24 January 2024

• Governance: 24 January is National Girl Child Day, established in 2008. PM Modi announced the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana for rooftop solar on 1 crore homes.
• Defence: India-Egypt's 2nd joint special forces Exercise CYCLONE focused on counter-terrorism in desert terrain.
• International: the 19th NAM Summit concluded in Uganda. Uganda hosted its first NAM summit.
• Environment: three oil and gas exploration blocks were proposed over the Wadge Bank, a nutrient-rich marine zone south of Kanyakumari, raising conservation concerns.

GS area: Economy, Governance (renewable energy)

Prime Minister Modi announced the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana on 24 January, targeting installation of rooftop solar systems on 1 crore (10 million) houses.

• Target beneficiaries: poor and middle-income households.
• How it works: grid-connected rooftop solar systems allow households to generate electricity for their own use and export surplus to the grid. This reduces electricity bills.
• Policy context: India's rooftop solar capacity was about 11 GW as of 2023 against a target of 40 GW by 2030. This scheme aims to accelerate adoption.
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: a related subsequent scheme (announced in February 2024) provided subsidies for solar installation and free electricity up to 300 units for qualifying households. The Suryodaya announcement was the precursor.

Static linkage: renewable energy, government schemes, solar power.

GS area: Society, Governance (women and child welfare)

National Girl Child Day is observed on 24 January each year. It was established in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

• Dual significance: marks both the launch of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme (22 January 2015) and the anniversary of Indira Gandhi's swearing in as Prime Minister on 24 January 1966, India's first woman PM.
• Key concerns: unequal access to education, nutrition, and healthcare for girl children; early marriage; son preference in some states.
• 2024 activities: five-day grassroots campaigns including Gram Sabha meetings, menstrual hygiene workshops, and recognition of local champions.

Static linkage: gender equity, social welfare, women empowerment.

GS area: Economy, Environment (agriculture and climate)

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) was discussed as an approach combining productivity improvement, climate resilience, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from farming.

• Core practices: precision farming (data-driven input use), zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF), agroforestry, zero tillage, and crop rotation.
• Indian initiatives: National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change, Soil Health Mission, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (organic farming support), Climate Smart Village approach.
• Global: the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture links countries and institutions. CGIAR's CCAFS programme funds research on climate-resilient crops.
• Challenge: CSA adoption is limited by inadequate extension services, inequitable information access for marginal farmers, and lack of post-adoption monitoring.

Static linkage: agriculture, climate change, food security.

GS area: Environment, Economy (energy and marine ecology)

Three oil and gas exploration blocks were proposed in an area overlapping the Wadge Bank, a 10,000 sq km marine zone south of Kanyakumari.

• Wadge Bank: a shallow continental shelf rich in nutrients, supporting diverse marine life and a productive fishing ground. Among the most biologically rich marine areas in India.
• Concern: exploratory drilling, seismic surveys, and potential spills could disrupt the ecology of the bank and the livelihoods of coastal fishermen in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Hydrocarbon exploration: the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons regulates oil and gas exploration in India under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP).

Static linkage: marine ecology, coastal livelihoods, energy policy.

GS area: Defence, International Relations

India and Egypt conducted the 2nd joint special forces exercise CYCLONE at Rajasthan's training facilities from 22-31 January 2024.

• Focus: special operations in desert and semi-desert terrain, IED detection, combat first aid, tactical drills, and hostage rescue scenarios.
• India-Egypt defence ties: Egypt is a significant arms buyer and exercises with India have grown as India diversifies its military partnerships in the Arab world and Africa.

Static linkage: defence exercises, India's foreign policy.

• Kumki elephants for Odisha: Odisha requested four trained Kumki elephants with mahouts from Tamil Nadu to help capture and manage wild elephants involved in human-elephant conflicts. Kumki elephants are trained captive elephants used to control or rescue wild elephants.
• Cameroon's Mosquirix malaria vaccine: Cameroon launched a malaria vaccination programme using Mosquirix, the world's first malaria vaccine. Mosquirix is about 30 per cent effective and requires four doses. It targets children in malaria-endemic regions. The programme is part of the broader Gavi vaccine alliance rollout covering 20-plus African countries.