INS Varsha Naval Base

Why in the News? India is set to operationalise INS Varsha, a highly strategic naval base designed specifically to house nuclear-powered submarines, on the eastern coast near Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh by 2026. About INS Varsha INS Varsha is being developed as a specialized base to house India’s growing fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, including both… Continue reading

CPCB revises Classification of Industries

Why in the News? The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently updated its classification of industries, introducing a new category known as the ‘Blue Category.’ Classification of Industries by CPCB: The CPCB classifies industries based on their environmental impact, focusing on air pollution, water pollution, and hazardous waste generation. Industries are classified using the… Continue reading

Three Gorges Antarctic Eye Telescope

Why in the news? China has unveiled the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye telescope in Antarctica. About the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye Telescope The Three Gorges Antarctic Eye is a 3.2m wide radio/millimetre-wave telescope located at China’s Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. It was developed by China Three Gorges University (CTGU) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). This… Continue reading

[10th April 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Will Aviation Disputes be easier to Resolve?

PYQ Relevance: Question: “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. [UPSC 2021] Linkage: The broader context of competition for influence in the continent. Mentor’s Comment: The aviation sector is… Continue reading

[pib] Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

Why in the News? The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme to expand the manufacturing capabilities of passive electronic components in India. About Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme: The scheme is designed to promote the manufacturing of select electronic components in India, such as resistors, capacitors, relays, switches,… Continue reading

Preliminary Findings of the Genome India Project

Why in the News? The preliminary findings of Genome India Project, based on the whole genome sequencing of 10,074 healthy and unrelated Indians from 85 populations across the country, were published recently. About Genome India Project The Genome India Project was launched in January 2020 to map the genetic diversity of India’s population. It is… Continue reading

[pib] Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2024

Why in the News? The latest Annual Report of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the year 2024, covering the period from January to December, was released on April 8, 2025. About the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS): Launched by the National Statistics Office (NSO) in April 2017, the PLFS provides frequent data on… Continue reading

Navkar Mahamantra Divas

Why in the News? Prime Minister has inaugurated and participated in Navkar Mahamantra Divas at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. What is Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Divas? The event is observed annually on April 9 to promote peace, non-violence, and spiritual harmony globally by chanting the Navkar Mantra collectively. The mantra venerates the 5 supreme beings: Arihants:… Continue reading

Extinct Dire Wolf species returns after 12,500 years

Why in the News? Colossal Biosciences, a biotech firm based in US, has successfully bred the extinct Dire Wolf pups using gene-editing technologies. About Dire Wolf (Aenocyon dirus) The dire wolf lived during the Pleistocene Epoch, approximately 6 million to 11,700 years ago, and went extinct around 13,000 years ago. Physical Characteristics and Behaviour: It… Continue reading

[9th April 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Why is active mobility necessary in India?

PYQ Relevance: [UPSC 2024] Why do large cities tend to attract more migrants than smaller towns? Discuss in the light of conditions in developing countries. Linkage: Increasing urbanisation and the consequent challenges in large cities, such as traffic congestion and strain on infrastructure, which active mobility can help alleviate by providing alternative modes of transport.… Continue reading

SC slams TN Governor, Fixes Time for Assent

Why in the News? The Supreme Court criticised Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, calling his actions “unconstitutional.” The court said he did nothing for months about 10 important Bills, and then suddenly sent them to the President only after the State Assembly passed them again and the matter reached the court. What did the SC… Continue reading

A regional revival: On the BIMSTEC summit

Why in the news? The sixth BIMSTEC summit was held last week in Bangkok, where leaders from seven neighbouring countries came together. At a time when the world is facing many challenges, the summit gave a chance to restart and strengthen the BIMSTEC group, which had been inactive for a long time. What is the… Continue reading

Iron inside the Sun is more opaque than expected

Why in the News? Recent findings have revealed that iron’s opacity inside the Sun may be much higher than previously predicted, challenging current solar models. Iron Inside the Sun: Iron makes up approximately 0.14% of the Sun’s mass, which is significantly less than hydrogen (~74%) and helium (~24%). Despite its small percentage, iron plays a… Continue reading

Trends in Maternal Mortality (2000-2023), Report

Why in the News? In 2023, India had the second-highest maternal deaths globally, with 19,000 deaths, tied with the Democratic Republic of Congo, and second only to Nigeria. This equated to 52 fatalities daily according to the UN Report. About the UN Report The report, titled ‘Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000-2023’, was prepared by the… Continue reading

ESA’s Biomass Mission

Why in the News? The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch Biomass Mission to map the world’s forests and enhance our understanding of their crucial role in the global carbon cycle. About the Biomass Mission by ESA The ESA will launch the Biomass mission on April 29, 2025, aboard the Vega C rocket… Continue reading

[pib] Cu-Phen Metallo-Nanozymes and its Applications

Why in the News? Researchers from the CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai has developed a new nanozyme, Cu-Phen, using a catalyst-by-design strategy. A nanozyme is a type of synthetic enzyme made from nanomaterials (extremely tiny particles) that can mimic the function of natural enzymes in biological systems. About the Metallo-Nanozymes Cu-Phen (Copper-Phenylalanine) is a… Continue reading

What are Mesoscale Convective System (MCS)?

Why in the News? A recent study in Nature Geoscience suggests that soil moisture levels could help predict severe thunderstorms, like mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), especially in regions like India. About Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS): MCSs are larger than individual thunderstorms but smaller than larger weather systems like cyclones. They typically cover areas between 100… Continue reading

The crisis in India’s cotton production, and what can help

Why in the News? India’s cotton production has dropped by 25% over the last 10 years because of the pink bollworm. Some seed companies have created new genetically modified cotton varieties that can resist this pest, but government rules are delaying their approval and use. Why has cotton output fallen despite Bt cotton’s earlier success?… Continue reading

How the police view custodial torture in India

Why in the News? The data shows that many police officers accept using forceful methods like shouting, threatening, slapping, or even harsh physical torture during investigations, even for small crimes. What proportion of police support violence against serious offenders for the greater good? Majority Support Violence: 63% of police personnel believe it’s acceptable to use… Continue reading

[pib] 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)

Why in the News? April 8, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), launched to fund micro and small enterprises. About the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) The PMMY, launched in 2015 is a Central Sector Scheme designed to provide financial support to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro-entrepreneurs previously excluded from… Continue reading

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