India’s shift away from Diesel: Implications and Policy Proposals

Central diIdea Recent remarks by Road Transport Minister have sparked discussions about India’s transition away from diesel-powered vehicles and the potential imposition of an additional 10% GST as a “pollution tax.” While these remarks have stirred concerns in the automotive sector, the government’s commitment to reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions remains a key… Continue reading

How fraternity in India is different from the idea enshrined in the Constitution

What’s the news? In his thought-provoking book Political Fraternity: Democracy Beyond Freedom and Democracy, philosopher Angel Puyol emphasizes the significance of fraternity in the realm of politics. Central idea Despite its historical roots dating back to Plato and its coexistence with liberty and equality in liberal political philosophy, fraternity often remains a neglected concept. However,… Continue reading

Analysing where India stands in the G20

What’s the news? The 18th G20 Summit, hosted by India in New Delhi from September 9 to 10, revolved around the theme One Earth, One Family, One Future. This global forum convened to deliberate on crucial issues encompassing food security, climate change, energy, development, healthcare, and digitalization. Central idea The G20 Summit marked a successful… Continue reading

Phanigiri Buddhist artefacts at display in NYC

Central Idea The Phanigiri artefacts belonging to 200 BCE-400 CE are on display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. About Phanigiri Phanigiri, which means “hillock of snake hood,” is a small village located around 150 km from Hyderabad. A treasure trove of ancient Buddhist art was discovered in 1942, and it re-emerged into… Continue reading

IISc develops Hybrid Nanoparticles to detect and kill cancer cells

Central Idea Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have pioneered a novel approach with the potential to detect and eradicate cancer cells, particularly those forming solid tumour masses. Gold and Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles Innovative Nanoparticles: IISc scientists have engineered hybrid nanoparticles that blend gold and copper sulfide, resulting in multifunctional nanoparticles with promising… Continue reading

What are Picoflare Jets?

Central Idea A recent revelation from the Solar Orbiter Aircraft, a collaborative endeavour between the European Space Agency and NASA, has illuminated the Picoflare jets erupting from the sun’s outer atmosphere. These jets, marked by their supersonic emergence and brief durations of 20 to 100 seconds, have captured the attention of scientists and space enthusiasts… Continue reading

Non-Reciprocity: The physics of letting waves go one way but not the other

Central Idea Reciprocity, a fundamental principle of physics, dictates that if a signal can travel from Point A to Point B, it can also journey from Point B to Point A. This intuitive concept holds significance in various aspects of daily life and serves as the basis for many technological breakthroughs and challenges. Exploring Reciprocity… Continue reading

Greshams Law: What happens when governments fix Currency Exchange Rates?

Central Idea The law, named after English financier Thomas Gresham, came into play most recently during the economic crisis in Sri Lanka last year. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has fixed the exchange rate between the Sri Lankan rupee and the U.S. dollar About Gresham’s Law Thomas Gresham: The law is named after Thomas… Continue reading

Assistance to States during Natural Disasters: How It Works

Central Idea In the wake of natural disasters, states often request assistance from the central government. Himachal Pradesh CM recently requested for a special disaster relief package and urged the designation of the calamity as a ‘national disaster.’ Natural Disaster Mitigation in States Legal Framework: The 2005 Disaster Management Act provides the legal framework for… Continue reading

Ancient India-Europe Maritime Trade Route

Central Idea The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced at the G20 Summit, traces its historical roots to an ancient maritime trade route connecting the Indian subcontinent and the Europe. India- Europe: Glimpse into Historical Trade Route Early Discoveries: The trade between Rome and India during antiquity was established by early excavations. Sir Mortimer Wheeler’s work… Continue reading

Deadly Earthquake strikes Morocco

Central Idea A devastating earthquake struck Morocco, resulting in significant casualties and damage. Details of the Moroccan Earthquake Shallow Epicenter: The quake’s epicentre was near the town of Ighil, approximately 70 km southwest of Marrakech. It was considered fairly shallow, with varying depth estimates. Higher Energy: Shallow earthquakes are typically more dangerous as they carry… Continue reading

Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs) for Education Data Management

Central Idea Under the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), the Ministry of Education is spearheading the establishment of Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs) across Indian states. What are Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs)? VSKs are data repositories designed to consolidate information from various educational schemes and initiatives run by the Ministry of Education. These repositories aim to… Continue reading

Orphan Diseases in India

Central Idea Health discussions often revolve around common ailments, such as diabetes, which affect a significant portion of the population. However, amidst these well-known health issues, there are numerous rare/ orphan diseases that, though infrequent, can have devastating consequences for patients and their families. What are Orphan Diseases? Rare diseases, often referred to as orphan… Continue reading

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 on False Promise of Marriage

Central Idea The proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, seeks to address a specific issue concerning sexual relationships based on false promises of marriage. Section 69 of this Bill introduces significant changes in this regard. Section 69 of BNS – Sexual Intercourse on False Promise of Marriage Creation of Two Offenses: Section 69 within Chapter… Continue reading

Circular Economy and E-Waste

Central Idea The Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) recently released a report titled ‘Pathways to Circular Economy in Indian Electronics Sector.’ This report, developed in collaboration with NITI Aayog, explores the possibilities of harnessing electronic waste (e-waste) to create a circular economy in India’s electronics sector. It highlights the significant market potential, estimated at… Continue reading

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

Central Idea PM’s recent announcement at the G20 Leaders’ Summit regarding the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor signifies an ambitious project aimed at enhancing physical and digital connectivity across a vast expanse of the Eurasian subcontinent. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor aims to establish connectivity across India, West Asia, and Europe, leveraging… Continue reading

Interim Stay on Taxation of Online Games

Central Idea The Supreme Court has issued an interim stay on the Karnataka High Court’s ruling that online games, such as rummy, should not be taxed as ‘betting’ and ‘gambling’ under the Central Goods and Services (GST) Act, 2017. This decision follows the Union Cabinet’s approval to increase the GST rate for online games from… Continue reading

G-20 Summit clinches New Delhi Declaration

Central Idea At the G20 Summit in New Delhi, leaders from member countries reached a consensus and adopted the New Delhi Declaration. This declaration outlines significant commitments and agreements on various global issues. Here are the key points from the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration: [1] War in Ukraine Peaceful Resolution: The G20 countries emphasize… Continue reading

Redouble efforts to reduce disaster risks

What’s the news? In 2023, the rise in disasters is not an anomaly; it’s a disturbing trend. Headlines have been dominated by a relentless wave of bad news: severe flooding in China, devastating wildfires in Europe and Hawaii, and July marking the hottest month ever recorded. Central idea The world is standing at a precarious… Continue reading

Ethics of neurotechnology and neurowarfare

What’s the news? The rapid growth of neurotechnology, driven by advances in neuroscience and technology, has given rise to a field with immense potential and profound ethical implications. Central Idea Neurotechnology encompasses various aspects, from Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) to neuroimaging and neurostimulation. As this field expands, it poses challenges to human privacy, autonomy, and dignity.… Continue reading

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