The relevance of pumped storage projects

Why in the news? The Union Budget for 2024-25 announced that “a policy will be introduced to promote pumped storage projects aimed at electricity storage and ensuring the seamless integration of the increasing share of renewable energy. Why is renewable power generation subject to variations and weather changes? Due to Intermittent nature: Renewable energy sources,… Continue reading

States can sub-classify SCs for quotas: top court

Why in the news? In a 6:1 majority ruling on August 1, the Supreme Court determined that sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) categories is permissible to extend the benefits of affirmative action. However, the seven-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, emphasized that this must be… Continue reading

Govt. introduces Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha

Why in the news? Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai presented the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Proposed Provisions in the Bill Creation of a Disaster Database: The Bill mandates the establishment of a comprehensive disaster database at both national and state levels, which will include disaster… Continue reading

States can directly buy Rice from FCI

Why in the News? The Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister announced that States can now directly purchase rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) without participating in e-auctions. Key Announcements: Direct Rice Purchase of Rice by the States: States can procure rice directly from FCI at… Continue reading

What is the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme?

Why in the News? Recent reports suggest that the government might reduce or discontinue the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme due to its high cost. Decline in Popularity of SGB: This speculation follows the Union budget’s decision to slash customs duties on gold and silver from 15% to 6%. The reduction in customs duties is… Continue reading

Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

Why in the News? The Health Ministry has requested the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to implement measures to prevent surrogate advertisements of tobacco and alcoholrelated products by sportspersons. About Sports Authority of India (SAI) Details Establishment Founded in 1984 by the Ministry of Youth… Continue reading

Mapping: River Seine

Why in the News? The swimming events in the ongoing Paris Olympics were postponed due to concerns about the water quality of the River Seine. Issues with River Seine’s Water Quality: Old Sewage System: Paris’ aged sewage system combines rainwater and wastewater in the same pipes, leading to overflow during heavy rains. Untreated Sewage Discharge:… Continue reading

85th death anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh

Why in the News? On July 31, 1940, Indian revolutionary leader Udham Singh was executed at the Pentonville prison in London for killing Michael O’Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab. He avenged the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre by assassinating Michael O’Dwyer. Udham Singh (1899-1940) and his Contributions: Details Birth and Early Life Singh was born… Continue reading

‘Zombies’ in our Genes helped us evolve

Why in the News? Research suggests that around 8% of the human genome is composed of Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) often referred to as ‘zombie’ regions. Retroviruses and Human Genome Integration Most viruses can’t affect the human genome, but retroviruses are an exception. Retroviruses can integrate and reshape the genomes of their hosts. They have an… Continue reading

On discarding indexation for LTCG

Why in the news? Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s decision to eliminate indexation for calculating long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax in the Union Budget has received a lukewarm response from stakeholders. Changes in the LTCG Regime The new LTCG regime removes the indexation benefit for property, gold, and other unlisted assets. The LTCG tax rate is… Continue reading

[31st July 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A Licence Raj for digital content creators

PYQ Relevance: Mains:Q1 Has digital illiteracy, particularly in rural areas, coupled with lack of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification. (UPSC IAS/2021) Q2 What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do films in India stand on a slightly… Continue reading

The case for a Legal Advisory Council

Why in the news? Legal insights from well-structured think tanks can be crucial in clarifying the true intent of specific legislation for the government. Scope to Review the Process of Legal Consultancy Need for Structured Legal Inputs: The handling of legal issues by the National Democratic Alliance has been inadequate. There is a need for… Continue reading

[pib] National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

Why in the News? The NPPA monitors the prices of scheduled as well as non-scheduled medicines under Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013), informed the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers. What are Scheduled and Non-Scheduled Formulations? [A] Scheduled Formulations: Defined as formulations listed in Schedule-I of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order,… Continue reading

In new: Mekedatu Project

Why in the News? Karnataka CM has offered to discuss with Tamil Nadu, the implementation of Mekedatu Project across River Cauvery. About Mekedatu Project Mekedatu is a location along Kaveri in the border of Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara Districts in Karnataka. Karnataka intends to build a reservoir across River Cauvery near Mekedatu. The dam is proposed… Continue reading

Landslides in Wayanad

Why in the News? Many people have died, and hundreds are feared trapped after three landslides hit Kerala’s Wayanad district. About Wayanad Wayanad is the only plateau in Kerala, forming a continuation of the Mysore Plateau, part of the Deccan Plateau. The Kabini River, a tributary of the Kaveri River, originates in Wayanad. The Chaliyar… Continue reading

What is FnCas9 Enzyme?

Why in the News? Scientists from the “CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology” have developed an enhanced genome-editing system using FnCas9 that can modify DNA more precisely and more efficiently than existing CRISPR-based technologies. CRISPR occurs naturally in some bacteria, as a part of their immune system that limits infections by recognizing and destroying viral… Continue reading

DAC approves amendment to MQ-9B UAV deal with US

Why in the News? The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has reviewed and approved amendments to the deal for 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomics of the US. The DAC also approved a proposal for the scheduled refit of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya later this year. About MQ-9B… Continue reading

Specie in news: Charles Darwin’s Frog

Why in the News? The Charles Darwin frog, a species native to the Andaman Islands, is exhibiting unusual mating and egg-laying behaviors. About Charles Darwin’s Frog Charles Darwin’s frog, scientifically known as Minervarya charlesdarwini, is a frog species endemic to the Andaman Islands. This species is named after the famous naturalist Charles Darwin. It belongs… Continue reading

Surprising ‘Dark Oxygen’ discovery could ensnarl deep-sea mining

Why in the News? Scientists reported on July 22 in Nature Geoscience that an unknown process is generating oxygen in the deep oceans, where photosynthesis is not possible due to the lack of light. About the recent study: Discovery of Oxygen: Scientists reported an unknown process producing oxygen in the deep ocean, specifically in the… Continue reading

SC to examine acquitted man’s ‘Right to be Forgotten’: What is this right, and how have courts ruled earlier?

Why in the News? Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that could define the scope of the “Right to be Forgotten” referred to in European privacy law as the “Right to Erasure” in India. What is the ‘Right to be Forgotten’? The right to be forgotten allows individuals to remove or… Continue reading

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