CIVIL SERVICE INFO

Stubble Burning: A Major Contributor to Delhi's Air Pollution Stubble Burning's Impact on Delhi's Air • Stubble burning, a traditional practice by farmers in Punjab and Haryana, contributes significantly to air pollution in Delhi during October and November. • Studies indicate that stubble burning accounts for an average of 22% of air pollution, peaking at 35%. Reduced Windspeed Worsens Pollution • The transition from monsoon to winter causes reduced windspeed, leading to pollutants hovering near the ground. Stubble Burning vs. Delhi Transport • On October 25, stubble burning was responsible for 15% of Delhi's air pollution, while Delhi transport contributed 18%. Other Contributors to Delhi's Pollution • Analysis by IIT Delhi and Teri consortia reveals that secondary inorganic aerosols from beyond Delhi and biomass burning within and outside Delhi are the major contributors to pollution, with vehicles contributing 17%.. Source the hindu

The COP-29 and India's carbon credit mechanism The COP-29 summit in Baku will center on climate finance, with a primary focus on carbon credits and inter-country disputes. In 2023, India revised its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to incorporate a domestic carbon market, as mandated by the Energy Conservation Act of 2022. India's objective is to harmonize its climate targets with its economic agenda, emphasizing the necessity of a market that upholds credibility, efficiency, and equity. Drawing lessons from global practices is imperative for India's success. The credibility of carbon credits stands as a cornerstone in any market, as a lack of accountability could result in greenwashing. India must conduct meticulous verification of carbon credits, leveraging a national registry and independent third-party validators. Adhering to international best practices is vital for establishing a market of high integrity. India's carbon market must align with global benc

  Global carbon market & COP 29 SOURCE THE HINDU Countries at COP29 in Baku voted to finalize a global carbon market, allowing trading of carbon credits among themselves. Prices are determined by emission caps. The market stems from the Paris Agreement's Article 6, facilitating bilateral carbon trading (Art 6.2) and global market participation (6.4). Optimism before COP 29 suggested a global carbon trading mechanism and UN-sanctioned carbon credits by 2025. Finalizing Article 6 negotiations could save $250 billion per year by enabling international cooperation. Focus on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is crucial as carbon markets help achieve it. NCQG updates the $100 billion annual target for developing countries to adapt and mitigate emissions by 2025, a key outcome of Baku COP.

मंदिर का प्राचीन इतिहास  यह प्राचीन मंदिर लगभग 13वीं से 14वीं शताब्दी का माना जाता है, जिसे तात्कालिक नागवंशी शासको द्वारा निर्माण कराया गया था, उस कल में काफी मजबूत आधार- संरचना के साथ इस भव्य मंदिर का निर्माण कराया गया था, जिसके कारण यह आज भी सदियों बाद भी विराजमान है, प्राचीन शिव मंदिर खजुराहो कल के समय के होनेके कारण इसे छत्तीसगढ़ पुरातत्व व संस्कृति विभाग द्वारा राज्य स्मारक का दर्जा देकर संरक्षण प्राप्त है जिसके फलस्वरूप यह पूरे जिले में काफी प्रसिद्ध है l शिव मंदिर का भौतिक स्वरूप  यह मंदिर दो अलग खंडों में विराजित हैं जिसमें एक को बजरंगबली मंदिर के नाम से लोकप्रिय है l वही दूसरे को आठ स्तंभों पर आधारित मुख्य मंदिर का स्वरूप मंडप, अंतराल व गर्भगृह में विभक्त है l जिसमें बाहरी दीवारों पर बड़े बड़े पत्थरों को जोड़कर उन पर संयुक्त नक्काशी की गई हैं l अंदर गर्भगृह में शिवलिंग की प्राचीन प्रतिमा विराजमान हैं, जहां पर सदियों से भक्त गण अनवरत शिवलिंग पर जलाभिषेक करते आ रहें हैं l

    Carlos Alcaraz   Carlos Alcaraz became the sixth player in the Open era to perform the French Open-Wimbledon double in the same year. The others to do it were Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The 21-year-old Alcaraz is the youngest to achieve the feat.

 Uncertainty in Nepal Politics 1. Nepali politics is characterized by unstable coalition-making, with shifting alliances and constant changes in power, as seen in the recent resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal due to lack of support in the House of Representatives.     2. The democratic polity in Nepal has experienced instability and poor governance since transitioning from a monarchy to a republic in 2008, despite constitutional reforms aiming to ensure representation for marginalized groups.     3. The major political parties in Nepal prioritize holding onto power over genuine governance, leading to a lack of development and continued status as a "least developed country."   4. The coalition politics in Nepal is driven more by a desire for power than by ideological or principled motives, resulting in further disillusionment among the Nepali population with the democratic process.   5. There is a suggestion that Nepal might benefit from a presidential system wit

INDIA & RUSSIA Relationship  Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Moscow Visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Moscow was significant as it marked his first independent visit to Russia since 2019, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations. During the visit, Mr. Modi received Russia's highest civilian award and emphasized the importance of the strong ties between India and Russia, amidst global criticism. Bilateral Relations and Achievements The visit aimed to strengthen economic ties between India and Russia, with a focus on enhancing trade relationships. Both leaders discussed achieving a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030, showcasing the growing economic partnership between the two countries. Additionally, efforts were made to address concerns such as allowing Indian recruits in the Russian Army to return to India. Diplomatic Balancing Act The visit lacked discussions on military purchases, usually a key aspect of India-Russia ties, to avoid inter

Sunita Williams and Boeing's Starliner Mission 1. **Sunita Williams and Boeing's Starliner Mission**    - Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are currently docked with the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft since June 6, due to delays and technical issues.    - Both astronauts expressed confidence in Starliner's ability to bring them back to Earth and are staying on the ISS to test the spacecraft.    - NASA and Boeing are evaluating the propulsion system and helium leaks in Starliner, causing the delay in the astronauts' safe return initially scheduled for June 18.     2. **Starliner's Launch Attempts and Issues**    - Starliner's Crew Flight Test mission aims to enable commercial travel to low-Earth orbits and the ISS, serving as a joint venture between NASA and private space players.    - Several launch attempts were postponed due to issues like an oxygen valve problem, helium leaks, and ground launch sequencer malfunction

U.S. and South Korea sign joint nuclear deterrence guidelines in face of North Korean threats   1. The U.S. and South Korea signed joint nuclear deterrence guidelines amidst increasing concerns over North Korea's nuclear threats, highlighting the solid foundation for enhancing extended deterrence cooperation.   2. The establishment of a joint Nuclear Consultative Group facilitated the enhancement of information-sharing on nuclear and strategic operations between the U.S. and South Korea.   3. The guidelines aim to integrate U.S. nuclear assets with South Korean conventional weapons to effectively respond to North Korean nuclear threats, with a commitment from the U.S. to defend South Korea with swift and decisive action in case of a nuclear attack.   4. Despite the confidentiality of the details in the deterrence guidelines, North Korea is expected to react negatively, perceiving the agreement as a potential threat and expressing mistrust towards U.S. commitments due to recent adva

  Divorced Muslim women are entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC 1. Divorced Muslim women are entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC:     • The Supreme Court clarified that divorced Muslim women can claim maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC, irrespective of personal laws.    2. Impact of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986:     • The enactment of this Act aimed to restrict the rights of Muslim women but was upheld as valid in 2001 by a Constitution Bench.     • The Act was interpreted to coexist with the right of Muslim women to seek maintenance under secular laws.   3. The 1986 Act and Section 125 of the CrPC provide parallel remedies:     • Both personal law provisions and secular remedies for maintenance are deemed essential for divorced Muslim women.     • The 1986 Act obligates Muslim husbands to provide for their divorced wives and children, while the CrPC aims to prevent women's vagrancy.   4. Clarification on th

ज्ञानपीठ पुरस्कार के बारे में ज्ञानपीठ पुरस्कार एक वार्षिक भारतीय साहित्यिक पुरस्कार है जो भारतीय ज्ञानपीठ द्वारा किसी लेखक को साहित्य में उनके असाधारण योगदान के लिए प्रदान किया जाता है। यह भारत का सबसे पुराना और सबसे प्रतिष्ठित साहित्यिक पुरस्कार है, जिसे 1961 में स्थापित किया गया था, और यह केवल उन भारतीय लेखकों को दिया जाता है जो भारत के संविधान की  आठवीं अनुसूची में शामिल भारतीय भाषाओं और अंग्रेजी में भी लिखते हैं।   यह पुरस्कार मरणोपरांत नहीं  है। संविधान की आठवीं अनुसूची में 22 भाषाएँ शामिल हैं जो हैं:-  (1) असमिया, (2) बंगाली, (3) गुजराती, (4) हिंदी, (5) कन्नड़, (6) कश्मीरी, (7) कोंकणी, (8) ) मलयालम, (9) मणिपुरी, (10) मराठी, (11) नेपाली, (12) उड़िया, (13) पंजाबी, (14) संस्कृत, (15) सिंधी, (16) तमिल, (17) तेलुगु, (18) ) उर्दू (19) बोडो, (20) संथाली, (21) मैथिली और (22) डोगरी  सिंधी भाषा को 21वें संशोधन अधिनियम 1967  द्वारा जोड़ा गया l  कोंकणी  मणिपुरी और नेपाली को 1992 में  लागू  71वें संशोधन  द्वारा जोड़ा गया। 92वें संशोधन, 2003 द्वारा बोडो, डोगरी, मैथिली और संथाली  को जोड़ा गया।