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

Govt. hikes poll expenditure ceiling by 10%

The Law Ministry has increased the ceiling on poll expenditure for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections by 10% following a recommendation by the Election Commission in view of curbs imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. Try answering this question: Q.Ceiling on election expenses ends up being counterproductive and encourages candidates to under-report their expenditure. Critically analyse.… Continue reading

Ghar Tak Fibre Scheme

The government’s ambitious ‘Ghar Tak Fibre’ scheme — which aims to connect all the villages with high-speed internet — is off to a slow start in poll-bound Bihar. Note the features of FTTH connections. They make a perfect case for a statement based prelims question. Also, try this PYQ: Q.Consider the following statements regarding optical… Continue reading

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

The Agriculture Ministry has rolled out the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme to assist cooperatives in the creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country. Can you find the peculiarity of this scheme? Yes. It’s the Agriculture and not the Health Ministry. Ayushman Sahakar Scheme The scheme is formulated by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the apex… Continue reading

AIDS & India

The article highlights the achievement in the fight against AIDS. Most significant are the achievements in the prevention of transmission from mother-to-child. Significant gains As per recently released 2019 HIV estimates by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO)/Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the technical support of UNAIDS there has been a 66.1% reduction… Continue reading

Security implications of Doha Accord for India

We have been spared of some unfortunate news of terrorist attacks in the recent past, however, it would be mistake to discount the threat posed by the terrorist organisations especially when we consider the backdrop of Doha Accord. The article deals with the threat of terrorism. Declining support Terrorist organisations like Taliban, al-Qaeda, Islamic State,… Continue reading

[pib] Framework for Regulatory Sandbox

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has introduced a framework for Regulatory Sandbox to tap into innovative Fin-tech solutions. Try answering this simple question: Q.What is Regulatory Sandbox? What are its salient features? Regulatory Sandbox A regulatory sandbox usually refers to live testing of new products or services in a controlled/test regulatory environment for… Continue reading

Malabar Naval Exercise

Upping the ante against China amid the ongoing LAC confrontations, Australia has formally accepted India’s invite for the upcoming Malabar Exercise. About Ex. Malabar Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise involving the United States, Japan and India as permanent partners. Originally begun in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the United States,… Continue reading

What are District Development Councils (DDCs)?

The Centre has amended the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, to facilitate the setting up of District Development Councils (DDC). Tap to read more about: Reorganization of J&K What are DDCs? DDCs structure will include a DDC and a District Planning Committee (DPC). The J&K administration has also amended the J&K Panchayati Raj… Continue reading

[pib] Buldhana Pattern of water conservation

Maharashtra’s ‘Buldana Pattern’ of water conservation’ has won national recognition and the NITI Aayog is in the process of formulating National Policy on water conversation based on it. Refer this link to read more about traditional water conservations systems in India: https://geographyandyou.com/ten-traditional-water-conservation-methods/ What is ‘Buldhana Pattern’? It is based on the synchronization of national highway… Continue reading

[pib] Exercise SLINEX-20

The Eighth Edition of annual Indian Navy (IN) – Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-20 is scheduled off Trincomalee. About SLINEX-20 SLINEX-20 aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies. In addition, the exercise will also showcase the capabilities of our… Continue reading

What are Hybrid Funds?

This newscard is an excerpt from an originally FAQ published in TH. Try this PYQ: Q.Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly? (a) Certificate of Deposit (b) Commercial Paper (c) Promissory Note (d) Participatory… Continue reading

Analysing the trends in India’s population growth

The article analyses some trends in India’s population growth as found in the Sample Registration System Statistical Report (2018). Context There have been some encouraging trends in India’s population in the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report (2018) and global population projections made by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), US. Declining TFR SRS… Continue reading

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