Art and Culture 

Sohrai painting - PIB 

The Indian Prime Minister recently gifted Jharkhand’s Sohrai painting art to Russian President during the recently held BRICS summit in Kazan.

Geography 

T.N. declares heatwaves a State-specific disaster - The Hindu

In a significant move, the Tamil Nadu government has officially declared heatwaves a State-specific disaster and announced ex-gratia payments of ₹4 lakh for families of individuals who die of heat-related causes, including those involved in relief operations.

Heat Waves in India

• Definition: Periods of unusually high temperatures during India’s summer season, typically from March to June, occasionally extending to July.
• IMD Criteria:

Polity 

The burgeoning expenditure of elections - The Hindu

The total expenditure for U.S. presidential and Congressional elections in November 2024 is estimated at around U.S. $16 billion (equivalent to ₹1,36,000 crores). According to the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), the total expenditure by various political parties for the general election to Lok Sabha this year was around ₹1,00,000 crores.

Why SC said Aadhaar cannot be used as proof of date of birth - Indian Express

The Supreme Court recently held that Aadhaar cards cannot be used as proof of age, given that other official documents such as the School Leaving Certificate serve the purpose.

World Affairs 

Understanding U.S.-Israel relations - The Hindu

Barring minor personality clashes between leaders, the U.S. has always stood behind Israel, irrespective of the latter’s actions, at least since 1967.

Economy 

What challenges does India face in fertilizer imports? - The Hindu

With the crisis continuing in Ukraine and Gaza, experts and policymakers are concerned about further increases in the prices of the components used for making petroleum-based chemical fertilizers. 

Environment 

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve - The Hindu

• Location: Situated in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra; the largest and oldest tiger reserve in the state.
• Name Origin: Named after the god "Tadoba" or "Taru," worshipped by local tribes; "Andhari" references the Andhari River flowing through the forest.
• Area: Spans 625.4 sq. km, with Tadoba National Park (116.55 sq. km) and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary (508.85 sq. km).
• Corridors: Connects to Nagzira-Navegaon and Pench Tiger Reserves.
• Habitat: Falls within the Central Plateau of the Deccan Peninsula; undulating terrain with rich biodiversity.
• Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous forest, featuring Tadoba Lake, Kolsa Lake, and Tadoba River.
• Flora: Dense teak forests and other vegetation like crocodile bark, salai, tendu, karaya gum, and mahua, with grass and bamboo patches.
• Fauna: Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, gaur, chital, and sambar.

Similipal Tiger Reserve - The Hindu

• Location: In Mayurbhanj District, Northern Odisha; surrounded by plateaus and hills with the highest peaks, Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515m).
• Establishment: Declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1956, under Project Tiger since 1973; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2009), including a 2250 sq. km transitional area.
• Vegetation: Predominantly undulating and hilly with grasslands and forested areas; mostly Northern tropical moist deciduous forest with semi-evergreen patches.
• Unique Feature: Only habitat globally for melanistic tigers.

• Tribal Presence: Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara tribes.
• Flora: 1078 plant species, including 94 orchid species; Sal is the dominant tree.
• Fauna: Leopards, Gaurs, Elephants, Langurs, Barking and Spotted Deer, Sloth Bears, Mongoose, Flying Squirrels, Porcupines, Turtles, Monitor Lizards, Pythons, Sambars, and Pangolins.

Greenhouse gas levels surge to a new record in 2023: WMO - Indian Express 

Planet-warming greenhouse gas (GHG) levels surged to a new record in 2023, with annual mean levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), the most important GHG in the atmosphere, rising by 2.3 parts per million (PPM) between 2022 and 2023, the World Meteorological Organization said. This was the 12th consecutive year when the annual mean CO2 rose by over 2 PPM.

Rising Greenhouse Gases and Climate Impact (2023)

• GHG Concentrations: CO₂ at 420 ppm, methane, and nitrous oxide reached new highs in 2023.
• Historical Context: Last similar CO₂ levels were 3-5 million years ago, with 2-3°C higher temperatures and sea levels 10-20 meters above present.
• Drivers of CO₂ Increase: Higher CO₂ due to fossil fuels, vegetation fires, and reduced carbon absorption by forests; partly influenced by natural variability.
• Impact of El Niño: Led to record temperatures, drier vegetation, and increased wildfires, reducing land’s carbon absorption.
• Climate Feedback Risks: Rising CO₂ may turn ecosystems into GHG sources, with wildfires and warmer oceans reducing CO₂ absorption.
• Long-Term Effects: Radiative forcing increased by 51.5% since 1990, with CO₂ responsible for 81% of this warming effect.
• Methane Surge: Significant increase in methane emissions (2020-2022) attributed to warmer, wetter conditions affecting natural wetlands.

Defence 

Why the C-295 transport planes matter for the IAF - Indian Express

Prime Minister recently inaugurated a plant in Vadodara, where Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) will manufacture the C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The facility will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.