Establishment of GST Appellate Tribunals across India

Central Idea The Finance Ministry has formally established 31 Appellate Tribunals spanning 28 States and eight Union Territories for the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This significant move aims to address the increasing number of taxpayer disputes with the Revenue Department. What is GST Appellate Tribunal? The GST Appellate Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body proposed… Continue reading

M Visvesvaraya: India’s pioneering Civil Engineer

Central Idea September 15 marks the birthday of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861-1962), celebrated for his pivotal role as a civil engineer and administrator during colonial India. About M. Visvesvaraya Early life: Born on September 15, 1861, in the village of Muddenahalli, Karnataka, Visvesvaraya commenced his educational journey in his hometown. Academic Pursuits: He pursued a… Continue reading

Why Dominant Caste are Demanding Reservation in India?

Central Idea A Maratha activist has been on a 17-day hunger strike demanding reservation for the Maratha community in jobs and education. The demand for a Maratha quota is expected to gain momentum as Lok Sabha and Assembly elections approach. Historical Context of Maratha Reservation Demand Maratha Background: The Marathas, historically identified as a “warrior”… Continue reading

Monoclonal Antibody

Central Idea India has reached out to Australia in its efforts to procure monoclonal antibody doses for combating the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. The monoclonal antibody has successfully passed phase-one trials and has been administered to 14 individuals globally. Why use it for Nipah? Currently, there is no effective treatment for Nipah virus infection… Continue reading

USCIRF to hold hearing on Religious Freedom in India

Central Idea The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has announced that it will hold a hearing on religious freedom in India on September 20. India has previously rejected USCIRF reports that alleged violations of religious freedom in the country. What is the USCIRF Report? The USCIRF report assesses the status of religious freedom… Continue reading

Relevance of Constitution Benches in the Supreme Court

Central Idea CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, took a moment to address a lawyer’s misconceptions regarding the purpose of Constitution Benches in the Supreme Court. What is a Constitution Bench? The constitution bench is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India. The Chief Justice of India has the power to constitute a… Continue reading

India and Saudi’s Push for the West Coast Mega Refinery Project

Central Idea India and Saudi Arabia have renewed efforts to accelerate the long-pending 60-million-tonnes-per-annum (60 mtpa) west coast mega refinery project, which had faced multiple hurdles. West Coast Mega Refinery Project The ambitious project to build a mega oil refinery and petrochemicals facility in Maharashtra’s Konkan belt, with participation from Saudi Arabia and the UAE,… Continue reading

Vagus Nerve: Stimulation and Health Implications

Central Idea There’s a growing buzz online about the vagus nerve—ways to stimulate it and the potential benefits for various health issues, from anxiety to obesity. Videos and devices abound, offering suggestions for vagus nerve stimulation. Recent research has even linked vagus nerve dysfunction to long COVID. What is the Vagus Nerve? A Pair of… Continue reading

India can now issue OIML certificates: What this means, its significance

Central Idea India has achieved a significant milestone by becoming a 13th nation as OIML (International Organisation of Legal Metrology) certificate-issuing authority. The other countries are Australia, Switzerland, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden and Slovakia. Understanding OIML The OIML, established in 1955 and headquartered in Paris, is a renowned international… Continue reading

Progress track: PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Central Idea In 2020, as India’s fisheries sector was gearing up for a transformation through government-initiated reforms, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to disrupt progress. However, PM Modi turned this crisis into an opportunity by launching the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, specifically targeting the fisheries sector. This initiative breathed new life into the sector, with a substantial… Continue reading

Hindi Diwas and the Making of India’s Official Language

Central Idea Hindi Diwas, celebrated on September 14th each year, holds a special place in India’s cultural and linguistic tapestry. Hindi Diwas Official Language Selection: After gaining independence, India recognized the need for a unifying official language to facilitate communication between government departments and the public. On September 14, 1949, Hindi was chosen as the… Continue reading

Explained: Special Session of Parliament

Central Idea The Union government of India has announced a special session of Parliament to be held in the newly constructed building. This session holds particular significance as it marks the first official use of the new parliamentary facility. Special Session of Parliament: An Overview: A special session of Parliament refers to a unique meeting… Continue reading

Operation Polo: Integrating Hyderabad – 75 Years On

Central Idea September 13, 2023, marks the 75th anniversary of Operation Polo, a significant military action undertaken by the Indian Army in 1948 to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad. This operation, also known as the “Police Action,” led to the Nizam of Hyderabad’s forces surrendering to the Indian Army by September 18, 1948. Understanding… Continue reading

Global Stocktake Report

Central Idea Amid the gathering of world leaders in New Delhi for the G-20 summit, the UN climate secretariat unveiled a ‘synthesis report’ summarizing progress made by nations towards the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Known as the ‘global stocktake,’ this report is a vital component of global climate action, assessing efforts to combat… Continue reading

C-295 Transport Aircraft: All you need to know

Central Idea In a significant milestone, the Indian Air Force (IAF) received its inaugural C-295 transport aircraft during a ceremony held in Seville, Spain. IAF’s fleet of C-295s is set to become the largest globally, with an initial order for 56 aircraft. About C-295 The C-295MW is a transport aircraft with a carrying capacity ranging… Continue reading

Six of 9 Planetary Boundaries breached by Humans

Central Idea A recent study has delivered a stark message: humanity has breached six of the nine planetary boundaries that are crucial for maintaining Earth’s stability and resilience. What are the 9 Planetary Boundaries? These boundaries encompass climate change, biosphere integrity, land system change, freshwater change, biogeochemical flows, and novel entities. These findings underscore… Continue reading

President launches Ayushman Bhav Campaign

Central Idea The President of India, Mrs. Murmu, virtually launched the Ayushman Bhav campaign and the Ayushman Bhava portal. Ayushman Bhav Campaign The Ayushman Bhav campaign aims to deliver healthcare services to the remotest corners of India, playing a pivotal role in achieving the campaign’s ambitious objectives. It is designed to ensure that every… Continue reading

India vs. China in Smartphone Manufacturing

Central Idea India’s smartphone manufacturing industry has reached a noteworthy milestone with the production and launch of the iPhone 15. This development raises the question of whether India is on the path to becoming a rival to China in smartphone manufacturing. While India has made substantial progress, certain factors still set it apart from China.… Continue reading

Draft UN Cyber Crime Convention

Central Idea The Union Home Ministry recently reviewed the draft of the UN Cyber Crime Convention. The purpose of this review was to assess the necessary changes in India’s existing systems if the convention is signed and ratified by the country. UN Cybercrime Convention (Draft) Background Under negotiation, aiming to reshape global criminal laws regarding… Continue reading

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)

Central Idea In a global seminar organized by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), President of India underscored the importance of safeguarding farmers’ rights. About ITPGRFA Description Objective Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Enactment Year… Continue reading

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