UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW (UNCITRAL),1976
Why in news? An International Arbitration Tribunal has dismissed all claims brought against Republic of India in entirety. Details: The Tribunal constituted in accordance with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Arbitration Rules 1976, seated at the Hague, Netherlands, and proceedings administered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague, Netherlands, rendered […]
YOUTH CO:LAB -NATIONAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Why in news? Atal Innovation Mission & UNDP hosts 3 day Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge Details: Youth Co: Lab launched in collaboration by AIM and UNDP in India, aims at fostering technology, promoting youth leadership and social entrepreneurship in India Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, […]
21st April – Editorials/Opinions Analyses
Contents A nuanced approach on Chinese investments How reverse repo rate became benchmark interest rate? The occasion to revisit the sovereign’s role The invisible face of the fallout Nurturing air power to meet rising demand Implement Aarogya Setu, but only through law A NUANCED APPROACH ON CHINESE INVESTMENTS Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, GS-II International Relations […]
Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Exam – 21 April 2020
Contents U.S. oil prices fall below zero, goes to minus $37.63 per barrel Open up e-com services: IAMAI Ensure workers download Aarogya app Additional trade barriers violate WTO’s principle SEBI surveillance till May 28 Indian Envoy condemns hate-speech U.S. OIL PRICES FALL BELOW ZERO, GOES TO MINUS $37.63 PER BARREL Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why […]
LIFELINE UDAN FLIGHTS
Why in news? ‘Lifeline Udan’ flights are being operated by MoCA to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19. Air India operated two flights between Mumbai- Frankfurt and Mumbai- London last week under the Krishi Udan program, carrying seasonal fruits and vegetables from Mumbai and returning […]
CLUES TO BLAZAR EMISSION MECHANISMS
Why in news? Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) conducted the first systematic study on the gamma-ray flux variability nature on different types of blazars. Their study could provide clues to the processes happening close to the black hole, not visible through direct imaging. What are blazars? At the centre of most galaxies, […]
CBDT REVISING RETURN FORMS
Why in news? In order to enable income taxpayers to avail full benefits of various timeline extensions granted by the Government of India due to Covid-19 pandemic situations, the CBDT is revising the return forms for FY 2019-20 (Assessment Year 2020-21). CBDT The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is a Statutory Body functioning under […]
INDIA MUST ADOPT PLANS THAT AVERT THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO
Forecast of a Contraction in Economy Forecasting the sharpest contraction in world output since the Great Depression of the 1930s, the IMF slashed its projection by 6.3 percentage points from its January forecast for 3.3% growth to a 3% decline. In contrast, the recession of 2009 saw world output contract by a mere 0.1%. In […]
A SHOT OF HOPE WITH A GAME CHANGING VACCINE
Gravity of the situation Over the initial phase of the national lockdown (March 24 to April 14), India reported a 20-fold increase in confirmed SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 cases (468 to >10,000), and a 36-fold increase in deaths (9 to 330). Increased testing may partly account for this; but testing is still inadequate and this data represent underestimates. […]
EXPLAINED: TYPES OF HUMAN CORONAVIRUSES
What are coronaviruses? Coronaviruses are a large family of single-stranded RNA viruses that cause diseases in animals and humans. In humans, the viruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses such as the common cold. In the last two decades, more aggressive coronaviruses have emerged that are capable of causing serious illness and even […]