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Overview: Massive forest fires are currently affecting various parts of Uttarakhand, with nearly 100 hectares of woodland already burned. These fires have been intensified by a prolonged heatwave and extremely dry conditions. In certain affected zones, helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets—a specialized aerial firefighting device—have been deployed to deliver water …

Context: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recently introduced a corporate governance charter designed specifically for startups. This charter includes a self-evaluation scorecard to monitor governance progress. What is Corporate Governance? Corporate governance encompasses a set of principles and practices that steer an organization’s development. It focuses on values …

Context: The RBI has unveiled a draft Master Direction for Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) and is inviting feedback from stakeholders until May 31. What are ETPs? Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) are digital systems that enable the buying and selling of various financial instruments, including securities, money market instruments, foreign exchange …

Context: A recent research study focused on six major river basins—Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery—examines the impact of heavy rainfall, baseflow, and river floods in Peninsular India, highlighting the factors contributing to regional flooding. What is Baseflow? Baseflow is the continuous flow of water in a river channel …

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-2: International Relations (BRICS cooperation, global governance) GS-3: Economy (labour policies, climate change impacts) Key Points The 2025 BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting in Brasilia, under Brazil’s presidency, adopted a declaration on “AI and the Future of Work” and “Climate Change Impacts on Work and Just Transition.” …

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-2: International Relations (India-Pakistan maritime boundary, UNCLOS) GS-3: Geography (continental shelf, maritime zones) Key Points India expanded its continental shelf claim in the Central Arabian Sea by nearly 10,000 sq km, modifying an earlier claim to avoid conflict with Pakistan over Sir Creek. Coastal nations have Exclusive Economic …

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 …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Geography (plate tectonics, geomorphology) GS-3: Science and Technology (geological research) Key Points Scientists discovered that continental rifting triggers deep mantle waves, causing stable continental regions (cratons) to rise, forming plateaus and escarpments. Detailed Insights Rifting, as seen in the African Rift Valley, stretches the crust, initiating mantle …

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 …