Biodiversity COP16

Why in the News? For the upcoming Annual Climate Change meeting set to take place in Baku (Azerbaijan), on November 11, countries are currently gathered in Cali, Colombia, for the biennial UN Biodiversity Conference. What is the significance of COP16 in the context of Global biodiversity? Post-Kunming-Montreal Framework Implementation: COP16 is the first meeting after… Continue reading

SC upholds State legislatures’ right to regulate Industrial Alcohol as an ‘Intoxicant’

Why in the News? A nine-judge Constitution Bench, with an 8:1 majority, affirmed the authority of State legislatures to regulate industrial alcohol. What is the definition of “intoxicating liquor” with industrial alcohol? The SC’s ruling established that the term “intoxicating liquor” in Entry 8 of the State List should be interpreted broadly to include not… Continue reading

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)

Why in the News? The Supreme Court has overturned the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s (NCLAT) order that approved a deal between an edtech firm and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to settle an overdue payment. Three-Judge Bench Observations in Byju’s Case The Supreme Court’s bench, led by CJI, noted that… Continue reading

Lahore: The World’s most Polluted City

Why in the News? Lahore was declared the world’s most polluted city by air quality monitor IQAir, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 394, considered hazardous by global standards. Delhi ranks 2nd, recording an AQI of 204, also classified as “very unhealthy.” Lahore’s AQI value exceeds the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline by over… Continue reading

Bihar gets its first Dry Port in Bihta

Why in the News? Bihar has inaugurated the state’s first dry port in Bihta, a town near Patna to boost the export of goods produced in Bihar. The first export consignment from the Bihta ICD was leather shoes sent to Russia. What is it? A dry port, also known as an inland container depot (ICD),… Continue reading

Secularism is a core part of the Constitution: SC

Why in the News? On Monday, October 21, 2024, the Supreme Court affirmed that secularism is an integral and fundamental component of the Basic Structure of the Constitution. Is Secularism an Unamendable Part of the Indian Constitution? Part of the Basic Structure: The Supreme Court has consistently held that secularism is an essential and indelible… Continue reading

On sanctions and shadow fleets

Why in the News? During coverage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, many Western media outlets have referred to tanker ships transporting Russian crude oil or oil products to other countries as a “shadow fleet.” What is shadow fleet? The “shadow fleet” refers to tanker ships transporting oil from sanctioned countries, using tactics like flag hopping, complex… Continue reading

The case for a nature restoration law in India

Why in the News? The urgent global issue of ecosystem degradation affects India significantly, with nearly 30% of its land degraded. India’s need for a comprehensive nature restoration law is critical, drawing inspiration from the EU’s NRL Why does India need a Nature Restoration Law? High Land Degradation: Nearly 30% of India’s land is degraded,… Continue reading

India, China reach deal on easing LAC tensions

Why in the News? India and China announced an agreement on patrolling arrangements, resolving the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as per government officials. What are the key components of the agreement between India and China? Patrolling Arrangements: The agreement includes the resumption of patrolling along the Line of Actual Control… Continue reading

Moonlight Programme

Why in the News? The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) Programme. About Moonlight Programme Details Agency European Space Agency (ESA) Purpose To establish a communications and navigation infrastructure around the Moon to support future lunar missions by space agencies and private companies. Planned Missions Supports over 400… Continue reading

Z-Morh Tunnel Project

Why in the News? Some militants attacked workers building the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, killing seven people. What is the Z-Morh Tunnel? The Z-Morh tunnel is a 6.4-kilometer tunnel located near Gagangir village, connecting the Sonamarg health resort to Kangan town in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. It is part of the… Continue reading

New ‘Lady Justice’ Statue

Why in the News? The Chief Justice of India unveiled a new ‘lady justice’ statue at the Supreme Court. This new statue replaces the previous version and is clothed in a saree, holds scales in one hand, and the Indian Constitution in the other, with its eyes uncovered—symbolizing that justice sees all equally. About the… Continue reading

Minority Institutions

Why in the News? The Supreme Court stated that laws regulating institutions run by religious or linguistic minorities do not inherently violate the principle of secularism. The CJI made this observation while hearing a challenge to the Allahabad High Court’s decision to strike down the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004. Why do… Continue reading

[23rd October 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Working toward a meaningful ‘victims’ register’ in Bastar

PYQ Relevance: Q) Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism. (UPSC CSE 2022) Q) What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in Eastern part of India? What strategy should… Continue reading

SC upholds Section 6A of Citizenship Act as valid

Why in the News? On October 17, 2024, political parties widely welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision upholding Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, addressing citizenship under the Assam Accord. What is Section 6A? Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, added in 1985, grants citizenship to immigrants in Assam who entered between January 1, 1966, and… Continue reading

Climate change impact harsher on poorer farmers in India: FAO report

Why in the News? On October 16, 2024, the FAO said that poor households around the world lose 5% of their income each year due to heat stress and 4.4% due to floods. About FAO: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is indeed a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), established to lead international… Continue reading

India’s SDG focus and its Human Development issues

Why in the News? On September 9-10, 2023, New Delhi hosted the G-20 Summit, where participants committed to enhancing the implementation of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. How effectively is India progressing towards achieving the SDGs by 2030? Current Status: India is classified in the “medium human development” category, with an HDI value… Continue reading

West Nile Virus

Why in news? Ukraine is currently dealing with a serious outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV), with health officials raising alarms as the death toll rises. About West Nile Virus Details Virus Type Member of the flavivirus genus, family Flaviviridae First Isolated 1937 in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda Geographical Distribution… Continue reading

Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)

Why in the News? The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), the highest statutory body on technical drug-related matters in India, has recommended including all antibiotics under the definition of ‘New Drugs’ in the New Drugs and Clinical Trial (NDCT) Rules, 2019. What are ‘New Drugs’? According to Rule 122 E of the Drugs and Cosmetics… Continue reading

[pib] Government extends SAMARTH Scheme till March 2026

Why in the News? The Samarth Scheme (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector), which aims to teach 300,000 people in textile-related skills, has been extended for two years (FY 2024–25 and 2025–26). Achievements of the SAMARTH Scheme: So far, 3.27 lakh candidates have been trained under the Samarth Scheme, with 2.6 lakh (79.5%) of… Continue reading

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