Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024

• Cyber security in India: Ranked as a Tier 1 country. Is demonstrating strong commitment across all five pillars, which include legal, technical, organizational, capacity development, and cooperation.
• Global: The trend of global security improved everywhere throughout the world, especially on this continent of Africa.
• Cyber threats: Ransomware attacks and breaches at critical industries have become an issue, and more cybersecurity is sought after.

20th Maritime State Development Council (MSDC)

• Initiatives launched: The Indian Maritime Centre and Indian International Maritime Dispute Resolution Centre are to be established. These initiatives will position India as a global maritime hub.
• Infrastructure development: Launch of India’s biggest dredger at Cochin Shipyard discussed the Mega Shipbuilding Park, which is to be developed to upgrade the regional shipbuilding industry.
• Policy impacts: Streamline all aspects of business in maritime through application, such as the National Safety in Ports Committee.

UNESCO on Open Science and AI

• Open science challenges: Research may eventually become non-reproducible because AI is advancing too fast for any kind of research to become reproducible; interdisciplinary collaboration will also be “killed” by the systems developed.
• Policy recommendation: Emphasize open science principles in AI to ensure openness and accessibility of knowledge in science.

BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry)

• Objective: Centralize and streamline the startup ecosystem under the Startup India program, and accelerate cooperation and innovation.
• Major advantages: Enhanced networking opportunities, a single centralized access point to all resources, and global discoverability of the startups.

Successes of National Lok Adalats

• Case settlements: Approximately 1.14 crore cases settled under the 3rd National Lok Adalat of 2024 is a testament to its functioning and outcome as an ADR.
• Legal setting: Lok Adalats have statutory provisions and provide a finally declared order that cannot be appealed against; this saves the burden on mainstream courts.

WHO Prequalification of MVA-BN Vaccine Against Mpox

• Importance: The first Mpox vaccine to be prequalified by WHO as safe and effective.
• International health importance: The nod for the vaccine is a step towards international health security, as it will be effective in controlling the outbreaks.

Operation Sadbhav

• Objective: Humanitarian aid and disaster relief from Typhoon Yagi were given to Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
• Broader Policy: These are part of India’s Act East Policy, which spotlights commitment and support towards regional cooperation in the ASEAN region.

Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas by INCOIS

• Purpose: The integrated ocean energy atlas is to identify potential sources of various kinds of energy generation within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
• Implications for Policy: The atlas shall be a very useful instrument for policymakers and researchers who seek to exploit India’s marine energy resource efficiently.

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Key Concepts and Policies

• Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI): An index assessing a country’s commitment to cybersecurity in several dimensions.
• Maritime State Development Council (MSDC): An advisory body with the objective of integrated development of the maritime sector of India.
• Open Science: A movement towards making scientific research and its dissemination accessible to all levels of an inquiring society, amateur or professional.
• BHASKAR Initiative: A part of India’s Startup India program, which aims to promote the growth and development of start-ups with collaborative resources and enhanced partnerships.
• National Lok Adalat: Alternative dispute resolution system in India wherein cases that are pending are dealt at various pre-litigation stages or are in court.
• WHO Vaccine Prequalification: A process adopted by the World Health Organization in testing and certifying vaccines to ensure their safety and efficacy.
• Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas: An atlas designed by INCOIS for mapping locations where energy generation can be produced in the marine environment.