Category: Current Affairs

Context: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Rs 7,628.70 crore (Rs 76.28 billion) contract with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the procurement of 100 additional K9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns for the Indian Army. Key Highlights: This procurement is part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative and falls under the ‘Buy (Indian)’…

Context: India is set to launch two new undersea cable systems, the India Asia Xpress (IAX) and the India Europe Xpress (IEX), within the next three months. More in News: Ownership and Investment: Both cable systems are primarily owned by Reliance Jio, with strategic investment from China Mobile. Geographical Connections: IAX: Connects Mumbai and Chennai with Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.…

Context: The central government is exploring options related to the establishment of dedicated spaces for the manufacturing and production of space components.  About Dedicated Space Parks: It has been recommended by the Indian Space Association (ISpA), the apex industry body for space and satellite companies. Dedicated space parks would be used for the Indigenous development…

Rash Behari Ghosh, born on December 23, 1845, in Torkona village, West Bengal, was a prominent Indian politician, lawyer, social worker, and philanthropist. He played a significant role in the Indian National Congress and was known for his moderate approach to India’s struggle for independence. Early Life and Education: Ghosh received his education at Burdwan…

Context: BRICS and SCO are crucial non-Western platforms for India and Russia, reflecting shifts in their foreign policies. Both organisations have expanded their agendas to address regional and global issues, including a multipolar world order. As membership grows, India and Russia’s converging and diverging approaches become more apparent.  Russia’s and India’s Foreign Policy Evolution:  Russia’s…

Context: India and France signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a new National Museum, named Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum in New Delhi. More on News: The museum will be modelled on the Louvre in Paris and will be located in the historic North Block and South Block of the national capital. Once…

Context of the Debate: The Economic Survey for FY24 suggested allowing more Chinese investments in India to stimulate economic growth. However, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal dismissed any rethinking on this matter, temporarily ending the debate. Despite this, recent developments indicate a renewed focus on India-China economic relations, highlighting the tension between economic opportunities and geopolitical…

Context: On December 4, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved the text of a historic treaty aimed at preventing and punishing Crimes Against Humanity (CAH). This marks a significant step toward international criminal justice, filling a crucial gap in global law. More in News: Unlike genocide and war crimes, which are addressed under…

Context: India is set to face a significant rise in dementia cases, with experts warning that the country will account for more than 15% of the world’s elderly population by 2050. Prevalence and Projections: Current Prevalence: Approximately 7.4% of Indians aged 60 and above are affected by dementia. Future Projections: The number of dementia cases…

Context: Indian oceanographers have captured the first image of an active hydrothermal vent located 4,500 meters below the surface of the Indian Ocean.  More on News: This discovery is part of India’s Rs 4,000-crore Deep Ocean Mission under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The AUV launched from the research vessel Sagar Nidhi captured images of…

Context: The Indian government has launched the Jalvahak Scheme, an ambitious initiative to promote the use of inland waterways for cargo transportation. This scheme is designed to incentivise the movement of long-haul cargo via the country’s National Waterways (NW) 1, 2, and 16, which include the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers, respectively. The goal is…

Context: India’s shift towards a services-led economy, highlighted the strong growth in service exports, particularly through Global Capability Centres (GCCs). While this shift has spurred economic progress, it has also created structural imbalances, such as a reliance on low-productivity sectors and rising income inequality. The Rise of Services Exports:  Strong Performance Amidst Record Trade Deficit…

Context: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) is reconsidering its approach to increasing cornea donations, moving away from the controversial opt-out method.  More on News The opt-out mechanism, where individuals who die in hospitals are presumed to be donors unless they explicitly state otherwise, has faced resistance due to the sensitive nature of…

Context: In a 4:1 majority ruling, the Supreme Court of India’s Constitution Bench upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, in October 2024.  More on News: This provision establishes a unique framework for migrants from the erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who settled in Assam, granting Indian citizenship to those…

Context: A seven-member high-level committee led by former ISRO chair Dr. K Radhakrishnan was constituted in June 2024 to evaluate the NTA’s operations. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced significant changes to the agency’s role and structure. Key Changes Announced: Focus on Entrance Exams: Starting in 2025, the NTA…

Context: A recent study has revealed that a massive marine heat wave, known as “The Blob,” caused the deaths of approximately 4 million seabirds, specifically common murres, in the Gulf of Alaska and the eastern Bering Sea between 2014 and 2016.  More on News: This event is considered the largest documented wildlife mortality event in…