Long-billed Vulture

Why in the News? The Bombay Natural History Society, along with the Maharashtra Forest Department, successfully tagged 15 long billed vultures at Melghat Tiger Reserve to support conservation and tracking efforts. About Long-Billed Vulture An Old World vulture native to the Asian region Also called Indian long billed vulture due to its elongated beak Medium… Continue reading

Samudra Pratap

Why in the News? The Indian Coast Guard inducted Samudra Pratap, the first indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), under the 02 PCV project of Goa Shipyard Limited. About Samudra Pratap First indigenously designed and built Pollution Control Vessel of the Indian Coast Guard • Largest ship in the ICG fleet • Built to enhance… Continue reading

Thanjavur Painting

Why in the News? The Department of Posts successfully transported a priceless Thanjavur painting of Shri Ram from Bengaluru to Ayodhya using its Logistics Post service. About Thanjavur Painting A classical South Indian painting tradition that originated in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, around 1600 AD • Also known as Tanjore paintings • Traditionally painted on wooden… Continue reading

K 4 Missile

Why in the News? India successfully tested the K 4 submarine launched ballistic missile from INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal, strengthening its sea based nuclear deterrence. About K 4 Missile Also known as Kalam 4 (K 4) • Nuclear capable intermediate range submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) • Designed mainly for deployment on… Continue reading

Haka Dance

Why in the News? A Sikh Nagar Kirtan or religious procession in South Auckland, New Zealand, was recently protested through the performance of a traditional haka dance. About Haka Dance Haka is a traditional ceremonial dance of the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. It is characterised by vigorous movements, rhythmic stamping, hand gestures,… Continue reading

How exports are concentrated in few states

Introduction India’s export-led growth strategy historically rested on the assumption that expanding external demand would absorb surplus labour and facilitate broad-based industrialisation. However, disaggregated State-level data reveals a core-periphery structure in India’s export geography. Export growth is now driven by pre-existing industrial hubs, while large hinterland regions remain marginal to global value chains. This shift… Continue reading

Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)

Why in the News? The International Monetary Fund has approved USD 206 million in emergency assistance for Sri Lanka under the Rapid Financing Instrument to meet urgent needs caused by Cyclone Ditwah. What is Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) An IMF facility providing quick financial assistance • Available to any IMF member country • Designed for… Continue reading

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

Why in the News? The Supreme Court of India declined an urgent hearing of a plea challenging the practice of state sponsored ceremonial honours or offering a Chadar by the Prime Minister at the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. Who was Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti? • One of the most revered Sufi saints of… Continue reading

Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)

Why in the News? The Department of Telecommunications has reported that the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) has prevented potential losses of about ₹660 crore across the banking ecosystem within six months of its rollout. What is Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)? • A risk based early warning system to detect financial fraud • Launched… Continue reading

GhostPairing Cyber Attack

Why in the News? The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team has issued an advisory warning WhatsApp users about a new cyber attack technique called GhostPairing. What is GhostPairing? • GhostPairing is a WhatsApp account takeover attack • Hackers secretly link their own device to a victim’s WhatsApp account • No password theft or SIM swap… Continue reading

[23rd December 2025] The Hindu OpED: Right to disconnect: Drawing the line after work

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2022] Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work from Home’ on family relationships. Linkage: The expansion of work-from-home has blurred boundaries between professional and personal life, altering family roles, care responsibilities, and work–life balance. This directly links to GS-I themes of family as a social institution and supports GS-II discussions on labour… Continue reading

On the right to a healthy environment

Why in the News Severe winter smog in Delhi-NCR, repeated resort to emergency measures such as work-from-home and school closures, and judicial monitoring of pollution control have once again exposed the limits of India’s environmental governance framework. Despite decades of environmental legislation and court-led expansion of Article 21, air pollution continues to cause large-scale morbidity… Continue reading

In Bangladesh, fake promises and a false enemy

Why in the News Bangladesh’s temporary suspension of visa and consular services at its missions in New Delhi and Agartala signals heightened diplomatic sensitivity. Bangladesh is undergoing a phase of acute political uncertainty following the removal of Sheikh Hasina, accompanied by the rapid capture of state institutions by right-wing Islamist forces. Introduction Bangladesh’s political crisis… Continue reading

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN

Why in the News? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has lost contact with its Mars orbiter Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN), which has been studying the Red Planet’s atmosphere for over a decade. About MAVEN Mission Launch: by NASA Launch site: Cape Canaveral, Florida Mars orbit insertion: September 2014 Mission type: Mars orbiter… Continue reading

Anjadip Inducted into Indian Navy

Why in the News? The Indian Navy received Anjadip, the third of eight Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), on December 22, 2025 at Chennai. About Anjadip and ASW SWC Project Type: Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Role: Anti submarine warfare, coastal surveillance, mine laying Length: Around 77 metres Propulsion: Waterjets Distinction:… Continue reading

Southern Ocean

Why in the News? Scientists have found that the Southern Ocean mitigates global surface warming by absorbing a large share of carbon released by human activities. About the Southern Ocean Also known as the Antarctic Ocean Fourth largest ocean by surface area Described by the International Hydrographic Organisation as the southernmost part of the World… Continue reading

Chillai Kalan Begins in Kashmir

Why in the News? The higher reaches of Kashmir Valley witnessed snowfall and the plains received rain as Chillai-Kalan, the harshest 40 day winter phase, began on December 21, 2025. What is Chillai Kalan Meaning: Big cold in Kashmiri Duration: 40 days Period: December 21 to January 30 Significance: Coldest phase of winter in Kashmir… Continue reading

Syria Latest News

Why in the News? Recently, the US military carried out a strike against the Islamic State group in Syria. About Syria Location Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea Lies in southwestern Asia Part of the Levant region Bordering Countries North: Turkey West: Lebanon East: Iraq South: Jordan Southwest: Israel Capital City Damascus… Continue reading

[22nd December 2025] The Hindu OpED: Unlocking the Potential of India-Africa Economic Ties

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2021] “If the last few decades were of Asian’s.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. Linkage: This question is directly relevant as it examines India’s expanding strategic, economic and diplomatic footprint in Africa. India’s recent focus on trade diversification, manufacturing partnerships, MSME integration, and… Continue reading

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