| About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): It was launched by the Prime Minister of India in Mysuru on April 9, 2023, at an event commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger in India. Objective: Strengthen global cooperation and efforts for the conservation of seven big cat species (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma) and their habitats. Out of the seven big cats, five — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah — are found in India. The alliance aims to reach out to 97 range countries covering the natural habitats of the seven big cats. |
| About National Florence Nightingale Award: It was instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in the year 1973. The award is given to outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State/UTs and Voluntary |
| About Trade Connect e-Platform: It is a new digital initiative aimed at transforming the landscape of international trade for Indian exporters, especially MSMEs (Medium, Small and Medium Enterprises). It will connect Indian Exporters, MSMEs and Entrepreneurs with various stakeholders including Indian Missions Abroad, Export Promotion Councils, and other Partner Government Agencies. |
| Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) for the implementation of a scheme titled PM E-DRIVE Scheme’. |
| About Mission Mausam: It is envisaged to be a multi-faceted and transformative initiative to tremendously boost India’s weather and climate-related science, research, and services. It will exponentially expound research and development, and capacity in atmospheric sciences, especially weather surveillance, modelling, forecasting, and management. By integrating advanced observation systems, high-performance computing, and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. |
| New Cybersecurity Initiatives: Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC): CFMC has been established at the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (14C) in New Delhi with representatives of major banks, Financial Intermediaries, Payment Aggregators, Telecom Service Providers, IT Intermediaries, and States/UTs Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). They will work together for immediate action and seamless cooperation to tackle online financial crimes. CFMC will serve as an example of “Cooperative Federalism” in law enforcement. Samanvaya Platform (Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facilitation System): It is a web-based module to act as a One Stop Portal for data repository of cybercrime, data sharing, crime mapping, data analytics, cooperation, and coordination platform for LEAs across the country. ‘Cyber Commandos’ Program: Under this program, a special wing of trained ‘Cyber Commandos’ in States/UTs and Central Police Organizations (CPOs) will be established to counter threats of the cyber security landscape in the country. Trained Cyber Commandos will assist States/UTs and Central Agencies in securing the digital space. Suspect Registry: It is a new initiative to strengthen fraud risk management by creating a registry of identifiers based on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal in collaboration with banks and financial intermediaries. Key Facts about Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): I4C has been established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deal with cybercrime in the country in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. The I4C focuses on tackling issues related to cybercrime for citizens, including improving coordination between various LEAs and stakeholders. The centre is located in New Delhi. |
| About Ukai Dam: The Ukai Dam, constructed across the Tapti River, is the second largest reservoir in Gujarat after the Sardar Sarovar. It is also known as Vallabh Sagar. |
| Recently, the Chief Minister of Odisha graced the ground-breaking ceremony of India’s first silicon carbide manufacturing facility to be set up in Odisha at an investment of Rs 620 crore. |
| About Parliamentary Committee on Official Language: The Parliamentary Committee on Official Language was constituted under the provisions of Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, in the year 1976. Section 4 of the Act says “There shall be constituted a Committee on Official language, on a resolution to that effect being moved in either House of Parliament with the previous sanction of the President and passed by both Houses”. |
| About District Agro-Meteorology Units: These were established by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in 2018 in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Aim: The aim was to use weather data to prepare and disseminate sub-district-level agricultural advisories. Working The DAMUs were located within Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). Scientists and researchers trained in meteorology and agriculture were recruited as DAMU staff. They used weather data provided by the IMD like rainfall, temperature and wind speeds to prepare agricultural advisories related to sowing and harvesting, usage of fertilizers and pesticides, irrigation, etc. |
| bout Sugamya Bharat App: It is an initiative of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Designed to aid people with disabilities and the elderly, the Sugamya Bharat app allows users to report accessibility problems in public infrastructure, transportation and buildings. |
| India-U.S. bilateral Army exercise Yudh Abhyas is set to commence at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan. |
| About Teal Carbon: It refers to carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands, encompassing carbon sequestered in vegetation, microbial biomass and dissolved and particulate organic matter. These ecosystems are considered to be more effective at carbon capture and storage than terrestrial forest ecosystems and can store and sequester more carbon than any other type of terrestrial ecosystem. |
| About BepiColombo spacecraft: It is a joint European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission to Mercury. The mission was named after Giuseppe “Bepi” Colombo, an Italian mathematician and engineer who made significant contributions to the understanding of Mercury’s orbit. It was launched on October 20, 2018, and is an ambitious and complex mission designed to study Mercury’s surface, composition, magnetic field and its interaction with the solar environment. |
| The United Arab Emirates has successfully completed the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant, the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. |
| About Goods Trade Barometer: It was formerly known as the World Trade Outlook Indicator. It is developed by the World Trade Organization and provides “real-time” information on trends in world trade. It is a leading indicator that signals changes in world trade growth two to three months ahead of merchandise trade volume statistics. |
| About Galathea Bay: Location:It is located in the Great Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. It is being developed as an International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP). It is also eligible for central funding and will be developed under the public-private partnership model. The proposed facility is envisaged to be developed in four phases with Phase 1 proposed to be commissioned in the year 2028 with a handling capacity of ~ 4 Million TEUs, increasing to 16 Million TEUs in the ultimate stage of development by 2058. Once operational, the Galathea Bay project will help capture a large share of transshipped cargo which is handled at ports outside India. |
| About BPaLM Regimen: It is a new treatment regimen against Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). It was introduced by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under its National TB Elimination Program (NTEP). Composition: The regimen combines four drugs—Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and optionally Moxifloxacin. This regimen includes a new anti-TB drug called Pretomanid, which was earlier approved and licensed for use in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). |
| About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) constituted to strengthen tiger conservation. NCTA was created in 2005 following the recommendation of the Tiger Task Force and was given the status of statutory authority under Section 38L of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006. |
| About VisioNxt Initiative: It is India’s first-ever trend insights and forecasting Initiative. It was conceived and established at NIFT Delhi (Creative Lab) and NIFT Chennai (Insights Lab) with the support of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, in 2018. The initiative, now centralized in Chennai, focuses on delivering trend insights and forecasting for the Indian fashion and retail market. |
| Valley fever, a fungal disease endemic to the western United States, is seeing a significant rise in cases across California, prompting concerns among health officials and researchers. |
| About Interpol: The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), commonly known as Interpol, is an international organization facilitating international police cooperation against cross-border terrorism, trafficking, and other crimes. It is the world’s largest international police organization, representing 195 member countries. It is headquartered in Lyon, France. Official Languages: Arabic, English, French, and Spanish. Status:It is ‘not’ a unit or part of a United Nations system. It is an independent international organization. It is often the first point of contact for many countries pursuing an international investigation. It does not actively investigate crimes. |
| About Forum on China-Africa Cooperation: It was established in 2000 to formalise the strategic partnership between China and African nations. A summit is conducted every three years, with the host alternating between China and an African member. Member countries: The FOCAC counts 53 African nations as its members – the entire continent except Eswatini, which has diplomatic ties with Taiwan against Beijing’s “One China” Policy. |
| About Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack: It is designed to offer Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) with a geographically distributed setup to support a range of permissioned blockchain applications. The stack is hosted across NIC Data Centers in Bhubaneswar, Pune and Hyderabad, ensuring robust and scalable service delivery. |
| About Poshan Tracker initiative: The Poshan Tracker program identifies and addresses growth issues among children aged 0-6 years, utilizing real-time monitoring and WHO growth charts to ensure optimal nutritional outcomes. Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) play a crucial role in evaluating children’s health status and implementing timely interventions when deviations from expected growth patterns are detected. The Poshan Tracker employs advanced ICT tools and Growth Measuring Devices (GMD) at each Anganwadi Center (AWC) to facilitate accurate data collection and regular monitoring. The program’s real-time growth monitoring has significantly improved child health outcomes in India, covering millions of children under Mission Poshan 2.0. |
| AgriSURE Fund: Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises (AgriSURE) is an innovative fund which is a pioneering step toward revolutionizing the agricultural landscape in India. Focus area: It mainly focuses on technology-driven, high-risk, high-impact ventures. It is designed to fuel growth and foster innovation in the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem. Funding Pattern: A Blended capital fund of ₹750 crore with SEBI Registered Category II, Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), contributions from the Government of India is ₹250 crore, NABARD is ₹250 crore and ₹250 crore is being mobilized from banks, insurance companies and private investors. |
| About e-Shram Portal: It was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2021 for the registration and creation of a comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers. It is a “One-Stop-Solution” for Unorganised Workers of the country. The registration in the portal is fully Aadhaar verified and Aadhaar seeded. Any unorganised worker can register himself or herself on the portal on a self-declaration basis. It allows an unorganised worker to register himself or herself on the portal on a self-declaration basis, under 400 occupations in 30 broad occupation sectors. |
| About IndOBIS: The Indian Ocean Biodiversity Information System (IndOBIS) is the Indian regional node of the global Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). It is hosted by the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi. IndOBIS collects data on taxonomically resolved marine species occurrence records from the Indian Ocean and contributes to the OBIS as one of the 30 regional nodes of the Ocean Biodiversity Information System OBIS. |
| About India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): ISM is a specialized and independent Business Division within the Digital India Corporation. It aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. ISM has all the administrative and financial powers and is tasked with the responsibility of catalysing the India Semiconductor ecosystem in manufacturing, packaging, and design. ISM has an advisory board consisting of some of the leading global experts in the field of semiconductors. ISM has been working as a nodal agency for the schemes approved under the Semicon India Programme. Key Facts about the Semicon India Programme: The ISM was launched in 2021 with a total financial outlay of Rs. 76,000 crores under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Government of India. It is part of the comprehensive program for the development of sustainable semiconductor and display ecosystems in the country. The programme aims to provide financial support to companies investing in semiconductors, display manufacturing and design ecosystem. It also promotes and facilitates Indigenous Intellectual Property (IP) generation and encoura |
| About Law Commission of India: It is a non-statutory bodyand is constituted by a notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Law & Justice. It is constituted with definite terms of reference to carry out research in the field of law, and the Commission makes recommendations to the Government (in the form of Reports) as per its terms of reference. It functions to the Ministry of Law and Justice as an advisory body. History: The first pre-independence law commission was established in 1834 by the British Government in India. It was established by the Charter Act of 1833and was chaired by Lord Macaulay. The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 under the chairmanship of the former Attorney General for India, C. Setalvad. This Commission was created for a period of three years, and this practice has persisted ever since then, resulting in the reconstitution of Law Commissions every three years via executive orders. |
| About Digital Bus initiative: It is a joint venture between the National Digital India Mission and the NIIT Foundation. It was started in 2017, aims to take technology to remote areas and also foster innovation and offer new opportunities and ensure that every community is able to thrive in the digital age. Objective Reducing the Digital divide for those living in remote areas Providing Linkages to Government programs and initiatives Enhancing interest levels in learning Introducing the multidisciplinary approach to education Encouraging collaborative learning |
| About Digital Agriculture Mission: It is conceived as an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, such as creating Digital Public Infrastructure, implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and taking up other IT initiatives by the Central Government, State Governments, and Academic and Research Institutions. Three major components of DPI are envisaged under the Digital Agriculture Mission: AgriStack, Krishi Decision Support System (DSS) and Soil Profile Maps. Each of these DPI components will provide solutions that will allow farmers to access and avail of various services. AgriStack: The farmer-centric DPI AgriStack consists of three foundational agri-sector registries or databases: Farmers’ Registry, Geo-referenced Village Maps and Crop Sown Registry, all of which will be created and maintained by state/ UT governments. |
| Musi River: It is a river that flows through the southern Indian state of Telangana. It is a tributary of the Krishna River in the Deccan Plateau. It was known as the Muchukunda River in earlier days. Hyderabad stands on the bank of this river, which divides the city between the old and the new. Course: It begins in the Anantagiri Hills near Vicarabad, Rangareddi district, 90 kilometers to the west of Hyderabad. It consists of two rivulets, Esi and Musa, which then converge into the Musi River. It joins the Krishna River near Wazirabad in Nalgonda district after covering a distance of about 240 km. |
| About Uri-I Hydroelectric Project: It is an operating hydroelectric power plant located in the Jhelum River of Uri town in the Baramulla district of Jammu & Kashmir. It is located very near the Line of Control (LOC), the de facto border between India and Pakistan. The power project was commissioned in 1997 with a total installed capacity of 480 MW. It is owned by the Central Government, and the operating company of the plant is National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC). The unit size of the power plant is 480 MW, having 4 units of 120 MW each. |
| Recently, the first indigenously developed Pollution Control Vessel of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), ‘Samudra Pratap’ was launched in Goa. |
| Recently, Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award, popularly known as Asia’s Nobel Prize. |
| The Poba Reserve Forest in Assam’s Dhemaji district will soon be notified as a wildlife sanctuary. |
| The European Union passed a new regulation in May that will force fossil fuel companies to routinely measure, report and reduce how much methane they are emitting. |
| bout Project NAMAN: It is designed to provide dedicated support and services to Defence Pensioners, Veterans and their families. |
| About International Monetary Fund (IMF): It is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency, founded at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. It was established in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s. The main objectives of the IMF include supporting global monetary cooperation, securing financial stability, facilitating international trade, promoting high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reducing poverty. |
| About Nazca Ridge: It is a submarine ridge located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America. It is approximately 1,100 kilometers (684 miles) long and varies in width. The ridge extends from the Nazca Plate, off the coast of Peru, and runs southwest toward Easter Island, Chile. It was formed by volcanic activity associated with a hotspot in the Earth’s mantle. The ridge is composed of abnormally thick basaltic ocean crust. The ridge is tectonically active and is being subducted beneath the South American Plate at the Peru-Chile Trench. |
| About SHe-Box Portal: It is a centralized platform for registering and monitoring complaints of sexual harassment of women in the workplace. It serves as a centralized repository of information related to Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) formed across the country, encompassing both the government and private sectors. |
| About Solar Paraboloid Technology: It is an advanced form of concentrating solar power (CSP) technology. It not only enhances the efficiency of solar energy capture but also addresses the limitations that have long plagued traditional photovoltaic (PV) systems. Working? Solar paraboloids operate using a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) system. These systems consist of long, parabolic mirrors that focus sunlight onto a receiver tube placed at the focal line of the mirror. The concentrated solar energy heats a fluid within the receiver, which can then be used to generate electricity or provide direct h |
| bout Sabina Shoal: It is also known as Xianbin Reef. It is an oceanic coral atoll that developed on top of a seamount in the eastern part of the Spratlys Islands in the South China Sea. It is located some 75 nautical miles from the Philippine province of Palawan. It is considered to be within the Philippines 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China, however, claims the shoal and much of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory and has maintained a continuous presence there. It is located 630 nautical miles from China. |
| About Finternet: It refers to the multiple financial ecosystems interconnected with each other, much like the internet. It would lower barriers between different financial services and systems, drastically reducing the complex clearing and messaging chains and other frictions that hinder financial system. |
| About Pacific Islands Forum: It is an intergovernmental organisation formed in 1971. Member countries: It consists of 18 member states located in the Pacific region. Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. |
| Recently, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment launched “Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training” (RESET) Programme on the occasion of National Sports Day in New Delhi. About RESET Programme: The Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training Programme is aimed at empowering the retired sports persons who have played for the country and brought immense laurels to the nation. It will support retired athletes on their career development journey by empowering them with the necessary knowledge and skills and making them more employable. It represents a significant step towards recognizing and utilizing the invaluable experience and expertise of our retired athletes. |
| About Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D): BPR&D was set up in 1970 under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs by replacing the Police Research and Advisory Council. Headquarters: New Delhi It was established with a mandate to: Identify the needs and problems of the police in the country. Undertake research projects and studies, and suggest modalities to overcome problems and challenges and meet the needs and requirements of the police. Keep abreast of the latest developments in the fields of science and technology, both in India and abroad, with a view to promoting the use of appropriate technology in police work. |
| About Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme: It is a Central Sector Schemewhich was launched in 2020. Objective: The scheme shall provide a medium- to long-term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support. The duration of the Scheme shall be from FY2020 to FY2032 (10 years). |
| Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister has approved 12 new project proposals under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) with an estimated investment of Rs. 28,602 crore. About National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP): It is India’s most ambitious infrastructure programme aiming to develop new industrial cities as “Smart Cities” and converging next generation technologies across infrastructure sectors. It aims to facilitate investments from both large anchor industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), serving as catalysts to achieve the government’s ambitious goal of $2 trillion in exports by 2030. |
| About Initiative: Indian Railways is actively exploring using nuclear power through captive units as part of its strategy to increase reliance on non-fossil fuel sources. The first nuclear-powered train movements are expected to focus on circuits served by the Nabinagar Thermal Power Plant, leveraging existing infrastructure to test and expand nuclear energy use in rail transpo |
| Typhoon Shanshan has intensified into a “very strong” storm as it approaches Japan’s southwestern coast, prompting warnings from weather agencies. |
| About Quasar: A quasar is an extremely active and luminous type of Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN). An AGN isnothing more than a supermassive black hole that is active and feeding at the center of a galaxy. All quasars are AGNs, but not all AGNs are quasars. Quasar is short for quasi-stellar radio source because astronomers first discovered quasars in 1963 as objects that looked like stars but emitted radio waves. |
| Recently, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has mandated the registration of exotic pets listed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Act with state wildlife departments via the PARIVESH 2.0 portal within 6 months. |
| The Union Budget 2024 has increased the loan limit under the scheme’s Tarun category to Rs 20 lakh, targeting those who have successfully repaid previous MUDRA loans. |
| About Polaris Dawn Mission: It will be the first non-governmental mission to conduct a spacewalk, reaching an unprecedented altitude of approximately 700 kilometres (435 miles) above Earth. It will also orbit Earth through regions of a highly-charged belt of radiation. There are two of these “Van Allen Belts”, an inner and an outer one. This altitude surpasses that of the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits at about 400 kilometres. |
| About Plea Bargaining: It is a process in which a defendant in a criminal case agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor or the court. The concession could be a reduced sentence, a lesser charge, dropping some charges, or any other agreement that benefits the defendant. The aim of plea bargaining is to resolve a criminal case without going to trial, thereby saving time, resources, and expenses for both the prosecution and the defendant. |
| What is the Unified Lending Interface (ULI)? Positioned as a platform to transform the lending space, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is currently running a pilot of the Unified Lending Interface (ULI). |
| What is the New India Literacy Programme (NILP)? In a letter to all States, the Union Ministry of Education has defined ‘literacy,’ and what it means to achieve ‘full literacy,’ in the light of the renewed push for adult literacy under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP).About New India Literacy Programme (NILP): It aims to support the States and Union Territories in promoting literacy among non-literates in the age group of 15 and above. It is a centrally sponsored scheme with a financial outlay of Rs.1037.90 crore for implementation during FYs 2022-23 to 2026-27. It aims to onboard one crore learners per year above 15 years across all States and Union Territories. |
| About National Medical Register (NMR) Portal: It is a portal of the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the registration of all MBBS doctors eligible for registration in India. The NMR is mandated under Section 31 of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019 which states that the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the NMC shall maintain a National Register in electronic form containing the name, address, and all recognised qualifications possessed by a licensed medical practitioner. |
| India achieved a significant milestone in its space journey with the launch of its first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI-1, recently. |
| Classical Languages Status Criteria: The government’s current criteria for declaring a language as classical include the following: The language should have a long history of at least 1,500-2,000 years, documented in early texts. It should possess a body of ancient literature that is highly regarded as a cultural heritage by generations of speakers. The literary tradition of the language should be original and not borrowed from another speech community. The classical language and its literature should be distinct from its modern form, potentially showing a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or offshoots. Classical Languages Recognised: India currently recognizes six classical languages: Tamil (2004) Sanskrit (2005) Telugu (2008) Kannada (2008) Malayalam (2013) Odia (2014) Benefits of Classical Language Status: Once a language is designated as classical, the Ministry of Education provides various benefits to promote it, including: Two major international awards annually for scholars of eminence in the language. Establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Studies in the Classical Language. Requesting the University Grants Commission (UGC) to create Professional Chairs in Central Universities dedicated to the classical language. |
| About National Quantum Mission (NQM): The National Quantum Mission (NQM) is a visionary initiative (2023) led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to fortify India’s research and development in the quantum domain. Over the next eight years (2023-2031), the mission aims to pioneer the development of intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits using cutting-edge platforms like superconducting and photonic technology. |
| About Wular Lake: It is the largest freshwater lake in India and the second largest freshwater lake in Asia. It is located in the Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is fed by the Jhelum River. The lake lies at an altitude of 1,580 m on the foothills of Haramuk Mountain. In 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. |
| About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): It is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. It was constituted on 14th November, 1985, under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). It has its headquarters located in Delhi. The NCB exercises the powers and functions of the Central Government for taking measures with respect to: |
| About Mass Wasting: It is the movement of rock and soil down slope under the influence of gravity. Causes: It occurs when a slope is too steep to remain stable with existing material and conditions. Slope stability is determined by two factors: the angle of the slope and the shear strength of the accumulated materials. Mass-wasting events are triggered by changes that oversteepened slope angles and weaken slope stability, such as rapid snow melt, intense rainfall, earthquake shaking, volcanic eruptions, storm waves, stream erosion, and human activities. Excessive precipitation is the most common trigger. |
| About Vigyan Dhara Scheme: It is a new central sector scheme unifying three umbrella schemes of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The scheme has three broad components: Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building, Research and Development and Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment. These three schemes have been merged into the unified scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’. This initiative, managed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is designed to enhance India’s S&T capabilities through a streamlined approach. The proposed outlay for the implementation of the unified scheme ‘Vigyan Dhara’ is 10,579.84 crore during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. |
| About BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy: To be steered by the Department of Biotechnology, the policy is for fostering high-performance biomanufacturing. High-performance biomanufacturing is the ability to produce products from medicine to materials, address farming and food challenges, and promote manufacturing of bio-based products through the integration of advanced biotechnological processes. The policy seeks to include innovation-driven support for research and development and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors. This will accelerate technology development and commercialization by establishing biomanufacturing and bio-AI hubs and biofoundry. Along with prioritising regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, this policy will facilitate the expansion of India’s skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation. |
| About the Great Nicobar Project: It is a multi-development initiative aimed at the holistic development of Great Nicobar Island, a strategic location in the southern end of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was cleared by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in November 2022 and is part of a broader strategy to enhance India’s strategic presence and infrastructure in the region. Location: Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost island in the Andaman and Nicobar group, separated from the Andaman Islands by the Ten Degree Channel. It is also home to Indira Point, India’s southernmost point, located less than 150 km from Indonesia. Ecosystem: The island features tropical wet evergreen forests, mountain ranges up to 650 meters high, and coastal plains. It also houses two national parks and a biosphere reserve, supporting endangered species like the leatherback sea turtle. Impact on Indigenous Tribes: |
| bout the Unified Pension Scheme: The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) was introduced by the government on August 24, 2024, replacing the 21-year-old National Pension System (NPS) with a structure closely resembling the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Key Features of the Unified Pension Scheme: Guaranteed pension: It promises government employees 50% of their last drawn pay as a lifelong monthly pension. Dearness relief: The pension includes a periodic dearness relief hike in line with inflation trends. Family pension: In the event of a government employee’s death, the family is assured a pension equivalent to 60% of the employee’s pension. Superannuation payout: A lump sum payment in addition to gratuity benefits will be provided at the time of retirement. Minimum pension: A minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month is assured for those who complete at least 10 years of central government service. Contributions under the UPS: The scheme is contributory, requiring: Employees to contribute 10% of their salary. The government is to contribute 5% of the salary. The government’s contribution may be adjusted based on periodic actuarial assessments to ensure the scheme’s sustainability. Transition from NPS to UPS: National Pension System (NPS): Originally implemented for employees joining on or after January 1, 2004, the NPS linked pension payouts to the accumulated contributions from both the government and employees, invested in market-linked securities. Switch option: Employees who joined after 2004, including retirees, have the option to switch from NPS to UPS, which is expected to be beneficial for approximately 99% of NPS members. |
| Recently, TRAI has proposed a reduction in broadband rates for Public Data Offices (PDOs) under the PM-WANI scheme to make internet access more affordable and boost the program’s success. |
| Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 Recently, the Delhi High Court addressed the issue of separate identification numbers (IDs) for different wings of the same school, impacting the admission of students under the Economically Weaker Section/Disadvantaged Group (EWS/DG) category. Court Order: It directed the merger of identification numbers for different wings of the same schools in Delhi to ensure a seamless transition for students, particularly under the EWS/DG category. It also highlighted the goal of serving the broader objectives of the RTE Act by promoting equality and dignity for all students. The court mandated the appointment of nodal officers in every private unaided recognized school in Delhi to oversee the EWS/DG admission process. It also ordered the Department of Education (DoE) to merge the IDs within eight weeks and file a compliance report. About the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009: Background: RTE Act Originates from the 1993 Supreme Court ruling in the Unnikrishnan vs. State of Andhra Pradesh case, establishing education as a fundamental right under Article 21. The Constitution (86th Amendment) Act, 2002 introduced Article 21A, guaranteeing free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years. Key Constitutional Amendments: Article 21A: State’s responsibility to provide free and compulsory education to children aged 6-14. Article 45: State to provide early childhood care and education until the age of six. Article 51A: Parents’ duty to provide educational opportunities for children aged 6-14. Significant provisions of the RTE Act: Free and compulsory education: Right to education for all children aged 6-14 in a neighbourhood school. Provision for age-appropriate class placement for older children who missed schooling. No detention, expulsion, or mandatory board exams until the completion of elementary education. Curriculum and Recognition: Government to establish curriculum and evaluation procedures. Compliance with pupil-teacher ratios and infrastructure norms is mandatory for school recognition. Teachers must qualify through the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). Responsibilities of schools: Government and aided schools must provide free and compulsory education. Schools must establish School Management Committees (SMCs) to monitor grant utilization and school development. Government responsibilities: Central Government: National Advisory Council, curriculum framework, and teacher training standards. State Government: Ensure compulsory admission, attendance, and elementary education completion; establish neighbourhood schools. Grievance redressal: National and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights to safeguard rights under the RTE Act. Status and impact of the RTE Act: |
| Global diamond production: Leading producers: Russia, Botswana, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Notable producers: Botswana: Key mines include Orapa and Jwaneng. Australia: Known for coloured diamonds such as pink, purple, and red. South Africa: Hosts diverse diamond deposits including kimberlite and fissure mining. |
| The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has finalised a list of 189 “high-risk” glacial lakes for mitigation measures to reduce the risk emanating from them. |
| About Glacial Lakes: A glacial lake is a body of water that originates from a glacier. It typically forms at the foot of a glacier, but may form on, in, or under it. ISRO categorised glacial lakes into four broad categories based on how they were formed — moraine-dammed, ice-dammed, erosion-based, and ‘others’. |
| India is progressing towards its goal of 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2025-26. However, concerns remain over the impact on food supplies and the fuel efficiency of existing vehicles. |
| Shiveluch volcano in Russia erupted after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the country recently. |
| About Poland: It is a country in central Europe. Borders: Poland’s borders have changed many times over the centuries. Its present borders were set after World War II ended in 1945. Poland has seven neighbors: Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. It has a variety of striking landscapes, from the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea coast in the north and the rolling central lowlands to the snow capped peaks of the Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains in the south. |
| About Banni Grasslands It is located along the northern border of Kachchh district in the state ofGujarat. The Banni is also home to 22 ethnic groups, the majority of whom are pastoralists. It is home to great biological diversity, having 37 grass species, 275 bird species, and domesticated animals like Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Horses and Camel, as well as wildlife. The Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Chhari Dhand Conservation Reserve are part of the Banni Grasslands. Flora: The vegetation here mainly comprises Prosopis Juliflora, Cressa critica, Cyperus spp, Sporobolus, Dichanthium, and Aristida. Fauna: It is home to mammals such as the Nilgai, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Wild boar, Golden Jackal, Indian Hare, Indian Wolf, Caracal, Asiatic Wildcat and Desert Fox etc. |
| The Chhattisgarh Forest Department recently organised a Van Mahotsav programme in the Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district by planting saplings using the Miyawaki method. |
| About Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs): An SRO, is generally a non-governmental entity created by members of a particular industry or sector to help govern the companies in that industry. An SRO sets and enforces rules and standards relating to the conduct of entities in the industry (members) with the aim of protecting the customer and promoting ethics, equality, and professionalism. SROs typically collaborate with all stakeholders in framing rules and regulations. Their self-regulatory processes are administered through impartial mechanisms such that members operate in a disciplined environment and accept penal actions by the SRO. |
| Gross Environment Product Index: It is presented as a novel, integrative metric designed exclusively to evaluate ecological development caused by human interventions. It will be determined by the condition of four main constituents of the environment which are directly impacted by development activities including air and water quality, number of trees planted in a year and the measure of the area of organic soil. The formula is, GEP index = (Air-GEP index + Water-GEP index + Soil-GEP index + Forest-GEP index) It provides quantzierte assessments of improvements in air, water, soil, and forest quality. |
| Guam Island Recently, INS Shivalik reached Guam for an Operational Turnaround on successful completion of the recently concluded world’s largest Multinational Maritime Exercise RIMPAC 2024. |
| RISE Accelerator The Atal Innovation Mission – in partnership with CSIRO, Australia – is inviting applications from start-ups and MSMEs from India and Australia for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of India Australia. |
| Bhavishya Software Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOPPW) introduced a unique innovative centralized pension processing software called ‘Bhavishya’ for all central government Ministries/Departments. |
| About Panama Canal: It is an artificial waterway that connects theAtlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade. It was cut through one of the narrowest saddles of the isthmus that joins North and South America. It is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways in the world, the other being the Suez Canal. The length of the Panama Canal from shoreline to shoreline is about 40 miles (65 km), and from deep water in the Atlantic (more specifically, the Caribbean Sea) to deep water in the Pacific, about 50 miles (82 km |
| About National Green Tribunal (NGT): NGT has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. New Delhi is the principal place of sitting of the tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai shall be the other four places of sitting of the tribunal. Composition: The Tribunal comprises the Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and Expert Members. The Chairperson of the NGT is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court. Other judicial members are retired judges of High Courts. Each bench of the NGT will comprise of at least one judicial member and one expert member. Expert members should have a professional qualification and a minimum of 15 years’ experience in the field of environment/forest conservation and related subjects. Powers: The NGT has the power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental issues and questions that are linked to the implementation of laws listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act. These include the following: The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977; The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991; The Biological Diversity Act, 2002. |
| About Multidimensional Vulnerability Index: It is a new international quantitative benchmark to measure structural vulnerability and the lack of structural resilience across multiple dimensions of sustainable development at the national level. It is set to act as a complement to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other development metrics. Aim: It aims to capture exogenous vulnerabilities and lack of resilience to exogenous shocks of all developing countries, so as to ensure credibility and comparability. Background Since the 1990s, small island developing states (SIDS) that are not poor enough in terms of GDP per capita to access low-interest development financing but nonetheless face vulnerability to external shocks like climate change have been calling for such a measure. |
| About International Earth Sciences Olympiad: It was established in 2003 at the International Geoscience Education Organization Council Meeting in Calgary, Canada. It is an annual competition for secondary school studentsfrom across the globe. It aims to generate awareness of earth sciences through teamwork, collaboration, exchanging ideas, and competition. The overall vision is to generate interest among the young in various fields of earth system sciences, with a focus on promoting awareness and solution-centric discussions around environmental challenges. It is one of the most successful student-centric programs facilitated under the REACHOUT (Research, Education, Training and Outreach) scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. India has participated in the IESO since 2007 and hosted its 10th edition in Mysore. |
| About Krishi-Decision Support System: It is a first-of-its-kind geospatial platform specifically designed for Indian agriculture. Features It captures minute details from the vast expanse of fields to the smallest soil particle. The platform provides seamless access to comprehensive data including satellite images, weather information, reservoir storage, groundwater levels and soil health information, which can be easily accessed from anywhere at any time. It’ll also give near real-time information on various indicators such as soil moisture, water storage, crop condition, dry spells, etc. One nation-one soil information system of Krishi-DSS will give comprehensive soil data with embedded information on soil type, soil pH (potential of hydrogen), soil health, etc. |
| Prerana ProgrammeAbout Prerana Programme: It was launched in January 2024 by the Union Education Ministry. It is driven by a strong commitment to integrate principles of the Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a cornerstone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Prerana is a week-long residential program for selected students of class IX to XII. It is an experiential and inspirational learning program for students with the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation. A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) attend the program every week from various parts of the country. Prerana program is running from a Vernacular School, established in 1888 in Vadnagar, Mehsana District, Gujarat. Recently, the Union Minister of Education interacted with students, teachers, parents of PM SHRI Schools and alumni of Prerana Programmes. |
| About Biosurfactants: They are surface-active molecules produced by microorganisms, either on the cell surface or secreted extracellularly. They form a thin film on the surface of microorganisms and help in their detachment or attachment to other cell surfaces. They are involved in regulating the motility of bacteria and quorum sensing. |
| New Ramsar sites: Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary It is situated along the north-eastern region of Uthukuli Taluk of Tiruppur District in Tamil Nadu. The lake falls under two villages (Sarkar Periyapalayam and Neruperichal). The lake got its name from the fact that it was repaired and restored by King Nanjarayan who ruled the region many centuries ago. |
| FloodWatch India 2.0 Recently, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti launched Version 2.0 of the ‘FloodWatch India’ mobile application developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC). |
| St Martin’s Island According to the alleged statement, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh said that she could have continued to remain in power if she had given Bangladesh’s “St Martin’s Island and Bay of Bengal to AmericaAbout St Martin’s Island: It is located in the northeastern region of the Bay of Bengal, close to the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is nine kilometres away from the southern tip of Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. Geography: It is mostly flat and sits at an elevation of 3.6 metres above the mean sea level. It is Bangladesh’s only coral island — there are reefs from 10-15 km to the west-northwest — and is also a breeding ground for sea turtles. |
| India is now all set to commission its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighat, armed with nuclear missiles for strategic deterrence. |
| About Gotipua Dance: It is the majestic folk dance of Orissa which is the precursor to the classical Odissi dance form. In the Orissa language, “Goti” means “single” and “Pua” means “boy”. In these children are trained in singing, dancing, yoga, and acrobatics within gurukuls or akhadas. They dress as girls and perform at temple festivals, social gatherings, and religious ceremonies. |
| About Model Solar Village: It aims to create one Model Solar Village per district across India. Goal: To promote solar energy adoption and enable village communities to become self-reliant in meeting their energy needs. Funding: A total financial outlay of ₹800 crore has been allocated for this component, providing ₹1 crore per selected Model Solar Village. |
| Key points about the National Institutional Ranking Framework It was launched in November 2015 by the Ministry of Education. Five broad categories of parameters identified in the NIRF and their weightage on a scale of 10 are: Teaching, Learning & Resources, Research and Professional Practice, Graduation Outcome, Outreach and Inclusivity, and Perception. Four distinct additions to the 2024 edition of India Rankings are as follows: Introduction of three new categories namely State Public Universities, Open Universities, and Skill Universities; and Integration of “Innovation” ranking into the India Rankings using the NIRF framework. |
| About Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project: It is located at Omkareshwar in District Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. The floating power plant was developed on the backwaters of Omkareshwar dam (it is a gravity dam on the Narmada River). It is the biggest solar park in India and the largest floating solar project in central and north India, generating 90 MW of energy. This project was developed under the Union Ministry of Renewable Energy. |
| Cumulonimbus Cloud (Cb)? It is a heavy and dense cloudof considerable vertical extent in the form of a mountain or huge tower, often associated with heavy precipitation, lightning, and thunder. More commonly known as thunderclouds, cumulonimbus is the only cloud type that can produce hail, thunder and lightning. The base of the cloud is often flat, with a very dark wall-like feature hanging underneath, and may only lie a few hundred feet above the Earth’s surface. The vertical extent of Cumulonimbus ranges from 3 km to rarely more than 15 km (10 000 – 50 000 ft). |
| Nasa’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) has concluded its mission, marking the end of a journey spanning over a decade. |
| Grain ATM Recently, India’s first round-the-clock grain ATM was opened at Mancheswar in Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| About Yamuna River: Yamuna River (also known as Jumna) is the major tributary of the Ganges River. Origin: It rises in the high Himalayas, in the Yamunotri Glacier, at a height of 4,421 meters. Course: The 1,376 km long Yamuna flows solely through India, crossing three states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. |
| About Great Barrier Reef: It is a complex of coral reefs, shoals and islets in the Pacific Ocean. It is located off the northeastern coast of Australiain the Coral Sea. It is the longest and largest reef complex in the world. It is the largest living structure on Earth. It extends in roughly a northwest-southeast directionfor more than 2,300 km, at an offshore distance ranging from 16 to 160 km, and its width ranges from 60 to 250 km. It has an area of some 350,000 square km. The reef, which is large enough to be visible from space, is made up of nearly 3,000 individual reefs and over 900 islands. UNESCO declared the Great Barrier Reef a World Heritage Sitein 1981. Much of the Great Barrier Reef is a marine protected area, managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority of Australia. |
| Recently, Indian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force participated in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024. |
| About Nankai Trough: It is a “subduction zone” between two tectonic plates in the Pacific Ocean, where massive earthquakes have hit in the past. This underwater subduction zone (nearly 900 km long) is where the Eurasian Plate collides with the Philippine Sea Plate, pushing the latter under the former and into the Earth’s mantle. Location: It runs from Shizuoka, west of Tokyo, to the southern tip of Kyushu Island. It has been the site of destructive quakes of magnitude eight or nine every century or two. These so-called “megathrust quakes”, which often occur in pairs, have been known to unleash dangerous tsunamis along Japan’s southern coast. |
| About Juanga Tribe: The Juanga, or Juang, is an indigenous community in India concentrated in Odisha’s Keonjhar district. It is one of the 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) of the total 62 tribes found in Odisha. Originally known as Patuas because of their traditional attire of leaf skirts, the Juang now prefer clothing bought from local markets. Language: Juang (Mundari). It belongs to the Austroasiatic language family. |
| The Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army will kick off their joint exercise, “Mitra Shakti,” at Maduruoya in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. |
| About Nandini Sahakar Yojana: It is aimed at assisting women cooperatives to take up business model-based activities under the purview of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). It is women focused framework of financial assistance, project formulation, hand-holding and capacity development. Funding: There is no minimum or maximum limit on financial assistance to projects by women cooperatives. NCDC provides a 2% interest subvention on its rate of interest on term loan portion for new and innovative activities. |
| Waqf: Under the Waqf Act of 1954, a Waqf refers to a property dedicated in the name of God for religious and charitable purposes. Legally, it is the permanent dedication by a Muslim of any movable or immovable property for purposes recognised by Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable. A Waqf can be established through a deed or instrument, or a property can be considered a Waqf if it has been used for religious or charitable purposes over a long period. |
| Bhoj Wetland: Location: It is located in the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It consists of two contiguous human-made reservoirs, the upper and lower lakes. The Upper Lake is called Bhojtal (Bada Talaab) and the Lower Lake is known as Chhota Talaab. The Upper Lake is surrounded by Van Vihar National Park on the south, human settlements on the east and north, and agriculture fields on the west. The Upper Lake is a major source of potable water for Bhopal. Fauna: The lakes are very rich in biodiversity, particularly for macrophytes, phytoplankton and zooplankton. |
| About National Coastal Mission Scheme: It was launched in 2014. It has been envisaged under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. It aims to address the impact of climate change on coastal and marine ecosystems, infrastructure and communities in coastal areas through a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. It is under the National Coastal Management Program and is implemented with the following components: Management Action Plan on Conservation of Mangroves and Coral Reefs Research & Development in Marine and Coastal ecosystem Sustainable Development of Beaches under Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Service Capacity Building / Outreach Programme of Coastal States/UTs on conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems including beach cleaning drive. Implementation: The implementing agencies of NCM are the State Governments of Coastal States and Union Territory (UT) Administrations. |
| Sone River: It is a principal southern tributary of the Ganges (Ganga) River after the Yamuna River. Course: It originates in the Amarkantak highlands in Madhya Pradesh, in the east direction of the origin of the Narmada River. It then flows in the north-northwest direction through Madhya Pradesh before turning in the east direction where it meets the Kaimur range. The river starts flowing in the parallel direction of the Kaimur range in the east-northeast direction through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and joins the Ganga River just above Patna, the capital of Bihar. |
| The Miombo is a biome that includes tropical and subtropical grasslands, bushlands and savannahs. It is a vast African dryland forest ecosystem covering close to 2.7 million square kilometres across southern Africa, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The woodlands are characterized by the dominance of Brachystegia species, either alone or in association with Julbernardia and Isoberlinia species. |
| Brahmani River: It is a major inter-state east-flowing river amongst the peninsular rivers in India. The river is known as Dhamra in its lower reaches. Origin: It is formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near the major industrial town of Rourkela in Odisha. Both the sources of the Brahmani River are on the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The Sankh River has its origins near the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border, along with the South Koel River, which also rises in Jharkhand. |
| Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano According to a new study, the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano which is filled with magma has been erupting beyond the ground hose and at the same time sinking for the past 10 years. |
| The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor recently invoked Article 311 of the Constitution and terminated the services of six government employees. |
| About Standardised Precipitation Index: It estimates wet or dry conditions based on precipitation variables. The SPI calculation is based on the long-term precipitation record for a particular location and long-term period (longer than 30 years is desirable). This index is negative for drought and positive for wet conditions. As the dry or wet conditions become more severe, the index becomes more negative or positive respectively. Time scale: It includes timescales of 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 months |
| Axis of resistance: It is a coalition of Iranian-backed groups. The coalition’s name is said to be inspired by former US President George W Bush’s use of the term ‘axis of evil’ — referring to Iran, Iraq and North Korea. Formation The roots of the ‘axis of resistance’ go back to the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which paved the way for radical Shia Muslim clerics to come to power. To expand its political and military influence in a region where most powers such as US-ally Saudi Arabia are Sunni-majority nations, Iran’s new regime began to support non-state actors. Another reason for this was to deter threats from Israel and the US — Iran has seen Israel’s creation in 1948 as a means for the US (and the West) to influence the region for its strategic interests. Group members Hezbollah: Shiite militant organization Hamas: Palestinian Sunni militant group in Gaza Palestinian Islamic Jihad(PIJ): Sunni Islamist militant group, Palestine Houthis: Zaydi Shia militant group, Yemen |
| About Disaster Management (Amendment Bill), 2024: The bill seeks to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which was enacted to provide for the effective management of disasters. The bill makes provision for the constitution of “Urban Disaster Management Authority” for State capitals and large cities having municipal corporations, except the union territories of Delhi and Chandigarh. The bill empowers the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the State Disaster Management Authorities to prepare the disaster plan at the national level and state level, respectively, instead of the plans made by the National Executive Committee and the State Executive Committees earlier. Furthermore, the NDMA will have the authority to appoint experts and consultants as necessary to fulfill its functions effectively. It seeks to create a “disaster database at national and State level. |
| Mahanadi River: It is one of the major east-flowing peninsular rivers in India. It ranks second to the Godavari River among the peninsular rivers in respect of water potential. It is considered to be one of the most active silt-depositing streams in India. Course: Origin: The river originates from the Sihawa range of hills in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh. It flows in a southeastern direction through Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Length: It flows a total of 860 km by distance before it ends up in the Bay of Bengal. |
| India will host the international air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ in two phases, taking place in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. |
Current Affairs From August 2024 to December 2024 for H.P TGT, PGT, JBT,Patwari, Allied,HPAS etc (Part-1)
