Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has sent nearly 5,000-year-old skeletons unearthed at Haryana\u2019s Rakhigarhi, for scientific examination and facial reconstruction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Rakhigarhi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The present-day Rakhigarhi is located 27 km<\/strong> from the Ghaggar river<\/strong>, in the Ghaggar-Hakra river plain<\/strong> in Haryana.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The archaeological site, dating back to 2600-1900 BCE.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is the largest Harappans site<\/strong> in the Indian Subcontinent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The site was first excavated by Amarendra Nath of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Findings<\/strong>\n
\n- Granary:<\/strong> A granary belonging to the mature Harappan phase (2600 BCE to 2000 BCE) has been found here. It has 7 rectangular or square chambers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Culture, clothing and worship: <\/strong>Fire altars and apsidal structures were revealed in Rakhigarhi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cemetery and burial sites: <\/strong>A cemetery of Mature Harappan period is discovered at Rakhigarhi, with eight graves found.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-180.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nHarappan Civilization<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- The Harappan civilization is believed to be one of the oldest world civilizations <\/strong>together with Egypt and Mesopotamia.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It was developed along the river Indus<\/strong> and for that reason it is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Harappan civilization is identified as a Bronze-age civilization <\/strong>because many objects have been found that are made up of copper based alloys.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nFirst Amendment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS2\/Polity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- On June 18, 1951,<\/strong> the First Amendment to the Indian Constitution came into force.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The amendment altered the scope of three fundamental rights: freedom of speech, equality and property rights.<\/strong>\n
\n- It also created a new constitutional mechanism<\/strong> through which certain laws could be protected from challenge on the ground that they violated fundamental rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These changes were enacted before independent India\u2019s first general elections.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Key Provisions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Reasonable Restrictions on Fundamental Rights:<\/strong> It amended Article 19(2) to allow the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression in the interests of:<\/strong> Public order, friendly relations with foreign states, incitement to an offence, security of the State, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Protection of Land Reform Laws: <\/strong>Added Article 31A and Article 31B<\/strong> to protect laws related to agrarian reforms from being challenged on the grounds of violating Fundamental Rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Creation of the Ninth Schedule: <\/strong>Established the Ninth Schedule under Article 31B. Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule were initially protected from judicial review on grounds of violation of Fundamental Rights.<\/strong>\n
\n- The scope of protection given to the Ninth Schedule was later examined by the Supreme Court in the landmark I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu case.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Special Provisions for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes: <\/strong>Inserted Article 15(4),<\/strong> enabling the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, and for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nUN Food Agencies Warn Acute Hunger in 13 Hot Spots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Food Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- United Nations\u2019 food agencies have warned that acute hunger is expected to worsen across 13 global hotspots <\/strong>in the coming months due to conflict, climate shocks and funding shortages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP)<\/strong>, in a joint report,said that around 266 million <\/strong>people are already facing high levels of acute food insecurity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine<\/strong> remain the countries of greatest concern, while Nigeria and Somalia <\/strong>have been added to the high-risk list as famine threats grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The report noted that funding for food assistance has fallen by nearly 60 per cent since 2022<\/strong>, even as humanitarian needs continue to rise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The UN agencies also warned that spillover effects from the Middle East conflict and an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo<\/strong> are further disrupting livelihoods and aid access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWhat is Food Security?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Food security exists when people have access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development<\/strong>, and an active and healthy life.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- By contrast, food insecurity <\/strong>refers to when the aforementioned conditions don\u2019t exist.\n
\n- Acute food insecurity<\/strong> is any type that threatens people\u2019s lives or livelihoods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The global standard for measuring acute food insecurity is the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC for short.<\/strong> It describes five levels, <\/strong>from \u201cno\/minimal food insecurity\u201d (IPC Phase 1) to \u201ccatastrophe\u201d or \u201cfamine\u201d<\/strong> (IPC Phase 5).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>WFP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAmmonia Gas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ S&T<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- An ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export facility in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu has hospitalized many working people.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Is Ammonia (NH\u2083)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Ammonia (NH\u2083) is a colourless gas with a strong, pungent smell<\/strong>. It is a simple inorganic compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Although it occurs naturally in small quantities during the decomposition of organic matter<\/strong>, it is also produced on a large scale because of its wide industrial and agricultural applications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Industrial ammonia is commercially produced through the Haber\u2013Bosch process<\/strong>, in which atmospheric nitrogen reacts with hydrogen under high temperature and pressure in the presence of an iron catalyst.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is majorly used in fertilizers industries, chemical industries and in food processing<\/strong> due to its excellent cooling efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBiochar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Biochar is emerging as a sustainable solution to convert agricultural waste into a valuable resource for improving soil health and mitigating climate change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is Biochar?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Biochar <\/strong>is a charcoal-like substance that\u2019s made by burning organic material from agricultural and forestry wastes (also called biomass) in a controlled process called pyrolysis.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Unlike ordinary organic matter, biochar decomposes very slowly and can remain in the soil for hundreds of years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is highly porous, enabling it to store water, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Benefits of Biochar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Agricultural Productivity: <\/strong>Studies indicate that biochar can improve crop yields by 10\u201330%,<\/strong> particularly in nutrient-deficient soils.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Carbon Credits:<\/strong> Biochar can generate carbon credits because it removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in soil.\n
\n- Under internationally accepted standards, one tonne of certified biochar can generate approximately 2\u20132.8 tonnes <\/strong>of carbon dioxide-equivalent credits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Water Retention: <\/strong>Biochar acts like a sponge and stores water within its porous structure. Research shows that it can increase the water-holding capacity of soils by 10\u201325%.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Rakhigarhi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The present-day Rakhigarhi is located 27 km<\/strong> from the Ghaggar river<\/strong>, in the Ghaggar-Hakra river plain<\/strong> in Haryana.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The archaeological site, dating back to 2600-1900 BCE.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is the largest Harappans site<\/strong> in the Indian Subcontinent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The site was first excavated by Amarendra Nath of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Findings<\/strong>\n
\n- Granary:<\/strong> A granary belonging to the mature Harappan phase (2600 BCE to 2000 BCE) has been found here. It has 7 rectangular or square chambers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Culture, clothing and worship: <\/strong>Fire altars and apsidal structures were revealed in Rakhigarhi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cemetery and burial sites: <\/strong>A cemetery of Mature Harappan period is discovered at Rakhigarhi, with eight graves found.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nHarappan Civilization<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- The Harappan civilization is believed to be one of the oldest world civilizations <\/strong>together with Egypt and Mesopotamia.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It was developed along the river Indus<\/strong> and for that reason it is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Harappan civilization is identified as a Bronze-age civilization <\/strong>because many objects have been found that are made up of copper based alloys.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nFirst Amendment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS2\/Polity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- On June 18, 1951,<\/strong> the First Amendment to the Indian Constitution came into force.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The amendment altered the scope of three fundamental rights: freedom of speech, equality and property rights.<\/strong>\n
\n- It also created a new constitutional mechanism<\/strong> through which certain laws could be protected from challenge on the ground that they violated fundamental rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These changes were enacted before independent India\u2019s first general elections.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Key Provisions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Reasonable Restrictions on Fundamental Rights:<\/strong> It amended Article 19(2) to allow the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression in the interests of:<\/strong> Public order, friendly relations with foreign states, incitement to an offence, security of the State, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Protection of Land Reform Laws: <\/strong>Added Article 31A and Article 31B<\/strong> to protect laws related to agrarian reforms from being challenged on the grounds of violating Fundamental Rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Creation of the Ninth Schedule: <\/strong>Established the Ninth Schedule under Article 31B. Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule were initially protected from judicial review on grounds of violation of Fundamental Rights.<\/strong>\n
\n- The scope of protection given to the Ninth Schedule was later examined by the Supreme Court in the landmark I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu case.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Special Provisions for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes: <\/strong>Inserted Article 15(4),<\/strong> enabling the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, and for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nUN Food Agencies Warn Acute Hunger in 13 Hot Spots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Food Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- United Nations\u2019 food agencies have warned that acute hunger is expected to worsen across 13 global hotspots <\/strong>in the coming months due to conflict, climate shocks and funding shortages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP)<\/strong>, in a joint report,said that around 266 million <\/strong>people are already facing high levels of acute food insecurity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine<\/strong> remain the countries of greatest concern, while Nigeria and Somalia <\/strong>have been added to the high-risk list as famine threats grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The report noted that funding for food assistance has fallen by nearly 60 per cent since 2022<\/strong>, even as humanitarian needs continue to rise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The UN agencies also warned that spillover effects from the Middle East conflict and an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo<\/strong> are further disrupting livelihoods and aid access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWhat is Food Security?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Food security exists when people have access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development<\/strong>, and an active and healthy life.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- By contrast, food insecurity <\/strong>refers to when the aforementioned conditions don\u2019t exist.\n
\n- Acute food insecurity<\/strong> is any type that threatens people\u2019s lives or livelihoods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The global standard for measuring acute food insecurity is the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC for short.<\/strong> It describes five levels, <\/strong>from \u201cno\/minimal food insecurity\u201d (IPC Phase 1) to \u201ccatastrophe\u201d or \u201cfamine\u201d<\/strong> (IPC Phase 5).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>WFP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAmmonia Gas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ S&T<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- An ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export facility in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu has hospitalized many working people.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Is Ammonia (NH\u2083)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Ammonia (NH\u2083) is a colourless gas with a strong, pungent smell<\/strong>. It is a simple inorganic compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Although it occurs naturally in small quantities during the decomposition of organic matter<\/strong>, it is also produced on a large scale because of its wide industrial and agricultural applications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Industrial ammonia is commercially produced through the Haber\u2013Bosch process<\/strong>, in which atmospheric nitrogen reacts with hydrogen under high temperature and pressure in the presence of an iron catalyst.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is majorly used in fertilizers industries, chemical industries and in food processing<\/strong> due to its excellent cooling efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBiochar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContext<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Biochar is emerging as a sustainable solution to convert agricultural waste into a valuable resource for improving soil health and mitigating climate change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is Biochar?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Biochar <\/strong>is a charcoal-like substance that\u2019s made by burning organic material from agricultural and forestry wastes (also called biomass) in a controlled process called pyrolysis.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Unlike ordinary organic matter, biochar decomposes very slowly and can remain in the soil for hundreds of years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is highly porous, enabling it to store water, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Benefits of Biochar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Agricultural Productivity: <\/strong>Studies indicate that biochar can improve crop yields by 10\u201330%,<\/strong> particularly in nutrient-deficient soils.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Carbon Credits:<\/strong> Biochar can generate carbon credits because it removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in soil.\n
\n- Under internationally accepted standards, one tonne of certified biochar can generate approximately 2\u20132.8 tonnes <\/strong>of carbon dioxide-equivalent credits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Water Retention: <\/strong>Biochar acts like a sponge and stores water within its porous structure. Research shows that it can increase the water-holding capacity of soils by 10\u201325%.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Granary:<\/strong> A granary belonging to the mature Harappan phase (2600 BCE to 2000 BCE) has been found here. It has 7 rectangular or square chambers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Culture, clothing and worship: <\/strong>Fire altars and apsidal structures were revealed in Rakhigarhi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cemetery and burial sites: <\/strong>A cemetery of Mature Harappan period is discovered at Rakhigarhi, with eight graves found.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nHarappan Civilization<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Harappan civilization is believed to be one of the oldest world civilizations <\/strong>together with Egypt and Mesopotamia.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It was developed along the river Indus<\/strong> and for that reason it is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Harappan civilization is identified as a Bronze-age civilization <\/strong>because many objects have been found that are made up of copper based alloys.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
First Amendment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS2\/Polity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- On June 18, 1951,<\/strong> the First Amendment to the Indian Constitution came into force.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The amendment altered the scope of three fundamental rights: freedom of speech, equality and property rights.<\/strong>\n
- \n
- It also created a new constitutional mechanism<\/strong> through which certain laws could be protected from challenge on the ground that they violated fundamental rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These changes were enacted before independent India\u2019s first general elections.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Key Provisions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Reasonable Restrictions on Fundamental Rights:<\/strong> It amended Article 19(2) to allow the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression in the interests of:<\/strong> Public order, friendly relations with foreign states, incitement to an offence, security of the State, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Protection of Land Reform Laws: <\/strong>Added Article 31A and Article 31B<\/strong> to protect laws related to agrarian reforms from being challenged on the grounds of violating Fundamental Rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Creation of the Ninth Schedule: <\/strong>Established the Ninth Schedule under Article 31B. Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule were initially protected from judicial review on grounds of violation of Fundamental Rights.<\/strong>\n
- \n
- The scope of protection given to the Ninth Schedule was later examined by the Supreme Court in the landmark I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu case.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Special Provisions for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes: <\/strong>Inserted Article 15(4),<\/strong> enabling the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, and for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
UN Food Agencies Warn Acute Hunger in 13 Hot Spots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Food Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- United Nations\u2019 food agencies have warned that acute hunger is expected to worsen across 13 global hotspots <\/strong>in the coming months due to conflict, climate shocks and funding shortages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP)<\/strong>, in a joint report,said that around 266 million <\/strong>people are already facing high levels of acute food insecurity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine<\/strong> remain the countries of greatest concern, while Nigeria and Somalia <\/strong>have been added to the high-risk list as famine threats grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The report noted that funding for food assistance has fallen by nearly 60 per cent since 2022<\/strong>, even as humanitarian needs continue to rise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The UN agencies also warned that spillover effects from the Middle East conflict and an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo<\/strong> are further disrupting livelihoods and aid access.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWhat is Food Security?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Food security exists when people have access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development<\/strong>, and an active and healthy life.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- By contrast, food insecurity <\/strong>refers to when the aforementioned conditions don\u2019t exist.\n
- \n
- Acute food insecurity<\/strong> is any type that threatens people\u2019s lives or livelihoods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The global standard for measuring acute food insecurity is the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC for short.<\/strong> It describes five levels, <\/strong>from \u201cno\/minimal food insecurity\u201d (IPC Phase 1) to \u201ccatastrophe\u201d or \u201cfamine\u201d<\/strong> (IPC Phase 5).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: <\/strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>WFP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ammonia Gas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ S&T<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- An ammonia gas leak at a private seafood processing and export facility in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu has hospitalized many working people.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Is Ammonia (NH\u2083)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Ammonia (NH\u2083) is a colourless gas with a strong, pungent smell<\/strong>. It is a simple inorganic compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Although it occurs naturally in small quantities during the decomposition of organic matter<\/strong>, it is also produced on a large scale because of its wide industrial and agricultural applications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Industrial ammonia is commercially produced through the Haber\u2013Bosch process<\/strong>, in which atmospheric nitrogen reacts with hydrogen under high temperature and pressure in the presence of an iron catalyst.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is majorly used in fertilizers industries, chemical industries and in food processing<\/strong> due to its excellent cooling efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biochar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Biochar is emerging as a sustainable solution to convert agricultural waste into a valuable resource for improving soil health and mitigating climate change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is Biochar?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Biochar <\/strong>is a charcoal-like substance that\u2019s made by burning organic material from agricultural and forestry wastes (also called biomass) in a controlled process called pyrolysis.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Unlike ordinary organic matter, biochar decomposes very slowly and can remain in the soil for hundreds of years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It is highly porous, enabling it to store water, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Benefits of Biochar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Agricultural Productivity: <\/strong>Studies indicate that biochar can improve crop yields by 10\u201330%,<\/strong> particularly in nutrient-deficient soils.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Carbon Credits:<\/strong> Biochar can generate carbon credits because it removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in soil.\n
- \n
- Under internationally accepted standards, one tonne of certified biochar can generate approximately 2\u20132.8 tonnes <\/strong>of carbon dioxide-equivalent credits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Water Retention: <\/strong>Biochar acts like a sponge and stores water within its porous structure. Research shows that it can increase the water-holding capacity of soils by 10\u201325%.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Carbon Credits:<\/strong> Biochar can generate carbon credits because it removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in soil.\n
- Biochar <\/strong>is a charcoal-like substance that\u2019s made by burning organic material from agricultural and forestry wastes (also called biomass) in a controlled process called pyrolysis.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Although it occurs naturally in small quantities during the decomposition of organic matter<\/strong>, it is also produced on a large scale because of its wide industrial and agricultural applications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ammonia (NH\u2083) is a colourless gas with a strong, pungent smell<\/strong>. It is a simple inorganic compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The global standard for measuring acute food insecurity is the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC for short.<\/strong> It describes five levels, <\/strong>from \u201cno\/minimal food insecurity\u201d (IPC Phase 1) to \u201ccatastrophe\u201d or \u201cfamine\u201d<\/strong> (IPC Phase 5).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- By contrast, food insecurity <\/strong>refers to when the aforementioned conditions don\u2019t exist.\n
- Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine<\/strong> remain the countries of greatest concern, while Nigeria and Somalia <\/strong>have been added to the high-risk list as famine threats grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP)<\/strong>, in a joint report,said that around 266 million <\/strong>people are already facing high levels of acute food insecurity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Special Provisions for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes: <\/strong>Inserted Article 15(4),<\/strong> enabling the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, and for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Protection of Land Reform Laws: <\/strong>Added Article 31A and Article 31B<\/strong> to protect laws related to agrarian reforms from being challenged on the grounds of violating Fundamental Rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- These changes were enacted before independent India\u2019s first general elections.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- It also created a new constitutional mechanism<\/strong> through which certain laws could be protected from challenge on the ground that they violated fundamental rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The amendment altered the scope of three fundamental rights: freedom of speech, equality and property rights.<\/strong>\n
- It was developed along the river Indus<\/strong> and for that reason it is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Culture, clothing and worship: <\/strong>Fire altars and apsidal structures were revealed in Rakhigarhi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
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