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
Author: Yash Dagar
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
Direct tax share up at 57 percent of total tax revenue, highest in 14 years
News: The contribution of direct taxes to total tax revenue jumped to 56.72% in 2023-24, the highest in 14 years. The surge was even more stark in the direct tax to GDP ratio which jumped to over a two decade high of 6.64%. 1. Direct Tax: It is a tax that is levied directly on… Continue reading Direct tax share up at 57 percent of total tax revenue, highest in 14 years
Wildlife Board defers nod for Vedanta’s oil exploration in Assam
News: The standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has decided to defer its nod to a Vedanta subsidiary’s proposal for oil exploration in the habitat of the endangered Hoolock Gibbon in Assam’s Dessoi reserve forest. 1. National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): It is highest body for conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in… Continue reading Wildlife Board defers nod for Vedanta’s oil exploration in Assam
A modified UBI may be more feasible
News: To ensure financial feasibility, a modified Universal Basic Income (UBI) policy may be adopted as foundation, which can be supplemented by other transfer policies like PM KISAN. 1. Universal Basic Income (UBI): It is an income support mechanism where all (or a very large portion of population) receives a regular, unconditional (or largely unconditional)… Continue reading A modified UBI may be more feasible
‘India must cut tariffs, ease FDI norms’
News: World Bank’s chief economist for South Asia has urged India to reduce tariffs and ease Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to reap full potential of its sophisticated industrial base and skilled labour force. 1. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): It refers to investing in business or asset in another country, enabling the investor to have significant… Continue reading ‘India must cut tariffs, ease FDI norms’
A Special Foray
News: NASA’s Europa Mission may or may not find hints of life on Europa, but it will fire a million imaginations 1. Europa Clipper Mission is a NASA Mission to explore Europa, one of Jupiter’s 95 known moons. 2. Europa Clipper is the largest spacecraft NASA has ever built for a planetary mission. The mission… Continue reading A Special Foray
SC verdict today on challenge to Sec 6A of Citizenship Act
News: A five judge Constitution bench of Supreme Court is set to pronounce its verdict on whether 6A of the Citizenship Act is constitutional. 1. Section 6A of Citizenship Act: It is a special provision that was inserted into the Citizenship Act following the Assam Accord in 1985. 2. This section states that foreigners who… Continue reading SC verdict today on challenge to Sec 6A of Citizenship Act
Centre increases MSP for wheat, five other rabi crop
News: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for rabi crops for the next marketing season of 2025-26. 1. Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the government established minimum price at which farmers sell their crops to the government. 2. MSP aims to protect farmers from market volatility, ensure income… Continue reading Centre increases MSP for wheat, five other rabi crop
Abject Failure
News: India is ranked 105/127 in the Global Hunger Index 2024, which is a matter of concern. Ensuring food and nutrition security is essential to reap the benefits of demographic dividend. 1. Global Hunger Index, 2024: Global Hunger Index (GHI): It is a comprehensive tool used to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and… Continue reading Abject Failure
