Exercise INIOCHOS-23

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be participating in a multi-national air exercise called Exercise INIOCHOS-23, which will be hosted by the Greece Air Force. Ex. INIOCHOS-23 Exercise INIOCHOS-23 will be conducted at the Andravida Air Base in Greece. The IAF will be participating with four Su-30 MKI and two C-17 aircraft. The objective of… Continue reading

Critical Minerals and India

Central idea A recent working paper from Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) extends the earlier minerals assessment for 23 minerals by assessing the criticality levels of 43 select minerals for India. This is based on their economic importance (demand-side factors) and supply risks (supply-side factors) which are determined through the evaluation of specific… Continue reading

Indian Economic Growth Prospects: A Comprehensive Analysis

Central Idea India has had an established track record of high growth, with an average annual GDP growth of 6.6% in the decade leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic. In fiscal 2023, India is seen growing at 7%, making it the fastest-growing large economy. But with an imminent global slowdown and the full manifestation of… Continue reading

Centre gives nod for National Quantum Mission (NQM)

Central idea: The Union Cabinet has approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) with a budget of ₹6,003 crore. The mission aims to fund research and development in quantum computing technology and associated applications. What is Quantum Computing? Explanation What is it? A type of computing that uses quantum-mechanical phenomena to perform operations on data. Qubits… Continue reading

India’s population to edge ahead of China’s by mid-2023: UN

Central idea: India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country by mid-2023, according to data released by the United Nations. State of World Population Report The report is an annual report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides a global overview of population trends and issues. The report… Continue reading

Windfall Tax back on local crude oil

The government has revised a windfall tax on domestically-produced crude oil. According to an official notification, the windfall tax rate of Rs 6,400 per tonne. What is a Windfall Tax? Windfall taxes are designed to tax the profits a company derives from an external, sometimes unprecedented event — for instance, the energy price-rise as a… Continue reading

How Web3 differs from Web2?

Central idea: The article discusses the key features of Web3, including its decentralized nature, peer-to-peer transactions, and greater control over data and digital assets for users. What is Web3? Web3, also known as Web 3.0, is the next generation of the World Wide Web that emphasizes decentralization, security, and user privacy. It is essentially a… Continue reading

Importance of Science of Empathy and Inclusivity in IITs

Central Idea The recent spate of suicides among IIT students and the subsequent media attention, which has brought to the fore the social behavior and anxieties within the IIT student community. It emphasizes that studying at the IITs can be highly stressful, especially for students from socially marginalized backgrounds. For instance: JEE Exam and Social… Continue reading

Macron’s Statement On China and India’s Own Possibilities In Europe

Central idea French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent declaration that France is an ally but not a vassal of the United States and his comments that Paris does not share Washington’s hostility towards China have generated significant reactions in the US and Europe. Beijing’s official media has praised Macron’s strategic autonomy approach towards China, and Russia… Continue reading

What are Stablecoins?

The US Congress (Parliament) has made another attempt to create a legislative framework for the increasingly popular stablecoins, a sort of cryptocurrency that is pegged to a particular commodity or currency. What are Stablecoins? Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, typically by being pegged to a stable asset such as the US… Continue reading

Indian scientists identify and probe EMIC waves

Central idea Scientists working at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri, have identified and probed Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves to study their characteristics. The study aims to understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low orbiting satellites. About Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri Description Name Maitri Antarctic Station (Friendship Research Centre) Establishment… Continue reading

ISRO to launch TeLEOS-2 Satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch Singapore’s TeLEOS-2 satellite this week, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. What is TeLEOS-2? TeLEOS-2 is a Singaporean Earth Observation satellite built by ST Electronics (Satellite Systems). It carries a made-in-Singapore Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capable of providing 1 m resolution data. It will be… Continue reading

What is Civil Union, how is it different from Marriage?

Central idea The Indian judiciary is currently hearing arguments about the legal recognition of same-sex unions under the Special Marriage Act. The Centre has contested the maintainability of the petitions, and the judiciary’s right to confer legal recognition on the “socio-legal institution” of marriage. However, the CJI has clarified that the scope of the hearing… Continue reading

Plant ‘cries’: Recalling Jagadish Chandra Bose

Central idea A recent discovery by researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel, that plants make distinct sounds in the ultrasonic range when faced with stress, made headlines around the world. However, Indians who had grown up hearing about Jagadish Chandra Bose’s work, more than a century ago, on plant physiology and their ability to… Continue reading

What is the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI)?

Central idea The Consumer Confidence Survey was conducted in the first half of March 2023 across 19 cities. This article analyses the survey results, released this month, and breaks down the findings under different sections. What is Consumer Confidence Survey? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts a Consumer Confidence Survey to measure consumers’ perceptions… Continue reading

Same-sex marriage: Legalizing Would Be A Just Way Forward

Central Idea The legalisation of same-sex marriage is a natural progression towards accepting and integrating the LGBTQIA+ community in India, which has been marginalized and hounded for decades. While the decriminalisation of homosexuality was a positive step towards acceptance, granting civil rights such as marriage and adoption is essential in creating a more diverse and… Continue reading

Drug trafficking In India: New Trends and Serious Security Issues

Central Idea Narcotics trade is a global social problem that has harmful effects on the youth and families. This trade generates money that is diverted to disruptive activities having bearing on national security, keeping the law enforcement agencies on tenterhooks. India is also facing the problem of drug trafficking, and the issue is assuming dangerous… Continue reading

Mapping India’s Export Hotspots

Central idea: The article discusses the top exporting districts in India and their contribution to the country’s overall exports. It also provides information on the top exported commodities in each district. Top Exporting Districts in India Rank District State Share of India’s Exports 1 Jamnagar Gujarat 24% 2 Surat Gujarat 4.5% 3 Mumbai Suburban Maharashtra… Continue reading

Heatwaves in India: Increasing Frequency Needs Range of Measures to Mitigate

Central Idea India is facing an increasing heatwave due to climate change, leading to significant agricultural crop losses, urban unlivability and reduced labour productivity. India need to take range of measures to mitigate the problem, such as expanding green cover, upgrading urban building standards, embracing public transportation, and improving waste segregation and management. What is… Continue reading

What is Ninth Schedule of the Constitution?

Central idea: Chhattisgarh CM has written to the Prime Minister seeking the inclusion of two amendment Bills allowing for higher quotas in jobs and educational institutions in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. What is Ninth Schedule? The Ninth Schedule is a legal provision in the Constitution of India that provides immunity to certain laws… Continue reading

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