july current affairs part 2(2021)

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JULY CURRENT AFFAIRS PART 2(2021)

GOALTIDE IAS ACADEMY 1


Introduction

Hello Everyone,

Every year more than 50 percent of the Prelims Paper is based on Current Affairs. It become

important for us to have very good command on Current Affairs. Hundreds of publications are

available in market. Aspirants are always confused how to prepare Current Affairs and most of

the times they end up choosing wrong publications. We will not let you fall in this trouble. Three

important courses are running simultaneously on our website for Current Affairs from Monday

to Friday- Daily Quiz section, Daily Current Affairs section and Daily News Section.

Daily Quiz will help you do the best preparation to handle any question in UPSC Prelims

Exam, Daily News section contains best opinion based Articles important for your Mains

Exam and Daily Current Affairs section will give you best Current Affairs which is

relevant for you Exam from all important sources (PIB+ all government websites, The

Hindu+ 10 different newspaper, etc. ). Nothing will be missed. This document is related to

Current Affairs section.

You might find it bulky but don’t worry. It contains lot of images to simplify your

understanding.

Hope you enjoy reading.

Thanks,

Abhishek Agarwal

Founder, GoalTide IAS Prelims Academy



Table of Contents CA1. Africa Open DEAL initiative ............................................................................................................. 4

CA2. 6 ways we can take action on malnutrition, according to the UN ................................................. 5

CA3. Gram Nyayalayas ............................................................................................................................ 6

CA4. Ways & Means Advances (WMA) ................................................................................................... 7

CA6. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) .................................................................................. 10

CA7. Climate change could spark floods in world’s largest desert lake ............................................... 13

CA8. Permanent Court of Arbitration ................................................................................................... 14

CA9. Rainforests Explained ................................................................................................................... 15

CA10. Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Outlook ..................................... 16

CA11. Supreme Court Strikes Down part of 97th Constitutional Amendment .................................... 18

CA12. Contact Group on Economic and Trade issues (CGETI) .............................................................. 19

CA13. Departmentally Related Standing Committee ........................................................................... 19

CA14. Forex Reserves ............................................................................................................................ 22

CA15. High Strength Metastable Beta Titanium developed by DRDO. ................................................ 23

CA16. Eco-Textiles ................................................................................................................................. 24

CA17. Equator Initiative ........................................................................................................................ 25

CA18. National Council for Transgender Persons ................................................................................. 26

CA19. Conditional licensing of proprietary foods ................................................................................. 27

CA20. Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) ............................................................................... 28

CA21. Historic Urban Landscape Project .............................................................................................. 28

CA22. UN tax committee ...................................................................................................................... 29

CA23. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) ........................................................................................... 29

CA24. Mapping India’s Energy Subsidies 2021 ..................................................................................... 31

CA25. The genome of a Salt-secreting Mangrove Species Decoded .................................................... 32

CA26. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines And Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules

(2021) .................................................................................................................................................... 33

CA27. Behali Reserve Forest ................................................................................................................. 35

CA28. Adaptation fund under united nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC) .. 35

CA29. World’s first space sustainability rating launched ...................................................................... 36

CA30. Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. ..................................................... 37

CA31. What is the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework? ............................................................ 38



CA32. Government launches six tech innovation platforms to enable globally competent

manufacturing ....................................................................................................................................... 39

CA33. Rajya Sabha Elections ................................................................................................................. 40

CA34. How composting can reduce our impact on the planet? ........................................................... 42

CA35. Generation Equality Forum ........................................................................................................ 44

CA36. Role of 'freight smart cities' to enhance urban freight systems ................................................ 44

CA37. Polluted river stretches in India.................................................................................................. 45

CA38. Ramappa Temple from Telangana & Dholavira city from Gujarat inscribed on the ‘World

Heritage List .......................................................................................................................................... 46

CA39. Pre-Pack resolution of MSME tabled .......................................................................................... 48

CA40. Capacity Building Initiative on Making Water Sensitive Cities in Ganga Basin .......................... 49

CA41. Cabinet Approves Amendment to DICGC Act............................................................................. 49

CA42. Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)................................................................................................... 50

CA43. Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) ....................................................................... 50

CA44. Red algal blooms on glaciers is a now regular phenomenon all over the world. ....................... 52

CA45. The concept of "Crowding out" and "Crowding in" economics ................................................. 52

CA46. Earth Overshoot Day .................................................................................................................. 54

CA47. Social Audit of Social Sector Schemes ........................................................................................ 55



CA1. Africa Open DEAL initiative Link: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/africa-becomes-first-continent-to-

complete-collection-of-digital-land-use-data-77987

Africa has become the first continent in the world to complete the collection of accurate,

comprehensive and harmonised digital land use and land use change data under the Africa

Open DEAL initiative. DEAL stands for Data for the Environment, Agriculture and Land

Initiative.

The data collection and analysis initiative is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization

(FAO) and the African Union Commission (AUC).

Now,

The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme of India

The National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP), approved in 2008 as a

Centrally Sponsored Scheme, has since been revamped as the Digital India Land Records

Modernization Programme (DILRMP) as a Central Sector Scheme with cent per cent

Central funding with effect from 01st April 2016.

It attempts to build upon the commonalities that exist in the arena of land records in

various States to develop an appropriate Integrated Land Information Management System

(ILIMS) across the country, on which different States can also add State-specific needs as

they may deem relevant and appropriate.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/africa-becomes-first-continent-to-complete-collection-of-digital-land-use-data-77987

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/africa-becomes-first-continent-to-complete-collection-of-digital-land-use-data-77987



Current status of Programme:

Currently, Centre is Planning to link Aadhaar with land records. Wait for updates. If

approved, Aadhaar linking could become a part of the Digital India Land Records

Modernization Programme or DILRMP.

CA2. 6 ways we can take action on malnutrition, according to the UN Link: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/un-food-security-malnutrition-mandela/

Nelson Mandela International Day is marked every 18 July. This year, the focus is on

malnutrition. In 2020, around a tenth of the world’s population was undernourished.

UN mentions six pathways for improving global food security:

Fostering peace-building alongside humanitarian aid

Many of the world’s most malnourished people live in war zones. One example of this is

Yemen, where acute malnutrition has reached record levels since the start of a civil war in

2014, affecting half of children under five.

Scaling up climate resilience across food systems

The UN report suggests that we need to move towards a “climate-positive future, in which

people and nature can co-exist and thrive”. From wildfires to locusts, climate change is

already affecting food security.

Strengthening the resilience of the most economically vulnerable

The world’s most vulnerable have been worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While

the social protection programmes implemented by governments were helpful, the report

says, they should be in place in advance of any economic downturn, so that when such

conditions arise, vulnerable populations are not left without a safety net and can still access

nutritious food and a healthy diet.

Reinventing the supply chain to lower the cost of nutritious foods

The report calls for government policies and incentives to help diversify production towards

nutritious foods like fruit, vegetables and legumes. It also recommends the fortification of

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/un-food-security-malnutrition-mandela/



staple foods with vitamins and minerals as a way to supply whole populations with critical

nutrients like iodine and iron.

One effective strategy in tackling this problem is the AGRUPAR programme in Quito,

Ecuador, where more than 4,400 urban gardens have been created, with 43% of produce

sold in local food markets. Because this produce is travelling shorter distances, the cost to

consumers is lowered.

Tackling poverty and structural inequalities

Inequality contributes to hunger, food insecurity and poor nutrition, especially in rural

areas, where poverty rates are three times higher than in urban settings.

Changing consumer behaviour to promote positive dietary habits

Poor nutrition doesn’t just impact health through starvation. It also leads to the kind of

weight problems that trigger diabetes, poor heart health and musculoskeletal disorders.

CA3. Gram Nyayalayas The Law Commission of India, in its 114th Report, had suggested establishment of Gram

Nyayalayas for providing affordable and quick access to justice to the citizens at their

doorsteps. The Gram Nyayalayas Bill was passed by the Parliament on 22nd December 2008

and the Gram Nyayalayas Act came into force with effect from 02nd October, 2009.

Some of the salient features of the Gram Nyayalayas Act are as follows:

a. Gram Nyayalayas are aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural areas

at their doorsteps

b. Gram Nyayalayas are to be established for every Panchayat at intermediate level or

a group of contiguous Panchayats at intermediate level or for a group of contiguous

Gram Panchayats

c. The seat of the Gram Nyayalayas shall be located at the headquarters of the

intermediate Panchayat.

d. The Nyayadhikari shall periodically visit villages and may hear the parties and dispose

of the cases at the place other than its headquarters

e. The Gram Nyayalayas will try criminal cases, civil suits, claims or disputes which are

specified in the First Schedule and the Second Schedule to the Act. They are to follow

summary procedure in criminal trial

f. Disputes are to be settled as far as possible by bringing about conciliation between

the parties and for this purpose, the Gram Nyayalayas will make use of the conciliators

to be appointed for this purpose

g. The Gram Nyayalayas shall not be bound by the rules of evidence provided in the

Indian Evidence Act, 1872 but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice

subject to any rule made by the High Court.



CA4. Ways & Means Advances (WMA) To help the states tide over such shortfalls in revenue and to meet their expenditure, the

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provides financial accommodation to the States. This is done in

the form of Ways & Means Advances (WMA).

Section 17(5) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934 governs the facilitation of WMA

by RBI to the states.

WMA is of two types:

• Normal WMA also referred to as clean advance (started in 1937)

• Special WMA started in 1953, which is now referred to as Special Drawing Facility (SDF)

since 2014.

How WMA is determined?

The extent to which the states can opt for WMA is reviewed periodically. A committee set

up by RBI reviews the criteria that determine the WMA limits. When WMA was introduced

in 1937, the WMA limit was kept equal to the minimum balance of the respective State

governments which was later revised periodically as a multiple of the respective states’

minimum balance. Since 1999, an Informal Advisory Committee (IAC) is constituted by RBI

to work out the criteria for setting WMA limits.

Currently, an Expenditure-based WMA limit is being followed. The current

recommendations were provided by a new committee constituted in August 2019. Before

the committee could come up with its recommendations, the pandemic broke out in 2020

and hence an interim report for 2020-21 was released.

Other tools apart from WMA:

Special Drawing Facility (SDF):

Apart from WMA, the State Governments are further provided the option of Special

Drawing Facility (SDF). This facility was in place since 1953 and is provided against the

collateral of their investments in marketable securities issued by the Government of India.

While a limit was set earlier, the IAC has decided to allow the states to draw freely against

their holdings of GoI securities since 1999.

Overdraft Facility (OD):

The States can borrow money from RBI beyond WMA & SDF, to adjust the fiscal position,

but are required to pay back immediately. When advances to State Governments exceed

their SDF and WMA limits, an OD facility is provided. The regulations and limits on the usage

of ODF have evolved over the period of time. As per the current norms, States governments

are allowed to run on OD for up to 14 consecutive days.

All the advances granted to the State governments i.e., WMA, SDF & OD attract interest

on the outstanding amount.



Utilization of SDF & WMA increased during 2020-21 compared to earlier

CA5. A Landmark report on extinction in Amazon

Link: https://science.thewire.in/environment/over-10000-species-risk-extinction-in-amazon-

says-landmark-report/

More than 10,000 species of plants and animals are at high risk of extinction due to the

destruction of the Amazon rainforest – 35% of which has already been deforested or

degraded, according to the draft of a landmark scientific report published recently.

Few important points of report:

• According to the report, the soil and vegetation of the Amazon hold about 200 billion

tonnes of carbon, more than five times the whole world’s annual CO2 emissions.

• Furthermore, the continued destruction caused by human interference in the Amazon

puts more than 8,000 endemic plants and 2,300 animals at high risk of extinction.

• Of its original size, 18% of the Amazon basin has already been deforested, according to

the report – mostly for agriculture and illegal timber. Another 17% has been degraded.

About Amazon:

This picture is very important.

https://science.thewire.in/environment/over-10000-species-risk-extinction-in-amazon-says-landmark-report/

https://science.thewire.in/environment/over-10000-species-risk-extinction-in-amazon-says-landmark-report/



Much of the Amazon could be on the verge of losing its distinct nature and switching from a

closed canopy rainforest to an open savannah with far fewer trees due to the chronic

stresses of deforestation and climate change.

Why they are saying Savannah?

A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland ecosystem characterized by the trees

being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. See Savannah biome

below:

CA6. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was registered as a society on 12th August 2011

under the Societies Registration Act 1860. It acted as implementation arm of National

Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the

Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.

But, NGRBA has since been dissolved, consequent to constitution of National Council for

Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga

Council).

So, from now,

National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga = National Ganga Council). NO CONFUSION.



So, now we will study National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of

River Ganga. We go through all provisions of the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and

Management) Authorities Order, 2016. See below. Everything will be clear.



Function of Empowered Committee: The Empowered Task Force on River Ganga shall co-

ordinate and advise on matters relating to rejuvenation, protection and management of

River Ganga and its tributaries.

There are also provisions of State Ganga Committees and District Ganga Committees in

every specified district.



CA7. Climate change could spark floods in world’s largest desert lake Link: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/climate-change-could-spark-floods-

worlds-largest-desert-lake-new-study

The report was released by UNEP.

The report found that over the next 20 years, climate change could likely lead to heavier

rains over Lake Turkana’s River inflows, which would raise water levels in the lake itself

and increase the likelihood of severe flooding.

The study urged officials in Kenya and Ethiopia, which both border Lake Turkana, to prepare

for a future in which once-rare floods, such as those that hit the region in 2019 and 2020,

are regular occurrences.

Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, is part of the Omo-Turkana basin, which stretches into four countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. The basin is home to many rare plants and animals. Since 1988, Ethiopia has built a series of hydroelectric dams on its main tributary, the Omo River, leading to predictions of Lake Turkana’s demise.

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/climate-change-could-spark-floods-worlds-largest-desert-lake-new-study

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/climate-change-could-spark-floods-worlds-largest-desert-lake-new-study



CA8. Permanent Court of Arbitration The PCA was established by the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International

Disputes, concluded at The Hague in 1899 during the first Hague Peace Conference. The

Conference had been convened at the initiative of Czar Nicolas II of Russia “with the object

of seeking the most objective means of ensuring to all peoples the benefits of a real and

lasting peace, and above all, of limiting the progressive development of existing

armaments.”

It is an intergovernmental organization providing a variety of dispute resolution services to

the international community.



The PCA provides administrative support in international arbitrations involving various

combinations of states, state entities, international organizations and private parties. The

PCA has experience in administering international arbitrations concerning disputes arising

out of treaties, including bilateral investment treaties and multilateral treaties, and other

instruments. The PCA also plays an important role under the United Nations Commission

on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Rules.

CA9. Rainforests Explained Found on every continent except Antarctica, rainforests are ecosystems filled with mostly

evergreen trees that typically receive high amounts of rainfall. Tropical rainforests are found

near the equator, with high average temperatures and humidity, while temperate

rainforests lie mostly in coastal, mountainous areas within the mid-latitudes.

A rainforest is typically made up of four key layers: emergent, upper canopy, understory, and forest floor. In the top emergent layer, trees as tall as 200 feet (60 meters) grow far apart and tall, their branches reaching above the canopy. The upper canopy, a deep layer of vegetation roughly 20 feet (6 meters) thick, houses most of the rainforest's animal species and forms a roof that blocks most light from reaching below. Below the canopy, the understory is a low-light layer dominated by shorter plants with broad leaves, such as palms and philodendrons. On the dark forest floor, few plants are able to grow and decaying matter from the upper layers is prevalent, feeding the roots of the trees.

Rainforests are often partly self-watering. Plants release water into the atmosphere through

a process called transpiration. The moisture helps create the thick cloud cover that hangs

over most rainforests. Even when it's not raining, these clouds keep the rainforest humid

and warm.

Rainforest benefits

When we lose rainforests, we lose an important natural resource. Tropical rainforests are

centers of biodiversity, holding an estimated half of the world’s plants and animals, many

of which have yet to be catalogued (some scientists estimate that it’s two-thirds of the

world's plants). Rainforests produce, store, and filter water, protecting against soil erosion,

floods, and drought.

Many of the plants found in rainforests are being used to make medicine, including anti-

cancer drugs, along with beauty products and foods. One drug under development for



treating HIV, Calanolide A, is derived from a tree discovered on Malaysian Borneo.

CA10. Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Marine Protected Areas (MPA)

Outlook Link: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/western-indian-ocean-region-

has-declared-550000-square-kilometers

The Marine Protected Areas Outlook, released recently, indicates that almost half of the

total area was brought under protection in the seven years since the 2015 adoption of

Sustainable Development Goal 14.5, which committed countries to conserving at least 10

percent of their marine and coastal areas by 2020.

This Outlook examines the current and future status of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in

Comoros, Kenya, France (in its Western Indian Ocean territories), Madagascar, Mauritius,

Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania, emphasizing the increased

commitment of countries to strengthen marine protection.

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/western-indian-ocean-region-has-declared-550000-square-kilometers

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/western-indian-ocean-region-has-declared-550000-square-kilometers



The Western Indian Ocean region has declared 143* marine and coastal areas as protected

– an area covering 553,163 square kilometers, representing 7 percent of the total Exclusive

Economic Zone (EEZ) for the region – according to a new publication by the UN Environment

Programme (UNEP)-Nairobi Convention and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science

Association.

Though countries in the region have made significant strides in protecting its marine and

coastal areas, the Outlook outlines best practices, challenges, and several opportunities to

build on this progress to ensure the entire region meets future Global Biodiversity

Framework targets on marine protected areas.



About the Nairobi Convention

The Nairobi Convention, signed by Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius,

Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania, aims to promote a

prosperous Western Indian Ocean region with healthy rivers, coasts, and oceans. It

provides a platform for governments, civil society, and the private sector to work together

for the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment.

CA11. Supreme Court Strikes Down part of 97th Constitutional

Amendment Link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/co-operative-societies-supreme-court-

strikes-down-parts-of-a-constitutional-amendment/article35433660.ece

The Supreme Court in a 2:1 majority verdict upheld the validity of the 97th constitutional

amendment that deals with issues related to effective management of cooperative societies

but struck down a part related to their setting up and functioning.

The 97th constitutional amendment, which dealt with issues related to effective

management of cooperative societies in the country, was passed by parliament in December

2011 and had come into effect from February 15, 2012.

The change in the constitution has amended Article 19(1)(c) to give protection to the

cooperatives and inserted Article 43 B and Part IX B, relating to them.

While Article 19(1)(c) guarantees freedom to form association or unions or cooperative

societies subject to certain restrictions, Article 43 B says that states shall endeavour to

promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and

professional management of cooperative societies.

The Part IX B of the constitution inserted by the 97th amendment deals with

incorporation, terms of members of the board and its office bearers and effective

management of cooperative societies. The Centre has contended that the provision does

not denude states of their power to enact laws with regard to cooperatives.

The bench unanimously held that the 97th Constitutional Amendment required ratification

by at least one-half of the state legislatures as per Article 368(2) of the Constitution, since

it dealt with a entry which was an exclusive state subject (co-operative societies). Since such

ratification was not done in the case of the 97th Constitutional amendment, it was liable

to be struck down.

As per Article 368(2), ratification of one-half of state legislatures is required for an

amendment which makes changes to an entry in the state list. Since co-operative societies

was a state subject as per Entry 32 in List II of the Seventh Schedule, the amendment

introducing Part IX B required ratification as per Article 368(2).

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/co-operative-societies-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-a-constitutional-amendment/article35433660.ece

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/co-operative-societies-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-a-constitutional-amendment/article35433660.ece



CA12. Contact Group on Economic and Trade issues (CGETI) Link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1737075

For the year 2021, India is the Chair of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China & South

Africa). Of the various groups of BRICS, the Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues

(CGETI) is responsible for economic and trade matters. The Department of Commerce is the

national coordinator for the BRICS CGETI.

The Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues (CGETI) is a key platform for BRICS

Members to exchange views on a range of economic, trade and investment related issues.

The exchange of policy perspectives and priorities lays an essential basis for enhanced

coordination and cooperation among the BRICS Members on these issues.

Meeting of the CGETI was held from 12-14 July 2021.During the three-day meeting, the

BRICS Members deliberated on the following proposals circulated by India, for

strengthening and increasing the Intra-BRICS cooperation and trade:

• BRICS Cooperation on Multilateral Trading System;

• BRICS Framework for ensuring Consumer Protection in E-Commerce;

• Non-Tariff Measures (NTM) Resolution Mechanism for SPS/TBT Measures;

• Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Working Mechanism;

• Cooperation framework for protection of Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge

and Traditional Cultural Expressions;

• BRICS Framework on Cooperation in Professional Services.

CA13. Departmentally Related Standing Committee If you learn about basic about anybody, you will never forget. Read now.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1737075



These DRSCs replaced the earlier three Subject Committees constituted in August 1989.

The 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees were formally constituted with

effect from April 1993. After experiencing the working of the DRSC system for over a

decade, the system was re-structured in July 2004 wherein the number of DRSCs was

increased from 17 to 24.

Ok, one thing you remember here, that DRSC, are mentioned in the Rules of House of

both Lok Sabha (331C) and Rajya Sabha (268).

Composition:

Till 13th Lok Sabha, each of these Standing Committees used to consist of 45 members—30

nominated by the Speaker from amongst the members of Lok Sabha and 15 members

nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha from amongst the members of Rajya Sabha.

However, with re-structuring of DRSCs in July 2004 each DRSC consists of 31 members—21

from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.



Minister not to be a Member of the Committee:

A Minister is not eligible to be nominated as a member of any of the Standing Committees

and if a member, after her/his nomination to any of the Standing Committees, is appointed

a Minister, she/he ceases to be a member of the Committee from the date of such

appointment.

Term of Office:

The term of office of the “members” of the committees shall not exceed one year. Thus, it is

the term of office of the members and not that of the committees per se that is one year.

Remember this small thing



The Committees do not consider the matters of day-to-day administration of the

concerned Ministries/ Departments. The Committees also do not generally consider the

matters which are under consideration by other Parliamentary Committees.

CA14. Forex Reserves Link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1736885




With India’s forex reserves at $608.99 billion as on June 25, 2021 stood, India has emerged

as the fifth largest foreign exchange reserves holder in the world after China, Japan,

Switzerland and Russia.

RBI takes regular steps for diversification of forex reserves by scaling up operations in forex

swap and repo markets, acquisition of gold and exploring new markets/products, while

adhering to safety and liquidity standards. Variation in India’s forex reserves is primarily

the outcome of RBI’s intervention in the foreign exchange market to smoothen exchange

rate volatility, valuation changes due to movement of US dollar against other international

currencies in the reserve basket, movement in gold prices, interest earnings from

deployment of foreign currency assets and inflow of aid receipts.

CA15. High Strength Metastable Beta Titanium developed by DRDO. Link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-develops-high-strength-titanium-

alloy-for-aerospace-forgings/article35421043.ece

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a high

strength titanium alloy on industrial scale for applications in aerospace structural forgings.

The high strength beta titanium alloys are unique due to their higher strength, ductility,

fatigue, and fracture toughness – making them increasingly attractive for aircraft structural

applications.

Something more about Titanium.

Where Does Titanium Come from?

Most of the world's titanium is produced by mining heavy mineral sands. These sands

occur down-gradient from exposed masses of igneous rock such as gabbro, norite, and

anorthosite.

When these rocks are broken down by weathering, the titanium minerals are among the

most resistant. They are concentrated by weathering and transported downstream as grains

of sand and silt. Eventually, they are deposited as sand along the coastline of a continent.

This is where they are usually dredged or mined.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-develops-high-strength-titanium-alloy-for-aerospace-forgings/article35421043.ece

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-develops-high-strength-titanium-alloy-for-aerospace-forgings/article35421043.ece



Titanium is produced commercially by reducing titanium (IV) chloride with magnesium.

Titanium (IV) oxide is produced commercially by either the ‘sulphate process’ or the

‘chloride process’, both of which use the mineral ilmenite as a starting material.

Uses

a. Titanium is as strong as steel but much less dense. It is therefore important as an

alloying agent with many metals including aluminium, molybdenum and iron. These

alloys are mainly used in aircraft, spacecraft and missiles because of their low density

and ability to withstand extremes of temperature. They are also used in golf clubs,

laptops, bicycles and crutches.

b. Power plant condensers use titanium pipes because of their resistance to corrosion.

Because titanium has excellent resistance to corrosion in seawater, it is used in

desalination plants and to protect the hulls of ships, submarines and other structures

exposed to seawater.

c. Titanium metal connects well with bone, so it has found surgical applications such as

in joint replacements (especially hip joints) and tooth implants.

d. The largest use of titanium is in the form of titanium (IV) oxide. It is extensively used

as a pigment in house paint, artists’ paint, plastics, enamels and paper. It is a bright

white pigment with excellent covering power. It is also a good reflector of infrared

radiation and so is used in solar observatories where heat causes poor visibility.

e. Titanium (IV) oxide is used in sunscreens because it prevents UV light from reaching

the skin. Nanoparticles of titanium (IV) oxide appear invisible when applied to the skin.

Biological role

Titanium has no known biological role. It is non-toxic. Fine titanium dioxide dust is a

suspected carcinogen.

CA16. Eco-Textiles The textile industry is considered as the most ecologically harmful industry in the world. In

the production process like bleaching and then dyeing, the subsequent fabric makes a toxin

that swells into our ecosystem. Therefore, the need for eco-textiles is felt. Green textiles

refer to clothing and other accessories that are designed to use the organic and recycled

material.

Bamboo, corn husk, orange peels, pineapples, soya beans, eucalyptus, lotus stems, betel

nut husks, nettle, hemp, aloe vera, rose petals, sugarcane, milk and even fish scales are no

longer food or agri residues discarded as waste. They are increasingly becoming a favoured

feedstock for the textile industry.

India generates over 500 million tons of agricultural and agro-industrial residues every

year, according to official data of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Across the country, agricultural waste is managed largely by burning, which causes

unintended environmental damage



Similarly, most aspects of conventional textile manufacturing immensely damage the

environment. “For instance, polyester is plastic. Consumers and manufacturers both want to

shift to better materials, but choosing between environment and economics has been an

either-or choice. This is where agro-waste fabrics come into the picture. When crop waste

becomes feedstock for textile manufacturing, both sectors become planet-friendly.

Why it is beneficial for farmers?

Manufacturing yarns from agri-waste requires one-sixth of water needed for producing

cotton yarns. As we don’t cultivate the raw material and use only waste, we can argue that

these are zero water footprint raw materials.

The work of eco-textile manufacturers is helping reduce fashion’s carbon footprint, it is also

benefiting farmers by improving their livelihood prospects in rural areas. From spending

money to dispose of crop residues, farmers are now earning extra income by selling agri-

waste.

Global fibre production has reached well over 100 million tonne per year in 2019 and is

expected to rise even further. Developing alternative fibre sources is more critical now than

it’s ever been.

CA17. Equator Initiative The Equator Initiative is a UNDP-led partnership that brings together the UN, governments,

civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to advance local sustainable

development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.

The Equator Initiative accomplishes its goals through three action areas:

The Equator Prize is awarded biennially to recognize and advance local sustainable

development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.

Equator Dialogues provide opportunities for people to share experiences, develop

capacities and influence policy.

Equator Knowledge is a research, documentation and learning program focused on local

best practice in sustainable development.



CA18. National Council for Transgender Persons The Centre has constituted the National Council for Transgender Persons to formulate

policies, programmes, legislation and projects regarding members of the community for

achieving equality and full participation by them.

The council was established by the Centre in exercise of the powers conferred by the

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

a. The council has representatives from community members, five states and 10

central departments.

b. Its chairperson will be the Union Minister of the Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment while the vice-chairperson will be the junior minister in the ministry,

according to the gazette notification.

c. The other members will be from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry

Home Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Minority Affairs ministry and

Rural Development ministry among others, it said.

d. The representatives of the state governments and union territories by rotation, one

each from the north, south, east, west and northeast regions have also been

announced.

e. Also, five representatives of the transgender community (this is important), one

each from the north, south, east, west and northeast regions have also been

announced.



CA19. Conditional licensing of proprietary foods Link:

https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Draft_Consultation_Proprietary_Foods_14_07_

2021.pdf

Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 defines “Proprietary Food” as an

article of food for which standards have not been specified but is not unsafe, provided

that such food does not contain any of the foods and ingredients prohibited under this Act

and regulations made thereunder.

What is the problem:

Many products which have stringent vertical standards (explained below) or have

restrictions or prohibitions attached or specific packaging or labelling requirements tend to

be closely duplicated under Proprietary Foods. There is no mandate for Proprietary foods

to comply with vertical standards and they are tested only for horizontal standards of the

nearest food category. The diversion towards Proprietary Foods is due to lack of explicit

laws/guidelines on the subject and loose compliance requirements, due to which it has the

risk of being put to wrong use by circumventing such stringent provisions under the

standardized food products category by taking license under Proprietary Foods.

Note: Horizontal standards cut across various categories of foods and contain standards about Contaminants, Toxins, Residues, Packaging, Labelling, etc. Vertical standards mainly include identity and compositional standards of specific food products which cover additives, microbiological requirements etc

For instance, Honey with Ashwagandha can be allowed as a Proprietary Food, however,

there is no requirement that the product should comply with the vertical standards of

Honey as such.

At the same time, there is a need to facilitate use of standardized additives to food

products without forcing manufacturers to apply for proprietary food licenses.

In order to resolve the above-mentioned issues, the concept of Conditional Licensing is

proposed:

The concept of Conditional Licensing is intended to check the entry of such products into

the market where composition of the product is diluted/diverted to avoid compliance with

standardised food products and yet allow entry of value-added food products which could

not fit into the description of a standardised food product or are altogether different

products made out of a mix of standardised food products.

https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Draft_Consultation_Proprietary_Foods_14_07_2021.pdf

https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Draft_Consultation_Proprietary_Foods_14_07_2021.pdf



CA20. Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Principles for Responsible Investment is a United Nations-supported international network

of investors working together to implement its six aspirational principles

There is total six principles:

• Principle 1: We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making

processes.

• Principle 2: We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership

policies and practices.

• Principle 3: We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we

invest.

• Principle 4: We will promote acceptance and implementation of the principles within the

investment industry.

• Principle 5: We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the

principles.

• Principle 6: We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the

principles.

The Principles for Responsible Investment were developed by an international group of

institutional investors reflecting the increasing relevance of environmental, social and

corporate governance issues to investment practices.

The six Principles for Responsible Investment are a voluntary and aspirational set of

investment principles that offer a menu of possible actions for incorporating ESG issues into

investment practice.

CA21. Historic Urban Landscape Project In Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior and Orchha cities have been selected by UNESCO under

‘Historic Urban Landscape Project’ for the inclusive and well-planned development of fast-

growing historical cities while preserving the culture and heritage.

Six cities of South Asia, including Ajmer and Varanasi in India are already involved in this

project. Orchha and Gwalior have been included as the 7th and 8th cities. The

development and management plan of these cities will be prepared by UNESCO.

The cities will be jointly developed by UNESCO, Government of India and Madhya Pradesh

by focusing on their historical and cultural improvement.

About the Project.

It was adopted in 2011 at UNESCO’s General Conference.



• It aims to integrate conservation and management of cultural heritage in cities and

settlements with policies and practices for sustainable urban development.

• The historic urban landscape approach moves beyond the preservation of the physical

environment, and focuses on the entire human environment with all of its tangible and

intangible qualities

• If dealt with properly, urban heritage will act as a catalyst for socio-economic

development through tourism, commercial use, and higher land and property values –

thereby providing the revenues out of which to pay for maintenance, restoration and

rehabilitation.

CA22. UN tax committee On the basis of the nominations presented by Member States, the Secretary General has

decided to appoint the following persons to the Committee of Experts on International

Cooperation in Tax Matters, for a term ending on 30 June 2025. One member is:

The Committee guides countries’ efforts to advance stronger and more forward-looking

tax policies adapted to the realities of globalised trade and investment, an increasingly

digitalised economy and worsening environmental degradation.

It assists countries in their efforts to prevent double or multiple taxation as well as non-

taxation, broaden their tax base, strengthen their tax administrations, and curb

international tax evasion and avoidance.

The UN Tax Committee fosters international cooperation on domestic and international

tax matters and works closely with observers from government, civil society, business and

academia, to develop guidance and encourage an inclusive setting of norms and policies.

CA23. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) On July 21, 2021, 11th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting was held.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative by six countries – India and five

ASEAN countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam for

cooperation in tourism, culture, education, as well as transport and communications. It was

launched in 2000 at Vientiane, Lao PDR.



Both the Ganga and the Mekong are civilizational rivers, and the MGC initiative aims to

facilitate closer contacts among the people inhabiting these two major river basins. The

MGC is also indicative of the cultural and commercial linkages among the member countries

of the MGC down the centuries.

The Mekong is the world’s twelfth-longest river. It rises in China, on the Tibetan Plateau, before it runs down through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The Mekong region is very important for India's 'Act East Policy' for strengthening its

economic integration with Southeast and East-Asian countries. India has accorded high

priority to economic engagement with the MGC countries, working towards establishing

seamless physical and digital connectivity, as well as capacity building under the Initiative

for ASEAN Integration and Narrowing the Development Gap.



CA24. Mapping India’s Energy Subsidies 2021

Now directly to major points of topic:



Nothing more is needed here. Just see trend.

CA25. The genome of a Salt-secreting Mangrove Species Decoded Link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1734363

Scientists at the DBT have reported for the first time a reference-grade whole genome

sequence of a highly salt-tolerant and salt-secreting true-mangrove species, Avicennia

marina.

Significance of Study:

• This study assumes significance as agriculture productivity globally is affected due to

abiotic stress factors such as limited water availability and salinization of soil and

water.

• The genomic resources generated in the study will pave the way for researchers to

study the potential of the identified genes for developing drought and salinity

tolerant varieties of important crop species of the coastal region that is significant for

India with 7,500m of coastline and two major island systems.

About Mangroves:

• Mangroves are salt-tolerant vegetation that grows in intertidal regions of rivers and

estuaries. They are referred to as ‘tidal forests’ and belong to the category of ‘tropical

wetland rainforest ecosystem’.

• Mangroves give protection to the coastline and minimise disasters due to cyclones

and tsunami. Recent studies have shown that mangroves store more carbon dioxide

than most other forests.

• Mangroves are an intermediate vegetation between land and sea that grow in oxygen

deficient water-logged soils which have Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). They perform

important ecological functions like nutrient cycling, hydrological regime, coastal

protection, fish-fauna production, etc.




• Mangroves act as shock absorbers. They reduce high tides and waves and help

prevent soil erosion. They also provide livelihood opportunities to coastal

communities.

Latest data on Mangroves:

CA26. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines And

Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules (2021) The newly notified Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media

Ethics Code) Rules 2021 (IT Rules 2021)1 have replaced the previous decade-old Information

Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011 (IT Rules 2011).

The IT Rules 2021 bring to the forefront several new obligations for social media and digital

streaming platforms to follow. It is important to mention here that these new rules are

mandatory for social media and digital streaming platforms if they want to claim the



"intermediary safe harbour" status - which is basically protection from being held liable

for any third-party content that they carry on their platform.

Scope

While the IT Rules 2011 regulated all "intermediaries" without any distinction in terms of

their user base or the content hosted on their platform, the IT Rules 2021 are divided into

two parts based on their applicability. Part II regulates intermediaries and Part III is

applicable to digital media including publishers of news and current affairs or publishers of

online content as follows:

• Social Media Intermediary < 50 lakh registered Indian users;

• Significant Social Media Intermediary > 50 lakh registered Indian users-

• Additional due diligence to be observed by these intermediaries include: (i) appointing

a chief compliance officer to ensure compliance with the IT Act and the Rules, (ii)

appointing a grievance officer residing in India, and (iii) publishing a monthly

compliance report.

• Publisher of news and current affairs content including news aggregators;

• Publisher of online curated content which covers all online streaming platforms

including Over-the-Top ('OTT') platforms.

What is safe harbour status?

The very need to expand safe harbour provisions came to light in the year 2008, when the

officer of a website was charged under the Indian Penal Code for an obscene video

uploaded on its website by a third-party entity. Following this incident, the Information

Technology Act 2000 was amended in the year 2008 (2008 Amendment) wherein it was

inserted that the intermediaries which merely acted as platforms for the transmission of

information shall not be held accountable for any liability accrued through an offence

being committed on their platform without their knowledge. Further, the 2008

Amendment widened the definition of 'intermediary' which included online payment sites,

search engines, internet service providers, etc.

Conclusion

In recent times, we are already witnessing the battle between the Indian Central

Government and Twitter - India regarding 'compliance' as mentioned in the IT Rules 2021,

but since the IT Rules 2021 are self-explanatory, non-compliance would automatically

mean that the intermediaries would not be able to claim the safe harbour principle and

therefore would be responsible for any acts committed of the third party even if the same

has been done without the knowledge of the intermediary. The penalties for non-

compliance are very much severe and therefore, the intermediaries ought to comply with

the IT Rules 2021 to secure themselves against penalties and to avoid losing the safe

harbour principle.



CA27. Behali Reserve Forest Link: https://india.mongabay.com/2021/07/neglect-shrouds-behali-reserve-forests-

biodiversity-along-assam-arunachal-border/

A neglected and fragmented biodiversity-rich forest patch, Behali Reserve Forest in Assam,

needs urgent protection. Experts say it must be upgraded to a protected area for

conserving the flora and fauna.

Lying on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the forest is part of a disputed

territory and has witnessed rampant encroachment over the years.

Behali, in the north of the Brahmaputra River, became a 140-square km reserve forest

(designated under the then British laws) in 1917, during the First World War. The area

straddling a disputed Assam and Arunachal Pradesh border was never upgraded to a

protected forest despite its remarkable flora and fauna.

Watch this small video: https://youtu.be/r8gLO6cXmjw

CA28. Adaptation fund under united nations framework convention

on climate change (UNFCCC) The Adaptation Fund (AF) was set up under the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was established in 2001 and

officially launched in 2007 at CoP 7 in Marrakech, Morocco.

https://india.mongabay.com/2021/07/neglect-shrouds-behali-reserve-forests-biodiversity-along-assam-arunachal-border/

https://india.mongabay.com/2021/07/neglect-shrouds-behali-reserve-forests-biodiversity-along-assam-arunachal-border/

https://youtu.be/r8gLO6cXmjw



a. It aims to finance concrete projects and programmes that help vulnerable

communities in developing countries that are Parties to the Kyoto Protocol to adapt

to climate change.

b. The Fund is financed in part by government and private donors, and also from a

two percent share of proceeds of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) issued under

the Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects.

c. The Adaptation Fund headquartered in Washington, USA is supervised and managed

by the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB).

d. The AFB is composed of 16 members and 16 alternates and holds periodic meetings

throughout the year. The World Bank serves as trustee of the Adaptation Fund on

an interim basis.

e. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of India is the National

Designated Authority (NDA) for Adaptation Fund and proposals are submitted with

endorsement of NDA.

f. NABARD has been accredited as National Implementing Entity (NIE) for Adaptation

Fund in July 2012 and is the only NIE for India.

The NIEs are those national legal entities nominated by Parties (to the Kyoto Protocol) that

are recognized by the Board as meeting the fiduciary standards established by the Board.

The NIEs bear full responsibility for the overall management of the projects and

programmes financed by the Adaptation Fund and have all financial, monitoring, and

reporting responsibilities.

CA29. World’s first space sustainability rating launched Link: https://www.weforum.org/our-impact/world-s-first-space-sustainability-rating-

launched/

The world’s first Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) has been developed to reduce space

debris and ensure that rapidly increasing space missions launched worldwide are

managed safely and sustainably.

The SSR concept was developed by the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on

Space Technologies.

By voluntarily taking part in the new SSR system, spacecraft operators, launch service

providers and satellite manufacturers will be able to secure one of four levels of

certification which they can share externally to show their mission’s level of sustainability.

This will increase transparency and approach to debris mitigation, without disclosing

mission-sensitive or proprietary information.

Why?

With more satellites being launched each year, the risk of accidents and the creation of

more debris continues to rise. This has created the need for a global system to foster the

long-term sustainability of the space environment.

https://www.weforum.org/our-impact/world-s-first-space-sustainability-rating-launched/

https://www.weforum.org/our-impact/world-s-first-space-sustainability-rating-launched/



CA30. Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. Link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1737948

India has scored 90.32% in United Nation’s Economic and Social Commission for Asia

Pacific's (UNESCAP) latest Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. The

Survey hails this as a remarkable jump from 78.49% in 2019.

After evaluation of 143 economies, the 2021 Survey has highlighted India's significant

improvement in the scores on all 5 key indicators, as follows:

• Transparency:100% in 2021 (from 93.33% in 2019)

• Formalities: 95.83% in 2021 (from 87.5% in 2019)

• Institutional Arrangement and Cooperation: 88.89% in 2021 (from 66.67% in 2019)

• Paperless Trade: 96.3% in 2021 (from 81.48% in 2019)

• Cross-Border Paperless Trade: 66.67% in 2021 (from 55.56% in 2019)

The Survey notes that India is the best performing country when compared to South and

South West Asia region (63.12%) and Asia Pacific region (65.85%).

The overall score of India has also been found to be greater than many OECD countries

including France, UK, Canada, Norway, Finland etc. and the overall score is greater than the

average score of EU. India has achieved a 100% score for the Transparency index and 66%

in the “Women in trade” component.

About the Survey: The Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation is conducted every two years by UNESCAP. The 2021 Survey includes an assessment of 58 trade facilitation measures covered by the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. The Survey is keenly awaited globally as it evidences whether or not the trade facilitation measures being taken have the desired impact and helps draw comparison amongst countries. A higher score for a country also helps businesses in their investment decisions.




CA31. What is the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework? The 2011-2020 Aichi Plan failed to achieve a single biodiversity target. Over the past two

years, scientists, experts and government officials have been working on a framework to be

adopted in Kunming China at the UN CBD COP15 that will set targets on how we manage

nature through to 2030. While the targets, like Paris Agreement, are not binding for

businesses – they signal the government ambition and prioritization of activities to fight the

crisis of biodiversity loss.

The Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has released the first

draft of a new global biodiversity framework, to guide actions worldwide through 2030, to

preserve and protect nature and its essential services to people.

The Framework comprises 21 targets and 10 ‘milestones’ proposed for 2030, en route to

‘living in harmony with nature’ by 2050. Few targets are:

The framework’s theory of change acknowledges that its implementation will require the

engagement of actors beyond governments to include, among others:



CA32. Government launches six tech innovation platforms to enable

globally competent manufacturing On July 02, 2021, the Government of India announced the launch of six technology

innovation platforms to boost the domestic manufacturing sector and develop innovative,

indigenous technologies to put India at par with the global counterparts.

The six platforms launched are as follows:

A. ASPIRE (Automotive Solutions Portal for Industry Research & Education): Developed by

the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT)

B. SanRachna: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)

C. TechNovuus: Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)

D. HMT TechPort: Hindustan Machine Tools Limited (HMT)

E. KITE (Knowledge Integration for Technology Enrichment): IIT-Madras

F. DRISHTI (Design, Research and Innovation by Harvesting Science and Technology for

Industries): Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI)

Objective

These platforms are likely to aid in converging India's technical resources on one platform

and serving as a common point for varied industries to kickstart and expedite discovery

and crowdsourcing of technological challenges faced by them.

Platforms

Following are the six technology innovation platforms developed under the Department of

Heavy Industries (DHI), Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises:

ASPIRE – ICAT (Automotive Solutions Portal for Industry Research & Education)

The programme is for enhancing technological capabilities of the Indian automotive sector

by sharing knowledge and experience and making the industry self-reliant.

SanRachna – BHEL



BHEL, a Government of India undertaking and an engineering & manufacturing company,

has rolled out a technology innovation platform—SanRachna. It is an open technology

platform developed to identify inadequacies in the current technologies used in India.

TechNovuus – ARAI

ARAI, a renowned automotive R&D organisation under the Government of India, built a

platform—TechNovuus—for cross-domain collaboration. The platform will provide a

medium to intellectuals to contribute their knowledge on development of new technologies

and innovations and shape the future of mobility.

HMT TechPort

HMT, a Government of India undertaking and a machine tools manufacturing company,

introduced a technology innovation platform—HMT TechPort. The platform has been

created to boost the machine tools industry by aggregating technology and innovation ideas

through collaborative approaches.

KITE - IIT-Madras (Knowledge Integration for Technology Enrichment)

The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC) at the Indian

Institute of Technology, Madras, launched a manufacturing technology eco-platform—KITE.

The platform will focus on enhancement and implementation of smart manufacturing,

digital manufacturing, Indigenous manufacturing and process and discrete manufacturing in

the manufacturing sector.

DRISHTI – CMTI (Design, Research and Innovation by Harvesting Science and Technology

for Industries)

The Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru, developed an online

platform—DRISHTI, which brings together innovators and manufacturing companies to

address complicated problems.

CA33. Rajya Sabha Elections Each state has a fixed number of RS seats and 1/3rd of them come up for election every 2

years.

Article 80 of the constitution stipulates the maximum size of the house. The number of

elected RS members from the States & UTs cannot be more than 238. Apart from the

elected members, 12 members can be nominated by the President of India. Currently there

are 233 elected members and 12 nominated members.



The system of election of members to the Rajya Sabha is by proportional representation by

means of the single transferable vote (STV). The STV system is similar to the one followed

in the election to the President of India and members of the legislative council in states.

The vote is transferred from one candidate to another in any of the two situations

mentioned below.

• When a candidate obtains more than what is required for his success and therefore has

an unnecessary surplus

• When a candidate polls so few votes that he has absolutely no chance and therefore the

votes nominating him are liable to be wasted

The Quota

The minimum number of valid votes required for a candidate to be declared elected is called

the quota. The quota calculation depends on the number of seats to be filled.

Scenario 1:

At an election where only one seat is to be filled, every ballot paper is deemed to be of the

value of one and the quota is calculated by adding the values credited to all the candidates

and dividing the total by two and adding one to the quotient, ignoring the remainder, if any,

and the resulting number is the quota. It has to be:

Scenario 2:



At an election where more than one seat is to be filled, every ballot paper is deemed to be

of the value of 100 and the quota is determined by adding the values credited to all the

candidates and dividing the total by a number which exceeds by one the number of

vacancies to be filled and adding one to the quotient ignoring the remainder, if any, and the

resulting number is the quota.

For instance, if 3 candidates are to be elected and the total number of voters who

participated in the poll is 176, the quota is

If none of the candidates get the required quota of first preference votes, then a process of

vote transfer takes place, successively eliminating those who get the least number of first

preferential votes.

CA34. How composting can reduce our impact on the planet? Link: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-composting-can-reduce-our-impact-planet

Every year, across the world, 1.3 billion tonnes of food is either lost or wasted, says the United

Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Food Waste Index. With world hunger on this rise due to

the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to reduce food waste is becoming increasingly urgent.

Practice of composting is one of the best options for managing organic waste while also reducing

environmental impacts.

We will see Composting in detail:

The role of compost, organic fertiliser derived from waste, has been overshadowed by the excessive

use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers in agricultural practices. The lack of compost used in farm

fields and the dependence on chemical fertilisers have had a number of negative impacts, such as

deteriorating soil conditions, deficient or excess nutrients, insect outbreaks, and solidified soil, to

name a few. However, organic waste generated in daily life can help recover soil fertility if it is used

to produce compost.

Composting, a biodegradation process that transforms organic matter into water, carbon dioxide,

energy, and composted matter has been adopted throughout the world over the years as a

technology that can stabilise organic residues.

Composting aims to:

a. treat organic waste such as food waste, garden waste, livestock excreta, and other types of

waste in aerobic or anaerobic states and deactivate causative bacteria, viruses, and weed

seeds through the heat of microbial fermentation, and

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-composting-can-reduce-our-impact-planet



b. produce organic fertilisers that physically improve soil conditions and act as a partial

substitute for nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contained in chemical

fertilisers, upon which modern agriculture fully depends



CA35. Generation Equality Forum Link: https://forum.generationequality.org/

The Generation Equality Forum Paris concluded recently with the announcement of bold gender

equality commitments and launch of a global 5-year action journey to accelerate gender equality by

2026.

The Generation Equality Forum is a global gathering for gender equality, convened by UN Women

and in partnership with civil society and youth.

The Forum’s 5-year action journey is built around a Global Acceleration Plan - a global road map for

gender equality that aims to fulfil the promise of the Beijing Platform for Action and achieve the

Sustainable Development Goals.

It involves every sector of society – governments, civil society, private sector, entrepreneurs, trade

unions, artists, academia and social influencers – to drive urgent action and accountability.

The Forum launched Global Acceleration Plan for Gender Equality and a Compact on Women, Peace

and Security and Humanitarian Action, and announced new gender equality initiatives focused on

health, sports, culture, and education.

CA36. Role of 'freight smart cities' to enhance urban freight systems In July 2021, the Indian government introduced plans for ‘Freight Smart Cities’ to enhance urban

freight efficiency and reduce logistics costs in an effort to recognise the need for managing

movement of goods to improve the city freight traffic.

The initiative encompasses the following plan:

• Phase I – Identification of the initial 10 cities to be developed as ‘Freight Smart Cities’

• Formation of city-level logistics committees in 10 cities – including member participation from

the government and the private sector

• These committees are to co-create ‘City Logistics Plans’ such as promoting electrification of

urban freight, building peri-urban freight centres, developing truck routes and managing night-

time deliveries

• Expansion of the initiative to the next 75 cities in Phase II. Target segment includes all state

capitals and cities that have >1 million population

By implementing ‘Freight Smart Cities’, the government plans to address the following key challenges of the current urban freight system:

https://forum.generationequality.org/



Thus, with implementation of the new freight plan, the government aims to address key concern areas (environmental impact, logistics-related high costs, etc.) of the current urban freight system and improve efficiencies to meet the rising demand, create employment opportunities and boost economic competitiveness.

CA37. Polluted river stretches in India Link: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/351-polluted-river-stretches-in-india-a-list-

across-states-78083

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2018 (last report) identified 351 polluted river

stretches in India. Maharashtra has the highest number of polluted rivers stretches (53), followed by

Assam (44), Madhya Pradesh (22), Kerala (21), Gujarat (20), Odisha (19), and West Bengal and

Karnataka (17).

Reasons:

Rivers in the country are polluted mainly due to discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage

from cities / towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments, problems in operation

and maintenance of sewage / effluent treatment plants, lack of dilution, dumping of solid waste on

river banks and other non-point sources of pollution.

Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have compounded the problem. According to the report

published by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in March, 2021, sewage generation from urban

areas in the country is estimated at 72,368 million litres per day (MLD), against which sewage

treatment capacity of 31,841 MLD was available.

This gap between sewage generation and treatment remains a major point source for increase in

pollution of rivers.

CPCB, in association with Pollution Control Boards / committees in different states / Union

territories, have been monitoring the water quality of rivers and other water bodies across the

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/351-polluted-river-stretches-in-india-a-list-across-states-78083

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/351-polluted-river-stretches-in-india-a-list-across-states-78083



country through a network of monitoring stations under the National Water Quality Monitoring

Programme.

CA38. Ramappa Temple from Telangana & Dholavira city from Gujarat

inscribed on the ‘World Heritage List Recently, UNESCO conferred the World Heritage inscription to Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa)

Temple at Palampet, Telangana and the Harappan-era metropolis, Dholavira, Gujarat, in the

extended 44th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

With the latest additions, there are a total of 40 World Heritage Sites in UNESCO’s list from India

which includes 32 cultural, 7 natural and one mixed property.

When was the World Heritage Convention created?

World Heritage Convention was created in 1972 to identify and protect the world’s natural and

cultural heritage considered to be of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ in the lines that some places are

so important that their protection is not only the responsibility of a single nation, but is also the

duty of the international community as a whole; and not only for this generation, but for all those

to come. India ratified the convention on 14 November 1977.

The Convention is governed by the World Heritage Committee supported by the UNESCO World

Heritage Centre, the secretariat for the Convention, and three technical advisory bodies to the

Committee: IUCN, ICOMOS, ICCROM.

What is the procedure for inscribing a site in the list?

Preparation of tentative list- The country or ‘State Party’ must prepare a list of the important

natural and cultural heritage sites that are located within the country’s boundaries, which can be

submitted for inclusion as a World Heritage site. This inventory is called a ‘Tentative list’ and can be

updated from time to time. Only properties listed in the tentative list will be considered for

inscription by the World Heritage Committee.

Preparation of nomination file– With assistance from the World Heritage Centre, the State Party

prepares a nomination file which must include the necessary documentation and maps. The file is

then submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review, after which the document is sent to the

advisory bodies for evaluation.

Evaluation by advisory bodies– The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and

the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) must independently evaluate the cultural

and natural sites which have been proposed and submit their evaluations to the World Heritage

Committee.

Decision of World Heritage Committee- The final decision to inscribe a site as a World Heritage site

is taken by the World Heritage Committee after nomination and evaluation. The World Heritage

Committee, which consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention

elected by their General Assembly, meets once a year to decide the sites to be inscribed to the list. It

can also ask State Parties to provide further information on a site.

The latest Operational Guidelines was modified in 2019 during the previous session of the World

Heritage Committee.



Which are the sites from India on the World Heritage List?

Italy (57) has the greatest number of World Heritage Sites followed by China (56) as per UNESCO’s

dashboard as of 27 July 2021. India continues to be ranked sixth in the world in terms of the number

of heritage sites. Spain, Germany, and France have more than 40 sites each. India had 40 sites

inscribed.

What happens if the sites are not taken care of?

With inscription comes the responsibility to look after the property. If the countries do not adhere to

UNESCO’s protocols, then the countries are sent a warning letter. If the country continues to be non-



compliant, then UNESCO adds the property to the UNESCO’s ‘List of World Heritage in Danger’,

also referred to as the ‘Danger List’, prior to getting delisted.

CA39. Pre-Pack resolution of MSME tabled Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/business/insolvency-bill-on-pre-pack-resolution-of-msmes-

tabled-7423793/

Read each line carefully.

Last year the IBC 2016 was amended wherein the default limit was increased to Rs. 1 crore (from Rs.

1 lakh earlier) for IBC 2016 to be applicable.

For normal defaults above Rs. 1 crore, the IBC process is initiated and "Resolution Applicants" submit

the BID to purchase a bankrupt company (Debtor). These Resolution Applicants are basically other

companies operating in the business in that sector in which Debtor was functioning. If the owners of

Debtor company are not "wilful defaulter" and meet certain conditions then the owners of the

Debtor company are also allowed to participate in the bid process with the Resolution Applicants to

purchase their own company again (may be at throw away prices). But during this "Corporate

Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP)" the management of the Debtor company is passed on to

"Resolution Professionals" so that the owners of the Debtor company cannot manipulate its finances

and siphon of funds from the books of Debtor (company).

But in case of "Pre-Packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PIRP), during the PIRP, the management

of the company will remain with the owners of the Debtor (MSME company). AND no other

"Resolution Applicant" will be allowed to submit the Bid/plan for resolution of the defaulted MSME

company (advantage for MSME owners) OTHER than the owners of the MSME company (debtor) but

it should be approved by 2/3 of the creditors by value.

But in case the "Operational Creditors" have not been paid their total dues (which means the PIRP is

basically about resolution of the debt of financial creditors) then OTHER "Resolution Applicants" will

also be allowed to participate in the Bid to take over the MSME company (debtor). But the owners of

the MSME company will still be asked to match the BID of the other applicants (Swiss Challenge) and

if they match then the MSME company (debtor) will remain with its (present) owners. And if the

MSME owners are not able to match the BID of other applicants then the MSME company (debtor)

will go in the hands of the new owners and the previous owners will lose their MSME

company/Investments done in the MSME.

In normal IBC, the Debtor/Creditor approach the NCLT and then NCLT appoints resolution

professionals and then the resolution process starts and advertisement is made for who is interested

in the defaulted company etc... which takes time and effort of NCLT. But in PIRP... the owners of the

defaulted company (MSME) will prepare a resolution plan on their own and initiate the PIRP. So, it

will relieve the burden on NCLT.

PIRP is applicable if an MSME has taken loan and the default is of less than Rs. 1 crore.

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/insolvency-bill-on-pre-pack-resolution-of-msmes-tabled-7423793/

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/insolvency-bill-on-pre-pack-resolution-of-msmes-tabled-7423793/



CA40. Capacity Building Initiative on Making Water Sensitive Cities in

Ganga Basin Link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1739673

A new capacity building initiative on ‘Making water sensitive cities in Ganga basin’ aimed at

improving river health/flows was launched by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in

association with Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Key focus areas of the programme will be Water Sensitive Urban Design and Planning, Urban Water

Efficiency and Conservation, Decentralized Wastewater Treatment and Local Reuse, Urban

Groundwater Management and Urban Waterbodies / Lake Management.

The aim of the program is capacity building and action research for promoting sustainable urban

water management for improved river health in Ganga basin cities.

This initiative is part of the series of ongoing efforts by NMCG aimed to ensuring convergence of the

Namami Gange Mission with national flagship urban missions (AMRUT, Smart Cities, Swachh Bharat

Mission, HRIDAY, NULM) and other missions (Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Jal Shakti

Abhiyan) at state /city level across Ganga basin states.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), we have explained each article in detail in previous

section.

CA41. Cabinet Approves Amendment to DICGC Act The Union Cabinet approved amendment to the DICGC Act to provide account holders access to up

to Rs 5 lakh funds within 90 days of a bank coming under moratorium to ensure timely support to

depositors.

Explanation:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1739673



Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) provides insurance to the depositor’s

money in banks. If a bank goes bankrupt then people are insured of Rs. 5 lakh amount (including

principal plus interest) per bank. So, if someone has an account with Axis bank with Rs. 20 lakh

deposits. he will get only Rs. 5 lakhs. And if someone has four accounts in Axis each having Rs. 5

lakhs then only he will get only Rs. 5 lakhs in total. This limit was increased to Rs. 5 lakhs from Rs.

1 lakh last year. But it used to take a lot of time for depositors generally 8 to 10 years to get their

money back only after the completion of the liquidation procedure of the bank.

Now, what Cabinet has approved yesterday is (and that was also promised in this year budget) ... If a

bank has not gone bankrupt but is not doing well and RBI has imposed moratorium/restrictions on

withdrawal of deposits to improve the condition of the bank (by bringing in change of management

and other measures) ... then in that case also DICGC will have to pay to depositors Rs. 5 lakhs

(maximum, depending on what is in your account) within 90 days. This was a major issue for

depositors as in the last few years several banks had cases related to fraud and were not doing well

and RBI imposed moratorium/restrictions on public deposit withdrawal.

For the above two cases banks pay premium to DICGC. Basically, DICGC Act compels all the banks

(except few cooperative banks like which are not regulated by RBI and do not fall under Banking

Regulation Act 1949... for details check the book) to purchase insurance for their depositors from

DICGC by paying some premium to DICGC. (This is a "regulation of banks" function of RBI).

CA42. Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) The University Grants Commission (UGC) notified the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), an academic

service mechanism for storing and transferring of academic credits of a student. The scheme is in

line with the new National Education Policy.

What it means?

The ABC will provide the opportunity for students to tailor their degrees or make specific

modifications or specialisations rather than undergoing the rigid, regularly prescribed degree or

courses of a single university or autonomous college. It will also permit students to choose a pace for

their studies along with the associated logistics and costs, the notification says.

Similar to a bank account, the credit bank will be a repository where students’ academic credits —

calculated on the basis of classwork and tutorials — will be stored. Simply put, with the help of ABC,

a student can avail multiple entry and exit options in higher education institutions and opt for a

tailor-made degree. They can choose to study one course in a year in one institution and switch to

another one the next year.

ABC shall be established, on the lines of the National Academic Depository (NAD), which stores a

student’s academic documents and shall have a website providing all details of ABC and its

operational mechanism for the use of all stakeholders of higher education.

CA43. Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) CA|TS is a set of criteria which allows tiger sites to check if their management will lead to

successful tiger conservation. CA|TS is organised under seven pillars and 17 elements of critical

management activity.



CA|TS was developed by tiger and protected area experts. Officially launched in 2013, CA|TS is an

important part of Tx2, the global goal to double wild tiger numbers by the year 2022.

Until CA|TS, there has not been a set of criteria which not only provide clarity on management of

tiger sites, but also encourage further development and sharing of best practice across the tiger

range countries.

CA|TS is a partnership of tiger range governments, inter-governmental agencies, institutions, NGOs

and conservation organisations and is also being adopted for use beyond tigers, including

potentially jaguars, lions, and freshwater dolphins. Tigers are the first species selected for the

initiative.

With respect to India:

On the eve of Global Tiger Day 2020, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of India have announced the adoption of the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards [CA|TS] across all of the country’s 50 tiger reserves.

The accreditation has been granted to 14 reserves in India. The 14 reserves are Manas, Kaziranga,

and Orang (Assam); Sundarbans (West Bengal); Valmiki (Bihar); Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh); Panna,

Kanha, Satpuda and Pench (Madhya Pradesh); Anamalai and Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu);

Parambikulam (Kerala) and Bandipur (Karnataka).



CA44. Red algal blooms on glaciers is a now regular phenomenon all

over the world.

The peculiar phenomenon – sometimes known as blood snow – is the result of a defence

mechanism produced by microscopic algae that grow in the Alpine snow. Normally these

microalgae have a green colour as they contain chlorophyll, the family of pigments produced by

most plants to help them absorb energy from sunlight. However, when the snow algae grow

prolifically and are exposed to strong solar radiation, they produce red-coloured pigment molecules

known as carotenoids, which act as a sunshield to protect their chlorophyll.

It isn't the only type of microalgae responsible for red snow though. Several other types, such as

Chlamydomonas nivalis and an algae found growing close to Antarctic penguin colonies called

Chloromonas polyptera, also produce pigments to create red and pink stained snow.

This increasing abundance of red snow algae may also be contributing to climate change too. The

red pigment turns the snow surface dark, reducing the amount of light and heat it reflects back

into space – something known as the albedo effect. By trapping more of the Sun's heat, the snow

melts even faster, allowing the algae to proliferate further.

Studies have shown red algal blooms occur on glaciers all over the world, from Antarctica to the

Himalayas and in the Arctic.

CA45. The concept of "Crowding out" and "Crowding in" economics Our Chief Economic Advisor is saying that if Govt. will borrow more and spend more it will result in

"crowding in" of private investment while a SEBI member Mr. G Mahalingam is saying that increased

Govt. borrowing (which govt. has planned for this year because of Covid-19) will "crowd out" private

investment.

Now let me explain "Crowding out" and "Crowding in":

CROWDING OUT: If the economy is in boom phase and the economic resources are fully utilized

then if government incurs fiscal deficit, there is a decrease in private investment due to reduction in

the amount of savings available to the private sector. This is because if the government decides to



borrow from the private citizens by issuing bonds to finance deficits, these bonds (which are risk

free) will compete with corporate bonds and other financial instruments for the available supply of

funds. If people decide to buy government bonds, the funds remaining to be invested in private

sector will be less. Thus, some private/corporate borrowers will get "crowded out" (displaced) of the

financial markets as the government claims an increasing share of the economy's total savings.

CROWDING IN: Opposite of crowding out is "crowding in" where private investment increases as

debt financed government spending increases. If in the economy there are unutilized resources or

the economy is in slowdown/recession, then an increased government spending boosts the demand

for goods which in turn increases the private sector demand for new output sources such as

factories, equipment. Thus, the private sector crowds in (gets pulled in) to satisfy increasing

consumer needs.

In this year Economic Survey (2020-21), which is authored by Chief Economic Advisor, he has

strongly supported that in the present situation (covid-19 induced slowdown), if Govt will borrow

more and spend more, then there will be "crowding in" rather than "crowding out". And he has

also used that data to support the argument that "India has never faced crowing out in the last 30

years post liberalization". He has also said that we should not worry much about increasing Debt

rather we should focus more on growth because higher growth leads to lower Debt/GDP ratio

because of increase in GDP (denominator) BUT lower debt does not necessarily lead to higher

growth. He has also supported "Counter-cyclical fiscal policy" in the present time which means in a

slowing economy (due to covid) Govt. should spend more.

Below are some excerpts from this year economic survey supporting crowding in:



CA46. Earth Overshoot Day Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services

in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. We maintain this deficit by

liquidating stocks of ecological resources and accumulating waste, primarily carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere.

Earth Overshoot Day is hosted and calculated by Global Footprint Network, an international

research organization that provides decision-makers with a menu of tools to help the human

economy operate within Earth’s ecological limits.

(Earth’s Biocapacity / Humanity’s Ecological Footprint) x 365 = Earth Overshoot Day

Earth Overshoot Day 2021 lands on July 29.



CA47. Social Audit of Social Sector Schemes The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme, namely Information-

Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA) in FY 2021-22. Under this scheme, Social Audits

are to be conducted for all the schemes of the Department starting FY 2021-22. These social audits

are done through Social Audit Units (SAU) of the States and National Institute for Rural Development

and Panchayati Raj.

july current affairs part 2(2021)

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