Arvind Panagariya appointed as Sixteenth Finance Commission chief

Central Idea The Centre has appointed Arvind Panagariya, a renowned trade economist and former Niti Aayog vice chairman, as the chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission. Who is Arvind Panagariya? Panagariya is a professor at Columbia University. He served as the first vice chairman of the Niti Aayog from 2015 to 2017, succeeding the Planning… Continue reading

Genocide Convention invoked in Israel-Palestinian War

Central Idea South Africa has petitioned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to declare Israel in breach of the 1948 Genocide Convention. Genocide Convention, 1948 Details Full Name Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide Adoption Date December 9, 1948 Primary Aim To prevent and punish the crime of genocide Definition… Continue reading

ISRO launches X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) Mission

Central Idea The Indian Space Research Organisation has rang in the new year with the launch of the PSLV-C58 X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) mission on January 1, 2024. About XPoSat Mission Orbital Details: XPoSat will operate in a Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of about 650 km, with a low inclination of around 6… Continue reading

Chameleon Trojan: Compromising Biometric Security on Android Devices

Central Idea Security researchers have identified an updated version of the ‘Chameleon Trojan’ malware, capable of disabling biometric authentication methods. Chameleon Trojan The malware’s primary objective is to steal the phone’s PIN by bypassing fingerprint and face unlock security features. This trojan attaches itself to legitimate Android applications, such as Google Chrome, to evade detection.… Continue reading

In news: Maulana Azad National Fellowship

Central Idea Research students have raised concerns about the disparity in scholarship amounts under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) compared to other research fellowships. About Maulana Azad National Fellowship Details Objective To support students from minority communities in pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. Launch Launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India Eligibility… Continue reading

Analyzing the Slowdown in India’s Core Sector

Central Idea India’s eight core sectors experienced a significant slowdown, growing by 7.8% in November, down from 12% in October. About Core Industries in India The main or key industries constitute the core sectors of an economy. In India, eight sectors are considered the core sectors. These sectors are in decreasing order of their weightage:… Continue reading

Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023: Key Features and Changes

Central Idea The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, faced opposition uproar but was passed in the Rajya Sabha on August 3. Subsequently, it was approved in the Lok Sabha on December 21, marking its legislative passage. Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill: Purpose and Objectives Repealing the 1867 Act: The Bill aims to… Continue reading

Strategy and Foreign Affairs for India in 2024

Central Idea Contradiction in Global Aspirations: Despite calls for peace, 2023 witnessed the continuation and emergence of significant conflicts, notably between Russia and Ukraine, and in the Gaza Strip. China’s Stance: Amidst its economic challenges, China’s aggressive posture remains a concern for the West and India, adding to the global tension. 2023: Strategic Realities and… Continue reading

Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Polygraph Tests in India

Central Idea In the ongoing investigation of the Parliament security breach, Delhi Police sought court permission for polygraph tests on six accused to uncover their motives. A polygraph test, commonly known as a lie detector test, measures physiological responses believed to differ when a person lies. Mechanics of a Polygraph Test Physiological Monitoring: The test… Continue reading

Understanding the Psychology and Impact of Plastic Consumption

Central Idea Pervasiveness of Plastic: Plastic, with its beneficial properties like durability, has become a ubiquitous part of modern life. Environmental Impact: Approximately 50% of plastic is used only once before being discarded, contributing to significant environmental issues, including ocean pollution. Psychological Aspects of Plastic Use Consumer Behavior Influence: The omnipresence of plastic shapes consumer… Continue reading

Decriminalising Medical Negligence: Views from both sides of the bed

Central Idea A women recently died from septic shock after a surgery in Jamshedpur, leading her brother to allege medical negligence due to unauthorized surgeon substitution and lack of postoperative care. The case has ignited discussions on the legal and ethical aspects of medical negligence in India, amidst proposed changes to exempt doctors from criminal… Continue reading

Indian National Congress (INC): From Foundation to Present Day

Central Idea On December 28, 1885, the Indian National Congress (INC) was established, marking the beginning of a significant journey in Indian politics. The INC’s journey from influencing British policy to leading India’s nationalist movement, dominating post-independence politics, and its current decline offers a rich political narrative. Indian National Congress: Inception in 1885 Founding by… Continue reading

Rise in Participatory Notes Investment

Central Idea Indian capital markets witnessed a significant increase in investments through participatory notes (P-notes), reaching ₹1.31 lakh crore by the end of November. What are Participatory Notes? Details Nature of Instrument Offshore derivative instruments with Indian shares as underlying assets. Issuers Issued by registered Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) to overseas investors. Purpose To allow… Continue reading

Huntington’s Disease: Insights from Medical Genetics and Fruit Fly Research

Central Idea The Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad reports three to four cases of Huntington’s disease monthly, with each case impacting entire families. Understanding Huntington’s Disease Details Nature of Disorder Genetic, progressive brain disorder Genetic Cause Mutation in the huntingtin gene on chromosome 4 Inheritance Pattern Autosomal dominant disorder (only one copy… Continue reading

Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) Mission

Central Idea Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) spacecraft successfully entered lunar orbit on December 25, ahead of its planned moon landing on January 19. If successful, Japan will join an elite group of nations to achieve a soft lunar landing, following India’s Chandrayaan 3 mission in August. SLIM: An Overview Launch and Design:… Continue reading

Youth Unemployment in India: A Persistent Challenge

Central Idea In 1932, M Visvesvaraya highlighted the issue of unemployment among educated individuals in India. Ninety years later, the issue of youth unemployment remains a significant concern, despite official data indicating a decrease in the overall unemployment rate. Unemployment Trends: Data Analysis Official Statistics: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the unemployment… Continue reading

RBI enhances Digital Payment Security with CoFT through Banks

Central Idea The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expanded the scope of card-on-file tokenisation (CoFT) services to include card-issuing banks and institutions, enhancing the security of digital payments. Previously, tokenisation services were primarily provided through merchants. The RBI’s recent notification marks a significant shift in this approach. Understanding CoFT and Its Importance Card-on-File (CoF)… Continue reading

India-Oman to sign FTA in Jan 2024

Central Idea India and Oman are rapidly progressing in their negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), expected to be signed in January 2024. The second round of talks was recently concluded in Muscat, indicating both countries’ eagerness to finalize the deal. India-Oman Trade Relations Export Destination: Oman is India’s third-largest export destination in… Continue reading

Loneliness in India: A Deepening Public Health Concern

Central Idea The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared loneliness a significant global health threat, with an estimated 10% of adolescents and 25% of older people affected worldwide. Despite being a collectivistic society with over 140 billion people, loneliness in India remains relatively understudied and unacknowledged as a public health and social issue. Understanding Loneliness… Continue reading

Kashmiri political outfit declared unlawful under UAPA

Central Idea The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir faction as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for five years. It is a very rare occasion that any election-contesting political party has been banned under UAPA. Government’s Stance The Union Home Minister emphasized that the… Continue reading

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