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Over the past year, Kerala has witnessed a notable reduction in the number of juvenile elephants, largely due to the outbreak of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHVs). What are EEHVs? EEHVs represent a group of novel double-stranded DNA viruses belonging to the herpesvirus family. They specifically infect Asian and African elephants, …

GS2 – International Relations – Key Issues Following the attacks on October 7, it has been reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activated the Hannibal Directive at multiple military locations infiltrated by Hamas. The directive is controversial due to its ethical implications and operational intent. What is the Hannibal …

GS3 – Environment – Conservation The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently determined that the site selected for the proposed transhipment port under the Great Nicobar Project does not fall under a ‘no-go’ ecological zone of the island. About the Great Nicobar Project Known officially as the “Holistic Development of Great …

GS3 – Environment – Climate Change A recent report titled “Climate in the Crosshairs” has brought attention to the significant environmental consequences of NATO’s defence-related expenditures, especially the escalation in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from military operations. The report was jointly published by three organisations: Transnational Institute, Tipping Point North …

GS3 – Environment – Climate Change Context  Rising heat stress is negatively impacting labour efficiency and productivity, leading to significant economic setbacks, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. Workers, especially those in low-income jobs, are highly vulnerable as financial needs prevent them from taking breaks during extreme heat. According to …

GS 3 – Environment & Ecology Overview Total Global Species: 23 Species Found in India: 9 Role: Scavengers, feeding on carrion, they prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases and maintain ecological balance. Nature: Highly social and often found in groups. Conservation Status Species IUCN Status White-rumped Vulture Critically Endangered Slender-billed …

GS II-International Relations Significance for Both Countries Mutual Support at International Forums India supports Sri Lanka’s application to join BRICS. Sri Lanka backs India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (2028–29). Shared Interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Strong commitment to freedom of navigation, countering …

GS III-Economy On April 2, 2025 (termed ‘Liberation Day’), U.S. President Donald Trump announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on imports from various countries, including India. This move aims to correct trade imbalances but has intensified global economic tensions and diplomatic frictions. Understanding the Concepts What is a Tariff? A …

GS III-Agriculture Makhana, also known as Foxnut, is a significant aquatic crop cultivated primarily in stagnant perennial water bodies such as ponds, ditches, swamps, oxbow lakes, and land depressions. It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates and holds substantial cultural, economic, and nutritional importance. Origin and Distribution: Though native to …

GS II International Relations The Indian Prime Minister took part in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which was held under the chairmanship of Thailand. The summit was conducted under the theme “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open,” and centered around enhancing regional cooperation and addressing key regional and global challenges. Major Highlights …

GS 1 – HISTORY Context: Recently, a collection of copper plates from the early 15th century was unveiled in Bengaluru. Details: These plates were issued during the coronation of Devaraya I from the Sangama Dynasty. The inscriptions are written in Sanskrit, Kannada, and Nagari scripts. The records indicate that Devaraya …

GS III-Economy Context: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a new “Liberation Day” tariff regime, introducing a 10% flat import duty and targeted higher tariffs, including a 27% levy on Indian exports, sparking global trade concerns. What is a Tariff? A tariff is a form of taxation imposed by …

GS II – International Relations At the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil, India called upon all 11 BRICS members to endorse the ‘Baku to Belem Roadmap’, an ambitious initiative aimed at securing $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action in developing nations. What is the ‘Baku to …

GS II-Ethics The International AI Safety Report 2025 and a proposed UK legislation criminalising AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) have brought global attention to the dark side of artificial intelligence. What is Digital Child Abuse via AI? This form of abuse involves the creation, distribution, or possession of CSAM …

GS III-Science and Technology Context: Airtel’s 2Africa Pearls subsea cable recently made landfall in India, significantly expanding internet capacity by 100 Tbps. This development underscores the urgent need for a strong undersea cable framework. What Are Undersea Cables? Definition: Submarine or underwater cables are fibre-optic lines laid along the seabed, …

GS II-Health Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently emphasized the significance of incorporating compassion into primary healthcare systems through a new report. What is Compassion in Healthcare? Definition: Compassion in the healthcare context refers to a blend of empathy, attentive listening, and taking context-sensitive actions in response to …

GS II-Health Key Developments in TB Treatment WHO Recommendations (2022): The World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed the six-month BPaL regimen (bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid) and BPaLM regimen (BPaL + moxifloxacin) as viable options for drug-resistant TB treatment. Advanced Diagnostic Expansion: India plans to scale up the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) …

GS III-Economy Benefits of UPI Promotes Financial Inclusion: The number of banks integrated with UPI has expanded significantly from 21 to 399 (State of Digital Economy Report). Enhanced Transaction Efficiency: UPI enables seamless, round-the-clock transactions, eliminating time constraints. Support for Entrepreneurs: The platform facilitates business growth by reducing dependency on …

GS II-Governance Understanding Euthanasia Euthanasia, commonly referred to as mercy killing, involves intentionally ending a person’s life to relieve suffering, particularly in cases of irreversible and terminal illnesses. Legal Framework of Euthanasia in India Supreme Court’s 2018 Judgment The Supreme Court legalized passive euthanasia in 2018, allowing the withdrawal of …

GS III-Agriculture Optimal Climate for Coffee Cultivation Coffee thrives in a temperature range of 15°C to 28°C. The ideal annual rainfall requirement is between 150 cm and 250 cm. Given recent climatic irregularities, the Coffee Board has urged coffee-growing regions to establish interdisciplinary teams to assess plantation losses comprehensively. Coffee …