India’s efforts in increasing Maritime domain awareness

The article analyses India’s efforts in increasing the maritime domain awareness while increasing the cooperation with the neighbourhood and other countries. Indian Navy improving domain awareness The enemy at sea is often unrecognisable — a terrorist, a pirate, a criminal or a sea robber. Of late, the Indian Navy has been on a drive to… Continue reading

Trade Policy Review of India at the WTO

India’s seventh Trade Policy Review (TPR) has begun at the World Trade Organization in Geneva. Q.In the wake of the global economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, discuss the challenges ahead of WTO. Trade Policy Review (TPR) The TPR is an important mechanism under the WTO’s monitoring function and involves a comprehensive peer-review of the… Continue reading

Personal Data Protection Bill 2019

The Personal Data Protection Bill (2019) has several provisions which could have implications for the privacy of an individual. The article examines such provisions and highlights the need for further debate on the Bill. Evolution of privacy as a fundamental right The Supreme Court in MP Sharma v. Satish Chandra (1954) and Kharak Singh v.… Continue reading

Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP), 2020

The Department of Science and Technology has published the draft National Science Technology and Innovation Policy and has invited suggestions from the public. Q.The STIP, 2020 contains radical and progressive proposals that could be game-changers for not just the scientific research community, but also for the way ordinary Indians interact with Science. Discuss. STIP, 2020… Continue reading

[pib] Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI)

The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare has released INDIA REPORT on Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1. Discuss various issues pertaining to old-age care in India. Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) LASI is a full–scale national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, and social determinants and consequences of population… Continue reading

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have agreed on to resume negotiations to resolve their decade-long complex dispute over the Grand Renaissance Dam hydropower project in the Horn of Africa. Note: You never know when UPSC might switch map based questions away from the Middle East and SE Asia. Considering this news, the UPSC may ask a… Continue reading

India to explore Lithium reserves in Argentina

India has inked a pact with an Argentine firm to jointly prospect lithium in the South American country. Why such a move? Currently, India is heavily dependent on import of these cells and the move to ink sourcing pacts for lithium is seen as another salvo in the front against China, a key source of… Continue reading

Quality gigs, a solution to urban unemployment

With the lack of NREGA equivalent in the urban area government has to find ways to provide income support and employment. The article suggests ways to do the same. Slowdown in employment recovery The Indian economy has been gradually recovering from historic contraction of negative 23.9%. This recovery has shifted focus away from the employment… Continue reading

School Bag Policy, 2020

The Directorate of Education has issued a circular asking school to follow the new ‘School Bag Policy, 2020’ released by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Q.What are the features of the School Bag Policy, 2020? Discuss how heavy school bags are a serious threat to the health and learning capability of… Continue reading

PATENTS (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2020

A recent amendment to a unique feature in patent law under which patentee/licensee has to disclose information regarding the extent to which they have worked patent in India, could have several implications. Why the changes in rules matter Indian patent law grants a 20-year patent monopoly to an inventor. In exchange for such monopoly, India’s… Continue reading

Blueprint of post covid development model

The article discusses the themes of the post-covid world which will be somewhat more aware and mindful of the dangers of global dimension. Collaborative model and public-private partnership A few weeks back, Prime Minister visited the private companies involved with the formulation of the anti-COVID vaccine. The PM’s visit was one more reminder of the… Continue reading

Carrying out transformational reforms in military

The article examines issues of national security like the recent creation of a Department of Military Affairs (DMA) and a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and also some focus areas like Threatre Command. Understanding the significance of DMA and CDS Through the creation of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the management of the armed forces,… Continue reading

FSSAI slashes limit for Trans Fats level in food

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has capped the amount of trans fatty acids (TFA) in oils and fats to 3% for 2021 and 2% by 2022 from the current permissible limit of 5%. New FSSAI norms FSSAI has acted in response to the amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition… Continue reading

Places in news: Deepor Beel

Assam has prohibited community fishing at Deepor Beel, a wetland on the south-western edge of Guwahati and it’s the only Ramsar site. Try this PYQ: In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass? (a) Biosphere reserves (b) National parks (c)… Continue reading

[pib] Kochi – Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline

PM will today dedicate the Kochi – Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline to the nation. Try this PYQ: Q. Consider the following statements: Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma. Dharwars are famous for petroleum. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2… Continue reading

Issues with U.P. religious conversion ordinance

The article examines the provision of U.P. governments religious conversion ordinance and issues with these provision. Power to promulgate an ordinance As per Article 213(1) of the Constitution of India, there are three pre-conditions to be satisfied before the Governor promulgates an ordinance, these are: 1) The State Legislature should not be in session. 2)… Continue reading

RBI comes up with Digital Payments Index

The RBI has constructed a composite Digital Payments Index (DPI) with March 2018 as the base period to capture the extent of digitization of payments across the country. Note various indicators of the DPI. Digital Payments Index RBI-DPI will be published on the central bank’s website on a semi-annual basis from March 2021 onwards with… Continue reading

The Battle of Bhima-Koregaon (1818)

The history of the Bhima-Koregaon battle should be taught in schools, said the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment. Try this PYQ: What was the immediate cause for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade and fight the Third Battle of Panipat: (a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy… Continue reading

[pib] Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme

The Union govt. has decided to extend the benefit of the Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) to all export goods with effect from 1st January 2021. 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

Give adequate time for investigation

Andhra Pradesh’s Disha Bill of 2019 seeks to reduce the time period for investigation of some crimes to seven days. Such a move could have several consequences. The article deals with that issue. State governments reducing the period of investigation The proposed Maharashtra Shakti Act of 2020 will have a provision to complete the investigation… Continue reading

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