Author: prashant shekhar

News: Following the devastating floods and landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district in July 2024, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has approved the installation of an X- band radar in the district. 1. Radar: It stands for radio detection and ranging. It functions by utilising radio waves to detect and locate the objects, measure their… Continue reading What is Wayanad’s new X- band radar?

News: India exported coffee worth Rs. 6,467 crores in the first five months of 2024-25, up 45% year-on –year. 1. India produces 2 major types of coffee: Arabica and Robusta. 2. Arabica has a higher market value due to its mild aromatic flavour. 3. Robusta is used in making various blends due to its strong… Continue reading Coffee exports a hit despite supply woes

News: Climate Change and Global Warming are believed to be the reasons behind the shrinking of the Roopkund lake. 1. Climate Change: United Nations defines climate change as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural or anthropogenic in origin. 2. Roopkund Lake: It is located 16,500 feet above sea level… Continue reading Concerns grow as Uttarakhand’s ‘skeleton lake’ is shrinking

News: Last week, the Delhi High Court had issued directions to improve the availability of ‘orphan drugs’. 1. Orphan Drugs: They are the medicines used to diagnose, prevent or treat an orphan (rare) disease. 2. Rare Diseases: World Health Organisation defines rare disease as a debilitating lifelong disease or disorder with a prevalence of 1… Continue reading Issues in the treatment of ‘rare diseases’, and what the govt can do

News: The Centre will release the final rules on greenwashing, and violations of these rules will invite penalties under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. 1. Greenwashing: It refers to the process of a company misleading consumers about the environmental benefits of their products or practices. 2. Also known as ‘green sheen’, it… Continue reading Centre prepares new rules to curb greenwashing

News: The Union Government signed a deal with Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), giving the body the status of an ‘independent and international legal entity’. This diplomatic status is like the status enjoyed by Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and International Solar Alliance (ISA). 1. Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA): It was launched by PM Narendra… Continue reading Biofuel alliance gains diplomatic status

News: Commission for Air Quality Management has stated in the Supreme Court that farm fires have reduced by 50% in the last three years, but overage vehicles have reduced the air quality. 1. .Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): It is statutory body established under the provisions of Commission for Air Quality in National Capital… Continue reading CAQM: Overage vehicles adding to winter choke

News: India has extended economic aid to Maldives in the form of currency swap arrangements to help it overcome the domestic economic crisis. Maldives President’s recent visit to India has strengthened the bilateral ties between countries, particularly after his ‘India Out’ election campaign. 1. Currency Swap Arrangements: It is a financial arrangement between two countries… Continue reading First Responder

News: Israel airstrike that targeted at least one senior Hezbollah figure in central Beirut led to killing of two people and injuring UN peacekeepers. 1. Hezbollah: It is a Lebanon bases Shiite Muslim political and militant organization. 2. It was established in 1982, as a response to Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. 3. Iran provides… Continue reading Israel targets Hezbollah in central Beirut, fires on UN peacekeepers

News: UNDP will partner with NITI Aayog as India is crucial to the successful attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): They are a set of 17 goals that were adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, with the idea of ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that… Continue reading UNDP to work with NITI Aayog on sustainable development