CONTENTS
- Inter-State Council
- Extension of entry age: Agnipath Scheme
- Microplastics
- I2U2 Initiative
- World Competitiveness Index 2022
- Polio
Inter-State Council
Context:
Recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote to Prime Minister, asking that at least three meetings of the Inter-State Council should be held every year to “strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism”.
- He also suggested that bills of national importance should be placed before the Council before being tabled in Parliament. He said this was because there is no “effective and interactive communication” between the states and the Centre on issues of common interest.
Relevance:
GS II- Polity and Governance (Federalism)
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Inter-State Council:
- Aims of the ISC
- Composition
- Functions of Inter-State Council
Click Here To Read More: Inter-State Council
Extension of entry age: Agnipath Scheme
Context:
Consequent to the commencement of the AGNIPATH scheme, the entry age for all new recruits in the Armed Forces has been fixed as 17 ½ – 21 years of age.
- Cognizant of the fact that it has not been possible to undertake the recruitment during the last two years, the Government has decided that a one-time waiver shall be granted for the proposed recruitment cycle for 2022.
- Accordingly, the upper age limit for the recruitment process for Agnipath scheme for 2022 is increased to 23 years.
Relevance:
GS II- Government policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is the Agnipath scheme?
- What is the eligibility criteria?
- What happens after selection?
- When will the recruitment actually begin?
- How will the scheme benefit the armed forces and the recruits?
Click Here To Read More: Extension of entry age: Agnipath Scheme
Microplastics
Context:
For the first time, microplastics have been found in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica. The pollutant, scientists argue, poses a growing threat to the region’s ecosystem and could increase the melting of ice and snow.
Relevance:
GS III- Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- What are microplastics?
- Health hazard of microplastics
- How did they reach Antarctica?
- Effect of microplastics on Environment:
Click Here To Read More: Microplastics
I2U2 Initiative
Context:
As part of I2U2 initiatives, India, Israel, UAE, and the US will hold its first virtual summit in July 2022.
Relevance:
GS II- International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- About I2U2 Initiative
- Significance
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World Competitiveness Index 2022
Context:
Recently, the annual World Competitiveness Index was released by the Institute for Management Development (IMD).
- IMD is a Swiss foundation, based in Switzerland, dedicated to the development of international business executives at each stage of their careers
Relevance:
GS III- Indian Economy
Dimensions of the Article:
- World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY)
- Highlights of the Index
- India’s Performance
Click Here To Read More: World Competitiveness Index 2022
Polio
Context:
Recently, Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV) was recently found in sewage samples from Kolkata, Bengal, during environmental surveillance.
- A VDPV is a weakened poliovirus strain that was initially included in OPV (Oral Poliovirus Vaccines) but has since evolved to act more like the wild or naturally occurring virus.
Relevance:
GS II- Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is Polio?
- Polio in India
- India’s Pulse Polio Programme
- Steps taken by the Government to maintain polio free status in India
Click Here To Read More: Polio
