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Piprahwa Relics of Buddha

Why in the News? The Union Culture Ministry has successfully retrieved the sacred ‘Piprahwa’ Buddhist relics, which were set to be auctioned in Hong Kong. About the Piprahwa Relics: Discovery: Unearthed in 1898 by William Claxton Peppe, a British engineer, at Piprahwa (Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh), near the Nepal border. Historical Significance: Identified as ancient Kapilavastu,… Continue reading Piprahwa Relics of Buddha

[1st August 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Why the world needs better green technologies

PYQ Relevance: [UPSC 2024] The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits. Linkage: This question directly related to “alternative technologies” to address a critical global environmental and resource crisis… Continue reading [1st August 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Why the world needs better green technologies

The Maldives: A brief history of the nation and its ties with India

Why in the News? Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to the Maldives (July 2025) marked a significant reset in bilateral ties after months of strain following the election of President Mohamed Muizzu, who had earlier run on an ‘India Out’ platform. What caused the India-Maldives ties reset under Muizzu? Troop Withdrawal &… Continue reading The Maldives: A brief history of the nation and its ties with India

What are Skill Impact Bonds (SIB)?

Why in the News? Skill Impact Bonds (SIB) were recently highlighted by the Skill Development Ministry. About the Skill Impact Bond: Launched: November 2021 Nature: India’s first Development Impact Bond (DIB) focused on employment-linked skill development Lead Agency: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Collaborators: British Asian Trust,… Continue reading What are Skill Impact Bonds (SIB)?

[pib] Digital Payments Index (DPI)

Why in the News? According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), digital payments registered a 12.6% year-on-year rise as of March 31, 2024, as measured by the RBI’s Digital Payments Index (DPI). About RBI’s Digital Payments Index (DPI): Launched by: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in January 2021 Purpose: Measures the extent of digital… Continue reading [pib] Digital Payments Index (DPI)

National Cooperation Policy (NCP), 2025

Why in the News? The National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025 recently unveiled by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has drawn criticisms from SKM (Samyukt Kisan Morcha). Also in news: The Union Cabinet has also approved a ₹2,000 crore Central Sector Scheme to aid National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) from 2025–26 to 2028–29. NCDC… Continue reading National Cooperation Policy (NCP), 2025

India’s Police must get out of Dirty Harry’s shadow

Why in the News? Recently, the custodial death of Ajith Kumar in Tamil Nadu has reignited concerns about police torture and custodial violence in India, drawing attention to the ongoing abuse of power, lack of accountability, and systemic failures in law enforcement.  Note: “Dirty Harry’s shadow” is the ethical grey zone that officers may enter… Continue reading India’s Police must get out of Dirty Harry’s shadow

Tsunami Waves triggered by quakes in Kamchatka Peninsula

Why in the News? An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering 16-foot tsunamis that reached Hawaii and northern California in the US. About Earthquakes: Overview: Sudden ground shaking caused by release of stored energy in Earth’s crust due to tectonic stress. Cause: Occurs when tectonic plates slip at fault lines where stress… Continue reading Tsunami Waves triggered by quakes in Kamchatka Peninsula

Setubandha Scholar Scheme

Why in the News? The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division at Central Sanskrit University, has launched the Setubandha Scholarship Scheme. About the Setubandha Scholarship Scheme: Objective: Acts as a bridge between traditional Gurukul learning and modern research, enabling the mainstreaming of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into higher education.… Continue reading Setubandha Scholar Scheme

New Guidelines for Management of Contaminated Sites

Why in the News? The Union Environment Ministry has notified the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. About the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025: Nodal Agency: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Legal Basis: Framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Purpose:… Continue reading New Guidelines for Management of Contaminated Sites

Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga

Why in the News? The Prime Minister recently highlighted a first-of-its-kind grassland bird census in Kaziranga National Park, Assam. About the Bird Census: Significance: India’s first-ever dedicated census of grassland birds Led by: Chiranjib Bora (PhD scholar), supported by INSPIRE Fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology Organised by: Park authorities, scientists, and conservationists… Continue reading Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga

CERT-In makes Annual Cybersecurity Audit Mandatory for Companies

Why in the News? The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has mandated annual third-party cybersecurity audits for both private and public-sector organisations operating digital infrastructure. Cybersecurity Directive: Key Highlights: Annual third-party cyber audits are mandatory for all digital infrastructure. Sectoral regulators may require more frequent checks based on risk. Audits must be risk-based, domain-specific,… Continue reading CERT-In makes Annual Cybersecurity Audit Mandatory for Companies

Cuvette Centrale: World’s Largest Tropical Peatland Complex

Why in the News? The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched oil exploration over 124 million hectares of the Cuvette Centrale peatlands raising global ecological risk. About the Cuvette Centrale Peatland Complex: Location: Central Congo Basin, spanning the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo. Size: Covers approximately 145,000–167,600 sq.… Continue reading Cuvette Centrale: World’s Largest Tropical Peatland Complex

[30th July 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Bihar’s dark side — the hub of girl child trafficking

PYQ Relevance: [UPSC 2024] In dealing with socio-economic issues of development, what kind of collaboration between government, NGO’s and the private sector would be most productive? Linkage: This question is highly relevant because the article explicitly state that child trafficking in Bihar is a severe socio-economic issue rooted in “poverty” and “complete absence of regulatory… Continue reading [30th July 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Bihar’s dark side — the hub of girl child trafficking

In news: Kyoto Protocol

Why in the News? Vijai Sharma, a 1974-batch IAS officer and architect of India’s climate diplomacy, who helped shape the Kyoto Protocol for safeguarding the interests of developing countries like India, has passed away. About Kyoto Protocol: Adopted: 11 December 1997 (UNFCCC COP-3, Kyoto, Japan); Came into Force: 16 February 2005 Legal Status: Legally binding… Continue reading In news: Kyoto Protocol

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)

Why in the News? The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) has been successfully launched from Sriharikota using GSLV Mk-II. About NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar): Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk-II | Launch Site: Sriharikota, India Mission Life: 3 years (planned); 5+ years (design) Orbit: Sun-synchronous polar orbit at 747 km with 98.4° inclination Objective: High-precision monitoring… Continue reading NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)

Pralay Missile 

Why in the News? The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted two consecutive test flights of the Pralay missile from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha’s coast. About Pralay Missile: Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), led by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) with Indian industry support. Purpose: Tactical surface-to-surface missile… Continue reading Pralay Missile 

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