MORE MEN THAN WOMEN IN STEM
Focus: GS-3 Why in news? Masculine culture, insufficient early exposure to science play a role Details: Across the world, there are more men who are active in science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM) than women In the labour market, or in places where high level qualifications are demanded, men candidates engage in self-promotion, and are […]
CHEER FOR SCIENCE AS KEY DEPARTMENTS GET A RAISE
Focus: GS-3 Why in news? Key departments get 13% more than what was spent last year. Details: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) posted the largest increase, with an outlay of ₹2,786 crore, a 17% increase from the ₹2,381 crore it spent last year The Department of Science and Technology got a 14% hike, at ₹6,301 […]
BATS HARBOR MANY VIRUSES
Focus: Prelims, GS-3 Why in news? Bats are being considered as a vector for Novel Coronavirus Details: Bats serves as natural hosts for numerous viruses including Ebola virus, Nipah virus, coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the 2019 novel coronavirus that has infected nearly 10,000 people […]
India’s dominance as global economic power for three-fourths of economic history manifests by design.
Kautilya’s Arthashastra postulates the role of prices in an economy (Spengler, 1971). Historically, Indian economy relied on the invisible hand of the market with the support of the hand of trust: Invisible hand of the market reflected in openness in economic transactions. Hand of trust appealed to ethical and philosophical dimensions. What is Invisible hand […]
BUDGET 2020: KNOW ABOUT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES SET TO BE DEVELOPED
Rakhigarhi, Haryana Pre-Harappan Civilisation settlement, and later a part of the ancient civilisation itself, between 2600-1900 BCE. What are found?: Remnants of a planned township with mud-brick houses and proper drainage system, along with terracotta jewellery, conch shells, vase and seals, things the Harappans were known for. Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh […]
THALINOMICS: THE FORMULA BEHIND ONE SQUARE MEAL
For the average worker in India’s organised manufacturing sector, the affordability of a plate of vegetarian food — comprising rice or roti, dal and sabzi has improved 29% since 200607, according to Thalinomics, a take on the economics of food by the Economic Survey. For non-vegetarians, affordability has risen 18%.
A CHANCE TO CHART CHINA-LIKE EXPORT TRAJECTORY
Why in news? The Economic Survey says India has an unprecedented opportunity to chart a China like, labour Intensive, export trajectory by integrating “Assemble in India for the world” into the Make in India policy and thus can raise its export market share to 3.5 % by 2025 and 6% by 2030
NEEDED: FEWER REGULATIONS FOR START-UPS
India needs to work on improving the ease of doing business, especially the ease of starting business, registering property, paying taxes, or enforcing contracts, according to the Economic Survey. Cumbersome norms “If you want to start up a firm in India, it takes 18 days on an average with 10 procedures that can be often […]
CROP DUSTING WITH DRONES IS ILLEGAL, SAYS CENTRE
Why in news? Use of drones for agrochemical spraying had increased of late. This would create a lot of problems. What are problems? Aerial spraying impacts a larger area, while decreasing the efficacy on the target pests. Eg. Kasargod in Kerala reeling under such impact due to aerial spraying of Endosulfan for over 25 years […]
WHO DECLARES CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK A GLOBAL EMERGENCY
The last time WHO declared a global health emergency was in 2019 for the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo that killed more than 2,000 people. The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is “an extraordinary event which is determined… to constitute a public health risk to other states through the […]