India and Qatar FIU discuss IT systems, virtual digital assets

• India and Qatar’s Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) discussed use of IT systems and tools, public and private partnerships, strategic analysis, and experience in virtual digital assets segment.
• A nine-member delegation, headed by Sheikh Ahmed Al Thani, Head of FIU-Qatar, visited Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND), on November 4-5, 2024, New Delhi.
•  The visit marked a significant step in strengthening the relations between the two FIUs and their commitment to assist each other in fighting the menace of money laundering and financing of terrorism.
• FIU-Qatar and FIU-IND have cooperated with each other over the years, through the informal information exchange on offences related to money laundering, financing of terrorism.

Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs)

• Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) are specialised government agencies created to act as an interface between the financial sector and law enforcement agencies for collecting, analysing and disseminating information, particularly about suspicious financial transactions, pertaining to money laundering, financing of terrorism and proliferation financing.
• FIUs are also responsible for disseminating analysis results.
• An FIU should obtain additional information from reporting entities and have timely access to required financial, administrative, and law enforcement information to undertake its functions properly. 
• A few major considerations shape an FIU’s creation: 
• i) Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.
• ii) Existing law enforcement.
• iii) The need for an authority that will receive, assess, and share financial information.
• FIUs have to conform to international standards, particularly the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
• The Egmont Group is the international organisation for stimulating cooperation amongst FIUs across the globe.

Financial Intelligence Unit – India

• Financial Intelligence Unit–India (FIU-IND) was established by the government in November 2004 as the central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analysing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions. 
• FIU-IND is also responsible for coordinating and strengthening efforts of national and international intelligence, investigation and enforcement agencies in pursuing the global efforts against money laundering and financing of terrorism. 
• FIU-IND is an independent body reporting directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the Union Finance Minister.
• FIU-IND is headed by the director, who is an officer of the rank of additional secretary to the government of India. It is an administrative FIU and does not investigate cases.
• FIU-IND is a member of following International groups to partner with other countries in countering money laundering, terror and proliferation financing.
• i) Financial Action Task Force
• ii) Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering (EAG)
• iii) Asia / Pacific Group On Money Laundering (APG)
• iv) Egmont Group.

Functions of FIU-IND:

• Collection of Information: Act as the central reception point for receiving Cash Transaction reports (CTRs), Non-Profit Organisation Transaction Report(NTRs), Cross Border Wire Transfer Reports (CBWTRs), Reports on Purchase or Sale of Immovable Property (IPRs) and Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) from various reporting entities.
• Analysis of Information: Analyse received information in order to uncover patterns of transactions suggesting suspicion of money laundering and related crimes.
• Sharing of Information: Share information with national intelligence/law enforcement agencies, national regulatory authorities and foreign Financial Intelligence Units.
• Act as Central Repository: Establish and maintain national data base on the basis of reports received from reporting entities.
• Coordination: Coordinate and strengthen collection and sharing of financial intelligence through an effective national, regional and global network to combat money laundering and related crimes.
• Research and Analysis: Monitor and identify strategic key areas on money laundering trends, typologies and developments.

Egmont Group

• The Egmont Group was formed in 1995 as an informal network of 24 national FIUs, taking its name from the Egmont Palace in Brussels where the group''s founding meeting took place.
• The Egmont Group provides its 177 member Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) with a platform for the secure exchange of information to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other predicate crimes.
• It aims to provide a forum for FIUs to improve understanding and awareness of issues and an opportunity for enhancement of their capacities to develop intelligence to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. 
• • FIU-INDIA has been a member of the Egmont Group since 2007. Ever since its membership, FIU-INDIA has played an active role in the activities of the Egmont Group.
• The Heads of FIU (HoFIU) are the Egmont Group’s main governing body. The HoFIU makes consensus-driven decisions on matters affecting membership, structure, budget, and key principles. The HoFIU communicate regularly through the Egmont Secure Web and meet at least once a year during the Annual Egmont Group Plenary meeting.
•  The Egmont Group Secretariat provides strategic, technical, and administrative support to the HoFIU, the EC, the Working Groups, and the Regional Groups. 

What are Untied & Tied grants of Finance Commission?

• The Centre has released the first instalment of the 15th Finance Commission Grants for 2024-25 to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Tripura and Haryana, and a second instalment in Mizoram.
• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj said in Tripura, untied grants totalling Rs 31.40 crore and tied grants of Rs 47.10 crore have been released for all 1,260 RLBs, including traditional local bodies, 40 block advisory committees and 587 village committees.
• Haryana has received untied grants amounting to Rs 194.867 crores. These funds have been disbursed for 18 eligible district panchayats, 139 block panchayats and 5,911 gram panchayats in the state.
• Mizoram received untied and tied grants of Rs 14.20 crore and Rs 21.30 crore, respectively. These funds have been disbursed to all 834 village councils, including those in Autonomous District Council areas.

Untied grants and Tied grants

• The 15th Finance Commission was constituted on November 27, 2017 against the backdrop of the abolition of the Planning Commission (as also of the distinction between Plan and non-Plan expenditure) and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which has fundamentally redefined federal fiscal relations.

 In November 2020, the 15th Finance Commission, led by chairman N.K. Singh, submitted its report for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 to the then President Ram Nath Kovind. 

• The 15th Finance Commission has recommended total grants for duly constituted local governments that add up to Rs 4,36,361 crore for the period 2021-26. The Commission has recommended basing the inter-se distribution of grants for local bodies among the states, on population and area in the ratio of 90:10.
• A sum of Rs 2,36,805 crore is earmarked for Rural Local Bodies, Rs 1,21,055 crore for Urban Local Bodies and Rs 70,051 crore for health grants through local governments. A total of Rs 8,000 crore is performance-based grants for incubation of new cities and Rs 450 crore is for shared municipal services.
• Out of the total grants earmarked for Panchayati Raj Institutions, 60 per cent is earmarked for national priorities like drinking water supply and rainwater harvesting and sanitation, while 40 per cent is untied and is to be utilised at the discretion of the Panchayati Raj Institutions for improving basic services.

 The Finance Commission Grants aim to make the Panchayati Raj Institutions and RLBs more capable, accountable, and self-reliant.

• In line with Article 243G of the Indian Constitution, these funds empower panchayats to manage essential services and infrastructure. 
• The Centre, through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), recommends the release of 15th Finance Commission Grants to states for Rural Local Bodies, which are then released by the Ministry of Finance. 
• The allocated grants are released in two instalments in a financial year.
• Currently, the 15th Finance Commission (2021-26) Grants are provided to the Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in all three tiers of panchayats and traditional bodies in 28 states.

 The 15th Finance Commission Grants have two components — Basic (Untied) Grants and Tied Grants. 

• The Basic (Untied) grants can be used for felt needs of basic facilities under the 29 subjects enshrined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, except for salaries and other establishment costs. 
• The Tied grants are to be utilised for basic facilities, specifically, for drinking water and sanitation. It also includes maintenance of open-defecation free (ODF) status and water management, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and treatment of household waste

What is the Finance Commission?

• On December 31, 2023, the government appointed former vice chairman of NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya as the chairman of the 16th Finance Commission. The Commission will submit its report to the President by October 31, 2025. The report would be for five years commencing April 1, 2026.

Chakkouba Festival.

• Recently, the Ningol Chakkouba festival was held with religious fervour and gaiety across Manipur.
• The Ningol Chakkouba is one of the biggest festivals of Manipur and the biggest festival of the Meitei community.
• However, nowadays other communities have also started celebrating Chakkouba.
• It is held every year on the second day of the lunar month of Hiyangei of the Meitei calendar.
• ‘Ningol’ means married woman and ‘chakkouba’ means an invitation to feast.
• Married sisters visit their maternal homes for a grand feast and joyous reunion followed by giving away gifts.
• The invitation comes from the son of the family, usually a week in advance.

GOBIND SAGAR LAKE

Recently, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh inaugurated water sports activities at Gobind Sagar Lake located in Mandi Bharari, Bilaspur.

Govt extends tenure of panel examining SC status for converts

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has extended by a year the tenure of a commission established to examine whether Scheduled Castes (SC) status can be granted to individuals who have converted to religions other than Sikhism and Buddhism.
• This decision, formalised through a notification dated November 1, comes as the Commission, initially set to conclude its work on October 10 sought additional time to finalise its report.
• The Commission of Inquiry was constituted on October 6, 2022, under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
• The inquiry also covers related concerns regarding social justice, rights, and the possible extension of reserved status to converts from religions not traditionally included in SC classifications, such as Christianity and Islam.

 Headed by former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, the Commission has been engaging with stakeholders, including sociologists, historians, and representatives from affected communities, to better understand the nuances of caste identity in the context of religious conversion.

Scheduled Castes constitute 16.6% of population

• Indian society has historically had a rigid, occupation-based, hierarchical caste system in which the relative place of a caste in the social hierarchy was determined largely by its traditional occupation. In particular, those performing ‘unclean’ or supposedly ‘polluting’ tasks came to be regarded not merely as ‘low’ castes, but as ‘untouchables’.
• The practice of ‘untouchability’ resulted in great injustice to the members of the concerned castes because they were discriminated against in every respect, and denied ownership of productive assets like land, as well as basic rights like education and equality, which resulted in perpetuation of their extreme socio-economic deprivation.
• In the 1931 Census, for the first time, the government systematically categorised certain castes as ‘depressed classes’. Thereafter, the government of India Act, 1935, for the first time, provided for notification of socially disadvantaged castes as ‘Scheduled Castes’, and a list of such castes was accordingly notified in the Government of India (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1936.
• The Constitution of India, which came into effect on January 26, 1950, inter-alia, abolished “untouchability” and provided several special safeguards for the Scheduled Castes, so as to ensure that they are able to attain equality with the other social groups in the shortest possible time. 
• Scheduled Castes, who constitute 16.6 per cent of our population, have historically suffered social and educational disabilities and economic deprivation arising therefrom. 
• These safeguards enabled reservation in elections to the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies and reservation in government jobs.
• Article 366(24) of the Constitution of India, defines Scheduled Castes as “such castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within such castes, races or tribes as are deemed under Article 341 to be Scheduled Castes for the purposes of the Constitution”.
• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal ministry to oversee the development and empowerment of the Scheduled Castes.

Initiatives for development of SCs

• A number of initiatives have been taken by the government for development of SCs, which have yielded positive outcomes.
• It has been mandated that all states/ministries/departments earmark a  certain percentage of the funds under their major schemes for the Scheduled Caste population so that adequate resources are available for their socio-economic upliftment.
• The government has adopted a multi-pronged approach for the socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes: 
• Social empowerment through educational development.
• Economic empowerment through income and employment enhancing avenues.
• Integrated development of SC majority villages.
• Protection through effective implementation of protective legislation.
• Eradication of occupations such as manual scavenging.
• Holistic development through earmarking of funds for the welfare of Scheduled Castes.

Constitutional provisions for Scheduled Castes

• Article 15(4) refers to the special provisions for their advancement.
• Article 16(4A) speaks of “reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favour of SCs/STs, which are not adequately represented in the services under the State’.
• Article 17 abolishes untouchability.
• Article 46 requires the State ‘to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
• Article 335 provides that the claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a state.
• Article 330 and Article 332 of the Constitution respectively provide for reservation of seats in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People and in the legislative assemblies of the States.
• Under Part IX relating to the Panchayats and Part IXA of the Constitution relating to the Municipalities, reservation for SC and ST in local bodies has been envisaged and provided.

 ORPHAN DRUGS

• Orphan drugs, critical in treating rare diseases, have increasingly gained attention in India following the implementation of the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) in 2021
• Despite this, India faces significant challenges in ensuring the development, affordability, and accessibility of orphan drugs, especially compared to other countries like the United States and the European Union.

What Are Orphan Drugs?

• Orphan drugs are special medicines used to treat rare diseases, which can sometimes be life-threatening or cause long-term health issues. While these drugs are critical for those with rare diseases, developing them is very costly, and India faces unique challenges in making them available.
• Orphan drugs are made specifically for rare diseases. These diseases affect a small number of people but can be very serious.

Global Standards:

• Different countries have set criteria for orphan diseases:
• In the U.S., a disease is rare if it affects fewer than 200,000 people.
• In the European Union, a disease is rare if it affects fewer than 1 in 10,000 people.
• In India, there is no exact definition for orphan diseases, but the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) provides some guidelines.

Classification of Orphan Drugs Based on Disease Type:

• Genetic Disorders: Diseases passed through genes, like cystic fibrosis.
• Rare Cancers: Types of cancer like neuroblastoma.
• Metabolic Disorders: For example, Gaucher’s disease, where the body struggles to process certain substances.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Like systemic sclerosis, where the immune system attacks the body.

Based on Approval Status:

• Approved Drugs: Recognized by agencies like the U.S. FDA or European Medicines Agency.
• Candidates in Clinical Trials: Medicines still being tested for effectiveness and safety.

India’s Classification for Rare Diseases

• Under the National Policy of Rare Diseases, India groups rare diseases into three categories to help with treatment plans:
• Group 1: Diseases curable with one-time treatments, such as some Lysosomal Storage Disorders.
• Group 2: Diseases requiring lifelong management but with lower treatment costs, like Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD).
• Group 3: Diseases needing high-cost, lifelong care, like Gaucher Disease.

Why Developing Orphan Drugs is Difficult in India?

• Even though India produces all 450 of the world’s orphan medications (APIs), the majority of these medications are not readily available and are not reasonably priced here.
• Developing orphan drugs is expensive, and the small number of patients makes it hard for companies to profit.
• Since rare diseases affect few people, finding enough participants for clinical trials is challenging.
• Many treatments are very expensive, such as enzyme replacement therapies (ERTs), costing crores of rupees per year, making them unaffordable for most Indian families.

India’s Current Challenges in Orphan Drug Development

• While global frameworks such as the Orphan Drug Act (ODA) of 1983 in the U.S. have successfully incentivised pharmaceutical companies to invest in these drugs, India is still in the early stages of establishing a robust system that can address the needs of its rare disease patients.
• India doesn’t have a clear definition for rare diseases or enough data, which makes drug development harder. Unlike the U.S. or EU, India doesn’t offer big tax breaks or other financial incentives for companies working on orphan drugs.
• Currently, 14,615 cases are recorded in India’s rare disease registry, but a central national registry is needed for accurate data and better planning.

How Can India Improve Orphan Drug Availability?

• A central registry would help track the prevalence of rare diseases. Introducing tax breaks, grants, and subsidies can motivate companies to develop orphan drugs. Policies to control prices and offer subsidies could make these drugs more affordable.

Parliament’s Winter Session to begin on November 25

• The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on November 25 and continue till December 20.
• A special celebration to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution will be held in the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan on November 26 (Constitution Day).

What are the Sessions of Parliament?

• A Session is the period of time between the meeting of a Parliament and its prorogation. During the course of a Session, either House may adjourn to such date as it pleases. 

Normally three Sessions are held in a year: 

• 1) Budget Session -  January & February and March & April.
• The Budget Session is divided into two parts. It has a break to enable department-related committees to consider and report on demands for grants of the various ministries.
• 2) Monsoon Session - July, August and September.
• 3) Winter Session -  November and December.

 The period between the prorogation of Parliament and its reassembly in a new Session is termed as a ‘recess’.

•  ‘Adjournment’ is a short break of a few hours or days and then the House resumes its sitting. 
•  If the adjournment is done without any time scale, it is known as ‘adjournment sine die’.

How is a Parliament Session convened?

• The Constitution provides that the President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit. There should not be a gap of more than six months between two Sessions of the Parliament. 
• The fixation of dates of summoning and prorogation of the two Houses of Parliament is one of the functions assigned to the ministry of parliamentary affairs under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules made by the President.
• After assessing the time likely to be required for transaction of government business and for discussion on topics of public interest as may be demanded from time to time by members of Parliament, the ministry of parliamentary affairs places a note before the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs for making a recommendation as to the date of the commencement of a Session of Parliament and its likely duration. 
• The recommendation, if approved by the Prime Minister, is submitted by the ministry to the President for approval of the commencement of a Session.
• The President summons the House exercising the powers conferred upon him by Article 85(1) of the Constitution.
• It states that: “The President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session.”
• Following this, the Secretary-General issues a summons to each member of the House.

 PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme

• The Union Cabinet approved the PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme to provide monetary support to meritorious students for pursuing quality higher education.

Highlights of PM Vidyalaxmi scheme:

• PM Vidyalaxmi is another key initiative stemming out of the National Education Policy, 2020, which had recommended that financial assistance should be made available to meritorious students through various measures in both public and private Higher Education Institutions. 
• It is a Central Sector scheme that seeks to provide financial support to meritorious students so that financial constraints do not prevent anyone from pursuing higher studies.
•  As per the scheme, anybody who gets admission in Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs) will be eligible to get collateral-free, guarantor-free loan from banks and financial institutions to cover the full amount of tuition fees and other expenses related to the course.  
• An outlay of Rs 3,600 crore has been approved for the scheme under which education loans will be facilitated to students securing admissions in top 860 QHEIs of the country based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). 
• This will cover more than 22 lakh students every year. 
• The scheme will be applicable to the top QHEIs as determined by the NIRF rankings, including all HEIs, government and private, that are ranked within the top 100 in NIRF in overall, category-specific and domain-specific rankings, state government HEIs ranked in 101-200 in the NIRF and all central government-run institutions. 
• This list will be updated every year using the latest NIRF ranking, and to begin with 860 qualifying QHEIs.
• For loan amount up to Rs 7.5 lakh, the student will also be eligible for a credit guarantee of 75 per cent of outstanding default. 
• This will give support to banks in making education loans available to students under the scheme. In addition, students having an annual family income of up to Rs 8 lakh, and not eligible for benefits under any other government scholarship or interest subvention schemes, 3 per cent interest subvention for loan up to Rs 10 lakh will also be provided during moratorium period.
• The interest subvention support will be given to one lakh students every year. 
• Preference will be given to students who are from government institutions and have opted for technical and professional courses. 
• An outlay of Rs 3,600 crore has been made during 2024-25 to 2030-31, and 7 lakh fresh students are expected to get the benefit of this interest subvention during the period. 
• The Department of Higher Education will have a unified portal, ‘PM-Vidyalaxmi’, in which students will be able to apply for the education loan as well as interest subvention, through a simplified application process to be used by all banks.
• Payment of interest subvention will be made through e-voucher and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallets.

Ancient Town: Al-Natah

• Archaeologists have uncovered a 4,000-year-old fortified town in Saudi Arabia, illustrating the gradual shift from nomadic to urban lifestyles.
• French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux and his crew led the discovery.
• Excavation at the Khaybar oasis has found that a sophisticated Bronze Age town existed between 2400 and 1500 BCE.
• Features: The town reveals-
• The presence of an organised settlement in an era previously believed to be dominated by nomadic pastoral societies,
• It is enclosed by a 14.5-kilometre wall and occupying a 2.6-hectare area,
• It housed up to 500 residents who lived in multi-story dwellings.
• The town was likely a centre for agricultural production and trade, sustaining a cooperative society in the otherwise arid environment.
• Residents of Al-Natah lived in rectangular dwellings, constructed from materials such as stone and mudbrick, with narrow paths connecting the various structures.
• The town’s layout included burial sites, with some graves and tiered towers marking higher social status.
• A similar town in southern Saudi Arabia, Al Faw, was given Unesco World Heritage Site status this year.

Bidar Fort: Waqf Board Identified As Its Property

• Recently, Waqf Board identifies 17 monuments inside historic Bidar Fort in Karnataka as its property.
• Bidar Fort is situated in Bidar city of the northern plateau of Karnataka, India.
• The history of Bidar Fort dates back over 500 years, starting with the reign of the Western Chalukya dynasty.
• Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of the Bahmani dynasty made Bidar his capital in 1430 and renovated it as an impressive citadel.
• Architecture:
• It had been built of trap rock. Stone and mortar were used to build the fort-walls.
• The entrance gate has a lofty dome, the interior of which had been painted in bright colours.
• Bidar Fort includes:
• Islamic and Persian architecture,
• Seven main entrances,
• 37 bastions (Balcony like structures extending from the fort) of octagonal shape with metal shielded cannons,
• Mosques and mahals,
• Thirty plus Islamic monuments.

Bahmani Kingdom:

• The Bahmani Kingdom rose to power after the Turkish Governor Ala-ud-din Hassan Bahman Shan established an independent empire by revolting against the Sultan of Delhi Sultanate, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq in 1347.
• It was the first independent Islamic kingdom in South India that rose to power.
• It was established in present-day Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
• They set up the capital in Ahsanabad (Gulbarga) between 1347 and 1425 and later moved to Bidar.
• There were a total of fourteen sultans ruling over this kingdom. Among them, Alauddin Bahman Shah, Muhammad Shah I and Firoz Shah were important.
• The Bahmani kingdom reached its peak under the guidance of Mahmud Gawan, who served with great distinction as Prime Minister of three Bahamni Sultans for about twenty-three years from 1458 to 1481 AD.
• Mahmud Gawan extended the empire by reconquering Goa, which was under the Vijayanagar Empire at the time.
• Around 1518, Krishnadeva Raya of the Vijayanagar Empire defeated the last ruler of the Bahmani Empire.

Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli Sanctuary

• Recently, An 11-member expert committee has recommended urgent conservation and management for habitat improvement and prey base development before designating Rajasthan’s Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli sanctuaries as a tiger reserve.
• About Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:
• Location: It is situated in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.
• Covering a total surface area of 578 sq km and stretching across the Aravalli ranges, it encircles parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand and Pali districts.
• Once the hunting grounds of royals, this area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1971.
• The wildlife sanctuary encompasses the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort and is also named after the fort.
• Rivers:
• River Banas also graces the sanctuary and is the primary source of water.
• The rainwater on the western slopes flows as small rivers such as Sukdi, Mithdi, Sumer and Kot, all of which are the tributaries of River Luni that ultimately merge into the Arabian Sea.

• The Union government and National Tiger Conservation Authority in 2023 gave in-principal approval for designating Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli sanctuaries as a tiger reserve.
• It is proposed to span around 1,397 square kilometres across Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pali, Ajmer and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan.
• Flora:
• Many types of flora are found here, mainly a variety of herbal flora like Dhok, Salar and Khair.
• Fauna:
• It provides a suitable habitat for endangered and rare wild animals, including four horned antelope, sambar, wild boar, nilgai, sloth bear, leopard and caracal.

Todgarh Raoli Sanctuary

• It spans approximately 495 square kilometers across the districts of Ajmer, Pali and Rajsamand.
• It has been named after Colonel James Tod, a British officer who chronicled Rajasthan’s history.
• It was established in 1983.
• The sanctuary encompasses the ancient Raoli forest, home to numerous indigenous tribes.
• Flora: It is characterized by dry deciduous forests, with prominent species such as teak, bamboo, and dhok trees. The forest canopy is interspersed with flowering plants like kachnar (Bauhinia variegata), palash (Butea monosperma) and the vibrant flame of the forest, which add a splash of color to the greenery, especially during the blooming season.
• Fauna: It is a crucial habitat for several species, including the elusive leopard, sloth bear, and sambar deer. Birdwatchers can delight in the sight of over 200 bird species, including the grey junglefowl, Indian pitta and crested serpent eagle.

MAHASAGAR Initiative

• Recently, the third edition of the high-level virtual interaction MAHASAGAR was conducted by the Indian Navy.
• Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region (MAHASAGAR) -- which means vast ocean in Hindi, is the Indian Navy''s flagship outreach for high-level virtual interaction among the leaders.
• The initiative, started by the Indian Navy, is conducted bi-annually and has garnered wide acceptance among the participating nations ever since its inception in 2023.
• Participating countries: Indian Ocean Region littorals viz., Bangladesh, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. 
• The interaction’s theme of this edition was ‘Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security Challenges in IOR’, which highlights the present and necessary imperatives for Training Corporation towards mitigation of common maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
• During the current edition, the principals candidly dwelled on the imperatives of quality training and opportunities for training collaboration between IOR littorals towards developing requisite capacities and skilled manpower to tackle Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR.

Okinawicius tekdi

• Researchers have found a new species of jumping spider on Baner hill, yet again highlighting the region''s rich biodiversity and the need to protect the city''s natural landscapes.
• About Okinawicius tekdi:
• The spider has been named Okinawicius tekdi, after the Marathi word for hill, and takes the number of jumping spiders in India to 326.
• The species was first described by Atharva Kulkarni, an MSc student in environmental science from MIT-World Peace University in Pune.
• A spider species was last discovered in Pune over 30 years ago.

Spider species

• Spiders are a group of arthropods that have segmented bodies, a hard exoskeleton and legs that are jointed.
• One of the most defining characteristics of spiders is they have eight legs.
• Spiders are also known for spinning webs and using these webs to trap their prey.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR)

• Recently, Rajasthan’s Chief Wildlife Warden constituted a three-member committee after an internal report said that as many as 25 tigers were missing at the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve: 

• It lies on the junction of Aravalis and Vindhyan ranges in Eastern Rajasthan.
• It is one of the largest tiger reserves in northern India.
• It was once a royal hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur. 
• The scenery changes significantly from the gentle and steep slopes of the Vindhyas to the sharp and conical hills of the Aravali valley. 
• The Rivers Chambal in the south and the Banas River in the north bound the tiger reserve.
• The reserve is dotted with steep rocky hills, and the dominant architecture of Ranthambor Fort (built in the 10th era and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) adds to its landscape.
• A major environmental feature is the ''Great Boundary Fault’where the Vindhyas plateau meets the Aravali range. 
• Vegetation: Tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn type.
• Flora: Pure sands of Dhok tree (Anogeissus pendula) interspersed with grasslands at the plateaus; meadows in valleys and luxuriant foliage around the canals make the jungle.
• Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, wild boar, sloth bear, striped hyena, rhesus macaque etc are found here.

Titanium

• Recently, the Indian Rare Earths Limited and Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant JSC, (UKTMP JSC) Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to establish Indo-Kazakh joint venture company (JVC): IREUK Titanium Limited for production of Ti Slag in India.
• It is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth''s crust.
• It often occurs in ore deposits in the form of chemical compounds with iron or oxygen.
• It is present in meteorites and the sun.
• Ores of Titanium: The two prime commercial minerals are Ilmenite (FeTiO3) and Rutile (TiO₂).
• Properties
• It is very corrosion resistant and generally not affected by air, water, acids or bases. 
• It has a low density,good strength, is easily fabricated, and has excellent corrosion resistance. 
• The metal burns in air and is the only element that burns in nitrogen. 
• Applications:
• It is useful in aircraft, spacecraft, ships, and other high-stress applications.
• It also is used in prosthetic devices, because it does not react with fleshy tissue and bone.
• Titanium oxide spectra are used by astronomers to identify cool red dwarf stars.