What is the Air Drop Test (ADT-1) conducted by ISRO?

Why in the News? ISRO has successfully conducted IADT-1, a key milestone for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. About Air Drop Test (ADT-1): Test Setup: A dummy crew module weighing nearly 5 tonnes was dropped from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter at an altitude of about 3 km. Purpose: To test the parachute-based… Continue reading

[26th August 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: India-Japan Ties, Old Partners, New Priorities

PYQ Relevance [UPSC GS II] The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole. Comment. Linkage: The question calls for examining India–Japan relations as a global and strategic partnership. The… Continue reading

About 30% of MPs and MLAs face serious criminal cases

Introduction The intertwining of crime and politics is not new in India, but the recent figures are deeply concerning. An analysis of elected representatives reveals that 31% of MPs and 29% of MLAs across India have declared serious criminal charges against them. More strikingly, in the Lok Sabha, this share has more than doubled from… Continue reading

Vithalbhai Patel and the Legacy of India’s Legislative Traditions

Why in the News? The Delhi Assembly has hosted a two-day All India Speakers’ Conference to mark 100 years since Vithalbhai Patel became the first Indian President of the Central Legislative Assembly, the precursor to today’s Parliament. Who was Vithalbhai Patel? Early Life: Vithalbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (1873–1933), Elder brother of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; trained lawyer… Continue reading

In news: Donbas Region

Why in the News? The mineral-rich Donbas region remains central to future of Russia-Ukraine peace talks. About Donbas Region: Constituent Areas: Includes Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in eastern Ukraine. Geographical Position: Bordered by the Sea of Azov in the south, which connects to the Black Sea via the Strait of Kerch. Industrial Hub: Known as… Continue reading

Exercise Maitree

Why in the News? The 14th Maitree Exercise between Indian and Thai Army will be held in Umroi, Meghalaya returning to India after five years. About Exercise Maitree: Overview: A bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army. Started: 2006, as a collaborative initiative to deepen defense ties. Frequency: Held annually,… Continue reading

Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0

Why in the News? The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to further the government’s agenda of decriminalisation and rationalisation of laws. This is the second Jan Vishwas Bill; the first (2023) decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Acts. About the Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0: Introduced in Lok Sabha… Continue reading

Induction of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri Stealth Nilgiri Class Frigates

Why in the News? The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, Nilgiri-class frigates built under Project 17A, at Visakhapatnam. About INS Udaygiri & INS Himgiri: Feature INS Udaygiri INS Himgiri Builder Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), Mumbai Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata Series / Class 2nd ship of Project 17A;… Continue reading

In news: Women Revolutionaries of Bengal

Why in the News? This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in the Indian Express. Women in Revolutionary Movements: Pritilata Waddedar: Early Life: Born on 5 May 1911 in Chittagong. One of the first Bengali women to lead an armed revolutionary group. Education: Graduated in philosophy from Bethune College, Kolkata; became a… Continue reading

Census 2027 and Urban Area Definition

Why in the News? The Registrar General of India (RGI) has announced that the same definition of “urban area” used in Census 2011 will be retained in Census 2027 to ensure comparability of data and analysis of urbanisation trends. Background and Urbanisation Trends: Census 2011 Data: India’s population was 121 crore – 68.8% rural (83.3… Continue reading

Asgard Archaea and the Evolution of Complex Cells

Why in the News? Recent research by IISc on Asgard archaea — the closest living relatives of eukaryotes — has shed new light on how simple prokaryotic cells evolved into complex eukaryotic cells with nuclei, cytoskeletons, and organelles. About Asgard Archaea: Nature: Tiny microbes living in deep-sea mud and extreme environments. Evolutionary Link: Closest relatives… Continue reading

Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS)

Why in the News? The DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight-tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. About the Indigenous Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS): Overview: A multi-layered indigenous system developed to neutralise a wide spectrum of aerial threats. Integration: Combines 3 components viz. Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air… Continue reading

Nepal officially joins IBCA

Why in the News? Nepal has officially joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), an India-led global initiative to protect seven species of big cats. About the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Overview: A global multi-country, multi-agency alliance of 95 countries (range and non-range) focused on conserving big cats and their habitats. Launch: Proposed by… Continue reading

NCERT textbooks introduce Indian Art Forms

Why in the News? For the first time, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced Indian classical music, dance, theatre, and visual arts into primary and middle school textbooks (Classes 3 to 8). About Classical Arts in School Textbooks For the first time, NCERT has integrated Indian classical arts (music, dance,… Continue reading

Reforming the steel framework

Introduction Independence Day speeches are often symbolic, but in 2025 the Prime Minister shifted focus to frontier technologies, semiconductors, clean energy, AI, quantum computing, and defence indigenisation. Unlike earlier years, this vision was paired with the acknowledgment that bureaucratic inertia and regulatory red tape remain India’s toughest hurdles. The central challenge is whether India’s governance… Continue reading

Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV)

Why in the News? The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing its heaviest-ever rocket, the Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV). About Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV): Overview: India’s heaviest rocket under development by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Purpose: Designed mainly for lunar exploration, including India’s first human mission to the Moon by… Continue reading

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and Famine Declaration

Why in the News? The United Nations has officially declared a famine in Gaza based on an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) panel assessment. About Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC): What It Is: A global standard tool to assess and classify the severity of food insecurity. Established: In 2004 during the Somalia food crisis… Continue reading

In news: Lipulekh Pass

Why in the News? India has rejected Nepal’s objection to resumption of India–China border trade through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand. About Lipulekh Pass: Location: High-altitude Himalayan pass (~17,000 ft) near the trijunction of India, Nepal, and China (Tibet). Connectivity: Links Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region with Taklakot in Tibet. Cultural Role: Serves as the shortest route… Continue reading

Gopal Patha and Direct Action Day

Why in the News? A recent movie depicted the 1946 “Great Calcutta Killing” — four days of communal riots on Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946), spotlighting Gopal Patha’s role in mobilising Hindu youth. About Direct Action Day: Declaration: Called by the All-India Muslim League to press for Partition and creation of Pakistan. Bengal Role:… Continue reading

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