Context: The National Coal Index (Provisional) recorded a notable decline of 3.48% in June 2024, suggesting that there is sufficient coal available in the market to meet increasing demand. Introduction: The National Coal Index (NCI) was introduced by the Ministry of Coal to calculate revenue share based on market prices, …

Context: Researchers at the Central University of Kerala have developed a highly sensitive and selective cyanide sensor that changes color from yellow to colorless upon detecting cyanide. Detection Capabilities: The sensor is capable of detecting toxic cyanide at very low concentrations, offering potential enhancements in the safety of drinking water …

Context: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court, with a 6-1 majority, declared that Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) do not constitute a socially homogeneous group. Reversal of Previous Ruling: The judgement overturns the earlier E.V. Chinnaiah ruling, which had held that SCs/STs were a homogeneous group and …

Context: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) recently approved a series of postings and reshuffles in senior bureaucratic roles. Role of the ACC: The ACC is responsible for deciding higher-level appointments in the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks, and Financial Institutions. Members: The ACC is chaired by the Prime …

Context: The underrepresentation of SC/ST and OBC officers in senior civil service roles underscores the prevailing dominance of upper castes within the bureaucracy. Challenges in Achieving Social Justice: Underrepresentation of SC/ST Officers: The limited presence of SC/ST officers in high-level government positions restricts their impact on policy-making. For example, only …