1.  In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). 

2.  International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

3.  Role of AI in Elections: Many Elections, AI’s Dark Dimension. 

4.  Rise of Ocean Temperatures: Oceans Have a Fever - Here's Why: 

5.  India’s Manufacturing Sector Relies on Foreign Countries: It's Time to Assess India's. 

6.  World Air Quality Report 2023: 

7.  New Electric Vehicle Policy 2024: 

1. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Context:

• Goa has become the first Indian state to offer free in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

About IVF:

• IVF is a medical procedure used to assist individuals or couples facing fertility challenges in achieving pregnancy.
• It is the most common and effective type of assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Process:

• Involves retrieving eggs from ovaries and manually combining them with sperm in a lab for fertilization.
• After fertilization, the embryo is placed inside the uterus, where pregnancy occurs upon implantation into the uterine wall.
• IVF can use a couple's own eggs and sperm or involve donors.
• Success rate depends on factors like reproductive history, maternal age, cause of infertility, and lifestyle.

Indications for IVF:

• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.
• Male factor infertility (e.g., decreased sperm count or motility).
• Ovulation disorders, premature ovarian failure, uterine fibroids.
• Previous fallopian tube removal.
• Genetic disorders.
• Unexplained infertility.

General Studies Paper 2 (GS2), covering issues related to health policies, programs, and their implementation in India.

1. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

About:

• Established after the Second World War, alongside the World Bank, to aid in the reconstruction of war-affected countries.
• Agreed upon at the Bretton Woods Conference in the US, making them known as the Bretton Woods twins.
• Governed by and accountable to 190 member countries, including India which joined on December 27, 1945.

Purpose:

• Primary purpose is to ensure stability of the international monetary system, including exchange rates and international payments, facilitating transactions between countries and their citizens.

Reports by IMF:

• Global Financial Stability Report.
• World Economic Outlook.

General Studies Paper 2 (GS2) which covers topics related to various international organizations, their structure, mandate, and functions.

1. Role of AI in Elections: Many Elections, AI’s Dark Dimension

• Impact of AI in Upcoming Elections:
  • Influencing Voter Behavior: Generative AI can significantly influence voter behavior and decision-making.
  • Spreading Disinformation: AI's capability to create Deep Fakes and false narratives spreads disinformation, misleading voters.
  • Amplifying Falsehoods: AI technologies enhance falsehoods and contribute to misinformation during election campaigns.
  • Adversarial Capabilities: AI systems may develop capabilities like 'poisoning' and 'back dooring' to manipulate election outcomes.
• Concerns about AI:
  • Disruption to Democracies: AI's spreading of disinformation poses a risk to democratic processes.
  • Existential Threats: AI systems with adversarial capabilities reduce reliability and may cause harm.
  • Reliability Issues: Instances like Google AI's portrayal errors highlight AI's occasional inaccuracies.
  • Dependability Concerns: AI's tendency for 'hallucinations' makes it hard to fully trust AI systems in critical scenarios.
• Approach for India:
  • Exercise Caution: India, being digitally advanced, should approach AI, especially AGI, with caution.
  • Regulatory Measures: Implementing regulations to manage AI's impact, especially in elections, is crucial.
  • Awareness of Risks: Leaders and policymakers should be aware of AI's risks, such as spreading disinformation.
  • Balancing Benefits and Threats: India must balance AI's benefits against potential harms, including bias and harmful content creation.

GS Paper 2: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

GS Paper 3: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

1. Rise of Ocean Temperatures: Oceans Have a Fever - Here's Why:

• Current State of Ocean Temperatures:
  • In February 2024, global sea surface temperature reached 21.06°C, the highest since 1979, surpassing the previous record of 20.98°C set in August 2023.
  • Since March 2023, temperatures have been consistently high, indicating a concerning trend.
• Factors Contributing to the Rise:
  • Human Activities: Burning fossil fuels since the 19th century has released significant amounts of greenhouse gases, leading to global warming.
  • Greenhouse Gas Absorption: Approximately 90% of the extra heat trapped by greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans, steadily raising their temperatures.
  • El Niño: This weather pattern, characterized by abnormal warming of waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, contributes to both ocean and global temperature rises.
  • Reduced Sahara Dust: Decline in dust blowing off the Sahara Desert results in less shading over the Atlantic, leading to increased sunlight absorption and higher ocean temperatures.
• Concerns Related to the Rise:
  • Impact on Marine Ecosystems: Warmer oceans disrupt the mixing of water layers, affecting marine life, particularly phytoplankton crucial for marine food webs.
  • Coral Bleaching: Instances of coral bleaching have doubled between 1982 and 2016, harming coral reproduction and increasing vulnerability to diseases.
  • Changes in Marine Behavior: Warming oceans alter the migration patterns of aquatic animals, impacting marine biodiversity.
  • Intensification of Storms: Warmer oceans contribute to more frequent and severe storms, resulting in stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and increased flooding when storms reach land.
• Way Forward:
  • Urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is vital to mitigate the impacts of rising sea surface temperatures.
  • The oceans have absorbed 90% of excess heat, exacerbating damage to marine ecosystems and intensifying storms.
  • Reducing emissions can slow these trends, as emphasized by the World Meteorological Organization's reports.

General Studies Paper III:

• Environmental Conservation: Understanding the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems and the importance of mitigating climate change effects.
• Disaster Management: Recognizing the link between rising ocean temperatures and the intensification of storms, which poses challenges for disaster management strategies.

1. India’s Manufacturing Sector Relies on Foreign Countries: It's Time to Assess India's 

Exposure to Global Value Chains:

• Impact of Reliance on Global Supply Chains, Especially China:
  • Rising Trade Deficit: India's industrial sector trade deficit with China surged to $84.4 billion in 2022, marking a 27% increase from the previous year and indicating a deepening reliance.
  • Complex Global Value Chains: India's dependence on China is intricate due to global value chains, where parts and components are often sourced from multiple countries, amplifying interdependencies.
  • High Look-Through Exposure to China: On average, 23% of India's foreign-sourced manufacturing inputs indirectly originate from China, revealing a deeper reliance than initially apparent.
  • Increased Dependence Over Time: India's reliance on Chinese inputs has sharply risen from 5% in 2000 to 23% in 2022, highlighting a growing vulnerability over the years.
  • Critical Sectors Affected: Key Indian sectors such as basic metals, transport, and electrical equipment are significantly dependent on foreign, especially Chinese, inputs.
• Research Method Used for Analysis:
  • Replicating Baldwin’s Study: The analysis follows Richard Baldwin et al.'s methodology, focusing on interdependencies in manufacturing sectors.
  • Utilizing OECD Input-Output Tables: Input-output tables from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are employed to track product flow between countries.
  • Measuring Face-Value Exposure: This aspect considers the direct origins of intermediate products used by India's manufacturing sector, such as electronics sourcing from Vietnam.
  • Assessing Look-Through Exposure: Deeper analysis identifies the original sources of intermediate products, revealing indirect dependencies, such as Vietnamese suppliers relying on Chinese inputs.
• Way Forward:
  • To reduce dependency, India should diversify its manufacturing inputs, source from various countries, and attract foreign investment.
  • This approach would mitigate risks evident from the high trade deficit and growing indirect reliance on China, particularly in sectors like metals and transport equipment.

General Studies Paper III:

• Indian Economy and Development: Understanding the dynamics of India's manufacturing sector and its reliance on global value chains, especially in light of trade deficits and interdependencies with China.
• International Relations: Analyzing India's economic ties with China and other countries, and assessing strategies to diversify manufacturing inputs to reduce dependency.

1. World Air Quality Report 2023:

Why in News?

• India identified as the world's third most polluted country according to the World Air Quality Report 2023 by Swiss organisation IQAir.

Key Highlights:

• India's Air Quality Ranking:
  • Ranked third globally in pollution, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter.
  • Bangladesh and Pakistan surpassed India in pollution levels.
  • Nine out of the top ten most polluted cities worldwide are from India.
  • Delhi remains the world's most polluted capital city for the fourth consecutive time.
  • Begusarai in Bihar labelled as the world's most polluted metropolitan area.
• Health Impacts and WHO Guidelines:
  • Majority of Indians face PM2.5 concentrations seven times higher than WHO's recommended levels.
  • Over 66% of Indian cities reported annual averages higher than 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
  • PM2.5 pollution linked to severe health issues including heart attack, stroke, and oxidative stress.
• Global Air Quality:
  • Seven countries met WHO annual PM2.5 guideline, including Australia, Finland, and Iceland.
  • Africa remains underrepresented with a third of its population lacking air quality data.
  • Some countries reported decreases in PM2.5 pollution levels, indicating progress in combatting air pollution.
• Global Impact of Air Pollution:
  • Approximately seven million premature deaths annually attributed to air pollution worldwide.
  • PM2.5 exposure leads to various health issues including asthma and cancer.
  • Pollution adversely affects cognitive development in children and exacerbates existing illnesses.

Initiatives Taken for Controlling Air Pollution:

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
• Bharat Stage Emission Standards.
• Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
• System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal.
• Air Quality Index.
• Graded Response Action Plan.
• National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP).
• Commission for Air Quality Management.
• Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) Machine.

Way Forward:

• Regulatory Strengthening: Implement and enforce strict air quality standards and emission limits.
• Transition to Clean Energy: Accelerate adoption of renewable energy sources and phase out fossil fuels.
• Industrial Improvement: Mandate clean technologies in industries and promote waste minimisation.
• Public Awareness and Research: Conduct awareness campaigns and invest in research for pollution control technologies.
• Global Cooperation and Support: Collaborate internationally to address transboundary pollution and support developing nations with technical assistance and funding.

General Studies Paper III:

• Environmental Pollution & Degradation: Understanding the impacts of air pollution and initiatives taken for its control.
• Health: Exploring the health implications of air pollution and the importance of WHO guidelines.

General Studies Paper II:

• Governance: Examining regulatory measures and public policies aimed at controlling air pollution.

General Studies Paper I:

• Geography: Studying the global impact of air pollution and its distribution across different countries.

1. New Electric Vehicle Policy 2024:

• Why in News?
  • The Government of India has introduced a strategic policy aimed at positioning India as a prime manufacturing hub for electric vehicles (EVs), aligning with the 'Make in India' campaign.
• Highlights:
  • Customs duty rate slashed to 15% for EVs with a minimum CIF value of USD 35,000 or above for 5 years.
  • Import cap set at 8,000 EVs per year, with manufacturers required to invest a minimum of Rs 4,150 crore.
  • Companies must set up operational facilities within 3 years and achieve a minimum domestic value addition (DVA) of 25% within the same period.
  • Up to 40,000 EVs can be imported if investment exceeds USD 800 million.
  • Guarantee returned upon achieving 50% DVA and making an investment of at least Rs 4,150 crore or to the extent of duty foregone in 5 years.
• Key Benefits:
  • Stimulates innovation and progress in EV technology.
  • Promotes indigenous manufacturing and reduces crude oil imports.
  • Contributes to mitigating air pollution and aligns with India's climate goals.
• Impact:
  • Aims to attract global players like Tesla by offering investment incentives and import duty reductions.
  • Signals India's commitment to attracting foreign investment in the EV sector.
  • Poised to make the EV sector a major category within the automotive industry.

GS Paper 3: Mobilization of Resources, Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology.

GS Paper 2: Government Policies & Interventions.