Crest Learning UPSC

1. Where is Kordofan? ✔ Kordofan = Central Sudan It is divided into: • North Kordofan • South Kordofan • West Kordofan Kordofan lies between Darfur (west) and Khartoum (east). ✔ Kordofan = Savanna region ✔ Known for gum arabic production ✔ Borders Darfur (west) and Blue Nile State (southeast) 2. Where is El-Obeid? El-Obeid is the capital of North Kordofan. • Major commercial centre • Known for gum arabic trade • On the ancient caravan route • Located west of Khartoum This is the city where the funeral attack took place. 3. Where is Darfur region? ✔ Darfur = Western Sudan It has 5 federal states: 1. North Darfur 2. South Darfur 3. West Darfur 4. East Darfur 5. Central Darfur Why is Darfur famous • One of the worst humanitarian crises (2003–present) • Janjaweed militia active here • RSF (Rapid Support Forces) evolved from Janjaweed • Large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) 4. Where is El Fasher? El Fasher = Capital of North Darfur. • Major stronghold of Sudanese army • Recently captured by RSF militias • One of the last government-controlled cities in Darfur • Located north-west of El-Obeid This city is mentioned because RSF captured it just before the attack

➡️Contempt of Court in India Contempt of Court = Doing something that disrespects the court OR stops justice. 2. Why is contempt needed? Because courts must be able to work without fear, pressure, or obstruction. If people insult courts or refuse to follow orders → justice cannot function. 3. Where does the power come from? (SUPER important for Prelims) ✔ Article 129 Supreme Court = Court of Record → can punish for contempt. ✔ Article 215 High Courts = Court of Record → same power. ✔ Article 19(2) Contempt of court = valid restriction on free speech. 4. What is a “Court of Record”? A Court of Record is a court that: ✔ Keeps records of its judgments ✔ These records cannot be challenged in lower courts ✔ Has power to punish for contempt In India: • Supreme Court • High Courts Only these two. 🔰 5. Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 — defines two types A. Civil Contempt Meaning → Not obeying the court’s order intentionally. Examples: • Not following a stay order • Not obeying a High Court direction • Ignoring a summons • Not implementing a court judgment 👉 Key word: WILFUL disobedience B. Criminal Contempt Meaning → Doing anything that damages the authority of the court or disrupts justice. Three simple categories: 1. Scandalising the court → Insulting the court → Using abusive language → Attacking judges personally → Making false allegations that destroy court’s credibility 2. Interfering with court proceedings → Disturbing ongoing case → Posting misleading comments on an active case → Spreading wrong information about a sub-judice matter → Influencing witnesses or judges 3. Obstructing the administration of justice → Stopping the system from working → Blocking court processes → Publishing false material that confuses public opinion about a live case 6. Who can start contempt proceedings? ✔ Supreme Court or High Court → on their own (suo motu) → OR when someone files a petition ✔ If petition is filed → needs permission from: • Attorney General (for SC cases) • Advocate General (for HC cases) 7. What is NOT contempt? ✔ Fair criticism of a judgment Allowed (Courts accept healthy criticism) ✔ Academic discussion Allowed ✔ Commenting on legal principles Allowed BUT… ✘ Abusive language ✘ False allegations ✘ Comments that lower the dignity of courts = Criminal contempt. 8. Key Case Laws — explained in 1 line each ✔ Brahma Prakash Sharma (1954) ‘Scandalising the court’ = contempt. ✔ EMS Namboodiripad (1970) Attacking judges politically = contempt. ✔ S. Mulgaokar (1978) Contempt power must be used rarely. ✔ P.N. Duda case Fair criticism allowed. ✔ Arundhati Roy case (2002) Court warned against misuse but upheld contempt. ✔ MR Jayalal (2015) Abusive language = criminal contempt.

➡️ “The Malleable Code of Conduct” — Model Code of Conduct (MCC) 1. What is MCC? Model Code of Conduct (MCC) = A set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure free and fair elections. Key points for Prelims: • NOT a law • NOT legally enforceable • Became operational during elections • Applies to governments, political parties & candidates 2. When does MCC start and end? • Starts → On the date ECI announces election schedule • Ends → When results are declared 3. Purpose of MCC To prevent ruling party from misusing government power to influence elections. 4. Key MCC Restrictions Candidates & parties CANNOT: • Announce new schemes • Announce new grants or financial packages • Launch new roads, bridges, water projects • Make major promises funded by public money • Use government machinery for campaigning • Use public money for ads praising govt Ministers CANNOT: • Combine official visits with political visits • Use government vehicles for campaigns • Announce new projects that can influence voters 5. Is MCC legally binding? ❌ No. But violations can be acted upon using other laws, such as: • Indian Penal Code (IPC) • Representation of the People Act, 1951 MCC itself is not a law, but EC can enforce it through other laws. 6. Why is it called “malleable”? Because parties often bend, twist, or bypass the MCC without technically violating it. Example given: • Bihar’s Mukhymantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MMRY) launched right before elections → Influences voters but not fully illegal. 🌟 7. Examples of MCC violation mentioned • Announcing fresh cash transfers • Announcing new grants or schemes just before polling • Distributing welfare benefits very close to elections • Launching projects disguised as old schemes This creates uneven playing field. 🌟 8. Past recommendations to strengthen MCC 2013 Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice recommended: ✔ Make MCC legally binding But this was not done, because: • Judicial process takes time • Elections last only ~45 days • Delays weaken MCC’s impact 🌟 9. Why ECI cannot act strongly sometimes? Because politicians find new loopholes every time. ECI has power, but: • MCC = guidelines • No independent law backing it • Governments present schemes as “ongoing schemes” to escape MCC

1. What is COP? COP = Conference of Parties under UNFCCC. It is the biggest global meeting on climate change. 2. What is COP30? COP30 = The 30th climate conference under UNFCCC. ✔ It will be held in 2025 ✔ Host → Belém city, Brazil ✔ Location → Amazon Rainforest 3. Why is COP30 special? Because for the first time: 🌳 A COP is happening inside the Amazon Basin The Amazon = • World’s largest rainforest • World’s biggest carbon sink • Home to millions of people • Key for global climate stability This makes COP30 very important. 4. What does Brazil want COP30 to achieve? Brazil’s President wants COP30 to be: ⭐ “COP of Truth” Meaning: Countries must stop making big speeches and start taking real action on climate. 5. Brazil’s Climate Achievements These numbers are VERY IMPORTANT. ✔ Brazil reduced Amazon deforestation sharply in 2 years. ✔ Brazil announced a new NDC: 59% to 67% greenhouse gas reduction target. ✔ Brazil’s energy mix: 88% of electricity from renewable sources (One of the cleanest in the world) 6. Big Initiative: Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) ⭐ TFFF = A fund to protect tropical forests NOT a donation fund → It is an investment fund. • Countries/people who protect forests get money. • Brazil pledged $1 billion. • Other countries are expected to join. This fund rewards conservation. 🔰 7. What Brazil wants the world to do? ✔ Help Global South with climate finance (Not charity → climate justice) ✔ Honour climate commitments (Not just announce new targets) ✔ Promote a fair transition from fossil fuels (Shift to green energy without harming poor people) 8. New Proposal for COP30: UN Climate Change Council Brazil wants a brand-new global body: ⭐ UN Climate Change Council Linked to the UN General Assembly. Purpose: • Track whether countries do what they promise • Increase accountability • Reduce global climate governance paralysis • Complement UNFCCC & COP This is a HIGH PROBABILITY prelims topic. 9. Other Key Prelims Points (Super clear) ✔ CBDR reaffirmed (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities) ✔ New declaration coming at COP30: “Declaration on Hunger, Poverty & Climate” ✔ Climate change linked to hunger & inequality Brazil emphasises that poor communities suffer the most.

➡️Centre’s Governance Guidelines for AI 1. What exactly was released? The Government released: India AI Governance Guidelines (2024) → It is NOT a law. → It is NOT regulation. → It is only guidelines. Meaning: They are instructions + suggestions to guide safe and responsible use of AI in India. 2. Who released it? Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) = The same ministry that handles Digital India, UPI, Aadhaar tech rules. A committee headed ✔ Balaraman Ravindran 🌟 4. Why did the government create these guidelines? Because AI is growing very fast. Government wants: • Safety • Trust • No misuse • No harm to people BUT at the same time: Government does NOT want to block innovation. So approach = “Hands-off but responsible” 🌟 5. Seven Principles of AI These are the foundation of the guidelines. ✔ 1. Trust - AI systems must be reliable. ✔ 2. People-centricity - AI should benefit people. ✔ 3. Responsible Innovation- Develop AI carefully. ✔ 4. Equity- Fair and inclusive AI. ✔ 5. Accountability- Developers & companies must be answerable. ✔ 6. Understandability of LLMs- AI should be transparent and explainable. ✔ 7. Safety, Resilience, Sustainability- AI must be safe, strong, and eco-friendly. 6. Six Key Recommendations ✔ 1. Expand AI Infrastructure- More computing power, datasets, GPUs. ✔ 2. Use India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)- Use UPI, Aadhaar, CoWIN, ONDC to build strong AI systems. ✔ 3. Skill people in AI- More training, more AI talent in India. ✔ 4. Use flexible, adaptive regulation- Not strict — keep it light. ✔ 5. Address India-specific AI risks Such as: • local language bias • misinformation • deepfakes ✔ 6. Increase transparency- Companies MUST explain how their AI works. 7. CLEAR DIFFERENCE From Earlier AI Framework Earlier framework (Jan 2024): ❌ Too much focus on risk ❌ More restrictions ❌ More like a “regulation” Current guidelines (Dec 2024): ✔ Light-touch ✔ Innovation-friendly ✔ Only guidance, NOT law 8. Are new AI laws coming? Government says: “There are no immediate plans. But if needed, we will create a law later.” So right now → ONLY guidelines. 9. Link to IT Rules, 2021 The AI guidelines are separate from the amendments being considered under IT Rules, 2021. Important for prelims: AI guidelines ≠ IT Rules

6 nov ….👇

✔ Yalung Ri • Peak height: 5,630 m • Located in Rolwaling Himal, Nepal • East-central Nepal (Dolakha District) • Near Tashi Lapcha Pass • Lies between Everest region and Langtang region ✔ Panbari Mountain • Peak height: 6,904 m • Located in Manaslu Himal, Nepal • Gorkha District • Lies between Manaslu (8,163 m) and Himalchuli • Part of the Greater Himalayas Both peaks lie in two different Himalayan sub-ranges:

➡️How BRICS Is Challenging SWIFT There are two big financial systems in the world: 1. SWIFT → Controlled by US + Europe 2. BRICS Pay (developing) → Controlled by BRICS countries BRICS wants to build its own system so it does NOT depend on America for international payments. 2. Understand SWIFT SWIFT = WhatsApp for Banks • If India wants to send money to Russia → It must send a SWIFT message. • SWIFT tells the Russian bank to credit the money. • SWIFT doesn’t move money → It only sends messages. But SWIFT is controlled by Western countries, so the US can say: “Remove Russia from SWIFT.” And Russia becomes cut off from global payments. ⚠ This happened in 2022 → Russia removed from SWIFT. So BRICS countries realised: “We need our OWN system, otherwise we are always at risk.” 3. Why BRICS wants to challenge SWIFT Reason 1: US can punish countries using SWIFT Russia, Iran were cut off. China fears this too. Reason 2: Too much dependence on US Dollar • 42% of world trade uses USD • 59% of global reserves are in USD → US has massive financial power. Reason 3: BRICS is becoming stronger • BRICS GDP (PPP) is 31% of global GDP • G7 GDP (PPP) is 30% → BRICS is now bigger than G7 (in PPP terms). Reason 4: Local currency trade saves money INR–Ruble, Yuan–Real, etc. No need for USD. Reason 5: Faster, cheaper, safer payments BRICS wants a modern system like UPI but internationally. Earlier: India buys oil from Russia → Money sent using SWIFT → in USD. Now (BRICS way): India pays in Rupees → Russia receives Rubles (via conversion) → Payment done through BRICS Pay. No SWIFT. No USD. No US control. THIS is how BRICS challenges SWIFT. Why this is a big change 1. First serious non-Western alternative to SWIFT Never happened in history before. 2. Weakens US financial dominance Because 59% of global reserves are in USD. 3. Helps Global South Africa, Latin America, West Asia can join BRICS Pay. 4. Strengthens multipolar world order Power is no longer with ONE bloc. 7. Challenges 1: China’s dominance China is the largest BRICS economy → fear of China controlling the system. 2: All countries use different technologies UPI ≠ CIPS ≠ SPFS Connecting them is difficult. 3: Weak / controlled currencies • Ruble unstable • Yuan controlled • Rupee not fully convertible This slows progress. 4: Cybersecurity A global payment system can be hacked. 5: Political differences • India vs China tensions • Brazil’s political changes • Russia under sanctions

• Afforestation: Planting trees on land that never had forests. • Reforestation: Planting trees on previously forested land. • Degraded forest: Forest whose health, soil, biodiversity is damaged. • Ecological restoration: Improving soil + water + species + biodiversity, not just canopy. • Monoculture: Planting only one species (e.g., eucalyptus). 1. Carbon Sink: Needed to meet India’s NDC target of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ by 2030. 2. Livelihoods: Nearly 200 million Indians depend on forests. 3. Biodiversity: India’s forests support 8% of world’s biodiversity. 4. Climate Resilience: Forests regulate rainfall, soil moisture, and temperatures. ✅ 3. IMPORTANT SCHEMES / MISSIONS • Green India Mission (GIM) → ecological restoration, not just saplings. • CAMPA → money collected when forests are cut; used for afforestation. • National Afforestation Programme (NAP) → JFMC-based forest work. • Compensatory Afforestation Act 2016 → governs CAMPA funds. • Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 → Gram Sabha rights over forests. ✅ 4. PRELIMS-ASKABLE FEATURES • Monocultures = ecologically harmful → low biodiversity. • Native species = high resilience + water balance. • Forest fires increased due to monocultures + climate warming. • India’s forest growth is mostly in open forests, not dense forests.

India’s revised Green India Mission (GIM) aims to restore 25 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. However, India’s forests face issues of weak ecological health, climate stress, and poor afforestation design, requiring a shift from plantation to ecological restoration. 🔰 2. WHY INDIA’S FORESTS ARE IMPORTANT 1. Carbon Sink: Needed to meet India’s NDC target of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ by 2030. 2. Livelihoods: Nearly 200 million Indians depend on forests. 3. Biodiversity: India’s forests support 8% of world’s biodiversity. 4. Climate Resilience: Forests regulate rainfall, soil moisture, and temperatures. 🔰 3. CURRENT CHALLENGES (A) Ecological Challenges 1. Climate Stress: • IIT study (2025): 12% decline in photosynthetic efficiency due to heat + dry soil. • Forests absorbing less carbon. 2. Monoculture Plantations: • Planting fast-growing species like eucalyptus/acacia. • Causes groundwater loss, low biodiversity, higher fire risk. 3. Poor Soil & Water Health: • Planting without restoring soil → saplings die early. • No attention to micro-ecosystems. (B) Community & Governance Challenges 1. Weak Community Role: • Forest Rights Act (FRA 2006) gives Gram Sabhas rights. • But most plantations ignore community consent → mistrust + poor survival. 2. Underutilised CAMPA Funds: • CAMPA corpus: ₹95,000 crore. • Delhi used only 23% (2019–24). • Many states <50% utilisation. 3. Poor Monitoring: • Focus on “number of saplings planted,” not “number of saplings survived.” 4. Fragmented Policy: • Forest, water, agriculture departments work separately → no coordination. 🔰 4. STATE EXAMPLES 1. Odisha: • Joint Forest Management Committees → better survival and community trust. 2. Himachal Pradesh: • Biochar programme + carbon credits → innovative financing. 3. Tamil Nadu: • Native dryland forest revival → strong ecological restoration. 4. Chhattisgarh: • Forest departments linking ecology with tribal livelihoods. 🔰 6. WAY FORWARD (A) Ecological Solutions 1. Native Species Restoration • Region-based species selection → better survival + biodiversity. 2. Soil & Water First • Build check-dams, trenches, mulching → soil moisture revival. 3. Landscape-Level Restoration • Restore mangroves, grasslands, ravines, Himalayan slopes. (B) Social & Governance Solutions 1. FRA Implementation • Empower Gram Sabhas for planning & monitoring. 2. JFMC 2.0 • Revenue-sharing with communities (NTFP, carbon credits). 3. Transparent CAMPA Dashboard • Real-time fund utilisation + third-party audits. 4. Scientific Monitoring • Use GIS, drones, remote sensing to track survival rate. (C) Financial Innovations 1. Carbon Market Integration • States to earn carbon credits for restoration. • HP & UP models can be scaled. 2. Eco-Tourism & Livelihoods • Create jobs in nursery, monitoring, forest-based crafts. Direct PYQs: • 2023: Forest-based carbon sequestration challenges • 2021: Role of FRA in conservation • 2019: CAMPA effectiveness • 2018: Community forest management

5th nov…..👇

A UN-backed agency, IPC – Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, has formally confirmed famine in: • El Fasher (capital of North Darfur) • Kadugli (capital of South Kordofan) It also warned famine risk in: • Tawila (North Darfur) • Mellit (North Darfur) • Other regions of Darfur (West Sudan) 2. Why is famine happening? Main reason → Sudan Civil War since April 2023 War between: • RSF – Rapid Support Forces (Paramilitary) • Sudanese Army Consequences • Complete blockade of food and humanitarian aid • Markets destroyed → collapse of food supply • Mass displacement → people fleeing villages • Looting of aid warehouses • Militias preventing UN access 👉 Direct cause of famine: siege + starvation as a war tactic. 3. What exactly is famine? Famine = IPC Phase 5 (the highest level). Declared when all three conditions are met: 1. 20% households facing extreme food shortage 2. 30% children suffering acute malnutrition 3. Deaths per day exceed • >2 adults / 10,000 people, OR • >4 children / 10,000 people 📌 This definition has been asked indirectly by UPSC in Food Security & SDGs. 4. Geography Enrichment Where is Darfur? • A region in Western Sudan • Sub-divisions: • North Darfur → El Fasher (famine confirmed) • South Darfur → Nyala • West Darfur → El Geneina • Central Darfur • East Darfur Kadugli • Capital of South Kordofan • Not part of Darfur, but adjacent to it. 👉 UPSC often asks: Match location with region, Identify from map, etc.

A) Where is Southern Lebanon? • It is the region bordering northern Israel. • It is Hezbollah’s stronghold. B) Why are these areas important? Aita al-Shaab • A major battlefield in the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah War. • Very close to the Blue Line (UN demarcation). Doueir • A mostly civilian area that often gets caught in cross-border firing. C) Why does this matter geopolitically? • This is part of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict: • Hezbollah = Iran-backed • Israel = US-backed • Whenever Israel–Hamas fighting increases, Hezbollah also escalates attacks.

Mazar-i-Sharif: • Major city in Balkh province, northern Afghanistan. • Known for the historic Blue Mosque (Shrine of Ali) — which also suffered damage. • Affected provinces: • Balkh • Samangan Why this region is earthquake-prone? Northern Afghanistan lies near the collision zone of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate → high seismic activity due to: • Thrust faults • Strike-slip faults • Orogenic processes (Himalayan tectonics influence)

Digital Arrest = A cyber scam where fraudsters pose as police/judges using AI deepfakes to falsely “arrest” victims online and extort money. • ₹3,000 crore lost in India (SC report). • Victims: Mostly elderly. • Criminals use AI, deepfakes, morphing judges/courtrooms. • Operated from foreign scam compounds. • SC calls it a “very big challenge.”

1. What is the High Seas Treaty? • High seas = parts of ocean beyond 200 nautical miles (no country owns). • Treaty name = BBNJ Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction). • Aim = protect marine biodiversity in the high seas. • Tools: • Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) • Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) • Rules for Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs) • Benefit-sharing between nations 👉Comes into force: January 2026 2. Why do we need it? Because high seas have: • Overfishing • Deep-sea mining risks • Climate change impacts • No uniform global rules Oceans = 50% of oxygen + food for 3 billion people → global stakes are huge. 3. What are the challenges? A. Confusion between two principles 1. Common Heritage of Humankind • Used for Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs). • Means everyone must share benefits fairly. 2. Freedom of the High Seas (UNCLOS) • Means any country can freely: • fish • navigate • conduct research • extract resources 👉 Problem: How can you have freedom + fair sharing together? This is the biggest legal confusion. B. Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs) unclear MGRs = deep-sea organisms used for medicines, biotech, cosmetics. Problems: • How will benefits be shared? • Digital genetic data not defined • Who controls access to these organisms? Developing countries fear exploitation; developed countries resist sharing. C. Big powers not ratifying • USA, China, Russia have not ratified. • Without them → treaty becomes weak. • They fear losing control over ocean research + military freedom. D. Overlap with existing institutions Current ocean bodies: • ISA (International Seabed Authority) → deep-sea mining • RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organisations) → fishing • IMO → maritime pollution 🛑 BBNJ must coordinate with all of them → otherwise legal conflicts. E. Implementation is very hard Monitoring high seas is extremely difficult: • No single authority • No police-like enforcement • Very high cost of surveillance (satellites, sensors, naval patrols) 👉Many countries don’t have technology or money. F. Climate change not integrated strongly • Treaty doesn’t clearly address ocean warming, acidification, or marine heatwaves. • No clear rule for climate-related damage to biodiversity.

International student inflows to U.K., U.S., Canada, Australia have declined in 2024. • Main reasons: • Housing shortages & high living costs • Policy tightening on student visas & dependent visas • Local backlash after sudden post-pandemic surge 2. Destination Shift • Students are increasingly choosing alternative destinations: • Germany • France • Japan • South Korea • Spain These countries have rising student inflows in 2024.

1. India’s Power Mix (2024–25) • ~50% of installed capacity = non-fossil (solar, wind, hydro, nuclear). • But actual electricity generation from renewables ≈ 22% only. • Remaining 78% electricity comes from fossil fuels → mainly coal. 2. What is Grid Emission Factor (GEF)? It measures carbon emissions per unit of electricity (tCO₂/MWh). • GEF increased from 0.703 (2020-21) → 0.727 (2023-24). • Meaning: Electricity is dirtier now, despite more renewable capacity. 3. Why? Because of capacity-generation mismatch • Solar/wind plants run at 15–25% capacity utilisation. • Coal/nuclear plants run at 65–90% utilisation. • Thus India has installed renewable capacity → but generates electricity mainly from coal. 4. Peak vs Non-Peak Problem • Solar generates in afternoons. • Household demand peaks in evenings. • So coal plants act as “shock absorbers” → ramp up emissions. This leads to: • Coal lock-in • High GEF • Under-utilised renewables

👉IT Sector’s Contribution • Contributes ~7% to India’s GDP. • Employs ~5 million people.