EBs and ETs are nothing but means to aid in investments by companies or people of India towards political parties. What are ELECTORAL BONDS? EB scheme was implemented in 2018. Anyone in the country could donate funds to political parties anonymously. EBs can be bought from authorized SBI branches Bonds are sold in denominations ranging from 1,000 rupees to 1 CR rupees It can only be purchased by making payments through bank accounts that are KYC compliant A political party has 15 days to encash the funds The Electoral bonds are available for purchase only between a 10day window in January, April, July and October. Donations by electoral bonds can be paid only to those political parties that are registered under Section 29a of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951 and those who have got more than 1% vote in the last Lok Sabha and State elections. What are ELECTORAL TRUSTS? ETs are set up by companies with the objective to distribute the contributions received from other companies and individuals to the political parties. The companies which are registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 are only eligible Who can contribute to electoral trusts? Any citizen of India A company registered in India An association of persons (Indian residents) Difference between the two ELECTORAL TRUSTS Contributions can be made in cash, cheque or bank transactions. Contributor details are available. ELECTORAL BONDS Contributions can’t be made in cash. Contributor stays anonymous  Why were electoral bonds introduced ? To promote transparency in political funding as ETs include cash contributions. But, the anonymity of contributors and gainer raises suspicions regarding the proper channelization of money. REF: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/electoral-bonds-electoral-trusts-9018591/, https://www.deccanherald.com/india/explained-what-are-electoral-trusts-and-how-do-they-work-1176801.html

India and Maldives relation has been a little bit difficult in a few days and the main reason for this is the 3rd wheel i.e. China.

GS ISOCIAL ISSUES Supreme Court of India has rejected the plea for same sex marriages in the country. Although it hasn’t criminalised co-habituation among individual belonging to the LGBTQ community. Some key points that are too be understood in order to analyse the verdict is essential. A petitioner appealed for modifying the SPECIAL MARRIAGE ACT and include same sex marriages in it. Need for same sex marriage To ensure the benefits that a heterosexual couple retains such as: Adoption Succession Pension benefits Insurance Rental accommodation Buying property Ensuring Constitutional right of equality (Article 14), dignity (Article 15), (Article 16), life (Article 21) and promoting  fraternity. Demerits of same sex marriage Meaning of Marriage: Marriages in India hold immense importance in religious and societal terms. Bringing any change in its definition or concept might deform the religious beliefs of the country and hence will challenge our secularity as well. Gender Ambiguity: In a same sex marriage, it is difficult to realise ‘who is who’ i.e. who is the husband or wife. such confusion create problem while deciding responsibilities between the two. Cause of Divorce: Gender confusion creates problems while deciding who wants to divorce whom. if the responsibilities aren’t defined, they who is going to blamed for not fulfilling the same? Too much Confusion for the Upcoming youth: Same sex marriage is a very hot and controversial topic. Such topics always entice the youth and they sometimes want to fit in these trends without realising their actual identity or psychology. So, our upcoming generation might suffer from identity crisis. Incest Legality: Legalising same sex marriage will motivate those who advocate for incest (within  family) marriages. Such partnerships lead to many genetic disorders which in turn will deteriorate the health of the society.  Child care and development:  Coming to development, a proper growth requires both the parents i.e. a mother and a father. and these senses of duties evolve with physiology (being biologically male or female). But with same sex marriages the child will be confused with how to address whom.  Who opposes the petition Central government, National child rights body NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights), Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind, an Indian body of Islamic scholars. What is Special Marriage Act ? The Special Marriage Act provides a secular and non-discriminatory legal framework for marriage, and allows individuals to marry without being subject to the traditional customs and rituals associated with their respective religions. In the definition itself, there is no mention of male and female. The petitioner pointed this out at appealed to include same sex marriage in SMA. Also it was pointed out that if union doesn’t see religion, caste, borders then why gender is an exception. SC’s response: SMA cant be stroked down. SMA is secular legislature CARA (Central Adoption Recourse Authority) discriminate against atypical parents. Next decision needs to be taken by the parliament Many Acts in India: Special Marriage Act Foreign Marriage Act Hindu Marriage Act Transgender Person Protection Rights Act, Would have to be revised SC’s provision for the queer community Recognized civil union Transgender persons in heterosexual relationships have the right to marry No harassment of queers by summoning them to the police station to enquire about their sexual identity No person shall be forced to undergo any hormonal therapy Ensure there is no discrimination in access to goods and services. Sensitize the public about queer rights. Create a hotline for the queer community. Create safe houses or Garima grih for queer couples. Ensure inter-sex children are not forced to undergo operations. GLOBAL STATUS for the LGBTQIA+++ community Currently, 32 countries have legalized same sex marriage Taiwan is the 1st Asian country to legalize the same https://youtu.be/kLm7JQaGUJI?si=3pMBE2oO1kT9F9HR

GS PAPER-3 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Nobel Prize in Chemistry (QUANTUM DOTS) WHAT IS QUANTUM DOT (QD)? It is the smallest measurable particle the discovery of which is an important seed in the field of nanotechnology. These are Semiconductor Nanocrystals composed of approx. 10-50 atoms. Who received the Nobel Prize? Alexey Ivanovich Ekimov – Discovered the semiconductor nanocrystals known as quantum dots in 1981, while working at the Vavilov State Optical Institute. Moungi Gabriel Bawendi – chemical production of high-quality quantum dots, currently the Lester Wolfe Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Louis Eugene Brus – Co-discoverer of the colloidal semi-conductor nanocrystals known as quantum dots, working at S. L. Mitchell Professor of Chemistry at Columbia University. Who decides the winner? The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences What is the meaning of quantum?- Amount, Quantity, Volume, Measure Features of QDs Have a core-shell structure The most astonishing feature of QDs is that the same element or molecule will show varied properties depending upon their size: optical properties, conductivity, magnetism, cytotoxicity, photostability etc. Hence, a myriad of components can be formed from limited source with modulated properties. USES DRUG DELIVERY, IMAGING QUANTUM COMPUTING SOLAR CELLS ENCRYPTION QLED DISPLAY POLLUTION CHELLATER SENSOR

GS PAPER-2 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS China-Pakistan Nuclear Deal: Threat to INDIA CHINA is aiding Pakistan in setting up its new nuclear power plants in Punjab. But there are some concerns that are bothering other global powers about this deal. Some of which ae as follows: What are the Pakistan government’s reasons for going ahead with a nuclear power plant with Chinese help? Why has Beijing not sought waivers from the Nuclear Suppliers Group? How will it impact the governance of nuclear commerce? Before addressing these questions, let us first get into the basics of the news Pakistan is currently operating six nuclear plants out of which 4 are in Chashma and 2 in Karachi, all built by the support from Beijing, with a capacity to generate about 300 to around 1100 MW. The recent one with be the 5th one at Chashma, hence called C-5 project. This plant will have Hualong One reactor which is also planted in the Karachi unites as well. Now the points that raises brows is that why all these power plants have been aided by only China? Why Pak can’t rely upon other nations for the same? The reason is, Pakistan doesn’t fulfil the criteria to be qualified for setting up a nuclear power station. Who sets up these rules?? Its NSG i.e. Nuclear Suppliers Group. This body governs the Nuclear Export Regime by setting up guidelines for the transfer and collaboration of the nuclear power, which if not monitored or restricted with stringent instructions, can lead to international massacre. The repercussions then, will be lugged by the upcoming generations which wouldn’t mind the borders but would spread across. This problem is being resolved by NSG. Overall, a total of 48 countries are its participants, and INDIA and Pakistan are not among them. But why is that so…. Because the NPT defines nuclear weapons states as those that tested devices before 1967, and India tested for the first time in 1974 in Pokhran. This was one of the strategies planned by the then superpowers to weaken India’s status in becoming a competent party among the greatest nations of those times. Hence, the clause of NPT, didn’t allow India to become a nuclear-weapon state. So, 5 states are recognized by NPT as nuclear weapon states (NWS): China (signed 1992), France (1992), the Soviet Union (1968; obligations and rights now assumed by the Russian Federation), the United Kingdom (1968), and the United States (1968) Coming to the NPT rules. What are they? Basically, NPT has 3 elements: Peaceful use, Disarmament, Non-proliferation of nuclear power Which summarizes to ‘Not using NUCLEAR POWER for attack’. Although we are not NSG members, we are waived by the organization to set up Nuclear power plant, because with the advocation of UNITED STATES, we were able to pledge in accordance with the NPT rules. Now the question arises, that how can PAKISTAN, a state with financial crisis, not a member of NSG, and not pledging with the NPT rules is being constantly backed by CHINA, to set up nuclear reactor, where china is against INDIA to be included in NSG? It is because of our evident frictions with both the nations. Arming Pakistan with nuclear weapons would help China, weakening us and eventually preach into our borders. The entire globe is pondering over China’s actions towards other nations, and indeed there needs to a firmer organization that would standardize the policies for setting up a nuclear reactor in any state. https://youtu.be/N8FvzMBYVO0?si=TRZoeU7QlkLhcExb

India and China are the two Asian Nations who are the future superpowers of the 21st century. India and China if contribute together can shape the geopolitics towards Asian nations rather than focusing to the west. Unfortunately, although they are near geographically, got independence nearly the same years but lack clear vision and certain times we saw the conflicts directly between them. Whether it is the war of 1962, or the Doklam Crisis in 2017 and even the Galwan incident of 2020, they are always on the verge of war.  India and China signed the Panchasheel agreement in 1954, focusing on mutual benefit, peaceful co-existence and non-interference in internal affairs. Today everyone knows the reality where China under Mao Zedong Policies promote “PALM PRINCIPLE” including Indian territories of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh(Tawang). Even Aksai Chin territory of India, administered by China. We have witnessed how Chinese issue stapled visas for the Arunachal and Ladakhi people.  This time a UK based research group, RUCI predicted that India and China can go for war in 2025-2030. As you all know how China is building pressure on South East Asian Nations in the South China Sea Region where they claim islands like Scarborough Shoal, Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands etc. as their own territory  under Nine-Dash Line, as per United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India is supporting Philippines in this region which is backed by a military agreement by USA. Even Maldives is another reason in the Indian Ocean Region. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is also one among the most probable reasons.  https://youtu.be/matMzXNuO6E?si=OgqPEiP2ZFktQTy5 In this video you will get to know about the dispute in detail and what will be the repercussions if both the giants goes for war. You can click on the link above to understand the essence of the topic and share your thoughts as well. What you think well we will never pray for any such incident as it could lead to Third World War. Although the Russia-Ukraine War and Israel- Hamas War has emphasised much more on inward looking policies rather than multi-faceted approach. 

PROTESTS IN LADAKH GS PAPER-2 Indian Polity & Constitution Ladakh known for its scenic beauty, tourism, adventure, and immense support during India-Pakistan Kargil War in 1999, is facing the heat of protests.  WHY ARE THEY PROTESTING? 1- Demand of Statehood.  2- Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.  3- Setting up an exclusive Public Service Commission like UPSC, SPSC.  4- Representation in the Parliament and environmental concerns.  Let us know about the history of Ladakh: From the first century AD onwards, Ladakh was part of the Kushan Empire. Later administered by Hindu Dogra Rulers and even the Qing Dynasty of Tibet invaded it but lost the war leading to signing the Treaty of Chushul. In the First Anglo-Sikh War in 1845-46, it became part of the British suzerainty.  Strategic Importance: 1- Acts as a buffer zone between China and Pakistan.  2- Lies in the Trans-Himalayas in the Karakoram Mountain Range. Ladakh is famous for snow leopards( IUCN- VULNERABLE) and also having the Hemis National Park.  https://youtu.be/MWak0PTNUHA?si=txyfQsLdp2ssPLQu

Governor is the executive head of the state. Thus, all the executive powers of the state are vested with him. Recently, a question mark has been raised on his discretionary power. Four states had taken shelter under the SC to check on the misuse of the power by the Governor. Governors of states viz. Punjab, Kerala, Telangana & Tamil Nadu withheld the bills of the state Government. Though Governor is the executive head but real head of the state is the Chief Minister.