RATIONALISATION OF CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES AND LAUNCH OF NATIONAL MISSION ON EDIBLE OILS-OILSEEDS: KEY HIGHLIGHTS The Union Cabinet has recently made significant changes to streamline agricultural initiatives by rationalising 18 centrally sponsored schemes. Among the most notable steps is the introduction of the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) aimed at boosting domestic production of
SUPREME COURT’S OBSERVATION ON MISUSE OF SECTION 498A IPC AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT Recently, the Supreme Court noted that Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (now part of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and the Domestic Violence Act of 2005 are often misused. Both laws were introduced to protect women from domestic cruelty and violence,
PHYSICS NOBEL PRIZE 2024 TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: INDIAN EXPRESS In 2024, the Nobel Prize in Physics recognized two scientists, John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, for their groundbreaking contributions to artificial neural networks (ANNs), which are the backbone of modern artificial intelligence (AI). Their work has significantly advanced the field of machine learning, enabling
NATIONAL HEALTH ACCOUNTS (NHA) ESTIMATES The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently released the National Health Account (NHA) estimates for the fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22. These reports are part of a series that track healthcare spending trends in India, helping in better understanding of the country's health expenditure patterns. Key Findings of
DRDO’S NEW INITIATIVE - FIVE DEEP-TECH PROJECTS The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is launching a new initiative to advance military technologies in India. This initiative focuses on funding five deep-tech projects, each receiving up to Rs 50 crore. The aim is to enhance India's defence capabilities through indigenisation, reduce dependence on foreign imports,
RBI MONETARY POLICY UPDATE TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: INDIAN EXPRESS The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently held its policy review meeting and shifted its stance from "withdrawal of accommodation" to a "neutral" stance, indicating a potential rate cut in the near future. This move reflects the balanced state of inflation and economic growth at present.
NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS 2024 In 2024, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton for their groundbreaking work on artificial neural networks (ANNs) and machine learning (ML). Their research laid the foundation for various technological advancements, influencing fields such as physics, biology, healthcare, and artificial intelligence (AI),
ROLE OF ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS AND ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS (AGES) IN INDIA'S DIABETES SURGE A recent study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition has brought attention to the role of ultra-processed foods and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in the rising cases of diabetes in India. This study, funded by the
INDIA’S CONCERNS OVER THE EUROPEAN UNION’S CBAM AND EUDR India’s Finance Minister recently criticized the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), calling them unilateral measures that create barriers for Indian industries. These regulations aim to reduce carbon emissions and deforestation, but India views them as trade barriers that
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE CODE (NAC): A STEP TOWARDS STANDARDIZING INDIAN AGRICULTURE The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is in the process of drafting the National Agriculture Code (NAC) to create comprehensive standards across India’s entire agricultural cycle. Similar to the National Building Code (NBC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC), the NAC aims to provide clear
BASE YEAR REVISION OF INDIA’S GDP The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is currently working on revising the base year for calculating India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This move comes after the 2015 base year revision, which changed the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12 and drew criticism over certain methodological flaws. The
GROUNDWATER DEPLETION IN NORTHERN INDIA: STUDY BY IIT GANDHINAGAR A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar has found that shifting approximately 40% of the area currently under rice cultivation to alternative crops could help restore between 60 and 100 cubic kilometers of groundwater in northern India, which has been depleted since
