GS

ANNUAL STATUS OF EDUCATION REPORT (ASER) 2024

GS1 SOCIETY Overview The ASER 2024, conducted by NGO Pratham, surveyed over 649,000 children across 605 rural districts, offering insights into rural education trends in India. Key Findings on Enrolment Government school enrolment declined to 66.8%, similar to 2018 levels, after peaking at 72.9% during COVID-19. Private school enrolment has …

Read More »

ASER 2024 on Early Childhood Education

GS 2 – GOVERNANCE Context : The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 highlights significant progress in early childhood education across rural India, showing increased preschool enrollment and improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy skills. About ASER Conducted by Pratham Education Foundation, ASER is a large-scale, citizen-led household survey …

Read More »

Pralay Missile

GS 3 – DEFENCE Context : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will feature Pralay, India’s first short-range quasi-ballistic missile for conventional strikes, in the 2025 Republic Day parade. Overview of Pralay Missile Inception: Conceptualized in 2015. Type: An indigenous, short-range quasi-ballistic missile developed by DRDO, comparable to Russia’s …

Read More »

UTTARAKHAND IMPLEMENTS UNIFORM CIVIL CODE (UCC)

GS 2 – POLITY On January 27, 2025, Uttarakhand became the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which standardizes personal laws across communities, ensuring equality in matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. Key Features: Unified Legal Standards: Establishes uniform laws for marriage, divorce, …

Read More »

WAQF AMENDMENT BILL

GS 2 – POLITY The Waqf Amendment Bill (2024) seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to improve the management of Waqf properties. Key amendments include: Retaining the “Waqf by User” concept, recognizing properties used for religious purposes as Waqf. Allowing two non-Muslim members on the Waqf Board. Mandating …

Read More »

ETIKOPPAKA BOMMALU: A HERITAGE CRAFT

GS 1 – HISTORY Origin: Etikoppaka village, Andhra Pradesh Significance: Showcased during the 76th Republic Day parade Historical Background The craft dates back over 400 years, with roots linked to ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley. Passed down through generations, it embodies the cultural legacy of Andhra Pradesh. Artisans have …

Read More »

ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING INCIDENT IN BADDAL

GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT Location: Baddal village, Jammu and Kashmir Casualties: 17 deaths reported Incident Overview Residents exhibited symptoms like fever, respiratory distress, and sweating. Rapid onset of symptoms raised concerns about environmental contamination. Health experts suspect organophosphate poisoning as the probable cause. About Organophosphates Synthetic chemicals developed in the …

Read More »

OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLE NESTING AT RUSHIKULYA RIVER, ODISHA

GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT The endangered Olive Ridley turtles are renowned for their mass nesting phenomenon called “arribada.” In 2024, they skipped nesting at the Rushikulya river mouth, but experts anticipate a significant nesting event in 2025. Mass Nesting Behaviour Olive Ridley turtles follow a cyclical nesting pattern, typically every …

Read More »

Storm Eowyn: A Devastating Bomb Cyclone

GS 1 – Geography Storm Eowyn, a powerful bomb cyclone, has caused severe destruction across the British Isles, particularly affecting Ireland and Scotland. What is Storm Eowyn? Definition: A rapidly intensifying storm that experienced an extreme air pressure drop of 50 millibars within 24 hours, surpassing the threshold for “explosive …

Read More »

US Withdrawal from Climate Agreements

GS 3 – international relation Background: The United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2021, marking its third departure from a major climate accord. US Engagement with Climate Treaties: First Exit (2001): The US, under President George W. Bush, withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol, citing economic concerns and the …

Read More »

Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)

GS 3 – Environment Context: Indore and Udaipur have become the first Indian cities to receive the prestigious Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) under the Ramsar Convention on W etlands. What is Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)? Definition: A voluntary recognition under the Ramsar Convention that honors cities for their efforts in …

Read More »

CENTRE DRAFTS RULES FOR UNIFORM IST ADOPTION

 GS 1 – GEOGRAPHY Time Zone: IST (UTC+05:30) was adopted in 1906 and standardized post-independence at 82°30’E near Mirzapur. Key Provisions: Exclusive Use of IST: Mandates IST for all official and commercial activities. Time-Synchronisation Systems: Establish mechanisms to ensure precise and secure timekeeping. Importance of Standard Timekeeping: Sectors Benefited: Banking, …

Read More »

SILICON CARBIDE EXTRACTION FROM SIMULATED LUNAR SOIL

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Researchers at IIT Madras have made significant progress in developing technologies for constructing habitats on the Moon by successfully extracting silicon carbide (SiC) from simulated lunar soil. This breakthrough holds potential for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) during lunar missions. About Lunar Regolith Definition: Lunar …

Read More »

OPPRESSIVE HEATWAVES

GS 3 – GEOGRAPHY Recent studies by IIT-Bombay and ETH Zurich highlight the increasing occurrence of oppressive heatwaves in India. These events, characterized by high temperatures and humidity, pose severe health risks and are expected to worsen with global warming. Definition of Heatwaves General Definition: Periods of excessively high temperatures. …

Read More »

BLUE CARBON ECOSYSTEMS

GS 3 – ENVIRONMENT Blue carbon ecosystems, encompassing mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses, are vital carbon sinks that significantly outperform traditional forests in carbon sequestration. What Are Blue Carbon Ecosystems? Coastal and marine habitats that capture and store carbon. Crucial for biodiversity, marine life habitats, and coastal protection from erosion …

Read More »

DECLINING POPULATION OF THE KORAGA TRIBE IN INDIA

GS1 – SOCIETY The Koraga tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), is witnessing a population decline from 20,000 two decades ago to approximately 16,000 today, with projections indicating further drops to around 12,000. Challenges Faced Health and Demographics: Falling birth rates and high infant mortality. Widespread malnutrition and limited …

Read More »

INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY CODE (IBC) CASES SLOW DOWN

GS 3 – ECONOMY The effectiveness of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), a key mechanism for resolving distressed debts in India, is waning. Case admissions to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) hit a six-year low in 2023-24, and recovery rates for banks have sharply declined, raising concerns about …

Read More »