News: Article highlights the finer details of the voting system followed at the UN and various other organs like UN Security Council. Nature of Voting in UN System The UN General Assembly: The member country has various options for voting like ‘Yes’, ‘No’, ‘Abstention’, ‘present and not participating’ or ‘absent at the time of the… Continue reading United Nations votes are not black and white
Looming fertilizer shortage
News: The Ukraine war has disrupted the supplies of fertilisers in the international market. It could impact India too, as it depends heavily on imports for meeting their burgeoning requirement of fertilizers, For example, India’s import dependence is about 25% for urea, nearly 90% for phosphates, and 100% for potash. Why the supplies of… Continue reading Looming fertilizer shortage
Why next FATF review is critical for India?
News: The evaluation of India by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) could start by the September-October year, followed by an on-site visit in February 2023. What is FATF and what is its objective? FATF is an inter-governmental body that Sets standards, and develops and promotes policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Generates… Continue reading Why next FATF review is critical for India?
Our weak educational outcomes have a wide set of societal causes
Context: There are various societal reasons due to which children are not achieving appropriate learning outcomes in schools. This article describes the societal reasons. Overall governance and administrative culture Low prioritization of education – as manifested in budget allocation and human resources. Failure to recognize that education is a matter of deep expertise: Key decisions… Continue reading Our weak educational outcomes have a wide set of societal causes
Towards inclusive education
News: Recently, the draft accessibility guidelines and standards for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Universities were released by the Universities Grants Commission (UGC). How can the guidelines be further improved Correction of Procedural flaw: The public notice preceding the guidelines was inaccessible to persons with visual disabilities. The document was poorly scanned, instead a digital… Continue reading Towards inclusive education
India is amongst the world’s largest arms importers, says SIPRI
What is the News? Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released a report titled “Trends in International Arms Transfers 2021 Report”. What are the key findings of the report? The volume of international transfers of major arms in 2017–21 was 4.6% lower than in 2012–16, but was 3.9% higher than in 2007–11. The five… Continue reading India is amongst the world’s largest arms importers, says SIPRI
What are MANPADS that the West is sending Ukraine?
What is the News? The United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) are shipping weapons into Ukraine, including highly sensitive items such as shoulder-fired missiles called Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS) that can take down aircraft. What are MANPADS? MANPADS are short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles that can be fired by individuals or small groups… Continue reading What are MANPADS that the West is sending Ukraine?
National Rail Plan Vision – 2030
What is the News? The Minister of Railways has informed Lok Sabha about the National Rail Plan Vision – 2030. What is the National Rail Plan Vision – 2030? Prepared by: Indian Railways Aim: To create a ‘future ready’ Railway system by 2030 Salient Features of the plan – Formulate strategies based on both operational… Continue reading National Rail Plan Vision – 2030
National eVidhan Application(NeVA)
What is the News? Minister Of State For Parliamentary Affairs has informed Lok Sabha about the National eVidhan Application(NeVA). What is the National eVidhan Application(NeVA)? National eVidhan Application(NeVA) is a Mission Mode Project (MMP) included in the Digital India Programme. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs(MoPA) Aim: To make the functioning of all Legislative Houses… Continue reading National eVidhan Application(NeVA)
Beneficiaries Under PM-Daksh Yojana
What is the News? The Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment has informed Rajya Sabha about the PM-Daksh Yojana. What is PM-Daksh Yojana? Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Full Form: Pradhan Mantri-Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana (PM-DAKSH) Purpose: It is a National Action Plan for skilling marginalized persons covering SCs, OBCs,… Continue reading Beneficiaries Under PM-Daksh Yojana
