What is Havana Syndrome?

A recent US intelligence report says that ‘Havana Syndrome’ —a collection of symptoms and related brain injuries, reported by some US officials could be caused by pulsed electromagnetic energy or close-range ultrasound. What is Havana Syndrome? ‘Havana Syndrome’ is a colloquial name given to a set of symptoms such as dizziness, hearing loss, headaches, vertigo,… Continue reading

Places in news: Basai Wetlands

The Basai Wetlands in Gurugram has shrunk to a quarter of its original size over the years. Basai Wetlands Basai wetland, located in Basai village in Gurgaon Haryana is a flora and fauna rich water body. It lies in one of the paleochannel of the Sahibi River, a tributary of Yamuna which originates from the… Continue reading

Issues with Population Control Bill

The Rajya Sabha has discussed a Private Member’s Bill on population regulation. The Population Control Bill First introduced in 2019, it is a private member bill proposed by Rakesh Sinha. The purpose of the bill was to control the population growth of India. The proposed bill then was signed by 125 Members of Parliament (MP)… Continue reading

Debate over Freedom of Religion and Attire

A row over whether educational institutions can impose a strict dress code that could interfere with the rights of students has spilled in the Udupi district of Karnataka. Don’t you think that such instances incite fear among the politically destitute minorities? Religious Freedom in India Article 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees the “freedom of… Continue reading

What is ‘Z’ Category Security?

A noted Parliamentarian from Hyderabad has rejected the ‘Z’ category security by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) accorded to him. Security Provisions in India In India, security is provided to high-risk individuals by the police and local government. The level of security needed by any individual is decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs,… Continue reading

Species in news: Golden Langur

Neighbours of a golden langur habitat in western Assam’s Bongaigaon district have opposed a move by the State government to upgrade it to a wildlife sanctuary. Kajoijana Bamuni Hill Wildlife Sanctuary The Assam Forest Department has issued a preliminary notification for converting the 19.85 sq. km. patch of forest into the Kajoijana Bamuni Hill Wildlife… Continue reading

[Burning Issue] Inequality in India

UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here) Context Ahead of the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda, Oxfam International presented its annual global Inequality Report titled ‘Inequality Kills’ which presented the quantum growth in wealth of a minuscule few, and the simultaneous impoverishment of millions of working people. The findings… Continue reading

Fiscal management during a pandemic

Context The fiscal deficit for the year 2022-23 is higher than what was recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission. However, if we consider the direction of consolidation, it is towards a reduction in the fiscal deficit. The budget focuses on capital investment This year’s Union budget projects an increase in capex by Rs 3.14 lakh… Continue reading

What is E-SHRAM Portal?

Over 2 crore people who have signed up for the Centre’s portal for unorganised sector workers hold a Graduate Degree. E-Shram On August 26, 2021, the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MOLE) launched the E-Shram, the web portal for creating a National Database of Unorganized Workers (NDUW), which will be seeded with Aadhaar. It seeks… Continue reading

Chandrayaan-3 set for launch in August

ISRO plans to execute the Chandrayaan-3 mission in August this year. What is Chandrayaan-3 Mission? The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a follow-up of Chandrayaan-2 of July 2019, which aimed to land a rover on the lunar South Pole. Chandrayaan-2: A quick recap Chandrayaan-2 consisted of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover, all equipped with scientific instruments to… Continue reading

Places in news: Godavari Estuary in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS)

Godavari Estuary in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is facing due ignorance despite meeting all nine criteria of Ramsar Convention. Godavari Estuary The estuary, including 235.70 sq. km Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), is one of the rarest eco-regions on the earth. It is also home to India’s second-largest mangrove cover after the Sundarbans. The CWS is… Continue reading

Artificial intelligence technologies have a climate cost

Context While there is an allure to national dreams of economic prosperity and global competitiveness, underwritten by AI, there is an environmental cost. Issues with AI Unfair race for dominance in AI: A few developed economies possess certain material advantages right from the start, they also set the rules. They have an advantage in research… Continue reading

Back in news: MGNREGA

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers are still waiting for almost ₹3,360 crore in pending wage payments, with the largest pending payments in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. What is MGNREGA? The MGNREGA stands for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005. This is labour law and social security… Continue reading

Places in news: Sultanpur National Park

Homestays would soon be allowed in the villages around Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram to promote tourism and provide an opportunity for the visitors to catch a glimpse of rural life in Haryana. Sultanpur National Park Sultanpur NP is located at Sultanpur village on Gurugram-Jhajjar highway, 15 km from Gurugram, Haryana and 50 km from… Continue reading

[Burning Issue] Russia-Ukraine Crisis

UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here) Context Recently, a report stated that the tension on the Russia-Ukraine border represents a major security crisis for the region. The massive mobilization of Russian troops on the Ukraine border and occasional outbreak of violence in the contested Donbass region has pushed… Continue reading

[Sansad TV] Perspective: Vaccine Hesitancy

UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here) Why in news? A concern that resurfaced following the events of the past week that witnessed a high-profile legal fight in Australia over star tennis player Novak Djokovic’s vaccination status. He was deported after he lost the visa battle on grounds that… Continue reading

PM’s Development Initiative for North East (PM-DevINE)

Union Budget 2022-23 provided for a new scheme, Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East (PM-DevINE) will be implemented through the North-Eastern Council. PM-DevINE It will fund infrastructure, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti, and social development projects based on felt needs of the northeast. This will enable livelihood activities for youth and women, filling… Continue reading

What is Bomb Cyclone?

Major cities such as New York and Boston in US are witnessing a “Bomb Cyclone” characterized by the explosive power of rapid drops in atmospheric pressure. What is Bomb Cyclone? A bomb cyclone is a large, intense mid-latitude storm that has low pressure at its center, weather fronts and an array of associated weather, from… Continue reading

Highlights of the Union Budget 2022-23

The Union Finance Minister has tabled the Union Budget 2022-23 in Parliament today. What is Union Budget in India? The Union Budget also referred to as the Annual Financial Statement in Article 112 of the Constitution of India is the annual budget of India. The Government presents it on the first day of February so… Continue reading

What is UNCITRAL Model for Cross-Border Insolvency?

The Economic Survey 2021-22 has called for a standardized framework for cross-border insolvency as the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) at present does not have an instrument to restructure firms involving cross-border jurisdictions. What is the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)? The IBC, 2016 is the bankruptcy law of India that seeks to consolidate the… Continue reading

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

Your better version awaits you!