A big step towards the transformation of various sectors

Why in the news? The 2024-25 Budget is a progressive proposal featuring several commendable initiatives aimed at boosting India’s economic growth and advancing social progress. Prioritized areas in the recent Budget 2024-25 Job Creation and Skilling: The budget allocates ₹1.48 lakh crore towards job creation, employment, and skilling, emphasizing the importance of developing a skilled… Continue reading

A Budget that places health on the margins

Why in the news? With the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us (though the World Health Organization warns the virus still lingers), the Union Budget shifted focus to economic growth levers like infrastructure and employment. It was also hoped that recognizing population health as crucial for economic growth would lead to continued investment in… Continue reading

ICMR develops CRISPR Cas-based TB Detection Kit

Why in the News? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Regional Medical Research Centre for North East has developed the “world’s cheapest CRISPR Cas-based TB testing system”. Back2Basics: CRISPR-Cas9 Technology CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9. It is a technology that allows geneticists and researchers to edit… Continue reading

In news: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

Why in the News? The Gandhi Sagar sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is the preferred location for the next batch of cheetah’s relocation plan. However, Banni in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat is also being prepared to house some of them. Cheetah Reintroduction in India: In India, cheetahs disappeared in the early 1950s due to hunting… Continue reading

Typhoon Gaemi

Why in the News? After making landfall in the Philippines, Typhoon Gaemi is heading towards Taiwan. What is a Typhoon? A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that forms in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, primarily between 100°E and 180°E. It is characterised by strong winds, and heavy rain, and can cause significant damage due to… Continue reading

Right to Shelter is a Fundamental Right: Supreme Court

Why in the News? The Supreme Court emphasised the need to balance railway infrastructure development in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, with the fundamental right to shelter nearly 50,000 people accused of illegally encroaching on railway land. What was the Case? The hearing was based on an application filed by the Railways seeking to modify a January 2023… Continue reading

For the social sector, it is old wine in an old bottle

Why in the News? Budget 2024 maintains the same approach as previous years regarding social sector allocations. Decreasing allocations in the Budget for social sector schemes Education Sector: The allocations for school education increased by ₹5,000 crore and for higher education by ₹3,000 crore. The increased recoveries from fees and self-financing schemes suggest a shift… Continue reading

Defence funds decline, BRO gets backing

Why in the News? Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has allocated ₹6.22 lakh crore for the Defence Ministry for 2024-25, matching the amount presented in the interim Budget in February. Budgetary allocation for different sectors Border Roads Organisation (BRO): The BRO received a significant increase in funding, with an allocation of ₹6,500 crore, aimed at… Continue reading

[pib] Birth Anniversary of Chandrashekhar Azad and Lokmanya Tilak

Why in the News? Prime Minister paid his tributes to legendary freedom fighters Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad on their birth anniversaries. About Chandrashekhar Azad and Lokmanya Tilak [1] Chandrashekhar Azad: Details: Born Chandra Shekhar Tiwari on 23 July 1906; Indian revolutionary leader of HSRA; Died 27 February 1931. Early Life From Bardarka,… Continue reading

What is a Climate Finance Taxonomy, announced by FM Sitharaman?

Why in the News? The 2024 Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister, includes developing a taxonomy for climate finance. The aim is to enhance the availability of capital for climate adaptation and mitigation. What is a Climate Finance Taxonomy? A climate finance taxonomy is a classification system that identifies which economic activities can be marketed… Continue reading

What is Angel Tax that was scrapped in Budget 2024?

Why in the News? Finance Minister announced the abolition of the angel tax, aiming to strengthen the startup ecosystem and support innovation in India. What is Angel Investment? An angel investor is an individual who provides financial backing to early-stage startups or entrepreneurs, typically in exchange for equity in the company. Angel investors are typically… Continue reading

Bihar’s Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temples

Why in the News? Finance Minister announced during her Union Budget speech that corridor projects will be built for the Vishnupad Temple at Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar. These will be modelled on the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, to transform them into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations. About the Vishnupad… Continue reading

How children win with U-WIN, govt’s new online vaccine portal?

Why in the News? The government plans to roll out U-WIN, an online vaccine management portal for childhood vaccination, across the country. Similar to CoWIN used during the Covid-19 pandemic, U-WIN aims to digitize and individualize immunization records from birth. What is U-WIN? Children up to 6 years old and pregnant mothers are registered on… Continue reading

What are Rogue Waves and how can AI help predict them?

Why in the News? Rogue waves, unusually large waves compared to those before and after them, pose significant threats to ships, coastal and offshore infrastructure, and human lives. Until now, there has been no method to forecast rogue waves. What Are Rogue Waves? Rogue waves are unusually large and unpredictable waves that are much larger… Continue reading

What is Governor’s immunity under Article 361, set to be reviewed by Supreme Court?

Why in the News? The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea seeking to redefine the constitutional immunity of state Governors. Article 361 of the Constitution shields the President and Governors from criminal prosecution and judicial scrutiny. The Supreme Court will interpret whether the immunity includes the registration of an FIR, initiation of a… Continue reading

National Flag Day, 2024

Why in the News? On 22nd July in 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the National Flag. About the National Flag Day The Constituent Assembly met in New Delhi at 10 o’clock, chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The Assembly had been meeting since December 9, 1946, discussing various subjects. The Chair announced the first… Continue reading

What is the Dyson Sphere?

Why in the News? Recently, astronomers have made progress in finding possible candidates as Dyson Sphere, sparking new excitement and debate about extraterrestrial life. What is a Dyson Sphere? Imagine you are an astronomer looking for extraterrestrial life and you find a star covered by solar panels. This structure, collecting massive amounts of solar energy,… Continue reading

New Asset Class proposed by SEBI

Why in the News? The markets regulator, SEBI, has proposed a new asset class designed to offer investment products positioned between mutual funds (MFs) and portfolio management services (PMS). This new category aims to fill an opportunity gap for investors and offer greater flexibility in portfolio construction. Note: PMS provides customized investment solutions to high… Continue reading

CPCB plans to check violations in Plastic Waste Trading Regime

Why in the News? The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has started a national audit of about 800 plastic-waste recyclers across India. This action follows the discovery that four firms in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat issued nearly 600,000 fake certificates under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme. About Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Overview The… Continue reading

What is the International Centre for Audit of Local Governance?

Why in the news? On July 18, CAG Girish Chandra Murmu inaugurated the International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) in Rajkot, marking India’s first institute to set global standards for auditing local governance. How will iCAL work? iCAL will serve as a platform for policymakers, administrators, and auditors connected with local governments to… Continue reading

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