The recent Supreme Court ruling significantly broadens the investigative powers of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (NIA Act). Key Powers of the NIA Significance of the Supreme Court Judgment
Category: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
Gauhati HC reintroduced ban on buffalo and bulbul fights
In December 2024, the Gauhati High Court reintroduced a ban on traditional buffalo and bulbul (songbird) fights during Magh Bihu Assam. The court struck down a notification issued by the Assam government January 2024 which had attempted to revive these Read More …
‘Murder hornet’ eradicated from the U.S.
The Northern giant hornet, nicknamed the “murder hornet”, has been eradicated in the United States. The insect was first spotted in Washington state (US) near the Canadian border in 2019. Key points The northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is the Read More …
Foldscope Microscopy
The Foldscope is an origami-based optical microscope that can be assembled from a flat sheet of paper. It is a portable and affordable microscope. Farmers spanning across 20 districts of Chhattisgarh now using Foldscope to aid pest and disease detection, Read More …
K9 VAJRA-T Artillery Guns
Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited for procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army under Buy (Indian) category. The procurement of K9 VAJRA-T will catalyse the Read More …
Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) program
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $350 million policy-based loan under the second subprogram of Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) program. KEY POINTS
Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Copra for 2025 season
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for copra for 2025 season. KEY POINTS
INS Nirdeshak commissioned at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard
INS Nirdeshak, the second ship of Survey Vessel (large) project, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard on 18 December, 2024. Key Highlights:
Russian claims Ukraine repeatedly dropped white phosphorus from drones
Recently, Russia said that Ukraine had repeatedly dropped white phosphorus munitions from drones in September 2024, but Kyiv (Ukraine) denied it had used such weapons and said it was Moscow (Russia) which had used prohibited chemical substances on the battlefield. Read More …
Indian Army launches AI incubation centre in Bengaluru
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi inaugurated the Artificial Intelligence Incubation Centre (IAAIIC) in Bengaluru.
POPs in Orcas’ blubbers
Why in the News? A recent research has found in the North Atlantic Ocean orcas’ blubbers (fat layer under the skin) high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) despite these were far from human habitations. One category of the POPs Read More …
What are Dark Comets?
Astronomers have recently discovered seven new examples of dark comets, a rare type of celestial object that blurs the line between asteroids and traditional comets. About Dark Comets Discovery and Recent Findings : Comets vs. Asteroids Feature Comet Asteroid Composition Read More …
Nano-plastics identified as emerging agents in spread of antibiotic resistance
A recent study highlights a worrying connection between nanoplastics from single-use plastic bottles (SUPBs) and the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR), revealing an emerging public health concern. Published in the journal Nanoscale by scientists at the Institute of Nano Science Read More …
Protected Area Regime (PAR) reimposed in three states
As per the Manipur Government, the Union Home Ministry has reimposed the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram to monitor the movement of foreigners amid growing security concerns arising out of influx from neighbouring countries. Key Points: Read More …
India and France sign MoU for ‘Yuga Yugeen Bharat’ Museum
India and France on December 19 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the new National Museum, on the lines of the Louvre in Paris.