Polity 

Why have recent exit polls gone off the mark? - The Hindu

How bone ossification test works, and its application in law - Indian Express

One of the accused in the murder of former Maharashtra MLA Baba Siddique claimed before a court in Mumbai on Sunday that he was 17 years old — and should thus be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act. To determine whether the accused was a minor, the magistrate ordered a bone ossification test.

Abetment of suicide: why SC cautioned against 'unnecessary prosecutions' - Indian Express

Recently, the Supreme Court said that police and the courts should avoid "unnecessary prosecutions" in cases of abetment of suicide stemming from the workplace. The court was hearing the case of a salesman who died by suicide after alleged harassment from senior officers in his company. 

World Affairs 

Claimed drone attacks on Israeli sites in Jordan Valley - Indian Express

The Shiite militia group, The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, claimed responsibility for conducting two drone strikes on Israeli sites in the Jordan Valley, which forms Jordan’s border with Israel and the West Bank.

Jordan Valley 

• Location: A rift valley in the Middle East, part of the East African Rift System.
• Length: Stretches 105 km from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea.

• Geographical Borders: Lies along the Jordan River and forms Jordan's western border with Israel and the West Bank.
• West Bank Territory: Comprises over one-fifth of the West Bank.
• Elevation: Drops 1,400 feet (430 meters) below sea level at the Dead Sea, the lowest natural point on Earth's surface.
• Width: Extends about 6 miles (10 km), narrowing in certain locations.
• Population: Sparsely populated, with communities like Jericho in the West Bank.
• Religious Importance: Holds significant value for Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Om Birla highlights India’s push for multilateralism, innovation at IPU Assembly in Geneva - Indian Express 

Lok Sabha Speaker, leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation at the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, emphasised the importance of multilateralism in his address on subject of "Harnessing science, technology and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future".

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

Economy 

A Nobel for explaining why nations fail - The Hindu

The 2024 Economics Nobel prize was awarded to U.S. economists Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson recently “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.” The prize committee credited the winners for enhancing our understanding of the root causes of why countries fail or succeed.

On the need to make more containers to boost trade - The Hindu

India’s rapid trade growth is planned around the containerised transport of goods. However, there is a key logistical bottleneck. India just does not make enough containers.

Greenwashing guidelines - Indian Express

Seeking to restrain companies from making false or misleading claims about the environment-friendly nature of their products or services, the Centre on Wednesday released new guidelines that make it mandatory for companies to substantiate their claims with scientific evidence. The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environment Claims were issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).

India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in Pune inaugurated - PIB

Making yet another stride towards making India a global leader in economy and a frontline player in ensuring greener and cleaner planet, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, recently inaugurated India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in at Jejuri in Pune from New Delhi today. 

Biopolymers 

Anusandhan National Research Foundation launches PMECRG & MAHA-EV initiatives - PIB 

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation today announced the launch of its first two initiatives, the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) and the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas -Electric Vehicle (MAHA- EV) Mission.

MAHA-EV Mission 

• Focus: Development of key EV technologies to reduce import dependency, promote domestic innovation, and position India as a global leader in the EV sector.
• Part of: ANRF’s Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) program to foster multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
• Objectives:
  • Accelerate technological advancement in key sectors for national growth.
  • Concentrates on three critical technology areas:
  • Tropical EV Batteries and Battery Cells
  • Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMD)
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
• Significance:
  • Enhances domestic capabilities in designing and developing essential EV components.
  • Strengthens India’s competitiveness as a hub for EV component development.
  • Contributes to a greener and sustainable future by promoting electric mobility.