Indo-Pacific region

As India tries to diffuse the tension along the disputed northern border with China, it must focus on the other potential fronts that China could open. India Ocean could be the next one. This article examines the centrality of the Indian Ocean for China and their approach to the region. India’s Indo-Pacific vision This vision… Continue reading

How to counter China

There is no doubt that an economically prosperous India will be well placed to deal with China effectively. So, to achieve this prosperity India urgently needs to embark upon the path of reforms. How much China has moved ahead In 1987, both countries’ nominal GDPs were almost equal. China’s economic opening-up has left India behind,… Continue reading

What is Winter Diesel?

India’s armed forces may soon be using winter diesel for operations in high altitude areas such as Ladakh, where winter temperatures plummet to extremely low as -30° Celsius. This year BS-VI compliant fuel was in news. Try differentiating the Winter Diesel with the BS-VI fuel. What is Winter Diesel? Winter diesel is a specialised fuel… Continue reading

Sindhu Darshan Puja

During his day-long whirlwind visit, PM Narendra performed Sindhu Darshan Puja at Nimu, the forward brigade place in Ladakh. Sindhu Darshan Puja. ⦁ Sindhu Darshan Festival is a festival of India held every year on full moon day (on Guru Purnima) in the month of June. ⦁ It is held at Leh, in Ladakh District… Continue reading

Plastic waste management in pandemic

The threat posed by plastic waste to the environment is well established. The corona pandemic has led to an increase in plastic waste. This article suggests some ways to deal with the issue. Rising plastic use during pandemic In 2018, a report by McKinsey estimated that, globally, we generate 350 million tonnes of plastic waste.… Continue reading

Prerak Dauur Samman

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) announced a new category of awards titled ‘Prerak Dauur Samman’ as part of Swachh Survekshan 2021. Try this question: Q. The Prerak Dauur Samman recently seen in news is related to: a) Swachh Bharat b) Literature c) Health Services d) Visual Arts Prerak Dauur Samman The Prerak… Continue reading

What is the Hagia Sophia?

Turkey’s highest court this week convened to decide whether Istanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia museum can be turned into a mosque. Try this question: Q. The iconic Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage site was recently in news. It is situated in: a) Greece b) Turkey c) Israel d) Iran What is the Hagia Sophia? The… Continue reading

Safety net of income post Covid

Providing a minimum basic income post-Covid will require some novel approach. This article proposes an approach with the mix of direct cash transfer and changes in the employment guarantee scheme. Non-universal targeted programs It is true that a universal schemes are easy to implement. Non-universal targeted programmes face the problem of identification. Narrowly-targeted programmes will… Continue reading

Biodiversity Governance: The agreements and laws that help enforce it

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Project

The heavy engineering division of L&T dispatched a giant Cryostat lid, to International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) site in France from its Hazira unit in Gujarat. Try this MCQ: Q.With reference to International science projects, consider the following: Large Hadron Collider (LHC)– The God Particle Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) – The World’s Most Advanced Telescope… Continue reading

What are Containment Zones?

In the current pandemic, all interventions are primarily geared towards reducing people-to-people contact, and thus breaking the chain of transmission to the extent possible. The demarcation of containment zones, which works at a more micro level, is likely to remain as long as the disease is spreading. Practice question for mains: Q.Discuss how the preemptive… Continue reading

Tillari Conservation Reserve

The Maharashtra state forest department on declared 29.53 sq. km area of Dodamarg forest range in Sindhudurg district as ‘Tillari Conservation Reserve’. Note the differences between Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves. Their shuffled meanings can be asked directly in statements based MCQs. Tillari Conservation Reserve This area is known to serve as a corridor and… Continue reading

Timbuktu: The faraway land

Timbuktu is a western African city whose name is a metaphor for a place too exotic and remote to even imagine, now is in the grasp of Covid-19. Try this question from CSP 2018: Q.Very recently, in which of the following countries have lakhs of people either suffered from severe famine/acute malnutrition or died due… Continue reading

‘Accelerate Vigyan’ Scheme

To provide a single platform for research internships, capacity building programs and workshops across the country, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has launched a new scheme called ‘Accelerate Vigyan’ (AV). Note the following things about the ‘Accelerate Vigyan’ Scheme: 1) Implementing agency/ Nodal Ministry 2) Primary objective 3) Target beneficiaries 4) Its components… Continue reading

Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

The Environment Ministry has reconstituted the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to include an expert from the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, and a molecular biologist. Note following things about CZA: 1)Its constitution under any Act 2)Composition 3)Roles and functions About CZA The CZA is the body of the government responsible for oversight of zoos… Continue reading

Festival in news: Bahuda Yatra

The Bahuda Yatra, the return journey of the deities to the Puri Jagannath temple after the annual Rath Yatra, was recently concluded amid permitted restrictions. Bahuda Yatra A/c to folk stories Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Goddess Shubhadra and Lord Balabhadra, returns from their aunt’s place at Gundicha Temple to Jagannath Temple. This journey is… Continue reading

Legal principles to reduce custodial deaths and torture

This article enumerates the existing legal framework to avoid custodial torture and deaths. Judiciary played a major role in the evolution of these procedures. Yet, incidents of custodial deaths happen. This points to the lack of implementation of established guidelines and procedures. Understanding the background of problem In wake of custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu,… Continue reading

State of the World Population Report 2020

The UNFPA has released the State of the World Population Report 2020. Highlights of the WPR I) Global prospects According to estimates averaged over a five year period (2013-17), annually, there were 1.2 million missing female births, at a global level. The same study shows that in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan excess female mortality of… Continue reading

In news: Santhal Rebellion

Covid-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of annual public observance of Hul in Jharkhand. Try this question from CSP 2018: Q.After the Santhal uprising subsided, what was/ were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government? The territories called ‘Santhal Paraganas’ were created. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non… Continue reading

G4 Flu virus and it’s pandemic potential

In new research, scientists from China – which has the largest population of pigs in the world – have identified a “recently emerged” strain of influenza virus that is infecting Chinese pigs and that has the potential of triggering a pandemic. Practice question for mains: Q.What are zoonotic diseases? Why China has emerged as the… Continue reading

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