D. Gukesh: World Chess Champion

Context: History was made in the small island of Sentosa as D. Gukesh became the youngest World chess champion ever after defeating Ding Liren of China in the final game of their match.

Key Points

• Gukesh took his points tally to 7.5 points. That was the requirement for a player to win the World title.
• He Broke the record held by the Russian Garry Kasparov for nearly four decades (Garry Kasparov – 22 years)
• Gukesh is only the third Asian to win the World championship, Viswanathan Anand was the first, and Ding the second.

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Format of the World Chess Championship

• The first player between Gukesh and Ding Liren to reach 7.5 points was going to be the winner of the 2024 World Chess Championship.
  • Gukesh secured the requisite 7.5 points as against 6.5 of Liren
• In the case of both players being tied on points after 14 games, tiebreaks will be played the next day to decide the winner.

Vijay Diwas

Context: A delegation from Bangladesh, including muktijoddhas (freedom fighters from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War), is expected to attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations at the Eastern Command headquarters in Kolkata.

About Vijay Diwas

• Vijay Diwas is commemorated on December 16 every year to honor the victory of the Indian armed forces over Pakistan in the 1971 war and to pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. 
• The day is also celebrated in Bangladesh as ‘Bijoy Dibos’ or Victory Day, commemorating the nation’s formal independence from Pakistan.

Key Operations Associated With Creation of Bangladesh

• Operation Searchlight: A Pakistani military operation aimed at suppressing the Bengali nationalist movement in East Pakistan, marked by widespread atrocities, including genocide, killings, and rapes.
• Operation Jackpot: India supported the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters) with training, resources, and logistical support to aid the liberation movement.
• Operation Trident: A successful Indian Navy operation that attacked the Karachi harbor.
• Battle of Longewala: It was fought at the Indian border post of Longewala, in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.

Right to Information Award (RTI) Award for Kerala

Context: The National Right to Information Award was presented to Kerala Information Commissioner by the Chief Information Commissioner of India.

• The award was organised by the Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC)
  • It is a registered Non-governmental Organization (NGO) working to empower people with the power of law. 

About RTI Act, 2005

• The RTI Act grants citizens the right to access information held by Public Authorities (PAs). 
• The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (MoPPG&P) is the nodal agency for its implementation.

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Thailand Introduces E-Visa for Indian Passport Holders

Context: Thailand has announced that Thailand’s e-Visa will be available for Indian passport holders starting January 1, 2025, while the existing 60-day visa exemption for Indian travellers will remain in effect.

About E-Visa System In India

• The E-visa system was introduced by the government in 2014. 
  • It simplifies the visa application process by allowing travelers to apply and receive their visa online without needing to visit an Indian embassy or consulate.
  • It  is non-extendable and non-convertible, meaning it cannot be changed into another visa type or extended beyond its validity period.
• Nodal Ministry:  Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Exclusive Purpose: The e-visa is granted to international travelers for a temporary stay in India.
• Entry: The e-visa is also not meant for land crossings into India
  • Entry through e-visas is allowed only at 31 designated Airports and 5 major seaports in India.
• E-Visa Subcategories: The e-visa is issued under five subcategories: E-Tourist Visa, E-Business Visa, E-Medical Visa, E-Medical Attendant Visa and E-Conference Visa.
• E-visa is Not Available For: 
• • Citizens of Pakistan.
  • Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.
  • Visiting restricted, protected, or cantonment areas without permission.
  • Individuals who are endorsed on a parent’s or a spouse’s passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
  • Employment, NGO work, or journalism. 
  • Short-term voluntary work (up to one month, unpaid) is permitted.

Study Predicts First Ice-Free Day in the Arctic by 2030

Context: A study published in the journal Nature Communications suggests that the Arctic Ocean may experience its first ice-free day by 2030, or possibly sooner.

About Ice Free Day in the Arctic: It refers to a day when its waters have less than one million square kilometres of sea ice, marking a significant reduction in the region’s ice cover.

Key Findings of the Study

• Factors that can Contribute to Ice-Free Arctic
  • Unusually warm fall, winter, and spring temperatures, along with stormy weather.
  • Impact of Continued Emissions: In 2023, the globally averaged surface concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide reached new highs, according to a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• Possibility of Ice Free Month: The climate model simulations predicted that the ice-free period can last between 11 and 53 days. This means that the Arctic can also witness the first ice-free month.

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Consequences of an Ice-Free Arctic

• Accelerated Climate Change:  Loss of sea ice would increase Arctic temperatures due to the Albedo effect, leading to more extreme weather events.
• Sea Level Rise: The loss of sea ice contributes to rising sea levels. 
• Ecosystem Disruptions: The disappearance of sea ice threatens species such as polar bears, walruses, and arctic foxes as well as human communities dependent on them.

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