NATIONAL:
1. Illegal Cultivation of high-yielding Pusa Basmati Varieties in Pakistan
Why in news: Scientists at IARI have red-flagged the illegal cultivation of high-yielding Pusa Basmati varieties in Pakistan
Key points:
• IARI scientists have raised objections and called for action against Pakistan as it has officially registered India’s high-yielding Pusa Basmati varieties and also cultivating the same illegally.
These varieties, originally developed by IARI, include:
• Pusa Basmati-1121
• PB-1509
• PB-1847, PB-1885 and PB-1886
Legal Protection:
• All these varieties are notified under the Seeds Act, of 1966.
• The Act prohibits the export and import of seeds of notified kinds or varieties for sowing or planting.
• They are also registered under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
• This Act allows only Indian farmers to sow, save, resow, exchange or share the seeds of any protected/registered varieties.
• The Act also enumerate breeder’s rights.
• India is the leading exporter of Basmati Rice in the world.
2. Nomination Process
Why in news: Nomination process for first phase of Lok Sabha polls 2024 began.
Key points:
• Nominations is filed under section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• Date for filing of nomination is fixed by Election Commission of India.
• Candidate or any of his / her proposer should deliver the nomination paper to the Returning Officer (RO) or to the Assistant RO.
• Only an elector in the constituency in which the candidate contests the election, can be proposes.
• One proposer is needed for candidate from a recognized political party.
• 10 proposers are needed for independent or candidates from registered unrecognized political party.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. First Resolution On AI
Why in news: UN General Assembly Approved First Resolution On AI
Key points:
• The resolution gives global support to an international effort to ensure the powerful new technology benefits to all nations, respects human rights and is safe, secure and trustworthy.
• The resolution, sponsored by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries was adopted by consensus.
• It means the resolution has the support of all 193 U.N. member nations.
2. SSN-AUKUS Submarines
Why in news: US, UK & Australia Entered Agreement to Build Australia’s SSN-AUKUS Submarines
Key points:
• Under the new trilateral Security partnership, Australia’s ASC and UK-based BAE Systems will build the SSN-AUKUS submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
• The SSN-AUKUS will be equipped for intelligence, surveillance, undersea warfare and strike missions, and will provide maximum interoperability among AUKUS partners.
• AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership designed to create a stronger, more resilient trilateral submarine industrial base, supporting submarine production and maintenance in all three countries.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
1. India’s First Battery Storage Gigafactory
Why in news: India’s First Battery Storage Gigafactory to Start Operations in J&K
Key points:
• GoodEnough Energy has announced that it will start operations at India's first battery energy storage gigafactory in the northern region of Jammu and Kashmir by October 2024.
• It will help industries cut more than 5 million tons of carbon emissions in a year. India has set a goal to become net zero by 2070.
• Battery energy storage projects are crucial for India’s ambitious plan to expand its renewable energy capacity to 500 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, up from the current 178 GW.
• Battery storage systems enable the storage of energy from solar, wind, and other renewable sources.
• This stored energy can be released when needed, making renewable energy more reliable and consistent.
REPORT/INDICES:
1. World Inequality Lab (WIL) Study
Why in news: Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: World Inequality Lab (WIL) stud
Key points:
• Inequality declined post-independence till the early 1980s, after which it began rising and has skyrocketed since the early 2000s.
• By the end of 2023, India's richest citizens owned 40.1 percent of the country's wealth.
• India’s top 1 percent income share is among the very highest in the world, higher than even South Africa, Brazil, and the US.
2. State of the Global Climate 2023 Report
Why in news: State of the Global Climate 2023 report released by the World Metrological Organization (WMO)
Key points:
• The report highlighted that 2023 broke every climate indicator like greenhouse gases, temperature, etc., and also highlighted the State of Climate Finances across the globe.
• Climate flows nearly doubled in 2021-22 compared to 2019-20 levels and reached $1.3 trillion.
• China, the USA, Europe, Brazil, Japan, and India together received 90% of the increase in funds.
• Climate finance investments need to grow more than six times, by 2030 for a 1.5°C pathway.
APPOINTED/ELECTED:
1. M V Rao
Why in news: The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has elected M V Rao, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Bank of India, as its new Chairman.
Key points:
The committee also elected the following three individuals as Vice-Chairmen of the banking lobby group:
• Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI)
• S L Jain, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Indian Bank
• N Kamakodi, Managing Director and Chief Executive of City Union Bank
IMPORTANT DAY:
1. World Water Day
Why in news: World Water Day is observed every year on 22nd of March, to honor the importance of freshwater.
Key points:
• The theme for this year is ‘Water for prosperity and peace’.
• The UN General Assembly designated March 22nd as World Water Day in 1993, following the recommendations of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
• Since then, it has been observed globally to highlight water-related issues and promote action to address them.
BIHAR:
1. Bihar Diwas 2024
Why in news: Bihar Diwas is celebrated on 22nd March
Key points:
• It commemorates the founding of Bihar as a separate state in 1912, marking its separation from the Bengal Presidency.
• The inception of Bihar Diwas dates back to 2010, when the state government initiated the celebrations to honor Bihar’s 112th statehood anniversary.
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