Mapping: Source: HT Context: An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 on the Richter Scale jolted Japan’s Kuril Islands. The Kuril Islands stretch from Japan’s Hokkaido to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, separating the Okhotsk Sea from the North Pacific Ocean. They are part of the Pacific’s Ring of Fire, with over 100 volcanoes, 35 active, and …
Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: DTE Context: The National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL), has successfully expanded litchi cultivation to 19 states in India. Litchi cultivation for commercial production has commenced in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and others. About Litchi: Litchi (Litchi chinensis) is a …
Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TOI Context: A recent image captured by trap cameras in the Neora Valley National Park in the hills of West Bengal has confirmed the presence of Royal Bengal Tigers at an altitude of 10,509 feet above sea level. The survey indicates the presence of more than 10 tigers in …
Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: Hindustan Times Context: Russian and U.S. space agencies, Roscosmos and NASA, have agreed to extend their collaboration on delivering crews to the International Space Station (ISS) until at least 2025, as announced by Roscosmos. This decision is aimed at maintaining the reliability of the ISS and ensuring the …
Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: Economic Times Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its list of domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) for 2023, including the State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank. While ICICI Bank maintains its previous categorization, SBI and HDFC Bank have moved to higher …
Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: IE Context: An appellate court in Qatar has commuted the death sentence of eight former Indian Navy officers accused of espionage. The individuals worked at Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services in Qatar. The charges included spying for Israel, and the death sentence was handed out in October. …
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Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TH Context: Argentina has formally rejected the invitation to join the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) group of major emerging economies. The membership of Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates was due to take effect from January 1, 2024. Why did …
Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TOI Context: The Indian Navy has unveiled new epaulettes for Admirals, inspired by the naval ensign and Chhatrapati Shivaji’s rajmudra, as part of an initiative to reflect India’s rich maritime heritage and move away from British nomenclature. The design features an octagon, a golden navy button top, an Indian …
Content for Mains Enrichment: Source: LM Context: In October 2023, Pope Francis granted women the right to vote at the Synod of Bishops, marking a significant change in the male-dominated Roman Catholic Church. Vatican City, becoming the last country to allow women’s suffrage, concluded a century-long democratic quest for justice. The women’s suffrage …
GS Paper 2 Syllabus: Bilateral Relationship Context: The recent External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent visit to Russia holds significance amid efforts to renew ties between India and Russia. Key Highlights of the visit: Timeline of the Relationship: Important Dimensions of India-Russia Relations: Challenges faced by India India-Russia relationship. Issues related …
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