RBI’s Positive Pay system

The new ‘Positive Pay’ mechanism was recently introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Try this PYQ: With reference to digital payments, consider the following statements: BHIM app allows the user to transfer money to anyone with a UPI-enabled bank account. While a chip-pin debit card has four factors authentication, BHIM app has only… Continue reading

In news: Mauritius Oil Spill

A Japanese ship recently struck a coral reef resulting in an oil spill of over 1,000 tonnes into the Indian Ocean near Mauritius. Try this PYQ: Q.Recently, “oil zapper’’ was in the news. What is it? (CSP 2011) (a) It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills. (b) It… Continue reading

[pib] Sarabhai Crater

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has named a crater captured by Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter after Vikram Sarabhai. Try this PYQ: What do you understand by the term Aitken Basin? (CSP 2012) (a) It is a desert in southern Chile which is known to be the only location on earth where no rainfall takes place… Continue reading

Census 2021 and the long-pending reforms

In all likelihood, the February 2021 Census will have to be rescheduled to ensure comparability with earlier censuses. This will also affect the National Sample Surveys and others that use the census as the sampling frame. The delay can, however, be used to introduce much-needed reforms to this gigantic exercise whose roots go back to… Continue reading

UAE, Israel reach agreement to establish diplomatic ties

The United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state. What is the deal? The deal halts Israeli annexation plans, the Palestinians have repeatedly urged Arab governments not to normalize ties with… Continue reading

Story of our National Flag

The final design of the Indian National Flag, hoisted by PM Nehru on August 16, 1947, at Red Fort, had a history of several decades preceding independence. Note various personalities involved in the development of our National flag. It may be no wonder to accept a personality-based question on such topics. Story of our National… Continue reading

One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) Initiative

The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has put calls for proposals to the One Sun, One World, and One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative on hold till further notice. Try this PYQ: Q.Consider the following statements: The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. The Alliance includes… Continue reading

Species in news: Great Indian Hornbill

A study based on satellite data has flagged a high rate of deforestation in a major hornbill habitat in Arunachal Pradesh. Try this PYQ: Q. In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat? (CSP 2016) (a) Sand deserts of northwest… Continue reading

Perseids Meteor Shower

The Perseids meteor shower is going to be active from August 17-26. Try this question from CSP 2014: Q.What is a coma, in the content of astronomy? (a) Bright half of material on the comet (b) Long tail of dust (c) Two asteroids orbiting each other (d) Two planets orbiting each other What is the… Continue reading

Making sense of population growth of India

The article analyses and explains the declining trend in India’s total fertility rate. The aspirational revolution in the parents explains such decline. What the projections say A new study was published in The Lancet, and prepared by the Seattle-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). It argues that while India is destined to be… Continue reading

Clause 6 of the Assam Accord

In February, a government-appointed committee had submitted its recommendations for implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, a key provision that has been contentious for decades. Must read: https://www.civilsdaily.com/burning-issue-assam-nrc/ What is Clause 6? It is a part of the Assam Accord which came at the culmination of a movement against immigration from Bangladesh. It… Continue reading

Hindu Women’s Inheritance Rights

The Supreme Court has expanded a Hindu woman’s right to be a joint legal heir and inherit ancestral property on terms equal to male heirs. What is the ruling? The SC Bench ruled that a Hindu woman’s right to be a joint heir to the ancestral property is by birth and does not depend on… Continue reading

[pib] Krishi Megh: A Cloud-based Data Recovery Centre

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has launched the Krishi Megh Data Recovery Centre. Do not get confused with the name ‘Krishi Megh’. One might mistakenly relate it to some weather forecasting tool of the Indian Meteorological Department. Krishi Megh The Krishi Megh has been set up at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management… Continue reading

In news: Loya Jirga

The Afghan Loya Jirga approves release of 400 ‘hard-core’ Taliban prisoners. The term seems peculiar. We may expect a prelim question on the same. What is Loya Jirga? A Loya Jirga is a special type of jirga, or legal assembly, in Pashtunwali, the traditional code of laws of the Pashtun people. It is mainly organized… Continue reading

Making up for shortfalls in GST collection

The article deals with the issue of shortfall in the GST compensation cess and the challenge Central government faces to pay the promised compensation to the states. Background of the cess GST subsumed several taxes, including those which were the preserve of the States. Therefore it required an amendment to the Constitution of India. The… Continue reading

Increasing dependence on indirect taxes and issues with it

India, with a tax-GDP ratio of 10.9 per cent in 2019 needs an overhaul of its tax system. This article analyses India’s growing dependence on indirect taxes and its implications for the poor. Important changes in direct taxes The wealth tax was abolished in 2016. Wealth tax was replaced by a 2 per cent surcharge… Continue reading

What is the Negative Imports List for Defence?

The Defence Ministry announced a list of 101 items that it will stop importing. Try this question for mains: Q.Being one of the top importers of defence equipment India is well placed to enhance its domestic manufacturing capacity of defence equipment. Yet, India lacks it after repeated attempts to achieve it. Examine the reasons for… Continue reading

Submarine Cable Connectivity to Andaman and Nicobar Islands

PM has launched the submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connecting Andaman & Nicobar Islands to the mainland. Try this PYQ: Q. Consider the following statements regarding optical fibres: A layer called the cladding, which has a refractive index more than that of the core, surrounds the core of the optical fibre. Light is propagated in… Continue reading

[pib] Himalayan Geothermal Springs release huge amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

The Himalayas, which hosts about 600 geothermal springs needs to be considered while estimating emissions to the carbon cycle and thereby to global warming says, Indian researchers. Note the following hot springs in India: 1) Panamik in Nubra valley 2) Kheer Ganga in Kullu, Himachal 3) Manikaran Sahib, Himachal 4) Tattapani, Chhattisgarh 5) Gaurikund, Uttarakhand… Continue reading

The new consumer

The focus of this article is on the behavioural changes in the consumer post Covid. It also suggest the ways to deal with these changes. Context The consumer during and post-COVID is showing remarkable flexibility, bringing about a paradigm shift in her consumption pattern. Issue of generating demand Some state governments are busy demanding the… Continue reading

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