India’s Surge in Pulses Imports: A Six-Year High

Why in the news? India’s pulses imports in fiscal 2024 witnessed a remarkable surge, soaring by 84% year-on-year to their highest level in six years. Lower production levels prompted India to permit duty-free imports of red lentils (Masoor) and yellow peas (Tur/Arhar), further driving the increase in imports. Pulses Cultivation in India Details Seasons Cultivated… Continue reading

Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex Dispute

Why in the news? The Supreme Court has issued a cautionary note to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) barring any physical excavation that could alter the character of the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex. About Bhojshala Complex Details Location Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. Historical Background Established by Raja Bhoj, the greatest ruler of the Parmar dynasty, as… Continue reading

[18 April 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The Great Indian Bustard and Climate Action Verdict

Mains PYQ Relevance: Q “The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws. (UPSC IAS/2022)Q Does the right to a clean environment entail legal regulation on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article… Continue reading

The limitations of Ambedkarite Dalit politics today

Why in the news? Organising grand events and celebrations in April to commemorate Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary has become a national ritual now. Ambedkar’s Vision for Dalit Political Power Ambedkar envisioned the Dalit-Bahujan mass as the prime claimant of state power, aiming to form a greater social alliance with Adivasis, poor working classes, and agrarian… Continue reading

On India’s ‘heat action plans’ | Explained

Why in the news? Come summer, we are used to seeing heat alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for various parts of India. This year, these alerts began in February itself. What is a heatwave? According to the IMD, the definition of a heatwave depends on the physiography of regions. The IMD will declare… Continue reading

Norms tweaked for Green Credit Programme

Why in the news? The Union Environment Ministry has rolled out norms for the Green Credit Programme (GCP). Guidelines and Modifications: The Environment Ministry’s recent guidelines empower ‘States’ to determine afforestation density based on local conditions, acknowledging the variability in forest ecosystems. Indigenous species are prioritized, and naturally occurring seedlings are retained to foster ecosystem… Continue reading

Places in news: Veeranam Lake

Why in the news? Chennai’s main drinking water source Veeranam Lake dries up. Its supply was halted due to the lack of inflow from the Mettur dam located across the Kaveri River. About Veeranam Lake Veeranarayanapuram Lake, commonly known as Veeranam Lake, serves as a crucial water source for Chennai city. It is a manmade… Continue reading

Operation Jumbo to capture Wild Elephants

Why in the news? The Forest Department has resumed Operation Jumbo to capture trouble-causing wild elephants and fix radio collars in Hassan division of Karnataka. What is Operation Jumbo? Operation Jumbo is a campaign launched by the Karnataka government to capture and radio-collar rogue wild elephants that frequently enter human habitations. It is effective in… Continue reading

Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)

Why in the news? India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders importing pulses from Myanmar, requiring them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) through the Punjab National Bank. International Transactions Settlement Mechanism: [1] Vostro Accounts: Named from the Latin word “vostro,” meaning “yours.” Represents a domestic… Continue reading

Reforms needed in the voting process | Explained

Why in the news? The Supreme Court has decided to hear petitions seeking 100% cross-verification of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with the vote count as per Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). What is the history of the Voting Process? First two General Elections: In the Elections of 1952 and 1957, a separate… Continue reading

Centre Directs Gas-Based Power Plants To Begin Operations Amid Rising Summer Demand

Why in the News? The Central government has issued directives under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, of 2003 to all gas-based generating stations to ensure Maximum Power Generation. This section empowers the Central/state government to specify the operation of generating stations in extraordinary circumstances. Why India Needs Gas-based Plants? Electricity Demand in India: India… Continue reading

Why has India allowed FIIs to invest in its Green Bonds? | Explained

Why in the News? On April 5 the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) greenlighted investments in the country’s Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs) by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIS). These are the investors such as insurance companies, pension funds, and nation-states’ sovereign wealth funds. What is the Sovereign Green Bond? It is a type of bond issued… Continue reading

UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)

Why in the News? The 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, commenced on April 15 in New York. It focuses on the pressing need to accelerate the recognition and protection of Indigenous Territories (ITs) worldwide. About UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII): Details What is it? One of three UN… Continue reading

Mapping: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Why in the news? A pack of wild dogs, or Dholes, in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) have suffered severe exfoliating skin infection which is an alarming fungal and bacterial infection. About Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is situated in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris District, at the intersection of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It forms… Continue reading

Growth in Ashwagandha Exports

Why in the news? Ashwagandha exports have surged by 8 times in the past six years, penetrating markets like the United States, Czech Republic, and Canada. The Ayurvedic industry in India has been growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17%, with the industry size increasing from $3 billion in 2014 to $24… Continue reading

India could face ‘Imported Inflation’: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Why in the News? The Asian Development Bank recently issued a cautionary note for India’s susceptibility to imported inflation due to potential rupee depreciation amidst escalating interest rates in the West. What is Imported Inflation? Imported inflation refers to the increase in the prices of goods and services within a country caused by a rise… Continue reading

India’s Arctic imperative

Why in the news? The Indian government appears interested in capitalizing on seabed mining and resource exploitation in the Arctic About Artice Region: The Arctic region is rich in energy resources, including oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and tidal power. The Arctic covers an area of approximately… Continue reading

What share of Global CO2 Emissions comes from Aviation?

Why in the news? Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. But it has contributed around 4% to global warming to date Year-wise Global Aviation demand, Energy Efficiency, and CO2 emissions Global Co2 emissions from aviation The reason behind Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions: CO2 Emissions: When jet fuel burns, it… Continue reading

How are hydrocarbons extracted from under the ground? | Explained

Why in the news? The geological processes, extraction methods, and environmental impact of hydrocarbon extraction. BACK2BASICS Where are Hydrocarbons located? Hydrocarbons originate from plant and animal fossils that were formed by the forces of temperature and weight over millennia. They are mostly found deep underground, in porous rock formations, such as sandstone, limestone, and shale.… Continue reading

Siachen: 40 years of Operation Meghdoot

Why in the News? April 13, 2024, marks the 40th anniversary of Operation Meghdoot, which was launched by the Indian Army to pre-empt Pakistan and occupy the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram ranges. The genesis of Operation Meghdoot Launched: April 13, 1984 (by the Indian Armed Forces); Aim: To seize control of the Siachen Glacier… Continue reading

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