ANSWER: C

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: C

• The Codex Alimentarious Commission (CAC) has praised India’s Standards on Millets and accepted its proposal for the development of global standards for millets during its 46th session held in Rome, Italy.
• India has framed a comprehensive group standard for 15 types of millets specifying 8 quality parameters, which received resounding applause at the international meet.
  • Codex currently has standards for Sorghum and Pearl Millet.

ABOUT CAC

• CAC is an international food safety and quality standard-setting body created by WHO and FAO in 1963.

• It has 188 countries and 1 organisation European Union as members.
• India has been a member since 1964.
• Headq uarters- Rome, Italy
• Its objective is to protect consumer’s health and ensure fair practices in food trade.
• Codex Alimentarius, or “Food Code” is a collection of standards, guidelines and codes of practice adopted by the CAC.
• Codex standards are voluntary.
• The Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) recognizes Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations as reference standards for international trade and trade dispute settlement.

ANSWER: D

• The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti released the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the entire country for the year 2023.
• The assessment was carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/UTs, which can be used for taking suitable interventions by various stake-holders.
  • Previous such assessments were carried out in 1980, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2020, and 2022, emphasizing the government’s commitment to regularly monitor and manage the nation’s water resources.

 MAJOR FINDINGS

• As per the 2023 assessment report, the total annual ground water recharge for the entire country is 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), marking an increase of 11.48 BCM compared to the previous year (2022).
  • The increase may mainly be attributed to an increase in recharge from canal seepage, return flow of irrigation water, and water bodies/tanks & water conservation structures.
• Annual ground water extraction for the entire country is 241.34 BCM.
• Stage of ground water extraction stands at23%.
• Out of total 6553 assessment units, 4793 units categorized as ‘Safe’.
• Further, out of the total 6553 assessment units in the country, 736 units have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’.
  • The report highlights a decrease in the number of ‘Over-exploited’ units, indicating positive strides in sustainable water management practices.

ANSWER: C

• Climate Club was launched at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

ABOUT CLIMATE CLUB

• It is an initiative aimed at cooperation between countries in decarbonising the industrial sector.
• It was first proposed by Germany during a G7 summit meeting.
• Led by Germany and Chile, the Club has garnered support from 36 member countries including Kenya, the European Union, Switzerland and others.
  • India is not a member.
• The Club is claimed to currently represent 55 per cent of the global economy.
• The Climate Club aims to make decarbonisation of industries successful for climate and businesses, through ambitious policies, alignment of methodologies and standards and improving finance and assistance for emerging and developed economies.
• The Club’s core idea is based on the fact that the hard-to-abate sectors, including steel, cement, and chemicals, are responsible for about 70 per cent of global CO2 emissions from industry, and developed countries account for a significant share of these emissions.
• At the launch of the Club at COP28, the Climate Change Work Programme 2024 was put forward which details programmatic activities of the club. The activities are divided into three key pillars:
  • Pillar 1: Advancing ambitious and transparent climate change mitigation policies.
  • Pillar 2: Transforming industries
  • Pillar 3: Boosting international cooperation and partnership

ANSWER: B

• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) delivered INS Sandhayak, the largest survey vessel ever built in India and first in the series of four Survey Vessels (Large) or SVLs being built by it, to the Indian Navy on the occasion of the Navy Day.
• The 110-metre-long warship is the lead vessel in a series of four SVLs and the reincarnation of another ship by that name.
  • The previous warship, also a survey vessel, was commissioned into the Navy in 1981 and decommissioned in 2021.
• These warships are capable of full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of port and harbour approaches and determination of navigation channels and routes.
• They can also undertake surveys of maritime limits and collection of oceanographic and geographical data for defence applications and carry a helicopter each, participate in low-intensity combat and function as hospital ships.
• They can also be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

ANSWER: C

• International Volunteer Day is observed annually on December 5^th.
• International Volunteer Day was established by the United Nations in 1985 and provides an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of millions of volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and resources to make a positive difference.