Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre and the Khudai Khidmatgars

Qissa Khwani Bazaar is a renowned market place in the city of Peshawar. Before the Partition, the marketplace was also the site of a massacre perpetrated by British soldiers against non-violent protesters of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement on April 23, 1930. We can expect a possible mains question inspired from this newscard. The question could… Continue reading

[Burning Issue] India’s Amended FDI Norms amidst Hostile Takeover Efforts by China

For India, the problem lies that, trade with China has often been viewed as a positive in a relationship without any positive sentiment. Post-Doklam, the Wuhan ‘reset’ with China was premised largely on India and China working towards a more robust economic relationship. Yet, China’s reluctance to adequately address Indian concerns and the… Continue reading

Don’t waste the oil crisis

This article discusses the factors that contributed to oil prices falling below zero, and where the prices are headed in the near future. There are suggestions for India to make the most of this oil crisis. In the last week, we covered the same topic but its focus was on increasing the storage capacity. This… Continue reading

Why US’s offer of financial aid to Greenland has angered Denmark?

Context The US had last year sent a proposal to “purchase” Greenland from the Nordic nation. This proposal follows plans by the US government to open a consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. This move is being considered to be “extremely provocative” interference by the US. Go for a detailed map reading of the Arctic region.… Continue reading

What is Operation Twist?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced simultaneous purchase and sale of government bonds in a bid to soften long-term yields under its Operation Twist. Operation Twist Operation Twist is a move taken by U.S. Federal Reserve in 2011-12 to make long-term borrowing cheaper. It first appeared in 1961 as a way to strengthen… Continue reading

Mobile Virology Research and Diagnostics Laboratory (MVRDL)

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a mobile virology research lab. We can expect a prelim question on BSL ratings as the term is widely appearing in news these days. About the MVRDL The MVRDL is the combination of a bio-safety level (BSL)-3 lab and a BSL-2 lab and was set up… Continue reading

Recent amendments to FDI policy – a boon or a bane?

This article deals with the recent changes made by the government in the FDI policy. The major change was that the government approval route was made mandatory for investment coming from certain countries. There are certain ambiguities and issues with the latest changes.These are discussed here. What changes were made in the FDI policy? Government… Continue reading

Highlights of the World Press Freedom Index, 2020

India has dropped two places on a global press freedom index to be ranked 142nd out of 180 countries in the annual World Press Freedom Report. Press freedom especially after the abrogation of Art. 370 in J&K was profoundly debated back then. We can expect a mains question like- “Reasonable restrictions to the freedoms… Continue reading

[pib] VidyaDaan 2.0 Programme for e-learning content contributions

The Union HRD Ministry has e-launched VidyaDaan 2.0 program for inviting e-learning content contributions. 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 under the title various digital HRD initiatives. Add one more to this list.… Continue reading

[pib] Species in news: Anthurium

A women innovator from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has developed ten varieties of Anthurium, a flower with high market value, by cross-pollination. Anthurium An anthurium is a vast group of beautiful blooming plants available in a wide range of colours. Anthurium is one of the best domestic flowering plants in the world. They are decorative as well… Continue reading

Fiscal empowerment of States

The article elaborates on the central role played by the States in the fight against Covid-19. The article emphasises the role that States can play in the implementation of the various measures to tackle the epidemic and economic revival of the country. It also highlights the lack of resources at the States’ disposal and reasons… Continue reading

Super-power rivalries exacerbated by coronavirus pandemic offer India an opportunity

The article discusses three fronts on which actions are required viz- health, economy and geopolitics. How much the global economy is going to be affected? how the US-China rivalry would affect the recovery? what the lack of global coordination means? all such questioned are discussed here. It also suggests actions that India should take to… Continue reading

[pib] ‘COVID India Seva’ platform for citizen engagement on COVID-19

The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched the COVID India Seva platform to establish a direct channel of communication with millions of Indians amid the pandemic. We can take this initiative as an example while answering mains questions like – “India’s fight against Coronavirus pandemic is a public movement at large. Discuss.”… Continue reading

Let’s make the most of dirt-cheap oil

For the first time in history, oil prices hovered in the negative territory recently. This article discusses how this opportunity can be utilised by India in various ways. Oil selling for negative price In a dramatic and unprecedented turn of events on Monday, crude oil began trading in negative territory for the first time since… Continue reading

Amendment in the FDI Policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies

The Government of India has reviewed the extant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19. Context The Indian policy revision is meant for sectors and enterprises other than defence, space, atomic energy and sectors and activities “prohibited for foreign investment”. It was understood that the… Continue reading

[pib] Draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020

The Ministry of Power has issued a draft proposal for amendment of Electricity Act, 2003 in the form of the draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2020 Major amendments proposed in the Electricity Act are as follows: Viability of DISCOMs Cost reflective Tariff: To eliminate the tendency of some Commissions… Continue reading

What is Helicopter Money?

With the coronavirus-hit economy falling deeper and deeper into a chasm with each passing day, Telangana chief minister KC Rao earlier this month has said helicopter money can help states come out of this crisis. Various monetary policy tools are being considered to boost consumer demand in the economy which is stricken by the coronavirus… Continue reading

Indian’s decision on FDI to stop predatory Chinese hunt for Indian companies

This editorial discusses the implications of growing Chinese investment in India. After People’s Bank of China bought 1 per cent stake in HDFC bank, Indian government made prior government approval mandatory for investment from countries sharing border with India. Various aspects of the move are discussed here. No separating commerce and security in dealing with… Continue reading

How reverse repo rate became benchmark interest rate in the Indian economy?

Context The Indian economy’s slowdown during 2018 and 2019 is becoming much worse in 2020 with the spread of COVID-19 and the stalling of almost all economic activity. Like most other central banks in the world, the RBI, too, has tried to cut interest rates to boost the economy. However, unlike in the past, when… Continue reading

SDR general allocation by IMF

Finance Minister has said that India could not support a general allocation of new Special Drawing Rights (SDR) by the IMF because it might not be effective in easing coronavirus-driven financial pressures. FM Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that such a global liquidity boost by the IMF could produce potentially costly side-effects if countries used the… Continue reading

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