From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Eurasian Little Gull
For the first time, the Eurasian Little Gull was spotted in the National Capital Region (NCR) near Sultanpur National Park at Chandu.
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PYQ:[2020] With reference to India’s biodiversity Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are- (a) Birds (b) Primates (c) Reptiles (d) Amphibians |
Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: World Meditation Day
India has played a leading role in co-sponsoring and guiding the unanimous adoption of a UN General Assembly draft resolution to declare December 21 as World Meditation Day.
PYQ:[2012] With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices? 1. Meditation and control of breath 2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place 3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Turner Prize
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Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: CAR-T Cell Therapy
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has been a key supporter of research projects focusing on CAR T-cell therapies for cancers.
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| Future Scope for Phase II |
Future Scope: Holds the potential for expanding to other cancers, such as Multiple Myeloma, Glioblastoma, and Hepatocellular Carcinomas, based on continued research and results from Phase II trials. |
PYQ:[2022] Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body? (a) They protect the environmental allergens body. |
Tuberculosis Elimination Strategy
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP)
The Union Ministry of Health has re-strategized the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) under the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign to reduce TB cases and mortality through targeted interventions and a multi-pronged approach.
Menace of TB in India:
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Key Components of NTEP:
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| Objectives under the National Strategic Plan | 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign is an intensified effort launched to fast-track the detection and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) cases across the country.
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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: INS TUSHIL
INS Tushil, a multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, is set to be commissioned by the Indian Navy at Kaliningrad, Russia.
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Development of INS Tushil:
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Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: Hornbill Festival
This year’s edition of the Hornbill Festival has sparked a significant public debate regarding the relaxation of Nagaland’s liquor prohibition law, a subject that has been contentious for over three decades.
What is the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989?
Role of Alcohol in the Hornbill Festival:
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PYQ:[2016] In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat? (a) Sand deserts of northwest India (b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir (c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat (d) Western Ghats |
Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: National Library Mission
The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism has provided information regarding the National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme in Rajya Sabha.
| Establishment | Launched in 2012 by the Ministry of Culture to implement National Knowledge Commission (NKC, 2005) recommendations on library and information sciences development. |
| Objectives | To modernize public libraries, create a digital database, enhance library staff competence, and promote equitable library access, especially in backward areas. |
| Structural Mandate | Nodal Agency: Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata to oversee and coordinate efforts. (It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.)
Key Components: 1. National Virtual Library of India (NVLI): Digital resources, census of libraries, and reading habit studies. |
PYQ:[2015] India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations is proving a powerful weapon in country’s fight against erroneous patents. Discuss the pro and cons of making the database available publicly available under open source licensing. |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM)
The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism has provided details of the National Mission on Cultural Mapping in the Rajya Sabha.
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PYQ:[2018] Safeguarding the Indian Art Heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. |
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: National Cooperative Policy
Update regarding the New National Cooperative Policy:
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| National Level Committee Formation | • A 48-member National Level Committee was formed under the chairmanship of Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu. • The committee includes experts from the cooperative sector, representatives from National, State, District, and Primary level cooperative societies, and officers from Central Ministries/Departments. • The task of the committee was to formulate the New National Cooperation Policy for the development of the cooperative sector in India. • 17 meetings and 4 regional workshops were conducted across the country to finalize the draft report of the policy. |
| Aims and Objectives | • Revitalize the cooperative sector and enhance its efficiency at national, state, district, and primary levels. • Strengthen the cooperative movement in India by creating a structured policy that fosters growth and sustainability. • Establish financial viability and governance mechanisms for cooperatives. • Ensure cooperative federalism by allowing state cooperatives to function autonomously, avoiding undue centralization. |
| Features of the Policy | • The policy adopts an inclusive approach, including all levels of cooperatives from district to primary. • Close collaboration with State Governments to promote the cooperative sector and implement cooperative federalism. • The draft policy was developed after extensive consultations, ensuring broad public and expert participation. |
| Provisions under the Policy | • Strengthening Cooperative Structure: Set up District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) and district milk producers’ unions in all uncovered districts. NABARD will prepare an action plan for this. • Expansion of Multipurpose PACS: New multipurpose PACS, primary dairy/fishery cooperative societies will be established in uncovered Panchayats/villages across India within the next five years. |
PYQ:[2011] In India, which of the following have the highest share in the disbursement of credit to agriculture and allied activities? (a) Commercial Banks (b) Cooperative Banks (c) Regional Rural Banks (d) Microfinance Institutions |
