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
WHY PRECISION MEDICINE IN INDIA CAN’T ADVANCE WITHOUT BIOBANK LAWS TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE HINDU Precision medicine, driven by advancements in genomics and technologies like gene editing and mRNA therapeutics, is revolutionizing healthcare worldwide. India’s biobanking ecosystem is expanding but encounters challenge due to inconsistent regulations regarding data protection and ethical standards. Precision
SATI SYSTEM The recent acquittal of 8 individuals involved in glorifying Sati through the construction of temples in honor of the woman who committed Sati in the Roop Kanwar case of 1987 has brought attention to the historical and legal aspects of this practice. The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, was enacted in response
NITI AAYOG - ASSET MONETISATION The recent revision by the NITI Aayog has increased the asset monetisation target for FY 2024-25 by ₹23,000 crore, bringing the total target to ₹1.9 trillion. This is part of the broader National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), which aims to generate ₹6 trillion by monetising public assets over the four-year period
HALF OF UAPA INVESTIGATIONS PENDING FOR OVER THREE YEARS TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) of 1967, meant to address issues of national security, has drawn criticism due to its stringent provisions, particularly around delays in trials and the denial of bail. Recent developments, including prolonged detentions, have intensified
INDIA’S BIODIVERSITY TARGETS AND THE KUNMING-MONTREAL GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK (KMGBF) India is preparing to submit its National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This move highlights India’s commitment to halting biodiversity loss and conserving ecosystems, with a focus on sustainable
LIVING PLANET REPORT 2024 The Living Planet Report 2024 by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) presents a concerning picture of global biodiversity loss. It shows a dramatic decline in wildlife populations, highlighting the urgent need for conservation. The WWF, a leading global conservation organization, uses this report to shed light on the primary threats
CENTRE INCREASES MSP FOR WHEAT, FIVE OTHER RABI CROPS TOPIC: (GS3) INDIAN ECONOMY: THE HINDU The Indian government recently announced a significant increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for rabi crops for the 2025-26 marketing season. These decisions aim to ensure fair pricing for farmers and protect employees from inflation, especially ahead of the
ASSAM ACCORD: SC UPHOLDS CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDITY OF SECTION 6A OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: HINDUSTHAN TIMES Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, is a unique provision introduced to address the migration issues in Assam, specifically to regulate citizenship for those who migrated from Bangladesh before March 24, 1971. This provision was a
INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS: POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS AT THE SCO SUMMIT The recent SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad witnessed informal, positive exchanges between India and Pakistan’s leadership. Both sides took a more cooperative approach, aiming to improve their strained relations. What is the SCO Council of Heads of Government? The SCO Council of Heads
WORLD ENERGY OUTLOOK 2024 The International Energy Agency (IEA) released the World Energy Outlook 2024, analyzing key trends in the global energy landscape, including shifts toward clean energy, rising demand, and challenges posed by geopolitical tensions. India’s growing energy needs and its ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070 are particularly highlighted. World Energy
GREENWASHING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) recently released guidelines aimed at regulating "greenwashing" or misleading environmental claims by companies. These guidelines seek to foster transparency in eco-friendly marketing and protect consumers from deceptive practices. What is Greenwashing? Greenwashing is the practice where companies exaggerate or falsely claim environmental benefits for their
