After 50 years, Gharials return to Beas Conservation Reserve

Gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus ) have been successfully reintroduced the in the Beas River of Punjab where it had become extinct half a century ago. One may often get confused between the Mugger, Gharial and the Saltwater Crocodile. Note the differences about their IUCN status, habitat (freshwater/saltwater) etc.. Gharials The Gharial is a fish-eating crocodile… Continue reading

60th Goa Liberation Day

Goa hosts PM for the celebration of its 60th liberation day. Goan Liberation An important port for trade and military operations, Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for more than 450 years. Historically, revolts against Portuguese rulers and their policies were recorded in the 18th and 19th century too. On June 18, 1946, the movement… Continue reading

What is Irrecoverable Carbon?

Researchers have identified and mapped 139 gigatonnes (Gt) of “irrecoverable carbon” in some of the world’s major forests and peatlands — including the Amazon and the Congo — to avoid catastrophic climate change. What is Irrecoverable Carbon? The concept of ‘irrecoverable carbon’ was introduced in 2020. All kinds of ecosystems — lush rainforest, muddy peatland,… Continue reading

Supreme Court allows bullock cart races in Maharashtra

The Supreme Court has allowed Maharashtra to hold bullock cart races in the state till the pendency of the matter before the Constitutional Bench of the apex court. Allowing bullock-cart races The SC observed that the validity of the amended provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the rules framed by… Continue reading

Tamil Nadu brings in State Song

The Tamil Nadu Government has declared the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu as State Song. The decision came after the Madras High Court ruling that there is no statutory or executive order requiring the attendees to stand up when Tamil Thai Vaazhthu is sung. Tamil Thai Vaazhthu A part of the verses under the title ‘Tamil Dheiva… Continue reading

How India’s data protection Bill compares with EU regulation

The Personal Data Protection Bill is in some aspects very similar with some differences to global standards such as European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. Here is how: Must read: Draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2021 Major similarities [1] Consent EU: Users must have informed consent about the way their data is processed so that… Continue reading

How lack of public data on pandemic could harm us

Context Questions are being asked about India’s preparedness as the cases with the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus has been on the rise in the country. Where does India stand? [1] The Positives Addressing oxygen shortage: The extreme shortages of oxygen that we saw barely six months ago will hopefully not be a feature of… Continue reading

Extension for PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana

The Cabinet has given its approval to extend its umbrella scheme Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana for irrigation, water supply, groundwater and watershed development projects for another five years till 2026. PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana The PMKSY was launched on 1st July, 2015 with the motto of “Har Khet Ko Paani”. It is being implemented… Continue reading

WTO rules against India’s Sugar Subsidies

A World Trade Organization panel ruled that India violated international trade rules when it offered excessive subsidies for the production and export of sugar and sugarcane. What did WTO say? Under WTO rules, India’s sugar subsidies are capped at a de minimis limit of 10% of the value of production. India’s policies were inconsistent with… Continue reading

[pib] Chalcolithic sites in news: Eran and Tewar

The Chalcolithic cultures of Central India are adequately investigated and studied informed the Ministry of Culture in particular reference to the sites of Eran and Tewar. Major sites in Central India [1] Eran (Dist. Sagar, MP ) Eran (ancient Airikina) is situated on the left bank of the Bina (ancient Venva) river and surrounded by… Continue reading

Conflation between duties and rights

Context There has been growing advocacy for the integration of duty with rights. On Constitution Day last month, many Union Ministers used the occasion to underline this proposal. What do rights come with duty mean? It is a basic proposition that all rights come with duties. But those duties are quite distinct from the meaning… Continue reading

Cabinet clears push to raise marriage age of women from 18 to 21

The proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 was cleared by the Union Cabinet based on the recommendations of a task force headed by Jaya Jaitley. Minimum Age for Marriage in India Personal laws of various religions that deal with marriage have their own standards, often reflecting custom.… Continue reading

Zero Budget Natural Farming

Zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) is back on top of the Government’s agricultural agenda, with PM set to highlight it at a national conclave. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) ZBNF is a set of farming methods, and also a grassroots peasant movement, which has spread to various states in India. Subhash Palekar perfected it during… Continue reading

Historical episodes that PM spoke about in Kashi

In his speech at Kashi, PM has referred to several historical episodes including the battle between Salar Masud and Raja Suhaldev and the conflict between Governor-general Warren Hastings and Raja Chait Singh. He also mentioned the contributions of historical figures like Rani Bhabani from Bengal. Note: UPSC is known to ask contemporaries. [1] Salar Masud… Continue reading

[pib] Durga Puja gets UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tag

UNESCO has inscribed ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. What is Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)? ICH means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated with them that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as… Continue reading

Amendment to the NDPS Act

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed by Lok Sabha. Must read: [Burning Issue] Substance Abuse in India About NDPS Act The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, commonly referred to as the NDPS Act was promulgated in 1985. It prohibits a person from the production/manufacturing/cultivation, possession, sale, purchasing, transport, storage,… Continue reading

India stands committed to UNCLOS

India remains committed to promoting a free, open and rules-based order rooted in international law and undaunted by coercion, the Centre informed Parliament while reiterating support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Background of UNCLOS UNCLOS replaces the older ‘freedom of the seas’ concept, dating from the 17th century.… Continue reading

What is Q-Commerce Model?

Online grocer Grofers has rebranded itself “Blinkit”, in line with its new focus on “quick commerce”, which essentially involves delivering customer orders much faster than it does currently. Q-Commerce Model Q-commerce (‘quick commerce’) – sometimes used interchangeably with ‘on-demand delivery’ and ‘e-grocery’ – is e-commerce in a new, faster form. It combines the merits of… Continue reading

[pib] Lokpal-Online: Platform for management of complaints

The (first) Chairperson, Lokpal of India, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose has inaugurated’ a digital Platform for Management of Complaints called ‘Lokpal-Online’. Lokpal-Online Lokpal-Online is an end-to-end digital solution for the management of complaints against public servants filed under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. It is a web-based facility, which will quicken the disposal of… Continue reading

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