PRELIMS  The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended the imposition of an anti-dumping duty on the import of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Paste Resin from China and five other countries. About DGTR: DGTR, formerly known as the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD), was established in …

PRELIMS  The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) marks two years of significant achievements. Key Developments: Bilateral merchandise trade surged from USD 12.2 billion (2020-21) to USD 26 billion (2022-23). Trade moderated to USD 24 billion in 2023-24, with India’s exports to Australia growing by 14%. About Ind-Aus ECTA: …

PRELIMS  According to RBI data, the REER Index of the Rupee reached a record high of 108.14 in November 2024, reflecting a 4.5% increase during the year. About Effective Exchange Rate (EER): The Effective Exchange Rate (EER) gauges the value of a currency relative to a basket of other currencies. …

PRELIMS – MAPS Type: A 135 km long, saline, landlocked lake. Nature: It is an endorheic lake, meaning it doesn’t drain into other water bodies like rivers or oceans. Name: “Pangong Tso” is Tibetan for “high grassland lake.” Location: Where: Located on the Ladakh-China border at over 14,000 feet. Division: …

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Why in News? ISRO is set to launch the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts. This mission will demonstrate satellite docking technology, essential for future space missions. SpaDeX is a technology demonstrator mission developed by ISRO to …

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY A TPAP is an entity that offers UPI-compliant applications to end-users for facilitating payment transactions via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). These applications include mobile wallets, merchant platforms, or other services that utilize UPI for payments. The UPI platform is owned and operated by …

GS 2 – INTERNATIONAL RELATION The Camp David Accords were a pair of political agreements signed on 17 September 1978 by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, following twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the U.S. presidential retreat in Maryland. The agreements were witnessed …

GS 2 – GOVERNANCE The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 regulates the import, production, sale, and distribution of drugs and cosmetics in India through licenses and permits. Purpose: The Act ensures that drugs and cosmetics in India are safe, effective, and meet national standards. Associated Rules (1945): The Drugs and …

GS 3-Space  Why in News? Recently, a Hyderabad-based private company handed over two 400 kg class satellites to ISRO. These satellites will participate in the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) scheduled for late 2024. About Space Docking Space docking refers to the precise connection of two spacecraft, whether manned or unmanned, …

GS 3-Infrastructure The Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project is a proposed 11,000 MW hydropower project on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). It will be India’s largest hydropower project upon completion. The project is aimed at countering China’s plans to divert the …

GS 2-Schemes Objective Provide internship opportunities to address youth unemployment and equip young people with practical skills in a real-world environment. Key Features Internship Opportunities: Aims to provide internships to 1 crore youth over the next five years. Stipend: Monthly stipend of ₹4,500 from the government. Additional ₹500 from companies …

GS 3-Conservation Location: Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India. Establishment: Declared a tiger reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger and a biosphere reserve in 1994. Area: Spans approximately 2,750 sq. km, with a core area of 1,194.75 sq. km and a buffer area of 1,255.25 sq. km. UNESCO Recognition: Part of the …

GS 3-Disaster Mangement On December 3, 1984, a catastrophic leak of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas occurred at a pesticide plant operated by Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL). Even after four decades, substantial amounts of toxic waste remain at the UCIL premises. This incident marked India’s first significant chemical (industrial) disaster. …

PRELIMS BITS: SCHEMES Key Points: Objective: PM-ABHIM aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure and prepare for future health emergencies across India. Delhi High Court Directive: The court ordered the AAP government to sign a MoU with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare by January 5, 2025, despite the Model Code …

PRELIMS BITS: SCIENCE & TECH ISRO has achieved a significant milestone with its LVM3 rocket, enabling it to deploy satellites into multiple orbits during a single mission. This was made possible by the development of a “multi-element ignitor” for the CE-20 Cryogenic engine, which allows for engine restarts in space. …

PRELIMS BITS: POLITY The Department of Posts (DoP) introduced reforms with the Post Office Act, 2023, effective June 18, 2024, to modernize the Indian postal system. The Post Office Rules, 2024, and Post Office Regulations, 2024, implemented on December 16, 2024, further support these changes. Key Objectives and Features The …

PRELIMS BITS: SCIENCE & TECH MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) is the reclassification of NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease), focusing on liver fat accumulation due to metabolic dysfunction, such as obesity and diabetes. It aims to reduce stigma by shifting the focus from alcohol-related causes. Risk Factors Belly fat …

PRELIMS BITS: BASIC SCIENCE Hydroponic farming is a soil-less method using nutrient-rich water to grow plants. In Tripura, it has shifted from small systems to larger setups (up to 560 sq meters) growing crops like lettuce, strawberries, and marigolds. It helps farmers overcome challenges from floods and adverse weather. Benefits …

PRELIMS BITS: MILITARY EXERCISE The SLINEX 24 naval exercise took place from December 17-20, 2024, in Visakhapatnam, involving the Indian and Sri Lankan navies. The exercise aimed to enhance cooperation, improve interoperability, and reinforce maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Phases Harbour Phase (Dec 17-18): Focused on professional exchanges and …

PRELIMS BITS: MILITARY EXERCISE A contingent of 334 Indian Army personnel is participating in the 18th Battalion-Level Joint Military Exercise, SURYA KIRAN, in Saljhandi, Nepal, from December 31, 2024, to January 13, 2025. This annual exercise alternates between India and Nepal. Key Details The Indian Army is led by the …