How Web3 differs from Web2?

Central idea: The article discusses the key features of Web3, including its decentralized nature, peer-to-peer transactions, and greater control over data and digital assets for users. What is Web3? Web3, also known as Web 3.0, is the next generation of the World Wide Web that emphasizes decentralization, security, and user privacy. It is essentially a… Continue reading

Importance of Science of Empathy and Inclusivity in IITs

Central Idea The recent spate of suicides among IIT students and the subsequent media attention, which has brought to the fore the social behavior and anxieties within the IIT student community. It emphasizes that studying at the IITs can be highly stressful, especially for students from socially marginalized backgrounds. For instance: JEE Exam and Social… Continue reading

Macron’s Statement On China and India’s Own Possibilities In Europe

Central idea French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent declaration that France is an ally but not a vassal of the United States and his comments that Paris does not share Washington’s hostility towards China have generated significant reactions in the US and Europe. Beijing’s official media has praised Macron’s strategic autonomy approach towards China, and Russia… Continue reading

What are Stablecoins?

The US Congress (Parliament) has made another attempt to create a legislative framework for the increasingly popular stablecoins, a sort of cryptocurrency that is pegged to a particular commodity or currency. What are Stablecoins? Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, typically by being pegged to a stable asset such as the US… Continue reading

Indian scientists identify and probe EMIC waves

Central idea Scientists working at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri, have identified and probed Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves to study their characteristics. The study aims to understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low orbiting satellites. About Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri Description Name Maitri Antarctic Station (Friendship Research Centre) Establishment… Continue reading

ISRO to launch TeLEOS-2 Satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch Singapore’s TeLEOS-2 satellite this week, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. What is TeLEOS-2? TeLEOS-2 is a Singaporean Earth Observation satellite built by ST Electronics (Satellite Systems). It carries a made-in-Singapore Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable of providing 1 m resolution data. It will be… Continue reading

What is Civil Union, how is it different from Marriage?

Central idea The Indian judiciary is currently hearing arguments about the legal recognition of same-sex unions under the Special Marriage Act. The Centre has contested the maintainability of the petitions, and the judiciary’s right to confer legal recognition on the “socio-legal institution” of marriage. However, the CJI has clarified that the scope of the hearing… Continue reading

Plant ‘cries’: Recalling Jagadish Chandra Bose

Central idea A recent discovery by researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel, that plants make distinct sounds in the ultrasonic range when faced with stress, made headlines around the world. However, Indians who had grown up hearing about Jagadish Chandra Bose’s work, more than a century ago, on plant physiology and their ability to… Continue reading

What is the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)?

Central idea The Consumer Confidence Survey was conducted in the first half of March 2023 across 19 cities. This article analyses the survey results, released this month, and breaks down the findings under different sections. What is Consumer Confidence Survey? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts a Consumer Confidence Survey to measure consumers’ perceptions… Continue reading

Same-sex marriage: Legalizing Would Be A Just Way Forward

Central Idea The legalisation of same-sex marriage is a natural progression towards accepting and integrating the LGBTQIA+ community in India, which has been marginalized and hounded for decades. While the decriminalisation of homosexuality was a positive step towards acceptance, granting civil rights such as marriage and adoption is essential in creating a more diverse and… Continue reading

Drug trafficking In India: New Trends and Serious Security Issues

Central Idea Narcotics trade is a global social problem that has harmful effects on the youth and families. This trade generates money that is diverted to disruptive activities having bearing on national security, keeping the law enforcement agencies on tenterhooks. India is also facing the problem of drug trafficking, and the issue is assuming dangerous… Continue reading

Mapping India’s Export Hotspots

Central idea: The article discusses the top exporting districts in India and their contribution to the country’s overall exports. It also provides information on the top exported commodities in each district. Top Exporting Districts in India Rank District State Share of India’s Exports 1 Jamnagar Gujarat 24% 2 Surat Gujarat 4.5% 3 Mumbai Suburban Maharashtra… Continue reading

Heatwaves in India: Increasing Frequency Needs Range of Measures to Mitigate

Central Idea India is facing an increasing heatwave due to climate change, leading to significant agricultural crop losses, urban unlivability and reduced labour productivity. India need to take range of measures to mitigate the problem, such as expanding green cover, upgrading urban building standards, embracing public transportation, and improving waste segregation and management. What is… Continue reading

What is Ninth Schedule of the Constitution?

Central idea: Chhattisgarh CM has written to the Prime Minister seeking the inclusion of two amendment Bills allowing for higher quotas in jobs and educational institutions in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. What is Ninth Schedule? The Ninth Schedule is a legal provision in the Constitution of India that provides immunity to certain laws… Continue reading

WTO panel rules against India in IT tariffs dispute

A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled that India has violated global trading rules in a dispute with the European Union (EU), Japan, and Taiwan over import duties on IT products. About World Trade Organization (WTO) Details Purpose Regulate and facilitate international trade between nations Establishment 1995 Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland Membership 164 member… Continue reading

What is Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Central idea: The article reports on a recent study which found evidence that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vast area in the North Pacific Ocean where plastic waste has accumulated due to ocean currents. What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)? Features Location North Pacific… Continue reading

India’s first Mangrove Pitta Birds Census conducted in Odisha

Central idea: The article talks about the first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, India. About Mangrove Pitta The mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) belongs to the family of pittas, the Pittidae. The mangrove pitta species is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. These pitta species… Continue reading

Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Contribution Towards Women’s Rights

Central Idea Babasaheb Ambedkar’s contribution towards women’s rights is often overlooked, and he needs to be recognized as a champion of social justice, a visionary, and a philosopher. He advocated for women’s equal participation in both personal and professional spheres, was instrumental in drafting legislation to protect women’s rights, and played a key role in… Continue reading

Constitution Bench formed in Same-Sex Marriage Case

The Supreme Court has announced the formation of a new Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to hear a series of petitions seeking legal recognition of same sex marriages. What is a Constitution Bench? The constitution bench is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India. The… Continue reading

Top-notch Aspirational Toilets to usher in change

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued a directive to all state governments to ensure that 25% of public toilet seats added in any city or urban unit are “aspirational toilets.” What are Aspirational Toilets? The aspirational toilets scheme was launched in September 2022 as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0,… Continue reading

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