The Flaring Conflict in Eastern Congo | Explained

Why in the news? Renewed clashes in eastern DRC between the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have raised global concerns. Context: The conflict exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in the region, with increased fatalities, displacements, and food security risks. The United Nations and several Western countries denounce the attacks and urge the M23 rebels to… Continue reading

Ram Nath Kovind panel for simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls

Why in the news? A high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind has proposed conducting simultaneous elections Context It has proposed conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies as the initial step. Subsequently, municipal and panchayat elections would be held within 100 days following the general elections. What is Simultaneous… Continue reading

[14 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The Karnataka civil engineers Bill, its pathway

Mains PYQ Relevance: Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. (2015) Discussion the various social problems which originated out of the speedy process of urbanization in India. (2013) Note4Students: Mains: Social Issues; Governance; Urbanization; Mentor comments: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Bill, 2024 to allow only… Continue reading

Has poverty really dropped to 5% in India?

Why in the news? NITI Aayog’s B.V.R. Subrahmanyam stated that less than 5% of Indians live below the poverty line based on HCES(Household Consumption Expenditure Survey) 2022-23 findings. Context: According to the World Bank, in India, 21.9% of the population lives below the national poverty line in 2011. In 2018, almost 8% of the world’s… Continue reading

Citizenship Amendment Act: Legal issues and status of judicial proceedings

Why in the news? The Ministry of Home Affairs notified the rules to implement the CAA, which fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from neighbouring countries. Despite delays, the Act faces challenges in the Supreme Court. Context Petitions challenge the CAA’s constitutionality, arguing it violates Article 14 by making religion a qualifier for citizenship. Petitions seek… Continue reading

Mapping: Darien Gap

Why in the news: Much of the discussion over illegal immigration to the US has in recent weeks moved its focus south to the Darien Gap. What is Darien Gap? The Darien Gap spans northern Colombia and Southern Panama, covering approximately 97 km of dense jungle terrain. It is situated in the narrowest part of… Continue reading

RBI may move some NBFCs to Top Layer this year

In the news Nearly two years after introducing a revised regulatory framework for non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), the Reserve Bank of India is set to review the categorisation of NBFCs in 2024. Currently, 16 NBFCs are placed in the upper layer. What are Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)? A NBFC is a company registered under the… Continue reading

Centre bans 18 OTT Platforms for Inappropriate Content

In the news The Information & Broadcasting Ministry has blocked 18 OTT platforms on the charge of publishing obscene and vulgar content. How were these platforms banned? The contents listed on the OTT platforms was found to be prima facie violation of: Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Section 292 of… Continue reading

Lyme Disease reported in Ernakulam

In the news A suspected case of Lyme disease caused by the bite of a tick carrying borrelia bacteria has been reported from Koovapady in Ernakulam district. What is Lyme Disease? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms… Continue reading

Atmospheric Research Testbed in Central India (ART-CI)

Why in the news- The Ministry of Earth Sciences has commissioned Atmospheric Research Testbed-Central India (ART-CI) near Bhopal. About Atmospheric Research Testbed ART-CI stands as an innovative testbed facility, pioneering the exploration of monsoon convection and land-atmosphere interactions, marking a significant advancement in climate research. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune leads ART-CI,… Continue reading

Global Methane Tracker, 2024

Why in the news- Methane emissions from fuel use in 2023 reached nearly record levels, totalling 120 million tonnes (Mt), as per the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Methane Tracker 2024. What is Global Methane Tracker (GMT)? The IEA’s Methane Tracker is an online database that tracks oil and gas-related methane sources globally. It provides… Continue reading

[pib] ‘Vocal for Local’ Initiative

Why in the news- The NITI Aayog launched the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative under its Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP). About Vocal for Local Initiative Under this program, indigenous local products from 500 Aspirational Blocks have been mapped and consolidated for sale. District collectors and block-level officials will collaborate with partners such as Government e-Marketplace (GeM)… Continue reading

Kerala Cabinet asks Advocate General to explore legal options to challenge CAA notification in Supreme Court

Why in the news? The Kerala Cabinet aims to challenge the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, expressing opposition to its perceived anti-Muslim bias. Legal options are explored to contest the Act’s rules. Context: The government notified rules for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, simplifying the process for granting Indian citizenship to persecuted… Continue reading

Appointment of EC | Supreme Court to hear plea to bring CJI back into the selection committee

Why in the news? The plea filed by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms seeks an urgent hearing as it raises concerns about potential unfair advantage in filling Election Commission vacancies after Arun Goel’s resignation. Context The unexpected resignation of Arun Goel ahead of the Lok Sabha elections raised concerns about potential unfair advantage in… Continue reading

India world’s top arms importer between 2019-23: SIPRI

Why in the news? In recent years, India has decreased its reliance on the top arms supplier of Russia from 76% (2009-13) to 36% (2019-23), as per SIPRI, indicating diversification in arms imports. Context: India’s arms imports have marked an eventual shift from Russia to France and the U.S. impacting India’s defensive modernization, regional security… Continue reading

Celebrating Pi Day: A Tribute to Mathematics

In the news March 14, or 3/14, is celebrated globally as Pi Day, paying homage to the mathematical constant Pi (π). About Pi Day Initiated by: Physicist Larry Shaw of the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco started the tradition in 1988, which has since gained international recognition. UNESCO Designation: In 2019, UNESCO designated Pi Day… Continue reading

In news: Popocatepetl Volcano

In the news Popocatepetl, Mexico’s most dangerous active volcano has erupted 13 times in the past day, hurling columns of ash and smoke into the sky. About Popocatepetl Volcano Popocatepetl — which means “Smoking Mountain” in the Aztec Nahuatl language — is located in central Mexico roughly 72 km southeast of Mexico City. Popocatepetl is… Continue reading

President approves Uttarakhand’s UCC Bill

In the news Under Article 201 of the Indian Constitution, the President gave assent to the ‘Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024’ Bill passed by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, on March 11 2024. What is the Uniform Civil Code? The UCC is mentioned in Article 44 of the Constitution as part of the Directive Principles of… Continue reading

Places in news: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in the news? The Supreme Court halted the Assam government’s attempt to revoke a 26-year-old notification establishing the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a significant rhino population. What was the reason behind this decision? The Supreme Court asserted that withdrawing a notification for a wildlife sanctuary required permission from the National Board of Wildlife,… Continue reading

[13 March 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Intra-group caste variances, equality and the Court’s gaze

PYQ Relevance: Mains:1. Whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine (2018) 2. What are the two major legal initiatives by state since Independence, addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (ST)? (2017) 3. Why are the tribals in India… Continue reading

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