PRELIMS

Context: Asian News International (ANI) has filed a case with the Delhi High Court against Wikipedia, alleging that defamatory content on ANI’s Wikipedia page has tarnished its reputation. Reason for the Suit Against Wikipedia: Wikipedia’s Role: Wikipedia, launched in 2001, is a collaborative, open-source, nonprofit platform where users contribute content. …

Context: The Centre has appointed Rajinder Khanna, former RAW chief, as Additional National Security Adviser (ANSA), a newly created post. Key Changes in the Structure of NSCS Restructuring: The Centre has restructured the reporting relationships within the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and between the National Security Advisor (NSA) and …

Context: A norovirus outbreak linked to contaminated kimchi caused thousands of deaths in a South Korean city. Kimchi and Norovirus Kimchi: A traditional Korean side dish made of salted and fermented vegetables, typically consumed raw. This means any norovirus present will not be killed during preparation. Norovirus Description: Norovirus is …

Context: A team from the Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH), the central authority for the Mahadayi River, visited Belagavi district in Karnataka. Mahadayi River Dispute River Details: The Mahadayi River, also known as Mandovi or Mhadei, has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between Karnataka and …

Context The Government of India has urged automobile companies to join the unified Right to Repair Portal India. On National Consumer Rights Day 2022, the Department of Consumer Affairs launched the Right to Repair Portal to help consumers easily access information and services for repairing and reusing their products Objectives/Advantages …

Context The Ministry of Culture has launched Project PARI (Public Art of India), an ambitious initiative to showcase the country’s rich artistic legacy. The first phase of Project PARI is taking place in Delhi to uplift the city’s aesthetic and cultural outlook, coinciding with the 46th session of the World …

Context Recently, three deaths have been reported in Kerala due to the rare and fatal infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) Cause: PAM is caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that thrives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and poorly maintained swimming …

Context The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has recommended a complete ban on importing, distributing, and selling chloramphenicol and nitrofurans for use in food animal production systems. Background In 2019, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) banned colistin, a last-resort antibiotic listed as a critically important antimicrobial by the …

Context The Indian Army has recently reinforced its dress code regulations to ensure adherence to official rules regarding the wearing of trinkets and religious symbols while in uniform. This action follows observations of personnel wearing unauthorized accessories in social media posts. General Dress Code Principles Unauthorized Accessories: No unauthorized ornaments …

Context Karsandas Mulji has gained attention due to the release of the biopic “Maharaj.” Early Life and Education Birth: Born in Bombay in 1832 into a Gujarati Vaishnav family. Education: Attended Elphinstone College, where he was part of the Gujarati Gnanprasarak Mandali (Gujarati Society for the Spread of Knowledge). Peers: …

Archaeologists have discovered a 41,000-year-old ostrich nest in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, which is considered the world’s oldest known ostrich nest. Megafauna: Definition: Megafauna refers to animals weighing over 50 kg. The term was first coined by Alfred Russel Wallace in 1876. Classification: Megafauna are categorized as megaherbivores, megacarnivores, or megaomnivores …

A report by the IUCN indicates that Eastern and Southern Africa is halfway to meeting the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 3, also known as the 30 x 30 target. 30 x 30 Target: The 30 x 30 target is a global initiative aiming for countries to protect at least …

A recent study published in Nature Communications has revealed that the Juneau Icefield, which extends across Alaska and British Columbia, is undergoing rapid glacial retreat. Glacial Retreat: Glacial retreat refers to the shrinking or receding of a glacier over time. This occurs when ice melts or sublimates faster than new …

A study highlights that high-income and upper-middle-income nations bear the greatest economic burden from herpes infections as of 2016. About Herpes Simplex Herpes is a group of viral infections caused by herpes simplex viruses (HSV). The virus resides in nerve cells and cycles between periods of dormancy and activity. Transmission …

The RBI has joined Project Nexus, a multilateral international initiative aimed at enabling instant cross-border retail payments through the interlinking of domestic Fast Payments Systems (FPSs). About Project Nexus Conceptualized by the Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Aims to enhance cross-border payments by connecting multiple domestic …

Odisha has imposed restrictions on cutting existing palm trees and plans to plant approximately 1.9 million such trees to mitigate casualties from lightning strikes. Lightning Lightning is a massive electric discharge in the atmosphere between clouds, air, or the ground. Lightning strikes increase by about 12% for every degree rise …

Context: Eco-labels can help consumers make informed choices about eco-friendly products, combat greenwashing, and support sustainable development. What are Eco-Labels? Definition: Eco-labels are certification labels that indicate a product has met specific environmental criteria, helping consumers identify environmentally friendly products. Relevance of Eco-Labels to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG 12: …

Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is organizing the ‘Global India AI Summit’ in New Delhi. Key Highlights of the Global India AI Summit 2024 Objective: The event emphasizes the Indian government’s commitment to the responsible development of AI, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing among global AI stakeholders. …

Context: There is a call to make the bone marrow transplant procedure available at Madurai’s Govt. Rajaji Hospital. Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Definition: BMT involves replacing diseased blood-forming cells with healthy ones. Blood-Forming Cells: Also known as blood stem cells, these immature cells are located in the bone marrow and …

Context: Researchers have developed environmentally friendly supercapacitors. Coconut Husk-Derived Activated Carbon: Utilizing coconut husk-derived activated carbon offers promising, eco-friendly solutions for high-performance supercapacitors due to its availability, low cost, and sustainability. Supercapacitor Definition: A supercapacitor, also known as an ultracapacitor, is an advanced energy storage device. Benefits: It provides high …