Oman’s Duqm port

Mapping Source: ET  NSA visits Oman’s Duqm port where Indian Navy has strategic access to facilitate its presence in Indian Ocean Region.   The Port of Duqm is strategically important for India’s maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean. It offers India access to the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea. …

National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) (Lothal, Gujarat)

Mapping Source: BS The government has announced the development of a National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat under the Sagarmala program (under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW)). The project aims to showcase India’s maritime heritage from ancient to modern times. It will include world’s highest light house museum, world’s largest …

Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (Arunachal Pradesh)

Mapping  Source: PIB The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, a 2,000 Mega Watt project located in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, has achieved the construction of the dam to the top level of Elevation Level 210 M.   The Subansiri River is a trans-Himalayan river and a tributary of the Brahmaputra River that flows through Tibet’s Lhuntse …

Gravitational Vibrations

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: IE  Context: Scientists have found evidence suggesting the presence of a continuous background of gravitational waves in the universe.    About Gravitational Waves: Gravitational waves are disturbances in the fabric of spacetime caused by the movement of large objects, such as the collision of two black holes. The waves were …

Energy Transition Index

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: IE Context: India has been ranked 67th globally on the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index, making it the only major economy with accelerating energy transition momentum across all dimensions. The top five countries on the list are Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Switzerland.   The report highlighted India’s achievements …

Headquarters Agreement (HQA) between India and CDRI

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: PIB  Context: The Union Cabinet has given its approval for ratification of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) between the Government of India (Gol) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

Statistics Day

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: PIB Context: The Government of India celebrates Statistics Day every year on June 29th in honour of the late Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, who made significant contributions to the fields of Economics, Planning, and Statistics.   The objective of Statistics Day is to raise awareness, particularly among the younger generation, …

SDGs National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report 2023

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: MoSPI  Context: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report 2023. The report tracks the progress achieved so far at the national level in respect of 17 SDGs.    What are SDGs?  The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set …

Lithium deal

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: DTE  Context: French minerals company has acquired 80% of British Lithium, a UK-based startup extracting lithium in Cornwall (England). The partnership aims to develop a mine capable of producing 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year, enough to power 500,000 EVs annually.   How can India secure its position on …

Using Physics to understand hate groups on the Internet

Content for Mains Enrichment Source: TH Scientists have developed a new approach to understanding online hate communities using mathematical equations commonly used to describe shock waves in fluids. The study found that online hate communities, or “anti-X” communities, grow rapidly due to fusion, where interested individuals or groups join them. The study’s findings have implications …

Namakkal district (Tamil Nadu)

Content for Mains Enrichment Namakkal district (Tamil Nadu), India, has successfully addressed its water scarcity challenges and achieved the second-best groundwater availability in the country. The district’s comprehensive approach involved community participation, rainwater harvesting, sustainable agriculture, efficient water management systems, and robust policies.   Measures such as constructing rooftop collection systems, percolation tanks, and check …

Sharenting

Content for Mains Enrichment Source: TOI West Bengal’s CID department has organised a campaign aimed at sensitising parents on the perils of Sharenting.   What is Sharenting? It refers to the act of parents posting too many details about their children on social media.   Risks associated with Sharenting are: Detrimental for a child’s psychological …

Draft Guidelines for Resource Adequacy Planning Framework for India

GS Paper 3  Syllabus: Infrastructure (Energy)   Source: CEA  Context: The Ministry of Power, in consultation with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), has released draft Guidelines for Resource Adequacy Planning Framework for India.   About the draft guidelines: The guidelines have been formulated under the Electricity (Amendment) Rules 2022. Under the new framework, the distribution …

US-China chips war

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: International Geopolitics   Source: IE Context: The US-China chips war has prompted India to position itself as a player in the semiconductor technology field through a significant partnership with the US.   What is the US-China chips war? The US-China chips war revolves around the rivalry between the two economic powers …

National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Government policies and Intervention, Issues related to Education   Source: TH Context: National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) recently released the India Rankings for 2023, evaluating higher education institutions based on various parameters.   What is NIRF Ranking?  National Institutional Ranking Framework is a methodology developed by the Ministry of Education (formerly …