Govt. reconstitutes Central Advisory Board on Archaeology

What is the News? The Government of India has reconstituted the Central Advisory Board on Archaeology (CABA). What is the Central Advisory Board on Archaeology (CABA)? Purpose: To strengthen contacts between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and those in the field of archaeological research. – To advise the Centre on matters relating to archaeology… Continue reading Govt. reconstitutes Central Advisory Board on Archaeology

Let’s keep GST good and simple

Context: The Supreme Court ruled on May 19th that the recommendations of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council only have persuasive value, and cannot be binding on the Centre and states. It should be noted that the case – Union of India vs Mohit Minerals Pvt Ltd – was dealing with the levy of… Continue reading Let’s keep GST good and simple

Talking peace, negotiating with the Maoists

News: Recently, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh announced that the State government was ready for peace talks with the Maoists provided they laid down arms and expressed their faith in the Constitution of India. Contents1 Earlier attempts2 What are the major conditions of the Maoists?3 Should the Govt withdraw security forces from Maoist areas?4 Way… Continue reading Talking peace, negotiating with the Maoists

The neighbourhood in turmoil, lessons for India

Context: India’s foreign policy while dealing with the neighbouring countries in the South Asia Region has changed from 2016 to the present. Rather than prevailing over any uncooperative neighbour using any means possible, India has now shifted towards using soft-power diplomacy, thereby improving ties with each of the South Asian countries. However, it has virtually… Continue reading The neighbourhood in turmoil, lessons for India

Pockets of hope, linking nature and humanity 

News: Recently, the International Day for Biological Diversity was observed on May 22 across the world.  Significance of Biodiversity  It is the living fabric of our planet. It underpins human well-being in the present and in the future. Its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike.  What are the drivers of biodiversity loss?  According to… Continue reading Pockets of hope, linking nature and humanity 

Crushing lives: On the need to enforce rules in quarries

Context: Death of three workers in an accident at a private stone quarry in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu has raised concerns regarding worker safety at hazardous sites. In the present case, a falling boulder trapped six workers and their heavy vehicles under debris in a 300-feet deep stone quarry. Contents1 Were the norms… Continue reading Crushing lives: On the need to enforce rules in quarries

Bridging the health policy to execution chasm

News: The Union government has released a guidance document on the setting up of a ‘public health and management cadre’ (PHMC) as well as revised editions of the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for ensuring quality health care in government facilities.   Background  The health sector has been facing multiple challenges of handling an epidemic and… Continue reading Bridging the health policy to execution chasm

Explained | What a new study on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome says about the disease

Contents1 What is the News?2 What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?3 What is the BChE enzyme responsible for?4 What are the findings on the link between BChE enzyme and SIDS? What is the News? A team of researchers in Australia has identified a biochemical marker in the blood that could help identify newborn babies… Continue reading Explained | What a new study on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome says about the disease

The child online safety toolkit

What is the News? Britain-based NGO 5 Rights has released the Child Online Safety Toolkit with the aim to make the online experience safe for children.  What is the need for a Child Online Safety Toolkit? Education has migrated almost entirely online for a significant period during the pandemic and children were linked to schools… Continue reading The child online safety toolkit

Understanding India’s ethanol blending policy

Contents1 What is the News?2 What is Ethanol?3 What is Ethanol Blended Programme?4 How does Ethanol blending effect vehicles?5 What is the International experience with ethanol blending?6 What is the environmental cost of Ethanol Blending? What is the News? The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 to advance the… Continue reading Understanding India’s ethanol blending policy

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