What is the News? India has banned certain single-use plastics(SUP) from July 1,2022 across India. These items include ice cream sticks, thermocol, plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays, wrapping or packaging films and cigarette packets. India’s Plastic Waste Problem Plastic Waste Generation in India: India is generating about 3.5 million tonnes of plastic… Continue reading Measuring India’s Plastic Problem
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): MSDE launches DBT scheme to extend direct monetary support to apprentices
What is the News? The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) has announced that the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) will be a part of Direct Beneficiary Transfer(DBT) Scheme providing direct government benefits to all apprentices. What is the significance of this decision? Earlier companies used to pay apprentices the entire amount and then seek… Continue reading National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): MSDE launches DBT scheme to extend direct monetary support to apprentices
Targeting GI tag, Mayurbhanj’s superfood ‘ant chutney’ set to find more tables
Contents1 What is the News?2 What is Kai Chutney?3 How is Kai Chutney made?4 Why do people consume Kai Chutney?5 What are the other uses of Kai (Red Weaver Ant)? What is the News? Tribals of the Mayurbhanj district in Odisha are seeking a Geographical Indications(GI) tag for Kai Chutney. What is Kai Chutney? Kai… Continue reading Targeting GI tag, Mayurbhanj’s superfood ‘ant chutney’ set to find more tables
9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – July 4th, 2022
Dear Friends, We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do: Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough… Continue reading 9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – July 4th, 2022
The Functioning of the National Investigation Agency(NIA)
What is the News? The National Investigation Agency(NIA) has taken over the probe into the terrible beheading of a person in Udaipur. What is the National Investigation Agency(NIA)? NIA was constituted under the National Investigation Agency(NIA) Act, 2008. Mandate: It is a Central Agency mandated to investigate all the offences affecting: – Sovereignty, security and… Continue reading The Functioning of the National Investigation Agency(NIA)
Govt’s move to tax fuel export will impact policy change in energy sector
News: Recently, the government has imposed export taxes on fuels, and a cess on domestic crude production. Background Lower domestic prices have incentivised refiners to export products at higher prices, resulting in domestic fuel shortages. Before announcements, the fiscal deficit was tracking around Rs 2.2 trillion. It was above budget estimates due to higher subsidies and… Continue reading Govt’s move to tax fuel export will impact policy change in energy sector
The WTO’s leaky boat may be our best hope in a storm
News: In recent months, Russia’s incursion into Ukraine’s sovereign territory has led to new arrangements in the geo-economic and geopolitical arena. Contents1 What are the new arrangements or consequences?2 What are the reasons for such re-arrangement?3 What are the challenges to India’s wheat export ban decision?4 Other related challenges What are the new arrangements or… Continue reading The WTO’s leaky boat may be our best hope in a storm
After Ukraine, the new energy disorder
News: The Ukrainian crisis has radically altered the contours of the global energy landscape. It has created a tangle of relationships and issues for India. What are the issues involved? The petroleum market is tight and prices are ratcheting up. For example, Oil prices are close to $120/bbl. India is now a major purchaser of… Continue reading After Ukraine, the new energy disorder
Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: Why rice and wheat bans aren’t the answer to inflation
News: Earlier, the government banned wheat exports to check the potential rise in prices in the face of low procurement. But now, there are reports that the government is mulling a ban on rice exports to tame inflation. The wheat and rice exports ban was also done in 2007-08, in the wake of the global… Continue reading Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: Why rice and wheat bans aren’t the answer to inflation
We need an urgent national plan on electrical safety
News: With the increasing access to electricity, the issue of electricity accidents must be addressed. National or State policies or programs do not provide targets or specific resource allocation for safety, at present. Nearly all households have an electricity connection, as per reports. However, a small portion of the allocation to the electricity sector is… Continue reading We need an urgent national plan on electrical safety
