some procedural difficulties in realising its various initiatives, Thus an effective Working Group or a Formalisation of the grouping should be the next step forward  .
• Maritime Dominated: QUAD main focus is to maintain Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific which aligns with the security objectives of US, Japan And Australia but doesn’t fully aligns with India’s security concerns, which is the only country to have a land border dispute with China.
• Missing Collective Progress: QUAD lacks effective implementation mechanisms as it is an issue-specific partnerships with shared interests and security concerns, but sometimes  the national interests and priorities of individual countries takes precedence over the QUAD’s vision resulting in poor execution efforts.
• Example: India- Russia Relations
• Maintaining Strategic Autonomy: India, unlike Japan and Australia, is not an ally of the US and emphasises its strategic autonomy often by taking a different stand on important issues from the other QUAD members making it an Outlier
• Diverging Strategic Focus within the Quad: India’s strategic focus differs from its Quad partners. While the US and its allies prioritize East Asia and the Western Pacific, India’s challenges lie in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, where it faces the China-Pakistan threat with limited support from Quad members.

Way Forward

• Formalise the Governing Structure: The QUAD should establish a governing body consisting of a rotating chair and secretariat, bound by some legal framework to guide the implementation process and hold member nations accountable for progress while keeping the ad hoc and flexible nature of QUAD as it is.
• Narrow down the Expansion: The QUAD Countries should prioritise on the scale and scope of projects being undertaken based on their specific capability so as to delegate funds and resources in a rational way.
• Improve Credibility: The QUAD countries need to collaborate on information and intelligence sharing  through adopting strict information-sharing protocols, so as to uplift each other’s capability and build trust in each other. 

India signs first-of-its-kind agreements focused on Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the IPEF Overarching arrangement under Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for prosperity

Key Agreements

1. IPEF Clean Economy Agreement (Pillar III)

• Objective: Promote technical cooperation, workforce development, and research collaborations to facilitate the deployment of clean energy and climate-friendly technologies.
• Focus Areas:
• Energy security and transition
• Climate resilience and adaptation
• Mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Investment Facilitation: Encourages project financing, particularly for MSMEs, to integrate Indian companies into global value chains.
• Collaborative Actions: Involves cooperative work programs and funds like the IPEF Catalytic Capital Fundand IPEF Accelerator.

1. IPEF Fair Economy Agreement (Pillar IV)

• Objective: Create a transparent trade and investment environment across the Indo-Pacific.
• Key Initiatives:
• Combat corruption and bribery
• Enhance tax transparency and domestic resource mobilization
• Facilitate asset recovery and strengthen cross-border investigations
• Technical Assistance: Emphasizes the importance of technical assistance and capacity building to improve anti-corruption measures and tax administration.

1. Overarching IPEF Agreement

• Purpose: Establish a Ministerial-level oversight mechanism for the various individual IPEF agreements.
• Significance: Provides a framework for high-level political oversight, ensuring the effective implementation of the agreements and enhancing the longevity of the IPEF partnership.

Economic Impact and Investment

• Investor Forum: Aimed at catalyzing investments in green technology through annual business matching events. The first forum occurred in Singapore in June 2024, identifying USD 23 billion in priority infrastructure projects.

Funds under IPEF:

• IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund: Initial grant of USD 33 million to catalyze private investments totaling USD 3.3 billion.
• PGI Investment Accelerator: Received USD 300 million in funding from the USA to support energy transition and climate investments.

Additional Initiatives

• IPEF Upskilling Initiative: Launched in September 2022 to provide digital skills training primarily for women and girls in partner countries. India has benefitted significantly from this initiative.
• Critical Mineral Dialogue: Focuses on mapping mineral resources, enhancing trade, and fostering sustainable mining practices to strengthen the critical mineral supply chain.
• Tech Council: Aims to enhance cooperation in key technologies, including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
• Cooperative Work Program (CWP): Promotes collaborative efforts among IPEF countries on various projects related to clean energy and emissions accounting.

IPEF

• The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region in 2022. 
• The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 percent of the global GDP and 28 percent of global goods and services trade.
• It seeks to strengthen economic partnershipsamong participating countries with the objective of enhancing resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness in the region.
• Member Countries: 14 countries, including India, the USA, Japan, Australia, and several Southeast Asian nations.
• The IPEF is not a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) but allows members to negotiate the parts they want to. The negotiations will be along four main pillars:

1. Supply-chain resilience
2. Clean energy, decarbonization & infrastructure
3. Taxation & anti-corruption
4. Fair & resilient trade

India’s First Comprehensive Cancer Multi-omics Data Portal

The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) foundation recently announced that it has launched India’s first comprehensive cancer multi-omics data portal.

ICGA cancer multi-omics data portal:

• The India Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) Foundation has launched India’s first cancer multi-omics data portal. 
• This platform provides open access to data specifically from Indian cancer patients, making it a significant tool for cancer research in the country.
• The portal offers clinically correlated data aimed at advancing research and improving cancer treatments for Indian populations.
• It is the first of its kind in India to provide integrated DNA, RNA, and protein profiles of breast cancer patients, alongside their clinical outcomes.
• The data is accessible to researchers globally under India’s PRIDE guidelines, which foster ethical data sharing and collaboration in cancer research.

Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA)

• The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) is a national initiative aimed at mapping various types of cancer across India.
• It is operated by the ICGA Foundation, a Section 8 not-for-profit organisation, which functions through a public-private-philanthropic partnership.
• The initiative is supported by a diverse team of over 50 clinicians, researchers, and data analysts.
• Main goal of the ICGA: To improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for Indian patients, while also contributing to the global understanding of cancer biology.
• Foundation’s first project: Focuses on multi-omics profiling of breast cancer, with future plans to extend this approach to other cancers.

Ministry achieves 100-Day Target of 100 Nagar Vans with objective to Enhance Urban Greenery

• 111 Nagar Vans approved against the target of 100 Nagar Vans in 100 Days Action Plan
• Scheme Offers Rs. 4 Lakh Per Hectare to Promote Urban Forests with Citizen Involvement
• It aims to develop 1000 Nagar Vans by 2027 with the financial support of National Fund of National Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority
• Nagar Van to Feature Biodiversity Parks, Smriti Vans, Butterfly Conservatories, Herbal Gardens

Nagar Van Scheme

• The Nagar Van Scheme, at its core, is a visionary endeavor to foster urban forestry in India. By introducing green lungs in the heart of cities, this scheme aims to combat the adverse effects of rapid urbanization, such as pollution, habitat loss, and the overall degradation of the environment.
• Nagar van scheme was launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Objectives of Nagar Van Yojana

• Objective: Establish 200 City Forests nationwide, with each city featuring a Municipal Council.
• Purpose: Create green spaces and enhance the aesthetic appeal of urban environments.
• Education and Awareness: Raise awareness about plants and biodiversity.
• Conservation Focus: Educate on the significant flora and fauna of the region, emphasizing threat perception.
• Ecological Rejuvenation: City Forests act as green lungs, contributing to environmental improvement in cities.
• Environmental Benefits: Mitigate pollution, promote cleaner air, reduce noise, harvest water, and counter the heat island effect.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Emphasize in-situ conservation efforts.
• Health Benefits: Provide health benefits to citizens.
• Climate Resilience: Contribute to making cities more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Rains may cool surge in coal shipments to India

Coal shipments to India rose 10% year-on-year between January and August 2024, outpacing the 8% year-on-year increase in domestic coal mining.

How Coal requirements are impacted by Rain?

• Most of the Coal Import  was thermal coal shipments, driven by strong demand for electricity and the coal import mandates.
• Coal demand and shipments to India are expected to reduce with an increase in hydropower generation as the monsoon rains.
• Monsoon this year has picked up in August despite a slow start.
• It has pushed up reservoir levels by 26% year-on-year.

Coal and its Imports

• Reserve: India has a total coal reserve of 344.02 billion tonnes and is the second largest producer of coal in the world. 
• India is the second largest coal importer globally
• Power generation from coal: Rose 13% year-on-year, compensating for the 6% decrease in hydropower generation due to low water levels.
• 72% of the electricity in India is generated from coal
• Indonesia is source for 45 % of India’s seaborne coal imports (Mostly thermal coal)
• Top 5 States in terms of total coal reserves in India are: 
• Jharkhand > Odisha > Chhattisgarh > West Bengal > Madhya Pradesh.
• Categorization of Resources → Coal resources of India are available in older Gondwana Formations of peninsular India and younger tertiary formations of north-eastern region.

Classification of Coal

• Anthracite: Best quality of coal with highest calorific value and carries 80 to 95% carbon content. 
• It ignites slowly with a blue flame and is found in small quantities in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Bituminous: Low level of moisture content with 60 to 80% of carbon content and has a high calorific value. 
• Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have deposits 
• Lignite: Carries 40 to 55% carbon content and is often brown in colour with high moisture content.
• Gives smoke when burnt. 
• Rajasthan, Lakhimpur (Assam) and Tamil Nadu has deposits 
• Peat: First stage of transformation from wood to coal with low calorific value and less than 40% carbon content.

Sign Language Day celebrations in New Delhi

Theme for the Sign Language Day-2024 is ‘Sign up for Sign Language Rights’

Key Launches

• 2500 ISL Terms: Expansion of the ISL dictionary in collaboration with four organizations, covering subjects like mathematics, science, philosophy, and accessibility.
• 100 Concept Videos: Educational videos in ISL for hearing-impaired children (class 6) across various subjects, focusing on clarity and inclusivity.
• ISL Dictionary in 10 Languages: Promotes accessibility and linguistic diversity.
• Educational Animated Videos: Designed to instill moral values and enhance learning experiences for hearing-impaired children.
• Deaf Role Model Videos: To inspire and motivate hearing-impaired children by showcasing role models from the deaf community.

Competitions

• 7th Indian Sign Language Competition: A national-level competition showcasing creativity among students with hearing disabilities, with awards presented during the event.

Sign Language Day

• International Day of Sign Languages is an annual event that promotes the linguistic and cultural diversity of deaf communities around the world.
• In 2017, theUnited Nations General Assembly proclaimed 23rd September as the official day to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages.
• It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages in the lives of deaf communities and the need to protect them as an essential part of human diversity.
• Millions of people around the world use sign language as their primary means of communication.
• They are complex visual-gestural communication systems with their own grammar and syntax.

Sign Language: A Unique Language of Expression and Inclusion

• Sign language is a natural and visual-gestural language used by Deaf and hard of hearing individuals as well as those with communication disorders to convey messages, thoughts, and emotions.
• It is a rich and complex form of communication that relies on a combination of handshapes, movements, facial expressions, and body language.
• Sign languages are not universal; different countries and regions have their own distinct sign languages.
• According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are over 70 million deaf people in the world. More than 80% of them live in underdeveloped countries. They collectively use more than 300 different sign languages. 

The Importance of Sign Languages

• A Vital Means of Communication: Sign languages are natural visual-gestural languages used by deaf and hard of hearing people to communicate with each other and with hearing individuals. They are complete and complex languages with their own grammar, vocabulary, and syntax.
• Promoting Inclusivity: Sign languages play a crucial role in breaking down communication barriers and promoting inclusivity. They enable deaf individuals to participate fully in society, education, and various aspects of life.
• Cultural Identity: Sign languages are not just tools for communication; they also form an integral part of the cultural identity of the deaf community. Celebrating these languages acknowledges and respects the diversity of deaf cultures around the world.

U.P. Rajasthan, M.P. top in cases of atrocities on Dalits

Recent reports have highlighted cases of atrocities against SCs and STs.

Key Findings on Atrocities Against SCs and STs (2022)

• 97.7% of atrocities against SCs were reported from 13 states, with Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh leading in the number of cases.
• Uttar Pradesh: Reported the highest number of atrocities against SCs, with 12,287 cases (23.78%).
• Rajasthan and Odisha: Both states featured significantly in both SC and ST-related crimes.
• 98.91% of atrocities against STs were also concentrated in 13 states, with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan reporting the highest cases.
• Madhya Pradesh: Led in ST cases, with 2,979 cases (30.61%)
• Conviction rates under the Act have declined, dropping to 32.4% in 2022 from 39.2% in 2020.
• Many states still lack the necessary special courts to handle these cases efficiently.

Who are Dalit?

• Dalits, also known as Scheduled Castes (SCs), are a socially disadvantaged group in India.
• Historically, they were considered “untouchable” and faced severe discrimination and exclusion from mainstream society

Constitutional provisions to protect Rights of Dalits/SC

• Article 15(1): Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Article 17: Abolishes untouchability.
• Article 23: Prohibits forced labour or begar.  
• Article 46: Directs the state to promote the welfare of SCs and STs.
• Articles 16(4) & 16(5): Provide for reservations in services and posts for SCs and STs.
• Article 21: Guarantees the right to life and liberty, which includes the right to be free from discrimination.
• Article 335: Directs the state to ensure adequate representation of SCs and STs in services and posts under the state.
• Scheduled Cases and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act

Persisting Challenges in Implementation

• Declining conviction rates and delayed investigations pose major hurdles in securing justice.
• Inadequate special courts: Out of 498 districts across 14 states, only 194 have set up special courts.
• Some states, like Uttar Pradesh, report no atrocity-prone areas despite high numbers of cases.
• SC/ST protection cells exist, but their efficacy remains uneven across states.

Way Forward

• Strengthen special courts: Ensure the establishment of more special courts for faster trials.
• Improve conviction rates: Focus on improving investigation processes and addressing legal gaps.
• Identify atrocity-prone areas: States should recognize and address high-risk regions for targeted interventions.
• Awareness and sensitization: Conduct awareness campaigns to prevent atrocities and ensure better enforcement of the SC/ST Act.

Value Addition in the GDP revision

The National Statistical Office (NSO) is considering using GST (Goods and Services Tax) data to estimate value addition in the upcoming GDP revision.

• This would replace the MCA-21 database from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which is currently used for the Private Corporate Sector (PCS), accounting for 38% of GDP. 
• Current and Proposed Base Year
• The current GDP base year is 2011-12.
• A revision is planned, proposing 2020-21 as the new base year.
• Most major datasets are ready, except for Census data.

About MCA-21 Database

• Background: The MCA-21 database was introduced during the last GDP revision (2011-12 base year) to improve the estimation of value addition in the Private Corporate Sector (PCS).
• Previous Methods:
• Annual Survey of Industries (ASI): Earlier, ASI was used to estimate value added by factories.
• RBI Sample: A small sample of large companies by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was used to measure non-financial corporate output.
• Reason for the Shift:
• Limitations of ASI: ASI didn’t account for value added outside of factories within corporate entities.
• Inadequate RBI Sample: The RBI sample couldn’t capture the rapid growth in PCS.MCA-21 Benefits: 

• The MCA-21 database is extensive.
• It provides up-to-date data on corporate annual returns and results.
• It offers a more accurate picture of corporate output.

Issues with MCA-21 Database

• Overestimation: The MCA-21 database led to overestimation of GDP growth rates, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

• Comparison of Estimates: Gross Value Added (GVA) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) were compared between National Accounts Statistics (NAS) and Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for the period 2012-13 to 2019-20.
• Findings:
• GVA: NAS reported an average annual growth rate of 6.2%, while ASI reported 3.2%.
• GFCF: NAS showed a growth rate of 4.5%, compared to 0.3% by ASI.
• Inconsistent Data: The data from MCA-21 did not align with other macroeconomic indicators, such as bank credit growth and industrial capacity utilization.
• Lack of Transparency: The government’s refusal to make the MCA-21 data available for independent scrutiny raised doubts about the accuracy of the estimates.

Issues with GST Data

• Unverified Data: GST data may be unverified and could contain errors or inconsistencies.
• Limited Access: The lack of public access to GST data limits its potential for independent analysis and validation.
• Methodological Challenges: Developing accurate estimation methods using GST data may be challenging, especially for specific industries and sectors.

Nominal GDP. vs. Real GDP

Vancomycin

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus rarely resists vancomycin; only 16 such cases have been reported in India so far.

About Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA):

• Staphylococcus aureus is a significant bacterial species contributing to AMR.
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain that has developed resistance to many antibiotics.
• In 2019, MRSA was responsible for over 100,000 deaths globally.

Vancomycin:

• Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat severe bacterial infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• Vancomycin has been a key first-line treatment for MRSA for 40 years.
• MRSA rarely develops resistance to vancomycin, but when it does, it becomes Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA).
• VRSA is still relatively rare, with only 16 reported cases in India to date.
• VRSA acquires resistance to vancomycin through the transfer of a gene cluster known as the vanA operon from other vancomycin-resistant bacteria during co-infections.
• The acquisition of vancomycin resistance usually leads to slower bacterial growth and lower fitness, which is why VRSA remains rare.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):

• Antimicrobial Drug Resistance or Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines.
• Impact: Infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
• Reason: AMR is a natural process that happens over time through genetic changes in pathogens. 

World Rhino Day

World Rhino Day is celebrated annually on September 22 to raise awareness about the Rhinoceros and the urgent need for their conservation

Significance of the Day

• World Rhino Day is celebrated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other international organizations.
• The day was first announced by WWF-South Africa in 2010 to raise awareness and funds for the five species of rhinos.

Facts About Rhinos

• Related to Horses and Zebras: Rhinos are part of the same group of odd-toed ungulates, making them relatives of horses and zebras.
• Horn Made of Keratin: Rhino horns are composed of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails.
• Long Gestation: Female rhinos have a gestation period of about 16 months.
• Traditional Medicine: Rhino horns are used in traditional medicine, driving illegal poaching despite a lack of proven benefits.

 One-Horned Rhino

• One among the 5 different species of Rhino
• Significance :Largest of the rhino species.
• Only rhino species found in India
• Naturally found in Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India
• Habitat: Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh
• Protected Areas: Pobitora Wildlife Reserve, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park,Kaziranga National Park, and Manas National Park.
• Protection Status 
• IUCN Red List – Vulnerable.
• CITES – Appendix I
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Schedule I

Conservation Efforts

• 5 Rhino range nations (India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia) signed  ‘The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019’
• Project Rhino is an initiative that aims to protect India’s rhino population. 
• It focuses on preventing poaching, improving habitats, and raising public awareness.
• The project collaborates with conservation groups and government agencies to ensure rhino survival.
• National Rhino Conservation Strategy was launched in 2019
• Indian Rhino Vision 2020 aim was to  increase the wild rhino population to 3,000 by 2020, spread across seven protected areas in Assam.
• Population Growth – Rhino population growth in Assam from the 1960s (600 rhinos) to 2024 (over 4,000 rhinos). 
• Global Rhino Population in Greater Kaziranga – 70% of the global population of greater one-horned rhinos species resides in Kaziranga.