Category: 14 July 2023

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India’s attempt to expand G20 to increase Global South imprint

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests   Source: TH  Context: G20 negotiators led by Indian Sherpa (Amitabh Kant) are discussing the draft “Leader’s Declaration” for the Summit in Sept 2023. What is the Indian government aiming for? Expand the imprint of the Global South in the …

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Kaas Plateau (Maharastra)

Mapping Source: PIB  A recent study conducted by the Agharkar Research Institute in Pune, Maharashtra, has revealed significant climate and environmental changes on the Kaas Plateau. The Kaas Plateau, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site (2012), is renowned for its seasonal flowers that form a vibrant carpet during August and September.   The Kas Plateau …

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Atlantic menhaden

    Source: IE   Context: According to researchers, the changes in the Atlantic ecosystem can be attributed to the overfishing of Atlantic menhaden.   About Atlantic menhaden: Found in coastal and estuarine waters from Nova Scotia to northern Florida, Atlantic menhaden play many important roles. They are filter feeders, primarily consuming phytoplankton and zooplankton …

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New plant species that grow in saline conditions of Kutch discovered

  Source: IE  Context: A team of researchers has discovered a new species of saltwort called Salsola oppositifolia Desfontania in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. The perennial shrub, which belongs to the Amaranthaceae family, grows in saline, arid to semi-arid environments.   About Salsola oppositifolia Desfontania: It is a halophyte, adapted to saline conditions. …

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NASA’s Perseverance rover finds diverse organic matter on Mars

  Source: DTE  Context: NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered evidence of organic compounds in a Martian crater, providing insights into the potential habitability of Mars. The study, published in the journal Nature, reveals a more complex organic geochemical cycle on Mars than previously thought, indicating the presence of multiple reservoirs of potential organic molecules on …

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AuditOnline

  Source: PIB Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the Action Taken Report (ATR) Module of AuditOnline through a virtual event.   About AuditOnline: AuditOnline is open-source software developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as part of the Panchayat Enterprise Suite under the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (as part of the Digital …

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Sanipreneurs

Content for Mains Enrichment    Source: TH The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has informed the Madras High Court that it plans to convert workers involved in manual scavenging into ‘sanipreneurs’ by awarding them a tender for the maintenance of the sewer system using machines. Aim: This initiative aims to provide workers …

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Issues with the air pollution control measures in India

GS Paper 3  Syllabus: Environmental Pollution    Source: DTE  Context: According to a CSE analysis, air pollution impacts villages and cities almost equally but pollution control measures target only urban India.   Findings of the analysis: Particulate matter (PM) 5 is an extremely potent air pollutant that can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger …

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Tax on online gaming: What the GST Council’s decision says, its implications

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Issues related to the Indian economy   Source: IE    Context: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, in its 50th meeting, decided to levy a uniform 28% tax on full face value for online gaming, casinos and horse racing.   Decision to levy 28% uniform tax on online gaming: Earlier, …

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India-France Relationship

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Bilateral Relations between India and major powers   Source: IE, IE, IE    Context: Indian PM will be the Guest of Honour at France’s Bastille Day parade in Paris. The visit coincides with 25 years of strategic partnerships with France.   Significance of the PM’s visit to France: Increasing investment: The visit will …

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The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Issues related to poverty and hunger   Source: FAO    Context: The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 report was released recently with the theme “Urbanisation, agrifood systems transformation, and healthy diets across the rural-urban continuum”.   Key findings of the 2023 report:   Challenges: While global …

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