[pib] Geospatial Energy Map of India

The NITI Aayog has launched the Geospatial Energy Map of India. What is the GIS Energy Map? NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) Energy Map of India. The GIS map provides a holistic picture of all energy resources of the country. It enables… Continue reading

[pib] Exercise Cambrian Patrol

A team from Gorkha Rifles which represented the Indian Army at the prestigious Cambrian Patrol Exercise at Brecon, Wales, UK, has been awarded a Gold medal. Ex Cambrian Patrol Organized by the UK Army, this exercise is considered the ultimate test of human endurance, team spirit and is sometimes referred as the Olympics of Military… Continue reading

What the low rank on the Global Hunger Index means for India

Context This year’s Global Hunger Index (GHI) ranks India 101 out of 116 countries for which reliable and comparable data exist. Government’s stand Is India’s performance on hunger as dismal as denoted by the index or is it partly a statistical artefact? This question assumes immediacy, especially since the government has questioned the methodology and claimed… Continue reading

Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2021

The 17th edition of the India-U.S. bilateral exercise, Yudh Abhyas 2021, got underway in mountainous terrain and cold climate conditions of Alaska, US. Yudh Abhyas 2021 Exercise Yudh Abhyas is the largest running joint military training and defence cooperation endeavour between India and USA. The exercise aims at enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the… Continue reading

[pib] Maharatna status accorded to Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC)

The Centre has accorded ‘Maharatna’ status to the state-owned Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), thus giving PFC greater operational and financial autonomy. About PFC Ltd. Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC) is an Indian financial institution under the ownership of Ministry of Power. Established in 1986, it is the financial backbone of Indian Power Sector. PFC… Continue reading

Places in news: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

P PC: MapsOfIndia A tiger believed to have been responsible for the death of two herders in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve was finally captured. Read all the tiger reserves in India through this map. Put more focus on South Indian states and the NE region. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Mudumalai National Park is a national park… Continue reading

Why India’s bureaucracy needs urgent reform

Context The bureaucracy that took India through the last 75 years can’t be the one to take it through the next 75 — we need a proactive, imaginative, technology-savvy, enabling bureaucracy. Role of bureaucracy and challenges it faces The civil services, and the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in particular played important role in holding India… Continue reading

Explained: BSF powers and jurisdiction

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) up to 50 km inside the international borders in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. Do you know? BSF currently stands as the world’s largest border guarding force. It has been termed as the First Line of Defence of Indian… Continue reading

Customs Duty Waiver on Edible Oil Imports

The Union Commerce Minister has announced that the government has decided to waive customs duty on import of crude sunflower, palm and soyabean oil, a move aimed at controlling their prices. Edible Oil Imports and India Given the heavy dependency on imports, the Indian edible oil market is influenced by the international markets. Of the… Continue reading

What is a Small Finance Bank?

The Reserve Bank of India has issued a small finance bank (SFB) license to a consortium of fintech companies BharatPe and Centrum Financial Services Ltd. What is a SFB? Small finance banks (SFBs) are a type of niche banks in India. They can be promoted either by individuals, corporate, trusts or societies. They are governed… Continue reading

India ranked 101 in Global Hunger Index (GHI)

The Global Hunger Index 2021 has ranked India at 101 positions out of a total 116 countries. Note the parameters over which the GHI is based and their weightage composition. Global Hunger Index (GHI) The Global Hunger Index is a peer-reviewed annual report, jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. It determines hunger on a… Continue reading

Kallakurichi Wood Carvings and Karuppur Kalamkari Paintings get GI tag

In Tamil Nadu, the Karuppur kalamkari paintings and the Kallakurichi wood carvings recently received the geographical indication (GI) tags. [A] Kallakurichi Wood Carvings The Kallakurichi wood carvings are a unique form of wood carving practiced in Tamil Nadu. It involves the application of ornamentation and designs, derived from traditional styles by the craftsmen. They are… Continue reading

[pib] Automated fuelling technology- UFill

The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has launched an automated fuelling technology -UFill- to ensure that its customers have a better experience at outlets. What is UFill? UFill functionality, which has been described as swift, secure and smart, has been launched in 65 cities and will soon be launched across the country. It does not… Continue reading

Is India’s current investor rush too much of a good thing?

Human traits driving financial markets To imitate and to conform — do what others around us are doing — are common and very powerful human tendencies. In financial markets, “herd behaviour” is a warning sign: When markets are doing well, people invest for no other reason than their neighbours having become wealthier (and vice versa).… Continue reading

Explained: China-Taiwan tussle

Recently China flew over 100 fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone setting off alarm around the world that it was preparing to take over the island by force. Taiwan: the Republic of China (RoC) Taiwan, earlier known as Formosa, a tiny island off the east coast of China, is where Chinese republicans of… Continue reading

Kunming Declaration on Biodiversity Conservation

The Kunming Declaration was adopted by over 100 countries at the first part of the ongoing virtual 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Kunming Declaration It calls upon the parties to “mainstream” biodiversity protection in decision-making and recognise the importance of conservation in protecting human… Continue reading

[pib] One Sun One World One Grid

The Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has addressed the Ministerial session of the Green Grids Initiative-One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) Northwest Europe Cooperative Event. One Sun, One World, One Grid The mega plan of OSOWOG calls for trans-national electricity grid supplying solar power across the globe. It will… Continue reading

India retains 3rd position in RE Investment Attractiveness Index

India has retained the third rank in the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index released by consultancy firm EY. RE Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) The RECAI ranks the world’s top 40 markets on the attractiveness of their renewable energy investment and deployment opportunities. The rankings reflect assessments of market attractiveness and global market trends. India’s performance… Continue reading

The sanctions cloud over India-U.S. ties

Context The delivery of the S-400 Triumf air defence systems from Russia is expected according to schedule. In response, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman hoped that both the U.S. and India could resolve the issue. Background of the CAATSA The Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was passed when the U.S. sought… Continue reading

Reforms-based and Results-linked, Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme: Ensuring sustainable turnaround in financial health of discoms

Context In its budget 2021-22, the Union government had announced the launch of a “reforms-based and results-linked” scheme for the distribution sector. Precarious financial condition of discoms Their overall debt burden, despite the implementation of the UDAY scheme, is estimated to increase to around Rs 6 lakh crore in the ongoing financial year. Moreover, their… Continue reading

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