UPSC Relevance GS-3: Security (cybercrime, financial crimes) GS-2: Governance (PMLA, institutional frameworks) Key Points The Union Ministry of Finance included I4C under Section 66 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, enabling information sharing with the Enforcement Directorate and other agencies. Detailed Insights Established in 2020 under the …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Geography (plate tectonics, geomorphology) GS-3: Science and Technology (geological research) Key Points Scientists discovered that continental rifting triggers deep mantle waves, causing stable continental regions (cratons) to rise, forming plateaus and escarpments. Detailed Insights Rifting, as seen in the African Rift Valley, stretches the crust, initiating mantle …

GS2 – International Relations Context: India’s Energy Minister recently assessed the progress of the Arun-III Hydroelectric Project located in Nepal. Key Highlights: The Arun-III is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric facility situated on the Arun River within Nepal’s Sankhuwasabha District in the eastern part of the country. About the Arun River: The …

GS3 – Environment Context: A recent report by ICIMOD highlights that the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region has witnessed a third consecutive year of below-average snow persistence, with 2024-25 marking historic lows, posing serious threats to water security across Asia. Understanding Snow Persistence: Snow persistence measures the proportion of time …

GS3 – Indian Economy Context: The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest World Economic Outlook, has downgraded growth projections for many countries, including India. Key Insights: Global Growth Forecast: The IMF has lowered its global growth estimate, reducing it by 0.5 percentage points to 2.8% for 2025, and by …

GS3 – Science & Technology Operations of the Dhruv helicopter have resumed in Anantnag. Key Details: The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv is a domestically developed multi-purpose utility aircraft, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is specifically engineered for a variety of missions and operational roles. Development started in …

Context Researchers have identified two new species of freshwater fish, Labeo uru and Labeo chekida, from the Western Ghats. This discovery addresses a long-standing 150-year-old confusion, in which both species were mistakenly identified as Labeo nigrescens (Rohu). The two species are endemic to their specific river systems. Labeo uru: This …

GS3 – Science & Technology Context: Researchers in China have successfully developed rice varieties that naturally produce Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) through advanced genetic modification techniques, including CRISPR-Cas9. This breakthrough positions biofortified crops as potential functional foods, aiming to combat nutritional deficiencies and enhance public health. About Coenzymes Coenzymes are organic, …

GS3 – Environment Context: The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), along with the International Coral Reef Initiative, has officially confirmed that the world is experiencing its fourth global coral bleaching event. Currently, around 84% of the world’s coral reefs have been impacted, with mass bleaching observed across at …

GS2 – Schemes Context : The SVAMITVA scheme marks its five-year anniversary. Why SVAMITVA was Needed Precise Land Documentation: In many Indian villages, homes and land parcels were never systematically documented. Utilization of Property: In the absence of legal proof, residents were unable to leverage their properties for bank loans …

GS3 – IE Context: The Finance Minister has outlined a vision to expand the manufacturing sector’s contribution to India’s GDP from the current 12% to 23% by 2047, with an emphasis on nurturing sunrise industries. Vision 2047: Transforming India through Manufacturing Goal: Achieve a 23% GDP contribution from manufacturing by …