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Disclosure of Election Finance

Why in the News? A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that over half of registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) linked to Bihar have failed to comply with mandatory financial disclosure norms for FY 2023–24. Key Findings of ADR Report: Non-Compliance: Over 59% of registered unrecognised political parties (RUPPs) linked to… Continue reading Disclosure of Election Finance

Panel seeks higher protection for Rhesus Macaque under Wildlife Act

Why in the News? The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) chaired by Union Environment Minister has recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Back2Basics: Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Objective: Provides legal protection to species requiring conservation monitoring but… Continue reading Panel seeks higher protection for Rhesus Macaque under Wildlife Act

Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention

Why in the News? In 2025, Bangladesh became the first South Asian nation to join the UN Water Convention (Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes). About UN Water Convention: Overview: Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, adopted in Helsinki (1992) and enforced in… Continue reading Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention

Senna spectabilis removed from 1,963 hectares of land in Mudumalai TR

Why in the News? The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has successfully removed Senna spectabilis, a highly invasive tree species, from 1,963 hectares of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Location: Situated in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Area: Covers 321 sq. km, forming part of… Continue reading Senna spectabilis removed from 1,963 hectares of land in Mudumalai TR

[7th November 2025] The Hindu Oped: Redraw welfare architecture, place a UBI in the centre

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2015] In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. Linkage: The shift from price subsidies to Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) improved efficiency and targeting in welfare delivery. Universal Basic Income (UBI) is the next step in this evolution, moving… Continue reading [7th November 2025] The Hindu Oped: Redraw welfare architecture, place a UBI in the centre

Why the nomination process needs reform

Introduction The Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951, empowers the Election Commission of India (ECI) and returning officers to scrutinize nominations to ensure candidates meet legal qualifications. However, excessive procedural formalism has made nomination scrutiny a potential chokepoint where even minor clerical errors can disqualify legitimate contenders. This procedural rigidity, instead of filtering unqualified… Continue reading Why the nomination process needs reform

CAG plans to create two new cadres for more centralisation

Why in the News? The Comptroller and Auditor General of India approved two new Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IA&AD) cadres, the Central Revenue Audit and Central Expenditure Audit, effective from 1 January 2026. About the New Cadres: Objective: Designed to build deeper professional expertise in auditing Central receipts and expenditures, streamline manpower management, and… Continue reading CAG plans to create two new cadres for more centralisation

Watandari System of Land Revenue

Why in the News? An inquiry has been ordered into a Pune land deal over alleged irregularities and undervaluation of 40 acres of a Watandari land. What is the Watan / Watandari System? Overview: A hereditary land tenure and revenue-rights system once prevalent in Maharashtra and the Deccan, granting Watan lands to individuals or families… Continue reading Watandari System of Land Revenue

Civil War in Sudan

Why in the News? The United Nations Secretary-General has warned that the civil war in Sudan is “spiralling out of control” after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized the strategic Darfur city of El-Fasher. About the Civil War in Sudan: Outbreak: Began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by Gen. Abdel… Continue reading Civil War in Sudan

Global Study on Biomass Movement

Why in the News? A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution highlights how species mobility, measured as biomass movement, shapes ecosystems and reflects human ecological dominance. About the Concept of Biomass Movement: Overview: Biomass movement is the product of a species’ total biomass and the distance it travels annually, representing the mass of… Continue reading Global Study on Biomass Movement

[6th November 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The malleable Code of Conduct

PYQ Relevance [UPSC 2022] Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. Linkage: It explores how the Election Commission’s authority evolved through the MCC. It assesses the effectiveness in upholding electoral fairness amid growing political violations. Mentor’s Comment The Model Code of… Continue reading [6th November 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: The malleable Code of Conduct

India AI: Governance Guidelines

Introduction Artificial Intelligence has evolved from an assistive tool to an autonomous decision-maker, influencing governance, economy, security, and social life. Recognizing both its potential and perils, the Government of India, through MeitY’s drafting committee (July 2025), released the India AI Governance Guidelines.It is  rooted in the vision of “AI for All”. The framework aims to… Continue reading India AI: Governance Guidelines

Mayor in India

Why in the News? Zohran Mamdani of Indian-origin has been elected as the mayor of New York City. Mayor in India: Overview: The Mayor serves as the head of a Municipal Corporation, responsible for urban governance, civic infrastructure, and local service delivery in large cities. Basis: Institutionalised under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which… Continue reading Mayor in India

Clearest Black Hole Merger signal allows probe of Hawking’s Law

Why in the News? Researchers have detected the clearest gravitational wave signal, GW250114, from merging black holes, confirming Stephen Hawking’s 1971 Black Hole Area Theorem. About GW250114: Overview: GW250114 is the clearest gravitational wave signal ever detected, observed on January 14, 2025, by LIGO (US), Virgo (Italy), and KAGRA (Japan). What Happened: It came from… Continue reading Clearest Black Hole Merger signal allows probe of Hawking’s Law

Govt panel working on New SEZ Norms for Exporters to Access Domestic Market

Why in the News? A government panel comprising officials from the Commerce and Industry Ministry, NITI Aayog, and exporters is drafting new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) norms to revive manufacturing and support exporters hit by steep U.S. tariffs in 2025. Back2Basics: Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India Overview: Duty-free enclaves treated as foreign territory for… Continue reading Govt panel working on New SEZ Norms for Exporters to Access Domestic Market

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