Bank Deposit Insurance Programme

The PM has addressed depositors during a programme titled ‘Depositors First: Guaranteed Time-bound Deposit Insurance Payment up to ₹5 Lakh’. Deposit Insurance Programme The bank savings are insured under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Act providing full coverage to around 98 per cent of bank accounts. Earlier, account holders had to wait… Continue reading

Governor’s Role in State Universities

A controversy has erupted in Kerala over the reappointment of a person as the Vice-Chancellor of Kannur University, with Governor saying he approved the decision against his “better judgment” as Chancellor. Role of Governors in State Universities In most cases, the Governor of the state is the ex-officio chancellor of the universities in that state.… Continue reading

What are Chaperone Proteins?

Chaperones are a functionally related group of proteins assisting protein folding in the cell under physiological and stress conditions. What are Chaperones? DNA is a linear chain of nucleotides, portions of which are faithfully transcribed into linear messenger RNA. The message in this RNA is translated into strings of amino acids – proteins. Proteins… Continue reading

Places in news: Buxa Tiger Reserve

In a major success for tiger conservation, a photograph of a tiger was captured in a camera trap in West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve since 1998. Locate all major tiger reserves in India. Buxa Tiger Reserve Buxa Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve in northern West Bengal, India, covering an area of 760 km2 (290… Continue reading

Goods and Services Tax as an unfinished agenda

Context Seen purely from a revenue point of view and as a fiscal policy tool, India’s GST is still on a rocky road. Background The GST was launched by India on the midnight of July 1, 2017. Benefits of GST: Hailed as a landmark reform in India’s tax history, it was expected to improve tax-GDP… Continue reading

[pib] Global Methane Initiative (GMI)

India has co-chaired along with Canada the Global Methane Initiative leadership meet held virtually. About Methane Methane is a greenhouse gas, which is also a component of natural gas. There are various sources of methane including human and natural sources. The anthropogenic sources are responsible for 60 per cent of global methane emissions. It includes… Continue reading

NASA’s Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Mission

NASA has launched a new mission named Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer or IXPE. About IXPE IXPE observatory is a joint effort of NASA and the Italian Space Agency. The mission will study “the most extreme and mysterious objects in the universe – supernova remnants, supermassive black holes, and dozens of other high-energy objects.” The mission’s… Continue reading

[pib] Saryu Nahar National Project

PM will inaugurate the Saryu Nahar National Project. Saryu Nahar National Project The Project involves the interlinking of five rivers – Ghaghara, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga and Rohini to ensure optimum usage of water resources of the region. It will benefit nine districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh namely – Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharthnagar, Basti,… Continue reading

Suspension of MPs for entire Winter Session is worrying

Context Twelve members of the Rajya Sabha were suspended for their alleged involvement in the grave disorder in the House on the last day of the previous session. What do Rajya Sabha’s rules of procedure say about the suspension of a member? Rule 256 of Rajya Sabha’s rules of procedure provides for the suspension of a… Continue reading

Tobacco Consumption in India

Tobacco use is known to be a major risk factor for several non-communicable diseases in India. Tobacco abuse in India In India, 28.6% of adults above 15 years and 8.5% of students aged 13-15 years use tobacco in some form or the other. This makes the country the second-largest consumer of tobacco in the world.… Continue reading

Constituent Assembly debates around Citizenship

This newscard is an excerpt from the ‘Letter and Spirit’ section in the print edition of TH, which is a new column that will focus on explaining and understanding basic Acts and Articles enshrined in our Constitution. Context With the contentious farm laws repealed, the discussions turn to the second most politically and legally resisted… Continue reading

What are Non-convertible Debentures?

Several companies have announced public issues to raise funds through non-convertible debentures. What are Debentures? Debentures are long-term financial instruments issued by a company for specified tenure with a promise to pay fixed interest to the investor. They can be held by individuals, banking companies, primary dealers other corporate bodies registered or incorporated in India… Continue reading

Global Health Security Index, 2021

Countries across all income levels remain dangerously unprepared to meet future epidemic and pandemic threats, according to the new 2021 Global Health Security (GHS) Index. About GHS Index The GHS Index is the first comprehensive assessment and benchmarking of health security and related capabilities across the 195 countries that make up the States Parties to… Continue reading

Cabinet nods for Ken-Betwa Interlinking Project

The Union Cabinet has approved the funding and implementation of the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project at the 2020-21 price level. Ken-Betwa Interlinking Project The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for the interlinking of rivers. Under this project, water from the Ken River will be transferred to the Betwa… Continue reading

In news: Law Commission of India

The Government has informed the Supreme Court that the appointment of Chairperson and Members of the 22nd Law Commission of India is under consideration. Why in news? The setting up of the 22nd Law Commission was constituted by the Government on February 21, 2020. However, no progress has been made in the appointments till date.… Continue reading

In news: Two principles of Justice

This newscard is an excerpt of the original article published in TH. Note: This article is of extreme theoretical nature. But it leaves scope for many vague questions for prelims as well as mains where most of us go clueless. Two principles of Justice The concept, so-called, of “two principles of justice”, is synonymous with… Continue reading

Ambergris: The Floating Gold

The Crime Branch in Pune and seized 550 grams of ambergris, also known as ‘floating gold’. What is Ambergris? Ambergris, which means gray amber in French, is a waxy substance that originates from the digestive system of the protected sperm whales. It is incorrectly referred to as ‘whale vomit’. It is produced in the gastrointestinal… Continue reading

Need for closer scrutiny of reduced out-of-pocket expenditure on health

Context The National Health Accounts (NHA) report for 2017-18 is being celebrated widely as it shows that total public spending on health as a percentage of GDP has increased to a historic high of 1.35% of GDP. India’s total public spending on health One of the lowest in the world: India’s total public spending on… Continue reading

Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics (RELOS) Agreement with Russia

India and Russia are set to ink the RELOS logistics exchange pact during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Indo-Russia summit. What are Logistics Agreements, in general? Logistical exchange agreements are designed so that partner countries can enjoy ease of access to use each other’s military facilities like ports, bases, and military… Continue reading

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