DPN Topics
Census postponed again, to be delayed till at least October next year Subject: Polity Section: National Body Context: The deadline to freeze the administrative boundaries of districts, tehsils, towns, municipal bodies and others for the Census has been extended till June 30, 2024. This means the decennial exercise, which should have started in 2020, will now be postponed again till at least October 2024,as it usually takes about three months to prepare the list of enumerators after setting the boundaries. Need of Freezing Administrative Boundaries: Before every Census, states are […]
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Subject: Environment Section: Int conventions In the news: A growing bloc of nation-states is joining forces at COP28 to begin to seek a negotiating mandate for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The treaty is endorsed by: The 12 endorsing states are: Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Niue, […]
Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) Subject: Environment Section: Int conventions It is a coalition of national and subnational governments, businesses and organisations working to advance the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy. By launching the PPCA at COP23 in 2017, the UK and Canada brought the leaders together, turning their […]
Where fossils meet faith in a Madhya Pradesh district Subject: Environment Section: Species in news In the news: In Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, scientists recently confirmed that a revered Bhil deity, Kakad Bhairav, worshipped as a sun-baked stone, is actually a 66-million-year-old fossilized egg of a titanosaur, a herbivorous dinosaur. The discovery challenges […]
Trendy to toxic: Is turmeric losing its golden hue? Subject: Science and Tech Section: Health In the news: Lead chromate, used to enhance turmeric’s colour, has raised safety concerns due to high lead levels found in turmeric samples from households in Bihar, India, and larger surveys across eight districts, including other spices exceeding […]
Free-ranging cats may be catastrophic for wild species Subject: Environment Section: Species in news In the news: Free-ranging domestic cats around the world are found to eat more than 2,000 other animal species such as birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles — including 350 species of conservation concern. The researchers found records of 2,083 […]
Levy 20-30% health tax on food high in sugar, salt, fat: study Subject: Economy Section: Fiscal Policy In the news: Public health researchers recommend implementing a health tax ranging from 20% to 30%, in addition to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), specifically targeting sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and foods high in sugar, […]
Indian Navy unveils new epaulettes for admirals Subject: History Section: Modern India Context: The introduction of new designs for Admirals’ epaulettes and renaming of ranks within the Indian Navy symbolizes India’s devotion to its nautical legacy and a break from colonial legacies. This declaration came after December 4, Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg. […]
Criteria for awarding disaster relief must laid down clearly Subject: Polity Section: National body Context: The recent spat between the Central and Tamil Nadu governments over flood relief after two spells of heavy rainfall in the State has been disheartening for those struggling to rebuild their lives. More about News: The central government does not declare any natural disaster a […]
Javier Milei writes to BRICS leaders, rejects invite for Argentina to join the grouping Subject: IR Section: Groupings Context: Argentina rejects membership of BRICS More about the news: Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, has formally rejected an invitation to join the BRICS grouping, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In letters sent […]