EOS-01 Satellite

India would launch its latest earth observation satellite EOS-01 and nine international customer spacecraft onboard it’s PSLV-C49. Try this PYQ: Q.The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of: (a) An indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence (b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim… Continue reading

Controlling the distorting power of the global capital

Issues with free trade are making themselves more evident in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. The article analyses the growing influence of the capital and how it is benefiting the few. Issues with free trade Debates about free trade revolves around value of economic growth vs. the values of justice. The Economist (October 5)… Continue reading

Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

The Centre has designated 18 key operatives and leaders of extremists groups as individual terrorists under the recently-amended Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Try this question for mains: Q.“Anti-terror laws should not be used as a tool to silence the critics of the government.” Discuss in context to the recent amendments to the Unlawful Activities… Continue reading

Water on the Moon

The Moon has water at places where none had been detected before and has potentially more water than previously believed in regions where it was already understood to exist. Try this MCQ: Q.NASA’s VIPER mission sometimes seen in news is related to the study of- a)Moon b)Venus c)Sun d)None of these Water on the moon… Continue reading

Natural gas to come under GST

Officials have indicated that the government is considering bringing natural gas under the ambit of the GST regime. Try this question from CSP 2018: Q.Consider the following items: Cereal grains hulled Chicken eggs cooked Fish processed and canned Newspapers containing advertising material Which of the above items is/are exempt under GST (Goods and Services Tax)?… Continue reading

Room Temperature Superconductivity

A study has shown that a new material superconducts at 15 degrees Celsius but at extremely high pressure. In India, we often get to hear about the transmission losses in DISCOMS. Such losses can be zeroed with the application of superconducting cables (which is practically impossible unless we find a normal working one). The phenomena,… Continue reading

Dairy production in the Indus Valley Civilization

A new study has shown that dairy products were being produced by the Harappans as far back as 2500 BCE. Try this PYQ: Q.Which one of the following is not a Harappan site? (a) Chanhudaro (b) Kot Diji (c) Sohgaura (d) Desalpur Dairy production in IVC By analysing residues on ancient pots, researchers show the… Continue reading

Species in news: Himalayan Brown Bear

A recent study has predicted massive habitat decline for the Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) by 2050 due to climate change. Try this PYQ: Q. The Himalayan Range is very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon? (a) It has a high rainfall that… Continue reading

Base Year of CPI- Industrial Workers revised to 2016

The Labour and Employment Ministry has revised the base year of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) from 2001 to 2016. Why such a move? This revision reflects the changing consumption pattern, giving more weightage to spending on health, education, recreation and other miscellaneous expenses while reducing the weight of food and… Continue reading

Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025

Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will get a vulture conservation and breeding centre each, according to the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025. Action Plan for Vulture Conservation The action plan was approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) October 5, 2020. An earlier one was formulated in 2006 for three… Continue reading

In news: International Labour Organization

After 35 years, India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Governing Body of International Labour Organization (ILO). Try this PYQ: Q.The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards a greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at: (a) The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg (b) The… Continue reading

UN Report on Gender Gap in Labour Market

Gender equality across the world remains a far-fetched goal and no country has achieved it so far, according to the 2020 edition of the United Nations report on the state of gender equality in the world. Try this question for mains: Q.Discuss how marriage age and women’s health are linked with each other? About the Report… Continue reading

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx lands on Asteroid Bennu

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft briefly touched asteroid Bennu, from where it is meant to collect samples of dust and pebbles and deliver them back to Earth in 2023. The OSIRIS-REx mission OSIRIS-REx stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer. This is NASA’s first mission meant to return a sample from the ancient asteroid.… Continue reading

What is Blue Dot Network?

A group of US Senators has written to India asking to join the Blue Dot Network. Try this MCQ: Q.The Blue Dot Network recently seen in news is a global alliance for: a) Beaches Certification b) Infrastructure development c) 5G connectivity d) Patents regulation The Blue Dot Network Blue Dot is a US-led collaboration with… Continue reading

The NEP 2020 must look beyond just data science and AI

The article deals with the issues with the emphasis on the coding instead of understanding the basic algorithmic process. Issues with focusing on coding in NEP 2020 The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) envisages putting greater emphasis on mathematical and computational thinking throughout the school years. The framing in the NEP appears to put it… Continue reading

What is ‘Infodemic’ Management?

Managing the “infodemic” has been a serious challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, says a Chief Scientist at World Health Organization (WHO). Try this question for mains: Q.‘Infodemic’ management these days has become a greater challenge than the actual course of pandemic management. Discuss. Defining Infodemic Infodemic implies too much information, including false or misleading information,… Continue reading

State of Global Air Report, 2020

Air pollution now biggest health risk in India, says the State of Global Air 2020 Report. State of Global Air Report The State of Global Air report brings into one place the latest information on air quality and health for countries around the globe. It is produced annually by the Health Effects Institute and the… Continue reading

Medicinal plants in news

This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in DownToEarth. Explained below are the medicinal properties of 10 valuable plants known to boost natural immunity: (1) Abrusprecatorius (Indian liquorice, Ratti) The bright red ovoid seeds with a black spot weigh 1/10th of a gram, and were hence used as weighing unit called ‘Ratti’… Continue reading

Issues with dilution of offset condition for defence procurement

The ‘offset clause’ could help the country achieve the technological expertise and consequently self-reliance. However, India recently relaxed some norms in the policy. The article discusses the stated reasons for tweaking and its implications for the defence manufacturing industry in India. Context Recently, the government diluted the “offset” policy in defence procurement, reportedly in response… Continue reading

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