Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
Election Commission of India to begin Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in Bihar
- SIR is legally backed by Article 324 of the Constitution & Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act 1950.
About SIR
- It is a House-to-House verification to be done to ensure enrolment of all eligible Citizens.
- It is done by Booth Level Officers.
- Aim: To ensure that all eligible citizens are included in the Electoral Roll.
- Significance: To ensure the integrity of the Electoral Roll (ER) for the conduct of free & fair elections.
- Tags :
- ECI
- Special Intensive Revision
UMEED Portal
Union Minority Affairs Minister launches UMEED Central Portal.
- Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Rules, 2025 operationalises the national UMEED portal.
About Umeed Portal
- Developed by: Ministry of Minority Affairs.
- Aim: To serve as a centralized digital platform for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties.
- Features:
- Creation of a digital inventory with geo-tagging of all Waqf properties
- Online grievance redressal system for better responsiveness
- Transparent leasing and usage tracking
- Integration with GIS mapping and other e-Governance tools
- Public access to verified records and reports
- Tags :
- Waqf
- Umeed Portal
Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR)
RBI has removed 1,00,010 crore rupees from the banking system through the VRRR.
About VRRR
- It is a method used by the RBI to absorb excess money from banks for a short period.
- RBI takes money from banks and offers them interest in return.
- The term variable rate means the interest rate is not fixed and is decided by the market.
- In the Reverse Repo Rate the rate is fixed by RBI.
- Tags :
- RBI
- Reverse Repo Rate
- Variable Repo
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
The Finance Ministry has announced that all tax benefits available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also apply to the UPS.
About UPS
- It has been introduced as an option under the NPS.
- It is a ‘fund-based’ payout system which relies on the regular and timely accumulation and investment of applicable contributions (from both the employee and the employer (the Central Government)).
- Salient features
- 50% of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years.
- Assured minimum pension of 10,000 per month on superannuation after minimum 10 years of service.
- Tags :
- National Pension System
- UPS
Supernova
Researchers have obtained photographic evidence of a rare supernova involving a different type of star – a stellar ember called a white dwarf – and a double detonation.
- It was obtained using the European Southern Observatory’s Chile-based Very Large Telescope.
About Supernova
- It is the explosion of a star and is an immensely violent event.
- It usually involves a star more than eight times the mass of our sun that exhausts its nuclear fuel and undergoes a core collapse.
- Tags :
- Supernova
- Large Telescope
Equine Disease
India establishes 1st Internationally Recognised by WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Equine Disease-Free Compartment(EDFC) in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
About Equine diseases:
- These encompass a wide range of illnesses that can affect horses like influenza, herpesvirus, and West Nile virus etc.
- Causal agents: Variety of infectious agents, such as Virus, bacteria, fungi, parasites, as well as non-infectious factors like allergies, toxins, and genetics
- Examples: Equine Infectious Anemia, Equine Influenza, Equine Piroplasmosis, Glanders, and Surra.
- India has historically remained free from African Horse Sickness since 2014.
- Tags :
- WOAH
- Equine Disease
- Glanders
Articles Sources
Chenab River
The forest advisory committee has granted ‘in-principle’ approval for diversion of forest land for construction of Sawalkot HEP on Chenab River.
- Sawalkot HEP is one of the six strategic hydropower developments aimed at optimising India’s use of Indus waters.
About Chenab River
- Origin is Bara Lacha Pas.
- Two streams namely Chandra and Bhaga rise on the opposite sides of the pass and join to form Chenab.
- Chenab valley is a structual trough formed by the great Himalayan and Pir Panjal ranges.
- Tributaries include Miyar Nalla, Sohal, Thirot, Bhut Nalla, Marusudar and Lidrari.
- It was known to Indians in the Vedic period as Chandrabhaga, also Ashkini or Iskmati.
- Tags :
- Chenab
- Bara Lacha Pas
- Sawalkot HEP
Reclaim Framework
Coal Ministry has launched the RECLAIM framework - A Community Engagement and Development Framework for Mine Closure and Repurposing.
Reclaim Framework
- Developed by: Coal Controller Organisation under the Ministry of Coal in partnership with the Heartfulness Institute.
- Objective: serves as a structured guide for inclusive community engagement and development throughout the mine closure and post-closure phases.
- Fremefork (Refer Infographic)

- Tags :
- MIne Closure
- Reclaim Framework