Context: Recently, the Ministry of AYUSH launched e-CHARAK, an electronic platform for interaction between various stakeholders in the medicinal plants sector. It will allow sale, purchase and sharing of material as well as know-how between different stakeholders. In this relation, medicinal plants sector has come under focus. The curative plants of significant commercial value are… Continue reading Medicinal plants await good marketing
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
A north pole for science and technology
News: This is the birth centenary year of Dr. Y. Nayudamma, Padma Shri recipient, noted scientist, former Director of the Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai and former Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Humans have been propelled in the fields of science and technology since ancient civilisations. This has been due… Continue reading A north pole for science and technology
Confidentiality ring amendment could make antitrust disputes more opaque
News: Recently, the Director General of Competition Commission of India (CCI) has issued orders on the Amazon dispute. In this dispute, Amazon (the defendant) has decided to take the confidentiality route towards its submissions. The CCI has realised that disputes arising out of antitrust matters, also known as competition or cartelisation, require confidentiality. The… Continue reading Confidentiality ring amendment could make antitrust disputes more opaque
‘Dual-use’ learning
News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) proposal to allow undergraduate and postgraduate students to pursue two degrees simultaneously is a progressive step forward in the higher education sector. What are the potential benefits of this move? First, this policy will help high-school students who are often unsure of whether to pursue the sciences or humanities… Continue reading ‘Dual-use’ learning
A win for constitutional values in Pakistan and Kenya
News: The Supreme Court of Kenya has struck down the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) as unconstitutional. And The Supreme Court of Pakistan unanimously rejected the decision of the deputy speaker of parliament to disallow the no-confidence motion against the prime minister. It also rejected the follow-up decision of the president to dissolve the National Assembly.… Continue reading A win for constitutional values in Pakistan and Kenya
What are oil bonds, and to what extent do they tie the govt’s hands?
Context: The government has attracted criticism post a surge in retail prices of petrol, diesel, and other petroleum product. However, the Finance Minister has blamed the oil bonds issued by the predecessor government for the current price countered. Contents1 How much fuel price is taxed?2 What is an Oil Bond?3 Why were they issued?4 What is… Continue reading What are oil bonds, and to what extent do they tie the govt’s hands?
Humans Decoded
Contents1 Context: 2 What is the background?3 What is DNA sequencing?4 What led to the recent breakthrough?5 What is the significance of complete genomic sequencing?6 What is the way forward? Context: Scientists have completed the first full and seamless catalog of genetic instructions of humans. It’s expected that research will help to explain how every cell… Continue reading Humans Decoded
Take two: The pursuit of two courses simultaneously in physical mode is problematic
News: Recently, the University Grants Commission(UGC) has issued guidelines to allow students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously at higher education institutes(HEIs) recognised by it or statutory councils or the Government of India. Contents1 About the Dual Degree Programme2 What are the advantages of the Dual Degree Programme?3 What are the challenges associated with the… Continue reading Take two: The pursuit of two courses simultaneously in physical mode is problematic
The food vaccine as right, more so for TB patients
Context: The nutrition of the individual is the most vital factor, in the prevention of tuberculosis, along with drugs. It is most unlikely that drugs alone can control TB with low nutritional status in a person. What are the learnings from History? There were no drugs for TB till the discovery of streptomycin in 1943.… Continue reading The food vaccine as right, more so for TB patients
Decoding dragon: GoI should upgrade strategic thinking on China
Context: Given that China today is our main strategic challenge, India’s defense and strategic establishments need to up their game in decoding China. The Indian army is trying to address its capability voids in Mandarin and boost specialization on Chinese issues among its ranks. What steps have been taken by the army? The army is… Continue reading Decoding dragon: GoI should upgrade strategic thinking on China
