Current affairs

RELIEF Scheme, Key Features, Need, Components, and Eligibility Criteria

Context: Recently, the Government of India has approved the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme to support exporters facing severe maritime disruptions in West Asia. In the face of the Iran war and the resulting blockage of...

World Day for Glaciers 2026: Date, Theme, Significance, Cryosphere Crisis & Global Action

World Day for Glaciers, observed annually on 21 March, highlights the urgent need to address the rapid melting of glaciers and its global consequences. The observance gained momentum after the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation,...

International Day of Forests 2026: Theme, History, Economic Impact, and Global Significance

International Day of Forests 2026 is observed on March 21 to raise awareness about the importance of forests and trees for sustaining life on Earth. This global observance emphasizes the need for forest conservation, sustainable management, and restoration. Forests are...

World Sparrow Day 2026: Date, Theme, History, Significance, and Conservation Efforts

World Sparrow Day 2026 is observed on 20 March to raise awareness about the alarming decline of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), a bird once commonly found in Indian households. Over the years, rapid urbanisation, pollution, and changing lifestyles have...

Scientific Cooperation in BRICS: Key Initiatives, Impact & Future Prospects

Context BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + new members) promotes a multipolar world order and cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI) to reduce Western dominance. Importance of STI Cooperation in BRICS Alternative to Techno-Nationalism: In a world...

Explained: India’s West Asia Reset Amid Regional Conflicts

Context India’s recent shift in its West Asia policy reflects a move towards pragmatic, interest-driven diplomacy. India is attempting a strategic reset to protect its energy, trade, and diaspora interests while enhancing its role as a reliable regional partner. Key...

Cholesterol Makes Cell Nuclei Squishy: How It Helps Melanoma Spread

Context A recent study by scientists at the National Institutes of Health has revealed a novel mechanism in cancer progression, showing that cholesterol accumulation in the nuclear envelope makes cancer cells more flexible and invasive. How Cancer Spreads (Metastasis) Uncontrolled...

Distress Migration from Punjab: Analysis, Data and Challenges

Context The Punjab Economic Survey 2025–26 highlights that migration from Punjab is driven by a mix of push (domestic problems) and pull (opportunities abroad) factors. Experts describe the trend as “distress migration”, reflecting deeper structural issues. Push Factors: Reasons for...

The Carbon Credit Paradox: Industrial CCUS vs. Agricultural Sequestration

Context The Union Budget 2026’s ₹20,000 crore allocation for a "carbon credit programme" has triggered a conceptual conflict between a high-tech industrial roadmap and a popular narrative centered on agrarian climate solutions. CCUS for Hard-to-Abate Sectors The technical architecture of...

Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary: Environment vs Development Debate Explained

The Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary is an ecologically significant protected area located in the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot. Recently, it has gained attention due to the proposed Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (2000 MW), triggering a major environment...