Archives: Current Affair

Why in News ? The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, launched a portal developed by NITI Aayog and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) on State finances. The portal, called the “NITI NCAER States Economic Forum,” aims to provide comprehensive data and insights on the fiscal and economic landscape of Indian States, covering […]

Why in News ?  Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have been heavily selling Indian stocks, yet they have invested $6 billion (Rs 51,370 crore) into Fully Accessible Route (FAR) bonds since January 2024. In March alone, they invested Rs 29,044 crore in Indian bonds. This shift is linked to India’s inclusion in the JP Morgan Emerging […]

Why  in the news? The news discusses the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast for the upcoming southwest monsoon season in India, specifically its ruling out the possibility of an El Nino. This is significant because El Nino conditions are typically associated with reduced monsoon rainfall in India, which can have serious implications for agriculture and […]

Why in News ? There have been protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, primarily led by opposition parties, accusing the government of misleading the Muslim community about the Bill’s implications. Key Points of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Inclusion of Non-Muslims and Muslim Women on Waqf Boards: The Bill proposes to include non-Muslims and […]

The Odisha government has revised the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) norms to include new projects, improve fund utilization, and extend coverage areas. Key Highlights: Expansion of Affected Areas: The definition of “directly-affected” areas has been expanded to include regions within a 15 km radius of mines (previously 10 km). “Indirectly-affected” areas now encompass regions within […]

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is a government organization established under the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Act, 1976. It oversees the planning, development, and management of industrial and urban areas along the Yamuna Expressway. Key Features and Objectives: Primary Focus: Developing industrial hubs, commercial spaces, residential areas, and infrastructural facilities along the Yamuna […]

The article highlights the underutilization of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and the associated recommendations by a parliamentary panel. It is relevant for UPSC Prelims and Mains because it addresses key issues in social justice, governance, and welfare schemes. Why is this important for Prelims and Mains? UPSC Prelims Questions on […]

The article on the Sagaing Fault and the massive earthquake in Myanmar . UPSC Prelims Focus Areas Tectonic movements and earthquake-prone zones (India and Myanmar). Key Fault Lines: Sagaing Fault vs. Himalayan Fault. Disaster Management Act 2005 and NDMA guidelines. Seismic Zones of India. UPSC Mains Relevance GS Paper 1 (Geography): Plate Tectonics and Earthquake […]

Why in News ?  A new government report has highlighted the value of India’s bioeconomy in 2024, estimating it at more than $155 billion, accounting for over 4.2% of the country’s GDP. The India Bioeconomy Report, released by the Department of Biotechnology, identifies an opportunity for this sector to grow to about $300 billion by […]

Why in News ? The Indian government has proposed abolishing the 6% Equalisation Levy (EL) on digital advertisements, effective April 1, 2025, as part of amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025. This move aims to address US concerns about India’s high tariff policies and improve trade relations. It also aligns with global efforts to develop […]