Current affairs

Cabinet committee on security clears deal for 31 MQ-9B Drones

About MQ-9B Drones It is an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (USA). Capabilities: Equipped for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions. It has enhanced payload capacity, advanced sensors and longer endurance compared to...

RBI enhances transaction limits on UPI 123 and UPI Lite

About Unified Payment Interface (UPI) UPI Instant payment system developed by the NPCI, It is built over the IMPS infrastructure The different channels for transferring funds using UPI are: Send/Collect through Virtual ID Account Number + IFSC Aadhaar Number Single...

RBI Shifts its Stance to Neutral

Context: In its first meeting with newly appointed external members, the MPC voted 5-1 to maintain the benchmark interest rate at 6.5% for the 10th successive monetary policy review since April 2023. The committee unanimously agreed to change the policy...

National Post Day 2024, Theme and Significance

World Post Day is commemorated annually on October 9th, marking the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland. This day emphasizes the critical role of postal services in global communication and commerce, aiming to raise...

Nomination of MLAs in Jammu Kashmir Assembly

Nomination of MLAs in J&K assembly: Background The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 specified that the Lieutenant Governor may nominate two members to the Legislative Assembly to give representation to women if in his opinion, they are not adequately represented....

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C37)

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C37) It was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) into space in 2017: It broke the previous record of 37 satellites launched by a Russian Dnepr rocket in 2014. Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space...

Carbon di Oxide detected on Charon, the Moon of Pluto

About Pluto Pluto is a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt. It is a region of the solar system beyond Neptune populated with many small icy bodies, including dwarf planets like Eris and Haumea. NASA's New Horizons is the...

SC Ruling on Casteist Practice in Prison

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India struck down a series of rules in various state prison manuals that were deemed to reinforce caste differences and violate the fundamental rights of prisoners, particularly targeting marginalised communities historically labelled as "criminal...

Agri Sector Report Card, Growth Performance and Policy Takeaways

What was the Agri Sector Growth Performance? From 1984-85 to 1993-94 and 1994-95 to 2003-04, agriculture's annual growth rate, based on Gross Value Added (GVA) at constant prices, averaged 9%. Growth accelerated during 2004-05 to 2013-14 to 5% annually and...

Jammu Kashmir Election Result 2024, National Conference Dominates

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024 was announced on 8th October 2024 and concluded with the National Conference (NC) emerging as the dominant party, securing 42 out of 90 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 29 seats, maintaining its...