ISRAELI TEAM ARRIVES FOR TRIALS OF COVID-19 TESTS
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? An Israeli team, led by a “high ranking” research and development (R&D) defence official, arrived in India with a multi-pronged mission, codenamed “Operation Breathing Space”. Operation Breathing Space The team will be coordinated by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) […]
5 RAFALES HEAD TO INDIA
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Challenges Why in news? Five Rafale fighter jets of the 36 ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) took off from France and are homebound to India. Benefits This move of inducting Rafales to the IAF will boost rapid deployment of the jets to upgrade India’s ageing air power amid tensions […]
RBI GOVERNOR: 5 POINTS TO REIGNITE THE ECONOMY
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor said five dynamic shifts have the potential to shape the future of the country’s economy. He said the infrastructure gap still remains large and there is a need for diversifying financing options. The Five Dynamic Shifts I. Favoring Agricultural Sector The RBI […]
GOVT. TO GO AHEAD WITH DIVESTMENT OF PSUS
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The government is working on completing the stake sale process of about 23 public sector companies whose divestment has already been cleared by the Cabinet. With regard to extending credit to the industry – under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) […]
CHINA MEETS AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN, NEPAL MINISTERS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? China convened a rare quadrilateral dialogue with the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Nepal and Pakistan. Details China pledged to strengthen cooperation among the four nations in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as boosting their economic recoveries, including through regional connectivity projects. China outlined four proposals at […]
WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT INDIA AND BANGLADESH?
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Speaking on the occasion of handing over 10 broad gauge locomotives to Bangladesh – Indian Minister of External Affairs said India-Bangladesh relationship is a role model for good neighbourly relationship in the South Asian region. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister said that the Indian government and society have an obligation […]
ANDHRA PRADESH: REMARKABLE INCREASE IN TIGER NUMBERS
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? There is an increase in number of adult and sub-adult Tigers in Andhra Pradesh during the last five years. Introduction Of the less than 4,000 Tigers in the world, India accounts for 75%. A massive conservation effort spearheaded by the Forest Department and many global NGOs […]
THE MAJORITY CANNOT AFFORD A BALANCED DIET
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction New analysis from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that hundreds of millions of people in India above the international poverty line of $1.90 purchasing power parity (PPP) per person per day cannot afford a healthy or nutritious diet. This analysis confirms the fact that the problem of […]
WHEN CAN A GOVERNOR USE HIS DISCRETION?
Focus: GS-II Governance, Polity Why in news? Rajasthan Governor returning the fresh proposal by the state Cabinet – seeking to convene a session of the Assembly – has raised fresh legal questions on the powers of the Governor. Who has the powers to summon the House? It is the Governor acting on the aid and […]
AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESHAPE HEALTH CARE
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction Indian health care has been increasingly privatised over the last few decades which has led to intense market competition. COVID-19 has led to a dramatic reduction in the numbers of patients seeking care which is especially true of planned, non-urgent problems including procedures and surgeries. Procedures such as knee replacements […]