The hepcidin hormone, released by the liver, is a central regulator of iron in the body. Dysregulation of the hormone leads to anaemia on one hand and excess iron accumulation in organs such as liver and heart leading to multi-organ failure. Hemochromatosis is a rare hereditary disease that is characterised by iron accumulation or overload … Continue reading PRELIMS REVISION – 21 (FROM JULY, 2018)

India has 18 biospheres reserves, of which 11 have been included in the WNBR. The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) of Sikkim, the highest biosphere reserve in the country that includes the third highest mountain peak in the world, Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), has been included in the UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WHBR) (in August … Continue reading PRELIMS REVISION – 20 (FROM JULY, 2018)

Though not a ‘state’ under Article 12 of the Constitution of India, BCCI is amendable to judicial review under Article 226 of the Constitution of India as held by the Supreme Court of India. Article 32 grants a person the liberty to approach the Supreme Court directly when his or her fundamental right has been … Continue reading PRELIMS REVISION – 19 (FROM JULY, 2018)

Paschim Lehar is a tri-service exercise involving the Air Force, the Navy and the Army. It was carried out in the Arabian Sea in February 2018. Read more at Business Standard. Payments bank comes under a differentiated bank licence since it cannot offer all the services that a commercial bank offers. In particular, a payments bank … Continue reading PRELIMS REVISION – 18 (FROM JULY, 2018)

The Nine Degree Channel separates Minicoy (Lakshwadeep) from the northern islands of Lakshwadeep. The Eight Degree channel separates Miniocy and the Maldives archipelago. Leading the way for the entire country, Diu becomes the first destination to be fully run by solar power. The Union Territory has made such significant progress in the last three years … Continue reading PRELIMS REVISION – 17 (FROM JULY, 2018)

There are six Regional Meteorological Centres of the Indian Meteorological Department each under a Deputy Director General with headquarters at Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Calcutta, Nagpur and Guwahati. Source: IMD Website. The country is said to have received deficient rainfall if the actual rainfall falls below 90 per cent of LPA. Similarly, the country is … Continue reading PRELIMS REVISION – 16 (FROM JULY, 2018)

The Xingkong-2 or Starry Sky-2 is China’s first hypersonic aircraft which can carry nuclear warheads and penetrate any current generation anti-missile defence systems. Read more at The Hindu. PAC is a financial committee of the Parliament. The primary function of the PAC is to hold the executive to account for its use of public money. … Continue reading PRELIMS REVISION – 15 (FROM JULY, 2018)

The collegium that appoints the Supreme Court judges consists of The Chief Justice of India and four senior-most judges. The seniority of judges, irrespective of the reiteration, is decided on the basis of date of induction in the Supreme Court. A judge who takes oath earlier becomes senior to another who takes oath later. Seniority … Continue reading PRELIMS REVISION – 14 (FROM JULY, 2018)