What is a Windfall Tax
Context: India cut its windfall tax on petroleum crude to 1,700 rupees ($20.53) a tonne from 2,300 rupees a tonne, according to a recent government notification. Relevance: GS III: Indian Economy Dimensions of the Article: What is a windfall tax? Why are countries levying windfall taxes now? What are the issues with imposing such taxes? […]
Cultural Continuity in Vadnagar, Gujarat
Context: A collaborative study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has revealed compelling evidence of cultural continuity in Vadnagar, Gujarat, even after the collapse of the Harappan civilization. This finding challenges the traditional concept of a “Dark Age” by showcasing that Vadnagar maintained cultural resilience and […]
Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023
Context: The Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023 ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, witnessed the President of India presenting accolades for urban cleanliness. Indore and Surat jointly earned the cleanest city title, marking a significant achievement in sanitation efforts. Maharashtra claimed the top spot among states, […]
Key Facts About the Himalayan Wolf
Context: The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas has been assessed for the first time in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: Key Facts About the Himalayan Wolf: Habitat and Distribution: Genetic Characteristics: Behavior and Diet: Population Status: Conservation […]
Positive Trends in Multidimensional Poverty Reduction in India
Context: The NITI Aayog’s recent Discussion Paper, “Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06,” reveals encouraging progress, with 24.82 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty over the past nine years. The paper draws on data from the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) conducted in 2005-06, 2015-16, and 2019-21 to analyze the long-term trends in poverty. Relevance: GS […]
Enabling Measures Roadmap for Adoption in India
Context: Recently, the World Economic Forum along with Bain & Company has released a report titled- Green Hydrogen: Enabling Measures Roadmap for Adoption in India, highlighting that Green Hydrogen production cost needs to be reduced to less than or equal to USD 2 per kg. Relevance GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: Key Highlights of the Report […]
Snow Absence in Kashmir and Ladakh This Winter
Context: One of Kashmir’s main winter tourism attractions, Gulmarg, has been bereft of snow this season. This has led to a plunge in the flow of tourists and severely hitting the business of ski resorts. Relevance: GS I: Geography Dimensions of the Article: Dry Winter in Jammu & Kashmir: Causes and Implications Existing Pattern: Rainfall […]
The Pragmatic Approach to Counter International Terrorism
Context: Recent incidents in the Red Sea, including the targeting of an Israeli ship by Iran-backed Houthi groups, followed by retaliatory actions from Israel and airstrikes by the UK and US on Houthi locations in Yemen, have escalated tensions in the region. The support extended by Hamas and Hezbollah to the Houthi group raises concerns about […]
MSMEs Need Cost Institutional Credit
Context: The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in realizing the potential of India as envisioned in the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This sector not only aligns with the goal of self-reliance (‘Atma Nirbharta’) but also contributes significantly to overall production, employment, and untapped export opportunities. Despite being a cornerstone of […]
About Exercise Ayutthaya
Context: Recently, the maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise -Ayutthaya’ between the Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was conducted. Relevance: GS III: Security Challenges Exercise Ayutthaya: Strengthening Naval Collaboration Between India and Thailand Significance of the Name: Participation of Indian Naval Ships: Exercise Complexity and Operational Synergy: Activities during Maiden Edition: Coordinated Patrol and […]