U.S. BLACKLISTS CHINESE FIRMS AMID SCS DISPUTE
Focus: GS-III International Relations Why in news? The United States blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted a number of individuals it said were part of construction and military actions related to disputed islands in the South China Sea. Details The U.S. Commerce Department said the two dozen companies played a “role in helping the Chinese […]
DRAFT HEALTH DATA MANAGEMENT POLICY
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The National Health Authority (NHA) has released the Draft Health Data Management Policy of the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) in the public domain. The draft has been released on the website of the NDHM; made available for public comments and feedback, it will be finalised after receiving suggestions […]
Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Exam – 30 & 31st August 2020
Contents GST Due: Centre asks States to borrow India decides to pull out of Kavkaz 2020 China calls for ‘Impregnable Wall’ for Tibet Migration of Butterflies in South India Kandhamal Turmeric with GI Tag not selling Covid lockdown, Mental Health and House Panel India’s Covid-19 vaccine diplomacy GST DUE: CENTRE ASKS STATES TO BORROW Focus: […]
SUPREME COURT ON LOAN MORATORIUM SCHEME
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Supreme Court criticised the Centre for “hiding behind the Reserve Bank of India” without making its stand clear on the loan moratorium scheme introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Details The court wanted to know whether the deferment of loan interest to prop up borrowers through their financial […]
MAKING AGRICULTURAL MARKET REFORMS SUCCESSFUL
Focus: GS-III Agriculture Introduction The recent reforms in agricultural marketing have brought a sea change in policy. The removal of restrictions under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA) should help attract private investment in agriculture and help farmers of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, onion and potato, who have been adversely affected by the policy regime hitherto that […]
BRINGING THE INTERNET TO EVERYONE
Focus: GS-II Social Justice, GS-III Science and Technology Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the influence of technology in our lives – We live in times where we can buy or sell anything online, get quality access to healthcare, government services and education online, etc. Marginalised and isolated Meanwhile, a substantial section of our population, […]
UNCHARTED TERRITORY OF OUTER SPACE
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, GS-II International Relations Introduction Several space events planned well in advance have proceeded amidst the COVID-19 pandemic without much attention. The launch of missions to Mars by China and the U.S. along with the UAE’s Mars orbiter; the first astronaut trip to orbit on a commercial enterprise built by Space […]
WHAT IS VACCINE NATIONALISM?
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction Countries are engaging in agreements for purchase of COVID-19 vaccines at an average of more than 1 per person:The United States has entered into multi-billion-dollar agreements with at least six big pharmaceutical companies for assured supplies of vaccines (in development) amounting to more than two doses for every American citizen. […]
HOW MARRIAGE AGE AND WOMEN’S HEALTH ARE LINKED?
Focus: GS-II Social Justice How prevalent is underage marriage? Data show that the majority of women in India marry after the age of 21. Although, the mean age of women at marriage is 22.1 years, and more than 21 in all states- this does not mean that child marriages have disappeared. The latest National Family […]
WHY RBI SENT RS 73,615 CRORE TO RBI’S CONTINGENCY FUND?
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Introduction The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the government’s banker, has retained a whopping amount of Rs 73,615 crore within the RBI by transferring it to the Contingency Fund (CF) of the central bank, thus leading to a sharp fall in the transfer of surplus to the government in the current […]