Regulatory Challenges in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)

Why in the News? In response to tightening regulations impacting operations, the RBI has recommended that investments exceeding 50% of Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) units by a person resident outside India be treated as Indirect Foreign Investment. BACK2BASICS: What are Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)? An Alternative Investment Fund or AIF is any fund established or… Continue reading

Spices Board discussing the setting of ETO Limits with CODEX

Why in the News? The Spices Board has proactively engaged with CODEX, the international food standards authority, to address the pressing issue of ethylene oxide (ETO) contamination in spices. This initiative follows recent recalls of certain branded spices exported from India to Hong Kong and Singapore due to concerns regarding ETO contamination. Concerns over spice… Continue reading

On the importance of Regulatory Sandboxes in Artificial Intelligence

Why in the News? Regulatory sandboxes are now widely used in many countries because they allow new ideas to be tested in a controlled and supervised environment. What are Regulatory Sandboxes? A regulatory sandbox is a tool allowing businesses to explore and experiment with new and innovative products, services, or businesses under a regulator’s supervision.… Continue reading

Sri Lanka cabinet approves new economic law to meet IMF targets

Why in the News? SRI Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a new economic law to stabilize its debt-to-GDP ratio that will cover key targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The debt-to-GDP ratio measures the proportion of a country’s national debt to its gross domestic product. According to the World Bank, the countries whose debt-to-GDP… Continue reading

Candid notes on the NHRC’s status deferral

Why in the News? The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) was formally informed late last week that the deferral of its status would continue for a year more. The deferral was put in place by the Sub-committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) for a year,… Continue reading

The challenge of Extra-Pulmonary TB

Why in the News? A tuberculosis patient receives treatment from a nurse (instead of a specialist) at a TB hospital in Guwahati. What is meant by Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)? Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) that involves the lungs but may spread to other organs where… Continue reading

NISAR Satellite will be able to monitor Tectonic Movements: ISRO chief

Why in the News? The ISRO Chief has confirmed that the NISAR Satellite would be able to monitor the Tectonic Movements of Earth with high precision with a centimeter accuracy. Originally planned for July, the NISAR launch may be delayed to October-November due to issues on the U.S. spacecraft side. About NISAR Satellite: NISAR (NASA-ISRO… Continue reading

[pib] IMEX 2024, Frankfurt

Why in the News? The Union Ministry of Tourism is actively engaging in IMEX, Frankfurt to position India as a premier MICE destination on the International stage. Back2Basics: IMEX IMEX is an international trade show for the meetings, events, and incentive travel industry. It stands for “International Meeting Exchange” and is held annually in Frankfurt,… Continue reading

In News: Mahi River

Why in the News? Incidences of people drowning down into the Mahi River have become more frequent. About Mahi River The Mahi River originates in the Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh (hot semi-arid and watershed region), near Dhar. It flows northward through Madhya Pradesh before turning westward upon entering Rajasthan. It then moves southwest, passing… Continue reading

[pib] Rabindranath Tagore and his legacy

Why in the news? The Conservation and Cultural Archives Division of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) hosted an exhibition and lecture celebrating Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary in New Delhi. Tagore’s Journey to France Tagore had visited the battlefields of the First World War, highlighting his deep humanity. The narrative includes mentions of… Continue reading

AI Content Detectors to Combat Deepfakes

Why in the News? During the General Elections 2024, the proliferation of AI-generated content (AIGC), including deepfake videos featuring prominent figures like Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh, raised concerns about misinformation. What is Deepfake Technology? It is a type of Artificial Intelligence used to create convincing images, audio and video hoaxes. Deepfakes often transform existing… Continue reading

GPT-4o: A Free AI Model with Vision, Text, and Voice

Why in the News? OpenAI has launched GPT-4o- a version of the GPT-4 model which powers its ChatGPT. It offers enhanced speed, intelligence, and efficiency across text, vision, and audio, revolutionizing human-to-machine interaction and opening up new possibilities for users worldwide. About GPT-4o: GPT-4o offers GPT- 4 level intelligence with improved speed and efficiency, making… Continue reading

[14 May 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Stabilising India-Nepal ties in changing times

PYQ Relevance:Mains: Q How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar? (UPSC IAS/2013)Q Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border… Continue reading

Declining Poverty Ratio: A Continuing Trend

Why in the News? The National Sample Survey Organization’s and Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2022-23) prompted researchers to estimate Poverty and Inequality trends, highlighting data comparability and measurement issues. Present trends of Poverty and Inequality in Indian Society: 1. Poverty Declined: Poverty ratios declined from 29.5% in 2011-12 to 10% in 2022-23 (1.77% points per… Continue reading

The impact of 50 years of vaccination on children worldwide

Why in the News? On the occasion of World Immunisation Week observed from 24th to 30th April, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics has launched a campaign to focus on routine immunization as the ‘Birth Right’ of a Child. About Measles Vaccination This vaccine protects against 3 diseases: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR). Centre for Disease… Continue reading

Adopting a transformative vision for mediation

Why in the news? The Mediation Act, of 2023, formalizes diverse mediation forms, promotes amicable settlements and also addresses the judicial backlog. However, Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized recently that we need a “mediate, not litigate” directive. What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)? ADR refers to the methods of resolving a dispute, which are alternatives for… Continue reading

An Overview of the Smart Cities Mission | Explained

Why in the news? The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), a key initiative of the previous NDA-1 government, has received less emphasis in this year’s lineup of electoral pledges and accomplishments. How are smart cities defined by the government? Since 2009, following the significant financial crash, the term ‘Smart City’ has gained widespread usage. Urban practitioners… Continue reading

Preserving Rajasthan’s Semal Trees

Why in the News? Despite its ecological importance, rampant harvesting of Semal Trees for bonfires poses a grave threat to their existence, undermining biodiversity and cultural heritage alike. About Semal/ Silk Cotton Trees The Semal tree, scientifically known as Bombax ceiba, is a deciduous tropical tree. It is native to India, South-East Asia, and Northern… Continue reading

India, Iran sign 10-year contract for Chabahar Port Operation

Why in the news? India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement for the operation of the Chabahar port, marking a significant milestone in their cooperation. Back2Basics: Chabahar Port The port is located in southeastern Iran in the Sistan-Baluchistan province, on the Gulf of Oman and at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz. It is… Continue reading

[pib] Exercise Shakti

Why in the news? The 7th edition of the India-France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI begins at Umroi, Meghalaya, signalling the start of a biennial training event aimed at enhancing bilateral military cooperation. About Exercise Shakti Shakti Exercise is a joint military exercise between the armies of India and France. It is a biennial training event… Continue reading

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