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
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
