Most Popular Current Affairs
A Case for Kerala's Missing Elephants
Why in the news?Kerala's recent enumeration revealed that the wild
elephant population has decreased from 5706 in 2017 to 2386 in 2023,
registering a steep decline of 58% in the state.Possible reasons attributed to the
decrease in the population:1
Disaster Preparedness During Floods
Why in the
News?· High precipitation in the upper and lower
catchment area of R.Yamuna has led to devastating floods in the National
capital.· The Central Water Co
CPI basket conceals the inflation picture
Why in the News?India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation rose to
4.81% in June 2023, higher than expectations but still below the RBI's upper
tolerance limit of 6%. The spike was driven by a less supportive base and a
surge in vegetable prices
A big step in reducing the risk of disasters
Why in the news?India has established the first G20 Disaster Risk
Reduction Working Group.What is the rationale behind its
establishment?The consequences of climate change are resulting in
devastating disasters across the world.● &n
Digital Payments System
Status of
Digital Payments System in India:·
UPI transactions leading among other digital
payment transaction methods o From June 2021
to April 2023: UPI Payments grew at a
India’s Semiconductor industry
Why in the
News?‘Semicon India 2023’ conclave has
been held in Gujarat, in which the US firm Advanced Micro Devices announced
plans to invest $400million in the country over the next five years.Potential of
Indian Semiconductor Industry:1.&nb
Tax as an incentive
With India's GDP & Per capita Income showing an
upward trend, tax transparency is a mandate to achieve sustainable growth by
reaping benefits of the expanding economy.Adoption of Voluntary Tax
Transparency framework: 1.
Forest (conservation) amendment bill, 2023
Why in
the news?A new forest bill Forest
(Conservation) amendment bill, 2023 seeking to amend the Forest conservation
act, 1980 has been tabled in the Parliament.What is
the Forest (Conservation) Amendment bill? 1) I
Atal Pension Yojana & Rozgar Mela
Atal Pension Yojana1. Launched in 2015 to create a
universal social security system for all Indians, especially the poor, the
under-privileged and the unorganized sector workers.2. I
Uniform 28% GST on online gaming & its implications
Why in the news?The GST Council has decided to levy a uniform 28% GST on
Online gaming, casinos and horse-racing.What are the new changes?1. The 28%
taxation will be applicable on the entire face value of the bet. This
Corporate Buybacks
Why in the
News?The trend of
buyback of shares by the corporates started since 2022 with 58 listed companies
bought back shares worth Rs.50,000Cr. Companies such as Infosys, Wipro, L&T
have followed the suit.What is
Corporate Buyback?The Cor
NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority)
1. It is the apex body for Disaster
Management in India and adheres to etho of Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness
and Response.2. NDMA is headed by the Prime Minister
of India.3.&
Project Cheetah
Why in the news?A total of eight reintroduced African cheetahs at the
Kuno Palpur National Park in Madhya Pradesh have died since its inception in
2022.Project Cheetah1. Cheetaha. Fastest mammal
Directorate General of Civil Aviation
1. A statutory body of the GOI under the
Aircraft (Amendment) Act, 2020 to regulate civil aviation in India.2. Functions:a. The DGCA investigates aviatio
National Research Foundation bill
Why in the news?The National Research Foundation Bill, 2023 which seeks to repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008 has been introduced in the Parliament recently.What is the status of Research & Development (R&D) in India?
Lab-Grown meat
Why in the news?U.S. regulators for the first time have approved the sale of chicken made from animal cells for human consumption.What is "making meat in the lab"?1. A laboratory-based production technique that uses
New Data panel on Statistics in India
Why in the news?
● A new data panel on Statistics called
Standing Committee on Statistics(SCoS) has been formed replacing the earlier
Standing Committee on Economic Statistics (SCES)
●
The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Why in the
News?Lok Sabha has passed the Biological Diversity (Amendment)
bill, 2021 replacing Biological Diversity Act, 2002.Background of
the bill:Reasons for
introduction of biological Diversity Act, 2002:1. Anthro
Narcotics Control Bureau
1. Under the
Ministry of Home Affairs2. A nodal agency
for drug law enforcement in India intended to prevent, combat abuse and illicit
traffic of drugs to achieve a drug free society
Rice Production in India
Why in the
News?India has banned the export of
non-basmati white rice in a move to control the price rise in the domestic
market.Rice Production
in India:1. Rice -A staple
food a. &nb
Tomato
1. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is an annual or short lived perennial
herb. 2. The flowers are white bearing fruits
which are red or yellow in colour.3. It is a self pollinated crop.4. Major tomato prod
International Tiger Day – July 29
Purpose:
1. To raise awareness and promote comprehensive
efforts in safeguarding the endangered tiger species.2. To create
knowledge among public about significance of natural habitats, to enable
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
Why in the
news?The Supreme court granted bail to
activists accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case citing that ‘mere holding of
literature propagating violent acts or participation in seminars will not
constitute a terror act’ under UAPA,1967.
Internet shutdown in Manipur
Why in the news?Violence in Manipur caused due to ethnic conflict between
the two communities - Meitei and Kuki, has led to a blanket prohibition of the
internet across the state using Telecom Suspension rules.Legality of Internet ban in India:1.&n
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
1. Located in the Northern Part of Goa.2. It encompasses a large number of
picturesque waterfalls.·
Prominent ones include - VazraSak
mRNA (Messenger RNA)
1. A single-stranded RNA involved in protein synthesis. Produced from a
DNA template during the process of transcription.2.
Role of mRNA: i) To
Internationalization of Indian Rupee
What is
internationalization of rupee?Internationalization
is a process that involves increasing the use of the rupee in cross-border
transactions.Why is the US
dollar the most used international currency?1. Si
Global Minimum Corporate Taxation
Need for a Global Corporate tax?1. Post
Digitalisation and globalization, the existing global tax rules have become
outdated to optimally tax Multinational Enterprises their 'excess profits' and
prevent them from booking their profits i
GM Mustard
Why in the news?GM Mustard being approved for environmental release in
India has been challenged in the Supreme Court on concerns of safety, efficacy
and potential environmental & health impacts.What is GM Mustard?1. &nbs
START APP
● START -
Screening Tools for Autism Risk using Technology) app● The app enables
detection of autism behaviour in children in contrast to the clinical
assessments carried
Immersive Virtual Reality
1. A Virtual
Reality (VR) technology which encompasses sensing technologies and spatial
computing to create a virtual reality using the 360-degree space.2. It can be used
to create
Sovereign Green bonds
1. They are debt instruments in which
the issuer (issued by companies, countries and multilateral organisations) of
the green bond pledges to use its proceeds to finance projects that will have a
positive impact
Nature Restoration Law & Soft Release Centre
Nature Restoration Law1. A biodiversity
bill initiated by the European Commission in the EU Parliament was passed.2. It aims to
recover degraded ecosystems by reclamation of forested
PSLV-C56
1. The PSLV-C56 carrying a DS-SAR
satellite and six co-passengers2. To be launched from the Satish Dhawan
Space Centre in Sriharikota.3. Programmed in th
Chandrayaan 3
1. India's third
moon mission and second attempt for soft landing on moon after Chandrayaan-2
mission failure.2. India will be
the fourth country only after the US, China and Russia
Natural disaster
1. Lightning to be
not considered a Natural disaster because the deaths can be prevented by
creating awareness about safety steps among people.2. Natural
Disasters list:·
Food Insecurity- HUNGER HOTSPOTS
Food
Insecurity- HUNGER HOTSPOTSQ. Why in News/Context -· A new United Nations early warning report (by Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme) has
warned of increasing acute food insecur
Morgan Stanley Report on Indian Economy
Morgan
Stanley Report on Indian Economy· 10 transformational
changes that have happened in India over the last decade are now set to propel
the country to doubling per capita income, doubling export market share,
raising the share of
What is Beta?
Prelims Special–
What is
Beta?
· Beta is
relevant risk metric that measures the relative volatility or market risk of
a security or portfolio compared to the market as a whole. In finance, the
beta (β or ma
“Chip 4” alliance initiative
“Chip
4” alliance initiative· The US is pursuing
the “Chip 4” alliance initiative with three other top semiconductor makers —
Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. · India, Japan and
Australia had announced plans in September
Manipur Insurgency Movement
Write-up on Manipur Insurgency Movement
The Manipur insurgency movement
refers to the long-standing armed struggle and separatist movements in the
northeastern Indian state of Manipur. The insurgency in Manipur has been
driven by
Evergreening of loans
Evergreening of loansSource-RBI governor
Shaktikanta Das cautions against evergreening of loans: Are banks, corporates
still window-dressing loans?Q. Why in Next/Context :Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das raised concerns over
banks ad
RBI’s ‘Lightweight’ Payments System for emergencies
RBI’s ‘Lightweight’ Payments System for
emergencies· The Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) has conceptualised a lightweight payment and settlements system,
which it is calling a “bunker”
equivalent of digital payments, which
Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)
QUESTION 1
What is Navigation
with Indian Constellation (NavIC)? Why a regional navigation system
matters to India? (150 words, 10 marks)
Introduction:
Navigation with
Indian Constell
ISRO’s GSLV-F12/NVS-01 mission
ISRO’s
GSLV-F12/NVS-01 mission
· Recently, the
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the first of the
second-generation satellites NVS-01for
its navigation constellation successfully. The 2,232 kg sate
What are Biofuels?
What are Biofuels?
QUESTION
What are Biofuels?
Discuss the government’s efforts for promoting its uses. (250 words, 15
marks)
Introduction:
· Biomass can be
conv
Oil reserves in salt caverns: The potential in India
Q. What is Salt Cavern-based Reserves? How are they different from Rock Cavern-based reserves? · Unlike underground rock caverns, which are developed through excavation, salt caverns are developed by the process of solu
Why is India rethinking its anaemia policy?
Why is India rethinking its anaemia policy? Q. Context/Why is it in news:· Questions related to anaemia were slated to be dropped from the National
Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) scheduled to began on July 6. The omission
UN UNDP’s 2023 Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI)
Prejudices against women didn’t reduce in last decade; 90% people still hold
gender bias:UN UNDP’s
2023 Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) Q. Parameters used in GSNI?· UNDP tracked people’s
attitudes towards
What is the status of transgenic crops in India?
What
is the status of transgenic crops in India?Q. Why is it in News?· Three States, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana, have
deferred a proposal, approved by the Centre’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal
Committee (GEAC), t
Are non-communicable diseases increasing in India?
Are
non-communicable diseases increasing in India?Q. Why is it in News?· The new national estimates for diabetes and other
non-communicable diseases (NCD) shows that 31 million more Indians became
diabetic in four yea
Biofuel/Agrofuel
Biofuel/Agrofuel· The fuel derived from
the biomass of plants or animal wastes
is known as biofuel. It is commonly produced from corn, sugarcane and animal waste like cow dung. Since these sources
are renewable unlike
Classification of Biofuels
Classification of Biofuels: I. 1st Generation
Biofuels:· 1st generation
biofuels are also called conventional b
Global Biofuel Alliance
Global
Biofuel Alliance· Brazil, India, and the United States, as leading biofuel producers and consumers, will
work together during the next few months towards the development of a Global
Biofuels Alliance along with other interested
Odisha Train Accident
Odisha
Train AccidentQ. Why
Coromandel Express crashed in Odisha?· The tragic death of nearly 300 passengers in a
train accident has drawn attention to the safety preparedness of the Indian
Railways.· &n
Rashtriya Rail SanrakshaKosh (RRSK)
Q. Rashtriya Rail
SanrakshaKosh (RRSK):
· A fund namely
‘Rashtriya Rail SanrakshaKosh’ (RRSK) has been created in 2017-18 with a
corpus of ₹1 lakh crore over a period of five years for critical sa
IRDAI eyes insurance push in rural areas with BimaVahak
IRDAI eyes insurance push in rural areas with BimaVahak· IRDAI’s plan to
improve insurance awareness and penetration in the hinterland is all set to
gain momentum with the insurance regulator issuing draft guidelines for BimaVahak, a dedicate
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2023-24
· The Government of
India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided to issue
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) in tranches as per the calendar specified below:· The SGBs
Global Wind Day Future of India using Wind Energy
· The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India joined the
worldwide celebrations of 15th June as Global Wind
Day,
through the organization of a day-long event in New Delhi today,
15th June, 2023. ·&nb
Shanan project
· As the tussle between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh continues over the 99-year-old lease of the British-era 110 Mega Watt (MW) Shanan Hydropower Project situated in Himachal Pradesh’s Jogindernagar, the Himachal Pr
What are neurotoxins and how do they affect humans
What are neurotoxins?
· Neurotoxins
are poisonous substances which can directly affect the nervous system.
Neurotoxins are absorbed through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact,
or injection and can have immediate or long-last
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Q. Why in News/Context?· This India eyes to mandate use of 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2025 (Source-India Times, The Hindu and Indian Express)· Recently,
the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), a
Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings (CCOSWs)
Q. Why in News/Context – Army
to ‘test bed’ niche technologies; operationalise command cyber operations (The
Hindu & Indian Express April 28, 2023).· The Army
has decided to operationalise Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings
(
National Medical Devices Policy, 2023
Q. Why in News/Context - On April 26, the Union
Cabinet approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023. (The
Hindu May 22, 2023, PIB – April 26,2023).Q. Aim/purpose- · To achieve the public health objectives of
access, affordability, qua
Food Fortificaion
Q. Why in News/Context -A small study carried out in
Sangli, Maharashtra on 43 women participants to evaluate the effectiveness of
tea fortification with folate and vitamin B12 to address anaemia and prevent
neural-tube defects in children is ridd
Millets Experience Centre (MEC)
Q. Why in News/Context -· The
Indian government has launched a first of its kind Millets Experience
Centre (MEC) at Dilli Haat, New Delhi in collaboration with the National
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED
African Swine Fever
African Swine FeverAfrican Swine Fever threatens India’s Pygmy Hog, other Asian wild
pig species · African
Swine Fever (ASF), the livestock illness that has decimated porcine populations
across Asia since its a
Sussalvanius/pygmy hog
Sussalvanius/pygmy hogGeographic Range·
The present range of Sussalvanius (commonly known as
the pygmy hog) is found only in the reserve forest belts of the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and
Nationwide AHDF KCC campaign for 2023-24
Nationwide AHDF KCC campaign for 2023-24Q. Why in News/Context -· In order to expand the benefit of Kisan Credit Card to all eligible animal husbandry, dairy and fishery farmers in the country, Department of Animal Husbandr
Horn of Africa
Horn of Africa
(Important for Prelims,
Mapping)
Horn of Africa experiencing floods after six seasons of failed
rainsQ. Why in News/Context -
·
Situation reports by multiple organisations, includi
Flash Floods
Flash Floods(Important for Prelims,
Geography)Q. What
are Flash Floods?· A flash flood is a
rapid flooding of low-lying areas: washes, rivers, dry lakes and depressions. It
may be caused by heavy
ISRO’s GSLV-F12/NVS-01 mission
ISRO’s GSLV-F12/NVS-01 missionQ. Why in News/Context?· The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on May 29 successfully placed the NVS-01 navigation satellite, weighing about 2232 kg, into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.·
Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)
Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)· To meet the positioning, navigation and timing requirements of the nation, ISRO has established a regional navigation satellite system called Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC). NavI
Launchers or Launch Vehicles
Launchers or Launch Vehicles·
Launchers
or Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space. India has three active operational launch vehicles:o
Polar
Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), o
The South Indian filter coffee
The South Indian filter coffee · India
is the sixth largest producer of coffee in the world, after Brazil,
Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Honduras.· India produced about 4,00,000 tonn
Coffee Plantation in India
Topic 33: Coffee Plantation in India
The
plantations are mostly in the hilly regions of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as in the hilly regions
of Andhra Pradesh (Araku Valley),
Odisha, and in the hills of Manipur
All-in-one policy plan to spread insurance in India
All-in-one policy plan to spread
insurance in IndiaQ. Why in
News/Context?· In an ambitious bid
to expand the poor insurance penetration in the country, the Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) is devising a new affor
NITI Aayog’s annual ‘health index’
NITI Aayog’s annual ‘health index’Q. What is
this index?· The
annual health index, which measures the performance of states and UTs on a “weighted composite score incorporating 24
health performance indicators”, w
Gati Shakti Portal
Gati Shakti
Portal· “GatiShakti
Sanchar Portal” is a collaborative institutional mechanism between all
stakeholders including Central and State/UT Government(s), Local bodies, and
Service Providers to facilitate the Right of Way (
100 Million Tonnes Coal Gasification by 2030
100 Million Tonnes Coal Gasification by 2030Q. Why is it news/context?· Ministry of Coalhas prepared a National Mission
document to achieve 100 MT Coal Gasification by 2030. Q. What is Coal gasification?·
