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In news: Sudan’s Darfur Region

Why in the News? A landslide in Sudan’s western Darfur region reportedly wiped out a village, killing an estimated 1,000 people. About Darfur Region: Location & Size: Western Sudan; borders Chad, Libya, CAR; spans about 493,000 sq. km (nearly France-sized). Geography: Predominantly arid/semi-arid; desert north, fertile south. Highly vulnerable to drought, desertification, and climate change.… Continue reading

[2nd September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The rise and risks of health insurance in India

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2023] Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on social services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth? Linkage: The expansion of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and State Health Insurance Programmes (SHIPs) shows rising public… Continue reading

Geography uncover why some rivers stay single while others split

Introduction For decades, scientists wondered why some rivers flow as single channels while others split into braided systems. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), after studying 84 rivers over 36 years using satellite data, have uncovered the mechanism. Their findings resolve a geomorphological puzzle and offer fresh insights for managing rivers amid… Continue reading

Noise pollution is rising but policy is falling silent

Introduction Noise pollution in India has emerged as a silent but significant public health crisis. With urban decibel levels routinely breaching permissible limits near schools, hospitals, and residential zones, the constitutional promise of dignity and peace is being eroded. Despite a robust legal framework in place since 2000, fragmented enforcement, civic fatigue, and policy inertia… Continue reading

NASA-ESA Solar Orbiter Mission

Why in the News? The NASA-ESA Solar Orbiter Mission has recently traced the origin of Solar Energetic Electrons (SEE), advancing knowledge of solar activity and space weather. About NASA–ESA Solar Orbiter Mission: Launch & Cost: Launched in Feb 2020 on an Atlas V from Cape Canaveral; joint ESA–NASA mission worth $1.5 billion. Duration: Primary mission… Continue reading

Jarosite in Kutch: India’s Mars Analogue Site

Why in the News? Matanomadh in Kutch, Gujarat, with jarosite deposits like those on Mars, is being considered by ISRO as a test site for future Mars missions. What is Jarosite? Composition: A yellow, iron-rich sulphate mineral containing iron, sulphur, oxygen, and potassium. Formation: Develops when volcanic ash or sulphur-bearing minerals chemically react with water,… Continue reading

Deadly Earthquake in Afghanistan

Why in the News? A powerful earthquake in Afghanistan killed at least 800 people and injured thousands, highlighting the country’s extreme vulnerability to seismic hazards. Why is Afghanistan so prone to Earthquakes? Geological Setting: Afghanistan lies in the Hindu Kush mountains, part of the Alpide Belt, the world’s second most seismically active belt after the… Continue reading

RTE Act and Minority Educational Institutions

Why in the News? The Supreme Court has referred to a larger Bench the question of whether Minority Educational Institutions (MEIs) are completely exempt from the purview of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. About Minority Educational Institutions (MEIs): Constitutional Basis: Article 30(1) grants religious and linguistic minorities the right to establish and administer… Continue reading

In news: Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

Why in the News? The Supreme Court intervened after Tamil Nadu faced ₹3,000+ crore reimbursements to private schools for economically disadvantaged students’ admissions, as the Centre declined to share costs under Samagra Shiksha. About Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: Launch & Integration: Started in 2018 (by then Ministry of HRD), integrating Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik… Continue reading

Maternal Health in India: Progress or Persistence ?

N4S Mothers are surviving births, yet hidden illnesses still stalk India’s women. UPSC usually turns such “population and health” themes into big GS 1 questions that ask “why” and “how,” much like the 2014 sex‑ratio poser that mixed prosperity with social bias; examiners expect you to go beyond numbers and trace deep causes and policy gaps.… Continue reading

[1st September 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: India’s economic churn, the nectar of 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: India’s steady GDP growth of 7.8%, coupled with broad-based sectoral performance, reflects macroeconomic stability, while effective fiscal and monetary discipline underpins low… Continue reading

The importance of India’s federal design

Introduction India’s federal design is unique, balancing a strong Union with an inclusive representation of States. The abrogation of Article 370 and the downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in 2019 raised critical constitutional and political debates. The Supreme Court’s December 2023 ruling upheld the abrogation but directed restoration of statehood. While… Continue reading

Data shows seas rising faster around Maldives, Lakshadweep than believed

Introduction Sea-level rise is one of the most significant consequences of global warming, threatening ecosystems, economies, and human settlements. In the Indian Ocean, recent findings based on coral microatolls suggest that sea levels began rising rapidly as early as the 1950s, decades before satellite and tide-gauge data had indicated. This challenges existing assumptions in climate… Continue reading

Governor’s discretion: Constitutional Norm vs Cultural Symbolism ?

N4S: This article explores a timely clash between cultural symbolism and constitutional authority, using the Kerala Raj Bhavan controversy as a lens. UPSC typically asks such questions by merging static constitutional provisions with dynamic political events, like in the 2022 question on the Governor’s ordinance powers. However, aspirants often falter by focusing solely on textbook… Continue reading

NGO ‘Educate Girls’ wins Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025

Why in the News? The Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025 has been awarded to Educate Girls, an Indian NGO working to promote girls’ education in rural and disadvantaged regions. Other winners include: Shaahina Ali (Maldives): A noted environmental activist. Fr. Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva (Philippines): A human rights defender, critic of Duterte’s drug war. About Educate… Continue reading

Collapse of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

Why in the News? A new study warned that the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is no longer a low-likelihood scenario. What is AMOC? Overview: It is a large system of ocean currents, part of the thermohaline circulation (THC) or global ocean conveyor belt. Function: Moves warm tropical surface waters northward. Deep… Continue reading

[pib] Adi Vaani App: India’s First Tribal AI Translator

Why in the News? The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Beta Version of “Adi Vaani”, India’s first AI-based translator for tribal languages. About Adi Vaani: What is it: India’s first AI-powered translator for tribal languages. Launch: Released in Beta Version (2025) by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Inception: Developed under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh… Continue reading

Sankaradeva’s Vrindavani Vastra to be displayed in Assam

Why in the News? Assam may exhibit the 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra in 2027, on an 18-month lease from the British Museum under sovereign guarantee. About Vrindavani Vastra: Origin: 16th-century silk tapestry woven under the guidance of Srimanta Sankaradeva at Taniguchi (Barpeta), Assam. Commission: Requested by Cilarai, brother of Koch king Naranarayana. Weavers: Led by disciple… Continue reading

Species: Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)

Why in the News? The Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) species is under threat as Tamil Nadu allowed the lapse of the Rosewood Conservation Act (1995–2025). About Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia): Type: Tall deciduous or semi-evergreen tree reaching up to 40 metres. Native Range: Nilgiris, Anamalai, and Parambikulam ranges of Tamil Nadu; also found in parts… Continue reading

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