DATA LAW: RBI SEEKS EXEMPTION
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India has sought exemption from the country’s proposed Personal Data Protection Law for its regulatory, policy, and supervisory functions, and also does not want financial data of individuals to be classified as sensitive personal data, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on […]
SC STAYS IMPLEMENTATION OF MARTHA RESERVATION
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court referred a group of petitions challenging the Maratha reservation law to a Constitution Bench and found merit in the arguments made by senior lawyers that a larger Bench should examine the issue of reservation for the Maratha community. The three-judge Bench had […]
DEFENCE EXPORTS INCREASED 700% IN 3 YEARS
Focus: GS-III Internal Security, Indian Economy Why in news? In the last three years, the country witnessed a “staggering” 700% growth in defence exports which is an all-time high and 19th in the list of defence exporters in 2019, according to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). India is the third largest spender on defence around […]
4,442 CASES PENDING AGAINST INDIA’S LEGISLATORS
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? A report submitted in the Supreme Court has said there are a total 4,442 cases pending against legislators across the country. The apex court had sought the amicus report on the basis of a petition highlighting the criminalisation of politics. Recently the Supreme Court had taken a timely decision […]
NSO: 1 IN 3 HIGH SCHOOLERS GETS PRIVATE COACHING
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? According to the National Statistical Organisation’s (NSO) latest report on education – One in three high schoolers gets private coaching and the fees for that make up for almost 20% of their total cost of education. Details One in five students in India supplements school education with private […]
REDEFINING A FARMER
Focus: GS-III Agriculture Introduction The agriculture sector saw a slew of immediate and strategic stimuli under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ programme after a nationwide lockdown was declared in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The post COVID-19 responses in the sector range from investments in agri-infrastructure, logistics and capacity building to governance and administrative reforms. The […]
THE TWISTED TRAJECTORY OF BT. COTTON
Focus: GS-III Science and technology, Agriculture Introduction Cotton fabric from around 3,000 BCE has been excavated from the ruins of Mohenjo-daro show that cotton was used in the subcontinent as far back as 5,000 BCE. Indian cotton fabrics dominated the world trade during the succeeding millennia and were exported to many places, including Greece, Rome, […]
DIGITISING INDIA’S ELECTORAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Focus: GS-II Governance Introduction The Election Commission of India has been working with idea of further digitising the electoral infrastructure of the country and in furtherance of this the Election Commission had recently held an online conference in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (“TNeGA”) and IIT Madras, through which they explored the possibility […]
INDIA AND JAPAN SIGN AGREEMENT BETWEEN FORCES
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India and Japan signed an Agreement between the two countries concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Armed Forces of India and The Self-Defense Forces of Japan. Details This agreement establishes the enabling framework for closer cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and Japan in […]
SCO CULTURE MINISTERS’ MEETING
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Union Minister of State (I//C) for Culture and Tourism participated in the 17th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Culture Ministers’ Meeting. Highlights Discussion was held on the role and place of culture during the global epidemiological crisis and on the prospects for developing multilateral cultural cooperation within the SCO. […]