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What is ‘Infodemic’ Management?

Managing the “infodemic” has been a serious challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, says a Chief Scientist at World Health Organization (WHO). Try this question for mains: Q.‘Infodemic’ management these days has become a greater challenge than the actual course of pandemic management. Discuss. Defining Infodemic Infodemic implies too much information, including false or misleading information,… Continue reading What is ‘Infodemic’ Management?

Medicinal plants in news

This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in DownToEarth. Explained below are the medicinal properties of 10 valuable plants known to boost natural immunity: (1) Abrusprecatorius (Indian liquorice, Ratti) The bright red ovoid seeds with a black spot weigh 1/10th of a gram, and were hence used as weighing unit called ‘Ratti’… Continue reading Medicinal plants in news

[pib] Market Intervention Scheme

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the current season. UPSC can ask a question on the difference between MSP and MIP. All the agricultural and horticultural commodities for which Minimum Support Price (MSP) are not fixed and are generally perishable… Continue reading [pib] Market Intervention Scheme

Issues with dilution of offset condition for defence procurement

The ‘offset clause’ could help the country achieve the technological expertise and consequently self-reliance. However, India recently relaxed some norms in the policy. The article discusses the stated reasons for tweaking and its implications for the defence manufacturing industry in India. Context Recently, the government diluted the “offset” policy in defence procurement, reportedly in response… Continue reading Issues with dilution of offset condition for defence procurement

Govt. hikes poll expenditure ceiling by 10%

The Law Ministry has increased the ceiling on poll expenditure for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections by 10% following a recommendation by the Election Commission in view of curbs imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. Try answering this question: Q.Ceiling on election expenses ends up being counterproductive and encourages candidates to under-report their expenditure. Critically analyse.… Continue reading Govt. hikes poll expenditure ceiling by 10%

Ghar Tak Fibre Scheme

The government’s ambitious ‘Ghar Tak Fibre’ scheme — which aims to connect all the villages with high-speed internet — is off to a slow start in poll-bound Bihar. Note the features of FTTH connections. They make a perfect case for a statement based prelims question. Also, try this PYQ: Q.Consider the following statements regarding optical… Continue reading Ghar Tak Fibre Scheme

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

The Agriculture Ministry has rolled out the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme to assist cooperatives in the creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country. Can you find the peculiarity of this scheme? Yes. It’s the Agriculture and not the Health Ministry. Ayushman Sahakar Scheme The scheme is formulated by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the apex… Continue reading Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

AIDS & India

The article highlights the achievement in the fight against AIDS. Most significant are the achievements in the prevention of transmission from mother-to-child. Significant gains As per recently released 2019 HIV estimates by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO)/Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the technical support of UNAIDS there has been a 66.1% reduction… Continue reading AIDS & India

[pib] Framework for Regulatory Sandbox

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has introduced a framework for Regulatory Sandbox to tap into innovative Fin-tech solutions. Try answering this simple question: Q.What is Regulatory Sandbox? What are its salient features? Regulatory Sandbox A regulatory sandbox usually refers to live testing of new products or services in a controlled/test regulatory environment for… Continue reading [pib] Framework for Regulatory Sandbox

Malabar Naval Exercise

Upping the ante against China amid the ongoing LAC confrontations, Australia has formally accepted India’s invite for the upcoming Malabar Exercise. About Ex. Malabar Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise involving the United States, Japan and India as permanent partners. Originally begun in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States,… Continue reading Malabar Naval Exercise

[pib] Buldhana Pattern of water conservation

Maharashtra’s ‘Buldana Pattern’ of water conservation’ has won national recognition and the NITI Aayog is in the process of formulating National Policy on water conversation based on it. Refer this link to read more about traditional water conservations systems in India: https://geographyandyou.com/ten-traditional-water-conservation-methods/ What is ‘Buldhana Pattern’? It is based on the synchronization of national highway… Continue reading [pib] Buldhana Pattern of water conservation

[pib] Exercise SLINEX-20

The Eighth Edition of annual Indian Navy (IN) – Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-20 is scheduled off Trincomalee. About SLINEX-20 SLINEX-20 aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies. In addition, the exercise will also showcase the capabilities of our… Continue reading [pib] Exercise SLINEX-20

What are Hybrid Funds?

This newscard is an excerpt from an originally FAQ published in TH. Try this PYQ: Q.Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly? (a) Certificate of Deposit (b) Commercial Paper (c) Promissory Note (d) Participatory… Continue reading What are Hybrid Funds?

Analysing the trends in India’s population growth

The article analyses some trends in India’s population growth as found in the Sample Registration System Statistical Report (2018). Context There have been some encouraging trends in India’s population in the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report (2018) and global population projections made by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), US.  Declining TFR SRS… Continue reading Analysing the trends in India’s population growth

What is New START Treaty?

Russian President Mr Putin has proposed a one-year extension without conditions of the last major nuclear arms reduction accord, the New START Treaty between Russia and the U.S. The New START, INF and the Open Skies …. Be clear about the differences of these treaties. For example- to check if their inception was during cold… Continue reading What is New START Treaty?

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