Context: Chandrayaan 2 will land on Moon’s South Pole region. More in news: On 22nd July 2019 India launched its second moon mission that is Chandrayaan 2. On 14th August 2019, the Chandrayaan 2 spacecraft left Earth’s orbit and moved towards the moon, which it will orbit over a series of manoeuvres before the ultimate… Continue reading 7 PM | Moon Mission reaches key stage, what next? | 16th August, 2019
Author: ForumIAS
All you need to know about Chief of Defence Staff
Prime Minister has announced the creation of the post of the Chief of Defence Staff. The Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) is a high military office that oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services.The role of the CDS becomes critical in times of conflict. He offers seamless tri-service views and single-point advice to the… Continue reading All you need to know about Chief of Defence Staff
Kashmir returning to UNSC raises several legal questions
The UN Security Council will be meeting at the request of China and Pakistan to discuss India’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The last time UNSC discussed Kashmir was in 1971 during the Bangladesh war which led to the Simla agreement. UNSC Resolution 307 had taken up the Kashmir issue… Continue reading Kashmir returning to UNSC raises several legal questions
WTO to rule on India sugar export subsidies
The World Trade Organization(WTO) has set up panels to rule on complaints by Australia,Brazil and Guatemala against India’s export subsidies for sugar and sugarcane producers. The three countries have claimed that India provides trade-distorting production subsidies including soft loans and subsidies to maintain stocks of sugar and tax rebates. Australia has held India responsible for… Continue reading WTO to rule on India sugar export subsidies
Defying U.S., Gibraltar frees Iran tanker
Gibraltar has released an Iranian oil tanker named Grace 1.The oil tanker was stopped by the UK navy after the government of Gibraltar suggested it was heading for Syria. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.It occupies a commanding position at the western gateway to the Mediterranean… Continue reading Defying U.S., Gibraltar frees Iran tanker
Daily Quiz #13 UPSC Prelims Marathon – August 16, 2019
[WpProQuiz 1048]
CBIC seeks inputs to combat ‘gift’ import duty loophole
Recently,the Mumbai Customs department has stopped clearing parcels under the gifts and samples route. According to the Foreign Trade Act,gift items of a value of up to ₹5,000 received from foreign countries to people residing in India are exempted from customs duty. However,there is no cap on the number of gifts an individual can receive.… Continue reading CBIC seeks inputs to combat ‘gift’ import duty loophole
Plastics industry seeks export schemes, tax benefits for MSMEs
All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association(AIPMA) has said that plastics industry is under severe stress due to environmental challenges. They have asked the government for export promotion schemes for Micro,Small, Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) in the plastic sector and removal of anti-dumping duty on machines not made in India. The industry has sought allocation of 25% of the… Continue reading Plastics industry seeks export schemes, tax benefits for MSMEs
Explained: PM Modi called for ‘One Nation, One Election’. What does this idea mean?
Prime Minister has called for ‘one nation,one election’.He said that a committee would be formed to discuss the idea with all political parties. One nation,One Election is the method of holding single elections for both Lok Sabha and States instead of separate and continuous elections. Simultaneous elections are not new to India.They were the norm… Continue reading Explained: PM Modi called for ‘One Nation, One Election’. What does this idea mean?
Chhattisgarh doubles OBC quota, hikes SC benefits
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister has announced an increase in reservations for OBCs and Scheduled Castes in state government jobs and education. The government has decided to increase the quota for Scheduled Castes by 1% (at present it is 12%) The reservation for OBCs will be increased from 14% to 27%. The quota for Scheduled Tribes will… Continue reading Chhattisgarh doubles OBC quota, hikes SC benefits
