Daily Archives: January 19, 2025

INDIA PHASES OUT HCFCS

GS3 – ENVIRONMENT:  Overview: In 2024, India successfully phased out the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in manufacturing, aligning with its commitments under the Montreal Protocol. This action is critical for ozone layer protection and addressing climate change, marking a significant step toward sustainable environmental practices. Montreal Protocol Overview: The Montreal …

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INDO-MYANMAR BORDER REGULATIONS

GS1 GEOGRAPHY Overview: India has recently strengthened its border regulations for foreigners entering Northeastern states bordering Myanmar, reversing a period of relative openness. This move has implications for local communities and cross-border relationships. Protected Area Regime (PAR): The Indian government has reinstated the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Manipur, Mizoram, …

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SWACHH SURVEKSHAN TOOLKIT LAUNCH

GS2 GOVERNANCE Overview: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, unveiled a new toolkit for the ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan, the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey. This edition introduces a more streamlined and systematic approach, focusing on urban sanitation through citizen participation and third-party validation. The …

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TELECOM INITIATIVES IN INDIA

GS3 TECHNOLOGY  Overview: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently launched several telecom initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and security across India. These include the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App, the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, and Intra Circle Roaming at DBN-funded 4G sites. The government’s goal is to empower citizens with better …

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MAHARASHTRA AI POLICY INITIATIVE

GS3 TECHNOLOGY Overview: The Maharashtra government has announced the formation of a 16-member committee to draft the state’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. The initiative aims to position Maharashtra as India’s leading state in AI development, aligning with the central government’s India AI Mission to drive digital economy growth and …

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MUSI RIVER HERITAGE SITES RECOGNITION

GS1 INDIAN HERITAGE Overview: The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has added the Musi River Historic Buildings in Hyderabad to its World Monuments Watch list, highlighting the need for urgent preservation efforts. This recognition coincides with local government plans to revitalize the river and its heritage structures, aiming to boost tourism …

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SVAMITVA Property Card Distribution

GS2 POLITY Event Summary: On January 18, 2025, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led the e-Distribution of SVAMITVA Property Cards, marking a significant milestone in rural governance and empowerment. Around 65 lakh property cards were distributed to over 50,000 villages across 10 states and 2 Union Territories, aiming to enhance …

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INTEREST EQUALISATION SCHEME (IES) EXTENSION PROPOSAL

PRELIMS BITS:  Overview: The Indian Commerce Ministry is pushing for the extension of the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) in the upcoming Budget to continue supporting exporters amid global economic challenges. The scheme, which is set to end on December 31, 2024, provides financial assistance through lower interest rates on export …

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SPADEX MISSION: INDIA’S ACHIEVEMENT IN SPACE DOCKING

PRELIMS BITS India’s Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission successfully demonstrated space docking, the joining of two fast-moving satellites in space, using two small spacecraft: SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target). Countries Achieving Space Docking The US, Russia, and China are the other countries that have performed space docking, with India now …

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RBI’S STEPS TO BOOST CROSS-BORDER TRANSACTIONS IN RUPEE

PRELIMS BITS:  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has undertaken a review of existing regulations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, to promote cross-border transactions in the Indian Rupee (INR), aiming at the internationalization of the rupee. Recent Changes in FEMA Regulations by RBI Overseas INR Accounts People …

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ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI) ADVISORY ON AI CONTENT

PRELIMS BITS  The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued advisories to inform electors about the potential misuse of AI-generated or synthetic content by political parties during elections. The advisories include: Key Advisories Labeling AI/Synthetically Generated Content Any image, video, audio, or other material generated or significantly altered by AI …

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UNICEF’S ‘GLOBAL OUTLOOK 2025: PROSPECTS FOR CHILDREN’

PRELIMS BITS:  The report highlights the transformative role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in delivering digital public services for children. What is DPI? DPI is a set of shared digital systems that enable equitable access to public or private services at scale. Its ecosystem includes technology, markets, and governance frameworks. …

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