SAI20 and India’s Presidency of G20

Central Idea Under India’s presidency, the G20 leaders will be focusing on collective progress, equity, and inclusive growth, with the summit theme of One Earth, One Family, One Future. India’s commitment to green development, circular economy, and lifestyle behavior changes aim to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The Comptroller & Auditor General of India… Continue reading

Govt. to release Manual for Organ Donation & Transplantation

Central Idea: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) is working on a transplant manual as a step-by-step guide for the implementation of organ donation and transplantation programmes in hospitals and a standard course for training transplant coordinators. Organ transplant in India: Key statistics According to data accessed from the Health Ministry, the number… Continue reading

EU’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act

Central idea: The European Parliament has recently reached a preliminary deal on a new draft of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, after two years of drafting and negotiations. Regulating AI The need for regulation of AI technologies has been highlighted worldwide. EU lawmakers have urged world leaders to hold a summit to brainstorm ways… Continue reading

India drops 11 places to rank 161 in World Press Freedom Index

Central Idea: India’s ranking in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries, according to the latest report released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). What is Press Freedom Index? The PFI is an annual ranking of countries compiled and published by Reporters without Borders since 2002.… Continue reading

Contributory Guaranteed Pension Scheme (CGPS): A Considerable Alternative

Central Idea The debate on pensions is heating up as several state governments announce their reversion to the old pension scheme (OPS). However, economists have frowned upon this move, citing two major reasons. Firstly, since the state has to bear the full burden of pensions, it may become fiscally unsustainable in the long run. Secondly,… Continue reading

Pacific Island Countries (PICs): India’s Development Diplomacy

Central Idea Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) has strategic importance as it marks the Third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), which India is co-hosting along with PNG in Port Moresby. India’s involvement with the region is crucial from a geostrategic perspective as it is viewed by the US… Continue reading

Oil and Gas Price Volatility: India’s Farsighted Governance

Central Idea The present government has taken several measures to protect Indian consumers from international oil and gas price volatility. The recent Cabinet decision to approve a series of critical Administered Price Mechanism (APM) gas pricing reforms will further advance this objective. These reforms aim to protect Indians from extreme price volatility, promote more innovation… Continue reading

Central Committee to find alternative for Death by Hanging

Central Idea: The government informed the Supreme Court that it is considering the formation of a committee to examine the need for a painless and more dignified alternative to death by hanging. Background Information Death by hanging is a mode of execution in India. In March, the Supreme Court had asked the government to provide… Continue reading

India-China Border Tensions: An Assessment of the Current Situation and Proactive Steps for India

Central Idea India needs to take proactive measures to address the ongoing border crisis with China in Ladakh, rather than relying on a status quo approach. The government’s silence and euphemistic language on the issue have given the impression of incompetence and inaction, leading to concerns over India’s capability to handle the situation Brief background… Continue reading

Leveraging PDS to Improve Nutrition Security

Central Idea The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DoF&PD), in particular the Food Corporation of India (FCI), must have heaved a sigh of relief that the procurement of wheat so far has crossed 20 million tonnes (MT), a notch higher than last year. Three states Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have contributed more than… Continue reading

US seeks sanctions on Indian agencies over Religious Freedom Violations

The Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged to impose targeted sanctions on Indian government agencies and officials responsible for “severe violations” of religious freedom by freezing their assets. What is USCIRF Report? The USCIRF report assesses the status of religious freedom around the world. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the state of… Continue reading

National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS), 2021-22

Central Idea: The Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science & Technology has released the National Manufacturing Innovation Survey (NMIS) 2021-22. About National Manufacturing Innovation Survey Details Undertaken by DST and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) History First National Innovation Survey in 2011 Focus Manufacturing competitiveness Purpose Innovation performance of Indian… Continue reading

A Troubling Statistic in India’s Nutritional Landscape

Central Idea A troubling statistic in the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data, conducted in 2019-21, is not well-known. Going without food for an entire day at this critical period of a child’s development raises serious concerns related to severe food insecurity. Statistics from the NFHS-5 data Zero-food: Among mothers with a child between… Continue reading

Ukraine War Impact on Global Politics and India’s Diplomatic Agenda

Central Idea The war in Ukraine has had a ripple effect on global political and financial systems, leading to shortages of essential commodities and rising prices. The conflict is rooted in Putin’s revanchist claims that Ukraine is an inalienable part of Russia’s history, culture, and spiritual space. On the other hand, Putin accuses the US… Continue reading

Constitutional Punctuality: Need of The Hour

Central Idea The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly recently passed a resolution that urges a time frame for Governors to act on Bills passed by the State Legislature. The resolution was passed because the Governor of Tamil Nadu, R.N. Ravi, had withheld assent to as many as 13 Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.… Continue reading

Re-examination of Sedition Law in motion: Govt informs SC

Central idea: The Centre has informed Supreme Court that it has initiated the “process of re-examination” of Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code and consultations are in its “final stage”. What is the Sedition Law? Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code lays down the punishment for sedition. The IPC was enacted in… Continue reading

ASEAN-India maritime exercise in South China Sea

Central idea: The article highlights India’s increasing military cooperation with ASEAN countries, with a special emphasis on the upcoming ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) in the South China Sea. ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise The first ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) is set to commence on May 2, 2023, with war games to be held in the South China… Continue reading

Psychedelics and its uses to treat Depression

Central idea: The context of the article is about the use of psychedelic drugs for both recreational and medicinal purposes. What are Psychedelics? Psychedelics are a class of drugs that alter an individual’s perception, mood, and thought processing while still allowing the individual to remain conscious and with unimpaired insight. They are non-addictive and non-toxic,… Continue reading

Copper plates decoded reveal new info on Shilabhattarika

Central idea: The article talks about the discovery of new information on the celebrated ancient Sanskrit poetess Shilabhattarika through the decoding of copper plates by the Pune-based Bhandarkar Institute. Who was Shilabhattarika? Shilabhattarika was a 9th-century Sanskrit poet from India. She lived near the Narmada River and the Vindhya mountains. Her poetic skills were praised… Continue reading

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