1. Indian Heritage

• Culture

• Modern Indian history

• The Freedom Struggle

 

• Post-independence

• Indian Society

A. population and associated issues

B. poverty and developmental issues

C.urbanization

   7. Geographical features

8.Indian Constitution

9. Polity

 

 

10. Governance

A. institutions

B. regulatory

Central Consumer Protection Authority(CCPA)

• Central Consumer Protection Authority is being established by Section 10 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.[1]
• The CCPA aims to protect the rights of the consumers by cracking down on unfair trade practices, and false and misleading advertisements that are detrimental to the interests of the public and consumers

Functions of Central Authority

The functions of the Central Authority are as follows—

• To protect, promote and enforce the rights of consumers as a class, and prevent violation of consumers rights under this Act;
• Prevent unfair trade practices and ensure that no person engages himself in unfair trade practices;
• To ensure that no false or misleading advertising is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder;
• To ensure that no person takes part in the publication of any advertisement this is false or misleading.

Powers of Central Authority

Powers of Central Authority are as follows:

• To inquire or to get an inquiry or investigation done into cases of violation of consumer rights or for the cases of unfair trade practices. The authority can take this action either on its own in the direction of the Central Government.
• To file complaints before all the three Commissions, depending upon the facts of the case; to intervene in the proceedings before the Commissions if needed.
• Review the matters that relates to and affects the enjoyment of, consumer rights, inclusive of the safeguards given for the protection of consumers under any other law for the time being in force and to recommend reasonable remedial measures for the proper implementation of the laws;
• To make sure effective implementation of consumer rights by recommending adoption of international covenants and practices.
• Promote and undertake research in the field of consumer rights;
• Create and promote awareness on consumer rights;
• JUSTICE TO COMMON MAN

1. National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has been step up under The Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987 to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society as covered under Section 12 of the Act, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. The activities/programmes undertaken by Legal Services Authorities include Legal Aid and advice; Legal Awareness Programmes; Legal Services/Empowerment camps; Legal Services Clinics; Legal Literacy Clubs; Lok Adalats and implementation of Victim Compensation Scheme.
2. Under the aegis of the Legal Services Act, Lok Adalats are organised to promote justice on a basis of equal opportunities. For this purpose, the legal services institutions have been setup from the Taluk Court level to the Supreme Court. National Lok Adalats are organized simultaneously in all Taluks, Districts and High Courts on a pre-fixed date. State Lok Adalats are organised by State Legal Services Authorities as per local conditions and needs and Permanent Lok Adalats are conducted on daily basis or as per the number of sittings decided per week.

Further in view of Covid, E-Lok Adalat was conceptualized which significantly improved access to justice for people who were otherwise unable to participate in the Lok Adalats. The first E-Lok Adalat was held on 27.06.2020 and since then E-Lok Adalats have been organized in 28 Stats / UTs, wherein 441.17 lakh cases were taken up and 76.16 lakh cases disposed of.

The details of the case disposed off in these Lok Adalats during the last three years are at Annexure-I.

3. Besides, a scheme on Access to Justice titled “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India” is implemented by the Government of India which aims to strengthen Pre-Litigation Advice and consultation through Tele-Law; to ensure pan – India dispensation framework to deliver Pro Bono legal Services through Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) programme and to empower citizens through Pan India Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme. The Scheme embeds use of technology and developing contextualized IEC (Information, Education and Communication) material in regional / local dialect to support its intervention and to achieve easy accessibility of legal services to the poor and weaker sections of the society.

The Tele-Law service seeks to connect the beneficiary with the lawyer via tele/ video conferencing facilities available at the Common Service Centers and through Tele-Law Citizens Mobile Application. As on 30th November 2023, Tele-Law services is available across 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats in 766 districts across 36 States and UTs and has rendered legal advice to 60,23,222 beneficiaries, which includes women, children, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe etc.

The Nyaya Bandhu platform enables seamless connect on the Nyaya Bandhu Application (available on Android/ iOS) between the interested Pro Bono Advocates and registered beneficiaries entitled for free legal aid under section 12 of Legal Services Authorities Act,1987. As on 30th November, 2023, there are 10,629 Pro Bono advocates and 89 law schools have constituted Pro Bono Clubs to facilitate the culture of Pro bono among law students. All these services under the scheme are provided free of cost to all citizens of the weaker sections of the society.

4. The National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms set up in August, 2011 has been pursuing a co-ordinated approach for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial administration, which, inter-alia, involves better infrastructure for courts, increase in strength of subordinate judiciary, policy and legislative measures in the areas prone to excessive litigation, re-engineering of court procedure for quick disposal of cases and emphasis on human resource development.

C. Government policies

D. role of NGOs

E. measures

11. Social Justice

A. Welfare schemes

B Health

Organ Transplantation

The Government of India has taken several steps to improve the rate of organ donation in the country. These include dissemination of information by National Organ & Tissue Transplantation Organization (NOTTO), Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (ROTTOs) and State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs) set up under the National Organ Transplant Program (NOTP). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has written a letter to NOTTO, ROTTOs and SOTTOs for creating awareness among people towards the government recognized process of organ donation as permitted by the law and awareness about illegality & repercussions associated with indulgence in organ trafficking which is in gross violation of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994.

As a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, organ donation is getting promoted as a “Jan Andolan“ through social media.  In this regard, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is running a pledge campaign and slogan competition on MyGov platform. As a part of “Angdaan Mahotsav” initiated in the month of July 2023, various awareness programmes on deceased donor organ donation are being organized across the country. 1st National Webinar on organ and tissue donation was organized in month of July 2023 with a focus on Prevention of Kidney and Liver failure, which was attended by thousands of Medical Professionals.

A website ‘www.notto.mohfw.gov.in’ is operational along with a 24×7 call center having a toll-free helpline number (1800114770) to provide information, tele-counseling and to help in coordination for organ donation. Activities are organized across the country for generating awareness, such as celebration of Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) annually, seminars, workshops, debates, sports events, walkathons, marathons, nukkad natak, NOTTO Scientific Dialogue 2023 etc.  Display boards on organ donation are exhibited outside ICUs and other strategic locations in the transplant/retrieval hospitals. Advertisements are published in print media, dissemination of audio and audio-visual messages is done through social media, electronic media etc. Regular programs are conducted with school children for giving them knowledge about organ donation and conducting competitions like poster making, running special pledge campaign and slogan competition on MyGov platform etc.

The kidney transplantation package has been included under PM-JAY scheme of Ayushman Bharat by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Also, under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), financial support upto Rs. 15 lakh is provided by the Ministry to the patients who are below poverty line for transplantation of Heart, Lung, Liver, Kidney, etc.

C. Education

D. Human Resources

E. poverty and hunger

National Food Security Mission (NFSM),

The National Development Council (NDC) in its 53rd meeting held on 29th May, 2007 adopted a resolution to launch a Food Security Mission comprising rice, wheat and pulses to increase the annual production of rice by 10 million tonnes, wheat by 8 million tonnes and pulses by 2 million tonnes by the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12). Accordingly, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, ‘National Food Security Mission’ (NFSM), was launched in October 2007.

The Mission met with an overwhelming success and achieved the targeted additional production of rice, wheat and pulses. The Mission continued during 12th Five Year Plan with new targets of additional production of food grains of 25 million tonnes of food grains comprising of 10 million tonnes rice, 8 million tonnes of wheat, 4 million tonnes of pulses and 3 million tonnes of coarse cereals by the end of 12th Five Year Plan. Considering the experience and feedback received from the States major changes were made in approach, norms of financial assistance and programme implementation strategy which are reflected in the revised operational guidelines.

Based on past experience and performance of 12th Plan, it has been decided to continue the programme beyond 12th plan i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20, which is co-terminus with Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) period with new targets to achieve 13 million tonnes of additional foodgrains production comprising of Rice – 5 million tonnes, Wheat- 3 million tonnes, Pulses- 3 million tonnes and Coarse Cereals- 2 million tonnes by 2019-20

12. International relations

A. India and its neighbourhood

B. groupings and agreements

India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) 

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), launched the India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES), in the presence of Mr. KO Kwang Hyo, Commissioner of Korea Customs Service (KCS) and his delegation on 6^th December 2023 in New Delhi.

The Electronic Origin Data Exchange System is aimed at facilitating the smooth implementation of the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by way of electronic exchange of origin information between the two customs administrations in respect of the goods traded under the CEPA. The data fields in a Certificate of Origin (CoO) shall be electronically shared by the exporting customs administration with the importing customs, as soon as the certificate is issued. This would facilitate faster clearance of imported goods.

C.Indian diaspora

13. Economic Development

A. Government Budgeting

B. industrial

Cabinet approves Additional allocation of Rs 2500 crore for continuation of Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit till 30.06.2024

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved an additional allocation of Rs 2500 Cr for continuation of Interest Equalisation Scheme till 30th June 2024. This would help exporters from identified sectors and all MSME manufacturer exporters to avail pre and post shipment Rupee export credit at competitive rates.

Implementation strategy and targets:

The scheme shall be implemented by RBI through various Public and non-Public Sector banks who provide pre and post shipment credit to the exporters. The Scheme is jointly monitored by DGFT and RBI through a consultative mechanism.

 Impact:

Availability of pre and post shipment packing credit at competitive rates is important for the exports sector in order to compete internationally. The effect of Interest Equalisation Scheme has been beneficial for the exports growth of the country as per the study conducted by IIM Kashipur. MSME sector is vital for employment generation. The scheme is primarily meant for the labour intensive sectors. The present proposal is meant for exports by merchants and manufacturer exporters of identified tariff lines and MSME Sector manufacturer exporters. Increase in exports from these employment intensive sectors and MSMEs would lead to generation of employment in the country. 

 Financial Implications:

The additional outlay of Rs 2500 Crore, over and above the current outlay of Rs 9538 Cr under the Scheme, is made available to bridge the funding gap to continue the Scheme upto 30.06.2024. The estimated annual expenditure under the Scheme is approximately Rs 2500 Crore.

 Benefits:

The intented target beneficiaries include all MSME manufacturer exporters and non-MSME exporters of certain identified sectors belonging to 410 tariff lines at four digit level.

Government of India had announced the Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit to eligible exporters.  The Scheme started on April1, 2015 and was initially valid for 5 years upto 31.3.2020.  The Scheme has been continued thereafter, including one year extension during COVID, and with further extensions and fund allocations.  Currently the Scheme provides an interest equalisation benefit at the rate of 2% on pre and post shipment Rupee export credit to merchant and manufacturer exporters of 410 identified tariff lines at 4 digit level and 3% to all MSME manufacturer exporters. The Scheme was not fund limited and extended the benefit without any limit to all exporters. The Scheme has now been made fund limited, and benefit to individual exporters has been capped at Rs 10 Cr per annum per IEC (Import Export Code). In addition, the banks that lend to exporters at an average rate of more than Repo + 4% would be debarred under the Scheme.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves reservation norms for Jute Packaging Materials for Jute Year 2023-24 under JPM Act, 1987

he Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved reservation norms for mandatory use of jute in packaging for the Jute Year 2023 -24 (1st July, 2023 to 30th June, 2024) on 8th December, 2023. The Mandatory packaging norms approved for Jute Year 2023-24 provide for 100% reservation of the foodgrains and 20% of sugar to be compulsorily packed in jute bags. 

The reservation norms in present proposal would further protect the interest of domestic production of raw jute and jute packaging material in India, thereby, making India self-reliant in consonance with Aatmnirbhar Bharat. Reservation for packaging in jute packaging material consumed around 65% of the raw jute produced in the country (in 2022-23). By bringing into effect the provision of JPM Act, the Government will provide relief to 4 lakh workers employed in jute mills and ancillary units as well as support the livelihood of around 40 lakh farm families. Besides, it will help protect environment because jute is natural, bio- degradable, renewable and reusable fibre and hence fulfils all sustainability parameters. 

The Jute industry occupies an important place in the national economy of India in general and Eastern Region in particular i.e. West Bengal, Bihar, Odisa, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is one of the major industries in the eastern region, particularly in West Bengal. 

The reservations norms under JPM Act provide for direct employment to 4 lakh workers and 40 lakh farmers in the Jute Sector. JPM Act, 1987 protects interest of Jute farmers, workers and persons engaged in jute goods’ production. 75% of the total production of the Jute Industry is Jute Sacking Bags of which 85% is supplied to the Food Corporation of India (FCl) and State Procurement Agencies (SPAs) and remaining is exported/sold directly. 

Government of India purchases Jute sacking bags worth approximately Rs. 12,000 crore every year for packing of foodgrains, hence ensures guaranteed market for the produce of Jute Farmers and Workers.

 Average Production of Jute Sacking Bags is about 30 lakhs bales (9 lakh MT) and Government is committed to ensure complete off-take of the sacking production of the jute bags in order to protect the interest of Jute farmers, workers and persons engaged in the Jute Industry.

 Improve Agri Marketing

ogether with enhancing production and productivity, Government`s priority has been to take various measures to improve marketing of agricultural produce to ensure remunerative prices for farmers’ produce. Though, it is a State subject, yet Government promotes development of farmers’ accessible competitive markets like direct marketing, private markets, etc through reforms, in State governments’ Marketing Laws and policies. To further improve agricultural marketing, Government in 2016 launched a National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to enable the farmers to transparently sell their produce to large number of buyers accessing multiple markets electronically. In addition, to address the marketing challenges of farmers, specially of small and marginal ones, Government took measure in 2020 by launching a market linkage approached based “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) scheme.

Government is also implementing a Central Sector Scheme, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of Rs. 1,00,000 Crore to provide a medium-long term loan facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest market infrastructure including warehousing facility and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support. Apart from above, The Government is implementing Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI), a sub-scheme of Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) under which assistance is provided for construction of godowns/warehouses in the rural areas in the States to enhance the storage capacity for agriculture produce. Under the scheme, Government provides subsidy at the rate of 25% and 33.33% on capital cost of the project based on the category of eligible beneficiary.

Government measures have resulted into:

1. establishment of more than 120 private markets in the country, giving competing alternative  marketing  channel to the farmers to ensure remunerative prices for their produce;
2. licensing of large number of  direct marketers (processors, exporters,  organized retailers, etc) to purchase the produce directly from farm-gate outside  the Agricultural Produce Market  Committee (APMC) market-yards to better monetize  farmers’ produce; 
3. enabling farmers to digitally access large number of buyers and markets to get best discovered price.
4. enabling farmers’ in the form of FPOs to access e-markets, futures market, export market in addition to  benefits of collective bargaining  power and sale of  value added products .

National Agriculture Market (eNAM)

National Agriculture Market (eNAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which networks the existing APMC mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.

Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is the lead agency for implementing eNAM under the aegis of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.

VISION
To promote uniformity in agriculture marketing by streamlining of procedures across the integrated markets, removing information asymmetry between buyers and sellers and promoting real time price discovery based on actual demand and supply.

MISSION

Integration of APMCs across the country through a common online market platform to facilitate pan-India trade in agriculture commodities, providing better price discovery through transparent auction process based on quality of produce along with timely online payment.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched in 2007 for the holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors. Under this scheme, states are incentivised to increase public investment, develop infrastructure, and promote additional income-generating activities. In 2017, the scheme was revamped and renamed as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR). RKVY began as an additional central assistance to states, but was subsequently converted to a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

E.issues

14. Technology

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) i

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is a multi-stakeholder initiative which aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.

Built around a shared commitment to the OECD Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence, GPAI brings together engaged minds and expertise from science, industry, civil society, governments, international organisations and academia to foster international cooperation.

Our mission

Launched in June 2020, GPAI (“gee-pay”) is a multistakeholder initiative bringing together leading experts from science, industry, civil society, international organizations and government that share values to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.

We aim to provide a mechanism for sharing multidisciplinary research and identifying key issues among AI practitioners, with the objective of facilitating international collaboration, reducing duplication, acting as a global reference point for specific AI issues, and ultimately promoting trust in and the adoption of trustworthy AI.

Through the collaboration within our working groups, GPAI assesses – on a comprehensive, objective, open, and transparent basis – the scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to understanding AI impacts, encouraging its responsible development and options for adaptation and mitigation of potential challenges.

In its first few years, GPAI experts will collaborate across four working groups on the themes of responsible AI (including a subgroup on AI and pandemic response), data governance, the future of work, and innovation and commercialization.

 

15. Environment

Ecological Impact of Biofortified Seeds

Since 2014, 142 biofortified varieties including 124 of field crops  (Rice – 10; Wheat – 43; Maize – 20, Pearl millet – 11, Small millets – 13, Linseed – 1, Lentil – 2, Chickpea 2, Mungbean 1, Fieldpea 1, Urdbean 1, Mustard – 8, Soybean – 7, Sesame – 1, Groundnut -3) and 18 of horticultural Crops (Sweet potato – 5, Amaranthus – 3,  Greater Yam – 2,  Potato – 2 and 1 each of Cauliflower, Okra, Grapes, Banana, Guava and Pomegranate)have been developed under aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

These biofortified varieties don’t have any impact on ecological conditions especially on soil and water, as these are normally bred varieties and their water and nutrient requirement is like traditional varieties.

All the biofortified varieties are equal or better in yield to conventional varieties of respective crops. Produce of these biofortified varieties is not expensive than the existing varieties in the market, as there is no yield penalty and no extra cost incurred in cultivation of biofortified varieties.

Since 2019-20, 37425.7 q breeder seed of biofortified varieties has been produced and supplied to the various public and private seed production agencies for its downstream multiplication to foundation and certified seed. Certified seed is further supplied to the farmers for cultivation and making the produce of biofortified seed available to the economically backward sections of the society. During past six years, more than 10 million hectare area including wheat, rice, pearl millet, mustard and lentil has been covered under biofortified varieties.

Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM), assistance is given through State/Union Territory to the farmers for interventions like cluster demonstrations on improved package of practices, demonstrations on cropping system, seed production, distribution of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs)/ hybrids, cropping system based trainings etc. The Mission also provided support to the ICAR, State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras for technology back stopping and transfer of technology to the farmer under supervision of Subject Matter Specialists/ Scientists. Under NFSM, States/ ICAR may organize latest crop production technology demonstrations/ Cluster Frontline Demonstrations/ Front Line Demonstrations on bio-fortified varieties. States are also encouraged to produce and distribute biofortified seeds.

UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016.

Its overarching goal is to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

However, in recent years, world leaders have stressed the need to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of this century.

That’s because the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that crossing the 1.5°C threshold risks unleashing far more severe climate change impacts, including more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves and rainfall.

To limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030.

The Paris Agreement is a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations together to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.

mplementation of the Paris Agreement requires economic and social transformation, based on the best available science. The Paris Agreement works on a five-year cycle of increasingly ambitious climate action — or, ratcheting up — carried out by countries. Since 2020, countries have been submitting their national climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Each successive NDC is meant to reflect an increasingly higher degree of ambition compared to the previous version.

 

16. Security

 

 

17. Disaster Management