Fixing the rules of economy

The article discusses the three fundamentals which need an examination to fix the issues faced by the economy. Re-examining the fundamentals India has an incomes crisis: incomes of people in the lower half of the pyramid are too low. The solutions economists propose are: free up markets, improve productivity, and apply technology. These fundamentals of… Continue reading

Weakening financial capacity of States

The financial health of the States has been declining in the last several years. The article explains the reasons and its implications for the States. Role of States in development State governments drive a majority of the country’s development programmes. Greater numbers of people depend on these programmes for their livelihood, development, welfare and security.… Continue reading

What is General Consent accorded to the CBI?

Kerala has decided to withdraw the general consent accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to operate in the state voluntarily. Try answering this: Q. Why the CBI is called as “a caged parrot speaking in its master’s voice”? Critically comment. General Consent Unlike the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is governed by its… Continue reading

Free speech in France

The article analyses the secularism in France and its its implications for the French society. Education about secularism in France In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, state school teachers were responsible for converting young people in rural France away from the heavy hand of Catholic dogma, and they spearheaded efforts to “educate” and… Continue reading

Pondering on the free speech

The article discusses the issues with blaming the expression of free speech for the violence inflicted by the people opposed to the ideas. Context The beheading of a teacher in France has brought to the fore the issue of free speech. It is argued that there is a need to respect people’s religion and not… Continue reading

WWF Water Risk Filter

Nearly a third of the 100 cities in the world susceptible to ‘water risk’ — defined as losses from battling droughts to flooding — are in India, according to the WWF Water Risk Filter. Try this question for mains: Q.For Indian cities to break away from the vicious loop of flooding and water scarcity, nature-based… Continue reading

Distribution of Fortified Rice under ICDS

In a bid to combat chronic anaemia and undernutrition, the government is planning to distribute fortified rice through the Integrated Child Development Services and Mid-Day Meal schemes across the country. What is Fortified Rice? Rice can be fortified by adding a micronutrient powder to the rice that adheres to the grains or spraying of the surface… Continue reading

Punjab Connection of the Irish freedom movement

Ireland is commemorating 100 years of the mutiny by a British Army battalion stationed in Jalandhar and Solan in Punjab in support of the Irish freedom movement. Try this PYQ: Q.With reference to the Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy Quit India Movement launched Second Round Table Conference What… Continue reading

Reinforcing the RBI’s accountability

Inflation targeting and legal provisions The inflation target, notified in August 2016, is 4%. The upper tolerance level was set at 6% and the lower tolerance level at 2%. Inflation was 6.7% in the January-March quarter, 6.6% in the April-June quarter and 6.9% in the July-September quarter. Breaching limits for any three consecutive quarters constitutes… Continue reading

Explained: Malabar Exercise

Phase 1 of the Malabar Naval Exercise has kicked begun with the participation of Australian navy for the first time since 2007. Go through the list for once. UPSC may ask a match the pair type question asking exercise name and countries involved. https://www.civilsdaily.com/prelims-spotlight-defence-exercises/ What is Malabar Exercise? It is a multilateral naval exercise that… Continue reading

What is Army Aviation Corps?

The Army Aviation Corps (AAC), the youngest Corps of the Indian Army, has celebrated its 35th Corps Day. Try this question for mains: Q. Discuss why high-altitude warfare is challenging. Also, discuss India’s preparedness for a long-term war. The Army Aviation Corps The origin of the AAC can be traced back to the raising of the… Continue reading

Who was Maharani Jindan Kaur?

Maharani Jindan Kaur, the last wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is in news for the auction of some of her jewellery in London. Try this PYQ: Q.Consider the following Bhakti Saints: Dadu Dayal Guru Nanak Tyagaraja Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over? (a) 1 and 3 (b) 2… Continue reading

The shifting trajectory of India’s foreign policy

The article analyses the impact of India’s growing engagement with the U.S. on relations on India’s foreign policy. What signing of BECA mean The centrepiece of the third 2+2 dialogue was the signing of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for Geo-Spatial Cooperation. With the signing of BECA, India is now a signatory to… Continue reading

What are Bulk Drugs Parks?

Himachal Pradesh is one of the states vying for the allotment of a bulk drug park under a central government scheme announced earlier this year for setting up three such parks across the country. Try this question: Q.The drug pricing system in India is an indirect outcome of the growing dependence on China for APIs.… Continue reading

Nyay Kaushal E-resource Centre

CJI has inaugurated the first-ever e-resource centre and virtual court for traffic and transport to enable speedy justice for litigants, called ‘Nyay Kaushal’, at Nagpur. Must read edition: [Burning Issue] Judiciary in Times of COVID-19 Outbreak Nyay Kaushal Centre It is a first of its kind e-resource centre in India that will facilitate electronic filing… Continue reading

Street Vendors in India

Recently PM distributed loans to nearly 300,000 street vendors under the PM SVANidhi scheme. Q. Discuss how Street-vending accounts for significant non-agricultural urban informal employment in India. Also, discuss how the PM SVANidhi scheme will help street vendors. SVANidhi scheme The SVANidhi ensures a working capital loan up to Rs 10,000 for vendors and rewards… Continue reading

Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR

The President of India has signed the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020. Try this question from CS Mains 2015: Q.Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three megacities of the country but the air pollution is a much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the… Continue reading

[pib] POWER Initiative

The Union Minister for Science & Technology has launched a Scheme titled SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research). Try this MCQ: Q.The POWER initiative sometimes seen in news is related to a)Reforms in the DISCOMs b)Renewable Energy Sector c)Women Empowerment d)Health Sector POWER Initiative It is a scheme to mitigate gender disparity in… Continue reading

[pib] Meri Saheli Initiative

Indian Railways has launched “Meri Saheli” initiative for focused action on the security of women across all zones with an objective to provide safety and security to lady passengers. Such a feedback-based initiative can be replicated in unsafe cities while addressing distress situation. Meri Saheli Initiative The initiative was started as a pilot project in… Continue reading

[pib] National Productivity Council (NPC)

National Productivity Council (NPC) has been granted accreditation conforming to ISO 17020:2012 by National Accreditation Board for Certification Body (NABCB). National Productivity Council (NPC) NPC is a national level organization to promote productivity culture in India. The NPC comes under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.… Continue reading

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