Synopsis: India’s start-up ecosystem is radically breaking from its past in company valuations, unicorn numbers, funding round sizes, foreign interest, and growth. Introduction The three acts of entrepreneurship from five years ago — Jio, UPI, and GST have converged to accelerate startup ecosystem. This triad of private, nonprofit, and government courage demonstrates the economic upsides… Continue reading The New Economic Scrabble
Who is my regulator?: On RBI’s recent actions against auditors
Synopsis: RBI’s recent actions against auditors highlight the need for role clarity as well as coordination among regulators Introduction Recently, the RBI had issued an order debarring a firm of chartered accountants from undertaking any type of audit assignment in any RBI regulated entity for a period of two years. This action has been taken,… Continue reading Who is my regulator?: On RBI’s recent actions against auditors
Carbon removal and phasing out of coal
Synopsis: Possibility of phasing out coal, challenges involved and major issues with carbon removal technologies. Why phasing out of coal is necessary? Among fossil fuels, coal has the highest contribution to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Almost 40% CO2 emitted from the burning of fossil fuels in 2019 came from coal-fired power plants and industry. Coal… Continue reading Carbon removal and phasing out of coal
Troop of ‘Blue Langurs’ spotted in Gujarat’s chemical paradise Ankleshwar
What is the news? A troop of Gray or Hanuman langurs with their fur/hair coloured blue, due to exposure to chemical-based dyes, was spotted in an industrial neighbourhood of Ankleshwar in Gujarat recently. What is the reason for their blue-colored fur/hair? The town of Ankleshwar is well-known for its industrial units manufacturing dyes and intermediates.… Continue reading Troop of ‘Blue Langurs’ spotted in Gujarat’s chemical paradise Ankleshwar
Explained: What is the climate vulnerability index released by CEEW?
What is the news? Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) has released its first-of-its-kind district-level climate vulnerability assessment or Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI). The index has analyzed 640 districts in India and found that 463 of these are vulnerable to extreme floods, droughts and cyclones etc. What are the key findings of the Climate Vulnerability Index?… Continue reading Explained: What is the climate vulnerability index released by CEEW?
Chief Election Commissioner of India visits Uzbekistan as an International Observer for Presidential Elections
What is the News? On the invitation of the Chairman, Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan(CEC-U), the Chief Election Commissioner of India visited Uzbekistan in order to observe the conduct of Presidential elections. Has the Election Commission of India earlier deployed observers in other countries? The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been deploying observers in… Continue reading Chief Election Commissioner of India visits Uzbekistan as an International Observer for Presidential Elections
New non-toxic organic photocatalyst can efficiently capture CO2 and convert it into methane
What is the News? Indian Scientists have designed a cost-effective metal-free catalyst to convert carbon dioxide to methane by absorption of visible light. What is the process used by scientists to convert CO2 to Methane? Scientists used the photochemical process to convert atmospheric CO2 into methane. Note: A photochemical reaction is a chemical reaction initiated… Continue reading New non-toxic organic photocatalyst can efficiently capture CO2 and convert it into methane
Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’ dedicated to the Nation
What is the News? Director-General of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned the indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’ at a ceremony held in Goa. What is ICGS Sarthak? ICGS Sarthak is an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel(OPV) by the Goa Shipyard Limited. Note: Offshore patrol vessels(OPVs) are patrolling vehicles that are deployed by… Continue reading Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’ dedicated to the Nation
Unesco World Heritage forests: India’s Sundarbans among 5 sites with highest ‘blue carbon’ globally
What is the News? Researchers at UNESCO, the World Resources Institute and the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) have released a new assessment of greenhouse gas volumes emitted from and absorbed by forests in UNESCO World Heritage sites. What are the key findings of the report on UNESCO World Heritage Forests? The researchers have… Continue reading Unesco World Heritage forests: India’s Sundarbans among 5 sites with highest ‘blue carbon’ globally
EAC-PM: 3 new members inducted
What is the News? The Government of India has reconstituted the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) under the leadership of Dr Bibek Debroy for a period of two years after its term came to an end in September 2021. What is the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister(EAC-PM)? EAC-PM is a… Continue reading EAC-PM: 3 new members inducted
