BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Why in the News? India joined a meeting of foreign ministers from the BRICS group, which was held in Russia. This meeting was the first one after BRICS expanded in 2023 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE became as full-time members. What is BRICS? Details Members BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China,… Continue reading

What is happening in the French territory of New Caledonia?

Why in the News? New Caledonia, France’s Pacific island territory, is under a state of emergency due to deadly riots. About New Caledonia New Caledonia is a French overseas territory in the Pacific. It enjoys a large degree of autonomy but depends heavily on France for matters like defence and education. It includes the island… Continue reading

IRDAI’s new health insurance rules

Why in the news? Recently, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) introduced a set of reforms in the health insurance sector aimed at significantly enhancing service standards for policyholders. The recent rules highlighted by IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) include: Cashless processing: Insurers are mandated to accept or reject cashless claims… Continue reading

Settling trade disputes through ‘litigotiation’

Why in the News? In March, India and the U.S. settled their last lingering WTO poultry dispute, marking the end of seven trade disputes resolved since Prime Minister Modi’s U.S. visit. What is ‘Litigotiation’? ‘Litigotiation’ is a blend of “litigation” and “negotiation,” referring to a strategic process where legal disputes are managed through a combination… Continue reading

Bonn Climate Conference 2024: 3rd Glasgow dialogue flags need for loss & damage cooperation

Why in the News? This week, the Third Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage occurred during the 60th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany. Key highlights of the Conference: Dialogue on Loss and Damage (L&D): The conference focused on discussions around the… Continue reading

Is it time for Proportional Representation?

Why in the News? India should contemplate proportional representation to ensure fairer political outcomes, given NDA’s 293 seats (43.3%) compared to INDIA bloc’s 234 seats (41.6%). First Past the Post (FPTP) System First Past the Post (FPTP) is a voting system where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, regardless of whether… Continue reading

What are Cabinet Committees, and why is the CCS the most important of them all?

Why in the News? After the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi, he is set to share the four big portfolios of Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs with its alliance partners. What are the Cabinet Committees? Cabinet committees in India are groups of ministers formed by the Prime Minister to handle specific tasks or issues… Continue reading

124th Death Anniversary of Birsa Munda

Why in the News? Jharkhand CM marked the 124th death anniversary of revolutionary tribal leader “Birsa Munda” by paying his tributes. Who was Birsa Munda (1875-1900)? Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, during a period of significant change for his community, the Mundas, residing in the Chotanagpur region of present-day Jharkhand. Birsa Munda… Continue reading

Hydrogen Line: A Unique Signal

Why in the News? The hydrogen line stands as a pivotal tool in contemporary astronomy, serving various purposes from studying distant stars to questing for extraterrestrial intelligence, should it exist. What is a Hydrogen Line? The hydrogen line is a special type of light that hydrogen atoms emit. It happens when an electron, a tiny… Continue reading

[pib] Green Ammonia Production under SIGHT Program

Why in the News? Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has initiated the bidding process for a total capacity of 5.39 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) per annum of Green Ammonia production. The initiative falls under Mode 2A of the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission led… Continue reading

How the Six-Day War of 1967 transformed the Middle East?

Why in the News? Fifty-seven years have elapsed since the Six-Day War ( June 5 to June 10, 1967) fought between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Causes of the War Historical Tensions: Rooted in the establishment of Israel in 1948, which resulted in the displacement and death of thousands of Palestinian Arabs, creating a massive… Continue reading

Remoulding the Global Plastics Treaty

Why in the news? As discussions for an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution continue, it is essential to consider how it can support a fair transition for informal waste collectors and recyclers. Observations by the OECD Global Plastic Outlook In 2019, global plastic waste production was 353 million tonnes, more than double the… Continue reading

131 years of Gandhiji’s Natal Satyagraha

Why in the News? On June 7, 1893, Mahatma Gandhi faced racial discrimination when he was forced off a first-class train compartment at “Pietermaritzburg railway station” in South Africa. This event ignited the spirit of civil disobedience in him through his first non-violent protest in the “Natal Satyagraha”. History of ‘Satyagraha’ The terms originated in… Continue reading

Andaman’s Onge Tribe

Why in the news? The king and queen of the “Onge tribe” welcomed a baby boy in the Andaman Islands, marking a significant moment for the tribe. With the arrival of the newborn, the tribe’s total population now stands at 136, as confirmed by an official source. About Onge Tribe The Onge are PVTGs (Particularly… Continue reading

Preparing for ASEAN-India FTA Review

Why in the News? The Commerce Department is gearing up for the upcoming negotiations on the ASEAN-India FTA review. The ASEAN-India FTA, while beneficial, has led to a widening trade deficit for India. ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITGA): The AITGA, signed in 2009 and effective in 2010, aims to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers… Continue reading

President appoints Narendra Modi as PM-Designate

Why in the News? Narendra Modi will take the oath as the Prime Minister for a third consecutive term, following an invitation from President Droupadi Murmu to form the government. Constitutional Provisions for PM Post Article 75: It states that the President shall appoint the Prime Minister, who is usually the leader of the majority… Continue reading

In news: Volkhov River

Why in the News? Four medical students from India studying in a university in Russia drowned in Volkhov River near St. Petersburg. About Volkhov River The Volkhov River is a significant waterway in northwestern Russia. It is located in the Leningrad Oblast and Novgorod Oblast of Russia, in the northwestern part of the country. It… Continue reading

[7th June 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Health regulations need a base-to-top approach

PYQ Relevance Q The public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015) Q In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly… Continue reading

India second-biggest foreign threat to Canadian democracy: report

Why in the news? A parliamentary committee report in Canada has claimed India as the second-biggest foreign threat to the country’s democracy. About the Khalistan Movement Origins and Objectives: The Khalistan Movement is a separatist movement seeking to create an independent Sikh state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India. Activities in Canada: Canada… Continue reading

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