Context In a significant development for India’s biofuel sector, ethanol production for blending with petrol has shifted predominantly from sugarcane to maize and damaged foodgrains. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the country’s approach to biofuels, reflecting both agricultural Read More …
Category: UPSC Current Affairs
Impact of Oil Spills on Environment
Context The Typhoon Gaemi has wreaked havoc across Taiwan, the Philippines and parts of southeastern China, resultant heavy rains led to the sinking of the oil tanker laden with 1.4 million litres of oil, in Manila Bay. About Oil spills Read More …
2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat
Recently, India hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Foreign Ministers’ Retreat. It focused on providing an “informal platform to discuss ways and means of cooperating and accelerating action in security, connectivity, trade, and investment within Read More …
Static Electricity in Pollination
Context New research has revealed that butterflies and moths accumulate significant amounts of static electricity while in flight, allowing them to attract pollen from flowers without even touching the plants. This finding suggests that these insects are highly efficient pollinators Read More …
Tea Plantation Industry in India
Context The financial stress in the tea plantation Industry is affecting the investors and the plantation workers who are dependent on this industry for generations. About India is the 2nd biggest tea producer and biggest black tea manufacturer. Indian teas Read More …
Moidams
The Mound-Burial System of Ahom Dynasty Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 43rd Entry Moidams About: The Moidams are burial grounds for Tai Ahom kings and queens. They house the mortal remains of Ahom royalty along with cherished objects. Word Origin: The term ‘Moidam’ comes from Read More …
Private Members’ Bill
The private members’ Bill seeking an amendment in the Constitution to disallow Governors from taking up Chancellorship and other non-Constitutional posts introduced in Rajya Sabha by CPI(M) MP John Brittas. A similar private members’ Bill aimed at restricting the powers of Read More …
Antiquities Returned to India from USA
The USA and Indian government signed the Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) to curb the illicit trade of antiquities from India to the US on the sidelines of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee at New Delhi. Objective: To establish a defined framework Read More …
High Court Judges Appointment
The Union Law minister said in Parliament that 219 proposals for the appointment of High Court judges across the country are in various stages of processing. Against the total sanctioned strength of 1,114 judges in various high courts, 757 are working and 357 are Read More …
Tax Simplification Measures in Budget 2024-2025
A number of Tax Simplification Measures have been proposed in the Union Budget of 2024-2025 including, A comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act 1961 in the next six months to make it concise and lucid and provide tax certainty and reduce disputes and litigation. Read More …