Category: 22 Feb 2023

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Global assessment of soil carbon in grasslands

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Agriculture – Cropping pattern, Soil   Source: FAO  Context: The first FAO Global assessment of Soil Carbon in Grasslands measured the baseline of stocks of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) in both semi-natural and managed grasslands and estimated their potential for SOC sequestration. The Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance Partnership (FAO LEAP Partnership) funded …

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Explained | Vostro accounts and how they facilitate trade

GS Paper 3 Source: TH Context: 20 Russian banks have opened Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVA) with partner banks in India.   What is SRVA? SRVA is an account that domestic banks hold for foreign banks in the former’s domestic currency, the rupee, which allows domestic banks to provide international banking services to their clients …

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Russia suspends New START: What is its last remaining nuclear arms control treaty with the US?

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: International Relations   Source: IE  Context: The Russian President announced to suspension of its participation in the last remaining major military agreement with the US – New START. Background: The original Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty/START-I was signed between the US and the erstwhile USSR in 1991 and came into force in …

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International Mother Language Day: India should shed its colonial legacy by creating content in mother languages

GS Paper 1/2 Syllabus:  Indian society/ Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education   Source: IE  Context: In 1999, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in response to the declining state of many languages all over the world.   The theme of International Mother Language Day 2023: …

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Why India is watching the El Niño forecast with bated breath

GS Paper 1 Syllabus: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, Volcanic activity, cyclones, etc.   Source: The Hindu  Context: The La Niña itself is going on for a record-breaking third consecutive year; forecasts for 2023 are predicting that El Niño– will occur with more than a 50% probability.    About El Niño and La …

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