Viral Spillover risk
Context: The effects of climate change range are being witnessed across a range of environments – from changes in crop yields due to unreliable weather conditions to the extinction of species. According to new research, yet another effect could be the increased risk of “viral spillover” in some regions that could cause new pandemics over […]
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday told the forest officials of Uttarakhand that it would direct the Union government to form a committee to initiate an investigation into “illegal tree cutting” in Jim Corbett National Park. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: National Green Tribunal (NGT) Structure of National Green […]
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
Context: Four years after it was placed on the ‘grey list’ and penalised with severe financial strictures by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Pakistan won a major reprieve, as the international watchdog on terror financing and money laundering agreed to remove Pakistan’s name from the list of countries under ‘increased monitoring’. Relevance: GS II- […]
The Great Indian Bustard
Context: The recent sighting of three Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) deep in Pakistan’s Cholistan desert has given rise to speculation that the endangered birds might have flown across the international border from India’s Desert National Park (DNP) Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Species in News, Conservation of Biodiversity) Dimensions of the Article: About the […]
United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) 1267
Context: Recently, China placed a “hold” on two joint India-US proposals, to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) top leaders at the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) 1267 list of terrorists affiliated to Al Qaeda and ISIS. Relevance: GS II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: History of the Resolution 1267 (1999) About United Nations Security Council History […]
Immediate Action Against Hate Speech
Context: Recently, The Supreme Court said it is “tragic what we have reduced religion to” in the 21st century and a “climate of hate prevails in the country”, while directing the police and authorities to immediately and suo motu register cases against hate speech makers without waiting for a complaint to be filed. The court […]
Forest Conservation Rules 2022
Context: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has asked the Centre to put the new Forest Conservation Rules, 2022, on hold. Relevance: GS III- Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: What are the Forest Conservation Rules? What do the updated rules say? Other Provisions of Forest (Conservation) Rules,2022 About National Commission for Scheduled […]
The Global Hunger Index 2022
Context According to the recently released Global Hunger Index report, India is ranked 107th out of 123 countries, down from 101st in 2021. The government has rejected the report, claiming it is an attempt to “taint” India, questioning its methodology, and emphasising the government’s significant efforts to improve access to foodgrains for India’s poor. Relevance […]
Teaching In Mother Tongue
Context The Union Ministry of Education recently released the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for foundational stage education (children aged 3 to 8 years). With the unveiling of the first NCF for the foundational stage by the government, pre-primary school children in India have entered the formal schooling system for the first time. In addition to […]
Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat
Focus: GS II- Government policies and Interventions Why in News? Recently, Government of India has announced a month-long programme named the ‘Kashi-Tamil Sangamam’ “to strengthen” and “rekindle” the cultural and civilisational bond between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi. This programme would be a part of the Ek Bharat Sreshtha Bharat initiative. About Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” […]