Daily Prelims Notes 21 March 2023

March 21, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

21 March 2023

Table Of Contents

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate Change

Context: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Synthesis Report (SYR) on March 20, 2023.

More on the News:

It summarizes the findings of six reports released during its Sixth Assessment Cycle — the 1.5 C report of 2018, the Special Reports on Land and Oceans of 2019, and the three Assessment Reports published between 2021 and 2022.
The SYR is presented in the wake of major global upheavals brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent global energy crisis.

Findings of Synthesis Report:

Excess emissions from human activities have raised global temperature by 1.1°C above 1850-1900. Human activities have ‘unequivocally’ caused global warming, says the IPCC, with global net anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions clocking in at 59 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e), 54 per cent higher than the level in 1990.
Current policy action will lead to further temperature rise, and the impacts on human and other forms of life will become more severe.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) announced by countries till October 2021 make it likely that warming will exceed 1.5°C during the 21st century and make it harder to limit warming below 2°C. With every increment of global warming, climatic extremes will become more widespread and pronounced.
- There may be some irreversible changes in the climate system when tipping points are reached, such as the loss of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets.
At current emissions levels, we will deplete the remaining carbon budget.
We need to cut GHG emissions across all sectors urgently, within this decade and no later
- GHG emissions must be cut by 43 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, and CO2 emissions must be cut by 48 per cent. This must be accompanied by reaching global net zero CO2 emissions in the early 2050s.
We have all the solutions we need to shift to low-carbon economic systems
- Systemic changes like widespread electrification, diversifying energy generation to include more wind, solar, and small-scale hydropower, deploying more battery-powered electric vehicles, and conserving and restoring forests while also reducing tropical deforestation.
Political commitment and equity are key to enabling this shift – there is enough finance, it needs to be directed to climate action.
Some parts of the world have already reached their adaptation limits. Certain tropical, coastal, polar and mountain ecosystems, the report stated, have reached their hard limits of adaptation, where adaptive actions cannot avoid negative impacts.
- Adaptation in some places has also reached its soft limits. This situation arises when technological and socioeconomic options for adaptive action are not immediately available, resulting in impacts and risks that are currently unavoidable.
- Adaptation gaps exist and will continue to grow if no action is taken; the lower-income group will suffer the most.
- There is increased evidence of maladaptation in various sectors and regions. Maladaptation affects marginalised and vulnerable groups adversely.
There are multiple barriers to implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS), a technology tool that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The report highlighted some of the barriers are technological, economic, institutional, ecological, environmental and socio-cultural barriers.
The report stated that carbon dioxide removal (CDR) would be necessary to achieve net-negative CO2 emissions. If warming exceeds 1.5 degrees Celsius, the report suggested additional CDR deployment is needed.
The report has pointed out that most vulnerable populations are greatly affected by Loss &Damage linked to burgeoning climatic impacts; and experts contended that almost the whole of India, particularly its coastal and mountain regions, qualify under the category.

More about IPCC and its reports https://optimizeias.com/ipcc-meets-in-switzerland/

2. World Sparrow Day

Subject :Environment

Section: Species in news

Context: A citywide enumeration of the house sparrow population undertaken recently by the Travancore Nature History Society a few days ago recorded only nearly 130 birds.

More on the News:

The house sparrow population in the Thiruvananthapuram city has recorded a significant reduction this year due to several unfavourable factors.
The survey was taken in the run-up to the World Sparrow Day that was observed on Monday. Oppressive heat and scarcity of food materials in the traditional pockets of the city have contributed to the fall in population. The society had recorded as many as 326 sparrows last year.
The house sparrow population in Nedumangad continued to remain stable for several years. This was attributed to the undisturbed ecosystem that is prevalent in the market vicinity having a steady supply of food and without construction activities.

House Sparrow:

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a small bird belonging to the family Passeridae. Distribution: The House Sparrow is a cosmopolitan bird found across Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is also found in North America, South America, and Australia, where it was introduced by humans.
Physical characteristics: The House Sparrow is a small bird, about 14 to 16 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 20 to 25 cm. The male has a gray crown, black throat, and white cheeks, while the female has a brown crown and a buff-colored stripe behind the eye.
Habitat: The House Sparrow is a common bird found in urban and rural areas, and is often seen around human habitation, such as houses, buildings, and parks.
Diet: The House Sparrow is an omnivorous bird and feeds on a variety of food, including seeds, insects, and scraps of food from humans.
Breeding: The House Sparrow breeds throughout the year and can lay up to 4 to 5 eggs at a time. The incubation period is about 11 to 14 days, and the chicks fledge after about 14 to 16 days.
Conservation status:
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
- The Wildlife Protection Act,1972: Schedule IV
Cultural significance: The House Sparrow has been an important part of human culture for centuries and is mentioned in many folktales, songs, and poems. House Sparrow is the State bird of Bihar and Delhi.
Significance in agriculture: The House Sparrow is considered a pest in some agricultural areas due to its habit of feeding on crops such as wheat and rice.
Threats: Despite its large population size, the House Sparrow has experienced declines in some areas, particularly in urban areas, due to habitat loss, pesticides, and other factors.
Conservation steps: In Odisha, the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee started a campaign in 2007. They distributed earthen pot bird nests to homes in Odisha. This has led to an increase in the sparrow population.

3. Thirunelly’s seed festival celebrates traditional climate-resilient seeds and farm produce

Subject :Environment

Section: Agriculture

Context: Cheruvayal Raman, in his early 70s, is a winner of a 2023 Padma Shri, one of India’s top civilian honours. He narrated how he conserved 55 native rice varieties, lining up mementos and medals on the porch of his 150-year-old mud house.

More on the News:

The 1960s saw the Green Revolution as a remedy to widespread food shortage. This ambitious effort to feed the hungry had unintended consequences, including cuts in the cultivation of indigenous grains and millets.
The market-based agri-ecosystem is energy and carbon intensive, responsible for over 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. Farm and cattle production, land-use change such as deforestation, pre- and post-production processes, consumption, and food disposal — all these activities emit carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. However, local, hardy varieties use less resources and are tolerant to the vagaries of weather.
Farmers and indigenous peoples have sown, saved, and shared rich, diverse crops, which are a central part of their lives, livelihoods, and celebrations.
Events such as the Thirunelly Seed Festival bring together farmers, environmental activists, agriculture scientists, conservationists, and support organisations to conserve local seed varieties.

Thirunelly Seed Festival

Thirunelly Seed Festival was initiated in 2013-14 by the conservation NGO Thannal along with the Save our Rice Campaign and a few other seed-saving groups and individuals, with the support of the panchayat and Kudumbasree, a government-run network of local women’s self-help groups.
The Thirunelly Seed Festival is an annual festival held in the Thirunelly temple in Wayanad district, Kerala, India. It is a unique festival that celebrates the planting of seeds and the start of the agricultural season in the region.
The festival is celebrated in the month of Kumbham (February-March) and lasts for three days.
The festival is centered around the Thirunelly temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The festival begins with the planting of seeds in the temple courtyard by the priests and devotees.
The festival also includes a cattle fair, where farmers come to buy and sell livestock.
The festival is a celebration of the importance of agriculture in the region and the traditional knowledge and practices associated with it.
The Thirunelly Seed Festival is a reminder of the need to preserve and promote traditional agricultural practices and biodiversity.

Reason for disappearing of Indigenous seeds:

The introduction of modern agriculture, hybrid and genetically modified crops has led to a decline in the cultivation of indigenous seeds and crops.
The promotion of monoculture and high-yielding varieties has resulted in the displacement of indigenous seeds and crops.
Urbanization and industrialization have also contributed to the disappearance of indigenous seeds and crops, as traditional farming practices are being replaced by industrial agriculture.
Climate change is also affecting the cultivation of indigenous seeds and crops, as changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are making it difficult to grow these varieties.

Need for Traditional Climate-Resilient seeds:

Traditional climate-resilient seeds are plant varieties that have been developed and cultivated by farmers over generations, which are adapted to local environmental conditions and are more resilient to climate change impacts.
Traditional climate-resilient seeds are an important component of sustainable agriculture, as they are adapted to local weather patterns and soil conditions.
These seeds are often more resilient to climate change impacts such as drought, flooding, and pest infestations, which makes them more reliable in times of climatic variability.
The cultivation of traditional climate-resilient seeds promotes food security, as these varieties are often more resistant to crop failures due to weather-related events.
Traditional climate-resilient seeds are often cultivated using traditional agricultural practices, such as intercropping and crop rotation, which help to maintain soil fertility and enhance biodiversity.
The preservation and promotion of traditional climate-resilient seeds is important for maintaining plant genetic diversity, as these varieties are often replaced by modern, high-yielding varieties.
Traditional climate-resilient seeds can provide economic benefits to small-scale farmers, who may not have access to modern agricultural technologies.

Steps to promote indigenous seeds:

Preserve seed banks: Seed banks can be established to preserve indigenous seeds and crops. This helps to maintain their genetic diversity and prevent their extinction.
Provide financial incentives: Governments and other organizations can provide financial incentives to farmers who cultivate indigenous seeds and crops. This can include subsidies, tax breaks, and other incentives.
Encourage research: Research can be conducted to identify the potential benefits and uses of indigenous seeds and crops. This can help to increase their value and promote their cultivation.
Develop markets: Developing markets for indigenous seeds and crops can help to increase their demand and encourage their cultivation. This can include promoting them in local markets, developing value-added products, and creating export opportunities.
Collaborate with indigenous communities: Collaboration with indigenous communities is important in promoting indigenous seeds and crops. This includes working with them to identify and protect their traditional knowledge and practices related to seed and crop cultivation.

4. Outcome budgeting

Subject :Economy

Section: Fiscal Policy

What is outcome budgeting ?

Over the year’s performance budget was seen as following output, rather than outcomes (Budget speech of 2005-06 highlighted this).
Outcome budgeting lays emphasis on linkages between money allocated (outlay) and the outcomes (and not just outputs).
It shifts the focus to the short and long-term outcomes of governance
The outcomes are not just in Rupee terms, but in actual unit achieved (Ex- Actual KMS of road laid) and qualitative target it helped achieved.
Outcome Budget was first introduced in India in 2005-06.
From the 2006-07 financial year, every ministry handling a sector presents a preliminary outcome budget to the Ministry of Finance, which is responsible for compiling them

Understanding outlay, output and outcome

Outlays are financial resources deployed for achieving certain outcomes.
Outputs are a measure of the physical quantity of the goods or services produced through a government scheme or programme. They are usually an intermediate stage between ‘outlays’ and ‘outcomes. For example, construction of a health care centre is the ‘output’, while increase in the literacy rate is the ‘final outcome’ or ‘impact’.
Outcomes or impact are the end results of various government initiatives. Going beyond mere ‘outputs’, they cover the quality and effectiveness of the goods or services.

5. Ring-fencing our banks

Subject: Economy

Section: Monetary Policy

Context: Banking crisis in US

Details:

While dealing with increased financial distress, banks look to the central bank or the government to come to their rescue. Liquidity Coverage Ratio is the financial shield that protects a bank from an impending bankruptcy
A major fault line that the financial crisis of 2008 exposed in banking sectors worldwide was the improper monitoring of the liquidity risk. A steep fall in the US housing market led to extreme financial stress in the US between mid-2007 and early 2009. Numerous banks worldwide recorded huge losses and relied on central banks to avoid bankruptcy.
Liquidity Coverage Ratio was thus devised to control and monitor the liquidity of financial firms from 2009. Comprehensive measures were undertaken to respond to the global financial crisis, called the “Basel III post-crisis reforms”.

Liquidity Coverage Ratio: what is it?

When the financial crisis hit, many banks worldwide faced a liquidity shock. They didn’t have enough assets that could be converted into cash to avoid defaulting. Liquidity Cover Ratio (LCR) requires a bank to maintain a certain stock of High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) to help it weather a stressful period, like the financial crisis of 2008.
It helps the bank stay afloat during a financial crisis, at least until the government or the central bank can come to its rescue.
In India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) implemented LCR on 1st January 2015, after the Indian framework for LCR requirements was issued on 9th June 2014.
The LCR is designed to ensure that banks hold a sufficient reserve of high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) to allow them to survive a period of significant liquidity stress lasting 30 calendar days.

6. BIS and Basel norm

Subject: Economy

Section: Monetary Policy

What is Basel Committee?

The Basel Committee – initially named the Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices was established by the central bank Governors of the Group of Ten countries at the end of 1974 in the aftermath of serious disturbances in international currency and banking markets
The BCBS is the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation of banks and provides a forum for cooperation on banking supervisory matters.
Its mandate is to strengthen the regulation, supervision and practices of banks worldwide with the purpose of enhancing financial stability.
The BCBS does not possess any formal supranational authority.
Its decisions do not have legal force. Rather, the BCBS relies on its members’ commitments
BCBS members include organisations with direct banking supervisory authority and central banks.

Basel Accords

The Basel Accords are three series of banking regulations (Basel I, II, and III) set by the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (BCBS).
The committee provides recommendations on banking regulations, specifically, concerning capital risk, market risk, and operational risk. The accords ensure that financial institutions have enough capital on account to absorb unexpected losses.
In 2010, Basel III guidelines were concluded. These guidelines were introduced in response to the financial crisis of 2008. The guidelines aim to promote a more resilient banking system by focusing on four vital banking parameters viz. capital, leverage, funding and liquidity.

7. CRR

Subject :Economy

Section: Monetary Policy

It is a certain minimum amount of deposit that the commercial banks have to hold as reserves with the central bank.
The percentage of cash required to be kept in reserves, vis-a-vis a bank’s total deposits, is called the Cash Reserve Ratio.
The cash reserve is either stored in the bank’s vault or is sent to the RBI. Banks do not get any interest on the money that is with the RBI under the CRR requirements.

Primary purposes of the Cash Reserve Ratio

Since a part of the bank’s deposits is with the Reserve Bank of India, it ensures the security of the amount. It makes it readily available when customers want their deposits back.
Also, CRR helps in keeping inflation under control.
At the time of high inflation in the economy, RBI increases the CRR, so that banks need to keep more money in reserves so that they have less money to lend further.

8. Statutory Liquidity Ratio

Subject :Economy

Section: Monetary Policy

Statutory Liquidity Ratio popularly called SLR is the minimum percentage of deposits that the commercial bank maintains through gold, cash and other securities. However, these deposits are maintained by the banks themselves and not with the RBI or Reserve Bank of India.
Section 24 and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949 mandates all scheduled commercial banks, local area banks, Primary (Urban) co-operative banks (UCBs), state co-operative banks and central co-operative banks in India to maintain the SLR.

Assets held under SLR are ones that can easily be converted into cash, gold and SLR securities:

Dated securities
Treasury Bills of the Government of India;
Dated securities of the Government of India issued from time to time under the market borrowing programme and the Market Stabilization Scheme;
State Development Loans (SDLs) of the State Governments issued from time to time under the market borrowing programme
Any other instrument as may be notified by the Reserve Bank of India

9. Supreme court directs govt to clear 28000 cr OROP Arrears

Subject : Schemes

Concept :

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to clear all One Rank One Pension (OROP) arrears totalling Rs 28,000 crore for ex-servicemen by February 28 next year, saying the government is duty-bound to comply with its 2022 judgement on the matter.
It noted that out of 25 lakh Defence pensioners, four lakh did not qualify for the OROP scheme as they were getting enhanced pensions.
The bench at the outset refused to accept the sealed cover report submitted by Attorney General R Venkataramani and asked him to read the report as pertained to compliance of the court’s judgement.
The bench said there cannot be anything secret about the report which cannot be divulged to the ex-service personnel seeking payment of OROP arrears.

One Rank One Pension Scheme (OROP)

OROP for Defence Forces Personnel implies that uniform pension be paid to Personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of their retirement date.
Before OROP, ex-servicemen used to get pensions as per the Pay Commission’s recommendations of the time when they had retired.
This will bridge the gap between the rates of pension of current and past pensioners at periodic intervals.
The historical decision to implement OROP was taken by the Government in 2015, with benefits effective from 1st July, 2014.
The implementation of the scheme was based on recommendation of the Koshiyari committee, a 10-member all-party parliamentary panel formed under the chairmanship of Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.
Re-fixation of pension– Pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of pension of retirees of calendar year 2013.
Pension will be re-fixed for all pensioners on the basis of the average of minimum and maximum pension of personnel retired in 2013 in the same rank and with the same length of service.
Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected.
Arrears will be paid in four equal half yearly installments.
However, all the family pensioners including those in receipt of Special/ Liberalized family pension and Gallantry award winners shall be paid arrears in one installment.
In future, the pension would be re-fixed every 5 years.
Nodal Implementation Agency – Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence.
Payment – OROP is not paid as a separate element as it is an integrated part of pension.
Inapplicability – Personnel who opt to get discharged henceforth on their own request under Rule 13(3)I(i)(b), 13(3)II(i)(b), 13(3)III(iv) or Rule 16B of the Army Rule 1954 or equivalent Navy or Air Force Rules will not be entitled to the benefits of OROP.

Sealed Cover Jurisprudence

It is a practice used by the Supreme Court and sometimes lower courts, of asking for or accepting information from government agencies in sealed envelopes that can only be accessed by judges.
There is no law specifying the sealed cover jurisprudence but the SC derives its power from –
Rule 7 of Order XIII of the Supreme Court Rules and
Section 123 of the Indian Evidence Act of 1872
Under Rule 7 of Order XIII (“Copying”) of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, if the Chief Justice or court directs certain information to be kept under sealed cover or considers it of confidential nature, no party would be allowed access to the contents of such information.
Under Section 123 of the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, the unpublished official documents about state affairs are given protection and a public servant cannot be forced to disclose such information.

For further notes on sealed cover jurisprudence, refer – https://optimizeias.com/sealed-cover-jurisprudence/

10. Rule 50 Notice in Kerala Assembly

Subject : Polity

Section: Parliament and Legislature

Concept :

Stalemate in the Kerala assembly continued for the fourth day as the Opposition obstructed the proceedings over the denial of the adjournment motion notice under Rule 50 of the house and the police case against seven UDF MLAs.
Later, Speaker assured the Opposition that he will protect their rights to move notice under Rule 50 on important subjects.
Rule 50 – Subject to the provisions of these Rules, a motion for an adjournment of the business of the Assembly for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance may be made with the consent of the Speaker.

Adjournment Motion in Parliament (Rule 184 of Lok Sabha)

Adjournment motion is introduced only in the Lok Sabha to draw the attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance.
It involves an element of censure against the government, therefore Rajya Sabha is not permitted to make use of this device
It is regarded as an extraordinary device as it interrupts the normal business of the House. It needs the support of 50 members to be admitted.
The discussion on this motion should last for not less than two hours and thirty minutes.
However, right to move a motion for an adjournment of the business of the House is subject to the following restrictions. i.e. It should:
Raise a matter which is definite, factual, urgent and of public importance.
Not cover more than one matter.
Be restricted to a specific matter of recent occurrence.
Not raise a question of privilege.
Not revive discussion on a matter that has been discussed in the same session.
Not deal with any matter that is under adjudication of court.
Not raise any question that can be raised on a distinct motion.

11. HC declares void election of a devikulam MLA

Subject : Polity

Concept :

The Kerala High Court on Monday declared void the election of A Raja of the LDF from Devikulam, a reserved assembly constituency in the Idukki district.
Justice P Somarajan observed that Raja is not a member of ‘Hindu Parayan’ within the state of Kerala and is not qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the assembly reserved for Scheduled Caste.
Hence, the election of Raja from the Devikulam is declared void, the court said.

Election Petition

An Election petition is a means under law to challenge the election of a candidate in a Parliamentary or Assembly election.
Election petitions are filed in the High Court of the particular state in which the election was conducted.
Therefore, only the High Courts have the original jurisdiction on deciding on election petitions.
An election petition can be filed by any candidate, or an elector relating to the election personally, to the authorized officer of the High Court.
An elector is a person who was entitled to vote at the election to which the election petition relates, whether he/she has voted at such election or not.
An election petition calling in question an election shall be filed within the time period of forty-five days from the date of declaration of results.
A petitioner may, in addition to claiming that the election of a particular candidate is void, can also claim that he/she himself/herself has been duly elected.
Under the Representation of People Act, 1951, an election petition will have to be filed after the results were declared.
The right to contest in an election is “not a civil right but a creature of statute.”

Grounds for filing an election petition or declaring an election void

The election of a particular candidate can be declared void under section 100 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, if the High Court is of the opinion that –

that on the date of the election a returned candidate (a candidate who has been declared elected) was not qualified; or
that some corrupt practice was committed by a returned candidate or his election agent; or
that any nomination was improperly rejected; or
that the result was materially affected.

The Representation of Peoples Act recommends the High Court to conclude a trial for an election petition within six months from the date on which the election petition is presented to the High Court for trial.
Any election petition may be withdrawn only by leave of the High Court.
Appeal
An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court on any question (whether of law and fact) from every order made by a High Court within a period of thirty days from the date of the order of the High Court.
Supreme Court may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within such period.

12. Zoonoses Theory

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Health

Concept :

Undisclosed genetic data from a food market in Wuhan has been unearthed and is being used to support the zoonoses theory over the lab leak theory.
These findings were presented to the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens, an expert body constituted by the WHO.

Zoonosis

A zoonosis is an infectious disease of humans caused by a pathogen (an infectious agent, such as a bacterium, virus, parasite or prion) that can jump from a non-human (usually a vertebrate) to a human and vice versa.

Examples :

Major modern diseases such as Ebola virus disease and salmonellosis are zoonoses.
HIV was a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans in the early part of the 20th century, though it has now evolved into a separate human-only disease.
Most strains of influenza that infect humans are human diseases, although many strains of bird flu and swine flu are zoonoses. These viruses occasionally recombine with human strains of the flu and can cause pandemics such as the 1918 Spanish flu or the 2009 swine flu.

Modes of Transmission

Direct Zoonosis
Zoonoses have different modes of transmission. In direct zoonosis the disease is directly transmitted from non-humans to humans through media such as air (influenza) or through bites and saliva (rabies).
Reverse zoonosis or Anthroponosis
In contrast, transmission can also occur via an intermediate species (referred to as a vector), which carry the disease pathogen without getting sick.
When humans infect non-humans, it is called reverse zoonosisor anthroponosis.

Causes of Zoonoses

The emergence of zoonotic diseases originated with the domestication of animals.
Zoonotic transmission can occur in any context in which there is contact with or consumption of animals, animal products, or animal derivatives.
This can occur in a companionistic (pets), economic (farming, trade, butchering, etc.), predatory (hunting, butchering or consuming wild game) or research context.
According to a report from the United Nations Environment Programme and International Livestock Research Institute large part of the causes are environmental like climate change, unsustainable agriculture, exploitation of wildlife, land use change.

13. Equinox

Subject : Geography

Section: Climatology

Concept :

Equinox today (March 21) marks the end of winter in northern and summer in southern hemisphere.

About Equinoxes (Vernal & Autumnal)

The word equinox is derived from two Latin words – aequus (equal) and nox (night).
There are only two times of the year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, which results in a nearly equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes. These events are referred to as Equinoxes.
The equinoxes happen in March (about March 21) and September (about September 23) on these days the Sun is exactly above the Equator
The equator and places near the equator experience nearly 12 hours of the day and 12 hours of the night.
Reasons:
- The phenomenon occurs due to the Earth’s axial tilt, or the angle by which the planet is tilted relative to the Sun.
- The imaginary axis of our planet is not straight up and down but is tilted by 23.5 degrees.
- This is why different regions of the Earth experience different measures of sunlight.
Implications:
- The days become a little longer at the higher latitudes (those at a distance from the equator) because it takes the sun longer to rise and set.
- The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with seasons, harvests and livelihood.
- Therefore, many cultures celebrate various combinations of the solstices, the equinoxes, and the midpoints between them, leading to various holidays arising around these events.

Solstices (Summer & Winter)

The two solstices happen in June (20 or 21) and December (21 or 22). These are the days when the Sun’s path in the sky is the farthest north or south from the Equator.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice marks the start of summer, this is when the North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun, and the Sun’s rays are directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer.
The summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer which is located at 23.5° latitude North and for every place north of the Tropic of Cancer, the sun is at its highest point in the sky and this is the longest day of the year.
The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located at 23.5° south of the equator.

14. Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee

Subject: History

Section: MODERN India

Concept :

Amid a police crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday asked the Punjab government to stop arresting “innocent” Sikh youths.

About Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (or SGPC) is an organization in India responsible for the management of gurdwaras, Sikh places of worship in three states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh and union territory of Chandigarh.
SGPC also administers Darbar Sahib in Amritsar.
It is also called as mini-parliament of Sikhs, is directly elected through election by the Sikh sangat i.e. Sikh male and female voters above 18 years of age who are registered as voters under the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925.
The SGPC is governed by the chief minister of Punjab.
The SGPC manages the security, financial, facility maintenance and religious aspects of Gurdwaras as well as keeping archaeologically rare and sacred artifacts, including weapons, clothes, books and writings of the Sikh Gurus.
It was formed in 1920.
The first and the only woman and also incumbent President of SGPC is Jagir Kaur .

The Singh Sabha Movement

The Singh Sabha Movement was founded at Amritsar in 1873 with a two-fold objective, to make available modern western education to the Sikhs, and to counter the proselytising activities of Christian missionaries as well as the Brahmo Samajists, Arya Samajists and Muslim maulvis.
For the first objective, a network of Khalsa schools was established by the Sabha throughout Punjab.
In the second direction, everything that went against the Gurus’ teachings was rejected, and rites and customs considered to be consistent with Sikh doctrine were sought to be established.

Gurudwara Reform Movement

The Akali movement (also known as Gurudwara Reform Movement) was an offshoot of the Singh Sabha Movement.
It aimed at liberating the Sikh gurudwaras from the control of corrupt Udasi mahants.
The government tried its repressive policies against the non-violent non-cooperation satyagraha launched by the Akalis in 1921 but had to bow before popular demands.
The government passed the Sikh Gurudwaras Act in 1922 (amended in 1925) which gave the control of gurudwaras to the Sikh masses to be administered through Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) as the apex body.
The Akali Movement was a regional movement but not a communal one.

15. Credit Suisse 17billion AT 1 Bonds hit

Subject : Economy

Section: Monetary Policy

Concept :

Swiss authorities brokering Credit Suisse’s rescue merger with UBS have said 16 billion Swiss francs ($17 billion or Rs 1.4 lakh crore approximately) of its Additional Tier 1 (AT1) debt will be written down to zero.
AT1 bond holders rank below those holding equity stakes in Credit Suisse who can expect to receive 0.76 Swiss francs per share.
The writing down of the $17bn AT1 bonds to zero could result in chaos to the $ 275bn size of AT1 market in Europe.

Additional Tier-I Bonds

AT-1 bonds are a type of unsecured, perpetual bonds that banks issue to shore up their core capital base to meet the Basel-III norms.
There are two routes through which these bonds can be acquired:
Initial private placement offers of AT-1 bonds by banks seeking to raise money.
Secondary market buys of already-traded AT-1 bonds.
AT-1 bonds are like any other bonds issued by banks and companies, but pay a slightly higher rate of interest compared to other bonds.
These bonds are also listed and traded on the exchanges. So, if an AT-1 bondholder needs money, he can sell it in the secondary market.
Investors cannot return these bonds to the issuing bank and get the money. i.e there is no put option available to its holders.
However, the issuing banks have the option to recall AT-1 bonds issued by them (termed call options that allow banks to redeem them after 5 or 10 years).
Banks issuing AT-1 bonds can skip interest payouts for a particular year or even reduce the bonds’ face value.
AT-1 bonds are regulated by RBI. If the RBI feels that a bank needs a rescue, it can simply ask the bank to write off its outstanding AT-1 bonds without consulting its investors.

16. Foreign Banks in India

Subject : Economy

Section: Monetary Policy

Context: The proposed takeover of Swiss bank Credit Suisse by its bigger rival UBS

What are foreign Banks?

Financial institutions that serve customers outside of their own country are referred to as “Foreign Banks.” A Foreign Bank branch operates as a kind of international bank, subject to the regulations of both its home country and the country in which it has a physical presence. As of the year 2022, 46 international banks have established operations in India, as reported by the country’s central bank. A total of 45 international banks operate in India, with most of their roughly 300 branches concentrated in the country’s largest cities.
Their presence but their presence is relatively small—with a 6 per cent share in total assets,4per cent in loans, and 5 per cent in deposits. They are more active in the derivative markets (forex and interest rates),where theyhavea50per cent share. Most are there as branches of the parent bank, with only a few present as a wholly owned subsidiary. But they retain capital,liquidity, and make annual report disclosures similar to Indian banks. The five biggest foreign banks in India by assets are HSBC, Citibank(which has sold its consumer business to Axis), Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan Chase (the largest US bank)

Why are they important?

Foreign companies operating in a country may have a positive impact in two ways: they can raise the volume of the country’s exports and imports, and they can provide more job possibilities for the country’s skilled workers.

Functioning of foreign Banks :

Foreign banks in India account for only 1% of the country’s branch network, but they contribute 11% of the country’s banking sector profits. This is because these banks are specialised in areas like trade finance, wholesale lending, external commercial borrowing, treasury service, and investment banking rather than general retail banking.

17. Vandalism by pro-Khalistan protestors at Indian High Commission, London

Subject : International Relations

Section :International Organization

Concept :

Hours after a group of people chanting pro-Khalistan slogans took down the Indian flag at the High Commission in London, the Indian government on Sunday summoned the “senior-most” UK diplomat, Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott, and lodged a strong protest.
An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of the British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises.
She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention.

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations was adopted in 1961 by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held in Vienna, Austria.
It provides a complete framework for the establishment, maintenance and termination of diplomatic relations on a basis of consent between independent sovereign States.
This treaty lays down the rules and regulations for the privileges that diplomats enjoy in other countries.
The treaty entered into force in April 1964 and currently, there are 192 parties to the convention.
The Vienna Convention applies not only to diplomats but also to both military and civilian personnel from the military departments, who are present in the country under the authority of the chief of the diplomatic mission.
Although this convention formalizes diplomatic immunity and codifies rules for diplomatic relations between nations, informally these regulations were in practice for at least 200 years.
In ancient times, the Indian, Greek and Roman civilizations had privileges for diplomats of foreign countries.
The first attempt in modern times to codify diplomatic immunity occurred in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna.
An important aspect of the treaty is the provision of legal immunity for diplomats so that they don’t have to face prosecution according to the laws of the host country.
The Vienna Convention holds that persons working as diplomats are “inviolable” and therefore cannot be detained or arrested.
Host nations are also obliged to protect diplomats from attacks on their freedom and dignity.
Another related treaty is the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, adopted in 1963 and effective from 1967.

Obligations of a “receiving State” under the Vienna Convention

As per the Vienna Convention, a “receiving State” refers to the host nation where a diplomatic mission is located.
Article 22 of the Convention deals with obligations with regards to the premises of the Mission.
Part 2 of this article states that “The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity”.

Did the UK not fulfil its obligations in this instance?

The fact that protestors were able to climb the walls of the High Commission premises indicates a breach.
India finds the UK government’s indifference to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK unacceptable.
UK has condemned the event and promised to take the security of the Indian High Commission in London seriously.

Other Popular Vienna Conventions

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961)
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963)
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969)
Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (1977)
Vienna Convention on Succession of States in respect of Treaties (1978)
Vienna Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (1987)
Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985)
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone Layer (1985)

18. India concluded its eighth stint at UNSC

Subject : International Relations

Section :International Organisation

Context:

India completed its eighth stint at UNSC as a non-permanent member.

Achievements of India’s two year stint:

The focus area of India was maritime security, terrorism, UN peacekeeping, reformed multilateralism and the Global South.
India was elected Chair of three important UNSC Committees: the Taliban Sanctions Committee, Libyan Sanctions Committee and Counterterrorism Committee.
The Prime Minister of India chaired for the first time a UNSC meeting on maritime security.
The Presidential Statement issued was the first holistic document on this issue which, for the first time, had a direct reference to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as international law setting out the legal framework in the context of maritime activities. It also called for, inter alia, freedom of navigation, antipiracy and combating terror and transnational crime at sea.
India has enhanced the focus on terrorism. As a Chair of the UNSC Counterterrorism Committee (CTC), the CTC meeting to India in October 2022.This resulted in the listing of Abdul Rehman Makki, Deputy Amir/Chief of the Lashkar E Taiba as a terrorist.
In August 2021, India piloted the first UNSC resolution in more than five decades, calling for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.

More about UNSC

The Security Council was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
The other 5 organs of the United Nations are—the General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
Its primary responsibility is to work to maintain international peace and security.
The council is headquartered in New York.

Members:

The council has 15 members: the five permanent members and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
The five permanent members are the United States, the Russian Federation, France, China and the United Kingdom.
India, for the eighth time, has entered the UNSC as a non-permanent member last year (2021) and will stay on the council for two years i.e 2021-22.
Each year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members (out of ten in total) for a two-year term. The ten non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis.
The council’s presidency is a capacity that rotates every month among its 15 members.

Voting Powers:

Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions of the Security Council on matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members. A “No” vote from one of the five permanent members blocks the passage of the resolution.

Any member of the United Nations which is not a member of the Security Council may participate, without vote, in the discussion of any question brought before the Security Council whenever the latter considers that the interests of that member are specially affected.

19. Unrest in Israel

Subject :International Relations

Section: Places in news

Context: According to media reports, 70 Palestinians have been killed in raids by Israeli security forces in the West Bank since January; over the same period,13 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks

Where is Gaza strip and West Bank located?

The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are two Palestinian territories that were part of Mandate Palestine and were captured by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. There are over 5 million Palestinians combined living in the two territories.
The Gaza Strip is 140 sq miles of land located in the southwest corner of Israel, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It also shares a border with Egypt to the south.
The West Bank is another area of land located within the country of Israel, but it is much larger than the Gaza Strip at 2,173 sq miles. The West Bank stretches across the eastern border of Israel along the west banks of the Jordan River and most of the Dead Sea, thus how it received its name. The holy city of Jerusalem is considered by international law as part of the West Bank, with East Jerusalem being claimed as the capital by both Israelis and Palestinians.
In 1967, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria were involved in a military struggle most commonly known as the Six-Day War. Up until that point, the Gaza Strip had been under Egypt’s control and the West Bank under Jordan’s. However, after the Six-Day War, both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank were seized by Israel.
There has been a conflict over the specific territories of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank for over a hundred years, dating back even before Israel became a country. Since the Six-Day War, though, the tension between Israelis and Palestinians living in the territories has been constant, often ending in violence. Because Israel controls all access into the Gaza Strip and West Bank, Palestinians living there are under military occupation and are subject to Israeli restrictions, often depending on aid for food, water, and supplies.

20. SC seeks Centre’s stand on plea over Telangana Governor delaying Bills

Subject : Polity

Section: Basic concepts

Context: Telangana govt has argued in SC that in a parliamentary democracy, the Governor has no discretion to delay necessary assent as required on the Bills. Any refusal on the part of the Governor, including delay, will defeat parliamentary democracy and will of the people,

Concept :

What are the Main Characteristics of Parliamentary System?

Parliamentary system has been taken from the United Kingdom because U.K. constitution is the mother constitution of parliamentarianism. It is also called ministerial or cabinet system. Cabinet or parliamentary form of government is that in which;

Legislature and executive are closely related and share powers with each other.
Cabinet is formed by the parliament and parliament is the superior organ.
There are two executives i.e. the elected president or king and the Prime Minister. President represents state and Prime Minister represents government.
Cabinet is responsible before the legislature.