Inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, 2024 announced

Why in the News? G Padmanabhan, the Chandrayaan-3 team, Annapurni Subramaniam, and 30 others have been chosen for the inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), India’s new national science awards established last year. What is Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar? The RVP comprises four awards: Vigyan Ratna for lifetime achievement. Vigyan Shri for scientists of all ages. Vigyan… Continue reading

On UP’s stringent Anti-conversion law

Why in the news? The UP Assembly’s amendments to its regressive ‘Anti-conversion’ law appear aimed at facilitating misuse, with over 400 cases registered since the original 2021 law. What is UP’s ‘Anti-conversion’ law? Uttar Pradesh’s “Anti-conversion” law, officially known as the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, prohibits religious conversion through… Continue reading

Counting the ‘poor’ having nutritional deficiency

Why in the news? The National Sample Survey Office has released the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) report for 2022-23, along with public access to unit-level data on household expenditures. What does the recent NSSO Report tell us? The report utilizes various definitions of poverty established by past committees, with the poverty line (PL) being… Continue reading

RBI Report on Currency and Finance (RCF), 2023-24

Why in the News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the “Report on Currency and Finance (RCF)” for the year 2023-24 with the theme – India’s Digital Revolution. What is the Report on Currency and Finance (RCF)? The RCF is an annual publication by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It covers various aspects… Continue reading

GST on Health and Life Insurance Premiums

Why in the News? Insurance premiums on health and life policies have increased this year, and the 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) has made insurance less affordable for many people. Medical inflation, estimated at 14% towards the end of last year, along with increased premiums, has made buying medical insurance difficult for many. What… Continue reading

Anti-Defection Law: Features, limitations and reforms

Why in the News? Numerous examples in recent time exist in the history of Parliament and State Assemblies where MPs or MLAs have defected from their party. These activities often led to the frequent falling of governments. What is Anti-Defection Law? The 52nd Constitutional Amendment introduced the anti-defection law through the Tenth Schedule in 1985.… Continue reading

The Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024

Why in the News? The government has introduced the Waqf Act Amendment Bill 2024, in order to improve administration and management of the Waqf properties. Aim: To address existing issues in the management and administration of Waqf properties, ensuring better transparency and efficiency. It also seeks to improve the legal framework governing Waqf boards and… Continue reading

On doorstep delivery of alcohol

Why in the News? Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala are considering or have considered allowing doorstep delivery of alcohol through platforms such as Swiggy, BigBasket, and Zomato. Arguments in favour of Online Delivery of Alcohol: Revenue Generation: Excise taxes on alcohol sales can help generate significant revenue for Central and State… Continue reading

[pib] PM marks 5 years of abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A)

Why in the News? The Prime Minister recalled the Parliament’s 5-year-old decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35(A), calling it a watershed moment. About Articles 370 and 35(A) of the Indian Constitution [1] Article 370: Description Provision Grants special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Nature Initially intended as a temporary provision,… Continue reading

[pib] National Coastal Mission Scheme (NCM)

Why in the News? The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has expanded the National Coastal Mission Scheme (NCM) to address the challenges posed by rising sea levels. About National Coastal Mission Scheme (NCM) The NCM was launched in July 2014. It aims to address the climate change impact on coastal areas and… Continue reading

[pib] Bhoj Wetland

Why in the News? The Madhya Pradesh State Wetland Authority has reported that Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal is not at risk of being removed from the Ramsar Convention List of important international wetlands. About Bhoj Wetland Bhoj Wetland is located in the center of Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh. The wetland includes two man-made lakes:… Continue reading

[pib] Adopt a Heritage Scheme 2.0

Why in the News? Under the Adopt a Heritage Scheme 2.0, 19 MoUs have been signed so far covering a total of 66 monuments. About Adopt a Heritage Scheme 2.0 Aspect Details Revamped version of the original Adopt a Heritage Scheme. Launched in 2023. Legal Framework Defined as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites… Continue reading

Underwater mapping reveals insights into melting of ice shelves

Why in the News? New research has documented previously unseen shapes at the base of a West Antarctic ice shelf. Base of a West Antarctic Ice Shelf Basal Melt Dynamics: The base of West Antarctic ice shelves, including the Dotson Ice Shelf, experiences basal melt driven by warm ocean water. This process leads to thinning… Continue reading

Kerala requests Centre to declare Wayanad landslide as a – ‘National Disaster’

Why in the News? The Kerala government has requested the Centre to declare the landslide in Vythiri taluk, Wayanad district, as a national disaster. The Central government is considering the legality of declaring the landslide a national disaster. Wayanad Landslide: Destruction and Casualties The landslide, triggered by heavy rain, devastated at least three villages. Kerala’s… Continue reading

[pib] INS SHALKI

Why in the News? Indian Navy’s submarine INS Shalki, recently docked at Colombo Port on its two day visit to Sri Lanka. This visit comes against the backdrop of China’s persistent attempts to enhance its strategic and military influence over the island nation. About INS SHALKI INS Shalki is a Shishumar class diesel-electric submarine, commissioned… Continue reading

What is ‘PrecivityAD2’ the new Alzheimer’s Blood Test?

Why in the News? Researchers in Sweden have developed a new blood test, PrecivityAD2, which is about 90% accurate in identifying Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in people experiencing cognitive symptoms. What is Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia (loss of memory and cognitive abilities). It is a progressive disease beginning… Continue reading

[pib] CIL ASHIS Scheme

Why in the News? Coal India Limited (CIL) has launched a CSR initiative named CIL ASHIS to provide scholarships to children who lost their parents to COVID-19 and were unable to continue their studies. What is CIL ASHIS Scheme? The CIL ASHIS Scheme, launched by Coal India Limited (CIL), stands for Ayushman Shiksha Sahayata. The… Continue reading

Centre reissues draft notification on ecosensitive areas in Western Ghats

Why in the news? On Friday, the Central government released the sixth draft notification, designating 56,825.7 square kilometre of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA) across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Recommendations of the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committees Gadgil Committee: Recommended that 75% of the Western… Continue reading

[pib] Update on Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

Why in the News? An Extended Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (E-PMSMA) strategy was launched to ensure quality Antenatal Care (ANC) for pregnant women. The strategy focuses on individual tracking of high-risk pregnancies (HRP) and provision of additional PMSMA sessions beyond the 9th of every month. About High-Risk Pregnancy: A high-risk pregnancy involves greater risk… Continue reading

[pib] Schemes implemented by the WCD Ministry clubbed into 3 Verticals

Why in the News? For better implementation and efficient monitoring, all schemes implemented by the Ministry for the betterment of children have been consolidated into 3 verticals: Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti, and Mission Vatsalya. These verticals aim to improve nutrition and health indicators, ensure safety and empowerment of women, and provide protection… Continue reading

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