UPSC GS 1
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
- News: An Ajmer court admitting a petition seeking survey of Ajmer Sharif Dargah has renewed similar demands for the historic Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, said to be one of the oldest mosques in the state and the country.
- Definition: Located in Ajmer, Rajasthan, this mosque is among the oldest in India. It is the second oldest completed mosque in North India, following the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi.
- Historical Background:
- The mosque was commissioned by Qutb-ud-Din Aibak after Muhammad of Ghor defeated Prithviraj Chauhan (Prithviraj III) in the Second Battle of Tarain.
- Construction was completed in 1199 CE, and it was further expanded and enhanced by Iltutmish of Delhi in 1213 CE.
- It is a significant example of early Indo-Islamic architectural style.
- Historical Claims:
- Original Structure: The site where the mosque now stands originally hosted another structure.
- Jain Tradition: According to Jain records, the initial structure was built in 660 CE by Seth Viramdeva Kala as a Jain shrine to commemorate Panch Kalyanaka, a five-day celebration of five significant events in a Jain tirthankara’s life.
- Sanskrit College: Excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1874-75 revealed inscriptions referring to a Sanskrit college built in 1153 CE by the Chauhan emperor Visaladeva.
- Conversion to Mosque: The original structure was partially dismantled and converted into a mosque by Qutb-ud-Din Aibak in the late 12th century.
- Architectural Significance:
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- This mosque serves as a vital representation of the fusion of Indian and Islamic architectural traditions during the early medieval period.
Read also: Places of Worship Act, 1991: Key Facts for UPSC Preparation
Nazca Lines
- News: Archaeologists using artificial intelligence (AI) have discovered hundreds of new geoglyphs depicting parrots, cats, monkeys, killer whales and even decapitated heads near the Nazca Lines in Peru.
- Definition: The Nazca Lines are a collection of geoglyphs, large-scale designs created on the ground by manipulating elements of the landscape, such as stones, gravel, dirt, or wood. These markings are located on the arid Peruvian coastal plain, about 400 km south of Lima.
- Discovery and Study:
- The Nazca Lines were first discovered by hikers in the mid-1920s.
- In 1926, the Peruvian archaeologist Toribio Mejia Xesspe conducted a systematic study of the lines.
- The lines are considered one of the greatest archaeological enigmas due to their size, complexity, continuity, and quality.
- Designs and Motifs: The Nazca Lines feature various designs, including depictions of animals and abstract shapes.
- Animals: Among the animals represented are a spider, hummingbird, monkey, lizard, pelican, and even a killer whale.
- Plants and Figures: The lines also include representations of plants, trees, flowers, and fantastical figures, along with geometric shapes such as wavy lines, triangles, spirals, and rectangles.
- Historical Context:
- Most of the lines were created between 200 B.C. and A.D. 500, during the time when the Nazca people inhabited the region.
- The earliest lines, formed by piles of stones, date back to as early as 500 B.C.
- In 1994, the Nazca Lines were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their cultural significance.
- What Are Geoglyphs?
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- Geoglyphs are large-scale motifs created on the ground by manipulating surface stones, soil, or gravel to form various shapes and designs.
UPSC GS 2
Global One-stop Centres
- News: In a significant step toward empowering Indian women abroad, the government has approved the establishment of nine One-Stop Centres (OSCs) to assist women facing distress in foreign countries.
- Objective: These centres aim to offer comprehensive support to women in vulnerable situations, focusing on their immediate safety, legal aid, and rehabilitation.
- Location and Facilities: Out of the nine proposed OSCs:
- Seven will include shelter homes and will be established in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia (with centres in Jeddah and Riyadh).
- Two centres, located in Toronto and Singapore, will operate without shelter facilities.
- Implementation Support: The Ministry of External Affairs has introduced a dedicated budget line to support the establishment and functioning of these centres.
- Role of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF):
- The ICWF will play a crucial role in providing welfare measures for distressed Indian nationals, particularly women.
- Its scope has been expanded to address diverse challenges faced by the Indian diaspora.
- Services Provided by ICWF:
- Emergency Assistance:
- Boarding and lodging support for individuals in distress.
- Financial aid for air travel to assist stranded Indian nationals.
- Legal and Medical Support:
- Provision of legal aid and counselling, particularly for women abandoned by their overseas Indian or foreign spouses.
- Medical care for those in need.
- Repatriation Support:
- Assistance with the repatriation of mortal remains to India.
- Legal Provisions:
- Payment of fines for minor legal infractions to facilitate the release of Indian nationals.
- Legal panels in countries with significant Indian populations to ensure timely and effective assistance.
- The establishment of these centres marks a significant step in ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian nationals abroad, particularly women in distress.
Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-14)
- News: The 14th Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-14) is being held from December 4-6, 2024, in New Delhi, India.
- Definition: The Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users Conference (AOMSUC) is an annual event that brings together meteorologists, earth scientists, satellite operators, and students from around the world. The inaugural AOMSUC took place in Beijing, China, in 2010, and since then, it has been hosted each year in different locations across the Asia-Oceania region.
- This Year’s Conference:
- Host Organizations: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences are organizing this year’s conference.
- Format and Activities: The event will feature high-quality oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, and a training workshop focused on utilizing current satellite data for meteorological and climatological applications.
- Conference Aims:
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- Promotion of Satellite Observations: Emphasize the significance of satellite observations in meteorology and climate science.
- Advancement of Remote Sensing Science: Promote the development and application of satellite remote sensing technologies.
- Platform for Collaboration: Provide a space for dialogue and collaboration between satellite operators and users from various sectors.
- Updates on International Space Programs: Inform the community about the current status and future plans of international space programs related to meteorology and earth sciences.
- Encouragement of Technological Development: Inspire the creation of new technologies for weather satellite sensing.
- Engagement of Young Scientists: Foster the participation of young scientists in the field of satellite meteorology and climatology.
PRAGATI
- News: The Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) platform has significantly improved the execution of infrastructure projects in India, as highlighted in a report by Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and the Gates Foundation.
- About the PRAGATI Platform:
- Purpose:
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- A multi-functional and multi-modal platform aimed at addressing public grievances while monitoring and reviewing key programmes and projects of the Government of India and State Governments.
- Serves as a robust tool for ensuring e-transparency and e-accountability through real-time interactions among stakeholders.
- Launch: The platform was introduced on March 25, 2015.
- Development: Designed in-house by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with technical support from the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- Technological Integration: Combines three advanced technologies: digital data management, video conferencing, and geospatial technology.
- Cooperative Federalism: Facilitates collaboration between Union Government Secretaries and State Chief Secretaries, enabling the Prime Minister to directly discuss issues with officials while accessing comprehensive data and real-time visuals of on-ground conditions.
- Key Features:
- Three-Tier System: Comprises the PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and State Chief Secretaries.
- Monthly Programme: The Prime Minister conducts a session on the fourth Wednesday of every month, designated as “PRAGATI Day,” to interact with officials via videoconferencing supported by data and geo-informatics visuals.
- Issue Identification and Management: Issues are flagged based on data from public grievances, ongoing programmes, and pending projects. Inputs are sourced from CPGRAMS (for grievances), the Project Monitoring Group (PMG), and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- Correspondence Analysis: Considers communications to the PMO from citizens, dignitaries, or public project developers.
- Operational Workflow:
- Issues are uploaded a week prior to PRAGATI Day (third Wednesday of the month).
- Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries review and provide updates on flagged issues within three days (by the following Monday).
- The PMO team reviews the submissions on Tuesday, ensuring the Prime Minister has the latest data and visuals during the review session.
- Enhanced Governance: The platform integrates data from existing systems to strengthen and streamline grievance redressal and project monitoring.
- Significance: The PRAGATI platform exemplifies the integration of technology with governance, fostering accountability and cooperation between the Centre and States, and ensuring the efficient resolution of issues and timely project implementation.
UPSC GS 3
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary
- News: Madhya Pradesh has officially declared Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as its 8th Tiger Reserve.
- Definition: Ratapani Tiger Reserve is located in Madhya Pradesh and spans parts of the Vindhyachal Mountain Ranges, specifically within the Raisen and Sehore districts.
- Origin:
- Initially designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1976.
- Expanded in 1983 to cover a larger area.
- Received approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to be upgraded to a tiger reserve in 2008.
- Geography and Rivers:
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- The reserve is situated parallel to the northern bank of the Narmada River.
- The Kolar River serves as the western boundary of the sanctuary.
- Vegetation and Flora:
- Predominantly consists of dry deciduous and moist deciduous forests.
- Approximately 55% of the area is covered by teak trees.
- Other vegetation includes bamboo and other native species.
- Fauna:
- Key species include tigers, leopards, chinkara, sloth bears, hyenas, spotted deer, and sambar deer.
- The reserve is also home to the paradise flycatcher, the state bird of Madhya Pradesh.
- Significance:
- The reserve is notable for the Bhimbetka rock shelters and ancient rock paintings, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their archaeological and cultural importance.
High Risk Food
- News: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently classified the packaged drinking and mineral water industry under the “High Risk Food Category.”
- Definition: Food items categorized as “High Risk” are subject to mandatory risk-based inspections to ensure safety and quality.
- Included Food Products: Dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, Indian sweets, fortified rice kernels, prepared foods, nutritional food items, and related preparations.
- Amendments for Packaged Drinking Water:
- The FSSAI has revised its Risk-Based Inspection Policy to incorporate packaged drinking and mineral water into the “High Risk” category.
- This reclassification requires these products to undergo mandatory inspections and third-party audits.
- Inspection and Audit Requirements:
- All centrally licensed manufacturers of high-risk food items must conduct annual business audits.
- These measures are intended to enhance consumer safety and uphold quality standards.
- Industry’s Past Appeal:
- The packaged drinking water sector had previously sought simplified regulatory measures, particularly the removal of dual certification mandates from both the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the FSSAI.
- Key Facts About the FSSAI:
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- The FSSAI is an autonomous body operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, established by the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
- Functions:
- Ensures the protection and promotion of public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety standards.
- Develops guidelines and standards for various food products.
- Manages licensing, registration, and accreditation processes for food business operators.
- Oversees adherence to food safety regulations, with a specific focus on imported food products.
- Accredits food testing laboratories across India to ensure reliable safety assessments.
- Oversees food certification processes to ensure products meet established safety standards.
See more: Solid Waste Management in India: Policy Interventions | UPSC
Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA)
- News: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) claims 340,000 lives every year worldwide, finds a study by researchers at AIIMS Delhi.
- About Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA):
- It is a fungal infection.
- CPA is caused by the Aspergillus fungus, a type of mold commonly found in households, workplaces, public spaces, and outdoor environments.
- Individuals with chronic lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis, or tuberculosis are at a higher risk of developing CPA.
- The infection is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
- Symptoms of CPA: Unintentional weight loss, Fatigue, Shortness of breath, Wheezing.
- Treatment for CPA:
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- CPA is typically a lifelong condition that requires long-term management. However, in some cases, it may resolve on its own.
- The primary treatment for CPA is antifungal medications.
- Surgery may be necessary to remove the fungal mass, especially if CPA causes significant bleeding in the lungs.
Harimau Shakti
- News: The 4th edition of Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI began at the Bentong camp in the Pahang district of Malaysia.
- About Exercise Harimau Shakti:
- Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Malaysia.
- The Indian contingent is represented by a Battalion from the MAHAR Regiment.
- This exercise is conducted annually, alternating between India and Malaysia. The previous edition took place in November 2023 at Umroi Cantonment in Meghalaya, India.
- Objective of the Joint Exercise:
- The primary aim of the exercise is to enhance the joint military capabilities of both countries, specifically in conducting counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
- The focus of the exercise is on operations in jungle environments.
- Phases of the Exercise:
- Phase 1: This phase will focus on cross-training between the two armies, involving lectures, demonstrations, and practice of various drills in jungle terrain.
- Phase 2: In this phase, both armies will participate in a simulated exercise, where they will execute drills such as Anti-MT Ambush, Occupation of Harbour, Reconnaissance Patrol, Ambush, and an Attack on areas taken over by terrorists.
- Significance of the Exercise:
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- The exercise aims to foster the sharing of best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for conducting joint operations.
- It will help in developing interoperability, strengthen camaraderie, and promote a sense of cooperation between the two armies.
