The Study IAS

Tag: GS-3

  • Social Forestry Scheme Nagar Van Yojana

    Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides funding under the Nagar Van Yojna to support the development and enhancement of green belts in urban areas, aiding states in their efforts to strengthen existing green spaces.   About Nagar Van Yojana: Nagar Van Yojana envisages creating 1000 Nagar Van / Nagar Vatika in…

  • NITI Aayog Report on Strategy for the Development of Seaweed

    Context: Recently, NITI Aayog submitted the report on Strategy for the development of Seaweed Value Chain.   Overview of the Report: The report aims to be a milestone in developing the seaweed sector, with the goal of realising its full potential by 2047. The strategy document outlines a plan to develop the seaweed value chain…

  • Second Sovereign Green Bond Auction of FY25

    Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s second green bond auction for FY25 received a weak response, with only Rs 1,697 crore of the Rs 6,000 crore issued, at a cut-off rate of 6.90%.    More in News: Traders were unwilling to pay a premium, or “greenium,” for the green bonds due to low demand. The…

  • SEBI’s Proposed Measures to Curb F&O Speculation

    Context: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed measures to curb speculative trading in index derivatives amid rising volumes in futures and options (F&O) trading, particularly by individual investors.   Types of Derivatives: Futures: Contracts obligating the buyer to purchase an underlying asset at a predetermined price on a specified date. Options: Contracts giving…

  • A Flapping Microrobot Inspired by Rhinoceros Beetle Wings

    Context: Recently, scientists from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland and Konkuk University in South Korea delved into how herbivorous insects—specifically rhinoceros beetles—deploy and retract their wings.   More on News: While birds and bats flap their wings using pectoral and wing muscles, the mechanisms behind insect wing movements are still not well…

  • The Case for Investment in Nutritious Foods Value Chains: An Opportunity for Gender Impact Report

    Context:  “The Case for Investment in Nutritious Foods Value Chains: An Opportunity for Gender Impact” Report by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) emphasises that investing in nutritious food value chains can significantly reduce gender inequalities, enhance productivity, and boost business resilience.    Women’s Role in Agri-Food Sector: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization…

  • Proactive and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous, and Environmental Single Window Hub (PARIVESH) Portal

    Context: In line with ‘Digital India’ and the principle of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governance,’ the government launched the single-window portal “PARIVESH” for Environment, Forest, Wildlife, and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances.   PARIVESH Portal:  Launch: In 2018.  It is a single window portal for online submission and monitoring of proposals seeking Environment, Forest, Wildlife…

  • Narco- Terrorism

    Context: The Jammu and Kashmir administration dismissed six government employees, including five policemen, on charges of narco-terrorism, without an inquiry.  They were fired under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution, which permits dismissal without inquiry if it concerns state security.   More in news: This termination brings the total number of such terminations to…

  • Fighting Mosquito Menace with Repellents and Vaccines

    Context:   The book Mosquitopia: The Place of Pests in a Healthy World states that there are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes in every continent except Antarctica.    Mosquito-Borne Diseases Prevalence: India contributes more than 12% of the world’s mosquito population. Key Species in India: 63 species identified, with Anopheles being the most prominent. High Prevalence…

  • 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists

    Context: The Prime Minister of India inaugurated the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) at National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex, New Delhi.    More on News:  The Prime Minister highlighted that agriculture in India is built on ancient wisdom, citing “Krishi Parashar,” a nearly 2000-year-old agricultural treatise. He reiterated India’s commitment to global…

  • Overview of Schizophrenia Genetic Complexity

    Context: Recently, genetic research reveals the complexity of schizophrenia’s genetic mechanisms, emphasising the role of multiple genes rather than a single-gene causation. The study conducted by the UNC School of Medicine and the Karolinska Institutet, is published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience (2024).   Key Findings of the Research: Research has identified nearly 300 common genetic…

  • Legal Challenges to the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project

    Why in the News? The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) infrastructure project has faced legal challenges due to environmental concerns.   About the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project: The project involves the construction of a civilian and defence airport, an international container transhipment terminal, and a township. The estimated cost is Rs 72,000 crore.   Why It…

  • Piezoelectric Devices For Wearable Applications

    Context: Researchers have found a droplet microfluidics technology to produce Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microspheres with high electroactive (EA) phase that can lead to piezoelectric devices for wearable applications, serving as self-powered sensors for monitoring diverse physiological signals.   About microspheres of PVDF produced via microfluidics: The Department of Science and Technology has introduced droplet microfluidics…

  • Giant Radio Sources

    Context: A team of Indian radio astronomers has made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying 34 new giant radio sources (GRSs) using data from the TIFR GMRT Sky Survey Alternative Data Release 1 at 150 MHz.  These colossal structures are powered by supermassive black holes at their centres and extend millions of light-years across the universe.  …

  • World Development Report 2024: Middle-Income Trap

    Context: World Bank report “World Development Report 2024” reveals that over 100 countries, including China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, are facing significant challenges in advancing to high-income status due to the “middle-income trap.”   Middle-Income Trap:  In 2007, the World Bank’s report “An East Asian Renaissance: Ideas for Economic Growth” introduced the term “middle-income…

  • 100% FDI Permitted via Automatic Route for MRO Services

    Context: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has permitted 100% FDI via automatic route for the domestic aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul MRO industry.   More in News: The other key measure undertaken by the Government to facilitate setting up of aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services in India are : Introduced a uniform 5%…

  • Employment Linked Incentive Scheme

    Context: The Finance Minister of India announced three employment-linked incentive (ELI) schemes for two years and an internship programme in partnership with India Inc. for five years in the Union Budget for 2024-25 The scheme aims to push employment in manufacturing and job creation in formal sectors of the economy.   About the Scheme: The…

  • Paris Olympics: The Gender Issue

    Context: Angela Carini from Italy withdrew from her Round of 16 boxing match against Algeria’s Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the bout following a few punches to her face, sparking the most significant controversy of the Olympics.   More on the news: Khelif faced backlash, including false claims of being a biological man or…

  • Osmolyte – Protein interaction can help treatments for Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s

    Context: Alzheimer’s & Parkinson Recently, research at the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences used covalent magnetic tweezers to study how individual proteins fold, unfold, and interact with osmolytes.   Key Findings: Osmolytes stabilise proteins and prevent misfolding, which is crucial for avoiding diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Study focused on Protein L and…

  • Species in News: Cape Fur Seals

    Context: South African officials will trial vaccinations for Cape fur seals following these marine mammals’ first documented rabies outbreak.  The disease has infected at least seven people, who have received prompt treatment for bites or scratches from rabid seals.   About Cape Fur Seals: Scientific Name: Arctocephalus pusillus. Common Names: Cape fur seal, South African…

  • Technology Development Fund Scheme

    Context: The TDF scheme supports the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision by integrating new industries, especially startups and MSMEs, into defence technology design and manufacturing.   More on News: A total of 78 projects have been sanctioned under the scheme, with an approximate cost of Rs. 333.21 crore. So far, 27 technologies under 10 projects have been…