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 […]
UTILISE MGNREGA TO THE FULLEST CAPACITY
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction The role of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a lifeline for the working poor in rural India. With an average 23 days of work and a daily wage of ₹200, households who got work earned an average of ₹1,500 a month. Even though this is […]
REVIVING SAARC TO DEAL WITH CHINA
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction As India-China border tensions continue to fester China is chipping away at India’s interests in South Asia. China’s proximity to Pakistan, Nepal moving closer to China and China wooing Bangladesh by offering tariff exemption to 97% of Bangladeshi products – can be a major cause for concern. Most South Asian […]
CHINA’S RISING CLOUT IN SOUTH ASIA
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction Over the past decade, China has boosted its economic and military ties with India’s South Asian neighbours, which could pose a challenge for India. Even as some strategic experts warn of a Chinese hand behind the strain in India-Nepal ties, they warn that growing Chinese influence in the region could […]
SPECIAL LIQUIDITY SCHEME FOR NBFCS AND HFCS
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs announced the launch of a Special Liquidity Scheme of Rs. 30,000 crores, to improve the liquidity position of NBFCs as well as HFCs. Details RBI will provide funds for the Scheme by subscribing to government guaranteed special securities issued by […]
JHARKHAND’S SAHIYAS: AN INSPIRATION
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Introduction The ASHAs in Jharkhand, known as “Sahiyas”, have been supporting delivery of health care services especially in the tribal areas. The Sahiyas have been widely acknowledged for their commitment and agency in enabling access to health care, even in the hard to reach and remote tribal areas. Role Played by […]