[pib] Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative (AGNI)

Central Idea The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, has introduced the “Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative” (AGNI) to promote research and innovation among Ayurveda practitioners. Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative AGNI aims to document and validate Ayurvedic medical practices, enhance evidence-based practice culture, and facilitate scientific research in the… Continue reading

NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC)

Central Idea NASA’s DSOC experiment onboarded to Psyche spacecraft, recently demonstrated successful transmission of data over near-infrared laser signals to Earth. This technology addresses the challenge of transmitting vast amounts of data over long distances from spacecraft, moving at high speeds in deep space. Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) NASA’s DSOC experiment introduces near-infrared laser… Continue reading

How Satellite Data monitors Farm Fires in Northern India?

Central Idea Farm fires, particularly paddy crop residue fires, contribute to air pollution in northern India. To monitor and address this issue, satellite data is utilized. CREAMS Laboratory: Monitoring farm fires Agency: The Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s (IARI) Consortium for Research on Agro-ecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS) Laboratory is responsible for collecting and… Continue reading

CERT-In exempted from RTI Ambit

Central Idea The Centre has included the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) in the list of organizations exempted from the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005. There are 26 other intelligence and security organisations established by the Central government such as the Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Enforcement, and National Technical Research… Continue reading

Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF)

Central Idea Since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the global community has struggled to secure adequate funding for biodiversity conservation. However, on August 27, 2023, a significant step was taken as countries established the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). GBFF: A New Hope for Biodiversity Funding Inception: The GBFF was officially established on August 27,… Continue reading

Remembering Justice Fathima Beevi: India’s First Woman Supreme Court Judge

Central Idea Justice Fathima Beevi, the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India (also the first Muslim woman Judge of SC), passed away at the age of 96 in Kerala’s Kollam. Who was Justice Fathima Beevi? Early life: Born in 1927, Justice Beevi was the eldest of eight children and came from a… Continue reading

Places in news: Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

Central Idea The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has made a crucial recommendation to designate the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary, adjacent to the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, as a core critical tiger habitat. Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary Location: It is situated in H.D. Kote taluk of Mysuru district, Karnataka. Geographic Area: Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses a 30.32 sq… Continue reading

25 years of the International Space Station (ISS)

Central Idea This 20th November marked the 25th anniversary of the launch of the International Space Station (ISS), the largest man-made object in the solar system. Since its launch on November 20, 1998, the ISS has stood as a testament to the power of international cooperation and has space research. About the International Space Station… Continue reading

A short treatise on Indian Materialism

Central Idea This article explores materialism’s origins, its various cultural names, and its ethical implications. Introduction to Materialism Philosophy as a Life Theory: Known as ‘Darshan’ in Sanskrit, philosophy seeks to explain the universe and guide human actions with a comprehensive worldview. Materialism – Bhautikvad: This perspective, called ‘Bhautikvad’ in Sanskrit, views everything as fundamentally… Continue reading

Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Indian Ocean Weather Conditions

Central Idea The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a division under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has made a significant discovery regarding the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), a crucial climate pattern. Their research has revealed that SAM plays a pivotal role in influencing sea conditions across the Indian Ocean. What is… Continue reading

Tantalum Reserves found in Sutlej River

Central Idea Researchers from IIT-Ropar have found the presence of tantalum in Punjab’s Soil in Sutlej River Basin. Although the source of tantalum in Sutlej is not clear yet. It could be due to movement of tectonic plates in the Himalayan region that is likely to contain the rare metal. Sutlej River Origin: Starts… Continue reading

What RBI’s increase in Risk Weights mean to the borrower?

Central Idea The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently raised risk weights for unsecured loans, including credit cards, consumer durable loans, and personal loans. Risk weights for bank lending to non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) serving this segment were increased to 125% from the existing 100%. What are Risk Weights? Capital Implication: Every rupee lent by… Continue reading

Gujarat declares ‘Ghol’ as State Fish

Central Idea The Gujarat government’s decision to declare the ‘Ghol’ as the state fish highlights its uniqueness and economic value. About Ghol Fish The Ghol fish or the Blackspotted Croaker, is a significant species in marine fisheries. It belongs to the family Sciaenidae and is scientifically known as Protonibea diacanthus. It is commonly found in… Continue reading

Mosquitofish: India’s Battle against Invasive Species

Central Idea In recent months, Indian states such as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Punjab have introduced mosquitofish to combat mosquito infestations. However, the unintended ecological consequences of introducing this invasive species have raised concerns. Backgrounder: Vector Borne Diseases Global Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevalence: Mosquito-borne diseases affect over 150 countries and 500 million people worldwide. India’s Burden:… Continue reading

How Racism overshadowed India-Taiwan Co-operation

Central Idea Recent reports of India and Taiwan considering a MoU to facilitate Indian workers’ employment in Taiwan have revealed underlying issues of racism and stereotypes. These negative perceptions have implications for both countries and the need for addressing such biases is paramount. Racism in Taiwan and Stereotypes MoU Announcement: Reports of a MoU between… Continue reading

NASA’s AWE Mission: Linking Earth’s and Space Weather

Central Idea NASA is set to launch the Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) to investigate how Earth’s weather influences Space weather. What is AWE Mission? As part of NASA’s Heliophysics Explorers Program, the AWE mission aims to shed light on the interactions between Earth’s weather and Space weather. Mounted on the International Space Station (ISS), AWE… Continue reading

Understanding Eclipses: Why they don’t happen every Month

Central Idea While Eclipses are intriguing, one might wonder why eclipses do not occur with every new and full moon. What are Eclipses? Eclipses are astronomical events that occur when the sun, moon, and Earth align in specific ways. There are two primary types of eclipses: solar and lunar. A solar eclipse happens when the… Continue reading

Exercise ‘Vajra Prahar 2023’ Commences in Meghalaya

Central Idea Recently, the 14th edition of the Vajra Prahar 2023 exercise, a joint venture between India and the USA Special Forces, concluded in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. Here are the key highlights: Exercise Vajra Prahar Vajra Prahar is an annual exercise alternately hosted by the Special Forces of India and the United States. These Special… Continue reading

What the OECD Report says of Climate Finance ahead of COP 28?

Central Idea A recent report published by the OECD reveals that economically developed countries failed to fulfill their commitment to jointly mobilize $100 billion per year for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries in 2021, missing the 2020 deadline. The report’s findings have significant implications for the upcoming COP 28 climate talks in the… Continue reading

Explained: Coal isn’t Easy to Exclude from Sustainable Development

Central Idea Globally, 80% of energy comes from fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gas. In contrast, renewable sources like solar and wind contributed only 2.4% in 2022. India, with its energy supply per capita well below the global average, faces the dual challenge of meeting growing energy demands and pursuing sustainable development. Need for… Continue reading

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