News: On the occassion of Buddha Poornima, PM Modi made a trip to Lumbini in Nepal, becoming the first Indian PM to do so. He offered prayers at the Mayadevi temple, believed to be the Buddha’s birthplace, and then laid the foundation for the International Buddhist Conference and Meditation Centre. The trip has come one… Continue reading Modi in Lumbini: Buddhism provides India a cultural inroad in Nepal – it may not be enough to counter China
For a better South Asian neighbourhood
News: Recently, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan have been facing a lot of hardship. All the South Asian countries are facing the problem of higher oil and food inflation. This has resulted in popular unrest across the region. This underlines the geographic imperative that binds India to its neighbours in the Subcontinent. How is India… Continue reading For a better South Asian neighbourhood
A war that is shrinking India’s geopolitical options
Relevance: Global and Asian Geopolitics, India-China Relations, India-Russia relations News: The confrontation between Russia and Ukraine is now raging on with no end in sight, and with its long-term implications yet unknown. What are the consequences for India? India’s initial phase of diplomatic rush is over. Its geopolitical options are shrinking as the war drags… Continue reading A war that is shrinking India’s geopolitical options
The technical higher education market dissected
News: During the past two years, the higher education technical institutions have seen a drop of 18.3% and 6.01% in the number of institutions and intake capacity, respectively. Background of technical higher education Much of the growth in technical higher education has been after 1991, when the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) became functional. … Continue reading The technical higher education market dissected
Focusing on public health engineering
News: According to Startup India, one in five children die before their fifth birthday because of poor sanitation and hygiene conditions. What are the environmental degradation problems? Global According to the United Nations, Globally, around 80% of wastewater flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused which pose a significant environmental and health… Continue reading Focusing on public health engineering
9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – May 17th, 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 – May 17th, 2022
Inauguration of amenities at Kanheri Caves
What is the News? The Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) has inaugurated the Kanheri Caves on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. What are Kanheri Caves? The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments located on the western outskirts of Mumbai. The caves are located… Continue reading Inauguration of amenities at Kanheri Caves
Explained: What is fair and average quality wheat, the norms for which have been relaxed by the government?
What is the News? The Centre has relaxed the Fair and Average Quality(FAQ) norms for wheat in the ongoing rabi marketing season in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh raising the permissible limit of “shriveled and broken grains” to 18% from the existing 6%. Procurement Process of Wheat Every year, before procurement begins in April, the Storage… Continue reading Explained: What is fair and average quality wheat, the norms for which have been relaxed by the government?
Explained: What is the Places of Worship Act and what are its provisions?
What is the News? The Supreme Court will hear an appeal challenging the order of a civil court in Varanasi which allowed inspection, survey and videography at the Gyanvapi Mosque complex. The petitioner contended that the Civil Court order upheld by Allahabad High Court is “clearly prohibited” by The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act,… Continue reading Explained: What is the Places of Worship Act and what are its provisions?
The repo rate in India
What is the News? Reserve Bank of India has announced that the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee(MPC) had held an ‘off-cycle’ meeting at which it had decided unanimously to raise the policy repo rate by 40 basis points to 4.40% with immediate effect. What is Repo Rate? The Repo Rate is one of several direct and… Continue reading The repo rate in India
