DPN Topics
NABARD Launches ₹750-Crore Agri Fund to Boost Innovation Sub: Economy Sec: Infrastructure The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has introduced a new initiative aimed at fostering innovation in agriculture and rural enterprises. The initiative, known as the Agri-SURE fund, is designed to support start-ups and rural enterprises with a substantial […]
Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on man-made fibres (MMF) Sub: Eco Sec: External Sector Industry players report that the market prices of PSF and VSF increased in FY24 following the implementation of QCOs on these inputs early on in the financial year. Downstream synthetic textile manufacturers are urging the government to revoke Quality Control […]
Why dengue cases are on the rise Sub : Science and tech Sec: Health Context: In the past few weeks, cases of dengue have been rising in some parts of the country. Karnataka, in particular, has been experiencing a rapid surge in cases in the last few days, while the cases have been […]
SJM Seeks ‘Robot Tax’ for AI-Induced Job Loss Sub : Eco Sec: National Income The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has proposed a ‘robot tax’ to mitigate job losses caused by the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Robot Tax: Purpose: To cross-subsidize employees who lose jobs due […]
ISRO’s plans to venture into planetary defense. Sub : Science and tech Sec: Space Context: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath said last week that “we should be able to go and meet” the asteroid Apophis when it passes by Earth at a distance of 32,000 km in 2029. What is […]
‘Patriots for Europe’: Hungary’s Orban announces new EU Parliament alliance Sub: IR Sec: Int grouping Context: Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz, and the Czech ANO party led by Andrej Babis are forming a new alliance in the European Parliament, called “Patriots for Europe.” About the new alliance- […]
As ocean surfaces acidify, a deep-sea acidic zone is expanding: Marine habitats are being squeezed Sub: Env Sec: Climate change Carbon compensation depth (CCD): In the deepest parts of the ocean, below 4,000 metres, the combination of high pressure and low temperature creates conditions that dissolve calcium carbonate, the material marine animals use […]
IUCN Red List update: Invasive species and illegal trade push reptiles and cacti closer to extinction Sub: Env Sec: Biodiversity Context: The IUCN Red List highlights severe threats to island reptiles from invasive species. Invasive Species and Reptile Declines: The Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) is now endangered due to a 50% population […]
Central India’s land-use patterns, roads fragmenting gaur & sambar populations, threatening genetic diversity Sub: Env Sec: Biodiversity Context: Land use patterns and roads in central India are disrupting the genetic connectivity of Gaur and Sambar. The study by the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) indicated high genetic differentiation, suggesting small populations […]
Massive fish kill in Periyar river attributed to industrial pollution Sub: Environment Sec: Pollution Context: The Periyar River witnessed a severe fish mortality event in May, due to which fishers and cage fish farmers incurred heavy financial losses. Details: Upon inspection, they found that fish showed signs of distress and later died due […]