• Nomination process for first phase of Lok Sabha polls 2024 begins.
• Nominations is filed under section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
  • Date for filing of nomination is fixed by Election Commission of India. 
  • Candidate or any of his / her proposer should deliver the nomination paper to the Returning Officer (RO) or to the Assistant RO. Only an elector in the constituency in which the candidate contests the election, can be proposes. 
    • One proposer is needed for candidate from a recognised political party / 
    • 10 proposers are needed for independent or candidates from registered unrecognised political party. 
  • A candidates can file maximum 4 nomination for a constituency.
• Nomination paper cannot be filed on holiday.

• Election Commission has exempted certain emergency works under CMRF from the ambit of the Model Code of Conduct. 
• The fund aims to provide relief for the distressed people affected by major natural calamities, accidents etc.
• Similar to the PM Relief fund, these funds primarily operate with donations from public and private institutions, voluntary organisations etc.
• The donations to CMRF are 100% exempted from Income Tax under section 80G of the Income-Tax Act,1961.

• Prime Minister addressed the third edition of Summit for Democracy. 

• Summit for Democracy
  • Genesis: Launched by the US in 2021, the summit has emerged as an important platform where democracies share experiences and learn from each other.
  • Aim: To strengthen democratic institutions, protect human rights, and accelerate the fight against corruption globally. 
  • Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal: It was launched in the 1st summit and supports initiatives for advancing technology for democracy, defending free and fair elections, independent media, etc.
    • US also provides financial aid to this initiative.

• Chinese Scientists have created a powerful Sound Laser.
• Just as light is made up of many particles called photons, sound consists of particle-like chunks called phonons.
• They are also known as Sound Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (SASER)
  • First developed in 2009.
• New device uses a micrometer-long silica bead that is levitated by two beams of light within a reflective cavity.
• Levitation leads to the production of amplified phonons and makes up the laser beam.
• Phonon lasers are expected to be more effective than conventional lasers for imaging watery tissues.

• SC considers lifting the ban on transmission lines through GIB habitats.

• Protection status
  • IUCN status: Critically Endangered
  • Schedule 1 and 4 of wildlife protection act.
  • Appendix 1 of CITES.
  • Covered under species recovery program.

• Characteristics
  • An agro-grassland bird endemic to Indian subcontinent.
  • Omnivorous bird.
  • Other bustard species found in India: lesser florican and Bengal florican.

• Habitat: Mainly confined to Rajasthan, Gujarat, and new tracts of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Rajasthan has the highest population.

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology notifies Fact Check Unit under Press Information Bureau (PIB).
  • PIB is the nodal agency of the government to disseminate information on government policies, programmes, initiatives, and achievements.

• It has been notified under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules 2021).

• Central banks unveiled Project Gaia to evaluate climate financial risks.

• About Project Gaia
  • It is a collaboration between the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub Eurosystem Centre, Bank of Spain, etc.
  • It leverages generative artificial intelligence (AI) particularly Large Language Models(LLMs) to facilitate the analysis of climate-related risks in the financial system.

• Benefits
  • Can examine firm carbon emissions, green bonds, and optional net-zero commitment disclosures.
  • Enhanced accessibility to climate-related disclosures, Efficient data extraction, Harmonised climate metrics, Scalability and reliability.

• GRID-IINDIA was conferred with Miniratna Category-I status for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).

• About GRID-INDIA
  • Established in 2009.
  • Its mandate is to oversee the operation of the Indian Power System.

• About Miniratna Status
  • Category I: CPSEs with continuous profit in the last three years with pretax profit >30cr in at least one year and have a positive net worth.
  • Category II: CPSEs that have made profit for the last three years and have a positive net worth.

Phanindra Nath Ghosh (1918-1992)

• Birth Anniversary of Phanindra Nath Ghosh was celebrated.

• About 
  • Born in Serampore in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, Shri Ghosh was the son of Charuchandra Ghosh.

• Contributions:
  • His leadership steered the revolutionary movement across the Hooghly district.
  • He Joined the Yugantar revolutionary party alongside J.N. Lahiri.  
  • Became an active member of the "Gupt Samity" in Serampore.
  • Played a pivotal role during the Quit in 1942.
  • Was deeply committed to Gandhiji's philosophy.

• Awards: Government of India honoured him with a Copper Plate in 1972.

• Values: Courage of conviction; patriotism; leadership, etc.

NOTE: Please do not confuse this personality with Phanindra Nath Ghosh who was approver of hanging of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru and who was also murdered by revolutionary Baikuntha Shukla.