‘Kerala Savari’: India’s first online taxi service as a public option

Kerala has soft launched ‘Kerala Savari’, the country’s first online taxi service owned by a State government, to ensure fair and decent service to passengers along with fair remuneration to auto-taxi workers. What is Kerala Savari? Operated by the Motor Workers Welfare Board under the aegis of the Labour Department, the Kerala Savari ensures safe… Continue reading

Tigray Crisis in Ethiopia

The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), described the Tigray crisis region as the “worst humanitarian disaster on earth”. What is the news? Ethiopia has been on the brink of a civil war. On Nov 4 2020, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared war on the country’s Tigray region. The Tigray region is ruled by… Continue reading

Anganwadi scheme

Context The economic fallout of COVID-19 makes the necessity of quality public welfare services more pressing than ever. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme is one such scheme. What is ICDS? ICDS caters to the nutrition, health and pre-education needs of children till six years of age as well as the health and nutrition… Continue reading

What is India’s policy on the Rohingya?

In a major boost to India’s policy on the Rohingya, the MHA would shift Rohingya refugees to flats meant for EWS in Delhi. Why in news? This is seen as a response to the fundamentalists who claims that the NRC, CAA are against any particular community. India respects & follows the UN Refugee Convention 1951… Continue reading

Kashmir Voters’ List Upgrade to include Non-Locals

Kashmir Voters’ List Upgrade to include Non-Locals Recently the J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) announced that anyone “who is living ordinarily in J&K” can avail the opportunity to get enlisted as a voter in the Union Territory in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. Why in news? Many people who… Continue reading

Delhi Police’s use of Facial Recognition Technology

A Right to Information (RTI) response revealed that the Delhi Police treats matches of above 80% similarity generated by its facial recognition technology (FRT) system as positive results. Why in news? India has seen the rapid deployment of facial recognition technology (FRT) in recent years, both by the Union and State governments, without putting in… Continue reading

What’s at stake in talks for a UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

India and the UK recently revived talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to encourage trade and investment. The FTA between India and UK is expected to be signed by October. What is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)? It is an agreement between two or more countries to minimize barriers to imports and exports of… Continue reading

What is ‘Mandala’ in Art?

Some residents of Liverpool in the UK are marveling over a mandala art the size of one and a half football pitches in length created by artist James Brunt with materials such as leaves and rocks. What is Mandala Art? Literally meaning “circle” or “centre” in Sanskrit, a mandala art is defined by a geometric… Continue reading

SC uphold PMLA amendments

Context At least 17 Opposition parties have dubbed as “dangerous” the recent Supreme Court judgement upholding amendments made in 2019 to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), giving more powers to agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED). What are the concerns for this verdict? Violate fundamental rights: Petitions were filed against the amendments,… Continue reading

Indian team deliberating on Ocean Diversity Pact

A delegation from India and other member countries of the UN are in New York to deliberate on a one-of-its-kind agreement to conserve marine biodiversity in the high seas, namely the oceans that extend beyond countries’ territorial waters. What is the news? The agreement follows a resolution by the UN General Assembly. The pact is… Continue reading

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

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