NOTA (None of the Above) Latest News

The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy recently filed a PIL seeking mandatory inclusion of NOTA in all elections, including constituencies with only one candidate.

About NOTA

• NOTA (None of the Above) is a voting option that allows voters to reject all contesting candidates in an election while still maintaining the secrecy of their choice.
• It was introduced as a result of the 2013 Supreme Court judgment in the PUCL vs Union of India case, establishing it as a symbol of voter discontent.
• First implemented in the 2013 Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh, and later in the 2014 General Elections.

Current Legal Status and Function of NOTA

• Votes cast under NOTA are counted, but they are treated as invalid votes.
• Even if NOTA receives the highest number of votes, the candidate with the second-highest valid votes is declared elected.
• Thus, NOTA does not impact the election outcome, but serves as a tool for democratic expression.

Election Commission’s Position on NOTA

• The Election Commission (EC) opposed making NOTA mandatory in all elections.
• It cited that uncontested elections are infrequent:
  • Only 6 such cases since 1971 in Lok Sabha elections.
  • Only 9 cases since 1952 where candidates were elected unopposed.
• The EC argued that making NOTA compulsory would require legislative amendments to the:
  • Representation of the People Act, 1951, and
  • Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.

NOTA (None of the Above) FAQs

Q1: What does NOTA stand for in Indian elections?
Ans: NOTA stands for "None of the Above," allowing voters to reject all candidates on the ballot.

Q2: When was NOTA introduced in Indian elections?
Ans: NOTA was introduced in India in 2013 following a Supreme Court directive for better voter choice.

Q3: Does NOTA affect the outcome of an election in India?
Ans: No, even if NOTA receives the majority, the candidate with the highest votes still wins.

Source: TH

EOS-09 & Chandrayaan-5 Latest News

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for its 101st mission with the launch of PSLV-C61 carrying the EOS-09 satellite on May 18 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About EOS-09

• EOS-09 is an Earth Observation Satellite (EOS), designed to enhance India’s surveillance and imaging capabilities, especially under all-weather and day-night conditions.

Technical Features of EOS-09

• EOS-09 is equipped with a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
• The SAR technology enables the satellite to capture high-resolution images of Earth’s surface, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
• This makes the satellite crucial for disaster monitoring, flood mapping, agriculture assessment, border surveillance, and urban planning.
• The satellite adds to India’s remote sensing infrastructure, critical for environmental monitoring, national security, and climate resilience.

Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX Mission Collaboration

• ISRO and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) conducted the 3rd Technical Interface Meeting (TIM-3) on May 13–14 in Bengaluru, for the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX mission (Lunar Polar Exploration).

Overview of Chandrayaan Series

• The Chandrayaan series represents India’s progressive lunar exploration:
  • Chandrayaan-1: Orbital lunar mapping and discovery of water molecules.
  • Chandrayaan-2: Orbiter and attempted a lander-rover mission.
  • Chandrayaan-3: Successful soft landing and rover deployment.
  • Chandrayaan-4(upcoming): Aimed at lunar sample return.
  • Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX: Joint India-Japan mission targeting lunar volatile analysis at the South Pole.

Mission Details of Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX

• The mission will focus on studying lunar volatile materials, especially lunar water ice in the Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) near the lunar south pole.
• It will be launched by JAXA’s H3-24L launch vehicle.
• The lunar lander will be developed by ISRO, while the rover will be developed by MHI, Japan.
• Scientific payloads will be contributed by ISRO, JAXA, European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA.
• The instruments will focus on in-situ analysis of volatiles, enhancing our understanding of lunar resource potential and future human habitation feasibility.

EOS-09 & Chandrayaan-5 FAQs

Q1: What is EOS-09?

Ans: EOS-09 is an Earth Observation Satellite (EOS) developed by ISRO to enhance India’s all-weather, day-night imaging capabilities.

Q2: What is the Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX mission?

Ans: The Chandrayaan-5 / LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) Mission is a collaborative lunar mission between ISRO and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). 

Source: ET

Shri Banke Bihari Temple Latest News

The Supreme Court recently granted the Uttar Pradesh government the go-ahead to implement its Rs 500 crore development plan for the Shri Banke Bihari Temple Corridor in Vrindavan.

About Shri Banke Bihari Temple

• It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in the holy city of Vrindavan in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.
• The name “Banke” is derived because the idol of Lord Krishna is bent at three angles, and “Bihari” means the supreme enjoyer. 
• It was established by Swami Haridas, a guru of the famous singer Tansen.
• The present temple complex housing ‘Banke Bihari’ was constructed in 1864 and is a unique example of Indian craftsmanship. 
• In this temple, from the walls to the ceiling, the pictures of the deities have been painted through oil paintings. 
• In the freedom struggle, this temple was the main center of revolutionary activities; from here, the revolutionary newspaper “Bundelkhand Kesari” was published secretly.

Shri Banke Bihari Temple FAQs

Q1: Shri Banke Bihari Temple is dedicated to which deity?

Ans: Lord Krishna

Q2: Where is the Shri Banke Bihari Temple located?

Ans: It is located in the city of Vrindavan in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.

Q3: Who is credited with establishing the Banke Bihari Temple?

Ans: It was established by Swami Haridas, a guru of the famous singer Tansen.

Source: IT

Jute Corporation of India Latest News

The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) recently increased the minimum selling price (MSP) of jute from ₹5,335 to ₹5,650 per quintal for crop year 2025-26 to discourage distress sales by farmers. 

About Jute Corporation of India

• It is a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. 
• It was incorporated in 1971 as a price support agency with a clear mandate for the procurement of raw jute/mesta without any quantitative limit from the growers at the minimum support price (MSP) declared in each year by the Government of India based on the recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Cost & Prices (CACP). 
• This protects the jute growers from exploitations at the hands of the middlemen. 
• JCI provides stability in the raw jute prices.
• The JCI was first started as a small official agency at the beginning, but then slowly it expanded its networking and now spread in 7 states successfully for jute growing in India including West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh. 
• Few activities of the JCI are as follows:
  • Organizing leverage operations to secure the minimum support price (MSP) to the jute sector
  • Obtain a stock of fiber that also might include the imported fibers
  • Conducting commercialized operations in a prudent way
  • Importing fiber in order to supplement endemic accessibility
  • Exporting fiber
  • Processing and exporting goods made of jute
  • Undertaking measures for the promotion of jute goods while exporting

Jute Corporation of India FAQs

Q1: Is Jute Corporation of India a statutory body?

Ans: No, the Jute Corporation of India (JCI) is not a statutory body.

Q2: 2. Under which ministry does the Jute Corporation of India operate?

Ans: Ministry of Textiles

Q3: What is the primary mandate of the JCI?

Ans: Procure raw jute at MSP from growers

Source: TH

Sakurajima Volcano Latest News

Japan's Sakurajima volcano erupted recently, sending a massive ash plume soaring 3,000 metres above the crater.

About Sakurajima Volcano

• It is one of Japan's most active volcanoes.
• It is on the southern end of the island of Kyushu, just 4 kilometers from Kagoshima City.
• It has an elevation of 1117 meters and a circumference of about 50 kilometers.
• As it is situated on a convergent plate margin, Sakurajima is a stratovolcano formed from layers of lava and ash. 
• The volcano, which formed on the south rim of the Aira Caldera, consists of two peaks, the North Peak and the South Peak.
• Sakura-jima formed an island until 1914, when an explosive eruption produced enough material to join the island to the peninsula on the east.
• The volcano smokes constantly, and minor eruptions often take place multiple times per day.
• Eruptions are explosive, producing large volumes of ash, pyroclastic flows, volcanic bombs, and poisonous gases. 
• The lava is andesitic, meaning it has a high gas content and is very viscous (thick).

Sakurajima Volcano FAQs

Q1: Where is the Sakurajima volcano located?

Ans: It is located on the island of Kyushu, in Japan.

Q2: What type of plate boundary is Sakurajima on?

Ans: Sakurajima is situated on a convergent plate margin.

Q3: What is the nearest city to Sakurajima?

Ans: The nearest city to Sakurajima volcano is Kagoshima City.

Source: NDTV

Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko Latest News

The Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko, a flat-bodied lizard species, was rediscovered in April 2025 in the Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, after being unrecorded for 34 years.

About Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko

• The Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko is 8–9 cm long when fully grown.
• It is likely rock-dwelling, with adaptations suited to cliffs and isolated habitats, explaining its elusiveness.
• It was originally discovered in 1991, but has not been sighted again, leading to speculation about its extinction or doubts regarding its distinct species status.
• The gecko was previously listed as a "Data Deficient" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to a lack of sufficient sightings or information.
• The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) confirmed the rediscovery through a research expedition to an inaccessible rocky outcrop of the canyon where the gecko was first found.
• This gecko is the fifth animal rediscovered in recent years by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, following:
  • A dune mole (rediscovered after 80 years),
  • A butterfly, a lizard, and a frog species, all previously thought to be lost.

Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko FAQs

Q1: What is the Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko?
Ans: The Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko is a small 8–9 cm long lizard species, likely adapted to rocky cliff habitats.

Q2: Where was it rediscovered?

Ans: It was rediscovered by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) on an inaccessible rocky outcrop in Blyde River Canyon, South Africa.

Source: PHY

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Latest News

The Indian Defence Minister recently asserted that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be brought under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure global nuclear security.

About the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world’s leading intergovernmental organisation for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field.
• It promotes the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, especially in compliance with global non-proliferation norms.
• The IAEA Statute was approved on 23 October 1956 and came into force on 29 July 1957.
• The IAEA headquarters is located in Vienna, Austria.
• The agency currently has 178 member states, reflecting its wide international mandate and credibility.

IAEA’s Legal Status and Global Role

• The IAEA is an autonomous organization within the United Nations system.
• It reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Security Council.
• It is popularly referred to as the “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the UN framework.
• Its primary goal is to ensure that nuclear energy is not diverted for weapons purposes.

Institutional Structure of the IAEA

• The General Conference, composed of all member states, meets annually to approve budgets and set general policy directions.
• The Board of Governors, comprising 35 members, meets about five times a year to:
  • Approve safeguards agreements,
  • Carry out statutory functions, and
  • Appoint the Director General.
• The Secretariat, led by the Director General, handles the IAEA’s daily operations.

Key Functions of the IAEA

• The IAEA works to ensure that nuclear technology is used solely for peaceful purposes.
• It applies comprehensive nuclear safeguards, including:
  • Monitoring,
  • On-site inspections,
  • Information analysis, and
  • Other techniques to verify peaceful use.
• These safeguards serve as a first line of defense under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• The IAEA helps enhance capacity at the national, regional, and international levels to respond to nuclear or radiological emergencies.
• It facilitates scientific cooperation and technical exchange among its member states.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of the IAEA?
Ans: The IAEA promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevents its use for military purposes, including nuclear weapons.

Q2: When and where was the IAEA established?
Ans: The IAEA was established in 1957 and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Source: TH

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Latest News

Recently, Dr. Ajay Kumar, former Defence Secretary, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

About Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

• The UPSC is a constitutional body established under Articles 315 to 323 of the Indian Constitution.
• It was initially formed on October 1, 1926, and acquired constitutional status on January 26, 1950.
• Article 315 provides for the establishment of a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each State.

Composition and Appointment

• The UPSC comprises a Chairman and other members, whose number is determined by the President of India.
• Members are appointed by the President, and at least half of them must have held office under the Government for at least 10 years.
• The Chairman and members hold office for a term of 6 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Resignation and Removal Provisions

• A UPSC member or Chairman may resign by writing to the President of India.
• They may be removed by the President on specific grounds mentioned in the Constitution.
• In case of ‘misbehavior’, the President must refer the matter to the Supreme Court for inquiry.
  • If the Supreme Court upholds the charges, the President can remove the individual based on its advice.

Post-Tenure Employment Restrictions

• The UPSC Chairman is not eligible for any further employment in the Government of India or any State.
• Members (excluding Chairman) may be appointed as:
  • Chairman of the UPSC, or
  • Chairman of a State Public Service Commission,
  • But they are not eligible for any other office of profit under the Government.
• The Chairman or any member cannot be reappointed for a second term.

Duties and Powers of UPSC

• The UPSC is India’s central recruitment agency, responsible for conducting:
  • Civil Services Examination (CSE),
  • Engineering Services Examination (ESE),
  • Combined Medical Services (CMS), and others.
• It advises the President and Governors on matters related to: Appointments, transfers, disciplinary actions, and Framing recruitment rules and procedures.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) FAQs

Q1: Under which article of the Indian Constitution is UPSC constituted?
Ans: UPSC is constituted under Article 315 of the Indian Constitution.

Q2: What is the main function of UPSC?
Ans: UPSC conducts examinations for recruitment to All India Services, Central Services, and Group A & B posts under the Government of India.

Q3: Who appoints the Chairman and members of the UPSC?
Ans: They are appointed by the President of India.

Source: HT

Chenchu Tribe Latest News

The Telangana government recently decided to sanction 10,000 Indiramma houses to Chenchu tribal families.

About Chenchu Tribe

• The Chenchus are a food-gathering tribe primarily residing in the Nallamalai forests of Andhra Pradesh.
• They are one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Andhra Pradesh.
• They are also found in Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha.
• Language: Their native language (also called Chenchu) belongs to the Dravidian language family.Many also speak Telugu. 
• A Chenchu village is known as "Penta". Each penta consists of a few huts that are spaced apart and are grouped together based on kinship patterns. 
  • The close relatives live nearby and the distant ones farther away. 
  • Their homes consist of few belongings and are generally sparse and spartan in appearance.
• Small conjugal families predominate, women taking equal rank with men and marrying only upon maturity.
• "Peddamanishi" or the village elder, is generally the authority to maintain social harmony in a family or a village. 
• Their rituals are few and simple; religious and political specializations are slight. 
• Livelihood: 
  • The Chenchu live life with exemplary simplicity. Most of them still gather food from the forest and roam in it to find things to meet their needs.
  • The bow and arrow and a small knife are all the Chenchus possess to hunt and live.
  • The Chenchus collect forest products like roots, fruits, tubers, beedi leaf, mohua flower, honey, gum, tamarind and green leaves and make a meagre income from it by selling these to traders and government cooperatives.
  • Though at times they work as forest labourers, they mostly prefer to fall back on their native skills to hunt and gather food.
• Religion: Chenchus worship a number of deities. Chenchus have also adopted certain religious practices from Hindus.
• For ages, the Chenchus have been associated with the famous Srisailam temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva and Devi Brahmaramba) in Andhra Pradesh, situated at the heart of Chenchu land. 
  • The Chenchus enjoy special privileges at Srisailam temple.

Chenchu Tribe FAQs

Q1: Which state Chenchu tribe belongs to?

Ans: They primarily reside in the Nallamalai forests of Andhra Pradesh.

Q2: The Chenchus primarily reside in which forest region?

Ans: Nallamalai Forests

Q3: The Chenchus are historically associated with which famous temple?

Ans: Srisailam Temple

Source: TOI

Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve Latest News

The Himachal Pradesh government recently notified the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve.

About Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve

• It is located in the Lahaul-Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh.
• The total area of this conservation reserve is 1585 sq.km. It is India’s largest conservation reserve. 
• It is bounded by the Union Territory of Ladakh to the north, the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary extending up to Malang Nala and Lungar Lungpa to the east, Kabjima Nala to the south, and Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary to the west. 
• It is also the location for the confluence of the Unam River and Charap Nala.
• It is the catchment area of the Charap Nallah and serves as a critical wildlife corridor, linking the Kibber and Chandra Taal wildlife sanctuaries. 
• It will be managed through a Conservation Reserve Management Committee, which will also include representatives from local Panchayats. 
  • The committee will manage the area while balancing the needs of local communities and wildlife conservation priorities.
• Biodiversity:
  • It falls among the high-density habitats of snow leopards within Himachal Pradesh.
  • Tibetan wolf, bharal (blue sheep), Himalayan ibex, kiang (wild ass), and the Tibetan argali are also found in the region. 
  • Rare bird species such as Rose Finch, Tibetan Raven, and Yellow-billed Chough enrich the ecology of the region. 

Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve FAQs

Q1: Where is the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve located?

Ans: Himachal Pradesh

Q2: Tsarap Chu Reserve serves as a corridor between which two wildlife sanctuaries?

Ans: Kibber and Chandra Taal

Q3: Which Union Territory lies to the north of the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve?

Ans: Ladakh

Source: DTE