INDIAN, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET FACE-TO-FACE
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Indian External Affairs Minister and Chinese Foreign Minister held their first face-to-face meeting in Moscow to discuss the long standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, which has seen violent clashes and even gunfire for the first time since 1975. Details The meeting took place […]
GDP SHRINKING, GOVT. MAY BORROW MORE
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Crisil Research said India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would shrink 9% in FY21, wider than its May 2020 estimate of a 5% contraction. Revenue shortfalls in India, the major economy hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, are likely to force the Centre to borrow more, but it will […]
IMMUNITY FACTOR BOOSTS GINGER, TURMERIC EXPORTS
Focus: GS-III Agriculture Why in news? The pandemic appears to have added a new sheen to the export of spices considered to boost physical immunity. Details Export of the spices like ginger, turmeric, coriander and cumin has shown a sizable increase during April-July 2020. The increased demand is seen in big markets like the USA […]
FCRA REGISTRATION TO GOLDEN TEMPLE
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Union Home Ministry has granted Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration to the famous Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib, or the Golden Temple, in Amritsar, enabling it to receive foreign donations. Any association, non-government organisation (NGO) or registered society requires FCRA registration to receive foreign donations for specified purposes. In […]
NOT SPEAKER’S JOB TO APPOINT A DEPUTY SPEAKER
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? Lok Sabha Speaker said that if there is a provision for the post of Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha, then it was only obvious that there should be one, but it was not the Speaker’s job to appoint one, and that the Deputy Speaker was chosen by the […]
NO ‘EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION’ FOR MARATHA QUOTA
Focus: GS-II Social Justice, Governance Why in news? The Supreme Court bench said that No ‘extraordinary situation’ is shown by Maharashtra Government to go beyond 50% ceiling while referring to a larger bench certain questions arising out of a challenge to the Maratha reservation law. Details Pointing out that any departure from the 50 per […]
LOAN RECAST: RBI EXPERT PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India set up a five-member expert committee headed by K V Kamath which recently came out with recommendations on the financial parameters required for a one-time loan restructuring window for corporate borrowers under stress due to the pandemic. It sets the stage for the […]
AN AGRICULTURE-LED REVIVAL AS FLAWED CLAIM
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Major arguments for “Agriculture will lead India’s economic revival” Food Procurement For: India’s food grain production in 2019-20 was 3.7% higher than in 2018-19. The procurement of rabi wheat in 2020-21 was 12.6% higher than in 2019-20. Against: However, as per official data, only 13.5% of paddy farmers and 16.2% of […]