Underwater noise emissions pose threat to Indian Marine species: Study

Central idea: The rising man-made (anthropogenic) underwater noise emissions (UNE) from ships in the Indian waters are posing a threat to the life of marine mammals like Bottlenose Dolphin, Manatees, Pilot Whale, Seal, and Sperm Whale. What is Underwater Noise Emissions (UNE)? Underwater noise emissions (UNE) refer to sounds that are produced underwater as a… Continue reading

Diyodar meteorite in 2022 was India’s first Aubrite in 170 years

Central idea: A rare and unique meteorite, known as the Diyodar meteorite, was discovered in Banaskantha, Gujarat in December 2022. It is significant because it is the first aubrite to be found in India in 170 years. What are Aubrites? Aubrites are a type of meteorite that are believed to have formed on a different… Continue reading

The question in the minds of students: How to be future-ready?

Central Idea Intelligent Machines are revealing glimpses of a future envisaged long ago in science fiction as they steadily morph from human-assist systems to systems-as-human. The currently indispensable face obsolescence. The question in the minds of students entering college is this: How to be future-ready? Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers Learn quickly to… Continue reading

An Overview : UAPA and The Concerns

Central Idea India’s anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), has been misused and turned into a tool of terror. There are two examples of this misuse in recent times. In 2021, Muhammad Manan Dar, a young Kashmiri photojournalist, was arrested and imprisoned for documenting the daily lives of common Kashmiris with his camera.… Continue reading

What is Special Marriage Act, 1954?

Central idea: An actress recently held her interfaith-marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. What is the Special Marriage Act? The Special Marriage Act of 1954 (SMA) was passed by the Parliament on October 9, 1954. It governs a civil marriage where the state sanctions the marriage rather than the religion. The minimum age to… Continue reading

Nominated members cannot vote in Delhi Mayor Poll: Supreme Court

Central idea: The Supreme Court ordered the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to notify the first meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to elect a Mayor within 24 hours and held that nominated members cannot vote in these polls. What is the issue? The issue at hand is whether the nominated members of the Municipal… Continue reading

Species in news: Pangolins

The World Pangolin Day was observed on February 18. Why in news? A not-for-profit organization working on the international trade of animals and plants, has brought out a fact sheet reporting that 1,203 pangolins have been found in illegal wildlife trade in India from 2018 to 2022. Pangolins IUCN status: Endangered India is home to… Continue reading

Purse Seine Fishing Gear: A Questionable Fishing Method

Central Idea The Supreme Court of India has allowed purse seine fishing gear to be used for fishing beyond territorial waters (12 nautical miles) and within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200 nautical miles) of Tamil Nadu, subject to certain restrictions. However, the interim order is primarily concerned with regulating fishing through administrative and transparency… Continue reading

Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs) and The Data Gap

Central Idea India’s parliamentary constituencies (PCs) serve a dual role as geographical and administrative policy units headed by democratically elected Members of Parliament (MPs), The PCs require timely and available data on critical issues related to population health and socioeconomic well-being. The lack of such data at the PC level hinders MPs from effectively engaging… Continue reading

Vibrant Villages Programme Gets An Upgrade

Central Idea The Indian government has recently announced a significant allocation of funds to improve infrastructure and living conditions in villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Under a “Vibrant Villages” programme, the government will spend Rs 4,800 crore for infrastructure development and to provide livelihood opportunities in the areas bordering China.… Continue reading

Amendments to Organ Transplant Rules

In a major tweak to the organ donation policy, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the clause that people beyond 65 years could not receive cadaver organ transplants had been removed. What are the changes introduced? (1) No Age Bar Now an individual of any age can register for organ transplant.… Continue reading

Latest spike in Inflation and RBI’s efforts

Central Idea India’s post-pandemic economic recovery has hit a roadblock with the resurgence of inflation, hindering progress despite three consecutive months of softening. Recent significant spike in inflation, leading the Reserve Bank of India to adopt an inflation-targeting stance by raising interest rates. However, the battle to curb inflation is still ongoing, and the latest… Continue reading

Startup20 Engagement Group On India’s Proposal

“A small group of determined and like-minded people can change the course of history.”-M.K. Gandhi Central Idea By agreeing to India’s proposal to create the Startup20 Engagement Group, the only new group by which G20 has turned itself into an ambidextrous institution, one where both large corporations and startups have an equal voice in taking… Continue reading

Industry pushes separate Ministry for Microenterprises

Central Idea: The Consortium of Indian Associations (CIA) has suggested the formation of an independent ministry for the self-employed and microenterprises to address specific issues concerning the sector. Why demand for new Ministry? Micro entrepreneurs continue to be governed by complicated and outdated laws and dispensable compliance burdens. Despite the government’s efforts, MSMEs in India… Continue reading

Thwaites glacier at mercy of sea warmth increase

The new research suggests that even low amounts of melting can potentially push Thwaites glacier further along the path toward eventual disappearance. Thwaites Glacier Called the Thwaites Glacier, it is 120 km wide at its broadest, fast-moving, and melting fast over the years. Because of its size (1.9 lakh square km), it contains enough water… Continue reading

Ring around a dwarf planet lies in Roche Limit: What it means, why it matters

Central idea: A new study shows that a dwarf planet, named Quaoar, has a ring system that exists within its Roche limit. What is the news? Astronomers have found a ring around a dwarf planet, located in the Kuiper Belt at the solar system’s edge, called Quaoar, according to a new study. The ring, however,… Continue reading

Folk dance in news: Lavani

Central idea: The article is based on the controversy surrounding the Maharashtra folk dance form, Lavani, which has come under criticism for being ‘vulgar’ and ‘obscene’. What is the Lavani folk art form? The word Lavani comes from ‘lavanya’ or beauty. Lavani is a traditional folk art form in which women dancers wearing nine-yard-long sarees… Continue reading

Japan-India Combat Exercise and the Chinese Concerns

Central Idea Japan and India have launched their second Joint Air Defense Exercise called “Veer Guardian 2023” to conduct multi-domain air combat operations in a complex environment and deepen their mutual operational understanding while fostering closer defence cooperation. This increased military collaboration between Japan and India under US guidance in the Indo-Pacific is causing subdued… Continue reading

Divyang friendly digital infrastructure in India

Central Idea The estimation in Census 2011, that 2.21% of India’s population is disabled is a gross underestimation. According to the World Health Organization, about 16% of the global population is disabled. While technology has enormous potential to level the playing field for the disabled, it can, at the same time, reinforce the barriers that… Continue reading

Green transition during India’s G20 presidency

Central Idea Energy transitions are central to the G20 agenda. In 2023, during India’s presidency, the geopolitics and governance of energy have become immensely challenging, as the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, concerns about energy security and, in many cases, the pressure on keeping financial commitments made related to tackling climate change have… Continue reading

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