Inspired from https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/global-energy-transition-index/

Global Energy Transition Index
 The WEF has ranked 115 economies on how well they are able to balance energy security and access with
environmental sustainability and affordability.
 The WEF index considers both the current state of the countries’ energy system and their structural
readiness to adapt to future energy needs.
 India has been ranked 76 th

Inspired by – India’s carbon dioxide emissions up 5%: IEA Report
https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/indias-carbon-dioxide-emissions-up-5-iea-report/

IEA
 The International Energy Agency is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization established
in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1974 in the
wake of the 1973 oil crisis.
 The IEA was initially dedicated to responding to physical disruptions in the supply of oil, as well as serving
as an information source on statistics about the international oil market and other energy sectors.

 The IEA acts as a policy adviser to its member states, but also works with non-member countries,
especially China, India, and Russia.

Inspired by: Explained: How researchers used science to show Bengal famine was man-made
https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/explained-how-researchers-used-science-to-show-bengal-famine-was-man-
made/

Immediate cause of Bengal Famine
 During World War II, market supplies and transport systems were disrupted. This is attributed to British
policies, and prioritization of distribution of supplies to the military and other select groups.
 Occupation of Burma by Japan in 1942 resulted in restriction on rice imports from Burma.
 Restriction on inter-state trade of rice and other food grains at the time further aggravated the issue.
 Hoarding of rice stocks by traders and farmers in anticipation of speculative rise in rice prices in future as
rice shortage was becoming evident.
 In early 1943, military and political events adversely affected Bengal’s economy, which was exacerbated by
refugees from Burma.
 Additionally, wartime grain import restrictions imposed by the British government played a major role in the
famine.

Inspired by: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/this-word-means-note-verbale-one-of-many-forms-of-
communication-govt-to-govt-5642538/

A note verbale is written on the sending entity’s letterhead, and stamped with that entity’s seal, but not
signed. It is written in the third person.
 Notes verbale are the commonest method of formal diplomatic communication. They are used to convey
information or requests of all kinds. However, there are more formal types of diplomatic communication.
 A demarche is a more formal type of communication of one government’s official position, views, or wishes
on a given subject to an appropriate official in another government. According to the US Department of
State, “demarches generally seek to persuade, inform, or gather information from a foreign government.
Governments may also use a demarche to protest or object to actions by a foreign government”.

Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,485 metres (27,838 ft). It is located in the Mahalangur
Himalayas 19 km (12 mi) southeast of Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China. One of
the eight-thousanders, Makalu is an isolated peak whose shape is a four-sided pyramid.
The First Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition to Mt Makalu (8485m) was recently flagged off.