UniFocus IAS ( UNIFOCUS UNIVERSAL )

The Supreme Court today(July 27) issued notice to the Union Government in a responce to writ petition  challenging the interpretation of the 10th Schedule to the Constitution that allows legislators to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law by taking the route of a political party merger.( Live Law ) Brief Facts: 1. The practice of political defections is almost as old as the Republic. It reached its peak in the late-1960s, where crossing the floor and “horse-trading” became extremely common, to the point where legislators were known to cross the floor twice in a single day (this was colloquially known as “aya ram, gaya ram politics.”)  2. Legislative attempts to address political defections, which began in the 1960s, culminated in the introduction of the 10th Schedule to the Indian Constitution, in 1985. In essence, the 10th Schedule provided that:  a. If a member voted against the party whip, or voluntarily relinquished the membership of their political par...

The World Health Organization (WHO) today marks the 25th anniversary of Research4Life, a public-private partnership that provides researchers, educators, health professionals and policy-makers in low- and middle-income countries with affordable or free access to scientific knowledge. The partnership has helped dramatically expand access to scientific knowledge for researchers, educators, health professionals and policy-makers in more than 120 countries. Since its establishment in 2001 as a three-year pilot initiative led by WHO, Research4Life has grown into one of the world's largest and longest-running public-private partnerships dedicated to equitable access to scientific research. Independent studies show that the programme has increased research publishing by up to 75%, boosted participation in international clinical trials by more than 20%, and strengthened opportunities for women researchers, with publication rates increasing by up to 30% in countries facing the greatest barr...

I n a remarkable decision taken at the 48 th Session of the World Heritage Committee being held at Busan, South Korea, India’s official nomination for 2025-26 cycle, “Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath” got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 45th property to receive this recognition. Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath The inscribed serial property comprises two component parts – Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Remains of Sarnath (Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmrajika Stupa, Mulagandgakuti Vihara, Ashokan Pillar, etc.) – located within Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Together these two components preserve the architectural and archaeological remains of the ancient site of Sarnath, known in the Buddhist tradition under different names – Rishipatana, Ishipatana, Mrigadava. They all refer to a sacred geography, where the Buddha visited in the 6th century BCE and delivered his first sermon known as the “Turning of the Wheel of the Law” ( Dharmachakra pravartana ). This event ...

EPFO Launches “VISHWAS, 2026” for Amicable Settlement of Damages/Penalty/-Related Disputes Reflect Orbital to launch "Eärendil-1," an 18-meter-wide orbital mirror Vikram-I White Rabbit Technology NITI Aayog released a report on “ Investment Friendliness Index ”