According to an official notification, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has announced the opening of a new MA program in Bhagavad Gita Studies for the academic year 2024–2025. Beginning in July 2024, the program will be made available via open and distance learning. There are 500 spots available for the course, which has a two to four year duration. It will have an 80-credit format and use English as its primary language of instruction. The program allows for flexible study terms ranging from two to four years. The cost of the MA programme is Rs 6,300 per year or Rs 12,600 for the full two years.

Planetary Defense: Global efforts to mitigate space threats

Planetary defense is the effort to monitor and protect Earth from asteroids, comets and other objects of threat in space. Read here to learn more. According to NASA, Earth’s gravity pulls in over a hundred tonnes (more than 90 metric tonnes) of dust and tiny debris from space. Larger pieces of this material may form…

https://www.clearias.com/planetary-defense/

The value of defense production in India increased to ₹1,26,887 crore in FY 2023–24, a 16.7% increase over FY 2022–2023 defense production. The value of defense production has increased by more than 60% during 2019–20 and has been rising consistently.
Approximately 79.2% of the total production value in 2023–2024 came from the public sector, and 20.8% came from the private sector. India had the fourth largest defense budget in the world in 2024, with US$74.7 billion. India has set a goal to export defense goods worth US$ 6.02 billion annually by 2028–2029. In FY 2023–24, defense exports totaled ₹21,083 crore, up 32.5% from the previous fiscal year when it was ₹15,920 crore.

Neo-fascism: Resurgence in Europe?

Neo-fascism refers to post-World War II movements that carry forward the ideologies of historical fascism, often characterized by extreme nationalism, xenophobia, and authoritarian tendencies. Read here to learn more. Neo-fascism represents the enduring and evolving presence of fascist ideologies in contemporary politics. Despite widespread condemnation, these movements continue to find footholds in various parts of…

https://www.clearias.com/neo-fascism/

The Indian Army is set to acquire a fleet of lightweight tanks under 'Project Zorawar,' with plans to deploy them in the high-altitude regions of eastern Ladakh by 2027. Developed jointly by the DRDO and Larsen and Toubro, the Zorawar tank is named after 19th-century Dogra General Zorawar Singh, renowned for his military expeditions to Ladakh and Western Tibet. This new tank will navigate steep mountains and cross water bodies like rivers much more efficiently than its predecessors, the heavy-weight T-72 and T-90 tanks, making it ideal for deployment in challenging areas such as eastern Ladakh’s Pangong Tso Lake.

Education in state list: Should it be restored?

India’s education system has evolved significantly from the ancient Gurukula system to a modern, structured system influenced by colonial rule and post-independence reforms. Recent years have seen debate about whether education in state list should be brought back. Read here to learn more about the discussion. The recent controversies surrounding exams like NEET-UG and UGC-NET…

https://www.clearias.com/education-in-state-list/

Scientists have discovered that Earth's core has significantly slowed down and might even be rotating in the opposite direction. This unexpected finding has important implications for our understanding of Earth's internal processes, including its magnetic field and seismic activity. This discovery highlights the dynamic and complex nature of our planet's inner workings.

The Supreme Court has ruled that divorced Muslim women can claim maintenance from their ex-husbands under Section 125 of the CrPC. In a landmark decision, Justices B V Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih confirmed that this law applies to all women, including divorced ones.

India-Austria Relations

India-Austria relations have been traditionally close and very friendly since 1949 and is celebrating 75 years of bilateral relationships in 2024. Read here to learn more about the recent developments in the relations. India and Austria established diplomatic relations in 1949. Over the decades, their relationship has been marked by mutual respect and cooperation in…

https://www.clearias.com/india-austria-relations/

The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) was declared by the UN in 2025. The declaration states that this global, year-long campaign will "be observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications." Since 2025 marks 100 years since the inception of quantum mechanics, it was selected as the International Year.

Carbon Footprint of Digitalization

The carbon footprint of digitalization encompasses the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by the production, use, and disposal of digital devices and infrastructure, as well as the energy consumed by data centres and networks. Read here to learn more about it. This footprint is influenced by several factors, including the manufacture of electronic devices, energy…

https://www.clearias.com/carbon-footprint-of-digitalization/

The Vizhinjam International Seaport, Thiruvananthapuram, received its first mothership, 'San Fernando', owned by SFL Corporation Ltd. and chartered by Maersk- (AP Moller Group), Denmark.
At Vizhinjam International Seaport, the mothership, San Fernando, was welcomed with a water salute. San Fernando, a 300-meter-long cargo ship, will discharge 1,900 containers at the harbor.