Context: Recently, an IndiGo ATR aircraft landed at Kishangarh Airport in Rajasthan using GAGAN, India’s own Space-Based Augmented System (SBAS). Contents1 Why this is a significant achievement for India?2 What is GAGAN?3 What are the augmented systems already in place around the world?4 Why India has struggled with NavIC?5 Why indigenous navigation systems are a… Continue reading In Business & Security, Sky Isn’t The Limit For GAGAN
Tag: gs paper 3
From corals to sharks, marine species can glow with biofluorescence in the sea’
Context: Biofluorescence in Oceanic species Fluorescence in oceanic species Corals: Corals make so much of one particular protein which causes them to be fluorescent. This composes 15% of the protein in corals. Corals could use biofluorescence as an attractant for microbes with whom they have a symbiotic relationship — microbes have very good photoreceptors and… Continue reading From corals to sharks, marine species can glow with biofluorescence in the sea’
In rising heat, the cry of the wilting outdoor worker
Context: The intensity and frequency of heatwaves have soared in South Asia and they are set to worsen in the years ahead. The consequences for health and livelihoods are catastrophic, as a third of South Asia’s population depends on outdoor work. India must initiate safety nets — a combination of targeted transfers and insurance schemes… Continue reading In rising heat, the cry of the wilting outdoor worker
The missing CDS
News: Recently, the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India died in a helicopter crash. The second CDS of India has not been appointed so far. The Indian military continues to remain headless and directionless with no successor to Rawat. Contents1 Importance of the CDS 2 History of Tri-Service Command in India 3 What are the… Continue reading The missing CDS
Paradise polluted: Can we save Kashmir’s lakes?
Context: Normalcy is gradually returning to Jammu and Kashmir after the upheaval caused by the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. Tourism has been rapidly growing. For example, 100% hotel occupancy was seen in popular resorts of Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam in the winter months of 2021-22. Contents1 What are the problems being faced… Continue reading Paradise polluted: Can we save Kashmir’s lakes?
Faster, cheaper and cleaner power
Context: The Sate-owned NTPC said it plans to begin work on the construction of a new coal power plant, despite it being faster, cheaper and cleaner to build solar or wind. Why India should transition to solar and wind energy? Record low tariffs: India has seen record low renewable energy tariffs of Rs 1.99 (2.6… Continue reading Faster, cheaper and cleaner power
How India’s new VPN rules change the status quo
News: On 28 April 2022, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In) issued new directives that require Virtual Private Network (VPN) providers to store user data for five years. What does the directive say? Under the new directions, Storage of user data: – VPN providers will need to store validated customer names, their physical addresses,… Continue reading How India’s new VPN rules change the status quo
Inflation and what to do about it: Secure cheap Russian oil at least
Context: The current price rise in Indian economy is largely driven by the non-core elements in the retail consumption basket. The food element in the non-core is being driven up both by primary global supply shortages and the rise in the fuel cost of transporting food. The key, therefore, is the cost of fuel. Core… Continue reading Inflation and what to do about it: Secure cheap Russian oil at least
The status of the Naga peace talks
News: The annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released recently said that the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) was involved in 44% of insurgency-related incidents in Nagaland in 2020. The Union government had, in 2015, signed a framework agreement with the NSCN-IM to find a solution to… Continue reading The status of the Naga peace talks
Let’s make GST a good and simple tax
The introduction of GST might be the most important tax reform. It was a unique experiment in cooperative federalism, where both the Union and the state governments gave up their tax autonomy in favor of harmonizing domestic trade taxes. However, some negative features have been inserted into the tax to make it acceptable. Why single rate… Continue reading Let’s make GST a good and simple tax
