Looking back at India’s journey at the UN

The article examines India’s journey at the UN as it enters it 75year. It also analyses the challenges India faced at the UN and tracks India’s transformation from being an outlier to the high table. Three phases of India’s presence at the UN Seven and a half decades of India at the UN may be… Continue reading

A demand problem contributing to lower imports

India registered a trade surplus after almost two decades. But this is not the result of a sudden rise in India’s export. It is due to subdued import indicating the low demand. What latest data indicate Data released by the commerce ministry indicate a contraction in exports observed over the past few months easing slowly.… Continue reading

Supreme Court to examine Kerala Act on animal, bird sacrifices

The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the constitutional validity of the Kerala Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act of 1968 that prohibits sacrifice of animals and birds in temples to ‘please’ the deity. Try this question for mains: Q. The ritual slaughters of animals in India is a greater ethical issue than a legal… Continue reading

What is Non-Personal Data?

A government committee headed by Infosys co-founder has suggested that non-personal data generated in the country be allowed to be harnessed by various domestic companies and entities. Practice question for mains: Q.What is Non-Personal Data? Discuss its utility and various privacy concerns associated with it. What is non-personal data? In its most basic form, non-personal… Continue reading

Lancet’s analysis of population trends for 2017-2100

When this century ends, India may no longer be a country of a billion, says a projection that appears in the online edition of the Lancet. The reference forecasts for China and India peaked before 2050 and both countries thereafter had steep declining trajectories. Try this question from CSP 2011: Q.India is regarded as a… Continue reading

No medical examination for Trans Persons

After facing flak from the transgender community, the Centre has done away with the requirement of a medical examination for trans persons applying for a certificate of identity in its latest draft rules framed under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Practice question for mains: Q.What are the salient features of the Transgender… Continue reading

Species in news: Cestrum nocturnum

Nilgiris forest officials are restoring native Shola habitats in places overrun by the invasive species ‘Cestrum nocturnum’. Try this PYQ from CSP 2018: Q.Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in the news? (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics. (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which… Continue reading

Mapping: Melghat Tiger Reserve

Maharashtra CM has sought alternative routes for the proposed broad gauge conversion of a railway line passing through the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district. Try this question from CSP 2012: Consider the following protected areas: 1. Bandipur 2. Bhitarkanika 3. Manas 4. Sunderbans Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves? (a) 1 and… Continue reading

[pib] PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education

Union HRD Ministry has released PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education through online medium. Practice question for mains: Q.Discuss the impact of the COVID induced lockdowns on the education system in India. Give some solutions for it. PRAGYATA guidelines The guidelines include eight steps of online/ digital learning that is, Plan- Review- Arrange- Guide- Yak(talk)- Assign-… Continue reading

[pib] India’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) of SDGs

The NITI Aayog has recently presented India’s second Voluntary National Review at the UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, 2020. Practice question for mains: Q.Discuss the institutional approach adopted by NITI Aayog for the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. About the UN Forum on SDGs The… Continue reading

Dehing Patkai WLS to be upgraded into National Park

The Assam government has decided to upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a National Park. Try this question from CSP 2019: Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone? (a) Manas National Park (b) Namdapha National Park (c) Neora Valley National Park (d) Valley of Flowers National Park Dehing… Continue reading

Mapping: Islands of Polynesia

How did the Polynesian peoples come to live on the far-flung islands of the Pacific? The question has intrigued researchers for centuries. The newscard contains some trivial facts. However, aspirants are advised to observe the map. Study on Polynesia Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl brought the topic to public attention when he sailed a balsa-wood raft… Continue reading

Mapping: Mont Blanc

The melting Mont Blanc glacier in the French Alps yielded a clutch of newspapers with banner headlines from when Indira Gandhi became India’s first and so far only woman Prime Minister in 1966. Try this MCQ Q.The Mont Blanc in the Alps can be located near the conflux of which of the following two countries?… Continue reading

Election Commission (EC)’s power to delay elections

Political parties are increasingly voicing concerns over holding elections in Bihar amid a pandemic. This newscard contains some interesting facts related to conduct and postpone of elections. EC’s power to hold elections The EC is mandated under law to hold elections at any time within six months before the five-year term of the Lok Sabha… Continue reading

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) signed MoU with NCRB

The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has signed an MoU with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to access the centralised online database on FIRs and stolen vehicles. The MoU would enable the NATGRID to get information about details of a suspect as mentioned in the FIR such as his/her father’s name, telephone number and other… Continue reading

[pib] India’s Tiger Census sets a New Guinness Record

The fourth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation 2018, results of which were declared to the nation on Global Tiger Day last year has entered the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest camera trap wildlife survey. Before reading this newscard, try these PYQs: Q. The term ‘M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the… Continue reading

[pib] ASEEM Portal

Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched Aatmanirbhar Skilled Employee-Employer Mapping (ASEEM) portal to help skilled people find sustainable livelihood opportunities. There are various web/portals/apps with peculiar names such as YUKTI, DISHA, SWAYAM etc. Their core purpose is similar with slight differences. Pen them down on a separate sheet. ASEEM Portal ASEEM refers… Continue reading

Rabari, Bharvad and Charan Tribes of Gujarat

The Gujarat government will constitute a commission to identify the members of Rabari, Bharvad and Charan communities who are eligible to get the benefits of Schedule Tribe (ST) status. Try this question from CSP 2017: Q.Every year, a monthlong ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/ tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which… Continue reading

Malabar Naval Exercise to include Australia

India has finally planned to invite Australia to join the annual Malabar naval exercise that has so far included just Japan and the U.S., in a move that could risk China’s ire. Go through the list for once. UPSC may ask a match the pair type question asking exercise name and countries involved. [Prelims Spotlight]… Continue reading

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteurs have made public their third communication forwarded to India expressing concern over alleged excessive use of force, ill-treatment during arrests and detentions. Practice question for mains: Q.There is an urgent need for reforming the criminal justice system in India in light of rising cases of custodial torture and killings. Comment.… Continue reading

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