Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission: The government is seeking to strengthen forest-based economy through the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM). Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission was launched in 2021-22 to create a more organised system for tribal communities to process, add value to and market Minor Forest Produce. The mission seeks to move tribal […]
Psammophaga holzmannae and Psammophaga sinhai
Psammophaga holzmannae and Psammophaga sinhai: Scientists from Pune’s Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) recently discovered two new species of microscopic marine organisms named Psammophaga holzmannae and Psammophaga sinhai. They are two new species of microscopic marine organisms that selectively pick up and swallow specific mineral grains from the seafloor. They were found at Rajapuri Creek in […]
Glyphosate
Glyphosate: Environmentalists have raised concern over the alleged use of glyphosate on forest department land for pea cultivation in parts of Himachal Pradesh. Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that can kill certain weeds and grasses. It is considered a broad-spectrum herbicide, meaning it can effectively control a wide variety of plants, including grasses, broadleaf […]
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has foiled a major attempt to illegally export a significant quantity of Methamphetamine from India to Saudi Arabia. Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It is also known as meth, chalk, ice, and crystal. It was developed early in the 20th […]
Friends of MY Bharat’ Initiative
Friends of MY Bharat’ Initiative: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has launched a new digital initiative, ‘Friends of MY Bharat’ initiative. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It strengthens engagement with Indian-origin youth living across the world and provides them opportunities to participate in India’s nation-building and […]
India-Japan Maritime Security Pact
India-Japan Maritime Security Pact: India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Maritime Security Cooperation during bilateral talks between their Defence Ministers in New Delhi, aimed at deepening defence and maritime security cooperation. The agreement provides a framework for closer cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), including […]
Impatiens Nimspurjai
Impatiens Nimspurjai: A newly discovered Himalayan plant has been named Impatiens nimspurjai in honour of the legendary Nepali mountaineer. Impatiens Nimspurjai is a new plant species of the touch-me-not family. It is endemic to western Nepal. It was named in honour of the celebrated Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja. Its botanical name combines “Nims Purja” with […]
Hara Mangrove Forests
Hara Mangrove Forests: The Hara mangrove forests of Iran’s Qeshm Island are facing a serious environmental threat after oil residues reached the island and parts of the protected mangrove ecosystem, amid continuing conflict and shipping-related oil spills in the Persian Gulf. Hara Forests located around Qeshm Island and the Khuran Strait near the Strait of […]
South Korea’s Plastic Waste Management System
South Korea’s Plastic Waste Management System: South Korea’s plastic recycling system has come under scrutiny after research showed that only 16.4% of household plastic collected for recycling in 2021 was actually recycled into plastic, despite official recycling figures of around 73%. South Korea operates an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system under which manufacturers and importers […]
Centre’s FY 2026–27 Fiscal Outlook
Centre’s FY 2026–27 Fiscal Outlook: Former RBI Governor C. Rangarajan and D.K. Srivastava assessed the Centre’s FY 2026–27 fiscal outlook, noting that strong non-tax revenues and capital spending could keep the fiscal deficit near the 4.6% target, despite tax, subsidy and geopolitical pressures. The Centre’s fiscal outlook represents the projected health of Union government finances […]
