The fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) meeting in Busan, South Korea, aimed at formulating a global treaty to combat plastic pollution, ended without a conclusive agreement. The lack of a binding treaty has sparked concerns over the effectiveness and inclusivity of the ongoing negotiations. Key Outcomes and Challenges Lack of …

A recent report on Indian prisons highlights the potential of electronic tracking as a strategy to address overcrowding, with jails operating at 131.4% capacity as of December 2022. Notably, 75.8% of inmates were undertrials, underscoring the urgent need for alternative solutions. Benefits of Electronic Tracking Prison Decongestion: By allowing undertrials …

The Harimu Shakti is a bilateral military exercise conducted between the Indian Army’s Mahar Regiment and the Royal Malaysian Regiment of Malaysia. Key Highlights Location and Frequency: The exercise is conducted annually, with hosting duties alternating between India and Malaysia. The recent edition took place in Malaysia. Objective: The primary …

Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have led to the discovery of hundreds of new Nazca Lines in Peru, expanding our understanding of these enigmatic geoglyphs. What are the Nazca Lines? The Nazca Lines are a collection of massive geoglyphs etched into the arid plains of southern Peru over 2,000 …

The term “Brain Rot” has been officially recognized as the Oxford Word of the Year 2024. It refers to the gradual decline of mental or intellectual abilities caused by excessive consumption of unchallenging or superficial online content. This word captures growing concerns about the impact of digital culture on cognitive …

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984, triggered by the leakage of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) from the Union Carbide plant, remains one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. Decades later, survivors continue to face severe health issues, as highlighted in a 2010 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). …

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, has come under renewed scrutiny due to ongoing legal disputes such as the Gyanvapi mosque case and incidents like the Sambhal violence. These cases have raised critical questions about the Act’s scope and its impact on communal harmony in India. Key Provisions …

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) has directed states and Union Territories to expedite the issuance of Farmer ID, also known as the Kisan Pehchaan Patra, by organizing special camps. Key Features of the Farmer ID Aadhaar-Linked Digital Identity: The Farmer ID is a unique digital identity linked …

Cyclone Fengal recently made landfall in Puducherry, marking the second cyclone to affect India’s eastern coastline within two months, following Cyclone Dana. What is Landfall? Landfall refers to the moment when a tropical cyclone moves from the sea onto land. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a cyclone officially …

A recent petition filed in an Ajmer court seeks a survey of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, claiming it was built over the remains of Hindu and Jain temples that were destroyed. Historical Context of Ajmer The city of Ajmer, originally known as Ajaymeru, was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan. …