| About India Meteorological Department (IMD): IMD was established in 1875. It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects. The Director General of Meteorology is the Head of the IMD. There are 6 Regional Meteorological Centres, each under a Deputy Director General with headquarters at Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Calcutta, Nagpur, and Guwahati. Its headquarters is in New Delhi. At present, IMD is under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It takes meteorological observations and to provide current and forecast meteorological information and statistics for weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations, etc |
| About National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO): NOTTO is a national-level organization set up under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It is an apex organization for implementing the National Organ Transplant Program (NOTP) and to carry out activities as per the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) 1994. NOTTO provides an efficient and organized system of organ procurement and distribution in the country and maintains the national registry of donors and recipients of organs and tissues. It has the following two divisions: |
| About UN-CEBD: It was created in 2014, with Australia as its first Chair, to investigate the benefits and challenges of Big Data, including the potential for monitoring and reporting on sustainable development goals. Governance: Advisory Board: It is the management body of the UN-CEBD. It is scheduled to meet about 4 times per year to review the work of the UN-CEBD and give strategic direction. UN Bureau: The Bureau takes care of the ongoing operations of the UN-CEBD. |
| The Blue Flag programme was started in France in 1985 and in areas out of Europe in 2001. It is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats. |
| World Meteorological Organization: It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), responsible for promoting international cooperation in the fields of meteorology, hydrology, climatology and geophysics. Established in 1950, it originated from the International Meteorological Organization(IMO), which was founded in 1873. It is the UN system’s authoritative voice on the state and behavior of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces, and the resulting distribution of water resources. |
| International Organization for Migration (IOM): Established in 1951, IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is part of the United Nations system as a related organization. It is the coordinator for the Secretary of the UN Network on Migration. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): It is one of the Central Armed Police Forces of India. Background: It was raised in 1962, in the wake of the Sino-Indian War of 1962 for deployment along India’s border with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. ITBP was initially raised under the CRPF Act. However, the Parliament enacted the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992 and the rules under it were framed in 1994. In 2004, ITBP was declared as a full-fledged central armed police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs. |
| Tobacco Board of India: It is a statutory body established on 1st January 1976 by an Act of Parliament “Tobacco Board Act, 1975 (Act 4 of 1975)”. The Board is headed by a chairperson and is responsible for the development of the tobacco industry. Functions: The primary function of the Board is export promotion of all varieties of tobacco and its allied products, its functions extend to production, distribution (for domestic consumption and exports) and regulation of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco. |
| About National Rainfed Area Authority: It is an expert body to provide the much-needed knowledge inputs regarding systematic up-gradation and management of country’s dry land and rainfed agriculture. It was established in the year The NRAA has a two tier structure. Governing Board: It provides necessary leadership and appropriate coordination in implementation of programmes. The Governing Board is chaired by Union Minister of Agriculture and co-chaired by Union Minister of Rural Development. Executive Committee: It consists of technical experts and representatives from stakeholder Ministries. ] |
| United Nations Disengagement Observer Force UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has paid tributes to Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India, who was serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) at Golan Heights.About UNDOF: It was established by UN Security Council Resolution 350 (1974) on 31 May 1974 immediately following disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria. Mandate: To maintain the ceasefire and supervise the area of separation — a demilitarized buffer zone — as well as the area of limitation — where Israeli and Syrian troops and equipment are restricted — in the Golan. The mandate of the mission is regularly renewed every six months and it has been extended till June 2025. |
| About Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): It is a regional political and economic alliance, established in 1981. It was formed in response to escalating regional tensions, particularly the Iranian Revolution (1979) and the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). It comprises six Arab states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Key Features of the GCC: The GCC countries together hold almost half of the world’s oil reserves, making them vital players in the global energy market. The GCC convenes yearly summits to discuss strategies for cooperation and regional stability. |
| About the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): It is a a statutory body responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in India. It ensures the protection of life, liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals. It enforces rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India and international covenants within the jurisdiction of Indian courts. It was established on 12th October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993. Amended by: Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006. Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019. Aligned with the Paris Principles for promoting and protecting human rights, adopted by the UN in 1993. Composition: The NHRC comprises: Chairperson (a former Chief Justice of India or Supreme Court Judge). Five full-time members and seven deemed members from statutory commissions. Appointment and Tenure: Selection process: The Chairperson and members are appointed by the President of India on recommendations of a six-member Selection Committee, comprising: Prime Minister (Chairperson). Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament. Union Home Minister. The Chairperson and members hold office for a three-year term or until the age of 70, whichever is earlier. |
| Former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur was appointed Chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC) for a term ending on November 12, 2028. About U.N. Internal Justice Council (IJC): It was established by the UN General Assembly as part of the new internal justice system in order to help ensure independence, professionalism and accountability in the administration of justice system of the United Nations. The IJC members are appointed by the UN Secretary General. It is composed of five members consisting of: a staff representative a management representative two distinguished external jurists, one nominated by the staff and one by management, and Chair: a distinguished jurist chosen by consensus by the four other members. |
| Lokayukta: It is State-level anti-corruption body tasked with investigating complaints of corruption and maladministration against public officials. It is inspired by the Ombudsman system in Scandinavian countries. It was recommended by the first Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966 chaired by Morarji Desai. The first Lokayukta was established in Maharashtra in 1971. Legal Framework: Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013: Mandates the establishment of Lokpal at the Union level and Lokayukta in states. Requires that at least 50% of members belong to SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, or women. Lokayukta is a statutory body without constitutional status. Lokayukta Selection and Removal: Typically, a former Chief Justice of a High Court or former Supreme Court judge. Selected by a panel comprising the CM, Chief Justice of the HC, and leaders of both legislative houses, among others. Removal requires impeachment by the state assembly. |
| About National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI): It was established by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) Act 2004. It is a quasi judicial body and has been endowed with the powers of a Civil Court for the purpose of discharging its functions under the Act. It aims to safeguard the educational rights of the minorities enshrined in Article 30(1) of the Constitution. The Commission has three main roles namely adjudicatory, advisory and recommendatory. |
| About the International Solar Alliance (ISA): The ISA was conceptualised on the sidelines of COP21 in Paris in 2015 as a collaborative initiative between India and France. The headquarters of the ISA is located in Gurugram, India. The ISA aims to unite global efforts in combating climate change through the implementation of solar energy solutions. The mission of the ISA is guided by the ‘Towards 1000’ strategy, which focuses on three key goals: Mobilizing USD 1,000 billion of investments in solar energy by 2030. Providing energy access to 1,000 million people Achieving the installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity. The ISA Assembly is the apex decision-making body of the organization. It plays a crucial role in shaping policies and overseeing the implementation of the ISA’s Framework Agreement. |
| National Investigation Agency: It was set up under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 as a Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency. It was created after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, as the need for a central agency to combat terrorism was realised. It investigates and prosecutes offences affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India, security of State, friendly relations with foreign States, matters relating to international treaties etc. It investigates and prosecutes offences related to explosive substances, atomic energy, nuclear weapons, unlawful activities, terrorist activities, hijacking, etc. Further, the mandate of NIA has also been expanded to investigate offences related to Explosive Substances Act, 1908, Human Trafficking, Cyber Terrorism and Arms Act, 1959. The Government has empowered the NIA through NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019 to investigate scheduled offences involving Indian citizens or Indian interests that are committed outside India. |
| Key facts about the Bureau of Energy Efficiency It was established on 1st March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The mission of the Bureau is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles. A key objective is reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy. It coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations. It recognises, identifies and utilises the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Act. The Act also provides for regulatory and promotional functions. |
| About UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs: It is the principal policy-making body of the United Nations on drug-related matters. It is mandated to monitor global drug trends, support Member States in formulating balanced policies, and oversee the implementation of the major international drug conventions. It is mandated to decide on the scope of control of substances under the three international drug control conventions (1961, 1971 and 1988 Conventions). It was established by the resolution of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) IN 1946. It is one of the functional commissions of the ECOSOC and a Governing Body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The CND has 53 member states that are elected by ECOSOC. It is chaired by a Bureau including one member per Regional Group. |
| Khorlochhu Hydropower Project: Situated on the Kholongchhu River in Eastern Bhutan’s Trashiyangtse district, the project seeks to meet Bhutan’s rising electricity demands and aid India’s renewable energy transition. It is the first-ever energy project to be developed through a joint venture (JV) partnership between India and Bhutan. It will be constructed by Khorlochhu Hydro Power Limited (KHPL), a strategic partnership between Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and India’s Tata Power. The 600 MW project is expected to be commissioned in September 2029. The project will feature a 95m-high concrete gravity dam measuring 165m in length and 6m in width. The dam will create a 1.4 km long reservoir with 2.9 million cubic metres (MCM) of gross storage capacity. |
| About Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH): It is an autonomous non-profit organisation set up in 1984 with a mandate to protect and conserve India’s vast natural, built and cultural heritage. It is recognized as one of the world’s largest heritage organizations, with over 228 Chapters across the Country. It is essentially a volunteer-based organization and its enthusiastic volunteers in a network of chapters in cities, towns and villages across the country are largely responsible for the spread of awareness about the vast cultural heritage of the country. Headquartered in New Delhi, it operates through various divisions such as: Architectural Heritage |
| About UN Peacebuilding Commission: It was established on 20 December 2005 by resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Security Council. It is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries and is a key addition to the capacity of the International Community in the broad peace agenda, according to its website. The PBC is composed of 31 Member States, elected from the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council. The top financial contributing countries and the top troop-contributing countries to the United Nations system are also members. The Commission is mandated |
| About OPEC +: It is a group of 22 oil-exporting countrieswhich meets regularly to decide how much crude oil to sell on the world market. These nations aim to work together on adjusting crude oil production to bring stability to the oil market. Origin: These nations came to an accord towards the end of 2016 “to institutionalize a framework for cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC producing countries on a regular and sustainable basis.” At the core of this group are the 12 members of OPEC(the Organization of the Oil Exporting Countries), which are mainly Middle Eastern and African countries. Members: It comprises 12 OPEC countries plus Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, Malaysia, South Sudan, Sudan and Oman. What is OPEC? It is a permanent intergovernmental organization of oil-exporting countries. Formation: It was established in 1960 by the five founding members Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Currently, it has 12 members, including Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. Angola withdrew its membership effective 1 January 2024. Headquarters: Vienna, Austria. |
| About AUKUS: It is a trilateral security partnershipbetween the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Australia agreed in 2021 that focuses on technology sharing in the Indo-Pacific region. The alliance is widely understood to be a strategic buildup in response to, and a deterrence against, Chinese aggression and ambitions in that strategically important area. It is intended to strengthen the ability of each government to support security and defense interests, building on longstanding and ongoing bilateral ties. It consists of two key pillars. Pillar 1focuses on supporting Australia to acquire its first conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet. It does not involve the transfer of nuclear weapons to Australia. |
| Indian Chemical Council (ICC): 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: |
| International Criminal Court (ICC): It is a global court which seeks to hold to account those guilty of some of the world’s worst crimes. It is the only permanent international criminal tribunal. Background: The ICC was established by an international agreement, the Rome Statute, on 17 July 1998. The Rome Statute sets out the Court’s jurisdiction, structures and functions. The Statute entered into force on 1 July 2002. Mandate: It investigates and where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. HQ: Hague, Netherlands. Members: 123 nations are States Parties to the Rome Statute and recognize the ICC’s authority; the notable exceptions being the USA, China, Russia, Israel and India. |
| About World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA): It was established in 1999 as an international independent agencyto lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport. Its governance and fundingare based on an equal partnership between the sport movement and governments of the world. Its primary role is to develop, harmonize, and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries. |
| About One Sun One World One Grid’ (OSOWOG) initiative: The idea for the OSOWOG initiative was put forth by the Prime Minister of India, at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in October 2018. It is an initiative to introduce a transnational electricity grid that supplies power worldwide. The project is being spearheaded by the governments of India and the UK in partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the World Bank Group. Vision: It aims to connect different regional grids through a common grid that will be used to transfer renewable energy power and, thus, realize the potential of renewable energy sources, especially solar energy. The idea is to harness solar and other renewable energy sources from different parts of the world, where the sun is shining at any given moment, and efficiently transmit that power to areas where it is needed. OSOWOG aims to provide power to about 140 countries through a common grid that will ensure the transfer of clean and efficient solar power. The OSOWOG initiative is to be carried out in 3 phases: In the first phase, the Indian grid would be connected to the grids of the Middle East, South Asia, and South-East Asia to develop a common grid. This grid would then be used to share solar energy as needed, in addition to other renewable energy sources. The second phasewould connect the functional first phase to the pool of renewable resources in Africa. The third phasewould look at achieving true global interconnection with the aim of 2,600 GW of interconnection by 2050. The goal is to integrate as many countries as possible to create a single power grid of renewable energy. This can then be accessed by all countries. |
| About Competition Commission of India: It is a statutory bodywhich was established in March 2009 under the Competition Act, 2002. The goal of CCI is to create and sustain fair competition in the economy that will provide a ‘level playing field’ to the producers and make the markets work for the welfare of consumers. The priority of the Commission is to eliminate practices having adverse effects on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers, and ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India. |
| About CARICOM: CARICOM, which stands for Caribbean Community, is the oldest surviving integration movement in the developing world. It is an organization of Caribbean countries and dependencies originally established as the Caribbean Community and Commons Market in 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas. |
| t International Energy Agency (IEA): It is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) framework. Mission: It works with governments and industry to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all. Background: It was created in response to the 1973-1974 oil crisis when an oil embargo by major producers pushed prices to historic levels and exposed the vulnerability of industrialised countries to dependency on oil imports. It was founded in 1974 to ensure the security of oil supplies. |
| About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau: It is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India to combat organized wildlife crime in the country. It was constituted by amending the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Mandate: Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972it is mandated to Collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and disseminate the same to the state and other enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals. Establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank. |
| About Asset Recovery Interagency Network–Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP): It is a prominent multi-agency network dedicated to tackling crime proceeds across the Asia-Pacific region. It was established to facilitate cross-border collaboration on asset tracing, freezing, and confiscation. The aim of ARIN-AP is to increase the effectiveness of members’ efforts in depriving criminals of their illicit profits on a multi-agency basis by establishing itself as the center of professionals’ network in tackling the proceeds of crime. The network includes 28 member jurisdictions and nine observers, serving as an informal yet robust framework within the CARIN, or Camden Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network. |
| About Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO): It is an international organization based in Vienna, Austria, established to implement the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which aims to ban all nuclear explosions worldwide. CTBT is a multilateral treaty opened for signature in 1996 by which states agree to ban all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes. The treaty envisages the mechanisms that control such prohibition, including distant monitoring and data collection. It was signed by 183 states and ratified by 164 but has not entered into force as eight specific states among 44 (so-called Annex-2 states whose signatures are required for the Treaty to enter into force, namely the US, China, Iran, Egypt, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea) have not ratified the treaty yet. In order to verify compliance with its provisions, the treaty establishes a global network of monitoring facilities and allows for on-site inspections of suspicious events. |
| About Coral Triangle: The Coral Triangle, often referred to as the ‘Amazon of the seas’, is a huge marine area spanning over 10 million square kilometres. It includes countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands. Significance: This region is home to 76 per cent of the world’s coral species and supports more than 120 million people who rely on its resources for their livelihoods. Threats: Unsustainable fishing practices, pollution from coastal development, and climate change-induced coral bleaching pose significant risks to the health and resilience of these ecosystems. |
| About Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture. The Council is the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture, including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences, in the entire country. The ICAR has its headquarters in New Delhi. |
| About Pandemic Fund Project: It is a $25 Million initiative funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund. It is designed to enhance the country’s “animal health security” by upgrading and expanding animal health laboratories and developing laboratory networks. Implementation partners: The fund is to be implemented in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and to be utilised by August 2026. The Fund supports the existing initiatives of the department through enhancing disease surveillance, including genomic and environmental surveillance for early warning, laboratory infrastructure development, cross-border collaboration and will create a more integrated system for monitoring and managing “zoonotic” diseases. The Fund is also aimed at developing human capacity-building initiatives to enhance the skills and capabilities of animal health human resources. |
| bout Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): CBD, with currently 196 contracting parties, is the most comprehensive binding international agreement in the field of nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. It was opened for signing at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It has three overarching objectives: The conservation of biological diversity(genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat diversity). The sustainable use of biological diversity. The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. |
| About BIMSTEC: BIMSTEC is a regional organization comprising seven member states lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity. It came into being on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. It constitutes seven Member States: five deriving from South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and two from Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand. The main aim of the BIMSTEC was the promotion of economic cooperation between countries bordering the Bay of Bengal. BIMSTEC has identified 14 priority areas of mutual cooperation where a member country takes the lead. India is the lead country for Transport & Communication, Tourism, Environment & Disaster Management and Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime. Permanent Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| About Drugs Technical Advisory Board: It is the highest statutory decision-making body on technical matters related to drugs in India. It is established as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. It is part of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Function:It advises the Central Government and the State Governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, of 1940 and to carry out the other functions assigned to it by this Act. Nodal Ministry:Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. |
| About Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO): It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. It is the oldest permanent specialized agency of the UN, established in October 1945. Mandate: To improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations, and contribute to global economic growth. |
| About Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO): It is a corporate fraud investigating agency set up by the Government of India. The SFIO was established on 21st July, 2015. Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013, accorded a statutory status to the SFIO. SFIO is a multi-disciplinary organization under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, consisting of experts in the fields of accountancy, forensic auditing, law, information technology, investigation, company law, capital markets and taxation for detecting and prosecuting or recommending for the prosecution of white-collar crimes/frauds. |
| About Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO): It is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India for the medical devices industry under the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules. It works under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is the head of the CDSCO. Headquarters: New Delhi. Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for, Approval of New Drugs; Conduct of Clinical Trials; Laying down the standards for Drugs; |
| About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): It is an intergovernmental organization of ten Southeast Asian countries. It was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration). It aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its ten members. Members: Founding members of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Brunei joined in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. Secretariat: Jakarta, Indonesia. |
| Recently, India was elected to the GlobE Network’s Steering Committee during the plenary session held in Beijing. About GlobE Network: The Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GloBE Network) was an initiative of G-20. The GloBE Network was officially launched on June 3, 2021, during a special event at the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption. It now has 121 member countries and 219 member authorities. It is emerging as a unique platform where agencies from across the world share best practices and criminal intelligence, develop strategies, and support in the common cause of combating corruption. The steering committee, consisting of one chair, one vice-chair, and 13 members, provides leadership and direction for the organisation. |
| About Central Silk Board It is a Statutory Body established in 1948, by an Act of Parliament. It functions under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It comprises 39 members appointed as per the powers and provisions conferred by Sub-Section 3 of Section 4 of the CSB Act 1948, for a period of 3 years. The Chairperson of the Board to be appointed by the Central Government. Functions |
| About Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): The CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021. Mandate: Better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It undertakes action for the prevention and control of Air pollution in Delhi-NCR & Adjoining Areas which impacts the air quality of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The Commission is required to coordinate its actions on monitoring of air quality with the government of Delhi and the adjoining states, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. |
| About National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission: It is a quasi-judicial commissionset up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. Mandate: To provide inexpensive, speedy, and summary redressal of consumer disputes. It is headed by a sitting or a retired Judge of the SCor a sitting or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court. NCDRC shall have jurisdiction to entertain a complaint valued more than two crore and also have appellate and revisional jurisdiction from the orders of State Commissions or the District fora as the case may be. The provisions of this act cover ‘goods’ as well as ‘services’. |
| About Financial Action Task Force (FATF): ATF is an intergovernmental policy-making and standard-setting body dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Objective: To establish international standards, and to develop and promote policies, both at national and international levels, to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Origin: It was established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris to develop policies against money laundering. In 2001, its mandate expanded to include terrorism financing. Headquarters: Paris, France. Members: To become a member, a country must be considered strategically important (large population, large GDP, developed banking and insurance sector, etc.), must adhere to globally accepted financial standards, and be a participant in other important international organizations. FATF members include 39 countries, including the United States, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany, France, and the EU as such. India became a member of FATF in 2010. |
| About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): It is a statutory board constituted by the Central Government under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. It is responsible for guiding the government’s decisions on matters related to wildlife conservation and issuing approvals for projects in protected areas (PAs). The WLPA mandates that without the approval/recommendation of the NBWL, construction of tourist lodges, alteration of the boundaries of PAs, destruction or diversion of wildlife habitat, and de-notification of Tiger Reserves, cannot be done. Structure: It is a 47-member committee, headed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (environment minister) as vice chairperson. In addition to offices and institutions directly involved in conservation and protection of wildlife, the NBWL also has the chief of army staff, defence secretary, and expenditure secretary to Government of India as members. Further, the central government nominates 10 members who are eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists. |
| About Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): REITs are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate across a range of property sectors. It allows investors to pool their funds and invest in various real estate projects. Essentially, it functions like a mutual fund for real estate investments. These trusts own and oversee a portfolio of income-generating properties, such as office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, etc. Unlike other real estate companies, a REIT does not develop real estate properties to resell Instead, a REIT buys and develops properties primarily to operate them as part of its own investment portfolio. |
| About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): It is a statutory body constituted in September, 1974, under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution. to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control, or abate air pollution in the country It advises the Central Government on matters related to control and abatement of air and water pollution. |
| About United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA): It is a subsidiary agency created by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1949. Objective: To provide relief, health and education services for Palestinians who lost both their homes and their means of livelihood during the Arab-Israeli wars following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Headquarters: Beginning operations in 1950, UNRWA was originally headquartered in Beirut but was moved to Vienna in 1978. Following the conclusion of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s, the General Assembly moved the agency to the Gaza Strip in 1996 to demonstrate the General Assembly’s commitment to the Arab-Israeli peace process. |
| About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): It was launched by the Prime Minister of India in Mysuru on April 9, 2023, at an event commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger in India. Objective: Strengthen global cooperation and efforts for the conservation of seven big cat species (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma) and their habitats. Out of the seven big cats, five — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah — are found in India. The alliance aims to reach out to 97 range countries covering the natural habitats of the seven big cats. IBCA has been conceived as a multi-country, multi-agency coalition to strengthen global cooperation and mobilise financial and technical resources to support the entire ecosystem associated with the conservation of these species and their habitats. It will serve as an evolving platform for convergence of knowledge and best practices, supporting existing specific inter-governmental platforms, while also providing direct support to recovery efforts in potential range habitats. |
| About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) constituted to strengthen tiger conservation. NCTA was created in 2005 following the recommendation of the Tiger Task Force and was given the status of statutory authority under Section 38L of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006. |
| About Interpol: The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), commonly known as Interpol, is an international organization facilitating international police cooperation against cross-border terrorism, trafficking, and other crimes. It is the world’s largest international police organization, representing 195 member countries. It is headquartered in Lyon, France. Official Languages: Arabic, English, French, and Spanish. Status:It is ‘not’ a unit or part of a United Nations system. It is an independent international organization. It is often the first point of contact for many countries pursuing an international investigation. It does not actively investigate crimes. |
| About Forum on China-Africa Cooperation: It was established in 2000 to formalise the strategic partnership between China and African nations. A summit is conducted every three years, with the host alternating between China and an African member. Member countries: The FOCAC counts 53 African nations as its members – the entire continent except Eswatini, which has diplomatic ties with Taiwan against Beijing’s “One China” Policy. |
| About Law Commission of India: It is a non-statutory bodyand is constituted by a notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Law & Justice. It is constituted with definite terms of reference to carry out research in the field of law, and the Commission makes recommendations to the Government (in the form of Reports) as per its terms of reference. It functions to the Ministry of Law and Justice as an advisory body. History: The first pre-independence law commission was established in 1834 by the British Government in India. It was established by the Charter Act of 1833and was chaired by Lord Macaulay. The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 under the chairmanship of the former Attorney General for India, C. Setalvad. This Commission was created for a period of three years, and this practice has persisted ever since then, resulting in the reconstitution of Law Commissions every three years via executive orders. |
| About International Monetary Fund (IMF): It is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency, founded at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. It was established in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s. The main objectives of the IMF include supporting global monetary cooperation, securing financial stability, facilitating international trade, promoting high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reducing poverty. |
| 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. |
| About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): It is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It was constituted on 14th November, 1985, under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). It has its headquarters located in Delhi. The NCB exercises the powers and functions of the Central Government for taking measures with respect to: |
