Nankana Sahib Pilgrimage

Why in the News? The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed State governments not to process applications for Sikh pilgrims’ visit to Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, for the November 2025 birth anniversary (Parkash Gurpurab) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. About Nankana Sahib: Location: Punjab province, Pakistan, near Lahore. Historical Significance: Birthplace of Guru Nanak… Continue reading

Sarnath and UNESCO Nomination

Why in the News? ASI will install a revised plaque at Sarnath, crediting Babu Jagat Singh (1787–88) for uncovering its archaeological importance, rather than British archaeologists. About Sarnath: Location: Near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of the Ganga and Varuna rivers. Religious Importance: After enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, Gautama Buddha delivered the Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta… Continue reading

Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

Why in the News? The Centre has approved the Unified Pension Scheme, starting Apr 2025, with NPS employees allowed to switch till Sept 30, 2025. About Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): Launch & Applicability: Announced in August 2024; implemented from 1 April 2025. Applicable to central govt employees who joined service after 1 January 2004 (those… Continue reading

Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)

Why in the News? Brazil, the host of COP30, has proposed the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) to finance the conservation of standing forests. What is Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)? Nature: A global blended finance fund that pays Tropical Forest Countries (TFCs) per hectare of forest conserved. Adjustments: Deductions made for deforestation or degradation.… Continue reading

India secures International Seabed Authority (ISA) exploration contract

Why in the News? India has secured the world’s first International Seabed Authority (ISA) licence to explore polymetallic sulphur nodules in the Carlsberg Ridge, northwest Indian Ocean. India’s Engagement with ISA: Exploration Contracts: 2002 – Polymetallic nodules, Central Indian Ocean Basin (valid till 2027). 2016 – Polymetallic sulphides, Indian Ocean Ridge (valid till 2031). 2025… Continue reading

In news: Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

Why in the News? The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has cautioned that record-high global share prices appear detached from concerns over rising government debt. About the Bank for International Settlements (BIS): Establishment: Formed in 1930, making it the world’s oldest international financial institution. Role: Known as the “central bank for central banks”, serving only… Continue reading

Supreme Court Guidelines on DNA Evidence in Criminal Cases

Why in the News? The Supreme Court has issued guidelines in the Kattavellai @ Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu Judgement to standardise DNA handling in criminal cases to prevent contamination and delays after evidence lapses in a major case. Key Highlights of the Supreme Court Guidelines: Case Context: It involved rape, murder, and robbery.… Continue reading

[pib] Exercise Pacific Reach, 2025

Why in the News? INS Nistar, the Navy’s new indigenous Diving Support Vessel, made its maiden port call at Singapore to join the multinational Exercise Pacific Reach 2025. About Exercise Pacific Reach: Overview: A biennial, multinational submarine rescue exercise initiated in 1996 (Asia-Pacific). Objective: Enhances cooperation, interoperability, and readiness in submarine rescue. Pacific Reach 2025… Continue reading

[15th September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Improving Macros: Period of low inflation and relatively high growth

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2019] Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments. Linkage: The present scenario of low inflation (2.1%) coupled with high growth directly resonates with the 2019 PYQ, as it exemplifies how such… Continue reading

PLI Scheme for White Goods

Why in the News? The Centre has announced reopening of the application window for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods, following the strong response and success of earlier rounds. Note: White goods refer to large household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, so named because they were traditionally white. About the… Continue reading

In news: Cauvery River Dispute

Why in the News? On the Cauvery dispute, Karnataka CM has said that water will be released to Tamil Nadu since the rainfall is adequate, while stressing the Mekedatu Dam’s role in water balance and clean energy. Back2Basics: Cauvery River Origin & Course: Rises at Talakaveri, Brahmagiri range (Kodagu, Karnataka); flows ~800 km through Karnataka… Continue reading

Places in news: Erra Matti Dibbalu

Why in the News? This newscard is an excerpt from a photo published in ‘The Hindu’. About Erra Matti Dibbalu: Location: Found between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, stretching 5 km along the coast, with widths ranging from 200 m to 2 km. Meaning: In Telugu, “Erra Matti” means red soil and “Dibbalu” means… Continue reading

Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea

Why in the News? China’s State Council has approved the creation of a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao in Chinese, Bajo de Masinloc/Panatag Shoal in the Philippines). About Scarborough Shoal: Geography: A triangle-shaped chain of reefs and rocks in the South China Sea, about 200 km from Luzon (Philippines) and 800+ km… Continue reading

PM inaugurated India’s first Bamboo-based Ethanol Plant

Why in the News? PM has inaugurated the world’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant in Golaghat district, Assam, marking a significant step in India’s green energy journey. Note: Ethanol is prepared from bamboo using a multi-step biochemical conversion process that transforms its rich cellulose content into fermentable sugars, which are then fermented and distilled into ethanol.… Continue reading

Ho Tribes’ Manki-Munda System

Why in the News? Members of the Ho tribe in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district staged a protest for alleged interference in their traditional Manki-Munda governance system by removing village heads (Mundas). About Ho Tribes: Location: Major community of Jharkhand (Kolhan, West Singhbhum), with presence in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Language: Speak Ho language (Munda branch, Austroasiatic… Continue reading

Bengaluru gets its 2nd Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)

Why in the News? The Karnataka government declared 8.6 acres of green cover at Cantonment Railway Colony in Bengaluru as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), the second such site in the city after Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK). About Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS): Legal Basis: Recognized under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002… Continue reading

National Lok Adalat

Why in the News? On September 13, a countrywide National Lok Adalat was held with a special focus on clearing pending traffic e-challans for minor offences. What is National Lok Adalat? Overview: Lok Adalats held 4 times a year, on a single day, across all courts from the Supreme Court to Taluk Courts. Scope: Settles… Continue reading

In news: Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Why in the News? The Union Environment Ministry has approved the capture and translocation of eight tigers from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench reserves to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in western Maharashtra. About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR): Overview: Situated in the Sahyadri Range, Western Ghats (Maharashtra), spanning districts of Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri. Status: Declared Tiger… Continue reading

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