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Indian Science Congress Postponement: Significance and Implications

Introduction The Indian Science Congress, a significant annual event for scientists and science students in India, has been postponed from its usual start date of January 3. About Indian Science Congress Details Headquarters Kolkata, West Bengal, India Establishment 1914 in Kolkata Annual Meeting First week of January Membership More than 30,000 scientists First Congress 1914… Continue reading Indian Science Congress Postponement: Significance and Implications

Nrega, Nyay and PM-Kisan: Why do politicians rush to give direct benefits?

Introduction Revival of NYAY: A mainstream political party has revived its 2019 manifesto center-piece, the NYAY scheme (Nyuntam Aay Yojana or Minimum Income Scheme), ahead of the 2024 general election. Promised Benefits: The party announced that if elected, the party would implement NYAY, providing women with an annual income of Rs 60,000-70,000. Background of NYAY… Continue reading Nrega, Nyay and PM-Kisan: Why do politicians rush to give direct benefits?

Akash Missile System: India’s Iron Dome

Central Idea India demonstrated the firepower of its Akash surface-to-air (SAM) weapon system, where a single firing unit simultaneously engaged and destroyed four unmanned targets during the recent Exercise Astrashakti 2023. Countries like Armenia, Brazil, and Egypt have shown interest in acquiring the Akash SAM. About Akash Missile System Details Development and Production Developed by… Continue reading Akash Missile System: India’s Iron Dome

India’s Transition in Slum Definitions

Central Idea Research Citation: Nipesh Narayanan’s research, published in the Economic & Political Weekly on October 21, 2023, delves into the changing conceptualization of slums in Indian parliamentary debates from 1953 to 2014. Policy on Slums: These shifting narratives have significantly influenced government policies and approaches towards slums. Evolution of Discourses on Slums Parliamentary Debates… Continue reading India’s Transition in Slum Definitions

Nationwide Transportation Strike: Protests against Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

Central Idea The nationwide transportation strike entered its second day, causing huge disruptions across the country. The strike, involving truck, bus, and tanker drivers, is a protest against stringent regulations under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for hit-and-run cases. Background of the Strike: BNS Provisions Implementation of BNS: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which introduces tougher… Continue reading Nationwide Transportation Strike: Protests against Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

Sarna Religion and its Forest Conservation Rituals

Central Idea A study at IIT Indore on tribal culture, forest conservation, and wildfire in central India sheds light on the Sarna religion’s tenets. About Sarna Religion Details Nature of Faith Indigenous religious faith predominantly followed in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region. Geographical Spread Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and smaller numbers in Assam,… Continue reading Sarna Religion and its Forest Conservation Rituals

Kyrgyzstan declares Snow Leopard as National Symbol

Central Idea Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian country, has declared the snow leopard as its national symbol. About Snow Leopard Details Habitat Mountainous regions of Central and Southern Asia; in India: western and eastern Himalayas. Indian Geographical Range Western Himalayas (J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) and Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh). Project Snow Leopard (2009) Aims… Continue reading Kyrgyzstan declares Snow Leopard as National Symbol

Suspending the Free Movement Regime: India’s Border Policy with Myanmar

Central Idea On January 2, the Indian government announced plans to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Myanmar border. Residents in border areas, previously able to cross freely, will now require visas. About Free Movement Regime Initiated in the 1970s, the FMR allowed people living within 16 km of the India-Myanmar border to… Continue reading Suspending the Free Movement Regime: India’s Border Policy with Myanmar

India’s 1991 Crisis and the RBI Governor’s Role

Central Idea S. Venkitaramanan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), passed away, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions. His tenure is marked by crucial interventions during India’s economic crises and a commitment to open dialogue and innovative policies. Navigating the Balance of Payments Crisis Economic Turbulence in 1990: India faced a… Continue reading India’s 1991 Crisis and the RBI Governor’s Role

In news: Electoral Bond Scheme

Central Idea The government has announced a fresh tranche of electoral bond sales for a 10-day period starting through the authorised branches of State Bank of India across the country. About the Electoral Bond Scheme Definition Banking instruments for political party donations with donor anonymity. Launch 2017-18 Union Budget Purchase Method Available to Indian citizens… Continue reading In news: Electoral Bond Scheme

Parliament breach accused underwent Psychoanalysis

Central Idea The Delhi Police’s use of psychoanalysis for assessing motives in the Parliament breach incident highlights its contemporary relevance. Origins of Psychoanalysis Development by Freud: Sigmund Freud, a Viennese psychiatrist, developed psychoanalysis as a modern Western system of psychotherapy. Evolution over Time: Initially a treatment for unexplained symptoms, psychoanalysis has evolved, influenced by various… Continue reading Parliament breach accused underwent Psychoanalysis

Kharsawan Massacre of 1948: A Tragic Chapter in Jharkhand’s History

Central Idea On January 1, 1948, the town of Kharsawan in present-day Jharkhand witnessed a massacre reminiscent of what happened in Jallianwala Bagh in 1919. Police opened fire at a crowd gathered for a protest and the weekly haat (market), killing hundreds, or by some accounts, thousands of Adivasis. Kharsawan Massacre: A Background Since the… Continue reading Kharsawan Massacre of 1948: A Tragic Chapter in Jharkhand’s History

Earthquake and Tsunami strikes Central Japan

Central Idea On January 1, 2024, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Ishikawa prefecture in Japan, triggering tsunami waves over a meter high. Japan’s Geographical Vulnerability Japan’s geographical vulnerability, particularly concerning plate tectonics, is a critical aspect of its environmental and disaster management challenges. The country’s location at the convergence of several major tectonic plates makes it… Continue reading Earthquake and Tsunami strikes Central Japan

Virtual Digital Asset Regulation: Global Perspectives and Challenges

Central Idea The Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND) issued notices to offshore virtual digital asset service providers (VDA SPs) for non-compliance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). A request was made to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to block URLs of these entities. About Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) Digital… Continue reading Virtual Digital Asset Regulation: Global Perspectives and Challenges

India, Pakistan conduct Annual Exchange of List of Nuclear Installations

Central Idea India and Pakistan has exchanged a list of their nuclear installations that cannot be attacked in case of an escalation in hostilities. Non-Nuclear Aggression Agreement The Non-nuclear aggression agreement is a bilateral and nuclear weapons control treaty between India and Pakistan, on the reduction (or limitation) of nuclear arms. Both pledged not to… Continue reading India, Pakistan conduct Annual Exchange of List of Nuclear Installations

How the Northeast was ‘invented’, 52 years ago?

Central Idea On December 30, 1971, two pivotal laws were enacted, reshaping the administrative landscape of Northeast India. These laws marked a transition from the traditional unit of Assam to the broader concept of ‘Northeast India’. Formation and Composition of Northeast India States in the Northeast: The region officially includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya,… Continue reading How the Northeast was ‘invented’, 52 years ago?

Evolution of Genomic Medicine: Research to Mainstream Healthcare

Central Idea Over the past two decades, genomics and the use of genetic information in healthcare have undergone significant transformations. Once limited to major research centers, personal genome sequencing has become widely accessible, empowering individuals with detailed knowledge of their genetic makeup. What is genome sequencing? Genome sequencing is the process of determining the complete… Continue reading Evolution of Genomic Medicine: Research to Mainstream Healthcare

Proposed Health Tax on Sugar and High-Calorie Foods in India

Central Idea Public health researchers recommend a health tax of 20% to 30% on sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products, in addition to the existing GST. The recommendation stems from a UNICEF-funded project, aiming to influence policies to reduce sugar consumption. Study Insights and Recommendations Targeting Bulk Consumers: The study… Continue reading Proposed Health Tax on Sugar and High-Calorie Foods in India

How Centre plans to regulate Content on OTT and Digital Media?

Central Idea The Centre’s new draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, aims to revamp the regulatory framework for the broadcasting sector in India. The Bill extends regulatory oversight from conventional television services to OTT platforms, digital content, and emerging technologies. Key Provisions of the Draft Bill Single Legal Framework: The Bill seeks to establish a… Continue reading How Centre plans to regulate Content on OTT and Digital Media?

Census postponed to October 2024

Central Idea Initially planned for 2020, the Census exercise is now postponed to at least October 2024, considering the time required for preparatory activities post-boundary setting. The delay also postpones the implementation of the law reserving 33% of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, which is contingent on Census completion. About the Census… Continue reading Census postponed to October 2024

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