GS 3 – Agriculture India has seen a remarkable surge in banana exports, achieving a tenfold increase over the past decade. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India aims to hit $1 billion in banana exports within the next five years, emphasizing the growing …
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Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
GS 3 – Environment A recent four-day faunal survey at the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary has provided valuable additions to the sanctuary’s biodiversity records, enhancing the understanding of its rich fauna. About Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: Situated in the southern part of the Western Ghats, in Kollam district, Kerala. Area: Approximately …
Read More »Tobacco Board of India
GS 3 – Economy The Tobacco Board of India has been actively engaged in strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring the sustainability and growth of the tobacco industry in India. About Tobacco Board of India: Established: 1st January 1976, under the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 (Act 4 of 1975). Leadership: The …
Read More »Ramesh Chand Committee: Revising the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Transitioning to Producer Price Index (PPI)
GS 3 – Economy Context: The Indian government has set up an 18-member expert panel, headed by NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand, tasked with revising the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and exploring a shift towards the Producer Price Index (PPI). Wholesale Price Index (WPI) The WPI measures the changes in …
Read More »Exercise Varuna 2025
GS 3 – Defence Why in news: Exercise Varuna 2025 is the 42nd annual naval exercise between the Indian and French Navies, highlighting their strong strategic partnership and boosting their operational coordination. Key Highlights: Participants: French Navy: Carrier Strike Group (CSG) led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FNS Charles de …
Read More »Coastline-Waders Bird Census
GS 3 – Environment Why in news: India is set to conduct its first-ever Coastline-Waders Bird Census in Gujarat’s Jamnagar district from January 3 to 5, 2025. Location: The census will take place in the Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary, India’s first designated marine national park, covering approximately 170 …
Read More »Asian Elephant
GS 3 – Environment – Species The Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), the largest land mammal in Asia, holds significant ecological, cultural, and conservation importance, especially in India. Physical Characteristics: Size: Males can reach heights up to 9 feet, while females grow up to 7.9 feet. Weight: Ranges between 3,000 to …
Read More »Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
GS 3 – Science and technology Genetically Modified (GM) Crops refer to plants whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce desired traits. These traits may include resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, improvement of crop yield, or enhancement of nutritional content. Key Features of …
Read More »ISRO Missions
GS 3 – Science and technology Why in News? ISRO concluded its 2024 launch schedule with the successful completion of the PSLV C60 mission. Key ISRO Missions of 2024 PSLV C58 and POEM-3 PSLV C58: The year began with the launch of XPoSat. POEM-3: The PSLV C58 mission also conducted …
Read More »Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
GS 3 – Economy The WPI measures the average change in the price of goods at the wholesale level, i.e., before they reach the retail market. Scope: It tracks changes in the prices of goods traded in bulk, typically between businesses rather than between consumers. Components of WPI Categories: …
Read More »POEM-4 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module)
GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SPACE The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) announced the successful deployment of 10 hosted payloads by Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) on the POEM-4 module during ISRO’s PSLV-C60/SpaDeX mission. This achievement highlights a growing private sector role in India’s space exploration. What …
Read More »UNFCCC COP29
GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, with significant outcomes, including the adoption of the Baku Climate Unity Pact. About the Conference of the Parties (COP) Supreme Decision-Making Body: COP is the primary decision-making platform under the United Nations Framework Convention on …
Read More »RESTRUCTURED WEATHER-BASED CROP INSURANCE SCHEME (RWBCIS)
GS 3 – AGRICULTURE The Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) is an innovative crop insurance initiative introduced by the Government of India to protect farmers from weather-related risks. It is part of India’s larger strategy for agricultural risk management and complements other insurance schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal …
Read More »WAYANAD LANDSLIDES CATEGORIZED AS SEVERE DISASTER
GS3 – DISASTER MANAGEMENT The recent designation of the Wayanad landslides as a disaster of “severe nature” highlights the gravity of the situation and triggers enhanced governmental response. This decision follows widespread criticism over insufficient financial support for victims. The catastrophic event, which occurred on July 30, resulted in over …
Read More »FINANCIAL STABILITY REPORT (FSR) – DECEMBER 2024
GS3 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has published its Financial Stability Report (FSR) for December 2024, offering insights into the health, risks, and resilience of India’s financial sector. What is the Financial Stability Report (FSR)? Frequency: Released biannually (June and December). Purpose: Evaluates risks to the …
Read More »2024 – A YEAR OF CLIMATE CRISIS: UN REPORT
MAINS – GS3 – ENVIRONMENT The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the intensifying climate crisis, marked by unprecedented weather extremes and alarming greenhouse gas emissions. Global leaders are being urged to take swift action to mitigate the escalating environmental disaster. Key Highlights of the Report Extreme Weather …
Read More »Transformative Change for Biodiversity – IPBES REPORT
MAINS – GS3 – ENVIRONMENT Pacific Marine Heatwave and its Impact: The 2014-2016 Pacific marine heatwave wiped out approximately four million seabirds in Alaska, highlighting the severe ecological consequences of climate change on marine life. Intergovernmental Report on Biodiversity Loss: The report, known as the Assessment Report on the Underlying …
Read More »ISRO’S SPADEX (SPACE DOCKING EXPERIMENT)
GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Why in News? ISRO is set to launch the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission, a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts. This mission will demonstrate satellite docking technology, essential for future space missions. SpaDeX is a technology demonstrator mission developed by ISRO to …
Read More »THIRD-PARTY APPLICATION PROVIDER (TPAP)
GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY A TPAP is an entity that offers UPI-compliant applications to end-users for facilitating payment transactions via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). These applications include mobile wallets, merchant platforms, or other services that utilize UPI for payments. The UPI platform is owned and operated by …
Read More »Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX)
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, …
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