Global Firepower Index

Context- Recently Global Firepower has published the Global Firepower Index ( GFP) which is Military Strength Ranking.

About the Ranking- It ranks each Nation’s potential war- making capability across land, sea and air with conventional weapons.

Factors- The index is calculated using fifty individual factors such as Geography, Logistical capability, Manpower, Land Forces, Airpower, Natural Resources, Naval Resources and Naval Finances.

Key Takeaways-

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● The United States Military was ranked the most powerful armed forces in the world closely followed by Russia and China.

● India is ranked fourth in the index with 542 combat aircraft, 17 submarines, 4730 tanks and 37 attack helicopters.

● Pakistan was ranked the tenth most powerful country in the world.

Off- budgeting

What is off-budget?

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● Off-budgeting is a borrowing or loan which government institutions take from the direction of the central government to fulfil government expenditure requirements.

How does it work?

● As the loan is not taken directly by the central government, so it is not part of the fiscal deficit.

● It helps the government to meet extra budgetary needs. ● It is outside the purview of parliament as this is not formally a

part of central government expenditure Significance of off-budgeting process:

● It helps the government to develop infrastructure or go for public welfare without compromising fiscal deficit targets.

● Immediate distribution of fund is ensured as it does not involve scrutiny by parliament,

Challenges:

● It may increase the inflation as it is not a part of the budgetary process.

● Proper scrutiny by parliamentary committees cannot be ensured as parliament has no control over it.

● Fiscal deficit cannot be calculated properly as it is out of its purview.

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Sundarbans Context- Birds of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserves a publication of Zoological survey of India states that the Indian Sunderban is home to 428 species of Birds About Indian Sundarbans-

● Sundarbans is a vast contiguous mangrove forest ecosystem in the coastal region of Bay of Bengal spread across India and Bangladesh.

● Indian Sunderbans is part of the World’s largest mangrove forest.

● It comprises the Sunderban Tiger Reserve home to Royal Bengal Tigers.

● It is also a Ramsar and world Heritage system. Here Birds like Masked Finfoot and Buffy Fish owl are recorded.

● The area is home to nine out of 12 species of Kingfishers of the country as well as rare species such as the Goliath Heron and Spoon billed Sandpiper.

● The mudflats exposed in the low tides, rich in Microorganism, deposited during tidal activity are ideal feeding for migratory birds.

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● IMPORTANT DAYS

1. 72nd Republic day celebrated by India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the National War Memorial. The Indian Republic Day is celebrated all across India with lots of patriotism and fervor. India’s defensive prowess was displayed with the latest missiles, aircraft, and weapon systems. Beautiful tableaus, representing the uniqueness of all the states of India were also showcased during the parade. About Republic day: India became independent on the 15th of august, 1947. Dr, B. R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee to frame the constitution of India. After almost 3 years, the 308 members of the Assembly, after many consultations and a few modifications finally signed a constitution on the 24th of January 1950, which came into effect on the 26th of January 1950.

2. 26th January -- International Customs day

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Purpose-- Challenges that customs officers faced during their working conditions. THEME-- “Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal, and Resilience”. History From 1953 onwards day is celebrated by CCC(Customs Cooperation Council). It was renamed as the World Customs Organisation in 1994. Headquarters-- Brussels, Belgium Total Members-- 182 countries

● OPERATIONS: 3. Operation 'Sarda Hawa' launched by BSF at Rajasthan border

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Purpose-- In order to check infiltration due to dense fog cover in the region and increase security on the borders area of Jaisalmer.

● APPLICATION:

4. 'Udyam Sarathi Application launched by Uttar Pradesh Government for Youth on the occasion of 71st foundation day of UP

Purpose-- Every piece of information related to self-employment and industries across the state enabled by Youth. Theme-- Respect for self-reliant Uttar Pradesh, women young farmers, development of all’. About App-- This app launched under the scheme- One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. Under this Application information about the employment news for Youth across the nation.

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● EXERCISES:

5. AMPHEX – 21 with Army and Air Force conducted by Indian Navy

Held -- Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. Purpose--to safeguard the territorial integrity of its island territories. The joint force executed multi-domain, high-intensity offensive and defensive maneuvers in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.

● INDEX:

6. Global Climate Risk Index 2021 India ranked 7th released by Germanwatch

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16th Edition of Global Climate Risk released by Bonn-based environmental-based think tank Germanwatch on the basis of regions has been affected by impacts of climate-related extreme weather events (storms, floods, heatwaves, etc.) The top 3 countries: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and the Bahamas were the top three most affected countries in 2019 respectively.

● SPACE AFFAIRS

7. ISRO's Record breaks by SpaceX after launching 143 satellites

TRANSPORTER 1 mission SPACEX launched small satellites by using a Single rocket named Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. SpaceX founder & CEO: Elon Musk. SpaceX Founded: 2002. SpaceX Headquarters: California, United States of America.

● INTERNATIONAL NEWS (ECONOMY)

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8. China surpasses United States as the largest recipient of FDI

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development released a report that overtook the United States to gain the top position in 2020. The country attracted $163 billion inflows in 2020, compared to $134 billion attracted by the United States. UNCTAD Headquarters location: Geneva, Switzerland. UNCTAD Founded: 30 December 1964.

9. China overtakes Germany to run the world’s largest current account surplus

The report released by -- Munich-based Ifo institute. The current account surplus of China more than doubled to $310 billion in 2020, while the current account surplus of Germany shrank for the fifth year in a row in 2020 to $261 billion. Chinese Currency: Renminbi.

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● SCHEME NEWS

10.‘PANKH Abhiyan’ for Girl Child launched by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan(MP)

The scheme has been launched under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme for the empowerment and growth of the girl child. Fund-- Rs 6.47 crore for 26,099 girls under Ladli Laxmi Yojana. PANKH Stands for-- ‘P’ – protection ‘A’ – awareness of their rights ‘N’ – nutrition ‘K’ – knowledge ‘H’ – health.

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