Why in the News ? The UK Parliament has approved the Hereditary Peers Bill, aiming to remove the remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords. The reform fulfils a key pledge of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to modernise the upper chamber of Britain’s Parliament. Bill to Remove Hereditary Peers from House of Lords:…
Why in the News ? A Meta threat report (2026) revealed that Indians are the second most targeted population in the global cybercrime ecosystem. Criminal networks are increasingly using AI-driven scams, spear-phishing, and social media fraud, highlighting growing challenges for digital security and online safety. Rising Cybercrime Threats Targeting Indians: New Techniques and Emerging Scam…
Why in the News ? Scientists from NASA’s Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) have confirmed that asteroid 2024 YR4, previously suspected to have a small chance of colliding with the Moon in 2032, will safely pass by after new observations from the James Webb Space Telescope refined its orbit. Asteroid 2024 YR4: Updated Observations…
Why in the News ? The Union government accepted the Sixteenth Finance Commission (FC16) recommendation retaining States’ share at 41% of the divisible tax pool. However, concerns have emerged as the divisible pool’s share in total tax revenues has declined, raising debates about Centre–State fiscal relations and federal balance. Changing Dynamics of Fiscal Federalism in…
Why in the News ? The Union Cabinet has amended the 2020 foreign direct investment (FDI) guidelines under Press Note 3, allowing limited investments from countries sharing a land border with India without prior approval if the beneficial ownership is non-controlling and up to 10%, streamlining the approval process while maintaining regulatory oversight. Cabinet Amendment…
Why in the News ? The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to prioritise the allocation of natural gas to key sectors such as PNG, CNG, LPG production, and fertiliser plants, introducing a tiered supply framework to ensure uninterrupted availability while maintaining compliance with environmental clearances and…
Why in the News ? The Union Cabinet has approved the final amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), incorporating recommendations of the Baijayant Panda-led Parliamentary Select Committee. The legislation is expected to be introduced in Parliament, aiming to strengthen India’s corporate insolvency resolution framework. Key Amendments Approved in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code:…
Why in the News ? A marine conservation project in Porto Rafti, Greece, is installing eco-friendly mooring systems to protect Posidonia seagrass meadows, a crucial Mediterranean ecosystem. The initiative aims to reduce damage from boat anchors and conserve this EU-designated priority habitat important for climate regulation and biodiversity, following principles of environmental democracy and sustainable…
Why in News ? The Rajasthan Assembly has passed the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, removing the two-child norm that earlier disqualified individuals with more than two children from contesting panchayat elections, triggering political debate over population policy, gender equality, and local governance. This move represents one of the significant gender equality milestones in…
Why in News ? A comprehensive bird survey in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, has documented 192 bird species, highlighting the region’s exceptional avian biodiversity. The survey covered the entire park and recorded several Western Ghats endemic and migratory species, strengthening conservation data. Major Findings of the Silent Valley Bird Survey: A large-scale bird survey…