Festivals in news: Muharram and Ashura

Central Idea For the first time in over three decades, the Jammu and Kashmir government permitted a Muharram procession in Srinagar, drawing thousands of Shia mourners on the 8th of Muharram. The decision has been widely hailed. What is Muharram? Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it holds significant religious… Continue reading

What is Offer-for-Sale (OFS)?

Central Idea The government’s stake sale in Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) through an offer-for-sale (OFS) received an enthusiastic response from institutional investors. About Offer for Sale (OFS) OFS is a method of share sale introduced by India’s securities market regulator SEBI in 2012. The primary aim was to facilitate promoters of listed companies to… Continue reading

Free Movement Regime along India-Myanmar Border

Central Idea The ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur is further complicated by the issue of illegal migration of tribal Kuki-Chin people into India from Myanmar. Amid this charged and sensitive debate, questions have been raised on the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that allows tribes along the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) to… Continue reading

Supreme Court concerns over Persistent Lynchings and Mob Violence

Central Idea The Supreme Court asked the Centre and six States to respond to a plea concerning the alarming incidents of lynchings and mob violence. It highlighted the need for the government machinery to be held accountable for protecting the lives of victims, including members of the minority community. Presently the National Crime Records Bureau… Continue reading

Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC)

Central Idea The Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) was launched with 39 multinational corporations committing to resource efficiency and circular economy principles. What is RECEIC? Foundation: The RECEIC, conceived during India’s G20 Presidency, is an industry-led initiative with a global focus on promoting resource efficiency and circular economy practices Objectives: It aims to… Continue reading

In news: Maitree Super Thermal Power Project

Central Idea Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), a state-owned engineering firm, achieved a major milestone in Bangladesh. The 660-MW Unit-2 of the 1,320-MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) was successfully synchronized with the electricity grid in Bangladesh. Maitree Super Thermal Power Project Location: The Maitree STPP is a 1,320-MW power plant situated at Rampal, Mongla,… Continue reading

[pib] Hematene Nanoflakes

Central Idea Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of nanoflakes of a material known as hematene, extracted from iron ore. These nanoflakes have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in withstanding and shielding against high laser intensities. What is Hematene? Hematene is a novel 2D material that has been derived from hematite (common iron ore). It is a… Continue reading

Silvopasture Systems for Local Climate Resilience

Central Idea Amidst the global decline of natural resources and forests, silvopasture systems emerge as a relevant solution to counter deforestation trends. What is Silvopasture? Silvopasture is a sustainable land management practice that integrates trees, forage crops, and livestock grazing on the same parcel of land. The term “silvopasture” is derived from the Latin words… Continue reading

India’s Economic Ascent: From Top 10 to Top 3 Economies

Central Idea India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy by FY28, two years earlier than projected, according to economists at SBI Research. Prime Minister highlighted India’s remarkable economic progress during his tenure. India’s Economic Growth Trajectory Actual progress: India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown by an impressive 83% between 2014 and 2023,… Continue reading

Digital Birth Certificates to streamline Official Documentation

Central Idea India has tabled Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Amendment Bill, 2023 to introduce digital birth certificates that will serve as comprehensive documents for various essential purposes. About RBD Bill, 2023 It amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. The Act provides for the regulation of registration of births and deaths.… Continue reading

UNESCO endorses Banning Smartphones from Schools

Central Idea The UNESCO has released Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2023. The report warned against the negative impacts of excessive screen time on children’s well-being and academic performance. What is UNESCO? Full Name United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Established November 16, 1945 Headquarters Paris, France Director-General Audrey Azoulay Purpose To promote peace… Continue reading

What flipped the decline of India’s FOREX reserves?

Central Idea India’s forex reserves were at $578.4 billion as of March 2023—a fall of over $28 billion since March 2022, $19.7 billion of which was due to valuation changes, as per RBI. The depreciation of the US dollar and increased capital flows contributed to a surge in reserves this year. What is Foreign Exchange… Continue reading

What is the Biodiversity Act? What changes has the Lok Sabha cleared in the law?

What’s the news? On July 25, the Lok Sabha gave its approval to a Bill to amend some provisions of the Biological Diversity Act of 2002. Central Idea The Lok Sabha’s recent approval of the bill marks a significant step in preserving India’s biological diversity and promoting sustainable utilization. The bill aims to address concerns… Continue reading

Full-Reserve Banking vs. Fractional-Reserve Banking

Central Idea Full-reserve banking, also known as 100% reserve banking, and fractional-reserve banking are two different systems of banking that determine how banks handle customer deposits and lending practices. This article discusses the key differences between these two banking systems and the arguments put forth by proponents of each approach. What is Full-Reserve Banking? Custodian… Continue reading

What is No-Confidence Motion?

Central Idea Opposition parties belonging to the new Alliance INDIA plan to move a no-confidence motion against the government to force the PM to speak on Manipur unrest. Motion of No-Confidence In the Indian parliamentary system, a motion of no-confidence plays a crucial role in assessing the government’s strength and accountability. This motion allows opposition… Continue reading

Dr. Madhav Gadgil Report on Western Ghats

Central Idea A devastating landslide in Maharashtra’s Raigad district recently resulted in the loss of 27 lives and the destruction of an entire village. This tragic incident has reignited discussions about the 2011 Dr Madhav Gadgil report on the conservation of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. Dr Madhav Gadgil Report Formation: In 2010, the Western… Continue reading

RTI and Political Parties: The Accountability Debate

Central Idea Chief Justice of India acknowledged the concerns raised by political parties regarding the potential disclosure of internal decisions under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The case before the three-judge Bench seeks to determine whether national and regional political parties should be considered “public authorities” under the RTI Act. The court will delve… Continue reading

Himachal Floods: A man-made disaster?

Central Idea Himachal Pradesh has experienced devastating flash floods during the recent monsoon season, resulting in a significant loss of lives and assets. This article explores the factors contributing to the floods, including climate change and anthropogenic actions, and raises questions about the current development model’s sustainability. Reasons for amplified Flood Impacts [A] Climate Change… Continue reading

Electron’s Electric Dipole Moment (EDM)

Central Idea Researchers from the University of Colorado conducted an experiment to study the electric dipole moment (EDM) of an electron. This EDM measurement could help solve the mystery of why there is more matter than antimatter in the Universe, which goes against the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics. Understanding Electron’s EDM… Continue reading

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