The Yuan Challenge: How India-Russia trade gap may threaten rupee internationalization efforts

Why in the News? New Delhi aims to boost trade with Moscow to $100 billion by 2030, but India faces a $57 billion trade deficit due to strong oil imports from Russia. Background India’s trade with Russia has been skewed since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022. Russia has become India’s top oil… Continue reading

Ratna Bhandar of Puri Jagannath Temple, opened after 46 years

Why in the News? After 46 years, the sacred treasury of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, known as Ratna Bhandar, was reopened amid years of legal battles, controversies, and debates. About the Ratna Bhandar The Ratna Bhandar stores the gold and jewels offered by devotees to the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. It… Continue reading

India-based Neutrino Observatory

Why in the News? Takaaki Kajita, a Nobel laureate has supported India’s pursuit of a neutrino lab. Despite numerous obstacles, Kajita believes that the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project, which would rank as one of the largest basic science projects in the country, is still worth pursuing. Who is Takaaki Kajita? Takaaki Kajita is a… Continue reading

Asur Tribes to get Forest Land Rights

Why in the News? The Gumla district administration in Jharkhand has announced that the Asur community, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) residing in the Netarhat plateau region of Gumla, will soon benefit from the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. About Asur Community The Asur tribe primarily resides in the districts of Gumla, Lohardaga, Palamu,… Continue reading

[pib] Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ on 25th June Every Year

Why in the News? The Government of India has decided to observe 25th June every year as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas.’ National Emergency imposition in India June 25, 2025, will mark fifty years since the imposition of the Emergency. The Emergency lasted from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977. It was characterized by the suspension… Continue reading

Squalus hima: A new deep-water Dogfish Shark discovered in Kerala

Why in the News? Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of deep-water dogfish shark, Squalus hima, from the Sakthikulangara fishing harbour in Kerala along the Arabian Sea. About Squalus hima Squalus is a genus of dogfish sharks in the family Squalidae, commonly known as spurdogs, characterized by smooth… Continue reading

RBI Circular on Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)

Why in the News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has broadened the regulations governing remittances to International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). The RBI’s circular authorizes “authorised persons” to facilitate remittances for all permissible purposes under LRS to IFSCs. About Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) LRS is governed by the… Continue reading

Species in News

Description Cyrtobagus salvinia Context: Used to eradicate the invasive weed Salvinia molesta from the Sarani reservoir in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh. Biological Details: Exotic beetle from Brazil, targets and eradicates Salvinia molesta, dies naturally post-eradication. Bioremediation: Implemented by ICAR-DWR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Directorate of Weed Research), started in April 2022, completed within 15 to… Continue reading

How PM Modi’s visit to Austria sends a message both to Moscow and the West

Why in the news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi selected Vienna as a neutral location to convey a message to both Moscow and the Western countries. What message it sent? India’s Diplomatic Signal: Modi’s visit to Vienna after meeting Putin in Moscow underscored India’s commitment to global peace and non-violence.Statements emphasized India’s concern over civilian casualties… Continue reading

Release of SDG India Index 2023-24- NITI Aayog

Why in the news? Overall SDG score for the country is 71 for 2023-24, significant improvement from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018 (Baseline report). About SDG India Index: The SDG India Index is a comprehensive tool developed by NITI Aayog to measure the progress of India and its states/UTs towards achieving the Sustainable… Continue reading

Zoological Survey of India’s Report on Animal Discoveries 2023

Why in the News? A report titled “Animal Discoveries 2023” by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) highlights significant new species findings in Maharashtra and across India. New Species in Maharashtra: Maharashtra recorded 14 new animal species in 2023, with two species reported for the first time in India. Notably, among the 25 Arachnid species… Continue reading

Upper Siang Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh

Why in the News? Activists are protesting against the Upper Siang Hydropower Project in Arunachal. About Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project The Upper Siang project is a proposed 11,000 MW hydropower project on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh. The Siang, originating near Mount Kailash in Tibet (Tsangpo), flows over 1,000 km eastward, enters Arunachal… Continue reading

Impose ‘Robot Tax’ for AI-induced Job Loss: RSS

Why in the News? The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), wants a ‘robot tax’ to help employees who lose their jobs because companies are using Artificial Intelligence (AI). SJM’s Proposals and Suggestions Robot Tax Proposal: SJM proposes a ‘robot tax’ to create a fund supporting workers displaced by AI… Continue reading

Future investments in India’s EV space

Why in the news? The government plans to expand its EV policy to include retrospective benefits, incentivizing entities that have already invested, with a formal announcement expected in August. Why is the government considering extending the EV policy? Retrospective Effect: To include a retrospective effect, extending benefits to entities that have already made investments, aiming… Continue reading

India hosts BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers amid raging Myanmar crisis

Why in the News? At the first BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ retreat, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that BIMSTEC must address regional challenges internally, fostering collaboration among member nations. About BIMSTEC Countries BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional organization comprising seven member countries lying in the littoral… Continue reading

MSMEs need funds for tech upgrades, green transition

Why in the news? Union Minister for MSMEs Jitan Ram Manjhi outlined six strategic pillars identified to foster the growth of the MSME sector. What are the 6 pillars for the growth of the MSME Sector Formalisation and Access to Credit: Promoting formalization of MSMEs to enhance their credibility and access to formal financial institutions.Improving… Continue reading

Central India’s land-use patterns, roads fragmenting gaur & sambar populations, threatening genetic diversity

Why in the news? A recent study by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) found that land-use alterations and road construction in central India affect the genetic connectivity of two prominent herbivores: the gaur and the sambar. What is Genetic diversity? Genetic diversity refers to the variety and variability of genetic material within a… Continue reading

Muslim Women entitled to seek Alimony, says SC

Why in the News? The Supreme Court has ruled that a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to seek maintenance from her husband under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The court asserted that any discrimination against Muslim women in matters of alimony under the secular laws of the country would be regressive and… Continue reading

Indian Star Tortoises rescued from Malaysia

Why in the News? Malaysia has seized about 200 smuggled Indian Star Tortoises and Turtles in a major crackdown. The Indian star tortoise is the single most confiscated species of freshwater tortoise in the world, according to wildlife trade watchdog TRAFFIC. About Indian Star Tortoises (Geochelone elegans) Details Habitat Found in Central and Southern India,… Continue reading

[pib] GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme (GAINS 2024)

Why in the News? The Defence Ministry has launched the “GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme (GAINS 2024)” of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata. About GAINS 2024 GAINS aims to address challenges in shipyards and promote technology development through startups nurtured in the country. It aligns with the ‘Make in India’ and… Continue reading

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