DPN Topics
Plastic-free planet: Negotiations on Global Plastics Treaty underway Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: On May 29, 2023, members of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) gathered in Paris for the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution, also known as INC-2. Details: INC-2, a successor of INC-1, […]
The hidden side of human-elephant conflicts: orphaned calves Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: Negative interactions between elephants and humans have been reported from the Eastern Ghats region for many years now. Details: Between 2016 and 2023, unofficial records put elephant deaths by way of electrocution and gunshots in Hosur forest division […]
Small cats in big trouble: Why we need to save these elusive endangered species Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: In Scotland, the population of the country’s wildcats (Felis silvestrissilvestris) has dwindled so much they’re now considered functionally extinct. Details: There are fewer than 30 Scottish wildcats, also known as the Highland […]
Kerala’s water budget, a step towards effective water management Subject: Geography Section: Physical geography Context: Kerala floods and water imbalance across the regions gave rise to the concept of “water budget” and “water conservation” in Kerala state. On April 17, 2023, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan released the details of the first phase of […]
Model Prisons Act 2023 Subject: Polity Section: Judiciary Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prepared a Model Prisons Act, 2023, to replace the existing 130-year-old colonial law governing prisons. The Act is being introduced following the spate of killings and gang violence within prisons, such as the recent murder of Tillu […]
Symbolism of Sengol Subject: History Section: Art & culture Context: The inauguration of India’s new Parliament saw an ancient South Indian tradition symbolising a dharmic kingship ceremonially resurrected, when the PM accepted a sengol from priests and installed it near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair. Concept: A sengol—or chengol—is a royal sceptre, signifying […]
Old Parliament building saw the Supreme Court’s earliest sittings Subject: Polity Section: Judiciary Concept: After its inauguration on January 28, 1950, the Supreme Court commenced its sittings in a part of the Parliament House. The Court moved into the present building on Tilak Marg in 1958. We take a look at its history. […]
Rs 75 coin released on new Parliament inauguration day Subject : Schemes Concept : To mark the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination. India has been issuing commemorative coins for several reasons such as paying homage to notable personalities, spreading awareness […]
Gravitational Waves Subject : Science and technology Section: Space technology Concept : The collaboration between LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA is crucial for unraveling the mysteries of gravitational waves. These detectors work together to decipher the subtle disturbances in spacetime caused by massive celestial objects. LIGO Historic Breakthrough Continues: After a hiatus, LIGO has […]
Antarctic overturning circulation Subject : Geography Section: Climatology Concept : Antarctica sets the stage for the world’s greatest waterfall. The action takes place beneath the surface of the ocean. Here, trillions of tonnes of cold, dense, oxygen-rich water cascade off the continental shelf and sink to great depths. This Antarctic “bottom water” then […]