Why in News:

• Full-crew tests for commercial passenger flights at the under-construction Noida International Airport (NIAL) in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, are set to commence by November 30.

Key terms:

• Instrument Landing System (ILS): The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a ground-based radio navigation system(a precision approach system) is that guides aircraft during the final stages of landing, providing both horizontal (localizer: align the aircraft with the runway's centerline) and vertical (glideslope: Provides vertical guidance to ensure the aircraft descends at the correct angle) guidance.
  • The ILS is regulated by aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. and the Director General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) in India. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards for ILS operations.
• Aerodrome Licensing: Aerodrome licensing is the process by which aviation regulatory authorities grant approval for an airport (aerodrome) to operate. This involves assessing the facility's compliance with safety, operational, and environmental standards. Licensing ensures that the airport meets all necessary regulations to safely accommodate aircraft and passengers.
• IATA CODE (Booking Code for Ticketing): A booking code (IATA code) is a unique three-letter identifier assigned to each airport, used in airline ticketing, baggage handling, and travel reservations. Ex: IXD for Prayagraj Airport, DEL: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. These codes streamline communication and operations within the aviation industry, allowing for quick identification of airports worldwide.
• CAT levels: CAT levels in airports refer to the Category I, II, and III levels of precision instrument approaches and landings. These levels are based on the minimum visibility and decision height requirements for landing.
  • CAT I ILS: This is the most basic level of ILS and allows for landings in visibility as low as 550 meters (1,800 feet) and a decision height of 200 feet. It provides horizontal and vertical guidance but requires pilots to have visual reference to the runway at a certain altitude.
  • CAT III ILS: This is a more advanced system that enables landings in very low visibility conditions. It is further divided into three categories:
    • CAT IIIA: Allows for landings with a decision height as low as 200 feet and runway visibility of 550 meters.
    • CAT IIIB: Can operate with no decision height (essentially no visibility) but requires the aircraft to be equipped with advanced technology.

CAT IIIC: Allows for automatic landings without any decision height or visibility requirements.

Why in News:

• The government, in collaboration with Indian industry, is launching a one-year internship scheme for youth aged 21-24 to enhance employability by connecting candidates with internships in the country’s top 500 companies.

Key Details of the Internship Scheme:

• Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must be between 21-24 years old and not engaged in full-time employment. Individuals from families with government jobs are excluded. Those with qualifications from IIT, IIM, IISER, or CA, CMA are ineligible. Youth from ITIs and Kaushal Kendras can apply.
• Application Process: The portal will allow companies to upload available internship positions starting October 3. Candidates can apply from October 12. A backend bot will handle candidate selection, minimizing bias.
• Financial Support: The government will provide ₹4,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer, with an additional ₹500 from companies' CSR funds.
  • Companies may offer more than the ₹5,000 per month but any additional amount beyond ₹500 will not count as CSR expenditure.
• Duration and Structure: Internships will involve at least six months of practical experience. Phase 1 aims to skill 30 lakh youth over two years, while Phase 2 targets an additional 70 lakh over three years. Interns will receive a grant of ₹6,000 annually for incidental expenses.

This scheme aims to provide valuable on-the-job training, benefiting both interns and companies by creating a skilled workforce ready to meet market needs.

Why in News:

• Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has made history as the first woman to be appointed as the Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).

About the News:

• Role and Responsibilities: As DGAFMS, she will oversee medical policy matters for the Armed Forces, focusing on enhancing healthcare for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and their families. She aims to strengthen holistic healthcare, digitize healthcare delivery, and promote medical research and innovation.
• Career Background: With a career spanning 38 years, Vice Admiral Sarin has held numerous prestigious roles, including: DG Medical Services for both the Navy and Air Force. Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune.
• Serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. Sarin has received several honors for her dedication to patient care, including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2024) and Vishisht Seva Medal (2021). She has also been commended by the Chiefs of the Army and Navy for her distinguished service. She has recently been appointed to the National Task Force by the Supreme Court to develop protocols for safe working conditions for medical professionals.

Why in News:

• Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence has had a profound impact on global leaders and movements, influencing figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Key Reflections on Gandhi’s Influence:

• Legacy: Gandhi's legacy as a teacher and practitioner of non-violence continues to resonate today, demonstrating the power of peaceful resistance in the fight for justice and change. Gandhi embodied the principles of the UN Charter long before they were established. He believed that only peaceful methods could lead to a peaceful future, maintaining that means and ends were inseparable. Non-violence disarms those who confront it, which is why it is effective.
• Non-Violence as a Strategy: Gandhi firmly believed that only peaceful methods could pave the way for a peaceful future, insisting that means and ends are intertwined. Non-violence disarms those who confront it, which is why it is so effective. King Ashoka, who renounced violence, embraced Buddhism, and dedicated his life to peace—an enduring example that Gandhi continued.
• International Recognition: The UN General Assembly's resolution to observe Gandhi’s birthday as the "International Day of Non-Violence" highlights his global significance. This initiative aims to spread the message of non-violence through education and awareness.

Current Challenges and Opportunities:

• Climate Crisis:
  • Challenge: The climate crisis poses an existential threat, with potential devastation if global targets, such as those in the Paris Agreement, are not met.
  • Opportunity: Collective action from governments, civil society, and businesses is crucial. India's commitment to climate leadership and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 aligns with Gandhi’s legacy of care for the planet.
• Sustainable Development:
  • Challenge: Despite progress, significant disparities persist globally, with millions still living in poverty and hunger.
  • Opportunity: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a framework for addressing these issues. By embracing Gandhi’s belief that “Earth provides enough to satisfy everyone’s needs, but not everyone’s greed,” we can work toward equitable resource distribution and empowerment.
• Spiritual Knowledge vs. Material Prosperity:
  • Challenge: While technological advancements have increased material wealth, there’s a lack of spiritual knowledge, which is essential for peace and harmony.
  • Opportunity: Embracing diversity and democratic values can foster a more inclusive and harmonious world, reflecting Gandhi’s teachings on unity and respect for all individuals.

Call to Action: Everyone has a moral obligation to act in their own spheres and contribute to addressing the significant challenges we face today. Let us amplify our collective efforts to promote peace, sustainability, prosperity, and dignity.

What is the news context?

The Venus Orbiter expedition (VOM), India's first expedition to Venus, is scheduled to launch on March 29, 2028.

About mission:

• The project would cost ₹1,236 crore. ISRO will use the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) to launch the mission. A spacecraft will spend 112 days in orbit around Venus as part of the project. It will take the satellite about 140 days to reach Venus when it leaves Earth's orbit.

• Roughly 100 kg of scientific payloads will be transported on the voyage. It is anticipated that the orbiter will be equipped with sensors to examine Venus's ionosphere, infrared and ultraviolet cameras, and synthetic aperture radar.
• After Venus Orbit Insertion (VOI), aerobraking will be used for six to eight months in order to reach a low-altitude scientific orbit measuring 200 by 600 kilometres with a 90-degree inclination.

Objectives of the mission:

• VOM will explore the planet’s atmosphere, surface and its interaction with the Sun.
• Studying Venus's atmosphere, topography, solar X-rays, airglow, and subsurface are important goals.

What is the news context?

On August 8, 2024, two bills, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which suffers from procedural irregularities and has retrograde steps and irrationalities

About The Waqf Bill 2024

Fundamental Rights and Religious Autonomy

• Article 26: Grants religious denominations the right to manage their affairs, including property ownership.
• Article 13(2): Prohibits state laws infringing on fundamental rights, declaring such laws void.
• Waqf Bill 2024: Raises concerns over reduced Muslim representation in waqf property management, risking community autonomy.

The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024: Overview

Issues Raised by the Waqf Bill 2024

• Reduction of Muslim Representation: The Bill proposes lowering Muslim representation in the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and State Waqf Boards to below 50%. This is viewed as an infringement on the constitutional rights of religious communities to self-governance, contrasting sharply with how other religious properties are managed in India.
• Disparity with Other Religious Laws: Unlike the proposed Waqf Bill, existing laws for other religions (e.g., the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Act) mandate that only members of that faith manage their religious properties. This inconsistency raises questions about equal treatment under the law.
• Lack of Stakeholder Consultation: The Bill was drafted without meaningful input from key stakeholders, including the CWC, State Waqf Boards, and Muslim organizations, unlike the consultative processes that preceded previous reforms.
• Historical Context of Mismanagement: The CWC has been largely non-functional, hindering effective governance. While urgent reforms are needed, the Bill's approach may further weaken existing structures rather than strengthen them.
• Women’s Representation: While the Bill mandates female representation on waqf boards, this requirement was already addressed in the Waqf Amendment Act of 2013, leading to questions about redundancy.
• Erosion of Tribunal Powers: The proposal to remove experts on Muslim law from waqf tribunals and limit the finality of their orders could undermine fair dispute resolution and prolong legal uncertainties.
• Mandatory Re-registration of Waqfs: The requirement for all waqfs to re-register could jeopardize long-standing waqfs without existing original deeds, risking their legal recognition and functionality.

Recommendations

• Reconstitution of the CWC: The CWC should be reconstituted with full Muslim representation to restore trust and oversee the reform process, ensuring that the community’s voices are heard.
• Preservation of Religious Autonomy: The government should uphold the principle of religious autonomy, allowing Muslim communities to manage waqfs without state interference, akin to practices for other religious communities.
• Clarification on Women’s Representation: The Ministry should clarify the need for revisiting women's representation and ensure robust mechanisms are in place for inclusive governance.
• Strengthening Tribunal Functions: Maintain the expertise of Muslim law specialists in waqf tribunals to ensure fair adjudication, and reassess any changes that could weaken tribunal authority.
• Addressing Encroachments and Legal Framework: Strengthen penalties for encroachments on waqf properties and carefully evaluate the re-registration proposal to prevent legal complications for historical waqfs.

By addressing these concerns and incorporating stakeholder feedback, the government can promote a more equitable and respectful approach to the management of waqf properties that honors the autonomy of religious communities.

What is the news context?

The Central government, on Tuesday (October 1, 2024), appointed new monetary policy committee members with immediate effect.

About monetary policy committee:

• The new members are Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya and Nagesh Kumar. They have been appointed by the central government for a period of four years.
• The central bank's strategy for using the monetary instruments under its jurisdiction to accomplish the objectives outlined in the Act is referred to as monetary policy.
• The basic goal of the RBI's monetary policy is to preserve price stability while keeping growth in mind. A prerequisite for sustainable growth is price stability.
• The RBI Act of 1934 was changed, and it now stipulates that the Government of India, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank, shall determine the inflation objective (4% + 2%), once every five years.

Appointment procedure and tenure of MPC members:

As per the provisions of the RBI Act, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) consists of six members: three Members from RBI and three are appointed by the Central Government. In exercise of the powers conferred by section 45ZB of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Central Government has accordingly reconstituted the Monetary Policy Committee of RBI, as below:-

• Governor of the Reserve Bank of India — Chairperson, ex officio;
• Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, in charge of Monetary Policy —Member, ex officio;
• One officer of the Reserve Bank of India to be nominated by the Central Board —Member, ex officio;
• Ram Singh, Director, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi —Member;
• Shri Saugata Bhattacharya, Economist — Member; and
• Nagesh Kumar, Director and Chief Executive, Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, New Delhi — Member.

The Members of the Monetary Policy Committee appointed by the Central Government (4,5 and 6 of the above), shall hold office for a period of four years, with immediate effect or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Why in the news?

France is set to host the 19th Francophonie Summit on October 4-5, 2024.

Key Issues:

The summit will convene over 100 Heads of State, government officials, and high-ranking representatives. The venues include Paris and Villers-Cotterêts, the city where King François I established French as the official language in 1539.  The summit will tackle significant international issues relevant not only to French-speaking countries but also to many non-French-speaking nations, particularly India.

Main topics include:

• Renewal of multilateralism
• Major digital challenges related to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity
• Significance of Multilingualism

Francophonie Summit and its relevance:

• The renowned Senegalese President and poet Léopold Sédar Senghor remarked, “Francophonie is the integral Humanism.”
• A primary message of the summit will stress that multilingualism and cultural diversity do not create barriers; instead, they promote beneficial exchanges and collective thought, which should be celebrated.
• In the Indian context of Shared Values: This ethos resonates with the 321 million French speakers worldwide, including those in Puducherry, India, and aligns with India’s priorities.

The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie

Foundation and Objectives:

• Established in 1970, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) organises relationships between French-speaking countries.
• Founding figures include notable leaders such as Léopold Sédar Senghor, Habib Bourguiba (Tunisia), Hamani Diori (Niger), and Norodom Sihanouk (Cambodia).
• Goals of the Organization: The OIF aims to promote the French language and enhance cooperation among its 88 Member States and Governments (54 full members, 7 associate members, and 27 observers).
• These goals are articulated in the Charter of La Francophonie, adopted in 1997 at the Hanoi Summit.
• The organisation serves as a forum for discussions and projects among countries with diverse cultures, economies, and political systems, advocating for democracy, peace, and cultural diversity.

Renewing Multilateralism

• In a world increasingly divided, the Francophonie Summit, held every two years, serves as a key moment to determine the future course of the organization. For the first time in 33 years, France will host the summit in 2024, under the theme “Create, Innovate, and Do Business in French.”
• This event will introduce a new model of discussion, giving civil society stakeholders the opportunity to engage directly with summit officials and explore fresh solutions for enhanced cooperation.
• One of the summit's primary goals is the renewal of multilateralism.
• As French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned in his address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, the current global governance structures need to evolve.
• France supports the inclusion of India and other G-4 nations as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to make international institutions more representative and efficient.
• Macron has also called for comprehensive reforms to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to better support nations in the Global South, recognizing the changing dynamics of the world economy and population growth.

Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence

• A major focus of the summit will be digital technology, particularly the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has revolutionised modern society.
• While AI presents new opportunities, it also raises critical questions about the protection of cultural diversity and the rights of citizens in their native languages. AI can be leveraged to promote linguistic diversity by enhancing translation tools and enforcing language rights.
• To further explore these issues, France will host the AI Action Summit in February 2025, following up on discussions from the Francophonie Summit.
• Additionally, the first FrancoTech Fair will bring together over 150 exhibitors to address challenges such as energy transition, education, and human capital development, offering opportunities for collaboration between innovators, including young talent from India.

Conclusion

The Francophonie Summit will highlight shared interests between France and India in areas like multilateralism, innovation, AI, and cultural diversity. Upcoming events like the AI Action Summit in 2025 and the India-France Year of Innovation in 2026 will provide platforms to strengthen these collaborations and advance global solutions in these critical areas.