The role of district agro-met offces in supporting farmers

Why in the News? Last week, PTI reported that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) plans to reintroduce District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs) as part of the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme. Background: In 2018, the IMD set up 199 District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to provide sub-district… Continue reading

On the challenges to road safety in India

Why in the News? The India Status Report on Road Safety 2024 highlights India’s slow progress in reducing road fatalities and stresses the need for tailored approaches to improve road safety. What does the ‘India Status Report on Road Safety 2024’ state? The report highlights India’s limited success in reducing road accident fatalities, despite the… Continue reading

India generates highest plastic pollution in world

Why in the News? A study published last week in the journal Nature revealed that India is responsible for contributing one-fifth of the world’s plastic pollution. What did the Paris Agreement (2015) and the UN Environmental Assembly (2022) say on plastic pollution? Paris Agreement (2015): Primarily on climate change, the Paris Agreement doesn’t directly address… Continue reading

Exercise Yudh Abhyas, 2024

Why in the News? The 2024 edition of the India-U.S. Army bilateral exercise Yudh Abhyas has begun at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan. Concurrently, Phase-II of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) largest multilateral exercise, Tarang Shakti, is underway in Jodhpur, with eight countries participating, including India. About Exercise Yudh Abhyas Details Type Bilateral… Continue reading

India’s first ‘Teal Carbon’ study

Why in the News? India’s first study on teal carbon was conducted at Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district. Highlights of the Study The study at KNP aimed to develop holistic solutions for climate change by understanding the potential of teal carbon in mitigating its effects. It highlighted that degraded wetlands could release… Continue reading

PresVu: India’s First Eye Drop for Presbyopia

Why in the News? Mumbai-based Entod Pharmaceuticals has announced that the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved its new eye drop, PresVu, aimed at reducing the dependency on reading glasses for individuals with presbyopia. What is Presbyopia? Presbyopia is an age-related condition where the eyes gradually lose the ability to focus on nearby… Continue reading

[9th September 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: With or without Chinese companies is the question

PYQ Relevance: Q Can the strategy of regional-resource-based manufacturing help in promoting employment in India?(UPSC IAS/2019) Q “Success of the ‘Make in India’ program depends on the success of the ‘Skill India’ programme and radical labour reforms.” Discuss with logical arguments. (UPSC IAS/2015) Q “While we ﬂaunt India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates… Continue reading

Policy paralysis, a weakened public health sector

Why in the News? Primary care remains underdeveloped, while the private sector has seen significant growth in secondary and tertiary care. What are the major necessities in Public Health? Diseases of Poverty: This includes health issues predominantly affecting the poor and vulnerable populations, such as tuberculosis, malaria, undernutrition, maternal mortality, and illnesses caused by food… Continue reading

On uncommon cyclones in the Arabian Sea

Why in the News? A rare August cyclone, named ‘Asna’, currently positioned off the Kutch coast is even more remarkable for having originated over land. Why was there a lot of excitement over Asna? “Asna” is notable because it’s the first cyclone in August in the North Indian Ocean since 1981. August is typically not… Continue reading

BepiColombo Mission

Why in the News? On Thursday, the ESA-Japan spacecraft “BepiColombo” made its closest approach to Mercury, capturing detailed images of its sunrise-lit surface and revealing the planet’s south pole. Highlights of the Latest Flyby: BepiColombo uses flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury to slow down and enter orbit around Mercury. This approach gives scientists new… Continue reading

What is Helium and why is it used in Rockets?

Why in the News? Two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended period due to issues with a faulty propulsion system, including helium leaks. About Helium Helium is inert, meaning it does not react or combust when exposed to other substances. This makes it ideal for… Continue reading

What is the Principle of Planetary Protection?

Why in the News? Planetary protection is a crucial principle in space missions that travel from Earth to other planetary bodies, such as the Moon or Mars. The goal is to preserve both Earth’s biosphere and the planetary body’s environment from contamination by alien microbial life. About Planetary Protection: Details Definition Safeguarding Earth’s biosphere and… Continue reading

Enemy Properties in India

Why in the News? The Union Home Affairs Ministry has notified the auction of land in Uttar Pradesh previously owned by the family of former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. Enemy Properties in India Details Definition Assets (movable and immovable) and properties of individuals or entities from countries at war with India, vested with CEPI. History… Continue reading

[7th September 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Stick to fiscal deficit as the norm for fiscal prudence

PYQ Relevance: Q What were the reasons for the introduction of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2013? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness. (UPSC IAS/2018) Q The public expenditure management is a challenge to the Government of India in the context of budget making during the post-liberalization period. Clarify it. (UPSC… Continue reading

Swachh Bharat Mission averted 70,000 infant deaths a year

Why in the News? A new study published in the peer-reviewed “journal Nature” has found that the construction of toilets under the government’s “Swachh Bharat Mission” helped prevent approximately 60,000 to 70,000 infant deaths annually between 2011 and 2020. Key Highlights of the Report: Impact of SBM: The study revealed that districts with over 30%… Continue reading

A tourism policy ill-suited for Jammu and Kashmir

Why in the News? Kashmir’s fragile environment faces severe damage from urbanization, commercialization, and climate change, underscoring the urgent need for a resilient and sustainable tourism model. Aims and Objectives of J&K Tourism Policy Promoting all forms of Tourism: The policy aims to promote traditional recreational tourism as well as adventure, pilgrimage, spiritual, and health… Continue reading

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

Why in the News? The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the apex body responsible for tiger conservation, recently issued directives urging 19 States to prioritize the relocation of villagers residing in core tiger zones. NTCA’s Directive: According to the NTCA, 591 villages, comprising 64,801 families, reside in the core tiger zone, posing a significant concern… Continue reading

Yellow Food Dye can improve Cancer Treatment

Why in the News? Recent research reveals that FD&C Yellow 5, a common food dye, can temporarily make tissue transparent, with potential implications for cancer treatment and medical procedures. About Yellow Food Dye FD&C Yellow 5, also known as Tartrazine, is a widely used synthetic food dye found in various snacks, drinks, and processed foods.… Continue reading

Madeira River in Amazon’s State of Brazil

Why in the News? Communities near Brazil’s Madeira River in the Amazon rainforest are experiencing record low water levels due to a severe drought. About Madeira River Details Formation Formed by the confluence of the Mamore and Beni rivers at Villa Bella, Bolivia. Meets the Amazon River 145 km east of Manaus, Brazil. Length 3,352… Continue reading

Centre notifies the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission

Why in the News? The Union government has notified the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India with effect from September 1. Terms of Reference of the 23rd Law Commission: The 23rd Law Commission has been tasked with addressing similar objectives as previous Commissions, such as: Identifying outdated laws that can be repealed. Creating… Continue reading

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