Context DNA from mummies found at a site once known for its cult to the Egyptian god of the afterlife is unwrapping intriguing insight into the people of ancient Egypt, including a surprise discovery that they had scant genetic ties to sub-Saharan Africa. About the DNA extracted The DNA was extracted from the teeth and… Continue reading Genetic secrets of ancient Egypt unwrapped
Author: ForumIAS
INS Kalvari to join Navy
Context The first of the six Scorpene submarines, being built in India under technology transfer from France, is likely to join the Navy.
India is no longer the fastest-growing Economy
Context India lost its fastest-growing major economy tag in the fourth quarter of 2016-17, with GDP growth coming in at 6.1% compared with China’s 6.9%. Data Data from the Ministry of Statistics on Wednesday showed GDP grew 7.1% in the financial year 2016-17, slower than the 8% registered in 2015-16. The GDP numbers were based… Continue reading India is no longer the fastest-growing Economy
GSLV MkIII-D1
Context Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest launch vehicle, GSLV MkIII-D1. GSLV Mk III is a new, improved and powerful version of the GSLV rockets developed by ISRO. It features an indigenously developed cryogenic engine. GSAT-19 satellite was launched by GSLV Mk III-D1 on Monday, June 05, 2017. GSAT-19 is India’s heaviest… Continue reading GSLV MkIII-D1
CDSCO has registered the oral pellet form for easy use
Understanding the context The CDSCO Central Drugs Standard Control Organization registered the child-friendly HIV drug in oral pellet form. This has opened up crucial supplies from Cipla Pharmaceuticals, a dominant player in the HIV segment Cipla developed a different formulation of the child-friendly HIV drug Lopinavir and Ritonavir. Those were pellets of lopinavir and ritonavir, packaged… Continue reading CDSCO has registered the oral pellet form for easy use
India and Spain’s call for ‘Zero Tolerance’ to Terrorism
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Spain as a part of his four-nation tour aimed at boosting bilateral economic engagement with them and inviting more investment for India’s transformation. India and Spain stressed that there should be “zero tolerance” to terrorism. They called on the international community to end “selective or partial” approaches in combating… Continue reading India and Spain’s call for ‘Zero Tolerance’ to Terrorism
Paris Agreement on Climate Change
Context Donald Trump has decided to pull U.S.A out of the Paris Climate Accord. World Leaders, scientists and environmentalists have condemned Trump’s decision. Current Issue On 1st June 2017, President Trump announced to pull U.S.A out of the Paris Agreement. However, that there is strong support for the Paris Agreement among many individual States and… Continue reading Paris Agreement on Climate Change
Nuclear power in India
Context: India has agreements with Westinghouse and Areva to build power plants in India. Recently, both Westinghouse and Areva have gone bankrupt. The Critics of these deals had pointed out that India’s agreements with Areva and Westinghouse were fiscally irresponsible. Had these projects been implemented, Indian taxpayers would be holding billions of dollars of debt… Continue reading Nuclear power in India
Issue of Genetically Modified Crops in India
Why is it in news? The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee recently recommended the commercial approval of the GM Mustard crop. If approved by the Environment Ministry, GM Mustard will be the first genetically modified food crop to be cultivated in India. Given the results of extensive bio-safety studies over the last decade and the edible… Continue reading Issue of Genetically Modified Crops in India
Cattle trading: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
Context Doubt with Supreme Court: if they can override animal cruelty Act. Current Issue One of the primary questions the Supreme Court will have to settle when it starts hearing the challenge to the government’s new notifications banning the sale and trade of cattle in livestock markets for slaughter and animal sacrifices is whether these… Continue reading Cattle trading: Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
