In news: Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)

Why in the News? The Allahabad High Court clarified the appellate jurisdiction concerning orders issued by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in contempt proceedings. The court ruled that appeals against CAT contempt orders must be filed exclusively before the Supreme Court under Section 19 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. What is Central Administrative… Continue reading

UNCTAD Report Highlights Shifts in India’s Trade Relations

What is the news? The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Global Trade Report revealed an evolving trade landscape for India, marked by increased reliance on China and the European Union (EU). About UNCTAD UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. It is part of… Continue reading

Lalit Kala Akademi chief’s powers curbed by Culture Ministry

Why in the news? The Ministry of Culture has restricted the powers of Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) Chairman, V Nagdas, preventing him from taking any administrative actions without prior consultation with the ministry. The directive was issued, citing rule 19(1) of General Rules and Regulations of LKA, empowering the central government to intervene in administrative… Continue reading

Ozone found on Jupiter’s moon Callisto

Why in the news? PRL Ahmedabad researchers has uncovered evidence of ozone presence on Jupiter’s moon Callisto, offering profound insights into celestial chemical processes. About Jupiter and its Moons Description Discovery Known since ancient times; Galileo Galilei observed Jupiter and its moons through a telescope in 1610 Composition Mostly composed of hydrogen and helium, with… Continue reading

ISRO’s NICES Programme Combatting Climate Change

Why in the news? The National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) Program has extended invitations to Indian researchers to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts. What is NICES Program? The NICES Programme is operated by the ISRO and the Department of Space. It was launched in 2012. It operates within the framework… Continue reading

The ART of India’s HIV/AIDS response

Why in the news? On April 1, 2004, the Indian government launched Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV). This decision has been one of the most successful . Emergence of HIV drugs First Antiretroviral Drug Approval: In March 1987, the US FDA approved the first antiretroviral drug, AZT (zidovudine), offering a… Continue reading

Workers, not tech, should be state’s priority

Why in the news? The Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) has attracted significant attention, mainly because of the many difficulties it encounters What is Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS)? The Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) is a unique payment system that utilizes the Aadhaar number as a central key for electronically channelizing government payments Aim of ABPS Objective:… Continue reading

Tamil Nadu accounts for 30% of India’s electronics exports

Why in the news? Nearly 40% of India’s smartphone shipments over the past two fiscal years originated from a single district Kancheepuram. Context In FY23, Tamil Nadu emerged as India’s foremost exporter of electronic goods, contributing 30% to the country’s total electronic goods exports in FY24. Historically, the state lagged behind Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka… Continue reading

The legal issues surrounding Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest | Explained

Why in the news? A Delhi Court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1 in the money laundering case Context Mr Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, hours after his plea for interim protection from arrest was rejected by the Delhi High Court. This is… Continue reading

Katchatheevu Island Conundrum

Why in the news? Prime Minister recently claimed that the then PM Indira Gandhi had given away the island of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka for no reason. About Katchatheevu Island Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island measuring merely 285 acres, lying between India and Sri Lanka. It is situated in the Palk Strait. It was… Continue reading

100 Years of Vaikom Satyagraha

Why in the news? This year April 1st marks 100 years of the Vaikom Satyagraha, in Kottayam, Kerala. About Vaikom Satyagraha Vaikom was the epicentre of the Vaikom Satyagraha, which began in 1924. This movement aimed to challenge the ban imposed on marginalized communities from entering the vicinity of the Vaikom Mahadevar Temple in the… Continue reading

Recently Awarded GI Tags

Why in the news? Over 60 products from various regions received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag simultaneously, marking the largest batch of GI tags ever granted. What is a GI Tag? A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to… Continue reading

Empathic Voice Interface (EVI): World’s first conversational AI with Emotional Intelligence

Why in the news? Hume, a prominent research lab and tech firm based in New York, has unveiled Empathic Voice Interface (EVI), world’s first conversational AI endowed with emotional intelligence. What is Empathic Voice Interface (EVI)? Hume’s Empathic Voice Interface (EVI) is powered by its proprietary empathic large language model (eLLM). It can decipher tones,… Continue reading

Hepatitis B: Everything you need to know

Why in the news? A recent study by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, revealed alarming deficiencies in public knowledge (transmission, effects & vaccination) about Hepatitis B in India. Despite the availability of a vaccine for over 30 years, HBV infection rates remain high in India, with prevalence estimates ranging from 2% to 8% and… Continue reading

[30 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Bonds, big money, and an imperfect democracy

PYQ Relevance:Mains: Q) ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2017) Q) In light of the recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are… Continue reading

MHA extends FCRA Registration of NGOs

Why in the news? The Ministry of Home Affairs extended till June 30 the validity of all FCRA registered NGOs whose licences are expiring on March 31. What is Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)? The FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security. First enacted in 1976, it… Continue reading

Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Why in the news? The Supreme Court has rejected review petitions challenging its ruling on the initiation of proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The judgment clarified that Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code cannot be invoked for PMLA proceedings unless the alleged conspiracy pertains to a scheduled offence. Prevention of… Continue reading

Global Spread of H5N1 Bird Flu

Why in the news? Since 2020, the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has been spreading globally, posing a significant threat to both birds and mammals. H5N1 Bird Flu: Details H5N1 originated from a virus outbreak on a goose farm in China in 1996 and has since evolved into a highly pathogenic strain. The virus quickly… Continue reading

South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) Ecoregion

Why in the news? A recent study has revealed about undocumented biodiversity in the newly recognized South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) Ecoregion. What is SEAMA Ecoregion? The SEAMA is a recently recognized ecoregion located in Southern Africa. It spans across northern Mozambique and incorporating Mount Mulanje in Malawi. SEAMA is distinguished by its mountainous… Continue reading

UNEP Food Waste Index Report, 2024

Why in the news? The Food Waste Index Report, 2024 was recently released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), a UK based non-profit organization. Food Waste Index Report: It tracks the global and national generation of food and inedible parts wasted at the retail and consumer (household… Continue reading

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