Emissions Gap Report

Why in news? The 2019 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report paints a “bleak” picture of accelerated global greenhouse gas (GHG) emi

Inner line permit

Why in news? In the run-up to the likely introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Bill during the current session of Parliament, the concept of Inne

What is the Chagos Islands dispute about?

Why in news? The UN had given the UK six months to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. After the UK missed the deadline to do so, Mauritius called

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

Context: The 19th IORA Council of Ministers meeting will be held on November 7 in Abu Dhabi with the theme of “Promoting a Shared Destiny and Pa

Eligibility Criteria for Grant of Maharatna, Navratna and Miniratna Status

Context: Government of India has accorded ‘Maharatna’ status to public sector undertaking’s (PSU’s) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited

BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change 

Context: The 29th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change was held recently in Beijing, China. Outcomes of the recent meet- demands by BASIC: T

Global Mobility Report

Context: Global Mobility Report has been released by Sustainable Mobility for All (SuM4All) initiative. What is SuM4All? The SuM4All initiative, la

The Citizenship Amendment Bill:

Context: With political positions on the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) largely unchanged, the government, which is hoping to move a new version o

BHIM 2.0 

Context: Govt launches BHIM 2.0 with new functionalities, additional language support. What is BHIM? Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a UPI ba

linking of Aadhaar with social media

Context: From January, the Supreme Court will hear cases seeking the linking of Aadhaar with social media profiles of individuals. It will be the

Adjusted Gross revenue

Context: The Supreme Court has upheld the definition of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) calculation as stipulated by the Department of Telecommunicatio

BSNL and MTNL Revival plan

  Context: Union Cabinet approves revival plan of BSNL and MTNL. The revival plan includes: Allotment of spectrum for 4G services. Debt restructu

18th Non-Aligned Movement summit.

Context: Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu will represent India at the 18th Non-Aligned Movement summit. Theme: ‘Upholding the Bandung Principles t

 Government e-Marketplace (GeM)

Context: The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Federal Bank to offer various services. Significance

Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)

Context: About 70% of Indian contribution to the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will be in the form of both hardware and software for the telescope. I

Global Wealth Report.

Context: The Credit Suisse Group, a Switzerland-based multinational investment bank, has released the 10th edition of its annual Global Wealth Repo

Intensified mission indradhanush

Context: To ensure that not a single child in the country misses out on vaccination, the government will launch the ‘Intensified Mission Indradhanu

Section 11 of Representation of the People Act.

Context: Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Centre and the Election Commission (EC) on a petition challenging the EC’s decision to r

EL Nino Effect

Context: In a new study, researchers have found that because of climate change, extreme El Niño events are likely to become more frequent. Key findi

Food Safety Mitra (FSM) scheme

Context: Food Safety Mitra (FSM) scheme for strengthening and scaling up ‘Eat Right India’ movement launched. What is FSM scheme? A scheme to s

World’s Children report for 2019. 

Context: UNICEF released its State of the World’s Children report for 2019.  Ranking of countries: The report has ranked countries in the order

20th Livestock Census.

Context: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying releases 20th Livestock Census. Significance: The Census will prove beneficial not just for

IPC to be reworked

Context: The Home Ministry is all set to overhaul the Indian Penal Code designed by the British. Rebooting the code introduced by the British in 1

One Nation One FASTag scheme

Context: One Nation One FASTag scheme inaugurated recently. The government has already announced that FASTags will be mandatory for all vehicles at

World Economic Outlook (WEO)

Context: IMF’s 2019 World Economic Outlook (WEO) has been released. India- specific observations: India retains its rank as the world’s fastest

Who are Kurds?

Who are Kurds? At an estimated 25 million to 35 million population, they are the world’s largest stateless ethnic group. The majority among the Ku

2019 Global Hunger Index

Context: The 2019 Global Hunger Index report has been released. The GHI ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hu

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2019:

Awarded “for contributions to our understanding of the evolution of the universe and Earth’s place in the cosmos”. Winners are: James Peebles �

Dark Grey list?

Context: Pakistan is on the verge of strong action by the international terror financing watchdog FATF and the country may be put in the ‘Dark Grey

India China -second Informal Summit.

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in the ancient coastal town of Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram in Tamil N

National Medical Commission.

Context: Government selects 25 members of National Medical Commission. For selecting members of the commission, that replaces the Medical Council of

Election Manifesto

What are Manifestos? Election manifestos are not legally enforceable documents. This has been reiterated by the Supreme Court in 2015. They are a for

Green wall 

Context: The Centre is mulling an ambitious plan to create a green wall on North- Western part of India. About the proposed wall: It will be a 1,40

Himalayas and Climate change

Context: To better gauge the impact of climate change on the Hindu Kush mountains, which includes the Himalayas, and spruce up data-gathering, the

Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN)

Context: The Union Government has launched Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) to provide quality healthcare at zero cost to pregnant women, new mo

POSHAN Atlas

Context: The ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) in association with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Deendayal Research Instit

DHRUV

Context: Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme- ‘DHRUV’, a 14 day learning programme, was launched recently from Indian Space Research Org

 Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Context: Ten years ago (Oct. 9), NASA slammed a hunk of space junk into the moon, forever changing our perception of Earth’s nearest neighbour. Bac

C40 Cities Climate Summit:

Context: C40 Cities World Mayors Summit is being held in Copenhagen. Key facts: C40 is a network of the world’s megacities committed to address

GRAP

Context: Soon, some stricter measures to fight air pollution will come into force in Delhi’s neighbourhood, as part of the Graded Response Action P

Global Competitiveness Index

Context: GCI 2019 has been released. The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which was launched in 1979, maps the competitiveness landscape of 141 eco

Nobel Prize in detail

Context: The 2019 Nobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded jointly to William G. Kaelin Jr, Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe and Gregg L. Semenza “for th

Sedition law

Context: Recently, a Bihar court directed the filing of an FIR against 49 eminent persons who signed an open letter to the Prime Minister expressing c

Single use plastics

Context: The government has launched massive campaigns against single-use, or disposable, plastic products, as part of the year-long celebrations to m

Hyderabad Nizam heirs win UK court battle with Pakistan

Context: The UK high court has ruled in favour of India and the titular 8th Nizam of Hyderabad and his younger brother in a case they had been f

Gandhian Challenge

Context: On the 150th birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, AIM, NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and UNICEF India, including Generation Unl

Supreme Court verdict on SC/ST Act

Context: Supreme Court has recalled its directions in a March 20, 2018 verdict that had effectively diluted provisions of arrest under the Schedul

School Education Quality Index

Context: NITI Aayog releases the first edition of School Education Quality Index (SEQI). About the School Education Quality Index (SEQI): Developed

National nutrition survey

Context: With the help of UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently conducted the first-ever comprehensive National Nutrition Sur

Emissions Trading Scheme

What is it? Launched in Surat by Gujarat Government, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a regulatory tool that is aimed at reducing the pollut

Sardar Sarovar Dam 

Context: Oustees displaced in Madhya Pradesh due to the backwaters of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat are not convinced by the government of Madhy

6th Schedule amendment

Context: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Writes to Union Home Minister & Union Tribal Affairs Minister Conveying Its recommendat

District Mineral Foundation (DMF)

Context: Amendments to District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust Rules, 2015, by Chhattisgarh government has made it more inclusive, people-centric an

Indias Cooling Action Plan

Context: India’s Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) has received appreciation from the UN on World Ozone Day. Significance of ICAP: India is the first co

Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR)

Context: India is going to be possibly the first country in the world to implement a Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) Policy on the lines of C

Market Intervention Price Scheme:

Context: The government is planning to procure almost 12 lakh metric tonnes of apple this season, under the MISP. About the Market Intervention Price

Recent reforms in Judiciary

Context: The recent controversy over the transfer of the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Justice Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani, to the Meghalaya

‘NIRVIK’ scheme

Context: Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) has introduced ‘NIRVIK’ scheme to ease the lending process and enhance loan avail

 Kisan Man Dhan Yojana.

Context: PM Modi to launch Kisan Man Dhan Yojana. Aim: To improve the life of small and marginal farmers of the country. Salient features of the sche

National Genome Grid

Context: Recently, the government has announced to set up a National Genomic Grid (NGG). About NGG: It will study genomic data of cancer patients f

UN Peacekeeping Reforms

Context: India calls for reforms in peacekeeping at UNSC debate. Need for reforms: Peacekeeping currently is in a “no-man’s land” between trying

Krishna Water Dispute

Context: The Krishna river dispute has taken a new turn with Maharashtra and Karnataka CMs agreeing to jointly oppose Andhra Pradesh’s applicatio

Hepatitis A,B and C

Context: On September 3, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand became the first four countries in the World Health Organization’s southeast Asia r

Indian Ocean Conference 2019

Context: Fourth Indian Ocean Conference 2019 was recently held in Male, capital of Maldives. Theme: ‘Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Tradition

Eastern Economic Forum

Context: India extends $1 billion line of credit for development of Russia’s Far East. This was announced by PM Modi at the ongoing 5th Eastern Ec

Measles and Rubella

Context: Member-countries of the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region have resolved to eliminate highly infectious childhood kill

Advance Price agreements

Context: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into 26 Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) in the first 5 months of the financial yea

Global Liveability Index 2019.

Context: The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has released the Global Liveability Index 2019. The index ranks 140 global cities based on their li

ANDREX project

Context: Scientists have discovered that, contrary to existing assumptions, biological processes far out at sea are the most important factors determ

Male Declaration

Context: The fourth South Asian Speakers’ Summit was held recently in Maldives capital with the secretary general of the Inter-Parliamentary U

Samudrayaan

Context: India to undertake deep ocean mining with ‘Samudrayaan’ project. About Samudrayaan: It is a pilot project of the Ministry of Earth Scie

‘Build for Digital India’ programme

Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Google have signed a statement of intent to roll-out ‘Build for Dig

Economic capital framework

Context: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the transfer of record Rs 1.76 lakh crore dividend and surplus reserves to the government. The exc

G-7

Context: The 45th Annual G7 Summit is being held in the French town of Biarritz. What is G7 Summit? G7 Summit is an event conducted annually where wo

Open Acreage Licensing Policy

Context: Govt offers seven oil and natural gas blocks for bidding under OALP-IV. What is Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)? The OALP, a critical p

Mitra

Context: On 23 August, Chandrayaan-2 captured images of various craters on the moon while passing over its north polar region. Of the various crater

Gravitational lensing

Context: Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope as a sort of time machine, researchers plan to investigate how new stars are born, with the help

Regional comprehensive economic Partnership

Context: Stakeholders’ Consultations by Department of Commerce on RCEP. What you need to know about RCEP? RCEP is proposed between the ten member

Oxytoxin Ban

Context: The final decision on whether the government can block private pharmaceutical companies from manufacturing and selling vital pregnancy drug o

Financial Action Task Force

Context: Financial Action Task Force affiliate Asia Pacific Group (APG) places Pakistan on Blacklist for failing to combat terrorism, money launde

South-South and Triangular Cooperation

Context: An international dialogue on South-South and Triangular Cooperation was recently held in New Delhi. About South-South and Triangular Cooper

WTO Reforms

Context: WTO reforms must be taken up by all member countries: Piyush Goyal. Need of the hour: The World Trade Organization remains an indispensable o

International Court of Justice

Context: Pakistan has said it will approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Kashmir issue, weeks after India revoked the special s

NISHTHA

Context: Union HRD Minister launches NISHTHA to build capacities of 42 Lakh government teachers across the country. About NISHTHA: NISHTHA is the w

Chief of defence staff

Context: On Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). When was it first pr

Fly Ash

Context: IIT Hyderabad scientists convert fly ash into waterproofing material. Treating fly ash with stearic acid, used in soaps and shampoos, mod

CHANDRAYAAN-2

Context: The second moon mission of India, the Chandrayaan-2 has been precisely inserted in defined orbit. Next in line is the landing mission. T

No First Use’ doctrine

Context: India’s ‘No First Use’ doctrine (NFU) on the use of nuclear weapons is open for change in the future, defence minister Rajnath Singh

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Context: The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is hailed as a timely intervention to rectify the harm caused by Household Air Pollution (HAP). Challeng

National Resource Efficiency Policy 2019.

Context: Driven by serious sustainability concern, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change had proposed a draft National Resource

Public Safety Act (PSA).

Why in News? Former IAS officer has been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). What is the J&K PSA? The Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety A

World wide fund report-First Ever assessment forest biodiversity

Context: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has released the first-ever global assessment of forest biodiversity. Background: Until now, forest biodiv

CBI Autonomy

Context: Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has recommended a comprehensive legislation to make the Central Bureau of Investigation functional as an

Gulf War and India

Context: In an emotive gesture, Iraq recently handed over the remains of 48 Kuwaiti nationals, more than 28 years after the Gulf War ended. What is

Stubble burning

Context: Through the various efforts under the Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Resi

Bank Nationalisation in India and present status

Context: Nationalisation of banks in 1969 was a watershed moment in the history of Indian banking. From July 19 that year, 14 private banks were n

What is resolution 47

Context: Pakistan PM Imran Khan has termed the Government of India’s decision to remove the special status for the state of Jammu and Kashmir by mod

Simla Agreement

What is Simla Agreement and why was it signed? The Simla Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhu

Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’

Context: ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ Drive has been launched by the Department of School Education & Literacy, HRD Ministry to create awar

CITES

Context: India has submitted proposals regarding changes to the listing of various wildlife species in the CITES secretariat meeting, scheduled late

PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana.

Context: Registration opens for PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana. Aim: To improve the life of small and marginal farmers of the country. Also Read : Fame 2

Code of Conduct for MPs and MLAs

  Context: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has sought a consensus on a Code of Conduct for MPs and MLAs. This has been a longstanding concern —

FAME 2

Context: The Department of Heavy Industry has approved the sanction of 5595 electric buses to 64 Cities, State Government Entities, State Transport Un

National Medical Commission Act 2019

Context: The National Medical Commission Act 2019 has been passed by both Houses of Parliament is historic and path-breaking. What is the NMC Bill?

Article 371

Context: Northeastern states of India have expressed apprehension that having rendered Article 370 irrelevant, the government might unilaterally mov

Consumer Protection Bill, 2019

Context: Landmark Consumer Protection Bill, 2019 gets Parliamentary approval. Key Provisions of the Bill: Definition of consumer: A consumer is defi

Reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir

Context: Ending Jammu & Kashmir’s special status in the Indian Union, the government has extended all provisions of the Constitution to the St

The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 

Context: The Lok Sabha has passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 by a voice vote. Key features of the bill: Regulation of surrogacy: The B

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019.

Context:  Lok Sabha approves The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019. Impact: The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender

Rajasthan Assembly Passes Anti-Lynching Bill.

Context: Rajasthan Assembly Passes Anti-Lynching Bill. Key features of the bill: Definitions: “Mob”– a group of two or more individuals. “Lyn

POCSO Act

Context: Parliament has passed the Amendments in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Key changes proposed: Penetrativ

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019.

Why is it in news? : Parliament passes the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019. Key features of the Bill: The Bill amends the Unla

Institution of eminence Scheme

Context: The UGC, in its Recent meeting, has considered the reports of the Empowered Expert Committee (EEC) appointed by Government under the Chairman

Inter-State River Water disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Context: Lok Sabha has passed the Inter-State River Water disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill seeks to amend the Inter State River Water Dispu

New Educational Policy

Context: Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that the New Educational Policy will make India a glob

J and K Reservation Bill

Context: Rajya Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Bill. Passed by Lok Sabha last week, the Bill partially amends a Presidential Order of

Supreme Court judges from 31 to 34.

Context: Cabinet approves increasing strength of Supreme Court judges from 31 to 34. At present, the sanctioned strength of the apex court is 31. Nee

Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Context: The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, has been passed by the Rajya Sabha. Key highl

Commission to Examine Sub Categorization of other Backward Classes

Context: Cabinet approves Extension of term of the commission constituted under Article 340 of the constitution to examine the issue of Sub-categori

Kerala Internet Rights

Why in news? The Kerala government has officially cleared the K-Fon project to provide free high speed Internet connection to over 20 lakh BPL familie

New zealand Zero-carbon Act

Why in news? New Zealand’s Parliament recently passed The Zero-Carbon Act, which will commit New Zealand to zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.

Bolivian Crises

Why in news? The Bolivian senator Jeanine Anez has declared herself the country’s interim president after the resignation of Bolivian President Evo

UN resolution on torture

Context: India joined ranks with Russia and 42 other nations to abstain from voting on a General Assembly resolution aimed at examining options to

Maratha Reservation Issue

Context: The Bombay High Court has upheld the constitutional validity of reservation for the Maratha community in education and government jobs in

Indo-Pacific regional command

For Mains: Significance and potential of the region, need for international cooperation to main peace and order in the region. Context: The term Indo

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

For Mains: Significance of the programme and similar policies for the aid of old aged. Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: The Scheme aims at providing Senior

DNA Technology Regulation Bill

Context: The Union Cabinet cleared the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill once again, paving the way for its reintroduction in Par

Article 370

Context: Article 370 only temporary provision, not permanent, Said Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently. He said this during a debate on extensio

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

Context: Houses Sanctioned Under PMAY(U) now Stands at 83.62 Lakhs. Uttar Pradesh tops list for Sanctioned Houses at 13 Lakhs. About PMAY- Urban:

Van Dhan Yojana

Context: Training Workshop for implementing teams of Van Dhan Yojana Organized. About Van Dhan Vikas Kendras initiative: The initiative aims to pro

Joint Comprehensive plan of Action

Context: Amid escalating tensions with the United States, Iran has said that it would surpass the limit on the uranium supply permitted under the 201

Atal Tinkering labs

Context: 8878 schools have been selected for establishing Atal Tinkering Lab (ATLs) to promote research and innovation in schools. What are ATLs? With

Jal Skakti Abhiyan

Context: The Centre is set to initiate the Jal Shakti Abhiyan to ramp up rainwater harvesting and conservation efforts in 255 water-stressed distri

Methane on Mars

Context: NASA’s Curiosity rover recently discovered high amounts of methane in the air on Mars, leading to excitement whether this was an indicati

Space Activities bill

Context: The government is likely to introduce the Space Activities Bill which will allow commercial use of space. Features of Space activities b

DNA Technology Regulation Bill 

Context: Cabinet has cleared the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill once again, paving the way for its reintroduction in Parliamen

NITI Aayog’s Health Index

Context: NITI Aayog has released its second edition of comprehensive Health Index report titled, “Healthy States, Progressive India”. What you nee

National register of citizens

Context: Over one lakh people who were part of the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) published in July last year but were foun

Motion of Thanks

What is “Motion of Thanks” and what it contains? The President makes an address to a joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget sessi

Jal hi jeevan hai

Context: The farmers of northern districts of Haryana have shown a keen interest in crop diversification scheme called ‘Jal Hi Jeevan Hai’ of th

National Policy on domestic Workers

Context: Draft National Policy on Domestic Workers Under Consideration. There is a need for the policy due to the following reasons: Employer-domina

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana:

Context: 7.23 Crore Connections released under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aims

National Policy on Biofuels

Context: The National Policy on Biofuels-2018 approved by the Government envisages an indicative target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5%

World Population Prospects 2019 report

Context: As per the report, India is projected to become the most populous country by 2027 surpassing China, and host 1.64 billion people by 2050; t

Removal of Judges

Context: Months after an in-house panel found an Allahabad High Court judge, Justice S.N. Shukla, guilty of misconduct, Chief Justice of India Ranjan

Cryptocurrency

Context: There is a new cryptocurrency called Libra, announced by Facebook . While this signals Facebook’s plans to expand into the digital curre

Superconductivity

Context: IISc researchers have reported superconductivity at room temperature. Their finding, now under review, will be a breakthrough if verified. B

Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

Context: Funds have been mobilized under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) for setting up of 21 Gokul Grams as Integrated Cattle Development Centres. A

African Union

Context: India has for the first time extended $15 Million financial support to Niger as a support for organising African Union (AU) summit schedu

Financial Stability and development council

Context: FSDC meeting held recently was chaired by the Union Finance Minister. About FSDC: The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) wa

Squandering the gender dividend

Context: The 61st round of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) recorded 48.5% rural women above the age of 15 as being employed either as the

Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2019.

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2019. Benefits: The proposed Bill will protect th

Shanghai Cooperation organisation

Context: SCO Summit 2019 is being held in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. About SCO: What is it? The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, also known as

The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Context: In a major move aimed at making Aadhaar people friendly, the Union Cabinet has approved “The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019�

Tenure and salaries of CIC and ICs under the Right to Information Rules, 2019

The Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019 amended the Right to Information Act, 2005.  The RTI Act, 2005 specified the tenure, terms of service

All States can now constitute Foreigners Tribunals

Context: The MHA has amended the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, Changes proposed as per the amendment: It has empowered district magistrates in

Three Language formula

Why is it in the news now? A 50-year-old controversy got a new lease of life recently when a paragraph in the Draft New Education Policy 2019 referr

Hong kong Protest

Context: Huge protests in Hong Kong. Reasons behind: The protesters were marching against proposed changes in the law that would allow suspects accus

Bharat Stage

Context: International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) has released India’s first Type Approval Certificate (TAC) for Bharat Stage – V

Leader of opposition

Why in News? Congress, with 52 MPs, has declined to stake claim for the position of Leader of Opposition in Parliament. Background: Any party that

Shanta Kumar Committee

Context: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan lays down the future roadmap for Food Corporation of

What is Strategic arms reduction theory?

Context: Russia has warned that it was prepared to drop New START treaty with the U.S. and warned of “global catastrophe” if Washington keeps di

Cabinet Committees

Context: The Union government has released the composition of eight Cabinet Committees, including two new ones — one on Investment, the other on Em

PM-KISAN

Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved that the ambit of the Pradhan Mantri KisanSamman Nidhi (PM-KISAN

Examining the rise of Non-Performing Assets in India

The issue of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in the Indian banking sector has become the subject of much discussion and scrutiny. The Standing Committee

Global Talent Competitive Index

Context: Global Talent Competitive Index (GTCI) for 2019 has been released. Background: GTCI, launched in 2013, is an annual benchmarking report that

InSight Lander

Context: NASA’s Mars Lander InSight has recorded its first ‘Marsquake.’ It has recorded a quake of 2 or 2.5 magnitude which is hard to predict o

Priority Watch List

Context: The United States has again placed India on its ‘Priority Watch List’. India has been on the priority watch list reportedly for over 25

Global Food Policy Report-2019.

Context: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has recently released Global Food Policy Report-2019. The report reviews the major f

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

Why in News? Five years after its launch, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme has almost achieved a total balance of ₹1-lakh crore.

BCIM

Why in News? India’s decision to skip the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) may have led to the exclusion of the Bangladesh- China- India- Myanmar (BC

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

Context: MoEFCC has constituted a committee to implement the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Composition: The committee will be chaired by the S

World Wildlife Fund

Context: Six mammal, bird and fish species are facing the spectre of extinction in Russia according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF). These include the

BIMSTEC

Context: By inviting leaders from the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries, Kyrgyz Repu

World Heritage site

Context: The Orchha town of Madhya Pradesh has been included in tentative list of the World Heritage Sites of United Nations Educational, Scientif

Coral reef Bleaching

Context: Researchers have found an alarming pattern of bleaching in the reefs in Mandapam, Keezhakkarai and Palk Bay in Gulf of Mannar regions. Key fi

Chagos Archipelago Issue

Why in News? The United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) has passed a non-binding resolution asking United Kingdom (UK) to return Chagos Archipelago

Ultima Thule

Context: NASA has found evidence of a unique mixture of water ice, methanol, and organic molecules on Ultima Thule’s surface. This mixture is very d

United Nations under the definition of state

Context: The Delhi High Court has ruled that the United Nations is not a State under Article 12 of the Constitution of India and is not amenable

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