About National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

• It was established in 1986 to act as a repository of information on crime and criminals. 
• It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
• It was set up based on the recommendations of the Tandon Committee, the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the Task Force of the Home Ministry.
• It is responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as well as serving as a repository of such information to aid investigators in tracing crimes and criminals.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• In 2009, the NCRB was entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring, coordination, and implementing the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) project. This project connects about 15,000 police stations and 6,000 high offices in the country.
• In 2017, the NCRB launched the National Digital Police Portal, which allows police officers to look for a criminal or suspect on the CCTNS database and gives citizens with services such as online complaint filing, etc.
• The Bureau has also been entrusted to maintain the National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO) and share it with the States/UTs on a regular basis.
• NCRB has also been designated as the Central Nodal Agency to manage the technical and operational functions of the ‘Online Cyber-Crime Reporting Portal’ through which any citizen can lodge a complaint or upload a video clip as evidence of crime related to child pornography, rape/gang rape.
• The NCRB has also launched CyTrain, a portal for online training of different stakeholders in cybercrime investigations and prosecution. 
• The Central Finger Print Bureau under the NCRB is a national repository of all fingerprints in the country.
• NCRB also compiles and publishes National Crime Statistics i.e. Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides, and also Prison Statistics. 
• NCRB also assists various States in capacity building in the areas of Information Technology, CCTNS, Finger Prints, Network security, and Digital Forensics through its training centers in Delhi and Kolkata.

Q1) What is the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) project?

It is a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of Govt. of India. It aims at creating a comprehensive and integrated system for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of policing. This will be achieved through creation of a nationwide networking infrastructure for the evolution of IT-enabled-state-of-the-art tracking systems around 'Investigation of crime and detection of criminals'. It thus seeks to computerize Police Processes (FIRs, Investigations, Charge sheets, Challans) and inter-link all Police Stations to create a central database by deploying a Core Application Software (CAS) in each state.

Source: Delhi leads in rate of FIRs of crimes against women: NCRB data

About CV-22B Osprey

• It is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover, and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency, and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft.
• It was developed to fulfill the needs of the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy operational requirements worldwide.
• It is built by Boeing, an American aerospace company.
• It is used for a wide-range of missions, including long-range infiltration, exfiltration, medium-range assault, special operations, VIP transport, resupply, disaster relief, search-and-rescue, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions
• Features:
  • It is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium-lift aircraft.
  • With its rotors in a vertical position, it can take off, land, and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, it can convert to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.
  • It is equipped with dual Rolls-Royce Liberty AE1107C engines.
  • Up to 24 personnel can sit inside the aircraft.
  • It travels nearly twice as fast as most average helicopters.
  • It is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, a forward-looking infrared sensor, and other systems that allow it to operate in various adverse conditions.

Q1) What is a turboprop aircraft?

A turboprop aircraft uses a turbo-prop engine rather than a piston-powered engine or a jet engine. They have one or more gas-turbine engines connected to a gearbox that turns the propeller(s) to move the aircraft on the ground and through the air. Turboprop aircraft have lower operating costs than jets because they burn less fuel, but they are also slower than jets.

Source: Divers have found wreckage, remains from Osprey aircraft that crashed off Japan, US Air Force says 

Key points about the report

• Agriculture and forests
  • 70% cereal crops damaged by drought in the Mediterranean, 2016–2018.
  • 33% loss of grazing land in South Africa due to drought
  • Five consecutive rainfall season failures in the Horn of Africa, caused the region’s worst drought in 40 years, contributing to reduced agricultural productivity, food insecurity and high food prices.
  • Africa’s drought-related economic losses in the past 50 years at $70 billion.
• Water conditions
  • 75% reduction of cargo capacity of some vessels on the Rhine due to low river levels in 2022, leading to severe delays to shipping arrivals and departures
  • 5 million people in southern China affected by record-low water levels in the Yangtze River due to drought and prolonged heat
• Social dimensions
  • 85% people affected by droughts who live in low- or middle-income countries
  • 1.2 million people in the Central American Dry Corridor needing food aid after five years of drought, heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall.

Key facts about UN Convention to Combat Desertification

• It is one of three Conventions originated at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. (The other two address climate change (UNFCCC) and biodiversity (UN CBD).
• It is the only legally binding framework set up to address desertification and the effects of drought.
• There are 197 Parties to the Convention, including 196 country Parties and the European Union.
• The Convention – based on the principles of participation, partnership and decentralization – is a multilateral commitment to mitigate the impact of land degradation, and protect our land so we can provide food, water, shelter and economic opportunity to all people.
• Parties to the Convention meet in Conferences of the Parties (COPs) every two years, as well as in technical meetings throughout the year, to advance the aims and ambitions of the Convention and achieve progress in its implementation.

Q1) What is the Convention on Biological Diversity? 

The Convention on Biological Diversity, known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is a multilateral treaty. The Convention has three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of its components; and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.

Source: Drought data shows an unprecedented emergency on a planetary scale: UN

About UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD)

• CSocD, formerly known as the Social Commission, is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
• It has been in existence since the very inception of the United Nations, advising ECOSOC and governments on a wide range of social policy issues and from the social perspective of development.
• Purpose:
  • Its primary purpose is to advance social development and formulate policies and recommendations to address global social issues.
  • It focuses on topics such as poverty eradication, social inclusion, and the promotion of equitable and sustainable development.
  • Since the 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen , the CSocD has been the key UN body in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.
• Membership:
  • Originally 18, membership has been increased several times, most recently in 1996, and now stands at 46.
  • Members are elected by ECOSOC based on equitable geographical distribution for four-year terms. 
• Meetings:
  • The CSocD meets every year at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, typically in February.
  • During its meetings, member states, international organisations, and civil society representatives come together to discuss and address various social development issues.

Key Facts about Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

• It is one of the six principal organs of the UN, which was established by the UN Charter (1945).
• It is responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN.
• Decisions are taken by a simple majority vote. The presidency of ECOSOC changes annually.
• Members:
  • It has 54 members, which are elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly.
  • Four of the five permanent members of the Security Council have been continuously re-elected.
  • This is because they provide funding for most of ECOSOC’s budget, which is the largest of any UN subsidiary body.
• Functions:
  • ECOSOC is responsible for coordinating the social and economic fields of the organization, specifically in regards to the 15 specialized agencies, the five regional commissions under its jurisdiction and eight functional commissions.
  • It also serves as a central forum to discuss international social and economic issues and formulate policy recommendations addressed to the member states and the United States system.

Q1) What is the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action?

They were both adopted at the World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1995, attended by 186 countries joined by 2,300 representatives from 811 non-governmental organizations . The summit aimed to address global social challenges and promote social development as an integral part of overall development efforts.The Copenhagen Declaration is a political document that reflects the commitment of world leaders to address social issues and promote the well-being of people globally. It emphasizes the importance of social development as a key component of sustainable development.

Source: Ruchira Kamboj chairs briefing ahead of 62nd UN Commission for Social Development

About Pilatus PC-7 Mk II

• It is a trainer aircraft.
• It is a low-wing, turbo-prop aircraft with tandem seating (the cadet sits in the front, the instructor behind him).
• While the original aircraft has been in service since the 1970s, the Mk II version was introduced in the 1990s, with a newer airframe and more advanced avionics.
• It is Powered by a Pratt & Whitney turbo-prop engine, it has a maximum speed of 412 km/h and can fly to a height of slightly more than 10,000 m.
• It has a range of 1,200 km without external tanks, which translates to slightly more than 4 hours of flying time.
• There are 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk II aircraft in service with the IAF.

What is a trainer aircraft?

• A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate flight training of pilots and aircrews.
• Modern military aircraft are notoriously difficult to master for rookie pilots. Hence, they must first be trained on other, more basic aircraft.
• Trainer aircraft are far more forgiving than the aircraft military pilots will eventually fly — they fly slower, have less complex systems, and are designed to be resistant to and recoverable from stalls and spins, a common challenge for rookie pilots.
• They are also much cheaper, allowing air forces to buy them in bulk to train cadets.

Q1) What is a turboprop engine?

It is a variant of a jet engine that has been optimised to drive a propeller. Turboprop equipped aircraft are very efficient at lower flight speeds (less than mach 0.6), burning less fuel per seat-mile and requiring significantly less runway for takeoff and landing than a turbojet or turbofan powered aircraft of the same size. 

Source: Pilatus PC-7 Mk II crash: 5 things to know about the trainer aircraft

About Double Humped Camels

• Double Humped Camels or Bactrian camels, have two humps on their backs where they store fat.
• Scientific Name: Camelus bactrianus
• Distribution:
  • They are native to the harsh and arid regions of Central Asia.
  • They occupy habitats in Central Asia from Afghanistan to China, primarily up into the Mongolian steppes and the Gobi desert.
  • A small population of Bactrian camels exists in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh.
• Features:
  • They are up to 10 feet (3.0 m) long and weigh 590-1000 kg.
  • They are smaller and more slender than the one-humped dromedary camels found in Africa and the Middle East.
  • Their fur color varies from beige to dark brown.
  • They have thick, wooly coats that provide warmth during the cold months and insulation from the desert heat, and they shed this for the summer months.
  • Lifespan: 50 years
  • They typically live in herds of 6-20 members, although they can occasionally be solitary or in groups of up to 30 individuals.
  • Diet: They are omnivores but are primarily herbivores that constantly graze on grasses.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

Q1) Where is Gobi desert?

The Gobi Desert basin lies across southern Mongolia and northwestern China between the Mongolian Altai and Khangai mountains and the Himalayan Plateau . This region is a cold desert with a continental climate and long, cold winters.

Source: Army deploys double humped camels for logistical support in eastern Ladakh

About Methane Alert and Response System

• It is a data-to-action initiative with the mission to put open, reliable, and actionable data into the hands of individuals who can reduce methane emissions.
• It was announced at the Conference of Parties (COP 27) in November 2022 and began its initial pilot phase in January 2023.
• The pilot phase presented an opportunity for UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) to engage with partners, countries, and operators to refine MARS processes and procedures before making data public.
• It uses satellites to scan the globe for major emission sources and alerts countries and companies so that they can take methane action and accelerate progress supporting the Paris Agreement and Global Methane Pledge.
• This initiative works in partnership with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). 
• MARS brings together four critical components to drive transparency and enable emission reductions:
  • Detection of large sources of human-caused methane emissions.
  • Notification of relevant countries and companies about these detected emissions.
  • Response from notified stakeholders to address the emissions.
  • Tracking progress of actions taken to reduce emissions and collaboration to prevent future methane.

What is the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO)?

• It was launched at the G20 Leaders Summit in 2021.
• It focused initially on emissions of Methane from the fossil industry.
• It reconciles methane data from scientific measurement studies, satellites through the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), rigorous industry reporting through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), and national inventories. 
• The Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) is UNEP’s flagship programme that includes a partnership of companies to improve the accuracy and transparency of methane emissions data from the oil and gas sector through a committed framework.

Q1) What is Methane (CH4)?

It is a hydrocarbon that is a primary component of natural gas. Methane is also a greenhouse gas (GHG), so its presence in the atmosphere affects the earth's temperature and climate system. Methane is emitted from a variety of anthropogenic (human-influenced) and natural sources.

Source: COP28 UAE: Methane Alert and Response System alerted governments of 127 plumes spanning four continents

About Climate Club

• It is led by Germany and Chile, the Club has garnered support from 36 member countries including Kenya, the European Union, Switzerland and others.
• It aims to make decarbonisation of industries successful for climate and businesses, through ambitious policies, alignment of methodologies and standards and improving finance and assistance for emerging and developed economies.
• The activities of the club are divided into three key pillars:-
  • Pillar 1: Advancing ambitious and transparent climate change mitigation policies.
  • Pillar 2: Transforming industries
  • Pillar 3: Boosting international cooperation and partnership 
• Two co-chairs will be elected for two-year terms for the Club. Currently, Germany and Chile serve as the co-chairs.
• A body of members will determine the scope and approve the work programme, budget and amendments.
• Furthermore, a steering group will be formed to support the body of members when the Club reaches 40 members.
• A secretariat will be formed to implement the work program.
• Currently, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and International Energy Agency are the joint interim heads of secretariat.

Q1) What is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)?

It is an international organisation of 38 countries committed to democracy and the market economy. Its members are typically democratic countries that support free-market economies. It was established on Dec. 14, 1960, by 18 European nations, plus the United States and Canada.

Source: COP28: Germany unveils Climate Club to tackle industrial emissions