UK PM Proposes Changes to Graduate Route Visa Scheme
Context: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is contemplating revisions to the Graduate Route Visa (GRV) scheme, intending to restrict visas to the most outstanding international students. This proposal aims to decrease the overall number of international students in the UK. The changes particularly target education recruitment agents accused of providing misleading information to UK colleges […]
About MATES Migration Scheme
Context: The Australian Federal Budget Document, released recently, announced the start date for the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) for Indian Nationals. Relevance: GS II: International Relations About MATES Migration Scheme: Introduction: Eligibility Criteria: Sponsorship Requirement: Permitted Activities: Program Capacity: -Source: Times of India
India and Iran Sign 10-Year Contract for Chabahar Port
Context: India and Iran have inked a decade-long contract for the operation of the Chabahar port in Iran. The agreement, signed between Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) and the Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) of Iran, facilitates the operation of the Shahid-Beheshti terminal, marking a significant step in enhancing maritime trade relations between the two […]
Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024
Context: In 2023, the number of internally displaced people increased to 75.9 million, from 71.1 million in the preceding year, according to the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024) released recently. Relevance: GS II: International Relations Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024): Overview: Highlights of GRID-2024: South Asia Findings: -Source: The Hindu
NHRC-India’s Accreditation Deferred by GANHRI
Context: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), based in Geneva and affiliated with the United Nations, has deferred the accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC-India) for the second consecutive year. This decision, taken during the Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA) meeting on May 1, 2024, marks the first […]
India Denies Child Labour Allegations Amid CECA Negotiations
Context: The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry has strongly rebutted accusations of child labor raised in a recent report by Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth. These allegations come amidst ongoing negotiations between India and Australia for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), intended to expand upon the existing Economic Cooperation […]
China Surpasses US as India’s Largest Trading Partner
Context: According to data released by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner in the fiscal year 2023-24, with two-way commerce totaling USD 118.4 billion. This marks a narrow overtaking of the United States, whose two-way trade with India amounted to $118.3 billion during the same period. The […]
Debt Owed by South Asian Nations to China Hits Record Levels
Context: The indebtedness of various nations, particularly in South Asia and Africa, to China has surged in recent years. China stands out as the primary or predominant creditor for most of these countries, meaning they owe a significant portion of their external debt to China alone. Relevance: GS2- Mains Question: China’s debt-trap policy raises significant concerns, not only for smaller […]
About World Press Freedom Index
Context: India’s rank in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has improved slightly from 161 to 159 among 180 jurisdictions. However, this improvement contrasts with a decline in India’s score, which fell from 36.62 to 31.28. Scores dropped across most indicators except for security, with the ranking improvement attributed […]
Nepal’s Rs-100 Currency Note to Feature Map Controversy
Context: The Government of Nepal has announced plans to introduce a new Rs-100 currency note featuring the country’s map, including territories claimed by India. This move is likely to fuel tensions between the two neighboring countries, which have long-standing border disputes. Relevance: GS II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: Nepal’s Introduction of New Currency […]