Why in the News? ● UDISE+ Report Released: The Ministry of Education released the UDISE+ 2025–26 report, showing a decline in school dropout rates, improved student retention, higher enrolment, and better digital infrastructure in schools. ● Significance: The findings indicate progress towards the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Sustainable Development Goal…
Why in the News? ● Mission Setback: Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye has lost communication with Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR Earth observation satellite, after an anomaly linked to a geomagnetic solar storm, marking a significant setback in India’s growing strategic partnerships in the global space sector. ● Significance: The incident highlights the challenges posed…
Why in the News? ● Scientific Breakthrough: Researchers from ICMR-NIRWoH and IIT Bombay have developed a placenta-on-chip through strategic partnerships, a laboratory-grown human placenta model to study the transfer of drugs, nutrients, pollutants, and pathogens from mother to foetus. ● Significance: The innovation could improve pregnancy-safe drug development, reduce dependence on animal models, and advance…
Why in the News? ● Historic Agreement: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan signed an agreement to settle the long-pending financial dues arising from the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) Award, demonstrating effective diplomatic engagement among states. ● Significance: The settlement resolves decades-old issues related to cost-sharing, rehabilitation expenses, and compensation, reinforcing cooperative federalism and…
Why in the News? ● EAC-PM Study: A paper by a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has recommended continuing women-focused cash transfer schemes in Maharashtra and Odisha. ● Key Finding: The study found that these schemes significantly increased household expenditure, savings, financial inclusion, and welfare-oriented spending. FINDINGS OF THE…
Why in the News? ● Naval Induction: The Indian Navy will commission INS Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, on 11 July at Visakhapatnam. ● Aatmanirbhar Defence: The warship has been designed and built in India with over 75% indigenous content, strengthening domestic defence manufacturing. PROJECT 17A STEALTH FRIGATES ● About: Project…
Why in the News? ● Governance Reform: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed a customised self-governance framework for the Union Territory of Ladakh, establishing new legislative districts and electoral power distribution mechanisms. ● Key Proposal: The Centre has discussed creating a UT-level elected body with constitutional safeguards modelled on Article 371, while Statehood…
Why in the News? ● First State: Madhya Pradesh has become the first State to reconstitute its State Waqf Board under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, implementing new voting qualifications and membership criteria for board representation. ● Legal Challenge: Congress MLA Arif Masood has announced that he will approach the Supreme Court, as the constitutional…
Why in the News? ● Census Rehearsal: The second-phase Census rehearsal has begun in 16 States and Union Territories, with the questionnaire containing an open column for recording caste and ethnicity data. ● Historic Exercise: Census 2027 will be the first digital Census and the first Census after Independence to enumerate all castes, addressing historical…
Why in the News? ● Delhi HC Ruling: The Delhi High Court held that private media houses perform a public function, allowing writ petitions against them for violating the fundamental right to privacy. ● Significance: The judgment expands the horizontal application of fundamental rights, with important implications for press freedom, privacy, and constitutional remedies, similar…