Editorials

Context: A new species of damselfly, Caliphaea sinuofurcata, has been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh. About Caliphaea sinuofurcata Common Name: Bearded Bronzeback Damselfly Taxonomy: Belongs to the genus Caliphaea in the family Calopterygidae, known for broad-winged damselflies. This is only the second species of this genus reported in India, with the …

GS  2- POLITY Constitutional Provisions Articles 93 to 96 of the Indian Constitution deal with the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, elected from among its members. Election & Tenure Elected by Lok Sabha members after a general …

GS 3 – ECONOMY   Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) are privately pooled investment vehicles established in India that collect funds from investors—both Indian and foreign—for investing in accordance with a defined investment policy. They offer exposure to asset classes beyond traditional investments like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. AIFs are …

GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT   Mouling National Park is a significant protected area in Arunachal Pradesh, India, renowned for its rich biodiversity and ecological importance. Location & Geography Situated in: Upper Siang district, with extensions into West Siang and East Siang districts. Area: Approximately 483 km². Altitude Range: 750 to …

PRELIMS BITS   Mosura fentoni is a newly discovered Cambrian sea creature belonging to the Radiodonta group. It was found in the Burgess Shale, a famous fossil site in Canada, known for its well-preserved early life forms. The discovery sheds light on the early evolution of arthropods and their body …

GS 1 – GEOGRAPHY   Cyclonic rainfall occurs due to the convergence of contrasting air masses (warm and cold) that results in the formation of a low-pressure system, leading to cloud formation and precipitation. This type of rainfall is associated with cyclones, particularly temperate cyclones (mid-latitude cyclones) and sometimes tropical …

GS 2 – POLITY   Constitutional Provisions Article 52: There shall be a President of India. Article 53: The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President. Election of the President Indirect Election through an Electoral College: Elected members of both Houses of Parliament. Elected members of …

Algeria has officially become a member of the New Development Bank (NDB), supported by the BRICS nations, marking a significant step in expanding the bank’s reach into North Africa. Overview of the New Development Bank The New Development Bank, initially called the BRICS Development Bank, is a multilateral financial institution …

China is preparing to launch its Tianwen-2 mission, which focuses on exploring and collecting samples from the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo‘oalewa. Overview of Tianwen-2 Mission Launch Vehicle: Long March 3B rocket Launch Site: Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, Sichuan Province, China Agency: China National Space Administration (CNSA) Mission Goals: To conduct …

The 10th meeting of NITI Aayog’s Governing Council was recently conducted in New Delhi, presided over by the Prime Minister. The session was themed “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047.” About NITI Aayog NITI Aayog serves as the principal policy think tank of the Government of India. It was established in …

Radheshyam Pemani Bishnoi, a 28-year-old wildlife conservationist from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, tragically lost his life in a road accident while on an anti-poaching mission. He was a key figure in the GIB Community Conservation Programme. About the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a large ground-dwelling …

Nagshankar Temple, located in the Biswanath district of northeastern Assam, has recently been recognized as a model site for turtle conservation efforts. About Nagshankar Temple This historic Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is positioned on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam’s Biswanath district. It …

A recent film was subjected to 16 modifications by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), primarily due to caste-sensitive dialogues and politically charged content, before receiving approval for release. Overview of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) The Central Board of Film Certification, commonly known as the CBFC, …

Renowned as a “birdwatcher’s paradise,” Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan is increasingly becoming a refuge for turtles as well. The park now provides a habitat for eight of the ten turtle species found in the state. Overview of Keoladeo National Park Keoladeo National Park, also known as the Bharatpur Bird …

A new study featured in Science Advances and conducted by researchers at Duke University has revealed unique geochemical traits in lithium-rich brines located in salt flats across South America and Asia. Overview of Lithium Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal known for being the lightest metal and having the …

For the financial year 2024–25, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a substantial transfer of ₹2.69 lakh crore to the Union Government as surplus, commonly referred to as a dividend. Understanding Dividends in Public Finance In the realm of public finance, a dividend signifies a share of profits …

India has officially taken over as the Chair of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for the 2025–26 term. This development was announced during the 67th Session of the APO Governing Body Meeting, which is currently underway. Overview of the Asian Productivity Organization The APO is a regional intergovernmental entity established …

A group of astronomers and astrophysicists from multiple Chinese research institutions has recently identified a binary star system featuring a unique combination: one of the stars is a rapidly spinning millisecond pulsar, while the other consists primarily of helium. Understanding Binary Star Systems A binary star system consists of two …

Recent research has revealed that Alicella gigantea, a rarely seen giant amphipod, is more widespread than previously believed, inhabiting 59% of the world’s oceans. Overview of Alicella gigantea Alicella gigantea is an exceptionally large deep-sea amphipod crustacean, capable of growing up to 34 centimeters in length, ranking it among the …

Research scholars from various parts of India have expressed concern over the prolonged delay—ranging from 8 to 13 months—in receiving fellowships under the INSPIRE program, which is administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Overview of the INSPIRE Scheme The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) …