Online Learning Portal
Open Market Sale Scheme Under the Open Market Sale Scheme, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will transport 30 LMT of wheat from the Central Pool Stock to the market (Domestic) via various routes. Wheat will also be made available to State Governments and UTs for their programs without an electronic auction. About An Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS): To increase the supply of food grains, FCI occasionally sells excess supplies of wheat and rice through an online auction at
Lake Chad Basin The risky connection between climate change and violence in nations like Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria in the Lake Chad Basin has been underlined in a report by a humanitarian organisation. More about the news: Conflict and migration in the area are being fueled by droughts, flooding, and a decreasing Lake Chad. According to a report by Refugees International, communities are becoming tenser and individuals are being displaced as a result of shrinking
Kashmiri Pashmina Shawl Famous pashmina shawls from Kashmir, known for generations for their exquisite buta or paisley patterns, received a French influence. The change from exquisite embroidery to abstract paintings on Kashmiri shawls has brought back the cloth with a more modern look. About The Pashmina: The Persian word "Pashm," which meaning "soft gold," is where the name "pashmina" originates. Cashmere, an animal fibre obtained from the
M1 Abrams & Leopard 2 tanks About M1 Abrams: The US President recently declared that he would dispatch M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. The M1 is the best tank in the world because it combines four essential characteristics: more mobility to reach targets and avoid attacks better controllers and sensors to find and attack targets more firepower to obliterate targets superior defences to fend off attacks. Naming: The M1 Abrams is named in honour of the late Gen
Jagannath Temple Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal recently entered a topic that has raged for decades and occasionally sparked controversy by supporting the admission of foreign nationals into the renowned Jagannath Temple in Puri. Only Hindus are currently permitted inside the temple to make prayers to the gods inside the sanctum sanctorum. Why are non-Hindus prohibited from entering the Jagannath Temple? Despite the lack of an obvious justification, it has been a tradition fo
INS Vagir Recently, the fifth diesel-electric Kalvari-class submarine Vagir was commissioned by the Indian Navy. Major Points: The submarine, also called Sand Shark, was handed off to the Indian Navy in December 2022. Vagir is one of the six submarines in the project 75-developed Kalvari class. The submarines of the Kalvari class are capable of engaging in a variety of naval warfare situations, such as minelaying, anti-warship and anti-submarine operations, and information co
Buddhist Monastery Found in Bharatpur The Structural Complex of the Buddhist Monastery was uncovered in the recent digs in continuity with the massive stupa, black and red ware pottery, and sculptures recovered from excavation done at the same site in West Bengal fifty years ago. More on the news: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered a large Monastery complex during an excavation in the Paschim Bardhaman region of West Bengal. A small circular construction a
National voter day 2023 The Election Commission of India celebrated the 13th National Voters' Day (NVD) on January 25, 2023. About National Voters Day: Since 2011, it has been observed on January 25 each year to commemorate the founding date of the Election Commission of India, which was 25 January 1950. The primary goal of the NVD celebration is to increase voter participation by raising voter awareness among the populace. In the NVD events hosted across the nation, new vote
Hakku Patra Five families from the Banjara (Lambani) clan received Hakku Patra (land title deeds) from the Prime Minister in a symbolic ceremony in Malkhed, in the Karnataka district of Kalaburagi. The ceremony was organised by the State Revenue Department. The Banjaras are a significant scheduled caste sub-group in Karnataka, despite the fact that given the way they live, they are viewed as a tribal tribe. What are title deeds or hakku patras? The holder of a title deed i
National Girl Child Day India observes National Girl Child Day on January 24 each year. About National Girl Child Day: The purpose of National Girl Child Day is to increase public awareness of the injustices, discrimination, and exploitation that girls suffer in society. The Ministry of Women and Child Development originally established National Girl Child Day in 2008. The major goals are to alter how society views females, reduce female feticide, and raise awareness of the decli
Grameen Udyami Project A total of 200 tribal women received certificates for completing Phase 3 of the Project's skills training. Speaking at the Grameen Udyami Project's felicitation program in Gumla , Jharkhand, Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, described skilling as a gateway to opportunity and said the government's goal has been to ensure skill opportunities for all in every remote co
Indian Star Tortoise An extensive loss in the genetic diversity and habitat of the Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) has been linked to illegal commerce and ill-informed translocations, according to a recent study. The study urges the use of scientific breeding and argues for an appropriate conservation strategy to deal with the species' fragmented distribution. What are the Indian Star Tortoise's Key Facts? Habitat: Indian star tortoises can be found all t
IL-38 Aircraft Indian Navy's IL-38 Aircraft will take part in the 74th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path for the first time and perhaps the last time. It will be among the 50 aircraft including 9 Rafales of the Indian Air Force- will take part in the event. What is an IL-38 Aircraft? IL-38 is a maritime reconnaissance aircraft that was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1977 and remained a formidable air asset throughout its service life for nearly 44 ye
Schools of Eminence Project The Schools of Eminence were recently introduced by the Punjab Chief Minister. Major Points: With a focus on grades 9 to 12, the project will improve 117 state-run schools in 23 districts. Along with using cutting-edge teaching techniques, students will receive coaching for professional tests in addition to career-related counseling. Aim: Rethinking education in public schools, focusing on kids' overall development and training them to
Operation Alert Exercise The Border Security Force (BSF) recently began a seven-day drill called "Ops Alert." Major takeaways: Beginning on January 21 and running through January 28, approximately. From Sir Creek (a marshy area) to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and the Barmer district of Rajasthan, which is on the international border between India and Pakistan. As part of the drill, the BSF will conduct special operations in the "Harami Nalla," creeks, an
Spot Bellied Eagle Owl The "Spot Bellied Eagle Owl" (Bubo Nipalensis) was recently spotted by a wildlife team for the first time in the Seshachalam forest and for the third time in Andhra Pradesh. Regarding the Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl: Its general appearance is a stark, grayish-brown with gritty, dark brown coloring on the back and upper wings. The woodland eagle-owl is another name for this huge raptor. It is a very aggressive and powerful predatory owl. The bi
Antimicrobial-Resistant Kenya has recently seen an antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhoea outbreak. According to specialists, the region as a whole is at risk from the Neisseria gonorrhoeae outbreak, not just the residents of the East African anchor state. Health professionals are extremely concerned about the outbreak, especially since it is occurring while WHO works to eradicate sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as a public health issue by 2030. About Gonorrhea: The bact
Kalashnikov AK-203 Assault Rifles In recent times, an Indo-Russian joint venture in India has begun producing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault guns. About AK-203 Assault Rifles: The AK-200 series assault rifles of the renowned brand were first produced in India. The first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles was created at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. Out of a total of 6,01,427 AK-203 rifles to be produced over a 10-year period for Rs 5,1
Harvest Festivals in India In recent years, the harvest holidays like Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal have been celebrated nationwide. Various harvest festivals celebrated all over India: Lohri: Sikhs and Hindus tend to celebrate Lohri the most. It signals the end of winter and is seen as the arrival of the sun in the northern hemisphere. This occasion is celebrated with a Puja Parikrama (revolve) around the bonfire and prasad the night before Makar Sankranti. It is r
Exercise VARUNA On the western seaboard, the 21st iteration of the edition naval exercise between France and India just got underway. Although the two fleets' bilateral exercise was first conducted in 1993, it was renamed "VARUNA" in 2001 and has since come to symbolize the strategic bilateral cooperation between France and India. The drill will take place from January 16–20, 2023, over a five-day period. These exchanges serve as a further reminder of the id
Prithvi-II Missile From a test range off the coast of Odisha, India recently conducted a successful test launch of the tactical ballistic missile Prithvi-II. Regarding the Prithvi-II Missile: The Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile short-range ballistic missile has a striking range of 350 kilometers, which is outstanding. It has light propulsion twin engines and can transport warheads weighing between 500 and 1,000 kg. It was incorporated into the arsenal of the Indian arm
VSHORAD Missile System Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was granted by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to acquire the Very Short Range Air Defence System VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system. About the VSHORAD missile system: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) designed and produced it, along with other weapon systems for the Army and Navy, at a cost of Rs 4,276 crore. Since 2018, India has been in talks with Russia to purchase Igla-S air d
Kala-azar Disease Between 2007 and 2022, the number of Kala-azar cases in India fell by 98.7%, from 44,533 to 834, with 632 endemic blocks (99.8%) in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal receiving eradication status (less than one case per 10,000). Littipara in the Jharkhand district of Pakur is the sole remaining endemic block (1.23 cases per 10,000 population). About: It is a slow-moving indigenous disease caused by a protozoan parasite from the
Vishwa Hindi Diwas Every year on January 10th, Vishwa Hindi Diwas (VHD) or World Hindi Day (WHD) is observed to promote the Hindi language throughout the world. Whereas Hindi Diwas is observed annually on September 14th and focuses primarily on the recognition of the Hindi language in India. What is Vishwa Hindi Diwas? It was established in 2006 to mark the 10th anniversary of the inaugural World Hindi Conference, which was held in Nagpur on Janu
Ganga Vilas River cruise The longest river cruise in the world, the "Ganga Vilas," from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via Bangladesh, will take sail on January 13 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the master of ceremonies. The luxurious ship, which has room for 80 people, will travel 3200 kilometers in 50 days, traversing through 27 river systems in Bangladesh and India. Significance of the cruise: The Cruise will examine the enormous resources that our rich river system
Indian Skimmers According to the Asian Waterbird Census 2023, which has just begun (recommended dates for the AWC are 7 - 22 January), the Godavari estuary in Andhra Pradesh has developed into a prime and secure habitat for the Indian Skimmer ( Rynchops albicollis). Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary reported seeing about 250 Indian Skimmers. What are Indian Skimmers? Indian scissors bill is another frequent name for Indian skimmers. Indian skimmers are found in the coastal estu
Exercise ‘Veer Guardian-2023’ From January 12 to January 26, India and Japan will conduct their first-ever bilateral aviation exercise as a result of their expanding defence ties and growing concerns regarding China's military buildup in the Indo-Pacific. About the exercise: The first-ever bilateral combat air exercise between India and Japan will be called Veer Guardian 23. The Japanese air bases of Hyakuri and Iruma will host this 10-day exercise between
A new species of tiny Boa from Ecuador In honor of an Indigenous campaigner, researchers have named a new species of dwarf boa that they found in the Amazon of Ecuador. About Dwarf Boa: The snake, which belonged to the Tropidophiidae family, was up to 20 centimeters long when it was discovered in northern Ecuador's cloud forest. Based on its outward characteristics and bone structure, Tropidophis cacuangoae can be distinguished from other reptiles of the same spe
Hockey World Cup, 2023 The Odisha Chief minister officially opened Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, one of Rourkela's largest hockey arenas, in advance of the Men's Hockey World Cup in 2023. From January 13 to January 29 in 2023, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela will host the 15th edition of the Hockey World Cup organized by the International Hockey Federation. What are the Hockey World Cup's Key Points? It took 13 long years and four editions of the event before it was finally
Mural Art In Kerala, The Wall of Peace, a magnificent piece of contemporary mural art, was unveiled on the 700-foot-long compound wall of the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School at Cherpulassery. On the wall, the word "peace" has been imprinted in 250 different languages. Regarding Mural Painting: Indian mural paintings are created on the cave and palace walls. Any piece of art that is painted or put directly on a wall is referred to as a mural. In
Savitribai Phule The 192nd birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, India's first women teacher, occur on January 3, 2023. About Savitribai Phule: On January 3, 1831, Savitribai Phule was born in Naigaon, in the Satara district of Maharashtra. She was the oldest child of Lakshmi and Khandoji Neveshe Patil, who were both of the Other Backward Caste (Mali) community (OBC). She wed Jyotirao Phule when she was nine years old and he was thirteen. Savitribai Phul
SAIME Initiative in Sundarbans A fresh shrimp farming effort in Sundarbans raises the prospect of mangrove regeneration. What does SAIME stand for? Farmers in West Bengal have started growing shrimp on 30 hectares as part of the Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) initiative. Farmers are planting mangrove trees around the shrimp ponds. Earlier farmers had to buy shrimp feed, now the mangrove leaf litter provides nourishment for the crustaceans NGOs like Nat
Strait Of Hormuz The military of the United Arab Emirates and Iran recently began their yearly drill in the Gulf of Oman's coastal region and close to the vital Strait of Hormuz. The exercises are designed to increase preparation for dealing with outside threats and potential invasions. About Strait of Hormuz: A fifth of all oil sold at sea passes through the strait, which is at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and is vital to the world's energy resources. The water
Butterflies Adaption Many intriguing facets of butterflies' adaptation and evolution processes have just come to light In the Western Ghats of Karnataka, a study on many species of butterflies and their mimicry characteristics was done. What are the Study's Highlights? The results were divided into three categories: The species that are poisonous to predators serve as models. Batesian Mimicry Species: Those that adopted poisonous or unappealing features