Context (TH): Recent government decisions that prioritize imports over local production could undermine India’s domestic pharmaceutical sector and potentially result in increased drug prices. Ensuring the availability of affordable medications is vital in India, where out-of-pocket health expenditures made up nearly 47.1% of total spending in 2021. Current Scenario India, …

Context: Manu Bhaker from Haryana, currently ranked World No. 5, made history as the first Indian athlete in the post-independence era to win multiple medals in a single edition of the Summer Olympics held in Paris. Manu is also the first Indian woman to secure an Olympic medal in shooting. …

Context: According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the export of India’s first ready-to-drink fig juice to Poland. The fig juice, made from Purandar figs and produced by Purandar Highlands Farmers Producer Company Ltd., was showcased at SIAL …

Context: The Aravali range is currently experiencing severe environmental degradation due to illegal activities such as mining, encroachments, and deforestation. These actions are leading to significant ecological damage. Recent Findings: Land Use Changes: A study in the journal Earth Science Informatics highlights substantial alterations in land use within the Aravali …

Context: According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s report titled “Women and Men in India 2023,” there is a notable shortage of women in executive roles. Below are some key insights from the report: Underrepresentation in the Corporate Sector: Disparity in Senior Management: In 2023, only 34,879 women …

Context: Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, which use blood samples to detect multiple types of cancer, are emerging as a promising tool for cancer screening. Cancer screening involves testing for cancer before symptoms appear, with early detection being key to improving survival rates and reducing treatment costs. In India, only …

Context: Rising moraine-dammed lakes in Himachal Pradesh and Tibet pose significant risks to downstream life and infrastructure. Climate change has accelerated the shrinking of the cryospheric cover in the Himalayas, leading to a rapid reduction in glaciers and an increase in the number of unstable high-altitude glacial lakes. In the …

Context: Recently, the Sabarmati Express derailed near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after its engine collided with an object on the tracks. Over the last five fiscal years ending in FY23, India has experienced an average of 44 significant train accidents annually. These consequential accidents include incidents that result in injuries, fatalities, …

Context: In response to the demands from the Women in Cinema Collective, the Justice Hema Committee was established to investigate and address systemic sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Source: IE The Hema Committee is the first of its kind in India, created to conduct an …

Context: The Karnataka Governor’s recent decision to authorize the prosecution of the Chief Minister for alleged corruption, contrary to the advice of the Council of Ministers, has sparked debates over constitutional authority. Source: TH Legal Provisions and Judicial Precedents Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: This act mandates that the Governor …

Context: Amid escalating Houthi attacks near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea, India has rerouted its fuel exports to Europe via the Cape of Good Hope, circumnavigating Africa. Source: IE The Red Sea route is the most direct path to Europe from India, facilitating approximately 12% of global trade …

Context: The Government of India recently announced a significant recruitment drive for lateral entrants, addressing an “acute shortage” of IAS officers. Lateral entry allows experts from outside the traditional government structure to be appointed to mid and senior-level roles, bypassing the conventional UPSC examination process. This initiative aims to infuse …

Context: India has granted refuge to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her forced departure from Bangladesh, despite the absence of an official refugee policy in the country. Defining Refugees: Refugees: Individuals compelled to leave their home country and seek safety in another due to the threat of persecution, …

Context: The promotion of large-scale monoculture oil palm plantations in Northeast India is raising concerns due to its environmental impacts and the threats it poses to the economic and social security of local communities. What is Oil Palm? Global Importance: Oil palm is the world’s most significant oil crop, meeting …

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 …

What is Monkeypox? Monkeypox is a viral disease that primarily spreads to humans through zoonotic transmission, with rodents and primates being potential reservoirs of the virus. The first recorded case of human infection occurred in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Transmission: Monkeypox can spread between humans through close …