Current Context : British author Samantha Harvey has won the Booker Prize 2024 for fiction with her novel Orbital, a short and imaginative story set aboard the International Space Station.

About the Booker Prize:

• The Booker Prize is the most prestigious global award for a single work of fiction.
• Founded: In 1969, originally focusing on Commonwealth writers. It has since become open to authors from around the world.
• Goal: To celebrate the best English-language novel of the year.
• The winning author receives a prize of £50,000, while shortlisted authors receive £2,500

The Booker Prize Foundation:

• A charity founded in 2002, it manages the Booker Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker International Prize(established in 2005).

Current Context : UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) 2024 began in Azerbaijan.

• Host & Duration: Held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11–22, 2024.
• Purpose: A global forum for nations to negotiate and agree on measures to combat climate change.
• Focus areas include curbing global temperature rise to 1.5°C and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

About Azerbaijan

• Land Borders: Shares borders with Russia, Iran, Armenia, and Georgia.
• Water Bodies: Located by the Caspian Sea to the east.
• Major Rivers: Kura and Aras rivers are prominent.
• Highest Point: Bazardyuzyu Mountain in the Greater Caucasus range.
• Natural Resources: Rich in oil, natural gas, and minerals like lead, zinc, iron, and copper.

Current Context : The World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024 report is released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Data Related to India:

Patents:

1. India ranked 6th globally with 64,500 patent filings, a 15.7% growth in 2023.
2. The patent-to-GDP ratio rose significantly from 144 (2013) to 381 (2023), indicating robust development.
3. Continuous annual growth for over a decade, driven by increased local filings.

Trademarks:

1. India’s IP office ranked 2nd globally in trademark activities.
2. 4th globally in trademark filings, contributing to a 6.1% increase in applications​

Industrial Designs:

1. Positioned 10th globally, with a 36% increase in design applications in 2023, reflecting a rise in creative output.

Reasons for Growth:

• Government Initiatives: Simplified procedures like the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024, reduced fees, and policies such as the National IPR Policy, 2016.
• Improved Processing: Faster application clearances, with 103,000 patents granted in FY 2023-24.
• Enhanced IP Infrastructure: Digital filing processes and IPR facilitation centers.

Global Context:

Asia’s Dominance: 68.7% of global patent activity in 2023 came from Asian countries. China led with 1.64 million filings, followed by the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Germany

Current Context : India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is planning a 1 GeV proton accelerator to convert thorium into nuclear fuel by producing uranium-233 (U-233), which can be used in reactors for electricity.​

About Thorium

• Thorium is a naturally occurring, abundant element, more common than uranium.
• Symbol and Atomic Number: Represented by Th, atomic number 90.
• Nuclear Fuel: Converts to uranium-233 (U-233)for use in reactors, supporting a sustainable nuclear cycle.
• Extracted from monazite, which contains 10-12% thorium dioxide.

Current Context : 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project located on the Subansiri River at the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border. Set to begin producing 750 MW of power by March 2025.

About the Subansiri River :

• Type: Trans-Himalayan river and right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra.
• Nickname: Known as the “Gold River” for its gold dust.
• Origin and Course:
  • Starts in the Himalayas, China.
  • Flows east and southeast into India, through Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Joins the Brahmaputra in Assam’s Lakhimpur district.
• Length: About 518 km.
• Drainage Basin: Covers 32,640 sq. km.
• Significance: Largest tributary of the Brahmaputra, contributing 7.92% of its flow.

Celebrated annually on November 16th.

• Purpose: Recognizes and honors the Press Council of India (PCI), symbolizing a free, responsible, and ethical press.
• Significance: This day highlights the importance of press freedom and responsible journalism in fostering democracy and informed citizenry.

Press Council of India (PCI):

• An autonomous body established to uphold journalistic ethics and maintain freedom of the press.
• Acts as a watchdog to ensure the press operates without external influence or pressure while maintaining high standards of professional conduct.

Celebrated on November 16th each year.

• Purpose: Promotes awareness of the importance of tolerance, fostering mutual understanding among diverse cultures and people.
• Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996.

Current Context :  The first-ever Mandavya Mahotsav, is set to celebrate in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, known as “Chhoti Kashi.”

• Significance: Honors Mandavya Shila, linked to sage Mandavya and symbolizes spiritual resilience.
• Cultural Importance: Reinforces Mandi’s spiritual and historical heritage, connecting the town’s identity to ancient traditions.

Main Events:

• Prayer ceremony at Madho Rai Temple.
• Shobhayatra(procession) led by Lord Madho Rai, the town’s chief deity.

Objective: Foster community spirit and celebrate shared cultural heritage.

Current Context : The Tribal Pride Festival in Keylong, Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, is set to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on November 15, 2024.

• Held at the Old Circuit House, Keylong, Lahaul-Spiti.
• Purpose: Celebrates tribal heritageand spreads awareness about development programs.
• Highlight Initiative: Focus on Dharti Aba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan(Earth Father Tribal Village Development Campaign), aimed at improving tribal community development.

Current Context : The Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs launched the ‘EV as a Service’ program by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

About ‘EV as a Service’ Programme:

• Objective: Promote e-mobility in government offices; deploy 5,000 E-cars over 2 years.
• Led by: Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of EESL.
• Flexible Model: Allows choice of various E-Car models for government needs.
• Deployment Stats: ~2,000 E-cars and ~17,000 E-buses already facilitated.
• Alignment: Supports India’s goal of net zero emissions by 2070.