What are Mesoscale Convective System (MCS)?

Why in the News? A recent study in Nature Geoscience suggests that soil moisture levels could help predict severe thunderstorms, like mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), especially in regions like India. About Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS): MCSs are larger than individual thunderstorms but smaller than larger weather systems like cyclones. They typically cover areas between 100… Continue reading

The crisis in India’s cotton production, and what can help

Why in the News? India’s cotton production has dropped by 25% over the last 10 years because of the pink bollworm. Some seed companies have created new genetically modified cotton varieties that can resist this pest, but government rules are delaying their approval and use. Why has cotton output fallen despite Bt cotton’s earlier success?… Continue reading

How the police view custodial torture in India

Why in the News? The data shows that many police officers accept using forceful methods like shouting, threatening, slapping, or even harsh physical torture during investigations, even for small crimes. What proportion of police support violence against serious offenders for the greater good? Majority Support Violence: 63% of police personnel believe it’s acceptable to use… Continue reading

[pib] 10 years of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)

Why in the News? April 8, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), launched to fund micro and small enterprises. About the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) The PMMY, launched in 2015 is a Central Sector Scheme designed to provide financial support to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro-entrepreneurs previously excluded from… Continue reading

Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti

Why in the News? The Ministry of Women and Child Development has informed that 1,761 Anganwadi-cum-Creches are operational across the country under the Palna Scheme. About the Palna Scheme Launched to address childcare needs for working mothers, the Palna Scheme provides day-care facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years. In 2022, the National… Continue reading

Technology and Innovation Report, 2025

Why in the News? The Technology and Innovation Report, 2025 was recently issued by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). About the Technology and Innovation Report The report is released by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It addresses critical issues related to science, technology, and innovation, with a particular focus… Continue reading

Hadean Protocrust

Why in the News? A study from Macquarie University, Australia, suggests that plate tectonics may have started earlier than previously thought, with signs of it possibly existing in the Hadean protocrust even before the plates began to move. What is Hadean Protocrust? The Hadean protocrust is the Earth’s first crust, formed within the first 200… Continue reading

First photographic record of Woolly Flying Squirrel captured in Himachal

Why in the News? The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department’s wildlife wing has captured the first photographic evidence of the elusive Woolly Flying Squirrel in the Miyar Valley, Lahaul and Spiti district. About the Woolly Flying Squirrel: The Woolly Flying Squirrel, scientifically known as Eupetaurus cinereus, is one of the rarest and least known mammals in… Continue reading

Ottawa Convention

Why in the News? NATO members including Poland, Finland, and the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) have recently expressed intentions to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. About the Ottawa Convention The Ottawa Convention is an international treaty adopted in 1997 aimed at banning the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. It… Continue reading

PM Modi at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Why in the News? PM Narendra Modi recently visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in the historic city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. About the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree is considered the oldest living cultivated plant globally. It is believed to have grown from a branch of the… Continue reading

PM inaugurates New Pamban Bridge

Why in the News? The newly constructed Pamban Bridge was inaugurated by PM Modi to replace a 110-year-old structure that connected Rameswaram to the Indian mainland. About the Pamban Bridge The Pamban Bridge, completed in 1914, was India’s first sea bridge, connecting Rameswaram on Pamban Island to the mainland. It featured a double-leaf bascule span,… Continue reading

CAPTCHA: a digital border between Humans and Bots

Why in the News? This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in The Hindu. What is CAPTCHA? CAPTCHA stands for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. It is a security measure used to differentiate humans from automated bots on websites. It helps protect websites against spam and… Continue reading

Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 as Rajya Sabha grants approval

Why in the News? After over 12 hours of debate and late-night voting, tensions rose over ministers taking a break and Congress faced criticism from INDI allies over supporting a government-backed Bill. What are the key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill? Inclusion of Non-Muslim Members: The Bill makes it mandatory to have at least… Continue reading

Heard and McDonald Islands

Why in the News? Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on imports from the Heard and McDonald Islands, despite no human presence there for nearly a decade. About the Heard and McDonald Islands The Heard and McDonald Islands are located in the Southern Ocean, approximately 4,100 km south-west of Perth, Australia, and 1,600 km to… Continue reading

Exercise INDRA 2025

Why in the News? The bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2025 between the Indian and Russian navies was held from 28 March to 02 April 2025. About Exercise INDRA INDRA is a biennial joint military exercise that began in 2003. Over time, INDRA transformed into a tri-service exercise involving Army, Navy, and Air Force, making it… Continue reading

[4th April 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The other space race — the geopolitics of satellite net

PYQ Relevance: [UPSC 2024] Can India become a space power by solely relying on its indigenous technology, or is it imperative to forge technological alliances and collaborations with other nations to stay competitive in the global space race? Elaborate your views. Linkage: India’s choice to partner with Starlink, a US-based network, over waiting for indigenous… Continue reading

Bangladesh events, a reflection of South Asia’s minorities

Why in the News? The removal of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 has raised concerns about violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Religious minorities in South Asia, especially India and Pakistan, are facing increasing challenges that have worsened since Partition. What are the key factors contributing to the decline in the status of religious minorities in… Continue reading

Ramakien Murals of the Grand Palace of Bangkok

Why in the News? The Prime Minister has highlighted the release of iStamp depicting Ramakien mural paintings by Thai Government. About the Ramakien Murals: The murals were first painted in 1783 during the reign of King Rama I, who commissioned the adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana into the Thai version called the Ramakien. The… Continue reading

Why Naini Lake is seeing record-low water levels?

Why in the News? Naini Lake, one of Nainital’s key attractions, has recorded a water level of 4.7 feet, marking a 5-year low, sparking concerns about drinking water scarcity as the summer season approaches. About Naini Lake Naini Lake is situated in the heart of Nainital, a hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.… Continue reading

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