Lancet’s analysis of population trends for 2017-2100

When this century ends, India may no longer be a country of a billion, says a projection that appears in the online edition of the Lancet. The reference forecasts for China and India peaked before 2050 and both countries thereafter had steep declining trajectories. Try this question from CSP 2011: Q.India is regarded as a… Continue reading

No medical examination for Trans Persons

After facing flak from the transgender community, the Centre has done away with the requirement of a medical examination for trans persons applying for a certificate of identity in its latest draft rules framed under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Practice question for mains: Q.What are the salient features of the Transgender… Continue reading

Hope: UAE’s first mission to Mars

The launch of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first mission to Mars has been delayed by two days due to bad weather conditions which were scheduled to take off from its launch site, Tanegashima Space Center, in Japan. Try this question from CSP 2014: Q.Which of the following pair is/are correctly matched? Spacecraft Purpose 1.… Continue reading

Mapping: Melghat Tiger Reserve

Maharashtra CM has sought alternative routes for the proposed broad gauge conversion of a railway line passing through the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district. Try this question from CSP 2012: Consider the following protected areas: 1. Bandipur 2. Bhitarkanika 3. Manas 4. Sunderbans Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves? (a) 1 and… Continue reading

Azad Pattan Hydel Project

Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project on the Jhelum River in Sudhoti district of PoK. Try this question from CSP 2019: Q.What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati? (a) Recently discovered uranium deposits (b) Tropical rain forests (c) Underground cave… Continue reading

[pib] PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education

Union HRD Ministry has released PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education through online medium. Practice question for mains: Q.Discuss the impact of the COVID induced lockdowns on the education system in India. Give some solutions for it. PRAGYATA guidelines The guidelines include eight steps of online/ digital learning that is, Plan- Review- Arrange- Guide- Yak(talk)- Assign-… Continue reading

[pib] India’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) of SDGs

The NITI Aayog has recently presented India’s second Voluntary National Review at the UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, 2020. Practice question for mains: Q.Discuss the institutional approach adopted by NITI Aayog for the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. About the UN Forum on SDGs The… Continue reading

India’s Military Ties with Nepal

Soldiers from Nepal form a significant part of the Indian Army’s legendary Gurkha regiment. Here is a brief explainer on the origin and evolution of these ties. Practice question for mains: Q.“India has special and time-tested military ties with Nepal”. Analyse. India’s military ties with Nepal: The origin India’s military connection with the Himalayan country… Continue reading

Google for India Digitization Fund (GIDF)

Technology giant Google will invest $10 billion (₹75,000 crores) in India as part of the ‘Google for India Digitization Fund (GIDF)’. Practice question for mains: Q.Discuss the role of foreign investment in the digital transformation of India. About GIDF The GIDF focuses on digitizing the economy and building India-first products and services. The plan is… Continue reading

Afghanistan–Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA)

Pakistan has allowed Afghanistan to send goods to India using the Wagah border. The decision is a part of Islamabad’s commitment under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). A statement based question can be asked upon the agreement on terms like: 1. Reciprocal trade with India 2. Railways/Road/Air transit whether allowed About the agreement The… Continue reading

Breaking the politicians-criminals-bureaucrats nexus

The root cause of impunity with which police perpetrated crimes lies in the in a nexus. The nexus between politicians, criminals and government functionaries needs to be broken down. This article suggests the ways to do that. The context The recent custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu and encounter of a criminal by the UP police… Continue reading

Chabahar Rail Project

The Iranian government has decided to proceed with the construction of Chabahar Rail Project on its own, citing delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project. What is the issue? Four years ago, India and Iran signed an agreement to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border… Continue reading

Dehing Patkai WLS to be upgraded into National Park

The Assam government has decided to upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a National Park. Try this question from CSP 2019: Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone? (a) Manas National Park (b) Namdapha National Park (c) Neora Valley National Park (d) Valley of Flowers National Park Dehing… Continue reading

Mapping: Islands of Polynesia

How did the Polynesian peoples come to live on the far-flung islands of the Pacific? The question has intrigued researchers for centuries. The newscard contains some trivial facts. However, aspirants are advised to observe the map. Study on Polynesia Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl brought the topic to public attention when he sailed a balsa-wood raft… Continue reading

Mapping: Mont Blanc

The melting Mont Blanc glacier in the French Alps yielded a clutch of newspapers with banner headlines from when Indira Gandhi became India’s first and so far only woman Prime Minister in 1966. Try this MCQ Q.The Mont Blanc in the Alps can be located near the conflux of which of the following two countries?… Continue reading

Smart Cities Mission and the public health

“Smart Cities Mission” lacks the focus on public health. This article highlights the consequences of this. The article suggests strengthening the of local governments and provisions for the livelihood through an urban employment guarantee scheme. “Smart Cities Mission”: Progress so far The ‘Smart Cities Mission’, a flagship programme of the government, completed five years, in… Continue reading

Policing the police

Custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu and death of a criminal in UP has brought to the fore the issue of illegalities carried out by the police. This article discusses the ways in which people face such illegalities and need for the reforms. Issue of illegalities by police It is common practice in police stations to… Continue reading

Election Commission (EC)’s power to delay elections

Political parties are increasingly voicing concerns over holding elections in Bihar amid a pandemic. This newscard contains some interesting facts related to conduct and postpone of elections. EC’s power to hold elections The EC is mandated under law to hold elections at any time within six months before the five-year term of the Lok Sabha… Continue reading

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) signed MoU with NCRB

The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has signed an MoU with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to access the centralised online database on FIRs and stolen vehicles. The MoU would enable the NATGRID to get information about details of a suspect as mentioned in the FIR such as his/her father’s name, telephone number and other… Continue reading

What is T Cells Immunity?

A recent study has shown that people unexposed to and not infected with novel coronavirus may still exhibit T cell responses specific to this virus. It is thought that Coronavirus specific T cell responses seen in healthy people might arise from memory T cells derived from exposure to ‘common cold’ coronaviruses. Try this question from… Continue reading

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