Editorials

PRELIMS – INFRASTRUCTURE  India’s First Bio-Bitumen Highway Stretch Location: NH-44, Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra. Technology: Lignin-based bio-bitumen. Collaborators: Praj Industries, CSIR-CRRI, NHAI, Oriental. What is Bio-Bitumen? A sustainable alternative to traditional bitumen. Derived from lignin, a natural polymer in plant cell walls. Offers similar properties to conventional bitumen with lower environmental …

GS3 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has released a report titled ‘400 Million Dreams,’ which examines the evolving patterns of internal migration in India since the 2011 Census. Internal or domestic migration refers to the movement of people within a country from one …

GS 2 – POLITY  Appointment Date: Announced December 24, 2024. Appointed By: President Droupadi Murmu. Predecessor: Justice Arun Kumar Mishra (retired on June 1, 2023). Justice V. Ramasubramanian Supreme Court Tenure: September 23, 2019 – June 29, 2023. Legal Career: Spans decades, with extensive judicial experience. Role at NHRC: Chairperson, …

GS3 – ENVIRONMENT The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the Draft Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2024, which are set to come into effect on 1st October 2025. These rules aim to address the adverse impacts of unmanaged solid waste, implement the principles of a …

Prelims – Places in news Location: Situated in Pabna District, Bangladesh, on the banks of the Padma River. Developer: Built with Russian assistance under the leadership of Rosatom, a state-owned nuclear energy corporation of Russia. Capacity: Comprises two VVER-1200 reactors (Water-Water Energetic Reactors). Total capacity: 2,400 MW (1,200 MW per …

Prelims – Environment – Species   Flightless bird, about 3 feet tall. Weighed around 10–20 kg (depending on diet and habitat). Family: Columbidae (related to pigeons and doves) Habitat: Endemic to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Lived in forested areas and fed on fruits, seeds, and roots. Extinction: …

GS2 – SOCIAL JUSTICE  CUSTODIAL DEATHS IN INDIA, referring to fatalities occurring while individuals are in police or judicial custody, remain a significant human rights concern. These incidents often highlight issues related to law enforcement practices, systemic challenges, and the need for comprehensive reforms. Statistics: Reported Cases: Between April 1, …

GS2 – GOVERNANCE DELIMITATION in India refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies to ensure fair representation in the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies. This process is crucial for maintaining the principle of “one person, one vote,” ensuring that each constituency has a roughly equal population. …

GS1 – WORLD HISTORY   Bolshevism refers to the radical communist ideology led by the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP), under Vladimir Lenin, which was pivotal in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the establishment of the Soviet Union. 1. Origin: Meaning: “Bolshevik” comes from …

GS3 – ECONOMICS  The WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) is a global international organization established to regulate international trade. It provides a framework for negotiating trade agreements, resolving trade disputes, and promoting trade liberalization while ensuring fairness and adherence to agreed-upon rules. Key Features of WTO: Establishment and Headquarters Founded: January …

GS 3 – Environment – Act  The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 was enacted to protect forests and wildlife. It aims to regulate the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes while balancing developmental needs with the conservation of natural resources. Key Provisions: Regulation of Non-Forest Purposes: Forest land cannot be …

GS 3 – Environment – Act  The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 is a landmark legislation aimed at addressing the historical injustice meted out to forest-dwelling communities in India. It recognizes and vests forest rights in Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs). Key Provisions of the …

Prelims – maps  It is a constructed waterwaythat connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across the Isthmus of Panama. It is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways in the world, the other being the Suez Canal.  It is approximately 80 kilometers long. The canal was built by the United States between 1904 and …

Prelims – Environment – Species  The Helmeted Water Toad (Calyptocephallela gayi) is a large frog species that lived alongside dinosaurs and is now called a “living fossil.” It is currently disappearing in its native Chile. Size: It is one of the largest frogs, growing over 1 foot long and weighing …

GS2 – GOVERNANCE  PAN 2.0 Project: Key Highlights Why in the News? The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the PAN 2.0 Project, proposed by the Income Tax Department. About PAN 2.0 Project: Objective: PAN 2.0 aims to modernize and integrate the …

GS 2 – GOVERNANCE  The article “Indians Need the Right to Disconnect,” published in The Hindu highlights the growing mental health issues and stress faced by Indian employees due to extended working hours and the inability to disconnect from work after office hours. Workplace Stress in India: Studies show that …

GS3 – AGRICULTURE  National Farmers’ Day (Kisan Diwas) was celebrated on 23rd December 2024 to honour farmers and commemorate the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh. Key Facts about Chaudhary Charan Singh: Overview: Born in 1902 in Noorpur, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, he was a prominent Indian politician and freedom fighter …

GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT – Species  The Ethiopian wolf, a rare and critically endangered species, serves as an unconventional pollinator, redefining traditional plant-pollinator interactions. These wolves feed on the nectar of Ethiopian red hot poker flowers, facilitating pollination by transferring pollen on their muzzles. The Ethiopian red-hot poker, a striking …

GS 3 – Internal security  Context: The Maharashtra Special Public Security Act (MSPC) Bill aims to deal with Naxalism in cities by declaring certain groups unlawful and targeting activities that disturb public order. Reasons for the MSPC Bill Urban Naxal Growth: Naxal groups are expanding into cities using front organizations. …

GS 3 – Economy  It’s a trade agreement that aims to reduce trade barriers and promote economic cooperation among 11 countries. It was signed in 2018 after the U.S. withdrew from the earlier TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership). Member Countries The 11 countries are: Australia Brunei Canada Chile Japan Malaysia Mexico New …