What are Cabinet Committees, and why is the CCS the most important of them all?

Why in the News? After the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi, he is set to share the four big portfolios of Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs with its alliance partners. What are the Cabinet Committees? Cabinet committees in India are groups of ministers formed by the Prime Minister to handle specific tasks or issues… Continue reading

124th Death Anniversary of Birsa Munda

Why in the News? Jharkhand CM marked the 124th death anniversary of revolutionary tribal leader “Birsa Munda” by paying his tributes. Who was Birsa Munda (1875-1900)? Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, during a period of significant change for his community, the Mundas, residing in the Chotanagpur region of present-day Jharkhand. Birsa Munda… Continue reading

Hydrogen Line: A Unique Signal

Why in the News? The hydrogen line stands as a pivotal tool in contemporary astronomy, serving various purposes from studying distant stars to questing for extraterrestrial intelligence, should it exist. What is a Hydrogen Line? The hydrogen line is a special type of light that hydrogen atoms emit. It happens when an electron, a tiny… Continue reading

[pib] Green Ammonia Production under SIGHT Program

Why in the News? Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has initiated the bidding process for a total capacity of 5.39 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) per annum of Green Ammonia production. The initiative falls under Mode 2A of the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission led… Continue reading

How the Six-Day War of 1967 transformed the Middle East?

Why in the News? Fifty-seven years have elapsed since the Six-Day War ( June 5 to June 10, 1967) fought between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Causes of the War Historical Tensions: Rooted in the establishment of Israel in 1948, which resulted in the displacement and death of thousands of Palestinian Arabs, creating a massive… Continue reading

Remoulding the Global Plastics Treaty

Why in the news? As discussions for an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution continue, it is essential to consider how it can support a fair transition for informal waste collectors and recyclers. Observations by the OECD Global Plastic Outlook In 2019, global plastic waste production was 353 million tonnes, more than double the… Continue reading

131 years of Gandhiji’s Natal Satyagraha

Why in the News? On June 7, 1893, Mahatma Gandhi faced racial discrimination when he was forced off a first-class train compartment at “Pietermaritzburg railway station” in South Africa. This event ignited the spirit of civil disobedience in him through his first non-violent protest in the “Natal Satyagraha”. History of ‘Satyagraha’ The terms originated in… Continue reading

Andaman’s Onge Tribe

Why in the news? The king and queen of the “Onge tribe” welcomed a baby boy in the Andaman Islands, marking a significant moment for the tribe. With the arrival of the newborn, the tribe’s total population now stands at 136, as confirmed by an official source. About Onge Tribe The Onge are PVTGs (Particularly… Continue reading

Preparing for ASEAN-India FTA Review

Why in the News? The Commerce Department is gearing up for the upcoming negotiations on the ASEAN-India FTA review. The ASEAN-India FTA, while beneficial, has led to a widening trade deficit for India. ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITGA): The AITGA, signed in 2009 and effective in 2010, aims to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers… Continue reading

President appoints Narendra Modi as PM-Designate

Why in the News? Narendra Modi will take the oath as the Prime Minister for a third consecutive term, following an invitation from President Droupadi Murmu to form the government. Constitutional Provisions for PM Post Article 75: It states that the President shall appoint the Prime Minister, who is usually the leader of the majority… Continue reading

In news: Volkhov River

Why in the News? Four medical students from India studying in a university in Russia drowned in Volkhov River near St. Petersburg. About Volkhov River The Volkhov River is a significant waterway in northwestern Russia. It is located in the Leningrad Oblast and Novgorod Oblast of Russia, in the northwestern part of the country. It… Continue reading

[7th June 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Health regulations need a base-to-top approach

PYQ Relevance Q The public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015) Q In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly… Continue reading

India second-biggest foreign threat to Canadian democracy: report

Why in the news? A parliamentary committee report in Canada has claimed India as the second-biggest foreign threat to the country’s democracy. About the Khalistan Movement Origins and Objectives: The Khalistan Movement is a separatist movement seeking to create an independent Sikh state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India. Activities in Canada: Canada… Continue reading

Regulator SEBI expands promoter definition for IPO-bound companies

Why in the news? SEBI expands promoter definition for IPO-bound companies, including founders holding 10% or more, and their immediate relatives. According to current SEBI regulations, a promoter is someone who controls the affairs of the company or can appoint the majority of directors or is named as such in an offer document. What is… Continue reading

The representation of women in the incoming Lok Sabha, how it compares to previous years

Why in the news? Over time, there has been a general inclination towards enhancing women’s representation in the Lok Sabha. However, the advancement has been gradual and inconsistent. Women in Lok Sabha 2024 (PRS data): Number of Women MPs: India has elected 74 women MPs to the Lok Sabha in 2024, which is four fewer… Continue reading

Will understanding Cancer become a data problem?

Why in the news? WHO reports 33,000 new brain cancer cases yearly in India, highlighting widespread suffering. What is brain cancer? Brain cancer, also known as primary brain cancer, is an overgrowth of cells in the brain that form masses called brain tumours. It is different from secondary brain cancer, which occurs when cancer that… Continue reading

Second Phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Why in the News? Pakistani PM is on a formal visit to China to attend the formal announcement of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II). About CPEC-II CPEC’s next phase shifts focus from infrastructure and energy to sectors like agriculture, Pakistan Railways’ Main Line-I (ML-1) upgrade, and realignment of the Karakorum Highway.… Continue reading

In news: Mohiniyattam Dance

Why in the News? A popular Mohiniyattam dancer in Kerala was refused bail against her alleged casteist remarks against the SC community. About Mohiniyattam Description Name Meaning Mohini – female enchantress avatar of Vishnu; Aattam – rhythmic motion or dance (Malayalam) Roots Natya Shastra, ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts Style Lasya Style –… Continue reading

First Human Case of Avian H5N2 Infection

Why in the News? The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed the death of a Mexican resident due to bird flu, marking the first confirmed case of human infection with the H5N2 variant. This H5N2 strain is different from another bird flu variety-H5N1 which infected people in America recently. What is Avian Influenza A (H5N2)?… Continue reading

Two bird sanctuaries of Bihar added to Ramsar List

Why in the News? Two wetlands in Bihar, Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries, have been added to the global list of wetlands of international importance under the “Ramsar Convention”, bringing India’s total Ramsar sites to 82. Do you know? Currently, the highest number of such sites is in the UK (175) followed by Mexico (144).… Continue reading

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