Issues with treating mineral sale proceeds as revenue or income

The rate at which we are extracting mineral and spending the proceeds from it without consideration for the future generation needs a rethink. The article deals with this issue. The principle of Intergenerational Equity We cannot compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs, and this is reflected in the aim for the… Continue reading

Task force on Age of Marriage for Women submits its report

The task force set up to take a re-look at the age of marriage for women has submitted its report to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Try this question for mains: Q.The different minimum age of marriage for women and men is a discriminatory provision. Analyse. What is… Continue reading

[pib] Second edition of India Innovation Index 2020

NITI Aayog is set to release the second edition of the India Innovation Index 2020 tomorrow. *Statewise rankings will be updated tomorrow. Updated on 21st Jan, Thursday. India Innovation Index (III) The release of the second edition of the index—the first was launched in October 2019—demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment towards transforming the country into… Continue reading

New ideas needed for online privacy policies

The article discusses challenges posed by online privacy policies and suggests some ideas to make them more user friendly. Issues with online privacy policies Such policies are not designed for easy reading. These policies are full of legal jargon and most are difficult to read. Most policies are exclusively in English, which is clearly inadequate… Continue reading

UK invites India to attend G7 Summit

The United Kingdom has invited PM Modi to attend the G7 summit that is scheduled to be held in June. Note the members of G7 and G20. UPSC may puzzle you asking which G20 nation isn’t a member of G7. G7 Countries The G-7 or ‘Group of Seven’ includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the… Continue reading

UN Adaptation Gap Report, 2020

The United Nations Adaptation Gap Report, 2020 was recently released by the UNEP. Must read edition: Five years of Paris Agreement UN Adaptation Gap Report UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has managed the production of UN Environment’s Adaptation Gap Report series since its first edition in 2014. The aim of the reports is to inform national… Continue reading

Problem of control and governance of knowledge in a globalised world

The article highlights the issues with the criteria applied by the UGC to evaluate the faculty research. Impact of UGC standardisation on social sciences and humanities research UGC has been the regulatory body responsible for maintaining standards in higher education, while addressing challenges of globalisation. Processes of UGC mandated standardisation have in particular impacted social sciences… Continue reading

India’s trade with China falls at five-year low

India’s trade with China last year fell to the lowest since 2017, with the trade imbalance declining to a five-year low on the back of a slump in India’s imports from China. Try this PYQ: Q.Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years? (CSP… Continue reading

[pib] PMKVY 3.0

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 3.0. Note the differences between all three versions of PMKVY. PMKVY 3.0 PMKVY 3.0 envisages training of eight lakh candidates over the scheme period of 2020-2021. This phase three will focus on new-age and COVID-related skills. The 729 PM… Continue reading

Adultery Law and the Armed Forces

The Supreme Court has admitted a petition filed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) seeking to exempt armed forces personnel from the ambit of a Constitution Bench judgment of 2018 that decriminalized adultery. Q. Personnels of the Indian Armed Forces constitute a ‘Distinct Class’. Discuss this statement in context to the extension of IPC section… Continue reading

NASA’s Curiosity Rover celebrates 3000 days on Mars

The Mars rover ‘Curiosity’ has completed 3,000 Martian days. Try this PYQ: Q.Which region of Mars has a densely packed river deposit indicating this planet had water 3.5 billion years ago? (a) Aeolis Dorsa (b) Tharsis (c) Olympus Mons (d) Hellas Curiosity Rover Curiosity is an SUV-sized Mars rover designed to explore the Gale crater… Continue reading

Sulawesi Cave Paintings

A team of archaeologists in Indonesia has discovered what may be the world’s oldest known cave painting dating back to more than 45,000 years. Try this PYQ: Q.There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other… Continue reading

Covid-19 vaccine policy

The article explains the challenge in the vaccination program for the Covid-19 vaccine. Issue of lack of data about the vaccine In the COVID vaccine roll out, there is no clear data for either of the two vaccines proposed for use in the programme. We do not know if they provide protection for life, for… Continue reading

Improving fiscal situation through budget

The budget could be an opportunity to increase the consumption which has been impacted by the pandemic and still continues to show the declining trends. Continuing decline in consumption The first advance estimates of GDP for 2020-21 are much better than the earlier market consensus. The demand side, however, continues to be in a decline… Continue reading

Mutual Funds Risk-o-Meter

The capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has made it mandatory for mutual funds to assign a risk level to schemes, based on certain parameters. 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… Continue reading

[pib] IAF to induct LCA Tejas

The Union Cabinet has approved procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircraft for Indian Air Force. Try this PYQ from CSP 2018: Q.What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (a) An Israeli radar system (b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme (c) An… Continue reading

Paternity Leave in India

Indian cricket captain has opted for paternity leave amidst an ongoing tournament. This has led to his criticism as well as praise for prioritizing family. Q.Paternity leave is one of the solutions which can help in ending the “motherhood penalty”. Examine with context to working mothers. What is Paternity leave? Paternity leave is a short… Continue reading

[pib] Khadi Prakritik Paint – India’s first cow dung paint

Union Minister for MSMEs has launched an innovative new paint called Khadi Prakritik Paint – India’s first cow dung paint It is very unlikely that an MCQ will be asked in Prelims. However one must know this from mains perspective. Khadi Prakritik Paint It is developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission at his residence.… Continue reading

India’s burden of heart diseases

According to the Global Burden of Disease, nearly a quarter (24.8 per cent) of all deaths in India is due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The fastest-growing economy has some perils. In this newscard, you will get to see how CVDs are a legacy of economic growth. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Report The GBD is… Continue reading

Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Protected Areas

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of 146 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country. Map the protected areas mentioned in the newscard in your Atlas. MEE Survey MEE is a very important document that provides valuable guidance on various aspects of wildlife and protected area expand… Continue reading

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