International Solar Alliance (ISA):
✅Established: 2015; headquartered in India (first intergovernmental organization headquartered in India).
✅Membership: 120 Member and Signatory countries, aiming to mobilize $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030.
✅Mission: Drive global solar energy adoption to foster sustainable growth, reduce energy costs, and provide universal energy access.
✅Primary goals: Enhance solar energy in sectors like agriculture, transport, and health; standardize solar policies; and provide solar training and data.
✅Partnerships: Collaborates with development banks, civil society, private, and public sectors, focusing on support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
✅Established: 2015; headquartered in India (first intergovernmental organization headquartered in India).
✅Membership: 120 Member and Signatory countries, aiming to mobilize $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030.
✅Mission: Drive global solar energy adoption to foster sustainable growth, reduce energy costs, and provide universal energy access.
✅Primary goals: Enhance solar energy in sectors like agriculture, transport, and health; standardize solar policies; and provide solar training and data.
✅Partnerships: Collaborates with development banks, civil society, private, and public sectors, focusing on support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
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🔆Committees on Western Ghats:
📍Sanjay Kumar Committee:
✅Formed to review state objections on ESA demarcations and validate proposed exclusions.
✅Will conduct field visits to verify if demands for village exclusions from ESA listings are justified.
✅Seeks to finalize the ESA status for villages, restricting activities harmful to biodiversity.
📍Madhav Gadgil Committee (2011):
✅Established by UPA government to propose protection measures for the Western Ghats.
✅Recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive.
✅Proposed the creation of a dedicated ecological authority to regulate development.
✅Report suggested rigorous conservation, but its recommendations were not fully adopted.
📍Kasturirangan Committee (2012):
✅Formed as a follow-up to the Gadgil Committee to provide a more moderate approach.
✅Based ESA demarcations on 37% of the Western Ghats, focusing on forested areas.
✅Emphasized a balance between conservation and developmental needs, allowing limited activity in specific areas.
📍Sanjay Kumar Committee:
✅Formed to review state objections on ESA demarcations and validate proposed exclusions.
✅Will conduct field visits to verify if demands for village exclusions from ESA listings are justified.
✅Seeks to finalize the ESA status for villages, restricting activities harmful to biodiversity.
📍Madhav Gadgil Committee (2011):
✅Established by UPA government to propose protection measures for the Western Ghats.
✅Recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive.
✅Proposed the creation of a dedicated ecological authority to regulate development.
✅Report suggested rigorous conservation, but its recommendations were not fully adopted.
📍Kasturirangan Committee (2012):
✅Formed as a follow-up to the Gadgil Committee to provide a more moderate approach.
✅Based ESA demarcations on 37% of the Western Ghats, focusing on forested areas.
✅Emphasized a balance between conservation and developmental needs, allowing limited activity in specific areas.
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Important Current Affairs for All Upcoming Exams
1) President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 8th Bhartiya Kala Mahotsav, focussed on the North-Eastern states at the Rashtrapati Nilayam, Secunderabad, Telangana.
▪️Telangana :-
➨CM - A Revanth Reddy
➨KBR National Park
➨Amrabad Tiger Reserve
➨Kawal Tiger Reserve
➨ Pakhal Lake And Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Pocharam Dam And Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
2) India has secured a position on the 15-member Steering Committee of the GlobE Network, an international anti-corruption body, following a multi-stage voting process during the plenary session held in Beijing.
3) India's newest airline, Shankh Air, has received approval from the Civil Aviation Ministry to operate in the country.
➨It will be the first scheduled airline from Uttar Pradesh, with Lucknow and Noida serving as its primary hubs.
4) Shri B. Vanlalvawna, presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
5) To boost the bilateral economic relationship between India and Uzbekistan, a Bilateral Investment Treaty was signed between the two countries in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
6) Visionary industrialist and leader Deepak C Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of Deepak Nitrite Limited, has been conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) at the 59th ICC Annual Awards Function in Mumbai.
7) India has made significant strides in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, now ranking 39th among 133 global economies, according to data released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.
➨ This marks a remarkable ascent of 42 positions over the past nine years, up from 40th place in 2023.
8) India is ranked 58th globally, with a talent score of 40.47 in the IMD World Talent Ranking 2024, a decline from last year's 56th position and a significant drop from 52nd in 2022.
9) Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh launched India-specific fashion trend book, “Paridhi 24x25” a bilingual web portal of VisioNxt and the AI Taxonomy e-book.
10) The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Pu Lalduhoma launched the state's new flagship initiative, the Handholding Scheme (Bana Kaih), during an official ceremony at Vanapa Hall.
11) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 21st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zone III Conference at Aizawl, Mizoram.
➨ The CPA Zone --III Conference theme was “Democratic Sanctity, Transparency, Accountability, and Results from Democracy.
12) Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia visited Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) Bengaluru Campus and inaugurated 5G O-RAN testing lab.
➨ He later inaugurated the “Tejas Centre of Excellence for Wireless Communications” at the Bengaluru Headquarters.
13) Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference in New Delhi.
14) Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha launched a new scheme christened as CM-SATH which guarantees monthly stipend worth Rs 5,000 for 100 toppers of Madhyamik and HS examinations.
▪️Tripura :-
➨CM - Manik Saha
➨Governor - Satyadev Narayan Arya
➨Bison (Rajbari) National Park
➨Clouded Leopard National Park
➨Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary
➨Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary
≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡
1) President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 8th Bhartiya Kala Mahotsav, focussed on the North-Eastern states at the Rashtrapati Nilayam, Secunderabad, Telangana.
▪️Telangana :-
➨CM - A Revanth Reddy
➨KBR National Park
➨Amrabad Tiger Reserve
➨Kawal Tiger Reserve
➨ Pakhal Lake And Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Pocharam Dam And Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
2) India has secured a position on the 15-member Steering Committee of the GlobE Network, an international anti-corruption body, following a multi-stage voting process during the plenary session held in Beijing.
3) India's newest airline, Shankh Air, has received approval from the Civil Aviation Ministry to operate in the country.
➨It will be the first scheduled airline from Uttar Pradesh, with Lucknow and Noida serving as its primary hubs.
4) Shri B. Vanlalvawna, presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
5) To boost the bilateral economic relationship between India and Uzbekistan, a Bilateral Investment Treaty was signed between the two countries in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
6) Visionary industrialist and leader Deepak C Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of Deepak Nitrite Limited, has been conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) at the 59th ICC Annual Awards Function in Mumbai.
7) India has made significant strides in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, now ranking 39th among 133 global economies, according to data released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.
➨ This marks a remarkable ascent of 42 positions over the past nine years, up from 40th place in 2023.
8) India is ranked 58th globally, with a talent score of 40.47 in the IMD World Talent Ranking 2024, a decline from last year's 56th position and a significant drop from 52nd in 2022.
9) Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh launched India-specific fashion trend book, “Paridhi 24x25” a bilingual web portal of VisioNxt and the AI Taxonomy e-book.
10) The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Pu Lalduhoma launched the state's new flagship initiative, the Handholding Scheme (Bana Kaih), during an official ceremony at Vanapa Hall.
11) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 21st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zone III Conference at Aizawl, Mizoram.
➨ The CPA Zone --III Conference theme was “Democratic Sanctity, Transparency, Accountability, and Results from Democracy.
12) Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia visited Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) Bengaluru Campus and inaugurated 5G O-RAN testing lab.
➨ He later inaugurated the “Tejas Centre of Excellence for Wireless Communications” at the Bengaluru Headquarters.
13) Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference in New Delhi.
14) Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha launched a new scheme christened as CM-SATH which guarantees monthly stipend worth Rs 5,000 for 100 toppers of Madhyamik and HS examinations.
▪️Tripura :-
➨CM - Manik Saha
➨Governor - Satyadev Narayan Arya
➨Bison (Rajbari) National Park
➨Clouded Leopard National Park
➨Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary
➨Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary
➨Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary
≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡≡
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The PM Vidyalaxmi scheme is a government initiative to provide financial support to meritorious students for higher education.
- Eligibility: Students admitted to top 860 higher education institutions (HEIs) are eligible, covering over 22 lakh students annually
- Loan Features: Collateral-free, guarantor-free education loans up to ₹7.5 lakh with a 75% credit guarantee
- Interest Subvention: 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakh for students with annual family income up to ₹8 lakh
- Application Process: Unified online portal, "PM-Vidyalaxmi," for loan and interest subvention applications
- Budget Allocation: ₹3,600 crore allocated from 2024-25 to 2030-31, benefiting an estimated 7 lakh new students
- Eligibility: Students admitted to top 860 higher education institutions (HEIs) are eligible, covering over 22 lakh students annually
- Loan Features: Collateral-free, guarantor-free education loans up to ₹7.5 lakh with a 75% credit guarantee
- Interest Subvention: 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakh for students with annual family income up to ₹8 lakh
- Application Process: Unified online portal, "PM-Vidyalaxmi," for loan and interest subvention applications
- Budget Allocation: ₹3,600 crore allocated from 2024-25 to 2030-31, benefiting an estimated 7 lakh new students
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Recent Exercises
- Ex Pitch Black 2024 between India and Australia – Darwin, Australia
-28th edition of Malabar Exercise between India, USA, Japan, Australia – Bay of Bengal (October 2024)
-16th edition of Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant between India and Mongolia – Umroi, Meghalaya
-13th edition of Joint -military Exercise MAITREE between India and Thailand – Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.
-29th edition of RIMPAC Naval Exercise – Hawaii, Pearl Harbour USA (INS Shivalik Participated).
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🔆 The United Nation Security Council (UNSC) :
✅ Established - by the UN Charter in 1945
✅ It is one of the five principle organizations of the United Nations (UN).
✅ Takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to peace or act of aggression.
✅ Headquarters - New York
✅ Members - It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote
🔸 5 permanent members known as P5, including the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
🔸 The P5’s privileged status has its roots in the United Nations’ founding in the aftermath of World War II.
🔸They have veto power over decisions of UNSC.
✅ 10 non-permanent members : Each year the 193-member General Assembly elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term at the UNSC.
✅ Recently, Pakistan, Somalia, Denmark, Greece, and Panama have been chosen as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), serving a 2-year term from 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2026.
✅ Established - by the UN Charter in 1945
✅ It is one of the five principle organizations of the United Nations (UN).
✅ Takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to peace or act of aggression.
✅ Headquarters - New York
✅ Members - It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote
🔸 5 permanent members known as P5, including the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
🔸 The P5’s privileged status has its roots in the United Nations’ founding in the aftermath of World War II.
🔸They have veto power over decisions of UNSC.
✅ 10 non-permanent members : Each year the 193-member General Assembly elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term at the UNSC.
✅ Recently, Pakistan, Somalia, Denmark, Greece, and Panama have been chosen as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), serving a 2-year term from 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2026.
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🔆 Asian Development Bank (ADB) :
✅ Founded - 1966
✅ Principal international Development finance institution for the Asia-Pacific region.
✅ Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.
✅ Membership - 68 members, including 49 regional members from Asia and the Pacific and 19 non-regional members from other parts of the world.
◽️ The regional members include countries from Asia and the Pacific region, such as India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and many others.
◽️ The non-regional members include countries from Europe, North America, and other regions.
✅ Functions - The ADB provides assistance to its members through grants, loans, technical assistance, and equity investments
✅ Representation - The ADB's board of governors represents the member countries and is vested with all of the ADB's powers
✅ Largest shareholders - Japan holds the largest share in ADB with 15.677%, followed by U.S.A (15.567%), China (6.473%), and India (5.812%)
✅ Founded - 1966
✅ Principal international Development finance institution for the Asia-Pacific region.
✅ Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.
✅ Membership - 68 members, including 49 regional members from Asia and the Pacific and 19 non-regional members from other parts of the world.
◽️ The regional members include countries from Asia and the Pacific region, such as India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and many others.
◽️ The non-regional members include countries from Europe, North America, and other regions.
✅ Functions - The ADB provides assistance to its members through grants, loans, technical assistance, and equity investments
✅ Representation - The ADB's board of governors represents the member countries and is vested with all of the ADB's powers
✅ Largest shareholders - Japan holds the largest share in ADB with 15.677%, followed by U.S.A (15.567%), China (6.473%), and India (5.812%)
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1098 - emergency service for children in need of care and protection
181 - helpline number for the Women Helpline (WHL) in Tamil Nadu. It is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential service that provides support and assistance to women and children who have experienced violence.
14417 - that provides information and guidance to students on education
14567 - National Helpline for Senior Citizens (Elderline), a toll-free service that provides support and assistance to senior citizens
14446 - Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan(Drug Free India Campaign)
181 - helpline number for the Women Helpline (WHL) in Tamil Nadu. It is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential service that provides support and assistance to women and children who have experienced violence.
14417 - that provides information and guidance to students on education
14567 - National Helpline for Senior Citizens (Elderline), a toll-free service that provides support and assistance to senior citizens
14446 - Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan(Drug Free India Campaign)
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A New Era in Solar Energy: Advancements Through the International Solar Alliance (ISA)
🔹 Global Initiative: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was established in 2015 by India and France during the COP21 summit in Paris to advocate for solar energy as a sustainable solution for energy access and combating climate change.
🔹 First of Its Kind: Headquartered in India, the ISA is the first international organization set up in the country, symbolizing India’s dedication to multilateral partnerships and striving for a carbon-neutral world.
🔹 Widespread Membership: With 120 member and signatory countries, the ISA is instrumental in promoting global cooperation on solar energy, boosting energy security, and facilitating the transition to sustainable and clean energy systems.
🔹 Global Initiative: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was established in 2015 by India and France during the COP21 summit in Paris to advocate for solar energy as a sustainable solution for energy access and combating climate change.
🔹 First of Its Kind: Headquartered in India, the ISA is the first international organization set up in the country, symbolizing India’s dedication to multilateral partnerships and striving for a carbon-neutral world.
🔹 Widespread Membership: With 120 member and signatory countries, the ISA is instrumental in promoting global cooperation on solar energy, boosting energy security, and facilitating the transition to sustainable and clean energy systems.
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