About ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ Campaign:

• It was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.
• It seeks to engage multiple stakeholders in a collective effort to eliminate child marriage in India.
• It will focus on the seven high-burden states-West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh-and nearly 300 high-burden districts where child marriage rates are high as compared to the national average. 
• The campaign will call on every State and Union Territory to devise an action plan aimed at reducing the child marriage rates below 5% by 2029.
  • Child marriage rates dropped from 47.4% in 2006 to 23.3% in 2019-21, according to government data.
• A key feature of the initiative is the launch of the Child Marriage Free Bharat portal, a platform to raise awareness, report cases, and monitor progress.
  • The portal is designed to facilitate effective monitoring of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) by strengthening supervision and evaluation mechanisms to ensure their active role in preventing child marriages and supporting affected individuals. 
  • People will be able to register their complaints pertaining to child marriage, and these will be directed straight to the concerned CMPOs anywhere in the country.
  • All states have been directed to log on to the portal and register the CMPOs so that there is real-time monitoring of cases.
  • Nodal officers will be assigned at the Centre for monitoring the portal.
  • It seeks to enhance public access to information, making it easily available to enable better communication and support.

Q1: What is the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006?

PCMA came into force in 2006 to prevent child marriage and ensure the eradication of the practice. It replaced the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. The primary object of the Act is to prohibit solemnization of child marriage. This Act is armed with enabling provisions to prohibit child marriages, provide relief to victims, and enhance punishment for those who abet, promote, or solemnize such marriages. As per the act, the age of marriage for boysis 21, and for girls, it is 18, and any marriage of people below this age will be considered a child marriage which is illegal, an offence, and is punishable under the law.

News: Child marriage free India campaign: Minister Annapurna Devi launches portal

About President’s Colours:

• It is the highest honour that can be awarded to any military unit, military training establishments, or State/UT Police Forces of India.
• It is bestowed upon a military unit in recognition of exceptional service rendered to the nation, both in peace and in war.
• It is also known as “Rashtrapati ka Nishaan” in Hindi.
• History:
  • The President’s Colour award has its history way back to ancient Indian traditions.
  • In ancient times, whenever any military unit marches, they carried ‘dhwajas‘ or ‘patakas‘ or simply a flag of their respective kings to demonstrate their king’s supremacy. The flag had emblems or messages of their kings to other rulers.
  • During British rule in India, the tradition continues. The military unit of the British Armed Forces of that time carried the king’s/queen’s version of the flag whenever they go for a military march.
  • On November 23, 1950, the ‘king’s colour’ of the erstwhile British Indian regiments was laid to rest in Chetwode Hall, Dehradun, to make way for the ‘colours’ of the President of the Republic of India.
  • The Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Forces to be awarded the President Colour by Dr. Rajendra Prasad on May 27, 1951. 
• Award:
  • It is a type of special flag, also known as ‘Nishaan’, which is awarded to a military unit in an organised ceremony. 
  • Colours are generally presented personally by the President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and in case of the President’s non-availability, by the Service Chief.
  • The flag consists of a golden border in the middle and the insignia of a respective military unit, training establishments, and police forces in the centre.
  • Sometimes, it may also contain the motto, important achievements, and battle participation of those military units to which the award is bestowed.
  • During any ceremonial parade, the President’s Colour, i.e., the special flag of a military unit, is kept in a special position, and soldiers often march with the President’s Colour on important dates, like their establishment anniversary.

Q1: What is an Insignia?

An insignia is a symbol, badge, or emblem that represents a specific organization, rank, or identity. It is often used to denote membership, achievements, or affiliation with a particular group or institution. In the military, for example, an insignia can refer to a badge or emblem worn by soldiers to indicate their rank, unit, or service branch.

News: Army Chief presents President’s Colours to four battalions of Mechanised Infantry

About OPCW- The Hague Award:

• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons established the ‘OPCW-The Hague Award’ in collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague in 2014.
• Itis part of the OPCW’s ongoing effort to highlight significant contributions made by individuals and organisations, widely from academia, researchers, chemical industry, and civil society to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.
• Recipient of the award receives a medallion, a certificate and share of the €90,000 award fund.

Key facts about the Indian Chemical Council

• It is India's premier body representing the chemical industry which was established in 1938.
• It is the apex national body representing all branches of the Chemical Industry in India such as Organic & Inorganic Chemicals, Plastics & Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refineries etc.
• The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has authorised all ICC offices (Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai) to issue the CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN for the exporters.
• Initiatives of ICC:
  • ICC’s ‘Nicer Globe’ initiative has had a substantial impact on chemical transportation safety in India, offering real-time monitoring and emergency response capabilities.
  • It has conducted other activities to promote chemical safety and security through its ‘Responsible Care’ (RC) programme and the introduction of the Security Code of RC.

Do you know?

• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weaponsis the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
• Its mission isto implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in order to achieve the OPCW’s vision of a world that is free of chemical weapons and of the threat of their use, and in which cooperation in chemistry for peaceful purposes for all is fostered.
• It receives states-parties’ declarations detailing chemical weapons-related activities or materials and relevant industrial activities.
• The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.
• Headquarters: Hague, Netherlands.

Q1: What is the Chemical Weapons Convention?

It is a multilateral treaty that bans chemical weapons and requires their destruction within a specified period of time.It entered into force on April 29, 1997.

News: Indian Chemical Council Wins 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award

About Jarawa Tribe:

• The Jarawas are an indigenous tribe which lives in the Andaman Islands.
• They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• They inhabit parts of the Middle Andaman and South Andaman Islands. The region is characterized by dense forests, mangroves, and pristine beaches, providing a rich habitat.
• They are regarded as descendants of the Jangil tribe, which is now extinct.
• Some believe the ancestors of the Jarawas were part of the first successful human migrations out of Africa. 
• The Jarawas have traditionally been hunter-forager-fishermen, and are known as warriors who fiercely defend their territory.
• They are known for their robust physique and excellent nutritional health.
• Traditional clothing among the Jarawa Tribe is minimal and functional, designed to suit the tropical climate of the Andaman Islands.
• After the British established a colonial presence in the Andaman Islands in 1789, the population of Jarawas declined massively.
• However, the Jarawas survived the British colonial presence and World War II.
• Over the years, the contact between the Jarawas and the outsiders increased, and since 1997, they have initiated contacts with settled populations, where they traded and interacted with tourists, got medical aid, and even sent their children to school.
• At present, their number ranges between 250 to 400 individuals. 

Q1: Who are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)?

PVTGs are a more vulnerable group among tribal groups in India. These groups have primitive traits, geographical isolation, low literacy, zero to negative population growth rate and backwardness. Moreover, they are largely dependent on hunting for food and a pre-agriculture level of technology. Currently, there are 2.8 million PVTGs belonging to 75 tribes across 22,544 villages in 220 districts across 18 states and Union Territories in India.

News: 19 members of Jarawa Tribe included in electoral roll for first time

About E-Daakhil Portal:

• It was introduced as an inexpensive, speedy and hassle-free mechanism for filing consumer complaints.
• It was first launched on 7th September 2020 by the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.

Features

• It is an innovative online platform designed to streamline the consumer grievance redressal process, providing an efficient and convenient way for consumers to approach the relevant consumer forum, dispensing the need to travel and be physically present to file their grievances.
• The portal offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, allowing consumers to file complaints with minimal effort.
• From filing complaints to tracking their status, E-Daakhil ensures a paperless and transparent process with respect to filing of cases.
• Any consumer or Advocate can sign up on the e-Daakhil platforms with the required authentication by receiving an OTP on their registered cell phone or an activation link on their registered email address. They can then move on with filing a complaint.
• The portal has facilitated all aggrieved consumers to submit complaints to consumer commissions online in the comfort of their own homes, to pay the appropriate fees, and track the progress of the case online.
• It is accessible to consumers across all regions of India, from metropolitan cities to remote areas. 

Q1: What is the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC)?

It is a quasi-judicial commission in India which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. Its head office is in New Delhi. 

News: Centre launches E-Daakhil across all states and union territories of India

About Sabal-20 Logistics Drone:

• It is an electric-unmanned helicopter based on variable pitch technology, designed specifically for aerial logistics.
• It was manufactured by the private drone manufacturer EndureAir.
• It is designed to fulfill demanding operational requirements, assisting with tasks including precise logistics, high-altitude operations, and long-distance deliveries. 
• Features:
  • The drone features tandem rotor configuration, and the design “ensures remarkable stability, superior high-altitude performance, minimised turbulence risk, and outstanding lifting capacity across diverse terrains”.
  • It is capable of carrying payloads of up to 20 kg, which is equivalent to 50 percent of its own weight, with scalable options for future requirements.
  • It can operate in confined and rugged terrain, while its low RPM (revolutions per minute) design minimises noise, enhancing stealth in sensitive missions.
  • One of the standout features of the Sabal 20 is its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology, which allows the drone to operate in confined spaces and difficult environments. 
  • It also has cutting-edge autonomous flight capabilities and user-friendly controls that simplify complex tasks, ensuring reliable performance even when it is beyond the line of sight of the operator.

Q1: What is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology?

A VTOL aircraft is a vehicle that can depart, hover and land vertically. This includes fixed-wing aircrafts with the ability to take off and touch down vertically as well as helicopters or other aircraft with powered rotors. VTOL aircrafts' ability to take off and land vertically as well as hover, fly slowly and land in small spaces distinguishes it from the conventional aircraft. 

News: Made in India: Indian Army Receives Advanced Sabal 20 Logistics Drone from EndureAir

About SAREX-24:

• It is conducted under the aegis of National Maritime Search and Rescue Board.
• The theme of the exercise is ‘Enhancing Search and Rescue capabilities through Regional collaboration’.
• It signifies ICG’s commitment to provide succor during large-scale contingencies regardless of location, nationality or circumstances in the Indian Search & Rescue Region and beyond.
• This event will feature various programmes, including table-top exercise, workshop & seminars involving participation of senior officials from government agencies, Ministries & Armed Forces, various stakeholders and foreign delegates.
• The sea exercise involving two large scale contingencies will be carried out off the Kochi coast with participation of ships & aircraft of ICG, Navy, Indian Air Force, Passenger Vessel & Tug from Cochin Port Authority and boats from the Customs.
• The response matrix in the sea exercise will involve various methods to evacuate distressed passengers, wherein the advent of new-age technology using satellite-aided distress beacons, drones to deploy a life buoy, air droppable life rafts, operation of remote controlled life buoy will be demonstrated.
• The exercise is designed not only to evaluate efficiency of operations and coordination with national stakeholders, but also to aptly focus on cooperative engagements with the littorals and friendly countries.

Q1: What is the Indian Coast Guard?

It is an armed force that protects India's maritime interests and enforces maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.

News: Defence Secretary to inaugurate 11th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise & Workshop of Indian Coast Guard in Kochi

About Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology:

• It uses kinetic energy of flowing water with practically zero potential head for generation of electrical energy unlike conventional units, which utilize potential energy of water through construction of suitable civil structures such as dam, diversion weir and barrages for creation of necessary 'Head'.
• Advantages
  • This technology supports the power sector in meeting the growing demand for base-load, round-the-clock renewable energy, especially in areas with poor grid accessibility.
  • Surface Hydrokinetic turbines are easy to install and cost-effective.
  • This technology provides a win-win situation both for renewable energy buyers and generators.
  • Adoption of SHKT technology shall mark a significant milestone in leveraging India’s extensive water infrastructure, including canals, hydropower tailrace channels, etc. for sustainable energy generation.
  • This technology has huge potential in GW scale with a lot of opportunities to harness renewable energy, leading to overall growth of the power sector.

Q1: What is kinetic energy?

Kinetic energy is a form of energy that an object or a particle has by reason of its motion. It is a property of a moving object or particle and depends not only on its motion but also on its mass.

News: CEA recognizes indigenously developed Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology under Hydro Category

About Network Readiness Index:

• It maps the network-based readiness landscape of 133 economies based on their performances in four different pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, covering a total of 54 variables.
• The report has been published by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit research and educational institute based in Washington DC.
• Highlights of the report
  • India has not only improved its ranking, but also improved its score from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024. It is noteworthy that India leads in several indicators.
  • The report states that India secured 1st rank in ‘AI scientific publications’, ‘AI talent concentration’ and ‘ICT services exports’, 2nd rank in ‘FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions’, ‘Mobile broadband internet traffic within the country’ and ‘International Internet bandwidth’, 3rd rank in ‘Domestic market scale’ and 4th rank in ‘annual investment in telecommunication services.
  • India has ranked 2nd in the group of lower-middle-income countries after Vietnam.
  • As per the report, India has demonstrated significant digital progress, with notable strengths in technological innovation and digital transformation.

Q1: What is governance?

It is defined as the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country's economic and social resources for development. 

News: India climbs up eleven slots to be among Top 50 Countries in Network Readiness Index 2024