GS 3 – INFRASTRUCTURE Why in the News? The Prime Minister is set to inaugurate the Z-Morh Tunnel on January 13, 2025, a project that began in 2018. Overview: The Z-Morh Tunnel, named after the Z-shaped stretch it replaces, is located between Gagangir and Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir. It …
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ISRO’s CROPS: A Landmark Achievement in Space Agriculture
GS 3 – Science and technology The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant breakthrough in space-based agriculture through its Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) experiment. The successful germination of three out of eight cowpea seeds in space under microgravity conditions marks a major milestone …
Read More »Gravitational Lensing
GS 3 – Science and technology Gravitational Lensing is the bending, distortion, and magnification of light from a distant source due to the curvature of spacetime caused by the mass of an intervening object. Spacetime, a combination of the three dimensions of space and time, curves in the presence of …
Read More »MEME COINS
GS 3 ECONOMY Definition Meme coins are digital currencies created as a humorous or satirical tribute to internet culture. They are also referred to as memetic tokens or community coins. Features Inspiration and Branding: Named and branded based on internet memes, jokes, or cultural phenomena. Designed for virality with quirky …
Read More »World’s First Cryo-Born Baby Corals Successfully Settled on the Great Barrier Reef
GS3- ENVIRONMENT This groundbreaking achievement in coral conservation and restoration represents a significant step toward mitigating the impacts of climate change on coral ecosystems. Australian researchers have pioneered this technique to restore damaged reefs. About Cryo-Born Corals Cryo-Born Corals: Created using cryopreservation techniques, which involve freezing coral cells and tissues …
Read More »CLIMATE CHANGE DISRUPTS EARTH’S WATER CYCLE
GS3 ENVIRONMENT Climate change is severely disrupting the planet’s water cycle, leading to a cascade of consequences for ecosystems, human populations, and global water resources. According to the 2024 Global Water Monitor Report, compiled by researchers from Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, and Germany using data from ground stations and satellites, …
Read More »KARAINAGAR BOATYARD IN SRI LANKA
GS 2 – INTERNATIONAL RELATION India has pledged financial assistance of 290 million Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) to rehabilitate and develop the Karainagar Boatyard in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. Significance: Manufacturing Boost: Karainagar Boatyard holds historical importance for boat manufacturing, contributing significantly to the region’s economy. Livelihood Enhancement: The initiative …
Read More »Banihal Bypass
GS 3 – Infrastructure Context: The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways recently announced the completion of the 4-lane, 2.35 km Banihal Bypass on NH-44. The Banihal Bypass is a four-lane road measuring 2.35 km that bypasses Banihal town in Jammu & Kashmir. It addresses long-standing traffic congestion in …
Read More »KM3NeT Project
GS 3 – Science and technology Overview: Scientists are deploying two telescopes as part of the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT) project to detect high-energy neutrinos, also known as ghost particles, beneath the Mediterranean Sea. The KM3NeT is a research infrastructure that hosts next-generation neutrino telescopes with a volume of …
Read More »Golden Jackal
GS 3 – Environment – Species Contect: Environmentalists have observed that golden jackals appear to be adapting to their changing environments, showing less fear of humans and adjusting their behaviours accordingly. The golden jackal, also known as the common jackal, is a medium-sized canid resembling a wolf. While generally nocturnal …
Read More »Abdali (Hatf 2) Missile
GS 3 – Defence Overview: Amid rising tensions in India-Bangladesh relations, reports suggest that Dhaka is considering purchasing the Abdali Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs), also known as Hatf 2 missiles, from Pakistan. The Abdali missile, also referred to as Hatf 2, is a short-range, road-mobile, solid propellant ballistic missile. …
Read More »RoDTEP Scheme Expired
GS 3 – Economy Context: The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme, which provided crucial support to exporters operating under advance authorization, export-oriented units, and special economic zones schemes, expired on December 31, 2024. With no clear indication of an extension, exporters now face heightened uncertainty. …
Read More »In-flight Internet Connectivity
GS 3 – Science and technology Context: Tata Group’s Air India has announced the provision of free in-flight internet services on both domestic and international flights. Connectivity Technologies: In-flight internet is facilitated by two primary technologies: air-to-ground (ATG) and satellite-based connectivity. Both require special antennae to be installed on the …
Read More »Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA)
GS 3 – Environment – Schemes Context: UJALA: 10 Years of Energy-Efficient Lighting Launched in 2015, UJALA is a zero-subsidy initiative. Also known as the LED-based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), it is the world’s largest domestic lighting initiative. Objective: To promote energy efficiency in households by reducing energy consumption, …
Read More »NEW E-AUCTION PORTAL ‘BAANKNET’ LAUNCHED
GS3 – ECONOMICS The Government of India has launched Baanknet, a revamped e-auction portal to streamline the auction of properties by public sector banks (PSBs). This platform aims to enhance transparency, simplify processes, and boost investor confidence in the real estate market. Key Features of Baanknet Integrated Platform: Combines pre-auction, …
Read More »NEW AMENDMENTS TO INDIA’S FOREIGN TRADE POLICY (FTP)
GS3 – ECONOMICS The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has amended the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 to strengthen stakeholder engagement and improve the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB). These changes aim to make trade policy formulation more inclusive and adaptive, reflecting the government’s long-term vision for sustainable trade …
Read More »Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAW)
GS 3 – AGRICULTURE Why in News? The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has released the draft NPFAW for public feedback. Highlights of the Draft NPFAW Vision – Create a strong marketing system to help farmers access diverse markets and get the best prices for their produce. Key Features …
Read More »Rafale fighter jet
GS 3 – DEFENCE Ahead of PM’s Paris trip, Rafale, Scorpene deals reach final leg The Rafale fighter jet is a 4.5-generation, twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft designed and manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation. Its acquisition by India has strategic, technological, and geopolitical implications. Below is a detailed analysis …
Read More »Project VISTAAR
GS 3 – Agriculture The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has recently announced a significant collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to launch Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources). About Project VISTAAR: Project VISTAAR is a digital platform designed to integrate and provide …
Read More »Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024 Report
GS 3 – Economy The LEADS 2024 report, released by the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, is the 6th edition of the series aimed at evaluating the logistics performance across Indian states and Union Territories (UTs). It was conceived by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade …
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