DPN Topics
Mandyam Srinivasan of bee studies fame faces misconduct allegations Sub: Sci Sec: Msc Context: Two scientists have flagged what they have called evidence of “problematic behaviour” in multiple scientific papers co-authored by Mandyam Srinivasan, an eminent scientist. The papers are concerned with the honeybee waggle dance, a mode of communication between bees that plays […]
When Vultures Die, We Die Sub: Env Sec: Species in news Context: From 2000-2005,India saw approximately 500,000 deaths and an annual economic loss of Rs 58,110 crore ($69.4 billion) due to the loss of vultures. The study “The Social Costs of Keystone Species Collapse” highlights the devastating effects of the functional extinction of […]
How the Banni grasslands of Kachchh, Gujarat can be restored Sub: Env Sec: Protected Area Grasslands and Their Importance: Grasslands are among the largest ecosystems globally, found mainly in semiarid and arid regions, including savannahs and grassy shrublands. They support unique species, offer ecosystem services such as carbon storage and climate mitigation, and […]
Chinese yaks stray onto Indian side, held by villagers in eastern Ladakh Sub: Env Sec: Protected Area Context: Around 40 Chinese yaks ventured into Indian territory in the Demchok area of eastern Ladakh and are now under the control of local villagers. Disputed Areas and LAC Perceptions: Incidents of graziers straying across the […]
India – Russia Trade Sub: Eco Sec: External sector US Sensitization of Indian Companies: The United States is sensitizing Indian companies about certain items that should not be exported to Russia, including chemicals, defense equipment, and aeronautical parts and components. These items can potentially be used in missile systems and may aid Moscow […]
RBI’s Directive on P2P Lending Sub: Eco Sec: Monetary policy RBI’s Directive on P2P Lending: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a warning to Non-Banking Financial Company – Peer-to-Peer (NBFC-P2P) lending platforms, stating they cannot promote P2P lending as an investment product with features like tenure-linked assured minimum returns and liquidity […]
fMRI may reveal depression ‘subtypes’ and treatments that could work Subject: Sci Sec: Health Context: Antidepressants and therapy can provide much needed relief to people with mental health illnesses. Antidepressants can provide much needed relief to people with mental health illnesses. Brain biomarker: Like the heart, the brain has electrical activity, too. A functional magnetic […]
Can Sheikh Hasina be extradited to Bangladesh? What are India’s options? Subject: IR Sec: Places in news Context: India and Bangladesh have an extradition treaty, under whose provisions Bangladesh may seek the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But this does not necessarily mean that she will be extradited to her home […]
UPSC issues ad for lateral entry into bureaucracy: What is the policy, why it has no reservation provision Subject: Polity Sec: executive Context: The Centre has opened a fresh round of lateral recruitments, from the private sector and elsewhere, into senior posts in the bureaucracy. Such appointments have also been criticised for not […]
Mpox declared a global health emergency: will it trigger another pandemic? Sub: Sci Sec: Health Context: WHO has declared the ongoing outbreaks of mpox in Congo and elsewhere in Africa to be a global emergency, requiring urgent action to curb the virus’ transmission. Sweden has since announced it had found the first case […]