EGOs AND PDCs FOR ATTRACTING INVESTMENTS IN INDIA
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Union Cabinet has given its approval for setting up of an “Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) and Project Development Cells (PDCs) in Ministries/Departments of Government of Indiafor attracting investments in India”. Details Government is determined to put in place an investment friendly ecosystem that strongly supports the […]
SWADES: SKILL MAPPING EXERCISE FOR RETURNING CITIZENS
Focus: GS-II Social Justice, Prelims Why in news? With the aim of making the best of our skilled workforce returning to the country due to the ongoing pandemic, the Government of India has launched a new initiative SWADES. SWADES initiative SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) is implemented to conduct a skill mapping […]
WHAT IS THE ONGOING SIXTH MASS EXTINCTION?
Focus: GS-II Environment and Ecology Introduction The ongoing sixth mass extinction may be one of the most serious environmental threats to the persistence of civilisation, according to new research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). The research claims that this extinction is human-caused […]
MULTILATERALISM IN THE NEW COLD WAR
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction In the new cold war, defined by technology and trade not territory, non-alignment is an uncertain option. Developments on the International Stage for India As chair of the Executive Board of the World Health Assembly India can set the global response in terms of multilateralism, not just medical issues. In […]
SEIZING THE MOMENT AT THE WHO
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? On May 22, 2020, Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, was elected the Chair of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) executive board. The elevation affords India an important platform to steer the global public health response to COVID-19. Five elements to India’s policy approach, What can […]
CHINA TO BUILD POWER PROJECT IN POK DESPITE INDIA OBJECTION
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? China under the multi-billion-dollar China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will set up a 1,124-megawatt power project in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir despite India’s objection to it. Details A tripartite agreement has been finalised among China’s Three Gorges Corporation, the authorities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the PPIB to implement the 1,124-megawatt […]
CHINA’S DELAY IN RELEASING INFORMATION FRUSTRATES WHO
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Throughout January, the World Health Organization publicly praised China for what it called a speedy response to the new coronavirus and thanked the Chinese government for sharing the genetic map of the virus “immediately.” However, it is said that Chinese officials sat on releasing the genetic map, or […]
CHINA’S NEW HIGH-SECURITY COMPOUND IN PAKISTAN
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Recent satellite images appear to show that several new complexes have been built by China in the last few years and one of them in Gwadar, identified as being used by a Chinese company involved in port development, has unusually high security. Whether the Chinese naval base materializes […]
PASHMINA GOATS HIT AS THE LAC CONFLICT
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? The Chinese Army’s intrusion in Chumur and Demchok since January has left Ladakh’s nomadic herding Changpa community cut off from large parts of summer pastures. Details The People’s Liberation Army has taken over 16 kanals (two acres) of cultivable land in Chumur and advanced around 15 km […]
INDIA SET TO RE-ENTER UN SECURITY COUNCIL
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India is set to re-enter the UN Security Council for the eight time, as it is the sole contender for the Asia Pacific seat, after the General Assembly holds polls for electing the five non-permanent members on June 17. Details UNGA will have new voting arrangements due to […]