WORLD BANK APPROVES $750 MILLION TO AID MSMES
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The World Bank has approved $750-million loan to increase flow of finance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India. The bank has lent $5.13 billion to India in the last year —the highest in a decade. Details India’s MSME sector, which contributes 30% of India’s GDP […]
DATA THEFT, SECURITY ISSUES KEY IN SELECTING 5G VENDORS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Internal Security Why in news? With the US communications department tagging Chinese telecom vendors Huawei and ZTE as a “national security risk” it points to concerns over data theft and security implications shaping the crucial call on deciding 5G vendors for India. Explaining the Concerns Fifth-generation telecom (5G) technology is […]
UAPA: INDIA DESIGNATES KHALISTANI GROUP LINKS AS TERRORISTS
Focus: GS-II Governance, GS-I History, Prelims Why in news? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated nine more individuals linked to separatist Khalistani groups as “terrorists” under the amended UAPA Act. The UAPA as amended in 2019 gave the MHA the power to designate individuals as terrorists. What is Khalistan movement? The Khalistan movement […]
MIGRANT FOODGRAIN SCHEME REACHED LESS THAN 15% OF TARGET
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme to provide free rations to eight crore migrants under the Aatmanirbhar package reached less than 15% of its target beneficiaries, according to data provided by the Food Ministry Details The PMGKAY Scheme was announced by the Union Finance Minister […]
GLOBBA ANDERSONII THOUGHT TO BE EXTINCT FOUND IN SIKKIM
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? A team of researchers rediscovered a rare and critically endangered plant species called Globba andersonii from the Sikkim Himalayas near the Teesta river valley region. The plant, known commonly as ‘dancing ladies’ or ‘swan flowers’ was thought to have been extinct for more than 135 years. […]
EIGHT CORE INDUSTRIES’ OUTPUT CONTRACTS 23.4% IN MAY 2020
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, Industry and Infrastructure Why in news? The output of eight core infrastructure industries shrank by 23.4% in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 Lockdown. Details Barring fertiliser, all seven sectors — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel, cement, and electricity — had recorded negative growth in May. During April-May […]
46 MILLION GIRLS WENT MISSING IN INDIA, SAYS UNFPA REPORT
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? UNFPA’s State of the World Population 2020 report says: One in three girls missing globally due to sex selection, both pre- and post-natal, is from India. Details The report cites a 2014 study to state that India has the highest rate of excess female deaths one in nine […]
CHINA INVESTING, TRADING THROUGH A THIRD PARTY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India suspects that China could be engaging in unfair trade practices by supplying goods and investments through a third party such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Details of Alleged Foul play by China Data suggests significant indirect inflow of Chinese goods and investments through locations with which India […]
CHINA OPENS BORDER DISPUTE WITH BHUTAN
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? China has now created a new border dispute with Bhutan, one of India’s traditional ally. Beijing has been aggressively attempting to alter the status quo in East China Sea, South China Sea and with India in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. Details At a virtual meeting of the Global […]
FREE FOOD GRAINS SCHEME PMGKAY EXTENDED
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? Prime Minister announced that the free grain distribution scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) will be extended till the end of November. Highlights Under this scheme five kilograms of free rice or wheat, and one kilogram of chana/Pulses will be provided free to 80 […]