8 May 2023

• Weather: A cyclonic system in the Bay of Bengal was intensifying. It was named Cyclone Mocha, after a port city in Yemen.
• Agriculture: India became the world's largest rice exporter in FY 2022-23. Agricultural trade surplus stood at 17.46 billion US dollars.
• Health: World Thalassemia Day was observed. Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana Phase III was launched.
• Finance: PM CARES Fund received 535.44 crore rupees in foreign donations over three years.
• Health policy: The NP-NCD programme was renamed to cover all non-communicable diseases.

GS area: Geography (Cyclones, Bay of Bengal)

A cyclonic low-pressure system developed in the Bay of Bengal. It was named Mocha, after a port city on the Red Sea coast of Yemen. The name was given by Yemen under the rotating naming system for North Indian Ocean cyclones.

• How cyclones form: Warm air over a heated ocean surface rises, creating a low-pressure zone. Surrounding air rushes in. The Coriolis effect causes this air to rotate. In the Northern Hemisphere, rotation is anticlockwise. Warm sea surface temperatures fuel the system.
• May storms: Cyclonic conditions in the Bay of Bengal during May produce some of the strongest storms in the North Indian Ocean basin. Sea surface temperatures are highest before the monsoon onset.
• Naming system: The World Meteorological Organisation and the ESCAP Panel established the naming system for North Indian Ocean cyclones in 2000. Eight nations from the region contribute names in a rotating list.
• IMD role: The India Meteorological Department serves as the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre for the North Indian Ocean. It tracks and names cyclones in this basin.
• Hazards: Storm surge, flooding, extreme winds, tornadoes and lightning.

The storm would make landfall on 14 May. It became one of the most powerful cyclones ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean.

Static linkage: Cyclones, Bay of Bengal, tropical meteorology (Geography).

GS area: Economy (Agriculture, Trade)

Agricultural trade data for FY 2022-23 showed India maintaining a surplus, though it narrowed slightly.

• Trade surplus: 17.46 billion US dollars, marginally down from 17.82 billion the previous year.
• Rice: India became the world's largest rice exporter, surpassing Thailand.
• Sugar: India is the second largest global sugar exporter after Brazil.
• Fertiliser imports: Surged to 17.21 billion US dollars from 14.17 billion, driven by high global prices following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Vegetable oil: India imports 60 per cent of its vegetable oil requirements.
• Pulses: India imports 10 per cent of its pulse requirements.
• Government schemes supporting export: Agriculture Export Policy 2018, District as Export Hub Initiative, Transport and Marketing Assistance Scheme, Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES).

Static linkage: Agricultural exports, food security, trade policy (Economy).

GS area: Polity (Governance, accountability)

The PM CARES (Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund was established on 27 March 2020 in response to COVID-19.

• Nature: A private fund under the Prime Minister's discretion. It is not part of the Consolidated Fund of India or the government's accounts.
• Chair: Prime Minister (ex-officio). Trustees: Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister (ex-officio). Three nominated trustees: retired Justice K.T. Thomas, Kariya Munda and Ratan N. Tata.
• Tax benefits: 100 per cent income tax exemption. Contributions qualify for CSR compliance. FCRA exemption allows foreign donations.
• Foreign donations received: 535.44 crore rupees over three years.
• Accountability debate: Because it is a private fund, it is not subject to CAG audit. This has been the central transparency criticism.

Static linkage: CAG, Consolidated Fund, constitutional accountability (Polity).

GS area: Social Justice (Health)

World Thalassemia Day is observed on 8 May. The government launched Phase III of the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana.

• What thalassemia is: An inherited blood disorder affecting haemoglobin production. Classified as a benchmark disability under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
• Treatment: Blood transfusions and chelation therapy (to remove excess iron). Stem cell transplant can be curative.
• Bal Sewa Yojana: A scheme providing financial support for stem cell transplantation in children with thalassemia.

Static linkage: Disability law, health schemes (Social Justice).

GS area: Governance (Health)

The NPCDCS (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke) was renamed the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) to subsume all non-communicable diseases.

• Launch: The predecessor programme was launched in 2010.
• Structure: NCD Cells at national, state and district levels. NCD Clinics at district and community health centre levels.
• Relevance: WHO's Global Action Plan for NCDs (2020-2030) targets a one-third reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2030.

Static linkage: National health programmes, NCDs, WHO (Governance/Health).

• Agricultural food price index: The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's Food Price Index remained elevated since 2020-21, providing India with a competitive price advantage in international markets during FY 2022-23.
• Spices export stagnation: Indian spices exports stagnated since 2020-21 despite the global price advantage. Rising imports of traditionally-exported commodities including spices, cashew and cotton were noted.
• APEDA schemes: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority implements export promotion schemes. The District as Export Hub Initiative and Market Access Initiatives Scheme are key instruments.