Who was St. Francis Xavier?

The Prime Minister has greeted the people of Goa on the day of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) Francis Xavier venerated as Saint Francis Xavier, was a Catholic missionary and saint who was a co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was born in Javier, Kingdom of Navarre (in present-day… Continue reading

Species in news: Lesser Florican

In a major discovery, the longest in-country migration route of lesser floricans, the endangered birds of the bustard group, has been tracked for the first time from Rajasthan to Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district. Lesser Florican The lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus), also known as the likh or kharmore, is the smallest in the bustard family. It is… Continue reading

The politics-policy disconnect in India

Context Decision-making on virtually all governance issues is disconnected from politics and the mobilisation of public opinion. Disconnect between politics and policy The repeal of the farm laws is thus a notable instance of politics and policy coming together, although in conflict. The Opposition speaking in one voice in the Parliament helped, but the heavy… Continue reading

Paika Rebellion to be included as ‘case study’ in history textbook

The 1817 Paika Rebellion of Odisha would be included as a case study in the Class 8 NCERT history textbook, informed the Union Culture Minister. Who were the Paiks? The Paiks of Odisha were the traditional landed militia and enjoyed rent free land tenures for their military service and policing functions on a hereditary basis.… Continue reading

James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s largest space science telescope ever constructed, is scheduled to be sent into orbit in December. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) It is a space telescope being jointly developed by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It has taken 30 years and $10bn to… Continue reading

Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme

A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has attributed the inefficiency of the PAT scheme to non-transparency, loose targets and overlooked deadlines. PAT Scheme Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme is a flagship program of Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE). NMEEE is one… Continue reading

[pib] Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India (SPPEL)

The Government of India has initiated a Scheme known as “Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India” (SPPEL) informed the Minister of Culture and Tourism. About SPPEL The Scheme was instituted by Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2013. The sole objective of the Scheme is to document and archive the country’s… Continue reading

Dam Safety Bill, 2021 introduced in RS

The Dam Safety Bill 2021 was moved in the Rajya Sabha but the debate could not be held because of disruptions from the Opposition parties. Dam Safety Bill, 2021 The Bill provides for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of dams to prevent disasters, and institutional mechanisms to ensure safety. It applies to over 5,000 dams… Continue reading

India joins G20’s Troika

India has joined the G20 ‘Troika’with Indonesia and Italy. G20 Troika Troika refers to the top grouping within the G20 that consists of the current, previous and incoming presidencies — Indonesia, Italy and India. With this move, India has started the procedure for taking over the G20 presidency. Significance of the move India will assume… Continue reading

EU unveils Global Gateway Project

The European Union has unveiled a project called ”Global Gateway” that is worth 300 billion euros ($340 billion). The project is being seen as a response to China’s Belt and Road strategy. Global Gateway Project It is the initiative Build Back Better World and the European Global Gateway that are reinforcing each other. The bloc will… Continue reading

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

The World Health Assembly (WHA) took the historic decision to form a global treaty to “strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response”. Significance of the launch The launch of putting together this accord is the second such initiative taken under Article 19. The first initiative was the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which came into effect… Continue reading

With India’s demographic transition, come challenges

Context Recent results from National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) suggest that we are entering an era where we will have to tackle these challenges. A milestone in India’s demographic history: TFR at 2.0 NFHS-5 places the total fertility rate (TFR) at 2.0. With two parents having two children, we have reached a replacement level of… Continue reading

Over 6 lakh Indians renounced Citizenship

More than six lakh Indians renounced citizenship in the past five years, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Lok Sabha. Citizenship in India Citizenship is in the Union List under the Constitution and thus under the exclusive jurisdiction of Parliament. The Constitution does not define the term ‘citizen’ but gives, in Articles 5… Continue reading

Government-owned Contractor-operated (GOCO) Model

The Army’s ambitious plan for modernization of the Army Base Workshops (ABWs) and implementation of the ‘Government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO)’ model is delayed, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in its report. What is GOCO Model? The GOCO model was one of the recommendations of the Lt. Gen. DB Shekatkar (Retd.) committee to enhance combat… Continue reading

National Health Accounts Estimates: 2017-18

Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a share of total health expenditure and foreign aid for health has both come down as per the findings of the National Health Accounts (NHA) estimates for India for 2017-18. What is National Health Accounts (NHA)? The NHA estimates are prepared by using an accounting framework based on internationally accepted System… Continue reading

[pib] Soil Health Card Scheme

National Productivity Council (NPC) has carried out a study on ‘Soil Testing Infrastructure for Faster Delivery of Soil Health Card in India’ in 2017. What did the study find? In the study it was found that application of fertilizer and micronutrients based on Soil Health Card (SHC) recommendations resulted in 8-10% of savings. It has… Continue reading

What is Dual Command System of Policing?

The Dual Command System of Policing is being implemented in Bhopal and Indore. What is the ‘Dual Command’ System? Under the dual command system, the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police (SP) share powers and responsibilities in a district. Under this structure, the DM is entrusted with issuing arrest warrants, licenses while the SP… Continue reading

What is a Tundra Satellite?

Russia has successfully placed into orbit a military satellite believed to be part of the Kremlin’s early warning anti-missile system. This launch could be delivering a Tundra satellite. Tundra Satellite The Tundra or EKS (Edinaya Kosmicheskaya Sistema) series of satellites is the next generation of Russian early-warning satellites. The development of the EKS started in… Continue reading

Making the legislature work

Context Parliament’s “performance” is assessed at the end of a session, typically in terms of bills discussed and passed. It is equally necessary to take stock of the issues facing the country and set expectations about what Parliament should be doing when the session is to commence. Analysing the repeal of laws from the standpoint… Continue reading

UNCITRAL Model for Cross Border Insolvency

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has published a draft framework for cross-border insolvency proceedings based on the UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) model under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) The IBC, 2016 is the bankruptcy law of India that seeks to consolidate the existing framework… Continue reading

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

Your better version awaits you!