Enthusiasm among birdwatchers as orange-headed thrush sighting recorded in Gujarat in a first Subject :Environment Section: Species in news Context: The orange-headed thrush (Geokichlacitrinacitrina), usually spotted in the Himalayas, Eastern Ghats, and Sri Lanka, was seen in Ahmedabad early this year. Details: The number of species of birds recorded in Gujarat has gone […]
New evolutionary law explains how living beings, minerals & species evolve Subject :Science and tech Section: Msc Context: Scientists have proposed a new evolutionary law that can explain the evolution of living and non-living entities, from minerals to stars. The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. […]
Lao PDR becomes second country in 2023 after Bangladesh to eliminate lymphatic filariasis Subject :Science and tech Section: Health Context: Lao People’s Democratic Republic has eliminated lymphatic filariasis (LF), a disease that cripples and has significant social and economic impact on the affected communities according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is […]
Modi ‘directs’ ISRO to land man on moon by 2040, work towards interplanetary missions Subject :Science and tech Section: Space tech Context: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s space projects include: Gaganyaan mission, India’s first manned mission to space, is scheduled for 2025. To set up an Indian-crafted, indigenous space station (Bharatiya Antariksha Station) […]
When tigers and jackals get the same protection Subject :Environment Section: Environment laws Context: An inordinate number of species have been included in the new schedules of the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022, without an objective or replicable process. Schedule 1, which confers the highest protection, contains about 600 species of vertebrates and […]
Issues with AIFs in India Subject :Economy Section: Capital market AIF Investigations by SEBI: SEBI and RBI are investigating around a dozen cases of alternate investment funds (AIFs) allegedly being used to circumvent regulations. AIFs are under scrutiny for potential misuse, including the practice of “evergreening” stressed loans. Misuse Cases and Evergreening Loans: […]
Penalties Imposed by RBI on Banks Subject :Economy Section: Monetary Policy ICICI Bank: Fined ₹12.19 crore for various violations, including sanctioning loans to companies where two directors were board members, marketing non-financial products, and failing to report frauds to the RBI within the prescribed timeline. Kotak Mahindra Bank: Penalized ₹3.95 crore for failing […]
Monetary policy transmission in India Subject :Economy Section: Monetary Policy The RBI’s rate hikes since 2022 have highlighted a disparity in the transmission of policy rate changes, with lending rates increasing at a slower pace compared to deposit rates. This phenomenon has been particularly noticeable in the current economic cycle, presenting various implications […]
SC in Delhi Excise Case: ‘predicate offence’ necessary for PMLA violations Subject :Polity Section: Legislation in news In News: The Supreme Court has noted the necessity of a predicate offense of bribery against Manish Sisodia for PMLA charge of money laundering to stand. Key Points: Enforcement Directorate (ED) is presently holding Manish Sisodia […]
UN approved a Kenya-led security mission to troubled Haiti Subject :IR Section: Places in news Context: The UNSC has approved international intervention in the form of a foreign security mission, led by Kenya, to restore security, and control spiralling violence in Haiti. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted to adopt the resolution […]