Editorials

Context:  Researchers at IIT Roorkee have made a breakthrough by detecting and analyzing proton emission from Astatine-188 (¹⁸⁸At), the heaviest known proton-emitting isotope to date. This discovery is significant as it represents the first instance of ground-state proton radioactivity being observed in such a massive isotope. Key Facts About Astatine …

Background The replacement of the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog in 2015 signified a major shift in governance—moving from a centralized planning model to a more cooperative and inclusive framework. Understanding Federalism Federalism refers to a governance structure where authority is distributed between a central government and regional entities. While …

Context:  Despite international pledges such as the Paris Agreement (2015) and COP26/27/28, India grapples with worsening carbon emissions, ecological destruction, and environmental instability. Key Environmental Challenges The UNEP identifies a Triple Planetary Crisis—three interlinked emergencies: Climate Change – Fueled by rising greenhouse gas emissions, leading to global warming, extreme weather, sea-level rise, and threats to food and …

Context:  The reservation policy under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, aimed at integrating children from disadvantaged backgrounds into mainstream schooling, has fallen short of its goal of creating an inclusive education system. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009, marked a significant milestone in …

Emerging research suggests that nanoplastics, microscopic plastic particles, may enhance the harmfulness of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common foodborne bacterium. This interaction could have significant implications for public health. How Nanoplastics Affect E. Coli coli bacteria possess negatively charged cell membranes, which act as magnets for positively charged nanoplastics. …

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has emerged as a crucial tool for debt recovery and fostering credit discipline in India. While it has significantly improved the resolution of corporate distress, its effectiveness is still hampered by persistent issues like judicial delays and legal uncertainties.1 The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code …

China’s Brahmaputra Projects India faces significant concerns due to China’s extensive dam construction on the Brahmaputra River, particularly with the newly planned Medog (Motuo) Hydropower Project.1 This massive 60,000-MW facility, slated to be the world’s largest, is located near the “Great Bend” of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) before it enters …

India’s textile industry is a major contributor to global waste, generating approximately 7,800 kilotonnes annually, which accounts for about 8.5% of the world’s total textile waste. This makes textiles the third-largest component of dry municipal solid waste in the country. Despite the vast quantities generated, only a fraction of this …

Recent Developments The Union environment ministry has recently declared two wetlands in Rajasthan—Kichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur—as newly designated Ramsar sites. Menar Wetland Located in Rajasthan, the Menar Wetland is a freshwater monsoon wetland complex consisting of three ponds—Braham talab, Dhand talab, and Kheroda talab—linked by agricultural land. …

India has been elected to lead the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) as President for the 2025–2028 term. Overview of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences    Established in 1930, the IIAS is a global federation comprising 31 member countries, 20 national sections, and 15 academic research centers, working …

The International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in collaboration with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), has recently established a Centre of Excellence to advance agricultural transformation in developing nations through South-South cooperation. Overview of ICRISAT  Founded on March 28, 1972, through a Memorandum of …

The Ministry of Coal has recently launched the upgraded C CARES Version 2.0 portal. Overview of C CARES Version 2.0 C CARES Version 2.0 is the enhanced web platform of the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organization (CMPFO). Designed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), the portal seeks …

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is evaluating the potential procurement of the ‘Ice Breaker,’ an advanced air-launched cruise missile developed by Israel. Overview of the Ice Breaker Missile Designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Ice Breaker is a next-generation, long-range precision strike missile. It is an autonomous, multi-platform system …

Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, recently experienced a powerful eruption, ejecting a massive plume of ash, smoke, and volcanic debris several kilometers into the atmosphere. Key Facts about Mount Etna Geographical Location: Situated on the eastern coastline of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, Mount …

The Economic Community of West African States recently marked its 50th year since establishment. Overview of ECOWAS Formed through the Lagos Treaty signed on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, Nigeria, ECOWAS is a regional organization focused on fostering cooperation and integration among West African nations. Objectives The primary goal of …

The central government has issued a call for proposals to establish District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) in 291 underserved districts across 30 States and Union Territories. This initiative is part of the broader National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). Overview of the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction …

The Central Government has recently initiated the ‘Clean Plant Programme’ targeting grape, orange, and pomegranate cultivation in Maharashtra. Overview of the Clean Plant Programme This programme is a government-led initiative designed to improve the supply of high-quality, disease-free planting materials for horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. The …

Several prominent leaders from Jammu and Kashmir recently joined a large gathering of Kashmiri Pandits at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Jyeshta Ashtami. About Kheer Bhawani Temple Located in the village of Tulla Mulla near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, the Kheer Bhawani …

Although the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) was introduced in 2021 and a nationwide scheme for financial aid is in place, more than 300 patients—most of them children—suffering from Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) still lack access to essential medical treatment. What are Lysosomal Storage Disorders? Lysosomal Storage Disorders are …

A Kozhikode-based ornithologist has recorded the first-ever sighting of the rare migratory bird Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) in Kerala. Overview of Caspian Gull The Caspian Gull is a large, white-headed gull species and is considered among the rarest gulls to appear in India. Habitat: This species typically breeds on flat, …