MoD signs 250th contract under ‘Innovations for Defence Excellence’

Central Idea Innovations for Defence Excellence (IDEX), the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has achieved a milestone with the signing of the 250th contract. The first contract under Mission DefSpace and the 100th SPRINT (Navy) contract were signed on May 15. What is Innovations for Defence Excellence (IDEX)? IDEX is a government… Continue reading

Unpaid Care Work: Recognizing and Valuing Women’s Contributions

Central Idea Unpaid care work, predominantly performed by women, plays a crucial role in the well-being of families and contributes significantly to a country’s economy. However, it often goes unrecognized and undervalued, leading to gender inequality and economic implications. On this Mother’s day and beyond it is necessary to introspect and change the attitudes towards… Continue reading

Managing Inflation and Ensuring Food Security in India

Central Idea India’s recent decline in consumer price index (CPI) inflation and food price inflation has brought a degree of comfort to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, the challenge lies in managing inflation while aiming for a GDP growth of 6 to 6.5 percent in FY24. Collaborative efforts between the RBI and the… Continue reading

India’s Dilemma: Navigating the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)

Central Idea India’s recent shift from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) has raised questions about the motivations behind this decision and the potential implications for the country. What is Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)? RCEP is a trade agreement involving 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region,… Continue reading

Orders on ONDC grow rapidly

Central Idea The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a government-backed modular network for e-commerce, food and grocery delivery, and cabs in India. ONDC has witnessed significant growth, with a rising number of orders and participants. India Post, one of the world’s largest logistics systems, is expected to join ONDC, strengthening the network. About… Continue reading

Groundwater Extraction and Land Subsidence

Central Idea: Groundwater extraction in northwestern India, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Faridabad, has led to land subsidence and structural damage. What is Groundwater? Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks… Continue reading

Supreme Court guideline for granting Bail

Central Idea: The Supreme Court emphasized that orders in bail cases should adhere to the constitutional principle of personal liberty. Supreme Court on Bail Short debates: Prolonged debates on bail may prejudice the accused in their case. Upholding liberty: Delays in pronouncing bail decisions impinge on the personal liberty of the undertrial. No extensive discussions… Continue reading

UK sees success in Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy

Central Idea The birth of a baby using three persons’ DNA using Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT) in the UK has generated significant attention and discussion. The baby has three parents, with the mitochondria coming from a donor in addition to the genetic material from the biological parents. This pioneering technology was employed to prevent the… Continue reading

Palghat Gap: A break in the Western Ghats

Central Idea: The article discusses the Palghat (Palakkad) Gap, a significant corridor in the Western Ghats of India. It provides information about the geological origin of the gap. What is Palghat Gap? The Palghat Gap is a 40 km wide corridor in the Western Ghats, known for its steep hills and serving as a gateway… Continue reading

Thirunelli Temple

Protecting Critical Information Infrastructure: The Role of the G20

Central Idea Technology has become pervasive, impacting various aspects of society, including national and foreign policies, governance, service delivery, and warfare. However, this dependence on technology also exposes critical systems to potential disruptions. Safeguarding critical systems is a nation’s responsibility to ensure the continuity of vital services. What is critical information infrastructure? Critical information infrastructure… Continue reading

Declining Allocations for Welfare Schemes: Neglecting India’s Social Fabric

Central Idea The Union Budget of the current year has faced widespread criticism for its dwindling allocations towards welfare schemes, undermining the importance of social spending in the post-COVID-19 recovery phase. Over the years, central allocations for welfare schemes and sectors ensuring basic rights have steadily decreased as a proportion of GDP. This alarming trend… Continue reading

RBI advises banks to transit away from LIBOR

Central Idea: The RBI has issued an advisory to banks and other RBI-regulated entities regarding the transition away from London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) July 1. What is London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)? Explanation Definition LIBOR is a benchmark interest rate used in financial transactions such as loans, derivatives, and bonds. It is the interest… Continue reading

RBI to join Greenwashing TechSprint

Central Idea: The RBI has announced its participation in the Global Financial Innovation Network’s (GFIN) Greenwashing TechSprint. What is Greenwashing? Greenwashing is a term used to describe the practice of making exaggerated, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials of a product, service, or company. It is a deceptive marketing… Continue reading

What is Carbon Dating? How does it work?

Central Idea: Allahabad high court ordered the ASI to conduct the carbon dating process of the ‘Shivling’ found in the premises of the Gyanvapi mosque, without causing any damage to the structure. What is Carbon Dating? Carbon dating is a widely-used method for determining the age of organic materials that were once living. The method… Continue reading

Species in news: Alligator Gar

Central Idea: The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) discovered a rare type of fish known as “Alligator Gar” for the first time during the ongoing cleaning of famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. Alligator Gar Information Scientific Name Atractosteus spatula Size and Weight Up to 8 feet in length, over 300 pounds… Continue reading

The Need for Marriage Equality in India

Central Idea As the Supreme Court examines the case for expanding the definition of marriage, it becomes evident that legal rights do not automatically translate into social acceptance. The discussion revolves around whether laws should reflect existing societal morality or push the envelope by making unions possible despite lacking social approval. Historical Context and Parliamentary… Continue reading

Key Takeaways of SC’s Maharashtra Verdict

The Supreme Court issued a unanimous judgment on various issues related to the split in a political party in Maharashtra in June 2022. Key Takeaways Here are the key takeaways from the verdict: (1) Disqualification MLA disqualifications upheld: The Supreme Court did not interfere with the proceedings related to the disqualification of 16 MLAs (who… Continue reading

25th anniversary of Pokhran-II

Central Idea: The article provides a historical context for India’s nuclear program and focuses specifically on the Pokhran-II nuclear tests conducted in 1998. This year is special, marking 25 years since we started celebrating National Technology Day. India’s Nuclear Journey: A quick recap India conducted nuclear bomb test explosions at Pokhran Test Range in 1998.… Continue reading

Indian Ocean Conference (IOC)

Central Idea: The sixth edition of the International Indian Ocean Conference is scheduled to take place in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, starting from May 12. (Note: This should not be confused with Indian Ocean Commission.) Indian Ocean Conference (IOC), 2023 The IOC has been held annually since 2016 and has become a key… Continue reading

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

Your better version awaits you!