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Why AI’s present and future bring some serious environmental concerns?

Why in the News?  Google is in the news due to its recent annual environment report, which revealed a 13% increase in its emissions footprint for 2023 compared to the previous year. Why Emissions are higher? Increased Electricity Consumption: Google reported a 13% increase in its emissions footprint in 2023, primarily due to a 17%… Continue reading Why AI’s present and future bring some serious environmental concerns?

Assam’s Charaideo Moidam included in UNESCO World Heritage List

Why in the News? The Charaideo Moidams, a unique 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty from Assam, has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. About Charaideo Moidams The Charaideo moidams represents the late medieval (13th-19th century CE) mound burial tradition of the Tai Ahom community in Assam. Charaideo, more than 400 km… Continue reading Assam’s Charaideo Moidam included in UNESCO World Heritage List

[26th July 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The ‘geo-calculus’ of the Moscow visit

PYQ Relevance:Mains:Q1 Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? (UPSC IAS/2021) Q2 How is the S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?  (UPSC IAS/2021)  Prelims: Q Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of cooperation… Continue reading [26th July 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The ‘geo-calculus’ of the Moscow visit

States have the unlimited right to tax mineral-rich lands    

Why in the News? The Supreme Court delivered a significant 8:1 judgment affirming that State Legislatures have the power to tax mining lands and quarries, independent of the Parliament’s Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 (MMDR Act). About the verdict given by SC       Judgment Overview: The majority opinion, authored by Chief Justice… Continue reading States have the unlimited right to tax mineral-rich lands    

India’s illegal coal mining problem      

Why in the News? On July 13, three workers died of asphyxiation inside an illegal coal mine in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district. How Prevalent is Illegal Coal Mining in India? Illegal coal mining has led to multiple fatalities, including recent incidents in Gujarat, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, highlighting its prevalence and dangers. There are 10 workers… Continue reading India’s illegal coal mining problem      

The panel will look into issues stalling Bill, NE tribal councils told    

Why in the News? The Union government will set up a committee led by MoS Home Nityanand Rai to address concerns and expedite the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which aims to empower tribal autonomous councils in northeastern states. What is the Controversy over the 125th Amendment Bill?  The Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019 aims to… Continue reading The panel will look into issues stalling Bill, NE tribal councils told    

NASA’s Cassini-Huygens Mission

Why in the News? US space agency NASA’s Cassini-Huygens spacecraft launched in October 1997. Using Cassini’s radar data, scientists from Cornell University have discovered new information about the liquid ocean on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Observations made about Titan Titan is composed of hydrocarbons – organic chemicals consisting of carbon and hydrogen. The astronomers have… Continue reading NASA’s Cassini-Huygens Mission

What is the Hema Commission Report?

Why in the News? A single bench of the Kerala High Court has stayed the release of the Justice Hema Commission report. The report investigated women’s working conditions in the Malayalam film industry. About the Assault that Exposed the Deep Gender Divide       On February 17, 2017, a leading Malayalam film actress was abducted and sexually… Continue reading What is the Hema Commission Report?

[25th July 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: An outlining of urban transformation strategies

PYQ Relevance: Mains: Q1 What are ‘Smart Cities’? examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ‘Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission. (UPSC IAS/2016)  Q2 The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons… Continue reading [25th July 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: An outlining of urban transformation strategies

Why SC couldn’t agree on the environmental release of GM mustard? 

Why in the news? A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on Tuesday, July 23, regarding the “environmental release” of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard. About GM Mustard Crop  Development and Approval Process: On September 15, 2015, the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University sought approval from… Continue reading Why SC couldn’t agree on the environmental release of GM mustard? 

A big step towards the transformation of various sectors  

Why in the news? The 2024-25 Budget is a progressive proposal featuring several commendable initiatives aimed at boosting India’s economic growth and advancing social progress. Prioritized areas in the recent Budget 2024-25 Job Creation and Skilling: The budget allocates ₹1.48 lakh crore towards job creation, employment, and skilling, emphasizing the importance of developing a skilled… Continue reading A big step towards the transformation of various sectors  

ICMR develops CRISPR Cas-based TB Detection Kit

Why in the News? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Regional Medical Research Centre for North East has developed the “world’s cheapest CRISPR Cas-based TB testing system”. Back2Basics: CRISPR-Cas9 Technology CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9. It is a technology that allows geneticists and researchers to edit… Continue reading ICMR develops CRISPR Cas-based TB Detection Kit

In news: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

Why in the News? The Gandhi Sagar sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is the preferred location for the next batch of cheetah’s relocation plan. However, Banni in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat is also being prepared to house some of them. Cheetah Reintroduction in India: In India, cheetahs disappeared in the early 1950s due to hunting… Continue reading In news: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

Typhoon Gaemi 

Why in the News? After making landfall in the Philippines, Typhoon Gaemi is heading towards Taiwan. What is a Typhoon? A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that forms in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, primarily between 100°E and 180°E. It is characterised by strong winds, and heavy rain, and can cause significant damage due to… Continue reading Typhoon Gaemi 

Right to Shelter is a Fundamental Right: Supreme Court     

Why in the News? The Supreme Court emphasised the need to balance railway infrastructure development in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, with the fundamental right to shelter nearly 50,000 people accused of illegally encroaching on railway land. What was the Case? The hearing was based on an application filed by the Railways seeking to modify a January 2023… Continue reading Right to Shelter is a Fundamental Right: Supreme Court     

For the social sector, it is old wine in an old bottle 

Why in the News? Budget 2024 maintains the same approach as previous years regarding social sector allocations. Decreasing allocations in the Budget for social sector schemes Education Sector: The allocations for school education increased by ₹5,000 crore and for higher education by ₹3,000 crore. The increased recoveries from fees and self-financing schemes suggest a shift… Continue reading For the social sector, it is old wine in an old bottle 

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