Asset monetisation — execution is the key

Context The government has announced an ambitious programme of asset monetisation. It hopes to earn ₹6 trillion in revenues over a four-year period. About Asset monetisation Unlike in privatisation, no sale of government assets is involved. The government parts with its assets — such as roads, coal mines — for a specified period of time… Continue reading

Govt’s clarifications on CSR Expenditure

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has clarified that companies have to ensure that funds transferred to implementing agencies are actually utilized for them to be counted towards mandatory CSR expenditure. What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)? CSR is a type of business self-regulation that aims to contribute to the societal goals of a philanthropic, activist,… Continue reading

[pib] Bharat Series (BH-series) for Vehicles

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has rolled out a new series for vehicles registration ‘BH’ to avoid re-registration of vehicles while moving to another state. Bharat series (BH-series) There was a procedure of re-registration of a vehicle while moving to another state. A vehicle bearing BH registration mark shall not require assignment of… Continue reading

Places in news: Pantanal Wetlands

Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetlands is facing a severe crisis due to wildfires and climate change. Pantanal Wetlands The Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world’s largest tropical wetland area, and the world’s largest flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian and extends to some portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. It… Continue reading

Animal Discoveries 2020 report by ZSI

India has added 557 new species to its fauna reveals Animal Discoveries 2020, a document published recently by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Major species discovered The number of faunal species in India has climbed to 1,02,718 species. Among the new species, some interesting species discovered in 2020 are: Trimeresurus salazar, a new species… Continue reading

How to read the state of the economy

Context GDP growth estimates range from a high of 11 per cent, as per the government, to 9.5 per cent as per RBI. The variation is stark. So, what should one look at to evaluate the state of the economy? Things to consider while evaluating the economy First, since the economy contracted by 7.3 per… Continue reading

Greater Male Connectivity Project

Maldives has announced the signing of a $500-million infrastructure project for the construction of the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP) with India. Greater Malé Connectivity Project This infrastructure project, the largest-ever by India in the Maldives, involves the construction of a 6.74-km-long bridge and causeway link. It will connect the Maldives capital Malé with the… Continue reading

[pib] Merging of three Supermassive Black Holes

Indian researchers have discovered three supermassive black holes from three galaxies merging together to form a triple active galactic nucleus, a compact region at the centre of a newly discovered galaxy that has a much-higher-than-normal luminosity. What are Supermassive black holes? A supermassive black hole is the largest type of black hole, with mass on… Continue reading

Places in news: Sambhar Lake

The world-famous Sambhar Salt Lake in Rajasthan is constantly shrinking with the degradation of soil and water quality and a decline in the population of migratory birds. Sambhar Lake The lake, situated 80 km south-west of Jaipur, is the country’s largest inland saline water body which attracts thousands of migratory birds every year. The death… Continue reading

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano

Geologists have detected a swarm of earthquakes at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, though it was not erupting. Kilauea Volcano Kilauea is about 200 miles south of Honolulu, on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, having erupted 34 times since 1952. In Hawaiian tradition, Kilauea is home to the… Continue reading

SUJALAM Campaign

The Ministry of Jal Shakti began ‘SUJALAM’, a ‘100 days campaign’ to create more and more ODF Plus villages by undertaking wastewater management at the village level. SUJALAM Campaign The key activities that will be organized in the villages under this campaign include: Organizing Community consultations, Khuli Baithaks and Gram Sabha meetings to analyze the… Continue reading

The National Automated Facial Recognition System

Context On June 23, 2021, the Joint Committee examining the Personal Data Protection Bill (2019) was granted a fifth extension by Parliament. While the Government has been simultaneously exploring the potential of facial recognition technology. Automatic Facial Recognition in India To empower the Indian police with information technology, India approved implementation of the National Automated Facial Recognition System… Continue reading

Economic criterion not sole basis for Creamy Layer: Supreme Court

The basis of exclusion of ‘creamy layer’ cannot be merely economic, a Supreme Court Bench has observed in their judgment, while referring to the court’s Indra Sawhney verdict of 1992. What was the case? The court was hearing a petition challenging some notifications by the Haryana government sub-classifying backward classes solely on economic basis while… Continue reading

Arresting a Cabinet Minister

The Maharashtra Police has arrested the Union Minister for MSMEs for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the CM. Procedure to arrest a Cabinet Minister If Parliament is not in session, a cabinet minister can be arrested by a law enforcement agency in case of a criminal case registered against him. As per Section 22 A… Continue reading

Saroop of the Sikh Holy Book

A union minister has received one of the Saroops of the holy Guru Granth Sahib flown in from Afghanistan. What is Saroop? Saroop is a physical copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, also called Bir in Punjabi. Every Bir has 1,430 pages, which are referred to as Ang. The verses on every page remain the… Continue reading

[pib] Transport Initiative for Asia (TIA) Project

NITI Aayog and World Resources Institute (WRI), India, jointly launched the ‘Forum for Decarbonizing Transport’ in India as part of the NDC-Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA). Transport Initiative for Asia The NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (TIA 2020-2023) is a joint programme that will engage China, India, and Vietnam in promoting a comprehensive approach to… Continue reading

[pib] E-Shram Portal: National Database on Unorganized Workers (NDUW)

The Union Ministry of Labour & Employment will launch the e-Shram portal – National Database on Unorganized Workers (NDUW). What is the E-Shram Portal? The government aims to register 38 crore unorganized workers, such as construction labourers, migrant workforce, street vendors and domestic workers, among others. The workers will be issued an e-Shram card containing… Continue reading

Places in news: Corbett Tiger Reserve

The Delhi High Court has asked the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to consider as a representation a petition to stop the alleged illegal construction of bridges and walls within the tiger breeding habitat of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. Jim Corbett National Park Jim Corbett NP is the oldest national park in India and was… Continue reading

Why India needs an NHS-like healthcare model

Context Even after the pandemic, the Indian government continues to budget less than 1 per cent of GDP for healthcare, one of the lowest in the world. About NHS Every year, Britain’s legendary health network National Health Service (NHS) cures 15 million patients with chronic ailments, at a fraction of the cost spent by the… Continue reading

Protest should not hinder traffic: SC

The Supreme Court took a nuanced stand saying farmers have the right to protest but the agitation should not hinder traffic or public movement. Right to Protest When a group, community, or even a person goes up to protest, it is usually to showcase their disapproval or demur against any action, policy, statement, etc of… Continue reading

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