GS-3: Indian Economy Key Points: SEBI accuses Pranav Adani, a director in multiple Adani Group companies and Gautam Adani’s nephew, of insider trading linked to the 2021 SB Energy Holdings acquisition by Adani Green Energy. Allegations state Pranav traded using unpublished price-sensitive information (UPSI) before the deal’s announcement, violating insider …
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INDIAN SCIENTISTS ADVANCE BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACE FOR PARALYSIS PATIENTS
GS-3: Science and Technology Key Points: Indian-origin scientist Nikhilesh Natraj and the UCSF team developed a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) enabling a paralyzed individual to control a robotic arm through imagined movements. The system operated reliably for months with minimal recalibration, a significant advancement in assistive technology. Sensors detect neural signals …
Read More »PORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO FUEL INDIA’S PROGRESS, SAYS PM
GS-3: Infrastructure Key Points: PM Modi inaugurated the ₹8,800-crore Vizhinjam International Deepwater Seaport in Kerala, marking India’s first specialized container transshipment facility. Developed through a PPP model by Adani Ports in collaboration with the Kerala government. Modi stressed that port-driven development will be pivotal for India’s maritime and economic advancement …
Read More »Agent Orange and Its Lasting Impact
GS 3 – DEFENCE Context: Fifty years after the Vietnam War (1955-1975), millions of Vietnamese continue to suffer from the devastating effects of Agent Orange. This toxic herbicide was sprayed by U.S. forces to destroy forests and food crops that provided cover and sustenance to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong …
Read More »Phthalates and Their Impact on Health
GS3 – Environment Context: A recent study has linked daily exposure to phthalates, particularly di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), to approximately 350,000 deaths worldwide due to heart disease in 2018. India accounted for the highest number of these deaths (103,587), followed by China and Indonesia. What Are Phthalates? Phthalates are chemicals commonly …
Read More »Global Geoparks Network
GS3 – Environment Context: UNESCO has included 16 new sites from 11 countries in its Global Geoparks Network. Notably, North Korea has joined for the first time, and Saudi Arabia introduced two new geoparks. In 2025, UNESCO celebrated the 10th anniversary of its International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, a key …
Read More »UNODC Report on Transnational Organised Crime
GS 3 – INTERNAL SECURITY Context (UNODC): The 2025 UNODC report titled “Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking, and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia” highlights the escalating threat posed by transnational organised crime (TOC) in East and Southeast Asia. The United Nations Office on Drugs …
Read More »Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI)
GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (GEI): GEI measures the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted per unit of product, such as per tonne of cement or …
Read More »RBI’s Guidelines for Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs)
Context: The RBI has unveiled a draft Master Direction for Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) and is inviting feedback from stakeholders until May 31. What are ETPs? Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) are digital systems that enable the buying and selling of various financial instruments, including securities, money market instruments, foreign exchange …
Read More »REINTRODUCTION OF RED-CROWNED ROOFED TURTLES
UPSC Relevance GS-3: Environment (biodiversity conservation, species protection) GS-2: Governance (wildlife conservation policies) Key Points Twenty red-crowned roofed turtles were reintroduced into the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh to bolster conservation efforts. Detailed Insights Native to India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the turtle is found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins. …
Read More »AIM4NATURE INITIATIVE
UPSC Relevance GS-3: Environment (biodiversity restoration, global frameworks) GS-2: International Relations (FAO initiatives) Key Points Launched by the FAO on Earth Day 2025, AIM4NatuRe aims to enhance monitoring of ecosystem restoration using advanced technology and standardized data frameworks. Detailed Insights Supports the Global Biodiversity Framework’s Target 2 to restore 30% …
Read More »SIMILIPAL TIGER RESERVE NOTIFIED AS NATIONAL PARK
UPSC Relevance GS-3: Environment (biodiversity conservation, protected areas) GS-2: Governance (Wildlife Protection Act, state policies) Key Points Odisha designated 845.70 sq km of the 2,750 sq km Similipal Tiger Reserve as a National Park, making it the state’s largest, surpassing Bhitarkanika. It is India’s 107th National Park and Odisha’s second, …
Read More »INDIAN CYBER CRIME COORDINATION CENTRE (I4C) UNDER PMLA
UPSC Relevance GS-3: Security (cybercrime, financial crimes) GS-2: Governance (PMLA, institutional frameworks) Key Points The Union Ministry of Finance included I4C under Section 66 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, enabling information sharing with the Enforcement Directorate and other agencies. Detailed Insights Established in 2020 under the …
Read More »World Economic Outlook (WEO)
GS3 – Indian Economy Context: The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest World Economic Outlook, has downgraded growth projections for many countries, including India. Key Insights: Global Growth Forecast: The IMF has lowered its global growth estimate, reducing it by 0.5 percentage points to 2.8% for 2025, and by …
Read More »ALH Dhruv
GS3 – Science & Technology Operations of the Dhruv helicopter have resumed in Anantnag. Key Details: The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv is a domestically developed multi-purpose utility aircraft, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is specifically engineered for a variety of missions and operational roles. Development started in …
Read More »Coenzymes in Human Nutrition
GS3 – Science & Technology Context: Researchers in China have successfully developed rice varieties that naturally produce Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) through advanced genetic modification techniques, including CRISPR-Cas9. This breakthrough positions biofortified crops as potential functional foods, aiming to combat nutritional deficiencies and enhance public health. About Coenzymes Coenzymes are organic, …
Read More »4th Global Coral Bleaching Event
GS3 – Environment Context: The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), along with the International Coral Reef Initiative, has officially confirmed that the world is experiencing its fourth global coral bleaching event. Currently, around 84% of the world’s coral reefs have been impacted, with mass bleaching observed across at …
Read More »Sunrise Sector Strategy for Boosting India’s Manufacturing
GS3 – IE Context: The Finance Minister has outlined a vision to expand the manufacturing sector’s contribution to India’s GDP from the current 12% to 23% by 2047, with an emphasis on nurturing sunrise industries. Vision 2047: Transforming India through Manufacturing Goal: Achieve a 23% GDP contribution from manufacturing by …
Read More »Lyrid Meteor Shower
GS3 – Science & Technology Context: The Lyrid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak in the early hours of April 22, with Indian observers potentially witnessing up to 20 meteors per hour between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM under clear, dark skies — no telescopes required. About the …
Read More »Eco-Friendly Recycling of Perovskite Solar Cells
GS3 – Environment Context: A recent study, as reported in The Hindu, has introduced an environmentally friendly, water-based recycling method for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), offering a sustainable alternative to conventional toxic processes. Understanding Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs): Structure: Thin-film solar cells comprising a perovskite crystal layer sandwiched between conductive …
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