Govt. mulls allowing SEZ occupants to sell locally
Context: The government is considering a proposal to allow producers in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to sell their output to the domestic market without treating them as imports. It is also reviewing the exclusion of export-oriented units (EOUs) and SEZs from the recently notified tax refund scheme for exports. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and […]
Sukhet Model: LPG cylinders in exchange for cow dung
Context: An initiative called the Sukhet Model is being implemented in Bihar’s Madhubani district, which involves conferring LPG in exchange for cow dung and farmyard waste. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Conservation of Environment and Ecology) Dimensions of the Article: About the Sukhet Model Benefits of the Sukhet Model About the […]
Crypto banking and decentralized finance
Context: The development of Bitcoin and thousands of other cryptocurrencies in a little over a decade has changed the definition of money – due to which a parallel universe of alternative financial services has come into existence, allowing crypto businesses to move into traditional banking territory. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Banking, Money, Monetary Policy), GS-III: […]
Pact with rebel groups for peace in Karbi Anglong
Context: Moving to end decades of violence in Karbi Anglong in Assam, the Centre signed a tripartite agreement with five insurgent groups from the region and the state government. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Centre-State Relations, Inter-State Dispute Redressal Mechanisms) Dimensions of the Article: About the Karbi Anglong Crisis Highlights of the Karbi-Anglong Peace Agreement […]
Govt. must constitute GST tribunal: SC
Context: The Supreme Court said that the government had no option but to constitute the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Appellate Tribunal. The tribunal has not been constituted even four years after the central GST law was passed in 2016. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Taxation), GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives), Prelims Dimensions of the […]
IUCN assessment on species facing extinction
Context: The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed species for its survival watchlist said that over 25% of them are now at high risk of vanishing forever. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Important International Institutions, Conservation of Ecology and Biodiversity) Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the IUCN findings About the IUCN […]
Climate Change and its impact on El Nino and La Nina
Context: There is a growing body of research suggesting that climate change can cause extreme and more frequent El Niño and La Niña events. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important Geophysical Phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Impact of Climate Change) Dimensions of the article: La Niña El Niño About the Recent Findings […]
Account Aggregator (AA) platform goes live
Context: Thousands of Indians have signed up for and are using the apex bank-regulated account aggregator (AA) platform in less than two months of it going live. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy, Banking) Dimensions of the Article: About the Account Aggregator (AA) network How does the AA network work? […]
Taliban, opposition battle for Panjshir
Context: Fresh fighting was reported between the Taliban and resistance forces in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley, as the hardline Islamists are in the process of finalising a government that will set the tone for their rule. Taliban sources said that its fighters had taken the Valley, although the resistance denied it had fallen. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: […]
Footprints of 3 dinosaur species found in Thar desert
Context: In a major discovery, footprints of three species of dinosaurs have been found in the Thar desert in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, proving the presence of the giant reptiles in the western part of the State, which formed the seashore to the Tethys Ocean during the Mesozoic era. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Geomorphology) Dimensions of […]