What is the News? The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas has co-chaired a virtual Ministerial meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Energy to launch the revamped U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP). About the U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) When was it launched? It was launched at the Leaders Summit on Climate held… Continue reading Ministerial meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP)
Thamirabarani civilisation 3,200 years old
What is the News? A study has revealed that the Thamirabarani civilization in Tamil Nadu is at least 3,200 years old. About the study on Thamirabarani civilization The study was carried out by the US-based Beta Analytic Testing Laboratory. The laboratory has conducted the carbon dating analysis of rice with soil found in a burial… Continue reading Thamirabarani civilisation 3,200 years old
New rules to reform financial powers of armed forces
What is the news? In order to address operational needs of the armed forces, Defence Minister has released order on Delegation of Financial Powers to Defence Services (DFPDS), 2021. The last DFPDS was released in 2016. Under this order, new rules have been released to enhance the delegation of revenue procurement powers for the Army,… Continue reading New rules to reform financial powers of armed forces
The success of the PLI is likely to hinge on how entrepreneurs weigh the risk-reward equation
What is the news? Recently, Cabinet gave approval of a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the textile sector that is expressly targeted at the man-made fibre (MMF) and technical textiles segments. In the global level, there was a shift in the consumer preferences and fashion trends which saw MMF surpass cotton as the fibre… Continue reading The success of the PLI is likely to hinge on how entrepreneurs weigh the risk-reward equation
Making green hydrogen viable demands financial, tech support to lower costs
Synopsis: Bringing down the cost of producing Green Hydrogen in India will require a mix of financial and technological interventions. Background Read here: Green Hydrogen – Explained, pointwise What is the major issue with Green Hydrogen adoption? Cost: According to The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the cost of green hydrogen production is $5-6 a… Continue reading Making green hydrogen viable demands financial, tech support to lower costs
The irrelevance of Indian GDP estimates to most of our citizens
Synopsis: Economic recovery is unlikely to prove sustainable when most basic indicators of human development show a worsening of our situation. Introduction Estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021-22 were released on 31 August. This year’s first-quarter estimate shows a 20%-plus GDP growth. However, the real issue is… Continue reading The irrelevance of Indian GDP estimates to most of our citizens
Terror didn’t win: 9/11 changed democratic countries in some unlovely ways. But democracies stayed on track
Synopsis: This article highlights how global democracies change after the 9/11 attack. Introduction A study from the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the number of active terrorist groups was 67 in 2018, the most since 1980. A new study from the Costs of War project at Brown University calculates that the… Continue reading Terror didn’t win: 9/11 changed democratic countries in some unlovely ways. But democracies stayed on track
What Chandrayaan-2 has sent
Synopsis: The failure of Chandrayaan-2 to make a soft-landing on the lunar surface had led to much disappointment. However, Orbiter part of the mission has gathered a wealth of new information. Introduction Due to crash landing, ISRO missed the opportunity to demonstrate soft-landing in outer space and gather more local information. The lander Vikram and rover… Continue reading What Chandrayaan-2 has sent
Climate crisis in North East India: What is behind water scarcity in the region
Synopsis: Changing rainfall pattern including incidents of high and variable rainfall in NE states is causing problems like floods, land degradation and acidification. Introduction The climate of North East India is changing, which includes changing rainfall patterns over the region, resulting in overall drying up of the region. A major reason behind it is the… Continue reading Climate crisis in North East India: What is behind water scarcity in the region
Terra pharma: A new drugs legislation must keep the pharma sector growing while safeguarding consumer interest
Synopsis: Pharma ecosystem is rapidly evolving and needs proper monitoring and regulation. Introduction The Union government has constituted a committee for framing draft legislation regarding new drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. Read more: Panel set up to draft Bill on drugs, cosmetics and medical devices What is the performance of Indian Pharma at global level?… Continue reading Terra pharma: A new drugs legislation must keep the pharma sector growing while safeguarding consumer interest
