News: The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, is expected to be a “finance COP” as key climate finance issues feature at the top of its agenda. 1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change defines climate finance as local, national or transnational financing,… Continue reading On climate finance to developing nations
Author: Yash Dagar
India to seek certification from WHO for eliminating Kala-azar
News: India could be at the threshold of eliminating Kala-azar as a public health problem since she has managed to keep the number of cases under one in 10,000 for two consecutive years now as required by World Health Organisation (WHO) parameters for elimination certification. 1. Kala-azar is the second deadliest parasitic disease after malaria… Continue reading India to seek certification from WHO for eliminating Kala-azar
Forecasting better in India, come rain or shine
News: There is a need for better weather forecasting in India to tackle climate hazards. Recently, government took a step in this direction by launching Mission Mausam. It requires improvements like expanding radar coverage, open availability of weather data. 1. Mission Mausam: It is a multi-faceted and transformative initiate that seeks to enhance country’s weather… Continue reading Forecasting better in India, come rain or shine
Auto cos line up flex-fuel models for green shift
News: Automakers are gearing up to launch a range of flex fuel vehicles from this year end as the government is aggressively promoting biofuels to cut emissions and reduce the country’s dependence on costly oil imports. 1. Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV): They have an internal combustion engine which is designed to run on more than… Continue reading Auto cos line up flex-fuel models for green shift
Modi to visit Russia next week to take part in BRICS summit
News: The Ministry of External Affairs announced that PM Narendra Modi will be visiting Russia to attend the BRICS Summit. 1. BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, which are five major emerging economies. 2. It aims to foster collaboration and dialogue among members on various global issues, including economic growth,… Continue reading Modi to visit Russia next week to take part in BRICS summit
House panel to deliberate on India’s readiness to deal with ‘non-kinetic warfare’
News: Indian armed forces’ preparedness to deal with ‘hybrid warfare’ is one of the 17 subjects that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has narrowed down for deliberations for the year. 1. Non-Kinetic Warfare is an evolving concept. It tends to go beyond the conventional military tactics to employ methods such as psychological operations, economic… Continue reading House panel to deliberate on India’s readiness to deal with ‘non-kinetic warfare’
SC closes habeas corpus case against Isha Foundation
News: A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court has closed habeas corpus proceedings initiated by a senior citizen accusing Isha Foundation, a non-profit spiritual organization, of holding his two daughters captives. 1. Habeas Corpus: It is a Latin word which literally means ‘to have the body of’. 2. It is a writ issued by the… Continue reading SC closes habeas corpus case against Isha Foundation
SC upholds Section 6A of Citizenship Act as valid law
News: In a 4:1 majority judgement, Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. Further, the Chief Justice of India noted that Section 6A does not violate Article 29(1) of the Constitution. 1. Section 6A of Citizenship Act: It is a special provision that was… Continue reading SC upholds Section 6A of Citizenship Act as valid law
India’s SDG focus and its human development issues
News: For effective realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), countries need to make efforts to boost human development. 1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): They are a set of 17 goals adopted by all United Nations member states as part of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2. They aim to address global challenges like poverty, hunger,… Continue reading India’s SDG focus and its human development issues
Haze engulfs Delhi, set to get worse
News: Yesterday, air quality in Delhi inched towards the ‘very poor’ category, with Air Quality Index (AQI) being recorded as 283. The Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) has already invoked Stage 1 of GRAP after AQI dropped significantly in Delhi post- Dussehra celebrations. 1. Air Quality Index (AQI): It is a tool used by… Continue reading Haze engulfs Delhi, set to get worse