GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA), aimed to empower forest communities, yet significant challenges persist. A recent study highlights limited recognition of Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights across most states, undermining the Act’s objectives. Current Status of …
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NIIF TO RAISE $2 BILLION PRIVATE CREDIT FUND
GS 3 – ECONOMY The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), a government-backed initiative, plans to raise a $2 billion private credit fund—the largest of its kind in India. Discussions are ongoing with sovereign investors to secure participation. NIIF Overview Established in 2015, NIIF mobilizes long-term capital for infrastructure projects. …
Read More »GREEN CREDIT PROGRAMME AND ECOMARK SCHEME
GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT Launched in October 2023, the Green Credit Programme (GCP) and the Ecomark Scheme promote environmental sustainability. GCP incentivizes voluntary eco-actions, while Ecomark certifies eco-friendly products. Green Credit Programme (GCP) A market-based initiative rewarding afforestation and eco-restoration efforts. 17 states allocated 57,700 hectares for tree plantations, with …
Read More »MISSION AMRIT SAROVAR PROGRESS
GS – 3 – ENVIRONMENT Launched in April 2022, Mission Amrit Sarovar aims to combat water scarcity by constructing and rejuvenating 75 ponds per district, totaling 50,000 nationwide. As of January 2025, over 68,000 ponds have been completed, surpassing targets. Key Objectives & Implementation The mission focuses on sustainable water …
Read More »WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT 2025
GS 2 – GOVERNANCE The World Government Summit (WGS) 2025 began on February 10, 2025, in Dubai, UAE. This 12th edition of the summit is themed “Shaping Future Governments” and has witnessed unprecedented international participation, with over 30 heads of state and more than 400 ministers. The summit, running until …
Read More »Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024
GS2 – GOVERNANCE , REPORTS & INDICES About CPI: The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Published by Transparency International. CPI 2024 highlights how corruption hampers global climate …
Read More »Shakti Semiconductor Chips – India’s First Indigenous Aerospace-Grade Chip
GS3 – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Context: India has developed its first indigenous aerospace-grade semiconductor chip, Shakti, through a collaboration between IIT Madras and ISRO under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) initiative. This marks a significant step towards semiconductor self-reliance and strengthening India’s strategic autonomy. About Shakti Semiconductor Chips What is …
Read More »Guru Ravidas: A Pioneer of the Bhakti Movement
GS1 – HISTORY Early Life and Background Guru Ravidas (1377–1527 C.E.) was a revered saint and spiritual leader whose contributions significantly influenced the Bhakti Movement. Also known by names such as Raidas, Rohidas, and Ruhidas, he was born in Seer Govardhanpur, a small village in present-day Uttar Pradesh. His birthplace, …
Read More »India’s Role in Advancing South-South Climate Cooperation
GS3 –ENVIRONMENT Context: India has the potential to play a significant role in strengthening climate collaboration among developing countries under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, facilitating global climate solutions. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement Carbon Markets: This provision enables the exchange of carbon credits to fulfill emission reduction …
Read More »Baltic Sea
GS1-GEOGRAPHY Context: Security experts have raised alarms about the heightened risk of an oil spill in the Baltic Sea due to Russia’s use of an aging and poorly maintained “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, which operate without Western insurance coverage. Geographical Significance of the Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is …
Read More »Sṛjanam Rig – India’s First Automated Biomedical Waste Treatment Plant
GS3 – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Context: The Union Minister for Science & Technology has launched Sṛjanam, India’s first indigenous automated biomedical waste treatment plant, at AIIMS, New Delhi. What is Sṛjanam? Sṛjanam is an eco-friendly, non-incineration biomedical waste treatment system designed to disinfect pathogenic medical waste without burning, thereby reducing …
Read More »United Kingdom-India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS)
GS2 – IR Why in News? The ballot for the United Kingdom-India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) is set to open soon. About the Scheme The YPS is a reciprocal initiative that enables nationals from the UK and India to live, study, travel, and work in the other country for up …
Read More »President’s Rule in India
GS2-GOVERNANCE Context: The possibility of President’s Rule being imposed in Manipur has arisen following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, as the BJP struggles to reach a consensus on a new leader. What is President’s Rule? President’s Rule refers to a situation where the state government is suspended, …
Read More »NITI AAYOG REPORT ON ENHANCING QUALITY HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA
GS2 GOVERNANCE: Introduction The report, titled “Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities,” focuses on improving State Public Universities (SPUs), which educate 80% of India’s college students. State Public Universities 495 SPUs in India as of January 2025, with Karnataka having the most (43), followed by West …
Read More »NETZARIM CORRIDOR OVERVIEW
GS3 IR: The Netzarim Corridor was a military-controlled zone in northern Gaza from 2023 to 2025 during the Gaza War. It ran from the Gaza-Israel border to the Mediterranean Sea, south of Gaza City, and was named after a former Israeli settlement. Ceasefire and Withdrawal Ceasefire initiated on January 19, …
Read More »MARKET INTERVENTION SCHEME (MIS)
GS3 ECONOMICS: The Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is part of the PM-AASHA initiative, designed to support farmers by stabilizing prices for perishable agricultural commodities during price fluctuations. Key Features Protects farmers from distress sales, especially during bumper crop seasons. Focuses on perishable commodities like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. Activated when …
Read More »INDIA’S AMENDMENTS TO NUCLEAR LIABILITY LAWS
GS2 GOVERNANCE: The Government of India has introduced amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act (CLNDA) 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962 to attract foreign nuclear investments, especially from American and French companies. These amendments aim to address challenges faced in past nuclear projects. Context of the …
Read More »Governor’s Powers in Legislative Process Under Scrutiny
GS2 GOVERNANCE: Context of the Dispute The Supreme Court is examining Governor’s powers in the legislative process due to delays in granting assent to Bills by the Tamil Nadu government. The case arose from petitions questioning the delayed assent by Governor RN Ravi since his appointment in 2021. Tamil Nadu …
Read More »Pandora Mission: NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Endeavour
GS3 SCIENCE & TECH: Overview Scheduled for launch in 2025, Pandora aims to study exoplanet atmospheres. The mission addresses the high demand for observation time on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Focus areas include clouds, hazes, and the presence of water in distant worlds. About Exoplanets Exoplanets orbit stars …
Read More »ISRO Successfully Tests CE20 Cryogenic Engine Ignition
GS3 SCIENCE & TECH: On February 7, 2025, ISRO conducted a successful ignition trial of the CE20 cryogenic engine at the High Altitude Test Facility in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and is crucial for the Gaganyaan mission. Significance of …
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