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Daily UPSC Current Affairs and Latest Daily News on IAS Prelims Bits

G.S II - Bilateral/International Relations

India's Role in Sri Lanka's Ethnic Conflict


Why in news?

India's involvement in Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict, focusing on the 13th Amendment, with India supports the 13th Amendment, promoting provincial autonomy.

What are the Background of Ethnic Conflict in Srilanka?

  • Ethnic Composition - Sri Lanka has a multi-ethnic society, primarily composed of Sinhalese (majority), Tamils (minority), and Muslims.
  • The conflict primarily involved the Sinhalese and Tamil communities.
  • Colonial Roots - British colonial policies favored Tamils in education and administration, creating resentment among the Sinhalese majority.
  • Post-Independence Discrimination - After gaining independence in 1948, successive Sri Lankan governments implemented policies favoring the Sinhalese, such as:
    • Sinhala Only Act (1956) – Made Sinhala the sole official language, marginalizing Tamils.
    • University Quotas – Reduced Tamil students’ access to higher education.
  • Rise of Tamil Nationalism - led to the demand for autonomy by Tamil political parties, resulting in the formation of militant groups like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
  • Civil War (1983–2009) - The ethnic tensions escalated into a full-scale war between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, seeking an independent Tamil Eelam in the north and east.
  • Indo-Lanka Accord (1987) - The Indo-Lanka Accord was signed on 1987, between India and Sri Lanka to address the ongoing ethnic conflict and civil unrest in Sri Lanka.
  • Indian Peacekeeping- The agreement aimed to establish peace and normalcy in Sri Lanka, with India playing a role in overseeing the cessation of hostilities.
  • Territorial Integrity - Both nations affirmed the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
  • Devolution of Power -The accord proposed the devolution of powers to provincial councils to meet the aspirations of all communities.
  • Tamil Language Recognition- It recognized Tamil as an official language of Sri Lanka, alongside Sinhala.

What are the features of 13th Amendment?

  • Enacted in November 1987, created Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka.
  • Legislative Powers - These councils were granted legislative powers over specified subjects, including education, health, and agriculture.
  • Executive Authority - Each council had an executive committee headed by a Chief Minister, facilitating local governance.
  • Financial Autonomy - Provincial Councils were empowered to manage their finances, including taxation within their jurisdiction.

By End of the War (2009) Sri Lankan military defeated the LTTE, but Tamil grievances over political representation, devolution, and human rights violations persist.

What are the Current Challenges in implementing the 13th Amendment?

  • Political opposition from Sri Lankan parties, including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
  • Supreme Court annulled Northern and Eastern Province merger in 2006, limiting Tamil political aspirations.
  • Delay in conducting Provincial Council elections, leading to concerns over devolution of power.

What are Potential Impacts on India?

  • Regional Stability - Unrest among Sri Lanka's Tamil population could lead to instability in South Asia, affecting security in the region.
  • Ethnic Relations -The situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka directly impacts Tamil Nadu, influencing India's domestic politics and inter-community relations.
  • Refugee Influx - Rising tensions could force Sri Lankan Tamils to seek refuge in India, creating humanitarian and logistical challenges.
  • Strategic Interests - Instability in Sri Lanka could allow external powers to increase their influence in the Indian Ocean, affecting India's security.
  • Bilateral Relations -Strained ethnic relations in Sri Lanka could impact India-Sri Lanka ties, affecting trade, security, and regional cooperation.

What are India’s Recent Diplomatic Approach?

  • PM urged full implementation of Sri Lanka’s Constitution, including the 13th Amendment.
  • No explicit reference to the amendment during Sri Lankan Minister’s visit to Delhi in 2024 raised concerns.
  • India’s silence may reflect a strategic shift in its diplomatic stance on the Tamil issue.

What Steps India Can Take?

  • Diplomatic Engagement -Urge Sri Lanka to fully implement the 13th Amendment, ensuring proper devolution of power to Tamil-majority regions.
  • Support Reconciliation -Share India's federalism and diversity management experiences to help Sri Lanka in its reconciliation efforts.
  • Humanitarian Assistance- Be prepared to support Tamil refugees if tensions escalate while working with Sri Lanka to prevent displacement.
  • Regional Cooperation- Collaborate with South Asian nations to promote stability and address concerns arising from Sri Lanka's internal issues.
  • Monitor External Influence -Keep an eye on foreign involvement in Sri Lanka to safeguard India’s strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.

What Lies ahead?

  • India's role in Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict is complex. Implementing the 13th Amendment is important for lasting peace.
  • India must balance its interests while encouraging Sri Lanka to meet the needs of the Tamil minority.
  • This situation needs careful diplomacy, ongoing involvement, and a deep understanding of the historical and political background.

To Solve Mains questionClick here

 

Reference

The Hindu | Sri Lankan Ethnic Problems

 

 

Prelim Bits

Governor’s Role in Lawmaking


Why in News?

The Supreme Court recently continued to hear petitions filed by the Tamil Nadu government raising questions on the scope of the Governor’s powers in the legislative process.

  • The Constitution envisages the office of the Governor as an apolitical entity.
  • Governor is under Article 168 a part of the legislature and is bound by the constitutional regime.
  • Over the years, the SC in several rulings has limited the Governor’s exercise of the powers in a permissive manner.
  • Broadly, the Governor is bound to act on the aid and advice of a state’s Council of Ministers.
  • However, there are a few exceptions to this.
  • Exceptions
    • Article 356- Recommending the imposition of the President’s rule
    • Article 200- Granting assent to Bills.
  • Article 200 - After a Bill has been passed by a state Assembly, it is presented to the Governor for her assent. Article 200 envisages 3 scenarios where the Governor can
    1. Give assent to the Bill, in which case it becomes state law.
    2. Withhold assent to the Bill and send it back for reconsideration by the state Assembly.
    3. Reserve the Bill for consideration by the President of India.
  • If the Governor withholds assent and sends the Bill back for reconsideration, the Assembly can amend the Bill or pass it again as is.
  • When the particular Bill is presented to the Governor again, she shall not withhold assent therefrom, mandating the Bill’s passage.
    • Exception - In cases where the Bill, in the opinion of the Governor, could derogate from the powers of the High Court.
  • In that case, the Bill shall be reserved for the President’s consideration.

Tamil Nadu dispute

  • RN Ravi was appointed as Governor in September 2021.
  • Since then, the TN government has repeatedly raised concerns about the Governor withholding assent and delaying the passage of Bills passed by the state assembly.
  • In November 2023, the state government moved the SC, claiming that Governor Ravi had been withholding assent on several Bills, the earliest of which had been pending since January 2023.
  • The SC replied that Governors cannot be oblivious to the fact that they are not elected representatives of the people.
  • Around two weeks later, the Tamil Nadu Assembly re-enacted the pending Bills.
  • However, Governor Ravi referred two of these Bills to the President for her consideration, and withheld assent for the rest.

Reference

The Indian Express | TN govt-Governor dispute case

Prelim Bits

Dibru Saikhowa National Park


Why in News?

Recently the Environment Ministry’s forest advisory committee recommended the R&D proposal on Extended Reach Drilling technology subject to the condition that it will be used purely for research purposes

  • Dibru Saikhowa National Park is a national park and biosphere reserve located in Assam.
  • It is the largest salix swamp forest in northeast India.
  • It is an identified Important Bird Area (IBA).
  • The area was declared as Dibru Reserved Forest in 1890. In 1929, Saikhowa Reserve Forest was declared.
  • It was declared as wildlife sanctuary in 1995. In 1997, Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve was declared.
  • Originally created to help conserve the habitat of the rare white-winged wood duck.
  • Rivers - The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south.
  • Forest type - Dibru-Saikhowa comprises of semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, littoral and swamp forests and patches of wet evergreen forests.
  • The Park is renowned for natural regeneration of Salix trees. It is famed for Ferral horses.
  • Fauna - 36 species of mammals have so far been recorded.

Tiger

Squirrels

Hoolock Gibbon

Elephant

Gangetic Dolphin

Wild Pigs

Leopard

Slow Loris

Sambar

Jungle Cat

Assamese Macague

Barking Deer

Bears

Rhesus Macaque

Water Buffalo

Small Indian Civet

Capped Langur

 

  • Birds It have more than 382 species of Birds.

Greater Adjutant Stork

Large Whistling Teal

Spot Billed Pelican

Lesser Adjutant Stork

Grey leg Goose

White Winged Wood Duck

Greater Crested Grebe

Grey-headed Fishing Eagle

Baer’s Pochard

Large Cormorant

Griffon Vulture

Greater Spotted Eagle

Open bill Stork

Osprey

Pale Capped Pigeon

Black necked Stork

Crested Serpent Eagle

Great Pied Hornbill

Marsh Babbler

Jerdon’s Babbler

Black Breasted Parrot bill

References

  1. The Indian Express |  Dibru Saikhowa National Park
  2. Assam Govt | Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Prelim Bits

UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 08-02-2025


 

One Liners 08-02-2025

Polity & Governance

Post Office Savings Account (POSA)

  • POSA – It fostering savings as it reaches out to the remotest part of India which has a limited reach of banking services.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Communications.
  • Minimum deposit – Only with a cash of Rs. 500.
  • Interest rate – 4% per annum.
  • Feature – It facilitates easy account transfer from one post office to another with no lock-in or maturity requirements.
  • Linkage Process – India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) savings account allows the customer to link the account with POSA.

PM-DevINE Scheme

  • PM-DevINE – Prime Minister’s Development Initiative For North East Region.
  • Launched in2022.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Development of North-East Region.
  • Aim – At rapid and holistic development of the North- east region by funding infrastructure and social development projects, based on felt needs of the States.
  • Timeline4 years (2022-2026).

Search And Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) Version 2

  • Launched in2016.
  • Developed by – Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • Objective – To facilitating the search and rescue operations in the seas to locate individuals/vessels in distress in the shortest possible time.
  • Features – It directly anchored to the Last Known Position (LKP) of the object as opposed to the point with the minimum longitude in the search area.
  • Visualization of individual and mean particle trajectories, finer and distinct color-coded search regions, and a marker identifying the LKP.

Deocha Pachami Coal Mining Project

  • Led by – Birbhum district, West Bengal.
  • Deocha Pachami – It is the 2nd largest coal block in the world with a reserve of 1,240 million tonnes of coal and 675 MT of basalt.
  • It begins with basalt mining or primary cleaning of land, promising jobs and fair compensation for locals.
  • 1st phase – It will be carried out, the thickness of basalt is between 100 metres and 350 metres.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme

  • Launched in2015.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Tourism.
  • Mantra – Vocal for local.
  • Objective – To develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country.
  • Coverage – Tourism and allied infrastructure, tourism services, human capital development and destination management.

Mission for Cotton Productivity

  • Launched in2025.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Textiles.
  • It is also known as Cotton Mission.
  • Objective – To facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties.
  • It will benefit lakhs of cotton growing farmers as the best of science & technology support will be provided to farmers.
  • Timeline5 years.

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

  • Launched in2025.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.
  • Objective – It is with a special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor.
  • Responsible agencies – National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED)
    • National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF).
  • They will procure these 3 pulses, as much as offered during the next 4 years from farmers who register with these agencies and enter into agreements.
  • Timeline6 years.

Swavalambini

  • Launched in2025.
  • Launched by – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and NITI Aayog.
  • Concept – It is a women entrepreneurship programme for the northeast states of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
  • Aim – At empowering female students in select Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the northeast.
  • Feature – It equipping them with the essential entrepreneurial mind-set, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0)

  • Launched in2015.
  • Umbrella scheme – Skill India Programme (SIP).
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
  • Objectives – To encourage and promote skill development by providing free short duration skill training and incentivizing this by providing monetary rewards to youth for skill certification.
  • Targeted beneficiaries – 15-59 years of age.
  • Timeline4 years (2022-2026).

Grameen Credit Score

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced Grameen Credit Score.

  • Developed by – Public sector banks.
  • Aim – To formalize transactions within self-help groups (SHGs) by incorporating them into India's central credit system.
  • To foster financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs within self-help groups, providing them with the essential support they need to grow their businesses and improve their lives.
  • This will enable leading financial institutions to assess the creditworthiness of SHG members more effectively.

 

Prelim Bits

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis


Why in News?

Union Cabinet has recently approved the extension the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for 3 years beyond 2025.

Safai Karamchari means a person engaged in, or employed for, manually carrying human excreta or any sanitation work.

  • The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was constituted on 12th August, 1994 as a statutory body, for a period of 3 years.
  • It was subsequently extended up to 2002 and 2004 and extended so many times until recently in 2025.
  • The Commission is acting as a Non-Statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004.
  • National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993, was enacted in September, 1993 and a statutory National Commission for Safai Karmcharis was first constituted in August, 1994.
  • Functions - Recommend to the Central Government specific programs of action towards elimination of inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities of Safai Karmacharis.
  • Study and evaluate implementation of the programmes and schemes relating to the social and economic rehabilitation of Safai Karmacharis and scavengers in particular.
  • Investigate specific grievances and take suo-motu notice of matter relating to non-implementation of
    • Programmes or schemes in respect of any group of Safai Karmacharis,
    • Decisions, guidelines etc. Aimed at mitigating the hardships of Safai Karmacharis;
    • Measures for the social and economic upliftment of Safai Karmacharis etc,
  • Study and monitor the working conditions, including those relating to health safety and wages of Safai Karmacharis,
  • Make reports to the Central or State Government on any matter concerning Safai Karmacharis, taking into account any difficulties or disabilities being encountered by Safai Karmacharis; and
  • Any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.
  • Under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act 2013), NCSK shall perform the functions namely:
    • To monitor the implementation of the Act
    • To enquire into complaints regarding contravention of the provisions of this Act and to convey its findings to concerned authorities with recommendations requiring further action;
    • To advice the Central and State Govt for effective implementation of the provisions of this Act; and
    • To take suo-motu notice of matter relating to non-implementation of this Act.
  • It is the only body keeping track of sewer deaths in India.

Reference

PIB | National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

Prelim Bits

Rhododendron Wattii


Why in News?

Researchers have identified the last tree which is standing in a popular trekking destination in Nagaland.

  • Rhododendron Wattii – It is a small tree attaining a maximum height of 25 feet.

Rhododendron has more than 1,000 species of worldwide and the northeastern region has 129 of the 132 taxa recorded in India.

  • It is an evergreen plant, and leaf renewal occurs throughout the year.
  • 1st identified by – Sir George Watt from Nagaland’s Japfu Hill range during his 1882-85 survey.
  • Located in – Dzukou Valley, Nagpur which extends into the adjoining Manipur.
  • Habitat – It grows on rocky hill slopes with other Rhododendron species, dwarf bamboo, mosses, and ferns.
  • Distribution – Endemic to Manipur and Nagaland.

  • Seed – They are fusiform and winged, which retain viability for about one year when stored at normal temperature and humidity.
  • No seedlings were observed in its natural habitat.
  • Seeding capacity – It produces numerous seeds after the flowers are pollinated mainly by the fire-tailed sunbird and bumble bees.
  • Leaves – They are obovate to oblong, apex rounded, apiculate, base rounded, glabrous above, with a sparse whitish felted indumentum beneath.
  • Flowers – It present in trusses of 18-25 flowers are tubular-campanulate, corolla 6-lobed, pink with darker flecks and purplish basal patches.
  • Flowering period – End of February to April.
  • Fruit – It is a capsule that is oblong, grooved, and dehisce from the top by longitudinal slits.
  • Fruiting period – April to December.
  • Factors responsible for disappearance
    • Poor seedling survivability
    • Anthropogenic activities
    • Wildfires in a Dzukou valley burnt for 2 weeks in 2020-21.
  • Conservation status – IUCN statusVulnerable.

References

  1. The Hindu| Rhododendron Wattii Tree in Nagaland
  2. Threatened Taxa| Rhododendron Wattii

Prelim Bits

UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 08-02-2025


Governor’s Role in Lawmaking

Why in News?

The Supreme Court recently continued to hear petitions filed by the Tamil Nadu government raising questions on the scope of the Governor’s powers in the legislative process.

  • The Constitution envisages the office of the Governor as an apolitical entity.
  • Governor is under Article 168 a part of the legislature and is bound by the constitutional regime.
  • Over the years, the SC in several rulings has limited the Governor’s exercise of the powers in a permissive manner.
  • Broadly, the Governor is bound to act on the aid and advice of a state’s Council of Ministers.
  • However, there are a few exceptions to this.
  • Exceptions
    • Article 356- Recommending the imposition of the President’s rule
    • Article 200- Granting assent to Bills.
  • Article 200 - After a Bill has been passed by a state Assembly, it is presented to the Governor for her assent. Article 200 envisages 3 scenarios where the Governor can
    1. Give assent to the Bill, in which case it becomes state law.
    2. Withhold assent to the Bill and send it back for reconsideration by the state Assembly.
    3. Reserve the Bill for consideration by the President of India.
  • If the Governor withholds assent and sends the Bill back for reconsideration, the Assembly can amend the Bill or pass it again as is.
  • When the particular Bill is presented to the Governor again, she shall not withhold assent therefrom, mandating the Bill’s passage.
    • Exception - In cases where the Bill, in the opinion of the Governor, could derogate from the powers of the High Court.
  • In that case, the Bill shall be reserved for the President’s consideration.

Tamil Nadu dispute

  • RN Ravi was appointed as Governor in September 2021.
  • Since then, the TN government has repeatedly raised concerns about the Governor withholding assent and delaying the passage of Bills passed by the state assembly.
  • In November 2023, the state government moved the SC, claiming that Governor Ravi had been withholding assent on several Bills, the earliest of which had been pending since January 2023.
  • The SC replied that Governors cannot be oblivious to the fact that they are not elected representatives of the people.
  • Around two weeks later, the Tamil Nadu Assembly re-enacted the pending Bills.
  • However, Governor Ravi referred two of these Bills to the President for her consideration, and withheld assent for the rest.

Reference

The Indian Express | TN govt-Governor dispute case

Dibru Saikhowa National Park

Why in News?

Recently the Environment Ministry’s forest advisory committee recommended the R&D proposal on Extended Reach Drilling technology subject to the condition that it will be used purely for research purposes

  • Dibru Saikhowa National Park is a national park and biosphere reserve located in Assam.
  • It is the largest salix swamp forest in northeast India.
  • It is an identified Important Bird Area (IBA).
  • The area was declared as Dibru Reserved Forest in 1890. In 1929, Saikhowa Reserve Forest was declared.
  • It was declared as wildlife sanctuary in 1995. In 1997, Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve was declared.
  • Originally created to help conserve the habitat of the rare white-winged wood duck.
  • Rivers - The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and Dibru River in the south.
  • Forest type - Dibru-Saikhowa comprises of semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, littoral and swamp forests and patches of wet evergreen forests.
  • The Park is renowned for natural regeneration of Salix trees. It is famed for Ferral horses.
  • Fauna - 36 species of mammals have so far been recorded.

Tiger

Squirrels

Hoolock Gibbon

Elephant

Gangetic Dolphin

Wild Pigs

Leopard

Slow Loris

Sambar

Jungle Cat

Assamese Macague

Barking Deer

Bears

Rhesus Macaque

Water Buffalo

Small Indian Civet

Capped Langur

 

  • Birds It have more than 382 species of Birds.

Greater Adjutant Stork

Large Whistling Teal

Spot Billed Pelican

Lesser Adjutant Stork

Grey leg Goose

White Winged Wood Duck

Greater Crested Grebe

Grey-headed Fishing Eagle

Baer’s Pochard

Large Cormorant

Griffon Vulture

Greater Spotted Eagle

Open bill Stork

Osprey

Pale Capped Pigeon

Black necked Stork

Crested Serpent Eagle

Great Pied Hornbill

Marsh Babbler

Jerdon’s Babbler

Black Breasted Parrot bill

References

  1. The Indian Express |  Dibru Saikhowa National Park
  2. Assam Govt | Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

Why in News?

Union Cabinet has recently approved the extension the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for 3 years beyond 2025.

Safai Karamchari means a person engaged in, or employed for, manually carrying human excreta or any sanitation work.

  • The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was constituted on 12th August, 1994 as a statutory body, for a period of 3 years.
  • It was subsequently extended up to 2002 and 2004 and extended so many times until recently in 2025.
  • The Commission is acting as a Non-Statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004.
  • National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993, was enacted in September, 1993 and a statutory National Commission for Safai Karmcharis was first constituted in August, 1994.
  • Functions - Recommend to the Central Government specific programs of action towards elimination of inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities of Safai Karmacharis.
  • Study and evaluate implementation of the programmes and schemes relating to the social and economic rehabilitation of Safai Karmacharis and scavengers in particular.
  • Investigate specific grievances and take suo-motu notice of matter relating to non-implementation of
    • Programmes or schemes in respect of any group of Safai Karmacharis,
    • Decisions, guidelines etc. Aimed at mitigating the hardships of Safai Karmacharis;
    • Measures for the social and economic upliftment of Safai Karmacharis etc,
  • Study and monitor the working conditions, including those relating to health safety and wages of Safai Karmacharis,
  • Make reports to the Central or State Government on any matter concerning Safai Karmacharis, taking into account any difficulties or disabilities being encountered by Safai Karmacharis; and
  • Any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.
  • Under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act 2013), NCSK shall perform the functions namely:
    • To monitor the implementation of the Act
    • To enquire into complaints regarding contravention of the provisions of this Act and to convey its findings to concerned authorities with recommendations requiring further action;
    • To advice the Central and State Govt for effective implementation of the provisions of this Act; and
    • To take suo-motu notice of matter relating to non-implementation of this Act.
  • It is the only body keeping track of sewer deaths in India.

Reference

PIB | National Commission for Safai Karamcharis

Rhododendron Wattii

Why in News?

Researchers have identified the last tree which is standing in a popular trekking destination in Nagaland.

  • Rhododendron Wattii – It is a small tree attaining a maximum height of 25 feet.

Rhododendron has more than 1,000 species of worldwide and the northeastern region has 129 of the 132 taxa recorded in India.

  • It is an evergreen plant, and leaf renewal occurs throughout the year.
  • 1st identified by – Sir George Watt from Nagaland’s Japfu Hill range during his 1882-85 survey.
  • Located in – Dzukou Valley, Nagpur which extends into the adjoining Manipur.
  • Habitat – It grows on rocky hill slopes with other Rhododendron species, dwarf bamboo, mosses, and ferns.
  • Distribution – Endemic to Manipur and Nagaland.

  • Seed – They are fusiform and winged, which retain viability for about one year when stored at normal temperature and humidity.
  • No seedlings were observed in its natural habitat.
  • Seeding capacity – It produces numerous seeds after the flowers are pollinated mainly by the fire-tailed sunbird and bumble bees.
  • Leaves – They are obovate to oblong, apex rounded, apiculate, base rounded, glabrous above, with a sparse whitish felted indumentum beneath.
  • Flowers – It present in trusses of 18-25 flowers are tubular-campanulate, corolla 6-lobed, pink with darker flecks and purplish basal patches.
  • Flowering period – End of February to April.
  • Fruit – It is a capsule that is oblong, grooved, and dehisce from the top by longitudinal slits.
  • Fruiting period – April to December.
  • Factors responsible for disappearance
    • Poor seedling survivability
    • Anthropogenic activities
    • Wildfires in a Dzukou valley burnt for 2 weeks in 2020-21.
  • Conservation status – IUCN statusVulnerable.

References

  1. The Hindu| Rhododendron Wattii Tree in Nagaland
  2. Threatened Taxa| Rhododendron Wattii

 

One Liners 08-02-2025

Polity & Governance

Post Office Savings Account (POSA)

  • POSA – It fostering savings as it reaches out to the remotest part of India which has a limited reach of banking services.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Communications.
  • Minimum deposit – Only with a cash of Rs. 500.
  • Interest rate – 4% per annum.
  • Feature – It facilitates easy account transfer from one post office to another with no lock-in or maturity requirements.
  • Linkage Process – India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) savings account allows the customer to link the account with POSA.

PM-DevINE Scheme

  • PM-DevINE – Prime Minister’s Development Initiative For North East Region.
  • Launched in2022.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Development of North-East Region.
  • Aim – At rapid and holistic development of the North- east region by funding infrastructure and social development projects, based on felt needs of the States.
  • Timeline4 years (2022-2026).

Search And Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) Version 2

  • Launched in2016.
  • Developed by – Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • Objective – To facilitating the search and rescue operations in the seas to locate individuals/vessels in distress in the shortest possible time.
  • Features – It directly anchored to the Last Known Position (LKP) of the object as opposed to the point with the minimum longitude in the search area.
  • Visualization of individual and mean particle trajectories, finer and distinct color-coded search regions, and a marker identifying the LKP.

Deocha Pachami Coal Mining Project

  • Led by – Birbhum district, West Bengal.
  • Deocha Pachami – It is the 2nd largest coal block in the world with a reserve of 1,240 million tonnes of coal and 675 MT of basalt.
  • It begins with basalt mining or primary cleaning of land, promising jobs and fair compensation for locals.
  • 1st phase – It will be carried out, the thickness of basalt is between 100 metres and 350 metres.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme

  • Launched in2015.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Tourism.
  • Mantra – Vocal for local.
  • Objective – To develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations in the country.
  • Coverage – Tourism and allied infrastructure, tourism services, human capital development and destination management.

Mission for Cotton Productivity

  • Launched in2025.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Textiles.
  • It is also known as Cotton Mission.
  • Objective – To facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties.
  • It will benefit lakhs of cotton growing farmers as the best of science & technology support will be provided to farmers.
  • Timeline5 years.

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

  • Launched in2025.
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.
  • Objective – It is with a special focus on Tur, Urad and Masoor.
  • Responsible agencies – National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED)
    • National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF).
  • They will procure these 3 pulses, as much as offered during the next 4 years from farmers who register with these agencies and enter into agreements.
  • Timeline6 years.

Swavalambini

  • Launched in2025.
  • Launched by – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and NITI Aayog.
  • Concept – It is a women entrepreneurship programme for the northeast states of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
  • Aim – At empowering female students in select Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the northeast.
  • Feature – It equipping them with the essential entrepreneurial mind-set, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0)

  • Launched in2015.
  • Umbrella scheme – Skill India Programme (SIP).
  • Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
  • Objectives – To encourage and promote skill development by providing free short duration skill training and incentivizing this by providing monetary rewards to youth for skill certification.
  • Targeted beneficiaries – 15-59 years of age.
  • Timeline4 years (2022-2026).

Grameen Credit Score

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced Grameen Credit Score.

  • Developed by – Public sector banks.
  • Aim – To formalize transactions within self-help groups (SHGs) by incorporating them into India's central credit system.
  • To foster financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs within self-help groups, providing them with the essential support they need to grow their businesses and improve their lives.
  • This will enable leading financial institutions to assess the creditworthiness of SHG members more effectively.

 

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Keeping up with UPSC Current Affairs through IAS Parliament

Preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination is a rigorous process that requires not just knowledge of various subjects but also a thorough understanding of current affairs. The UPSC syllabus covers a vast range of topics, and current affairs play a significant role in shaping the exam questions. Aspirants need to stay updated with the latest happenings in India and the world to crack the exam successfully. One of the most reliable sources of current affairs for UPSC is the IAS Parliament.

The IAS Parliament is a platform that provides the latest news and insights on Government Policies & Schemes, bills, and acts. It is an excellent resource for UPSC aspirants who want to keep themselves informed about the latest developments in Indian Politics, Indian Economy, and society. The platform provides regular updates on the functioning of the government and its various departments, making it an ideal source for current affairs preparation.

The IAS Parliament covers a wide range of topics, including agriculture, education, health, environment, technology, and more. Aspirants can access the platform through its website or app and stay updated with the Latest News and Information. The platform also offers a daily news digest, which summarizes the most important news of the day. This feature is particularly useful for those who are short on time and need a quick overview of the day and events.

In addition to news updates, the IAS Parliament also offers in-depth analysis and expert opinions on various issues. The platform has a team of experts who provide Insightful Articles on current affairs, which are beneficial for aspirants looking to develop a deeper understanding of a topic. These articles also help aspirants form an opinion on a particular issue, which is useful for the Essay Paper in the UPSC exam.

Apart from news and analysis, the IAS Parliament also provides resources for aspirants to enhance their knowledge of current affairs. The platform has a section on 'Current Affairs for UPSC,' which offers a comprehensive coverage of various topics such as Indian Polity, Economy, and International Relations. These resources are updated regularly, ensuring that aspirants have access to the latest information.

The IAS Parliament also offers a UPSC Quiz section, where aspirants can test their knowledge of current affairs. These quizzes are based on the latest news and help aspirants assess their level of preparation. Aspirants can also participate in UPSC Daily Quizzes and track their progress over time.

The IAS Parliament is an excellent resource for UPSC aspirants who are looking to stay updated with the latest developments in India and the world. The platform provides reliable and comprehensive coverage of current affairs, making it an ideal source for aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam. The resources offered by the platform are not just limited to news and analysis but also include quizzes and resources to enhance knowledge. The platform's user-friendly interface and regular updates make it a must-have resource for every UPSC aspirant.

In conclusion, keeping up with current affairs is a critical aspect of UPSC Preparation, and the IAS Parliament offers a reliable and comprehensive source for the same. Aspirants can leverage the platform's resources to stay informed and enhance their knowledge, making them better prepared to tackle the UPSC exam. IAS Parliament is a one-stop-shop for all UPSC aspirants looking for a comprehensive and reliable source of current affairs information.

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