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Context: A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) points out that about 5% of birds found in the country are endemic and are not reported in other parts of the world. The publication, titled 75 Endemic Birds of India, was recently released on the 108th foundation day of the ZSI. Birds in …

Source: Hindu Syllabus: Agriculture- Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping Context As the data on diabetes epidemic in India are frightening, the government can provide a healthier and more balanced basket of products in the Public Distribution System (PDS) by including millets, and make available facilities such as public …

Context:  Hybrid EVs present a big opportunity for economically developing countries for the transition to becoming net-zero. What is net-zero for a vehicle? Net-zero for a vehicle includes emissions at both the tailpipe of the vehicle and at the power plant. Making vehicles net-zero requires cutting emissions from both new and existing vehicles. Different types of EVs What …

Context: Recently a mobile application for Ullas was launched. Key details: Full Form:  The ULLAS – Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society Aim: To promote basic literacy. This is a user-friendly and interactive app which will serve as a digital gateway for learners to engage in diverse learning resources through the DIKSHA portal of NCERT. …

Context:  Recently, OpenAI CEO decided to formally re-introduce Worldcoin, a project of his that was eclipsed by the popularity of ChatGPT. About Worldcoin: Worldcoin is an initiative to create a digital network in which everyone can claim some kind of stake, and join the digital economy. Using a device called “Orb,” Worldcoin volunteers known as …

Why in NEWS The Opposition asked the Union government whether a consensus has been reached on the border dispute (LAC) between India and China. LAC The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de facto border between India and China. It is a notional demarcation line that separates Indian-controlled territory …

Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) was recently launched on the sidelines of the fourth G-20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers’ meeting. Circular Economy Circular Economy aims to eliminate all forms of junk from the market. Junk refers to any inefficient utilization of resources or assets. It is …

Union Minister of Earth Sciences informed the Lok Sabha about Samudrayaan project. Deep Ocean Mission has been launched in 2021 as a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Earth Sciences. Samudrayaan is a project under the Deep Ocean Mission. The Samudrayaan mission is India’s first manned ocean mission, with the goal of sending men deep into the ocean in …

Why in NEWS Union Home Minister told the Lok Sabha on Monday that the government was ready for a discussion on Manipur on the floor of the House as the country needs to know the “truth about the sensitive situation in the State”. What is happening in Manipur Manipur, a …

Manipur is burning but the rest of India did not care. The violence in the State began on May 3, 2023, but the nation was in deep slumber till July 19. It took a video clip of sexual violence by a mob to surface and go viral on social media …

In September, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive the first C-295 transport aircraft and ahead of it, six pilots have been trained in Seville by Airbus and training of a 20-member maintenance crew is currently under way. Ground breaking ceremony for a training centre at Air Force Station, Agra, …

A determined battle by environmentalists in the Supreme Court of India against Delhi University’s genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant (HT) mustard is all that stands between GM food and Indian farmers and consumers. GM crops are quite different from conventional varieties and hybrids, such as those developed by farmers, agricultural research …

NITI Aayog is releasing the third edition of Export Preparedness Index (EPI) for States/UTs of India for the year 2022. Report Highlights The report discusses India’s export performance amid the prevailing global trade context in FY22, followed by an overview of the country’s sector-specific export performance. The report further highlights …

The Ministry of Steel has written to the Finance Ministry asking it to look at the possibility of levying customs duty on Chinese stainless steel shipments coming into India. Such a duty will benefit the domestic stainless steel industry which has been badly hit by such imports and is “facing …

One more cheetah has been found dead in the Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, The fifth adult to have died since 20 of the beasts were translocated from Namibia and South Africa a year ago. The latest death of the cheetah, named Surya, comes two days after Tejas, was found …

The latest Consumer Price Index data showing a resurgence in retail inflation proves exactly why the RBI’s monetary authorities have reiterated the need to keep the policy approach firmly tilted towards ensuring price stability. CPI-based provisional inflation With food prices becoming unmoored and spiralling up, June’s CPI-based provisional inflation reading …

Semi-high-speed trains operating at an average speed of 125 km per hour will be able to cover the approximately 420-km Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur distance in three-and-a-half hours through standard gauge tracks in another six years The trains would be able to attain a maximum speed of 200 kmph and would halt at …

Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited (TTDC) plans to allow tourism in the eco-sensitive area surrounding Pakkasuran Malai, a hill near Coonoor. Ecotourism Ecotourism is now defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education”. Principles …

Union Environment Minister planted mangrove saplings at Kovalam as part of the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) programme. The plantation drive is the part of ongoing “ Hariyali Mahotsav ” with a particular focus of Mangroves. The Centre launched the programme recently to take up mangrove …

A successful training launch of a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-1 was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha recently. Agni-1 ballistic missile The word “Agni” means fire. The medium-range Agni-1 ballistic missile has a strike range of over 700 kilometres and weighs around 12,000 kilograms. It is also capable of …