Nouka Baich: Boat Race festival of Bengal

Why in the News? With the southwest monsoon gradually setting in, Nouka Baich boat races will soon commence in West Bengal and Bangladesh. About Nouka Baich Nouka Baich is the traditional boat race of Bengal. It is predominantly held in the rural pockets of West Bengal, including Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and South 24… Continue reading

Activated Carbon Production from Coconut Husks for Supercapacitors

Why in the News? Researchers at Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, have developed a way to make activated carbon from coconut husks, which are a common leftover from farming in Kerala. This activated carbon is well-suited for making supercapacitors. Back2Basics: Supercapacitors Supercapacitors, also known as ultra-capacitors or electrochemical capacitors, are energy storage devices that bridge… Continue reading

Climate change forces Panama islanders to relocate

Why in the news? In early June, approximately 300 families were relocated from the island of Gardi Sugdub in Panama’s Guna Yala province due to concerns about rising sea levels. What is happening in Gardi Sugdub? Location and Community: Gardi Sugdub, home to about 1,300 members of the Guna community, is an island in Panama’s… Continue reading

Why Denmark has taxed cattle burps and farts?

Why in the news? Denmark will impose a tax on its livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted by their cows, sheep, and pigs from 2030. What is it? Denmark plans to impose a tax on livestock farmers for greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted by their cows, sheep, and pigs starting in 2030. Tax Rates:… Continue reading

China’s ‘Five Principles’ of Foreign Policy

Why in the News? China is set to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, a foreign policy concept initially outlined in a 1954 agreement with India, with special events scheduled for Friday, June 28th. How it started? Historical Context: India attained independence from British rule in 1947, and the People’s… Continue reading

Why Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is stuck in space?

Why in the News? The scheduled return of the Starliner spacecraft, which transported NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this month, has been delayed. What is the Starliner mission? Objective: The Starliner Crew Flight Test mission aimed to transport NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to… Continue reading

UNESCO World Heritage Site of Somanathapura

Why in the News? Karnataka’s Tourism Department plans to highlight Somanathapura Temple, part of the Hoysala temples, in the Mysuru tourism circuit ahead of Dasara, leveraging its UNESCO World Heritage status. The Somanathapura Temple, along with other Hoysala temples such as the Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and the Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebid, (called ‘Sacred Ensembles… Continue reading

India achieves an ‘outstanding outcome’ in FATF mutual evaluation 2023-24

Why in the News? India has achieved an outstanding outcome in the 2023-24 Mutual Evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). India is placed in the “regular follow-up” category, a distinction shared by only four other G-20 countries. FATF Evaluation: The reason behind India’s Achievements High Level of Compliance: The FATF stated that India… Continue reading

Geoportals for Enhanced Rural Land Records and Emergency Management

Why in the News? The Union Ministry of Science and Technology launched two Geoportals: ‘Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0)’ for rural land records and ‘National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0)’. These portals were developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). These geospatial tools provide high-resolution satellite imagery of 1:10K scale for various locations… Continue reading

Motor Neuron Disease (MND)

Why in the News? The annual conference on Motor Neuron Disease (MND) ‘Awareness, Care and Management’ was held at NIMHANS. What is Motor Neuron Disease (MND)? MND is a condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, which are responsible for controlling your muscles. Over time, these nerves (called motor neurons) stop… Continue reading

What is the Justice Reddy Commission, against which KCR has moved Telangana High Court?

Why in the news? On June 27, the Telangana High Court postponed the hearing on a petition filed by Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) president and former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. The petition sought to halt all future proceedings of the Justice (retired) L Narasimha Reddy Commission until Friday. What is the Narasimha Reddy… Continue reading

What is the role of the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition?

Why in the news? For a decade, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha remained vacant due to the absence of any party meeting the customary threshold of one-tenth of the House’s strength, now filled by Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi. Leader of Opposition in the past: Who can serve as Leader of Opposition… Continue reading

Why govt must create a buffer stock of all main food items?

Why in the news? Sales of wheat and chana in the open market have effectively curbed soaring inflation in cereals and pulses. What is an Open Market? An open market is an economic system with little to no barriers to free-market activity. An open market is characterized by the absence of tariffs, taxes, licensing requirements,… Continue reading

Interest rates on small savings schemes like PPF, SCSS, and NSC are under review by Modi 3.0 government

Why in the news? The central government of India is set to announce the interest rates for various small savings schemes, including the Public Provident Fund (PPF), Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS), National Savings Certificate (NSC), Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), and Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS), for the July-September 2024 quarter by June 30,… Continue reading

[28th June 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Reasi and the ‘years-old’ issue of cross-border terror

PYQ Relevance: Q Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggests measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism. (UPSC IAS/2021) Q Indian government has recently strengthed the anti-terrorism laws by amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA Act. Analyze the… Continue reading

Controversy over Sengol in Lok Sabha

Why in the News? An opposition parliamentarian has demanded the removal of the Sengol from the Lok Sabha, calling it a symbol of “rajdand/rajtantra (monarchy)”.This demand has become a point of contention between the government and the Opposition. What is a Sengol? A sengol (or chenkol) is a royal sceptre symbolizing kingship, righteousness, justice, and… Continue reading

RBI releases the 29th Financial Stability Report, 2024

Why in the News? The Reserve Bank of India has released the 29th issue of the Financial Stability Report (FSR). About Financial Stability Report: The FSR is published biannually by the RBI. It reflects the collective assessment of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC – headed by the Governor of RBI)… Continue reading

UNODC World Drug Report 2024: Key Highlights

Why in the News? Global drug users reached 292 million in 2022, marking a 20% increase over the past decade. The report was released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). About UNODC Aspect Details Global Role Leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime, responsible for implementing the UN’s… Continue reading

Himalayan Serow recorded at Assam’s Raimona National Park

Why in the News? A mainland serow aka. Himalayan Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis thar) was recorded at 96 metres above mean sea level in Raimona National Park, Assam. This is the lowest elevation recorded for the species beyond Bhutan, its natural habitat. About Himalayan Serow Details About Herbivore species. Also known as Thar. Resembles a cross… Continue reading

Read the rocks to improve India’s geological literacy

PYQ Relevance: Q Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment (10) (UPSC IAS/2018) Q Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. (UPSC IAS/2020) Mentors’ comment: India, with its landscapes ranging from the world’s highest peaks to low-lying coastal plains,… Continue reading

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