World Poverty Clock

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: Business Line  Context: India has made significant progress in reducing extreme poverty, with less than 3% of its population now living below the poverty line, according to the latest data from the World Poverty Clock. This achievement aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending extreme …

Uniform Hospital treatment charges

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: IE    Context: The Supreme Court has directed the central government to swiftly establish uniform hospital treatment charges, aiming to streamline the cashless health insurance system. The court’s decision follows a PIL urging for standardized fees nationwide. The general insurance industry, which heavily relies on health premiums, awaits the …

Temple Bill

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: IE  Context: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, after it was previously defeated in the Legislative Council by the BJP-JD(S) alliance. The bill proposes the creation of a Common Pool Fund under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments …

Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: WTO   Context: The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have jointly launched a USD 50 million global fund called the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund. The aim of this fund is to assist women-led businesses and women entrepreneurs in developing economies …

Africa Club

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: DTE   Context: During the 37th African Union Summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, African leaders launched the ‘Africa Club’, an alliance of African multilateral financial institutions. Focusing on the urgent need for reforming the global financial system to address climate and development needs. To tackle this, there was …

Amrit Bharat Station scheme

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TH    Context: The Prime Minister launched the Amrit Bharat Station scheme, laying the foundation for 554 railway stations as part of a government initiative to upgrade key railway infrastructure across India. The scheme aims to transform railway stations, enhancing amenities such as access, waiting areas, cleanliness, WiFi connectivity, …

SWAYAM Plus platform

Facts for Prelims (FFP)    Source: IE  Context: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched the SWAYAM Plus platform, in collaboration with industry leaders such as L&T, Microsoft, and CISCO. Operated by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras), the platform aims to offer courses focusing on employability and professional development, …

Purple Fest 2024

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: PIB Context: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, organized Purple Fest 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, celebrating diversity and unity. Major launches included the “INDIA NEURODIVERSITY PLATFORM” and a handbook addressing language barriers.

Nordic-Baltic Cooperation – NB8

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TH  Context: The joint delegation of eight Nordic-Baltic countries, known as NB8, visited India to emphasize the importance of trust, dialogue, and cooperation in global affairs, particularly in light of geopolitical shifts and conflicts like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The NB8 countries share deep historical, economic, and cultural ties …

G-33

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: DD News  Context: The G-33, a coalition of developing countries with India as a key member, called for progress on agricultural trade negotiations ahead of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi. They urged for a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security purposes and emphasized the …

Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: PIB  Context: The Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, inaugurated the Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana.    Features of the scheme: This initiative, tailored for PM SVANidhi scheme beneficiaries, aims to provide comprehensive entrepreneurship training over 22 weeks, combining theoretical knowledge with practical exposure. The training will …

Shompen tribe

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: BBC  Context: Experts warn that the development of Great Nicobar into a shipping hub and tourist destination could lead to the extinction of the indigenous Shompen tribe. The $9 billion development plan could introduce 650,000 people to the island, increasing the risk of contact and diseases that could devastate …

Right to adopt a child

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TOI    Context: The Delhi High Court upheld alterations to Adoption Rules under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, clarifying that the right to adopt children is not a fundamental right. The ruling came in response to a case concerning regulations barring parents with two …

IBSA Fund

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: DD News  Context: India has contributed $1 million to the Poverty and Hunger Alleviation Fund, which is part of the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) initiative. This contribution reflects India’s commitment to promoting cooperation and development among nations of the Global South.   The IBSA Fund, established in …

Fact-Check Unit

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TH  Context: The Bombay High Court delivered a split verdict on petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (IT Rules) that permit a “Fact Check Unit” (FCU) of the Union Government to identify “fake or false or misleading” …

Article 142

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: IE  Context: The Supreme Court utilized its authority under Article 142 of the Constitution to nullify the outcome of the January 30 Chandigarh mayoral election due to deliberate invalidation of eight ballots by the presiding officer. It emphasized the need to uphold the sanctity of electoral democracy and cited …