Current Context : Recently, India has been elected as vice-chair of the supply chain council.

• It is one of the three bodies set up by the 14-member Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) bloc, the commerce and industry ministry.
• The council was set up under the IPEF Supply Chain Resilience Agreement, which aims to help mitigate risks of economic disruptions from supply chain shocks, improve crisis coordination, and reduce the member countries’ dependence on China.

ABOUT INDO-PACIFIC ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK (IPEF)

• It is an initiative launched by the United States to enhance economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Launched : in May 2022.
• Purpose : To strengthen economic ties, promote sustainable economic growth, and ensure the security and resilience of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Participating Countries: Includes countries in the Indo-Pacific region such as the United States, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and several Southeast Asian nations.
• One of its key pillars is the Supply Chain Pillar, which aims to improve the resilience, security, and efficiency of supply chains across the region.

Current Context : Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final at the Paris 2024 Olympics shooting competition

• This was India’s first-ever Olympic shooting medal in the 50m 3P and the third medal in rifle shooting after Abhinav Bindra’s gold in men’s 10m air rifle at Beijing 2008 and Gagan Narang’s bronze in the same event at London 2012.
• Before Kusale, Manu Bhaker won a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol individual event before teaming up with Sarabjot Singh for another medal of the same colour in the 10m air pistol mixed team.

Current Context : Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 2,000 megawatt (MW) Sharavathi Pumped Storage and Hydroelectric project.

ABOUT SHARAVATHI PUMPED STORAGE PROJECT

• Location : Situated in the Sharavathi Valley in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, near Jog Falls, one of India’s highest waterfalls.
• River : Sharavathi river
• Executed by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited.
• The project will utilise the Talakalale as the upper reservoir, and Gerusoppa as the lower dam, leveraging natural resources for energy generation.

Current Context : Heavy rainfall in the Cauvery basin has led to increased water release from Krishna Raj Sagar  dam.

ABOUT KRISHNA RAJ SAGAR DAM (KRS)

• Location : Situated across the Cauvery River in the Mandya district of
• Construction: The dam was constructed between 1911 and 1931, named as Krishnaraja Sagara in 1917 after the king Krishnaraja Odeya IV.
• Purpose: to provide irrigation water to the drought-prone regions of Karnataka.
• Irrigation: Provides water for irrigation to the fertile plains of Mandya, Mysuru, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
• Water Supply : Supplies drinking water to cities like Mysuru and Bengaluru.
• Hydroelectric Power : Supply water to the hydro-electric power station at

Current Context : Union Ministry of Education announced guidelines for implementation of bagless days for students of Classes 6 to 8.

• Previously, National Education Policy 2020 recommended that all students will participate in a 10-day bagless period sometime during Grades 6-8 where they intern with local vocational experts such as carpenters, gardeners, potters, artists, etc.

ABOUT

• “Bagless Days” is an initiative under the Indian education system designed to reduce the academic burden on students and promote a more holistic approach to learning.
• It aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP)
• Objectives: To build observation-based learning capacity, develop understanding of connectedness of community and interdependence, to promote dignity of labour through hands on activity, etc.
• These days are used for activities such as field trips, sports, cultural events, community service, and interactive learning sessions.
• The focus is on practical experiences and skill-building rather than traditional classroom instruction.
• Activities covered: Visit and survey of vegetable markets, charity visits, survey and report writing on pet care, doodling, etc.

Current Context : Recently, Government has allocated ₹7,212 crore to Nirbhaya Fund for FY 2023-24

ABOUT NIRBHAYA FUND 

• It was created for the implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security for women in the country.
• Established in 2013 following the Nirbhaya case (gang rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi).
• Objectives:
  • Enhance Women’s Safety: To improve the safety and security of women in India.
  • Support Victims: To provide financial assistance for the treatment, legal aid, and rehabilitation of victims of gender-based violence.
  • Promote Infrastructure: To fund infrastructure improvements, such as better street lighting, safer public transport, and emergency response systems.
• It is a non-lapsable corpus fund administered by the Ministry of Finance.
• Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)

Funding pattern: 60:40 for all States; 90:10 for States with difficult terrains; 100% for UTs.

Current Context : Due to increased water flow in the Parvati river caused by heavy rains,  a building collapsed and washes away in Kullu’s Parvati River.

About River

• Origin: The Parvati River originates from the Parvati Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Course: It flows through the Parvati Valley and merges with the Beas River near Kullu.
• Tributaries: Tirthan and Sainj rivers.
• Hydropower: The river is central to several hydroelectric projects, including the proposed Malana Dam, which aim to harness its water for energy production.
• Importance : Provides water for irrigation in the valley, supporting local agriculture.

Current Context : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and India signed a USD 200 million loan agreement to improve solid waste management and sanitation in 100 cities across eight states in India.

• Named as the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0-Comprehensive Municipal Waste Management in Indian Cities Program.
• Aim : upgrade and establish solid waste processing and management facilities such as bio-methanation plants, composting plants, managed landfills, material recovery facilities, and plastic waste processing facilities.

ABOUT ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

• It is a regional development bank established in 1966 to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• Headquartered in Manila, Philippines,
• Objective : provides loans, technical assistance, and grants to member countries for projects to reduce poverty and support sustainable development.
• Members: 68 member countries, including both Asian and non-Asian nations (India is a founding member of ADB and its fourth largest shareholder)

ABOUT SWATCH BHARAT MISSION

• Launched on October 2, 2014, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, with the goal of achieving a Clean India by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Aim : to eliminate open defecation, improve solid waste management, and promote cleanliness and hygiene.
• Components:
  • Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin): aiming to provide access to sanitation facilities and improve overall hygiene practices in villages.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) : aiming to improve waste management systems, ensure sanitation facilities, and promote cleanliness in cities and towns.
• Implementation Agencies: Ministry of Jal Shakti (rural) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (urban).

Current Context : The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) unveiled the Women Entrepreneurship Program.

• Aim : to tackle the challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship by offering crucial skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities.
• In partnership with Britannia Industries Limited, the initiative will also offer financial grants and feature their products and services on the Skill India Digital Hub.

OBJECTIVE :

• Empower Women: to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to start and grow successful businesses.
• Promote Entrepreneurship: It focuses on increasing the number of women entrepreneurs in India, thereby contributing to economic growth and gender equality.

VARIOUS INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED TO FOSTER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDIA :

• Stand Up India Scheme: Provides financial support to women entrepreneurs, particularly from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), to set up greenfield enterprises.
• Mudra Yojana : Provides micro-financing to small and micro enterprises, with no collateral required by women for upto 10 lakh loans.
• Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) : Launched by NITI Aayog, to support women entrepreneurs through mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities.
• Mahila Udyam Nidhi: Provides financial assistance to women entrepreneurs for setting up and expanding small-scale industries.

Current Context : Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady has installed a wind turbine to generate power for real-time monitoring cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity within its forests.

ABOUT PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE :

• It is a prominent protected area in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, known for its biodiversity and conservation efforts.
• Location : Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala
• Area : 925 square kilometers
• Establishment : The area was initially designated as a sanctuary in 1950. It was upgraded to a tiger reserve in 1978 under Project Tiger and later declared a national park in 1982.
• Biodiversity: including the Bengal tiger, Indian elephants, gaur (Indian bison), and a diverse range of bird species.
• Habitat : tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, and grasslands, providing crucial habitats for its flora and fauna.