Current Context : Bir Billing in Kangra district will host the Paragliding World Cup, 2024, from November 02 to 09 2024.

For this event, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the official website of Paragliding World Cup.

• In this cup 130 pilots from nearly 50 countries were expected to take part.
• World Cup would be organised by the Billing Paragliding Association in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh govt.

ABOUT PARAGLIDING WORLD CUP :

• The Paragliding World Cup (or PWC for short) is a cross country flying competition for paraglider pilots.
• It is organized by the Paragliding World Cup Association (PWCA), based in Marlens, France. Each year.
• The Paragliding World Cup Tour visits 5-6 different locations worldwide.

Current Context : Recently, the Indian Army soldiers has departed for Mongolia to take part in the Multinational Military Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2024.

• The exercise will run from July 27 to August 9, 2024, at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• Exercise was began in 2003 as a bilateral event between the USA and the Mongolian Armed Forces.
• This is the 21st edition of the annual exercise.
• It involves military forces from around the world, with a focus on high-degree physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 40 personnel is being represented mainly by troops from a Battalion of the MADRAS REGIMENT along with personnel from other Arms and Services.
• One Woman Officer and two Women Soldiers will also form part of the contingent.
• The exercise will strengthen the interoperability and military readiness of the Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions in a multinational environment.

Current Context : Madhya Pradesh has secured the first place under the ‘Best Performing State’ category in the Prime Minister SVANidhi scheme.

• Assam has been ranked second in the ‘Best Performing States- Innovation and Best Practices Award’ category.

ABOUT SVANIDHI SCHEME.

• The micro-credit scheme for urban street vendors.
• It provides collateral-free loans up to Rs 50,000.
• It was launched by the Central government in 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Current Context : Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, an organization under the Ministry  of forest released Forest cover report 2021.

• The total forest cover of the country is 7,13,789 square kilometer which is 21.71% of the geographical area of the country.
• The tree cover increased by 721 square kilometer during 2019 to 2021.
• There is no loss of tree cover during 2019 and 2021.
• Maximum forest area State – Madhya Pradesh has the forest cover in state with 77,493 square kilometres, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
• Among the Union Territories, Chandigarh had the least area under forest cover, a mere 23 square kilometres.
• Among the states, Haryana had the least forest cover (1603 sq km), followed by Punjab (1847 sq km).
• Himachal Pradesh has 15,443 square kilometres covering 27.73% of total geographical area.

Current Context : Recently, The Henley Passport Index has released its 2024 ranking of the most powerful passports in the world.

• London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners has released the list of the world’s most powerful passports.
• 1^st position holding country – Singapore, providing visa-free access to 195 countries.
• The second position is shared by five countries: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain, which provide visa-free access to 192 countries.
• India is ranked at 82nd spot along with Senegal and Tajikistan giving visa-free access to 58 countries.
• This ranking allows Indian passport holders to travel to 58 countries without the need for a visa.
• At the bottom of the list is Afghanistan, which gives its citizens visa-free access to just 26 countries.

ABOUT HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX

• The Henley Passport Index, which compiles its data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), serves as a comprehensive resource for assessing global travel privileges.
• The Henley Passport Index 2024 July Global Ranking includes 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, giving users the most extensive and reliable information about their global access and mobility.

Current Context : PM Modi Announces One Million Dollar Grant To UNESCO World Heritage Centre during the inauguration of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

• India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting for the first time which will continue till 31st of July.
• This grant will be used for capacity building, technical assistance and conservation of the world heritage sites and will especially be used for the countries of the Global South.

ABOUT

• The World Heritage emblem represents the interdependence of the world’s natural and cultural diversity.
• It is used to identify properties protected by the World Heritage Committee.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
• This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
• Committee meets once a year and is responsible for managing all matters pertaining to World Heritage and deciding on sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage list.

Current Context : Recently, Azerbaijan announces a climate finance action fund at COP29 to support green projects and help member nations reach the 1.5C target.

• Azerbaijan, which will host the 29th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change summit in November.
• The fund is called the ‘Climate Finance Action Fund’.
• The Climate Finance Action Fund will take financial contributions from fossil-fuel-producing countries and companies and use the money to invest in projects in the developing world that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help build resilience to the impacts of extreme weather.

ABOUT CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP)

• COP is the annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting.
• In 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit, 154 nations signed a multilateral treaty known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• It aimed to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations at a stage that might prevent risky anthropogenic (human-prompted) interference with the climate gadget.

Current Context : Recently,  PM Narendra Modi receives Russia’s highest civilian honour from President Vladimir Putin for strengthening strategic partnership.

ABOUT RUSSIA’S HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOUR – ORDER OF ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE.

• Established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, the Order of St. Andrew is the highest order of chivalry in Russia.
• It holds deep historical and cultural significance as a symbol of honour and achievement.
• The order is bestowed upon distinguished leaders in government, military, science, culture, and the economy for exceptional contributions to Russia’s prosperity, security, and sovereignty.

Current Context : Recently, Nita Ambani, has been re-elected unanimously as the IOC from India at the 142nd session.

• She is the founder of Reliance Foundation and won unanimously with 100 per cent of the vote.
• She is committed to enhancing the Olympic Movement in India and worldwide.
• Nita Ambani was first appointed to join the prestigious body in 2016, at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
• She is the India’s first woman to join the IOC.
• The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be held in the capital city of France from July 26 to August 11 this year.

General Studies Paper -3 

Context: The Karnataka government plans to introduce legislation for gig workers, seen as a necessary and positive step.

About

• The Karnataka Bill aims to make platforms accountable by mandating transparency about algorithmic parameters and worker data usage, thereby reducing algorithmic control.
• Karnataka’s draft Bill mandates fair contracts, income security, and the right to refuse work without penalties, aiming to balance worker rights against platform control.
• The Karnataka Bill acknowledges the full-time nature of gig work by introducing mandatory social security provisions.

About the Gig Workers

• The gig economy in India is experiencing rapid growth, driven by technological advancements, urbanization, and a young, dynamic workforce.
• The gig economy encompasses a wide range of jobs, from high-skilled roles in IT and finance to low-skilled tasks like delivery and ride-sharing services.
• Gig workers, who engage in temporary, flexible jobs often facilitated by digital platforms, are becoming a significant part of the labour market.

Present Status

• According to NITI Aayog’s indicative estimates based on national labour force survey data, in 2020–21, 77 lakh (7.7 million) workers were engaged in the gig economy .
• As per the Economic Survey 2023-24, the gig workforce is expected to expand to 2.35 crore (23.5 million) and form 6.7 per cent per cent of the non-agricultural workforce or 4.1 per cent of the total livelihood in India by 2029–30.

Opportunities

• Flexibility: Gig workers enjoy the flexibility to choose their working hours and projects, which can lead to a better work-life balance.
• Additional Income: For many, gig work provides an additional source of income or a primary livelihood, especially in urban areas where traditional job opportunities may be limited.
• Skill Development: Gig work often requires workers to develop new skills and adapt to different roles, enhancing their employability in the long run.

Challenges

• Lack of Social Security: Gig workers often lack access to social security benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.
  • This makes them vulnerable to economic uncertainties.
• Income Instability: The income of gig workers can be highly variable, depending on the availability of work and the rates offered by platforms.
• Regulatory Issues: The legal and regulatory framework for gig work is still evolving.
  • Workers are subject to algorithms dictating hours, tasks, and performance metrics, leaving them feeling controlled rather than autonomous.

Government Initiatives and Recommendations

• The Indian government has recognized the importance of the gig economy and is taking steps to support it.
• The Code on Social Security (2020) marks a significant advancement by expanding the scope of social security benefits to encompass gig and platform workers
• The NITI Aayog report recommends several measures to harness the potential of the gig sector:
  • Access to Finance: Developing financial products tailored for gig workers to help them manage their income and investments.
  • Skill Development: Implementing platform-led, outcome-based skilling programs to enhance the capabilities of gig workers.
  • Social Inclusion: Promoting gender sensitization and accessibility awareness programs to ensure inclusivity in the gig workforce.
  • Social Security: Extending social security measures in partnership with platforms, as envisaged in the Code on Social Security 2020.
• States like Rajasthan and Karnataka are leading with legislation for gig worker rights, emphasizing state roles in ensuring worker protections.

Suggestions and Way Forward

• The gig economy in India is poised for significant growth, offering numerous opportunities for workers and businesses alike.
• However, addressing the challenges related to social security, income stability, and regulatory frameworks is crucial for the sustainable development of this sector.
• With the right policies and support, the gig economy can become a cornerstone of India’s future labor market, driving innovation and economic growth.
  • There is a need for policies that ensure fair contracts, income security, and transparency in algorithms used by digital platforms