Govt. mulls allowing local sales by SEZ units sans import tag

The government is considering a proposal to allow producers in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to sell their output to the domestic market without treating them as imports. What are SEZs? A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is an area in which the business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country. SEZs are… Continue reading

[pib] What is Pollen Calendar?

Chandigarh now has its first pollen calendar, which can identify potential allergy triggers and provide a clear understanding for clinicians as well as allergy sufferers about their causes to help limit their exposure during high pollen loads. What is a Pollen Calendar? Pollen calendars represent the time dynamics of airborne pollen present in a particular… Continue reading

Places in news: Gulf of Mexico

An oil spill spanning at least 10 miles has been captured by satellite imagery in waters off the Louisiana coast near the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico The Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent. It is bounded on… Continue reading

Revolution unfolding in data regulation

Context A number of countries have been looking to extend their existing data protection frameworks to ensure that users have more effective control over their data than their regulations currently allow. Measures to unlock the data silos Benefits: These measures aimed at unlocking data silos will make it easier for data to flow from the… Continue reading

New Code for Creditors (CoC) under IBC

The insolvency regulator has called for public comments on a proposal to introduce a code of conduct for Committees of Creditors (CoC), of companies undergoing insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Before proceeding, try this PYQ first: Q. Which of the following statements best describes the term ‘Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of… Continue reading

Govt must constitute GST tribunal: SC

The Supreme Court has warned that the government had no option but to constitute the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Appellate Tribunal. What is GST Appellate Tribunal? The GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) is the second appeal forum under GST for any dissatisfactory order passed by the First Appellate Authorities. The National Appellate Tribunal is also… Continue reading

Right to Sit to be mandated in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has tabled a Bill in the Legislative Assembly making it mandatory for establishments to provide seating facilities for employees. Right to Sit The Right to Sit is aimed to benefit thousands of employees of large and small establishments, particularly those working in textile and jewelry showrooms. Persons employed in shops and… Continue reading

Inspiration4: SpaceX’s first all-civilian space mission

SpaceX has announced its ‘Inspiration4’ mission, the first all-civilian, non-governmental spaceflight, for launch. What is Inspiration4? Inspiraton4 is a part of an effort to raise funds for pediatric treatment and research facility that focuses on children’s catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemia and other cancers. The mission involves circling the Earth for three days and then splashing… Continue reading

Odisha’s Manda buffalo gets unique, indigenous tag

The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) has recognized the Manda buffalo, found in the Eastern Ghats and plateau of Koraput region of Odisha, as the 19th unique breed of buffaloes found in India. Manda Buffalo The Manda are resistant to parasitic infections, less prone to diseases and can live, produce and reproduce at… Continue reading

Reform in India’s reservation system

Context While it is undeniable that affirmative action has been one of the protagonists of Indian democracy’s success stories, these have also accumulated a fair share of problems and call for immediate policy attention and debate. Problems with the current policy of reservation With the reservation of seats in political and public institutions of the… Continue reading

The nutrition-hygiene link

Context A recent UNICEF report stated that nearly 12 lakh children could die in low-income countries in the next six months due to a decrease in routine health services and an increase in wasting. Nearly three lakh such children would be from India. Problem of nutrition in India and factors responsible for it The National… Continue reading

Indian Banks join ‘Account Aggregators Network’

Eight of India’s major banks — State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, IDFC First Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank and Federal Bank has joined the Account Aggregator (AA) network that will enable customers to easily access and share their financial data. What is an Account Aggregators (AA)? According to the… Continue reading

Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS)

India is all set to conclude the bilateral logistics agreement with Russia soon while the agreement with the U.K. is in the final stages of conclusion. What is Logistics Agreement? The agreements are administrative arrangements facilitating access to military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual agreement simplifying logistical support and increasing operational… Continue reading

What is Wood Wide Web?

Plants appear to be simple enough in their organization. Whether small shrubs or tall trees, all they seem to be made up of is leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, and roots. But simple they are not. Being rooted in one spot has required very special personality traits. Wood Wide Web Trees in the forest share resources… Continue reading

Common Prosperity Drive in China

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for China to achieve “common prosperity”, seeking to narrow a yawning wealth gap that threatens the country’s economic ascent and the legitimacy of Communist Party rule. What is ‘Common Prosperity’? “Common prosperity” was first mentioned in the 1950s by Mao Zedong, founding leader of what was then an impoverished… Continue reading

What is Glue Grant Scheme?

Forty Central universities will kick off the implementation of innovative measures such as the academic credit bank and the glue grant meant to encourage multidisciplinary in UG courses. Glue Grant Scheme Under the glue grant, announced in this year’s budget, institutions in the same city would be encouraged to share resources, equipment and even allow… Continue reading

The April-June quarter GDP numbers indicated at 20.1 per cent growth

Context The April-June quarter GDP numbers indicated at 20.1 per cent growth. Making sense of the numbers The higher GDP growth was driven by high indirect tax collections, largely GST. The more representative measure of economic activity, gross value added (GVA), grew by 18.8 per cent. GDP is derived by adding indirect tax collections, net… Continue reading

Deputy Speaker for Lok Sabha

With the Delhi High Court asking the Central government to explain its stand on a petition that claimed to keep the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha vacant is a violation of Article 93 of the Constitution, the issue is once again in the spotlight. Article 93: The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of… Continue reading

What is Durand Line?

With the Taliban’s seize of Kabul, a huge exodus of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers is outpouring into Pakistan along the Durand Line. Durand Line The Durand Line is a legacy of the 19th century Great Game between the Russian and British empires in which Afghanistan was used as a buffer by the British against… Continue reading

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