Current Context : Cabinet approved One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) programme.

What is ONOS?

• A Central Sector Scheme to provide country-wide access to scholarly research articles and journals on a unified digital platform.

Objectives:

• Aligns with Viksit Bharat@2047, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)to advance education and research.

Financial Details:

• Allocated ₹6,000 crore for implementation between 2025 and 2027.

Ministry and Implementation:

• Managed by the Ministry of Education through the Department of Higher Education (DHE).
• A national subscription will be coordinated via Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), a UGC inter-university center.

Benefits:

• Enhances equity in research opportunities across regions.
• Supports affordable access to global research and facilitates innovation and knowledge-sharing among Indian scholars​
• Aim : to foster a research-driven economy and bolster India’s position as a global knowledge leader.

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the U.S.

• This year it will be celebrated on 28 November.
• Aim : to give thanks for blessings and the harvest of the year.
• It is a uniquely American holiday dedicated to expressing gratitude, cherishing loved ones, and reflecting on life’s blessings.

Celebrated annually on November 28

• Red Planet Day honors Mars, known as the Red Planet for its iron oxide-rich surface.
• It Marks the launch anniversary of NASA’s Mariner 4in 1964, the first spacecraft to capture close-up images of Mars.

Current Context : Recently, the Commerce Secretary visited Norway for implementation Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

What is EFTA?

• Established in 1960, EFTA includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
• It promotes free trade and economic integration.

India’s Trade with EFTA:

• Bilateral trade (2022-23): USD 18.65 billion.
• Major export destinations: Switzerland, followed by Norway. India has a trade deficit with EFTA, primarily due to gold imports.

About TEPA (Signed in March 2024) 

Objectives:

1. Increase FDI by USD 100 billion and create 1 million direct jobs in India over 15 years.
2. Strengthen trade and economic ties by reducing tariffs and removing trade barriers.

Key Features:

1. Covers 14 chapters, including trade in goods/services, rules of origin, intellectual property rights (IPR), and investment promotion.
2. Focuses on market access for goods and services, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and trade facilitation.

Market Access Commitments:

1. EFTA: Offers 92.2% tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India’s exports.
2. India: Offers 82.7% tariff lines, covering 95.3% of EFTA’s exports (80% are gold-related).

Current Context : Baalbek, Tyre, and Anjar are UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Lebanon, recently threatened by military conflicts and airstrikes.

UNESCO has granted them “enhanced protection” under the 1954 Hague Convention, highlighting their historical significance and risk of damage during armed conflicts.

About Baalbek, Tyre, and Anjar

Baalbek:

• Known for its colossal Roman structures, showcasing Imperial Roman architecture at its peak.
• Houses the famous Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Jupiter, among the best-preserved Roman ruins.

Tyre:

• A major Phoenician city that dominated maritime trade and founded colonies like Carthage and Cadiz.
• Historically credited as the origin of purple dye production.
• Features archaeological remains like the Roman hippodrome and ancient harbor​

Current Context : International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference is being organised in India for the first time in the 130 year long history of ICA.

• Theme : “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All” aligns with the Indian Government’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation).

Significance:

• India’s Role: India contributes 25% of the global cooperative movement.
• Launch of the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
• Represents a global commitment to sustainability and equitable growth.

About ICA:

• Founded: 1895 in London.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
• Members: 306 organizations across 105 countries.
• Focus: Promotes democracy, equality, and self-help in the cooperative sector.

Current Context : Recently, 6th meeting of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee was held in New Delhi.

What is AITIGA?

• A free trade agreement between India and ASEAN, operational since January 1, 2010 (signed in August 2009).
• It forms one of the largest free trade zones in South and Southeast Asia.

Members:

• Includes India and the ten ASEAN countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Significance:

• ASEAN is one of India’s largest trade partners, contributing approximately 11% to India’s global trade.
• Trade between India and ASEAN reached $122.67 billion in 2023-24, with India exporting $41.21 billion and importing $79.67 billion, resulting in a trade deficit.

ASEAN Overview:

• Founded in 1967, ASEAN focuses on economic and security cooperation among its members.
• Its collective GDP is approximately $3.2 trillion, with a population of 662 million (2022).

Current Context :The Reang tribe has requested Tripura to declare a public holiday on Hojagiri Day, which honors their traditional Hojagiri dance.

About Reang Tribe:

Ethnic Identity:

• Known as Bruin Tripura, the Reang tribe is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).

Population & Location:

• Total population: ~1,88,080 (Census 2011).
• Predominantly in Tripura, with smaller groups in Mizoram and Assam.

Cultural Highlights:

• Famous for the Hojagiri dance, performed during festivals, showcasing balance and cultural traditions.

Migration History:

• Originated from Shan State, Myanmar, migrating to Tripura via Chittagong Hill Tracts and Mizoram during the 18th century.

Language:

• Speak “Kaubru,” a Tibeto-Burmese language influenced by the Kuki dialect and part of the Kok-Borok family.

Social Structure:

• Divided into two clans: Meskaand Molsoi.
• Maintain strong ethnic and cultural unity.

Current Context :Recently, Supreme Court  directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider relaxing the restrictions on physical classes of schools, colleges and educational institutions in Delhi-NCR, which were imposed last week due to severe air pollution.

About Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):

• It is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.
• Mandate: To coordinate, research, and resolve air quality issues in Delhi-NCR and surrounding regions (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh).

Powers:

• Restrict activities causing pollution.
• Conduct studies and enforce measures to prevent and control pollution.
• Issue binding directives to concerned authorities.

Structure:

• Led by a Chairperson with a 3-year term or until 70 years of age.
• Includes ex-officio members from environmental departments of Delhi and neighboring states.
• Direct accountability to Parliament.
• Plays a central role in enforcing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for pollution control.

Current Context : India’s first modern, self-sufficient gaushala with a state-of-the-art CBG plant was inaugurated in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. 

How does it work?

• The plant converts cattle dung and organic waste like vegetable and fruit leftovers into compressed biogas (Bio-CNG) and organic manure.

Capacity and Output:

• Processes 100 tons of cattle dung daily.
• Produces 2–3 tons of compressed biogas and 10–15 tons of bio-manure per day.

Economic and Environmental Benefits:

• Reduces carbon emissions by utilizing methane-rich waste.
• Provides affordable bio-manure to promote organic farming in nearby regions.
• Offers an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, supporting climate change mitigation.

Developed by the Gwalior Municipal Corporation in partnership with the Indian Oil Corporation.

Policy Alignment:

• Supports government initiatives like the SATAT Scheme(Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) and the GOBAR-DHAN Scheme (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan).

What is Compressed Biogas (CBG)?

It is a renewable form of energy produced by compressing purified biogas, similar to compressed natural gas (CNG).

Production Process:

1. Generated through the anaerobic digestion of organic waste such as agricultural residue, municipal waste, or animal manure.
2. Purified to remove impurities like hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) before compression.