New rules to regulate exotic animal trade

The Environment Ministry’s wildlife division has introduced new rules to regulate the import and export of ‘exotic wildlife species’. Practice questions for mains: Q.What are Zoonotic Diseases? Discuss how the illicit trade in wildlife has resulted in the spread of zoonotic diseases of the scale of the ongoing COVID-19? Which exotic species are these new… Continue reading

Will banning Chinese imports hurt India’s exports?

Following the recent clashes with Chinese troops in Ladakh, there has been a growing clamour in the country to boycott goods from the neighbouring country. However, the development has caused an alarm among various industry bodies that are concerned about the adverse impact in the event of a blanket ban on exports in several sectors.… Continue reading

Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in education systems across the world a/c to the latest GEM report. Practice question for mains: Q.Discuss the impact of COVID-19 induced lockdown on India’s education sector. About the report Originally the EFA Global Monitoring Report, it has been renamed as the Global Education Monitoring Report. It is developed… Continue reading

International Comparison Programme (ICP) by World Bank

The World Bank has released its ICP report for the reference year 2017. India has retained its position as the third-largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), behind the US and China. Try this MCQ: Q. The International Comparison Programme (ICP) Report recently seen in news is released by: IMF/World… Continue reading

IN-SPACe: Future forerunner for India’s space economy

The government approved the creation of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to ensure greater private participation in India’s space activities. This decision is described as historic being part of an important set of reforms to open up the space sector and make space-based applications and services more widely accessible to everyone. Practice… Continue reading

Learning Platform “Skills Build Reignite”

MSDE-IBM Partnership has unveiled Free Digital Learning Platform “Skills Build Reignite” to reach more job seekers & provide new resources to business owners in India. There are various web/portals/apps with Hindi acronyms such as YUKTI, DISHA, SWAYAM etc. Their core purpose is similar with slight differences. Pen them down on a separate sheet under the… Continue reading

The spirit of ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’ in Indian History

To commemorate the death centenary of Tilak, a Pune based NGO is set to revive the Independence-era spirit of the ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’, named after nationalists Lala Lajpat Rai, ‘Lokmanya’ Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal. Try this PYQ from CSP 2010: Q. What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement? (a)… Continue reading

Commission for Sub-Categorization of OBCs

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the term of the Commission to examine the issue of Sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes, by 6 months i.e. upto 31.1.2021. Practice question for mains: Q.The quota policy for OBCs needs a revisit. Comment. About the commission The Commission was constituted under Article 340 of the Constitution… Continue reading

In news: Athirappally Waterfalls

The Kerala government recently gave the go-ahead for the proposed 163-megawatt (MW) Athirappally Hydroelectric Project. Information about some of India’s tallest waterfalls is provided in the B2b section. Kindly pen them down along with their respective states. They can be asked in the match the pair type question. Athirappally Waterfalls The famous Athirappally Waterfalls is… Continue reading

Why Russia celebrates WWII triumph on a different date?

Raksha Mantri is on a three-day trip to Russia to attend the 75th Victory Day. India has sent a tri-services contingent to participate in the Victory Day Parade. Try these questions from CS Mains: Q.To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically. (CSM 2015) Q.The New… Continue reading

What is the Arctic Heatwave warming up Siberia?

The Arctic Circle has recorded temperatures reaching over 38 degrees Celsius in the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk, likely an all-time high. The temperatures seem to have been 18 degree Celsius higher than normal in June a/c to the BBC. Try this question from CS Mains 2017: Q.How does the Cryosphere affect global climate? What is… Continue reading

100 Years of Malabar Rebellion

With the 1921 Malabar Rebellion turning 100 next year, several movies have been announced back-to-back. Try this question from CSP 2015: Q. Which amongst the following provided a common factor for tribal insurrection in India in the 19th century? (a.) Introduction of a new system of land revenue and taxation- of tribal products (b.) Influence… Continue reading

Why high-altitude warfare is challenging, how soldiers are trained

The violent standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley of Ladakh region has thrown the spotlight on high-altitude warfare and the challenges that troops face, particularly when advantageous positions on the heights are occupied by the other side. In the clouds of war, one may recall the huge amount of casualties faced by… Continue reading

‘Decarbonizing Transport in India (DTI)’ Project

NITI Aayog in collaboration with International Transport Forum (ITF) is set to launch the “Decarbonising Transport in India” project with the intention to develop a pathway towards a low-carbon transport system for India. Note the following things about ‘Decarbonising Transport in India (DTI)’ Project: Associated international institution Whether the institution is a UN body or… Continue reading

Secrecy of ballot is the cornerstone of free and fair elections, says Supreme Court

Secrecy of ballot is the cornerstone of free and fair elections. The choice of a voter should be free and the secret ballot system in a democracy ensures it, the Supreme Court has held in judgment. The judgment came on an appeal against the Allahabad High Court decision setting aside the voting of a no-confidence… Continue reading

Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan

PM Modi has launched the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, an employment scheme for migrant workers. Practice question for mains: Q. Discuss the silent success of MGNREGA in COVID-19 times. Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan It is a skill-based employment scheme aimed primarily at migrant workers who have returned to their villages to escape the COVID lockdown… Continue reading

Paying attention to condition of migrant workers

Issue of migrant workers caught attention of the nation amid lockdown. This issue has wider implications for the economy. This article highlights need for formulating a program to deal with the migrant labourers’ issue in its entirety. Issue with many implications: Migrant labour Out of the total labour force of 465 million workers, around 91… Continue reading

Reshaping the gig economy

3 min The shockwave that pandemic sent through the economy has been reshaping the global job market. Gig economy would have to accommodate the new entrants. This article underlines the changes in the gig economy after the pandemic. Four areas that need attention are also discussed here. What constitutes gig economy? The word “gig” includes… Continue reading

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Indian officials attended the virtual 32nd special Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) plenary meeting, under the aegis of the FATF. Practice question for mains: Q. What is FATF? Discuss its role in combating global financial crimes and terror financing. What is the FATF? FATF is an intergovernmental organization founded… Continue reading

Species in news: Horseshoe Crab

Horseshoe crabs face an uncertain future in Odisha, their largest habitat in India, even as the world gets ready to celebrate the first-ever ‘International Horseshoe Crab Day’ on June 20, 2020. Try this question from CSP 2012: Q. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species? (a) Great… Continue reading

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