[25th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Follow the rains, not the calendar to fight floods

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2016] The frequency of urban floods due to high-intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. Linkage: This PYQ is directly linked to the article as both focus on increasing urban floods due to high-intensity,… Continue reading

Swipe, Tap, Spend: How UPI is a decisive step towards formalization of Indian Economy

Introduction India’s journey towards a cash-lite economy has been marked by a staggering rise in UPI transactions, reflecting a decisive shift in household and business payment patterns. From groceries to loans, from investments to utility bills, UPI has emerged as the backbone of everyday economic life. This transformation is not merely technological but a structural… Continue reading

How are courts protecting personality rights?

Introduction Personality rights, the right to control one’s name, image, likeness, and voice, have become a critical issue in India’s courts. With AI enabling deepfakes, voice cloning, and digital impersonation, Bollywood celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff have approached courts to restrain unauthorised commercial exploitation of their persona. While… Continue reading

South-west Monsoon: Its Onset and Retreat

Why in the News? According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon began its earliest withdrawal in a decade on September 14 from western Rajasthan, three days before the usual date of September 17. What is Monsoon? Overview: A seasonal reversal of winds, southwest winds (wet) in summer and northeast winds (dry) in… Continue reading

Konkan Geoglyphs may be 24,000 years old

Why in the News? The prehistoric geoglyphs of the Konkan coast may date back as far as 24,000 years, based on new stratigraphic evidence from Koloshi caves in Maharashtra. About Konkan Geoglyphs: Overview: Prehistoric rock engravings (geoglyphs/petroglyphs) carved on laterite plateaus of the Konkan coast (Maharashtra, Goa, southern Karnataka). Depictions: Humans, animals (elephants, tigers, rhinos,… Continue reading

Sixth Schedule demand for Ladakh

Why in the News? The recent protests in Ladakh led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, which turned violent, have been driven by demands for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and a call for statehood. Background: Ladakh’s Governance Post Article 370 Repeal Union Territory Recognition: After the 2019 repeal of Article 370, Ladakh… Continue reading

Delhi to witness Artificial Rain through Cloud Seeding

Why in the News? The Delhi government is planning to trial cloud-seeding to trigger artificial rain to combat air pollution ahead of winters. About Cloud Seeding: About: It is a microclimate management technique aimed at altering precipitation patterns by dispersing substances into clouds to stimulate rainfall or snowfall. Why it is used: It is used… Continue reading

[24th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Criminal Defamation is incompatible with democratic debate

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2014] What do you understand by the concept ‘freedom of speech and expression’? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. Linkage: The 2014 PYQ on freedom of speech, hate speech, and films directly links with… Continue reading

India’s only active volcano in Andaman’s Barren Island erupts

Why in the News? Barren Island, which is not only India’s but South Asia’s only active volcano, has erupted twice in a span of eight days. About Barren Island: Location: In the Andaman Sea, about 138–140 km northeast of Port Blair, within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India). Unique Status: The only confirmed active volcano… Continue reading

The Left we need: The Legacy of Indian Socialism

Introduction Once a vibrant stream of India’s political life, socialism today survives only on the margins, overshadowed by dominant political narratives. The Samajwadi Ekjutata Sammelan attempted to revive this forgotten legacy by recalling socialist icons, showcasing their contributions, and highlighting the ideological resources they left behind. Unlike European social democracy or Marxism, Indian socialism, particularly… Continue reading

Roadmap for India’s Fusion Power Plan

Why in the News? Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar have released a roadmap for India’s fusion programme, envisioning the Steady-State Superconducting Tokamak-Bharat (SST-Bharat) as the country’s first fusion electricity generator. Back2Basics: ITER and India’s Contribution in ITER ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor): It is the world’s largest nuclear fusion project, based… Continue reading

Commissioning of Oju Hydel Project

Why in the News? The Union Environment Ministry has cleared the 2,220 MW Oju Hydroelectric Project on the Subansiri River in Taksing, Upper Subansiri district, near the China border. About the Oju Hydroelectric Project: Capacity & Location: A 2,220 MW run-of-river hydro project on the Subansiri River at Taksing, Upper Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh, near… Continue reading

[pib] Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS), 2025

Why in the News? The Union Minister for Commerce and Industry has released Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS), 2025 Report. What is Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS)? Overview: It is a national index benchmarking logistics performance across States and Union Territories of India. Origin: Conceived in 2018, modelled on the World Bank’s Logistics… Continue reading

With US withdrawing from multilateralism, India has both risks and opportunities

Introduction The United Nations (UN) was envisioned in 1945 as the cornerstone of a rules-based global order. Yet, 80 years later, it faces one of its gravest challenges. US President Donald Trump’s second term has unleashed a sweeping retreat from multilateralism, leaving the UN structurally weakened and financially strained. His push for sovereignty-driven unilateralism, withdrawal… Continue reading

Pollution in Indian Rivers: CPCB Report, 2023

Why in the News? The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released its latest assessment (2022–23) on the health of Indian rivers. About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Overview: Statutory body set up in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Expanded mandate: Later entrusted with powers under the Air (Prevention… Continue reading

Optical Computing and AI with Light

Why in the News? Finnish researchers showed that nonlinear optical fibres can perform AI tasks efficiently, advancing optical computing. About Optical Computing: Overview: A computer that uses light (photons) instead of electricity (electrons) to process data. Why Important: Light is faster, makes less heat, and carries more data at once. Technology Used: Runs through optical… Continue reading

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