Mapping: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Why in the news? A pack of wild dogs, or Dholes, in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) have suffered severe exfoliating skin infection which is an alarming fungal and bacterial infection. About Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is situated in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris District, at the intersection of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It forms… Continue reading

Growth in Ashwagandha Exports

Why in the news? Ashwagandha exports have surged by 8 times in the past six years, penetrating markets like the United States, Czech Republic, and Canada. The Ayurvedic industry in India has been growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17%, with the industry size increasing from $3 billion in 2014 to $24… Continue reading

India could face ‘Imported Inflation’: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Why in the News? The Asian Development Bank recently issued a cautionary note for India’s susceptibility to imported inflation due to potential rupee depreciation amidst escalating interest rates in the West. What is Imported Inflation? Imported inflation refers to the increase in the prices of goods and services within a country caused by a rise… Continue reading

India’s Arctic imperative

Why in the news? The Indian government appears interested in capitalizing on seabed mining and resource exploitation in the Arctic About Artice Region: The Arctic region is rich in energy resources, including oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and tidal power. The Arctic covers an area of approximately… Continue reading

What share of Global CO2 Emissions comes from Aviation?

Why in the news? Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. But it has contributed around 4% to global warming to date Year-wise Global Aviation demand, Energy Efficiency, and CO2 emissions Global Co2 emissions from aviation The reason behind Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions: CO2 Emissions: When jet fuel burns, it… Continue reading

How are hydrocarbons extracted from under the ground? | Explained

Why in the news? The geological processes, extraction methods, and environmental impact of hydrocarbon extraction. BACK2BASICS Where are Hydrocarbons located? Hydrocarbons originate from plant and animal fossils that were formed by the forces of temperature and weight over millennia. They are mostly found deep underground, in porous rock formations, such as sandstone, limestone, and shale.… Continue reading

Siachen: 40 years of Operation Meghdoot

Why in the News? April 13, 2024, marks the 40th anniversary of Operation Meghdoot, which was launched by the Indian Army to pre-empt Pakistan and occupy the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram ranges. The genesis of Operation Meghdoot Launched: April 13, 1984 (by the Indian Armed Forces); Aim: To seize control of the Siachen Glacier… Continue reading

What is Exoatmospheric Interception?

Why in the news? Israel successfully intercepted an Iranian missile outside Earth’s atmosphere using an Exoatmospheric kill vehicle. Israeli Air-Defence Systems Israel’s multi-layered air defence system, including Iron Dome, The Arrow, and David’s Sling, was activated in anticipation of the attack. IRON DOME: The short-range Iron Dome air defence system was built to intercept the… Continue reading

Jiadhal River and Change of its Course

Why in the news? Climate Change is disrupting Jiadhal River’s (Dhemaji district, Assam) tranquil flow, leading to unprecedented shifts in its course and causing upheaval for residents. About Jiadhal River: It flows through the districts of Darrang, Udalguri, and Baksa in the northeastern state of Assam. It is also known Kumotiya River after flowing from… Continue reading

[pib] Exercise DUSTLIK

Why in the news? Indian Army contingent departed for the 5th edition of Exercise DUSTLIK in Uzbekistan. Exercise DUSTLIK Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual event alternating between India and Uzbekistan. It is named after Dustlik, a town in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan. The first edition of the exercise was held in 2019 near Tashkent.… Continue reading

Easement Rights and Recent Supreme Court Ruling

Why in the news? The Supreme Court observed that a claimant of an Easementary Right cannot claim an Easement by necessity if there exists an alternative way to access the property owned by the claimant, known as the ‘Dominant Heritage‘. The court referred to Section 13 of the Indian Easements Act, of 1882, which deals… Continue reading

[15 April 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A manifesto where inclusivity takes center stage

Mains PYQ Relevance: Q Individual Parliamentarian’s role as the national lawmaker is on a decline, which in turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcome. Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2019) Q “The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2016)… Continue reading

Urbanization, no liberating force for Dalits

Why in the News? The Indian cities have failed with the aspirations and expectations of the Dalit liberation movement in urbanization. View of Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule on Urbanisation: Urbanization as an Opportunity for Dalit Liberation: Both Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule saw urbanization as an opportunity for Dalit liberation. They believed that the systems of… Continue reading

Fertility Levels drop below one in many Asian Nations

Why in the News? Many countries in East and Southeast Asia are in the middle of a population crisis, with fewer births every year and record-low fertility rates. In March this year, several hospitals in China stopped offering newborn delivery services due to declining demand. What is TFR? Total Fertility Rate is a measure used… Continue reading

Explained: A short history of Iran-Israel ties and why they soured after 1979

Why in the news? Iran has said that its April 12 attacks on Israel were in response to Israeli war jets targeting an Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month, leading to the death of its senior military commanders. Context: The Iran-Israel relationship has not always been as fraught as it is today. Iran was… Continue reading

Decoding the judgment on Jim Corbett

Why in the news? In its March ruling, the Supreme Court highlighted the corrupt collaboration between politicians, forest officials, and local contractors that led to the illegal felling of 6,000 trees in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. Key points related the judgment Shift from Anthropocentrism to Eco-centrism: The Supreme Court emphasized the need… Continue reading

Geroscience: the Science related to Ageing

Why in the news? Dr. Daniel Belsky from Columbia University introduced the concept of “Geroscience” and develops a blood test, termed “gerozyme,” to measure aging pace by studying DNA methylation. Various research groups explore drugs like Metformin and Rapamycin to target aging and enhance immunity in the elderly. What is Geroscience? Geroscience refers to the… Continue reading

Lachit Borphukan and his Legend

Why in the news? The Statue of Valour, depicting Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, has become a significant landmark in Meleng-Hollongapar, Jorhat in Assam. The 125-foot statue commemorates Lachit Borphukan’s leadership in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. Ahom Kingdom (1228–1826) Establishment: Founded in 1228 in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam by Chaolung Sukapha. Duration: Retained… Continue reading

Mahad Satyagraha: A Landmark Event in the Dalit Movement

Why in the news? The Mahad Satyagraha is hailed as the foundational event of the Dalit movement, marking the community’s collective rejection of the caste system and assertion of human rights. About Mahad Satyagraha The Mahad Satyagraha, also known as Chavdar Tale (Lake) Satyagraha, was led by B. R. Ambedkar on 20 March 1927 in… Continue reading

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