GS3

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. …

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% …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

GS3 – Science & Technology Context: Russia has officially recognized Ukraine’s indigenously developed Sapsan ballistic missile—also known as Grom-2—as a credible threat, highlighting its growing strategic significance. Key Specifications and Features Alternate Name: Grom-2 (Domestic), Hrim-2 (Export version developed with Saudi support). Range Compliance: Its export version has a range …

GS3 – Environment Context: The United Nations’ Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment highlights a concerning spike in nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, calling for immediate global action to mitigate this potent greenhouse gas. Nitrogen: Its Ecological and Biological Relevance Atmospheric Abundance: Nitrogen forms nearly 78% of Earth’s atmosphere, playing a crucial role …

GS3 – Internal Security Context: A recent terrorist assault occurred in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed militant group, has claimed responsibility. TRF emerged in 2019 as a front for the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is proscribed under India’s Unlawful …

GS3 – Environment Context: The 2024 European State of the Climate Report, jointly released by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization, warns that Europe is heating nearly twice as fast as the global average, with notable regional differences. Key Findings from the Report Record-Breaking Temperatures: …

GS 3 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced that India aims to boost the contribution of its manufacturing sector from 12% to 23% over the next two decades, with significant growth driven by sunrise sectors. About Sunrise Industries A sunrise industry refers to a sector that is emerging and positioned …

GS 3 The Supreme Court has recently directed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to assess the impact of nearby glass industries on the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. About the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) The CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) is a research body …

GS 3 The Surat Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has been recognized as the world’s first market-driven system specifically designed to address particulate air pollution. What is an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)? An Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a regulatory mechanism that uses economic incentives to reduce air pollution. The system …

GS 3 Poás Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most visited tourist destinations, recently erupted, drawing significant attention. About Poás Volcano Poás is known as one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes and is situated within the Poás Volcano National Park. It is a composite stratovolcano with a complex, irregular shape, …

GS 3 The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) recently announced that the turnover of Khadi and Village Industries (KVI) exceeded Rs 1.7 lakh crore in the financial year 2025 (FY24-25). About the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a …