TAJ MAHAL
News – J.D. Vance visits the Taj Mahal with family
- Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
- In memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal
- On the banks of – Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh
- Construction – 1632 to 1653, 21 years
- It Represents the pinnacle of Mughal architecture
- Features-
- Made of white Makrana marble with precious and stones.
- Features a Central dome, 4 minarets, Char-Bagh garden
- Declared a World Heritage Site in – 1983
- Recognized as one of the – Seven Wonders of the World
NATIONAL PANCHAYATI RAJ DAY
- Celebrated annually on – April 24
- To commemorate – the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
- It promotes –
- Grassroots democracy
- Decentralized governance
- Total number of Panchayats – 2,69,191
- Rajasthan – was the first state to implement the Panchayati Raj system
- Features of the 73rd Amendment-
- Regular elections every five years
- Reservation for SC, ST and women.
- Establishment of State Election Commissions and State Finance Commissions
INDUS WATER TREATY
News – Indus treaty with Pak. put on hold
- Treaty Signed in – 1960 between India and Pakistan
- Mediator – World Bank
- Purpose – to regulate the use of waters from the Indus River System
- It includes 6 rivers –
- Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej
- Water Allocation-
- Ravi, Beas, Sutlej – Allocated to India for unrestricted use
- Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab): Allocated to Pakistan, with India allowed limited use
DARK MATTER
News – Indian astronomers throw light on curious case of missing dark matter in a distant galaxy
- About – Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that does not emit or reflect light, making it invisible.
- It Constitutes – 27% of the universe’s total mass
- Evidence –
- Expansion of Universe
- Gravitational lensing: Light from distant objects bends more than it should
- Purpose – Dark matter Plays has crucial role in the formation of galaxies.
DEEMED-TO-BE UNIVERSITIES
News – Pune, Kolkata Film institutes are now deemed-to-be universities
- About – It is an institution of higher education recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for its high academic standards.
- They are granted autonomy in – Designing courses, admissions and awarding degrees
- Criteria-
- By demonstrating excellence in academics, research, and infrastructure.
- Status is granted by – Ministry of Education
- Significance – Promotes specialized education and research
- Eg – BITS-Pilani, TISS-Mumbai
PAKISTAN
- A country in – South Asia
- Bordered by – India, Afghanistan, Iran, and China
- Capital: Islamabad.
- Largest City: Karachi.
- 5th most populous country in the world
- Major River – Indus River
- Mountains – Sulaiman Range, Hindu Kush
- Wars –
- First Indo-Pak War (1947–1948): Fought over the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir
- Second Indo-Pak War (1965): Another conflict over Kashmir
- Third Indo-Pak War (1971): Sparked by the Bangladesh Liberation War
- Kargil War (1999): A conflict in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir
MCQs
1. Taj Mahal is on the banks of which river?
A. Ganga
B. Narmada
C. Godavari
D. Yamuna
2. Indus Water Treaty is mediated by?
A. IMF
B. World Bank
C. USA
D. Russia
3. 1st state to implement Panchayati Raj system?
A. Maharashtra
B. Kerala
C. Rajasthan
D. Uttar Pradesh
4. The status of Deemed University is given by?
A. NAAC
B. State govt
C. NCERT
D. Min. of Education
5. Capital of Pakistan is?
A. Islamabad
B. Lahore
C. Karachi
D. Queta