Bhutan becomes first neighbor to use BHIM UPI

Bhutan becomes the first country, in India’s immediate neighbourhood, to use the BHIM app for mobile-based payments and “to adopt UPI standards for its QR deployment”. Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) BHIM is an Indian mobile payment App developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Named… Continue reading

What is UV-C technology?

The Union Ministry for Science and Technology has informed that Ultraviolet-C or UV-C Disinfection Technology will soon be installed in Parliament for the mitigation of airborne transmission of SARS-COV-2. UV-C air duct disinfection system The UV-C air duct disinfection system was developed by CSIR-CSIO (Central Scientific Instruments Organisation). The system is designed to fit into… Continue reading

What is lightning, and how does it strike?

With the monsoon making a slow revival over several parts of India, except the northwest region, there is a rise in lightning-linked deaths. What is lightning? Lightning is a very rapid — and massive — discharge of electricity in the atmosphere, some of which is directed towards the Earth’s surface. These discharges are generated in… Continue reading

Case for an anti-discrimination law

Context “Silent segregation” on the grounds of marital status, gender, sexual orientation or eating preferences are followed in several housing societies and residents’ associations. Legal remedies are needed for its victims. Issue of the prevalence of discrimination on various grounds The recent Pew Research Center Report has confirmed that a substantial number of Indians prefer not to… Continue reading

Arbitration in India: Issues

Context Plagued by delays and rising costs, arbitration in India needs urgent attention. The pandemic has only worsened the situation. Issues with arbitrations process in India Arbitrations in India suffers from rising costs and sluggish proceedings. Arbitration proceedings are often dragged on by lawyers on either side filing misconceived applications at various stages of the… Continue reading

New Ministry of Cooperation should enable people to leverage community networks

Context India now has a Ministry of Cooperation that aims to strengthen the country’s cooperative movement. This is an opportune moment to look at the movement’s history, examine the potential of cooperatives and analyse the challenges they face. Development of Farmer Producer Companies in India India’s significant tryst with dairy cooperatives began in the 1950s… Continue reading

Uttar Pradesh Population Policy 2021-2030

On World Population Day, Uttar Pradesh CM has released the state’s new population policy, which aims to reduce its growth rate to 2.1 per cent over the next 10 years. Why UP needs such policy? Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has a population of around 220 million. In Uttar Pradesh, there are limited ecological… Continue reading

How China eliminated malaria and the road ahead for India

Recently, El Salvador and China were declared malaria-free by the WHO. What is Malaria? Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite called plasmodium vivax, p. filarium. The parasite is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People who have malaria usually feel very sick with a high fever and shaking chills. While… Continue reading

EAM hands over relics of 17th century Georgian Queen St. Ketevan to Georgia

After a long-standing request of Georgia, External Affairs Minister handed over the holy relics of 17th century Georgian Queen St. Ketevan nearly 16 years after they were found in Goa. Who was St. Ketevan? Queen Ketevan was a 17th century Georgian Queen. From Kakheti, a kingdom in eastern Georgia, she was tortured and killed in… Continue reading

2020 Millennium Technology Prize

The 2020 Millennium Technology Prize has been awarded to Shankar Balasubramanian and David Klenerman, for their development of revolutionary Next-generation DNA sequencing techniques. About Millennium Technology Prize The Millennium Technology Prize is one of the world’s largest technology prizes. It is awarded once every two years by Technology Academy Finland, an independent fund established by… Continue reading

Places in news: Kesaria Buddhist Stupa

The world-famous Kesaria Buddha stupa in east Champaran district of Bihar is waterlogged following floods in some parts of the district after heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of river Gandak in neighbouring Nepal. Kesaria Stupa The Kesaria stupa, located about 110 km from the State capital Patna, has a circumference of almost 400 feet… Continue reading

Sikkim is home to 27% of India’s flowering plants

Sikkim, the smallest State with less than 1% of India’s landmass, is home to 27% of all flowering plants found in the country, reveals a recent publication by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI). Flora of Sikkim Flora of Sikkim – A Pictorial Guide lists 4,912 naturally occurring flowering plants in the tiny Himalayan State.… Continue reading

Places in news: Lemru Elephant Reserve

The proposed Lemru Elephant Reserve in Chhattisgarh, in the pipeline for 20 years, has become the subject of yet another controversy over the reduction of its size. Lemru Elephant Reserve The proposal for the reserve, in Korba district, was passed unanimously by the Assembly in 2005 and got central approval in 2007. Lemru is one… Continue reading

Issues with school enrolment in India

Context Proportion of children attending the government schools has been on the decline. This has several implications. Issues with school education in India A quality, free and regular school education represents our most potent infrastructure of opportunity, a fundamental duty of the state. Meritocracy represents the idea that people should advance based on their talents… Continue reading

Explained: Uniform Civil Code

Favouring the introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Delhi High Court has said the Indian youth need not be forced to struggle with issues arising due to conflicts in various personal laws in relation to marriage and divorce. Why did the HC promote this idea? The modern Indian society was gradually becoming homogenous,… Continue reading

Delimitation of Jammu and Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation Commission has completed its consultation with various and stated that it would base its final report on the 2011 Census to add at least seven more seats to the 83-member Assembly of the erstwhile state. Agenda for delimitation Delimitation will be conducted on the basis of the 2011 census report.… Continue reading

[pib] India Industrial Land Bank (IILB)

The GIS Enabled Land Bank is gaining immense popularity. Try to answer this question in short: Q.Discuss the benefits of digitizing land records in India. India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) The IILB is a GIS-based portal with all industrial infrastructure-related information such as connectivity, infra, natural resources and terrain, plot-level information on vacant plots, line… Continue reading

Civil society need to play role in strengthening of institutions

Context In the wake of the second wave of Covid, our failure as a country to hold our government accountable is evident. Civil society perhaps also needs to re-examine its role. What constitutes civil society India’s civil society has many actors: Grassroots organisations that connect to the last mile and provide essential services. Think tanks… Continue reading

Need for coordinated database for tracking fugitives

Context India lacks a domestic tracking system for fugitives. That makes it easier for them to evade the criminal justice system. Challenges at investigation and prosecution level Central agencies have developed reasonable expertise in investigation and prosecution because they are focussed only on investigation and prosecution work. On the other hand, State police forces (except… Continue reading

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