Maharashtra to introduce ballot papers along with EVMs

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker has directed the State Law and Justice Department to prepare the draft of a Bill which provides an option to voters to exercise their franchise on ballot papers along with electronic voting machines (EVMs). Manner of holding elections Article 328 of the Indian Constitution and number 37 of the State List of… Continue reading

Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2021

The 16th edition of Indo-U.S. joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is set to be held in Rajasthan between February 8 and 21. Yudh Abhyas The exercise near the India-Pakistan border aims at enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the two armies and will focus on counter-terrorism operations under the UN mandate. The drill comes days after… Continue reading

The Budget bids goodbye to fiscal orthodoxy

A whopping fiscal deficit at 9.5% of GDP for FY21 highlights departure of India’s fiscal policy from the path of fiscal consolidation. The article highlights the issues related to such departure. Important departure With its fiscal deficit at 9.5% of GDP for FY21 and 6.8% in FY22 Budget for 2021-22 seems to signal “spend like… Continue reading

Sri Lanka pushes India out of Colombo Terminal Project

After the strong opposition from within, the Sri Lankan government was forced to revoke a 2019 agreement with India and Japan to develop the strategic East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port. Map Reading: Note all these major ports and try recalling their sequences in the clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. What is the news?… Continue reading

India Justice Report, 2020

The second edition of the Indian Justice Report (IJR) was recently launched. Note the findings of this report. It is the only such report of its kind published in India. India Justice Report The IJR is an initiative of Tata Trusts in collaboration with Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative… Continue reading

Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) to revive urban water bodies

The urban water supply mission under the Jal Jeevan Mission announced in the Budget would include rejuvenation of water bodies as well as 20% of supply from reused water. Access to safe drinking water has been a grave problem for India, especially in rural areas where lack of usable water has resulted in decades-old sanitation… Continue reading

[pib] Centenary of ‘Chauri Chaura’ Incident

PM will inaugurate the centenary Celebrations at Chauri Chaura at Gorakhpur Dist. Uttar Pradesh. ‘Chauri Chaura’ Incident The incident took place on 4 February 1922 at Chauri Chaura in the Gorakhpur district of the United Province. A large group of protesters participating in the Non-Cooperation Movement clashed with police who opened fire. In retaliation the… Continue reading

Stardust 1.O: the first rocket to run on biofuel

Stardust 1.O was recently launched from Maine, the US has become the first commercial space launch powered by biofuel. UPSC may puzzle you with the following type of MCQ asking: Q.Which of the following is the unique feature of the Stardust 1.0 Spacecraft recenlty seen in news? (a) It is propelled by Bio-fuels. (b) It… Continue reading

[pib] Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) Scheme

The Finance Minister has proposed setting up of a scheme of Mega Investment Textiles Parks (MITRA) Scheme in her budget speech. Do not get confused over Sahakar Mitra Scheme and this one. MITRA Scheme MITRA aims to enable the textile industry to become globally competitive, attract large investments, and boost employment generation and exports. It… Continue reading

Municipal finance reform through Finance Commission recommendations

Transforming the financial governance of India’s municipalities Interim report of the Fifteenth Finance Commission of India (XV FC) indicates that it could fundamentally transform the financial governance of India’s municipalities. Final report for FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 is expected to be tabled along with the forthcoming Budget 2021-22. Building on the track record of… Continue reading

Centre’s scrutiny of UP’s conversion ban ordinance

The ordinance on unlawful religious conversions, promulgated by the UP government last year, has not been sent to the Centre for examination, according to a reply from the Union Home Ministry. What is the news? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) examines bills passed by State assemblies that are repugnant with Central laws before they… Continue reading

Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Amendment Bill, 2020

A panel of doctors to decide on the termination of pregnancy beyond 24 weeks as proposed in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Amendment Bill, 2020, is “unfeasible” as 82% of these posts are lying vacant in the country, finds a new study. Q. What are the differing opinions with regards to the Termination of… Continue reading

Who are the Bargis?

As the Assembly elections in West Bengal draw closer, the ‘insider-outsider’ theme has grown to become one of the topics of political debate. Bengali politicians have been terming outsider campaigners as ‘bargis’. Bargis: Etymology of the term The term ‘Bargi’is of special significance in Bengal’s history. It is a reference to the several Maratha invasions… Continue reading

What are Social Stock Exchanges?

The Economic Survey 2021 has backed setting up of Social Stock Exchange in India. Q. What are Social Stock Exchanges? Discuss how it will help finance social enterprises in India. What are Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs)? An SSE is a platform which allows investors to buy shares in social enterprises vetted by an official exchange.… Continue reading

Highlights of the Corruption Perception Index, 2020

The Transparency International (TI)’s corruption perception index (CPI) was recently released for 2020. Another set of useful data in news to be noted by aspirants. Such data are essential and need to be memorized. One must note here. Such data recur every year. So it is not a big task to deal with such numbers… Continue reading

Type-II Supernova and the role of neutrinos

This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in The Hindu. Another space-based abstract terminology has appeared in TH. What is the news about? Many stars, towards the end of their lifetimes, form supernovas – massive explosions that send their outer layers shooting into the surrounding space. Most of the energy of the… Continue reading

Credit rating

The Economic Survey-2020-21 highlights the issue of the adverse rating given to emerging economies by global credit rating agencies. This article suggests using our flawless repayment record as the basis of argument. Prejudice against emerging economies The Economic Survey for 2020-21, charged international credit rating agencies with prejudice against emerging economies such as India and… Continue reading

How PFMS is ensuring transformation via digital inclusion

The article highlights the role played by the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) in promoting the good governance. About PFMS With the objective of bringing in transformational accountability and transparency and to further promote good governance, the Indian government envisioned Public Financial Management System (PFMS). PFMS has evolved as an end to end solution for… Continue reading

Symbolic significance of the Red Fort and Delhi

Newsfeeds on Republic Day were dominated by scenes of protests on the ramparts of the Red Fort. Mob stormed and vandalized the national flag and the mast of Red Fort in guise of peaceful farmers protest! What did this act signify? To unravel some of these strands of meaning, one must go back in… Continue reading

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