Heat Waves and the anatomy behind

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has already started sensing the first signs of heat waves for this summer season. What is the news? The IMD warned that the maximum temperatures over northwest, west, and central India would be 3-5° C higher than the long-term average in this week. If the heat waves had played out,… Continue reading

India ranks 42 among 55 countries on International IP Index

India ranks 42nd among 55 leading global economies on the International Intellectual Property (IP) Index released by the US Chambers of Commerce. International IP Index It is released annually by the US Chamber of Commerce. The index evaluates IP rights in 55 global economies across 50 unique indicators. The indicators include patent and copyright policies… Continue reading

Are neutrinos their own anti-particles?

Central idea: The article discusses recent research on the idea that neutrinos might be their own antiparticles, a concept that has been debated in the scientific community for many years. What are neutrinos? Neutrinos are fundamental particles that are similar to electrons but have no electric charge. They are one of the most abundant particles… Continue reading

What is ‘e-Sanjeevani App’?

The eSanjeevani app was featured in Prime Minister’s “Mann Ki Baat” address as part of the government’s efforts to promote digital healthcare in the country. What is the e-Sanjeevani app? E-Sanjeevani is a browser-based platform-independent application that allows for both ‘doctor-to-doctor’ and ‘patient-to-doctor’ teleconsultations. During the Covid pandemic, the union health ministry launched the e-Sanjeevani… Continue reading

Upgrades in the ALMA Telescope

The Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) — a radio telescope in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile is set to get software and hardware upgrades. What is ALMA? ALMA is a state-of-the-art telescope that studies celestial objects at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths which can penetrate through dust clouds. It helps astronomers examine dim and distant… Continue reading

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and its Geoeconomic Implications

Central Idea With a projected 7 per cent growth for the ongoing year, the Indian economy is set to register the highest growth rate across all the major economies of the world. Moreover, Indian growth story for the years to come will be shaped by the unfolding geoeconomic and geopolitical forces that will sustain its… Continue reading

Cyberattacks: India’s Opportunity To Conceptualize Global Cyber Security Framework

Central Idea The past few weeks have highlighted the soft underbelly of our fast-expanding digital networks. Ransomwares have emerged as the most predominant of malicious cyberattacks. Here, the perpetrators demand hefty payments for the release of withheld data. Data show that over 75% of Indian organisations have faced such attacks, with each breach costing an… Continue reading

What is a Caveat in Judiciary?

Recently, the Supreme Court bench reprimanded a law student for filing a caveat in a petition seeking menstrual leave for female students and working women across Indian institutions. What is a Caveat? In common parlance, a caveat refers to “warning” or “caution”. However, legally it connotes a “formal notice requesting the court to refrain from… Continue reading

CCR5-delta 32 Gene Transplant: Permanent cure of HIV

Central idea: This article discusses recent developments in the field of HIV research that have led to the possibility of a cure for the disease. What is HIV/AIDS? HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. First… Continue reading

Anti-defection Law and The Loopholes

Central Idea On February 17, the Election Commission of India (ECI) allotted the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and the party’s Bow and Arrow symbol to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction, in effect recognizing it as the original party founded by Babasaheb Thackeray. Strengthening Anti-defection law becomes relevant again. Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC… Continue reading

60% of India’s voters linked Aadhaar to voter ID: RTI

Central idea: An RTI query has revealed that around 60% of Indian voters have linked their Aadhaar cards with their voter ID cards. Benefits of Aadhaar linking Voter uniqueness: The move to link Aadhaar and voter ID cards was introduced to prevent electoral fraud and ensure unique identity of each voter. Curb bogus votes: It… Continue reading

GST revenues hit a record ₹1.59 lakh CR in January

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues grew 12.7% in January to hit almost ₹1.59 lakh crore ($17.9 billion), the second-highest monthly collections on record, as per revised figures from the Finance Ministry. What led to hike in GST revenue collection? Economic recovery: Discusses how the steady economic recovery in India has led to higher… Continue reading

Four-day workweek: Analysis

Central Idea Much is being made about the major breakthrough in one of the largest-ever experiments with a four-day workweek in Britain. Sixty-one companies were part of the six-month trial and 56 of them have opted to continue with the program, while 18 have made it permanent. 4 Day Week Global trial, overseen by Autonomy,… Continue reading

UPI: Internationalization of Digital Payments

Central Idea On Tuesday, the Union government unveiled India’s first cross-border real-time payments systems linkage, with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) connecting with Singapore’s PayNow payment system. Get your Rs 10,000 worth of UPSC Strategic Package for FREE | PDFs, Zoom session, Tests, & Mentorship What is Unified Payments Interface (UPI) UPI is India’s mobile-based… Continue reading

India’s Rich Biodiversity Needs Science Based Implementation

Central Idea The sum and variation of our biological wealth, known as biodiversity, is essential to the future of this planet. India currently hosts 17% of the planet’s human population and 17% of the global area in biodiversity hotspots, placing it at the helm to guide the planet in becoming biodiversity champions. Get your Rs… Continue reading

Russia officially ‘suspends’ New START Treaty

Central idea: The article provides an overview of the New START treaty, which was signed by Russia and the United States in 2010. It highlights how the treaty limits the number of nuclear weapons that the two countries can possess and deploy. The New START, INF and the Open Skies …. Be clear about the… Continue reading

What is Angel Tax?

Central idea: The article provides an overview of the angel tax provisions in the Finance Bill, which were introduced in the Budget. It highlights the concerns raised by the start-up community regarding the impact of these provisions on their operations. Angel Investment An angel investor is an individual who provides financial backing to early-stage startups… Continue reading

‘HD 3226’ Wheat can beat the heat

Scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have developed a new variety of wheat ‘HD 3226’ that can withstand high temperatures. HD 3226 Wheat The wheat, known as “HD 3226”, has been developed specifically for cultivation in the northwest region of India, where temperatures can reach up to 42 degrees Celsius. It took… Continue reading

Dickinsonia Fossil found in Bhimbetka turns out to be decayed beehive

A Dickinsonia fossil found at Bhimbetka, previously believed to be one of the world’s earliest animals, and has been identified as a decayed beehive. About Bhimbetka The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in central India that spans the prehistoric Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period. It exhibits the earliest… Continue reading

The India-US ICET: Transformative Impact On Bilateral Relations

Centra Idea Earlier this month, the U.S. and India inaugurated their initiative on critical and emerging technologies (ICET). The promise of this initiative, if fulfilled, could have a transformative impact on India-U.S. relations. On the eve of the dialogue, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said that the big need was to convert intentions and ideas… Continue reading

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