NATIONAL:
1. Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019
Why in news: Ministry of Home Affairs notifies Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 exercising power under Citizenship Act, 1955
Key points:
• The Rules Amends Citizenship Rules, 2009 and are notified enforce Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019.
Highlights of 2024 Rules:
Eligibility: To apply for citizenship by registration/naturalization one must be:
• Person of Indian origin
• Married to an Indian citizen
• A minor child of an Indian citizen
• A person whose parents are registered as an Indian citizen
• Person or either of his parents was a citizen of Independent India
• Registered as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder
About CAA 2019:
CAA 2019 amended Citizenship Act 1955.
• It provides that any person belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, shall not be considered illegal migrant if he/she
• Entered into India on or before the 31st December, 2014 and
• Has been exempted by the Central Government by or under section 3 (2) (c) of Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 (34 of 1920) or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 (31 of 1946) or
• Any rule or order made there under
2. Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) 2024 Campaign
Why in news: Ministry of Jal Shakti Launched 5th edition of the annual JSA: CTR 2024 Campaign
Key points:
• It was first launched in 2019 as a “Jan Andolan” and since 2021, it has become an annual feature covering all blocks of all districts across country.
• Aim: To initiate and accelerate water conservation at the grassroots level through citizen participation.
• Launched under: National Water Mission (NWM).
3. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Why in news: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Celebrated 19th Foundation Day
Key points:
• To mark this special occasion, the Commission invited children from different parts of the country to acknowledge their efforts and participation in the Commission’s Pariksha Parv campaign.
• One of the primary activities planned under Pariksha Parv 6.0 was to encourage children to express their experiences, patterns, and go-to routines for dealing with exam stress and anxiety through short video messages.
Value Addition:
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights was founded in 2007.
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Headquarters: New Delhi, India;
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairman: Priyank Kanoongo.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2023
Why in news: The report is released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (an independent international institute)
Key points:
• USA is the largest arms exporter and its share of total global arms exports rose to 42%.
• France, for the first time, was the second biggest arms exporter, just ahead of Russia.
• India was the world’s top arms importer.
• Its arms imports increased by 4.7% between 2014–18 and 2019–23.
• Russia remained India’s main arms supplier (accounting for 36% of its arms imports).
• Ukraine emerged as the largest European arms importer in 2019–23.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
1. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Why in news: “Indian Network for Fishery and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance” (INFAAR) 2019-22, Report
Key points: Highlights of the report
• In both sectors, very low resistance was seen to some of the antibiotics which are not in great use. Example- chloramphenicol.
• Staphylococcus showed extremely high resistance (60%+) to penicillin in the fisheries sector.
• In the livestock sector E coli and Staphylococci exhibited higher resistance.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), launched INFAAR in 2017.
• It undertakes surveillance of AMR in the aquaculture and veterinary sector.
• AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines.
DEFENCE:
1. Mission Divyastra
Why in news: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducts Mission Divyastra
Key points:
• Flight test of the indigenously developed Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology was successfully conducted under the name Mission Divyastra.
• The test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
About MIRVs Technology:
• In contrast to a traditional missile which carries one warhead, MIRVs can carry multiple warheads (each capable of striking different targets independently).
• They can be launched from land or sea from a submarine.
• US was the first country to develop MIRV technology, deploying a MIRVed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in 1970.
• Russia, UK, France, and China also possess it.
• In 2017, Pakistan reportedly tested a MIRVed missile, the Ababeel.
About Agni-5 Missile:
• Development of Agni missiles started in early 1980s under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme by the DRDO under the leadership of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.
• So far, 6 Variants of Agni Missiles have been developed.
• Agni-5 missile uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine and has a range of more than 5,000 km.
• Agni-5 MIRV system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages.
2. Exercise Cutlass Express
Why in news: Indian navy participated in U.S. Naval Forces led multinational maritime Exercise Cutlass Express in Seychelles
Key points:
• It is a cornerstone of maritime security and cooperation in the strategic waters of the East African coast and the Western Indian Ocean.
ECONOMY:
1. India’s First Automobile In-Plant Railway Siding
Why in news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurates India’s first in-plant railway siding at Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat facility
Key points:
• It will result in cutting carbon emissions, reducing truck trips, and aiming to double production capacity.
State/UT:
1. Bihar Court Issues summons to Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidh
Why in news: Tamil Nadu sports minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has been summoned by the district court in Bihar for comparing Sanatan Dharma with disease
Key points:
• The district court of Arrah in Bihar has issued this summon.
• According to the court, the statement has hurt the sentiment of a section of people who believe in Sanatan Dharma.
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