Editorials

Event: To commemorate the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation, an exhibition featuring 115 oil paintings was organized by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA). Guidance: The paintings were created under the guidance of Padma Vibhushan Babasaheb Purandare. …

Kerala Assembly Resolution: The Kerala Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Centre to rename the state as “Keralam’’ in the Constitution. Constitutional Provision: Article 3: Empowers the Centre to change the name of existing states. This requires an amendment to the name of the state listed under Article …

Relevancy for Mains: Need for an Internal Security Plan, Importance of having a National Security Doctrine (NSD) for India, etc. India enjoys a position of international prestige unseen since independence, and the economy thrives. Notably, China has acknowledged India’s resolve to resist undue pressure. However, to capitalize on this momentum, …

Australian researchers have uncovered the origin of pink garnet sand found on South Australian beaches, tracing it back to ancient mountains in Antarctica. Their findings have shed light on the timing of the Australian tectonic plate’s subduction beneath the Pacific plate and unveiled previously unknown ancient mountains in Antarctica. Pink …

Context: The 50th G7 Leaders’ Summit recently concluded in Apulia, Italy, with India’s participation as an Outreach Country. On January 1, 2024, Italy took over the Presidency from Japan for the seventh time and will pass it to Canada on December 31, 2024. History and Evolution of the G7 The …

Context In the 2024 elections, 11 candidates have applied to verify the memory of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units. The Supreme Court introduced this verification option for losing candidates (those placed second and third) in the Association for Democratic Reforms vs. Election Commission …

Context: Indian industry bodies have expressed concerns regarding the Angel Tax, particularly its recent expansion in the Finance Bill 2023. This development comes amidst a decline in startup funding and job losses. Understanding Angel Tax: Angel Tax refers to the income tax levied on unlisted companies that issue shares to …

The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) marks a significant development in the strategic partnership between India and the United States. Launched in January 2023, this framework aims to foster collaboration in cutting-edge technological areas critical for economic growth, national security, and global leadership. What is iCET? iCET establishes …

Context Electric vehicle (EV) owners are increasingly concerned about the impact of extreme temperatures on lithium-ion batteries. These batteries function optimally at ambient temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius. Lithium-ion batteries are particularly heat-sensitive, while solid-state batteries exhibit greater resilience. Impact of Extreme Heat on Lithium-ion Batteries Longevity Loss: High …

The National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA), also referred to as the National Quantum Mission (NQM), is a government of India initiative launched in 2023. This ambitious mission aims to propel India to the forefront of quantum technology development. Objectives: Seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial …

What is Identity Politics? Identity politics refers to political strategies that focus on the interests and perspectives of specific social groups based on shared characteristics like caste, religion, language, gender, or ethnicity. These groups mobilize and advocate for policies that address historical injustices, promote cultural recognition, and achieve social and …

Why was the NOTA Option Introduced, and Its Consequences GS2 : About NOTA and its consequences with respect to the Voters Right to Secrecy, Implications of Large Number of Votes to NOTA Option, etc. The BJP’s Shankar Lalwani has won in Indore with a massive 10.09 lakh margin, receiving 12,26,751 …

Introduction In the Pune Porsche accident case, there have been suggestions that the accused should be tried as an adult rather than as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 is a comprehensive legislation enacted by the Indian Parliament, …

Reserve Bank of India Surplus Transfer: A Boon or Bane? GS3 :Reserve Bank Of India (RBI), Income and Expenditure of Central Bank, RBI Surplus Transfer To Government, Sources and Uses of RBI Surplus, Significance of RBI’s Surplus Transfer The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) recent announcement of a record-breaking ₹2.11 …

The First International AI Treaty In a significant development, the Council of Europe (CoE) adopted the first-ever international treaty specifically addressing Artificial Intelligence (AI). This groundbreaking convention, crafted collaboratively over two years, establishes a legal framework for AI that intersects with human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law. …

GS Paper 2 : Mains: Issues with Collegium system, Global Examples of appointing Judges Recently, a retiring Calcutta High Court judge revealed that he has always been a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Timeline for changes in Political Ideology in Judicial Appointments in India Historical Context Pre-1970s: Political …

Introduction China’s High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) marks a significant leap forward in scientific research capabilities. This next-generation synchrotron light source promises to unlock new avenues of discovery across various fields. To understand HEPS, let’s delve deeper into the world of synchrotron light and its applications. What is Synchrotron Light? …

Can parties be de-recognised or de-registered? GS Paper -2 Electoral Process: The deregistration of political parties is a mechanism within the electoral system that governs how parties register, function, and potentially lose their official recognition. Understanding this process is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of Indian elections. Role of Election …

Introduction Three Indian literary works, Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahdayaloka-Locana, were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register during the tenth meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), held earlier this week in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.The inclusion of Indian literary in UNESCO …