On the need for a different framework for passive Mutual Funds

Why in the News? On September 30, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the liberalized Mutual Funds Lite (MF Lite) framework specifically for passively managed schemes. What is a Passive Mutual Fund? A Passive Mutual Fund is a type of investment fund that follows a market index, like Nifty50, trying to match… Continue reading

CERC steps in to tackle sudden Surges in Power Demand

Why in the News? India’s power regulator, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), has appointed a Single Member Bench to assess the challenges of a sudden surge in power demand. Projected Power Demand for October 2024 India’s projected peak power demand for October 2024 is 230 Gigawatts (GW). After factoring in Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS)… Continue reading

India signs $750-mn currency swap deal with forex-starved Maldives

Why in the News? The RBI has announced a Currency Swap Agreement with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework 2024-27. India’s Financial Support to Maldives India will extend financial support to the Maldives, providing $400 million under the US Dollar/Euro Swap Window. Additionally, ₹30 billion (approximately $357 million) will be… Continue reading

Trade is not just Globalized but also weaponized: S. Jaishankar

Why in the News? External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted that over the past 25 years, globalisation has led to job losses and dissatisfaction in many societies, as trade has become both globalised and weaponised. How is trade being weaponised in global politics? Trade is increasingly being used as a strategic tool by countries, intertwined… Continue reading

How are tanks armouring Ladakh sector?

Why in the News? The Ukraine war has highlighted the versatility of battle tanks, demonstrating that armor remains crucial on modern battlefields, alongside long-range firepower. What are the difficulties in Ladakh due to high terrain and altitude? High Altitude Challenges: At altitudes of 13,000-15,000 feet, oxygen levels are low, causing rarefied air, which affects the… Continue reading

EnviStats India 2024

Why in the News? The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts” Report. What is the EnviStats India 2024 Report? The EnviStats India 2024 Report, released by the MoSPI, is the 7th consecutive publication. It compiles environmental-economic accounts based on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Framework.… Continue reading

Dravidian Style of Architecture

Why in the News? The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has recently finished copying inscriptions at three temples in Thirukurungudi, located in Tirunelveli district. About the 3 temples mentioned: Nambi Rayar Temple (Thirukoshtiyur Temple) It is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Thirukoshtiyur, near Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu. It is one… Continue reading

United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

Why in the News? According to the UNAIDS Director, without India’s significant contribution, the world is unlikely to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. What is HIV/AIDS? HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells, weakening the… Continue reading

[pib] International Energy Efficiency Hub

Why in the News? The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of a ‘Letter of Intent’ that will enable India to join the International Energy Efficiency Hub (Hub). About the International Energy Efficiency Hub The Hub was established in 2020 as the successor to the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), of which India… Continue reading

Why you should care about Mapping of the Fruit Fly’s Brain?

Why in the News? Researcher have successfully mapped the entire brain of an adult fruit fly, marking the first time researchers have created such a detailed map of an adult animal’s brain. How Was the Fruit Fly Brain Mapped? The process of mapping Fruit Flies (Drosophila melanogaster) brain began in 2013. Scientists dunked the brain… Continue reading

Rules promoting caste bias in jails struck down by Supreme Court

Why in the News? The Supreme Court declared caste-based discrimination in prisons unconstitutional, ordering immediate reforms in jail manuals nationwide to uphold inmates’ dignity, equality, and non-discrimination rights. What specific caste-based practices in prison manuals were deemed unconstitutional by the SC? Work Assignments Based on Caste: The assignment of menial tasks like cleaning and sweeping… Continue reading

[pib] Cabinet confers Classical Language Status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages

Why in the News? The Union Cabinet has approved conferring the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Classical Languages in India: Details Objective To recognize and preserve Bharat’s profound cultural heritage embodied in these languages and their literary traditions. Criteria for Classical Language Status 2004 (when Tamil was declared a… Continue reading

Why Chagos Islands matter?

Why in the News? British Foreign Minister announced that the deal with Mauritius has settled the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, the UK’s last overseas territory in Africa. The agreement also ensures the long-term future of the Diego Garcia military base, which is jointly operated by the UK and US. About… Continue reading

Little Prespa Lake on Albanian-Greek Border slowly dying

Why in the News? At the Albanian-Greek border, Little Prespa Lake is slowly drying. About Little Prespa Lake Little Prespa Lake, also known as Small Lake Prespa, is located on the Albanian-Greek border. The majority of the lake lies in Greek territory, with the southern tip extending into Albania. The total area of the lake… Continue reading

[3rd October 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A case of nothing but patent censorship

PYQ Relevance: Q). Discuss Section 66A of IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution. (UPSC CSE 2013) Q). What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other… Continue reading

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