ARMS IMPORTS Subject : Defence Context : Arms imports decreased by 33% between 2011–15 and 2016–20 while India continues to remain the second largest arms importer after Saudi Arabia, according to a report from Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Concept : The overall drop in arms imports between 2011–15 […]

    GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD Subject : Environment Context : The Supreme Court intervened on behalf of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustards over the birds falling dead after colliding with power lines running through their dwindling natural habitats in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Concept : The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying […]

    NATIONAL CADET CORPS Subject : Current Events Context : In a landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court on Monday directed the Centre and the National Cadet Corps (NCC) to amend the enrolment criteria under Section 6 of the National Cadet Corps Act and include transgender persons for enrolment. Concept : The NCC was […]

    KATHAKALI Subject: Culture Context : Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair, a recipient of Padma Shri, died here on Monday at the age of 104. He was a seasoned Kathakali actor. Concept : Kathakali (Kerala) Chakiarkoothu, Koodiyattam, Krishnattam and Ramanattam are few of the ritual performing arts of Kerala which have had a direct influence […]

    NOTA Subject : Polity Context : The Supreme Court asked the Centre and the Election Commission of India to respond to a plea that fresh elections should be conducted in constituencies where the highest number of votes polled are NOTA (None Of The Above). Concept : The petition said candidates ‘rejected’ by voters […]

    BARALACHA PASS Subject : Geography Context : For the first time ever, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started work on reopening the crucial Baralacha Pass in Himachal Pradesh much before schedule to restore connectivity to Leh in Ladakh. Concept : Bara-lacha la also known as Bara-lacha Pass is a high mountain pass […]

    PROJECT RE – HAB Subject : Environment Context : A pilot project launched in Kodagu entails installing bee boxes along the periphery of the forest and the villages with the belief that the elephants will not venture anywhere close to the bees and thus avoid transgressing into human landscape. Concept : An initiative […]

    OIL SUPPLIES TO INDIA Subject : Economy/ International Relations Context : The United States overtook Saudi Arabia as India’s second biggest oil supplier. Concept : India’s imports from the United States – the world’s top producer – rose 48% to a record 545,300 barrels per day (bpd) in February from the prior month, […]

    DUST STORM Subject: Geography Context : Beijing witnesses biggest dust storm in decade. Concept : Sand and dust storms are common meteorological hazards in arid and semi-arid regions. They are usually caused by thunderstorms – or strong pressure gradients associated with cyclones – which increase wind speed over a wide area. Sand and […]

    DELHI GOVERNMENT vs CENTRE Subject : Polity Context : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) moved a Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday where it proposed that the “government” in the National Capital Territory of Delhi meant the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi. Concept : The Bill gives discretionary powers to the L-G even […]