E-Vidhan System for Paperless Legislation

A delegation of MLAs from Gujarat visited the UP Legislative Assembly to learn about the novel e-Vidhan system for paperless proceedings that has been recently adopted by the UP state assembly. E-Vidhan System The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is a system for digitising the legislative bodies of all Indian states and the Parliament through a… Continue reading

Surrogacy Law faces challenge in Court

A person has approached the Delhi High Court to question why marital status, age or gender should be the criteria for prohibiting someone from commissioning a surrogacy. Why in news? Under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 a married couple can opt for surrogacy only on medical grounds. The petitioner have challenged in the court the… Continue reading

Tendu Leaves Collection in India

Tribal residents in Chhattisgarh have decided to file an FIR against an official of the state forest department after he confiscated the tendu leaves that they had collected. Tendu Leaves Leaves of tree species Diospyros melanoxyion are used as wrappers of tobacco to produce bidi. This tree is commonly known as “tendu,” but also called… Continue reading

What is National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)?

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has curtailed the tenure of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) and moved him to the Border Security Force (BSF). What is NATGRID? NATGRID is an intelligence-sharing network that collates data from the standalone databases of the various agencies and ministries of the Indian… Continue reading

Thailand becomes first Asian country to legalize Marijuana

Thailand has officially legalized the growing and consumption of marijuana in food and drinks, becoming the first Asian country to do so. Films like ‘Udta Punjab’ have graphically portrayed the crisis faced by the society and its youth with regard to the drug menace. What is Marijuana? Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names,… Continue reading

Indian Patent Regime vs. US norms

The US Trade Representative (USTR) said in a report released last month that India was one of the most challenging major economies as far as IP protection and enforcement is concerned. What is the news? US has decided to retain India on its Priority Watch List along with six other countries —Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia,… Continue reading

What are Fast Radio Bursts (FRB)?

In a paper published in Nature, astronomers have reported a fast radio burst (FRB) whose characteristics are different from almost all other FRBs previously detected. Such news makes us think about alien and extraterrestrial life at the first. Do not get carried away with such thoughts. Its simply a space based phenomena. Fast Radio Burst… Continue reading

Places in news: Aegean Islands

Turkey has warned Greece to demilitarise islands in the Aegean Sea. What is the news? Turkey says Greece has been building a military presence in violation of treaties that guarantee the unarmed status of the Aegean islands. It argues the islands were ceded to Greece on the condition they remained demilitarized. Where is the Aegean… Continue reading

The Jal Jeevan and Swachh Bharat Missions are improving people’s well-being

Context The performance of the Jal Jeevan and Swachh Bharat Missions highlights the importance of convergence as an operating principle of the government. Jal Jeevan Mission: Progress made so far Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a flagship programme of the Government of India, launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 15th August 2019. Jal Jeevan Mission, is… Continue reading

Next-Generation Corvettes for Indian Navy

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of next-generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy at an approximate cost of Rs 36,000 crore. What is a Corvette? A Corvette is the smallest class of naval ships and it falls below the warship class of a frigate. These are… Continue reading

Dostarlimab: The New Wonder Cancer Drug

A trial on 18 colorectal cancer patients in the US found that cancer could be treated without chemotherapy or surgery. The world is sitting up and taking note of Dostarlimab, which has been called a wonder drug. What is Dostarlimab? Dostarlimab is an experimental drug. It contains laboratory-produced molecules. It acts as substitute antibodies. It… Continue reading

[pib] Children in Street Situations (CiSS) Application

The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has launched a “CiSS application” under the Baal Swaraj portal to help in the rehabilitation process of Children in Street Situations (CiSS). CiSS Application The CiSS application is used for receiving data of children in street situations from all the states and union territories, tracking… Continue reading

Environmental Performance Index (EPI), 2022

India has objected to a report, called the EPI, 2022, that places the country last (along with Nigeria) on a list of 180 countries on managing climate change, environmental health, and ecosystem vitality. Environmental Performance Index The report is prepared by researchers at the Yale and Columbia universities. It provides a data-driven summary of the… Continue reading

Monetary tightening and its impact on growth

Context A rate hike in the monetary policy committee’s June meeting was a foregone conclusion after the spike in inflation and an off-cycle surprise interest rate hike on May 4. Reasons fast forwarding of interest rate hike 1] Broad based inflation: A confluence of factors has pushed inflation higher and made it persistent and broad-based. 2] Policy rates… Continue reading

Healthcare in India is ailing. Here is how to fix it

Context The lesson emerging from the pandemic experience is that if India does not want a repeat of the immeasurable suffering and the social and economic loss, we need to make public health a central focus. Need for institutional reforms in the health sector The importance of public health has been known for decades with… Continue reading

Challenges in global growth recovery

Context The global economy was well on its path to recovery until the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Uncertainties in global growth prospects Divergent economic recoveries: Economic prospects have worsened since the Ukraine crisis, worsening the divergence between the economic recoveries of advanced economies and those of the developing ones. The prevailing uncertainties in global… Continue reading

[Burning Issue] India’s Afghan Outreach and Taliban

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here) Context For the first time since the Taliban takeover on 15 August 2021, India has sent an official delegation to Afghanistan. India discussed a host of issues that included resumption of stalled infrastructure projects, activation of diplomatic ties, and restarting the issue… Continue reading

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

Setting the stage for appointment of the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the government has amended Service Rules of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The post of CDS has also been lying vacant since the demise of Late. Gen. Bipin Rawat. What is the update in rules? The govt has allowed retired Service… Continue reading

What are ‘Green Jobs’, mentioned by PM in his Environment Day speech?

At an event to mark World Environment Day recently, PM mentioned India’s efforts to create ‘green jobs’. What are ‘Green Jobs’? ‘Green jobs’ refer to a class of jobs that directly have a positive impact on the planet, and contribute to the overall environmental welfare. Jobs involving renewable energy, conservation of resources, ensuring energy efficient… Continue reading

Festivals in news: Mela Kheerbhawani

Kashmiri Hindus, locally known as Pandits, will celebrate the Zyestha Ashtami at the Mata Kheerbhawani temple at Tulmulla in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal. Kheerbhawani Temple The temple is dedicated to the goddess Ragnya Devi. The festival, known as Mela Kheerbhawani, is the largest gathering of Hindus in Kashmir after the annual Amarnath Yatra. Situated 30 km… Continue reading

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