‘Double-dip’: La Nina formed for second year in a row
Context: A La Nina system has formed for the second year in a row, according to the Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Two La Ninas happening one after the other (with a transition through ENSO neutral conditions in between) is not uncommon. It is usually referred to as a […]
Pakistan retained on FATF’s ‘greylist’ again
Context: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on October 2021 retained Pakistan in the ‘greylist’ yet again, observing that it needed to further demonstrate that investigations and prosecutions were being pursued against the senior leadership of U.N.-designated terror groups, which include Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (International Groupings or Agreements […]
MHA: Update photos on ePrisons database
Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has advised the States to update recent photographs of prisoners released on parole in the ‘ePrisons’ and ‘Interoperable Criminal Justice System’ database. Relevance: GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Initiatives, e-Governance, Accountability in Governance) Dimensions of the Article: About the e-Prisons project About the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System About […]
Guidelines for non-transgenic gene editing
Context: The Government is yet to decide on a research proposal from its own scientists which would allow plants to be genetically modified without the need for conventional transgenic technology. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology (Biotechnology, Genetically Modified crops), GS-III: Agriculture Dimensions of the Article: About the Newer technologies for GM About the GEAC’s […]
Draft policy on national database of PwD
Context: A national database of persons with disabilities (PwD) linking their Unique Disability Identity (UDID) numbers with welfare schemes and education and health services was among the proposals of the draft National Policy for PwD, 2021. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice (Vulnerable Sections, Welfare Schemes, Government Policies and Interventions, Social Empowerment, Issues Relating to Development) Dimensions […]
Odisha to relocate families from Debrigarh wildlife
Context: Recently, the Odisha Government has decided to relocate around 420 families from four zero-connectivity villages in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary. The relocation is aimed at reducing man-animal conflict and providing better living conditions to the displaced families. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Protected Areas in news) Dimensions of the Article: About the Debrigarh wildlife […]
SC on Right to protest and blocking roads indefinitely
Context: The Supreme Court said farmers had the right to protest, but roads cannot be blocked indefinitely. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Fundamental Rights) Dimensions of the Article: Understanding Right to protest and the Constitutional Provision Can Right to Protest be restricted? Related Supreme Court’s Judgements Understanding Right to protest and the Constitutional […]
Neither State not Union can bar CBI, Centre tells SC
Context: The Union Government told the Supreme Court that Mamata Banerjee’s government in West Bengal does not have any “absolute” power to keep the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from investigating crimes inside the State. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Constitution Dimensions of the Article: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Functions of CBI About the current […]
Energy transition poses inflation risks
Context: The one member of the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to vote against continuing with the central bank’s ‘accommodative’ policy stance said that the ongoing worldwide transition to green energy poses a significant risk of triggering energy price shocks similar to the 1970s, which would accelerate inflation. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development […]
Insulin and tissue health, 100 years of insulin discovery
Context: In a study that examined the effect of insulin – researchers have uncovered how insulin amounts shape the flow of information through the signalling network. It showed that abnormalities in insulin signalling impacts health and survival of tissues. 2021 is a year to celebrate, as it marks the centenary of the discovery of insulin […]