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Distribution: weekly

Finance Commission and Indian Cities

Why in the news?  With the new Lok Sabha and Union government in place, this final piece focuses on how the 16th Finance Commission can drive substantive public finance reforms for India’s cities. Note: The Sixteenth Finance Commission has been requested to make its recommendations available by October 31, 2025, covering an award period of… Continue reading Finance Commission and Indian Cities

How the PESA has boosted Forest Conservation in India?

Why in the News? Conservation policies in India have long wrestled with dual conflicts: balancing conservation goals against local communities’ resource extraction needs, and reconciling conservation with the imperative of economic development. Structural Mandate of Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA): PESA was passed in 1996 and it mandates local government councils in Scheduled… Continue reading How the PESA has boosted Forest Conservation in India?

Power markets in India: their working, advantages, and the road ahead

Why in the news? Amid rising summer demand, the government has permitted the trading of excess electricity produced from “linkage coal” within the nation’s power markets. What is the Power Market? A power market is a platform where electricity is bought and sold, enabling generators and consumers to trade electricity based on market-driven prices and… Continue reading Power markets in India: their working, advantages, and the road ahead

Indian Railways and safety challenges

Why in the news? The turmoil has not subsided since the tragic accident involving the GFCJ container train, which, while travelling at high speed, collided with the 13174 Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express, resulting in 11 deaths and approximately 40 injuries. Indian Railways: Recent Issues Tragic Accident: The GFCJ container train collided with the 13174 Agartala-Sealdah Kanchanjunga… Continue reading Indian Railways and safety challenges

India among a select few countries that have not conducted the Census    

Why in the news? India’s last census was conducted in 2011, and the scheduled Census 2021 has been indefinitely postponed, citing the COVID-19 pandemic. This delay has significant implications for welfare schemes and policy planning reliant on accurate population data. Significance of Census Calculation   Foundation for Policy Planning and Governance: Census data forms the foundational… Continue reading India among a select few countries that have not conducted the Census    

[24th June 2024] The Hindu Op-ed:  Parliament’s Changed Bench Strength Spells More Hope

PYQ Relevance:  Q. The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint sessions of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof. (UPSC IAS/2017) Q. Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for… Continue reading [24th June 2024] The Hindu Op-ed:  Parliament’s Changed Bench Strength Spells More Hope

[pib] Cabinet approves Central Sector Scheme “National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme” (NFlES)

Why in the News? The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES). Do you know? Central sector schemes: They are 100% funded by the Union government and implemented by the Central Government machinery. It covers subjects from Union List (central subjects). Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): It has… Continue reading [pib] Cabinet approves Central Sector Scheme “National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme” (NFlES)

[pib] Release of Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors, 2024

Why in the News? The National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), has released the ‘Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors 2024’. Data Collection Strategies by NSO: Crops are divided into 12 groups: Cereals, pulses, oilseeds, sugars, fibres, indigo, dyes and tanning material, drugs… Continue reading [pib] Release of Statistical Report on Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied Sectors, 2024

[pib] Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects

  Why in the News? The Union Cabinet, chaired by the PM, approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects. Note: Offshore wind energy projects refer to developing and operating wind farms located offshore, typically in coastal waters or oceans. Back2Basics: Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme The VGF scheme is a… Continue reading [pib] Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects

The NEP debate: Why criticism of the policy is premature and off the mark?

Why in the News? Opposition mainly comes from traditionalists who dislike markets, industrial experience, and internships. The NEP supports Ambedkar’s vision of education focused on employability for most Indians. About the National Education Policy (NEP) The NEP was implemented in 2020, replacing the outdated NEP of 1986 after a delay of 34 years. It aims… Continue reading The NEP debate: Why criticism of the policy is premature and off the mark?

India- Bangladesh Bilateral Relations   

Why in the news?  Shortly after Hasina commenced her two-day state visit to India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar convened with her to discuss several bilateral matters. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Visit to India Purpose of Visit: To boost bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra… Continue reading India- Bangladesh Bilateral Relations   

Possible risks of “Acute Poisoning” due to high Capsaicin Levels

Why in the News? Food safety authorities in Denmark have recalled three types of South Korean spicy instant noodles due to potential risks of “acute Capsaicin poisoning.” What is Capsaicin? Capsaicin, the chemical responsible for chili pepper spiciness, is primarily found in the white membrane (placenta) of some chili peppers. Mechanism of Capsaicin: Capsaicin binds… Continue reading Possible risks of “Acute Poisoning” due to high Capsaicin Levels

AMRSense Project

Why in the News? The AMRSense Project of the IIIT-Delhi has won the joint second prize in Trinity Challenge’s competition focused on combating Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The project shares the ÂŁ600,000 joint second prize with ‘OASIS: OneHealth Antimicrobial Stewardship for Informal Health Systems,’ also from India. The Trinity Challenge It is a global initiative aimed… Continue reading AMRSense Project

[21th June 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The US-Saudi Agreement, from First-Bump to Embrace

PYQ Relevance:  Q How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? (UPSC IAS/2022) Q Indian and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.(UPSC IAS/2018) Mentors’ comment: Over the past eight decades, the relationship between the United States and… Continue reading [21th June 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The US-Saudi Agreement, from First-Bump to Embrace

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