Context: A norovirus outbreak linked to contaminated kimchi caused thousands of deaths in a South Korean city. Kimchi and Norovirus Kimchi: A traditional Korean side dish made of salted and fermented vegetables, typically consumed raw. This means any norovirus present will not be killed during preparation. Norovirus Description: Norovirus is …

Context: A team from the Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH), the central authority for the Mahadayi River, visited Belagavi district in Karnataka. Mahadayi River Dispute River Details: The Mahadayi River, also known as Mandovi or Mhadei, has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between Karnataka and …

Context: The World Bank has elevated Russia from an ‘upper-middle income’ to a ‘high-income’ country, a classification it last held in 2014. Russia’s Economic Resilience Global Rankings: Russia is 72nd in per-capita GNI and 53rd in purchasing power parity worldwide. GDP Growth: In 2023, Russia saw a 3.6% increase in …

Context The Government of India has urged automobile companies to join the unified Right to Repair Portal India. On National Consumer Rights Day 2022, the Department of Consumer Affairs launched the Right to Repair Portal to help consumers easily access information and services for repairing and reusing their products Objectives/Advantages …

Context The Ministry of Culture has launched Project PARI (Public Art of India), an ambitious initiative to showcase the country’s rich artistic legacy. The first phase of Project PARI is taking place in Delhi to uplift the city’s aesthetic and cultural outlook, coinciding with the 46th session of the World …

A stampede occurred during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district. What is a Stampede? A stampede is a “disruption of the orderly movement of crowds leading to injuries and fatalities,” often in response to a perceived danger, loss of physical space, or to attain something seen as gratifying. …

On June 25, 2024, India marked fifty years since the National Emergency (1975-1977), a period characterized by the suspension of civil liberties, restricted press freedom, widespread arrests, and postponed elections. The Aftermath of the National Emergency in India (1975) Political Transformation The 1977 elections saw four major opposition parties merge …

Context Recently, three deaths have been reported in Kerala due to the rare and fatal infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) Cause: PAM is caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and poorly maintained swimming …

Context The story of Sufi saint Fakir Shah Hussain, who fell in love with a Brahmin boy named Madho Lal, is celebrated during Pride Month. Fakir Shah Hussain (1538-1599) Orthodox Beginnings: Initially, Hussain followed Orthodox Islam but later shifted his beliefs, viewing the world as an ephemeral playground. Union of …

Context The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has recommended a complete ban on importing, distributing, and selling chloramphenicol and nitrofurans for use in food animal production systems. Background In 2019, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) banned colistin, a last-resort antibiotic listed as a critically important antimicrobial by the …

Context The Indian Army has recently reinforced its dress code regulations to ensure adherence to official rules regarding the wearing of trinkets and religious symbols while in uniform. This action follows observations of personnel wearing unauthorized accessories in social media posts. General Dress Code Principles Unauthorized Accessories: No unauthorized ornaments …

Context Karsandas Mulji has gained attention due to the release of the biopic “Maharaj.” Early Life and Education Birth: Born in Bombay in 1832 into a Gujarati Vaishnav family. Education: Attended Elphinstone College, where he was part of the Gujarati Gnanprasarak Mandali (Gujarati Society for the Spread of Knowledge). Peers: …

Context The first special session of the 18th Lok Sabha concluded amid disputes regarding the removal of remarks made by Opposition leaders in both Houses of Parliament. Expunction refers to the parliamentary procedure where specific remarks are removed from the official records. Rules Governing Expunction Article 105: Grants MPs the …

Archaeologists have discovered a 41,000-year-old ostrich nest in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, which is considered the world’s oldest known ostrich nest. Megafauna: Definition: Megafauna refers to animals weighing over 50 kg. The term was first coined by Alfred Russel Wallace in 1876. Classification: Megafauna are categorized as megaherbivores, megacarnivores, or megaomnivores …

A report by the IUCN indicates that Eastern and Southern Africa is halfway to meeting the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 3, also known as the 30 x 30 target. 30 x 30 Target: The 30 x 30 target is a global initiative aiming for countries to protect at least …

A recent study published in Nature Communications has revealed that the Juneau Icefield, which extends across Alaska and British Columbia, is undergoing rapid glacial retreat. Glacial Retreat: Glacial retreat refers to the shrinking or receding of a glacier over time. This occurs when ice melts or sublimates faster than new …

An explosion at a chemical reactor in Dombivli, Maharashtra, caused multiple fatalities and injuries. Frequent Industrial Accidents in Maharashtra: Reports indicate that industrial accidents have been alarmingly frequent in the years 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023. Causes: Lack of Implementation of Relocation Plans: The Maharashtra government has failed to relocate …