The Dam Safety Act of 2021

Why in the News? The Supreme Court has criticized the Union government for its inaction in fully implementing the Dam Safety Act, 2021, nearly five years after its enactment. What is the Dam Safety Act of 2021? Details Enacted to ensure the structural and operational safety of over 5,700 large dams in India. Objectives (Section… Continue reading

Centre has notified grant of classical language status to Marathi

Why in the News? Months after conferring classical language status to Marathi, the Union Government issued an official notification formalizing the recognition. What is the Criteria for declaring a Classical language? The Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC) under Sahitya Akademi, established in November 2004, evaluates languages for Classical status based on their historical, cultural, and literary… Continue reading

Miyawaki Technique

Why in the News? Ahead of the Mahakumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has employed the Japanese Miyawaki technique to create dense “oxygen bank” forests, ensuring cleaner air and ecological balance for millions of devotees. About Miyawaki Technique The Miyawaki technique is a pioneering method for creating dense forests in limited spaces,… Continue reading

Several workers stuck in a coal mine in Assam

Why in the News? Recently nine workers were trapped in an illegal coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. What is Rat Hole Mining? Rat hole mining is a form of illegal mining prevalent in northeastern India, particularly in Assam. It involves creating small tunnels or “rat holes” to extract coal, typically done by hand… Continue reading

What is a Polar Vortex?

Why in the News? The United States is facing severe winter storms as the polar vortex is expanding southward from the Arctic and driving temperatures as low as -50°C (-60°F). What is a Polar Vortex? The polar vortex is a band of fast-moving air that traps cold Arctic air within the Polar Regions. It is… Continue reading

What is Selective Gene Silencing?

Why in the News? Researchers at Columbia University found that cells can selectively switch off one parent’s copy of a gene. This may explain why some people with harmful mutations remain symptom-free, and it could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for genetic disorders. About the Selective Silencing Mechanism: Selective gene silencing refers to… Continue reading

Ministry of Defence declares 2025 as ‘Year of Reforms’

Why in the News? The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’, marking a significant step in modernizing India’s Armed Forces. Nine Broad Areas Listed for the ‘Year of Reforms’ Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs): Enhance jointness and resolve inter-service disagreements for effective ITC implementation. Emerging Domains and Technologies: Prioritize cybersecurity,… Continue reading

Home Minister launches ‘Bharatpol’ for international police assistance

Why in the News? Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched Bharatpol, a groundbreaking portal developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). What is Bharatpol? Bharatpol is a unified digital platform designed to enhance collaboration between Indian law enforcement agencies and Interpol, which connects police forces across 195 member countries. It simplifies international police cooperation,… Continue reading

NITI Aayog completes 10 years

Why in the News? NITI Aayog, the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, celebrates a significant milestone as it completes 10 years since its establishment. What are the roles and functions of NITI Aayog? NITI Aayog, established in 2015, serves as the premier policy think tank of the Government of India. Its… Continue reading

Rudra High-Performance Green Propulsion System

Why in the News? Bellatrix Aerospace, the Bengaluru-based space startup, has announced a significant milestone with the successful demonstration of its Rudra High-Performance Green Propulsion System during the PSLV C-60 mission, onboard the POEM-4 platform. About Rudra 1N System: The Rudra 1N System is an advanced green mono-propellant propulsion system developed by Bellatrix Aerospace, a… Continue reading

What is Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA)?

Why in the News? Several major US banks have recently withdrawn from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), raising concerns about the banking sector’s commitment to combating climate change. What is Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA)? Established as a bank-led, UN-convened initiative, the NZBA commits members to align their lending, investment, and capital market activities with achieving… Continue reading

What are the ‘Panch Pran’?

Why in the News? Addressing NCC cadets in Delhi, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar outlined a visionary roadmap for India’s development, rooted in five guiding principles known as PanchPran. What is Panch Pran (Five Pillars of National Transformation)? The PanchPran, or five resolves, represent the core principles that aim to guide India’s progress toward becoming a globally… Continue reading

[7th January 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The Collegium and changes — it may still be early days

PYQ Relevance: Q) Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.(UPSC CSE 2017) Q) The judicial systems in India and the UK seem to be converging as well as diverging in recent times. Highlight the key points of convergence… Continue reading

Decoding the National Anthem Controversy

Why in the News? Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Legislative Assembly without giving his opening address for the first session of the year, saying the National Anthem was not played before his speech. Last year, he also refused to read his address. What is the practice followed in the TN Legislative… Continue reading

Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0

Why in the News? Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated “Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0” which seeks to give insight into the Constitution and parliamentary procedures to over 500 women representatives from Panchayati Raj institutions from across the country. About “Panchayat Se Parliament” The second edition of the program was organized by the National Commission for… Continue reading

Nanopore Technology

Why in the News? Researchers at the University of California, have developed a nanopore-based diagnostic tool capable of detecting illnesses more quickly and accurately by analyzing signals from individual molecules. What is the Nanopore-Based Tool? The Nanopore-Based Tool is a groundbreaking innovation developed by UC Riverside scientists for disease diagnostics. It leverages nanopores, which are… Continue reading

[pib] UJALA: 10 Years of Energy-Efficient Lighting

Why in the News? The UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) scheme, launched on January 5, 2015 has completed a decade of remarkable success. About UJALA Scheme: Launch Details Launched on 5th January 2015 by PM Narendra Modi. Originally called the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP). Aims to promote energy-efficient LED appliances in… Continue reading

What is Human Metapneumo- Virus (HMPV)?

Why in the News? Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has recently become a topic of widespread discussion in India, fueled by sensational media reports. These reports claim the emergence of a “new dangerous virus” from China, leading to unnecessary public panic and misinformation. What is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)? Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that primarily… Continue reading

Why was the no-detention policy rolled back?

Why in the News? Recently, the Union government revised the Rules of the Right to Education Act, 2009, permitting schools to retain students in Classes 5 and 8 if they fail to meet the promotion criteria based on a year-end examination. What led to the amendment of the Right to Education Act, 2009 Rules? Significant… Continue reading

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