About SHe-Box Portal:

• It is a centralized platform for registering and monitoring complaints of sexual harassment of women in the workplace.
• It serves as a centralized repository of information related to Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) formed across the country, encompassing both the government and private sectors.
• It offers a common platform to file complaints, track their status, and ensure time-bound processing of complaints by ICs.
• It provides assured redressal of complaints and a streamlined process for all stakeholders. 
• The portal will also enable real-time monitoring of complaints through a designated nodal officer.
• The portal will ensure that complaints can be safely registered without personal information being publicly accessible.
• The SHe-Box portal can be accessed at https://shebox.wcd.gov.in/.
• Points to Remember:
  • In 2017, an upgraded version of SHe-Box was launched based on The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, where women who are harassed at any workplace can register their case on this, SHe-Box, file their complaint, and then two types of committees will be formed.
  • One, for private institutions, an internal committee will be formed, and for government institutions, a local committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the DM or DC or an officer appointed by them, and actions will be taken by them from time to time.

Q1: What is the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013?

The Act aims to prevent and address incidents of sexual harassment of women at their place of work and provide a mechanism for redressal of complaints related to such harassment. The Act provides a clear definition of sexual harassment, encompassing unwelcome acts or behaviour that are sexually colored, creating a hostile or intimidating work environment. The Act applies to all workplaces, including government, private, and non-governmental organizations, as well as any organization, institution, undertaking, or establishment.The Act mandates every workplace employing more than ten persons to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee. This committee is responsible for addressing complaints of sexual harassment and ensuring a safe working environment. In cases where the workplace does not have an IC (e.g., in organizations with less than ten employees or in certain specific circumstances), the district officer shall constitute a Local Committee to receive and redress complaints. The Act prohibits retaliation or adverse actions against the complainant for filing a complaint in good faith.

Source: Centre Launches Portal To Address Sexual Harassment At Workplaces | Step-by-Step Process To File Complaint On SHe-Box

About Bonus Issue:

• A bonus issue, also known as a scrip issue or a capitalization issue, occurs when a company listed on a stock exchange decides to offer free additional shares to the existing shareholders.
• The company decides the number of bonus shares to be allotted to every individual investor for holding a certain number of shares over a set period of time and accordingly rewards them.
  • For example, a company may give one bonus share for every five shares held.
• This bonus issue aims to attract further investment and reward its existing shareholders as it improves the entity's market image.
• A bonus issue of shares will increase a company's share capital but not its market capitalisation.
  • Market capitalisation is calculated by multiplying the company's current stock price and the total number of outstanding shares. Share capital is the amount that the company raises by issuing shares.
  • By issuing bonus shares, the number of outstanding shares increases with a proportional decrease in the value of each share, ensuring no change in the market capitalization. However, the face value of the shares remains unchanged.
• Bonus shares do not dilute shareholders’ equity because they are issued in a constant ratio that keeps the relative equity of each shareholder the same as before the issue.
• A bonus share issue is funded by the company's healthy profits reflected in its annual or quarterly results or from its share reserves. 
• The issuanceof bonus shares is not taxable; however, shareholders must still pay capital gains taxif they sell them for a net gain.

What is a Stock Split?

• A stock split is an action taken in which a company divides its existing shares into multiple shares to boost the liquidity of shares.
• A split is usually undertaken when the stock price is high, making it pricey for investors to acquire.
• It brings down the share price as the number of shares increases.
• The market cap of the firm and the value of each shareholder’s investment stay unchanged after a stock split.

Stock Split v/s Bonus Issue:

• Most people mistake stock splits for bonus concerns. This is due to the fact that, similar to stock splits, bonus issues can result in a rise in the company's share count.
• In contrast to a stock split, where the face value of each share is decreased, a bonus issue offer sexisting owners more shares at no cost in proportion to the shares they now possess in the company. 
• Therefore, bonus shares raise the company's share capital while a stock split keeps it constant.
• However, in both scenarios, the number of shares rises and the share price falls accordingly.

Q1: What Is Equity?

Equity, referred to as shareholders' equity (or owners' equity for privately held companies), represents the amount of money that would be returned to a company's shareholders if all of the assets were liquidated and all of the company's debt was paid off in the case of liquidation. In the case of acquisition, it is the value of company sales minus any liabilities owed by the company not transferred with the sale.

In addition, shareholder equity can represent the book value of a company. Equity can sometimes be offered as payment-in-kind. It also represents the pro-rata ownership of a company's shares

Source: Reliance Industries to consider 1:1 bonus: A look at RIL's bonus history

About Solar Paraboloid Technology:

• It is an advanced form of concentrating solar power (CSP) technology.
• It not only enhances the efficiency of solar energy capture but also addresses the limitations that have long plagued traditional photovoltaic (PV) systems.
• Working?
  • Solar paraboloids operate using a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) system.
  • These systems consist of long, parabolic mirrors that focus sunlight onto a receiver tube placed at the focal line of the mirror.
  • The concentrated solar energy heats a fluid within the receiver, which can then be used to generate electricity or provide direct heat for industrial processes.
• Benefits:
  • Solar paraboloids are highly efficient in concentrating solar energy, which means that more electricity can be generated from the same amount of sunlight.
  • This efficiency could lead to lower costs per unit of electricity produced, making solar energy more competitive with traditional fossil fuels.
  • Another key benefit is its ability to operate at higher temperatures, up to 300°C, which significantly increases thermal efficiency. This is achieved by reducing heat losses through a smaller absorbing surface area.
  • The technology can produce energy even in low-light conditions, making it a versatile solution for diverse environments.
  • Solar paraboloid systems are scalable and can be deployed in various configurations, from small-scale applications to large solar farms.

Q1: What is a paraboloid?

A paraboloid is a three-dimensional surface generated by rotating a parabola around its axis. It is a fundamental shape in mathematics and has a variety of applications in engineering, physics, and other fields.

Source: Explainer: Solar paraboloid technology - The next frontier in renewable energy

About RESET Programme:

• The Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training Programme is aimed at empowering our retired sportspersons who have played for the country and brought immense laurels to the nation.
• It will support retired athletes on their career development journey by empowering them with the necessary knowledge and skills and making them more employable.
• It represents a significant step towards recognizing and utilizing the invaluable experience and expertise of our retired athletes.
• Eligibility:

o The athletes, who have retired from an active sports career and are aged between 20-50 years and who have been winners of an International Medal/participants in international events or have been National medallists/State medallists/participants in competitions recognized by National Sports Federations/Indian Olympic Association/Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports are eligible to apply for courses under RESET Programme.

• Initially, the programmes will be of two levels based on educational qualifications viz., Class 12th and above and Class 11th and below.
• For this pilot phase of the RESET Programme, Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) will be the lead institute to implement the Programme.
• The programme will be offered in hybrid mode consisting of self-paced learning through a dedicated portal, along with on-ground training and internship.
• Internships will be provided in sports organizations, sporting competitions/training camps, and leagues. Further, placement assistance, guidance for entrepreneurial ventures, etc. will be provided upon successful completion of the course.

Q1: What are the National Sports Awards?

The National Sports Awards are given annually to recognize and reward excellence in sports, highlight extraordinary performance at the national and international competitive events, encourage sportsmanship and promote nation-building by creating a sense of national pride and unity in a country as diverse as India.

Source: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Launches Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme

About D-Voter:

• The concept of D-Voter is unique to Assam, where migration and citizenship are among the biggest political fault lines.
• It was introduced in Assam in 1997 by the Election Commission, targeting those who could not prove their Indian nationality. 
• Those persons whose citizenship was doubtful or was under dispute were categorized as ‘D- Voters’ during the preparation of the National Register of Citizens in Assam.
• ‘Doubtful voter’ or ‘doubtful citizenship’ have not been defined in the Citizenship Act, 1955, or the Citizenship Rules of 2003.
  • The Citizenship Rules, 2003, was framed under the provisions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003.
  • The rules framed in 2003 list out the steps to be followed for the preparation of the National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).
  • Under subsection 4 of section 4 that deals with the preparation of NRIC, it has been only mentioned that details of individuals whose citizenship is doubtful will be entered by the Local Registrar with ‘appropriate remark in the population register for further enquiry’.
  • A family or individual is notified in a specific pro forma as soon as the verification process concludes whether they have been classified as a dubious citizen (D-Category).
  • Before deciding whether or not to add their name to the register, they are also given the opportunity to be heard by the Taluk, or Sub-district Registrar of Citizenship. The Registrar has ninety days to complete and justify his findings.
• Because their Indian citizenship has not been verified, doubtful voters are not allowed to vote in elections.
• They are also not permitted to run for officein the nation's elections.
• The marking as doubtful voter is a temporary measure and cannot be prolonged. A decision in a definite period of time must be taken. 
  • According to the documentation provided, if it is determined that the individual is a foreign national or an illegal immigrant, they may be deported or placed in a detention centre.
• D- Voters also have the option to apply and get their names included in NRC.
  • They will be included only after they get clearance from the Foreigners Tribunals and their names are removed from electoral rolls under the ‘D’ category.

Q1: What is a Foreigners Tribunal (FT)?

These are quasi-judicial bodies formed through the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964 under Section 3 of the Foreigners’ Act of 1946, to let local authorities in a State refer a person suspected to be a foreigner to tribunals. The FTs are currently exclusive to Assam as cases of “illegal immigrants” are dealt with according to the Foreigners’ Act in other States. Each FT is headed by a member drawn from judges, advocates, and civil servants with judicial experience. FT has the powers of a civil court in certain matters such as summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him or her on oath and requiring the production of any document.An FT has to dispose of a case within 60 days of reference. If the person fails to provide any proof of citizenship, the FT can send him or her to a detention center, now called transit camp, for deportation later.

Source: Himanta Biswa Sarma: 1.2 lakh 'D' voters identified, 41,583 declared foreigners

About Finternet:

• It is multiple financial ecosystems interconnected with each other – much like the internet. 
• It would lower barriers between different financial services and systems, drastically reducing the complex clearing and messaging chains and other frictions that hinder financial systems.
• Working: Finternet would be built on unified ledgers which will bring multiple financial markets such as tokenized assets, shares, bonds, real estate, on a single programmable platform.
• This has the capability to enable individuals and businesses to transfer any financial asset they like, in any amount, at any time, using any device, to anyone else, anywhere in the world. Financial transactions would be cheap, secure, and near-instantaneous.
• Advantages: Finternet will be user-centric, unified, which means it will cover all types of assets, with a universal infrastructure.
• Significance: This would reduce the complex processes that happen behind-the-scenes today and make transactions slower and expensive.
• Central banks would remain at the core of the system, ensuring trust in money, but (like today) work closely with commercial banks.

Q1: What is a Card-on-File transaction?

Card-on-File transaction is a transaction where cardholders authorizes merchants to store their payment information securely and bill cardholders’ stored accounts for future purchases.

Source: Nandan Nilekani gives a glimpse of the next decade of India’s ‘Finternet’

About Unified Payments Interface (UPI) block mechanism:

• It is similar to the Application Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA) facility that allows trading with blocked amounts.
• In the primary market, the facility ensures that money from an investor gets moved only when the allotment is completed.
• In the UPI block mechanism, clients can trade in the secondary market based on blocked funds in their bank accounts, instead of transferring the funds upfront to the trading member.
• The facility is currently optional for investors, and not mandatory for Trading Members (TMs) to offer as a service to clients.
• Significance: It provides enhanced protection to the client's funds and securities.

Key facts about Application Supported by Blocked Amount

• It was first introduced by SEBI in 2008.
• It is a process for making initial public offerings (IPOs) or rights issue subscriptions.
• ASBA is a facility provided by banks that allows investors to apply for an IPO or rights issue by blocking the application amount in their bank account instead of transferring the money to the issuer.
• Under ASBA, the investor's application money remains in their bank account, and only a block is created on the funds for the IPO application amount.
• This blocked amount remains in the investor's bank account until the allotment process is completed.
• Once the shares are allotted to the investor, the block is released, and only the amount for the allotted shares is deducted from the investor's account.
• In public issues and rights issues, all investors have to mandatorily apply through ASBA.

Q1: What is Unified Payments Interface (UPI)?

The UPI is a digital and real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It was launched on April 11, 2016. It is designed to enable peer-to-peer inter-bank transfers through a single two-click factor authentication process.

Source: SEBI proposes mandatory UPI block mechanism facility for secondary market trading

About Piezoelectric Polymer:

• These are polymers that can generate electric charges on the surface under pressure/strain thus convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• Characteristics
  • These polymers have much higher piezoelectric stress constants indicating that they are much better sensors than ceramics.
  • They have low dielectric constant, low elastic stiffness, and low density, which result in a high voltage sensitivity and low acoustic and mechanical impedance (crucial for medical and underwater applications).
  • Piezoelectric polymeric sensors and actuators offer the advantage of processing flexibility because they are lightweight, tough, readily manufactured into large areas, and can be cut and formed into complex shapes.
  • Polymers also typically possess a high dielectric breakdown and high operating field strength, which means that they can withstand much higher driving fields than ceramics.

Q1: What is Electricity?

It is a physical phenomenon that is caused by the presence and movement of electric charges. It manifests itself in a variety of ways, such as static electricity, electric currents, and electromagnetic fields.

About Pacific Islands Forum:

• It is an intergovernmental organisation formed in 1971.
• Member countries: It consists of 18 member states located in the Pacific region.
  • Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
• Aim:
  • It aims to push for economic growth, enhance political governance and security for the region, and strengthen regional cooperation.
  • Its vision is for a resilient Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity that ensures all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy and productive lives.
• The organisation discusses priority issues at its annual meeting, where decisions made by the member states are reached by consensus.
• The decisions are implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
• PIF members have been pushing to raise funds for climate action. Notably, the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) — a regional financing facility established by PIF is currently $380 million short of its $500 million target. 

Q1: What is the Blue Economy?

Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. It emphasizes the importance of the ocean and its resources as a source of economic opportunity, innovation, and wealth creation, while also acknowledging the need for conservation and sustainability.

Source: The Pacific Islands Forum’s annual meeting begins: The organisation and the issues being discussed

About Sabina Shoal:

• Sabina Shoal, also known as Xianbin Reef, is an oceanic coral atoll that developed on top of a seamount in the eastern part of the Spratlys Islands in the South China Sea.
• It is located some 75 nautical miles from the Philippine province of Palawan.
• It is considered to be within the Philippines 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• China, however, claims the shoal and much of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory and has maintained a continuous presence there. It is located 630 nautical miles from China.
• Sabina Shoal extends close to 23 km along its northwest-southeast axis.
• It is composed of two main parts connected by a narrow section.
• The western part measures 13 km long by 6 km wide and is larger than the eastern part, which measures 10 km by 3 km.

They both have a central lagoon surrounded by a coral ring made of discontinuous shallow sections.

Q1: What is a Seamount?

Seamount is an underwater mountain formed through volcanic activity. These are recognised as hotspots for marine life. Like volcanoes on land, seamounts can be active, extinct or dormant volcanoes. These are formed near mid-ocean ridges, where the earth’s tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing molten rock to rise to the seafloor. The planet’s two most-studied mid-ocean ridges are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise. Some seamounts have also been found near intraplate hotspots – regions of heavy volcanic activity within a plate – and oceanic island chains with a volcanic and seismic activity called island arcs. These are formed when molten rock comes up from below the tectonic plate.

Source: China publishes first survey report of disputed South China Sea's Sabina Shoal