Editorials

GS 3 – Infrastructure   The Indian Railways recently conducted a trial run on the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir. About the Chenab Rail Bridge Location: Between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. Height: The bridge stands 359 metres above …

GS 3 Disaster management  The Disaster Management Act (DM Act) of 2005 was enacted by the Government of India to ensure effective disaster management and address related concerns. It became operational in January 2006. Objective: The Act aims to manage disasters through mitigation strategies, capacity building, and other related measures. …

GS 2 – International Relation  India-Sri Lanka relations are defined by a blend of historical connections, strategic partnerships, and economic collaborations. Below is a detailed outline: Historical Ties India and Sri Lanka share a long-standing history of cultural, religious, and trade interactions dating back to ancient times. Strong cultural connections …

GS 1 – geography  The Narmada River, also known as the Reva, is one of the most prominent rivers in India. Originating from the central highlands, it flows westward, cutting through the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, making it a vital geographical and cultural landmark. Origin: Amarkantak Plateau, Madhya Pradesh (elevation …

GS 2 – Governance  The “One Light, One Touch” regulation is a sustainability-driven initiative that focuses on reducing energy consumption and promoting efficient use of resources in public and private sectors. This concept primarily targets sectors such as urban governance, industrial operations, and personal households to enhance energy conservation and …

GS 2 – Schemes  The Namaste Scheme (National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India to eliminate hazardous manual scavenging and promote the adoption of modern and mechanized sanitation practices. Objectives Eradicate Manual Scavenging: Replace manual scavenging with mechanized cleaning …

GS 3 – disease  Haemophilia is a genetic disorder in which the blood does not clot properly due to the absence or deficiency of specific clotting factors. It leads to prolonged bleeding after injuries, surgeries, or even spontaneously. Types of Haemophilia Haemophilia A: Caused by a deficiency of Factor VIII. …

GS 1 Polity Recent Discussions The concept of the right to disconnect has been gaining attention as a way to enhance productivity and ensure the overall well-being of employees and employers. Understanding the Right to Disconnect Definition: The right to disconnect allows employees to disengage from work-related communications (emails, calls, …

GS 3 -Internal Security What is ONOS? The “One Nation One Subscription” (ONOS) scheme is a government initiative aimed at providing free access to scholarly journals and research articles for students, teachers, and researchers across India. Objective of ONOS Equal Access to Knowledge: To bridge the gap in access to …

GS 3 Environment On December 10, 2024, Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil won the United Nations’ (UN) highest environmental honor, the Champions of the Earth award. It is the highest environmental honor awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It recognizes individuals, organizations, and governments whose actions have had a transformative …

GS 2-Health Introduction: POSHAN Abhiyan, launched by the Government of India in March 2018, is a flagship program aimed at improving nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The term “POSHAN” stands for Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition. It is a multi-ministerial initiative aimed at addressing …

GS2 IR Context: In late November 2024, Syria’s “Military Opposition Command” initiated a large-scale offensive against Assad’s forces, reigniting conflict in the region. Travel Advisory: India’s Ministry of External Affairs has cautioned against all non-essential travel to Syria due to heightened risks from the escalating violence. Background: The Syrian Civil …

GS3 Science and Technology Key Context: Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have detected far ultraviolet (FUV) emissions from novae in the Andromeda Galaxy, marking a first in such observations. This achievement utilized data from AstroSat, India’s first space astronomy observatory, particularly its Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT). What …

GS 3 species Key Highlights: Oldest Wild Bird: Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, holds the record as the oldest known wild bird at 74 years old, having laid her 60th egg. Cultural Significance: Known as “Mōlī” in Hawaiian culture, these birds symbolize good luck and guidance. Biological Features Longevity: These birds …

GS2 governance Context: India faces significant unemployment challenges and a growing demand for industry-relevant skills. Innovative approaches like gamification and simulation-based training can bridge the skill gap and prepare the workforce for modern industry requirements. India’s Skilling Challenges Limited Reach of Skilling Programs: Only 21% of youth (15–29 years) received …

GS 3 Economy Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced an AI-powered solution, MuleHunter.AI, to address digital fraud involving mule bank accounts. Developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) in Bengaluru, this AI/ML-based tool is designed to be more precise than traditional rule-based systems, which often generate …

GS2-polity Context: In November 2024, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden issued an unconditional pardon for his son, covering federal offenses from 2014 to 2024, reigniting debates about the scope and use of presidential clemency. Presidential Pardons: Authorized under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, presidential pardons grant clemency …

Recent Development: The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) launched the CGIAR 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD) during the COP16 summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. About Drylands Definition: Areas characterized by water scarcity covering over 40% of Earth’s land surface. Global Drylands: Account for 46% of the …

Recent Update: The Supreme Court has directed the involvement of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and UNESCO’s Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for restoring two heritage buildings in Mysore. Overview of INTACH What is INTACH? An autonomous non-profit organization dedicated to preserving India’s culture and …

Recent Development: The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution recently launched Anna Chakra and the Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA (SCAN) portal, aimed at saving approximately ₹250 crore annually. Anna Chakra What is Anna Chakra? Purpose: A tool to optimize the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain …