Category: Featured Editorials

Context: Recently, PNB found that the SWIFT system had been misused by junior-level branch officials, who had fraudulently issued letters of undertaking (LoUs) on behalf of some companies for availing buyer’s credit from overseas branches of Indian banks. How did the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam work? Diamond merchant Nirav Modi has been accused of… Continue reading Banking fraud and blockchain technology

Context: UNICEF recently came up with a report name.ly, “Every Child Alive: The urgent need to end newborn deaths”, which says that when newborns in Pakistan, the Central African Republic and Afghanistan face the worst odds, India ranks below Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. What is in news? For the first time, UNICEF has… Continue reading India ranks 12 among 52: 6 lakh Indian children died in their first month in 2016, says UNICEF

Context: As India’s concerns in global matters grow, the country also needs to contemplate and reflect deeply on what is happening in its immediate neighbourhood. What is in news? The outcome of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the turmoil in the East and South China Seas, or other big-ticket issues across the world is important, but it… Continue reading India should stand for its neighbourhood first

Context: The Supreme Court on February 16 gave a verdict in Karnataka’s favour in a dispute over the sharing of the Cauvery river water with Tamil Nadu. The River: The Cauvery River originates in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, flows into Tamil Nadu, and reaches the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar. Parts of three Indian states –… Continue reading Cauvery Water Dispute: All You Need to Know

Context: Positive developments are taking place with regard to female genital mutilation(FGM). Why in news? The group of Dawoodi Bohra women, who were subject to female genital mutilation (FGM) ,recently began speaking about it publicly, has “shone a light” upon the often debilitating, secretive process in India. A newly formed association of women from the… Continue reading Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) and its impact: an overview

Context: India wants only electric vehicles to run on its roads by 2030, but it’s a path riddled with challenges. Background: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and erstwhile Energy Minister Piyush Goyal have discussed about the target to achieve an all-electric fleet of vehicles by 2030. This initiative comes in line with the… Continue reading India targets only electric vehicles by 2030

Context: India’s forest and tree cover rises by 8,021 sq. km, up 1% since 2015, to 802,088 sq. km, which is about 24.39% of the total geographical area of the country. The data was released by the Environment Ministry’s ‘India State of Forest Report 2017 released recently. Introduction: The State of Forest Report 2017, released by… Continue reading India’s total forest cover increases by 1%

Context: Industrial activity saw robust growth for the second consecutive month in December, with the Index of Industrial Production growing 7.07%. Present status: The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) registered second consecutive month of high growth in December on the back of robust manufacturing activity which expanded by 8.4 per cent. Within manufacturing, 16 out… Continue reading India’s industrial activity sees robust performance

Context: Experts observe that Kolkata, and West Bengal, have for the past several years been a hub for the trade in Indian wild birds. Background: 1991: After a 1991 amendment to the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, except for the house crow (Corvussplendens), which is listed as vermin, no Indian bird can be hunted, trapped,… Continue reading India’s wild birds trafficking epidemic

Context: With a new chairman, Dr Kailasavadivoo Sivan, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to make 2018 a productive and memorable one. Background: 1969: The Indian Space Research Organisation was formed in 1969. The Indian Space Research Organisation is the space agency of the Government of India. The establishment of ISROinstitutionalized space activities in India. It is managed… Continue reading A challenging year ahead for Indian Space Research Organisation