Current Context : Hengbung village in Manipur has implemented a unique micro solar-pumped storage hydropower system.

This ensures uninterrupted 24/7 electricity supply even during extreme weather conditions.

How It Works:

• Daytime Operation: Solar energy is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir.
• Night/Cloudy Days: Stored water is released through a turbine to generate electricity when solar power is unavailable.

Key Benefits:

• Provides stable power during outages caused by heavy rains or transmission issues.
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and supports India’s renewable energy goals.
• Offers longer operational life compared to battery storage, lasting up to six decades

Current Context : Recently, a  motion to impeach an Allahabad High Court judge was submitted in the Rajya Sabha.

Purpose: To ensure accountability and uphold judicial integrity.

Past Attempts: Six impeachment motions against judges have been filed since independence, but none succeeded.

Constitutional Basis:

• The term “impeachment” is not mentioned in the Constitution but refers to the removal process under:
  • Article 124(Supreme Court judges).
  • Article 218(High Court judges).
• Grounds for removal: Proven misbehaviour or incapacity (not defined in the Constitution).

Legal Framework: Governed by the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968.

Steps in the Process:

• Initiation:
  • Motion signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha or 50 Rajya Sabha members.
  • Submitted to the Speaker or Chairman of the respective House.
• Investigation:
  • If admitted, referred to a three-member committee:
    • Chief Justice of India (or a Supreme Court judge).
    • High Court Chief Justice.
    • A distinguished jurist.
  • The committee examines charges and submits a report.

• Parliamentary Approval:
  • The report is debated and requires a special majority in both Houses (two-thirds of members present and voting, plus a majority of total membership).

• Presidential Action:
  • If approved by both Houses, the motion is sent to the President for final approval.

Current Context : Recently, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), along with the Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) develops 1st human gene therapy for Haemophilia A

• Uses a lentiviral vector to introduce a normal copy of the Factor VIII gene into autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

About Lentiviral Vectors and HSCs:

• Lentiviral Vectors: A type of viral vector used to transfer genetic material into cells.
• Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs): Multipotent cells capable of developing into all blood cell types.

About Gene Therapy :

• Technique using genes to treat, prevent, or cure diseases.
• Methods: Replaces faulty genes, deactivates harmful ones, or introduces new genes.
• Products Used: Plasmid DNA, gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9).
• Types of Gene Therapy:
  • Germline Gene Therapy: Modifies egg or sperm cells; changes are heritable.
  • Somatic Cell Gene Therapy: Targets non-reproductive cells, affecting only the treated individual.

Significance :

• Treats inherited genetic diseases(e.g., sickle cell disease).
• Addresses acquired disorders(e.g., leukemia).

About Haemophilia:

• Rare disorder affecting blood clotting.
• Prevalence: India bears the second-largest burdenof haemophilia globally.
• Haemophilia A: Caused by a deficiency of clotting Factor VIII.

Observed annually on December 14.

• Aim : to promote energy conservation and efficient usage for sustainable development.
• Celebrated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power since 1991.

Current Context : The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, introduced six new schemes during an event in Bilaspur to celebrate the second anniversary of the Congress government.

The initiatives aim to enhance agricultural practices, support education, and improve rural livelihoods.

Him Bhog Atta Initiative

• Promotes natural farming by distributing maize flour made from organic maize.
• Govt procured 398 metric tonnes of maize from 1,506 farmers in 10 districts.
• Farmers received ₹20 crore through direct bank transfers.

Organic Compost Scheme

• Organic and vermicompost bought at ₹300/quintal to support small farmers and livestock owners.
• Initial ₹1 lakh payments made to 100 farmers via direct benefit transfers.

Electric Taxi Subsidy Programme

• Part of Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme 2023.
• 16 e-taxi owners received 50% subsidy, with vehicles leased to govt offices.
• 150 permits for e-taxis planned in the first phase.

Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana

• ₹38 crore distributed to 5,145 beneficiaries.
• Monthly aid of ₹1,000for children under 18; supports 23,000 children for higher education.

HP Shiva Project

• Budget: ₹1,292 crore, targeting subtropical horticulture development.
• Focus: Development across 7 districts covering 6,000 hectares.

Goal: Produce 1.3 lakh metric tonnes of fruit annually by 2032, benefitting 15,000 families.

Current Context : India finished fifth out of 21 participating countries, at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Deaf Games held in Kuala Lumpur

Medal Tally:

• India won a record 55 medals: 8 Gold, 18 Silver, and 29 Bronze.
• This is the best-ever performance by India in the tournament’s history since 1984, surpassing the 2015 tally of 5 medals.​

Performance by Sport:

• Athletics: Dominated with 28 medals (5 Gold, 12 Silver, 11 Bronze).
• Badminton: Secured 6 medals (3 Silver, 3 Bronze).
• Judo: Won 7 medals (2 Gold, 5 Bronze).
• Wrestling: Bagged 8 medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 6 Bronze).
• Table Tennis: Earned 3 medals (1 Silver, 2 Bronze).
• Chess: Contributed 3 medals (1 Silver, 2 Bronze)​

Notable Athletes:

• Priyanga Paramaraj, Ridham Sharma, and Sanya Dongreexcelled in athletics.
• Jerlin Anika Jayaratchagansecured four medals in badminton.
• Sumit Dahiyawon double gold in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
• Milanmeet Kaurclaimed gold in judo’s Under-48 KG category.​

1.   Disaster Management Amendment Bill, 2024

Current Context : The Lok Sabha has recently passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of disaster management in India by modifying the existing Disaster Management Act of 2005.

Key Features of the Bill :

Empowerment of Authorities:

• Shifts disaster planning responsibilities to NDMA and SDMAs, enhancing their roles in preparedness and risk assessment​

Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMAs):

• Introduces UDMAs for large cities and state capitals to address urban-specific risks, including population density and critical infrastructure​

Disaster Databases:

• Creates national and state-level disaster databases to assist in planning, fund allocation, and mitigation strategies​

State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs):

• Enables states to form specialized forces for decentralized and efficient disaster response​

Statutory Recognition:

• Provides legal backing to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC)and High-Level Committee (HLC) for better disaster oversight​

Penalties for Obstruction:

• Imposes fines (up to ₹10,000) for hindering disaster management efforts.

Current Context : The government proposed supplementary demands for grants, requesting additional expenditure for various sectors, indicating active fiscal management for unforeseen financial needs.​

About Supplementary Grants:

• Raised under Article 115of the Constitution when funds already authorized by Parliament for a service are insufficient during the financial year​
• Seeks approval from Parliament for additional expenditures beyond the initial budget estimates.

Types of Grants under Article 115:

• Additional Grant: Required for new services or projects not included in the original budget.
• Excess Grant: Sanctioned for expenditure that exceeds the allocated budget.
• Supplementary Demand for Grants: Includes both net cash outgo and reappropriation of funds from existing allocations.​

Current Context : From January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the Schengen Zone, allowing seamless travel and economic benefits.

• Both countries partially joined in March 2024 (air and sea borders) and are now granted full access, including land borders.

About the Schengen Zone:

1. Purpose:Largest border-free region, enabling free movement for over 400 million people.
2. Agreements Signed:Schengen Agreement (1985) and Schengen Convention (1990).
3. Members:29 countries:
   • 25 EU countries(except Cyprus and Ireland).
   • 4 non-EU nations:Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.

Schengen Visa: Non-EU nationals can travel through member countries without border controls.

Current Context : Recently, India launched the world’s first Green Steel Taxonomy, led by the Union Ministry of Steel.

About Green Steel:

• Green Steel is defined as steel with CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emission intensity less than 2.2 tonnes per tonne of finished steel.

StaR Rating System:

• Five-star: Emission intensity < 1.6 tonnes.
• Four-star: Emission intensity between 1.6–2.0 tonnes.
• Three-star: Emission intensity between 2.0–2.2 tonnes.
• Star ratings will be reviewed every three years.

Nodal Agency: The National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST) will handle measurement, reporting, verification (MRV), issuance of annual certificates, and star ratings.

Importance:

• Supports Decarbonisation: Aligns with India’s proposed ₹15,000 crore National Mission on Green Steel under the upcoming Green Steel Policy.
• Global Competitiveness: Keeps Indian steel competitive under global policies like the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CABM).
• Promotes Innovation: Creates a framework for low-carbon products, fostering growth in sustainable steel production.

Key Initiatives to Decarbonise Steel:

• National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE): Part of the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC).
• Perform Achieve & Trade (PAT) Scheme: A market mechanism under NMEEE using Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts).
• Other policies: Green Hydrogen Energy Mission, National Solar Mission, and Steel Scrap Recycling Policy, 2019.