What is the I2U2 Initiative?

The US administration has named the new grouping as “I2U2” — “I” for India and Israel and “U” for the US and UAE. This was earlier referred as West Asian Quad. What is the news? US President Joe Biden will host a virtual summit with PM Modi, Israel PM Naftali Bennett and UAE President Mohammed… Continue reading

How Marine Heatwave fuelled super cyclone Amphan

The super-cyclone Amphan is said to have been triggered by Marine Heatwaves. What is the news? A study has found the presence of a strong MHW beneath the track of the cyclone with an extremely high anomalous sea surface temperature of more than 2.5°C. This coincided with the cyclone track and facilitated its rapid intensification… Continue reading

The Cyber factor in the Russia-Ukraine war

Context After 100 days of Ukraine crisis, Russia is yet to achieve what can be termed as a decisive victory in any sector of the current conflict. Reasons for the lacklustre performance of Russia Several reasons have been adduced by experts in the West for the lacklustre performance of the Russian army. Lack of motivation:… Continue reading

Analysing the Agnipath scheme

Context Recently, the Agnipath scheme for recruitment of short-term contracted soldiers was announced. About 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 the armed forces. Recruits… Continue reading

Enemy Property in India

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered some cases on allegations that huge losses to the exchequer was caused by leasing out prime-value land under the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) on forged documents. Why in news? Hectares of commercial land located in Uttar Pradesh were leased out at nominal rates in… Continue reading

Extending the Aspirational District Programme (ADP)

The PM has hoped to extend the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) to block and city levels. Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) Launched in January 2018, the ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ initiative aims to remove this heterogeneity through a mass movement to quickly and effectively transform these districts. The broad contours of the program are Convergence (of… Continue reading

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

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