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GS-1
Art and culture
Projecting soft power: How India is restoring cultural symbols beyond its shores: (Indian Express, Explained)
The 12th c Ananda Temple Modi visited in Myanmar isn’t the only one that India is helping renovate. There are others too, in Laos, Vietnam, SL, Nepal, Cambodia.
Neolithic pot of joy promises to shine light on prehistory in Kashmir, beyond: (Indian Express, Explained)
In Sopore, archaeologists find first intact piece of pottery from a time about which very little is known.
GS-2
Government policies
All set for NIRF ranking exercise next year: (The Hindu)
The NIRF begun in 2016, ranks higher educational institutions in India on the basis of a variety of parameters. The idea is to be able to gauge their relative standing and also help students make informed career choices.
Income limit raised for creamy layer: (The Hindu)
It has now been decided to raise the income limit from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh per annum for determining the creamy layer among the Other Backward Classes.
India and neighbors
The case for alliance: (Indian Express. Editorial)
Rise of China and uncertainty over America’s role in Asia has brought Japan and India closer. Modi and Abe can overcome the bureaucratic inertia that limits the relationship’s possibilities.
GS-3
Indian Economy. Planning, Growth and Employment
Petrol, diesel should come under GST: (The Hindu)
It is high time that the GST Council considered bringing the petroleum products in the ambit of GST.
Workers to get unique number: (The Hindu)
Every worker in the unorganised and organised sector will get a unique identification number that will make it easier for them to get benefits under different social schemes.
RBI is not comfortable with bitcoins: (The Hindu)
Calls them ‘private’ crypto-currencíes.
TRAI chief calls for zero cost for digital transactions: (The Hindu)
‘It is essential for sustained growth of such transactions’.
Corporate debt, a drag on economy: (The Hindu)
‘More than a fifth of large firms did not earn enough to pay interest on loans’.
Inglorious uncertainty: (Indian Express. Editorial)
Government is getting a free pass on the economy, which remains vulnerable to voodoo interventions.
Science and Tech
India has ‘narrow’ pool of mustard varieties, say agricultural scientists: (The Hindu)
The base is narrow and that’s why we need hybrid technology for developing better mustard varieties.
Inclusive growth
Why inclusive growth is indispensable to India: (Live Mint, Editorial)
With 80% of the labour force stuck in informal employment, it is not surprising that the Indian economy is performing far below its true potential.
Prelims Related News
Indo-Russian war games in Oct:
Details being worked out for first bilateral exercise involving the three services.
