Centre ceasefire agreement with NSCN(K) Niki group
Context: The Central government entered into a one-year ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group. The agreed ceasefire ground rules were also signed. In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the agreement would boost the Naga peace process. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Centre-State Relations), Prelims Dimensions […]
Amid protests, Centre hikes MSP for rabi crops
Context: The Centre has increased the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat for the upcoming rabi season. Oilseeds and pulses such as mustard, safflower and masoor dal saw higher MSP increases of up to 8% in a bid to encourage crop diversification. Relevance: GS-III: Agriculture (Agriculture Pricing), GS-II: Social Justice (Welfare Schemes) Dimensions of the […]
Jharkhand bill: 75% quota for locals in private jobs
Context: The Jharkhand Assembly recently passed a Bill, which provides 75% reservation for local people in the private sector up to ₹40,000 salary a month. Once notified, Jharkhand will become the third State in the country, after Andhra Pradesh and Haryana, to pass such law for the reservation in private sector jobs. Relevance: GS-II: Social […]
NCW: Rise in complaints of crimes against women in 2021
Context: The country saw a rise of 46 per cent in complaints of crimes against women in the first eight months of 2021 as against the corresponding period of 2020, according to the National Commission for Women (NCW). Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice (Issues Related to Women, Government Policies and Initiatives) Dimensions of the Article: About […]
Survey on impact of school closures and Shikshak Parv
Context: The prolonged closure of primary and upper primary schools during the pandemic months has led to “catastrophic consequences” for school students, particularly in rural India, says an emergency report. The private sector must come forward and contribute to increasing the quality of education in government schools, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while launching a […]
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 […]