ClearIAS

Kashmir has hosted its first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK), titled “Rang-e-Cinema”, marking an important step in placing the region on the global cinema map. Held from September 7–10, 2026, the four-day festival features 135 films from 41 countries and brings together filmmakers, artists, industry professionals and cinema enthusiasts. Organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the festival aims to provide a platform for local filmmakers while promoting cinema,…

Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was established in 1982 by the Government of India to build scientific and technical expertise for wildlife conservation and management. It was created because India needed a specialised institution for wildlife research, training and scientific support, particularly as wildlife conservation was becoming more important with the expansion of protected areas and conservation programmes.

Following a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague declaring that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully in force and ordering interim restrictions on India's Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant, India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected the award, asserting that the arbitral body was constituted in illegal breach of the treaty terms and holds no jurisdiction over India's sovereign decisions. India, which placed the 1960 water-sharing pact in abeyance following a major terror …

Assam has achieved a significant milestone in livestock biotechnology with the birth of the world’s first IVF-born female calf of the indigenous Lakhimi cattle breed. The calf was born at the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University in Khanapara, Guwahati, through its IVF laboratory, established with support from the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. The breakthrough is important for the conservation and genetic improvement of indigenous cattle breeds. IVF and embryo-transfer technologies can help rapidl…

The Supreme Court has lauded the MGNREGA scheme, observing that it cannot be categorised either as a “freebie” or as exploitation of workers. The court highlighted the importance of providing rural people with opportunities to earn a livelihood through guaranteed wage employment rather than treating such support as mere government handouts. The court’s observations are important in the wider debate over freebies versus welfare measures. Unlike a freebie, MGNREGA links government expenditure to …

The Union Cabinet on approved the establishment of a bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh. The move aims to improve access to justice for people living in the remote and geographically difficult areas of Ladakh. At present, the High Court functions through its Jammu and Srinagar wings. The Ladakh bench will become its third bench.The new bench is expected to reduce the time, cost and difficulty faced by litigants who otherwise have to travel to Jammu or Srinagar for Hi…

What happens when a bureaucrat decides that rules should not remain on paper? Meet Tukaram Mundhe, the Maharashtra FDA Commissioner whose recent food-safety drive has put regulatory enforcement in the spotlight. Since taking charge, Mundhe has pushed the FDA towards intensive inspections and on-ground enforcement. More than 1,100 inspections and raids have been conducted across Maharashtra, targeting restaurants, hotels, food warehouses, dairies and other food businesses. But the story became bi…

🖼 Photo

🖼 Photo

🖼 Photo

🖼 Photo

🖼 Photo

🖼 Photo

🖼 Photo

India hosts the BRICS Environment Working Group (EWG) meeting in New Delhi on 17–18 August 2026 under its BRICS Chairship. Senior officials from BRICS member countries will discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on environmental protection, climate change and sustainable development.

🖼 Photo

🖼 Photo

🖼 Photo