The National Food Security Act, 2013 aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two-third of the country’s population. The enactment of this landmark legislation, brought a paradigm shift in approach to food security, from welfare to rights-based approach. The salient features of the act are as:  Coverage and entitlement: Up to 75% of rural… Continue reading [Answered] What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act 2013? How has the Food security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India?

Basic infrastructure facilities in the country provide the foundation of growth. In the absence of adequate infrastructure the economy operates at suboptimal levels and remains distant from its potential and frontier growth trajectory.  Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth  Creation of Jobs – Infrastructure development such as road construction, real estate,… Continue reading [Answered] “Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the light of India’s experience.

A V-shaped recovery is characterized by a quick and sustained recovery in measures of economic performance after a sharp economic decline  Indian Economy has recently experienced V shaped recovery  As per official data, country’s GDP grew by 20% in Q1 of FY 2021-22 in comparison to Q1 of FY 2020-21.  The Economic Survey has also… Continue reading [Answered] Do you agree that Indian economy has recently experienced V – shaped recovery? Give reasons in support of their answer.

Cyber threats are anonymous and borderless. Thus, it makes the tracking of criminals difficult and cybersecurity a national security issue.  Impact of cross border cyber attack  It will have debilitating impact on Critical Information Infrastructure (Power Plans, nuclear Plants, telecommunications etc.)  Cross border cyber-attacks can be used to threaten national security by indulging in contemporary… Continue reading [Answered] Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross border cyber-attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.

Money laundering is disguising the identity of illegally obtained money so that it would appear to have originated from legitimate sources. Money laundering is generally used by criminals to disguise their illicit funds, terrorists to dodge tracking or tax evaders.  Emerging technologies contribute to money laundering in following ways:  Use of cryptocurrencies and alternate finance that are unregulated by governments  Encrypted conversations facilitate exchange of information about money laundering   Large volume… Continue reading [Answered] Discuss how emerging technologies and globalization contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels.

Earthquake is sudden shaking of earth surface, while earthquake hazard is anything associated with an earthquake that can affect people’s day-to-day life. Earthquake hazards can range across ground shaking, surface rupture, landslide, liquefaction, tectonic deformation, tsunami etc.  Vulnerability of India to Earthquake-related hazards:   According to BIS, more than 58.6 percent of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity. The occurrence of the Killari earthquake in 1993 resulted in revision of the seismic zoning in India with the low hazard… Continue reading [Answered] Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades.

The WHO recently released an updated version of the Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs). The guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations, by reducing levels of key air pollutants.  Key Points:  WHO’s new guidelines recommend air quality levels for six pollutants — particulate matter (PM 2.5 & PM10), ozone (O₃), nitrogen… Continue reading [Answered] Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards?

The Green grid/OSOWOG initiative announced at COP-26, Glasgow by India and UK, is an international initiative to create an interconnected global power grid for reliable, resilient and affordable supply of clean energy for all.   Purpose of the Green Grid Initiative can be highlighted as:  To speed up the process to decarbonize energy production, which is… Continue reading [Answered] Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

The S-400 (Triumf) is a mobile long range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) system developed by Russia. It is considered as one of the world’s most advanced air defence systems that can simultaneously track and neutralize a range of incoming aerial threats. India has engaged with Russia for the purchase of 5 S-400, missile defence system.  S-400… Continue reading [Answered] How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?