G-7 

Syllabus- GS Paper-2-Important Organisations 

Why in News? 

 The fresh sanctions against Russia by many G-7 countries would prohibit the import of gemstones mined in Russia including those cut and polished in other countries. 

 About: 

 · It is an intergovernmental organisation which was formed in the year 1975.

· The G7 countries are: 1. UK 2. Canada 3. France 4. Germany 5. Italy 6. Japan 7. US.

· It is a group of major industrialized countries which were emerged before 1973 oil crisis. 

 · They are considered as the most advanced economies as per the International Monetary Fund.

 · It meets annually to discuss about the common interest like: 

 a) Global Economic Governance b) International Security c) Energy Policy 

 · It does not have any formal charter or a secretariat. 

 · By the year 2022, G7 makes up 10% of the world population, 21% of the global carbon dioxide emissions. 

 G7 and India: 

 · India was invited by the G7 French Presidency in 2019. 

 · Indian Prime Minister had attended the 2021 virtual summit with the mantra of One Earth, One Health.

· Indian Prime Minister had expressed that India is the natural ally of G7 countries.

Jal Jeevan Mission 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-2-Governance (Important Policies) 

Why in News?

· A senior IAS officer has alleged irregularities in the procurement of pipes for Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. 

 Jal Jeevan Mission: 

 · It was launched in the year 2019. 

 · It promotes the supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household. 

 · It will be completed by 2024.

· It comes under the Ministry of Jal Shakti 

 · It ensures the use of conserved water, drinking water supply system. 

 · It works for grey water treatment and its reuse.

 Implementation:

 · Paani Samiti plan, implement, manage and maintain village water supply systems.

 · It consists of 10-15 members out of which 50% should be women. 

 · Other members should be from Self-Help Groups, Accredited Social and Health Workers etc.

 · The plan should be approved in a Gram Sabha before implementation. 

 Funding Pattern: 

 · It is generally a Centrally sponsored scheme. 

 · The fund sharing pattern between the centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern states ,50:50 for other states and 100% for Union Territories.

Air Quality Life Index

Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Environment & Ecology 

Why in News? 

 · Particulate Matter 2.5 is estimated to shorten an average Indian’s life expectancy by 5.3 years. 

 · In Delhi the life expectancy will be shortened by 11.9 years when compared to the WHO standards of 5 micrograms per cubic meter, according to Air Quality Life Index. 

 · If the air quality standards are not met, then an average Indian could lose 1.8 years of life expectancy and for Delhi up to 8.5 years will be shortened.

 Highlights of the Report:

 · India is the second most polluted country in the world after Bangladesh 

 · In Gurgaon the life expectancy will be shortened by 11.2 years. 

 · It is followed by Faridabad with 10.8 years and 10.1 years in Jaunpur. 

 · The report mentions that all of India’s 1.3 billion people live in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level exceeds WHO standards. 

 Air Quality Life Index: 

 · It is released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) 

 · It measures the Particulate air pollution’s impact on the life expectancy.

 · It quantifies the relationship between long-term human exposure to air pollution and life expectancy.

 PM 2.5:

 · It is an atmospheric particulate matter whose diameter is lesser than 2.5 micrometers. 

 · It is around 3% the diameter of a human hair.

 · These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs.

 · They even enter the bloodstream. 

 · Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 leads to lung cancer, heart disease, stroke etc.

Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Environment & Ecology

Why in News?

· Wildlife Institute of India report, Science has mentioned that Hollongapar Sanctuary has become a forest island. 

 · Primatologists have suggested rerouting a 1.65 kilometers long railway track that has divided an eastern Assam sanctuary which is dedicated to the western hoolock gibbon into two unequal parts. 

 Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary: 

 · It is located in the state of Assam.

 · It was officially initiated in the year 1997. 

 · It is the only sanctuary that contains gibbons in India.

 · It covers an area of about 20.98 square kilometers. 

 · It is home to 125 hoolock gibbons.

 Hoolock Gibbon: 

 · It is a tailless ape which is native to Bangladesh, Northeast India and Southwest China. 

 · It is categorised into two types.

 · They are: 

 · Western hoolock gibbon which is found in all the states of north-east, restricted between the south of the Brahmaputra river and east of the Dibang river. 

 · It is also found in eastern Bangladesh and north-west Myanmar.

 · IUCN Status: Endangered 

 · Indian wildlife protection Act 1972-Schedule-I 

 · Eastern hoolock gibbon is found in the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India. 

 · IUCN status: Vulnerable

· Indian wildlife protection Act 1972-Schedule-I

ICRA 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Economy

Why in News?

ICRA which is a domestic credit rating agency said that Indian IT sector growth will slow down to 3% in the current fiscal year. 

 Credit Rating Agencies:

 · A credit rating agency is a company which provides credit rating based on the debtor’s ability to pay back debt by making timely interest and principal payments. 

 · In India, there are six credit rating agencies that are registered under SEBI. They are: 1. CRISIL 2. ICRA 3. CARE 4. SMERA 5. Fitch India 6. Brickwork ratings

 · These Credit Rating Agencies are set up to provide independent evidence on the ability of the issuer to meet debt service obligation.

 ICRA: 

 · It stands for Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency. 

 · It was formed in the year 1991.

 · It consists of a group of companies which includes its subsidiaries. 

 · It is a public limited company.

 · Its shares are mentioned on the BSE and the NSE. 

 · At present, it is one of the most successful credit rating agencies in India. 

 Services: 

 · It offers institutional and individual creditors with tips and guidance.

 · It assists regulatory authorities in the promotion of financial market.

 It improves the capacity of lenders/ borrowers to access the financial markets

NITI Aayog and UNDP

Syllabus: Important Organisations

 Why in News? 

NITI Aayog and UNDP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on fast tracking SDGs. 

 NITI Aayog: 

 · NITI Aayog stands for National Institute for Transforming India. 

 · It was initiated on January 1, 2015. 

 · It has replaced the planning commission.

 Composition:

 · Prime Minister is the chairperson of NITI Aayog

· Vice-chairperson has to be appointed by the Prime Minister

· Governing Council consists of Chief Ministers of all states and lt. 

Governors of Union Territories

. · NITI Aayog consists of Regional council to address specific regional issues, which comprises of Chief Minister and Lt. Governors chaired by the Prime Minister or his nominee 

 Objectives: 

 · Its main objective is to foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives with states on a continuous basis. 

 · It aims to develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level.

 · It wants to create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system.

 · It provides advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded Think Tanks. 

 UNDP:

 · It is UN global development network works in 170 countries. 

 · Its headquarters are located in New York city. 

 · Its main aim is to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. 

 · It aims to build democratic governance and rule of law. 

 · It connects countries to share knowledge, experience and resources. 

 Reports released by UNDP: 

 · Global Inequality Index

 · Education Development Index

 · Human Development Report.

El Nino 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Geography 

 Why in News? 

India is experiencing the driest August since 1901 due to El Nino. 

 This year monsoon is the driest since 2015 which has recorded a rainfall deficit of 13%. 

 El Nino: 

 · It is known as Christ Child in Spanish

 · It is the warming of sea waters in Central-East equatorial Pacific.

 · It occurs every few years 

 · During the El Nino the surface temperatures in the equatorial pacific rises. 

 · This weakens the trade winds-east-west winds that blows near the equator. 

 · The easterly trade winds which blow from the America towards Asia changes direction to turn into westerlies.

 · So it brings warm water from the Western Pacific towards America 

 Effects: 

 · It causes the dry, warm winter in the Northern U.S. and Canada.

 · It will bring drought to Indonesia and Australia 

 · India is very much linked to the El Nino which supress the rainfall in the monsoon season.

 · Due to the upwelling of deeper water is reduced, Phytoplankton will also be reduced 

 · Fish which eat the phytoplankton are affected which is followed by other organisms.

 · El Nino brings the warm waters disrupting the ecosystems.

Questions

1.Consider the following countries: 

 1. Canada 

 2. France 

 3. Italy 

 4. India 

 How many of the above countries are G-7 Countries?

 a. Only one 

 b. Only two 

 c. Only three 

 d. All four

2.Consider the following statements regarding Jal Jeevan Mission:

 1. It will be completed by the year 2030. 

 2. It promotes the supply of 15 litres of water per person per day to every rural household 

 Which of the above statements are correct?

 a. Only 1

 b. Only 2

 c. Both 1&2 

 d. Neither 1 nor 2

3.Consider the following statements regarding Air Quality Index: 

 1. According to the report, India is the second most polluted country in the world after Pakistan 

 2. Air Quality Life Index is released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC). 

 3. PM 2.5 are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs.

 How many of the above statements are correct? 

 a. Only one 

 b. Only two 

 c. Only three 

 d. None