Category: Current Affairs
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UAPA’s Legal Safeguards
Context: A special NIA court in Jammu granted default bail to two individuals, Shafat Wani and Yasir Hayat, accused of financing the Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), which initially claimed responsibility for the April 2022 terror attack in Pahalgam before retracting it. What is the purpose of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)? UAPA…
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PM Modi’s Manipur Visit: Peacebuilding Beyond Optics
Context: Prime Minister recently made his first visit to Manipur after the ethnic violence erupted in 2023, emphasised peace, unity, and development, calling Manipur the “crown jewel of India.” He laid foundation stones and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over ₹8,500 crore. What initiatives have been taken for peacebuilding in Manipur? Symbolic Outreach: Prime Minister’s…
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Study Techniques and Tools for the UPSC Exam
Discover effective study strategies, planning tips, revision tools, and digital resources to crack the UPSC exam. Learn how to prepare smartly for Prelims and Mains with confidence. Introduction The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most important exams in India. It helps the government select future IAS, IPS, and IFS officers. This exam…
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Cicadas
What are Cicadas? Cicadas are hemipteran insects (Order: Hemiptera; Family: Cicadidae) known for their loud calls produced by males using tymbal organs. India has around 250 reported species (Zoological Survey of India). They are abundant in tropical and temperate regions, often used as bioindicators of forest health. Life Cycle Eggs laid in tree twigs →…
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Translocation of Tigers
Context: The Union Environment Ministry has cleared the translocation of 8 tigers from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserves to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats. The move aims to revive tiger presence in the northern Western Ghats, where populations have remained low despite good habitat. What is the status and spread of tigers…
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Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line: A Historic Gateway Empowering Mizoram’s Growth
Context: The inauguration of the Bairabi-Sairang railway line is a landmark in transforming a landlocked state like Mizoram into a gateway for trade, tourism, and integration. About the Bairabi-Sairang Railway Line The Bairabi-Sairang railway line, inaugurated in September 2025 by Prime Minister, marks Mizoram’s first connection to India’s national railway grid. Length & Infrastructure: ~51…
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Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII)
Context: The Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII), first launched at the COP28 climate summit and rooted in the 2023 Nairobi Declaration, has rapidly evolved from a proposal into a concrete action plan. What is the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII)? The AGII is a multi-stakeholder strategic framework designed to advance green industrialisation and investments across…
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Systemic Challenges in Dispute Resolution
Context: Ahead of a National Lok Adalat (NLA) scheduled in Delhi for settling traffic challans, massive public demand overwhelmed the Delhi Traffic Police’s online portal. What is the National Lok Adalat (NLA)? The National Lok Adalat (NLA) is a nationwide forum for the amicable settlement of disputes outside the formal court system. It is one…
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Protests in News Highlight Global Economic and Social Challenges in 2025
Context: Recent months have seen a surge in mass protests worldwide, reflecting growing discontent over economic hardships, governance failures, and social justice issues. These movements highlight how global inflation, austerity measures, and demands for rights are reshaping state–citizen relations in 2025.
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MIT’s Solar-Powered Atmospheric Water Harvester
Context: In a world where over 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, a new device developed by scientists at MIT offers a revolutionary solution: extracting clean water directly from the air using solar energy, without any external power source. What is the device about? The device is a passive atmospheric water generator…
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Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms
Context: India’s decision to roll out Bharat Stage VII (BS VII) emission norms marks a pivotal step in its fight against vehicular pollution. What are Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms? Definition: BS norms are emission standards set by the Government of India, regulated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Ministry of Environment,…
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Ethanol Blending in India – E10, E20 and Beyond
Context: India’s biofuel revolution is accelerating, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announcing that ethanol blending will cross 20% and diesel–isobutanol mixes will be scaled up. What are E10 and E20 fuel standards? E10 fuel (10% ethanol–90% petrol) was adopted in India in 2003 and made nationwide in April 2022, while E20 fuel (20% ethanol–80% petrol)…
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Transportation in Agriculture
Context: The recent closure of the critical Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for 13 days due to heavy rains and landslides triggered a crisis for Kashmir’s horticulture sector. In response, the Indian Railways announced a daily time-tabled parcel train service from Budgam in Kashmir to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi. What are the challenges in agricultural downstream linkages?…
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Power of Siberia 2 Deal
Context: The announcement of a “legally binding” deal on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to China marks a significant milestone in the deepening partnership between Moscow and Beijing. What is the Power of Siberia 2 gas deal? The Power of Siberia 2 is a massive natural…
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Agnipath Scheme and the Agniveers
Context: The recent arrest of a Navy Agniveer in Maharashtra has reignited debate around the Agnipath scheme—India’s bold attempt to modernise its armed forces through short-term contractual service. What are the potential benefits of the Agniveer model for India’s defence preparedness? Launched in 2022, the Agnipath scheme is a transformative military recruitment model that inducts…
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Central Bureau of Investigation
Context: In a significant judgment emphasising accountability, the Supreme Court upheld a Delhi High Court order directing the registration of FIRs against former CBI Joint Director and Inspector for alleged irregularities in a 2000 case. What is the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)? The CBI is the premier investigative agency of India, functioning under the…
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Adi Sanskriti: Digital Gateway to Preserve and Promote Tribal Heritage
Context: In a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and preserving India’s rich indigenous culture, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs unveiled the beta version of ‘Adi Sanskriti’, a pioneering digital learning and marketplace platform. More on News The initiative aims to safeguard tribal artforms, enable sustainable livelihoods, and connect India’s tribal communities with a…
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Bandipur National Park
Context: Elephant electrocuted in Karnataka’s Bandipur Tiger Reserve About Bandipur NP: Located in Karnataka, the park was established in 1974 under Project Tiger It forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Its highest point is Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, with rivers Kabini, Moyar, and Nugu flowing through. …
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Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)
Context: The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), inaugurated in September 2025, is Africa’s largest hydroelectric project and a defining symbol of Ethiopia’s ambition, resilience, and regional influence. About GERD: Location: Blue Nile River (Origin: Lake Tana), near the Sudanese border in the Benishangul-Gumuz region. It promises to end chronic power shortages, enable Ethiopia to become…