Regulating the election funding system

Context Elections are to democracy what financial markets are to the economy. The absence of an omnibus law to regulate elections and political parties in India is a legislative gap waiting to be filled. Significance of political parties in democracy A political party is an organized group of citizens who hold common views on governance… Continue reading

Online Women safety

Context India has one of the youngest youth demographics in the world and among the most active online. As online interactions increase, more content is created and shared among people, helping them form new and wonderful connections. Sometimes, however, these interactions also make them vulnerable to harm. What constitute as online harassment of women? Sharing… Continue reading

MARS A new alert system to detect Methane emissions

Context A new satellite-based system will now help governments detect methane emissions and tackle them. The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) was launched at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. What is Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)? MARS is a part… Continue reading

LT-LEDS (Long Term-Low Emission Development Strategy)

India has announced its long-term strategy to transition to a “low emissions” pathway at the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) ongoing in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. What are LT-LED Strategy? The LT-LEDS are qualitative in nature and are a requirement emanating from the 2015 Paris Agreement. Hereby, countries explain how they will transition their economies… Continue reading

Bali G20 summit

Leaders of the G-20 nations gathered at Bali in Indonesia for the 17th summit of the world’s most advanced economies. Agenda of this summit The motto for this summit is Recover Together, Recover Stronger. The leaders will engage in discussions over three sessions on- Food and Energy security Health Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment,… Continue reading

In news: Exercise ‘Sea Vigil’

In a related development, the third edition of the ‘pan-India’ coastal defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-22’ is scheduled to be held on November 15 and 16. Ex- Sea Vigil-22 The Exercise was conceptualised in 2018 to validate various measures that have been instituted towards enhancing maritime security since ‘26/11’. The exercise aims to test its preparedness along the entire 7,516.6 km-long-coastline… Continue reading

India to host ‘No Money for Terror’ Conference

The Ministry of Home Affairs will be organising the Third Ministerial ‘No Money for Terror’ Conference next week where participants from around 75 countries are expected to attend. ‘No Money for Terror’ Conference The conference that was first held In Paris in 2018, followed by Melbourne in 2019. It will be held in Delhi after… Continue reading

Population criteria for new Eklavya schools ‘impractical’: Parliamentary Panel

A Parliamentary panel has refuted that 20,000 ST people, who make up at least 50% of the total population criteria is “impractical” to build new Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). What are Eklavya Schools? EMRS started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to Scheduled Tribes (ST) children in remote areas in order. It… Continue reading

Giving More Autonomy to Universities

Context It is sad but not surprising that none of India’s institutions of higher education appears in the list of top 100 universities of the world. Background: Ranking of the of the Indian Institutes According to the QS World ranking: The 2023 edition of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university ranking reckons that three of… Continue reading

Making the Indigenous Defence Industry Self-Reliant and Globally Competitive

Context Defence-Expo 2022 held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in October drew attention to a major policy initiative, the need for India to acquire the appropriate degree of “atma nirbharata” (self-reliance) in the defence sector and the arduous path ahead. What is the present status of defence supplies in India? High dependency on foreign supply: Even as… Continue reading

In news: Kisan Rail Project

Punjab has assured Kerala Government to provide paddy straw for usage as fodder for livestock using the Kisan Rail Project. Why such move? Kerala, being a land-stressed coastal state, does not generate enough roughage that can be used as fodder for cattle. It ranks second in milk production after Punjab. The move will help Punjab… Continue reading

US removes India from its Currency Monitoring List

The United States’ Department of Treasury has removed India from its Currency Monitoring List. India had been on the list for the last two years for alleged manipulation of Rupee. What is Currency Manipulation? Currency manipulation refers to actions taken by governments to change the value of their currencies relative to other currencies in order… Continue reading

Who was Nadaprabhu Kempegowda?

PM unveiled a 108-feet tall bronze statue of ‘Nadaprabhu’ Kempegowda in Bengaluru, credited to be the city’s founder. Who was Nadaprabhu Kempegowda? Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, a 16th century chieftain of the Vijayanagara empire, is credited as the founder of Bengaluru. It is said that he conceived the idea of a new city while hunting with his… Continue reading

Forgotten Heroes: Indian Soldiers in World War-II

Context On the eleventh hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns fell silent over Europe, bringing an end to a brutal first world war that drew in soldiers and contributions from around the world. Indian soldiers and their contribution are not widely recognized in India. Background of Indian involvement… Continue reading

Current Account Deficit (CAD) likely to be lower at 3% this fiscal

The SBI has estimated a lower current account deficit at 3% for this fiscal as against the minimum consensus of 3.5%, citing rising software exports, remittances and a likely $5-billion jump in forex reserves via swap deals. What is Current Account Deficit (CAD)? A current account is a key component of balance of payments, which… Continue reading

Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) launched at COP27

At the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27), this year’s UN climate summit, the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) was launched with India as a partner. Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) An initiative led by the UAE and Indonesia, the MAC includes India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, and Spain. It seeks to educate… Continue reading

Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA): A new carbon offset scheme by the US

The US has unveiled a new carbon offset scheme called Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) for climate finance. Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA) ETA is carbon offset plan that will allow companies to fund clean energy projects in developing countries and gain carbon credits that they can then use to meet their own climate goals. The plan… Continue reading

Impact of Pandemic on Vulnerable Section: SC, ST and OBC

Context SC/ST and OBC have been impacted disproportionately by the pandemic as various social indicators shows vulnerabilities of this communities. Impact of pandemic on education On the one hand, with policies mandating the promotion of students, promotion rates at the secondary school level rose significantly and repetition rates nosedived during the pandemic years (2020-21 and… Continue reading

In news: Pashmina Wool

Traders of Pashmina shawls are complaining that “obsolete testing methods” have resulted in many of their export consignments being flagged for the presence of ‘Shahtoosh’ guard hair, which is obtained from endangered Tibetan antelopes. Shahtoosh, on the other hand, is the fine undercoat fibre obtained from the Tibetan Antelope, known locally as ‘Chiru’, a species… Continue reading

G20 Presidency: India can be voice for developing world

Context Government of India launched the logo, website and theme for India’s presidency of the G20, setting the tone for the country’s G20 presidency, beginning December 1. Modi’s clarion call was “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, aptly underscored by the phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. What is G-20? Formed in 1999, the G20 is an international… Continue reading

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