(12 Sep, 2023)



Ethanol Blending

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2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability

For Prelims: 2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability, SAICM, UNEP , Stockholm Convention, Lead Poisoning,Fukushima nuclear power plant, Sustainable Development Goals.

For Mains: SAICM Beyond 2020, Need for Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change participated in the virtual ‘High Level Dialogue on Human Health and Environment’ convened under the 2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability- Just Transition Towards a Pollution-free Planet.

  • The summit aims to foster a shared global understanding of critical issues in chemical and waste management while providing crucial political direction.

What is the 2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability?

  • The 2nd Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability is a high-level event that aims to provide political guidance and momentum on key international issues and priorities regarding sound management of chemicals and waste.
    • It was organized by the German Federal Ministry for the Nature, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMU).
    • It also aimed to garner support and ensure a high level of ambition of the ‘SAICM Beyond 2020’ during the upcoming 5th meeting of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5).
    • The First Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability highlighted the need for a science-policy interface (SPI) on chemicals and wastes.

What is SAICM Beyond 2020?

  • The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), adopted in 2006, is a policy framework to promote chemical safety worldwide.
    • The initial objective was to achieve “the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.”
    • The scope of SAICM is nearly unlimited, it includes both toxic chemicals and hazardous industrial activities. However, SAICM imposes no binding obligations on countries.
  • As the mandate of SAICM ended in 2020 and the goal of a sustainable chemicals management has not been achieved, the parties agreed on developing a follow up process – SAICM Beyond 2020 – which was supposed to be adopted in 2020 at ICCM 5.
    • Since in-person meetings have been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 5th session of the ICCM5, organized by UNEP under the presidency of the government of Germany, will take place from 25 to 29 September 2023 at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB), Germany.

Why is Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Important?

  • About:
    • Chemicals are essential for various sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, industry, health, and consumer goods. However, they also pose significant risks to human health and environment if not managed properly.
    • A WHO 2021 Report estimated that 2 million lives and 53 million disability-adjusted life-years were lost in 2019 due to exposures to selected chemicals.
  • Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste is Crucial for:
    • Human Health Protection: Proper management helps minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals, reducing the risk of acute and chronic health problems.
      • It prevents the contamination of air, water, and soil with harmful chemicals that can harm human health through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.
    • Environmental Conservation: The release of certain waste products, such as greenhouse gases, can contribute to climate change, making proper waste management essential for mitigating environmental impacts.
    • Resource Efficiency: Proper waste management allows for the recovery and recycling of valuable materials, conserving natural resources and reducing the need for resource extraction.
      • Recycling and proper waste disposal can lead to energy savings compared to the production of new materials from raw resources.
    • Economic Benefits:The waste management and recycling industries create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
      • Proper chemical management also reduces the cost of treating health problems caused by hazardous substances.
    • Global Cooperation: Chemicals and waste can cross borders, necessitating international cooperation to address global challenges effectively.
      • For instance, the recent waste water release of the Fukushima nuclear power plant ( with traces of tritium) raised concerns across the globe.
      • There is a need for collaborative efforts to promote shared responsibility for the management of chemicals and waste on a global scale.
    • Long-Term Sustainability: Responsible management ensures a cleaner and safer environment for future generations by reducing pollution and minimizing the impact of chemicals and waste on ecosystems.

Note:

  • The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty aimed at safeguarding human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are long-lasting, widespread chemicals that pose risks to both people and wildlife.
    • India ratified the convention in 2006, which allows it to maintain a default "opt-out" status, meaning that amendments to convention Annexes do not apply to India unless it explicitly deposits a ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession instrument with the UN depositary.
  • Other Conventions Related to Chemicals are: Basel Convention (on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal), Minamata Convention (mercury), Rotterdam Convention (on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade).

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India? (2013)

  1. Arsenic
  2. Sorbitol
  3. Fluoride
  4. Formaldehyde
  5. Uranium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 4 and 5 only 
(c) 1, 3 and 5 only 
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: c

Nataraja Artistry of Lord Shiva

For Prelims: Nataraja, Lost Wax Method

For Mains: Indian art heritage

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, The G20 Leaders' Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, featured a stunning 27-foot Nataraja sculpture, the world's tallest representation of Lord Shiva in his dancing form.

What are the Key Highlights of the Nataraja Statue in Bharat Mandapam?

  • This remarkable Nataraja statue, crafted from an ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy) by artisans from Tamil Nadu, weighs 18 tonnes.
  • The statue is sculpted by the renowned sculptor Radhakrishnan Sthapaty of Swami Malai in Tamil Nadu.
  • The design of this Nataraja statue draws inspiration from three revered Nataraja idols: the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, the Uma Maheswarar Temple in Konerirajapuram, and the Brihadeeswara (Big) Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Thanjavur. This offers a deep insight into the history and religious symbolism of Lord Shiva's dancing form.
  • The Nataraja sculpture at Bharat Mandapam is made using the lost wax method.

What is the History and Religious Symbolism of Lord Shiva’s Dancing Form?

  • Ancient Origins of Shiva:
    • Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism, has ancient roots that trace back to the Vedic period.
    • In Vedic scriptures, Shiva's precursor is Rudra, a deity associated with natural elements, particularly storms, thunder, and the wild forces of nature.
    • Rudra was initially a fierce and fearsome deity, embodying the destructive aspects of nature.
  • Emergence of Nataraja Form:
    • The concept of Shiva as a dancer, known as Nataraja, began to take shape around the 5th century AD.
    • Early depictions of Shiva's dance laid the foundation for the multifaceted symbolism associated with the Nataraja form.
  • Shiva Under the Cholas:
    • During the reign of the Chola dynasty (9th-11th centuries AD), Shiva's Nataraja form underwent significant development.
    • The Cholas, known for their patronage of art and culture, played a pivotal role in shaping Nataraja's cultural significance.
    • The Cholas were devout Shaivites, emphasizing the worship of Lord Shiva.
      • They constructed grand Shiva temples throughout their territories, with the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur being a prominent example. with a particular focus on Shaiva figures in their sculptures.
  • Evolution of Nataraja Iconography:
    • Nataraja's symbolism grew more complex under the Cholas.
    • Lord Shiva is a complex deity in the Puranic pantheon, embodying both destructive and ascetic qualities.
    • Nataraja, the 'Lord of Dance,' is celebrated for his invention of 108 diverse dances. The dancing Shiva became associated with both creation and destruction, embodying the dualities of life.
    • The dance was seen as a cosmic dance, with Shiva as the cosmic dancer, and the world as the stage.
    • Iconic Elements of Nataraja
      • In iconic representations, Nataraja is depicted within a flaming aureole or halo, symbolizing the circle of the world.
      • His long, flowing dreadlocks signify the energy and dynamism of his dance.
        • Nataraja is typically shown with four arms, each holding symbolic objects that convey deeper meanings.
    • Symbolism in Nataraja's Attributes:
      • Nataraja holds a damru (hand drum) in his upper right hand, which draws all creatures into his rhythmic motion, and in his upper left arm, he wields Agni (fire), symbolizing his power to destroy the universe.
      • Beneath one of Nataraja's feet lies a crushed dwarf-like figure, representing illusion and worldly distractions.
      • In ornamentation, one ear of Shiva has a male earring while the other has a female.
        • This represents the fusion of male and female and is often referred to as Ardhanarishwar.
      • A snake is twisted around the arm of Shiva. The snake symbolises the kundalini power, which resides in the human spine in the dormant stage. If aroused, one can attain true consciousness.
    • Nataraja as Protector and Reassurer:
      • Despite the formidable symbolism associated with Nataraja, he also serves as a protector.
      • The 'abhayamudra' (fear-allaying gesture) made with his front right hand reassures devotees, offering protection from fear and doubt.
      • Nataraja's raised feet and his gesture with his front left-hand point to his feet, inviting devotees to seek refuge in him.
    • Nataraja's Smile:
      • One of the distinctive features of Nataraja's iconography is his almost always present broad smile.
      • The French historian Renee Grousset beautifully described Nataraja's smile as representing both "death and life, both joy and pain."

What is the Lost Wax Method?

  • Sculptors who created the Nataraja statue which is placed at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, trace their lineage 34 generations back to the Cholas.
  • The crafting process used is the traditional 'lost-wax' casting method, indigenous to the Chola era.
    • The lost-wax method dates back at least 6,000 years, a copper amulet crafted using this method at a neolithic site in Mehrgarh, Balochistan (present day Pakistan) is dated to circa 4,000 BC.
      • Notably, the Dancing Girl of Mohenjo Daro was also crafted using this technique.
  • This method involves creating a detailed wax model, coating it with alluvial soil, heating to burn away the wax, and filling the mold with molten metal.
  • The Cholas excelled in the lost wax method for producing elaborate metallic sculptures.
  • This technique was used to create intricate sculptures for millennia.

Himachal Pradesh Contemplates Legalizing Cannabis Cultivation

For Prelims: Cannabis Cultivation, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, Bhang, World Health Organization.

For Mains: Pros and Cons of Cultivating Cannabis, and Related Laws in India.

Source: TH

Why in News?

The Himachal Pradesh government is exploring the possibility of Legalizing Cannabis (Hemp) cultivation, aligning with farmers' longstanding demands to lift the ban on cultivation.

What is Cannabis?

  • About:
    • According to the WHO (World Health Organization), cannabis is a generic term used to denote the several psychoactive preparations of the plant Cannabis sativa.
      • According to the WHO, cannabis is by far the most widely cultivated, trafficked and abused illicit drug in the world.
      • Most species of cannabis are dioecious plants that can be identified as either male or female. The unpollinated female plants are called hashish.
    • The major psychoactive constituent in cannabis is Delta9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
  • Definition by NDPS Act, 1985:
    • According to the NDPS Act “cannabis plant” means any plant of the genus cannabis.
      • ‘Charas’ is the separated resin extracted from the cannabis plant. The NDPS Act covers separated raisin, in whatever form, whether crude or purified, obtained from the cannabis plant and also includes concentrated preparation and resin known as hashish oil or liquid hashish.
      • The Act defines ‘ganja’ as the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant but it clearly excludes the seeds and leaves.
      • The Act illegalises any mixture with or without any neutral material, of any of the two forms of cannabis, charas and ganja, or any drink prepared from it.
      • The legislature left seeds and leaves of the cannabis plant out of the ambit of the Act, because the serrated leaves of the plant have negligible THC content.

What are the Benefits of Cannabis Cultivation in Himachal Pradesh?

  • About:
    • Hemp, a variant of Cannabis sativa cultivated for industrial and medicinal applications, is currently grown in parts of Himachal Pradesh, albeit illegally under the NDPS Act of 1985.
      • Himachal Pradesh's neighboring state, Uttarakhand, became the first in India to legalize cannabis cultivation in 2017.
    • Controlled cultivation also occurs in some districts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Support for Legalization:
    • Diverse Application:
      • Advocates of legalization point out that cannabis has diverse applications beyond recreational use. These include phytoremediation, fiber and cloth manufacturing, medicinal purposes, and the pulp and paper industry.
    • Alternative Income:
      • Hemp cultivation can generate revenue for Himachal Pradesh and provide an alternative income source for locals.
    • Traditional and Medicinal Uses:
      • The traditional uses of cannabis in Himachal Pradesh, such as rope making (from hemp fibers), shoe making and seed consumption. The ban on cultivation disrupted these local practices.
      • Legalizing cannabis for medicinal (Pain Management, Anti-Inflammatory Properties), industrial, and scientific purposes will harness its medicinal properties and boost state revenue.

What are the Concerns Related to Cannabis Cultivation in India?

  • Drug Addiction:
    • Approximately 95% of drug addicts in Himachal Pradesh use cannabis and its derivatives. Critics argue that legalizing cultivation may entice youth towards cannabis use and potentially lead to lifelong addiction, undermining the socio-economic contributions of drug-addicted youth.
  • Health Risks:
    • Cannabis use can have adverse health effects, including impaired cognitive function, respiratory issues (when smoked), and an increased risk of mental health disorders, particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Concerns about the public health impact of widespread cannabis use are paramount.
  • Psychiatric Issues:
    • Cannabis use, especially in high quantities or over an extended period, can lead to psychiatric issues, including anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Legalizing cultivation could exacerbate these problems if not coupled with adequate mental health support and education.
  • Illicit Market:
    • Legalization may not completely eliminate the illicit cannabis market. There is a risk that the illegal production and distribution of cannabis will continue alongside legal cultivation, potentially leading to increased criminal activities and law enforcement challenges.
  • Enforcement Challenges:
    • Regulating cannabis cultivation and use poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies. Determining legal limits, enforcing age restrictions, and preventing diversion to the illicit market require a robust and well-funded regulatory apparatus.

What are the Initiatives to Tackle Drug Addiction?

  • The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) was constituted in 2016 and the scheme of “Financial Assistance to States for Narcotics Control” was revived.
  • Seizure Information Management System has created a complete online database of drug offences and offenders.
  • National Drug Abuse Survey to measure trends of drug abuse in India through the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment with the help of National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS.
  • Project Sunrise: It was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2016, to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in north-eastern states in India, especially among people injecting drugs.
  • ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’, or Drug-Free India Campaign

Way Forward

  • Crafting a comprehensive regulatory framework that balances medical access with prevention of misuse remains a critical challenge in this ongoing discourse.
  • It is essential to conduct comprehensive research on the various aspects of cannabis, including its medicinal properties, potential economic benefits, and health risks.
  • Develop a robust regulatory framework that addresses concerns about drug abuse, health risks, and criminal activities.
  • This framework should include clear guidelines for licensing and oversight of cannabis cultivation, production, and distribution. Age restrictions, product labeling, and quality control measures should be part of the framework.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. India’s proximity to the two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? (2018)

Maratha Quota

For Prelims: Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), Maratha Reservation, 102nd Amendment Act of 2018

For Mains: Constitutional provisions related to the National Commission for Backward Classes, Reservation

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, in Maharashtra, the demand for reservations in educational institutions and government jobs by the Maratha community has once again taken center stage.

What is the History and Status of the Maratha Reservation Demand?

  • History:
    • The Marathas are a group of castes comprising peasants and landowners among others constituting nearly 33% of the state’s population.
      • While most Marathas are Marathi-speaking, not all Marathi-speaking people belong to the Maratha community.
    • Historically, they have been identified as a ‘warrior’ caste with large land holdings.
    • However, over the years, due to factors such as land fragmentation, agrarian distress, unemployment and lack of educational opportunities, many Marathas have faced social and economic backwardness. The community still plays an important role in the rural economy.
      • Therefore, they have been demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under the category of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC).
  • Status of the Maratha Reservation Demand:
    • 2017:
    • 2018:
      • Maharashtra Assembly passed a Bill proposing 16% reservation for Maratha community.
    • 2018:
      • The Bombay High Court while upholding the reservation pointed out that instead of 16% it should be reduced to 12% in education and 13% in jobs.
    • 2020:
    • 2021:
      • Supreme Court struck down the Maratha reservation in 2021 citing the 50% cap on total reservations it had set in 1992.
        • The Maratha reservation of 12% and 13% (in education and jobs) had increased the overall reservation ceiling to 64% and 65%, respectively.
      • In the Indira Sawhney judgment 1992, SC had categorically said 50% shall be the rule, only in certain exceptional and extraordinary situations for bringing far-flung and remote areas' population into mainstream said 50% rule can be relaxed.
      • The Supreme Court said that there were no “exceptional circumstances” or an “extraordinary situation” in Maharashtra for the state government to breach the limit.
        • In addition, the court ruled that the state had no authority to accord socially and economically backward status to a community: only the president can tweak the central list of socially and backward classes, said the court. States can only make “suggestions”.
      • The Bench unanimously upheld the constitutional validity of the 102nd Constitution Amendment but differed on the question of whether it affected the power of states to identify SEBCs.
      • The Supreme Court highlighted that a separate reservation for the Maratha community violates Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21 (due process of law).
    • 2022:

102nd Amendment Act of 2018

  • It introduced Articles 338B and 342A in the Constitution.
  • Article 338B deals with the newly established National Commission for Backward Classes.
  • Article 342A empowers the President to specify the socially and educationally backward communities in a State.
  • It says that it is for the Parliament to include a community in the Central List for socially and backward classes for grant of reservation benefits.

Vidya Samiksha Kendras

Source: TH

Why in News?

Under the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), the Ministry of Education is pushing the establishment of Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs) across states.

  • This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy, 2020.
  • Currently, at the Central level, a VSK centre is housed in the Central Institute of Educational Technology building in the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) campus .

What is Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs)?

  • About:
    • VSK is aimed at leveraging data and technology to bring a big leap in learning outcomes.
    • This will cover data of more than 15 Lakh schools, 96 Lakh teachers and 26 Crore students and analyze them meaningfully using big data analysis, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in order to enhance the overall monitoring of the education system and thereby improving learning outcomes.
  • Objectives:
    • To monitor the real-time status of various projects/ activities under the ambit of Samagra Shiksha.
    • To keep track of enrolled students including learning outcomes, Dropouts, support required by teachers and schools, etc.
    • To monitor and track field level academic and non-academic activities at state level and also empower administrators and teachers in the field to take data driven decisions.
    • To set up a centralized help desk for grievance redressal mechanisms for stakeholders of the School ecosystem.
    • To identify and analyse improvement areas for decision making and implementation that needs urgent attention.
  • Significance:
    • The ability to effectively collect, monitor, correlate, and analyse data will lead to timely actions to implement schemes.
    • Integrating various data sets and breaking through the barrier of operating in silos will help us effectively leverage different entities towards a common goal.

What is NDEAR?

  • About:
    • NDEAR is federated, unbundled, interoperable, inclusive, accessible, evolving which aims to create and deliver diverse, relevant, contextual, innovative solutions that benefit students, teachers, parents, communities, administrators and result in timely implementation of policy goals.
    • NDEAR is under the aegis of the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
    • It aims to enable a common set of principles and approaches to be followed in building, using and re-using technology for education.
  • Vision:
    • A globally pioneering effort in education - A unifying national digital infrastructure to energise and catalyse the education.
  • Outcomes:
    • The Students get access to on demand learning materials, videos, graphics and animations, virtual labs and different forms of assessment tools. Access to personalized adaptive learning (PAL), Transition to higher education and skilling to be tracked
    • The Teachers get access to online support for lesson plans, use of TLM (Teaching-learning material ), pedagogic transactions, online reference materials, competency based evaluation tools etc. They also get access to online modules for improving professional standards.

West Bengal Adopts Poila Baisakh as State Foundation Day

Source: TH

Why in News?

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly recently made a significant decision by declaring 'Poila Baisakh,' the first day of the Bengali calendar, as 'Bangla Dibas' or West Bengal Foundation Day.

  • A dispute emerged earlier in 2023 concerning West Bengal's Foundation Day when Raj Bhavan officially declared June 20 as the State Foundation Day. The Chief Minister of West Bengal argued that June 20, which carries associations with the partition, lacks relevance to the state's establishment.
  • Also, the Assembly approved the proposal to make Rabindranath Tagore's 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol' the official song of West Bengal.

What is Poila Baisakh?

  • Poila Baisakh is an important festival celebrated by Bengali communities across West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Assam. It is also celebrated in Bangladesh.
    • It signifies the Bengali New Year and in 2023 it was celebrated on April 15th.

What is the Significance of June 20th For Bengal?

  • On 20th June, 1947, the Bengal Legislative Assembly gathered to make a significant decision about Bengal's future.
    • They had three choices: keep Bengal whole within India, split it into East Bengal and West Bengal for Bengali Muslims and Hindus respectively, or divide it between India and Pakistan.
  • After significant rounds of voting, the decision was made to divide Bengal into West Bengal and East Pakistan (which later became Bangladesh) and the Radcliffe Line was drawn later to mark the boundary.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Questions (PYQs)

Q. The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to (2014)

(a) solve the problem of minorities in India

(b) give effect to the Independence Bill

(c) delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan

(d) enquire into the riots in East Bengal

Ans: (c)

Abbott India's Digene Gel Antacid Syrup Recalled

Source: TH

Why in News?

Abbott India's popular antacid syrup, Digene Gel, manufactured at its Goa facility, is being voluntarily recalled due to isolated customer complaints regarding taste and odor.

What is Digene Gel?

  • Digene Gel is a popular antacid syrup known for relieving acidity and its associated symptoms, including heartburn, stomach discomfort, abdominal pain, and gas.
    • The antacid's primary mechanism of action involves the use of basic compounds like magnesium hydroxide to neutralize stomach acid.

What is a Drug Recall?

  • A drug recall is a process in which a pharmaceutical company or regulatory authority removes a specific medication from the market due to safety concerns, defects, or other issues that may harm patients or consumers.
  • Presently, India does not possess legislation that empowers the recall of complete batches of substandard drugs.
    • The establishment of a comprehensive Drug Recall Law in India is imperative. Such a law would ensure that when a drug is identified as being of substandard quality (NSQ), the entire batch is promptly removed from circulation in the market.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organization:

  • The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is the Central Drug Authority for discharging functions assigned to the Central Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
    • CDSCO has 6 zonal offices, 4 sub-zonal offices, 13 port offices and laboratories under its control.
  • Major functions of CDSCO:
    • Regulatory control over the import of drugs
    • Approval of new drugs and clinical trials
    • Meetings of Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) and Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)
    • Approval of certain licenses as Central License Approving Authority is exercised by the CDSCO headquarters.

Drugs Controller General of India

  • DCGI is the head of the CDSCO. The DCGI is responsible for approving licenses of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera in India.

The DCGI also sets standards and quality of manufacturing, selling, import and distribution of drugs in India.

Rapid Fire Current Affairs

Acharya Vinoba Bhave

Recently, the Prime Minister of India paid homage to Acharya Vinoba Bhave on his birth anniversary.

  • Vinayak Narahari Bhave was born on September 11, 1895, in Gagode, Bombay Presidency (Maharashtra).
  • Vinoba Bhave was a prominent nonviolence activist, freedom fighter, social reformer, and spiritual teacher who followed Mahatma Gandhi's principles of non-violence and equality.
  • He was the inaugural recipient of the international Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1958 and posthumously received the Bharat Ratna in 1983.
  • He actively participated in the non-cooperation movement and encouraged the use of Khadi.
  • Vinoba worked to eradicate social inequalities and championed the cause of Harijans (Dalits). He initiated the Sarvodaya movement, which included the Bhoodan (Gift of the Land) Movement.

Read more: Acharya Vinoba Bhave

India to Enable Cross-Border Bill Payments for UK NRIs

  • India's Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) is extending its reach to the UK after successful operations in Middle Eastern countries like Oman, Kuwait, UAE, and Bahrain.
    • Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in the UK will benefit from this system, enabling them to pay bills conveniently through multiple payment methods.
  • BBPS serves as an interoperable and accessible one-stop ecosystem for various bill payments, including electricity, water, gas, telephone, DTH, and insurance.
  • The BBPS is a Reserve Bank of India conceptualised system driven by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
  • India is showcasing its digital payment infrastructure(DPI) to attract international delegates' attention.

Read more: India's Digital Public Infrastructure

BIS Promoting Indian Standards at Village Level

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) launched an initiative aimed at promoting adherence to Indian standards at the grassroots level.

  • Through this initiative, BIS has reached out to 2.4 lakh Gram Panchayats and embarked on a mission to sensitize Gram Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries across the country.
  • Furthermore, BIS has developed the BIS Care App to empower consumers with information on Indian Standards and product certification.
  • BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Read more: Bureau of Indian Standards

Novak Djokovic Wins 24th Grand Slam Title at US Open 2023

Novak Djokovic of Serbia wins his 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open 2023, defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Djokovic moved ahead of Serena Williams to claim the record for the most major singles titles won in the Open era.

  • Grand Slam tournaments, also called majors, are the four most important annual tennis events.
  • The Grand Slam itinerary consists of the Australian Open in mid-January, the French Open from around late May to early June, Wimbledon in June–July, and the US Open in August–September.
  • The Australian and United States tournaments are played on hard courts, the French on clay, and Wimbledon on grass.


Read more: Roland-Garros(French Open)