Species in news: Pinanga Andamanensis

A rare palm endemic to the South Andaman Island is finding a second home at Thiruvananthapuram-based Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI). Last year one species from our newscard : Species in news: Hump-backed Mahseer made it into the CSP 2019. The ‘Abutilon ranadei’ flower in the newscard creates such a vibe… Continue reading

[pib] Shekatkar Committee recommendations on Border Infrastructure

Government has accepted and implemented three important recommendations of the Committee of Experts (CoE) under the chairmanship of Lt General D B Shekatkar (Retd.) relating to border Infrastructure. Practice question for mains: Q. India’s unique geo-strategic location needs an all-weather and efficient border infrastructure. Comment. About Shekatkar Committee The military reforms committee – under Lt… Continue reading

Atmanirbhar Abhiyan Package

The article examines the various aspects of the recently announced Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (ANBA). But before digging deeper into the ANBA the author ruminates over India’s growth (GDP) story. Reasons for India’s failure to deliver on the economic empowerment are also examined. In the end, the relation between the free economies and the welfare states… Continue reading

Sovereign Gold Bonds: A substitute for physical gold

Gold bond prices rise to near record highs after the second tranche of subscription were closed. Questions based on capital markets are quite frequent these years. Consider this- 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… Continue reading

[pib] National Migrant Information System (NMIS)

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed an online Dashboard – National Migrant Information System (NMIS). Did you notice, the peculiarity of the NMIS? The portal is developed and maintained by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) not Ministry of Labour & employment or Labour bureau. About NMIS The NMIS aims to capture the… Continue reading

International Day of Light and its significance

The UN marks the International Day of Light (IDL) — an annual initiative held globally to raise awareness on the critical role played by light-based technologies in everyday life. The IDL as mentioned in the news creates no scope for a possible prelim question, but the purpose behind its celebration does. i.e. LASER technology. LIDAR… Continue reading

Mapping: Baltic Travel Bubble

The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have opened their borders to one another, creating a coronavirus “travel bubble” with an improvised idea to boost travel into their countries. Mark the following things on Map: 1. Baltic Sea and its bordering nations 2. Irben Strait 3. Gulf of Riga 4. Gulf of Finland Baltic… Continue reading

War and Peace: Analysis of BSF’s role

The BSF came into being in the wake of the 1965 India-Pakistan war. So, its ‘innate’ tasks involves both wartime and peacetime roles. This article is written by a retired IPS officer who has been ADG of BSF. Our aim is to provide you with on-ground experience of issues in this security force. Focus of… Continue reading

Tale of two crises: Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and Corona Financial Crisis (CFC)

Not all financial crises are the same. And this is more so about the two crises that we have been witness to – the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the current Corona Financial Crisis (CFC). The author points out the four key difference in the two crises. These four difference also mean that the… Continue reading

Economic stimulus package for Agriculture

FM has announced plans to enact a central law to permit barrier-free inter-State trade of farm commodities and ensure a legal framework to facilitate contract farming under the third tranche of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan economic stimulus package. Try this question: ‘Doubling Farmer’s Income’ and ‘USD 5 trillion economy’ seems more like slogans today in… Continue reading

Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK)

Pakistan government has signed a contract with a joint venture of a Chinese state-run firm for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam in the PoK. Make a note of major dams in India along with the rivers, terrain, major Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks incident to these rivers. Diamer-Bhasha Dam Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a concreted-filled… Continue reading

Species in news: 40 Gharials released into Ghaghara River in UP

Forty gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) were released in the Ghaghara River by the Bahraich forest division of Uttar Pradesh. This year, we have seen many news focusing on species reintroduction into the wild. Can you recall them?? If not, Click Here. And one may often get confused between the Mugger, Gharial and the Saltwater Crocodile. Note… Continue reading

[pib] Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)

In order to give a boost to domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing, Raksha Mantri has approved the launch of the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS). Practice question for mains: Q. Self-reliance in defence manufacturing is one of the key objectives of ‘Make in India’. Discuss. Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) The DTIS would… Continue reading

‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ System

Finance Minister has announced the nationwide rollout of a ‘One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC)’ system in all states and UTRs by March 2021. As of now, about 20 states have come on board to implement the inter-state ration card portability. Practice question for mains: Q. The ‘One nation one ration card ‘scheme would bring… Continue reading

“Tour of Duty (ToD) Scheme” for Short Service in Indian Army

The Indian Army has planned to take civilians on a three-year “Tour of Duty” (ToD) or short service” on a trial basis to serve as officers and in other ranks initially for a limited number of vacancies which will be expanded later. Practice question for mains: Q. The “Tour of Duty” (ToD) Scheme is a… Continue reading

Global Forest Resources Assessment, 2020

The deforestation rate globally declined between 2015 and 2020, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment, 2020. This decline is a result of sustainable management measures worldwide. Possible prelim question: Q. The Global Forest Resources Assessment Report recently seen in news is published by- a) UN-FAO b) UN Forum on Forests c) International Union of… Continue reading

What self-reliant economy means?

‘Atma-nirbhar’ has become a buzzword after PM Modi mentioned it in his speech. This article analyses the policy statement announced by the PM that focuses on self-reliance of the country in the future. So, what exactly the term self-reliance could include? what are the areas in which India is dependent on other economies? Read the… Continue reading

A plan to revive the broken economy

The article suggests ways to revive the economy while keeping in mind the livelihood issues of the vulnerable section of society. Urgent concern should be addressed by the food and cash transfer, after that for livelihood in the rural area MGNREGA can be of great help. In the urban area, a scheme based on the… Continue reading

Global Nutrition Report, 2020

The Global Nutrition Report 2020 has stated that India is among 88 countries that are likely to miss global nutrition targets by 2025. UPSC may puzzle you by asking a prelim question like- With reference to the Global Nutrition Report, which of the following is/are a Global Nutrition Targets? Visit this link for more graphics… Continue reading

What are Integrated Battle Groups (IBG)?

The Army’s new concept of agile Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) as part of the overall force transformation will be operationalised very soon, confirmed Army Chief. Practice question for mains: The deployment of Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) is necessary for counter-insurgency operations across the terror hit borders of India. Discuss. What are IBGs? IBGs are brigade-sized,… Continue reading

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