NATIONS OPTING TO TRADE WITH ECONOMIES HAVING POLITICAL TRUST
Context For decades, the West, led by US strategic thinking, bet that full-on engagement with Beijing would alter the opaque nature of Chinese politics, making it more liberal and open. The free and open liberal world order has run into the great political wall of China with deleterious consequences. Many liberal democracies have also adopted […]
PROTECTING THE POOR FROM BECOMING POORER
Need to take a long-term view Economically vulnerable groups are being forced to sacrifice disproportionately more for the better health of society. To mitigate these deprivations, it is necessary for government safety net programmes to provide broad-based long-term support focused on specific vulnerable populations. Social inequities are seen in the current COVID-19 pandemic — note, […]
AT THE EDGE OF A NEW NUCLEAR ARMS RACE
Why in news? In mid-April, a report issued by the United States State Department on “Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments (Compliance Report)” raised concerns that China might be conducting nuclear tests with low yields at its Lop Nur test site, in violation of its Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty […]
SHRI SURESH N. PATEL TAKES OATH AS VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER
Why in news? Shri Suresh N. Patel took oath as Vigilance Commissioner on 29th April 2020. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is an apex Indian governmental body created in 1964 to address governmental corruption. The CVC became a Statutory Body with the enactment of CVC Act, 2003. The CVC is an independent body, free of control from […]
INDIA SIGNS $1.5 BILLION LOAN WITH ADB
Focus: GS-II Indian Economy, Prelims Why in news? The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $1.5 billion loan that will support the government’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on 28th April 2020. Earlier, the ADB’s Board of Directors approved the loan to provide budget support to the government […]
FIRST EVER VIRTUAL PETERSBERG CLIMATE DIALOGUE
Focus: GS-II Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? The 11th session of Petersberg Climate Dialogue witnessed India along with 30 other countries deliberating over ways and means to tackle the challenge of reinvigorating economies and societies after COVID-19, while enhancing collective resilience and catalysing climate action while also supporting in particular those most vulnerable. The […]
NEW LIST OF NAMES OF TROPICAL CYCLONES OVER NORTH INDIAN OCEAN
Why in news? In September, 2018 it was decided to prepare a fresh list of names of tropical cyclones, and the report was finally adopted by WMO/ESCAP PTC with consensus in April, 2020. The names of cyclones that may emerge in the future in India are Gati, Tej, Murasu, Aag, Vyom, Jhar, Probaho, Neer, Prabhanjan, […]
6 SWAYAM COURSES IN TOP 30 ONLINE COURSES OF 2019
Why in news? The Class Central has released the list of best 30 online courses of 2019 out of which 6 courses are from SWAYAM. What is SWAYAM? SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active–Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) is a programme initiated by Government of India. SWAYAM platform is developed by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and […]
SVAMITVA SCHEME: NEW INITIATIVE OF MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
Why in news? Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj issued guidelines regarding the SVAMITVA scheme, a new initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding e-Gram Swaraj was also released. What is the SVAMITVA scheme? SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages And Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme […]
ASSAM’S BTAD MIGHT SEE GOVERNOR’S RULE
Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic may earn Governor’s rule for the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) in Assam. The State’s Governor is the constitutional head of the BTAD that falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and is administered by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Why Governor’s rule? Elections were scheduled to be […]