PRELIMS: SPORTS         GUKESH DOMMARAJU, an Indian chess prodigy, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion at the age of 18. His victory over China’s Ding Liren in December 2024 not only secured him the title but also marked him as the 18th individual to …

GS 3: S&T Unveiled by: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. Significance: Purpose: Protects farmers from harmful pesticide exposure, reducing risks of health issues such as breathing disorders, vision loss, and lethality. Technology: Developed by BRIC-inStem, Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt. …

Mount Semeru Mount Semeru Eruption in Indonesia: Mount Semeru, an active volcano in Indonesia’s East Java province, erupted, sending ash clouds up to 1,000 meters into the sky. Authorities have declared a 3-km danger zone around the volcano and advised residents to avoid activities near rivers originating from its slopes. …

GS 2 – International Relation India-France-UAE Trilateral Air Combat Exercise: India, France, and the UAE have initiated the trilateral air combat exercise “Desert Knight” over the Arabian Sea. This operation aims to enhance interoperability and strategic cooperation among the three nations’ air forces. Exercise Desert Knight is a trilateral air …

GS 3 – Defence  India’s defense exports have reached a record high, with significant contributions from the private sector. The government aims to further boost exports by streamlining policies and encouraging indigenous production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Make in India is a flagship initiative launched by the Government …

GS 3 – Economy   Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services across India. It was introduced through the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016, and came into effect on July 1, 2017. Key Features of GST One Nation, …

GS 3 – Economy  The Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) is an initiative launched to strengthen critical mineral supply chains and reduce dependency on a single source or country for essential minerals. It addresses the increasing demand for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, electronics, and defense industries. …

GS – 2 – Economy  Distressed employment refers to a situation where individuals are forced to accept low-paying, insecure, and informal jobs due to economic, social, or political distress. In Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the issue is exacerbated by several factors including political instability, lack of industrialization, skill gaps, and …

GS 3 – Environment  Greenwashing refers to the practice where companies or organizations falsely claim or exaggerate their products, policies, or practices to appear environmentally friendly when, in reality, they are not. Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing practice used to mislead consumers about the environmental benefits of a product or …

GS 3 – Environment  Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and serves as a clean source of energy. Green Hydrogen is produced by splitting water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower. The process involved is electrolysis and …

GS 2 – Polity   What is a Simultaneous Election? Simultaneous elections refer to a system where elections to the Lok Sabha (India’s Parliament) and all State Legislative Assemblies are synchronized. Voters cast their votes for both on the same day, either in a single phase or over a phased timeline. …

GS 2 – International Relation  Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is to foster investments and enhance exports, with a special focus on India’s IT, audio-visual sectors, and the mobility of skilled professionals. Date of Signing: March 10, 2024 Participants: India and EFTA member countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. …

GS 3 – Environment  General Overview Olive Ridley sea turtles are the second-smallest and one of the most abundant sea turtle species worldwide. They are renowned for their arribadas—synchronized mass nesting events where thousands of females converge on the same beach to lay eggs. Physical Characteristics Males and females grow …

GS 2 – Polity  About the Election Commission of India (ECI): Constitutional Foundation Established under: Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. Role: Conducts elections for: Parliament and state legislatures. Offices of the President and Vice President of India. Exclusion: Does not oversee local body elections (handled by State Election Commissions). …

GS 3 – Internal security  Origins: Naxalite Movement: Maoist-inspired insurgency in India since the mid-1960s. Name: Derived from Naxalbari, a town in West Bengal where a tribal peasant uprising against landlords occurred in 1967. Though the rebellion was suppressed, it inspired communist-led insurgencies in tribal and rural areas. Growth of …

GS 3 – Water resource  Key Highlights: Policy Unveiled: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) introduced the Jalvahak scheme to promote long-haul cargo transport via National Waterways 1 (Ganga), National Waterways 2 (Brahmaputra), and National Waterways 16 (Barak). Incentive Structure: Direct reimbursement of up to 35% of operational …

GS 2 – International relation  The territorial dispute between Israel and Palestine centers on both claiming historical rights to the same areas, including Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. This conflict has led to the displacement of many Palestinians, creating a significant refugee population. Over the years, tensions have flared …

GS 3: Science & Tech           Hemophilia is a genetic disorder where the blood doesn’t clot properly, leading to excessive bleeding after injury, surgery, or even without a clear cause. It is usually inherited and primarily affects males, although females can be carriers of the gene. Hemophilia occurs because of …

GS 3: Economy The Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle under the World Trade Organization (WTO) promotes fairness in international trade. It means that if a country offers a favourable trade benefit, like lower taxes or tariffs, to one country, it must offer the same deal to all other WTO members. This helps …

GS 3: Economy  Definition: FTAs reduce trade barriers (tariffs, quotas) to promote economic cooperation between nations. Key Features: Reduction in Barriers: Encourages trade with fewer restrictions. Formal Agreements: Bilateral or multilateral pacts. Types of Agreements: Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA): Tariff reductions (e.g., India-MERCOSUR). FTA: Eliminates most tariffs (e.g., India-Sri Lanka …