States can identify Minorities Said Centre
Context In an affidavit filed in the top court, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs said “state governments can also declare a religious or linguistic community as a ‘minority community’ within the state”. Why in news? The Centre was responding to a petition filed stating that the followers of Judaism, Baha’ism and Hinduism — who […]
Detecting Microplastics in Human Blood
A study by researchers from The Netherlands has found Microplastics in blood samples. About half of these were PET (polyethylene tertraphthalate) plastics, which is used to make food grade bottles. What are Microplastics? Microplastics are tiny bits of various types of plastic found in the environment. The name is used to differentiate them from “macroplastics” […]
Malabar Rebellion
The Malabar Rebellion in 1921 started as resistance against the British colonial rule and the feudal system in southern Malabar but ended in communal violence between Hindus and Muslims. There were a series of clashes between Mappila peasantry and their landlords, supported by the British, throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. It began as […]
What are Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles?
The Indian Army has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for the supply of Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles to be deployed in Ladakh and Kutch. What are Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles? Articulated ATV is a twin cabin, tracked, amphibious carrier for off road mobility. The special design of this equipment exerts low ground pressure on the soil […]
Uttarakhand to form panel on Uniform Civil Code
Context: The Uttarakhand Cabinet led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday decided to form a committee of experts on the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in the State. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Government Policies and Initiatives) Dimensions of the Article: Key Points: What is Uniform Civil Code (UCC)? Positive […]
SC keen on ending Mullaperiyar battle
Context: The Supreme court wants to strengthen and widen the ambit and responsibilities of the supervisory committee Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Interstate water disputes), GS-I: Geography (Water Sources), GS-III: Disaster management Dimensions of the Article: Key Points About Mullaperiyar Dam About the Dispute regarding Mullaperiyar river Recent developments regarding Mullaperiyar dam risk Background on […]
Rhino population up by 200 in Kaziranga
Focus: GS-III, Environment Context The population of the greater one-horned or Indian rhinoceros in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has increased by 200 (from 2413 in 2018) in four years, the latest census of the flagship animal has revealed. About Indian Rhino The Indian rhinoceros also called the greater one-horned rhinoceros and great […]
Subregional Grouping That Must Get Back on Course
Context Leaders of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) will attend a summit meeting hosted by the chair Sri Lanka. They look to turn their aspirations into actions in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) region. Relevance GS-II: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. […]
The Phenomenon of Coral Bleaching
Context The management authority of the world’s largest coral reef system, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, confirmed on March 25 that the reef is experiencing a mass coral bleaching event. Relevance GS-III: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Dimensions of the Article What are Coral Reefs? How do they feed themselves? What is Coral […]
DRDO’s Corner-Shot Weapon System
Focus – GS-III: Science and Technology Context A corner-shot weapon system (CSWS), designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is at an advanced stage of being inducted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jammu and Kashmir police. What is CSWS? A special purpose weapon designed by the Armament […]