Hindi gains ground via a demographic shift
Context: According to the 2011 Census, Hindi and its variants are the only major languages to have gained mother tongue adherents over the last 40 years, growing from 36.99% of the population in 1971 to 43.63% by 2011. A large factor in this growth comes from demographic changes. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development […]
WMO on Covid-19 barely cutting down carbon emissions
Context: The virus-related economic downturn caused only a temporary downturn in CO2 emissions last year and it was not enough to reverse the rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Conservation of Environment) Dimensions of the Article: World Meteorological […]
China questions India’s Agni-V missile project
Context: China cited a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution issued after the 1998 nuclear tests to question India’s missile programme amid reports of an upcoming test for the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology (Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology, Defence Technology, Indigenization of Technology) Dimensions of the Article: About […]
Govt. sets up ‘bad bank’ to clear the NPA mess
Context: The Cabinet has cleared a Rs. 30,600 crore guarantee programme for securities to be issued by the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL). Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy, NPAs, Banking) Dimensions of the Article: NPA stress in the Indian financial system What is an Asset Reconstruction Company? What are […]
Government offers moratorium on AGR dues for telcos
Context: The Cabinet approved several measures to extend a lifeline to the cash-strapped telecom sector, including a redefinition of the much-litigated concept of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) to exclude non-telecom revenue and a four-year moratorium on players’ dues to the government. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy, Taxation), GS-II: Governance […]
U.S., U.K. and Australia – new security partnership
Context: The U.S. has announced a new trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific between Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. (AUKUS). Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Policies and Treaties affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: About AUKUS Why was AUKUS needed? Five Eyes Alliance Indo-Pacific Region About AUKUS A new trilateral security partnership for […]
SC gives Govt. two weeks to fill all tribunal vacancies
Context: The Supreme Court accused the Centre of “cherry-picking” names for appointments to tribunals groaning under backlog and left almost defunct by long-pending vacancies. Relevance: GS-II: Governance (Government Policies and Interventions), GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions, Quasi-Judicial Bodies) Dimensions of the Article: About the present vacancies in tribunals Constitutional provisions and mandates regarding Tribunals […]
Agriculture Ministry inks MoU with 5 firms
Context: Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signed 5 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with private companies for taking forward Digital Agriculture. These pilot projects are part of the Digital Agriculture Mission and will draw on the National Farmers Database which already includes 5.5 crore farmers identified using existing national schemes. Relevance: GS-III: Indian […]
India, Singapore to link their fast payment systems
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced a project to link their respective fast payment systems — Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and PayNow which will facilitate instant low-cost cross border fund transfer. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy, Monetary Policy, Inflation) Dimensions of […]
J&K tribal population to get their due: Forest Rights Act
Context: After a long delay, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to implement the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which will elevate the socio-economic status of a sizeable section of the 14-lakh-strong population of tribals and nomadic communities, including Gujjar-Bakerwals and Gaddi-Sippis, in the Union Territory. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice (Issues Related to SCs & […]