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.
[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.
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.
[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 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?
[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 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)?
[Answered] How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?
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?
Public sector banks: More sinned against than sinners
News: PSB’s have played a key role in the “new welfarism” model of the government. However, the immense effort undertaken by the PSB agencies has not been rewarded adequately. In this context, a mere comparison of PSB’s with private sector banks is illogical. Because, three-fourths of the banking sector is burdened with social objectives in… Continue reading Public sector banks: More sinned against than sinners
The new fintech department of RBI has its work cut out
News: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) created a new department to supervise and regulate fintech. Through the department, RBI plans to promote innovation in the sector and also identify the challenges and opportunities associated with it. Fintech ecosystem has seen the entry of ‘Big Tech’ like Alibaba, as well as decentralized products and… Continue reading The new fintech department of RBI has its work cut out
Weaponising ED, tax authorities to expand counterinsurgency security umbrella in Kashmir is a fraught move
News: A new approach is being deployed against insurgency in Kashmir. Apart from security agencies, other organisations such as Enforcement Directorate (ED) are now being roped in to deal with the funding and financing of terror activities. This new policy runs the risk of further alienation of the local population What has been the recent… Continue reading Weaponising ED, tax authorities to expand counterinsurgency security umbrella in Kashmir is a fraught move
High costs, low use may derail the development of EV charging Infra
News: Electric vehicle (EV) industry may fall well short of its target of setting up a sufficient number of public charging stations in India this year. What is the current status of charging infrastructure in India? According to a report by Grant Thornton-Bharat and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India… Continue reading High costs, low use may derail the development of EV charging Infra
The difficulty in spending
News: According to GDP accounting, Government consumption in the September 2021 quarter, was 17% lower than in September 2019. If the government spending had instead grown at the pace seen pre-Covid, the overall GDP would have been 4% higher than in September 2019. Why, a shortage of funds is not the reason for this lack of… Continue reading The difficulty in spending
