Climate Change Performance Index 2024

Source: DTE

Why in News?

India's secured 7^th position in recently released Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2024 underscoring its notable role and contribution in the ongoing global efforts aimed at mitigating climate change.

What are the Major Takeaways From CCPI 2024?

• About: CCPI, published annually since 2005, is an independent monitoring tool for tracking countries’ climate protection performance. It increases transparency in national and international climate policy and enables comparison of individual countries’ climate protection efforts and progress.
  • It is published by Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute, and Climate Action Network International.
  • It indicates the climate mitigation efforts of 63 countries and the EU, which collectively account for over 90% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Performance Metrics: The CCPI evaluates countries across four key categories: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions (40%), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%), and Climate Policy (20%).
• CCPI 2024: No country performed well enough in all index categories to achieve an overall very high rating. The first three overall positions therefore remain empty.
  • Denmark claimed the 4^th spot, Estonia followed in 5^th place, and the Philippines secured the 6^th position among the top ranks.

• India’s Ranking in CCPI 2024: India secured the 7^th position in the CCPI 2024, exhibiting a stride forward from 8^th spot in CCPI 2023. Interestingly, due to the absence of countries in the first three spots, India effectively stands 4^th in global climate performance.
  • India’s Score and Rankings in Key Categories:
    • GHG Emissions & Energy Use: India ranked 9^th in GHG Emissions and 10^th in Energy Use among assessed countries, largely attributed to its lower per capita energy use, a factor bolstering its climate standing.
      • Also, in the per capita GHG category, the country is on track to meet a benchmark of well below 2°C.
    • Climate Policy: India secured the 10^th spot in Climate Policy, showcasing moderate progress compared to its performance in previous assessments.
    • Renewable Energy: India's performance showed a more moderate rank, standing at 37^th, barely remaining within the 'high' performance category.
      • This position marks a decline from the 24^th spot in CCPI 2023.
• Global Context and Comparative Analysis:
  • Global Trends: The CCPI report highlighted a concerning trend, despite the urgency to decarbonize, global GHG emissions have increased in 2022, with atmospheric CO2 levels soaring 50% higher than pre-industrial levels.
  • G20-performance: With India (7^th), Germany (14^th), and the EU (16^th), only three G20 countries/regions are among the high performers in CCPI 2024.
    • The G20 members account for more than 75% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Developed Countries: Notably, many developed countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, and others showcased poorer performances compared to the CCPI 2023, reflecting a lack of substantial progress in countering climate change.

What are the Major Challenges Related to Climate Change in India?

• Water Scarcity: Changing rainfall patterns and melting glaciers threaten India’s water security. According to NITI Aayog, best estimates indicate that India's water demand will exceed supply by a factor of two by 2030.
• Agricultural Vulnerability: Climate change affects crop patterns, leading to reduced yields and affecting food security. Increased temperatures and extreme weather events like floods and droughts disrupt farming.
  • According to a 2019 study, extreme weather events cause annual crop losses of about 0.25% of India's GDP.
• Rising Sea Levels: Coastal regions, including major cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, face threats from rising sea levels. This endangers infrastructure, habitats, and the livelihoods of millions.
  • It is estimated that India could lose about 1,500 square kilometers of land by 2050 due to erosion caused by rising seas.
• Air Pollution: India struggles with severe air quality issues, primarily due to vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop burning. Climate change exacerbates this problem, impacting public health and ecosystems.
  • According to a 2022 report, India's average PM2.5 concentration was 53.3 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). This is more than 10 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended annual guideline level of 5 μg/m3.
• Urban Heat Island Effect: It exacerbates temperatures in cities, leading to an increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves. This elevates the risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities, especially among vulnerable populations living in densely populated urban areas.
  • In 2021, the following four Indian cities were among the top 10 cities for heat exposure: New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai.

Way Forward

• Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties: Investing in research and development of genetically modified or selectively bred climate-resilient crop varieties tailored to withstand extreme weather conditions, ensuring food security despite changing climate patterns.
• Vertical Forests in Urban Areas: Constructing vertical forests within urban spaces to enhance green cover and biodiversity while mitigating the urban heat island effect. These structures consist of multiple levels of vegetation on building exteriors, offering ecological benefits and improving air quality.
• Floating Solar Farms: Creating floating solar farms on water bodies like lakes and reservoirs to generate renewable energy. This innovative approach optimizes land use, reduces evaporation from water surfaces, and produces clean energy.
• Community-Based Climate Insurance: Implementing community-driven climate insurance schemes that involve local communities in risk-sharing and climate adaptation strategies. This helps vulnerable populations recover from climate-related disasters.
• Blockchain for Carbon Credits: Utilizing blockchain technology to create transparent and efficient carbon credit systems. This would enable accurate tracking and trading of carbon credits, encouraging businesses and individuals to invest in emission reduction projects.
• Seaweed Farming for Carbon Capture: Encouraging seaweed farming as a method of carbon sequestration. Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide during growth and can be harvested for various purposes while helping mitigate climate change.
• Incentivizing Climate-Smart Transportation: Implementing incentive-based programs to promote climate-smart transportation, such as offering tax benefits or subsidies for electric vehicles, cycling infrastructure, or carpooling initiatives.

International Energy Agency’s Coal 2023 Report

Source: TH

Why in News?

The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) annual coal market report predicts a significant shift in the trajectory of global coal demand, hinting at a structural decline by 2026.

• This anticipated transformation is influenced by various factors, including the expansion of renewable energy and a rise in nuclear generation in key regions.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Global Coal Demand Trends:
  • Global coal demand reached a record high in 2022 amid the global energy crisis, rising by 4% year-on-year to 8.42 billion tonnes (Bt).
  • Asia remains the primary driver of coal demand growth in both power and non-power sectors.
    • China experienced a demand rise of 4.6%, equivalent to 200 million tonnes (Mt) of coal.
    • India saw a substantial increase of 9%, amounting to 97 Mt.
    • Indonesia witnessed a remarkable surge of 32%, reaching 49 Mt, driven by nickel smelters.
  • The United States faced an 8% decline in coal demand, totalling 37 Mt, the most significant drop among major markets.
  • Europe, despite a 4.3% increase in consumption, exhibited more restrained growth than anticipated.
    • Subdued hydropower and nuclear electricity generation in certain European countries.
    • A weak economy and mild winter in Europe contributed to the restrained impact of natural gas price spikes.
• Future Projections and Uncertainties:
  • Anticipated decline in coal demand in most advanced economies during 2023.
  • Overall, global coal consumption in 2026 is projected to be 2.3% lower than in 2023.
    • Despite the expected decline, global coal consumption is projected to remain above 8 billion tonnes through 2026, highlighting its continued role as a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions.
  • China, India, and Indonesia, the three largest coal producers globally, are expected to break output records in 2023, pushing global production to a new high in 2023. These three countries now account for more than 70% of the world’s coal production.
    • In China and India, in particular, rising coal consumption is driven by robust growth in demand for electricity and low hydropower output.
• Factors Influencing Decline in Coal Demand:
  • The decline in coal demand is attributed to a global shift towards renewable energy sources.
  • The IEA links the expected decline to changes in global climate, with El Nino conditions transitioning to La Nina, potentially leading to increased hydropower output.
  • The report highlights a significant upward trend in low-cost solar photovoltaic deployment, contributing to the growth of renewable power generation.
  • Nuclear generation is expected to see moderate increases, particularly in China, India, and the European Union, further influencing coal-fired generation.
• China's Dominance in Coal Markets:
  • China's coal consumption is expected to fall in 2024 and remain steady through 2026.
    • Hydropower output is set to recover, while electricity generation from solar PV and wind is expected to increase significantly in China.
  • The pace of economic growth in China and its coal use is uncertain, as the country undergoes major structural changes.
  • India, Indonesia, and other emerging economies are expected to rely on coal for economic growth, despite commitments to deploy renewables.
  • Efforts to reduce the use of 'unabated' coal, in line with the 28^th Conference of Parties (COP28) are deemed essential for meeting international climate targets, aiming for a nearly 95% reduction in coal emissions between 2020-2050.
• Coal Industry Shifts:
  • Coal prices have experienced an unexpected surge over the past two years, impacting both consumers and industry dynamics.
  • Despite escalating costs, coal mining companies have maintained strong profit margins. This has allowed diversified mining firms to strategically reinvest coal profits in other commodities, capitalizing on the expected surge in demand linked to the energy transition.

Telecommunications Bill 2023

Source: BL

Why in News?

Recently, the government introduced the Telecommunications Bill 2023 in the Lok Sabha. It seeks to repeal the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950. It also amends the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997.

What are the Key Provisions of Telecommunications Bill 2023?

• Authorisation for Telecom-related Activities: Prior authorisation from the central government will be required to provide telecommunication services, establish, operate, maintain, or expand telecommunications networks, or possess radio equipment.
  • Existing licenses will continue to be valid for the period of their grant, or for five years, where the period is not specified.
• Assignment of Spectrum: Spectrum will be assigned by auction, except for specified uses, where it will be allocated on an administrative basis. These include purposes such as national security and defense, disaster management, weather forecasting, transport, satellite services such as DTH and satellite telephony, and BSNL, MTNL, and public broadcasting services.
  • The central government may re-purpose or re-assign any frequency range. The central government may also permit sharing, trading, leasing, and surrender of spectrum.
• Satellite Internet Allotments: The Bill introduces provisions for allocating spectrum to satellite Internet providers like OneWeb (supported by Bharti) and U.S.-based companies such as SpaceX's Starlink.
  • Presently, active authorizations have been granted to OneWeb and Jio, paving the way for satellite-based Internet services.
• Powers of Interception and Search: Messages or a class of messages between two or more persons may be intercepted, monitored, or blocked on certain grounds.
  • Such actions must be necessary or expedient in the interest of public safety or public emergency, and must be in the interest of specified grounds which include: security of the state, prevention of incitement of offenses, or public order.
  • Telecom services may be suspended on similar grounds. The government may take temporary possession of any telecom infrastructure, network, or services on occurrence of any public emergency or public safety.
    • An officer authorized by the government may search premises or vehicles for possession of unauthorized telecom networks or equipment.
• Powers to Specify Standards: The central government may prescribe standards and assessments for telecom equipment, infrastructure, networks, and services.
• Right of Way: Facility providers may seek a right of way over public or private property to establish telecom infrastructure.
  • Right of way must be provided on a non-discriminatory and non-exclusive basis to the extent possible.
• Protection of Users: The central government may provide for measures to protect users which include: prior consent to receive specified messages such as advertising messages, creation of Do Not Disturb registers, and a mechanism to allow users to report malware or specified messages.
  • Biometric Authentication is mandatory for telecom customers to combat spam calls and messages.
  • Entities providing telecom services must establish an online mechanism for registration and redressal of grievances.
• Appointments to TRAI: The Bill amends the TRAI Act to also allow individuals with: at least 30 years of professional experience to serve as the chairperson, and at least 25 years of professional experience to serve as members.
• Digital Bharat Nidhi: The Universal Service Obligation Fund has been established under the 1885 Act to provide for telecom services in underserved areas.
  • The Bill retains this provision, renames the fund as Digital Bharat Nidhi, and also allows its use for research and development.
• Regulation of OTT Apps: It has removed over-the-top (OTT) services and apps from the definition of telecommunication services, in a big relief to communication service providers such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
  • The Ministry of Electronics and IT will handle the regulation of OTT apps under the potential Digital India Act, not included in the Telecom Bill.
• Offenses and Penalties: The Bill specifies various criminal and civil offenses. Providing telecom services without authorisation, or gaining unauthorized access to a telecom network or data, are punishable with imprisonment up to three years, a fine up to two crore rupees, or both.
  • Breaching terms and conditions of authorisation is punishable with a civil penalty up to five crore rupees.
  • Possessing unauthorized equipment, or using unauthorized network or service, is punishable with a penalty of up to ten lakh rupees.
• Adjudication Process: The central government will appoint an adjudicating officer to conduct inquiries and pass orders against civil offenses under the Bill.
  • The officer must be of the rank of joint secretary and above.
  • Orders of the adjudicating officer may be appealed before the Designated Appeals Committee within 30 days.
  • Appeals against the orders of the Committee, in connection to breach of terms and conditions, may be filed with Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) within 30 days.
• Trusted Sources Regime: A measure initially established post the India-China border conflict in 2020 to prevent the importation of telecom equipment from potentially adversarial nations is now integrated into the law.

What is the Status of the Telecom Sector in India?

• Status:
  • The Telecom industry in India is the second largest in the world with a subscriber base of 1.179 Billion as of August 2023 (wireless + wireline subscribers).
    • It is also the 4^th largest sector in terms of FDI inflows, contributing 6% of total FDI inflow.
  • India has an overall tele-density of 84.69%. Tele-density denotes the number of telephones per 100 population, and is an important indicator of telecom penetration.
    • The average monthly data consumption per wireless data subscriber has also increased to 17.36 GB in March 2023 from 61.66 MB in March 2014.
• Related Government Initiatives:
  • Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)
  • Bharatnet project
  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for manufacturing of telecom and networking products.
  • Bharat 6G Alliance

Greenwashing

Source: IE

Why in News?

The United Kingdom's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned advertisements from Air France, Lufthansa, and Etihad.

• These airlines face accusations of 'greenwashing,' as they allegedly misled consumers by falsely claiming the sustainability for their flights. and downplaying the environmental impact of air travel.

What is Greenwashing?

• About:
  • The term greenwashing was first used in 1986 by Jay Westerveld, an American environmentalist and researcher.
  • Greenwashing is a deceptive practice where companies or even governments exaggerate their actions and their impact on mitigating climate change, often providing misleading information or making unverifiable claims.
    • It is an attempt to capitalize on the growing demand for environmentally sound products.
  • It is fairly widespread, and entities often label various activities as climate-friendly without verifiable evidence, undermining genuine efforts against climate change.
• Examples of Greenwashing:
  • The Volkswagen scandal, in which the German car company was found to have been cheating in emissions testing of its supposedly green diesel vehicles, was a case of greenwashing.
    • Several other multinational corporations, including oil giants like Shell and BP, and Coca Cola have faced accusations of greenwashing.
• Concerns:
  • It creates a risk of diluting the authenticity of climate goals by presenting misleading or exaggerated information about environmental initiatives.
  • Entities engaged in greenwashing may receive unwarranted recognition or benefits, rewarding irresponsible behavior.
    • Greenwashing can distort markets by creating an uneven playing field, where entities engaging in deceptive practices gain an unfair advantage over those adhering to genuine environmental standards.
  • The absence of comprehensive regulations and standards for environmental claims allows greenwashing to persist without adequate scrutiny.
  • The practice of greenwashing introduces challenges to the integrity of carbon credit systems, particularly in informal markets, where the expansion of credit sources and certification by unofficial entities raises concerns about transparency and reliability.
    • One carbon credit is equivalent to one metric ton of carbon dioxide or equivalent greenhouse gases removed from the atmosphere.
    • The Kyoto Protocol introduced the concept of carbon credits. Countries or firms that exceed emission reduction mandates are rewarded with carbon credits.
• Global Initiatives Related to Greenwashing:
  • At the 27^th Conference of Parties (COP27), the United Nations Secretary-General has declared zero tolerance for greenwashing, urging private corporations to rectify their practices.
  • The European Union approved the world's first green bond standards to combat greenwashing in October 2023.
    • The "European Green Bond" label mandates transparency, directing 85% of funds to EU sustainable activities. The legislation aims to support the EU's climate neutrality transition.
• Laws in India Related to Greenwashing:
  • Greenwashing is designated as an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 in India. The Act prohibits such deceptive claims and outlines penalties and remedies for consumers adversely affected by these misleading practices.
  • In February 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued guidelines for issuers of green debt securities to ensure transparency and avoid greenwashing.
    • The guidelines are intended to protect investors, promote the development of the securities market, and regulate it.
  • The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) plays a regulatory role in monitoring advertising practices and holds some jurisdiction over allegations of greenwashing.
    • The ASCI, a voluntary self-regulatory organization in India, ensures ads are legal, honest, and fair, safeguarding consumer interests and promoting fair competition.

Way Forward

• Hold companies accountable for their environmental actions and inactions. Consumers should demand that companies disclose their environmental policies and practices, as well as their progress and challenges.
• Support green businesses and initiatives that have a proven track record of environmental performance and social responsibility.
• Implement comprehensive regulations and standards for environmental claims to ensure transparency and accountability.

Indian Navy Helps Hijacked Ship in Arabian Sea

Source: TH

Why in News?

In a recent maritime incident, the Malta-flagged Vessel MV Ruen fell victim to pirates in the Arabian Sea,. Responding swiftly, the Indian Navy, strategically based in the piracy-prone Gulf of Aden, intercepted the hijacked vessel, closely monitoring its trajectory toward the Somali coast.

• The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, a maritime security operation in the western Indian Ocean, joined the anti-piracy effort.

What is Maritime Piracy?

• About:
  • Article 101 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) outlines acts constituting piracy.
    • These acts include violence, detention, or depredation committed for private ends on the high seas or outside the jurisdiction of any state.
  • These acts are carried out with the intent of personal gain and may include the seizure of another ship, its cargo, or the kidnapping of its passengers or crew.
  • It is considered a serious maritime crime and is subject to international laws and conventions.
• Strongest Zones of Pirate Activity:
  • Northwest Africa, the Gulf of Guinea, Red Sea, Somalia, Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

• Global Initiatives Related to Maritime Piracy:
  • United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
    • It establishes the legal framework for combating piracy, as outlined in. The UN Security Council and General Assembly have consistently emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing piracy and armed robbery at sea, stressing the applicability of UNCLOS in combating maritime threats.
  • Operation Prosperity Guardian:
    • The United States has initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security initiative to ensure security in the Red Sea.
  • Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the safety of Maritime Navigation (1988):
    • It is a multilateral treaty. The main purpose of the treaty is to ensure that appropriate action is taken against people who commit unlawful acts against ships.
    • It was adopted in 1988 at the Suppression of Unlawful Acts(SUA) Convention in Rome.
  • Combined Maritime Forces (CMF):
    • The CMF is a multinational naval partnership with primary focus areas aimed at defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, fostering regional cooperation, and promoting a secure maritime environment.
    • CMF has 39 member nations including India.
• India’s Initiatives Related to Maritime Piracy:
  • SAGAR policy.
  • India reiterated its support for the UN Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS).
  • International Fusion Centre (IFC).
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
  • Enhanced Technical Surveillance of Coastal and Offshore Areas:
    • Coastal Surveillance Network.
    • National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network.
    • National Automatic Identification System.
    • National Maritime Domain Awareness Project.
    • National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security.

Unnati Becomes the First Entity to List on the Social Stock Exchange

Source: BS

Why in News?

Recently, SGBS Unnati Foundation (SUF) became the first entity to list on the social stock exchanges (SSE). The Unnati program of the foundation provides vocational training for the underprivileged and unemployed youth in the age group of 18 to 25 years.

• SUF, a not-for-profit organization (NPO), was incorporated in 2011.
• A Not-for-Profit organization after registering with Social Stock Exchange may raise funds on SSE through issuance of Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments.

What is the Social Stock Exchange (SSEs)?

• The idea of the Social stock exchanges (SSEs) as a platform for listing social enterprise, voluntary and welfare organizations so that they can raise capital was mooted in the Union Budget 2019-20.
  • Social enterprise can be defined as a non-loss; non-dividend paying company created and designed to address a social problem.
• It works under the market regulator Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
  • The aim of the initiative is to help social and voluntary organizations which work for social causes to raise capital as equity or debt or a unit of mutual fund.
• It provides new and cheaper sources of financing for social welfare projects, while showcasing India’s independence from foreign aid .
• SEBI had permitted social enterprises registered on SSEs to raise funds through Zero Coupon Zero Principal Bonds (ZCZP).

What is the Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP)?

• About:
  • The ZCZP bonds do not give any interest, and investors will not get any money back on the maturity of the bond.
  • The ZCZP bonds issued by non-profit organisations are listed on the SSE. They are not available for trading in the secondary market, but they can be transferred to legal heirs since they are issued in dematerialised form.
  • Similar ZCZP instruments issued by for-profit organisations can be listed on main board or SME platform of exchanges and are available for trading in secondary market.
• Benefits:
  • ZCZP is akin to a donation made to a charity. There is greater transparency about the objective of the social enterprise. The end use of the funds can also be monitored since the enterprises have to disclose details of money utilised and balance amount remaining to exchanges.
  • The listing provides visibility to the social enterprises and helps them to approach the public at regular intervals if they can show good outcomes.

Ketamine Drug

Source: IE

Why in News?

In recent times, drug Ketamine has surged into the spotlight, triggering debates and discussions surrounding its application, effects, and safety concerns.

What are the Key Facts about Ketamine?

• About:
  • Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic. Doctors use it to induce general anesthesia that does not require muscle relaxation.
    • General anesthesia denotes a sleep-like state, while dissociative refers to the state of detachment from the body and the outside world.
  • Developed as an animal anesthetic in the 1960s, later approved by the United StatesFood and Drug Administration (FDA) for human use.
  • Recently used to treat depression and mental illnesses, also used recreationally.
    • Recreational use involves snorting, injecting, or smoking.
  • Administered through intravenous (IV), nasal spray, or tablet for mental illness treatment.
• Effects of Ketamine:
  • Ketamine works by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the brain.
    • This receptor is involved in the transmission of pain signals and in the regulation of mood. By blocking the NMDA receptor, ketamine can produce analgesia (pain relief) and euphoria.
  • It can create pleasant visualizations and a sense of detachment
  • Ketamine can produce hallucinations similarly to other drugs such as Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and angel dust.
    • Hallucinations are distorted perceptions of sounds and sights.
• Safety of Ketamine Consumption:
  • Ketamine, deemed safe for medicinal use by some doctors, faces reported risks like addiction and cognitive impairment in high doses. Limited research hampers understanding of prolonged safety of the drug.

Goa Liberation Day

Goa Liberation Day is celebrated on December 19^th every year to commemorate the state's liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961.

• The Indian government waited for 14 years after independence to move troops to Goa because it was a sensitive issue and the government did not want to risk a war with Portugal.
• In 1961, the Indian Government launched Operation Vijay and annexed Daman and Diu and Goa with the Indian mainland on 19^th December.
  • As a result, Goa, Daman, and Diu became Union Territories of India.
• Goa continued to be a Union Territory till 1987 and then was given statehood by becoming the 25^th state of India.
  • 30^th May is celebrated as the Statehood Day of Goa.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks of Goa:
  • Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary
  • Mollem National Park

Read More: Goa Liberation Day

Exclusion of Blood Disorders from Job Reservations

The Centre's decision to exclude individuals with thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and haemophilia, from government job reservations, despite their recognition as disabilities in the Right to Persons with Disabilities(RPWD) Act of 2016, prompts concerns.

• The government provides 4% reservation in government jobs for specific disabilities, including total loss of vision and low vision, complete loss of hearing and low hearing, locomotor disability, etc.
  • Government cites Section 34 of RPWD Act, 2016, stating that persons with blood disorders, including thalassemia, are not eligible for job reservation in government establishments.
• Activists express dissatisfaction, asserting that excluding disabilities recognized in the Act from job reservations defeats the Act's purpose.

Read more: World Haemophilia Day, Reservation In India

WHO Designates JN.1 as Variant of Interest as Covid-19 Cases Rise

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the JN.1 sub-variant of Covid-19 as a "variant of interest" distinct from its parent lineage, BA.2.86, commonly known as Pirola. Once classified as such, the WHO closely monitors its global dissemination, evaluates its health risks, and facilitates international data sharing.

• Despite the rapid increase in its spread, the WHO clarified that there's currently no evidence suggesting an elevated public health risk posed by this variant.
• However, concerns arise with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, potentially burdening healthcare systems with increased respiratory infections.
• Notably, India has reported several cases of JN.1, with other countries worldwide, such as the US, Singapore, and China, also confirming its presence.

Read more: Covid-19, WHO

109th Indian Science Congress (ISC)

Lovely Professional University(LPU) withdrew from hosting 109^th Indian Science Congress (ISC), raising concern about the event's viability.

• The ISC is a prestigious and influential scientific organization that meets annually in the first week of January.
  • It was founded in 1914 to stimulate scientific research in India.
• The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is the official body that organizes the event.
  • ISCA, is a professional body under the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology.
• The theme of the 109^th ISC is "The Global Perspective on Science and Technology for Sustainable Future".

Read more: 108^th Indian Science Congress