LA NINA IS BACK
Focus: GS-I Geography Why in news? The La Niña weather phenomenon is back in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean after nearly a decade’s absence, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in its latest Global Seasonal update released in October 2020. The Current La Niña La Niña will result in sea surface temperatures between […]
GILGIT-BALTISTAN TO BE A FULL PROVINCE: PAKISTAN PM
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Prime Minister Imran Khan has angered India after declaring that part of the contested Kashmir region will provisionally become a full province of Pakistan. Any change in status would require a constitutional amendment. If finalised, it would make Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan’s fifth province. Pakistan has administered the area now […]
GOVERNMENT DEFENDS NEW J&K LAND LAWS
Focus: GS-II Polity and Governance Why in news? In the face of growing anxiety and protests in regions of Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K administration said the recently introduced land laws “will afford protection to over 90% of the land in the Union Territory (UT)” as the previous laws were “anti-people”. Explanation given to justify […]
MHA FLAGS NEED TO AMEND IPC
Focus: GS-II Polity and Governance Why in news? Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said that States have been asked for their suggestions to amend the British era Indian Penal Code (IPC). Highlights of the Minister’s speech The government has amended criminal laws from time-to-time and enacted The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, to […]
HC PANEL ON SPECIAL COURTS TO TRY MPS, MLAS
Focus: GS-II Polity and Governance Why in news? A three-judge committee of the Madras High Court has questioned the constitutional validity of setting up Special Courts to exclusively try MPs and MLAs for various crimes. The High Court Committee report comes in the face of a 2017 Supreme Court order authorising the Centre to set […]
Reinforcing RBI’s accountability
Context: Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), was 6.7% in the January-March quarter, 6.6% in the April-June quarter (based on imputed data) and 6.9% in the July-September quarter. Relevance: GS Paper 3: Indian Economy (issues re: planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development, employment); Inclusive growth and issues therein. Mains questions: In many […]
Education, the nation and the States
Context: New Education Policy 2020: A look at the proposals on curriculum, courses and medium of instruction, and the takeaways for students, schools and universities. Relevance: GS Paper 2: Social Sector & Social Services (health, education, human resources – issues in development, management); Mains questions: Education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an […]
BANKS TOLD TO ENSURE INTEREST PAYBACK, RBI TELLS SC
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) informed the Supreme Court that it has advised banks and financial companies to fully comply with a government scheme to pay back borrowers compound interest or interest on interest, charged on their loans during the six-month moratorium period. Details The RBI said […]
SPIRAL GALAXY BARS MAY PREVENT NEW STARS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction Stars are fundamental building blocks of galaxies and the seeds of these stars are clouds of cosmic dust and gas. Stars are scattered all around the galaxies, and the galaxies themselves are of different types: star-forming spiral galaxies and non-star-forming lenticular and elliptical galaxies. In some spiral galaxies, the […]
MHA TELLS STATES TO REGISTER MORE FIRS FOR CYBERCRIME
Focus: GS-III Internal Security Challenges Why in news? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to all States to examine and register FIRs based on the complaints received on National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Details As per data available with the Ministry, only 2.5% of total complaints registered on the portal are converted into First […]