1. Union Government Notifies Second Phase of PM E-DRIVE Scheme

Context: The Union Ministry of Heavy Industries has introduced modifications to the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, extending subsidy benefits to L5 category electric 3-wheelers.

Key Highlights of the Notification:

Incentives for Electric Vehicles:

• April 1, 2024 – November 7, 2024: 5,000/kWh, capped at 50,000 per vehicle.
• November 8, 2024 – March 31, 2026: 2,500/kWh, capped at 25,000 per vehicle.
• Maximum ex-factory price to avail incentive: 5 lakh.

Fund Allocation

• A total of 715 crore allocated for the scheme.

About the PM E-DRIVE Scheme:

Objective:

• To accelerate EV adoption by offering upfront incentives for purchases and enabling the establishment of a robust charging infrastructure.

Duration:

• The scheme spans from 2024 to 2026.

Primary Goals:

• Support for electric 2-wheelers (e-2Ws), 3-wheelers (e-3Ws), and buses (e-buses).
• Deployment of fast chargers for electric 4-wheelers (e-4Ws), e-buses, and e-2Ws/3Ws.

Nodal Ministry:

• Implemented by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries.

Three Core Components of the Scheme:

1. Subsidies:
   • Demand incentives for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging EV categories.
2. Grants for Infrastructure Development:
   • Support for e-buses, creation of a charging network, and upgradation of testing facilities under the ministry.
3. Administrative Support:
   • Includes Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities and management by a Project Management Agency (PMA).

Significance:

The second phase of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme reflects India’s commitment to fostering sustainable mobility by bridging the gap between EV adoption and infrastructure development. This initiative is a vital step towards achieving a greener, energy-efficient future.

2. ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ Campaign: A Step Towards Eradicating Child Marriage

Context: The Union Minister for Women and Child Development has launched the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ Campaign, aimed at eliminating the practice of child marriage across India.

Key Features of the Campaign

Objective:

• To unite stakeholders in a nationwide effort to eradicate child marriage and promote awareness.

Target Regions:

• Focus on seven high-burden states: West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Nearly 300 districts with child marriage rates higher than the national average are prioritized.

Action Plan:

• All States and Union Territories will create an action plan to reduce child marriage rates to below 5% by 2029.
• A significant drop in child marriage rates has already been observed, declining from 47.4% in 2006 to 23.3% in 2019-21.

Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal:

A Digital Solution:

• Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal introduced as part of the campaign.
  • A platform to:
    • Raise awareness.
    • Report child marriage cases.
    • Monitor progress.

Enhanced Monitoring:

• The portal ensures efficient tracking of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) through:
  • Real-time case monitoring.
  • Supervision and evaluation mechanisms.

Complaint Registration:

• Public can file complaints about child marriage, which are automatically directed to the concerned CMPOs.

Central Oversight:

• Nodal officers will oversee the portal’s operations at the national level, ensuring effective monitoring.

Call to Action:

The ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ Campaign urges citizens, organizations, and government bodies to:

• Work collectively to ensure a brighter, child marriage-free future.
• Enhance public access to information, enabling seamless communication and support.

This campaign underscores India’s commitment to creating a society where every child can live free of exploitation and achieve their full potential.

3. ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024: Advancing Cooperation for Prosperity

Context: For the first time in its 130-year history, India hosted the ICA Global Cooperative Conference in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone for the global cooperative movement.At the event, the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025 was officially launched, showcasing India’s leadership in promoting cooperative initiatives worldwide.

Key Highlights of the ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024:

About the Conference

• The conference serves as a platform for dialogue among leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to address challenges, share best practices, and shape strategies for strengthening the cooperative movement.
• Organized by: The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), a body established in 1895 to advance the cooperative model globally.

Theme:

• “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All” This aligns with India’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation), emphasizing the transformative power of cooperatives in achieving inclusive growth.

Collaborating Organizations:

• The event was organized by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) in partnership with:
  • International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
  • AMUL
  • KRIBHCO
  • Government of India

Launch of UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025:

• India’s Prime Minister officially launched the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 with the theme:
  “Cooperatives Build a Better World”, reflecting the global commitment to sustainable and equitable development.

Commemorative Postal Stamp:

• A special postal stamp featuring a lotus was unveiled.
  • The five petals of the lotus symbolize the Panchatatva (earth, water, fire, air, and space), emphasizing cooperatives’ dedication to environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

The Role of Cooperatives in India:

Constitutional Provisions:

• 97th Constitutional Amendment, 2011:
  • Granted constitutional status and protection to cooperatives.
  • Added Part IX B (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT), addressing the functioning and governance of cooperative societies.
  • Recognized the right to form cooperatives as a fundamental right under Article 19(1).
  • Introduced Article 43-B as a Directive Principle of State Policy, encouraging the promotion of cooperatives.

Promotion and Development:

• Ministry of Cooperation:

• Established in 2021 to strengthen the cooperative movement and extend its reach to grassroots levels.
• Future Plans:
  • Establishing a cooperative university.
  • Launching a new cooperative policy to guide and expand the sector.

Contributions of Cooperatives:

• India has over 8 lakh cooperatives, covering 98% of rural areas.
• Approximately 300 million people are associated with cooperatives in India, showcasing their critical role in socioeconomic development.

The ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 highlighted the transformative potential of cooperatives to build prosperity, ensure inclusivity, and create a sustainable future for all. With India’s leadership, the cooperative movement is poised to achieve new milestones on the global stage.

4. India Successfully Tests K-4 Missile from INS Arighaat

5. Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire: Key Developments and UNSC Resolution 1701

Context: Israel and Lebanon have reached a ceasefire agreement after a 13-month-long conflict that escalated in September. This truce follows Israel’s security cabinet approval of a US-backed proposal to end hostilities. The agreement builds on the framework of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701, originally crafted to end the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

What is UNSC Resolution 1701?

Overview:

Adopted on August 11, 2006, UNSC Resolution 1701 aims to:

• End hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
• Establish a buffer zone.
• Pave the way for a permanent ceasefire.

Historical Context:

• The resolution followed Israel’s partial withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 along the Blue Line and Golan Heights.
• Triggered by a Hezbollah attack in July 2006, the conflict resulted in over 1,000 Lebanese and 170 Israeli casualties.

Key Provisions:

1. Disarmament and Sovereignty:
   • Disarm all non-state armed groups in Lebanon.
   • Ensure exclusive control of weapons by the Lebanese government.
2. Arms Control: Ban unauthorized arms transfers to Lebanon.
3. Landmine Maps: Require Israel to hand over landmine maps to the UN.
4. Buffer Zone:
   • Create a demilitarized zone between the Blue Line and Litani River.
   • Exclude armed groups except for Lebanese forces and UNIFIL.

UNIFIL’s Role

• Strengthened Mandate: Deploy up to 15,000 UN peacekeepers.
• Responsibilities: Monitor hostilities, secure the buffer zone, and ensure displaced populations return safely.

Key Takeaways from the Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire

1. Temporary Cessation of Hostilities

• A 60-day ceasefire is set to lay the groundwork for a long-term peace between Israel and Hezbollah.

2. Withdrawal of Forces

• Hezbollah: Retreat 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israel-Lebanon border.
• Israel: Withdraw ground troops from Lebanese territory.

3. Enhanced Monitoring Mechanisms

• Lebanon will intensify its oversight of Hezbollah’s activities south of the Litani River.
• Supervision will involve:
  • United Nations Peacekeepers.
  • Lebanese Military.
  • A multinational committee including the U.S., France, Lebanon, Israel, and UNIFIL.

4. Israel’s Conditions

• Military Action Warning: Israel reserves the right to resume operations if the ceasefire terms are violated.
• Hezbollah’s Disarmament: The agreement does not enforce full disarmament of Hezbollah in northern Lebanon.

Why Did Israel Agree to a Ceasefire?

1. Strategic Focus on Iran:Israel aims to shift its attention to counter Iran, a key supporter of Hezbollah.
2. Military Resource Management: The ceasefire provides an opportunity for replenishing Israeli forces and regrouping.
3. Separation of Fronts: By ending the conflict with Hezbollah, Israel can focus on its military operations against Hamas.
4. Challenges in Lebanon

• Prolonged Presence: Remaining in Lebanon could deplete the IDF and bolster Hezbollah’s domestic support.
• Hezbollah’s Resilience: Despite heavy losses, Hezbollah retained its capability to strike, launching 250 rockets just two days before the ceasefire.

Key Factors Behind the Decision:

Civil-Military Dynamics in Israel

• Former Defence Minister and IDF Chief of Staff questioned the government’s military strategy, advocating for a truce.

Strategic Limitations:

• Although Israel achieved a symbolic advance to the Litani River, continuing the conflict risked escalating costs without decisive gains.

This ceasefire serves as a critical step in addressing one of the most volatile conflicts in the region, while also reflecting the broader geopolitical considerations driving both nations’ strategies.

6. Norway Issues Apology for Historical “Norwegianisation” Assimilation Policies

Context: On November 11, 2023, Norway’s Parliament issued an unreserved apology for its century-long assimilation policies targeting the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn communities. This apology follows the recommendations outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2023 report and marks a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing past wrongs committed against these indigenous and minority groups.

Who Are the Sami, Kvens, and Forest Finns?

The Sami People:

The Sami are the indigenous people of northern Europe, with a significant presence in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. With an estimated population of 100,000, Norway is home to the largest Sami community.

• Cultural Practices: Known for their reindeer herding, a practice protected as an exclusive Sami right in Norway.
• Languages: The Sami speak three languages—North Sami, East Sami, and South Sami—which belong to the Uralic language family.

The Kvens:

The Kvens are descendants of Finnish migrants who came from the Torne River Valley.

• Traditional Practices: Historically, they engaged in slash-and-burn farming, fishing, and blacksmithing.
• Kven Language: The Kven language, a Finnic tongue, was officially recognized as an independent language in Norway in 2005.

The Forest Finns:

The Forest Finns are descendants of Finnish immigrants who settled in Norway in the 1600s, migrating through Sweden.

• Cultural Heritage: They practiced slash-and-burn agriculture and maintained distinct cultural practices passed down through generations.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission:

Launched in 2018, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to investigate the historical injustices faced by the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn communities under Norway’s Norwegianisation policies.
The Commission’s objectives were to:

• Investigate the impact of assimilation policies on indigenous and minority communities.
• Propose measures to address socio-economic disparities, cultural suppression, and the loss of language.
• Recommend ways to preserve cultural heritage and promote inclusivity.

Key Findings and Recommendations:

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2023 report identified the devastating consequences of Norwegianisation, including the suppression of language and cultural identity within the targeted communities. To rectify this, the Commission made several key recommendations:

• Create a Centre for Reconciliation Work to foster dialogue and healing.
• Preserve Indigenous Languages: Initiate language training programs and integrate indigenous languages into education.
• Combat Prejudice and Harassment: Implement measures to prevent ongoing discrimination and ensure equal rights for these communities.

Steps Toward Reconciliation:

In response to the findings, Norway’s Parliament adopted 17 resolutions to address the long-standing challenges faced by the Sami, Kven, and Forest Finn communities. These measures aim to:

• Ensure cultural preservation and socio-economic inclusion for these marginalized groups.
• Foster a more inclusive society that recognizes and celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of all its citizens.

International Context:The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s work is part of a broader effort across the Nordic countries, with similar commissions underway in Sweden and Finland. These countries are also investigating the historical experiences of the Sami people, with reports expected soon.