About Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C):

• I4C has been established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deal with cybercrime in the country in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. 
• The I4C focuses on tackling issues related to cybercrime for citizens, including improving coordination between various Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and stakeholders.
• The centre is located in New Delhi.
• Functions:
  • To act as a nodal point in the fight against cybercrime.
  • Identify the research problems and needs of LEAs and take up R&D activities in developing new technologies and forensic tools in collaboration with academia/research institutes within India and abroad.
  • To prevent misuse of cyberspace for furthering the cause of extremist and terrorist groups.
  • Suggest amendments, if required, in cyber laws to keep pace with fast changing technologies and international cooperation.
  • To coordinate all activities related to the implementation of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) with other countries related to cybercrimes in consultation with the concerned nodal authority in MHA.
• Components of I4C: 
  • National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (TAU): For reporting threats pertaining to cybercrimes at regular intervals.
  • National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP): To report various cybercrime complaints by citizens at all India levels on a common platform on a 24x7 basis from “anywhere, anytime”.
  • National Cybercrime Training Centre (NCTC): To impart training to government officials, especially state law enforcement agencies.
  • National Cybercrime Research and Innovation Centre: To carry out research for the development of indigenous tools for the prevention of cybercrimes.
  • Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Coordination Team: For coordination, sharing of modus operandi of cybercrimes, data/information among states/UTs LEAs.
  • Cybercrime Ecosystem Management Unit: For creating mass awareness in cyber hygiene for prevention of cybercrimes.
  • National Cybercrime Forensic Laboratory (Investigation) Ecosystem: For helping LEAs in cyber forensics investigation.
• I4C brings together academia, industry, public and government in the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrimes.
• I4C has envisaged the Cyber Crime Volunteers Program to bring together citizens with passion to serve the nation on a single platform and contribute in fight against cybercrime in the country.
• Other Initiatives:
  • Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System: For immediate reporting of financial cyber frauds and preventing the siphoning of funds by cyber criminals on a near-real-time basis.
  • National Toll-Free Helpline number ‘1930’ has been operationalized to provide citizen assistance in lodging online cyber complaints.
  • CyberDost handle on various social media platforms to generate cyber awareness among citizens.

Q1: What is the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty?

It is a mechanism whereby countries cooperate with one another to provide and obtain formal assistance in the prevention, suppression, investigation and prosecution of crime to ensure that the criminals do not escape or sabotage the due process of law for want of evidence available in different countries. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the Central Authority of India for dealing with requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) explains the reciprocal arrangements to be made by the Central Government with the Foreign Governments with regard to the service of summons/warrants/judicial processes.

News: MHA warns against illegal payment gateways running through mule accounts

About Koel River:

• Koel River originates from the Palamau Tiger Reserve, Jharkhand, and flows in the western part of Palamu District. 
• The river divides into two - the North Koel River and the South Koel River. 
  • The former river is tapped near Kutku for irrigation reasons and finally joins with the Son River. 
  • The latter one flows across the Indian state of Orissa near Rourkela, before merging with the Brahmani River.
• Flowing through the hilly terrain of Jharkhand and Odisha, the Koel River is part of the larger Damodar Valley region, known for its mineral-rich landscape.
• It is prone to seasonal flooding, particularly during the monsoon months.
• Hydropower Potential: The North Koel Dam, also known as the Mandal Dam, was constructed on the North Koel River in Jharkhand, intended to generate hydroelectric power and supply irrigation water.

Q1: Which are the main tributaries of the Son River?

Its important tributaries lying in the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand are Johilla, Mahanadi, Banas, Gopad, Rihand, Ghagher , Kanhar and North Koel.

News: Three Students Drown While Taking Bath In Jharkhand's Koel River

About Land Port Authority of India: 

• It is an authority constituted under the Land Ports Authority Act, 2010.
• It was constituted for development and management of facilities for cross border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India.
• Mandate: It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing border infrastructure in India. It manages several Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) all across Borders of India.
• Composition
  • Chairperson and Members are appointed by the Central Government.
• Tenure: Both Chairperson and Members have tenure for a period of five years from the date on which he assumes office and till he attains the age of sixty years, whichever is earlier.
• Functions: It is mandated to develop, sanitize and manage the facilities for cross border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India.
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs.

Key points about Petrapole

• Petrapole is the largest land port in South Asia and it is a vital gateway for trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh.
• It is also the eighth largest international immigration port of India, and facilitates the movement of over 23.5 lakh passengers annually between India and Bangladesh.

Q1: What is Immigration?

It is a process through which individuals become permanent residents or citizens of another country. Historically, the process of immigration has been of great social, economic, and cultural benefit to states.

News: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurates the Passenger Terminal Building and Maitri Dwar in Petrapole, West Bengal, built at a cost of ₹487 crore by the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI)

About Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana:

• It is a landmark initiative that was launched on October 28, 2014.
• It aims to empower tribal communities in India, recognizing their historical neglect. The initiative not only provides financial assistance but also establishes a framework for sustainable development.

Six Key Steps Under PMVKY

• Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana
  • It revamps the existing Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan, which focuses on integrated village development in 36,428 villages with significant tribal populations.
  • It targets critical sectors such as road and telecom connectivity, education, health services, and sanitation, all of which aim to raise the living standards of tribal communities.
• Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
  • It is designed to ensure the socio-economic upliftment of the most marginalized tribal communities (PVTC families) while preserving their cultural heritage.
  • The initiative provides financial support to state governments for tailored developmental activities in housing, health, and education sectors.
  • The Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission has been launched to enhance further living conditions and provide PVTG families with access to basic facilities.
  • Under this mission Rs. 15,000 crore will be allocated over three years for essential amenities like secure housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, education, health, nutrition, and enhanced connectivity.
• Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRI): It facilitates research and documentation efforts related to tribal communities. Financial assistance is allocated to state governments and UTs based on their proposals to strengthen the knowledge base concerning tribal cultures and challenges.
• Pre-Matric Scholarships: It caters to students in grades IX and X, the scholarship is available for students with a parental income of up to ₹2.50 lakhs, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder educational advancement.
• Post-Matric Scholarships: It follows similar terms and conditions as the Pre-Matric scheme but caters to Scheduled Tribe students studying beyond class 10.
• Administrative Assistance for Project Management Units: The PMVKY also allocates funds to establish project management units within state governments, ensuring that schemes related to the welfare of Scheduled Tribes are effectively monitored and implemented.

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.

News: Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana

About Raigad Fort:

• It is a hill fort situated in the Raigad district, Maharashtra.
• It is surrounded by valleys shaped by the Kal and Gandhari rivers, standing as an isolated massif without connections to neighbouring hills.
• Grant Duff, a British historian of the Maratha period has drawn parallels between Raigad and the Rock of Gibraltar. He has gone to the extent of labelling Raigad as the Gibraltar of the east.
• History
  • In 1653 CE, Raigad (then known as Rairi) was captured by the Maratha forces from the Mores'.
  • Shivaji Maharaj assigned the work of reconstruction of the fort to Hiroji Indulkar.
  • Subsquently, on 6th June, 1674 CE a grand coronation ceremony of Shivaji Maharaj was held on Raigad post, during which he attained the title of “Chhatrapati”.
  • The fort served as the second capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and played an important role in the administration and expansion of the Maratha Kingdom.
• Features:
  • There were two main gates both flanked by bastions, Nana Darwaza and Maha Darwaza.
  • It is remarkable for magnificently designed gates, fortification walls and imposing monuments. 
  • Other structures within the fort are: Naqqar Khana, Sirkai Devi Temple, Jagadishwar Temple – a shrine dedicated to Lord Siva - including the Hall of Public Audience (Rajsadar), Royal Complex, Queens' palace Bazarpeth, Manore (pleasure pavilions), Wadeshwar Temple, Khublada Burj, Massid Morcha, Nanne Darwaza
  • The Royal Complex: It includes Ranivasa, Rajsadar, Naqqarkhana, Mena Darwaza, and Palkhi Darwaja, is well-fortified and accessible only through three entrances: Naqqarkhana, Mena Darwaja, and Palkhi Darwaja. This fortified complex is commonly known as Balle Qilla (citadel).
  • Rajsadar (Hall of Public Audience): This is where Shivaji Maharaj used to hold his court (darbar) to dispense justice on routine matters and to receive dignitaries and envoys. It is a rectangular structure facing east.
  • Holicha Mal: It is located outside Naqqarkhana. It is a wide-open ground that was most likely used for the annual Holi festival.
• The fort of Raigad is part of the 12 forts nominated for UNESCO World Heritage under the title “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”.

Q1: What is the World Heritage Committee?

World Heritage Committee is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.

News:Raigad Fort: Capital of most illustrious Maratha sovereign, nurtured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

About FCI Grievance Redressal System App:

• It will facilitate rice millers in addressing their grievances with the FCI in an efficient and transparent manner.
• It is part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to harness technology for good governance.
• It aims to improve responsiveness and accountability by providing rice millers with a convenient platform to lodge complaints, monitor its status and receive responses on their mobile device in an end-to-end digitized manner.
• Key Features of the App
  • User-Friendly Grievance Submission: Millers can easily register their grievances on their mobile through a user-friendly interface, simplifying communication with FCI. They have to register only once and thereafter any number of grievances can be lodged wherein each grievance will have a Unique Grievance ID.
  • Real –Time Tracking: It offers real-time updates on grievance status, keeping millers informed and ensuring transparency.
  • Automatic Assignment & Fast Resolution: Within FCI, once grievance is received, it will be automatically assigned to concerned Nodal Officers for further action. The App provides facility to Nodal Officers to either get grievances investigated by Quick Response Team or get feedback from the concerned Division. 
  • Geo-Fencing for Quick Response Teams (QRTs): Where grievance redressal involves visit to site by QRT team, the mobile application will capture the physical visit by the team members through the geo-fencing tool.

Q1: What is Food Corporation of India (FCI)?

The FCI is a statutory body formed by the enactment of the Food Corporation Act, 1964 by the Parliament. It has an objective of effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests of the farmers,

News: Shri Pralhad Joshi launches FCI Grievance Redressal System Mobile Application for Rice Millers

About Dyslexia: 

• It is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding).
• It is also called a reading disability, dyslexia is a result of individual differences in areas of the brain that process language.
• It is not due to problems with intelligence, hearing or vision. 
• It is often misunderstood as the ‘slow-learner syndrome’.
• The exact cause of dyslexia isn’t clear. However, several clues hint at how and why most cases happen.
  • Genetics: It is highly genetic and runs in families. A child with one parent with dyslexia has a 30% to 50% chance of inheriting it.
  • Differences in brain development and function: Research shows people with dyslexia have differences in brain structure, function and chemistry.
  • Disruptions in brain development and function: Infections, toxic exposures and other events can disrupt fetal development and increase the odds of later development of dyslexia.
• Specific Learning Disabilities, including dyslexia, were officially recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016, which mandates equal opportunities in education, employment, and other aspects of life.
• The National Education Policy 2020 reinforces this mandate, emphasizing inclusive education from foundational to higher education levels. NEP 2020 reforms focus on early identification, teacher capacity building, and providing necessary support and accommodations to students.

Q1: What is Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people.

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About Konark Sun Temple:

• Location: It is located on the coastline of Odisha in Puri district.
• Also called the Surya Devalaya, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Surya.
• Textual evidence indicates that Narasimha I (who reigned between 1238 and 1264) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty built the temple in 1250. 
• It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
• Features:
  • It is a classic example of the Odisha style of architecture or Kalinga architecture.
  • The temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot-high solar chariot, with 24 wheels and pulled by six horses, all carved from stone.
  • It is oriented towards the east so that the first rays of the sunrise strike the main entrance.
  • The wheels of the temple are sundials, which can be used to calculate time accurately to a minute.
  • Around the base of the temple, there are images of animals, foliage, warriors on horses, and other interesting structures.
  • The temple also features elaborate stone carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
  • The temple, built from Khondalite rocks, is also known as 'BLACK PAGODA' due to its dark colour.
  • The temple remains a site of contemporary worship for Hindus, during the annual Chandrabhaga Festival, around the month of February.

Q1: What is the Chandrabhaga Festival?

The Chandrabhaga Mela is a very popular festival for the people of Odisha. It is celebrated on the seventh day of the month of Magha and that is why it is also called the Magha Saptami Mela. It usually falls in the month of February.

News: PM Modi hails Odisha’s heritage in Mann Ki Baat