Malabar Naval Exercise to include Australia

India is prepared to expand the Malabar trilateral naval exercise involving India, the U.S. and Japan, to permanently include Australia. Go through the list for once. UPSC may ask a match the pair type question asking exercise name and countries involved. [Prelims Spotlight] Defence Exercises About Ex. Malabar Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise involving… Continue reading

The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)

The govt. has launched the TULIP program for providing internship opportunities to fresh Graduates in all ULBs & Smart Cities. Possible prelims question: Q. The TULIP program recently seen in news is related to: HRD/Floriculture/Urban Livelihood etc. TULIP TULIP is a portal jointly developed by the Ministry of HRD, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs,… Continue reading

Dilemma for Delhi in Ladakh standoff

Though the rest of the world is preoccupied with Covid pandemic, China is busy in raising tension over border issues with its neighbour-India. What explains such actions by China? And timing selected by China has also puzzled many. India, on its part, faces a dilemma. This article dissects the various issues related to the standoff… Continue reading

What is Inner Line Permit (ILP) and what is its CAA context?

The Supreme Court has declined to stay the operation of a Presidential order which petitioners claimed deprived Assam of the powers to implement the Inner Line system in its districts and limit the applicability of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Try this: Q. The NRC fails to resolve the illegal immigration issue in Assam. Critically Analyse.… Continue reading

What is Superconductivity?

On a larger scale, electric grids, such as high power lines, lose over 5 per cent of their energy in the process of transmission. In India, we often get to hear about the transmission losses in DISCOMS. Such losses can be zeroed with the application of superconducting cables (which is practically impossible unless we find… Continue reading

Extreme weather events in India

Nineteen extreme weather events in 2019 claimed 1,357 lives, with heavy rain and flood accounting for 63 per cent of these deaths, revealed Down To Earth’s State of India’s Environment 2020 report. Extreme weather events: Extreme weather events are out of the ordinary, unexpected, unusual climatic events which wreak havoc and disrupt everyday life. Over… Continue reading

SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) Initiative

The Union Govt. has launched a new initiative SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the returning citizens under the Vande Bharat Mission. In the first go, one may get reminded of the SWADESH Darshan Scheme… Please beware! This SWADES initiative has nothing to do with the… Continue reading

Global Economic Prospects (GEP) 2020 report by World Bank

The World Bank has released its Global Economic Prospects (GEP) 2020 report. Try this PYQ from CSP 2019 Q.) The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the- (a) International Monetary Fund (b) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (c) World Economic Forum (d) World Bank Global Economic Prospects (GEP) GEP is a World Bank… Continue reading

The contours of economic recovery

This article analyses the various aspects of the stimulus package announced by the government. It gives a broad idea about the borrowing and fiscal deficit of the government. Where the fiscal deficit should be spent? Which area the announced reforms should focus on? You’ll be able to answer these questions after reading the article. Contraction… Continue reading

The Sixth Mass Extinction

Click here for high resolution of the image: National Geographic The ongoing sixth mass extinction may be one of the most serious environmental threats to the persistence of civilization, according to new research published in an American journal. Try this question from CSP 2018: The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the… Continue reading

Tribes in news: Changpa Tribe

The Chinese Army’s intrusion in Chumur and Demchok has left Ladakh’s nomadic herding Changpa community cut off from large parts of summer pastures. Pashmina shawl is a landmark product of the Kashmir Valley. But make a note here. It carries only a BIS certification and not a Geographical Indicator. Also try this PYQ from CSP… Continue reading

Fortifying the African outreach: Contrast in the approach adopted by China and India

As both India and China try and vie for increasing the influence in the African continent, the difference in the approach they adopted become evident. Both countries have been providing assistance in Africa amid the COVID pandemic. This article analyses the difference in the approach of the two countries. Impact of covid pandemic in Africa… Continue reading

PM Swanidhi Scheme for street vendors

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched a micro-credit facility for street vendors under the Swanidhi Scheme. Try this question from CSP 2016: Q.Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a national campaign to (a) rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide then with suitable sources of livelihood (b) release the sex workers from the… Continue reading

PM-CARES is not a public authority under RTI Act

The PMO has refused to disclose details on the creation and operation of the PM-CARES Fund, telling a Right to Information applicant that the fund is “not a public authority” under the ambit of the RTI Act, 2005. Practice question for mains: Q. The PM-CARES fund is an old wine in a new bottle. Discuss… Continue reading

A phantom called the Line of Actual Control with China

Yet again, India and China are engaged in a standoff on the border. But why the issues persist even after four agreements with a view to solve the boundary problem? This article explains the problem in wording of the agreement. And also explains the lack of intent from China’s part. Four agreements: vision of progress… Continue reading

Using COVID crisis to reorient India towards reforms

Following the announcement of relief and stimulus package, the debate began over its various aspects. This article assesses the various aspects of the package and draws comparison with the package announced by the other countries. So, how does India fare compared with other countries? Fiscal component of stimulus package According to the IMF-PT (policy tracker),… Continue reading

What is the National Numbering Plan?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that a new National Numbering Plan be issued at the earliest so that a uniquely identifiable number can be provided to every subscriber in India. The TRAI and Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal are quite often seen in the news. Most recent was the dispute… Continue reading

THAAD defence system

China has issued a statement reiterating its long-standing objections to the presence of the US THAAD missile defence system in South Korea. Try this question from CSP 2018: Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (a) An Israeli radar system (b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme (c) An American… Continue reading

The 5G Club ‘D10’

Britain said that it was pushing the U.S. to form a club of 10 nations that could develop its own 5G technology and reduce dependence on Huawei. We can expect prelims question asking the purpose of the D10 group like- Q. The D10 Club recently seen in news is a- Environment NGO/ Group of Democracies/… Continue reading

In news: Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (DSNP)

The Oil India Ltd (OIL) leak in Assam has contaminated water bodies that flow into the Maguri Motapung Beel, a large wetland, and the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (DSNP). Try this PYQ from CSP 2019: Q. Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve? (a) Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger… Continue reading

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