Polity

Topic: Governance

1.Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Why in the news?

• The Global Operations Centre of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has facilitated the return from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of a person wanted by the Gujarat police for allegedly being the mastermind of an international gambling racket.

About Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): 

• It is the premier investigating police agency in India.
• It provides assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission and Lokpal.
• It functions under the superintendence of the Deptt. of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India.
  • However, for investigations of offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act, its superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance Commission.
• It is also the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigations on behalf of Interpol Member countries.
• It is not a statutory body but derives its power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
• The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).
• In 1963, the CBI was established by the Government of India with a view to investigate serious crimes related to defence of India, corruption in high places, serious fraud, cheating and embezzlement and social crime, particularly of hoarding, black-marketing and profiteering in essential commodities, having all-India and inter-state ramifications.
• With the passage of time, CBI started investigations in conventional crimes like assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, crimes committed by extremists, etc.
• The Central Government can authorize CBI to investigate a crime in a State but only with the consent of the concerned State Government.
• The Supreme Court and High Courts, however, can order CBI to investigate a crime anywhere in the country without the consent of the State.

Topic: Money Laundering

2.Enforcement Directorate

Why in the news?

• The Enforcement Directorate has identified several properties of Jasmeet Singh Hakimzada, a Dubai-based alleged international drug trafficker also sought by the enforcement agencies in the United States. He is alleged to have links with the banned terror outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).

About Enforcement Directorate:

• It is a domestic law enforcement agency and economic intelligence agency.
• It is responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crimes in India.
• It works under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
• Its prime objective is the enforcement of three key Acts of the Government of India i.e.
  • Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA)
  • Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)
  • Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA)
• It is headed by the Director of Enforcement.
• Its headquarters are located at New Delhi.
• It has five regional offices at Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Delhi headed by Special Directors of Enforcement.
• It has ten Zonal offices each of which is headed by a Deputy Director and 11 sub Zonal Offices each of which is headed by an Assistant Director.
• Recruitment of the officers is done directly and by drawing officers from other investigation agencies. It comprises officers of IRS (Indian Revenue Services), IPS (Indian Police Services) and IAS (Indian Administrative Services) such as Income Tax officer, Excise officer, Customs officer, and police.
• In November 2021, the President of India promulgated two ordinances allowing the Centre to extend the tenures of the directors of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate from two years to up to five years.

International Relations

3.Teesta River

Why in the news?

• Bangladesh's new interim government has expressed interest in restarting talks with India over sharing the waters of the Teesta River to find an amicable solution.
• This also comes amid former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's continued presence in India after fleeing the country following anti-government protests which led to her ouster on August 5.
• The yet-to-materialize Teesta Treaty is based on Bangladesh's demand for equitable distribution of Teesta water with India on the lines of the Ganga Water Treaty of 1996.

About Teesta River:

• It is a tributary of the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River), flowing through India and Bangladesh.
• It originates as Chhombo Chhu from a glacial lake Khangchung Chho.
• It flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal.
• Course:
  • It flows to the south, cutting a deep gorge through the Siwalik Hills east of Darjeeling and turns southeast to run through the Sivok Khola pass onto the plains of West Bengal.
  • It continued southward to empty directly into the Padma River (Ganga River).
  • About 1787, it changed its course to flow eastward, to join the Jamuna River in Bangladesh.
• Its left-bank tributaries include Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Dik Chhu, Rani Khola and Rangpo Chhu rivers. 
• Its right-bank tributaries include Zemu Chhu, Rangyong Chhu and Rangit Rivers.

Topic: Central Asia

4.Azerbaijan

Why in the news?

• Polls closed in Azerbaijan’s snap parliamentary election, the first since it regained full control of a former breakaway territory of Karabakh last year. The vote for the Milli Mejlis parliament is not expected to bring significant changes to the body dominated by President Ilham Aliyev’s New Azerbaijan party.

About Azerbaijan:

• It is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia.
• It is a part of the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, straddling Western Asia and Eastern Europe.
• It is bordered by:
  • Caspian Sea to the east
  • Russia's republic of Dagestan to the north
  • Georgia to the northwest
  • Armenia and Turkey to the west
  • Iran to the south
• Its capital is Baku.
• It has a landlocked exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
• Its highest peak is Mount Bazardüzü while its lowest point lies in the Caspian Sea.
• Nearly half of all the mud volcanoes on Earth are concentrated in Azerbaijan.
• Its largest lake is Sarysu 67 km2, and the longest river is Kur 1,515 km, which is transboundary with Armenia. 

Geography

Topic: Mountains

5.Om Parvat

Why in the news?

• Snow disappeared completely for the first time ever from Uttarkahand’s Om Parvat.
• Experts attributed the phenomenon to scanty rain and scattered snowfall in the upper Himalayan region over the past five years, rise in vehicular pollution, and global warming.

About Om Parvat

• It is located in the Vyas Valley of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand at an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet.
• It is renowned for its snow-capped peak that naturally forms a pattern resembling the Hindu symbol “Om.” 
• This unique feature has made it a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike.

Topic: Rivers

6.Mandovi River

Why in the news?

• A 22-year-old businessman from Gujarat is feared to have drowned, while his friend, a management student, swam to safety after their rented car allegedly plunged into the Mandovi river.

About Mandovi River:

• It is also known as Mahadayi River:
• It rises in the Western Ghats, from the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Khanapur taluk of Karnataka’s Belagavi district.
• It travels 35 km in Karnataka; 82 km in Goa before joining the Arabian Sea at Panaji (North Goa).
• It is a rain-fed river that is shared between Karnataka and Goa for their water needs.
• The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the island of Chorao in the Mandovi river.
• Its major tributaries include Kalasa Nala, Banduri Nala, Surla Nala, Haltar Nala, Poti Nala, Mahadayi Nala, Pansheer Nala, Bail Nala and Andher Nala rivers.

Environment and Ecology

Topic: Protected Areas

7.Poba Reserve Forest

Why in the news?

• The Poba Reserve Forest in Assam’s Dhemaji district will soon be notified as a wildlife sanctuary, a major boost to conservation efforts in the state.
• Assam has 17 wildlife sanctuaries and two “preliminary notified” wildlife sanctuaries and seven national parks.

About Poba Reserve Forest:

• It is a rainforest located in the northeastern part of Assam.
• It was created in the year 1924 and covers an area of 10,221 hectares.
• Its peripheral area is inhabited by a few ethnic groups, including Mising, Bodo, Sonowal Kachari, and Hajong (Rabha). 
• It is one of the richest rain forests of North-East India in terms of the flora and fauna found in it.
• It is home to various arboreal species, including the slow loris and capped langur. Among the most common mammal species is the wild boar.
• It is also a habitat for about 45 species of birds and reptiles, and the confluence of the Siang and Lohit rivers supports a diverse range of fish species.
• It is renowned for its variety of orchids.
• It serves as an important migratory route for various animals, particularly elephants, as it connects the D' Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh), Kabu Chapri Proposed Reserve Forest, and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (Assam).
  • This corridor is the second significant elephant migration route from the north to the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, the other being the Panpur-Kaziranga route.

Science

Topic: Diseases

8.Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Why in the news?

• Northeastern US is seeing an uptick in several cases of Triple E mosquito virus or the EEE virus. 
• The US has recorded the first death of this year due to this virus; a 41 year old from New Hampshire has died after contracting this viral infection.

About Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE):

• It is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection caused by the EEE virus.
• It causes encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.
• It can infect a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. 
• Its transmission to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals.
• Symptoms:
  • Many people infected with this virus do not develop any symptoms. 
  • Symptoms typically appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. 
  • Severe cases of EEE infection begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting that may progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and coma.
  • About 30% of people ill from EEE die, and many who survive the infection are left with permanent neurologic damage.
• Treatment:
  • There are no vaccines to prevent EEE infection in people and no specific treatments for EEE disease.
  • Treatment focuses on supportive therapy, including hospitalization, respiratory support, intravenous fluids, and prevention of other infections.

Topic: Government schemes and missions

9.Rashtriya Poshan Maah

Why in the news?

• The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah has been launched from Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

About Rashtriya Poshan Maah:

• It is an initiative under the POSHAN Abhiyaan aimed at enhancing nutritional outcomes for vulnerable populations. 
• Celebrated in September, it marks the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah this year. 
• It covers the themes of Anaemia, Growth Monitoring, Complementary Feeding, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, Technology for better Governance, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.
• It involves a series of activities designed to improve awareness about nutrition, such as health check-ups, community outreach programs, and the distribution of nutritional supplements. 
• It plays a crucial role in addressing malnutrition and promoting better nutritional practices among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

POSHAN Abhiyaan

• It was previously known as the National Nutrition Mission.
• It started in March 2018 to improve nutrition for children aged 0-6, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. 
• It aims to reduce stunting, wasting, and anemia. It is implemented across all 36 states and UTs, including Tamil Nadu and Odisha. 
• Key components of POSHAN Abhiyaan include using technology, community involvement, and establishing Nutri-gardens for better access to nutritious food.
• It has now been integrated into Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, focusing on diet diversity, food fortification, and the use of millets to tackle malnutrition effectively.

Economy

Topic: Tariffs

10.Anti-Dumping Duty

Why in the news?

• Trade ministry proposes anti-dumping duty on Chinese aluminium foil imports
• The recommendation seeks to address a threat to the domestic manufacturing industry, the directorate general of trade remedies said.

About Anti-Dumping Duty:

• It is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value.
• Dumping is a process wherein a company exports a product at a price that is significantly lower than the price it normally charges in its home (or its domestic) market.
• It is priced in an amount that equals the difference between the normal costs of the products in the importing country and the market value of similar goods in the exporting country or other countries that produce similar products. 
• It is imposed to protect local businesses and markets from unfair competition by foreign imports.
• Thus, the p  urpose of anti-dumping duty is to rectify the trade distortive effect of dumping and re-establish fair trade.
• The use of anti-dumping measures as an instrument of fair competition is permitted by the World Trade Organization (WTO). 
• The WTO allows the government of the affected country to take legal action against the dumping country as long as there is evidence of genuine material injury to industries in the domestic market.
• The government must show that dumping took place, the extent of the dumping in terms of costs, and the injury or threat to cause injury to the domestic market.
• While the intention of anti-dumping duties is to protect local businesses and markets, these tariffs can also lead to higher prices for domestic consumers.
• In India, the Ministry of Finance makes the final decision on whether to impose anti-dumping duties.