Editorials

GS 2 – INTERNATIONAL RELATION The Camp David Accords were a pair of political agreements signed on 17 September 1978 by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, following twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the U.S. presidential retreat in Maryland. The agreements were witnessed …

GS 2 – GOVERNANCE The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 regulates the import, production, sale, and distribution of drugs and cosmetics in India through licenses and permits. Purpose: The Act ensures that drugs and cosmetics in India are safe, effective, and meet national standards. Associated Rules (1945): The Drugs and …

GS 3-Space  Why in News? Recently, a Hyderabad-based private company handed over two 400 kg class satellites to ISRO. These satellites will participate in the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) scheduled for late 2024. About Space Docking Space docking refers to the precise connection of two spacecraft, whether manned or unmanned, …

GS 3-Infrastructure The Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project is a proposed 11,000 MW hydropower project on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, developed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). It will be India’s largest hydropower project upon completion. The project is aimed at countering China’s plans to divert the …

GS 2-Schemes Objective Provide internship opportunities to address youth unemployment and equip young people with practical skills in a real-world environment. Key Features Internship Opportunities: Aims to provide internships to 1 crore youth over the next five years. Stipend: Monthly stipend of ₹4,500 from the government. Additional ₹500 from companies …

GS 3-Conservation Location: Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India. Establishment: Declared a tiger reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger and a biosphere reserve in 1994. Area: Spans approximately 2,750 sq. km, with a core area of 1,194.75 sq. km and a buffer area of 1,255.25 sq. km. UNESCO Recognition: Part of the …

GS 3-Disaster Mangement On December 3, 1984, a catastrophic leak of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas occurred at a pesticide plant operated by Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL). Even after four decades, substantial amounts of toxic waste remain at the UCIL premises. This incident marked India’s first significant chemical (industrial) disaster. …

PRELIMS BITS: SCHEMES Key Points: Objective: PM-ABHIM aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure and prepare for future health emergencies across India. Delhi High Court Directive: The court ordered the AAP government to sign a MoU with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare by January 5, 2025, despite the Model Code …

PRELIMS BITS: SCIENCE & TECH ISRO has achieved a significant milestone with its LVM3 rocket, enabling it to deploy satellites into multiple orbits during a single mission. This was made possible by the development of a “multi-element ignitor” for the CE-20 Cryogenic engine, which allows for engine restarts in space. …

PRELIMS BITS: POLITY The Department of Posts (DoP) introduced reforms with the Post Office Act, 2023, effective June 18, 2024, to modernize the Indian postal system. The Post Office Rules, 2024, and Post Office Regulations, 2024, implemented on December 16, 2024, further support these changes. Key Objectives and Features The …

PRELIMS BITS: SCIENCE & TECH MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) is the reclassification of NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease), focusing on liver fat accumulation due to metabolic dysfunction, such as obesity and diabetes. It aims to reduce stigma by shifting the focus from alcohol-related causes. Risk Factors Belly fat …

PRELIMS BITS: BASIC SCIENCE Hydroponic farming is a soil-less method using nutrient-rich water to grow plants. In Tripura, it has shifted from small systems to larger setups (up to 560 sq meters) growing crops like lettuce, strawberries, and marigolds. It helps farmers overcome challenges from floods and adverse weather. Benefits …

PRELIMS BITS: MILITARY EXERCISE The SLINEX 24 naval exercise took place from December 17-20, 2024, in Visakhapatnam, involving the Indian and Sri Lankan navies. The exercise aimed to enhance cooperation, improve interoperability, and reinforce maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Phases Harbour Phase (Dec 17-18): Focused on professional exchanges and …

PRELIMS BITS: MILITARY EXERCISE A contingent of 334 Indian Army personnel is participating in the 18th Battalion-Level Joint Military Exercise, SURYA KIRAN, in Saljhandi, Nepal, from December 31, 2024, to January 13, 2025. This annual exercise alternates between India and Nepal. Key Details The Indian Army is led by the …

GS1 – SOCIETY Australia’s House of Representatives has passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill, 2024, aiming to protect children under 16 from social media. If approved by the Senate, it will create a legal framework to prevent children from accessing social media platforms. Key Provisions The …

GS2- SOCIAL JUSTICE Why in News? A recent NSSO survey highlights significant caste-based inequalities in employment rates and wages within India’s IT sector. Key Findings on Social Disparities in the IT Sector The study draws on data from two NSSO surveys: NSS 78th round (2020-21) and NSS 68th round (2011-12). …

GS 3 – Science and technology  NASA’s Parker Solar Probe (PSP) recently made its closest approach to the Sun, breaking previous records. Overview: Purpose: PSP is designed to study the Sun’s atmosphere, focusing on understanding why the Sun’s outer atmosphere (corona) is significantly hotter than its surface and tracing the …

GS 3 – Environment – Species The recovering population of sea otters in California, especially in the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, has played a critical role in controlling the proliferation of invasive green crabs. Sea Otters: History: Heavily hunted in the 18th and 19th centuries for their dense …

GS1 – ANCIENT HISTORY During an ongoing excavation, a water storage area between mounds was discovered, with an estimated depth of 3.5 to 4 feet, highlighting the advanced water management techniques of the civilization. Additionally, a dried riverbed of the Chautang (or Drishavati) River was uncovered. Water Management Practices of …

GS3 – ECONOMICS The Indian rupee has experienced its sharpest depreciation in the past two years, with its exchange rate against the US dollar crossing the 85 mark. Exchange Rate: The exchange rate refers to the value of one currency relative to another, effectively representing the price of one currency …