Key Findings about the Religious Composition of India

The religious composition of India’s population since Partition has remained largely stable according to a new study published by the Pew Research Centre, a non-profit based in Washington DC. About the report The study, based on data sourced from India’s decennial census and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), looked at the three main factors… Continue reading

What is Havana Syndrome?

A US intelligence officer traveling with CIA director William Burns has reported symptoms of Havana Syndrome. What is Havana Syndrome? Havana Syndrome refers to a set of mental health symptoms that are said to be experienced by US intelligence and embassy officials in various countries. It typically involves symptoms such as hearing certain sounds without… Continue reading

Rhino Horn Reverification Exercises

Assam will mark World Rhino Day — September 22 — with a special ceremony by burning a stockpile of nearly 2,500 horns of the one-horned rhinoceros. Rhino Horn Reverification The public ceremony — scheduled at Bokakhat in Kaziranga National Park (KNP) has been publicized as a “milestone towards rhino conservation” aimed at “busting myths about… Continue reading

[pib] Kovalam & Eden Beaches gets Blue Fag Certification

The international eco-label “Blue Flag”, has accorded the Blue Flag Certification for 2 new beaches this year –Kovalam in Tamil Nadu and Eden in Puducherry beaches. With this India now has 10 International Blue Flag beaches. Which are the other 8 beaches? Shivrajpur (Dwarka-Gujarat) Ghoghla (Diu) Kasarkod (Karnataka) [NOT Kasargod which is in Kerala]… Continue reading

SEBI introduces T+1 Settlement System

The Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced T+1 settlement cycle for completion of share transactions on optional basis in a move to enhance market liquidity. What is T+1 Settlement System? T+1 means that settlements will have to be cleared within one day of the actual transactions taking place. Currently,… Continue reading

The end of the doing business rankings

The World Bank Group has scrapped its flagship publication, the ‘Doing Business’ report. Doing Business Report This report publishes the influential annual ranking of countries on the Ease of Doing Business (EDB) index. It ranks countries by the simplicity of rules framed for setting up and conducting businesses. Utility of the index The World Bank’s… Continue reading

Front-of-pack labelling of Food Stuffs

Seven years, four committees and two draft regulations later, India still does not have a clear labelling system to warn consumers about harmful levels of fat, salt and sugar in processed foods. Context According to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, every pre-packed processed food product sold in the country must be… Continue reading

India scores 46th rank in the Global Innovation Index 2021

India has climbed 2 spots and has been ranked 46th by the World Intellectual Property Organization in the Global Innovation Index 2021 rankings. Global Innovation Index The Global Innovation Index (GII) is an annual ranking of countries by their capacity for, and success in, innovation. It is published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World… Continue reading

Empathy through education

Context While the National Education Policy (2020) notes numeracy and literacy as its central aims, Social and Emotional Learning should be an equally important goal as it supports skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. What is social and emotional learning (SEL)? SEL is the process of learning to recognise and manage emotions… Continue reading

Holding transnational corporations accountable

Context Given the enormous power that transnational corporations (TNCs) wield, questions about their accountability have arisen often. There have been many instances where the misconduct of TNCs has come to light such as the corruption scandal involving Siemens in Germany. Holding TNCs accountable: Background The effort was made at the UN to develop a multilateral… Continue reading

EoDB at risk if issue of appointments to tribunals is not resolved

While hearing a challenge to the Tribunal Reforms Act, 2021, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the government of India for vacancies not being filled on time. This could severely impact the ease of doing business in India, said the court. Background The government has lauded the role of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code,… Continue reading

What is Planet Nine?

A new study’s “treasure map” suggests that a planet several times more massive than Earth could be hiding in our solar system, camouflaged by the bright strip of stars that make up the Milky Way. Do not wonder. This too was a PYQ: Q.Which planet was downgraded to dwarf planet status? (a) Pluto (b) Mars… Continue reading

What is Serotype 2 Dengue?

The Union Health Ministry has flagged the emerging challenge in 11 States across India of serotype 2 dengue, which it said is associated with “more cases and more complications” than other forms of the disease. Try this PYQ from CSP 2015: Q. Consider the following statements: In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by… Continue reading

Delhi-Mumbai Expressway: World’s longest

The Minister for Road Transport and Highways Union Minister Nitin Gadkari concluded the review of the work progress on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway The ambitious infra project started in the year 2018 is being constructed at a cost of Rs 98,000 crore and is scheduled for completion by March 2023. States: Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan,… Continue reading

Rising unemployment is yet to receive the attention it deserves from government

Context India’s unemployment rate in August was 8.3 per cent. This was higher than the 7 per cent recorded in July. The month-to-month variations notwithstanding, these are all very high unemployment rates. Why inflation gets more attention in India than unemployment? Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) results showed the historically high unemployment rate of 6.1… Continue reading

What is Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)?

The Agreement on Agriculture at the WTO is riddled with deep imbalances, which favour the developed countries and have tilted the rules against many developing countries, a Union Minister has said. Agreement on Agriculture The AoA is an international treaty of the World Trade Organization. It was negotiated during the Uruguay Round of the General… Continue reading

Pseudo-melanism in Tigers of Simlipal

A team of scientists has resolved the genetic mystery of Simlipal’s so-called black tigers. What are Black Tigers? Tigers have a distinctive dark stripe pattern on a light background of white or golden. A rare pattern variant, distinguished by stripes that are broadened and fused together, is also observed in both wild and captive populations.… Continue reading

[pib] Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

The Prime Minister has participated virtually in the Joint SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization)-CSTO Outreach Session on Afghanistan. What is CSTO? The CSTO is a Russia-led military alliance of seven former Soviet states that was created in 2002. Current CSTO members are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation and Tajikistan. Afghanistan and Serbia hold observer… Continue reading

Building a resilient economy

Context To revive and sustain growth, action is needed both at the international and national levels. Hopes of V-shaped recovery of Indian economy The National Statistical Office (NSO) had recently estimated that India’s economic growth has surged to 20.1% in the April-June quarter. In its recently launched Trade and Development Report 2021, UNCTAD has estimated… Continue reading

E-Shram

The E-Shram portal has come into existence more than a decade after the passage of the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act in 2008. 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… Continue reading

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