Pak. may get off FATF ‘grey list’ after on-site check

Pakistan got a reprieve from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as it announced that the country could be removed from the “grey list” after a visit by a fact-finding team. What is the news? FATF noted Pakistan’s constructive claims of actions to curb terror funding. It would formally be taken off the “grey list”… Continue reading

[pib] BIS develops an Standard for ‘Non-electric Cooling Cabinet made of Clay’

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India, has developed an Indian Standard, IS 17693: 2022 for ‘non-electric cooling cabinet made of clay’. IS 17693: 2022 BIS standard specifies the construction and performance requirements of a cooling cabinet made out of clay, which operates on the principle of evaporative cooling. These cabinets… Continue reading

India better placed to avoid Risks of Stagflation: RBI

India’s economy is better placed than many other countries to avoid the risk of potential stagflation worldwide, said the Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor. Why in news? Stagflation remains a risk to the US economy, and there are similarities between the situation in the 1970s and today, a/c to World Bank. Surging prices for… Continue reading

Theri Desert in Tamil Nadu

Most of us may not know the small desert situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It consists of red sand dunes and is confined to the Thoothukudi district. Theri Desert The red dunes are called theri in Tamil. They consist of sediments dating back to the Quaternary Period and are made of marine deposits.… Continue reading

India-Iran Relations

Context Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s three-day visit to India, last week, was the first ministerial-level visit from Iran since Ebrahim Raisi assumed the Iranian presidency in August last year. Background Bilateral relations between India and Iran span millennia marked by meaningful interactions. Both countries shared borders until 1947 and share several common features in… Continue reading

Freebie model of Governance

Context The newly elected Punjab government’s announcement of providing up to 300 units of free power to every household has raised questions: What constitutes “freebies”? Two categories for providing support In India government provides two types of support. 1] support to low-income households for augmenting their consumption of selected goods and services. 2] Government also… Continue reading

IPC Sec 295A: Dealing with Hate Speech and Blasphemy

The debate surrounding the comments by some political spokespersons has put the spotlight on the IPC Sec 295A which deals with criticism of or insult to religion. What is the news? India does not have a formal legal framework for dealing with hate speech. However, a cluster of provisions, loosely termed hate speech laws, are… Continue reading

Back in news: India- ASEAN Relations

The Foreign Minister of Myanmar is unlikely to be part of the 24th ASEAN-India Ministerial summit. What is the news? Myanmar’s absence is the souring ASEAN-Myanmar. This is after the coup that overthrew the Aung San Suu Kyi government in Myanmar. This shows India’s concern over the junta in Myanmar which has refused to enter… Continue reading

First train under Bharat Gaurav Scheme inaugurated

The ‘Bharat Gaurav’ train service from Coimbatore to Shirdi, a first of its kind in the country, was inaugurated at the Coimbatore North Railway Station. What are Bharat Gaurav trains? Bharat Gaurav express trains are operated by private players, who have the right to use the rail infrastructure provided by the Indian Railways. About Bharat… Continue reading

Prithvi-II Missile successfully test-fired

Successfully test-fire of indigenously developed, nuclear-capable Prithvi-II Missile was recently held. Prithvi-II Missile The Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile has a strike range of 350 km. It is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads and is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines. It was inducted into the armory of Indian defence forces in 2003. It is… Continue reading

Child Marriage in India

Context There has been an ongoing debate on whether increasing the age of marriages can solve the problem of child marriage in India. Background It is defined as a marriage of a girl or boy before the age of 18 and refers to both formal marriages and informal unions in which children under the age of 18 live with… Continue reading

ASI Act to be made more flexible

Union Culture Minister said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was working on an amendment to make the law that provides for the preservation of monuments and archaeological sites “more flexible and people-friendly”. What is the news? The ASI is working to amend Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act 1958. It particularly… Continue reading

What is Agnipath Scheme?

Defence Minister announced the ‘Agnipath’ scheme for the recruitment of youth in the armed forces for four years. Agnipath Scheme This will be the only form of recruitment of soldiers into the three defence services from now. The scheme aims at strengthening national security and for providing an opportunity to the youth to serve in… Continue reading

[pib] BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF)

The Union Cabinet chaired by the PM has approved a Memorandum of Association (MoA) by India for the establishment of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF). What is BIMSTEC? The BIMSTEC formed in 1997 is an international organisation of seven South Asian and Southeast Asian nations, housing 1.73 billion people and having a combined gross… Continue reading

Nanhi Pari Programme

The ‘Nanhi Pari’ programme was recently launched by the Northwest Delhi district administration. Nanhi Pari Programme Nanhi Pari programme aims to provide a one-stop solution to parents, eliminating their need to visit various offices to obtain documents. Under the programme, essential services such as the provision of a birth certificate, Aadhaar card registration and opening… Continue reading

Upholding the right to repair

Context The U.S. state of New York recently passed the Fair Repair Act, which requires manufacturers to supply repair information, tools, and parts to independent repair shops and not just their own stores or partners. What is the right to repair? It refers to proposed government legislation that would allow consumers the ability to repair… Continue reading

Back in news: Article 142 of the Constitution

The Supreme Court has crafted a victory for a disabled student by using its special powers under Article 142 to declare the successful completion of her Master of Designs course from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). What is Article 142? Article 142 titled ‘Enforcement of decrees and orders of the Supreme Court and orders… Continue reading

Managing Type 1 Diabetes

Last week, the Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR) released guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and management for type-1 diabetes. Why such move? India is considered the diabetes capital of the world, and the pandemic disproportionately affected those living with the disease. Type 1 or childhood diabetes, however, is less talked about, although it can… Continue reading

New Guidelines Against Misleading Advertisements

The Centre has announced a new set of guidelines for advertisements preventing misleading ads by Celebrities. Guidelines on Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022: Key takeaways (1) Conditions for non-misleading and valid advertisement An advertisement shall be considered to be valid and not misleading: If it contains truthful and honest representation;… Continue reading

21 Years of BrahMos Missile

On June 12, 2001 the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was first tested from a land-based launcher in Chandipur. What is BrahMos Missile System? BrahMos is a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The missile derives its name from the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. Beginning with an anti-ship… Continue reading

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