IUCN assessment on species facing extinction
Context: The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed species for its survival watchlist said that over 25% of them are now at high risk of vanishing forever. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Important International Institutions, Conservation of Ecology and Biodiversity) Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the IUCN findings About the IUCN […]
Climate Change and its impact on El Nino and La Nina
Context: There is a growing body of research suggesting that climate change can cause extreme and more frequent El Niño and La Niña events. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important Geophysical Phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Impact of Climate Change) Dimensions of the article: La Niña El Niño About the Recent Findings […]
Account Aggregator (AA) platform goes live
Context: Thousands of Indians have signed up for and are using the apex bank-regulated account aggregator (AA) platform in less than two months of it going live. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy, Banking) Dimensions of the Article: About the Account Aggregator (AA) network How does the AA network work? […]
Taliban, opposition battle for Panjshir
Context: Fresh fighting was reported between the Taliban and resistance forces in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley, as the hardline Islamists are in the process of finalising a government that will set the tone for their rule. Taliban sources said that its fighters had taken the Valley, although the resistance denied it had fallen. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: […]
Footprints of 3 dinosaur species found in Thar desert
Context: In a major discovery, footprints of three species of dinosaurs have been found in the Thar desert in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, proving the presence of the giant reptiles in the western part of the State, which formed the seashore to the Tethys Ocean during the Mesozoic era. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Geomorphology) Dimensions of […]
WMO report: Weather disasters killed 2 million in 50 years
Context: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses which is the most comprehensive review of mortality and economic losses from weather, water and climate extremes ever produced. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) […]
IMF raises India’s special drawing rights allocation
Context: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply increased its allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) to India, in line with the country’s existing quota in the fund. The IMF has made an allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 12.57 billion (equivalent to around $17.86 billion at the latest exchange rate) to India. Now, the […]
UNSC resolution addresses ‘key concerns’ on Afghanistan
Context: The India-led United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2593 on Taliban sponsored by France, UK and the US, was adopted with 13 members, including India, voting in favour, none against it. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Institutions, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests, India’s Neighbours) Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the UNSC Resolution 2593 […]
Long wait for a Deputy Speaker for Lok Sabha
Context: With the Delhi High Court asking the Central government to explain its stand on a petition that claimed keeping the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha vacant is a violation of Article 93 of the Constitution, the issue is once again in the spotlight. The position of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha […]
Ladakh adopts State animal and bird
Context: Ladakh adopted two endangered species, snow leopard and black-necked crane, as State animal and State bird, two years after it was carved out as a separate Union Territory (UT) from the erstwhile State of J&K. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Species in News) Dimensions of the Article: About the Snow leopard About the […]