Current affairs

Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP, CARIN)

Context India, represented by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), has joined the steering committee of the Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP). About ARIN-AP ARIN-AP was founded in 2013 to support the tracing, freezing and confiscation of criminal assets across...

Global Nature Conservation Index

About Nature Conservation Index (NCI) It is developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel) in collaboration with BioDB.com (a non profit website dedicated to maintaining biodiversity data). It evaluates...

Methanol Production

Context NTPC has developed Indigenous Catalyst for Methanol production from Flue Gas CO2. About Methanol Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a colourless, volatile liquid with a chemical formula of CH₃OH. It is the simplest alcohol and is produced...

Protected Planet Report 2024, Objectives, Challenges and Recommendations

The Protected Planet Report 2024 was unveiled during the COP16 summit, providing critical updates on global biodiversity conservation efforts. This report primarily tracks progress against the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), particularly the ambitious 30×30 target, which aims to protect...

Waqf Act Amendment Bill 2024 in Lok Sabha, Check Key Changes

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, introduced by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, proposes significant changes to the Waqf Act of 1995. The bill has been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament for further scrutiny. Key amendments include enhanced...

Iran Vows “Tooth-Breaking” Attack on Israel as US Deploys B-52 Bombers

Tensions are soaring in the Middle East as Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued a bold statement promising a "tooth-breaking" response to Israel and the United States. This comes amid heightened military activity, with the U.S. deploying B-52...

What Challenges Does India Face In Fertilizer Imports?

Challenges to Fertilizer Self-Sufficiency in India High Import Dependency: India imports a large portion of its fertilizer needs, including 100% of Muriate of Potash (MOP), 50-60% of DAP, and 20% of urea (according to Standing Committee Report (August 2023). This...

Junk Model Code of Conduct

The argument for scrapping or "junking" the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in India has recently gained attention, especially as its effectiveness is questioned. Originally designed to ensure fair, unbiased elections, the MCC has faced criticism for its perceived inefficacy,...

Food Safety Laws

Context The Uttar Pradesh government made it mandatory for food establishments to "prominently" display the names of key personnel such as the operator, proprietor, manager, and other relevant staff. Supreme Court Ruling On July 22, 2024, the Supreme Court stayed...

A collective effort towards peace in Myanmar

Context The 44th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos was focused on escalating regional concerns (ongoing crisis in Myanmar). The summit underscored the challenges faced by ASEAN in addressing the turmoil since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021 and highlighted...