CHINESE COMPANIES FACE CURBS IN GETTING GOVT CONTRACTS
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, GS-III International Relations Why in news? The Central Government changed rules to enable curbs on bidders from countries that share a land border with India “on the grounds of defence and national security”. The action signals increasing impatience with China over its failure to fully implement the ‘consensus’ to disengage and […]
24% OF RAJYA SABHA MEMBERS FACE CRIMINAL CASES
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? About a quarter of the sitting Rajya Sabha members have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to an analysis of their self-sworn affidavits by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Details The ADR report said an analysis of 229 of the 233 Rajya Sabha seats that represent the States […]
SECURITY AGENCIES RED-FLAG FIRMS WITH CONNECTION TO CHINESE GOVT.
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Challenges Why in news? Faced with a belligerent People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in East Ladakh, Indian security agencies have red-flagged the penetration of companies believed to have ties with the Chinese government in critical sectors, particularly telecommunications, higher education, and power supply and distribution. Details It is understood that the recent […]
U.S. ORDERS CHINA TO CLOSE TEXAS CONSULATE
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The United States has told China to close its consulate in Houston, further deteriorating bilateral ties. Details Washington “abruptly demanded” closure of the Houston consulate according to China. Beijing condemned the order and threatened retaliation, but did not say what measures it might take. The State Department confirmed […]
WHAT WAS SAID RECENTLY ABOUT INDIA – U.S.
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? External Affairs Minister has said that the U.S. needs to learn to work with a more multipolar world and “go beyond” alliances – at the U.S. India Business Council’s India Ideas Summit. At the same summit, the Prime Minister invited U.S. companies to invest in India’s healthcare, infrastructure, […]
COVID-19 MAY FURTHER SKEW INDIA’S TAX PROFILE
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Introduction, How Indirect tax varies from Direct tax Direct taxes are progressive in nature – the rich pay at a higher rate than the poor – and a fall in share of direct taxes in total revenue entails retrogression in the tax burden. Indirect taxes do not make the distinction between […]
SET UP A HIGH COURT FOR PUDUCHERRY
Focus: GS-II Governance History of High court necessity in Puducherry In 1962, when Puducherry was merged with India, the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court was extended to it. After several decades, in 2017, the Puducherry legislature unanimously resolved to have its own High Court. Reasons to have a High Court for Puducherry The Puducherry […]
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF KAKRAPAR-3
Focus: GS-III Industry and Infrastructure, Science and Technology Why in news? The third unit of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) in Gujarat achieved its ‘first criticality’ — a term that signifies the initiation of a controlled but sustained nuclear fission reaction. Why is this achievement significant? This is a landmark event in India’s domestic […]
ANOTHER FRONT: ON INDIA, BHUTAN AND CHINA
Focus: GS-II International relations Why in news? For the third time China repeated its claim that Bhutan’s eastern boundary was a “disputed” area with Bhutan. A look at the beginnings of the Claim Chinese representative tried to stop funding for the Sakteng forest reserve at a UNDP-led Global Environment Facility (GEF) conference. The Sakteng forest […]
STUDY IN INDIA PROGRAMME
Focus: Prelims, GS-II Social Justice Why in news? The Ministry of HRD conducted the first ever Indian Scholastic Assessment (Ind-SAT) Test 2020 under its ‘Study in India’ programme. Nearly five thousand candidates from Nepal, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sri-Lanka, Kenya, Zambia, Indonesia and Mauritius appeared for the exam conducted. Ind-SAT Ind-SAT is an […]