Observed annually on November 9^{th .}

• Commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, a pivotal event marking the end of the Cold War and symbolizing the collapse of communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.
• This day celebrates the spirit of liberty and democracy, honouring those who have fought for the right to live free from authoritarian regimes.

Celebrated on 9^th November.

• Uttarakhand was formed on November 9, 2000, after being separated from Uttar Pradesh as the 27^th State of India.
• It is known as “Dev Bhumi,” or “Land of Gods” for housing the Char Dham (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri).

About Uttarakhand

• Location : Himalayan foothills; borders China (Tibet) to the north, Nepal to the east, Himachal Pradesh to the northwest, and Uttar Pradesh to the south.
• Capital : Dehradun, located in the Dun Valley, known for its picturesque environment.
• Natural Wealth : Rich in forests, water resources, and minerals (e.g., limestone, copper, dolomite).

1.

Observed annually on November 9 in India.

• Purpose: Aims to increase legal awareness, particularly in areas with low legal literacy, and promote access to justice for all.
• Linked to the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, which established the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). This body helps provide free legal aid to underprivileged and marginalized communities.

Current Context : Recently, Union Cabinet has approved the PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme.

• Aim : to provide financial support to deserving students to help them pursue higher education without financial barriers.
• Eligibility: Available to students admitted to Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs), as ranked in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Loan Features:

• Collateral-free and guarantor-free loans.
• Covers full tuition fees and other related expenses.

Target Institutions:

• Top 100 institutions in NIRF rankings (overall, category-specific, and domain-specific).
• State government institutions ranked 101-200 in NIRF.
• All central government-run institutions.

Key Benefit: Ensures financial accessibility for students from marginalized communities, including SC, OBC, sanitation workers, and persons with disabilities.

Current Context : Donald Trump has won the 2024 U.S. presidential election and became the 47^th President of U.S.

• Trump from Republican Party has won more popular (citizen) votes than Democrat Kamala Harris.

US Election System

Electoral Process:

• Electoral College: Voters choose electors, not directly the president. To win, a candidate needs 270 out of 538 electoral votes.
• State Representation: States are allocated electors based on their congressional representation (Senators + House members).

Voting System:

• Methods: Includes in-person voting, early voting, absentee ballots, and mail-in voting, varying by state.
• Voter Registration: Required for participation, with different states having specific requirements.

Eligibility for President:

• Age: Must be at least 35 years old.
• Natural-born Citizen: Must be a natural-born U.S. citizen (or born to U.S. citizen parents abroad).
• Residency: Must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

Tenure:

• Duration: A U.S. president serves a 4-year term.
• Re-election: A president can serve a maximum of two terms (8 years) in office, according to the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Current Context : Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has inaugurated ‘TULIP’ brand – A Digital Platform for Craft and Community Empowerment.

About Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme (TULIP)

• Initiative by: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Objective: Support and empower artisans from marginalized communities such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), sanitation workers, and individuals with disabilities.

Features of TULIP:

• E-commerce Hub: Connects traditional artisans with potential customers worldwide for better visibility and sales.
• Economic Empowerment: Aims to provide artisans with financial independence by expanding market access.
• Community Focus: Supports community-led growth by involving local craftspeople in the digital economy.

Current Context : International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) marks the 60th anniversary of the Red List.

About IUCN Red List

• Established in: 1964.
• Purpose: Acts as a global reference for the conservation status of animal, plant, and fungal species, providing critical data for environmental policy and biodiversity protection.
• Categories: Includes nine main status groups: Not Evaluated, Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild, and Extinct. These are used to classify species based on set assessment criteria.

Current Conservation Insights

• Species Assessed: Over 166,000 species reviewed, with more than 46,300 at risk of extinction.
• Affected Groups: Includes 44% of reef-building corals, 41% of amphibians, and 26% of mammals.
• Positive Impact: Some species have been downlisted thanks to successful conservation efforts​

IUCN Background

• Founded in: 1948.
• Membership: Consists of over 1,400 government and non-government organizations.
• Role: Develops guidelines and practices for effective conservation and supports biodiversity initiatives globally​

Current Context : The world’s first wooden satellite, developed by Japan, has been launched.

The satellite will study how wood withstands space’s extreme conditions.

About Lignosat :

• It is jointly created by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry, it represents eco-friendly satellite technology.
• Constructed from honoki wood (magnolia species) for its strength and workability; includes some aluminum and electronic components​

Key Features:

• Compact size : palm-sized cube (about 10 cm per side).
• Power sourced from solar panels.​

Purpose and Significance:

• To test wood’s durability in space’s extreme conditions like temperature shifts and radiation.​
• Aims to reduce space debris; wooden satellites burn up completely on re-entry, unlike metal satellites that release harmful particles.​

Advantages:

• Wood is resistant to decay due to the absence of water and oxygen in space.
• Antennas can be embedded within wood, reducing failure risks.​

Current Context : Recently, Asia–Pacific Climate Report is released by Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Key Points from Asia–Pacific Climate Report by ADB:

• Shift to Clean Energy: India reduced fossil fuel subsidies by 85% from $25 billion in 2013 to $3.5 billion in 2023, redirecting funds to renewables​
• Subsidy Reform Strategy: Used a “remove, target, and shift” method; phased out petrol and diesel subsidies (2010-2014)​
• Role of Coal Cess and Taxes: A coal cess (2010-2017) funded clean energy; excise duties on petrol/diesel increased from 2014-2017.

Major Government Initiatives:

• National Green Hydrogen Mission: Supports green hydrogen production to reduce emissions.
• PM-KUSUM Scheme: Focuses on renewable energy use in agriculture.

About ADB:

• Founded: 1966, aimed at supporting economic development in member countries.
• Membership: Includes 69 countries, with India as a member.
• Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.

Current Context : The 7th Annual Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) took place in New Delhi from November 3-6, 2024

Key Outcomes:

India’s Leadership : India was re-elected as ISA President for the term 2024-2026, with France serving as Vice-President.

Release of the 3rd World Solar Report Series : This series includes four reports highlighting major findings:

• Global Solar Capacity: Increased significantly from 1.22 GW in 2000 to about 1,419 GW by 2023​
• Manufacturing Trends: Production is expected to surpass 1,100 GW in 2024, doubling the demand and lowering solar panel costs​
• Job Growth: 16.2 million clean energy jobs globally, with 7.1 million in solar (44% increase from 2022)​
• Investment in Energy: Projected increase in global energy investments from $2.4 trillion in 2018 to $3.1 trillion by 2024; solar energy contributes to 59% of renewable investments​

About ISA:

• Mission: ISA is a global, intergovernmental organization committed to advancing solar energy to promote a carbon-neutral world. It was initiated at COP21 in Paris in 2015.
• Headquartered in India​
• Membership: Includes 103 member countries and 17 signatories​
• Assembly Role: The Assembly is the main decision-making body, representing all member nations, and oversees the implementation of the ISA’s framework.​