International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

The Ministry of Shipping has informed about the steps taken for prevention and control of pollution arising from ships in the sea and in the inland waterways under the MARPOL Convention. Aspirants must note the following things: 1. If the convention is a subsidiary to the United Nations/IMO, 2. Whether it is Legally binding? 3.… Continue reading

Green colour band for BS-VI 4W vehicles

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued an order mandating a coloured strip to identify four-wheeled BSVI vehicle. Note important PM levels allowed under BS VI norms. Note how it is different from the earlier BS IV norm. Details of the colour band MoRTH has mandated a strip of green colour of… Continue reading

[Burning Issue] Reorienting MGNREGA in times of COVID

Termed in a moment of hubris by present government as ‘“a living monument of UPA’s failures”, the government has fallen back on this Scheme in this moment of crisis. This piece is an attempt to understand the silent success of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) which was allegedly dying a… Continue reading

Tax Avoidance: case study on Flipkart deal

Through this story, we will explore how investment fund companies exploit the tax agreements between the two countries. This story involves the famous case of investment by Walmart in Flipkart. So, let’s see what was involved in the case and what argument was made by the investment fund involved in the case. Tax avoidance Tax… Continue reading

Explained: Gross Value Added (GVA) Method

The National Statistical Office (NSO) recently released its provisional estimates of national income for the financial year 2019-20. The release also detailed the estimates of the Gross Value Added (GVA). Try this question from CSP 2011: Q. In the context of Indian economy, consider the following statements 1. The growth rate of GDP has steadily… Continue reading

Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC)

Senior lawmakers from eight democracies including the US have united to counter Communist China. They have launched the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). Points to ponder: The world is growing conscious against China after its coronavirus adventure. IPAC is the first step towards the institutionalization of the Anti-China consciousness! What should be India’s stance here?… Continue reading

Environment Performance Index 2020

India has secured 168 ranks in the 12th edition of the biennial Environment Performance Index (EPI Index 2020). CSP 2019 has been a year with two questions based on rankings and indices viz. the EoDB index and Global Competitiveness Index. Note all such indices and their publishing agencies here at [Prelims Spotlight] Important reports and… Continue reading

Aerosols Radiative Effects in the Himalayas

Indian researchers have found that the effect of anthropogenic aerosols is much higher over the high altitudes of western trans-Himalayas. Try this question from CSP 2019: Q. In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into the stratosphere?… Continue reading

“Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings” Initiative

The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has launched the “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings” initiative that will pioneer ways to make workplaces healthier and greener. Possible prelims question: Q. The MAITREE programme recently seen in news is related to: Trade/Energy Efficiency/Climate Change/ Strategic Relations About the Initiative The initiative has been launched by EESL in… Continue reading

‘Race to Zero’ campaign

The UN has launched the “Race to Zero” campaign ahead of delayed COP 26 Climate Talks. Possible question for prelims: The ‘Race to Zero’ campaign often seen in news is related to zeroing: Global Hunger/Carbon Emission/HR violations/None of these. ‘Race to Zero’ campaign The campaign aims to codify commitments made via the Climate Ambition Alliance… Continue reading

Nagar Van (Urban Forest) Scheme

On the occasion of World Environment Day (5th June), the union govt has announced the implementation of the Nagar Van Scheme to develop 200 Urban Forests across the country in the next five years. Do you know? India has 8 per cent of world’s biodiversity, despite having many constraints like only 2.5 % of the… Continue reading

[Burning Issue] COVID-19 and its Impact on Agriculture

Farmers in India constantly battle against skewed monsoon and erratic rainfall, extreme natural events, interrupted supply chains and rising inflation. Like this was not enough. These troubles now are supplemented this year by the COVID induced lockdowns and the heralding Locusts Attack! God bless our Annadatas! Context The start of the coronavirus pandemic has coincided… Continue reading

Defence reforms must ensure the alignment of its various domains

This article draws on the model used for accident investigation but in a reverse manner. For proper functioning of the defence system of a country, proper alignment of various domains is essential. This article divides the defence system of the country into three layers and visualises them as a slice of cheese in the model.… Continue reading

What is the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)?

Security issue in the disputed South China Sea has helped convince the Philippines to delay quitting a key U.S. military pact called the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Practice question for mains: Q. What’s behind diplomatic tensions in the South China Sea? How it is set to become another flashpoint between the US and China? The… Continue reading

Malabar Naval Exercise to include Australia

India is prepared to expand the Malabar trilateral naval exercise involving India, the U.S. and Japan, to permanently include Australia. Go through the list for once. UPSC may ask a match the pair type question asking exercise name and countries involved. [Prelims Spotlight] Defence Exercises About Ex. Malabar Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise involving… Continue reading

The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)

The govt. has launched the TULIP program for providing internship opportunities to fresh Graduates in all ULBs & Smart Cities. Possible prelims question: Q. The TULIP program recently seen in news is related to: HRD/Floriculture/Urban Livelihood etc. TULIP TULIP is a portal jointly developed by the Ministry of HRD, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs,… Continue reading

What is Inner Line Permit (ILP) and what is its CAA context?

The Supreme Court has declined to stay the operation of a Presidential order which petitioners claimed deprived Assam of the powers to implement the Inner Line system in its districts and limit the applicability of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Try this: Q. The NRC fails to resolve the illegal immigration issue in Assam. Critically Analyse.… Continue reading

What is Superconductivity?

On a larger scale, electric grids, such as high power lines, lose over 5 per cent of their energy in the process of transmission. 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… Continue reading

SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) Initiative

The Union Govt. has launched a new initiative SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the returning citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission. In the first go, one may get reminded of the SWADESH Darshan Scheme… Please beware! This SWADES initiative has nothing to do with the… Continue reading

Global Economic Prospects (GEP) 2020 report by World Bank

The World Bank has released its Global Economic Prospects (GEP) 2020 report. Try this PYQ from CSP 2019 Q.) The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the- (a) International Monetary Fund (b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (c) World Economic Forum (d) World Bank Global Economic Prospects (GEP) GEP is a World Bank… Continue reading

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