UPSC 2
Pay Commission
- News: The Union Cabinet has approved the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission to revise salaries of nearly 50 lakh central government employees.
- Pay Commission: A Pay Commission is tasked with determining the salary structure and compensation for Central government employees and pensioners.
- Purpose:
- Establishes the salary and allowances framework for Central government employees.
- Determines allowances and benefits for pensioners.
- Authority: Constituted by the Department of Expenditure under the Union Ministry of Finance.
- Features:
- Frequency: Typically established every 10 years by the Central government.
- Recommendations: Provides suggestions for salary structures and methods for revising Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR). Aims to address the impact of inflation on employees and pensioners.
- Consultative Process: Engages with Central and State governments and other stakeholders before proposing salary structures and benefits.
- Non-Binding Nature: Recommendations are advisory and not mandatory for the government to implement.
- Historical Context:
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- Seventh Pay Commissions have been established since 1947.
- The Seventh Pay Commission was constituted in 2014 and its recommendations were implemented in 2016.
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Cape Town Convention Bill
- News: The Union Cabinet has approved the “Protection and Enforcement of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2024 (Cape Town Convention Bill)” – a move that may bring down leasing costs for airlines.
- Definition:
- The Union Cabinet recently approved the Protection and Enforcement of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2024 (Cape Town Convention Bill).
- The bill will be presented for consideration in the next parliamentary session.
- The proposed bill will prioritize the provisions of the Cape Town Convention in case of a conflict with other domestic laws, particularly the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
- Aim of the Bill:
- The primary objective of the bill is to simplify the process for aircraft leasing companies to repossess planes from airlines that default on rental payments.
- Significance of the Bill:
- The bill will enable aircraft leasing companies to reclaim aircraft from Indian airlines if rental payments are not made.
- Currently, when Indian carriers default on payments, expensive assets such as aircraft and engines get stranded in India, leading to prolonged legal battles in the National Company Law Tribunal to recover the assets (e.g., the Wadia Group’s former GoAir case).
- The bill is expected to enhance confidence among lessors in the Indian civil aviation market.
- It is anticipated that the bill will result in lower lease rentals in India and make it easier to finance high-value mobile equipment, including airframes, helicopters, and engines.
- Cape Town Convention:
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- The Cape Town Convention (CTC) is an international treaty that secures the rights of lessors to repossess leased high-value equipment, such as aircraft, engines, and helicopters, in cases of payment defaults.
- It was adopted in November 2001 at a conference in Cape Town, under the joint auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT).
- India became a signatory to the Cape Town Convention in 2008.
- However, the Indian Parliament has not yet ratified the convention, meaning that current Indian laws prevent the recovery of leased aircraft and engines once a company initiates bankruptcy proceedings.
Internship and Capacity Building Scheme
- News: The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme.
- Definition: This initiative is designed to foster awareness and develop expertise in Internet Governance (IG) among Indian citizens.
- Objectives:
- Skill Development: Provides participants with comprehensive knowledge to actively participate in global internet governance forums.
- Engagement with I-Star Organizations: Facilitates collaboration with entities such as:
- Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
- Internet Society (ISOC)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
- Domestic Expertise: Cultivates a pool of skilled professionals capable of addressing emerging challenges in internet governance.
- Internship Program Offerings:
- Program Structure: Comprises two parallel tracks:
- Six-month program
- Three-month program
- Mentorship: Each intern will receive guidance from a mentor pool that includes:
- Experts from international organizations like ICANN, APNIC, or APTLD.
- Members of Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
- Senior retired government officials.
- Faculty advisors from accredited institutions or universities.
- Financial Support:
- Interns will receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 20,000/- per month.
- Additional support will be provided for conducting mandatory outreach programs.
UPSC GS 3
La Perouse Naval Exercise
- News: The 2025 edition of the La Perouse exercise is being headed by France with 8 other countries – India, the US, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, the UK and Singapore.
- Exercise LA PEROUSE: The fourth edition of Exercise LA PEROUSE brings together multiple maritime partners to strengthen collaboration and interoperability in maritime operations.
- Participating Organizations: The exercise involves personnel, surface, and sub-surface assets from the following navies:
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- Royal Australian Navy
- French Navy
- Royal Navy
- United States Navy
- Indonesian Navy
- Royal Malaysian Navy
- Republic of Singapore Navy
- Royal Canadian Navy
- Objectives:
- Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness: Focus on advancing cooperation in maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction, and air operations.
- Progressive Training and Information Exchange: Emphasis on sharing knowledge and conducting coordinated training for operational effectiveness.
- Strengthening Tactical Interoperability: Provides a platform for navies to develop closer coordination in planning and execution of maritime operations.
- Key Exercises and Missions:
- Complex Multi-Domain Operations: Includes surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air defense, tactical maneuvers, and cross-deck landings.
- Constabulary Missions: VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) operations are a significant component.
- Indian Navy’s Role:
- Showcase of Synergy: The participation of the Indian Navy highlights its capability to achieve high levels of coordination and interoperability with like-minded navies.
- Commitment to a Rules-Based Maritime Order: Reflects India’s dedication to maintaining a stable and secure maritime environment.
- Alignment with India’s Vision:
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- SAGAR Initiative: The exercise aligns with India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision, aiming to enhance maritime collaboration for a secure Indo-Pacific region.
iSNR and INR Konnect
- News: The Rubber Board has announced two new projects, iSNR and INR Konnect, recently.
- Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) Platform:
- The platform aims to streamline the compliance process for stakeholders in the rubber supply chain targeting European Union markets.
- It is designed to facilitate adherence to the European Union Deforestation Regulation within the Indian rubber ecosystem.
- Key Features: It provides a traceability certification that verifies the origin of rubber products and confirms their compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
- Significance:
- The platform positions Indian natural rubber as a competitive and responsible choice in the global market.
- It sets new benchmarks for sustainable production and fosters long-term growth for the rubber industry.
- INR Konnect:
- Objective: The INR Konnect platform connects growers from untapped rubber holdings with potential adopters to maximize plantation productivity.
- Features:
- Credibility Certification: The Rubber Board certifies the credibility of all participants involved.
- Training Programs: The platform offers training programs focused on production management and sustainable practices as required.
- Certified Tapper Database: Additionally, it provides access to a comprehensive database of certified tappers for stakeholders.
- Rubber Board: The Rubber Board is a statutory body constituted by the Government of India, under the Rubber Act 1947, for the overall development of the rubber industry in the country.
- Production of Rubber in India and Globally:
- India is the third largest producer, fourth largest consumer of natural rubber and fifth largest consumer of natural rubber and synthetic rubber together in the world.
- Kerala produces over 90% of India’s natural rubber.
- Thailand tops the list of natural rubber producers in the world.
Planet Parade
- News: Six planets: Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune are currently forming a breathtaking arc in night night sky called the ‘planet parade’.
- Definition: A planet parade occurs when multiple planets in our solar system are visible simultaneously in the night sky.
- Key Characteristics:
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- This alignment, also referred to as a conjunction, makes two or more planets appear close together or even seem to touch when observed from Earth.
- The phenomenon is an illusion of perspective, as the planets are not actually aligned in a straight line in space.
- Planetary Motions:
- Planets exhibit different motions in the sky, moving at varying rates relative to the stars.
- While not all planets are visible daily, specific positions arise where several or all planets become visible simultaneously or within a short time frame.
- Significance: According to NASA, events involving four or more planets are particularly remarkable and are relatively rare, occurring less frequently than once a year.
Trajan 155 mm
- News: The Trajan 155 mm towed artillery gun system, developed jointly by India and France, has been chosen for induction by Armenia.
- Trajan Gun:
- The Trajan Gun is a 155 mm towed artillery gun system.
- It has been developed collaboratively by India and France.
- Development and Manufacturing:
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) from India and KNDS France partnered to develop this artillery system.
- The gun has undergone extensive testing by the Indian Army, successfully meeting all qualitative requirements.
- It is manufactured in India, with several subsystems indigenously developed, including the auxiliary power unit, control panel, and rolling gear assembly.
- Key Features:
- Caliber and Range: It is a 52-caliber gun system with a firing range exceeding 40 kilometers, depending on the ammunition used.
- Design and Deployment: The modular design allows for easy transportation and deployment in various operational conditions.
- Automation: Equipped with an automated loading system, the gun achieves rapid firing rates.
- Terrain Adaptability: It is capable of functioning efficiently across diverse terrains, such as marshy lowlands and high-altitude cold deserts.
- Advanced Systems: The gun features state-of-the-art targeting and fire-control systems, ensuring seamless integration with modern military networks.
- Utility: Designed to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare, the Trajan Gun offers versatility, precision, and reliability in a wide range of combat scenarios.
Mission SCOT
- News: The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently lauded the Indian space startup Digantara at the success of Mission SCOT.
- Definition:
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- SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking) is the inaugural mission by Digantara, an Indian space startup, dedicated to space surveillance.
- It is among the first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites in the world.
- The mission was launched as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission.
- Purpose and Capabilities:
- The primary objective of SCOT is to track Resident Space Objects (RSOs).
- It is specifically designed to monitor smaller RSOs, offering improved revisit rates and enhanced tracking accuracy to address gaps in existing systems.
- SCOT’s deployment in a sun-synchronous orbit allows efficient tracking of objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- Unlike conventional systems limited by fields of view, weather conditions, or geographical constraints, SCOT provides uninterrupted monitoring.
- It is capable of tracking objects as small as 5 cm orbiting the Earth, ensuring safer and more reliable space operations.
- Support and Backing:
- SCOT is supported by Aditya Birla Ventures and SIDBI, reflecting its alignment with national security and the enhancement of space operations.
- Significance:
- By addressing limitations of current systems and ensuring better monitoring of RSOs, SCOT contributes to safer space operations and strengthens global space situational awareness.
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Dark Oxygen
- News: A startling discovery has been made public that metallic rocks were apparently producing oxygen on the Pacific Ocean’s seabed, where no light can penetrate, was a scientific bombshell.
- Dark Oxygen: Dark oxygen refers to oxygen generated thousands of feet beneath the ocean’s surface, independent of sunlight or photosynthesis.
- Significance of the Discovery:
- This phenomenon challenges the long-held belief that oxygen production occurs solely through photosynthesis, a process dependent on sunlight.
- Traditionally, oceanic plankton, algae, and some bacteria were thought to be the primary contributors to oxygen production in the ocean, as all these organisms rely on photosynthesis.
- Oxygen production at such depths was previously considered impossible due to the absence of sufficient sunlight required for photosynthesis.
- Source of Dark Oxygen:
- Unlike conventional oxygen production by plants, dark oxygen originates from polymetallic nodules found on the ocean floor.
- These nodules, which resemble lumps of coal, consist of metals such as manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and lithium.
- Through electrochemical activity, these nodules can split water (H2O) molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, generating oxygen even in light-deprived environments.
- Implications:
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- The discovery broadens our understanding of oxygen generation processes and highlights previously unrecognized contributions to the Earth’s oxygen cycle.
- It opens new avenues for exploring deep-sea ecosystems and their unique biochemical dynamics.
