Current affairs

EVG7: A New Antibiotic to Combat Clostridioides Difficile Infection

Introduction Scientists at Leiden University developed a new experimental antibiotic EVG7 to treat infections caused by Clostridioides difficile. The study published in Nature Communications shows the drug can clear infection at very low doses while preserving beneficial gut bacteria, unlike...

Lokpal Sanction in Corruption Cases: Meaning, Process and Legal Provisions

Context The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine the procedure followed by the Lokpal of India for granting sanction in corruption cases. The issue arose after the Delhi High Court criticised the Lokpal’s interpretation of the law while...

Women’s Political Participation in India: Status, Challenges & Way Forward

Context Women’s participation in India’s electoral process has increased substantially, with female voter turnout almost equal to that of men in the 2019 Indian General Election and the 2024 Indian General Election. However, a clear gap remains between participation at...

Washington Consensus Explained: Meaning, Policies, Criticism & Impact

Context Shashi Tharoor’s op-ed traces the birth, legacy, and collapse of the Washington Consensus (WC) — the 10-point neoliberal policy framework coined by John Williamson in 1989. The WC advocated fiscal discipline, privatisation, deregulation, and trade liberalisation. However, decades of...

WHO Pandemic Treaty and Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing

Context The Pandemic Agreement seeks to improve surveillance, data sharing, and equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. A major issue now being negotiated is the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, which determines how countries share pathogen samples and...

SC Raises Concerns Over Mandatory Menstrual Leave

Context The Supreme Court of India has expressed concerns that making paid menstrual leave a compulsory legal right could unintentionally affect women’s career opportunities. The Court emphasised the need to balance gender equality, workplace realities, and employer practices. Observations of...

National Vaccination Day 2026: History, Significance, Pulse Polio Programme

National Vaccination Day is observed every year on 16 March in India to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases and protecting public health. The day commemorates the launch of the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme in...

Oscars 2026 Winners List: Full List of Winners at the 98th Academy Awards

The 98th Academy Awards, one of the most prestigious events in global cinema, took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday (March 16 IST). Hosted by comedian and television personality Conan O'Brien, the ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements...

Supreme Court Upholds the Right to Die with Dignity: Key Implications Explained

Context The Supreme Court of India allowed withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for Harish Rana, a 32-year-old man who had been in a persistent vegetative state for nearly 13 years after a severe accident. Persistent Vegetative State A persistent vegetative state...

GDP Growth vs Employment Reality: Understanding India’s Jobless Growth Debate

Context The release of a new GDP series with revised growth estimates has renewed debate about the state of the Indian economy. While the revised figures reinforce the narrative of India as the “fastest-growing major economy,” economists argue that excessive...