Sagittarius A*: Black Hole at the Centre of our Galaxy imaged

Scientists from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) facility revealed the first image of the black hole at the centre of our galaxy i.e. the Milky Way. The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy that contains at least 100 billion stars. Viewed from above or below it resembles a spinning pinwheel, with our sun situated on… Continue reading

US to host ASEAN leaders

US President Joe Biden will host leaders and top officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Washington DC. About ASEAN ASEAN is a political and economic union of 10 member states in Southeast Asia. It brings together ten Southeast Asian states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand… Continue reading

India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI)

A project called the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) finds that nearly 23% out of 2.1 million Indians have uncontrolled blood pressure. What is the IHCI? Recognizing that hypertension is a serious, and growing, health issue in India, the Health Ministry, the ICMR, State Governments, and WHO-India began a five-year initiative to monitor and treat… Continue reading

Ujjwala LPG Scheme: 90-lakh beneficiaries don’t take refills

In the financial year 2021-22, 90-lakh beneficiaries of the flagship welfare scheme, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), did not take refill gas cylinders. And over one crore beneficiaries got their refills only once. About the PM Ujjwala Yojana Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched in 2016, with the aim to provide Liquefied petroleum gas… Continue reading

MTP Act 2021

Context The issue of abortion is in the news again, internationally. Criminal law provisions related to termination of pregnancy Under the general criminal law of the country, i.e. the Indian Penal Code, voluntarily causing a woman with child to miscarry is an offence attracting a jail term of up to three years or fine or… Continue reading

Delhi HC gives split verdict on Marital Rape

Two judges of the Delhi High Court gave a split verdict on the question of criminalising rape within marriage, leaving the law unchanged. Seems like the matter will now be referred to a larger bench. What is Marital Rape? Marital rape is the act of sexual intercourse with one’s spouse without her consent. It is… Continue reading

Green Manure and its productivity benefits

The Punjab agriculture department is promoting the cultivation of green manure these days. What is the news? Punjab Agro is providing subsidy on the seed at the rate of Rs 2,000 per quintal, which costs Rs 6,300 per quintal without subsidy The farmers can avail its seed from the block level offices of the agriculture… Continue reading

Places in news: Pantanal Wetlands

The world’s largest wetland, the Pantanal in South America, is at the risk of collapse due to legal land-use decisions and proposals. About Pantanal The Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world’s largest tropical wetland area, and the world’s largest flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do… Continue reading

Marital Rape

Context On May 10, 2022, a two-judge bench of the Delhi High Court gave a split ruling on marital rape, thus ensuring a future hearing in the Supreme Court. Why rape and marriage were seen as mutually exclusive The concepts of rape and marriage were seen as mutually exclusive – they could not be brought… Continue reading

Govt to reconsider Minority Tag for Hindus in some states

The Union government will initiate a wide consultation with states and other stakeholders to examine a plea as to whether Hindus can be granted minority status in states where their numbers are comparatively less. Why such move? Hindus are merely 1% in Ladakh, 2.75% in Mizoram, 2.77% in Lakshadweep, 4% in Jammu & Kashmir, 8.74%… Continue reading

Plans underway on Creation of Integrated Battle Groups

The Indian Army is in advanced stages of putting together Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) by reconfiguring its combat formations. What are IBGs? IBGs are brigade-sized, agile, self-sufficient combat formations, which can swiftly launch strikes against an adversary in case of hostilities. Each IBG would be tailor-made based on Threat, Terrain and Task and resources will… Continue reading

Highlights of State of the World’s Birds Report

The State of the World’s Birds, an annual review of environmental resources has revealed that the population of 48% of the 10,994 surviving species of birds is declining. State of the World’s Birds The report is published by the Manchester Metropolitan University. It gives an overview of the changes in the knowledge of avian biodiversity… Continue reading

Places in news: Martand Sun Temple

After Prayers held at the ruins of the eighth-century Martand Sun Temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag is deemed to be a violation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) rules. About Martand Sun Temple The Martand Sun Temple is a Hindu temple located near the city of Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley. It dates… Continue reading

Pulitzer Prize and the Indians who have won it

A team of four Indian photographers have won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography for their coverage of the Covid-19 crisis in India. About Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer is the most coveted award for journalists from across the world. It is announced by America’s Columbia University and bestowed on the recommendation of the Pulitzer… Continue reading

Literacy and delivery of services, not religion, influences fertility

Context The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5 report that was awaited for nearly six months is finally out. And it provides a heartening outlook. About NHFS Started in 1992-93, it has culminated in the fifth round 2019-21. The NFHS is a large, multi-round survey that, inter alia, provides information on fertility, infant and child mortality, the practice of… Continue reading

The importance of emigrants

Context Though the phenomenon of Indian-origin executives becoming CEOs of top U.S. companies highlights the contribution of Indian talent to the U.S. economy, the role played by Indian semi-skilled migrant labour in the global economy is no less illustrious. Destinations of Indian migrants Every year, about 2.5 million workers from India move to different parts… Continue reading

Union Finance Ministry revises MPLADS Rules

At a time when MPs have been asking for an increase in the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund, the Union Finance Ministry has ordered revised rules, under which the interest that the fund accrues will be deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India. What is the MPLAD scheme? The Members of Parliament Local… Continue reading

In news: Tropical Cyclone Asani

Severe cyclonic storm ‘Asani’, packing winds above 105 kmph and setting off heavy rain, is likely to make landfall on the eastern coast of India. What are tropical Cyclones? A tropical cyclone is an intense circular storm that originates over warm tropical oceans and is characterized by low atmospheric pressure, high winds, and heavy rain. Cyclones are formed over slightly warm ocean waters.… Continue reading

Extreme Poverty down in India

Context A recent World Bank Report has shown that extreme poverty in India more than halved between 2011 and 2019 – from 22.5 per cent to 10.2 per cent. The reduction was higher in rural areas, from 26.3 per cent to 11.6 per cent. What explains the reduction in poverty? Poverty has reduced significantly because… Continue reading

Rakhigarhi skeletons’ DNA samples sent for analysis

DNA samples collected from two human skeletons unearthed at a necropolis of a Harappan-era city site in Rakhigarhi, Haryana have been sent for scientific examination. Why in news? DNA analysis might tell about the ancestry and food habits of people who lived in the Rakhigarhi region thousands of years ago. About Rakhi Garhi The ancient… Continue reading

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