India and Mauritius are close to finalising the proposed bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). The agreement had got delayed due to apprehensions amongst domestic players in both countries about providing unlimited market access for some items. The two countries have now decided to go for tariff rate quotas(TRQs) for items where limited preferential access is… Continue reading India, Mauritius close to sewing up FTA
Author: ForumIAS
R K Singh approves proposal to declare ocean energy as Renewable Energy
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE) has approved a proposal to declare ocean energy as renewable energy. This means that energy produced using various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave and ocean thermal energy conversion will now be considered as Renewable Energy. This decision will help the sector to grow as it will… Continue reading R K Singh approves proposal to declare ocean energy as Renewable Energy
Centre signs pact to digitise all gram panchayats
The Common Service Centre Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC SPV) has signed a pact with the Panchayati Raj Ministry to turn gram panchayats into ‘digital panchayats’ This move is aimed at providing speedy delivery of government services to people in rural areas and promoting rural BPO across all 2.5 lakh panchayats in the country. According to… Continue reading Centre signs pact to digitise all gram panchayats
IIT Hyderabad scientists convert fly ash into waterproofing material
Researchers from the IIT Hyderabad have found a method that can convert fly ash into a waterproofing material. They have converted fly ash by treating it with stearic acid which is commonly used in soaps and shampoos. Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain and has the IUPAC name octadecanoic acid.… Continue reading IIT Hyderabad scientists convert fly ash into waterproofing material
Explained: What Henley Passport Index tells us about mobility of an Indian passport
Henley Passport Index 2019 has been released.The Index is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA). The index has ranked India at 86 down five places from 81 in 2018. India’s mobility score is 58 which means that Indian passport holders can access 58 countries around the world without a prior… Continue reading Explained: What Henley Passport Index tells us about mobility of an Indian passport
FATF Asia-Pacific Group may blacklist Pakistan
The Asia Pacific Group(APG) may put Pakistan on an enhanced blacklist as the country has failed to meet global standards on money laundering and terror financing. In June 2018,Financial Action Task Force(FATF) had already greylisted Pakistan for failing to curb anti-terror financing. However,the two processes are separate as APG blacklisting status would impair Pakistan’s chances… Continue reading FATF Asia-Pacific Group may blacklist Pakistan
Daily Quiz #19 UPSC Prelims Marathon – August 23, 2019
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Answers: Mains Marathon – UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions – August 22, 2019
Q.1) “Creation of a Chief defence of services although can solve many issues but may lead to unintended issues.” Discuss. Answers Q.2) “Right to online privacy of an individual and the right of the State to detect people who use the web to spread panic and commit crimes are contradictory in itself.” Comment. Answers Q.3)… Continue reading Answers: Mains Marathon – UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions – August 22, 2019
Mains Marathon Daily Current Affairs Questions and Answer Writing – August 23rd, 2019
Q.1) “Auto-industries in India are facing negative growth from a long time” Discuss various reasons for it and give some solutions. The Hindu Q.2) “Linking Aadhaar to social media is an infringement on privacy of individual and can be damaging to democracy.” Comment. The Hindu Q.3) Critically analyse various provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment… Continue reading Mains Marathon Daily Current Affairs Questions and Answer Writing – August 23rd, 2019
10 PM Current Affairs Quiz #18 August 22, 2019
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