Context: The Central government is considering a proposal to provide interest-free loans to tobacco farmers of Andhra Pradesh impacted by Cyclone Michaung.
News:
Interest-Free Loans for Andhra Tobacco Farmers:
About Tobacco Cultivation in India:
About the Tobacco Board:
Establishment: The Tobacco Board was formed by the Government of India through the enactment of the Tobacco Board Act in 1975.
Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the overseeing ministry for the Tobacco Board.
Headquarters: The Tobacco Board is headquartered in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
Functions:
Government Initiatives in the Tobacco Sector:
Context: Five of the six people arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the Parliament security breach on December 13 last year gave their consent before a court here on Friday to undergo a polygraph test.
About:
Polygraph Test Mechanics:
Constitutional and Legal Framework:
Limitations and Challenges:
Legal and Constitutional Rulings:
Way Forward:
Context: In a positive end to a hijacking attempt in the North Arabian Sea, marine commandos (MARCOS) of the Indian Navy on Friday evening secured and safely evacuated all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from merchant vessel Lila Norfolk.
News:
The vessel, Lila Norfolk, transmitted a message through the UK Maritime Trade Operations portal while being approximately 460 nautical miles off the Eyl coast in Somalia.
Arabian Sea
The hijacking attempt in the Arabian Sea is on the rise due to several factors:
Threats Posed by Maritime Piracy:
1. Physical Harm, Kidnapping, and Humanitarian Concerns:
2. Disruption of Trade:
3. Economic Losses:
4. Impact on Fishing Industry:
5. Environmental Risks:
6. Security Concerns:
7. Global Security:
Steps Taken by India:
1. Operational Steps:
2. Multilateral Cooperation:
3. Institutions Created
4. Legislative Steps:
Context: Recently, air travellers took to social media to express their shock and anger because their privacy was being violated at airports.This was mainly happening due to the forceful promotion of the Digi Yatra initiative by the Union government.
About:
How to avail this facility:
DigiYatra Foundation
Benefits:
Eliminates the need for passengers to present boarding passes or IDs at multiple checkpoints.
- Reduces human intervention, leading to shorter queue times.
- Enhances airport security by validating passenger data with the Airlines Departure Control System, permitting only designated passengers to enter the terminal.
- Provides real-time information to airport operators for improved passenger load management and Resource planning.
- Enables airlines to track the position of passengers within the airport, offering operational benefits.
- Enhances airport throughput.
Concerns Raised:
- Privacy Concerns: DigiYatra, considered the 'future of air travel,' raises privacy concerns as it allows the government access to extensive information about individuals' travel patterns.
- Data Security: The collection of facial biometric data by DigiYatra raises security concerns.
- Lack of Clarity: Questions remain unanswered, such as the role of DigiYatra Foundation, a private entity, and the government's promotion of its use.
- Cost Savings and Security Deployment: It is unclear whether DigiYatra results in cost savings on security deployment, as the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) continues to manage these gates.
- Pending Legislation: India has yet to notify its Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, passed in Parliament in August of the previous year.
A dying traditional game, given a fresh lease of life at the ongoing Karbi Youth Festival (KYF) in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, has fuelled a drive for conserving a creeper known as the African dream herb.
About African dream herb
Hambi Kepathu?
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently issued instructions for Residential Private Schools interested in joining SHRESHTA Scheme.
About Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)
The Forest Department of Tamil Nadu has cleared 356.50 hectares of invasive growth of Senna spectabilis that posed a threat to biodiversity conservation in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR).
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Irulas?
Irulas are one of India’s oldest indigenous communities and they are a particularly vulnerable tribal group.They live primarily in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as in parts of Kerala and Karnataka. They speak Irula, which is related to Dravidian languages like Tamil and Kannada. Irulas have traditionally caught snakes and rats, but they also work as labourers.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) recently announced that the Chang’e 6 sample return mission is on track to land on the surface of the Moon in the first half of 2024.
The Chang'e 6 mission is a planned lander designed to return samples from the lunar south pole.The mission aims to land on the Moon, collect samples from the lunar surface, and return them to Earth. This process will contribute crucial data to unravel the Moon's geological mysteries.
The Indian Vice President recently inaugurated the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in New Delhi.
Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP)
UN’s Economic and Social Council?
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN. It is the UN’s largest and most complex subsidiary body.
The festival has been providing an opportunity to generate livelihood to different tribes like Rabhas, Garos, Gorkhas and tea tribes.
Sheikh Hasina's Awami League won almost 75% (222 out of 300) Parliamentary seats of the seats in general election that was boycotted by the main opposition BNP and drew a low turnout.
The PM’s Awards, 2023 will consist of Trophy, Scroll and an incentive of Rs. 20 lakh to the awarded District/organization.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.