💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship September Batch
Talk to Mentor

Distribution: weekly

In news: Dardanelles Strait

Why in the News? The Dardanelles Strait in northwestern Turkey has been temporarily closed to maritime traffic due to forest fires near Canakkale, prompting evacuations and firefighting operations. About Dardanelles Strait: Location: Northwestern Turkey; separates Gallipoli Peninsula (Europe) from Troad/Biga Peninsula (Asia). Connection: Links Aegean Sea → Sea of Marmara → Bosporus → Black Sea.… Continue reading In news: Dardanelles Strait

In news: Kerala’s Muthuvan Tribe

Why in the News? The Muthuvan Adivasi Samudaya Sangam organised a convention on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. About Muthuvan Tribe: Location: Indigenous tribe recognized as STs of the Anaimalai Hills (Kerala & Tamil Nadu); concentrated in Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur districts. Etymology: Name means “one who carries weight on the back”, linked… Continue reading In news: Kerala’s Muthuvan Tribe

[11th August 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Language Lessons

[UPSC 2020] National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goals-4 (2030). It intended to restructure and re-orient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement.         Linkage: NEP 2020 broadly supports SDG-4 through its focus on universal access, equity, and quality, but faces implementation challenges due to India’s socio-cultural diversity and… Continue reading [11th August 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Language Lessons

COCO 4.9 Ocean Circulation Model

Why in the News? Researchers used the COCO (Center for Climate System Research Ocean Component) 4.9 ocean model to predict how tritium from Fukushima’s 30-year wastewater release will spread across the Pacific under current and future climates. Tap to read more about the Fukushima Disaster. About COCO 4.9 Ocean Circulation Model: Purpose: Computer-based ocean simulator… Continue reading COCO 4.9 Ocean Circulation Model

Nominations to J&K Assembly

Why in the News? The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the J&K High Court that the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) can nominate five members to the J&K Legislative Assembly without the aid and advice of the elected government. About Nominations in State Assemblies: Election Mode: Members are mainly directly elected from single-member constituencies. Assembly Size:… Continue reading Nominations to J&K Assembly

In news: Dard-Shin Tribe

Why in the News? In recent years, community member few activists have emerged documenting and preserving Dard-Shin heritage. About the Dard-Shin Tribe: Origin: Ancient Indo-Aryan group from migrations (2000–1500 BCE). Historical Mentions: Herodotus, Pliny, Ptolemy, Kalhana’s Rajatarangini. Homeland: Dardistan – Chitral, Yasin, Gilgit, Chilas, Bunji, Gurez Valley, Ladakh, N. Afghanistan. Political History: Chak dynasty ruled… Continue reading In news: Dard-Shin Tribe

[9th August 2025] OPED With tariffs, India’s growth rate needs a careful watch

The recent U.S. decision to impose a 25% reciprocal tariff and an additional 25% penal levy on India’s exports marks a sharp turn in bilateral trade relations. While aimed at narrowing the U.S. trade deficit and influencing India’s crude sourcing from Russia, these measures risk slowing India’s GDP growth, widening the Current Account Deficit, and… Continue reading [9th August 2025] OPED With tariffs, India’s growth rate needs a careful watch

Revision of creamy layer income limit ‘need of the hour’:

The Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has reiterated the need to revise the “creamy layer” income ceiling for OBC reservation benefits. It called the revision the “need of the hour”, citing inflation and rising income levels, which have rendered the current ₹8 lakh per annum limit (fixed in 2017) inadequate. The… Continue reading Revision of creamy layer income limit ‘need of the hour’:

Industrial Accidents in India – The Human Cost of Indifference

Industrial accidents in India are neither rare nor accidental; they are recurring human tragedies rooted in systemic negligence, regulatory apathy, and corporate cost-cutting. From chemical plant explosions in Telangana to firecracker unit disasters in Tamil Nadu, these incidents underscore a grim reality, industrial safety in India is still treated as a compliance hurdle rather than… Continue reading Industrial Accidents in India – The Human Cost of Indifference

Government approves MERITE Scheme 

Why in the News? The Union Cabinet has approved the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) Scheme for implementation in 275 technical institutions across India. About MERITE Scheme: Objective: Enhance quality, equity, and governance in technical education across all States and Union Territories, aligned with National Education Policy 2020. Funding: Central Sector… Continue reading Government approves MERITE Scheme 

Mauryan-Era archaeological discoveries at Topra Kalan, Haryana

Why in the News? A Ground Penetrating Radar survey in Topra Kalan, Haryana, has uncovered signs of a 1,500 BCE settlement, with painted grey ware (PGW), stamped pottery, moulded bricks, and a possible Buddhist stupa. About Topra Kalan Excavation: Agencies: Haryana Archaeology and Museums Department with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Method: Ground Penetrating Radar… Continue reading Mauryan-Era archaeological discoveries at Topra Kalan, Haryana

Fifth Session of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)

Why in the News? The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) on plastic pollution has opened in Geneva, Switzerland. About Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC): Formation: Created by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in March 2022 to develop a global treaty on plastic pollution. Nature: UN-mandated body with equal… Continue reading Fifth Session of Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC)

[8th August 2025] ​The Hindu Op-ed: Mending ties: On state visit of Philippines President to India

Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to India strengthened bilateral ties through a Strategic Partnership Agreement, focusing on defence cooperation, Indo-Pacific security, and future trade collaboration, while also serving broader strategic goals in ASEAN and Indo-Pacific diplomacy. Key Highlights of the Visit: Strategic Partnership Agreement: The Philippines becomes only the fifth country (after Japan, Vietnam,… Continue reading [8th August 2025] ​The Hindu Op-ed: Mending ties: On state visit of Philippines President to India

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024: A Legislative Milestone for Maritime Growth

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which replaced Part XIV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, marks a significant legislative reform aimed at modernizing and streamlining India’s coastal trade. It is a key component of the government’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” aiming to unlock the vast potential of India’s coastline. It provides… Continue reading The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024: A Legislative Milestone for Maritime Growth

How groundwater contamination is fuelling chronic illnesses

India’s groundwater is increasingly getting contaminated with toxic substances. Over 85% of rural drinking water and 65% of irrigation needs are met through groundwater, yet unregulated extraction, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and poor sanitation have turned this life source into a silent killer. Scale of the Crisis The 2024 Annual Groundwater Quality Report by the… Continue reading How groundwater contamination is fuelling chronic illnesses

District Flood Severity Index (DFSI)

Why in the News? Researchers from IIT Delhi and IIT Gandhinagar have developed a District Flood Severity Index (DFSI) to aid flood planning using past data and human impact indicators. About the District Flood Severity Index (DFSI): Objective: To provide a comprehensive, data-based assessment of flood severity across Indian districts. Focus: District-level analysis, as districts… Continue reading District Flood Severity Index (DFSI)

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.