General Studies Paper-3 Context: The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in partnership with the International Coral Reef Initiative, confirmed that the world is witnessing its fourth global bleaching event. About The bleaching-level heat stress has impacted 83.7% of the planet’s coral reef area and mass coral bleaching has been recorded in at least 83 countries and territories. The ongoing global coral bleaching event is the biggest to date. Previous Bleaching: The 1st and 2nd global coral bleaching events occurred in 1998 and 2010, respectively. The 3rd global coral bleaching event, which occurred from 2014-2017, when 68.2% of the world’s....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: As per the report released by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region has seen its third consecutive below-normal snow year in 2025. Findings The report used a 23-year time series (from 2003 to 2025) of basin-scale snow persistence during the snow season between November and March. All three major river basins — Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra — are experiencing significant declines in snow persistence. Snow persistence across the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) was at a two-decade low of 23.6%. Snow persistence in the Ganga basin – 24.1 per....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 India’s air pollution crisis is a persistent issue causing severe health problems, with cities regularly topping global pollution rankings. World Air Quality Report 2024 Thirteen of the world’s top 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat on the Assam-Meghalaya border being the most polluted. India is the fifth most polluted country in the world, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 50.6 μg/m3 – 10 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 μg/m3. Delhi continues to be the most polluted Capital city in the world with an....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: NASA reported that global sea levels rose faster than expected in 2024, reaching 0.59 cm per year, surpassing the anticipated 0.43 cm. Global Mean Sea Level Global mean sea level provides an integrative measure of the state of the climate system, encompassing both the ocean and cryosphere (ice covered portions of Earth). It is the average height of the entire ocean surface. It is a key indicator of climate change, reflecting changes in both the ocean and ice-covered regions. Causes of Global Mean Sea Level changes Ice Melt: Warming causes ice sheets and glaciers to....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: Tamil Nadu’s mangrove forest cover has nearly doubled from 4,500 ha in 2021 to 9,039 ha in 2024, due to new plantations and preservation of existing mangroves. Mangroves Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions, providing refuge for coastal biodiversity and acting as bio-shields against extreme climatic events. They are adapted to thrive in coastal regions with brackish water and wet, loose soil. They have tangled prop roots that help them survive tides and capture sediments while slowing water flow. Importance Climate Change Mitigation: Mangroves stabilize coastlines, reduce erosion, encourage biodiversity, and....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: NASA reported that global sea levels rose faster than expected in 2024, reaching 0.59 cm per year, surpassing the anticipated 0.43 cm. Global Mean Sea Level Global mean sea level provides an integrative measure of the state of the climate system, encompassing both the ocean and cryosphere (ice covered portions of Earth). It is the average height of the entire ocean surface. It is a key indicator of climate change, reflecting changes in both the ocean and ice-covered regions. Causes of Global Mean Sea Level changes Ice Melt: Warming causes ice sheets and glaciers to melt,....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: According to the World Air Quality Report 2024, thirteen of the world’s top 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat on the Assam-Meghalaya border being the most polluted. Key Findings of the report India is the fifth most polluted country in the world, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 50.6 μg/m3 – 10 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 μg/m3. In 2023, India was the third most polluted country. Delhi continues to be the most polluted Capital city in the world with an average....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 Context: The US has withdrawn from the board of the Loss and Damage Fund. Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) It was established at the 2022 UNFCCC Conference (COP27) in Egypt to provide financial support to regions suffering both economic and non-economic losses caused by climate change. These include extreme weather events and slow-onset processes, such as rising sea levels. The LDF is overseen by a Governing Board that determines how the Fund’s resources are disbursed, with the World Bank serving as the interim trustee. Objectives The purpose of the Fund is to assist developing countries that....Read More

General Studies Paper -3 Context: According to a study by economists Surjit S Bhalla and Karan Bhasin, India has witnessed a sharp reduction in poverty and inequality over the past decade. Major Highlights The study is based on government household expenditure data from 2022-23 and 2023-24. Poverty Reduction: India’s poverty rate at the $3.65 PPP line dropped from 52% in 2011-12 to 15.1% in 2023-24. Extreme poverty at the $1.90 PPP line is now below 1%. Consumption Growth: Largest improvements in consumption seen in the bottom three deciles of the population, showing record increases. Declining Inequality: Consumption inequality has decreased,....Read More

General Studies Paper-3 Context: The degradation and loss of wetlands have reached alarming levels due to urbanization, agricultural expansion, and industrial activities. Mainstreaming wetland conservation into policy and development agendas is an urgent necessity. About the Wetlands Wetlands, often referred to as the ‘kidneys of the Earth’, play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance including biodiversity conservation, water purification, and climate regulation. These ecosystems include marshes, swamps, lakes, floodplains, mangroves, and coastal lagoons, which support a wide variety of flora and fauna. These wetlands comprise approximately 4.8% of the total geographical area of India, and it is estimated that....Read More