Current affairs

Why has India allowed FIIs to Invest in its Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs)?

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved  Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIS) to invest in the Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs). India's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26, necessitates significant...

Temple Architecture of Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Features, Characteristics

The Ayodhya Ram Mandir is a three-story temple built in the Nagara style of Hindu temple architecture. This distinctive style, considered one of the two great classical languages of Indian temple architecture, has roots dating back to the fifth century...

Aviation Emissions, Metrics, Historical Changes

Context: Despite being highly carbon-intensive, aviation contributes to only 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. Drivers of Change in Aviation Emissions The "Kaya identity" framework, which considers population, income, energy efficiency, and carbon intensity, is used to understand aviation emissions. Factors...

Suspension of Operations Pact with Kuki-Zo Insurgent Groups

Context: The Manipur government declined to attend a central meeting to renew the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo insurgents. More in news The SoO pact with Kuki-Zo groups continues to exist in a status quo state. The Kuki-Zo...

Operation Meghdoot: How India Won Siachen Glacier?

Context: April 13, 2024, marked four decades of the Indian Army's Operation Meghdoot. Operation Meghdoot was a bold military operation undertaken by the Indian Army in 1984 to capture control of the strategically important Siachen Glacier in Ladakh. Operation Meghdoot...

Current Affairs 16th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Hydrocarbons Context: Hydrocarbons significantly impact the environment through CO2 emissions. Emissions occur throughout the hydrocarbon lifecycle (production, use, well abandonment) Fact A 2018 study estimated oilfields releasing 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide in one year. How Hydrocarbons Are Formed...

Editorial of the day (16th Apr): India’s Arctic Imperative

Context: India's first winter expedition in the Arctic successfully concluded. More In News In December 2023, four Indian climate scientists arrived in Oslo to start acclimatising for India’s first winter expedition in the Arctic. The expedition was based at Himadri,...

Current Affairs 15th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Doxxing Context: A woman reported a man for sharing a non-consensual video of her dancing on X, leading to widespread harassment and highlighting the concerns over doxxing. What is Doxxing? Doxxing involves publicising personal details without consent. It can include...

Editorial of the day (15th Apr): The Asian Edge-US China in Asia

Context: Recent US summits with Asian allies (Japan, Philippines) and China's reaction suggested a new era of political and military manoeuvring in Asia, with potential for major conflict. US-Asia Alliances US summits with Japan and the Philippines were seen as...

CAR -T Cell Therapy, Clinical Trial and Approval for NexCAR19

Context: In India, researchers collaborated to develop NexCAR19, an affordable CAR-T cell therapy. About Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy CAR T-cell therapy is a form of cancer treatment that modifies T cells, a critical component of the immune...