Rajya Sabha Elections

Why in the News? Results of the latest round of Rajya Sabha elections are out. Elections to the Rajya Sabha: Details Election Method Members are elected indirectly by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies and the electoral college for UTs (Delhi and Pondicherry). Using the proportional representation system via the Single Transferable Vote… Continue reading

[28th August 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Reasonable restrictions: On Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s Arrest and Content Hosting

PYQ Relevance: Q What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2014) Q Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber-crimes.… Continue reading

Chile’s Atacama Salt Flat sinking due to Lithium Mining

Why in the News? A recent study published in journal IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing has found that Chile’s Atacama salt flat (Salar de Atacama) is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 centimetres per year due to lithium brine extraction. Lithium brine extraction involves pumping salt-rich water to the surface and… Continue reading

[pib] ANUBHAV AWARDS, 2024

Why in the News? The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions has conferred the Anubhav Awards 2024. ANUBHAV Awards Details Purpose To recognize the contributions of retired officials to nation-building and document the administrative history of India through their written narratives. Portal Launch Launched in March 2015. Organizing Body Ministry of Personnel,… Continue reading

[pib] 10 Years of Jan Dhan Scheme

Why in the News? PM Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) on 28th August 2014. It has now completed a decade of successful implementation. About PMJDY Details Objective • Banking the Unbanked: Open basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) accounts with minimal paperwork, relaxed KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance… Continue reading

Report reveals minimal use of Plea Bargaining in Courts

Why in the News? According to a report by the Ministry of Law and Justice, only 0.11% of cases were settled through “plea bargaining” in 2022. Key Findings of the Report: In 2022, only 19,135 out of 1,70,52,367 cases (about 0.11%) in Indian courts were disposed of through plea bargaining, indicating its minimal use. Despite… Continue reading

On the unrest in the Balochistan region

Why in the News? The recent protests are a significant part of Balochistan’s long history of political struggles. They highlight the difficulties Pakistan faces in creating a country based solely on religion. Causes and Reasons for the Recent Protests in Balochistan: Balochistan has a long history of resistance against central authority, dating back to the… Continue reading

Crime, health-worker safety, and a self-examination

Why in the News? The recent brutal rape and murder case in Kolkata has sparked widespread calls for the death penalty for the accused. The Justice J.S. Verma Committee, formed in response to the 2012 Delhi gang rape, recommended against the death penalty for rape, even in the rarest of rare cases, arguing that it… Continue reading

Many questions about ‘one nation, one election’

Why in the News? In an Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister renewed his push for simultaneous elections, targeting implementation by the 2029 polls. Pros and Cons of Simultaneous Elections in India: Pros Cons Cost Reduction: It can decrease the deployment of resources such as EVMs, security personnel, and election management teams to only one… Continue reading

What is a Polygraph Test?

Why in the News? The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded polygraph tests on the accused in the Kolkata Rape and Murder Case. About Polygraph Tests in India Details Definition A procedure measures physiological responses like blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a subject answers questions to detect deception. Physiological Indicators • Heart… Continue reading

MUDRA 2.0 Loans

Why in the News? The Union Budget 2024 has sought to increase the loan limit under the MUDRA scheme signifying the potential launch of MUDRA 2.0. What is MUDRA 1.0? Details Launch Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) Launched in 2015. Purpose To extend affordable credit to micro and small enterprises, bringing them into the formal… Continue reading

Simple Medical Tools of an OPD Visit

Why in the News? These medical tools—thermometers, stethoscopes, weighing scales, and sphygmomanometers—are essential for diagnosing and monitoring basic health parameters. Each tool has its own function and specific way of operation, which helps healthcare professionals make informed decisions about patient care. Here is the list of tools used in a Doctor’s Diagnosis: Function Description and… Continue reading

Frequent mass wasting in Tibet a cause for worry in India

Why in the News? A recent study on frequent mass wasting in Sedongpu Gully and rapid warming raises concerns for India’s Northeast region. About Sedongpu Gully: The Sedongpu gully (29°47′7.20′′N, 94°55′24′′E) is in the large bend region of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, located in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Debris flows have occurred in two adjacent… Continue reading

What is the Unified Pension Scheme?

Why in the News? The Union Cabinet approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for 23 lakh central government employees. About Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): Explanation Implementation Date Effective from April 1, 2025. Eligibility Central government employees with at least 10 years of service. Assured Pension 50% of average basic pay over the last 12 months… Continue reading

Classical Language Centres ask for autonomy

Why in the News? Classical Language Centres in India are seeking more autonomy to improve their effectiveness and address operational challenges. Classical Language Centres in India India has designated 6 languages as classical: Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia. Special centres have been established to promote these languages. Only the Centre for Tamil functions… Continue reading

What is Sonoluminescence?

Why in the News? Recent studies have provided deeper insights into the mechanics of Sonoluminescence, particularly the conditions under which light is emitted from collapsing bubbles in liquids. What is Sonoluminescence? Sonoluminescence is a phenomenon in which small gas bubbles in a liquid emit short bursts of light when exposed to intense sound waves. The… Continue reading

How to ensure dignity for the terminally ill?

Why in the News? The Supreme Court of India denied permission to the parents of Harish Rana, a 32-year-old man in a vegetative state for 11 years, to remove his Ryles tube which is a device used for feeding. A Ryles tube, also known as a nasogastric (NG) tube, is a medical device used for… Continue reading

Time to reset the GST system

Why in the News? Most states appear to be opposed to altering the current five primary GST rate slabs: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. About Goods and Service Tax (GST): The Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India was introduced by the Constitutional (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act of 2017. It is a… Continue reading

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