ABHYAS - High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT)
Overview:
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out flight trials of ABHYAS-HEAT, an autonomous expendable aerial target developed for weapon practice and missile testing.
ABHYAS is a part of India's indigenous defense development efforts to enhance the capabilities of the armed fo
Green GDP
Chhattisgarh's initiative to link forest ecosystem services with Green GDP marks a significant step toward sustainable development. By becoming the first state in India to adopt such an approach, it sets an example for integrating environmental well-being into economic metrics.
What is Green GDP?
Green GDP is an alternative economic indicator that considers the environmental
nuclear power
The Indian government's recent move to involve private players in the nuclear power sector marks a transformative shift, aiming to boost efficiency, innovation, and investment. The introduction of Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) represents a significant step toward achieving India’s decarbonization and energy security goals.
Key Features of the Initiative
Bharat
NPCI Extends Market Cap Deadline for UPI Apps
Why in News?
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has extended the deadline for Third-Party App Providers (TPAPs) to comply with the 30% transaction cap on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction volumes until 31st December 2026.
Key Points:
Impact on Major UPI Players: This extension impacts major TPAPs like PhonePe
Incineration Process:
The plan to incinerate 337 tonnes of chemical waste from the Bhopal gas tragedy in Pithampur has sparked mixed reactions regarding the process of incineration. This treatment method, though effective in certain contexts, comes with significant challenges and environmental concerns.
What is Incineration?
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the cont
Data Centres
India’s data centre sector is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating that its capacity will double by FY27. This growth is being driven by several key factors, including digitalization, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the rollout of 5G, and data localization laws. However, challenges such as infrastructure gaps, the need for sustainable pow
Tapping Renewable Energy Potential in India
India's renewable energy capacity is poised for significant growth, with the government targeting an ambitious 500 GW non-fossil fuel energy target by 2030. This growth is expected to come from various renewable sources, particularly wind and solar power. Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has urged states to ease land availability
Impact of Climate Change on Water and Energy Demand
The growing interplay between climate change, water availability, and energy demand presents a significant challenge to sustainable development. As global temperatures rise, both energy and water resources face increasing stress, necessitating integrated resource management to mitigate these effects.
How Climate Change Affects Energy Demand
Cameroon Islands and Douala-Edea National Park
Context:
In Cameroon, the NGO Papaye International runs a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees across three islands within the Douala-Edea National Park. This initiative is part of the larger conservation efforts to protect the region's unique wildlife, including endangered chimpanzees.
Cameroon Islands:
The Cameroon Islands are pa
Frontier Technologies in Defence
Context
In a recent address to officers at the Army War College (AWC) in Mhow, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the critical importance of mastering frontier technologies in contemporary warfare. As global security dynamics evolve, the Indian defence forces need to integrate advanced technologies to maintain strategic superiority.
What Are Fronti
Parker Solar Probe
In News:
NASA scientists recently announced that the Parker Solar Probe successfully survived its closest-ever approach to the Sun. This milestone marks a significant achievement in solar exploration and science.
About Parker Solar Probe
The Parker Solar Probe is a NASA mission designed to deepen our understanding of the Sun, particularly its atmosphere and the solar
Underutilization of Operation Greens Scheme
Why in News?
A recent Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) report has highlighted the underperformance of the Operation Greens (OG) scheme, drawing attention to its limited success in addressing challenges in agricultural markets and post-harvest losses. The report raises concerns about the government’s ability to stabilize crop prices and
E-waste in India is a rapidly growing problem, exacerbated by the increasing usage of electronic and electrical devices across the country. The volume of e-waste generation has surged in recent years, and the management of this waste remains a significant challenge. Here's an overview of the state of e-waste in India:
Volume Growth
E-waste Generation: India’s e-waste gene
Lead Pollution in India:
Context:
A recent UNICEF report highlighted the alarming fact that India is home to nearly 50% of the global child population affected by lead pollution. Of the 800 million children globally exposed to lead, approximately 275 million are in India. This severe public health issue requires urgent attention and stronger action to mitigate its impact.
What is Lead?
RBI's Trends and Progress of Banking in India 2023-24 Report
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its latest report raised alarms about emerging risks in the financial ecosystem, particularly related to unsecured lending and private credit.
1. Decline in Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
GNPAs (Gross Non-Performing Assets) reached a 13-year low of 2.7% by March 2024, further improving
Cess and Surcharges in India
Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, recently termed the increasing reliance of the Centre on cesses and surcharges as a "complicated issue." This has raised debates on the fiscal implications and fairness of such tax measures in India’s federal structure.
What are Cess and Surcharges?
Cess:
A cess is a
Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
In News:
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was recently passed by the Lok Sabha. This bill seeks to amend multiple key banking laws in India to improve the regulatory framework, enhance operational efficiency, and align with contemporary banking practices.
About the Bill:
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 amends the following important laws
One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme
Why in News?
Recently, the Prime Minister commemorated the implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, which was officially rolled out on 7th November 2015, with pension benefits effective from 1st July 2014. The scheme is a significant step towards addressing the long-standing demands of Indian armed forces veterans and aims to provide unifor
PROBA-3 Mission:
In News:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch the PROBA-3 mission satellites into orbit with the help of its PSLV-C59 vehicle. This mission is a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and ISRO, with the launch scheduled from Sriharikota, India.
About the PROBA-3 Mission:
PROBA-3, short for Project for Onboard Autonomy, is
Nano Bubble Technology:
What is Nano Bubble Technology? Nano Bubble Technology is an innovative water treatment method that utilizes extremely small bubbles, known as nanobubbles, to improve water quality. These bubbles are so tiny—less than 200 nanometers in diameter—that they are invisible to the human eye. Despite their size, nanobubbles offer unique properties that make them hi
INDIA'S GIG ECONOMY
Introduction:
The gig economy in India is rapidly expanding, with projections indicating substantial growth in the coming years. A recent white paper by the Forum for Progressive Gig Workers estimates that the gig economy will grow at a CAGR of 17%, reaching a value of USD 455 billion by 2024, driving economic growth and creating job opportunities. The gig economy, pr
India’s Agreement with ADB for Horticulture Productivity
India has signed a $98 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aimed at improving horticulture productivity. This initiative focuses on enhancing plant health and providing disease-free planting materials to farmers, thereby improving crop yield, quality, and climate resilience.
Key Aspects of the L
Windfall Tax
The Indian government recently abolished the windfall tax on exports of crude oil, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), petrol, and diesel. This decision comes after the government imposed the tax in 2022 to capture extraordinary profits in the wake of high global oil prices, largely driven by geopolitical events like the Russia-Ukraine war.
About Windfall Tax
Definition
A windfal
13th Edition of National Seed Congress (NSC)
The 13th edition of the National Seed Congress (NSC) recently took place, bringing together scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives for a three-day event aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector both in India and globally. The NSC serves as an important platform for discussing innovations in the seed industry, fostering collabora
Hybrid Warfare: An Evolving Threat
Context
Hybrid warfare refers to the use of diverse and unconventional tactics, combining military force with non-military tools like espionage, cyberattacks, disinformation, and political interference. The recent accusation against Russia for employing hybrid warfare tactics since its invasion of Ukraine has brought renewed attention to this evolving form
Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024: India's Rise
Context:
India has made significant progress in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024, climbing 11 positions to secure the 49th rank globally, up from 60th in 2023. This improvement reflects India's efforts to bolster its digital infrastructure and technological capabilities, marking a strong performance across various digital metrics a
Earth’s Desertification Emergency:
In News
The 16th session of the UNCCD Conference of Parties (COP16) is being held from December 2-13, 2024, marking the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The theme of COP16 is “Our Land and Our Future”, focusing on the urgent need to address land degradation, desertification, and the broader impacts
59th All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police
Context:
The 59th All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police was recently held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, where the Prime Minister of India attended and participated in discussions focused on national security and policing strategies. This conference brought together top law enforcement offic
Number of Gig & Platform Workers in India
The Indian government has projected that the number of gig workers and platform workers in the country will reach 23.5 million by 2029-30. This highlights the significant growth and employment potential of the gig economy in India.
What Are Gig Workers?
Gig Workers are individuals engaged in temporary, flexible, or freelance jobs, often
Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE)
The Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) has been set up to streamline and expedite the process of company closures in India. The initiative aims to significantly reduce the time required for the voluntary winding-up of companies, bringing the process down to 70-90 days.
Key Objectives and Functions
Accel
Jim Corbett National Park:
Jim Corbett National Park, located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, is one of the most renowned national parks in India. It is part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve and plays a significant role in wildlife conservation, particularly in protecting the Bengal tiger. Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, it is the oldest national park in India and
FDI in Insurance Sector
Context
The Union Finance Ministry has released a consultation paper proposing to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%. This move is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance the growth and accessibility of the insurance sector in India.
Background and Overview
Previous FDI Reforms
PM-WANI: Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface
The Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework is gaining attention for its role in enhancing internet accessibility across India. With 246,993 hotspots installed as of November 2024, the initiative has become a crucial part of India’s Digital India mission, aimed at providing widespread an
Rising Digital Arrests and Cyber Scams in India
Why in News?
In 2024, India has witnessed a significant increase in digital arrests, with over 92,000 victims defrauded under the guise of resolving tax or legal issues. Cybercriminals are impersonating law enforcement officials and government agencies, leading to substantial financial losses.
Key Facts About Digital Arrests
Overvie
In News
The Centre has approved ₹3,295 crore in interest-free loans for tourism infrastructure development across states. These funds are part of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, with a focus on developing tourism infrastructure in the country. The loans are long-term, interest-free, and will be repaid over 50 years, aiming to boost local economies, create
Sturgeons are among the most endangered species groups on Earth, with a lineage dating back to the age of dinosaurs. The WWF report has highlighted alarming trends in illegal sturgeon fishing and trade, impacting over 1,000 species in the last five years.
Key Points
Endangered Status: Sturgeons are considered the most endangered species group globally, primarily due to illegal fishing and
Recently, the Ministry of Finance announced an amendment concerning the Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax on real estate, responding to criticism regarding earlier proposals made in the Budget 2024-25.
Key Aspects of the Amendment
Choice for Taxpayers: Taxpayers are now given the option to choose between a new, lower LTCG tax rate or to continue with the existing regime, which offers a h
Uttarakhand has pioneered the launch of the Gross Environment Product Index (GEPI), marking a significant step towards integrating environmental metrics into economic planning.
What is GEPI?
Definition: GEPI is a novel framework designed to evaluate ecological development and the impacts of human activities on the environment.
Four Pillars:
Air
Soil
Water
Trees (Forest)
Formul
The development of sub-zero temperature batteries by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a significant advancement, particularly for applications in extreme cold conditions.
Key Features
Performance in Cold Conditions:
Conventional batteries often lose efficiency or fail altogether in sub-zero temperatures. The new design aims to overcome these limitations, maki
Recent research by biotechnologists at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGU) in New Delhi has highlighted significant variations in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) among popular rice varieties in India.
Key Findings
Definition of NUE: Nitrogen Use Efficiency measures the yield of a crop relative to the nitrogen available to it, whether from natural sources or synthetic fertilizers
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is a newly declared Ramsar Site, located in the Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu, India. This designation highlights the sanctuary's significance as a wetland of international importance.
Key Features
Location: The sanctuary is situated along the banks of the Noyyal River, an area that provides a rich habitat for various bird species and contributes to the reg
The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS), launched by the Union Government of India on August 15, is an innovative AI-based platform designed to enhance pest management for farmers across the country. This initiative aims to improve agricultural productivity while promoting sustainable practices by reducing reliance on pesticides.
Key Features of NPSS
AI-Driven Analysis:
The NPSS ut
Why in the News?
India has recently made significant investments in the development and deployment of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), reflecting a strategic shift in modern warfare technologies.
What are Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)?
Definition: DEWs are weapons that use concentrated energy, such as electromagnetic waves or particles, instead of traditional kinetic energy (e.g., bullet
The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research has identified 1,600 tonnes of lithium resources in the Mandya district of Karnataka. This discovery is poised to have several significant implications for India.
Implications of Lithium Discovery
Reduced Import Dependence: Currently, India heavily relies on imports for lithium, primarily from China and Hong Kong. Domestic reser
Census Methodology
The population trends of these species are assessed using various methodologies, including:
Camera Traps
Pugmark Tracking
Habitat Assessment
Genetic Analysis
Acronyms
WII: Wildlife Institute of India
NTCA: National Tiger Conservation Authority
Population Trends and Conservation Status
Species
IUCN Red List Stat
The development of the miniature plant genome editing tool ISDRA2TNPB by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) marks an important advancement in plant biotechnology.
Overview of ISDRA2TNPB
What is ISDRA2TNPB?
ISDRA2TNPB is a next-generation genome editing tool designed to enhance plant genome editing capabilities. It addresses some limitations of the more widely known CRIS
A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a server, service, or network by overwhelming it with excessive traffic. When multiple systems are used to carry out the attack, it becomes a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack. In the case of the conversation between Elon Musk and Donald Trump on X (formerly Twitter), Musk blamed a massive DDoS a
The Astra Mark 1 is a state-of-the-art Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM) system designed for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF has recently approved the production of 200 Astra Mark 1 missiles, marking a significant boost to India’s air combat capabilities.
Key Features of Astra Mark 1 Missile:
BVR Class: Astra is a Beyond Visual Range missile, allowing it to enga
Recent Developments
The Government of India has announced that grain-deficient states can now directly purchase food grains from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) (OMSS [D]) without having to participate in e-auctions. This decision aims to address the surplus stock of grains before the upcoming procurement season.
Overview of OMSS
Procure
The upcoming new mission to improve weather forecasting in India, with a budget surpassing Rs 10,000 crore, builds on the success of the existing National Monsoon Mission (NMM). This enhanced mission is designed to leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cutting-edge weather forecasting tools, to provide more precise and hyperlocal predict
Recently, Bihar Police seized 50 grams of Californium, highlighting the potential dangers associated with this highly radioactive metal. Here’s a closer look at Californium, its characteristics, and its applications.
What is Californium?
Definition: Californium (symbol: Cf) is a synthetic, radioactive chemical element with the atomic number 98. It belongs to the actinide series of e
Tawa Reservoir, recently declared a Ramsar site, is situated in the Narmada Puram district of Madhya Pradesh. This important wetland ecosystem plays a key role in supporting both biodiversity and water management.
Key Features
Location: The reservoir is located inside the Satpura Tiger Reserve, bordering Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. Its strategic location within thes
After two decades, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has updated its Integrated Fire Management (IFM) voluntary guidelines for managing wildfire risks. These guidelines were prepared by the Global Fire Management Hub (GFMH), launched by FAO and UNEP in 2023.
Key Principles of IFM
Economic:
Aim to maximize benefits and minimize wildfire losses through efficient IFM programs.
The Indian government is taking significant steps to enhance the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) industry, particularly in the aviation sector. Recent policy changes aim to boost competitiveness, foster innovation, and establish a robust framework for MRO services in the country.
Key Policy Changes
Uniform 5% IGST Rate:
The government has introduced a uniform Integrated Goods an
Definition:
Solar Paraboloid Technology is a form of solar thermal energy technology that utilizes parabolic mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a single focal point. This concentrated solar energy can then be converted into heat, electricity, or used to facilitate various chemical processes.
Key Features
Concentration of Solar Energy: The parabolic shape of the mirrors focuses sunlight
Bandhavgarh National Park is a renowned wildlife sanctuary located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is celebrated for its rich biodiversity and is particularly famous for its tiger population.
Geographic Location
Location: Situated in the heart of India, Bandhavgarh lies between the Vindhya Range and the eastern slopes of the Satpura Hill ranges.
Area: The park covers
Why in the News?
The Union Budget 2024-25 announced a plan for the Union Government to develop a transit-oriented development (TOD) strategy for 14 major cities with populations exceeding 3 million, focusing on implementation and financial strategies.
What is Transit-Oriented Development?
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) integrates land use and transport planning to create sustainable u
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has published the Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 report, marking its 20th anniversary. The report highlights significant achievements, ongoing challenges, and future outlooks for youth employment globally.
Key Highlights
Post-COVID Recovery:
The global youth unemployment rate stands at 13% in 2023, the lowest in 15 years.
Approximat
The Green National Highway Corridors Project (GNHCP) is a significant initiative by the Union Government of India in collaboration with the World Bank. This project aims to promote sustainable highway construction while enhancing connectivity across several states.
Key Details
Project Length: The GNHCP encompasses a total length of 781 km, covering the states of Himachal Pradesh, Rajastha
India's celebration of 25 years of its nuclear doctrine marks a significant milestone in its defense and strategic posture. India's nuclear doctrine, established after its 1998 nuclear tests, has shaped its approach to nuclear deterrence, security, and disarmament on the global stage.
Key Features of India's Nuclear Doctrine:
Credible Minimum Deterrent: India aims to maintain
Definition:
Forever chemicals refer to a group of synthetic compounds known as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) that persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms, earning the term "forever" because they are resistant to degradation.
Key Characteristics:
Persistence: PFAS can remain in the environment for hundreds of years without breaking down.
Bioa
Why in the News? The Indian Chamber of Commerce has launched the All India Initiative on Creative Economy (AIICE) to harness the potential of India's creative industries.
Creative Economy or Orange Economy
Definition: The creative economy encompasses knowledge-based economic activities that generate growth and development through creative assets.
Creative Industries: These involve t
ISRO has successfully launched the Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-08) as part of the SSLV-D3 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Launch Details
Satellite: EOS-08
Launch Vehicle: Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3
Launch Location: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
Orbit: Circular Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 475 km
Inclination: 37.4°
The River Linking Project is a significant initiative in India aimed at addressing the country's water scarcity, flood control, and irrigation needs by interlinking rivers.
Recent Developments:
The Maharashtra government recently approved the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project, which is part of the National River Linking Project (NRLP).
Key Details:
Wainganga-Nalganga Proj
Extremophiles are organisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions, which would typically be inhospitable to most life forms. They have developed unique adaptations to survive in such environments through specialized biological and biochemical processes.
Characteristics of Extremophiles:
Adaptation: Extremophiles adapt to extreme environments such as high or low temperatures, ext
Why in the News?
The Cabinet recently approved the Sustainable Livestock Health and Production Scheme with a total outlay of ₹1,702 crore. This initiative aims to increase farmers' income from livestock and dairy production.
Key Components of the Scheme:
Animal Health Management: Enhancing veterinary education and infrastructure.
Dairy Production and Technology Development: Fos
Sea Level Rise (SLR) is a critical environmental issue gaining attention due to its potential impact on coastal cities and ecosystems. The recent report titled 'Sea Level Rise Scenarios and Inundation Maps for Selected Indian Coastal Cities' by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP) highlights the alarming rate of sea-level rise in India.
Key Observations from
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 is the Indian Air Force's (IAF) largest-ever multilateral air exercise, marking India's first multilateral air drill in six decades. This exercise, involving around 150 aircraft and participants from nearly 30 countries, serves to strengthen military partnerships and demonstrate air power on a global scale. It is part of India's growing focus on defense coop
Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is one of the newest additions to India's Ramsar sites, further elevating Tamil Nadu's status as a key conservation region. With the inclusion of Kazhuveli and Nanjarayan, Tamil Nadu now has 18 Ramsar sites, the highest number in India, underscoring the state's commitment to wetland conservation.
Key Features
Location: Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is locat
India has successfully proposed names for three geographical structures located along the Southwest Indian Ridge in the Indian Ocean. These names have been approved by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Newly Named Structures
Ashoka Seamount:
Named after the rulers of the Mauryan dynasty.
Discovered in
Why in the News?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India has recently prohibited the manufacture, sale, or distribution of 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) medicines. This action is aligned with the powers granted under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.
Previous Actions: Earlier in 2023, the ministry had banned 14 FDCs due to similar concerns.
Reasons for Ban: The banned F
The Cabinet has approved seven major schemes aimed at enhancing farmers’ lives and livelihoods, with a total outlay of ₹14,235.30 crore. This initiative addresses several pressing issues faced by the agricultural sector.
Current Status of Farmers’ Lives and Livelihoods
Demographics: As of 2021, 65% of India's population resides in rural areas, with 47% dependent on agric
Antarctica is currently experiencing an unprecedented deep-winter heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to 28°C above normal. This alarming trend poses significant implications for the region and the global climate.
Key Points
Record-Breaking Temperatures:
Since mid-July, ground temperatures in Antarctica have averaged about 10°C higher than usual, with peaks reaching 28°C
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has been awarded an A+ rating in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024.
This marks his second consecutive year being rated A+ and ranking in the top 3 central bankers globally.
Role of Central Banks
Central banks are crucial for:
Regulating Monetary Policy: They control inflation, manage interest rates, and maintain financial system stab
India celebrated its Maiden National Space Day (NSD) on August 23, 2024, marking the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon. This special day commemorates India’s success in space exploration and the achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Key Highlights of National Space Day (NSD)
Chandrayaan-3's Achievement: On August 23, 2023, Chandrayaan-3 succe
India's renewable energy (RE) sector has been making significant progress in recent years, as highlighted by a 165% growth in capacity over the last decade. Renewable energy, which comes from naturally replenishing sources like solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro power, is a key element in India's energy transition. Here's a breakdown of the current status and challenges:
Current Sta
Overview: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued guidelines for the Model Solar Village component under the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, approved in February 2024. This initiative aims to enhance solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households to generate their own electricity.
Financial Commitment: The overall scheme has an outlay of ₹75,021 crore, with the Mode
The Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) 'GAURAV' was successfully tested by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from an Indian Air Force Su-30 MK-I aircraft off the coast of Odisha. This indigenous weapon system marks a significant advancement in India's precision-strike capabilities.
Key Features of GAURAV:
Air-Launched Glide Bomb: Weighing 1,000 kg, GAU
China plans to begin construction on the world’s first molten salt thorium reactor power plant in the Gobi Desert. This technology is set to revolutionize nuclear energy by offering a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional uranium-based reactors.
Key Features and Technology
Thorium as Fuel:
Fissile Conversion: Thorium is not inherently fissi
hy in the News?
Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) withdrew its directive instructing Food Business Operators (FBOs) not to market milk and milk products based on the distinction between A1 and A2 milk.
More about the News
Previous FSSAI Stance: Initially, FSSAI stated that milk standards, as defined by the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standar
Overview
The Government of India has announced the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25, aimed at enhancing capital investment and infrastructure development across states.
Financial Allocation
Total Assistance:
₹10,000 crore for implementing land-related reforms in rural and urban areas.
₹5,000 crore for creating a Farmers’ Registry duri
Introduction
Methanotrophs are specialized microorganisms capable of utilizing methane (CH₄) as their primary source of carbon and energy. Recently, India's first cultures of the indigenous methanotroph Methylocucumis oryzae have been discovered in rice fields and wetlands in Western India, highlighting their ecological importance.
Characteristics of Methanotrophs
Classification:
The Hayflick Limit is a biological principle discovered by researcher Leonard Hayflick, who passed away at the age of 98. This concept asserts that normal human cells can only divide a finite number of times before they can no longer replicate, fundamentally altering the perception of aging.
Key Points
Finite Lifespan of Cells: The discovery indicates that normal somatic cells have a buil
Overview: SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a subsidiary of SJVN, has commissioned a 90 MW floating solar project at the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park, situated on the River Narmada in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. This park is recognized as the largest floating solar park in India.
Investment: The project was developed at a cost of ₹646.20 crores.
Energy Generation:
First-Year Generation:
Why It’s in the News
The Indian Cabinet has approved a significant scheme for the sustainable development of horticulture with a budget of Rs 1129.30 crore. This initiative aims to enhance farmers' income through a variety of horticultural crops, including tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, root, tuber, bulbous, vegetable, floriculture, and more. Additionally, a Rs 1,766-crore Clean P
Azerbaijan has launched the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) as part of its initiatives for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). This fund aims to enhance climate resilience and support sustainable development in developing countries.
Key Features of CFAF
Headquarters: Located in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Purpose:
The CFAF is designed to support climate projects in developing
Recent studies highlight the significant role of osmolytes in helping proteins maintain their structure and function under stressful conditions. These small organic molecules are gaining attention for their potential therapeutic applications, especially in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
What are Osmolytes?
Definition: Osmolytes are small organic mo
Galathea Bay is a significant wildlife sanctuary located on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. It is known for its rich biodiversity and ecological importance, particularly as a habitat for various endangered species.
Key Features
Location: Galathea Bay is situated on the southern part of Great Nicobar Island, surrounded by lush forests and pristine beaches.
Why in the News?
The Government of India has launched a revised Model Skill Loan Scheme to enhance access to skill development courses, addressing financial barriers faced by students and candidates.
Key Features of the Scheme
Background: This revised scheme replaces the earlier Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Skill Development (CCFSSD), initiated in 2015, which aimed to provide credi
Experts are advocating for the recognition of Aquatic Deoxygenation (AD) as a new planetary boundary, highlighting the critical decline in oxygen content in oceanic and coastal waters.
Understanding Aquatic Deoxygenation (AD)
Definition: AD refers to the overall decline in the oxygen content of water bodies, occurring when oxygen consumption exceeds oxygen replenishment.
Current Stat
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced revised norms for provisioning Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) among co-operative banks to enhance financial stability and uniformity in the treatment of bad debts.
Need for New Norms
The new guidelines were necessitated due to some co-operative banks not recognizing the required provisions for NPAs as an expense, which can undermine their financia
Recent studies have highlighted the remarkable ability of retroviruses to integrate into and reshape the genomes of their host organisms. This capacity plays a significant role in their pathogenicity and impact on host biology.
What are Retroviruses?
Retroviruses are a type of virus characterized by their use of RNA as genetic material instead of the more common DNA found in most organisms.
A Super Blue Moon combines two rare lunar events: a Blue Moon and a Super Moon.
Blue Moon
Definition: A Blue Moon occurs when there are two full moons in a single calendar month.
Color: Despite its name, the moon doesn’t actually appear blue; the term symbolizes rarity and is often used to denote something that happens infrequently.
Timing: The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days, wh
Overview: Union Minister Jitendra Singh recently announced that Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in the Jammu region have been provided with sophisticated weapons to counter rising terror incidents. This move aims to bolster local defenses and enhance the security framework in the region.
Village Defence Guards (VDGs):
Background:
Formation: VDGs, previously known as Village Defence Commit
The Collision Avoidance System (CAS) is an advanced technology designed to enhance safety in transportation, particularly in rail systems. In India, the implementation of Kavach, a homegrown CAS, has gained attention due to recent train accidents highlighting the need for better safety measures.
Key Features of CAS
Real-Time Data: CAS systems rely on real-time information regarding the po
The World Bank's report highlights the profound effects of climate change on education, emphasizing how extreme weather events disrupt schooling, lead to learning losses, and increase dropout rates.
Key Findings
Neglect of Education in Climate Policy:
Education has received minimal attention in climate policies. In 2020, it constituted less than 1.3% of climate assistance and was re
Background
Recently, global stock markets faced sharp declines, driven by cautious investor sentiment influenced by factors like potential economic recession in the US and rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia. However, a significant trigger for this downturn was the unwinding of the yen carry trade.
What is the Yen Carry Trade?
The yen carry trade is a financial strategy where invest
India has selected two Indian Air Force Group Captains, Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, to participate in the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
Participants:
Shubhanshu Shukla
Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
Affiliation: Group Captains in the Indian Air Force (IAF)
Mission Details
Type: Fourth private astronaut mission by NASA in collaboration w
The Ministry of Power has launched three significant online portals aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of hydropower, thermal power project monitoring, and disaster response in the power sector.
1. JAL VIDYUT DPR
Purpose: Strengthening the development of hydropower and pumped storage projects (PSPs) in India.
Key Features:
Centralized digital platform for monitoring su
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was recently introduced in the Lok Sabha to update and strengthen India's disaster management framework, which was originally governed by the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Bill seeks to incorporate the evolving needs of disaster management, aligning it with recommendations from the 15th Finance Commission, and aims to ensure more efficient, l
The BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) is a recently approved initiative by the Union Cabinet aimed at accelerating biomanufacturing in India with the goal of achieving a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. This policy emphasizes "Green Growth" and a Circular Bioeconomy, aligning biological resources with sustainable development to drive economic, environm
The WHO's declaration of monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) underscores the seriousness of the situation regarding the disease's spread and its potential global implications. Here's a breakdown of the situation and its significance:
Key Points from the WHO Declaration
Scope of the Emergency:
The declaration affects 116 countries, with 99,
India's first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1, was successfully launched by Tamil Nadu-based startup Space Zone India in collaboration with the Martin Group from Thiruvidandhai in Chennai. This marks a significant milestone in India's space technology development, particularly in the area of reusable and eco-friendly rocket technology.
RHUMI-1 Key Features:
Hybrid Rocket Engine: R
Why in the News?
NITI Aayog and KPMG have published a report on the impact assessment of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), highlighting its achievements and challenges.
About PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
Launch: Announced in the 2015 Union Budget for FY-2016, PMMY is a flagship scheme of the Government of India.
Objective: To provide affordable credit to micro and small enterprises
Overview
The UN’s Ad Hoc Committee has approved a framework to establish a UN Global Tax Treaty, aiming to create a legitimate, fair, stable, inclusive, and effective international tax system. This initiative has garnered significant support from developing countries, including India, while facing opposition from industrialized nations such as Australia, Israel, Japan, the UK, and the USA
The Delhi government’s overhaul of the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) highlights the urgency of addressing climate-related challenges, especially given the recent extreme weather events.
Overview of SAPCC
Purpose: SAPCCs are designed to tackle state-specific climate change issues through targeted adaptation and mitigation measures.
Context: Each SAPCC considers uniqu
A recent case of vaccine-derived polio has been reported in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills, where a two-year-old child tested positive for polio. Despite this, India's polio-free status remains intact, as the case does not involve the wild poliovirus but a strain linked to the oral polio vaccine (OPV). Health officials are monitoring the situation closely to prevent any potential spread.
V
Growth Overview
India's seafood exports have experienced remarkable growth, increasing from Rs 46,662.85 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 61,043.68 crore in 2023-24, marking an impressive rise of 30.81%. This surge highlights India's growing position in the global seafood market.
Supporting Infrastructure and Initiatives
Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): This agency p
Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet recently approved the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) with a total outlay of ₹2,817 crore, aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape through technology.
About Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM)
Overview: DAM is an umbrella scheme designed to leverage Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance farmers' lives by integrating technology
Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. These ancient and simple life forms play a critical role in maintaining Earth's ecosystems, particularly in marine environments. A recent study reveals that prokaryotes are highly resilient to climate change, which could lead to significant impacts on global carbon cycles and climate mitigation efforts.
The movement of ballast water plays a crucial role in the spread of invasive marine species in coastal regions, especially in India. In the case of the charru mussel (Mytella strigata) along the coast of Ennore, Tamil Nadu, this issue has come to the forefront, raising environmental and economic concerns.
Ballast Water and Its Environmental Impact
Ballast water is used by ships to maintai
The recently released CITES report titled “CITES Rosewoods: The Global Picture” provides a comprehensive analysis of rosewood species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This report is instrumental in guiding CITES parties to make informed non-detriment findings (NDFs) regarding the trade of rosewood species.
Key
Recent Developments
India recently took part in the 86th session of the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) held in Rome.
India’s Support:
Spice Standards: India strongly supported the advancement of Codex standards for various spices, including small cardamom, turmeric, and vanilla. Given India's role as a major producer and exporter
The Bridge Recombinase Mechanism (BRM) is a newly discovered naturally occurring DNA editing tool. It utilizes mobile genetic elements, commonly known as "jumping genes," to perform DNA manipulation. These jumping genes are found in all forms of life and play a crucial role in genetic variation and adaptation.
Key Features of BRM:
Jumping Genes and Recombinase Enzymes:
Jumping
Why in the News?
The Karnataka government recently published the draft Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, which aims to address the welfare and rights of gig workers in the state. This bill is part of a broader trend to improve social security for gig economy workers.
About the Bill
Welfare Board:
Establishment: The bill proposes the creat
Context: India has seen significant success with the green revolution in maize production. This success has been primarily driven by the private sector. Over the past 20 years, maize production in India has more than tripled.
Historical context of Green Revolution
The Green Revolution in India began in the 1960s. To increase food production in the country.
Key method: Introduction of hi
Name: Captain Supreetha C.T.
Hometown: Mysuru, Karnataka
Achievement: Captain Supreetha C.T. has become the first woman officer from the Corps of Army Air Defence to be operationally deployed at Siachen Glacier.
Historical Significance:
Deployment: She is the second Indian Army woman officer to be deployed at Siachen Glacier.
Predecessor: The first female officer to be deployed
Why in the News?
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has unveiled Scheme Guidelines to enhance testing facilities, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. This initiative is part of India's strategy to boost the green hydrogen sector.
Key Features of the Guidelines:
Budgetary Outlay:
Total Allocation: ₹200 Crore allocate
Overview of the Report
The State of the World’s Forests 2024 report, released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, offers an in-depth analysis of global forest conditions and trends. It highlights both positive and concerning aspects of the world’s forests, reflecting recent developments and ongoing challenges.
Key Highlights
a. Forest Area and
The increasing frequency of disasters, especially during the monsoon season, highlights the urgent need for urban development strategies that prioritize disaster resilience in Indian cities. Here’s an overview of the current situation, vulnerabilities, and what constitutes a disaster-resilient city:
Current Context
Rising Disaster Frequency:
Problem: Indian cities are increasingl
Union Home Minister’s Directive: Amit Shah called for stringent actions against drug smuggling syndicates during the 7th apex level meeting of NCORD.
New Initiatives:
Toll-Free Helpline: MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) with the number 1933 was launched to provide 24/7 assistance and information related to drug issues.
Digital Tools: A new web portal and mobile app were
T Coronae Borealis (T CrB):
Location: T CrB is situated approximately 3,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown).
Binary System: It consists of two stars:
White Dwarf: A dense remnant of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and collapsed.
Red Giant: An ancient star that is in the later stages of its stellar evolution and is being str
The Union Cabinet of India has approved the signing of the BBNJ Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty. The Ministry of Earth Sciences will lead its implementation in India.
What are High Seas?
Definition: High seas refer to oceanic areas that lie outside the jurisdiction of any individual country. National jurisdictions typically extend up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from
The Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) is a key measure of financial inclusion across India. The FI-Index stood at 64.2 in March 2024, up from 60.1 in March 2023, reflecting an overall improvement in financial inclusion across the country.
Overview of the FI-Index
Purpose: The FI-Index measures the extent of financial inclusion in India, covering various financial services sectors inclu
The Annual Survey of Unincorporated Enterprises (ASUSE) provides a detailed analysis of the unorganised or informal sector in India. This sector encompasses a variety of unincorporated enterprises, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), household units, and own-account enterprises.
Survey Scope and Coverage
Unincorporated Enterprises: Includes those not covered under form
1. Overview of Recent Developments
Increase in Patents: India has seen a significant rise in the number of patents granted over the past decade. From March 2023 to March 2024, over one lakh patents were granted, with an average of 250 patents granted every working day.
Patent Application Frequency: Every 6 minutes, a technology seeks intellectual property protection in India.
2. Under
Mainland Serow
The Mainland Serow is a distinctive antelope-like mammal that has recently been recorded at a notably low elevation in Assam's Raimona National Park. It is native to the Himalayan region, Southeast Asia, and China.
Key Facts:
Species Description:
Common Name: Mainland Serow
Scientific Name: Capricornis sumatraensis
Appearance: Mainland Serows resemble lar
Recent Development:
The State Government of Maharashtra has introduced the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024, aimed at addressing the rise of Naxalism in urban areas.
Key Provisions of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024:
Scope of Actions Targeted:
The bill aims to address a broad range of activities by suspects, including:
Encouraging or preaching
LUCA represents the most recent common ancestor of all current life forms on Earth. It is a theoretical construct, rather than a specific species, that provides insights into the origin and early evolution of life. LUCA is considered the point in evolutionary history where the three primary domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—diverged.
Key Characteristics of LUCA:
1. What is the Regional Analysis of Indian Ocean (RAIN) System?
The Regional Analysis of Indian Ocean (RAIN) system is a sophisticated data assimilation system developed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). It is designed to enhance the understanding and monitoring of the Indian Ocean's health through advanced oceanographic data.
a. Upgraded Version Feat
Recent studies conducted by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have indicated that the newly proposed national standard of 30 µg/L for uranium concentration in drinking water might be overly stringent. The current safety level, set at 60 µg/L, is considered to be safe based on recent evaluations. This study highlights the ongoing debate about the appropriate safety limits for ura
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), highlights significant findings:
Overall Progress: Global data from 2015 to 2024 shows that only a small fraction of the SDG targets are on track.
Challenges: The world is falling short in delivering on the SDG promises, with fewer than one-fifth of the targets currently o
The production of compostable bioplastic bags from cassava by smallholder farmers in Nagaland represents a promising development in sustainable materials.
Process of Bioplastic Production
Starch Extraction:
Source: Cassava roots, which are rich in starch, are used for this purpose.
Method: The cassava roots are cleaned and then crushed to create a pulp. This pulp is processed to extr
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the Ways and Means Advance (WMA) limit for States and Union Territories (UTs) to ₹60,118 crore from the previous limit of ₹47,010 crore. This increase aims to help States and UTs manage their fiscal situations more effectively.
Purpose: WMA is a facility provided by RBI to address temporary mismatches in cash flow between receipts and payments.
Overview of the Study:
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Reading highlights the detrimental effects of air pollution on pollinators such as bees, moths, and butterflies. The key findings are:
Foraging Efficiency Decline: Pollinators experienced a 39% reduction in foraging efficiency when exposed to elevated levels of air pollution.
Pests' Relative Insensitivit
Administrative Control: Currently, the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Debate for Ownership: There is an ongoing discussion between the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the control of CERT-IN. Each ministry presents distinct arguments for their pref
Current Status: Two stealth frigates being constructed in Russia for the Indian Navy are nearing delivery after facing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and Western sanctions.
First Frigate: Named Tushil, it is ready for acceptance and is scheduled for delivery by September 2024.
Second Frigate: Named Tamal, it is expected to be delivered by February 2025.
Inte
Recent Developments
Successful Flight-Test:
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) recently conducted a successful flight-test of the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System.
The test involved the Phase-II Air Defence (AD) Endo-atmospheric missile, which was launched from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur.
The missile was launched following the detection of a
Why in the News?
The recent appointment of an Additional National Security Advisor (NSA) to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has brought the NSCS into the spotlight. This role, which had previously remained vacant, is expected to enhance and streamline the functioning of the NSCS.
About National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)
1. Creation and Role:
Established: L
India has recently experienced a significant increase in its imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). In June 2024, India imported 2.60 million tonnes (mt) of LNG, marking the highest import volume in 44 months. This represents a notable rise from 1.77 mt in June 2023. The increased LNG imports are closely tied to a rise in gas-based power generation in the country.
Key Data and Trends
Why in the News?
India recently inaugurated its first cargo ship at the Vizhinjam International Transshipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala, marking a significant milestone in India's port infrastructure development.
More on the News
Ownership: The port is owned by the Government of Kerala.
Functionality: Designed primarily for container transshipment as well as multi-
Transposons, often referred to as "jumping genes," are DNA sequences capable of moving from one location to another within the genome. Historically termed "junk" DNA due to their seemingly non-functional nature, and "selfish" DNA because they primarily propagate themselves, transposons are now recognized for their significant roles in genetic variation, evolution, and
Why in the News?
Recently, the Jammu division of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has seen a concerning increase in terrorist incidents. While the Kashmir Valley has historically experienced high levels of militant activity, the recent uptick in Jammu—an area previously less affected—has raised significant alarm.
Current Situation:
Rising Terrorist Incidents: Jamm
Supreme Court Ruling
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India, in an 8:1 judgment delivered by a nine-judge Constitution Bench, held that State Legislatures have the authority to tax mining lands and quarries beyond what is prescribed by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act). This ruling empowers states to generate additional revenues from mining act
The National Botanical Research Institute's initiative to preserve and produce Murraya and Davana flowers is a significant step in maintaining the cultural and botanical heritage associated with the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha.
Davana (Family: Asteraceae)
Description: Davana is an aromatic herb known for its delicate fragrance. The essential oil extracted from
A recent white paper by scientists has introduced the concept of glacial geoengineering, which involves intentional modification of climate systems to mitigate the effects of glacier melting and sea level rise. This approach is part of a broader field known as geoengineering.
Glacial Geoengineering Strategies:
Ocean-Heat Transport Interventions:
Purpose: To prevent warm circumpolar deep
Recent Context:
Recent Incident: The assassination attempt on a former US President during a public rally has heightened global awareness about the security of prominent individuals, including those in India.
Security Arrangements for Indian Dignitaries:
Categories for Security Coverage:
Positional/Statutory Security:
Who: Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, Judges of the Suprem
1. What is a Climate Finance Taxonomy?
A climate finance taxonomy is a classification system designed to define and categorize economic activities based on their environmental sustainability. It helps identify which investments are considered environmentally friendly or sustainable, thereby guiding investors and financial institutions toward impactful climate-related investments.
2. Importa
3D hologram technology creates three-dimensional images that simulate depth and can be viewed from different angles, mimicking real objects. Unlike traditional images that are flat and two-dimensional, holograms appear lifelike and interactive. This is achieved through the manipulation of light waves using principles of interference and diffraction.
Principles of 3D Holography:
Interferen
Key Highlights:
Record Production Value: India’s indigenous defense production reached a record high of ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, marking a 16.7% increase from the previous fiscal year.
Contribution by Sectors:
Public Sector: Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other Public Sector Units (PSUs) contributed 79.2% of the total value of production.
Private Sector:
Trends in Remittance: Key Insights from the World Bank's Migration and Development Brief
1. Overview of Remittances
Definition: Remittances are funds sent by migrants to their families or relatives in their home countries while they are working abroad. These transfers are vital for recipient countries, contributing significantly to household incomes and foreign exchange reserves.
Me
Paraguay recently joined as the 100th country in the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Global Energy Transition Landscape:
Current Challenges:
The trajectory towards sustainable development is not aligned with the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Current projections suggest a moderate 4% reduction in global emissions by 2050, potentially pushin
Purpose:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced draft rules to operationalize the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), which will replace the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The DBN aims to enhance telecommunication services in underserved and remote areas, and address the limitations and underutilization of the USOF.
Functioning of DBN
Fund Management:
Cont
1. Nomadic Elephant:
Description: Joint military exercise between the armies of India and Mongolia.
Location: Meghalaya, India.
Purpose: Enhance interoperability and strengthen military relations between India and Mongolia.
2. Exercise MAITREE:
Description: Joint military exercise between India and Thailand.
Location: Thailand.
Purpose: Strengthen defense cooperation and i
Why in the News? NITI Aayog's recent release of the ‘White Paper: Responsible AI for All (RAI) on Facial Recognition Technology (FRT)’ is significant. The paper explores FRT as the first use case under the RAI principles, setting out guidelines for the responsible development and deployment of FRT in India.
About Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) Facial Recognition Technology
Araku Coffee, particularly known for its Araku Arabica variety, has gained notable recognition, including mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' program. This coffee is celebrated for its unique qualities and sustainable production practices.
Key Points:
Geographical Origin:
Location: Araku Coffee is cultivated in the hilly regions of the Araku Valley, sit
The Union Budget 2024-25, presented by the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, focuses on various sectors with an emphasis on employment, skilling, MSMEs, and the middle class. The budget is divided into two parts: Part A, which outlines the economic overview and expenditures, and Part B, which details tax proposals.
Part A: Key Priorities and Allocations
Budget Theme:
Foc
Location: Vythiri taluk, Wayanad district, Kerala
Impact: Multiple landslides flattened three villages, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
Possible Reasons Behind the Wayanad Landslide
Heavy Rainfall
Rainfall Measurement: The region received more than 140 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, significantly higher than the expected amount.
Impact: Extreme rainfall leads to soil saturation a
Why in the News? The Supreme Court recently delivered a split verdict on the validity of the Union Government's decision to approve the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard crops in 2022.
Details of the Split Verdict:
Judge 1: Found the approval by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in 2022 to be "vitiated" (defective) and contrary to th
Development: The Zorawar, India's indigenous light tank, is a collaborative effort between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
Prototype: The prototype of the Zorawar is complete and will soon begin extensive trials to validate its performance and capabilities.
Key Features:
Weight and Mobility: The Zorawar is classified a
The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is in the news due to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) approving funds for the next phase of the Bustard Recovery Program, which will run from 2024 to 2029. Here's an overview of the program, its background, current status, and objectives:
Bustard Recovery Program
Coverage of Species
Great Indian Bustard (GIB): A critica
Why in the News?
The Indian Union Budget for 2024-25 announced the establishment of a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund aimed at boosting the space economy in India. This fund is intended to support space tech startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout their lifecycle.
More on the News
Purpose: The venture capital fund will provide financial support to space te
Event: 21st Edition of Khaan Quest
Location: Mongolia
Participants: Approximately 430 personnel from 23 countries, including an Indian contingent.
Objective of the Exercise:
Primary Aim: To enhance interoperability and military readiness in peace support operations conducted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Chapter VII of the UN Charter: This chapter authorizes
Chandipura Virus (CHPV) is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family, which includes the rabies virus. It is known for causing Chandipura encephalitis, a severe neurological condition. The virus was first identified in 1965 in Chandipura village, Maharashtra, during a dengue outbreak.
Key Features of Chandipura Virus:
Association with Encephalitis:
Chandipura Encephalitis: This condition, al
Introduction:
The UN Water Convention, formally known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, was adopted in Helsinki in 1992 and entered into force in 1996. Its primary goal is to foster the sustainable management of shared water resources across borders and to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Why in the News?
Recent data from the Ministry of Coal highlights a significant decrease in the share of imported coal in India, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of -2.29% from 2014-15 to 2023-24, compared to 13.94% from 2004-05 to 2013-14.
Key Reforms/Initiatives in Coal Sector
Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CMSP Act):
Permitted auctioning of coal mines for comm
Why in the News?
The recent release of the ‘Report of India’s G20 Task Force on DPI’ highlights the growing emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure as a crucial element for economic transformation, financial inclusion, and development. The report, published under India’s G20 Presidency, aims to advance global adoption of DPI and outline its strategic framework.
Abou
Why in the News?
The recent release of the ‘Report of India’s G20 Task Force on DPI’ highlights the growing emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure as a crucial element for economic transformation, financial inclusion, and development. The report, published under India’s G20 Presidency, aims to advance global adoption of DPI and outline its strategic framework.
Abou
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published its fifth milestone report on global progress towards eliminating trans fats. This report covers the period from 2018 to 2023.
Some key points about this issue:
Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat that has been associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. They are often found in processed foods, ba
The Variable Rate Repo (VRR) is a monetary policy tool used by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to manage short-term liquidity in the banking system. Here's a detailed overview:
About VRR
Purpose:
Infuse Liquidity: The VRR mechanism is employed when the RBI wants to inject liquidity into the banking system, particularly when banks are hesitant to borrow at the fixed Repo Rate due to
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is in the news because the Ministry of Coal has recently launched a significant pilot project in Jharkhand’s Jamtara District. This initiative aims to harness UCG technology, which converts unmineable coal into valuable gas for energy production.
More context:
Policy Background: In 2015, the Indian Ministry of Coal approved a dedicated policy fram
Direct seeding of rice (DSR), or the ‘tar-wattar’ technique, is indeed a promising agricultural practice with several benefits, but its adoption in Punjab has been limited despite various incentives and government support.
Benefits of DSR:
Water Conservation: DSR requires less water compared to traditional transplanting methods, which is crucial given the water scarcity issues
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. Here's a detailed overview of STSS based on the information provided:
About Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS)
Cause: STSS results from the rapid growth and release of toxins by GAS bacteria. While GAS is more commonly associated with
The Great Nicobar Island is in the news due to a Draft Report on a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) prepared by NITI Aayog. This report is part of the larger "Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island" project, which aims to significantly transform the island.
Key Points from the Report:
Positive Impacts:
Economic Growth: The development project, which includes the cons
Key Highlights
Outstanding Outcome:
India has received an outstanding outcome in the FATF Mutual Evaluation for 2023-24, demonstrating a high level of compliance in combating Money Laundering (ML) and Terror Financing (TF).
Regular Follow-Up Category:
India has been placed in the “regular follow-up” category by the FATF. This distinction is shared by only fo
In a variety of vertebrates, researchers had identified 40 novel Nidoviruses using artificial intelligence.
About Nidoviruses (notable for their large genomes and complex replication mechanisms)
• They are a large and diverse order of positive-strand RNA viruses (largest RNA genomes among viruses) that infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates, including humans, birds, reptil
The Panama evacuating the Guna community from Gardi Sugdub island highlights the severe impact of climate change on small island developing states (SIDS).
Why This is Newsworthy:
First of Its Kind: Panama is the first country to carry out a complete evacuation of an island community due to climate change-induced sea level rise. This sets a precedent and underscores the urgency of th
Reverse Transcriptase played a pivotal role in both diagnostic testing and scientific research related to the SARS- CoV-2 virus.
About Reverse Transcriptase Enzyme
• It Plays a crucial role in the replication of some viruses, including HIV.
• It allows the virus to convert its genetic material, which is single-stranded RNA, into double-stranded DNA.
This DNA can then integrat
India's recent release of its first joint doctrine for cyberspace operations marks a significant step forward in addressing the complexities of modern warfare.
Key Highlights of India’s First Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations
Background and Context:
China’s Cyber Capabilities:
China has developed advanced cyberwarfare capabilities, including sophis
Prime Minister awarding Krishi Sakhi certificates to more than 30,000 women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Varanasi highlights a significant development in India's agricultural extension system.
Why it’s important:
Empowerment of Women: By recognizing and certifying these women-led SHGs, the government is acknowledging their crucial role in agricultural development and rural economi
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have formulated method for mass-producing recombinant proteins.
Definition of Recombinant Proteins: Recombinant proteins are artificial proteins produced by genetic engineering techniques. The process involves inserting a specific gene (usually from one organism) into a host organism (typically bacteria or yeast), which then expresses the protein.
The proposed amendments to the Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Debtors under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) aim to address several critical areas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP). Here’s a breakdown of what these amendments might entail and their poten
External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) are a mechanism that allows eligible Indian entities to access foreign funds, contributing significantly to the financing of various projects and operational needs.
What are External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs)?
Definition: ECBs refer to commercial loans obtained by eligible resident entities from non-resident entities. These loans are a means for In
The Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN) developed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) represents an advanced approach to forecasting complex climatic phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña events.
What is a Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN)?
Convolutional Neural Network (CNN):
Purpose: CNNs are designed to automati
Indian Railways has been facing increased scrutiny due to a series of train derailments and collisions in recent months. These incidents have highlighted significant safety concerns, prompting calls for improved measures to ensure the safety of passengers and operations.
Key Reasons for the Increased Focus on Safety:
Recent Incidents: Multiple derailments and collisions have occurred, dra
The "State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024" report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) provides a comprehensive overview of global fisheries and aquaculture trends, highlighting key developments and shifts in the industry. The main findings from the report are as follow:
Record Production Levels: World fisheries and aquaculture production reached a new high
National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) highlights the approval of seven startup proposals under the GREAT (Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles) scheme. This initiative is part of the broader Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) component of the NTTM.
Key Points:
Purpose of GREAT Initiative: The GREAT scheme aims to foster inn
Nuclear technologies play a crucial role in ensuring food safety and advancing agricultural practices. Lets look at how these technologies contribute across various domains:
1. Animal Health
Nuclear technologies, particularly Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, are vital for diagnosing diseases in animals. PCR is a molecular technique that amplifies and detects specific DNA sequence
The Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) mission, a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), aims to enhance our understanding of the complex interactions between clouds, aerosols, and radiation and how these factors influence Earth’s climate.
Objective:
The mission's primary goal is to provide
Overview
Event: Red Flag Exercise
Host: U.S. Air Force (USAF)
Location: Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
Dates: June 2024
Frequency: Hosted four times a year by the USAF
Details of the June 2024 Edition
Participants:
Indian Air Force (IAF): Participated in this edition, contributing to the multinational aspects of the exercise.
Singapore Air Force
Royal Air
Stellaria mcclintockiae
The newly discovered plant species Stellariamcclintockiae in Kerala’s Nelliyampathy hills , Named in honor of Nobel laureate Barbara McClintock, known for her work on genetic transposition, this species is notable as the first Stellaria species identified in South India.
The plant is an annual herb and stands out due to its unique floral structures, including it
Armenia has become the 43rd signatory to NASA's Artemis Accords for lunar exploration.
About the Artemis Accords
• NASA established the organisation in 2020 in collaboration with the US Department of State and seven founding member nations (Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, UAE, and UK).
Based on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and related agreements, such as the Registration Co
The issue of bridging global workforce gaps is gaining attention due to several intersecting trends affecting labor markets worldwide.
Why it’s in the news:
India's Workforce Potential: The India Employment Outlook 2030 by ORF points out that India will contribute around 24.3% of the global incremental workforce over the next decade. This highlights India’s growing r
The World Health Organization's recent report, "Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2024," has brought renewed attention to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
About Report
1.Reduction in the Need for Interventions:
The goal is to reduce the percentage of people requiring interventions against NTDs by 90% by 2030.
In 2022, 1.62 billion people needed such
Gene Drive Technology (GDT) represents a revolutionary approach in genetic engineering with the potential to significantly impact fields such as disease control, pest management, and conservation.
Gene Drive Technology (GDT)
Definition: Gene Drive Technology is an advanced genetic engineering technique designed to increase the likelihood of a specific gene being passed on to nearly all offsp
India's trade deficit has recently been in the news due to the country's economic interactions with its top trading partners. The detailed look at the current status and key factors affecting India's trade balance in FY 2023-24 has been given below
About Trade Deficit
Definition: A trade deficit occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports.
Current Status: For the
The Nagi and Nakti Wetlands in Bihar have recently been designated as Ramsar Sites, reflecting their international importance as wetlands. This brings the total number of Ramsar Sites in India to 82, tying the country with China for third place globally in terms of Ramsar Sites.
Key Facts About Nagi and Nakti Wetlands:
Location: Situated in Jamui district, Bihar, within the Jhajha forest
LignoSat is a tiny cuboid satellite measuring 10 cm on each side, made from magnolia wood.
It was developed through a collaboration between researchers from Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry in Japan.
The main goals of LignoSat are to promote the eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness of using wood for satellite construction.
LignoSat is designed to completely burn up u
Overview
Event: Tarang Shakti 2024
Host: Indian Air Force (IAF)
Nature: Multinational air exercise
Scheduled Dates:
First Phase: Southern India, first two weeks of August
Second Phase: Western sector, end of August to mid-September
Key Details
Purpose and Significance:
Objective: The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen air combat c
The Montreal Protocol is widely recognized as one of the most successful environmental agreements.
Effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol
Reduction of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS):
The Montreal Protocol has significantly reduced emissions of ODS, including Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
Since 2021, five years earlier than anticipated, there has been a notable decrease in
The World Wealth Report 2024 by the Capgemini Research Institute provides a comprehensive overview of global wealth, focusing on high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) across 71 countries, which collectively represent over 98% of global gross national income and 99% of world stock market capitalization.
Key Points from the Report:
Coverage and Scope:
The report encompasses 71 countrie
A "pump and dump" scheme is a type of financial fraud where the price of a stock is artificially inflated through deceptive practices, allowing perpetrators to sell their shares at the inflated price before the price crashes. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
How It Works
Pump Phase:
Promotion: Fraudsters use false or misleading information to create hype around a
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from various organisations for the “joint development and commercialisation” of low dose or paediatric oral formulation of hydroxyurea to treat sickle cell disease in India.
About Hydroxyurea (taken orally in the form of capsules or tablets)
• It's a medication used to treat certain types
A syndicated loan is a type of financing arrangement where multiple lenders come together to provide a large loan to a borrower. This method is commonly used for significant financing needs, often exceeding the capacity of a single lender to provide alone.
Key Points of Syndicated Loans
Participation of Multiple Lenders:
In a syndicated loan, a group of lenders (usually banks or f
The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is in the spotlight due to recent Supreme Court judgments emphasizing the need for a sustainable development model, particularly in light of new fundamental rights related to climate change.
Key issues and rulings:
New Fundamental Right to Climate Change:
MK Ranjitsinh vs. Union of India (2024): The Supreme Court recognized a fundamental right to
Leading Institutions:
IIT Bombay
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
Raman Research Institute (RRI)
Project Goals: The Daksha project aims to advance our understanding of high-energy astrophysical phenomena through the deployment of two high-energy space telescopes. These telescopes will be equipped with advanced sensors capable of dete
Project Nexus is an ambitious international initiative aimed at revolutionizing cross-border retail payments by integrating domestic Instant Payment Systems (IPS).
What is Project Nexus?
Project Nexus is a multilateral initiative designed to enable instantaneous cross-border retail payments by linking domestic IPS across different countries. The initiative is spearheaded by the Innovation Hu
The State of the Ocean Report 2024, released by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO during the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference, highlights several critical issues concerning the health of the world’s oceans:
Accelerated Ocean Warming: The report reveals a concerning rate of warming in the upper 2,000 meters of the ocean, which has significantly increased over
The Indian Navy has recently achieved a significant milestone with Sub Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev becoming its first woman helicopter pilot. This development marks a notable step in the integration of women into various roles within the Indian Armed Forces.
Key Highlights:
Sub Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev:
Achievement: She became the first woman helicopter pilot in the Indian Na
ISRO's collaboration with the French space agency CNES for the TRISHNA mission marks an exciting advancement in satellite technology and environmental monitoring. Scheduled for launch, TRISHNA (Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment) will be equipped to capture high-resolution thermal infrared imagery. This capability is crucial for monitoring
The Preston Curve is an insightful concept in understanding the relationship between economic development and health outcomes.
Summary of the Preston Curve
Concept Origin: The Preston Curve, introduced by Samuel H. Preston in his 1975 paper "The Changing Relation Between Mortality and Level of Economic Development," explores how life expectancy correlates with per capita income.
The designation of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology by the United Nations serves several key purposes:
Raising Awareness: This initiative aims to increase global awareness and understanding of the transformative potential of quantum technologies. Quantum physics has made remarkable strides in recent decades, with applications ranging from quantum computing and qu
Biocovers are a fascinating and innovative approach to managing methane emissions from landfills.
What are Biocovers?
Biocovers are a sustainable technology used to control methane emissions from landfills. They are designed to reduce greenhouse gases, primarily methane (CH₄), by converting them into less harmful carbon dioxide (CO₂). This process helps mitigate the environmental impact
Why in the News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has updated the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms to enhance credit flow in economically disadvantaged districts where average loan sizes are low. This revision aims to encourage more small loans in areas that traditionally have lower access to credit.
Key Changes in PSL Guidelines
Incentive Framework:
Objective: To boost lending
Overview:
The Union Cabinet formally announced the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with one-time budgetary support of Rs 150 crore from the central government until 2028.
About International Big Cat Alliance:
It is an initiative launched by the Prime Minister of India in April 2023 in Mysuru commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
The objective of
Overview:
Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a cautionary message to mobile phone users about juice jacking.
About Juice jacking:
The term “juice jacking” was first coined in 2011 by investigative journalist Brian Krebs.
It is a form of cyberattack where a public USB charging port is tampered with and infected using hardware and software changes to steal d
About BioTRIG:
It is a new waste management technology based on the pyrolysis system.
It works by sealing the waste inside an oxygen-free chamber and heating it above 400 degrees Celsius. Useful chemicals are produced in the process.
In the study, the researchers outlined that three products of pyrolysis — bio-oil, syngas and biochar fertilizer — could help rural Indians live
Overview:
The early onset bloom of jacaranda set off alarm bells among residents and scientists in Mexico City.
About Jacaranda Bloom:
It’s also known by its synonym Jacaranda acutifolia.
It is a deciduous tree, Jacaranda mimosifolia comes from the Bignoniaceae family. Blue jacaranda is native of Brazil and North West Argentina.
These are hardy trees that grow well in tropical
Overview:
Researchers of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently discovered a new species of head-shield sea slug from Odisha and the West Bengal coast named ‘Melanochlamys Droupadi’.
About Melanochlamys Droupadi
It is a new marine species of head-shield sea slug with ruby red spot.
This species belonging to Melanochlamys genus was discovered from Digha of West Beng
Overview:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted two flight tests of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile.
About Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)
VSHORADS is a fourth-generation Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) specially designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats over short distances.
These ar
Overview:
Two researchers in Goa have said that they synthesised gold nanoparticles from a wild mushroom species that is widely eaten as a delicacy in the coastal state.
About Roen olmi
It is a mushroom of the Termitomyces species.
It grows on termite hills and is locally known as ‘roen olmi’ in Goa.
It is an edible wild mushroom popular among Goans and consumed during t
Overview:
Recently, the Union Science and Technology Minister told that India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for ‘haemophilia A’ at Christian Medical College – Vellore.
About Hemophilia A
It is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to form blood clots.
It is a rare disorder in which the blood doesn't clot in the typ
It is a technique that modifies a person’s genes to treat or cure disease. Gene therapies can work by several mechanisms:
Replacing a disease-causing gene with a healthy copy of the gene
Inactivating a disease-causing gene that is not functioning properly Introducing a new or modified gene into the body to help treat a disease
Gene therapy products are being studied to
Overview:
The Prime Minister recently laid the foundation stone for a new spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in southern Tamil Nadu.
About Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport
It is a new spaceport coming up at Kulasekarapattinam, a coastal hamlet near the temple town of Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district in southern Tamil Nadu.
It will be second after the space agency’s existing Satish
Context: Recently, Forex reserves jumped $2.816 billion to $606.859 billion.
About forex reserves
Foreign Exchange Reserves refer to assets kept in reserve by a central bank, comprising foreign currencies such as bonds, treasury bills, and government securities.
These reserves, expressed in the US dollar, the international standard, are managed by the RBI, serving as the cust
Context: Recently, India’s National Security Adviser (NSA), took part in the 6th NSA meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) which agreed upon a road map for the year 2024.
About:
Originally known as the Trilateral for Maritime Security Cooperation, this regional security grouping was established in 2011.
The primary aim is to foster a safe, secure, and stable Indian Ocean
Context: The Indian Science Congress (ISC) 109th edition, originally to be held in Lucknow University in 2024, has been cast in doubt after the University pulled out citing an ongoing dispute between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the ISC Association.
News:
The Indian Science Congress (ISC) is an annual event for scientific discussions
Context: AstroSat, India’s first multi-wavelength space-based observatory, has detected bright sub-second X-ray bursts from a new and unique neutron star with ultrahigh magnetic field (magnetar), which can help understand the intriguing extreme astrophysical conditions of magnetars.
Magnetars
They are neutron stars having an ultrahigh magnetic field that are much stronger
Steps taken by India to promote Science Communication
Publications and Information Directorate (PID) - An organisation under Council of Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) established in 1951 for publishing and disseminating scientific information in India.
National science magazines- The PID published magazines to popularize science among
Voice clone fraud has been on the rise in India.
AI voice cloning – It is the process of creating a synthetic replica of a person’s voice through machine learning and speech synthesis technology.It is called as voice deepfakesor audio deepfakes.
Objective – To achieve a high level of naturalness that sounds exactly like a person&r
The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA) registration of two prominent non-governmental organisations (NGOs) — Centre for Policy Research (CPR) and World Vision India (WVI) have been cancelled this month.
What is FCRA?
Key provisions of FCRA, 2010
Key aspects
Description
About
It regula
Recently, Prime Minister announced Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana under which 1 crore households will get rooftop solar power systems.
India’s Status of Current Solar Capacity
India currently stands at 4th place globally in solar power capacity.
As per Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), solar power insta
The international team of researchers collected samples of corals from across the Mediterranean Sea and analysed the bacteria that live with the corals.
The researchers found that the presence of a group of parasitic single-celled organisms called Syndiniales made it more likely that a coral could survive heat stress.
The presence of Corallicolids, a group of single-c
India overtakes Hong Kong to become 4th-largest stock market recently.
India's stock market capitalization crossed USD 4 trillion for the first time, with about half of that reportedly coming in the past 4 years.
The top 3 stock markets are the U.S., China, and Japan.
Context: False and misleading information supercharged with cutting-edge artificial intelligence that threatens to erode democracy and polarise society is the top immediate risk to the global economy, the World Economic Forum said in a report on Wednesday.
About the report:
The World Economic Forum (WEF) report identifies misinformation and disinformation as the most severe risk ove
Context: Funding slowed, jobs were lost, and only 2 unicorns were created in 2023. A number of firms cropped up hoping to ride the ongoing generative AI wave.
Background:
Indian start-ups experienced a significant drop in funding, reaching $8.3 billion in the past year, marking the lowest since 2016.
The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of funding in the last three years witnessed a s
Pinanga subterranea is a species of palm tree native to Borneo.
It's the 1st known species of palm to flower and fruit almost exclusively underground.
This rare phenomenon has only been recorded in one other plant group, the orchid Rhizanthella.
The Peregrine Lunar Lander, also known as Peregrine Mission One, is a lunar lander built by Astrobotic Technology, U.S.
It was launched recently carrying payloads for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.
Over 24.8 crore people moved out of poverty in India in nine years: NITI report.
The Index
Released by - Niti Aayog, which is the nodal agency to release Multidimensional Poverty (MDP) report for States and Union Territories.
Purpose - Plays a role in assessing advancements towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1.2.
SDG 1.2. - By 2030, reduce at leas
A 9-member panel headed by the former principal scientific advisor to the government Prof. Vijay Raghavan have submitted its report.
Aim of the committee - To review the functioning of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Reasons - Several projects of DRDO suffer from huge delays and cost overruns.
According to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Context: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has set up a task force to identify and resolve trade barriers being faced by foreign exporters.
News:
Indian exports encounter significant barriers in certain products such as chillies, tea, basmati rice, milk, and poultry in the European Union, sesame seeds and apparel in Japan, and food, meat, fish, dairy, and industrial pro
NASA has re-established contact with its Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, the US space agency said recently.
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter
It is a small, autonomous aircraft. that flew to Mars aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover.
It was sent to Mars to perform experimental flight tests to determine if powered, controlled flight at the Red Planet was possible.
Ingenuity&rsqu
Rs 17,490 crore has been set aside for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, to bolster domestic electrolyser manufacturing, green hydrogen production.
About Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme
It is a subcomponent of National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Aim: To bolster domestic electrolyser manufacturing and
Recently, the Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) a wholly owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) launched India’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine ‘Havisure’ in Hyderabad.
About Havisure vaccine
It is a two-dose vaccine — first dose administered at above 12 months of age and the second at least six months after the first
Context: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das advocates for a specified framework for the group insolvency mechanism and a vibrant market for stressed assets in India to enhance the functionality of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
News:
Legislative changes to establish appropriate principles for the group insolvency mechanism, addressing challenges like intermingling of assets, defining
Context: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), has assumed new powers under which it may now permit the discharge of treated sewage and effluent that conforms to the prescribed “norms” into the river, canal or water bodies.
News:
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, issued a notification to amend the River Ganga (Rejuvenation,
Context: Accurate data is the first step in bringing down logistics costs in India. Accurate data is crucial for reducing logistics costs in India for several reasons:
Improved decision-making: Accurate data enables logistics managers to make informed decisions based on real-time information, leading to more efficient supply chain management and reduced costs
Optimized routes: By analyzing
Context: In 2020, while India’s domestic sector required 54,000 billion litres water, the agriculture sector needed 14 times more—776,000 billion litres.
Water crisis in India:
The long-standing Cauvery dispute and depleting water reservoir reports highlight the importance of fair water allocation for water, food, and livelihood security in India.
Water's significa
Chinese scientists recently announced that they have cloned a Rhesus monkey named ReTro that lived to adulthood.
The scientists created ReTro using a slightly modified version to create Dolly the Sheep and other mammals like the long-tailed macaque, which was the first primate to be cloned.
River dolphins are a group of freshwater cetaceans that inhabit various river systems across Asia and South America. The Six Surviving River Dolphin Species include: Amazon, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, Tucuxi, and the Yangtze finless porpoise.The Chinese river dolphin was deemed 'probably extinct' in 2007.
As per the IUCN Red list, Yangtze finless po
In a first-of-its-kind model of convergence, Kanger Valley National Park is working with a coalition of various organizations and government departments to prepare a landscape-based ecological restoration plan for the national park.
About Kanger Valley National Park
Location:
It is located in Jagdalpur, in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state.
It is located on the bank
A recent study has uncovered two potential new species of lamprey fish in California waters.
About Lamprey Fish
Lampreys are boneless, jawless fish with eel-like bodies that date back over 350 million years.
They belong to a relic (primitive) group of jawless fish called Agnathans.
They live in coastal and fresh waters and are found in temperate regio
Context: India Post Payments Bank enter into MoU with Hindustan Zinc to offer financial inclusion services to its CSR beneficiaries.
Significance of the MOU:
The collaboration will ensure in creating a lasting impact on the lives of community beneficiaries around Hindustan Zinc’s operational areas.
The key services provided by the IPPB will ensure Financial Inclusion and ens
Context: The Supreme Court Thursday asked the Centre to formulate a policy to phase out heavy-duty diesel vehicles and to replace them with BSVI vehicles.
News:
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to formulate a policy within six months regarding the use of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Tughlaqabad, Delhi, to address air pollution concerns.
The order followed a plea by the Conta
Context: NITI Aayog organized a National Workshop on "Strengthening Mental Health Services and Care in India" at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.
Objective:
The purpose of the workshop was to elicit the views of States and other stakeholders on existing gaps and challenges under the District Mental Health Program (DMHP) and
Context: The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently found that over half of the nearly 10,000 hospital patients surveyed for a study were given antibiotics to prevent, rather than treat, infection.
The survey mapped patients treated on one to five days each at 20 tertiary care institutes across 15 States and two Union Territories between November 2021 and April 2022.
It
Union Budget 2024-25: Highlights –Interim Budget
A budget is a forecast of the government’s revenue and expenses for a future period, typically the upcoming financial year. The Union Budget gives a detailed account of the government's finances over the previous fiscal year, summarises new tax proposals for the upcoming fiscal year, and estimates revenue and expend
It is a US-made long-range cruise missile used for deep-land attack warfare.It can be launched from a ship or submarine and deliver its warhead precisely to a target at a long range.
It flies at low altitudes to strike fixed targets, such as communication and air-defense sites, in high-risk environments where manned aircraft may be vulnerable to surface-to-air missiles.
Context: Indigenous equipment called single screw extruder developed for mechanical recycling through melt-mixing of waste thermoplastic polymers and inorganic particulate fillers can help manufacture and characterize polymer composites that can be molded to the required shape for making paver blocks, tiles, and bricks.
Present status of recycling: At present, commercially available melt-
Context: According to a report from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) around 50% of cybercrime complaints received on the national cybercrime helpline every day have their origin in China and pockets of Cambodia and Myanmar.
Cybercrime
It is characterized as a criminal activity in which a computer serves as either the target or the instrument for committing an offense.
In accordance with
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) is a zoo in Darjeeling, India.
It's also known as the Darjeeling Zoo and is the largest high-altitude zoo in the country.
The zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation and is known for its breeding programs for red pandas, Himalayan salamanders, Tibetan wolves, and snow leopards.
World Association for Zoos and Aquar
Context: India's economic development strategy has been debated for a long time, with some arguing for a service-led growth model and others for a manufacturing-led model. The country's current development path has seen growth primarily in the service sector, with the manufacturing sector's share of output and employment plateauing at or below 20%.
Service sector model:
The s
Context: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted global health inequalities, prompting policymakers worldwide to advocate for enhanced global health infrastructure as a means to drive economic growth and ensure planetary well-being. However, amid these critical efforts, prioritizing access to blood and its products is deemed essential for establishing a robust global health architecture.
The issue of
Context: Sadyr Zhaparov, the president of Kyrgyzstan signed a decree to declare the snow leopard as the national symbol of Kyrgyzstan.
About Snow Leopard:
Scientific Name: Panthera uncia
Indicator Species: Snow leopards serve as crucial indicators of the mountain ecosystem's health due to their role as the top predator in the food web.
Habitat: Found in the mountains of central A
Context: Recently, a tiger has been observed in West Bengal’s Buxa National Park. The previous sighting of Tiger was after 23 years on December 12, 2021.
News:
Possible Factors Contributing to the Tiger Population Recovery:
Growth in the number of prey animals for tigers.
Increase in the size of grassland habitats, providing more suitable areas for tiger popula
W1935 is a brown dwarf star that is 47 light-years away from Earth.
It is the 1st auroral candidate outside of the solar system that has been identified through methane emission signatures.
It is also the coldest auroral candidate outside of our solar system, with a temperature of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Astronomers using NASA&#
It is an all-in-one AI platform that can create content as well as enhance productivity.
The application has been developed by New York-based software engineer Rohit Das and New Jersey-based software engineer David Laub.
Vondy is free and there are no message limits unlike ChatGPTand also has an AI assistant that’s a social media influencer.
Researchers at the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh used wastewater from the whisky distilling industry to produce green hydrogen, which is a type of sustainable fuel.
They did this by developing a new nanoscale material, nickel selenide that allowed distillery wastewater to replace fresh water in the green hydrogen production & it treats the wastewater.
Japan recently landed a spacecraft called SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) on the lunar surface, becoming the 5th country after the Soviet Union, the US, China and India to achieve a soft landing on the moon.
About SLIM
SLIM was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in September 2023 aboard the H-IIA rocket from the Tanegashima spaceport.
It aims to de
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a form of market intervention by the Government of India to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices. The minimum support prices are announced by the Government of India at the beginning of the sowing season for certain crops on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
At presen
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has been issuing alerts with maps from various weather monitoring satellites.
Day and Night Microphysics RGB Imager
It is image created by combination of Red, Green and Blue colours.
Aim – To study various atmospheric characteristics.
Radiometer – A device that measures the p
The Global Carbon Project report for 2023 was released during the recent COP28 summit held in Dubai, UAE.
It is a Global Research Project of Future Earth and a research partner of the World Climate Research Programme.
Established in – 2001
It is prepared every year by a global consortium of scientists.
Aim – To develop a complete picture of
Context: With the Aditya-L1 spacecraft expected to reach the Lagrangian Point (L1) on Saturday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will attempt a crucial manoeuvre to bind the spacecraft to an orbit around L1.
About the mission:
- Aditya-L1 marks India's inaugural space-based observatory-class solar mission designed to scrutinize the Sun from a considerable distance of 1.5 mil
Context: A Chinese student who was a victim of ‘cyber kidnapping’ has been found in rural Utah, unharmed. The 17-year-old, Kai Zhuang, was reported missing on December 28. By the time the police traced him, his parents back in China had paid $80,000 in ransom.
What is cyber kidnapping?
Cyber kidnapping is a criminal activity wherein the perpetrators persuade the victim to go i
Context: recently Kochi–Lakshadweep submarine optical fibre cable project was inaugurated , implemented at a cost of ₹1,072 crore, which will connect the islands to high-speed internet for the first time, after years of relying on limited satellite bandwidth.
About the project:
Objective
The KLI project involves extending submarine cable connectivity from Kochi to eleve
Context: NewSpace India Ltd. (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, will launch GSAT-20 (renamed GSAT-N2), on board SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket during the second quarter of 2024.
About GSAT-20 Satellite:
Features:
GSAT-20 is a high-throughput Ka-band satellite equipped with 32 beams, providing comprehensive coverage across India, including remote regio
Swayam Siddha is a financial product from the State Bank of India (SBI) that provides loans to women entrepreneurs from Self Help Groups (SHGs).
The loans can be up to 5 lakh rupees.
Odisha’s Bhitarkanika national park will soon be connected by rail as the proposed Jajpur Road-Dhamra railway line will pass through the park.
Location: It is located in Kendrapara district in the state of Odisha.
It is India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans.
The national park that is sprawling across 672 km² of mangrove swamp
An international team of marine biologists recently discovered a unique isopod, a form of crustacean, that has been formally identified as a new species of the genus Booralana.
Isopods are an order of invertebrates (animals without backbones) that belong to the greater crustacean group of animals, which includes crabs and shrimp.
Scientists estimate that there are around 10,0
After relocating deer from Cuttack, the Odisha state government is planning to introduce Sambar and Gaur (bison) in the Chandaka-Dampara wildlife sanctuary.
It is located in Khurda district of Odisha represents the north-eastern limits of Eastern Ghats.
It is also a home to a number of threatened wild animals and birds.
This landscape got sanctuary status in 1982.
The climat
Interest in indigenous cattle breeds like the Pulikulam is reviving which is famous for a local game called Jalikattu in TamilNadu.
It is a popular draught and game breed of Tamil Nadu.
The cattle originated from Pulikulam, a village located in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu.
It is also known as Palingu maadu, Mani maadu, Jallikattu maadu, Mattu maadu and Kilakattu maadu.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab and a Hyderabd based private firm launched an indigenous assault rifle named Ugram recently.
The rifle is weighing less than 4 kg with a 500-meter firing range.
It is designed and developed to meet the operational requirements of the Indian armed forces, Para military forces, and state police forces.
Context: Amidst competitive global politicking, as the world struggles to contain the toxic legacies of 2023 — cruel regional wars, civic conflicts and undeniable stories of anthropogenic harms — technocrats, ecocrats, and bureaucrats across the world continue to device and launch quiet initiatives portending a better and larger future for human rights.
Relationship between AI and s
Context: The Indian Navy has deployed ships and aircraft to maintain enhanced surveillance and maritime security operations in the North/Central Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden.
News:
The Navy is actively observing the situation in collaboration with national maritime agencies and is dedicated to guaranteeing the well-being of merchant shipping and seafarers in the area.
Cu
Context: A two-year field study conducted by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) scientists on the effectiveness of Liquid Nano Urea has revealed a significant reduction in rice and wheat yields compared to the application of conventional nitrogen (N) fertilizer.
News:
These results highlight the importance of conducting extended, long-term field assessments spanning 5-7 years to determine
A recent report of CBRE-CREDAI says that Maharastra, TamilNadu and Uttar Pradesh (top 3 States) contribute 40% of registered MSMEs in India.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are known by the acronym MSME.
The Peregrine lander was built by Pittsburgh-based space robotics firm Astrobotic and aimed to become the first lunar lander constructed by a private company.
This is also the first mission to fly under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, where NASA pays private companies to send scientific equipment to the moon.
Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage-to-orbit, heavy
Sisal is a species of flowering plant native to southern Mexico.
Sisal, (Agave sisalana), plant of the family Asparagaceae and its fibre, the most important of the leaf fibre group.
The leaves have been used to make twine, cloth, carpets and mezcal, a distilled alcoholic beverage.
A recent study suggests that the sisal leaves could make sanitary napkins more sustainable in India.
Some of Africa’s dry areas face serious water shortages due to minimal rainfall. An ancient system of drawing water from aquifers, the “qanat system”, could help.
Qanat system
It is an ancient type of water-supply system, developed and still used in arid regions of the world.It taps underground mountain water sources trapped in and beneath the upper reaches of allu
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has begun the process of revising the current National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) and invited relevant stakeholders to offer suggestions on adding or deleting diagnostic tests to the current list by the end of February.
National Essential Diagnostics List
The NEDL lists the essential and most basic tests that should be available at va
The crash in their population from estimated 4 crores in the early 1980s to less than a lakh by 2007 in India is unprecedented in the animal world. Outside of the oceans, vultures are the only known obligate scavengers.
The ecological, social and cultural significance of vultures in India may be summed up as: scavenging on animal carcasses and thereby helping keep the env
Context: The Union Cabinet cleared a ₹4,797-crore programme called ‘Prithvi’ (Earth) that is expected to subsume five existing schemes of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
About Prithvi Vigyan Scheme:
The Prithvi scheme consolidates five existing sub-schemes, namely:
Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)
Ocean Service
A dying traditional game, given a fresh lease of life at the ongoing Karbi Youth Festival (KYF) in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, has fuelled a drive for conserving a creeper known as the African dream herb.
About African dream herb
A perennial climbing vine that is used by African traditional healers to induce vivid dreams that enables them to communicate efficien
It is a species of the legume family.
It is native to South and Central America and is grown as an ornamental plant as it has bright yellow flowers.
It was introduced as shade trees for coffee and firewood in the country; it soon became a threat to native tree species as its dense foliage prevented the growth of other indigenous trees and grass species.
It is considere
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) recently announced that the Chang’e 6 sample return mission is on track to land on the surface of the Moon in the first half of 2024.
The Chang'e 6 mission is a planned lander designed to return samples from the lunar south pole.The mission aims to land on the Moon, collect samples from the lunar surface, and retu
Context: The Central government is considering a proposal to provide interest-free loans to tobacco farmers of Andhra Pradesh impacted by Cyclone Michaung.
News:
Interest-Free Loans for Andhra Tobacco Farmers:
Loan Details: Andhra Tobacco farmers are set to receive interest-free loans ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000, with a repayment period of six months. These loans
Context: Recently, air travellers took to social media to express their shock and anger because their privacy was being violated at airports.This was mainly happening due to the forceful promotion of the Digi Yatra initiative by the Union government.
About:
It was introduced in December 2022 as a completely voluntary program, commenced its rollout at three airports, including Delhi
Ministry of Power, has achieved a significant milestone by issuing its inaugural Japanese Yen (JPY) 61.1 billion green bonds under Global Medium Term Notes Programme.
Yen Denominated Green Bonds
It is REC Limited’s eleventh venture into the international bond market and inaugural Yen Bond issuance, which is also the first Yen Green Bonds issuance by any Indian PSU
Time period
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) succeed the incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps of previous centuries as the world’s light-source of choice.
About Light-Emitting Diodes
A diode is an electronic component which has two points of contact, or terminals, called its anode and cathode.
A diode’s primary purpose is to allow current to flow in only one direction.
A
Context: Its near extinction in 1973 was a pivotal moment in India’s conservation history. Now, Corbett has the highest density of wild tigers in the world
Corbett Tiger Reserve:
Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) manages tiger reserves based on a comprehensive Tiger Conservation Plan, covering core and buffer zones across three districts in Uttarakhand. Over the past four years, the reserve
Context: Antimicrobial resistance is a health issue that will negate advances in medicine
News:
The 'First Multicentric Point Prevalence Survey of Antibiotic Use at 20 NAC-NET Sites India 2021-22,' conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control under the Health Ministry, has revealed alarming statistics.
More than 70% of patients in tertiary-care hospitals across 15 Sta
Context: Recently, the Similipal Kai Chutney made with kai pimpudi (red weaver ants) by the tribal people of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district received the geographical identity tag.
News:
The application was made by The Mayurbhanj Kai Society Ltd in 2020 for registration in Class 30 under sub-section (1) of section 13 of Geographical Indications of Goods (Re
Explorers and naturalists have been curious why some areas are more biodiverse than others.
What is Humboldt’s enigma?
It is a term used to describe the puzzle of why some mountain regions, especially in the tropics, have exceptionally high biodiversity, contrary to the expected decrease in diversity away from the equator.
It is named after Alexander von Humboldt, a 19th-cent
Recently the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in a study found that over half of the nearly 10,000 hospital patients surveyed were given antibiotics to prevent, rather than treat, infection.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
Antimicrobials - including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic - are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, ani
The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP), also known as Darjeeling zoo was successful in breeding 77 snow leopards since the 1980s.
Darjeeling Zoo is the world’s 2nd largest Snow Leopard breeding program next to New York’s Bronx Zoo.
Scientific Name – Panthera uncia
They are referred as the ‘ghost of the mountains’ fo
India cut its windfall tax on petroleum crude to 1,700 rupees ($20.53) a tonne from 2,300 rupees a tonne, according to a recent government notification.
Windfall Tax
It is a tax levied by governments against certain industries when economic conditions allow those industries to experience significantly above-average profits.
The term “windfall” refer
A rare and elusive bear, the Tibetan brown bear, has been recently sighted in Sikkim, making it the first confirmed record of the animal being sighted in India.
Tibetan Brown Bear
The Tibetan brown bear, also known as the Tibetan blue bear, is one of the rarest subspecies of bears in the world and is rarely sighted in the wild.
Scientific Name: Ursus arctos
Recently, a photographer has spotted an extremely rare all-white Gentoo penguin in Chilean Antarctica.
Gentoo penguin
It is exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere between 45 and 65 degrees south latitude.
Within this range, gentoos are found on the Antarctic Peninsula as well as many sub-Antarctic islands.
One of the most predominant locations gentoos inhabit is the&nb
Scientists recently discovered a new species of fungus in Kerala, named ‘Paramyrothecium indicum’.
Paramyrothecium indicum
It is a new species of phytopathogenic fungus.
Phytopathogens are parasites surviving on a plant host.
Most of Paramyrothecium are phytopathogens.
They are responsible for “serious plant diseases which might negatively affe
Context: On January 8, 2024, the Union Health Ministry introduced updated regulations in Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, aiming to strengthen the oversight of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Pharmaceutical Companies:
GMP functions as a framework ensuring consistent production and control of products in adherence to q
Context: On January 8, 2024, the ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) issued a cautionary advisory regarding the feeding of animals with cassava, commonly known as tapioca.
About Tapioca Plant:
Tapioca is a significant horticulture crop extensively cultivated on nearly 3 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu, yielding an annual production of 60 lakh tonnes.
It holds global importa
MV Vasiliy Golovnin, an expedition vessel chartered by India, commenced its journey recently.
The journey is from Cape Town to Antarctica for the 43rd Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) Voyage.
The expedition includes 21 members from India, two from Mauritius, and one from Bangladesh.
The Minister of State for Defence recently flagged off the indigenously developed Astra Missiles for supply to the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Bharat Dynamics in Hyderabad.
Astra Missile
Astra is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft.
It is indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation&n
Scientists are finding that the gut microbiota may be linked to heart health, some cancers, and even the colour of urine.
Gut Microbiota
The human gut microbiota refers to the trillions of microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, that live in the human gut.
Previously, people referred to the gut microbiota as the microflora of the gut.
The gut microbiome i
Context: On January 6 Aditya-L1 reached its destination, around the L1 Lagrange point, from where it will have an unfettered view of the sun for its expected lifetime of five years.
Overview of ISRO:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India, established in 1969, with headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
It is recognized for its cost-e
Himalayan Wolf has been assessed for the first time in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List and categorised as ‘Vulnerable’.
Himalayan Wolf
The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas.
It is also called Tibetan wolves, which live at more than 4,000 metres altitudes and are gene
Standing at just around 70-90 cm tall and weighing less than 200 kg, it is among the world’s most dwarf cattle breeds.
It is native to Punganur village in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
It has high resilience to drought and can adapt to low-quality feed.
It is also prized for its milk, which boasts a higher fat content, mak
The Supreme Court recently questioned the Centre on why reports of the court-appointed Technical Experts Committee (TEC) on the biosafety of genetically modified (GM) crops were not looked into by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
GEAC
It is the statutory committee constituted under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microo
Context: A group of scientists affiliated with research institutes in China and Japan have reported finding a sign of superconductivity in a material that was at the centre of a controversy last year over similar claims. The sign in question is called the Meissner effect.
About:
Superconductivity is an inherent property found in various materials, including chemical elements (e.g., mer
An investment banker is an individual who often works as part of a financial institution and is primarily concerned with raising capital for corporations, governments, or other entities.
Examples of investment banker employers - Goldman Sachs (GS), Morgan Stanley (MS), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAC), and Deutsche Bank (DB).
Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system — generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characte
Recently, an official delegation from the Department of Science and Technology visited Mauna Kea to discuss “challenges” to the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project.
Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)
It has been conceived as a 30-metre diameter primary-mirror optical and infrared telescope that will enable observations into deep space.
It is proposed as a joint
Researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) found a new butterfly species in Karnataka’s Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Kodagu.
Conjoined Silverline butterfly
The butterfly species -- Conjoined Silverline (Cigaritis conjuncta) found from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India.
Features
The new butterfly is the size of a one
Context: India's cereal production, mainly rice and wheat, crossed 300 million tonnes for the first time in 2022-23, reaching 304 million tones.There is a large and growing gap between cereal production and the known uses of it. Data gaps make an assessment more difficult.
The gap:
The latest estimates of per capita cereal consumption (PCCC) pertain to 2011-12, with figures ranging f
January 5 is observed as National Birds Day introduced by U.S.A in 2002 and followed in some parts of the world.
It is aimed at raising awareness for the conservation of avian species that have been adversely affected by habitat destruction, reducing food choices and climate change.
The theme of the National Birds Day 2024 is ‘Right to Fight’.
Birds in N
Over 10,000 kg of poppy straw, under the cover of cattle feed, has been seized by the Central Bureau of Narcotics in the last 1 year.
Poppy straw – It is the husk left after the opium is extracted from the pods which also contains a very small morphine content.
Drug – It is one of the narcotic drugs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substan
On 12th August 2011, the NMCG was listed as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It acted as the implementation arm of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.
NGRBA was dissolved in 2016 and replaced by the National Council for Re
The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has been designated as India's first Dark Sky Park and the fifth in Asia, protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution.
India’s First Dark Sky Park
The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra is India's first Dark Sky Park within a tiger reserve for earmarking areas around the park that restrict light pollutio
Context: India’s Financial Intelligence Unit has issued show-cause notices to nine offshore crypto-currency operators, including Binance, for not complying with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
News:
Show Cause Notices for compliance have been sent to nine offshore Virtual Digital Assets Service Providers (VDA SPs) under Section 13 o
Context: The Centre has appointed Arvind Panagariya, a renowned trade economist and former Niti Aayog vice chairman, as the chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
About Finance Commission
The Finance Commission (FC) of India was established by the President in 1951 according to Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
Its primary purpose is to define and regulate the financi
Context: Recent studies by NITI Aayog show that the levy of 20-30% health tax on food high in sugar, salt, and fat. The study by Niti Aayog, studied the impact of imposing health taxes and warning labels on food products to encourage healthy eating practices.
About NITI Aayog:
Establishment: Formed in 2015.
Headquarters: Located in New Delhi.
Objectives:
Develop a s
Context: Recently, Small finance bank (SFB) campaigns were launched.The initiative aims to showcase the achievements of Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in terms of their business models to various stakeholders.
About Small Finance Bank (SFB):
Small Finance Banks are financial institutions dedicated to providing financial services in regions that are underserved and unbanked.
They are i
The X-65 is an experimental jet aircraft developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program.
It is a full-scale aircraft to demonstrate a new method of flight control that uses no external moving parts.
Hot Jupiters are a class of exoplanets that have features similar to Jupiter, but are much closer to their host star & its upper atmosphere is hotter than 1,800 degrees Celcius.
The harsh ultraviolet radiation from its star is heating the planet’s upper atmosphere, which in turn causes magnesium and iron gas to escape into space.
The star’s powerful gr
Recently Union government announced the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023.
An annual cleanliness ranking for urban areas since 2016.
Released by – Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Coverage – Originally 73 cities in 2016, now has increased along with 4,416 urban local bodies, 61 cantonments and 88 Ganga towns.
About 1.58 cr
Indian government is set to roll out a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls in the 9-14 years age group.
Cervavac is an indigenously developed quadrivalent vaccine by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune, is already available commercially.
Immunisation drive – It will be conducted through schools and existing vaccination points, pl
Context: Forest officials in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) rescued a wild elephant calf who was found separated from the herd
About Anamalai Tiger Reserve:
- Location:
The Anamalai Tiger Reserve is a protected area situated at an elevation of 1400 m in the Anamalai Hills within Pollachi and Coimbatore Districts of Tamil Nadu. Positioned to the s
context: The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning along coastal regions of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures.
The Japan Meterological Agency reported quakes off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures one of them with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6.
Earthquakes
An earthquake is the shaking of the earth, a natural occurrence caused by the release of energy t
The findings of a new survey by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) underscored the need for properly monitoring critically important antimicrobials to mitigate AMR.
CIAs – They represent a class of antimicrobials.
Categorised by – World Health Organisation (WHO).
3 groups – Based on their importance to human medicine and the&n
In a recent group discussion held by Life Skills Collaborative, most of the rural youth preferred to stay in their village which necessitates the importance of upskilling them.
Why is upskilling necessary for the rural youth?
UN projects that almost 50% of the Indian population will be living in urban areas by 2047.
To overcome agrarian crisis – Farming is the main sour
Context: The article underscores the enduring consequences of choices made post-Cyclone Michuang in Chennai, particularly concerning electricity disruptions. The core concept emphasizes the importance of accountability in decision-making during crises, underscoring the delicate equilibrium between safety precautions and potential risks for vulnerable groups, notably the elderly. Moving forward ent
Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) kicked off the new year with the launch of the PSLV-C58 X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) on January 1, 2024.
On January 1, 2024, the PSLV-C58 mission achieved success, placing the primary satellite, XPoSat, into the intended orbit of 650 km with a 6-degree inclination
The successful launch of XPoSat makes India the second
Context: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued its list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs).
News:
In the recent update by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), both the State Bank of India (SBI) and HDFC Bank have been reclassified to higher tiers, while ICICI Bank maintains its existing categorization from the previous year
The revised classifications pla
Context: The technology allowed scholars a clearer and measurable view of the past, clarifying the history of human migration, the rise and fall of civilisations, and undulations of the earth’s climate
About:
Radiocarbon dating, also known as carbon-14 dating, is a scientific method employed to precisely ascertain the age of organic materials, with its accuracy extending to around 6
Context: India’s real GDP growth in 2023-24 is estimated at 7.3%, compared to 7.2% a year ago, as per the first advance estimates of national income released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), which reckon the economy will outperform the 7% uptick recently projected by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
About NSO (National Statistical Office):
Role and Affiliation: The NSO ser
Cooperation ministry recently launched a portal through which farmers can sell tur dal to government procurement agencies at the minimum support price (MSP) or market price, whichever is higher.
Govt. Procurement agencies - National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed) or National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF).
India had decided to formally join the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, an international scientific collaboration working to build the world’s largest radio telescope.
What is SKA?
SKA – It will be the world's biggest and most advanced radio telescope ever constructed.
It will not be a single large telescope, but a collection of thousands of dis
Recently, the 1st Advance Estimates (FAEs) released by the government showed that India’s GDP will grow by 7.3% in the current financial year (2023-24), slightly faster than the 7.2% growth in 2022-23.
What is GDP?
Gross Domestic Product – GDP is defined as total market value of all final goods and services in an economy.
It is used to assess the size of
Released by- International Labour Organisation
Publication- Annually
Theme- The value of essential work.
About- It details the impact of economic slowdown on the global labour market.
2023 report- It calls for a revaluation of the work of key workers to reflect their social contribution and greater investment in key sectors.
Key workers- Food system worke
Recently ICD-11 was launched with the inclusion of Traditional Medicine Module 2.
ICD-11 – International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision, the global standard for diagnostic health information.
Launched by – World Health Organisation (WHO).
Prepared by – WHO in collaboration with Ministry of AYUSH.
Aim - To modernize
Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully placed its inaugural X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) into a meticulous circular orbit at an altitude of 650 km following a 21-minute flight on January 1. XPoSat represents the globe's second satellite mission exclusively focused on conducting X-ray polarimetry measurements.
About XPoSat:
XPoSat, India's
IIT Bombay has developed an instrument, GolDN (pronounced as Golden) for melt-mixing of waste thermoplastic polymers and inorganic particulate fillers to manufacture polymer composites.
GolDN is a single screw extruder that mechanically recycles waste plastic polymers through melt-mixing.
The instrument can manufacture composites from thermoplastic waste that can be molded
Researchers have identified a new class of antibiotics named Zosurabalpin with the potential to tackle a drug-resistant bacterium, Acinetobacter baumannii recently.
It inhibits the transport of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecules.
Zosurabalpin was found to be effective against CRAB (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii)-induced pneumonia and sepsis in mice
Aditya-L1 spacecraft was successfully placed in halo orbit around the Lagrangian point (L1).A halo orbit is a periodic, 3-dimensional orbit that occurs near one of the L1, L2, or L3 Lagrange points.
These points are locations in space where the gravitational pull from two celestial bodies is equal.
It is called a halo orbit because the tracked orbit looks like a halo
It is the apex executive body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to MSMEs in India.MSME sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy, fostering entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities at comparatively lower capital cost, next only to agriculture.
Union minister- Shri Narayan Rane
Key Initiativ
Context: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has launched 'SMART 2.0' (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research among Teaching professionals) program to promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country throu
North India’s 1st industrial biotech park inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua recently.
Biotech Parks offer facilities to scientists and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for technology incubation, demonstration, and pilot plant studies.
The parks are established to facilitate product advancement and innovation through the development of biot
Industrial pollution has destroyed local fisheries in Dahej near Bharuch, Gujarat.
Dahej
Location - Near the ancient port site of Barygaza (near today’s Bharuch) on the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat.
Economic importance - It began to be developed as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 1990.
It is one of the four Petroleum, Chemical and Petro
Context: The current nuclear order has evolved over time, with nine states possessing nuclear weapons: the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea
Background: The global nuclear order is the process by which nuclear weapons affect the world order, dominated by powerful states, mostly from the Global North, with excessive influence
Vazhakulam pineapple is a pineapple grown in the Vazhakulam area of Kerala, India.
The pineapple is unique in aroma, flavour and sweetness due to its high sugar content and low acidity.
Vazhakulam is considered as the biggest pineapple market in India.
It got its GI tag in 2009.
The Education and Research Network is an autonomous scientific society of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
ERNET was established in 1986 to provide a networking infrastructure for the research and education community with its headquarters are in New Delhi.
ERNET's mandate is to support the needs of academic and research institutions thr
GI tag - A GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Ownership - Any trader's body, association, or organization can apply for a GI tag.
Major Categories - The products in the GI registry fall under five major categories.
Agriculture
Food Stuff
Harit Nauka guidelines and the River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047 were launched at the recently held inaugural Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kolkata.
IWDC – It is hosted by the Inland Waterways Authority of India.
Establishment in – 2023
Objectives – For comprehensive development of inland waterways and associated ecosyst
With rising use of drones, DRDO develops own counter technology.
Indigenous - The DRDO is developing an indigenous counter-drone technology, which is capable of counter-attacks including detection, soft kill and hard kill of all types of drones.
The counter-drone system is ready for production and is already demonstrated to armed services and other internal security agencies.
Te
Context: Refusing to hand over a probe into allegations of the Hindenburg Research report on Adani Group to a Special Investigation Team, the Supreme Court asked market regulator SEBI to continue with its investigations and complete the probe in three months.
Background:
In late January, Hindenburg Research, which specialises in short selling, published a report critical of
Cyber kidnapping is a type of cybercrime where attackers gain unauthorized access to computer systems or data and then demand ransom.
In cyber kidnapping, online attackers target victims and force them into isolating themselves to demand ransom from their families.
They monitor the victims through video chat and use pictures captured by them in isolated conditions to extort money from th
Starlink is a satellite internet network operated by SpaceX, an American aerospace company.
It provides coverage to over 70 countries and aims to provide high-speed internet coverage to every part of the world.
It also aims to provide global mobile phone service after 2023.
Shark & ray meat (elasmobranch meat) consumption no longer restricted to India’s tribal & coastal peoples.
Elasmobranch is a subclass of the Class Chondrichthyes: Cartilaginous Fishes, which consists of sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras.
The rise in demand for elasmobranch meat could lead to more unsustainable fishing of shark species.
Difference - The other
Researchers at the Indian Institutes of Technology Madras and Mandi have metabolically engineered plant cells to increase production of anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT).
Nathapodytes nimmoniana
Nathapodytes nimmoniana is an endangered medicinal plant widely distributed throughout the Western Ghats of India.
The plant contains camptothecin (CPT) which is renowned anticancer drugs.
CONTEXT: In 2023, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on social and economic relations was significant, attributed to the success of large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, in solving complex tasks. Concerns about the dangers of LLMs and publicly deployed AI systems started to be voiced by both industry and state actors, highlighting potential perils that were previously ignored by t
Context: Recently, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh inaugurated the newly-constructed Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel.
About Sanjauli-Dhalli Tunnel:
Description: A double-lane tunnel spanning approximately 150 meters, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 47 crore.
Existing Dhalli Tunnel: Originally built in 1852 as a single-lane passage, the older Dhalli tunnel had exceed
Context: While no human probe has ventured far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System, we possess the capability to measure distances spanning billions of light-years.
About:
The expanse of space beyond Earth is immensely large, leading to the impracticality of using everyday units of measure.
Distances between planets and, more notably, between stars become staggering when expressed
Context: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorized the implementation of card-on-file tokenization (CoFT) in collaboration with card-issuing banks and institutions, aiming to enhance the security and safety of digital payments.
Card-on-File Tokenization (CoFT):
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced Card-on-File Tokenization in September 2021, and its implementation commenced on Oct
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has launched 'SMART 2.0' recently.
The program aims to promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaboration.
A Fog Pass Device is a GPS-based navigation device that helps train loco pilot navigate through dense fog.
It provides on-board real-time information (Display as well as voice guidance) to Loco Pilots.
It gives information regarding location of fixed landmarks such as Signal, Level Crossing gate (Manned & Unmanned), Permanent Speed Restrictions, Neutral Sections e
Recently National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a 3-year MoU with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to develop & report a Green Cover Index for National highways.
MGCI is a metric that measures the amount of green vegetation in mountain areas (forest, shrubs, trees, pasture land, crop land, etc.) in order to monitor progress towards the mountain targe
A new report by the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change warns of the severe health consequences of climate change in India.
Lancet Countdown Report
The Lancet Countdown is global research collaboration that tracks the relationship between public health and climate change.
2023 report- It tracks the relationship between healt
The New York Times (NYT) filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft for using its copyrighted work to train and generate Artificial Intelligence products.
Why NYT filed allegation against AI firms?
Use of copyrighted materials- NYT claims that Open AI and Microsoft are free-riding on its journalism, stealing its audience.
It argues that Open AI and Microsoft’s use is not transfo
Context: The pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Friday signed a historic tripartite peace deal with the Government of India and the state government of Assam.
Background:
Roots in Assamese anxieties
Assamese people have a unique culture, language, and strong identity.
In the 19th century, the region's economic growth in tea, coal, and
Context: There needs to be a focus on solutions that enhance the activities of daily life and the quality of life for the disabled
News:
The United Nations has emphasized the need for "transformative solutions" that promote inclusive development and leave no one behind, refocusing attention on disability-reducing innovations.
The field of "neuropsychiatry," situated
Context: Capital markets regulator Sebi on Thursday came out with a procedure for public issuance of 'zero coupon zero principle' instruments by not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) and listing of such instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE).
News:
Instruments issued in dematerialized form are non-transferable.
The minimum issue size for such instruments is set a
Recently, Ministry of Tourism started training in Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha under Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme.
Goal – To promote unique conservation values of Ramsar Sites’.
Ramsar Convention of 1971, an intergovernmental treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands, was ratified by India in 1982.
Purpose – To maintain he
The Union Cabinet Chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the overarching scheme ‘PRITHvi Vigyan’ (PRITHVI).
Implemented by – Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
The research & development and operational (services) activities of MoES are carried out by 10 Institutes of MoES.
Timeline – 2021-26, at an overall cost of Rs. 4,79
Context: Ration card portability gained traction across India this year, as 28 crore transactions were recorded in the first 11 months of 2023, according to the food ministry.
About:
Poor migrant workers will have the opportunity to purchase subsidized rice and wheat from any ration shop in the country, provided their ration cards are linked to Aadhaar.
To be eligible for subsidies su
The South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone is India's 18th railway zone, and its headquarters are in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
It was announced in 2019 and still not started yet.
Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) of Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) & Udaipur (Rajasthan) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
WCA – A voluntary scheme that recognizes cities which have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetl
The researchers at Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have examined the existence of high-frequency plasma waves in the Martian plasma environment.
IIG is an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology.
Plasma waves – A type of electromagnetic wave that propagates through plasma, a state of matter.
Plasma is formed when a gas is heated t
Context: The increase in tiger numbers in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar was facilitated by diminished human activity, including bans on mining.
In VTR, the status of tiger conservation has seen significant improvements:
Mining Restrictions: Strict measures, including a complete ban on sand and stone mining within VTR, along with rigorous restrictions on mining activities in its eco-sens
Context: Indian scientists have indigenously developed organic-inorganic halide perovskite self-powered broadband photodetector with partial substitution of lead by magnesium which can be useful for solar energy generation.
News:
Introduction of Eco-Friendly Alternative:
The research address issues with toxic lead in organic-inorganic halide perovskite (MAPbI3).
It propose a
Context: Natural anti-infective, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic products derived from a wide range of easily SOURCEd mushrooms and their bioactive molecules have the potential to combat covid, according to a new paper.
News:
Bioactive Ingredients and Immune System Boost:
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted increased research on bioactive compounds to enhance the immune system
Context: The Washington Post and human rights non-profit Amnesty International have alleged that the spyware instance known as Pegasus continues to be in use, on this occasion targeting journalists in India. Based on newfound data the two organisations have said the phones of founding editor of The Wire, Siddharth Varadarajan, and South Asia editor of the Organised Crime and Corruption Report
The Performance of Indian Railways in 2023 showed significant strides in infrastructure but reveals underwhelming freight loading and financial performance.
How Indian Railways performed in 2023?
Near completion of DFC – Dedicated Freight Corridors are nearing completion with more than 200 freight trains already running on the corridors.
De
Context: The Central Zoo Authority has allowed the Odisha government to carry out the planned transfer of a cheetah, African lion and Chimpanzee from Dubai Safari Park (DSP) to Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP), Bhubaneswar. The CZA has asked the wildlife wing of the State Forest and Environment Department to keep requisite housing facilities ready in accordance with its guideline.
News: &
Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) on December 15, 2023 added one of the world’s most underrecognised health challenges, noma, to its official list of neglected tropical diseases (NTD).
Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) on December 15, 2023 added one of the world’s most underrecognised health challenges, noma, to its official list of neglected tropical diseases
Recently, India released a document titled ‘Re-examining Narratives: A Collection of Essays’ to present alternate perspectives on economic policy that have long-term implications for India’s growth and development priorities.
What are credit rating agencies?
Credit Rating Agencies (CRA) – According to IMF, they are private companies that assess credit risk&n
Recently, the Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND) issued show-cause notices to 9 offshore virtual digital asset service providers (VDA SPs) like Bitfinex and MEXC Global, among others.
What is FIU-IND?
Established in – 2004 under the Finance Ministry.
Aim – To act as a nodal agency for receiving, analysing and disseminating information relating to suspected
Background: As per the Financial Stability Report by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio reached 5% in September 2022. Concurrently, the ratio of Net Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) to net advances has decreased to 1.3% in September 2022, marking the lowest point in the last decade.
The NPAs had experienced an increase from 3.8% in 2014 to 11.4% in 2018. H
Context: The Times says the companies are threatening its livelihood by effectively stealing billions of dollars worth of work by its journalists, in some cases spitting out Times' material verbatim to people who seek answers from generative artificial intelligence like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The newspaper's lawsuit was filed in federal court in Manhattan and follows what appears to be a br
Context: India embarks on its first-ever winter expedition to the Arctic. With this initiative, India’s Himadri becomes the fourth research station in the Arctic to be manned year-round.
India's Winter Expedition Plan:
Expedition Team:
A team comprising four scientists, financially supported by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, is scheduled to carry out the expedition. The e
Context: Based on media reports of several people from Periakuppam, Ernavur, Burma Nagar experiencing breathlessness and eye and skin irritation after leakage of ammonia from gas pipelines of the unit, the NGT on December 27 issued directions to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to file a report on the incident.
News:
A gas leakage occurred in the subsea pipeline of Cor
ISRO's XPoSat was successfully launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
About- India's inaugural scientific satellite to measure space-based polarization of X-ray emissions from celestial sources such as black holes and neutron stars in the medium energy band (8-30 keV).
Orbit location - Low earth orbit (650 km), low inclination o
National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL) has successfully expanded litchi cultivation in India by providing technical help, plants and training to farmers.
It is a sweet juicy fruit which is also known as lychee or lichee.
Scientific name – Litchi chinensis under soapberry family (Sapindaceae).
It is a small, oval roundish fruit that is native to
A savings or current account is treated as inoperative, if there are no ‘customer induced transactions’ in the account for a period of over 2 years.
A customer induced transaction can be a financial transaction initiated by or done at the
Behest of the account holder by the bank or third party, or
A non-financial transaction, or
A KYC (know your
RGIA in Hyderabad was ranked 2nd among the top 20 global airports with the highest On-Time Performance (OTP), according to Cirium’s annual report released recently.
On-time performance (OTP) is a measure of how punctual an airline's flights are compared to their scheduled times.
A flight is considered on-time if it arrives or departs within 15 minutes of its sche
CONTEXT: The new research station will be located just a few kilometres away from the Maitri station currently operating in the eastern Antarctica region.
A team of Indian polar scientists has identified a site for India's new research station in Antarctica, called Maitri-II.
The research base will be located near the existing Maitri station in eastern Antarctica.
India has been cond
CONTEXT: Japan will attempt to become just the fifth country in the world to soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the successful insertion of its "Smart Lander for Investigating Moon" (SLIM) into lunar orbit at 1:21 PM IST.
SLIM's elliptical lunar orbit connects the Moon's south and north poles with a period of about
Key words: Make in India (MII), Self-sufficiency, Protectionism, Jobs, Exports, PLI, NIP, Informal Economy, MSMEs, China
Background: For decades, the role of government intervention in shaping economic development has been fiercely contested. While free-market proponents advocate for minimal interference, others argue for strategic government involvement to guide and
Context: Researchers have developed a new electronics soil that was found to increase the growth of barley seedlings by 50 per cent in a new study.
News:
A new eSoil, developed by the Electronic Plants group at Linköping University, enhances barley seedling growth by an average of 50% in hydroponic cultivation.
The low-power bioelectronic scaffolding, called eSoil, is designed for
Context: The advisory by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) mandates that intermediaries communicate prohibited content, particularly those specified under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules, clearly and precisely to users.
News:
The Indian government issued an advisory to social media platforms regarding compliance with IT rules, specifically addressing concerns abo
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on the Project Kusha to operationally deploy its own long-range air defense system by 2028-29.
Aim – To develop India’s own Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LR-SAM)
Jointly developed with - Israel Aerospace Industries, Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturers
Ranges - Hi
NEWS: The recent UNFCCC conference in Dubai (COP28) marked a significant shift in addressing climate change.Instead of the usual lip service to adaptation, a critical issue often neglected by the international community, COP28 finally pushed this concern into the spotlight. This suggests a potential move away from the traditional focus on mitigation (reducing emissions) towards a more balanced app
CONTEXT: According to local officials, when the flight landed at France’s Vatry airport on Thursday, it had 303 Indian passengers, including 11 minors.
Charter plane grounded in France with 276 passengers, mostly Indians, suspected of human trafficking.
Flight landed in Mumbai after four days in France; 303 passengers initially, 25 stayed for asylum, 2 held.
Passengers from Punjab
CONTEXT: The idea to switch to strawberry farming was put forward by Chuktia Bhunjia Development Agency (CBDA), a body set up by the Odisha government in 1994-95 for the welfare of the Chuktia Bhunjia tribes.
Chuktia Bhunjia farmers in Odisha's Nuapada district have successfully transitioned to strawberry farming, improving their income significantly.
The switch to strawberry farming w
CONTEXT: Dubbed 'Chameleon Trojan', the malware uses the 'Accessibility service' on Android devices to disable fingerprint and face unlock and even tracks the user's app usage habits so it can run when the device is not in use.
A new version of the 'Chameleon Trojan' malware has been identified by security researchers.
The malware is capable of disabling biometr
CONTEXT: INS Imphal to be commissioned today. Its capabilities, and the strategic significance of Visakhapatnam class of destroyers Commissioning marks the day that a ship joins active service.
INS Imphal, the third ship of the Visakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile destroyers (Project 15B), is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy.
The class is designed by the Indian Navy
CONTEXT: The proposed hub located near the GMR Aerocity will provide connectivity through an Interstate Bus Terminus, Delhi Metro, the proposed Passenger Transport Centre, and proposed Rapid Rail Transit System station.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) plans to develop India's first multi-modal interstate transport hub near Aerocity, focusing on integrating bus, metro, and air
The Chipko movement was a non-violent agitation in 1973 that was aimed at protection and conservation of trees.
Gandhian social activist Chandi Prasad Bhatt, founder of the cooperative organisation Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh, led the first Chipko movement near the village of Mandal in 1973.
The movement is an uprising against the felling of trees in Uttar Pradesh’s Chamoli district
Sikki artisans suffer livelihood losses amid climate change & state apathy.
Family - Zizanoides grass family.
Scientific name - Chrysopogon zizanioides
Sikki finds mention in ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Ramayana, where it is referred to as viran, sugandhimool, ushir and nalad.
Tarai Region - This grass grows indigenously in the Tarai regions of Uttar P
Mayurbhanj’s red ant chutney receives GI tag.
The Chutney
Made with - The chutney is made with read weaver ants by the tribal people of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
Other name - It is also known by the name Similipal kai Chutney.
Making - Red weaver ants are collected from the nests along with their eggs and cleaned.
After that, the chutney is prepared by
A leap year has 366 days in a year as opposed to the regular 365 days.
The extra day is added to February, the shortest month of the year, as February 29.
Context: Ketamine drug was reported to be involved in actor Matthew Perry’s death recently.In recent years, ketamine has been a subject of widespread debate due to its growing use for treating depression and other serious mental health issues.
About ketamine:
Ketamine, classified as an anaesthetic and hallucinogen by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, is derived from Phenc
Underutilization of Operation Greens Scheme
Why in News?
A recent Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) report has highlighted the underperformance of the Operation Greens (OG) scheme, drawing attention to its limited success in addressing challenges in agricultural markets and post-harvest losses. The report raises concerns about the government’s ability to stabilize crop prices and
Prime Minister dedicated to the nation, indigenously developed Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
The plant - It is a pilot for the bigger facility that would come up to reprocess the fuel that would come out of the two more 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactors (PFBR) that would come
It is a sparsely populated geographic region of the easternmost Isthmus of Panama that extends into northwestern Colombia, around the Gulf of Urabá.It forms the physiographic link between Central and South America.
Over 100,000 minors crossed Darien gap in 2023 to reach US.
Features - A hot, humid area typified by tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, and low mountain ranges
The Centre has decided to start an advanced smart fencing system for the entire India-Myanmar border with the end of free movement regime.
Free Movement Regime – It is a mutual pact between India and Myanmar to allow tribes dwelling along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other without a visa.
India shares a 1,643 km-
There is an urgent need to regulate frameworks to ensure the effective implementation of biodiversity credits.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)
Aim - KMGBF aims to catalyze transformative action by governments, and subnational and local authorities, with the involvement of all of society, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
Adoption - KMGBF was adopte
Context: A Japanese-owned chemical tanker off the coast of India was targeted by a drone, allegedly fired from Iran, marking the seventh Iranian attack on commercial shipping since 2021, according to the Pentagon.
News:
A recent report indicates that the drone assault on a vessel near Gujarat originated from Iran. The targeted ship, MV Chem Pluto, is a chemical tanker with a Liberia flag
MoEFCC is the nodal agency for planning, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of India’s environmental and forestry policies and programmes.
Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
The updated NDCs seeks to enhance India’s contributions towards achievement of the strengthening of global response to the threat of climate change, as agreed und
Gangster Goldy Brar, the mastermind behind the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, was declared a designated terrorist by the Centre under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
UAPA
The UAPA aims to prevent unlawful activities and terrorist activities in the country.
Terrorist Act - Any act committed with intent to threaten or likely to threaten the unity,
India is poised to establish a National Maritime Domain Awareness Centre (NMDAC) in response to emerging threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
NMDAC
The Indian Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) in Gurugram, is on track to upgrade into the National Maritime Domain Awareness Centre in about three years.
Objective - The primary objective of the NMDA
Sea Turtle
These are large, air-breathing reptiles that live in tropical and subtropical seas all over the world.
Their shells are made up of an upper section (carapace) and a lower section (plastron).
Hard scales or scutes cover all but the leatherback, and the number and arrangement of these scutes can be used to identify the species.
The upper shell, or carapace, of each sea tur
Context: The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, virtually inaugurated 'MedTech Mitra,' a strategic initiative aimed at empowering MedTech innovators and advancing healthcare solutions.
About:
The platform, MedTech Mitra, serves as a support system for young talents, guiding them in shaping their research, knowledge
Why in the News?
The recently held G-20 summit at Delhi decided upon tripling renewable energy capacity and voluntary doubling of the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030, as a part of the Delhi Declaration.
What should be the ideals for a just energy-transition?
Here are some key ideals for ensuring a just and equitable ener
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