Know Your GK: UPSC Current Affairs & General Knowledge

Natural Farming  🎴What is Natural Farming? Natural farming is a way of growing crops where farmers do not use any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified seeds . Instead, they rely completely on natural processes , like using cow dung, cow urine, compost, and local seeds, to grow healthy food while keeping the soil, air, and water clean. It works with nature’s cycles—such as rainfall, sunlight, soil microbes, and natural pest control—to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Definition: "Natural farming is a farming system where crops are cultivated without using synthetic chemicals or fertilizers, by relying solely on natural inputs and ecological balance to maintain soil fertility and plant health." The Father of Natural Farming is Masanobu Fukuoka , a Japanese farmer and thinker. Masanobu Fukuoka believed that modern farming practices were harming the Earth. He showed that farming could be done successfully without plowing, without fertilizers, and without...

Post-Mauryan dynasties  After the Mauryan Empire came to an end around 185 BCE , India entered a new phase known as the Post-Mauryan Period . This was a time of political changes , where many smaller kingdoms and foreign rulers rose to power in different parts of the country. Though the big central empire was gone, this period saw a lot of cultural growth , trade expansion , and religious developments . New art styles, like the Gandhara and Mathura schools , flourished, and Buddhism spread even more, especially with support from rulers like Kanishka of the Kushan dynasty . It was also a time when India became more connected to the rest of the world through trade with the Roman Empire, Central Asia, and China . 👉Post-Mauryan dynasties (200 BC TO 300 AD) 🏔 Foreign invasion in North India: The Mauryan and Seleucid empires had disintegrated at the same time in 185 BC, and hence their governors declared independence and construction of the Great Wall of China in 220 BC Indo-Gree...

Ramsar Sites in India  Did you know that India now has the  highest number of Ramsar Sites in Asia ? From bird-filled wetlands in Tamil Nadu to heritage-linked lakes in Madhya Pradesh, these eco-rich zones are being recognized globally for their importance.  India now has 89 Ramsar sites , the highest in Asia, reflecting the country’s growing commitment to wetland conservation. New Ramsar Sites in India – 2024 Tawa Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh Recognised on: 8 January 2024  Type: Freshwater reservoir  Key species: Indian carp, rohu, catla, migratory ducks, herons  Importance: Supports agriculture, fisheries, and local biodiversity Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu Recognised on: 16 January 2024 Type: Shallow freshwater lake  Key species: Painted stork, spot-billed pelican, common coot, purple moorhen, egrets Importance: Major stop for migratory birds on the Central Asian Flyway Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nad...

Jet Streams - Meaning, Types, Effects on Indian Weather We often hear the term "jet streams" in weather reports, but what are they really? These fast-moving winds high up in the sky have a big impact on our weather, even though we can’t see them. In India, jet streams affect everything from the arrival of monsoon rains to winter cold waves. Understanding them helps us make sense of many weather changes we see every year. Let’s take a closer look at what jet streams are and how they affect our weather. What are jet streams? "Jet streams are strong winds blowing high above Earth's surface, in the upper troposphere. They usually flow from west to east in both hemispheres. Most of the time, their speeds are around 129 to 225 kilometers per hour (80 to 140 miles per hour), but sometimes they can go as fast as 443 kilometers per hour (275 miles per hour). During winter, these jet streams become even faster, because the difference in temperature between warm and cold air b...