Current Context :  Recently,more than one crore fraudulent mobile connections disconnected with help of Sanchar Saathi.

ABOUT SANCHAR SAATHI

• Launched by: Department of Telecommunication
• Aim : to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security and increase awareness about citizen centric initiatives of the Government.
• Objective: citizen centric platform to fight cyber fraud, enabling citizens to report suspicious calls & messages.

It contains various modules such as:

• Chakshu-Report Suspected Fraud Communication
• CEIR-Block Your Lost/Stolen Mobile
• TAFCOP-Know mobile connections taken in your name
• KYM-Know Your Mobile / IMEI Verification
• RICWIN-Report Incoming International Call With Indian Number
• KYI-Know Your Wireline Internet Service Provider

Current Context : India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation.

• Deal conducted between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the ENEC (Emirates Nuclear Energy Company)-led Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations.

INDIA – UAE RELATIONS

• Diplomatic relations between India and the UAE were established in 1972
• The UAE is one of India’s largest trading partners, with significant trade in oil, gas, gold, and textiles.

Current Context : Union Home Minister Amit Shah was unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

ABOUT  PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

• It was constituted under the provisions of Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, in the year
• It comprises 30 members of Parliament, out of which 20 are from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. 
• Purpose : to review the progress made in the use of Hindi as the official language of the Union and to suggest measures for its propagation and development.

Current Context : Himachal government is adopting ‘vetivar’ grass technology to prevent landslips in the state.

• Solan district has been selected by the State Disaster Management Authority, Shimla, for the implementation of the project on a pilot basis.
• In the first phase, the grass will be planted in Shamti, Sanwara and Mansar areas of Solan district to prevent landslides.

ABOUT VETIVER GRASS 

• Scientific name: Chrysopogon zizanioides
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Commonly known as Khus grass
• Known for its deep root system, which can grow up to 3-4 meters deep, making it highly effective for soil conservation, erosion control nd will play an important role in preventing landslides
• Native to Indiabut cultivated in various tropical regions across the world.
• Widely grown in countries like India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Haiti.

Current Context : Rajasthan is set to have sixth tiger reserve in the state soon.

• The state government has formed an 11-member expert committee to finalise the boundaries of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary,
• Currently, The five tiger reserves in Rajasthan are at Sariska, Ranthambore, Mukundara Hills, Ramgarh Visdhari and Dholpur-Karauli

ABOUT KUMBHALGARH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY 

• Situated in Rajsamand district, Rajasthan.
• Surrounds the Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Kumbhalgarh was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1971 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• The proposed tiger reserve will be spread over around 2,800 sq km.
• Lies in the Aravalli Range with rugged terrain, hills, valleys, and dry deciduous forests.
• Flora: Dominated by dry deciduous forests and species include : Dhok, Salar, Khair, Mahua, and Ber.

FAUNA:

• Mammals: Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, hyena, sambar, nilgai, chinkara.
• Birds: Over 200 species including peacocks, grey junglefowl, white-breasted kingfisher, and eagles.
• Reptiles: Various snakes, lizards, and turtles.

Current Context : Union Health Secretary, Apurva Chandra released “Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 2022-23”.

• It is an annual publication formerly known as “Rural Health Statistics”.
• It has been published every year since 1992.
• It provides important data about India’s National Health Mission (NHM), helping leaders make better healthcare decisions.

KEY DATA FROM THE REPORT

On March 31, 2023, the report gives a clear picture of India’s healthcare system:

• There are 1,69,615 Sub-Centres (SCs).
• 31,882 Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
• 6,359 Community Health Centres (CHCs).
• 1,340 District Hospitals (DHs).
• The healthcare system is supported by 2,39,911 health workers, 40,583 medical officers, and many nurses and paramedics.

Current Context : The 20th edition of India-USA Joint Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024 commenced in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan.

• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 9th to 22nd September 2024.
• It has been held annually since 2004, alternating between India and the USA.
• Aim : to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter terrorism operations
• It will focus on operations in the semi-desert environment.

Current Context : The 54th GST Council concluded under the Chairpersonship of Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi

ABOUT GST COUNCIL

• It is a key body in India responsible for making decisions related to the GST regime, which is a comprehensive indirect tax system introduced to replace multiple state and central taxes.
• Established: The GST Council was constituted in 2016 following the introduction of GST in India.
• Constitution: Article 279A of the Indian Constitution.
• Purpose: To administer and oversee the GST regime in India.

COMPOSITION

• Chairperson:Union Finance Minister.
• Members:
  • State Finance Ministers:Each state and union territory with a legislature is represented.
  • Union Minister of State for Finance:Also a member.

Current Context : Recently, Indian government has confirmed a new mpox (monkeypox) case in India.

ABOUT MPOX (MONKEYPOX):

It is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus.

• First Recorded:1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
• Types (Clades):
  • Central African Clade (Clade I)
  • West African Clade (Clade II)

• Symptoms : Skin Rash/Mucosal Lesions: Rash can develop into fluid-filled bumps that crust over.
• Systemic Symptoms: Fever, Headache, Muscle Aches, Back Pain, Low Energy, Swollen Lymph Nodes and generally last 2-4 weeks.
• Transmission
• Human-to-Human Transmission:
  • Direct contact with body fluids or lesions of infected individuals.
  • Prolonged face-to-face contact, including sexual contact.
  • Indirect contact with contaminated clothing or bedding.

TREATMENT

• Specific Treatments:No specific antiviral treatments are available for monkeypox.
• Management:Early and supportive care to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.

What are Zoonotic diseases?

• These are infections that are spread between people and animals.
• These infections are caused by germs, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.
• Some can be severe and life-threatening, such as rabies, and others may be milder and get better on their own.

Current Context : The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) have set up a multi-donor trust fund to support and lower the costs of solar power projects globally.

• The MIGA-ISA Solar Facility will initially focus on Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Both MIGA and ISA will collaborate to launch solar power and distributed-energy projects in eligible developing countries.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA)

• Established:November 30, 2015
• Initiated By:India and France
• Headquarters:Gurugram, India
• Purpose:To promote solar energy deployment, enhance solar technology, and facilitate access to solar financing.
• Signatory Countries : 119 member countries 

ABOUT MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT GUARANTEE AGENCY (MIGA)

• Established:1988
• Part of:World Bank Group
• Headquarters:Washington, D.C., USA
• Purpose:To encourage investment in developing countries by providing guarantees against political risks.
• Member Countries: 186 member countries.