India raises Continental Shelf claim in Arabian Sea Region

Why in the News? India has recently expanded its claim in the Central Arabian Sea by nearly 10,000 square kilometers as part of its ‘extended continental shelf,’ modifying an earlier claim to resolve a dispute with Pakistan. About Extended Continental Shelf (ECS): ECS refers to the area beyond 200 nautical miles that countries can claim… Continue reading

New RNA-Based Approach to Combat Plant Viruses

Why in the News? Recently, a team of scientists from Germany reported a breakthrough in combating the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) through an innovative RNA-based antiviral agent. About Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV): CMV is one of the most widespread and destructive plant viruses, affecting over 1,200 plant species, including important food crops such as cucumbers,… Continue reading

“Revive Our Ocean” Initiative

Why in the News? A new global initiative called ‘Revive Our Ocean’ was launched with the goal of scaling up effective, community-led marine protected areas (MPAs) to boost marine conservation efforts. About the Revive Our Ocean Initiative: It is a global effort to enhance marine ecosystem protection through community-led Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). It was… Continue reading

DRDO achieves milestone in Scramjet Hypersonic Engine Development

Why in the News? The DRDO Laboratory (DRDL), located in Hyderabad, successfully demonstrated long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground testing for over 1,000 seconds. About Hypersonic Cruise Missiles: Hypersonic cruise missiles are advanced weapons capable of travelling at speeds greater than Mach 5 (approximately 6,100 km/h), making them 5x faster than the speed of… Continue reading

Places in News: Sea of Marmara

Why in the News? A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 struck Istanbul and surrounding areas with its epicenter located beneath the Sea of Marmara. About the Sea of Marmara The Sea of Marmara is a small but significant inland sea in Turkey, acting as a transition zone between the Black Sea and the… Continue reading

India to ban Chlorpyrifos

Why in the News? Policymakers and scientists are set to gather in Geneva for the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions. India’s Pesticide Action Network will advocate for a global ban on Chlorpyrifos, a toxic pesticide still in use despite being banned in over 40 countries. About Chlorpyrifos: Chlorpyrifos… Continue reading

Power and freedom: On the Senthilbalaji case

Why in the News? On April 23, the Supreme Court told Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji, who has been out on bail since September 2024 in a money laundering case, to choose between keeping his position or his freedom. This was an expected statement. Why did the Supreme Court question V. Senthilbalaji’s continuation in office… Continue reading

Pakistan suspends 1972 Simla Agreement

Why in the News? Pakistan has announced its decision to suspend the Simla Agreement with India, a landmark peace accord signed in 1972 following the India-Pakistan war. About the Simla Agreement The Simla Agreement was signed on July 2, 1972, between Indira Gandhi (India) and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Pakistan) following the 1971 India-Pakistan war and… Continue reading

What is SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme?

Why in the News? In response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has announced the suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals. Note: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was founded in 1985, consisting of eight member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri… Continue reading

[pib] Measuring Helium Abundance in the Sun

Why in the News? Researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have successfully estimated the abundance of Helium in the Sun’s photosphere with precision for the first time. About Helium in the Sun’s Photosphere: Helium is the second most abundant element in the Sun after Hydrogen and plays a key role in understanding solar… Continue reading

[24th April 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Responding to the terror attack in Pahalgam

PYQ Relevance: [UPSC 2024] Winning of ‘Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir. Linkage: The Pahalgam attack occurred in Jammu and Kashmir. This question directly… Continue reading

Air pollution in India — where does it come from?

Why in the News? Millions of people die early because of dirty air. But where does this air pollution come from? Where do the majority of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions in India come from? Energy Production: The largest source of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions in India is energy production, primarily from coal-fired power plants. Eg,… Continue reading

India suspends Indus Water Treaty

Why in the News? In response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack, India has officially announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan. About the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) IWT was signed between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960, with mediation from the World Bank. The treaty allocates the Western rivers (Indus,… Continue reading

Taliban to revive Bamiyan Buddha

Why in the News? Two decades since the demolition of Bamiyan Buddha, the Afghan Taliban are now convinced to restore it. About Bamiyan Buddha: The Bamiyan Buddhas were located in the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan, about 130 km northwest of Kabul. The Western Buddha (Salsal) stood 55 meters tall, and the Eastern Buddha (Shah Mama) stood… Continue reading

Akshvi Platform for Disaster Damage Reporting

Why in the News? India has introduced Akshvi, a unique e-digital wallet aimed at assisting in disaster relief and improving the accuracy of loss reporting. About Akshvi: The E-Digital Wallet for Disasters Akshvi (Aapda Kshati Vivaran) is a unique e-digital wallet developed by SEEDS India to assist disaster-stricken communities in India. The platform allows people… Continue reading

Species in news: Musk Deer

Why in the News? A recent report by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), highlights the absence of any breeding programme for musk deer. About Musk Deer: The Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster) is an endangered species native to the Himalayas, found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, and China. It inhabits altitudes of 2,200 to 4,300… Continue reading

Role of Lipids in Protein Function and Co-Evolution

Why in the News? New research by CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad suggest that lipids (along with DNA), particularly in mitochondrial membranes, are not just structural elements but play an integral role in the function and evolution of proteins. About Lipids and RC1 in Cells: Lipids: Lipids, including fats, phospholipids, and sterols, make… Continue reading

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