Today we will discuss about – G-20 , Sahel Region , Data localization , New Regulations for Phds.

Prelims Specific Question

1. Consider the following statements with respect to ‘UN Human Rights Council’

1. The members of the Council are elected for three-year terms by the UN Security Council
2. Asia-Pacific states form the single largest regional group in the Council
3. Members are immediately eligible for re-election after completing a single term

Choose the INCORRECT statement(s) using the code given below

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All the above

2)Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Air Quality Index’

1. All The pollutants of AQI in the affected air are given equal weightage
2. The AQI transforms complex air quality data of pollutants into a single number nomenclature and colour

Select the correct statement(s)

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

3)‘Garuda – VII‘, is an air exercise carried out by India with

a) United Kingdom
b) Australia
c) France
d) United Arab Emirates

Prelims Specific News

All about G-20

The Group of G20 (G20) comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States along with the European Union. G20 members currently account for more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of global trade, and 60% of the global  population.

So The G20 does not have a charter or a secretariat. The Presidency, aided by the countries holding the Presidency before and after it (Troika), is responsible for setting the agenda of each year’s Summit. 

The G20 process is led by the Sherpas of member countries, who are personal emissaries of the 
Leaders. The Sherpas, oversee negotiations over the course of the year, discussing agenda items for 
the Summit and coordinating the substantive work of the G20. 

So The G20’s work is divided into two tracks: the Finance Track and the Sherpa Track. Within the 
two tracks, there are thematically oriented working groups in which representatives from the 
relevant ministries of the members as well as from invited/guest countries and various international 
organizations participate.

The working groups meet regularly throughout the term of each Presidency. The agenda is also influenced by current economic developments as well as by the tasks and goals agreed upon in previous years. The G20 holds a multi-year mandate to ensure institutional continuity.

Marwari Horses from India going to Bangladesh

So According to a representative of the All India Marwari Horse Society, six Marwari horses have been shipped from Jodhpur to Bangladesh where they will be used to pull the president’s state carriage. This is the first time that a horse of this native breed has been exported.

One of the rarest types of horses, Marwari horses are the most graceful and long-lasting of all breeds.

Also Read about Groundwater resources and their extraction

New regulations for awarding PhDs

What are the new changes :-

Firstly, M.phil is abolished.
Secondly, No need to mandatorily publish a research paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
Thirdly, The eligibility criteria for admissions too have been revised, and a candidate can register after completing a one year (or two semester) master’s degree programme after a four year (or 8semester) bachelor’s degree programme or a two year (or four semester) master’s degree programme after a three year bachelor’s degree programme with at least 55% marks or its equivalent grade.

Operation Barkhane in Sahel Region

France pulled out of Sahel Region after the near failure of the operation Barkhane.

French operations had two objectives in the Sahel.
Firstly, to liberate Mali from the insurgency in the north.
Secondly, to see through counterterrorism operations in West Africa, including the neutralisation of key terrorists.

Read about the Sahel region

Data Localization

Data localization or data residency laws mandate that information on a country’s residents or citizens be gathered, processed, and/or maintained domestically, frequently prior to being transmitted overseas.

Why we need Data Localization:

1. Firstly, The Government wants to keep a copy of data for data security.
2. Secondly, Government wants to keep a tap on the data so as to get it in case of national interest.

So what are the Issues with Data Localization:-

1. Firstly, It hampers ease of doing business.
2. Secondly, It adds extra cost to the cost of doing business since the cost of hosting servers is a lot.

IMAC of Indian Navy

The Indian Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) was approved in 2012 and operationalized in 2014. Located in Gurugram, it is the nodal agency for maritime data fusion that links information from the high seas and Indian’s coastline and island territories.

The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean region (IFC–IOR), was set up in the IMAC in 2018-2019, as a regional information coordination body, that coordinates with 21 partner countries and 22 multi-national agencies.

The need to set up such a surveillance and information management system was felt following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

While most coordination is done virtually, liaison officers include those from United States, France, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom and Seychelles.

Why in News:- This is in news because of the IUU ( Illegal, unregulated and unreported ) fishing happening in the IOR.

There are two main regulations globally on IUU fishing: the Cape Town Agreement and the Agreement on Ports State Measures. So far, India is not a signatory of either agreement.

As per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal nations are responsible for addressing IUU fishing issues within their respective EEZ.

There are regional fisheries management organisations such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement operating under the mandate of UNCLOS as regulatory bodies to monitor IUU fishing on the high seas.

Thank you so much.