Recently in news: India’s exclusive rights to explore polymetallic nodules from seabed in Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) have been extended by five years by International Seabed Authority. Objective: Organize, regulate and control all mineral (non-living resources) related activities in the international seabed area beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. Members: The Authority has 167 members and… Continue reading [Factoids] International Seabed Authority

Real versus Nominal GDP Nominal GDP is the money value of all the goods and services produced in a year. Nominal GDP is calculated at the current market prices. However, Nominal GDP does not truly indicate the real performance of the economy as the prices changes over time. Back to Basics: Suppose, India as a… Continue reading [Static Revision] Economic Growth versus Economic Development

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items B2B #1: From news- Govt. bans imports of hormone oxytocin Oxytocin Oxytocin is a powerful hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain It regulates social interaction and sexual reproduction, playing a role in behaviors from maternal-infant bonding and milk release to empathy, generosity, and orgasm… Continue reading B2B of the day: Oxytocin, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

N4S Diseases especially those in the news and relevant in the Indian context have been an important theme for prelims. It is important to note down the type of diseases, its symptoms, its carrier and efforts to eradicate it. Classification of diseases      1.Communicable and Non-communicable  Basis Communicable Non-communicable Meaning The disease spread from… Continue reading Health – Diseases

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items From news- Narendra Modi to visit Sweden, UK for bilateral talks and two multilateral summits India-Nordic Summit The first Indo-Nordic summit, focusing on business and investment, is scheduled to take place in Sweden in April 2018 The summit is set to attract major investors for the government’s… Continue reading B2B of the day: India-Nordic Summit, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF)

Recently in news, because the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the first time planned to deploy the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in its mega pan-India exercise called ‘Gaganshakti‘ About: The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multi-role light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian… Continue reading [Factoids] Tejas Aircraft

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others. Microorganisms that become resistant to most antimicrobials are often referred to as… Continue reading Health – Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

National Income Accounting in India National income of a country can be defined as the total market value of goods and services produced in the economy in a year. The three-important measure of calculating National Income of a country are: The sum of the value of all final goods and services produced. The sum of… Continue reading [Static Revision] National Income Determination, GDP, GNP, NDP, NNP, Personal Income

Here are 3 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items B2B #1: From News- Cabinet approves downsizing of Competition Commission of India Competition Commission of India (CCI) Competition Commission of India is a statutory body of the Government of India It is responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002 throughout India and to prevent activities that have an… Continue reading B2B of the day: Competition Commission of India (CCI), UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC), International Press Institute

Recently in news, because India has been admitted to Agreement What? Ashgabat Agreement is an international transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. Aim: The transit agreement provides for a transit corridor across Central Asia and the Middle East through the continuous landmass between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran before… Continue reading [Factoids] Ashgabat Agreement

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items B2B #1: From news- HRD Ministry forms panel to examine CBSE’s exam conduct process Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) CBSE is a national level board of education in India for public and private schools, controlled and managed by Union Government of India CBSE affiliates all Kendriya… Continue reading B2B of the day:Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), National Institutional Ranking Framework

Recently in News, because India Has Been Re-Elected To The UN’s Principal Organ, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for Another Three-Year Term Objective: ECOSOC is the United Nations’ central platform for reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on sustainable development Members: The Council’s 54 member Governments are elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms Seats… Continue reading [Factoids] Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items B2B #1: From news- In name of fake news, Government frames rules to blacklist journalists Press Council of India The Press Council is a statutory, quasi-judicial body which acts as a watchdog of the press It adjudicates the complaints against and by the press for violation of… Continue reading B2B of the day: Press Council of India, News Broadcasters Association, Provisioning

Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items B2B #1: From news- FBIL will now do the valuation of G-Secs Government securities A Government Security (G-Sec) is a tradeable instrument issued by the Central Government or the State Governments It acknowledges the Government’s debt obligation Such securities are short-term (usually called treasury bills, with original… Continue reading B2B of the day: Government securities, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

The numerical ability and logical reasoning questions in CSAT, Paper II for the year 2017 were a good mix of easy and tough questions. There were certain questions which required candidate to know complex mathematical concepts while at the same time there were certain questions which were pretty easy We have tried to use simple… Continue reading [CSAT Preparation] Maths and Logical reasoning: Previous years paper analysis & key takeaways

Since the CSAT was introduced in the year 2011, the number of questions based on comprehension in Paper II has been steadily high and no candidate can escape attempting at least few of the passages The range and complexity of the passages has also undergone a visible change and so has the variety of questions… Continue reading [CSAT Preparation] English Comprehension: Previous years paper analysis & key takeaways

  Q.1)  India’s richest 1% garnered as much as 73% of the total wealth generated in the country in 2017, according to a new survey by international rights group Oxfam. Discuss What will be the consequences of rising income inequality in India.? Q.2) What do you understand by Solar rooftops. Discuss rationale behind its installation. Recent data… Continue reading 04 Feb 2018 | Target Mains | 23th Weekly Test

Q.1) PM Netyanhu described India-Israel relations as that of Marriage made in heaven. Despite the excellent Personal chemistry between the 2 Prime Minister’s, there are number of sticking points which are preventing relationship between both these countries to reach its potential. Discuss those inhibiting factors and suggest steps which can make way for this relationship… Continue reading 28 Jan 2018 | Target Mains | 22th Weekly Test

Q.1) Recently the government has approved the norms to relax the norms of FDI in single-brand retail. Discuss the pros and cons. Q.2) With the emergence of the market economy and enhanced capability of private sector, the government should not directly be in the business of providing goods and services. Discuss in the context of Recent proposal… Continue reading 21 Jan 2018 | Target Mains | 21th Weekly Test

Q.1) While We have been successfully able to curb insurgency in most North-Eastern states, however even after 70 years of independence we have not able to eradicate Insurgency in Nagaland? Discuss reason behind this phenomenon and What steps should be adopted by Government to eradicate insurgency in Nagaland. Q.2) What economic policy challenges are India… Continue reading 14 Jan 2018 | Target Mains | 20th Weekly Test