News:The maiden bilateral maritime exercise between the Qatari Naval Forces and Indian Navy named Za’ir-Al-Bahr (Roar of the sea) has started. Facts: About the exercise: The exercise aims to strengthen the cooperation and enhance interoperability between the two navies. The exercise will include a Harbour Phase and Sea Phase. The activities during the harbour phase… Continue reading Exercise Za’ir-Al-Bahr-Joint Exercise between the Qatar and Indian Navy
Author: ForumIAS
Lok Sabha: Govt tables Bill to amend Chit Funds Act
News:Government has moved the Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill,2019 for consideration in the Lok Sabha. Facts: What is Chit fund? Chit funds are a popular type of savings institutions in India.It is one of the main parts of the unorganized money market industry. Under a chit fund,people agree to pay a certain amount from time to… Continue reading Lok Sabha: Govt tables Bill to amend Chit Funds Act
6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus
News:The 6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) will be held in Bangkok,Thailand. Facts: About ADMM-Plus: The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN countries and its eight Dialogue Partners to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region. The eight dialogue partners are Australia,New Zealand, India, China, Russia, the US, Japan… Continue reading 6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus
Explained: Why IOC has developed a special fuel for use in Ladakh
News:Recently,Indian Oil Corporation(IOC) has launched a special winter-grade diesel for the high-altitude regions of Ladakh that can withstand extremely low temperatures during the winter months. Facts: About winter-grade diesel: The winter-grade diesel fuel has been developed for motorists in high-altitude sectors like Ladakh, Kargil, Kaza and Keylong. These areas face the problem of freezing of… Continue reading Explained: Why IOC has developed a special fuel for use in Ladakh
ISRO to Launch Cartosat-3, 13 Commercial Nano Satellites
News: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch its earth imaging and mapping satellite Cartosat-3 along with 13 commercial nano satellites from the US, on November 25, 2019 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Facts: The satellites would be launched by India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C47 into… Continue reading ISRO to Launch Cartosat-3, 13 Commercial Nano Satellites
SC stays SAT order holding that Sebi lacks power to bar auditors
News:The Supreme Court stayed an order of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) which had held that markets watchdog Sebi does not have the power to bar auditors. Facts: Background: The Securities and Exchange Board of India(SEBI) had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the SAT’s order. The Securities Appellate Tribunal(SAT) in its order… Continue reading SC stays SAT order holding that Sebi lacks power to bar auditors
No more waiver, Bhutan to levy charges on Indian tourists
News:Bhutan has released the new draft tourism policy. Facts: About the policy: The policy plans to levy charges on tourists from regional countries including India, Bangladesh and the Maldives who at present are exempted from any charges. These new charges have been necessitated by the sharp increase in tourists from the region mainly from India… Continue reading No more waiver, Bhutan to levy charges on Indian tourists
Understanding space Internet
News: SpaceX has launched its second batch of 60 Starlink satellites into space. The company had launched its first batch of 60 satellites in May 2019. Facts: About Star Link Project The project seeks to build a low-cost, satellite based broadband network capable of delivering internet access to the entire globe. Starlink network will eventually… Continue reading Understanding space Internet
7 PM | Rapid urbanization has meant more problems than prosperity | 19th November, 2019
Context: Urbanisation and rising risk of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). More in news: A recent Lancet study issues a dire warning of the devastation that Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are likely to wreak if timely action is not taken to slow down its current rapid rise. Urbanisation: Urbanisation is an increase in the number of people living in… Continue reading 7 PM | Rapid urbanization has meant more problems than prosperity | 19th November, 2019
National Policy on Biofuels
News: The government had notified new National Policy on Biofuels in 2018. Facts: About National Biofuel Policy 2018: Salient Features: The Policy categorises biofuels as: Basic biofuels- First Generation (1G) bioethanol and; biodiesel Advanced Biofuels- Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. It expands the… Continue reading National Policy on Biofuels
