Who was Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India who partitioned Bengal in 1905?

The 119-year-old Curzon Gate in Bardhaman in West Bengal is at the centre of a political row. Who was Lord Curzon? Born in 1859, Curzon was a British conservative politician who was educated at the elite institutions of Eton and Oxford. He served as Under-Secretary of State for India (1891-1892), and for Foreign Affairs (1895-1898),… Continue reading

Panch prans for better India

Context PM Modi’s Independence Day speech outlined agenda for a radical transformation of society and nation. What are 5 resolves given by PM? Take pride in India’s history. The power of unity. Duties of citizens, such as those of the PM and CMs. Advance with greater conviction and the determination of a developed India. Get… Continue reading

Species in news: Great Indian Bustard

The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) has adopted an altogether new behaviour of giving clutch of two eggs at a time after getting additional protein diet during the monsoon season. Great Indian Bustards GIBs are the largest among the four bustard species found in India, the other three being MacQueen’s bustard, lesser florican, and… Continue reading

Labour policies need to change for better quality livelihoods

Context One of the biggest economic fallout of the pandemic has been the deteriorating labour market conditions. Given the ebb and flow of the pandemic, the growth recovery is likely to be fragmented and will weigh on the number and types of jobs available. What is quality and sustainable livelihood? “A livelihood comprises the capabilities,… Continue reading

Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

The Supreme Court has ordered status quo on the implementation of a Delhi High Court order to hand over the affairs of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to a Committee of Administrators (CoA). Why in news? The FIFA had recently gone ahead and suspended the AIFF, citing “third party interference”, leaving an air of uncertainty… Continue reading

Long road ahead: Towards women empowerment

Context Gender parity is not recovering, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2022. It will take another 132 years to close the global gender gap. As crises are compounding, women’s workforce outcomes are suffering and the risk of global gender parity backsliding further intensifies. Why in news? India has one of the world’s lowest… Continue reading

What is causing Arctic Amplification?

Finnish researchers have found that the Arctic is heating four times faster than the rest of the planet. Arctic is warming faster The warming is concentrated in the Eurasian part of the Arctic, where the Barents Sea north of Russia and Norway is warming at an alarming rate — seven times faster than the global… Continue reading

India as a ‘developed’ country: where we are, and the challenges ahead

In his Independence Day address, PM asked Indians to embrace the “Panch Pran” — five vows — by 2047 when the country celebrates 100 years of independence. What are the Panch Prans? Calling it the ‘panch pran‘ — the five resolutions to help India become a developed nation in the next 25 years — PM… Continue reading

Centre restores Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)

The Union Cabinet has decided to restore the interest subvention on short-term agriculture loans to 1.5% for all financial institutions, including cooperative banks. What is the news? The Union Cabinet has approved to restore Interest Subvention on short term agriculture loans to 1.5% for all financial institutions. Thus, Interest Subvention of 1.5% will be provided… Continue reading

Centre raises thresholds for prosecution under Customs Act

The government has raised the thresholds for prosecutions and arrests under the Customs Act to ₹50 lakh from ₹20 lakh for smuggling and illegal imports of goods in baggage, and from ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore for cases involving commercial fraud. What is Custom Duty? Customs duty refers to the tax imposed on goods when… Continue reading

India-UK Relations

Context The year 2022 is significant for both India and the UK as our country commemorates the 75th anniversary of its Independence and the two celebrate 75 years of bilateral ties. India-UK relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021, based on a shared commitment towards democracy, fundamental freedoms and multilateralism. Background of… Continue reading

How to bring Indian women into the workforce?

Fewer than one in five Indian women are in the labour force. Four out of five are neither working nor looking for work. Why in news? India has one of the world’s lowest female labour force participation rates (LFPR). This means the productive potential of half of the population goes unutilized. Why women’s LFPR is… Continue reading

Ethanol Blending

Prime Minister has announced that India has achieved its target of blending 10% sugarcane-extracted ethanol in petrol, ahead of schedule. What is ethanol blending? Blending ethanol with petrol to burn less fossil fuel while running vehicles is called ethanol blending. Ethanol is an agricultural by-product which is mainly obtained from the processing of sugar from… Continue reading

Practice of talaq-e-hasan not so improper: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has prima facie observed that the Muslim personal law practice of talaq-e-hasan is “not so improper”. What is Talaq-e-hasan? Talaq-e-hasan is a form of divorce by which a Muslim man can divorce his wife by pronouncing talaq once every month over a three-month period. Why did the apex court say this? The… Continue reading

Labour welfare necessity

Context One of the biggest economic fallout of the pandemic has been the deteriorating labour market conditions. In the years ahead when the health crisis subsides and the economy witnesses a rebound, the healing of the labour market may take some more time. This is because the impact of recovery on this market is always… Continue reading

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

US firm Microsoft has become the first big tech company to join the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). What does Microsoft joining ONDC mean? Microsoft getting on board the ONDC wagon means the project gets its first international marquee name ahead of its Bengaluru launch. A number of participants are currently live on the… Continue reading

Medical education in India

Context The increasing population (1.32 billion ) and the occurrence of diseases, demands Indian medical education and the training approach to be modified and ensure enhancing practical clinical skills, than just sticking with predominantly theoretical or classroom training. The demand for medicine to be taught in language beside English has been made repeatedly over the… Continue reading

Assessment of discoms

Context The Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) power distribution companies (DISCOMs) subscribed to the Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) scheme introduced by the Central government to reduce their liability to generators in a phased manner over the next 12 months. What are discoms? Power distribution companies collect payments from consumers against their energy supplies (purchased from generators) to… Continue reading

Centre to file review petition on Eco-Sensitive Zones in SC

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has said that the Ministry will file a review petition in the Supreme Court urging a relook into its judgment on eco-sensitive zones. Why in news? The Supreme Court has earlier directed that every protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary across the country should have a… Continue reading

India-EU Relations

Context While India celebrates its 75th year of Independence, it also celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations with the European Union (EU). A cooperation agreement signed in 1994 took the bilateral relationship beyond trade and economic cooperation. Definition Relations between the European Union and the Republic of India are currently defined by the 1994 EU–India Cooperation… Continue reading

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