MADURAI BENCH CAN ALSO HEAR PIL PETITIONS RELATING TO PAN-STATE MATTERS, RULES MADRAS HIGH COURT The Madras High Court, principal seat, recently issued a significant ruling reinstating the authority of the Madurai Bench to adjudicate on all types of Public Interest Litigations (PILs), not just those limited to the 13 districts under its jurisdiction but
WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released its 2022 report highlighting concerning statistics on global doping violations. The findings spotlight India's prominent role in doping offences, urging the need for rigorous measures to uphold sports' integrity. Key Findings India's Doping Offences: India led globally with 3.26% doping offenders among tested athletes. Out
GLOBAL HEPATITIS REPORT 2024 The recently released Global Hepatitis Report 2024 by the World Health Organization (WHO) has shed light on India's significant burden of viral hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis B and C infections. India's Hepatitis Burden: Prevalence in India: India bears one of the highest burdens of viral hepatitis globally. Approximately 2.9 crore people in
SOIL EROSION CRISIS IN INDIA Soil erosion is a significant environmental concern impacting agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. A recent study employing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) highlighted alarming rates of soil erosion across India. Key Highlights of the Study: 30% of India's landmass experiences "minor" soil erosion. 3% of the land faces
INDIA'S DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION India's population dynamics have long been a focal point of discussions, with projections indicating a potential population of 1.7 billion by 2065. This brings attention not only to the growth aspect but also to the changing fertility rates, a less-explored dimension of demographic transition. About Demographic Transition and Dividend Demographic Transition: Refers
STRICTER VIEW NEEDED IN CUSTODIAL DEATH CASES Custodial death, the tragic demise of an individual under the watch of law enforcement or correctional facilities, remains a pressing issue in India. This phenomenon raises concerns about human rights violations, abuse of power, and the need for legal reforms to ensure justice and accountability. About Custodial Death
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) hold immense strategic importance for India in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indian government's renewed focus on these islands reflects their recognition as vital assets for maritime security, trade routes, and regional stability. Strategic Importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Geographical Location: Located
CDP-SURAKSHA, GOVT’S NEW DIGITAL PLATFORM TO DISBURSE SUBSIDIES TO HORTICULTURE FARMERS The Central government has recently introduced a new platform, CDP-SURAKSHA, to streamline the disbursement of subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP). This initiative aims to bolster India's horticulture sector, which plays a pivotal role in the country's agricultural Gross Value
INDIA EXPANDS ANTARCTIC POSTAL NETWORK The Department of Posts has recently inaugurated a second post office branch at the Bharati research station in Antarctica, marking a significant milestone after nearly four decades. Historical Context: India’s Post Office Legacy in Antarctica 1984: India established its first post office at Dakshin Gangotri, India's initial research station in
INDIA'S SOVEREIGN GREEN BONDS The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently permitted Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) operating within the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) to invest in India's Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs). This decision aims to accelerate India's transition to a low-carbon economy by expanding the capital pool for green projects. What are Sovereign
HOW ARE HYDROCARBONS EXTRACTED FROM UNDER THE GROUND? The two Industrial Revolutions were ignited by human’s breakthrough in extracting hydrocarbons. These substances fuelled large engines, resulting in the pollution of the air, water, and atmosphere, and significantly exacerbating global warming. Given the escalating threat of global warming, it is imperative for the world to explore
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently convened a meeting involving all seven national commissions to address the protection of vulnerable sections' rights. The seven bodies include the National Commission for Women (NCW), National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), National Commission for Protection of Child
MARINE CLOUD BRIGHTENING Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) is a geoengineering technique currently being tested by scientists to address climate change. It involves the injection of tiny saltwater particles into marine stratocumulus clouds to increase their reflectivity and cool the Earth. About Marine Cloud Brightening: Purpose: MCB aims to explore how altering atmospheric particles, known as
SWACHH BHARAT MISSION The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a significant initiative launched by the Indian government to achieve the goal of a Clean India by addressing sanitation issues in both rural and urban areas. The mission, inaugurated on October 2, 2014, aligns with Mahatma Gandhi's vision of cleanliness as essential for a healthy and
GOVERNMENT'S GUIDELINES ON SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATIONS Social media has become an integral part of modern society, shaping interactions, disseminating information, and influencing public discourse. However, with its widespread usage comes challenges such as the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns. In India, the Supreme Court has expressed apprehensions about the misuse of social media
NAXALISM IN INDIA Naxalism, a term rooted in the village of Naxalbari in West Bengal, has grown into a significant challenge for India, particularly in its central, eastern, and southern regions. Stemming from socio-economic grievances and fueled by political disillusionment, Naxalism advocates for armed revolution and the establishment of a communist state. Despite recent declines
GLARE ON FSSAI FOR RAISING LIMITS OF PESTICIDES IN SPICES AND CULINARY HERBS The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of food products consumed by millions of people across the country. However, a recent decision by the FSSAI to raise the maximum residue limit (MRL)
CARE FOR THE ELDERLY POPULATION With India's demographic landscape rapidly evolving, the care for the elderly population has emerged as a pressing challenge. As the country experiences the benefits of its demographic dividend, it also witnesses a significant rise in the elderly population. Status of Elderly Population in India Projected Growth: The elderly population (aged
CHUNK OF INDIA’S FORESTS ‘MISSING’ AFTER 27-YEAR-DELAY TO FILE REPORTS The recent actions taken by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in compliance with a Supreme Court order, have brought attention to the challenges surrounding the identification and protection of unclassed forests in India. Implications of Supreme Court Order: MoEFCC uploaded various
NEW IUCN REPORT SHOWS WAY TOWARD REGENERATIVE BLUE ECONOMY The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has published a report presenting a blueprint for a Regenerative Blue Economy (RBE), seeking to surpass conventional sustainability strategies by actively rejuvenating and revitalizing ocean ecosystems. This approach represents a paradigm shift in ocean governance, emphasizing the protection
CASE BEFORE SUPREME COURT: CAN GOVT REDISTRIBUTE PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY? The Supreme Court (SC) of India is currently hearing a case concerning the government's authority to acquire and redistribute privately owned properties, focusing on whether private properties can be considered "material resources of the community" under Article 39(b) of the Constitution. This case arose from
INDIA HELPING FIVE NATIONS DEVELOP EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS India is proactively aiding neighbouring countries and small island nations in establishing early warning systems to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events. This initiative aligns with the United Nations' 'Early Warnings for All' campaign, aiming to minimize loss of life and property. Objective: Reduce the adverse
HUNDREDS OF GLACIAL LAKES EXPANDING IN HIMALAYAN REGION, FLAGS ISRO The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has observed a concerning trend of large-scale expansion in glacial lakes in the Himalayan region between 1984 and 2023. This expansion, documented through satellite monitoring, poses significant risks to downstream areas and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures
