Revamping Higher Education Accreditation
Context: The Central government plans to overhaul the accreditation system for higher educational institutes by the end of the year. It aims to replace the current practice of assigning a score and corresponding grade with a binary system. Relevance: GS II: Polity and Governance Dimensions of the Article: About National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) […]
India-France Bilateral Ties
Context: Given the circumstances surrounding the invitation extended to French President Emmanuel Macron, his recent visit to India was always expected to focus more on symbolism and ceremony rather than substantive matters. Macron, the sixth French President to participate in Republic Day celebrations, filled the void left when U.S. President declined the invitation. Relevance: Mains […]
Aadhaar Based Pay a Bad Idea for MGNREGS
Context: On January 1, the Rural Development Ministry mandated the use of Aadhaar-Based Payment Systems (ABPS) in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Despite multiple deadline extensions by the Union government, and numerous memorandums from workers urging the Ministry not to make ABPS compulsory, the decision was implemented. Relevance: GS-2 GS-3 Mains […]
PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme
Context: A total of ₹32.44 Crore has been released for Pre-matric Scholarships and ₹387.27 Crore for Post-Matric Scholarships to States/Union Territories (UTs) under the PM YASASVI scheme in 2023. Relevance: GS II: Government Policies and Interventions PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme (PM YASASVI): Empowering Students for Academic Excellence Scholarship Target Groups: Scholarship Phases: Opportunity […]
DST Unveils VAIBHAV Scheme Cohort
Context: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) introduces the first cohort of fellows under the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) scheme, mirroring similarities with the 2018-initiated Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty (Vajra) scheme. Relevance: GS II: Government Policies and Interventions Dimensions of the Article: VAIBHAV Scheme: Facilitating Global Collaboration in STEMM Fields Program Overview: Fellowship […]
History Optional Preparation Strategy for UPSC
Preparation Strategy for History Optional Paper in UPSC Mains History is one of the most lucrative Optional Subjects to choose for UPSC Mains with more than 1000 students appearing for the History Optional paper until 2017. There is a very observable drop in the number of students choosing History as their optional (over 2000 […]
About The Wandering Albatrosses
Context: Wandering albatrosses are threatened with extinction and climate change could put their nesting sites at risk. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Wandering Albatrosses: Physical Marvel: Nomadic Seafarers: Breeding Grounds: Conservation Significance: Threats and Conservation Needs: -Source: Down To Earth
About The Disease X
Context: Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasised the urgent need for global preparedness against a potential new pandemic, referred to as ‘Disease X’. Relevance: Facts for Prelims Disease X Concept and Origin: WHO Recognition: Severity and Unknown Nature: Future Microbial Threat: -Source: Down To Earth
About the Mpemba Effect
Context: The Mpemba effect continues to captivate scientists with its complex interplay of physical mechanisms. Relevance: Facts for Prelims Mpemba Effect: Hot Water’s Peculiar Freezing Quirk Origin and Discovery: Counterintuitive Observation: Historical Recognition: Diverse Experiments: -Source: The Hindu
About The Halwa Ceremony
Context: The Union Finance Minister participated in the ‘Halwa Ceremony’ recently, a tradition observed before the annual budget presentation. Relevance: Facts for Prelims Halwa Ceremony: Commencing the Budget Printing Tradition Annual Tradition: Rituals and Significance: Location and Setting: Formal Send-Off: Lock-In Period: Secrecy and Confidentiality: -Source: The Hindu