[pib] Shekatkar Committee recommendations on Border Infrastructure

Government has accepted and implemented three important recommendations of the Committee of Experts (CoE) under the chairmanship of Lt General D B Shekatkar (Retd.) relating to border Infrastructure. Practice question for mains: Q. India’s unique geo-strategic location needs an all-weather and efficient border infrastructure. Comment. About Shekatkar Committee The military reforms committee – under Lt… Continue reading

India on the margins of Afghanistan diplomacy

From economic, strategic to security, India has many interests in “future” Peaceful and Developed Afghanistan. But India was sidelined from the recently organised meeting on Afghanistan. This article analyses what went wrong in India’s foreign and security policy. Two factors are emphasised in the article- India’s reluctance to talk with the Taliban and the US’s… Continue reading

Atmanirbhar Abhiyan Package

The article examines the various aspects of the recently announced Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (ANBA). But before digging deeper into the ANBA the author ruminates over India’s growth (GDP) story. Reasons for India’s failure to deliver on the economic empowerment are also examined. In the end, the relation between the free economies and the welfare states… Continue reading

Sovereign Gold Bonds: A substitute for physical gold

Gold bond prices rise to near record highs after the second tranche of subscription were closed. Questions based on capital markets are quite frequent these years. Consider this- Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves… Continue reading

[pib] National Migrant Information System (NMIS)

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has developed an online Dashboard – National Migrant Information System (NMIS). Did you notice, the peculiarity of the NMIS? The portal is developed and maintained by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) not Ministry of Labour & employment or Labour bureau. About NMIS The NMIS aims to capture the… Continue reading

International Day of Light and its significance

The UN marks the International Day of Light (IDL) — an annual initiative held globally to raise awareness on the critical role played by light-based technologies in everyday life. The IDL as mentioned in the news creates no scope for a possible prelim question, but the purpose behind its celebration does. i.e. LASER technology. LIDAR… Continue reading

Mapping: Baltic Travel Bubble

The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have opened their borders to one another, creating a coronavirus “travel bubble” with an improvised idea to boost travel into their countries. Mark the following things on Map: 1. Baltic Sea and its bordering nations 2. Irben Strait 3. Gulf of Riga 4. Gulf of Finland Baltic… Continue reading

War and Peace: Analysis of BSF’s role

The BSF came into being in the wake of the 1965 India-Pakistan war. So, its ‘innate’ tasks involves both wartime and peacetime roles. This article is written by a retired IPS officer who has been ADG of BSF. Our aim is to provide you with on-ground experience of issues in this security force. Focus of… Continue reading

Tale of two crises: Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and Corona Financial Crisis (CFC)

Not all financial crises are the same. And this is more so about the two crises that we have been witness to – the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the current Corona Financial Crisis (CFC). The author points out the four key difference in the two crises. These four difference also mean that the… Continue reading

Economic stimulus package for Agriculture

FM has announced plans to enact a central law to permit barrier-free inter-State trade of farm commodities and ensure a legal framework to facilitate contract farming under the third tranche of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan economic stimulus package. Try this question: ‘Doubling Farmer’s Income’ and ‘USD 5 trillion economy’ seems more like slogans today in… Continue reading

Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK)

Pakistan government has signed a contract with a joint venture of a Chinese state-run firm for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam in the PoK. Make a note of major dams in India along with the rivers, terrain, major Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks incident to these rivers. Diamer-Bhasha Dam Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a concreted-filled… Continue reading

Species in news: 40 Gharials released into Ghaghara River in UP

Forty gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) were released in the Ghaghara River by the Bahraich forest division of Uttar Pradesh. This year, we have seen many news focusing on species reintroduction into the wild. Can you recall them?? If not, Click Here. And one may often get confused between the Mugger, Gharial and the Saltwater Crocodile. Note… Continue reading

[pib] Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)

In order to give a boost to domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing, Raksha Mantri has approved the launch of the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS). Practice question for mains: Q. Self-reliance in defence manufacturing is one of the key objectives of ‘Make in India’. Discuss. Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) The DTIS would… Continue reading

How the economic package will play out for MSMEs?

Recently, a stimulus package worth 20 lakh crore was announced by the government. How effective will these measures prove for the MSMEs? How the liquidity issue plaguing the NBFCs is sought to be solved? Finally, what are the issues with the package? All such question are dwelled upon here! Why ensuring flow of credit is… Continue reading

Is the suspension of labour laws a silver bullet?

In keeping with the exigencies caused by the pandemic, some State governments have suspended several provision of labour laws. This article analyses the implications of such suspensions. And also emphasises the lack of legal basis in the State governments actions. Evolution of the labour laws in India is also discussed here. So, what are these… Continue reading

‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ System

Finance Minister has announced the nationwide rollout of a ‘One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC)’ system in all states and UTRs by March 2021. As of now, about 20 states have come on board to implement the inter-state ration card portability. Practice question for mains: Q. The ‘One nation one ration card ‘scheme would bring… Continue reading

“Tour of Duty (ToD) Scheme” for Short Service in Indian Army

The Indian Army has planned to take civilians on a three-year “Tour of Duty” (ToD) or short service” on a trial basis to serve as officers and in other ranks initially for a limited number of vacancies which will be expanded later. Practice question for mains: Q. The “Tour of Duty” (ToD) Scheme is a… Continue reading

Global Forest Resources Assessment, 2020

The deforestation rate globally declined between 2015 and 2020, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment, 2020. This decline is a result of sustainable management measures worldwide. Possible prelim question: Q. The Global Forest Resources Assessment Report recently seen in news is published by- a) UN-FAO b) UN Forum on Forests c) International Union of… Continue reading

What self-reliant economy means?

‘Atma-nirbhar’ has become a buzzword after PM Modi mentioned it in his speech. This article analyses the policy statement announced by the PM that focuses on self-reliance of the country in the future. So, what exactly the term self-reliance could include? what are the areas in which India is dependent on other economies? Read the… Continue reading

Changing labour laws not a solution

Recently several State governments made changes in their labour laws and removed or expanded limits on working hours and changed several other provisions. The article argues that the move may not be as beneficial as it is thought to be. So, how come the changes turned out to be detrimental to the interests of the… Continue reading

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

Your better version awaits you!