Context (IE): Recent outbreak of the Marburg virus has been reported in Rwanda. Overview of Marburg Virus Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a rare but highly dangerous disease, impacting both humans and nonhuman primates. The virus responsible for the disease is the Marburg virus, which belongs to the family of RNA …

Context The Satark Nagrik Sangathan’s 2023-24 report has brought attention to issues with the RTI Act, highlighting the pressing need for reforms. Overview of the RTI Act 2005 The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, grants citizens the right to request information from public authorities, promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory governance …

Context In October 2024, the Indian Prime Minister is attending the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in Vientiane, Laos, which marks the 10th anniversary of India’s “Act East Policy.” This engagement highlights ASEAN’s critical role in India’s foreign policy. Significance of ASEAN in India’s Foreign Policy Countering Chinese Influence: India …

Context (TH): The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded with one half going to David Baker for his work on “computational protein design,” and the other half jointly awarded to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper for “protein structure prediction.” Rosetta is a software used for protein folding and …

Context (DTE): The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published the State of Global Water Resources Report, highlighting that 2023 marked the driest year for global rivers. Contributing Factors Increased Water Demand: The report pointed out that growing agricultural and industrial demand placed added pressure on river systems, worsening the already low …

Context (TH|IE): The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their pioneering contributions and inventions that have laid the foundation for machine learning through artificial neural networks. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) An ANN is a computational framework that emulates the workings of the …

Context: Prakrit and Pali have been recognized as Classical languages due to their historical and cultural significance. Prakrits: The Language of the People The term ‘Prakrit’ is derived from ‘Prakriti’, which means ‘source’ or ‘origin’. Most scholars believe that Prakrit languages evolved from Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas and …

Context: Recent data from an unreleased elephant census, which incorporated new counting techniques, has revealed a decline in elephant populations across several regions of India, particularly in southern West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Kerala. Previous Counting Methods Total Direct Count Up until 2002, India used the “total direct count” method, …

Context: Nepal, India, and Bangladesh have entered into a Tripartite Agreement aimed at enabling cross-border electricity trade. This arrangement allows Nepal to export hydroelectric power to Bangladesh through Indian transmission infrastructure. Key Points: Electricity Export: Nepal is set to export 40 megawatts (MW) of hydroelectric power to Bangladesh annually under …

Overview: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed the National Agriculture Code (NAC), setting comprehensive guidelines for the agricultural sector. Purpose: The NAC provides a standardized framework for the entire agricultural process, akin to the National Building Code and National Electrical Code. Structure of NAC: General Principles: These apply …

Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 7th consecutive edition of “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts,” aligned with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Framework. Findings From 2000 to 2023, the number of Total Protected Areas saw an increase of approximately 72%, while the area …

Context: The Government of India has introduced updated regulations for the ‘Ecomark’ certification, aimed at promoting eco-friendly products and encouraging sustainable consumption. The certification applies to a range of products, including food items, cosmetics, soaps, detergents, and paints. It aligns with the broader ‘LIFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, which emphasizes …

Context: Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Gaja, casuarina plantations in Tamil Nadu are witnessing a resurgence, with farmers gearing up for their first harvest in five years. About the Casuarina Tree: Origin: The Casuarina tree is native to Australia and was introduced to mainland India in 1868. It thrives …

Context: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has recently clarified rumors regarding additional restrictions on OCI cardholders, emphasizing that there are no new limitations being imposed. Who is an OCI? An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) is a foreign national who holds a passport from another country and is not …

Context: The 8th edition of the India-Kazakhstan Military Exercise, KAZIND-2024, took place in Auli, Uttarakhand. Objective: The primary goal of this exercise is to strengthen the joint counter-terrorism capabilities of the two nations, particularly in semi-urban and mountainous terrains. The exercise is conducted under the framework of Chapter VII of …