[30th August 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Connecting the dots in the Kyiv visit

PYQ Relevance: Q Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues… Continue reading

Cabinet approves BioE3 Policy for Fostering High-Performance Biomanufacturing

Why in the News? The Union Cabinet has approved the ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy’ proposed by the Department of Biotechnology to promote advanced biomanufacturing. What is the BioE3 Policy? The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy is a strategic initiative approved by the Indian Cabinet to foster high-performance biomanufacturing. … Continue reading

Moving the spotlight to grassroots democracy

Why in the News? The Election Commission of India (ECI) has established itself as one of India’s most credible institutions, known for consistently conducting free, fair, and timely elections to Parliament and State legislatures. However, the 34 State Election Commissions (SECs) still require significant attention and strengthening. Issue of Disempowerment of State Election Commissions (SECs)… Continue reading

[pib] Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Program

Why in the News? The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports launched the “RESET Programme” to empower retired sportspersons with career skills on National Sports Day. What is RESET Programme? Details Launch Date August 29, 2024 (National Sports Day) Nodal Ministry Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Objective To empower retired sportspersons with skills and… Continue reading

Land-Based Deep Depression causing extreme floods in Gujarat

Why in the News? Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan are facing severe flooding caused by a land-based deep depression. The unusual formation of this deep depression over land was intensified by moisture influx from soils or the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. What is Land-Based Deep Depression? A land-based deep depression is a… Continue reading

Species in News: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Why in the News? The Atlantic bluefin tuna, already heavily overfished, now faces a new threat from warming seas, causing it to migrate further north. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Details Scientific Classification Family: Scombridae; Species: Thunnus thynnus. Common Names Northern bluefin tuna, Giant bluefin tuna (for individuals over 150 kg), formerly known as “tunny”.… Continue reading

[29th August 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: A Silent democratic backlash in South Asia

PYQ Relevance: Q The proposed withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the region’s countries. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests. (UPSC IAS/2013) Q ‘India is… Continue reading

How Canada’s policy of ‘reducing low-wage, temporary workers’ may impact Indians?

Why in the News? On Monday, August 26, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would be “reducing the number of temporary foreign workers in low-wage jobs.” Who are these “Temporary Workers” in Canada? Temporary workers in Canada encompass various categories of individuals, including: Temporary Work Visa Holders: These individuals come to Canada for a… Continue reading

What is the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)?

Why in the News? The annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has begun in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga. About Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): Details Establishment 1971 Members 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of… Continue reading

Rajya Sabha Elections

Why in the News? Results of the latest round of Rajya Sabha elections are out. Elections to the Rajya Sabha: Details Election Method Members are elected indirectly by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies and the electoral college for UTs (Delhi and Pondicherry). Using the proportional representation system via the Single Transferable Vote… Continue reading

[28th August 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Reasonable restrictions: On Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s Arrest and Content Hosting

PYQ Relevance: Q What do understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2014) Q Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber-crimes.… Continue reading

Chile’s Atacama Salt Flat sinking due to Lithium Mining

Why in the News? A recent study published in journal IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing has found that Chile’s Atacama salt flat (Salar de Atacama) is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 centimetres per year due to lithium brine extraction. Lithium brine extraction involves pumping salt-rich water to the surface and… Continue reading

[pib] ANUBHAV AWARDS, 2024

Why in the News? The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions has conferred the Anubhav Awards 2024. ANUBHAV Awards Details Purpose To recognize the contributions of retired officials to nation-building and document the administrative history of India through their written narratives. Portal Launch Launched in March 2015. Organizing Body Ministry of Personnel,… Continue reading

[pib] 10 Years of Jan Dhan Scheme

Why in the News? PM Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) on 28th August 2014. It has now completed a decade of successful implementation. About PMJDY Details Objective • Banking the Unbanked: Open basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) accounts with minimal paperwork, relaxed KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance… Continue reading

Report reveals minimal use of Plea Bargaining in Courts

Why in the News? According to a report by the Ministry of Law and Justice, only 0.11% of cases were settled through “plea bargaining” in 2022. Key Findings of the Report: In 2022, only 19,135 out of 1,70,52,367 cases (about 0.11%) in Indian courts were disposed of through plea bargaining, indicating its minimal use. Despite… Continue reading

On the unrest in the Balochistan region

Why in the News? The recent protests are a significant part of Balochistan’s long history of political struggles. They highlight the difficulties Pakistan faces in creating a country based solely on religion. Causes and Reasons for the Recent Protests in Balochistan: Balochistan has a long history of resistance against central authority, dating back to the… Continue reading

Crime, health-worker safety, and a self-examination

Why in the News? The recent brutal rape and murder case in Kolkata has sparked widespread calls for the death penalty for the accused. The Justice J.S. Verma Committee, formed in response to the 2012 Delhi gang rape, recommended against the death penalty for rape, even in the rarest of rare cases, arguing that it… Continue reading

Many questions about ‘one nation, one election’

Why in the News? In an Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister renewed his push for simultaneous elections, targeting implementation by the 2029 polls. Pros and Cons of Simultaneous Elections in India: Pros Cons Cost Reduction: It can decrease the deployment of resources such as EVMs, security personnel, and election management teams to only one… Continue reading

What is a Polygraph Test?

Why in the News? The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded polygraph tests on the accused in the Kolkata Rape and Murder Case. About Polygraph Tests in India Details Definition A procedure measures physiological responses like blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a subject answers questions to detect deception. Physiological Indicators • Heart… Continue reading

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