Govt. body hikes prices of essential medicines again, says ‘it’s minuscule’

Why in the News? Recently, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) implemented a 0.00551% increase in the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for scheduled formulations of drugs starting from the commencement of the fiscal year 2024–25. Context: The Department of Pharmaceuticals has released its yearly update of revised ceiling prices for 923 scheduled drug formulations and… Continue reading

What is Basel III Endgame?

Why in the news? The US Federal Reserve recently announced stricter bank capital requirements known as the “Basel III endgame” proposal. What is Bank Capital? Bank capital is a measure of bank shareholders’ investment in the business. In contrast to deposits or money a bank has borrowed, capital does not have to be paid back.… Continue reading

NexCAR19: India’s First Indigenous CAR T- Cell Therapy for Cancer

Why in the news? President Droupadi Murmu has unveiled ‘NexCAR19’ India’s first indigenously-developed CAR T-cell therapy for cancer treatment. What is CAR-T Cell Therapy? What is it? CAR-T cell therapy stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell therapy. It is a type of cancer immunotherapy that uses the patient’s own T cells, genetically modified in… Continue reading

Indian Laurel Tree (Terminalia tomentosa)

Why in the news? Forest Department officials’ examination of an Indian laurel tree (Terminalia tomentosa) in Papikonda National Park has showcased its remarkable water storage capability. This discovery sheds light on the indigenous knowledge shared by the Konda Reddi tribe regarding the tree’s unique attributes. Konda Reddi Tribe The Konda Reddis are a Particularly… Continue reading

[pib] Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)

Why in the news? This newscard is an excerpt from an explainer published in the PIB. Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) ABHA, an integral part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), serves as a link for all health records of an individual. It is a sub-component of the Ayushman Bharat Digital… Continue reading

Criollo: Cattle Breed that can withstand Climate Change

Why in the news? Irish researchers discovered that Criollo cattle are well-adapted to Climate Change due to their ability to thrive in hot and humid conditions, which they have developed over many years. About Criollo Cattle Breed Details Origin Latin America, particularly in regions such as Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America Historical… Continue reading

[4 April 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Turning the spotlight on the urban poor

PYQ Relevance: Mains: Q. Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements. (UPSC CSE 2023) Prelims: Q. Disguised unemployment generally means (UPSC CSE 2013) (a) large number of people remain unemployed(b) alternative employment is not available(c) marginal productivity of labour is… Continue reading

Should State Governments borrow more? | Explained

Why in the News? Recently, the SC rejected Kerala’s plea for immediate relief in its case urging the Union government to ease borrowing constraints, allowing the state to secure extra funds in the ongoing fiscal year. State governments receive funds from three sources: Own revenues (tax and non-tax) Transfers from the Union government as shares… Continue reading

Nuclear power is key to development, says study

Why in the news? A recent report published by IIM-A suggested that India must prioritize investment in Nuclear energy sector and expand related infrastructure. Why India must prioritize investment in the Nuclear energy sector? India aims to be a developed country by 2047 and is on track to achieve net zero — or effectively zero-carbon… Continue reading

Living wills implementation lags in India

Why in the news? In early March this year, 30 people in Thrissur in Kerala executed living wills. Context: The Supreme Court’s 2018 order on Passive Euthanasia, wherein it recognized the ‘Right to die with dignity’ as a fundamental right and an aspect of Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution. However, the people… Continue reading

India among countries mulling telescopes on, around the moon

Why in the news? Astronomers are looking forward to opening a new window on the universe by posting high-resolution telescopes on the moon and in orbit around it. Why Astronomers are looking forward to opening telescopes on the moon? Radio telescopes launched into orbit around Earth exacerbated the problem of receiving radio noise from the… Continue reading

Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) to check Illegal Lending Apps

Why in the news? To address the rising threat of cyber fraud, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to establish a Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA). About Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) DIGITA aims to tackle the proliferation of illegal lending apps by verifying and maintaining a register of authenticated digital lending platforms.… Continue reading

Taiwan’s Earthquake and the Pacific Ring of Fire

Why in the news? Taiwan was struck by its most powerful earthquake in at least 25 years. Its susceptibility to earthquakes is attributed to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where a majority of the world’s seismic activity occurs. Taiwan is primarily influenced by the collision of the Philippine Sea Plate and the… Continue reading

Caracals on the brink of extinction in India

Why in the news? With only an estimated 50 individuals remaining, predominantly in western India, the caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) is on the verge of extinction in the country. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and Kutch in Gujarat are the last strongholds for caracals in India, hosting around 28 and 20 individuals, respectively. About Caracals… Continue reading

Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR)

Why in the news? The Forest Department and a temple authority at Ahobilam have imposed certain restrictions on visitors arriving at a shrine in Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). About Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve Details Origin of Name Named after Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam. Location Situated in the Nallamala hill range, part of the Eastern… Continue reading

OptiDrop platform for studying Single Cells

Why in the news? The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in Bengaluru has unveiled OptiDrop platform designed to simplify and significantly reduce the cost of studying single cells. About C-CAMP C-CAMP Initiative was established in 2009 under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science, Technology, and Earth Sciences. It stands… Continue reading

Mother of Dragons Comet: A Rare Celestial Phenomenon

Why in the news? The “Mother of Dragons” comet, officially named Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, is making a rare appearance in the Northern Hemisphere skies. This Halley-type comet, completing its orbit every 71 years, has emerged marking its first sighting since 1954. What is a Comet? A comet is a celestial object composed primarily of ice,… Continue reading

Nuclear Fusion: KSTAR reaches a temperature of 100 million Celsius

Why in the news? South Korean scientists at the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) achieved a significant milestone by producing temperatures of 100 million Celsius for 48 seconds in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) fusion reactor. KSTAR maintained the high confinement mode (H-mode) for over 100 seconds, demonstrating stability in plasma conditions… Continue reading

[3 April 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The Gaza war needs a smart exit strategy

PYQ Relevance:Mains: Q) Too little cash, too much politics, leaves UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of US withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’. (UPSC CSE 2019) Q) How will the I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? (UPSC CSE 2022)… Continue reading

South Asia, India risk squandering demographic dividend: World Bank

Why in the News? Recently, the ‘Job for Resilience Report’ was published by the World Bank. The Report talks about how the South Asia region including India is not making use of its demographic dividend. The pace of job creation in the region fell well short of the growth in the working-age population, even as… Continue reading

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

Your better version awaits you!