Detailed Explanantion

  Recently, an 11-member expert committee has recommended urgent conservation and management for habitat improvement and prey base development before designating Rajasthan’s Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli sanctuaries as a tiger reserve. Background:  The Union government and National Tiger Conservation Authority in 2023 gave in-principal approval for designating Kumbhalgarh-Todgarh Raoli sanctuaries as a tiger reserve. It is proposed to span around 1,397 square kilometres across the Rajsamand, Udaipur, Pali, Ajmer and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan. About Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: It is situated in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.  Covering a total surface area of 578 sq km and stretching across the Aravalli ranges, it encircles parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand and Pali districts.  Once the hunting grounds of royals, this area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1971. The wildlife sanctuary encompasses the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort and is also named aft...

Archaeologists have uncovered a 4,000-year-old fortified town in Saudi Arabia, illustrating the gradual shift from nomadic to urban lifestyles. About Al-Natah:  French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux and his crew led the discovery. Excavation at the Khaybar oasis has found that a sophisticated Bronze Age town existed between 2400 and 1500 BCE. Features: The town reveals- The presence of an organised settlement in an era previously believed to be dominated by nomadic pastoral societies.  It is enclosed by a 14.5-kilometre wall and occupies a 2.6-hectare area. It housed up to 500 residents who lived in multi-story dwellings.  The town was likely a centre for agricultural production and trade, sustaining a cooperative society in the otherwise arid environment. Residents of Al-Natah lived in rectangular dwellings, constructed from materials such as stone and mudbrick, with narrow paths connecting the various structures.  The town’s layout included burial sites, with som...

Researchers have found a new species of jumping spider on Baner Hill, yet again highlighting the region's rich biodiversity and the need to protect the city's natural landscapes. About Okinawicius tekdi: The spider has been named Okinawicius tekdi, after the Marathi word for hill, and takes the number of jumping spiders in India to 326. The species was first described by Atharva Kulkarni, an MSc student in environmental science from MIT-World Peace University in Pune. A spider species was last discovered in Pune over 30 years ago. About Spider species: Spiders are a group of arthropods that have segmented bodies, a hard exoskeleton and legs that are jointed.  One of the most defining characteristics of spiders is they have eight legs. Spiders are also known for spinning webs and using these webs to trap their prey.

  Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) About DFCs are specialized freight routes that boost transport capacity through faster transit, double-stack container trains, and heavy-haul trains, enhancing supply chains for industries along economic centers and increasing export-import traffic. The Ministry of Railways launched the DFC project in 2006, constructing two main corridors: Eastern DFC (EDFC) : Spanning 1,337 km from Sonnagar, Bihar, to Sahnewal, Punjab. This corridor is complete and operational, with feeder routes to coal mines and thermal plants. Western DFC (WDFC) : Extending 1,506 km from Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port to Dadri, UP. Currently 93% operational, it serves major ports in Gujarat and is set for full completion by December 2025. As of March 31, 2024, Rs 94,091 crore has been invested in the DFC project (excluding land costs). Need The need for Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) aros e due to two main reasons: Overuse of the Golden Quadrilateral : This critical rail...

  Context : Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Verdict The  Supreme Court’s ruling in Anjum Qadri vs Union of India has upheld the constitutionality of the Uttar Pradesh Madarsa Act, 2004,   overruling the Allahabad High Court’s decision  to strike it down. This  judgment has profound implications for madarsas (Islamic religious schools) and their students,  providing clarity on the relationship between religious education and secularism, minority rights, and the state’s regulatory powers. The  Court's decision underscores critical aspects of constitutional law, focusing on the concepts of secularism, the right to religious education, and the regulation of educational institutions.                                                                                  ...

  Anti-terror conference 2024 The two-day anti-terror conference, organized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), will address several critical issues, including: Terrorist Group Formation and Criminal Linkages A focus on preventing the formation of new terrorist groups through a "ruthless" approach, as directed by Union Home Minister. Discussion of organized crime's role in terror funding, especially in northeast India. The rise of Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HuT) in southern states and transnational crime syndicates’ links to terrorism. Case Studies and Emerging Threats Detailed discussion of the  Rameshwaram cafe blast , including the arrest of the accused through coordination between West Bengal police and the NIA. Examination of new methods for arms and drug trafficking across borders using drones. Counter-Terrorism Coordination and Strategy Importance of a uniform anti-terror structure, with better coordination between counter-terrorism squads and local police at the dist...

  About PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme: The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has introduced the  PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme —a new Central Sector initiative aimed at supporting meritorious students financially so they can pursue higher education without economic constraints. This scheme is rooted in the  National Education Policy, 2020 , which advocates for financial assistance to deserving students across both public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Objectives of the Scheme: The PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme seeks to: Ensure Financial Inclusion in Education : Enable meritorious students to pursue higher education without financial hurdles. Support Top Educational Institutions : Applicable only to top-quality HEIs as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Provide Transparent and Digital Access : Use a fully digital, transparent, and student-friendly platform for loan processing and management.              ...

About: Donald Trump (US President)  Context A  second term for Donald Trump as U.S. President could present both opportunities and challenges for India , despite a positive history during his first administration. While there is strong rapport between Prime Minister Modi and Donald Trump , and key Indian advisors are well acquainted with Trump’s team,  the dynamics of Trump’s radically transformative policies may still require India to rethink its strategy. Considering these points,  it is important to have an assessment on themes of concerns, new opportunities for India and how India can navigate  keeping its interests at the core. An Overview of Opportunities and Concerns for Indo-US Ties Under New Trump Administration There are many convergences  between the worldview of the Modi government and the Trump team. The problem, however, comes from the radical nature of Trump’s policy framework  that breaks away from the many familiar features of the glob...