- India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra.
- The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) aims to improve irrigation in Rajasthan, but it also raises concerns about its impact on the Ranthambhore tiger reserve.
- Clouded Leopards Face Severe Threats, Urgent Conservation Needed
- Pune to Host 2025 Army Day Parade
- Second Multi-Purpose Vessel, INS Utkarsh, Launched for Indian Navy
- CISF to Expand with Two New Battalions
- Eye Scans Could Help Predict Stroke Risk
- IMD Aims for Near-Perfect Weather Forecasts by 2047
- Bhashini Makes Mahakumbh More Accessible with Multilingual Tech
Charter of Queen Elizabeth I & the East India Company Background Francis Drake’s Voyage (1580) : First Englishman to sail around the world, inspiring exploration. Defeat of Spanish Armada (1588) : England’s naval victory boosted confidence to challenge Spain/Portugal in global trade. Portuguese & Dutch Profits : Europeans made huge money from Asian spices, textiles, and goods → England wanted a share! Formation of the East India Company 1599 : Group of English merchants ( Merchant Adventurers ) formed a company to trade in Asia. 31 December 1600 : Queen Elizabeth I granted them a Royal Charter , giving: Exclusive Rights : Only this company could trade east of Africa (monopoly). Name : “Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies” (later called East India Company ). 1609 : Monopoly extended indefi...