Bojjannakonda is a famous Buddhist site at Sankaram, 3.5 km from Anakapalle and 41 km from Visakhapatnam. The villagers, as a part of an ancient ritual, used to throw stones at a belly-shaped object at the site on the Kanuma Read More …
Category: PRELIMS TERMINOLOGY
Ophiocoma wendtii-lacks eyes but can still see
Researchers from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, have published an article in the Current Biology, in which they have described that the red brittle star, called Ophiocoma wendtii, lacks eyes but can still see. A cousin of the starfish, O. Read More …
The locust attack in Gujarat
Why in the news: Swarms of locusts descended on parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, destroying crops and triggering panic. Facts The locusts, known as tiddis locally, have wreaked havoc on standing crops of castor, cumin, jatropha, cotton, and potato, and fodder grass Read More …
Earliest Sanskrit inscription in South India found at Chebrolu in Andhra Pradesh
The Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) Epigraphy Branch has discovered the earliest Sanskrit inscription in South India as on date. It is also the earliest epigraphic evidence so far for the Saptamatrika cult. Till date, the Nagarjunakonda inscription of Ikshavaku Read More …
What is the National Population Register (NPR)?
Why in the News? After protests in various parts of the country, against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 and the proposed National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC), West Bengal and Kerala announced to suspend the work related to the Read More …
What is European Green Deal?
Why in the News? The European Union-the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world after China and the United States, has announced an additional measures to reduce carbon emission. It has been named as the “European Green Deal”. What Read More …
What is the ‘pontifical secret’?
Why in the News? Pope Francis on December 17, 2019 declared that the rule of “pontifical secrecy” no longer applies to the sexual abuse of minors, in a bid to improve transparency in such cases. The Church previously shrouded sexual Read More …
What is An Annular eclipse?
An annular eclipse of the Sun will occur on December 26, 2019 (5 Pausha, 1941 Saka Era). How and When? From India annular phase will be visible in the morning after sunrise from some places within a narrow corridor of Read More …
What is Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill 2019?
Why in the News? The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on December 13, 2019 passed the Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill, 2019 (Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2019). The bill was passed seeing the huge anti protests across the country against Read More …
What is Nuad?
Unesco has listed traditional Thai massage, Nuad Thai, in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 12, 2019 at its meeting that was held in Bogota, Columbia . What is Nuad? The Nuad Thai massage teachings Read More …
What is International Financial Services Centres Authority?
Why in the News? The International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 has been introduced by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha on November 25. The Bill has a provision for the establishment of International Financial Services Centres Read More …
What is In Vivo Fertilization?
Why in the News? A same-sex couple have become the first in the United Kingdom to carry the same baby in both their wombs as part of a landmark “shared motherhood” procedure. Jasmine Francis-Smith gave birth to Otis, their son, Read More …
What is the “Power of Siberia”?
Why in the News? Russian Vladimir Putin and Chinese Presidents Xi Jinping inaugurated the first cross-border pipeline between their countries, called the “Power of Siberia” on December 2, 2019. What is Power of Siberia? The “Power of Siberia” project will Read More …
What is INSTEX?
Why in the News? Recently, France, Britain, and Germany ( E3 ) announced that six new European nations have joined INSTEX. The new countries who joined the system, are: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. What is INSTEX? Read More …
What is Inner Line Permit System?
Why in the News? Amit Shah- Union Home Minister , recently assured civil society and political representatives from the northeastern States of India that tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, and States protected by the Inner Line Permit (ILP) Read More …