Post on 24-Nov-2021
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April Monthly Current Affairs 2021
The Hindu and Indian Express in 5 Minutes
APRIL 2021
Anubhav Deepani
Polity
• No News.
Governance
Farm Laws
• News Context: Supreme Court-appointed panel
submitted report on 3 agricultural reform laws.
3 Farm laws are:
• The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce
(Promotion and Facilitation) Act.
• The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.
• The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection)
Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services
Act.
Issues with farm Laws:
• Government says, ‘These laws will liberate
farmers from middlemen’.
• Farmers says, ‘They will lose more than they
could gain’.
o ‘The main beneficiaries will be
agricultural corporations.’
Provisions of farm Laws:
• It makes easier for farmers to bypass government-
regulated markets (Mandis) and sell products
directly to private buyers.
• Farmers can enter into contracts with private
companies, known as contract farming, and sell
across state borders.
Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in
Legislative Assembly
• News Context: Haryana has amended several
provisions under this.
New Provisions:
• At least 2 ministers must be present during every
sitting of House.
• Members ‘shall not tear off documents in House in
protest’.
• Speaker shall allow not more than 2
supplementary questions to be asked on any
question.
• New definition of Leader of Opposition:
o Leader of a Party having largest number
of members in opposition.
o It must have strength at least equal to
strength of Quorum.
National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021
Provisions of the Policy:
• Rare diseases patients will be eligible for one-time
treatment under Ayushman Bharat.
• This policy will not just be beneficial for BPL
families, but will be extended to 40% Population.
• Categorization of rare diseases into 3 groups:
o One-time curative treatment.
o Long term or Lifelong Treatment.
o Definitive treatment is available but tough
to make optimal patient selection for
benefit.
Issue related to policy:
• It increases Government support from ₹15 lakh to
₹20 lakh.
o But it does not match actual costs of
treatment.
• Lack of funding.
Rare Disease (Orphan Disease):
• It affects small portion of population.
o Most rare diseases are genetic.
• They present throughout a person’s life, even if
symptoms do not immediately appear.
Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of
Service) Ordinance, 2021
Changes under Reform:
• It dissolves few existing appellate bodies and
transfer it to other existing judicial bodies.
• It empowers Centre to make rules for:
o Qualifications, Appointment, Term of
office, Salaries and Allowances.
o Resignation, Removal, Other terms and
conditions of service.
• Chairperson and Members of Tribunals will be
appointed by Centre on recommendation of
Selection Committee.
o Committee will be headed by CJI or a
Supreme Court judge nominated by him.
• Tenure of Chairperson: 4 years or till the age of
70 years.
• Tenure of other Members: 4 years or till age of
67 years.
Transfer and Posting of Vigilance Units
• News Context: CVC has modified guidelines of
transfer and posting of officials in the vigilance
units.
• Vigilance officers to be transferred every 3
years.
Guidelines:
• Personnel can have 2 continuous postings in
vigilance units at different places of posting.
o Each running to a maximum of 3 years.
• Personnel who have worked for over 3 years at
one place should be transferred in phases.
• Priority given to those who have served for
maximum period.
• Those having completed over 5 years at one place
should be shifted on top priority.
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April Monthly Current Affairs 2021
Draft National Migrant Labour Policy
• NITI Aayog has drafted this.
• It is to better recognize migrants’ contribution to
economy and support them.
Recommendations:
• Facilitate Migration: Migration should be
acknowledged as an integral part of development.
o Government policies should not hinder
but seek to facilitate internal migration.
• Increase Wages: To raise minimum wages.
o It will fill demand and supply gap.
• To create new National Migration Policy.
• Formation of a special unit within Labour
Ministry.
Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), 1983
• It was a statutory body constituted by I&B
Ministry, under Cinematograph Act, 1952.
• It was to hear appeals filed under Section 5C of
Cinematograph Act.
• The appeals were against the decision of Central
Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
• Headquarter: New Delhi.
• Composition: Chairperson and 4 members.
o It includes Secretary appointed by
Government.
• Implications of the move:
o Filmmakers will now approach High
Court if they want to challenge CBFC
certification.
• News Context: Government has abolished FCAT
by Tribunals Reforms (Rationalization and
Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021.
Darbar Move
• It is a century-old practice in which Government
functioned for 6 months each in 2 capitals of
Srinagar and Jammu.
• It was started in 19th century by Ranbir Singh,
Maharaja of J&K.
• It was started to take administration to doorstep
of people of Kashmir.
Criticisms
• It is wastage of of time, efforts and energy.
• It taxes for security forces too.
• It leads to lack of governance.
• It delays in justice as Government records are
not available in one region for 6 months at a time.
• Valuable and sensitive documents are put to risk
in transportation.
• There is no constitutional basis for Darbar Move
tradition. -J&K High Court.
• News Context: It is set to be broken partially then
permanently.
Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN),
2019
• News Context: Nagaland wants to revive RIIN
exercise.
• It is to prevent outsiders from obtaining fake
indigenous certificates for seeking jobs and
benefits of Nagaland Government schemes.
• It will be the list of all indigenous inhabitants of
state.
Students & Teachers’ Holistic Advancement through
Quality Education (SARTHAQ)
• News Context: Education Minister released an
indicative and suggestive implementation for this.
• It is launched for goals of NEP-2020, to assist
States and UTs.
The plan includes:
• All-around development for students at primary
and secondary level.
• Safe, inclusive, conducive learning environment
for students and teachers.
• Curriculum reforms, New National-State
curriculum frameworks for school education.
• Early childhood care and education, Enrollment
ratio.
• Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Vocational
education.
• Sports, Arts, Awareness of environment, Teacher
Education Programmes.
Mettur-Sarabanga Lift Irrigation Project
• It is implemented by Tamil Nadu.
• It is to irrigate 4,200 acres of land in Edappadi,
Omalur, Sankagiri, Mettur taluks.
o Diverting surplus water from Mettur
reservoir.
• News Context: NGT allowed the project to
proceed.
Transport 4 All (T4All) Challenge
• It is launched by:
o Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry.
o Institute for Transportation and
Development Policy (ITDP).
• It is to develop solutions to improve public
transport.
• It brings together:
o Cities, Citizen Groups, Start-ups.
Start-Up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
• It to provide financial assistance to start ups for:
o Proof of concept, prototype development.
o Product trials, Market entry,
Commercialization.
• Nodal Department: Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade.
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April Monthly Current Affairs 2021
Haryana Recovery of Damages to Property During
Disturbance to Public Order Act, 2021
• It allows authorities to recover compensation
from violent protesters who cause damage to
property.
• News Context: Protest against the act.
Cybercrime Volunteer Programme
• It brings citizens together to serve nation on
single platform.
• It contributes in fight against cybercrime in
country.
• News context: Home Ministry said, it does not
maintain a centralized list of volunteers enrolled
under this programme.
Compulsory Licensing
• It is issued by government that allows company
or individual seeking other’s intellectual
property to use it.
o In which, Consent of IPR owner is not
included.
• IPR is dealt with compulsory licensing in India
by:
o Indian Patents Act 1970.
o Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects.
Project Ladakh Ignited Minds: A Centre of Excellence
and Wellness
• It is initiated by Indian Army.
• It is to provide better educational opportunities
for Ladakhi students.
SWAMITVA Scheme
• It comes under Panchayati Raj ministry.
• It is to map residential land ownership in rural
sector using modern technology like, drones.
• It will revolutionize property record maintenance
in India.
• Property card for every property will be prepared
by states.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
• It fulfils India’s treaty obligations under:
o Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
o Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
o UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances.
• It sets out statutory framework for drug law
enforcement in India.
• Under this:
o Cultivation, Production, Manufacture,
Consumption.
o Possession, Sale, Purchase,
Transportation, Warehousing.
o Inter-State movement, Trans-shipment etc.
is prohibited.
• Note: It does not include medical or scientific
purposes.
• Governments are empowered to appoint officers for
this Act.
• News Context: Punjab approves a reward policy to
encourage information and inputs related to this
act.
‘2 Children’ Service Rule for Maharashtra government
Employees
• Maharashtra Civil Services (Declaration of
Small Family) Rule of 2005 defines a small
family as:
o Wife, husband, 2 children.
• Under this, a person is not eligible for a job with
Maharashtra Government, if:
o He or She has more than 2 children after
2005.
• Note: This definition does not include adopted
children.
Elections
• No News.
Judiciary
Chief Justice of India
Justice N.V. Ramana: 48th CJI.
Supreme Court on Rohingyas in Jammu
• News Context:
o Supreme Court said illegal Rohingyas
migrants, detained in Jammu, will not be
deported to Myanmar without following
law.
Supreme court saying on the Issue:
• Article 14 and Article 21 are available to both
citizens and foreigners.
o The right “not to be deported” is
ancillary to citizenship.
Laws and Regulations Regulating Refugees in India:
• No legislation has been passed that specifically
refers to refugees.
• Rohingya refugees are seen as illegal immigrants
deported by Government under Foreigners Act
1946 and Foreigners Order 1948.
• Legally, refugees are special category of
immigrants and cannot be seen as illegal
immigrant.
Delhi HC on Salary and Pension
• Salary and Pensions are fundamental rights of all
employees: Delhi HC.
• Non-availability of funds cannot be a ground to
deny salaries and pension on time.
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April Monthly Current Affairs 2021
Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006)
• This judgement deals with Police Reforms, which
should have been brought in all states and UTs.
• News Context:
o Supreme Court stated, this judgment is
used only as a mantra, to suit the
occasion whenever it arises.
Measures suggested by Supreme Court:
• Fixing the tenure and selection of DGP.
• No political interference, a minimum tenure was
sought for IG.
• Postings of officers should be done by Police
Establishment Boards (PEB).
o Comprising of Police Officers and Senior
Bureaucrats.
• To set up State Police Complaints Authority
(SPCA).
o A platform where common people
aggrieved by police action could
approach.
International Relations
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)/ Iran
Nuclear Deal
• This deal was negotiated in 2013-15 among:
o Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia,
UK, USA, EU.
• Under the deal, Iran agreed to cut its stores of
enriched uranium and heavy water.
o Which are all key components for nuclear
weapons.
Issues and Concern:
• USA pulled itself out of the deal in 2018.
• Sanctions were imposed on Iran.
• Iran started increasing its enrichment of
uranium.
• News Context: USA and Iran will negotiate to
revive this deal.
Uighurs
• They are Muslim minorities in China’s
northwestern Xinjiang province.
• They claim closer ethnic ties to Turkey, Central
Asian countries than to China.
• News Context: Japanese Foreign Minister
Toshimitsu Motegi has expressed concerns about
human rights situation of Uighurs.
E9 initiative
• It aims to accelerate SDG 4 agenda.
• It is to bring rapid changes in education systems
in 3 of 2020 Global Education Meeting
priorities:
o Support to Teachers.
o Investment in Skills.
o Narrowing the Digital Divide.
• Participants: UN, E9 countries (Bangladesh,
Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico,
Nigeria, Pakistan).
Bhutan and China Boundary Discussions
• Discussion will be focused on 2 disputed areas:
Pasamlung and Jakarlung valleys.
• They are to North of Bhutan and Doklam to the
West of Bhutan, along the tri-junction with
India.
• Background:
o China raised objection to grant for
Bhutan’s Sakteng Sanctuary to the East
frontier, saying that it was disputed.
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Freedom of Navigation
• It is an international law that ships flying the flag
of any sovereign state shall not suffer
interference from other states.
o Apart from exceptions provided for in
international law.
• It is defined as:
o Freedom of movement for vessels,
Freedom to enter ports.
o To make use of plant and docks, to load
and unload goods.
o To transport goods and passengers.
• This right is codified as Article 87(1) of 1982 UN
Convention on Law of Sea.
• USA has neither signed nor ratified the
convention.
o However, USA enforces practice.
• Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP)
involves passages conducted by US Navy through
waters claimed by coastal nations as their
exclusive territory.
• News Context:
o USA Navy conducted FONOP in India’s
EEZ near Lakshadweep without seeking
India’s consent.
Vaccine Passports
• It is an electronic record of vaccination, in form
of a QR code.
• It is accessible through smartphone.
• It is mostly used for International travel.
• Note: Israel became 1st country to introduce it.
World Organisation for Animal Health (Office
International des Epizooties: OIE), 1924
• It is an intergovernmental organization to
support and promote animal disease control.
• News Context: WHO, OIE, UNEP called for a halt
to sale of live wild mammals in food markets to
prevent the emergence of new diseases such as
COVID-19.
Net Zero Producers’ Forum
• It is cooperative forum to develop pragmatic net
zero emission strategies.
• Members: Qatar, USA, Saudi Arabia, Canada,
Norway.
• Roles and functions of Net Zero Producers’
Forum:
o To consider strategies and technologies
which include:
o Methane Abatement, Advancing circular
carbon economy approach.
o Development and deployment of clean
energy.
o Carbon capture and storage technologies.
o Diversification from reliance on
hydrocarbon revenues.
Net-Zero:
• It is referred as carbon-neutrality.
• It does not mean that a country would bring down
its emissions to zero.
• It is a state where country’s emissions are
compensated by absorption and removal of
greenhouse gases.
NATO to exit Afghanistan.
• Covered in The Hindu.
UN Food Systems Summit 2021
• News Context: India Holds National Dialogue on
UN Food Systems Summit 2021.
• It strategizes actions for positive change in Agri-
food systems in World.
• It also helps in vision of SDG 2030 Agenda.
• Food Systems
o It involves activities of producing,
processing, transporting, consuming
food.
o It touches every aspect of human
existence.
Report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange
Policies of Major Trading Partners of USA
• It is released by USA Treasury.
• It reviews currency practices of USA’s 20 biggest
trading partners.
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• There are 3 criteria are used to review partners:
o A significant (at least $20 billion) bilateral
trade surplus.
o A material current account surplus.
o Persistent one-sided intervention in forex
markets.
Highlights of report and India:
• India is one of 11 countries on the ‘Monitoring
List’ with regard to their currency practices.
Currency Manipulation:
• When countries deliberately influence exchange
rate between their currency.
o If US dollar to gain “unfair competitive
advantage in international trade”.
Travel Bubble
• News Context: Sri Lanka to postpone travel
bubble with India.
• Creating a travel bubble involves:
o Reconnecting countries or states that
have shown success in containing
pandemic.
Bao Forum, 2001
• It was initiated by 25 Asian countries and
Australia.
• It is a non-profit organisation.
• It has provided a high-end platform for:
o Political, Business, academic leaders in
Asia and world.
• It is built on World Economic Forum idea.
• It promotes regional economic integration.
o It brings Asian countries closer to their
development goals.
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
(USCIRF) Report
• It designated 14 countries as Countries of
particular concern (CPCs).
• As their governments are engaged in or tolerate:
o Systematic, ongoing violations of
religious freedom.
• Note: It also includes India.
Karen National Union (KNU)
• It is a political organisation representing ethnic
Karen minority communities in Karen,
bordering Thailand.
• Demands:
o Karen nationalists have been fighting
for an independent state known as
Kawthoolei since 1949.
Cities Combating Plastic Entering Marine Environment
• India and Germany signed this Technical
Cooperation agreement.
• It is for ‘Prevention of Marine Litter’.
• It is to prevent plastic entering marine
environment.
• Implemented Regions: UP, Kerala, Andaman &
Nicobar Islands.
Project Dantak, 1961
• It was tasked to construct pioneering motorable
roads in Bhutan Kingdom.
• It included:
o Paro Airport, Yonphula Airfield.
o Thimphu-Trashigang Highway.
o Telecommunication & Hydro Power
Infrastructure.
o Sherubtse College, Kanglung and India
House Estate.
• News Context: This project completed 60 years.
India’s CAG as external auditor of Organisation for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
• News Context: India’s CAG is elected as external
auditor by OPCW for 3 years.
• Appointment was made through an election
process at OPCW conference.
• India was selected as executive council member of
OPCW.
o India will represent Asia group.
• Executive Council:
o It is governing body of OPCW.
o Members: 41
o It supervises activities of Technical
Secretariat.
o It effectively implements Convention.
• OPCW: Covered in PT 360.
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Kowloon Peninsula
• Hong Kong will grant a site on western Kowloon
peninsula to China’s national security office as
permanent base.
• It forms southern part of main landmass in Hong
Kong.
Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI)
• India, Japan, Australia have launched it.
• Its a move to counter China’s dominance of
supply chain in Indo-Pacific region.
• It will enhance supply chain to attain strong,
sustainable, balanced, inclusive growth in region.
• It will promote investment events, buyer-seller
matching events to explore possibility of
diversification of their supply chains.
• It includes:
o Utilization of Digital Technology.
o Trade and investment diversification.
Human Rights Watch, 1978
• It is an international non-governmental
organization.
• It conducts research and advocacy on human
rights.
• It pressures governments, policy makers,
companies, individual human rights abusers to
follow the policies.
• It works on behalf of refugees, children,
migrants, political prisoners.
• Headquarter: New York City.
• News Context:
o Human Rights Watch said on that Israel
is committing crime of to maintain
Jewish domination over Palestinians.
Armenian Genocide, Turkey
• It happened between 1915-22, during 1st World
War.
• News Context: US President to formally
acknowledge Armenian Genocide.
o Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day:
April 24.
Economy
Inflation Targeting
• It is a central banking policy that revolves around
adjusting monetary policy to achieve a specified
annual rate of inflation.
• It is for long-term economic growth, which is
achieved by maintaining price stability.
• 2016 Amendment to RBI Act, 1934:
o It provides Inflation target to be set by the
Government in consultation with RBI,
once in 5 years.
• Current Inflation Target:
o 4% CPI inflation as the target for the
period from 2016 to 2021.
o Upper limit of 6%.
o Lower Limit of 2%.
Harmonized System of Nomenclature Code (HSN)/
Harmonized System (HS)
• It is a 6-digit identification code.
• It is developed by World Customs Organization
(WCO).
• It is called ‘Universal Economic Language’ for
goods.
• It is a multipurpose international product
nomenclature.
• The system currently comprises of around 5,000
commodity groups.
Significance:
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• It makes customs tariffs, gathering international
trade statistics, making trade policies, monitoring
goods easy.
• It helps in harmonize customs and trade
procedures, reduces costs in international trade.
News Context:
• It is mandatory for GST taxpayer to have more
than Rs 5 crore in preceding financial year, to get
6 digits HSN Code.
Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP) (Digital
RMB/ Renminbi)
• It is China’s digital currency.
• It can be downloaded and exchanged via an
application authorized by People’s Bank of
China.
Features of Digital Currency:
• It is a legal tender guaranteed by central bank, not
a payment guaranteed by a 3rd party operator.
• There is no 3rd party transaction, hence, no
transaction fee.
• This digital currency does not require Internet
connectivity.
• The payment is made through Near-field
Communication (NFC) technology.
Public Debt
• It is total amount borrowed by Government of a
country.
• It includes total liabilities of government that
have to be paid from Consolidated Fund.
o It excludes liabilities contracted against
Public Account.
o As per Article 292.
• There are Internal and External debt.
• Sources of Public Debt:
o Dated government securities or G-secs.
o Treasury Bills or T-bills.
o External Assistance.
o Short term borrowings.
• News Context: According to Moody’s Investors
Service:
o India’s public debt level is among
highest in emerging economies.
National Start-up Advisory Council (NSAC)
• It is constituted by Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• It advises Government on:
o To create an ecosystem for innovation
and start-ups.
o To drive sustainable economic growth.
o To generate large scale employment
opportunities.
• Organization:
o Chairman: Commerce & Industry
Minister.
o Non-Official members: Nominated by
Government.
o Members: Not below rank of Joint
Secretary.
Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC)
• It is a specialized financial institution that buys
Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) from banks and
financial institutions.
o So that they can clean up their balance
sheets.
• Banks need not to go after defaulters.
o They can sell bad assets to ARCs at a
mutually agreed value.
• Note: ARCs are registered under RBI.
• News Context: RBI has set up Sudarshan Sen
Committee to undertake a comprehensive review
of (ARCs).
AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers on Innovations,
Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship)
• It is launched by Atal Innovation Mission with
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• It is to promote science-based deep-tech startups
& ventures across India.
Means Advances (WMA) Scheme, 1997
• It put end to old system of Temporary Treasury
Bills to finance Government deficit.
Ways and Means Advances
• They are temporary loan facilities provided by
RBI to Government.
• It fulfils temporary gaps between revenue and
expenditure.
• Government makes interest payment to RBI,
when it borrows money.
o Interest rate is same as Repo rate.
• limits for WMA are mutually decided by RBI
and Government.
• News Context: RBI to continue with existing
WMA scheme limit.
o Increased limit comes when government
expenditure can rise.
Health
MANAS (Mental Health and Normalcy Augmentation
System)
• It is a national program by PM’s Science,
Technology, Innovation Advisory Council (PM-
STIAC).
• It is national digital wellbeing platform.
• It is to check mental well-being of Indian citizens.
CoWIN
• It is a cloud-based IT solution for:
o Planning, Implementation.
o Monitoring, Evaluation of Covid-19
vaccination in India.
• Co-WIN platform comes under Health Ministry.
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Art & Culture
Uruka
• A day before Magh Bihu is known as Uruka.
• Last day of Poush month as per Assamese
calendar.
• Bihu is a set of 3 important Assamese festivals,
which includes:
o Rongali or Bohag Bihu in April.
o Kongali or Kati Bihu in October.
o Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January.
Places of worship Act, 1991
• Covered in The Hindu.
International Day for Monuments and Sites, 18th April
• It is marked by UN.
• It is also known World Heritage Day.
• Theme: “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”.
• It is promoted by International Council on
Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
Dekho Apna Desh
• This Webinar Series is an effort to showcase
India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha
Bharat.
• News Context: Tourism Ministry organised
webinar on Khajuraho under Dekho Apna Desh.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award, 1969
• It is presented annually at National Film Awards
for outstanding contribution to the growth and
development of Indian Cinema.
• It is set up by Information and Broadcasting
Ministry.
• The award is to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke's,
known as ‘Father of Indian cinema’.
• News Context: 2019 Award: Rajinikanth.
Society
Stand-Up India Scheme
• It is to promote entrepreneurship at the grass-root
level among women, SC, ST.
• Eligibility under this Scheme:
o SC/ST and/or women entrepreneurs,
above 18 years.
o Loans are available for only Greenfield
project.
o Borrower should not be in default to any
bank or financial institution.
My Body is My Own
• It is a report launched by UN Population Fund’s
(UNFPA).
• It is 1st UN report to focus on bodily autonomy.
• Bodily Autonomy
o Power to make choices about your body
without fear of violence or having
someone else decide for you.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) (UN Fund for
Population Activities), 1969:
• It is an UN sexual and reproductive health
agency.
• It improves reproductive and maternal health
worldwide.
• It includes:
o Developing national healthcare strategies
and protocols.
o Increasing access to birth control.
o Leading campaigns against child marriage.
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o Gender-based violence.
o Obstetric Fistula.
o Female genital mutilation.
Plea to Decriminalize Begging
• The plea refers 2018 verdict of Delhi HC.
o Which had decriminalized begging in
capital.
• It used Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959.
o Which treats begging as an offence and
against constitutional scrutiny.
Gender Samvaad
• It is a joint attempt between:
o Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National
Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-
NRLM).
o Initiative for What Works to Advance
Women and Girls in the Economy
(IWWAGE).
• It is to create a common platform to share
experiences emerging from this effort.
• It is to generate awareness on gender related
interventions.
Enviornment, Geography & maps
Desert Dust and Indian Summer Monsoon
• Dust is known to influence monsoons, hurricanes
and fertilize rainforests.
• Dust coming from deserts in the West, Central
and East Asia plays important role in Indian
Summer Monsoon.
Reverse effect
• Indian Summer Monsoon has a reverse effect and
can increase winds in West Asia to produce yet
more dust.
• Dust from desert when lifted by strong winds can
absorb solar radiation and become hot.
• This can cause following phenomena:
o Heating of Atmosphere, Change Air
Pressure.
o Wind Circulation Patterns, Influence
Moisture Transport.
o Increase Precipitation and Rainfall.
• A strong monsoon can also transport air to West
Asia and again pick up a lot of dust.
• Not just the dust from the Middle East (West
Asia), Iranian Plateau also influences Indian
Summer Monsoon.
o Hot air over Iranian Plateau can heat
atmosphere over plateau.
• It can strengthen the circulation over Arabian
Peninsula deserts and increase dust emission
from West Asia.
Mahendragiri Biosphere Reserve
• Odisha has proposed this to be 2nd Biosphere
Reserve of state.
• The 1st is Simlipal Biosphere.
Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA), 1980
• It regulates deforestation in India.
• It prohibits felling of forests for any ‘non-
forestry’ use without prior clearance by Centre.
• Clearance process includes consent from locals
and from wildlife authorities.
• Centre can reject or allow such requests with legal
boundation.
• News Context:
o Environment Ministry has proposed some
amendments FCA.
Draft Amendments:
• To grant exemptions to railways, roads, tree
plantations, oil exploration, wildlife tourism,
strategic projects in forests.
• To empower states to lease forest land to private
individuals and corporations.
• To create ‘no-go’ areas, where specific projects
would not be allowed.
• Issue and concerns:
o It would violate provisions of
Godavarman vs UOI, 1996.
o Other common environment concerns.
Heat Waves
• It is considered when:
o Maximum temperature touches at least 40
degrees Celsius or more for plains.
o 37 degrees Celsius or more for coastal
regions.
o At least 30 degrees Celsius or more for
hilly regions.
Criteria
• Heatwave is declared when:
o Departure from normal temperature is by
4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius.
• Severe Heatwave is when:
o Departure from normal is more than 6.4
degrees Celsius.
News Context: Heat wave conditions over Rajasthan,
Vidarbha, interior Tamil Nadu.
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Boosting yield From Poppy/Opium
• News Context: Government has decided to rope
opium in private sector.
• It is to increase production of concentrated
poppy from India’s opium crop to boost yield of
alkaloids.
• Alkaloids: They are used for medical purposes.
• Few countries are permitted to cultivate opium
for export and extraction of alkaloids.
• India only extracts alkaloids from opium gum
under control of Revenue Department.
• Farmers extract gum by manually lancing opium
pods and sell it to Government factories.
Red sea (Erythraean Sea)
• It is between Africa and Asia.
• Salinity of Red Sea is greater than world
average, 4%.
• This is due to several factors:
o Lack of significant rivers draining into
sea.
o Limited connection with Indian Ocean,
which has lower water salinity.
o High rate of evaporation and very little
precipitation.
Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins
• Protection Status:
o IUCN: Endangered.
o CITES: Appendix I.
• Habitation: Indian Ocean.
Ganga and Irawadi Dolphins
• Covered in The Hindu and PT 360.
Indo- Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins
• Protection Status:
o IUCN status: Near Threatened.
• Habitation: India, Northern Australia, South
China, Red Sea, Eastern African coast.
Doomsday Glacier (Thwaites Glacier), Antarctica
• It has a size of 1.9 lakh square km.
• It contains enough water to raise world sea level
by half metre.
• Concern: Melting of this Glacier.
Seroja
• It is a tropical cyclone formed near western
Australian coast.
• Seroja means lotus in Indonesian.
Umngot River, Meghalaya
• It is India’s clearest river.
• It is a natural boundary between Jaintia Hills and
Khasi Hills.
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Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020), 2005
• It is an initiative of Assam, WWF India,
International Rhino Foundation etc.
• It is to increase Rhino population in Assam to
3,000.
• Rhinos found in 4 Protected Areas in Assam:
o Pabitora Wildlife Reserve.
o Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.
o Kaziranga National Park, Manas National
Park.
One- horned rhinos (Indian Rhinos):
• It is largest rhino species.
• Protection Status:
o IUCN: Vulnerable.
o CITES: Appendix I
o Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule
I
• News Context: 2 one-horned rhinos translocated
from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to Manas
National Park, under this Vision.
Monkey Dactyl (Kunpengopterus Antipollicatus)
• It is a flying reptile with the ‘oldest opposable
thumbs’.
• New pterosaur fossil was discovered in Liaoning,
China.
• They were close cousins of dinosaurs.
• Opposable Thumb:
o It can simultaneously flex, abduct and
rotate thumb.
o In a way that tip of thumb could touch
tips of other fingers.
Cholistan Desert, Pakistan
• News Context: Shooting of 2 Great Indian
Bustards (GIBs).
• Great Indian Bustrad: Covered in PT 360 and
The Hindu.
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April Monthly Current Affairs 2021
Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation
Planning in India Using a Common Framework Report
• It identifies most vulnerable states and districts
in India.
o With respect to current climate risk and
key drivers of vulnerability.
• It has identified following states highly vulnerable
to climate change:
o Jharkhand, Mizoram, Orissa.
o Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar.
o Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal.
Earth Day, April 22
• 2021 theme: Restore Our Earth.
• It was 1st observed in 1970.
• Note: Paris Agreement was signed on Earth Day,
2016.
Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs
(CCSCH), 2013
• It elaborates worldwide standards for spices and
culinary herbs.
• It consults with other international organizations
for standards development process to avoid
duplication.
• Host Country: India.
• Secretariat: Spices Board (Commerce and
Industry Ministry).
• News Context: Its 5th session was inaugurated by
FSSAI.
Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), 1963:
• It is an intergovernmental body.
• It was established by:
o Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
o WHO.
• It was within framework of Joint Food
Standards Programme.
• Secretariat: FAO Headquarters, Rome.
• It protects health of consumers and ensures
fair practices in food trade.
• Members: 189.
Food & Nutrition
Production-linked Incentive Scheme
• It is a scheme for food processing industry.
Objectives:
• To creation of global food manufacturing.
• To strengthen Indian brand of food products
for wider acceptance in international markets.
• To create employment opportunities for off-
farm jobs.
• To ensure remunerative prices of farm
produce and higher income to farmers.
Significance:
• It includes ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat
foods.
• processed fruits and vegetables, marine products.
• Organic products, Poultry.
MACS 1407
• It is a high-yielding and pest-resistant variety of
soybean.
• Suitable Cultivation States:
o Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand,
Chhattisgarh, North-Eastern states.
• It was developed using conventional Cross
Breeding Technique.
Science & Technology
Baikal-GVD (Gigaton Volume Detector)
• It is one of 3 largest Neutrino Detectors in the
world.
o Other 2 are: Ice-Cube at South Pole.
o ANTARES in Mediterranean Sea.
• Aim: To study elusive fundamental particles
called neutrinos and to determine their sources.
Neutrinos:
• They are 2nd most widely occurring particle in
universe, only 2nd to photons.
• The particle which makes up light.
• News Context: Russia launched underwater
neutrino telescopes.
o It is launched in Lake Baikail, world’s
deepest lake in Siberia.
Rapid Diagnosis of Dengue
• IIT Delhi have developed a handheld Surface
Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS).
• It is for early diagnosis of dengue and gives
dengue test results within an hour.
• Conventional diagnostic tools like nucleic acid
detection using Reverse Transcriptase
Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is a time-
taking process.
• It also requires expensive equipment.
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Plasma Therapy
• Plasma is liquid part of blood.
• Convalescent plasma, extracted from patients’
blood recovering from an infection, is a source
of antibodies against infection.
• This therapy involves using their plasma to help
others recover.
• For Covid-19, this has been one of the treatment
options.
• The donor has to be a documented case of Covid-
19 and healthy for 28 days since last symptoms.
African Swine Fever (ASF)
• It is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease.
• It infects domestic and wild pigs, as mortality is
close to 100%.
• It is typically resulting in an acute form of
hemorrhagic fever.
• It was 1st detected in Africa in 1920s.
• It has no cure, besides killing the animals.
• It is not a threat to humans, as it spreads from
animals to animals.
• News Context: ASF has killed 276 domestic pigs
in Mizoram.
B.1.617
• It is Double mutant strain of COVID-19.
• Besides this, other mutants in India are E484Q and
L425R.
Mutation:
• It means a difference, a change in genome.
• It means change in sequence in which its
molecules are arranged.
• Mutations in viruses are a natural part of
evolution.
Brucellosis
• It is a zoonotic infection caused by bacteria of
genus Brucella.
o Infection can spread from animals to
humans.
• Most commonly through consumption of raw or
un-pasteurized dairy products.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
• Largest source of SO2 is burning of fossil fuels
by power plants and other industrial facilities.
• Smaller sources of SO2 emissions include:
o Industrial processes such as extracting
metal from ore.
• Natural sources such as:
o Volcanoes, Locomotives, ships and other
vehicles.
o Heavy equipment that burn fuel with a
high sulfur content.
• News Context:
o SO2 emissions from a volcanic eruption
in Caribbean (La Soufriere volcano)
reached India.
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Whitest Ever’ Paint
• This ultra-white paint is made up of barium
sulphate, which makes it whiter.
• This paint can keep surfaces 19 degrees
Fahrenheit cooler than surroundings.
Temperature Determining Sex in some Reptile and Fish
Embryos
• Bearded dragon embryos (Lizards) can use 2
different sets of genes to become a female lizard.
o One is activated by sex chromosomes.
o Other is activated by high temperatures
during development.
• It is called temperature-dependent sex
determination.
o It was discovered in 1960s.
• Male bearded dragons have ZZ sex
chromosomes.
• While females have ZW sex chromosomes.
• However, hot temperatures can override ZZ sex
chromosomes.
o It can cause male lizard to develop as a
female.
Ingenuity
• It is a tiny Helicopter flew successfully by NASA.
• It is 1st powered flight on another planet.
MOXIE Aboard Perseverance
• It is a 6 wheeled science rover.
• It is Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization
Experiment.
• NASA has extracted O2 from CO2 in thin
Martian atmosphere.
• Unprecedented extraction of O2 on Mars was
achieved by this device.
Security
Exercise Shantir Ogroshena 2021
• It is a multinational military exercise in
Bangladesh.
• Occasion: Birth centenary of Bangladesh ‘Father
of the Nation’ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman.
• Countries Participated: India, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Sri Lanka.
• Observers: USA, UK, Russia, Turkey, Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, Singapore.
• Other Exercises involving Bangladesh and
India:
o Sampriti (Army).
o Table-Top (Airforce).
o IN-BN Corpat (Navy).
Joint Logistic Hub (Joint Logistic Node: JLN)
• It will provide integrated logistics cover to
Armed Forces for:
o Small Arms Ammunition, Rations, Fuel,
General Stores, Civil hired transport,
Clothing, Spares.
• News Context:
o 3rd JLN is operationalized in Mumbai
after Guwahati and Port Blair.
La Perouse
• It is a multilateral maritime exercise conducted in
Eastern Indian Ocean Region.
• It is led by French Navy.
• Participants: India, France, USA, Japan, Australia.
• Note: INS Satpura, INS Kiltan, P8I Long Range
Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating.
o Another Indo-French Naval Exercise:
Varuna
Civil Defence Volunteers/ Personnel
• They work under command of District
Magistrates.
• Overall command lies with divisional
commissioner, to which the DMs report.
• They are governed by Civil Defense Act, 1968.
Issue:
• Role of these volunteers has come under scrutiny.
o Because of being lauded for their work
during pandemic of facing allegations of
high-handedness.
• News Context:
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April Monthly Current Affairs 2021
o Delhi Police issued a statement, that civil
defense personnel, have no power to
stop people using police barricades.
o They cannot prosecute them for violation
of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour such
as not wearing masks.
Exercise Varuna
• It is an Indo-French naval exercise, held annually.
Trends in Global Military Expenditure Report
• It is released by Stockholm International Peace
Research Institute (SIPRI).
• 5 biggest spenders in 2020 are:
o USA, China, India, Russia, UK.
• SIPRI, 1966:
o It is an independent international
institute dedicated to research into:
o Conflict, Armaments, Arms Control,
Disarmament.
Miscellaneous
Vaccine Wastage
• It is an expected component of any large
vaccination drive.
• Guidelines by the Centre to States:
o To maintain vaccine wastage at less
than 1% (At present, its 6%).
o To review wastage regularly across all
levels.
o To utilize the vaccines on time before it
gets expired.
Chenab Bridge
• It is world’s highest Railway Bridge, constructed
in J&K.
• It is part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail
link project (USBRL).
• Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project
(USBRL):
o It connects Kashmir with rest of the
Country.
o The project comes under Northern
railway.
Global Youth Mobilization Local Solutions Campaign,
2021
• It is launched by UN agencies and youth
organisations.
• It is to involve world youth in building their lives
impacted by coronavirus disease.
Gender Bias and Inclusion in Advertising in India
• It is a study on Gender in Media released by:
o UNICEF.
o Geena Davis Institute.
Issue related to India in Report:
• Female representation dominates in Indian ads.
• They are still marginalized by:
o Colorism, Hyper-sexualisation.
o Without Careers or Aspirations.
• Misrepresentation and harmful stereotypes of
women in advertising.
Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI)
• It measures capabilities and effectiveness of 104
governments in world.
• It is published by Chandler Institute of
Governance (CIG).
• CIG is an international non-profit organisation.
• Headquarter: Singapore.
• Index focuses on 7 pillars:
o Leadership and foresight, Robust Laws
and Policies.
o Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship.
o Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence
and Reputation.
o Helping people Rise.
World Press Freedom Index
• It is released by Media Watchdog Group
Reporters Without Borders.
• t is based on an evaluation of media freedom that
measures:
o Pluralism, Media independence.
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April Monthly Current Affairs 2021
o Quality of legal framework.
o Safety of journalists.
• It also includes indicators of the level of media
freedom violations in each region.
• Note: Norway topped for 5th time.
o India ranked 142 out of 180.
National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), 2003
• It is a not-for-profit organization.
• It spreads internet infrastructure to people.
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