67% OF DONATIONS TO NATIONAL PARTIES BY UNKNOWN SOURCES
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? As much as 67% of donations to national parties in 2018-19 came from “unknown sources,” an increase from 53% in the 2018-19 financial year, said a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms. Electoral bonds accounted for 78% of the ₹2,512.98 crore, or 67%, income from unknown sources. […]
RAISE PAY OF SUBORDINATE JUDICIARY
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? A supreme court bench made it clear to the States and Union Territories that the Second National Judicial Pay Commission recommendation to nearly triple that pay and allowances for subordinate Judiciary should be implemented ‘proactively’. The court said that financially self-sufficient subordinate judiciary was pivotal for its independence. Hierarchy […]
CONVICT’S DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED OVER MENTAL STATE
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Supreme Court has commuted the death sentence of a man who murdered three children aged between eight and four, concluding that he was suffering from “extreme mental disturbance” at the time of the “abominable crime”. Views of the Supreme Court in this Case It is true that a […]
MADRAS HIGH COURT DISMISSES GI TAG FOR BASMATI RICE PLEA
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? A 2016 case challenging the exclusion of 13 districts in the State from a map submitted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) seeking Geographical Indication tag for basmati rice grown in the Indo Gangetic Plain was dismissed by Madras High Court. Details […]
WORST SINGLE DAY FALL FOR SENSEX
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Sensex on 9th March 2020 witnessed its worst fall since demonetisation in 2016 as the sell-off in stocks continues unabated. The Nifty hit a one-year low. 5 factors causing this crash Oil price crash Crude oil prices tanked over 30 per cent following Saudi Arabia’s decision to […]
Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Exam – 19 March 2020
Contents: The importance of ‘contact tracing’ – Controlling COVID-19 Spread -‘Once-in-100-Year’ virulence FDA urges virtual patient visits Pandemic could make another 25 million jobless New Bill halves terms of presidents, VPs of local bodies SC strips Manipur Minister of his office ‘Call data being used to improve quality’: Surveillance Concerns Nod for 83 LCA Tejas […]
HOW DEMAND FOR ORGANIC FOOD IS DRIVING BIOTECH INNOVATION
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The outbreak of novel coronavirus has refocused attention on animal farming practices and the additives that go into animal feed. Even otherwise, there’s been a growing consumer pushback against dairy, poultry and fish pumped up with antibiotics, hormones and chemicals. Demand for products from traceable, organic and […]
GLOBAL CRUDE OIL WAR BRINGS GOOD TIDINGS FOR INDIA
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Major oil buyers such as India are set to gain following Russia’s refusal to back broader cuts in crude oil production by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec). Details Crude prices are on a tailspin after Russia did not agree to Opec’s proposal for an additional […]
GENDER BUDGET: RHETORIC, REALITY
Focus: GS-II Social Justice, GS-III Indian Economy, Prelims Why in news? Budgetary allocations for “100% women-specific programmes” in 2018-19, as listed in Part A of the Gender Budget Statement (GBS), declined. Despite some sops to women: a cut in provident fund contribution, and 80 million free gas connections for poor women, a closer examination of […]
MASON, CENTENARIANS, ARTISTS AMONG NARI SHAKTI WINNERS
Focus: GS-II Social Justice, Women Empowerment, Prelims Why in news? A mason, a centenarian athlete, Jharkhand’s “Lady Tarzan” and a “mushroom mahila” were among the 15 women awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar by President Ram Nath Kovind, on 8th March 2020, on account of International Women’s Day. The government gives away the awards every year […]