Context: President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of four Kirti Chakras and 18 Shaurya Chakras to personnel from the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces as part of the 103 gallantry awards. Kirti Chakra Awardees Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu (Maratha Light Infantry, 56 Rashtriya Rifles) Colonel Manpreet …

Context: The Nanjarayan and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, along with the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh, have been recently designated as new Ramsar sites, raising India’s total number to 85. Nanjarayan Tank Bird Sanctuary This sanctuary is home to approximately 191 bird species, in addition to various reptiles, …

Context: Recent studies indicate that water temperatures in and around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are currently the highest they have been in the past 400 years, according to research published in the Nature Journal. Researchers observed stable temperatures before 1900, with a significant increase in warming after 1900, attributed to …

Context: Recent events in Maharashtra and Delhi have brought to light significant concerns regarding civil service aspirants. In Maharashtra, a trainee officer was discovered to have falsified documents, raising serious questions about the integrity of the selection process. Meanwhile, in Delhi, three aspirants tragically drowned, highlighting the immense pressure and …

Context President Droupadi Murmu was honored with the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste. The award recognizes her contributions to public service and her commitment to education, social welfare, and the empowerment of women. During her historic visit as the first Indian Head of State to Timor-Leste, she emphasized …

Context The integrity of SEBI is currently under scrutiny due to allegations made by New York-based Hindenburg Research, suggesting a potential conflict of interest involving the SEBI Chairperson, which could compromise the investigation into the Adani Group. Allegations: It is claimed that the SEBI Chairperson allegedly concealed ownership in offshore …

Context Recent studies indicate that climate change is affecting Earth’s rotation. Polar Ice Melt and Water Redistribution: The melting of polar ice causes water to shift towards the equator, resulting in a bulging effect that slows Earth’s rotation due to the law of conservation of angular momentum. Conservation of Angular …

Context India’s neighboring countries have undergone significant political transformations, posing challenges to its diplomatic strategies and prompting a reassessment of regional engagement to safeguard its interests. Diplomatic Challenges in India’s Neighborhood Myanmar’s Military Coup (2021): The military takeover disrupted India’s relationship with Myanmar, affecting security collaborations and infrastructure projects. Taliban …

Context: The Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to Manish Sisodia emphasizes the principle established by Justice Krishna Iyer in 1977, stating that “bail is the rule and jail is the exception.” This ruling reflects a broader commitment to uphold individual liberty and prevent undue punishment due to procedural delays. …

Historical Background: The Gotipua dance tradition began in Odisha during the 16th century under the patronage of Bhoi king Rama Chandra Dev. In the Oriya language, “Goti” means single and “Pua” means boy. This dance form was developed as a male counterpart to the Mahari tradition, which involved ritualistic dances …

Context: The Coffee Board of India has forecasted a significant decline in coffee production for the 2024-25 season due to high temperatures and heavy rainfall. Coffee thrives in a temperature range of 15°C to 28°C and requires 150-250 cm of rainfall. The Coffee Board has urged coffee-growing districts to form …

Context: Overuse of antibiotics poses significant risks, especially to the human microbiome. While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a well-known issue, the impact on the microbiome is often overlooked. The microbiome consists of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Gut microbiome: Essential for digestion, immune function, and nutrient production. Skin …

Context: In India, although over half of the 642 million eligible voters are women, women’s safety issues receive little attention from political candidates, highlighting a significant discrepancy. Current Situation: Daily, approximately 90 rape cases are reported, nearly half of the women experience domestic violence, and two-thirds of Dalit women face …

Context: Mizoram’s efforts to amend its reservation rules have been complicated by a Supreme Court ruling that supports the right of states to sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Prior to this ruling, the Mizoram Government had paused the sub-classification of the state’s ST quota in higher education …

Context: A plea in the High Court seeks a CBI investigation into alleged malpractices in organ transplantation. Common Malpractices Commercialization of Organs: Involves the illegal buying and selling of organs, exemplified by clandestine organ trade networks. Falsification of Donor-Recipient Relationships: Used to bypass legal restrictions. For instance, in 2018, a …

The Indian government has launched a comprehensive Clean Plant Initiative aimed at providing farmers with high-quality, disease-free planting material. This initiative is designed to significantly enhance crop yields and improve farmers’ incomes. Key Features of the Initiative: Affordable Access: The program ensures that farmers can obtain clean planting material at …

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Overview Background: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to reform the governance of Waqf properties, has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee following opposition protests. Definition of Waqf Property Waqf: This refers to a donation of personal property by Muslims for religious, charitable, or …

Context (IE): The Court of Arbitration for Sports accepted Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for the silver medal. Incident: India’s prominent wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics after failing to meet the 50 kg weight limit during the second day of weigh-in. Competition Format: …

Context (IE): Opposition leaders have called for the removal of the 18% GST on life and health insurance premiums. Affordability Issues: Rising medical inflation (14% by the end of last year) and high insurance premiums make health and life insurance less affordable for many. Justification for Imposing GST Doubts About …

Context (PIB): The Minister of Cooperation recently shared information about the Nandini Sahakar Yojana. Objective: The scheme aims to support women’s cooperatives in engaging in business model-based activities within the framework of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). Eligibility: To qualify, a cooperative society must have at least 50% of …