PRELIMS

Context The Supreme Court (SC) has been urged to limit the Governor’s power to refer Bills to the President without sufficient cause. This comes in light of instances where seven Bills from Kerala, which typically wouldn’t require the President’s assent, were sent to the President, and four were refused assent …

Context In line with the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the Prime Minister, there is a proposal to establish a Legal Advisory Council (LAC). This council would serve to foresee the implications, challenges, and shortcomings in upcoming laws that the government is contemplating or finalizing in its legislation or policies. …

Context: A private bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha to include Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Overview: Part XVII of the Indian Constitution (Articles 343 to 351) addresses the Eighth Schedule. The Eighth Schedule initially listed 14 languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, …

Context: The Supreme Court ruled that there would be no re-test for the NEET UG 2024 exam. Ruling: The court concluded that the exam irregularities impacted around 155 beneficiaries and found no evidence of systemic failure in its conduct. Issues Raised: Systemic Deficiencies: Cases registered by the CBI in locations …

Context: Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana have reported the highest number of H1N1 deaths in the country. Current Situation: According to the Health Ministry, India has reported over 7,000 H1N1 cases, with Delhi, Gujarat, and Rajasthan being the top three affected states. H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Overview: Cause: H1N1 Flu is …

Context: The NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) Bharat Mission is a key component of the National Education Policy 2020, aiming to ensure children acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills. Family engagement, alongside school efforts, can significantly enhance the mission’s success. Implementation The Department of …

Context: Soybean has been included in the athlete diets for the Paris Olympics. Origin and Climate Requirements: Native to East Asia, soybean thrives in warm and moist climates. It is a Kharif crop, requiring an average rainfall of 90 cm and temperatures between 26°C and 30°C. It grows best in …

Context: The recent budget has introduced significant changes to the Capital Gains Tax regime, including the removal of indexation benefits from the Long-Term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG). Capital Gains: Definition: Capital gains refer to the profit or gain that arises from the sale of capital assets, which can be tangible …

Context: The contribution of maize and damaged foodgrains to India’s ethanol production has increased to 50% for the first time. Ethanol Blending Ratio: The ratio of ethanol blending in petrol has reached 13% this year, aiming for a target of 20% by 2025. Reasons for Increased Grain Usage: Stoppage of …

Context A study conducted in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone has discovered that metallic nodules on the seafloor are responsible for producing “dark oxygen.” Dark Oxygen: This term refers to oxygen produced in the deep-sea abyssal region, where photosynthesis is not possible. It is generated by polymetallic nodules that split water molecules …

Context An article highlights the issues faced by a migrant couple from Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing the broader challenges and legislative landscape surrounding migrant workers. Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979: Purpose: Focuses on the welfare of migrant workers by mandating: Establishments employing migrant workers to register with the destination states. Contractors …

Context The Supreme Court of India has recently agreed to hear a case that will likely shape the contours of the “right to be forgotten.” Right to be Forgotten: Definition: Loosely described as the right to remove or erase one’s digital footprint from internet searches when it violates the right …

Context The Department of Higher Education and IIT Kanpur have launched the SATHEE (Self-Assessment, Test and Help for Entrance Examination) portal to assist students in preparing for competitive exams. SATHEE Portal Features: Free Access: Provides free, high-quality educational content and guidance to students across India. Platforms: Accessible through a web …

Context India hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, focusing on providing an informal platform to discuss cooperation and accelerate action in areas such as security, connectivity, trade, and investment within the Bay of Bengal. India aims to strengthen relationships with its eastern neighbors to counter China’s influence in the …

Context Typhoon Gaemi caused the sinking of the MT Terra Nova, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of oil, in Manila Bay. This oil spill could become the largest in Philippine history. The Coast Guard is deploying containment booms and skimmers for mitigation. Containment Booms: Floating barriers made of plastic, …

Context The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare announced in Rajya Sabha that the agriculture sector is now included under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023 Initiative: Launched by the Ministry of Power to implement a carbon trading mechanism in India. Carbon Credit Certificates: …

Context (ORF): At the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, themed ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,’ the Kampala Outcome document was adopted. Uganda, as the NAM Chair from December 2023, aims to strengthen NAM and promote unity among the Global South. NAM in a Multi-Polar World Evolution: Non-alignment has evolved, …

Context (PIB): India has assumed the Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) from China for the year 2024-25 in Bangkok, Thailand. Overview of ADPC: Purpose: ADPC is an autonomous international organization focused on cooperation and implementation of disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience. Geographical Scope: Operates in …

Context (PIB): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) presented the initiatives taken to reduce air pollution in Rajya Sabha. Key Initiatives: National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched by MoEFCC in 2019, aiming to improve air quality in Million Plus Cities and non-attainment cities (those unable to meet …

Context (PIB): The Budget proposes a comprehensive rationalization of the GST tax structure along with a review of the Custom Duty rate structure to support domestic manufacturing. What is an Inverted Duty Structure? Definition: An inverted duty structure occurs when the taxes on input items are higher compared to the …