What is Interplanetary Contamination?

As ambitious space missions are proliferating, along with advances in commercial space flight, astrobiologists have expressed concerns about possible ‘interplanetary contamination’. A statements based question can be expected from the two types of interplanetary contamination. What is Interplanetary Contamination? Interplanetary contamination refers to biological contamination of a planetary body by a space probe or spacecraft,… Continue reading

[pib] Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet)

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has planned to develop a World-Class Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet). Note the salient features of the KRCNet. UPSC may puzzle you asking which of these is/are not a feature of KRCNet. KRCNet Portal KRCs will be connected with each other and integrated into the KRCNet portal. It will… Continue reading

[pib] Special Window for Affordable and Mid Income Housing (SWAMIH)

Union Minister for Finance has informed that so far Rs 8767 crore has been approved for 81 projects under Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund I. Try this MCQ: Q.The SWAMIH Fund recently seen in news is related to: (a) Higher Education (b) MSMEs (c) Housing (d) Highways SWAMIH Fund In… Continue reading

[pib] INDSAT exam under ‘Study in India’ Programme

The Ministry of HRD conducted the first-ever Indian Scholastic Assessment (IND-SAT) Test 2020 under its ‘Study in India’ programme. Try this MCQ: Q.The INDSAT recently seen in news is a: a) Free-to-air educational TV channels for school education b) A satellite for educational purposes c) IMD weather forecasting system d) Online examination for foreign students… Continue reading

SDGs amid Covid

Context As lockdown eases, return to business as usual is unimaginable in Asia and Pacific which was already off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Efforts to respond to the pandemic have revealed how many people in our societies live precariously close to poverty and hunger. Progress towards SDGs in pandemic The SDGs … Continue reading

Governor’s Discretionary Powers in Assembly Deadlock

A Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court has held that a Governor is bound to convene a meeting of the Assembly for a floor test on the recommendation of the Cabinet. Try this question for mains: Q. “Time and again, the courts have spoken out against the Governor acting in the capacity of an… Continue reading

Kashmir saffron gets GI certificate

The J&K administration has issued the certificate of geographical indication (GI) registration for saffron grown in the Kashmir Valley. Must read: GI Tags in news for 2020 Prelims All time GI tags in news Kashmir saffron It is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) in some regions of Kashmir, including Pulwama, Budgam, Kishtwar and… Continue reading

Need for open protocols and networks in the realm of internet

We are familiar with the dominance of some platforms on the internet. That dominance start to create problems. This article discusses the issues with dominance and suggests the solution drawing on the success of UPI. Platforms on the internet Platforms are technology layers that leverage the internet to bring together producers, resellers and consumers. Platforms… Continue reading

RBI signs $400 mn currency swap facility for Sri Lanka

The RBI has agreed to a $400 million currency swap facility for Sri Lanka till November 2022. Practice question for mains: Q. What are Currency Swaps? Discuss the efficacy of Currency Swap Agreements for liberalizing bilateral trade. Why such move by RBI? The RBI’s action follows a recent bilateral ‘technical discussion’ on rescheduling Colombo’s outstanding… Continue reading

In news: National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

India’s premier organisation mandated to collect data about diseases, the NCDC is failing in its task as the spread of COVID-19 continues unabated. Practice question for mains: Q. Health infrastructure in India is hardly capable of handling any pandemic. Critically comment. About the National Centre for Disease Control The NCDC carries out nationwide disease surveillance… Continue reading

[pib] Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY)

The Centre has distributed 100 electric potter wheels to 100 trained artisans under the KSY. Try this question from CSP 2018: Q. Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code. Organising village panchayats. Promoting cottage industries… Continue reading

Rosalind Franklin: the unsung heroine of DNA

The famous British scientist and virologist Rosalind Franklin is remembered across the world on her birth centenary who worked to construct the double-helix structure of DNA. Try this PYQ from CSP 2019: DNA/RNA has been an all-time favourite of UPSC! Q.‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few years. Why? It is… Continue reading

Gold and forex reserves cannot finance stimulus

The article analyses the issues with suggestions like printing of currency and using forex reserves to finance the stimulus. They also lead to an increase in government debts. Context Prime Minister announced a stimulus package of ₹20 trillion to fight the economic fallout of the covid pandemic. Since then, several unorthodox ideas have been floated… Continue reading

False urban rural binary

The article brings out the issues in the rural-urban binary, which leads to the disparity in the allocation of resources to the urban areas. Congestion and health issues in cities The congestion in large cities has turned out to be their worst enemy during this pandemic. Congestion is most evident in slums in large cities… Continue reading

Women officers can now get permanent commission in Indian Army

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued the formal Government Sanction Letter for grant of Permanent Commission (PC) to women officers in the Army. Try this question for mains: Q.“Concern for equality of sexes or political expediency should not influence defence policies.” Discuss on lines with the debate over the induction of women in the… Continue reading

Bats and their Ecological Significance

The COVID pandemic has magnified our fear of bats, but their conservation is crucial to prevent such events from arising again. Try this PYQ from CSP 2014: Q.Consider the following: Bats Bears Rodents The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2… Continue reading

COVID-19 Law Lab

The UN agencies have started a portal called the COVID-19 Law Lab to host all recent legal enactments to fight the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Note the following things about COVID-19 Law Lab: 1) It is an online portal and not a cubical laboratory 2) Parent agency includes the UN and WHO 3) It… Continue reading

Transforming higher education

The issues of quality of higher education explain the lack of employability of Indian youth. This article examines the issue and suggests the approach to deal with the issue. Three learning outcomes The first is to provide knowledge in the relevant discipline to the students. Second, imparting students with the skills needed for their jobs/enterprises.… Continue reading

[pib] Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) in Gujarat

The indigenously designed 700 MWe reactor at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project has achieved Criticality. Try this PYQ from CSP 2013: Q. The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz, gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not… Continue reading

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