Z-Morh tunnel to be ready in April

The crucial Z-Morh tunnel that connects Gagangir and Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh highway will be inaugurated next month in April. What is Z-Morh tunnel? Z-Morh tunnel, also known as the Zoji-Morh Tunnel, is an under-construction tunnel located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The tunnel is being constructed at an elevation of 11,578… Continue reading

Public Policy Education: Essential For Developing Effective Policies

Central Idea Government policies play a crucial role in determining the future of a country. They not only impact economic growth and public welfare but also improve the ease of living for citizens. Unfortunately, there is a lack of interest in public policy education in India, with only a small percentage of policymakers having formal… Continue reading

India’s WTO Challenge on MSP Programs for Food Grain

Central idea: India has been criticized at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for not adequately addressing questions raised by members regarding its Minimum Support Price (MSP) programs for food grain, particularly rice. Minimum Support Price (MSP) MSP is the price at which the government buys crops from farmers to support them against any sharp fall… Continue reading

Prices of Essential Medicines set to hike

Prices of 384 essential drugs and over 1,000 formulations are set to see a hike of over 11%, due to a sharp rise in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). Implications for customers Annual hikes in the prices of drugs listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) are based on the WPI. The price… Continue reading

What is the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

A person in UP was booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for “illegally” keeping and nursing an injured Sarus crane (Grus Antigone) he found in his village. About Sarus The Sarus crane is usually found in wetlands and is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh. Standing at 152-156 centimetres, it is the world’s tallest… Continue reading

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes among Children

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to Education Boards of all States/UTs, stating schools must ensure proper care/facilities for children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels properly. Blood sugar, also known as… Continue reading

What is Bilkis Bano Case?

The Supreme Court has indicated it will primarily focus on the question of Gujarat’s jurisdiction to prematurely release 11 men sentenced to life for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family during the 2002 riots. Central idea The Bilkis Bano case is a landmark case of gangrape and mass murder… Continue reading

India’s Support for Marine Protected Areas in Antarctica

Central idea: India has pledged its continued support for the establishment of two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Antarctica, with the aim of protecting marine life and the ecosystem services that it provides. What are Marine Protected Areas? An MPA is a defined region that is managed for the long-term conservation of marine resources, ecosystem… Continue reading

Mahila Samman Savings Certificate operationalized

Finance Minister while presenting the Budget 2023 announced a new scheme for women, Mahila Samman Saving Certificate. This scheme has now been operationalized. Mahila Samman Saving Certificate It is a one-time new small savings scheme of the government of India announced in the Budget 2023. It will be made available for a two-year period up… Continue reading

Understanding IMF Bailouts and their drawbacks

Central idea: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week confirmed a $3 billion bailout plan for Sri Lanka’s struggling economy. However, Pakistan failed to get a penny. Countries seek help from the IMF usually when their economies face a major macroeconomic risk, mostly in the form of a currency crisis. International Monetary Fund (IMF) IMF… Continue reading

AFSPA further reduced in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland: MHA

Central idea: Home Minister recently announced the decision to reduce the Disturbed Areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur. Reason for the decision Improved security: The decision was taken due to a significant improvement in the security situation in Northeast India. Decrease in Violence: The prevalence of… Continue reading

What is Biotransformation Technology?

Central idea: The article highlights the issue of plastic waste generated by e-commerce giant Amazon and the need for a biotransformation technology that can make plastics biodegradable and its potential applications in reducing plastic waste in various industries. Amazon’s Plastic Waste Problem Amazon generated 321 million kilograms (709 million pounds) of plastic from packaging waste… Continue reading

What is Patent Evergreening?

Central idea: Patent Evergreening Indian Patent Office rejects Johnson & Johnson’s attempt to extend monopoly on manufacturing Bedaquiline in India beyond July 2023. This is a victory for patients fighting for wider access to crucial anti-tuberculosis drug Bedaquiline. Expired primary patents pave the way for generic drug manufacturers to produce Bedaquiline, thus ensuring cheaper and… Continue reading

ICMR releases Ethical Guidelines for AI usage in Healthcare

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently released the first-ever set of ethical guidelines for the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in biomedical research and healthcare. Ethical Guidelines for AI usage in Healthcare The guidelines aim to create “an ethics framework which can assist in the development, deployment, and adoption of AI-based solutions”… Continue reading

Membership of a banned outfit is a crime under UAPA: SC

The Supreme Court has overturned its previous judgments and ruled that a person who “is or continues to be” even a “mere member” of a banned organisation is liable to be found criminally liable under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for acting against the sovereignty and integrity of India. Why in news? The Supreme… Continue reading

Lok Sabha clears forming GST Appellate Tribunal

The Lok Sabha passed Finance Bill, 2023 with some amendments, including one that seeks to set up the much-awaited GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), which will deal with tax disputes. What is GST Appellate Tribunal? The GST Appellate Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body proposed to be established to resolve disputes related to the Goods and Services… Continue reading

In news: Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)

Central idea: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is being asked to monitor card spend under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) LRS is a facility provided by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to resident individuals to remit funds abroad for permitted current or capital account transactions or a combination of… Continue reading

[pib] Exercise Konkan, 2023

Ex Konkan, the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy, was recently held off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea. Exercise Konkan 2023 Konkan exercise is the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the UK’s Royal Navy. INS Trishul, a guided missile frigate, and HMS Lancaster,… Continue reading

India’s Push for Semiconductors

Central idea The Indian government has given ₹1,645 crore in PLI incentives to electronics manufacturers to bring more of the supply chain to India. There is a growing need for semiconductors as they are used in almost all modern electronics. Many countries are moving away from China’s dominance in the sector due to supply chain… Continue reading

India’s disputed Compensatory Afforestation (CAMPA) Policy at odds with new IPCC report

Central idea The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Synthesis Report, where the IPCC notes the significance of preserving natural ecosystems to mitigate climate change. The report has raised concerns about the ongoing policy of afforestation in India that allows forests to be cut down and replaced elsewhere. Afforestation in India Afforestation… Continue reading

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