What is the News? The Bihar government has sent a fresh proposal to the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) to get the Cyclopean wall listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Note: Bihar is currently home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely: 1) Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda and 2) Mahabodhi temple of… Continue reading Bihar sends fresh proposal seeking UNESCO’s heritage tag for 2,500-yr-old ‘Cyclopean wall’
InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer: FDA authorizes first breath test for Covid
What is the News? The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for the Covid-19 test named InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer. What is InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer? It is the first testing device that can detect COVID-19 in the breath samples of humans. How does the test device work? The device uses a… Continue reading InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer: FDA authorizes first breath test for Covid
Explained: What is parboiled rice, and why Center wants to stop purchasing it
What is the News? Telangana Chief Minister has staged a dharna demanding a uniform paddy procurement policy. This protest came after the Center said it was stopping the purchase of excess Parboiled Rice of which Telangana is a major producer. What is Parboiled Rice? The dictionary meaning of ‘parboil’ is ‘partly cooked by boiling’. Thus,… Continue reading Explained: What is parboiled rice, and why Center wants to stop purchasing it
Union Minister inaugurates 40th ‘Hunar Haat’ in Mumbai
What is the News? Union Minister of Minority Affairs inaugurated the 40th edition of the ‘Hunar Haat’ in Mumbai. What is Hunar Haat? Organized by: Ministry of Minority Affairs under USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills & Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme. Purpose: It is an exhibition of handicrafts and traditional products made by artisans… Continue reading Union Minister inaugurates 40th ‘Hunar Haat’ in Mumbai
South Asia Economic Focus: World bank cuts India growth forecast on Ukraine crisis
What is the News? The World Bank has released its bi-annual report titled “South Asia Economic Focus”. The report analyzes the economic impact on South Asia of the war in Ukraine, presents growth forecasts and concludes that reshaping economies goes hand in hand with reshaping norms. What are the key findings of the South Asia… Continue reading South Asia Economic Focus: World bank cuts India growth forecast on Ukraine crisis
The functioning of the Enforcement Directorate
What is the News? The Enforcement Directorate(ED) has been in the news for summoning people for possible money laundering cases. What is the Enforcement Directorate(ED)? Read here about ED How did the ED get powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)? The PMLA Act was brought in to prevent the parking of money… Continue reading The functioning of the Enforcement Directorate
Centre extends tenure of green permits
What is the News? The Union Environment Ministry has extended the tenure of Environmental Clearances(EC) granted for existing or new projects in several sectors. What is Environmental Clearance(EC)? Environmental Clearance(EC) is a process that is mandatory for projects that are beyond a certain size. Purpose: To assess the impact of the planned project on the… Continue reading Centre extends tenure of green permits
A six-point agenda for India to raise its trade competitiveness
Context: India recently signed trade deals with Australia and UAE. Many more are in pipeline. Such deals are important as exports lead to higher growth. In a white paper on ‘Building Competitiveness for Inclusive Growth’, CUTS International, Institute for Competitiveness and Institute for Studies in Industrial Development have outlined an action agenda for improving Indian… Continue reading A six-point agenda for India to raise its trade competitiveness
Focus on CPI inflation
News: In 2021 and 2022, the present inflation rate in developed markets is much higher (8.5% in the US). Therefore, the central banks of developed markets (DM) like the US Fed, or the European Central Bank, or the Bank of England — all of them have chosen inflation targeting. It has generated debate on the… Continue reading Focus on CPI inflation
Medicinal plants await good marketing
Context: Recently, the Ministry of AYUSH launched e-CHARAK, an electronic platform for interaction between various stakeholders in the medicinal plants sector. It will allow sale, purchase and sharing of material as well as know-how between different stakeholders. In this relation, medicinal plants sector has come under focus. The curative plants of significant commercial value are… Continue reading Medicinal plants await good marketing
